Kim Possible Porn Story: His Honor The Mayor Drew Lipsky – Chapter 23

Disclaimer: I do not own Kim Possible, any of the other characters from that show, or those from any other media I may reference in my stories.

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On the Saturday after Kim’s ‘confession’, Bernie drove the two of them to Denver to tape their interviews for the TV news special. Deciding to make a day of it when they were done, they did some shopping and sight-seeing before heading back, to arrive after dark with Kim dozing in the passenger seat. And found Ron snoring on the Possibles’ sofa, the boy having been anxiously waiting for Kim’s return practically all day.

A sleepy Kim went over to wake him as her parents and Bernie went into the kitchen to talk about the trip. The three emerged later to find the young couple snuggled together, both sound asleep. Deciding whether to wake them was a decision balanced between how peaceful they looked versus Ron’s probable reactions to waking up like that, and then realizing where he and Kim were. In the end, Bernie roused and drove Ron home, while Anne escorted her happy but exhausted daughter up to her room.

Ron’s satisfaction concerning Kim getting through the experience without any trauma or drama was undone when he found out his girlfriend had agreed to fly to Toronto, again with Bernie, to appear on a live talk show along with other people from the incident, to be interviewed by correspondents from the CBC, BBC, and one American network. He fretted through the next week, trying with his usual lack of success to hide his concern from Kim. She was very patient with him, not entering the ‘I can take care of myself’, or ‘don’t you trust me’ modes as she had often done in the past if Ron pestered her excessively with his worries about her.

Though the live broadcast was at six AM Middleton time, Ron was up to watch it, with Rufus draped sleepily on the boy’s shoulder. The show came on, the host spoke briefly, and then everyone was introduced. Ron felt a mix of compassion and anger when he saw Melinda Hunter, sitting with her daughter on her lap cradled in her remaining arm. Only one of the four men from the Navy party was present. The other one forced to retire had refused to appear, nor had he been interviewed for the TV special. Only one of the two men still enlisted had been available. The commentator did reveal the fact that the last man, who was still missing, was no longer believed to have committed suicide. In the end, Ron had nothing to worry about, Kim didn’t even get the bulk of the questions, as he’d feared. Which he now admitted to himself had been slightly unrealistic, but when he worried about Kim, realism often took a back seat in his mind.

Melinda Hunter received a lot of questions concerning how she was coping. Her daughter began to fuss because she wanted her mother’s undivided attention, so Kim took the little girl and held her in her own lap, bouncing her a little and talking to her quietly, smiling, being Kim. And Ron’s thoughts drifted back to the dream of Kim’s where she had seen herself in Melinda’s place. Still haven’t told KP I saw that, wonder if I should? He remembered how beautiful little ‘Mini-Kim’ had looked, and smiled. So hope our kids take after her, that baby was sooo cute! Then he became suddenly self-conscious, looking quickly around to see if he was still alone, or as if someone could read his thoughts. For this he received a face full of day-old cheese breath as Rufus yawned on his shoulder.

Ron’s Mom came downstairs as the show was ending. How did she do, Ron? She asked. All anxieties relieved, Ron had already shifted back to his normal attitude. No worries, Mom, I knew KP could handle it! he replied without looking up. Jean just rolled her eyes and continued to the kitchen.

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Kim had barely gotten home on Sunday afternoon before the first big snow of the season hit. By morning school was officially closed.

At the Stoppable home, three sets of thumbs danced across the buttons of a trio of controllers, causing well-animated zombies to suffer violent ends on the television screen. Booyah! Ron shouted as his score counter ticked over the 10,000 mark. On either side of him on the living room couch, both Felix Renton and Wade Load frowned in concentration as they raced to achieve the same goal next.

Hoping to throw Ron off his game enough to overtake him, Wade tried a conversational gambit. So, Ron, why aren’t you out in the snow with Kim?

Ron’s concentration didn’t waver. Kim’s working on some extra-credit assignments to make up for lost time, get her grades up, you know…YES! Ron’s avatar on screen suddenly gained a new weapon for zombie killing, an absurdly large multi-barreled weapon system. Wade groaned, while Felix frowned as he tried desperately to catch up. Grades up? With all that’s happened, Kim’s still on the Academic Honors list, she has to be maintaining at least an ‘A’ average, what’s wrong with that?

Both Ron and Wade rolled there eyes. It’s not an ‘A Plus’ average, Felix, that’s what! Wade answered rather testily. Ron winced a little, but kept his own focus on the game. Felix though was distracted enough for his avatar to suffer a messy demise. Damn! Wade, what’s eating you? Besides that enhanced zombie that just popped out of the vestry!

Ah, Man! Wade tossed his controller into the air, then caught it and feigned slamming it down on the coffee table, I hate those enhanced ones, they always hide them too well! Ron paused the game, put down his controller, and stretched. Wadester’s bummed because Drakken offered his mom a job, and she took it. He informed Felix.

