Disclaimer: I don't own Kim Possible or the lyrics to 'Incomplete' by The Backstreet Boys.
Chapter 4: Music and Lyrics.
--
The warm, crystal-like waters and clear skies that surrounded The Seniors' home was quite breathtaking that day under the heat that came living on an island. It was really no wonder that someone, especially a rich villain and his son, would choose to live out there, as it was both secluded and beautiful.
"Junior, Junior!" called the strong, Hispanic voice, it echoed through huge, overly expensive hallways as Sr. Senior Senior made his way to the area where his evilly inspired son was working. He really couldn't have been more proud these days, his once dim-witted child was turning into the first-class villain his father always knew he was. And all it took a little motivation, as Junior had told him. Now what that inspiration was, Senior could only wonder, though he kept hoping it had been his Lessons in Evil.
After some looking, he finally found Junior sitting in the newly refurbished prison hold room. The last time it had used was when Senior had captured The Oh Boyz. For months, it sat, empty and gathering dust, up until last week, when Junior suddenly took interest in changing the room's decor a little bit.
Now Senior really had to wonder what his son was doing. Most of the henchmen, still wearing their sunglasses and black turtlenecks, were busily working, removing the cell bars and self activated lasers, installing lights, putting in pieces of furniture, and repainting the walls an olive green color.
All that was left of the old style was the call platform in the middle of the room.
Senior made his way through a maze of working henchmen with wide eyes, unsure what to make of the renovations. As he approached his son, it became apparent that Junior was almost as busy as the workers, writing speedily onto a piece of paper, mumbling happily to himself between his jottings.
"Junior," he said with concern, coming up behind his son, who was only then distracted from his work, "I am beginning to grow unsure about all these... changes. The holding cell was fine, but the renovations you've made... they take away from the evil."
Junior gave him a reassuring smile. "Not to worry, father. This is all part of my big plan, which I have just put the finishing touches on!" He lifted up his paper, which was covered in strange writings, small doodles, and almost unreadable work. Senior squinted his old eyes, trying make out some hint as to what Junior's "big plan" was. He got nothing. All those years of language arts tutors gone to waste with the flourish of Junior's awful penmanship. But that still didn't deter him from trying again.
"Perhaps you should allow me to look over your plan, just to make sure everything is perfect, eh?" He made a swift grab the paper as he spoke, but Junior was too fast for him, and pulled away, hiding the notes behind his back.
"No, father! The last time you helped me with one of my evil plans, you ruined everything! I'm not a child anymore, I want to do this myself!"
Senior sighed and rubbed his temple. "My son, no matter how many times you mention that disco plot, it does not change the fact that it was not evil in any way."
Junior jumped up and got right in his father's face. "Yes it was! I overcharged for-!"
"Alright," Senior said, pushing Junior back and forcing him to calm down, "have it your way, Junior. I actually came down here to congratulate you." He reached into his coat and pulled out the morning newspaper, in which the front page headline read: Senior's Son Pulls Diamond Caper. Jimmy Ding is robbed of rare diamond and thief manages to escape Kim Possible.
The rest of the article detailed the billionaire store owner's grief over The Emerald Heart's disappearance and a couple of quotes from Team Possible's leader, saying that she was on the case and would not rest until the diamond was back where it belonged. Junior smiled as he looked it over.
"This is a great success, Junior, but I fail to see how the diamond will assist in dominating the world."
Junior scoffed. "Father, I do not want to rule the world, my plan is much smaller then that!"
Senior's eyes shown evilly. "Ah, so it is bait to lead Kim Possible her doom then?"
"FATHER! Please! You will just have to see when it happens. But I assure you, it will be one of the greatest achievements of my life!" With that, he broke into his evil laugh, as nasally and annoying as before.
His father's expression was a blend between disappointment and confusion. Then he sighed. "Well, at least you have the villain temper down. Carry on, Junior," he said, walking to the door. "I am off to set up the card table, tonight is Game Night!"
And with that, Senior was gone, off to prepare his salty snacks and fizzy beverages.
Junior looked back down at his notes, scanning the unsavory handwriting with ease. "Well, while father enjoys himself, I must pull the second phase of my plan," he said, the paper close to his nose as his eyes moved back and forth shiftily, he lowered it again and evilly grinned.
