This has been a long time coming. My life has taken ups and down, what with job hunting and loneliness. A laptop crashed. A flash drive got erased. And a search for some software to restore it ensued. This chpt has been a year coming. I earnestly beg forgiveness of all my readers. I do not know if I can pick up the pace, but I will try.

This next series of chpts traverses the decades. In a way, it comes full circle. It preludes with the wedding in the back yard of Tara and Ron, the basis of all the Legacy tales. It picks up at the wedding of Tara and Ron's daughter in the very spot. And it ends at the same back yard, with the son of that marriage, recalling that wedding, and anticipating another. The in-between continues the chronicle of our hero Ronald Zimmer Possible at Yamanouchi.

My man daccu 65 refers to Ron Possible's girlfriend in his Family Legacy story. We've already met her. It's Mariko, daughter of Yori and Hirotaka. In this series of chpt's, we will flesh out the relationship a little more.

In his story A Box Of Cuddlebuddies, my man captainkodak1 refers to Tara King's uncle as working for the Cuddlebuddies company in his story. So I introduce Roland King, a VP for the Cuddlebuddies Corp., and his lovely wife, Roya. This is in keeping with the tradition I have established of giving members of the King family regal names...like Tara's parents, Regina and Templeton. There's also Templeton's widow, Sylvia.

There's a plot complication I'm trying to surmount...according to the parent story, Ron Possible spends five years at Yamanouchi...and I have to try and make it credible that he and Mariko are still only dating...albeit seriously...at the end of that time. After all, so upright a kid wouldn't dream of premarital intimacy. In this respect, he is like his grandfather. As we see in Rappin' Drakken, Ron Stoppable is all about procrastination. As Kim reminds us in Homecoming Upset, it took him fourteen years to kiss her.

Many of my readers of both this story and The Girl In The Box have clamored for Tara's punishment. But let me submit something for your consideration. The torment of an evildoer's own conscience. We see in the great Russian novel Crime And Punishment, by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, how a man commits a perfect murder, and then is undone by his own inner voice of accusation.

I gave Hirotaka a last name. I googled the most popular Japanese surnames and picked the one that was shortest..."Abé". Minimalist...emblematic of Buddhist simplicity.

Mrs. Reuben Stoppable née Starter...who thought her husband's cousin should still sit at the kids' table (Bad Boy episode) needed a first name. My gal and fellow K.P. fan writer LoveRobin suggested "Hedi", according to the K.P. naming scheme: "Hedi"; "Starter"; "head start". Besides, writing fan-fiction is a "heady" experience. So, in LoveRobin's honor, "Hedi Stoppable" it is.

I include Wade's family. His mother Ophelia Mahalia Load (her name is from the character in Shakespeare's Hamlet and the Gospel singer Mahalia Jackson), his step-father Lontaine Dupree (1st name from the K.P. episode The Cupid Effect, last name from the Isaac Hayes character, Angel Dupree, in the movie It Could Happen To You), his children Wynan (from the Gospel singing family) and Washonda (common African-American female 1st name), and Monique's brother (mentioned in the K.P. episode Pain King vs. Cleopatra), Marcel Watson (first name, a cool-sounding name...I thought...off the top of my head, last name is Monique's last name from the Kim Possible Japanese language Wikipedia entry.

I include Pain King and Steel Toe, from the Pain King vs. Cleopatra episode, in their nonprofessional personas as close friends of their Middleton fans over the years. Payton Ramon (whose name 'Payton' sounds like 'pain' or 'Payne', and 'Ramon', which derives from 'Raymond' which derives from 'rey', Latin for 'king'. and Antonio Toledo (whose name 'Antonio' derives from 'Tony', which derives from 'toe', and Toledo', derived from Toledo, Spain, famous for its steel blades in the middle ages.)

In fact, I handed out last names right and left. Heather and Quinn of And The Mole Rat Will Be CGI have become Heather Jetlear (combination of Heather Locklear and Learjet) and Quinn Tupple (from 'quintuplet'). Dex and Nicky Nick of the O Boyz have become Dexter Dumont (sounded like a cool last name) and Nicholas St. Rudolf (St. Nicholas, Santa Claus, Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer; that whole Yuletide thing).

We have already met Suzie Sheldon in previous chpt's. She is the great-granddaughter of Mary Giereanu, who is mentioned in K.P. A Sitch In Time. Here we catch a glimpse of Mary (formerly Giereanu), her husband George Sheldon.

I ran into a snag in recreating the scene from A Sitch In Time. A freckle-faced Kim Possible is trying out for Cheer Squad before Bonnie Rockwaller and...who? She's blonde; is it Jessica; or Tara?

The episode notes at KPFanWorld website indicate it's Tara. But your Compleat Kim Possible Ignoramus is obsessed with accuracy and faithfulness to the canon. He consults the screen caps at KPFanWorld and the fanpics at DeviantArt-dot-com.

Jessica has straight honey blonde hair, freckles, and a slightly tan complexion. Tara has very curly straw blonde hair, and pale complexion. Both have blue eyes. After careful examination of the scene your humble literary sleuth (moi) must conclude that the cheerleaders with Bonnie are Marcella and Jessica. But we will work Tara into that stage of Kim and Ron's lives.

The wedding scene of Ron's parents was a late addition to this chpt. I have peppered it with references to family members, both from the show and daccu's source story. There will be numerous hints and teasers as to how the lives of the Middleton folk unfolded.

According to Wikipedia, The Shoop-Shoop Song aka It's in His Kiss was written by Rudy Clark and became a rock and roll classic when recorded by Betty Everett in 1964. It's been rerecorded by many artists and groups since then. It became popular again when Cher recorded it in 1990 for her movie Mermaids.

