I don't own these characters; Disney does.
7: Drinking Buddies
If Kim never saw the choppy, indigo waters of the north Atlantic again, it would be too soon. Despite the fact that it was summer and the days were hot, whenever she glanced at the water, it seemed like the temperature dropped. A chill always ran down her spine and ice gripped her heart with spiky, crushing fingers. The salt in the air burned her lungs whenever she took the slightest breath.
Despite all of that, she found the plunder was good and Betty was eager to educate her on all matters of the northern sea, just like she was with the southern sea. As long as the action was high, Kim was able to act like herself, but in between prizes, the darkness set in. For long hours, she stared into the liquid cobalt that swallowed the old Kim Possible, the one with hopes, dreams, and a future.
"Kim," Vivian called, approaching the redhead, who was perched on the railing.
Kim did not bother to turn. "Hmm?"
"I noticed every night since we left the south you've taken to staring into the sea," Vivian pointed out, some concern easing into her voice already.
Kim nodded. "Just looking." Her voice was distant, as if she were a hundred miles away. She felt a hundred miles away.
Cerulean eyes appeared quite skeptical. "You don't look like a person that's just looking. Your eyes aren't reflecting what's out, but what's in."
This caused Kim to give Vivian a sidelong glance. "You and the captain philosophers in your spare time?" A hint of a smile ticked on her face briefly. The expression did not quite reach her eyes and it was gone before it mattered.
"Scientists. It means we have the very bad habit of being curious. She hasn't noticed yet, but I have. Your eyes are looking in. What do they see?" Vivian's voice was soft, patient, everything Kim had come to expect from her.
Kim took a deep breath and let out a long sigh. "I remember this water. The water looked like this on the day those damned curs took Josh from me and the day I jumped to my death."
"But, you're alive."
Shaking her head, Kim sighed. "Not really. I'm a faded memory to those that once knew me. I can't show my face or reveal my name to anyone. I am dead." With the statement, she ran her hand through her long hair. She often felt dead, murdered by that horrible crew and chilled by these darkened waters, and now only her ghost remained, forced to wander the world with no true place to live.
Vivian arched an eyebrow. "That's where you've wrong. One, you're a pirate now. You can show your face to anyone you like and revel that your name is notorious. It's something you can to embrace now, Kim. The people who know you will still know who you are and the people who don't, won't bother to trouble you because of what it's been claim you did. You don't have to be a phantom in this world. You can still be yourself with new experiences. You've accepted life on the Global Justice, but now you have to accept life as an outlaw. There's nothing you can do to change it, so you should embrace it. Being an outlaw doesn't have to mean you're a bad person."
"I'm not here by choice like you and Betty, though. I didn't ask for this so-called life," Kim grumbled.
Vivian wagged a reproachful finger at her. "You are here by choice, as is everyone else. Don't try to tell yourself that anyone forced you to remain here because you know no one can force you to do anything. You chose to stay aboard. You chose to be a pirate. You chose to be in this crew. If you're going to be a pirate, you might as well be one in the full. This is what Betty's been trying to teach you without saying it aloud and you've been quickly taking to it. After all, what's your favorite thing about being on this ship?"
Kim opened her mouth, but quickly closed it as she realized what she was about to admit. She was ashamed to think it, but truthfully, her favorite thing about being on the Global Justice was fighting along side someone as noble as Betty. She knew she should not think of a pirate was noble, but she was.
Betty brought a touch of humanity to the whole thing and Kim was able to get behind that. Betty never harmed non-combatants, she never stole personal items from people, and she only took cargo as a prize, never an entire ship. Most of the time, she robbed her father's ships, the Empire, or people who she knew were no good. This allowed Kim to work within the system, bending some of her morals, but not totally breaking them. This also allowed Kim to remain with the crew guilt-free for the most part while collecting a fortune of her own.
"It shouldn't have been this easy to stay with you," Kim thought aloud, shaking her head. It should not be so easy for her to suddenly become a criminal and to be able to justify it, but it was.
