Chapter 5: Future
"GET UP!" Dick cheered from the couch, "Come on, you can … ouch …" He finished, sitting down disgustedly.
"Ha!" Beast Boy laughed, grinning at the sulking Dick Grayson. "See, you don't mess with The Taker, he make you Rest In Peace, baby!"
"I still don't fully understand …" Starfire blinked at the television, "Why did they put such a small little person in with such a large man like the Overtaker?"
"That's 'Undertaker', Star," Dick chuckled, "And Rey Mysterio is tougher than he looks. Undertaker obviously cheated."
"Nuh-uh!" Beast Boy shook his head rapidly, "Undertaker beat the holy schlamoly out of the little guy, isn't that right, Ron? Ron?"
Ron was staring off into space, obviously in deep thought. Beast Boy leaned toward Ron and waved his hand before his face. But yelped in a high-pitched, pained voice as Ron grabbed his hand and squeezed.
"Don't. Do. That." Ron said in his Robin-voice.
"What's wrong, Ron? You've been acting funny since you got back," Tim asked from the large seat on the opposite side of the living room with his fiancé seated comfortably on his lap.
"It's KP," Ron confessed, easing the coldness from his voice, but not dropping the Batman-like tone of voice. "She's wanting to move to Gotham and attend Gotham State."
"You're always complaining about missing your 'beloved KP'," Cassie snorted indignantly, "I figured you would be thrilled she'd be closer to you."
"Exactly what did you mean by that, Cass?" Ron asked narrowing his eyes on his girlfriend.
The room suddenly fell quiet except for a faint chuckle from Superboy and the sound of him reaching for the tub of popcorn.
"Exactly what it sounded like, Ron," Cassie said, getting to her feet, "You might as well try to convince us to let that wanna-be hero on the Titans. I thought maybe you got your nose out of Possible's ass, but I guess I was wrong!" Cassie yelled before stomping out.
"Cassie!" Ron called, but Greta cut him off.
"I got it. Girl-talk time. You stay here and watch the sweaty men pretend to beat each other up. I'll see what's wrong," Greta said before following Cassie out.
Ron watched the blonde run out of the living room before turning back to the rest of the Titans. "Ok, so now, you were saying?" Dick nodded.
"Hold that thought a sec," Beast Boy cut in, "Bra and Panties match!"
---
Cassie walked out on a balcony on the rear side of the Manor and was about to fly off when a hand gripped her shoulder and spun her around violently. "Ok, so what the hell was that about?" Greta growled, giving the girl a death-glare.
"You … you said hell," Cassie blinked in surprise.
"You shouldn't be surprised," Greta smirked, "I used to send people there, I believe I have every right to use that word any way I see fit." She then narrowed her eyes, "So why did you slam Ron like that just now, and you've treated Kim almost as badly as I was treated at the DEO. This isn't like you, Cass. What has Kim done that made you so angry?"
"Did you not see them?" Cassie said, tears starting to form, "Ron has such a strong and kind nature, anyone can see it, but it took me months to get him to let me in … then SHE just waltzed back into his life, and he's at her feet. He … really talked to her, Greta, he didn't growl. He didn't flirt. He actually talked to her. He's never done that with me …"
'Oh crap …' Greta thought, locking eyes with Cassie, "Ron cares for you, Cassie, you know that, everyone knows that. But, you have to understand. Cassie, Kim's not just his best friend, but also his first friend. The first person to ever treat him as something other than a stepping stool."
"But she has treated him as a stepping stool!" Cassie interrupted, "You've seen the news broadcasts same as me. She used him as a decoy, something to draw fire. She risked his life countless times just so she could get the limelight!"
"Did she hold him at gun point?" Greta asked, making Cassie look away, "Face it, Cassie, I'm sorry but Ron's part of a packaged deal. Ron cares for you, but their bond goes deeper than anything you can form with him. You can make something stronger, but you have to realize she's not a threat. She has a boyfriend, but that doesn't weaken their friendship. Can you do that?"
"I can try …" Cassie said unconvincingly, "I think I'll take a fly, clear my head and think about this a bit."
"Do that, but don't throw something good away because of something as silly as this, ok?" Greta pleaded, "Ok?"
"Ok, thanks, Secret," Cassie smiled before taking to the air.
Greta nodded and walked back into the Manor and started back to the living room, but stopped when she came to Kim's guestroom and heard sniffling. "Oh boy … time for more damage control…"
---
"Damn, they just popped right out …" Beast Boy drooled.
"Garfield, drop it," Tim growled in his old Robin voice, "Ok, Ron, what's wrong with Kim coming to Gotham?"
