.
Roadtrip to the Lazy C
Kim drove down the highway with Monique, Yori, Amelia, Bonnie, and Tara, all of them laughing at some shared joke. "Road trips are totally the bomb!" Monique exclaimed, snapping a picture of the passing scenery with her phone. "Montana? This is awesome!"
"Uncle Slim really wanted us to come down and visit. It's a long weekend so I figured why not? Besides, I haven't seen him in a long time," Kim said.
"Ugh, why are we here again?" Bonnie complained, doing her makeup. Kim hit a pothole, making her lipstick smear. "Ugh, Kim!" Bonnie shouted in anger.
"My bad," Kim said, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"I'll just bet!" Bonnie shot.
"Easy Bonnie, this is a great opportunity for all of us to bond. After all, we're gonna be sorority sisters!" Tara said, putting her arms around Bonnie and Amelia, both of which were in the back seat with her. "Well I mean, not Amelia what with her whole thing with Hirotaka, but still!"
"This will be a most interesting experience," Yori remarked. "I have never been to this 'Montana' before."
"It's beautiful there," Kim said.
"As beautiful as the desert can be," Bonnie dryly said, crossing her arms.
"Montana's not all desert, Bonnie. It's mostly forest," Kim said.
"Ugh, why didn't we go with the boys again?" Bonnie asked.
"Because the Sloth isn't big enough, and the stretching feature doesn't have all the bugs ironed out yet," Kim answered as if it were obvious. "We've been lucky the couple of times it's worked."
"Besides, they're just one car behind us," Monique added, jerking her thumb back.
KP
"I hope that Stoppable-san does not give Hana sugar. I believe Hirotaka would stop him, our sister is very badly affected by such things you see, but if Hirotaka is asleep, there will be no one to intervene," Yori said.
"Not even Fukushima?" Tara asked.
"Fukushima would not care. He enjoys seeing Ron-san 'mess up', as you say. He finds it most amusing," Yori ruefully replied. "Besides, he believes Hana is my and Hirotaka's responsibility. He will hardly be paying attention to her, and especially not to Stoppable-san."
"He still has a lot of growing up to do," Amelia said, smirking knowingly.
Yori giggled and said, "Yes. Fukushima and I were very much protected by Hirotaka. It was he who we looked up to, he who defended us. Besides, Fukushima was always quite spoiled. I believe grandfather, I mean Sensei, felt bad for him. More so than he ever let on. Fukushima received much personal training from the best of the teachers. Sensei ensured it. Hirotaka and I used to tease Fukushima, calling him as spoiled and self-entitled as a prince."
"Whatever, as long as they're getting along with Junior," Bonnie said.
"You just had to bring Senor Senior Junior, didn't you?" Monique dryly asked, rolling her eyes.
"I brought Josh," Tara defended.
"Josh ain't a villain," Monique replied.
KP
"Stop looking at me as if I have a top-secret evil scheme to pull off," Junior protested as Ron continuously stared at him in uncertainty and horror. He, Ron, and Josh were in the front of the car, Hirotaka, Fukushima, and Hana sat in the back.
"He has a scheme!" Ron exclaimed in terror.
"Dude, chill," Josh, who was driving, said, taking his eyes off the road just long enough to smirk teasingly at Ron.
"Outsider, I will warn you only once. Stop giving me a headache or I will carve out your tongue," Fukushima grumbled, having woken up on the wrong side of the bed.
"Fukushima, get some rest," Hirotaka said, frowning at his friend reproachfully. "You are no more pleasant to be around than him in your current mood." Fukushima huffed and went back to trying to nap.
They hit a pothole and Fukushima hit his head, crying out in pain. "Josh-san!" he yelled angrily.
"Sorry dude, it's not easy to avoid the potholes around here," Josh defended.
"Humph, we should have taken father's private jet," Junior complained, looking out the window boredly. Hirotaka rolled his eyes and checked on his sleeping sister. He smiled on seeing her peaceful state. The ninja bent, kissing her forehead softly and pulling her blanket up to under her chin. Hana yawned cutely and babbled in her sleep, stretching.
"Felix and Zita, they will be meeting us there, no?" Hirotaka asked.
"With Justine and Ned," Ron confirmed. "This is going to be so sweet! Almost everyone's there! Jim, Tim, and Wade are even riding in with KP's mom and dad. Cattle ranching, horseback riding, ribs, steak, the works!"
"They even bought some real horses, apparently. I mean, the robotic ones Kim mentioned sounded pretty cool and all, but hey, nothing beats horseback riding on a flesh and blood steed," Josh said.
"How would you presume to know this?" Junior asked.
"I was uh, kind of raised on a ranch myself. Just outside of town. I've been riding for a long time. When we moved into the city I sort of fell away from it, but man do I miss it sometimes," Josh said.
