Disclaimer: Disney owns, I don't. Kim, Ron and the gang like to come out and play with me every once in a while. I get bupkis for my en devours.
Chapter 15 Rome Part 1
Colonel Dan Grandness backed the Hummer out of the plane and drove off into the city. Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable sat, dressed in their finest clothes they had brought, in the back seats. "Dan, tell me again why can't we sit up front with you?" Ron seemed a bit perplexed.
"Ron," the Colonel started, "You're going to THE Holy See. The Vatican, for Christ sake. It looks more impressive if you arrive in the back, like you're important people. They're all about image."
"If you say so," Ron chirped happily. He turned to Kim. "You think we'll meet the Pope?"
Kim, looking out the window and shrugged. "It'd be nice if we did, but I'm not holding my breath. He is a busy man." She looked at Ron. "Why would you ask? Do you want to meet him?"
"I was hoping to get a picture with His Holiness." Ron said giddily, bouncing in his seat.
"Why?" Kim queried. "You're Jewish."
"Kim," Ron said in indignation, "he's a very important, influential man in the world." Ron smiled. "Besides, I want to show it to Rabbi Katz. The Rabbi's a big fan."
"Oy!" Kim slapped her forehead.
"O.K. you two," Dan hushed them. "We're coming up on the gate. Let me do all the talking until we get inside."
Ron was about to say something but Kim landed a back fist to his stomach. Ron leaned back in his seat, unfazed by the love tap he'd just received.
Dan pulled up to the Swiss Guardsman at the gate. He rolled down his window, "Team Possible," was all he said.
The gate person said, "Hey G-man. Good to see you."
"Fluhberg, is that you?" Dan replied. "When did you pull duty here?"
"I just transfered in," Fluhberg beamed. "It took forever but there was an opening and I finally got in. Let me get in the Jeep, then follow me."
Fluhberg talked briefly to the other Guard, then got into a vehicle and sped off. Dan followed. Ron spoke up, "You know that guy? And why is he wearing a clown suit?"
"That guy, is a lieutenant in the Swiss Army," Dan growled. "And that clown suit is the official uniform of the Swiss Guard here in the Vatican. They've worn the same uniforms since they first marched in here in 1506 to safe guard the place. They were welcomed and blessed by Pope Julius II."
Ron's mouth opened to say something but Kim cut him off. "Don't make me hit you again." She rubbed her fist. "Since when have you had rock-hard abs?"
"He he, sorry, KP," Ron laughed half-heartedly. "You hit my belt buckle."
"Ron," Kim started. "This is a place of reverence and respect. Please be both. Keep. Your. Head. In. The. Game." She emphasized each of the last words with a poke to his forehead.
"Yes." Ron said, disheartedly. "Reverence and respect." He huffed back into the seat.
Kim leaned over and gave him a peck on the cheek. "Thank you." Then she purred in his ear, "Lover."Their foreheads met in a loving touch.
"Don't worry, KP," Ron said lovingly. "You always know what button to push."
"No," she giggled. "But I'm learning."
The two vehicles stopped in from of a beautiful old building. "Here ya go," Dan said. "Just tell the receptionist who you are. I'll be out here talking with my buddy."
Kim and Ron entered and announced themselves. They waited a whole thirty seconds before an older man in a blues suit coat raced up to them. "Good afternoon Ms. Possible, Mr. Stoppable." He shook their hands. "My name is Harry Jackman, I'm the head of Vatican Security. Follow me to my office." He wheeled quickly and took off down the hall. When he got to his office he picked up the phone. "Sorry, Your Holiness, they've just arrived." He paused. "Yes, Your Holiness, at your convenience." He hung up the phone. "Sorry about that, but when He heard of the threat..." He let the last statement float. "Anyway, it's a pleasure to meet you," he said and sat down.
"Nice to meet you Mr. Jackman." Kim extended her hand. Jackman was busily shuffling papers, looking for something on his desk. Kim dropped her hand.
