The constant hum of the engine could no longer be heard, nor the sound of the constant pitter-patter of the heavy rain hitting against the family car window. She couldn't hear a thing, and that's what she wanted. Kim just wanted to have her own little escape from the world around her in the congested minivan she was forced to be stuck in. She had her pink polyester blanket covering her and her red pillow on the side of her face.

Ron had passed out along with Rufus in the seat in front of hers snoring for the past 6 hours. Jim and Tim were talking about how they could change the weather with just a custom built hand held unit. Her Mother and Father were discussing on how to get to their destination on the map. At the moment she wanted to ignore her environment, she really needed a break from the world, a chance to escape.

Kim decided to play an acoustic song on her Kimmunicator. The strumming of the guitar slowly started to make her doze off into sleep as her eyelids grew heavier and heavier by the second. The world around her started to fade away. Finally she can get some good hours of sleep. No more cheesy songs to pass the time, no more of Jim and Tim annoying her in the back of the car, and especially no more snoring made by Ron and Rufus. Pure bliss was settling in as the guitar strung more and more, making her fall deeper and deeper into sleep.

After what seemed like an eternity her eyes finally closed. Her hand then suddenly vibrated and the song came to a stop as the familiar ringtone rang in her ear. She leaned forward rubbing her eyes softly with her free hand and placed the pillow where it would support her back. She hit the main button on the Kimmunicator and her 10 year old super genius friend appeared on the screen, Wade. Wade was essential to Kim and all of her missions; his intellectual genius was never truly bested, but he surely couldn't have called at a worse time.

"Hey Kim, how's the trip to New Jersey going for you?" Wade asked with a Smile.

"Hey Wade, It's been like all the other long distance drives."

"Same-old, same-old huh? Well, at least you're traveling for Thanksgiving and not for a mission. It's been pretty quiet, like how it was when Shego was tutoring Junior in villainy a while back."

Kim was rather taken back by his statement, Wade was right. The last mission Kim went on was 2 weeks ago; normally she had a mission every few days, if not daily. All desires of rest were now gone with the new enlightenment.

"You're right. Maybe it's because of the holidays or something."

"Doubt it Kim, someone has to be planning something big, it's either that, or your theory of everyone's making sure their food is ready for tomorrow." Wade gave a small chuckle at his comment, and Kim gave a warm smile as well. She pondered on that thought for a second and of the possibility of her doing the same, knowing she won't get a call for a mission during the middle of dinner on that night. Wade cut her track of thought once again.

"So you're visiting your Aunt?"

"That's right my Aunt Caryl, she is a psychiatrist and a rehabilitation expert. She invited us to eat Thanksgiving dinner at her apartment. She comes from my mom's side of the family." Kim replied.

Aunt Caryl was similar to Kim's Mother but pursued a career to help people with mental and psychiatric problems. The last time she saw her aunt was 10 years ago when she lived in North Carolina, and they went to visit her during the Christmas holiday. She was incredibly sweet and caring to her. When she was cold it was her that gave her a warm blanket to wrap around in. She was also the one who secretly gave her a cookie when no one would let her as well. She was considered her favorite relative aside from her Grandmother.

"Oh? I didn't know that you had an Aunt."

"No one really talks about her, even though she's a sweet person."

"Well you just have a Happy Thanksgiving Kim, catch you back at Middleton"

"You rock Wade!" With a press of a button the transmission had ended. Wade had disappeared from the screen of the Kimmunicator and the stringing of the guitar played once more, though to Kim's disappointment she was wide awake now. She laid her head back on the pillow, her eyes blankly staring at the van's ceiling as the rain and the engine hum came back to her noticeable environment.

Kim remembered something though, prior to their journey. Her Aunt Caryl recently moved to New Jersey and a rather big city residing close to Manhattan. Prior she had lived near Uncle Slim back in Montana when she last visited her. Her eyes narrowed and she bit her lip trying hard to remember the name of the city she was now currently on her way towards. She brushed it off as a minor detail for the time being and took notice in the surroundings once more.

