A/N
Chapter 38 is up and running!
- Villain plans continue to build, but someone's apparently been left out of the loop...
- Anne and Sheridan have a heart-to-heart about their children.
- A member of Team Possible gets a slight surprise.
- Kim and Ron discuss their relationship, revealing a few unexpected twists.
- Plans are set in motion, and the pace of G.V.U. continues with a few kinks in the line.
- And finally, a meeting is arranged...complete with an uninvited guest...
Ready or not, here's the sitch!
And now for the necessary stuff:
Kim Possible and all related characters are (c) Disney, Bob Schooley, and Mark McCorkle.
Original Characters are my creations, and I would appreciate if you ask before you use them. Thank you.
Bates grinned sinisterly as he went over the last notes his master had made before he'd been petrified. According to the notes on the Yono that Lord Fiske had left behind and the texts he and D.N. Amy had stolen so far, removing the Yono's curse would indeed be possible. And if things went well, it would strike a deep blow against that young man who annoyed Lord Monkey Fist so much.
"Ron Stoppable will never know what hit him," D.N. Amy said with maniacal glee. "And we'll get Monty-kins back with no trouble at all. Even that nasty Kim Possible can't stop us now."
"I agree," Bates replied nastily. "This time there will be no mistakes. Lord Monkey Fist will truly become the Ultimate Monkey Master!"
As he looked over their plans, the long-time butler to the Fiske family grinned even more evilly. If things truly went like he had planned, the chosen course of action would do more than just revive Lord Monkey Fist. If successful, it would also remove many of the more annoying thorns in Monkey Fist's side, and in gratitude the lord would reward him handsomely indeed. As he glanced back at the stone-encased form of his master, he couldn't help but let his sadistic smile grow.
Yes, soon it will be time. Soon, milord, all obstacles will be removed and you will be unstoppable!
Given the late hour, the majority of the occupants of Go Tower during the birth of the Lipsky twins fell asleep with thirty minutes after their arrival. The notable exceptions were Motor Ed and Adrenal Lynn (who left as soon as possible afterwards), and Anne Possible and Sheridan Godfrey. The latter pair found themselves sitting up alone in the main room long after everyone else had gone to sleep.
"I can't thank you enough, Dr. Possible," Sheridan said, her face the picture of gratitude.
Anne smiled. "It was really no big. Sheila needed a doctor, and I am one. I was happy to help."
Sheridan shook her head in amused disbelief. "You know, I really can't figure that. Both you and your daughter do amazing things that help people in gigantic ways, yet you pass them off as things you do every day without a second thought. How is that possible?"
Anne shrugged. "Honestly, it's because we see the fact that we can help people means that we should whenever we can. I couldn't really tell you why beyond that."
Mrs. Godfrey cocked her head to the side. "Even if those people would be much worse off if you didn't do what you do? Or when doing so stretches you thin?"
Dr. Possible grinned and leaned back a little. "Even then. And as much as I do that, Kimmie takes wanting to help even more to heart that I do. I will admit that sometimes she tries to do too much, but for the most part she's able to handle everything. That's part of the reason James and I let her take up the missions in the first place."
"And the other?" Sheridan asked with a smile.
"Well, let me answer that by asking you something. According to what Kim has told me, you let your children start taking on the role of superheroes when most of them didn't yet have driver's licenses. Why did you decide to let them face danger when they were so young?"
Sheridan sighed, but there was a proud quality to it. "I guess because I saw how much good they could do for others."
Anne nodded. "That's the same with me and James where Kim is concerned, and it's also how Ron's parents see it. There are a lot of people who criticize us for letting our children face the dangers they do as young as they were and still are, but there are just as many who see what they're able to do and understand it without having to ask. I will admit there are times I worry about them, but I also went on a mission with her a few years ago as part of our Mother's Day hanging out, and I got to see for myself exactly how skilled she is. And based on what she's told me, Ron's just as capable of handling himself. Though to be honest, even though Kim is the one everyone is more familiar with, I sometimes wonder if Ron is a lot more competent than he lets on."
Mrs. Godfrey bobbed her head in agreement. "I've gotten that myself, just from the short time I've known them. I mean, don't get me wrong, your daughter is truly incredible in what she's able to do, but based on what I'd heard compared to what I saw, I don't think people give that young man enough credit for what he does and how he does it. I mean, I'd always heard he was just some clumsy guy who always served as the distraction. But honestly, I think what makes them great is the chemistry and teamwork between them."
Kim's mother smiled. "My thoughts exactly. You know, it was the same when they were younger, even before they started the missions. I specifically remember one summer where Ron's parents sent him to a summer camp, and you would have thought our children had been replaced by doppelgangers. I know Ron claims that to be the worst summer of his life, and apparently that it's where a lot of his fears and phobias found their roots. But I also know there are things about my daughter that happened that summer that I don't think she's ever told anyone who wasn't there to see them happen, even Ron. And one big incident I think she's blocked out somewhat, though I know it affects her just from some of the things she refuses to do."
Sheridan would have pressed for details, but the way Anne cut the sentence made her second-guess her questions. She glanced at the room that her sons had set up for the young couple, and smiled.
"Well, whatever it is, if it ever comes up I think they'll be stronger simply because they'll face it together. They really are a good team, and a good pair of kids."
Anne grinned. "That they are." She paused for a moment before continuing. "Speaking of which Sheridan, do you mind if I ask something about Sheila?"
The elder Godfrey woman smiled solemnly and glanced at the floor. "It's about if I know why Sheila turned evil, isn't it?"
Anne nodded apologetically. "If it's a personal issue I understand, but it's just something I've wondered about ever since I found out she used to be one of the good guys…you know, before she turned evil."
Sheridan sighed and leaned forward with her elbows on her knees. "Actually, Heathcliff and I can take most of the fault for that. You know how I said we knew they could use their powers to do a lot of good, right? Well, one thing we didn't consider was that the five of them, particular Sheila, weren't yet adjusted to the fact that they weren't normal people anymore. The boys all saw it as something cool that set them apart, but Sheila was going through a phase at that point where she wanted more than anything to be just like every other girl her age. I'm actually rather ashamed we didn't see it, particularly since Sheila is our only daughter, but for some reason the two of us forgot that she still wanted to be young and accepted. Since you have Kim, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about when I say it's sometimes a little too easy to forget they're still young."