"No missions, no problems, just rest and relaxation," Ron said, leaning back in his seat with a smile on his face. "You'll get your horse-riding fix no big, Mankey my man." Josh smirked.
KP
The boys, forced to pull over because of one solitary mistake, gaped in horror at Hana, who was out of her mind and leaping around the car. "I closed my eyes for not even ten minutes! What did you do to my sister?!" Hirotaka demanded of Ron.
"I only gave her one candy!" Ron defended. "Fukushima said it was fine!"
"Fukushima!" Hirotaka yelled, glaring murderously at his friend.
"I do not listen to what the Outsider says!" Fukushima immediately defended.
"She is crazy! We must escape!" Junior exclaimed, going to open the door.
"Don't open it! She'll get out!" Josh exclaimed in alarm as he and Ron pounced, pulling the young Spaniard back from the door.
"Hana, calm down! Listen to me!" Hirotaka insisted in Japanese.
Hana, laughing, kept bouncing around. Hirotaka quickly undid his seatbelt and leapt for her twice, but missed both times. The third time, however, was the charm, and he seized her and dragged her back. She began screaming and wailing in protest. "You are not going anywhere!" Hirotaka insisted to his sobbing sister. Hana began screaming louder. Hirotaka held her firm, though, rocking her. "Drive on," he ordered. "I will hold her." The others buckled back in and began driving once more, cautiously watching the struggling infant.
KP
Two of the three cars pulled up to the ranch. Felix, Zita, Justine, and Ned waved at them, approaching their friends' vehicles. Slim Possible and Joss raced up as well. Kim's car emptied out first. "There you are! We were beginning to think you wouldn't show," Zita said.
"Well now we're here, and totally ready for some fun," Monique replied.
"S'up Kim, Monique, Amelia, Bonnie, Tara, Yori," Felix greeted.
"Greetings, simpletons," Justine said.
"We were looking forward to seeing you again too, Justine," Kim teased.
"Where are the guys?" Ned asked.
"Coming slowly but surely," Tara answered.
The second car emptied out Jim, Tim, and Wade practically leaping from it. Annie and James followed, smiling. "There's my baby brother!" Slim said, crushing James in a hug.
"Howdy Slim," James greeted, sounding like he was being mildly crushed.
"Oop, sorry there, cowpoke," Slim said, putting him down. "Annie, still lookin' like the moon on a wild Montana night," he said, hugging his sister-in-law."
"Howdy Slim," Ann greeted, grinning.
KP
"Kim, Kim, I missed ya!" Joss exclaimed, hugging Kim tightly. "Jim, Tim, howdy!" She ran to her other two cousins and hugged them.
"Eww, cooties!" the twins said together.
Joss pulled away and looked at Wade. Wade's jaw dropped as he gaped at her in awe. He'd never actually met Joss before. For a moment he swore he could hear music in the background. Heck, for a moment he thought hearts were in his eyes! Joss looked his way and his knees felt weak. "Well, who's this here stranger? Howdy, I'm Joss. And you are...?" she asked.
"H-huh? Wh-what? Name? Oh, I uh, I can't remember," Wade stammered, blushing. "I-I mean Wade! My-my name is Wade Lode!"
"Wade Lode? No way! Y'all keep ma cousin's whole operation runnin'! It's amazin' t' actually meetcha!" Joss excitedly exclaimed, hugging him tightly.
Wade gasped and almost melted. Sighing and sappily giggling, he said, "Yeah… Wait, what? I mean, I'm not, that is…"
"Well ain't you just the cutest thing," Joss said tapping his nose and finding his awkwardness funny and sweet at the same time. She slung her arm over his shoulders. "I can tell we're gonna be great friends!"
"F-f-friends?" Wade asked. Jim and Tim exchanged wicked smirks. Oh yeah, untapped prank potential.
KP
Kim frowned worriedly down the road along with Bonnie. "Like, where are they?" Bonnie asked.
"I don't know. It's not like Ron to be late. I'm getting worried," Kim replied.
Just then a car drove up, the doors flew open, and desperately the group of boys tumbled out, Hirotaka holding Hana tightly. "Help! It is a beast, a monster!" Junior exclaimed, scrambling towards his girlfriend.
"Junior!" Bonnie exclaimed, falling to her knees next to him and pulling him close.
"What monster? Where?" Kim asked immediately, dropping into a fighting pose.
"There!" Junior exclaimed, pointing directly at Hana.
The girls blinked blankly. "Um, cuz, are you feeling okay?" Zita asked, walking up to Junior and kneeling next to him.
"No, no, he isn't kidding! That kid isn't of this world!" Josh quickly agreed, backing away in horror until Tara took his shoulders firmly in an attempt to calm him down.
"It was one candy, just one," Ron stammered, watching Hana in fear lest she spring into action again.
