A/N: Disclaimer. This story is a work of fiction. Kim Possible, Ron Stoppable and other characters that you saw on the show are owned by the Disney Corporation and not me. Other parts are real live things, if you can call a B1 Lancer live. They are mostly owned by the United States Government. You'll notice them when they pop up. All persons and actions mentioned in this story are not real. Just for the record I don't make any thing on this story, it just helps my ulcer feel better.

Thanks to Cajun Bear73 for his fantastic beta skills and encouragement. Also a great thanks to Spectre666 for his beta skills as well. His encouragement and humor have helped me stay on track and task. A big thanks to Jeriddian for his excellent punctuation guide that he cleverly disguised as the fantastic story "So the Drama: The Resolution" which I stole with his blessing. Another thanks to him regarding the data on recovering from particular injuries.

Thanks to the guys who wrote reviews; Katsumara, Cajun Bear73, Spectre666, Solarstone, Screaming Phoenix, Daccu65, and Waveform. Also, I would like the reader to be aware that CB73, Spectre666, S C, Daccu65, Jeriddian and Waveform are all much better writers than I am. Please take time and read their wonderful stories. They are truly enjoyable.

This is a re-written chapter and things should flow a lot better once "Seperate Lives" is finished.

ST !03

Once Again

Chapter 2

Middleton, Colorado:

Monique Jenkin's cell phone rang. Absently picking it up she looked at the number. "Hey baby girl," she said.

"Hey Monique, what are you doing today?" Kim asked.

"Not a lot, what's up Kim?" she replied.

"Mo you know fashions and I need some help. I'll pick you up in an hour, OK?" Kim asked.

"Hey, I'm always up for some shopping. I'll see in a few, bye." she finished.

As they were driving to the mall Monique noticed the ring adorning Kim's finger, 'That thing looks familiar, I wonder where it came from?' "So Kim who's the lucky guy?" she asked, trying to remember where she saw the ring.

Kim blushed. "Ron." she said.

"RON, why would you want to have anything to do with that so and so after he broke up with you and disappeared after high school? I so need to kick that skinny boy's butt!" Monique cursed hoping to finally get the straight story from her friend about the breakup since Josh had threatened her about seeing Kim or her family immediately after it happened.

"Huh?" Kim questioned, continuing, "Oh Mo, you don't know what really happened do you?"

Monique looked at her friend and shook it no. "I guess I don't and now I'm finally going to find out aren't I?" she asked. Kim nodded yes.

"Well after the invasion, I saw what Ron was able to do. I asked him about it, and he couldn't tell me because of promises he made to that Sensei man. I was mad and beginning to rethink things about Ron and me. Then Josh appeared and put on the charm, I guess he used Tara to get close to me....I suppose we really hurt her....then later when she helped me out so much.....anyway getting back to Ron and I. A week later I broke up with Ron. Then a few days later I tried to call him. By that time he had already left. Since he was 18 he didn't have to tell anyone. So, he didn't break up with me I dropped him, I should have given Ronnie the time that he needed to get permission so that he could calm my fears about him glowing." Kim told her.

"I'm sorry Kim, I just thought that he left you. If I'd have known that you left him I might have taken a run at him myself. What do you mean he glows" she asked.

"No he didn't Mo," Kim told her, "it was I that deserted him. For a pretty face. Anyway, Ron was back for a few days a while ago. I found that he still loved me, just as I came to the realization a while back that I still loved him and desired being with him. He asked me to marry him and this time I said yes. So, we're going wedding dress shopping."

"OK Kim, where's Ron been at all this time?" Monique asked her best friend.

"I guess mostly overseas, he's a Ranger, and except for training and reequipping they're usually overseas." Kim explained.

"A Park Ranger, Kim?" she asked, concerned.

"No Mo, he's an Army Ranger. He's gonna be getting out in about six months and we're gonna get hitched. And he ain't ever leaving again! I know it wasn't legal or anything but we said vows to each other." Kim told her with pride as she continued to gush about her man.

"Are you going to tell me about him glowing or not?", Monique asked again.

