~o0o~

Sequel to: Home is where the Heart is.

Disclaimer: No, I do not own Kim Possible or any characters associated with the show.

~o0o~ ~o0o~ ~o0o~

Dr. Betty Director sat in silence as the obsolete Global Justice transport winged it's way from New York to Washington, D.C. She was alone in its passenger hold, with nothing but a borrowed mobile phone and a single pilot in the cockpit to keep her company. She found the stark interior of the cabin a boon for her thoughts, especially after the opulence of the United Nations. Deep in contemplation about the state of the world after the Perses Virus, she paid no attention to the night's sky or the glittering lights far below.

She grimaced as they hit some turbulence, the massive bruise on her chest from being shot still painful.

Dammit! she thought in annoyance. I don't need this at the moment. Distracted by her discomfort, she glanced out the window and at a towering thunderstorm in the distance. The world's a tinderbox just waiting to be lit, and Global Justice is in pieces!

She sighed and rubbed her good eye, then grabbed her phone as it rang.

"Yes?" she snapped.

"Sir," Will Du promptly replied.

"Will? Report!"

"It's not good, sir. The IT department has tried everything, but our central servers are completely wiped. Nothing can be recovered. That includes our backup and offsite servers as well.

"I see. And the rest?

"All erased or damaged beyond repair. Personal computers, tablets, laptops, smartphones, anything with a Global Justice I.D. that was active at the time of the event, is gone.

Dr. Director dropped her head, anguish on her face. She was alone so she could allow this rare sign of vulnerability, but not for long.

The Event! she thought with annoyance. We're already ascribing the worst data catastrophe of the modern age to a catchy little name. As if that somehow makes it better. And we're still no closer to finding out who unleashed the virus! She put it out of her mind, as it was time to focus on what she could fix.

"Our agents, how are we doing?" she asked.

"We've managed to make contact with over seventy percent of our active operatives, more as we speak. They've been relayed your orders that they're to stand down for now, unless an officer in charge feels the need to intervene."

"Very good."

"Sir, your mission?"

That he had broken protocol and questioned her was a surprise. It was a sign of his growth, and one that was long overdue. There was worry in his voice, and that was perfectly understandable. The operation she had led to the United Nations was about the survival of Global Justice as an entity for good.

"It was a success," she replied.

"SUCCESS!" he called out.

Dr. Director heard jubilant cheering in the background at Will's announcement. She sat there smiling and allowed her agents their moment of victory. It would be a massive boost for their morale after the last few days. Eventually their exuberance calmed, and she felt it right to continue.

"As expected, the members of the Global Justice Oversight Committee surrendered with barely a whimper," she said, continuing. "I've handed them over to the Federal Authorities for their past misdeed, and for their part in the Middleton debacle." She smirked at the memory of their arrest, one she would cherish for years to come. "My meeting with the ambassador went smoothly, and the UN Security Council barely took an hour to ratify my new proposals for Global Justice and its updated command structure."

"Excellent news, sir. I– Yes, what is it?" His voice became less clear as he questioned someone nearby.

She patiently waited, Agent Du's words now muffled as he spoke to whoever. She did not chastise him for being cut off. Whatever was urgent enough to pull him away from conversing with a superior officer, was clearly important.

"And you're sure?" he questioned. "Okay, I'll be with you shortly." There was the sound of a throat being cleared, and he said, "Sir, it's Shego. She's awake and on the move!"

"Where?!"

~o0o~

It was still dark as Shego turned her motorcycle off the icy highway, the wintry clouds promising wild weather in the not too distant future. They mimicked her thoughts, her emotions still chaotic after her breakneck ride through the night. She made her way along the empty service road, and barely paid any attention to the lookout's deserted parking lot as she came to a stop. Turning off the engine, she dropped the kickstand and hopped off the sleek machine.

She felt stiff, frozen, after her ride in nothing but her harlequin catsuit. Even her abnormally warm body temperature had been unable to handle the freezing conditions. Lighting up her hands, she ran them up and down her arms as she walked over to the lookout's vantage point.

Go City, she thought, staring out over the lake and at the metropolis in the distance.

She had fled Kim's place to get away from her spiraling thoughts, yet she had wound up here. The place where Rachel had died and her brother had betrayed her. She pushed those painful memories back down, the metal railing twisting in her grip. A sneer crossed her lips as she focused on Go Tower, her breath steaming in the frigid air. The gaudy monolith stood resplendent on its island in the middle of the lake, it's towering walls lit from top to bottom by powerful spotlights.