I acknowledge my man The Enduring Man-Child for the union of Bueno Nacho Ned and Vivian Frances Porter in his fic's No Man Knows My Story and Too Good to Be True. Ned's last name, Flounder, is my own invention.

I acknowledge my man daccu65 for the union of Josh Mankey and Cheer Squad Liz. Her last name "Claremont" is my own invention.

I acknowledge my debt to the folks at the KPFanworld website for their episode transcripts and trivia. I spent beaucoup time last chpt analyzing Christopher Marlowe's play about Dr. Faustus and the similarities to the KP villains. I spent an equal amount of time analyzing the development of Tara's love for her husband in this chpt.

I concede that the readers might have trouble distinguishing between the characters with the same names. Allow me to recap. According to daccu's source story, Family Legacy, Tara and Ron Stoppable had three kids: Lon, Roy, and Kim. Tweeb Tim Possible and his wife had at least one son: Ron. (The Plot Bunny has divulged Tim's wife to be Karen. He might reveal more kids later.) Tara and Ron's daughter Kim Stoppable married Tim and Karen's son Ron Possible. Their son is Ron Possible Jr, the hero of our tale, whom I refer to as Ronald Zimmer Possible.

So, there you go. A bunch of Kim's and Ron's running around. And my own explanation has only served to confuse me more. But I've tried to differentiate between the K.P. the bride and the K.P. the Undead

from A BOX OF CUDDLEBUDDIES

by captainkodak1

…Tara sat in front of her dresser mirror inspecting her makeup. She thought of Ron and what she hoped he would become in her life. Picking up a small brush, she dabbed at a loose strand of hair.

"Tara, don't mess with your hair. It looks perfect. It's time dear."

Tara turned to face her mother.

"Okay momma. Is daddy ready?"

Her mother giggled a little.

"No dear, I don't think he will ever be ready for this day. But he is as ready as he will ever be."

Tara stood and let her wedding dress fall into place, then adjusted her veil. Her mom stepped over and rearranged her veil and then gave her daughter a kiss. Tara took her mother's arm and they walked out of room to the back door. Her dad was standing there waiting for her. Josh took her mom's arm and escorted her to her seat. The bridesmaids and groomsmen took their place and then it was time. The music swelled and she stepped out from behind the wall of the rear porch. All the wedding guests were seated on rows of chairs set up on the grass in the rear yard of her home. She looked up to see the love of her life standing there waiting for him. Ron looked so handsome standing there. Tara and her father arrived at the front of the church and Ron took his place at her side. The Pastor started to speak.

"Dear Family & Friends, We are gathered here in the presence of Almighty God and this company to unite Tara René King and Ronald Eugene Stoppable in holy matrimony. Marriage is never to be entered into lightly, but reverently, discreetly, and in the fear of God.

"Ronald Eugene Stoppable, will you take Tara to be your lawfully wedded wife; to live together after God's ordinance in the state of holy matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her so long as you both shall live?"

Ron took in a breath, gazing into Tara's eyes shining through her veil. "I do."

Pastor Davis continued as he turned to Tara.

"Tara, will you take Ronald Eugene Stoppable to be your lawfully wedded husband; to live together after God's ordinance in the state of holy matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto him so long as you both shall live?"

Tara's eyes were locked on Ron's chocolate eye's glittering through the mist of her veil. "I do."

Reverend Davis turned to Mr. King.

"Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"

Mr. King stood straight.

"Her mother and I and a very special friend."

Her dad gave Tara a kiss and turned to take his seat beside his wife. Beside him sat an empty chair covered in white ribbons and flowers. A set of Kim's mission clothes lay in the seat. The ribbon that crossed over the flowers read.

"In loving Memory of Kimberly Ann Possible. We know you are here with us."

Ron turned to face Tara as her Pastor continued with the service.

"Ron, will you repeat after me…"

…"Tara, honey, thank you."

Tara snapped back to the present as she looked up the see Mrs. Possible standing there. Tara stood and gave Kim's mother a hug. Mrs. Possible's body shook as she silently sobbed. Tara held her close until she stopped. Anne pulled back and dried her face with a napkin.

"Tara, thank you for honoring Kimmie like you did. This is your day you didn't have to do that. It's….it's been five years since Kimmie went swimming that day and….."

Tara patted Mrs. Possible's hand.

"Kim was very special to Ron and I know that if she had lived we would be celebrating her marriage to Ron and not to me. She loved him and he loved her. They would have been an amazing couple, and they would have rocked the world. Somehow, I really feel that she is here."

Mrs. Possible leaned forward and gave Tara a kiss.

"You know Tara I feel the same way. Somehow I feel really close to Kimmie now. I know where ever she is, she is happy for you and Ron."

Tara glanced over to the Kim's chair sitting there in its place of honor. The lid to the cistern was directly under the spot where the chair sat. Kim was a lot closer than anyone ever would think.

Mrs. King came over to Tara.

"Tara, honey, it's time to cut the cake."

Tara gathered her dress up over her arm.

"Okay momma."

She walked over to where Ron was getting ready for the two of them to cut the cake. A fly flew by and landed on the table. Tara shrieked and jumped back. Ron took a cloth napkin and swatted at the fly. Tara grabbed Ron's arm and snuggled up next to him. She grinned when she heard one of the bystanders speak.

