Chapter 3: Reunions
Some time later …
"Alright, it's almost time," A man in a green suit and a purple 'question mark' tie said, pulling on a small purple mask and counting the money before him. "The Bat and the Bird should be here before long. The riddle I left at the bank wasn't my best work by any means."
He looked around the warehouse to see his group of thugs standing nervously. "What?" Edward Nygma asked before glancing behind him, "Oh." Behind him was a pointy-eared shadow coming from a higher window.
A moment later, the glass shattered and the Dark Knight dropped down in the mist of the group of thugs.
"THE BAT!" One of them called before getting punched in the face by said living urban legend.
The Riddler's gang scattered, one made it to the backdoor, but suddenly found himself flying backwards as the floor flew open on its hinges.
"Oh no, not him too …" One of the thugs whimpered.
A flash of red and green shot across the room as three of the thugs went down.
The man known as The Riddler gulped loudly and saw an opening toward an exit. "Next time, Batman!" Riddler called, looking back to where The Caped Crusader was pounding his hired hands. But when he turned back, his eyes saw his own reflection in the reflective eye coverings of a bird-shaped mask. Robin the Boy Wonder stood before him, roughly the same height with spiked blond hair, and his eyes and much of his cheeks covered by his domino mask.
"And where do you think you're going?" Robin asked in a rough low voice that sent a chill down Riddler's spine.
Before The Riddler had a chance to react, his nose was broken, followed shortly by a swift punch just below the ribs causing the man to fall to the ground bleeding and unconscious.
"We need to round up the rest of his lackeys," Batman said, approaching Robin.
"Yes, sir," Robin said in a growling voice before turning and exiting the way he came.
---
Two thugs ran down the street both on the verge of tears. "I think we lost him, Mitch," one of them breathed as they slowed at a corner.
"Lost who?" a low voice asked behind them.
They slowly turned before the one called Mitch was gripped by the arm and slammed into the brick wall, and then leg swept to the ground.
"Robin, sir, please … we … we were just trying to make a little money … please, I don't wanna die … don't hurt me …" the remaining thug begged stepping away from the teenager.
"That security guard didn't want to be hurt either," Robin growled, stepping toward him, "Did that stop you?"
"Please, I'm begging you, mercy, please …" He whimpered.
Robin was prepared to strike when a lasso came down around the thug's shoulders and jerked him into the wall, knocking him out.
"Need a hand?" the lasso's owner asked flirtily.
"Sorry, Alfred said you boys were out hunting, so I thought I'd come and check on you," a blonde headed girl in a skin tight red and gold uniform, cut below her ribs and above her waist to show off her toned tummy and her chest accented with two overlapping gold 'W's.
"Robin can look after himself, Wondergirl," Batman's cold voice spoke from behind the girl, making her squeak in fear and surprise.
"B-Batman!" Wondergirl squeaked, moving closer to Robin. "I just …"
"You know the rules," Batman growled.
"N-No one fights in your city w-without your permission … sir …" Wondergirl whimpered slightly, eyeing fearfully the Dark Knight.
"Good, you know the rules, now start going by them or else," Batman growled, picking up the unconscious thugs by the back shirt collars. "That's everyone. You're off for the night, Robin. Don't stay out too late, we leave first thing in the morning." Batman said before dragging the criminals off. "Tomorrow's 'KP's big day. She'll be waiting for you."
Batman smirked at the smile that tried to form on Robin's face, and the scowl that quickly formed on Wondergirl's before he walked out of the alley and out of sight.
"So … now what?" Wondergirl asked.
---
Wondergirl's back pressed against the Redbird armored sports car as she and Robin forcefully made-out practically in the open. "Missed you, Ron," Wondergirl breathed as they finally broke the kiss.
"Missed you too, Cass," Robin smiled, "Even though it's just been a couple of days since the last time we saw each other?"
"Since we last saw each other without a city about to be destroyed?" Wondergirl, Cassie Sandsmark, asked, leaning in to give a much calmer peck of a kiss to the Boy Wonder.
"Heard from Kon?" Robin asked, opening the passenger side door for his girlfriend. "He still not liking us?"
"Yeah, he's still a cranky clone," Wondergirl huffed, sitting down in the car, "I gave him every opportunity for three years, but now that I've moved on, he's showing interest. Too late is all I got to say."
"Come on, let's ride," Robin said as he climbed into the driver's seat.
