KP All Grown Up v2.0: Future Stoppable for Team Tri Stoppable

AN: Ron's sister is Hana Stoppable from Season 4. Warmonga is a very tall alien Amazon from Season 4.

Chapter 53: Choice

(At the Stoppable home)

Meanwhile at that exact moment, Jesse walks into the house of the Stoppables with concern etched into his face. He did not know what to do. He only knew that he felt that if only he had moved sooner or acted upon his gut feeling… that Cindy would not be missing like his father.

Sheila was there in the living room, still visibly upset and he didn't blame her. His father… her husband had just been kidnapped by a dangerous woman from space to do who knew what with.

Jesse knew that he should be more worried about his father but for some reason, his mind kept going back to what Cindy's father had asked him, which also led him back to thinking about Cindy's kidnapping.

Jesse sighs as he feels split on how he should be thinking and feeling. He is still trying to sort his feelings when Mindy walks up to him.

Mindy says, "Don't feel bad about this Jesse. Your mother was right there when it was happening and they still managed to escape and you know how formidable she is."

Jesse nods and says, "I know you're right but that's not what is bothering me… I know that we'll get Cindy back with the resources we have."

Mindy tilts her head and says, "Then what's the problem? What's eating you?"

Jesse looks at the two families in the living room, half trying to calm his mother while the other half looks for clues.

Jesse says, "Can we talk privately?" He nods in the direction of the empty kitchen and without even seeing Mindy nod, he walks off to the kitchen.

Mindy says, "Ok Jesse, what is it? You're starting to scare me."

Jesse looks at Mindy and says, "I've been a mess ever since your sister and father both asked me the same question."

Mindy crosses her arms in front of her as she thinks, "What kind of question could they both ask that does this to him? And why am I just now finding out about it?" She says, "Ok, go on… what was the question?"

Jesse looks down at the tiled floor of the kitchen for what seems like a long moment before he softly says, "They asked…" with him trailing off to where Mindy couldn't hear.

Mindy says, "I couldn't hear that. Speak up Jesse. We're best friends and you know you can always tell me anything."

Jesse closes his eyes for a moment as he thinks, "Here goes…" He opens his eyes to look at her directly in the eyes, eyes that were so much like Cindy's yet… different in their own way as he could see the heart and soul of Mindy was different than that of her twin's. With a soft gulp, he says in a normal voice, "If I loved Cindy."

Mindy double blinks and then laughs a little, surprising Jesse as he had not been expecting that reaction. She smiles at him and says, "Of course you do! You love the whole family! It is one of the reasons we all love you as much too Jesse."

Jesse shakes his head and says, "No… not that kind of love… I mean the love-love like a couple kind of love."

Mindy is silent after that as she thinks about what he just said and says in a gentle voice, "So my sister loves you, huh? What did you decide? Did you answer her?"

Jesse's shoulders slump and he says, "No… I was totally surprised by her admitting it to be honest. I guess I had always thought that it would be impossible to be able to have a relationship like blocked out any signs of it." He softly sighs and says, "I didn't get a chance to tell her anything because your parents walked in next, but obviously he had also noticed and… I think he gave me the green light to date her if I wanted to."

Mindy was surprised by this and says, "He didn't try to scare you like her other dates in the past?"

Jesse shakes his head 'No' and remains silent, waiting for her next question.

Mindy says, "Well Jesse, you know that I love you like a brother. So if you do decide that you love my sis and become boyfriend and girlfriend, then… I couldn't be happier for you." She pauses before she then adds, "I think you'd make a terrific brother-in-law if things work out between you two." She gives a teasing wink at him and smiles at the nice blush that Jesse gets on his face.

Jesse looks at her as he says with a small tilt to his head, "You really think so? I mean what about us? The Tri Stoppable team? It wouldn't wreck anything?"

Mindy rolls her eyes as she thinks, "Boys!" She says, "Listen to me Jesse, if our friendship has lasted since Kindergarten and can survive all the crazy crap that we've all been through as best friends from growing up together to fighting crazy superfreaks and apparently even death in your case couldn't put a stop to our friendship. Then I think it all goes to prove that a little thing like dating isn't going to mess up our team or our strong bond as friends."

Jesse looks away to the corner of his eye as he bites his lower lip in hard thought for a second before he looks back at her and says, "Do you think Cindy really loves me?"

Mindy rolls her eyes and says, "If there is one thing I think we both know about Cindy is that she doesn't put her heart out like that so easily. Remember how it was when she wanted to date that crush she had in middleschool? If she told you that she loves you, it is only because she loves you so crazy-much that she can't contain it anymore."

Mindy reaches out and grabs Jesse by the shoulders as she looks him directly in the eyes, "So I guess the only is for you to tell me, do you love my sister or not?"

Jesse just stares at her, seeing Cindy's face and the way she looked at him earlier when she had asked him if he loved her… he couldn't help it. He just froze up in mind and body with his heart trying to tell him.

After a long couple of minutes Sheila says, "Come on already! Tell her! I want to know too!"

Jesse and Mindy quickly part in shock, as they had not heard Sheila approach the kitchen.

Mindy spins and shouts, "I can't believe you snuck up on us!"

Sheila says, "I didn't sneak up. I can't help that I'm so stealthy quiet. I guess some old habits die hard."

Mindy was still upset as she says, "I think you make less noise than some ninjas and believe me, I know!"

Sheila frowns at Mindy and says, "Don't you take that tone with me, and besides I came looking for my son. I didn't expect to see the two of you having a heart-to-heart discussion about his feelings."

Sheila looks at Jesse and says, "You can thank your Jamie for me coming to look for you. She only asked where you were since you got here before she did."

