Storm Chaser

Chapter 43

Hi all and welcome back to another installment of our tale. Life does intrude and that's all that can be said of the gaps in posting times.

Last time, Kim and Monique met with Kim's friends from Oxford, those 'Chinese Cousins'…and further embedded Yamanouchi Agents in Kim's life. It's all good, when those ideas of where to live and what establishment serves the best alcoholic beverages to imbibe…but it sparks Kim's insecurities of Ron and a certain shapely shinobi, in the red head's absence from his life…Meanwhile, Ron/Dean is firmly embedded within his career path and well on his way to multiple sheepskins as he fends off overtures from the Air Force to don their blue and silver. Family life for Drakken, Shego and Samantha are the best years of their lives as stability and growth help them flourish in their Caribbean home. Sheldon is launching his grand scheme, recruiting more acolytes in his speech. Ron's folks are back in-state, but outside of the scope of all things Middleton, and during a stopover with his folks, Ron sees a blind spot in his employees' working conditions and makes them right. And at the end, Kim and Monique find a great place to live, thanks to the 'Cousins', while Kim makes inquiries of Yamanouchi for more information on Ron and Yori…

But before we go, we'd like to thank those who've stuck with us and chimed in: Jimmy1201, George Cristian810, Sentinel103, Uberscribbler, coven08, Ruai, LightDrkSoul, Maztg and Ajw1970 (as Guest), thank you all!

Bueno Nacho, Middleton:

Seated in the booth of the Tex-Mex eatery she and Ron had frequented quite a bit in their high school years, Kim and Wade discussed the condo the red head had put serious money into. And…other things.

Taking a breather from all the back-and-forth related to Kim's new domicile, the young genius asked, "Yori said Uroki was coming with them?", his voice hopeful.

Nodding, "It appears so Wade.", she smiled at her friend's excitement at his girlfriend visiting Middleton…and him. Then with a more serious look and tone, "It also looks like we are finally going to get some real answers."

Wade snorted, "You know, they could have told us about this during our annual trips there.", he said to irk his friend a little bit more.

Mock-glaring at Wade, Kim held that pose until she too, snorted. Breaking down in giggles, the former members of Team Possible settled down, and continued to sip their drinks until three Asians walked through the main door of BN.

Noticing Wade…and then, Kim, Uroki Fujicsu waved and immediately stepped over to their booth.

Wade Load popped up from the booth and waited for his girlfriend to get to him. Arms opened, they wrapped each in a warm hug for twenty seconds. Then more seriously, they backed away and formally bowed to each other.

Giggling at the sight, Kim smiled, then turned to the other two, "Yori! It is so good to see you after all these years."

Smiling, "Likewise, Kim-san.", Yori bowed. Then glancing beside her, "And you remember my spouse, Hirotaka?"

Her jaw dropped, "S..sp..spouse?", Kim stuttered. "You guys are married?"

Nodding nonchalantly, "Of course, Kim-san. He wouldn't be my spouse if we were still single.", Yori said as she offered her hand to Kim.

Recovering from the shock, barely, "Yeah, I guess.", Kim replied. Then a curious stare at the ninja as the cogs of her mind started meshing, "You know…you look a little different than you used to…almost like….", she trailed off in contemplation.

A barely hidden smug smile, "Yes Kim-san?", the female shinobi asked.

The light going on overhead, "Lieutenant Tustoma?", Kim's eyes wide in recognition…and from a few other realizations.

Giggling before she offered a mock salute, "At your service Kim-san.", Yori replied.

Still on the verge of stuttering, "But?"

Stepping in, Hirotaka interrupted them, "I suggest we have this conversation in a place that is not so crowded Kim-san.", his eyes scanning the area. "There is information that we would like to share with you and Dr. Load. And due to the sensitive nature of this information, we need to go somewhere to keep it that way."

Wade nodded over to Kim, who nodded, then suggested, "My parents are not home…uh, they are fishing and Wade has been able to keep the house secure from intelligence gathering."

Hiro looked at Wade, "Are you absolutely certain of this Dr. Load?", he said quite seriously. "This is highly sensitive information…and you are certain that no one will be able to learn of the information given to you short of you giving it out, yourself?", his eyes cold. "Your very lives may depend on this."

Wade Load, owner of several PhDs, took all this in, and nodded, "No one will be able to find out anything once I lock the house down.", he said with absolute certainty. "It would be easier to hack into the NSA…And I suppose you want us to swear that we won't reveal anything to anyone…But that might be difficult considering where we are employed."

