Chapter II: The Wandering Gunman
Four years laterIt had been said that absence made the heart grow fonder. A special yearning for that special someone who was away. Yearning to be together, yearning to be held.
Kim yearned to be complete.
Kim Possible was sitting by the window of her room, looking at the quiet night lighted by the moon. She sighed as she rubbed her diamond ring fondly like she was getting comfort from it. For the past four years, it was the only thing that kept her sane in an insane world. It was the only thing that gave her hope. It was the only thing that made her believe.
Believe that her beloved would return to her.
"Your mind wandering in the clouds again, Princess?" Kim's temporary partner, as she named herself, saw the sad, yearning glow in her eyes. She sighed at her when she saw Kim's expression. Every so often, about every time she saw the redhead in a quiet moment, she would rub the ring as if hoping that she would produce Ron Stoppable if she rubbed hard enough.
"My mind's not in the clouds, Shego," Kim stuck out a tongue to the former villain, letting her know that she was not over nostalgic. Admittedly, she may have been too out of it that she lost focus. But when she was in focus, she was the same Kim Possible who constantly saved the world, sometimes even better.
Shego, wearing a casual variation of her suit, didn't believe the heroine. She would not directly lie but she could be subtle at times, evading the question at others.
Shego, after the fiasco with the Transdimentional Vortex Inducer, which what Kim called the monstrosity Drakken built, was given a fair trial. With Kim's pleas and the support of Dr. Director, although reluctantly, and days of reasoning, the governments of the eleven countries agreed to pardon Shego. However, she was placed on probation under the custody of Global Justice.
For three and a half years, Shego helped Kim in her missions, watching over her like a mother hen. A promise she made. She still retained her haughty attitude but Kim knew that was a shield for her emotions, which she rarely shows.
The only time Kim saw her cry was when she gave her a surprise birthday dinner three years ago. Touched by the thoughtfulness, Shego broke down and cried on Kim's shoulders. However, though if asked will be denied, Shego was happy to be given a second chance.
"You can't fool me, Kimmie. Your thoughts are in a completely different dimension," Shego said as she filed her nails. Kim sighed as she returned to rubbing her ring. She knew that the black haired woman nailed it in the center. For the last four years, they had gotten to know each other pretty well. Kim knew that Shego would want her to get on with her life and Shego knew that if she had made that comment she would get a hard glare from her.
It made bantering rather boring.
"He's still alive. He promised that he would return," Kim said as she closed her blinds and went to her bed. Entering the warm covers of her bed, she sighed as she tried to sleep. Shego merely shook her head and turned the light off. As she entered her own bed, she sighed as she remembered the adventures and misadventures she had since she became a part of Team Possible.
It was, at first, a way for Shego to pay for her crimes. Global Justice knew that Shego had the potential to make a difference and recruited her as one of their agents, on probation of course. She was forced to do something she had not done in a long while, to help the people. To add insult to injury, at least that's what Shego called it, she was assigned to be Kim Possible's Partner until Ron returned or until the probation was lifted.
The probation was lifted six months ago.
Instead of returning to headquarters for reassignment, Shego, with Dr. Director's approval, stayed with Kim.
And Kim still did not know why.
Kim was glad of the company. She and Shego became close friends, Wade called it a miracle that they survived that long. Of course there was still bickering, and teasing and the occasional sparring but they had become almost inseparable.
Much to the initial disbelief of others, Kim and Shego had formed a rapport and with constant exposure to each other they knew each other's sensitivities.
"You know Kimmie, even though you are waiting doesn't mean that you should put your social life on hold," Shego said in the darkness of the room.
"Hello. I have a social life," Kim defended. "I go out."
"Yeah, right. Like going to the mall is 'going out'. I mean living life to the fullest. Meet new people and such," Shego had been trying to get Kim to enjoy her life more and not mope around sighing all the time.
"I meet new people everyday," Kim said, frowning. She did not like where this conversation was headed.
