Disclaimer: All Kim Possible characters are the copyright of Walt Disney Corporation. I'm just borrowing them to write up a story with no intention of making any money. This is for fun. All other characters in my stories, that Disney doesn't own, are mine. :)
A cookie and naco go to campy for once more proving he's a great proofreader by providing beta/proofreading for this chapter. Thanks! (big grin)
Big thanks go to all who read and left reviews for Chapter 14: Bubbahotek, John Steppenwolf, AtomicFire, Kitsune6, Mr. Average, romantic-cancer, ZK Chromedragozoid, Zaratan, Dr. J0nes, kingprawnsct, Leon, and Goinghome.
And thanks go to all who read Chapter 14. :)
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A Bond of Honor
Chapter 15 – Meeting the 'Rents
By JuPMod (aka JPMod)
Despite having seen the building and being familiar with it by now, dark eyes looked over it like it was a new thing. She knew she had nothing to fear, yet despite the reassuring hand of her boyfriend in hers, she couldn't help but feel her nerves were a bit on edge. Regardless of her ninja training, Yori felt like fleeing as they approached the front door of his home, for nothing she was taught at Yamanouchi or at the Mochizuki Estate ever told her about how to handle herself when meeting her boyfriend's parents for the first time.
Looking at his girlfriend's face, Ron gave a reassuring grin and squeeze of her hand. "Relax, Yori. My mom and dad are not going to interrogate you. You look like you'd rather fight bad guys than meet my 'rents."
Yori knew she couldn't lie to him as she gave a weak grin at him. "I am bit nervous, Ron-kun. I have seen the pictures you've shown me of them, but it's another thing entirely to meet them. I'm afraid they will not approve of me."
Ron expelled a disbelieving snort of a laugh. "Come on, Yori, they'll love you! Just be your honest self and relax. They'll see the sweet, caring beautiful girl I like," he finished with a sweet grin.
Letting out a giggle, Yori nodded her consent to his advice. She had done well with meeting his friends and other people at Middleton High, so she realized he was right she should act the same toward his parents, with respect and dignity.
Having called his 'rents ahead of time from the Possible residence that he and Yori were coming over, Ron opened the front door and walked into his home pulling the Japanese girl with him. He let go of her hand before closing the door.
"Mom, Dad! I'm home!" the blond boy shouted as he shut the door and locked it.
There were sounds of shuffling from the hallway leading to the kitchen, and soon both parents were there in the living room. Each displayed a loving, kind grin for their son, but Yori could see they were mostly appraising her with first-time awareness.
"Well," Mrs. Stoppable started with a polite grin, after a brief awkward silence, "we finally are able to meet you in person, Yori. It seemed our scheduling didn't give a good opportunity for the past ten days or so."
"Hai," Yori agreed, grinning in politeness in return, before placing her hands together and formally bowing to her suitor's mother and father. "It's my honor to finally meet you as well, Stoppable-okaasan, Stoppable-otousan. I'm Yori Takana."
Both elder Stoppables blinked in confusion for a moment at Yori's use of honoraries, given they had no idea what she was referring to, but they immediately brushed it aside, knowing the young lady before them was showing respect and dignity toward them.
"I'm Hanna Stoppable," Mrs. Stoppable grinned warmly as the young girl straightened up.
"Donald Stoppable," Mr. Stoppable copied his wife. "Ron has spoken much about you, Yori. Hanna and I have been glad Ron had you for a friend and guide during his one-week stay in Japan, and now that you're here in America, you've taken a bigger step up in his life."
Yori couldn't help but blush a bit on those words, and out of the corner of her eyes, she could see even Ron was not immune as he sheepishly grinned. "Ron-kun is an honorable and kind-hearted person. You should be proud of him, for I am too. I'm honored to be by his side and be part of his life."
For Don and Hanna, Yori's words spoke volumes on how she viewed their son, and any girl who could say such compliments would have won their support. Yet, the Japanese girl's slightly reddened cheeks clinched their support further, for she truly cared for Ron or else she wouldn't be slightly embarrassed by them acknowledging her 'step-up' relationship with Ron.
Breaking the moment, Hanna gestured the two teens toward the hallway with a grin. "Come now, dinner is ready. We were waiting for you two first."
