Hello there and welcome to another chapter of Storm Chaser. Hope all who have been following along continue to do so, no matter how irregularly this one shows up onsite. Still with the real life and other worldly things that intrude, but hey that's life!

Again before we crank this up, Larry and I'd like to thank the following for chiming in the way they have and hopefully will as this rolls on: levi2000a1, Sentinel103, Jimmy1201, readerjunkie, TheNiemand, AvaMagic88 and Shadow02700, thank you all for your support.

In the last chapter Kim's latest call home kept her Mom up to date with the happenings in England and a few not so known tidbits about Ron, Kim just realized about the blond and now just how elusive that boy can be when he wants to be. Some light shed on the mysterious benefactor, well where to start looking, but that may be something that may or may not get some traction for the red head as this goes along…

Ron, on the other side of the world, is closing up shop temporarily in Sapporo before heading out on a Yamanouchi Mission in China. His buddy Rufus to be cared for by Sensei and his home prepped should Ron not make it back, he gives a bit of closure with his little tea session before heading out.

And GJ is really finding out just how big of a hole they have in Asia, especially China, when Betty has to White-Paper their Delegation to the UN in order to ask to help them with their little problem before it turns the world into a fiery glass parking lot.

So before we start up, we have to starve the Sharks at Disney. As usual, they just aren't happy buying the "Star War's Franchise" and continue to ferret out potential paydays as they can. Kim Possible and the characters from the program named within are the property of Disney. We're just borrowing them, free of income, in our little tale of fiction. All others within are their own persons or are our creations.

Storm Chaser

Chapter 12

Remote, rural China, just after twilight:

Flaring before touching down on the runway pavement, the large business jet eventually slowed to taxi to the head-lighted escort truck which guided the aircraft to hangar to disembark the passengers. They paused in their trek to allow one recently refueled business jet cross them on its way out, and then took a wide berth around another one being refueled on another taxiway.

As the engines spooled down, the cabin door opened as an approaching movable stairway was being wheeled to the jet. Hirotaka appeared in the door to take note of the surroundings in the half-lit hangar their Gulfstream was to reside in for the duration of this mission.

Spying the group waiting to meet with his Team he made the short jaunt down the stairway to them, bowed and greeted them in English while the rest exited the plane behind him.

While the operatives were broken down into teams of four ninjas and two guides, the blond among them slipped away from them, idly blending into the background, keeping to himself in the quiet organized chatter of the lead participants of this endeavor. Assured his presence was noted, yet cast as overtly inconsequential by the visiting Japanese, the blond faded slowly from view; his skills of hiding in plain sight coming into play.

After six teams were formed up, loaded on their transports and sent on their appointed way, only Yori, Hirotaka and Himatora remained with some of their hosts. But it seemed that the Japanese participants were in no hurry as if there was something more to do before they left with their guides and hosts.

To the mystification of the Chinese, Hiro seemingly called out to, nowhere, "Mankey-san we have your guide available, please reveal yourself."

A disembodied voice said, "Very well my friend.", as Ron faded into view beside Hirotaka, shocking the normally unflappable Chinese Security Operatives for a moment.

Stunned, "How did you do that?", Mein Lo, the head of the Chinese security force acting as guides, asked.

With a slight bow, "It's just mind over matter Sir.", Ron replied, "Bobo Mankey at your service, and I am pleased to meet you."

Bowing as well, "Yes as we are.", he replied then looked to Hirotaka, "We have been informed that your group included a Caucasian,", looking at Ron with a furrowed brow, "and since you don't look at all like anybody here, we will presume that person is you. To that end we decided to give you your own guide while in China. Your cover is that of being an American student taking time off from school and visiting our country."

"I understand, and it is my honor to fulfill this task.", Ron bowed again. Then after looking around a bit, "So who am I working with?"

A small and very pretty young Chinese woman stepped forward, "With me Mister Mankey, if that is your real name."

Ron smiled, "Please call me Bobo, Miss; being referred to as Mister Mankey is sort of disconcerting to me."

Taking her in, Ron smirked to himself, 'If I was in the market for a girlfriend, she would do quite nicely, but I ain't. Too bad kid.'

"I am Tai-shu Xeneda, Mister Bobo, I am pleased to meet you.", the young and petite woman said, with a glint in her eyes, as she offered her hand to him.

Ron extended his own in response and was hardly surprised when she turned and tossed him over her hip.

True to the 'Field Persona' he wanted to project on this mission, he made sure to land on his back in an ungraceful manner. After making it look good enough, the blond quickly glanced to Yori who winked back at him.

"Hey take it easy there, lady, I'm sorta fragile here ya know.", Ron groaned as he hesitantly reached for the arm she just used to throw him, then pulled his hand back.

"Just so you know who is in charge Mister Invisible Bobo.", she smirked, her hand still awaiting his to grasp and rise from his 'dishonor'.

Ron frowned, "Yeah just so we know.", memories of having played this game at the Karate school in Sapporo coming forth.

Stepping in, Hiro sought to bring Ron into focus, "Bobo-san it is time for you and your teammate and guide to go to scout the area we have assigned you. If you please, try not to get hurt, Mister Rufus would be quite upset if you were to spend any time in the hospital as a result."

"Yeah I suppose you're right, we wouldn't want that to happen.", Ron snorted as the delicate looking young woman continued to offer him her hand.

Waving off her assistance, "Thanks Tai-shu, but I can get up by myself."

Nodding, "Please follow me then.", she replied as she turned away and walked off, with Ron following to one side and behind, but not too closely.

The truck she and Ron walked to and climbed into had seen better days…in World War II, before being strafed a few times by fighter aircraft.

The Chinese woman got behind the wheel, while Ron took the passenger seat. Upon closing his door, one of the uniformed Chinese Soldiers climbed up on the running board and handed Ron a highlighted map.

In the low light of the hangar, Ron pulled out a compact flashlight and examined the map. "Now where are we?"

His Partner leaned over to glance at the map and put her finger on a spot, "We are here and we need to go there.", placing her finger on a second spot.

"Ok, good, then we'd better get going", he nodded to her.

