Thank you to those of you that reviewed my story thus far. Italicized text indicates the character's active thoughts. On with the show!
"Okay girl, spill. Tell all!" Monique trilled at Kim over their food. They were just sitting down at Bueno Nacho waiting for Ron to show up.
Kim winced as she took her seat, still a little sore from her shocking ordeal late last night. "Well, they covered most of it in the news story that you saw. Ron and I went in and got captured by that Synthodrone Drakken made of Erik."
"No way girl! They didn't have that on the news!" Monique gasped.
"Yeah, I kinda left that part out when I gave my report to the police." Kim said, rolling her eyes. "He used a machine to steal Erik's memories so he could make a copy of him to keep me too occupied to see through his scheme." Monique's mouth was wide open. Kim reached over and pushed her jaw closed. "Stop, you look like Ron," she giggled.
At the mention of his name Ron walked into the door to the restaurant and limped over to their table. He put his hands on the table and grinned, "How's it going KP, Monique?"
"Hi Ron, good, though you don't look so good," Monique said with concern.
"Good Ron, how are the ribs?" Kim asked. Monique looked at Ron with raised eyebrows.
He turned to Monique; "I took a bit of a beating from Err.. I mean Drakken's synthodrone last night." He looked at Kim, "your Mom took a look and said they're just a little bruised, no big. I'm going to grab some food, be right back."
"OK Ron!" they said together as he went up to order.
"Jinx, you owe me a soda, girl." Monique said. "He fought one of those synthogoons?" she added with surprise.
"Yeah, though Rufus helped. I was as surprised as you are, especially after he captured Dr. Drakken."
"No Way!"
"Yeah, I don't know what Ron did or said to him, but he was just laying on the ground curled up as Ron stood over him. I've never seen Ron so determined looking before." "I wonder what did get into him. I know he was upset about Bueno Nacho and the whole synthodrone thing. But he looked, well.. Kinda dangerous, I'd have been scared too if I was Drakken." Kim mused.
"So, how's Erik doing?" Monique asked.
"He will be in the hospital for a few days recovering, they had him on some sedatives. I think he is going to be seeing a counselor as well," Kim replied, looking somewhat crestfallen. "How was the rest of Prom? I saw Bonnie walk out on Brick, she looked ticked."
"Yah, I guess they're through again, Brick was being his usual bully self and she told him to stop. They started arguing and she walked out, he left right afterwards." Monique took a sip of her soda.
"That does not sound like the Bonnie I know," Kim said, a tone of disbelief in her voice. "What about the Diablos?"
Well, shortly after you left the power was knocked out. Mr. Barkin told everyone to stay calm and sit tight. We could hear the sounds of those Diablo robots taking over the town. You know, blocking the roadways and blowing things up. I had my cell phone with me and we gathered around and watched the news. It seems Middleton was actually spared the brunt of the attack." Monique motioned to the downed sign outside "If you hadn't taken out the broadcast tower things might have been different. There are cities all over the world that were pretty badly damaged from this attack."
"My gosh, all those people," Kim began aghast, covering her mouth with her hand.
Ron walked up to the table with a plate laden with Bueno Nacho. "Actually I heard the Diablos appeared to be programmed to preserve human life. There were casualties, but not as many as you'd think. Most of them were military that activated the self preservation programming by attacking."
"Wow Ron, where'd you come up with all that?" Monique asked.
"Well, the Ron dog does know a few things.." Ron began.
"Wade, wasn't it?" asked Kim.'
"Well, yah," Ron replied, his cheeks flushing a bit. "I just got done talking to him. He's been trying to get a hold of you KP." Ron handed her a Kimmunicator from his pocket. Hers had been fried when SynthoErik electrocuted her. "He tried to send it over, but your front yard is so packed with reporters that the delivery man couldn't get it to the front door. Or front hole, whatever you want to call it."
"Yah, my Dad called and told me not to come home this morning. Mom brought me some clothes when she came into work, I slept at Monique's this morning." She looked at Monique thoughtfully, "I wonder why the reporters haven't looked here for me?" She pressed the call button on the kimmunicator for Wade.
Monique shrugged. "I don't know girl, but you can't be on TV dressed like that!"
