I own squat, Disney owns all. Bastards won't sell either. Well folks, here it is. My view on the episode "Exchange", from the perspective of Bonnie and GJ. Looks like it's going to be a 2-parter as well. Enjoy!
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Answers – Chapter 3
"So this student exchange will go off without a hitch?"
Steve Barkin just nodded to his superior. "It won't be a problem. I've already informed Stoppable's parents that he will be going for the week. I still don't understand why Sensei wanted this week though. He was actually insistent on it."
Betty Director just steepled her fingers in front of her on the table. "Sensei mentioned something about events in motion. That's all I need to know."
Steve nodded. "Was he any less cryptic when you studied with him?"
Betty smiled lightly. "No. He's always liked to play the wise old sage. He does have an… interesting sense of humour when he wants though."
Will Du leaned forward from his seat. "I still don't understand why he would want Stoppable. The artifacts were destroyed. He should have lost the mystical monkey power. We've run every scan we could on him and found nothing. Why does this teacher want him?"
Betty frowned at the young agent. "Sensei feels that Stoppable still possesses access to the abilities the idols granted him, and if he thinks there is something there, then there must be. He feels that Stoppable may be the answer to some of the prophesies that he believes will come to pass soon. As for the testing of Ron Stoppable, it wasn't a total loss. He did display some interesting biometric readings at points. As well, the psych test of Kim Possible was invaluable. We now know what areas to work on when we recruit her, this… superiority complex she seems to have, especially in regards to her friend, could be trouble. Her heart rate and stress levels jumped at just the thought that it was someone else who could be responsible for her success, even if that person is her partner. This could provide complications if we were to try and team her with another agent."
Steve frowned, a questioning look on his face. "Why would we want to team her up with another agent? I thought we were looking to recruit them as a team?"
"We're still not sure Stoppable has what it takes to be a proper agent yet. Even your own reports state that he wouldn't be an ideal choice."
Steve's frown deepened. "Betty, he's still a kid. He is showing improvement, and I think, with a little more work, we can make him ideal. Besides, do you really think Possible would accept a position without him?"
"That's the other problem. This… dependency on each other. Both of their performances seem to drop in the absence of the other. In Possible, this might be fine to a degree, but do you think Stoppable could handle situations on his own?"
Steve sat back, resignation showing on his features. "At this time… no."
"And that's my biggest concern. Global Justice wants the best individuals to fill out its roster, and while I understand the connection between Possible and Stoppable is strong, I really would not feel comfortable offering a position to him when there are so many more qualified applicants."
Steve leaned forward again. "Look, I've still got a couple years to mold him. Besides, shouldn't we wait until the report from Sensei comes back before making snap judgments on this young man's future?"
Doctor Director sighed. "You are right. Now, as to the Rockwaller situation."
"Yes, what exactly is Sensei planning on doing to test her if he is only sending a student?" Steve picked up a file off the table, flipping through it briefly. "I mean, we have the medical files. What will he be able to do from Japan?"
"The student he is sending, Hirotaka I believe the name is, matches what our profile shows would be most attractive to Ms. Rockwaller, and therefore the best choice to get close to her. He mentioned performing some techniques on his student that would allow him to channel his abilities through his student to better analyze her mystically, even from a distance."
"So, we get answers to two of our biggest questions, all in the span of a week."
"That's the idea. Now, it's getting late, and you have to get back. Hirotaka's plane set down ten minutes ago, and Stoppable's flight leaves in about three hours. Time to get to work!
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Steve watched as the students came piling into the gym. The relief on their faces at getting out of class, even for a little bit, was quite evident. His attention was entirely focused on two individuals as they came in though. Rockwaller entered first, sitting down about midway, a satisfied smirk on her face. I wonder if she knows what's coming, or if it was just something earlier? Steve put those thoughts behind him when Stoppable entered, trailing behind Possible and Jenkins in an apparent effort to avoid being seen. Good, I've put the fear into the boy. Still won't save him from me pushing him though.
