Double Entendre
Masks and Covers
A/N: I'd like to again thank campy, Jeriddian, and daccu65 for permitting me to bring their original characters into this universe and if you haven't read their stories yet, please do yourself a favor and do so—they're great. In this part, I've added a rather extensive scene fleshing out Crystal a bit more. Hope you enjoyed it.
"I know you and Hope were with Shego in that gunfight at the Middleton Space Center a few days ago and I'm almost a hundred percent sure that it involves those missing nuclear weapons that were supposed to be sold to Iran until someone—and I'm betting that's you, Tara—stole the Star of Xerxes from the Iranian Embassy in Moscow." Wade announced as he spoke to both Tara and Hope through the Kimmunicators he gave them. "I'm also very sure that it was you that broke into Professor Dementor's lair and made off with a microchip and the Ruritanian crown jewels which found their way to the Ruritanian government." His lips then turned up in a sly grin, "And I'm willing to bet that it was you and Hope who broke into Drakken's lair while Kim and Ron were dealing with him in Wisconsin. You were the one who swiped those photos of Drs. Chen and Ramesh as well as pretty much everything of value that wasn't nailed down—including his Coco-Moo. By the way, you wouldn't happen to have some of that left, would you?"
"I might have a few bottles." Tara grinned as she lit a cigarette and inhaled.
"How can you stand to put those things in your mouth." Wade remarked disapprovingly.
"One takes one's pleasures where one finds them." Tara smirked as she blew a smoke ring in the direction of the screen with Wade on it. "Now, dear boy, why did you send us these little things?"
"I'm betting that you're here to help and look out for Kim." Wade declared, "Otherwise, why would Global Justice or British Intelligence or whoever you're working for have placed you undercover at the high school? The most logical reason would be to have you in a place where you could keep close tabs on Kim—correct?"
"Perhaps." Tara nodded her head. "Assuming I am here to watch over Kim, what do you propose?"
"I would suggest that we work together." Wade replied. "I can give you intelligence that would help you in protecting Kim as well as point you towards some situations that Kim, for one reason or another, might not either want to do or be suitable for. Also…if Kim and Ron find themselves in over their heads, I'd feel better knowing that I can call on the Dirty Pair for help."
Chuckling, Tara replied, "Assuming we agree, we share intelligence and anything shiny or sparkly we find we keep to sell and we'll cut you in for a share." Seeing the young boy about to object, Tara quickly cut him off, "I don't cheat the people I do business with. If we profit from selling some jewels or other valuables the bad guys just happen to have lying around, then it's only right that you get your fair share as well."
"I've already made enough to pay for a good chunk of my college education." Hope grinned.
"Fair enough." Wade replied. "Computer parts, electronics and other specialty gear and video games don't come cheap after all."
"Smashing." Tara exclaimed and then propositioned, "An associate of ours has come into possession of some encrypted disks. Thing is, we can't trust anyone we know to decrypt them. Even Global Justice and Mother have been compromised. So…"
"You'd like me to take a crack at them?" Wade prompted. Seeing Tara's head nod, the young boy smiled, "Of course I will. It'll be an interesting challenge. Think of it as our first joint venture. And don't worry, I won't tip Kim or Ron off to you unless you give the okay. However, you can contact them via your Kimmunicator anytime you want should you need them. I've entered in their access codes for you."
"Thank you. And, sweetie…think of another name for our phones other than Kimmunicator…would you?"
"How does phone sound?" Wade chuckled.
"Works for us." Tara grinned as she held up a glass of gin and tonic while Hope did the same with a glass of wine, "Here's to a successful partnership."
Holding up a can of coke, Wade grinned back, "Cheers."
Possible Home
"Be still!" The French stylist commanded Ron as he squirmed in his chair in the Possible kitchen.
"Kim? Are you sure about this? I was happy with my old style!"
"Believe me, Ron…" Kim sighed, "You'll love it. Just wait…you'll see."
"I don't know…"
"No…I cannot. There are some things that even Francois is not capable of." The stylist moaned.
"You can do it, Francois!" Kim exclaimed encouragingly. "You're the best!"
"You are right, Kim Possible." The world-renowned stylist, rallying, replied, "Now…my tools. It is time to turn this sow's ear into a magnificent purse."
"This is a big mistake, Kim…" Ron sighed as he gave in to the inevitable.
"You'll love it, Ron. Trust me." Kim declared confidently, "I always know what's best for you."
Middleton High
"Come on out, Ron!" Kim pleaded as she stood before the closed janitorial closet. "I promise everyone's going to love your new haircut!"
"No they're not!" Ron protested as he reluctantly exited the closet wearing a cap on his head.
Seeing Tara and Hope walking down the hall towards them, Ron got a cold chill down his spine as he noticed the mischievous twinkle in his redheaded friend's eyes. "No, Kim…please don't. You know how the Dirty Pair are when they smell blood in the water. Those two will go into a feeding frenzy when they see that haircut. They will roast me alive!"
"No, they're not, Ron." Kim said as she snatched the cap off of Ron's head with a single fluid motion, crying out, "New haircut! Ron Stoppable's got a new haircut!" Smirking, she took off down the hall as the Dirty Pair approached, "See ya, Ron."
Taking a deep breath and exhaling, Ron steeled himself for the coming roasting as Hope and Tara drew near. "Hey, girls." The young blond said weakly with a goofy grin on his face as the pair walked around him, paying special attention to the new 'do.
"Hmmm…what do you think, Hope?" Tara murmured.
Ron cringed as he imagined the kill shot about to be taken, and then sighed in relief at her next words, "I don't think it's thaaaat bad…" She said as she gave Ron's hair a seemingly careful appraisal. "But I think I'll stick with Fabulous Cuts in the mall just the same. Looks like whoever did Ron's hair has a thing for short hair."
"That's why I prefer Zohan when I can get in to see him. He does long hair very well." Tara grinned, "If you'd like, I'll see if I can set you up for an appointment at his salon. We'll make a weekend of it. Shopping…dinner…catch a show or two…it'll be fun."
"Cool." Hope replied as the pair finished their appraisal of their hapless subject.
Smiling at Ron, the blonde teased, "You should go with me and Hope when we go to Zohan's—I can probably get you in too. We'll make it a threesome." She then gave the blond boy a playful wink, "Toodles!"
