Boilerplate Disclaimer: The various characters from the Kim Possible series are all owned by Disney. Any and all registered trade names property of their respective owners. Cheap shots at celebrities constitute fair usage.
Chapter 4 - The Truce Shall Make You Free, But First It Shall Make You Angry
Ron had a soda at the bar. He didn't want Kim worrying he'd become an alcoholic. As he sipped the cola a huge man walked up and ordered tequila.
Drink in hand Ed slowly scanned the bar.
"Motor Ed's trying to hire Shego away from Drakken?" Ron wondered.
The big man saw Ron and his face took on a puzzled look, as if he were trying to remember something and was out of practice using his brain. He took a step in Ron's direction and Ron prepared to run in terror.
Just then a short woman entered the bar, "You-who! Eddie!"
"Yes, auntie?"
"Have you found Drewbie?"
"Not yet."
He looked again at Ron, "Yo, Dude, hablo English?"
"I'm an American."
"You look familiar."
"Canadian! I mean I'm a Canadian."
"Oh, you speak English real good for a foreigner."
"Uh, thanks."
"Lookin' for my cuz, blue dude. Might have been with a green chick who was," Motor Ed gestured with his hands, a voluptuous feminine shape. "Seen 'em?"
"No... Think I'd remember her if I had."
"Sure would," Ed laughed. "You look kinda familiar."
"I, uh, get that a lot. I need to... um... get back to my room."
Ron hurried back to his room, he looked around in hopes of seeing Drakken, but the room appeared empty.
"Is that you?" a voice asked from beneath the bed.
"I'm pretty sure I'm me. Motor Ed is here looking for you, Ed and some crazy looking lady."
"You watch what you say about my mother."
"Your mother?"
"Yes."
"Would your mother be trying to hire Shego?"
"She's not... I don't think she... No, I'm sure she's not. She must have stopped by my lair and some henchman told her I'd gone to Chile with Shego. She doesn't approve of Shego and probably assumed... Well, anyway. I sure she wouldn't hire Shego."
"Why are you under the bed?"
"You're in a foreign country. You're in a dress. Your mother arrives looking for you. Where do you go?"
"Under a bed. What are you going to do?"
"Put on pants and see my mother."
"Please tell me you're not under my bed naked."
"I'm not naked. I'm still in disguise. I meant change into pants. I'll tell mom I'm here on business. Ed's the problem. I'm certain he has a crush on Shego, which is probably why he agreed to bring her down here. I need to get rid of him. If Shego sees him she'll know I know she's here, and she'll be careful so I don't learn who wants to hire her. But if I know she knows that I know that she knows... Where was I?"
"I forget. You started to say something about Ed."
"Right. What can I tell Ed to get rid of him?"
"Can you tell him you've got the measles?"
"No, he's had the measles."
"Um... If I think of something I'll let you know. I'm going out to a hot tub."
"Can you wait a minute? I have an idea I want to bounce off you."
"I want to soak. Come out and see me if you think of something."
Ron walked out onto the deck. There was space for him a couple of the hot tubs, but as he checked out his options a man relaxing in one, eyes closed, looked familiar. The teen went over and cautious asked, "Joe?"
The man in the tub opened his eyes. "I... Ron?" the Canadian agent asked.
"Hey, haven't seen you in... I'm pretty sure it's years. What are you doing here?"
"Do you mean relaxing in the hot tub or the fact I'm at a ski resort? I'm not here for snorkeling."
"Sorry, I guess I mean is this business or pleasure for you - you know, secret agent stuff." "I'll bet he's here to find whoever is trying to hire Shego... Could he be looking for Shego? Drakken?"
The older man laughed, "You know the standard secret agent answer, right?"
Ron settled down on the bench beside Joe in the tub. "Is that the one where if you tell me you have to kill me, or the one where if you tell me I have to marry you?"
"That's a joke, right?" Joe changed the subject. "Here alone?"
"No, Kim and I started dating and-"
"Kim's here too?"
"Yeah, she's getting a massage in the spa right now."
Things suddenly clicked into place. The text messages Shego had received were from Kim, the two women were playing a joke at his expense and Ron's. He didn't like being played for a fool. His anger made him unprepared for Ron's hand on his head, shoving him under the water and holding him down.