Jesse mutters, "Thanks sis…" to no one in particular.

Sheila says, "So… what is the answer Jesse? Do you love Cindy or not?" She grins as she walks up and gives Jesse a big hug, "Because I think you two would make a great couple!"

Jesse says, "Did everyone see this but me?"

Mindy says, "No offense Jesse, but you always were kind of thick when it comes to seeing when a girl likes you."

Jesse nods as he says, "I remember… I remember… we don't need to be dragging up what happened in middleschool."

Mindy just smiles as she nods, remembering how Jesse had totally not seen how a girl was crushing on him big time and just thought she was being friendly the whole time, despite the numerous subtle hints, flirts and really big valentine.

Jesse says, "I… don't know what the answer is. I mean, I have always cared about her. I would do anything for her. But to answer if I love her in a couple kinda way… I mean, it isn't like I have not thought about it. Who hasn't? But…" He just sighs as he trails off.

Both Mindy and Sheila give him an understanding look before Sheila says, "Well… it isn't anything that you have to decide right this minute. C'mon, we've got to rescue your bff from the clutches of evil."

Jesse straightens up and a new look of energy and focus appears on his face and in his eyes as he says, "You're right! There is no time to worry about this right now. We have to rescue Cindy!"

Mindy couldn't help do a little jab as she says, "You'll have an answer by the time we rescue her right Jesse? I imagine that will be the first thing she will want to know when she sees you."

Jesse nearly falls on his face as he stumbles in his walk back to the living room. He says awkwardly, "Um… yeah." He adds in his thoughts, "I hope!" even as Sheila gives Mindy a sharp glare for messing with Jesse like that.

Mindy just shrugs and smiles at Sheila as she follows after Jesse to the living room.

Sheila just rolls her eyes and shakes her head as she thinks, "Kids… they'll never grow up." She then remembers about the coffee thing and fires up her hands, giving Mindy a blast to the ass for both teasing Jesse and for the coffee spill earlier.

Mindy yelps at the blast and rubs at her rear, rubbing her hands over the blasted spot while glaring at Sheila as she says, "For the coffee spill." She could see in Sheila's eyes that it was for more than just that and she turns away, thinking it was better to just drop it.

Just as everyone returns, Kim's Kimmunicator goes off and Wade appears as fast as her hand can make the connection.

Wade says, "Well, I've got some good news and bad news Kim. Which do you want first?"

Sheila leans in and says, "If the good news includes the location of my husband, then spill!"

Wade nods for a moment as he says, "Well the good news is that Warmonga has not left the planet which made tracking her a lot easier."

Sheila growls, "Where is she? I'll be there faster than Kimmie here can say, "What's the sitch?"

Wade says, "Well that's not the only good news I have. I think I may have located Cindy as well."

Now this got everyone's attention immediately.

Jesse was the first to say, "Where is Cindy?"

Wade says, "She is located on some uncharted European island. I have the exact coordinates." He then takes a breath to say, "Now for the bad news… I can't get a scan of the place where Cindy is and so I can't tell you what to expect when going in there." He then looks at Sheila and says, "Warmonga has set up a fortress so it'll be hard going in and rescuing him."

Sheila's ignites her hands threateningly and uses a very intimidating posture, which makes everyone including her own kids take a big step in the opposite direction away from her. She growls darkly, "I am getting my husband back and if that dumb alien thinks she can keep me away from him, she has another thing coming!"

No one says anything for the longest time until finally Wade says, "Ahem, fortunately I have been able to make a partial, rough scan of the place so we won't be going in exactly…"

Sheila shouts, "I don't care just what kind of obstacles I have to face! If that alien amazon has harmed him, she better leave the planet because there won't be anyplace safe on the planet for her to go!" She breathes a bit on the heavy side from her long shout.

Everyone just blinks at Sheila after that for a moment as everyone hopes she'll calm down.

Kim knew that Sheila had always carried a grudge against Warmonga for being the only woman that Drew had actually tried to replace or see as 'better' than her. Being married to him only made her anger at Warmonga even worse as she became very possessive of him.

Kim shakes her head as she sighs before she says, "Look Sheila, we'll get Drew back and I'm sure Warmonga won't harm him."

Sheila says, "It isn't the fact that she'd harm him that I am worried about… it is the other stuff."

Everyone looks at her with confusion except for Kim who, like a close sister, Sheila had confided in her just exactly how Warmonga had treated Drew when she thought he was 'The Great Blue' and she had not liked the way she had treated him. It wasn't that Warmonga treated him cruelly, far from it actually. She was very affectionate, too affectionate with him and that remained to be the greatest source of her anger whenever she thought about Warmonga.

Sheila looks at Kim and nods, "I know we will and then it will be the last time Warmonga ever comes around my Drew…"

No one wanted to say aloud what they were thinking but they all sincerely hoped that Sheila wouldn't have to be stopped or sent to prison.

AN: Well everyone, I hope you enjoyed this little teaser of a chapter because things are going to really heat up from here! What did you think of what happened in the kitchen with Jesse and Mindy's conversation? The more things change, the more things don't change… don't you agree? After all, girl tells boy she loves him, boy worries and wonders if he is right for her before making a decision that could ultimately affect their relationship and in possibly the world in this case. What did you think of Sheila's addition to the conversation? At least the news didn't seem like anything they couldn't handle, right? Do you think Sheila is beginning to lose it with her Drewby gone? Do you think the families have a justified reason to worry about the Sheila/Warmonga battle?

As usual all reviews, votes, thoughts, suggestions and more are always welcome.