"A shining force for good," she muttered. Or so Henry kept telling us.

She leaped over the railing, and with a few deft drops landed by the shoreline. She watched as it began to snow then sighed and began walking along the water's edge, letting the wind and waves calm her troubled soul. Of course it did not work. She felt alone. She had always been a loner, but now she was feeling it more than ever. It was Kim. The girl had squirreled her way into her cold, dead heart, bringing up emotions that she had buried long ago.

Thinking of Kim, some of her pain and anger diminished as she pictured her smile, her effervescent personality, and the feel of her body from their night together. She kicked a rock out into the lake as her mind continued to spin.

I told Kimmie 'I liked her', and I gave her my real name! A mirthless chuckle escaped her throat. Me and redheads, when will I ever learn? She shook her head in disbelief. She'll be searching for me soon, if she's not already?

She glanced around, half-expecting to see Kim running towards her.

No, she's gone. It's for the best! I won't risk her getting killed, again! She had let Kim get caught up in the whirlpool of her life, and all she could guarantee was more hurt for her if they stayed in each other's orbit. She grimaced. It's Rachel all over again! But I showed them! She clenched her hands, fingers glowing. I finally got my revenge on GJ and Leona. Whatever happens next, those lying, blackmailing pieces of shit got what was coming to them!

She threw her head back and yelled, "You hear me? You got what was coming to you!"

Years of pent up rage could not be contained as she turned and unleashed plasma bolt after plasma bolt into the lake, the dark waters erupting and exploding into steam.

She was sweating by the time she calmed down enough to stop, then she flopped to the icy ground.

I unleashed the Perses Virus!

She sat there in the dark, as she brooded over everything that had happened this past week.

~o~

Time to leave, Shego thought. It's what I do best!

She stood, grunting at the amount of snow that fell from her body. Stretching tired muscles, she headed back along the shoreline before nimbly bounding up the cliff face to land in a crouch … no longer alone.

"Shego!" a warmly dressed woman called out from the far side of the parking lot, a large, black SUV parked behind her

Shego stood, warily eyeing the unknown individual and the car. The woman's attire and vehicle screamed government, and there was only one agency that paid this sort of attention to her.

She flipped off the Global Justice agent, then ignored her.

"I have a call from Dr. Director for you," the agent called out.

Shego stopped, turning on the spot to face her. Taking this as acceptance, the woman ran up to her and held out a mobile phone. Shego glared at it, noting that beneath the agent's bulky winter wear she was quite young and with a certain color to her hair.

Red hair and athletic? Bets sure knows who to send! She could also see that the woman was clearly worried that Shego would have more bite than bark for this impromptu meeting. Screw their cloak and dagger shit! She grabbed the phone and crushed it, lighting up her hand as she turned away.

"Follow me, and you and your team will end up in hospital!" she snarled over her shoulder.

She straddled her motorcycle, melted pieces of metal and plastic cooling on the asphalt behind her.

~o0o~

Shego pushed her bike off the ferry and along the Go Island dock, and before too long she was standing on dry land. She arched her head back and up and stared at the massive, letter shaped building in front of her. It was a monumental waste of money, but when the government of the day writes you a blank check so they don't have to face up to charges of inhuman experiments on children, then this is the sort of thing you end up with.

Wesley and Wendell are still at Kimmie's, so let's see who's home and awake. Hopefully, no one!

She put her hand on the access panel by the entrance and activated her glow, hearing a ding of acceptance. Even after all this time and everything that had happened, they still kept her in the database. She watched the large door slide open, then walked inside with her bike.

Pop music filled the corridor, the Oh Boyz' latest tween hit blaring out through the sound system.

Ohh, great. Henry's here.

She leaned her motorcycle against the wall as the door shut behind her, then continued down the hallway and into the main hub for Go Tower.

She let out a high pitched shriek and slapped a hand across her eyes. It was accompanied by a similar, girly squeal from Hego, then a crash and a bang as he tumbled to the floor. She had expected all sorts of dramatic tension on arriving, but finding her brother naked and dancing on Team Go's conference table while swinging a towel around his head was never in the equation. It was something an estranged sister should never have to see.