Ron and Rufus were still asleep and the tweebs had plugged their earphones in as well. Her Father and Mother now not talking to each other any longer, as her father was focused on the road and her mother was reading a book of hers. Kim looked back up at the unattractive car ceiling and huffed. Pulling her body upwards she leaned forward so her dad could see her in the rear view mirror. Moving her fiery orange hair away from her green eyes she spoke up towards her dad, while unplugging her ear buds.

"Hey Dad, how much longer do we have until we get to Aunt Caryl's new apartment?"

"We have only another 6 hours left Kimmie, do you need to stretch your legs or use the bathroom?"

Kim just shrugged and rolled her eyes slightly, she loved her father with all her heart but sometimes he can be socially awkward at times. She just simply replied,

"No Dad, there's just nothing to do anymore. The bad guys have been doing nothing for the past two weeks. It's almost as pathetic as the time I had all the cheer squad show up late Friday night to practice so I'd have something to do on a Friday night."

Kim's father, James just looked into her daughter's eyes with a warm smile as always. He was always there for Kim since the very beginning, especially back when she and Ron argued about him being the School's Middleton Mad Dog; he was the one who drove her to the convention center to combat Dr. Drakken and his three killer Bee-Bees. Kim's train of thought was broken as he spoke to her once again. His voice was comforting like always, just like her mother's.

"Don't you worry Kimmie-cub we will be at your Aunt's in no time, why not take a nap? I guarantee that it's better than being bored for another 6 to 5 hours at least." James turned his head back to the road.

Kim believed him, boredom was one of the worst things for her. On her missions she always had something to do, keep Ron out of trouble, homework, arrange for another ride to another mission or back home, but this was something new. Struggling to preoccupy herself was making her feel weird on the inside, uncomfortable even. She sat with her legs crossed and looked down thinking about what could possibly be going on with the world. Dr. Drakken, Monkey Fist, Duff Killigan, even Shego, not one villain had been up to anything, why?

She looked back up to the car ceiling almost as if the answer were there. It all made her head hurt and her hand went through her silky red hair scratching her head. She finally decided that she will take her dad's advice and take a nap. She leaned back onto her pillow and pulled the blanket over her shoulder looking back up at the ceiling of the van. Everything seemed wrong about the peacefulness. It was all wrong in her head, she should be fighting Shego, or trying to stop Monkey Fist or someone, even Gemini crossed her mind a few times.

She tossed and turned trying to fight off these thoughts traversing her head, over and over again. An audible "ugh" escaped her lips as she tossed one final time throwing the blanket over her head. Grumbling to herself she took the blanket off her head and turned to the left facing the back of the seats that Ron and Rufus were sleeping in.

She took a dive into her imagination, looking for ideas to see what these villains could be up to, to the point of not doing anything for a solid 2 weeks. Maybe Dr. Drakken had some doomsday laser trouble, or Monkey Fist has been targeting a priceless artifact at some museum, and just can't get to it for some reason, or maybe she was just overthinking everything. What if these 2 weeks were just overly peaceful, no mission, no homework just a whole bunch of free time? No it couldn't be. There had to have been something. There had to have been some master plan by someone that is coming closer into fruition, there just had to be.

She completely stopped thinking, and noticed her eyes had started to become heavy and a yawn came from her lips and lungs. At long last the rest she had desired has finally returned to her. Her eyes slowly closed over her emerald irises and soon she started to relax. The rhythm of the raindrops on the car window finally started to work on her conscious and slowly fell to darkness sounds finally faded into nothing, the rain, the engine hum, all had blended into total silence. Sleep had finally come her total environment had been completely eliminated by her, and Kim couldn't have been more at peace with that fact. Sleep had finally taken her.

Kim had felt a sudden poke to her shoulder and even on her cheek. Groaning she awoke from her slumber. Hair all messed up and eyes heavier than normal and her head now hazy. She looked up at the one responsible for her disturbance, his spiked forward blonde hair and freckles, along with his brown eyes had looked deep into hers. Ron and Rufus both were hanging their head from the back of the seats they were once sleeping on and were staring at her, annoying Kim greatly, and with haste she spoke.

