Storm Chaser

Chapter 45

Welcome back and thanks for staying with this story! RL has requests, obligations and requirements to be met and while there's a lull in all of that, we bring the next chapter of Storm Chaser.

While Kim and her GJ Team are flying out to investigate the death of Professor Dementor, Ron as Dean, is on the ground as he scopes out a way into the destroyed lair. Kim and Wade chat about their lives, careers and moments that a red head wishes she could have again after getting up to speed regarding their destination. Ron, while running recon on Dementor's lair, happens to have caught the eye of a beautiful Bavarian coed there, leading him to do what he does his best: Distract, dodge, lie and do everything he can to avoid romantic entanglements. Monique is bonding with Wanda and Suzie when the Sake Sisters get a call to run retrieval of Rufus while Ron is in Europe. After further 'bonding', some of it while involving potent potables, the two-undercover ninja make a quick and lengthy run to the Gulf South of the US.

Paths diverging, paths converging when Ron's infiltration is noted by those who've shown Dementor 'the error of his ways' for rejecting their recruitment (demands, that is) into their newly formed world-domination group and sets in motion a little 'present' for anyone who goes onsite to investigate the lair and the former occupants. In that aftermath, the 'mystical bonding' that's still in play between Ron and Kim makes itself known again, as his experiencing the explosion is felt by more than just the person in the explosion.

Before we start this up, we'd like to thank the following for their continued perseverance in staying with this tale: Matzg, jch529, Jimmy1201, Cthulhu's Vessel, haha . plogue (FF decided your full form name...something and deleted it previously), Bobtrumpet, Sentinel103, math123, Snake1234, mit1, TheRedTelephoneBooth and Mahler Avatar. Thank you all!

XXXX

Thursday, Global Justice:

"And there wasn't much left of Professor Demez's lab, Ma'am when we were finally able to enter…Well, once the fires burnt themselves out.", Dr. Load informed Betty Director and Will Du during the two-hour debriefing, several hours after they had returned from the mission to Europe.

"Did we find anything?", the Director of GJ inquired.

"Inside…no, it was gutted. Outside, we found ski gear, Ma'am. It was pretty well busted up though…And the heat was very intense inside the lab. We weren't close enough to the blast to determine just how big it was, but we were able to feel it miles away. The local police are running the serial numbers down on the skis and what's left of the poles, but that's about it. If those skis belonged to someone who was close by, they must have been vaporized by the blast…"

"Any other evidence, then."

"Yeah, ski tracks and some half-burned equipment. We did find footprints leading away from the area of the lab, but other than that, nothing. Those tracks had to be recently made because it had snowed there a few days before we got there.", Wade said as he concluded his presentation.

But Betty wasn't finished, "Were you able to discern where those tracks led, Dr. Load?"

"Yes Ma'am, a parking lot alongside a mountain road…which was a few miles away. There was no vehicle there though. If someone had gotten into the lab, why would they have walked back and not used their skis? With the amount of time and distance considered, whoever made the tracks was there and gone a long time before the blast."

Dr. Director turned her attention to the red-haired agent, "Agent Possible?"

"Yes Ma'am?"

"Do you concur with Dr. Load's findings?"

"Yes Ma'am, we talked about it and it makes sense to both of us and the rest of our team. We measured the tracks, but they had an unusual type of tread, we have taken pictures of them though and sent them to the lab for analysis. They were very large."

"Good. Now, on another note, your supposed 'affliction'? How are you feeling now?"

"I was checked out in Austria after we finished and you have the reports from the medical staff here. They told me that they couldn't find anything wrong with me.", Kim replied, "All I know was, at the time was that I felt great pain in my chest immediately after the lab was put into orbit. But as I have stated before, I feel fine now and did a few minutes after the blast. I'd like to return to full duty as soon as possible."

"Permission denied for the moment. We want another opinion on your health Kimberly.", Better Director responded, then softened her tone, "Check into the Middleton Medical Center tomorrow at seven, your orders are already there. All you have to do is register…I have already called your Mother…"

"Mom? Why did you call her?", Kim asked, not wanting her parents to know something else had happened to her that she couldn't explain.

"She is the Chief of Surgery, is she not?"

"Yes Ma'am."

"Good, you stay there until you get a clean bill of health…"

"But Ma'am we have all this work…"

"When you are healthy Kimberly. We want you at one hundred percent. Global Justice is not without resources and you are not a one-agent crime fighting squad."

"But that means I might be in the hospital for the whole weekend…", Kim loved her weekends when she could get them. She loved to go out with some of her friends, as she was still trying to make up for her self-enforced absence years before while she nearly suffered a breakdown in college.

"Too bad. Have Dr. Load record some good movies for you to watch…and,", she sighed, "I am sure you will have plenty of visitors to help keep you company."

"I'd rather help with the investigation from my room…between tests that is, if I must be there.", Kim offered.

"And I'd like for you to relax Kimberly…And since I am your supervisor, I expect for you to comply.", Betty frowned in the hope that she wasn't going to have to get tough with her subordinate. "I want you to consider Global Justice as a place to retire from after a long and successful career."