"You allowed him to feed her candy?" Yori demanded of her brother.
"It was not me!" Hirotaka defended, shooting a scowl at Fukushima.
"I did not hear the Outsider's question!" Fukushima protested.
"Fukushima!" Yori shot reproachfully, hurrying to her sister. "Oh Hana, you should never have had sugar," she said, taking the baby from her brother's arms.
"Ooh, she's so cute!" Joss exclaimed, racing towards the baby. "Can I hold her?"
"Um, hai?" Yori uncertainly answered, cautiously holding the infant down to Joss. Joss giggled and took Hana, cuddling her close. Hana giggled back and began waving her arms, feeling Joss's face.
"Well now, she's a right pretty little thing," Slim said, approaching and smiling. "Who does she belong to?"
"She's my adoptive little sis," Ron proudly boasted. "Oh and, uh, Hirotaka and Yori's biological sister." Hirotaka and Yori bowed, smiling at the man.
"Well ain't that right nice? Who're her parents? What're their names?" Slim questioned.
Hirotaka and Yori exchanged looks, then turned back. Yori spoke first. "Our mother's name was Tomoko. Hana is her daughter. Our sister's father was not our father."
"Oh. I see. Did your dad pass?" Slim sympathetically asked.
Hirotaka and Yori shifted uncomfortably. Finally, Hirotaka put on a smile and replied, "Hai. Our stepfather, Hana's father, was named Sarutahiko." He was banking on the fact Slim knew little to nothing about Japanese mythology. He wasn't disappointed.
"I'm sorry t' hear that, kids. Must've been hard for you two to accept a stepfather," Slim remarked.
"Not as much for me as it was for Hirotaka," Yori answered, offhandedly alluding to Hirotaka's hatred for Sarutahiko. Hirotaka frowned darkly.
"Well then enough of the tear-jerking stuff! Let's get y'all set up," Slim said. He beckoned for them to follow and they did so, perking up.
KP
Slim brought out the horses. "All right, let's jump right on in. A good old-fashioned trail ride," he said. "So, who wants flesh and blood, and who wants robotic?"
"I'm like, so totally taking robot. The real ones stink," Bonnie stated, covering her nose as a horse breathed on her.
"I think I'll try out robotic too," Tara said.
"Ooh, ooh, and me!" Monique exclaimed excitedly.
"Why not?" Junior said, shrugging.
"Totally! They don't bite," Ron said, moving away from a horse that was trying to eat his hair.
"I'd kind of liked the robotic scene too," Kim said, grinning.
"Let's make this easier. Who doesn't want a robot?" Ann asked, smiling affectionately.
Josh winced then timidly stuck up his hand. Hirotaka, Yori, and Fukushima immediately followed his lead. Amelia hesitated, thinking it over, then raised her own hand as well. Ann smiled. She preferred nature to robot herself, honestly.
"Righty then, five flesh and blood steeds in total," Slim said. "What made ya'll decide t' go that route?" he wondered.
"I used to live on a ranch. I've missed horses. Robots can't even compare to the real thing," Josh answered.
"For thousands of years, we have ridden these true and noble beasts. They have not forsaken us so why should we forsake them?" Hirotaka asked.
"It feels more natural to ride a horse of flesh and blood," Fukushima added.
"I agree," Yori said.
"I've never actually been on a horse in my life. I'd like to start with the real thing," Amelia said.
"Any other beginners?" Slim questioned. Monique, Tara, Bonnie, Felix, Justine, and Ron all stuck up their hands. "Intermediate?" Slim asked. Kim, Yori, Hirotaka, Ned, and Fukushima raised their hands.
"You're intermediate?" Justine asked Ned, raising an eyebrow in surprise.
Ned grinned innocently and shrugged. Clearing his throat he said, "What can I say? I have an aunt who owned horses. I even took a couple of lessons from her before she moved away."
"Impressive, dude," Felix complimented.
"Thanks," Ned said, smiling.
"Skilled?" Slim pressed. Josh, Zita, and Junior raised their hands.
"Seriously? Junior?" Kim asked doubtfully.
"Why is it a surprise? Father gave me only the best. I have taken many riding lessons. It was father's idea, of course, I cannot stand the creatures, but still," Junior replied. "The only way he could get me to go riding was when Zita was coming along too. She joined me every time. We grew in skill together. A robot may prove to be a challenge for us."
"Right," Zita backed, leaping onto her cousin's back and smiling. Junior grinned, holding her up.
"Let's get y'all set up, then," Slim said. He, Joss, James, Anne, Jim, Tim, and Wade all planned to stay behind for this. He took the reins of a Blue Roan and led it over to Josh. Josh took it and stroked its nose affectionately, smiling. "This here's Blue Ice. He's hardy and strong. Got his name when he wandered off one day and fell through the ice. Was in there for a good long time before we managed to get him out. Didn't think he'd pull through, but Blue Ice shook it off like nothin' and went right on with his business. Runnin' joke now is he can take on any weather condition."