Breathing a sigh of relief as the two girls walked away, Ron muttered to himself, "At least they didn't take the kill shot. And did Tara just flirt with me?"
Once the Dirty Pair were sure they were out of earshot of their friend, Hope giggled, "What was that?"
"That was absolutely horrid." Tara snickered, "Poor boy…this has Kim written all over it. That girl has absolutely no taste. She must have gotten Francois to do his hair."
Glancing back, they saw, much to their amazement, Amelia Rodriguez complimenting Ron on his cut. "Well…" Hope shook her head, "There's another one with no sense of style."
Barely repressing her giggle as a cowlick popped up on the teenage boy's hair after Amelia had departed, Tara quipped, "And that's why I only went to Francois's once and it was only after I crawled through a sewer and then a ventilation duct to get my hands on this lovely diamond necklace owned by this nasty drug dealer's mistress."
"So…" Hope asked as the pair entered Mr. Barkin's history class, "Kitty-Kat Club tonight?"
"Definitely." Tara affirmed with a grin, "I feel like hitting the blackjack tables."
"And I'm ready for some serious dancing." Hope replied as they took their seats just before the tardy bell rang.
"Did you get a look at Stoppable's new 'do?" Jessica laughed as she walked down the hall with her fellow cheerleader Liz.
"No." Liz shook her head, joining the other cheerleader in laughter, "But Crystal told me that it was godawful looking."
"That's being charitable." Jessica chuckled, commenting with a wry grin as the pair spied Kim and Ron walking down the hall, with Ron looking extremely pleased with himself, as he was visibly preening at Amelia Rodriguez's praise as the hero and her sidekick passed by them.
"Did Amelia just say that Ron's hair looked good?" Liz exclaimed, barely holding back her laughter once the pair had safely passed beyond earshot.
"Yeah." Jessica smirked. "Remember…I told you that she's got no sense of style. That her sister chooses all her clothes for her."
Laughing out loud, Liz replied, lowering her voice to a whisper, "Bonnie told me the same thing a while ago. The only reason she sucks up to Amelia is so that she can sit at the senior table."
As the two cheerleaders neared their classroom, two boys walking down the hall drew closer. "Hey, Liz." One of the boys, Kevin Guberman, said with a shy smile as he greeted the redheaded cheerleader. "Hi Jessica." He said addressing the freckle-faced blonde.
"Hi, Kevin." Liz responded with a bashful grin of her own.
"How goes, Kevin?" Jessica replied with a wide grin. "On your way to class?"
"Yeah." The chess club captain responded. Then, turning to the handsome dark-haired boy standing next to him wearing a soccer team t-shirt and blue jeans, he introduced, "This is Sergei. He's on the chess team too and he plays varsity soccer."
"Hello." The young man, speaking with a distinct Russian accent, greeted the two cheerleaders with a grin.
"Hello, Sergei." Jessica smiled back as Liz also grinned.
"Hi, Sergei. Are you new here?"
"I started this semester." The Russian youth replied, "My family recently emigrated to this country from Russia."
"How are you getting along in school?" Jessica asked.
"Very well." Sergei responded with a grin. "Is a little different from my old school in St. Petersburg, but school is school."
"You can say that again." Liz chuckled as the bell rang. "Well we better get to class before the tardy bell rings. We still on for the movies tonight, Kevin?"
"Yeah." Kevin answered back with a shy grin. "Dad said I could use the car. Pick you up at seven?"
"Seven o'clock." Liz smiled back, her cheeks blushing a gentle pink as she and Jessica entered the classroom, "Later!"
Middleton High—Cafeteria
"Hullo." The blonde adventuress said as she picked up her phone while at lunch with her best friend.
"I take it you're at school." Betty Director inquired.
"That's right."
"I'll keep it brief then. I have something you might be interested in. Meet me at Delano's after school and bring your two teammates. You'll need them for this job."
"We'll be there. Of course you're buying?"
"I promise…you pull this off, the three of you will earn the big paycheck that comes with this job."
"All right." Tara replied as Hope nodded her head in agreement, I'll contact David and we'll be there."
"Delano's, huh?" Hope quipped as the pair got up and put their trays away.
"Yeah." Tara replied, "I'm curious to see whether Betty wears her eyepatch or not."
"You mean it's fake?" Hope chuckled.
"Not completely." The blonde adventuress laughed, further explaining, "She has a problem with double vision where she needs to wear an eyepatch for a certain amount of time each day, but she doesn't have to wear it 24/7. Plus, it scares the shit out of people who don't know her—kind of gives her that menacing air that tells people I can rip your face off just by looking at you."
"Heh." Hope chuckled as Jessica approached the pair, giggling.
"What's so funny, Jessica?" Tara asked with a smirk.
"Stoppable…cow lick…haircut…" The freckle-faced blonde cheerleader gasped. "Me and Liz…saw him in the hall."
"I guess we can put Jessica down as another 'No' for Kim's 'reinvent Ron' campaign." Hope quipped.
"Quite so." Tara giggled as she spoke to her fellow blonde. "So…who else knows about Ron's new look?"
Laughing, Jessica replied, "Liz and Crystal definitely. They think he looks like he got hit by a weedwhacker too. Well…I better get going—don't want to be late for class. See ya!"
Laughing, Tara dialed David on her speed dial. "Hey baby." The lovely blonde said as she quickly composed herself, "Can you meet up with me and Hope at Delano's? Betty wants to talk to us about a job. Oh yes, it's a paying job. Let's just say enough for me to consider buying that antique Lotus Elan I've been eyeing. See you then. Ta Ta."
"We're all set." Tara said to her best friend as the pair made their way to Geography with Ms. Mercator. On their way to class, the two girls ran into another one of their fellow cheerleaders, "Hey, Bonnie!" Tara called out to the brown-haired cheerleader.
"Yeah…" Bonnie replied with a suspicious tone of voice, "What do you two want?"
"Nothing bad, darling." Tara grinned, "We just wanted to know whether you've seen Ron's latest 'do yet or not?"
"You mean the Alfalfa Special?" Bonnie snorted, "Yeah…caught him hiding behind a tree before lunch waiting on Kimmie. Why? Don't tell me you two liked it?"
"Hell no!" Hope shook her head, "We were just wondering whether there was anyone other than Amelia who liked it."
"Don't worry." Bonnie snickered, "You're not the only ones who think it's stupid."