Robin shut the door smiling as Wonder Girl picked up the half-asleep Rufus who was napping in his car. Eight months ago, he was shocked to be offered a place on the Teen Titans. And then four months ago, during a heated battle, he was even more surprised when one of his newest friends grabbed him by the face and laid a passionate kiss on him.
They had flirted from time to time, but he had never really considered having a relationship with Wonder Woman's protégé. But now, he couldn't be happier. Despite the fact the fellow Teen Titan, Superboy, was more then a bit hostile about Robin and Wondergirl dating.
The Redbird roared out of the alley, heading straight toward the Cave. Any other night, Ron would have been happy to spend the night driving the streets with Wondergirl and Rufus at his side, but tomorrow was too important and he wanted to be fully conscious for it.
Bruce, Alfred, Ron and Cassie (Wondergirl) were going to fly to Middleton first thing in the morning for Kim's high school graduation. Ron was more then a little nervous. This would be the first time Cassie and Kim would meet, and he really wanted his best friend and girlfriend to like one another.
"Master Robin?" Alfred's voice called over the communications system in the Redbird.
"What's up, Alfred?" Robin asked, glancing down at the screen.
"You have a phone call, sir," Alfred stated, "From Ms. Possible, shall I put it through?"
Robin nodded and picked up an earpiece from the console. "Speak of the devil … put her on."
"Hello?" Robin said, losing all roughness to his voice.
"Hey, I didn't wake you did I, Ron?" Kim Possible's voice sounded through his earpiece.
"Nah, I was just up playing a few videogames," Ron lied, "Ready to get your diploma, KP?"
"I … I guess, just a bit nervous," Kim said in an uncharacteristically timid voice. "You're going to be here, right? You promised you'd visit, but you haven't been home in months. I … we all miss you."
"Don't worry, KP, nothing will stop me from being there for you," Ron reassured, "Going to have a few big surprises with me too, so go to sleep so you won't have any bags under those pretty emeralds tomorrow."
"Ok, so you're going to make it on time, right?"
"Yes, now go to sleep, Kimberly," Ron teased, "Should be there around elevenish."
"That just leaves an hour 'til the graduation, you sure you can make it?"
"Have I ever let you down, KP?"
"Point taken, well, see you tomorrow," Kim yawned, "goodnight."
"Goodnight, KP," Ron said, clicking the end call button and replacing the earpiece.
"You've really missed her, huh?" Wondergirl asked, watching her boyfriend carefully.
"She's my first real friend, Cass," Robin said, his voice returning to the rough 'bat-voice'.
Wondergirl looked away, out to the passing streets. It hurt her slightly that he'd talk to this 'KP' in the soft, caring voice of Ron Stoppable, and she rarely heard it in favor for the rough and tough voice of Robin.
Wondergirl jumped slightly when she felt a gloved hand squeeze her own. "She's the best, Cassie," Robin gave a small smile, "I know you'll get on great."
"Any friends of yours is a friend of mine," Wondergirl smiled before gasping as the Redbird drove through the holographic, hidden entrance of the Cave. "I can't ever get used to that …" She breathed as the car roared through the hidden tunnel.
---
Ron walked out of the showers in the cave, wearing his jogging pants and a tank top. He glanced around the cave, finding no one but Bruce sitting at the computer terminal. "Where'd Cassie go?"
"Bed," Bruce said in his Batman voice, not turning away from the monitor.
Ron walked over to his mentor's side and saw the face on the screen. The sight of the Joker made his skin crawl and his anger boil, "Any word on where he is?" Ron growled in his own 'batvoice'.
Bruce quickly changed the screen, "No, he's still laying low somewhere," he said, pulling up a file on the Penguin.
"I want him …" Ron growled, his knuckles turning white from his grip.
"Remember what you've learned," Bruce stated, not looking away from the screen, "You'll get your chance."
Bruce then switched off the computer monitor, "We've got a long flight in the morning, better hit the sheets," he said walking toward the stairs.
Ron took one last glance at the computer before following the out-of-costume Dark Knight toward the Manor.
Bruce and Ron parted ways once they made it through the hidden door behind the clock. Ron couldn't help looking forward to the warm sheets of his heated feather bed. He stretched before he walked into his bedroom and wasn't surprised to hear Rufus already snoring in his custom miniature feather bed in the corner.
"You know," a sultry voice said from the bed. "A gentleman shouldn't keep a lady waiting."
