A Quick Business Trip-

An 'No Need For Farewells' Side Adventure

by Kairi Taylor

Author's Note: This adventure expands a bit on the ending to 'Monet's Wish', where Jubilee, Ryoga & Kairi receive their own TARDIS, thanks to Washu's intervention. What follows is an incident that takes them to Gallifrey & a meeting with someone who has been observing Earth's recent timeline activity...

(Aboard the newly received TARDIS. Inside the Rec. Room, Jubilee is punching at a large dummy, with a Magneto helmet on it's head. As Ryoga enters, she leaps and takes the head off with a devastating roundhouse.)

Ryoga: Wow, you've been going at it for 3 hours now.

Jubilee: Got a lot of sugar to work off. Want some?

Ryoga: Coy...but save it for later.

Jubilee: Spoilsport...

Ryoga: But I see the training regiment Mr. Cassidy left you has been very useful.

Jubilee: I'd have to agree, but damn, how does he expect me to run 3 miles every day?

Ryoga: Believe me, it could be a lot worse.

Jubilee: I know, I know, breaking a rock with a finger. I've seen the videos. (Picks head up) I wonder how the X-Men are doing right now...

Ryoga: You haven't been in contact with them lately?

Jubilee: No...I just keep on having this overwhelming feeling of dread. You know, like something real bad has just happened. I can't explain it.

Ryoga: We'll talk about it over breakfast. Kairi's making waffles.

Jubilee: Oh God, not waffles.

Ryoga: Trust me, he's gotten quite good at it.

Jubilee: It's not his cooking that worries me. What worries me is that he will destroy the kitchen making the darn things.

(In the kitchen, Kairi lays out waffles onto a plate.)

Kairi: Ah, perfectly prepared Walnut-Cherry Waffle Supreme. Never mind it took me a lifetime to perfect, but it was worth the effort. (A small screen lowers down from the ceiling. On it is Emma.)

Emma: I see you've been diligently working in the kitchen. Is my charge still breathing?

Kairi: Even when I'm stuck in the middle of a vortex in time, my cooking is mocked. I take it you are checking up on Jubs.

Emma: Yes, I want to make sure that her abilities haven't gone to waste.

Kairi: Trust me, the girl's sticking to what you've given her. What, you don't actually think she'd do something to destroy Time itself, do you? The girl is not that bad.

Emma: True, but you haven't spent as much time here in the academy as us.

(A horn blares out over the loudspeaker.)

Kairi: Oh bother, what is it now? Look, we'll discuss this later. Something's wrong in the vortex.

(As Kairi enters the hallways of the TARDIS, he sees Ryoga carrying an unconscious Jubilee)

Kairi: What's going on here?

Ryoga: I don't know. She just said her head hurt & all of a sudden, she fainted. She's running a fever.

Kairi: Did she overexert herself? (touches forehead)

Ryoga: No more than usual.

Kairi: on, we're going to the control room.

Ryoga: Now?

Kairi: Yeah. Something just came up.

(In the control room, Ryoga lays Jubilee on a nearby cot as Kairi looks at the controls.)

Ryoga: This doesn't feel right.

Kairi: I'll say...well, worry not. We'll be able to get some medical attention for her where we are going.

Ryoga: That's good to hear. Just as long as we don't get into any serious trouble.

Kairi: Yeah, that's the good news-bad news scenario I'm going to introduce you to. Good news is that you're about to be landing on your first planet.

Ryoga: And the bad news is...

Kairi: We are landing on Gallifrey.

Ryoga: Oh...

Kairi: They wouldn't pull a time machine out of a vortex like this unless something real bad to Time itself has gone down. Best be on good behavior. (puts on jacket)

Ryoga: Tell me, what is Gallifrey like?

Kairi: Good question. I've been dyin' to figure that out myself

(Gallifrey. The TARDIS lands in the presidential building. Kairi steps out, Ryoga following shortly behind, Jubilee still in his arms.)

Ryoga: Wow, look at this place. It's beautiful!

Kairi: I know. Guys on my platoon would kill to live in a place like this. How's she holding up?

Ryoga: She seems the same. ( A palace guard approaches them.) We have company.

Guard: Kairi Taylor?

Kairi: The same. I'm expected to follow you, right?