Dr. Possible smiled. "Believe me I know exactly what you mean. I know Kimmie's mature enough to handle it, but there are days I forget just how much adult responsibility we let her carry on those young shoulders. Sometimes I think that might be why she gets the way she does with the 'I know what's best' attitude, because James and I have spent so long basically telling her that her judgment is perfectly sound."
"That's it exactly. We barely gave them only enough time to learn how to harness their new abilities before we basically shoved them into the fire, not even worrying whether they were mature enough to handle the inevitable backlash. And when they did so well against the first few foes they went up against, and with the media coverage that followed, we just assumed they would be able to handle it. The boys did just fine of course, but Sheila had trouble. Then according to Hector there was an incident with her date on the night of prom her freshman year in high school, and Sheila started thinking that she'd had enough. And according to him and the other boys, she had already begun to see how easy the villains had it. Soon after that, she just got to the point that she was fed up following the rules if it only caused her grief, and according to Hector she simply up and left one day shortly after she graduated from Go City University."
Anne merely nodded as she listened, realizing that Mrs. Godfrey was probably needing to let this out.
"He said that he and the others looked for her, but by the time they found her she had turned up working for Andy as his main enforcer. And since my sons knew she had some things to work out they just decided to let her be…although they have told me that she apparently kept protecting Go City, even if only subconsciously, by never letting Andy's schemes affect here. Hector said he didn't even know the Lil' Diablos had gone evil until after Kim and Ron stopped them, and that when he examined the shipments he'd gotten they were just plain, plastic toys."
Dr. Possible nodded understandingly. "Well, I'd say that since she eventually made the choice of her children over the 'easier' as she saw it life of villainy, you and your husband must have done something right."
Sheridan smiled a bit, letting out a small yawn. "I guess so. Still, it doesn't stop me from wishing she hadn't caused so much trouble for your daughter and your family before she turned away from it."
Anne waved her hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it. She's good now, and that's all that matters, both to me and to Kim and Ron."
Sunday morning Kim and Ron were preparing to take her mother back to her hotel and then head back to Upperton themselves when they were hit with a rather interesting surprise. Knowing what they had learned the previous summer it shouldn't have shocked them, but it still came as quite a surprise when they heard the news.
"You want to what?" Kim replied incredulously, her voice so laced with astonishment she nearly squeaked.
Sheila smiled, holding her newborn daughter. Unlike her father only possessing the one vine, the little girl had four distinct vegetative tendrils, one sprouting from the palm side of each wrist in addition to the two growing from the back of her neck. Currently they were curled lightly around her neck and arms, giving the impression she was wearing a necklace and bracelets. In addition, the ones on the wrists were curling trustingly around Sheila's arms.
"Andy and I talked it over, and we want to name our daughter after you. We'd like her full name to be Kimberly Sheridan Lipsky."
Kim looked like she'd just been told she wasn't really a Possible. "But…I mean…why would you do that?"
Andy grinned as he held his son, who appeared to be asleep. "Kimberly, without you, Sheila and I probably aren't together. And without your quick thinking in bringing your mother here, both of our children might not be here this morning. I mean, we know it might be a little weird to name your child after someone you used to want to harm and mess with, but we both feel it's the right thing to do."
Kim was speechless, but Ron looked thoughtful.
"Question: do you really want to her name to be 'Kimberly', or are you just looking for a way to honor KP with it?"
Sheila and Andy looked at each other for a moment before she returned her gaze to him, a smile of curiosity on her face. "Why do you ask, Ronster?"
Ron reached across to rub his own shoulder. "Because if you were looking to simply honor Kim with it I have a suggestion you might like better."
Andy looked perplexed. "Nnnngg…what are you suggesting?"
Kim also looked a little confused. "Yeah, Ron, what are you getting at?"
Ron shrugged. "Just hear me out here. I know Xander got Sheila's glow, but your daughter got both the glow and the plant vines from Andy. Meaning there's a definite part of both of you in her, as well as a part of what makes you both unique. Now, you both already know I went to Yamanouchi for training in using my MMP, but what you might not know is that Sensei also had me study some of the Japanese culture. One of the things I learned while I was there was the history behind the traditional kimono. In old Japan, if a man wanted to marry a woman, he was responsible for providing the silk required to make her wedding kimono. And it was tradition for the bride to make it pretty much all on her own without any help. So in a sense they were bound to each other through the creation of the kimono. And if you called her 'Kimono', you'd be acknowledging that there's a special part of both of you in her, as well as honoring KP since the name has 'Kim' in it."
Andy didn't look entirely sure, but Sheila had a small smile developing.
"Kimono Lipsky," she said softly. "Kimono Sheridan Lipsky," she said a moment later before frowning slightly. "I admit it has a nice ring, but it doesn't sound right with 'Sheridan' as a middle name. And I really want to have her named after Momma, too."
Heathcliff grinned as he put a comforting hand on his daughter's shoulder. "There's another option to that as well. Your mother's mother was French, and you could make her middle name 'Cherie" and honor her that way. After all, 'Sherry' and 'Cherie' do sound almost alike."
Sheridan smiled brightly. "And I know Grams would have liked that."
Andy nodded. "Kimono Cherie Lipsky," he said with a grin and a warm gesture with his free hand. "I think she likes it, Sheila."
Sheila glanced down, and saw the little girl appearing to smile brightly at her, as well as a few flowers popping up on the vines. She nodded. "Then it's settled—Kimono Cherie Lipsky," she said adoringly as she kissed her daughter's forehead gently, then she laughed. "You know, I just realized that means I might end up calling her 'Kimmie' as a nickname, just like I sometimes like to call you, Princess."
Kim smiled and shrugged. "Won't bother me." Then she thought of something. "But there is one thing about this whole sitch that kind of does, if you don't mind my asking about it."
"What's that?" the mint-skinned woman replied.
Kim glanced for a second at Ron, who nodded his concurrence, before looking back at Sheila. They'd both agreed not to bring it up so soon after they brought Heathcliff and Sheridan back from Italy, and had also decided they wouldn't mention it while Andy and Sheila were focusing on the wedding and the birth of their children. But now that all those things had come to pass, the two young people knew it was time they got some answers.
