Life With Kim

by Rocinante

The Sequel to Anything Is Possible. Part II of the Celler Series. Part III is Steel Swan.

8. Hi Ho, Hi Ho

8. Hi Ho, Hi Ho (It's Off To (and from) Work I Go)

Monday, 5:45 AM.
The shrill buzz of the clock radio alarm sliced through the dawn-lit solitude of the bedroom. William reached over, tapped the 'off' button, and sat up, reaching for his glasses. Great. Another work week, just like the week before, and the week before that, and the week before that. Why should this one be any different?

A flash of white sailed over the foot of the bed, disappearing beyond the side edge with a wispy fabric trail behind it. This was followed by a growl echoing from the kitchen, and approaching rapidly down the hall.

"Angel!??" Kim gritted through her teeth as she stopped at the doorway to the bedroom. "Oh...morning baby. I hope I didn't wake you with my fit."

"No, actually the alarm gets that honor this morning," said William. "What's up?"

Kim held up tatters of the same light fabric that made up the kitten's contrail. "Your cat decided to make an early-morning claw exercise out of my brand new hose."

"Oh-ho," William chuckled. "I see. When she's all cute and puffy and to die for, she's 'our' cat..."

"Yep," she replied, her scowl beginning to melt into a small smirk.

"...But when her mischievous nature rears its head, it's 'my' cat."

"Mmm-hmm," Kim nodded with a widening grin.

"Uh-huhhh...curled in your lap, purring?"

"Our kitty."

"Pawing litter all over the floor in the bathroom?"

"Your kitty," Kim pointed at him, starting to giggle.

"Nudging against your leg for a little more milk?"

"Our kitty."

"Chasing your bare feet?"

"Soooo your kitty," she snickered.

He rose from the bed and slid his arms around his wife's waist, bending to kiss her.

"I mean...isn't that what we agreed on?" Kim smirked. She then sighed and wadded up the remains of the hosiery. "I suppose I can find another pair." She walked to the dresser and started to fish through it. "Breakfast will be a little late, if you want something fancy," she said over her shoulder. "Wade sent me something in email, and I had to print it out. The rest of the time, I've been hunting for the right thing to wear on my first day of work."

"No problem. Let me jump in the shower, and I can do the toast thing. Have you eaten?"

"Not yet. I was thinking about a muffin, when your-- our cat started playing Kitty Fist again."

William moved to the closet to pick out clothes. "What was it Wade sent you that you had to print out?"

Kim went to a small purse sitting on the desk and removed a slip of paper, holding it up to William in both hands. "Ta-da," she said proudly. "I'm official."

William looked over the paper. "A Social Security number? But...how?"

"Wade sooo rocks," she said, smiling widely. "with just a little help from the Cross Agents. They guarantee it's a valid number, and all the other paperwork is taken care of. Apparently they've been working on this since before we were married. Isn't that fantastic?"

Wililam read the name. Sure enough - "Kimberly Ann Possible-Hodge"

"They knew that I'd be needing one sooner or later...and they knew the potential problems I might run into, being as I have no documentation to show my, uhhh, 'origin' and things like that...so they did it for me. I don't know how...but they did it." She reached up, throwing her arms around William and giving him a tight embrace.

"I'm not so sure I want to know how," he smiled, "but as long as it's legal - I like it." He kissed his wife on the cheek as she hugged him closely. "How long have you been up?"

"I woke up about 5 or so...had my shower. I even saved you some hot waateerrr..." her voice trailed off into a dreamy purr as William chuckled his way into the bathroom.

7:04 AM.
"Kim," William called from the kitchen, "I heated your muffin a bit and put butter on it. Get it while it's hot."

Kim appeared in the doorway to the kitchen dressed in a short-sleeve burgundy button-down shirt and a tan mid-length skirt. "Is this alright? Even if it's not, I've decided - this is the last time I'm going to change this morning." She set her cream-colored purse on the nook and sat at the table as William set a small plate and a glass of orange juice in front of her, then went back for his own juice and two slices of toast with peach preserves and joining her at the table.

"I know you're nervous about your first day," he said, "but I didn't really see anything wrong with anything you've had on. As long as you adhere to the dress requirements - and you know those - you could wear anything you've changed through this morning. I think you know that fashion at work isn't as high a priority as it might be at social functions."

"I know baby," Kim said, sipping her juice and sliding a fork into her warm blueberry muffin, "but...I want to feel good about what I'm wearing...you know?"

"All the more reason I'm glad I'm a guy," William smirked. "Wardrobe is...sooo not the drama."

Kim wadded up a napkin and tossed it across the table at her husband. "You're not helping."

"Truly, Kim...it's just not a critical thing. I think you look just great in anything you wear. To tell you the truth, you will look better than a lot of people there...there's no real formal guideline as far as dress...and most of the time, a lot of people see how finely they can walk that line. I wouldn't worry much about it." William then took both plates to the sink and ran a little water over them. "Have you given any thought as to lunch?"

"Oh, that was the easy part," Kim said, bringing her glass to the sink. "A peanut butter and butter sandwich. Quick energy without being too heavy." She pointed to a small paper sack on the nook.

"Sounds just right to me."

"Besides," she nudged, "I can't afford to go out to lunch like yooouuuuu," she said, flipping her fingers along William's tie.

"That's...not exactly true," William said, reaching into his pocket and handing Kim a group of $1 bills. "If lunch comes and you're not in the mood for peanut butter, you can get a hot sandwich or something from the machines. They have a single-serving pizza that is actually worth writing home about."

"Thanks," Kim smiled. She then quipped, "I'll pay you back when I get my first check."

William chuckled at this. "You know, they even have some small salads in the machines. They're nowhere near the masterpieces that you whip up, but--"

Kim interrupted him with a warm embrace. "Awwww...I'm glad you like my salads. I put quite a bit of work into them."

"I like anything you prepare...I thought you knew that by now."

Kim glanced at the clock - 7:24 - "You...do know they want me there fifteen minutes early on the first day, right?" She turned to the nook, reaching for her lunch and her purse. She dug through it for a moment, then reached into a glass on the nook for a pen, placing it into one of the small side pockets.

"Just waiting for the green light from you, Mrs. Hodge," William said, pulling his keys from his pocket.

Kim took in a deep breath, let it out through pursed lips; then smiled. "Let's go," she said, taking William's arm into hers.

7:41 AM.
Kim and William walked out of the elevator into the corridor, stopping in front of the large glass doors to Claims & Reconciliation. William took Kim's hands in his. "This is your stop," he said, smiling and giving her hands a light squeeze. "Remember what I said...today will be a light day. There will be other people just as nervous as you are. That's why the first day is mostly just filling out paperwork, taking a little tour of the place, and getting to know others in your training class. They want to make you comfortable with the environment before they start cramming you with information about the job. But you already know more than most in there, from the dry runs we made at home."

"Yeah," said Kim, her smile growing along with her confidence. "I don't think I could have gotten this far without your help and support." She slipped into a warm hug. "I love you William....ever so much."

"I love you, Kim," William returned. They slipped apart until just holding hands again. "Call me on your lunch break and let me know how things are going," he said as he started down the hall with a small wave.

Kim took one last look over her clothes - slung her purse over her shoulder - and walked through the doors. The slender Indonesian receptionist looked up from her desk. "Hi there Kim!" she beamed. "First day, huh?"

"Morning Dawn," Kim replied, hiding a snicker. "Yep. Which way to the training room?"

Dawn pointed over her shoulder. "Straight down the hall. It's the second to the last door. It'll be marked 'Training Class'. You can't miss it." She then widened her smile, adding, "And welcome to Meridian. I think you'll like it."

"Thanks," said Kim, walking past the reception desk and into the passageway, making last-minute mental preparations for the experience on which she was about to embark. She put on her best greeting face as her hand grasped the doorknob. She would walk into the room with confidence - but not too much so as to seem smug. With charm - but not too much so as to come off being sickly-sweet. With--

She opened the door and stepped in.

