Middleton Hospital- The Next Day.
Well, this is just great. If my life wasn’t complicated enough, and believe me, working for a blue skinned megalomaniac often leaves it complicated, I have yet another issue to deal with now. Kimmie… Kimmie and my love for her.
Shego paused and sucked on the pen she had quietly stolen from the nurse who had come to take her blood pressure.
It had been amusing to gently lift it out of her pocket. Not that she was usually that petty. But it seemed as though pens were as valuable as diamonds in a hospital. She knew that from the shocked expression a Doctor had given her when she had asked for one.
Sighing, she stroked the paper of her diary gently and continued to nibble on the end of the pen.
So many people these days used computers or PDA based diaries. Hell, she knew Kimmie did, not that she blamed her. Being a hero or a villain meant that such inner thoughts were dangerous and to add such security was a good idea.
“Remember Cheri… a diary is often a way into your target’s personality. Also keep in mind. What works for you, works for others… Oui?”
Shego smiled fondly, remembering a conversation along those lines when she had pulled out a similar battered book, all those years ago, in front of her mentor. Still, she refused to go along that path. Why, she had no idea. Maybe it was the feel… the sensual way the paper felt to her fingers as she ran them along the page… or the way the pen scratched softly along, recording her thoughts. Yes, she preferred the feel of a real diary to the keypad of a PDA.
Shego closed the book and stared at the leather, dyed a light green with her name printed in back on the surface. Why had Kim given this back to her though? It was a question that had rolled around in her mind all morning. In this simple book, was how she thought, how she felt. Stupid to write it all down, but she did. So, why give it back to her? Why not read it and find out everything she could?
Because, she wants me to trust her… Shego sighed. She wants her nemesis to trust her.
Pulling the pen from her mouth and opening the book once more, Shego continued to write.
Maybe I should be thanking Kara Fang and Drakken in a way. If Fang hadn’t decided to set me up, if I hadn’t been forced to run and seek Kimmie’s help, then maybe my secret obsession would have remained that… a secret.
Well, they did set me up! Damn Fang, and screw Dr D for believing her! Double screw Dr D for putting a bounty on my head that meant I went to my nemesis for help. Yup, I went to Kimmie! Doy, can you believe it?
So, there I am trying to convince her to help me, I get angry with her… and she does! Maybe the fact that I saved her life had something to do with that… or maybe she feels it too. Maybe it’s the way she keeps staring at me, like she’s trying to work something out… unless I’m just forcing how I feel onto her and…
Gah, I’m babbling. In a DIARY! Doy! Okay, short form is that Kimmie went with me to the lair… and, to my great surprise, there was nobody there. Damn Drakken and damn Fang, they made me look like a total idiot. Well, Pumpkin got angry… Which isn’t a surprise, as it was her birthday that I dragged her out on.
That reminds me, I must write that date down… I may be an enemy turned… well, we’ll come to that later, further down the page. Heh, it’d screw her mind if I give her a prezzie of some sort… Or maybe, I dunno, I could be… nice? Not fight her that day? Or let her win with no bruises!
Getting side tracked again… maybe cause in here, I can be truthful with myself. Look, I kissed her, okay? We’re rolling around, after one hell of a fight! I’m sweaty, she’s sweaty and I’m on top of her. Oh yeah, you heard me right… I’m pinning her to the floor and her lips are inches, INCHES away from mine.
Shego paused, the ink from the pen blotting slightly as she stared at her words. Oh, yeah… lips very close and I loved every minute. Sighing, she picked up the thread of her thoughts.
I’m on top of her, and I can feel her breath ruffling my hair. She’s pissed off at me, snarling and ranting at me as I hold her down… she’s so cute like that, my Kimmie.
So, anyway. It feels so good as I lie on top of her, feeling her struggle under me and rant… breath running across my face. So, I whisper… what did I whisper? Oh, yeah. I saved her life and I asked if she wanted to know why.
Shego paused again, her mind replaying the look of almost… shocked fear on Kim’s face
You know, now I come to think about it, that’s the only leverage I’ve managed to get on her ever since I’ve known her.
So, I’m leaning close and, yeah I admit it, I really am enjoying the feel of her underneath me. Suddenly, I think she got scared… she’s not ranting anymore. She stares at me with those huge green eyes of hers and I can hear her breath hitching as I run my lips along her chin.
Then, and thank god nobody will ever read this other than me, yours truly kisses her because I can’t hold on any more… me! I kiss her long, and hard. Just the way I know she wants to be kissed and I want her to kiss me back! My hands, they get busy under that tight top of hers… I know I scratched her slightly, damn gloves.
So, I can feel her struggling for a few seconds and then she went lax, totally lax… like water! I couldn’t believe it. Kimmie was relaxed underneath me while I kissed her and it felt good, no great… no, let me try again. If someone had offered me world domination right there and then? I’d have punched them for getting in our way! For those seconds, I’d have given anything to stay that way, it felt so… so damn right! There, I said it, well wrote it.
But then… it went wrong. Oh yeah, so wrong I’m still picking up the pieces. I still don’t know what went through Kimmie’s head though! I thought she was enjoying it… I could feel her gripping me, her actual damn hands holding my waist and back! I felt her respond to my kiss… I think I did anyway. But the next thing I know, I'm skidding across the floor of the lab. Now, I can tell you that going from kissing and feeling great, to skidding along a cold floor on my ass was not fun!
I got angry with her again… she was backing away from me like I was diseased or something! Stupid, stupid teenager! I show her how much I need her… how much I want her and she pushes me away! Sometimes I think she can be such a coward and-
Shego stopped writing and stared at the line. A coward… Kim was anything but that. Okay, so Kim had pushed her away, fear written on her face. But now, as she thought back, Shego grudgingly admitted to herself that Kim had every right to being worried, even scared.
From mortal enemies… to me trying to jam my tongue down her throat. Oh hell… put it that way and I did push her into this… great.
Shego sighed. “Great job Sheg… Yup, you freaked her out by being forceful, right when that wasn’t a good idea. Fan… tastic.” She returned to the diary.
Okay, not a coward. Now I come to think of it, she had a right to… I was a tad forceful and, at least in here, I can admit that I… well, I couldn’t hold on anymore. I’ve been feeling desire for her since damn Beuno Nacho, that white cat suit of hers was so… tight. I’m a hot-blooded woman and I’m weak around redheads, so sue me!
Now I’m here, in hospital, after a lovely time at the hands of Kara Fang, may she burn in hell! Falling into Kimmie’s hands, beaten, cold, shivering and bleeding. Bleeding… well, everywhere. I think I shocked her a little. Okay, maybe not a little, a lot… I think I heard her screaming for her mother and the rest is, hazy. I remember a car… and being bundled into it. I was so cold… but I could feel little patches of warmth running along my body. I think I heard a third voice, but I had my eyes closed. I know I felt something brush my forehead… but I don’t know what.
Shego stopped writing and closed her eyes. Kim had saved her life, plain and simple. There was no way she would have made it to The Fox, none. She would have died… alone, in pain and freezing to death in the pouring rain. Shego shivered.
“Alone…” Shego muttered, glancing at the door to her room. “I don’t want to be alone, not anymore.” Her fingers trembled for a second, but she stilled them. “Ah damn it all to hell and back. Why’d I have to fall for Kimmie? A goodie two shoes and a pain in my ass!”
Taking a deep breath, Shego wrote a final line in her diary and underscored it twice, slamming the book shut as she did so, not wanting to write any more.
All I know is that I owe her my life… and I love her. Damn!
Possible Household- 11AM.
“Wade, how can you say the computer was wiped? I mean, wouldn’t there be, I don’t know, a trace of the information that was on there before?” Kim stared at Wade’s face as she bit on a piece of toast. “Dad says that deleted information on a computer is always there… you just have to know how to get it back.”
“That’s a… simplification.” Wade sighed and slipped a mug of coffee. “Usually, if you delete something by accident on a computer, the bytes that store the information remain on the drive… until something writes over them. The only thing that is ‘normally’ deleted is the location of the file. That’s not what happened to the hoverpod that Shego arrived in. It’s memory and storage have been totally filled with… junk. It’s overwritten everything!”
