11. Housewarming ("I owed you that.")

The month of November, seemingly like most others, was one of interesting events and change for Kim and William - especially the second full week. On Monday the 10th, Kim, William and Tina accompanied Marcy to court for the incident on Halloween, where they testified against Brian and Troy. Brian, against the counsel of his lawyer, attempted to rail against Kim, stating that she had struck him first, but the combined testimony of his four accusers quickly took the wind out of his "defense," with the fact that he was in the process of attacking Marcy when Kim stepped in to defend her friend.

Brian then continued by trying to insinuate that, since Kim had used Karate on the both of them, that she should be charged with assault with a deadly weapon. The judge quickly dismissed that, stating that, in Pennsylvania, a person must be a black belt in a martial art to require that they register their hands as "lethal weapons." The judge then read Brian's record, noting two prior misdemeanor citations for possession of marijuana. Even without reading it, the judge knew Brian's record well, as he was the very judge that Brian had stood before in those prior transgressions.

The judge then leveled his decision, which was not in Brian's favor. He ruled that Brian had attacked Marcy, thinking she was Kim, along with intent to do bodily harm to Kim herself during the fight - and assaulting a pregnant woman in Pennsylvania was a 3rd degree felony. The judge stated that Brian was guilty of Aggravated Stalking with Credible Threat, and sentenced him to a fine of $1000, and no less than three years in the state prison. Troy was charged with being an accessory to the crime, as well as the driver of the car, who was apprehended after a short pursuit. Both were charged with a fine of $500 and 12 months jail time.

With the unpleasantries of court out of the way, Kim and William immediately focused on the task of moving into their new home. William had made phone calls during the week to the respective utilities companies to supply the new house with power, phone, gas and water; and they worked most of their free hours preparing their belongings for the move. Kim, now approaching her sixth month of pregnancy, was in charge of packing the smaller and lighter items, such as dishes and kitchen utensils.

Marcy came over several times during the week to lend her assistance, and over a dinner from Tan Taco on Wednesday night, Kim and William fulfilled a request Marcy had made in the summer - telling the story of how Kim came into their lives. William told the sequence of events that led up to the night that Kim had stepped through the mirror; the short but endearing encounters with Angelica; the awe and fury of The Cross itself, and the items which made it possible; and he had Marcy read the information Wade had sent concerning the mechanics of The Cross. Marcy sat like an enthralled child while the couple recounted their experiences during that week in December - and how their feelings for each other grew and came to fruition seemingly overnight.

Kim packed a special box with the items that Angelica had given William, now nearly a year ago - the small box which held the crystal; the scroll; the candle which, even though they had lit it on many a night for the vanilla incense-like ambiance, remained amazingly intact; and the remaining lid to the crystal. She took her time, reflecting on the gifts from her late friend, and packed them carefully, vowing to make a place to display and preserve them in the new house.

Friday the 14th marked the official beginning of the move, with Marcy and Tina pitching in to help. Tina's brother, Dan, also offered his services, specifically the use of a large straight truck from the wood shop where he worked. Between the five of them, and starting just after noon, the move took mere hours. With the added asset of Tina driving Dan's Dodge Ram 3/4 ton truck, Kim, Marcy and Tina were able to continue transporting smaller boxes and items, while William and Dan were loading and unloading the straight truck. They had even gone so far as to assemble the bed, and arrange the furniture into an initial configuration. The evening was culminated with a grateful Kim and William treating their tired-but-pleased friends to dinner of their choice at a steakhouse near Eastgate Mall.

Marcy came over early the next day to help Kim assemble and arrange her new kitchen and stock canned and packed food items into the cupboards, which held much more than those in the apartment. Kim was excited by the increased capabilities of the new kitchen. They assembled and installed a rack which would hold pots and pans above the island which held the stove, next to the exhaust hood. Meanwhile, William was undertaking the task of installing rods for the curtains in the house.

That evening, Kim and William ceremoniously spent their last night in the now-empty apartment. They brought a meal from the Knick Knack Chick Shack, a large bag of popcorn, sleeping bags, a radio, a small light, the backgammon set - and the candle. They "camped out" in the bedroom, and talked late into the night bathed by the soothing glow of the candle, invoking a range of emotions that sprang from recalling events in their life together; they relived the last 11 months through their words - laughing throught the good - weeping through the bad - reverence for what had been, thanks for what now was, and anticipation of what was to be. It was a needed outpouring - a sort of "thank you" to the place where three lives, not one, had begun.