"In missions," Shego let out some air in frustration. "I mean, would it hurt to see some cute guys once in a while?"
"Yes," Kim sighed softly. For her, even thinking about boys made her feel guilty. If the man was not Ron, he did not measure up.
"Okay," Shego frowned, thoughtfully. And then, she had an idea. "What about an all girls night out? I think your friends are not afraid of me anymore." The idea had some merit. Admittedly, Kim did feel a little down, even bored. Maybe a night out with just the girls would just be the thing.
"Perhaps," Kim smiled at Shego's attempt to cheer her up. "Okay. You win. When, and where?"
"Tomorrow's Friday, right? What about we do it tomorrow night. That way, if we get hammered, we have the whole Saturday to relax," Shego said as she turned on her desk lamp and scribbled in a pad paper. "Let's invite… Club Banana girl, the ditz and maybe ninja girl as well."
"Monique, Tara and Yori?" Kim was puzzled by her selection. Monique she could understand, but Tara and Yori? Strangely, Shego had a blooming friendship with Tara. They met when Shego was settling in. On orders from GJ, which she despised, Shego was to live with Kim. Dr. Director thought it would be a good way to develop trust. "And Tara's not a ditz." Though blond and a cheerleader, she was not one of the stereotypes portrayed by people. She was, surprisingly, intelligent and viewed the world with an open mind. She had to be since she saw Ron's true worth.
Yori, on the other hand, was vengeful. The Japanese girl had blamed Ron's disappearance on Shego, despite Kim's claim that the pale skinned woman had nothing to do with it. It took Shego and Yori 24 hours to settle their differences.
Twenty-four hours of nonstop combat. After their 'discussion', GJ had to renovate their training facility. A reminder for Kim not to get on their nerves. Calling a truce, Kim forgot who called it, Yori and Shego saw each other with a light of respect. Though Yori, who was sleeping in the Possible's residence, kept an eye on Shego. And to do that, she asked Kim to be a member of team possible.
With a smile, Kim agreed.
"Okay," Kim sighed as she nodded to Shego. "But where?"
"It's a surprise," Shego grinned mischievously making Kim very nervous. She knew Shego was planning on something and she knew she may not like it.
"Fine, but no fighting," Kim sighed and settled back on bed. "And no one's getting hammered! You know what happened the last time you got drunk." Shego frowned in thought, contemplating the question.
"I can't remember," she finally said curiously. "What happened?"
"Never mind!" Kim felt herself blush at the memory. With Shego drunk, you didn't know what she had on her mind until she opened her mouth.
"Okay then," Shego smiled as she turned off her desk lamp. "Goodnight, Kimmie."
"Goodnight Shego," Kim yawned and closed her eyes. "Goodnight… Yori."
"Goodnight, Possible-san," said a respectful voice making Shego groan.
"You're still awake?" Shego asked, not really interested in an answer.
"Until Stoppable-san returns and tells me that you had nothing to do with his disappearance, I will keep my vigilance," the ninja girl said with determination.
"No arguing tonight," Kim said firmly and added in a more softer tone, "Yori, Ron's coming back. I could feel it." Sensing Yori's satisfaction, Kim smiled and when everything calmed down, she fell asleep.
…
The Next DayWandering souls never rest until they find what they were looking for. Searching for treasure or searching for love or even searching for the way home. Risk takers, they were seldom timid and always jumped ahead may be it a chance or a hope, they'll jump.
It was at sunset when it happened. The red-orange sky suddenly tore open. A controlled vortex emerged and from that hole something was thrown out of it and landed on the pavement with a lout thud. It was a brown, leather duffle bag. Following the bag, another object exited the vortex. This time, it was human.
Standing at six feet, this person had a confident posture, as if he could take any challenge. Wearing brown combat boots that no one in Earth had ever seen such design, the man tested the ground to see if it was solid enough. Covering the man was a red, double breasted trench coat which he buttoned up. The collar acted like a shield to the elements and could cover the man's lower face. However, the left sleeve of the coat was missing and the man's left arm and hand was covered in leather.
