by Robert Teague rteague AT bellsouth DOT net
This story is written solely for the entertainment of Kim Possible fans, and no copyright infringment is intended. This story may be reproduced, provided no changes are made, and you let me know.
Author's Note:
This is the sequel to "In a Blaze of Green Glory", and "Unexpected Gift". It helps if you read those first.
This is by far the darkest and most violent story I have ever written. It also has another first for me; a same-gender pairing.
Consider yourself warned.
Many thanks to Sakuracc, not only for the reviews, but for being my consultant on kung fu and Japanese.
Also many thanks to Sheryl Nantus for her helpful comments and encouragement.
Chapter 1 Opening Day
Eleven people stood by a glass door at the front of a recently renovated office/warehouse building in Middleton's warehouse district. The building's front was dark red brick, nicely landscaped along the front. The only indication of who the building's occupants were was a modest sign by the door that read: Team Possible.
Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable stood at the door. Rufus sat on Ron's shoulder. By them were Kim's parents and twin brothers, and Ron's parents.
Monique Robinson, Kim's best girl friend, was there as well. She had been hired to be the office manager/secretary. After several years of working at Club Banana, she had seen there was little hope for advancement there, so had jumped at the chance to be with her friends at much better pay.
For anyone familiar with Team Possible's exploits, the remaining two people were a surprise.
In a gesture that had sent shockwaves through both the law-abiding and evil communities,
they had hired two former villians.
Francis Lurman, aka Frugal Lucre, had lost his job at Smarty Mart, and after release from prison his mother had kicked him out of the house. Wade found him flipping burgers at Nasty Burger in Amity Park. Eager to make amends, he took the job of accountant and building manager for Team Possible.
Adrena-Lynn Rush, the former extreme stuntwoman, had found a job as a clerk in a small cracker factory after her release. She was now Team Possible's media relations person.
Of course, Wade was keeping a discreet eye on both of them until he decided they could be trusted completely.
Kim put a key in the lock and turned it. "I now declare Team Possible open for business!"
There was cheering from all. They had waited a long time for this moment.
After hugs and congratulations, the group broke up. The Doctors Possible, and Mr. and Mrs.
Stoppable had work, and Jim and Tim had school. They had all been inside many times during
the renovations, so weren't missing anything.
As those who worked there went inside, they breathed deeply of the cool air that now surrounded them, and moved toward their respective offices.
The lobby was small, but tastefully furnished. There was a receptionist's desk, stocked and equiped, but vacant. Monique had her own office, and if anyone came in, she would come to greet them. There was a portrait of Shego by the door, with a plaque dedicating the building in her memory.
"Oh, Adrena," said Kim, catching her by the elbow.
The older girl stopped and looked at her with a smile. When they had found her, she was thin, unkemp, and unhappy. Now she had returned to her smart, stylish, and sassy self.
"I want you to make up a press release telling about the opening," said Kim.
Adrena's smile widened. "Already done, Kim. It's on your desk for approval," she responded.
"That was fast," said Kim.
Adrena laughed. "I can say without bragging that I'm good at what I do. I finished it last night." Then she turned serious. "Kim, I don't know what on earth posessed you to hire me after what I tried to do, but I want you to know I'm very grateful. I know Francis feels the same way."
"Everyone deserves a second chance, Adrena," said Kim, "I learned that from my friend Shego."
"Well, I promise we won't disappoint you, or let you down," was the answer.
"I'll hold you to that," said Kim, smiling.
"I hope so," said Adrena, softly, then left for her office.
In her own office, Kim sat down to her first official bit of business; the press release.
She read it carefully, amazed at the snappy prose style that made it seem much more
exciting than it really was. Adrena had not been bragging; she WAS good.
She had given Adrena standing orders that Ron's part was not to be left out of any press release, and his name was to be spelled correctly. It was.
She hit the intercom on her desk. "Adrena?"
"Yes, Kim?" was the immediate response.
"This is great work! Go ahead and send it out," Kim answered.
