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KP © Disney. Original characters © author
A/N: In case you haven't heard, the live action Kim Possible movie airs tonight, Friday, 15 February, at 8:00 PM, Eastern Standard Time, on the Disney Channel.
Chapter 40: Something Sick and Wrong Comes This Way
I.
Will Du and Kim Possible were flying back to the Llenrock campus in Upstate New York in what would be described by the missing Ron Stoppable as a 'secretly borrowed' GJ hypersonic hoverjet; the Global Justice quartermaster, when learning of what had happened, called it 'stolen' but would eventually be instructed by Doctor Director to describe it in his logs as 'misplaced.'
While the duo could have returned to New York faster via the security organization's Tube network, they anticipated needing the aircraft for their planned rescue of Ron.
After flying in silence for some time, Kim finally spoke up, asking, "Okay, what's the sitch, Will?"
"By 'sitch'," the exceedingly confident agent replied, "I presume you are referring to my volunteering to assist you on this unauthorized jaunt to retrieve your sidekick."
Kim's belligerent scowl was complemented by her cocked eyebrow, which made clear she wasn't in the mood for Will Du's attitude. "This is so not a 'jaunt' and I told you Ron is so much more than my sidekick."
Will sighed. "My apologies," he said. "Miss Possible, surely you are aware that I do not approve of your hobby …"
Kim expression was neutral but she was clenching her fists. She'd told herself that she had put up with Bonnie Rockwaller for years and so she could now put up with Will, as hard as that might be. The mission, and Ron's safety, was her priority.
"… However, it may surprise you to know that you, and Mr. Stoppable, have earned my grudging respect. For amateurs, you have acquitted yourselves well."
Kim now rolled her eyes. "Thank you. I think."
Will now looked genuinely surprised. "I am merely stating fact. Neither you nor the members of your team have had the benefit of Global Justice training. Yet, as Doctor Director has recognized, you have achieved results against seasoned villains. That is to be commended."
Now it was Kim's turn to be surprised. "Did you just compliment us?"
"I believe I did."
"Thanks," she replied.
"You are welcome," Will answered. "Four years have passed since the incident with Doctor Green. It may surprise you to know that in that time I have gained new perspective on what is important for fieldwork."
"So even though Ron and I are not part of GJ, you're okay with what we do?"
"Yes, though I have reservations about your procedures. And I still think the two of you should be brought in for evaluation after your capture and exposure to the Lorwardians."
"This whole sitch isn't some kind of setup, is it? 'Cause you will so regret it if it is."
Will then actually smiled. "No, Kimberly. This is not a setup. And there is something more important at stake here."
"Oh?" a surprised Kim asked.
"Yes. Someone, apparently in the military, compromised GJ and they will pay for their impertinence."
Kim saw the predatory look on Will's face and smirked. "So, payback's the sitch?"
Will nodded. "Indeed, it is."
II.
Samantha Sneed smiled at the camera as spoke with Hedda Lyne. "Kim Possible is a showboat who was scheming to take control of the cheer squad from the moment she arrived on campus."
"That's quite a charge, Miss Sneed," Hedda replied. "Why would she do that?"
Sam snorted. "An overinflated ego. Miss I Can Do Anything. Puh-leeze," she said with a wave of the hand. "More like I Can Do Anyone."
Hedda's eyebrows shot up. "Are you suggesting the rumors are true? That she is a party girl?"
"You saw the pictures of her stumbling around. She was probably so tanked that she couldn't remember who she'd spent the night with."
"And what of her supposed boyfriend, Don Toppable?"
"That dork from her high school? Yeah, right, like I or anyone else believes she's going with that guy. You know," she said conspiratorially, "I heard she was throwing herself at someone here."
"Oh?" Hedda said, pleased that this interview was turning out to be far better than she had hoped for.
"Yeah, Troy Bell, you know, the Senator's son?"
III.
"I'll see you and raise you five," Scamper thought.
"Okay, I'm in," Bitey added.
"Man, this is too rich for the Ronman," Ron sighed. "I fold."
The three were playing poker in their suspension tubes, Scamper having caused simulacra of playing cards and chips to materialize, which allowed them to play unimpeded even though they were each confined.
Bitey looked at Ron. "I know this is going to sound stupid, but are you okay?"