"Betty makes it easy. It's one the reasons I'm here. Sailing with the Global Justice is an experience. For everyone, it's different. I know you like the action and it helps keep you here, but it's definitely not the only thing that is in the experience for you. Fighting is something natural to you, but I think you've also found a kindred spirit in Betty. Someone very similar to yourself," Vivian pointed out.
Kim nodded. "Being around her does make it easy, but having you here makes it even easier."
Vivian smiled. "Thanks. So maybe you could tell me what your eyes were seeing now."
"When I was traveling with Josh, the water looked like this." Kim motioned out to the dark blue water. Her hand shook and she pulled it to her chest. Vivian pretended not to see.
"Josh was your fiancé, correct?" Vivian inquired. The redhead had not mentioned him much since joining the crew. She wanted to make it clear she was not the one who murdered him despite what the wanted posters stated. Other than that, she did not really talk about him and Vivian respected that by not bringing him or Kim's so-called crimes up.
"Yes. We were supposed to see the colonies together. He kept telling me about the water, saying it was like poured jade or the flowing sky brought to Earth. I didn't believe him because all I saw was this water. I hate this water. It's so violent, rough, and I thought it was going to kill me that night." Kim's eyes straying back into the water. A shiver ran through her body, recalling when that brisk, turbulent sea swallowed her whole. It was like a monster had devoured her.
A gentle smile settled onto Vivian's face. "But, it didn't."
Kim sighed and closed her eyes. "Sometimes, I wish it had…"
Vivian put her arm around the younger woman, pulling Kim close. "You only say that because the pain is still fresh. I won't tell you the pain will go away with time, but I will say you survived for a reason. Your body is strong and wanted to live. Fate also has other plans for you, Kim. Bigger plans that you might not be able to see just yet, but they are there."
Kim scoffed. "What noble calling could I have being on a pirate ship?"
Being dramatic as always, Vivian inhaled sharply, as if she was quite offended. "Why, Kim, have we proven to be any ordinary pirates?"
Kim shook her head. In fact, the crew of the Global Justice had proven to be extraordinary most of the time, especially the captain. Betty had taught her much about her company and her sense of justice. Often times Betty robbed slavers because she did not believe in slavery and Kim was with her on that. Hell, they had freed slaves when taking those ships. When they raided towns, Betty always carefully researched them to find that the people mistreated in extreme ways by the ruling governors. Whenever they were in town on shore leave, Betty was quick to step in when she saw some injustice, even though she was wanted by the Empire. So, no, they were not ordinary pirates.
But, they were still pirates. They still stole what was not theirs to earn their living. They were still wanted and hunted by the Imperial Navy. They were criminals.
"I don't think Fate has some larger scheme for me by dumping me on a pirate ship, no offense. You guys are great, but you are still outlaws," Kim pointed out.
"This is true, but just because you're on the law's side doesn't mean you're right. Just like if you're outside the law doesn't mean you're wrong. The world is not so black and white, after all. I figured you would've learned that lesson by now, sailing with us," Vivian commented with a slightly furrowed brow.
The younger woman opened her mouth, hoping for an intelligent retort, but she did not have one. She had seen enough since joining the Global Justice to know the navigator was correct. Vivian smiled at her a little, showing there were no hard feelings. She then cast her eyes out into the water, not seeing the same monstrous sight as Kim.
"The water calms me now, but it used to scare me. When I was younger, I was in a shipwreck and for a long time, I couldn't even look at the sea without bursting into tears. Meeting Betty changed that. She changed me and the sea became a wonderful, magical thing. It became a place to be myself and chase my own dreams rather than being shoved into a box, fitting some mold my father and society wanted. I think if you give it a chance, it could have the same effect on you. The sea can be your best friend if you let it," Vivian commented.
"I thought Betty was your best friend," Kim remarked, obviously teasing a little.