Guard: Indeed.

Kairi: Ok, but our female friend here needs some medical attention.

Guard: I'll lead you to the infirmary.

(Much later, Kairi steps into a large, ordinate chamber. A woman in robes sits at a wicker chair. At her side is a silver robotic dog.)

Woman: Ah, Mr. Taylor. Washu has told me quite a bit about you. Although your manner of clothing seems a bit out of place for you.

Kairi: Washu's idea. Although it does make me look a lot more mature, I feel comfortable none the less. You look familiar.

Woman: I should. My name, as you came to remember it when you were a child, is Romana.

Kairi: Whoa. YOU'RE the Lady President here? I'd thought...

Romana: Yes, yes, I know. But certain circumstances has put me in this seat of power now. You do remember K9 of course.

Kairi: Indeed. If I didn't I'd have my geek card torn in two.

K9: Good evening sir.

Kairi: Same to you K9.

Romana: K9, please check on Jubilee for me. I will speak to her shortly.

K9: At once, mistress. (K9 leaves)

Kairi: So, what did I do? And what about Jubilee? Why do you need to see her?

Romana: Nothing too troubling, well at least not yet, but we need to have a talk...

(Infirmary. K9 rolls in as Ryoga watches over Jubilee, who has woken up.)

Jubilee: Ah crap, what happened to me? Did I slip & hit my head on a gold banister...again?

Ryoga: You had a fever for a short while. We brought you here when we landed on Gallifrey.

Jubilee: Gallifrey? What the---oh CRAP! What did Kairi do? Did he implode a sun or something? Has Hitler won the war? Did he bring back the Spice Girls?

K9: Negative, Ms. Lee. Mr. Taylor is incapable of such damage nor does he have the will to...

Jubilee: Yes, I know, I was being sarcastic.

Ryoga: (thinking to himself) Funny how she uses sarcasm to deal with a potential crisis.

Jubilee: Oh my God...

Ryoga: What?

Jubilee: I could hear what you were thinking. And I can hear what the guy in the other room is thinking...and it is a REAL perverted thought. Remind me to kick his ass.

Ryoga: What? How? I didn't know you had telepathy.

K9: Allow me to make an analysis.

Ryoga: Feel free to.

K9: My data shows that Ms. Lee is going through the primary stages of her 2nd mutation.

Jubilee: WHAT?! SWEET!

Ryoga: That's the same thing that happened to Emma.

K9: Correct. The body of certain mutants, when given the right conditions, will gain even more abilities in addition to the original.

Jubilee: Cool. Now I wonder how I can totally abuse this.

Ryoga: And is it over?

K9: Negative. I detect that her secondary mutation has only given out 35 of it's potential. Correction..37.

Jubilee: What? I get more?!

K9: Affirmative.

Jubilee: Maybe if I'm lucky, I get to fly. Ahhh, what if I get Wolvie's healing powers! Or better yet, imagine me with Storm's powers.

Ryoga: Can I pray to Kami-sama you don't get the second one?

(Back at Romana's office)

Kairi: How long have you been watching?

Romana: Ever since the merger of the 4 universes began. When it initially started, it looked for a moment as if there was a fracture in the time stream. But then it repaired itself almost immediately. When we began our search, we found many interesting things. Writers, both 'fan fiction' and serious, had stood out. Some of them seemed to have the abilities available only to the strongest of super beings, while others, like yourself, have the ability to alter reality.

Kairi: I noticed. But I never found out why precisely. Or I just can't remember. The merger itself has had some strange effects.

Romana: I know. And with the incident involving Simon, not to mention the trouble with the Fan fiction Guild, meant that some action needed to be taken. It is no coincidence that we have given you a TARDIS. We suspect that some writers will be making a bid to control the known universe.

Kairi: Oh God, not that old game. I hope you realize how much of a bother this is. I've had enough problems trying not to get involved. And don't get me started on some of these guys making themselves out to be complete & total bad asses.

Romana: Yes, I know. We need someone to help make sure that the event doesn't happen. and to keep an eye on the time stream for Earth.

Kairi: No problem. Kinda gotten attached to the old bird myself.

Romana: We also need one other favor from you...(Jubilee & K9 enter)

K9: Mistress, here is Ms. Lee.

