As most fans of my tales can tell you, I'm generally not one for long Author's Notes. I think it was only three or four in twenty-two chapters for 'You've Got Another Thing Coming'. Mostly it was just acknowledgements to pre-readers/sounding boards. But after the last few reviews, it's necessary.

To Sentinel 103(Larry)

Sorry Dude but Ron's picked up a 64 Galaxie 500. The GTO and the A.I. Eleanor is a character from my previous story 'You've Got Another Thing Coming' belonging to Kaname Chidori. Check it out. :D

To screaming phoenix

I wish, I really wish I owned the characters of Sousuke Sagara and Kaname Chidori. They are from the Anime, Manga and novels 'Full Metal Panic' by Shoji Gatoh sensei Both have grown and changed from canon through my previous story, to be introduced here. It's not that they are necessarily the Japanese 'Team Possible'. But more the fact that what they have gone through together has forced Kaname to take on some of Sousuke's aspects. The last couple of years for her have been intense with people trying to capture her to use her for the knowledge buried in her head. Google or Wiki Full Metal Panic for a synopsis.

And, to all of my readers

Some people use a "songfic" and try to force the song into the story. I don't. When I use a particular song/lyrics it's to set/emphasize the scene and tempo. I have the song playing on repeat while I'm writing and try to map the scene around the music. A framework. Like in Chapter 3, beginning when the scene moves to Kim and her confrontation with Josh with the forlorn lyrics of 'My Immortal' sung by the haunting voice of Amy Lee playing. Or we shift to Kaname and Sousuke and they have 'Gimme Shelter' by the Rolling Stones in the car. It's intended that you listen to the song as you read for a more emotive punch. And, I think it works. You tell me. I have one story and a one-shot completed. And, yes, that's a blatant plug. R&R. From now on, I'll have song title and artist so you can find it. Probably on the 'tube. I'll even revise the first three for y'all.

I wanted to get the AN posted to clear up some of the confusion. To make it up to y'all, here's what I have for Chapter 4 as a teaser. Things get interesting now.

Chapter 4 Lancing The Wound

After hearing the assistance request, Ron started getting torqued. His temper had been getting worse and worse ever since the invasion attempt. "Man, do you people have any idea how much I hate it when you do that. I mean, is it too much to ask for some kind of warning or maybe a phone call." Reaching into his cargo pocket he pulled out his cell and started brandishing it like a weapon or talisman. "Look, I have a cell phone, it works. And I'm pretty damn sure if you dial the number, it'll ring. If dialing the number too much like work, ask Wade. He's got it on speed dial. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm kinda busy. I have get the parts store to get a voltage regulator for an '89 Ford Ranger. Where's the exit?"

Ron started heading back to the transport tubes before anyone could stop him, when a quiet, accented, masculine voice said. "Stoppable-san, you will sit down and listen to what the Commander has to say."

Ron stopped in his tracks. Turning just his upper torso to face the voice. "Say what? I don't think I heard you right."

Kim was starting to get worried and so was Dr. Director. Both knew just how dangerous Ron could be. Without thinking about it, Kim moved to support Ron by separating from him to his right and slightly closing the range to Sousuke. Kaname just eased the Taser Sousuke had given her in lieu of her BDA to a more accessible position. She had already picked her target, Ron. Kim she left to Sousuke.

Sousuke never shifted from his 'At Ease' stance and very calmly replied, "I said, you will sit down and listen to what the Commander has to say. Was that clear enough?"

"Dude, I've pretty much given up in doing what people tell me to do. Never got me anything except for being called a loser or buffoon or sidekick." Tilting his head in Kim's direction, he continued, "Ya know, I went all over the world with her. Helping people, stopping bad guys, "saving the world.'" he added with finger quotes. "And through it all, I was generally frightened out of my mind. And ya know what, I got called names like Don Poppable or Rob Stackable, never my own. I mean it's not like it a hard name to remember. Ron. Stoppable. See, it's easy." Gritting his teeth, "But people keep getting it wrong."

"Now, I wasn't doing it for the recognition. I did it because it was the right thing to do. And I promised I'd have her back. But after a while, it gets to ya. And now it's gotten to me. So, like I said, I've pretty much given up in doing what people tell me to do. Now if you'll excuse me."

"My orders do not include your death. You can sit down and be conscious or we shall have to wait for you to regain consciousness."

"Hehehehe, and just how do you propose to make that happen?"

"Easily." Sousuke shifted his stance to the left away from Kaname. Both Ron and Kim were so focused on him they never thought to pay attention to the female to his right. When Ron moved into an aggressive stance, Kaname tased him.

