I do not own Kim Possible, any of the other characters in that series, or those from other media I may reference.
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Back at the North Estate, Kim and Drakken were receiving a tour of the house. To her surprise, the foyer was quite large, circular, and to either side a stairway swept upwards to...a blank ceiling?
"The house was originally begun to the specifications of the original intended occupant, a personage with fleeting fame in the music industry." Roy Lee, the butler, explained, "But he went through an impressive amount of revenue very quickly, and failed to maintain his income due to some questionable choices in his career path! When he defaulted, Mister North stepped in and purchased the property, then decided two floors were enough. That being this floor and the one below it, which actually has most of the sleeping accommodations, oddly enough!" He then pointed out of the large window they were passing, indicating for them to look downwards from it. "As well as access to the swimming pool."
The pool was large enough to host a High School swimming event, and sat in an artificial amphitheater. The house formed one side, then the pool, surrounded by rising ground that rose to a point slightly higher then where they were. There was a pool house to their right in a rather large niche in the rising ground, and someone was currently cleaning the pool.
Kim paid the man little attentions as she studied the layout. "So, guests don't get much of a view from their rooms, if those are the rooms downstairs?" Even as Roy nodded acknowledgement and began to respond, Kim sensed Drakken suddenly becoming very tense. Looking at him, she saw that he in turn was focused on the 'pool boy'.
"That's quite correct, Miss Possible." Roy explained, "Two of the rooms have no windows at all, being at the front, and the remaining four are suites, each with it's own bath, and only overlook the pool area." Then some instinct caused him to look and notice that neither of his audience were paying him any attention at all. Looking at the source of their distraction, he frowned in puzzlement. "Is there some problem with the pool attendant? Mister North actually hired him after he attempted to crash a party held here, but I'm not sure why."
He then noticed something that truly puzzled him. Kim Possible was tapping her heels together, while muttering something under her breath he couldn't make out...
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"Since we have nearly reached our destination, I feel it necessary to confront the proverbial gorilla..." Betty Director calmly remarked, "And ask what exactly are your intentions towards Timothy North, Shego?"
Shego scowled in response, but shrugged. "Not going to kill him, Betts! Or even hit him, I suppose..." She paused briefly, "I did pose for those pics, and it was always in the back of my mind I suppose that his means of 'protecting' them could have a flaw or two! But I admit, when I first heard of it, my first impulse was to handle it my old way, and at least scare the HELL out of him!" Bernie noticed a bead of sweat running down the side of Will Du's face, even though he otherwise appeared quite composed. And she couldn't see what his hands were doing, like checking his 'stopwatch', perhaps?
"But...I suppose I can settle for simply making him a little nervous, so don't tell him that I'm safe, he might do something to trigger a revision in my intent, if you take my meaning?" Betty saw the querulous rising of one of the woman's eyebrows in the rearview mirror and fought down an impulse of her own.
"I do not approve of having a man his age in a state of fear, Miss Black." She stated, noting that the use of Shego's orphanage name caused a very serious expression to appear on the ex-thief's(?) face. "However, I will only reassure him if he asks me directly, that's all I can say." Due to the limits of her field of vision, she didn't notice a grimace appear on Bernie's face. The nurse apparently didn't think it was right to even keep Timothy North 'nervous'.
Betty received another text message, and made no attempt to hide the quite satisfied smile that briefly lit up her face. "Well, that is Mr. Coke taken care of, at least for the moment! He's apparently being officially charged with resisting arrest! Since that was a minor traffic stop, and he wasn't driving, I wonder how he managed that?" Then she looked up and saw the front gate of the North estate around the corner to their right and began to mention it to Shego, but realized that the ex-thief knew where she was going and instead assumed a curious expression.
She checked to see if Shego was using some sort of Satellite Navigation, but the car had it's original dashboard, and Shego's phone was not in evidence. "Did she learn the location on her way here?" She wondered, then took the bull by the horns. "You already knew the way to the North Estate, Shego?" Then she was surprised when Shego started guiltily, then actually blushed.
But before Betty could decide whether to pursue the matter, Bernadette Barr suddenly jolted forward against her seatbelt, with a startled "WHOA!" Everyone's eyes, except Shego's, snapped around, and all but Will Du began to ask the same question, "What happened..." before breaking off practically in sync.