Yori stared at Wade, "Of course Dr. Load, we understand. However, since you are both employed at Global Justice, we will release some information to them., she assured him. "And as you remember, we have already given some of that information out."

Smirking lightly, "I was the one to give it to GJ, Ma'am as per Sensei's instructions…", Wade replied, a twinkle in his eye.

Huffing at the slight, "I am not that old.", Yori muttered to the African-American genius.

His head still at level with his hosts, Hiro said, "I would suggest that you refrain from using certain terms, Doctor.", his eyes narrowed. Then in a sly aside, "Yori gets cranky in her advanced years."

Placing her hands on the table, the dark-haired shinobi tilted her head ever-so-slightly to Hirotaka, fixing him with a cold-eye, which 'prompted' her paling husband to add-somewhat hurriedly, "Maybe now would be a proper time to go to Possible-san's home to pursue this information."

At this 'dismissal', Wade grabbed the hand of the other Japanese female with him, rose from the booth, "Uroki and I will meet you there in fifteen.", and then quickly exited the restaurant, his girlfriend in tow.

As Kim had walked to the Tex-Mex eatery, and Wade had driven off with Uroki, Kim accepted a ride from Yori. Once secure in the backseat, "Is Uroki serious about Wade? I'd hate for him to get hurt.", Kim posed to her.

Turning to her from her seat, "I think they are both serious about their relationship Kim-san.", Yori assured the red head. "Uroki has inquired of Sensei regarding her studying in America…Partly in an attempt to see if her relationship with Load-san is worth pursuing further."

Kim smiled at the thought of Wade finally finding someone, "That's good to know, Yori. Thanks for the assurance. And I think we can arrange for her to study here if she wants…oh and I think Wade has the 'hots for her."

Smiling at the prospect of young love in bloom, any further discussion was interrupted by Hiro, "And we have an offer to your GJ which we wish to ask your leader about.", he vaguely said, as he distracted the women from thinking about their traveling companion and the former member of Team Possible.

"And what is that Hiro?", Kim asked.

Now in a lower tone, "We will make that offer at your home since it is 'secure' as you promised.", he looked pointed to her. "If it goes well then we will make a similar offer to your Director."

XX

Waving to the house as they parked in the driveway, "Well here we are, for the time being, home sweet home.", the former heroine said. Sighing, "Next month I am moving into a condo with one of my friends. It was a too good of a deal to pass up…", she smiled fondly, "And while I still wanted to stay close to my parents, I wanted to get away at the same time."

Her stomach tightening, Yori asked, "You have finally found another?", her voice laced with unease.

Taken off-guard by the question, "N…no. No one will ever replace my Ron in my heart, Yori.", Kim regrouped. "One of my girlfriends is going to move in for the time being until she finds a place of her own.", she explained.

Smiling with relief at the revelation, the granddaughter of the Yamanouchi legacy, now, was completely clear of the red head's intentions as she was quite aware of how Kim could be with the 'hotties', "Then you feel the same for Stoppable-san as you felt before?"

Nodding with a coy smile, "I need him in my life…", Kim replied. Then, sighing, "At the very least as a friend."

An elegant eyebrow raised, "And the most?", Yori posed.

No hesitation, "My husband.", Kim came right back.

Any further discussion was ended as Hirotaka parked his rental and shut it off, Wade's car right behind them. Exiting the cars, the group followed Kim to her childhood home. At her producing a key for the lock, Wade piped up, "You know I can upgrade the door locks Kim…"

Cutting him off with a sardonic smile, "Dad might freak out, Wade…"

Not backing down, "I'll bet he'd think it was way cool, Kim."

Smirking as she opened the door, "Long running argument guys.", Kim looking to him in amusement, "Wade wants to hi-tech everything in the house.", she said to his frustrated huff, "Though…I might let him play with the new place.", she teased and smirked again when he perked up at the possibility of running wild there.

Beaming with pride, "Trust me Kim, no one would ever be able to break in to your place…", Wade assured her. "I'll even put a 'safe room' in…with arms.", he suggested.

After a moment, "I think I'll take you up on that offer Wade…as long as it's the best quality. It's just that I don't want to take a chance of someone breaking in and hurting Monique if they're trying to get to me."

X

While Kim set drinks down on the table for them, Wade scanned the entire house for listening devices. With a satisfied smirk, he turned to Kim and nodded that they could have a very secure conversation.