"I'll take care of it," replied Adrena, "And thanks."
kpkpkp
After lunch, which consisted of take-out from Bueno Nacho, Kim hit the intercom button again. "Mon, can you come to my office?"
"Sure, Kim, be right there," was the reply.
A moment later, there was a tap on the door, and Monique let herself in. "What up, girl?"
"I need to show you something," said Kim, "It's a secret, and you have to promise not to reveal it."
"Girl, you know me. Gossip's one thing, but secrets are something else. You can trust me," said Monique.
"Come in and lock the door," said Kim smiling.
Monique did so, and stepped over to Kim's desk.
Kim unlocked a drawer in her desk, and brought out a metal box painted white about six inches cubed. "Put your thumb on the silver square," said Kim, and Monique did.
"Monique Robinson identified and approved," said the box. There was a click, and the
top of the box swung open. Revealed was a crystal the size and shape of a hen's egg.
It glowed with the green and black of Shego's power, swirling in neverending cycles.
Kim heard a sharp intake of breath. "It's beautiful! What is it?"
"It's Shego's Crystal. It's filled with a bit of her power. She gave it to me last year to remember her by," answered Kim.
"Wait. LAST year?" I thought she died three years ago on that trip into space," said Monique.
"That's part of the secret," said Kim, and proceeded to tell her the true story of the
mission, and what happened to Shego. She also told her of the Crystal's other purpose,
as a beacon.
"That's amazing," Monique said, "But why tell me, if the government wants it secret?"
"No secrets between us, Monique," said Kim, "You're my best girl friend, and I trust you."
"Thanks for that, Kim. I'll keep it secret," said Monique, "My face is tight."
Kim laughed. "You should also know that only four other people in the world know about this-- Ron, Wade, and my parents. And of course Rufus. You are also one of the few who can open this box. There are other boxes for it at my house, Ron's and Wade's.
Monique nodded. "Can I hold it?"
"Oh, sure, go ahead," said Kim.
Monique gingerly touched it with a finger, but felt nothing but the smooth, cool crystal.
She lifted it, and weighed it in her hand. "It's heavy. What's it made of?"
Kim shook her head. "I don't know. Wade did some scans, but didn't want to risk damage.
I do know it's denser than any natural crystal."
Monique nodded, and put the Crystal back in the box. Suddenly there was a beep. "Phone call," she said, "I'd better get back to my desk."
"Talk to you later," said Kim as Monique left.
Kim put the Crystal away, and sat down. There was no business left on her desk, so she decided to do some exercises in the dojo.
Just then the door opened, and Ron stepped inside. He closed the door behind him.
Kim got up and enveloped him in a hug. Then they shared a long, deep kiss. They were engaged to be married, but as they were only twenty, not in any hurry. They had decided to hold off until their lives settled down. For the same reason, they were attending Upperton University as part-time students. Kim's major was Law Enforcement, while Ron's was Culinary Arts.
Finally they let go of each other, reluctantly.
"What's up?" asked Kim.
"I, uh, got an email from Yori," said Ron, seemingly with reluctance.
"Oh? How is she?" asked Kim.
"She's fine, and sends her greetings and congratulations," said Ron.
Kim nodded. "And?"
Ron sighed. He and Kim could read each other like books. "Sensei wants me to come back to Yamanouchi for more training with the Lotus Blade."
Ron had done so several times over the last few years, staying a month or so, and each time coming back less clumsy, and a better fighter.
"But?" asked Kim.
"It'll be for six months, this time," said Ron.
"Six months?" Right now?" asked Kim, visibly upset.
"Well, she said 'soon', not 'immediately', so I can probably hold off going for a while"
answered Ron.
"I won't be able to handle missions without you for that long," said Kim.
Ron grinned. "Always need a distraction."
Kim smiled, thinking. "Maybe we should start the recruiting program now."
"That's an idea. Then I won't have to worry about you not having backup," said Ron.
Kim went to her desk and hit the intercom button. "Adrena, would you come to my office, please?"