"Ron, what is it?"

"We are at the hotel KP, and you were out for a long time." Kim had grown wide eyed and shot up from lying down to sitting straight up observing her new surroundings and. She looked around and the field and rain she had last saw had been replaced to snow, people, city blocks, and cars that were passing each other slowly. Occasionally there would be a honk or two and many people in massive groups would walk across the cold streets huddled in their jackets to keep from getting cold. Skyscrapers towered around her with lights illuminating the night sky with a slightly gothic design. She turned around to notice bellhops wearing red uniforms taking carts full of luggage inside a massive two towered building. One of the bellhops was shaking her father's hands with a smile on both of their faces. Turning to her right she found an empty trunk where all the suitcases were already unpacked from the car. Kim held her forehead with her fingertips and looked back to her best friend.

"Ron, how long have I been asleep?" she asked with concern.

"Kim you were asleep for the past 7 hours. The traffic here is horrible too and you missed Bueno Nacho, no one misses out on Naco's! At least the people are nice here." Ron exclaimed. Rufus just gave a small nod and a concerned look on his little mole rat face. Kim looked around once more. She noticed her father was approaching the van and went around to the open trunk towards them both. Jim, Tim and her mother were all standing by the revolving glass door.

"Kimmie, it is time to get up, we got valet parking."

Kim grabbed her pillow and blanket and waiting for Ron to move. She slowly crawled from her spot as her muscles ached from being in the back of the S.U.V. She was wide awake and didn't catch the time. The bellhop approached the door of the van and closed it. He turned around and bowed to her with a tip of the cap his almost hiding his dark skin and smile.

With glee he stated, "Thank you for choosing the Grand Royal Hotel here in the Diamond District of our great city." Kim smiled at him and nodded back, at least Ron was right about the people here they were nice.

She didn't want to imagine her Aunt moving to a city where the people here were awful and rude to one another, like the stereotype of people from New Jersey claimed. She turned to head towards her family and best friend awaiting her, but turned around towards the bellhop once more as he was unlocking the door to the van. She stepped onto the ice cold pavement of the road and trembled for a bit before taking more steps out to the street intending on meeting back with the Bellhop.

"Excuse me Sir?"

"Yes, Miss Possible?" he asked. Kim was taken back for a second, he knew her last name.

"Wait, how did you know my last name?"

"I'm sorry Miss; I just assumed that man was your father who introduced himself." The now concerned young man replied.

"Oh, that's okay I'm sorry for troubling you. Do you know the time?" The bellhop pulled back his red sleeve from his white glove and looked at his silver watch carefully.

"It's around 12:15 A.M. miss" he replied. Kim's eyes shot out wide. The last she check the time was when she talked to wade, and that was around 5:32 P.M. She placed her hands on her forehead as reality rushed back towards her, it was then she remembered that her feet were on the ice cold pavement of the street and jumped back on the sidewalk, which to her was a bit dirty. She waved back at bellhop as he drove the van to the parking garage. Reuniting with the group Kim she and they all went to the elevator and entered pressing the 24th button as Jim and Tim noticed.

"Wow dad, the 24th floor?" Tim asked.

"I can't wait to see the city from that high up, maybe we can test our new weather control device from up there!" Jim said.

"Boys, there will be no weather altering while we're here. Aunt Caryl paid for it so you boys remember to thank her, and that goes for you to Kim."

"You got it Dad." Kim responded.

"Thanks for letting me tag along as well Doctor P. My family had that sudden work trip they had to take and their thankful as well." Ron had been the victim to his family taking abrupt and random leaves of absence far too many times. Them leaving was their way of telling him they will be gone all of thanksgiving and Ron would have the house to himself. Normally this would have been a great week for Ron, but the house to him for all Thanksgiving break with no food to be cooked on that next Thursday would have been quite the inconvenience. Kim looked at him with a smirk; she always knew Ron and Rufus seemed to get the shortest straw of the bunch in life all the time, even when he got lucky. But they made the most of it. Rufus sat in his pocket, yawning once more at time wore on and on.