It was an experience akin to what one would feel from moving out of the house where one grew up - and indeed, Kim had "grown up" in the apartment, and it held many memories of her "childhood" in the Flesher environment. They finally fell asleep in the wee hours of the morning in each other's arms as the radio played songs from a soft rock station.

On Monday the 17th, an announcement was made that Kim would be placed in charge of the daily reports to Los Angeles - the exact position William had held when they first met. She worked on these during the afternoons, and her mornings were mostly spent with Carolyn Ackerman, the immediate supervisor of the "zone" in which Kim had started, assisting her with research and other tasks, including documents and department routing within their zone. Kim had taken the time to fully train Tina, and she took up the slack if Kim was called away to assist Carolyn, or to a doctor's appointment.

Through the next week, Kim and William spent evenings unpacking things and setting them up in their new house. Even with all their possessions from the apartment, the house was only half-furnished - especially the extra bedrooms. A decision was made that they would add to their furniture in the near future. On the following Saturday, as promised, Kim and William held a "housewarming" to further thank their friends for all their help and support in making their move to the new house a quick and seamless prodedure.

Saturday, November 22nd
6:18 PM.
William walked into the kitchen and kissed his wife on the cheek as she was slicing a cucumber on the island for salad, her hair pulled into a thick ponytail, wearing jeans and a t-shirt which read "Incoming," and topped by an apron which said "Cooking for at least two." "Anything I could help with?" he asked.

"Hi baby," replied Kim as she leaned into his kiss. "I'm nearly done with these, if you want to break up some of the lettuce." She stopped for a moment to lift the lid on a large pot, simmering with sauce. The aroma immediately brought William closer. "Wow...if that tastes anywhere near as good as it smells, you've got another hit on your hands," he said.

Kim sank a wooden spoon into the sauce, swirling it slowly. "Only one way to find out," she smiled, bringing the spoon to William's mouth.

He sipped at the tip of the spoon. "Bingo." William then turned to the refrigerator and took the container of Romaine lettuce from the crisper compartment and set it on the counter, and got the wooden salad bowl set from the cupboard.

Kim then sampled her own concoction. "Mmmmm," she cooed, "some things are better when made with time. I started on the sauce this morning." She reached for a small bottle on the cutting board and sprinkled a bit of a spice into the sauce, stirred it again and replaced the lid. She then turned around and started to fold garlic seasoning into a cup of whipped butter. "Honey, pass me the loaf of French bread from on top of the fridge? I can get it sliced and buttered, then all I have to do is pop it in the oven for a few when they get here." William handed Kim the loaf, which she unwrapped. She then retrieved a large serrated knife from the utensil drawer and started to divide the bread at an angle into slices a little over an inch thick. "I just love this kitchen," she said,

William moved to the sink next to the counter Kim was working on, washed his hands, and leaned to kiss Kim on the cheek again as he dried his hands. "I love the cook," he grinned.

Kim set down the knife and turned toward her husband, sliding his arms around her waist and reaching around his neck. "Hmmm," she cooed, "then you could at least love her the right way."

"I hear and obey," said William, moving to press his lips against hers. They had just touched when the doorbell rang.

They both smiled with a sigh, their foreheads touching. "Some things never change," giggled Kim as she went to the front door, turning on the porch light as she opened it. "Tina, hiiii," she perked, "Get in here, girlfriend." She waved to the driveway as Dan was backing out to the street. He returned with a flash of his headlights and a couple of quick blips from the horn as he pulled away.

Tina stepped into the house with a rather large shopping bag which she set down long enough to unzip her jacket and give Kim a hug. "Hehe," she giggled, "it's not as easy to hug you anymore...someone is vying for attention," she said, pointing to Kim's midsection.

Kim laughed softly. "In just a few months you'll be able to hug us separately," she said, slipping Tina out of her jacket and opening the entry closet to hang it. She then turned over her shoulder. "What's in the bag?"