Bernie met first Will's, then Betty's concerned looks, before suddenly focusing on their alien companion, who was pointing his scanning device at her. "I don't know what happened, but all signs of my concussion are just...gone!"
"Shouldn't have happened that quickly." The alien muttered. Then he spoke aloud. "Excuse me, I need to make an inquiry." Almost immediately the discordant sounds indicating communications between their alien and his colleagues began. And then ended. "WHAT is going on, suddenly I'm cut off? That miserable...(What came next was probably not suitable for the alien equivalent of Sunday School).
In the meantime Shego had pulled up to the gate of the North Estate, scowling in frustration about not being able to address the situation in the back seat. She started to honk the horn, but held up as the gate swung smoothly open. Which of course meant she couldn't take a moment of waiting to glare at the alien, who had fallen silent. But she actually stiffened at the tone in which Bernie spoke "I'm waiting". She'd never heard that tone from her friend's mouth, ever, before.
And it apparently made an impression on their alien, as well. "Uh, listen, I'm not sure there is anything actually wrong, though I will admit this sounds...um, suspicious, I guess? I'm afraid the only way to tell is for me to scan you, as I offered before." That produced a grimace of distaste from Bernie.
Both Doctor Director and Shego were now partially distracted by the same thing, though not for the same reason. The 'thing' was the sight of Frederick Lipsky awaiting them at the top of the steps they were approaching, which almost caused Shego to lift her foot from the gas pedal, but she consciously willed herself to show no sign of the mild nervousness the sight of Drakken's Uncle caused her to feel.
Betty was a bit nervous, herself, though she wasn't sure why. She was going to have to tell Frederick about the sudden involvement of JIPCORET in their problems, which he was certainly not going to like. But she also had to find out what her own role was to be in this whole case. Though she was in charge of Global Justice's North American operations, that had been briefly suspended for the course of the tri...hearing involving her former deputy.
As they came to a stop at the foot of the steps, a frustrated Bernie turned away from the alien to take a look at their destination. But her expression changed to one of surprise as she beheld Frederick, and she quickly released her seatbelt and then halted, frustrated as she remembered she was in the back seat of a two-door car and had to wait for someone else to move before she could get out. And Shego did not want to get out of the car in front of Frederick Lipsky.
So Shego was completely bemused when Frederick descended the steps and tried to open the car door for her! It was locked, of course, and Shego couldn't help blushing as she instead lowered the window. "Uh, I-I have to park it, if we're staying here, right?" She pointed towards the garage where one empty bay stood open, wincing inwardly. Frederick acknowledged that with a nod, and was entirely successful at hiding whatever amusement he felt about Shego's discomfiture.
On the opposite side of the car Will Du had popped right out, then pulled the seat forward to allow Doctor Director to emerge, the latter not quite as successful at hiding her amusement. Agent Chamberlain appeared from the direction of the garage, scanning their surroundings as he approached. Which of course Will did as well as he could while trying to get out of Betty's way.
He was therefore somewhat startled to find the alien(He quickly checked the car to make sure it was the same one!) had somehow emerged from the vehicle past Doctor Director, and was now standing quite still, though probably scanning the surroundings. Betty herself promptly moved around the vehicle to speak to Frederick LIpsky.
Bernie had just slid over to the passenger side to get out when Shego put the car in motion, brushing Will's backside with the still-open passenger door. Which produced a significant reaction from the startled agent.
Not seeing this occur prevented Betty from having to decide how she should feel about it, but she did see Frederick frown slightly at something behind her, but turned too late to be sure of what happened, though Will's obvious discomfiture gave her a vague clue. But for the moment, she ignored it to deal with more important business.
"Been quite a day so far, hasn't it, Betty?" Frederick got the first words in. He consulted a tablet-sized device in his hand, "Alpha is secure, though in the same location as his brother, not sure if that's going to be a problem. And we are now mixed up with aliens! And don't need that complication, so I have already notified..." He was interrupted by a three-tone signal from his device, and after reading the data displayed, shook his head. "Speak of the Devil..." He then tapped the screen, and a voice came forth. A somewhat nasal and high-pitched male voice showing obvious displeasure.