Leading the way, Mrs. Stoppable, followed by Ron, Yori, and last her husband, strolled down the hall, but instead of turning into the kitchen, she veered into another room across from the kitchen, and once the Japanese girl entered it, she realized it was the dining room. It was not large or elegant as the Possibles', but it had the room to hold a six-person table, which could be expanded to eight-person, and a nice china cabinet.
Some food was already on the table as Mrs. Stoppable kindly pointed to the other side. "Ron, Yori, sit there. I'll be right back with the rice." She left just before Mr. Stoppable sat down at the head of the table with his son sitting down on his right and Yori to Ron's right. Rufus climbed out of his pocket home to sit next to a plate of cheese, exclusively meant for him. A few moments later, the lady of the house returned with a large bowl of steaming rice before settling down to her husband's left, and only then did all four start their meal.
"So," Hanna started while eying Yori. "How are you doing in adjusting to life in America?"
After taking a bite of food and swallowing, Yori replied. "There are some culture differences, yet nothing that would hinder me. Ron-kun is being helpful in showing me around Middleton."
Don softly chuckled. "Well, Yori, he has been born and raised here, so after 16 years, he should know Middleton pretty well. He could go into the business as a tour guide."
Yori giggled. "He has been an excellent tour guide, Stoppable-otousan. I couldn't ask for anyone better." Her eyes briefly held Ron's smiling ones.
"As I'd told you, Dad," Ron said as he turned to face his father, "Yori helped me during my one week in Japan. She was a great tour guide as well," he finished with humor.
"It was my honor to help you, Ron-kun," Yori admitted. "I came to enjoy our time together then."
Hanna grinned in appreciation. "You're being helpful to him now, Yori. Tutoring him in his schoolwork as well as in martial arts. I admit I'm a bit reluctant for Ron to learn martial arts, given he's more likely to end up getting hurt. Yet knowing the dangers he faces at times when he goes on those missions with Kimberly, it would relieve me greatly that knowing martial arts would reduce the chances of him getting hurt one day."
"Mom," Ron gently spoke up. "I want to be better in order to help Kim and Yori. I know they can defend themselves easily, but I want to least be able to truly cover their backs if they end up in any trouble."
"Ron-kun is right, Stoppable-okaasan," Yori added. "I only recently became officially a member of Team Possible, and today I saw first hand what some of Possible-san's arch foes are capable of doing. Ron-kun needs to be better prepared to face these people in the future, and no doubt there will be dangers. You being his mother, it is understandable you are worried about Ron-kun's safety, yet it is better he is trained to better face those dangers, not only in providing cover for Possible-san and me, but also for his survival, as you know."
Sighing, Mrs. Stoppable took a long look at her son. "When Ron and Kim first started on these missions several years ago, I clearly was against it. However, over time, I saw how much good he and Kim were doing, so I became less unwilling to him going on those missions."
Ron sympathetically grinned. "I'm going to do my best, Mom. I want to be there for KP and Yori. I know I'm going to train hard to become the best to help them out."
Yori placed a hand her boyfriend's right arm to gain his attention. "I know you will succeed, Ron-kun. I believe in you."
A grateful and heart-felt smile came to his face. "I believe in you too, Yori."
Both young people sat there with eyes looking at each other for a minute or so before they realized their audience, who were fondly looking at them. Feeling their cheeks burning pink, the young couple sheepishly returned to eating their meal.
Knowing both her son and his girlfriend were embarrassed in displaying such affections in front of her and her husband, Mrs. Stoppable came up with a way to ease the tension. Besides, she was also curious. "Yori?" After the girl looked up from her meal to eye the elder woman, Hanna continued. "I'm wondering what those words mean. The ones you placed after my last name. Stoppable-okaasan?"
"Oh," Yori said upon realizing that Ron's parents have no idea what Japanese honoraries meant and how they were used. Her lips forming a grin, the teenager took many minutes to explain everything. She could see that elder Stoppables were somewhat confused with the whole honorary system, but they seemed to understand most of it.
Hanna chuckled by the end of Yori's explanation. "Well, I think I don't mind being called Mrs. 'Mom' Stoppable, if that is what you are describing how that honorary describes me." Giving a tiny shrug, she picked up her wineglass. "Even if I don't understand everything, I don't mind you call me that, Yori." After taking a sip of wine, Ron's mother raised a questioning eyebrow. "Do you expect others to use honoraries toward you?"