She shuddered, wanting to gouge her eyes out. All brooding thoughts of Kim squelched from her mind.

"Sh-Shego, I wasn't expecting you!" Hego said.

"I can see that!" Saw that! "Why the Hell are you dancing in here without any clothes on?!"

"I'd just hopped out of the shower, and came downstairs to check on the GoMergency hotline. My favorite song came on, and I just got caught up in the moment.

She heard him scrabbling about on the floor; who knew what for.

"It's okay," he said.

She parted her fingers to see Hego standing on the far side of the table, the towel now wrapped around his waist. It was only marginally better than before, his chest glistening with sweat, hair tousled. She slammed her eyes shut, a tightly clenched fist pressed into her temple to try and drive the picture away.

"Put some damn clothes on!" she yelled.

His hurried footsteps departed the room, and she felt it safe to drop her hand and open her eyes. She was alone, with just the bouncy pop music to calm her rattled soul. It had been years since she had last stood right here. The few times she had ventured into Go Tower since then she had always taken a different route rather than pass through this room.

First… she thought, heading over to the central console. She pushed a button and the music stopped, blessed silence filling the room. Muuuch better.

She looked around and shrugged, not a thing had changed. Console, table and chairs, and everything else, all where she remembered them. It was like stepping back in time, to a different part of her life. She walked over to the emerald green seat and ran her hands over the leather upholstery, not immune to a brief feeling of nostalgia.

We did some good here, playing superhero. I would never have met Rachel otherwise…

She tightened her grip on the chair, resisting the urge to rip it from the floor and hurl it through the jumbo sized view screen. It shocked her. Not the urge, but the resisting.

Kimmie's a bad influence.

Thinking of Kim made her mood plummet, and she trudged back to get her motorcycle. Go Tower would be one of the first places Kim would check for her, and she had to be gone by then. Talking with Kim, in person, would be too much. There was a good chance she would weaken in her resolve, the girl having that effect on her nowadays.

Disappearing is my only choice!

She walked out into one of the access corridors and took a lift up to the hangar bay. That Hego would want to talk to her was a given, but there was no reason she had to wait around for him.

~o~

"Shego…?" Hego called out as soon as he stepped out of the elevator.

She did not bother answering right away, seeing as she was upside down and deep in the bowels of the hovercraft she had arrived in a week ago. She was using her Dr. Drakken created phone to scan every inch of the vehicle before she left, and she already had a small pile of tracking devices on the floor by her dangling feet, and there were bound to be more.

"Yeah?" she eventually replied.

"I thought you may have gone already?"

"Nope."

Busy with her detective work, she felt him arrive next to the hovercraft. He did not say a word, and soon his presence was a distraction she did not need. She sighed in exasperation. Last time she had been here it had just been Melvyn, Wesley and Wendell. Henry had been off doing the whole superhero thing. So this was first time the two of them had been alone together since his betrayal. Without the buffer of someone else nearby, she could feel all the history that lay between them.

She found another tracking device and crushed it, her annoyance at her brother rising to dangerous levels.

"What?!" she snapped.

"Um… about before–"

"We will never talk of it again! Right?"

"Yes. Good. Very understanding of you. Noble."

She did not bother answering as she went back to work, wishing she could just put him out of her mind.

"It is good to have you back on the side of right and justice, dear sister," he announced, happily.

She groaned, facepalming. Covering her already dirty features in more grease. He had not changed one iota, still living in his world of black and white, good and bad. All from his love of comic book superheroes. In a roundabout way it was her own fault. By taking down Goondam and helping save Kim's life, she had only reinforced in his mind that she was once again saving the world.

"Are you staying?" he asked, hopefully.

The question caught her off-guard, the option never occurring to her. Their split had been so irreversible back then. And while their years apart had dulled the pain of his treachery, she was still not ready to forgive … and would never forget. She ignored his query and let her silence answer for her, then heard some shuffling as he sat down next to her.

"You are well, Shez?" he asked, worry in his voice.

She stopped working at hearing that nickname, one he had not called by her in years. Hanging there, her pulse sped up at the heartwarming memories it invoked. How he had sat and read to her every night as she lay in bed, dying of cancer. Then had come the meteor, ripping apart more than just their bodies. They were still family after their miraculous survival, yet they had grown distant. It had culminated in his attempt to sell away her freedom to Global Justice, all so he could save his precious Team Go.

He has NO RIGHT to care!