Then to Hiro, who followed them, "We'll check in by radio in when we get to our area.", as the woman started up the POS truck, the diesel engine surprisingly running better than the truck looked.

Once Ron and his new friend exited the guarded remote airfield, and into the gloom of the night, the Chinese woman spoke up, "You are using an alias, are you not?"

Playing navigator with his map and flashlight, "I would have to say the same thing is true about you too, don't you think?", he replied distractedly, not directly answering her question.

Sniffing to him, "You may consider the idea as much as you wish, but this is my homeland and not yours.", she said in slight condescension. Then more directly, "Now if I may, why are you, an Occidental, traveling with Japanese Operatives on a secret mission to recover property of the People's Republic of China and the United States Military in The People's Republic of China?"

"What I can tell you is that we are friends from the same group invited by The People's Republic of China to assist your team in the recovery of property of the People's Republic of China and of the United States Military…And that I trust them with my life more than I do you, or your friends.", Ron pointedly replied as he kept the flashlight from affecting her night vision.

Trying to glean information that wasn't forthcoming in her team's scarce Intel of his group, "Who are you really?", she asked softly, yet loud enough over the engine noises. Her natural curiosity overriding her professional caution over the gaping lack thereof of the blond American in the reports given her Team, she cut to the chase.

Explaining without giving away anything useful of him or his group and their true existence, "In truth I am a student living in Japan; my true name is not open for discussion.", he looked to her, his face showing this condition to be unyielding. "I assist my friends as they keep track of unsavory elements throughout Asia, help keep them from preying on the innocent and likewise remove them from our societies. It has been my honor that they have allowed me to assist them in this endeavor."

Taken aback at his admission, "So you are not a law enforcement official?", an eyebrow lifting with her question.

Snorting, "I assure you Miss, I am nothing of the sort.", Ron replied with a sarcastic laugh. Then in a lighter tone, "I am just an unassuming student, that's my day job…..but no matter what I am involved in I like to stay in the background."

A bit more seriously, "So to that end I would appreciate it when we meet anyone who is suspicious of me that you take charge and handle explanations while I just remain behind you. That is where I do my best work."

Shaking her head slightly, "You don't sound like any students I have met Bobo…To me you seem to be more of an assassin than anything else.", the Chinese Agent said as she narrowed her eyes at Ron, hitting closer to the mark than she actually thought she did, though surprised at his complete lack of reaction to her 'accusation'.

Taking in his nonchalance, "Are you?", she asked as she studied his body language even more closely.

Giving away nothing, Ron laughed lightly, "Sometimes it is better not asking and it is definitely better than being mistaken for a hero.", he said to distract her from her intended path in this 'interrogation.

Then raising his arms to allow her to see he had nothing hidden under his shirt, "Besides, do I look like I am carrying any weapons?", he asked in complete innocence.

Glancing quickly, but thoroughly looking him over before returning her eyes forward to the road, "If you are experienced you know anything can be used as a weapon.", she said in professional assurance.

Then pausing at what she realized she heard earlier, "Has someone called you a hero before Bobo Mankey?", she was struck at the sliver of personal information she picked up from their conversation.

Sighing wistfully, "Once, but that was a long time ago. I was quite young and she had stars in her eyes.", he said sadly.

"What happened to her?", brought him out of his funk.

Ron laughed harshly, the probing by this Government Operative now getting close to his limit, "She got smart and dropped me like a sack of moldy potatoes."

Tai-shu pondered this, "That is too bad. Everyone should have someone.", she said wistfully. Then glancing quickly over to him, "So, this girl, did she have an impact on you?"

Shrugging, "To some extent, yes she did, but I have changed now, I am as you see me, Bobo the Monkey.", Ron said as he laughed dryly, "How about you?"

Tai-shu thought for a moment in order to answer his question, brevity and state security versus the personal, "I grew up on a farm with my family and I was found to be intelligent, so the government sent me to college. As I progressed to where I am now, I had little time for much else in my life.", she said with a little melancholy in her voice, "Now to repay for my schooling expenses I work for the government."

"By being a cop?", Ron asked in turn, now putting her on the spot as she tried to with him earlier.

"I hold several positions within the government Bobo Mankey,", she said evasively. "This is just one of them."

Then once again turning the conservation back to gleaning more personal Intel from her 'partner', "So what part of America are you from? I traveled there when I was in college for a summer.", she said in order to get a reference point for her superior's to start from, and to divert him from questioning her and her own 'past'.

Sighing, "I came from Chicago…well a little further north of the city. And before you ask, it's not a bad place to raise children. There aren't gangsters and people being shot at as much as you would think.", Ron replied, not really falling for the Chinese Agent's tactics, fully aware she was probing for Intel of him and his Team for her Government.

"It is not?", she asked, somewhat in surprise.

Shaking his head, "Not really, it's a normal place where people live and raise their families much as anywhere else in this world. It has this real big lake next to it and there's lots of farmland not that far away. We have some real tall buildings and a great mass transit system too."

Frowning, "I have read that you have much automobile traffic.", Tai-shu said with some distaste.

Nodding, "That is true. But I think nearly everyone in the States has a car or something to ride in. Though many in the big cities use trains and buses to get around, most have their own transportation. I really did enjoy it there when I was younger.", Ron said to bolster what she probably knew that was true of nearly any big city in the US.

"What is it like there?", Tai-shu asked.

Ron smiled, glad that he had been to Chicago before, "Well it doesn't get real hot. Not everyone has air conditioning like they do just a couple hundred miles south. The winters are a little cold, I guess about the same as northern China.", he said casually. Then mischievously, "And they have the 'Hawks, Bears, Cubs and Sox…..I don't really care for the Bulls, but they brought more championships to the city than any of the others in the last twenty years."

Confused at his last statements, "What are those?"

"Professional sports teams Miss Xeneda."

"I see…So if you were happy there why did you move to Japan?", she regrouped from the description.

"It was a business decision my Mom and Dad made. They went to work for a Japanese corporation and we've been there ever since. ", Ron explained per his cover story.

Mentally shaking his head that his ability to lie in certain situations had gotten better, 'After the way her 'rents came down on Kim for lying that one Halloween, it's a good thing she can't see me now.'