"That Tara is so lucky to have Ron. She is so sweet she wouldn't hurt a fly."

from A HEROINE'S LEGACY

by

chpt 4

he has gone to his fathers

…It had been the event of the summer in Middleton. Finally, the union of the Possible and Stoppable families. It seemed the entire city had turned out for the wedding. It was held in the back yard, as had weddings in Kim's maternal family for generations.

There were the bride's parents, Ron and Tara Stoppable. The groom's parents, Tim and Karen. Even the grandparents. Jim and Anne Possible, Rachel Stoppable, and Regina King. Both Ron and Tara's mothers were now widows.

Rabbi Katz was there. Not to officiate. The couple were married as Christians. But during the toasting of the couple, he pronounced a kosher blessing nevertheless.

The time came for the happy couple to take their first dance together. Then the rest of the wedding party. Then the parents of the couple. Then the entire assembly of friends and guests.

Lon kissed his sister's cheek as they danced. "Congratulations, sis. You make a gorgeous blushing bride."

And Kim blushed some more.

Roy kissed his sister's cheek as they danced.

"You're the holdout, Roy," said Kim. "Don't you ever plan on getting married?"

Roy shrugged. "Haven't found the right girl."

Mr. Dr. Jim Possible danced with Mrs. Dr. Anne Possible. "I think I could die a happy man, Anne. I've lived to see a Possible marry a Stoppable." And a sad look came into his eyes. "I only wish Kimmie-Cub..."

Anne kissed her husband's cheek. "I know, dear," she said quietly. The tragic death of their oldest daughter by drowning a quarter century before was a wound that would never heal.

As the parents of the bride danced, Tara tried one last time to crack the ice between her and Ron. She looked up sadly into her husband's eyes. "Please? Won't you ever forgive me?"

Ron glanced past his wife. "Kim looks so happy today. It almost makes up for the other Kim." And he shot a stern glance at his wife. "Ask her forgiveness. Then come talk to me."

Tara bit her lip and tried to restrain her weeping. She excused herself and went into the house.

The groom's mother Karen made her apologies. "It's all a little overwhelming. Last chick leaving the nest."

The guests nodded and sympathized.

Karen and Regina King continued hostessing.

Tara sobbed uncontrollably on her bed...what used to be their bed. It was the last wedding of their children. Never again would her husband take her into his arms...to dance...to embrace...to love. There was no more opportunity...

A HEROINE'S LEGACY

chpt 11

the blossoming of love and the flowering of bitterness

In Nihon-koku, the land of the Sun-origin, or, the Sun's Rising, as Japan was known, the god Hachiman of the Shinto pantheon was the patron of farmers, fishermen, and warriors. He was the protector of the kingdom. When Christianity came to the kingdom, a syncretism, a blend of beliefs, took place. Hachiman became identified with St. Michael, the greatest archangel after Lucifer. And when Lucifer fell into high treason against Heaven to become Satan the Adversary, it was St. Michael and his angels who cast him out.

Such mergers of beliefs are common. Some feel they are harmful to the purity of the faith, a compromise, as it were. Some feel they enrich the faith tradition, like a new perspective. Truth is a keen sword. It cuts both ways. It can be sharpened, or dulled, according to how it is handled.

And so when Ron Stoppable came to Yamanouchi, there were opposing voices. Fukushima, who longed to be great, protested against the inclusion of an Outsider. Yoriko, who longed only to be near her Ron-san, championed his cause.

In what was both paradoxical and symbolic on so many levels, when Fukushima committed high treason against Yamanouchi with another Outsider, Monkey Fist, it was Ron Stoppable who cast him out, and preserved the legacy and purity of Yamanouchi's tradition.

It was as the Sensei had said. "The trickle becomes a stream. The stream becomes a river, and in turn becomes tributary to a greater river. Stoppable-san and the Lotus Blade are connected by destiny."

So it appeared to be. Ron Stoppable was the first Outsider to wield the Lotus Blade. He was the first warrior since Toshimiru, Yamanouchi's very founder, to possess both the proprietorship of the Blade and the Mystical Monkey Power, and so fulfilled the belief that Toshimiru and his successors were the bosatsu, the incarnation, of Hachiman. They were Hachimantaro. Yoriko became the first female Sensei of the Yamanouchi Academy. She herself would say that a traveler on destiny's river had no way of knowing what was around the next bend, what trickle would become a stream, and what stream would become a new tributary; when the river would be a slow flow and when it would be a swift torrent. It was only when looking from a higher vantage that such crucial points could be discerned.

in Tara and Ron Stoppable's back yard, Middleton, Colorado

It was the summer wedding reception of Kim Stoppable and Ron Possible in Kim's parents' back yard. Hundreds of guests attended. There were the bride's grandmothers, Regina King and Rachel Stoppable. There was even her step-grandmother, her grandfather's second wife and widow, Mrs. Templeton King. Others included great-aunt Roya King, great-uncle Roland King, aunt Hana Stoppable, cousin Reuben Stoppable and his wife Hedi, and cousin Sean Stoppable and his wife Lilo. The formerly-infamous cousin Sean was known in his youth for his evil pranks and his pet iguana, named Fluffy. He had outgrown his pranks and become a famous herpetologist. The bride, in spirit of love and whimsy, invited Sean to bring Fluffy IV.

After all, she wrote in the personal note she attached to the invitation, Dad had Sacky XXXVIII...or as he would say, 'Sacky Ex-ex-ex-vee-aye-aye-aye' in high school Hygiene class, referring to a humorous family yarn; so you'd be more than welcome to bring Fluffy aye-vee.

It gave Sean a good laugh; and out of regard, he left Fluffy at home. The empathy and accord had deepened between the cousins over the years. It was unspoken but understood what Rufus had meant to Ron. There might have been many Sackys...and several Fluffys...but there only one Rufus had been decreed.

