Kim Possible Porn Story: Summertime Blues Chapter 6

Assorted Legal Mumbo-Jumbo:

As usual, I dont own Kim Possible or anything associated with her. All KP-related items are the property of the Disney Channel and their army of ravenous lawyers who are the reason that Im writing this. I suppose that the story idea itself could be construed as mine, but that doesnt mean that the legal eagles out there wont try to claim otherwise.

In any case, read the story, leave a review, and look both ways before crossing the street.

(The preceding contains 100 Grade A disclaimer.)

Enjoy!

– Chapter Six –

Emerald eyes scanned the horizon, searching for an infinitesimally small speck against the vastness of the pale blue prairie sky. The object of her focus was out there somewhere; that much she was sure of. To find it she needed only patience: Patience and vigilance.

Squinting through a pair of high-powered binoculars, she paid no attention to the stray lock of dark auburn hair that whipped lazily across her face in the stiff breeze that buffeted the low ridge where she now stood. Her focus fixed squarely on her search, she mused to herself that the phrase Big Sky Country was an appropriate nickname for her home state. The wide-open spaces of the American mid-west made for a horizon that was simply immense. At times, it seemed as though a person could literally become lost in its gargantuan grasp, and given the current circumstances, that was a prospect that seemed all the more plausible.

A low, guttural warble from behind her was the only thing that broke her concentration, lowering the binoculars from her eyes and turning to face her solitary companion.

Easy thar, Tornado. Jocelyn Possible said, comforting her robotic steed. Well be gettin back just as soon as cousin Kim shows up.

The electronic animal simply brayed its acquiescence as it returned its attention to the tall prairie grass that lay beneath its metallic hooves. Not being a living thing, it had no need to graze. But still, something of its equestrian heritage held true, and its computerized brain was somehow drawn to the curiously thin vegetation.

Returning her own gaze to the task before her, Joss once again pressed the binoculars to her face and resumed her search. Scanning back and forth across the southern sky, she intently watched for anything anomalous in the pale blue sea that lay before her. It seemed a nearly impossible task, but impossible was a word that simply wasnt in her vocabulary. Her last name served as ample proof of this fact.

Sweeping the sky from left to right for the umpteenth time that day, she was nearly knocked over by surprise when a faint metallic glint emerged from a band of Stratus clouds that hung low near the distant horizon. Watching the object intently as it approached ever closer, she could soon make out details such as wing profile and load-out. Moments later, her ears were assaulted by a mighty roar as the craft passed directly overhead, seeming to split the sky apart as it went.

Goll-ly! Joss enthusiastically shouted as she turned and sprinted toward Tornado, mounting the creature in a single leap. Dont that set yer beans to boilin?

Without so much as another word, she dug her heels into the creatures steel sides and was off, riding at break-neck pace toward the familiar form of the Lazy J ranch in the valley below.

Youve gotta admit, KP The whole thing sounds kinda crazy.

Its a song lyric, Ron. Im sure he meant it as some sort of metaphor for something.

Yeah, but Im just saying that he should at least be making some sense! I mean, cmon! Hes all like I am, I said, to no one there and no one heard at all, not even the chair

I think hes talking about loneliness.

Well it sounds like hes talking to his furniture.

Okay, so maybe its a little ambiguous.

A little ambiguous? I have no idea what the heck any of that means! I mean a little whimsy I can handle, but the dude is actually sounding surprised that the chair didnt hear him. Now I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer, but even I know that this isnt exactly unusual. Ya know, unless the guys got a really intelligent recliner or something.

Yeah, Kim agreed, laughing lightly at the thought. Mister Diamond, your Lay-Z-Boy is holding on line two.

This had been the scene ever since they had left Middleton an hour ago, the conversation drifting randomly from one topic to another with neither of them caring much about how flighty or informal the subject may be. The two of them were simply enjoying each others company, just as they always had, and undoubtedly always would.

With her mind focused on the voice in front of her, Kim kept one eye on her own display console. With Sky Rat ghosting along on autopilot, she needed to keep track of their location, lest they over-fly their target and wind up God-only-knows where.

Were coming up on our objective. She informed aloud as the digital GPS map on her screen scrolled to reveal an icon pinpointing their destination for the day. Better start getting prepped for approach.

Roger that, KP. Ron replied, sitting up in his ejector seat and leaning forward to disengage the automatic pilot function. With a gentle motion, he eased back on the throttle and lowered Sky Rats nose until the flight-level indicator displayed a declination of ten degrees. Holding steady in his glide slope, he simply allowed gravity and airspeed to take their course as the Tomcat descended into a low-lying cloudbank.

As the altimeter passed 3,000 feet, he eased back on the stick, bringing the massive interceptor back to level flight, and emerging from the clouds to reveal the full vastness of the Montana prairie spread out before them. The land seemed to go on forever, he thought silently to himself: A sensation that was only compounded by the perspective that his current altitude afforded. It was enough to make any man feel small and insignificant by comparison.

The landing strip is dead ahead at five nautical miles. Kim informed, pulling up a detail map of the area. With the wind being what it is, well probably want to approach from the northwest.

You called it. Ron concurred, making the necessary adjustments to their heading. Ill have us on the ground in five.

The sheer scale of the Mid-western prairie presents those few hearty souls who reside here with a unique set of challenges. Many homesteads stand isolated, literally miles away from any neighbors. Supplies and support services can be even harder to find, with the nearest town being nearly a days drive away. In such an environment, typical modes of transportation quickly prove inadequate for covering the vast distances involved, and residents are forced to seek out other alternatives.

Air transport is just such an alternative.

Free from the physical restrictions of ground-based transportation, flight offers the ability to quickly cover vast distances, as well as carrying with it the fringe benefit of being able to survey large tracts of land at a glance. Tasks such as traveling to a distant city, inspecting fences or rounding up cattle had once taken weeks or months to complete. But with the advent of flight, such things could now be done in mere days.

For this reason, many of the sprawling ranches in this portion of the world boasted their own landing strips, and the Lazy J was no exception. The long, black ribbon of asphalt could be seen clearly against the sea of green prairie grass that was even now quickly turning to brown in the heat of summer. Turning into his approach, Ron dropped his landing gear and put out 60 degrees of flap, slowing Sky Rat to a leisurely 130 knots. Dropping low and raising his nose slightly, he set the main gear of the massive fighter down onto the paved surface with all the care and gentle touch of a doting parent laying an infant down in its crib. A moment later, the nose gear kissed the ground with barely a jostle to the occupants inside.

The strip at the Lazy J was well maintained, but short by the standards of a normal military airfield. Having been designed primarily for helicopters and the occasional Cessna or Stearman biplane, its builders simply never took the possibility of someone landing a large, supersonic military aircraft into account. Certain adjustments had to be made.

As soon as he felt his nose gear firmly contact the pavement, Ron reached down and pulled the yellow drag-chute deploy handle that was set next to his right knee. The audible pop of a small explosive charge could be heard behind them as the chute deployed, suddenly decelerating the plane to a more manageable speed. Once the lions share of their momentum had been bled off, Ron deftly used their last bit of inertia to gently turn off of the main runway and roll to a stop on the tarmac just outside of a small hangar building. The breeze refreshingly caressed their faces as the protective cover of the canopy lifted, allowing entry to the outside world.

Well give me a home where the buffalo roam Ron poetically recited, removing his helmet and taking in the sight of their surroundings.

And Ill show you some very messy carpets. Kim completed, taking off her own helmet and vaulting over the side of the cockpit to land in a perfect three-point stance on the asphalt below.