Kim sighed. “Okay, I know Shego didn’t do that.” She glared at Wade as he looked unconvinced. “Wade, she didn’t!”
“Kim, I know that you’ve been worried about her. I have to say I don’t understand why, but she could be lying.” Wade stared at her annoyed expression and swallowed. “This could all be a trap. Her injuries, everything.”
“My Mom says another four or so minutes and she’d have fallen unconscious, lapsed into a coma and died. I doubt erasing a hoverpod computer was on her mind!” Kim retorted. “Wade, look. I can see we’re going to disagree on Shego’s intentions right now, and frankly I don’t care. I need your help for all our sakes. I’ve got to stop Fang, she does exist!”
Wade nodded. “I know, Yori filled me in earlier this morning. I think she and ron are on their way to meet up with you soon. Is that okay?”
Kim nodded. “Sure.”
“Okay, I’ll let them know that you’ll be at home. I think Ron’s introducing Yori to the wonders of a full American breakfast.”
“The poor woman.” Kim muttered, smiling slightly. “Breakfast, Ron style.”
Laughing, Wade nodded. “Sure. Look, I’ll keep an eye on your father’s breakdown of the pod computer. Actually, before I go, one thing.” Wade tilted his head. “Why didn’t you give it to the GJ? They have even better facilities than your father.”
“Because they’d want to know where I got it from. I promised Shego I’d not hand her over to the cops, Wade.” Kim ran a hand through her hair and her green eyes hardened. “I keep my promises.”
“I see.” The young man sighed and slid across to another console. “Well, I’ll dig a little deeper on the hoverpod’s computer, but I doubt I’ll find anything. I’ll keep you posted.”
“Thanks, Wade.” Kim hit the Kimmunicator gently and the screen flickered and died.
So, the computer on the hoverpod was erased before they got it to the lab… how convenient. But Shego was with me, bleeding in my arms. I can’t believe she’d want or even be able to delete the hoverpod data. Why bother? Unless you want to remain hidden… like Fang. Shego never cared about hiding her tracks when it came to Drakken. Although now I come to think of it, she may have had an ulterior reason, namely me.
Sighing, Kim slid to her feet, grabbed her glass of orange juice sitting on the table, and quietly walked into the lounge. There, sitting popped on the sofa, her arms wrapped around her, was her mother. She looked up as her daughter entered the room and smiled.
“I got an update on Shego.” She smiled at Kim’s surprised expression. “Thought you’d like it if I did. So, I got Dr Andersten to give me a call once she came of shift.”
“Oh.” Kim shuffled with embarrassment as her mother smiled. “Cool, how is she?”
“Shego’s fine. Her leg has actually begun to fuse itself together. Can you believe it? Dr Andersten is going on and on about the miracle ‘liquid leg cast’. I think that she’s going to be disappointed by the next set of results.” Her mother smiled wrly. “Anyway, by the rest of the discussion I had with my colleague, we think Shego can be discharged tomorrow. Though she’ll still have a limp, she should be able to walk about while the bone strengthens itself. Oh and the wound on her shoulder has healed the deep muscle tissue damage too. The bruises have almost completely gone. It's very impressive, which made me have to come up with a load of excuses as to why she’s almost up and walking around after a few days rest. Oh, though apparently she’s not too happy about the food.”
Kim grinned at that, she found she could not stop herself. “Well, as she’s eating a lot more of it to boost her healing ability, what a surprise.”
“Are you saying our hospital food is… bad, Kimmie?” Her mother frowned, but her eyes gleamed with wicked intent. “Now, that’s unfair. It’s nutritious and wholesome.”
Kim had visions of the last meal she had had while in there for a fractured ankle and grimaced. Beef stroganoff should not bend! “And has a texture similar to cardboard.”
“Well, really.” Dr Possible snorted, trying to hide a smile. “It’s doing your… friend good.” She broke off, and stared at her daughter suddenly serious. “Um, Kimmie, is she a friend, or are you going to start fighting again once she’s better? Should I call the police once she’s healed and discharged?”
“No mom, no. Leave her alone, okay?” Kim pleaded, while inside part of her yearned to work out the emotions that swirled through her at her mother’s question. “I have no idea if we’ll end up fighting again. It’s up to her I suppose and maybe me….”
Do I love her? Do I love Shego? Kim sat down on the sofa and her mother, after watching her for a second, went back to reading the magazine propped on her legs. Okay Kim. You’ve got a few minutes of peace and quiet while you wait for Yori and Ron to arrive. So, let’s thrash this out.
Kim sipped her orange juice and closed her eyes, leaning back on the sofa.
So, how did I feel when she kissed me in the abandoned lair? It felt… good, no, great! I panicked about the fact Shego was the one doing the kissing, but before then it made me shiver with… something. It felt… nice, very nice. Would I let her do it again if she was standing here? A definite yes to that idea! Okay, so I liked her kissing me. Physical attraction between us is a certain yes too. That body… and she’s so beautiful in a dark, dangerous way… Kinda like a panther… Dark, seductive… Beauty, but with lethality attached to it.
Kim shivered slightly as the image of Shego’s strong supple body slid across hers, both naked and Shego’s darkly painted lips left a trail of kisses along her flat stomach. She imagined fisting her hands in that dark flowing hair of Shego’s, her own lips sliding along pale green skin that she knew was so soft from the lair. For a fleeting moment, Kim wondered what it would be like to make love to a woman like Shego, pictured the two of them bound together in a tangle of limbs, each gently kissing and stroking the other, everywhere. She imagined Shego sliding one of those dangerous hands down her body, across her abdomen, seeking her most intimate areas.
The thought was attractive and Kim bit her lip, repressing a belly deep shudder and sighing deeply. The noise made her mother glance across at her, frown, and then go back to the pages, shaking her head.
A teenager… and now a young woman. My daughter is totally confusing to me at times.
Kim struggled to control the image she had conjured. She wanted to get back to her analysis of how she felt about Shego. With difficulty, the image faded and Kim blinked.
Okay… okay. Definite physical attraction, bordering on sexual need here! Haven’t felt this way about someone before. Not even… well, Ron. So, let’s focus on how I feel emotionally for her. So, how do you feel Kim?Her eyes flicked open and she frowned.Confused… and that’s not a good answer!
Kim slid up the sofa slightly and glanced across at her mother, who had remained absorbed in an article on lower brainstem regeneration in comatose patients. If there was anyone she could talk to about a relationship, and how to go about creating one, it was her mother.
“Mom,” Kim licked her lips and slid the orange juice glass onto the table. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure, Honey.” Dr Possible slid her eyes up from the magazine and tilted her head. “What do you want to ask?”
“With Dad… How did you know? I mean, how did you know you were in love with him… or fancied him to the point that it could go way further than just… well.”
“Casual dating or a quick fling?” Dr Possible asked, amused as her daughter flushed. She chuckled and slid the magazine to one side. Well, well… about time Kim asked about this. “Kimmie, you’re nineteen. I think we can discuss this freely now.”
“Yeah. Thanks.” Kim licked her lips gently. “So? How did you know that dad could be the one? Was the one?”
Her mother frowned, her own eyes lost in memory and she unconsciously reached up to run an hand though her hair, a sign of distraction that Kim had picked up herself.
“I haven’t really got a straight answer for you, Kimmie. When I met your father, I just knew… in a strange way, that he could be the one. You see, I think there is more than one person who can make you happy in this life, but I think we all have one soul mate. Your father, luckily I think, might have been the right one. Sometimes I think he’s the one for me because we’re so in tune with each other.”
“Oh.” Kim thought back to the dark haired woman and how everything she did was completely opposite to Kim’s viewpoint. The only thing the two of them had in common was an urge to win, and the ability to fight the other to a standstill. She felt her heart sink slightly. “So, that’s the answer then?”
“Maybe, but then look at Ron’s parents. They are so opposite in so many ways, and their relationship is just as strong.” Dr Possible smiled. “I think, Kimmie, there’s no straight answer, as I said. I think it’s a blend of questions you have to ask yourself. I suppose a few are. Do you like them? Do you find them attractive? Are they nice to you or do you like being with them? How do you feel around them?”