"Do you still live with your parents Bobo Mankey?"

Ron snorted, "With my parents?', as he laughed at the thought, "Not me Tai-shu, I want my freedom. In fact I don't see me living with anyone for a lot of years to come. There's too much to see and do without being tied down.", he said with a little too much downplay in his voice to be genuine to the young Agent.

Then after calming down from his outburst, "Anyway how much further to the area we're supposed to check out?"

Ignoring his question and staying with the train of thought he tried to divert from, "And you have no woman?", she asked.

Holding the line against saying any more than he already had, "I've been in relationships, it's just that I don't care to be in one now.", Ron smiled sadly while thinking, 'And after the way that one ended, I won't ever be in one again.'

Taking in what he said, she nodded, then, "I see…but in answer to your question, Bobo, fifty more kilometers till we will have to get out of the truck and search on foot. There are many caves in the area and it is rugged."

"Sounds like a lousy place to hide a handful of nuclear weapons and their delivery systems. There has to be some kind of road or path that can handle the kind of vehicles loaded down with those things.", Ron said as he considered what she said about the area.

"Do you know what it takes to handle those kinds of weapons?"

"From the briefing we got on the way in they are intercontinental in nature, so I assume they are missiles and are probably large...", he said as his voice drifted off at that consideration.

Tai-shu cut in, "No, actually they are just the warheads."

Ron frowned, his eyes cutting sharply back to the Chinese woman, "And why didn't your superiors tell us about that little detail? That information could have helped in our search. That makes this whole adventure that much more complicated.", quite angry at this revelation.

Shaking his head at this revelation by his host, "This changes our whole plan on how to search for these things and how to react to them. They could be easily hidden in any container to disguise them when they cross security checkpoints and protect them from damage."

"At the time you had no need to know, but now that you are all here, you are learning of this condition.", Tai-shu told him. "But as to your concerns on the warheads, they might already have a way out of the country, their handlers may have bribed local authorities for untroubled transport out.", she informed Ron.

"Grrreaaat.", he responded, "Just what we need…we're here at your country's behest to help you find something that could essentially start a nuclear war in the wrong hands and some members of one Superpower didn't think it prudent to tell us the truth about what we were helping you recover that makes other Superpowers very nervous.", Ron said shaking his head in annoyance.

Then turning to her, "I trust you guys dealt with those who were responsible for this slight of hand and had their hands slapped over this. And I also hope that we can handle whatever situation we happen to find in our search area."

Shrugging a bit too casually for Ron to take that way, "Their hands were indeed slapped Bobo…in a somewhat permanent manner. But fear not, should we find what we are now looking for, I have all the weapons we need to defend ourselves until assistance arrives."

After mulling this over for a few seconds, he settled into a seat that may have been comfortable back when the truck was originally issued into service, "Yeah, I hope so…on both issues." Then thinking on what she said they were packing in the truck bed, "Hate to see undue bloodshed, but sometimes it's justified.", Ron said sadly shaking his head.

Then after handing her the map and flashlight, he assumed the position in his seat, "Well I don't know about you but I'm gonna grab some shuteye 'cause we don't know how long this is gonna take.", Ron yawned and closed his eyes.

Sooner than his 'guide' thought he should be asleep, the Chosen One was 'dead to the world'. Though she couldn't know it, the Ninja-operative was quite secure in his sleep. His Tibet training and instructor-reinforced teachings coming to the fore with his posting of 'guards' around them as they traveled down the rough roads.

After a while, the Chinese woman glanced over at the American, her curiosity overriding her training and indoctrination, 'He is not at all like the others.', she thought before frowning. 'I wonder why he is so different. He acts foolish when others are around, but when he is one on one he seems very capable. He is quite a frustrating young man.', Tai-shu shook her head in slight exasperation before focusing on navigating and driving to their destination.

XX

Several minutes after Ron and Tai-shu drove off to their assigned region to search, the three ninjas (well, one was more of a politician in the vein of the Yamanouchi Elders than ninja), climbed aboard their truck; a much newer one than what had just left the compound.

From his seat in the front of the truck's bed, Hiro looked over at Mein Lo and asked, "How far out are the teams going to be spread?"

"They will be within twenty-five kilometers of each other and the furthest that one team will be from us, the Security Force, will only be sixty kilometers.", the uniformed Security Head stated, "Those we sent out last have the furthest to travel, but we don't expect them to make any kind of contact.", he said with a knowing look.

Turning back to the road, but in an aside to his 'guests', "The girl is good, but she is very young and quite inexperienced. For this reason we sent the American with her so that they both stay out of harm's way."

Yori glanced at the Chinese man, "Why did you do that? The American is very capable."

"Tai-shu is unaware, but she is my niece, my sister's daughter. I moved away before my sister met her husband, so neither knows that I am Tai-shu's Supervisor. I try to look after her as I can.", he said in familial concern; then frowned, "But I still worry, I think the foolish American will get himself into trouble and bring it upon my niece."

Yori nodded as she frowned at their Guide's attitude toward her ex-boyfriend, 'Maybe once you were right, but no longer.'

Hiro, amazed at the irony of their hosts' treatment of the man partnered with his niece, asked, "Then why did you send Mankey-san with Tai-shu? He should have been left at the airfield if you felt he was that ineffective on this mission."

"I had to send her off even though it is somewhere we suppose is quiet; she is being observed for possible advancement and needs to start somewhere in her career.", he said. Then shrugging, "So sending her off with someone who's only viable 'skills' are that of disappearing and appearing as he wishes suits me perfectly."

Hiro replied in defense of his friend, "I assure you there is more to Bobo Mankey than meets the eye."

"But he has not assured me of his ability to defend himself.", Mein Lo retorted brusquely, surprising Hiro and his team at the outburst.

Composing him before continuing, "Though that talent has a place in a business such as ours, he appears to be someone of nothing but trickery…Putting him with my niece so far from the action should secure their safety…At least his antics won't get her shot."

Yori's smile was smug, "Maybe so, but our friend has a knack for getting into trouble.", she said to their guide who slowly lost the color in his face.