"Well Mo....", Kim began.... "He's....OH....NO...Ron?", she gasped grabbing onto Monique's arm.

"GF what's wrong you're scaring me.", she stated stopping her car.

"Something's wrong, I gotta get home....NOW.", Kim urged her friend.

"What's the matter GF?", she asked.

"I...I don't know if it's the baby or...I can't say.", Kim began to cry.

"Home hell girl. You're going to the hospital....BABY? Kim what have you been doing?", she asked turning her car around. "Call your Mom and have her meet us there.", Monique ordered taking control of the situation.

"With a baby you have to ask, I was gonna surprise you later.", Kim replied weakly.

"Well GF, you sure did that....Is it Ron's?", Monique queried further.

"He's the only guy that ...you know.", she answered the question.

"What about Josh, you know your ex?", Monique wondered aloud.

"Well Josh and I never really...you know...he liked the chase I guess.", Kim replied simply as she dialed the number of her Mother's cell phone.

'Well ya just never know do ya?', Monique mused to herself with a small smile as she raced to the hospital.

---

Map reference Victor Easy 3633:

On the mountainside dawn came, soon the noise of choppers was heard. Two Apache gun ships came screaming in looking for trouble, waiting for someone to shoot at them. Two more of the attack choppers were right behind, all four of the crews were pissed. Just a few hours before, a Ranger platoon had been ambushed here and had been cut to ribbons. They made their last stand just below. One of their brothers was left alone. Being alone and wounded he called in a massive air strike on his own position. After the strike nothing more was heard from the gallant soldier.

Spooky 67 had laid down some extra fire later and had kept calling down to the platoon. No one had answered. They kept watch until relieved. Now they were able to head home, grab some sleep, re-arm and do it again. The gun ship crew was very quiet as they flew off into the distance, thinking about their brothers left laying on the ground growing colder with every passing minute.

As the AH-64's orbited the area still looking for hostiles, several CH-47 Chinooks landed. Out poured a full Ranger company. They spread out, securing the area. They set up positions in case anyone else tried to attack the relieving force.

A group of medics and investigative personnel combed the battle site trying to make heads or tails of the scene that laid before them. After a few minutes, someone yelled, "MEDIC! We have a soul here!"

---

Middleton, Colorado:

The Stoppable's were having dinner with their friends, Anne and James Possible, their daughter and Ron's future wife, Kim Possible. The door bell rang. Dean got up to answer it. As he opened it he saw an Army Chaplin and several other members of the service. He felt dread grab him. He couldn't move for a moment.

"Sir," the Chaplin began, "We are looking for the Stoppable home. Is this it?"

Dean nodded.

Barbara came to the door to see what the commotion was.

"Ma'am I am Captain Homestead, I am a Chaplin in the Army. It's about your son Sgt. Ronald Stoppable." he continued. He noticed more people came into the entry way by the front door.

"Is this about Ron?", a young red haired woman asked; her eyes were watering. Anne came up from behind to hold on to Barbara and the younger redhead at the same time.

"Yes ma'am," he told her, "Sgt. Ronald Stoppable was wounded in action three days ago. He is in critical condition at this time and is being readied to be transported to Ramstein, Germany for treatment before being sent home."

At this moment an older red headed woman took charge, "Sir, Mr. and Mrs. Stoppable are to your left, my daughter Kim Possible is right in front of you, she is Ronald's fiancée. My husband here is Dr. James Possible and I am Dr. Anne Possible. Now what has happened to Ronald?"

After a few minutes of listening to the explanation about what happened to Ron, Anne asked a simple question, "Where is Ron being treated and who is in charge of his care?"

Chaplin Homestead made a quick phone call and provided her with the answer.

"So Willie White is working on Ronald?" Anne started. "Good, he was one of my best students. Ron should be in good hands. You know I could assemble a team to head over and assist, we've made progress in trauma cases since Doctor White took his residency here." she added. Anne picked up the phone with a nervous smile on her face.

Within a few minutes Dr. Possible had her team assembled. During this time Kim had been busy communicating with Global Justice for a ride to try and save one of their old agents. Dr. Director approved the transport on the spot and a jet was in transit.

