Disclaimer: Don't own anything. Except maybe my own characters. But not even them, really. They own themselves if you ask them.
A Note From the Authoress: For the record, this chapter was never supposed to exist. Honestly. Nowhere in the outline. It came from my realization that I needed a nice follow-up to the events of the last chapter and personal angst. Yay, angst! Although this chapter isn't too angsty. I apologize, though, parts of it are still very vague, mysterious and confusing. On purpose, naturally. They'll all be explained in due time, just a little foreshadowing (yes, this is mostly the last section, along with some of Kim's thoughts, which confuse even her, and me, honestly, even though I know all about it).
I promise, after this chapter, it'll go back to some semblance of normalcy. At least for a while. :) I've written a new version of the prologue, but it's not up quite yet. I want to finish outlining the third book to make sure I'm not leaving any conflicting details or anything in there. Well, I guess I could always go back and change it later. ;) I'll try to post it with the next chapter, but I'm not promising anything.
dude: Haha! Not quite . . . but thanks, anyways!
gargoylesama: I am very well aware of the different forms of vampires and their weaknesses, but trust me when I say that everything is going to work out appropriately. The issues of both vampires and Lilith will be addressed. And, because you're apparently familiar with the Lilith myth, I have a feeling you're going to be angry with me when an explanation finally comes. As I stated before, this is a separate version of Lilith . . . but the myths don't change, only the reality behind them. You'll see, and hopefully still be able to enjoy the story, as well. :)
the Desert Fox: You got the reference! You rock! (Yes, that was intentional, sorta. I was listening to that song and it just came out. I almost changed it but decided to keep it to see who'd be the first to notice it). You get a muffin for that. And thanks!
aimtbj: You have absolutely no idea. ;) Thanks!
Chapter Seven
Kim Possible was the most renowned teen hero in the world; that was a fact. To the rest of the world, she was invincible, commanding inhuman power and skill, while still retaining the likeness, grace and beauty of the incredible young woman she was. She'd never truly lost, not ever. She and her team were ridding the world of evil one villain at a time, using methods that were by no means fatal, giving her a more appealing image than even the governmental officials that went through years of training that she technically never had. She was a role model; she was a true hero.
But right now she was a frightened little girl.
When they'd arrived back at the Possible residence, they only would have been able to make eighth period, making returning to school entirely pointless. Not that Kim was in any state of mind to be doing any sort of learning whatsoever. Still wearing nothing more than her underwear, she'd run up to her room, leaving a confused, boxer-clad Ron standing in the entryway. The Drs. Possible had both returned home early after receiving frantic phone calls from Wade saying that their daughter and her boyfriend were on their way home and might need them. He'd explained what happened as best he could, but neither parent could understand how even this could force their daughter into such a funk that even Ron wouldn't be able to pull her out of it.
Mrs. Dr. Possible had immediately followed Kim up to her room, leaving Ron and Kim's dad to talk. Presently, Ron was fidgeting nervously in the doorway to the Drs. Possible's bedroom, as the man of the house was digging through his closet for something to give Ron to wear. Normally, he had one set of normal clothes and one set of mission clothes tucked away in Kim's closet, as she had the same in his, but after spending multiple missions and one overnight stay at the Possible residence, they were all soiled or taken away to some crime lab. Ron had offered to run on home to get some more, but Mr. Possible had quickly pointed out that it would be awfully cold to do so in his boxers, and that they'd call his parents later to see if they'd drop some off.
Despite the elder man's assurances, Ron couldn't help but feel awkward standing in his girlfriend's parents' bedroom. It was just . . . strange. He scratched the back of his neck, and, after a moment, uneasily ventured, "Dr. P.?"
He briefly looked over his shoulder at the young man, taking in his vaguely gangly appearance. At first glance, he wouldn't seem one capable of much strength or bravery, but the way he constantly put his life on the line for their Kimmie, he had no doubt that this was the man he wanted his daughter to spend the rest of her life with. He trusted him, although he hadn't really realized it until just now, seeing the concern etched in Ron's face. He knew the boy would never take advantage of his daughter, nor would he ever hurt her, or allow anyone else to do the same. He admired that; he respected that. "Yes, Ronald?"
