I don't any of Disney's characters named herein, and am using them for a story meant for entertainment purposes only.
Kim Possible: Rock-a-bye Baby
LJ58
1
"Not this time, Miss Possible," Drakken chortled, aiming a small, yellow pistol at her. "This time, you will finally, and forever, cease to be a thorn in my side," he crowed as he fired the weapon a half second before Ron could leap across the room to slam a hard fist into the device he held.
The teen's recently honed mystical power shattered the bones in the blue-skinned madman's hand, and the weapon he held, as one. Drakken howled, and clutched his wounded hand to his side. In the same instant, Ron turned, his mouth opening his mouth to cry out, too. For where Kim had been standing, only empty clothes now puddled on the ground.
"Kim!" he shouted in anguish, rushing toward her fallen garments only to dance away as a troupe of henchmen came rushing out of an antechamber, commanding his attention as they attacked him at Drakken's shrill cry.
Shego, about to face off with her longtime rival yet again, was left staring at Kim's clothes as the redhead seemed to just vanish before her eyes. Except for her clothes.
Unlike the monkey-powered buffoon, Shego saw something when she stared incredulously down at the pile of clothes left behind by her adversary. She walked over, and lifted the Kevlar-lined top, and stared at the body attached to the tiny hand waving helplessly at her through the tangle of fallen garments.
Kim had shrank all right, but not into a molecule, or whatever the plan had been. She had been reduced back into a baby. A real baby.
"Goooooo," the apparently six month old child grinned a toothy smile up at her when Shego lifted her from the floor.
"Oh, this is priceless," Shego sniggered as she realized Stoppable was looking elsewhere, busy with the lackeys. Drew, typically, had fled after being injured. No one was even looking at her, or the baby Kimmie.
Shego grinned, and turned and ran back the way she had come. No one saw her carrying the little, redheaded baby with her as she left.
KP
"Sorry, Ron," Wade told him. "But I've analyzed every square inch of this lab, and there is no sign of her. She's…..She's gone," Wade told him mournfully as GJ agents held the perimeter while the young genius checked for any sign of Kim Possible.
Off to one side, Drakken sat in cuffs, one hand thickly bound in medical gauze, snickering at their despair despite his own pain.
"You may have me. For the moment. But I have finally had my ultimate victory! I have finally eliminated my longtime, tee…..ah….my nemesis! And this time, there is no way to bring her back!"
"What. Did. You. Do," Ron hissed, finally stalking over to him, and glaring down at him. Eyes bright with intended malice.
Drakken yipped, shrinking back as he considered his options.
"You hand? That's nothing," Ron told him coldly. "I can break every bone in your body so thoroughly they will never heal. Now tell what that ray did to her?"
"Meh. What does it matter? You can't help her. By now, she's lost in the endless flow of the subatomic structures of the quantum field. My destabilizing ray shrank her so small that she will never be found."
Wade stood frowning as he looked at Ron, and glanced over at the pieces of the small weapon one of the agents had gathered. "Did you get it all?"
"Yes," the man nodded grimly as he held the box where the fragments had been gathered up.
"Do you really think he did what he claims," Betty asked Wade as Drakken was led away to a waiting police van.
She had personally called him in after Ron reported what had happened. Wade brought everything he could think of, but nothing he could think of was finding a trace of Kim Possible. Nor did it matter how thorough his search was as he scoured the entire lab not twice, but four times.
"Considering his abilities? It's all too possible," Wade grimaced. "And if he did do what he claims…..I'm afraid she might truly be gone this time."
"What do you mean," Betty asked.
"Dr. Director, the quantum field isn't like a meadow you stroll through. Anything that small is in constant flux, and moving in all directions, at fantastic speeds. Even moving through the five known dimensions. By now, if she were rendered that small, she could be literally…..anywhere. Or any when."
Ron looked sick.
"But you can bring her back. If you fix the shrink thingy, you can bring her back, right?"
"Ron…I might be able to fix the device to confirm it's operating principles, but…..to bring her back, we'd have to be able to precisely locate her to be able to use the ray on her."
Wade looked mournful. "I'm sorry, Ron. It's harsh, but it's our current reality. I'll get to work on this thing right now, but…..I'm afraid we might have to face the fact that Kim may really be…..gone."
Ron's expression was beyond despair.
KP
"Look at that, Princess," Shego said, holding up a paper with a familiar face under the banner.
The baby in the stroller burbled, and waved pudgy hands.