"I'm just worried," Ron sighed, "She's used to being a hero and saving people, but a lot of the guys we went up against are laughable compared to Gotham's mainstays. I don't want to see her get hurt … ever. That was the reason I refused to let her go on missions alone up until I left."
"Damn … they … just popped right out …" Beast Boy continued to drool at the television.
"Beast Boy, that is enough," Starfire scolded before turning back to Ron, "Ronald, is … I mean, does Wondergirl have a reason to be concerned about the well-being of her relationship with you?"
"What? No, no way," Ron shook his head, "I'm crazy about Cassie, but I love Kim too, but she's my best friend. We've been together as long as I can remember, and she's one of the reasons I … do what I do now." Ron glanced around to make sure Kim or her brothers weren't listening. "Also why I upped the ante on the Robin persona earlier. I don't want her finding out and giving Bruce a reason to put her in a spandex target like me."
"It'll all sort out," Dick said, and the room nodded in agreement.
"Now the championship is about to start!" Beast Boy cheered, "Think we'll get to see anymore boobs?"
"Funny," Starfire growled, "Only 'boob' I see is a big, green, stupid one sitting across from me."
---
"Um, hello?" Greta said shyly, pushing open the bedroom door.
"Oh, hey, what's up?" Kim asked, glancing up at the girl and rubbing her eyes rapidly.
"So you're Kim Possible?" Greta said, stepping into the room, "I'm Greta Hayes. Ron's told us so much about you. It's like you're already part of the family." The former hero said, sitting down on the edge of the bed. "Is something wrong?"
"No …" Kim said, avoiding eye contact.
"I'm surprised you're not out there watching the show with the others," Greta said, making conversation.
"Wrestling isn't really my thing," Kim said slowly, still avoiding any eye contact.
"Yeah, watching big sweaty men pretending to try to kill each other doesn't do much for me either," Greta shrugged, "Once you live it a time or two, pretending on TV really doesn't have the same effect."
"Isn't that the truth," Kim chuckled, "You'd think after everything we've done, Ron wouldn't even consider it even remotely fun."
"I say the same thing about Tim, my fiancé," Greta laughed, smiling at the victory of getting Kim out of her shell, "All you have to do is look out his apartment window and you can see things much more realistic than that."
"Is Gotham really that rough?" Kim asked, finally making eye contact with her new friend, "I'm considering coming to Gotham University."
"Some places are," Greta brought her finger to her lips, "But if you're careful and stay out of the alleys, especially Crime Alley, you'll be ok."
"Ron didn't seem too happy about me coming," Kim said, looking away again, "I get the feeling he doesn't like me being here now …"
"Ron hasn't been this happy in a long time," Greta smiled, putting an arm around the younger girl, "He's just worried. Gotham isn't like Middleton, Kim, and things can get ugly here. Just don't try anything dumb while you're here and Ron will relax. Trust me, ok?"
"You sure?" Kim asked, looking somewhat hopeful.
"Positive," Greta smiled, "So, you like ice cream?" she paused to wait for Kim's response. Kim quickly nodded and Greta grinned, "I could live off the stuff! Want to go to the kitchen and get some?"
Kim smiled and the girls exited the room and walked toward the kitchen. They passed the living room and were surprised to see Tim Drake alone watching the news.
"Where are the others?" Greta asked.
Tim glanced at them, and Greta caught the moment when Tim's eyes were unguarded and the heavy restraint shined through. "They … the show went off and they … went for Pizza, they said they'd be back in a bit."
"Oh, ok, go on to the kitchen, Kim. I'll be right with you," Greta said, and she waited for Kim to walk down the hall and enter the kitchen. When she satisfied Kim was gone, Greta walked over and sat down next to her fiancé, "I know you want to be out there with them. I do too, but we can't physically do that anymore, you know?"
"I … I know, Greta, doesn't make it any easier watching them go off," Tim whispered, he then shook it off and squeezed her knee, "Don't mind me, go back to your female bonding." He watched her go and softly added, "after all, I need time to prepare for the sugar high …"
Greta stared at him for a moment, but when he smiled and nodded, she returned a smile and followed Kim's path.
She walked into the kitchen and found Kim rummaging through the refrigerator.
"Not in there," Greta stated matter-of-factly, "We have to hide it from Rufus and Ron."
Greta reached under the cabinet and pulled out a small cooler. "Chocolate or Vanilla?" She asked, opening the top.
"Chocolate please," Kim smiled.
"Fine choice," Greta returned the grin and tossed her an ice cream cup.
"So how long do you think they'll be gone?" Kim asked, as Greta tossed her a spoon from the drawer, "I'd like to talk to Ron about my little disappearing act."
"Oh, you never can tell what they'll get into between here, there, and back again."