--with 29 people whom she had never met before.

All eyes in the room trained on Kim as she froze, slowly letting the door close behind her; some with amazement; some with curiosity; still others with a childlike fascination.

"Good morning," a woman behind a desk at the front of the room said. "You're just in time. We're about to get started." The woman almost instantly reminded Kim of Angelica - for she too had a warm, disarming smile and a head of gleaming blonde hair.

Kim barely got out her own "Good morning" in response when a young woman in the front row placed her hand on the empty seat next to her. "You must be Kim," she said with a warm smile. "Please...sit here next to me." Kim tried to put the stares from the rest of the class out of her mind and sat in the chair, putting her purse next to the monitor in front of her. The woman extended her hand. "Hi. I'm Tina Drexel. You might know my older sister, Mary. She works up in Human Resources. She told me all about you from your wedding."

Kim eased a bit at hearing this. "How do you do, Tina," she said, taking the young woman's hand. "Yes, I know Mary. She was there when I came in and took the skills test."

The woman behind the desk stood and walked to the center of the wall at the front of the room, holding a stack of folders. "Good morning," she addressed the class. A wave of "Good morning" in various states of coherency swirled through the room in response.

The woman chuckled slightly. "I can see that the morning coffee rush hasn't completly kicked in yet. Welcome to Meridian Insurance Services. My name is Carla Bachman, and I'll be your instructor over the next two weeks of your training." She then walked toward the side of the room, laying several of the folders at the end of each row. "Please take one and pass the rest down," she said. "These are your Employee Handbooks. You'll also find your W-4 tax statements and other forms included in here. You have all day to fill these out, but please complete and return them to me before you leave. There are also name tags in the folders. I'll be passing around a marker, and you can label them with what you'd like to be called. I'll give you a few moments to start on your paperwork, then we'll get to know each other a bit."

Kim got her pen from her purse, clicking it once to ready it. The folders came to her, and she kept one, passing the remainder to her right, into the hands of a rather young blonde-haired boy, who smiled as he took them. Kim opened her folder, bringing out the paper on top, her tax statement. She prepared to fill in her name on the form, when she felt a finger lightly tapping her on the right shoulder. She turned to the blonde, who leaned to her. "I know who you are," he whispered, smiling, then went back to filling out his form.

Kim turned and lightly tapped the boy's shoulder. She leaned in his direction, grinning. "So do I," she whispered in response. The boy chuckled quietly and offered his hand. "I'm Ben," he said softly. "Ben Aaronson. It's good to meet you." Kim replied with a "Likewise," and continued printing her name on the form, smiling at the interaction with new people.

"beep-beep-b-beep-"

Kim's head slowly rose at the noise from the back of the room - a poor imitation of the notes of the Kimmunicator. She kept her gaze forward, but lowered her brow and made a small mental note - then returned to filling out her tax statement.

"Look! Shego attacks!" came a hurried whisper from the back of the room, followed by a muffled snicker.

Kim snapped her pen down on the table loud enough for the entire room to take notice. Her head whipped around to see a young, rather thin-looking boy, barely 18 with blonde shoulder-length hair four rows back, waving to her innocently.

"Ignore him," Tina whispered, placing her fingers on Kim's arm. "That's Brian Fenwood. He lives near me, and he's not worth getting into trouble over."

Kim looked up to Carla. "Sorry," she said. Carla's eyes darted to the back of the room, then back to Kim with a nod. Kim went back to her paperwork.

A woman near the back of the room seated next to Brian caught Carla's attention. "Excuse me, Ms. Bachman? Would it be alright if I changed seats?"

Carla's gaze once again focused on Brian for a few seconds, then back to the woman. "Sure. There's an open seat up here in the second row." She looked to the rest of the class. "Call me Carla, please," she added. The woman grinned widely, gathering her things. She shot Brian a rather distasteful look as she rose and moved to the row behind Tina and Kim. The three exchanged hellos and rather knowing glances, then returned to filling out forms.

After about fifteen minutes, Carla walked to the front of the class again. "That's enough time for you to get a good head start on your paperwork. Darn that old government red tape anyway, huh?" Nods and low laughter came from the class. "First of all, I want to tell you a little about the company you're now a part of. Meridian Insurance Services was started about ten years ago right here in Eastgate...and in that short time, has grown into one of the nation's largest insurance claim processing firms. We handle claims for all kinds of insurance - auto, home, medical - and we like to think that we are the best at what we do. Our client base is forever expanding, with over 800 separate insurance carriers - which is, of course, why you're here. In these ten years, Meridian has never had a work slowdown, much less a workforce reduction or even a temporary layoff. If you're loyal to the company, the company will be here for you."

"The primary premise of Meridian, as with any other service-oriented agency, is 'The Customer Comes First.' Our success depends on how well our clients are served by our services. That's Meridian's service committment to the industry. Internally," she raised a finger in the air, "is another matter. Internally...you come first. Without people like you, our clients are not served. Without people like you...Meridian would be no better than the other claims firms we're currently stomping the grapes out of. Without YOU," she swept her finger across the class, "there would BE no Merdian. That's why we do everything we can to make sure you know how appreciated you are...both by us...and by our clients."

A smirk began to cross Carla's face. "Buuut, enough about the company...let's talk about me!" A wave of laughter rolled through the class. "As you know," she continued, "my name is Carla Bachman...I'm 34 years of age...I'm married and have one child...I've lived in Eastgate for about twelve years, and I've worked for Meridian for a little over six of those years. I started exactly where you are today - as Claims & Rec processors - and am now one of the Assistant Directors of Training within the Human Resources department. That should show the potential everyone has to advance."

Carla then walked to her desk and sat down. "Now it's your turn," she said. I want each of you to stand and face the rest of the class, and tell a little bit about yourself, what you're looking for from life, and how you think Meridian might figure into those plans. To break with tradition, we'll start at the back of the room and work forward."

A smallish exotic-looking young woman stood and cleared her throat quietly. "My name is Rishina Gupta...and my parents moved here from New Delhi, India because my dad wanted to start his own restaurant in America. I'm 21 years old..."

Kim listened with interest to the myriad of origins and histories of her fellow trainees. For a moment - just for a moment - it brought her back to the conversation she and William had engaged in the night of Angelica's death...how he had lost his parents...and how she hadn't even the experience of relatives, much less parents.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Tina tapping her on the shoulder. "Listen to this," she smirked as Brian stood to address the room.

His speech was comprised of what could best be described as "talking in questions" - a curious grammatical oddity: "Hi...I'm Brian Fenwood? I'm 18 years old? I came to Meridian because I need a good job? So I can get a car? My hobbies are playing the guitar and working on computers? Some day I hope to be in a band? Kinda a band like Sex Pistols or Gwar?" Brian then sat down.

Tina couldn't help but wonder if he was disappointed not to get some sort of applause. She turned to Kim. "Told you."

"I think I'll just call him 'Junior'," Kim replied. This caused Tina to cover her mouth, the small squeak of a giggle escaping. Kim returned to listening to others reveal small bits about themselves...and wondered a bit how she might present herself without garnering too many questions.

The process arrived at the young woman who had moved away from "Junior," into the seat behind Tina and Kim. As she stood, they both made note of her flowing cascade of brilliant blonde hair, which reminded Kim somewhat of Tara, one of the girls from the cheerleader squad on the show. "Hi...I'm Donna Collins...I just turned 24...I'm orignially from Ohio, but moved here to be with my fiance, who I met on the Internet. We've set a date in August...and I think you're all invited." She sat with a sheepish smile as the class broke into a mix of short laughter and "Awwws" - then applause.

Kim turned to Donna. "I just got married. Buckle up for the honeymoon," she smirked, which sent both Donna and Tina into giggles.