Oh! Felix nodded, I guess that’d bum me out a bit too. What’s the job?

Reviewing Health Services personnel and other medical types employed by the city. Ron replied, Including school nurses, for instance. She asked Miss Barr to be her assistant, but expected her to say no, which she did. Though Mrs Load might be happy about that, because Bernie keeps calling her ‘Chief’, which seems to drive her crazy!

I’ll say! Wade added, I called her that as a joke last night, and the look I got was pretty clear: Do that again, and I’m looking at a menu of my least favorite foods for at least a week! And my Mom never bluffs! That drew a chuckle from Ron, Join the club, when my Mom puts her foot down, it’s never a joke!

I think my Mom is a little more tolerant, maybe because she’s a single parent. Felix remarked. Then he looked at Wade. I hear you really did a number on Kim’s brothers, and Buzz and Reger as well.

Wade gave Ron a sharp look. Felix, I’ve told Ron, Kim, and everyone else who asks the same thing, I did not plan for things to work out the way they did, honestly! It was just a coincidence that Kim’s Mom showed the website to the other parents just at that time! I had no idea they’d be doing that just then, I timed it for the time period when the site gets the most hits! Oh, and I sort of set something up I thought would keep the four guys away from their computers at that time, so they wouldn’t find out what I did.

And that was, specifically? Felix asked.

Wade shrugged. All I did was find out Reger had a webcam with lousy security. For all I know he broadcast stuff from his room, or let people watch him sometimes, who knows? Anyway, I was sitting at my computer, watching the four of them at Reger’s planning their next story, throwing ideas around, etcetera. And some of them…well, they didn’t really intend to use some of them, they were being silly, but still…and I was trying to think of a way to stop them, and suddenly realized I was actually looking at the solution! I recorded their little skull session, and set it up so it would be broadcast on their site, for all the visitors to see where the stories were actually coming from! And then I thought that since this was a non-violent and nondestructive way of dealing with those sites, why not see if I could do the same with some of the others? And I found out I could, with three of them, and did! I mean, show people the ‘sources’ for some of that crap.. Wade clapped his hand over his own mouth, Sorry!

Yeah, but showing that one dude sitting in his underwear while talking to himself and making up stories might have been overkill. Ron commented. Besides, that bit only proved to Reger’s parents that he was involved, what got him in trouble were the ads some of the banners led to. He says he didn’t know some were ‘adult’ sites, but…aw, never mind all that. He looked at each of his opponents in turn. Ready to resume the game, or do you want to start over from the beginning?

Nah! I’ll catch up to you, you’ll see! Felix replied. He was also the next person to speak a full sentence rather than a cry of triumph or despair, nearly ten minutes later. So, you guys finally know what had Kim so rattled?

Wade made a face, but kept his eyes on the screen. Ron does, not me. And I’m not sure I want to hear about something that bothered Kim so badly, to tell the truth.

I’m just glad she didn’t remember earlier, like last spring, or early summer. Ron remarked flatly. Both Wade and Felix regarded him with curious frowns. I can’t really explain why I think this, but I’m pretty sure if she’d confided in me back then, I’d have given her the wrong advice as to how to deal with it. In fact, How I would’ve reacted might have messed her up worse. He held up both hands to forestall any reaction from the others. I haven’t figured it all out yet, and I’d like the chance to do it before you guys give me any advice, honestly! So, let’s talk about something else right now, ‘kay?

His two companions exchanged shrugs behind Ron’s back as he began to reset the game. Then Wade spoke up. Okay, what else is there to talk about? Any good dreams lately?

Ron winced. Ah, Man!, almost rather talk about the other now! I really have to be careful what I watch these days, with some of the dreams they cause! Yesterday after I was done talking on the phone with Kim after she got back, I watched an Irwin Allen marathon, you don’t want to hear what came of that!

The other two both exchanged looks, then chorused, Yes we do! loudly enough to make Ron flinch. The boy looked at his two friends in turn. You want to hear about being on an ocean liner, sailing into port, and having it capsize when a burning skyscraper falls over on it?

The other two boys were silent a moment, both blinking, before Felix asked, How did the skyscraper catch on fire?

Ron rolled his eyes. Well, Duh! A lava bomb thrown into it by the erupting volcano set it on fire! But you know the guy who always causes the leader all the problems in those movies, criticize their plans, and whine about everything? He only did it once with Kim, trust me on that!

Wade grinned. I would’ve liked to have seen that scene! But Ron, do you guys have any idea if you’re in control in these dreams? I mean, usually when you start consciously manipulating your own dreams, it wakes you up, or means you’re waking up, whichever! But what about with you and Kim? You’re both there in the dream, and from what I hear, a lot of the things you do, or the way you act in them, is pretty close to your real selves.