"See you later, Bonnie." Tara replied as she and Hope made their way to class. Speaking to her friend, the British adventuress remarked, "When we get the chance, we really do have to get Ron away from Kim for a few hours so that someone can fix the damage done to that poor boy's hair before it's too late."
Watching as Ron strutted into the cafeteria with his best friend, looking visibly impressed with himself, Hope shook her head. "I think it's already too late."
Paris
"I can't believe I let you talk me into calling in one of my favors so that we could go all the way to Paris just so you could get stocked up on styling gel." Kim snorted, shaking her head as they made their way down the street to Francois's salon.
"This is the only place that sells the right gel." Ron replied with a goofy grin on his face, "Well…here we are. Besides…" He pointed out, "Weren't you the one who insisted on me getting this haircut and you were right! The girls all love it! Even the Dirty Pair didn't say anything bad. Tara actually flirted with me—I think."
"Really?" Kim exclaimed as the pair arrived at their destination. "I wonder if Francois ever did her hair."
"Well…it wouldn't hurt to ask." Ron answered back as the couple entered the salon. "Francois!" Ron called out, "You wouldn't happen to have any more of that special styling gel, would you?"
"But of course!" The stylist replied with a big grin on his face as the two teen customers entering his establishment. "But…if I may…while your hair is C'est magnifique, you are incomplete without a wardrobe to match it. It is the proper combination of clothes, hair, and style that makes the person!" The French fashion guru proclaimed.
Looking down at his oversize jersey and baggy pants, Ron sighed, "Yeah…I see what you mean" Turning to Kim, he gave her the Ron Stoppable equivalent of the puppy dog pout. "Please, Kim?" He sniffed plaintively, Rufus joining him, "The combination of those clothes with my new 'do and my essential Ron-ness will make me irresistible to any girl at the school!"
Shaking her head and laughing, Kim succumbed to her friend's pleas, "Oh…all right. We'll get the wardrobe…and the gel." Turning to Francois she asked, "Do you remember ever styling the hair of this girl we know? Her name is Tara King and she's blonde."
"Tara King…" The French stylist hummed for several moments as he racked his memory. "I remember doing the hair of Ms. King once." Kim's ears immediately pricked up at that. "It was an emergency style. She said that she had to get it done quickly for an engagement she was going to at the Paris Kitty-Kat Club."
"They've got one here?" Ron exclaimed, "We've got one in Middleton too!"
"And you would know this how?" Kim asked, arching an eyebrow.
"Ummm…" Ron stammered, "Big Mike's a valet there." Seeing that his companion still wasn't buying his answer, the young blond sidekick threw his hands in the air, "All right! I tried to get in once to see what the real sitch was about the place and the bouncer threw me out on my rear! They've got a dress code and everything!"
"You must be properly attired." The stylist confirmed, adding, "Also you must have a club card like this…" Francois presented his platinum card. "There are clubs worldwide."
"Okay…so we were talking about the styling job for your Ms. King…"
"Oh…of course!" Francois exclaimed, "Her hair looked absolutely horrible. It was wet and matted like she had been crawling through a vent or…" he shuddered, "…a sewer." Shaking his head, he clucked his tongue, "It took a great deal of effort, but the reward was worth it. She has such lovely long hair. Unfortunately…" he sighed melodramatically as he shook his head, gesturing at the photos of beautiful women lining the wall, "…she would not permit me to take her picture to adorn my walls."
"You were very helpful, Francois." Kim politely replied, "Thank you." Turning to her sidekick, the teen hero urged, "Come on, Ron. We've got to get going."
Middleton—Downtown, Old Town Square the next day
Among the passengers getting off the bus at the Old Town Square stop was a teenage girl with tawny skin and reddish-brown hair. Wearing untucked an oversized black t-shirt with a print of a red and green print dragon, it's wings outstretched, breathing fire on the chest, old faded blue jeans with a hole just above the right knee, and black boots, the young woman was a perfect fit for the Bohemian atmosphere that prevailed here. Taking an herbal cigarette out of its package and a lighter, she lit the cigarette and then replaced package and lighter in her pockets. After taking a drag from her cigarette, she began walking, taking her time to absorb the sights, sounds, and smells of the square as she made her way towards her first destination, a food truck selling Puerto Rican dishes.
Her lips turned up in a big grin, the young lady put out her cigarette and approached the food truck's open window. "Hi Benigno!"
"Hello, Crystal!" The owner of the mobile restaurant, a slender bronze skinned man with close cropped dark hair and a chevron mustache smiled at the tawny-skinned woman standing at the window. "Your usual?"
"Yes, please." The cheerleader replied as Benigno began work on her order. A few moments later, he handed her a basket containing her food. "One pollo sandwich with shoestring potatoes and medium cola."
"Thanks, Benigno." Crystal grinned as she paid for her order and took the basket. "How are Mrs. Nunez and the ninos?"
"They are fine…fine." Benigno smiled, "They asked about you"
"Tell them I'm doing good." Crystal replied with a smile, "I miss the ninos though. Just let me know when you want me to sit with them again and I'll be glad to."
"Gracias." The Puerto Rican cook acknowledged with a wide grin. "I'll let Mama know. So…are you making your usual rounds today?"
Biting into her sandwich, Crystal smiled after she had swallowed the morsel, following it up with a drink from her cola. "Yeah. I gotta pick up my comics at Mikey's and buy that dragon statuette if he's still got it. And then I want to hit Degan's and see if she's gotten anything new in and then Norma Jean's to browse the shelves and maybe get a cup of coffee."
"Well…it sounds like you've got your day planned out, nina." Benigno grinned as he handed his favorite customer a pastry. "Here…fresh quesitos de guayaba. On the house."
"Thanks, Benigno!" Crystal smiled as turned to walk away, "I'll see you next time and tell Mamma and the ninos Hi from me!"
"Will do." The Puerto Rican cook replied with a smile and wave. "Take care, nina!"
Entering the comic and game shop, Crystal greeted a few of the regulars she knew with a smile. "Hey Eric…Jackie! How are classes?"
"Gearing up for midterms." The two college students, an athletic young man with sandy-blonde hair and a tall, attractive African-American girl, answered back with smiles as they approached the cheerleader.
"We missed you at the game." Eric said, "You missed all the fun."
