Disclaimer: Disney owns, I don't. I like to play with Kim, (Ron's fun for a while but that boy gets on my nerves.) I don't get paid for doing this. I sometimes wish I did.
Chapter 16 Rome Part 2
"So how long have you lived here, Francesca?" Kim asked Francesca as they walk through one of the gallery museums.
"Please call me Fran," she said to Kim and Ron." I've lived here all my life. I was born in the hospital, over there," she pointed out a window to the building next door, "a month after my Dad took over as Head of Security. Vatican City has been my playground ever since."
"So, do you go to school here?" Ron asked
"I used to," said Fran. "But now I go to the American School. That's were all the kids of foreign Diplomats and workers attend. When I graduate next year, I'd like to attend college in the U.S. Maybe Go City University."
"G.C.U. is a fine college," Ron said with a smile. "We almost went there." He put his arm around Kim's shoulder. "But we decided to stay a little closer to home. We'll be going to Upperton U. this fall."
Kim put both arms around Ron's waist. "It's the only college we could find that had Ron's culinary and business courses and my international diplomacy ones too. What are you planning to study?"
"I just want to get some the basics out of the way before I decide." Fran's cell phone rang disturbing the conversation. "Hello." She pauses. "Yes, we can be there in five minutes." She puts her phone away and turns to Kim and Ron. "Your audience with the Pope is in five minutes."
Ron started to breath funny, gasping for air.
"ArewedressedO.K.DoIneedtoshaveHowaremyteethDotheyhaveanyfoodinemWhere'smycamera?"
"Amp down Ron," Kim said gently. "You look fine and your camera's in my backpack." Ron opened his mouth to say something but Kim put a finger to his mouth. "And yes, it's loaded with fresh batteries and a new card."
Fran frowned. "Is he always like this?"
Kim giggled. "Yeah, but give him a minute and he'll come around." Ron started to take long, deep breaths. "See, he'll be fine. Let's go."
The threesome walked out of the museum and got in the golf cart. Fran asked, "Have you ever been briefed on what to do when meeting His Holiness?"
"Not really," Kim said. "But we looked up some information on-line. Ron should be wearing a jacket and tie, but he didn't bring either. My dress is O.K.," Kim continued, "but I should be wearing long sleeves, and the dress should be black. I don't have anything to cover my head, though I'm not Catholic so that might not be a problem." She thought for a moment. "Ron, what else did you read?"
Ron thought for a second. "Let's see. Always address him as Your Holiness or Holy Father. When we are introduced, I kneel on the left knee with my back straight and kiss the Fisherman's ring, out of respect for his office. Kim should curtsy. We keep standing unless he offers a seat. That's about all I remember."
Francesca smiled. "Very good you two. Don't worry, Kim, about your dress and something to cover your head. It'll be O.K. since this is an informal meeting. About the only thing you forgot is to genuflect and kiss the ring when you depart. The same as when you greet him." She turned the corner and pulled up to a building. "We're meeting Cardinal Antonio Funicello here. No relation to the actress, if you're wondering. He'll take us in to the meet and greet."
As they walked up the steps and into the building, Fran turned to Ron and said. "Remember, when you meet the Cardinal, kneel on your right knee and address him as Your Eminence. The left knee's reserved for His Holiness, the Pope."
Ron grinned as a man in purple vestments approached. "the last time I got down on my knees in front of guy was when Brikk was gonna beat my brains in. And it wasn't his ring I was kissing."
"Ron. Head. Game!" Kim forcefully whispered through clenched teeth.
Ron, like he had been doing it all his life, genuflected perfectly. "Your Eminence," he said respectfully and kissed the purple sleeve, when offered. Kim and Fran curtsied.
Cardinal Funicello grinned from ear to ear. "Ah, Team Possible. It's a pleasure to finally meet you. His Holiness and I have followed your exploits in the news for years and are big fans." He turned to the other lady present. "Ah, Francesca. Nice to see you again. How are your school going? Still straight A's, I hope?"