What seemed like an eternity, they all arrived at the 24th floor of the Grand Hotel, and the hallways were immaculate. A crimson carpet with mahogany wall panels covered the surrounding area. Chandeliers illuminated the hallway beautifully almost as beautiful as the chandeliers were themselves, fake glass diamonds hung from them and they had 28 light bulbs that were shaped like a candle lit flame around its 3 rings, 16 on the first ring, 8 on the middle, and 4 on the top.

Kim followed her best friend and family down the hallway as her father searched for their rooms. They all agreed that the boys would sleep in one room and the girls would sleep in the room across from theirs. Kim couldn't help but be awestruck by all the rich equipment and the amazing detail all in just a hotel, she wondered if the rest of the city was treated like this. The city that she still couldn't remember where she was at.

She drew a small breath to ask the question. Hesitating however, she decided to hold it off until tomorrow. As they walked her eyes became heavier the soft carpet on her soles warmed her feet and her body became light, wanting only nothing but to sleep once more. She was snapped to reality, away from her descent to rest by the sound of her father next to what appeared to be two mahogany doors. There were Champagne gold plaques on both doors reading the numbers 513 and 514.

"Here we are, now the girls are in room 513 and were in 514 boys. You two get some rest and we should do the same after unpacking."

"Have a good night dear." Mrs. Possible then gave her husband a kiss on the cheek as both parties went into their rooms. Kim waved bye and said goodnight to Ron who did the same and saw Rufus give a lazy wave as he fell asleep in Ron's pocket. Afterwards Kim was the first to walk in the room after Ann got the key letting her daughter in first. Kim was shocked to see the luxury of the room. It was simple two white queen sized beds were even spaced in the small corner, a flat screen T.V. was in front of them and next to mahogany desk and leather office chair to the left. To the right of the television was a small black fridge. Twin windows covered by white curtains to match the bed popped out from the dirt brown carpet where their suitcases laid next to their beds. Kim turned to her mother who was locking the door.

"Uh Mom, how much did Aunt Caryl pay for all this?" Ann giggled slightly. Looking towards her daughter who was tired still wrapped in her blanket holding her pillow. Her hair all a mess and her eyes slightly heavy.

"Sweetheart, My sister makes almost as I do being a psychiatrist, in fact she probably makes much more so she can afford it, she has been so busy here and lonely since her Ex-husband divorced her." Kim didn't really remember Aunt Caryl's husband at all, she barely saw him. Though she did remember why they got divorced. Her Ex-husband was no way by any means a decent man, drug dealer, alcoholic, and the final straw came when she found out he was cheating on Aunt Caryl, after that Kim didn't even bat an eye towards that man ever again. She hated those kinds of people, even if she had to save a few of them on certain occasions she still had a massive disgust towards them. Lost in her train of thought she noticed her mother had already changed into her pajamas and started to fall asleep.

Kim just took a deep breath and went for the bed but stopped and took a look at the window. It was the 24th floor would be silly not to take in the view before we leave for home the day after tomorrow. She moved the curtains to the left and took in the sight, the city lights danced around the clouded sky, a constant rotational pirouette, where some signal lights crossed paths while others seemed to do everything they could to not collide. Kim with her arms crossed holding her elbows rested on the sight watching everything the city sky had to offer, planes taking off, city lights and massive skyscrapers. One thing stood out though a massive building with the letter "W" on the tip on par with the biggest of towers. This particular building must have been at least 50 or 75 stories high underneath the letter read, "Wayne Enterprises", she tilted her head to the side to try and think about who exactly owned such a massive tower and who was Wayne?

