Storm Chaser

Hello! And welcome back to the next chapter of our tale.

Real life does intrude. Don't bet against that, this 'House' always wins…

But last time, Kim and Wade continued their training and 'testing' at Yamanouchi. Direct and indirect 'testing' is the order of the day by the Ninja Academy, and Japan's first line of clandestine defense to keep secure in their existence.

Ron's still moseying along in his chosen path. And still denying he has any romantic future after Kim…or with Kim.

Friends and family living their dreams, some due to direct intervention of mysterious benefactors, the rest on their own.

But before we get this started we'd like to thank those who have chimed in last time: Jimmy1201, Sentinel103, Bobtrumpet, Robot Wolf 26Z, Philip1991, Littlemw929, OrangeSheep, Iucarius, Nixweis, L0ne0meWanderer, Legendary Dragon94 and Maranger. Thank you all for your support.

Chapter 41

Miami University:

Looking from the document in awe to his fellow transfer student, Nathan Blance whistled as he noted the postgraduate accomplishments garnered by his new friend, "Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science at the University of Miami, Florida…a Masters, while graduating at the top of your class with dual majors? That's some serious bragging rights Kaminsky." (Truth be told both were going for their PhDs…AN)

After taking a sip of his coffee, "Thanks Nathan, but yours credentials don't look too shabby either. MIT for your Masters and all. The brain trust there isn't what I would call low class.", the taller blond said as he read the other student's resume.

Curiously looking up from the paper to his new friend, "Now what is your reason from getting away from the sushi and hot Asian girls? Did you get a couple of them pregnant?", Nathan laughed.

Shaking his head, "Nothing like that, I assure you.", Dean grinned. "I was in Japan for quite a while and since I've been interning with the Stateside Hurricane Hunters sent there to train the locals, Miami became my best option for postgrad studies.", he stated. Then a smirk, "That, and to make a long story short, I was a little homesick for stateside cooking…And I wanted to get back into cooking dishes that I loved growing up."

Of course, the MIT grad had no clue his friend was at one time, the Sidekick to a very well-known teenaged Heroine, and in his own right, was a well-traveled and talented chef. But as to what he did know about his friend, "So, you've been flying with them?" A little incredulous, "How did you manage that gig?"

Shrugging, "I guess I just got lucky.", Dean replied. Then in mock horror, "But if I don't watch my ass they're gonna make me cut the rest of my hair off…" A one-shouldered shrug, "Well they threatened to do that and give me a rank…"

Shocked, "Shit! You're in the Air Force, too?"

Shaking his head in amusement, "No…and, except for last year, I flew every summer since my sophomore year with them as a hurricane hunter intern. From here and from their main base in Mississippi. Also, I helped develop some pretty cool things to help them out.", Dean told his new friend; someone who was even more of a geek than he was.

"What did you do last summer since you didn't fly with them?", he asked, still incredulous. Airily waving his hand, "Take the summer off and go sit on a beach watching the babes?", Blance snorted.

Shrugging nonchalantly, "I wintered over at the South Pole.", Dean smirked, "And…I got the pics to prove it."

Jaw dropped, "You…wintered over?", his voice faded. Shaking his head, "Shit, I'd love to do something like that…Well as long as it was in Florida."

"Well it's further south than that, but it was fun in its own evil sorta way.", Dean laughed. "Sure was cold though…and dark…", looking off, tapping a finger on his chin, "and sometimes windy too, but I don't think I'll be doing that again soon."

"I can imagine.", Blance snorted. "So…what did you do then, to keep busy?"

"Well I helped cook and did some site work and collected data for some students I knew in Japan and here. In my spare time, I took a couple of extra classes for my double major so that I could complete it on my own schedule.", Dean grinned. "Like I said, I don't think I wanna do that again, my folks would kill me."

"Wintering at the South Pole and working for two PhDs?", he replied in awe. "Brutal.", he snorted. Cocking an eyebrow, "Don't you date or anything Kaminsky?", still disbelieving his friend's lifestyle.