"Very well, Your Eminence." She curtsied a little. "Thank you for asking. I am having a little trouble in Home Economics though."
The Cardinal grinned. "You should ask for help from the young man with you."
Everyone looked at Ron.
"I'd be happy to give you some pointers in the kitchen," Ron said bowing to Fran. She giggled.
"Now," the Cardinal said straightening up and officially announcing, "it's time to meet The Holy Father."
The three teens followed the Cardinal down a long hall, Kim and Ron gawked at all the priceless art objects along the way. As they approached the end of the hall, the Swiss Guard opened the double doors. Francesca stopped just inside the doors while the others proceeded on. A man in white vestments, seated on what could only be called a throne, waved them forward. Cardinal Funicello genuflected and kissed the the man's ring, then said, "Your Holiness. May I present Team Possible. Miss Kimberly Ann Possible and Mr. Ronald Dean Stoppable. Team Possible, His Holiness, Pope Paul the Eleventh."
Kim and Ron preformed perfectly in the introduction. The Pope motioned them to sit next to him. "Thank you for coming on such short notice," the Pope said. "The threat to our most Holy of relics is very worrisome."
"From what we're seen," Kim started, "your security should be able to handle any threat." She paused as his words sank in. "Wait, do you mean the bones of St. Peter are really here? We were told..."
The Pope waved a hand, cutting her off. "Mr. Jackman told you that he could not say one way or the other. Only I have the authority to say they are here." He turned to the man in the purple robes. "Cardinal Funicello, you will show them." The Cardinal bowed in assent. The Pope turned to Ron and Kim. "While you are here, I would ask one thing of you, Mr. Stoppable."
"Holy Father!" Ron said in astonishment, "What can I do for you?"
The Pope scratched his chin. "Your accomplishments in the culinary world precedes you. I've always wanted to try an American meal. Would you prepare something for me tonight?"
"I would be most honored, Your Holiness. What would you like?"
"I would like to try a Naco," he said with a slight grin. "And who better to prepare it than the very inventor."
Kim fell into a giggle fit and Ron fell out of his chair.
Later, after the tour beneath St. Peter's Basilica and the meal prepared by Ron, the Pope wiped his mouth with a paper napkin and said, "That was most interesting, most enjoyable. Thank you."
Cardinal Funicello looked to Ron. "But why the paper plates and napkins?"
Ron grinned. "It's an ambiance thing. I believe food like this should be eaten just like you're at the restaurant."
"Very good," the Pope said. "Now I have one last request."
"You name it," Kim responded.
"Since we've entrusted you with our secret," the Holy Father said, scratching his forehead, "could you tell us one of yours? Say, Area 51?"
Kim looked at Ron and nodded. Ron said, "You mean about flying saucers, alien technology, yada yada? It's all a double negative cover story."
Kim nodded in agreement. "It's all true. You should talk with Major Simms. He may be agreeable to letting you to talk to the aliens. You know, maybe a theological discussion to further diplomacy between the races."
The Pope beamed. "Ah, that is an excellent suggestion. Thank you." He turned to the Cardinal. "Unfortunately, I must go to attend to some other matters." He stood up and all at the table arose also. He turned to Ron. "Did you get enough pictures?"
"Thank you, Your Holiness." Ron knelt and kissed the proffered ring. "Rabbi Katz will be tickled pink."
Kim curtsied. "Thank you for your time. We had a wonderful evening."
As the Pope left, he made the Sign of the Cross and said, "May God go with you on your many journeys."
After the door closed, Kim turned to Ron. "Was that something or what? Not only did we get to meet the Pope, but you got to cook for him."
"There's only one thing to say to that," Ron said, his goofiest grin on his face.
Both Kim and Ron shot an arm in the air and yelled, "BooYah!"
Laughter could be heard from the other side of the doors the Holy Father had just went through.
Kim snuggled up to Ron in the Louie XV bed. "You know, Ron," she said, drawing circles on his chest with a finger, "this might be a very memorable night. I mean we could do it in the Vatican for our first time." She quickly added, "If you want to."
