I do not own nor have rights to any of the characters contained within this story.
AN: Thanks for all the R&R's – Sorry this chapter took so long to get up.
Chapter 4 – The New Team Possible
When Hirotaka entered the rooms he shared with Yori he noticed that she was sitting on the sitting room floor seemingly deep in meditation. He was surprised to hear her voice as he crossed the room, "Hurry and shower Hirotaka, we must contact Sensei quickly, we must make him aware of out discoveries. Hirotaka nodded and entered the bedroom returning in less that ten minutes trying to get a shirt adjusted across his slightly damp chest. He joined Yori on the floor and after taking her hands in his own he began his meditation mantra.
He soon found himself sitting with Yori on the stone bench in the Yamanochi gardens that she preferred as her anchor in the mystical realm. Sensei appeared before them suddenly which was unlike him, he normally preferred to make a 'normal' approach by walking to the bench from the direction of the school. The reason for his appearance was made clear when he placed his hand on Yori's shoulder and said "You are troubled my child, I felt this as soon as you arrived. What has occurred that would make you so ill at ease."
Dispensing with her normally strict rules of greetings Yori rushed immediately into her story. When she had completed her description of the events in the dojo Sensei seemed to relax and took a seat on the bench next to Yori. Taking her hands in his own he explained, "This was to be expected Yori-chan. As the relationship between Stoppable-san and Possible-san grows closer, the Band will be able to draw power from the Lotus Blade and impart that power to its chosen master. It would seem that the relationship has now grown to include a … well a physical connection as well as a spiritual one. Has there been an indication that this may be so?"
Yori blushed slightly as she recalled the knowing smile from Hirotaka that had stopped her from investigating the screams of the previous night and nodded acknowledgement to Sensei before speaking, "Yes Sensei, I believe that is true." After seeing a smile form on Sensei's face Yori continued, "There is another development that you should be aware of Sensei, one that I feel may have impact on the prophecy." Sensei tipped his head slightly urging her to continue and she began to tell Sensei about the collar and Ron's explanation of its formation.
Sensei sat silently for several moments after Yori had completed the tale before he spoke, "You were wise to inform me of this as soon as possible Yori-chan but I feel there is little need for concern. Had the Blade not felt this addition necessary the collar would not have been created. I will of course check the old scrolls for guidance but I, as Stoppable-san, trust in the decisions of the Lotus Blade." Yori relaxed at Sensei's quick acceptance the worry and concern she had felt since the discovery of the collar fled her and as she looked up into Sensei's smiling face a smile formed on her own lips.
Ron was in the kitchen washing vegetables for dinner when he heard a voice from the doorway, "RONALD DEAN STOPPABLE" the voice began, "Just when were you going to tell me about your little ice cream social today? Of all the people you could invite to have ice cream with my brothers you go and pick Shego. I know you would never put my brothers in danger but really Ron, Shego? I need to know just how long this has been going on." Ron turned to face a very angry looking Kim before he answered, "Please KP, I can explain, well at least I think I can. Why don't you sit down and I'll try."
Kim pulled out a chair and sat at the kitchen table crossing her arms across her chest and narrowing her eyes as she continued to look at Ron. Ron took a deep breath and let it out slowly as he started to explain how Shego had ended up having ice cream with them this afternoon. He told Kim about how his confrontation with Shego had taken place and about their talk outside the ice cream parlor. As he told her more about his feelings and observations Kim began to understand how Shego had ended up at the table with Ron and her brothers. "That was just Ron being Ron" she thought. Ron had always been willing to listen to anyone, always willing to offer his help if he thought someone needed it. Kim would reserve judgment for now but would need more that just Ron's 'feelings' to trust Shego farther than she could throw her.
As Ron continued his explanation Kim started relaxing a little. She knew that she would take a lot of convincing to accept the thought that Shego wanted to change but by the time Ron had finished any anger she had felt was gone. Ron had told her everything, including the talk he had just had with Dr. Director and his request to clear Shego's record. Kim didn't think there was any chance that Shego's record could, or would, be cleared but didn't mention that to Ron. She was glad that Ron had put them back on the 'active list' for missions and felt an inner warmth that the next time she went on a mission it would again be with Ron at her side.