Ya know How you manage to simultaneously be both a smart-aleck and show-off is something that Ill never understand. Ron dryly observed, taking a more conventional route out of the cockpit by descending the folding ladder that had automatically deployed from the side of Sky Rats fuselage.

Meh Im just multi-talented, I guess. Kim playfully shrugged, unbuckling the harness of her parachute.

And have I ever mentioned how totally badical it is having a multi-talented girlfriend? Ron asked, sliding up behind Kim to help her out of the bulky, equipment-laden network of straps and buckles.

No, but do tell. Kim cooed, suddenly spinning in his arms to capture his lips with a kiss. Her heart nearly skipped a beat when he returned the kiss vigorously, wrapping his arms around her and lifting her off the ground ever so slightly. It was a wonderfully spontaneous moment that was just as suddenly cut short by an unexpected intrusion.

Tarnation! Cant you two at least wait till were all back at the house before startin in on that?

Hello, Joss. Kim grumbled, reluctantly pulling away from Ron. She looked down at the ground slightly, realizing that the color of her face was probably a couple of shades closer to that of her hair than normal right now.

Hey there, Joss! Ron cried out, showing no signs of embarrassment from the position they had just been caught in. Hows my third-favorite Possible gal?

Oh, yall know how it is. Ah just keep on gitn along. Joss replied with a raised eyebrow. But whats with the whole third-favorite bit? Ah know cousin Kims the first, but

Kims mom is second. Ron promptly replied.

Aunt Anne beats me out?

Have you tried her meatloaf?

Ahhhhh Well, Ah guess Ah can let that slide, then.

Sorry Joss, but you know how it is. Kim broke in, sliding up beside her boyfriend. The way to a mans heart is through his stomach.

Of course, thats also the way to his colon. Ron observed, eliciting a wince from both redheads in his presence.

Too much info? he guiltily asked.

Yeah, too much info. Kim confirmed, rolling her eyes and walking after Joss who was in the process of mounting Tornado.

Cmon, you two. Pas got a whole mess of five-alarm chili a simmerin up at the house if youre hungry.

Hey, when am I not? Ron rhetorically asked, breaking into a sprint at the mere mention of spicy goodness, leaving his girlfriend behind to roll her eyes at the display.

He nearly beat Tornado on foot in the resulting mad dash up to the house.

So how does them vittles stack up against yer normal city cuisine, young feller? a tall, mustached man in a ten gallon hat jovially inquired.

(Cough!) Well, as the proud inventor of Atomic Diablo Sauce, (cough-cough), Ill give it a passing grade. Ron wheezed through ragged breaths.

Uh-huh. Kim responded, resting her chin casually on one hand as she watched the profusely sweating form of her boyfriend. Thats the stuff that was banned by the FDA as a level-three biohazard, wasnt it?

Stupid Feds. Ron groused, folding his arms defiantly in front of himself. Always sending in The Man to keep a guy down.

Well dont worry, Pa. Joss enthusiastically broke in. Rufus seems to have taken to yer cookin just fine!

All eyes turned to the pink form that now lay prostrate in the center of the table, sporting a mounded belly and tendrils of steam that wafted lazily from his tiny mole rat ears.

Hink, uh-huh! he squeaked, flashing one claw in a thumbs-up sign before belching and dropping back to the table in a chili-induced stupor.

Huh Maybe next time I should go a bit easier on the Cayenne pepper. Slim Possible pondered aloud as he began to collect the used bowls from the table. The little feller looks like hes been roasted over a campfire for about two hours too long.

Nah, Rufus will be fine, Pa. Joss reassured her father as she began assisting in the table-clearing duties. With all that hes been through over the years, that little critters tougher than a razorback durin rutting season.

I have no idea what that means, but it sounds really cool. Ron admitted with a shrug, picking up his own utensils and following the others into the kitchen. He failed to notice the slight blush that crossed Josss face at that moment

But Kim certainly did.

A nearly inaudible growl escaped her lips as she took careful note of the younger redhead. Ever since the adventure with Drakkens Silly Hats, and Josss conclusion that Ron was the true hero of Team Possible, the young girl had taken a genuine liking to him, and Kim found this unnerving to no end. On the surface she realized that there was nothing to worry about. She told herself that it was just a simple, childhood crush, and that her own relation would never try anything so devious as to make a move on her man. Such dastardly behavior was much more up Bonnies alley than it was Josss.

But still, for some reason, deep down in her gut, she couldnt help but feel just a little threatened by the younger girl.

Oh, who the heck was she trying to kid, anyway? She felt threatened by practically any person bearing two X chromosomes who showed even the slightest interest in her Ron: Zita, Yori, Bonnie during the whole Homecoming Week fiasco, they all still brought her defenses onto high-alert status whenever they were in the vicinity. Even now, when many of those relationships were long since dead and buried, these young women still brought out the aggressive side in her.

And then there was Tara.

To spite her sweet, carefree and unassuming nature, thoughts of the former Middleton High cheerleader still set Kim on edge. Perhaps it was because she was the only one to ever reciprocate Rons feelings, even if he hadnt been aware of it at the time. In any case, however, the platinum blond ranked near the top of Kims list of individuals who should watch their step around her boyfriend, lest they wind up spending some quality time with her mother at the Middleton Medical Centers I.C.U. ward.

So where yall gonna be headed tomorrow? Slim asked as he started water running in the sink.

A remote spot about ten miles south of here, Uncle Slim. Kim replied, grabbing a towel and preparing to help with the drying. Its some sort of outcrop called Weatherman Draw.

Ah, yeah I seem to recall a big to-do in the news about that some time ago. Slim wistfully remembered in his characteristic Montana twang. Somethin about there being oil up under thar.

Yeah, well its also a major cultural site for several native tribes in this region. Kim informed, handing him a stack of bowls. And Wade has it pegged as a likely spot for our next clue.

Well Ah do wish you two the best of luck with that. Slim said, turning to flash a bright smile from beneath his bushy mustache. Somebody needs to be out thar making sure information like that dont fall into the wrong hands.

Well its really no big, uncle Slim. Kim replied dismissively with a wave of her hand. Its just what Ron and I do.

And hows all of that going between you two now days? Slim inquired. I know you twove been tighter than a pig in a poker since I was just a stable hand myself, but

Kim suddenly paused at the question, a fistful of forks held halfway between herself and her uncle. As Slim regarded his niece with curiosity, she glanced toward the window and gazed at the now setting sun, sighing contentedly before answering.

Maybe it was a little awkwierd at first. She admitted. What with having spent so many years as just friends and all, but once we both got used to the idea, things just seemed to flow. I mean, weve been tight for so long, and we know each other so well, its like we just fit together perfectly. I sometimes catch myself wondering why we werent doing this before.

Well truth can be a funny thing sometimes, Kimberly. Slim wistfully observed, flashing another smile her direction as he continued his scrubbing. It likes to hide from us, even when its right thar under our noses. Its like a snake in the prairie grass: Ya darn near have to step on the thing before itll bite cha.

Kim, who had been gently massaging a plate with her towel, suddenly stopped and stared straight at her fathers brother. She had heard about so-called country wisdom from time to time, and had always dismissed it as some sort of popular myth, similar to stories of Chihuahuas in microwaves or making a face and having it stick that way. But this This was evidence of the real deal. With just a few short words, her Uncle Slim had somehow managed to cut right through to the quick of the matter, and had laid her entire relationship bare. She had never before realized that she was related to a clairvoyant.