Anne had Dr. Grubman at the hospital make arrangements to talk to the staff in Germany.

A half hour later the Stoppable phone rang again. Dean picked it up. Putting his hand over the mouth piece, Dean looked at Anne, he mouthed, "For you."

"Anne?" a voice asked.

"Willie is that you?" she answered.

"Yeah long time no see Anne, anyway it's Major Willie now. I got the word that one of the patients coming in today is a friend of yours. It sounds like your staff is on the ball as usual. You know we'll do the best for him, but we're stretched thin right now. Too many casualties and not enough staff. We fix what we can and send the rest on." he told her.

Anne replied, "Willie I have a team of surgeons and nurses ready to go and transportation to bring them. We can be in the air in less than an hour. That patient that we're talking about is going to be my son-in-law, and you know me, I'm an old mother hen. I want to make sure he's OK. I was wondering, Willie, could we come in and do some work with you guys too, maybe give your staff a break?"

"Are you sure Anne? We don't want to leave you guys thin too." Dr. White replied.

"I'm sure. One thing, I am bringing someone along, she's not a surgeon, but Kimmie is Ron's fiancée and she's carrying his baby. Also she's a member of Global Justice and she arranged for the transport, she will be our liaison with that organization. So then, we will see you in eight or nine hours Willie." Anne hung up the phone.

"James," Anne started, "we have to go. You have to take care of Jim and Tim, don't let them blow up my house. You can eat out three times a week. The laundry is caught up, but I don't know how long we're going to be in Germany. I'm planning for two or three weeks. Kim, we have to go pack our bags. Dean and Barb, I'm going over to bring our boy back. Look after my clueless husband will you. We have to go."

"Mom, Betty gave me all the time off I need, she knows the sitch and wants Ronnie home safe too. Let's go get my BFFFGH!", she told her mom. Turning to the Stoppable's Kim added, "Mom and Dad S I'll bring him home so he can be a daddy to the baby, I promise."

"BFFFGH?" Anne asked.

"Best friend fine fiancée great husband, Mom.", Kim smiled weakly as they left as her thoughts went out to the man that she had shared vows with.

"Yes Kimmie, but we still need to talk about those vows you two made to each other.", Anne told her daughter.

---

An hour later the medical staff was on it's way. They all dropped off to sleep except for two red haired women. "Kimmie we have one of best staff in the world to work on Ron, but we don't know what we're going to find. Like all operations of this sort it can be a gamble. You, young lady need to get some rest too. You're going to need your strength over the next week. You have to eat right and get rest. No all night vigils. This will not be a fast easy fix, Ron may end up in therapy for years. The nice thing is we can do it from home. So say a little prayer for him then get some sleep." she told her daughter.

Kimmie rolled over after pushing her seat back. She said a little prayer for her Ron, knowing that she was going to see him soon. 'God please keep our Ronnie alive for us. She needs to know her daddy.', she prayed silently.

Anne looked at her daughter, 'I hope we can repair the damage. I don't like the rundown that Willie gave me. I hope Kimmie will relax, it won't be good for her or the baby if she starts to stress. We have to think of the baby too.'

It was late night night when the GJ transport landed. The staff was somewhat rested. They were taken by bus to the Officers Quarters for their stay. Anne picked up the phone as it rang. "Anne, he's in. I know you guys are tired, but you might want to evaluate him." Anne recognized Dr. White's voice.

"I'll be right over with some of my team." she told him.

Kim looked at her mom. She put on her jacket and made ready to leave. "Kimmie I don't think you should go this time, I don't know what kind of condition we're going to find him in. It may not be pretty." she told her daughter.

"Mom how could I tell my child that I had a chance to see her father once more, I have to go mom. I'll try to stay out of the way." Kim told her.

---

Kim looked at the bandaged, pale figure, people in white lab coats hovered over him checking his reactions, others looked at his chart and various lab tests. One of them brought a chair over to the bed and motioned for her to come over and sit.

