A/N: This is the longest chapter so far, like I said last time Monday was a busy day. There is some language in this chapter, it's not horrible, and I felt that given the stitch it was appropriate. Sorry about the wait on this chapter, not only was it long, but I couldn't decide whether Ron should pull another ace out of his sleeve (you have to read to find out). And, I didn't write the "date" (again, read to find out) because I thought it was unneeded, it might be referenced in flashbacks or conversations in the future; I'll say just assume they enjoyed themselves, but behaved.
Disclaimer: I don't own Kim Possible, if I did, I would be rich and my stories would be on TV rather than here.
"Okay ladies, let's get..." but for some reason she stopped in the middle of her sentence and was staring at the doorway. As I turned to see what caught her eye, I heard Kim's voice change to mission mode and hiss, "Shego!"
"Hey, Princess. Don't worry I'm not here to fight. Well not you anyways. I know he's the mascot, and this is practice, where is he?" I looked around, he still hadn't came up from the locker room. Kim's eyes had also drifted towards the locker room door, and this is all the information the green clad woman needed. She walked over to the door pulled it open and yelled, "Ron Stoppable, get out here now." there was no immediate response, "Buffoon, don't make me come in there. It'll be embarrassing for all of us."
This seemed to pull his attention, "I'm coming, clear the door." He came barreling out the door like a bat out of Hell. And he looked like he'd been there recently, his shirt was torn in a few places and he was dirty, like he was curled up on the floor. Once clear of the locker room he looked around and saw for the first time who had been calling him, the blood drained from his face. Oh please don't hurt him... yeah, he sent you to jail... but you were robbing Fort Knox... you can't say you didn't have it coming... He groaned and stood up straight, "I was hoping you would take some time off before coming back to get your green hide handed to you again." Ron, what are you thinking... she's going to pulverize you...
Right then three of the football players who were out for basketball to keep in shape came running out the door, "Oh, Ron. Why did you run off, we were starting to have so much fun." But stopped dead in their tracks at the sight of Shego, then looking around the gym at a bunch of less-than-happy cheerleaders decided it was better for their health if they left, in a hurry I might add. I guess Brick didn't get the message passed along... gonna have to fix that...
"Okay, so that was... interesting. You dropped me like a hot potato, yet you're getting the crap kicked out of you by three thick skulled jocks. I'll bet one of the cheapest henchmen the Doc has on his payroll could take them out!" She was not happy about what she just saw, of course neither am I.
"Bonnie, get the rest of the squad out of here!" I looked around to see the source of the voice, "Are you deaf, get them out, NOW!" Kim was in full mission mode and was taking charge of the situation.
I looked at Ron before moving, he just nodded. "Okay, let's get out of here before we get hurt. This is what they do." some of them seemed reluctant to move, "DID YOU NOT HEAR HER? SHE SAID MOVE!"
I started escorting everyone to the door, but a green blast stopped us short of the door, "Typically I'd say stay here because we would need a bargaining chip. But this time, I don't plan on needing to negotiate I'm just warning you, DON'T call the authorities, it would be bad for your mascot's health."
Beep, Beep, Beep, Beep
"Yeah Wade, I know she's on her way here, right?"
"Yeah, how did you know already, I just found out."
"She's already here. Sorry I gotta go. Oh, by the way, don't let GJ come in under any circumstances." and she flipped the device over her shoulder into her bag.
"Leave them out of this." motioning to us, Ron was completely void of the scared little boy that had came out of the locker room just minutes ago, "If you want me, you got me."
I was already herding the girls back towards the exit, "Come on, get out of here." I was behind them making sure no one decided to stay and do what I was planning, are you crazy Bonnie?... just a little... but I can't just leave him here alone... he's not alone, he's got Kim to cover him... and that's supposed to make me feel better... I'm not going to jump in and fight... I just want to be there when, no I mean IF, he gets hurt and needs someone to help him... As soon as Tara, who had a knowing look on her face, was through the door, I closed it and grabbed a broom handle to seal it.
Turning back towards the impending blood bath, "Ron, no. You're too hurt right now, she'd tear you apart." I was thinking it, but the words came from his partner.
"KP, you don't think I know this. I shouldn't have won last time, but I did." he cringed at yelling and grabbed his ribs before continuing, "So, what do you want: my skin stretched and hung on your wall, my skull to bleach and set on your mantle, or my personal favorite, a shrunken head for the book shelf?" How can he joke at a time like this...
"What I want is a chance to see what you're really made of. And since this is a completely off the clock, I'm not getting paid for this fight, there are going to be some ground rules." Rules?... you're a villain... "But before we get to that... Kimmie, have you taken my advice and grabbed the goods yet?"
I wasn't the only one who was confused by the question. Kim apparently understood though, because her head dropped.
Kim's POV
No, I haven't 'grabbed the good' because they're not up for grabs... I waited to long...
Shego knew from the look on my face that I hadn't taken her advice, "Shame, well I guess I'm going to have to take drastic measures to force your hand. Do you remember what I said about if you hadn't done anything?" my confidence along with my voice was gone, so I couldn't vocalize my answer, but a nod was enough, "I don't go back on my word, so last chance."
"I can't..." I tried to finish the thought, but my vocal chords wouldn't cooperate, I can't do what you think I should, because he's already taken... I stepped up to the proverbial plate, swung and missed...
"Well, don't say I didn't warn you." I watched her turn towards my best friend, "Don't worry, I'm not going to fight you yet, that's in a bit." as she started walking towards him, "This will be painless, heck you might even enjoy yourself; it's just to get Kimmie to pull her head out and do something she should have done a long time ago."
Ron was completely confused, Rufus was running off in the direction of the door my teammates had just disappeared through, and Shego kept getting closer to Ron. She was walking with her arms at her sides, there was no way she could either attack or defend from her stance, but my legs had taken to the same ailment my lips had, they just didn't want to work. "What are you doing Shego? KP? Kim? What's going on, why is Shego walking up to me like that?"
"I said I'm not going to hurt you, yet. Have I ever given you reason not to trust me?" seeing the look on his face she restated her question, "okay so maybe that's a bad way to ask. Have I ever given you reason not to trust me in a fight, I do fight fair, right?" He nodded, but was still on the defensive, "Okay, then I'll tell you when we're going to fight. Right now, I need to do this, for Princess over there."
She leaned in and to everyone's shock wrapped her arms around him and pulled him into a deep kiss, "Get your green hands off my boyfriend!" The sudden outburst caught me off guard, first off it hadn't come from my mouth, he's not my boyfriend unfortunately, and that about floored me was who it was, she was supposed to be with the rest of the team safely through those doors. I'm seeing things... and hearing things... I've hit full blown hallucinations... maybe this is a bad dream... yeah, that's it, a bad dream that I'm going to wake up from...