A smirk that barely hid a small wave of sadness, "Nah, I don't have time to date unless it's a study date or something like that.", Dean replied. "Besides, I'm better able to take on the workload that comes from those degrees if I don't have any relationships that can take over your life if you aren't careful.", the once-burned blond sagely explained.

Shrugging, "Well I guess that IS a money saver…", Nathan agreeing somewhat with the reasoning.

Rubbing a hand behind his head in thought, "Yeah well, I mean I do out to dinner once in a while…", he shrugged also, "usually with classmates or fellow Karate students."

Eyes wide in surprise, "You take Karate?", the MIT grad whistled.

"I took it my first three years in Japan while in college when I found a school that didn't mind training gajins.", Dean waved off, "Now I go over there for testing once a year to prove that I am proficient in the art."

Baffled, "Gajin?", Nathan asked, trying to understand the term, "What is that?"

"It is a Japanese word for someone who is non-Japanese living in Japan. It can be considered an insult when used certain ways. It means outsider.", Dean explained.

Nathan's eyes narrowed, "Do they all speak like that about foreigners?"

"Nah most of them are like us, live and let be. The old-fashioned ones can be a pain in the butt, though. And I do have more than a few friends who are Japanese.", Dean related to his friend. "In fact, I'm still friends with a guy…an underclassman from Japan in the department, and he's totally cool…well for a sophomore."

Both chuckled having been in that position during their college careers.

After a comfortable silence, Nathan looked to Dean, "So where are you going Friday, Kaminsky?"

A thoughtful look, "Well I have to drop my pet off to my parents and then catch a quick flight to the Air Force Base.", rubbing his chin as he went over his travel itinerary. "We have to be wheels-up two hours before sunrise.", Dean said, "I should be back Tuesday morning unless those two storms coming into the Gulf get interesting."

"If they do, what will do you do?", the MIT grad inquired.

With a smirk, "Then I'll ride it for all it's worth if it's going to be that good.", Dean shot back with a snort. "You get an adrenaline rush doing this stuff…Well, at least I do."

Now wary after hearing this from his friend, "Ever have any complications from flying into those storms?", Nathan asked.

"We once had an engine fire at…night.", Dean regaled his friend. A nonchalant shrug, "So we shut the engine down, flew on three engines and just headed back to Japan.", to his friend's ever widening eyes. "Those C-130s are pretty tough.", he explained.

Now changing the subject to something less adventurous, in his mind, Nathan asked Dean, "We can come back to that another day…but do you think you and show me around campus before you head out?"

Holding back a smirk at Nate's shifting of gears, "Of course, I can. So where are you staying? We can start there so you have a good idea of where everything from your place."

Waving a hand at the structure, "And here is the library where you'll be living for about a year and a half.", Dean joked.

A weary smile, "Sometimes being around books is better than being around people.", Nathan responded.

Dean lowered his voice even more, "Not that I disagree, but do yourself a favor and find someone…", he narrowed his eyes, now a little distant, "I haven't in eight years and it's a real drag not to have someone to share stuff with.", he abruptly shook his head to clear his thoughts.

"Wow that sounds tough and philosophical in its own way…", Nate responded at Dean's heartfelt revelation.

His tone flat, "It can be…even I get lonely sometimes.", Dean responded sadly.

Edging in carefully, hopefully to not intrude too much, "You had someone?", Nate's voice cautious.

Morosely, "Yeah, once upon a time.", Dean trailed off. "She was real pretty and was my whole life, but...she found someone else.", he sighed. His voice hardening, "But I'm not going down that road again. It sucks to get your heart torn out by someone you've known most of your life.", he shook his head in finality.

A little awestruck, "Man you sound like you really loved her, and when her love for you ended, it killed your ability to go into any more relationships.", Nate said as he clutched his heart, "It woulda murdered me…", he opined somewhat comically dramatically, "Oh…it's getting dark, so very dark…"

Cocking an eyebrow, "You took some drama classes, huh?", Kaminsky asked, somewhat familiar with the melodrama from some of his former high school classmates.

Knowing he'd been found out, Nathan dropped his hands, "Was I that obvious?"

