Author's note: The characters are not mine. They belong to Disney. Except Dr. Clive Eycholls, but I'm not making any money off him.

This is not part of my "Our aim is true"-series, just so you know. It is an alt-std-fic. Two differences, besides the obvious one: Ron and Kim are tied closer to the ground, and Rufus has had a hard time navigating through the air ducts.

And reviews are, as always, welcome. And, as usual, comments on language are encouraged since this isn't my first language.

Blood on the Stockroom Floor

"But I wanted to." Kim seemed embarrassed to say the words. Ron was a bit taken with her statement, at to a great extent; it hurt him to hear it, even if he knew that things had seriously changed.

"Ok, too much info. So, what's the plan?" He said, trying to change the subject. He knew that they could probably get out of this sitch. They were tied to the giant Bueno Nacho models, but he could almost touch his feet to the ground, if he pointed his foot straight down and reached.

"Ron, I… I got nothing." Kim was spent. The shock that she had lived through weighed too heavy on her mind for her to do anything.

"That's my line, and what's worse, that's quitter talk!" Ron raised his voice. This was not the Kim he was used to, and he wasn't going to take her giving up this easy.

"Drakken finally won. I should have stuck to babysitting!" Beaten by Drakken… A guy who usually was so clueless it was a wonder he ever managed to put on his shoes without tying his fingers into the knot. A guy who tried to take over the world with a lousy rap song! And he had beaten her!

"Alright, KP, this pity fiesta is over. Drakken has not won, he played you! Now it's payback time!" Ron knew that this was it. If he couldn't get through to her, it would all be for nothing. Something else crept into his mind. This wasn't really about Drakken beating her, it was about Eric. He had seemed like a good guy, and had come along when she needed someone, someone who… who wasn't Ron Stoppable. Someone to hold hands with and go to the prom with. Ron had realized that he wanted to be that person in Kim's life, but hadn't had the courage to say it. He took a breath. He would have wanted to say it somewhere else, but he realized… If he said it now, she could at least be shocked out of her funk. He didn't have much hope that she would reciprocate, though. But this was it, he decided.

"And, you know… there are guys out there that are better for you than Eric."

"Really, Ron, I don't think you're qualified to talk", a voice suddenly spoke up. Ron and Kim looked over towards the door of the stockroom. In the doorway stood Eric, grinning. "I mean, you're the one who introduced us, remember?" He started moving towards them.

"What are you doing here Eric? Drakken wouldn't let you be there for his moment of glory?" Kim spat at him. Ron was silent, watching.

"Oh, I'm here to gloat. The takeover isn't gonna happen for at least twenty minutes, so I thought I'd have some fun first." He reached the disabled duo.

"You know, Kim, it doesn't have to end like this. I'm gonna get my own country when Drakken has taken over the world. You could come with me. I mean, you're irritating… stupid, well, gullible at least… and too goody-goody for my taste, but, hey, you are quite the looker. I'm sure I can tune the other stuff out." He grinned at her smugly.

"Ugh, so not gonna happen. I'd kick your ass the first chance I get", Kim responded, while rolling her eyes at him.

"Oh, I wouldn't want it any other way. I like your… feistiness."

"You just wait 'til I get out of these ropes", Kim said and struggled a bit with them as she said so, "And I'll show you how feisty I can be!" Eric chuckled.

"Oh, I'm sure you would. But you're tied up right now, so I guess I'll just have to see how feisty you can be when you're captive. Like a trial run." He inched closer to Kim's face.

"Hey!" Kim and Eric turned their heads towards Ron, who had spoken up. "And just what were you planning to do with me?" Eric looked intrigued.

"I hadn't really thought of that, Stoppable. Got any ideas?"

"Well, like you said, I'm the guy who introduced you, so I think I should have something. Maybe a free punch every day…" He said. Kim looked confused. Ron was giving Eric tips now?

"Heh, yeah, that sounds good. I'll come over, punch that stupid smile off your face and-"

"I meant", Ron interrupted sharply, "that I'd get to punch you, you moron. Or no, that wouldn't be fair. Maybe just a slap. Or is that too much too, I don't know?"

Eric was outright smiling now. He stepped towards Ron.

"You think you can take me, Ron? Really?"

"In. A. Heartbeat." Kim couldn't believe what she was hearing. Ron was actually was baiting him? Eric's face turned sour.

"Oh, that's rich. The sidekick cops an attitude. Well, since you suggested it…" Eric stepped up to Ron, and punched him in the gut. Normally Ron would have doubled over, but since he was tied up, that wasn't an option. Instead, Ron flinched, but didn't scream in pain.

"Eric, stop it! Leave him alone!" Kim yelled. She hated seeing Ron getting hurt, whatever it was that caused it.

"Yeah, Eric", Ron said, regaining his composure... "Do what she says. I mean, you're used to people telling you what to do, right?"

"What was that, Stoppable?" Now Eric couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"I said, that you're just another of Drakken's flunkies who can't make any decision for himself. Or, sorry, I didn't say that, but it's what I meant."

"You're one to talk. You follow her around like you're some-" Eric gritted his teeth as he spoke, but Ron interrupted him.