"Just a bag of pretzels...aaannd my patented pineapple frozen cheesecake," beamed Tina. "Is there room in your freezer for it?"

"Ooooo, you bet," Kim said. "Come to the kitchen." Tina picked up the bag and they went into the kitchen, where William was just finishing dividing lettuce into four bowls. "It's Tina, hon," she said to her husband, "and she brought us a yummy dessert." She motioned Tina to set the bag on the table. Tina removed the cheesecake and handed it to Kim, who then showed it to William for a moment, and placed it on a shelf in the freezer.

"Hi, Tina hon," he smirked while waving, which caused both the girls to giggle lightly. "I don't mean to be less than fully gracious, but I've got lettuce stuff on my hands."

"That's okay," she replied, grinning. "I could have gotten you back during dinner." She then turned to take in the kitchen. "Wow, the place looks great, even after just a week. You guys must have really been working since last weekend."

"Yeah, pretty much," said Kim, lifting the lid to stir the sauce.

The aroma flirted with Tina's nose, and she lifted her face slightly, taking it in. "That smells fantastic," she said. Kim responded by replacing the lid, and holding out the spoon, her other hand under it, giving a "come hither" motion with her finger. Tina walked from the table and sampled from the spoon. She then said to William, "Can I have a glass, please? I'll just drink the sauce and be happy." The three of them laughed. Tina turned back to Kim. "Okay, what's your secret? My sauce never comes out like this."

"The secret is time," said Kim. "I start about 9 in the morning. I cook the meat until it just starts to brown. Then I add two medium cans of tomato sauce...a can of diced tomatoes...some spices...then I let it simmer for about an hour - another spice here and there every hour after that...I stir it now and then...it just sits and simmers until dinner."

"Any way I could get a recipe?"

"I don't really follow one...but I could email you with a list of what I put in."

"Cool," said Tina, who then motioned to the sliced bread. "Garlic bread?"

"Yeah...as soon as I put the garlic butter on it."

"Could I talk you into doing mine without garlic? Or I could just have a couple of slices of regular bread..."

"Nah," Kim pshawed with her arm, smiling. "I'll just put regular butter on a couple slices and cook it that way. No big. I'm glad I found that out beforehand."

"Thanks," Tina smiled warmly. "I don't know why, but garlic does weird things to my system." She then reached into her purse for her insulin kit. "I should do my insulin about now," she said. "I'll have the bathroom for a moment."

"Cool," replied Kim. "We'll probably be eating within about a half hour or so." She then turned to William while going to the fridge for butter. "Baby? I'm going to finish buttering the bread. Can you get out the spaghetti cooker and put the water on to boil? Oh, and I need a cookie sheet, too."

"I'm on it," replied William, crouching to one of the lower cupboards and bringing out a large stainless steel pot and a cookie sheet, which he handed to Kim. He brought the pot to the sink and began to fill it.

Kim returned to the counter to finish slicing the bread - eight slices in all - and returned the unused portion to the wrapper, twisting it and putting on the twist tie. She then began to butter the bread, arranging it on the cookie sheet. "These two are yours," she said to Tina, who had returned and had sat at the table. "They slant the opposite direction, so we'll know." William had brought the pot to the burner behind the sauce, turning it on "high." Kim slipped past him and retrieved a tall container from the back wall, along with some cooking oil and a salt shaker, placing them on the cutting board next to the stovetop. She began to hand William the collection of spices she had used in the sauce, and he returned them to the small spice rack under the cupboard. When he finished, Kim placed her hands on his shoulders and gave him a kiss. "I owed you that," she grinned.

"Anything I could pitch in to help?" asked Tina.

"Twenty minutes ago, maybe," said Kim, smiling, "but even then...this dinner is for you guys...all the help you gave with the move and all...this is our way of saying thanks. It's just too bad that Dan couldn't come...but he set up his date before we had a chance to ask."

"Yeah," Tina sighed. "If I know who he's going out with the way I think I do, he's going to be sorry he didn't come here instead."

"Oh?"

"She can be rather....manipulative...at times...okay, most times."

"Did you try to warn him about this?"

"I could have," smiled Tina, "but...he's blinded by...you know," she held her hands out in front of her chest to indicate large breasts, and Kim burst into a snicker. "Some things men just have to find out on their own," Tina grinned.

