I’m not sure how Kim had planned to tell her parents, but whatever she had planned was ruined by her mother coming up those stairs the next morning.
I’m not sure how it started but I found myself waking up to Kim arguing with her mother.
“Mom, she’s legally an insect! A firefly to be more specific! Besides you used to tell me a pet would be good for me.”
The woman’s eyelid twitched, “I was referring to a dog or cat, not a…a…”
“Firefly,” I offered, sliding out of the bed. It was then that I realized that I really needed another outfit than just the cat suit.
“Exactly! And for a bug she’s rather human looking! No exoskeleton, or multifaceted eyes, and she’s only got four limbs!”
Kim winced a little at her mother’s harsh tone. I guess even she has something to fear.
“I got the glowing part and the genes for it though. And please don’t refer to me as a bug, it’s rather rude.” I didn’t mind being called a bug, but being called one with so much anger bothered me. “Besides…you see the collar I’ve got on? I’ve got a tag on it, right?” I leaned forward to that it was easier to see, “Go ahead…read it.”
The woman grabbed the edge of the thing circle of metal and read slowly, as if she was trying wake up from a nightmare, “‘Property of Kim Possible’.” She didn’t need to read further, that right there was enough. “Why’d you do it without talking about it with me and your father first?”
Kim bit her lip, obviously trying to come up with an excuse.
I did the thinking for her though, it was easier that way. Well when it came to explanations for strange things at least. “It’s pretty easy…she did it so that Global Justice wouldn’t squish me. I’m only a simple insect who did what she was told when I was working with Dr. Drakken. So legally, now that I’m in responsible hands I’m not going to get squished. And I’m perfectly cool with any rules that Kim lays out for me. Well save for sleeping on the floor…the dang thing is too cold to sleep on.”
It was unlike me not to swear, but I figured it’d help create a better impression of me than if I did.
“Oh.” It was obvious the woman had some getting used to it, but that was alright. It’s not like she was chasing me around with a big can of Raid.
And that is the third weirdest mental image I’ve ever had. But let’s not go there.
The older Possible head slowly back down the stairs, trying to make sense of everything.
“Kimmie…thanks for defending me. Usually people don’t do that….”
She was blushing. Damn it…I really need to stop thinking it looks cute when she gets flustered. Then again if I did that, where would the fun of teasing her go?
“It’s nothing Shego…You’re under my protection, even my own Mother can’t get a piece of you without going through me first.”
I was next to her now, hugging her, “That was the sweetest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
“Shego….you’re being weird again.”
I stopped, my happy moment stopped in its tracks, “Again?”
She nodded, “I had to force you to let go of me to get up yesterday and today…and both times you complained that it wasn’t fair…Though I’m still trying to figure out what you were talking about.”
I was blushing. I’m sure of it. “I…err…that is…well…”
Kim was smirking. She had actually had me scrambling for an explanation, and she knew it!
“I happen like to be very warm when I’m sleeping…and you are a great source of said warmth.” Well it was true…wasn’t everything…but it was true.
“Oh…well if you let go of me I can talk to my mother so she’ll let me go to the mall. I’m sure you’re tired of wearing that outfit.”
I let go of her, “Oh…So…Very tired.” It was unzipped and sliding off of me now. Kim had a mixture of confusion and excitement on her face. It was the same look she had when I was sitting naked on that metal counter in the veterinarian’s office.
“Shego…put some clothes on…please…” She was embarrassed, and that usually confident voice of hers was barely a whisper.
“Come on Princess, you’re a cheerleader. Naked females should be something you’re used to seeing daily.” Granted it was doubtful that they were as tall, muscular, or tinted green, but the point remained. “Besides…technically fireflies aren’t legally required to wear clothes…so I could just saunter around in public like this.” I winked playfully and started doing a fashion model strut around her room.
“Shego! Put some clothes on, please. You can put some of my clothes on, just wear something! I can’t have you strutting around naked, especially naked in the snow!”
I smiled, and rooted through her closet. She hadn’t protested in me being naked as much as me being naked in the snow. It was fun to fluster her.
I settled on a pair of jeans that stopped mid-calf, and a matching spaghetti strap top, both which were black. While I’m not much for the Goth look, it certainly was better than all the shades of pink she had in her closet.
And she’s picked on me for me fixation on the color green.
With the promise of a fun day of shopping I slid the clothes on, making a mental note that I needed some under clothes. It was a flaw in the cat suit really; it was too form fitting to allow me to wear anything underneath.
And when you often have wind chill to worry about, it sucks. It looks cool, but it sucks.
Now I had one problem. My feet are larger than Kim’s so that meant one option…well two but I wasn’t going to be tacky.
“Shego…tell me why you decided walking barefoot through the snow for three miles was a good idea.” Kim was being a smart ass again so I ignored the question. The snow wasn’t the problem on this walk, the salt was at times. My feet are tough, but rock salt is fairly sharp, and kept trying to cut through the soles of my feet.
It made for an uncomfortable three miles, but discomfort is only temporary.
I sighed happily as we approached the mall. Soon we’d be somewhere warm where they sold shoes, and clothes. It made me wish I had just one of my bank accounts again.
Even that one in New Mexico.
Kim spotted something, and stopped, “Crud.”
I followed her gaze and spotted a ‘Must Wear Shoes’ sign. Didn’t apply to me in the least, “Come on…you know it doesn’t apply to me. Well not anymore. Fireflies don’t have to wear shoes.” I smirked and started walking again, hoping she’d follow before I ran out of leash. Six feet is a lot of leash, but at the same time it’s not.
I felt it tug slightly as it started to go taunt, then it slackened again. Good…she was following me. As my cold and wet feet stepped inside the sliding doors in front of us I felt relieved. It was just one more thing I could do safely that I couldn’t do before.
A/N: Next Chapter…Shopping