"Well, well, Frederick Lipsky! And such a rare occurrence when another agency bothers to inform us that they have crossed into our jurisdiction! The question being, how long did you wait, before you notified us?"
"Hello, Quinton." Frederick replied, completely nonplussed. "First contact was at 12:47 PM, at what point did the notification arrive? You don't believe that I would delay to follow protocol?"
There was a long pause before the reply came in a much calmer tone. "Of course not, Frederick! I just took all the stress I've been under on the matter out on you, for which I apologize. And the alert arrived at 1:12, which I suppose is reasonable."
Betty's eyebrow rose. She'd never heard of Quinton Grade, the head of JIPCORET, ever apologizing! But she couldn't help issuing something of a riposte. "Well, it didn't take you long to get Treyvan Coke on the case, he's certainly made his presence known." She spoke in as neutral a tone as she could manage. There was a much briefer pause this time, and Betty literally stepped back at the response.
"COKE!? What the hell do you mean?" The shout was a bit disconcerting due to it's pitch, which made Betty's ears sting(And caused most of the birds in the immediate area to take flight!). "I wasn't even aware that that-that-HE was even in LA! Is he there with you now?" His tone calmed down marginally as he went along.
"Actually, he might just be...under arrest by the Beverly Hills PD right now." Betty replied a little hesitantly. Fredericks eyebrows rose significantly at that revelation. Then his gaze shifted to something behind Betty, who turned to see Shego, Bernie, and the alien approaching the foot of the steps. And therefore she wasn't entirely sure she heard a dull thump over the tablet's speaker.
"Quinton, hold any response for the moment, some uncleared individuals are approaching within earshot." Frederick warned his caller. Then the trio in question came abreast of them, involved in an ongoing discussion. Shego was the current speaker.
"Listen, Bernie, just go with the runt and let him do his scan, there's no telling what's been done to you! I'll find Doctor D and Kim, let them know what's been going on!" Bernie responded with a look of distaste, but nodded even as she cast a dark look at the alien.
"I myself am not sure what's going on, Miss Barr, I assure you!" The alien whined contritely, "You are already aware that we do not always act in concert, to put it mildly!"
"Fine!" Bernie snapped, "But the AC better not be turned too low, that's all I can say!" Then the trio was past, with the front door swinging open to receive them, Roy giving them a welcoming smile. But when Shego saw his face, she actually missed a step before recovering, and Roy's smile assumed a sly aspect in response as they passed him.
Frederick waited until the door closed, then checked Will's and Chamberlain's positions before speaking. "Clear, Quinton!"
Grade's next words were hardly happy. "Please tell me that voice did not belong to one of those little white-suited bastards! And then please brief me on the situation, If You Please!"
Wincing slightly, Betty did so as soon as Frederick indicated his consent.
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As soon as Bernie and the alien were out of sight, escorted by Roy downstairs to one of the suites, Shego took her time taking in her surroundings. Only a slight grimace flashed across her face as she realized she'd forgotten to ask Roy where Kim and Doctor Drakken were. After reflexively checking out the art hung on the walls(Very tasteful, but not worth much) she studied the furnishings, which were quite high-quality, especially the piano, which had definitely cost a pretty penny.
In the process she reached the big picture window and started to study the view. But her gaze was drawn instantly to Kim and Drew, who stood on the far side of the pool, talking to...the pool boy? Big guy, tank top, cut-offs, sandals, and some serious shades...then Shego's jaw dropped for a moment as her eyes widened comically, before violently shaking her head and heading in the direction of the stairs down.
Navigating her way out was easy, and she sprinted around the pool, surprisingly unnoticed by Kim or Drakken. But 'Pool Boy', aka Motor Ed Lipsky, did see her and stopped talking as he drew himself up and actually smiled in relief. "Hey, She-Babe! Heard you were in town!" Kim and Drew had already started to turn, and the latter gave Shego a wan smile in greeting. Kim, on the other hand, looked past Shego with a worried frown forming on her face.
Shego managed to deliver a greeting to both despite her preoccupation with the entirely unexpected presence of Drew's cousin. "Hey, Doctor D! Don't worry Kimmie, Bernie's had a rough day, and she's getting checked out...by an alien, but that's kind of par for the course today!" Then she turned her attention fully on the not quite six-hundred pound gorilla by the pool, "What the hell are you doing here, Eddie?"
