Chapter 18
-The Calm-

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The ticking of the wall clock seemed almost maddening. At first it had been seven, then slowly the minutes had passed with monotonous rhythm until eventually the black hands on the clocks face read five till ten o'clock. With no windows, save for the one in the door, it was impossible to tell if that was ten in the morning or ten at night.

This however did not stop the attractive, raven-haired young woman seated at the meeting table from knowing which one it was. She knew it was nighttime, just as she knew that Kim Possible would know everything by now, which was to be expected after all. After all Ron had to tell the red head, it had reached the point where he had no other choice.

Yori slid her almond-shaped brown eyes from the spot on the table she fixed with her gaze to the door as it began to open. She remained impassive as she saw the two teens enter the room. Each was dressed in black sweaters and cargo pants, and the only sign that they had been in the water was that of their damp hair.

Yori stood once they had closed the door and bowed "Ohayo Ron-sam, Kim-dono." She stood upright and watched the red head separate from Ron and head for the head of the table.

Kim came to a stop beneath the clock on the wall and leaned forward, resting her hands on the edge of the table. She fixed the Japanese girl with a piercing gaze, but Yori remained impassive. Finally, after a few minutes of silence Kim spoke "Do you have any idea what you've done?"

Yori arched a slender eyebrow "I've done many things Kim-dono," she answered the corners of her mouth twitching to give her a seductive smirk.

"You wasted my energy. You keeping me in the dark stopped me from putting all my attention on Monkey Fist." Kim said, eyes narrowed "I spent hours trying to find out about you, time I could have spent thinking about how to stop that mad man!"

Yori shrugged ever so slightly "I did not think you needed to know Kim-dono."

"I've told her everything, so no more secrets." Ron interjected suddenly from near the door. Yori shifted her attention to the blond, her seductive smirk still in place.

"That was to be expected Ron-san."

"I should have known from the beginning." Kim said hotly.

"That is why I did not think you should know," Yori said before she looked at the other girl "The things involved require patience and thought. You are quick tempered and your pride dictates your actions."

The dark look on Kim's face made it obvious she wanted to argue but she didn't. "It doesn't matter, I know now and that's all that matters."

Yori inclined her head, pleased that the red head was finally seeming to master her anger. "Then we must talk about his next step."

"Take over the world!" Ron suggested then smiled nervously when they both looked at him "Hey, it's what all the villains do."

"It is possible, he has fully restored his power and he undoubtedly wields the might of the Lotus Blade." Yori conceded "But he would not be interested in actually ruling the world."

"What other reasons are there then?" Kim asked herself, arms crossed.

"Monkey Fist's goal, has always been and always will be, to gain ultimate power. He will conquer and destroy, but only for the power that it would give him."

"Yea, ruling the world is Drakken's gig." Ron added a note of amusement in his voice.

"So..." Kim said softly settling into a nearby seat, drumming her fingers on the table "If Monkey Fist is really after ultimate power then he'll want to remove his greatest threat."

Yori nodded, as did Ron. Both jumped when Kim leaped from her seat smiling "It's obvious what that is." Her gaze turned to Ron and the blond gulped. "Ron, if you were Monkey Fist-" she paused letting him mutter 'sick and wrong' before she continued "and you were forced into sharing your power, then that person would be your greatest threat."

Ron blinked and looked down at his friend Rufus who was peeking out of his pocket home "Rufus, why is it always me?" the mole rat shrugged his answer before ducking back into his pocket. "So we just sit around and wait uh?"

"No Ron, we know his next target. But I'm tired of waiting, I say we go after him." Kim said, leaning against the table facing the boy.

"You are Yamanochi's champion," Yori said softly to Ron "I will abide by your decision. The fate and honor of it are in your hands."

Ron, staring at the two collapsed into a chair, then fell forward to bang his head on the table with a dull thud muttering 'great'.

Yori watched the two closely, Ron unmoving and Kim rubbing his back lightly. She noticed the subtle changes in body language, and she filed it away absently. It was obvious to her from Kim's actions that something had changed and Yori believed she knew what it was.

Before conversation could resume the door of the meeting room opened revealing a child-sized figure, dressed in the tattered remains of a black ninja outfit.