"Yeah. Sorry." Crystal nodded her head, "I had a late cheerleading practice and Mom and Dad told me to come straight home after. So…what was it this week? Danny's Traveller campaign?"
"No." Jackie shook her head, "Danny couldn't make it either. Thankfully, Steve had his dungeon ready, so I rolled up my usual rogue…"
"And I'm betting you ran your standard fighter." Crystal chuckled as the young man standing in front of her laughed.
"Not this time." Eric jibed, "I decided to change it up a bit and ran a cleric."
"Hey!" Crystal exclaimed with a big grin, "That's my job!"
"Don't worry…" Jackie interjected, "We still need a mage."
"Hmmm…" The tawny-skinned cheerleader mused, "It's been a while since I've played a mage. I'm thinking chaotic neutral enchantress…think Steve will go for that?"
"Don't see any reason why not." Eric replied. "You can ask him when we play next week."
"So…What're we playing next week?" Crystal asked, "Danny's Traveller?"
"Yeah." Jackie confirmed, "He said he'll be there this time. Don't forget, we're playing at my place next week."
"That means it's my turn to host the game the week after." The cheerleader acknowledged, "I'll tell the 'rents when I get home."
"You here to pick up your books?" Eric asked as he inclined his head at the counter where Mikey was taking a customer's order.
Nodding her head, Crystal affirmed, "Yeah. I also wanna check to see if that Tiamat statuette is still on sale."
"It is." Jackie replied as she gestured in the direction of a beautiful young woman with Asian features and long jet-black hair who was obviously appraising the red dragon, "But you better get it quick, I think there's someone eyeing it."
"Whoah!" Crystal gasped in an almost inaudible voice as she gazed on the lovely and graceful woman, only to let out a mournful sigh as the lady picked up the statue and took it to the store proprietor. "Damn." She murmured. "I blew it. Oh well…" She sighed again as she said goodbye to her friends, "I guess I better go and get my books. See ya next week."
Taking her place behind the pretty Asian girl, Crystal felt her heart begin to race as she caught a whiff of her perfume. No! The tawny-skinned cheerleader rebuked herself. You're not one of those. You're supposed to like boys—not girls! That's what Mom and Dad and everyone else would say. Don't forget, you're going on a date tomorrow night with Mike Jansen from the track and field team. Think about how Mike looks in shorts and a tank top. Think about his brown hair and those green eyes. Think about how pleased Bonnie would be that I'm going out with a jock high up on the food chain. At least it would get her off my back about how I haven't been on a date in over a month.
The cheerleader's thoughts rambled out of control, now spouting what her domineering fellow cheerleader would denounce as heresy. I hate the food chain. I have to fucking hide who I am from everyone at school—even my friends. It sucks. So I love role playing games and comics and fantasy…what's so bad about that? No…if the others found out, I'd be laughed at. What if I am gay? What will everyone say? Will they kick me off the squad? God, her hair looks so smooth and silky—and long. I love long hair. I just want to reach out and stroke it. Just a little.
Just as Crystal's hand began to move, as if it had a will of its own, the voice of the man behind the counter broke the spell—and just in the nick of time.
"Hey, Zoe." Mikey, the shop's owner, grinned at the lady purchasing the statuette. "Getting that to go with your Smaug of Erebor one?"
"Yeah." Zoe replied in a lilting voice that again caused Crystal's heart to flutter. "Tips at the club were good this week."
"Wanna get your books too?" Mikey asked as he reached into the pull drawer and pulled out a small stack of comics and graphic novels. "Let's see…Ring Bearers of the Mist number five, Sapphire 20, The Pale Knight graphic novel, and the Witchcraft-Solitaire miniseries—complete trade paperback. Anything else?"
She's into Ring Bearers of the Mist too! Crystal commented to herself, And the Pale Knight and Sapphire! She's into some cool stuff. Damn she smells good. Like jasmine.
"No thanks." The lovely woman replied, her voice again sending chills up and down Crystal's spine. She then asked as she inclined her head in the direction of the door next to and a little behind the counter, "Is there anyone in there now?"
"No." Mikey replied as he handed the Asian woman a key attached to a block of wood. "Here you go. Restroom's yours."
"Thanks, Mikey." The woman said as she ducked into the room, locking the door behind her.
"Hey, Crys." Mikey said as the tawny-skinned cheerleader approached, "Come to get your pulls?"
"Yeah." Crystal replied in a somewhat dejected tone.
"I'm sorry, Crys." The store owner apologized as he pulled his customer's comics from their place in the box, "I held it for you as long as I could."
"I understand." Crystal sighed, "It's my fault. I should have gotten it while I had the chance, but it was either buy it or my grandmother's birthday present and I love my grandmother. Oh well…" The pretty cheerleader forced a smile to her lips as she paid for her books, "At least I can catch up on Ring Bearers of the Mist. Do you know if you'll be getting another of those statuettes in?"
"Sorry…" Mikey replied commiserating, "They're hard to come by now since they've discontinued making them. I'll let you know if I tumble on to one—but—fair warning—they're becoming collectors pieces. If I do find one, it's liable to be expensive."
"Don't worry about it, Mikey." Crystal replied in a dejected tone of voice, again forcing a smile to her face, "It's no big…really. Well…I gotta go. Got a few more stops to make and then I have to gotta catch the bus back home before dinner."
"Take it easy, Crys, and I'll see ya next time."
"Later, Mikey!"
Exiting the bathroom, Zoe, who had overheard the entire conversation through the locked door, handed the key back to the proprietor asking, "That girl…who is she?"
"Huh?" Mikey exclaimed, "Oh…Crystal? She's a cheerleader over at Middleton High—believe it or not. Not stuck up like some of the snobs on the team though. She's good people, but usually kinda quiet."
"I get the feeling she really wanted the statue I bought." Zoe remarked in a somber tone, "If I'd have known she wanted it that badly, I'd have let her have it. Does she come here often?"
"Hmmm…about two…three times a month." Mikey replied. "She also likes to go to Norma Jean's and Degan's. If you don't catch her here or at Benigno's food truck, you'll catch her at one of those places or just wandering around."
"Thanks." Zoe replied as she handed Mikey a card. "When she comes in again, give her this, please and ask her to call me."
"Sure, Zoe." The comic shop owner said as the Asian woman turned away, "Catch ya later."
"Later!"
