Kim Possible Porn Story: His Honor The Mayor Drew Lipsky Chapter 24

Disclaimer: I do not own Kim Possible, any of the other characters from that show, or those from any other media I may reference in my stories.

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High above the Atlantic Ocean a private jet flew northwestwards towards it’s destination in the United States. It had super-efficient engines that might have made it a target for some oil companies if they found out how little fuel it expended on the flight from Capetown, South Africa to Middleton, Colorado. The engines were mostly the brainchild of one Wade Load, with a healthy assist from Felix Renton, which was why the service that operated them were more than willing to make one available to the plane’s current passengers whenever it was feasible.

Kim and Ron snuggled together on a bench seat in the main cabin, both happily exhausted. And a bit more. Kim wrinkled her nose, then twisted her head enough to look Ron in the face. Sorry I’m a bit stinky, Ron.

Ron rolled his eyes. Kim, you just beat up six grown men in desert heat! You’d have to expect a little ‘stinkiness’! I only had to deal with two guys, in an air-conditioned shelter!

Kim grinned. An inflatable, air-conditioned shelter, you mean! She teased him.

Yeah, yeah, waiting for the guy to draw that hidden knife just so I could see the look on his face when I kicked it out of his hand was a bad idea, I know! Still, I did get to beat the main bad guy this time, so that makes up for it, kinda.

Kim snorted. Yeah, a ‘Big Game’ hunter who takes a gun bearer and six beaters to hunt a rabbit? She commented derisively, then switched to a melodramatic tone, Oh, where’s Monkeyfist or Dementor when you need validation that you are, indeed, a ‘world-saving teen heroine’. She raised her forearm across her forehead as she delivered the line with great angst.

Shoulda capitalized the the last four words, KP. Ron replied, then switched to a snooty tone, And it was a ‘Riverine Rabbit’, or Bushman’s Hare, an endangered species that he was stalking. As to all the firepower, ‘one never knows what a wily beast is capable of on it’s own turf!’. That’s a direct quote, delivered while you were outside beating the beaters.

Kim groaned. I knew that was coming, in one form or another! And I suppose Wade will have to hit me with his own version sooner or later! I mean, can’t you show the poor recovering heroine some mercy?

Six grown men, thoroughly subdued, need I say anything more regarding the ‘poor recovering heroine’ bit? Ron responded with a grin. Feel good?

Kim considered the question for a moment. Well, I feel good about being back in shape. But the violence doesn’t feel the same. I mean, I used to get a rush from the fighting, but this time, I didn’t allow it. I didn’t consciously suppress it, it’s just that I did it all methodically, kind of. She shook her head, Enough! No more introspection! I just want to get some sleep before we get home, that work for you?

Ron nodded contentedly. Works for me, KP. He looked towards the door to the aft cabin, then waggled his eyebrows. Want to try out the bed, mon KP?

Kim thumped him in the ribs as she stood up, but with a smile. That was funny the first six times, Ron, somewhat annoying the next six, then… Ron stopped her by raising both hands and bowing his head. I give, I give! Running a good thing into the ground is a character flaw of mine, as you well know!

Kim took him by the chin and lifted his head, then kissed him lightly. I love your flaws, Ron Stoppable! Then she grinned mischievously, Well, most of them, anyway! Then she turned and strolled towards the rear cabin, consciously or not putting a very interesting sway to her hips. But Ron knew from experience it might be a sign of fatigue. He started after her.

Oh, KP? Know what the guy said when I asked if he knew the rabbits were endangered? He said, ‘Of course I know, you fool! That’s why I’m getting my trophy now, before there are none left!’ Ron shook his head, Sometimes real-life villains are even more pathetic then the ones I make up!

Once in the rear cabin, the pair undressed down to their underwear, then climbed into the queen size bed, and snuggled together. If the guys at school knew how many times I’ve been with you like this, and never done more then kiss you, they’d think I was nuts, or gay.

Kim smiled, this wasn’t the first time that observation had been made, either. And her response was the same. If the ‘guys’ found out we’d been together like this at all, their opinions of you would be the least of your concerns! She said with mock severity.

