Mind, body, and Soul

Kim Possible’s House. 12:00PM.

“Oh, Ron… it’s lovely!” Kim stared at the long flowing dress, bright red and cut in the clasic club banana style. She had been surreptitiously glancing at it for weeks. How on earth had Ron known? She grinned at him. “How did you afford- I mean, thank you!”

Ron smiled and winked at her. “Nothing’s too good for KP! I spend my hard-earned cash on those things I care about most…. So, no big at all!”

Laughing, Kim grabbed him round the shoulders and hugged him tightly. Ron blushed and slid his arms round her gently, trying to forget how it had felt… before.

“Thank you… for both the present and being here for me, even though we broke apart.” She kissed his forehead. “You will always be my friend, always…”

“I never stopped being one, KP.” Squeezing her tightly one final time, Ron slid back and winked. “Happy birthday, oh nineteen year old!”

“Yeah…” The voice of Jim announced suddenly making Kim jump.

“Sis…” Tim shot up from the side of the sofa, making Ron scream in shock.

“Happy Birthday!” They both yelled, making Kim scowl.

“Tweebs! You have approximately five seconds to explain why…”

“Birthday hug!” The two brothers yelled, jumping on their older sister, who shrieked as she found herself swamped by two scuffling kids.

“Ron!” Kim managed, dodging her brothers flailing legs. “Help!”

“Umm… I’d love to but I have this rare condition where-“ Ron broke off as Kim let out a shirk of laughter. “KP?”

“H… h… help me! They’re… they’re.” Kim burst out laughing again, tears flowing down her cheeks. “Tickling me!”

“Um… okay. I’ll…” Ron watched as the two twins paused for a second in tormenting their sister and grinned at him, a menacing gleam in their eyes. Swallowing, he slid off the sofa and backed away. “Actually… Um…I know! Mrs P!”

Kim’s mother glanced round the doorway and shook her head in annoyance. “You two, knock it off. It’s Kimmie’s birthday, so behave!”

“Awww, mom. It’s…”

“Not fair!” Jim finished for his brother. “She gives us the same thing when we…”

“Have our Birthdays.” Tim supplied, dismay on his face.

Mrs Possible sighed and shook her head. “As much as I’d like to agree and say something about reaping what you sow… I’m trying to concentrate in here. So, as I said. Knock… it… off.”

“No fair!” Tim sniffed, reluctantly jumping off his sister, and smiling at the sight of her tear streaked grin. “Still, as we said sis…”

“Happy birthday Kim!” Jim jumped across to his brother and they both ran up the stairs. “We’ll get your…”

“Present now.” Tim yelled down the stairs. “You’re going to…”

“Love it!”

“Darn… it…” Kim moaned, sliding upright. She breathing deeply and tried to wipe the tears from her eyes. Noticing Ron, standing in the corner of the room smiling weakly at her, she growled. “Thanks, Ron…”

“Um… no problem KP. Here to help and all that.” Ron managed, swallowing at her gaze. “Speaking of helping, I’ll just go and see what Mrs P is up to.”

Kim watched as Ron quickly slipped round the doorway towards the kitchen and sighed in amusement. She hadn’t minded being tickled by the tweebs, and she supposed she did deserve a little pay back for all the times she had got them.

---

Mrs Possible glanced across as Ron slipped into the room and smiled. “Tactical retreat?”

Ron shrugged and smiled as she laughed. “Yeah… a little. Never been much help in taming the tweebs for KP.”

“Well, nor have I… and I’m their mother. How do you think that makes me feel?”

Laughing, Ron moved across to where Kim’s mother was busy peeling vegetables and tilted his head. “Want a hand?”

“From Ron Stoppable? Head chef par excellence?” Kim’s mother winked as he blushed and nodded. “Well, I suppose if you can stoop this low that I can always offer you the carrots. But they’re ordinary carrots. Nothing, you know, fancy.”

“Mrs P, anything to help!” Ron cut her off, rolling his eyes. Sighing and grabbing a knife, he glanced at Mrs Possible with suspicion. “What’d you do? Swap places with Kim? She’s been like that… whenever I talk about cooking.”

“Considering what Kimmie gets up to? Not for all the money in the world.” She replied sighing gratefully as Ron began to peel and chop carrots. “Ron, I’m sorry. It was too tempting to pass up”

“You don’t mean it though, right?” Ron asked quietly. “You’ve tried some of my cooking… you think it’s good?”

Mrs Possible blinked and then mentally kicked herself. “Ron, I think you’ve got a talent there… honestly. After all, we all have skills we’re uniquely good at. Just off the top of my head, Kim is good at athletics, my husband is an amazing mathematician and I think you cook fantastically well. Why?”

“Skills…” Ron muttered, not noticing that the blade he was cutting the vegetables with flashed faster and faster on the board. Inhumanly fast. “Can you only have one? Skill I mean…”

“Of course not.” Mrs possible replied, busily examining the roast chicken in the oven. Look at me. I’m a brain surgeon right? I have skilled hands, I think I can be cool under pressure…”

“Sure…” Ron replied. Mrs Possible was cool about her job, but Ron had seen people he thought, no he knew, were dying, recover. All thanks to Kim’s mother. “You know how cool I think you are. Brain surgeons rock the house! But what does that…”

“I can cook, be a mother and a brain surgeon. With this family, I have to be good at what I do… you havemet my two sons?” She smiled, opening a cupboard. “So, you tell me… How many skills are involved? Then ask yourself how many you have… My daughter trusts you Ron, that’s quite a honour.”

“Yeah… I suppose you’re right. It’s just, I keep wondering what job to end up trying for. I like cooking, but then there’s KP and saving the world and… other things too.” Ron glanced down as his knife hit the chopping board’s surface and blinked at the sight of every vegetable neatly chopped. “Oh man… not again!”

“Ron? Did you hurt yoursel-“ Kim’s mother turned round and stared at the neatly chopped piles of vegetables. She could have sworn each chopped slice of vegetable was exactly the same size as the other. “Well, that’s quite… impressive.”

“Yeah… impressive.” Ron muttered, trying not to worry about the fact he had started to use his gifted skills of Tai Shing Pek Kwar without thinking. It had been happening a lot recently…

Maybe he could phone Yori and ask her if it was natural for him to use it without thinking. Wasn’t that part of being a Ninja? Using your skills without conscious thought? Was Mrs P right, or was it something inside, giving him a not too subtle nudge.

“Oh… That reminds me. Did you tell Kim about her ‘other’ gift?” Mrs Possible asked quietly, masking her question by rattling the pots on the stove. As the clatter echoed around the kitchen, Ron shook his head.

“Nope.” He sighed, pushing away his worries. They could wait… today was a time to be happy damn it! “KP has no idea about her ‘mega gift’ this year Mrs P.”

“Oh, good. That lie I had to come up with to cover her fathers little vanishing trick this morning was awful…” Mrs Possible paused and flashed Ron a conspiratorial glance. “Think she bought it?”

“Yeah… Wish my parents would buy me a new car. Would have come in handy when I had to move to college. Not like the one I have now… that’s a greatimprovement over my scooter. It only breaks down every couple of miles.”

Kim’s mother smiled. “Maybe you’ll be lucky this year, Ron.”

Ron shrugged. “Yeah… maybe.”

“And of course, my daughter will always be around to give you a lift if you need it.” Mrs Possible watched as Ron paused and then glanced across at her. She grinned and winked. “Call it, mothers intuition and not bribery on our part.”

A sudden ring at the door made both Kim’s mother and Ron blink.

“If that’s Mon… then she managed to get off her shift at Club B, early.” Ron mused as Mrs Possible walked out to the front door. “Mrs P, If that is Mon, Tell her I need help with the box in my car. Okay? I don’t want to get it out myself… I might drop it.”

“All right.” Mrs Possible agreed. “Oh… if you two do take Kim out to lunch, make it light… for all of you. Don’t forget about dinner later.”

“Kay, Mrs P.”

---

Humming with pleasure, Mrs Possible opened the front door, smiling as she did so.

“Monique, we all thought you were-“ She paused, taking in the young dark haired woman standing in the porch. The green and black checked cat suit that the figure wore, ripped and torn in various places, jolted Mrs Possible’s memory and she gasped. “You…. I know you…”

Shego, trying to resist the urge to slink off, shifted. She coughed slightly, uncertain how to respond and shifted her weight onto the leg she had managed notto twist while kicking the head of the Synth-drone.

“Shego… You’re Drew’s assistant!” Mrs Possible’s eyes slid open in horrified recognition. “You keep trying to kill my daughter! Oh my god! Kim! Kimmie!”

The cries of Mrs Possible echoed into the lounge. Kim, who had been watching with apprehension as the tweebs lugged a badly wrapped package down the stairs, had felt her blood chill at the cry of fear and she moved swiftly towards the front door. Her eyes took in Shego standing at the doorway, the look of fear on her mother’s face and Ron, surprisingly moving swiftly towards the front door, almost looking poised for action. She leapt.

“Mom, move!”

Desperate, Shego waved her hands and stepped backwards. “I’m not going to hurt you… I’m here because I need to talk to y-” She broke off as Kim flew towards her, foot extended into a kick, and her green face paled. “Oh, fu-“

The kick connected with Shego’s solar pexus. Unprepared for an attack, Shego felt the blow smash into her and she had no time to shift her weight to her good leg. Unable to counter the force, Shego collapsed backwards, connecting with the tarmac of the path and landing on her back. She blinked as the world swam and the wound on her shoulder burned like fire, making her hiss in agony.

As Shego writhed on the floor, cursing, Kim moved through the doorway and adopted a defensive position. She sensed Ron behind her… and narrowed her eyes at the young green woman.

