Kim Possible is property of Disney. Original characters are property of author.

A Fan fiction by Six-string Samurai.

Loudness Between Shadow & Light

Chapter 7 - A Faint Sign (part 3 of 3)

The lights of Drakken’s lair eventually disappeared from the Sloth’s rear view. It did little to stem the tide that was coiling tighter and tighter, constricting Kim’s chest. A jumble of thoughts were surfacing, bit by bit, making it hard to concentrate on the dark country road.

She turned on the radio, anything to focus on. Something to force her concentration on the road, and keep her mind off of the violated feeling that was picking at the edge of her thoughts. It was easier to think of the goal ahead, rather than Drakken and Shego. Though the thief had been fixing her boss with a nasty glare as the redhead took her leave of the two. There was a measure of gratification, knowing that the blue villain was in capable hands.

But, even that brought a wash of unaccustomed anger, something raw that welled up in her hands, aching to be vented. The leather of her gloves creaked as she gripped the wheel, one hand threatening to ball into a useless fist. Shego, the name splashed in the back of Kim’s head, spat out as if it were a bad taste. She doesn’t even know what to do with herself. Trapped in her own little game. Lost.

Kim furrowed her brow, blinking against the brightness of the center line the car was drifting toward. What game? Shego might be a thief and in the employ of a dangerously idiotic super villain, but Kim was pretty sure the pale woman had her head on straight, as much as could be, given the circumstances. Of course, there was the whole Team Go thing, that Kim had never really looked into, past what she’d been told by Hego. It hadn’t been a lengthy conversation at that. Overzealous dolt. I don’t know why he even still bothers.

The redhead nearly slammed her foot on the brakes, the moment she realized the voice in her head wasn’t her own. She’d considered the chance that something like this could happen, though she still found it disconcerting, but not a real problem, since it had thirty minute shelf-life, at most. Just until she got to Wade’s house.

It’s not a bad place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live here. Don’t mind the view, either.

You’re still…around then, Kim thought, pushing the Sloth around a few tight corners, before the road straightened out toward the main drag that led toward Upperton.

Looks that way, Pumpkin. Hurt like a bitch when that stupid device shut off, but no real harm done. So, I take it we’re off to see your Nerdling?

“Wade,” Kim corrected out of habit.

Yeah, like I said. And, after that?

“What do you mean, after that,” the driver asked, speaking aloud now that she’d started. “You’ll be out, and I be back to normal. That’s all there is to it.”

Oh? Just how do you plan on doing that? Who’s going to put Kimmie back in the box? I didn’t know you came with a reset button.

“Reset button? What are you talking about? Nothing’s wrong. Drakken said you did something, but I don’t feel any different.”

You mean other than the fact that you’re talking to yourself? That’s rich, Pumpkin, and a little off the mark. You’ve been set free, you just haven’t realized it yet. But, you will. If not, I’m sure someone will point it out for you. It’ll be hard not to.

“Free? Free how? Drakken was making more sense, and he was blubbering.”

Please, now you’re comparing me to him? That’s hitting low, Kimmie. I thought we had a better understanding between us.

Ahead, the lights on the outskirts of Upperton cut the night as the Sloth barreled down the road. Kim pressed on the accelerator, edging the needle on the speedometer just past fifty. The quicker she got to Wade’s, the sooner she could get home, crawl in bed and put this day behind her. “I guess you thought wrong, Shego.”

Let’s get one thing straight. Don’t confuse me with that lazy bitch, still wrapped up in her little security blanket. I can own up to what’s mine. I guess the blue dolt can get something right once in a while.

“Okay…what am I supposed to call you then,” Kim frowned, finding that even a short conversation was doing a number right behind her eyes.

You could use my name, for starters.

“She-- um, I don’t know what it is,” Kim massaged the bridge of her nose with one hand, trying to keep most of her attention on the road. “I never got around to finding out, and you…well, Shego, sure never let it slip.”

You never looked it up? You have a perfectly good resource in your pocket, and never bothered to get the dirt on us? That’s kind of insulting, Kimmie. Hell, just do an internet search, and there’s plenty of info. You didn’t even do that, did you?

“It wasn’t exactly on the top of my list. I’ve been pretty busy with saving the world, and getting through school. There’s a lot on my plate, if you hadn’t noticed.”

Busy? It’s not like you had to drive to Go City and look up old newspaper articles. It’s going to be pretty hard to get ahead if a bit of legwork scares you off. I’m just saying, is all.

“Ugh, fine, fine. Tell me already,” Kim adjusted the rear view and stared hard at her reflection for a moment.

Ooh, that’s nice. Working on an Evil Glare already, huh. The tic’s a bit much though.

“Sheg--”

Ah, watch where you’re slinging the S-word…unless you want me poking around up here. Pointy claws, remember?

As if Kim’s guest was more show than tell, her headache suddenly intensified, the dull throb localizing directly behind her right eye in a sharp pain. It was bad enough that she swerved, letting go of the wheel with one hand to cradle the side of her head. “Just tell me your damn name!”

The ache began to dwindle to a more bearable level.

Sam. Now, think you can get there without killing us both? Want me to drive? This thing’s ugly, but it’s just as tricked out as one of Motor Ed’s rides. I bet it can really move.

“Is that short for something,” the redhead asked, watching as she blew past the city limit sign. Several seconds of silence passed, leaving Kim to wonder if the voice in her head had heard the question.

I don’t call you Kimberly, do I? Sam’s what works for me.

“You don’t exactly call me Kim, either.”

Nope.

There might have been a smile behind it, but it was too hard to put a face to the words, at least one that wasn’t Shego’s.

Try calling me Sammie, and find out what happens.

“I think I can control myself, thanks,” Kim said dryly.

Good, now floor it. There’s not a whole lot to do in here, FYI.

“Right, just keep your hands to yourself. We’ll be there in,” the teen stared at the clock on the dash, “under ten minutes.” The Sloth barreled along the main drag for a bit before pulling off onto a side street towards the residences.

Super, I can barely contain my excitement. I’ve always wanted to meet the Nerdlinger face to face. Though this isn’t quite what I had in mind.