"To Defteen Records!"
--
Empty spaces fill me up with holes
Distant faces with no place left to go
Without you within me I can't find no rest
Where I'm going is anybody's guess
It was quiet. Awfully so. Eerily so actually, which wasn't a usual in the Stoppable house since they had adopted a baby. But even with Hana's constant noise, Ron felt as though the world around him was noiseless, like a sound-proof barrier surrounded him wherever he went. That's exactly what it was like, sitting up straight on the living room couch. Rufus had gone to play with the baby, leaving his master to his thoughts.
I tried to go on like I never knew you
I'm awake, but my world is half asleep
I pray for this heart to be unbroken
But without you all I'm going to be is incomplete
What had he just done? It seemed far too surreal to have even happened. His memory on what he had said was fuzzy, all he remembered was how angry he'd been. And how annoyed Kim looked. How she'd slapped him in the face. She'd never hit that way before. He was forced to reminisce back to Junior Year, when he broke up with a Moodulator-effected Kim Possible after a day or so of 'dating'. Would it be like that time? Would she become the living incarnate of Carrie again? He doubted it, that had been the Moodulator that had made KP that way... he hoped.
The break up was necessary, Stoppable, he thought to himself, no worries. Kim's not going to come after you and try to get revenge or something!
A hand suddenly fell on Ron's shoulder.
"Ronnie..." a female voice spoke from behind him.
Ron yelped in fear. It was her! He jumped out of the person's grip and onto the wooden coffee table, striking a karate-like pose.
"Not again KP! You're not taking me without a fight! 'Cause I got mad 'fu skills!" the fear lingered in his voice as he spoke, even in the supposed fighting 'woowha' sound he made, as if to frighten off his disgruntled girlfriend.
Unfortunately, the woman wanting his attention was his mother.
Mrs. Stoppable's expression was nothing short of disturbed. "Ronald, what... are you doing?"
"Uh..."
Ron's face went from shocked, to fearful, and then embarrassed all at once. He quickly scrambled off the table and onto the floor, giving his mother the best 'I'm so sorry' look he could conjure.
Mrs. Stoppable seemed unfazed. "Well, I was going to ask if you could babysit Hana on Tuesday, but if you're going to act that Ronald Stoppable-"
"No, no! I'm sorry, Mom, just a little... stressed today," he muttered, digging the front of his shoe into the floor.
Mrs. Stoppable grabbed her hips and gave her son a look that could only be described as worried.
"Ronnie, you know you can tell me anything," she said, putting a more comforting hand on his shoulder.
Voices tell me I should carry on
But I am swimming in a ocean all alone
The blonde teenager sighed. Maybe he should tell his mother, since it was official, anyway.
Baby, my baby, it's written on your face
You still wonder if we made a big mistake
"I'm..." he began, searching his brain for the right words. "I'm just having a little relationship trouble with Kim." Somehow, he couldn't bring himself to say they'd broken up, that he'd broken up with her, something was extremely painful about those words. And to say that to his mom, who he wasn't exactly on the best of terms with.
Mrs. Stoppable gave a surprised look. "Anything I can do to help?"
Ron shook his head and smiled uncomfortably. "No, it's already taken care of."
The woman still felt that something wrong, and gave her son a reassuring embrace. "Well, if anything else comes up, you just let me know, okay?" she said lovingly before pulling away and heading into the kitchen.
Ron tried his best to regain his usual chipper attitude, he smiled and gave her a thumbs up. "Can do, Mom! And don't worry, I'll watch Hana this Tuesday!"
"Thank you, Ronnie," she called back.
I tried to go on like I never knew you
I'm awake, but my world is half asleep
He held onto his happy position seconds after Mrs. Stoppable had left room, then dropped his shoulders and sighed heavily. Of course he could watch Hana, with no Kim in his life, that meant no more missions with her. If they were still together, he'd be trailing... Junior with her, he had to force the villain's name, even in his thoughts.
Well, I can at least count off two upsides to the break up, Ron though semi-optimistically as he sank back onto the couch, I'm not getting cheated on anymore, and now I have loads of free time!
