July 30th, Tokyo, Japan. Goroda Labs Main Office
Inside the large modern office Sumire hunched over a glass desk. Long fingers interlaced in front of the aristocratic woman, as her elbows were propped above an open manila file. Pushing off the glass top, she fell into the back of the plush leather executive chair with a heavy sigh. The monotonous whirl of the air conditioner seemed to pound into her thoughts as she pinched the bridge of her nose. “Please schedule the next flight to Lowerton.” Sumire asked tiredly.
With a polite bow, Kiyomi exited the office to make the necessary arrangements.
Blinking hazel eyes, Sumire stared at the pictures on her desk stoically. Dozens, upon dozens, of snap shots of Shiina and Bonnie Rockwaller were laying before her. Many from various angles and distances, but all showing the growing tenderness between the two. It showed in the light touches the camera captured, or the fond smiles one would give the other when she was not looking. It was worrisome.
The evidence was stifling, as the pictures dated back to September of last year. Pictures of her Shiina and the Rockwaller in a coffee house civilly chatting. To some time earlier in this year, at a movie theater. There were pictures that placed the two at fairs, and fashion shows, and even car expos. The most recent batch were of the two holding hands late one evening at a shopping mall. In public. Yet those were nothing compared to the shots of the young teen entering and exiting Shiina’s -- private -- building. Sumire had cross-referenced the time, and she knew her granddaughter was out working for that, Drakken fellow, so the teen must have had a key. That conclusion weighted heavily on the older Asian’s mind.
Although Sumire prided herself on being very liberal, faced with evidence that a young girl, of only 16, was living with her 22 year old granddaughter was--scandalous to say the least. Thankfully no pictures of the two doing anything more intimate, other than holding hands, were taken. Sumire could only hope it was because they weren’t fooling around, but she had to make sure, so she had to go to Lowerton.
As the Japanese assistant exited the office, a young woman pushed off the opposite wall to join the raven-haired female. Not saying a word, the two walked down the silent hall to the large polished elevator doors. The soft chime signaled the arrival of the unit, as the doors slid open, the two stepped in. Watching the image of the brunette quietly, Kiyomi leaned against the reflective interior. As the descent continued and the silence lengthened, the foreigner exhaled heavily. Turning bright blue eyes to the Asian, the woman spoke in an English accent. “Well?”
Ignoring the impatient tone, Kiyomi gave the Brit a sidelong glance. “You’re pictures are very worrisome. Mrs. Goroda is planning a trip to America as we speak.”
Shrugging, the photographer stuffed her hands into worn jeans. “I just take the pictures. It’s pretty hard keeping up with those two, y’know.”
Kiyomi said nothing as the elevator doors opened with a chime and walked out. The blue-eyed photographer followed. As they entered the office, the Japanese woman sat behind the desk and opened one of the stained oak drawers. Sliding a thick envelope across the desk, Kiyomi spoke. “You’re continued business is most appreciated, Ms. Pamila Izawa.”
Taking the payment and pocketing the envelope in her photographer’s vest, Pamila smiled sweetly at the woman before her. “Of course. Three years employment, and all I have to do is follow that pretty heir around, is easy. Your ‘Lady Shiina’ is truly a beautiful creature.”
Narrowing dark brown eyes, the assistant spoke with a forced politeness. “Please be careful of how you speak of the Lady. Mrs. Goroda will not take kindly to such disrespect to her granddaughter. Nor will I.”
“Oh, I mean no disrespect.” The blue-eyed woman waved a hand, as if to dismiss the other’s concerns. “I’m just saying I can understand that Yankee’s infatuation, is all. Well, have a nice day, Ms. Kiyomi.” With a charming smile, Pamila turned to leave the office. “I had better hurry, or I’ll miss my flight. Hopefully I’ll catch ‘Shego’ in action.”