"C-Cassie … w-what are you doing here?" Ron stuttered.
"You're the student of the world's greatest detective," Cassie purred, "You tell me."
"Um … well … um …" Ron stuttered turning the color of his costume's tunic.
Before Ron could formulate a decent response, Wondergirl's hands reached up and gripped Ron's shoulders. "Here, Birdie," Cassie cooed before jerking Ron into the bed with an audible squeak.
---
"Where is he?" Kim Possible asked, pacing out front of Middleton High, dressed in her cap and gown.
"Kimmie, Ron said he'd be here, so he'll be here," Mrs. Possible said as she stood with the rest of the Possible Family, Monique, and Josh.
"He has to be here," Kim half whimpered, not slowing her pace at all, "I can't do it, not without him here," she repeated nervously.
"Girl, you take on criminals on a daily basis; you can say a little speech," Monique said, walking up to her friend. She then glanced back at Josh Mankey, who was nervously fiddling with his gown. "You've got your boyfriend here, so there shouldn't be a problem right?"
"Wrong," Kim shook her head, "I need them both; I need Ron and Josh. I need them together here. I need Ron to say I can do it; if he says that, and I see him say it, I can do it. If I don't hear that, I can't do it, understand?" she rambled.
No one heard her as everyone was watching a stretch limo pull into the front drive.
"Now that's a ride …" Josh gawked in wonderment.
On the side of the back door was a symbol of a W with the name Wayne International written around the sign. The car came to a stop before the surprised group as the driver exited. Kim's heart began to beat even rapidly as she recognized the man as the servant who accompanied Bruce Wayne when Ron left.
"He's back … He's really back … He's really, really back …" Kim repeated hopefully.
Alfred walked to the door and opened it, standing as straight as an arrow. The first to exit the car was Bruce Wayne, looking as cocky and arrogant as the first time Kim had saw the man, and then another younger man exited who she didn't recognize at first.
He stood almost a head shorter than Bruce and was wearing an expensive three-piece Armani suit. His golden blond hair slicked back and he took off his sunglasses to show bright yet somewhat sad brown eyes. It took Kim a split second to realize who the young man was, and another second for her to propel herself into the air toward him, "RON!" She called out as she gave him a massive tackle-hug.
"Missed you too, KP," Ron said, returning the hug with just as much fervor and kissing her forehead.
"So the famous KP is Kim Possible, we meet at last," another voice spoke from beside them, and Kim immediately started to get a strange feeling of dread.
"Oh!" Ron said excitedly and pulled away from Kim. He kept one arm around Kim and put the other around this -in Kim's view- outsider. "This is the surprise I told you about, KP!" Ron beamed.
"Um … ok …" Kim blinked in confusion, locking challenging eyes with the new girl's baby blues.
"Cassie, this is my best friend in the world, Kim Possible," Ron introduced before turning back to Kim, "KP, this is Cassandra Sandsmark, my girlfriend."
Kim's eyes widened for a moment while the word 'girlfriend' echoed in her mind over and over. "Wha?"
"I've heard so much about you, Kim," Cassie said, obviously forcing a smile, "Ron talks about you all the time."
"That's good," Kim said, narrowing her eyes, but forcing her lips to form the closest she could to a friendly smile, "He's never mentioned you to me."
"Oh?" Cassie blinked, "Well, that's surprising, we've been together for three months now."
Kim looked at Ron accusingly, "Heh, I just wanted to surprise you, KP," Ron explained, his eyes darkening somewhat, but his warm smile never wavering. "I didn't want to tell you over the phone or in a letter. Wouldn't be appropriate, you know? I wanted to introduce you two. Like when I was away at camp and you first started dating Josh."
Kim opened her mouth to reply, but lost it noticing something distinctively different about her life-long best friend. Ron's chocolate eyes were always so carefree and happy. While his expression hadn't changed from the Ron she remembered, his eyes told a different story. The innocent and happy sparkle was gone replaced by something she couldn't explain. He was hiding something else.
"Ron, you ok?" Kim asked with concern.
"Yeah, I'm fine, KP," Ron said before starting toward the school, "It's about time for the graduation so you better get inside, Ms. Valedictorian."
"We're going to talk and catch up after, right?" Kim asked as she and her friends and family walked toward the school.
"Of course," Ron nodded.