"I'm worried about Kim," he said simply.
James stopped his rummaging and stood upright, looking in Ron's direction, but not at him. "We all are, Ron. But she'll pull through, you'll see." He smiled slightly, obviously forcing the optimism.
"She can do anything," Ron added helpfully.
The man turned round once more, sorting through clothes for something that might fit Ron appropriately. "What exactly happened?"
Ron sighed, seeking for a place to begin. "Well," he began, "Wade told us that there were . . . err . . . screams coming from the lair. We'd all immediately thought it was a hostage being tortured or something like that, and Wade told us to just run in there, nothing sneaky about it. There wouldn't be time."
James nodded, signaling Ron to continue.
"So . . . I . . . well, I . . . convinced Kim to let me go in first."
Dr. Possible raised an eyebrow at the phrasing. Certainly didn't sound like his daughter to be convinced to do anything by anyone, not even Ron. "And?"
"And . . . well," Ron seemed to wince slightly, "I ran through several different passages until I came across a large room full of dead henchmen."
The other man looked over his shoulder once more. "Was there a lot of . . . ?"
"Blood?" he finished for him. James couldn't help but notice how much more mature Ron seemed, as if he'd aged ten years within the course of one day. His eyes seemed to hold great and sudden wisdom . . . and pain. He knew it was for Kim, after all that was the only reason he did anything, wasn't it? "Yeah . . . and syntho-goo. But I went to the door anyways . . . I don't know what compelled me to; Kim hadn't caught up with me yet. I learned later she took a different path to the central part of the lair – it was huge, ya know. The door opened and . . ." he stopped for a moment, as if in thought.
"Drew," the elder man stated. It was not a question, but rather a realization full of guilt. It was bad enough he blamed himself for Lipsky turning evil, but now he felt the weight of the villain's death weighing down on his shoulders.
Ron nodded. "Yeah . . . there was even more blood . . . both his and Shego's, Wade said. Shego's probably dead . . . they haven't found her body yet." He sighed, scratching his neck again. "It was disgusting, to say the least. I felt sick. And then . . . Kim came in . . . from another entrance, thankfully. I don't know what she'd have done if she'd seen what I saw."
Mr. Possible looked at him expectantly.
"She looked like she was going to faint. I caught her, though. I've never seen her so . . . frail. But she got right back up and went closer to the body. I let her . . . I wish I wouldn't've. She fell down and started . . . well, barfing. I went down next to her and held her and cleaned her up as best I could and told her to go to sleep."
Kim's dad smiled at that. Ron didn't know it, but he was gaining James' trust and respect by the moment. True, he'd always had faith in the boy when it came to him being Kim's best friend, but this was new territory, and a new test. And Ron was passing with flying colors. "And then?"
"And then I called Wade . . . you know about that already, and I carried Kim outside to get some fresh air.
A+. But he couldn't let Ron know that, he still wanted Ron to be afraid of deep space probes and black holes. He resisted the urge to chuckle at that.
"You know the rest of the story," Ron sighed.
James nodded, finally finding what he was looking for: a pair of old trousers that should fit Ron fine, and a large blue tee-shirt. He pulled them out and stood, handing them to Ron, who quickly donned them, glad of their warmth. With a quick thank you, Ron turned to leave, but Dr. Possible stopped him. "Ronald?"
He turned round. "Yes, sir?"
James smiled, laying a hand on Ron's shoulder. "Thanks for taking care of my Kimmie-cub." He tightened his grip. "And I mean that."
"Oh, as Kim would say, it's 'no big'," he responded with a bit of amusement, but then grew uncharacteristically serious. "I'd do anything to keep Kim safe."
Mr. Dr. Possible smiled, and, much to Ron's surprise, took the boy in a firm, fatherly embrace.
Meanwhile, Kim's mother was digging through her daughter's dresser, looking for something for her to wear, as currently she was sitting on the edge of her bed, wrapped in the blanket Ron had enveloped her in earlier, deep in thought. What had made her feel so . . . so . . . she couldn't even put it into words! There was something about what had happened, beyond the death, beyond the blood, that had chiseled its way deep into her soul, without her even knowing it. She felt vulnerable, weak and destroyed, but that was only a result of that one single feeling she still could not place.