Smirking, "Yeah, you were.", Dean lightly laughed, his mood lightened. "Now if your dramatic exposition is done, let's head over to where they teach most of the math classes. Then we'll go over to the weather labs building…they have some cool radars to play with.", he said as Nate visibly brightened, geeking out at the thought of the gadgets he would see.

Smirking in return, "I can see you really get into this Kaminsky.", Blance shot back.

"Well Nate, if you are going for a PhD in weather science I advise you too, also. Maybe not as much as me, but you are going to have to really be enthused about it enough so that you want to devote your life in that direction.", he tossed out to his friend. "You have to want it more than just about anything.", Dean advised.

Shaking his head in quiet awe, "Man Kaminsky, you are really into this. I mean I thought some of the guys at MIT were stoked about the program we had there…But you seem to have taken it to new level.", he snorted. "Anyway, I meant to ask, is this your hometown?", waving a hand to outside in general.

With a well-practiced smile, "I grew up in northern Illinois. Way away from city lights.", it was quite easy to say by now.

Taken aback a little, "Well you talked like they live only a couple of miles away, so as familiar you've been about…here, I just wondered if you were from here.", Nathan regrouped.

The left side of his smile curling higher, "Mom and Dad now live in Colorado…they always wanted to live there…mountains and all, ya know? Very small chance that hurricanes would get them there.", Dean explained.

Shaking his head, "Man, I'd take the chance…"

Shrugging, "Yeah maybe, but while I was in Japan they moved to Norway for her company…", looking off, "I guess that was for about four or five years. Now that they're back here they decided that they like it in the mountains, so they took the next big step.", Dean continued. "Hopefully they'll come to their senses in a couple of years and move south."

The MIT grad chuckled at how the guy who was showing him around campus could let little things get to him. Turning to his friend, "You know Dean that settling down thing you mentioned for me could also work for you too.", Nathan chided him. "If it was me, I'd be checking out some of those coeds who were sitting around in the student union…a lot of them were pretty too…and maybe smart.", he nudged the blond.

"Like I said before Nathan I'm staying single. I've been bit once, very badly, and that's more than enough.", Dean reminded him of what he explained earlier. Looking toward an available timepiece, "Anyway, I'm going to have to get going if I'm going to make my flight…"

"Are you already packed Dean? I mean I can help.", Nathan offered.

"Already done, I just have to pick up my bags and my pet, and call for a taxi to pick me up."

'Your pet? Where are you taking him?", incredulously, "…Not on a hunter flight?"

"Nah he's going to Colorado to spend most of the summer with Mom and Dad. They've babysat him for the summers before."

X

The meteorology student stuffed his pink buddy into his jacket pocket when he heard the car horn sound outside. "Rufus, we have to do this, I can't leave you here all by yourself.", Dean explained to his grumpy pink buddy as he picked up his three bags and headed for the door to his very nice apartment.

Three minutes later the taxi was on the road to the executive airport where Kaminsky had a jet waiting to fly him to Colorado to drop off his friend for a few weeks.

XXX

England, seventeen hours later:

The young red head, dressed in her black and red graduation gown for the ceremony taking place within the next thirty minutes, hugged her Mother and Father while her brothers looked on. "You guys have been great for me and supported me when I was a fruitcake,", her breath caught for a second, "and I don't think you know just how much I appreciate all that you have done for me.", she sniffled slightly.

Anne Possible hugged her eldest for all that she was worth. "Kimmie you faced an insidious adversary that was trying to destroy your mind and you won out in the end.", she said while pulling back so confident blue eyes looked into asking green, "Sure, you were helped, but it was you who did all the work and lived with all the pain." Smiling, she lightly touched a finger to her daughter's nose, "That is quite an accomplishment." A smile from below growing, as they both giggled. "Now I am very proud of you being asked to stay for three more years doing research at one of the most prestigious institutions around. Not many get asked to be associate instructors here.", she finished with pride as Kim blushed lightly.