Bruce started to walk in when a hand grabbed his arm, "We need to talk now," Mrs. Possible said, looking up into Bruce's eyes determinedly. She then glanced to her husband and the others. "We'll be right behind you."
They nodded and walked inside, leaving Bruce and Mrs. Possible alone outside the school.
"It's been a long time, Andy," Bruce said before a firm hand slapped his face.
"How could you do that to him, Bruce?" Mrs. Possible asked angrily.
"What are you talking about?" Bruce asked, rubbing his sore jaw.
"Don't give me that!" Mrs. Possible spat, "You adopt Ron, take him to Gotham, a few months later The Batman has a new Robin and gasp! He's got the same hair color as Ron!"
"There's a lot of blonde headed young men in Gotham, Andrea," Bruce responded.
"Bullshit, Bruce," she continued, "We both know the risks to wearing a mask, both physical and psychological."
"Ron can handle it," Bruce said in his bat-voice.
"Vengeance is a strong thing," Mrs. Possible continued. "Don't think I don't know about your second Robin. I don't want Ron to end up like that," Mrs. Possible said before glancing away sadly, "And I don't want him to become like me either."
"You've seemed to done well in spite of that," Bruce gave a small smile.
"Yeah, I have a beautiful family, a husband who puts me first and his job second," Mrs. Possible said, glaring at Bruce with the last bit, "But … I became a doctor as a means to redeem myself, save lives. But no matter how many lives I save, the blood of the men I slaughtered is still on my hands."
"The Phantasm's dead, you're not the same person, Andy," Bruce reassured, "You can stop blaming yourself for what you've done."
"Is the Phantasm dead?" Mrs. Possible asked, gazing up at the billionaire, "It's still here, the part of me that enjoyed the hunt, and I doubt it will ever leave me be." Mrs. Possible sighed before glancing at Bruce, "Bruce, there's something else you should know…"
Bruce looked questioningly at the woman he once loved and battled against.
"Kim, she's a special girl," Mrs. Possible sighed, "She's strong, stubborn, a bit self-centered, independent … loyal, has a bigger heart than she chooses to let people know, and has a sense of justice a mile wide …" she said before gave Bruce a piercing gaze, "Just like her father."
"What do you mean, Andrea?" Bruce asked, his eyes widening, not wanting to believe what she's insinuating.
"It's true. Do you remember the night seventeen years ago, when Sal Valestra died? When it … all came apart again?" Andrea Possible closed her eyes to fight back her tears.
-- Flash Back --
Gotham City seventeen years ago …
After running off her annoying date, Andrea Beaumont entered her occupied apartment, "Like the cape, not sure about the mask though," Andrea said, turning on a light to come face to face with the Batman.
The Dark Knight pulled a photograph from his cloak, "Have you ever seen this?"
"Yeah, it's Dad and his old business partners," Andrea said, pouring herself a glass of wine.
"Where's your father now?" Batman pressed, narrowing his eyes angrily.
"How should I know?" Andrea said, taking a sip from her drink.
"That's not what you told Reeves," Batman growled.
"You had me bugged?" Andrea snapped angrily.
"I can read lips."
"Then read these," Andrea spat, "GET OUT."
"Still following your dad's orders, Andy?" Batman asked, a hint of hurt in his voice as he climbed out the window.
"Way I see it, the only one in this room controlled by their parents is you," Andrea hissed.
Andrea glanced up to see that she was alone and stood there a moment before the glass slipped from her trembling hand and she collapsed on her bed in tears.
---
Later that night, the mysterious Phantasm stood over Sal Valestra's mansion. Its dark cloak waved in the wind and its razor sharp claw glimmered in the moonlight.
"Sal Valestra …" The Phantasm's deep voice sounded as it entered the room, "Your angel of death awaits …"
But when the monster pulled the paper away from the older man, it backstepped seeing dead eyes, a broad smile, and a remote camera in his lap.
"OOPS! Guess the joke is on me! You're not Batman after all" The Joker's voice laughed, "Looks like there's a new face in town! And his name is about to be all over Gotham. To say nothing of his legs and spleen and head!"
The Phantasm made it out the window before the whole floor exploded in flames.
The murderer glanced back from a nearby rooftop to see the building in flames. But then in the light of the moon, the incoming Batwing caught its attention.
The Phantasm tried to run, but was soon tackled by the Dark Knight. "Stay away!" The Phantasm said in a somewhat pleading voice, "This is not your fight!"