She'd seen an image in her fear there, an image of a legend she'd never paid any mind. But now . . . she felt as if she should have, as if what was said to be simple myth would be the source of her undoing, of the end of the world. But worst of all, she saw that it would be all her fault, hers and Ron's. And the thought frightened her beyond all comprehension. She sighed.
"Kimmie?" came her mother's voice, concerned.
Before she could even think, Kim blurted out, "I want to marry Ron," then quickly covered her mouth, a light pink tone coming to her cheeks.
Slightly startled, her mother ceased her search to look straight ahead, still facing away from her, contemplating the topic. "Have you discussed this with Ron?" A hint of a smile played across her lips.
Kim shook her head and moaned, exasperated. "I didn't mean to say that," she groaned. She'd said the first thing that came to her mind, after her current contemplation, that is. She knew it was unrelated and random and totally silly, but she'd said it. The damage was done. Her mother would never let her live this down. Well, at least it drew her mind from her present crisis.
"But you meant it, didn't you?" Ann Possible grinned over her shoulder at her daughter. As random as it was, it was certainly better than Kim brooding for the time being. At least now she was smiling – a smile Ron would truly love. Never mind the thought of Ron finally being an official member of the family was a very welcome thought.
Kim's blush deepened considerably. "Well . . . yeah . . . I guess I did . . ." She smiled dreamily for a moment, but soon snapped out of it. "But that's not the point!"
"It's not?" Ann queried, holding up a pair of cargo Capri pants. Kim's sudden change of mood was odd, if not a bit disturbing, but it pained Ann to see Kim in such a state, and decided to let it rest for now; anything to make Kim happy.
"Of course not!" Kim was as red as a stoplight now, struggling to hold in her giggles, her distress gone, as if the further she distanced herself from that place, the clearer reality became. Nothing would harm her, and now, only now, did she realize this.
"Then why did you say it?" Ann pulled out a matching tee-shirt and broadened her grin before throwing both garments at her daughter. With a slight giggle, she set about searching for a matching pair of socks (which was quite a task, being the room of a high school girl).
Kim collapsed back onto her bed with an overly dramatic sigh. "I don't know!" She began twisting the fabric of the clothing her mother had just given her, the one remaining effect of the day's earlier drama. "It was the first thing that came to mind. I don't know why or how . . . Ugh!" She sat up and began putting on the clothes she'd been given.
Ann smiled tenderly at her daughter, standing, and came over to sit down on the edge of the bed with her, holding out a pair of socks. "Maybe it's because whatever happened today made you realize something."
Tugging the shirt over her head, she frowned and set about calming her now frizzy hair. "Like what?"
"I don't know," Ann said, assisting her daughter with her hair. "Why don't you tell me what happened?"
Kim thought for a moment, her hands settled in her lap before beginning, "I don't know what came over me, Mom . . . I mean, yeah, there was a lot of blood and it made me feel sick, but . . . there was something else." She waved her hands frantically. "I tried to explain it to Ron, that it was like déjà vu, but that's not quite it." She dropped her hands, deep in thought.
"Kimmie," her mother soothed, "Just tell me what happened." She wrapped an arm around the girl's shoulders, sensing the tension there. She could tell that that shadow was settling on Kim once more, but she also knew that should she keep this bottled up, things would prove even worse than now.
She began in a whisper, "I don't remember much . . . just . . . blood and . . . and pain. I felt dizzy. And Ron, he . . ."
"Caught you before you fell?" Ann finished with a smile.
Kim nodded. "I wanted to see the body . . . I don't know why. I was compelled to. And the . . . nausea finally overcame me. Ron held me . . . and told me to go to sleep. I did, but I don't know why. It wasn't that bad, surely. But there was something else in that place and I couldn't help it."
Ann stroked her daughter's hair affectionately. "And that's all you remember?"
Kim finally seemed to lighten for a moment, grinning faintly. "When I woke up, I was in my underwear in his arms." Ann raised an eyebrow slightly. "And a blanket!" she finished with a blush.