"Not bad." Shego had broke her forced lip-lock with Ron and was now looking towards the blue eyed devil walking her direction, with a hairless pink rodent sitting on her shoulder. "Oh," as if she was realizing I wasn't the one who yelled, "So, you're the reason... and she probably did... Ooh, things just got interesting. I'm going to have to change the stakes a bit though, I hope you don't mind Stoppable." What does she mean, change the stakes... I didn't know they were betting on this...
"Bonnie, do you realize what you just said? And KP said to get out of here. Please go, I can't have you getting hurt on my account." Ron was shaking off the shock of having his personal space invaded, and at the shock of Bonnie saying something that random to throw Shego off... it was just to throw her off, right?
"Do I look like I'm going anywhere? I already got the others out of here, I'm not leaving you alone. I know what I said, so it's a little earlier than planned. We'll deal with it" she shrugged and walked over to him to offer him a little support. Brain shutting down... input error... major malfunction... system crash eminent... Bonnie is helping Ron... and, no she just said that to throw Shego off... right?...
"How heart warming, the buffoon finally got a girlfriend." she mocked while placing both hands over her heart. "Quite a dish too, I might add."
"The name is Ron, Ron Stoppable. Why can't you remember that?"
"Oh, trust me I remember. I will always remember, you beat me once. Which is why I'm here."
My anger overcame my mental shut down, "You're not going to fight Ron, you can either leave, fight me, or sit here till GJ gets here and hauls you back to that hole you belong in."
"Wrong again. I am going to fight Ronnie here, but there will be rules. Seeing how he's not in prime condition, he can call 3 timeouts at any time he feels it is necessary, I feel that will more than make up for his current state of discomfort. Second, YOU and the good side's equivalent of henchmen, GJ, will not interfere," she was pointing at me, "if either of you do, I light up and all rules go out the window. Which leads to number three, I will not light up unless one of the other rules has been breached, therefore we should be on an even more equal footing and it'll be more fun for us. Number four, this is where the stakes I was talking about come in. It was going to be if you won, you got a trip and meal paid for to anywhere in the world for you and Kimmie. And if you lost, you were going to cook me a meal fit for a queen. However, in light of recent events I'm going to change things, in your favor I might add. If you win, you and Ms..."
"Rockwaller, Bonnie Rockwaller."
"OH!" just realizing the brown haired girl holding onto Ron was one of the people she'd heard me complaining to Ron about on missions, "as I was saying, if you win, you and your girlfriend get a trip to anywhere at my expense. Now if you loose, you and Princess are going on a romantic date to my choice of destination, plus I get my meal. Again, I will pay for this; I have my reasons and I ask that you don't ask. And finally the most important rule, winner is decided when the opponent says the safe words... Monkey's Rule. I think they are random enough words that they wouldn't be used in general conversation and they shouldn't be confused with anything else easily. Other than that, I think it's pretty self explanatory. Any questions?"
"Just one, why?" Ron was basically begging her for an answer.
"Simple, I've been beat by two people in this world. One because we are too close to the same ability and she is the only person who had ever offered me a challenge. The other, well I'm not sure how. It was quick and almost painless, well for me it was. And I just want to find out whether it was a fluke or whether I should actually be paying attention to you from now on when you come to stop Dr. D and his crazy plans. Look at it this way, this is a win-win situation for both of us, yeah one or both of us is going to walk away sore which will suck, but you get a free meal either way, and my incentive for winning is something I'd rather not get into until afterwards if you don't mind, but loosing won't hurt my feelings either. It'll hurt my pride, but it should serve the same purpose in the long run." she had started rambling like a typical villain, so unlike her.
"I was actually asking about the safe words, because monkey's don't rule. But, I'm guessing I don't have a choice in any of this do I." Shego just shook her head and took a stance, "Bon-Bon, you might be busy for a few more days." she looked like she was going to start crying or blow up and take on Shego herself, or both, till Ron kissed her forehead and said, "I'll live, I might be a little stiffer than normal, but I'll live. Now, please go over by KP. You can explain things to her now, because I'm not sure how easy it'll be to talk with my jaw wired shut."
"I can't let her do this, she already hurt you once. I don't want her to do it again." my brain was going back into overload, Bonnie is Ron's girlfriend?... Ron told me no because of her! somethings not right with this picture...
Then, before anybody could react, Shego grabbed Bonnie's arm, picked her up and tossed her towards me, "I was getting tired of waiting," with a shrug she added, "What can I say, I'm not the most patient person."
I caught Bonnie, and was able to keep us both on our feet. We were collecting ourselves when Ron spoke. His voice sent a shiver down my spine, it was his serious voice, but there was something else in there too that I couldn't place, "You should NOT have done that. Bon-Bon, where do you want to go eat? You can pick anywhere in the world."
"Nice try, but I'm tired of games and stalling." she leapt in her usual fashion across the short distance between them. And again, at the last possible second he moved out of the way. He was too sore to grab her leg and throw her down this time, and instead backed towards me and Bonnie while Shego spun to face him again.
"KP, get her out of here, and stay with her, make sure no one comes in until we're done." he was pointing towards the the girl next to me, "I'll be fine for a while, but I don't want anybody else to get hurt accidentally."
I couldn't do much besides what he asked, "Ron, be careful."
"I hadn't even thought about being careful, I was going be completely reckless and allow her to finish me off with ease." His voice was dripping with sarcasm and I think I heard some anger. Ron doesn't get angry... he's the one who calms you down... remember?...
"Is he going to be okay? She won't seriously hurt him, will she? I mean, it's not like she wants him dead? Right Kim?" I turned towards the unusually small voice from beside me. Her face was one of sheer terror, since when did that happen... she hates, or rather hated, Ron... how did they end up together and how did I miss it?...
Walking towards the door I managed to force a smile and said, "He's going to be fine." I'm lying through my teeth... Shego is going to pound him in his current state, "And she may be evil, but she had a point earlier when she said she fights fair, well minus the whole flaming fists thing, but she said she wouldn't do that as long as no one interfered. I think her pride was hurt when Ron managed to stop her the other day, but I don't think she could kill anybody. It's just not her style." At least I'm not lying... she isn't the type to kill someone... and I think she'll stop before she seriously injures him... unless he somehow manages to stop her... I doubt it in his current condition, but I also didn't think he could do it the other day when he was in top condition... may be I've underestimated him...
