A/N: Standard Disclaimers Apply

A/N: It looks like it's true… Tigers can't change their stripes…

ACT FIVE, scene four

"Okay, two bombs down, one to go," Kim said pragmatically. She blocked out the tragedy of her house, resolving to have a good cry later. Her only wish was when she had that good cry, her best friend would be with her.

Raven took a deep breath, knowing that Kim wasn't meaning to be hurtful, but the red head's sudden announcement tore through her. Rage was clawing its way through her, and Sorrow was smothering her. The one person that truly accepted her, inspired her, was nowhere to be found, and Raven feared the worst. So did the Possibles. Dr. Possible put a supporting hand on Raven's shoulder. He didn't smile, but simply nodded. Jim and Tim held the yellow and black tattered material and sat on the ground with hung heads.

Kim glanced at her Kimmunicator. One hour, ten minutes, thirty-three seconds.

The nine-note chime of Raven's T-Com sounded, breaking the silence. Raven took the device from her belt and threw it away. She shuddered and drew her cloak around her, tears once again tracking over her cheeks.

Kim picked up the T-Com and opened it.

"Raven!" Cyborg called. "We've had reports of explosions. Star's on the way. Is everything…. Who are you?"

"I'm Kim Possible. And no, nothing is okay. Slade's planted three bombs, but one of them accidentally went off, and… and…"

"We've been trying to reach Robin," Cy said.

Kim hung her head and closed her eyes.

"Oh no," Cyborg gasped. "Beast Boy and I will get there as soon as we can."

"Maybe I can hook you up with a ride?" Kim offered.

"That would be great," Cyborg said quietly.

Kim nodded and looked to the sky. A shooting star blazed over head, and she smiled to herself and made a little wish. Then she realized it was daylight, and that the shooting star had a bright green glow. Inexplicably, it changed directions and seemed to turn toward Middleton.

"She's coming," Raven said in dark, husky, almost unearthly voice.

The Possibles looked skyward as a willowy girl with golden skin and cinnamon hair descended like an angel before them. She was the most beautiful girl Kim had ever seen. It almost hurt to look at her.

"Starfire," Raven said in an unsettling, detached voice.

"Whoa," Jim and Tim said together, their mouths agape.

Star looked over the rubble and rushed over to her cloaked friend. The alien girl wrapped her arms around Raven's shoulders and embraced her tenderly.

"I'm so sorry, Star," Raven said, her voice breaking. "I… I've lost him."

Starfire whispered just loud enough so only her pale friend could hear, "It is okay, Raven. I know how much you… loved… him, too."

Raven completely fell apart, and hung on to Star with all her waning strength. Star simply held her friend close for a moment and then guided Raven to her feet. Princess Starfire stood to her full height and narrowed her eyes.

"Now, gather yourself, friend Raven. The battle is not yet over. We will mourn together, but not now." Raven could see Star's eyes begin to gloss with tears. "We will not dishonor his memory anymore sounds of weeping."

Raven did not meet Star's terrible gaze.

"Um," Kim interjected, "this is great and all Xena: Warrior Princess and everything, but there's still another bomb to find."

Raven nodded and closed her wiped the tears off her cheeks. She crossed her legs and hovered over the ground.

"What is she doing?" Kim asked.

"I'm looking for the taint of Slade," Raven said sharply. "I'm… familiar with his presence."

Kim paced uncomfortably while Starfire had to endure the rapid fire questions of Jim and Tim. Fortunately for the twins, Dr. Possible shooed them away, seeing that the Tamaranian beauty wasn't in the mood.

"But Dad," they complained.

"I'm sure Miss Starfire will answer all your questions at…a…more…appropriate…time boys."

Suddenly Raven's eyes shot opened. "Kim! It's your device! It's the last bomb!"

…..

Ron looked up as Slade's command rang through the installation. He looked dumbfounded at Jinx, who seemed equally perplexed.

"Okay," Ron finally said, "what exactly do dolphins have to do with cantaloupes or some guy named Furth?"

"I… I don't know," Jinx admitted. "Slade doesn't tell me everything."

Slade's icy cold voice cut through the room again, "Simple, really. They have nothing to do with each other." He continued as he walked, silently, across the metal room and into Ron's view, "When you have a verbal command sequence, it's best to make the code non sequitor."

"Non sequitor," Ron drawled, "Riiggght."

"What's going on, Slade?" Jinx asked anxiously.

Even through the mask, Ron could tell Slade's lips curled into a vicious grin.

"The contract with the Council of Evil has been terminated. Your work here is done, Jinx. You have done well."

Jinx beamed, "Thank you, sir!" And then she left the room.

"Oh, Jinx?" Slade said.

"Sir?"

"I suggest taking the north exit. The motor garage is somewhat…occupied at the moment." Slade turned his attention back to Ron. "And now, where were we?"

"Um, we were at the point where you were going to let me go, too?" Ron said hopefully.

"So you could warn your little friend? How sweet." Slade looked down at a small device in his hand. It was a perfect copy of a Kimmunicator. "Hmm, interesting. It looks like Miss Possible has found some help."

Slade pressed the signal button.

"What do you want, Slade?" Kim snapped.

"You have found all three bombs, I see. Well done. I hope you didn't mind that I reset the timers a little."

"You bastard!" another voice yelled. Ron recognized it as Rachel Crow's. "When I find you I'm going to rip your heart out!"

"Temper, temper Raven," Slade chided, "We wouldn't want that little Pandora's Box running around inside you to open up now, wouldn't we?"

"Where's Wade?" Kim demanded.

"Wade who?"

"Kim!" Ron yelled. "It's a trap!"

"Ron?" the red head gasped.

"I have traced the signal," a third voice announced, one Ron didn't recognize, but Slade obviously did.

Slade scowled under his mask and detonated the third bomb. He then backhanded the helpless Ron across the face. Ron's eye puffed and his cheek stung terribly.

"That was very foolish," Slade growled. "You have just forced me to kill your dear Kimberly Anne. I hope you can live with yourself."

Slade left.

Ron slumped forward and cried.