James Possible stepped to them, a huge grin on his face, "I agree with your Mother honey, I think this puts you on a level with us and your brothers.", as he hugged the two women in his life. "But now that it is coming to an end maybe you'll come home and live with us for a while…", he faltered at the end, "at least…until you find a place of your own." His eyes doing a weak version of Anne's and Kim's PDP.

Which were met with echoing giggles from the Mistress and Apprentice of their own version of the 'Jedi Mind-Trick'. "I will Daddy,", Kim said through her mirth, "and I promise not to move very far away as long as I'm in the Middleton area.", she said as he brightened at this, "But a lot of other things are going to take place behind the scenes as to where GJ assigns me."

Placated with this item for now, the Patriarch of the Possibles nodded. "So…have you heard anything more about Ronald? If I remember correctly the group you had been visiting during the summer had word of him."

Having been warned off from talking too much about her former boyfriend, she sighed, "I won't know any more until I go back for more training, Daddy. Ron pops in and pops right out again before anyone can bring up the subject of an old broken down girlfriend.", Kim frowned. "I know there's something they're not telling me about my old boyfriend, but they are adamant about not revealing it to me until I see him in person.", she huffed. "And while I am sure he and I will meet again, I have no idea when or where that meeting will take place.", Kim related to her Father.

As two Asian women came up to them and stood quietly to the side, waiting to be introduced, Anne asked, "Kimmie, it's been a long time, are you even sure that Ronald will want to see you even if he hasn't found someone else?"

Looking steadily to her, "Mom, I am so sure that he hasn't.", Kim replied. "The headmaster at the school that Wade and I attend each summer told me, well us, that he has foreseen me and Ron having a large brood of kids…Or as he calls them 'enabled'.", Kim revealed, though not expanding on the information, since some of it came from a man who had died some fourteen hundred years before she was born.

Perking up, "Enabled?", James asked, "Enabled in what way?"

Nonchalantly, "I'm not sure Dad, but the school that I study at teaches a lot of stuff that you just don't find anywhere else at such a high level…", Kim said to put him off the trail of questions she couldn't answer. Then, internally sighing in relief, she turned to the two women who had joined them, "Oh, and Mom, Dad, I want you to meet two of friends from school. This is Suzie Chin and Wanda Wang." Each bowed as they were introduced. "They have been great friends for me here." Kim beamed at the two women she had met a few years before who had become a fixture in her life.

After her 'rents bowed in return, the tall Asian woman stepped forward and offered her right hand to James, as the shorter one lightly snarked, "And Wanda is no lady."

Narrowing her eyes in a mock glare, "Speak for yourself Suzie.", the taller one retorted. Then to James, "She got the baking powder and the body powder switched this morning. That is why we are a little late."

Hands on hip, the shorter Asian woman shot back, "That was you Wanda. I've told you many times to make sure of what you are doing…but noooooo. Now you want to put the blame on me.", Suzie ranted.

Quite amused at their antics, Kim laughed, "Like I said, I've become great friends with these two…"

Wanda interrupted, "Kim! We have some news for you that we didn't know for sure until this morning."

Deadpan, "What? A new beer at the Tuft tavern?", Kim chuckled.

Smirking, "Better than that.", Suzie cut in. "As you know we both have our advanced degrees now and we've been applying for employment all over Asia…"

Realizing what this probably meant, "Yeah, and I'm gonna miss you two after I leave tomorrow.", a saddened Kim replied.

Shaking her head, "Not as much as you think Kim.", Suzie smiled, "We got employment opportunities in your hometown.", she informed the red head.

Blinking, "You did? Where?", Kim asked as this sunk in.

A hand to her chest, "Well, I got a job offer at some place called the Middleton Space Center where I sent my resume'.", then pointing to her friend, "While Wanda here is going to be a college professor at some place called MIST, where she expects to get her PhD.", Suzy told her now incredulous American friend. But what she unaware of was that records had been altered to make both job candidates 'highly qualified' for the positions they had been offered.