Jackman picked up a piece of paper, "Ah, here it is." He turned to his guests. "The threat is bizarre to say the least." He handed the page to Kim.
"We didn't get to see the threat." She read the printout. "He means to steal the bones of St. Peter?" she said in horror.
"Yes," Jackman said dismissively. "Ever since that Di Vinci book came out, people think we have the remains of St. Peter buried in his crypt under the Basilica."
"And you don't." Ron stated the question.
"I'm not at liberty to say," Jackman said flatly.
"Why?" Ron questioned. "You can tell us, we have top security clearance. We've even been to Area 51."
"And?"
"We're not," Ron started confidently, but quickly lost steam as all three chimed in unison, 'at liberty to say.' "Sorry, continue the briefing," Ron sheepishly ceded.
"The theft is suppose to happen in three days," Jackman said. "Plenty of time for you to check our security and make plans. Have you accommodations in Rome?"
"I'm not sure." Kim thought for a moment. "We came straight from the airport but I think we are suppose to stay with the plane. Otherwise, we can always find a room someplace."
"No, no, no," Jackman waved off the notion. "He would have none of that. You will stay here." He pushed a button on the intercom. "Jenkins, come to my office."
Kim looked perplexed. "When you say He, do you mean the person on the phone? His Holiness?"
"Yes," Jackman smiled. "The Pope is very hospitable to celebrities like yourselves."
"Oh, we're not celeb..." Kim was cut off when a young man, wearing the same kind of blue blazer entered the room.
"Jenkins, this is Team Possible," Jackman made the introductions. "You have a suite for them, then escort them around and show them the grounds. You know the drill." Jackman buried himself in the paperwork on the desk.
"Follow me," Jenkins said, leading them out of the office. "Please excuse Jack. His job is a killer and he takes it seriously." He looked over his shoulder. "Sometimes he gets so deep into his work he forgets his manners." Jenkins turned back to our two teen heroes. "Now, let's get you two settled. Then we can show you around."
When they exited the building Kim and Ron went to the Hummer. Jenkins talked briefly to Dan and Lt. Fluhberg. Jenkins got in the Jeep with the Swiss Guardsman and Dan returned to his vehicle. "We follow," was all he said. The three climbed into the Hummer and took off.
As they wove their way through the streets of the great walled City/State, Ron asked, "So how's your friend?"
"He's great, loves his job here." Dan continued, "We're going out quail hunting tonight."
"Where?" Ron asked in total confusion. "Somewhere in the country? At night?"
Dan turned to Kim. "Physically, he may be fast, but he's still slow up the uptake." Kim giggled.
They pulled up behind another building and got out. They bade their good byes to Dan as Jenkins helped them in with their luggage. As they waited for an elevator, Kim asked, "I've looked over the layout of the grounds. Isn't one of the art museums close by?"
"Yes," Jenkins said, holding the elevator door for them. "You're in it." As the elevator rose he continued. "A lot of the buildings have duel uses. The museum is on the first floor, but we have accommodations on the other three floors. There are over three thousand people who work in the See. Almost all of them live within the wall."
"Wow," Ron said, "Fascinating."
Jenkins pulled two laminated cards out of his jacket pocket. "Here. Theses are your identification cards. If you leave the See, you'll need them to get back in. We're also making random checks when we see people wandering around."
Kim took the cards. They were Vatican I.D. s with their picture on them. "Is that because of the threat?"
No," Jenkins held the doors so they could get off the elevator, "just S.O.P. But the visitors that are approached would never know they're being checked out."
The three walked down the hall and entered a suite. Ron dropped his luggage, and his jaw hit the floor at the same time. The room looked like a cross between a museum and a master bedroom at any of the finest hotels in the world.
"We don't have room for all the antiquities we've acquired over the centuries, so we decorate with them," Jenkins said proudly. "That painting over the fireplace is a Raphael. One of his minor works. The furniture is Louie XV."