The introductions came up the first row until it was Tina's turn. She was rather short in stature and slender - built nearly like Kim, but had short brunette hair which was swept back. "Hey everybody. My name is Tina Drexel...I'm 18. I've lived here in Eastgate all my life...my sister Mary works upstairs, and probably gave most of you your skills tests," she chuckled, joined by most of the class. "She's been with Meridian for about four years...and I couldn't wait until I was old enough to apply here, so I could try to follow the same career path. This place has been very good to her - so I know I'm in good hands." She sat, wincing a bit and turning to Kim. "That wasn't too much, was it? I talk too much sometimes." Kim responded with a wave of her hand and a shake of the head.

Carla then motioned to Kim with a look of pleasured interest on her face.

Kim stood, clasped her hands together in front of her, and addressed her fellow trainees with a warm smile as she spoke. "Hi...some of you have already recognized me. My name is Kim...and...my last name used to be Possible...until I was married to the most wonderful man earlier this month...my name is now Kim Possible-Hodge. My husband works here, and from everything I've heard and seen, Meridian is just about the most perfect place I could think of to work. I'm looking forward to a long career here." She sat back down to applause. As it died down, a muffled "Boo" came from the back of the class. Kim instantly turned and shot a look of disgust at Brian, who returned a defiant smirk - until he discovered that most of the class was echoing Kim's sentiment, also staring at him with disdain.

"Comment, Mr. Fenwood?" asked Carla.

"No Ma'am," replied Brian, sinking further into his chair, a look of defeat on his face.

Kim turned to her right. "Go, Ben," she motioned with a smile.

9:14 AM.
Carla walked to the front of the class. "Okay, we all know a little about each other, which will promote friendships and comeraderie and make us a more tightly-knit group!" She then got a silly look on her face. "Isn't that nice, hmmmmm??" The class was swept in laughter. "But seriously. Now we're going to take a small tour of where you will be working when you complete training." She walked to the door and propped it open. "If you'll exit the room by rows, we'll first see where your lockers are located. I'll assign lockers when we get back."

Donna tapped Kim on the arm as they exited the training room. "Did you say your husband works here?"

"Yep," Kim nodded.

"What does he do?"

"Well...he's the head of the department."

"Oh-hooo," said Donna slyly. "That's not how we got our job, is it?" She nudged Kim's arm playfully.

"So not," Kim chuckled in response. "I went through the same process everyone else here did."

"Hmmm," Donna thought for a moment. "Did he offer to give you an inside track? Any help at all?"

"He gave the most important help," she replied. "Moral support. The computer stuff was no big. But he was always right behind me when I needed that little push."

"Wow," Tina said. "Does he have a brother?" All three women broke into laughter.

9:56 AM.
"And this is our break room," Carla said as she led the class into the large room which divided the department in two. "There are refrigerators where you can store food and other things. Just make sure your name is clearly marked on your items. We're a pretty trustworthy bunch here."

"Whew," Tina said, approaching one of the refrigerators while taking a small brown pouch out of her purse. "I was hoping there would be a place to put this."

Kim made note of the pouch. "Looks kind of important."

"It is," replied Tina. "It's my insulin. I'm a diabetic."

"Oh," said Kim, shrinking back a little. "I'm sorry for being so nosy."

"It's okay," Tina said, smiling. "In fact, the more people who know, the better...in case I have an insulin reaction or something, someone will know what to do."

"How much insulin do you take?"

"I stick myself four times a day," said Tina. "I've been doing it since I was 5 years old."

"I have an older cousin who's diabetic," Donna offered. "She's okay as long as she keeps a close watch on her blood sugars...but sometimes, she gets...lazy."

"It's nothing to be casual about," Tina said. "I remember when I first started the shots...if I missed one, I felt like I was going to pass out a couple hours later."

Carla called to the class, "As long as we're here, why don't we take the hint and take a short break. You can go outside if you want, but please don't leave the premises. Let's meet back in the training room in....15 minutes."

Kim had gone to one of the machines. "My treat, guys," she said to Tina and Donna, handing them each a small package of candy. Tina flashed a look at Kim, as if she might not be sure what being a diabetic means. She then looked at what Kim had given her - sugar-free fruit-flavored jelly bits - and her expression changed to a warm smile. "Thanks," she grinned along with Donna.

"I want just a little bit of fresh air," Kim said, turning for the door to the corridor. "Want to join me?" The two other women nodded, and they walked to the double doors which led to a large balcony where people had their lunch, when weather permitted. Kim took in a deep breath of the mid-morning air. "It's not as humid as it was yesterday."

"Give it time," Tina smirked. "This is only the end of June. It gets worse before it gets better. It gets really fierce toward the end of July."

"Thanks for the heads-up," replied Kim. "I've only been, err, here since December."

"Where were you before you were...here?" asked Donna.

Kim smiled at Donna, touching her shoulder. "It's a - long - story," she said. "Something more than can be covered in just one bre--"

She was interrrupted by the double doors flying open. Brian stomped through them and right up to Kim, sticking his finger in her direction, inches from her face. "You got me in trouble with our trainer! Why'd you do that, man? I worked hard to get this job, and I'm not gonna lose it just because of someone like you!"

"Meeee??" Kim said in mock surprise, placing her hand on her chest. "I didn't say a word to Carla. And I'm certainly not the one who gave you the bright idea of sitting in the back of the class and making noises at people. I'm afraid that was all your doing...Brian."

"Get lost, Brian Fenwood," Tina interjected. "Nobody got you in trouble but you."

"Mind your own business," Brian shot at Tina. "This doesn't concern you. It's between me and this--" he looked Kim up and down once "--this cartoon-lookin' freak."

The few other people who were on the balcony, and a few who had come out after hearing the raised voices reacted with a few "oooos" at Brian's insult. Kim could pass off the "freak" comment...but to call her a cartoon? She steeled her gaze at Brian. "Look...if you have a problem with me, go take it up with Carla. I'm sure she's aware of what's going on. But I'm not going to let you make a scene out here and try to blame me for something you did."

"I don't need Carla to fix my problems," spit Brian. "The next time you cause me trouble, I'll just wait until the next break or lunch...and drag you out here and--" he punctuated his last words by poking his first two fingers at Kim's shoulder rather hard "--kick...your...as-aaAAHHH!"

His threat was cut short as Kim swiped her hand across her body, grabbing Brian's fingers and, with a flick of her wrist, turned his hand palm-up, bending his fingers down at a painful angle. Kim narrowed her eyes angrily at him and she spoke through gritted teeth. "First of all, Page 6 of the Employee Guidelines manual says that harassment of any co-worker in any form will not be tolerated. Second, if you need to pick on women to boost your ego, you have more problems than I could possibly help you with. Third, unless you're a red belt or better at Karate, you're picking on the wrong woman. And fourth--" she punctuated the last point with a slight swift jerk downward, causing Brian to gasp in pain "--DON'T call me a car-TOON."

"Mr. Fenwood!"

All eyes turned to the open doors, where Carla was standing with her arms folded. Beside her was a rather burly-looking security guard. "Mr. Fenwood, can I see you for -just- a moment?" she said in a rather stern voice. Kim let Brian's fingers slide from her grasp. Brian looked at Carla - then the guard - and his shoulders slumped as he began to make his way to the doors. The guard put a hand on Brian's shoulder as if to guide him, and the three of them disappeared into the corridor.

As the doors closed, the crowd on the balcony burst into a mix of applause and comments such as "Yeah Kim" and "You go, girlfriend." Kim found a chair behind her and plopped into it. Tina put her hand on Kim's shoulder. "Wow," she exclaimed.

Donna joined the pair. "Do you really know Karate?" she asked.

"Yeah," replied Kim, "but it's for exercise...not playing tough."

"Pffffht," said Tina. "He touched you first. You had every right to do what you did. It was self-defense."

Donna glanced at her watch. "It's time to go back," she said. The three of them rose and started back to the training room.