I pray for this heart to be unbroken
But without you all I'm going to be is incomplete
Ron spent the next half hour thinking of things he could now do with his newfound time, and keeping his mind away from the subject of Kim Possible
--
"I really don't know, Monique," Kim said as she finished her story on the events at Bueno Nacho. Both girls were at Club Banana, checking out some of the sales racks while Kim explained the big break-up, finally able to contain herself after fifteen minutes of tears over the phone with her best friend. Monique then met her a few blocks from Bueno Nacho, they hugged and she consoled Kim until she could talk more clearly.
"I mean, it was just so random. One minute, we're discussing mission plans, next thing I know, he's going off over something that he knows I would never do!"
The brokenhearted redhead grabbed a black shirt with green sleeves, placing it over her black, mid-sleeve shirt and red skirt to see how she looked in it.
Way too Shego, Kim thought, quickly placing it back. Somehow, the shopping made her feel better... a little.
"Well, girl, I don't what to say," Monique began, sorting through a curtain of blue jeans, but finding nothing interesting. She looked at Kim with concern, "but it sounds like the boy's overreacting, as usual." the dryness in the statement almost made Kim want to laugh, but her thoughts of Ron were far to heavy to let her do so.
"I know, it's just, this is the first time we've really fought..." she looked down, her hair cascading over her face, "...and the first time he's broken up with me since we started dating."
"Well, he did say he thought you were cheating on him," Monique, almost absent-mindedly as she admired a rather pretty blue shirt.
"With Junior," Kim scoffed, narrowing her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. The annoyance and disbelief still in her voice.
Monique looked at her friend at the mention of the villain's name, almost dropping the shirt, wide-eyes and slight-amusement on her face. "Junior? As in Sr. Senior Junior? The big, good looking, evil guy who can't sing?"
Kim pushed several tacky outfits aside, interested in a colorful looking blouse. "One and the same," she muttered dryly.
Monique giggled loudly. "Man, I see why you're so annoyed then!"
Kim groaned, the shirt she'd been interested in was actually pretty ugly too. She slipped it back and leaned against the metal bar that held all the clothes. "Tell me about it,"
"So, any truth in Ron's story?" Monique stifled her laughter quickly as she turned to a nearby mirror, striking poses as she held the shirt onto herself.
"Ugh, no! Why would there be?" Kim sounded irritated by the fact that her best friend was questioning her loyalty to her relationship. Of course she loved Ron! She would never do anything like that to him. And with Junior? Ew!
"Just asking," Monique said, sounding amusing again. She turned back to Kim. "So, who do you think told him that then?"
"Not sure, Ron said he had heard it from Junior, but somehow, I don't think he's smart enough to create something like this, and why would he want to?"
"Unless... he actually likes you," Monique stated with shiver.
Kim's face went a nice shade of green.
Beep Beep Be Deep!
An almost thankful Kim Possible lifted her wrist as her Kimmunicator screen lit up, Wade's urgent face appearing, the usual blue wires and multiple computers in his background
"Hey Kim, heard about the breakup, rough stuff. You okay?" Wade asked. The teen hero found his concern touching.
She shrugged, seemingly masking her tears with her usual brave and jovial face. "More or less. How did you find out, anyway?"
The teenage boy smirked deviously. "Let's just say Ron's gave it away himself."
"Microchip picked up on his blood pressure and your Bueno Nacho cam recorded the fight?" Kim asked knowledgeably. Wade's tactics were getting a little predictable, and the redhead could tell right away that he was annoyed by that fact.
"Don't do that," he said, eyes narrowed in irritation.
Kim smiled slightly, she loved doing that.
Monique leaned in on the teen hero suddenly. "Wade has Ron and Bueno Nacho wired?"
Kim nodded quietly.
Her best friend sighed exasperatedly. "Figures."
"Also Kim, I'm afraid I didn't just call for socializing," Wade's voice chimed in, forcing the two girls to look back at the Kimmunicator. Kim already knew what Wade was gonna say, as much as she didn't want to hear it.
"I got another lead on Junior! He robbed Defteen Records about fifteen minutes ago!"
"Defteen Records?" Kim asked, clearly confused again. "What could Junior want there?"
"The newest Oh Boyz single," Wade said, typing quickly. "They were setting up to record it when the lyrics got stolen! This is the first track off their comeback album, without it-"
"The company and the Boyz lose some mega bucks!" Kim finished.