July 31st
Bonnie woke up lazily from Shego’s comfy queen-sized bed with a refresh yawn. Kicking off the light maroon blanket, the brunette stretched for a moment before she stepped out of bed with a happy grin. Shego’s side of the huge queen-size bed was empty, but the teen didn’t seem to mind as she slowly walked to the adjoining bathroom to wash up.
The clock read 9:17 am, as the brunette exited the bathroom after a shower, and headed to the couch. The entire loft was painted a soft pastel-green with creamy white trim. The colors went well with the onyx furniture and rugs. The polish hardwood floor was cold, so Bonnie tucked her feet underneath her and wrapped herself in a blanket that was on the couch. The sun was steadily raising, but with the vast wall of windows facing the west, one couldn’t tell.
It was at quiet times like these, when the pale hostess was away at work, Bonnie would be left to herself. She never liked it, but nothing could be done. It has been three weeks since she had stormed out of her house and walked aimlessly for hours until the sun went down. She was grateful Shego had found her when she did, but it also cause other emotions to stir as well. The bruises had long since faded, but Shego had never once asked her to go home, or tell her to leave. However the pale woman didn’t ask her to stay either.
Bonnie remembered the second night with a smile. There was only one bed, and Shego was determined to sleep on it. The pale woman complained the couch was a great couch, but it wasn’t a bed. Bonnie totally agreed with that, but was just as stubborn to stay on the comfy bed. They finally agreed to sleep on the bed together, it was a queen-size after all. Ever since then they had shared the bed. She would never admit it, but the teen enjoyed waking up and just watching the obsidian-haired woman sleep. Shego always looked so peaceful while she slept. Bonnie smiled as she leaned further back into the black leather sofa. Shego was here. With her.
Well not really here with her now, the teen lightly frowned. Shego was at work at the moment. What the pale woman did was a mystery to the dancer. Shego never said, so Bonnie couldn’t asked. Just like Shego wanted to ask about the bruises, but never did, because Bonnie never said. They were both stuck, and each knew it, but nothing could be done since neither wanted the other to encroach on her privacy. So even though the raven-haired woman would be gone for days at a time, the tanned teen couldn’t ask where she went, or what she did. Sometimes it worried her, but she had to remind herself that it shouldn’t.
Turning away from the windows to the black piano, Bonnie sighed as her eyes traveled from the instrument to the rosewood cabinet that stood opposite the piano. She knew inside held a photo of Shego’s dead mother, an incense burner, and a small offering table. Nevertheless she found herself walking towards the small shrine anyways, completely discarding the light green blanket on the floor in her wake. Shego had said the other day, that she played the piano for her mother every day she was home, and she did. However the pale woman had never opened the cabinet doors while the teen was around. Bonnie only knew what was inside since she checked it out one day while the pale woman was at work.
As steady tanned hands opened the rosewood doors, light filled the shrine and illuminated the item which she sought. The picture that was usually locked away, was carefully framed, and although the photo was creased and crumpled, it captured something Bonnie was addicted to see. A small 4x6, faded print, of a young Shego and her mother, smiling at the camera. The Rockwaller smiled as her thumb gently ran over the cool glass above Shego’s captured expression. It was a happy, carefree smile, one the older female rarely showed, but it was the one Bonnie adored the most.
The front door clicked open to the teen’s surprise as she jumped and almost dropped the framed photograph. Quickly replacing the picture and closing the shrine, Bonnie turned to see someone other than Shego standing in the threshold. Aqua-eyes blinked several times as she tried to process who the person was, that was slowly entering the loft with a smile.
“Ah, Ms. Rockwaller, it has been a long time, hasn’t it?” Sumire nodded towards the younger as hazel eyes looked around for her granddaughter. The last report claimed Shiina would be in Europe with Drakken gathering supplies, so it wasn’t a surprise to find only the teen. Exactly as planed.
