Disclaimer: The only character in this story I own is Blackout, my own creation. The Walt Disney Co. has all rights reserved to Kim Possible and the characters therein. I use them for my, and your amusement. I am not paid in this en devour. Please read and review to your heart's pleasure. I will respond.

Chapter 10: On the Cog Rail

Kim, Ron, Monique and Bon Bon got on the Cog Rail. It is an old fashioned, narrow gage rail train that travels from Manitou Springs, in the foothills above Colorado Springs, to the top of Pike's Peak. A very scenic ride. Kim and Ron sat towards the front of the train while Monique and Bon Bon took a bench towards the rear. Ron looked back at the two girls, squealing and giggling. He turned to Kim. "You know, we really need to hook those two up with boyfriends."

Kim linked her arm into his and pulled him close. "Well, it's kinda complicated for those two. Bon isn't really ready to get into a relationship. Despite what she says, she's still finding herself after changing so radically last summer. If she were the old Bonnie, she would have no trouble finding a boyfriend. But now she's Bon Bon. She needs to discover who she is first. You know the old saying, 'You need to know and accept yourself before you can allow someone into your life.'" She paused. "As for Monique, she's a strong independent person and not many high school boys can handle that kind of woman."

Ron turned to gaze into her emerald green eyes. "You're that kind of woman and you found someone."

She leaned in and gave Ron a peck on the cheek. "You're special. There aren't many like you around." They leaned in, held hands and rested their heads together.

"Ahem!"

The two love birds turned to the man sitting behind them.

He was a small man dressed like he was on vacation. He had on a loud Hawaiian shirt and Bermuda shorts. On his feet were white socks and Birkenstock sandal. He also had a Sky Sox hat on, worn low over his eyes. "I'm sorry to bother you, but aren't you Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable?"

Kim and Ron turned in their seats. "Yes we are. Do we know you? You look familiar." Kim looked the man over.

"I doubt it." The man leaned forward, shading is face even more with the brim of his cap. "I just wanted to say Thank You for all the tireless work you do. You've made the world a safer place."

Kim blushed a little. "That's so kind of you to say. We only do it because it needs to get done, not for any rewards or thank yous."

"Never the less, there is one question I've always wanted to ask."

"Go ahead."

The man paused, then said, "Doesn't it bother you that you're, more or less, vigilantes? Just Guns for Hire?"

Kim was taken a back. "But as I said, we don't get paid for any..."

The man cut her off. "But you do get paid, in a sense. What about all the ride you get... taking you around the world. You're called in, at a moment's notice, to handle a situation that normally would fall under the purview of Law Enforcement, and receive free rides to get you there."

"The rides are just, like, a kindness... from the people we've helped." Ron chimed in.

"But Wade, your Web Master, will call in these... kindnesses, as compensation for your previous work. Compensation is the key word here." The man grinned slightly, but Kim and Ron couldn't see his face.

Kim said, "I never really thought about it that way."

The man stood up. "Well, I was just curious." He walked to the back of the train and disappeared from sight.

Kim and Ron turned back in their seats in deep contemplation. Ron turned to Kim, "Funny little man. And some strange ideas."

The couple didn't notice the Big Horned Sheep grazing not twenty feet for the train.

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The train pulled in to the building located at the top of Pike's Peak. Kim and Ron got off pensively. Both in a state of confusion. Monique and Bon Bon came running up to them. Bon Bon practically screamed, "Did you see all the wild life along the way? It was fantastic!" She noticed Kim and Ron's demeanor and stopped. "What's wrong?"

Confused, Kim looked at Bon Bon and said, "We were talking to a strange little man on the way up. He thanked Ron and I for making the world safe... then he called us vigilantes. I mean now, when I hear that term I think of Charles Bronson movies... of someone doing something outside the law. Do we do things outside the law?"

Bon Bon frowned, "You always cooperate with the law enforcement groups or G.J. I think of y'all as Troubleshooters... you know Guns for Hire... but without the guns."

Kim smiled a little. "I don't know. We get anonymous tips and rush off. We usually never check in with the local police before we save the day. I mean the C.S.P.D. could have handled Motor Ed and his gang if they knew about them beforehand. They're tough, but they've never use anything more lethal than a lead pipe. Never guns."

"But most of the bad guys you clash with are Super Villains. The locals can't handle them." Bon said confidently.

"Plus the fact that you're backed by G.J.," Monique stated, "makes you a part of the law enforcement community."

Kim sighed. "Thanks you guys, I feel a lot better."

"SPLAT!" A snowball hit Kim on the back of the neck. She turned to see Ron making another.

"But You!" Kim pointed at Ron, "won't be feeling so good when I get a hold of you!"

Ron stood bolt upright, his face registering surprise. He dropped the snowball, turned and ran. Three snowballs were gaining on him quickly.

Shego leaned against the front of the old pick up. She had parked the truck half way up to the 14,110 foot summit of Pike's Peak. She checked her claws and started to file them. A snowball came flying at her and landed at her feet. She never flinched. Still filing her claws, she yelled, "You try that again and I won't be throwing snowballs at you!"

A voice came from out of nowhere. "My dear Shego. Haven't you ever enjoyed a good old fashioned snowball fight?"

Shego ignited her index finger she had been working on and shot a small plasma charge at the ground thirty feet in front of her. Blackout appeared wearing his Stealth-Tech suit, his feet inches away from where the charge hit the ground.

"I hated snowball fights when I was a kid, and I hate em more even now!" Shego growled.

Blackout closed the distance between them. "You musta had a terrible childhood. I feel for you."

"Yea, you know, after the meteor..." She spun and climbed in behind the wheel of the truck. Blackout got in the passenger side.

"How did you know where I was?" Blackout inquired.

Shego grinned, "It wasn't hard. I heard you coming a mile away and I saw your footprints in the snow. Was your outing a success?"

He chuckled, "I left our two teen heroes slightly shaken, but not stirred. The seed has been planted. Let's go."