Thats thats probably the most profound thing Ive ever heard, Uncle Slim. Kim responded.

Just callin things the way Ah sees em. Slim replied, starting his work on the next dish.

Thats the sort of thing that makes you think, isnt it Ron? Kim inquired, leaning back and turning to face her boyfriend.

She was surprised to find nothing but an empty kitchen in his stead.

Uh, wheres Ron? Kim asked turning to her uncle, thoroughly confused.

Ah reckon he headed up to Josss room. Slim replied. She was itchin all day about wantin to show him somethin.

Oh really? Kim growled, suddenly dropping her towel and heading for the stairs. Well then shed better not be expecting him to do any scratching!

Ahve made a few changes here and thar since you were here last. Joss enthusiastically stated as she led Ron into her room. Whadaya think?

Ron took a long look around, taking careful note of the dcor. Just as there had been last time, there were images of him on several of the walls: Some in his mission gear, some in street clothes, and one poster-sized photo of him in full dress uniform, leaving him to wonder just where she had gotten her hands such a picture. Intermingled with all of these were pictures of airplanes in various states of combat readiness.

Interesting choice of theme. Ron observed, taking a hesitant step forward. Ya know, I never took you for a wing-nut.

Well after hearin about yer new career path, Joss enthused, Ah reckon Ah sort of picked it up.

Yeah, well I guess it pretty much came as a shock to most people. Ron replied.

So whats it like being a jet jock and all?

How do you mean?

Ah mean what all does it take to make it up thar?

Well, it probably sounds strange to say it, but first off, youve got to be confident to the point of arrogance.

Really?

Yeah, honest. With the way it is, if youre one of a hundred pilots sitting in the ready room, and the C.O. comes in and says that youre all going on a dangerous mission and only one of you will be coming back

Yeah?

Youve got to be able to look at the other ninety-nine guys in that room and honestly say, You poor devils Im gonna miss you.

Wow!

Yeah wow is right. But then again, Im not spending all my time in the air.

No kiddin! Why tarnations, I just heard last week about a mission the two of yall had in Poland.

Ah, yes The salt-cavern-caper. You heard about that? Ron dryly observed, instinctively reaching up to rub his chest. He had taken four bullets on that particular mission, and while the vest he had been wearing had saved his life that day, it was still a harrowing and painful experience, and one that he most definitely did not want to repeat: Especially after Kims mother had informed him that one of the slugs had imbedded itself directly over his heart.

So whats it like getting shot? Joss prodded, taking a seat on the side of her bed and inviting Ron to do the same.

Not pleasant, thats for darn sure. Ron honestly replied, taking the offered seat. The best I can describe it, its like getting smacked in the chest with a ball-peen hammer.

Hurts?

Like the dickens.

Well, ya made it through all right, didnt cha?

Yeah, that I did. Ron sighed. The Stoppable luck holds true once again.

Thank heaven.

Believe me I did.

So whatve yall got lined up for next school year?

That question stopped Ron cold. The young redhead had only been trying to make conversation, but had inadvertently stepped on a conversational land mine in the process. This was still a sore subject for the blond, as his girlfriend had by now received a small mountain of acceptance letters, while he had yet to even hear back from any of his chosen schools. The least they could do was send a politely worded rejection letter, he sometimes thought.

Well ahhh Its kind of complicated. He stammered, nervously rubbing the back of his neck. To her credit, Joss noticed his unease and decided to change the subject once again.

So other than the usual mission stuff, whada yall gonna be doin while youre here?

Well for starters, we are going to be getting settled in. a familiar voice suddenly broke in, drawing both Rons and Josss attention.

Kim stood in the bedroom doorway, her hands on her hips and a somewhat unpleasant expression on her face.

Well goll-ly Kim! If ya wanted yer buckaroo back, all ya needed to do was ask. Joss said defensively. Given what she new of her famous cousins personality quirks, she could make a pretty good guess as to the reason behind the older redheads current tweak. Truth be told, she somewhat enjoyed messing with peoples heads in this way, but fun was fun, and family was family. She decided to cut her cousin some slack, even if for only this once.

Yer all set, by the way. She informed. Pa already had me make up the guestroom for yall. Down the hall, on yer left Fresh sheets on the bed and everything.

Wow! Thanks Joss. Ron remarked, standing up to follow Kim. He had just started for the door when a stray thought suddenly stopped him dead in his tracks. He slowly turned to look warily back at the younger Possible in the room.

Did you say bed?

Uh-huh.

As in singular: a.k.a. not plural.

Is that a problem?

Only if you count me being placed in close proximity to a gravitational anomaly, if you get my drift. Ron exclaimed, his voice suddenly rising two octaves.

Amp down, Ron. Kim chided, coming up behind him to place a comforting hand on his shoulder. Uncle Slim only has one guest room, so its really no big.

No big? K.P., if your dad finds out that

Ron, weve wound up sharing sleeping arrangements on missions before, havent we?

Well yeah. He stammered.

And daddys always been okay with it?

Yeah, but that was back when we were still in our whole just friends stage! He exclaimed. Now that were officially dating, it really changes the whole dynamic, dont you think?

Ron, are you going to try anything inappropriate?

Wha whadaya NO! Of course not! Ron nearly shouted, sounding totally shocked that his girlfriend would even think to ask such a question. Id never do anything like that to you, Kim! You know that!

Then we have nothing to worry about, do we?

Well uhhh I guess not.

Spankin! she cooed, leaning in to tenderly kiss his cheek. Now come help me bring our gear up from downstairs, kay?

Ron didnt need to be told twice. Kim was barely out of the room before Ron was hot on her heels.

Brilliant beams of amber light filtered lazily through lace curtains to dance lightly across the far wall of the room. Stretching their golden tendrils ever further toward the floor, they soon crept their way across the multi-colored quilt that adorned the bed, causing a pair of bright emerald green eyes to softly flutter open, greeting the promise of a new day.

Kim blinked and squinted slightly, allowing her eyes to adjust, but not shifting her position just yet. Truth be told, she was unusually comfortable for having slept in a strange bed

But then again, maybe comfort on this morning had nothing to do with the bed.

She took a deep breath and sighed contentedly as the pool of warmth at her back told her that all was indeed well with the world. She couldnt explain it, but there was something about sharing a bed with Ron and waking up beside him that just felt right. She had come to realize over time that she always slept better when he was with her, as if his mere presence somehow soothed her subconscious, dispelling fears and worries that even she was unaware she carried.

She tried to lie still as she felt him stir behind her, hoping to steal just a few more minutes of blissful closeness. Such dreams were not to be however, as she sensed him lift his head off the pillow to look at her.

I know youre awake, babe. Dont play coy with me. Ron whispered into her ear.

She never could put one over on him like that.

Well can you blame a girl for trying? Kim asked sympathetically, turning over to face him. A few more minutes could make all the difference, you know.

I know And thats what Im afraid of. Ron smiled, reaching out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

Still worried about black holes, huh?

Can you blame me?

Well arent I worth the risk?

Ron paused and looked thoughtful for a moment before answering.

Okay Youve got me there. He stated, leaning over to gently kiss her forehead. She returned the favor by looking up to capture his lips with her own. For several seconds the young couple simply savored this tender moment

Then, it was time for reality to come calling once again.

Well goll-ly! If yall are gonna be doin that, then at least lock the door, would ya?

At the sound of Josss voice, Ron flinched and quickly tried to hide under the covers.

Morning, Joss. Kim groused, a pronounced blush quickly spreading over her face. Something you needed?