With her eyes widening in recollection, Bonnie slowly nodded her head to the Japanese woman. With longer hair, the CEO looked very different. When was the last time she had seen the older woman, Bonnie briefly wondered. “Good morning, Mrs. Goroda. I’m sorry, but Shego isn’t home right now.”
“I know. That is fine though. It is you I need to talk to.” Taking a seat on the black leather couch, Sumire motioned the teen to sit. The Rockwaller sat opposite her.
Slightly taken aback, Bonnie quirked a fine brow at the Asian woman sitting before her. There was an air of gravity about the woman that unnerved the teen. The glass coffee table between them, did little to ease the nervous tension the younger felt as she diverted teal-eyes to stared at the clear glass top. She had never dreaded talking to the mature woman before, but today she did. Today, sitting before the elder CEO, Bonnie vaguely felt like something was doomed to end today. Like she was watching the swirling tornado approach, and could do nothing about it. Taking a deep breath, and sitting up a little straighter, the teen locked eyes with Sumire’s hazel ones. If she was doomed either way, she would face it -- face Mrs. Goroda -- head on. “About what?”
Sumire smiled a little at the girl’s answer. It was a simple straightforward answer, but the resolve in the teen’s aqua-eyes was impressive. She always liked that about the girl before her. Ms. Rockwaller always had such expressive eyes. “It has been brought to my attention that you have been missing from you’re home for quite some time now.” Sumire watched the teen’s eyes darken intently. “Forgive me for being so blunt, but why are you staying with my granddaughter?”
Bonnie, to her credit, stared into those gold orbs unabashed, but said nothing in return. Dozens of answers, ran through her mind, but in the end, it wasn’t the lack of a suitable answer that kept the cheerleader quite. It was the silent question that the woman opposite her did not voice, but said through her vivid golden-eyes. What are you to my granddaughter? The unspoken demand was jolting, but Bonnie knew without a doubt, of it’s certainty. What was she exactly to Shego? What would prompt such a question, the brunette wondered. As the answer came to her, aqua-eyes darkened in anger at the aristocratic woman across from her. “If you’re worried about what people will say, don’t be. It’s not like that.”
“You misunderstand, Ms. Bonnie. It is not my granddaughter’s reputation that I worry for. Nor is it mine. It is yours.” At the high school student’s confused expression, Sumire sighed. “My granddaughter, has never cared what other’s may think, or say, about her. A noble, self reliant trait, but also an alienating one. She has never cared much about her social status, but you Ms. Rockwaller, do, don’t you?” The teen said nothing and looked away, so the Goroda continued. “Soon classes will be starting up, correct? This will be your second year in High School, will it not? Tell me, honestly, do you have feeling for my granddaughter? Are you ready to face the repercussions of voicing, or even acting on those feelings?”
For a long moment Bonnie said nothing as she stared at her knees. She was angered at the audacity of the Goroda matriarch, but she had to admit, although begrudgingly, that Sumire had a point. The brunette knew she was attracted to the obsidian-haired woman, she has been since they’re first meeting almost three years ago in that clearing. Spending more time, and actually living with the Goroda heir these past few weeks, only confirmed the emotion. Clenching her fists on her lap, the teen glared at the rapidly whiting knuckles. Unlike Shego, Bonnie actually cared about her reputation. Speaking softly, teal-eyes looked into hazel orbs sadly. “I understand.”
The door to the silver Sedan slammed shut as Sumire sat in the back seat. The driver wasted no time in pulling away from the curb as the tires squealed. They needed to get back to the airport quickly, or they’ll miss the return flight to Japan.
“Are you sure this is the right thing to do?” Closing hazel eyes, Sumire sighed as her aid spoke again. “When Lady Shiina finds out, she will be furious with you.”
“If Ms. Rockwaller has true feelings for Shiina, then they will overcome this. If not, then better to end this now, then have Shiina grow attached to the girl.”
“I know you are trying to protect her, Mrs. President, but isn’t driving off the Rockwaller a little much?”