Yori shook her head. "No, not at all, Stoppable-okaasan. I don't mind being called by my name without an honorary used. Ron-kun," she gestured briefly with a hand toward her boyfriend, "has always called me 'Yori'. Same with many here in America, so I'm not insulted. I understand this is another example of culture differences between Japan and America."
Ron produced a tiny grin. "I don't mind if you had wanted me to call you 'Yori-chan'. It wouldn't make that much a difference to me."
"Hai, I know you wouldn't have minded, Ron-kun," Yori replied, matching his expression. "Just I grew up to respect the cultures and differences of other people. I know that not everyone in the world would know Japanese honorary titles, thus why should I expect anyone to use them? You're free to call me by my name without the 'chan' suffix."
Mr. Stoppable, after taking a sip of wine, admirably grinned at his son's girlfriend. "You have a healthy value regarding the rights of others, Yori. Sadly, not everyone has such values."
"True, Stoppable-otousan," she agreed with a bit of sadness laced in her voice.
"Hey," Ron chimed in, wanting to raise the spirits up again, "you're a great example to teach others, Yori. Now that you're a member of Team Possible, you can knock some values into the brains of the bad guys. Maybe you can teach Drakken a few things."
A sudden burst of soft laughter escaped the Japanese girl's mouth. Yori shook her head at him, getting into the joking game. "Drakken may not have enough brains to be trained, Ron-kun."
"He doesn't?" Ron feigned surprise. "So much for a chance to rewire him though."
Laughing again, Yori again was reminded how much she came to enjoy her boyfriend's humor. He had an uncanny ability at times to lighten up the atmosphere, and it was a delight every time he did it.
With the tensions gone and everyone back in a cheerful mood, the two adults, two teenagers, and one mole rat continued to eat and chat together for a long time. A pleasant time was experienced by all.
At the end of the meal, Mrs. Stoppable rose and took several empty trays and utensils. "Yori, can you please be a dear and help me get these dishes to the kitchen? We'll come back with some dessert for the boys."
"Of course, Stoppable-okaasan," Yori responded with a grin before retrieving several dishes and bowls and following the elder woman out of the dining room to the kitchen.
Once the women were gone, Mr. Stoppable turned to face his son. "Now that the ladies are gone, I can finally get to talk to you, Ronald."
Feeling weary and a sense of dread coming, Ron cringed. "Dad… I already know about sex and reproduction. Please, we don't need to have 'The Talk', 'kay?"
Mr. Stoppable blinked at his son's choice of words for a moment before he grinned and shook his head. "Ronald, I wasn't going to give you 'The Talk'. Your mother and I took the hint the last time I tried to talk to you about sex and reproduction. Seem you already know about that stuff, so we don't have to tell you the importance of not becoming a father at your age."
Letting out a breath of relief, Ron relaxed his pose. "Thanks."
"Ronald…" Mr. Stoppable's face became serious yet he grinned to make his face more acceptable. "I don't need ask your mother this, because I can tell whether she likes someone or not. She likes Yori, and so do I."
Ron grinned, for this was good news to him. If his 'rents were cool with Yori, then he was going to be happy knowing they would get along dandy with his girlfriend.
"Yet I have to ask you this, Son." He paused for a moment. "Are you in love with Yori?"
That question threw Ron for a loop, looking like a deer caught in the headlights. "What?"
Sighing, Mr. Stoppable really turned serious. "Ronald, you heard me. I've been happily married to your mother for a long time, and we're not blind to see when a couple is really serious for each other. We've seen the looks you and Yori traded over the course of dinner, and it looks like you two are serious with your relationship. Yet the question remains… Are you in love with Yori?"
Nervously chuckling, Ron couldn't answer right away, and he knew he just couldn't lie to his father. "I think so. I know I trust Yori very much, Dad, and I care for her deeply."
Donald nodded. "You certainly are more serious with Yori than you were with that Zita girl, whom you had a severe crush with."
"Yeah, it was a crush," Ron admitted. "Yori is different, Dad."
Again, the Stoppable patriarch nodded. "She sure is different, Ron. She accepted you for who you are. You don't need to change yourself to make her like you."
