The Balance (An Impossible Quartet 3)

DJ Dubois

September 2007

Notes: Kim Possible and her cohorts from the show belong to Disney. All other characters are mine.

Chapter 1 [Middleton, CO—Labor Day Weekend]

Ron and Yori stepped off of the plane feeling worn out by their cross-Pacific excursion. Granted, Sensei's morning exercises continued to toughen their resolve and constitutions but fifteen hour flights would get to even the toughest warrior.

"I wish that Sensei could just wave his hand and we'd just appear," Ron muttered.

She giggled. "You and your American style fantasies! Besides, we did have the time to ourselves."

He nodded, letting a big goofy smirk spread across his face. The school's close quarters allowed very little private space for the two ninja students. As the summer had worn on, their classmates peppered Ron with questions about the West. And then there were the sparring sessions with Hirotaka.

On the flight, however, Sensei pulled some strings to grant them some space. With only Rufus watching, Ron and Yori held hands and toasted each other with their soda cups. They also talked about things, feeling out each other's positions on all sorts of issues. While they would have to talk some more about those things, the two ninjas enjoyed themselves.

"Oh yeah!" he cheered while walking into the terminal. Despite his parents being out of town (again), he knew the rest of Team Possible would be waiting for them. Seeing a certain redhead in question, he called out, "KP!"

"Ron!" Kim cheered as she rushed up to hug both him and Yori. "How was the flight?"

"Awesome. Love the service but the company was super cool," he replied.

"I agree. I am glad that everything is all right, Kim," Yori expressed. "Where is Rick?"

"He's helping Monique unload some things at Club Banana while I pick you up," Kim explained. "Let's get your bags and then we're heading to Le Chez. According to Rick, Dr. Director's picking up the tab in honor of your visit."

"It was our pleasure to help. While we appreciate the treat, stopping the Ming Tsai was our honor," Yori replied with a courteous bow.

"Yeah but the perks make life worth living," Ron pointed out while giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

"Especially when Ron didn't have to blow anything up in the process," Kim cracked. As with the others, she remembered the mission to Shanghai only three weeks earlier. Working on the request of both Global Justice and the Japanese Ministry of Defense, Team Possible exposed the drug cartel while wiping the floor with the criminal element.

Rufus, on the other hand, took on his human's usual destructive role, tripping off a series of explosives which literally brought down the roof.

"Let's hope Mr. B. doesn't want to blow me up," Ron worried.

"I doubt very much Barkin-Sama will inflict any damage, Ron San," his girlfriend assured him.

"Ron thinks Barkin's out to get him, Yori," Kim informed the other girl. "It's no big. Let's grab your stuff and head over to the mall."

"Easy for you to say, KP," Ron groused sorely while heading for baggage claim.

[Le Chez—Two hours later]

After rescuing Rick from the delivery dock, the four teens headed back to Upperton and the best in French cuisine at relatively moderate prices. Jacques, the maitre-de, upon hearing that the quartet was coming, immediately cleared a wing of the restaurant for them and placed wait staff at the fringes to guard against the paparazzi. Then he swept the teens to their table and took the orders himself before heading off to the kitchen.

"So, Ron, ready to take on the world yet?" Rick queried while digging into his lamb. "I hear Barkin's really gearing up some big cultural assignment for us with you in mind."

"The Ron-Man can handle it," Ron replied, trying to sound suave. "No sweat!"

"Ron San, you know what Sensei says about overconfidence and procrastination," Yori interjected just as smoothly yet with a pointed arch of the eyebrow.

"Ron—not procrastinate? Yeah right," Kim doubted.

Recalling the lecture in the older man's office from a week earlier, Ron rubbed his forehead. "Balance, balance, balance."

"With planning, Ron San, you can do it. It represents part of the mental discipline you need to travel our path," Yori noted. "I have faith in you."

"Good luck," Kim indicated while sampling the red snapper. "This is awesome! How's yours, Yori?"

"It is excellent. How is your chicken dish?" Yori replied.

"Awesome." Ron stuck a forkful of the chicken in wine sauce in his mouth, sampling the flavors. If there was one thing he loved, it was exquisite cooking. (Then again, his classmates would never have believed that given his previous stranglehold on the corner booth at Bueno Nacho.) "I still wish Pierre would cough up this recipe."

"The school could never afford it, Ron San," Yori pointed out.

"They could afford two or three meals like it if you get my drift?" Ron suggested, letting his smile spread across his face. Since Kim and Rick's visit back in early July, he'd engineered three 'private' dinners for them both back in their chambers.

She blushed, dreaming of her boyfriend's next masterpiece.

Kim leaned forward toward her ex-BF and still current best friend. "Do tell, Ron."

"What's to say? The lady works hard in her exercises. Hey, the Ron-Meister notices," Ron replied cryptically.

"Oh really? You are Ron Stoppable, right? Prince of Procrastination Nation and Sloth Extraordinaire," Kim jabbed with a warm hearted smirk.

"Hey, I have always been a ladies' man," her ex-BF countered while leaning back in his chair. In a typical Ron move, he fell over backward onto the floor.

"Really smooth," Rick cracked while helping him back up.

"You and your American-style buffoonery, Ron San," his date giggled. "It is as he says, my friends. He has worked hard at our exercises and contributes in the kitchen to spell Nooni on occasion. As a reward, Sensei allows him to show his creative streak." She smiled. "We do so honorably of course."

"Of course," Kim repeated while eyeing Ron. "I hope he saves some of that art for class."

"I have plenty of genius for the entire class," the blonde ninja countered with a confident grin.

"Let's see what Barkin has to say about that on Tuesday, Ron," Rick reminded him. "Meantime, let's pay this and then we'll get some ice cream."

"Sounds bondiggity," Ron agreed expressing his own and the girls' sentiments as well.