One Last Look
Kim stood on the porch, the cool night air doing little to settle the warmth still lingering in her chest. Behind her, through the open door, Shego leaned against the bedroom doorway, arms crossed, watching with a smirk that barely concealed her amusement. Between them, Monique stood frozen, eyes wide, mouth slightly open as she processed exactly who was in their house.
"Tell me I’m hallucinating," Monique finally said, her voice a whisper, as if speaking too loudly would make the situation worse (or her imminent headache).
Kim sighed. "Monique—"
"Kim. That is Shego. In our house. Do you understand what I’m saying?"
"I do," Kim said evenly, holding up a hand before Monique could spiral any further. "I promise, I will explain everything in the morning. Right now, you need to go to bed."
Monique shot her a look that said absolutely not, but then swayed a little on her feet, the remnants of the alcohol catching up to her. Kim took the opportunity to steer her toward the kitchen, mumbling reassurances the entire way. As she mixed a packet of Liquid IV into a glass of water, she felt Shego’s gaze on her back, steady and unreadable.
"Drink this," Kim said, pressing the glass into Monique’s hand. "It’ll help."
Monique hesitated before taking a sip, still glaring at Kim over the rim of the glass. "You’re lucky I feel like I might die," she muttered before giving in and taking slow sips.
"I know. Now go sleep it off."
Monique cast one more glance toward the living room where Shego still lounged like she belonged there, then gave Kim a pointed look. "Tomorrow."
Kim nodded. "Tomorrow."
Once ensuring Monique was settled in her room, Kim exhaled slowly, letting her forehead rest against the cool edge of the doorframe. Now that the immediate crisis was handled, she turned back to Shego, suddenly aware of the awkwardness hanging between them. Kim’s heart pounded—she was torn between the desire to keep Shego close and the nagging caution of what it might mean.
They had been... enjoying themselves earlier. Laughing, playing pool, and pushing boundaries in that way felt both reckless and exhilarating. But now, the night was winding down, and Kim found herself faced with a question she hadn’t thought to prepare for, Should I ask Shego to stay? It wasn’t that she didn’t want her to. But it was abnormal. Risky. Like inviting a fox into the henhouse, except Kim wasn’t entirely sure who was the predator and who was the prey.
Shego smirked, sensing the hesitation. "You’re thinking too hard there, Princess."
Kim crossed her arms. "No, I’m not." Kim hated how easily Shego could read her. "I was just—"
"Go on," Shego interrupted, tilting her head, waiting.
Kim’s internal monologue was a storm of confusion: What am I really feeling? Do I want her to stay… or should I push her away? Finding her voice, Kim responded with a half-smile, “I…I’m just thinking about what comes next.”
Shego arched an eyebrow, her tone playful yet sincere. “Oh? Do tell, princess.” There was a subtle challenge in her words, an invitation to explore the feelings bubbling beneath the surface.
For a heartbeat, silence settled between them. Kim’s mind raced. She wanted Shego to stay, to linger in the space they’d created, yet part of her knew that inviting Shego to stay overnight might blur lines that weren’t ready to be crossed. Finally, she cleared her throat and said, “Do you want to crash on the couch for the night?”
Shego didn’t answer right away. The teasing faded just slightly, replaced with something more thoughtful. "Tempting," she admitted. "Tonight was fun—more than I expected, honestly. But I think it’s best if I head out… for now. Besides, I’ve got a place to go. Drakken is putting me up at the Windsor Court.” There was a hint of melancholy behind her words—a careful balancing act between keeping her distance and acknowledging the connection they’d shared.
Kim wasn’t sure if the disappointment she felt made sense, but it was there, mingling with relief. Hosting Shego overnight? That would have been a whole new level of complicated.
Kim nodded. "Alright."
Shego chuckled. "No protests? No ‘oh, but Shego, the couch is super comfortable’?"
Kim rolled her eyes. "What, you want me to beg you to stay?"
Shego's lips curled into a genuine smile. "Maybe a little."
Kim only huffed out a breath and shook her head as she turned to go close Monique’s bedroom door.
Shego grabbed her phone and ordered an Uber. “ETA says 10ish minutes.”