Ron gestured wildly with his free hand for a middle-aged woman to leave. "Go away," Ron hissed and pointed to the hand under water. "Trouble!"
Drakken had no idea why he was being warned away. Perhaps Ron had found the villain trying to hire Shego away from him. Not wanting to confront his rival while wearing a dress, and one several years out-of-fashion at that, Drakken turned and scurried away as Joe knocked Ron's hand aside and emerged from the warm water sputtering and shaking water from his eyes.
"What in the hell were you doing?"
"I thought I saw a villain. I mean, you don't have a gun on you and you'd-"
"Who did you think you saw?"
"Motor Ed. He's really big guy with a mullet. If you tell me who you're looking for maybe I can help."
"I'm not looking for any criminals," Joe said in a clipped tone - his anger stripping away his civility. "I don't know a Motor Ed. I'm here to relax, not get drowned."
"Sorry... I'm just so used to trouble wherever Kim and I go that I thought I... Sorry."
The Canadian tried to get his temper under control. This wasn't Ron's fault. "No, I'm sorry... Look, I've got a headache and I'm in a really foul mood. I'm going back to my room. Maybe I'll see you later."
"No, I was telling you I was going to the spa," Shego snarled at Kim.
"Sorry, I thought you were suggesting I come here."
"Did I say... Never mind. What's Doofus doing?"
"Ron was going to take it easy. What's Joe doing?"
"He's resting too. With any luck they won't run into each other."
"Hope not. Hey, can I talk with you later... Privately?"
"You know, I'm a little pissed with you and Ron for messing up my–"
"Please?" Kim pleaded, her lower lip trembling and her eyes looking like she was ready to cry. "It wasn't my idea to interrupt."
"Gah! Turn off your damn puppy dog pout."
"Can we talk later?"
"Fine."
The anger that Joe tried to hide from Ron was clearly visible on him when Shego arrived at the room. "I'm starved," she told him, "I... What's wrong?"
"While you were in the spa I ran into Ron Stoppable."
"Sorry you saw him. I'll admit, he's something of a doofus, but I don't know why it should upset you."
"You don't, huh? So, you admit you knew he was here - and you didn't tell me."
Shego seemed puzzled, "That's true. I still don't get it."
"Can I assume that the texts you were getting have been from Kim Possible?"
"Hey, you're not pissed off with her are you? We were just trying to keep you and Ron from running into each other."
"So, you admit it."
"Admit what, dammit?" Shego asked in frustration. "What is wrong with you?"
"I don't like being played for a fool," he snapped. Shego said nothing, simply staring in disbelief. "You and Kim, playing your little game of making Ron and me look stupid." She continued to stare. "Well," he demanded, "are you going to say anything?"
She tried for a couple seconds to bring her own anger under control, then screamed, "You idiot!"
"Angry 'cause you got caught?"
"Kim and I didn't want you to get in trouble for being here with me," Shego said, literally shaking with anger and frustration. "We wanted you to relax and enjoy yourself, without any worries. And if you're too stupid to appreciate that I am out of here." She turned to go.
She got two steps toward the door when her words sank in. He was angry because he thought she was playing with his feeling. But she had been trying to preserve his reputation. He was not simply wrong, he was a world class jerk. "Stop," he ordered
"No," she told him over her shoulder. "I don't have to put up with this."
He was up from the chair and moving as fast as he could. "Please, stop."
Her hand was on the doorknob and she started to open the door when he reached her and threw his arms around her. With his left foot he kicked the door closed. "Let go of me!" she threatened.
"Not 'til we talk. Not 'til I have a chance to apologize." She was still trembling. He held her tighter. "Please," he begged. "Please... I... Don't walk out on me. You were trying to protect me?"
"Yes. And I sure as hell don't know why."
"I'm an idiot. I should have talked with you first. I'm sorry."
"You should have... You have a really lousy opinion of me don't you? You really think I would treat you like that?" Suddenly Shego felt weak. She realized this was the real reason she felt so angry - not because of what he had actually said, but because it indicated he didn't trust her. She wondered why that hurt so much. They were here to ski and have fun. What did she care what the stupid son-of-bitch thought of her? He didn't trust her. And why was she crying? And why did if feel so good to have his arms around her?
He held the trembling woman and softly repeated over and over, "I'm sorry. Please forgive me. I'm sorry. Please forgive me." She gradually regained control. "Can we sit down?" he suggested.
