Tian Cai

By mkusenagi2

The story concept © 5-19-2006
All Marvel characters are © Marvel Comics.
Kim Possible and other Disney characters
are © Disney Co.

Interlude IV

Tea

'Xavier says I'm a mutant… a POWERFUL one at that… I affect Time AND Probability! How is this possible… No! I'm not going to think it! Not NOW! … Oh! Heh! I'm here. Head In The Game Possible.'

Kimberly Anne Possible walked into The Kylin… an Asian restaurant in Manhattan that promised many things where Asian Cuisine was concerned just for starters.

The Hostess recognized her immediately and took her to a special table in the reserved section where her Nana's friend was seated.

A petite Vietnamese woman dressed in an ultra conservative Brioni pinstripe with her raven hair fashioned into a tightly coiled French braid, beckoned to Kim and waited as she was seated across from her.

"Hello Ma'am. I'm Kim Possible… I believe my Nana's an old friend of yours… when she was in the service? It's an honor to meet you Ma'am."

The woman waved over a server and whispered in their ear. They returned with an exquisite tea set, set their placements and left… Quickly!

"Welcome to my humble establishment Ms. Possible." The woman said as she poured their tea, "I am Ms. Brandt. Nan IS an old and dear friend from those days. She thought it would be a good idea if we met."

Kim took in the woman that sat before her… She was Poised… Methodical without Seeming so… Athletic… and she moved… Quietly.

'I would NOT like to fight her!' she thought.

"Have you ever been in love Ms. Possible?" Ms. Brandt asked.

"Ma'am… Please call me Kim… and the answer's… yes. In fact I'm in love with someone now… my best friend."

"Really! How wonderful! What's his name and what's he like?"

"His name's Ron… I've known him since pre-K… all my life… he's Always Been There When I've Needed Him…"

"Does he Honor your Parents?"

"Yes! In fact they look at him as a member of our family especially… now."

"Is he Cultured? That is… can he cook, and does he have anything of serious context to Say?"

Kim thought about how she HAD looked at Ron as a bit of a goof… until recently.

"Yes… He IS Cultured… in his own way… but he's Very Sweet and Considerate and Funny…"

"So… have you ever had any BAD moments?"

"yeah… I took him for granted… and we've had some fights… but he's NEVER let me down!"

"He sounds like a delightful young man! … So! When do you plan to Marry him?"

Kim ALMOST, mind you ALMOST did a spit take!

"Ma'am?"

"When Do You Plan To Marry?"

"Oh! Uh…" GLOWING IN THE BLACKEST DEPTHS OF SPACE! "i hadn't thought that far ahead yet… and…"

"And?" Ms. Brandt said with a raised eyebrow.

"There's someone else… she was there first… and she's a Great Friend…"

"Ah! A ménage a trois!" Ms. Brandt said with a spark in her eye.

"Uhhh… kinda we… share him… What happened was…" Kim told Ms. Brandt what she could about their missions.

"Incredible! So where do you three stand now?"

"He doesn't realize it, and she doesn't either… but they're VERY much in love with each other… and I love them BOTH… so VERY much! Whatever I have with him I'll cherish… forever." A tear trailed down Kim's cheek.

"And if he left you for her?" Ms. Brandt said as she handed Kim a tissue.

"He's my Best Friend… it would hurt… but that's NOT important… his happiness is."

"And You?"

"What About Me?"

"Don't You Want To Be With Him The Rest Of Your Life?"

"I…"

"Let me tell you a story… during The Vietnam War… I wasn't as you see me now… I was a whore…"

"!" Kim looked in shock at Ms. Brandt.

"I had been brought up by good men… Priests even, but in an act of rebellion I eventually ended up with a very bad crowd…"

Kim was shocked. SHOCKED I TELL YOU!

"Uh… but… you…"

"I know. Please…"

"ok."

"Eventually I met the man who would become my husband… he was despicable… a villain in the truest sense of the word… and had reached the end of his rope."

Kim was spellbound.

"There was something about him that caused me… NO! MADE ME want to leave my hard life behind and to better myself… he had the Seeds of Greatness in him… and he was my Best Friend."

Kim STARED.

"So… we leaned on each other for support… and eventually rose above our former stations…" Ms. Brandt took a sip of her tea. "He walked away from his life of villainy… and became a hero… at GREAT cost… for both of us… He died in my arms… and when he did I TRULY realized what I had LOST…"

"But didn't you say you married him? … I'm confused." Kim.

