Chapter 2

Ron now knew just how much he missed Kim while he held her. This was evident from both his smile and tears. Kim, too, was crying and trembling with excitement, overjoyed that he was not dead.

He took in a few things about her. With his hands around her he could tell his childhood friend's red hair was still long. Her voice was unmistakable, but since he could no longer see he would have to learn how to recognize her by not only the way she walked, but also her scent. Ron had never really taken notice of her choices of perfume, but he smelled a faint trace of one type. It was mixed, though, with a slight odor of perspiration. He would have to learn to identify her with those as well.

Ron also reflected a moment on a quirk of fate. He simply wanted to summon Kim here to Bueno Nacho and surprise her. Yet, what was purposely to be a false alarm ended up becoming a real mission for her. And it was he, just like before when they were a team, who was there to support her; it was just like old times. His smile broadened when he realized that.

All patrons and employees who remembered him pulled out wireless devices of all sorts and the message was out, either in voice or text, that Ron Stoppable was alive and back in Middleton. Some were even recovered enough from the shock of the averted robbery to remember that he was blind and even had a kid, one that resembled him in no way. This they also passed along in text or talk.

"Da-da."

Ron let go of Kim. "Excuse me, KP, but my daughter's calling."

Kim's joy was suddenly displaced by a sense of surprise at his mention of a daughter, and she watched as he turned and made his way to a booth where lay said little girl of not more than two years old. Then it dawned on her. The sunglasses, the way he moved, tapping the walking stick she returned to him. It had even sunk in that she heard some of the restaurant's customers talking about Ron's disability. During the course of her sudden, ecstatic mood of seeing Ron again she had forgotten, because before that he was but a stranger without sight who helped her take down some thugs. Now, Kim was overcome by a feeling of pity.

Carefully retracing his steps, Ron returned to the approximate spot he was before near Kim. The dark lenses of his sunglasses were focused on her as though he was actually looking at Kim. "KP, this is Hana Stoppable, my adopted daughter."

Oh, so she's adopted. Kim smiled and, giving the infant a brief wave, said, "Hi, Hana." Adorable baby noises and limb movements were Hana's return greeting.

Ron's smile faded, having detected very little cheer in her voice. "Kim, what's the matter?"

She knew the question she was about to ask had an obvious answer, but it was still asked. "Ron." She moved closer and gently placed her hands on the one arm of his which supported Hana's bottom, her eyes looking at, more than trying to see through, his sunglasses. "You can't see, can you?"

Ron shook his head and replied, "No."

Although his tone was soft, there was no sadness in his voice. Kim realized that Ron must be used to it after all this time. She asked him how it happened.

"I'll tell you everything, but I want everyone to be there. My parents, your family. You drive now, right?"

Even though he could not see her doing it, Kim still nodded. "Yeah. My car's parked outside. I'll help you to it and take you home after the police take these guys away."

The police arrived just minutes later. Kim gave her statement and ensured that it went on record that Ron Stoppable, who is alive and has come home, was given two-thirds of the credit for helping her. The police were impressed to learn that he was able to in spite of his handicap. Kim was ready to help Ron once the robbers were led away.

"First I need to get our stuff." With a tip of his head he gestured to his and Kim's booth. "They're over there."

"I got 'em." Kim volunteered to collect the bags. On her way back to him she saw that he had gone up to the counter to order. Ron still ordered as he had back then, adding nacos and chimeritos, and even grande-sizing his meal. For averting the robbery the manager offered twenty free all-you-can-eat meals to Team Possible, and some toddler-safe toys for Hana.

She led him from the restaurant, one of his hands clutching her shoulder while the other held Hana. She transported, in addition to his and Hana's luggage, his bamboo walking stick and his food. "You know, Ned was promoted a couple years back and was regional manager of Bueno Nacho for a while."