"No... Not yet... Hold me another minute. I..." Shego suddenly realized why his opinion mattered so much to her, and why it felt so good to be in his arms. And it scared her very much.
"Please, tell me you forgive me."
"How could you accuse me of that! Without talking to me?"
"I'm a man. I'm an idiot. I was afraid you were just playing... That I didn't... Please, tell me you'll forgive me." He began to gently rub her back. "I was wrong."
Shego's emotions were in chaos inside her. Part of her was still angry from his earlier accusation, and part of her enjoyed being in his arms and hearing him beg her to forgive him as if it were the most important thing in the world to him. She needed a few minutes away from him to sort things out in her mind. "I need to get away and think for a few minutes. You'll have to let go."
"I'm not letting go of you until you forgive me."
"I need a little time to calm down. I'm just-" Shego's cell phone alerted her to an incoming text message. "I need to take that, Kim wanted to talk."
"Don't look at it. I'm not letting you go until you forgive me."
"And it could be Princess saying Ron has your room number and is on his way to say hi. I need to get away for a few minutes. Let me see what she wants."
"Not until you forgive me."
"Look, the one thing I know for certain is that you you don't listen to me right now I'll–" He dropped his arms and Shego picked up her phone. "Ron found uot Joe's here. Can u talk now? I REALLY need to talk w/ you if you can." Shego called Kim, "Really bad time Pumpkin. I'm kind of busy here."
"When can we talk?" Kim asked.
"This about Ron seeing Joe?"
"No, this is what I mentioned at the spa."
Shego sighed, "Actually, I need a couple minutes breathing space from the big Canuck. Will this take long?"
"Twenty minutes?"
"Okay. Twenty minutes. Meet at the bar?"
"Come to my room, please. I told you, it's really private."
"Give me your room number."
As the call with Kim ended Joe insisted, "You need to stay here. You haven't forgiven me yet."
"And I told you, I need a minute to think. I'm going to see Kim."
He didn't want to let her go. "I don't want you leaving when you're upset. I'm scared maybe you won't come back."
"I'm a little calmer now," she assured him. "You're really sorry?"
"Yes. Please, stay."
"Look, I'm probably over it on an intellectual level, but the adrenaline's still pumping. There's still a chance I'll hit someone. I need a couple minutes away from you to calm down... And if I hit someone it'll be her instead of you."
"You're not really planning to hit her, are you?"
"No. Listening to her will... Let me give you her room number. I'll expect you in twenty - twenty-five minutes. Maybe I'll be in a mood to forgive then."
"I hope so," he murmured and kissed her softly on the cheek before she left.
Kim answered the door as soon as Shego knocked, and almost pulled the older woman into the room, "You've got to help me."
"Help you? Help you how?"
"I think maybe this is the time... The time with Ron to... That Ron and I..."
"You want to screw him?"
"Don't say it that way. Is this the right time to make love? He's been so wonderful lately and I... I want to show him how much I... How do I know if it's the time? What do I say to him?"
"I can assume that telling him, 'Let's fuck' is out."
"Shego!" Kim protested, blushing red. "I don't know what I want to do. I wanted to talk with you, kinda get an idea... Do I really... And how do I..."
"On that, 'How do you' question I assume that you want to know how you bring up the subject and not how the parts line up."
"Right."
"Well, you might start by-"
"My first question. What do I want to do? Is this right?"
"Pumpkin, this guy has been your best friend since you were four. You've been dating for a year. He just brought you to a fancy resort. You don't owe him sex, but the fact you're talking with me says you want this to happen - right?"
"I guess... Yeah... I mean, yes. Yes I do."
"Good. We got the first issue clear. Oh, after I'm done straightening out your life I need to talk with you about mine."
"Okay. Second question for me, the how?"
"You're a virgin, so you're going to... Know if Ron is still an amateur or if he's got a little experience?"
"I... I don't really know... There were a couple girls he's dated and... I don't know."
"Be easier if he has some experience - better for you too. If you're both virgins there's going to be a lot of fumbling around and not a lot of fun the first time - but it gets much, much better with practice... Oh, got any baby oil or lotion or something else for lubrication? If you don't - go to that little pharmacy and pick something up, trust me."
"But how do I tell him I'm... uh... interested?"