“I feel alive around the person I’m thinking of.” Kim whispered softly. “They make me feel alive. Sometimes exhilarated, a little scared too, especially when I have to chase and-“ Kim broke off and sighed. “A few times, I’ve wanted to understand them. To maybe… Oh, I don’t know, help them.”
Dr Possible frowned. “Who are we talking about here? Someone at school or in Middleton? Not Ron.”
“No, not Ron. I told you that we broke up amicably, Mom. No big or harm done there, we worked it out. Heck, he’s coming over soon with Yori, and I think I can see sparks.” Her mother raised an eyebrow. “No, I know I did… though, and don’t tell Ron, I was slightly jealous for a second of the way he kept staring at her. Silly.”
Dr Possible smiled. “I see. You going to help him sort out how he feels with her?”
“I would, if I could work out how I feel for-“ Kim broke off again, flinching under the stare of her mother. To tell her mom that she was… could, be gay was too much to bear right now. The thought of then explaining how it had been Shego who had awakened these feelings in her was definitely not a pleasant thought right now. “Actually, Mom, never mind. But yeah, I’ll help Ron if he wants. I know Yori was interested, she always has been.”
“That’s nice.” Dr Possible whispered, while inside she chewed over what her daughter had not said to her. “Well, you seem to think this mysterious ‘could be the one’ person is interesting. Why not try it out and see what it’s like?”
“Because if I do… it’ll change things, lots of things. Things that can’t go back to what they were if I do…” Kim flushed and her hands stroked her hair once more. “I… I think it could be kinda scary to allow that to happen.”
“Kim, there are no absolutes in the world and love can be scary at times. I mean, there was the time your father was involved in that rocket accident… that scared me half to death.” Dr possible smiled and gently placed a hand n her daughters arm and squeezed. “No matter what you decide, or what changes, you’ll always be my Kimmie. Someone I love very much.”
“Thanks.” Kim whispered. She leaned back and closed her eyes. Her mother, watched her for a few seconds, smiled and then returned to her magazine.
Okay… So, she makes me feel alive, really alive, when we’re fighting or I’m chasing her. I know we banter, sometimes she almost comes across as amused by all our fighting and I suppose I felt the same way occasionally. We worked so well as a team fighting Avarius. Odd, considering how… well, how opposite we are about almost everything else. But when she kissed me in the lair… I’ve never seen her like that before. So serious and almost frightened. Shego never gets frightened, but she was then… Oh, darn. I think I really am falling for her, have fallen for her.
Kim slid from the sofa, making her mothers eyes raise once more. “Kimmie?”
“Mom, what time are you going on shift?” Kim asked, smiling genuinely for the first time in weeks. “I need to go and see Shego.”
“About an hour.” Dr Possible sighed, missing her daughters smile. “Look, I don’t want you two fighting. Not in the hospital and certainly not when she comes here, once she’s been discharged.”
“Fighting is the last thing on my-“ Kim paused, her eyes wide. “What did you just say?”
“ I said that I’m not letting Shego out of my sight until I’m sure she’s better. That means she’ll have to stay here until I’m satisfied she has fully recovered.” Dr Possible shrugged. “That woman will just have to put up with it, so will you.”
“Mom, Shego won’t… I mean, she can’t.” Kim broke off. The thought of Shego sharing meal times with her, swirled through her mind. “Mom, I don’t mind, really. But I think Shego might. She’s not the family type! She gets all up tight the moment anyone mentions family. I don’t know why, but she does.”
“You’ll have to talk to her then. Besides, if you really do want to be friends now, Shego will have to find another pastime to keep herself occupied. Well, apart from hiding from the GJ until the warrants for her arrest expire or she can strike a deal with them, won’t she. She can’t keep stealing, because you’ll end up stopping her sooner or later.”
“I somehow doubt going straight will appeal to her, Mom.” Kim sighed. “But you’re right. I never thought about that. Don’t think she has either.”
“Well, that’s the problems she’s going to be facing. I think you two need to sit down and work out what’s going to happen. If Shego does decide to continue a life of crime, you’re going to have to think long and hard about what that could mean for you, Kimme. Saving someone’s life, only to end up fighting them, possibly to the death, could be a terrible strain.” Dr Possible sighed. “
Would it come to that? Would we end up fighting again? I don’t want to fight Shego like that… not now. It would be so hard… terribly hard.
“I’ll talk to her. I’ll make her see that she can’t remain on the side of evil. At least I know she’ll stay away from Drakken now. After what he did, I don’t blame her in the slightest. I still remember how I felt when Drakken got one of those mind chips on me. Thank goodness she’s clean.” Kim shrugged. “But you’re right, Mom. You’re right and I’ll talk to her.”
A gentle knock at the front door had both women turning their heads.
“Kim, you there? Dr P?” Ron’s voice, muffled through the wood, called. “Hello?”
“I’ll go and let them in.”
“All right. I have to go and take a quick shower anyway. Get dressed too.” Her mother sighed and closed the magazine. “A doctors work is never done.”
As her mother slid to her feet and walked upstairs, Kim wandered across the lounge and inot the hallway. She sighed with relief at the two hazy figures through the side glass next to the front door and pulled it open. “Ron, Yori.”
“Yo! Yo! KP!” Ron grinned as he walked in, Rufus popping out of his pocket to wave cheerfully. “Sorry it took us so long, but Yori wanted to walk slower for some reason.”
Kim glanced across at the young Japanese woman and noticed the glazed expression on her face. “Um, Ron… come on in. Could you do me a favour?”
“Sure, KP.” Ron grinned and gently pushed the glazed and unresisting Ninja into the hallway. “Anything for you.”
“Would you pop upstairs and grab my Kimmunicator? I need to have a quick word with Yori.”
“You do? What about?” Ron frowned. “Nothing about… me. Is it?”
“No, nothing about you.” Kim smiled. And if it were, I’d still not tell you. Women are entitled to a few secrets, Ron. “Girl stuff.”
“Oh, right.” Ron shrugged and moved across to the stairs. “Back in a sec.”
“Okay.” Kim watched as Ron hopped cheerfully up the stairs and grabbed Yori by her sleeve. The Ninja blinked as she was yanked into the kitchen and a few moments later, a glass of water was shoved into her hand, followed by the plink of two white tablets splashing into it.
“Kim San?”
“Drink it…” Kim shook the glass slightly and Yori glanced into the fizzing water. “It’ll make you feel better. For someone whose endured one of Ron’s mega breakfasts, I know the signs well.”
Yori swallowed and the glazed expression returned. “It just kept coming. Bacon, eggs, pancakes, cereal, even fruit! I would have liked some fruit… and tea, myself. But Ron San… how does he eat that much? Is it some sort of special skill? I… I have never seen such high-speed action. Ever!”
Kim smiled slightly. “That’s one of the most amusing thing’s I’ve heard all week. Thanks, I needed a lift considering my week so far. Now, come on. Drink it.”
Yori sipped tentatively and then drank in earnest. As the calming drug hit her stomach, she whimpered in delight, flushing slightly as she let out a burp of gas. Kim chuckled, her face full of sympathy and Yori bowed. “Thank you, that was most needed.”
“No big.” Kim smiled and then glanced up at the stairs. As Ron was nowhere to be seen, she gently placed a hand on Yori’s shoulder. “We need to talk soon. About Ron.”
“Ron?” Yori swallowed. No… no! How does she know I still harbour feelings for him? “Is this where you warn me to stay away from him? Because I understand that you two are dating now and-“
“Woah… woah!” Kim blinked her expression one of surprise. “Where’d you hear that?”
“Ron told me a long time ago… I was, saddened, but glad to see he had found a woman worthy of him and-“ Yori broke off. The soft, understanding, smile on Kim’s face making her pause. “The way you are looking at me… you are not… dating?”
Kim caught the faint tone of hope in Yori’s eyes and she nodded her head at the confused Ninja. “Not for a long time now. No. I thought Ron would have told you about that. After all, he needed someone to help him cope, I know I did… ended up crying on Mon’s shoulder and-“
Kim broke off as a stab of pain shot through her. Mon… I miss you.