The man was wearing round, yellow-orange sunglasses, protecting his eyes from the setting sun as he looked around his surroundings. His face, were there were once freckles were now free of them. His hair was blond but longer than he had worn them when he was in his teens. All standing straight up, it gave him a character of coolness.
Suddenly, a large object came from the vortex, hurling towards him. The man's eyes widened in surprise and even shouted his shock as the large object struck him, toppling him over. Without looking at the object, the man knew what it was.
It was a large cross that was covered in white canvas and tied by a set of leather straps. The cross was almost as tall as he was, even taller.
Then, the man heard footsteps. Without looking up, he knew who it was.
It was the owner of the object.
"Beautiful," the newcomer said as he appreciated his surroundings. "Praise the Lord for the abundance of life." The newcomer was as tall as the man in red. He was wearing leather shoes and a blue suit. His white shirt underneath his suit was partially opened. His cufflinks were shaped as crosses and were silver. His eyes were covered in dark, designer glasses, which were covering a delighted eye at what he was seeing. His wavy, dark brown hair swayed with the wind as it gently caressed his form.
"Nice of you to appreciate beauty," the man in red said in a strained voice. "BUT COULD YOU GET THIS THING OFF OF ME!" the man in blue smirked and lifted the cross with one hand and swung it over his shoulder. The man in red took a deep breath and stood. "You almost killed me, you moron!"
"Oh please," the man in blue scoffed at the accusation. "I couldn't kill you back there, what makes you think I could kill you here?" Sighing, the man in red noted his point and took out a green box from his coat and pressed a button. The vortex suddenly vanished leaving the sky clear again.
"What made you dress like that and bring this monstrosity with you?" the man in red said indicating the large cross.
"Aunt Meryl made these clothes for me and Aunt Millie made me take this," he shrugged the shoulder with the cross. "Uncle Vash didn't mind, especially when I told him that I would accompany you back home." He looked around and gave the man in red a doubtful look. "This is home, isn't it?"
The man in red smirked as he picked up his duffle and walked to the nearest phone booth. The then took the phonebook and scanned the names in it.
"I think so," the man in red said as he found the names he was looking for. He then walked towards the nearest garbage can and pulled out a discarded newspaper. "Middleton Post," he smiled triumphantly. "Boo-yah. I think we got it right."
"Where are we?" the man in blue asked as he looked at the surrounding buildings and found one with a prominent red cross. "You said her mother was a doctor?"
"A brain surgeon," the man in red nodded. "Shall we try there?" his companion nodded and they walked towards the hospital. As they reached the building, the man in red took a deep breath and looked at his companion.
"I'll ask around," he said and entered the building. The man in blue was astounded by the sights. There were trees everywhere! Where he came from the only greens he saw was in a greenhouse since trees seldom survive the scorching heat.
His friend's home was different from where he grew up. Here, everything was filled with life, back there everyone was fighting to survive in the desert. Looking at the sunset, he was astonished to see only one sun. Where he lived there were two suns.
He may like the change.
The man in red exited the building with a hopeful smile. The man in blue wondered why he was smiling.
"I just missed her but I am certain of one thing."
"What's that?" the man in blue asked.
"That I'm back in MIDDLETON!" he jumped, not caring who saw him. "BOO-YAH!"
"Alright, where to?" the man in blue was happy to see his friend smile genuinely in a long time. It was like the weight of the world lifted from within him.
"Well, first I need to call the 'rents," the man in red said as he walked the now familiar street. "Then go to meet her," the man in blue knew whom she was talking about. For the past four years, he had heard nothing from his lips but that girl's name.
"Why not go to her first before going to your parents' house," the main in blue suggested making his friend's face brighter than before.