(In truth, both of the Yamanouchi Graduates were highly qualified in more than one area now that they had been trained at a first-class university. These two deep cover shinobis, with help from a certain secret school, were now able to stay somewhat close to Kim since neither she nor GJ were aware that all this happened right under their noses…AN)

At this, James Possible's eyebrows rose, "I work at the Space Center and I went to school at MIST…Being on staff there is a great honor and it says a lot for your qualifications Miss Wang.", he smiled to her before turning to her friend. "And Miss Chin it looks like we are going to be colleagues in the very near future."

Now her demeanor serious, "I worked very hard for this opportunity Dr. Possible.", Wanda informed James, hoping he would buy into this.

Suzy smiled, "You never know Dr. Possible, I could end up working as one of your assistants on some projects."

His face also serious, "Maybe so Miss Chin, but you are going to have to go through the same FBI investigations as everyone else. And since you're a foreign national they will be even more careful, so it may take a while before you're able to work on the highly-classified things that we have there."

Nodding solemnly, "I understand that Dr. Possible, I can fetch coffee or make lunch until all that finishes…"

Suzy's snarky laugh cut in as she mock warned, "Don't let Wanda have anything to do with food Dr. Possible, or she could be the next Adelaide Bartlett."

At a loss, "Who?", Anne Possible inquired.

With a smirk, "She was a famous female English poisoner from the Victorian era.", as Suzie poked her friend in the ribs.

Having already made the connection, Kim and the twins chuckled. The red head then turned to her Mother, "They are related and have known each other since they were small children, like Ron and I did, so they play little pranks on each other and give each other a hard time like this all the time."

Remembering how this sounded so much like what went on between her twins, Anne smiled, "Jim and Tim were the same way. You didn't realize it, but they were harder on each other than they were on you.", she said to Kim's dawning realizations. "The boys only gave you a hard time when they were bored."

However, still a little defiant, regardless of the information, Kim countered, "But Mom, they always picked on me…"

His calm, fatherly demeanor kicked in, "Honey it only seemed like that. They are geniuses, you know.", James grinned as she deflated to his immensely knowledgeable rebuttal. Then, as his daughter huffed in exasperation, he looked at his watch, "Now, I think we have to get to our seats." Narrowing his eyes with a smirk, "And you Miss Possible, need to get in line or you'll never graduate."

XXX

Anne Possible beamed to her smiling daughter as she packed her gown, something she had earned as much as any of the awards and medals she was awarded from when she was a teen. Then she dimmed slightly as her daughter's bright smile disappeared from the younger red head's face. Noticing the shift, Anne asked, "You still miss him, don't you honey?"

Pausing her packing, "Him?", the former heroine asked in some confusion.

Now glad she had banished the males to a nearby hub, "Ronald.", Anne clarified, to keep this conversation between the women of the family.

Sighing sadly, "Yeah Mom, but I already realized that Ron probably wouldn't be here to see me finish my schooling here." Turning to Anne, "The Master at that school Wade and I go to in the summer has said that Ron…doesn't even ask questions about me anymore.", frustration seeping out.

Her eyes saddened, "I'm sorry honey…"

A hand raised, "Mom, don't be. The same Master also informed me that Ron was pursuing an advanced degree, as was I, and it is taking all of his time. And in the summer, he has an internship which also has him pretty much locked down.", Kim said to her Mother.

Brightening, "That's wonderful news Kimmie. Who would have thought that your old beau would get that far?", Anne said. "So how much longer did this master expect Ronald to take with his studies?"

Looking off, then back to her Mom, "He's supposed to be done about this time next year, so I expect to hear some kind of word about him around then.", Kim replied.

Placing a hand on the younger red head's shoulder, "Honey, after that rough start, you have really done well. Maybe it was something that you needed to go through to make you thankful for everything you have.", Anne told Kim. [James ain't here, remember? The boys are at a pub so the ladies can speak freely…]

As Kim dithered at hearing this, Anne raised Kim's chin to look her in the eyes, "Like firing metal in a forge to toughen it up."

At Kim's confusion, "Like heat treating it honey.", she clarified. "They get metal real hot and then through a series of processes of cooling then reheating the metal becomes very strong.", Anne explained.