Her train of thought did not last long as she soon yawned and closed the window retreating to the bed next towards her mother's. She stopped as she felt the blankets; they were made of a soft fleece texture as she played around with it with her fingers admiring how much this one hotel has spent just to have each and every one of their guests have an incredible experience, and this experience so far was satisfying. There are plenty of hotels and places to stay where they cut short on giving their guests the desired experience, but this hotel was surely not one of them. She yawned again and crawled into bed, the softness of her pillow and the blanket fully encasing her comfortably, warming her from the brutal cold of the outside. The last thing she sees before falling asleep was looking at the digital clock between her and her mother's bed, it read 12:43 A.M.

Kim's eyes moved once more as she groaned, reawakening from her deep slumber. She had pretty much passed out after crawling in the bed. The first thing she noticed was her mother was not in her bed, but what she did notice was the bathroom light beside the door, her mother must have let her sleep in a bit before getting herself ready for the day. Kim then looked at the clock as it read 10:23 A.M. and she then finally rose from her bed sitting on the edge closest to the window and peered at it slightly. This made her get up from the bed walking towards it noticing it looks more grey and lifeless.

She saw nothing but a dull grey sky, covered with storm clouds. Kim raised a brow and reached for the Kimmunicator she placed on the desk next to the clock last night. She pulled up a map of New Jersey and notice that there were storms coming from the Atlantic taking up most of the eastern seaboard. Placing the Kimmunicator back down she decided to get dressed. She dug through her suitcase for the same black dress she had on when she had the modulator's accidentally placed the back of her neck. It still fit and it still hugged her curves tightly but it was a good looking dress for thanksgiving, if they were going anywhere else, she probably wouldn't have worn it. After all this was a family dinner with her Aunt, and no one would have the ability to gawk at her. She then took notice that her mother was wearing something similar, a white dress with a black belt around her waist, and a sapphire necklace that matched her eyes. Kim looked at her funny in response and couldn't hold the question back any longer

"Mom, where did you get that outfit?" Ann turned to her daughter and couldn't help but laugh and twirl some like a young girl.

"You like it? I got it for a discount at the Mall in that Black & White store, and the necklace was a present from your father on our anniversary!" Ann couldn't help but smile as she looked at herself in the mirror in the bathroom. Kim smiled as well, the outfit was a great choice and it was perfect for her mother. Better than that purple dress she always wears to such occasions. Both women were interrupted by a knock at the door. Kim found Ron and Rufus fitted nicely with a simple black dress shirt with dark jeans. Kim's eyes yet again shot out wide, never has she seen Ron or Rufus dress in a manner such as this, normally it would have been his normal outfit from school, but he actually dressed up and looks nice. Kim leaned against the door side and had a smug look on her face.

"Since when did you dress up like that?" Ron just gave Kim another sarcastic look.

"Since I was going to ask Mary-Gary-Ono out!"

"And that was…?" Kim asked.

"Still working on it." Ron let his head lay low with an upset sigh. Kim couldn't help but laugh. Poor Ron always wanted to try and get her attention back at school, but never was able to catch her eye. She simply put her hand on his shoulder and smiled.

"Hey come on now; why not finally give it a try when we get back from break?" Ron looked up to Kim and smiled. She always had his back in the toughest situations. While dealing with women was never Ron's strong suit, he certainly never gave up, and to Kim he was the best sidekick she could ask her. He has gotten her out of many sticky situations. She especially remembers the time when she was held captive by Gill and nearly mutated, and it was Ron who defeated him.

Kim overheard the opening of both doors of rooms 513 & 514. Compliments were exchanged by the group and they headed back down the luxurious hallway. Kim looked to her left noticing the dark and lifeless sky, a few flashes of thunder and lightning echoed and it caught Ron's eye as well. Both crime fighters had felt an uncomfortable presence in the air, as if the luxury comfort of the hotel hid a dark and terrible secret that made shivers crawl up their spines. Ron finally spoke up breaking the eerie silence.

"KP, why does it all the sudden feel… different from last night?"

"You know Ron, I feel that too, and I don't like it." Rufus had been checking his surroundings almost as if his animal instincts had been warning him of the malicious yet invisible force. The three approached the same gold colored elevator they used last night. Kim hesitated, something in the back of her mind told her not to step foot on that elevator. It seemed sinister in her mind, as if it were a death trap of some kind. Her hand approached her temple and rubbed it slightly. Jim and Tim were the first to notice this unusual behavior.