Kim softly walked over to his side. She bent over and lifted his hand to her lips. She felt a hand on her shoulder, looking up she saw her mom with a slight smile on her face. "Ronnie," she said softly, "we're here. We're gonna fix you and bring you back home. Just rest and let us help you please?" Kim sat down and continued to hold his hand. She looked him over. He had bandages on his chest and neck and face. Blood was soaking through the bandages on his chest He had burns on one arm. There were cords and tubes going to his body, he had on an oxygen mask. Though she didn't see it she knew that he had tubes coming out of his chest to drain into a container. Kim knew he was a mess, but he was alive and should stay that way. Unnoticed to her the doctors moved off to discuss what they were going to treat the young soldier.

Kim stayed, watching over her lover was her prime concern and she was determined to make sure he was safe. Maintaining her hold on Ron she felt a slight tremor go through his body, Kim looked at the nurse. She told Kim, "you're doing just fine, he's not awake but there's brain activity. See how when you caress his hand you get a slight tremor? He can feel you, I don't know if he can hear you yet. We have to run more tests."

Then as if on instinct the nurse rose and pulled back the gauze from over Ron's ear. She produced a light and looked inside his ear. "Hmm," she muttered as she quickly left his bed side.

"Doctor Possible, I don't know if you checked the patient yet but a least one of his ear drums is broken or punctured." the nurse told her. "Your daughter was holding his hand and talking to him, he seemed to respond more to touch than to speech, so I looked." she told her boss.

"Good job Amy," Anne replied, "we hadn't gotten that far yet, but we would have run across it. At least we know that he has some response to stimulation."

Kim held his hand and rubbed his arm, she quietly murmured to him. She told him how the baby was doing. She told him how his folks wanted him to get better. She told him of Hanna and Rufus were getting along. She waited for something. Slowly she put her head down on the bed next to his hand. She kissed it again. This time she definitely felt a slight tremor. Kim was interrupted further exploration of his responses when the doctors came back into the room.

Dr. White started, "This is what we know. The patient, well Sgt. Stoppable, has at least a severe brain bruise coupled with his other injuries, so he has a deep concussion. How this happened is that his head and brain bounced around inside his helmet from concussion wave, we have seen a lot of this kind of injury over the last few years.. Twenty years ago he would not have survived long enough to be brought here. The upgrades in issued equipment like the new helmets has been a double edged sword. The soldiers survive now the things that once would have killed them. Now many of them end up living their lives surviving these injuries in a diminished capacity. This makes it much harder not only for them, but their families as they too have to cope with the long term effects of these injuries. We have to provide better assistance to the families in coping with this new problem. Anyway enough of my ranting. We plan on several more days of testing. Also, thanks to Amy that we know the patient has a hearing problem. We will work on repairing that as well."

Kim spoke up, "Doctor White. I think Ron has some responses. I'll show you." Kim asked her mom and Dr White to feel Ron's arm as she held his hand and stroked it. Then she kissed his hand again, they felt the tremor in response to the kiss.

Doctor White tried the same thing, but there was no response. Several other doctors and nurses tried, only Anne was able to get a slight response out of the unconscious soldier.

"Good find Kimmie," her mom said, "somehow Ronald seems to know who's holding his hand. I want you to try something else. I want you to kiss him on the lips. I want to see if he has any more responses."

Blushing, Kim nodded and proceeded to 'test' her subject under doctor's orders. His response was moving his lips. No sound came out, but it looked like a start.

---

After a few days of tests, Anne decided to operate, as it seemed that there was some swelling in Ron's brain.

Meanwhile, Anne's team assisted in repairing injuries that other patients had. This gave the worn down staff a needed break.

Anne looked over at her daughter, she was back in her chair holding Ron's hand. It had been a week since the surgery. Suddenly Kim's eyes popped open. She looked at her hand. This didn't go unnoticed by the older red head. "Kimmie, what just happened?" she asked.

"Mom I'm not sure, I think Ronnie just squeezed my hand after I squeezed his." she told her.

"Let me see honey." she asked her daughter.