Just wanted to let you know that breakfast is ready downstairs. The younger redhead informed. Pas makin flapjacks, so youd better come get em while they last. Rufus is already a-workin on his third one.

The mere mention of a country breakfast was more than enough to get Rons normally lethargic form out of bed.

Badical! he cried, vaulting out from under the covers and heading toward the bathroom to freshen up. The Ron-man is all about the eatin vittles!

He stopped abruptly as he passed Joss in the open doorway.

Uh, that is what you folks say out here, isnt it? he asked sheepishly. Im not quite up on the lingo just yet.

Uhhhh Its close enough. Joss answered with a roll of her eyes.

Badical! Ron replied, resuming his mad dash for the bathroom and leaving the two redheads to roll their eyes and smirk at one another.

Rolling grasslands slowly gave way to more rugged terrain as a trio of horseback-mounted individuals slowly made their way toward a distant ridge. Two of the figures led the group, side by side, displaying a grace and comfort in the saddle that went far beyond their admittedly limited years

And the third brought up the rear, looking about as comfortable as a cat in a Chinese restaurant.

Whoa! Easy there, horsey! Ron cried out as a sudden movement of his mount nearly sent him tumbling to the ground. He double-wrapped the reins tightly around his hands and leaned down, hugging the back of the robotic steed as close as humanly possible.

Aw man Wheres the steering wheel on this thing, anyway?

Lemme make sure Ah got this straight, now Joss inquired, stealing a glance back toward the hapless blond. He spends his time plunkin fifty-million-dollar airplanes down onto pitchin flattop decks, right?

Some of his time, yeah. Kim replied, chancing a look back herself.

And he still has horse issues?

Yeah. Weird, isnt it?

Ah reckon thats one way to describe it.

Well, it may be weird, but funny thing it turns out that I like weird. Kim wistfully admitted, taking a longer look back this time, smiling slightly at Rons valiant attempts to keep pace with them while still remaining upright in his saddle. Truth be told, without all the weirdness, he just wouldnt be Ron. Seeing him like this is sort of a reminder that hes still the same person Im in love with, no matter how many hours of stick time he logs.

Pretty strong words thar, cuz.

Pretty strong feelings here, Joss.

To heck with mystical monkey power! Why couldnt I have gotten mystical horsepower? KP! Hes giving me that look again!

Kim could only smile at the frantic voice behind her as the trio pressed onward, their destination looming ever larger on the horizon.

Afternoon was well on its way to becoming evening by the time the intrepid trio reached their destination for this day, each craning their neck upward in turn to gaze upon the massive monoliths of rock that flanked them to either side. Entering the narrow confines of the canyon here only increased their sense of wonderment as the rugged beauty of the land quickly engulfed them. For individuals who had never seen such a landscape before, it was easy to understand why this patch of earth had been viewed as sacred by literally dozens of native tribes for more than a thousand years.

Occasionally referred to as a living cathedral, Weatherman Draw was one of the most spiritually significant native sites in the western United States, Wade had briefed them. Frequented over the centuries by groups such as the Crow, Blackfoot, Comanche, Northern Arapaho, Northern Cheyenne and Eastern Shoshone, its sheer cliffs boasted the largest collection of petroglyph drawings to be found anywhere in North America.

And it was amongst this collection of ancient art that the small group hoped to find the object of their search.

Moving slowly through the ever-narrowing confines of the canyon, topography soon forced the team to dismount and continue their advance on foot. Deeper and deeper into the lengthening shadows they probed, ever vigilant in their search for anything amiss anything that might indicate the presence of a clue.

They poked and prodded their way up the slope, looking for signs of a recent human presence. Things such as footprints, broken branches, discarded refuse and pieces of equipment were tops on their list here

Maniacal laughter, however, was not.

At the sudden sound, the trio instinctively sprung into action. Diving into a nearby patch of sagebrush for cover, they slowly peeked above the mass of tangled branches to observe this unexpected newcomer, being ever so careful not to give their own presence away.

There was a small contingent of men assembled at the base of a nearby bluff that they could see, all of who seemed to be gathered around a central figure that remained hidden within the group of uniformed individuals. Although his smaller stature prevented any confirmation of his appearance, his boisterous voice and thick accent left no doubt as to his identity.

Acht! Vat iz vith zis vord? Zee meaning zis has to me iz none! Myron! Vat did you do vith ze dictionary book?

Its in your suitcase, sir. Right between your lederhosen and your copy of Bratwurst Monthly.

Vell go fetch it for me zen, vould you please? Oh, and bring zee magazine too. Zere iz a goot article on sausage casings zat I have been vanting to read.

Dementor. Kim growled menacingly under her breath. I was wondering when wed run into him again.

Gol-ly! Ahm on a honest-to-goodness real-live mission with yall? Spankin! Joss enthused, much to her cousins chagrin.

Easy there, Jocelyn. Kim responded, placing a restraining hand on the younger girls shoulder. We brought you along on this trip because you know the lay of the land, but the freak fighting duties still fall to Ron and me. Got it?

Josss looked like a puppy that had just been kicked for no apparent reason, her eyes suddenly growing wide with a mixture of shock and disappointment. But the expression didnt last for long, however. Just as quickly as it had appeared, the hurt look was replaced with one of burning intensity. Her green eyes suddenly narrowed as she straightened her back and leaned forward, matching Kim glare for glare.

With all due respect, cousin Kim, she growled, Ahve come a long way since we all tangled with Drakken and Shego, and Ah know how to handle myself in a fight. Now if yall are gonna be rushing in thar, guns all a blazin, then Ahm goin with yall, and thars nuttin you can do to stop me!

Kim fell back slightly, stunned by the sudden rebuke. This was a side of her cousin that she had never seen before, and truth be told, she found it more than a little unnerving. For anyone to get up in her face and tell her off like that, let alone the girl who had been like a younger sister to her while growing up was unheard of. She suddenly sensed that, much like herself and Ron, Joss had grown up unexpectedly in the last few years, and that the social dynamic they shared as children now no longer applied.

In any case, however, she had to admit one thing, and that was that Joss was right: There really wasnt anything she could do to make her cousin stay behind. Much like herself, when the young, fiery redhead smelled a good scrape, there wasnt a force in heaven or earth that could keep her out of it all. Joss was in on this mission, and that was just the way things were.

Okay then, but youre sticking with me this time. Kim commanded, earning an agreeing nod from Joss. Well hit them together when we make our move. Ron Were going to need a distraction.

Mmmmmmmm Bratwurst.

RON!

Oh yeah right! Distraction! Got it!

All right, then. Lets move out. Kim commanded, and the team began to sneak stealthily through the underbrush toward their chosen strike points.

Skulking through the underbrush, Ron pondered his current predicament. He was certainly no stranger to this position, as his role as Kims sidekick had led him to create more distractions and diversions over the years than he could count. But still, he had to admit, he had never been fully comfortable with this sort of task. Truth be told, he was wishing that he held the advantage of elevation right now.

About 30,000 feet worth of elevation, to be precise.

Ultimately it was all water under the bridge, however, as the sitch was what it was and he was honor-bound to make the best of it all, whatever that may entail.

Using all of the ninja skills his training at Yamanuchi afforded him, he crept silently around the enemy formation until he was directly behind two henchmen who had become separated somewhat from the larger group. They simply stood at ease, their backs to the bushes, seemingly content to watch their employers latest rant from a distance.