Kim also had to smooth the ruffled feathers of Hedi Stoppable, who continued to bear an old grudge for the appearance of the prospective bride's father as the super villain Zorpox the Conqueror at her wedding more than a quarter century earlier.

On the groom's side were his grandparents, Anne and James Timothy Possible, known affectionately as Mrs. and Mr. Dr. P., his parents Karen and Tim Possible, his uncle Jim, his great-uncle Slim, Slim's daughter Joss, his great-aunt June, and June's son Larry.

Pastor Kelso Davis solemnized this union, as he had the marriage of the bride's parents, and the marriage of the bride's brother Lon Stoppable to Lorrie Mankey. He had baptized and confirmed the bride's mother, her brothers, and the bride herself. This would be almost the final act in a ministry that had spanned generations.

Relatives abounded in the wedding party. Ron's best man was Kim's brother Roy. Her other brother Lon was a groomsman. Kim's matron of honor was Lon's wife Lorrie. Their ring bearer was Lon and Lorrie's young son Carl, who bore the unmistakable Stoppable big ears, freckles, and unkempt hair...even if he had inherited the light ginger hair color of his grandmother Liz. The guests, especially the ladies, murmured affectionately as he appeared wearing his tux, solemnly carrying the two wedding bands on the silk pillow .

Carl himself could hardly take his eyes off his great-aunt Hana. She was a striking Asiatic beauty who bore herself with the courtliness of a priestess.

Kim had planned meticulously for the wedding and the reception. It was ironic. The daughter of Ron Stoppable was just like her father: a slacker in high school. Mr. Barkin had taken the trouble to remind her, as he reminded her brothers and her father. But she put her heart into this project.

It was more than just getting married. It was a desperate fix for a desperate sitch; to try and heal the marriage of her parents. She remembered growing up with warmth and love; and then sometime before her tenth birthday, it all stopped. Dad had moved out of the master bedroom and into a converted room in the attic.

Her brothers had noticed the change. In fact, her brothers became part of the change. First Lon, and then Roy, became aloof from their mother. Lon was actually hostile.

Kim was puzzled. Maybe there was an affair. Or a fight. No one would tell her a thing. But she wasn't going to stand still. Her fiancé's cousin Joss had drilled it into her. "Mah cuzin Kim culd do anythin'! She wouldn't let nuthin' stop 'er!"

So she had decided; if Kim Possible could do anything, then so could Kim Stoppable. She would try to kick-start her parents' love by helping them to remember what it had been like. She would turn the reception into a veritable reunion of the Middleton High Class of 2007.

Her fiancé thought it was a weak idea at best, and she gently scolded him. "C'mon, Ron-ster! Head in the game! Work with me! It'll be fun!" She threw a Puppy Dog Pout at him for good measure.

Ron Possible, aka the Ron-ster, sighed, and laughed. His Keem-Posseeblay had him dead to rights. Between the lovely pout and the nickname, he was a goner.

Lorrie's parents, Liz and Josh Mankey, would already be coming. The former Liz Claremont was part of the old Cheer Squad. So were the bride's father, mother, and Bonnie Flagg, all of whom still lived in the Middleton area.

nee

Mary, née Giereanu, her husband George Sheldon, and their children attended. The family was also the Stoppables' neighbors.

Zita Renton, née Flores, and her husband Felix Renton attended.

There were some who were dear family friends...

...Dr. Vivian Frances Porter, eminent robotics expert, and her husband, Ned Flounder. She was Mr. Dr. P.'s old colleague from the Middleton Space Center and Propulsion Lab. He was Ron Stoppable's old coworker from Bueno Nacho.

...Arthur Smarty, son of the founder of the Smarty Mart discount department store chain. He had grown from a self-indulgent alternative culture youth into a innovative corporate head, known for his social and environmental awareness.

...Sheila Barkin, formerly Gogh, formerly Lipsky, and her husband Steve Barkin. Both were past members of the Middleton High faculty.

...Britina St. Rudolf, former pop singer and her fiancé, Dexter Dumont, former member of the Oh Boyz. They had become engaged a year after the death of her husband, Nicholas St. Rudolf, aka Nicky Nick, also a former member of the Oh Boyz.

...The famous married actors, Heather Jetlear and Quinn Tupple, and their family.

...Payton Ramon, aka professional wrestler Pain King, and his family.

...Antonio Toledo, aka professional wrestler Steel Toe, and his family.

Kim had continued the custom started by her mother at her wedding and carried on by her brother Lon at his wedding...an unoccupied chair crisscrossed with white ribbon, holding a bouquet of white flowers and the treasured keepsake mission suit. It was both at the family section during the ceremony and at the wedding party table. It was in memory of the legendary heroine who had touched so many lives and perished so young...the bride's namesake, Kim Possible. The set of clothes were neatly folded and kept in a supple polymer wrapper. The fabric would never decompose or fade.

It was both a grave and sacred moment when the bride lifted her glass and toasted her long-dead aunt Kim. "I never knew my Aunt Kim. But I'm told she was a lot like my cousin Joss. She had the same zest for life, and the same love for people. I'm going to miss my dear family friends Monique Load, who gave her life while helping people, and her husband Wade, who was mission coordinator for Team Possible practically all his life. And I want to remember Brick Flagg, my parents' high school friend, who gave his life in the service of his country. And so in memory of both the victims of violence and those serve and protect...God bless them all."