"What do you mean by that," Kim asked defensively.
A line of light flashed across the Kimmunicator and Wades picture appeared on the screen with his ever-present cup of soda in his hand. The background of the room was damaged with a few repairmen patching up holes in the walls.
"That green top and capris? I don't think so, not for world television," Monique replied, pointing out Kim's favorite clothes.
"You're probably right, I should get into some mission clothes," Kim stated. "Hey wade, what's the sitch?"
"The website has been flooded with thank yous and congratulations from all over the world as well as requests for help that I have been forwarding over to GJ, the Red Cross, and other organizations. There have been two film companies scrambling to get movie rights as well as numerous corporate sponsorships that are begging to provide you with transportation, equipment, lodging, even a free car if they can just say that they are helping you help others. There have even been some false distress calls from reporters that are looking for the scoop. You shouldn't need to worry about the press though. I have had a holoKim walking past the windows at your house every once and a while to keep the reporters busy until you can hold a press conference."
"Press conference!?" Kim asked flabbergasted.
"Car?" Ron said excitedly at the same time, "Score!"
"Ron, amp down. Wade, I've never had to have a press conference before, it was usually just local reporters."
"Well you do now. What you and Ron did was big time. You literally saved the whole world. Sure, you've done it before, but no one really realized it. This time it stared them right in the face."
"OK Wade, thanks," Kim said. "We really should get ready."
"OK KP, see you later," Ron said sitting down and biting into a Nacho. He tapped the side of his pocket and Rufus popped his head out sniffing the air. His drooping eyes popped open wide.
"Nacho!" Rufus squeaked, scampering up onto the table and digging in.
"I got extra cheese and grande sized for you ya little hero," Ron said rubbing Rufus on the head.
Kim just looked on, eyebrows raised. "Ron, you're coming with me, you're the other half of the we I was talking about!"
Ron choked on his naco for a moment. "They never want to talk to me anyways. And I just ordered nachos…"
"Finish up quick then, we need to grab some mission clothes from your house and have Wade schedule a time and place for us," Kim said matter of factly.
"And I will do hair and makeup!" Monique said excitedly.
"I am not wearing makeup!" Ron protested between bites.
"Oh come on Ron," Monique teased, "maybe just a little eye shadow?" Ron shook his head vigorously. "OK, but you're getting your hair done mad dog, and that's final.
Kim laughed.
The press conference went well all around. As usual the press focused mostly on Kim although they did ask Ron what it was like working with Kim on missions after she literally shoved him out in front of the podium. After the conference most of the reporters respected the wishes of the two heroes and left them alone to resume their normal lives. With all the cleanup around the Possible residence, the press conference, and Kim visiting Erik in the hospital the weekend flew right by.
"Hola Possible clan!" Ron hollered as he pushed aside the plastic covering up the now framed door, the construction workers hadn't arrived yet for the morning.
"Hey Ron! Kimmie is in the shower, why don't you have some pancakes, I made extra." Mrs. Possible called from the kitchen.
"Sounds good Dr. P." Ron replied going into the kitchen. Jim and Tim sat at the table eating noisily. Mrs. Possible was at the stove pouring more batter the pan.
"Ron," Jim began.
"did you," Tim said after him.
"bring back,"
"our rockets?"
"Boys, don't talk with your mouths full!" Mrs. Possible chided.
"Yeah, I have them on my scooter outside. They're out of fuel though." Ron said, taking the plate of pancakes and sitting down to eat. "This is good Dr. P."
"Thank you Ronald, how are you feeling this morning?"
"Better, but they're still a little sore," Ron replied about his bruised ribs.
Kim came down the steps while Ron finished up his pancakes. "Come on Ron, or we're going to be late for school," she said, grabbing a bagel off of the counter.
"Have a good day at school kids!" Mrs. Possible called after them as they headed towards the door.
"OK Mom!" Kim hollered back.
"Thanks for the breakfast Mrs. Dr. P." Ron said waving.
"Those two would sure make a great couple, they're already best friends." She looked at the photo on the counter, the one taken Prom night with SynthoErik. So like all the failed boyfriends Kim had had thus far. "If she isn't careful someone is going to take Ron before she realizes he's right for her." She picked up the picture and went to throw it in the trash.