"Well, given how repressed you are you aren't going to say much directly... By the way, you do realize there are several things you can do for him that will be absolutely wonderful without giving up your cherry. Hand-job, dry hump, even a little most of your clothes off fooling around... Is this really what you want?"
"I think so, you made me admit that - don't try to talk me out of it now."
"Okay, you're going to give him escalating hints until he catches on. Please tell you kiss the guy."
"Yes."
"Open mouthed tongue-wrestling?"
Kim blushed, "Yes."
"How much groping?"
"Shego!"
"Okay, we've established your current limit. Next time you're kissing, take his hand, like this," the green woman said, "and put it up on your boobs, like this," Shego demonstrated, "and it might be all the hint he needs. If it isn't enough-"
Kim's phone began to ring. "Mom's ring tone," Kim explained and reached for the phone. "Hello?"
"Kim, please remember there is a webcam on in your room. And why are you groping Shego's breast?"
Kim looked at the webcam, "I'll put a towel over-"
"You will please leave it uncovered for the conversation. Now, are you trying to restart the rumor about you and Shego being lovers?"
"No, see I was talking with Shego and she..."
"Talking about what? There's no microphone, remember? I happened to–"
Shego took the phone from Kim. "Anne always wonderful to hear from you. Is that a webcam on the dresser that she didn't tell me about?"
"I said yesterday there was a cam!" Kim hissed.
"Did you hear that?" Shego asked Anne.
"There's no microphone."
"She claims she warned me. So, you're suspecting Pumpkin here is up to something with the boyfriend?"
"Kim can make her own choices. James is over-protective and insisted on the camera. He asked me to take a quick look and imagine my surprise to see you in the room. May I ask what's happening?"
"Kim had some questions about sex, and since you're a mother and surgeon she needed the real scoop - so she asked me."
"What!"
"Your daughter is terribly repressed. She was wondering about kicking it up a notch with Ron and–"
"Kicking it up a notch?"
"Do you have any idea just how backwards she is? Anyway, I was telling her how to let Ron know it was okay to cop a feel."
"And that's all you were doing?"
"Swear to God... Hey, since I got you on the line, I got my own problem. I was gong to spill my guts to princess here but she's probably too naive to be any help at all."
"What is your problem?"
Shego hesitated, looking for words. Finally she simply blurted out, "My problem... I think I'm falling in love."
"Please tell me it's not with Kim."
"Not with Kim. She is so not my type. Did she tell you that she set me up on a blind date while we were in Asia?"
"Yes... She didn't give me a name - just said it was a man she had met while doing her hero work. Is that who you think you're falling in love with?"
"Yes."
"That's wonderful."
"That's terrible."
"Why is it terrible?"
"He's in law enforcement. I'm a criminal. I'm not good enough for him."
"Stop that, young lady. Criminal and thief is your job it is not who you are."
"I don't understand."
"You are a beautiful, intelligent, sensitive, caring woman - and you're good enough for any man."
"But-"
"Repeat it after me. I am a beautiful, intelligent, sensitive, caring woman - and I'm good enough for any man."
"I am a beautiful, intelligent, sensitive, caring woman - and I'm good enough for any man."
"Again, and say it like you mean it."
"I am a beautiful, intelligent, sensitive, caring woman - and I'm good enough for any man, dammit."
"I didn't tell you to say dammit."
"I know. I threw that in for free. I think I understand why Kim is the way she is."
"Thank you."
"That wasn't a compliment. I think you're both nuts."
In Middleton Anne Possible smiled, "And from you that is a compliment."
"Hey, I don't have to take that from you. I am a beautiful, intelligent, sensitive, caring woman – and I'm good enough for any man."
"Yes you are. And tell Kim to be careful - and put a towel over the webcam if she's going to 'kick it up a notch' with Ron – or several notches. Did you tell her about lubrication?"
"Already got it covered."
"Good. Stress the careful. This is supposed to be an encrypted line so Wade and I are the only people who can theoretically receive the image - but less visual aids, please, just in case. Oh, and the two of you will look terribly guilty if you cover it now."
"Got it."
"You can finish your conversation with Kim now."
"Okay, I... Hey, thanks for listening."
"No problem - it's in the job description of mother and surgeon."
Shego had been too intent on the conversation with Dr. Possible to notice the way Kim was fidgeting. "You love Joe?" Kim asked, clearly excited as the green woman ended the phone call.