XXX

Thursday evening, University of Miami:

Barely able to keep his burger dropping from his hands as he, twice, took a startled, twice-over at the 'drastic change' in his friend's appearance. Though the burger and beer joint was packed, his voice carried over the noise, "Shit! What happened to you?" To say the least, Nathan was quite incredulous. "I was aware you got called back out to the Hunters and were gone for a week, the profs were talking about it...but what the heck happened to result in this?", he trailed a hand down and up.

Grimacing, "After the last flight, I screwed up and got too close to the barbeque pit during the cookout. One of the airmen present thought the coals were out, so he squirted a stream of lighter fluid on them and it went up…I almost did too and had to stop, drop and roll.", Dean deadpanned. Sighing, "It totally screwed up my rugby jersey and a pair of jeans.", he lied through his teeth. Shaking his head forlornly, "And I liked them. But let that be a warning to ya, never go to a BBQ with a bunch of Air Force pukes." He laughed, "Too much beer, too little sense."

Peering in, "Are you sure they didn't use jet fuel? Your haircut kinda sucks.", Nathan snorted.

Sarcastically, "Yeah, I know. I had to go to the base barbershop to get it evened out before I headed back here. I'd like it to grow out a little before I defend my first thesis." Rubbing his head, "I almost look like a neo-Nazi."

"I would too.", he commiserated. Then looking around, "Hey, where's your rat, Kaminsky?"

Taking a seat and waving for a waitress, "On short notice, I had my Dad fly down here and get him. Now I have to fly back up to Denver and get him back." Tapping his chin with a finger, "I ought to wait till Christmas though…" Shaking his head, "No, I miss him enough as it is, so I'll call for a flight back up there Friday afternoon and come back Sunday night.", Dean lied again. Well not the 'going to pick Rufus up and bring him home part', but where in Colorado he was going.

Hoping to get a ride on a really cool jet, "Do you want me to go with you?", Nathan asked, his voice taking on a childlike tone, his eyes dilating almost comically.

Cocking an eyebrow at his friend's antics, "Huh? Uh sure, why not?", Dean answered, his mind now spinning as to how he was going to manage this without revealing to his schoolmate that none of his Air Force or school friends had ever met his family.

X

Friday at the business airport while walking out to the plane:

Stunned, Blance whistled, "Damn Kaminsky! You own this thing? What kind of money do you have stashed away?"

Waving nonchalantly, "Nah, it ain't mine,", he fibbed, "and not as much as you think. It's a charter, Nate and it makes getting around a lot easier than having to switch airlines or flights when the one you started with doesn't go where you want to go." Smirking, "Do you think I have that kind of claude to afford a Gulfstream just to jump in it and go somewhere?", Dean half-smiled as he lied through his teeth again while, flanked by their co-pilot, they walked up to the executive jet with their weekend bags.

Sputtering at this logic, "Well…I thought, but I guess not.", he admitted as Dean laughed. The meteorology student's ideas of how much Kaminsky was worth took a little bit of a nosedive.

"Anyway, I called Dad…well on his cell, some friends came up from Middleton because he, mom and sis are going on a trip and left Denver tonight and they took the rat to Middleton. So, the good thing is we fly right in to Middleton instead of Denver and rent a car. Mom told me who has the rat. And it's a short drive to their place."

"Oh, and who has him?", Blance inquired, as he looked around the jet's exterior in awe. At the very least, he was getting a ride in an executive jet out of this adventure.

Shrugging, "A couple of girls I knew from school in Japan. Somehow, they got jobs together in the same town.", Dean explained as they climbed the stairs and walked inside.

Blance asked, "You mean you knew American girls while in Japan?"

Smiling and shaking his head, "No, they are Japanese…although, like many places, there are American girls living over there, too.', Dean clarified. "Quite beautiful, very exotic and intelligent…I mean the Japanese girls...and I guess the American girls, too." Of course, he didn't tell his friend that these exotic Asian women were quite deadly as well. If he dropped that bomb on his friend it would lead to many questions he couldn't answer without tripping himself up on the lies already in place. For now, though, he was at a loss as to why Rufus was in Middleton and not waiting for his return from Switzerland. But he figured that he would get more information from them face to face then from over the telephone. Regardless, he was certain that his friend couldn't speak Japanese, so there was no way any his secrets could have been learned. As he thought further on this, it puzzled him that he had no idea why two of his classmates were living in his former hometown. His concern because in his experience, there were no such things as coincidence, especially when Yamanouchi was involved.

So, Dean was looking forward to the girls telling him what they could. Though he also knew that they may not reveal the whole truth to him about what the ninja school was up to as Ron was in school in America and Yamanouchi was in Japan, as well as their 'security' arrangements in all of Asia. (Anyone who has been in the military knows that even if you have the classification to get data, if you don't have a need to know, you don't get the data. And Yamanouchi follows the same rule, except they are more strict…AN)

The blonde cabin attendant showed both meteorology students how to buckle themselves in for takeoff. She remembered Ron, but had been given advanced warning to use his Kaminsky alias instead when Ron called for the flight. "Captain Hovelman told me that we will begin taxiing in about seven minutes. Is there anything you need before we get into the air?"