"That arrogant blowhard?" Vivian let loose a dramatic scoff, throwing her head to the side. "I'm merely waiting for my shining prince to show up and I'll leave her behind for good!" she lied, making wild hand gestures to add to her performance.
"I think Betty would be really lost without you," Kim said seriously.
Vivian sobered up. "She doesn't have to worry about that. I'll always be there for her and she'll always be there for me. You'll find someone like that, too, Kim. Somewhere is a person that you can't live without."
"It was Josh…"
Vivian shook her head, but decided not to comment. She knew it was not Josh because Kim was still alive. Sure, she had almost died, but she had not really tried to kill herself. She had tried to get away. There was a difference.
Vivian knew if something similar happened between her and Betty, she would use the first pistol or cutlass within reach to follow her captain. No, there was someone else out there for Kim. Hopefully, they would meet soon.
-8-8-8-8-
The Global Justice docked at a port to let the lads stretch their legs, as Betty put it. They were headed back south, so Kim's spirits were lifting. Betty decided to drag her out on the town, thinking that some roughhousing was in order for the little "mouse."
"They're not calling me 'Mouse,'" Kim argued as she left the ship with her captain and navigator.
"You'd rather Betty continue having them call you 'the Monkey'?" Vivian inquired with an arched eyebrow.
"I'd rather everyone just call me Kim. I don't need a nickname. Will doesn't have one, after all," Kim pointed out.
An amused smirk settled on Betty's face as she glanced at Kim. "Not one you'd say to his face anyway."
"When is he going to figure out this isn't the Navy?" Vivian shook her head. Will was mostly talked about behind his back because he still acted like he was in the Imperial Navy, even though he was very aware he worked on a pirate ship now. He was so hardheaded, she thought.
"Why isn't he in the Navy anymore?" Kim inquired. She could not see how someone as straight-laced as Will could become an outlaw. But, then again, she never saw herself as an outlaw and here she was.
"Some of his fellow sailors set him up for their own crimes and Will isn't the smartest person on Earth, so he couldn't think of a way to prove his innocence. Not to mention, he had faith in the Navy to understand his side of the story. I'm not sure if he was naïve or brainwashed with that mode of thinking. They were set to hang him for it," Betty replied.
Kim's eyebrows knitted close together, drawing a mental picture of the situation. "So, what happened?"
Tilting her chin up high, Betty placed a hand to her chest. "I happened, of course. Saving Will was easy, getting him to leave me the hell alone, obviously much more difficult." She smiled at her own joke.
Kim continued on. "How'd you save him? How'd you know he didn't do what he was accused of?"
"It was in a town and they had him in stocks. I was wandering around… uh… taking in the sights…" The smile on Betty's face implying something a little more than what her words were.
"Taking in the booze and whores more than likely," Vivian remarked.
Betty growled at the blonde. "Anyway! I might have drank a little and been in a couple of bars. But, I heard the sailors talking about how they set Will up to take the fall for some things they had done. They planted evidence in his things. They didn't really like him obviously. It was clear in their voices and they were amused by what they had done, proud even. They didn't care he would die. I had plans to just kick their asses, but I realized that wouldn't help keep an innocent boy from swinging. So, I went to find Will. It wasn't that hard getting him out of the stocks. But, I'll tell you, the Navy hates when you take their personnel, even if the sailor is only about to be used to weigh down a rope."
"So, you saved his life?" Kim was not really surprised by that. Depending on where they were and the mood that she was in, the captain often stuck up for underdogs.
Betty shrugged, as if it was no big deal. To her, it was not a big deal. Will was the one that made it out to be a big deal, wanting to repay his debt. Betty shrugged that off, too, but he was still around. She did not mind, even though he could be irksome sometimes. At least she could keep an eye on him and make sure no one took advantage of him again. Plus, he was useful and helpful.
"He pledged his service to her from that moment on. Darling boy with the way he keeps that promise," Vivian commented with a smile.
With a snort, Betty rolled her eye. "If that's what you want to call him."