As Kim waited, Yori took a sip of her drink and paused before placing her glass back on the table. After a few more seconds of quiet, something Kim found to be a little annoying in light of previous revelations at Bueno Nacho, she went right to the crux of her reasons to meet with her Yamanouchi friends.

"Yamanouchi is a combat martial arts school…", Kim announced, looking to her guests. Then with a pointed look to the Japanese woman, "And I know that Yori is a ninja.", she said. "Right?", an edge to her voice.

Calmly, to possibly defuse his hostess' well-known temper, "How did you determine that, Kim-san?", Hiro inquired, his eyes neutral.

Eyeing each to see their reaction, "Ron told me as much when we were on that mission to find Sensei in our junior year.", Kim explained, then noted no change in demeanor. Pressing on, "After she kissed Ron on the cheek,", she frowned slightly, "I told him that she liked him." Now an amused look, "Then Ron replied that Yori likes everybody, so I further explained that Yori liked him liked him." Now frowning again while her guests gave no reaction. Again.

A tiny nod, "So?", nonchalantly from Hirotaka, though he was so very familiar with this tale.

Letting out a frustrated huff at the interruption, "I'm getting to that.", Kim growled slightly before continuing, "Ron said 'she didn't have to be so 'ninja' about it'.", she said while peering intently at Yori. Again, no reaction from the young woman, "So, I am guessing that, considering the training Wade and I have gone through the last few years, would it be too much to presume that Ron Stoppable is a ninja too?", she paused for a few seconds before, "Am I right…or am I seeing something that isn't there?"

Her demeanor still giving nothing away, Yori leaned in, "Hai Kim-san. Ron Stoppable is a full master ninja. And has taken on some very dangerous missions for the nation of Japan…"

When Kim interrupted with, "I see.", as her shock turned into a frown. "So why didn't you tell me before?", she shot back.

Shrugging ever so very nonchalantly, which was really beginning to tweak the red head, "You had not asked the correct question Kim-san.", Yori replied, which tweaked her even further. Then forestalling a martial arts exhibition between the cool Yori and the ever heating up Kim, "We felt that you…eventually would gain the inspiration and insight into this matter.", the Shinobi gazed to her 'rival'. "And…we did not lie to you or misdirect you.", Yori explained. Her eyes now focused on Kim's, "Ron-san is not just a ninja, he is the Master of the Mystical Monkey Power and he is the Chosen One. He IS one of a kind."

Backing down at Yori's proclamation and now a bit skeptical of what has not been fully explained to her, so far, "Okayyyy…", Kim broke in as she attempted to sidetrack the direction of the conversation to see how this stacked up with what she learned from Yamanouchi so far, "Now, I've heard about the Mystical Monkey Power before. In fact, Monkey Fist ranted about it every time we encountered him…and claimed that Ron had stolen it…"

Cutting in, her eyes showing a hint of amusement, "Maybe Ron-san did 'steal' it…", and before Kim could attempt an angry rebuttal, "or maybe it was waiting for a more suitable vessel than Lord Fiske to give the power to.", Yori said, with an elegantly raised eyebrow. Now boring in, "Ron-san originally didn't want the power and maybe that is why he is able to use it so powerfully.", she mused to the red head. Then peering into her eyes, "At first he used it only to protect you."

Kim's mouth twitched.

Stepping back in, Hirotaka continued, "The MMP also allows Stoppable-san to fully wield the Lotus Blade, which he uses for righteous causes. It is the weapon of Lord Toshimiru and is mystical in nature. With it, Ron-san fights for goodness, for freedom and for honor.", he said solemnly. "The blade reflects that goodness and shines brightly for being able to fight the good fight."

Kim frowned at the thought that Ron had access to a weapon whose properties she didn't fully understand. "Is this how he was able to plant ideas in my mind?", she grasped at straws to some of her earlier issues since high school. "I mean, after the invasion, I think, he changed my memories…Or at least, that is what Sensei hinted at."

"We asked Stoppable-san to keep Yamanouchi secrets, secret.", Yori simply replied. "He could not tell you anything about the school and its connections to the Japanese government.", her gaze absolute. Then breaking slightly, "The part that affected you, Kim-san…was due to some part of the Mystical Monkey Power. The Chosen One did what he could to keep them from you, to the best of his undeveloped abilities, but his brain leaked partly because of his PTSD…", she paused at Kim's barely noticeable twitch, Continuing, "But we had so little time to give him the proper training to forestall these … 'leaks'.", Yori explained, "Also you wore the Monkey Amulet for a short time, that in itself attuned you to Stoppable-sama and the MMP."