"Nate?", Dean asked since he was used to having every one of his needs met.

"Uh, no but this is really cool, thanks for bringing me along."

Dean shook his head and smiled, "Well, it didn't cost any more than for most people since I chartered the whole plane. You know maybe we could do some sightseeing. I read up on this town we're going to, they had a teen hero who used to live there once upon a time. And they have a ski resort close by." Ron wanted to see some of the town where he grew up and was certain that most of the inhabitants of Middleton, Colorado had forgotten him in the years since he left. He knew that he wasn't very popular and understood that he didn't fit in with the crowd.

Blance let any thoughts about cold and snow go right over his head as he replied, "A teen hero? Who cares about anything like that Dean?"

Dean replied, "From what I hear that hero was a beautiful red-haired girl. You'd probably like her, I don't remember her name though."

"I don't…say wasn't her name Pompible or something?", he asked after he thought for a moment.

Dean snorted at the first time he ever heard of someone screwing up Kim's last name the way his had been messed with during his teen years, "I don't know…maybe. I don't remember, it's been years since I've heard anything about all that, she was on the news quite a bit though, if I remember." Of course, Dean lied because he had received some word about what was going on since he had purchased some art and gave extravagant wedding gifts to classmates. Ron did not know any specifics and he really didn't want to pry except for that one time in England when he found out his ex had found her forever guy.

"Well, if you're talking beautiful girls I think this is worth checking out…You know me, being a stud and all.", Nathan laughed out loud.

"Yeah, stud.", Dean snorted. "So, tell me, when was your last date?", he chuckled as the pilot came over the intercom and announced that they were going to taxi out to the runway.

"Okay you got me, Dean.", Nathan blushed. "You have to admit it's not for the lack of trying. A couple of the gals pushed me away at the moment of truth."

Dean nodded, "Yeah, I'll admit that I know about that. Most the coeds call you 'Freak show'. Now that I think of it, why do they call you that?"

"Well…I, uh. I mean that's not something you tell other guys, ya know, Kaminsky…"

Now the former Middleton Mad Dog was curious, so out of the blue, "You have two peckers? You the man!"

A bit uncomfortably, "Ah…NO. NO!" Sighing, "Just one...massive one.", Nathan trailed off as he began to turn red at Dean's comment and his revelation, "It sorta keeps most of the keepers at bay once the word gets out, ya know?"

Dean snorted at his friend's sitch. Then recovering, since he was in a similar situation, as the gal who originally chose him was comfortable with the situation…that is, until she found a real hottie in England, "I guess I understand. But you have an interesting problem there and one I don't think you're going to be able to take care of on this trip."

Sighing "Yeah I know, it sucks to be me sometimes."

"Don't worry Nate, you'll find somebody.", from the 'I succeeded at this…once, club'. "It's not all about the size, if you know what I mean. She will have to take that into consideration, but in the long run it won't make that much difference.", Dean advised, "The gals that are worried about that are just holding themselves back. It's what's inside a person that counts."

Morosely, "Well it's bad enough that I thought about getting a 'reduction'.", Nathan lamented.

Nature driving him protectively before the concept hit his brain, "Huh?", Dean blurted as he instinctively put his hands over his privates, "Uh…isn't that a little drastic? I mean, if I had that problem I'd just deal with it…"

Shrugging, "Yeah, I guess…"

Cutting through the start of a pity party, "Nate, before you do anything drastic give it time, I'm sure you'll find a girl who will appreciate what you have to offer.", Dean advised, though not quite believing what he was talking about, while he hoped his friend would find someone who will fit the bill in the young man's love life.

Before either could react to the sentiment, "Ah, here we go.", Dean proclaimed as he felt the jet accelerate.

Shortly they felt and heard the twin 'bumps' of the aircraft rising from the runway. Seconds later Dean heard two more bumps. Turning to Nathan, "Gear's being retracted. He's going to climb out in a few seconds so we can get into clean air and up to altitude where this thing flies better."

A little nervous, "Uh, how fast do one of these go Dean?"

Drawing on a memory, "Well, they're not supersonic, but I think that they cruise at about MACH .80 for fuel efficiency. They can go maybe up to about 600 miles per hour, but they can't go as far.", Dean explained, "Range-wise I mean."

Geeking out a bit, "This is still pretty cool Kaminsky. When I get back I'll have to send a message to some of guys from my class. I already told some of them about you.", Nathan gushed.

Alarmed at the possibility of inadvertent exposure to prying 'eyes', Dean's eyes popped open. Trying to not sound as panicked as he now felt, "Uh…so, what did you tell them?"

Still on a 'nerd high', "That I was going to school with one of the most severe weather geeks I'd ever met and what you were doing with the hurricane hunters and spending a winter over at the South Pole…", he finally ran out of breath.