"Good call," the man in red suddenly sighed and slumped his shoulders. "But I called from the hospital, I only got their machine."
"Why not call another friend," the man in blue said as he tapped his friend's pocket. The man in red smiled as he took out the green palmtop and took a deep breath.
"Cross your fingers," he said and pressed the call button.
… …
Wade Load, boy genius and tech Guru was monitoring Kim's website where two strange things happened.
One, a tracking device suddenly activated. It was weak and the frequency was older but it was one of his. Two, his communicator beeped. It was from a Kimmunicator however it was also operating with the old frequency. Immediately thinking that it was a trap, Wade tracked the signal. But then, something was nagging him.
Checking the frequency, he matched it up through his database and when he saw were the tracking device was supposed to go, his jaw dropped.
"Can it be?" Wade's scan in the Kimmunicator was finished and the location of the Kimmunicator matched the location of the tracking chip. In a hopeful hunch, he checked the frequency and then hacked into the Kimmunicator to get its serial number. Sure enough, the numbers matched to a Kimmunicator that a friend took with him while he save the world.
Near tears, the teen genius pressed the answer button.
The tears fell when he heard the voice, though matured, of a friend.
… …
"You have got to be kidding me," Kim groaned as Shego led her, Monique, Tara, Yori and Mrs. Possible in one of the strip bars in Lowerton. Monique couldn't help but ogle at the gorgeous bods that served drinks though Yori had a hard time looking at the men around. The establishment only had female patrons and by the look at the bouncer's face, Shego was a reagular.
"I don't know Shego," Mrs. Possible blushed as she watched the performer on stage strip. "I don't think James would appreciate knowing that I set foot in a place like this."
"He doesn't have to know," Shego smiled as she nodded to the cute bartender. "And besides, when was the last time you went to a place like this?"
"My bachelorette party," Mrs. Possible sighed. When she designated herself as the girls' chaperone, she never expected something like this.
"My, my. Look at all the potential in here," Monique licked her lips as she watched the man on the stage perform.
"I think these guys are bigger than Brick," Tara giggled as she followed Monique's gaze.
"You actually seen little Brick," Monique gleamed in mischief. "Spill girl!"
"No one's spilling anything," Shego had the same smile on her features. "Not until we could all hear."
"I never thought that American men have, how do you say, larger tools?" Yori blushed further as she saw the skimpy outfits the waiters wore.
"Equipments," Shego corrected her. "My, my. Pretty little ninja girl is not that innocent after all," she smiled, earning her a reprimand from Kim.
"Shego!" Kim frowned at her. "When I agreed to this night out, I never thought that you would bring me to a strip club!"
"Well I thought it would cure your loneliness, Kimmie," Shego said with a mischievous smile. Growling, Kim turned away and stormed out of the establishment. Sighing, Shego followed, as well as Mrs. Possible, Tara, Yori and Monique.
It was easy to find Kim, she was leaning on her mother's car that was parked not far form the establishment. Shego reached her first. Kim prepared for more teasing but was not prepared for what happened next.
"I'm sorry, Kimmie," Shego said sincerely. "I never thought…"
"Next time please respect my feelings," Kim said in a tired voice. "I never wanted to see naked men."
"Uh huh," Monique teased as she, Tara, Mrs. Possible and Yori reached them. "You only want to see only one naked man." Kim suddenly blushed deeper than her hair color.
"It's okay, Kimmie," Mrs. Possible said, comforting her daughter. "Maybe we should go to someplace a little… wholesome."
"Not that wholesome," Shego said and tried to redeem herself. "If you're not that hungry, there's a restaurant in Upperton that screams class."
"Okay, I'm game," Kim said, smiling. "But you're paying the tab."
"Ah, my arch-nemesis and my former sidekick together. Thank you for saving the time to find you," came a voice in the shadows. "Kim and Shego recognized the voice and turned to face him. He was wearing his usual blue uniform and was walking casually toward the light.