“So, you and Ron broke up?” Yori blinked as Kim nodded, distracted. “You had a falling out? You or he did something terrible to the other?”
“No, nothing like that. We just… well, it never worked out Yori. I’m sorry for it, but it never worked out.” Kim swallowed and glancing at the door to the kitchen, sat down. “It was because… well-“
She reached out and to the Ninja’s surprise, gently took one of her hands and gripped it. As Yori gazed at the hand, and then looked up into Kim’s worried green eyes, she tilted her head. “He saw another woman behind your back?”
“No!”
“You saw another man?” Yori hazarded.
“For the last time, no! We just broke apart and I only just worked out why. I’m having trouble coming to terms with why it didn’t work out with Ron or Josh… or anyone else. I’ve already left one friend unable to cope with what I am…Look, Yori…I’ve come to see you as a friend and I… well, you should know that I’m… I think I may be, um…”
“Kim’s gay, Yori.” Ron’s confident voice echoed quietly around the kitchen and the redhead’s eyes flicked to where he leaned against the doorjamb, the Kimmunicator in one hand. “She’s worried people will think less of her when they find out.”
Yori’s dark eyes flicked to Kim’s face and noted the flushed expression. “You are gay?”
Kim spluttered, embarrassed by Ron’s simple and calm explanation far more that she should be. “Yes… no… I don’t know I…”
Yeah I am… I am, and I’m frightened.
“She’s fallen for Shego…” Ron slid next to the Japanese woman and gently thunked the Kimmunicator onto the table. “Right Kim?”
“Ron, please…” Kim swallowed. “Look, I-“
“Kim San, you think this changes my opinion of you?” Yori smiled as the redhead stared at her in worry. “Then that is foolish. We are told at my school to always accept who we are, for only then can you know your soul and be exceptional. If you are truly a lesbian, then be proud of that and accept it. There is no shame in knowing ones self…”
Ron watched quietly as Kim deflated a little, her left hand stroking her long hair to calm herself.
“See KP? I knew people would be fine with this. I am… so you should be.” Ron smiled as she looked up, her green gaze conflicted. “By the way, seen Shego yet?”
“Ah, yes. I see why Kim is in love with her…” Yori grinned as Km stared at her in shock and she winked gently. “It is the hero lured by the dark wickedness of her Nemesis. We were warned to be forever vigilant against this at Yamanouchi. Still, compared to many, Shego may be far less dark than other choices. After hearing about her from you, Ron, I could not resist investigating her past.” Yori smiled and waved a hand gently, gazing at Kim with her exotic eyes. “A sad tale… but maybe there is hope for her now.”
Kim flushed a deep red and shook her head, making both Ron and Yori laugh quietly. The Ninja reached out and slid a hand into Kim’s.
“So, do I have your permission to… try my best now?” Yori smiled, one almond shaped eye delicately rolling shut in a wink. Kim, unable to hold it back, laughed softly.
“Sure, sure… you need any tips or help, just beep me. I think you’re a safe bet.”
Ron frowned, suddenly suspicious. “Hey, what are you two talking about?”
“Topics that concern women, Ron.” Yori smiled at him. “Do not concern yourself about it.”
“Is this one of those ‘we want to discuss this alone’ things? Because if it is I-“ A knock at the door made Ron blink and he slid to his feet. “I’ll get it.”
“Thanks, Ron.” Kim reached out and slid her Kimmunicator across the table, her eyes meeting Yori’s as she did so. “And thanks to you too. For being so understanding.”
“It is no problem. Though I wish to ask a question, if I may?” Yori tilted her head and the Ninja’s dark hair slid rakishly across her eyes. Kim blinked at her expression and something deep down nudged her faintly.
Is she flirting with me? Nah… come on Kim, get a grip here!
Kim sighed and shook her head. “If it’s ‘do I find you sexually attractive’ then the answer is-“ She looked up to see Yori laughing silently.
Oh great. Way to make an ass of yourself, Kim!
“No. That was not my question.” Yori grinned. “Though I thank you for letting me know I do not physically interest you… Do I?”
Kim gazed at Yori and a wry smile slid onto her lips. “That’s a bit of a loaded question. Dammedif I do or dammed if Idon't.I thought you were far too clean minded to do that to me.”
“I am a Ninja, but my soul, pure?” Yori laughed and Kim smiled at her warmly. “If I had a pure soul, I would not desire… him. But I do apologise for my response. Especially when you were trying to put me at ease. I know that you, like everyone else, do not immediately desire every person you see.”
“Thanks…” Kim muttered dryly. “You know, this is so much easier to speak with you about than Ron or Mon or my parents… even Shego. I… Yori, I haven’t told my parents!” Kim blurted the words out suddenly and the dark haired Ninja blinked as Kim spilled her troubles out verbally. “How can I? As for Shego, I don’t know how I feel about her! No matter what Ron says. Yeah, I have this… physical thing with her! She makes me feel… alive and not so much happy as satisfied. But then I know that woman is supposed to be my enemy! She’s surly, sarcastic, violent and short-tempered. She’s been hell-bent on making my life a living hell. I swear she still is but a few days ago… she says she’s in love with me and I’m left very confused. Yori, what am I going to do?”
Yori sighed and patted Kim’s hand gently as the redhead gently subsided, head in her hands.
Kim San, you have troubles ahead. Let me aid you as much as I can.
“Maybe I am easier to confess to as you do not know me so well.”
“You think so? Telling Ron that I might be… that I am gay was so hard.”
“Kim, though you know Ron trusts me, we do not yet have a deep relationship like you do with Ron. Though this is slowly changing, my opinion of you is not so precious that you dare not risk it as you do with your friends. However… you know that Ron trusts me, and I think you wish me to advise you. For you see me as a distant friend. That I can do. As far as I can understand what you must feel and be going through.”
Yori gently walked to the sink and took a second glass from a shelf. She filled both with cold water and returned, placing one in front of Kim and sipping her own. Where to begin?
“Firstly, for your parents. This is something that cannot be kept from them. You must tell them soon. However, when you do tell them, it will change things that they expect to remain unaltered. This will be a shock, and it could upset them, but I think they will understand, if you are any indication of their personalities. Trust them and wait until the time is right. Sensei would advise you the same, I am sure.”
“You… Yori. You think Mom and Dad would understand this?” Kim clutched her water. “I feel so out of my depth here…”
“Finding out the truth about yourself has cost you, that I can see. However, as I have said, it is good to know the truth about ones self.” Yori gently tapped her breastbone where her heart was. “In here, you will feel stronger. That can only be good. Imagine how my parents felt when I told them I wished to be a Ninja, that my calling was to learn the most ancient ways of combat. Do you think they were happy I would be away from them for so long? That I had to give up my biochemical studies?However, when they saw me the last time I visited, they were proud of me. I know it does not equal what you must do, but I hope my experience gives you strength.”
“Okay… okay.” Kim swallowed. “So, pick my time to tell Mom and Dad. That I can do, believe me.”
“Now, Shego is another matter entirely.” Yori watched as Kim’s eyes widened at the green thief’s name and she smiled with amused tenderness. “You have said you find her physically attractive?”
“I… yeah.” Kim whispered. “It started out with us fighting, and I thought I was admiring the way she fought me, you know? Now, now that she kissed me and… told me. I don’t know anymore. It never occurred to me that I always liked it when she grinned at me, even when she was taunting me or being cruel. She’s very… beautiful.” Kim nodded to herself. “She has that cool foxy face, and she’s smart, like me. The kiss was… amazing and the way her skin felt, it was-“ Kim broke off, flushing. “Sorry.”
“Do not be.” Yori admonished. “I understand. Physical desire is there then. Now, how does Shego make you feel inside?” Yori touched her breastbone again. “In here?”
“More alive then anyone else.” Kim whispered the words, her eyes shut. “When we fought, it was like… I don’t know. When we just fought, Shego and I… it was primal, basic… thrilling. I actually came to enjoy fighting with her, testing myself.”
“And now?”
“Now that she told me how she feels?” Kim sighed and her brow creased. “She’s my opposite. Everything about her is… a mirror image to me. I find it so, intoxicating, if that’s the right word. I find myself thinking about her now, all the time. I want to know more about her, I want to know what she’s thinking, what she feels when she kisses me… what she feels about me!”
