“You're going to love the Planetarium!” Monique assured her as, looking smashing in the latest Club Banana clothes, she pulled into the parking lot.
Kim, who was dressed more relaxed, didn't pay much attention to what was outside as she swiveled her head to look at Monique. “When you said we were going out on the night scene, I didn't realize we were going to a light show,” she said, perplexed.
“Oh, it's all that, Kim. And a bag of chips.” Monique winked at her before she got out of the car.
Only when Kim exited the passenger door did she understand what Monique had been talking about. The Planetarium was the name of the place they were going to. “Looks busy,” she said, impressed. “Is it new?”
“Open five months ago, and yes, it's busy. Don't worry, though,” Monique said breezily. “They know me here.”
Sure enough, Monique dragged her past the line of twenty-somethings waiting to get in, flashed her smile at the bouncers, and was allowed in.
Kim blinked and looked around. “Wow,” she said. “Live band tonight?”
“House band,” Monique said. “They do a great business here. Oh, and when all the lights go out for a few seconds, don't go into ‘danger-save-the-day’ mode on me. It's part of the shtick here. Hey!” she said brightly to someone as they flitted past.
The interior of the club had an outer space theme going for it, but it wasn't like a geeky TV show. The art on the walls was dark colors, rich planets, and swirling clouds of dust and nebulae. It gave the place a surreal look, without it being disorienting. “I'm surprised you have time for a reputation on the nightclub circuit,” she murmured. “Considering what you spend a lot of your after-dark hours doing.”
“It's all about creating an impression,” Monique said quietly. “Sort of a Bruce Wayne thing. Except everybody knows I'm no fool. Plus,” she added, “I do pick up information here. A lot of customers are into the raver/Ecstasy thing, and it lets me know where some of the dealers are.”
“Wait, I thought you were just stopping random crimes,” Kim reminded her.
“There are crimes taking place every night in Middleton,” Monique said. “Sometimes the only way to stop them is to go to the source.”
“Taking on drug dealers? That's dangerous, Mo!”
Monique looked at her calmly. “You don't have a lot of experience with this sort of thing, do you?” she said sympathetically.
“Excuse me? Kim Possible? I can do anything?”
“Your exploits seem to range more toward the world conquerors,” Monique pointed out. “You really don't tangle much with drug dealers and muggers and the like.”
Kim scrunched her brow. “Well, no, I guess not,” she realized.
“That's why I do this,” her friend said simply. “You handle the big stuff. I sweat the small stuff. Come on,” she added before Kim could reply, taking her by the wrist. “This is an off night, and work is not on the table for discussion.”
“Monique…”
“Do you want me to ask about you and Shego?”
Kim's mouth clamped shut.
“I thought so. Ron's always wigging out over it. Only he can't talk about it in front of Xita, because she might get jealous, so it's my ear he pours it into.” Monique sighed. “I never really tangled with this Shego girl before that night in the Acceptables’ home, so it's not something I obsess over. If you say you know what you're doing, then I trust you.”
“Thanks,” Kim said softly.
“So when I tell you that I know what I'm doing,” Monique went on.
Kim sighed. “I trust you.”
“That's my girl.”
“I just worry.”
“Worry's fine. It's what friends do. Just don't let ‘worry’ turn into lecture mode, okay girl?” Monique finally spotted what she was looking for as the crowd parted for an instant. “There we go,” she said.
“What?”
“Mixed drinks, girlfriend. I'm twenty-one and I want a margarita.”
“Donovan was all right, but he wasn't all that,” Monique said dismissively. “And since I started my new nighttime gig, I haven't had much time for dating.” Her eyes sparkled as a good-looking young man passed by, and she waggled her fingers at him.
“No time for dating?” Kim asked dryly.
“Flirting, yes, dating, no. What about you?”
“Ugh, don't ask. I wasn't seeing anybody even before I started hiding on an island.” She hesitated. “Whatever happened to Josh?”
“Who, Mankey? To quote Kim Possible, ‘Ugh, don't ask.’ There is no justice in the world.”
“Why?”
“I told you not to ask. Now you're going to get it. He's still at Boston College.”