10:15 AM.
Tina, Kim and Donna returned to their seats as the rest of the class filed in. Several people complimented Kim on how she handled the situation on the balcony. Carla followed the last of the trainees in and sat at her desk, making a few notes on a paper. "I'm sorry to inform you," she started, "but I'm afraid that Mr. Fenwood will no longer be with us for the duration of our training." This was met with a mix of soft laughter and mock gasps of shock and "Oh, nooo."

"Can...can I say something?" Kim asked Carla.

"Certainly, Kim," the instructor replied.

Kim stood and turned toward the class with a rather uneasy expression. "I...want to apologize to everyone for the incident outside..." She was almost cut off by others in the class, interjecting "that wasn't your fault Kim"

"Please, let me finish," she said with a weak smile. "I know I didn't start it...but I shouldn't have reacted with the outburst that I did...it was what Brian said that got to me." She swallowed a bit, then continued. "I'm...a bit unique from the rest of you. Some of you already know or have guessed this...but for the rest...I am...well...I'm the personification of an animated character from a TV show...that's the best way I know to explain it without a long story. I'm what's known as a...Celler...and to call one of us a 'cartoon'--" she motioned to a black woman seated to the left of Donna "--would be the same as calling Tekesha here the N-word. It's an insult - and it hurts. But even at that...I overreacted...and I'm sorry." She felt her eyes starting to glass over as she sat, and was embraced by Tina.

"Kim," said Carla, "thank you for your apology, even though I feel it wasn't really needed on your part. You did nothing to egg Brian on into his behavior." Her sentiment was echoed by several people in the room. "I'm not even mentioning your name in the incident report. Between his little act in here and the confrontation outside, I saw the whole thing...and I don't feel you have anything to be sorry for. Brian was immature. He was--"

"--a big a-hole," Tekesha finished, drawing laughter and applause from the rest of the class. Carla burst out laughing, adding, "Thank you Tekesha, for just the touch I was looking for, but couldn't express." The class erupted again.

11:47 AM.
"Tina," Carla called out, pointing at the small brunette, "I have on a polo shirt, dress jeans and open-toed shoes with hose. Am I dressed within Meridian code guidelines?"

"Yes!" Tina exclaimed. "Unless you weren't wearing hose or socks!"

"Correct!" Carla said. "Another point for your team!" The right side of the room cheered. "It's tied," said Carla. "The next correct answer will win the game. The players are..." she motioned to a woman on the left side of the room "Janet--" then to the right "--and Kim." The two women readied their manuals to find the correct answer to the final round of the open-book quiz. "Ladies," Carla announced, "Based only on basic late occurances - more than five but less than fifteen minutes after your scheduled start time, how many times can you be late before you recieve a verbal warning on your six-month record? Go!"

Both women dove into their manuals, flipping page after page while the other members of their teams uttered quiet but urgent encouragement. Suddenly the brunette on the left side called out, "Done!" Carla pointed, and Janet blurted out, "Fourteen?"

"Incorrect!" Carla shouted. The room was mixed in groans of dismay and squeals of anticipatory hope. Her hand then swept to the other side of the room. "Kim?" she called.

At that moment, Kim's head snapped up. "Ten!" she burst out. "Each basic late occurance is half a point. According to page 21 of the manual, the accumulation of five points in a six-month period gets you a verbal warning, which is then noted within that six-month period!"

"Correct!" shouted Carla, causing the right half of the room to erupt in cheers. "Team Two wins this round! We'll have another quiz tomorrow afternoon after you're introduced to the software. The first team to win the best three out of five receives free pizza for lunch on Friday." Another cheer from the right side of the room. "Speaking of lunch," said Carla, "Ours is just about upon us. You may leave the premises if you wish, but be back at 1 PM. You have one hour."

The room rose in unison and started to file out. Kim turned to Tina and Donna. "Eating here?" she asked.

"I am," Tina said. "I didn't know what they had as far as food from the machines, so I just brought a sandwich."

"I was in such a hurry to get here this morning, I didn't bring anything," replied Donna. "I forgot about the fifteen minutes early thing on the first day. I read it while sitting down to breakfast."

"I can get you something from the machines, if you like," Kim offered, "and I brought a sandwich myself." She took an arm of each of the other women and started for the corridor. "Let's lunch," she smiled.

12:02 PM.
The three sat at one of the round tables, and Kim produced two dollar bills, handing them to Donna, who then went to peruse the machines. Tina placed her purse on the table and went to the refrigerator for her insulin kit. Kim reached into her purse and pulled out her sandwich, removing it from the paper bag, but leaving it wrapped in the small plastic wrap, waiting for her new friends to return. Tina came back to the table first. "I'll be right back," Kim said. "I want to get some water." She rose to cross the room to the dispenser.

Donna returned to the table about the same time as Kim, who was balancing three glasses in her fingers, setting them gently on the table. "I didn't know if anyone else wanted water, but I brought one for each of us."

"Thanks Kim," said Donna. She held up her choice from the machines to Kim. "Egg salad," she said.

"Mmmm," Kim replied. "I'll have to make some up this week...that sounds good." She turned to Tina. "And what did Mary's sister bring?"

Tina brought a sandwich out of her purse and placed it on the table. "Your basic sliced chicken breast on buttered bread," she said.

Donna and Kim each unwrapped their sandwiches while Tina opened her kit, placing a small bottle and a syringe on the table. Kim glanced at the needle. "I...have to admit, I don't know that much about diabetes. You don't take your insulin orally?"

"Some people can take oral medication," replied Tina, "but if it's as severe as mine, you have to take it through injections. I can go in the bathroom, if this is going to gross anyone out."

"Not me," said Donna. "I've seen people take their insulin before."

Kim nodded in agreement. "Go ahead, Tina."

Kim felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see the woman she went against in the quiz. "Hey Janet," she smiled.

"Hi Kim," Janet returned. "Just stopped by to say good catch on the quiz. I was reading seven points instead of five...the second verbal warning."

"Aww, no big," said Kim, waving her hand. "Anybody could overlook that."

"You watch out tomorrow," Janet smirked, starting to walk away, "We'll be all over your team." Kim giggled as Janet went to a machine for some crackers.

Tina brought a small paper package out of her kit and tore it open. "What's that?" asked Kim.

"It's a swab I have to wipe over the place where I inject myself," Tina said as she slowly tipped the insulin back and forth to stir it.

Kim studied the small fabric square inside the package. "What's on it?" she asked. Tina obliged by picking up the swab for Kim to sniff.

12:12 PM.
"William Hodge"

"William," the voice came through the line in a frenzied tone, "This is Carla Bachman from Training. You'd better get down here to Claims & Rec right away - Kim's passed out in the lunchroom!"

"What!?" William exclaimed, standing up from his desk. "What...what happened, Carla??"

"I don't know what happened!" Carla shot back. "We had just gone to lunch. I heard a commotion on the other side of the room, and when I got there, Kim was lying on the floor unconscious. I've called the paramedics, and they're on their - no, they're here already - please hurry down here. She doesn't look good."

"I'm on my way," William said, grabbing his suitcoat. "Carla, listen!" he burst into the phone. "This is very, very important - tell them NOT to use alcohol in any form whatsoever on her - not for wipes or anything. She's extremely allergic to it."

"Okay," Carla replied - then was interrupted by noises within the room - people yelling "let them through". "William, they're putting her on the gurney now," Carla said hurriedly. "I'll tell them what you said. Please get down here now! She's not moving!" The phone then went dead as Carla hung up. William raced from behind his desk, dropping the receiver of the phone. it clattered onto the desk and over onto the floor.

He threw open his office door, startling his secretary. "William, what's wrong??"

"Something has happened to my wife," he said excitedly as he bolted through the door into the hall. He ran to the elevator, his coat fisted in his hand as he literally punched the "down" button. He mentally kicked himself for agreeing with Kim on avoiding the doctor. Her training could have waited until the next open class, he thought. Anything could have waited until they were sure of Kim's health. But now...