"Well," Kim began, choosing her words carefully, "when Wade was doing the information gathering before we went to find your parents, he found a lot of connections between your family and Global Justice. And frankly a lot of it seemed like the type of stuff that comes straight out of a science-fiction novel or a government cover-up. And then when Carmine and his organization came after you, it seemed they were after the same thing. What exactly was it that you and your brothers were involved in when you were younger?"
Sheila started to reply, but her father put his hand on her shoulder again and shook his head. Then he spoke up in her place.
"Actually, Miss Possible, I would be the better one to ask about that, especially since I was the one acting as the liaison between not only the GCPD and Global Justice, but also between my family and those two organizations. And since this whole thing proved to me just how dangerous it is to keep family, friends, and allies out of the loop, I think it best if you know about it. The head of Global Justice at that time, Dr. Hannibal Leader, had his top people working on a project so secret that very few people outside of Global Justice knew about its existence, something he called Project M.E.R.C. Now I never learned what those letters stood for or the exact details of the project, but I do know it involved a method of strengthening Global Justice beyond what the 'regulations' the world holds them to would allow. And somehow, my wife's serum and the fact that it allowed Sheila and her brothers to survive the comet crash that gave them their powers factored greatly into Dr. Leader's plans. However, Dr. Elizabeth Director, who at the time had managed to become the Assistant Director, found some sort of ethics problem in the project, and it was subsequently terminated shortly thereafter. Or at least that's what I was told."
Kim could see the look in the older man's eyes. "But you don't believe that…do you, Mr. Godfrey?"
He shook his head. "No, Miss Possible, I don't. Hannibal Leader wasn't the type to let go of something he saw as giving an advantage to Global Justice, and from what I learned he saw this as a pretty big opportunity to give them one. So I don't think he'd give up so easily. Unfortunately, he disappeared shortly before my wife and I went into hiding, so I had no chance to confront him about it. However, I will say that with the way things are heating up again, not to mention how quickly it seems the world's law enforcement officials were willing to accept Sheila and Andy's conversion to good, it's not too far an assumption in my mind to think someone might be trying to restart the project."
Ron frowned. "But you said Dr. Director's the one who found the flaw in the project, and she's currently the leader of Global Justice. If she's the one who was originally against it on moral grounds, why would she allow that?"
Kim was about to agree when a pair of dots suddenly connected in her mind. "Mr. Godfrey, since you worked in Global Justice maybe you can tell us who they answer to. I mean, is there some higher organization, or is it just someone above Dr. Director?"
Sheila's father raised an eyebrow and frowned. "The fact that you're asking me that question unfortunately also means that you know more about their leadership structure and internal workings than I do, Miss Possible. As I said, I was just the liaison between them and the GCPD. I wish I had a better answer for you, but honestly I was just a regular police investigator who got picked to be the go-between for the GCPD commissioner and Global Justice. And I think the only reason I got the position was because of my children's abilities. Anything I know beyond that is purely what I was able to learn when I did a little digging on the side to find out exactly who I was working with. If you want any other information, you'll need to ask Dr. Director herself."
Kim nodded, the wheels in her head spinning furiously as she tried to piece the parts of the puzzle together. Again, it was all coming back to Dr. Director and information the Global Justice leader had apparently withheld from Team Possible for some reason.
Anne glanced at her watch. "Well, I hate to say it, but we really need to get going. James and I have a rather long drive back to Middleton, and I'm sure Kim and Ron need to get back to school so they can get some sleep before classes tomorrow."
Sheila nodded, and handed Kimono to her mother so she could hug the two teens. The hug was similar to the one she'd given Kim while transformed into Miss Go, as were the words.
"Thanks, you two, for everything. You're the best."
Kim and Ron smiled, and said the exact same thing at the exact same moment. "No big."
Anne immediately grinned. "Jinx! You two owe me a grandchild."
Kim felt her cheeks quickly flame up. "Mom!"
Her mother merely smiled. "What? We just helped bring two new lives into the world, so I'm entitled to be thinking that direction."
"She's got you there, KP," Ron added with a goofy grin.
Kim merely shook her head as a large chorus of laughter accompanied the goodbyes that saw the three climbing into the Sloth and streaking off through the air back towards Go City. As she watched them go, Sheila smiled and glanced back at Andy, who was now holding both twins. She grinned, but at the same time felt an odd numbing pain in her stomach. She brushed it off as being on her feet so soon after having just given birth to the twins, but she still couldn't ignore just how much it actually hurt…
Soon after they landed and Kim's mother climbed out, Kim drove the Sloth the few blocks to the Go City Plaza. She glanced around the suite as she and Ron packed, and felt a little bit…envious that the two of them hadn't really been able to take advantage of having such a nice hotel room all to themselves. It wasn't the honeymoon suite, but it was still a room where the needs and wants of two people in love had been taken in to consideration. Ron was apparently thinking along the same lines, evidenced by the comment he made less than five seconds after the thoughts entered her mind.
"Sorry we didn't get to enjoy the room, KP," he said as he planted a kiss on her cheek when he passed by while taking his clothes and toiletries to his suitcase.
She sighed as she folded up her own laundry and placed it in her own suitcase. "Ronnie, I'm the one who should be apologizing, not you. After all, you were the one who spent the extra money to get us the Couple's Suite."
She heard Ron chuckle a bit, and before she could react he had walked up behind her, lightly tugging the neck of her shirt to the side so he could kiss her on the bare skin of the curve where her neck met her shoulder. Kim wasn't expecting the rush that brought, and as a result felt her knees go a little weak. The young man pulled back a little as she turned around slowly, smiling as his arms wrapped lovingly around her waist.
"You know, it's only 9:00, and check-out isn't till 11:00. We could always spend a little more time here."
Kim smiled, and replied with a kiss to his lips. "And just what were you thinking of doing for those two hours, Bad Boy?" she said sultrily as her arms went around his neck.