She slid out of the hovercraft, facing away from him as she swum in emotions. Time healed all wounds, but not this bleeding gash in her soul. Her hands flared green and she spun, rage consuming her. Hego sat there with an open and honest expression on his concerned face, his well-muscled form clad in some denim jeans and a light blue t-shirt. Her jaw dropped, flames sputtering out as she stared at the Gay Pride symbol emblazoned on his chest. It was of a colorful rainbow partially covered by a grey cloud, and below it were the words 'Haters Gonna Hate'.

I can't believe he's wearing it! It was so out of left field that her anger just evaporated, and she found herself smiling then chuckling, unable to hold it in. Of all the people in the world, he'd be the last to play for the other side. There's way too big a stick up his butt to ever relax that much.

Maybe he needs something else up there?

That thought was too much for her, and she collapsed against the hovercraft as she burst into laughter. His puzzled face only increased her mirth, and she slid to the floor with tears in her eyes. She let it flow, the joyous feeling so much better than all the fury and anguish she was holding at bay. She ended up on her back, eyes closed and arms over her stomach as she just laughed and laughed. Eventually her giggle attack subsided, and she lay there staring up at the ceiling.

Ohh, I needed that, she thought, some of the heaviness gone from the last few days. It would be better if I could share it with Kimmie, but my doofus of a brother will have to do.

She sat up, wiping an arm across her eyes.

"I can't believe you actually wore it?" she said, gesturing at his shirt.

"Your Christmas present from last year?" he replied, glancing at the emblem on his chest.

"Yeah, that. Why?"

"Why, Dear Sister? I wear this shirt to celebrate your triumphant return to the side of good and righteousness. Of how beauty conquered the beast." He sprang to his feet, fists on hips as he stared off into the distance. "I wear it in support of star-crossed lovers united at last." He turned, pointing at Shego. "And I wear it in support of your passionate and undying devotion to each other."

Say wut now? She pinched the bridge of her nose, a headache coming on. "Henry, what the fuck are you talking about?"

"Why, you and Kim, of course."

"Kim and I?"

"Yes."

"Are…?"

"Together!"

"Kim and I are WHAT!?"

"Kim announced that you and her are…" His voice began petering out under her fierce glare. "Um… a couple."

Did my head just explode? she thought, feeling dizzy. She leaned forwards, palms on the ground to steady herself. What went on while I was out of it? Kimmie can't mean it, can she? The look on Hego's face told her it was true. But, I never said– I never did– I– I–

She ran out of words, only knowing that a lot must have happened after her collapse.

Kimmie never asked me! It was a silly little thought. Just her pride speaking up. Rachel never asked, either! She punched the floor as her memories turned dark and bloody. Kimmie has to know that every lunatic out to get me will now be gunning for her!

"Who knows?" she snapped, looking up.

"Just family."

"Good, keep it that way!"

"Why, what's wrong? It's never bothered you before."

"Mendelos!" she growled.

A small part of her reveled in the hurt that crossed his face at the name of their jailer, torturer, and murderer of her love. He looked down, twiddling fingers that could crush coal into diamonds. He quickly recovered, his face full of confidence as a vibrant blue glow encompassed his body.

"This is different," he announced, loudly.

"Why?!"

"Kim is a hero!" He struck a majestic pose, an arm and a finger pointing to the heavens. "She can protect herself from the vile miscreants of this world."

"All it takes is one–" She choked up, flinching as a large hand rested on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry about Rachel, Shez. I'm truly, truly sorry. I–"

"Don't!" she replied, holding up an open palm. "Just… don't. Leave it where it's at." She pushed his arm away. "It's the best you're going to get outta me, for now…"

He nodded in understanding, disappointment on his face.

If he blubs… I'm still gonna sock him!

~o0o~

Shego piloted the invisible hovercraft through the dark and silent stratosphere. It was night once again, her flight southwest taking her over the equator and into the balmy tropics of the Pacific Ocean. She was deep in thought at the strange feelings churning inside her from Henry apologizing. It had taken him years, and she was unsure how to deal with it all. Couple that with Global Justice wanting to talk with her, and Kim's bombshell of a 'possible' relationship, and it was turning out to be one of those days.

She came out of her brooding as the autopilot beeped, alerting her that she was nearing her destination. She throttled down to subsonic then grabbed the control stick, and with the flick of a switch she resumed manual control. Grinning in exhilaration, she brought the craft down so low that it was skimming only a few feet above the churning waves.