After realization came, Anne patted her on the shoulder, "So, when is GJ going to pick up your household goods and transport them back to Middleton?"

"They are supposed to be here with the van tomorrow. After that we can leave for our trip.", Kim replied.

"And you're all packed, honey?"

Pointing across the room, "Yeah Mom, I put my awards and robe and stuff away in that box over there.", Kim replied.

XXX

Squadron Briefing Room, Keesler AFB, Biloxi Mississippi, USA:

Standing at podium before the assembled Officers and Enlisted personnel of the Fifty-Third Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, Dean Kaminsky was getting to the meat of a pre-flight briefing. "…and according to the most recently acquired data, we expect ninety-mile-an-hour winds some eight hundred miles east of Cuba…"

Cutting in, "How sure of this data are we, Kaminsky.", Colonel Warmarster inquired.

Glancing at his watch, "Sir this data, is currently forty-seven minutes old.", Dean replied. "I can show you the reports for the last week if you need to see the rest. I also have backup data on my laptop which suggests we are in for a string of these storms in the coming weeks. Something that ought to keep us very busy for a while."

To make a point of recognition to the multitude of assembled 'newbies', the Air Force officer asked Dean, "Son, darn few of these men know who you are and your experience level. So, if you would…?", the Colonel gestured between him and the assembly.

Nodding to the Officer, "Yes sir, I understand." Turning to the assembly, "My name is Dean Ronald Kaminsky. I graduated from the weather program at Hokkaido University in Sapporo Japan in three years. From there I transferred as a graduate student to the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science at the University of Miami in Florida. I have earned both my Masters there and will present my theses for my PhDs this winter at the same school which is renowned for its atmospheric studies.", he said before pausing for a moment. "Oh, in my Masters programs I was ranked number one, if you need to know my ranking. I have also presented lectures for the staff at several national meetings over the last two years where they gave lectures. And last summer I wintered over at the South Pole doing research for my upcoming theses as well as performing tasks that needed to be done."

A Major Fels Summerset, gaped at this information, "What are you son?…A walking computer?"

Dean responded, "Not hardly sir.", he shrugged. "I'm just a kid with no real normal life. This is what I do and I'm damned good at it if I say so myself."

Warmarster added, "Kaminsky has been flying with us for five years and if he hadn't been in the Antarctic last summer it would have been six.", he smirked at the blond. "We have never had an intern advance so far and stay with us for so long. The Air Force has offered him a Commission,", his smirk deepening, "but so far he hasn't accepted."

Smirking back, Dean responded, "Sir we've been over this.", he sighed in mock exasperation, "For the foreseeable future I do not see myself in an Air Force uniform…", he replied before waving a hand down his profile, "Although flight coveralls are a different matter entirely."

Cutting in, Summerset blurted out to the blond American, "You could come in as a Captain. The pay is solid…"

Waving him off, "I assure you that Kaminsky doesn't need the money.", Warmarster interrupted. "A few years ago, after he paid for the development of a piece of equipment for our group, he confessed he had more than enough money to live on for the rest of his lifetime.", he said to some quiet gasps. "So, I am convinced that he isn't in it for the money or for the fame…", and was interrupted by the chuckling of the assembled, since it was common knowledge that one didn't enter the meteorology game for notoriety or wealth.

Once it quieted down he continued, "And I've seen the results of his work and it is as good as anyone else I've met so far."

Blushing slightly, Dean regrouped, "Ah yes sir, thank you sir." Then gesturing back to his CO, "Now, since I've completed my part of the briefing, I would like to turn this back over to the Colonel so that we can finish up and get our tails into the air and do what the government pays us to do.", Kaminsky finished.

One of the younger officers shot out, "I thought you didn't get paid."

Grinning, "I don't, but I'd rather be doing this trying to save lives than be on a street corner panhandling for my next meal.", to which the room filled with a rumble of chuckles.

Regaining their attention, Colonel Warmarster announced, "Listen up for the crew assignments, as we are going to have two aircraft up. The second one will be taking off four hours after the first flight. The crew of plane two, make sure you get some rest because you'll be out late tonight."