Ron's smile got decidedly lopsided, and he leaned over to kiss the bare flesh of her other shoulder where it met her neck. "Didn't really have a plan," he breathed huskily, his warm breath enhancing the kiss he'd just given her there. "Just felt like maybe turning you on a bit."
"Only a bit?" she challenged, well aware that she was definitely liking what he was doing more than a bit. "And what about you?"
Ron surprised her slightly as he picked her up and placed her gently on the bed. Then he kissed her gently but forcibly, and Kim felt herself naturally letting him take the lead. She didn't know where this "take-charge" Ron had come from, but she was quickly discovering she liked him. However, she still wanted an answer to her question.
"Seriously, Ron, what about you?" she asked again when he pulled back, not moving her hands from the position he'd pinned them in.
"KP," he said gently as he lay down next to her and ran his fingers softly against her cheek, "you're the one who matters here."
For some reason she couldn't explain, that broke the mood for Kim.
"Ron, it's not all about me," she replied with a frown before she sat up and glared forward. "And I don't want to do this kind of thing if I'm the only one having fun. And don't feed me that line about you enjoying the idea of me having a good time. You're just as important as I am when it comes to this sitch, you know."
"Kim," he began, but she cut him off.
"No, Ron. Look, I may be an Alpha-type, but that doesn't mean I'm selfish about stuff like this. I want a partner, not a servant. And that means that if we do something like this I want us both to enjoy it."
"But," he started; however she interrupted again.
"Look, do you want to know why I don't want that? It's because that's how that…that thing treated me. Part of the reason I got so caught up in that whole sitch was because it treated me like a complete princess, basically doing anything I could have wanted and acting like how I thought the perfect boyfriend should before I really knew anything about a real relationship. And that's what you're doing—you're acting like him."
Ron stood up with a hurt anger. "Hey, that's too far, Kim! I'm not him. I'm not…Erik!"
The speaking of the name they had both agreed to never say immediately brought to the forefront of Kim's mind just what she was saying and rubbed her nose in exactly what she was doing by bringing him up.
"Ron…I'm…I'm sorry," she said as she turned back towards him. "I…I didn't mean it like that."
She slid towards him on the bed, coming right up to the edge and reaching out her hand for his, but he countered with a step back that put him just out of her reach.
"Look Kim, you have to understand something," the young man replied as he ran a frustrated hand through his hair, "something I thought you knew by now. When it comes to us, I'm always going to see you as the more important here no matter what we're doing. Whether that's on missions or when it comes to stuff like this, I care more about what happens to you than what happens to me. It's just how I've always seen us."
The red-head slouched for a moment before looking up and staring at him solemnly. "Ron, I know that. But I'm also completely serious when I say I want a partner here. When it comes to the rest of our relationship, if you want to let me lead, I won't argue it because I can accept that's how you see us. But here is where I don't want all the control. In fact, sometimes I know I'm going to want you to take complete control, when I want to be seduced and romanced without getting any say-so in how it's pulled off."
Ron suddenly picked up a look she didn't expect: complete confusion. "What are you saying, KP?"
His return to using her nickname made Kim smile a bit. "I'll tell you, but first you have to come here and sit with me on the bed."
Her fiancé seemed hesitant for a second, but he complied, resting his back against the headboard. Kim smiled when he did that, and changed her original plan. Instead of sitting next to him and leaning on his shoulder, she snuggled up under the crook of his arm, and was pleased when said arm curled around her like it always had a habit of doing.
"Ron, do you remember what I told you just after you changed me back from Lady Kigo last summer?"
"Umm…no…," he replied, nervousness creeping into his voice as his breathing went slightly wheezy.
Kim was about to reply when she noticed him shifting a bit, the sudden look on his face and the fact he wouldn't look her in the eye making it very apparent he most definitely did remember what she'd told him. Kim grinned a little bit, and nudged him playfully.
"Are you sure about that?" she teased flirtingly before leaning up to nip him lightly on the ear.
"Whoa, dirty move!" he complained as he nearly jumped out of his skin, but he still stayed cuddled with her.
"Ronnie," she pushed, although she didn't so much say it as breathe it into his ear.
"Okay, okay! I do remember!" he said nervously, his voice about an octave above where it should have been.
Kim giggled a bit at his reaction. "What did I tell you?" she said with a knowing look as she slid back down to her cuddling position.
Ron took a deep breath, and when he spoke again his voice was back to its normal range…although the excitability remained. "You told me to keep the handcuffs because Kigo wasn't lying when she said you got turned on a bit by that! But I just thought you were still feeling the effects of her leaving your system, kind of like I was a little dizzy after each time I came back from being Zorpox."
Kim grinned seductively. "Well, I wasn't. And to be honest, I think my alter ego would actually really hate the idea if someone actually pulled it on her. Point is I've had dreams about stuff like that. Not with any of our villains, mind you, but…well…the curiosity is still there. I mean, let's face it: I'm probably the ferociously least likely female on the planet to be the so-called 'damsel in distress'. And probably because of that, sometimes I have…you know…wondered…"
She trailed off, and Ron waited for her to continue. When she didn't, he glanced down, and noticed that she was blushing rather brightly. Looking at Kim right now, he found himself thinking back to the Aurora Orchid incident, and became very grateful that his love wasn't currently dosed with the serum Andy had created as Dr. Drakken. The young man also realized that she had most likely just told him something that no one else was ever likely to hear. Unfortunately, he still didn't know how to respond to the admonition.
"So…umm…," he began slowly, "What…exactly…are you…umm…referring to?"
Kim sighed, and started drawing a circle on a random point in his shirt where it touched his stomach. Just from the way she was doing it, he could tell it was more of a "do this so I'm not just sitting here doing nothing" type of move and not an attempt at a flirt. So he said nothing and waited patiently for her to find and form her answer.
"Honestly, Ron, I don't really know how to explain it…mainly because I don't have it sorted out myself yet. I'm just saying that sometimes I'd rather not lead or be the focus of attention in a sitch like this. Sometimes I'd rather it be about you being in charge."
Ron grinned as an oddity and a realization hit him, and although he tried not to, he couldn't help the laugh that escaped. However, he did do his absolute best to keep it short and light. Regardless, Kim still hit him with a not-amused glare.