At Kim's questioning look, "Everything happened so fast and we were in the dark as to what was taking place with Ron-san after you left for Oxford, Kim-san.", Yori replied. "We were going to bring him back to Japan to finish his training, but we hadn't counted on him developing post-traumatic stress prior to his departure to Yamanouchi.", she explained. Then looking evenly to the red head, "And since you two have been mentally linked for years, he accidently let his nightmares leak into your mind.", the shinobi frowned slightly. "You must understand, that at the time he did not know how to control them.", Yori paused.

Hiro stepped in, "At first, Stoppable-san declined our offer…but later changed his mind after you stopped responding to his overtures…" His eyes narrowed slightly. "That was a very stupid thing to do Kim-san. You almost ruined everything we had worked for."

Gobsmacked, Kim asked, "How did I ruin it?"

Without batting an eye, "Stoppable-san was broken when he returned to us…due to your lack of communications with him. In this he was further isolated…his nightmares were becoming more intense which caused yours to become even more intense.", Hiro related this bit of information regarding Ron in the time she was away. "As I have stated before, this was brought on by his post-traumatic stress. He might have committed suicide rather than continue in that state."

Her agitation regarding this juxtaposed with her early months away, "But I was going insane!", Kim lightly shrieked as she felt the onset of those memories returning.

Calmly, Yori pointed out, "If you hadn't been so stubborn and not isolated yourself at the time, and had asked your family and friends for assistance this would have been repaired and he would be in your arms today.", then settled back to watch their friend's reactions.

After a few moments of reflection, the red-haired woman hung her head, "What am I to do?"

Taking the opening, "The scrolls mention that Stoppable-san will have a red haired green-eyed mate.", Yori looked pointedly to Kim. "We at Yamanouchi feel that you are his 'one'…and no one else will suffice.", and paused here to let this sink in. "He still has feelings for you deep down inside, Kim-san…", the Shinobi softly said before she sighed, "Although he has stopped admitting that.", she said in frustration. A look of determination and caution, "You must persevere have patience for him to return to you.", she offered in some solace. Then, "And you have met the 'founder', correct?", Yori asked, knowing full well that she had; finger quoting as she said this.

Nodding, Kim now felt lower than she had in years, as tears began to fall.

Gently, Hirotaka said, "First of all you must be patient Kim-san. Lord Toshimiru favors you and Stoppable-san joined in matrimony with children. And that old dead man usually gets his way…eventually.", he cracked a small smile. A wry look on his face, "But is it a surprise to you that Stoppable-san is as stubborn as anyone any of us have ever met?"

Sniffling, "Yeah, I thought he might be that way if provoked…"

A knowing look, "And Stoppable-san has provoked Lord Toshimiru by not speaking with you when he followed you to that tavern in England.", Hiro pointed out. "So, I believe, for now, that the Chosen One is not sleeping well at night…and sooner rather than later, I expect for him to contact Sensei for advice."

Now a little desperate, "I…I don't want Ron to be hurt." Kim's eyes said it all, "But can't you just tell me where he is and I can then speak with him and clear all this up?"

"I warn you Kim-san, Ron-san can disappear if you confront him…"

"I just want to speak to him…"

Yori frowned, "Please follow our advice. If you do the chances to reunite with him are greater than if you do not."

"But…", her Kimness starting to interfere with their guidance.

Interrupting a coming rant, "Kim-san,", Hirotaka smiled as Sensei does when imparting sage advice, "have you ever tried to push a chain?", he asked, using one of Sensei's old sayings

Caught off-guard at the offbeat imagery, "Huh?", Kim stopped to consider the question.

"It is a very simple question Kim-san. Have you ever pushed a chain?", as Hiro pushed the red head to consider the query.

Kim, a very intelligent woman who had received a 'first class' education, thought for a moment about what she had just been asked, "No, you can't push a chain unless the links had been welded or was frozen…", she started her ramble of an answer.

Frowning in light annoyance, "Kim-san, you are overthinking this…", Yori interrupted the literal red head.

Sighing as she realized Yori was so right, "No, I haven't.", she shrugged. "I don't think it can be done.", Kim admitted.

Satisfied with her answer…finally, "Very well Kim-san that is the correct answer.", Hiro smiled. "Now considering that Stoppable-san is as hardheaded as a Missouri mule and has the capability of disappearing into thin air…how do you think he will take a sudden appearance by you without forewarning?", he drove home his point.