Steve waited until the rest of the student body sat down, and then made his way to the center of the gymnasium. "All right people, LISTEN UP! In the spirit of international touchy feelyness, Middleton High is taking part in a weeklong student exchange program with our sister school in Yamanouchi, Japan. Please extend a warm Mad dog welcome to… Hirotaka!"
The doors to the gym burst open on cue, emitting the young Japanese boy on his motorcycle. Hirotaka braked quickly beside Steve, and he was relieved that the bike hadn't left any marks on the gym floor. He hadn't been too keen on this type of an entrance, but it had the desired effect. Bonnie, as well as the rest of the girls for that matter fairly swooned after he removed his helmet. The kid sure knows his stuff. Hopefully, he can get the job done.
Steve allowed Hirotaka's appearance to sink in before continuing with the other half of the assignment for the day. "And now, the name of the Middleton student who will travel to the home of sumo and anime… Ron Stoppable!"
The look of shock on the young man's face was almost priceless, and he wished he could have heard Stoppable's garbled response. He did hear Rockwaller's though.
"Let me get this straight. We get motorcycle hotness, and they get Stoppable? Any way we could make this trade permanent?"
Her comment had the desired effect, as a light spattering of laughs came from the assembled students, and satisfied Steve that the young man could get the job done. He approached Stoppable quickly, fixing a glare down at the young man. "Now keep in mind Stoppable. For the next seven days, you are a cultural ambassador. You represent this school, this city, and this nation!"
Ron stood and threw a half assed salute his way, his mouth still obviously full of food. "Don't worry Mr. B, I am a master of the delicate art of diplomacy." He swallowed his food, and it was obvious something was going through his head. "But if they push any of that raw fish on me, I swear I'll chuck."
Steve just hung his head, the worry notch going up just a bit. This is not going to go well.
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He is so totally hot! I wonder why I didn't see him coming?
Bonnie watched Hirotaka as he sat reading in class, obviously engrossed in the book they were reading for English class that week. A quick glance around confirmed that pretty much every girl in class was watching him as well, and she frowned to herself.
I have got to find some way to get close to him without all these hangers on around.
The bell rang, and Bonnie quickly made her move. She sidled up beside him as he carefully marked his page in the book. Lightly placing a hand on his shoulder, she smiled brightly, leaning forward just a bit. "Hi, Hirotaka, right? I'm…"
"Bonnie Rockwaller."
Oh wow, he knows my name already! That is so cool! "Uh, yeah, my name's Bonnie. How'd you know?"
Hirotaka just flashed her a slight grin. "I have heard of you in the halls."
Bonnie's smile widened as he got to his feet. She carefully tossed her hair back a bit. "Well, I was wondering if you'd like to go get something to eat. I don't know if they have them in Japan, but I think you'd like the food at Beuno Nacho. Just a little bit hot and spicy."
Hirotaka bowed slightly, that half grin still evident on his face. "I would be honoured to accompany you!"
Bonnie's hand gently slid down his arm, her fingers just barely brushing across the coat. Oh, I am so in!
Bonnie's smile faded though at his next words. "You do not mind if a few others join us? A few others have asked me out for food as well."
Her eyes narrowed as she scanned around them. "Who else?"
A smiling Liz came up beside him, tucking herself under one arm, dressed in her cheerleader outfit in some attempt to get his attention. "Hey Bonnie. Hiro and I were just going to get something to eat."
Well, two can play that game. "Hiro, darling, just give me one moment, and I'll join you."
Liz glared at her, but Bonnie really didn't care at this point. She rushed to the change room, and threw her own cheerleading outfit on as well. When she got back, a few other girls had approached him, making a small circle around him. Frustrated, Bonnie shoved her way through them, sliding herself under Hirotaka's other arm. Smiling viciously at some of the other girl's who hadn't been bold enough to make that move themselves.
Hirotaka just smiled. "Ah, we are all here. Now we will all go together to get something to eat!"