"Are you trying to convince me or yourself?" I looked over my shoulder to see my best friend circling with my best adversary as we got to the doors, "And where do you think you're taking me, I'm not leaving. She said as long as no one interfered, I'm sitting right here."
I knew what my intentions were on the way over here: get to the door, hold door for Bonnie, close behind Bonnie, then jam door. But, the look in her eyes made me think Ron would have the easy fight if I tried to get her out, "Let's sit here on the bleachers." pointing to the ones closest to us but still half the gym away from the action, "And while we're both sitting here feeling useless, you tell me what the HELL is going on with you and Ron." I was still trying to wrap my mind around the idea, but it wasn't working.
She avoided my gaze as we sat, "This is why we were keeping it quiet for a while." Her head dropped even lower as she pulled her legs up to her chest.
"So what is going on, are you trying to get to me through him? Because if so you're doing a wonderful job." I was in a less than happy mood; my best friend was in an already weak condition and was about to get another round of abuse from my worst enemy, mix that with the fact I found out my biggest rival at school was the one who is keeping me from the man of my dreams, well I thought I had a right to be angry.
"And people say I'm a bitch. This has nothing to do with you, well I guess it does because you're his best friend, but my reasons for doing what I have do NOT include you in them."
"Then would you mind filling me in on why you suddenly decided to try and give such a loser a chance? I thought such things were below the Great Bonnie Rockwaller, Queen B of Middleton High!"
"You should know, you have spent more time with him than anybody else. I don't see how you could possibly have wanted to be with anybody else all these years, he's not a loser." I know I was blind, but don't rub it in my face... and I know he's not a loser, I've been trying to convince people of that for years...
"I've known he's not a loser for a while now Bonnie, you're preaching to the choir. But, why now? Why are you taking an interest in him now?" why now... when I finally realize that I'm going to be lost without him...
"You wouldn't understand." she dropped her head into her knees and started rocking.
"Try me. Remember, I know him better than anyone. I think I'd understand if somebody said something about him." well, except how he could possibly like you over me... okay so that was a little over confident... borderline arrogant maybe...
"I wish he was here." then seeing the look on my face telling her that wasn't an option right the moment continued, "He treats me like a person, not a thing or a trophy. Just being near him makes me a better person. Today just about killed me, seeing him and not being able to go up and just wrap my arms around him."
"I know what you mean," I was just thinking it, but it slipped out, "I- I mean..."
"I know." she stopped me mid-sentence, what?... how does she know?, "Why do you think we were keeping it quiet for a while? We wanted a chance to see if it was going to work between us before adding that strain to things. Honestly, I'm surprised that your 16 styles of kung fu hasn't showed your foot the shortest path to my face." The thought has crossed my mind though...
Before I got a chance to respond, "TIMEOUT!" echoed through the empty room. Bonnie was the first to move, and when I saw where she was going I was hot on her heals.
"That's one. I'm actually rather impressed, the Doctor is going to have to pay for the next level goon squad from now on."
"Shut up! Okay? Just shut up." Ron dropped to his knees on a mat and closed his eyes. Shego respectfully walked away, with a barely noticeable limp, to sit down on the bleachers.
"Ronnie?" her voice showed the fear and anger I was feeling, no interfering... someone gets hurt if you do... calm down Kim...
"I thought I told you two wonderful ladies to make like a banana and split." his eyes were open realizing that we had in fact not left him to the wolves, or she-wolf in this case.
"How many times have you had my back, there's no way I'm leaving." I knew that I hadn't been actually watching the fight, for fear I'd jump in, but I was hoping that my presence would have the same effect on his fighting as his presence had on mine. Besides, you are doing his normal job... defusing a potentially deadly bomb... Bonnie...
Bonnie didn't say anything, but knelt behind him and started to lift his shirt, getting frisky are we?... "Bon-Bon, no. It won't do any good to work out the knots now, besides I don't think I could stand to have anything touch my back right now." Her face took on a sign of understanding, "I'll let you put that stuff, whatever it is, on my back tonight while we're in Paris. I remember there's this really romantic cafe tucked out of the way, I saw it when KP and I were stopping Drakken from turning the Eiffel Tower into an over-sized Tesla coil. Or, I could call and have a couple seats saved at Buckingham, the chef's there are better than me." His humor was doing what he intended, Bonnie smiled a little and walked, still on her knees, around to face him.
"Don't be making me any promises you can't keep." their foreheads were leaning on each other and her arms were resting on his shoulders, "I'm not saying you won't win, because you better, I just highly doubt that there is a chef anywhere who is better than you."
I felt really out of place standing there listening to their sweet talk, especially when it should be me, and was about to go find a seat on the bleachers again, away from Shego... I might not control myself if I get within arms reach of her. But before I got completely turned around a hand grabbed my ankle, "Where do you think you're going? Get down here," I hesitantly knelt beside the two love birds, "I told you you'd be the first one to find out. I just wasn't expecting it to happen like this." he started to laugh at his own joke, but had to stop because of the pain.
"You really could have told me sooner, it's no less of a shock now than it would have been yesterday or a week from now." I wasn't trying to be rude... but come on, they seriously could have told me... I wouldn't have blown up... well, maybe a little...
The look on his face told me he knew better, but before anybody got a chance to pursue it, "Okay. Timeout is over, time to let me clarify to you that what happened the other day was a one time occurrence."
"A one time occurrence that will happen on a regular basis." He grunted as he stood, "Wait that didn't make sense, did it? Let's see... A one time-"
"Enough! Quit stalling and get over here." Shego's getting testy... wonder what crawled under her skin?... maybe Ron is more of a challenge than she was planning on...
Bonnie grabbed my arm and pulled, "Get away or she might say you're trying to interfere." I nodded and followed her to the bleachers, why am I not yelling at her?... she's the reason I'm not going out with Ron right now... but I can't blame her can I?... yes I can, she asked him out and knew that it would make me mad...
"Are you using Ron?"
She started bawling and yelling, "How can you think that? I wish I was that heartless, then I wouldn't be feeling the pain and fear I am right now. I'm afraid that he's going to get hurt or worse, and I can't do anything about it, and there's you... You want him but you can't have him because of me, and I know that if you tried you could split us up and he'd be yours and there'd be nothing I could do to stop it because he's been your best friend forever and he'd never leave you, and I've always treated him like dirt, but he's been so nice to me, and giving me a chance to change, and..." her voice trailed off into sobs.
I was taken back a bit, but she did have a point, "Sorry, I've just got a lot going on in my head right now. I'm trying to find any reason, no matter how out there, that what I'm seeing isn't real."