"Cool, I like him already," Josh said, grinning at the steed.
Slim led a Paint horse forward and handed it to Amelia. "Prancing Dancer is a gentle girl, real playful. She's a perfect horse for a beginner, so you'll be just fine with her. She's young, follows the lead of the older horses, so as long as they don't lose themselves, she'll be good."
"Hi there, girl," Amelia cooed to the horse. In snorted and began to nibble at her hair. She giggled, pushing the mare away. Prancing Dancer whinnied in protest.
Slim took the reins of three more horses, one palomino, one brown, and one pale. Not white, but more of a grayish color. "These here are siblings. The brown one's the youngest. His name is Maverick. Careful with him. He's hot-tempered, unpredictable, and not easily pacified," Slim said. He handed Maverick to Fukushima.
"Hey, fits Fukushima perfectly," Ron teased, nudging the ninja. Fukushima gave him a reproachful look.
Slim handed the Palomino to Yori, saying, "This here's Temperance, the middle filly. She's a good and patient mare, quiet and gentle-like. She feeds off her brothers, though, so be wary of the mood swings of the two stallions." Yori smiled at Temperance, patting the mare's back.
Going to Hirotaka he passed over the gray horse, saying, "This here's the oldest. Destiny's his name." Hirotaka's smile fell and he grew pale. Quickly, though, he recovered, petting the horse gently and hiding his reaction. Did everything nowadays have to remind him of fate? Since the PDVI incident and his counterpart being freed, his curse was all he could think of anymore. It disturbed his mind greatly. "Well now, tinhorns, yer on your own. I'd love t' come along, but I got a workin' ranch t' hold down. You'll have a blast out there, campin' and such."
"Yeah, blast," Ron uncertainly replied, trying to puzzle out how he'd ended up backward on the robotic horse. He turned around and smiled in satisfaction. That was better.
"Come on, let's move out!" Kim said.
"Yee haw!" the others all exclaimed, with the exception of Hirotaka, Yori, Fukushima, Junior, and Zita. As the teenagers raced off, the ones staying behind waved.
KP
As they rode through the open plains, Ned said, "Wow, it's hot out here."
"Of course it is. It's a wide-open plain in the middle of the day," Justine replied.
"Hey Justine, you picked a pretty warm outfit," Zita remarked in some concern.
"Yes, and I'm deeply starting to regret it," Justine admitted, pulling at her collar.
"If you get too hot, I brought an extra outfit you can try," Zita offered, smiling.
"Thanks," Justine replied.
"Don't worry, Justine, we're almost at the first rest stop," Ned said.
"Totally. It'll be no problem for you to make it there," Felix said.
"This is so great. No missions, no anything! It's been a while," Kim said.
All of a sudden her watch rang. She frowned and looked at it, turning it on. "Wade?" she asked.
"Not quite," the voice replied. She gasped, bringing her robotic horse to a stop and gaping at the watch.
"Jack Hench?!" she exclaimed in shock.
"Sorry to cut into your vacation, Miss Possible…" Jack began.
"Hold on, you knew I was on vacation?" Kim suspiciously asked, eyes narrowing. "Do you know how creepy that is?"
"Miss Possible, when I tried to get in contact with you via your little site manager and found he wasn't there, it wasn't hard to deduce. The message said it all," Jack replied, smirking. "Now, I'm in need of your help."
"What kind?" Kim guardedly asked, raising an eyebrow as the others came to her side and looked curiously down.
"Jack Hench?" Ron mouthed to her in disbelief. Kim nodded.
"There was a device taken from an associate of mine called the Juvinator. We need it back as soon as possible. There's a lot riding on its recovery. The thief was Frugal Lucre, in an attempt to impress Falsetto Jones. The Juvinator can't leave this country. I would be grateful if you could get it back," Jack replied.
"And why should I help you?" Kim warily asked, not sold on his motives.
"Because…" Jack began.
"Sorry Hench dude, KP's on Vay Cay," Ron stated, shutting off the watch before Jack could explain the situation.
"Ron!" Kim exclaimed.
"Kim, this is a strictly no-mission zone, remember?" Ron asked. "Come on, try to relax. Hench can handle it on his own."
Kim hesitated but then smirked. "All right, fair enough," she said. Ron nodded.
KP
Slim, James, Ann, Hana, Wade, Joss, Jim, and Tim all sat around the fire pit, laughing and joking. They didn't notice the figure approaching until they heard the creaking of the gate. Wade looked up first, still laughing. His laugh died in his throat, however, on seeing who it was, and he stared wide-eyed. "Jack Hench?!" he blurted, quickly standing. The others swiftly turned in shock, then and rose quickly.