Middleton—Delano's
"So…Betty has a job for us." David, wearing an Armani sportscoat, slacks, shirt and tie said as he greeted Tara and Hope at the entrance to the swanky steakhouse, giving each woman a kiss on the cheek.
"Apparently so." Tara, wearing a white pencil dress replied as she returned her lover's kiss.
"I'm curious about what it is." Hope, looking smashing in a black cocktail dress, said as she also kissed the dark-haired secret agent on the cheek in greeting.
"Well…" David grinned as he opened the door for the two lovely ladies, "One way to find out."
After a brief delay, the threesome were escorted to a private table where sat the director of Global Justice, wearing a light blue business suit and without her customary eyepatch. Gesturing at the empty chairs, she bade her guests to have a seat.
After taking their seats, a waiter moved quickly to take their drink and dinner orders, returning soon afterwards with their meals. After ensuring that his customers' needs had been met, the waiter discreetly withdrew, closing the door behind him.
Once the door was closed, Betty took a small device out of her purse and activated it. "White noise generator. In case anyone's listening in." Then, taking three folders out of her briefcase, she handed one each to the three individuals seated with her. "The man you see on the first photo is Baron Heinrich von Stassel." They saw a distinguished looking man in a tailored suit and tie approximately sixty years old, with neatly combed white hair.
"Financier and industrialist, von Stassel is the owner, president, and majority stockholder of Stassel Industries, a major producer of arms and munitions. We also suspect that he might be a prominent member of the board of the MALUS crime and terror conglomerate. I believe…Mr. Bruckner…that you have encountered some of their agents in Vienna recently while running an errand for Mother."
"Yes." David nodded his head. "Franz was killed by their assassins and I barely made it out alive."
"The assassins were sent by von Stassel." Betty declared. "This man…" She then pointed to a photo of a burly, muscular man in his mid-thirties with chestnut brown hair, a scar on his cheek, and wearing a uniform. "Is Manfred Kramer—Stassel's chief of security. A mercenary, he took part in the Nvongo Massacre five years ago."
"Nasty bit of work." Tara noted as she took a sip of her wine. "Did you learn about it in any of your classes, Hope?" The blonde asked, addressing her dark-haired partner.
"No." The cheerleader shook her head.
"A company of mercenaries under the command of Kramer was hired by a South African diamond concern a few years ago to remove the inhabitants of a village from land that the concern wished to acquire." Betty explained, "They came into the village after midnight and proceeded to kill every man, woman, and child there. Following the massacre, INTERPOL and Global Justice issued warrants for his arrest for crimes against humanity. However, those charges were soon quashed…"
"Money talks." Tara interrupted.
"It always does." Hope agreed as she took a sip of water.
"I've got a personal score to settle with Manfred as well." David growled, "Besides killing Franz, he set my brother and his team up for an ambush in Chechnya. He led the guerillas that killed him and his men."
"Can he identify you and can you maintain your professionalism?" Betty inquired.
"No." David shook his head. "We've never met. And yes…" The handsome spy declared in no uncertain terms, "I know that the mission has to come first."
Nodding her head in satisfaction, Betty continued the briefing. "Our intelligence has discovered that von Stassel is fronting an effort on the part of the Slovalkan National Party, a fascist movement, to execute a coup against the current democratically elected government of Slovalka. The leader of the Slovalkan National Party, General Heinz Prozylka, is really just a puppet of von Stassel and MALUS."
"So basically, MALUS is trying to take over a country." Hope stated, summing up the situation.
"Right." The Director acknowledged with a single nod of her head. "A country rich in rare earths." The Global Justice Director took a device out of her purse that both Tara and Hope recognized was a new model Kimmunicator similar to what Hope and Tara possessed and handed it to David. "You'll want this Agent Bruckner." The Director declared as she took out her laptop and opened it to reveal Wade's image. "You've been monitoring the conversation so far, Mr. Lode?"
"I have." The Team Possible techie responded as a large Alpine castle appeared on the computer screen. "This is Schloss Markhaus. It has been in the von Stassel family for several generations. Recently, he has converted it into a modern fortress. There are concealed anti-aircraft guns and missile batteries and Kramer commands an elite and very well equipped security force. A direct assault would be suicidal."
"That's where we come in, correct." David interjected.
"Correct." The Director confirmed. "Your cover will be as an arms dealer seeking to buy arms to equip mercenaries for a raid on the Carpathios Gold Repository. Ms. King and Ms. Rossi will be your…companions…"
"That's a nice way of saying escorts." Tara whispered to Hope.
"Which is a nice way of saying whores." Hope quipped back.
"Just so." Betty primly replied before continuing. "You're to infiltrate the castle and get us the names, passcodes, and account numbers of the individuals and corporations von Stassel is using to launder money and funnel arms to Prozylka and the National Party."
"And Prozylka, von Stassel, and Kramer?" David asked.
"If you can bring them in or terminate them, good. There will be a substantial extra bonus for you if you do." Betty replied. "But your priority is the intel. If you have to choose between the intel and them, bring me the intel. We can get von Stassel and the others later."
"Wade…Hope…" Tara cautioned, speaking to the younger team members, "You've never done a possible termination. I avoid doing sanctions. I don't like killing unless it's absolutely necessary." The blonde adventuress said, staring the Global Justice Director in the eyes, "But…if von Stassel and MALUS succeed in taking over Slovalka…"
"A lot more people might die." Hope whispered as David, Betty, and Tara all nodded their heads in agreement. Taking a deep breath, the young cheerleader declared, "I chose to get into this line of work and this is part of what comes with it. I'm in."
"You'll need me to coordinate and to hack into the accounts once you get the intel." Wade announced, making his decision, "Count me in too."
"All right. That's set then." Director concluded, "Anything else?"
"I've got some devices for you three that might help you." Wade said as Betty produced a box and opened it. The first item she removed was a cigarette case. "I know you already have one, Tara, but this one and the cigarettes in it are special. David…Hope…you each have one just like it."
Opening the case, Tara smirked at the tiny monitor screen fixed to the back of the case, concealed by a false lining. "What's it do?" The blonde adventuress asked.
"It's a combination GPS tracker, motion sensor, and can detect radio and microwave emissions." Wade responded. "It also can serve as a datebook, notepad, and calculator. There are other functions as well I can brief you on later. It will also avoid all but the most intensive scans. Anyone who examines it or even runs it through an x-ray or other standard detection system will only see a cigarette case and cigarettes. Also, take a look at the cigarettes."