"Dr. Drakken," Kim's brows frowned in anger. He was the reason for Ron's disappearance and she would not forgive that.
"Hey, Dr. D," Shego waved sarcastically. "What have you been up to?"
Suddenly, a large robot appeared out of the darkness, gleaming with evil. Kim studied the robot, one of its arms was thinner than the other and had a cord from its waist tied to the elbow. It also carried a boomerang the length of a car.
The robot suddenly raised the arm and pressed a button on its hip, throwing the boomerang at a faster and stronger force.
"Everyone, down!" Kim shouted as she and the rest of the girls ducked for cover. The boomerang sliced the roofs of the cars cleanly and it returned to its owner.
"Like it, huh?" Dr. Drakken smiled. "The force of the throw increases when the rope retracts."
"We could take it," Shego said as her hands glowed green.
Kim got her Kimmunicator out and hit the call button. "Wade, Drakken's attacking us. I need a scan of the robot he made and find weaknesses."
"I'm on it," Wade said as he typed. Kim was confused to see the boy's eyes. It was like he was crying. "It's almost indestructible. You need to take out the boomerang arm first."
"Seems simple enough," Shego said as she began to attack, suddenly the robot's other arm transformed into a cannon and aimed it at Shego. Seeing the attack, Shego tried to avoid it when it fired, it scorched the end of her dress as she tumbled back to regroup.
"Okay, not that simple," Shego said with a sigh.
"Don't worry Kim, help's on the way," Wade said confidently.
"I don't think the cops are going to do much good," Mrs. Possible said as she surveyed the destruction.
"You are the one who made Stoppable-san disappear," Yori brought out her metal fans and took a defensive pose. "I will not forgive you!"
"Oh please, spare you your dramatics," Drakken smirked as the robot prepared to attack.
Just then, Kim saw something astonishing.
From behind the robot a man in red took the cable of the boomerang arm and wrapped it around the robot's body. He then struck the mechanism and the cable tightened around its body, causing it to crush onto itself and malfunction.
"NOW!" Shego screamed as she struck the robot with her plasma blast, toppling it over. As soon as it started, it was over.
"Kim Possible! You think you're all that…" Dr. Drakken said as he disappeared into the night. "But you're not!"
"He is a sore loser, no?" Yori smiled, amazed by the quick moves of the man in red. The stranger had his hands on his legs as he leaned and quickly took deep breaths.
"You've got some moves, stranger," Shego said in appreciation. Kim merely looked at the man. There was something familiar about him. Something that made her heart race.
"It couldn't be," Kim muttered in awe.
"I thought I was going to die," said the man in red in relief. The women blinked all at once. His voice was familiar but was mature. It was slightly deeper but held a tone of laughter.
"You got here in the nick of time," Tara said, trying to catch a glimpse of the stranger's face.
Like some unseen force pulling her, Kim inched her way towards the stranger. The stranger straightened up and looked at the downed robot.
"Man, that would be so cool if it weren't trying to kill you ladies," the man said. Kim stopped at her tracks to process what she just heard.
Please, God. Don't douse my hopes, Kim thought as she stood there. Taking a deep breath, the man slowly turned to face her. Kim could have sworn that her heart stopped.
He changed. Gone was the geeky exterior but by the look from his eyes she knew that he was still in there. As well as something else. Longing, happiness and relief were in his eyes, his heart and his soul.
"Hi, KP," he said shyly, suddenly looking at the ground.
"Hey," she said, tears obstructing her vision. He was really there! He was not a figment of her imagination. He wasn't a dream. He was there!
"RON!" Kim shouted in glee as she ran towards him. With a soft smile, Ron Stoppable opened his arms as she embraced him with all the love, all her heart. He wrapped his arms around her, caressing her red mane, murmuring her name in her ear.
All she said what her mind could say at that time.
"Welcome home."
……
Next Chapter: While Kim and Ron catch up, Shego met a rather unusual preacher.