Chapter 6 [Althanor—House of Healing]

Despite even his limited efforts in the mission, Clark still had to rest upon the return. Zorpox's assault still left him weakened. He rubbed his arms, face and chest down with the special water the priestesses brought him. Still his mind remained on getting his friend back.

"Stay down, Boy," a crass voice instructed.

He looked up to see the Protector squinting at him through his open left eye. "You're back!"

"Yeah. Chi…ld got me back. Don' be stoopid. We're gonna need ya. Stay put!" the Dark One hissed. "Make su..re." He stomped off leaving Lana there.

"Nurse huh?" he supposed with a grin on his face.

"Don't get any ideas, Mr. Kent," she retorted not giving him an inch. "Double diaper duty for this." She playfully smacked him in the face with a wet cloth. She glanced across the room to where the other group and Miranda congregated around Sensei. "I hope he's going to be okay."

"Have faith," he reminded her while giving her hand a squeeze.

She nodded in agreement. Hang in there, Miri!

****

Sensei sat up and inspected Kim, Yori and Miranda. "You have survived and done well."

"We fell, Master," Yori disagreed. "Our ritual failed."

"Because of doubt, Yori Chan. Not yours. Some of our numbers doubted it could work." Sensei rubbed his forehead with consternation. "We shall address that."

"I am sure, Sensei Sama," Miranda agreed knowing her teacher well. "First, Yori, we will get Ron back. Come on. We have a lesson to teach Zorpox first."

"Lesson?" Kim winced. "Don't hurt him."

Yori shook her head. "Not hurt Ron San. Hurt Zorpox." She bowed. "I am happy you are well, Master." She headed off with Miranda.

"Have faith, Kim Possible," Sensei urged. "I am sorry but I should rest now." He closed his eyes.

Kim headed across the room to where Clark and Lana talked. "Big time kudos, guys, for helping on the save."

"You'd do the same for us," Lana indicated. "If we didn't, Miranda would've gone in there by herself. No way we'd let that happen. Any word from Rick?"

"None and…." Kim saw the guy in question rush into the room. Her mind went blank for a second before she felt the surge of warmth through herself. She rushed across the area.

Rick caught her halfway sweeping her in a desperate embrace and relieved kiss. His fear and angst gave way to the vibrancy between them. After all of the worrying, the missions apart, feeling the numbness in his heart, he felt whole.

Their shared energy made their ears pop and revived them both.

"Don't disappear like that again on me!" he lectured out of concern.

"I was hanging around waiting for you," she retorted. "I'm sorry they…." Her eyes watered.

"Sorry, Kim, I love you," he apologized. "I don't mean to harsh on you." He kissed the crown of her head gratefully.

"I know. I…" She broke down sobbing. "How…I…"

He held her closely. "It's okay. Let it out. I'm here."

She started weeping profusely into his chest not caring who else heard or saw.

"Come on, Clark. Can you walk?" Lana urged him wanting to give the other couple privacy.

"Yeah sure." Despite his weakness, he wasn't about to intrude either. He followed Lana's lead.

"Thanks, guys," Rick expressed while continuing to comfort his GF. He just hung on and let her get it out.

"Glad she's letting it out. I remember how that felt," Clark admitted once they got outside. He shivered while remembering how Kara had held him captive during their ordeal against the Unholy Quintet.

"You and me both." She embraced him tightly. "We are here for each other. So are they. That's why we had to give them their space. I could hardly bear being trussed up like that…and…." She saw Shego stalk over to them. "Umm, personal space please."

"Give me a break. For such a goodie goodie place, there's more teen drama going on!" The emerald villainess scowled. "Looking for Kimmie. Where's the Princess anyhow?"

"She and Rick are catching up," he indicated pointedly. "Come back later." He stood in front of the door.

"Clark, are you…?" Lana queried with concern.

"Be ready. I can handle her." He walked right up to the other woman. "You really don't want this." He braced himself.

"Like I'm scared of you?" She threw a plasma punch at his midsection with little effect.

Lana winced. "You really shouldn't have done that."

He looked down at the scorch mark in the plaid flannel. "That…was my favorite shirt." He dropped his shoulder and rammed into her at quarter speed and strength sending Shego flying across the green and into a post. "Come on, Shego. Either stop or we can do this all day!"

"FINE!" Shego charged him again and swung only to hit air.

"Over here," Clark hinted.

She turned to her left. "STAND STILL!" She vaulted in his direction intending to kick him this time…and missed again.

He caught her from behind and wrenched her arms behind her back. "Stop it!" Even as the star plasma flowing through her hands burned his, he wasn't going to budge. "Not…going to let go until you…do."

"Not stopping…." Shego protested.

"You're outnumbered," Lana pointed out firmly. "GET LOST!"

Clark pushed Shego away from himself. "You heard her."

"Whatever!" Shego hissed while bracing herself for another go around. "As you said, Captain Plaid…" Then she found herself surrounded by mist. "WHAT THE HELL?" She disappeared from view.

"What in the goddess' name was that about?" Cybelle challenged.

He leaned against a hut. "Sorry, Ma 'am. She was about to disturb Kim and Rick. I was thinking of them…and Sensei." He breathed hard. "Sorry…to presume…"

"It's what happened," Lana pointed out.

"So I saw." The high priestess ran her hands through her hair in consternation. "I'm grateful that you two handled it before my brother or his counterpart had to get involved. Having Zorpox around is enough issues for us."

"Where is he? Does Yori need anything?" Lana wondered.

"Just some privacy. Miri's with her. Jasmine was waiting for word. Perhaps you might give her an update? Deirdre will guide you to her. Meantime, Clark, let's allow Dr. Dubois to look at you."

"I'll be okay, Clark," Lana assured him.

He rubbed her shoulder before they parted ways again.

The rouge haired woman considered her. "You have come a long way."

"You know me?" Lana wondered.

"In a way. I knew your counterpart when she was a toddler after the meteor shower. Come. The princess is this way." She led the visitor down the path and into the mists….