"I don't see what's so funny, Ron," she said, the tweak entering her voice as one eyebrow rose higher than the other.
"Us," was his simple reply. "We really are a pair, aren't we?"
"This isn't something to laugh about, Ronald Stoppable," Kim replied, her taking-offense evident. "I'm sitting here telling you something intimate about myself, and you've got the nerve to start making jokes about it."
"Not joking, KP," he said with a trademark goofy grin. "Just listen, okay? You said you wanted 'no control', right? Well, what if that comes in the form of me not letting you do anything for me and instead making you focus solely on what I'm doing to you. If I force you to just lay there and enjoy yourself?"
"Ron, that…that makes no…" she tried to argue before it sunk in just what he was saying. "So in other words you're telling me that when you make this be about me you're taking charge by putting me in charge?"
Ron scratched his head. "Maybe…I guess so," he fumbled unsurely. "To tell the truth, KP, that sounded a lot better in my head before I said it. It made a lot more sense, too."
The red-head giggled and leaned up to kiss him. "Made perfect sense to me," she replied softly.
The kiss would have lasted longer (and probably led to more) if a knock hadn't come at the door at that moment.
"Housekeeping," a voice called sweetly.
Kim and Ron glanced at the clock on the nightstand next to the side of the bed Ron had used, which strangely still read 9:00 AM. Confused, Kim reached over to her side and grabbed her Kimmunicator, which had been facing away from them. Turning it over, she sighed when she read the time to actually be 10:55 AM.
"Looks like we have to put this on hold," she said with a sigh, then let out a grin as an idea hit her. "How about after dinner this Wednesday?"
Ron quirked an eyebrow. "Uhh, KP, don't you think this would be better served if we picked up later tonight?"
Kim smirked. "Maybe, but I'd rather save some of my Ronshine for the actual Valentine's Day. Plus, I have a feeling there might be more of a chance for some actual romance then."
"Boo Yeah," he replied.
Atop Mt. Yamanouchi, things were feeling oddly peaceful compared to the past few months, and it had Sensei feeling a bit on edge. For a man who strove to constantly remain in a state of serenity even during the fiercest of battles, it was an uncomfortable mood to be in. And as luck would have it, the students of the Yamanouchi School were taking notice…or at least two of them were.
"Master Sensei, you have many leaves on your pond lately," Hirotaka said with a slight frown. "Is something troubling you?"
The old master glanced at his top male student. "Observant as always, Hirotaka," he said with a smile, as proud of the philosophical phrasing as he was with the young man's powers of perception.
"That is one of the points of these private sessions, is it not?" the shinobi student replied. "To observe all things around me, including the one instructing me? And I am not the only one who has noticed the change, for Yori has mentioned that she has as well when you have visited her in her quarters while she recovers."
Sensei nodded. "Yes, and in that respect the two of you are most adept pupils. And to answer your question, yes, there is something troubling me. Prior to the attack in which Yori was injured, the students assigned to night guard were reporting at least one sighting of monkey ninjas each week. And yet since her battle, not once have they returned. The fierce winds off the mountains have grown suddenly silent though the storm continues to build."
Hirotaka smiled. "But that is a good thing, is it not, Master Sensei? Howling winds that have been silenced usually mean that the storm no longer approaches."
The leader of the Yamanouchi shook his head slowly, stroking his beard in thought. "Perhaps. It may also mean that the scout who warns the camp of danger has been deceived. Either way, I believe it is time for the reeds to be bound more tightly together."
The young shinobi nodded and rose, bowing as he did so. "I will make the arrangements for my trip to Colorado."
Again, Sensei shook his head. "Not yet, my student. In dark times, all stones are needed if the wall is to repel the approaching army."
Hirotaka's grin seemed to nearly trip in size. "You wish that I wait for Yori to be fully healed so that she may accompany me?"
Sensei smiled at the young man's reaction as he closed his eyes and nodded. "Yes. Though I think that wait may be shorter than either of us suspect. However, I must caution the both of you: remember your training and the primary rules of the lifestyle of the ninja. The eyes of the wolves watch much more closely now, hoping for the opening to begin their feast."
The young man nodded and bowed again. "Yes, Sensei. We will move with silence and swiftness as always. No one will know we are there."
As Hirotaka departed, Sensei could not help the frown that creased his lips. I wish I could believe that, my student. However, this is a test both you and Yori must endure so that you may fully understand that which you will one day face. I only hope the trial does not prove too difficult for the two of you.
Despite their best laid plans, Kim and Ron found their return to the G.V.U. campus to be anything but accommodating after their short little "vacation" in Go City for Sheila and Andy's wedding. From the word go, they were thrust back into the hectic schedules that their second semesters at the university had quickly become. In reality, they barely had time for a date on Valentines (although neither would admit that to the other despite both of them knowing it), and the weekends were chock full to the brim as well.
And the strange thing was that it wasn't even the missions that were filling up their time. A schedule that was full because of the work Team Possible did was something the two of them could easily handle simply because they'd been doing it for years and were used to it. But an agenda that was crammed because of normal life and scholastic demands wasn't something they were accustomed to. What with the papers Hyde continued to assign in their Honors Aspects of Government class ("I can see why you didn't like him, KP," Ron quipped after three straight classes ended in essay assignments), the practices for the talent show, and preparing for their mid-terms, things were becoming very chaotic. Kim and Ron had actually gotten so busy that even eating all three meals together had become a rare occurrence, even with the planned off-time around lunch they'd worked into both their schedules. However, they did still make sure they spent at least a few hours every evening together…even if that time was spent in mostly relative silence as they worked on various papers and homework.
It was made a bit easier since Ron seemed in slightly better spirits now than he had before the trip, and Kim suspected it was because something had happened while they were rescuing Sheila. Although they hadn't discussed it much in depth yet, she had a pretty good feeling he'd been able to access his MMP a bit during the fight with the Risattis, particularly since his "sour mood Wednesdays" had become much less severe. He still seemed bugged on those mornings, but at least he wasn't stewing over it as much. And since she'd revealed she knew about his "secret training" on the trip to Go City, Ron also wasn't sneaking around about it anymore, even letting her know that's where he was heading on nights she didn't have to be at a game cheering…though he still insisted on doing it alone without her help, which irked her a little bit.