"Wade, is this one of Kim's enemies?" James asked, clenching his fists in preparation for a fight.
"At this point I can't really tell," Wade dryly said.
"Whacha doin' here, stranger?" Joss asked.
"Me? Why, I've just come for the experience," Jack replied, approaching the family.
"And you happen to come around the same time Kimmie is here?" Ann suspiciously asked. She didn't know much about Jack Hench, no one did except for the fact he ran HenchCo, but she didn't trust that the CEO of such a huge company was here presumably trying to reach her daughter.
"Don't worry, Mrs. Possible. Global Justice is watching him," Dr. Betty Director suddenly said, appearing behind her husband.
"Dr. Director? What's going on?" Wade asked.
"This," Dr. Director replied, revealing the baby.
"Is that…" Wade began, eyes wide.
"William? Yes," Betty confirmed.
"What happened?" Wade asked.
"He fooled around with Dr. Drakken's Juvinator. We need to recover the device so the effects can be reversed. I'm not prepared to raise my baby a second time," Director stated.
"Double for me," Jack agreed.
"That's not a surprise," Wade said, obviously bitter towards the man.
"You know, Wade, children should be seen and not heard," Jack said. Wade immediately shut up, eyes widening a bit, and though Jim, Tim, and Joss looked ready to retaliate, something was telling them it would be a bad idea. As was, their parents' hands were already protectively tightening on their shoulders.
"I'm watching him, Possibles. Jack won't try anything," Director assured, sensing the unease surrounding her husband. "He has no reason to. He wants our son back to normal as much as I do."
"Your son? As in you and Jack Hench's?" James asked, eyes widening in shock. She blushed, looking down and to the side.
"More or less," she replied.
"No more or less about it. Yes, our son," Jack stated more confidently than Betty. He had nothing to hide, after all. A reputation held Betty back from boasting up the fact, but he had no qualms whatsoever about having impregnated a Global Justice agent. It had happened and there was no changing it. "All we need is a couple of horses and the route she rode with her friends."
Slim looked questioningly at his little brother and the rest of his family. James shrugged. He wasn't sure what to do. "Let me rephrase for him. We'll have to go after her no matter what. We just would like to let you know and show you Jack and I have nothing to hide. Your daughter won't be in any danger," Director explained. Kim's family exchanged helpless and uncertain looks.
KP
Slim led a white mare out of a stable and handed it over to Betty. "Her name's Moonlight. You a good rider? She's a pretty tough filly to master," he said.
"I've had experience," Betty confirmed. She wasn't as good as her husband was, or her son, but she was good enough to be classified as one of the best here. She took a saddle and began to ready up the mare.
Slim re-entered the stable. After a moment he came back out, leading along a black stallion. It whinnied loudly and tossed its head, attempting to pull away. "This here's Insidious Deceiver, and he's borderline wild. I wouldn't recommend him, but he's the last horse we have. Would you rather have a robot?" Slim asked Jack.
"Insidious Deceiver. It sounds like the horse was made for you, love," Betty remarked, smirking to herself as she finished saddling her mare.
"I'll manage him," Jack replied to Slim, taking the reins and petting the stallion's nose, staring into its eyes firmly. The horse nickered, tossed his head, then calmed down. Jack nimbly swung up onto its back, not bothering with a saddle. He could handle bareback easily enough. "Let's go," he said as Dr. Director swung up onto Moonlight. She nodded. They would have to hurry. Team Drakken plus Gemini would meet them later. Betty double-checked her baby's sling, ensuring it was firmly secured, then nodded to her husband. Immediately the two galloped off into the distance, the Possibles and Wade looking worriedly after them.
KP
Jack and Betty rode along a ridge in comfortable silence, content to just be side by side. "It's beautiful here in Montana," Betty remarked quietly.
"The sunsets especially," Jack agreed, watching the falling sun. "No camera could possibly hope to capture that kind of beauty. Or yours."
Dr. Director started and blushed deeply. She looked over at her husband, amused, and replied, "You're feeling romantic tonight."
He smirked and shrugged, a playful glint in his eyes. Betty grinned lovingly at him as he leaned over and softly dropped a kiss on her forehead, taking their son from the sling. He hurried his stallion, riding ahead of her with the baby.
Dr. Director watched after them beaming, but slowly that grin disappeared, giving way to a look of sadness and uncertainty. She loved him, so, so much, but what was the man that she loved...?
Years had passed since last she'd tried to analyze her husband. The last time had been when Will was a young teenager. She'd done so only at her son's insistence she reevaluate the man she'd married. He'd found Jack's file, you see. The one that... that Agent Sload had kept. Maybe the reason she'd waited so long was because she'd been afraid to...