Trying to downplay the situation, "Man, you don't have to mention me like that…Saying that kind of stuff like erodes my essential Ro…eh Deaness.", Kaminsky diverted his friend…and almost gave away something that could draw those, however obscure the possibility, to his secret-non-Ron Stoppable existence.

Glaring at Dean, "You're overdoing the 'quiet' geek persona Kaminsky…", Blance warned, "You really need someone…Even more than me."

Dean's eyes narrowed, "I don't need a girl, Nathan. They're more trouble than they're worth…I know."

Not backing down, "At least I admit I have girl problems Dean, so do me a favor, as a friend…at least consider what I said."

The blond young man stared at his friend and nodded, "I'll think about it…But I'm not going out of my way to find a girl with everything I've got to do in the next month or two."

Smirking in triumph at winning this argument, "So, you're going to do it?". Nathan asked, quite delighted that he could get his friend to at least try to get involved with the fairer sex. Narrowing his eyes after a few seconds, "Though somehow, considering what you have said in the past, I don't quite believe you."

XXX

Middleton Medical Center:

Placing the Bueno Nacho takeout-care package Wanda and Suzy gave her on her tray-table, "Well how long they going to keep you incarcerated here GF?", the African-American beauty asked her friend.

Sourly, "Monday…at least the way it looks now.", the dejected red head replied, relating to her friend what she learned a couple of hours ago from her Mom and her Doctor. Perking up when she noticed the bag, "What did you bring?"

"Since you're always worried about skinny boy, Wanda thought that you'd like some Nacos to upset your stomach."

Kim frowned, "I never really cared for them, but I'll eat them anyway since they do remind me of Ron."

Monique motioned as she sat down, "Open them up, I'll take one off your hands…for old times' sake anyway.

Kim handed her the bag, "Girlfriend, you can have anything I have…'cept for one thing."

"Oh, and what would that be?"

"Ron, when I get him back.", Kim replied as her eyes glistened.

"You sound like you're sure…"

"I am. Yori and Hiro were here a while ago and spoke with me and Wade. They both think that Ron's destiny is with me and considering the information and the sources, I have to agree. All I have to do is be patient. All I have to do is catch him when it's time and don't overplay my hand.", Kim explained.

"How do you know this Kim?"

"Well there's this real old mystic guy that hangs around Yamanouchi and he's usually pretty right about things and he assured me that it's going to happen in the not too distant future, after several near misses.", Kim vaguely explained, as she wasn't sure how Monique would take the kind of information that Kim had and where she got it from.

Frowning, "What's this guy's name? 'Cause I want him to explain it to me before I give him a piece of my mind! This has gone on way too long and I'm getting sick of it!"

Hands up, placating her friend, "Monique, this guy likes to stay hidden and just watch how things play out. Please trust me here. Sensei may not tell me everything, but anything major that affects my wellbeing, he's never held back after the first time Wade and I went there.", Kim assured her best female friend.

Backing down, "OK, I'll take your word on that. Now do you want me to stay with you tonight?", Monique inquired as she unwrapped the gooey mess that made Ron Stoppable a billionaire.

Kim grinned, "Just a bottle of antacids…and those things are loaded with fat."

"I know they are Kim, but remember carbs turn into fat."

"I've heard Moni, but I want you to eat as healthy as you can…"

"And you gave me a Naco?", Monique raised an eyebrow before she gleefully chomped down on the mess.

"As long as you don't overdo it and make those things your whole diet I think you can partake once in a while. And you've been pretty faithful to eating healthy."

The two friends chatted quietly until finally Kim asked, "What's going on with Mike and Justine? I haven't heard from them in a while and my Dad doesn't even say anything."

"Oh, they're just finishing up the house, the nursery and all, so they're really busy right now. They've been checking regularly with Felix and Zita, as well as Josh and Tara.", Monique explained.

"Why would they be doing that?", Kim asked.

"Well, you've been pretty busy lately, so I might not have been able to tell you, but they all are expecting", Monique lowered her voice, "…in Tara's case. Again."

Kim smiled weakly, "I wish I was in that boat with Ron right now, but I was assured we will have a brood and long lives as long as we marry, and by that, I mean each other.", her voice gained some strength at the end.

Brightly, "Now that's what I like to hear GF. So now all you have to do is tie him down.", as she paused to get a handle on the mess she was eating.

"And there are people taking care of it Moni. There are some very powerful people that want Ron and me together. And from what some of them told me, there isn't much Ron can do about it."

Puzzled, "Are you sure he still wants to be around you girl?", the fashionista inquired.

Eyes full of confidence, "So sure Moni. In fact, the people pulling the strings told me that he still loves me. With a love as deep as ours never dying."

"I certainly hope so GF.", Monique stated as she wiped off her chin, "I've been supportive of you and Ron since the junior prom." Then frowning, "This is so unnerving though, I think I'm starting to get grey hairs."

"Monique," Kim giggled, "you'll always be young and beautiful." Then slyly looking to her best female friend, "So…when are YOU…going to take the plunge?"

Snorting in frustration, "GF, you know I am constantly looking.", the fashion diva frowned. "But I can't find anyone who measures up to Ron 'cause I want what you had and what you might still get back."