“This is low for you, Shego. Attacking me at my home!”

Shego glared up at the young red head, trying to ignore the screaming agony in her shoulder. “Damn it. I’m notattacking you. If I were, I’d have blown the door open with my goddamn plasmainstead of knocking at the front door!”

Kim paused, confused. “Then… why are you here?”

“If I could get up off the path for one second… I’ll tell you.”

Shego slid to her feet, glaring warily at Kim. Rubbing her shoulder and trying not to wince, she stared at her red headed alter ego. “Would it be too much to ask to come in?”

Kim tilted her head and glanced at her mother. Mrs Possible shrugged and nodded, biting her lip. Kim turned back to Shego who crossed her arms and stared at her questioningly.

“Okay. You can come in. But try onething and I swear I’ll kick your butt.”

“Fine!” Shego snarled, walking, or in her case limping slightly, to the front door of Kim’s home. “I have had the worst morning in the history of my life… Flaming meteorite smashing into my home included.”

As Shego walked past Kim’s mother, the doctor gasped at the blood smears and the red, raw wound on her back. “What happened to you?”

“Nothing.”

She reached out a hand, her instincts crushing any fear of the young woman, and examined the wound on her shoulder. “Why haven’t you gone to a hospital to get that looked at? The bandage isn’t even on the cut! Look how deep it is… and… is that a cauterised cut? What did this to you?”

“I’m a wanted woman!” Shego hissed, ignoring the last question and trying to shake off her hand. “I go in, I end up in jail… Which do you think I’d prefer?”

“Sitting down and letting me get my emergency kit from the car.” Kim’s mother replied, walking towards the door. She paused and glanced at Kim. “Don’t let her leave Kimmie. Not until I’ve had a chance to examine those wounds.”

Kim frowned and gripped her mothers arm. “Mom… Shego, evil… not usually nice to people! I’m not sure she’ll let you treat her.”

Mrs Possible narrowed her gaze. “I’m a doctor, she needs help. I’m going to treat her.” As Kim nodded reluctantly, the gaze switched to Shego, who had collapsed into a chair next to the kitchen table. “You are staying put until I get a look at you… understand?”

“You’re not my-“ She broke off at the steely gaze. It reminded Shego of herself, usually before someone got their ass kicked. “Okay, okay…”

Glancing across at Ron, who stared at her in shock, Shego growled. “What are you looking at Stoppable? You’ve seen me before, so it can’t be my skin tone.”

“Not, looking like this… what happened to you? Drakken mutating wild dogs or something?”

“None of your business!” Shego replied hotly. “I’m speaking to Kimmie… alone!”

“Not until my mother’s had a look at you.” Kim replied. She noticed Ron edging towards the doorway, always facing Shego and herself, and frowned. “Ron? You okay?”

Shego grinned as she noticed Ron backing away. “So, I’ve still got it! Am I scary to you Stoppable? Do I make you quiver in fear?”

“Shego!” Kim snapped, catching the green woman’s eye. “If you really want to talk to me… the attitude? So not helping your case here!”

“Fine. So sorry, Kimmy.” Shego slumped slightly, hoping Kim would not notice. Oh god, the morphine’s wearing off… just fantastic. “Sorry… blond boy.”

“Kim, it’s not that Shego’s sitting there… With the two of us here, we could kick her butt in a second.” Ron edged towards the door and slipped through it. “I’m just going to see if Dr P needs a hand.”

“Oh.” Kim shrugged. “Fine. Like you said, she’s not going to do anything with me here. I’ll keep an eye on her.”

“Can you stop talking about me as though I’m nothere?” Shego snapped, running a hand through her hair and trying to ignore the fine sheen of sweat on her forehead. “I get enough of that in my job as it is… thanks somuch.”

Ron slipped fully round the door and pelted for the front door. He yanked it open, hoping that Mrs Possible wasn’t back with her kit yet.

The coast was clear, and Ron sighed as he slipped out of the front door and ran for the broken hunk of rust that he jokingly referred to as his ‘ronmobile’. It was a drab car, covered in rusty brown paint and someone had once replaced the clear windows with tinted ones. Yanking the door open, Ron jumped inside and slammed it shut.

Slipping inside, he stared at the object in his hands. It glowed softly, a gentle blue, and he gripped it tightly.

“Oh… this is sonot happening. Yori and Sensi are going to freak!”

The Lotus blade sat lightly in his hands and Ron Stoppable felt the worry from the kitchen punching his gut again. Don’t tell anyone about the school, what I’ve learned, the gift I’ve been given from a dead warriors spirit… and the fact that I can summon a glowing blue weapon that can change into anything I want with a single thought. Okay…sonot as easy as I originally thought.

One single thought, that was all it had taken. One cry from Mrs Possible… one of the people he cared deeply about, and there it was… the ancient blade created by the long dead master of Tai Shing Pek Kwar.

It wasn’t that he minded being one of two people who had learned the ancient art of Tai Shing Pek Kwar. Well, not so much learned… he’d been gifted with it. Yori was the one who had helped him craft his talent. It was that he was so clumsy… and the power of his gift worried him.

I am so, SO going to have to give her a call soon… this is getting out of hand! What if I summon it during a mission with Kim? How am I going to explain to KP that an ancient magical sword likes to give me a hand now and again? Worse, what if I lose it?

Thank god KP had got to the doorway first. He’d been able to change the blade into something small and back out with it hidden behind his back while KP had been focused on Shego. So, now all he had to do was send it back. Oh yeah… no big.

Rufus, awakened by all the commotion and Ron’s dash for the car, popped out of his pocket. “Hi! Uh oh…”

“You said it buddy.” Ron whispered as the molerat gazed at the lotus blade. “You’re better at this thing than me. How do I make it go back? Before Sensi freaks out or something.”

“Dunno…” Rufus jumped out and prodded the blade gently. “Focus?”

“Focus… okkkay. I’m reallygood at that.” Ron muttered, banging his head on the wheel. “Come on, Ronster… focus. You just want it to go home… preferably leaving all your clothes in one piece.”

He sat there for a few moments, trying to envisage the blade vanishing from his grip and travelling all the way to it’s home in the school. The cool grip in his hand suggested the Lotus blade was unimpressed with his attempt.

“Okay…” Ron glanced at Rufus. “I’m out of options and ideas…”

“Yori!” Rufus announced suddenly, grinning. “Focus on Yori!”

Ron smiled at the thought of the young Ninja and her calm confidence when she was around him. “Ruf, I can’t call her now… I…”

He blinked at his pet as Rufus jumped up and down, squeaking in triumph. “Gone, uh huh!”

“What? Oh!” Ron blinked, as his hands came up empty. “Oh great! Oh… wait. You don’t think it’ll, um… attack her or anything, do you?”

Rufus shook his tiny head and leaned on the seatbelt. “Nope.”

“Well, at least it’s gone. Come on, I’m not leaving KP or Mrs P any longer than necessary.” Sighing, Ron opened the door of his car and slid out. “Mind you, if it was the tweebs, then maybe I would leave them alone. Be nice to see Shego get a dose of her own medicine.” He glanced back at the house. “Ah well, come on Ruf.”

“Uh huh!”

Walking back into the kitchen, Ron leaned against the wall and smiled at Kim as she glanced up at him.

“You okay?” She asked, glancing back as Shego grunted slightly and winced as her mother peeled the bandage back gently from her shoulder.

“Fine, thanks. Sorry Mrs P, um… Rufus needed a bathroom break.”

“That’s okay, Ron.” As Mrs Possible tutted and opened the bag that sat on the table, Ron blinked at the sight of Shego shrinking in the chair slightly. “Look at how deep this is! Whatever caused it was very sharp, razor sharp… designed to kill. Plus, it looks like someone prised it out without thinking much about it.”

“Actually, it made me swear and I hit my head on the cockpit console.” Shego muttered, wincing again as Mrs Possible gently began to wipe the wound with a cloth soaked in something cold. “I suppose you want me to say thanks.”

“Well, it would be nice,” Mrs Possible muttered, distracted as she examined the cut and fumbled in her bag for some dissolving stitches. “But I told you, I’m a doctor. This is what I do.”

“Yeah…” Shego managed. She turned to Kim. “I guess you’re getting impatient for an explanation.”

“It can wait until mom’s finished.” Kim sighed, watching as her mother took out a hypodermic and filled it with something. “Great… this day was turning out to rock, and then up you pop!”

“Hey, I’m so sorry if I think you need to know something major is happening at Drakken’s. OW!”

“Hold still!” Mrs Possible placed the used hypodermic into her bag and slid on a pair of gloves. “I really would prefer you went to A and E.”

“No chance.” Shego shook her head, her emerald eyes clouding as the painkiller flooded her system. “Either stitch it up or leave it alone. I can find someone else who’ll patch without asking too many questions. Besides, my body heals a lot faster than yours does, so…”

“Shego, I’m not letting you walk out of here with an open wound. I’m a doctor first and always. So, sit!” Mrs Possible sighed as the green woman grunted and shifted on the chair. “Hold still. You can keep your mind off what I’m doing by talking to my daughter.”

“Fine.” Shego turned to Kim and felt her stomach tighten as Kim’s beautiful green eyes stared suspiciously at her. “I suppose you want Stoppable to hear this as well?”

“Yes.” Kim crossed her arms. “We’re a team… always have been.”

“Whatever.” Shego muttered. I wish she’d stop crossing her arms like that… it’s distracting! ”Let’s start with the obvious. I’ve been attacked by a particularly lovely female piece of work called Kara Fang.”

“Who?” Ron stared at Shego in astonishment. “Hold on a sec. This woman attacked you, and she lived? She’s not a charred charcoal lump somewhere?”