Mystical Monkey Master, Chosen One, Warrior Hero, Partner, these were all things Ron had also been called by very select few people. But he was also a human being. And when a human gets hit with 50,000 volts, they drop. They drop to the ground and twitch.

Which is exactly what Ron did.

"ROOONNNNN." Kim, thinking it was Sousuke that dropped Ron, started to attack. But before she could close to hand to hand range, Sousuke's Glock appeared like magic. She froze, glaring at him through slitted eyes. Looking for an opening.

"This is loaded with rubber bullets, they won't kill, but they will hurt and most likely knock you unconscious." Waving her to a chair at the table, "If you would please take a seat."

"You're awful polite for someone about to get his biscuit kicked." she growled.

"He means something to you? According to the reports I've read, you are no longer together."

"Doesn't matter, we were best friends for twelve years before we were a couple. The fact we're having a rough patch doesn't change things. If I get the chance, I'm soooo gonna give you a serious beat down."

Dr. Director interrupted, "Perhaps, we should tend to Agent Stoppable first, Agent Possible. He will be alright in a few minutes."

When she mentioned Ron, Kim instantly shifted focus, going to the side of the still twitching Ron, pulling his head into her lap, brushing the hair out of his eyes. She absently noted he needed a haircut. It was then what Dr. Director said sank in. "Wait, Agent Stoppable? And me, since when are we a part of GJ."

"Since the first mission you took under our auspices. To protect the two of you on GJ sanctioned missions, you both carry a Reserve status, as does Dr. Load."

Kaname stepped beside Sousuke, sighed and said, "I saw his eyes flash, then you moved. I wish I didn't have to do that. Sousuke, I really hate it when your right about things like this."

**********

Twenty minutes prior they had been waiting in the conference for the return of Dr. Director and the arrival of their assignments when he very quietly asked. "Kaname, considering the actions of Agent Du, what do you think the chances are he did the same to them."

"OOOOOhhhh Noooo, pretty good, I'll bet."

"That would be very bad, Kaname. With his abilities and emotional issues, Stoppable-san could easily be very dangerous. And Possible-san would be right behind him. From the reports, I doubt seriously, they would fight each other in such a situation."

"We need to warn Betty, now."

"I agree, but she said she would return just before they arrived here. But we need to have contingency plans, just in case."

"You are NOT going to shoot him with rubber bullets. You hear me Sousuke."

Grim and miserable was the expression at his next words. "No Kaname, I'm not." he just looked at her.

"NO. HELL NO. I'm not doing it. Anyway, you know I'm not good enough to shoot like that."

He still had that look that said 'I don't like it, but I have to do it.' "I wasn't suggesting a gun Kaname. Besides, you would have to use mine, we don't have the rounds for yours. But you do know how to use a taser.

Kaname was instantly transported to a rainy night on a roof top when she was running for her life, the assassin Yu Lan hot on her heels. Losing the killer for a moment allowed Kaname to set up a trap, baited with her bath robe. The only article of clothing she had left besides her panties. She got the drop on Yu Lan and dropped her with the only weapon she had. A Taser.

"GRRRRrrrr, yes I do"

"We need to make sure he is under control quickly, either his own or externally imposed. But he must be under control. A person suffering from extreme PTSD could become extremely violent with the slightest of provocations. And if, as I suspect, Agent Du has not warned them, things could get very ugly, very fast. As long as she is outside of hand to hand range, I can handle easily Possible-san. But Stoppable-san is another matter."

"I'm sorry, Kaname. But you are the one that will have to be ready. I will try to draw his attention. Just be prepared if I move away from you."

"I don't like this Sousuke."

"Neither do I Kaname, neither do I."

He handed her the Taser, and waited beside her chair. Just as Betty entered, the screen behind them winked to life revealing Wade. "Hi Dr. Director."

"Dr. Load, it's good to see you again."

"Betty, I think…." was as far as she got. Kaname had just started to ask about the warning for Kim and Ron when she heard the tube activate. Closing her eyes and taking a breath, she thought to herself, 'Here we go.' and turned to greet in incoming transport.

Looking down at the figures of Kim and Ron, she added, "I mean, I really hate it."

**********

Ron hit the bottom of the transport tube just as the vision struck. He had seen the Japanese pair in front of him. Kim standing beside him. His justifiable outburst. And the words that followed. The taser hitting and dropping him like a sack of rice.

The vision hit so hard he dropped to the ground. He laid there for a moment trying to clear his head. As his sight cleared he started to see the shapes of people. They resolved into an auburn head with emerald green eyes looking into his. Behind the head, he could see the rest of the group, watching worriedly.

As his mind cleared he started glaring at the couple standing close behind Kim. "You two were going to zap me."