Kim raised an eyebrow. “So?”
“So who else do we know who went to study in Boston?”
“Well, there's…” Kim looked at Monique in horror. “No.”
Monique nodded solemnly. “Yes.”
“He's seeing Bonnie?!”
“She's still studying ballet at the Boston Conservatory,” Monique confirmed, grimacing. “Last I heard, they were living together in an off-campus apartment.”
“She's certainly got the prima donna act down,” Kim said. “It's just - Josh and Bonnie? Hello? It's official. Karma doesn't exist,” she sighed, leaning back in her seat.
Monique laughed. “I'm sorry, I know you used to like him.”
“Used. Emphasis on used! Pre-owned, even,” Kim assured her. “If he'd willingly spend his free time with Bonnie, then he obviously wasn't worth my time.”
“Kim… Kim!”
“What?” she asked irritably.
“Uh, are you sure they didn't put rum in your Coke? Because you kinda zoned out on me after the Josh thing.”
“I did?”
“Not the first time, either. What's on your mind, Kim?”
She sighed. “Shego. I haven't heard from her since I left with Ron earlier. She's pulled another one of her disappearing acts.”
“So?” Monique asked. “Like I said, I only met her once and I don't judge, but I hear she's tough putting up with. I hope you're not saying my wit and personality aren't enough to hold your interest?” she said in mock offense, putting a hand to her chest.
“No,” Kim said. “Just that the last time she disappeared, I didn't see her for a month. I always wonder if the next time I'll see her will be the last time.”
“Mm-hm.”
“What mm-hm?”
“You really do like this woman, don't you?”
“I - I guess I do,” Kim admitted. “I've worked pretty hard to maintain this friendship. She doesn't make it easy for me, I'll tell you.”
Monique nodded. “Do you care about her?”
Kim thought about it. “A little. We're more alike than either of us would admit. I don't think I could fight her again. I wouldn't want to hurt her.”
“Kim.”
“Yeah?”
“You don't have - feelings for her, do you?”
“Feelings?”
Monique looked pointedly at her.
“Oh!” Kim blurted out, realizing what she meant. “God, no! I mean, I like her, but - are you kidding?!”
“I'm cool with it if you are,” Monique said, shrugging. “But you might want to tell Ron yourself if it's true, or otherwise he'll have a meltdown.”
“Monique, trust me,” Kim said. “There's nothing going on. I don't think Shego could let anyone in that far.”
Monique smiled. “Fair enough. In that case, I think it's time we found you a man.”
Kim chuckled. “Not really high on my list of priorities, Mo.”
“Who cares? Let's dance!”
And so it was that a minute later, Kim found herself next to Monique in a large crowd of sweaty people moving to the beat of the Planetarium cover band as it moved proficiently through a series of hits.
Kim wouldn't have believed that one could even move in the throng, but with the pulsating beat, she tended to close her eyes and feel the music, and like those times at the beach, at some point she discovered that the tides had separated her from Monique, blocking her from view.
Before she could think about going to find her, the lights went out.
The cheers from the crowd eased the tension that momentarily settled in Kim's body, reminding her of Monique's earlier warning. As the lights came back on, albeit it on a dimmer setting, she understood why. The ceiling was alight with glow-in-the dark stars and white-light galaxies that created an otherworldly atmosphere above the darkened dance floor. It rotated very slowly, inducing an almost hypnotic effect that was amplified by the dreamy tune that emanated from the band.
“Sometimes when this place gets kind of empty
Sound of their breath fades with the light
I think about the loveless fascination
Under the Milky Way tonight.”
She vaguely recognized the song from the stations that played older music. Kim bet it was a signature piece in a place like this, considering the lyrics. But the melody was alluring, and Kim found herself swaying gently, eyes closed, as she allowed herself to be mesmerized, free.
“Lower the curtain down on Memphis
Lower the curtain down all right
I got no time for private consultation
Under the Milky Way tonight.”
When she felt strong arms circle her waist, Kim wasn't even surprised. This was a song to dance to. This was a song to dance to with someone else, and she didn't even open her eyes to see who her benefactor was. Kim smiled and raised her arms, letting them fall gently on the shoulders of the person across from her. He stiffened momentarily before relaxing, and the two swayed in unison, utterly bewitched.