Ron realized something, and so instead of commenting on his best friend's update on Ned, the former assistant manager, he said, "Kim, what's up with your mission outfit?" The shirt was a bit more skin-tight than the one he was more familiar with and he knew the material was not that of her black top. He first noticed this when they hugged inside Bueno Nacho, but he had no chance to think much of it with all that had gone on up until now.

Kim slowed her pace as she and Ron neared her car. "I changed it." She disengaged her car's security and unlocked the doors and trunk. She then told him to stop, and while he waited by the passenger door she stowed his and Hana's luggage in the trunk. "A few years ago there was a mission involving clothing designs stolen from Club Banana. I actually worked there during my senior year and the summer before college. This trio of thieves, called The Fashionistas, was responsible for the thefts. I managed to catch them, with Monique's help would you believe it?" Kim added of their friend who was Club Banana assistant manager then, who also recommended Kim for employment.

She finished with the luggage and was now helping Ron, who said he would sit in the back seat, into the car, with Hana on his lap. "Sometime later, when I began applying to colleges, I was on a mission which damaged my former uniform. I checked every possible clothing retailer to get a new set, but not one had my style anymore. It wasn't even available online anywhere." Kim went around her car to get into the driver's seat. "So after a few bad designs, from both my dad and the tweebs, I actually took the issue to The Fashionistas and they designed it. The top is purple and short-sleeved. I don't have cargo pants anymore. Instead they're black bellbottoms with a purple stripe down the sides. My Kimmunicator was reduced by Wade to the size of a wristwatch."

Ron wondered what else about Kim had changed. Her figure had not, he knew from hugging her earlier. Before she could start the car he asked if he could feel her face. She complied after a moment of thought. Reaching forward with his left hand Ron slowly ran his digits down along her face, his fingers and thumb missing very little. Her skin was smooth, her nose small, but that only meant it was just as he remembered; only a few minor blemishes, but who does not still get those? He did not miss her eyes either. The feel of them told him of recently newfound joy, but there was once an amount of grief and guilt. Other than that, and in spite of six additional years of maturing, Ron believed she had not changed as far as looks. Once that was done, Ron settled back while Kim set her car into motion.

"What kind of car is this, KP?"

"It's Dad's old Rock SL Coupe."

"You mean a Sloth? I've heard of those."

Kim grinned at Ron's mention of the coupe's alternate name. "Yes, well it was a bit of a heap when Dad gave it to me, but he said it meant a lot to keep it in the family despite the recall. I did try to rebuild it myself, but I wasn't getting anywhere, so the tweebs offered to do it."

"They did?" Ron tried to imagine what sort of modifications Kim's twin brothers Jim and Tim could have put into the car.

"They did. I was against it at first, but when I couldn't fix the coupe I finally caved and let them do it. They put me under contract for a while to give them rides wherever and whenever they wanted to go, but they eventually released me from being their car monkey."

"Uh, did you say car monkey?" Ron asked, being one still not fond of monkeys.

"Yes, I did," Kim affirmed, familiar with Ron's phobia. "The car's equipped with rocket boosters and has aquatic capability among other specialties. Jim and Tim called it the 'Rock SL Coupe, 2.0.'"

"Sweet name," Ron commented with a nod.

His best friend had yet to say anything about Rufus. Ron was unsure if she was avoiding the subject or she had not thought to mention it. "So, KP."

She looked at him from the rearview mirror.

"How's Rufus?"

Kim realized she had not thought to mention the pink mole rat and butted her forehead with her right hand. "Oh, right." She took a breath. "I'm sorry, Ron, but between his age and being convinced you were gone, he died last year."

"Ah." Ron bowed his head remorsefully at Rufus' passing from a broken heart. He was never going to see his little buddy again. "Who took care of him?"

"I did."

"Thanks."

"No big," Kim replied using one of her custom responses. "Besides I still had your 'Care of Rufus' guide and that helped loads." She could tell by a slight change in his expression that it gladdened him that she took Rufus in.