Shego gritted her teeth at the memory of Fang’s gloating face. “Kara Fang is an old… acquaintance, and no you don’t need to know why, how or where. All you need to know is that she hates me. Actually, hate is a light term. Kara Fang loathes me, with every fibre in her being.”

“Big surprise.” Kim muttered, earning a growl from Shego that ended in a wince as Kim’s mother tugged on a thread. “Okay… maybe that was uncalled for.” Or maybe not.

“You don’t get it do you. Kara Fang is insane!”

“So is someone not sitting far away from me.” Ron muttered.

“I’m notinsane!” Shego snapped, losing control just enough for a tiny flame to spark. As Kim frowned, she blinked and the flame vanished. “Look. I’m evil, and I’m proud of it. I can cheat, steal and kick almost anyone’s ass-“ She broke off as Kim’s mother coughed slightly. “Well, I can!”

“I don’t see where this is going.” Kim frowned, scratching her arm.

“Okay, lets try it this way.” The green woman shifted slightly as she felt Mrs Possible fasten a fresh bandage onto her shoulder. “If I had you, Kimmie, captured and at my mercy… what would I do? Not Drakken, just me.”

“Gloat probably… and then kill me.” Kim broke off as her mother closed her eyes for a second, then resumed fixing Shego’s bandage. “Not that you’ll get the chance! But that’s what you’d do, I guess.”

Not quite, Kim. I’d have far more interesting ideas… for the both of us.Shego thought, trying to beat back the image of Kim writhing, trapped and sweating as she slowly ran her hand down her back and then she… Focus on the here and now! You’re not her type… So focus on the job at hand!

Running a hand over her eyes to shake the image, Shego sighed.

“Okay. Well, Kara Fang wouldn’t kill you, at least not right away. She’s sadistic by nature, but keeps it under control. She likes to be seen as cool, collected, the ultimate in refined evil… until she loses it. Once she does, all bets are off.”

“Then?”

Shego shrugged. “If you were at her mercy? Trapped and bound? Let’s see… Kara would probably break your fingers one by one first, then your arms… maybe your legs. Once she’s got your attention then she’d get into her stride. Fang would break you, Kimmie. Both physically and mentally… and only then would she end your life, in as bloody, long and painful a way as she could do. Then, just to make her point,” Shego pointed at Ron. “She’d have your friends, family and associates killed. That’sthe difference between myself and Fang. I’m evil… she’s evil and totally psychotic!”

Kim blinked and shivered at Shego’s expression. “Okay, I kinda get the picture. But what did you do to make her hate you?”

“I’m better than her, always have been and its left her sore.” Shego grinned. “In my line of work, pumpkin, the biggest, baddest, slickest gal who’s not a nutcase is the winner. A super villain wants a stable sidekick. I am that person… Kara’s not.”

Kim supposed Shego was right in a way. She was evil, but the green woman in front of her was smart and rational. Drakken was the mad one. Maybe he did need her to keep him stable enough to rule the world.

“Sounds like you’re in trouble. But then you’ve never been a people person.” Ron told her, earning another snarl. “Maybe it’s the sarcasm…”

“Look! Putting aside my people problems for a second, Kara may loathe me personally, but we’re all in trouble! She’s got Drakken in her pocket, she’s stroking him to provide her with technology to take over the world. As well as this, she’s after me and I don’t think it’s to offer me a job!”

“She wants you…” Kim stared at Shego, who shifted uncomfortably. “Back up a second, I think I missed something. How’d she get Drakken on her side? I mean, you two have been evil genius and sidekick for ages. You work well together.” I cannot believe I just said that.“Drakken’s not a complete idiot, well not all the time. If Fang is as psychotic as you say, why the heck would he trust her over you?”

Shego felt her stomach curl uneasily. The young woman, who had unknowingly been used by Fang against her, stared with puzzlement and Shego found herself unable to explain why Drakken had turned against her. Oh Kim… Wish I could tell you every single detail. I wish I could say that I think I love you, and he’s found out? .

“You don’t need to know that either.” She whispered lamely. I knew I was going soft. Can’t evensnarlconvincingly at Kim anymore, Just great… “I can tell you that she showed Drakken something… something private.” Shego closed her eyes for a second. “Something that I never thought anyone else would ever see except me.” Her eyes snapped open, and the emerald pupils flamed green. “Fang set me up!”

“And this, thing, was bad enough to make him kick you out?”

“No, it was bad enough to make him want to attack me, maybe even kill me. He thinks I betrayed him… I haven’t.”

Not yet anyway…

“While I was trying to fight my way clear of the lair, Drakken mentioned a project he’d been working on since the mind control chip event that has my name on it as payback for the… correction lesson I gave.” Shego watched Kim shudder at the mention of that. Considering what she and Kim had gone through at the hands of Drakken, she could hardly blame her. “So, right now, I think I can move Dr D safely into my enemy column.”

“So why come to me?” Kim asked finally.

“I… I need your help.” Shego managed, wishing she could make it sound less strained. “Drakken’s posted a bounty on my head… one hundred million dollars. Alive.”

“How much?” Ron screamed his eyes wide. “How the hell did he get that much money?”

“It’s not his. I’d lay my entire savings from my thieving career that it's Kara’s money… or whoever she’s working for. So, as I say… I’ve got every single villain I could ask for help, or work for, after me as much as Drakken.” Shego sighed and as Kim’s mother moved away, cradled her head in her hands to hide a scowl. “So, I’m left asking you, Princess. We may be enemies, but I… I trust you more than anyone else I know right now. I always thought we had an… understanding, even though we were… are on opposite sides.”

Kim stared at Shego in shock, and then licked her lips. “Shego… this all sounds a little… outrageous.”

Shego looked up, astonishment in her eyes. “What?”

“She means it sounds almost impossible this would happen to you.” Ron replied, earning another scowl. “It sounds, Shego… like a trap.”

“But… my wounds.” Shego managed, astonished at the expression of reluctant agreement on Kim’s face. I’m telling the truth Kim, you have to see that. Please see that!

“Nothing life threatening…” Kim managed, though she looked like she was trying to convince herself of that. “Shego… I…we’re enemies, have been since we first met. I find it hard to believe you would come to me for hel-”

“Fine!” Shego snapped, standing sharply. She felt angry and, to her shock, upset. “I come to you for help and you think I’m lying! Well, I’ve totally misjudged the amazing ‘she can do anything’ Kim Possible. Everything but believe someone she’s known for years! Someone who recently managed to… to!” Shego watched Kim’s eyes widen in recall and saw the faint blush of shame on her face and shrugged. “You know what? Forget it! I’m out of here”

Someone whosaved your life because she’sin love with you, Kimmy! Open your goddamn eyes!

“Shego…” Kim began, shocked at the way Shego had responded. “Wait…”

“No, I have to go! If you won’t help me, then I’ll have to find someone who will, Kimmy! Kara Fang wants me alive… and Drakken has some sort of thing he intends to use on me, possibly a new mind control chip, the way he kept ranting! I’m not staying here to let them find and capture me!”

As Shego slid round the table and stormed towards the door, a hand gently slid onto her shoulder, making her pause. She turned, ready to slap Kim away, only to find her face next to Kim’s, almost touching. She could feel the young woman’s breath on her cheeks and felt her red hair gently brush her skin.

Oh… god. That damn perfume of hers… so intoxicating. Shego inhaled the spicy fresh scent and tried not to groan. Focus on angry, she said no… she… angry… I have to go and… oh not those eyes… its unfair!

Kim stared deeply into her emerald eyes, almost as if, it felt to Shego, she was searching them for betrayal.

“Alright. I believe you enough to trust you, just this once! I’ll go with you and we’ll see if we can stop this before Drakken, and this Fang person, make a mess I end up having to clean.”

Shego glanced down at the floor. “About time.” She muttered grudgingly.

“No big…” Kim shrugged and leaned in even closer so she could whisper. “But this wipes the slate clean between us, Shego.”

Shego nodded. “Fine… and… thanks.”

“Kimmie, it’s your birthday.” Mrs Possible blurted, making her daughter, Ron and a surprised Shego all turn to her. “I mean… well, it’s your birthday!”

“Mom, this won’t take long. So not the drama about my birthday, okay?” Kim smiled reassuringly, only for Shego to touch her shoulder. “I’ll be back soon and we can have dinner … What?”

“I didn’t know it was your birthday, Pumpkin.”

“So?”

“Well… I…” Shego paused, and then looked away. “Nothing.”

Shaking her head, Kim moved out of the kitchen and ran upstairs to put on her mission clothing.

Ron glanced at Shego, and followed Kim, a look of worry on his face. While he did so, Shego found herself pushed down in the chair and she blinked as Mrs Possible leaned forwards.

“What the hell do you think you’re-“

“That cauterised wound across your stomach needs treating young lady. Sit here and let me work, or I’ll kick you out of my house for bothering my daughter on her birthday!”

“You know…” Shego winced as Mrs Possible began to examine her wound. “I can see where she gets it from… I really can.”

“Gets what?” Mrs Possible asked, her fingers probing gently.

“That dammed thing that makes her so…” So amazing.“So annoying!”

“It’s a talent we Possible’s have. Now, sit and be quiet, I need to concentrate!”

---

As Kim walked into her room to put on her mission clothes, Ron leaned against the doorjamb and stared down the corridor.

“This is a bad idea.” Ron muttered. “I mean, you two going off alone together. That’s just wrong man. I’m always with you on missions, we’re a team!”

“I know, but Shego knows which lair Drakken and this Kara Fang were at, her jet is ready and waiting and it only seats two.” Kim ‘s voice echoed into the corridor, followed by a quiet rustling. “But if you’re worried about me going off alone with Shego…”

“Hello? Arch nemesis! Ron waved his hands. “Without me to distract her, if this isa trap, you’ll be in trouble!”