The heroine's eyes popped wide open.

Quiet up until now, Wade decided to enter the discussion, "So, what are my old friend's abilities?", he asked their visitors. "You have called him the Chosen One.", and he gestured for them to contribute more about Ron.

Yori glanced at Hiro who nodded. Then the Yamanouchi Shinobi told the former members of Team Possible, "Like most of our advanced students, the Chosen One is able to defy gravity.", she began, her audience slowly dawning a shocked demeanor as she progressed in her description of someone they thought they knew for the previous several years of their lives. "He can disappear from sight…He can, up to a certain point, heal with a touch and he can commune with others who have somehow become one with the power. And since you wore the monkey amulet for a short time you also have a portion of MMP in you as we have stated before." She paused as she waited for Wade and Kim to process this. Then, "He can also defeat enemies of any number since the MMP and the Lotus Blade are his allies." Kim gulped, remembering that she had briefly lived one such battle, as Wade paled…he had also seen the post-battle footage once read in by GJ.

"As you, no doubt, have previously seen, he was able to defeat two powerful aliens without significant assistance…with just his hands and the MMP.", Yori continued and paused when both timidly nodded. Fixing them with a look, "He is now much more powerful since he has completed his training."

Groaning, Kim put her hands to her head, "And it's all my fault…"

A serene look turned to the red head, "Did you really think that Stoppable-san was not going to have to finish his training Kim-san?", Hiro inquired.

Taken aback, "What do you mean?"

"Only that eventually…Stoppable-san would have felt the call of the Lotus Blade on his soul and he would have had to be united with it, no matter the cost.", Yori said. "So, all you really did was speed up the process. Things could have been much worse if you hadn't had your breakdown.", she said in resignation. "But as things turned out, Stoppable-san was able to act over a smaller period of time, in ways to make the world safer…which came as a result of your actions, or lack thereof."

Now looking so very lost, "We were destined to walk this path alone, separate from each other?", Kim's voice was pained.

A look of abject frustration, "Lord Toshimiru has tried to inform Stoppable-san to cease this action, but as we have said before he is very stubborn.", Yori told Kim.

Frowning, Kim nodded, "Yeah he can be that way…You don't know how long it took me to convince him that I loved him…" Her voice trailed off before she groaned, "And I failed.", her head dropping into her hands in despair.

Interrupting her downward spiral, "But did you stop loving him, Kim-san?", Yori asked.

From her hands holding her face, a muffled, "No…", was heard.

"Do you still love him?"

Looking up, "Yes, I do.", Kim started to rally

Continuing to push the point, "And you wish to meet with him again, correct?", Yori kept up the momentum.

Her face now more determined, "Anytime."

Happy for the reply, "Very well, I assure you that you will meet with that baka, Kim-san. But before you go 'nutso' over this you must agree to remain calm and patient.", Yori cautioned the red head. "Although Stoppable-san does not take missions often because of his classes and obligations while in school, he occasionally is tasked with one.", Yori stated, but the shinobi didn't tell her friend that some of the missions he had taken had been considered one-way trips…and he had survived them.

XXX

University of Miami, Dean Kaminsky's apartment:

Blurting in surprise, "Heck, Kaminsky! I thought the pet you were talking about was a cat or a parakeet or something.", an astonished Nathan Blance said as he spied the naked mole rat sitting with them while they sat eating a Tex-Mex meal that Kaminsky had prepared.

Rufus stuck his tongue out at the graduate student as Dean chuckled while he flicked through channels with his remote to the flat screen TV, "He's a smartass too, Nate."

As a fleeting memory flashed through his mind, Nathan said, "You know…he isn't the first mole rat that I've heard of…."

Shrugging, "Not many people have them you know, maybe Rufus could get a girlfriend."

Blance laughed, "I thought that they lived in colonies around a queen mole rat or something…" The MIT grad admitted, "I watched an old documentary on the Knowing Channel®."

"I watched one too when I was in high school, it sold me.", Dean informed his classmate.

Nate chimed in, "It was a boring Christmas and I had watched just about everything else.", waving to the TV.

Dean snorted, "I know the feeling Nate.", and sighed. Turning back to Rufus, "But I got this guy 'cause Dad is allergic to animal fur and mole rats don't have any hair. Just lousy eyesight, wrinkly skin and huge buckteeth."

Indignant, the pink rodent stood on his back legs, stuck his paws into his ears and stuck out his tongue again. Dean chuckled, "Did I mention that he has a bad attitude?"