"You hear that Ron?" Kim said sarcastically. "No gymnastics on the bed." She turned to Jenkins. "Just kidding."
Jenkins smiled. "Very good." His face soured. "But your right, no gymnastics." He pulled a map out of his pocket. He unfolded it and spread it out on a table. "If you need to work off a little energy, we have a training facility here." He pointed his finger at one building. "You are here, and in this garage there is a car at your disposal."
Ron blanched. "I've heard about the traffic here in Rome. I don't think we should add to the mess."
Kim nodded. "If we go out we can always take a tour bus to see the city."
"If you want to see the sights," Jenkins smiled, "I know of someone who'll be happy to show you around." He looked at his watch and took his cell phone out of his pocket and dialed. "Francesca? I have some guests here who'd like a tour." He paused. "Yes, them." Pause. "We'll see you in ten minutes." He hung up, put the cell away and smiled. "She'll be here in ten minutes to show you around the Vatican. I have other duties I have to attend to, so, until we meet again." Jenkins shook their hands and left.
Kim and Ron spent the time exploring the room and hanging up some of their clothes. There was a knock at the door and Ron answered it. A beautiful young lady with raven hair and dimples said in perfect English, "Good afternoon. I am Francesca."
Ron grinned. "Bon Juno," he said, mispronouncing the greeting. "Come on in. I'm Ron," he shook her hand, then pointed to Kim. "This is Kim."
Kim walked over and shook the girls hand. "Hi." She looked closely at Francesca. "You look familiar. Is your Father the head of Vatican Security?'
"Yes, he's my Dad." She beamed. "I heard about the threat, is that why your here?"
"Yep!" Ron said happily. "We've been chasing this guy around the world and now we're here."
"You know the threat is bogus," Francesca stated flatly.
Kim smiled. "We have the feeling it is, but I'm not complaining. We've seen the sights in Paris, Marrakesh and Rio and now we get to visit Roma!" She grabbed Ron around the waist. "And I get to do it with my fiancé!" She gave Ron a peck on the lips.
Ron smiled. "You really think you know who's leading us on this merry chase?"
"Ron, think about it a minute." Kim paused, then continued."We've been to four cities and there's been fabulous accommodations waiting for us. The rides we've had are on the best private jets around. We've had a car available in each city. Even Mayor Juan, in Rio, had tickets ready for us to take the train up to the statue. Now we're here. Mr. Jenkins had our I.D. cards ready? With our pictures on them? And he had the suite ready, and a map of the Vatican in his pocket? And a car for us? Too many coincidents for my book. I mean Wade is good, but..."
Ron thought for a moment. "Who's your main suspect? Wade? Or maybe the 'rents?"
Kim smiled. "I think Wade. It's probably a graduation slash wedding present from him. He's just playing us so we can finally see the sights."
Francesca frowned. "But I've followed your exploits. You've been in all of those cities before."
Ron cut in. "But we're usually focusing on the mission and then getting back to school. We've been everywhere but we never get to see anything except the villain's lair or some top secret facility."
Kim said to Ron, "We've been to Rome, what, two or three times?" Ron nodded and Kim continued. "This is the first time we've been close to the Vatican."
"Well then," Francesca smiled, "let's get a little closer. Are you two up for a walking tour or would you like to drive? I have a golf cart available."
Kim stretched. "We've been on a plane for nine hours. I'm up for a little walk. How about you, Ron?"
"I'm up for a wee stretch of the legs," Ron said opening the door for the two young ladies. "After you, Sig-nor-ritas."
Kim sighed. "Ron, you're mangling the language. Stick to your native tongue!" Ron raced off down the hall to call for the elevator.
Francesca said to Kim. "That's O.K. I think he's kind of cute."
Kim stopped Francesca. "I know, isn't he?" the two girls giggled and continued their walk down the hall.