"Hey you okay Kim?" Tim asked, Jim then followed up.

"Yeah you don't look so good."

Kim had only been standing still for what was a few seconds but to her it seemed like ten minutes. Kim the entered the elevator, her heart pounding a bit more as the golden doors slowly closed. She then felt a hand on her shoulder, it belonging to her mother.

"Kimmie? Do you have a headache? I can go back up and get some medicine if you'd like?"

"No-no, I'm fine mom it was nothing, thank you though." She could no longer feel her mother's hand, yet then the same malicious feeling coaxing the crime fighting team had been haunting in the back of their minds. As if everything around them had some evil intention to harm one another. She decided to shake off those hallucinations; she thought that of it as another side effect for not having a mission for 2 weeks. With that mind set her attitude readjusted and everything seemed to be more welcoming and calm in appearance.

The elevator chimed and the golden doors then opened up to the lobby. Kim walked straight to the city streets along with Ron and Rufus, all three looking straight up into the storm infested skies. She noticed the people on the streets seemed to change entirely as well, they seemed bitter and unsocial. Kim just blew it off as people who didn't like to get out of bed in the morning. Ron then broke the train of thought as he noticed something in the distance.

"Hey Kim, you see that really tall building out in the distance, the one that read 'Wayne Enterprises', Who owns that?"

"Don't know Ron, probably some big time bureaucrat." They both had looked at the exquisite detail presented within its structure, Kim did realize it last night but the building was good candy for the eye. The tower mimicked the shape of the Empire State Building from New York City, but with a dark gray material composing of the towers body. The massive 'W' seemed modern in design, easy to remember but stood out in the grand scheme of things. From Kim seeing it at night, it lights up a distinctive ice blue color that most high end cars used in their headlights.

Soon the family Van pulled up with everyone in the car Kim was a bit taken back by how she didn't realize them getting the car, maybe they were too distracted by their environment. The two simply entered into the Van and Mr. Possible drove to their destination, Kim just sat in the back of the Van once more and played with her Kimmunicator. She searched through the internet looking for some sign of trouble that was caused by anyone, Monkey Fist, Dr. Drakken, Dementor… she didn't care she just wanted something to occupy herself. The more pages she looked for the more unaware she became of how close she was to her destination. She noticed that the car engine had stopped and that everyone was unbuckling their seat belts. Kim then heard her father's voice acknowledging that they arrived.

"We're here everyone, now remember best behavior, and that goes for you boys."

Kim had ignored what her father said to look at the current building that her Aunt must be residing in. It was a typical twenty story building that only held decent sized apartments. She looked at the revolving doors and what seemed to be more luxurious in taste, obscuring its rough appearances outside of the building. Kim had just followed the others outside of the car, as they entered; she again took in the luxuries of the lobby. She then noticed that her Father had approached the man behind the mahogany desk.

"Excuse me sir, I'm Brother in Law of Miss Caryl O'Malley. She lives in this apartment complex." The large man, sporting his dirty red uniform and 5 o'clock shadow, put his newspaper down and started to pick at his teeth with a weak toothpick. To both Kim and her Father's surprise, this individual didn't show the same gratitude as many other of the citizens they ran into.

"Like I haven't heard that one before, look buddy if you're trying to see Ms. O'Malley, then you should've made an appointment; if you're not here for an appointment then you can get back on the street." Kim couldn't help but glare at the rather large man, and the same went for her father. Before he could speak up, Ann had already stepped in. Ann had given a cold stare to the man and spoke up. Kim noticed the hiss in her mother's voice that rarely came out, the last time she remembered her being this upset was when Prince Wally had visited Middleton. Ann's eyes darted towards the rather obese and large rounded man glaring at his stained name tag.