---
The Bank wall exploded as a large, green dinosaur was knocked backwards from the force of Cinderblock's attack.
Beast Boy changed back when he realized he hadn't hit the ground. He glanced around and saw his body surrounded with black energy, "That was intelligent," an emotionless, feminine voice spoke as a cloaked figure appeared out of the shadows.
"Oh, hey, Raven," Beast Boy blushed, "Um … you can put me down now."
A hint of mischievousness flashed across the girl's dark eyes as the energy faded and Beast Boy hit the ground with a sickening thud.
"Come on, idiot," Raven said emotionlessly, walking past the teen gasping for breath.
Beast Boy scurried to his feet and followed the girl out of the hole he made to where the other Teen Titans were busy fighting the Metahuman.
Superboy flew at Cinderblock at full speed only to be smacked like a baseball by the side of the Redbird. All of the Teen Titans stopped and stared fearfully. "Ohcraphe'sdoneitnow!" Kid Flash gasped, biting into the side of his thumb.
"That. Was. My. Car." Robin growled, letting his cloak-like cape drape around his shoulders.
"Oh, was it?" Cinderblock growled, taking the heavily damaged custom sports car and crushing it as if it was a soda can.
Robin's eyes narrowed dangerous and shrugged the cape back. "That. Was. My. Car."
"It's over," Cyborg stated, changing his armcannon powering down.
"Yup," Beast Boy said, walking to stand beside him, "Poor guy … rest in peace, dude."
"More like pieces," Raven said in her usual emotionless tone.
"What are you going to do now, Blondie?" Cinderblock bellowed a deep laugh.
"That … was my car …"
"We've been through that already," Cinderblock laughed, glaring at the Boy Wonder, only to gasp when the younger half of the Dynamic Duo shot toward him in almost inhuman speed, scurrying up his towering body finally to double kick off his face, sending him back stepping two paces. "What was that?" Cinderblock laughed, "You'll have to do better than that, little boy!"
Robin kept his back turned, but stood to his feet. He looked back over his shoulder and smirked. Cinderblock's eyes widened as he held up his hand, which held a small remote. "Your skin can survive 5 pounds of plastic explosives right?" Robin asked emotionlessly.
"I …"
"Let's find out," Robin said, pushing the button and the towering Cinderblock was littered with explosions before collapsing to the ground. Robin replaced the remote on his utility belt and walked toward the others, "That should keep him off his feet for a few hours. So, mission complete. Who wants to give me a ride home?"
"I can …" Wondergirl said timidly, floating down to the group.
"You're late," Robin said coldly.
"I'm sorry …" Wondergirl bowed her head, "I … I kind of need to talk to you anyway, Ro... bin."
"Fine, let's go," Robin said, turning his back to the group and walking toward Wondergirl.
"Think they'll work out?" Starfire asked, watching Wondergirl fly off with Robin.
"Time will tell, Star," Cyborg stated nodding.
"Romance is for the weak," Raven stated as Beast Boy walked up beside her.
"Is that a fact?" Beast Boy asked, wiggling his eyebrows and letting his hand settle on a part of her anatomy.
Raven's eyes shot wide. Before Beast Boy could react, his body was surrounded by black energy and he was sent sailing through the air. "Idiot," Raven said pulling her hood to hide her blush.
---
"So, you want to talk about me having my nose stuck up another part of KP's anatomy?" Ron asked, sitting down on his bed, changed into sweat pants and a tank top.
"About that … I'm sorry … I was …" Cassie rambled, avoiding eye contact. She sighed and brushed some of her neck length blond hair from her face, "I've seen how she treats you, Ron. And I guess I just … I won't pretend to like her or how she's treated you. But I promise I'll try to get along with her from now on."
"You don't have to be jealous," Robin said, standing still in the same cold voice, "KP is my best friend, and probably will always be my best friend, but there is one major difference between you and Kim Possible."
"And what's …" Cassie started, but was cut off when Ron pulled her into a passionate kiss.
"You get this," Ron grinned before pulling her down on the bed, giggling.
---
Kim Possible paced in her guest room, glancing at the clock on the wall. "Two in the morning, he's probably in his room by now … surely … but what if he …" Kim rambled, continuing to walk from the bed to the door and back again.
"Anything is possible for a Possible," Kim said to herself, "talking to my best friend since preschool should be included …"
Kim took a deep breath and walked out of the hall and began walking toward Ron's bedroom, repeating to herself 'anything is possible for a Possible' over and over.
She stood before Ron's door, took a deep breath, said her family's motto, and slowly opened the door to peek inside. A split second later, Kim jumped back, shut the door and leaned against it. Her eyes were the size of saucers and her face was the color of her hair.