Oh, yeah, right. Ron responded, Since guys can’t keep a secret any better then girls, the story would get around, and to your dad, and…I forget what he said the last time he warned me. Something about…never mind!

Curiosity lost out to fatigue. You know he’d never really do any permanent harm to you, Ron. Kim replied through a yawn. No reply came, and she saw that Ron had already dropped off. That’s my Ron! She laid her head on his chest and dropped off herself.

After a few minutes, a faint smile appeared on Ron’s face. Moment’s later, Kim twitched and began to scowl. Then her eyes popped open and she sat up abruptly, and directed a sleepy glare at her boyfriend. How can boys like that sort of thing? She muttered. Throwing off the covers, she went back into the main cabin, and located her pack. Opening one of the smaller side pockets, she withdrew a small blue device shaped somewhat like a cellphone. She opened it up and stared at it briefly, studying the two rows of three buttons each running down it’s center. Then she pushed three of them in sequence, folded it back up, and returned it to her pack. Yawning mightily, she went back to the rear cabin and got back into bed, again snuggling close to Ron.

About ten minutes later, she began to perspire noticeably. She jerked away from Ron and curled up on her side facing away from him. Her head, then her feet jerked spasmodically, and she muttered in her sleep. Ron remained oblivious, a large smile now plastered across his sleeping face. Then Kim suddenly flung herself clean out of the bed, and woke up crouched on all fours, looking around frantically for a moment. Then she closed her eyes and relaxed, dropping down and pressing her forehead into the carpeting.

After a couple of minutes, she sat back on her haunches, looking at Ron, still sound asleep. Still the heavy sleeper! Even Sensei couldn’t break him of that, and he tried real hard, according to Ron. A fond smile crossed her face, but then she looked at the cabin door, and considered…then she shook her head, and crawled back into the bed. After drifting off to sleep, it was nearly forty minutes before another nightmare came to her…

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Listen, it’s a simple question, would you like to get away from the snow and ice of Middleton for a couple of days during the holidays? Shego sounded more then a bit exasperated over the connection. Bernie hoped the door was really as soundproof as she hoped, since she had the speaker phone on as she did inventory of the supplies in the nurse’s office. More allergy kits, check! She muttered before replying to Shego aloud, Is there a reason for the sudden invitation? Because I am required to spend Christmas and, pray for me, New Year’s with the family.

Doy! Listen, Doctor D gave me some news I need to think over, and I think better in a nice, warm climate! And I’m talking between the holidays, I have to run the Christmas Party in Go City, and don’t intend to miss New Year’s if I can help it! Bernie could practically hear the smirk accompanying the last part.

Voice laden with suspicion, Bernie asked, Did you set something up to get Kim to the party? A party full of villains?

Aw, I just have to make sure Kimmie sees Junior done up as the New Year! The sight of him in a diaper is one she’ll never get out of her brain! Shego paused, What are you doing now, that requires putting me on speaker?

Inventory. And didn’t Kim see Junior in a speedo once? Bernie noted the need for more eye wash solution.

So not the same thing! And didn’t you just do inventory?

Yeah, but we had a small lab accident here, and some of my supplies were depleted.

There was a thoughtful pause before Shego asked, This may be an obvious conclusion, but were the Possible twins involved?

Bernie made a face. Yeah, but it wasn’t all their fault. Mister Gonzalez, the new science teacher, brought some homemade soup to school, in a flask that looked just like the one Tim and Jim had their rocket fuel in. Let’s just say their ignition system did not interact well with jalapeos, and leave it at that, shall we?

Dead silence followed for a moment, before Shego replied, Better then finding out how the teacher’s stomach acid interacted with rocket fuel! And you have reservations about getting out of this town for a couple of days?

Bernie’s response was preceded by a deep sigh. Are you going to share this news that Doctor D gave you?

Shego hesitated significantly before replying. I might, I’m not sure I want to share. But yeah, maybe I will.

Bernie thought it over for a minute, then nodded, even aware that Shego couldn’t see it. All right, but my wardrobe is probably way out of date, not sure what to pack.

Hell, that’s not a problem! Shego paused, and Bernie heard the smirk return, IN fact, since neither of us is broke, let’s do this: No luggage, we go in what we’re wearing, and buy what we need there, everything appropriate for the locale.