At the Possible family table, Slim had doffed his ever-present Stetson hat as a sign of respect. Joss spoke up. "Ah still miss mah Aint Kim. Ah still remember her sayin. 'It's whut Ah dew...the hailp thing.' Ah know she's with the angels, lookin' down on us." Mrs. Dr. P. sniffled and hugged her niece.

At the Load family table, sat Wade Load's mother, Ophelia, his stepfather Lontaine Dupree, Wade and Monique's two children Wynan and Washonda, Monique's brother Marcel Watson, and all the family members. They all raised their glasses and murmured their thanks.

Bonnie Flagg, Brick's widow, raised her glass and nodded.

For the wedding party dance, the bride had chosen what was her mother's favorite song; the Shoop-Shoop Song; or as it was better known, Does He Love Me.

This version was a remake by Britina St. Rudolf and MC Honey. Britina had dedicated to Ron Stoppable for saving her when she had OD'ed after a concert; but that is another story. Britina consented to sing her own lyrics, and Washonda Load, Wade's daughter, sang the MC Honey lyrics

Britina: Does he love me? / I wanna know! / How can I tell if he loves me so? / Is it in his eyes?

MC Honey / Washonda: Oh no! You need to see!

Britina: Is it in his eyes?

MC Honey / Washonda: Oh no! You make believe! / If you wanna know / If he loves you so / Its in his kiss!

Both: That's where it is!

Britina: Oh yeah! Or is it in his face?

MC Honey / Washonda: Oh no! It's just his charms!

Britina: In his warm embrace?

MC Honey / Washonda: Oh no! That's just his arms! / If you wanna know / If he loves you so / It's in his kiss!

Britina: That's where it is!

MC Honey / Washonda: Oh,ooh, oh! Its in his kiss!

Both: That's where it is!

Duet chorus: Oh, oh, oh, hug him! / Squeeze him tight! / Find out what you wanna know! / If it's love, if it really is, / It's there in his kiss!

Britina: How 'bout the way he acts?

MC Honey / Washonda: Oh no! That's not the way! / You're not listenin' to all I'm sayin'! / If you wanna know / If he loves you so / It's in his kiss!

Britina: That's where it is!

MC Honey / Washonda: Oh, ooh, oh! Its in his kiss!

Both: That's where it is!

It rocked the house. The guests rose to their feet in thunderous ovation.

After hugging both Washonda and Britina, the new bride watched as her mother left the reception to go into the house. She watched her father's stony face. She felt a pang of sorrow. It was a desperate plan; a forlorn hope at best. "It didn't work, Ron," she moaned quietly.

Ron kissed his wife's forehead. "I see that, hon," he whispered. "It was the thought that mattered. We'll make our own happiness. There'll be room in our lives for them, too. And whatever their problem was, I won't let it bother us. I promise you."

Kim sighed. Her Ron-ster was right. The past was what it was. Nothing could change it. They would just get on with life. Neither she, nor anyone else, had the slightest supposition that they would mourn her beloved father's death before the end of the year.

Reuben Stoppable's wife Hedi, formerly Hedi Starter, nursed a long-standing grudge; and a slightly vindictive wish. She kept hoping something would happen to her husband's cousins like what happened to her...at her and Reuben's wedding, Ron Stoppable had arrived in the persona of a super-villain: Zorpox; and had necessitated a rescheduling of the event. It had taken much persuasion by Ron's friend and mission partner Kim Possible, Ron's parents, Hedi's fiancé, and much apology by Ron himself to persuade Hedi to forgive and forget.

She honestly wished the couple success and happiness for the rest of their lives. But she would not have grieved if Shego, Señor Senior, Jr., or some other reformed Team Possible foe had gone bad again at least invaded Ron's wedding; or the weddings of one of his children. She was, however, saddened by the disappearance of Kim Possible and her assumed death by drowning. They had become close friends. Hedi was grateful for Kim's intervention at her own wedding that prevented any serious injury. She had looked forward to Kim being a member of the family. She grieved at the heroine's death and was disappointed that Ron had married Tara King.

But not Hedi Stoppable, nor Sheila Barkin, or for that matter, anyone else had the slightest idea that someone was close at hand at each of the weddings in the big back yard; that of Tara and Ron's, and those of each of their children who married. It was both her old friend and a super-villain. It was the wearer of the mission suit so lovingly preserved in the empty chair crisscrossed with white ribbon. It was Kim Possible herself, buried in a cistern under their very feet. And despite Joss Possible's assertion, Kim was most definitely not with the angels.

And had Hedi, Joss, Sheila, the new bride, or anyone ever learned it, they would have regretted their curiosity...unto their dying day.

And despite the assurances of the new husband, the "problem" between the bride's parents would indeed someday "bother" them.

nineteen years later; in the walled enclosure on Mt. Yamanouchi, Japan

Ron Possible faced Hirotaka Abé. Both were dressed in white gis. Both bowed.

"You are ready, Possible-san?"

"Yes, Abé-sama."

Hirotaka made the first move. He took a crane stance, then threw a kick. Ron countered with a swipe of his left forearm, then jabbed with his right hand. Hirotaka parried with his right palm, leaving Ron's right flank exposed, and landed a left-handed punch on Ron's ribs. He pulled the punch, but Ron still let out a muffled cry. Hirotaka backed up while Ron caught his breath.

Ron bowed, and Hirotaka pressed the attack again. He threw a series of quick blows. Ron dodged left and right, then back-flipped. He landed in a stance. Hirotaka's foot thrust out again. Ron countered with a kick and a spin. Hirotaka offset with a spin and a kick himself. They fell into the manta style, and for the next few moments, it was a succession of spins, leaps, jabs, and leg sweeps.