"I even went out and found him a mate."

Ron had not expected to hear that. "You did?"

"Uh huh. I thought it might help ease his loneliness some and it did seem to. They even had little ones," she said with a delighted chuckle. "I couldn't think of any fitting names, though, so, boy or girl, I called all the babies Rufus. I just gave them each a number."

That thought cheered Ron up more, making him smile and laugh a little.

At the sound of four notes he had not heard in six years he felt Hana shift in his lap. He had been holding her so that she was facing front. His little girl let out a precious infant giggle, having been amused by the tone. Kim must have thought it precious as well, as she had not yet answered until the customary sounds repeated a second time, again amusing Hana.

Kim switched on a screen at her right. "Go, Wade," she said to the teen genius.

"Holy Moses, it's true." Wade saw with his own eyes that Ron was there.

Ron leaned to his left a bit to give his old acquaintance a better view, smiling and waving, asking, "Hey Wade, what's shakin'?"

"The word's spreading fast, I take it," Kim said to the on-screen teen, referring to Ron's return.

"Like wildfire across the web," Wade replied. "It's actually hitting the news, too." He looked from her to Ron, still in awe that he was back. "It's great to see you again, Ron." He immediately followed that with an "oops" and an apology, thinking Ron might not take well to words referring to sight, but no offense was taken. "So, what happened to you? Where have you been?"

"KP's taking me home. I plan to tell everyone then. Come on over."

Wade gave Kim a questioning look. "You sure about this?"

"Of course," Ron replied thinking the question was directed at him.

Kim knew why her on-screen friend asked that, but she was not sure if she should say anything to Ron yet or how she would. He had just returned. The young woman nodded to Wade, gesturing that she was going through with it, and hoped that bringing Ron home would finally end the enmity between the two families.

"Alright then," said Wade to her. "Your family should be there by the time you are. There isn't a soul in Middleton that hasn't already heard. I'll head over now."

The car pulled up in front of the Stoppable residence. Thinking that the personal effects could wait, short of his bamboo walking stick, Ron was helped by Kim out of the car. She had taken Hana, who had quite interestingly taken to Kim, from him. The little girl liked her. Ron was not out of the car even one second when he heard the front door of his parents' house open and a cry of, "Ronnie!" from his mother.

In tears, Jean Stoppable rushed up with high hopes to get a good look and see if this truly was her son. Her husband Dean kept pace with her. She did not ask the young man questions. She just wanted to see with her own eyes that this indeed was her Ronnie. Looking him over, wherever he had been had done well for her son. He was taller and more fit looking than when she last saw him. There were a few scars on his face which she attributed to injuries he must have sustained when he disappeared. Regardless, Jean was convinced, and a teary reunion was underway, with kisses and tight hugs. She and Dean were upset to learn about Ron's blindness. Ron also took a moment to point out and introduce his adopted daughter.

Jean then looked at Kim with a gravely apologetic expression. "Kim. I'm so, so sorry." Her husband, too, offered his sincerest apologies.

Kim was silent for a moment while she handed the baby back to Ron and let lift six years of hurt before saying, "It's no big, Mr. and Mrs. Stoppable," and she then opened up to give the them a forgiving hug. She, too, could not help but cry, for she had once asked for their forgiveness after Ron was believed lost.

Ron wanted to know what that was about. Instead of getting an answer his dad suggested they all go inside where everyone could get reacquainted. His and Hana's luggage gotten, he accepted his parents' aid to lead him into the house. He knew, though, he would have to sooner or later assure them that he is able enough to get around by himself.

As she followed them, Kim looked to see that her parents were already there, standing in the doorway of the Stoppable residence. Beside them were the tweebs. After all were inside they explained that Jean had called to find out if they had heard on the news what she had about Ron's return. Wade had contacted the Possibles to affirm that it was so.

Now that Ron was home again, everyone was eager to hear about what had become of him.