Chapter 6: Hello, Holo

"Are you sure this is all she had?" Tara asked, motioning to the black suitcase.

"It's all I could find in Connie's room, aside from that painting I gave her," Bonnie explained. "Maybe she put the rest of her clothes and things in storage or something."

"So...are you going to open it?"

"I guess I have to. Might be something important in it." Bonnie carefully undid the clasps and took a deep breath. "Okay. Ready?"

Tara stared at her. "You act like you expect rubber snakes to come flying out of it."

"Well, you never know." Bonnie slowly opened the suitcase, but nothing came flying out.

Tara leaned forward a bit. "Is that some kind of future mirror?"

Bonnie almost said no, since it looked more like something her grandmother would have in her attic. It did seem like a round mirror at first, with small green gems embedded in the silver frame. But then she noticed how bulky it was, and knew at once that it would never be able to hang on a wall.

"Maybe it's a scale," Tara guessed again. "It's big enough."

"Help me pick it up," Bonnie said at last. "Maybe we can figure out what it is once we get a better look at it."

"Okay," Tara agreed. "I just hope it doesn't mind being moved."

Bonnie frowned at her. "I thought you said it was a scale?"

"It could be a future scale! Maybe they have feelings!"

"Even if it did, it's still a scale, T. What's it going to do, weigh us to death?"

Tara looked fearfully at the mysterious object, and relaxed somewhat when it didn't protest being insulted. "Fine."

The girls carefully lifted the object and set it down on the floor.

"Well," Tara panted, "if it's not a scale, and one of us steps on it, there's no way it would break. How did she move it by herself?"

"She was probably stronger than she looked," Bonnie answered.

"I don't see an on switch anywhere. How do you think-"

Bonnie passed her hand over the glass-like surface, but yanked it back when a column of green light flickered into existence over the round platform. "Found it," she laughed nervously.

Tara was about to give her a lecture on being more careful, but her voice died in her throat when a tall, pale-skinned woman with long, black hair suddenly appeared, a sinister smile on her face.

"Hello," she said in a voice like poisoned honey. "This BrainBox is registered to Bonita Rockwaller. If you're not her, you'll regret it in 3, 2, 1..."

Without knowing why she did it, Bonnie grabbed Tara and pushed her to the floor, even as the entire room was blanketed momentarily in bright green light. She looked up to see the woman had extended her hand, which seemed to be on fire.

"Welcome, Bonita. You have one download file saved. Would you like to open it now?"

Bonnie licked her dry lips. "Yes?"

The woman vanished, and was soon replaced by a much more familiar one.

"Auntie?" Bonnie whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Auntie stared back at her with a sad smile. "Hey, sugarplum." Her eyes flicked downward briefly. "Um, we could talk later, if you're busy..."

Bonnie looked down, suddenly realizing she had pinned a slightly red Tara to the carpet. "Oh. Um. Sorry, T."

Tara started to say something, paused, and finally decided on whispering, "I'm fine." She said nothing when Bonnie pulled her up, and seemed somewhat reluctant to finally release the offered hand.

"Well. That was...interesting," Auntie noted. "If you found my BrainBox, then you must have my blood already."

"How are you...doing this?" Bonnie asked slowly.

"Think of me as a interactive hologram," Auntie suggested. "That's the short answer. The long one is I downloaded a copy of my brain into this thing. Basically, I can tell you anything you want to know about me, you, and the future. Well, anything that I knew at the time, anyway."

"What time?"

"Mmm...this file was last updated yesterday. So, pretty recently."

"Why did you die?" Bonnie asked quietly.

Auntie sighed. "I told you I was only here for you, sugarplum. I told you I'd give everything for you, and I did. I know, I wasn't exactly detailed, but I couldn't be, could I? Would you have really let me do what I did if you'd known about it up front?"

"No."

"Good to know. As for why, well...it was just time, trust me on that. I'm not kidding when I say I looked good for my age. And in case you were wondering, this BrainBox contains a blood sample from me, which is what it scanned for when you turned it on. I had to make sure you couldn't gain access until after I gave you my blood."

"What about that scary woman who was there first?" Tara asked.

Auntie chuckled. "Oh, her? That was Shego; she owns almost all the technology from my time. Don't worry, she wouldn't have really done anything if you'd found this early. The original models came equipped with tear gas, but this one just plays old show tunes really loudly for an hour or two. So I'd be able to come and find you if you went snooping through my stuff."

Tara frowned. "That reminds me, where's the rest of your stuff? All we could find is this, and Kim said Global Justice would confiscate anything they found."

Auntie shook her head. "This is all that really mattered. So long as I can just tell you what's important, nothing else is."

"I need some air," Bonnie said suddenly, getting to her feet and heading for the door. She had just reached it when she heard Auntie call to her.

"Bonnie, wait. There's something I need you to know, so you'll never have to wonder."