"You really don't like me do you?"
"I like you about as much as you like me."
"As long as we agree on something." There was a brief silence, that in an attempt not to look at each other we looked towards the grudge match. Big mistake, we had turned just in time to see Ron take a hit in the spot on his back that she'd made contact with the other day, no Kim... don't do it... he'll tap out when it's too much... you can't afford to let her light up and seriously do some damage, "No." I heard Bonnie start to whimper as she buried her face in her hands.
I hesitated before I put my arm across her shoulders, she surprised me by leaning towards me but I knew she was venerable and needed someone to be there, "Shh, he's going to be fine. I just saw him get a shot in on her ribs." I was lying, I had adverted my gaze after seeing that last blow he took, but knowing he was still standing I knew he had to have laid a couple.
"Please don't take him away from me. You can do it, you know that don't you? All you have to do is say the words and he'd jump ship on me and be on board with you. I know I've never given you any reason not to do it, but please don't do that to me." I wish I could...
"Actually, I can't." she pulled back and looked me in the eyes, "I didn't know you were going out yesterday and I told him how I felt," she got stiff and fear started to well up in her eyes again, "don't worry, he told me he was already seeing someone, he said he couldn't say who it was. I tried without even knowing he was seeing someone and failed."
"He told you no because he's with me?" I nodded, yeah he told me no because he's with you... and I really want to hate you right now... but for Ron's sake I can't... I have to make the peace... "I- I don't know what to say. I hoped he'd stay, but I figured that once you finally realized the two of you have liked each other since forever ago I'd be gone like yesterday's trash."
"Seriously, did everybody know? I just realized this over the weekend, and it seems like everyone I talk to already knew. Even my mother knew." I saw something that I hadn't seen in a while, she smiled.
"It's kind of obvious from the time anybody meets you, but it's also an unspoken rule that no one is allowed to point it out." her smile faded as she looked back at the ground, "That's why I'm afraid, what if I'm just the push you two needed to get together?"
"Once I found out Ron was going out with someone, I quit. I quit because it's not right to take him away from someone else just because I want him, I decided right then that I wouldn't do that to her." really regretting that decision right now, "And now that I know who her is, I'm not changing my mind." still debating... I know I won't, but it's tempting to try, "Plus there's the fact that if he liked me all these years, he respected me enough not to beat the pulp out of any of my boyfriends, and considering what we've seen today, that would have been easy." she managed a short-lived knowing grin before I continued, "I still have my best friend, and I'm going to have to be happy with that." she wasn't smiling, but her face was showing her relief, "However, if you two ever do break up. I'm gonna be on him like cheese on nachos."
She laughed, "If we ever do break up, which I hope doesn't happen, I want to still be his friend. I know why you keep him around now, he's just Ron. There's no way to explain it, he can just brighten the day by being there." trust me I know what you mean...
"Knowing Ron, he'd have it no other way." Which means I'm going to have to at least try and get along with you... at least get to a point where we aren't constantly at each other's throats... of course this just gives me another reason not to like her... now you have common ground to work from... yeah, we both like the same guy... what about you're both friends with Ron... "And for Ron's sake, can we call a truce?"
"I was just thinking the same thing, we need to set aside our differences for a while. I'm not saying we need to be all buddy like, or that we actually have to become friends, but we can't constantly be attacking each other. Ronnie would be torn apart if we did, and I can't even think about causing him any more pain." Wow, she's serious about this... you're just now figuring this out?... I'm dense once in a while, what can I say...
"I think we're on the same page." Neither of us wanted to look towards the sounds of movement, the occasional grunt, and the constant banter; so, I had to ask, "Is he a good kisser?"
The look on Bonnie's face was priceless, and definitely worth it, "Are you seriously asking me whether my boyfriend, and your best friend, is a good kisser?" I just looked at her expectantly.
Ron's POV
"Come on is that all you've got? I'm pretty sure synthodrones are harder to beat." what am I doing... how am I not dead or splattered against the floor... I had just managed to avoid another aerial assault, but was unable to counter fast enough, again... one more day and I would have been almost completely healed... or at least able to keep up better than I am... who am I kidding, I'm toast either way... I'm just delaying the inevitable...
"It's not like you're doing anything. I can count the times you've landed a solid blow on me in the last five minutes with one hand."
Yeah, but those blows had to of hurt... and I can say the same for you... you haven't hit me that much... I wasn't about to say that out loud though, instead I went for the comic distraction route, "Man you are a freak, no one should have that many fingers."
"You are so going to pay for that Stoppable." as she lunged at me in a fury of fists. I managed to block, or deflect into non-affective hits, most of them, but the last one caught me trying to block another high swing and she pulled an uppercut into my jaw knocking me back a couple steps. Typically, after watching her and KP go at it I knew her moves, she would have given me half a second to gather myself, not today, she followed me into my stumble hoping to get an advantage. She's getting desperate... I'm wearing her out... I don't have to 'beat' her... I just have to outlast her... I can do this...
I instantaneously switched gears and saw the footwork she was using and forced my brain to recall every step, every movement that I'd seen her make while fighting Kim, definite advantage to being the sidekick... you learn your enemy's moves and don't show any of your own. I was going to win, and I was doing a good job at wearing her down too. "Quit running away and fight me! Or are you afraid of me?"
"I'm not running, last I checked I was still standing here. And as for being afraid of you, yeah, I'd be stupid not to be."
"You haven't even tried to take a shot at me in the last 20 minutes, why?"
I took a swing at her, which she easily dodged, "That's why, I can't get a hit in while you're expecting it. Patience is something you need to work on, Shego."
"So you're just going to dance around taking a beating until you think I'm not expecting it? Nice try, that would only work if I wasn't going to finish you before you had a chance to follow through."
"Big words, but if I remember correctly, in the same last 20 minutes you've landed, oh yeah, you haven't landed a single attack."
"You're getting cocky, I like cocky, it causes mistakes."
"Not cocky, I know one slip and I'm ground beef. But you're going to have to earn that slip."
She let out a guttural yell and swiped at me with an open hand. I got away, barely, but my shirt wasn't so lucky. Her claws snagged and ripped it into an awkward form, "Not quite fast enough that time, you almost slipped."
"Almost, Shego, almost."