"Yeah," Ron agreed as he gave a small warm grin, thinking of how much his GF cared for him and wanted to be with him for who he was.
Seeing that faraway look in his child's eyes, Don knew that Ron maybe was in love, just wasn't actually there yet. "Ronald…" His words broke his son out of his trance. "You really didn't answer the question before," he held up a hand to forestall any response, "nor do I want the answer. You and Yori have just started your relationship, so you two are experiencing the first stage of any relationship where you feel you're floating on air. You're not so sure now whether you are in love with her. Just I want you to make sure that down the road, you have to truly answer that question. Because Son, by answering that question, you can truly tell whether you and Yori are really serious about being together past high school and beyond."
Ron couldn't say anything to that. Pictures of him and Yori standing together at the altar in wedding attire kept replaying in his head.
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Placing the dishes into the dishwasher, Mrs. Stoppable appreciatively grinned at the younger woman beside her. "I thank you for helping, Yori. It's a good thing I convinced my husband years ago to buy a dishwasher." She took the last of the dishes from Yori's hands to place them in the dishwasher. "Even three people produce enough dirty dishes to make a long chore if I had to wash everything by hand as I did long ago."
Yori chuckled. "I understand, Stoppable-okaasan. In the private school I went to in Japan, before I moved to America, students were given chores occasionally in order to help build character. I have done kitchen duty a few times." Her lips curled into a lopsided grin. "I had to wash all the dishes by hand, and given the number of students we have, it took quite some time to finish."
Mrs. Stoppable grinned and shook her head at the mental image of Yori standing beside a restaurant-size kitchen sink washing hundreds of dirty dishes. "That must have been quite a task," the elder woman stated as she closed the dishwasher door before moving over to a cabinet, which she opened to retrieve a coffee tray.
"It was," Yori confirmed as she watched Ron's mother take out four coffee cups and place them on the tray. "Many students didn't enjoy that particular chore, but I found it a peaceful time to think and reflect."
Taking the coffee pot out of the coffee maker, Hanna placed the pot on the tray before turning to face the Japanese teen. Eyes steady on each other, the elder woman sighed. "Yori, can I ask you a personal question?"
The young woman mentally prepared herself. She knew that Mrs. Stoppable was about to ask a question regarding her and Ron. "Hai."
"Do you love my son?"
Despite having braced herself, the question managed to shock Yori regardless. Placing a hand over her beating heart, the girl knew it was best to be honest, especially what her heart was telling her. "I'm not certain, Stoppable-okaasan," she softly answered. "I love Ron-kun, yes. Am I in love with him? That is something I'm not 100 percent sure. I know my heart cares for him deeply, but I cannot answer your question given I do not have the complete answer."
Hanna stared at Yori for a moment before her lips slowly formed a warm grin. "Good answer, Yori," she said in a soft voice conveying respect, warmth, and admiration for the younger woman. "If you have said you were in love with him, I wouldn't have believed you."
"You wouldn't?" Yori blinked in surprise up at Mrs. Stoppable.
Mrs. Stoppable shook her head slightly. "No, I wouldn't." She paused for a moment before continuing. "You and Ronald have just started your relationship. Both Don and I could see you two are serious for each other and no doubt you each care about the other deeply. Yet we know that the short amount of time you two knew each other is not enough for either of you to answer that question. Until you two get to really know each other, you can't answer that question."
Hanna sighed before commencing. "I love my son very much, Yori. I want him to be happy, and I hope one day he would find someone to love as much as Don and I do. He tried to have a relationship last year with a girl named Zita, but it didn't last long. She was nothing more than a crush for him. However, you are different, since I have not seen him be this serious about a girl before. Yet, as I said, you two have just gotten started, so you two are not sure yet whether you are in love with each other."
Yori felt her heart beating faster, frightened from the thoughts that one day she would find herself breaking up with Ron or worse, him breaking up with her. All because one or both just couldn't be in love with the other.
Seeing the unfocused, scared expression on Yori's face, Hanna immediately reached over to remove Yori's hand from her chest and squeezed it. The action brought the teenager back from her mental journey.