Yoriko clapped her hands twice. Both separated and bowed. Both breathed deep several times to catch their breaths. "That was well done, Possible-san. You may rest a moment."

Ron bowed. "Thank you, Sensei." He turned to Hirotaka. "And thank you, Abé-sama, for the honor of this match.

Hirotaka bowed. "Not at all, Possible-san. The honor was mine."

The other students stared. Some had been attending for years. But whether they had been at the school for a long or short time, none could ever recall seeing a newcomer counter the master's moves so quickly.

Yoriko clapped again. "Students! Resume your exercises!" She approached her spouse. "And have you taken his measure, my husband?" she asked quietly.

Hirotaka leaned close and spoke in a low tone. "Two wonders I have seen today, my dear wife. The first is that I am still as agile as I was when I was his age."

"For which I rejoice," said Yoriko with a lifted eyebrow. "And the second is..."

"The second part of our match was an exact repetition of a match I had with another Possible-san...back in my youth."

Yoriko raised both eyebrows. "Kimberly Possible-san? Are you quite certain?"

Hirotaka nodded. "Quite sure. Each move was precise. Such skill from one not formally trained as a ninja is not forgotten. She was a virtuoso. And so is he. How he accomplishes such a thing amazes me. Either he has studied her style so thoroughly that he mimics her...or else he carries a measure her chi."

Yoriko glanced at Ron out of the corner of her eye. "I would say both are true."

"One thing is certain; I can teach him little. There only two here more accomplished than he. Our daughter and yourself."

"You honor me, my dear husband. And speaking of our daughter, have you not noticed? There is a third wonder." Yoriko nodded her head toward Mariko, who had been watching Possible-san with rapt attention. "She appears to be enamored with him."

Hirotaka rubbed his chin. "Hmm. Will this pose a difficulty?"

Yoriko patted her husband's hand. "I will speak with her."

five years later; in Tara Stoppable's home, Middleton, Colorado.

Ron had finished the chicken noodle soup. He ladled broth and noodles into two bowls. The recipe was handed down from the Bergstein's, his great-grandmother Rachel Stoppable's family. It was not especially complicated. Boiled chicken to make the broth, and homemade pasta rolled out and cut into lengths to make the noodles. But it was not the spindly noodles found in commercial chicken noodle soup. These were robust noodles, each nearly as thick as a pencil. A bowlful of the Bergstein chicken noodle soup was a hearty meal. He arranged various cuts of meat on a platter: thighs, breasts, and wings. He set the platter, the two bowls, and a variety of spices on a tray. Traditionally, the soup and chicken were separate. The soup could be seasoned to taste with ginger, cinnamon, or curry,

He was about to close the cover to his huge cyber-book. He touched the Ronnunicator that was under his shirt, in a Lakota medicine pouch around his neck. He was about to log off the program when he noticed a flashing icon on the lower corner of the page. There were incoming messages. He touched the icon. More icons appeared. Familiar faces. Uncle Lon, Uncle Roy, and Mom. Ron Stoppable's three children. Obviously, they were calling to update on Grandma Tara's condition. Also was Carl, Uncle Lon's oldest.

Ron grinned to himself. Yes, it was good to be home. The Stoppables were a close-knit family, and whether one wanted to or not, one was drawn into the circle of love. Ron definitely wanted to. There was the unfortunate chill between Grandma Tara and her two oldest sons. He now understood why. They had been his predecessors in the guardianship of the Undead Kim Possible, and they resented her for the chilling crime, and the solemn duty that been thrust upon the family for seemingly all time to come.

There were more faces. Grandpa Tim and Great-Uncle Jim. Ron smiled. The Possibles were equally close-knit. These were the notorious 'Tweebs', Kim Possible's two younger brothers. The loss and presumed death of their sister as they were just growing up marked their lives profoundly. Instead of splintering, the two households had only grown closer. But what a ghoulish quirk of fate. The beloved heroine they thought lying peacefully in eternal rest...perhaps at the bottom of Middleton Lake, somehow undetected in the intensive search...was in reality entombed under the gazebo in the Stoppable back yard. Her transformation had been every bit a fearful as the stories of mythology. Izanami. Scylla. Charybdus. Medusa. Lovely women dreadfully changed into unimaginable predatory monsters.

And last of all, an icon appeared whose face was not associated with the family...at least not by blood...yet. Her family history was profoundly tied with the Stoppables and Possibles. It was a lovely...and beloved...face. She had gray eyes, her mother's features, and her father's hair: Mariko Kansumi.

Checking the log, there were several messages from her, from several hours old to a minute old. He grimaced. He was so intent on watching the audio video footage of his Aunt Kim, he hadn't noticed anything else.

He would leave a voicemail. "Hiya, Mari; uh, sorry about that. Didn't mean to ignore you. Um, I'm here in Middleton, of course. You knew that. Something came up with Grandma. We spent the night at the Medical Center. She's fine. Miss you."

And before he could sign off, another message popped up. The beautiful face appeared . Mari. Sensei Yoriko's daughter. Ron's girlfriend. This was not a recording. This was live feed.

She beamed her usual flashing smile. "Hey, Hon, I've been trying to reach you for hours!" And her adorable pout appeared. "I've missed you!'

Ron almost laughed. It was so cute; and it seemed to be universal. The Puppy Dog Pout, which his Aunt Kim had perfected, was now used to good effect by any number of his acquaintances. By dreadful and heartrending irony, it was the very one whose existence he had learned of only last night.