“No, it’s not. I would rather have Shiina with me, living in Tokyo, preparing her for her birthright. Not off being some ‘sidekick’ to anyone.” Sighing heavily, the CEO turned her head to watch the cars fly by on the opposite lane. She had never felt so old before. After a few minutes, hazel eyes turned to Kiyomi. “I know you’ve been hesitant about my proceedings with Shiina, and I thank you for always fulfilling them so fervently and without question. I only wish to protect the last of my lineage while I am able.”
“Do not say such things, Mrs. Goroda. Please know that Harada and I, are always here to serve you. Even Lady Shiina, should she wish it. Harada is handling Drakken, so please be at ease.” Frowning slightly, Kiyomi spoke softly. “Even Ms. Izawa is…aiding as she constantly follows Lady Shiina. So please, do not stress yourself so.”
Taking note of her aid’s changing tone, Sumire quirked a smile. “You do not seem to like Ms. Pamila Izawa, do you, Kiyomi?”
Looking to her superior honestly, Kiyomi nodded. “I do not trust her. She follows Lady Shiina for her own reasons. She has no loyalties to Goroda. However I cannot deny that she has taken amazing pictures and has still eluded Lady Shiina’s suspicions.” Drawing fine raven-brows together in contemplation, Kiyomi stared at her hands as they clasped the palm pilot. “She radiates trouble. Harada doesn‘t trust her either.”
“I see. Has Harada taken any precautions?”
“Indeed. Izawa is constantly tailed by two of our own. She has yet to notice. However nothing of relevance has been reported.”
Slightly inclining her head, the business woman was silent for a moment. The ride was becoming more smooth as the hum of the rapidly revolving wheels changed from the textured asphalt to flat concrete. Out of the city, the Sedan made it’s way to the airport on the newly constructed freeway.
It was well past midnight as Shego walked to her building. Gathering supplies in Spain had proceeded well. Now Dr. Drakken would be ready for his next big scheme, or so the blue man claimed. He had offered to drop her off wherever she lived, but having Drakken know exactly where she resided, caused Shego to shudder. It was bad enough he knew her cell number. So she walked. Walking was easy, she didn’t mind, and besides it was a beautiful nigh she reasoned with the scientist. Thus a little begrudgingly, the scarred man dropped off his assistant two miles from her destination. The moon was hanging low in the sky and there were no clouds in sight. It was such a beautiful night, the thief thought happily as she rounded the block to her building. The lights were off, so Bonnie must be asleep, the pale woman reasoned.
She couldn’t stop the smile that spread across her face at the thought of finding Bonnie curled up on the couch hugging a pillow, as a failed attempt to wait for her to come in. Brushing back lose locks of obsidian hair, Shego tried to calm her racing heart. She didn’t want to admit it, but she was becoming fond of the teen. It was nice having the Rockwaller around, it felt good to have someone to come home to. These past three weeks have been filled with happiness; and it scared her to know that at any moment, it all could end.
Forcing herself to walk a little slower, Shego climbed the stone steps to the redbrick warehouse. Entering the building, and heading up the flights of stairs, the pale woman opened the door softly. Making way into the loft and depositing the keys on the kitchen table, the pale female walked to the couch in the dark. Hearing no breathing coming from the area, she was partly glad the tanned girl didn’t sleep on the couch again. Smirking to herself at the memory of finding Bonnie asleep on the couch, Shego was relieved, and a little disappointed, that she didn’t have to carry the girl back to the bedroom again.
That night, a week ago, was amusing to say the least. Knowing full well how uncomfortable the couch is compared to the bed, Shego gently picked the Rockwaller up. Being careful not to drop the girl, the older woman carefully made her way to the bedroom that night. Then just as she was about to set Bonnie down, the teen spoke with a moan and clung to Shego’s neck. “Don’t go.” The girl requested in her sleep as she nuzzled the pale woman’s neck. Blushing madly, the raven-haired female tried to extract herself from the unconscious grip. She failed miserably, and ended up losing her balance as they both toppled over on to the bed.