Examining the cigarettes, Tara noticed that they each had a different colored band around the filters. "I take it the colors are significant?"
"Yep." Wade explained, "The blue color will release an opaque cloud. Instead of sucking in like you normally would, you…"
"Blow out." Tara chuckled, "Gives new meaning to the terms suck and blow."
"Yeah…well…" Wade blushed, "The smoke should give you time to make an escape if you have to. The green color shoots out a tiny dart with a tip that contains a poison that paralyzes whatever it hits."
"Nice." Hope giggled, "I could have used this during my first and last date with Jason Morgan last year."
"What about the red color?" David asked.
"Don't use it yourself." Wade cautioned. "It contains a compound that will knock out whoever uses it. The ones that aren't color coded are normal cigarettes. I didn't put them in…"
"I took the liberty of doing so." Betty interjected, "I know they're Dunhills and not your usual brand, Tara, but…"
"Beggars can't be choosers." Tara interjected, "That's fine. They're my second choice brand anyway."
Taking out a tube of lipstick, Hope inquired, "Anything special about this?"
"Yeah." The young computer genius replied, "It's the same lipstick I gave Kim. It releases an adhesive compound strong enough for you to walk on and the perfume atomizer is a solvent that will instantly dissolve it. Tara, your lipstick will release a foam compound that will neutralize any acid or base and is also resistant to extremes of heat and cold. Don't worry…" He grinned, "I provided each of you with the shades that you prefer and that would fit better with your covers. And David…that ink pen in there will function as a laser and the breath spray will squirt an acid that can cut through any metal or lock."
"Also, take a look at your earrings." Wade requested as the girls opened up a pair of boxes revealing a variety of earrings. "The earrings function as a communications device that will permit you to maintain communications with each other and me. David? You'll find a lapel pin and cufflinks that will do the same thing. However, to communicate with me, you will need your upgraded Kimmunicators as a booster."
"And locally?" David asked.
"They have a range of about half a kilometer—less indoors." Wade replied.
"Works for me." Hope said as she examined one of the earrings more closely, "Looks and feels just like a regular earring."
"Thanks." David acknowledged as the three adventurers picked up their gadgets.
"As to issue of compensation…Here's what we're paying." Betty declared as she entered in a number on the laptop and handed it to Tara. "Per person upon mission completion with a bonus for each of the principals you terminate or bring in."
Shaking her head, Tara grinned as she entered in another set of numbers—higher than Betty's, but still reasonable. "Each. Plus expenses. We'll need to purchase appropriate wardrobes." Turning to her friend, she explained, "Wardrobe, accessories, and hair styling will add a few years to your appearance, but you're going to have to learn how to behave as someone about three-four years older than you are."
Seeing the hesitant look given her by the director at the amount she'd demanded, Tara quipped, "Do you have anyone else ready to go on as short a notice as us? You really think Du can pull this off?" She shook her head and laughed, "Too rigid in thinking and too awkward in social situations. Possible? Too young, too inexperienced, and too moral. Besides, you'd have to bring in Stoppable as well—they're a package deal—and you really don't want him in on this sort of mission. Sheila would get the job done well enough if you could get her to break her sweetheart deal with Drakken and sign on, but part of her asking price would be a full pardon, and I have a feeling you're saving that for a very rainy day. But…if you'd rather…"
"No…" Betty let out a breath of air and shook her head. "You're in."
"Now…" Hope ventured, "Next question. How are you going to fix it so that Tara and I can miss school and I can avoid getting grounded for the next fifty years?"
Laughing, Betty responded, "Already thought of that. Congratulations. You and Tara have just won a place in a prestigious study abroad program where you'll have a couple weeks all expenses paid trip through Europe. That should keep your principal, teachers, and parents happy. Oh…by the way…" The director added with a smirk, "You'll have to submit essays to Mr. Barkin on your experiences to be graded."
"And there's the downside." Hope snorted.
"Don't worry…" Tara grinned at her friend, "We should have a few days to do some sightseeing after the mission. David and I can take you to a few places."
"You'll love the Ring Strasse in Vienna." David interjected.
Tara extended her hand, "All right, Betty. You've got a deal."
"Great." Betty nodded her head as she signed off with Wade and put away her laptop. "I'll make the necessary arrangements. Your school and parents should be informed about your…award…in the next couple of days, Hope. That will give you time to do some wardrobe shopping and begin preparations."
Possible Home
"It really wasn't that big a deal." Kim said as she cringed at the sight of her mother's latest culinary concoction—meatloaf shaped like a human brain, "Ewwww…Gross!"
"It's for the neurosurgeons' pot luck." Ann chuckled, "I thought I'd try it out on you all first."
"Brains!" Jim exclaimed with a wicked look on his face.
"Grrr…must eat brain." Tim laughed as Kim made a disgusted face.
"It's just meatloaf, Kim." Ann smiled as she cut out a piece and put it on her daughter's plate. "Now…what was that you were saying?"
"Oh…" Kim replied, regaining her train of thought, "This old billionaire was causing blackouts and brownouts all over the European power grid to power this massive sunlamp so that his dim bulb of a son could get a perfect tan."
"Did you beat him up, Sis?" Tim asked with a smirk as he shoveled in a crinkled piece of meatloaf in his mouth.
"No!" Kim exclaimed. Speaking to her parents, she recalled, "We left him some energy conservation pamphlets and brochures and went on our way."
"Well, that's good. Not every situation has to end in a beating." The male Dr. Possible said as he took a bite of his meatloaf. "Did you do anything else in Europe?"
"Well…we picked up some style gel and clothes for Ron and…Dad…" Kim nervously inquired, "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure, Kimmie-cub." James smiled at his daughter, "You can ask me anything—except if it involves boys because then you know my answer will involve…"
"Deep space probes into black holes." Kim chuckled, "It's not about boys. It's about Ron."
"Oh…okay." Mr. Dr. Possible said with a note of relief in his voice, "So…what's the problem?"
"Did you ever try to change someone…you know…to make them better…more attractive." Kim inquired.
"I remember this lab rat I had when I was in grad school…" James reminisced. "I hated the fact that the other students had him running through mazes all the time, so I made a special cybernetic battlesuit for him."