X

As Dean walked alongside the 'Old Man', the Colonel lightly chuckled, "Kaminsky…", he playfully glared at the blond, "Disregarding the life choices of the source…meaning a confirmed bachelor and career Officer…take this advice for what's it worth…To a young man like yourself, with years ahead of you,", the man smirked, "if you want any woman in her right mind to even consider looking to you for romance…you are going to have to get rid of that long hair and beard."

Playfully, "Don't you think that might be the reason for me to keep it like this, sir?", Dean replied. "I mean if I weren't to cut my hair or shave for, oh say, the next fifteen years, none of them should have a reason to look my way, anyhow.", he smirked.

Snorting, "Kids.", the Colonel muttered as he carried his flight bag with his charts and brain bucket out to the vehicles the crew was going to ride to the tough C-130.

Shaking his head, Dean followed the 'Old Man' and other members of the crew to the first plane to go airborne. Musing loud enough to be heard, "We could see some additional development from this storm."

Turning to him, "This one has a name now, Kaminsky.", Warmarster reminded the weather guy.

Nodding, "I know, but it feels wrong naming one this early, ya know."

The Colonel laughed, "Just call her Alicia, and remember there is no hell like the one a female can give you if you piss her off."

Reminded of someone in his past life who was the embodiment of this sentiment, Kaminsky muttered lowly, "You don't know the half of it sir."

A half turn of his head, "You say something son?", the Colonel responded to the missed reply.

Curt shake of the head, "Nah, I was just thinking out loud sir.", Dean responded as he continued on to the C-130.

XXX

Middleton, Colorado:

A squeal of joy ripped through the opened door as Tara entered their very recently, wholly owned home. The mortgage to their three-bedroom dwelling paid in full, she and Josh could now live, secure in their ownership after returning from the bank.

Laughing, with the document aloft in his left hand, his right holding his wife's waist, "We did it five years sooner than I thought we would."

Now giggling, "You selling an average of a painting every month and a half really helped and now with a growing family,", as she rubbed her growing belly, "we are now going to have to get a larger house since the guest room will now be taken over."

Lightly rubbing her belly, "Well, I could get a studio honey.", Josh offered.

Now in a thoughtful pose, "That will do for the short-term Josh, but we need to make plans after the baby comes.", Tara told her man. When he was about to protest, "I would rather have you here than driving off to work, Josh." Taking his hands in her own, "With you home, you can work anytime you want.", her eyes took on a PDP look, both were very familiar with.

After a moment's contemplation, Josh squeezed her hands, "And I can take care of the kids too?", he teased.

Stamping her foot, "No, that's not what I meant. Anyway, with Angela in school it's only going to be one.", Tara mock-glared at her husband's tease.

Rubbing her hands, Josh chuckled, calming her down, "And here we are, you the cute, bubbly cheerleader and me, the bumbling artist making a go of life together…", when one hand slowly waved, as to reveal the scene to them.

Smirking wickedly, "Not so bumbling honey, you ended up with me.", Tara shot back. Her smile changed to something more determined, "Now let's go pick up our daughter from school it's almost time for classes to get out."

Josh, like most henpecked men, set the document down on the dining room table and mock saluted, "Yes Ma'am."

Glaring in amusement, an obviously preggers-Tara quickly darted to her husband and lightly tapped him on the stomach. The game now afoot, each began their little mock-battle, taking care of her condition as they giggled and smirked for each 'coup' they counted on the other in their little tap-war.

Such was the life they lived, all thanks to a mysterious benefactor they only knew as 'Chosen Yan', who seemed to cherish the young artist's work. Someone who paid extremely well for each of his paintings. So much so that they could live a comfortable lifestyle with the earnings from their professions and easily afford to take a month off each year to visit a beloved friend living on an island just off the coast of Spain.

XXX

Yamanouchi, Japan:

The aging ninja master sat with his granddaughter and her spouse as he sipped his tea.

Pausing to place his cup on its saucer, (No Yori-kun there is no need for you to guide Possible-san and Load-san to the Holy Mountain this time. We have others are able to perform that task.), he answered her earlier request.