"What?" Bonnie asked, her voice barely a whisper.

"I didn't do this to hurt you. I did this because I want to always be here for you. If you don't need me, all you have to do is turn this off and be done with it. But if you do...I'll be here. Always."

"Yeah. Thanks," Bonnie muttered as she left the room.

"She really is glad you're here," Tara said quietly. "It's just...you did die."

"I know," Auntie sighed. "But this is the only way I can know for sure that Bonnie has my guidance. I couldn't take the chance that I might...well, dumb as it might sound, die unexpectedly. I needed a way to be here with no chance for failure. This technology is a lot tougher than I am, and it'll last as longer than I would've. It was the only way, Tara. But I'm never as worried about Bonnie when you're around to look after her."

Tara found Bonnie standing in front of one of the long windows in what they'd come to think of as the sun room, staring closely at her hands, as if they were no longer attached to her body. If there was one place in the house where one could get the most fresh air, though, it was here. Sunlight streamed in through each of the many windows, and there were precious few spots of shade to be found.

"I, um, turned Auntie off and put her under your bed," Tara stated.

Bonnie didn't move or speak.

Tara walked over to Bonnie and hugged her from behind, placing something small and cool in her open hand. "Here."

Bonnie blinked and stared at the penny in her palm. "What's this for?"

"It's a penny. For your thoughts," Tara explained with a grin. "So spill."

Bonnie closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "She really did think of everything, T. She knew it would break my heart when she died. She knew she'd still be here afterwards. She knew I'd forgive her for leaving me, even though I didn't want to."

"So you are glad she's here? Even if she's trapped in that future scale?"

Bonnie rolled her eyes. "Of course I am. And it's a BrainBox, not a future scale."

"I like my version better," Tara insisted, giving her a little squeeze.

"You would." There was a brief pause. "Can I ask you a personal question?"

"Sure," Tara replied at once, resting her chin on Bonnie's shoulder.

"If a cute guy asked you out tomorrow, what would you say?"

Tara thought for a moment. "I'd have to say no."

"Why?"

"Not because of Josh, if that's what you're thinking. Just because it was a cute guy."

Bonnie frowned. "What, you'd want an ugly guy?"

Tara laughed. "No, Bonnie."

"Then what do you want?"

"Well, this is going to seem really specific, but just hear me out. I want a cute girl. A cute brunette, actually. She has to be athletic, outspoken, and maybe a little snippy around the edges. Oh, and her name should definitely start with a B." She sighed wistfully. "If only I could get asked out by someone like that, I'd say yes in a heartbeat. But I've never been that lucky before." She sighed again. "Oh, hey, what are you up to next Tuesday?"

Bonnie smirked. "I think I'll be busy. I might have a date that night."

"Really? Nuts! Guess I can't go with you, then."

"I'm pretty sure I can fit you in somewhere."

"Well, only if you're sure I wouldn't be a third wheel."

"You wouldn't even know anyone else was there, I promise."

Kim Possible had just settled into her usual seat for lunch in the cafeteria when she was ambushed.

"Kim, did you hear?" Monique demanded, shoving Ron out of the way as she rushed over to the table.

Kim grabbed Ron's arm and steadied him before he could drop his tray. "Hear about what, Mon?" Kim asked, already intrigued.

"About the raging bull that looks a lot like a former friend of ours?" Ron muttered, rubbing his elbow.

Monique patted his arm in what she seemed to think was a soothing manner. "Sorry, Ron. ANYWAY! Did you hear about Bonnie and Brick?"

"They're off again?" Kim guessed.

"Not just again, for good!"

"Hard to believe," Ron commented. "What's the point of breaking up if they can't get together in two months or so? That's what they've always done. It's like a cheerleader code. Or a Bonnie code. I never was too clear on that part."

"Ron has a point," Kim agreed. "Sometimes I think Bonnie likes breaking up with Brick more than she likes being with him."

Monique shook her head insistently. "Amelia was there, and I got the dirt from her. Bonnie dumped Brick in front of the whole football team. Said it was really over this time, and gave him back his locket."

"How'd the big guy take it?" Ron asked.

Monique smirked. "Pretty well, since he asked Bonnie if Tara was seeing anyone."

"Ouch," Kim murmured.

"It didn't help that she was standing right there, either. Tara completely chewed Brick out, and called him an insensitive...well, brickhead."

"I always thought the name was a bit too coincidental," Ron admitted.

"How's Bonnie holding up?" Kim asked.

Monique shrugged. "She's putting up a strong front. But she hasn't been seen without Tara at all today, so it's hard to say."

"I need to talk to her," Kim decided.

"Who, Tara?" Monique asked.

"No, Bonnie."

Ron blinked. "Um...KP, I know you mean well, but are you sure Bonnie would want to talk to you right now? What if she's still not over...you know?"