Kim almost unconsciously began walking back to her room, and somehow without her even being aware made it into her bed and had the covers pulled to her chin before she realized she was there.
Her breath slowly regulated and she began to think about what she just witnessed. "So what? Ron's sexually active. Go Ron," Kim mumbled to herself gripping the thin covers with such a grip that her knuckles were white.
She rolled over and huffed, "Not like I haven't thought of doing that with Josh soon," Kim mused, no longer even attempting to close her eyes for fear of seeing that scene in Ron's room again. "Get used to it, Kim. Wonderslut stepped past you on the ladder. Why does this bug me so much? It's just Ron, and I've got Josh. Ron probably suspects we've already … well, I'd hope to think he wouldn't think I was that easy … Possible! Stop thinking about this!"
Kim rolled over again, settling her thoughts to try to fall asleep. Just before she slipped into a hopefully dreamless sleep, one phrase slipped from her lips, "I hate that little Wonderslut …"
---
Kim woke up incredibly early, earlier than usual. But considering what she had witnessed, she wasn't at all surprised. She got dressed in her usual tank top and cargo pants and went to the kitchen in search of breakfast. She was expecting Mr. Wayne's butler, but instead found someone else seated at the kitchen table.
She was a woman who looked as if she was in her late twenties or early thirties. She had a strong yet slender figure. It was apparent she'd been here all night as she was dressed in a pair of men's boxers, a large 'Gotham Knights' tee shirt, and her long, raven-black hair was in a messy ponytail.
"Oh, good morning," The woman said when she noticed Kim's entrance, "You must be Kim. Bruce said you were here. It was late when I arrived, so you were already apparently in bed." The woman said, her sapphire eyes locking with Kim's emeralds and a gentle, caring smile crossing her lips. "Would you like some coffee?"
"No, thanks," Kim returned the smile. "Not much of a coffee person."
"So you're THE Kim Possible," the woman gave a friendly grin and extended her hand, "I've heard about you. You've got a promising future as a hero. In a few years, I wouldn't be surprised to find you a Justice Leaguer."
"Thanks," Kim blushed at the praise, "It seems that Wondergirl doesn't agree with that."
"Cassie can be rash and she tends to jump to conclusions sometimes," the woman nodded, "She was green one time too, you know, we all were."
Kim narrowed her eyes on the last part, 'who is this woman?'
"Oh, Your Highness, I was not expecting you to be awake this early," Alfred said walking in.
"Your Highness?" Kim blinked, turning slightly pale. "Who … you're … no way …"
"Guess the secret is out, Alfred," the woman smiled and glanced at the older man. She then turned to Kim and leaned across the table, "Just between us … I'm Superman."
Kim stared at her in wide-eyed shock. "Are you … Wonder Woman?" Kim asked in a hushed voice.
"Sweetheart, I haven't had a secret identity since World War 2, Call me Diana," Wonder Woman gave a bright smile.
"Oh hey, Di," Ron's voice chimed as he walked into the kitchen with Cassie close behind.
"What are you doing here?" Diana and Cassie asked at the exact same moment.
"You said you were staying with a friend," Diana narrowed her eyes on her teen protégé.
"And you said you had a late JLA meeting," Cassie returned fire.
Ron walked between the two 'Wonder Women' and put a couple pieces of bread in the toaster before sitting down beside Kim.
"Um, shouldn't you say something, Ron?" Kim blinked as Diana and Cassie continued to argue.
"Wouldn't do any good," Bruce said as he walked in.
"Probably get me killed once Diana realized I'm with Cassie now," Ron whispered, stifling a yawn.
"Late night, Ron?" Kim asked, trying to hide the bitterness.
"Eh …" Ron said avoiding eye contact, "Just didn't get much sleep, you know how it goes …"
"Yeah, I guess," Kim also looked away.
"Well, everyone up then?" Mr. and Mrs. Possible walked in with the twins. Mr. Possible then glanced to Bruce, "Well, then, shall we head off to Gotham University to see Kim's future?" the man smiled, not noticing the death glare his wife was giving Diana.
"My future …" Kim barely whispered, staring at her hands in her lap.
---
Upperton International Airport
A woman in a trench coat and a large hat stood patiently stood in line to buy a ticket. She let out a sigh, and ran a hand through her long raven hair. Finally her turn came up. "May I help you?" the receptionist asked, with a toothy smile.
"Yes, I'd like a ticket to Gotham City please, one way," The woman stated.
"Ok, may I have your name please?"
"Shelia Todd," She stated without missing a beat.
"We have a one stop leaving in two hours. Would that be ok, Ms Todd?"
"That would be perfect."
To Be Continued …
Next chapter: A new unknown chapter in the history of Shego and also the Wedding of Timothy Drake and Greta Hayes.