I saw her right foot turn, okay she's going to lunge left but change directions half-way through and go right, and just as I expected she lunged left, but she was too tired to change directions and in my attempt to move out of the way of her normal attack I ended up right in her path. Oh man, this is gonna hurt... Her right hand was curled up and I could see it coming straight for my ribs, and her other hand was reaching out to make sure she pulled me down with her. It happened in slow motion for me, but I was still unable to compensate enough, her fist did make contact with her intended target and her free hand managed to grab my ragged shirt in attempt to pull me down with her as she went into a roll. Fortunately for me, the previous attack had weakened the structural integrity of my clothing and it went with her to the ground but didn't take me with it.
I heard two gasps from behind the dark haired woman crouching in front of me, so much for secrets... "Did we have a wardrobe malfunction?" she said looking at the rags in her hand, then looking up she gasped a little, "Aren't you going to call a timeout and make an attempt to cover yourself?"
"What's the matter Shego, you want some Ronshine too?" Oh God, if you exist... please let her say no...
"As if, besides that would make this foreplay."
"Make what fore-" she cut me off with a sweep, taking my feet out from under me and straddling me. I couldn't pull back far enough to get a solid punch and I wasn't flexible enough to get my feet in a position to do anything useful, so I decided it was time to quit playing fair, I poked her in the ribs.
I've never seen Shego move so fast in my life, and I've never seen a grown woman blush like she did, kinda weird considering she's green too. "That was cheating, you are not allowed to do that from now on."
"What's the matter, is poor little Shego ticklish?" quit while you're ahead Ron... just let it be, but for some reason I didn't listen to the more intelligent part of my brain, "I'm going to have to tell KP, she'll have so much fun with that. Or even better, I could write in a letter to the editor of Villains' Digest, they always love a good inside scoop with all the juicy details about the top criminals."
"You wouldn't dare." came a snarling response. I didn't say anything, just stood there with a knowing grin. Then, if it is possible, she moved faster than before and had me pinned face first to the ground with my arm behind my back and one clawed finger lightly touching the middle of my back, not hurting me but as a warning, "As I was saying."
"You forgot one thing."
"And what might that be?"
I whispered, "Timeout."
Her jaw hit the ground, "No you can't call timeout, I have you pinned. You have to give in."
"Nope, your rules clearly stated that I can call a timeout any time that I deem necessary. I definitely think this qualifies as necessary." She didn't move for a second, "I could always have KP join in, or call GJ and make sure that you go back to the cell I put you in by accident the first time."
She finally let go, "This is two, only one more left then you're mine." She stalked off towards the fountain.
I again rolled to my knees and closed my eyes to shut out the pain and try to regain some strength. The smell of vanilla and strawberries slowly caught my attention, okay time for the show... can't let them worry any more than they already are, "Hey ladies, how you doing?"
"You're the one who's fighting with an evil mad woman, and you're asking us how we're doing? Ronnie, if I wasn't so worried right now, I'd probably hit you." I still hadn't opened my eyes, but the sounds were coming from right in front of me. I reached out slowly to find my girlfriend only to have her grab my hand and guide it to her waist as she laid her hands on my chest, the cool touch of her skin on my hot flesh sent a shiver down my spine.
"Ron, you have a fresh cut on your side. It looks like it already quit bleeding, when did she get you like that?" she didn't... but I can't let them know that... I'm taking on Shego and I'm not in the mood for a 'stand up for yourself' lecture...
I shrugged, "Must have been early on if it's already quit, I never noticed her get close to there." which was the truth, I was very protective of my side because of that cut.
There was a small movement in front of me, I felt her lean in just a bit as the scent of vanilla got stronger I felt her hair graze the side of my face and her head finally come to rest on my shoulder. "You don't have to do this, just go on the date with Kim. I don't want you to get hurt anymore."
"This fight has nothing to do with who I'm going on a date with tonight. It never was, that was just her ploy to get me to face her. I didn't need her to play games with me, I understand this is a battle of pride. I'm the loser sidekick and I put her away, granted it was completely by accident, but I still did it. Now, she's trying to regain her pride by winning a fair fight." my hands reach up and started stroking her hair, "If I quit too easy on her, she's just going to want another match. It's got nothing to do with good or bad anymore, she isn't here to intentionally put me in a hospital, she just wants me to submit to her in a fair fight. And I can't cheat her out of that, no matter how much it might hurt right now, it'll hurt less than if she ever found out I'd taken the easy route."
The other person present spoke up, "I know you're right Ron, she's always done the same when I face her. She just wants to know she's the best there is. And anybody who challenges that, she wants to beat. I should have stopped you the other day, I'm sorry this is my fault." Why do women always take things wrong and blame themselves... there is no one to blame... things just happen...
"Timeout is over, stud."
Bonnie's POV
That bitch... why did she have to break out and attack my boyfriend... today of all days... I know we were gonna tell Kim tomorrow, but... Grrr, it's just frustrating...
"Before we start this up again, can we add a new rule?" Ron had his hands held up in a sign of temporary truce.
"What would that be? I can't remove anymore of your clothing?" she didn't drop her defenses, but was holding back like a spring, ready to pop.
"Well, unless you're going to do the same, that too." he was just trying to get a raise out of her, and it worked.
"I think not, now what were you proposing, or should I just proceed to beat you now?"
"I wasn't proposing to you, I was going to suggest that if you don't want me to cheat anymore, you don't make an effort to attack my back again. I'll even remove my threat of writing the editor."
She stood there thinking about it, "Seems fair, I don't take advantage of an obvious preexisting weakness, and you don't expose my embarrassing weakness to the evil world. Deal, now can we get this show on the road?"
Ron spread his legs a bit and did the cheesy Matrix finger wave, "Waiting on you sweetheart." he's trying to get himself killed...
"I can't watch." I squeaked turning to Kim. Dragging her away from the fight in fear she'd break the rules and join I decided I'd that we needed to distract ourselves some more, "So when and how did you figure out that you liked my boyfriend?"
I don't think she was quite expecting that, in fact from the look on her face, I'm betting that was one of the last things she expected to hear from me. "I- Well- You see-," she stopped for a second to collect her thoughts into coherent words, "I think I finally admitted it to myself yesterday morning, but I'd been thinking about it ever since our mission on Friday. At first I was second guessing myself, I kept telling myself that I was on the rebound and jumping on the nearest warm body," I coughed, excuse me!, "Sorry, that sounded bad, but you know what I mean. I thought I was just feeling what I am because I was on the rebound, and Ron was the only guy around. But after a couple odd conversations I realized that I liked Ron and it's not a rebound. Then when I finally got the courage to tell him how I felt..."
"You found out he was already taken by some mysterious woman without a name?" I offered when her voice trailed off looking for the right words.
"That's one way to put it. Closer to the actual thoughts going through my head were something to the effect of, I want to rip her head off and give it to the Tweebs to use for experimentation." I was a scared until I realized that she was just messing with my head, not going to rip it off.