“I know, but I said I’d go with her, and I will. Nothing’s impossible for Kim Possible, even trusting someone like Shego.” Kim’s head slid round the door. “ She asked for my help, Ron. I can’t just say no and kick her out of my home.”

“No, I suppose not. But going off alone with her is a bad idea.”

“That’s why I’m taking the Kimmunicator and I’m asking Wade to get some transport for you and Rufus as quickly as he can. Wade will let you know if I call for aid. Okay?”

Kim walked round the doorway and smiled. Dressed in her tight black top and her new dark blue combats, she smoothed her hair and winked at Ron. The last few years of growth as well as her gymnastics, training and cheerleading had provided her with a body that was the envy of almost everyone, even Bonnie. Now, the black top stretched tightly round her upper body, straining against her breasts and her combats hid long muscular legs. She looked… dangerously attractive.

“You okay?” Kim asked him, blinking at his stare.

“Yeah,” Ron whispered, ignoring the twinge of desire. “Sometimes, being a friend is… hard.”

“Eh?”

“Nothing, KP.” Ron sighed and turned away. There relationship was long gone, and had evolved into something else. Still, he was male and the sight of her had jolted him more than he wanted to admit. “Come on, let’s get back to Shego and Mrs P.”

“Okay…” Kim watched as her old friend walked out of her room and shrugged. She followed him.

---

This isnothappening to me!Shego thought, embarrassed. So SO not happening!

Kim’s mother kneeled in front of her, the cat suit peeled back so she could work on the wound. The fact that it had exposed Shego to the navel made the young green woman nervous and embarrassed. The fact that it was her nemesis’s mother working on the wound only doubled the feeling.

“Stop fidgeting!” Mrs Possible snapped, making Shego wince. “Well, this isn’t deep enough to qualify for stitches, but I’ll use some clinical superglue to keep it closed and cover it with a patch, okay?”

“Fine…” Shego managed, trying not to sigh with relief as Mrs Possible rummaged in her bag. “You know… you’re pretty good for a doctor.”

“I try my best…” Kim’s mother replied, sighing.

As Shego closed her eyes so she could avoid watching Mrs Possible treat her stomach, she sighed.

What am I going to do? What if I take care of Kara and Drakken won’t listen to reason? Do I help Kim bring him in?She shook her head gently. No… I’ll just leave and let events unfurl. He’s lost the right to work with me, or have me defend him. Kim can handle Drakken, and with the bounty removed I can find some work with the others… maybe even take that offer from Hench Co.

“All done.” Mrs Possible announced suddenly, making Shego open her eyes and blink at the neat patch on her stomach. “Try to keep it clean while it heals, okay?”

“Fine.” Shego managed, her emerald eyes focusing on Kim and Ron as they walked into the Kitchen. She blinked as her eyes took in the new combats. “Blue? What happened to the green ones?”

“I fancied a change. Besides, you ripped them at Duotronics.” Kim muttered. “Can we go? I want to get this over with.”

“Yeah, the sooner we get this over with, the better.” Shego agreed. Because I’m finding it really hard to be snappy with you right now and I can’t lose my reputation over this… thing I have with you!“Lets go.”

Together, the two women walked outside and headed towards the patch of grass near Kim’s home. Shego pressed a button gently on her belt, and the jet shimmered into existence. Kim blinked, impressed despite herself as the green and black checked fighter just… appeared.

“Cool.”

“You have no idea.” Shego replied, grinning despite herself. “This is my baby… all mine.”

Her fingers slid over the second control on her belt and the jet’s cockpit hissed open. Normally, she would have flipped into the cockpit with one simple move, but her leg still ached and she didn’t want to push it, especially if the two of them ended up fighting against Kara and her damn Ninja’s! Sighing, Shego moved to the extending ladder and as she put a hand on the first rung, she glanced down at Kim. “I’m driving.”

“Yeah… considering I can’t fly a jet, good idea.” Kim replied, deadpan. “But it’s on my to do list… right after ‘go to college’.”

Grunting, Shego climbed the rest of the way, glancing across at Kim as she climbed the second ladder that allowed access to the co pilot seat. As she reached level with the cockpit, Shego blinked and cursed suddenly. Kim glanced around, poised for combat.

“What?”

“Look at it!” Shego snapped, gesturing with her hand. “Do you know how much quality leather,this good, costs?”

Kim frowned, only to gasp as her own eyes slid over the lip of the jet. “Shego, is thatyourblood?”

“God damn Kara Fang and her fucking throwing stars!” Shego ranted. “Look at it, it’s everywhere… I’ve splattered the seat, the windows… the back of the cockpit roof for fuck’s sake! I swear… we get hold of her and I’m making her lick every inch of this cockpit clean! Then I’ll make her pay to have this cleaned professionally!”

“Shego… that’s just gross.” Kim managed, making a face. “Can we focus?”

Snarling, Shego glanced at Kim and nodded. “Fine, the sooner I show you I’m telling the truth, the sooner you can handle Drakken, and I get to pound Kara Fang into a greasy stain!”

Sliding into the cockpit, Shego hit the controls and the jet hummed into life. As the cockpit slid shut, the 8-ball and AI HUD systems flickered into life, painting statistics and readings across the ‘smart’ glass Drakken had installed for her. Shego glanced back, her temper fading as the hum of the jet relaxed her, and winked at Kim.

“Scared?”

“Of flying? Hello? I’ve been in almost every type of jet!” Kim snorted, but blinked as Shego grinned evilly. “What?”

“You’ve never been with me on a flight, Sweetie…” She paused, recalling the time Kim had been on the end of a rope behind her. “Well, inside my baby anyway. Better hang on, Princess!”

She gunned the engines, the blast of the jets making the dust blast around the figure of Ron, who staggered backwards, shielding his eyes. Kim turned to yell at Shego, but the young woman had gripped the throttle and stick and yanked them both backwards. The display’s slammed into the red and alarms sounded as the ship shook suddenly.

G- force ripped into Kim as she felt the massive thrust slam her into her seat, the powerful jet engines thrusting the ship into the air with a scream. She blinked as the sky suddenly flipped left, Shego banking the jet in a ninety-degree arc, which had Kim gripping the sides of the seat for support.

Shego glanced back and smiled. “Still with me, Princess?

Kim glared at the young woman. “I’m fine… just fly the jet, Shego.”

Turning her attention back to the cockpit readouts, Shego’s eyes flashed with sly amusement. “Okay… Oh, by the way. To approach Drakken’s lair undetected, I’ll have to fly us below one hundred metres and do a doubleroll so I can land us in this clearing near the back entrance.”

“Adouble roll.” Kim muttered flatly. She knew Shego was baiting her, but couldn’t resist rising to the challenge. “Fine… kinda tame though, why not acorkscrew roll while you’re at it?”

Shego’s smile slid into a smirk. Oh… this is too good to pass.

“Good idea, Kimmie. I’ll do that…”

Kim blinked and felt a tiny part of her cringe. She decided shutting up was the better course of wisdom, in the case of Shego, and stared resolutely out of the window. After a few minutes of silence, Shego glanced back once more, hands stroking the stick in amusement.

“You okay, Kimmie?” She asked, sly understanding in her voice.

“Oh, shut up!” Kim managed, looking anywhere but at the emerald gaze and the grin that appeared on the smooth dark lips.

---

Drakken’s Abandoned Lair- Ten Minutes Later.

“Okay Kimmie, we’re here.” Shego glanced around cautiously, her hands bursting into flame, as the two women approached the steel door set into the side of the mountain that acted as the base of Drakken’s old lair. “I’ll try my password and see if it’ll still be accepted. If it’s not, we’ll have to take out the security system!”

Kim walked up to the door and blinked. “Shego… this thing is open.”

“What?” Shego walked up the door and hit it with her plasma-covered hands. It creaked and she prised it open. “But… but it had power! This place was wrecked, but Drakken had the juice turned back on while he was here!”

“Mm hmmm.” Kim muttered, ignoring the scowl that came in her direction. “Shall we?”

The two women walked quietly into the corridor and Kim glanced round. It was dark, musty and smelled. “Reeks in here.”

“Yeah… has done for a few days. I think Drakken said there was a leak in the sewer system, but as we were only here for a few days, he just told me and the guards to stay out of this corridor.”

As they walked past a set of doors, leading to the mess hall, Kim glanced at Shego and sighed. “So, where is everyone?”

“I don’t know!” Shego snapped. “Maybe they’re still in the main chamber!” She paused. “I’m not lying to you! They’re here!”

“Okay, Shego… okay.” Kim walked silently with her and watched as Shego prepared to pull another powerless door open with her bare hands.

“This leads to the main chamber, but I’m sure you remember that” Shego told her wryly. “Beyond that is the main office, where Drakken and Kara confronted me.“

“Right…” Kim replied, tensing herself for combat. “How many are we going to have to deal with?”

“Five Synth-drones and eight or more Ninja’s. I know I put some of them out of commission, but I have no idea how many Kara brought with her. Once we go in and take care of them, we’ll have to deal with Drakken and Fang!”

Kim nodded, only to fix the green woman with a stare. “When you say ’take care’ you do mean knock them out so they can go to jail.”

Shego smiled, but Kim noticed it was a toothy smile, empty of amusement. “Oh, sure. Don’t worry Kimmie, you don’t have to watch your back with me here. Drakken and Fang are both on my shit list, so they’ll be your problem once I’ve finished with them.”

Kim blinked at her bitter tone and nodded. “Okay… on the count of three.”

Shego gripped the door and tensed. She glanced at Kim and nodded. “Ready? One… two… three!”