A playful, amused, and delighted glitter shone in Jack's eyes as he played with their little one. She'd seen it before in less innocent circumstances... She'd seen it when he was coercing some client or other into cooperating and they were cowering before him. She'd seen it in his eyes when she would peek into his office after seeing the shaken look on the face of some client who left it after a private meeting. She'd seen it the day she told him the gang that had kidnapped her when she was pregnant had disappeared off the face of the planet and asked him about it.
"What gang?"
That had been his amused, casual response. She'd seen this glint when word came to him of someone who'd been a thorn in his side being found dead or going missing or getting tossed in prison for life... It was a gleam that shone in the eyes of psychopaths and sociopaths who took a sort of twisted delight in watching the 'fruits of their labors' unfold. The way her husband's eyes danced chilled her because she knew… she knew what it might mean...
On more than one occasion, over the years, she had found herself revisiting this question. In Sharon's file, she had called him borderline, but sometimes Betty couldn't help but wonder if 'borderline' had been erring on the side of caution. He was too calm, too composed. He feared nothing, thought little of danger, and dominated everyone who stood opposed to him. He never raised his voice, but he didn't have to. If you displeased him, there was this eerie change in his tone and you knew there was a very good chance that soon you would never be heard from again.
Then there were the moments that reminded her that her old mentor had known exactly what she was talking about and had maybe even been too harsh in the 'borderline psychopath' guess. Moments like this, when he held their babe so lovingly, cooing to him and nuzzling him... Will giggled as Jack cradled him and pointed up at the smattering of planets and stars just starting to appear in the sky, shining bright enough to dot the sunset. She watched as he held their baby up in the air. The baby laughed in delight. He gazed at Will with such love and adoration... Tenderly he kissed the infant's head, hugging him close to his body as the horse pawed the ground near the edge of the cliff. The wind blew his hair softly, as well as the horse's mane, and he removed his hat and playfully placed it on their son's head.
A full psychopath would not have almost given his life for the sake of others. A borderline, though, might... The best of both worlds. All the advantages of being a psychopath mixed with all the advantages of being neurotypical. Her husband was not a psychopath. He just came very, very close. If she ever told anyone about all the things she knew, rather suspected, Jack Hench had done, and told them nothing else, he would be branded a psychopath without a second thought, but the love he had for their child and for her... it was genuine. He feared nothing except the possibility that he might lose them. That threat had driven him to more than one questionable disappearance. It had let to more than one mercy extended that might not have been extended had their influence not reached him. It had driven him to nearly give his life for theirs... A part of her feared him. It always had. A part of him feared her as well, though, and even more so their son.
"Betty?" he suddenly asked, snapping her out of her thoughts. She jumped and blinked, suddenly realizing he'd returned to her side and was watching her curiously.
"S-sorry, I was just thinking," she said. She took back Will and placed him in the sling again.
"Okay?" Jack more questioned than stated, raising an eyebrow. Turning back to the cliff, he said, "Drakken and co are heading our way." Betty frowned curiously and rode up to where he'd been, looking out over the horizon. Sure enough, she saw a small hoverjet racing towards them, doubtless with Evil Incorporated sardined inside. She pursed her lips. She didn't like this, but beggars couldn't be choosers, she supposed. She rode back down to where Jack and Will were, giving the jet room to land. As it did so, Evil Inc climbed out, some of them groaning and holding various cramped body parts painfully. Betty raised an eyebrow. Why on earth would they have taken a jet that small, she dryly wondered? Probably Drakken's doing. He was notoriously cheap.
"Ach, me back," Duff groaned. DNAmy smirked and went to him, wiggled her fingers, then all at once grabbed him in a bear hug, cracking his back. He gasped in pain, then cried out in relief. "Amy, lassie, ye' cured me!"
"Oh, it was no trouble, honey. Anyone else?" she asked, smiling cheerfully.
"I'll manage," Gemini groaned. Amy took it as an affirmative though and went to him, cracked his back too. He gasped then groaned in relief. "All right, maybe I was wrong. Thank you, DNAmy."
"Oh it was no trouble, Shelly," Amy replied.
"Don't call me Shelly," Sheldon warned, giving her a glare. She giggled, neither confirming nor denying she would stop. Gemini rolled his eyes but let it go.
"According to my calculations, they're not far now," Drakken said, looking at his hover jet's GPS system.
"Then let's get moving," Shego said, smirking villainously.
KP
The young adults sat laughing and roasting marshmallows over the fire, sharing stories and gossiping. It was peaceful so far, and surprisingly they were all having fun. Nothing could possibly go wrong! "Mmm, mmm, mmm, roasted marshmallows are the bomb," Monique said.
"The steaks weren't bad either," Felix said, smirking.