Shego, however, realized the little girl probably didn't even understand the bold letters that declared; "KIM POSSIBLE MISSING-FAMED HEROINE FEARED DEAD!"
It had been just over two weeks since she disappeared with the child, and she was waiting to see what came of the last fight with Team Possible. Drakken, naturally, was scooped up, and currently sitting in prison. He was probably still waiting for her to show up, and bail him out.
He would be waiting quite a while longer.
She folded the paper, tucking it into the diaper bag, and pushed the stroller toward the docks where her boat was waiting. While she was surrounded by people, no one here knew her. Especially not with the special holographic emitter she had stolen from a lab not long ago that let her pass as an ordinary woman rather than an infamous, green-skinned thief that was once again number one at the top of a long list.
She had several 'programs' loaded into the device, but just now she was an ordinary Caucasian woman with long, brown hair with auburn highlights. She looked just like any other mother out pushing their child along the street. Especially after she arranged documents with a certain contact to cover her daughter's presence as she waited for the ship that would take her from Marseilles on her way to a hidden island retreat where she often hid away when laying low for extended periods.
She smiled down at the little girl, surprised that Kimmie proved to be a bright, happy baby, if a bit overly energetic. She could just imagine the girl's first childhood judging by her current behavior. All Shego had to do was turn her back for an instant, and Kimmie was crawling up as much as around things. She had barely caught her from falling off a bookcase in a waiting room, proving the girl had no concept of fear, and no reluctance to explore in any given direction.
Shego, now traveling as Ann Gordon, mother of Kim Gordon, pushed the stroller toward the docks as the time for the boat's departure neared. She was staying cautious, just in case, but so far no one seemed to have picked up on her disguise, and the very official forged papers were in her purse making her seem quite legitimate. Even she had not stopped to think much beyond just grabbing up baby Kim and running. She had actually wanted a baby of her own for years. It was one of the things that simmered in the back of her mind, making her more and more irritable of late.
Her own carefully hired medical specialists had told her several years ago that she would never have children. That her comet powers made conception dangerous, if not impossible. And if she did somehow conceive, then her womb would be ground zero for that potential life, making it unlikely it would be born safe, or without serious defects.
If at all.
It was a telling blow to a little girl that grew up just wanting a family of her own before the comet, and her idiot brother's fantasies put paid to whatever remained of her shattered life. All she knew was that she saw a baby in front of her, and she took her chance.
That it was, in fact, her former rival and longtime nemesis just made it somehow….right. At least, to her way of thinking.
Thirty minutes later, she had taken the launch out to the ship carrying her to the Philippines, where she would then take another private launch to her waiting island retreat. She smiled at the baby now looking around sleepily as they stayed in their small cabin, and Shego read the paper. She read of her own 'missing' status, suggesting she might have been 'caught' by whatever had claimed Kimmie, though she doubted few people would care.
Sure, a few years ago they had all cheered when Drakken had helped save the world from nine foot alien invaders, but then Drewbie had to lose his temper about something or other, and there went their second chance. Smoke in the wind.
Then they were back to the usual grind just a few weeks after their public decoration before the U.N.
She had actually been happy for a moment, considering a different, more domestic life for the first time in years, and then Drew had to lose it. Again.
She wondered if she might be able to really play dead, and let the world think she was as 'lost' as Kim Possible as she read the accounting that suggested Kim had been shrank so small she was now lost in the infinite world of the quantum field that existed far beneath the visible world. It was explained for dummies, but it was plain they really did think Kimmie, and maybe Shego, were forever gone unless some genius could find a way to bring her back.
The story indicated there wasn't much hope of that happening. That meant they weren't even looking for them. She couldn't help but smile as she put the paper away.
Until she picked up the memorial magazine she had been unable to help picking up, and opened the KIM POSSIBLE STORY to see the somber picture of her parents on the face page, offering the prints and text as a monument to their daughter, and donating all profits from the magazine's sell to a scholarship fund in her name for other special girls who wanted to excel in nontraditional ways. She knew the Possibles, of course. Having invaded Kimmie's house a few times, and even living there once when she was turned into that simpering Miss Go by Electronique's reverse polarizer. She sighed, and closed the magazine without looking beyond the family picture.
She actually liked Ann.
The woman was….well, nice.
Even when she was at her worst, she had accepted her just because Kim asked her to do so.
When she was hurt once, she even took care of her without caring she was a wanted felon at the time. Ann was a lot like her daughter. She was always ready to help anyone in need without reservation.