Both women dived into the room as Shego’s claws and strength shredded the door, ripping a huge hole into it. Shego rolled left, hands bursting into flame, eyes wild and prepared to be assaulted on all sides by Synth-drones and Ninja’s. Kim rolled right, sliding into a prepared crouch, hands on the floor, one leg stretched out, ready to lash out and attack or push and evade.

The room was empty… it echoed with both women’s pants as they scanned around themselves. Kim was the first to stand, a vague look of annoyance on her face as she did so.

“Empty.” She muttered. “Shego, you arebeing level with me, right?”

Shego put a finger up to her lips and gestured to the doorway that led to Drakken’s office. It was closed. Nodding, Kim slid quietly to her feet and stealthily moved next to Shego. Both women crept towards the locked door and paused at the entrance.

Shego held up three fingers silently, and Kim nodded in understanding. Slowly, Shego dropped each finger and on the final one, pulled at the door, slapping it into the doorframe. Kim jumped and rolled into the room, ready to fight and Shego ran in after her, hands blazing.

To Shego’s horror, the room was empty and the wind blew through the shattered glass of the window. She stood, dumfounded and her hands snuffed the plasma that burned in them as an afterthought.

Suddenly, she sprang forward to examine the room on the other side of Drakken’s office. That was empty too and Shego snarled in annoyance, while Kim sighed and leaned against the doorjamb. Finally, Shego turned to glare at her.

“They were here!” Shego hissed, standing. “Kim, how many times do I have to say it? They were here, Drakken and Fang. They attacked me and I came to you for help. How hard is it to understand?”

“It’s hard to understand how they could all vanish at the drop of a hat!” Kim countered, her eyes narrowing. “Shego, what is going on?”

“I don’t know!” Shego snapped. “You saw the blood in my cockpit, the wounds I got. You think I made all that up? Why for fucks sake!”

“To lure me here…” Kim muttered, paling in apprehension. “Ron was right, there is nothing and nobody here… or you want it to look that way!”

The young woman slid away from the doorjamb, green eyes darting to the left and right as she backed away from the cat suited woman who had brought her here. Shego, for her part, stared in disbelief as Kim backed away. She walked forwards, hands on her hips.

“What are you doing?”

“Drop the pretence, Shego!” Kim hissed, hands in front of her, defensively. “You lured me here… so where are they?”

“Where are who?”Shego asked, annoyed as Kim took a step back, dropping into her defensive crouch from the other night. She rolled her eyes. “Kimmie, I have notlured you here! I am not working for Drakken right now and I am not intent on killing you! I asked for help damn it!”

Kim glanced around and waved a hand. “There’s nobody hereShego! So, unless you have a better idea, I’m leaving. I have a birthday to attend!”

“Wait a minute!” Shego ran forwards as Kim turned to leave, a look of weary disgust on her face. “Wait one damn minute!”

“This was a pointless waste of time… So, If you want to annoy me again, do it on a day I don’t value, Shego. Tell Drakken to time it better the next time you two intend to set me up.”

Shego snarled and grabbed Kim by the left arm. “I am notsetting you up! What? You expect Drakken to just appear in this empty lair with fifty or so Synth-drones while I attack you?”

Kim paused, but didn’t turn around. “Is that what’s going to happen, Shego? You keep me here, feigning innocence and then when I believe you, you attack me? Hit me in the back?”

“NO!” Shego yelled, feeling her anger spike. “I went to you for help! As much as it goads me to admit it!”

Kim turned around and Shego saw the anger in the redhead’s eyes. “So, messing with my mind isn’t good enough for you then? You decide to ruin my life even more than usual by making me come with you on my birthday to this empty place? Damn it Shego, enough! I’ve had enough of this!”

She turned to leave again, but Shego gripped her by the arm and spun her around. Kim snarled and yanked her arm from Shego’s grip, making the green woman blink in surprise. The two women circled each other, anger swamping rationality as they faced off.

“I don’t mess with your life out of choice, Princess! Our lives clash naturally! I’m a villain, you’re a thief. I steal and cheat people, you try to stop me. That’s how it’s always going to be! It’s how it should be!”

“Which is why I want out!” Kim yelled, feeling her blood heat as the two women yelled face to face. “Last night just made me decide that this isn’t what I want to do anymore! I’m tired of you always getting in the way, like Drakken and the others! I’m tired of risking my life every single day to save it! I want a normal life!”

“Normal life? Since when have you ever had a normal life? You’ve been fighting me since you were a teenager! You saved a fat man from laser based death on your first day on the job! You can’t quit. Being a hero is what you do!” Shego glared at her. “it’s who you arejust like I’m a thief… it’s who I am. Kim Possible is a super hero!”

“And it’s ruining my life!” Kim hissed. “Not only do I have to face death every time I go to save the world, face situations others would only dream of in nightmares and have to battle you frequently! But now, my alter ego keeps spilling into my normal life and when they clash, my normal life suffers!”

“What are you talking about?” Shego snapped, as Kim dropped into her combat stance once more.

“The Beuno Nacho incident!” Kim blurted the words and the rage behind them slapped at Shego like venom. “I find the perfect man, have the prefect date… and you, YOU set it all up with Drakken! A synth-drone! I fell in love with a goddamn Synth-drone and I almost ruined my friendship with Ron thanks to that bag of goo!” Kim closed her eyes and Shego blinked at the pain in her voice. “Did it make you feel good, messing with my life that way, Shego? Did it make you feel strong, attacking me like a coward?”

“That was my job, sweetie! Oh and for your information, Drakken kinda kept me in the dark until the last minute!” Shego hissed, defensively, as Kim’s words struck her like ice. “And let’s be honest, it was years ago! Kind of late to attack me for it.”

“You haven’t been around for a year, and before then you were in jail!” Kim snapped. “You bring me out here, to a dead lair, obviously to set me up for an ambush, but your boss is so stupid he’s fumbled that too! I think now is a perfect time to attack you for it!” Kim stepped forwards and her eyes blazed. “I want to show you how it felt to be betrayed like that, Shego!”

“Fine!” Shego curled a hand and it burst into flame. Damn!“Come on then, Kimmie!”

Screaming, Kim ran at her nemesis and her fists shot out to attack the older woman. “It’s your fault! You set it up, set me up! Let me believe it’s every word!” She snarled, the anger she’d kept buried rushing to the surface. “I believed it! I thought it cared about me! So when you… you took it, I thought I was going to rescue someone who loved me! We fight, and you let it interfere! You knew… you knew what it was intending to do!”

“Okay, I may have let things get out of hand… but hello? My job is to stop you!”

“You didn’t. That thingdid!” Kim snarled, lashing out with her foot in a snap kick.

Shego blocked the attack and countered, her own foot snapping out to catch Kim on the shoulder. The red head staggered backwards for a second, before tensing her leg muscles. Though she came to a stop, Shego was on her and the green skinned woman lashed out with her right hand, burning with plasma. “You’re just pissed because I won our fight that day!”

“That drone shocked me!” Kim spluttered, her arms coming up in a cross to block the plasma attack. “It shocked me and knocked me out! Used the fact that I was in love against me! How could you let it do that?”

“Yeah… news flash, working for Drakken? I can’t exactly just decide what happens. You want to blame someone, blame him!” Shego slid into a crouch and span, sweeping Kim’s legs from under her. “What, you think I broke some sort of trust with you then?”

Because I suppose you could look at it that way. When we fight, itshould be just us. It’s always been just us…

Kim backed away, hands circling once more.

“I wanted to hate you somuch when that happened… Even now, I can feel the shame I felt back then! I want to hate you… I…”

“You want to… but you can’t.” Shego asked quietly, watching the confict spark in Kim’s eyes. “Can you? Because, despite you losing control that night, you’re a real hero. Deep down you know I couldn’t do anything about it, princess!” Shego flipped backwards as Kim lashed out with a kick of her own.

“I want to hate you!” Kim voice almost pleaded with her. “You humiliated me that night, Shego. You and Drakken… I…”

“Okay…fine.” Shego stared at her, she’d had enough of this. “You want to know the truth, Princess?”

Kim paused, as the sudden heat in Shego’s voice smashed into her own anger, and she blinked at Shego’s face. “What?”

“Do you want to know how I really felt when that happened? Do you?” Shego snarled the last word and Kim watched her circle, her own hands convulsing in her gloves as Shego waved her hands in a pattern. “Your right, it’s always been me and you, fighting. It’s been a challenge that I’ve respected for years! So, yeah, when that drone snagged you, it made me feel dirty! Happy? “

“It made you feel dirty? But… but you were grinning.”

“Oh come on! That drone worked for Drakken, notme” What do you think it would have done if I’d shown anything other than satisfaction? Drakken’s an idiot, but not so that he’d ignore anything like that!” Shego backed away, her hands snuffing the plasma. “So, there! I’d not beaten you in a fair fight, I felt dirty about the way I’d won! You happy now, Pumpkin?”

“I…”

“That was also the reason why you caught me at the tower… How I felt, made me distracted, so I didn’t realise what had happened to you in time.”

“What?” Kim took a step back, wary. “Didn’t realise what had happened to me?”

“That you’d lost it.” Shego muttered, thinking back to the way Kim had stared at her on the roof… the same spark in her green eyes that had been there a second ago. “That our little spat… that the drone betrayed you, made you lose your grip on that rather impressive anger of yours.”

“I wasn’t angry!” Kim retorted. She threw a half-hearted kick at Shego’s face, but the raven-haired woman blocked it easily.

“Liar!” Shego . “You kicked me, without thinking about where I’d end up! AndI ended up flying into a tower charged with juice! I could have died, Kimmie! My blood, on your hands!”

“You were fine!” Kim managed, suddenly uncertain. “I knew you’d survive that. You’re a survivor!”