Then to herself, 'And an amazing talent for violently getting out of trouble, too…if provoked. Take care Mein Lo that you do not provoke him, his record in that regard is fairly impressive.', she grinned looking off into the night. Then glancing back to their host, 'I also highly doubt if you are anywhere near as dangerous as the two aliens he dispatched.'

X

It was approaching Three AM when the truck finally turned off the rough road and traveled another ten minutes before the headlights were turned off. Another two miles later the vehicle pulled into a stand of trees before it was shut down.

As they got closer to their search zone, Yori motioned to Hirotaka to turn his radio on as did she before placing an ear bud into her right ear.

Silently Yori's Team, sans the driver, exited the truck and formed up with the Chinese Operatives who motioned them to follow into the terrain. With a nod the Japanese Agents trailed the rifle-toting Chinese who made no attempts to conceal their weapons.

XX

Her voice piercing through the noisy rumble of the truck's engine, "Bobo Mankey, it is time to wake up. We are close to where we must leave our truck and go afoot.", Tai-shu loudly called out to the slumbering American.

Grumbling, "Good.", Ron replied, "I couldn't sleep very well in this lumber wagon anyway. You'd think a country that has the economic resources at their disposal as this one does would put some money into better suspension for this truck and buy some Caterpillar© road grading equipment for roads like this one…and pay some people who know how to use them too."

Vexed at his shot at her country, Tai-shu countered, "My country is poor."

"If China is rich enough to build weapons of mass destruction, there should be a little left over for the roads. And as for guarding the nukes, was there an austerity plan running when they were stolen? As for the roads, maybe when I get back home I can send you a catalog of tractors and other road equipment."

A little hurt at his comments about her government, "Criminals must have bribed their way in…", she said in defense yet ignoring Ron messing with her head.

"Makes no difference there Tai-shu, you guys lost some of the 'good' toys which could be in the hands of terrorists right now, who might be considering using them on places like, say, Beijing.", he said to a paling young woman. Taking the reaction in, "You know anybody in that burg?", Ron asked.

A little confused, "As to this 'burg', I do not know what you speak of, but yes, my sister and her family moved to Beijing a few years ago.", Tai-shu replied, now in a bit of a tizzy regarding "Bobo's" mix of slang and ominous considerations.

"Burg means town or city. Don't they teach you guys how to be sarcastic? My Japanese friends can be as sarcastic as I am."

"We are taught to be polite and respectful.", she explained to the American before she slowed the truck to a halt and then took the map and flashlight to see where they were. "We must travel a rougher path for a while Bobo Mankey."

"I thought what we were on was a rough road. Now we're going down to a 'path'? What's next a goat trail?"

"We will ride unless you wish to walk.", she sniffed, getting to her limit with Ron's flippant attitude and his randomness. "Our area to search is still several kilometers away."

Leaning back hard in his seat, "Well if those are my choices, then it will be my honor to ride.", Ron grumbled as he turned one of Yori's favorite sayings around, "I just wish I had the foresight to bring a pillow to sit on.", as he rubbed his backside while grimacing.

Tritely, "Once we arrive at our destination we will walk enough as it is. Enjoy sitting for a while longer yet." Tai-shu smiled at getting the last word on the subject with the random and glib American.

Then smiling to herself, she reflected on her passenger's knack of going off on random tangents, as she wondered how others he worked with on their 'projects' dealt with it while she once again put the truck into gear. Shaking her head and laughing quietly to herself, she eased the truck back onto the road, hitting several ruts along the way.

"Ow! Hey! C'mon, didn't you even try to miss a few of those holes?", came from the passenger seat, followed by a barely audible soft titter from the driver's side of the cab.

XXX

The Dashwood Public House, Upper-Heyford, Oxfordshire, England:

"'Ello there precious, 'ow would you like to 'ave a beer with me?", the relatively attractive, yet more than slightly reeking of beer, young Englishman asked the auburn haired woman sitting amongst three other young and very pretty women at a booth in the Pub.

A locally semi-famous 'footballer' (that's soccer to those of you who are American-football oriented) after two very good years with Tottenham, life was looking quite promising for the up-and-coming Striker as he continued a long-held tradition of his of drinking his fill the day before upcoming big matches. But when you are young, you sometimes do dumb things…and today, after he was able to soberly take the time to reflect on it, this was going to be one of his dumbest.

Kim Possible, looking up from her shanty (English slang for alcohol-based drink: usually), quickly studied the inebriated man before she responded, "Thanks, but I'm not interested. Anyway you reek of beer, so if you don't mind, bugger off.", she said politely, yet disapprovingly, before she returned to the conversation with her friends.

Surprised and a bit outraged, "But I'm Warren Isotherp, 'The' Number Nine for the 'Spurs' (Tottenham Hotspur). We're in the top four of the division, I'm famous.", he sputtered incredulously.

"Congratulations, uh Warren…that's your name right?", Kim asked and at his nod continued, "I thank you for coming by, but I'll have to say no to your invitation.", she said, then nodded to her friends. "I'm just here with friends and nothing much more than that right now." In his stupor the realization of being turned down was gaining speed as the condition was making its way into his conscious mind.

"Besides I'm already in a relationship with a guy, someone I love dearly and I don't think he'd appreciate it if I was to take up your offer either. He's quite the jealous type and I don't think you'd like to meet him if he got mad at you.", Kim said with a little tweak in her voice, as he once again received further not-so-positive reinforcement to the earlier signal sent to his Ego.

"Now, like I said earlier, thanks but no thanks. The girls and I just came in for a bite and a beer, and we really would like to be left alone…right girls?", she asked and received their nods. His Ego now thoroughly deflated, he likewise deflated quite noticeably.

Then with a furrowed brow, "So again, bugger off, I'm not one of your groupies.", Kim finished as she turned back to her friends and Warren turned off, his literal 'tail' between his legs.

As he walked away, "But take heart; one of the other girls in the place might be interested in a famous, yet slobbering drunken sot.", she said as a parting shot to his audacity.