That kept him from laughing. That and the fact he had once laughed at Mariko's Puppy Pout cuteness, which had caused her to run from him and burst into tears. It had taken a lot of apologizing to reconcile. It was a hard lesson. The Stoppable American-style buffoonery sometimes had adverse consequences. Even Ron-shine was sometimes obscured by overcast conditions. But he only smiled warmly. "Then I apologize and humbly ask milady's pardon."

Mariko's flashing smile returned. She loved the gallantry. It was not exactly American-style. It could hardly be catalogued. It was like the ancient Japanese courtesy; and the ancient European chivalry. Her mother had once called the quality 'poetic'. "Guess what?" she said. "I'm in town."

Ron stared in amazement. "Here? In town? In Middleton? When? For how long?"

"I decided to do something unexpected in honor of finishing your time at Yamanouchi!" She waved perkily. "So...surprise! What'cha doing?" That was Mariko's way. She was as spontaneous as Ron was predictable.

"I'm, uh, fixing lunch here...listen! Are you at the airport? I'm coming right out! I'll pick you up!" He was practically jabbering with excitement.

"Hon! No, no! it's a crime to stop you from cooking! Tell you what...I'll catch a ride to your grandmother's house. Then I'll find a place to stay."

Ron frowned. "Find a place? My dear young lady...you already have a place to stay. It's going to be my honor to make you feel at home here at Grandma's house."

Mariko looked dubious. "Are you sure it'll be okay with her?"

Ron winked. "She's going to love you as much as I do. Now get over here, and I'll fix you something to eat."

Mariko smiled. "I was hoping you would say that. I skipped lunch on the flight over from Tokyo. Be there soon. Love you!" And she blew a kiss.

"Love you, too," said Ron. The transmission ended, and he took the tray up to Tara's room.

"Ronnie?" asked Tara. "Who called?" Her grandson was barely managing to suppress his excitement.

"Oh, that was my girlfriend...Mariko Kamsumi"

Tara paled. "G-girlfriend?"

Ron nodded. "I've known her the whole time I was in Japan. We just recently started dating."

Tara bowed her head. She was stricken to the bottom of her heart. A girlfriend. He was already planning for his future...and I've saddled him with this perpetual responsibility. She looked up again. "Kamsumi...that name sounds familiar."

"It is. She's Sensei Yoriko's daughter. We met when I started training at Yamanouchi. I invited her to spend the evening."

Tara forced a smile. "Invite her to stay with us. There are several spare rooms. She's certainly welcome to stay as long as she wants."

Ron smiled. "Already done. She'll be here in a few minutes."

The lunch was delicious. Tara ate in silence. She savored the taste of food prepared with the same talent her husband had possessed; and reproached herself for this new development.

When lunch was done, Ron took the tray back to the kitchen. And Tara was left alone with her thoughts.

The name "Yoriko" had opened a floodgate of memories. It was like a clap of thunder; a great resounding bell of alarm. Yamanouchi...my husband's other life. His Yori...my Ron's other love. I let her sit beside him at Kim's funeral. I thought I could outlast her. What was I going to do? Plot the untimely demise of every rival? All my sins are being remembered. What was I thinking when I walled up Kimmie in that cistern? I told myself I could make my Ron happy. I told myself life was long. I could repent of my awful crime. The dead past could bury the dead. But I was fooling myself. It'll never die...just like Kim. It's going to haunt me...for the rest of my life...for the rest of eternity. And I've laid the same unthinkable burden my descendants. God help me…God help me.

Ron glanced out the front window. And sure enough, a cab was pulling up to the front curb. He had estimated correctly the time it would take for their guest to arrive from the Tri-City International Airport.

"Mari!" He raced out the front door.

Mariko was just getting out of the cab with her backpack, valise, and carry-on suitcase. "Ron!"

They raced toward each other like long-lost lovers. He picked her up and twirled her about. She cried excitedly and hugged his neck. Then they kissed a long, unbroken kiss.

After what seemed like many moments, their lips parted. "Welcome to Middleton," said Ron quietly.

"Glad to be here," answered Mariko quietly.

He had time to notice how she looked. Her now-longer hair was pulled back into a ponytail, tied with a red ribbon; not quite like the way her mother had worn it; above the bangs at her forehead. She wore her classic skirt, jacket, and dress shoes. "You didn't pack much for a trip to America."

She winked. "Just like you didn't pack much for your first trip to Japan. It's my honor to travel light. Besides, it'll give me an excuse to visit the local mall with you at my earliest opportunity."

Ron insisted on carrying all the luggage into the house...and promptly tripped on the front door threshold. Mariko stifled a chortle. She could hear her mother's voice echoing the words. "The sons of Stoppable-san are all masters of the Monkey Kung-Fu and the Mystical Monkey Power...but they are otherwise hopelessly afflicted with the American-style clumsiness."

Tara had come downstairs from her room. She took it all in at a glance; Ron and the luggage in a heap and Mariko trying to suppress her laughter.

The girl was indeed a beauty; visibly Yoriko's daughter. And here she was, in the very house, more than a quarter century after Yoriko's last visit.

Tara's sons had suffered the fate of all high school geeks: they were overlooked by the girls close at hand. Lon and Laurie Mankey, Josh's daughter, had been friends all their lives, and had finally realized a mutual love after high school. Roy had not married. But her husband's first serious romance was the daughter of a warrior caste, in an ancient fortress, on a windswept mountain, in the heart of a former empire...the ultimate realization of never being normal. And her grandson had obviously followed suit.