Now Bernie sincerely wished she could see the thief’s expression. Her own eyebrows had risen, a wary look appearing on her own visage. Everything? Well, clothes, maybe, but other things?

Okay, okay, a small bag for that kind of stuff…actually, I’d need something too, good point! But, are you agreeing to come? One thing Bernie definitely noticed is Shego wasn’t hiding her hope that Bernie would accept. After a moment’s hesitation, she replied, Okay, for two or three days, between the holidays. But where are we going?

That’s my secret, you’ll know when we get there. Shego replied. Bernie rolled her eyes. How did I know…

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In retrospect I feel I am to blame for not warning Mister Gonzalez about the Possible twins, nor questioning his request to take the class out of doors for a ‘little fresh air and applied science.’ Steve Barkin stood at parade rest in front of Drakken’s desk in the Mayor’s office, though the man in question was actually at the windows looking out at sunlight reflecting off the snow, the first sign of such light in four days.

Drakken sighed quietly and turned around. Well, the good news is we won’t have to clear snow from that side of the building, and the fumes that leaked into the basement have dealt with the vermin problems, at least until spring. The building engineer’s HAZMAT suit is still under warranty, I trust? The scientist, showing a good deal of blue in his complexion due to a lack of recent direct sunlight, idly studied a stack of papers on his desk.

It certainly is, I ascertained that fact, personally! Barkin replied, and Drakken had trouble hiding his shock that his quip had been taken so literally. Then Barkin shifted topics. I’m sorry to keep the post of School Superintendent vacant, Mister Mayor, but I didn’t feel right about vacating my current position in mid year, I promise that as soon as graduation is over, I will occupy the office. He fidgeted nervously before adding, If you intend to keep the opening that long?

Drakken nodded emphatically. Yes, yes, the job will be yours, Steven. Jean is filling in nicely when she can. At the moment, though, school matters are a serious concern here, which makes them the focus of a great deal of my own efforts, hence this meeting today.

Barkin nodded, then showed all the signs of beginning a long dissertation. But he was prevented from doing so by the buzz of Drakken’s intercom. Drakken pressed a key. Yes?

Everyone is assembled in the conference room, Mister Mayor. Came his secretary’s voice.

Very well. Drakken replied, then gestured for Steve Barkin to precede him through the door into the conference room. This time, the room was quite crowded. Frugal Lucre was there, as well as Jean Stoppable. Next to them sat the Mayors of Upperton and Lowerton, as well as the Superintendents of both cities’ school districts. Another man who seemed to be a stranger to almost everyone sat next to Drakken’s seat. Lastly, and surprisingly, Joe Geary and Bennett Rockwaller sat at the table, both looking fidgety and distracted.

Drakken took his seat, while Barkin stood at parade rest near the door to the hallway. Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for all coming here today. Drakken began, I’ll get straight to the point. We’re here to discuss the re-merging of the Upperton, Middleton, and Lowerton school districts into a single entity again, the Tri-Cities district. Only Geary and Rockwaller seemed truly surprised by the announcement, then both scowled suspiciously. Drew did note a slight smirk of satisfaction from Greer, the Upperton school Superintendent. And that’s no surprise, I wonder how quickly I can erase that? Mustn’t rush things, though.

Herbert Fenwise, Mayor of Upperton, responded first. Well, can’t say that’s a great surprise, considering who you invited, Mayor Lipsky. He rather pointedly glanced at the stranger, clearly expecting his presence to be explained.

Oh, I didn’t expect to surprise anyone at all. The only person who probably is surprised is only surprised because I’m the only candidate he didn’t prime to make this suggestion. Greer’s smirk vanished. I would venture to suggest that both my erstwhile opponents, Drew nodded towards Geary and Rockwaller, As well as those involved in the Lowerton elections, He now indicated Amanda Tweets, the new Mayor of Lowerton, All received their inspirations for this notion from friends or business acquaintances who live or work in Upperton.

Well… Bennett Rockwaller hesitantly, before meeting Joe Geary’s suspicious expression, at which point his voice firmed up, Yes, as a matter of fact, it was a colleague of mine who lives there who mentioned it while we were lunching. Geary nodded while fixing his stare on Mayor Fenwise, who seemed puzzled. Tweets also nodded in agreement.