Sighing in barely concealed frustration, (Grandfather, we both wish to see Kim-san with our own eyes to observe how she has transformed over the years.), the ebony-eyed shinobi replied to the ninja master. Then with a not-so-concealed smirk, (Also Hiro-kun wishes to see his old flame.)

Hirotaka, whose eyes popped open, sputtered as the context in which his wife mentioned him sank in, (It…it is my wish, only to see that Possible-san…is well, Master. Also, I wish to see how she has changed from our previous visits and if she and Load-san are as the reports say they are.)

A mischievous glint in his eye, (You do not trust our agents Hiro?), Sensei teased. A small smile hidden within his moustache.

Mindful of the mildly amused and calculating look his wife was trying to hide from her husband's near-spastic distress, (No Master…), he blurted, then regrouped, (I mean Yes! Master. Ron-sama is my friend and I owe him for the treasure that I have.), he said to Yori's barely hidden amusement. (I only…wish to make sure…that his 'One' is on the path to their eventual, and hoped for, union.)

Smirking at the tender-trap his granddaughter had laid for her husband. And its results, (Well said my son.) Then a bit more seriously, glancing between them, (But there is another task I have for you and my granddaughter to take on.)

Now as serious as Sensei, Yori's eyes widened, (And what is this task you ask of us?)

His eyes resting on one, then the other, (You are to travel the world and covertly check on all of Stoppable-sama's close friends. You are to observe and make sure they are well, with nothing troubling them.), he said, pausing to let this sink in. At their nods, he continued, (It has been years since the Chosen One has been amongst them, and I wish to be assured that all is well with them…But, you are to only observe them. And only if necessary, interact if needed, to question them.)

XXX

Denver, Colorado:

He had, literally, kept his head down, for years…And it rankled him to no end. No one made Sheldon Director cower in the shadows, no one! With this in mind, he stood from his seat at the head of a large table, his closest assistants arrayed to his right and left. Then towering over them, he paused before he cleared his throat, to get their attention.

"It has come to my attention that my sister,", he hissed out, "no longer watches me as closely as she had since the 'invasion'.", he glared around the table. Then, "Therefore…I think it is time once again to commence our expansion into the Asian sector.", his voice thundered in the room.

Meekly, as if trying to avoid his boss' wrath, one aide raised his hand.

Barely containing his ire at what he hoped, for the assistant's sake, wasn't a challenge to his directive, the former villain nodded, "State your question, Anthony."

Gulping, "Yes sir, thank you sir.", he blurted out before freezing under his boss' hardened glare. When Sheldon's hand twitched, he blurted, "Are we completely sure that GJ hasn't hacked our systems?" And then seemed to shrink into his seat as his boss took a measured breath. "It's just that I would like to get this plan off the ground before they step in and mess this up for us."

Thinking this was his last conversation with his boss and his associates, he awaited his fate. Then, after a few moments, Sheldon relaxed and gazed to the assembled, a rare smile on his face, "Don't worry…", he said with growing confidence, "We have associates on the inside of my sister's organization this time…and they are in positon where they can warn us of any activity aimed our way.", the one-eyed leader informed them.

"This time...", he sneered, "we'll be in position to move where we want, when we want.", he paused for effect, "And no one, no one! Here or there, will stop us this time!"

XXXX

Well, things are moving along for Kim, Ron and friends. Though, I cannot say that Sheldon will find his return to the Orient welcome, but that's for future chapters.

Kim's got advanced degrees, pausing her return to Middleton for a turn at teaching before heading home to begin her career at GJ.

Ron's advanced too, and is finding himself in the middle of planning, informing and executing hurricane insertion missions. Get his AF pilot's license, and he'd be set-Per his CO. But he's still not going to entertain that notion.

Thanks, and take care!

PS: As of this posting, Larry will be offline for a while. He's receiving some welcomed knee surgery and won't be plodding up and down his steps from his lair in the basement for a little bit.

But, he'll be in the saddle before too long, for this and his current tale at his site.