The three heros, who had stood when the door open, stared at the unevenly breathing figure. It swayed on its feet staring at them with cloudy, puffed up eyes.

"Chippy?" Ron asked eyeing the monkey's sweat and blood matted hair.

The monkey turned its head toward the boys voice then with uncertain steps started toward the blond, stumbling as it went. Ron took a step toward the ninja without thinking and knelt just as the battered ninja collapsed. Ron caught the monkey, looking surprised and confused. He stood slowly turning to look at the two girls, holding the ninja out to them "Uhhh...help?"

"Kimmie," Mrs. Doctor Possible said as she eased the door open to the bathroom. Her blue eyes raked the pale pink and white walls of the bathroom and then the row of stalls before settling on the slender form of her daughter who was busy fusing with her hair and pulling her black sweater up higher on her neck. "Dear, we need to talk."

Mrs. Possible saw the look of surprise that filled her daughter's reflected face before she whipped around to stare at her mother.

"M-mom," Kim said nervously, hand reaching up to brush her ginger colored hair smooth "I thought you were going home."

Mrs. Possible shook her head as she stepped all the way into the bathroom, crossing the linoleum floor heading for Kim, looking serious "No, not yet Kimmie."

Kim nodded and absently crossed her arms below her chest and then, realizing what effect that had, let them hands fall to her sides in a casual position "Oh, well, I gotta talk to Wade."

Mrs. Possible shook her head "No you don't. Not right now anyway." She saw the look of panic in her daughters eyes and sighed "So I was right. You and Ron did have sex."

"W-what?" Kim said, eyes going even wider, "No, we didn't!"

"Kimberly Anne Possible," The red headed doctor said in warning "It's obvious."

"I-it is?" Kim asked, both going pale and blushing furiously.

"To me, I mean you change the subject whenever your dad asks about what you did on the space station and you've been avoiding me like the plague." Her mother crossed her arms "Wasn't that hard to figure out."

Kim gulped looking everywhere but at her mom "I-I really don't want to talk about this. It's not that big a deal really."

"Oh it's a big deal," Mrs. Possible said in a raised voice "A very big deal. Especially since I doubt either of you thought of the consequences."

"M-mom, we, look, this isn't-" Kim started and then trailed off lowering her gaze to the floor.

"Kimberly-Kimmie," Mrs. Possible said, lowering her tone "I knew this was going to happen. I'm not angry, but what you two did changes everything."

"It wasn't sex," Kim whispered softly looking up at her mom "It was, I understand what you meant in the kitchen-" She came to a halt, her eyes shining with some unnamed emotion "It was making love mom."

Mrs. Possible arched an eyebrow, staying quiet for several moments then nodded slowly "It still changes everything, from now on no more spending the night at each other's house. When he comes over your not closing your door; I'm checking with Wade that every mission you two go on is legit and," She paused looking reluctant "When you get back from this mission we're going to see my doctor. I'm too young for grandchildren and I don't think this was a one time deal for you two."

Kim blinked and nodded slightly, looking down at the ground. Silent, obviously feeling as if she had done something to disappoint her mom. The teen hero jumped when she felt her mothers hands on her shoulder. She looked up to see elder Possible female giving her a small, though reluctant, smile.

"I'm happy for you Kimmie," Mrs. Possible said her smile widening slightly "Your first time was with someone you really love. That's very rare, so I'm happy for you."

"Mom-"

Mrs. Possible let go of her daughter's shoulders and stepped back, acting as if they had talked about nothing more than homework. "I'll let you go talk with Wade now, just be careful and good luck on the mission."

Kim nodded "You going home now?"

Mrs. Possible smiled "Yea, got an early morning tomorrow. Can you believe I got an intern? Ugh, I just hope it's not another mentor day." The older woman laughed and then kissed her daughter's forehead before she turned and left.

"I know he is coming," a thickly accented voice whispered into the darkness and the white mist that hung in the air. A moment later a wild haired looking man stepped out of the surrounding darkness. He was joined a moment later by the ethereal glowing figure of an old, beared man. "I've made sure of it."

The old man seemed unaffected by the smile "It was written before your family came to be that he would come. He can do nothing else."

The wild, animalistic looking man snorted, a cold smile spreading across his face "He could have common sense," he chuckled "Oh, I forgot who I am speaking of."