Kim got up and her mom replaced her in the chair. Anne squeezed Ron's hand, there was no response. She kissed his hand then squeezed it, he squeezed back. She watched his face, she could see the facial muscles twitch. "Good girl Kimmie, you might have gotten through," her mom told her, "keep it up, I think he's getting better."

Kim watched the injured soldier, she felt him twitch once in a while. She began talking to him more. She told him about classmates and what they were doing. She updated him on Hanna's latest antics, but most of the time she just maintained her physical contact with him except for when her mother ran her off to get rest. Anne didn't want to see her daughter get run down, she knew this was going to take a while to heal Ron and she wanted to make sure the baby was going to be healthy too. Dr. Possible also knew just how stubborn her red haired daughter was.

---

One day after Kim had been talking to Ron she noticed Dr. White come in. "Good news Kimberly," he started, "the latest tests are encouraging. We are beginn......"

Kim wondered why he stopped.

"Well," he began again, "welcome back to the living Sergeant."

Kim turned back around. There he was looking at her. Those big brown eyes. He seemed to be crying.

'Where am I? All the numbing silence. Where are the guys? Oh man, the battle. The radio call, we need help now! Man if I had only acted faster, LT was down, the other NCO's were hit. Why couldn't I move faster? It was my responsibility. God, the noise and the light........Oh, is this what death is like? Why am I alone? Hmmm, something smells nice, strawberries. Where have I smelled that before? KIM? What's she doing here? Oh man the baby, please God not the baby.........'

'What is that light?' he thought cracking one eye open. His vision cleared as he looked at her, he had memorized those features so many years before. The auburn hair, the slim shoulders. 'Funny, why can't I hear her voice?' he thought. She turned around, 'It WAS her. Those eyes, those amazing eyes. Why is she crying?'

Ron tried to sit up, but he was held down. He glanced around. Trying to put it together he was confused. They were talking, but he couldn't quite make out the words. In a second he felt her wrap her arms around him. He could feel the wetness on his shoulder. He noticed Dr. Possible. "What is going on?" he croaked. He noticed the smile on her face.

He could see their mouths they were talking. Finally one of them realized that the soldier was looking at them with questioning eyes. One of the nurses came back in with a pad of paper. Anne quickly wrote on it with big letters, RON YOUR EARDRUMS ARE BROKEN. WE HAVE DONE SURGERY. DON'T WORRY ABOUT NOT HEARING RIGHT NOW. GIVE KIMMIE A KISS.

Ron's eyes widened as he nodded, then since he was a soldier he knew how to obey orders. As his beloved wrapped her arms around him, boy did he obey.

Over the next few days Ron became stronger. His wounds were healing, the chest tube had been taken out and Ron was back on his feet again for short periods of time. Balance was still an issue. When he walked around she was by his side. Anne watched the pair, there was no doubt in her mind that their love for each other was growing stronger daily. This was what she had wanted for her daughter before Josh interfered and Anne for one was glad he was out of the picture now. She winced at the memory of the first wedding and the 'freak show' it became.

Two weeks after the surgery a nurse came in and took the bandages off Ron's ears. He could make out a bit of noise, but it seemed muffled. They asked how well he was hearing, he could make out a couple words but it was better than silence. He told them so.

Dr. White came in a few days later with Ron's new orders. He was being sent home on convalescent leave for three months. New orders would follow and to wait for them at his home address. Most of the surgery team had already left and were back home. Anne would accompany them home. Global Justice sent a smaller air craft for them.

Ron insisted on returning home in uniform not a hospital gown. He was stubborn and didn't want a wheelchair. Ron wanted to walk off the plane and walk to the car. The ears were healing, but Ron, Kim and Anne understood that there will be some hearing loss. It was a hard thing for Kim to bear, but Ron had told her that if she could bear it he could deal with it. Anne told them that hearing problems can be overcome and to be glad that they were together. Some of his hearing had returned, but it was too early to tell how much would come back.

On the long flight back Kim snuggled into him, Ron wrapped his arm around her after putting a blanket over her. She looked up into his eyes as their lips met in a soft kiss. What a difference three weeks had made. 'We got him back, thank you God, I'll never forget this.', she sighed to herself.