"Don't even try, syntho-wuss. I choose to go with her. When was the last time you did something you weren't programmed to do?" Ron asked the fake clone.

"I'm doing it right now", Eric said, and punched Ron in the face, on his right cheek.

"Ron, what are you doing? Don't make him angry, you don't know what-"

"SHUT UP; KIM!" Ron yelled. His face really hurt, but he tried not to show it. He looked over at her and stared angrily at her. "Pinocchio here can't do anything, he's just a goon. Which you should've picked up on, really." Kim gasped at Ron. She had never seen him like this before. Except for that time that he turned into Zorpox, he never raised his voice in anger at her. Eric punched Ron again before she could continue. This time, he drew blood, as Ron right eyebrow opened from the force. Blood started flowing down Ron's face as Eric spoke again.

"What… did you call me?"

"GOD, do you have syntho-goo in your ears? Oh, sorry, I forgot your ears are made of syntho-goo. I called you Pinocchio, you big fake. Or don't you know what that means? Did Drakken forget to program that that into your big ugly head?" Ron voice was crackling with anger. It was raw and ugly. Eric punched him again, this time in the chest. He followed it up with two more. Kim's eyes were tearing up as she saw Ron visibly in pain, for the first time. He still hadn't called out in pain.

"You have no idea of how much I know, Ron. But I thought you'd be happy with me just knowing your name, since nobody else seems to care enough to learn it." Eric was losing his cool demeanour by the minute.

"Like I give a damn if some idiot like Drakken knows my name. The guy can't even take over the world without using some overrated batch of corn syrup like you as a vital piece of his plan." Ron was awarded with to more punches to his chest and two to his face. The blood from his eyebrow was still flowing into his face, and he spit blood out of his mouth as he spoke. When he was punched in the chest the second time, he made a gargling sound.

"Dr. Drakken is a great man, you… you… MORON!" Ron paused before he spoke. Kim watched intently at him. She shook her head, trying to silently tell him to stop it. Tears were almost falling down her cheeks now, but somehow, she was holding it back. Ron looked at her. For a second he looked sad, but then he got a defiant look. He stared back at Eric.

"And just who made you think that, fake boy?" Eric punched Ron's left cheek again, anger flowing through him like the syntho-goo he was made of. Ron looked back. He made a sound that resembled chuckling.

"You really think he's gonna give you a country? Greenland, maybe! You're just a discount clone, he doesn't care! You're just syntho-drone 901, just another number!" Eric punched Ron in the chest again, hard.

"I am not a number! I am-"

"-A free man? Yeah, right!" Eric punched Ron again, but was so angry he hit Ron's left shoulder. Ron winced; he had busted it during the fight earlier. This time, he wasn't so quick to respond. Kim decided to take the opportunity.

"Please, Eric! Don't… don't hurt him! I won't try to escape, just… just stop hurting him! Please!" Tears were falling down her face now. She couldn't bare seeing Ron in pain any longer than she already had. Eric turned around to look at her.

"Oh, come on, Pinocchio. Be a real man. Or am I too much of a man for ya?" Ron hissed, his teeth clenched. Kim saw that with all the punching, Ron had lost two of them. Eric turned back, his eyes bristling with anger and hate. He walked away, at least twenty yards. Then he started running, and with only a few yards left, he jumped and threw his right leg in front of him. The kick landed right on Ron's left shoulder. This time, Ron screamed in pain.

"STOP IT! PLEASE!" Kim yelled, between sobbing. Ron was still conscious, only his willpower was keeping him awake by now. Suddenly there was a chirp. Kim first thought it was her kimmunicator, but realized it wasn't as Eric raised his arm to his face. A small screen appeared on his sleeve, and Drakken's face filled it.

"Syntho-drone 901, where are you? We're about to activate the control signal and take over the world here! Are you trying to find popcorn or something?" Eric seemed to calm down in front of Drakken, but was still panting, full of rage.

"Dr. Drakken, I thought you were going to activate the signal in fifteen minutes!"

"Yes", the blue-faced scientist responded, "but Shego thought I was just being too dramatic with the midnight takeover thing, and that I was flirting with failure. The woman has no sense of flair." Drakken shrugged.

"But Dr. Drakken, Sir, it's your plan, you decide when we start!"

"Have you seen Shego? She shoots plasma at people who annoy her! I try my best not to! Now get over here! And if you find any popcorn, bring some for everyone, would you?"

Eric stared over at Ron, who was panting and defiantly rose his head back up.

"Now! Stop dawdling!" Drakken said. Eric lowered his arm, and moved toward the door.

"Sorry I can't stay, Kim. Just have to go take over the world… I'll be right back." With that, he exited and closed the door behind him.

Kim looked at Ron. He was a mess, blood was still flowing from the cut above his eye, his cheek was starting to look bruised and he wheezed with every breath. "Ron? Ron! Can you here me?" Kim said, trying to get a connection. She had stopped sobbing, but tears were still falling.

"Did he leave?" Ron whispered. He was having trouble keeping his eyes open, especially the right one.

"Ye- Yes, He... He left. Are you ok? Ron?"

"Oh, great", Ron said. His eyes rolled back and his head slumped forward as he lost consciousness.