Disclaimer: This story is based upon characters created by Bob Schooley and Mark McCorkle for Disney. Since this story is set twenty three years later, all the characters under twenty-five years of age are mine.

Mom filed the rather disturbing report with what Anne thought must be steel nerves. Then, she opened up a folder on her desk. "You'll be happy to know that Mr. Barkin is not seriously hurt."

"Thank goodness," Anne said quietly. "What about Cindy?"

"Cindy's going to be in the hospital for several weeks, Anne."

Anne winced.

"She has a cracked vertebrae. We must be thankful she wasn't paralyzed."

"Yes," said Anne. "How's Trent?"

"Who's Trent?"

"He was there." Anne tried harder to remember, "I guess he wasn't hurt."

"You stole that suit from the agency lab," Mom yelled. "You wore it without authorization or testing. After Wade explained that there were problems with it."

"That's right, Mom."

"I still don't see what you thought you could gain from it," she said more quietly but sternly.

"I wanted to be stronger."

"Instead, it made you weaker, Anne."

Anne listened carefully, rather confused.

Mom continued. "It caused you to experience your own emotions at an unmanageable level. You aren't responsible for what you did while that occurred, but the fact that you caused that to happen makes that irrelevant."

Mom walked around her desk and then leaned on it, looking down at Anne. "Your strength is in your head, Anne. Don doesn't think as quickly as you do. You aren't as physical as he is. That balance is what makes you a good team."

"What about Flo?"

"Flo's simply been training you two. She's not as crucial to the team as each of you is. She works well on her own. She's quite talented."

"So she could be dangerous."

"To the enemy."

"But what about -"

"Don't change the subject, Anne. We are discussing your actions. Let me worry about my agents."

"Yes, Mom."

"Right now, I'm more Director than mother, Anne. Try to understand that."

"Right."

"You gave up your strongest trait as well as giving up your biggest weakness. You unbalanced yourself and the team. In the future, when you feel the need to improve yourself, speak to someone first. Understood?"

"Yes."

"Now the consequences within the agency." She went back to her seat. "You are going to have to go through all your junior training again."

"All of it?"

"Don't argue, Anne."

"No, Ma'am." Anne lowered her eyes.

"It may go faster since you've been through it already. We may even give you the basic tests again next week. As of now though, you have the same status as when you first came in to see headquarters. Got that?"

"Demoted. Got it."

Mom keyed the intercom, "Come in, Dear."

As Dad walked in, Mom said, "Now your father will tell you the family consequences."

Anne winced again.

"You doing all right, Anne?" Dad asked conversationally.

"Considering all this ... I guess I'm Okay."

"Good." Dad half-leaned, half-sat on Mom's desk, facing Anne. "We are very disappointed in your actions, Anne. I think your mother has already gone through those, so I won't repeat them."

Anne thanked her lucky stars.

"I will go straight to your restrictions," said Dad. "You are grounded, effective immediately for one month."

"Thank you."

"We are covering the medical expenses for Mr. Barkin and Cindy Mankey. We expect you to earn that money back."

"How am I supposed to do that?" Anne gasped.

"You will work at school in the cafeteria and anywhere that Mr. Barkin feels appropriate." When Anne started to gasp again, Dad simply said, "He's a tough man, but he is fair. I should know."

Dad then asked, "Did you know Cindy has a brother?"

"No."

"Frank is seven. You will baby-sit for the Mankeys free of charge for the next year."

"Year?"

"Year." Dad affirmed. "Since Cindy will still need help walking once she is out of the hospital, you may be called upon to look after her too."

"Ick."

Mom spoke up, "When you spend more time with someone, you learn how to get along better. Trust us, Anne."

"I'm not arguing." much.

"Then we understand each other?" asked Dad.

"Yes, sir."

"Then go find Don and wait with him at the exit. Dinner is at Pellone Allegre tonight."

Anne left the room.

"She took that well," said Ron.

"I'm proud of the calm way she's taken all of this," said Kim. "Particularly this." Kim handed Ron the new debriefing report.

Ron read over it, "This can't be right."

"We only know that Anne heard it from Drakken." Kim stood and put an arm around her husband. "I really need your help with this, Ron. This is would affect our personal lives even more than it would the agency."

"I've got your back, KP."

"I know." She lay her head on his shoulder a moment, "It's still nice to hear it though."

When Cann's plane touched down and Flo exited the plane, the Director appeared, at full attention.

Flo responded with a salute, "Good to see you well, Ma'am."

"Thank you. For everything." Kim shook Flo's hand. "I need a report, otherwise, take the next couple of days off with pay."

"Yes, ma'am."

"We'll discuss the... ," the director frowned a moment, "details on Thursday."

Flo figured that had to be about taking the new Jordan without authorization. As she watched the Director walk away, she decided to write that report quickly and so she could relax.

After she finished the report, she asked Agent Du, "Have you seen the twins?"

"The Director took them home for dinner."

"Of course."

At Pellone Allegre, a grateful Stoppable family was eating some of their favorite meals. The table conversation was rather quiet.

"I am sorry about all those insults, Anne," said Don.

"It's cool," she said as she picked at her food. "You had to do it."

"I still didn't enjoy it," he allowed himself a little smile, "much."

"Yeah," Anne was not laughing.

"Louise," Dad called to a waitress. "Bring desert." He then turn to Anne, "I hereby banish you to 'Monkey Mountain'."

"Thanks," Anne said without enthusiasm.

"Is Flo back yet?" asked Don.

"She got to base just before we left," said Mom.

"We should have brought her to dinner," said Don, "to say thanks."

"She was doing her job, Don. But I did thank her and give her a couple days off."

"Cool. I'll call her later."

Kim and Ron exchanged a look.

Anne pursed her lips. "Don, I heard something while Drakken had me."

"What?" asked Don.

Anne hesitated a moment, "He practically said Flo was working for him."

Don stared at Anne quietly. "That can't be."

"We don't want to believe it either, Son," said Dad.

"If it were true, then getting close to you would be good way to hurt all of us," said Mom.

"So," Don's brow lowered, "just what are you guys saying?"

"Right now," said Mom. "We say, 'Be careful'."

"Flo isn't what you're thinking," snapped Don.

"I hope not," said Anne.

Louise brought a large chocolate mountain of cake, ice cream and other confection, including candy monkeys, to the table just then.

"I don't think I'm hungry anymore. I'll see you at home." Don got up and walked out.

"Ron?" Kim reached a hand toward him.

He took it in his hand and squeezed, "He just needs some time, KP."

-

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