Sousuke looked at Kaname for a second and Kim questioned, "Ron."

"She has a Taser, she was going to use it on me at his orders."

"I see the visions Toshimaru-sama predicted have started, Stoppable-san. Yes, she does have a Taser, and yes either her or myself would have used it."

Dr. Director broke in with a snarl, "Sergeant, you have about 30 seconds to explain yourself."

"First a question, Commander, you said you gave orders for Kaname and I to be informed before pulling us through the transport tubes. Correct?"

With a grim look she answered, "Yes."

"Am I correct in assuming you did the same for them?" he indicated the figures on the floor.

The grim look was replaced by a quizzical one, "Yes, as a matter of fact I did."

"And who did you issue those orders too?"

"DU! But that still doesn't explain what he's talking about."

"I have my orders M'am, from Toshimaru-sama."

Kim had been listening from the floor with a recovering Ron, "ORDERS, you mean someone gave you orders to try and electrocute Ron."

"Stoppable-san is far stronger then almost anyone gives him credit for. You in particular." She felt that like a slap to the face. "You should recover quickly, Stoppable-san."

"Oh, I will, but you dude, you, are going to be in a world of pain when I can get up"

"Fine Stoppable-san, when you recover, if you wish, we can go to the Dojo and beat each other senseless. As long as you refrain from using your powers, I will remain unarmed. But until then you need to listen. Toshimaru-sama told me you 'had a hard head, and I would have to get your attention.' because you can be random. And we don't have time for random."

Kim helped Ron into a chair at the table when Ron glared at Sousuke and asked, "Just who's this Toshimaru-sama you keep babbling about."

"He is the headmaster of the Yamminochi School in northern Honshu, Japan."

"Master Sensei? Alright, you have my attention, and a stay of execution. Talk."

"How are you sleeping?"

Ron grimaced a bit "What. Fine, what's it matter?"

How's your temper, been having trouble controlling your anger? You get irritated much more easily then before don't you?"

"Dude, I don't have any trouble controlling my temper, when people leave me alone." he growled.

Sousuke looked at Kaname and said, "I understand what you mean when you say 'Someone can't lie to save their life' now, Kaname." Sousuke turned his attention back to Ron. Calmly, quietly and yet relentlessly, he started to bore in.. "And your lying, Stoppable-san. Your entire appearance screams sleep depravation. Your getting 3 maybe 4 hour a night. You try to stay awake, but eventually, you doze off. Then the nightmares come. And you see them again. The faces. The victims. Yours or maybe theirs, but you still see them. Sometimes you failed to stop them. You were just an instant too late. And the enemy succeeds. Killing your loved ones." Sousuke never raised his voice.

Cool. Serene. Inexorably Sousuke continued to pound on his fears. Ron was starting to get a frightened look on his face. "Sometimes the visions show you going on a rampage, killing everyone and everything around you. And you can't stop. Not won't, can't." Sousuke moved carefully towards Ron. Almost like approaching a wild animal kneeling in front of him.

"Hhhhhhhow can you know I that" Ron stuttered.

For everyone else, Sousuke had a very neutral expression and tone. But two people could tell the difference. Kaname and Ron. Kaname through long experience could hear it. And Ron could see it in his eyes. Compassion. "Because I've seen them myself. I understand what you are going through. I know."

"NOOO, there's no way you can know. You hear me. NONE!"

Ron was starting to get up to hurt someone, most likely Sousuke, when the Soldier stunned Kim and especially Ron. "I shot and killed my first confirmed enemy Soldier when I was seven." Both were floored. Ron just plopped back into the chair. Kim nearly fell over. "I have been in combat in one form or another since the age of six, when my entire family was murdered on a relief mission to a third world country. My mother, father, younger sister and brother. I can't even remember their faces. I was taken in by the mujahideen. Because I wasn't their countrymen though, I got the worst of the food, if I got any. I usually had to fight the camp dogs for it.

Sousuke paused taking in Ron's horrified face.

"But you, Stoppable-san. Now you have done something that haunts you. You see the faces of your enemies and comrades. And you feel damned if you do and damned if you don't. You constantly tell yourself, 'There was another way, had to be. I didn't have to kill that person.'"

"But till the day you die, you will see the faces. The nightmares never really go away. But with help, you can learn to cope. And accept. Accept the fact that part of your problem is that innocents died as well. Little boys and girls died, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters died, because you didn't act fast enough, and, because you survived. 'Why am I alive and their not? Why God? Can I take their place?' You've asked those questions, repeatedly, haven't you?"

Ron was in tears and getting worse and Kim was getting more upset by the second. "Shut up, leave him alone."

"You face a choice now, Stoppable-san."