“Okay, well..” Kim was now trying to figure out what to do with the remaining 10 minutes. Shego was already one step ahead and moved to pick up their glasses as well as a few beer bottles. Kim made a “really” face but didn’t argue as they moved around the kitchen and living room, tidying up the scattered remnants of the evening while they waited for Shego’s Uber. It was strangely domestic, working side by side, passing glasses, plates, and trash without needing to say much. Kim washed glasses and wiped down countertops while Shego helped, though her movements were almost languid as if her mind were already adrift in other thoughts. In the quiet moments of shared work, their inner voices spoke volumes. Kim couldn't help but feel both the warmth of a budding connection and the caution of what lay ahead. I mean this is Shego . Shego’s thoughts swarmed in her own head as well. Shego, the ever enigmatic one, was weighing the possibilities of friendship against the unspoken allure of something more. I mean this is Kim.
With the room nearly restored to order, Kim turned away for a moment, double checking for dirty glasses or plates before starting the dishwasher. With Kim’s back to the kitchen, Shego, almost imperceptibly, slid a paper towel from the counter and produced the small pen she always carried—a quirky little detail that belied the dangerous aura she projected. In a swift, fluid motion, she scribbled her number on the paper towel, adding a final flourish below: “Til next time, princess. Try not to dream about me.”
Kim caught the act out of the corner of her eye and felt her heart skip a beat. A mix of emotions surged within her—a cocktail of anticipation, uncertainty, and a spark of something dangerously electric. What was Shego writing under her number? Kim thought to herself.
Before Kim could say anything, the sound of a car pulling up outside filled the room. Shego grabbed her jacket and made her way to the door. "See you around, Kimmie."
Kim watched as Shego stepped outside, closing the door behind her. The moment the door shut, the night felt oddly quiet. Kim couldn’t help herself, she didn’t even process her feet were moving towards the balcony to see Shego leave. Kim watched as Shego walked up to the car and reached for the handle. When Shego stopped and looked up over her shoulder.
Gotcha! Shego thought.
Shego didn’t really know why she looked up; she just kinda of felt like she should. No, that was a lie. She wanted to look up, and she wanted Kim to be there, but she couldn’t admit that.
“Needed one last look, huh?” Shego called out.
“Needed to see if you’d look back too… guess I was right.”
Shego beamed, opening the door and sliding into the waiting car. Kim watched as the car pulled away, content with the outcome of the night.
She shook her head and walked towards the kitchen to read the note Shego left. Kim couldn’t help the shit eating smile that was plastered all over her face as she read it. Of-fuckin-course Kim thought. It was such a Shego thing to say. She knew what the note meant, yet was still unsure of where this left her. After pocketing the napkin, she went to turn off the remaining lights before heading to her room. She needed rest above all else.
After a long day of confessions and unexpected twists, Kim retired to bed. The events of the evening played over in her mind as she drifted into a deep sleep—a smile softening her features despite the tumultuous emotions swirling inside.
Miles away, in a plush hotel room at Windsor Court, Shego settled in and gazed out at the glittering cityscape below. The hum of New Orleans life pulsed beneath her like a heartbeat, a constant reminder that even in the midst of missions gone awry, there could be moments of unexpected joy. Tonight didn’t go as planned , she mused quietly, but maybe that’s for the best, she thought. Her eyes lingered on the horizon, pondering the promise of future encounters–future nights where the line between duty and desire might blur ever so slightly.
And so, as the city continued its endless party, both women lay in their respective beds—one wrapped in uncertainty and possibility, the other in cool resolve and a whispered invitation for what might come next.
The shrill ring of her phone jolted Shego awake. She groaned, flopping an arm over her eyes as she fumbled for the device on the nightstand. One glance at the caller ID had her rolling onto her back with a sigh.
"Drakken, do you have any idea what time it is?" she grumbled, her voice raspy with sleep.
"Yes, I do! And that’s why I’m calling!" Drakken’s voice was its usual mix of frantic and self-important. "I need you back. Now."
Shego yawned and ran a hand through her wild hair. "Are you sure about that? Because last I checked, you literally just sent me here to keep tabs on Kimmie."
"I don’t have to explain myself to you, Shego! I am the mastermind here! And I have decided your mission is complete!"
Shego pinched the bridge of her nose. "Right. So, that’s a no on giving me an actual reason."
Drakken scoffed. "Just get back!"
The line went dead. Shego dropped her phone onto her stomach and stared at the ceiling. She wasn’t thrilled about cutting things short—last night had been… interesting. Fun, even. But the idea of being back on her bike, tearing down the highway, was a decent consolation prize. Her baby was waiting for her, after all.
Still, something about this whole thing wasn’t adding up. If Drakken wanted her to watch Kim, why pull her back so fast? Shego decided right then and there to press him for answers when she got back.
Kim woke up to the sun piercing through the sheer curtains, blinding her before she could even groan about it. Her head throbbed in protest, her mouth dry as a desert.