William slipped through the doors of the elevator even before they were completely open, immediately reaching to stab the "2" button on the panel. He flipped the snap on his belt for the pouch of his cell phone and hit the speed dial number for Marcy's cell. A sweat broke out on William's forehead as he seemed to wait an eternity for the floor number on the indicator to change.

"Hello?" Marcy's voice came through the phone.

"Marcy, it's William...I want you to get your car and meet me in front of the building now please...they're taking Kim to the emergency room."

William's urgent and worried tone immediately flowed into Marcy. "My God, William, what happened?"

"I don't know...Carla called me and said she passed out in the lunchroom...she was still unconscious when the paramedics got there. I'm on my way down there right now--" the elevator reached the second floor "--I'm on the floor now. Either way, I don't know if I can think straight to drive. Marcy, if there was ever a time I needed you, it's right now." His voice jumped as he began to run down the hallway toward the Claims & Rec department.

"I'll be out front in less than two minutes," Marcy said as she grabbed her purse. She flipped the phone closed as she retrieved her keys and ran out of her office.

12:15 PM.
William burst wildly through the large glass doors of the department. A couple of women were talking with Dawn. One was obviously distraught. "Where?" William exhaled breathlessly.

"You just missed them," said Dawn in a rather upset tone. They must have gotten in the elevator just as you were coming down."

William was grabbed by the arm, and Tina spoke to him in a nearly hysterical tone. "I'm sorry, I didn't know she was allergic to alcohol...I'm a diabetic and I was taking my shot before lunch and she asked about the alcohol swab I was using...I just let her sniff it...and she just collapsed! God, I'm so sorry...if anything happens because of..." her voice trailed off as her head dropped and she began to cry again.

Donna reached for Tina and held her as she wept openly. "Please let us know how she is," she said, a waver to her own voice.

"Yeah," William said distractedly, and spun through the glass doors to run back to the elevators.

12:18 PM.
William burst into the lobby, nearly upsetting a mail cart and the young man pushing it. He spun as he recovered his balance, and ran toward the front doors.

"You lookin' to catch that ambulance??" the boy called out to William. He stopped, his shoes skidding on the polished floor. "They already came through here. They were in a real hurry. They went out the south entrance," he said, pointing toward the other glass atrium at the other end of the lobby.

William turned to look out the front and spotted Marcy running up the wide walkway leading to the entrance. "Thanks," he waved to the mail runner, and again started for the front doors. He flung the door wide, hearing the siren of the rescue squad begin its wail from the other side of the building as he ran outside. "They went out the back, I couldn't catch them," he yelled to Marcy, who stopped in her tracks and turned on her heel for the car.

"I've been looking for you," Marcy called as William caught up to her. "What held you up?"

"The elevators," he heaved.

"The Honda is in the shop this morning," said Marcy as she ran around the front of her BMW, punching the key fob to unlock the doors. "I don't have a sticker on my car, so I had to swipe my ID badge through the gate to get out of the parking garage...otherwise I'd have been out here even sooner."

"Doesn't matter," William replied, grabbing the passenger-side door handle and dropping into the car, reaching to sling the shoulder belt across his chest "You're here now...go, Go!" He reached again for his cell phone as Marcy turned the key and the 2.5-litre six roared into life. She yanked the shifter into "D" and stabbed the gas in a nearly simultaneous motion, her head whipping around to look for traffic behind her. The sedan leapt into motion, the rear tires howling their protest as the car yawed wildly counter-clockwise to head in the opposite direction. "Whoa," William exhaled as the car snapped into line and thrust down the street.

"Now you know why I bought this," said Marcy.

12:21 PM.
"Eastgate General ER."

"My name is William Hodge. You're bringing my wife Kim in from Meridian Insurance."

"Yes sir, Unit 2-5. I have an ETA of three minutes at the most."

"Is there any word on her condition?"

"Last status was that the crew was still trying to bring the patient to consciousness, sir."

"I need to get specific instructions to whoever works on her...she has a severe allergic reaction to alcohol in any form...you can't use it to clean instruments or even clean the skin for an IV. It's imperative that you don't - use - alcohol. Do you understand?"

"Yes sir. No alcohol. We'll sterilize with saline instead."

"Okay...also, I need you to call Dr. Aaron Hennison. He's her primary doctor. He works there in the hospital."

William then heard a noise through the phone...the approach of the rescue squad's siren announcing its arrival at the emergency room. He listened to the sudden flurried mix of background din and more distant voices on the other end of the phone, and the worker in the foreground phone giving orders: "Female, approximately 18, unconscious, head trauma with a contusion to the right cheekbone, BP 110 over 60, pulse 110 and thready, respiration 22, pupils are dialated but responsive." "Room 2 is open" "Dana, get on the phone to Dr. Hennison upstairs, he's her primary. Let's call to prep a head CT, in case he orders one. I have orders from the husband that she's allergic to alcohol, sterilize with saline." "We got the same instructions on site." The worker then returned to the phone. "Sorry about the interruption, they're here already. Are you en route, Mr. Hodge?"

William glanced over at the speedometer as Marcy swept around the onramp to the freeway, and watched it climb past the 70 mile-per-hour mark. "You'd better believe I am," he said, closing the phone.

"Anything?" Marcy asked.

"They just brought her in," William replied. "She's still unconscious. They're calling Dr. Hennison...they mentioned a CAT scan...you know what I know." He gave her a worried look that she responded to with more pressure on the accelerator.

William was suddenly plunged into thoughts, like being thrown into a pool - thoughts of how Angelica might react in this situation...or if she would have had anything that might help right now. He worked hard to keep the worst thoughts from his mind as Marcy slowed for the offramp to Eastgate General Hospital...how the most precious gifts in life have no guarantee...and can be snatched away in but the blink of an eye. William knew that no life came with a warranty...but he wasn't sure how life would - or even could - continue if the most perfect gift that had been presented to him were to be taken away...taken away like this...especially after reaching such a perfect point...

12:26 PM.
"SHHIT!!"

William was jolted back from his thoughts by Marcy's scream and the violent shove as she cut the wheel hard to the left. The air was pierced by the short scream of horror from the tires of the car emerging from a side street as it tried to avoid the BMW - then the sickening staccato bang of metal against metal. Marcy and William were both thrown against the restraint of their belts, and William's shoulder hit against the door as the sedan reeled from the impact, yawing sideways as Marcy fought for control. It seemed like slow motion until the car rocked to a stop at a crazy perpendicular angle to the street they were traveling on - then they were immersed in that eerie post-accident silence for a few seconds as they recovered their wits.

"William are you alright!?" said Marcy, undoing her belt and reaching for him.

William slowly straightened with a pained wince on his face, reaching to squeeze his right arm, clenching and unclenching his right hand. "I'm alright," he said through his breath. "That's gonna bruise. You?"

"I'm okay," Marcy said. Her teeth clenched as she pounded the steering wheel. "Dammit...DAMMIT! He came out of nowhere! I didn't have anywhere to go!" She then grasped tightly on the situation, and flung her door open, getting out. "When I get my hands on that...airhead..."

William looked in the side-view mirror on his side, and saw the "airhead" getting out of his damaged Buick, throwing up his hands and yelling to Marcy, "It's my fault. I didn't see you when I pulled out. I couldn't see around the truck parked there."

Marcy looked back at her car. The damage was confined to behind the rear wheel. A large crease now deformed the BMW's right rear quarter-panel by more than half a foot. A portion of the sedan's rear bumper had been peeled back, protruding at a nearly-90-degree angle, and shards of taillight littered the street, sparkling in the midday sun. She started back toward her door. "Eastgate General!!" she yelled back to the other driver. "His wife is in the ER! We can exchange info there!" She got back in the car and reached for her seat belt while restarting the engine.

"Bad?" William asked.

"A taillight," remarked Marcy. "It's covered," she said, putting the car into gear and getting back under way to the hospital.