“Wish I knew what you were looking for.
Might have known what you would find.”
Kim felt the lazy smile tugging at her lips as she opened her eyes.
In the dark she saw Shego's eyes, like impossibly dark pools in the dimly lit room, staring intensely back at her.
“And it's something quite peculiar
Something shimmering and white.
It leads you here despite your destination
Under the Milky Way tonight.”
A small corner of Kim's brain trilled alarmingly, but a greater concern to her for the moment was the way Shego's eyes reminded her of dark pits - the kind of deep holes that people might plunge to their deaths in. Shivering with the memory of Mrs. Acceptable's death, Kim sought refuge in the music and the arms linked loosely behind her waist. She tightened her own grip briefly.
Shego, meanwhile, was unreadable as she didn't even blink. Her hands shifted slightly as she threaded her fingers together behind Kim's back.
They circled each other like planet and moon, forces of nature too strong to allow them to spin out of orbit.
Then the song ended, the lights rose again, and Monique called out to Kim.
Kim and Shego stared at each other, the trance broken. The blood rushed into Kim's face as she immediately yanked her arms back from Shego's shoulders - oh God, her neck too. Shego followed suit an instant later, and the two backed away from each other uncomfortably.
“Hey, Kim, great place, huh?” Monique said as she arrived. She hadn't seen them dancing. There were too many people in the way. She looked at Shego in her black slacks and spaghetti-strap green top. “Shego?”
Shego looked at her. “Oryx,” she replied. “Been a while.”
“Hey, ix-nay on the Oryx-ay!” Monique hissed. “Some of us actually try to hide our other identities, you know?”
“Sorry,” Shego muttered. “You fought well.”
“That's Shego,” Kim said, laughing nervously. “All that matters is what kind of punch you can throw.”
“Is there a problem here?” Monique asked, looking at Kim.
“Nope, no problem, none at all,” Kim babbled.
“Don't look at me,” Shego added, and she appeared to be taking her own advice. She didn't even look at Monique as she spoke, her eyes locked on Kim's face.
“Oh-kay,” Monique mumbled. “How did you know where to find us?” she asked Shego.
“I didn't,” Shego replied. “I was looking for a good time. Thought I'd let Kimmie here have her ‘family dinner',” she said, mimicking her mother.
“It's after ten. How long do you think it takes us to eat?” Kim asked.
Shego shrugged. “It's not something I have a lot of experience with,” she said. “They made it sound like an event.”
“I have to use the ladies’ room,” Kim said before Monique could reply. Then she darted off in another direction.
“Kim, the ladies’ room is in the other… “ Monique called after her helplessly. “Oh well, I guess she'll find it.”
“Which way is it?” Shego asked quietly.
Monique pointed in the opposite direction.
“Thanks. Like I said, you fight well. Maybe in a year or two you could be somebody,” Shego told her before she unconcernedly left in the direction Monique had shown her.
“Thanks - I think.”
Kim was a frazzled bundle of nerves by the time she found the ladies’ room. What the hell - what had she been doing? Dancing with Shego? All right, she'd danced with Monique, but not with her arms around her! “It was the song,” Kim said to herself. “I'll never listen to THAT song again. Or maybe the ceiling. Maybe it's like those disco balls Junior had that one time…”
Entering, she found a long line of women waiting for one of eight stalls to become available. She sighed and got in line.
Five minutes later it was finally her turn. She didn't need to use the bathroom; she just needed to sit alone and collect her thoughts.
Kim opened the door and went in. She turned around to close and lock the door.
Shego shoved her way inside and closed the door behind her, shocking Kim, who backed away and almost fell over. Without looking she reached behind her and fingered the latch, locking it. “You want to talk about it?” she asked, her voice almost a whisper.
She was Kim Possible. She could do anything.
And she had no idea what to do right now.
To be continued…
Author's Note - the song lyrics are from “Under the Milky Way,” by the Church (1988). I don't have permission to use them, yada yada.