Ron then drove all other thoughts from her mind by asking if she wanted to help him make dinner. Ron, of all people, knew just how useless Kim was in the kitchen. When Ron saw Kim hesitate at the suggestion he directed a thought to her mind, "Just trust me Kim, I think we can make this work." Kim gave him a worried look but finally agreed to try.
When Anna Possible returned from the hospital a short time later she was shocked as she walked into the kitchen to find Kim and Ron busily chopping up vegetables. After a quick look to be sure that Kim still had all of her fingers she watched with a stunned expression as Kim, with an occasional look toward Ron, deftly chopped away adding to the mound of neatly chopped potato slices in front of her. Kim stopped when she realized that her mother had walked into the kitchen and after a quick kiss of greeting asked how things went with her patient while pouring her mother a cup of coffee.
Anna gratefully accepted the coffee and told Kim that everything was fine and the operation tomorrow should be a success. Watching Kim, who had returned to chopping the potatoes, she wondered if dinner that night stood as good a chance. Ten minutes later, she had finished her coffee and was going upstairs to get ready for dinner still amazed at the skills that her daughter had shown in the kitchen. Dinner turned out to be a simple but delicious assortment of stir fried vegetables and chopped steak that was prepared to order by Ron and Kim right at the table. She had hesitated briefly before trying the meal that she had watched Kim prepare for her, but was pleasantly surprised that the result was perfect.
After dinner, Anna had insisted that she would clear away the dishes and would not allow anyone but Kim to help. Anna and her daughter were at the sink rinsing dishes when Anna looked over and saw that Kim was still smiling. Anna trying to remember a time since she had arrived that she had seen her daughter without a smile on her face but couldn't think of a single time. She instinctively knew that her daughter and Ron had reached a new level in their relationship and deciding to find out for sure she asked Kim a simple question, "So Kimmie, are you and Ron sleeping together yet?" She knew the answer immediately when the plate that Kim had been rinsing fell to the floor and shattered.
Anna placed her arm around Kim's shoulders when she saw the deep blush redden her face and simply said, "I understand Kimmie, I only have one question. Are your sure he's 'the one'?" Anna felt Kim relax slightly when she turned to face her; the smile was gone from her face when she replied, "I'm positive mom. Ron and I were meant to be together, I know that for a fact." Kim blushed again and almost dropped another plate when her mother said, "I just hope he's as good as your father Kimmie."
Kim was still blushing slightly when she and her mother joined the others in the sitting room about ten minutes later. Once they took seats, the conversation wandered from Anna's day at the hospital to Ron's day with the twins. Hirotaka and Yori had earlier decided not to speak of their contact with Sensei until they could get Ron and Kim alone so they just sat back and listened. Anna was determined to get to know these interesting friends of Ron's and had just started asking them about the Yamanochi School when she was interrupted by a familiar sound.
BEEP-BEEP-DA-BEEP
Kim reacted with a speed that spoke of habit when she removed her Kimmunicator from her pocket and was soon speaking the phrase "Hey Wade, What's the sitch?" The image of Wade smiled from the screen before he spoke,
Wade: "It's going to take me a while to get used to hearing that again Kim and I'm going to enjoy every second of it."
Kim: "Well Wade I think I can promise that it's here to stay, Uh... You called us remember?"
Wade: "Oh yea, well I've got kind of a strange one here. It's a request for help but it's from an unusual source."
Kim: "How unusual Wade?"
Wade: "It's from Team GO, they want your help. Aviarious has apparently teamed up with a local branch of Yakuza to steal a rare Japanese bird from the Go City Aviary. It's some kind of Crane called a Hokkaido, extremely rare."
Kim: "We're on our way Wade. Have you set up a ride for us?"