"I'm not seeing the connection between me and Ron here, Dad." Kim sighed.
"I kinda took it too far." James laughed, "Thinking back on it, the plasma blasters were a bit too much." His laughter subsiding, he raised gave his daughter a pointed look, "I tried to make him into something he wasn't and the results were half the science building trashed and a rampaging rat that had to be put down."
"Ron's not going to go gonzo because of a stupid haircut and clothes." Kim groaned as she turned to her mother, "Mom…tell me you've got some advice that doesn't involve psycho rats or mutated brains?"
"No…" Ann shook her head, "But I might have an I told you so lying around."
Middleton High
As they entered the school, Hope and Tara were confronted by a crowd of girls all gathered around something or someone. Seeing Kim petting an obviously distressed Rufus, the two cheerleaders walked over to join their captain.
"What happened to you little guy?" Tara cooed as she petted the little naked mole-rat quivering in fear on Kim's hand.
"Yeah…you look scared half to death! Where's your human?" Hope asked as she took her turn petting the little rodent.
"I found him in the hall all by himself." Kim sighed, "Someone almost stepped on him." The three cheerleaders quickly turned about as they heard Amelia squeal.
"Damn…is that girl having an orgasm?" Tara quipped as both Kim and Hope laughed.
"If she is…" Hope chuckled, "I want what she just got."
"You girls…" Kim shook her head as Mr. Barkin dispersed the gathering with threats of mass detentions, leaving Ron with his new hairstyle and clothes, including tight pleather pants, and a smug grin on his face.
"Those pants don't leave much to the imagination, do they?" Hope quipped.
"Nope." Tara chuckled, "So…what do you think? On a scale of one to ten, how would you rate his package?"
"Hmmm…I'd give it a five. You?"
"About the same." Tara agreed. "I've seen better…seen worse."
Rolling her eyes, a red-faced Kim, very uncomfortable at the direction the conversation had taken and seeing her old friend basking in all the attention he was getting, grumbled, "I just created a monster." Watching as Ron turned to leave for class, Kim invited the two girls to join her, "Walk with me? I'm going to put Rufus in my locker where he'll be safe."
"Sure." The Dirty Pair replied, walking with the redheaded teen to her locker.
"Have you ever been to Francois's?" Kim asked in a conversational tone.
"Yeah…I think so…once." Tara replied telling a half truth. "I got caught in a sudden downpour and needed an emergency do. I don't care too much for his work, but beggars can't be choosers and he was open and available at the time."
"Interesting." Kim muttered, further inquiring, "What other countries have you been to?"
"Oh…all over." Tara answered back, at once picking up on Kim's efforts at ferreting out information. "Germany…Holland…Italy…I've got some nice pictures of the Colosseum in Rome if you'd like to see them sometime."
"I think I'd like that." Kim replied with a smile, "Well…I better get going. Catch you two later."
Watching as the redhead departed, Hope whispered to her partner, "You think she's getting suspicious?"
"Yeah." Tara replied, nodding her head, "I haven't kept up a cover this long before. Usually, it's a couple of days and I'm out and done. This could easily be a couple of years. I'm bound to make a few slip ups—law of averages, you know. And neither Kim nor Ron are stupid—although Ron likes to pretend that he is. Sooner or later—and it's looking like it's sooner—one or both of them were bound to connect the dots."
"Yeah…her and Stoppable were bound to tumble on sooner or later…" Hope opined.
The blonde adventuress nodded her head in agreement, "Too many people we have in common know we're in the game—Sheila…Wade…Big Mike…even Rufus…any one of which can trip us up.
"What happens when they do figure it all out—if they haven't already done so?" Hope asked, "Do we work together?"
"Ideally, yeah, with Wade coordinating so that we're not stepping on each other's toes." Tara answered back. "They get the squeaky clean jobs where they can play hero and Kim can talk to the reporters while we…"
"Do the shadow routine, steal all sorts of shiny and sparkly goodies from the baddies, and pay for my college and grad school—not to mention a new wardrobe…a car…a boy-toy or two…" Hope grinned as Tara laughed.
"I do believe you're getting the hang of this, my dear. Now…we better get to class. Wonder what's for lunch today?"
"Mystery meat!"
"We guessed it." Hope grumbled as the lunch lady slopped the mystery meat on to her plate just as the new home economics teacher dashed from the cafeteria holding her hand over her mouth. "Oh well…another one bites the dust."
"Looks like Mr. Barkin will be the new Home Ec. teacher." Tara snorted as the pair passed by the senior table. "Wait…is that…"
"Why, yes it is." Hope responded, then overhearing Ron's comment about the secret to his hair gel, she chuckled as she whispered to her friend, "Sea urchins?"
"Now you know reason number two why I don't go to Francois' except in a life or death situation." Tara replied with a laugh.
Joining Kim, the two girls pointed to the seniors' table, "Looks like Ronnie's made it to the big leagues." Hope smirked.
"Yeah…" Kim sighed, "Now I know how Dr. Frankenstein felt when the creature turned on him."
"It won't last long, Kim." Tara said as Ron walked Amelia to her class. "A few days…a week at most…it'll wear off."
"And he'll go back to being everyone's punching bag." Kim sighed, "I just wanted to help him…"
Seeing that their friend was genuinely distressed, Tara and Hope gently maneuvered her into the girl's room, "Come on, Kim." Tara urged.
"Where are we going?"
"My inside office." Tara said as Hope checked the stalls.
"Okay…we're clear for now, but we probably don't have a lot of time."
"Good." Kim sighed as she ducked into the first stall and closed the door. "I gotta go and take a…you know…"
"We all do at one time or another, darling." Tara quipped as she pinched her nose in silent warning to her companion.
Hope chuckled, "Last night's Bueno Nachos, Kimmie?"
"No." Kim groaned, "Last night's meatloaf."
"Right." Tara acknowledged as she spoke to Kim, "Back to the main topic. Why did you make him get his hair done in the first place?"
"I just wanted to do something nice for him." The redhead replied from inside the stall sighing, "Oh…all right. I felt that a new look might give him more confidence where maybe he would…"
"Give you some space so that you could talk to someone else…like Josh Mankey instead of you having to tell him to take a walk." Tara interjected, sensing the other girl's true intention.
"Yeah." Kim shyly replied, a blush appearing on her cheeks that she was glad the other girls couldn't see.