"Look...Boe; I'm Caryl's sister, Ann Possible. Now then let's try this one more time, please notify Ms. O'Malley, my sister, that her relatives are here and waiting for her downstairs."

"Ma'am how dense do I look, either you make an appointment or you leave before I have security throw you out." Ann's teeth were gritting, her face getting enraged by the man behind the desk. Ron looked at him coldly as well as Kim. Rufus growling for the moment had stopped to notice a woman exit the elevator. She had a similar body type to the Ann's, curvy yet petite. Her red dress showed off curves that stopped right above her calves and brought out her diamonds around her wrists and neck. Her short brunette hair spiked out and yet was neat and orderly, matched a similar shape to Ann's hair. She was beautiful, but the only thing that was taking beauty away, was the scowl on her face. She hastily approached the front desk, the heavy clip-clop of her black high heels quickly took everyone's notice. Her hand slammed down on the desk her voice speaking out. Boe instantly lost concentration towards Ann in shock.

"That's enough Boe! If I ever catch you treating my family like that again, it will be your ass out on the street! Have I made myself crystal clear?" Boe instinctively backed off the glare that was being shared to the Possible Family turned into fear and remorse. Submissively he bowed his head in disappointment, speaking in a lighter softer tone.

"My apologies Ms. O'Malley, It won't happen again." He pushed his chair back, allowing her some space. Ann couldn't help but hug her sister, throwing Caryl off guard a bit. Though she embraced her sister in return. Kim's mood had changed completely she was excited to see her aunt after what must have been a decade. Only now did she see how beautiful of a woman she was, just like her mother. It was strange that she was still considered single. Aunt Caryl had finished speaking with her Sister and had acknowledged Kim's Father already and approached the rest of the group. She marveled at how big Jim and Tim had gotten, and hugged them, the last time she saw them they were in diapers and now their 10 years old. She then glanced towards Kim, her eye gleaming with excitement. Not wasting anytime she hugged Kim, with her returning the hug to her aunt.

"Oh my god, is that my little niece? You've certainly gotten a lot bigger, the last time I saw you was when you were 7 and now look at you! You've grown up to be a fine young woman, just as pretty as your mother." Aunt Caryl couldn't help but hug Kim once more, this time much tighter, Kim understood why, it's been 10 long years since she saw her. She then noticed Ron and raised a brow. She stood up, looking at Ron for an extended period of time, her fingers coiling her chin and her arm coiled around her waist. It was like she was examining him. She then looked back at Kim, a smug look on her face emerged.

"Kim, who is your friend here?"

"Aunt Caryl, This is Ron." Ron waved his hand and said hello back. Rufus then said high as well. Caryl paid little attention to the Naked Mole Rat but didn't find it weird but intriguing.

"Boyfriend perhaps? Awful daring of you to bring him along on a family trip, well he's a fine catch and it's rather interesting to be carrying a rodent in his pocket." Both Kim and Ron's face went crimson red. Ron in shock of the statement lost the ability to think and speak straight and could only mutter out small words. Kim then shot back.

"Aunt Caryl! He's just a really good friend; he isn't my boyfriend at all!" Kim's face tried to return to normal, but still embarrassed by the statement. To her surprise, Aunt Caryl just laughed. She then stopped laughing and took a small breath.

"Oh Kimmie, I'm just playing around, I just wanted to see how you'd react and I was right, embarrassed and seriously flustered, like any girl would react!" Kim couldn't believe her aunt and just sighed with a huff, crossing of her arms. Ron returned to his normal self and started to chuckle acknowledging Aunt Caryl's joke, further annoying Kim. She elbowed him in the arm and as usual held his arm rubbing it after with an "Ow!"

Aunt Caryl had then led everyone to the elevator and pressed the number 20. Slowly they arrived at the 20th floor only sporting 4 doors around the complex. After unlocking the door to room 200 everyone entered the room, it was a luxurious apartment with a modern day style and an amazing view of the Diamond District. Not wasting any time, Caryl had shown everyone their seats at the dinner table mimicking a circle, which was close to the windows showing to the city. Kim had sat next to her mother who sat next to her aunt, while the boys followed after James and Ron.