“And do you love her?” Yori asked softly, swirling her water and gazing into the vortex. “It is a complex question I know. Let me rephrase. If you had the time to know her, could you love her do you think? Do you love her… Kim?”
Kim sat quietly, her eyes still shut. The response was one word, but so full of passion that Yori grinned and swallowed more water to stop herself laughing in delight.
“Yes!”
“I am not surprised.” Yori stifled another laugh as Kim opened her eyes in astonishment. “Oh yes, the idea of Yin and Yang, Kim San! Do you not think I can not see it in the recordings of you and Shego in combat? You are attracted to her… and she to you. Your very natures have pulled you together. But it is up to you both to feel love. I am glad you think you can Kim, as Shego does. Now, the tricky part remains however. Telling her.”
Kim’s young face slid into an expression of dismay and her green eyes became frantic. “I can’t tell her how I feel… I pushed her away when she kissed me! She hates me for that, I know she does! The only reason Shego’s talking to me again is because she ended up in my house and I saved her life. I know she says she loves me, but she sounds so… strained when she says it! I think I damaged something when I pushed her away… she’s bitter about it.”
“You are wrong on almost every point, Kim.” Yori shook her head and gently rested a hand on Kim’s arm. “I am certain that she came here because she trusted you, loves you still. I am sure it is just as confusing and worrying for her as you. Indeed, Shego has found many doors shut since she discovered her own feelings if what you told me is true. So, she turned to you… the door that remained open. To rely on you, with this trust, this new side of your relationship finally opening slowly, is a huge strain on her. Even more so than Fang wanting her and you to be her assassins. Shego is undoubtedly as confused as you, as worried as you about what this will me to her, but by the way you talk about her, she hides it well.”
“So what do I do?”
“Tell her how you feel, the truth. Nobody can do more than that and-“
A gentle cough from the kitchen doorway made both women look up. For a fleeting second, Kim half expected her mother to have heard every word, and would now be standing there, arms crossed and a look of shock on her face.
Instead, as Yori and Kim turned to the kitchen doorway, there was Monique. Dressed in a pair of black jeans and a charcoal grey top, Kim’s friend stood quietly in the doorway, her dark eyes staring at the floor and her teeth nibbling her lower lip. As Yori and Kim stared, she flushed.
“Um, hi.”
Kim blinked and slid to her feet, her green eyes wide. Her hands twitched. Oh… oh! Mon…
“Mon… Mon you came back!” Kim’s voice trembled. “You came back…”
“Yeah, I did. Look, I… can we sit down somewhere private?” Monique rubbed the back of her neck gently, her teeth still tugging at her lower lip. “I need to talk to you, Kim.”
“Sure! Yori could you-”
The Ninja smiled and slid upright, the glass in her hand gently placed on the table.
“Certainly. I shall go and mediate outside with Ron San. I just hope that my suggestions, and willingness to listen, have been of use to you Kim.” Yori bowed at Monique. “Your friend is strong to admit to such decisions and changes in her life.”
“Yeah, she was, she is.” Monique looked anywhere but at Yori or Kim. “Which is why I need to talk to her.”
“Of course.” Yori inclined her head and strode out, the scent of lilac hanging gently in the air for a few seconds. As she left, the two remaining women stared at each other quietly. Kim was the first to break the silence.
“I know this is hard for you and-“
“Yeah, it was hard.” Monique interrupted, only for her voice to crack. “But I should’ve stuck with you, girl. I was an ass.”
“You were shocked!” Kim walked over to Monique and gently placed a hand on her friends shoulder, feeling a flush of relief spread into her body when Monique slid her own hand onto hers “I shocked you, I’m sorry.”
“Girl, I was an ass. You tell me something that one of your best pals should help you cope with, and I blew you off! I ran away… You have every right, here and now, to punch me. I deserve it.” Monique tilted her head back and shut her eyes. “Go ahead, right there… don’t hold back!”
“What? Mon… you know I’d never hit you!” Kim wanted to reach up and shake her friend, but her hands had started to tremble. “Look, it was one heck of a thing to admit to and I’ll admit that I was kinda broken up about it when you left me alone with Ron to deal. But I… I-“
Oh no, I’m going to…
Monique’s eyes snapped open as arms gripped her tightly, so tightly the air rushed out of her lungs in one expelled breath. The red hair that draped over her shoulder, coupled with the quiet sobs, made Monique’s heart bleed.
Unable to help herself, Monique felt her own eyes moisten and she grabbed the redhead just as tightly, squeezing with all her might. “Kim, girlfriend… I am so, so sorry.”
“Mon… Oh Mon. It was my fault, not yours! I should have been careful when I told you both. I never thought when I-“
“No, Kim. This time it was my fault. Not yours!” Monique pulled her back and gazed into her green eyes fiercely. “How many times have you been there for me? Eh? The first time I went for an interview…The time I was blown off for that job at Club B… The time I was almost mugged! You’ve always been with me, there for me! The one time I should have been there for you, and I ran away.” Monique sighed and looked down in shame. “I ran away and I am so sorry for that. I mean, damn! Ron was right…”
“I’m gay.” Kim whispered quietly. “I’ve come to a decision, Mon. I know I told you that I was confused. But I know now, I know… who I am and who I am is gay…”
“Yeah, and I should have said then, what I’m gonna say now. So what?” Monique closed her eyes. “Okay, so it was a shock to me. All the times you and I have swooned over guys, all the times we’ve gone shopping together, when we bought magazines and compared the latest fashions. Not once did I get an inkling you were gay. Not once.”
“Mon, I only found out when Shego kissed me… I… Until then, I didn’t know how I felt!”
“I know, now. But I ran away from Nacho because it was all too much to handle. I don’t deal with change well. Hell, you took me on a mission, I’d scream until I was hoarse.” Monique sighed. “But when I got home, I felt awful and had to deal. I’ve been alone for the past couple of days, trying to get my head around it all. Now I have. You’re a friend who’s stuck with me though some tough times, you’re one of the best, and you’re still Kim!”
“Mon… I” Kim hugged her friend tightly one final time and then stepped back, smiling and rubbing the tears from her eyes. “So, you’re back?”
Monique inhaled deeply and nodded, a grin flickering across her lips. “Yeah… yeah! If you want me back as a girl-pal that is. Look, this is going to take some time to get used to.” Kim nodded, her green eyes glistening with fresh tears. “But I’ll deal. Oh, and don’t defend me okay? I was a total moron.”
“No big, no harm.” Kim smiled. “We never stopped being friends, and I owe Ron an apology. He was right about you, about us… and I’m glad. I’ve missed you and thought I’d never talk to you again.”
“Fat chance!” Monique’s eyes sparkled. “Take more than this to break me away from you!”
“Yeah, I see that now.” Laughing, Kim slid her arm around Monique’s and the two women walked out of the kitchen. She looked up as her mother came walking down the stairs, shrugging on her doctor’s coat and checking her ID tag. “Mom… we still up for seeing Shego?”
Dr Possible glanced up and smiled. “Hello Monique. Quite a few friends of Kim’s here today.” She glanced across to her daughter and blinked at the cheerful expression on her face. “Kimmie, are you alright?”
“Mom?” Kim glanced across at Monique who shrugged. “Yeah, I’m fine. Why?”
“You look as if you’ve been crying. Which I find odd considering the smile on your face.” Her mother frowned. “Kimmie, I don’t want to pry, but-“
“Mom, it’s okay. Mon and I had a… a falling out a few days back.” Kim watched her mother raise an eyebrow and glance at Monique. The black woman shrugged and nodded, realising that Kim had not told her parents yet.
Kim’s choice of when and where for that one.
“Oh, right.” Dr Possible sighed. Teenagers… No, young adults now. “Yes, to answer your first question, we can go and see Shego. If you like Monique can come as well as Ron and Yori. I’m sure the attending doctor, namely me, will let you all see her. But no fighting! Not in hospital!”
“Again, so not happening right now.” Kim glanced across at Monique and mouthed “Thanks”, receiving a grin and a shrug in return.
“Fine, but I have to get going, so whoever wants to come, should come now!”