Rolling her eyes, Tara declared, "If you want space to talk to some boy without Ron hanging around you and you don't want to hurt his feelings by telling him to get lost, just let us know and we'll run interference for you."
"Yeah." Hope chimed in, "It's no big."
"Oh, thanks!" Kim sighed in relief as she flushed the toilet and exited the stall. Washing her hands at the sink, she frowned, "But what am I going to do…"
"When this all comes crashing down?" Tara finished.
"Yeah…he's gonna be a mess." Kim moaned.
"He's a lot tougher than you think." The blonde cheerleader declared. "He'll need a bit of ego massaging from you afterwards but it won't be that long until he's back to normal…Ron normal that is."
"He'll bounce back." Hope agreed, "But yeah…you're gonna be spending some time with Ron giving him a bit of TLC."
"Drama settled?" Tara asked with a crooked grin.
"Drama settled." Kim smiled at her fellow cheerleaders as she dried her hands off and threw the paper towel in the waste bin.
"That'll be five cents consulting fee." Hope grinned as she held out her hand.
"Oh…all right!" Kim snorted as she dropped a nickel on the olive-skinned cheerleader's open hand. "It was money well spent." She quipped as everyone laughed just as Bonnie entered the restroom.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing, Bonnie!" Tara answered back with an evil grin. "Take the fifth stall…Kim just took a Bueno Nacho sized shit in the first one."
"Thanks for the warning." The brown-haired cheerleader joked back as Kim rolled her eyes, her cheeks bright red.
"Thanks a lot. Tara! I'm sorry, I can't help it. I've got a fast metabolism, okay!" The redhead moaned, "Now I'm going to be hearing about 'Kimmie's Boomers' for the rest of the week."
Lowering her voice, Hope whispered, "Brick Flagg in the utility closet. That'll shut her up."
"Thanks." Kim whispered back as they exited the bathroom. "Oh well…last period."
Middleton Mall
"We've got an invite to von Stassel's castle for a reception in two days." David announced as he met the two women who were to be his 'escorts' at the entrance to the mall.
"All right." Tara grinned, "Let's blow some of that expense account Betty gave us on wardrobe, hair, and accessories, and then Hope…" She turned to her olive-skinned best friend, "You're going to get a crash course in running a cover. It's not going to be as hard as you might think at first…" The blonde adventuress declared encouragingly as the trio entered the mall arm in arm with each other. "David's going to be doing the heavy lifting. We're supposed to be ornaments. As long as we play our cards right, they're just going to look at us and not pay any real attention to what we say or do."
"Which actually gives you a lot more freedom of action than I will have." David pointed out.
"He's right." Tara agreed with a head nod. "Kramer and his goons will be keeping a close eye on him, but as far as they're concerned we're just a pair of high-class whores. As long as we're not too obnoxious about it, we'll be able to move around a lot more freely and you'd be surprised what you can get with the right smile and a coy wink at the right time. Follow my lead and you'll do just fine. In fact, we've started practice now." The blonde grinned as she gave David a playful nibble on his ear.
Catching Tara's playful wink, Hope followed suit by giving the man beside her a seductive wink and caress.
"This is what I like about this job." David smirked as he gave both girls at his side kisses on the cheek.
"I'll just bet you do." Hope playfully growled as Tara chuckled merrily.
"See…you're already getting the hang of it." Tara further advised, "Also…language. No more teen-slang like 'no big'. Remember, as of now, you're a high-class call girl."
"New town…new beginnings." The young brown-skinned African American teenage girl said as she walked down the mall eyeing the shops and stores, looking for a Help Wanted ad, so far without much success. "Now, if I can only find a job. New outfits don't come cheap." As she walked down the promenade, she couldn't help but roll her eyes at the sight approaching her—an apparently college aged man with dark hair, slender, and…the girl was forced to admit to herself, pretty good looking, walking with a blonde girl maybe a year or two older on one side of him with their arms around each other and an olive-skinned girl, about the same age as the blonde, walking on his other side, also with their arms around each other's waists.
"Pervert." She muttered under her breath as she passed by the trio who seemed to have not noticed her as they entered Blarney's, the upscale clothing store. "Hos. Got yourselves a sugar daddy to pay for everything." She growled, her lips turning down in a frown as she spied the two girls obviously flirting with the young man. . "Guy…I hope you're gettin' your money's worth from those two 'cause it looks like they're gonna clean you out." Then, she spied the Help Wanted sign on the window of her favorite shop, Club Banana, and sighed with relief. "Well, all right, Monique! Things are starting to look up at last!"
Blarney's in the mall.
"May I help you?" A sales attendant for Blarneys asked as she approached the trio.
"Why yes…" Tara replied in her posh British accent, "My friend…" She motioned towards Hope, "…and I are looking to add to our wardrobes. We'll need dresses—day and evening wear…casual and formal…shoes…and of course, accessories." The blonde adventuress then took out her platinum card, "I believe this should cover everything."
Her attitude suddenly changing as she imagined the size of her commission from this sale, the attendant took the card with a broad grin on her face, "Yes, Ma'am. It most definitely will. If you'll come this way." Then, spotting David standing in the background and the cut and style of his suit, the attendant suggested, "Sir? If you'd like, I can have someone from our men's division come and help you. I think you'll find our assortment of men's apparel quite satisfactory."
"Thank you." The secret agent politely responded as an attractive dark-skinned woman arrived to take care of him.
"Have fun, David!" Tara and Hope both waved, "We'll see you soon."
Sometime later, having paid for their rather large purchase, Tara smirked, "Du's going to go into low earth orbit when he sees the bill for this."
"Serves the bastard right." David grinned, "Zoe told me about his premature launch."
"So…" Hope's lips turned up in a crooked grin, "How well do you know Zoe…"
Laughing, David replied, "Crashed and burned—as have all the other guys at the club"
"Zoe's strictly into girls." Tara explained with a giggle as they once again passed by the dark-skinned girl.
"So, what now, T?" Hope asked.
"Since there's no way we can jet to New York to go to Zohan's to get our hair done, how does Lucienne sound? I've got us appointments in thirty minutes."
"Sounds good."
"So…light lunch in the food court before your appointments?" David suggested.
"Sounds good to us." Tara replied. "Onward. Schloss Markhaus awaits!"