"Ughhh, never again," she muttered, sitting up slowly, the night before hitting her in blurry waves.
Priority one: coffee. A full pot. Priority two: hydration, stat.
Stumbling into the kitchen, she moved on autopilot, pouring water into the coffee maker and dropping in the grounds like it was a sacred ritual. While the machine hummed to life, she grabbed a Liquid I.V. packet, ripped it open, and mixed it into a glass of water. The first few sips were life-saving.
For about twenty blissful minutes, she enjoyed the quiet, the only sound being the gentle drip of coffee and the occasional groan from the Airbnb's old pipes. Then, inevitably—
"What the hell?!" Monique whisper-yelled as she entered the kitchen. Kim assumed her head was pounding from the hangover, and Monique was just as vulnerable to sound as Kim. Her hair was a mess, and her eyes were squinting like she was still halfway between sleep and disbelief. "Tell me I hallucinated Shego being in this house last night. Tell me that was just my drunk brain playing tricks on me."
Kim, now perched on a stool at the kitchen island, took a long sip of coffee before answering. "Nope. That was real."
Monique gaped at her. "Kimberly Ann Possible, what the hell were you thinking?!"
Kim winced at the full-name treatment but quickly launched into an explanation. She recapped the bar fight and how Shego helped get her and the girls home, leaving out the whole part about Shego initially tailing them. No need to freak Monique out more than she already was.
Monique listened as she poured herself a cup of coffee, adding a generous splash of milk and creamer. She stirred slowly, eyebrows climbing higher with each passing second. When Kim finished, Monique exhaled loudly and leaned against the counter, taking a cautious sip. "I don’t even know where to start. Like—okay, sure, maybe she helped, but that doesn’t mean you just invite her over for a slumber party! She’s still Shego! And you—" she squinted. "You’re acting weird about this."
Kim sighed, staring down at her coffee. "Yeah… Well. See, the thing is—" Kim stopped, shaking her head. "No, okay, so—" Another pause. "Alright, look—" She groaned, rubbing her temples. "I don’t even know how to explain this."
Monique took a cautious sip of coffee, bracing herself. "Oh lord."
"I think I might…" Kim started but didn't even get to finish. Her best friend put two and two together.
Monique nearly choked. "Like, like her? As in… feelings?"
Kim nodded, suddenly feeling very self-conscious. "She was flirting with me all night, Mon, and I—” she exhaled, shaking her head. "I liked it. It felt different. Like, exciting. Almost… stupid? Like a first crush kinda thing.”
Monique stared at her like she’d grown a second head. "Kim. Are you sure? Like, actually sure? Because—y’know, Shego. Evil. Literally fights you for a living. I get it, bad girls are hot, but… is this safe?”
Kim chewed her lip. “I don’t know. But I know how I felt last night. And I haven’t felt that way in a long time.”
Monique sighed, rubbing her temples. She took her time with her answer, clearly wanting to find the right words. "Okay, look. I support you because I want you to be happy. That being said, I also want you to be careful, dude. This is Shego we’re talking about. She can hurt you—physically, sure—but what happens if, or when, she hurts you emotionally? I want you to be sure.”
“Honestly, I— I don’t think this is something I can be certain about. I mean, I know how I feel right now, but it’s... it’s new. I don’t want to be cautious—I just want to be.” Kim paused, taking a sip of coffee. “With Ron, I– I convinced myself I was happy, you know? He’s my best friend, but we didn’t... There wasn’t– there was no fire. I thought I felt it with him, but with Shego? It’s– it’s electric. Not in, um, that way, but everything— the sparring, the glances, the insults. It’s always been electric, but now... now it’s different. It’s still electric, but its…
“Charged?” Monqiue smiles.
“Ha. Ha, but yes.” Kim continued, “And after the breakup with Ron… well, you know, I haven’t exactly been looking for a relationship. I’ve been content—really content—with one-night stands or whatever. I don’t think I need to be sure about this, about Shego, because I don’t want anything other than to be wanted. I just… I just need to know Shego and I are on the same page.”
“To be clear. I trust you. Not her. Hell, if she breaks your heart, I’m kicking her ass."
Kim laughed, relieved. "Duly noted."
"I want updates, though!" Monique pointed at Kim. "I want to follow whatever is going on between you two."
Kim tilted her head and gave her a look.
"What? Kim and Shego? Not fighting but fuc-"
"DUDE," Kim regretted raising her voice; her head was pounding.
"What? If anything happens, it's gonna be entertaining as hell! And! As your best friend, I get to know the sitch."