“Really? Because I almost didn’t!” Shego snapped, watching as the truth hit Kim and made her jerk. She sighed, feeling her own anger fade to a dull ache… she felt, old. “You know what it feels like to be electrocuted, Kimmie? Its agony… Your heart jerks and thunders in one second, and remains still the next. Your feel the electricity crawling across your skin and it hurts! It pounds your brain and makes you scream for it to stop. But you know what?”

Kim stared at Shego and shook her head.

“I actually felt I deserved it… it a twisted way.” Shego whispered. “How does that grab you?”

Kim blinked, confusion swamping her. “Deserved it?”

“Oh yeah.” Shego closed her eyes. Oh, I amsogoing soft!“I felt I had betrayed our rules, Kimmie. When we fight, it’s between us… one on one, winner takes all! So, when the drone interfered and knocked you out, I felt… dirty. I’ll use my own dirty tactics, all part of the game, but that was… cruel, I admit it. Happy?”

“You… you can’t!” Kim managed. “You can’t feel…”

“Can’t what? Feel dirty?” Shego sighed. “That’s why I wanted to sneak away, why I didn’t dodge the kick. I felt I deserved it… So, you happy now?”

Kim Possible stared at her nemesis and shook her head as confusion swamped her. She felt angry and conflicted and stared at Shego with disbelief.

“I don’t believe you… you’re doing this to distract me!” She almost pleaded at Shego. “Drakken’ll come in any moment now and assault me. You can’t fee remorse! We’re enemies Shego… sworn enemies!”

“Sworn enemies, one of which saved your life last night.” Shego whispered, tired of the anger in her voice. Look at her, so confused… Shego, you really know how to screw people up.“I saved you from a painful death… Don’t forget that, Kimmie. Call it professional admiration”

“I… you… Stop messing with my mind!” Kim screamed and leapt at Shego. The two women crashed to the floor, rolling on top on each other as they fought for supremacy. Kim managed to twist slightly and Shego ended up under her.

“Why’d you save me?” She implored Shego, desperation in her voice. “It had to be a trick, or…or there had to be another reason! You’ve always hated me! Did you do it to drive me mad? Why can’t I hate you back? It’s not fair!”

Shego gripped Kim round the waist and shoulder and, with a grunt, rolled her onto her back. As she lay on top of the young red head, she felt something inside her ache. Kim deserved to know the truth about her, them… It would probably be the last time they would ever meet, unless…

Shego bit her lip and then nodded. “Fine! There is another reason for why I saved you at Duotronics. It’s the same reason I began fighting you all those years ago, the same reason I felt dirty when that drone shocked you, the same reason I went to you for help when Fang appeared!” Shego paused and let out a sigh. “For the same reason Drakken thinks I betrayed him, thanks to Kara.”

“What are you talking about?” Kim hissed, angry that she couldn’t budge Shego off her body. The black haired, green skinned woman held her tightly, almost as though her life depended on it. “Tell me! Why’d you save my life?”

Shego gripped Kim gently, watched her struggle underneath her. Those dark green eyes of hers flashing with anger, confusion, pain and fear. Sighing with understanding, Shego suddenly found she wanted to wash it all away. Wash away the pain. I love you Kimmie… that’s all you have to say to her.You don’t know how, or when it happened, but you do… and it’s changing things.

Kim glared at Shego as the green woman stared at her, just stared. “Shego?”

“You really want to know why I saved your life, Kim?” Shego asked quietly, missing the shock on Kim’s face as she used her real name. Kim Possible… I love you. Say it Shego… you coward! “You want to know why my life has been destroyed by Kara Fang and her manipulations?”

“Shego… I…” Kim managed, only for the thief to lean so close to her that she could feel Shego’s warm breath on her cheek. “What… what are you doing?”

“You want to know?” Shego whispered, eyes glowing as she breathed in the spicy, citrus scent of Kim’s hair. She ran her lips along Kim’s jaw… seeking. So… beautiful, even when she’s angry. No, especially when she’s angry.

“Last chance to say no… Kimmie.”

“I…Yes… I want to kn-” Kim managed, only for Shego to, lean down and slide her lips onto the young woman’s in a smooth, silky kiss.

Shego felt her mind quiver as her lips touched Kim’s. They were so soft, full and tender, that she lost herself in their texture. She tastes so sweet… Oh, Kim… This is why I had to save you, why I could never hurt you now… not now I know you as well as you know me!”

She gave the kiss everything she was, everything she felt for the young woman, hoping for some of it… any of it, to reach her. Unable to help herself, her gloved hand snaked down to rub gently across Kim’s stomach, tracing the muscles.

Kimmie… please tell me you like this… you have to!

As Shego kissed her, Kim’s eyes shot wide in shock. She felt the soft touch, the way Shego’s own darkly painted lips slid over hers so tightly, the feel of her skin. Something hot shot through her, electric… and she blinked, her green eyes becoming opaque as it assaulted her.

This can’t be happening!Her mind stuttered desperately. Shego’s not kissing me! He can’t be…she-“

Kim felt herself draw in a breath… instinct taking over as she grappled with the hands Shego gently held her with. The air that trickled into her lungs though, was warm and sweet. Shego’s breath. The green woman’s eyes sparking as she took it in.

Desperate to taste Kim, desperate to touch her fardeeper, Shego slid her tongue along the young girls lips, and then pushed it gently forwards.

I… can’t! Kim thought as Shego’s hand gently slid across her skin. No… this is wrong… I’m not… wrong!

As she felt Shego’s tongue gently slip across her lips, then start to slip into her mouth, Kim blanched. Panic shot through her, animal terror, and she felt adrenaline surge through her.

Shego blinked as Kim pushed hard against her, breaking the kiss and then shoved with muscles like steel.

“No! I… I can’t! Let me go!”

Kim reared against her and shoved so hard that Shego felt herself slide backwards along the smooth floor of the chamber. She rolled, coming to a rest on her haunches, and stared at the young redhead in front of her.

Kim lay panting on her back, propped on one arm, and stared in shock at Shego with wild eyes. Blinking, Shego watched as she raised a trembling hand to her lips and ran her fingers across the slight moistness of their kiss. As the shaking hand was brought to her eyes, she groaned. “Not… not a dream…”

“No, it’s not.” Shego whispered, shaken she’d even been able to kiss her. “Kimmie, I.”

“No!” Kim backed away, her shoulders eventually bumping into a wrecked doomsday machine. ”It’s not possible! It didn’t… you couldn’t… I…”

“I kissed you, Kimmie. That was real enough.” Shego slid to her feet and moved towards her, only to stop as Kim scrabbled backwards once again. “Kimmie?”

“Stay back… just keep away from me!” Kim slid unsteadily to her feet and her panic-stricken eyes latched onto Shego’s gaze. “Why?”

Shego sighed and a bitter smile slid across her lips. “Well, usually when people kiss, it means that they-“

“No!”Kim waved a hand in the air and ran a hand over her eyes. “This is a joke, right?”

Shego felt something punch her in the stomach at the hopeful tone in Kim’s voice. A… joke. My love for you is a…joke?Turning away from the young woman, Shego fought to keep control.

“No… that was real. I… I respect you, Kimmie. Always have done. You’re the only person… the only woman, who possibly knows how it feels to be the best.” Shego turned and her hand burst into green flame. “This makes me unique, the best thief in the world… Then there’s you, being Kim Possible… a hero who can do anything… anything at all. You know how it feels, to be unique. The knowledge that you, and only you, are… different to everyone else.”

The redhead shook her head, wishing that the odd sick feeling in her stomach would fade. “Shego… I… When did you…” she broke off and looked away. “When did you realise you wanted me this… this way?”

“It’s not like I have a date in my diary, Pumpkin.” Shego muttered. “Nothing like, ’fifteenth of March, things to do, fall in love with arch enemy.’ Sorry.”

The two women stared at each other for a while. Shego’s arms were wrapped around her body, as if trying to keep warm. Kim lay slumped against the wrecked machinery. Neither of them spoke for a while, until Shego coughed slightly. “I told you I wasn’t here to attack you…”

“Are you so sure? What you just told me is… is… SO big! It’s a drama of epic proportions! You can’tbe in love with me!”

“Well I am!” Shego snapped, tired of the way Kim kept refusing to accept the way she felt. “Is it that much of a problem for you Kim? I thought that you were able to do anything, accept anything” She sighed. “If… if you can’t feel the same way about me, could you at least accept that I do?”

“If anyone ever knows what you’ve just told me… do you have anyidea what this will do to my reputation?” Kim’s eyes went wide, not listening to Shego. “Bonnie will crucify me… the people at college will know and call me names! People will point and stare if this gets out!”

“Your reputation…” Shego said flatly, her emerald eyes flashing with anger. “Kimmie, I’m in love with a hero… I’ve lost my job with Drakken because hefound out! I have nowhereto go in the villain community and Kara Fang is after me! Do you have anyidea how this will affect mylife? How it already has affected it?”

“I… I can’t dothis!” Kim blurted, ignoring Shego as she felt her world shake. “I have to go!”

“Running away from me, Kimmie?” Shego turned away, her voice so bitter it cut into Kim like a knife. Enemy or not, Shego’s tone made her flush with shame. “Or are you running from something that scares you?”

“Shego… I can’t dothis! Please understand.” Kim reached out a hand. “We don’t have to fight the next time we meet, if that’s what you want… maybe we can be friends?”

“Friends… just another way of saying I’d be in denial.” Shego whispered. “I can’t do that Kimmie. For me, it’s all or nothing. Always has been, always will be.”