For her part, Kim was also faced with the final games for the Guardian basketball team. The team was truly terrible, having won no more than twelve games so far all season, and it was a foregone conclusion the G.V.U. hoops team would not be participating in any sort of March Madness or post-season tournament. However that didn't change the fact that the season wasn't quite over yet, or the fact that the cheer squad had to remain peppy even in the face of the horrible record. Not to mention that Coach Williams was starting to narrow down the list of who would be returning to the squad the following year.
"But I thought once you were on the team you were on it till you graduated?" Kim remarked after practice one day when Emily Quartermaine informed her of the sitch while they headed into the locker room.
Emily shook her head. "That may have been the case in high school, but there you're guaranteed to lose a few every year to graduation. In college, it's possible for someone to be on the team for five full years before they become ineligible. And since there're a limited number of spots and we have to have room for incoming freshmen and transfers next year, everyone's up for the chopping block. Doesn't mean we have to try-out again, but we do have to show we can still do the moves. Even Nina and me have to prove we still have what it takes."
"But you're the Captains, Q," the red-head remarked as she started changing. "Doesn't that like lock you in no matter what?"
The brunette junior fixed her with a serious gaze. "Just because we were Captain and Co-Captain this year, that doesn't mean we will be next year. Every junior, senior, and fifth-year senior is eligible for the position every spring. Coach says she does these types of things to keep us on our toes—she says she doesn't want any of us getting complacent and slacking off."
Kim frowned as she slipped her shirt on. It wasn't that she hadn't considered the possibility, but the Mad Dog squad had been pretty much the same the whole way through high school, with only one or two changes taking place in four years. And it went even farther back than that if one considered that her high school squad had been pretty much identical to her junior high one. So naturally she had assumed that life on a collegiate cheer squad would operate in much the same way. But the realization that she'd have to fight for her spot every year brought worry to her mind.
And Bricin's follow-up comment didn't help matters, either. "You know, only those who are truly committed to the squad will be let back on next year."
"Wait, does that mean I'm hurting my chances by going on my missions?"
Nina, who had been listening in as she dressed a few lockers away, glared at the junior red-head before smiling at Kim. "Don't listen to her, Kim. To tell the truth, if that turned out to be why you got cut I think there would be an uproar among not only the team and the student body but a good majority of the world as well. I'm not saying you don't have to prove yourself like the rest of us, but to be honest you probably have the least probability of any of us of being cut."
Still, Kim didn't feel exactly great about the situation. For one, she almost felt like she was receiving special treatment because of what she and Ron did, something she had lately begun feeling a little uncomfortable with for reasons she couldn't explain. And she had also started wondering if the whole mess were really worth it, especially considering that the mission work had been relatively slow the past year as the world took care of what left of the major clean-up from the Lorwardians. And what would she do if she got called for an extended mission that made her choose between it and her school-related extracurricular activities? Her schedule was already full with everything going on, not to mention the talent show practices with Monique. At one point she'd been confident what her choice would be if the sitch came up, but now the answers were becoming hazy and uncertain.
Speaking of the talent show, the red-head was actually rather surprised how well things were progressing. Despite the initial awk-weirdness between her and her BFF the first few rehearsals as a result of the WEE attack and the backlash that followed, the act was now coming together unexpectedly well. Kim suspected that had a lot to do with their song choice, and the fact that Monique was putting a lot of her bad experience with Viktor into the blues number. Indeed, the young woman's harmonica work was starting to sizzle something fierce.
"Wow, Monique," Kim remarked after one particularly intense and productive session. "You weren't kidding when you said you knew how to play that thing. You've got some majorly ferocious talent."
Monique smiled proudly as she cleaned the instrument. "Told you I wasn't bluffing. And WAY, girl? Your singing is progressing pretty well, too. You're even knocking the high notes out of the park."
Kim grinned. "What can I say? Maybe I just have a voice that's more attuned to rock music with a bluesy twist than it was to pop. Speaking of which, how are the costumes coming along?"
The African-American beauty let out a glowing smile. "Perfect. Already got the hats finished, and the suits should be ready within a week or two," she said as she pulled a pair of small black fedoras out of her bag and spun one Frisbee-style towards her BFF. "Here, try it on. Want to make sure I included enough give to accommodate that red mane of yours."
The young woman smiled as she perched it snugly on top of her head at a 'look cool' angle. "Perfect fit," she replied, pulling out the sunglasses they'd already purchased and sliding them on. "What do you think?" she said, sliding an index finger on the underside of the brim.
"Looking fine and sexy, girl," Monique replied with an appreciative glance at the red-head. "So, any clue what Ron and his friends have been working on?"
Kim shook her head as she removed the hat and shades. "Nope. All I know is he had to make a trip to Middleton by himself over it. Something about getting clarification about whether or not something was being done right. If you ask me, it's totally weird how secretive he's being. Won't even tell me who he's working with on the thing. Just keeps saying he thinks I'll laugh so hard I cry when I see it."
+++
~~ KP ~~
+++
Ron's smile was a thousand miles wide as he, Eli Zenkman, and the others in the group worked on their act. Despite everything they were doing, they were actually able to get through the entire routine without laughing now. And the costumes were nearly finished, even the more complex ones. All they were doing now was putting the final touches on the number and polishing what they'd already set up. Even Rufus's part (a crucial element) was starting to look professional.
"So think Kim's got any idea what we're up to?" Eli remarked as they took a break after the first half of a hard-work session.
Ron grinned. "I think the only thing she knows is that we're doing a song of some sort. And maybe the fact that you're in on it. Beyond that, I don't think she suspects anything out of the ordinary."
The Jewish senior smiled. "And you checked to make sure we're okay doing some of this stuff?"
"Yes, we're fine," the blonde replied with a laugh. "He even said he was tempted to come see us perform. Said he thought the routine sounded pretty funny."
"Uh huh, funny," remarked Rufus with a buck-toothed grin.
"So, think we'll win?" Ron said after a bit of a pause.
Eli shrugged. "I don't know. From what you've told me, Kim and Monique could be some serious competition, especially if Monique's as good at the harmonica as you say she is."