Smirking, "I can see that Kaminsky.", Nathan replied. Then looking closer, "You know, he's a little chubby…"

Rubbing his belly with a finger, "Mom and Dad spoil him, but if it was up to me I'd feed him roots and such like he's supposed to get,", Dean said with a look of faux irritation, "instead of the cheese that he craves."

His eyes popping open wide, Rufus flops dramatically backward onto the table, and remains still. Dean stage-whispered, "He hams it up when he doesn't get his way, you know. It's one of his ways of letting me know how he feels."

Smirking at the show, "I guess he keeps you entertained?"

"Yeah, he does.", Dean replied. Looking wistfully at Rufus, "I wouldn't have made it through the breakup with K…yeah he does.", he corrected his goof, almost spilling some information to his friend while mentally chastising himself.

Turning from Rufus to his friend, "So, Dean. Did you have any fun with the Hurricane Hunters this year?"

Nodding, "Yeah, we had some rough rides and for a while. I thought the season would never end, but then it just died off. Probably because the surface water temperature had dropped some."

"I noticed that from the data.", Nathan, replied. "It's good to see that there are real world evidence and how much it changes with just a degree or two.", he told his friend.

"Yeah, the water's surface temp makes a big difference on how these cyclones form and gather strength.", Dean replied.

Blance seemed to be pondering something. "You know if they could tow a huge iceberg into the path of a hurricane…", his voice trailed off.

A corner of his mouth ticked up in a smirk, "It'd take too long Nate. By the time one large enough to affect a storm like that melted and brought down temperature enough, it might take years…", Dean stated, "Anyway, there is no way you could tow one that far efficiently."

Snorting, "Sure Kaminsky, blow holes in my ideas…"

Dean laughed, "If they were ideas that would work, I wouldn't."

Gesturing to Dean, "If you don't mind, let me look over one of your papers. I'd like to see how I match up.", Nathan asked.

Shrugging, "Sure, but it's on the laptop…the one I keep to myself.", Dean rose from his seat and walked out of the 'media' room.

The blond meteorology student returned two minutes later and booted up the small travel computer. After login, he inserted a flash drive and then waited a few moments. Receiving another security screen, Dean smiled as he punched in a PIN number to access the device. After having taken a course in computer security, as well as what he's gleaned from the 'night' job he had, he knew that there were things that he didn't want just anyone to see.

Nathan looked on as Dean pulled up a file and then handed the computer over to him.

Twenty minutes later the quite impressed grad student looked at the hurricane hunter intern, "Damn Kaminsky!", Nathan gushed. "From looking this over, I'd say you just gave some pretty conclusive information for one of your theses." Smirking, "I guess I'd better start calling you Doc from now on."

Waving off his friend's 'accolades', "It's not quite complete Nate. I have some information to include and then I have to footnote everything and polish it up quite a bit too…but that's one of the rough drafts. The other one needs more work."

Shaking his head in disagreement, "It looks solid to me…"

"It's not good enough…yet. But I hope to make it so.", Dean replied. "See I helped research a couple of other guys' papers, and they are miles ahead of me, but one of them didn't argue his right and he didn't get the title even though he put in the work.", he explained the pitfalls of the process. "Getting a PhD is not about how smart you are, it's more about how determined you are.", Dean enlightened his friend.

Nathan winced, "Now you make it sound even harder..."

A smile curling on one side of his mouth, "The trick is to be completely ready to argue the thing.", Dean pointed out. His eyes now lighting up in mischief, "Now that we got the hard stuff out of the way, I suggest that we do some gaming. I have the latest Zombie Mayhem.", holding up the game disc's case.

Nathan looked at it in awe, "The one where you can send zombies into a black hole?"

Laughing, "One in the same Nate…But I've been practicing when I get the chance.", Dean warned his friend.

A glint in his eyes, "I think I can take you Kaminsky.", Nathan smirked as Dean pulled out two controllers and changed the large TV into a game monitor.

Dean then rose, "What do you want to drink, I have a pretty good stock here. From colas to beers.", as he headed into the kitchen.

"An imported ale if you have any.", Nathan replied as he glanced around the room once more. (Of course, Rufus was still keeping an eye on him…AN)

The older graduate student walked back into the 'media' room with a couple of dark ales and glasses, "These are meant to be drank at room temperature Nate…so which one do you want?"

"I'll have the Boddin…whatever it is."

Dean smiled, "Boddington Ale, good choice. You have excellent taste."