Bonnie drove past the Possible house as Kim and Ron ducked under the plastic sheeting a scowl set upon her face. Brick followed behind on his motorcycle and pointed at Ron's scooter laughing. "Nice ride dork."
Kim rolled her eyes and Ron simply ignored him. "So are you going to take the car KP?" Ron asked as the walked to school.
"I don't know Ron. It would be nice to be able to drive to school and I don't really have time to get a job until summer to buy one with all of the missions that we have, but…."
"But you don't want to be like Team Impossible was, charging for missions." Ron finished for her.
"Yeah, I guess that's it."
"You don't have to KP. They aren't trying to buy mission time, they are just grateful for the missions that you do."
"That and they want to be able to say that I use their products. It just seems so.. sell outish," she said. "Besides, they are only offering one car. It wouldn't be fair to you for me to except it when you aren't getting one."
"Don't worry about me KP, I still got nacho checks coming in. I'm a millionaire baby!" Ron said with a grin.
"Wha?" Kim said, a little shocked. "And you haven't gone off the deep end again!?"
"Welllll, my Dad is kinda holding onto them. He put them in a trust fund until I turn 21. I have him half convinced to take out enough to buy a motorcycle." "And as far as sell outish goes, so not a word" he mocked, mimicking her voice. Kim rolled her eyes. "Only endorse products that you already use." Ron said shrugging his shoulders.
Kim nodded. "Well put Ronald Stoppable! Wait, were you talking to Wade again?" she asked with a grin.
"Yep, but I came up with that on my own, Wade actually agreed with me," Ron stated proudly.
They walked up the steps to the school. A reporter stepped out from behind the hedge and shoved a microphone at them, "Mrs. Possible can you please.." the reporter began.
"We have to get to class, maybe later," Kim cut her off shaking her head.
"How about you Mr. Stoppable?"
"No comment," Ron stated offhandedly as he walked into the school.
"I thought we were through with that," Kim said rolling her eyes.
"Well, that's how it is when you're a world hero," Ron grinned.
"And I suppose you're going to lord that over us too Kim," Bonnie said, walking up with her books in hand. "With all your time being spent with the media are you going to be able to handle the squad? Maybe it would be better if I took care of things at practice tonight. We do have a cheer competition coming up."
"Bonnie what exactly is your problem with me!?" Kim growled.
"Sorry Kim, I don't have enough time to go over all your issues," she snapped, "I don't want to be late to class." Bonnie blushed, her face falling a little. She turned on her heel and hurried off to class. "Ugh! I'm doing it again. Can't you say anything civil to her? I was just going to offer her help with cheer practice if she needed it. Old habits are so hard to break."
"Err!" Kim growled, her hands clenched and shaking slightly.
"Amp down KP," Ron said, trying to calm her.
"Is there a problem here people?" Mr. Barking stepped out from a nearby classroom.
"No comment," Ron replied offhandedly.
Kim's hand went to her mouth and Ron's eyes opened wide as they realized what Ron had just said.
"Talking back to a teacher Stoppable? You may have saved the world, but this school still has rules and Steven Barkin is going to uphold them. You know what that means."
"Extra homework?" Ron asked hopefully.
"That's right Stoppable, detention," Mr. Barkin started. He looked thoughtful for a moment, "and extra homework."
"Aww.. man" Ron said.
"OK, the area of the cylinder would be 342 cubic inches." Ron jotted the answer down on his 'extra' math sheet. "There, done." Ron looked up at the clock, there was 5 minutes left in detention. "Good, maybe I can catch KP before she heads home from cheer practice." Ron packed up his homework and waited for Mr. Barkin to dismiss detention.
"OK people you can go. I hope you learned your lesson," Mr. Barkin stated, looking up from the papers he was grading.
"Why did he say people? It's just me and Brick in here," Ron thought. He picked up his books and headed towards the door.
"Outta the way Stoppable," Brick growled giving Ron a shove as they rounded the corner out of Mr. Barkin's sight. He stomped down the hallway in the same direction Ron was going. The halls were empty of people this late in the afternoon and Ron didn't think he would catch Kim. He came around the corner and grinned when he saw the familiar Middleton High cheerleading outfit. His smile disappeared when he saw it was Bonnie. Brick was talking to her. Ron went to his locker to drop off his books, he had finished his homework in detention.