Smiling in contentment, "Well I know I'll get my hottie back.", Kim replied. Then consolingly, "But I AM a little worried about you." Reaching a hand to her, "Now you promise me you'll take the chance when it comes. I don't want you to lose the chance of being happy."

Smiling gratefully, "Like I said, I am looking, and when I find that guy, you'll be the first to know…"

"Monique there are a lot of cute guys at GJ.", Kim said hesitantly, "And if Wade wasn't seeing someone I could have set you up with him…"

Eyes narrowed, she snorted, "Thanks GF, but I'm still a little miffed at him over that lovegun thing from back in our senior year…"

Pleading on her friend's behalf, "Cut Wade some slack Monique. Even though he's a genius he never had any luck with girls before then and you have to remember that Wade took seriously what Ron had said.", Kim frowned at the memory. "I was soooo mad at Ron when I found out…but later we made up so it was all better…Well except for you giving Wade the stinkeye."

"Playing with a girl's emotions like that could get him killed, so you might want to keep him on the straight and narrow with his new GF.", Monique retorted.

Hands placating, "I'll remind him when I see him again Monique.", Kim replied as she watched her BFGF finish the unhealthy food item that was part of the red head's personally delivered 'care package'.

After the fashionista wiped her lips with a napkin, "Now I brought that Naco up here for you to eat, so do you think that Ron would want you to have one and to savor it like he did."

Kim rolled her eyes, reached into the bag and pulled one out to pacify her friend. When she finished, Kim remarked in slight dismay, "That whole thing will go right to my hips." Then the red head reached in to the sack and retrieved a napkin to wipe her lips.

Monique snorted as she rose from her chair, "GF, Ronnie will love you even more." Standing and reaching a hand to squeeze one of Kim's hands, "But I have to head out and check on Justine and Mike. I'll see you in the morning."

"Okay Moni, thanks for coming up to see me. And if you see Wanda and Suzy, tell them I hope to be out on bail and out of here in a couple of days if I can get Mom to get my Doctor to release me."

Monique frowned, "Your Mom said this is for your own good and I agree with her. We want to make sure that you're good to go. Oh, expect some of the others to see you this weekend…"

Kim smiled weakly, "They don't have to…"

"Kim girl, they love you like I do. Do them a favor and let them show it.", Moni advised as she gave her friend a warm hug.

XXX

Middleton Airport:

"Damn Kaminsky! You got a nice ride for a rental car.", Nathan gushed as Dean unlocked the doors.

The younger weather geek tossed his bag in the back seat of the Buick as Dean turned to him, "I rent enough during the summer, so they always give me an upgrade." Then seated, the young blond started the car and then turned on the interior light before he scanned the map for a moment. Then he set the map on his lap and shut off the light, pulled out his cell phone and punched in a series of numbers. He spoke in Japanese when his call answered, (Wanda, this is Ron. I am bringing a friend with me, so use my undercover name, 'Dean Kaminsky' whenever he's around. We should be there in about twenty minutes.)

Wanda spoke back in English, "We have Rufus-san with us and he is not happy with us right now."

(And why is that? He likes you.), Dean asked.

Her voice, too casual now, "Guess who lives in our complex?"

(I don't know, I give.)

The smirk seemingly coming through the phone, "Your ex and the fashion girl."

Dean's eyes popped open, "WHAT?" Immediately Nathan turned and stared at his friend with a questioning look.

Continuing to drive the figurative shiv home to her stubborn friend, "And Rufus knows she's close by to where we live. He has seen her on her morning runs.", Wanda snorted in glee at his sudden turmoil.

Rubbing his forehead, then the back of his neck as he processed this, "Crap.", he groused. Then snapping back, "Okay, that means we'll be a few minutes longer." Sighing as he sat back, "We're going to have to get a motel room to avoid complications…We were going to crash at your place tonight. But this complicates things."

Sweetly, "We will wait for you Dean-san.", Wanda mocked as Suzy stared in curiosity at her 'phone behavior'.

After the call ended, "What was that all about, Kaminsky?", Nathan asked.

Waving a hand as nonchalantly as he could, "Minor SNAFU there, Nathan. It seems that Rufus got some female mole rat knocked up and now the owners want me to pay the vet bills." Grinning slyly, "It takes two to tango you know." Shrugging, "We'll go over and see the girls, but we're getting a motel room first. We have the money for it.", Dean grinned as he backed out of the parking space, hoping this latest lie wasn't going to bite him.

After they exited the parking lot the blond-future weatherman drove along until he found an upscale motel with very few cars outside. Dean announced, "We'll see if we can get a room here and then head over to the girls' place. Then go out to dinner and see if they want to go with us."

Dumbfounded at all he'd witnessed, so far, "You act like you do this all the time Kaminsky. Are you really a weather geek like me?"

"You've seen my transcript Nathan, what do you think? If I was anything else, why would I go to the trouble of getting all this education?", Dean misdirected as they got out of the car and walked into the motel.