"Now, now, my dear, you know you love Will. He's your third favorite crewmate," the blonde teased.
The brunette decided against taking the bait for once, knowing who Vivian would say were her favorite two crew members. Not that she would have been wrong in her answer. The conversation shifted as they continued their walk into town. They went to a hotel first, setting themselves up with a couple of rooms. Kim was across the hall from the captain and navigator, as was their custom now. Once the rooms were acquired, Betty and Kim vanished, which was also their custom now.
"She gets mad that we do that, right?" Kim asked, nodding her head back in the direction of the rooms.
Betty smiled. "She knows how we are, Monkey. And she does need time alone just like we do. She just doesn't know it most of the time."
"You know her pretty well, huh?"
"Better than I know myself."
"Did you save her life, too? Is that why she's part of your crew?"
The one-eyed woman cast her crewmate a sidelong glance. It often amazed her how naïve Kim still was. Months of terms of endearments, caresses, and kisses (although all by Vivian and none directly on the mouth) had not led an intelligent girl like Kim to realize what they were to each other. She supposed that made sense, though. Her relationship with Vivian was very much not the norm. Most people probably would not even consider their relationship possible, so she did not hold it against Kim that she did not figure it out.
"That is a long story, best told with rum in me hand," Betty replied with a laugh.
The redhead snickered. "I guess I best listen with tea in mine."
"I'll get you started on rum yet. No point in being down here in the warmest of the colonies and not enjoy the splendor in it all."
"I don't think rum is the splendor down here."
Betty laughed, but did not contradict the younger woman. Finding a tavern was not too difficult and the pair entered. All eyes turned to them, some lingered much longer than others, undoubtedly wondering why two women entered the bar. The newcomers were not affected by the looks, quickly finding an empty place and sitting down. A barmaid came over to take their drink orders and almost burst out laughing when Kim ordered "anything that doesn't have alcohol in it."
"Bring the lass some sea water then!" someone yelled, earning deep, belly laughs from almost everyone in the tavern.
"Actually, bring the lass any type of tea you might have," Betty informed the waitress.
"No tea. We got coffee," the barmaid offered.
Betty flinched. They had given Kim coffee once before. Honestly, they had never seen someone so hyper before and she had no desire to ever see that again. Of course, the tea was only slightly better, but no, Kim would never have coffee while she was a part of the Global Justice crew.
"Anything but coffee. Surprise her," the captain decided.
The barmaid rolled her eyes, but walked off to go get her drinks. The pair of female pirates ignored several men offering to "surprise" Kim. One scruffy, large man decided to make it his business that Kim took him up on his offer. He staggered over to the table, drunk on spirits and his own ego. His giant, bear-claw of hand found its way to Kim's shoulder. Her lip curled in disgust immediately.
"I don't think you want to do that, pal. Unless you really want to lose that arm," Betty commented with an amused smile on her face. At that moment, the barmaid came over with the drinks. Betty noticed the waitress froze for a moment before putting their drinks down with a shaky hand.
The "gentleman" scoffed, jutting his chin high in the air. "I'd give 'er the ride of 'er life! Kelly here knows that! Right?"
He shifted his attention from Kim and grabbed up the waitress. She whimpered as he pressed himself into her back. His huge mitt went to her breast and squeezed to the point where she cried out. He then had the nerve to rock into her back, rubbing himself against her. The waitress sniffled, tears gathering in her eyes. Betty glanced at Kim.
"May I?" the captain inquired politely, motioning between herself and the rude "gentleman."
With a nod, Kim smiled. "Oh, by all means, please do."
Betty took a sip of her ale before climbing to her feet and slamming the glass into the man's face. The waitress screamed as the man howled in pain and fell back, letting the girl go. Betty chuckled while Kim went to the barmaid's side.
"You okay?" Kim asked the woman.
"He's going to kill her," the waitress whimpered.
"Don't worry about the captain. She's more than capable of handling one big blowhard," Kim remarked with a confident smile on her face to uplift the barmaid's spirits.
