In silence I stand.

I.

Ron Stoppable responded to his girlfriend's pleading eyes with a warm smile and a small shake of his head. As they left the graduation ceremony, KP had been swarmed by the media. They had been separated by the shoving mob, all shouting questions, ignoring Ron. The only notice they had given him was a condescending."Trick or treat ain't for another four months, kid." Ron shook his head as the roar finally settled into individual questions.

"Miss Possible? Miss Possible? How did you do it?"

"Miss Possible, we've heard that Dr. Drakken and Shego helped..."

"How do you feel about the deaths you caused?"

Ron's head snapped up, trying to identify the last questioner. Female, but which of the half dozen? Before he could decide, Nana Possible arrived with the front line of the Middleton football team who immediately began shoving the news people away from Kim. He could see her lips move as she spoke in KP's ear. Ron stood a few feet away from the gaggling reporters, a small smile of pride on his face. It was better this way.

"Ronald, are you all right?"

Ron smiled at his father's question. "Just fine, Dad." He turned his eyes back toward his girlfriend as she fielded questions. "Doesn't she look great?"

"Yes, son, she does, but..."

"Ronald," Mr. Possible stepped up to the Stoppables, "why aren't you up there with Kimmie?"

Ron's eyes never left the stage, "Hi, Mr. Dr. P. "

"Ron, you didn't answer me."

Glancing at the parents gathering around him, a small smile appeared on Ron's face before he turned back to the scene on stage. "Because that's where she belongs, Mr. P., she's a hero. Sidekicks cheer from the side."

"Ron," Anne Possible scolded, "Kimmie told me you saved her."

"She didn't say much, but she said she couldn't have done it." Jean Stoppable agreed. "So, Ronnie, why aren't you with her. Where you should be"

"No, you don't understand, she's where she should be, and I'm where I need to be."

"Ron, stay with." Slim strong arms hugged his neck, the words spoken into his shoulder.

"I have something to do first, KP. Don't worry, I'll be there to see you take your walk."

"I want to see you walk too." Kim grumbled softly.

Strong hands cupped her cheeks, gentle fingers tilting her eyes to his. "I may not walk, but I promise I'll be there," Ron grinned, "But I need you to promise me that you won't mention what happened."

Kim pulled back, frowning, "What are you talking about? Ron, you saved me, you saved the world and I'm going to make sure the world knows it."

"Kim, note serious face, I need you to do this. It's a Yamanuchi thing."

Kim scowled, "and I care why?"

"How about making it a Ron thing." Ron backpedaled, "Just do it for me please."

"All right," Kim groused, "but you have some 'splain' to do, mister. And," she held up one finger in emphasis, "if anybody did see what you did and asks, I'm not going to lie."

"I can live with that, KP."

Ron grinned to himself as he watched his BFGF answer questions. She was much better at this than he was. The few times he had tried to talk to the press, he had quickly shoved not one but both size 10's in his mouth. He really, really hoped no one else had seen his MMP kick in. A quick word to Shego had been all that was needed to assure her silence. Helping the media make asses out of themselves if the true story ever got out was right up her alley. Her memories of reporters was not the friendliest, given her history, both as a hero and a villain. His attention jerked back to the gaggle as one of them yelled louder than the rest.

"Miss Possible, the aliens were last seen flying to their crashing ship surrounded by a blue glow. How did you do that."

Ron tensed.

"I had nothing to do with that." Kim's eyes stared into Ron's over the reporter's heads.

"What? Miss Possible, surely you know why they abandoned their fight to return to their ship."

"One moment they were fighting, the next they were flying toward their ship." Kim said slowly, "I'm not sure what caused it."

"Follow up. Are the two aliens dead, and can we expect more of them?"

Dr. Director, with a squad of GJ troopers appeared behind Kim. The commanding woman placed one hand on Kim's shoulder and spoke firmly. "In answer to your question, we have found no remains, but assume from the force of the explosion that both the attackers were eliminated. As to follow up forces, at this time we have no firm intelligence on the matter, but all forces are preparing for it if it should occur."

"Dr. Director are you..." "Ma'am, could you..." "How can you..."

Betty stopped the eruption of questions with a raised hand. "Miss Possible has other things to do, such as a debriefing, and enjoying her graduation. A press release will be issued to all of you." She turned and guided Kim away. Her squad spread out to block the still shouting reporters.

Ron turned to his people, "Well, that went better than I thought it would. Now if you'll all excuse me," He grinned at his two sets of parents, "I think I'll go calm my GF down."

James looked puzzled, "What do you mean, Ronald? She looked fine to me."

Anne smiled tolerantly, "Yes, I think you'd better, Ron."

Mr. Stoppable smiled at his son, "Ron, when you get the fire out, bring her to our house, that's where her folks will be."

Ron nodded, slipping away as the discussion began behind him. "We will, will we?" "Where else?" He shook his head in amusement. Between his stubborn father and intense mother, the Possible's had just found a place to stay.

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Something that's been on my mind. Shego and Kim saw Ron go blue, but did anyone else?