Romana: Ah, Jubilee. Good to see you are well.

Jubilee: Feels good to be well.

Kairi: We have a bit of a mission on our hands.

Romana: As you know, you'll be working with UNIT to help defend the planet.. But there is one other favor we need from both of you.

Kairi: Which is...

Romana: Find Jean Grey and bring her back.

Kairi: What?

Romana: In the very near future, Jean Grey will die, seemingly at the hands of Magneto. But she will be reborn far off into the future. And that's what worries us. Taking her out of the current time stream will have some unforeseen effects.

Jubilee: What worries me is the fact that she has died so many times.

Kairi: You get used to it real quick.

Romana: The power alone that Jean will have is enough to destroy Earth 20 times over. And keep in mind, someone WILL find her. Your task is to find her & bring her back to the present before her power is exploited.

Kairi: Oh, perfect...will you be asking us to find Atlantis while we're about?

Jubilee: This is normal for me.

Kairi: Of course, you're the leader.

Romana: The power of the Phoenix has a distinct energy spike. When she awakens again, The TARDIS will alert you.

Jubilee: Well, in that case, we better get a move on. I wish we can stay & talk about a certain pal of yours, but we have things to do.

Kairi: Yes, although I'd think the whole 'destruction of the universe' thing would be old hat by now...

Romana: Uh, actually, I need to see Jubilee for a bit.

Kairi: You do?

Romana: Yes, there's some important girl talk that I need to give her. Run along now. K9, please escort Kairi & Ryoga around the grounds.

K9: Yes mistress.

(Kairi is led out by K9.)

Jubilee: So, you know about the whole mutation thing I'm going through?

Romana: Quite. It's something about humans that seems rather fascinating. But I wouldn't worry too much about that. I need to talk about Kairi.

Jubilee: Is there something wrong with him?

Romana: Well, in a matter of speaking, no. But he's starting to undergo a change himself. Do you remember his ill advised jaunt to Jusenkyo?

Jubilee: Yup. Hard to forget anything like that happening.

(In one of the many libraries of Gallifrey, K9 leads Kairi & Ryoga.)

Ryoga: Wow…look at all these books. There must be information on hundreds of worlds.

K9: Correction, Master Ryoga. The approximate number of worlds detailed in the libraries of Gallifrey is—

Kairi: That's quite fine, K9. I just need you to lead us into the Earth section.

K9: At once.

Ryoga: You look worried.

Kairi: I am. I've got a lot of responsibilities to maintain now.

Ryoga: I know.

Kairi: I mean, it's one thing to attempt two resurrections, but to try to maintain order in Earth & stay out of the bad graces of the Fan Fiction Guild? And now I learn that Jean needs to be rescued. Gez, how do you guys do it?

Ryoga: Never easy, trust me. As we go on, we have to keep our minds as sharp as possible. Why do you think Ranma is the best in our area? The guys mind is at his sharpest when he's in a fight. With women however, he's a bit of a dunce.

Kairi: A bit?

Ryoga: Ok, that may be mildly putting it.

K9: Earth Section, Masters.

Ryoga: Ah, look at this! Mousse would love this place.

Kairi: Where should we start?

Ryoga: Hmm, here's an interesting find. (Ryoga holds up a book which says 'The History of Ancient Earth Civilizations')

Kairi: Cool, let's see if they have anything on the Amazon village.

(As Kairi is handed the book, both he & the book glow orange. A few seconds later, he goes to the ground on one knee. Ryoga rushes to his side.)

Ryoga: Kairi!!

Kairi: I—I'm fine Ryoga…it's just going…to take me a minute.

Ryoga: K9, check on Kairi.

K9: Beginning prognosis now.

Kairi: Man, that was…

K9: Complete. Master Taylor's symbiosis period has begun.

Kairi: What? I don't understand…

Ryoga: I think I may know. K9, is the kitsune becoming self aware?

K9: Affirmative, Master Ryoga.

Kairi: Ryoga, what's going on?

Ryoga: Well, it's a bit of a long story…

(Back at Romana's office.)

Romana: The spring that Kairi fell in was unlike many of the Jusenkyo springs. It housed the spirit of a powerful kitsune, who had traveled to China in a bid to destroy a long time nemesis of his, a demon warlord named Kanaye.