She and Kim then fell into giggles as William turned from placing vegetables and croutons into the salads and put his hands on his hips, eyeing the girls with a smirk. "And here I thought there was only one cat in this house," he said in a frustrated falsetto tone. "I can see now I was wrong." The girls burst into laughter as the doorbell rang. William started for the front door, stopping at the table, holding up his index finger and moving his head from side to side. "You two are so saved by the bell." Kim took a swat at his behind, laughing as he continued to the door.

William opened the door and greeted Marcy with a hug, taking her jacket. He then showed her into the kitchen, where Kim and Tina rose from the table. "What up, M?" Kim said, hugging her friend.

"It's been a good day, K," replied Marcy, returning the embrace, "but now is the part I've been waiting for...good friends and good food." She stepped back to arm's length. "Wow, you're really coming along."

"I told her that someone is trying to muscle in on our hugs," added Tina as Marcy turned and hugged her. "How are you, Marcy?"

"I'm good. I'm really glad that you're coming along with us Monday for the backgammon club. We have a lot of fun."

"I'm looking forward to it," said Tina. "I haven't played too much, but mainly from lack of knowing people who play. I've mostly been playing people from sites online."

"It's great," Kim said. "We play, we chat, people bring food. It's just a good time." She then turned to the stove as the water in the spaghetti cooker began to boil. She brought out a thick fistful of pasta from the container and set it into the water, then added another. "There's just the pasta left to cook," she said, turning the dial for the oven to "broil,", "And sticking in the bread for a few minutes, and dinner is served. Does anyone want their salad now?"

"I could munch a little," said Marcy, sitting at the table. Tina nodded in agreement, and William brought two of the wooden salad bowls to the table. "Dressings?" he asked.

"Thousand Island?" Marcy said, picking up a slice of cucumber and taking a small bite.

"Do you have Italian?" Tina asked.

William turned to Kim, who was already in the refrigerator. "They like the same dressings we do."

"That's it then," said Kim, bringing two bottles and her own salad to the table. "Let's keep them." Marcy and Tina giggled as Kim sat. She then pointed to a paper sack on the floor that Marcy had brought. "What's in the bag?"

Marcy turned quickly to look. "Omigosh, I almost forgot...these need to go in the freezer. They're burritos from Tan Taco. There's four for each of you."

"Cool!" Kim perked as William picked the sack from the floor and, shuffling a few other items, slid it into the freezer. "You didn't have to do that, but thanks."

"I like that place," added Tina, "but...12 burritos...I should pay you for some of those. Isn't that kind of expensive?"

A smile slowly spread over Marcy's face. "...not if you're dating the owner of the restaurant," she said sweetly.

"Marcy, really?" Kim perked. "You and Lupe Delgado?"

"For about two weeks now," said Marcy. "Ever since you guys took me there on that Saturday in June, I've been having at least one meal a week there. After a while, Lupe and I would get to talking when he had some free time...and one day, he just asked me out to a movie. We've been going out a couple nights a week since."

"That is fiercely cool!" beamed Kim.

"Incidentally," Marcy added, "Lupe told me to tell you that he misses you guys. You haven't been there in a while."

"Did you tell him about the move?" said William, who had taken a wooden spoon and slowly stirred the pasta.

"I did. Actually, he sent those along as kind of a housewarming gift."

"A heatable treat for a frosty winter's eve," Kim said. "We should all go there next weekend." She then added with a smirk, "I'd love to see how my butterscotch bunny operates." This brought a laugh from everyone.

William turned a dial on the stove from "pre-heat" to "heat." "Oven's ready for the bread, hon...and the pasta is almost done."

Tina finished a bite of her salad and set the bowl to the side. "Mmmm, I can't wait for that sauce."

William then turned off the burner and moved the spaghetti cooker to the sink, removing the pasta basket and draining the water from the pot. As he did this, Kim opened the oven and placed the cookie sheet inside for the bread to brown, then moved around the near side of the island as William placed the cooker on the butcher block. She retrieved four plates from the cupboard and set one at each place on the table.

William got glasses from the cupboard. "Marcy? Coke?" She nodded in response as Kim brought the cooker to the middle of the table, and set down an insulator for the sauce. William held up a glass. "Tina?"