"You don't just leave me like that at the biggest dance of the year!" Brick said to Bonnie angrily. "What the hell is your problem?"
"I told you I we're through. This conversation is over," Bonnie turned to leave.
Brick reached out and grabbed her arm. "I'll say when it's over," Brick said, grabbing onto Bonnie's arm. Bonnie tried to pull away and Brick increased his grip.
"Let go Brick, you're hurting me!" Bonnie said, suddenly frightened.
"Like you hurt me, leaving me like that? Brick sneered. Bonnie dug her fingernails into Brick's hand as she struggled to pull away, drawing a little blood.
Ron's eyes grew hardened as anger welled up inside of him. He knew what it was like to be picked on by Brick, to be beat up, humiliated. Sure Bonnie was no angel, but she didn't deserve this. He dropped his book bag clenching his fists. The events of the last weekend fueled his anger.
"You bitch!" Brick growled, looking at the scratch. He raised his hand to slap her only to find it caught as he pulled it back. "Wha? Stoppable?" Brick said with disbelief. "I'll deal with you in a minute," Brick sneered at Bonnie as he let go of her.
Bonnie was in a panic, she wanted to run, her mind screamed at her to run. "Brick is going to kill him! I have to do something!" "Ron, run!" Bonnie urged. "MR. BARKIN!"
Brick balled up his fist and took a swing at Ron, trying to pull his other arm free. Ron ducked and pushed his shoulder into Brick, shifted his weight and threw Brick on the floor. "I'm going to smash your face in your little shit!" Brick threatened, scrabbling to his feet.
Ron's face was an emotionless mask, only his eyes betraying the anger that he felt. Brick came in with another swing and Ron sidestepped, allowing Brick's hand to dent the locker behind him. Brick grimaced in pain.
"I take on world class goons on a regular basis Brick, do you think you're going to be able to hurt me?" Ron asked, his voice void of emotion.
"You're little redhead bitch takes care of them doesn't she?" Brick quipped back.
Ron's eyes began to glow with a faint blue light as desire to hurt this man grew in him. "How dare he insult Kim?" Brick shot in for a wrestling take down. Ron didn't sidestep this time, instead leaping into Brick and driving his knee into his face. Brick toppled backward.
"My god, what got into Ron?" Bonnie thought as Brick toppled over. She saw Mr. Barkin race around the corner as Ron leapt onto Brick straddling him. Ron pulled back his fist as Brick raised his head weakly, arms spread out to his sides. "Ron is going to kill him!" "Ron no!" she yelled.
Ron looked up at Bonnie and down at Brick, realizing what he had been about to do. He stood up shaking a little bit. Mr. Barkin reached them and pulled Ron away from Brick. "Stand over there Stoppable." Mr. Barkin said, pointing over by Bonnie. He checked over Brick, who lay there moaning. He pulled out his cell phone and called for an ambulance.
Bonnie was hugging herself and began crying a little bit. "Thanks for stopping him Ron." Mr. Barkin looked up in surprise as Bonnie stepped into Ron's shoulder sobbing as she hugged him. Ron looked a bit uncomfortable as he hugged her back.
"It's over now Bonnie, it's OK." Ron said, stroking her hair to calm her down, it always worked when Kim was upset.
"What exactly went on here?" Mr. Barkin asked quietly.
I wrote this chapter for several reasons.
One: I think Kim and Ron are not giving enough 'glory' after a successful mission, I wanted to change that. I hope I didn't go overboard.
Two: I've always thought that Bonnie was portrayed as too mean. Not that there aren't people like that out there. She just seems unreasonably mean considering the history of the show (Bonding, Return to Camp Wannaweep, Ron Millionaire, and Sink or Swim all come to mind).
Three: Ron has always been portrayed as a happy go lucky type of guy. He rarely gets upset and when he does it's never true anger. I wanted to show what I think would happen if he got pushed too far.
By the way, the blue glow to his eyes was his mystical monkey power. I was trying to correlate his desire to inflict harm with his power 'turning on'.