She watched her instruments and with practiced ease brought the hovercraft to a dead stop, the dark and windswept ocean completely empty as far as the eye could see. A buzz from her phone let her know she was synchronizing, and with a final trill from the device, she and the hovercraft faded from view; while for Shego an island appeared out of nowhere.

Home!

A single peak dominated the tropical paradise, a distant waterfall glimmering in the moonlight. White, sandy beaches surrounded the isle, which were in turn circled by vibrant coral reefs. Further inland were lush forests covering the hillsides, while crystal clear streams wound their way down to the shore.

She popped the canopy and let the refreshing breeze and familiar sounds wash over her, smiling in happiness as all her cares and worries just melted away. And as she watched, lights began turning on all over the atoll as her Fortress of Solitude woke up. She piloted the hovercraft over the trees and towards a house came into view, though a Mediterranean Villa would be a better description of the lavish, sprawling domicile. It was a far cry from Go Tower, and especially from all the crummy, dank lairs she had lived in while working for Drakken.

She landed with barely a sound, and was out of the cockpit and striding across a gravelly path as the entryway opened before her.

A woman exited the house, looking strikingly similar to Shego. She was older, her face a tad more lined with age, but she had the same strong cheekbones and elegant jaw line as the person in front of her. Long, wavy red hair framed her worried features, her green eyes shining with intelligence and warmth.

"Firefly, I wasn't expecting you back so soon!" the woman said, in a rich Brooklyn accent.

"Yeah, well… shit happens!" Shego grumbled in reply.

"Sheridan Elizabeth Go, language!" She raised a stern finger and wagged it side to side, her expression falling into a familiar scowl. It was an expression that Kim would know all too well. "And don't you dare give me any backtalk, young lady!"

"Yes, Mama," Shego replied meekly. "Sorry."

"Now, come here," Mrs. Go said, holding out her arms. "I can see something's troubling you."

Shego dropped her backpack and stepped into the waiting embrace, a deep, shuddering sigh escaping her. She held on tight, refusing to show too much even here. Hands rubbed her back as quiet words of comfort were whispered, making everything right in the world.

She wiped her eyes as she stepped away, smiling weakly.

"Better?" Mrs. Go asked.

"A little."

"Well then, let's get you inside. Have you eaten today? You look half starved."

"A few nibbles Henry served up while I was at the Tower, nothing else."

"A late dinner it is, then. You go have a shower and freshen up, and I'll have something nice and hot on the table when you come out."

Shego opened her mouth to refuse, then closed it under the stern eye from her mother.

"Okay, Mama."

~o~

Shego passed through the vaulted foyer of her villa and made a beeline for the master bedroom, the decor of her home all polished wood floors and muted, warm hues. No ostentatious displays of her signature colors in site. She closed the suite's double doors, dropped her bag on the floor, and without stopping headed straight into her bathroom. She did not bother with the lights, a blazing finger lighting half-a-dozen scented candles about the room. A quick nod at the ambience and she kicked the door shut, then peeled off her catsuit. Tired eyes noted all the dirt and grime her mother had seen, and as unique as her outfit was, she still tossed it into a crumpled heap on the black marble counter.

"Later," she muttered. I'll clean it later.

She eyed the massive bathtub with longing before shaking her head.

I'll fall asleep if I do, and then I'll be dragged out for diner.

She turned the shower on, the water hot and instant and oh-so-needed as she stepped into the deliciously heated spray. She closed her eyes and rested her hands against the slate wall, letting the water run through her hair and down her back. It was heaven.

She had no idea how long she just stood there, feeling the tension slowly drain from her body. She twitched occasionally as images of the past week reared their ugly head, but she focused on the here and now and the safety and comfort of home.

Eventually she stirred, a sigh of complaint escaping her lips as she reached for her loofah. She had missed the ability to pamper herself while she bathed at Kim's. It made her feel special as she indulged herself, in lieu of having someone in her life. But she was so bone weary that it could wait till next time. For now she just soaped and washed herself before moving onto her pride and joy, her hair, which she felt needed some attention after the last few days.

Done! she thought, sluicing the last of the conditioner from her raven-black tresses.