Ron only had time to shrug before Felix interrupted. You mean in real life, Ron would have a ‘harem’? He asked with a smirk.

Hold it! Ron exclaimed, The whole ‘harem’ sitch is a dead issue, all right? He paused, then grinned, At least since Kim had a dream of having her own harem! He paused, frowning, Or is it a harem when it’s all guys?

That distracted the other pair sufficiently for their avatars to be bloodily eaten alive(Wade) or impaled in a pit trap(Felix). After some muttering under their breaths on both their parts, Wade looked at Ron curiously. And who was in this ‘harem’.

Ron grinned as he put the game on pause again. Well, Moi, of course! He scowled slightly, Brick Flagg and Josh Mankey..oh! Speaking of Brick, guess who the ‘Harem Mistress’ was?

Felix dropped his jaw in an exaggerated expression of stupefaction. Well, uh, gee, Ron, could it have been Bonnie? Wade rolled his eyes while smiling widely.

Ron grimaced. Okay, okay, telegraphed that one a bit! But the dream-ender was when Bonnie asked Kim if she wanted to see her new favorite, which kinda made me frown. Kim said yes, and they brought Mister Barkin out, wearing…

WHOA! TMI, Ron, TMI! Wade exclaimed, then picked his controller back up. Let’s get back to killing zombies, guys. I need something to distract me from the visuals I’m getting from that story.

If you think it’s bad imagining it, imagine sharing it! Ron commented sourly. And I heard Kim woke her parents up with her scream!

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While the young had the day to frolic in the snow or otherwise entertain themselves, their elders were quite busy.

Doctor Drakken sat sipping hot cocoa in the small conference room adjacent to his office in City Hall, gazing out the windows that gave him a nice panoramic view of Middleton. The window faced East, to catch the morning light, though at the moment that was irrelevant. Everything was white as snow continued to fall, though it had slackened since the previous night. Drakken had a moment of wicked amusement as he remembered the looks he had got from some of the others who worked in the building, when he descended into his parking spot in his hovercraft. They didn’t know how nervous flying in snow made him, he’d once flown into a water tower in a blizzard. Mind you, he had been ranting. And the tower was scheduled for demolition, anyway, so where was the harm?

The hall door to the room opened, and Jean Stoppable came in, a stack of folders in her arms. Loretta Load followed her in, holding two mugs of coffee, with Frugal Lucre entering last, carrying a bag with the ‘Bueno Nacho’ logo on it and his own coffee. Drakken eyed the bag critically, sniffing the air cautiously. And what do you have there, Francis? Late breakfast?

Lerman nodded enthusiastically as he sat down. Yep! No time to eat earlier, was going over estimates and stuff! He pulled a cylindrical object wrapped in colorful paper, and stained with grease, from the bag. Ah, an El Diablo Breakfast Burrito! He literally smacked his lips as Drakken blinked rapidly, not least because his eyes were starting to water. That problem became more acute as Lerman unwrapped his prize and took a large bite out of it. Reaching for a tissue to wipe his eyes, Drakken turned to a bemused Jean Stoppable. And how does the Day Care center look today? Is your little girl getting along with the other children?

Jean smiled and nodded. Yes, Thanks for asking, Drew. She’s getting along surprisingly well with the others, to be honest. And the center looks much better now that the young woman running it is getting all of the funds allocated for it! She shook her, head, face now serious. Can you imagine that man pilfering money intended for a Day Care center here at City Hall? I’m so glad you got rid of him, Drew.

Drakken nodded as he pretended to be engrossed in a budget report. That’s all right, the piranha needed to be fed, anyway. When this comment went completely ignored by Loretta, and barely acknowledged by Jean courtesy of a raised eyebrow, Drakken snorted. One would think being both evil, and a politician, would give me more credibility! You can’t imagine the cost involved in feeding them!

While chewing a mouthful of food, Frugal Lucre commented thoughtfully, I would think that keeping their water heated enough to keep them alive would be your most expensive problem with them.

Drakken’s brow furrowed, then he squeezed his eyes shut briefly, shook his head, and looked at Loretta Load. On to business, I think. How are you doing on your evaluation of the medical and health professionals we employ?

Well, I can tell you that all the ones I’ve checked out so far were fully qualified when they were first hired, but many are behind on some of their certifications, or not up to date on some developments. Mrs Load responded. She took a swallow of coffee, then tapped one folder separated from the stack Jean Stoppable had brought in. Here’s the list. Their most frequent reason is that the City didn’t pay for some classes they might have been required to take. Though a few paid their own way, and Bernadette Barr helped a couple of others out, most couldn’t afford to on their own. This is another pie Morgan Locke stuck his finger in, and embezzled money from.

Do we have even a ball-park figure on how much he stole? Jean Stoppable asked.