Bonnie glared at some of the other girls, but none of them seemed to notice. The walk to Beuno Nacho was also most definitely weird. Bonnie kept herself tucked under his arm the whole way, keeping an eye on some of the others that were walking with them. Most of them couldn't keep their eyes off him, and Bonnie had to keep herself from laughing when Danielle walked right into a signpost. Hirotaka helped her up, never once indicating he might laugh, and they continued on.
When they got to the restaurant, the girl's all made plays for the booth where they would be sitting. Definitely not being left out, Bonnie forced her way along with the rest of them. The first time, Bonnie found herself boxed in on the inside, and when the switch happened again, she made sure she was on the outside.
She was just about to bring out the big guns, fluttering her eyelashes, when she saw the very imposing form of her ex-boyfriend coming through the door, heading straight for them.
Bonnie had broken off with Brick just a couple weeks before, when she had seen some argument coming up that she really didn't want to have to deal with. She knew she could always get back with Brick in a heartbeat when she wanted, and the future argument would never happen. Of course, with Hirotaka around for such a short time, she didn't want to have to deal with Brick at the moment.
Brick had other ideas though. Firmly planting himself between Hirotaka and the table, he stared down the smaller man. "You think you're pretty slick stuff, don't ya chief?"
Hirotaka simply tossed a piece of gum in the air, catching it gracefully. "Excuse me."
He tried to get around Brick, but Brick threw an arm in the way, blocking him. "Maybe I need to teach you some manners!"
Bonnie began to wonder if she needed to get up, to try and constrain Brick before he did anything that could hurt either one of them.
"To fight you would prove nothing."
Brick looked thoughtful for a moment. "I don't get it."
"It is my wish to spare you the embarrassment of a humiliating defeat."
Bonnie knew Brick would never let something like that go, and began to move to get in the way. Brick threw a punch before she could move though, and was surprised when Hirotaka deftly shifted out of the way. Brick attacked again, throwing a series of punches, all of which Hirotaka dodged easily and gracefully. Bonnie was in complete shock!
When Brick fell to the floor, Bonnie was stunned, and could only look at Hirotaka as he bowed to them lightly. "I am afraid we will have to do this another time." Hirotaka left before Bonnie could even think to get up. Glancing over at the fallen Brick, she wondered just where this boy had come from, and how she could make sure he was with her by the end of the week.
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Bonnie found out from Marcella just where Hirotaka was staying. It wasn't hard to get it out of her, she spent most of the conversation dreaming out loud. With the address in hand, Bonnie quickly grabbed a light coat, and headed out.
The entire walk, she spent thinking about just what she would say to him when she got there. A thousand possible combinations ran through her head, and by the time she got there, she still wasn't sure just what she was going to do.
Whatever she was planning vanished however when Hirotaka lightly tapped her on the shoulder. Bonnie jumped almost a foot into the air, turning rapidly, ready for anything. She relaxed, and actually blushed, when she saw it was him.
"Bonnie, I am most surprised to see you here."
Bonnie regained her composure quickly, and started twirling a strand of hair with her fingers, smiling shyly up at him. "Well, since Beuno Nacho was a bust earlier, I thought you might still be hungry. I know this nice little bistro a few blocks from here that has just the best food."
Hirotaka bowed slightly, and then offered her his arm. "I would be most honoured to accompany you."
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Sensei felt the contact as soon as it was made. He could also feel the fact that Hirotaka was decidedly uncomfortable with his assignment, for which he empathized. It was necessary though. It would take time to process everything, and he was not yet ready to confront her directly. This was the only way he could get the information he needed. If he was right though, the subterfuge would be worth it.
If he was right, Bonnie Rockwaller might be just as important to the prophecy as both Ron Stoppable and Kim Possible!
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Author's Notes – Ahh, the start of Exchange. The first part is all pretty much straight from the show, which actually takes longer to write. The rest will all be me, and should write itself much faster than this.