"I'll have Coke, thanks," Tina replied.

"All-righty then," William said. "That's three Cokes and--" he turned to Kim, who was turning off the oven "--iced tea?" Kim nodded her approval with a smile. Wiliam pushed each of the glasses under the ice dispenser in the door of the freezer, letting a few cubes clink into each. He slowly poured Coca-Cola into three of them and placed the bottle back in the fridge, trading it for a pitcher of iced tea, with which he filled the fourth glass. He then brought two of the glasses to the table, placing them in front of Tina and Marcy.

"Hot sauce coming through," said Kim, warning her husband as she took a couple of oven mitts, picking the large saucepan from the stove. He quickly moved to his left back toward the counter to get the other two glasses.

Tina began to rise from her chair. "Isn't that heavy, Kim?" she asked. "Let one of us do that for you."

"No, I got it," replied Kim. "Thanks...but it's really no big. Dr. Daiken told me that, because of my exercise when I wasn't so pregnant, I can still handle stuff like this." She set the saucepan onto the insulator - then went to the counter, retrieving a ladle and a pasta server from the utensil drawer as William brought the other two glasses to the table and sat. Kim placed the utensils on the table, along with forks and spoons, and a container of parmesan cheese. "Dig in, everybody...it's self-serve here." Tina took the pasta server, draping some spaghetti onto her plate and passing the server to Marcy. Kim then went back to the oven, removing the bread and stacking it on a large plate, which she then brought to the table. "Yours are right on top, Tina," she said as she sat.

"Thanks, Kim," Tina replied, placing the slices of bread onto her plate. She then took the lid from the saucepan, leaning it to the side, and reached for the ladle.

The aroma from the sauce immediately drew Marcy closer as she passed the pasta server to Kim. "Mmmm," she purred. "Kim, maybe you ought to start your own restaurant." Tina finished with the ladle and handed it to Marcy, then sprinkled a bit of parmesan over her spaghetti.

"Nahh," Kim giggled. "Then cooking would become a job instead of a joy. I just enjoy doing this for people close to me. Besides, I don't follow a recipe. It turns out different every time." Kim arranged some pasta on her plate and handed William the server as Marcy scooped sauce onto hers. "And another thing...it takes a ton of money to start a restaurant."

"Sounds like you've at least played with the idea," grinned Marcy as Tina passed her the parmesan.

"I'd rather call it a curiosity," Kim said. "I just looked into a few things on the net one night. In addition to the building you rent, there are licenses and fees...insurance...other workers...it just seemed like too much to handle right now, what with buying the new car, and this house...and with a baby on the way, and everything that will come with that, it will just leave our plate too full to try and start a business on top of all that." William and Kim simultaneously reached across the corner of the table for each other's hand as she finished. "Like I said...just a curiosity. Nothing I'd pursue."

Marcy handed Kim the ladle. "Hmmm," she shrugged. "Guess you'll have to find another use for the extra cash," she said as she sprinkled a bit of cheese onto her spaghetti and twirled a bite onto her fork.

Kim snickered a bit. "What...you're not thinking about paying me for the meal, are you?"

"No," Marcy giggled as she brought the food to her mouth. Her eyes immediately got wide, then slowly closed as she chewed. She brought her napkin to cover her mouth as she spoke. "But I wouldn't say no if you asked me to. This is fabulous!"

"Best I ever tasted," Tina added.

Marcy nodded her agreement to Tina, then continued to Kim, "What I meant by extra cash...people have been watching your work - especially after you took over the reports--"

"I owe a lot of that to my assistant," chimed Kim, motioning to Tina. "It wouldn't be going as smooth without her at my side...especially when I'm helping Carolyn."

"Oh, I was addressing both of you," said Marcy, "as this affects you both. Kim, you'll be taking your maternity leave sometime in January, right?" Kim nodded. "Well, word has come down that when you go on leave, you'll be continuing to compile and format the reports with Tina's support for as long as you're able. We'll reopen the voice line that William used when he telecommuted, so you'll have immediate contact for any problems."

"Neat," Kim said.

"Then," Marcy continued, "while you're having your baby, Tina will be taking over the reports."