"Shut up."

"You can either accept the help that is being offered, by many people, me included."

"Shut UP!"

"And learn to accept the fact, you had no choice, no options, but to defend yourself and others to the fullest of your abilities."

Kim was screaming by now, "SHUT UP!"

"Or reject it, and wallow in your personal hell. And we'll leave and prepare for the day when you rise up and run amok. Because if you keep going the way you have been, in denial, you could easily, very easily become a menace. And if your abilities are a fraction of what Toshimaru-sama described to me, you could become the most dangerous man on the planet. Forcing the rest of us to either kill you or die."

"SHUT THE FUCK UP!"

The only reason Kim hadn't launched herself at Ron's tormenter was because he was clinging to her, wailing like a lost soul. "Oh God, I killed them, Oh my God. What do I do." It was the first time Ron admitted that to anyone.

Including himself.

**********

Wade not knowing what do signed off at the start of Ron's break down. He wasn't idle though. He had a feeling that once things settled, Kim would be calling for ANY information about the dark haired young man that had thrown Ron into a such a tizzy.

He couldn't believe it when he found the equivalent to a military two-oh-one file on a GJ server. It listed all important biographical information. It also listed dates, places, and time spent in Combat. From South America to the Middle East, if there was a hot spot in last 5 years, Sagara had been there. It was through Sousuke's file he found reference to Mithral. The file also referenced another list. This one was on a Mithral server, and it contained shocking information. Sagara's listing of confirmed and probable kills. The number was staggering. More then 75 confirmed and over 140 probable.

He didn't know what he was going to with the information. But he knew he needed to brief Kim, and soon.

**********

It took twenty minutes for Ron to quiet down. He just sat in the chair, Kim beside him trying to support him without saying anything. She wasn't sure what to say or do, but one thing was for sure. For as long as he would let her, she would have his back. And she would start with the young Japanese man with the notable scar.

"You're a piece of work, you know that?" she snarled at Sousuke. "Just who the hell do you think you are? What gives you the right to do that to him?" The anger she felt was getting her up worked again. She was just about to jump over the table at Sousuke when a stern voice said, "Kim, settle down." She was shocked, it was Ron.

Ron had flashed back to the vision. Specifically the part where Sousuke's Glock seemed to teleport into his hand. Looking at him, Ron asked, "Your armed, aren't you."

"Always Stoppable-san."

"You only get one chance with a taser, buddy." Kim interjected.

"Kim, Settle. Down."

"Ron?!"

"Note serious face, Kim. He won't kill you, but he will put you in pain."

"What are you talking about, Ron?"

He answered through gritted teeth. "I'm certainly not talking about a damn taser." Just then, Sousuke gently set his Glock on the table. He also pulled Kaname's BDA and handed it to her. After hours of training, with out thinking, she ejected the magazine, checked the chamber and action, slapped the magazine home and replaced it in the holster in the small of her back.

"Your both carrying a gun?" Kaname started snickering and Kim asked, "What's so funny?"

"I'm carrying a gun, he's carrying an armory."

Kim looked confused until Sousuke started unloading. The Glock was the tip of the iceberg. He pulled grenades, smoke, stun and frags, two more pistols, a tanto style knife, a narrow tube and a packet, a sling and a bag.

Kim just looked at the assortment before her, mouth working, but no sound coming out when she heard Kaname. "No rifle? You packed light this morning."

" I knew we would not be out in the open for most of the morning, and planned accordingly."

"Oh,. OK."

Dr. Director cut in with. "Can we get back to the point of this briefing."

"You knew about this."

"Of course, Miss Possible. I had too, how else could I arrange for their concealed carry licenses."

"What?"

"The Sergeant is here primarily as a bodyguard. Therefore he is authorized to carry lethal ordnance. Miss Chidori is listed as his backup. Any more questions, Miss Possible?"

Glaring at everyone except Ron, "No M'am, not right now." The only reason she didn't glare at him was because she didn't want to alienate him anymore. But she was tweaked with him for snapping at her like he did.

"Good, let's begin." But before she could call the room to order, Ron broke in.

Ron just looked dejectedly at the Soldier that had placed him in such pain. "Why Dude? Why are you here?"

"As I said Stoppable-san. I'm here to help. Toshimaru-sama requested this of me, then thoroughly briefed both Kaname and myself on what to expect from both you and the situation. I am sorry for the pain you had to go through, but it was required. Like lancing an infection before healing can begin. It can hurt, but it's necessary. Truly, I take no pleasure from it."

Kim sat there, nostrils flaring, glaring at the Soldier. "You're pretty ruthless aren't you?"

"Yes Possible-san, I'm also alive."