"He will not be alone. He will defeat you." The older man said impassively.

"That argument would hold more sway" The dark figure "If it had helped you. It did not stop me at Yamanochi and it did not help your daughter eighteen years ago."

This statement caused the old man to tense in anger. When he spoke his voice betrayed his emotions "She was alone. Her husband was long since dead and left in his place a mockery of man."

The wilder man seemed unbothered by what the man said "Maybe, but she is still dead." There was a moment of silence as they locked eyes "Stoppable will die, it will happen and nobody can change it."

The old man relaxed, his beard twitching in what appeared to be amusement "We will see."

Kim held her head in her hands, taking several slow breaths, wishing she was in bed instead of sitting at the meeting table of the now empty meeting room. With her adrenaline-rush over and Ron in search of food, she was more than ready for sleep. Kim's emerald eyes closed slowly, her body trying to give in to its need for sleep.

She jerked awake when her communicator began making, in her opinion, a god awful racket. She pulled the blue device out of her pocket and frowned staring at the image of Wade "What is it?"

The chubby boy, who was beginning to show signs of exhaustion, smiled "Well, just wanted to tell you I found out where Monkey Fist was held up."

Kim sat up bolt right, her attention focused on the conversation "Go ahead."

"Wait, shouldn't Ron be here for this?" Wade asked curiously, fingers hovering over his illuminated keyboard.

"He's hunting down some 'Snackage', I'll fill him in later."

"Ok," Wade said beginning to type away. "Well, using the hair you found in that German Zoo and the hairs found on Chippy led me to the Pacific. They were actually coconut fibers. Very specific strains found only near the Ring of Fire."

"Why'd it take you so long to figure out?"

"Because I had nothing else to compare it and you kept insisting it had to be a monkey hair." Wade responded shortly fingers coming to a halt "Now can I continue or should I go get the seventy two hours of sleep that I've been putting off?"

"Calm down Wade," Kim said soothingly "So Monkey Fist's been hiding out in the pacific? Know where at yet?"

The boy nodded "That was easy, once I knew where to start looking. Found out he owns a boat, the S.S. Sea Monkey. I traced it back, and it's been making supply runs. From that it was a simple matter of using a Global Justice satellite to scan the only possible areas."

"Wade, get to the point already."

Wade smiled "Better make sure to get some room's for the night. Fort Conrad is two hours from your house but only an hour from the Space Center."

"I could get dad to let us have some room's they have for astronauts," Kim muttered "If you could give me a good enough reason why we can't go home."

A holographic display blinked to life in the center of the meeting table. "How about the fact that its going to take you ten hours to get there and your ride is leaving at four in the morning."

Kim made an indistinct noise, memorizing the layout of the slowly rotating display. "So, where would we land and how?"

"The Southern most beach. It's isolated. Thermal Imaging shows no signs of monkey ninjas." Wade pressed a button and the holographic display rotated sharply to show the beach "As for how you will be landing, Fort Conrad is doing some training exercises in the area so you get to hitch a ride and parachute in."

"So it's a ten-hour plane ride?"

Wade nodded "Ten hours. You gotta be at the base before four."

"Ok, so how do we get back?" Kim asked, sitting back in her seat.

"I'll have a signal packed for you. Turn it on and I'll be on it in a heart beat."

Kim nodded "Fine, so we leave here when?"

"You have to leave the Space Center no later than two thirty. General

Lewis made it quite clear he's not holding the plane for your guys. If you're not there by four, its taking off without you."

Kim nodded "Alright, you rock Wade." She stood slowly popping her neck "I'm heading for bed, after I find Ron." The genius nodded giving a two-finger salute before winking off the screen. Kim absently slid the communicator into its cargo pocket home and left the meeting room.

Tomorrow was going to be a long day, but hopefully everything would be over then and she could have a nice long sleep. She strode down the empty corridor, rubbing her temples while her mind roamed over her conversation with her mom. She would have given everything if her mom hadn't found out about what she and Ron had done.

She just prayed that her mom didn't tell her dad, which would have Ron dead in a matter of seconds. She paused, turning her head toward a set of swinging double doors leading to the cafeteria. Well at least her 'Ronstincts' seemed to be back, she'd found her way to him without even trying.