She turned off the water and stepped out, her fingers well-wrinkled and her skin nicely flushed from the long shower. She grabbed a large, black towel and wrapped it around herself, a second for her hair, then rested her hands on the counter and stared at her reflection in the mirror.

A week! I lasted one goddam week before running back home! Some master criminal I am, or was! She sneered, seeing the haunted look in her tired eyes. I like Kimmie. The thought came out of nowhere, pushing everything else aside. But she's straight, vanilla straight, yet she— We– Dammit! How? Why? It's not possible! She groaned as she heard Kim's catchphrase of 'anything's possible for a Possible'.

She leaned her forehead against the mirror and sighed.

"Me and redheads…!" She lightly punched the glass with a weak fist. "So what if Kimmie's calling it a relationship! We can't, it's for the best…!"

She rolled her shoulders and stood up straight, then threw open the bathroom door and stepped out into a wonderful aroma from her childhood. It was a bittersweet smell, bringing back memories of rationing during World War II, her cancer, and when they had last been together as a family.

~o~

Shego walked into the massive, open kitchen and living area dressed in a loose t-shirt that hung off one shoulder and some baggy shorts. There was no need to dress up, as she was home and would soon be in bed. She took in the empty area and smiled slyly to herself, then made a beeline for the oven and the covered plate inside. Donning an oven mitt with a cat motif, she lifted her dinner out and peaked under the cover, her stomach rumbling at the liver loaf, mashed potatoes, and buttered spinach inside. Silent as a mouse she added some fresh salad from a bowl on the marble counter, stuck a slice of Melba toast between her teeth, poured herself a glass of chilled water from the fridge, and with plate and drink in hand, she snuck back to her bedroom.

Or tried too.

She was halfway across the living room when a throat cleared itself behind her.

"The dinner table is the other way!" Mrs. Go announced.

Shego froze with one foot in the air then guiltily turned around, her mother standing in the kitchen with crossed arms and tapping foot.

"Umm…" Shego said, through the toast in her teeth.

She looked longingly towards her bedroom door, then with a resigned sigh walked back to the dining room. At the last possible moment she changed her mind and headed out onto the patio through some sliding glass doors, and sat down at one of the covered, wooden tables. The view from here was breathtaking, as she looked over the beautifully landscaped pool and surrounds, then down to the beach and out across the twinkling sea.

She grimaced as her mom sat down, her gaze returning to her meal.

"Can we talk about it later?" Shego asked, a plaintive whine in her voice.

"I know what your 'later' means, Firefly. It means never!"

"Mama, please stop calling me that. You know it's about the most annoying thing ever!"

It was a year long argument they had been having, with Shego never gaining the upper hand.

"I've been calling you firefly since before the accident, and I'm not going to stop now," Mrs. Go said. "Would you prefer I start using Sheridan, instead?" She raised an eyebrow in question as she took a sip from her wine glass.

"My name's Shego!"

"Your name is Sheridan Go, not that silly little alias you and your brothers thought up ages ago."

Shego stuffed some food in her mouth to give herself some time to think. It was true that her mom had been calling her firefly ever since their family had moved out west from New York. Her younger self had been fascinated by all the fireflies in the countryside as she enjoyed Mother Nature for the first time in her life, while in the periphery of her memories her father had been busy founding Go City for its oil deposits. She had adored the name back then, but since the meteor and her acquired glow it had taken on a whole new, darker connotation. She disliked it now, but it would be far worse if her mom started using her real name all the time.

Firefly or Sheridan? She's got me trapped, and she knows it! She stabbed some liver loaf with her fork and shoved it in her mouth. She had an inkling that her mother took particular delight in referring to her by that cutesy nickname over all others.

"Fine! Call me whatever you want!" Shego grumbled.

"And I shall, as always. Now, care to tell me why you came home?"

"Mama, please–"

"What? I can't be worried for my daughter? Especially when she won't tell me what's troubling her? Oh dearie me, what is the world coming too!"

"Look, it's not going to work."

"What's not?"

"You guilting me into talking."

"I guess you don't want any of my special apple crumble and custard for dessert then?"

Shego's mouth instantly watered, the bribe doing its job as only a mother knew how.

"Fine, you win!"

~o~

Shego drunkenly stepped out of the bathroom, and with a wobbly detour to grab another bottle of scotch, she rejoined her mom beside the pool. She plopped herself down and slid her feet back in the water, then looked at the disapproving expression on her mother's face.