Mrs. Stoppable gave a comforting grin. "Yori, I didn't say those things to make you think you and Ron have no chance. I want both of you to be open-minded when it comes to one another, and not blindly let your emotions think entirely for you. Continue your relationship, care for one another, and love each other." She paused to again squeeze the girl's hand, giving comfort and support. "I like you, Yori, and I want you to know that I approve of Ronald and you being together."
Calming down and finding strength in the older woman's comfort and words, Yori slowly produced a grateful smile at her host. "Arigatou, Stoppable-okaasan."
"You're very much welcome, dear," Hanna replied with a final hand squeeze before letting go.
After taking out a plate of cookies and placing it on the coffee tray, Mrs. Stoppable realized something before turning back to her guest. "Oh, I almost forgot to ask this, but do you mind coffee, Yori? I do have some tea if coffee doesn't suit you."
"I'll have the tea. Arigatou, Stoppable-okaasan," she answered with a grin. "I'm used to tea. I tried coffee once for the first time last week, and I found the taste not to my liking."
"Then tea it is," Hanna said as she opened a cabinet door and pulled out a box of herbal tea. She placed a tea bag in one of the coffee cups before taking a kettle, filling it with water from the sink tap, and placing it on the stove to heat it up.
Waiting for the water to boil, the Stoppable matriarch once more faced her son's paramour. Since Yori was Ron's first real serious girlfriend, the elder woman figured it was best to mention a certain negative of the extended Stoppable family into the girl's head if she really became deeply attached to Ron down the road.
"Yori?" she began. "Can I ask you two personal questions?"
"Of course," Yori nodded. Her keen eye could see the other woman was uncomfortable, so she figured the questions were going to be quite personal.
Sighing, Mrs. Stoppable plunged on. "What is your religion, and what is your opinion regarding inter-religious relationships?"
The first question didn't faze the ninja girl, given it was a common question asked to almost anyone, but the second one did, given Yori knew where Ron's mother was heading with the issue.
"I practice Shinto with some Buddhism, Stoppable-okaasan," Yori answered. "As for the second question, long before I met Ron-kun, I always respected other people's beliefs and religions. I have nothing against relationships between individuals with different religious beliefs, although I could only guess that such relationships would face some problems especially between two completely different religions."
Hanna sadly smiled. "That is sadly true, Yori. I didn't ask the second question to throw doubt in your relationship with Ron, but least give you an advance warning about our family."
Seeing the young woman's confused and curious expression, Mrs. Stoppable explained. "As I said, I like you, Yori, and I have no doubt my husband does as well. Ron told you we're Jewish, right?" Yori nodded. "Well, we're not traditional Jews. We do not practice kosher or some other traditional Jewish practices. However, there are some members of our extended family who are traditional, and believe me, they will not approve of you being with Ronald all because you are not Jewish. They don't believe in inter-religious relationships, and they would strongly urge Ron to be with a Jewish girl or would like to see the girl convert to Judaism. You might one day meet them, thus why I think it is best you know."
Yori gave a wane grin, "Hai. Arigatou, Stoppable-okaasan."
Placing a hand on Yori's shoulder, once more Hanna offered support and console. "Yori, Ron wouldn't care less if the other members of the family approve of you or not. It's you he likes with no regards to religion. You respect him and he respects you. Continue your relationship and care for him. It doesn't matter what religions you two practice. What matters is what lies in your heart, and believe me, I know of people who followed their hearts regardless of their religions."
"You do?" Yori was intrigued as Mrs. Stoppable removed her hand.
Producing a knowing grin, Mrs. Stoppable chuckled. "Oh, yes, I do. I have a co-worker, who loves her man very much, and despite she is an Orthodox Jew and he a Roman Catholic, they married each other and had two wonderful children. They worked out how they would raise their kids in regards to their religions, despite some hardships, yet she told me she wouldn't trade her love for her husband and children for anything."
Feeling warmed by the story, Yori produced a grin that matched her feelings. Indeed, it didn't matter if she was Shinto and Ron was Jewish, what mattered was that she did care for him deeply and that was all that was needed.
Yori's face told Hanna that the teenage girl was out of her brief funk, and she was glad.
It was then the kettle started to whistle, alerting the women that the water was ready. Hanna turned off the stove, grabbed the kettle by the plastic, heat-free handle, and poured the steaming water into the coffee cup with the tea bag. "There," she said as she placed the kettle back on the stove, "it's all set."