I thought as much! But before discussing the reason that’s relevant, let’s discuss the reasons why this move would be fiscally sound. According to my financial advisor, He nodded to Lucre, who practically preened, The current setup is financially inefficient in each district. Fenwise cleared his throat noisily, but Drakken ignored him, And with budget cutbacks, all three districts may have to drop some services. Most importantly, all three may have to discontinue summer school altogether. Inadequate numbers of student proportionate to the costs involved is one problem, I believe. However, if we pool our resources there, we can operate a summer school system sufficient for the students’ needs that is financially sound.

I’m not at all sure that that reasoning applies to Upperton at all, Fenwise interjected, becoming frustrated at being ignored, We do have some special resources of our own, you know! He then indicated Lucre, Not to mention the nature of your ‘advice’. He added rudely. Then he pointed at the stranger. And just who, may I ask, is that?

Oh, pardon my manners! Drakken replied with a touch of humor, Let me introduce Mister John Olson, from the State Attorney General’s office. That surprised everyone but Jean Stoppable and Lucre, but even he fidgeted nervously at the announcement. Superintendent Greer began to look extremely nervous.

Somewhat unsettled by the response to his question, it took a moment before Fenwise could stammer out, Aand wwhat is the purpose of his presence?

Well, I didn’t want to barge ahead to that point, but if you insist. Drakken made a show of moving some papers from the stack in front of him to one side. It’s about those ‘special resources’ of yours, actually. The visible discomfort level in both Upperton representatives increased noticeably. You see, those resources were the primary reason for the original dissolution of the Tri-Cities District. And if there have been any attempts to re-form it since, they were probably the greatest sticking point.

Fenwise nodded, ‘Yyes, Gunnar Johansen specifically declared that he wished those funds to be used only on schools in the Upperton area. We receive an annual stipend from the Johansen Trust, to use accordingly.

Drakken nodded. He pretended to refer to his notes. Yes, I understood that. But tell me, are you authorized to invest funds from the trust itself? Greer started, and looked nervously around, Or borrow against the funds in advance? Fenwise developed a stutter in his left eye, Or, without informing the Upperton City Council or other interested parties, begin accepting monies from a foreign source to make up for sudden deficiencies? Both men’s antiperspirants gave up the ghost at this point, and Mayors Tweets wrinkled her nose.

Drakken continued in a mild tone. Now, this occurred basically because the left hand.. he indicated Greer, And the right hand.. Fenwise, Didn’t know what the other was doing. The left hand was investing, with a company called ‘Perwheel Investments Group’, the latest collaboration between one Vincent Wheeler and a poor fool named Hank Perkins. And I strongly suspect the former already has a pre-booked flight to Costa Rica, if he’s not already there. And I do hope poor Hank can offer some suggestions for prison reform, or finds some other way to make himself useful after he takes the fall.

He now leaned back and folded his hands across his chest. Meanwhile, the right hand was doing the borrowing, basing his figures on the full amount of the trust’s funds, and the interest it was expected to accumulate, based on optimistic economic forecasts. He paused for effect, Which did not, unfortunately, prove accurate. Both Upperton men now seemed completely subdued, but cast uneasy glances at Olson. As a result, though there are substantial funds remaining in the trust, they are owed to various financial institutions, and then some. Rather then admit to this, Mayor Fenwise and Superintendent Greer accepted an offer for outside financial assistance, and failed to properly inform the proper authorities of certain aspects of that arrangement. Hence, the presence of Mister Olson, who has been undertaking an investigation into any possible illegalities for the last few weeks, and wishes to talk to both of you gentlemen privately when we are done.

Few…weeks?! Fenwise spluttered out.

Drew nodded enthusiastically. Oh, yes! I became curious as soon as I heard of the Johansen Trust, since I had already begun a study of Middleton’s financial profile, and noticed the fact that the school system was losing money, and not just because funds were being unwisely spent. Though Drakken wasn’t looking at him, Joe Geary flinched at that. And after noting some discrepancies, I did ask Mrs Stoppable to inform the Attorney General, to see if they might be interested. He paused, seeming reluctant to add, And they notified other agencies, such as the IRS… Greer’s eyes rolled up in his head, and he face-planted on the table top. Ah, I thought that might be distressing! Steven, will you ask Mrs Load to step in?