"Yeah, she is pretty badical," the young man agreed. "Can't believe she never did anything with it back at Middleton. Of course, knowing her, she probably just didn't want the extra attention. I mean, she likes being popular but she didn't exactly seek it out—it kind of just fell in her lap without her even trying."
His friend was about to reply when one of the girls in the act spoke up. "Hey, Eli, Ron, we're about ready to go again."
"Ready, buddy?" Ron said as he held out his hand for Rufus to climb on.
"Boo Yeah," exclaimed the mole rat, his fist punching in the air while his custom-sized hat and outfit bobbed a bit.
Jean Stoppable frowned as she again cleaned the dead plants out of her garden on a weekend morning. The most recent frosts shouldn't have harmed her plants, at least not with the precautions she had taken. But yet again something had killed them. What really confused her was that some looked like they had been trampled instead of frozen to death, which should have been impossible. Only she, Gene and Hana had been out in the back yard recently, and she knew that none of the members of her family were responsible for the deed. And with the back door getting stuck again, even those instances had become rarer. Sighing, she stood up, wiping her hands on her gardening apron. Heading towards the house, she tried the back door, but once again found it jammed shut and was unable to open it. With another sigh she traipsed around to the front of the house, entering through the front door.
"Honey, the back door's stuck again," she called. "I think we need to call the repairman."
Gene's voice echoed from his home office. "Already did, Jeanette. Robert Caraway said it'd be at least two weeks before he can get out here, and then another few once he's measured for the new door."
Jean Stoppable shook her head in resignation. She knew there were other repairmen who could easily fix the door within a much shorter time-span, but her husband had decided some time back that only Mr. Caraway would fix things around their house without overcharging them for unnecessary work. And if there was one thing she had learned about Gene Stoppable in twenty-three years of marriage, it was that once the man found a repairman he liked that didn't overcharge him he absolutely refused to use anyone else. It was one of the things she'd grown accustomed to, and among the personality quirks her husband had that she'd decided the first year they were married to love him in spite of.
As she stood at the kitchen sink washing the dirt off her hands, she glanced out the window at the garden, the mystery of the trampled plants still buzzing in her mind. If she hadn't been so focused on that, she might have noticed the figures moving a good ten yards back in the woods behind the backyard. And even if in her nearsightedness she missed the black outfits of the smaller figures, she would have been hard pressed to miss the orange fur of their six-armed companions.
The rest of February came and went with relatively little incident. Well, relatively little compared to the first couple of weeks. In fact, the only thing of note was that Dr. Hyde seemed hell-bent on having them write enough pages to give their large textbooks a run for the money.
"Urgh, I can't believe we have another paper from that demon," Kim complained one afternoon. "I mean, at this rate we'll have enough to make our own textbooks before the end of the term."
"Hey, at least this one only has to be two pages," Ron reminded her with a half-smile. "My brain's still stretched from that ten-pager he gave us last week on the comparative differences between the U.S. Congress and the English Parliament."
"True enough, I guess," she replied as she shifted her book bag over to her other shoulder. "Still, I'd say it's a good thing we're taking him now while the missions are still relatively slow."
The fact that the Team Possible website hadn't been getting a steady stream of hits since the Lorwardian invasion had been something that initially had bugged the pair, but now that college was proving to be a major time-consumer they weren't as eager to voice complaints over the sitch. In fact, Kim had a sneaking suspicion that if things had been like they were in high school she might have been asking Wade for a break every now and then. However it was still a bit unnerving, particularly when Wade called that evening while they were walking from dinner at Sentinel Station back to Patriot Towers with an update on what he'd found so far regarding Global Justice's secretive research into the teens and their exploits.
"Wade, are you sure about that sitch?" Kim asked incredulously.
"Positive, Kim," he answered from her Kimmunicator. "According to what I've been able to dig up, they've been diverting practically everything our way the past few months while they work on various rebuilding projects. They even had one problem they tried to get directed straight to Joss somehow, but they couldn't figure out a way to do it without the rest of us getting wind of it."
"That's low," Ron replied. "I mean, no offense to Joss, but Betty knows we're still basically training her, right?"
Wade shook his head. "That's just it—I don't think Dr. Director is the one who tried to cut the two of you out of the loop. Judging from the request's origin, the sender was most definitely someone who is associated with Global Justice. Yet when I contacted Betty about it she said she had no knowledge of the situation. And she looked completely surprised when I mentioned that whoever it was had tried to contact Joss directly, not to mention she looked like she was about to get very angry at someone."
Kim frowned as she sat on a bench near the middle of campus to think. "I still don't like it, Wade. Either she's been lying to us for years and is continuing to do so, or there's something happening in Global Justice that's shaking up the power structure. I mean, first it was Gerhardt and his attempted takeover, then finding out there's someone above her, and followed by apparent secret projects that Dr. Director's supposedly against. Now you're telling us that someone tried to circumvent her authority and she had no knowledge of it?"
"Sorry, Kim, but it appears so," the tech genius replied with a rub of his neck. "Also, I've noticed a lot of recent file shifting all across their systems, like they know I've been snooping around and are trying to make sure I don't find certain things. Only reason I've gotten some of the intelligence I have is because I can use residual file trails to access some of what used to be there."
The red-head nodded. "And again I thought I could do anything. Well, as much as I don't like it, this sitch is getting way too uncomfortable to stop digging now. Keep looking Wade, and if you find anything you think we need to know make sure you get the information to us as soon as possible."
"Will do, Kim," he replied, but then he looked as if he'd suddenly remembered something. "By the way, thought you might like to know that Sensei contacted me earlier today. He said that there haven't been any more attacks on the Yamanouchi School since the one where Yori was injured, and also he's sending her and Hirotaka to meet with you guys for a few days. Said something about strengthening the reeds, whatever that means."
Ron smiled. "He's just saying that we need to make sure we're all on the same page in case it all goes down soon. Although I do wonder why he's sending them here if they're supposed to be guarding him. And couldn't they contact us on the Kimmunicators we gave them?"
The tech genius shrugged. "I mentioned that, but Sensei said he would feel more comfortable if the meeting were face-to-face."
Kim smiled. "Okay, we'll be looking for them. Speaking of which, any trace of Bates and D.N. Amy lately?"