"Violent much?"
"Sorry, I overreacted a little, well okay, a LOT. But, this is Ron, my best friend since forever, the guy who tells me everything and who I tell everything, who has been there for me through thick and thin, and when I realize that I need him to be more than that..." she trailed off again, knowing that she'd made her point.
"I know you and Ron are close, a blind person with half a brain can see that, and I don't want to step in between you two as friends." I hate to say it... but Ron wouldn't be the same without Kim, "If things between you two change because of me, us, I want you to tell me." I hope I'm not screwing myself right now, "He's been your best friend and side kick..."
She interrupted, "Partner, but go on."
"...Partner forever, and it wouldn't be right if I did something to mess that up for him, or you." I hope that came out right, "Besides, if he quits going on missions, who is gonna blow up the lair and save you when you bite off more than you can chew?" he's rubbing off on me... what can I say?
Kim apparently didn't see the humor in it from the look on her face, but she eventually cracked a smile, "You have been spending I way too much time with Ron alone." I just smiled, there is no such thing as too much Ronshine...
We sat there for a minute not saying anything. I broke the silence, "On three do you wanna look?"
"How about you look and tell me if it's okay?"
"How about not?" I scoffed at the idea, "He's my boyfriend, and I don't think I should have to see him getting hurt anymore than I have to. Besides, how many times has he been there to watch you do the same thing he's doing right now?"
"But, because he's your boyfriend, you should want to know how he's doing, therefore you should look." we looked at each other, neither one really wanted to look but we both wanted to know how he was doing, "Okay, on three. One."
"Two." I followed her.
"Three." we both said it at the same time, and turned to face the guaranteed to be gruesome scene.
To our surprise, he was still up and looking no worse for wear, and Shego was looking worn out. Looking at her watch Kim said, "This is a long fight, most fights I'm in with her only last 10-15 minutes. Sometimes we go for an hour or two, but we don't usually have that much time before Ron decides to blow the lair up or Drakken's plan backfires. They're pushing two and a half hours."
It really didn't feel like that much time had passed since the green hued beauty strolled in and interrupted practice. "So, is that a good thing or a bad thing for Ron?"
"Ron is a procrastinator in every aspect, he keeps going at idle until it hits crunch time, then he usually pulls through. Shego typically uses the 'Wham, Bam, Please and Thank You' method, she doesn't have the stamina to last as long."
"I haven't seen Ron even try to hit her yet?" I was getting worried, I thought the idea was to hit your opponent, unless he wants to go on that date with her.
"He's not taking any either, he's conserving energy. He's not attacking, just dodging and blocking blows, it doesn't take as much work to do that. Probably waiting on an opening when she gets worn out and starts making mistakes." I hope you're right... because if he throws this to go with you... Bonnie, calm down... this is Ron... he wouldn't do something like that to you... unless they planned this from the beginning... that's why Kim was asking me if I was using him to get to her... it's her guilty conscience getting to her... but what about Ron... he said he didn't hate you... but he could have lied, he does have more of a reason than anybody to pull something like that... What am I doing! This is Ron, my boyfriend... he's not trying to get to me... this isn't some scheme to get back at me, "Bonnie, you don't look so good are you okay? Ron's still standing, and it doesn't look like he's in any worse shape than he was after his first fight with her."
I saw the concern in her eyes, something that couldn't be faked, all these years getting my current status at the top haven't gone to waste completely... I've learned how to read people... it's second nature to me now, "No, I'm just fine. Just worried how long he can last out there." And now relieved to know you don't hate me that much.
My eyes wandered back towards the fight, train-wreck psychology... 'it's horrible and I don't want to watch, but I can't help it', to see Ron dodge a sloppy attack and see an opening as she stumbled past. He swept her legs out from under her and went to pin her, I saw a grin crawl across her face as she saw him moving out of the corner of her eye. I tried to yell and warn him, but as I drew a breath Shego's worn out movements got their snap back and caught him in the air (on his way to pin her down) and threw him to the wood floor with an echoing boom. He tried to bounce back up but she got on his neck with her knee and had his hands held back and off the floor making them useless.
With his face being pushed to the boards, distorted in pain and from the pressure her knee was pushing, he managed to groan, "I still have one more timeout you know?" Shego just looked frustrated and started to lift her knee off his neck. As she did he lashed out in a sudden roll, breaking her grip on his arms and causing her to step back, "But just cause I have it, doesn't mean I have to use it." cheap... but effective, "Now don't tell me you, the great Shego, fell for the whole 'I'm out of options' trick." okay, cool it before she decides to make you pay for that low blow, "What, got nothing sweetheart? You could always go with buffoon."
"You just don't know when to quit do you?"
"I've heard that one before, you use it on KP. And if I remember right, you usually loose to her." She didn't reply, rather she did a back flip, her foot catching him under the jaw and sending him our direction. Laying at Kim and I's feet he rubbed his jaw and said, "Was it something I said?" before returning to face her yet again.
His focus must have been a little bit off from that because her next volley of fists, knees, and feet hardly missed their targets, "Not so cocky now, are we?"
"Must have been something I said, I think you need to calm down a bit. Timeout." her fist stopped mid swing; holding it there it glowed green for a second then extinguished it as she dropped her hands to her side dejectedly.
"That was your last one, from now on you're mine." then she walked off towards the fountain to cool off, her fists flashing green several times on the way.
Kim was the first one up this time, dragging me with her, "Come on, you know this is going to be a short one. She wants to get it over with soon." She's not the only one who wants this to be over.
"Hey KP," then turning to me, "Bon-Bon, you don't have to stay. I can see this is tearing you up. I'll walk out of here either way with a limp."
"I told you once, I'm not leaving you alone. I hope I don't have to say it again." don't push me away... I'm a big girl, I can handle it... just because I let down my guard around you doesn't mean I'm weak.
"Bonnie, you can't say this isn't eating you, and it's okay to admit it." I turned to see her green eyes holding back a dam of salt water, "I'm scared too, I'm afraid my best friend is going to get hurt and it's going to be my fault because I didn't do my job and..."
She didn't get a chance to finish because a hand grabbed her knee and pulled, causing her to drop down with us, "Stop it! Okay, this is NOT your fault, quit blaming yourself." Ron snapped, not with anger, but frustration, "If you're scared I'm going to get hurt, well you're about 3 days late on that one. I did something I probably shouldn't have, and now it came back. This is no one's fault, well you could make a case that it's hers," pointing to Shego, "but even that would be a weak argument. Things just happen, you gotta make the best of it."