"You handle yourself pretty well on a horse. You know, for being a paraplegic," Justine remarked. "Ooh, no offense."
"None taken, "Felix assured, grinning in amusement.
"He's done all sorts of cool stuff," Ned said. "He plays basketball, rides motorcycles, plays baseball, everything."
"It is quite amazing what one is able to do despite being unable to walk," Hirotaka said.
"It is quite amazing what they are unable to do too," Fukushima bit, still in a bad mood. Felix gave him a sharp, somewhat annoyed look. Zita glared at the ninja. Fukushima blinked blankly, noticing the glares, then caught on and started, wincing a bit. Flushing guiltily, he focused on roasting marshmallows again and wishing he had held his tongue.
"Hey Junior, want to help me get more firewood?" Zita asked.
"But that is work," Junior whined.
"Come on, cuz, let's go," Zita said, smirking and taking Junior's arm.
Junior sighed in exasperation and said, "Very well. Ugh, I hate work."
"Zita brings out the best in you, Junior," Kim said, smirking in amusement.
"I'm his baby cousin. He's always had a soft spot for me," Zita boasted. Junior frowned but didn't deny it.
"I think I'll come too," Bonnie said. Zita was Junior's cousin, sure, but she still was jealous of the amount of time they spent together. It was TJI time.
"Of course, ma paloma," Junior replied, taking Bonnie's hand and smiling. The three left.
"That girl brings out the best in Bonnie too," Monique dryly said.
"Zita brings out the best in everyone. She's beautiful, smart, kind… Everyone loves her," Felix lovingly said, watching after her. Ron winced a bit, shrinking in on himself and glancing away. Josh, noting this, raised a curious eyebrow but decided now probably wasn't the time to pry. Especially me," Felix said, looking lovingly after his girlfriend. "One day I'll marry her, just you wait and see," Felix continued, and Ron frowned a little and put another marshmallow on a stick, giving his friend an annoyed look. Kim winced a bit then reached out, gently taking his arm and squeezing it. He glanced curiously at her and she smiled reassuringly up at him. He relaxed a bit and smiled back.
"What stops you from marrying her now?" Yori asked.
"I'm still a little young for that kind of commitment," Felix answered, chuckling.
"Hey Hiro, you're in your twenties, you're mature for your age, what's holding you back?" Ned teased, glancing pointedly over at Amelia who was currently paying more attention to the sunset and stars than her surroundings.
Hirotaka stiffened, making Ned and the others raise an eyebrow. Amelia, noticing the lull in conversation, turned curiously. She'd heard the question, make no mistake, and if that hadn't been reason enough for her to start paying attention, the silence that followed it was. "Because there is no point," Hirotaka at last replied.
"No point?" Felix wondered as Bonnie, Zita, and Junior returned with more wood.
"It will do little good to marry when I am destined to die so soon. Would I even make it to the wedding night? Would I die the next day? To make her mine, to give myself to her, will only cause more pain than there needs to be."
"Whether you marry or not, she loves you just the same," Amelia softly said, frowning at him.
"Then perhaps it is best for me to end this, all of this, before it is too late," Hirotaka answered, frowning at her and rising.
"Hirotaka, you cannot forsake your friends and family for the sake of trying to lessen the pain of your death. It will do nothing but make it worse!" Yori protested as her older sibling started to walk away.
"We will see," Hirotaka replied, not even bothering to look back.
"Hirotaka, wait!" Zita called, but he was already disappearing. Amelia stood up before anyone could react and hurried after him.
KP
Hirotaka sat on a ridge, watching the setting sun and the appearing celestial bodies. He never heard her approach. She stopped far enough back that he wouldn't and stood still, her arms crossing over herself as she watched him with anger and sadness in her eyes. And tears... "Why can't you let me in?" she asked, startling him enough that he turned his head quickly. He was silent, summing her up.
After a moment Hirotaka turned away once more. "Leave me in peace, Amelia," he said.
"Don't shut me out," she hissed through clenched teeth, balling her fists at her side. "I just want to help you."
"Unless you wish to face the gods themselves, there is nothing you can do for me," Hirotaka said.
"I will take on death itself if I have to," Amelia replied.
"You will do no such thing!" Hirotaka sharply shot, turning quickly on her, the thought of it immediately making his stomach clench.
"Watch me! I won't let them put you down like a dog. I won't watch you die like some sacrificial animal!" she argued.
"That is what I was born to be!" Hirotaka answered as he stood.
"No!" she screamed, tears in her eyes as she lunged at him looking ready to kill. He caught her wrists, closing his eyes tightly and helplessly, holding her away from attacking him. She struggled. "I won't let you die! I won't let them take you from me. Hirotaka, I'm begging you, fight!"