Four million, one hundred eighty-seven thousand, six hundred and eighty-four dollars, and sixty-two cents, over a twelve year period since he was hired as Chief. Francis Lerman replied as he licked his fingertips clean. He noticed the astonished looks he was receiving. What? I know my numbers, and this guy wasn’t all that good at hiding his trail, let me tell you! He must have counted on his old friend Joe Geary looking the other way, or just not looking at all, let me tell you! And all of it went into his security company, ‘LockeGuard’! A lot of it seems to have been to settle lawsuits out of court, and pay for damages.

Mayor Geary was a lot of things, but he wasn’t a crook, from what I’ve determined. Drakken commented, But he did have the habit of trusting old friends a bit too much. But now that we’re on the subject of money, Francis, what’s your report on the Middleton Plaza project?

Hastily gulping down the mouthful of coffee he’d just taken, Lerman gasped out, Well, most of the contractors involved are being reasonable. I mean, they’re overcharging us slightly, but not too much.

‘Most’ of the contractors?

Lerman nodded. Yeah, most. Suddenly realizing more of an explanation was desired, Oh! Right, you want to know who isn’t in the ‘most’ part, right? When Drakken just continued to stare at him, he bobbed his head, Right! Well, one contractor is really overcharging us, I mean, like two hundred, two hundred fifty percent. Wattford Electrical Services is the name of the company.

Jean nodded. Used to be a family business, when Dean and I first moved to Middleton with Ronald. When Emmett Wattford retired, about three years ago, his sons took over. And I last heard they might be filing for Chapter 11. So, how can they bid for this job? And why charge so outrageously? Surely you’re not saying their original bid was as high as you claim?

Actually, there was no bidding. Frugal replied, The only other local company capable of handling a job this big is already over committed. And we want a local company to do this, right?

We’d prefer it, yes. Drakken replied, We’re already having to go outside the Tri-Cities for an electrical concern to handle some of the work we need done on the schools. Not to mention plumbing, and all the rest.

Are we looking at any closings for repair work? Loretta Load asked.

Not whole schools, no, not until summer, anyway. But, Middleton High will have to have three classrooms closed temporarily while some work is done there. The same area where Frank Barr intended to stage his little accident, first to discredit Joe Geary, and later while trying to frame me.

I cannot believe that man couldn’t be charged with some crime! Loretta commented angrily, Willing to endanger all those children for a political ploy!

Drakken shook his head. My Dear, if planning dastardly acts was sufficient for incarceration, I would have a sentence hanging over me so long they’d have to cryogenically freeze me to keep me alive long enough to serve it! Now he frowned and looked at Lucre. Tell me, did our departed Eastern friends have an interest in Wattford? Maybe that’s why they’re so arrogant.

Lucre looked puzzled for a moment. Who? Oh, the Mob guys! Er, no, no connection to them that I know of. I think the company was bought recently, should I go see who purchased it? And whether they paid a good price?

The first, yes. The second, no….err, wait, make that yes, on second thought. But first, if all goes well, when would we expect construction to begin?

Well, if everything runs smoothly, and when does it ever? I mean, come on, contracts, negotiating, choosing colors…right! We’d probably be talking groundbreaking in late February.

Drakken frowned slightly. Hmmm, with said ground solidly frozen, no doubt! Still, I should have something in the lair that would ‘break ground’ quite nicely…what? Both Jean and Loretta were looking at him askance. He grinned, What? I promise, nothing nuclear, or using the Pan Dimensional Vortex Inducer, honest!

Another twenty minutes were spent discussing other matters. Lucre exited halfway through, and Loretta shortly thereafter. Well, the City Comptroller should be thawed out by now, Let’s hear what he has to say. Drakken said to Jean as they both gathered up their papers, Then we’ll talk to the Highway Commissioners about the traffic pattern changes the Plaza will cause. And then the Safety Commission, they say one Elementary school may have to be closed for repairs before the end of the school year, which will be a serious problem. He noticed Jean fidgeting a bit. Is there a problem?

She shrugged. Well, not a problem, no. I just wondered if you’d heard from your friend yet.

Oh. Drakken shook his head. I haven’t seen Shego since she came back to the lair drunk that night. He frowned. She’s been gone this long once before, but I was really responsible for that time. I don’t understand what could have happened that made her drop out of sight like that. I’ve checked all her regular ‘get away’ places, and either she’s not there, or the staff is lying to cover for her, but I doubt that. And yes, I’m worried. Shego and I— The door to the room opened to admit Frugal Lucre. Ah, let’s speak of this later. Yes, Francis?

Hey, Chief! Found out who bought out Wattford. And get this, it’s a German industrial concern! Why do you suppose a German company would buy an electrical contractor in Colorado?

Drakken’s mouth worked for a moment, but no sound emerged. Then he squeezed his eyes shut while massaging his brow with one hand. Oh…Good…Grief!

