She sat on a wooden chair next to the couch, which her love laid on, for half an hour. Never moving for fear that he would awake and she would be absent, she remained in that room while a still unconscious naked mole rat lay on her lap. Diligently she waited until he rejoined her. She knew that he would eventually wake up but his reaction to the photo coupled with his dream and behavior at the park deeply stressed her. Deep down, she felt a connection existed between the two events.

Suddenly, he begins to stir and slowly begins to sit up. He opens his eyes and her beautiful yet worried face greets him along with a huge wave of pain.

"Ron, are you okay?"

"Yeah," Ron answers weakly. He suddenly grabs his head as a sharp pain floods his cranium. "Owwww! What hit me, a mad truck?"

"No, more like two thick wooden doors getting hit by a mad Ron moving at full speed. You mind telling me what that was all about?"

Before Ron can answer, his eyes slowly go down to Kim's lap where Rufus still lies unconscious. Forgetting his still throbbing head, he manages to sit up as Kim places her hands on his shoulders in order to guide his progress up at a reasonable pace and to give support in case he needed to lie back down. Ron places his hand on Rufus, who slowly begins to stir. Rufus sits up very gingerly on Kim's lap while holding his head. A sense of relief fills Ron and Kim as Rufus regains consciousness.

Ron gently picks up his naked mole rat and gently pets him. "Gave me a scare there little buddy."

"Speaking of a scare, it's time you told me what's going on? From your reaction in the library, you saw that mask before and I'm guessing it was in that dream you had in the park this afternoon. Now spill."

Ron heard in Kim's tone a familiar unrelenting spirit he knew all too well. She would not let this go until she received a satisfactory explanation from him. That, among many of her characteristics and qualities, amazed him about her. She would never give up, not on a mission, not on a friend, and most certainly not on him. He wouldn't insult her by avoiding the issue. He would tell her about his dream straight up.

Gathering his composure and the images of his dream imprinted on his memory, he begins to tell her about it as she listens intensely until he finishes.

"You're right; I did see that mask in my dream this afternoon. I think Rufus did too, in the same dream. It was intense. The vibes that mask puts out, especially in its eyes screamed evil, Kim, evil."

Rufus standing on Ron's shoulder agrees adamantly, "Evil."

"Anything else?" asks Kim.

"Well, it looked exactly like it did in the photo and did I mention the evil? Did I stress the evil?"

"The evil part has definitely been established, Ron." Kim saysjustas the kimmunicator beeps. Kim, pulling it out of her pocket, answers it. "What do you have for me, Wade?"

Ron leans in to here what Wade has to say.

"I analyzed the footprint and found some trace amounts of mud on it," Wade states.

"That's great and all Wade but how does that help us," Ron comments.

"This mud just doesn't have dirt and water in it," Wade explains. "It also contains blends of vitamin E, aloe vera, and coconut oil."

"Yeah, I'm still going to stress my first concern."

"Mud bath," Kim says with realization.

Ron chimes in, "Mud bath? You know I always thought the concept was kind of oxymoronic."

"Yeah, anyway you got it Kim," says Wade.

"I guess even super villains need some relaxation," says Kim. "Do you know where it came from?"

"Yup," Wade answers as he leans back in his chair. "It's a special blend that many spas use, including a hotel and spa just a mile from where you two are, the Spencer Hotel and Spa."

"Classy," remarks Ron.

"Wade, can you do research on a mask called the Mask of Gauduelme for me? I have a photo," says Kim.

"Just place the photo on the kimmunicator's scanner and I'll see what I can find."

A small scanner opens above the kimmunicator's screen and Kim places the photo face down on it. The scanner closes, taking the photo with it. After a few seconds, the scanner reopens and Kim removes the photo. Instantaneously, the photo appears on Wade's computer monitor. Its painted devilish monkey mouth smiles back at him.

"Whoa! That is one…"

"… evil monkey mask, I know!" Ron exclaims as he finishes Wade's sentence.

"I think that this mask and Ron are connected in some way i.e. mystical monkey power way," Kim interjects.

"On it guys," says Wade.

Wade signs out and Kim places her kimmunicator back into her pant pocket.

Suddenly Mr. Emerald walks into the living room. "Well, look who has rejoined the land of the conscious. How are you feeling, son?"

"Except for the mind numbing headache, I'm cool," Ron responds as he rubs his temples in an attempt to ease his discomfort.

"Mr. Emerald, here is your photo back," says Kim as she hands the photo back to him. "We also have a lead on your missing mask. Would it be a bother if you could lend us a ride to the Spencer Hotel and Spa?"

"And some pain relievers," adds Ron.

"If it will help bring my mask back," Mr. Emerald remarks. "I'll have the driver bring the SUV around to the front."

"Please and thank you," Kim says with a grateful smile.