“Shego…”

“I’m leaving.” Shego walked slowly past her. “I have a new nemesis to deal with, so don’t worry about you and me clashing for a while. Maybe once I’ve dealt with Fang and Drakken, I’ll start being freelance again. You never know, we may bump into each other again, princess. I’m sure it’ll be one hell of a fight when we do. Who knows, maybe you’ll actually beat me this time.”

“Shego… wait!” Kim moved towards her, but stopped as the cat suited woman’s hands burst into flame for just a few seconds. Sweeping her dark hair aside, Shego pierced her with a look of pure ice.

“Don’t follow me Kimmie. You’ve done enough today… okay?”

Kim watched as the young woman strode out of the door, never looking back. As she watched her disappear into the dark, Kim felt the strange feeling as if she’d broken something…

Slumping against the machinery once more, Kim reached for the Kimmunicator and hit a button. With a ping, Wade’s face slid onto the screen, quickly followed by Ron’s.

“KP, You okay?” Ron saw the glazed shock on her face and growled. “Oh man! It wasa trap, wasn’t it! I’ll hook up with the transport Wade’s set me up with and we’ll be there in ten minutes, booyah!”

“Ron, no.” Kim whispered, her fingers sliding softly over her lips once more. “Look, just come and… and pick me up. Okay? There’s nothing here, and Shego’s… she’s well… gone.”

“Gone?” Wade shrugged. “Not a problem Kim, I’ll hook the Kimmunicator into the GJ sat system and track her for you. Shouldn’t take more than a few minutes to lock onto her. Then you can chase her and arres-“

“No, Wade.” Kim closed her eyes at his surprised expression. “Look, just pick me up… okay? No tracking, no chasing… just get me out of here. I’ve got a birthday to… to go to.”

Wade stared at her for a second and then shrugged. “Sure Kim. Ron, transport will be with you in a few minutes… I’ll lock you to Kim’s communicator and use that as a beacon.”

“Okay…” Ron stared at his best friend and leaned in close to the screen. “Kim, I’m coming to get you. Stay cool and safe, okay?”

“Sure Ron.” Kim managed a weak smile. “I’ll be waiting.”

As the Kimmunicator shut off, Kim slid to her feet and staggered towards the office. Might as well be comfortable while I wait for them to… to pick me up. Sighing, she glanced back towards the door that Shego had walked through and touched her lips one more time.

Youcan’tbe in love with me!Her mind plagued her, the whispered conversation running again and again through her head. Well I am! If… if you can’t feel the same way about me, could you at least accept that I do?

Closing her eyes, Kim slid into the large seat that sat next to the remains of Drakken’s desk and let her head fall into her hands. Oh god…

As she sat quietly, trying to steady the tiny tremors in her hands, she noticed a small bound book lying on the floor under the desk. She slid out of the chair and knelt down, her fingers grazing the spine until she reached for it, grunting slightly.

As her fingers curled around the book, she pulled it towards her. What’s this? Drakken’s rule book on how to rule the world? Maybe a list of ideas for future doomsday machines?

Sliding back into the seat, Kim flipped the book open, desperate to avoid thinking about the young woman that had walked away, bitterness on her face. She glanced down and stared at the page the book had flipped open to.

‘Well, today was fun… Drakken wanted information on some project of some such. We had to go to big daddy’s club. I looked fantastic in that little dress I swiped from the boutique in Los-Angeles. Night-time shopping is just so much more fun… no beanpoles asking me if I think I can ‘fit’ my choice. Never ever wanted to use my powers on somebody as much as those…’

Kim stopped reading, the words on the page not what she was hoping to read. It’s her diary… hers! Oh man!

Kim gently closed the book, staring at it as she did so. Shego had shocked her to the core and she could still feel the… heat that had swamped her when the young woman had kissed her. Kim groaned.

This is so, SO the drama! WhatamI going to do about this?

She was still staring at the book when Ron arrived and as she slid to her feet to leave, she found herself slipping the book into her backpack. Maybe one day, I’ll be able to give it back to her… She closed her eyes, unable to admit to herself… she’d lied.

---

Shego’s Hideout- 9PM

The sound of cursing echoed around the abandoned factory as a figure paced backwards and forwards in the office. Shego paced up and down the carpet, muttering to herself as she turned at either end. In front of her, sitting half-packed on the desk, was a holdall.

“I tell her I’m in love with her and she’s worried about her reputation?” Shego snarled as she turned, heading towards the bathroom. “Kim Possible, the great Kim possible is worried about what others will think of her! That self centred, egotistical, arrogant little bitch!“ She kicked the desk.

Her conversation with herself had begun fifteen minutes or so after she’d landed her jet outside the factory and stormed into the office. Her hand hand snagged the huge holdall sitting next to the door and she had begun to stuff it full of her few belongings, muttering as she did so.

Finally, she’d reached the bathroom, sweeping all of her bathroom packages and bottles into the holdall with one hand. Then, she had looked up… and saw herself in the mirror.

The tears in her eyes had shocked her, the fact that they had smeared the small appliance of mascara she wore to emphasise her eyes gave her a jolt. She had been crying on the way here… and over someone who was her sworn enemy.

The realisation of how soft she was becoming had made her angry, and so now Shego stood in the office, her hours of ranting echoing off the horrible wallpaper, as she carefully avoided going back into the bathroom… the bathroom where the mirror waited to catch her.

“Idiot, idiot! What were you thinking, kissing her? She’s a little prim and proper princess, not a single independent and free willed bone in her body! She’d never be able to accept you have feelings for her, oh no!”

Shego glanced at the desk, her gaze burning into it with venom.

“All that wasted time, dreaming… trying to resist, only to wonder what it would be like… what a fucking waste of my time! Well, I’ll show her how bad I can be…”

She stopped in the middle of the carpet, fisting her hands in her dark hair, emerald eyes flashing. “I’ll show her! I’ll sort out this problem with Kara Fang! I’ll kick Drakken’s ass until he takes me back, and then the next time we meet, I’ll pulp her! I’ll…”

Probably stand there, unable to touch her and feel exactly the same way about her I always have… oh god, what a mess.

Shego collapsed into the desk chair, a sigh of misery escaping her lips as she thought back to the way Kim had scrabbled backwards away from her, like she had a contagious disease. It wasn’t fair! Why did life keep trying to screw her up?

First the meteorite, then my… them. I decide to leave being a pathetic rule follower behind me and meet Fang! I finally get a job with Drakken and run into… her. Why does the universe keep doing this to me?

Slumping forwards, Shego slid the box from under the desk and slid it open. Inside, Kim’s face, a face that still sent a shiver into her even now, stared back at her. Laughing in some pictures, frowning in others, all of them with the same gaze. The same confident, independent gaze.

“I should never have told you.” Shego muttered, gazing at the images. “If I’d kept this to myself, we could have continued to fight, I could have continued to leave you enough space to back away… we could have had fun. I could have had fun! Now look at me! I’ve got to run from my ex-boss, try and work out how to stop Fang from taking her revenge… and try to forget I ever saw you. My… life… sucks… and love is overrated!”

A sudden crash outside made Shego look up, her body tensing as she did so. She slid from the seat and her hands burst into flame as she carefully peered out of the tiny window set into the office wall and carefully examined the dark factory.

Finding nobody there, Shego came to a quick decision and strode across to the holdall. As an afterthought, she picked up the box and poured the contents into the bag, promising herself to dump them later… far later.

Grabbing it, Shego ran for the door and slid quietly out into the empty factory. Her gaze darted left and right as she ran along, ready for combat.

You’re overreacting! Fang has no idea where you are. Drakken doesn’t know about this place… nobody does! Still, maybe it’s best to move on, get far away from Middleton as possible.

Shego leaned against a rusty meat packer and glanced round its huge frame. The corridor to the broken entranceway, where her plasma coated fingers had ripped the lock away, was empty.

Plan… I need a plan… Shego thought to herself as she made a dash for the exit. Grab the jet and go see the Fox! She’ll have a plan… and god knows she’s got no bloody love for Kara Fang… since that incident when she told her I was to be her apprentice.

Breathing deeply of the night air, Shego hit the control on her belt, the jet shimmering into being as she did so. Time to go…

Everything was going to be okay… once she got to the jet and put some distance between her, Middleton, Fang and… and… Kimmie.

Focus! You have a plan, so lets get going!

The sudden transformation of her green and black checked jet into an expanding fireball, that deafened her and threw her against the wall of the abandoned factory, was not part of that plan. Nor, as she hauled herself upright, blood trickling from her lips and concussion making her vision blur, were the five Synth-drones and eight Ninja’s that stared at her from the dark.

Oh fuck.

“A word of advice, Shego.” A familiar voice echoed into the night, and Shego cast her gaze around, the holdall plummeting to the floor as her hands burst into bright green flame. “When you go to visit the woman who stole your heart? Make sure that people who work for me… are not watching her. Nasty side effects, such as someone fixing a new transponder to the side of your lovely jet can occur. This also includes explosions that turn the jet to junk and leaving the owner… vulnerable.”

Shego cast a glance around the empty factory courtyard, the flaming wreckage of her precious jet landing around her with the occasional crash of metal on concrete. The odds of her winning were slim, but then she’d always been one for a challenge. She glanced around.

“Depends on the owner, doesn’t it Kara?”

Shego glanced back as one of the drones moved towards her, and she balled up a charge of plasma. As the drone came into range, she threw it, watching dispassionately as it exploded, showering the two ninja’s who had started to run towards her with green goo.

As the first Ninja arrived, Shego dropped to all fours, letting her right leg snap out in a kick that connected with his masked face, the crack of the impact echoing into the night. The second Ninja received a clawed set of hands across his face, and his scream as Shego effectively blinded him galvanised the others into movement.