Eastgate General
12:34 PM.
Marcy roared up the ramp to the ER entrance and came to a quick stop, the tires chirping as the anti-lock brakes clamped and unclamped in quick cycles. The car had barely stopped moving when both doors flew open with Marcy in the lead for the sliding doors, with William quickly overtaking her in that short distance.

They hurried to the main desk, with William slapping his hands against the counter as he stopped. "I'm William Hodge," he huffed through his breath. "Which room is my wife in?"

The rather large woman behind the desk placed her hands on the keyboard in front of her. "Name?" she asked rather nonchalantly.

"Kim Hodge."

She tapped a few keys. "She was in Trauma Room 2--"

"Was!??" William's worried expression immediately intensified.

"Let me finish, Sir," the woman said. "She was in Trauma Room 2...but they've taken her upstairs for a CAT scan...she apparently hit a chair or a table or something when she collapsed, and the doctor said he wanted to take every precaution."

"Dr. Hennison?" he asked.

"Yes, he's up there with her now." the clerk said, reading further. "Her vital signs pretty much stablized shortly after she came in...but she still hasn't regained consciousness. That's all I have here, until the doctor checks in."

William's face calmed just a bit. "Thank you," he said - then added, "I'm sorry about my outburst." He and Marcy went to some chairs in the hallway. William again tried to avoid thinking the worst...but something still managed to slip through his defense and flash in the back of his mind - having to mail the Cross Agents to tell them that Cellers in the Flesher environment had the potential to slip into a coma after a head injury...

His thought was broken as Marcy slipped her hand into his. "Don't," she said softly.

"Don't what?"

"I'm watching you sit there, thinking the worst, and trying to think of a way to blame yourself for it," she started. "You can't really avoid thinking the worst...that's natural. But what you're not doing - and what you should be doing - is hoping for the best at the same time. Right now, we don't know anything more than she got a bruise from hitting something. And she might just be unconscious from smelling the alcohol. At this point, the worst we can think is that she has a shiner, and is taking a hard nap."

William looked at Marcy, wondering where she was going with this. "Marcy...even with as long as Kim has been here...we don't know that much about her physical makeup. When she said that she gets 'really sick' from alcohol...she never spelled out exactly what that meant...whether it meant just getting nauseous, or falling into a coma, or what...and that's what is tearing at me - the not knowing."

Marcy gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "I think, until you find out one way or the other...you should be reactive, rather than proactive. You can't reach any conclusions without knowing more of the facts. Then you can make a plan to go on from there. But one thing you shouldn't do is sit here and beat yourself up over something you had nothing to do with."

William's eyes began to well up as he looked at Marcy. "Kim is the best thing that ever happened to me," his voice wavered. "The best thing that ever could happen to me. If anything...happens...I don't think there will be a 'go on'...I don't think I would want a 'go on'...." his voice trailed as he sank into Marcy's arms, the emotion overtaking him.

2:18 PM.
"William?"

Marcy rubbed William's hand, patting it gently to wake him. She spoke in a soft voice. "William? The doctor is here."

William had fallen asleep and leaned over, taking two chairs, his legs drawn up and his head resting against Marcy's leg. He opened his eyes to a tall man in a white lab coat, with a thick head of wavy salt-and-pepper hair who was leaning slightly toward William, his hands together at his knees.

The doctor spoke quietly to Marcy as William slowly straigtened in his chair. "I hear he's had quite an afternoon." Marcy nodded as the doctor extended his hand to William. "Good to see you back with us again."

"Dr. Hennison," William perked, still trying to shake off his sudden nap. He shook the doctor's hand, then turned to the clock on the wall over the main desk. "Wow, I didn't know I was out that long." He stood, still grasping the tall man's hand. "Please, Doctor...tell me something."

"Do you want the good news or the bad news first?" Marcy stood up next to William, and her hand found his again.

William tensed for a second, and Marcy felt his hand tighten around hers. "Give me the bad first," he said haltingly. "Then perhaps I can recover with the good."

"Oh, I'd say you can," the doctor continued. "The bad news is that, when Kim collapsed, they said she hit the edge of a chair on the way down. She's got a deep bruise on her cheekbone--" he then studied William's own healing injury for a second "--seems to run in the family." Marcy couldn't help but let a small snicker escape at this, and even William managed a weak smile. "She'll have quite the shiner for a while," Dr. Hennison added.

"What caused her to pass out?" William asked.

"Near as we can tell, her reaction to the alcohol caused a rush of blood from the brain," the doctor explained. "She probably fainted first, and the knock on the chair kept her out for a while. I have to apologize for this taking so long...but when I first saw Kim, I remember you mentioning how...unique...she is. We just...ran a few more tests. I hope you understand, and again, I apologize for the time."

"When did she wake up?" Marcy asked.

"She came to shortly after the CT scan, which was negative. She was pretty confused when she woke up, which is common...and she was a "

William gave the doctor a puzzled look.

"One of our radiology techs has a greenstick fracture of the right humerus. She's quite a pistol, William. Is that where you got your bruise?" William and Marcy looked at each other for a second - then burst into laughter. "Anyway," the doctor continued, snickering himself, "We gave her a slight sedative and a bit of Darvocet for any pain she might be feeling."

"Sooo....bottom line...?" inquired William.

"Bottom line is that Kim should recover fully from this."

William turned to Marcy, his face alight with a smile. She barely got out "Told you," before she was smothered in a hug which lifted her from the floor. He then set her down and turned again to the doctor. "That's the good news, right?" he asked.

"Not all of it," Dr. Hennison glinted out of the corner of his eye. "Remember our phone conversation on Friday?" William nodded. "Well, I took the liberty of investigating a little further, based on the symptoms you listed...that's what some of the other tests were for."

"...and?" William now took on a slight look of suspicion, as if the other shoe were about to drop.

"And," the doctor continued, "when you explained her symptoms to me, it sounded like, as you called it, a case of mild food poisoning. All except the mood swings. That's the part that didn't fit - until I did some tests this afternoon - then it all fell right into place. I don't know why I didn't see it sooner."

William began to become slightly exasperated at his doctor's evasive disposition. "Well? Tell me what she has...and how it can be treated. How long could this take?"

Dr. Hennison placed a finger to his chin, with the barest hint of a smile. "I would say that...with proper treatment...she should be over this in a few months or so...yes, about eight months..."

At this, Marcy took in a long slow gasp. She put her hand over her mouth, with "Oh...my...God" escaping in a squeal.

William placed his hands firmly on Dr. Hennison's upper arms. "Doctor...no more games. I want to know what illness my wife has."

Dr. Hennison broke now into a full smile. "Your wife isn't ill, William...she's showing symptoms common to any woman who is 4 to 6 weeks pregnant. You're going to be a father. Congratulations! ...William? William??"

Marcy struggled to land William in a chair and the doctor helped, then turned to the main desk. "Nurse - I need some smelling salts and a cold compress. It seems our new father-to-be has fainted himself."

"Another thing that seems to run in the family," Marcy quipped, which caused Dr. Hennison to laugh.

2:46 PM.
William walked down the hall with Dr. Hennison and Marcy on either flank. They approached a door, which Dr. Hennison hesitated before he opened. "Just one minor point I wanted to tell you," he said.

"Hm?" William quizzed.

"Well, it seems that the combination of the seditive and the pain killer, coupled with her short unconsciousness, has left Kim a bit..." he thought for a moment. "...not incoherent, but...she is making a few...non-sequitur statements, and seems a bit disoriented at times. This isn't permanent at all, and should fade as the sedative wears off. A couple hours at the most." With that, he turned the knob.

Kim seemed to be keeping an assistant nurse entertained. "I did!" she exclaimed. "I'm telling you...I've been up the Amazon and down a volcano. I dogsledded through the Arctic, swam the English Channel, scaled Mount Everest...not to mention acing the cheerleading regionals...all while keeping a buffoonish sidekick and a naked mole rat under my control! I don't know why you can't believe me!" Her head shot up as William appeared in the doorway. "Here, ask this guy," her hand shot out, pointing at William. "He's my twin! See the similar markings? It's my brother Rory from the Old Country!"