"Right!" Wade replied.
The redhead raised an eyebrow. "The Oh Boyz? Feels kinda repeatish, Wade, and doesn't link up to the last caper at all, other then the fact that the victims are rich and famous."
"Think Junior's trying to settle some personal revenge?" the boy suggested.
Kim smiled. "Only one way to find out. Got a ride for me?"
"Already set up and on its way to the mall!" Wade gave her a thumbs up.
"As per usual, you rock Wade!" Taking her words of praise to heart, the tech-savvy boy waved goodbye, then pressed a large button on his keyboard, causing the screen of the Kimmunicator to go dark.
Kim lowered her arm, and sighed heavily. It was so bittersweet to her. She was finally getting her chance to go after Junior after the horrible outcome at the museum robbery, but, it didn't feel the same without Ron. Somehow, she couldn't explain it, for she still had the greatest confidence in her abilities, but felt as though she couldn't handle the mission... right without Ron. No Ron meant there was no one to make wisecracks about the villains, no one to lose their pants for no apparent reason, no one to brighten her day when all seemed lost.
It wasn't like Ron was moving to Norway or anything, but it seemed, since they had broken up, which it hadn't been that long ago, Kim felt for the first time that...
She was missing the most important part of her life.
The redhead quickly turned back to Monique, swallowing her self-doubt and giving off a forced smile.
"I gotta go, Monique, save the world and all that!" With that, she pulled her friend into a tight embrace. "Thanks for being here for me," she whispered before letting Monique go and starting off toward Club Banana's exit.
"Good luck with the Oh Boyz-Junior thing!" The dark skinned girl called, waving goodbye. As soon as Kim was out of sight, Monique crossed her arms over her chest and frowned.
"And even better luck with Ron, girl."
--
Fifteen minutes later, Kim was changed into her mission clothes and settled into a large leather seat inside a private jet, pretending to scan an old fashion magazine as she inched closer to the record company in Los Angeles.
She did her best to keep her mind off of Ron and on the mission ahead. By every time she did, her thought went to Junior, who immediately reminded her of her former boyfriend's claims. Her fingers tightened on the picture of a pre-criminal Camille Leon as she thought about it a little more. Once she found Junior, he had some serious explaining to do whether he wanted to, or not.
Kim's devious thoughts of what she planned to do once she got her hands on Junior were suddenly interrupted and pushed aside as the door leading to the back of the jet was opened and a young woman stepped in casually. She was tall, though stood a few inches under Kim's height, with short, brilliant red hair and pale skin. She wore a black Pirates of The Caribbean t-shirt, blue jeans, and a pair of white sneakers. The girl smiled warmly at Kim as she sat down next to her.
"Thanks for the lift, Miss Combat!" the teen hero said with a grin.
"Kim, it's the least I could do!" spoke Combat in her youthful voice. "I wouldn't have become so successful if you hadn't gotten my unpublished novel back from that thief!"
Kim shrugged. "Oh, it was no big! And I hear you're making a sequel now?"
The author nodded excitedly. "Oh yes! The heroine must cope with her newfound demon powers, her best friend turned boyfriend leaves town suddenly, and their immortal enemy returns by taking over the body of another! It'll be great!"
"Cool!" the teen hero politely. The truth was that she really wasn't into those kind of stories, too fantasy for her taste. But her cousin Larry wouldn't shut up about Combat's work, perhaps she could used those given little spoilers to her advantage next time he came to visit.
"So where's your blonde friend?" Combat asked casually.
Kim felt her stomach lurch at the mention of Ron. She lowered her head sadly and ran her fingers through her hair. "He- he couldn't make it."
"Aw, that's a shame!" stated the young author, picking a magazine off her coffee table and beginning to read it.
Kim fought back the urge to cry. "Yeah, it sure is."
--
Thanks to reviewers Arya MageFire, Ace Ian Combat, Iffert's Flame, CajanBear73, Darth Comrade, Christian Ninja Rabbit, KittyKax, and Slyrr.
Oh, and Kim's ride was none other then my long time friend, Ace Ian Combat, with references to her fan fictions Demonic, Diablo Fall-Out, and CBR! Hope you liked the cameo, girl!
Next Chapter: Confronting Junior.