No one said anything as we knelt on the mats, my head on his bare shoulder in a hug of sorts, Kim beside him, and Ron with a protective arm around both of us. I finally managed to speak, "You realize this is backwards, don't you? We're supposed to be the ones comforting you, not the other way."
"She's got a point, you're here fighting a major player in the game of villainy and then we come over and you start to watch over us. What's with that?"
"I can't be okay unless the people I care about are okay, I guess I draw off of you. If you're happy, I'm happy." he was very matter-of-fact about it, so he does have a serious side... not that I'm complaining about him... it's just kinda sweet how he has this whole other side to him... a side that I'm sure Kim has seen a time or two, but other than that, I couldn't help but smile a little at the thoughts going through my head as I lifted my head back to make sure he didn't have any wounds that needed immediate attention.
Kim saw what I was doing and followed suit, then asked the question I knew would come up, and Ron wanted to avoid, "Where did all of these come from? I know they can't all be from missions, I know where you get hurt on missions., even when you try and hide it, I know There's probably twice as many as you should have."
"You wouldn't happen to believe me if I told you I was a klutz and fell a lot would you?" The fire in her glare rivaled Shego's hands. Knowing he had to tell the truth, Ron's eyes closed as he tried to figure out the best way to answer her question, "When I came out of the locker room, who was following me?"
It took her a second to recall what happened, "You can't tell me that they caused this, especially from what I've seen in the last two hours and 45 minutes." Obviously she caught on, and was about as happy as I was about it.
"Okay I won't tell you."
"Spill"
His eyes snapped open and met hers, "You just said not to?" then seeing her anger building, "Okay, okay. I can't fight them. I'm either on or off, no middle ground. You've been watching me today, have I stumbled once, tripped over myself, or lost my pants because of something stupid?" she shook her head, I'm surprised he hasn't explained this to her before... oh yeah, he said he doesn't take off his shirt... this is one of his dark secrets, "I can either fight like this or I'm the bumbling sid- partner that draws attention and accidentally, and sometimes not so accidentally, blows stuff up. On missions, it's your job to take on the bad guys. If I feel you're in danger I turn on and... well I'm in the big leagues."
"That still doesn't answer my question, why don't you turn on when they attack you?" she was getting more frustrated by the second.
"Would you ever under any circumstances throw everything you had into beating Bonnie, before you found out I mean." she shook her head, "That's right, you know it wouldn't be fair and she'd get hurt, seriously." thanks for the vote of confidence... but he's got a point... Kim could kick me to Upperton and back without trying, "Now think what would happen to anybody in this school, minus you, who would still have full usage of their extremities if I allowed myself to do what I have done today to them."
The fire calmed down in the red-head, "Fine. But from now on, you and me are going to work on a middle ground." My boyfriend started to protest but was stopped short, "Unless you want me to be your bodyguard?"
"And I don't think you're going to have to worry about it for much longer, once this spreads," then under my breath I added, "along with a couple other things." Brick, you better get the word out... or some of the more promiscuous girls in our school aren't going to like me...
"Okay, Ronnikins. Break time is up, and break-you-time is here." oh please... is that the best you can come up with Shego?
I didn't say anything, I didn't think it would be a wise decision on my part if I did, but Ron did, "Wow, a new crack. Did you just come up with that, or did it take the entire timeout?"
Kim and I helped Ron to his feet, "Ron, don't antagonize her. It's like kicking a bee hive, never a good idea."
He just laughed at Kim, "It's okay, we're about done. She's getting tired, which means she'll either slip up, or..." he scratched the back of his head, "she steps it up another notch and catches a second wind. Either way, this is about done."
"Hello, I'm waiting. I'm really looking forward to that meal, I've heard so much about Chef Stoppable." She bent her knees and spread her legs into a fighting stance and waited.
"Coming sweetheart." then kissing me and Kim on the cheek he nudged us away and turned taking a similar pose as the raven haired woman 20 feet away had, "Well, ladies first."
This was all the invitation she needed, she took a few short steps then dropped into a slide to take out his feet. Fortunately, he saw and hopped just enough for her to go under him; unfortunately, she grabbed one of his feet causing him to land flat on his back with a resounding boom. "Had enough?" she asked as she slowly made it to her feet, "or do I have to hurt you?" Ron, please... I don't know what I want you to do... I want you to quit so you don't get hurt... but I don't want her to come back because you quit on her... and I really wanted to spend this evening with you...
He rolled to his feet with a grin, "I've had enough of your lame banter if that's what you meant, and if you weren't trying to hurt me before I might as well quit now." This time he went on the offensive, a couple open handed attacks at various places on her torso, most blocked by her amazing reflexes but a couple made contact in brutal ways. Shego stumbled back, bent over holding one of the places on her lower ribs that took the worst hit, Ron took the advantage to knock her legs out from under her and go for the pin.
I heard Shego whisper, "Not this time, buffoon." Just as he about had the cat in the bag, her foot intercepted his face. He was caught completely off guard and took the full brunt of it, "You fell for the same thing twice. It's over now." She calmly walked over to his body curled into the fetal position and put a hand on his shoulder and rolled him to his back, he didn't resist, I don't think he could at this point. "Are we through?" she asked with a hand on each shoulder in a weak pin, but knowing he wasn't going to fight she wasn't going to hurt him any more.
"I can't believe you're making me say this." she didn't move or say anything, but didn't let up either, "Fine, monkey's rule. Are you happy, you beat a sidekick, or I mean partner if KP can hear me?"
As she stood, she offered him a hand, is she nuts?... well, they did say she was fair about stuff like this, "I know why the guards are complaining now, you gave me an honest run for my money. We might have to do this sometime when we're both in top condition."
"Yeah, sometime. I'm thinking a week after the end of the world sounds like a great time."
"You never do know when to give up?" shaking her head as she walked towards the door, she stopped, "A couple things, it's 6 now. I'll pick you up at Princesses house in 30 minutes, don't make me come looking for you. And I'll collect on my meal later, you need to rest before you do too much." Ron's jaw hit the ground at her courtesy, seeing him she added, "What, do you think I'm evil or something?"
"Well, that was the idea I thought."
"Good money, great benefits, and I get to fight; that's why I do it." she shrugged and started to walk away, but again stopped, "Oh and Stoppable. If I ever hear of you getting beat by someone else, I would have to think that they are an even match for me and would have to put that to the test. So, am I going to be hearing about anyone beating Ron anytime soon?"
"You won't hear about it." her fists lit as he said it so he added quickly, "Okay, it won't happen. Put those things away, they scare me." Turning around pointing to his back.