Wade: "Uh… Kim? You don't need that any more, Ron's got the jet remember? Just tell him to bring his Kimmunicator; I've already got the coordinates downloaded. He'll show you how to use his till I can get a new one modified for you."
Kim: "Oh right. I guess I'll just have to get used to not needing a ride anymore. Well tell Team GO we're on our way."
Kim disconnected and looked over at Ron who was already standing. After excusing themselves, they headed upstairs to get changed. Kim had left her mission clothes in 'her' room and still pulling her shirt over her head she ran into the hall to see Ron walking thru the door from the other bedroom. Kim was surprised to see that Ron was wearing his old Team Possible mission outfit rather than his Gi. She giggled a little when she looked at him, the pants were now about three inches too short and the black turtleneck was so tight she was surprised that Ron could breath.
At the sound of her giggle Ron turned and looked at her saying, "Yea, I guess I've got to get some new clothes huh?" Then he simply held out his hand. Kim grasped the outstretched hand and together they hurried down the stairs and into the garage. Within a few minutes they were winging their way under the direction of Ron's Kimmunicator which was plugged into the Nav link on the jets dashboard.
BOOP-BOOP-BOOP-BOOP
Ron pushed the connect button on the Kimmunicator and Wades face filled the screen. "Hi Ron," Wade said "I'm directing you guys to a spot on the west side of the aviary, Mego is there watching things and Hego wants you guys to back him up. ETA 2 minutes." Ron simply acknowledged the request and signed off and two minutes later Team Possible was on the ground.
Mego came up to the jet just as Ron and Kim were climbing out of the cockpit. Mego suddenly stopped and looked at Ron, "Ron, What are you doing here? My sis… I mean I heard that Possible was working solo." Ron looked at Mego for a moment before he replied, "Well hello to you too Mego. No Kim and I are a team; you call one you get both. You got a problem with that?" Mego was a little surprised at the way he was greeted by Ron but recovered quickly and after saying hello to Kim just told them that Hego wanted them to the North while he watched from the South.
As Kim watched Mego walk away she turned and looked at Ron saying, "Now what was that about? I've never heard you talk to anyone that way. Is there something bothering you all of a sudden?" Ron looked at Kim before answering, "I'm sorry Kim, I guess I'm just a little mad at the Go family right now. When I was talking to Shego this afternoon she mentioned that she had come in town to see her brothers but then she started crying and didn't mention it again. I gathered that her brothers didn't treat her very well when she arrived and I guess I took it out on Mego. I guess I owe Mego an apology. I'll look him up after we take a look around okay?"
Kim didn't say anything; her mind was still trying to picture Shego crying. As she watched Ron walk toward the woods a short distance away she thought "I wonder how I'd feel if my brothers were mean to me?" as soon as this thought completed itself Kim stopped in her tracks. "Oh my God!" She thought, "I'm starting to think of Shego as a person!" She then noticed that Ron was moving away from her and she hurried to catch up with him. Just as she was getting close she saw Ron stop suddenly and drop to a crouch. "Kim." She heard in her mind "Someone's coming through the woods. It sounds like about 8 or 10 people and they're trying to be quiet, real quiet. Are you ready?"
Kim passed a thought back to Ron "Ready as I've ever been for anything in my life Ron, I can hardly wait." She caught a mental chuckle from Ron as she noticed a soft blue glow surround him that seemed to be quickly absorbed into his body. If Kim had been looking through Ron's eyes she would have seen the same thing happening to her.
Suddenly the world around her brightened slightly, she started seeing things she hadn't noticed before because of the darkness. She also was now able to hear the people approaching just as Ron had said. She quickly moved to the right as Ron moved to the left, they each seemed to know exactly what the other was going to do next and what they should do to complement the movements of the other. She heard Ron interrupt her thoughts "Kim, remember I haven't had time to show you how to 'amp down' the powers yet, so this is going to be over with pretty quickly, I hope you don't mind." Kim giggled in her mind thinking to herself, "Only Ron would be worried about me getting mad at a time like this."