Wade rubbed the back of his neck a bit. "Not for a while now. And it worries me since we're getting close to their second window—less than a month to go."
Ron frowned, kicking a rock harder than he meant to so that it sailed several feet. "Gah, this is ridiculous!" he complained. "How are we supposed to stop them if we can't find them?"
Kim looked at him sympathetically. "Ron, I told you we'll stop them, and we will."
The young man sighed in frustration. "But KP, what if we can't? I mean, I don't know if you've noticed, but I can't exactly use the MMP whenever I want. And if we don't stop them, I'm going to have to go up against Yono Monkey Fist."
The red-head stood up and forced him to look at her. "Ron, listen to me. Every time you've needed to, you've come through—you always find a way to step up when a situation calls for it. And if it comes down to fighting a Yono-powered Monkey Fist, I know you'll be able to handle it."
Ron smiled a little, but it was a small one. "I don't know, KP. I mean, what if I can't? What if I'm not able to, and I end up losing Rufus and Sensei? And Hana too if you and Wade are right about her being involved? Or worse, what if I lose you because I don't have what it takes?"
Kim shook her head a little bit before she put her arms around his neck and kissed him. It wasn't super-hot or passionate, but that wasn't her intention. When she pulled back, there was a smile on her face that slowly spread to his.
"Ron, you're not going to lose me. Remember, I'm right here with you, and we're going to face this together. We will find a way to beat this. With the two of us working together, there's nothing we can't beat."
Wade's voice came over the Kimmunicator. "And don't forget you've got me and Joss as well. If we can help it, Bates and D.N. Amy won't even get close to bringing Monkey Fist back."
"And do not forget about us, either, Stoppable-san," called a voice that seemed to come from nowhere.
"Huh?" Kim called, recognizing the voice but not seeing the young woman it belonged to.
At that moment, a pair of hooded figures detached themselves from the shadows of a nearby building. Kim and Ron both turned, slightly surprised. However, their attention was soon drawn to the slight limp one of the two moved with. The figure removed her hood, revealing the familiar short black hair and red hair ribbon.
"Yori!" exclaimed Ron, embracing her. "We thought you wouldn't be getting here for a few more days."
The kunoichi grinned, and looked at him questioningly. "You and I were able to get from the Amazon rain forest to a zoo in Arizona in less than two hours, and yet you are surprised we could get here from the Yamanouchi School in less than six?"
"Oh, right," the blonde replied. "I forgot about the, umm, secret ninja tickets."
Kim smiled. "How is the leg, Yori?"
"It is better, thank you" Yori replied. "And I have learned much from the encounter."
"She certainly has," added Hirotaka as he removed his hood. "My 'Lily of the Fields' has grown stronger and will not lose next time."
"Wait, 'Lily of the Fields'?" Kim replied before it dawned on her. "Hey, are you two together now?"
The Japanese young man let out an exaggerated sigh. "Alas, she has not yet agreed to such a union," he replied with an even more exaggerated arm motion that wrapped around Kim's shoulders.
"Because you always pick the most inappropriate times to ask me, Hiro-san," Yori countered with a sigh of her own, although both Kim and Ron saw the slight smile ticking at the corner of the kunoichi's mouth that she was clearly wanting to let out. "Perhaps you should take lessons from Stoppable-san on the appropriate moments for romantic admissions."
As she said this, she added a friendly arm around Ron's waist. Had it happened any sooner than that moment, and had Kim not been sure it was done only in friendship, it might have worried her a bit. However, it was clear to the red-head from the look on the Japanese young woman's face that her focus had shifted from Ron to the young man who now had his arm around Kim's shoulders. As she smiled at them, she took notice of a cricket chirping somewhere in the distance…never even considering that it was still too cold and early in the year for the insects to be out yet.
+++
~~ KP ~~
+++
About fifteen yards away a camera was poking out of the bushes, the four friends reflected in its lens. As he continued snapping pictures, Willie "the Weasel" Finkman couldn't believe his luck. Not only had he forced Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable to admit their engagement, but now after a few months of a dry spell from the pair he had obtained even more proof that they weren't being truthful about their relationship. Even better than that, it looked like they weren't even as committed to each other as they claimed…especially if the young Japanese man with his arm around Possible and the young Japanese woman with her arm around Stoppable were any indication. From the way the young people were laughing, Willie was sure the four had arranged for a little "nighttime rendezvous"…maybe they were even sleeping together!
"Oh, boy," the sleazy reporter chuckled softly to himself as he continued to hold the button on the camera, making sure to get shots of only Possible and the Japanese young man with his arm draped around her shoulders, as well as ones of only Stoppable and the young woman he was getting cozy with. "Secret romantic meetings with foreign relations. Just wait till my viewers get a load of this juicy little tidbit! My ratings are gonna soar!"
a/n
Sorry about the break between updates, but as some of you may or may not have been aware I was recently in a pretty bad snowboarding accident a couple weeks ago. Luckily I managed to walk away with only a messed up shoulder and some slight ligament damage, but being in a sling for ten days isn't really conducive to typing. But now I'm out of that and doing much better.
Also, I worried a bit about that hotel scene, as it's very easy to take someone out of character when that subject is broached. However, I think I may have succeeded in keeping Kim and Ron in character for that.
Special thanks must also be given out to a pair of author's here on this site. To captainkodak1, who originally penned Anne's jinx line (hope it was okay for me to use that, Cap), and who also gave me the idea for Willie "the Weasel"'s return. And to G-Go, who came up with the naming of Kimono Lipsky and the story behind it, and graciously allowed me to name my character that as well. *raises glass* You guys both rock in stereo!
In addition, I want to pass out thanks to all my readers. Thanks to you, this story has crossed the 22k hit mark while Changes recently passed the 17k mark, something I never expected in a million years. *huge bow* THANK YOU!
And as always, comments and reviews are more than welcome...they're highly appreciated. :)
+~+KP+~+KP+~+KP+~+KP+~+
Speaking of G-Go, he finally published the long awaited conclusion to Indiana Jones and the Simian Odyssey, the third installment in his Reunion series. Go check it out to see another true literary KP master at work.