As the inebriated man slunk back to his drinking companions the barkeeper shook his head as he handed the footballer another pint, "Laddie no one ever scores with that one. I think she's a ginger (English slang for lesbians, as in ginger beer, like queer), so take my advice and just leave her alone."

"Maybe you're right. And she is a little old for me anyway.", he slurred his justification, then turned his head to listen in on the conversation at the table he just left.

Now one of the girls at the table was in a Karate class Kim taught at school and decided to mix things up a bit between Kim and the soused footballer to see what would take place should he try to get rough with the red head. She recognized Warren from the tabloids which regaled their readers with his exploits of the partying and the fighting that came from the fame he garnered from his exploits on and off the pitch (Again, English slang, this time for Field).

She also was very familiar with the history of Kim's teen-hero days and had seen her spar other Karate Instructors with the devastating affect her gymnastic moves, combined with Kung Fu techniques, had on them.

In recent months it appeared the former teen hero's martial arts skills were coming along nicely; in fact they were almost back to those of her high school level, pre-graduation. Her instructors were definitely impressed at the gains Kim made from her days of restarted-beginning student until she advanced to Master Level Instructor in skills and prowess.

One of the things that most of the teachers and students familiar with Kim's teen-hero days had heard was her reputation for beating up the Henchmen® of the various techno-villains she faced back then. Though Kim wasn't quite back to that level yet she nevertheless was very formidable in defending herself.

Just loud enough for the retreating football star to hear, "Kim, you were too brutal with that cute guy…You should have given him a chance. I mean it's quite well known you're not seeing this Don anymore, so I say go for it.", Maggie Hayes' voice carried, to Kim's increasing dismay, across the short distance to Warren. "Besides, the other girls have been taking bets on when you're going to score with a real hottie."

Fiery eyes narrowed to her friend, "His name's Ron, Maggie.", Kim shot back.

Ignoring the red head and, even louder above the din of the Pub, "And you have to admit, you know you'd just like for them to grab you and haul you into a hotel room for some rough stuff.", Maggie said to Kim's increasingly widening eyes, her face going from shocked to dawning tweak.

Not amused in the least, "Ssshhh. You're going to start something that I want no part of.", Kim leaned over and whispered across the table to her smirking friend.

Taking the hint, a second girl at the table prodded Kim, just as loudly as Maggie, "C'mon Kim, you should have snatched up that footballer and had your way with 'em.", she crowed to an increasingly embarrassed and tweaked red head. "You know you were goin' off 'bout him."

The third girl in the group chimed in, "Oh come off it Kim, you've been such a tease. You really shouldn't lead guys on like that…My money's on you two knocking heels in the next twenty minutes.", Jane Smythe said over the increasing looks they were now getting from the other nearby Pub denizens.

At her limit of suggestive teasing she was receiving, "Dammit, if he hears you he might come back and I don't want to deal with any guy like that, especially in his condition.", Kim hissed.

Giggling, "Come on Kim, you should at least give it a try, even with him. You never know, he even might be good.", Maggie said suggestively.

Cutting in to try to nip the current conversation in the bud, "You should know by now that I'm not interested in any of the guys around here, much less any other guys. Ronnie's all I want.", Kim countered.

Jane shot back, "Kim, you two broke up years ago. If you are expecting him to just drop back into your life, at least if the tabloids get wind about this, he might hear about it and it just might make him jealous enough to come back to you."

Kim started to reply, "But we didn't break...", when she was interrupted by a returning presence no one noticed until a hand was placed on Kim's shoulder.

Though he was now quite drunk, the footballer had very acute hearing, and after the advice he received from the barkeep and listening in on the teasing the girls were giving Kim, he took the back and forth in a way that left him angry and somewhat confused for more than one reason. Unsure if she was either interested in him, yet was leading him on for her own sport, or if she didn't swing that way and was playing him for a fool, he decided he was going to get the last word, or whatever, with the stuck up red head. After all, nobody played him for a fool!

Either way he figured on scoring big, whether it was after-hours with her, or she'd get a lesson from him she'd never forget no matter which way she was leading him on. But the one thing that kept bothering him was that he just couldn't remember where he had seen her before, or from when.

The red head glanced at the hand, looked up at who it belonged to and warned, "Remove it or lose it buster."

Looking to instigate her one way or another, "Listen you tart lezzer (A/N: Tart pretty much means the same on either side of the Atlantic, and I don't think I need to say what he meant with the second word, do I?), we both know you want it…"

Stunned at what he called her, 'Tart...lezzer?!', Kim almost didn't register the unwelcome hand that reached under her sweater to grab onto something of hers that only one boy had ever touched.

Quickly recovering from the waaayy off-base insult and the sneak attack grope by the alcohol-laden Soccer-flash-of-the-moment, the former heroine grasped the digital intruder at the junction of Warren's thumb and forefinger. Applying pressure there with a practiced thumb while wrapping her fingers around his hand and increasing the pressure on that point until the invading hand released his self-determined, ill-gotten booby, uh, I mean 'booty' prize.

After having his hand painfully extracted from under her sweater, Kim delivered one last pulse of pain to his hand before she released it from her iron grip. Then believing she had made her point, Kim released the soccer player's hand and turned back to her friends, turning her back on the seemingly, to her, chastened soused lout.

Though Warren received quite the multiple comeuppances from someone less than half his size or mass and, to his mental misfortune, so many times more his intelligence, he decided to take one last shot before satisfaction was his to bask in. And in doing so, he made matters for himself so much worse than just getting shot down on a supposedly easy pickup, or nearly having his hand put in a cast for a few weeks. (Oh well, supposedly Footballers don't need their hands except to hold a pint when drinking, ya know, right?)

When Kim turned back to her friends, Warren Isotherp showed all present in The Dashwood why his rep as the current King of the Cheap Shot in English Football was well earned as he struck the back of her head with a balled fist, knocking the red head, forehead first, onto the tabletop with a sharp 'Bop!'.

Open mouthed at this attack on their friend, the girls could only watch in stunned silence as Kim's head bounced up, displaying an ugly red mark on her forehead as her head reset itself for another cheap shot by England's latest in a long line of 'Soccer Bad Boys'.