Picking up the cup, Hanna handed it to Yori. "Here, dear. Carry that with you as I take the coffee and cookies." After the girl took the cup of tea, with both hands, the Stoppable matriarch picked up the coffee tray and headed toward the kitchen's exit. "Come now. Let's not keep our men waiting. Knowing my husband and your boyfriend, they love their desserts." She rolled her eyes. "Thank God that Ronald can burn off extra calories, an ability he inherited from my side of the family or else he would have looked like his father."
With her free hand covering her mouth, Yori couldn't help but softly giggle as she followed Mrs. Stoppable out of the kitchen. "Hai. His tendency for Bueno Nacho is quite legendary, for he is the only person I know who can consume five burritos and three large sodas without having an upset stomach."
Both women laughed as they left and joined their men in the dining room. Both father and son were curious to why their ladies were laughing, but they were wise not to even bother to ask.
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TBC (End of Chapter 15)
A/Ns:
1) The following are my responses to John Steppenwolf and Leon's reviews of Chapter 14:
- I enjoyed both songs, John. Now I just have to figure out whether I should change Ron's song to fit Yori in it or just leave it. Hmm…
- As I said, Leon, Yori maybe an angel, but she has a bit of a devil in her when it comes to teasing Ron-kun. XD
2) Kitsune6 was kind to help me understand Japanese honoraries better, thus I went back to change some things in previous chapters, like Yori addressing Mrs. Possible as just 'Possible-sensei' than 'Mrs. Possible-sensei'. The following is what Kitsune6 written to me…
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How to address adults you're not related to:
Smith-otousan is the dad, Mr. Smith
Smith-okaasan is the mom, Mrs. Smith
Smith-ojiisan is grandpa
Smith-obaasan is grandma
Older sisters are oneesan
Older brothers are oniisan , or aniki
note these are using inner-family words, but it's not at all unusual to hear non-family members call a slightly older girl neesan, or a boy niisan or aniki.
Little sisters are imouto
Little bros are otouto
The tweebs would be 'little bros' (Possible-otouto-tachi)
Kim and the tweebs would be 'siblings' (Possible-kyoudai)
The whole family would be 'the Possibles' (Possible-tachi)
I'd just call Mr. Dr. P. Possible-otousan
The same for Ron's family, otousan and okaasan.
That's all perfectly acceptable and respectful, as you're really just listing what they are.
Just calling people in general:
Smith-san in general
Ojisan for an uncle, or any older guy you don't know, like Mister or Sir
Ojousan means "woman", and is used like "Miss"
Okasan means aunt, and is used for older women, like M'am
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So one can see where I found the 'otousan' and 'okaasan' honoraries Yori used for Ron's 'rents.
3) This chapter is the only time I'll mention the topic regarding Ron and Yori's religions. Does this mean we might see any of Ron's relatives down the road? Maybe, maybe not. Mr. and Mrs. Stoppable liked Yori, but this doesn't mean that every member of their extended family would.
Also I want everyone to not read so much into the conversation Yori and Mrs. Stoppable have regarding inter-religious relationships. It is true (from an article I read) that inter-religious couples have somewhat a harder time making a relationship work, especially if they have children, but this doesn't mean that they can't work.
Furthermore, I wasn't anyway insulting traditional Jews. Mrs. S was just pointing to Yori that there are some hard-nose members of the family who would not approve of her. I certainly wasn't writing to make a jab or political statement against traditional Jews. This is a story I'm writing, not a political or religious commentary, so again, don't read so much into the wording here, okay? Again, I point out that this is a story.
4) This chapter is late for a couple of reasons…
Campy had gone on vacation, thus he was not able to proofread/beta this chapter until he returned in September.
Second reason is that I've been busy helping my folks moved out of their home to their new home in PA. They sold their house in New Jersey, thus they have to move out by the end of September.
I too have to move out, so I have no idea when I'll get Chapter 16 out, given I have to adjust to my new home, settling in, etc. I'll still able to read online and post at DA, RSnet, and FFnet discussion boards when I'm at work, but it may or may not take awhile for me to get back online at home. I'll just have to wait and see how everything goes in my new home (I'm moving to a place nearby work here in NJ.)