About an hour later, Drakken and Jean Stoppable walked with the Lowerton representatives towards the City Hall entrance. Mayor Tweets had her lips pursed, slowly shaking her head as they walked. When they reached the front doors, she looked at Drakken, hesitated a moment, then spoke. I can’t see any opposition to your proposal, Mayor Lipsky. The Lowerton Superintendent nodded in agreement. However under the circumstances, you may have greatly delayed Upperton’s acceptance! No one even serious opposed Fenwick in their election, and they have no Deputy Mayor up there. So there’s no one to speak for Upperton if those two are arrested.

Drakken nodded gravely. Yes, I’m aware of that, but in this case, justice needed to be served before any further discussions were undertaken. Well, we’ll have to make the best of it! We’ll see what happens, and plan accordingly. As long as I’m assured of your agreement, I’ll proceed on the assumption that the districts will be reunited, and inform the State authorities. Tweets smiled and nodded, still slightly uneasy, then said her goodbyes and left.

Jean Stoppable regarded Drakken with one eyebrow raised. Well, you didn’t tell me everything in advance, did you? I suppose I’ll have to get used to that, won’t I? And bye the bye, what if someone suspects you were involved in swindling the Trust, due to your previous relationship with Hank Perkins?

Drakken waved his hand dismissively. I never dealt in financial crime, Jean, and that ‘relationship’ was tenuous at best! And truthfully, those two were easy marks, no challenge, which would have made such a swindle far too boring for me! He smirked, Even Kimberly wouldn’t have thought of me in such a role! Kind of a let-down, too, to go from saving the world to stopping a common embezzler, or swindler! And as to ‘putting up with it’, that won’t be for too long either, I suspect.

Jean’s curiosity was even more piqued by his choice of words. Suspect? That’s not sounding very certain.

Drakken’s smirk widened into a smile. Sorry, old habit, not letting nice people in on my plans! Then he paused and shrugged, But admittedly I haven’t any definite date in mind as yet, that’s another thing we’ll just have to wait and see about.

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Ironically, it was Drakken and Kim Possible that were responsible for the technology falling into our hands. the man sitting at the table fidgeted as he stared into Doctor Director’s one-eyed glare. He stared at her rather then at the impassive gaze of the third person in the room, Frederick Isidor Lipsky, Inspector General for Global Justice. Somehow that emotionless gaze was far more unnerving then the obvious anger in Betty Director’s.

Drakken had the file stolen when he heard it contained projects that Professor Bortell had shelved in incomplete form. We actually heard he just wanted them to see if he could finish them, even if he had no use for any of them. And Kim Possible recovered them, but only after Drakken had cracked the encryption. And not wanting to return them herself, Kim gave them over to us to return. So, we had a chance to see what they were, and two of the three projects intrigued the Deputy Director. Betty’s jaw tightened marginally at the mention of her former subordinate.

The former GJ technician looked down at his hands before continuing, The first was a development of Bortell’s emotion suppression chip, which he shelved after reading Ron Stoppable’s story, in favor of trying to make a real, working, ‘Moodulator’. The new version was more subtle, and was meant to prevent emotional ‘peaks’ that could affect judgment in stressful situations. And as, the Deputy Director said, what better test subject then a teenage girl? He looked up briefly as if willing the others to acknowledge their understanding that it was not his decision, but quickly dropped his eyes again.

The second project involved trying to create a memory ‘cache’ within a human mind. Basically, all memories would be stored as they occurred, with the possibility of deleting them available to another person by remote control. Originally, Bortell wanted the memories to ‘flow’ through the cache, but had to settle for them being stored in such a way that the conscious mind could still access them, and having a periodic point where the memories would be ‘dumped’ into the subject’s permanent memory, or deleted. The default command was of course ‘dump’. He frowned. The problem was no one ever checked them for compatibility with each other if both were installed in the same brain.