Gently parting the brush to observe his targets, Ron pondered his next move. If he could somehow provoke a fight between these two without becoming involved in it himself, then he would certainly be money ahead in the game, he figured. The question he needed to answer was exactly how he could manage to do this.

Thinking quickly, he came up with several plans, and dismissed them all just as quickly. He was just starting to ruminate on the possibility of using some sort of birdcall when a small, pink form emerged from his pocket, proudly holding of all things, a slingshot.

Huh Oh, thanks little buddy! Ron enthused as he happily grabbed the offered item from Rufus. Ive totally been looking for this!

Rufus slapped a tiny paw against his forehead and warbled in frustration. Leaping to his owners shoulder, he wildly gesticulated toward the weapon, then pointed toward the henchmen. The performance was capped off by animatedly flicking the back of his own head.

Oh-ohhhhhh Right! I gotcha! Ron agreed, finally catching on, much to the relief of his pet.

Well it worked with Arnie Custer. Ron wistfully observed as he picked a small pebble off of the ground and drew dead aim. Lets see if Dead-Eye Stoppable has still got game.

The henchman on the left visibly flinched as the shot found its mark. Reaching up to rub the back of his head, the man turned to glare menacingly at his companion.

Watch it there, bub. He growled.

Huh? came the confused reply.

The two men then quickly returned to their original state, which Ron naturally took as an open invitation to launch another salvo.

Hey! the left-hand henchman barked as another miniscule missile impacted the back of his skull. What did I just tell you?

What the heck are you talkin about, Heinrich? the second henchman asked innocently. I havent done nuttin!

Yeah, Ill bet. Heinrich growled in reply. You just watch your step, because youre officially on thin ice, comrade.

It took a few moments for silence to once again descend upon the small group.

Fire three! Ron silently shouted to himself as he let another volley fly.

RIGHT! THAT DOES IT! Heinrich screamed, lunging at his hapless companion.

Shtupid dictionary! You are needing to know how to be spelling zee word before you can be zee looking it up! Dementor fumed. Clearly, English was not a language he was accustomed to. Now how does zat saying go? Iz it I before zee C except after zee Oh mein graciousness, vat in zee name of Bismarcks breeches iz going on over zere?

The Teutonic terror suddenly pointed, directing everyones attention to the scuffle that was now raging just a few yards away. It was a pretty evenly matched fight by the look of things, and rather entertaining at that, but the pint-sized Prussian was nothing if not professional when it came to his chosen career, and such unruly behavior from his subordinates was not to be tolerated.

Achtung! Be halting vith zis playing zee horse-type behavior zis instant! he bellowed, eliciting no response from the two struggling men. All of you men Get over zere and make vith zee shtopping of them!

The other henchmen were quick to comply, breaking formation and rushing toward the continuing scuffle. It was just the opening Kim and Joss needed to put their own part of the plan into action.

Funny I never took you for the outdoor type. Kim panned as she stepped out from behind a rock not ten feet from where Dementor stood. You do know that when somebody tells you to go take a hike, its just a figure of speech, right?

Ah! Frauline Possible! I vas suspecting zat you vould be arriving soon und presently, no? Dementor chuckled. His smile quickly faded to a look of confusion, however, when he saw the figure that stepped out from behind the redheaded heroine.

Vats zis? You have been involved vith zee making of zee mini-me, yah? he asked, scratching his helmet in a perplexed manner.

Mini-me? Joss exclaimed, quite put off by Dementors remark. Why you gall-darn, flat-faced horny toad! Ah oughta take yer sorry yeller hide out into a prickly pear patch and

Whoa there, Joss! Kim broke in, seeking to quell the prairie tornado she now saw forming in front of her. Calm down a sec and well take care of this in a more professional, teen-hero sort of way, kay?

Teen hero nuttin Just gimme two prairie dogs, a jar o honey, and a

Joss! Just chill already! Kim chided once again before turning her attention back to Dementor. So Proff Since we all know how the story goes from here, why dont you just be a good little freak, give up on whatever your nefarious scheme du jour is, and we can wrap this up all nice and neat. What do you say?

Hmph! I say nein iz vat I am saying. Dementor snorted in contempt. And just vat makes you think zat I am up to zee no gooding?

You This place A quest for limitless power You dont have to be Stephen Hawking to do the math.

Heh You are making vith zee goot point, yes?

Well, I do try

Vell then, vhy dont you be trying zis? Dementor suddenly screamed, reaching into his military-style dress coat and quickly producing a blaster pistol.

Kim dove and rolled to her right, avoiding a shot that scorched the ground where she had just been standing. Another blast quickly forced her to scramble back to her left, leaping over a rock to take some semblance of cover. Rons distraction had certainly worked, she had to admit, but that didnt mean that her job was going to be easy.

Stealing a quick glance to her left, she noted that Joss had taken cover as well. She sighed in relief, thankful that her firebrand cousin appeared to finally be learning that sometimes discretion really is the better part of valor. It was a sign of maturity, and at the very least it meant that she wouldnt need to be dragging the younger womans tail to safety. With an armed and enraged Professor Dementor on her hands, things were going to difficult enough on their own.

Ron couldnt help but smile at the scene playing out before him. His slingshot attack had worked like a charm, after all, and the ensuing scuffle had by now drawn a considerable crowd, leaving Dementor virtually alone to face a two-pronged Possible attack. Somehow, he didnt envy the diminutive dictator right now: Not by a long shot.

Man Rufus, he commented to his beloved pet, this is almost as good as watching GWAs Tuesday Night Terror on pay-per-view! Almost.

Hurk Mehhhhh Rufus replied, shaking an outstretched paw for effect.

Oh, cmon! This is badical! Ron defensively replied. I mean, sure, it doesnt have all the theatrical lighting and Hollywood special effects, but the realism factor is totally WHOA-HOOOOOO!

His sentence was cut short as a hapless henchman came hurling through the air from the direction of the growing ruckus. Like a 200-pound battering ram, the tumbling body struck Ron squarely in the chest and sent both men, (and one naked mole rat), sprawling into the brush.

Ugh Did anybody get the license on that truck? Ron moaned, slowly picking himself up.

It was then that he noticed over a dozen pairs of shaded eyes staring at him menacingly.

Ho boy. Im guessing that Im in for a world of hurt, arent I? he nervously asked, his eyes darting erratically about the group.

You got that right, bucko! one of the hulking henchmen growled.

Well then, I just have one thing to say.

Yeah? And whats that?

YEEEEEEE-YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!! he screamed, turning and breaking into an all-out sprint, the small army of henchmen hot on his heels.

The blood-curdling scream cut deeply into Kims ears, compelling her to jerk her head around so quickly that she felt a slight pop in her neck. A quick glance to her right revealed that Ron was currently being pursued by the bulk of Dementors henchmen, which Kim surprisingly found to be a relief. While the circumstances may have seemed serious to most people, Ron wasnt actually captured at this point, and if there was anything he excelled at, it was escape and evasion. Even with him facing twelve-to-one odds, Kim would still put her money on Ron any day of the week. Besides, with him keeping the henchmen otherwise occupied, her current target was still alone and vulnerable.

And that just left the little matter of disarming said target.

Abandoning her position behind the rock, she began to move quickly through the brush, using the dense vegetation to conceal her movements as much as was possible. She cringed each and every time a blast tore through the nearby foliage, but she continued to press roughly ahead. She needed to end this quickly, and that meant finding a way to flank Dementors position. If she could just slip in behind him, she reasoned, then it would be all over.