"I was just thinking the same thing," he said, arms folded behind his head. He gave her a kiss. "If you think we should."
They looked deeply into each others eyes. "Nah," they said in unison.
Ron smiled. "Maybe if we stay at Buckingham Palace."
Kim giggled. "Or how about the Lincoln Bedroom at the White House."
They kissed again. "How about," Ron asked, "the Mount Middleton Lodge on the night of August 19th?"
"It's a date." Kim snuggled in deeper. "So, you want to fool around?" she asked hesitantly.
Ron thought for a second. "No, not really. For some reason, it just doesn't feel right. I mean the Holy See and all."
Kim sighed and smiled. "For some reason... I feel the same way."
Ron turned off the light, then said. "Now if it were the Lincoln Bedroom or Buckingham Palace..."
Kim giggle. "Good night, Ron."
The morning found Kim, Ron and Francesca in the office of the Head of Vatican Security. "I do apologize for being a tad brusque, yesterday, " Mr. Jackman said. "I've been fairly swamped with the threat and a couple of state visits coming up."
"No big," Kim said, offhandedly. "We totally understand."
Mr. Jackman smiled. "By the way, I just got off the phone with Major Simms. He really cottoned to the idea of a summit between His Holiness and the Aliens. He told me the Aliens liked the idea, too."
Francesca spoke up. "So, Kim why do you need a degree in international diplomacy? You've just proved you got the knack already."
"I know," Kim said confidently. "I can get an interview for the job with my reputation alone, but the sheepskin would seal the deal." She added, "And there may be a few tricks of the trade I can pick up in school."
Kim turned to Mr. Jackman. "Anyway, from what we've seen, your security is tight. I don't know where we can help, except be extra eyes in case the threat pans out. We'd just be in the way."
"Well," Jackman started, "His Holiness told me he'll sleep better now that you're here. That's good enough for me." He clapped his hands together and rubbed them briskly. "Now, there's a few days before you're needed for the stakeout and my daughter has told me you'd like to see the sights. Why don't you kids get out of here!"
Kim beamed. "If you need to contact us you have Ron's cell phone number or you can reach me through Wade."
Francesca grabbed Kim's arm and started to drag her from the room. "He also has me on speed dial. Let's get out of here!"
Ron watched as Kim was towed down the hall. "Ah, later!" he said to Jackman, and tore out the door.
When the three teens got outside, Kim pulled up short. "Wait a minute, Fran. Won't you feel like a third wheel?"
Francesca giggled. "Not when we get to the Spanish Steps. My boyfriend is meeting us there."
Both Kim and Ron laughed. "No wonder you wanted to get out of there fast," Ron said. "Well, how do we get there?"
"My cars in the garage." Fran led them to her car and drove to the gate. Kim had her stop there and rolled down her window.
"Hey, lieutenant," she yelled to the Swiss Guardsman in the booth. "Kim Possible. From yesterday, remember?"
Lt. Fluhberg came over to the vehicle. "Yes, nice to finally meet you. Dan and I talked a little about you two last night."
Kim queried, "So how did the quail hunt go?"
The lieutenant laughed. "We almost bagged a couple, but they flew away."
The two girls in the car laughed. Ron looked puzzled. "Better hunting next time," Francesca chimed in and drove off.
"I still don't get it." Ron pondered a moment. "Where can you hunt for quail in Italy. Isn't it an American bird?"
"Ron," Fran said in disgust. "They meant they were going out bar hopping to find woman."
The light bulb went on above Ron's head. "Oh, I get it now. Quail. Birds. Women."
"Ron," Kim said sternly, "sometimes you can be so naive." She kissed him on the cheek and smiled. "Don't ever change."