"This breakup might be a sign that she is, Ron."

"Or it might mean she's taking it even worse than you thought," Monique offered. "Maybe you should ask Tara first. Find out if Bonnie's just cutting loose the dead weight or really pushing people away."

"Let me do it," Ron said suddenly. "Bonnie might feel less threatened if it was me asking."

"How do you figure?" Kim asked.

"Well, I can't wear her clothes better, style my hair better, or be more popular than her. What's there to be threatened by, other than a connection to you?"

"He's got you there, girl," Monique agreed.

"Guess I'm outvoted," Kim relented. "But I hope you remember this exercise in democracy if she bites your head off."

Ron shrugged as he stood up, apparently meaning to carry out his mission immediately. "Better me than you, right? Don't say I never did anything for you." He saluted and ran off.

"So who do you think Bonnie's going to date next?" Monique ventured.

Kim thought about it for exactly one second. "Tara."

Monique nearly choked on her fruit juice. "Seriously?"

Kim nodded. "Actually, Mon, I think maybe that's why she really broke up with Brick."

"Wow. Bonnie? Are you sure, Kim?"

"Almost completely. She's really not the same person anymore."

"And...is that good or bad for the general public?"

"Well, that's the thing: I'm not totally sure. But I have to say, I've got a good feeling about this Bonnie. Well, a better feeling than I did about the old one, anyway."

Monique didn't look too impressed. "Guess we have to take what we can get on this one."

"She's trimming the fat," Ron announced as he returned. "All important persons accounted for. Grief...almost completely absent. I say Bonnie Rockwaller is perfectly sane for the moment."

"And you base that on what?" Monique asked.

Ron grinned. "I had to clear my throat three times before she even noticed me. And considering she was practically leering at Tara, I'd say that makes her completely non-crazy. Playing for the other team, but very non-crazy."

"Told you," Kim said to Monique with a triumphant smile.

Monique shook her head. "Next, you're going to tell me she's actually civil two or three days out of the week, right?"

"Well," Ron added, "when she told me to get lost, she didn't call me a loser...or anything else. Does that count?"

"Since it's Bonnie? Yes," Kim answered.

Next Chapter: Bonnie thinks it's a dinner date, but Tara has other ideas.

Reviews!

Manaic Polar Bear

Alright. I KNOW there has to be something sinister in that blood...Bonita said she was stripping Bonnie of her will. Is she gasp! FORCING her to be nice to Kim and fall (more) in love with Tara? Also, I know that you're doing a more metaphysical/spiritual take on the "futures past concept, but why oh WHY haven't you covered the egotism inherent in actually loving "yourself"? Or how much this conforms to Bonnie's character? Seriously, it's like kissing a mirror!

(I wrote this reply before we talked at the KP Slash Board, so the parts you've heard are mainly for the benefit of others)

The only thing that could be sinister about the blood is the jellyfish toxin, and Bonita already told Bonnie about it. The stripping of her will was paralyzing Bonnie and kidnapping her, nothing else. Bonita may have manipulated events so that Bonnie feels the need to makeup with Kim or stay closer to Tara, but that's got nothing to do with the blood content.

I don't really see Bonita's love for Bonnie as egotism. They are two very different people, despite being the same person. Bonnie mentally sees Bonita as an aunt, and Bonita 'feels like a parent', remember? The love between Bonita and Bonnie isn't really self-love, because they genuinely think of each other as relatives after a certain point. Of course Bonita is very aware of the fact that she's literally improving her old life, but there is no way she can actually benefit from it, other than knowing she helped Bonnie (who she thinks of as a daughter), so it's less egotistical and more parental.

bad

well to answer the whole timeline issue, time is placed in stone, it cannot be hanged, unless it is changed for a reason, everything is fate and destiny, time changes on it own accord, time cannot change because it has already happened, it has to happen in the present to change, therefore time cannot change because it has already happened, if we could change it, let me give an example, if my friend dies, and i build a time machine to save him, and i save him, we have a time loop, because if i save him, then i wont build the time machine, which means he dies and i build the time machine, that cant happen, because time will constantly change. JEEZ i sound like the matrix now, time is change, and it will change as the chosen one, chooses it to.

or we can stick to the less complicated theory of different dimensions for different times,

well anyways good, and we can all tell tara and bonnie love each other, so make em tell em already, waiting is thinning my patience, and maybe add some lemon, just a thought though

Okay, my head hurts. For the sake of this story, I'm sticking to the cartoonish idea that going back in time can change both the present and the future, and I'm staying away from loop logic as much as possible. Let's just assume that Bonita's actions result in a new, yet not completely different timeline from that of her own future. There are plenty of hints throughout the story that Shegoton is still a very real threat in Bonnie's future; all the more reason for her to get her personal affairs in order right away. The funny thing about loving someone is that telling them becomes a huge deal. Same applies here, so no one's rushing.