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.
Bopper set a file down in front of Drakken.
He picked it up and opened it with amazement. "You like my cloning plan?
"Sure," Bopper smiled. "You have to work out that soda thing, of course."
"But who to clone." Drakken was thoughtful a moment, then looked over at Bopper amorously.
"Yeah, that was awesome," Bopper said dreamily. "But it didn't help us in the combat department."
"Quite," griped Drakken. "Even with the powers of Team Go, we were still beat."
"So we clone the best." Bopper set down two vials.
"You have samples already?"
"Something I picked up for a rainy day," she smiled.
When Don and Anne walked out the school's entrance, the new doors were still being installed. Flo was waiting on the front lawn wearing a white sweater and denim skirt.
"Hey, Flo," Anne said quietly.
"Perk up, kid," Flo said just before she got a peck on the lips from Don. "The world hasn't ended yet."
"Soon then?" Anne asked hopefully.
"Oh, she's a real bundle of joy today," Flo told Don.
"She's grounded for a month, among other things," said Don. "She's had a rough couple of days."
"Would have been rougher if you hadn't rescued me," Anne scuffed the pavement with one foot. "Thanks, Flo."
"Anytime, Anne!" Flo smiled. "Family comes first, you know."
"Yeah?" Anne seemed a touch startled. Like the statement had made her more worried, rather than ease her nerves.
"That means you," Flo tapped Anne's nose with her finger.
"Why do I feel married already?" asked Don with a smile.
"Don't go shopping for tuxes yet, Boyo," Flo joked. "Your mother would kill me. You want a lift home, Anne?"
"A lift?" Anne smiled for the first time that day as she rolled her eyes.
"It's the only way to fly," Flo quipped.
"Okay," Anne said after a moment. She offered Flo her hand.
Flo took Anne's hand in hers and put an arm around Don. The trio then glowed pink and rose above the other students. Some students were quite surprised. Trent snapped a quick photo for the yearbook.
Anne suppressed the thought that Flo could drop them any time she wanted.
The thought occurred to Don too, but the fact that the group was flying low, coupled with the fact that he and Flo were arm-in-arm, simply made him trust her even more.
Kim reviewed Flo's report of the unauthorized mission to rescue Anne several times. Flo had included new information on the room assignments at Drakken's lair and gave a new insight concerning his relationship with Bopper. A seemingly clever conclusion.
Kim spent the most effort considering the section about the brief period of time Drakken held Flo. Flo had made a relatively small note about it. Bopper had captured her, and then Drakken held her only so she could hear 'a guilty speech about fatherhood' before she left.
Flo had offered no other opinion about the speech.
Kim decided to think hard on what questions she was going to ask Flo on Thursday.
Kim then remembered that she had invited Flo to Dinner on Friday. Now those plans were very much in doubt, along with so much more.
Ron took a personal interest when Don and Flo came into Pellone Allegre, "Hey kids! What brings you in here?"
"We're gonna climb 'Monkey Mountain'," said Don still holding Flo's hand.
"Well, you should at least have an appetizer first."
"That's what I get for bringing you into my Dad's restaurant!" Don rolled his eyes.
"He's right," said Flo. "Too much sugar in the body without some nutrients is a recipe for a crash."
"Fine," said Don with a frown.
Ron brought them each a Naco with extra meat, while the giant desert was prepared.
When it was ready, Ron brought the chocolate creation himself. "You won't need these any more." Ron picked up the knives on the table. Unfortunately, this was just as Flo was reaching for her spoon.
Flo got a cut on one finger from a careless Ron.
"Ooh, sorry, Flo!"
It's okay, Mr. S," Flo examined the minor bleed. "Just a scratch."
Don gave his father a suspicious glare. "Let me see that, Flo." When she offered him the injured finger, he kissed it.
She smiled, "You men will take any excuse."
They really did look like a good couple. Ron hoped it could stay that way.