"Explain it to me again." Ron said as he crossed the small, motel-type room heading for the bed located against the far wall.

"We're parachuting in and landing on a beach." Came the immediate answer, which prompted the blond who had collapsed on the bed to roll over and stare at the red head checking her reflection in the wall mirror of his bathroom "I can't believe I'm so tired."

Ron chuckled, rolling back onto his back and laying an arm across his eyes "So why do we have to get up at three?"

"Because we have to on that plane at Four." Kim answered as she flicked the bathroom light off and heading for the door leading into the hallway.

Ron snorted "That justifies getting up that early how?" When he received no answer, he sighed "I'll see ya in the morning KP. Love ya."

The door clicked close and he started to get up, wondering if he'd upset Kim when he stopped seeing the red head turn off the over head lights. She turned smiling shyly at him "Ron I don't think I can sleep alone tonight."

He fell back on the bed groaning "KP, have mercy. I'm too tired for that. Besides you make enough noise to wake the dead."

Kim laughed, walking toward him "Can I stay? Pweety Pwease?"

Ron gave a weak groan "What I'm going to kick you out? Just no scratching, my back's still tender."

Kim slipped out of her shoes and climbed into bed with him resting her head on his chest. "Relax Ron. I just wanna sleep. I just happen to like holding you while I sleep." The blond in response to this wrapped both his arms around her and closed his eyes. A moment later both teen heroes were snoring softly.

Slow, even breathing filled the dark room. The source was the slim, athletic female figure stretched out on the bed, hands folded lightly on her stomach and eyes closed. She appeared to be asleep, but in reality the girls mind was methodically working through the many problems facing her.

The breathing suddenly halted for a moment and then a low hiss escaped her as she opened her eyes. She knew the answer to the most pressing question, but some part of her doubted it would work. Still she swung her legs off the side and rose, moving to her suitcase which had spent the day in the back of Mrs. Possible's car.

A zipping noise could be heard and then she reached inside one of the pockets and removed a small item. It fit easily in the palm of her hand and was enclosed inside red silk that was covered with Japanese Kanji's. Yori stared at it a moment longer and then sighed; this could be the answer but would it work, that was the question.

"She is not Yamanochi," Yori whispered as she closed her hand around the silk covered item "yet, for the sake of Ron-san she shall have it."

Despite what she had said it did little to remove the doubt she was feeling. If this failed, if it did not work, then all was lost. She could not, thus it would not, fail not for the sake of Yamanochi or for Ron. Her doubts settled for the moment she returned to the bed.

Often times, when Ron would wake up in his room he'd have no clue where he was at. But now, with Kim sleeping on top of him and his brown eyes staring up at the dark ceiling that was not the case. He knew exactly where he was at, why he was there and what he would be facing in just a few hours.

There was a disquieting feeling in the pit of his stomach, a feeling that something horrible was stalking towards him. He wasn't sure what the feeling was connected to, more than likely he figured it was from the nightmare he had just had but he doubted it.

It had been a true battle of wills not to throw Kim off of him and start shouting when he had first woken up. However, he had managed to restrain himself thus allowing at least Kim another hour of uninterrupted sleep. Now though, as he stared at the plain wall clock, trying to make out the time he had general feeling that they had slept too long.

Gently he tried to shift her off of him so that he could see for sure, but Kim tightened her grip on him and refused to move. He smiled, realizing once more just how cute she was when she was asleep. Still, he had to get up and it appeared the only way to do that was to wake her up.

Despite his lack of finesse in a great many things, he knew just how to wake her up and not get yelled at. His hands wormed under her shirt and began massaging her back. The red head began to make soft noises of approval and he continued for a few more minutes before stopping.

This earned him a sleepy groan of disappointment and a soft whine "Roooon, don't stop."

The blond lifted his head to kiss the top of hers "Gotta stop KP, it's three fifteen." That was a lie, since he had no real clue what time it was but it got Kim moving. She reluctantly removed her arms and retrieved the communicator sitting up all in one swift movement.

"It's two thirty," she muttered checking the time on the screen, she tossed it back to its spot on the table and collapsed on top of him once more "Massage." Her single word ordered was instantly carried out, Ron working her back expertly.

