Author's notes: I obviously do not own Kim Possible or any of the characters in this story (except Pyro); now if you don't believe me then you seriously have some trust issues. Note: this tale takes place after Bad Boy but before So The Drama; so Zorpox has surfaced but Kim and Ron are not dating.

Redemption ch1: Prologue

Middleton high school

A generally bummed Ron Stoppable enters the wide halls of his school; his left pocket feeling lighter than ever.

Last night's fiasco with professor Dementer sent Rufus to the vet.

"What should I do? If I don't bring Rufus with me, Kim and I might get into a situation we can't get out of." He thought to himself. "Then again when I do bring him, something like this happens every once in a while."

Of course he wouldn't have abuse Rufus if he could just be more of a competent fighter like Kim, the poor little buddy was suited to disarm traps and bite through ropes and such. Not standing up to henchmen and being zapped by lasers. (Which he did and was.)

But workout was always such a pain to Ron with the tight unpredictable schedule of world saving he had, not to mention, the exercise needed a certain naco-free diet which he simply could NOT accept.

"Maybe I should discuss this with Kim… " He muttered to himself before he found his butt hitting the hard floor.

"Watch where you're going Stoppable… " Some jock with undisguised hate called out. Who passed by, knocking him down.

"Yeah, before you blow another game." Followed by the voice of Brick Flagg who accompanied the jock.

Ron scrambled himself up from the ground, noticing the leers he was getting from left and right.

"Ahh man… I though they forgot."

Apparently they didn't. Right before the mission, another misfortune had happened to Ron.

(Flashback)

It was an important game with another school's football team where everyone was getting ready, including the players, cheerleaders and the beloved mad dog mascot, Ron Stoppable.

Ron was running 'mad dog' style when he suddenly stumbled and crashed into the girls pyramid. This caused a loud gasp to release from the audience. And apparently the whole ruckus distracted the quarterback Brick Flagg so he lost his balance…

(Back to the present)

He continued down the hallway to find Kim, walking fast to avoid the crowd from encircling him.

"Such a loser…"

"Now his bringing us down…"

"Look at him, just walking shamelessly…"

"The nerve on that kid…"

Finally reaching his locker in a less populated area (thank god for that) he tended to his business while desperately waiting for Kim.

Sweating and wildly tapping his foot to the ground he was startled when Kim appeared behind him saying "Ron?"

"Aghh." He jumped out of his skin prepared to meet the devil himself, or worse… principle Barkin.

"Calm down Ron, it's me. What's with the sweat?" She asked. "You look like as if someone's after you."

"Um… it's… nothing… just that… eh… nothing. Yeah, totally nothing, um you?" He stuttered rather than replying properly.

"Oookay, now that that's solved…" She remarked sarcastically as she rolled her eyes figuring that he would spill sooner or later."…come on Ron, you actually look like you're looking forward to your classes."

"Ha-ha that's a good one. That's…" He laughed nervously.

"It's about the game, isn't it?" She interrupted.

"Yes." He Hung his head down as he admitted.

"Look…" Her face turning serious. "I've already told you, the girls have the right to be mad at you but Brick should have focused on his game. It's not your fault if they lost. I thought we established that on the mission…" Her frown was quickly replaced by obvious concern. "How's Rufus by the way?"

"He's pulling through... And about the game, I know it wasn't my fault but I wish everyone else could see that too…" He stopped Kim before she could say anything. "I know, I know… they're doing this to lift the blame off themselves but I can't help but wonder KP, if I wasn't such a stumble toes, none of this would have ever happened, Rufus would be fine and we would have won the game and…and I would be able to protect you better." He silently muttered out the last part, But still too loud for comfort.

Kim gasped at this, one would expect a teen to wish that he would be able to save the day on his own and people would notice him more and stuff like that, but instead he cared more about the school and Rufus (well, not much surprise on Rufus). And protect her? Was that the true reason he insisted to help Kim with her missions?

"Ron, you don't need to protect me." She smiled knowing how much Ron cared for her. "The reason I bring you along is that I like having you around. You're funny and supportive and since the missions usually end up okay there is no need to change anything, you know what they say don't try to fix it if it's not broken, huh?"

"I don't know Kim; it looks pretty broken from over here." He had once again dropped his head at some point and hadn't moved it ever since.

"Look, if it makes you feel any better, I'll help you sign up for some Kung Fu classes."

"Oh yeah, that's what I've been meaning to talk to you about…" He seemed to lighten up a bit right before...

(School bell rings)

"We'll talk later." And with that said, she bolted to her class. Everyone else did the same and pretty soon the hall was empty…almost.

He leaned against his locker, after hitting it with his clenched fist and the back of his head.

"Gimme a break." He whispered to no one in particular as he sank to his knees.

"How about a detention?" The ex-marine/sub-principle/sub-teacher/ex-lieutenant/ football-team-coach known also as Steve Barkin rhetorically suggested.

But as if fate was twisting in his favor, that day was the day for the schools field-trip/sleepover.

So he would have his break. A mental breakdown.