Chapter Five

A few days later, Kim, Ron, Rufus, Jenny, and Tara got together in Ron's living room. His parents were at an actuarial convention for the weekend, so they had privacy for this conversation.

They were relaxing with sodas and snacks, and Wade was on the Kimmunicator.

"Tara, I can't believe you want to join us," said Kim, "Especially knowing what you do about what we do."

The blue eyed blond nodded. "I know, Kim. But you've all been such good friends to me, and I worry about you, and want to help."

"Aye, and there's the rub," said Ron. Everyone looked at him, and he flushed.

"Rub?" asked Kim.

"Shakespeare flashback?" he offered. Then he looked at Tara. "What I mean is, what will you do? You know how we watch each other's backs, and have our jobs down pat. Throwing a new person into the mix would upset the balance."

"It's not like we don't appreciate the gesture," said Kim, "But we need to be hard and practical here. I can see you're serious, and I'm not going to reject you without understanding and giving real thought to what you say.""

Tara nodded. "I understand." She hesitated a moment, then said "I was thinking of doing medical. Take some courses, and be there to help when you or someone else gets hurt."

"We're all certified in CPR and First Aid. I thought you knew that," said Jenny.

Tara shook her head, and looked down. "You really are a closed circle, and I'm not in the loop." She smiled briefly, but it was obviously forced.

"I have an idea that might help you with your worries about their safety," said Wade, "I can send you a data feed when they go on a mission, so you'll know what's going on."

"That would be a relief," agreed Tara.

Kim, Ron, Jenny, and to a lesser extent Rufus silently agreed. They had all witnessed Tara's depression and anxiety, and really didn't want her going down that path again.

"I'll have to set up a secure line to your desktop..." muttered Wade, thoughtfully, "Do some upgrades to it, and show you contact and access procedures. You might be able to spot something important that I don't."

At their surprised looks, he said, "What? I can't know and see everything! I can be distracted while doing several other things at once! And an extra pair of eyes can be a good thing! You know that from experience!"

"You don't have to justify yourself, Wade," said Tara, smiling gently, "I think that's a wonderful idea."

"Me too," said Kim, "You can be involved without going into danger."

"I like it," said Ron, and Rufus gave a thumbs up.

"So do I," said Jenny.

Wade frowned. "I'll also have to upgrade the security on your house..."

Tara sat up straight. "Hold on, now! THAT you DO have to justify! What security on my house?"

The boy genius held up his hands. "Don't get me wrong! As a precaution, I've got some surveillance in place around all of Team Possible's friends and families. It hasn't happened yet, but some villain might get the bright idea of going after them. I want to know if they try it."

"Oh. Okay... just don't get carried away with it," said Tara, her blue eyes narrowing just a bit.

Wade gave her a sheepish grin. "I do understand privacy, Tara. Don't worry." He signed off.

And with that, the matter was settled.

"Know what you want to take at T-CU?" asked Jenny.

"I'm going to go for a set of general courses for the first semester, see if anything clicks," was the answer.

"Makes sense. I know how frustrated you've been about it," said Jenny, taking a sip of her soft drink.

"And classes start at the end of August," said Kim, "I'm really looking forward to it."

There was general agreement with that, and they moved on to other things.

kpkpkp

When Tara got home a couple of hours later, her mom came out to greet her. "A package came for you while you were out. I put it by your bed."

"Thanks, mom," said Tara, "But I haven't ordered anything."

"There was no information on the label, so it wasn't sent by a commercial service," said her mom, "But based on the size and shape of the box, it looks like a desktop tower."

Tara's eyes widened. "OH! I think I know, then! Wade... y'know, Kim's computer guy? is going to link me in with the team, so I can help keep watch during missions."

"But not go yourself," said her mom. It wasn't a question.

"No, of course not," said Tara, "But I can still be useful."

"All right, then. I know how you get worried," was the answer. She kissed her daughter on the forehead and went back into the kitchen.

The box was, indeed, a new tower. It took Tara a bit to replace her old one, but finally she booted it up. On the desktop a video window opened.

"Hi, Tara," said Wade.

"Oh, hi! Got it set up!" she said.

"Yep. Good job, too," he said, tapping some keys.

"Why am I getting it?" the girl asked.

"This one has state-of-the-art processors, and some special programs I wrote. You'll see," he answered.

"What about what's on my old one?" Tara asked.

"Oh, I'll help you get it transferred over," he replied, and for the next hour or so they did that, and he helped her get things arranged to her liking. Then he showed her how to use the new programs. Finally he signed off, saying his dinner was ready, and left Tara to her thoughts.

She went downstairs and joined her mom for dinner, then went back to her room to check out her new system. it was blazing fast, and had the newest versions of her programs.

Scrolling through the list of addresses in the video conferencing program, she saw both Yamanouchi and Global Justice were on it. "In for a penny, in for a pound," she thought. "Almost makes me feel like a member of the team."

On an impulse she called the school where she had spent nearly a year.

Yori registered surprise at seeing her, then broke into a wide smile. "Tara-chan! It is good to see you! Wade-san told me you were being equipped to help with missions, but I did not expect to hear from you so soon!"

"Yeah, well, I just called on a spur-of-the-moment thing," she replied, "And to see how you and everyone else is doing."

"We are well," Yori said, then her eyes twinkled. "I can send you a pot of soup, if you are having difficulties again."

Tara sat back in mock horror. "No, thank you! As good as it was, I've had enough to last me a lifetime!"

"I understand," was the reply, and Yori smiled at her joke. Something out of camera range caught Yori's attention and the smile vanished. "You must excuse me, Tara-chan, something has come up I must see to. Was there something you wished?"

"Oh, no, don't let me hold you up. Talk to you later!" and Tara disconnected.

She sat for a minute, then suddenly remembered the package she was given just before they left the school. She had forgotten all about it in the excitement of getting home and seeing everyone. She retrieved the flat box-shaped package, which had been left in her bag when she came home.

She opened the brown wrapping to find a wooden box. It was lacquered so it had a bluish sheen to it, but was otherwise plain. From the look, she guessed it was made of cherry wood.

Taped on top was a white envelope with "Matthews Tara-- Read This First" on it in neat handwriting. She pulled it off and set it aside, then opened the box. To the left was set a thick scroll tied with a blue ribbon, and to the right was a green jade amulet about two inches wide and three long. It was about a quarter inch thick and carved with the likeness of a monkey. A leather cord was coiled neatly above.

"What in the world could this be?" she thought.