He nearly wet himself, and certainly jumped, when Betty slammed her hand down on the table. Wrong! She snapped angrily, The problem was you put both of them in the head of a teenage girl without her consent or knowledge! Now, can you tell me exactly where I was at the time?

GeGeneva, Ma’am! You were filling in for, and supposedly auditioning to replace, the Director of Operations. The Deputy Director actually though you weren’t coming back at all! If you’d been another day, he might have started re-decorating your office! He paused, then resumed his narrative. As to what went wrong, basically the emotion program has a strange reaction to a complete emotional shutdown. Not enough data to analyze exactly what, though, from just two incidents. Anyway…

Just a moment. Frederick Lipsky interrupted, Who was your first subject?

The technician swallowed nervously. Well, I did say that it was ironic that Drakken and Miss Possible were responsible! The first subject was Drakken.

Yyou experimented on a prisoner in custody?! Betty clenched her fists as she spluttered, A prisoner in custody in my facility?

The subject of her ire looked as if he wanted to dive under the table. II was just… He clamped his mouth shut, hard, rather then finish an excuse that would likely have only made things much worse. Instead, he took refuge in the truth. What apparently happened is that the Emotion program interacted with the memory program in such a way that after the next scheduled decision point, it changed the default command to ‘delete’. The memory cache also began to ‘leak’ little bits of memory into the permanent memory, rather then catch them.

“In the first case, Drakken was subjected to an immediate ‘delete’ command. Then his memory continued to delete at six-hour intervals. In Kim’s case, though, her memory was dumped at the next point after the program failure, after which deletions began to occur. We suspected as much, but couldn’t get hold of her to try and turn the program off, as we eventually did with Drakken.

Eventually? The very mildness of Lipsky’s question made the technician’s bowels clench.

Well, we didn’t know at first that anything was wrong! And when we did, we tried to fix things, but nothing worked! So, we finally triggered the self-destruct protocol for both programs! Which is completely harmless to the host, of course! Seeing no relaxation of his interrogator’s hostile glares(as he interpreted Frederick Lipsky’s actually blank look), he plunged on. The British Ambassador’s wife protected Kim like she was her own child! Even caught the team leader in a lie when he tried to claim we had Mrs Possible’s consent to take her daughter home immediately, only to find out the ambassador’s wife had already called Kim’s mom! Then she insisted on checking our credentials, and we had to back off. But we finally got Kim, and fixed things on the flight home. Or rather, self-destructed the programs!

Why did you even consider my nephew a suitable candidate for your tests? Frederick Lipsky asked.

Somewhat unsettled by the reminder of the IG’s relationship to Drakken, the technician stammered out his reply. Nnot mme, Sir!, The Deputy Director! And it’s because your nephew is known to be so excitable! We figured if the emotion program could keep him relatively calm… He paused, But we couldn’t set him off! We tried to prick his ego, ridiculed him, everything, and he just sat there, smirking most of the time!

How did you set him off, then? Betty asked, scowling.

The technician looked downwards again. We–we lied to him. At one session, we told him…we informed him that his mother had died in an accident, in as realistic a manner as possible. And he believed it. Fortunately for the man’s continence, he didn’t see the twitch of Frederick Lipsky’s eye as he said this. Of course, he has no memory of it, we deleted it.

Betty left the room first. Emerging from the adjacent room, from which they could monitor the interrogation, were a short elderly woman and a tall blond man.

The woman looked at Betty and addressed her in an English accent. Well, that whole tale was as enlightening as it was disturbing. My sympathies, it’s always hard to find such things going on in one’s own patch.

Thank You. Betty replied with a nod, So, what part of that didn’t surprise you?

Ah! Well, we knew of course that something was affecting Miss Possible’s memory once she was at the Ambassador’s residence. Or at least, the first time the ‘delete’ command occurred. Then after further deletions, we saw the pattern. The trio began to stroll down the hall. They were in GJ’s Geneva base. At first, we intended to fly her to a hospital of our own, hoping to discover the problem, and try and cure it. But our experts cautioned that some possibility existed that permanent damage might be occurring.

Her companion took up the narrative. At which point I made a judgment call. I made an assumption that whatever was wrong might account for your people’s anxiety regarding Miss Possible, and that they might have a way to help her. So, we turned her over to them.