Ron looked away from his new friends and sighed again. "Yeah, I guess. I just can't wait to see KP. And, uh, I'm having flashbacks to a card game at the Bermuda Triangle."
Scamper arched an eyebrow or at least mimicked the action. "I may possess what by most standards is a truly superior intelligence but that last part is beyond even me. The first part, though? Hold tight, you'll see your mate soon enough."
Ron's eyes opened wide. "M-mate?" He knew he wanted to be with her for the long term but hearing her described in such terms …
"Isn't this Kim Possible the one for whom you are feeling intense amorous emotions?"
Ron blushed. "You guys read minds too?"
It was Bitey's turn to make a face. "Well, yes, we can, but in this instance we haven't."
"Then how?"
"It's written on your face. You're like an open book …"
Ron groaned, then did a face palm as his alien confrere continued, "… Which is one of the reasons we like playing cards with you!"
IV.
Yori looked down at her registration materials, then the campus map she was handed. "We don't have many people entering this late in the term, but I'm sure you'll do well and soon feel right at home," the secretary said.
"Domo," she replied, before adding, "I am looking forward to my time here. Perhaps you might tell me in which dormitory Kim Possible is staying? We are old acquaintances."
The woman entered some information into her computer, then smiled. "She's actually in your building, Schooley Hall, Room 301. That's actually on your floor!"
"Again, domo," Yori said before offering a slight bow. She then turned, and left the Administration Building, to head to her new room.
Truth be told, she still wasn't sure about enrolling at the college, but Sensei was increasingly worried about Monkey Fist's return. While she thought her skills would be best employed seeking out and defeating the mad disciple of the Yono, her teacher disagreed, not out of any lack of faith in her abilities, but because he thought so highly of her. As a result, she was enrolling at Llenrock, where she would be able to be near Ron Stoppable and Kim Possible when Monkey Fist inevitably struck.
V.
Fern was in a foul mood.
She had not enjoyed her run in with that reporter, and while she wanted to warn her roommate Kim, she had to take an astronomy exam, which had been harder than expected – whoever said that the course was like "Rock for Jocks" but with stars clearly hadn't studied with Professor Wardle, who was challenging his students with discussions about Space-Time Theory, Quantum Mechanics, Travel Between the Multiverse, not to mention rambling about how ripped he was that Pluto was no longer considered a full-fledged planet.
Now feeling somewhat cross, she entered her dorm and made her way to her room. When she got there the door was wide open and she was in for a surprise.
"Hey, Frosh," said the visitor sitting on Kim's bed, whom Fern immediately recognized.
"Shego?"
"You got it in one, Kid. The Princess tell you about me?" she asked with a grin. She crossed, and then uncrossed her legs, before stretching them out.
"No, my brothers," Fern replied. "What do you want?"
"What do you think? I was looking for Kimmie," Shego answered.
"She's not here," Fern said, her arms crossed and her impatience mounting. She wondered why the one-time villain was here, dressed not in her trademark jumpsuit, but a black jeans and ankle boots and an emerald green top, topped off by an onyx leather jacket.
"Then I guess I'll just have to wait for her," she said before she picked up her magazine which she began to leaf through.
VI.
Martin Smarty was used to getting what he wanted. What he wanted was Ron Stoppable back on the payroll.
The mogul was determined to get Ron back at Smarty Mart, even if meant finding a way to work around his save-the-world hobby and his collegiate career.
But first he'd need to make his pitch. Which was why his private hoverjet was landing on the Llenrock athletic fields.
The plane touched down. Being a busy mogul, he was adept at multitasking, so as he went in search of his protégé, he dialed a number into his mobile phone, then without missing a beat demanded to know what was going on with the wildebeest supplier …
VII.
Senator Troy Bell strode down the corridor, trailing aides and reporters in his wake. Though he never showed it, the tall, bluff man enjoyed being the center of attention.
He ignored the shouted calls from the assorted journalists and entered the committee room. As he shook hands with his colleagues, he couldn't help but think that his boy had done him proud in the taped interview he'd just been shown. The kid could tell a lie with panache.
Bell was confident that when the piece with Lynn Accurate aired, he could make sure the talk would be all about Kim Possible's morals and, more to the point, unsupervised freelancing work — which he would then tie to the White House and Lyle Lott, whose job he very much wanted.
To Be Continued …