Fifteen minutes later:

Dean opened the door and walked in closely followed by his fellow student and asked, "Which bed do you want?"

"The one away from the window. Knowing you, you'd turn the heater onto 'freezeout' on me."

Dean snorted, "I'll make sure we get a couple extra blankets so that doesn't happen Nathan. Are you ready to go?"

"Yeah, I'm ready, especially if we have hot dates tonight.", Blance laughed.

"They know we're coming over Nate and if I know those two chowhounds, they're probably ready right now.", Dean warned, "And they can drink you and me under the table, so make sure you understand that and not try to challenge them to one of your 'contests'."

After one smirking at the other's sheepishness, both exited the room and made for the elevator.

XXX

Anne set the takeout on the kitchen table, "Jimmy, I'm home."

James came up from the basement with a basket of laundry, "How is Kimmie taking incarceration in the hospital, honey?", he chuckled at her discomfort.

A light smirk, "Your daughter is not happy at the moment.", Anne replied. "But I concur with her having a complete block of tests done to make sure that there isn't something going on with her.", she admitted.

Frowning, "She downplayed it, but I got the word from Wade who was there and he said that it was either a panic attack or a heart attack.", James replied.

Anne nodded, "While I am not a heart physician, that is what it seemed like to me as well. However, there is no evidence that such a thing like a heart attack happened to Kimmie, so the doctor in charge is hedging on the panic attack instead."

"How do we keep her from having another one Anne, if that is the case?"

"Drugs, mediation…heck I'm not sure, Jimmy.", Anne conceded. "A lot of this is up to Kimmie's mental state. While I know she isn't depressed or having a breakdown…I think what she needs is some male companionship…"

"A certain male honey. Maybe with blond hair and freckles?"

"That's a lot to hope for, but maybe we can convince our precious baby to move on. It's been so many years…and we have made so many mistakes.", Anne whimsically gazed off into the distance as she thought about the past between two special people who had met when they were just out of the toddler stage.

XXX

Dean rang the doorbell of the condo with Nathan Blance standing behind him. A short Asian woman answered the door and started to harangue him, starting in English and trying really hard not to revert to Japanese for the 'audience' present, "It's about time you got here Kaminsky-san, your rat is eating us out of house and home."

Used to her bluster, especially about Rufus, "OK, I'm very sorry about the hit to your panty…But, may we come in and take you guys out to dinner in partial repayment for taking care of my buddy?", Dean asked.

From way back in the domicile, "Hai!", an eager reply called out.

Snorting a laugh, "The chowhound has spoken.", Suzy agreed. Waving the two inside, "Please come in and then you may introduce your companion to us."

Dean held the door for Nathan to enter then he followed to find two lovely Asian women standing before the meteorology student. Noting his friends near gawking at them, Dean whispered, "Wanda is the taller one and Suzy is the shorter." Then to his longtime friends, "Suzy Chin this is Nathan Blance. Nathan, Suzy. And Wanda, this is my friend Nathan. Nathan, Wanda Wang." Still trying to jostle his friend from his daze, "They are not from around here.", he whispered an aside to Nathan.

Suzy offered her hand, as did Wanda. Glaring at their covert Ninja friend, the taller one said, "We made reservations at an expensive restaurant." The shorter one shot back, "So, I hope you have money, Kaminsky."

Rolling his eyes at their very familiar antics, "I have enough. Now, is this a place where Rufus can come?", Dean looked between the two-female shinobi.

"As long as he stays out of sight.", Suzy told him.

As he had yet to see the little guy, "Rufus, are you hungry?", Dean called out to the room.

A quickly growing in volume voice stormed closer to them, "Hnk, cheeesse!", chittered a squeaky voice.

Shaking his head in amusement, "Oh, so that's how it is…Not 'I'm glad to see you' or anything like that.", Dean laughed as a pink streak almost ran over him, excitedly chittering all the while, "Kim! Kim! 'Nique!"

A haunted glimmer flashed in his eyes for a moment before Dean snapped out of it, "We'll talk about this later, buddy.", he promised his friend. Turning to the women, "Ladies, grab your coats, it's time for snackage."

Suzy giggled while Wanda snorted and rolled her eyes as both donned their coats.

Three minutes later:

The girls were in the back seat with Nathan and Ron…errrr Dean in the front. Looking over his shoulder, Dean called out, "You'll have to give me directions, I don't know where this place is." Looking at his shirt, "And, uhhhhh are we dressed appropriately for this place?"

"Blance-san is not like Kaminsky.", Wanda huffed at the blond. Nodding to the new friend, "You have the air of a gentleman around him while he does not.", she sniped at Dean.

Feeling there was something more afoot with his friends, "Mannnnnn.", Dean whined as he wondered what it was that was going on, now spoke in Japanese, (We will speak of this later, you understand?)

Frowning, Suzy nodded, well aware that all the children had better be out of the room when they decided to vent their feelings on the matter nagging the two shinobis. Of course, she knew what Ron had gone through and what Kim had told them of things from her end…and how Yori felt about the matter. For that matter, Suzy and Wanda knew they couldn't reveal all of what they knew to Ron for fear that he would sink into a pity fest that he might never recover from.

