Kigo

2) Home is where the Heart is by Lhyaran

Chapter 2: Dessert is Always Fun
~o0o~

Now, where's Shego? Anne wondered. I hope she hasn't left. Walking downstairs, she soon found her in the lounge. Shego was reclining on the sofa, one leg thrown over the armrest, looking completely relaxed and at home. I keep forgetting she's stayed with us before as Ms. Go. Ah yes, Ms. Go! Well, time to see if what I suspect is true or not.

"Shego, would you like a coffee? I know I need one, and maybe a bite to eat?"

"Coffee, strong, black and no sugar," Shego replied immediately, then after a small pause, she added, "and yeah, something to eat would be great. Missed lunch and it's going to be a while till dinner."

Wandering into the kitchen, Anne found a motorcycle helmet, gloves, jacket, and backpack on the kitchen table and put two and two together. Turning around to call out to Shego, she was surprised to find her sitting on the edge of the table, staring out the window at the reporters on the street.

How does she move so silently while in boots and riding leathers?

"Ninja training and the world's best thief," Shego said, answering the unspoken question. "And yeah, I broke in through the back door; didn't feel like beating up any reporters at the time." Her threat came out as a growl and her hands flared with green plasma. Boiling and arcing between her fingers, the plasma threw strange shadows around the kitchen; then, just as quickly, it was gone. Still, her gaze never left the reporters outside. "Plus, it keeps me on my toes, sneaking in here without being seen by the world's press."

Anne grabbed some cake from the fridge and dished it out onto two plates. By then the kettle had boiled, and it was time to make their coffees. Once everything was done, she placed a coffee and a plate with some cake on it in front of Shego. She hardly seemed to notice, still focused on the reporters outside. In fact, the look in her eyes was filled with hate.

"Let's head into the lounge," Anne said. "It's a lot more comfortable to chat in there." She stood up and headed for the lounge with her coffee and cake.

"Yeah, okay, Mrs. P," Shego replied in a distracted voice.

This won't do, Anne thought, hearing the almost formal address. "Please, Shego, call me Anne." She threw a smile over her shoulder. "After all, you and my daughter did save the world together, and with your help today, I think it's only fair."

"Umm, sure... Anne. I think we can safely say that's doable." She walked over to the sofa and once again took her customary lounging position, sipping her coffee.

Anne was a little nervous, so she took a sip of her coffee to calm herself. She had a plan in mind and strong suspicions; but knew from talking to her daughter, that directly confronting Shego would most likely lead to a volatile outcome. So while she settled herself in on the other end of the sofa and tried to get her thoughts in order, it was actually Shego who spoke first.

"Anne, what's up with those fucking media vultures outside hounding my Princess, and why haven't you had them dragged away?"

"Shego, please, language!" But she had heard what she was listening for, and the 'My Princess' certainly confirmed it.

"We've tried, Shego, but honestly, we would need a permanent police presence to keep them away," Anne said, exasperated. "Kim puts her foot down each time we suggest it, saying the Police have better things to than watch our house. So we sit in here and weather the storm, knowing that eventually they'll move onto bigger and better stories than my daughter's life." She noticed the furious look in Shego's eyes and the white knuckles on the hand holding her knee. "Between Wade and my sons, we've made the home secure from their constant prying, but outside, they're like vultures."