"KP, are you sure about this?"

Though the logical part of her mind was screaming 'this is a bad idea', she knew she wouldn't feel right without doing this. She had to find closure. "100%, Ron."

He still wasn't completely sold, but he knew he couldn't really stop her once her mind was set. She turned around and made a few strides for her boyfriend's sun-soaked door.

"KP!" Ron called out in a sudden panic, grasping her wrist, "what if this whole thing's a trap?" Kim swiveled around and stonefaced him.

"…A traptrap?" Ron finished weakly.

"Ron? She doesn't even know I'm coming." There went that eyebrow. Ron had to admire how dangerous she could appear with just a look.

"You're sure you're sure? I mean, I can come with and provide Ronman Badinage to keep you safe…" Ron faltered; Kim cocked an eyebrow and folded her arms. He could hear her skeptical "Really?" before she even said it. Ron mentally kicked himself – sometimes he forgets who he's talking to.

"…or provide emotional support?" Kim cracked a smile and unfolded her arms, allowing Ron to ease up a bit. "So not the big, Ron. I'll be fine!"

Ron also had to admit he was powerless in this sitch; he gave in. "Alright, Kim. You just, uh, stay safe, okay?" He scratched his neck, nervously. "Rufus and I'll hold the fort down here."

Kim flew into his arms. "Thanks, Ron!" She gave him a reassuring smile – one she hadn't convincingly worn a few minutes ago, "I'll be fine. I'll beep Wade if anything happens…" Both teens hung on the silence. "…But I don't think anything will."

Ron watched Kim leave his room and waited until he heard the front door slam before sitting on the edge of his bed. He felt a familiar stirring in his pocket - his loveable pink companion had just woken up from a mid-afternoon nap. Rufus popped out of Ron's side-pocket and yawned loudly, nothing but an extended squeak coming from him.

"Hey, Rufus." Ron sounded sadder than he wanted to. Being far more perceptive than often given credit for, Rufus picked up on his friend's dropped mood immediately. Rufus scampered out of his cloth-lined sanctuary and onto the bedside dresser to get a better view. He squeaked questionably – his own way of saying "Why you buggin'?" - prodding Ron to explain his uncharacteristically mopey attitude.

Ron sat hunched over, with his head in his arms, propped onto his knees. "Rufus, it doesn't make sense!"

The rodent cocked his head, urging him to go on.

"We just started dating, and now she wants to go kill herself!" Rufus just blinked, waiting for the justification he knew was coming. His owner could be a little loopy sometimes. Ron closed his eyes and sighed before looking down at his pet. "Rufus, get this: Kim's going to see Shego in the hospital!"

Rufus fell over. He jumped back to attention the second those words took full effect. "Huh, huh, Shego!" Rufus imitated the fiery green villainess by hopping back and forth and throwing air punches.

Ron nodded at the pantomime, "The very same, buddy. I told her it's not safe – I mean, it's Shego! I can't see Shego lying all innocent and helpless in a hospital, can you?" The mole rat shook his head feverishly, "Nuh-uh! Nuh-uh!"

"That's what I thought." Ron leaned over Rufus, "I'm calling it right now, buddy: it's a trap!"

Rufus scratched his chin and considered for a moment. "Mhm, mhm, traptrap!"

"That's what I said!" The hairless mole rat jumped up on his friend and patted his leg sympathetically.

"Rufus," Ron's voice lowered, "I just don't get why she has to do it alone. I could be right by her side, like a good boyfriend should, but she told me it's a 'solo mission.'"

"Harsh! Uh-huh!" Ron glanced at his tiny friend, deep in thought.

"Well, maybe it won't be so bad – Kim can do anything, and she said she'd beep me if there's any problem..." He gathered his tiny friend in his hands and put him on his shoulder as he started to get up. "Uh-huh, uh-huh! No problem!" Rufus chirped, happy to see Ron's reasoning come back in a calmer form.

"And you know I'd totally be there in a second in case she does beep. No, less!" Rufus let out a tiny "Yea!" in agreement. Ron smiled.

"Guess all that's left for me to do is get my game on! Rufus, you up for some Bears of Gore?" Rufus chattered excitedly as they left to take their minds off what Kim was going to handle by herself. Kim, I hope you know what you're doing, Ron allowed himself to worry before immersing himself into his favourite shooter.