"I hope I won't be gone too long. I know I'll be anxious to get back to work."

"Well, we're going to try to work it so that Tina pretty much has the reins on the reports. You're going to have your hands full."

Kim looked first at Marcy, then at William quizzically. He returned a slight smile and a wink.

"Kim," said Marcy, "when you return to Meridian, you'll undergo about a week of training...then Carolyn is moving to Data Operations, and you will become a Level 1 Supervisor of your zone."

Kim's jaw dropped. "What? But I haven't even been there for six months...aren't there other people who are in line for that job?"

"There are...but none of them are as qualified as you. In fact, of the three who were, ummm, 'ahead' of you in senority, one of them actually recommended you above her."

Kim's expression changed slightly to one of worry as she turned to her husband. "Special treatment?" she muttered, a note of skepticism in her tone.

William immediately turned to Marcy with a wan smile. "Told you."

"Kim," Marcy explained, "when you first tested back in June, your result percentile placed you on a level with lower management. The only thing standing between you and a supervisory position was knowledge of interal policies and procedures...and you've learned those over the last five months." She then reached across the table for her hand. "Kim...you came to Meridian with the skills for the job...you've earned the knowledge and the respect. The only person who's even thought about 'special treatment' - is you. Meridian doesn't give promotions to people who haven't proved they are right for the position."

Tina added her support, placing her hand on Kim's shoulder, smirking. "What are you, nuts? You earned it - take it!"

William and Marcy laughed softly in agreement. Kim breathed out a laugh, as if in relief. "Okay...with all you guys believing in me like this...I can't let you down." Tina and Marcy let out a squeal of celebration, applauding. Kim turned to William, smiling widely, her eyes the slightest bit glassy. "I couldn't find- you just can't buy friends like this." Her eyes suddenly widened, and her hand moved to her stomach. "Ooooooo..."

Tina's expression changed to one of concern. "Kim? You okay?"

"Yeah..." she said a bit breathlessly. "Just--ohhhh."

Marcy leaned up a bit. "Someone's kicking?"

"More like running kicks," Kim moaned.

"She's had these before," William said. "One time in the doctor's office. He says they're a bit strong, but nothing to worry about."

"Well, we know where the strong legs come from," smirked Marcy.

Tina tentatively reached her hand toward Kim's midsection haltingly. "I've never...ummm...can I feel?" She asked. Kim grinned and guided Tina's palm to rest on her midsection, just as the fetus jolted again. "Yow!" Tina exclaimed, drawing her hand back suddenly, "He's like the next Chuck Norris in there!" she said, returning her hand.

Everyone burst into laughter. "Oooo, don't make me laugh hard," Kim pleaded, giggling and placing her own hand over her stomach. "And...it could be Charleen Norris."

"You don't know the sex yet?" Marcy quizzed.

"We asked that the doctor not tell us," said William. Kim again reached for his hand. "We want the little one to disclose that gift when it's time."

"Aww, that's sweet," cooed Marcy. Kim's expression went into a wide smile - then mixed with a wince as the baby kicked yet again.

"Send down some more of this spaghetti," chimed Tina, twirling another bite onto her fork. "I know that's what I'd be kicking for."

Everyone laughed again but Kim, who tried controlling it by letting out a long, strained "Hmmmmmmmmmmmm."

8:24 PM.
"Ohhhh man," Marcy complained as everyone moved into the living room. "The couch is much farther away from the table than in the apartment." She settled onto the couch, her hand over her stomach. "Torture, Kim...feeding someone like that, and then moving the couch farther away."

Kim sat next to her with a somewhat sympathetic smile-smirk and a hand on her shoulder. "Now you know how I've been feeling all the time the past few weeks."

Marcy placed her hand over Kim's. "I've come to the conclusion that you just cook too well. I didn't know when to stop."

"Killer meal, Kim," Tina nodded in agreement, sitting next to the two women. "I think it might be a while before dessert."

Marcy looked past Kim to Tina. "Dessert?"

"I brought my frozen pineapple cheesecake."

Marcy then looked down at her stomach. "You hear that? Frozen pineapple cheesecake. Hurry up and make room!" Tina broke into a quick giggle.