She smiled knowingly, "Catch you later." and disappeared through double doors.
As click of the door broke the trance that had Kim and me rooted, we were both to Ron's side before his knees hit the ground as he collapsed. "Ronnie, it's okay we're here. Lean on us."
With an arm over each of our shoulders we made our way out of the gym, "Hey Bonnie, can we take your car. Walking is out of the question and I doubt the scooter would be a good idea."
"Yeah, let's get him home so he can clean up for your date." I tried not to put much venom into it, but he was about to go on a date with someone who he admittedly has feelings for, who is NOT me. No one said anything after that; I knew that I would only make things worse because I couldn't hold my tongue, Ron was too exhausted to say anything, and Kim, I assume, was so emotionally confused to know what to say.
On the way to his house Kim said, "Just go to my place, it will save time and he can clean up and change there. He's got a small collection of his clothes in the corner of my closet that has built up over the years." he has clothes stored at her place?... that means he's probably slept there too... and will probably again...
I didn't say anything, still afraid I'd say something I'd regret.
As the door opened, "Kimmie-cub you're okay, thank goodness. Wade called and told us Shego showed..." but Mr. Possible's voice trailed when he saw what Kim and I had between us. "Honey, I think you could be of use."
Mrs. Possible rounded to corner as Ron removed his arms from us and slowly made his way to the couch, he never sat down, just used it as a leaning post, you could have used me. "I need to clean up, she's gonna be here in 20 minutes. I gotta be ready or she's not going to be happy."
"Who's going to be here?" The older woman asked cautiously.
Her daughter answered when Ron stayed silent, "Shego, she's coming to pick Ron and me up. I don't know where we're going, or how late we're going to be. You have to ask her."
"You are NOT leaving this house with that woman." Mr. Possible said in a very stern 'this is how it's going to be' way.
Ron finally spoke up, "We don't have a choice. I lost, and for winning she is taking me and Kim out to eat somewhere, she wouldn't say where, and sometime when I'm feeling better, I have to cook for her." Both doctors in the room looked confused, "I don't know why or what her reasons are, I just know what is happening. I'm going to use the spare bathroom to clean up and change. Kim, you should probably change out of your uniform." she nodded and darted off to get ready. He started to walk back towards me, "Bon-Bon, I want you to stay here till we leave, I need to talk to you before this all happens." no, don't break up with me... not because you are going on a date with her... you didn't have a choice in the matter... you didn't throw the fight... my only reaction was to nod and kiss him on the cheek before he made his way up the stairs.
Kim came back shortly, "Bonnie can we talk?" I looked up at her, but didn't say anything, "I know you don't have any reason to trust me, and I can think of a few you shouldn't. But, I need you to believe me that I won't do anything to get between you and Ron as a couple as long as you don't get between us as best friends. Shego may take us to the most romantic place in the world, but tonight is just me and a friend enjoying a meal at our worst enemy's expense. Okay?" she's trying to smooth things over before hand?... got to give her credit for that... I just hope he feels the same...
"I think I understand, I just hope that everyone involved feels the same way."
"They do." I spun to see Ron standing at the bottom of the stairs, cleaned up and looking nice, he cleans up good... I can't wait till I can actually have a decent date with him, "Don't worry I didn't hear everything, just from the part about the most romantic place in the world. You don't have anything to worry about, Kim and I know how to behave ourselves. I think this could be one of the least awk-weird positions we'll have been in." a cough from across the room caused Ron to stutter, "You know, nothing too awkward, just a little. And this is going to be no big deal." he's gonna have to explain that one sometime...
I pulled him into a hug for just being the voice of reason and comfort, but had to loosen my grip when he groaned, "I'm sorry, didn't think about that." that's the reason he's going on this damn date... how could you forget?, "Well, you two have fun, but not too much fun. And rest tonight when you get home, we're going to need it tomorrow. I'm sure by now everybody has their own version of what happened, and I want people to know that I'm dating the guy who almost beat Shego." maybe they'll quit doing stuff to him... both because he's with me, and because they'll have to know he can kick their collective hides...
Ron was beaming with the knowledge I felt it was time to clear the air, that is until we heard a high-pitched whine in front of the house that slowly died. A few silent seconds later the sound of doom rang through the room.
Knock, Knock, Knock.
Mr. Possible was the only one to move, opening the door he said through a forced smile, "Shego, it's been a while." probably not long enough though, "Why don't you step it for a second, I need to clear some things up before you leave."
"Of course Dr. Possible, I understand you probably have some questions, and I'll do my best to answer them in a fashionable time, but the sooner we leave the sooner they'll be back."
"Well they're going to be back by her curfew, super villain forced or not, it's still technically a date. Her curfew on dates is 10 o'clock, not a minute later. The typical threat for tardiness is a one-way ticket on my next rocket doing deep space black hole research, however I doubt you are worried about little things like that. Instead, if they're not home on time, you get to watch the twins for a weekend while my wife and I take a vacation."
Shego's face was one of complete horror, "Yes sir, 10 o'clock it is." she motioned for my boyfriend and my new not-rival, now I'm making up words like him, to follow her. Then looking back at the male Dr. Possible asked, "I'm assuming that's Mountain Standard Time?"
"You have 3 hours and 26 minutes... now."
Shego looked at the clock on the wall, "Okay, let's get out of here kids. Princess, your chariot awaits, and Stoppable, you better be escorting her like a gentleman or the heat gets turned on." she lifted her hands but didn't light up.
Ron looked back down at me, "I'll see you tomorrow, you need to take your own advice and get some sleep. You look like... well you look beautiful, but you've been crying and you look exhausted too. You can pick me up here in the morning, and we can follow through with the rest of our plan as scheduled."
"Are you sure you want to walk from your place to here in the morning?"
He looked away for a second, but looked back before answering, "I'm going to sleep on the couch here," I started to protest, you are not sleeping on Kim Possible's couch... not if I have anything to say about it, but he cut me short, "please listen, my parents aren't home yet, I called while I was cleaning up, and I think it would be best if I had someone there to help me if I need anything tonight. And, I figure it'd be better for me to stay here with the Possible's than to have KP crash at my place. Mrs. Dr. P. is a great doctor and will be able to help me if I need anything, besides she's like a second mom." I accepted his reasoning, grudgingly but I went along with it, "Now, you be a wonderfully jealous girlfriend and stew about that wonderful meal I still owe you."
He kissed me on the tip of my nose and started to make his way for the door. As he stepped out of sight I thought, you have no idea... Ron Stoppable, you have no idea...