X

Later, on the way back to the Sake Sisters' place: (Yeah, 'we' borrowed from one of Larry's tales…)

Ron started the ball rolling, (Now why are you so evasive to my questions?)

Suzy gave her friend a long look before replying, (Later tonight Chosen One. You will get an earful.)

Dean glanced at his schoolmate and knew his African-American friend was going to ask questions, "If it is that significant, maybe we should wait for the light of day. Nathan can borrow the car and we can talk about what is upsetting you.", Dean said, not really happy with the situation either.

Slightly startled out of his sightseeing from his seat, "Huh?", Nathan asked as he caught on that there were some things that his friend wanted to speak with the girls about, without witnesses.

Thinking for a moment, "Uh sure, how about I hang at a bar or something while you guys talk?", he suggested.

Wanda smirked at the offer, very happy that she and her friend would be able to 'air' their concerns about Ron's attitude. Something that has been going on way too long, in her opinion.

Gratefully agreeing in silence, Dean nodded, "Ya never know, you might get lucky." Smirking, "Need some cash?"

Sheepishly, "Well…", the highly touted MIT grad drew out.

Shaking his head in amusement, "Alright, I'll give you a couple hundred to tide you over until I rescue you from having to do dishes."

Protesting, "You don't have to do that…"

Not backing down, Dean assured his friend, "Yeah, something tells me I do.", reaching to hand him the money. Turning to them, "So girls, where do you like to go out. I figure that you know the better establishments in the area."

Pointing out the window, "Luddens Micro Brewery and Steakhouse.", Suzy informed them. "Right over there."

Dean asked his friend, "Do you think you can find this place again?"

Looking around to get his bearings, "Where is our hotel?", Nathan asked the ladies.

Wanda cut in, "It is a mile further."

The African-American meteorologist nodded, "Then I can find it easily enough."

X

Back at Wanda and Suzy's condo. Dean let them out. Sarcasm oozing out, "Do you want us to walk you to the door since you're so fragile and all?"

Wanda snorted, "Sure and thanks for dinner. We'll see you when you get here, but don't come before noon, it's the weekend and if there isn't a reason to be up early, we won't."

"Yeah and see ya.", Dean replied as they got in the car.

X

The next afternoon at Suzy and Wanda's condo:

Glaring at her friend, "And you are sure that your friend is out of the way for the duration of the afternoon?", Suzy growled to her friend; paramount in her anger was that had spent years distancing himself from a certain red head they all knew.

Shrugging nonchalantly, "I'll call Nate on his cellphone later to pick me up unless you want to join us for dinner.", Ron replied calmly. And, on a dime, got a bit irate, "Now what the hell is going on and why are you living in the same area as Kim and Monique?"

Calmly Suzy sat down, her demeanor signaling to Ron that what she had to say bore some weight. That Yori gave them the go-ahead to relay the following in this manner would sway what was said, regardless of his reaction, "Chosen One, we have been tasked by Sensei to stay close to Kim-san for her protection."

Ron frowned, "Kim should be able to protect herself…After all, she knows sixteen forms of Kung Fu, for Christ's sake."

Growling lowly, "That is not what she means and you know it.", Wanda shot back.

Now lost, "Would one of you just spit it out?", Ron hissed.

Deadpan, "The old dead guy that built Yamanouchi wants you and Kim to be wed and have a bunch of kids.", Wanda retorted.

Stunned, "Why? And for that matter, what is she doing back in Middleton?"

As if she was speaking to a child, "If you had thought this out, where do you think Kim-san would have ended up living and working after college?", Suzy inquired.

Frustrated at this revelation, "Hell, I have no idea!" Waving his hands to outside, "I only checked on her once to make sure she was happy.", Ron admitted as he turned to look at his rodent buddy, staring at him from his spot on the sofa.

Cocking an eyebrow at him, "Global Justice…And she is working with Wade Load…"

Now starting to freak out, "Wade?" Both hands now pulling at his hair, "Shit."

Calmly amused at his distress, "We have erased all your records in law enforcement agencies worldwide…" Now smirking, "You will owe Yamanouchi for this task for some time…you know.", Suzy told Ron. Then before he started to fidget worse, she decided to tell him more.

Settling back in her chair, "The last few years Wanda and I attended college with Kim-san as well. We were told to keep her safe…"

With a bit of snark in his tone, "She has, or had, a hottie boyfriend, so you could have been found out and embarrassed her.", Ron pointed out.

Wanda snorted at his legendary obliviousness now blooming, "Some boyfriend."

Anger rising, "Why? What did he do to her?", Ron growled.

Quite aware this could get out of control, very quickly, Suzy put her hands up to calm the former sidekick down, "He left her and she suffered an emotional breakdown.", the shinobi replied, leaving out very pertinent details of the incident.

Shaking at the similarities of past histories, "I know the feeling…Yamanouchi helped me out in that regard…"

Distracting him from an oncoming pity-festival, "Sensei feels that Kim-san needed to be helped out in the same manner, so she has been coming to the school to mend her soul.", Suzy informed her friend.