For a moment she considered enlisting Josss assistance as a distraction, seeing that Ron was otherwise occupied at the moment, but realized with a quick glance that there was no need to ask such a question. The younger redhead had already started moving on the megalomanical madmans position, closing the range as she went.

Joss had managed to close within twenty feet of the professor when he finally noticed her. In a flash he had spun around, leveling his weapon at the young girl.

Ah-HA! he triumphantly bellowed. You vere thinking zat you could be shneaking up on me un zee unnoticed fashion, no?

Actually, Ah was sneaking up on yall in a noticed fashion. Joss replied, folding her arms and smiling smugly.

Eh? Vots zat supposed to mean? Dementor inquired, raising a confused eyebrow. Zee sense zat you are making iz none Und zis troubles me.

And for a very good reason. Kim quipped, seizing the opportunity and leaping from her hiding place in the bushes. Dementor spun around once more at the sudden interruption, just in time to have his weapon sent sailing through the air by Kims well-placed flying kick.

Then, a firmly driven knee to his chest sent him tumbling to the ground.

Yeeeeee-hah! Joss exclaimed at the sudden turn of events. Yall mess with the Possibles, and yall gonna get burned!

The events that happened next seemed to transpire in slow motion.

As Kim looked up from her stricken quarry, she just barely caught sight of Dementors weapon. Through the corner of her peripheral vision she could make out its sleek, metallic form, tumbling end over end as it arced gracefully through the air, reaching its apex, then floating back toward the ground like a delicate bird.

In the instant that it touched down, there was a blinding flash of light as the trigger mechanism discharged, sending a blast of energy nearly straight up. The bolt of brilliant white energy streaked upward, suspended in the air for a mere nanosecond before slamming into a rock outcrop near the top of the cliff, several hundred feet above them. There was a cloud of dust and an ominous rumbling. Then, the one thing Kim feared most took place right before her widened eyes.

The collection of large stones gave way, roaring like a freight train as they plunged downward at a near-vertical angle. With no time to react, Kim could only look on in stunned horror as Joss stood as petrified as a statue, her own terrified gaze locked above her as the cluster of stones plummeted straight down on top of her position.

The screams of the two women quickly merged into a singular symphony of terror.

As Ron was proud to admit on occasion, his mad running away skills had served him well through the years. They had saved his sorry hide from more exploding lairs than he could count, were the primary reason behind him becoming the star of the Middleton High football team, and were some really great cardio to boot.

Be that as it may, however, they were also exhausting to use.

By now he had been leading his pack of pursuers around in circles for what seemed like hours, and while they were certainly beginning to tire, he was very much in the same boat himself. He needed to put some distance between himself and the group so he could slow down and take a breather, or at the very least try calling a time-out. Who knows It might work.

He decided to try the former, however, as he lunged forward and dove into the cover of some nearby sagebrush.

I got him! one of the henchmen cried as he bore down on the well-winded blond. Ron could only swallow hard and watch as his attacker aimed low, and just like a linebacker coming through the hole, launched himself at Rons midsection.

For a brief instant, the gray jumpsuit-clad goon was suspended horizontally in the air. Then, in the blink of an eye, he lurched backward and crumpled to the ground like a wet bag of rice, unmoving and unresponsive.

The dry brush that Ron had been hiding in then rustled and shuddered momentarily before collapsing away, revealing the large, rounded boulder that he had inadvertently leapt behind in his rush to get away.

Wow. Good thing I got a piece of the rock, eh little buddy? Ron rhetorically asked, glancing downward toward his pocket.

Hink Oh yeah! Rock on! Rufus enthused before retreating back to the safety of the pocket once again.

It was then that a steel-shattering scream drew Rons attention to the far side of the battlefield.

In an instant, he realized the situation, and his very blood ran cold as he did. Joss was standing directly in the path of a full-blown landslide, and Kim was clearly in no position to help. Time froze in an instant as the scene played out before him: Some sick and twisted movie plot, come terribly and tragically to life before his very eyes.

More than a hundred feet away and separated by nearly a dozen hulking henchmen, he was powerless to affect the situation. He was neutralized, with nothing at all to do but watch as physics and human frailty collided head-on.

Instinctively, compelled by pure reflex, he reached out with a lone hand toward Josss frozen form and screamed her name.

Suddenly the entire field of battle was bathed in a brilliant flash of bluish-white light. The canyon rocked with the mighty sound of a thunderclap and the rocks above the terrified pre-teens head suddenly exploded into dust. The very earth seemed to shake as the sound of the blast rolled outward, ricocheting and reverberating off of the canyons sheer rock walls, bouncing and echoing about before finally dissipating into the clear blue sky above.

For all those present, the reaction was one of stunned silence. It was as if the sky itself had suddenly been split open, and all the furry of heaven had been unleashed upon the world below. Confusion reigned at first, each person searching for the source of this apocalyptic bombardment, a multitude of gazes shifting wildly about. These gazes quickly settled, however, coming to rest upon the form of a quivering young boy, standing waist-deep in sagebrush, one arm extended, faint tendrils of smoke wafting from the charred remains of a leather glove.

With his eyes pinched tightly closed and his shoulders heaving with ragged breaths, Ron was initially oblivious to the wide-eyed stares now being directed his way. His trembling slowly subsided, however, and chocolate brown eyes slowly reopened themselves to the light of day. These same eyes grew to the size of hubcaps, however, when they took note of the smoldering glove that was now held in front of them.

Gaaaaaah! Owie! Hot, hot, hot! Ron cried out as he pranced excitedly about, alternately flailing his arm and blowing on his palm.

It was several moments before he noticed the stunned looks on the faces of the henchmen. Once this realization struck, however, he wasted little time in seizing the opportunity. Thinking quickly, he composed himself and took action.

Alright you crumb-bums! Hands in the air, cause this thing is loaded! he yelled, thrusting an open palm toward the group. Ive got mystical mojo and I aint afraid to use it!

Understandably, the men were quick to comply. After what they had just seen, looking at the boys empty hand was like looking down the barrel of a Howitzer.

Kims attention, however, was directed elsewhere at the moment. Rising quickly to her feet, she moved carefully to where Joss still stood. The younger redhead was unresponsive, trembling uncontrollably, shaking like a dead leaf in hurricane.

You OK, Joss? she asked, eliciting no response.

Cmon! Snap out of it! Kim directed, snapping her fingers repeatedly in front of her cousins face. The younger girls eyes blinked several times slowly, and the pale look on her face began to subside as more of her normal complexion returned. Slowly, she looked upward to lock eyes with her older cousin.

In an instant, Kim was wrapped up in a bone-crushing hug that stifled her breath as Joss, still shaking, buried her face into Kims shoulder and began sobbing uncontrollably. Emotional trauma and fear flowed freely from every pore of her body, and it was all Kim could do to simply hold the young girl close and let the process of venting take its course.

Josss anguished sobs had finally subsided into sniffles by the time that Ron approached the pair, having by now completed the task of subduing and restraining the henchmen. He stared longingly at his hand and flicked his arm outward several times as if dry-firing a weapon of some sort: Each time with no effect.

Comes and goes He sighed forlornly under his breath as he finally gave up on the task. If only he could figure out a way to bottle that stuff, he silently surmised, then hed be a millionaire by the end of the month.

Sooooo Everyone all right over here? he inquired, casually striding over to the two women.

Kim and Joss simply turned to look their companion for a moment, regarding him with utter amazement. Then, a crimson thunderbolt streaked across the space between them as Joss launched herself at Ron, wrapping him up in a hug that made Kim wince just by watching.