Betty had flinched at ‘your people’, but now she nodded. You made the right choice, I’m very grateful that the consequences for her weren’t any worse then they have been. She paused, shaking her head. That poor girl has had more stuff running though her head lately…I suppose I’ll have to increase the watch on Cyrus Bortell, in case he takes up these projects again.

The woman nodded. And Herman Bortell as well. She added.

Betty’s eyebrow rose. Herman? So far, he’s only produced a bit of nanotechnological nuisance!

True, but he’s also received a scholarship offer from a University in Japan. And besides, have you considered what might happen if a cloud of Nanomoths was unleashed during a session of Congress? She added with a hint of amusement.

Or the House of Commons? Betty returned.

Touche.The woman responded. Behind her, her companion commented, The House of Lords, on the other hand, could use some lightening up! The woman turned and gave him a stern look, but the corners of her mouth twitched as she did. Then she looked at Betty. Doctor Director, always a pleasure to see you, even under circumstances such as these.

And you. Betty replied, then watched them enter the elevator. Then a scowl crossed her face, and she returned to the interrogation room. Frederick Lipsky hadn’t moved, but the technician now had his knees pressed together, and might have been actually shaking. Frederick looked up curiously as Betty entered, but she addressed the tech. Tell me, what was the third project on Cyrus Bortell’s file?

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And that’s the whole story, Nana. Kim finished telling her grandmother what had happened to her on the fateful mission. The two were trudging along the sidewalk on a street near the Possible residence. Kim held an armload of fliers, announcing the time and date when the Possible Christmas lights would be lit, posting them around the neighborhood to give their neighbors fair warning. Now Kim anxiously awaited the elder Possible’s reaction to the tale.

Nana didn’t respond, and Kim saw she was deep in thought. She then noticed a woman she knew, Mrs Pottsley, getting out of her car, which she had just started to warm the engine up. Mrs Pottsley saw Kim as well, and smiled in greeting. Hello Kim, what brings you out in this weather? The snow on the ground wasn’t the last they were expecting for the day, the heavy gray clouds hanging overhead were ominously promising more. Kim smiled back and held out one of the fliers.

Aha! What time this year? December 24th, 5:30 PM! Well, I’ll make sure my blackout curtains and radiation shields are up in time, then! Mrs Pottsley continued to smile as she said this, but Kim blushed slightly as she returned the smile. It won’t be too bad this year, Mrs Pottsley, the Tweebs and Dad both promised Mom more creativity, less candlepower.

The woman laughed merrily. Well, that’s good, I suppose. And isn’t this your Grandmother, James’ mother?

Kim nodded and introduced the two. Nana responded politely, but was obviously still distracted. Kim chatted with the woman a bit longer, asking after her son, who had graduated the year before. She felt a chill when she heard he had enlisted in the Marine Corps, to get financial aid for his college education, but her smile didn’t slip. Nevertheless, she felt unusually grateful to walk away from Mrs Pottsley.

The two Possible women walked in silence for a few minutes, before Nana spoke. I suspect you haven’t told your parents yet, would you mind telling me why? Kim was mildly startled by Nana’s accurate guess, and stammered out her reply.

Wwell, II was going to! Right after telling some others…I was thinking I had to tell my therapist, and Mom and Dad, and was dreading going through the story twice. Then Ron made a good suggestion. Since I had told him that Doctor Cardien wanted to have a session with both of my parents present, he suggested I ‘tell three birds with one story’, as he put it. So I asked Doctor Cardien, and she agreed that I could bring it up in the session. Kim’s voice dropped slightly, But I didn’t. Something else occurred to me, and I decided I needed to talk to you, first.

Nana nodded, having a good idea what Kim’s reason was. But she decided to make the girl tell it herself. Go on, Dear.

Now Kim hesitated, biting her lip, and diverting herself by posting a flier on a support for one set of traffic lights. Well, I needed to ask… she paused, then took a deep breath and continued, Do you think it’s a good idea to tell Dad at all?

Nana refrained from smiling as her guess proved correct. Are you afraid of what he might think of you, my Dear?

No! Or maybe a little. No, I’m afraid what hearing it would do to him, if it might hurt him, to learn that his little girl…this is So Big, I don’t know… She trailed off and shrugged hopelessly.