Tara braced herself to welcome her guest, who was a living reminder of a grievous hurt. But Mariko's slender arms wrapped around her first in a tight squeeze. "Oh, Mrs. Stoppable! My parents have talked about the people from Middleton for my entire life! Ron has shared all your letters and pictures! I feel like I already know you!"

The wring on Tara's heart was just as tight as Mariko's loving embrace; and much more painful. No one really knew her...except those who knew the gruesome gazebo mystery. And her sons never showed even a trace of the warmth that Ron was displaying; and that might be for the sake of the new guest.

Ron was as giddy as a child on Christmas. "Uh, Grandma, meet Mari...Mari, meet my Grandma...well, actually, I guess you've already met...I was about to fix Mari some lunch."

Both women smiled. Ron was completely flustered, and it was tremendously endearing.

"Well, don't wait," said Tara, "Let's get our guest fed."

"What would you like to eat, Mari?" asked Ron. "There's still some chicken soup."

Mariko brightened. "Your chicken soup? Oh, Ron...that's worth another trip across the Pacific!"

Ron got Mari seated at the dining room table and served a bowl of soup. While he was taking her luggage upstairs, she finished the bowl, and Tara refilled it.

She emptied the kettle. "I swear, Mrs. Possible, with the right marketing, Ron's chicken soup could replace sushi as a national dish."

Ron came back and noticed the empty kettle. "Well," he smiled, "That's the best compliment I could hope to get."

"Oh, Ron, it was delicious," said Mariko, dabbing the corner of her mouth with her napkin.

Ron helped her out of her chair. "Come on. I'll show milady her chambers. Your mother would say I was remiss in my duties as a host if I didn't practice the hospitality demanded by the Bushido..."

Mari looked intently at him.

Ron was feeling conspicuous. "What? What did I say?"

Smiling craftily, Mariko turned to Tara. "Mrs. Stoppable...for the five years I've known your grandson, he always talks like this. At first, I thought he was trying to impress me...but he never stops. Has he always been a know-it-all?"

Tara smiled. "Always. He gets it from the Possible side."

Ron grimaced, half in seriousness and half in self-depreciation. "I'm glad to know that my efforts to act polite can also be the source of so much amusement."

Both Mari and Tara burst into laughter. The chastened look on his face reminded Tara precisely of Ronnie's grandfather and great-uncle on his father's side: Tim and Jim Possible. The original Tweebs, had the same browbeaten expression when they had been scolded by their father for some prank.

"C'mon, Ron-dog," said Mariko, embracing him. "Cheer up. We still love you."

Tara almost gasped aloud. It was like a knife being plunged into her heart. "R-Ron-dog?"

Ron shrugged. "Her nickname for me."

Tara was momentarily stunned. Her breath caught in her throat. She almost burst into tears. Ron-dog. That name hadn't passed from her lips or touched her ears since the night of Kim Possible's escape. A marriage died that night; and all her hopes and dreams with it. It had been more than forty years. Ronnie's mother was not yet ten years old. How did Mariko ever hear that expression? Did word filter down through the Possible family? Or from Yoriko?

Ron knew all the terms of endearment that had been lavished on his grandfather. He could perceive the trauma his grandmother was undergoing. It grieved his heart; and he wished he could take her aside and comfort her; but Mari's arrival had been unexpected; and such consolation must wait.

Both Mariko and Ron took her luggage this time. He led her upstairs. "This was my mom's old room. It's still decorated like a teenager's room...just a little different from your room back at Yamanouchi."

Mari looked around at the boy band posters, stuffed animals, and pink floral curtains. "I love it. Your mother was a stylish decorator." She slipped into Ron's arms and winked. "I bet Mom's Ninja Sensei senses are kicking up a storm back home. I'm alone with my boyfriend in his mother's old bedroom and he's putting the moves on me ."

Ron blushed and laughed. "Mariko Kamsumi...you are such little rascal. I bet you couldn't wait to get out of your folks' sight."

Tara heard the sounds of smooching. There was no reconciling the awful dilemma she had foisted on her grandson. He had entered his manhood. He had found someone he was attracted to; someone who was as enamored with him.

The older woman clasped her hands with such force that her knuckles turned white. He's more that just a boyfriend to her. A violent urge took hold. She would afflict herself...she would disfigure her appearance...like the penitents and mourners of ancient times. With her own fingers, she would gouge the eyes from her face and rip the living heart from her chest...if only it would serve to erase her crime...

...By the time, Mariko and Ron had come back downstairs, the fit had passed. Tara took a deep breath. "So, Ronnie...what are your plans for the rest of the day?"

Ron smiled slyly. "Well, I was going to check the pantry, maybe do some shopping; but now that we have company, I thought, why don't we have a small dinner party...just the three of us. We can celebrate Grandma's discharge from the hospital and clean bill of health, my housewarming in my new residence, and Mari's arrival as our honored guest. And I think we have enough items to make homemade nacos."

"Nacos?" exclaimed Mari. "Great! Mrs. Stoppable, can you believe I've known Ron for five years, and have never tasted one of the famous Stoppable Nacos?"

"But it'll take a while," said Ron. "The neighbor girl Grandma looks after made pasta with me this morning, but we used it all for the noodle soup. "

"That's okay," said Mariko. "We'll keep busy with the girl talk." She took Tara by the arm. "Mrs. Stoppable, I've always wanted to hear about Ron's childhood. Has he always been as big a bookworm as he is now?"

While Ron was busy in the kitchen, he glanced out every so often. Tara and Mari were seated on the sofa. Tara had open the big picture album and a pile of other albums and scrapbooks on the coffee table. He rejoiced. This was what his grandmother needed.

to be continued