Dr Possible strode out of the front door and Kim glanced over at Monique.
“Want to come with?”
Monique smiled faintly and shook her head. “Sorry, Kim. Accepting that you’re gay. That I can do right now. Watching you flirt with a woman I know is a total fruit loop,not a can do. Besides, you don’t need me for that.”
“Okay.” Kim tried to keep the disappointment she felt inside from leaking into her voice. The wry eyebrow that Monique shot her way as the two women left the kitchen and strode out of the door told her she had failed. “So, what is your business today?”
“Back to the big Club B. I have something I need to get ready.” Monique winked. “It’s going to be cool when it’s finished!”
“I get first dibs on seeing it then.” Kim laughed. “You need a lift?”
“Deal and nah, my cars parked just up the road.” Monique walked partway down the path, only to stop and wave. “See you later, Kim. Kay? You too Ron!”
Ron, who walked up to Kim while Yori slid to her feet behind him, gently placed a hand onto Kim’s shoulders and smiled. “All okay now?”
Kim nodded. “Yeah, and you were right. It’s getting easier to tell people. Thanks.”
Winking, Ron chuckled. “Course, you’re KP…. You can do anything.”
Laughing, Kim tenderly patted his cheek and tilted her head in amusement, dark red hair spilling over her eyes. “So, you want to come with me and see Shego?”
“Actually, um.” Ron glanced across at Yori, who flushed and shuffled slightly. “Yori’s kinda asked me to take her to the mall. She’s interested in seeing some of the American Shops and clothes. Course, I’m sure we can come with you if you need us to-“
“No, no.” Kim grinned. Go Yori! “I think I can handle a visit to Shego on my own. But you do have your Ron Com, right? If I need you or if Wade needs the both of us, you’ll be available?”
“Sure.” Ron glanced over at Yori who smiled, her dark hair waving slightly in the wind. Oh… boy. “Um, we’d better get going. You too.”
Kim nodded and turned as her mother shut the front door gently. “Okay, have fun. Don’t spend too much though, okay?”
Ron laughed as he opened the creaking passenger door of his car and Yori elegantly curled herself into the seat, inclining her head at Kim as Ron glanced up. “What are you, my Mom? I’ll be good KP, trust me.”
As Kim watched Ron almost run around the back of the car and jump in, she grinned. It’s not you who I should warn about being good, Ron. Yori has her sights set on you, and I think she’s not gonna take no for an answer.
The sound of her mother’s car rumbling to life made her turn. As the saloon slid from the garage and pulled up beside her, Kim opened the door. “Not taking Mara?”
“She’s your car, Kimmie, not mine.” Dr Possible smiled. “Besides, I think she deserves a few hours of ‘rest’, don’t you? Had a busy few days recently.”
“I suppose so.” Kim sighed. “Lets get going. I’ve still got four university and college brochures to go through before I can even start to choose which one to go for.”
Jumping into her mother’s car, Kim closed the door as it drove gently off down the driveway. As the car turned right and vanished up the road, it was watched quietly from the bushes by a high powered set of binoculars. Next to the two figures who watched quietly, lay a small directional microphone.
Drakken’s Lair
Pacing the main lair and watching Drakken and his scientists fiddle with the huge, half rebuilt, communication system, Kara Fang sighed with impatience and stopped to shake her head as Drakken pulled a melted piece of machinery free with Carl’s help and swore in anger.
A whole day had gone by. One whole day and the machine in front of her remained half repaired. She could not fault the blue scientist, never had she seen a man work with such passion as Drakken did. But the damage was so severe it was hindering him. Damn Shego and her powers! She turned away and paced once more.
A sudden chime from her belt made her pause and she pulled a tiny communication device from a pouch. “What?”
“Mistress, Kim Possible has just left her house with her mother. They intend to visit Shego in hospital.” The voice paused. “I also have news about a new player on the scene.”
Kara Fang frowned. “What new player?”
“It seems Ron Stoppable and Kim possible are friends with a Ninja, from Yamanouchi.”
Kara’s face paled. “What?”
“Yes Mistress, I only obtained her first name. Yori. But she admitted she was from Yamanouchi and it appears that she has agreed to assist them.”
“Yori… No, damn it!” Kara hissed and a thought occurred to her suddenly. She turned away from Drakken, anger on her face. “Is she going to the Hospital with Kim Possible?”
“No, Mistress.” The voice paused. “She is going to the Middleton mall with Ron Stoppable. Why?”
“That is none of your concern.” Kara closed her eyes and absorbed this new information. “Stay at the Possible household, but remain even more vigilant! If she has been trained at Yamanouchi, then she could detect you. I donot want that happening!”
“Yes, Mistress. I live to serve.”
The comm clicked off and Kara stared into the distance. Yori… from Yamanouchi. It can’t be her!
Her fingers twitched and slid to the comm once more. She hit a switch and listened to the faint tones of a mobile number being dialled. “Shia, come in.”
There was a moments pause and then her half sisters voice trickled faintly into the air. “Yes, Mistress?”
“Tell me, quickly. The name of the woman you befriended at Yamanouchi… to lure them into a sense security about you. What was her name?”
“Yori… why?” Shia, sitting quietly in Middleton Hospital’s restaurant frowned and twitched the mobile phone closer to her lips. “Mistress?”
“Yori is here.” Kara whispered, knowing full well what it would mean to her sister. “You understand, Shia? If Yori is here, then you know what that could mean. What you may be forced to do?”
“You mean kill her.” Shia whispered bluntly. Her chocolate eyes closed. Oh Yori… why you? Why did you have to become involved in all of this? “That is what you mean, isn’t it… sister!”
Kara scowled in anger. “Shia, your tone is disrespectful. Be wary and more mindful of your insolent tongue in future!”
“Yes, Mistress.” Shia muttered her heart hollow. “I apologise. But really, do I need to kill Yori? Why can I not just stay away from her. You know that killing her will bring the wrath on Yamanouchi on us even more!”
Don’t ask me to kill her… please. Not Yori…
“She cannot be allowed to live if she wishes to work with Possible. She may interfere with our plans. So, if she does… you know what must be done!”
“Yes…” Shia whispered, glancing around at the other tables. She watched silently as people helped themselves to coffee, food and chatted happily.
Look at them, all so happy and unaware of what is going on. What my sister is planning. What I am supposed to help her do to one of their heroes. What I must do to my friend. A woman who trusted me once… and now-
“Yes… I know.” Shia sighed.
“Good.” Kara closed her eyes. “We are so close, Sister. Just a few more weeks and we will have everything we could desire. I shall rule the Jade and my bodyguard, she gets her own army and everything she could want.”
You no longer know what it is that I want.
“Yes, Mistress.” Shia glanced around. “This could complicate things further. If Yori is here, with her training, she could spot our shadow teams. If she sees me, she will attack me. She knows what I did, what I am.”
A betrayer.
“Yes, which is why I am changing our time table once more. Give me a report on Shego’s condition.” Kara bit her lip. “Is she fit? How long until she is released?”
Shia coughed. “The latest information from the doctors I have been hanging near is that Shego is a ‘modern miracle’. I heard one mention that her leg is almost completely healed and they are putting it down to this advanced cast they placed on it. So, if this is true, I can see her being released in the near future.”
Kara nodded. “Which means she will soon be able to move freely and assault Dr Possible. Excellent.”
Shia closed her eyes. “Please do not speak of that. It is wrong and-“
“Be silent!” Kara snapped. “Watch Shego and keep an eye on Dr Possible. Notify me the second any change to her condition occurs!”
“Yes, Mistress.” As the phone went silent Shia slid the phone into her pocket and picked up the coffee that sat in front of her. She stared into it’s dark depths, looking for answers.
Yori… Yori is here. Now Kara knows, I have to kill her if she gets in the way. How far must I go and what more do I have to sacrifice for her? I have killed for her, I have stained my soul for my sister and she treats me like an employee rather than family.
Sipping the coffee, Shia stared out of the window and thought about one thing. Killing someone she once called friend.
Middleton hospital- 1PM.
Kim walked quickly along the hospital corridor on the third floor. The smell of antiseptic assailed her and she grimaced.