Two Synth-drones ran at her from either side, obviously hoping to catch her in a cross grab so they could avoid her plasma balls. Shego dropped like a stone, her legs sliding along the concrete as she did a split that would have made Kim proud. Her arms extended from either side as she hit the ground, a stream of plasma from each one blasting the drones away from her in a ball of exploding gore.

As she slid to her feet, a feral grin sliding over her face, three more Ninja’s ran at her, their swords drawn. The first one to reach her got the shock of his life, as a plasma covered set of fingers slashed the blade at the grip, making it snap and fly off. As the Ninja stared at the stub, a green glove smashed into his solar plexus and, as he crumpled in agony, a booted foot lashed out, kicking his head.

The second Ninja, trying to get behind Shego, met the same boot as it reversed its direction to catch him in the crotch. His head met her fist as she spun, the plasma burning his face as it smashed into his nose.

The third Ninja managed to slash his sword across Shego’s shoulder, making the young woman snarl and curse. His victory was short lived. The blade was grabbed by her gloved hands and he blinked as it was effortlessly pulled form his grasp by almost superhuman strength. The blade flashed in front of his eyes, Shego’s own emerald gaze reflecting in the gleaming metal, and it plunged into his thigh with a soft meaty sound. A second fist breaking his nose silenced his screams of agony.

Panting with exertion, Shego glanced round at the remaining two drones and three Ninja’s as they hung back. She grinned. “Losing a little too much of your home help, Kara.”

She glanced around, the night quiet, and then a soft reply echoed into the air. “Bitch…”

“Takes one to know one…” Shego replied, her body singing from adrenaline. “Come on, I haven’t got all day! I need to get to the airport so I can book a commercial flight! This is what happens when an idiot destroys your- Hak!”

Shego broke off as a sudden burning pain blossomed in her left shoulder. She bit back a scream, as the burning sensation became fire, pouring into her body. To her horror, her arm suddenly went limp, the muscles not responding. Arching her good arm, Shego slid her fingers along the back of her cat suit, and let out a snarl as her questing fingers found the dart lodged in her flesh.

“What the…”

“I need you alive, Shego.” Kara’s voice echoed into he air once more. “I intend to take you as such. Dr Drakken needs you in one piece… and so do I… Take her!”

The final two drones ran at her, obviously convinced her dead left arm had crippled her to the point of being unable to defend herself. They were wrong. Shego’s good hand shot out and she slashed them as they ran at her, ducking under their outstretched arms. The wounds went deep and the green goo that powered them poured out in a torrent. As they collapsed, the final three Ninja’s went in for the attack.

The first one met Shego’s good arm in an attack that allowed her to slide her hand around his right arm and with a flip, force him to hit the ground with her on top. As she held his good arm tightly with her working hand, her right leg snapped out to catch the second Ninja in the side of his head as he moved to strike her with his blade. The second threat down, Shego twisted and the snap of bone echoed around the parking lot, mingling with the screams of the ninja.

She left him to writhe on the floor, cradling his broken arm and focused on the final Ninja. That was her mistake.

Unseen, a figure dressed in a figure hugging skinsuit of blood red, slid into view on the top of the factory. One hand gripped a high velocity rifle, and the figure’s hair whipped in the night breeze as it examined the stand-off below.

Smooth fingers primed the rifle, the darts of glowing blue liquid in the cartridge attached to it, shifting gently as one slid into the barrel. As Shego taunted the final Ninja, the figure on the roof slid the gun into position, relaxed and fired.

For the second time that night, Shego let out a cry of pain as a dart smashed into her body, releasing the drug into the surrounding flesh. Her leg became numb, and she collapsed in a heap, trying not to cry out as the burning liquid sank into her body.

The final Ninja bowed at Shego, almost taunting her as he realised she was crippled, and ran towards her, ready to strike. He never made it. Shego’s single good leg raised towards him and her emerald eyes blinked back the pain as she focused on this final threat. To his shock, the glow that had appeared around her hands, exploded around her boot, the ball of plasma slamming into his chest and throwing him back towards the burning wreck of Shego’s jet, unconscious.

There was no time to celebrate or gloat however. As Shego staggered upright onto one leg, a gentle whistle made her look up. There, standing with her back to the moon, the light glinting off her rifle, was Kara Fang.

“You have one chance to avoid a painful knockout, Shego.” Kara smiled, her voice dripping with amusement. “Give yourself to me freely. If you do… I promise you, no torture. Just the quick and painless implementation of Drakken San’s little gift.”

“No thanks…” Shego managed, blinking as her vision started to blur. “I have no desire to see Drakken again, especially as he does whatever weird ass experiment he was grinning about earlier on today.”

“A shame…” Kara whispered, her eyes flashing with delight. “Very well, torture it is… Shego San.” As Kara smiled, the barrel of the rifle slid gently over the side of the roof, pointing at Shego. “As to the way to capture you… shall we play a game?”

“No thanks…” Shego managed, her good arm extending, the plasma curling dangerously around it.

“Such a shame, I rather enjoy games…” Kara laughed as Shego raisedthe hand. “Go ahead, fire your special gift at me, Shego… I rather wish to see it again… such an impressive power.”

“My pleasure!” Shego hissed, the plasma curling into a ball that she shot towards the figure of Kara. To Shego’s horrified shock, the ball of plasma bounced off a familiar glowing red shield that flickered around Kara at the last second. She knew that shield and realising that she had no defence against the woman on the roof, Shego backed away. “How… how did you…”

“Drakken San found this during one of your little tussle’s with Kim Possible San.” Kara gazed down at her with amusement. “Although he has no idea how it works, what it does was of far greater interest to him… and to me. As you can see, a plasma shield is of great use when trying to catch a green plasma casting woman!”

Shego backed away, her right leg scraping along the concrete as she limped backwards. Kara slid to her haunches and the rifle in her hands made a quiet ‘crckchak’ sound as she loaded another dart.

“Shall we play a game now?” She asked the retreating figure below her. “I have decided to play, ‘seconds of freedom’. I shall let you have one second for each of the men you took out down there. Not the drones though… just my men! Call it, admiration for your fighting skills.”

“Kara, wait… why now?” Shego asked, breaking off the young woman’s amused offer. “Why come back now? You’ve had years to try your luck before… I mean, this is quite a grudge to hold against me, especially if you’re as powerful as you seem to be.”

“Oh, flattery… coming from you, most satisfying.” Fara sighed and raised the butt of the rifle slightly. “Truth be told, Shego, I had forgotten about you until now. The reason I have come is easy… as I have told Drakken San. The Blood Jade wishes to expand into this country… and one day we wish to rule the world! This would be hard with Kim Possible San, how do you Americans say it? Ah… breathing down our necks.”

“I don’t follow as to why that should make you come after me…”

“Oh Shego… have you not realised one little important fact? It has notgone unnoticed around the world… especially when you have fought with Kim Possible in public.” Kara leaned forwards. “You are one of the only people who can fight to her level… even win when given the right… encouragement. The fact that I happen to hate you with every part of my soul, and I will soon have the woman you have fallen in love with in my hands, made it all the sweeter.”

“Kimmie…” Shego whispered, backing away. “No…”

“So, back to our game.” Kara announced, a almost maniacal laugh in her voice. “I shall give you eight seconds… from the moment I flick the safety off this rifle, to run… If I miss with my single shot, I’ll let you escape. I am nothing, if not… fair.”

“Oh god…” Shego glanced around herself. The nearest cover was a good thirty or so metres away and she knew, from personal experience, how Kara was almost supernatural at never missing a target. Though she knew it was hopeless, Shego began to stagger towards the nearest cover, her dead leg dragging behind her, her arm hanging limply.

Kara’s laughter echoed into the night, and she began to count in a singsong voice. “Eight… seven…six, faster Shego! Five, four… three… two… one.” The ‘one’ was drawn out, almost amused and Kara’s eyes gleamed at the exposed back of Shego as she staggered along. “Finally… my turn to play…”

With barely a thought, Kara Fang, mistress of the Blood Jade, slid the rifle to her shoulder, sighted down the gun barrel and pulled the trigger.

One final dart hissed from the rifle and sped towards its target, the liquid inside making it glow a pretty blue as it shot towards Shego’s green and black checked body. Kara never heard Shego’s cry of pain as it struck her in the back of the neck, nor did she see the dart deliver the contents it carried into the young woman’s body.

What she did see was Shego collapse… her body twitching, as all muscle control was cut off.

Nodding with satisfaction and pride, Kara slid to her feet and wandered slowly over to the fire ladder in the corner of the roof. She slid down it, her red gloves absorbing the friction, and her boots slamming into the cracked concrete.

Her eyes gazed with no compassion at the writhing Ninja's and stared with disgust at the few who had staggered upright.

Ignoring them, Kara wandered over to the twitching moaning green figure and squatted next to her. Emerald eyes stared back, anger mixed with fear, flashing in them andKara smiled.

“A worthy try, Shego.” She whispered, as her fingers pulled a hypodermic needle from her belt and uncapped it. The pale yellow fluid squirted from the end and she smiled down at her. “Do not worry… I shall take… good care of you.”

With a smooth motion, Kara injected the hypodermic into Shego’s neck, making the paralysed woman groan. She stayed silent, watching as the drug swam into Shego’s system and only blinking as the young woman managed one sentence.

“Dn’t… hrt… Kim… ny!”

“Do not worry about her either, Shego…” Kara whispered leaning forwards and closing Shego’s eyelids. “I shall take excellent care of her. Or, rather… you will. Very soon.”

---

Writers note: Phew, that was a long chapter… still, I hope you enjoyed it. Trying to integrate the events of STDC has been a pain… but I think the scenes with Shego and Kim are not only believable, but also touching.

So, what does the future hold for our heroes? You’ll have to wait and see.