The redhead moved the waitress out of the way as the man climbed to his feet. Blood ran down his face, dripping onto the wooden floor. He snarled, ready to get in Betty's face only to be met with her pistol to his chin as soon as he was up. She laughed in his face while he gulped.
"Do you have any idea who I am?" he demanded, voice shaking against the metal of her gun.
"Sure, you're the guy on the business end of my pistol, breathing in my gunpowder," Betty answered. "Now, my advice is you go back to your rowdy friends and start drinking something a little less potent. You get out of control again and I'll be shoving my pistol somewhere other than your face." A cocky smirk settled on her face.
He glared down at her, as if trying to test her. She did not waver, her eye hard and unblinking. He grumbled as he turned around and marched back over to his friends. Betty watched him go before turning back to her comrade. She smiled a bit at Kim before sitting back down. She reached for her drink, only to remember she did not have one anymore.
"Ah, damn it! I hit him with my drink!" Betty complained, jumping up from her seat and throwing her hands up.
Kim laughed a bit. "You can have mine, Captain."
The waitress chimed in. "Are you kidding? Drinking is the last thing you should be worrying about. That guy is more than likely going to come after you again later on."
Betty waved it off. "He can come as often as he wants. I don't go down for no one."
The pair of pirates took their seats again. The waitress brought over another drink for her savior. Betty's drinks were free that night, but they did come with glares from across the room. She and Kim ignored the men from the other side of the tavern, not thinking anything of them.
Of course, they knew things were not over. The pair was hardly surprised when a small group of four men tried to corner them as Betty staggered back to the hotel with Kim holding her up. The men thought they had the two ladies as they entered a narrow alley that Betty swore up and down was a short cut, which it probably was not, but there was no arguing with a drunk Betty. The fellows glared down at them and chuckled darkly.
"Shouldn't you be off getting stitches in your face?" Kim asked.
The guy Betty smashed in the face smirked at her. "We're in luck, guys. The big one's too drunk to stand up."
And they quickly learned, not only was that not true, but the "big one" was the least of their worries. Kim dispatched the four while Betty stood tall in the background, snickering. The men hit the dirt as the ladies went on their way, the setting sun in their faces.
It never occurred to the men that the women they harassed were the infamous Betty Blackheart and one of her most trusted crew members. But, then again, it never occurred to the ladies those surly men were sailors in the Imperial Navy. And those Navy guys really could hold a grudge, especially against pirates.
It was not until later on that the sailors overheard men in a tavern laughing about the whole situation did the sailors know who had kicked their asses. The fact that the women were pirates made it seem like a double insult to them, so they went on the hunt for the outlaws. They found out the Global Justice Company was at the dock, ready to ship out.
"Captain, looks like we got company!" Kim called from her spot atop the ratlines. She was making sure the sails were secure when she happened to spy a familiar quartet of men coming toward their ship. The men were with several other men, a few dressed in Navy gear.
Betty cast her gaze out. "Shit!" she laughed. "Never woulda thought those gents were in the Navy. Lads, we need to get moving NOW!"
"What have you done now, my love?" Vivian asked.
Betty smiled. "Nothing more than usual. You know how I am," she replied in an easygoing tone before moving to get the ship out to sea immediately. The brig started to move as the men drew closer. "Will!" she called out to her loyal boatswain.
Will already knew what to do, taking out his pistol and firing at the men. The shot was not directed at them, only met to stop them for a moment. It worked. Other crewmen followed his lead and they were able to drift out of the port while the Navy sailors ducked for cover.
"Never a dull day, is it, Monkey?" Betty shouted up to the sails.
Kim shook her head. "No, never a dull day," she agreed. Suddenly, her attention was drawn back to the pier when she heard one of the sailors swear revenge. An uneasy feeling settled in her stomach, wondering what ill-fated wind carried that message such a distance and over the sounds of gulls and waves.
-8-8-8-8-
Next time: Playing with the Navy might get the Global Justice burned.
