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KP © Disney.
Chapter 28: We Don't Have a Ticket to Ride
I.
Kim was driving the Kiminator, planning what would happen in Go City, while Ron rode shotgun, thinking about nacos. A simpering Barkin sat nervously in the back, muttering to himself. "I gave him detention. And called him a non-conformist punk. He's going to flatten me like the Marines did Maa Zhong back in '73 …"
Ron sighed, setting aside fond thoughts of food, turned, and looked over his shoulder. "Mr. B, chill," he said gently as if speaking to Hana, "I'm not going to go monkey on you …"
Barking stared at him wide-eyed.
"… That's for the bad guys. And, well, you're not a bad guy. Maybe a rules-bound, fun-crushing disciplinarian, but we're Chauncey. Okay?"
Barkin relaxed a bit. "Thanks, Stoppable."
"Kay," Ron said, wearing his most disarming grin.
Kim looked over at her boyfriend and smiled. He really is growing up. Thoughts of how her BF was being mature got her thinking about things. "Ron, what you did back at the lair. Thanks."
He knew this subject was going to come up. "'Sha. It was nothing," he said, not wanting to dwell on the matter.
Kim quirked an eyebrow. "It was so not nothing."
Ron shrugged his shoulders. "Eh, my lady was in a pickle, I helped her out."
"You didn't just help me out. You saved me. Again. That's the second time since you got here."
"Yeah, well …" he said, rubbing the back of his neck. Ron was worried about how Kim really felt. He knew she liked, indeed took justifiable pride in, being über-competent.
"Don't get me wrong. I'm beyond grateful," she said. Then, though, she put on her interrogator's face. "But what's the sitch? With you and the mystical monkey power?"
Ron, not realizing he was holding his breath, expelled some air. "I'm not sure, KP. You were in trouble and I … stepped up?"
"You mean you don't know?" she asked, bemused but somewhat incredulous.
"Sorry, KP," Ron said abashedly. "I …"
Kim interrupted, wanting to halt the self-doubt train before it left the station. "Okay, stop there. Now. Newsflash: Ron, you were awesome."
He looked unsure. "For reals?"
"For reals," she said as she reached over and took his hand.
Ron relaxed. "Well, maybe I can get some dirt from Sensei after the game."
Kim beamed. "That's the spirit. You see? Everything will be fine."
II.
Kim had called her mother to let her know that she was better and was on her way to the game. That was welcome news, allowing Ann Possible to focus on the campus villain situation.
She was gathered with the Stoppables, Fern and Rufus in the student lounge in Kim's dorm reviewing what they knew. Wade was joining them by conference call on Ann's mobile as both the Kimmunicators were on their way to Go City. Hana was there, too, happily dancing on the ceiling to the tunes of 'Flippin' Out', the latest offering from the Flippies.
"So we know who attacked Kim …" Ann said.
"We just don't know where he is," Fern added, a note of shared frustration in her voice. The three parents and one roommate, with the assistance of campus security, had combed the campus. Still, Llenrock was huge. And then there were the gorges on the edge of the university and beyond that, all of upstate New York. No one doubted that Tim could still be in the area, yet very well hidden.
"What are we going to do?' Mrs. Stoppable asked. "I don't like thinking that villain is at large. Kimberly is in danger."
Ann couldn't help but notice how protective Ron's mother had become of Kim and smiled.
"Global Justice and Team Impossible are both on the case," Wade offered. "Even without his goatee and glasses, Tim should be going down soon," he offered.
III.
"This is so not fine," Kim growled.
She drove the car into the overflow lot at the GCU stadium after being turned away from the main parking area. The contest between Llenrock and the Go City eleven was going on its ninetieth year and was the hallowed, storied stuff of football legend, with every seat claimed by an eager spectator — and every spot filled with a vehicle. Finally, Kim decided they would have to leave the Kiminator at the outer edge of the lot and hike back to the gate.
Normally, that would not have been a big issue. But it was already early into the second quarter. Kim's original hope of confronting Deb Utant before kick-off was just a forlorn memory. As Ron looked at his less-than-pleased girlfriend, he was now grateful he hadn't suggested the Bueno Nacho drive-through — though his grumbling tummy really, really could have used some snackage. Still, it was better to be in need of a well-deserved naco than have his girlfriend direct her understandable frustration at him.
Kim made her way to the stadium, as ever, a woman on a mission. It was all Ron and Barkin could do to keep up. Finally, they arrived at the ticket booth.
"How may I help you?" the attendant asked.
"We'd like three tickets, please and thank you."
"I'm sorry, we're sold out."
"What?"
"This game is the hottest thing since sliced bread," the ticket seller said.
"But we need to see the game!"
"You might try one of the Sports Bars."
Kim looked frustrated.
"KP …"
"What is it, Ron?" she snapped.
"Uh, I've got an idea?"
Kim looked at him, her face a study in sulfurous disbelief.
"Hey!" Ron protested. "What happened to me being the partner and you believin' and everything?"
Kim looked chagrined. "I'm sorry, it's just that this is …"
"Important to you." Ron said gently. "The Ron man gets it. But hear me out," he asked.
Kim nodded. "Okay. What are you thinking?"
"Him," he said as he hooked a thumb at Barkin.
"Excuse me?" Kim asked in surprise.
"Your Mr. B. He's a coach, right?' Ron explained.
"So this helps us how?"
"Our Mr. B is a coach …"
Kim's eyes opened wide. She then smiled, approvingly. "Wow, Ron, you really have been paying attention."
"Ayup. Some of us have learned from our little adventures over the years." He could barely contain his self-satisfied grin.
Kim playfully punched her BF in the shoulder, then turned to her one-time teacher. "So, Mr. Barkin …"
"Yes?" he asked, mollified with what Ron had said but still uncomfortable with what he'd seen him do.
"How'd you like to go on a mission?"
"What?"
"You heard me, a mission. An undercover mission?"
Barkin beamed. "We're going recon? I'm stoked! Let's move out!"
IV.
Tim Morrell was less than pleased with his current situation. He'd fled the lab, quickly shaved his goatee, dyed his hair, and lost his glasses. He knew that would buy him some time.
He looked at the list of contacts in his phone. He didn't want to call her, but she was the only one who might be able to help him. Who would understand the mess in which he found himself.
He dialed the number for his aunt.
Amy Hall.
To Be Continued …
A/N: A shorter than usual chapter, but I wanted to update this story before any more time passed. I'll try to get a chapter up in two or three weeks, but we'll see how things go. I was away for most of the summer and am now trying to get back into the swing of things. Thanks for your patience!