Shrugging, "Well it's a good thing that I have that internship…"

Continuing, she rolled over his musings, "And she has been coming for years. She also has been bringing Doctor Load with her. Yori and Hiro have helped her find the place, and now she is a member of the school…"

Stunned, "Shit! She knows it's a ninja school?", Ron gasped.

Matter-of-factly, "Kim-san has also met Lord Toshimiru…"

Cocking his head at her, "You have to have the MMP to be able to do that, Suzy.", Ron shot back defensively. Then after a moment, "Or be guided to that plane."

Wanda decided to drop another shoe that she hoped wouldn't go over his head…again, "He wanted to meet her…and he approves of her."

Shrugging, "So. Kim's a nice girl…"

Rolling her eyes, Wanda was tired of his ignorance, or just flat out denial, "He approves of her being the mate of the Chosen One. And…like it or not, she is your Chosen." Pausing a bit to definitively drop this on him, "And…Yori, Hiro, the Council, Sensei, Nooni and Lord Toshimiru all agree on this."

Eyes wide in shock, "Huh? I don't have anything to say about this?"

Wanda shook her head, "Not even, Chosen One! You…are stuck with her."

Holding his head in a hand, "Crap…" Perking up, "Hold it, hold it, just a minute. Kim has to be accepting of this or it will blow up in all of our faces.", Ron pointed out. "Lord Toshimiru knows this. In fact, he has been studying that pairing for ten centuries or more.", in the belief he had found a loophole to Yamanouchi's decree.

Suzy took over, "Both primary members must be in agreement for this to work in harmony."

Waving off, "But this is Kim we're talking about, she has a mind like a steel trap…She'll find her guy again and, and.", then Ron grinned, "It won't work she'll get her guy back…and it won't matter what Yamanouchi does, no matter what I say. So, the chances of this happening are almost zero…", he finished triumphantly.

"Not so, Baka.", Suzy told him, "It has been foretold."

Snorting in defeat, "Great! Just freaking great." Rubbing his face with his hands, "No matter. Either way, I have to finish my schooling before I can even think about anything else. Regardless, I just don't have time right now to put a relationship back together at this point in my career.", he said looking at his hands. Then to his friends, "I don't care what everyone thinks, or who is looking over my shoulder."

X

Now at the end of their 'talk', "Listen it's getting late. Do I get to take you out to dinner again? Rufus missed his two-thirty cheese snack.", Ron offered his friends.

"You may escort us to dinner. Call your friend up and see if he's hungry.", Suzy suggested.

Ron pulled out his phone and dialed the number of his friend. "Hey Nathan. Are you ready to meet for dinner?"

Sitting up suddenly, "What? You met someone? … Don't wait up?", he said, stunned. "Okay keep the car and good luck, but remember we have to be at the airport by four so you have to pick me up by three…and I'll pack your bag.", Ron looked wide-eyed at the two Japanese women.

"What happened?", Wanda asked, more than a little curious.

Huffing, "Well he's at the bar and he met some very pretty girl…And he's busy at the moment and he told me not to wait up for him.", Ron brought them up to speed before he paused in thought. "I wonder if he met Kim?", his voice a mix of emotions.

Wanda rolled her eyes, "If he's at the bar we told him to go to, I highly doubt it.", sarcasm dripping in her tone.

A questioning look in his eyes, "And why is that?"

Suzy frowned, "Kim-san is in the hospital."

His eyes hardened, "Is she hurt, is she going to be alright?", Ron growled.

Shaking her head, "No,", Suzy informed Ron to calm him down, "she is in for tests as a precautionary measure. We do not think there is anything wrong with her, it is just a complete physical to make sure she is fine."

The blond haired young man visibly relaxed, "Good, okay…", he let out a sigh of relief. Gathering himself again, "OK, you have me wining and dining you tonight, but you're going to have to drive since Nate has my car…Unless we're within walking distance."

Shrugging, "We have cars…"

Raising an eyebrow at the pair, "This had better be less hectic than Hong Kong. You two almost killed a hundred people that time.", Ron told them.

XXX

Aboard the plane as it was flying back to Miami:

Breaking the silence, as his friend hadn't said much since boarding the plane, "Did you have a good time at the bar?"

Sighing dreamily, "Yeah…met a sweet girl.", and paused in thought. "She's a fashion designer. She has beautiful raven hair and chocolate skin.", Nathan smiled as he remembered.

Dean breathed a sigh of relief after what the girls told him, "Well Nate, does she have a name or do I have to call her 'That girl'?"

Startled, Nathan came out of his dreamy fog, "Name? Oh yeah, Monique."

Brought up short, "Huh?", as Dean now sat there wide-eyed.

XXXX

Surprises all around here as Dean…returns from his reconnaissance mission from Hell…with a 'New Look'! The Sake Sisters lay down the law with Ron about his straying from Destiny…and his roommate now has a GF!

Oh boy…on the last segment. One...or Two Degrees of Separation, anyone?