She tried not to think of what the woman must be going through right now. She was doing the best she could. What she felt right. Because even Shego knew that if her other enemies knew about Kim right now, they would be after her. She would be an easy target, and she knew more than a few of those villains wouldn't hesitate to strike at her.
She was safer as Kim Gordon.
Safer with her.
She sighed, and tucked the magazine away, and looked down at the little girl in the adjustable stroller she had lain back to serve as a bed. The redhead was sleeping peacefully now, and looked so cute laying there.
"I can't give you up now, Pumpkin," she told her, tucking the little blanket around her in case she grew chilly. "I just can't."
KP
"Take a look," Wade said, carefully laying the device that looked like a small, silver laser on Betty's desk. "I think Drakken got close, but he didn't quite succeed."
"Then what did he do," Betty asked as the stocky young teen stood in her office. "And what happened to Kimberly?"
"This," Wade told her, and lifted the device, and pointed it at Will, who was standing there next to him.
Will yelped, and ducked aside as Wade fired the weapon which emitted a yellowish beam that struck a potted plant, and the plant shrank down as if growing in reverse. By the time Wade stopped the beam after only a few seconds, there was only a small bulb partially exposed in the large pot.
"A…rejuvenating device of some kind," Will frowned.
"Exactly. Based on what my tests indicate, there are two potential scenarios here," he told them.
"One, is that Kim was shrank, or rather de-aged, if you will, back to the point she became simple biological matter."
"Only your own scans showed no sign of any biological trace in that room, let alone on her clothing," Betty pointed out.
"Exactly. Which means that Kim was reduced to a child small, and young enough to be carried off without being able to resist, or be noticed," Wade told them.
"By Shego," Betty all but growled.
"Logic suggests that is what happened," Wade nodded his agreement as he reset the device again.
"Providing we find her, can you reverse the process?"
Wade finished his adjustments, then fired the device as a response to her query. The bulb sprouted, flowered, and grew back to its original size. It even looked healthier than before.
"My God," Will exclaimed. "Drakken created a fountain of youth."
"No. He didn't," Wade told him. "My own test models indicate that anyone using this is going to be genetically, and molecularly unstable for a time after initial exposure, which means even if we find Kim, we might not be able to re-age her without harming her for at least a year's time. Maybe longer. I'd have to see, and test her cells to be sure of the exact time frame involved. And trying to use this to reduce your age? Bad idea. It doesn't just reduce your age. You lose all knowledge and experience gained with those years."
"You know that how," Will asked. "You didn't test it on….?"
"Of course not," Wade snapped, sliding the device back into a box he kept in his hands. "I worked off theoretical models, and tested it on ordinary lab rats for more accurate practical data."
"But….the plant….?"
"Agent Du, flora is far different from a complex, multi-cellular organism like a human being," Will was told pointedly.
"The point is," Betty cut in. "Kimberly is still alive out there somewhere. In the hands of her enemies. And we have to find her."
"Any way to tell how old she might be. Or rather, how young," Will asked Wade practically.
"Based on the power level of the fuel cells left in the original device," Wade said thoughtfully. "I would speculate anywhere between three to eighteen months," Wade told him. "Sorry," he shrugged, "But without a human test subject, I can't be specific as to how the beam actually affects human subjects, and I wasn't willing to risk anyone else just now."
"I understand, and it's all right," Betty told him. "You've given us hope, and that is far more than we had five weeks ago. For now, however, I suggest we keep this knowledge to ourselves. Especially concerning the device, and its affects," Betty stressed pointedly.
"I agree," Wade nodded. "If people thought they could reclaim their youth, they might do stupid things to risk it. And worse, if some people knew about Kim, they might start hunting her."
"Obviously, the way to find Possible, is to find Shego. Only no one has seen her, either," Will pointed out. "At first, we even thought she might have been hit by the beam's backwash."
"Shego is good at disappearing when she wants to do so," Wade agreed. "But now that we know we're looking for a woman, and a young child, I think we can narrow the field. There can't be that many green-skinned mercenaries running around with a young child," he pointed out.
"One thing," Betty asked. "You said you suspect the de-aging, for lack of a better term, stripped memories and experience as well as age. If you are able to restore Kimberly's true age, will that also restore her mind?"
"That's the catch," Wade admitted grimly. "I don't think it will. I do admit, at this point, everything is theory just now. We just can't know anything for certain until we find and test her."
"We'll find her," Betty finally told him. "In the meantime, maybe we should….."