"Maybe. Don't know."
"You told my mom you did."
"I told your mom maybe I did. It's not the same."
"Yes it is."
"No it's not. And it messes everything up."
"How does love mess things up?"
Shego flopped back on the bed and stared up at the ceiling. "I wanted to go out 'cause I needed to get laid. He's good. So we went out again... And again... and here we are... And I've got visions of a little cottage with a white picket fence. A thing like that can screw up your concentration. I don't need that in my line of work. And..."
"And what?"
"Does he love me, or is this just sex for him? I mean, we were clear with each other from the start. We knew a long term relationship... Why am I spilling my guts out to you?"
"Because I'm your honorary sister, and you need someone to talk to. Hey, you should have waited until you decided you loved the guy first - like I waited until I knew Ron was the one."
"Sis, you're eighteen. You don't know the future. Seven years from now you and Ron could be married to two different people neither of you has even met yet. You've decided that you love him – now – and you want to move on to the next step – now. Well I'm not sure if I want to move on to the next step with Joe. I mean, sure the sex is great but do I... Does he love me?"
"I have a badical idea."
"What?"
"You might try talking with him."
"No way."
"Maybe he feels the same way you do."
"Maybe he doesn't... Hey, he knows you. You ask him."
"Me?"
"Sure... I mean, sometime when boyfriend isn't around the three of us will be talking somewhere and I'll leave to powder my nose or something and you'll casually turn to Joe and ask how things are going for the two of us."
"Subtle as a ton of bricks there."
"I don't want subtly, I want answers."
"And what will you do with his answer?"
"Hey, I'm still working on the question. Get me an answer and it will help me get the right question." She looked at her watch. "I told him to be here in about five minutes. That'll give me time to tell you what to do if big hint number one doesn't work with Ron. If he doesn't respond by big hint number six he's gay."
Seven minutes later there was a knock on the door and a male voice asked, "What's going on?"
"Don't let him get on the camera," Shego warned as Kim stood to answer the door.
Kim adjusted the camera slightly as she walked past. "Got a webcam on, Shego doesn't want you on it with her."
"That's okay. I want to know when I can have her back."
"Anytime. I just needed to talk with her. Sorry about the mix-ups today. We thought it would be better if you-"
"Hey, Joe!" Ron's voice rang down the corridor, "how's the headache? You found KP."
Kim glanced back into the room quickly enough to see that Shego had heard and gone off the far side of the bed.
"Yeah," Joe told him. "After you said the two of you were here I asked for her room number at the desk. Just thought I'd stop and say hi."
"It was great to see you," Kim added.
"Want to eat dinner with us?" Ron asked, then protested, "Hey, KP, you should ask us into your room so we could decide about dinner," as she stepped into the hallway and closed the door of her room behind her.
"I'm hungry now," she told him. "Let's eat. Joe, you can come with us - if you don't have other plans."
"I... uh... You know what they say, two's company and three's a crowd."
"No, really, no problem," Ron assured him. "We'd love to have you - catch up on what we've been doing and-"
"Maybe he has other plans," Kim repeated with emphasis.
"Um, yeah," Joe laughed nervously. "Your girlfriend figured me out," he told Ron. "I was skiing with this really hot woman today and was planning to-"
"You could both eat with us," Ron invited.
"That's, uh, nice, but... Uh, where will you be eating... Just in case I-"
"Maybe he wants a nice romantic dinner with just the two of them," Kim told Ron. "And he's afraid he'd sound selfish so he's saying you and I should enjoy a nice romantic dinner for two. Is that it, Joe?"
The Canadian agent nodded.
"Where will we be eating?" Kim asked Ron.
"I thought we'd eat at the bar."
"Okay, well Joe knows where we'll be in case he changes his mind. And if he wants time with the woman he met, that's fine too. Everything's clear now." She turned to the older man, "We'll keep you posted on what we're doing tomorrow. Maybe we'll see you. If you want to keep her under wraps we'll understand. I mean, who knows, maybe she could be the one."
"Don't embarrass the guy," Ron whispered loudly. "He just met her. Don't play matchmaker."
Joe looked at Kim, "She seems special. I'm hoping to see more of her." He then leaned over and whispered something in Ron's ear.
"No way," Ron exclaimed.