"You wanted to talk, we're talking!" Shego said, slurring her words.

"And we'll talk about your drinking in the morning," Mrs. Go said. She sighed as Shego took a long swig from her freshly acquired bottle. "So, before you ran off to the bathroom for the umpteenth time, you finally got around to telling me that you and your former nemesis, who you talk about all the time and spent the last week with, kissed!"

"Uh-huh."

"Annnd?"

Shego closed her eyes to stop the world spinning and tried to focus her tired and boozy thoughts on not giving too much away. There was no way she was going to tell her mother that she and Kim had slept together, or better yet, fucked each other silly. A kiss … was romantic, and not the animalistic tumble between the sheets that had actually taken place. She took a long gulp of courage from her bottle, then looked at her mom.

"And nothing! Kimmie's was just mixed up. DNAmy's genetic zipper must have addled her brain!"

"Are you sure this machine affected her?"

"Yes. No. I don't know, but it's the only thing that makes sense. She had to be confused and just wanting to thank me, and it all sorta got muddled up in her head. Give it a day or two and she'll be all better."

"Do you want her to be better?"

"Look, it's not gonna happen. I want her to stay alive, not dead!"

"Not every girl is Rachel, Firefly."

"Aren't they!? One week with me, and she– she–"

Shego shivered at the memory of Kim dying in her arms, the bottle slipping from her limp fingers. It shattered, the alcohol running across the pavers like blood. Kim's blood. She stared at it as the nightmarish images of that day came thick and fast, until a comforting arm slipped around her shoulders. She did not look up, her hair hanging limply around her stricken face. She started to tremble, the grip from her mother tightening as words of comfort were spoken.

"I need another drink!" Shego growled, drawing in a long, deep breath.

"I think you've had quite enough for one night," Mrs. Go said.

It's never enough! She looked at all the empty scotch bottles on the ground behind her. Yeah, okay, maybe she's right? She sat up, her mother brushing the hair from her face. "I'm never going to put Kimmie at risk!"

"I understand, but since you're planning on seeing someone about your issues, perhaps you might want to consider what it could be like with Kim after that? If she's still interested in dating my beautiful little girl, that is?"

"Mama…" Shego replied, blushing at the motherly compliment.

~o0o~

Shego collapsed into bed, asleep before her head had even touched the pillow.

Mrs. Go smiled down at her daughter as she pulled the sheet up, then gently kissed her on the forehead.

"Sleep tight, Firefly. See you in the morning."

She reached the door and turned to wave goodnight, and noticed a flashing light inside Shego's backpack. A mother's curiosity took over as she walked back in, and lifted out Shego's silently vibrating phone. An eyebrow shot up as she saw Kim's name on the incoming call screen, but it was more for the photo associated with it. The picture was of Kim curled up in bed in nothing but a skimpy tank top and some boy-cut panties as she spooned a pillow. As for who the pillow could be substituting for, Mrs. Go easily put two and two together.

Well, well, Firefly, you did leave out some interesting little tidbits.

She was a mother at heart, and that meant she put her daughter's welfare ahead of Shego's own prickly, defensive nature. She quickly and quietly left the room, then answered the incoming call.

"Hello?" Mrs. Go said, keeping her voice low and neutral for now.

"Uh, hello. Shego?" Kim asked, uncertainty in her voice.

"No, this is Rose."

"Oh… Could I, um, speak to her? It's really, really important!"

"I'm afraid she's sleeping right now, she's had a rough day."

"Is she okay!?"

Kim's response was so quick and earnest that it was easy to see where her heart lay.

"She's fine, just a little tipsy and worn out from everything that's happened."

"I totally understand. Could you ask her to call Kim Possible when she wakes up?"

"I will, but we both know she won't, don't we?"

"…I know."

"Are you serious about dating her?" She could almost hear the gears churning in Kim's head at such a question, especially from a complete stranger.

"Who is this again!?"

"Someone on your side. Now, before you get all worked up." She opened Shego's door and took a photograph. "I've sent you a photo of our sleeping, little angel."

There was a pause in their conversation as the file went through, followed by an almost imperceptible whisper of complaint from Kim.

"…She's gone home, to her island."

"She told you about that?"

"Yes."

Interesting, and very promising. "A word of advice, Ms. Possible. Never stop! She's going to fight you every step of the way, but that is what it's going to take."