On Wednesday, agents in the main floor working at their stations all paused when they noticed an older woman walking through. She had short, salt and pepper colored hair and wore a patch over one eye. Younger agents wondered how a strange woman had gained entry to headquarters. The seasoned ones knew exactly who she was.
Dr. Elizabeth Rector had been the Director of Global Justice for many years. Her administration was efficient and her agents happy. She was better known by her the nickname, 'Dr. Director'. Some still thought people just wanted to avoid saying 'Director Rector', perhaps out of laziness.
Regardless, Dr. Director proceeded unchallenged to the Director's office. Agent Du did intercom the current Director when he saw his former boss walking through, so Kim met her at the office door.
"It's nice to see you, Betty. Please come in. Care for some coffee?"
"I'm afraid this is more of a professional visit, Kim," said the Former Director. "The Security Council is concerned about some recent information."
"Like what?" Kim asked carefully as she closed the door.
Betty sat down, "Such as how a junior agent managed to steal a weapon from Headquarters itself."
"That suit was not GJ property," Kim said as she sat at her desk
"I didn't say it was," Betty said easily. "It was merely stolen directly from the main lab here at your HQ."
"Point taken," Kim lowered her eyes.
"So you'll take further security precautions?"
"Absolutely. We are reviewing the security for all property on base, regardless of ownership and you may be pleased to hear that the junior agent was severely reprimanded."
"Another matter concerns us nearly as much," Betty said a little bolder.
"What is that?" Kim was getting tired already from stress.
"Flo Ming Go." the brunette said strongly and carefully.
"Flamingo is our best agent." Kim said quickly.
"She is also the daughter of hardened terrorists who have evaded Global Justice for far too long."
"Her birth parents have nothing to do with her loyalty."
Betty rose from her seat, "Don't be a fool, Kim. She had contact alone with Shego in Go City. She now receives regular messages from the woman. She then took a mission without authorization to meet alone with Drakken."
"Actually, Betty," Kim said sternly, "That was the second mission concerning Drakken this week. She did not even ask to take the first. Those 'regular messages' are being put to use as information for the agency, despite the fact that they are merely post cards, and that mission in Go city would have been off limits to any other agent. Only Flo's membership in Team Go allowed her to take action. Further, that mission ended with both of her birth parents in custody."
"I hope you aren't letting personal relationships affect your judgment."
"Have you read the reports from that last mission?"
"Not the first hand ones."
Kim opened a folder on her desk and handed Betty a sheet, "I debriefed Anne myself."
Dr. Director read the report. "You're not concerned about Ming's loyalty after this?"
"I'm reviewing the situation. She's out with pay until tomorrow."
"Exactly what are you reviewing?" Betty's right eyebrow rose.
"Like you said, I'm trying not to let personal matters cloud my judgment."
"You're favoring innocence because the alternative is to alienate your daughter's rescuer." she looked at the report again, "and apparently your son's girlfriend as well?"
"There's also the Constitution. The flip side is that if she is guilty, then I must protect my family as well as the agency."
"I certainly don't envy your position," Betty frowned.
"You did come with a recommendation, though."
"I did." Betty set the report on the desk. "Several on the committee thought she should be suspended indefinitely."
"That recommendation was decided without this report."
"Which would seem to be even more damaging," Betty noted.
"Yes." Kim was quiet.
Betty could not think of anything to add. After too long a pause, Betty stood, "So, if you need anything at all, you will notify me?"
"Without a doubt." Kim stood, "Thanks for coming, Betty."
"You're quite welcome."
-
I think I'm the first to suggest that Betty's real last name isn't "Director." I thought this made more sense.
Thanks to MrDrP, Mortal Guardian, Classic Cowboy and BlackWolf for the reviews!
As a treat, I'm publishing this chapter a few days ahead of schedule.
I SO love reviews. I like giving them too!
Mortal Guardian was nice enough to point out that I should look at hits as well. I had fallen away from the stats screen a bit.
I am a bit surprised to hear that I am actually building suspense here!
You will all see what happens, unless I get technical problems. Of course that should only delay it.