Jubilee: Wait…Ev had told us before he left, Kanaye was reincarnated as Simon.

Romana: Yes, so it can be said that Kairi's trip was not coincidence at all. And now, the kitsune has begun to wake up.

Jubilee: Hmm, ever since the incident with Kairi's brother, it does seem that he's becoming a little more powerful. I hope he'll be ok.

Romana: I believe he'll be just fine.

(Back to the library.)

Kairi: So, that's my situation huh?

Ryoga: In a nutshell, yes. The two of you will be able to share each other's powers. I don't know what that power was, though.

Kairi: It was some type of information gathering skill, like in that episode of Buffy where Willow sucked out all the spells from the book store.

Ryoga: Really? Are you sure?

Kairi: Yes. Right now, not only do I have the info on the Amazon village, I have everything we need to find Atlantis. (As he stands, he slumps right back down.)

Ryoga: Not again.

K9: Master Taylor will be up momentarily.

(Kairi rises again, but this time his voice is noticeably different.)

'Kairi': Ah…I've forgotten how it feels to walk on legs. Hmm…no, it's not Earth, I suppose. Is this the place that kid was talking about? Quite grand indeed.

Ryoga: Kairi?

'Kairi': Kairi…Kairi…yes, that is my partner's name. How silly of me. I've spent so much time in his mind, I should know his name by now. Ryoga, right? Nice to meet you.

Ryoga: You too…what name do you go by?

'Kairi': Well, don't call me anything lame like Yami, 'kay?

Ryoga: Noted.

'Kairi': I'll think of a name later. But for now, let's look around a bit more. Gallifrey huh? Feels nice…

(Back to Romana's office.)

Romana: So, you understand what we need from you, right?

Jubilee: Yeah, I guess. But to be honest…(Holds up a TARDIS operating manual.) Maybe we should get Monet to come along with us. She's got a nice meaty brain on her.

Romana: I know, it does seem daunting. But I trust you'll manage. (K9 returns with the others.) Ah, you've woken up. I hope you can adjust yourself to a human body.

'Kairi': I'd say my presence is more beneficial for my partner.

Jubilee: Partner?

'Kairi': The one you call Kairi is not in the driver's seat at the moment. I'm that fox he turns into.

Jubilee: Ah, now know what you're talking about. But you've been aware you've been sharing that body with him…

'Kairi': Only recently. I was asleep for a very long time in that spring, so most of his initial experiences has been like dreams to me.

Romana: And you said that your presence in him was beneficial. I suspect that your minds are not the only thing mixed together.

Jubilee: Wait…his DNA.

'Kairi': Yes. Being together for so long can have that effect on people & mythical beings. I've said enough for the moment however. I'll see you all soon.

('Kairi' reverts back to normal)

Kairi: Wow…that's something I'll never adjust to.

Jubilee: You get possessed way too easily for me.

Ryoga: Me too.

Romana: Now, before you go, I have something for you from Washu. (Hands Jubilee & Kairi two watches.)

Jubilee: Neat, but do you have one in yellow? It clashes with my eye shadow.

Romana: Cute. These can be activated in the event of an emergency. You'll know when to activate them.

Kairi: How do you guys know Washu anyway?

Romana: Well she is a goddess, remember that. And the Time Lords have much influence throughout the universe. Jurai is one of the key areas we look after.

Jubilee: Well, this has been fun, but we have a few errands to run. I wish we could talk more.

Romana: Trust me, we will see each other again.

Ryoga: I hope so. Good day, ma'am.

Kairi: I don't suppose we can get our own K9, can we?

Romana: No.

Kairi: Darn. Ok, saddle up. We're going to Atlantis!

Jubilee: Since when did you know where Atlantis is?

Kairi: Since 20 minutes ago.

(The team leaves.)

K9: Mistress, an observation.

Romana: Go on, K9.

K9: Would it have been unwise to inform them that Dr. Henry McCoy wll be a most extremely dangerous opponent when they find the Phoenix?

Romana: K9, when the time comes, they will deal with it in the best way they know how. And if I had given the knowledge, I'm afraid of just what kind of havoc Jubilee would unleash. Especially when her 2nd mutation completes it's cycle.