The dinner table was stacked with delicious foods, from Turkey and stuffing to apple pie and wine. It didn't take long for everyone to start putting food on their plates, and to begin feasting. Kim had then noticed a noise behind her, it was familiar. The slow but easily recognizable pitter patter of raindrops against her windows. Kim didn't think of it, and thought of it nothing and continued to eat. James spoke up striking the first conversation.

"This is an extremely nice apartment Caryl, it's amazing."

"Thank you James, it's all been due to my work becoming a bit more rigorous this past year and a lot of help from other organizations I've been working with."

"That's right Caryl you've become one of the best Psychiatrists in the nation!" Ann admired her sister for such an amazing ability to deal with many people with many problems that they alone couldn't deal with themselves. It was this same characteristic that Kim admired about her aunt as well. Though Kim caught something about what her Aunt said. As a Psychiatrist her job should be all too hard and rigorous as she is claiming, it made her think. What could make her job more difficult?

Other conversations stirred during dinner, such as the girl's outfits and even how Kim was a crime fighting teen hero recognized worldwide. As the feast came to a close the heavier the storm had become. Thunder and lightning had struck every so often. Kim then along with her mother and aunt had gotten up to clean their dishes. The two of them struck a conversation mostly about work, though Kim was silent the whole time still worried about past pressures. 2 weeks no missions, her aunt's work somehow beginning to be more challenging and why she couldn't focus on one thing at a time. Her left hand rubbed her temple once more grunting to herself. Caryl immediately caught this. She placed a hand on her niece's back and looked at her with a caring eye.

"Is something wrong Kimmie? You're rubbing your temples and you seem stressed over something." Kim just sighed and looked out the window, her aunt clearly categorizing this in her mind as unusual behavior for her niece. This was nothing like Kim, she was usually confident and strong willed, and something must be bothering her, something that she hadn't spoken to anyone yet. Aunt Caryl approached her niece and sat on an ottoman near the window. Her hand then patted next to her signifying to Kim to sit next to her. Kim complied and sat next to her aunt placing her hair behind her ear. Taking in a deep breath to then speak to her aunt.

"Thanks Aunt Caryl, I've been bothered lately by the fact that I haven't had to help anyone out or save the world for the past 2 weeks. Normally I'd have something to do, homework, save the world from the bad guys, even a date with a cute boy, but it's been nothing these past 2 weeks. I feel as if i need to be somewhere stopping someone. Maybe I'm just overthinking things or something, I don't know." Caryl just placed a hand on her leg. Speaking with a soft caring tone, almost that of Kim's mother.

"That's totally fine Kim, I understand how you feel. You have this need to help others and having to take a short break for a while has had a small negative effect on you. Though sometimes you need to take a small break. To recharge your batteries and be able to take on bigger challenges than before. Just consider it a blessing sweetie you more than well deserve it." Kim couldn't help but hug her aunt in response. Everything she told her was true. She then understood why she was a respected Psychiatrist. After a while, Kim then looked out this window, aunt Caryl noticed once again knowing full well that Kim had something else on her mind.

"Kim what else is on your mind?"

"This city is so misleading, last night we arrived and the people were nice and the skies were illuminated by spot lights and skyscrapers, but now it's turned bitter, its people, its entire atmosphere, like this place has two different sides to one another."

"Don't think too much about it Kim, soon you will be back home tomorrow in no time." Aunt Caryl then faced the window, the thunder and lightning reflecting the change in attitude, Kim took noticed of this and grew concerned. It was almost as if the two's roles in conversation had just been reversed. Aunt Caryl gazed out past the glass; her eyes locking on to the city that was being surrounded by countless booms of thunder. Kim asked if she was okay and Caryl responded with a simple nod she stood up to walk away then turned her head looking over her shoulders the same scowl from before when she dealt with Boe. Kim was anxious wanting to hear at least something. Her wish was granted with one sentence.

"After all, there really is no place on Earth quite as vicious as Gotham."