Mrs. Go hung up and returned the phone to Shego's backpack. She had a lot on her mind after her talk with Kim, and all of it positive. Oh, Shego would be upset with her for talking to Kim. Clash with her every step of the way.

But a mother knows best!

~o0o~

Kim frowned as the call suddenly ended, this mystery woman raising so many questions. Rose had certainly been an unexpected twist. She glanced at her kimmunicator, and smiled at the timer. It was way over what they had needed, the photograph an added bonus. She sat up with her legs under the covers and turned to the laptop on the bed next to her, Wade's face onscreen.

"Wade?" she asked, hope in her voice.

"Shego wasn't lying, Kim. The phone Drakken made for her is completely untraceable, and I have no idea how."

So we do this the hard way, she thought, crossing out 'Track Phone' from the to-do list on her lap. It wasn't a big checklist, Shego's life still very much a mystery. But I have a name: Rose. And… "The photo?"

"That I can work with, given time," Wade replied, his fingers typing away furiously on his keyboard. "I'll run it through a few filters to highlight the details in the background, and I'm sure it will help us locate her."

Spankin!

Kim brought up the photograph that this Rose had sent her, and smiled. It showed a moonlit bedroom with Shego fast asleep on a king size bed. Beyond her sleeping beauty, the room opened onto a balcony with palm trees, the ocean, and the night's sky in the background.

"Take as long as you need, Wade." She touched her fingers to her lips and pressed them against the image of Shego on her kimmunicator. Some dreams are worth fighting for.

~o0o~

Shego dreamed: The lair was exploding. Drakken had already fled, and the buffoon had been carried away by a gigantic robot hamster. She turned her head from another explosion and wiped the blood from her mouth.

"What now, Princess?" she snarled. Somehow, Kim had neutralized her powers, and had then proceeded to thoroughly beat her in hand-to-hand combat.

"Now?" Kim said, a wicked gleam in her eye. "Now it's time for something that's long overdue."

Shego yelled in defiance and leapt at Kim, only to find her wrists grabbed. Then she was flying through the air and slamming into a wall. Stunned, she tried to orientate herself, only to hear a resounding click.

"Better!" Kim announced.

Shego looked up to see her hands now firmly shackled to the walls by some of Drakken's prisoner manacles. She tried to ignite her plasma, to free herself, but nothing happened. Even her super-strength had abandoned her.

"What the fuck, Possible?! Don't you realize–" she was silenced by Kim lunging forwards, those pink petal lips capturing startled black. Too stunned to resist, a warm, eager tongue was suddenly inside, exploring and teasing. She could not stop the moan escaping her. A small part of her tried to fight back, but Kim's hands were curled deep in her hair, pulling her head forwards even as Kim pressed their bodies together.

She was panting heavily when Kim finally pulled away for breath, her face flushed a dark green.

"All right, Cupcake, you've had your bloody fun for all my teasing! Now, let me the hell out of this before this entire place blows!"

There was only an answering silence from Kim, the mischievous grin on her face widening. Shego found herself blushing even more at the wanton look directed at her. Another explosion rocked the base, and she felt more than heard the hidden clasp of her catsuit give way.

She gasped as Kim dropped to her knees, pulling the catsuit with her, large lashes framing those seductive eyes as Kim looked up from between her bare legs. Kim licked her lips and moved closer, her excited breath caressing pale, trembling thighs.

"You've been a bad girl, Shego. It's high time I showed you how bad!"

~o0o~

Yes, I've finally started the long delayed sequel to Home is where the Heart is. When I began my hiatus I had no plans for how long it would be, but it certainly wasn't meant to be this long. Let's just say I had fun with my shorter stores, and leave it at that. I've also learned my lesson in not leaving a story open, that was a newbie thing to do. I know better now.

I had fun mixing old story ideas with new in this first chapter, and I'll have an even older plot bunny in the next. I have no idea when or why I wrote that dream sequence, and I only discovered it as I was browsing my notes. I felt it fit the moment perfectly.

I am reserving the right to put this story on hold if I feel the urge to go off and write something else for a while. I spent two years on Home is where the Heart is, and it burnt me out. Now that I'm more comfortable with juggling stories, I know that branching out now and then will keep me going. Heck, at the moment I have no idea how big/small this sequel will be, so it could be moot.

Also, I just wanted to use the word 'moot' in a sentence.

~o0o~