"This madness ends now!" Batman barked before leaping at the murderer again.
Batman finally pinned the Phantasm and reached to remove his skull-face mask, but the sound of a helicopter caught his attention and gave the Phantasm an opportunity to elbow him in the face and escape in a cloud of smoke.
"BATMAN! PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR AND STAY IN THE LIGHT!" the chopper pilot called as a spotlight shined down on the Dark Knight.
Batman responded by making a hasty retreat, but police choppers were all over him.
After several close calls and a blown up construction site later, Batman found himself running through an alley maskless and injured.
"GET IN!" Andrea called as her red convertible pulled in front of him.
Bruce jumped in and they easily escaped the police.
---
"There are certain advantages to having a sturdy cranium," Alfred said, doctoring Bruce's injuries, "I guess hard-headedness was always your virtue." He then saw Andrea and Bruce's joined hands, "Well I'm sure I can find something else to do," the old butler said, exiting the room.
"That was some timing," Bruce said, glancing to the redhead.
"It was all over the news; I had to do something," Andrea said, her blue eyes brimming with tears.
"I'm grateful of course, but I still need to know why you're not telling me the truth about your father," Bruce asked seriously.
"I guess the world's greatest detective will figure it out sooner or later …" Andrea said, pulling a photo of her father and his associates from her purse.
Andrea proceeded to explain what happened ten years earlier with her father's encounter with his associates. How they threatened them, forced them to run away. "We finally made enough to pay them back, or so we thought. But it was never enough … when I heard about Chucky Sal's death, I had to come back, to try to stop him …" She then stood up and started toward the door, "I'm sorry Bruce, that's twice now I've come into your life and … and screwed it up …"
Andrea quickly started out the door, but Bruce grabbed her arm and cupped her cheek, brushing the tears that had started to fall. He then moved in and captured her lips in a kiss that she quickly returned. The kiss became more and more heated until they both collapsed on the bed, ignoring the surprised Alfred who almost forgot how he even came into the room.
The next morning, Bruce awoke to find Andrea on the balcony, dressed in one of his nightshirts alone. Bruce walked out and wrapped his arms around the redhead, "Think we can make it work this time?" She asked, snuggling into his chest.
"I want to say yes," Bruce whispered into her hair, "You know it will come down to me and your father …"
Andrea was quiet for a moment, "Daddy doesn't matter anymore …"
---
Later that day, Bruce waved as Andrea drove off. "May I ask what this bodes for your alter ego?"
"I … I don't know," Bruce answered truthfully, "Maybe after this one, Dick and Barbara are more than capable of handling things on their own now. And … I love her, I always have, and probably always will," Bruce said before he noticed the picture Andrea had brought him. He couldn't help but notice something strange and familiar about the only person left not murdered. A sick feeling crossed him as he took a red pen and drew a large smile across the man's face, "Oh no …"
--End flash back--
"If I had told you the truth that night, it could have been so different … but … I was scared," Andrea confessed, looking away from Bruce, "I was afraid of what you would do if you knew I was the Phantasm, and then the fight with the Joker at the World's Fair grounds … it just all happened so fast." She then glanced toward the school, "After I left, I took a cruise, and I met a man: James Possible. He was a little strange, but funny. We became friends, and then … and then I found out I was pregnant. He helped me so much, and I fell in love with him. When I saw him with little Kimmie, he was so gentle with her. He treated her as if she was his own flesh and blood, that's when I accepted his proposal. We were married when Kimmie was six months old. She has no idea James isn't her father."
"This is … this is a lot to take in …" Bruce shook his head.
"I know, I know I should have told you sooner but … I just didn't know how, I'm so, so sorry …" Andrea said, now freely crying.
"She's happy," Bruce said, looking toward the school, "and I can tell you and James have done a outstanding job raising her. I believe she has the right to know, but I will not tell her. That's up to you when you feel its when you both can handle it." He then started toward the school, "Until that time, I'll do what I can to keep her and those she cares about safe. Including Ron."
Andrea Possible watched Bruce enter the school before letting her head drop to her chest, "I'm … I'm so sorry …"
To Be Continued
Next Chapter: Kim's graduation and Kim's first meeting with the fourth Boy Wonder!
A/N the flashback is straight from the animated movie Batman: Mask of the Phantasm. Highly recommended, not just for the fic but because it's one of the best Bat movies ever.