Man I hate this place. I know my Mom works here but how many times have I had to be here as a patient? A broken wrist, dislocated shoulders, cuts and grazes. Yeah… this place is not on my favourites list.
Her eyes flicked along the doors that lined the corridor, counting silently as she walked down it.
Her mother had been waylaid as they had come in, problems with her schedule according to the Nurse that had approached them. Her mother had sighed and motioned for Kim to carry on to Shego’s room, promising to come and see them as soon as she could. Kim had nodded and walked off towards the elevator.
Now, as she walked along and neared the door that led to Shego’s room, she felt a shiver pass through her. On the other side of one of these doors, was a woman who Kim had fought for her entire career. A woman that she was slowly beginning to accept she had feelings for… that she loved. But, as Kim approached the right door, she felt the familiar sensation of uneasy panic grip her. How was she going to tell her?
The worry vanished when Kim found the door ajar. She blinked, unease trickling through her. Could the police have been called? Had someone in the Hospital realised who she really was? Not accepted the story of her being someone dressed for a fancy dress? Her blood chilled. Had Kara worked out where she was?
Sliding the door open further, Kim stepped inside. Her eyes glanced around the room, looking for a disturbance or possible points of attack. Finding nothing, Kim carefully made her way around the bed, wishing Ron were here so he could guard her back. She slid against the wall to counter the possibility of a stealth attack and made her way along it.
The sudden female voice that hummed gently from the bathroom made Kim jump in shock and she turned towards the door, her ears straining to hear what was going on. The voice was familiar and she felt a wave of relief wash over her. Mingled with the spatter of water coming from a shower, Kim could hear singing. Normally the voice singing did nothing more than insult her or be sarcastic. Now, Kim smiled as she heard it and she tried not to laugh as her strained hearing picked up words.
“Just when you thiiink, you got me, figured out, the seasons already changing! Dee da de daa. Damn, this is hot water!”
She’s okay and she’s got one hell of a singing voice.
“Shena?” Kim called. “Shena are you in there?”
The voice stopped singing. “Oh, right… come on in!”
Kim blinked, but smiled as the sound of the shower pattered off. Must have just finished. Cool, I can talk to her while she dries her hair. Taking a deep breath, Kim slid the door open and walked in.
The sight of a tall feminine back made her pause in the doorway and swallow, paralysed. Shego stood just in front of the shower, her wet skin gleaming under the lights of the bathroom and she was totally naked. Droplets of water chased each other down Shego’s green skin as the villainess flexed her legs on the pale white tile.
Her Long dark hair, dripping wet, trailed down the pale green skin, gleaming with ripples of light. Kim’s eyes took in the way the long dark strands gently rode the muscles that rippled gently as Shego stretched. Kim groaned and to her horror, her eyes followed the dark strands.
A tiny whimper fought to escape her as her gaze reached the small of Shego’s back and then slid lower. Long powerful legs, ending in thighs that Kim knew what it was like to be squeezed between, finished in a gentle curve. Kim felt a twinge of lust tremble though her as she took in the smooth curve and ripple of solid muscle that twitched almost arrogantly under Shego’s green skin and Kim could only think one thing as she stared.
My god… amazing… she looks so… She’s got such an athletic and firm bum… I wonder what. NO! Got to stop looking!. Have to stop looking at it, at her! Naked!
As Shego turned, Kim blinked upwards, her eyes catching just a hint of Shego’s breast until her eyes fixed onto the young woman’s face. The look of angry shock made Kim cringe.
Oh Hell….
“Kimmie! What the… get out! Get fucking out!” Shego’s arms crossed desperately over herself, hands trying to hide her private areas, with little to no success, as she stumbled frantically into the shower cubicle and slammed the frosted door. Kim staggered backwards out the bathroom doorway, her mind assaulting her with the images of Shego’s naked curves. Trembling, she babbled.
“I’m sorry… sorry, so sorry! The door was open, and you said to come in. Shego… I… I…”
“I was waiting for a nurse!” Shego’s voice snapped from the bathroom. “She’d gone to get me some towels! Any out there?”
Kim glanced round, frantic, and spied a pair of white towels neatly folded on the bed. “Yeah… yeah there’s one here.”
Oh god…. Oh god. She was naked… naked! What a body!
Picking it up, Kim carefully pushed her arm though the door, waiting for the towel to be snatched from her grasp. To her surprise, she felt it gently plucked from her hand.
“Thanks, Kimmie. Next time… knock and tell the person who you are!” Shego’s voice echoed around the room and Kim flushed at the scathing tone. “Now, if you’ve quitefinished ogling me without my permission?”
The door to the bathroom slid open and Kim swallowed as Shego, hair still wet, stepped out and fixed her with a emerald glare. “Well?”
“I… sorry.” Kim whispered, wishing that the sight of Shego with a white cotton towel would stop making her shiver. “I… Look, I just came to see if you were okay and-“
“I’m fine.” Shego interrupted, her gaze cooling as she realised how ashamed the young redhead was. “You really had no idea I was naked in there?”
“NO!” Kim almost cried out, exasperated. Shego blinked.
Woah… touched a nerve there. Did she… like seeing me naked?
A smile, ever so slight, touched her dark lips and Shego experimentally arched her back a little. Kim swallowed as the towel flexed slightly, more of Shego’s cleavage sliding into view. The green woman smiled.
“So, did you like what you saw, Pumpkin?” Shego asked, gently breathing in deeply to swell her breasts against the fabric of the towel. “Do you like to see me this way? Wanna see more?”
Kim swallowed and she felt the need to back away. But her spine slammed into the wall and she closed her eyes in defence. “Stop it. I… I don’t know what I want with you!”
Liar! Her mind whispered silently.You know what you want! You’re too scared to tell her!
“Oh come on, Kimmie. You saw what very few people have ever seen, Princess.” None actually, but there’s no way I’m telling you that. “Although that’s not quite how I wanted you to see me naked, I know you want me…”
Flushing, Kim battled the sensations coming from her abdomen. They were still too new and unsettling for her to accept and she closed her eyes as her gaze took in Shego’s tempting smirk. “You’re doing this on purpose. Why? Why can’t you be nice to me sometimes?”
Shego’s smile blazed into a grin, and she purred. “Of course I’m doing this on purpose, Pumpkin. It’s a villainesses duty to tease the heroes in her life!”
Kim shivered. “So why this way? It was an accident! Seeing you… you naked! Why’d you want to tease me like this?”
Shego’s purr deepened and her emerald gaze became playfully serious. She walked slowly towards the trembling redhead and leaned in close, her warm breath ruffling the redhead’s tresses.
“Because bad girls like me, Pumpkin, are hot! Hot bad girls that are in love with their lifelong nemesis use the terrible secret weapon of their natural sex appeal! It always works to destroy a hero’s concentration.” Shego leaned in even closer, her lips running over Kim’s skin. “Like now!”
“Shego… stop it. If you really do love me, stop it!” Kim groaned and pushed her back. “I don’t know what I want or how I feel about you! I need time and this sort of teasing is just making it so hard to choose!”
Kim looked up and saw the tenderly worried expression in Shego’s eyes, for just a second, before they hardened into her usual arrogant expression. An arrogant expression that would be convincing to anyone else, except her.
“It’s not a hard choice for you, Kimmie!” Shego muttered. “I chose… I chose and have to live with it. The people I used to work for hate me. The other side, your side, hate me! I’m alone and the one person I could be with… I want to be with and I threw it all away for, is having a hard time choosing!”
“It’s not my fault… it’s not!” Kim whispered. “All of this, I never wanted this to happen. I mean… not the violence or you ending up hurt, almost dying!”
Shego sighed. “I know, Pumpkin. It’s not. But it’s happened to me, and I have to deal with the consequences of what I chose to follow. Even if you… don’t feel the way I do. I have to accept whatever happens and deal.” Shego glanced up and for the first time in Kim’s memory, her expression was one of raw emotion. “Make my gamble worth it… Kim.”
“Give me time… Shego, please.” Kim pleaded, realising that the their old relationship was already changing. If someone had told her that she would, a few days away from her birthday, be pleading with Shego to give her time to choose if she wanted a relationship with her, she would have laughed in their face.