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You’d think that since we braved the bitter elements to come visit her, we might deserve a little more attention, don’t you? Monique looked up at Bonnie’s words. The brunette was reclining on Kim’s bed, reading from a biology textbook. Monique herself had been engrossed in her sociology homework, but now she looked over to Kim’s computer station, where the redhead was typing furiously, while chewing on her lip. Turning back towards Bonnie, Monique smiled tolerantly. This is typical, actually, when she gets on one particular tack. I sometimes think I can do her hair in pigtails without her noticing sometimes.

So not… Kim muttered, but Monique couldn’t tell if it was in response to her words or not. So Monique pulled herself up out of the comfortable beanbag chair and went over to peer over Kim’s shoulder. Her brow knitted in consternation. That’s not the same assignment you were working on when we came in. Are you jumping back and forth?

Kim shook her head, but continued typing. Finished that one, this is another. I already knew what I was going to write for it, so there was no point in putting it off.

Monique shook her head, and returned to her seat. Girlfriend, you have more than made up for the time you missed, someone might think you were saving up for time you expect to miss in the future. Being behind Kim, Monique didn’t catch a significant facial twitch on the redhead’s face in response to her words.

Oh, by the way… Bonnie said, sitting up and putting her book down, We saw Hope and Gretchen Littler on the way here, they had a little car accident. That caused Kim to stop typing and turn to Bonnie, concern on her face. Was anyone hurt? she asked.

Well, Gretchen looked like she had a bloody nose. I think they lost control while making a turn, and slid sideways into one of the poles holding up the traffic lights. Hope was driving, and looked like she was really crying, probably because it was her Mom’s car. Oh, and Miss Barr was there, I think she stopped to help.

Kim scowled. If the roads are that bad, I wonder why they were out? Then she blushed. Oh, wasn’t thinking! You guys drove here just to visit, didn’t you?

Roads aren’t that bad, girlfriend. The one where the accident occurred was plowed, but I think Hope may have had only one hand on the steering wheel, and the other at her ear, if you get my drift. Monique replied.

And as for me… Bonnie added, I basically had to get out of the house before I blew up at Connie. Especially since it would have backfired. She’s all upset that Dad can’t pay for the trip she planned for next summer, and she has to get a job to earn enough to go. He said he’d match whatever she earned, then changed it to whatever she saved, but he can’t afford to pay for the whole thing right now. But she can’t see that, can’t realize that Dad has some money problems, both because of the economy, and what the campaign cost him. But, if I said anything about how selfish she was being, I would have got it right back in my face! She stopped to take a breath, then smiled apologetically to the other two girls. Sorry, I just had to get that out!

Kim smiled ruefully. I wish it had been that easy for me! It’s so puzzling, though, that I can now remember everything that happened on that day, but have so little memory of the following days. I mean, the idea that I was so traumatized that my mind just didn’t ‘record’ anything for a day or two? That sounds kind of fishy. She sighed, But, I have no better explanation. I don’t remember the flight home on the GJ jet, the day I supposedly spent at the British Ambassador’s residence before I flew home, or when I first saw Mom, Dad, and Ron after getting home! Weird not to remember those things, when now I can recall what I almost did.

Which I still think you wouldn’t have done, girlfriend! Monique stated emphatically, I think you would have snapped out of it, the real you wouldn’t let…um, wait, I think I talked myself into a corner here….

Kim shook her head. But it wasn’t me, Mon. The ‘real’ Kim Possible had crawled into a compartment in the back of my mind and shut the door behind her. She only came back out because she saw someone she knew. Kim’s lips twitched slightly. How’s my metaphor?

Bonnie snorted. Well, I’ve heard better! Next question: are you dealing with it?

Yeah, one day at a time. And don’t groan, I’m finding that to be literally true. Kim turned back to her computer, and stretched, arching her back, before beginning to type again. I’ll be done with this in ten minutes, tops, and we can find something more interesting to do. We also have to check on the Tweebs, make sure they’re doing their proper penance.

Well, if they’re not… Bonnie held up a bottle of nail polish, A little incentive can be applied…

Monique rolled her eyes. You know, as unlikely as it may seem now, those two might just grow up and have girlfriends some day, maybe even wives.. she ignored a snort from Kim, And you don’t want the poor girls to have to do all their make-up and painting out of sight to avoid traumatizing those two, do you?

Bonnie gazed at Monique briefly as she considered the question. Then she nodded, I can live with that, yeah!

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Bernadette Barr walked through the utility room door of her home and closed it behind her, shutting out the rising wind and renewed snowfall. She stood still for a moment, just enjoying the relative warmth of the room. The light was on, and apparently both the washer and dryer had recently been on as well. For which the soaked young woman was immensely grateful. Her feet squished in her boots as she stepped over to the folding table by one wall. She was thankful to note several clean towels stacked on one end as she pulled a four-legged stool out from under the table.