Kim eased herself from the couch, making her way to the television and turning it on. "Perhaps a bit of entertainment might help," she said, reaching for the VCR remote and returning to the couch. She pressed the "play" button, and the screen lit up, opening to a scene of a snow-covered mountain, a string of figures ascending it toward a cave near the top.

"Is this you guys?" Marcy asked.

"Yep," replied Kim. "It's an episode that hadn't shown until recently."

"Good, you taped it," said Marcy. "I haven't seen it yet."

"I have," Tina said. "I like that Dementor guy. He reminds me a bit of Sergeant Schultz from 'Hogan's Heroes'. He cracks me up every time he talks."

::It's all here, Mr. B - from birth to bar mitzvah and beyond!::
::I'm not so sure about this...::
::Don't feel bad...many people are unfamiliar with the Jewish traditions...::

The three looked at Kim. "Ron's Jewish?" asked Marcy.

"His character is," Kim smirked in response.

::What's important now is, what kind of man are you?::
::I don't , what do you think?::
::burp::

"HAHAHAHA!" Tina burst out, holding her side. "Play that again!" Kim rewound the tape a few seconds.

::...what kind of man are you?::
::I don't , what do you think?::
::burp::

"That does it," exclaimed Tina, still giggling. "I'm getting me a naked mole rat." The other three laughed softly as the episode continued to the scene in Drakken's lair as he attempted to call Professor Dementor.

::Hello::
::WHERE are you hiding, you accursed--::
::I can't take your call right now--::
::Ucchh - it's a machine.::

"Here's my boy," Tina said.

::I've taken my entire staff and my newly-acquired Pan-DimenSIONAL VORTEX INDUCER--::

As he said this, Tina leaned slowly to the couch in silent laughter. She continued her laughing fit through the episode at each appearance of the hooded villain. The scene switched to a view of the hotel lobby as Dr. Drakken walked to the desk.

::Welcome to Las Vegas, Las Vegas, pally...what can I do ya for?::

"Oh...my...god," Marcy said in a rather surprised tone, "It's David Morris!" Kim and William burst into laughter, agreeing. Tina gave her a rather puzzled look. "Former boss," Marcy replied.

"Davie from Denver," William smirked, which cracked Kim and Marcy up again.

The desk clerk then turned to Kim as she approached the desk. ::Welcome to Las Vegas, Las Vegas...chicky-baby...::

Marcy, Kim and William simulaneously broke into a drawn-out "ewwwwwww," then laughter. The episode proceeded to the scene in which Drakken, Professor Dementor, Kim and Shego fight over possession of the Pan-Dimensional Vortex Inducer, which served to send Tina into an uncontrollable fit of giggles;

::The vortex it creates will be a contained disruption in the very FABRIC OF REALITY!::
::Space...? Time...? ...energy?::
::All will be twisted in a vortex of PURE CHAOS!!::
::Let's get out of here!::
::...did I mention that vortex would be the size of the state of NEVADA!??::
::Oh ho ho! We're IN Nevada! How ironic...::

"Ba-hathroom," Tina surrendered through her laughter, rising to walk quickly across the living room and into the hall, whisking a small tear from her eye.

"Check this scene," commented Kim as she and Shego dove into the ventilation shaft to retrieve the Vortex Inducer. "This is actually the second take. In the first one, Shego turned to me and said jokingly, 'Deodorant - look into it, chick.'."

"No way," Marcy exclaimed. "Did you really smell?"

"So not!" Kim said with a sly grin. Then after a second's pause, she gave Marcy a sideways look. "....oookay, maybe a little." Marcy tried to hide a snicker, and Kim reached over, giving her shoulder a shove.

Tina returned to the room as Ron had retrieved the Vortex Inducer just as it was about to fall down the ventilation shaft. "Kim? I have a question," she asked as she sat on the couch. "It's about the closing credits."

"Sure Tina," Kim said. "Fire away."

"Well...the credits say that your 'voice' is done by someone else...."

"Yeah, Christy," smiled Kim. "Think of her as a...spokesmodel...it's kind of a damage control thing. There are people who..." Kim paused for a few seconds "...like Brian - his mindset was that I only looked like a...'cartoon'...there's no way he would believe that Cellers actually exist, much less that they can and do cross to the Flesher environment."