Aqua-eyes opened slowly as a sleepy grin formed on the teen’s face. Various curse words exploded in Shego’s mind at the close proximity of their faces, but none were voiced as Bonnie blinked back the sleep and stared into wide forest orbs. “Welcome home.” Was all the dancer said as she tightened her grip around the thief’s neck. With the tips of their noses touching, Shego felt the blood rush to her face as she gulped. “I’m home.” She whispered.
Thinking back to that memory always left the pale woman feeling warm inside. Now looking around the silent living area, Shego smiled as she lightly touched the baby grand piano. She hadn’t felt this happy since her mother died. Silently making her way to the room, Shego opened one of the double doors with a soft click. She didn’t want to wake Bonnie if she was asleep, but as she stepped into the room, Shego’s heart dropped. There was no noise. No soft breathing, no rumpled lump on the far side of the bed, no nothing. As a shaky hand flipped on the lights, her assumptions were confirmed, as emerald eyes were met with a freshly made bed, and no sighs of Bonnie. Sweeping the room, Shego discovered the plush brown teddy bear with the turquoise bow was missing as well. She had won that bear at the fair they when to two weeks ago Bonnie adored the gift, carrying it with her the entire night and around the loft for days. Didn’t she say she would never part with it?
Quickly dashing to the adjoining bathroom, Shego threw open the door and switched the lights on. The bottle of lavender shampoo was missing from it‘s place by the shower, even the strawberry scented body wash was gone. Balling a pale fist, Shego turned and left the bathroom and headed towards the kitchen. Soon all the lights were on, and every flat surface was searched. No item belonging to the Rockwaller was found. Not even a quickly scrawled note was located. The entire three level converted warehouse had nothing to testify the teen was even there.
As the sun rose from the east, Shego collapsed on the padded mat on the second floor gym, exhausted. Spending the pre-dawn hours in her workout room, she punched and kicked, the heavy bags until they burst. Laying on the sand covered pads, as three ruined punching bags still hung from the steel-iron rafters, forest-eyes stared blankly up at the concrete ceiling. She knew something like this was bound to happen. Good things never last long, she thought bitterly. It was her fault for letting the girl get so close, Shego reasoned. But damn it! Bonnie was the one that instigated everything! Too sore to move, forest-eyes slowly closed. She only wanted to protect the Rockwaller. So much good that brought, was the last thought Shego had before drifting asleep.
August 10th
Bonnie slammed the blue locker door shut. The abrupt noise jolted the whispering crowd of students. A few gasped, but most just fell silent. Glaring into the mass of onlookers, the Rockwaller turned on a heel and walked away. It has been like this all morning. The whispering, the gossip in the girls’ room, even notes frantically scrawled and passed along in classes. It was the biggest word in school as the first day of classes progressed into the afternoon.
Bonnie Rockwaller was gay.
The tanned cheerleader was the center of discussion and debate. Talked about in classes, passing periods, and text-messages. The Rockwaller’s alleged ‘coming out of the closet,’ only increased her popularity, much to a few of the other student’s dismay. The rumor was met with disbelief by some, smug ‘I knew it’s by others, but mostly indifferent acceptance.
There was no evidence, most rumors hardly had any, but it swept the school like wildfire nonetheless. Strings of ‘he-said-she-said.’ and ‘a-friend-of-a-friend-saw,’ were the common catch phrases as the cheerleader walked down the crowed halls to the parking lot. It was lunch period, and she desperately needed to get out. The few disgusted looks meshed with mostly envious glances, bombarded the brunette as she passed. Nothing was directly said to her, but looks were always on the teen. Years of living with Connie and Lonnie’s snide snickers and contemptuous looks did nothing to prepare her for this. This was so much bigger; it was everywhere. Bonnie tried hard to not let the hushed murmurings get to her, but she was beginning to crack.