All at once, he pulled her close, hugging her tightly and burying his face in her hair as she sobbed into his chest. For a long moment, he stroked her hair softly and cradled her while she wept. He hadn't intended to, this was not the way to distance himself from them all, but he had been unable to bring himself to watch her grief and do nothing. "I have fought for years," Hirotaka finally, soothingly, and calmingly replied.
"I don't want you to die," she softly whispered.
"But I will," he answered quietly. "Do not fear for me, Amelia. It will be all right. I am ready."
"No," she said in a whisper, shaking her head. "No…" she repeated again, tightening her grip.
"I am ready," he repeated.
"I won't let you go. I can't. I love you," she whispered in reply, and his heart leapt and sank at the same time. Gods only knew how desperately he wanted to say those words back to her… but he couldn't. He wouldn't. There would be no turning back, then, and his death would be that much harder for her. He could say that he knew, but there would be no point in it. She knew that already and it would be too clichéd. Instead, he remained silent, willing back his own tears and focusing on soothing away hers.
KP
"Where are they?" Monique worriedly asked as they all searched.
"There!" Justine exclaimed, pointing in the distance. The others quickly turned. Sure enough, they saw the two figures approaching.
"Hirotaka!" Yori cried out.
"Taka!" Hana shrieked. Immediately the two sisters raced toward their brother - rather, Yori raced while Hana swung in the sling - and practically leapt into his arms.
He grinned, hugging them tightly back. "Sisters," he murmured gently.
"Taka kay?" Hana asked, looking up at him.
"I am all right, Hana," Hirotaka replied, smiling at her and kissing the infant's head. Ron winced, feeling a pang of jealousy shoot through him.
"We might not be for long," Tara said suddenly. They all turned to her curiously. She was looking in the other direction. They followed her gaze. There on a ridge were two horses and a hoverjet above them.
"Who are they?" Josh asked, eyes wide.
Kim squinted and her eyes widened as she caught her breath. "Evil Incorporated!" she exclaimed. "Guys, time to ride!" Immediately they abandoned everything and raced to their horses. No sooner had they landed on the backs of the animals when they spurred them into action.
"Kim, the robot horses work by some solar-based cell or something!" Ron called over. "When the sun sets, we're doomed! Only the ones with the real horses are getting out of this!"
"We need to get into hiding!" Kim replied.
"Who's on the horses?" Ned questioned, galloping up alongside Kim.
"I don't know. I couldn't see," she answered.
KP
There was a whinny and they turned quickly. The hovercraft was flying directly toward them. The white horse was leaping down the ridge from rock to rock as if it the obstacle wasn't even there. The black one, however, had disappeared. The teens galloped on. Felix felt his robotic horse slowing and gasped, looking up at the sky. It was almost dark! "We're never going to make it!" he exclaimed. Already the flesh and blood horses were beginning to pull ahead.
"Get ready to fight, then," Justine stated grimly.
All of a sudden a black stallion leapt down in front of them and reared up, whinnying loudly and panicking the fleeing horses, all of which reared up screaming as well. The black one pawed the ground and lunged at them, forcing them back until finally it and its rider stopped and began pacing. "Miss Possible, for future reference, I hate having to go out of my way," an all too familiar voice stated.
Kim caught her breath. "Mr. Hench!" she exclaimed in shock and alarm, now recognizing the figure on the horse. The hoverjet was suddenly above them. The white mare paced behind the group. Kim, worried, turned to face Jack once more. "Let us go and no one gets hurt."
"Kim, hurting you is the last thing on my mind," Jack replied. "You should know that by now." Kim started and frowned. She hadn't meant her and her posse, but something told her that maybe she should have.
"Kim, don't worry. This isn't an attack," a familiar voice stated. They gasped, turning to the rider on the white horse.
"Dr. Director!" Ron exclaimed.
"Ron," she greeted with a smile. She turned back to Kim. "We've come to you for help. This mission is non-optional," Betty said.
"Why?" Kim asked, now curious. Where was this going? Just then they heard an infant begin to cry and started. Dr. Director winced then reached into the sling, pulling out Will. Their mouths dropped in shock.
"Is that…" Junior began in disbelief.
"Will? Yes," Jack replied. "And this, Miss Possible, is the reason I tried to contact you. Like I said, we need the Juvinator, and we were desperate enough to ride you down to obtain your help."
"But couldn't you have done it yourself?" Ron asked.
"Depends. Did you want to hear a news report on the disappearance of one of your foes?" Jack asked. Honestly, though, he had no intentions of disappearing the man. If he had, Lucre would be gone already. On the contrary, if this failed, he'd probably just wait until the thing fell into Falsetto's hands and deal with the few days' delay extra, but the heroes didn't need to know that. As long as he had their fear, he might as well take advantage of it.
Kim winced, hesitating, then sighed in defeat. "Okay. We'll do it," she said.