Trying to lighten the mood once more, Mrs. Possible replied, "So Ron's already undressed you? I guess you should be thinking about marriage."
"Mom!" Kim squawked shoving her mother a little.
Ann smiled warmly and pulled her daughter close, growing serious again. "I'm worried about you, Kimmie. It's not like you to be so . . . so . . . random."
Kim seemed to slump in her mother's arms for a moment before assuring her she was all right, and that she was just having an odd day.
"Okay, dear," Mrs. Possible said, releasing the girl. "I'm going to go check on your dad and Ron, just holler if you need me, okay?"
Kim smiled at her mother. "Okay." Once her mother had left, she sighed, drooping forward with her hands in her lap. There was something wrong, she couldn't deny it to herself the way she had to her mother. She didn't want to lie to her, but she knew she'd not be able to explain it to anyone if she couldn't even make it clear to herself. It wasn't a big deal, she could handle it. After all, she could do anything. All she had to do was ignore that haunting feeling for now, and hope it'd all work out in the end.
Dr. James Possible sat at the kitchen table, watching with amusement as Ron paced back and forth, talking very sternly into the phone. Naturally, he'd wanted to discuss his daughter's current situation with Mr. Barkin, but when he'd not taken an extremely fervent position, the boy had immediately ripped the phone from his hand, yelling into it about how Kim deserves a break right now and how if he didn't understand that, he should be back in the army, not working in a high school.
He didn't even stop yelling long enough for Barkin to say he understood perfectly (as odd as that was in itself).
James chuckled, watching the young man. Ah, yes, this was the boy for his daughter. As much as he wanted to protect her, he'd realized now that this boy – no, man – could do the job better than he ever could. Of course, he'd still threaten him (it was one of the perks of having a teenage daughter), but now he felt suddenly lenient about the strict rules he'd implemented for Kim's other boyfriends. Maybe a midnight curfew? Nah, that was going a bit too far.
"Hey, Hon," his wife's voice came with a kiss to his cheek. She sat down on the edge of his chair, leaning into him to keep from falling. "What's Ron up to?"
"Lecturing Barkin," he said with uncontained amusement. His wife made a surprised face. "Oh, about Kimmie and how her teachers should be understanding and keep her grades from dropping."
"Weren't you going to do that?"
"I was, but Ronald took the phone from me!" He gestured at the boy before putting an arm round her shoulders.
"Well," she began, taking on a more serious tone, "I don't think that's entirely necessary right now." It was his turn to look confused. "Kimmie says she's fine, that she just overreacted, I guess. That's what I gathered from her explanation."
James raised an eyebrow, a thought suddenly occurring to him. Could she be responsible for all this? He couldn't help but remember that day . . . so long ago, before the twins had been born, when Kim was just a toddler, ambling around on her chubby little legs exclaiming 'I ken do enthing!' at the top of her little lungs. He'd never thought anything of the strange woman who'd approached him and his wife at the park back then, as Kim scuttled around the playground. "Do you think what she'd said has anything to do with this?"
Ann's eyebrows rose as she nodded, almost imperceptibly. "But should we tell Kimmie? It might not have anything to do with it at all, and then she might be paranoid of something happening."
He tightened his arm around her, drawing her closer. "I don't know, Ann. I guess we'll just have to wait until we know more. Once Ron's off the phone, I'll call Wade and tell him to report any news on this situation to us before he even tries to contact Kim."
She nodded. "James, do you think she was right? About Kimmie?"
He turned to tenderly kiss her cheek. "I don't know, Hon." He lowered his arm to her waist. "I hope not. But we'll just wait and see." With his other hand, he touched his wife's chin, lifting it slightly. "And hey, remember that she said Kim would succeed. What's so bad about that?"
Ann looked at him seriously before settling her head on his shoulder. "But there will be a price, she said. That's what I worry about."