"I'll be keeping this one, Dr. Director. No offense, but after some of your scientists blundering around this past year with that alien technology, I don't quite trust your research division. Remember, this is the only real chance we have of even getting close to restoring Kim. If I deem the risk viable."
Betty nodded, and let him go.
"You're going to let that…..child keep that device when it's potentially….."
"The most dangerous weapon Drakken has ever created? Relax, Will. If there is anyone we can trust on this planet with that kind of technology, it's Wade. Especially since he's fighting for Kimberly's life, and safety. Now mobilize all teams, and prepare for a code omega alert. We're hunting Shego. And…..a very young Kimberly Anne Possible," Betty stated grimly.
"Do we tell her parents?"
Betty's gaze was Will's own reply, her single eye being quite eloquent at times.
"What about Stoppable?"
"Bring him in for the briefing, Agent Du. His ninja friends may end up being our best source of aid in this hunt. Because it's plain Shego has obviously gone to ground, and it may take experts at their kind of camouflage to ferret her out."
KP
Shego laughed as the child crawled down to the surf, and batted at the waves.
"Shegee! Wa'r! Wa'r," Kim shouted as she sat up and splashed, the now apparent nine month old child delighted with the waves before her that seemed to be teasing her as they surged up around her, swamping her, and then retreating to do it again, and again.
Unlike many children, she was not afraid, and sat and dared the surf to do its worst.
Behind her, a careless lump of sand remained of the sand castle Shego had helped her build earlier before Kim had toddled through it, declaring herself 'Pwincess,' and tried to sit on her throne.
In the months since she had brought Kim to her private island, Kim had grown, and remained a bright, cheerful child that was filled with curiosity and eagerness to explore and learn. Shego wondered if the feelings she was experiencing were normal. Because taking care of 'her' baby was the greatest challenge, and greatest payday she had ever known.
Only she also noticed, Kim steadfastly refused to call her mom, or anything close. She was 'Shegee,' and that was all.
Still, there was no denying the affection in the child. She loved to hug her, gave her slobbery kisses, and would sit and snuggle on her lap for hours when tired. Or allowed. In the three months since their arrival, Shego had still been unable to Kimmie-proof her villa. The only way to keep the little redhead out of trouble was to literally follow her around. It gave her an appreciation for what her parents must have gone through raising her. Or any child.
She would not have let her go for any amount, though.
This, though she would be loathe to admit it to anyone, was her dream.
"I think you've had enough fun today, kiddo," Shego smiled as she rose from her beach chair, and went down to pluck the child from the tide that would soon be over her head, and still she seemed to show no fear of it.
She wondered if it was because she still had some memory of her past, or if Kim had simply been born that way. Utterly without fear.
No, that couldn't be right. She had seen the girl balk, pale, or react too many times over the years to think she was without fear. Fearless, maybe, and daring beyond reason, but she did worry. This little Kimmie, however, seemed to have yet to learn fear.
Or, she dared to think, maybe she just felt safe with Shego around. She liked to think so as she picked up the dripping child who kicked energetically at the water as she was lifted from the next swell of water, laughing shrilly as she splashed them both.
"You're a mess, Kimmie."
"Mess," she agreed with a wide grin, and kept kicking though she was held high above the water as Shego hugged the wet toddler to her side.
They both wore matching green and black swimsuits. Kim's was a one-piece, and Shego's a bikini she favored. "Time to dry off, and take a nap."
Kim's smile now faded, her lips pulling down as she stiffened in her arms as if about to sulk. As she did whenever something came up that displeased the spirited little girl.
"Or we could go take a bath, and have lunch," Shego asked knowingly.
"Eat! Eat, eat, eat, eat, eat!" the little girl chanted.
Shego couldn't help but laugh.
Kimmie didn't seem to know too many words yet, but she used the ones she knew effectively.
Bouncing the little girl in her arms, she headed up toward the jungle that hid her villa, making it look like just another deserted little island in the south Pacific. She had been safe for almost three months now, and found that she didn't miss her old life at all. Once she had Kimmie eating, she would go back and pick up their things from the beach, leaving no sign of their presence, as always.
Not long after she departed, however, a large, metal ship rose from the sea, and a group of men stepped out of the nose onto the beach. One of them kicked at the crushed sand castle with a cold sneer, and looked up at the jungle.
"My, how the mighty have fallen. Would you not agree, Pepe," he asked the small dog in his good hand. His other, a metallic prosthetic loaded with some serious technology capable of holding off even the most determined assailants.
The little dog yapped excitedly, and the nine men behind him said nothing as they checked their weapons.
To Be Continued…..