The speedy car ride was all white knuckles for Ron as he held tight to his seat belt with both hands. Kim was puzzled, but slightly excited as she tried to second guess the path Fran was weaving around and between the other vehicles. When they got to the Spanish steps, Francesca introduced our two teen heroes to her boyfriend, Frederick Farnsworth. "Freddy is here with his Father who's the Ambassador from England." She hung on his arm and kissed his cheek. "Freddy, this is Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable."
"Jolly good to meet you two," he said in a very British accent, shaking their hands.
Francesca slapped Freddy's arm. "Don't you start that with them."
"Wha?" Freddy gasped. "Everyone from England is suppose to sound like that."
"You might have been born in England," Fran stated, "but you've been living here, and going to the American School, longer than I have. You don't have a British accent." The four teens laughed.
"So, Franny told me you're here on a mission." Freddy said to Kim and Ron. "Anything interesting?"
"It's no big," Kim said. She turned to Francesca. "I haven't told your Father yet, but you're right. I'm sure the threat is bogus. Let's stop at a cafe and I'll fill you in."
They found a quaint little restaurant in the next block and sat at a table outside. After they ordered some breakfast, Kim explain their trip so far and her suspicions of Wades involvement.
"So," Freddy concluded, "You've been getting to see the sights that you didn't get to see when you were on other missions."
Fran thought for a minute. "That might explain why Daddy was so short with you yesterday. He's a terrible actor," she giggled.
"And another piece of the puzzle falls into place," Ron said in revelation. "All our contacts have been so accommodating. They all have to be in on it."
"That's true," Kim sighed. "But it leads us to a very important point. Do we confront Wade or go along for the ride and enjoy ourselves?"
"But you might be wrong," Freddy chimed in. "There might actually be someone out there making the threats and then changing his mind."
"That's true too." Kim said. The table went silent for a couple of minutes.
Ron finally spoke up. "I think we should confront Wade. If he fesses up, then we'll tell him to continue the chase as planned. We'll just act out our parts as well. If we're wrong then we can have Wade check and see if our parents are pulling some strings."
"There's one fatal flaw in your plan," Kim said dejectedly. "My acting ability."
"Kim," Ron beamed, "you've been acting like it was Wade for a few days now. There should be no problems if we actually confirm it's true. Those problems you had when you tried out for the play? You were concentrating on the lines and not where you were going." He turned Franny and Freddy. "She fell into the orchestra pit." The three started to laugh. Kim glowered at Ron. "Four time!" Ron concluded.
Kim punched Ron in the arm, then started to giggle. "Actually it was five times. You were laughing so hard you missed one."
After breakfast, the four teens made a whirlwind tour of Rome. They wandered around the Colosseum and Parthenon, threw some coins in the Trevi Fountain and saw the Roman Forum and Senate House.
Fran said, "What else do you have on your list?"
Kim sat down on a bench. "My list is complete and I'm bushed. I think I just ran headlong into a major case of jet lag."
Ron sat beside her. "I'm all in too. The only place that's still on my list is the Jewish Ghetto and Trastevere. I understand there's a great little piazza there that most tourist don't know about."
"Yes, Campo de' Fiori," Freddy recollected. "That's where they held executions during the Inquisition."
Fran sat beside Ron and Kim. "I'm a little tired too. We can go there tomorrow."
"Tomorrow would do nicely." Kim yawned and stretched. "I feel like I've just went ten rounds with Shego."
Ron grinned. "You don't look it."
Kim smiled weakly. "Thank you for the compliment." She kissed him on the lips.
Fran turned to Freddy and whispered in his ear, "They are a cute couple, aren't they." Freddy nodded.
As the four teens wandered back to the car, Fran said. "You mentioned Shego. Is she tough?"
"She's the toughest I've ever faced," Kim said, matter of factly. "But I always win in the end."
"Well, then maybe you need a new challenge," Fran concluded. "I know seven styles of Kung Fu and can't find anyone who can beat me."
"Kim knows sixteen styles," Ron started, "and... wait!" He turned to Fran. "Did your Father suggest you challenge Kim?"
"As a matter of fact, yes."
There was a pregnant pause before all four teens said, "Wade!"