"Evidently I had earned enough karma to have him returned to me… he was revived… and came back changed… eventually he returned to me through a sacrifice from a mutual friend… I've been in Married Bliss ever since."

'I've GOTTA talk to Nana about her friends.' Kim thought.

"I have to go," Ms. Brandt said as she rose from her seat, "my husband's waiting."

"Oh! I'm sorry… I didn't mea…" Kim realized Ms. Brandt was glowing around the edges as she looked at her silhouette!

"Uh." Kim. '!' 'Wha?'

"May your First Mission Amongst The Stars be a Successful One… Ms. Possible, and may you Learn about the Price of True Love More Easily than I did." Ms. Brandt said as she made for the Front door.

"Wait!" Kim reached forward and gently grabbed Ms. Brandt's wrist… 'First Mission Amongst The Stars! … What's She Talking About?'

AND

"!"

SAW

"!"

THE

"!"

MULTIVERSE!

Kim let go of Ms. Brandt's hand and took a tiny step back.

"Uh… you're… her… The Celestial Madonna…" Kim said. 'I REALLY Have Got To Start Talking To Nana About Her Friends More Often!'

"Yes I am. Come outside… Please." Mantis walked out the front entrance.

Kim followed her outside.

Mantis turned and faced Kim.

"I was a fool… all those years ago… He needed me and I didn't pay attention when I should have… Make sure you let Ron KNOW how IMPORTANT he is to you Ms. Possible… We RARELY get a Second Chance… Consider this YOUR second chance."

"Is Ron going to die?"

"…" "I can't answer that… I'm BOUND by rules that you couldn't understand…"

"Oh." 'Like Ron says this TANKS!'

"You know… He's like the Swordsman when he was at his BEST… Ron is a Rare Being… despite being a Demigod and ALL that comes with it he's held onto his Humanity… because of his Effortless Love for You."

"…" Kim.

"Be There for Him. Especially during his 'Confused' moments…" Mantis said as a Starship appeared over the Streets of Manhattan's Chinatown. "That's when we ALL need our Beloved most… And When the Time Comes Make Sure to step forth as Only You Can To Help Them…" Her clothes changed into her Mantis outfit.

"During this Crisis, You Mean." Kim.

"No."

"!"

"When they are TOO shy to create their Greatest Gift… they'll need a push."

"!"

"Don't worry dear… You'll one day soon 'Surprise' yourself. Nan was RIGHT about you. I can see why you're a Treasure to her." Mantis kissed her cheek. "After the Choice is Made I suspect You'll understand. Our Prayers Go With You."

And with that She was Gone.

---

8-08-2004
Condor 1 /SHIELD Helicarrier flagship
Officer's Quarters:
Kim Possible's cabin
1900 hrs

Kim sat on her couch and watched Ron bustle about her kitchenette.

She thought about Ron being there for her…

His Aunt: Bobbi Morse-Barton…

Her Folks, by making sure she was safe…

Sheila…

The World…

And made HER choice…

Kim got up and HUGGED her MAN from behind.

"Hey KP. How'd it go with your Nana's friend… ! Are you crying?" Ron turned and beheld Eyes of Kirin Emerald.

"SNIFF! sorry! … I Love You Ronald Dean Stoppable, Always Have Always Will! 'Cause you're the best part of me."

Ron gazed into the Eyes of The Girl Who Can Do Anything… and gave her his Greatest Gift… himself.

"I've Always Loved You Kimberly Anne Possible, Always Have Always Will! … And I'll NEVER LEAVE YOU!"

---

Mantis created a Pan-dimensional window while meditating and watched Kim's chance unfold through The Multiverse…

'Now that he's made His Pledge we have a CHANCE!' Mantis mused.

"What are you doing?" her beloved asked from their boudoir.

"Nothing. Just watching someone grow, Dear Heart." A calloused, strong hand gently caressed her shoulder.

"You're 'tinkering' again Aren't You!"

"SIGH!" "Yes."

"!" "You've succeeded! How?" Mantis turned to her beloved Husband, took his hand and led him to their Boudoir.

"You taught me… that Where There's Undying Love There's Always Hope… My Beloved Jacques… You Conquered Death To Come Back To Me… I'm grateful to The Cotati for his sacrifice…"

"As am I Beloved Wife." Replied Jacques DuQuesne… The original Swordsman.

Fin