Hissing, "Bloody bitch!", he drew back for another go at what he supposed was a well-deserved and easy target, and was surprised when the red head dove to the aisle beside the booth and away from his rapidly descending fist.

Stunned at the shot she received while her back was turned, Kim's old crime fighting instincts kicked in and she dove away from a second attack she knew was coming from her assailant.

Rising like a Phoenix before the pampered Sports 'Star' she cracked her knuckles, her eyes boring into his.

"Sooo, you like to hit girls when their back's turned, do you?", Kim said, her tweak now at a level it had not been at since that night on the roof of Bueno Nacho HQ.

Staring him down as he tried to match her glare, yet failing, "Just so you know, I've been hit better and a lot harder by Shego in her prime and all I've got to say about your pathetic wimpy-assed rabbit-punch is that…You're..No…Shego!"

Taking a defensive stance from which she could just as easily attack him from, Kim again taunted the sports boozer, "Now, do you want to take this outside so we don't upset the patrons here by spilling your blood on the floor, or would you rather I just end your embarrassment here and now by taking you down old school?"

The realization that he no longer was in any position to use his 'talents' to his advantage, that and his drunken bravado kicking in for one last stand against his sense of self-preservation as his alcohol-fogged brain fought against the realization of who he was actually facing, the snotty soccer player cocked his fist one last time, "Piss off bitch.", he hissed as he swung at her again.

This time, more than ready, Kim slapped his punch down while moving to her left. After that move she stepped through with a ridge hand to the solar plexus, and then finished with a knife hand to the back of the neck. Stunned, breathless and motionless from both blows, he could do no more than fall to the ground on his back like a bag of rocks when she finished him off with a leg sweep; his head bouncing off the floor.

Now in full combat mode, Kim warily stood at guard, her right foot slightly raised, ready to stomp the first available vulnerable target if he tried to get up to attack her.

"What's the matter asshole; can't you fight a girl without her back to you?", Kim sneered. "And are you such a bloody poofter queer to have to go that route, yet you still got your ass kicked?", Kim growled, she was having more fun than she'd had in years. It felt almost as good as when she kicked Dementor's biscuit, and it was almost better than fighting Shego from years ago. (Poofter: Gay male, in England)

By now, the barkeep called over to Kim, "We'll take care of him Miss. He won't be bothering you again.", quite shocked at the display she put on in his Pub.

Kim smiled and called back, "Thanks Sir, sorry about the mess. I'll just finish my beer then leave." Then with a smirk that would have done Shego proud, "Oh and for your information I'm neither a street walker, nor am I a carpet muncher, I have a boyfriend…I just haven't seen him in a while.", she said with narrowed eyes as he visibly paled.

After coughing a bit, "Don't trouble yourself Miss, this one has been bothering other pretty women every time he comes in. I almost wish he didn't return.", he nervously replied, avoiding acknowledging his contribution to the scene with his gossip to the pretty boy footballer.

"If he's that much trouble why don't you call the Police?"

"His Manager pays for the fines, and lets him keep going."

"I could have my Karate Club take him to the dojo and we could go a few more rounds with him just to get him to change his ways, if you catch my meaning."

"Don't trouble yourself, he's not worth it."

"OK and thanks, but if he continues to be obnoxious think about the offer.", Kim waved as she sat back down at her booth.

"Shit Kim, you really can take care of yourself.", Maggie giggled somewhat in awe after taking in the former heroine's impromptu martial arts exhibition. Pausing she looked with a frown over her now spilt glass of lager and white soda mixture she had been drinking with a dark glare at the form still down on the floor.

Scowling, "He's just a punk, yet I can see I'm not in top form yet girls. Maybe sometime next year I'll be there, so I'm still pretty vulnerable.", Kim said to their questioning eyes. "Once you get as far outta shape as I was, it takes a while to get it all back.", she said in explanation of her take on where her abilities seemed to be with her.

Then turning the scowl to the main instigator of this fracas, "Anyway, I wanna know, why you were harshing on my boyfriend Maggie?"

Hands up in defense, "You haven't even seen him since you came here from what I've heard.", she replied weakly. Then pitifully, "And that Warren guy was cute till you smacked him around a little.", she shook her head.

"I was just repaying his affection in kind, that's all.", Kim said as she gathered her purse. "Now come on let's get out of here before the Police show up and start asking questions." Kim paused after she stood from the booth, "In time I'll find Ronnie and make it all better…once I crawl to him on my knees over a mile of broken glass."

Contritely, "If you're so sure about it then.", Maggie replied.

Looking her straight in the eyes, "I am and if you try that again we are going full contact back at the dojo.", Kim said, her voice full of certainty on that promise.

XXX

Really Remote China:

The early morning sun was now rising in the sky as the American and Chinese Agents slowly walked towards a little used road in the distance.

In a low voice Ron asked Tai-shu, "Why are we making for this road on the map?"

"It's what you American's call a hunch. I know of this area, it is one of the reasons I was tasked with searching here."

"What do you mean?"

"I grew up here, when I was younger my family used to come here to pick berries. From what I know of the area I thought of where weapons such as these could be hidden and of the hard to find paths which are wide enough for a truck to drive through.", she explained. "My familiarity with this region made assigning me to this area an obvious choice."

"An, I see. But still that doesn't explain how I got assigned with you to search this area.", Ron said, bringing up a point he didn't see just yet; at least from her point of view.

"Well, as the only non-Oriental in the equation, it was decided to keep you away from the more seasoned Operatives in this mission.", she said to his mystification. "You see to the older members of our Team, even though you are a part of a Japanese Team, we are less suspicious of them than they are of an American.", Tai-shu explained as diplomatically as possible.

"But while I am an American, I am not tied in any way to my Government or any Agency they are suspicious of.", Ron argued back.

"Be that as it may, Bobo,", she smirked, "but it was also decided that you would go with me to an outlying region in our search pattern with someone less likely to distrust you from the outset. For safety reasons as well.", she said with a mischievous smile. "Yours from them, as well as mine from you."

"Alright I can see keeping me safe from some trigger-happy members of your team, but where do you figure me being less of a threat to you, especially way out here?", Ron countered.