"It sounds almost like a racist way of thinking."

"Yeah...exactly," Kim replied, her face sinking a little.

Tina reached for her friend. "Well, I for one am incredibly glad you're here, and am truly blessed to know you."

"Awwww," Kim cooed, returning the hug.

"That makes at least two of us," Marcy joined in, leaning to embrace Kim as well. "There are many many people at work who often tell me they think the best of you."

"I'm in there somewhere," William added, smiling. The women looked at him and laughed softly, agreeing - especially Kim, who gave him that knowing look, her eyes communicating her silent thanks for the love and commitment of her husband.

"Hey," perked Tina. "Who's up for some cheesecake and a bit of the B-word?"

"Mememe!" Kim exclaimed, holding her hand out as Tina rose from the couch and helped her to her feet. "Marcy, the set is there on the lower shelf of the coffee table." She then motioned Tina to the kitchen. "I'll show you where a knife is...then we will open the Pan-DimenSIONAL CHEESECAKE INDUCER...!" Tina followed while bursting into a string of falsetto giggles.

Tina's cheesecake won rave reviews from the entire group, and she promised to bring it again to a future dinner. The backgammon served to put the perfect edge on the evening, with the games lasting past midnight, coupled with satisfying comaraderie and a further bonding between the four.

12:21 AM.
Kim and William led their guests to the entry hall, where William retrieved their coats from the closet, William helping Tina on with hers, Kim assisting Marcy. "This was just wonderful, Kim," Tina said, again hugging her friend. "I could do something like this at least once a month."

"I think that spaghetti has spoiled me from every Italian restaurant in town," Marcy added. "I'm glad Lupe is Spanish."

Kim tittered in response. "Awww, it's no big. I'm just glad you guys liked it."

Marcy slid her hand over her stomach. "If I had another plate tonight, I think I would have become 'a big'. One would think you're trying to make us look like you." Kim giggled again.

"I'm actually looking forward to leftovers for once," said Tina, holding up a plastic bag that held her share of the burritos Marcy had brought, and a small container which Kim had filled with pasta and sauce. "This will make a good lunch at work one day next week."

Kim smiled warmly. "Just make sure you bring a little parmesan to put on it." She then turned to Marcy. "Sure you don't mind taking Tina home? It's just a hop from here...I could..."

Marcy placed her hand on Kim's shoulder. "No, I don't mind at all. It's not like it's out of the way. Besides, you've done more than your share tonight, putting that fabulous meal together. You can just rest now."

"Okay," Kim said with a warm smile, "you talked me into it." The four exchanged hugs, and Kim and William stood at the doorway an arm around each other's back as Marcy and Tina got in the car. Kim turned the porch light off as they drove away, and William closed the door. "Just like Marcy said," commented Kim. "Good friends and good food."

"And soon, a new job," said William, bending to kiss his wife. "But it's a bit unnecessary."

Kim looked at William quizzically. "Hm?"

"Well, you're going to be promoted to a super-visor," William explained, "but...for as long as I've known you, you've always had the 'super' part."

"Awwwwww, William," Kim purred, sliding her arms around her husband's shoulders. "Tonight could not have gone any better."

"Welllll," William mused as his hands drifted along Kim's waist, "all except for one thing--" He then brought his hand smartly down onto Kim's rear.

She jumped with a "Hey!"

"I owed you that," he said with a devilish smirk.

"You did not!" said Kim with a disbelieving grin.

"Yes, I did. Remember when I went to answer the door when Marcy came?"

"That was just a little swat! You did sooo not owe me," she said, beginning to giggle.

"So...so," returned William, his smirk growing. "In fact, I was thinking about taking out a bit of a loan." He punctuated this with another playful slap on Kim's rump.

"Ow!" Kim squealed, backing away. "Request denied! You be nice, Mr. Hodge!"

"I don't want to be nice," William chuckled, advancing slowly on his wife. "I want to be....Butt Killigan, the World's Most Dangerous Spanker."

"Yeee-EEEK!!" Kim shrieked, her laughter rising. "Willllllliammmm," she pleaded, moving down the hallway as fast as she could in her condition, her husband in close pursuit.

to be continued...