Peeling off her gloves, she flexed her partially numb fingers experimentally, then began unfastening her coat. The bottom half was sodden, and she eyed it critically as she hung it up on a wall peg. She then emptied her pockets, wincing at a few ruined items. Taking one of the towels, she laid it over the stool’s seat, then undid her jeans and pushed them and her underwear down off her hips. She then sat on the stool, only to jump right up again from contact with her cold, wet shirttail. Clearing that out of the way, she sat again, and pulled her left foot up to work on removing her boot.

What the heck happened to you? Bernie looked up to see Shego in the doorway, an empty laundry basket in her hands. She shrugged. Had a little accident at an accident, that’s all. Got a little wet.

One of Shego’s eyebrows rose as she eyed her critically. A little wet? She set the basket on top of the washer, then knelt down and took hold of Bernie’s right boot, pulling the zipper down with a little effort. Pulling it off, the sock came with it, and Shego frowned at the sight of the pale, wrinkled look of the foot revealed. And how long were you standing around in wet boots, may I ask?

Bernie sighed. Only as long as I had to. Could you do me a favor, and get my robe, and my crutch? I just hope there wasn’t any salt in that slush, or I could have a problem with this. She tapped her prosthetic foot.

Shego nodded and stood up. Sure, I’ll be right back.

By the time she returned with the requested items, Bernie had her wet clothes off and tossed in the appropriate hampers, and had another towel draped loosely around her while she massaged her left calf vigorously. Shego set the crutch next to the girl, then draped the robe around her shoulders. Once again, what happened? She asked as she knelt again and began to work on Bernie’s flesh-and-blood foot. Bernie hissed at the pins and needles sensation that came to life from Shego’s ministrations.

Well, I stopped to see if I could help out at an accident, until the Rescue Squad arrived. And I tried to squat down in the passenger side doorway while holding the hand of a teenage girl with a possible broken nose. And my foot slipped. Sat down in the slush, legs slid under the car, took a bit of thrashing to get back up again.

Hm. Shego reached up and pulled Bernie’s towel down on her right side. Rib okay?

Bernie grabbed the towel and pulled it back up. It’s fine, fully healed, or close enough. Did just miss hitting a fire hydrant with my elbow, though. Heh, what were you doing, trying to get another look at my ‘rack’?

Shego smirked, but didn’t answer. Her face grew a good deal more serious as she continued to massage Bernie’s foot. You know, this is serious here, you really should have gotten somewhere warm and dried this earlier.

I know, I know. She looked at Shego speculatively. Did you ever take care of kids, Shego? Babysit, maybe?

That question made Shego squirm a bit. Not exactly…I took care of the twins pretty much from the time they were six months old, until I left Team Go.

When Shego showed no inclination to continue, Bernie decided not to pry. She instead dealt with her robe, which kept slipping off one shoulder or the other as she massaged her leg back to it’s normal color. Ditching the towel, she slipped her arms into the robe’s sleeves and belted it up. Then she remembered something. Oh, mentioning the ‘rack’ comment reminds me, when did you ever see Kim naked?

Shego snorted. Three times, actually, one of which you’ll never hear me speak of! A second time was sharing a decontamination shower, not one of my favorite memories, either! The third time she was chasing me through a health club, she lost me in a turn, and I ambushed her, snatched her towel off, and shoved her in the pool. Only some women as witnesses, it would have been better for a little male presence to up the embarrassment quotient!

Bernie gave her a disapproving glare. And why was Kim chasing you around a Health club in a towel?

Because I stole her clothes from the locker room? Shego replied, smirking. Seeing that wasn’t going to satisfy Bernie, she shrugged. There’s an information broker known as ‘Big Bear’. You can actually spell that b,e,a,r; or b,a,r,e. He’s been in the business a very long time, and now conducts his business most of the year out of a nudist resort down south. In the colder months, he moves to the health club. He’s part owner of both, and justifiably paranoid about both hidden microphones, and hidden weapons, with the scars to show for the latter. And basically, if you want to meet him, you go au naturel.

Bernie’s look shifted to disbelief. You are not going to tell me that Kim Possible… Shego stopped her by waving her hands vigorously and shaking her head.

No, no, no! He made an exception for the Princess, but just because she’s underage. They wore towels for her meet with him. Anyway, his wife was there as chaperon. With a Glock hidden where she could get it real fast. At the resort, he always had a quartet of lovely attack dogs to protect him. Well, me and Kimmie both went to see him about the same thing, but I got there first. Heard Kim’s voice coming down the hall as I was leaving, hid, let her pass, then headed for the locker room and snatched her clothes, to slow her down.

How’d you know which locker was hers?