"I've never had one…"

"Well, I think you'll like it.", Dean assured him.

XXX

Austrian Alps:

"Dementor, I…"

Snapping, "Don't call me that, Gemini!", the former villain shook with rage at the intrusion and the accompanying threats.

Undaunted, "I pay very well…", Gemini tried again.

Crossing his arms, "Not well enough to die for.", Demenz shot back. "I remember what happened to the information broker. I don't want to end up that way if I don't have to."

Nonplussed, "Big Daddy made a lot of enemies over his career, Hans.", Sheldon waved off the retort. "Any one of them could have offed him. That doesn't mean that there is anyone who is watching all the former villains.", he attempted to ease the fears of the scientist.

Two eyes boring into one, "A picture was sent to me as a warning.", Hans rebutted. "I cannot believe you didn't get one as well…", the midget madman shot back.

When Gemini paused to consider this, "They are laying low just waiting for us to come up for air.", Demenz continued. "I remember that throwing star and the message it pinned to a lair wall, a year after the alien invasion…I'm sure you got one just like it. I kept mine to remind me to stay going straight.", he said with some finality.

The former one-eyed villain frowned in frustration. Killigan had shied away from his suggestion that they join forces as had the Seniors. Drakken and Shego couldn't even be found. Monkey Fist was still a statue and now it looked like the Gemini of old was going to be on his own without the luxury of someone to divert the authorities' attention and resources away from him while he prepared his comeback as a super villain on the world stage.

Waving a hand to drive home his point, Demez declared, "We are out of the game Sheldon. And we intend to stay that way." Crossing his arms, "At least I do. I make a tidy sum of money off my inventions and it is better than being in a box earlier than I had intended. So please leave and forget you ever found me."

The one eyed former (if he was ever that) villain stared at the short professor he had once thought of as fearless and shook his head. "You will never rule over any part of the world I would have offered you." His eye burning in rage, "I am ashamed of how far you have fallen." And with a curt nod, Betty Director's twin brother turned on his heel and walked out of the hidden lab. His three-guard escort flanking and covering his rear as they stalked out of the lair.

Once clear of the lair and any listening devices, the former head of the WWEE turned to his 'assistants', "Eliminate him and his lair, we don't need the competition or the witnesses."

XXX

The Possible home, Middleton, Colorado:

Her eyes red, the red head had not been crying but she was close. "Kim-san,", Hirotaka gently called to her, "We at Yamanouchi believe things are in motion again, and that you and Ron-san will cross paths several times before you latch on to him forever…But please be patient and don't overplay your hand when the time arises."

Sniffling, "I…I understand Hirotaka. I'll try to be patient, but it's very hard since it was all m...my fault…", she stuttered and tried not to break down.

Yori reached over and hugged Kim tightly as she assured the former heroine, "Kim-san get a hold of yourself.", she assured the young woman. "All of this was not your fault.", she pulled back to look Kim in the eyes. "It was not your fault when you began getting nightmares. The only fault that you could claim is the one where you chose to distance yourself from your friends and family, including Ron-san.", she smiled sadly. "You did not know the reasons that all this was happening to you."

Kim nodded, then collected herself. After a few moments, "Have you seen Ron lately?"

"Not for over two years Kim-san.", Yori admitted, "As you have been told before, Ron-san usually pops in for a moment in person or by the 'other' way and then he is gone again.", she replied. Then looking into her eyes, "Now remember that you will soon cross paths with him, it will not be on purpose however. He does not know this will happen so we do not know how he will react.", Yori grasped Kim's hands and squeezed.

X

Walking them to the door, "Thanks for all the information Yori and Hiro.", Kim hugged each of her friends. "Now, do you want to meet with Doctor Director on Monday to give her a briefing?", she asked after the three-hour meeting at the Possible home.

Yori and Hiro looked at each other, then nodded. Yori slightly nodded, "It will be our honor to speak with the head your police organization, Kim-san, since you agreed to put in a good word for Uroki with the Global Justice Academy."

Wade hugged his girlfriend, "Yeah Kim, thanks. You put your reputation on the line and I appreciate it…"

Teasing, "You are going to do the same thing Wade…"

Smirking, "Yeah, but I get something out of this…I get her close to me.", the genius retorted.

Kim snorted, "Yeah maybe after about six months. You know how they can be. She'll be too busy to worry about where her guy is."

XXX

A month later during Christmas Break:

Reacting to the incoming call, the blond weather student glanced at his phone and pressed the 'Receive' button. A Japanese-accented voice sounded, "Use your other phone."