Again with the smirk, "Though I am small and a woman, I am much more than I appear, Bobo Mankey. You'd best realize that should you have other motives my country or I should be aware of.", she said with confidence. "Besides, you are on my 'turf' as you would say, and I am holding more cards than I have shown you."

"Well I'm glad of your confidence in your abilities and of where we are, but just to keep you honest, I am more than just some dopey American tourist out on a joyride in your country.", Ron replied in a veiled reminder to her to not get too confident of her presumed 'perception' of him and her position on this mission.

Sniffing at his bold retort, "Yes Bobo, I do realize that you are probably more than that." Then looking him over, "And your guise seems to mask that you are more than what you appear to others."

With practiced ease of his masking his true abilities, "Not sure what you are talking about Tai-shu, I'm just someone who keeps my friends safe and somewhat entertained." Ron's delivery was flawless, something she almost didn't detect.

"Yes, maybe you are right,", she said in reply. Then slowing and crouching behind some foliage near another path, "Now be quiet, if there are any bad people around we don't want them to find us.", Tai-shu said as she lowered her voice to a whisper.

"Sure.", Ron whispered back as she turned to scope out the immediate area. Then while her back was turned, he stared off into the distance as if listening for something.

X

It was in the late afternoon when Ron, in the lead at this point, held up his hand and crouched down. Tai-shu quietly crept to Ron and crouched down when she got beside him. Quietly he pointed at a wide path that, from the recent tire tracks made in it, had been used recently.

Motioning to the Chinese girl to stay put, Ron eased himself closer to the tracks. Though she now knew he could do it, it was still something she watched in awe as he seemed to fade into the background.

'I wonder how Mankey can perform this stunt right before my eyes. When I get the chance, I must inquire of him this secret.'

While Tai-shu watched and pondered her partner, the invisible American ninja crouched and more closely inspected the tire tracks. 'Hummm more than one type of tread and fairly heavy vehicles too. Yeah, more than one truck came through here. Maybe this is what we are looking for?', he considered as he made out multiple vehicle tire tracks in the road.

Silently Ron moved back away from the path and, due to the mystical powers of the MMP he drew on, he could soon smell his current partner. A trait he picked up with the power's affinity to monkeys and their more sensitive scent receptors. Wordlessly and remaining invisible, he gently grabbed Tai-shu's hand and began to pull her away from their hide spot.

Shocked at first, the girl almost pulled her hand back, but Ron kept his hold on it as he pulled her further away from his discoveries; gradually growing more visible the further they retreated from the observed path.

"Sssshhh, there are truck tracks down there. I think we should notify the others and then follow the tracks to where they lead to and wait for reinforcements before going further.", Ron suggested quietly.

In a whisper, "The others are too far away, but I agree we should follow the tracks.", she nodded. "And if we see that they are the ones we are trying to find, we will call in support.", Tai-shu replied.

Ron here was torn, he wanted to contact his comrades to be sure they knew where he and Tai-shu were located, but since she was Team Leader, he relented to her decision.

Sighing in agreement, yet requesting something from her, "I think we should at least alert them now that we might have something to check on in case something happens to us."

Shaking her head, "If we know for sure it would be better to call them with something solid to report, then we can watch from a distance then.", she countered.

Ron frowned as he whispered back, "It is safer my way."

With a smirk of someone young and 'bullet-proof', "So you want to live forever Bobo Mankey? I didn't take you for a coward.", she playfully chided him.

"Being cautious is not about being a coward Tai-shu; sometimes it's the smart thing to do so you can live to fight another day."

Teasing him once again, "Are you afraid, Bobo Mankey?"

Sternly shaking his head, "It is not dishonorable to be afraid Tai-shu, it is stupid not to have as many Aces in your pocket as possible.", Ron advised his partner.

"I am in charge am I not?", she noted, pulling one of her 'Aces' on him. At Ron's nod, "My leader will want me to make this decision and complete this investigation as soon as possible too, so we will do this as I have decided."

"Very well, if that is your decision.", Ron said as he gave in, then reached into a pocket and brought out a small box with a small antenna in one corner and a button in the middle, which he handed to the girl, who now looking curiously at the device, "if we meet anyone suspicious, push the button on the device. The battery is good for four hours, but once activated it also sends a signal to other devices that we have, which will lead our friends to you."

Cradling the device in her hands in wonder, "Is that how you disappear?", Tai-shu asked as she looked between him and the device several times. If so she definitely thought it was a good idea to keep this toy when the mission ended.

Shaking his head, "No, yours is only to be used once. What I do is learned and can be used many times over if you have the energy and are conscious.", he said to her. Pointing to the device in her hands, "Once used it will self-destruct after the battery dies so don't get any ideas of reverse engineering the technology", Ron disabused her of the notion after her eyes lit up while he described the device to her.

Satisfied he had made his point, Ron turned back to return to the tracks they were to investigate, stopping to check that Tai-shu was with him. After checking her map to see just how long the road went, he turned and walked off with her right behind him.

X

Six methodical search hours, two breaks and three lead exchanges later, Tai-shu crouched down behind some bushes and raised her hand to halt Ron a short distance behind her. Silently he made his way to her and crouched beside her to see a cave mouth with several armed men standing in the vehicle tracks which lead into the cave. Placing a hand on her shoulder he motioned for her to follow him back where they could quietly talk.

After trailing back over a small rise to block them from the cave Ron whispered, "Now can I radio in for help?"

Nodding, "Yes Mankey, you may contact your friends and instruct them of what we have found and that I believe this is where the missing weapons are hidden.", Tai-shu instructed.

"Very well", Ron simply replied as he turned his radio on, set his ear bud in place and prepared to transmit to Yori.

After two minutes of quiet calls to her, Yori's voice came back through his earpiece, "Yes Bobo-san I hear you, do you have anything to report?"

"Yes, my partner and I believe we have found the cargo. We are going into hiding until you arrive."

"I understand the security team is enroute. Wait for our arrival before acting. Understood?"

"Do you have my position?"

"Affirmative. Did you get my last transmission?"