A Hero A real hero. Joss mumbled over and over again into Rons chest. To his credit, Ron didnt try to squirm away, but his reaction would certainly count as one of confusion and unease.

Ahhhh Need air! Please and thank you! he gasped, pointing frantically down at the human tourniquet that was wrapped around his upper torso.

Alright, Joss. Kim broke in, reaching over to grab hold of the young girls shoulder. Gratitude is good, but lets try not to strangle my boyfriend if at all possible.

Oh, right Sorry. Joss sheepishly apologized, reluctantly relinquishing her vice-like grip on Ron. He gasped several gulps of air before directing his attention to the young crime-fighter in their midst.

You need to be more careful about where you stand there, Joss. He said with an uneasy smile. When people say that you totally rock, thats not quite what they mean.

Heh-heh Yeah, Ah reckon not. Joss admitted, nervously rubbing the back of her neck. But hey Thanks fer that thing ya did back thar, whatever it was.

Ah, yeah Well, honestly, Im not quite sure what it was myself, but youre welcome just the same.

Joss could only nod appreciatively as she stared into those espresso-brown eyes, her own gaze filled with an adoration and a hero-worship that went far beyond anything she had ever felt for him before. It was clear that the young girl was totally awestruck with what this young man had just done, what he had done for her, but true to his nature, Ron stood passively by, thoroughly oblivious to the worshipful gaze of his companion.

His other companion, on the other hand, was acutely aware of the developing sitch.

Ahem Now that weve gotten all of our various thank-yous and what not out of the way, Kim broke in, can we please get back to the reason were here in the first place?

Oh yeah, duty calls. Ron observed, quickly turning and jogging over to where Kim stood observing a particularly large rock painting. Joss could only sigh forlornly as she watched him go. If only she were five years older and a tad quicker on the draw than her cousin, then just maybe She shook her head vigorously and headed over to where Kim and Ron now stood, silently telling herself that no good could ever come from thinking such thoughts.

So what are we looking at here, KP? Ron inquired as the trio stood in the open, observing a large painting on the sheer rock face.

Clue number three. Kim replied in a business-like tone. Check it out.

Looking closely, Ron could see an image. Intermingled with stick figures of shields and animals, words could be clearly seen, and it was just as clear that these were of a much more recent vintage than the images that surrounded them.

Reading carefully to pick out individual letters from the surrounding visual clutter, a message slowly began to form

Where chrysanthemum bloom meets rising sun’s red…

And the Heike and the Genji both fought and bled…

And homage is paid to fallen souls…

And the blessed young sovereign will never grow old.

Well what in the name of John Waynes jowls do yall reckon thats supposed to mean? Joss asked incredulously as she took up a position between the two older heroes.

Not sure, Ron admitted, but I think it means were about to put in a call to Wade.

Good call. Kim confirmed, already reaching for the call button on the small device strapped to her wrist. As was customary, it wasnt an instant before the smiling image of the African-American pre-teen was filling the tiny screen.

Hey Kim! Find anything yet? Wade asked, taking a king-sized pull from his ever-present Slurpster.

Yeah, we did, Kim replied. And its cryptic as usual. Doctor DaLive seriously needs to get off this word-game kick and pick up a hobby.

Or shred his thesaurus. Ron added.

So, then its the usual scan and save drill? Wade inquired, his fingers poised over his keyboards.

Please and thank-you. Kim cheerfully replied, extending her arm to point the Kimmunicator toward the mural. As usual, it only took a few moments for the neon beam to play itself out over the object in question, and emit a reassuring beep, indicating that the requested tasks had been successfully completed.

Got it! Wade confirmed. Ill start running the data and let you know the moment I know something.

Spankin as usual, Wade! Over and out. And with that, Kim severed the connection, plunging the tiny screen back into darkness. Then, she turned toward her makeshift team.

Good work, you two. She congratulated. Things may not have gone completely according to plan, but we improvised and pulled it out in the end.

Goll-ly! Ahll say! Joss crowed. That was more excitin than shearin an ornery sheep in springtime!

Ron, on the other hand, appeared decidedly less enthusiastic. He simply looked downward and mumbled something incoherent as he stared as his tattered glove once more.

Reading the non-verbal signs and figuring where this was going, Kim decided to lightly broach the subject. She slowly stepped over to her boyfriends side and laid a gentle hand on his shoulder.

You want to talk about it, sweetie? she asked softly.

Huh well, I dunno. Ron muttered in response. Its just that Why does this all have to be so random, ya know. I mean, Ive got these powers, and theyre supposed to make we this ultimate warrior or something, so why do they just crop up whenever?

It just makes no sense! Less than none, in fact! he continued to fume, pacing about in an agitated fashion. I dont fight battles I make cameo appearances! What the heck kind of hero does that make me? What kind of soldier doesnt even know when or if hell show up for a fight? He abruptly ceased his pacing and slumped his shoulders as he completed this final thought; his back turned toward his two companions.

Kim regarded his dejected form for a moment, and heaved a sigh of her own, recognizing the nature of the sitch. True to his nature, Ron was questioning himself, to spite everything that transpired to this point. He had a self-critical streak within him that ran a country mile wide, and it was now showing itself once again. She needed to stop the emotional bleeding, experience had taught her, before he sank too deep into one of his trademark funks.

Hey, its not that bad. Kim began, walking up behind Rons sullen form. I mean, sure, the whole timing thing does seem a little random, but at least your powers tend to show up at the right moment.

Ron simply glanced back over his shoulder with a questioning expression.

Well think about it for a sec. Kim continued as cheerfully as she could. Graduation the mission in Germany this sitch here The only reason that Joss and I are still breathing is because of you. Your powers may not show themselves very often, but when they do, their timing is usually impeccable.

Maybe that thars just it. Joss suddenly broke in, thoughtfully scratching her auburn locks.

Explain? Kim inquired with a raised eyebrow.

Well with me it was those rocks up yonder, Joss continued, thrusting a thumb over her shoulder to indicate the bluff above them, and if Ah heard right from mah pa, then them green varmints were gonna turn you into some sorta stuffed huntin trophy, right?

Yeah, thats pretty much it in a nutshell. Kim confirmed, absent-mindedly wrapping her arms around herself and shuddering at the memory. The image of what Ron had described to her following their Graduation ordeal still chilled her to the core, and was something that she presumed she would never be completely over.

Well then, Ah reckon that Rons powers come around when hes got the right motivation. Joss reasoned. Ya know, life and death sitches, and what not.

For a long moment, both Kim and Ron simply looked incredulously at the young redhead, then at each other. There was no denying the fact, after all, that Joss was definitely onto something. After months of Ron fretting about the nature of his abilities, and an equally long time of Kim trying to quell his fears, the young girl before them had just stepped up and smacked the nail squarely on the head.

Heh Out of the mouths of babes, eh? Ron finally observed, smiling and rubbing the back of his neck.

Hey! Joss suddenly spoke up. Ah aint no kid anymore! Just whatchall be meanin by wait a sec do yall mean babe as in youngin, or babe as in

Ah, lets say the first one and leave it at that! Kim briskly broke in, not liking at all where the conversation was heading. Besides, the important thing is that were all here, and were all okay.

Yeah, Ah reckon Joss agreed, walking over to Ron and placing her arms around him once again. Thanks to one heck of an hombre, here.

For a brief moment, Kim considered breaking in once again. But one look at the heartwarming scene before her, however, sent her mind down a different track, and toward a different course of action.