'Crap, I wonder what Yamanouchi wants?', Dean thought as he hurried into his bedroom to get the device and turn it on.

He waited until it booted up, then rang and pushed the 'Green' button on the keypad. "What do you need?", he said plainly as he wasn't worried about hackers or anyone listening in since this was an encrypted phone.

Sensei's voice came through, "We are sending a plane for you tomorrow. One of your old foes has been murdered. Pack your combat and stealth gear.", he instructed. Then, "There will be someone onboard who will brief you further my friend."

Then the call ended.

XXX

GJ:

"Kimberly please take a seat.", the leader of the United Nations crime fighting organization gestured to a chair in front of her desk.

Puzzled…and concerned, "Have I done something…"

Smiling warmly, "Kimberly, to the contrary, you have done quite well.", she put her protégé at ease. Continuing when Kim settled down, "Now I understand that currently you are sitting behind a desk in the Intel Department, but this doesn't mean you are strictly going to gather experience only in that realm of GJ. To that end, I am going to be giving you some Operations assignments as well adding to your responsibilities.", the one-eyed Director vaguely said.

Excitement slowly building, "Such as?", Kim inquired. It was no secret that she wanted to get back into the field, something she missed since she retired from her Team Possible days.

Clasped hands resting on her desk, "The field assignments will come on a rotational basis and we have one that coincides with one of the responsibilities that you will be taking on.", Betty paused to let this sink in. "Your newly assigned responsibilities involve you visiting your former foes in order for GJ to check on them…sort of as part of their parole and to keep them honest."

Shocked, Kim stared, "Why me?"

Lightly smirking, "Because you have a past with them, Kimberly. Dr. Load has been briefed on this a year ago and he will be your technical backup as well.", Betty assured her. "You also will have a team of experienced agents to help you gather data and then deploy when you make a surprise inspection.", she said. Then more seriously, "Now I have to warn you that most of the 'former' villains are just that…former." Holding up a hand, "However, there are a few of them that we believe are 'dirty' and are just biding their time to pull another scheme on the law-abiding citizens of the world."

Nodding at this information, Kim paused to absorb it. Looking to her Boss, "So, I have Wade on my team?"

A nod, "Yes, you do.", Betty replied. "But, due to circumstances, you need to get up and running quite quickly…So I want you to inspect your new team today.", she directed to Kim's astonishment.

Before Kim could ask questions, "And I need you to deploy to a crime scene within the next twenty-four hours." Kim's eyebrows shot into her hairline. "Information has been received that one of your former foes has very recently had a major accident or has been murdered." Kim's jaw dropped. "We need to find out which and if it is a crime scene instead of an accident scene we have to find out who did this.", Betts informed her protégé, who was now starting to come into her own at GJ.

Regaining her wits, "So, who is this 'victim'?", Kim asked.

Betty handed Kim a folder, "Hans Demez. You know him better as Professor Dementor."

Grasping the folder, stunned into silence. Until, "Someone might have killed Professor Dementor?"

Her eyes now taking on a more professional expression, "Might. We do not know for sure." Gesturing to the folder, "You see Kimberly, until recently I was personally keeping track of all the Super Villains after they all retired.", leaning on the desk with a grim smile. Blowing out a frustrated breath, "Though it wasn't a difficult detail to handle, it became too much for one person to take on, the travel spanning the entire world, while running GJ." Gesturing a hand to the red head, "You already have experience with them and this was something I had you penciled in to take on even before you finished college…Something that I just couldn't, in light of recent activities elsewhere in GJ's jurisdictions.", she pointed out to Kim.

Leaning back in her chair, "After you complete this investigation I want you to introduce yourself to each of these former bad guys we have on record and from then on keep them under random surveillance.", she directed her Intern.

Nodding, Kim half smiled as she opened the folder and began to scan its contents. Thirty seconds later, she closed it, looked to her Boss, "Let's get this started."

XXXX

Well, Kim got a full debrief of all things Ron, Yamanouchi and how she sped things up for the Monkey Master's training. Still hurts…her, and Ron how that went down, but Yori is quite correct in that Ron has been getting nudges, ever growing stronger nudges-to the point of almost smacking him in the head with a 2X4, to have him rethink his 'Kim no longer loves me' logic…Sheldon's recruiting is quite lacking as Dementor found out, and from this comes converging missions for Ron and Kim…

Next time, comes what went down.

And from Larry and I at BearSent176, we wish all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.