"Explaining why he crashed one of Timothy North's parties, actually." Drakken explained, "You did interrupt him, but perhaps that's for the best, I suspect the story would be tedious to repeat, later!" He smiled at his now obviously nervous cousin. "Edward, you may proceed."
Motor Ed's face contorted into quite a grimace. "Seriously, this is really awk...I was following someone I recognized, he came to the party, I crashed, Mr. North caught me, thinks I'm an aspiring actor, offered me a place to stay...and clean the pool, and that's the whole story!"
"With a significant eclipse over the facts!" Drew snapped, "Now..."
Then Shego cut him off. "Eddie, can we go inside the pool house?" She asked, rather anxiously. Drew frowned at her, but after a moment, Kim's puzzlement turned to alarm, and she looked towards the house, scanning the windows.
Ed shrugged. "Seriously? On a day like this? Sun's still up, it's not too hot..."
"Your Uncle Fred is in the house..." Shego continued for him. Drew gawked, then grimaced at his own absentmindedness.
"Right this way! Got a dozen cold ones in the fridge!" Eddie practically shouted as he hurried as fast as image allowed to the pool house door, which was fortunately unlocked because as fast as he was moving, had it been locked he'd have probably hit it hard enough to unhinge it if it didn't give way to his frantic twist of the knob.
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"And we'll be transporting 'our' alien to wherever you desire, but we need his help to locate his colleague..." Frederick's summation of the situation was cut off abruptly by Grade.
"No, Wait!" Quinton suddenly snapped, "Let me think...listen, I'd like you to keep him with you, but feed us any leads he comes up with regarding the location of the other one! I mean, we know these guys don't represent a biological hazard, so it should be safe enough!"
Taken aback by the whole idea, Frederick's tone became heavily laden with suspicion. "And just why are you suggesting we do something in violation of protocol?"
There was a brief silence, then "Because I need somewhere to sideline that idiot Coke that falls within our own operational parameters! And having him 'monitor' your alien, while being instructed to allow it to assist your investigation, could just be the ticket! I do not want him involved in the hunt for this other alien who is associating with supervillians!" A brief pause, "And I will owe you a favor, Frederick, a big one!"
Frederick and Betty exchanged incredulous looks, then Betty rolled her eye heavenward as Frederick sighed and responded. "All right, Quinton, but it had better be clear: He is not to interfere with our own investigation! And we will keep you fully informed."
"No agreement involving Treyvan Coke is ever simple, but I will do my best to convey his limitations to him, that's all I can promise!"
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Torn between looking for Bernie and hearing Ed's secret, Kim was mainly reassured by Shego's lack of concern for Bernie. A year earlier...but things were very different now! So after accepting a bottled water from Ed, she sat in the only empty chair in the modest house's living room and awaited developments. And Drakken got the ball rolling.
"Now, Cousin Ed, exactly who did you follow to the party? A celebrity you wanted an autograph from?" The mild touch of sarcasm suggested that Drakken didn't think that for a minute.
Ed shook his head rather vigorously before taking a long drink from the beer he was holding. "Nah! This guy's not in show...well, he is in show business, but he's no celebrity, he's an agent!"
Shego, who was also nursing a beer while leaning on a big recliner with a dozen pizza boxes stacked in it, looked at him incredulously. "You're not really thinking of acting, are you?"
Ed shook his head even more vigorously, "No! That kind of gig is not for me, Seriously! No, I knew this guy a real long time ago, when he wasn't an agent!"
"How long ago?" Kim asked, if for no other reason but to do something.
Ed grimaced and sighed. "Last time, when I was eight, and Drew was about two." Kim and Shego's eyes widened, but Drew's narrowed instead, a definite frown appearing to accompany them.
"Who was he, Ed?" It seemed clear that Drew thought he knew the answer, and Shego, who knew him best, was certain that he wanted to be proven wrong.
But Motor Ed Lipsky had a stricken look on his face as he regarded his cousin.
"Your Dad, Drew, Seriously!"
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And that should be the last totally unnecessary plot twist added to this story!
Quinton Grade and JIPCORET first appeared in my 'Four Seasons: Summer' story, though due to the lack of comedic characters(Well, practically!), Treyvan Coke did not.
Please Read and Review.