Before they could continue, the sound of footsteps padding down the hallway interrupted them. Tasha and Liv stumbled into the kitchen, looking like they’d barely survived the night.
Kim smirked, leaning on her elbow. "Yikes. You two look like you lost a fight with a tequila bottle."
Tasha groaned, collapsing onto the couch. "I think the tequila won."
Liv flopped into a chair, sunglasses already perched on her face. "Don't mention alcohol; it hurts just to hear the word."
Tasha inhaled slowly and sat up, "Someone please tell me there’s food."
Monique grinned, nudging Kim. "Pancakes?"
"Pancakes," Kim confirmed, already getting up to gather the ingredients. Because if there was one thing that could cure a hangover—and maybe the confusion swirling in her mind—it was carbs to soak up the horrendous cocktail swirling around in her body. (And maybe, just maybe, a certain green-skinned woman who had already left a mark on her night and her thoughts).
Later that night, back at Drakken’s lair, Shego pulled into the dimly lit garage, the roar of her bike’s engine cutting through the stillness. She had always loved riding—feeling the wind whip through her hair, the vibration of the engine beneath her, the rush of control and freedom it gave her. It was one of the few things that truly let her clear her head. Tonight, though, even the ride hadn’t fully shaken off the nagging curiosity in the back of her mind. Drakken had been acting… aloof. And Shego hated unanswered questions.
She kicked the stand down, dismounted, and strode inside, her boots clicking sharply against the cold metal floor. The lair was eerily quiet, except for the faint sounds of machinery whirring deeper in. As she followed the noise, she caught sight of Drakken hunched over a long workbench, completely engrossed in whatever he was tinkering with. His fingers moved swiftly, adjusting wires, tapping at a glowing screen, muttering under his breath. The entire setup looked elaborate, expensive–even by his usual over-the-top standards.
Shego stood right behind him with her chest out and crossed arms. “Hey, Doc, what the hell are you working on?” With Drakken leaning over Shego managed to tower over him.
Drakken jumped, letting out an embarrassingly high-pitched yelp before spinning around. “Shego! Don’t sneak up on me like that!”
She raised an eyebrow. “Oh yeah, my bad. It’s not like this is my workplace too or anything.”
Drakken straightened his lab coat, regaining his composure. “If you must know, I am working on my next brilliant invention. One that will finally allow me to take over the world!” He swept his arms dramatically, nearly knocking over a small device in the process.
Shego rolled her eyes. “Uh-huh. And this one’s different from the last fifty how?”
Drakken’s eyes gleamed as he turned back to his work. “This one is utterly mystifying!” He let out an evil laugh, one that echoed through the cavernous lair.
Shego barely held back her annoyance. “That’s great and all, but what I actually want to know is why I had to keep tabs on Kim Possible.”
Drakken waved a hand dismissively. “Because, Shego, if she were here, she would have ruined everything. I had an important meeting to attend, and I couldn’t risk her interfering.”
Shego frowned. Something wasn’t adding up. “Wait. A meeting? Since when have you worked with people?”
Drakken stiffened, a flicker of something—guilt? Annoyance?—crossing his face. “I don’t like working with people. But sometimes… certain investments are required.”
Shego’s gaze drifted down to his hands, to the advanced tech scattered across the workbench. The circuitry wasn’t his. The tools—pristine, high-end—weren’t his usual second-rate gadgets. The realization clicked. “Oh. My. God. You actually got funding for this.”
Drakken huffed, turning back to his work. “You’ll understand everything once the invention is complete!”
Shego wasn’t done yet. “Okay, but how did you know Kim would stop you if she were in town?”
Drakken scoffed. “Well, that’s a silly question! What I’m doing is evil! If she found out, she’d stop me. Duh.”
Shego narrowed her eyes. “Well, yeah, but—”
“No buts, Shego! If you had eyes on her, that meant she couldn’t possibly interfere. Every time she’s here, she just has to do the right thing, and that silly nerd guy always figures out what I’m up to!”
“Uh-huh, sure.”
Drakken threw his hands up. “No, seriously! Every single time I make a move, that dude is always getting in my way! But! When Kim’s not around, he doesn’t always check up on me.” He paused, his expression hardening. “It had to be now.”
Shego studied him for a moment. He wasn’t lying–Drakken was too ridiculous to be a good liar—but he was omitting something. There was more to this than he was letting on. But fine. She could wait. She had a feeling it wouldn’t take long for the truth to spill out.
“Okay, okay,” she said, backing off—for now.
Drakken turned back to his invention, humming to himself, clearly pleased. Shego just smirked. Whatever you’re up to, Doc, I’ll figure it out soon enough.