Moving over to Rons side opposite her cousin, Kim quickly joined the embrace, allowing her own gratitude to flow softly into him. Both women sighed contentedly as Ron brought his arms up to hold both of them close.

Thanks, Ron.

Yeah Way to ride thar, buckaroo.

Meh Just doing that voodoo that I do. Ron nonchalantly replied with a smile. Though its just too bad I didnt have this kind of touch with the ladies back in high school Oooof!

A pair of playful fists being driven into his gut temporarily drove the air from his lungs.

Careful, mister, or youll be walking back to the ranch. Kim playfully chided, picking up her pack. Gracefully slipping into the shoulder straps, the shaded her eyes and took a long look toward the western sky, now burning with deep crimson and amber hues.

Now cmon! Its getting late and weve got a long ride ahead of us. She observed before turning and starting the long hike back down the ravine to the spot where their horses were still tied.

Never argue with family. Joss observed, retrieving her own gear from the ground and following closely behind Kim. Time to hit the trail, Ron!

Yippie-yo-ki-yay, yada, yada, yada Ron moaned, shouldering his gear and dutifully following the two red-haired figures in front of him. As he started down the ravine, he could almost feel the saddle sores that he knew he was soon to have.

Hydraulic systems check Navigation is up and running Communications are online.

And our engine status?

Nominal.

Thats what I like to hear.

I believe that we are officially go for take-off! Put us into position, Ron!

Can do, KP Can do!

The sleek form of the fighter glided effortlessly along the surface of the tarmac, giving the appearance of a vehicle that ran on rails, rather than rubber tires. Rolling smoothly to the far end of the runway, its needle-like nose swung wide through a graceful arc as it completed a full 180-degree turn, finally coming to rest pointed directly down the center of the long, asphalt strip.

Pausing to take one final reading of his instruments, Ron took a deep breath and exhaled through pursed lips. Then, with the gentle grace of a bartender sliding a wineglass across a marble countertop, he nudged the throttle forward, sending Sky Rat speeding down the runway toward an appointment with the clouds above.

Looking up from her own instruments as the sudden acceleration pushed her back into her seat, Kim glanced out the left side of the canopy, and noticed a lone horseback-mounted figure, intently watching their departure from a nearby hilltop. Even with the persons features all but obliterated by the intense backlight of the sunset, her identity was still recognizable. Kim knew the silhouette of her cousin anywhere, and it made sense that the young girl would come to see the intrepid duo off.

And that put another thought into Kims head.

The vibrations of the runway suddenly dissipated as Ron eased the massive form of the Tomcat free from the constraints of mother earth, and a distinct click was felt a few moments later as the landing gear snapped itself firmly into place beneath them. The serene peacefulness of flight now engulfed them, and Kim took the opportunity to voice her newfound concerns.

Sooooo, Ron she awkwardly began, You and Joss seem to get along rather well.

Huh? Oh yeah, well shes a great kid. Ron casually observed, adjusting Sky Rats pitch and taking a compass reading. Ya know, I think shes really starting to get the hang of the whole hero thing.

Yeah well, I guess it runs in the family. Kim chuckled, deciding to try a different tack. She really seemed to take a liking to you, though, dont you think?

Well shes such a friendly kid, after all. Ron replied just as casually as before. I mean, its like shes the reincarnation of Will Rogers or something: I doubt she ever met a person she didnt like.

So you didnt notice anything off-center about her at all?

No. came Rons matter-of-fact reply. Why? What are you thinking about?

Oh, nothing nothing at all! Kim quickly fudged. I mean, I thought there was something but I guess I was just over-anxious. You know, what with not having seen her for so long and everything

Oh yeah. I totally gotcha. Ron responded with a smile before turning his attention back toward the clouds in front of them.

Kim settled back into her seat, breathing a sigh of relief. True to his nature, Ron had been completely unaware of the signals Joss had been sending his way, and Kim would be darned if she was going to point it out to him. What he didnt know couldnt hurt her, she figured.

She sometimes surmised that Rons obliviousness was one of the best things about him, as it prevented him from picking up on the subtle flirtations that were so often directed his way. Making his way through life, ever faithfully at her side, he invariably failed to register the signals that other women broadcast And if these signals didnt register, then they couldnt be acted upon.

Even then, Kim didnt take this as an opportunity to let her guard down, of course. Subtle hints may roll right over Ron, but not-so-subtle hints could be a different matter entirely, and any girl so foolish as to try upping the ante in this way would quickly discover what the worlds super villains already knew quite well: That Kim Possible was not a person you wanted to cross. Sixteen styles of Kung Fu were enough to put a serious load of hurt on just about anyone: Especially someone reckless enough to make a move on her man.

But such aggressive thoughts were now banished to the back of her mind, however, as peaceful quiet of altitude now quickly surrounded them. Soaring amongst the clouds where even the birds themselves didnt dare go, all was serenity and bliss. Taking a final check of her displays, she closed her eyes and settled contentedly back into her seat to enjoy the remainder of the flight. It was just her and Ron, and she wouldnt have it any other way.

Authors Notes:

Wow! Over three months since my last update on this story! I mustve really fallen off the wagon back there or something, huh? Its good to finally be back in the saddle.

On a personal note, Id like to thank everyone who gave me a nod during the Third Annual Fannie Awards. Although I didnt take home any awards, I consider receiving seven first-round nominations and advancing to the final round in one category to be a victory in and of itself. All in all not a bad showing for a first-year author, I like to think.

The lyrics to I Am, I Said by Neil Diamond are something thats always bothered me for some reason. Awkwierd would be an appropriate adjective, I suppose, and I just felt like throwing that in here. Its my story, after all: I can write it however I want to! Nyeaaaah!

Weatherman Draw: Located in south-central Montana, Weatherman Draw is a thousand-year-old cultural site showcasing the largest collection of native artwork to be found on the North American continent. Know to native tribes as the Valley of the Shields, or the Valley of the Chiefs, artwork contained within its boundaries dates back to a time more than 500 years before the arrival of Columbus, and indicates the presence of individuals from as far south as present-day northern Mexico.

Sacred to over a half-dozen native tribes, the 4,270-acre draw was thrust into the national spotlight in 1994 when leases for oil exploration were purchased by the Anschutz Exploration Corporation. With the prospect of large-scale drilling within the draw a very real possibility, Native Americans and environmentalist groups alike feared the wholesale destruction of both the environment and the numerous works of art to be found here.

An advocacy campaign was quickly launched to prevent drilling within the draw, but such efforts gave all the appearance of a David-versus-Goliath fight. The proponents of saving the draw were primarily a grass-roots organization, while Phillip Anschutz, the owner and president of Anschutz Exploration, was one of the wealthiest men in the world with a personal fortune of 9 billion, and holdings that included major stakes in such companies as United Artists, Qwest Communications, and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Ultimately, however, the land itself was the real winner, as a comprehensive public relations campaign of media exposure, political lobbying and direct negotiations led to the forfeiture by Anschutz Exploration of all drilling rights, and the donation of the leases in question to the Federal Bureau of Land Management. Today, the entire episode is recorded and studied as a prime example of how small groups can protect their own interests against encroachment by larger, more powerful corporations.

Well Ron has finally traded his saddle back in for an ejection seat once again, but what does the future hold next in store for our intrepid heroes. I aint saying nothing! (What? You want me to give away the plot? Dream on, dudes!)

Stay tuned for Chapter Seven, when something will happen to somebody. (Hows that for specific and helpful?)

Later, gators!

Nutzkie