Kim in response to this let a drawn out 'mhmmm' noise escape her. Ten minutes passed and then, though seemingly reluctant, Kim sat up straddling him, hands on his chest for balance as she yawned. She gave him a sleepy smile, her red hair a dark halo around her head "That was a nice way to wake up." Ron nodded and she climbed off a soft 'eep' escaping her as her bare feet came into contact with the cold floor.

The blond sat up slowly, his hair sticking up oddly and climbed out of bed speaking without really paying attention "Well KP, guess we-" He fell silent and looked around finding himself alone and his bathroom door closed. He walked over turning on the over head light and blinked seeing the pile of clothes in front of the door.

"Oh now that's just not fair," He muttered crossing his arms as the sound of a shower started up. He started back towards the bed, intent on sleeping longer if he could but paused when Kim's head and bare shoulder appeared around the corner of the now partly opened door.

"Ronnie, I need your help," She smiled slowly, almost wickedly "I can't seem to reach my back, would you pwetty pwease give me a hand? I promise to wash yours if you wash mine."

Ron blushed but nodded walking to the now empty doorway. A few minutes after he disappeared inside a black mission shirt and gray cargo pants sailed through the air to land on Kim's. Rufus, who emerged from his pocket home shook an angry fist at the now closed door and chattered something angrily.

Yori walked quietly down the corridors of the Space Center heading for Kim's room. She had meant to speak with her at breakfast but that wouldn't have worked, since hardly anyone spoke. It seemed that all present were rather conscious of what they were facing.

The raven haired girl came to a stop in front of the door and lifted a hand knocking lightly. A moment later the door opened to reveal the red headed teen hero, who scanned Yori's tight ninja outfit clearly disapproving.

Yori seemed to ignore the attention "Kim-dono, may I enter?"

Kim frowned but motioned for the girl to enter. Yori stepped inside, eyeing the perfectly made bed, well aware that in all likelihood it had never been used. Still she didn't say this, instead she came to a stop in the center of the room and turned towards Kim.

"I know we do not have much time, but I had to apologize," Yori said softly "I have caused you many problems. I am sorry."

Kim blinked in surprise, clearly not expecting that. "Uh, well...thanks. I mean, don't worry about it." She laughed awkwardly "It's ok, I mean, I can understand I suppose."

The Japanese girl shook her head and reached into her black ninja outfit producing the silk-wrapped item. "In Yamanochi, when one student has caused another problems they must give a present." She held it out to Kim slowly "Please take this Kim-dono."

Kim waved a hand "That's ok, really you don't have-"

"I must, until this is done, Yamanochi can have no honor." Yori said quietly bringing a sudden quiet to the room.

Kim, obviously nervous reached out and took the offering. Curiosity now peeked she unwrapped it slowly to reveal a necklace. It was a small jade dragon surrounded by twelve gold monkeys join together in a circle hand to foot.

Kim let a low gasp escape her, clearly impressed. She looked back at Yori opening her mouth to say something, but fell silent. The Japanese girl was holding her own, matching necklace up.

"It is a necklace worn by only two students in Yamanochi," Yori explained "It ties them together, almost like your 'blood brothers' ritual." That said the ninja replaced her necklace under her black outfit.

"But I'm not a student," Kim responded after a moment, her hand holding necklace carefully.

"You belong to Ron-san," Yori whispered "You are student."

Kim looked down at the necklace and then back up "Are you sure?" When Yori merely nodded Kim set the silk to the side and undid the clasp. Once it was in place she picked up the silk and handed it back to Yori. Out of instinct Kim slipped the necklace beneath her shirt and jumped like she had been shocked.

"Owww," Kim whispered reaching up to rub her chest frowning slightly "that hurt."

Yori, who had been distracted by placing the silk back in her out looked up "Nani?"

The red head waved a hand "Nothing," then sighed "Lets go get Ron. If we don't get goin soon he'll be asleep."

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"We're going to be late," Ron muttered as he walked besides Kim and Yori down the main hallway heading for the lobby and the car Kim's had had provided them.

Kim sighed looking at him "Wade said that Fort Conrad had a spare transport for us to use. The commanding officer wasn't too happy with us, but we saved his daughters life once so we get a special favor."