Aviarious walked out of the woods followed by eight men who were stripped to the waist and covered by ornate tattoos. Each of the Yakuza was armed, some with short swords but most held handguns at the ready. As the last Yakuza left the woods Ron move in from the left while Kim moved in from the right. By the time Aviarious took three more steps Ron and Kim had each thrown four quick punches and the Yakuza were lying unconscious on the ground. Aviarious stopped in his tracks when he heard the sound of someone clearing their throat behind him. He quickly looked back to quiet the idiot who had made a noise and was shocked to see Kim possible standing in the midst of the now unconscious Yakusa with her hand on her hips and a smile on her face, standing beside her was the blond boy that had been with her at his 'nest' the last time they had met.
Aviarious turned to run in the other direction but when he had completed the turn the blond boy, that had just been standing beside Kim Possible, was now standing directly in his path. Unable to stop he collided with the young teen and bounced back, falling to the ground. When he looked back up at the blond teen he saw a smile on the face that was looking down at him and heard "Going somewhere?" The teen suddenly disappeared like he had never been there and Aviarious felt a hand grab his cloak from behind and haul him roughly to his feet while the same voice said "I don't think so"
Kim was just 'coming down' when she saw Mego slowly approaching. As he got closer he noticed Aviarious being held by Ron and Kim gathering the weapons from the unconscious bodies of the Yakuza. "What happened?" he said as he drew closer, "I've only been gone a few minutes and you guys ….." his voice trailed off in confusion for a moment as he just stared at the number of bodies lying around. After a moment he pulled the com-link from his belt and called the rest of Team GO to their location and then linked to the Go City police and asked them to send a transport for the criminals.
Ron decided to look up Mego and apologize while Aviarious and the Yakuza were taken away by the police. When he explained that he was just a little miffed about the way that Shego had been treated by her own family Mego gave Ron a puzzled look and said "Ron? Have you seen Sheila?" Ron was more than a little surprised that Mego had called Shego by her given name and soon told Mego about his meeting with Shego earlier that day, he included his decision to try and help her by talking to GJ. Mego surprisingly walked over to Ron and put his arm around his shoulder saying "I hope you can help her Ron, she deserves it." Mego then explained his feelings about why Sheila had originally left Team GO and turned to a life of crime.
Kim had walked up to Mego and Ron during Ron's explanation of how he had met Shego that afternoon so she heard all of what Mego said to Ron. Kim had to admit that she now looked at Shego in a different light than she had as little as an hour ago. She suddenly felt a little sorry for Shego, she knew how difficult it would be for her if she suddenly lost the support of her family and friends. Kim decided to at least think of Shego with an open mind and not make any snap judgments, at least for now.
Ron was not sure how he would react to Hego now that he had heard about the way he had treated a member of his own family so he and Kim had left without looking him up. Later, at the post-mission debriefing that Hego always insisted on, Mego found that he was unable to explain exactly what had happened during the minute or two that Team Possible had been out of his sight. He only knew that Aviarious had been shaking slightly and giving Ron funny looks as he was being lead away by the police.
Kim and Ron had just entered 'their' room when the distinctive sound of Ron's Kimmunicator sounded from his pocket. Kim grabbed it playfully from his hand when he had retrieved it from his pocket and after pressing the button watched Wade's face appear on half the screen while the face of Dr. Director appeared on the other half. There was an awkward silence for a moment before Wade said "Oh.. Kim. Hi, is Ron there?" Kim suddenly realized what the call was about and answered "He's here Wade. Is this about the Shego thing?"
A very relieved Wade answered, "Yea, I'm should have known that Ron would tell you about it, he can't keep secrets from you can he?" Kim looked over at Ron with a smirk on her face as she said "No, he can't. But that doesn't keep him from trying." Dr. Director then interrupted the conversation,
Dr. Director: "Hello Ms. Possible. I'm glad you're up to speed on the situation because I have a proposition that the both of you would have to agree to as part of a.. well a deal."