"Oh Dios Mio," Marcy giggled under her breath. "She's half in the bag."

Dr. Hennison leaned to them both, smiling. "I...wouldn't engage in any meaningful conversation for a while."

Kim was motioning the three of them over with her hand. She grabbed William by the tie, presenting him to the assistant. "This guy here," she slurred, "This guy here did this to me." She smiled and poked herself on her injured cheek. "Owwwww..." She then moved her finger to her stomach - "I mean, he did this," - back to her cheek - "Not this-oww." She then brought William in for a tight embrace. "Willie!" she exclaimed. "Whaaazzaaaaaaaap!" She pointed to her tummy again. "What - did - you - DO!?"

William tried to control his laughter. Marcy was not so successful, erupting into a titter. Kim trained her gaze on her. "Soooo," she drew out, "You're the hussy who's been making time with my Willum while I've been in here fighting for my LIFE!?"

Marcy turned to mouth the word with a questioning cock of her head - "Willum?" Kim then made a "come hither" motion with her finger. Marcy advanced slowly until Kim reached out, pinching the collar of Marcy's shirt with two fingers, drawing her close. She studied the Latina woman for a few seconds...then burst out with a "Phffft--" then "--I got a bun in the oven...I'm fulla drugs...my stomach is emptier than a free Englebert Humperdink concert at Middleton High...and I look like I've been through ten rounds with the punch-happy little rooster from the Foghorn Leghorn cartoon - what can you do to me? BAHAHAHAHAHA!" she laughed maniacally, throwing her head back.

Marcy couldn't help but burst into an uncontrollable giggle, until Kim grabbed her shirt again. "I'm going to tell you the most important thing you'll ever hear for the rest of your life - MISSSSY - so remember it!" She took a deep inhale...then-- "If you ever have to break wind, do it AFTER you sit down - NEVER before. When you sit, where's your face?" She held her hand out in front of her. "Same level your butt was at! Noooo...donnn't do it!"

"I'm sold," said Marcy through a fit of snickers. "Let's take her home. She'll go so perfect with the plants." Everyone in the room was now in some stage of laughter.

Kim caught sight of herself in a mirror on the wall. "Ohhhhh, man," she pined, "You didn't do what I wanted, Doc! I distinctly said to put a scar on my face and color me blue!"

Marcy shot William a look of puzzlement.

Kim sneered into the mirror. "I always wanted to be...DrakKim! BOOWAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!"

William found a wheelchair just outside the room and brought it in, inviting Kim to sit for the trip to the car. "All aboard, Kiddo," he said. "We're homeward bound."

Kim made her way to the chair. "Don't 'kiddo' ME, Buster," she said, plopping into the chair, "I gotcher 'kiddo'--" she poked at her tummy "--right HERE."

William shook the doctor's hand warmly. "Thanks for everything, Doctor," he said. "Including the floor show."

Dr. Hennison chuckled. "Thank you, William. I shall remember this day as long as I live. Oh, and I'll want to see Kim in two weeks for a follow-up. And congrats again." He then turned to Kim, extending his hand. "It was my pleasure, Kim."

Kim slapped his hand is a sort of sideways high-five motion. "S'long, Doc - and thanks for all the fish." William and Marcy tried to keep their composure long enough to begin their trek to the car. Just before going through the doorway, Kim stuck out her arms, stopping her chair. She turned and said to Dr. Hennison over her shoulder, "You're a way cool doc...Doc...but if you ever put your fingers there again, I'm gonna come back here and dust you like an old chair." Kim then thrust her fist forward. "To the Bratmobile!" The three left the room, leaving Dr. Hennison and the assistant holding their sides.

3:12 PM.
"BWEEEEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOOOoooop!" Kim erupted in a high-pitched wail as they cleared the doors to the emergency room. People outside, and many inside instantly jumped and turned to the noise. "That's my siren," she said, snickering. "Good, huh? Didja see 'em scatter?"

William leaned to Marcy. "Last chance - are you sure you wouldn't rather have her ride in the trunk?"

"William!" Marcy smacked him on the arm playfully. "Be nice. She'll be fine."

Kim turned around in the chair. "Yeah, William - be nice!" she then turned to Marcy. "What did he say?" She then turned to face forward as they neared the car. Her gaze snapped to the damage at the rear. "Whoa...I didn't do that. That's sooo not my fault."

Marcy hit the button to unlock the doors, and William held the rear door open as Kim flopped across the back seat. She sprang up as Marcy got in. "I recognize this car," she said slowly. "I learned to drive in this car." She then pointed at Marcy. "You taught me how to drive in this car!" she said, her voice melting to a smooth passionate tone as her arms slid across her teacher's shoulders. "You, with your year-round perfect tan complexion...you're my little butterscotch bunny." She punctuated the last with a tight embrace.

"Awwww," Marcy said through a giggle as she turned the key. "You're welcome, Kim."

Kim then poked William in the shoulder. "Yeah...not like this guy...I haven't had a bite since breakfast...and has he even offered so much as a stick of gum? Nooooooo..." She poked him again. "Hey Frugal Lucre - think we can spring for a hamburger or something on the way home?" Her expression then softened. "I'm sorry...you have to overlook the 'Frugal Lucre' comment...but I am huuuuungrrrrryyyyy...and I have to eat, you know...because ice cream has no bones!"

Marcy looked at Kim in the mirror as they pulled to the stop sign to leave the hospital grounds. "You know...William has already offered to treat us all to burgers and fries...or did you forget?" She turned to William, winking slightly. William nodded in agreement. "We're on our way there now," Marcy added.

"Mmmmmmmm," Kim drew out a moan. Suddenly her attention turned to someone crossing in front of the car. Kim punched the button to lower her window and she leaned out as Marcy pulled into traffic, "I AM KIM POSSIBLE!! AND THE CAPITAL OF LICHTENSTEIN IS VADUZ!!"

Louie M's Burger Lust
3:41 PM.
Marcy pulled into the drive-thru lane until the car was next to the outside menu. "I take it you've eaten here before," she asked William.

"We have," he replied. "It's the fast-food place where the food doesn't taste like fast food." He then furrowed his brow and took on a worried expression.

"William, what's that look for??" William said nothing, but pointed into the back seat. Marcy turned around and looked through the headrest. Kim was staring at the menu...and quietly licking the car window. William and Marcy looked at each other for a moment - then snickered.

"So you know this place," Marcy asked him. "Suggest something."

"...hot juicy succulent flame-broiled burrrrgerrrr," droned from the back seat.

"Yeah, the burgers are quite good here," William nodded.

"...crispy golden-brown seasoned friiieessss..."

"...you can get their fries with--"

"Creaammyy cool ranch dressssssinnnngggg..."

"She almost sounds normal," giggled Marcy. "What should I have to drink, Kim?"

"Rich, thick, frosssstyyy sshhhaaaake..."

"Sold me," Marcy replied. She turned to William. "You ready?"

"Yep," said William. "Push the button."

Marcy reached out and pressed a button on the satellite speaker. "Welcome to Louie M's Burger Lust, how may we serve you?" it crackled. Marcy motioned to William to go first.

"I'd like a single, hold the onion...small fries and a medium Coke."

Marcy leaned a bit toward the speaker. "I'd like a single with cheese, no pickles...I'll try a small Curly Fries...and a chocolate shake."

William turned back to Kim, who was still riveted on the menu. "Kim?" he asked. "Want me to order your usual?"

"Nope!" came the reply. "I soooooo got this. You just furnish the green, Money Man." She hit the button to lower the window. "Yo, Ned!" she called into the speaker. "You gotcher ears on?"

"Ummm...my name's Dale, Ma'am," came the voice from the speaker.

"Yeeaaahhh," Kim replied in a sarcastic tone. "Oh-kay. I'll take a Double Cheese Blitz--"

William widened his eyes at his wife. "Kim, what are you doing? You can barely finish a single."