Shego shook her head. Sorry, keeping that secret! Anyway, she came back before I could get clear, because Big Bear apparently got straight to business with her. The chase ensued, her fall into the pool…and then the wheel of karma turned on me. She shook her head sadly. Got the Princess good, then was running away, not paying attention to what was in front of me. Turned a corner while still looking back, should have noticed the ground shaking…the heavyweight weight-loss class was coming the other way, jogging. I equate it to getting caught in a buffalo stampede! One of them caught me flush on the chin with a hand weight, I went down, the front rank tried to stop…well, you get the picture, ‘Mount Jenny Craig’ with me underneath! Bernie was shaking her head with a mildly disbelieving smile on her face. No, it’s true! At least four ‘double-hefties’ were piled on top of me! All I could do to resist the temptation to light up! Not that that would have been very smart, all I needed was them panicking on top of me!

Bernie’s shoulders were shaking now, but a sudden violent sneeze ended her laughter. She reached up to feel her forehead, but Shego pushed her hand away, and started to do it instead, before grimacing. Damn, forgot! I can’t feel a fever anymore! She took Bernie’s crutch and held it out to her. Let’s get you into bed! By the way, did this happen on your way to Kimmie’s, or coming home?

Standing up, Bernie’s look soured. On the way there, didn’t see Kim. And I don’t need to go to bed, just let me get some warm clothes on, or maybe a hot bath, and besides it’s my turn to cook dinner!

Sorry, can’t have you getting sick! You’re the household breadwinner, after all! Bernie tried to stay sour, but couldn’t help a grin. On that subject, what’s your official status today? She asked the thief.

Shego shrugged. Back to ‘hiding’, I think. From what, and why, I still couldn’t say! But, I’m definitely hiding from something here. In my case though, it’s not a repressed memory. Tell me, what was it like, babysitting Kimmie? They’d reached the bedroom, and Bernie steered deliberately away from the bed to drop into an easy chair instead. Shego rolled her eyes, and stood looking down on her, arms crossed.

Bernie gave her a tired grin before replying, Oh, you mean after we got past the ‘I was an intruder into her well-ordered little life, her, mother, father, one friend, and reluctantly, two brothers’ phase? Bernie smiled fondly, She was probably the best-behaved child I ever babysat, to be honest. Mind you, babysitting her generally meant looking after the twins, too, so I understand a little of what you dealt with. Before we got past that ‘phase’, though, she was a little terror, but she was doing it deliberately to drive me off.

Two weeks after Mrs Waring…she was the only adult at the orphanage I ever liked…got me involved in looking after the boys, I’d gone from ‘no way’ to insisting on going everywhere with them, even to the pediatrician. Shego smirked. Stopped me from ever complaining about holding a thermometer in my mouth, I can tell you that! But, how did you break the ice with Kim?

I called her ‘Kimpetuous’. Bernie smiled fondly in reminiscence, And she got mad, ‘that isn’t my name!’. So, I asked her if she knew what ‘possible’ meant, and ‘impossible’, then explained them to her. After thinking it over, she asked me what ‘impetuous’ meant, and I told her. And we went from there. I mean, she was only eight years old, but…’Kimpressionable’, ‘Kimpractical’, I tried to come up with a new one each time. Had it’s funny side, though. One time, just after I had arrived, Mister Possible was trying to tie a bow tie in the mirror, and Mrs Possible asked me if I was teaching Kim ‘words’. Well, Kim had used ‘implacable’, of all things, in a sentence at school, and correctly, too. But apparently Mister Possible hadn’t heard that, so…well, Mrs Possible usually does tie bow knots for him, anyway! And we did manage to clear things up that I wasn’t teaching her the ‘wrong’ words. Bernie’ smile faded as she looked at Shego. And when did you first see violence like the kind Kim did? And how did you deal with it?

Briefly taken aback by the topic switch, Shego frowned, chewing her lip. Short version is all you’ll get. Mexico, two weeks after leaving Team Go and Go City. Eighteen years old, young and feeling indestructible. Bit of a clich, but I was in a cantina when two groups involved in the drug trade decided to shoot it out. No exaggeration to say a hundred rounds were fired off in that little space. Seven dead, winners left no survivors, and didn’t give a crap about witnesses. How did I deal with it? She paused, shaking her head sadly. Went to Mazatlan, found a rich kid with his own bungalow, and shacked up with him for a week! And his girlfriend for two days as well! Young and dumb, that was me. Girlfriend ruined everything one morning, when she tried to assert her territorial dominance. I left the Bungalow still standing, but only just! No personal injury to either of them, though.

Silence fell as Shego stood there, lost in the memory, and Bernie remained silent. Then Shego walked over to the chest of drawers and opened the drawer containing Bernie’s nightwear. Need help getting into your jammies? She asked.

Bernie grimaced. Shego, I have to take care of my foot! I should take my turn with the cooking! I can’t go to bed this early!