Ron joined Kim and looking over her shoulder said,
Ron: "What kind of deal Betty?"
Kim looked over at Ron with a puzzled look on her face as she thought "Betty?" but Dr. Director was already answering.
Dr. Director: "Oh, Hi Ron. Well it's about the amnesty for Ms. Go that you inquired about. I was able to pull a few strings and get it pushed through but, there are a couple of conditions attached to it."
Ron: "What kind of 'conditions'?"
Dr. Director: "Well, firstly as a return for the favor GJ would like to have the two of enlist as accredited agents of GJ. We'll agree to the terms that Wade worked out with us but from time to time we may have a special request for your involvement and we would expect that request to be honored."
Ron looked at Kim for a moment before he continued,
Ron: "Any other conditions Betty?"
Dr. Director: "Just one more, and this one would take not only your agreement but that of Ms. Go also. We feel that just releasing Ms. Go into the world would not be a wise thing to do, so we have come up with a probation of sorts. Team Possible would have to agree to keep an eye on Ms. Go for the first year. This is a non-negotiable condition that she would have to agree to, any failure on her part to keep you posted of her whereabouts and current dealings would place her back on the wanted list immediately."
Ron: "I'll have to talk to Kim and Sheila before I can answer any that Betty, can you hold that deal open for a day or two?"
Dr. Director: "I can give you a week Ron, after that I can't promise anything. There are another ten countries involved that will be waiting for an answer."
Ron: "I expect I can get back to you in a day or two at most. Thanks for your help in this Betty, I owe you."
Kim saw Dr. Director smile on her side of the screen, her face faded away just as she said "I'll keep that in mind Ronald, I'll keep that in mind." Then Wade's face enlarged to fill the screen.
Wade: "I'm surprised that GJ was able to respond so quickly guys. They must really want the two of you on their team. It would be a huge publicity boost for them, probably even get them additional funding."
Ron "I'm just a little concerned about the 'terms' that you worked out with them Wade, care to fill us in on that?"
Wade smiled widely before he answered,
Wade: "Oh… that. Well you guys will be able to pick your own missions for one thing, except for the 'special request' thing and I've limited that to three a year. You will also work as a totally independent agency within GJ, you'll be fully accredited agents without having to report to anyone within GJ directly except Dr. Director herself. I've got us some additional funding and access to their 'Q' branch for special gadgets and stuff. You guys will be the only 'independent agents' in GJ history, even Team Impossible couldn't work out a deal as sweet as this. I strongly suggest you guys take them up on the offer but whatever you decide I'll back you up all the way."
Kim smiled at the screen for a moment,
Kim: "You really rock Wade, I should have known that you'd work out some kind of deal with them. Ron and I will talk it over and get back to you before we contact GJ okay?"
Wade: "You got it Kim. Just remember what I can do with those gadgets and things that their 'Q' branch turns out okay. I'll talk to you guys later."
Wade's image cleared from the screen and Kim turned to face Ron. "Well KP, what do you think?" Ron asked. "Well" Kim replied, "As for working with GJ, with the deal that Wade got for us we'd be crazy not to wouldn't we? But the Shego deal is something we'll have to talk to her about isn't it?" Ron looked at Kim for a moment before he replied "So, you're not mad that I started this without you?" Kim simply threw her arm around Ron and leaned against his chest "No Ron, I'm not mad. We're partners remember. As long as I have a say in the outcome why should I be mad?"
"KP, I'll never make any kind of final decision without you again." Remembering why Ron had left Middleton Kim hugged him tighter before she whispered into his chest "You better not if you know what's good for you" Ron and Kim just stood there in each others arms for a moment before Ron broke the silence "Well, I guess we should call Sheila tomorrow and see what she thinks of the deal, but, till then, I think we should get cleaned up and join the others downstairs."
During their shower Ron decided that tomorrow he would call a contractor and get his rooms soundproofed. He just hoped that the sounds that erupted from the shower didn't carry all the way downstairs where the others in the house were still sitting.
Next – Sheila's Decision and Repercussions