Marcy placed her hand on William's arm. "She's on pain killers...I don't think she's going to feel a stomachache...and besides," she nudged, "she is eating for two now."

William gave a small sigh of defeat. "Fire away, Kim."

Kim smiled widely at the two up front. "Remind me to sooooo validate your parking later," she said. William and Marcy looked at each other again in humorous confusion as Kim resumed her order. "Okay, that's a Double Cheese Blitz...with extra tomato...a large Cheddar Fries...and a large vanilla shake." She then sat back in the seat, a defiantly proud grin on her face as she held out her thumb and brought it down on the button to close the window. As it closed, Kim uttered an "m-MPH" to punctuate.

Marcy pulled ahead to the second window. A thin blonde boy opened the small pass-through. "$13.41, please." he said.

Kim craned at the window, trying to read his name tag. Then she lowered the window again. "Are you Dale?" she asked.

"Yes Ma'am," the boy answered, handing Marcy change for a $20 dollar bill.

Kim leaned out the window with a sly smile on her face. "Dale? What's the capital of Nebraska?"

Dale thought for a second. "I think that's Lincoln, Ma'am," he replied.

Kim began to clap. "Right!" she exclaimed, which caused Dale to blush just a bit. "You need a different job, Dale," she then said. "You're much too intelligent to be a drive-thru drone."

"Thanks," said Dale, starting to pass bags out to Marcy, "but I'm working through college."

"What's your major?"

"Computer science with a minor in business."

Kim poked Marcy in the shoulder. "So give him a card already." Marcy fished into the center console between the front seats, bringing out a card and passing it to the young clerk.

Kim leaned out the window once more as Dale handed Marcy a drink carrier with their beverages on it. "You can make way more at Meridian than you can here shoving burgers," she said. She then reached for William's collar and pulled him toward her. "This is my husband William," she said. "He's head of the department. He'll get you hooked up. Just look what he did for me!" she lifted her shirt, exposing her stomach, and pressed it against the half-lowered window.

"Kim!" William hissed. Marcy just hid her face, trying to conceal her giggling. William leaned down until he could see the young boy in the window. "I must apologize for my wife, Dale," he said. "She's just come from the hospital, and she's a bit...medicated."

Dale nodded with understanding. Kim started to swat at William. "I can answer for my-self, thank you!" She then leaned out the window again, stuffing her shirt into her waistband. "Yes, as he was saying, he must apologize for his wife. She's just come from the hospital, and she's a bit..." she suddenly slid inside to whisper to her husband, "How long did you pause there? Ahh heck, that's long enough." She leaned out the window again, finishing confidently with a wide, silly smile, "...medicated!" Marcy burst into laughter.

Dale held up his hand. "Thanks back soon."

Marcy started to pull away, until Kim screamed, "Wait! STOP!!" Marcy brought the car to a halt. Kim leaned out the window, calling back to the young boy. "Hey Dale! Give me another one! What's the capital of Vermont?"

"Montpelier," Dale returned.

"You rock out loud, Dale!" Kim shouted. She then pounded her fist against her chest and threw out her arm, giving Dale a perfect Roman salute. "Hail Eisner!" she said, then slid back in the window to Marcy and William's now full laughter.

Marcy wiped her eye with the back of a finger as she slowed the car at the end of the establishment's driveway, and turned to William. "Didn't you say you'd give the people back at work a ring and let them know how everything turned out?"

"Ooooo, that's right," William grimmaced. "I forgot all about it," he said, reaching for his cell. "Know Carla's number right off the top of your head?"

"Her cell?" said Marcy. "Try...418-6627."

Kim leaned forward as Marcy continued to wait for an opening in traffic. "Name a part of my body that I can't scratch with my right hand," she mused.

"Ummm...your right elbow?" offered Marcy.

"Nope!" Kim exclaimed. She then whispered something in Marcy's ear, which caused her to gasp suddenly.

"Kim! You don't even have those!"

"That's why I can't scratch 'em!" she burst out exasperatedly. "Now you see my dilemma!"

"HAHAHAHAHAHA!" Marcy exploded into laughter, letting her head sink to thud against the steering wheel.

8:28 PM.
Kim stirred slowly under her covers. "William?" she called softly.

William turned the chair from the desk. "Hi baby," he said, smiling and rising to slide onto the bed beside his wife. Angel was curled into a ball next to Kim's legs, and she awoke just enough to lift her head - then sank back into slumber. William leaned to give Kim a gentle kiss. "How are you?"

Kim winced. "My face hurts."

William rose and retrieved a small bottle and his glass of water from the desk. "The doctor sent these along," he said, handing her the glass and prying the lid off the bottle, shaking out a single small pink pill, then replacing the lid. "He said you can have one of these every six hours, if you need it."

Kim held out her hand and he let the pill slide into her palm. She brought it to her mouth, then took a long slow drink of the water. Kim then moved a bit into her husband's arms, bringing a pillow to lean against one of them. "How long have I been asleep?" she asked.

"You nodded off about 4:30," William said, "after you ate about half your lunch." He shook his head slowly while pursing his lips. "A Double Cheese Blitz. I'm surprised you even got that far on it."

"No...way," Kim said slowly. I didn't eat that much." She then let her head drop into her hand. "So much of today is just a blur...I remember being at lunch with Tina and Donna...then the rest is...all thrown together...not making much sense."

William began to stroke his wife's temple softly. "Do you remember the hospital?"

"Just parts of it."

"Do you remember the ride home?"

"Not really," said Kim. William let a small snicker escape.

"What?"

"The sedative they gave you made you a little...animated."

Kim turned toward William with a quizzical look.

"You don't remember any of it, do you?" William said.

Kim winced. "Umm...do I want to remember?"

"It wasn't anything bad," William tried to say with a straight face. "You quizzed the cashier at Louie M's on his state capitals."

"What?" she giggled.

"You instructed a total stranger about the capital of Lichtenstein."

"I did?"

"You told Marcy a dirty joke."

"So not!"

"You can call Marcy in the morning to have her tell it to you," Wiliam snickered.

"Hm?" said Kim. "Won't I be at work?"

"The doctor said you would probably do well to take it easy for a day or so."

"But I'll fall behind in class," she said.

"It's okay," William returned. "There's another class starting next Monday."

"William," Kim protested quietly, "I've already made friends in that class. Isn't there anything I can do to stay with it?"

William thought for a moment. call Carla to find out what you'd be going over on Tuesday...maybe I can catch you up."

"She said something about introducing us to the software."

"Yeah, I could handle that...I'll give her a call in the morning and get the stuff I need. I have a meeting about 9 - that's the report I was finshing up tonight - and my afternoon is pretty much free. I can give you the lesson on the software - then you can resume with the class on Wednesday."

Kim sighed in contentment as she settled further against her husband. She coaxed Angel to her arms, and gently stroked her head just under her ear. "Is there anything you won't do for me, you wonderful wonderful man, you?"

William stopped to think for a moment; finally, "Yes...there is."

Kim turned to look up at him. "Tell me."

William smiled in reply to his wife. "Even if you asked me to...I won't show my stomach to the cashier at Louie M's."

"What?" she said in disbelief. "Why would you--" her eyes suddenly became wide as saucers, then narrowed, and slowly closed in embarassment. "Oh-no-I-di-dn't...ohhhh, William, I'm sorry..."

"Shhhhh," said William softly, smiling and putting his finger to her lips. "At least you remembered that part of your hospital visit."

Kim nuzzled in closer to her husband, sliding her hand slowly over her midsection. "I do remember that part," she cooed. "I'm with child, William."

William slid his hand warmly over hers. "You are," he echoed.

"We've created something no one has ever seen," she purred in wonderment.

William then chuckled for a second. "Guess you can tell the Cross Agents we've learned the answer to that little mystery."

"Yeah," she giggled. "Finally...something I know that they don't."

to be continued...