"Well, have fun at dinner," Joe said and headed in the direction opposite the bar.
"What did he say to you?" Kim asked as they walked down the hall.
"He told me not to let go of you. And I said no way."
"Ron?'
"Yes"
"Put your arm around me."
"Sorry," he apologized and pulled her close.
"Much better," she assured him.
Joe knocked on the door to Kim's room, "They're gone." She stepped out into the hall and closed the door behind her. "Am I forgiven yet?"
Shego smiled, "Not yet. But closer
Kim ordered a glass of wine with dinner, hoping it would help her relax.
As they ate Ron confessed, "I think there's a chance Joe might be here on business."
"What do you mean?"
"There's a chance Shego is here, maybe with some villain and Joe may be on an assignment."
"What makes you think that?"
"Well, I thought I saw her today."
"You saw a woman in green-and-black."
"I, uh, have sources that said she might be here."
"What sources?"
"One's confidential. I really can't tell you. But I saw Motor Ed today and he was looking for her."
"Motor Ed?"
"For sure. So, I'm guessing Shego's here. I hope there's not going to be a fight."
"Ron, you brought me here so we could be together. You're what's important to me. We are not here to fight Shego or anyone else. We are here to relax and enjoy ourselves. Forget about Shego."
"But Joe's our friend! What if he's trying to stop Shego? He can't handle her."
"Don't underestimate Joe. I'll bet he can handle Shego just fine if he sees her."
"She's tough. She beats you sometimes."
"Shego doesn't... Tell you what. I'll tell Joe that if he needs any help handling Shego I'll volunteer. Is that good enough? Can we stop talking about Shego now? I'd much rather just talk about us."
Kim hoped a glass of wine might help her relax the way Ron had suggested, but it didn't work. She hated the taste of the wine. Ron said he'd ordered something sweet but it didn't taste sweet to her. She had a second glass, hoping that she would become more accustomed to the taste.
"You really hate it don't you?" Ron asked as she set the glass down.
"No, I... That obvious? I thought you said it was sweet."
Kim's second glass was still about half-full. Ron reached over and took it to sample. "Yep, sweet."
"Well it doesn't taste sweet to me."
"Not supposed to be like soda or... Really didn't help you to relax either, did it. You look unhappy."
"I've got a little buzz. I feel like my brain is wrapped in cotton or something and only working at about eighty-four percent capacity. It is really annoying."
"Some people find that relaxing. I guess a control freak would-"
"I am not a control freak... Am I?"
"I mean, I love you, but... Yeah... Kinda. It's like, whenever Bonnie wanted to do anything different from what you wanted with the cheerleaders you always got bent out of shape over–"
"Bonnie was always wrong!" He said nothing, but cocked his head slightly to the side and raised an eyebrow in an expression of 'Really? Are you listening to yourself?' "Okay," she admitted. "I like to have things my own way. Don't we all?"
"Well, yeah. but some of us don't get so insistent about it."
She thought for a minute. "Do I take advantage of you? Do I make you do what I want to do too much?"
He grinned, "Some of us are natural born followers KP. I'll follow you anywhere."
"Have I told you in the last five minutes that I love you?"
"Not wearing my watch, but I'd guess at least six."
Kim leaned toward him, "Kiss me." As their lips met she thought, "But I'm not getting into bed with you tonight - not when I've had anything to drink. I'm going to be completely sober when we make love." "How long does this last?"
"How long did it last when you were with Shego?"
"I don't know. We went back to our hotel and slept after dinner."
"It's been a long day. We can go to bed early, or stay up and catch another movie."
She smiled, "My brain isn't working at a hundred percent, and I need practice not being in control. You decide."
For a second he wondered if it was a test. "Check out what the movie is tonight. If we don't like it we can watch with my arm around you. If it's really bad we go back to our rooms and-"
"Or, if it's bad we can sit in the dark and kiss."
"That's what I mean, Kim, you're a natural leader."
"Wait, did I just decide after telling you it was your choice?"
"That's okay. Kissing you is a great idea." They leaned towards each other, lips ready to touch, and Ron's phone received a text.
Kim hesitated, "You'd better look at it."
"You're more important."
"You're sweet. But you don't know unless you look." She gave him a fast peck on the lips.
'Where are you?' the text demanded. 'And did you find who is trying to hire S? I need answers!'