Shego sighed, wishing her stupid soft heart would harden a little when Kimmie refused her, instead of melting and leaving the female thief shaky and upset.
“Fine, Pumpkin. I seem to have a lot of that. Besides, we have fish just as big as our… change in relationship, to fry. Kara fucking Fang for one!”
Kim nodded and felt something tremble inside. “Yeah… we do. We’ll get her, Shego. I promise. But… look. Once we do stop her and you get your life back. What’s the plan?”
Shego stared at the redhead. “I’m sorry? What’s the plan for what?”
“The rest of your life, Shego.” Kim shuffled slightly, wishing she could dampen her flush. “If we do end up… dating. You can’t keep stealing things or being a villain…”
Shego stared at her in shock. “What?”
“You can’t be a thief if we… if you and I start to… if we fall in love.” Kim told her, trying not to flinch as Shego’s emerald eyes stared at her in disbelief. “Shego?”
“Not be a thief…” Shego muttered, her voice trembling despite her attempt to keep it steady. “Not to be a thief… No stealing… I’ve been a thief ever since I left… I mean, what else could I be?”
Kim swallowed and gently reached out to the green woman. “You could help me stop villainy. Be a part of my team and we could make you part of my fam-“
No!” Shego cut her off, a sudden burst of anger slamming though her. “No… Kimmie!”
Kim felt an irrational annoyance trickle into her and she frowned. “Why not? You can’t keep being a thief! How would it work between us if you did? I stop people like you! What do you want me do? Ignore your crimes? Allow Drakken or whoever you end up working with to make some doomsday device? Destroy it, letting you escape in the process?”
“No Kimmie!I… I don’t know! I tried being a hero and it never worked. It screwed me up!” Shego backed away from the young woman. “I can’t go back to being a hero, working for a hero. Don’t ask me to do the one thing I can’t do! You have no idea what you’re asking me.”
“Try me!” Kim countered, walking towards Shego as the green woman slid onto the bed and looked away from her. “Shego, please. Make me understand! Why’d you quit Team Go? Your brothers claim they never worked it out… they never told me if they did know!”
“They lied then. No, Mego and the Wego twins wouldn’t lie about it. They had no idea… any idea what happened on that skyscraper, the bank. All they knew was what the papers said. What the papers wanted to say.” Shego’s eyes were unfocused. “Hego lied to you. I bet he told you I turned evil, just… like… that.”
Kim watched as Shego snapped her fingers and grimaced.
“He said you enjoyed the idea of being evil so much, you fell in with them. Left. Ron thought it was because you enjoyed fighting too much. Actually, Hego looked worried when he said that.”
Shego laughed and her voice was bitter. “God, Stoppable hits the real reason… or the one Hego thinks happened and he denies it. ‘Got to save face for the Go Team, haven’t we Shego…'” Shego scowled, lost in the past. “Oh yeah… just like last time.”
“Tell me the truth then. Tell me why, Shego.” Kim reached out and Shego jumped as though Kim’ touch had burned her. She looked up into the redheads green eyes and shivered. “Shego, you want me to take a chance that you really do love me. So help me to trust you. Please?”
The green skinned thief stared at the woman who had fought her for years on end and felt something break inside her. Something that she had resisted letting go of for so many years. Her anger.
“You want to know, Kimme? Do you? You want to know why I had to escape the hell that was Team Go? Why I loathe people like you so much? Why I hated you… hated you until you… you… changed me! Until I found out I love you! Damn you!”
Kim stepped back, the venom in Shego’s voice slicing into her and making her heart bleed. “Shego… I.”
Shego groaned and suddenly fell forwards, her emerald eyes burning. She fumbled under the bed and yanked her green leather diary from the space between the mattress and the bed frame. Pulling it free, Shego tossed it to Kim, who grabbed it in mid-air and frowned.
“Your diary?”
“More a journal. One I only record special… monumental days in, Kimmie.” Shego sighed, her anger at Kim, at herself, spent. “Page five. I didn’t start writing in it until… I met her.”
“Her?” Kim asked, confused. “Her who?”
“Oh, read it and find out.” Shego closed her eyes. “In there is the reason that I left Team Go. The truth about the Jarrad disaster, where fifteen people died and they blamed Team Go… and Hego, the bastard, blamed me!”
Kim stared at Shego and felt a bitter pain well inside her as the thief lay back on the bed, her wet hair making the pillow damp as she did so.
“Hego blamed you…”
“How easy would it be for my elder brother, the leader of Team Go, to dump his acid tongued, short tempered sister right in it?” Shego whispered. “The answer, when the shit hit the fan, was one I never expected to ever see.”
“He didn’t…” Kim muttered, her green eyes flickering in disbelief. “He couldn’t have.”
“Oh but he did Pumpkin. Team Go was, to him, a family… more important than a family actually. Team Go was everything he’d ever wanted. So, when the shit hit the fan and I was there… he blamed me.” Shego broke off, pain that she thought she had buried coursing though her. “He blamed me!”
Kim stared at the green book in her hands, suddenly frightened to open it. “Did you kill them?”
Shego stared at Kim in surprise, and then as the redhead flushed, she sighed.
Well, our past few years of knowing each other. How many times have I tied her to a doomsday device? Heh, well done Shego. Way to inspire confidence. If only she realised that I knew she would always escape… because she reminded me of… me.
“No… no I didn’t, Kim.” Shego closed her eyes. “I have never killed with these hands. Never… That’s the truth, if you want to believe it or not, it’s the truth.”
“I… do. “Kim whispered. Oh, did that have to sound so surprised? “So, why did Hego blame you?”
“Because he thought I had become obsessed with the fighting, rather than the saving of peoples lives. When he read the papers, the so called ‘eye witness’ reports that had been taken from cops and journalists flying around the fucking roof I had been fighting on… he thought he had proof. He was angry… thought I was destroying our team… his family, his dream.”
“Oh Shego…” Kim whispered.
“Don’t feel pity Kimmie, please!” Shego gritted her teeth. “That’s more than I can bear right now.”
“Sorry.” Kim pushed the pity out of her voice, knowing instinctively that Shego was telling the truth about what happened, about how she felt when it came to pity. The fascinatingly complex, sarcastic, prickly woman who lay on the bed in front of her. The woman who had an iron will and a unique take on life. A woman who had kissed her and shown her why she, Kim Possible, had never managed to fall in love with anyone… until now. “So, tell me.”
Shego grunted. “I told you, open the diary and read it.” She sighed. “The lock combination is-“
“No!” Kim objected, making Shego pause and tilt an eyebrow at her. “Take it… and you open it!”
Shego stared at her one time enemy and leaned forwards, taking the book gently from Kim. With practised fingers, she rolled the tumblers gently, and the number’s slid into place. With a quiet snick, the diary or journal unlocked and Shego held it out to Kim.
“Here.”
“Shego, I want you to read it to me… please?”
“I’m not a bedtime story reader, Kimmie!” Shego snapped. “Why the hell do you want me to read out this entry?”
“Because I want to hear your own viewpoint.” Kim whispered. “I want you to explain it to me. If I read it, all I’ll get is my own viewpoint of what happened to you. Please, Shego… help me to understand. Why is it so hard for you to even think about being a hero? What happened to make you leave Team Go? Shego, I want to know… please tell me in your own words.”
Shego looked up and blinked as Kim smiled gently at her. No… I’m not falling for the innocent look and… and… Shego’s heart fluttered as Kim tilted her head slightly, her red hair spilling across her soft eyes. Oh… no. I’m, damn!
“Fine…” Shego muttered, opening her journal and staring at her own smooth rolling script as it charted the past and her decision to follow her own path in life… the path of the free thief. “I suck at this, but you asked for it.”
“Yes, I did.” Kim told her quietly. “And before you start… thank you.”
Shego paused, glancing up from the page. “For what?”
“For trusting me enough to tell me your past… again, thank you.”
“It’s not a bed of roses, Kimmie.” Shego sighed. “But I suppose, considering someone saved my life a couple of days ago, she deserves to know more about the villain she saved. Now,” Shego’s voice slid into her usual sarcastic tone. ”If you’re sitting comfortably, I’ll begin.”