Ron snorted "Yea well, it's nearly five-thirty now."

Kim chuckled "The island's about ten hours behind us Ron. We'll get into the air at least by six-thirty this morning so it'll be eight-thirty yesterday night there."

The blond instantly began counting on his fingers then gave up with a frustrated sigh.

"We have a ten hour plane ride, so we'll arrive at four thirty in the afternoon our time, but it'll only be six thirty in the morning there." Kim said, smiling sweetly.

"Owww," Ron muttered placing hand to the side of his head "Brain cramp."

Yori covered her mouth as she giggled and Kim laughed opening the door for both Ron and Yori "So see we-" She fell silent stopping as did the other two teens staring at the black town car and the driver. "Wow, dad really went all out this time."

Ron nodded and then the three started towards the vehicle. The driver, who was smiling good naturedly inclined his head opening the door "Ms. Possible, Ms. Aiemi," He paused as they climbed leaving only Ron and driver to stare at each other. "Mr. Top-" He was cut off as the blond climbed in the car slamming the door.

"-pable." the driver finished in surprise then jogged around the car and climbed into the drivers seat. A moment later they pulled out of the parking lot and heading east toward Fort Conrad. The sky was a dull gray blue, with the slightest of hints at the sun rising.

The highway was deserted of cars so it soon grew very boring to stare out the windows at the flat land surrounding the outskirts of Middleton. The driver tried to engage them in conversation, but after the conversation died for the fifth time upon him saying Mr. Toppable, he gave up.

In resignation he turned on the car radio, glancing every so often into the rear view mirror. Concentrating on driving since the teens seemed unwilling to talk. The constant rhythm created by the car as it chewed up the miles soon became a lullaby and Ron laid his head back, his eyes closing so that he could sleep.

Kim leaned her head against the cool glass of the door and watched the landscape pass without a conscious thought, leaving only Yori who sat perfectly still in the middle, hands in her lap, staring straight ahead without any expression on her face.

AR:

leadfoot3520: Glad ya loved it.

Eowyn the Fair: Whew, long answer here. I'm glad my interlude between Kim and Ron was done tastefully and didn't push any borders. I'm glad that I now have a classic one-liner, also glad that you think my storyline is in-depth and the fic is superb.Now then...as for Ron and Zita being Sick and Wrong, why and how? It happened before he and Kim got together, well before it happened, it was a mistake and he was reluctant. There's nothing sick and wrong about that, it just makes him a flawed human.

Monkey Fist: What and dirty the blade with his blood? Interesting family history, not the way I heard it. So alas, I must continue with the history that I am currently working with, I do hope you won't hold it against me.

As for who is going to win this battle, there will be no miracles, the winner is the true monkey master.

morgan star: I'm glad that you enjoyed the chapters so far, I'm also flattered that you think I have a beautiful soul. I will of course keep writing.

ainominako: Thanks.

aberaham tulip: Well, which prophesy are we referring to? (Besides its my hobby to screw with peoples heads.)

John Steppenwolf: "But we few, we precious few, we band of buggered." -Giles and Spike from Buffy. (Shakespeare inspired line.)

Oh, I know that fun fact (though I've yet to me a Korean that did that, but eh,) I didn't know how to spell his name so I just copy and pasted as is.

Yep Dainiori is deader than a doornail. I don't think Doc Possible's been through Doctor J's training, even partially.

In response to your response "??"

Spice Of Life: Don't know if you did, but I'm happy it rocked!

Well, er...you've seen how she reacted with that knowledge. Probably not how it was expected.

Wanderer3:First I'd like to say how nice it was of you to leave me a review.

Next: Well, yes she did indeed start at the top. Now if only we could all start up there.

dark dragon mage: Tough

warprince2000: Thanks

Yamal: I'm glad it was a superb chapter. Well, I've added one extra chapter...I'm glad this ride has been amazing and thanks for your patience. I'll keep up the awesome work, so no worries

AN:

Twenty-six days since an update. That's just about a whole month. I hope none of you hold it against me that this chapter is short and that it may not be what you were expecting. Indeed it might be a major let down on several levels. Sorry. All that being said, I hope you find some enjoyment in this chapter.

Geor-sama