"You know me, see ya later.", Ron said as he let go of the Push-To-Talk on the radio and removed his ear bud so that he wouldn't have to listen to what was coming next before turning his volume way down.

X

With a frown that marred her looks, (You had better take care. Ron-sama.), Yori hissed quite aware of his propensity for going off on his own, blowing things up and making big messes. (Damn you.), Yori continued in Japanese until she realized that Ron wasn't answering, then threw her down radio in disgust.

Hiro asked, "What was all that about?"

"Mankey-san and his partner believe they have found the shipment. I have their location. We must go there quickly before something very bad happens.", Yori explained to the whole group.

Mein Lo inquired, "If they just hide what will be the problem?"

Hiro frowned, "Our friend doesn't like to hide very much…in fact he likes to blow things up so we must begin immediately for their position. How far away from the truck are we?"

"Three hours. Then making good speed because we no longer have to be stealthy, I expect another two to three hours before we get to their search area.", Mein Lo informed all present.

"I have Mankey-san's location loaded into my radio. We will know more when we get closer. Let us hurry.", Yori urged as she started for their truck.

X

"Stay down, it'll be dark soon then we can get closer if you wish.", Ron whispered to the girl who seemed itching for a fight.

"Alright, but we need to get closer to make absolutely sure….", Tai-shu shot back, now visibly anxious at going to the cave.

"Wait a few more minutes Tai-shu.", Ron urged, as he placed a hand on her shoulder to lightly restrain her from bolting forward.

X

Nearly an hour passed before Ron let Tai-shu have her way to approach the cave. When they were close enough to hear the men at the front of the cave speaking they froze when they heard a voice behind them firmly calling out while they also heard two weapons' safeties were being switched, "Who are you?"

Before anyone realized it, a glowing blue sword blurred into Ron's right hand as he raised his balaclava up over his nose with his left. Then faster than the eye could follow, a blur covered the distance to them, the sword hissed in a blue arc, removing the top half of the skull of one guard, then slicing diagonally through the torso of the second, leaving a bloody mess where each stood.

Realizing this encounter with the two guards was noisier than he preferred, Ron quickly and erratically charged those at the cave mouth, killing them, but not before they fired a few rounds off from their weapons at the approaching blue streak they could neither focus on, nor get a proper bead on either.

Open-mouthed at the speed with which her partner moved and the skill of his swordplay, Tai-shu finally shook out of her stupor and with a shout, pulled her sidearm and ran to the cave. The element of surprise gone, she figured her presence there would help her partner, not realizing she might be wrong about that.

As Ron blurred to the threat at the cave, those who fell heard, (For the Sacred Mountain.), precede the hiss of the blade before all went black. Though hard to train their weapon on, a few managed to send several desperately aimed rounds in the general direction of their target, and a couple did find their way to one or the other.

As Ron and the Lotus Blade continued to reap more lives on its curved blade, the lessons learned from multiple Sword Masters on full display, the blond's seemingly inexhaustible font of luck sprung a leak when a stray bullet found its mark in a shoulder as he and the Blade dispatched a guard at the neck. To the rear of his position he registered the shriek of his partner when a bullet, likewise, struck her. Though concerned, he was in no position to check on her at the moment.

Now spinning from the sledgehammer force of the blow, he rotated the other direction, and used the momentum to separate another guard from his head. 'I know that guy from somewhere. But where?', Ron thought, as he dodged more bullets, then counter spun through the last of the guards at the cave mouth.

After having completely dispatched all immediate guards and outside security from his actions, a winded Ron Stoppable quickly slipped back down the path, picked up a bleeding Tai-shu and blended into the underbrush as silently as he could.

X

Though the blond had been hit in the shoulder he carried the much smaller Agent as far as he could from the cave while trying to sense her injuries. Foremost on his mind he needed to find cover and concealment that would shield them from discovery while he dealt with their wounds.

After nearly a half hour of running through the underbrush he slid as carefully as he could under a very thick bush in a forest. Laying Tai-shu gently to the ground, Ron yanked a First Aid kit from a jacket pocket, tore it open and, pausing briefly, ripped her coat and shirt open before removing them completely.

Taking in her wound and the blood loss she sustained in their flight, he knew he had to act fast. With practiced movements he opened a little plastic bag of anti-infection powder, sprinkled it over her wound, opened another bag from which he removed a bandage and covered Tai-shu's chest wound. Once secure he picked her up, slid the bag's also powdered inner layer over the exit wound and laid her down on it.

Gently brushing hair from her eyes, "You are a brave little girl..much like someone I once knew.", Ron whispered before pushing the button on the transmitter he gave her earlier. Then, slipping it back into a jacket pocket, he placed the jacket over her to keep her warm. After propping her feet slightly to help prevent her from going into shock, he placed his own coat over her too.

And true to Ron's word about the device, Tai-shu slowly began to fade from view, while the emergency beacon sent its signal to those who would receive it, and hopefully arrive in time to save her life.

Turning from his partner, Ron began to center himself, channeling the Mystical Monkey Power for what was to come. The hole in the Ninja Master's shoulder burning like fire distracted him somewhat as his breathing became shallow.

'Now I have to make sure those things don't get moved before reinforcements arrive.', Ron thought bleakly, looking to the caves in the distance. Then turning to Tai-shu, 'I hope you'll be alright until I return.', as he placed a hand gently on her forehead and then rubbed some dirt from her face.

Pausing for a few moments more, Ron stood and made his way back to continue the battle he and Tai-shu began nearly an hour ago.

This time, vowing to finish this before those within the caves and the weapons they stole slipped away, Ron began to focus and center in order to bring a world of hurt with him when he found his quarry.

XXXX

Well there you have it, while Ron's out bonding with a Chinese version of Kim Possible, with a huge side order of too much Tai-shu-ness, Kim's still holding out for her Ron while beating down pampered boozy English sports stars in the process. Ron's come into his own, as you will shortly see, while Kim's on the road back to who she was.

But both are still missing that something special that made them even more than that. She's not giving up hope that she'll find it while he's wrapped it in a old blanket and placed it away.

Hope to be back soon, and also hope you like this latest chapter.

Later!