Shego tsked. Once again, the medical professional proves the worst patient! Why am I surprised? Oh Wait, I’m not! She took a set of pajamas from the drawer and walked over to Bernie. Now, am I going to have to put these on you? I mean, if our relationship was different, that might be fun… She frowned, No wait, then I wouldn’t be putting them on you at all! But, since we’re just friends…um, yeah…I mean, using force wouldn’t be inappropriate, would it? The lameness of her own last words made her wince.

Bernie shook her head. Does considering me a ‘friend’ bother you that much?

Shego’s face distorted in a serious frown. A year ago, it would have seriously tweaked me. I know that for a fact! But no, not today. And that’s part of my problem, I swear my attitudes are changing, but not normally. You know what freaked me out the most the night we listened to Kimmie’s tale? A sudden impulse to give her a hug! I mean, that’s normal, but my relationship with Kim is not normal! She paused to regain a modicum of control, but then blurted out It certainly doesn’t include hugs! She stood there after her outburst, lost for words. Bernie reached out and took the pajamas from her, and began donning the bottoms.

Shego went over to the bed and sat down on it. I don’t like change all that much, and lately there have been far too many! She held her hand up, and it was suddenly surrounded by a shimmering green aura. Bernie tensed, but only out of concern for Shego. But except for a few beads of sweat appearing on her forehead, she seemed to be all right. Shego, all you okay? Does that hurt at all?

The pale woman shook her head. Never mind that! Look at this! Doesn’t it look different…oh, what am I saying, you haven’t really seen me fully lit up, have you? One of her eyes twitched. This isn’t the way it looked before! It’s smooth, controlled! The way it used to flare, full of black spots was one reason I was secretly afraid of it, the fact it looked like it was out of control! But now…it looks beautiful, it looks ‘safe’! She smirked, At least, as far as I’m concerned!

Bernie had shucked her robe off to put her top on as she listened. Know why your powers are changing? Is it reflective of your new attitude?

Shego became serious again. Doctor D doesn’t think this change of attitude is entirely ‘natural’. And I trust his instincts on things like this, unfortunately. Seeing Bernie’s quizzical look, she explained, It means someone may have messed with my mind, or has been, for some time. And it calls into question so many things, it…it just scares me to doubt myself.

Bernie belted her robe shut, then took her crutch and stood up. Come on, roomie, let’s go get supper started, need to do something to get your mind off this for now. She headed out of the room.

Behind her, Shego shrugged and stood up. Then a look of mild shock crossed her features, chased away by a scowl. Hey! You’re supposed to be getting into bed! She stomped out of the room in pursuit.

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Vy are you calling me! Dementor’s shout coming from the receiver made Drakken move the phone farther from his ear, before he grumbled and switched the call to the speaker. I’m calling you to find out why Demenz Industrial Conglomerate of Konigsberg has bought an electrical firm in Colorado! Drakken snapped. Under his breath, he added And not commenting on the initials, don’t want to have to explain the joke to your Teutonic self!

Und how vould I know? Mein sister runs the business now, remember? I have no idea vat the day-to-day operations are, I am too busy trying to get my visa reinstated to travel to the United States! Dementor ranted.

Drakken’s eyebrows rose. Your visa has been canceled? Whyever for?

A moment’s pause followed. Vyever? Is dat a word? Ach! No matter, you are vasting my time! A click sounded, probably a pale reflection of the sound actually generated when Dementor hung up.

Hmph! How rude! Drakken sat quietly for a few minutes, thinking. A knock on his door interrupted his reverie, as Jean Stoppable entered. You wanted to see me, Drew? I’ve dealt with the Highway Commission, by the way, they approve of the changes in the local traffic pattern. IN fact, they’re quite happy, and were hard-pressed to hide it! Have to find out why, I suppose.

Drakken nodded. Good, good! What I wanted to talk about was this… He took some papers from his top desk drawer and handed them to Jean. She sat down in one of the chairs in front of the desk and began reading. Soon, a frown appeared on her face.

Drew, this is a measure to strike the ordinance from the books that allowed your election in the first place! IN fact, if this is passed, you’ll have to vacate the office immediately! She looked at Drakken with a worried look on her face.

I’m aware of that, Jean. He held his hand up to forestall her next words. I’m not suggesting this measure be taken to the City Council just yet, my dear, I just want it in proper order when it is submitted. Truthfully, I’m surprised no one has already submitted something similar! Just review it, and see if it’s adequate. Not quite ready to see with what enthusiasm it’s received with, just yet! Drakken smiled to show he wasn’t serious, or perhaps just not too serious.

Then another knock came on the door, and Frugal Lucre came in. Hey boss! He exclaimed without preamble, That Electrical company just dropped their price! They’re being waaay more reasonable now!

Drakken leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers on his chest. Really? Curiouser and Curiouser!

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Well, ending this here, for the time being. Jumping to the holidays next chapter. I know not much happened this time, will try to be more engrossing next chapter.

For now, please Read and Review.