After Barkin had finally managed to get through to Ron that he understood the situation and he would talk with all of Kim's teachers (although Barkin was mysteriously covering most of her classes . . . it almost seemed like they were back in elementary school with one teacher all day long), Ron thanked the man and hung up the phone. "The Ronster's got everything under control, Mr. Dr. P., Barkin sai-" He turned back to explain the situation to Kim's dad, but instead found himself in a very awkward situation, as the Drs. Possible were apparently having a somewhat romantic moment together: their arms wrapped round one another, his head against hers, which was settled against his shoulder. "Ummm . . ." he stuttered, shifting his gaze. "I'll go . . . check on, Kim. Yeah, that's right." And with that he began backing away, only to be called back by Kim's mother.
"Come here, Ron," she said, and he did, sitting down at the table across from his girlfriend's parents, who had retracted their arms from one another, but not separated entirely.
"What's the sitch, Drs. P.?" he asked seriously, despite his stealing of Kim's trademark phrase. He folded his hands on top of the table, twiddling his thumbs lightly.
"Kim's a bit . . . off right now, Ron," Mrs. Possible explained. "She's probably going to act like nothing's wrong, but we all know that's not the case." The last bit rung of a question and he nodded in understanding. "And . . ." she glanced at her husband for a moment before returning her gaze to Ron. "I . . . we . . . we think we know why."
James seemed to try to stop her at first, but apparently realized that whatever she was going to say needed to be said. Meanwhile, Ron raised an eyebrow expectantly.
"Before Jim and Tim were born," she started, "And Kim was still a toddler, just before she met you, we took her to a park to play." She smiled at the thought. "Naturally, we played with her, but before long she wore us out and, after she'd assured us she was a big girl and could play without us, we went over to a nearby bench to watch." Obviously Ron didn't see what this had to do with Kim's current distress and began tapping a finger a bit impatiently. She held up a hand, stopping him. "While we were watching, a young woman approached us. It was very strange to be quite honest, but she seemed so charmed by our little Kimmie, we let her sit with us. She was very shy, I suppose, 'cause we had to prompt her to even say anything for awhile, and no matter what the question, she'd always respond with some compliment on our daughter. Being young parents we-" She was interrupted by the sound of Kim galloping into the kitchen immediately latching onto Ron. Mrs. Possible slumped a bit, knowing she'd have to explain later.
"Come on!" she squeaked uncharacteristically, tugging on his hand. "I'm hungry for a naco!" Now that was really odd. He glanced back at Kim's mother, who nodded meaningfully.
"All right, KP, just let me see if your dad will let me borrow some-"
Before he could finish, she'd dragged him out the door, on the way to Bueno Nacho.
A loud wail came from outside, "But, KP! I don't have any shoes!"
Mrs. Possible couldn't help but laugh and turned to her husband who was serious as ever. "Ann," he said softly. "Do you really think . . . she might be after Kimmie?"
Ann sighed and thought for a moment. "Hon, I really don't know what to think right now. But if Kimmie is who the woman says she is . . . I'm almost certain she'd come after her." She shivered a bit and James held her tightly. "It's frightening, James. She never did anything to deserve this, but she was . . . chosen, I guess."
James thought for a moment before beginning, "But she'll win, Ann. If everything else she said happened, then this must at least be true."
"But at what price will it come?"
James did not answer, because in truth, he didn't know how. Something inside told him that whatever price his daughter, her boyfriend or any of them had to pay would be worth it in the end. After all, this was the end of the world they were talking about, and one little girl, one little girl who held this destiny since she was wobbling around on the playground, was the only one who could aid or stop it. "Do you still have it?"
She seemed offended at the very suggestion that she may have lost the object. "Of course!" She began digging through her purse that was situated next to the chair they were on. "I carry it with me everywhere." She seemed to blush a little. "Just in case, right?"
He smiled at her. Eventually, she pulled out a neatly folded wad of black silk, placing it carefully on the table. He heaved a sigh as he withdrew his arms from round his wife, and set about undoing the careful wrappings of the sacred object. After over a decade of neglect, the charm shone and sparked silver in the light. There, settled on a soft pile of cloth was a silver chain, a seemingly ancient pendant hanging from it. The pendant itself, although indescribably old, shone with equal silver brilliance, the image of three model keys locked into the shape of a triangle, each key inscribed with a name. They seemed to taunt James with their realism, as if they were proof of religion, of faith . . . of evil. There they were: "SENOY", "SANSENOY" and "SEMANGELOF".
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