I understand, Dear. Nana waited until they had crossed the street before speaking again. And my answer is no, Kimberly Anne, I don’t think it’s a good idea, but it’s your decision whether to do it or not. Mark you, I don’t approve of keeping secrets, but…there are a few things that occurred to me when I was young…older then you, but in a way, more naive, I think. Things I swore I would never tell my children about unless they asked me directly, if they guessed that such things might have occurred. And Slim did ask, but James never did, for which I’m grateful. It just never occurred to him…Slim was your grandfather’s favorite, James was mine, but neither of us showed too much favor, you understand. We both loved our children equally. And knowing James the way I do, I think it might be best to keep it from him, and Anne as well, so she doesn’t have to keep the secret from him. You may have to keep it to yourself, Dear. And feel the weight of keeping it, poor girl. She added to herself.

Kim nodded and kept walking in silence for several minutes. Then she sighed. I’m not going to tell him, it wouldn’t do him any good,or anyone else!

Except yourself perhaps, Kimberly Anne? Nana thought, but aloud said, Well! Let’s put the gloomy thoughts behind us, we have a Holiday to celebrate! Come along Dear, I agreed to help with this, but there’s a reason I moved to Florida, and it was had something to do with walking around in cold weather! So let’s get this done, then back to the house for hot cocoa and lemon squares!

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Early the following day, Frederick Lipsky walked with Betty as she headed for the base’s flight facility to catch her ride back to the US. There will of course be some difficulty if you tell Kim Possible what we learned yesterday. He remarked as they rode an elevator from the residential section to the hangar level.

And what of your nephew? Betty responded.

Frederick shrugged, scowling. Well, according to records, he suffered a head injury during his arrest on that occasion, and suffered a possible concussion. Since he hasn’t raised a fuss, I’m assuming he attributes his memory lapses to that. One of the men responsible for the experiment suggested as much to him.

Ah. Betty nodded, then was silent as they exited the elevator and passed down a corridor past several agents and employees. Once they were inside the hangar and more or less isolated from being overheard, she spoke again. In point of fact, I have no intention of telling Kim Possible about those matters at this time.

Oh? Lipsky’s eyebrows raised in surprise. I can assume one reason is to protect Global Justice, but I didn’t think that would quite be enough, given the circumstances.

And you’re right. I’m not telling Kim because I don’t think the knowledge would do her any good. What she’s forgotten isn’t her problem, it’s what she now remembers that is. What she did, and why she did it. It’s eating at her, and if I thought the stuff they put in her was the cause, I wouldn’t hesitate to tell her the whole story. But I don’t know that for a fact, and telling her might supply her with a crutch, an excuse for her behavior that was beyond her control. And I don’t want that. Something happened, and she has to deal with it, face it. She’s receiving help, but to tell the truth, I’d like to take her and Ron Stoppable and drop them on a deserted island some place, because that might be the best thing for her, and them! Only thing stopping me is her schoolwork, and the fact that James Possible would put me in orbit if I did that!

That increased the surprise on Frederick Lipsky’s face. You think that putting those two alone somewhere together would result in healing? Just the two of them, alone? If it was one of my daughters, I might support Doctor Possible’s actions.

Betty smiled thinly. Well, I’d give Kim a comlink to connect with Liz Cardien, so she could talk to her, maybe. But otherwise, those two can be the best thing for each other sometimes, better then their parents, or any councilor. IN fact, that’s their greatest weakness at times… She trailed off thoughtfully, then shook her head. Enough of that, I need to catch my flight. she saw Frederick give her an odd look. I know, it’s literally my flight, but I do need to get going. Always good to see you, Sir.

Frederick smiled warmly, a rare thing to occur on the job, and held his hand out. And always good to see one of my best protges, Betty. Take care of yourself, we can’t afford to lose you. Then a thought struck him. That reminds me, are you going to talk to Miss Possible about the other matter, the one that brought you back to the room?

Betty nodded, face solemn. Oh, yes, that is something I will be discussing with her!

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Decided with some encouragement to post this as is. Might mean going past 25 chapters, we’ll see.

For now, Please Read and Review