As the heavy gray double door swing open, the Rockwaller was intent on just getting into her car and going to Shego‘s-- the teen stopped as her thoughts were abruptly halted. Glaring into the student parking lot, Bonnie frowned. She had left Shego’s building, left Shego, to avoid this whole mess. A lot of good that did.So she couldn’t go back. How could she face the pale woman with the way she had left. Had she had known word would get out anyways, she never would have left the way she did. It wasn’t that she might be gay that bothered her, it was the constant whisperings. She knew she was attracted to the Goroda heir, but it wasn’t like she was going to do anything about it. Scoffing a ’yeah right’ to herself, she walked to the Honda Civic. As she rounded the truck that blocked her baby from sight, Bonnie paused in her tracks as she was met by clear robin-blue eyes. “Tara.”
Uncrossing her arms at the acknowledgement, the blonde smiled wearily at her friend. “Hey, Bonnie. Can I talk to you?”
Unlocking the car with a push of a button, Bonnie grunted a whatever, and slid into her car. Mimicking her tanned friend, Tara opened the passenger side door and slid in as well. With the AC blasting and the motor running, Tara hesitated, much to the brunette’s annoyance. “Well?”
“I’m sorry.” The other cheerleader blurted at the forceful prompt. Turning fearful blue-eyes from the dashboard to hard aqua-orbs, the blonde gulped. “I-I was with Jamie, from fashion class, that night. We were in Lowerton to see a special movie that only played at the Lowerton Street Mall, Theater 16, for extra credit. I saw you. I mean I thought it was you, but when I called out, you didn’t respond. So…so we followed you.” Wringing her hands in her lap, Tara watched her friend silently, hoping Bonnie didn’t explode as they sat in the parking lot. “You were with some older woman the entire night. She…that woman took you somewhere. I-I called your house. Your sister said you left the other day. I’ve been calling your house ever since, you were never home. Lon-Lonnie said you haven’t been home for weeks. Bonnie, who was that woman? Where have you been?”
With both hands on the wheel, Bonnie’s jaw clenched, as her knuckles began to whiten. Turning the piercing glare from the blonde seated next to her, to the dirty license plate on the jeep parked before her, Bonnie scowled. “So it was you that started the rumor.”
Panicking, Tara began to sputter out apologies as she reached for the brunette’s arm. However she was silenced by the withering glare. “Get. Out.” Flinching at the coldness of the order, the blonde fumbled for the door. Apologizing fervently as she stepped out onto the asphalt, the blue-eyed girl watched helplessly as her angry best friend pulled out of the parking space and sped off.
Hanging her head low, the blonde slowly walked back into the building. She didn’t mean for this to happen. She had only called a few of the other girls on the squad to find out if they knew anything. Accidentally letting it slip that she saw Bonnie with a older woman set the whole thing off. The last think she expected was the speed in which the rumor spread. Palming her face as she entered the building, Tara sighed. She only wanted to find Bonnie, and make sure she was alright. This was not what she expected, not what she wanted at all. However knowing her best friend--if Bonnie would still consider her that--she would most likely not return to school today. It wasn’t the best way to start the new semester, and they didn’t have any classes together until after lunch.
Now standing in front of her locker, and resisting the urge to beat her head into the door, Tara felt frustrated tears well up. I screwed up majorly.
AN: Ah, so sorry about the wait, I honestly hoped I’d get this out sooner, but I’ve been busy during turkey break. DX One of my more longer chapter, I hope I don’t bore anyone (sweat drop). Next chapter may take a little while longer to finish, so I apologize in advance. It’s funny though, I had planned this to be a 15 chapter story, but right now the number keeps growing! All I can say is, you readers are making me put too much detail into this! XD Um…anyways, I’ll try by best to get the next chapter out ASAP. ;)