The Distraction: Chapter 10

I.

"You're not in the witness protection program, and you're not hiding from the law."

"Nope."

"Are you spies of some kind?"

Dean's grin broadened, "At one time, we both were...I guess you could call it spies, although I never really thought of it like that."

James scowled, "So you are spies."

"Jim, Jim, listen to me. I said 'were' not are. Not even that if you're thinking of the cloak and dagger bit. I was a Seal. We did ops for the country, not really what I think of as spying. More in and out than anything."

"What about Barbara?"

"She was a...uh...agent for a different organization." Dean waved at Jame's questioning look, "No, can't tell you which one. I will when I tell you the rest, promise. In fact, Barbara really needs to be at that conversation. Maybe she can keep Anne from killing you and me."

"Why would Anne..." James watched as Dean's eyebrows wiggled at him humorously. "oh, right. Secrets. Anne really, really does not like secrets."

"I didn't think so..." Both men's heads came up as car doors slammed in the drive way. "Now who...?" Dean stood and walked toward the window, pulling back the blind as hammering began at the front door. "Oh boy. James," Dean turned to his friend. "I hope you're as good an actor as you are a scientist."

James looked worried, "Is it..?"

"Yep, show time."

II.

"Kimmie, I really think the doorbell will work, you don't need to break down the door." Anne twinkled at her daughter.

Kim rubbed her right fist with her left hand. "Remind me never to do that again without gloves." She grimaced. "I just wanted to make sure they heard us, that's all."

"Um-hmm. And you didn't think the doorbell would be heard?"

Kim blushed in embarrassment, "Ok, I forgot about the doorbell when the door was locked. I've never had to knock before and the door has always been unlocked."

"Well, maybe they just..." Anne turned as the door swung open. "Dean Stoppable, where is your son?" Without waiting for an answer, Anne pushed past Dean into the front room, followed closely by Kim.

"Why, yes, Anne, do come in. Is there anything I can get you?" Dean asked solicitously.

Anne whirled, "As a matter of fact there is. You can get my husband and Ronald in here right now."

Dean blinked at Anne's 'Dr in control' voice. "Well, I don't think that..."

"What is going on here?" James questioned as he came into the foyer.

"Hi, daddy, I'll just go ask Ron where he wants to meet me to get his homework." Kim explained jauntily as she slid past her father.

James grabbed the back of Kim's shirt as she passed him. "Hold on there, Kimmie-cub. I don't want to have to send Ronald to a black hole for something that's not his fault."

Kim glanced at her father, "And why would you be sending Ron to a black hole just because I went in his room?"

"Ronald spilled his soda, honey, there's a very good chance if you barge into his room you are going to get a closer encounter than you have had. Or at least it had better be a closer encounter than you've had." His grin turned to a scowl.

"Now, Jimmy," Anne placated, "I'm sure Ron would jump back under cover as soon as Kimmie opened the door." She frowned remembering her worries, "That is if he's able to. Kimmie, you stay here but I am going up."

Jame's and Dean's eyes met.

"Anne, this is really unnecessary..."

"Dear, do you think you should..."

"I am going up NOW!" Anne brushed by both men and began ascending the stairs.

III.

Ron watched idly as the dark fluid emptied itself into his vein. Even though he knew the fluid was body temperature, it still felt cold entering his arm. Only a little more to go and he could get out of this bed and worry about what his dad was going to do to him. As a reluctant grin broke on his face, a pink blur blew through the pet door and scurried up onto his bed, arms waving frantically.

"Hey, Rufus, what's up, buddy?"

"Kim-Kim." The naked mole rat gasped, "Mom, too."

"Oh, ." Ron moaned, clamping the tubing and beginning to ease the catheter out of his arm. "Can you stall, Rufus."

"Nuh-uh." Rufus shook his head vigorously. "Comin'"

Ron stood, staggering momentarily, "All I needed was five more minutes, just five..." His voice muffled as he pulled on his mock turtleneck and jersey. "OK, good to go."

Rufus grabbed his pants leg when Ron headed for the door. "Uh-uhh...wet...shower."

"Right." Ron stepped in his bathroom, wetting his hands and running them through his hair and over his face. "Better?"

Rufus looked him over judiciously, "Hinc...maybe."

Ron almost reached the door when it opened with a sharp rap.

IV.

"Ah...Kimmie-cub, shouldn't you be in school?" James began, only to have twin emerald knives turn on him.

"Something is wrong with Ron and I'm not leaving until I find out what." Kim half snarled at the two men, "I'm going up." As she placed her foot on the first step, Anne Possible's voice called out.

"Kimmie, you stay down there until Ron finishes dressing. I'll bring him down in a moment."

Kim halted, turning to her father, "Soda, huh?"

Dean rubbed the back of his neck, "To tell you the whole truth Kimberly, when your brother's rocket hit Ronald, it caused the ace wrap around his ribs to loosen and fall. That's partly why he spilled his soda, he moved too fast and his ribs punished him. Besides dry clothes, he needed a new ace bandage."

Kim looked at her future father in law with noticeable skepticism before turning to James, "And you didn't tell me this why, Daddy?"

Dr. James Possible, head of the hottest rocket research division in the country, stuffed his hands in his pockets, rocked back on his heels and stared at the ceiling. "Wellll, Kimmie cub, Ronald didn't want to worry you." His daughter's patent look of disbelief inspired him, "and you know how Ronald is about you. I was going to spend today when he wasn't occupied convincing him that two people in love should not keep secrets from each other." He smiled hopefully at his red headed daughter.

A smile began to twitch at Kim's lips. "So you believe Ron loves me, huh? Does that mean no more black hole threats."

James and Dean both chuckled, "Now Kimmie, that's just a game Ron and I play. I'm sure he enjoys it as much as I do."

Kim sent a doubtful look at Dean, only to find him nodding. "You really think Ron is afraid of James, Kimberly?"

"Well, not really, but..."

"Hey, Dad, can you come up here for a minute?"

Dean shrugged apologies at Kim, then turned to James, "Jim, why don't you sit down and let Kim get you both a cup of coffee. I'll be right back." He turned and went up the stairs.

V.

Dean walked in his son's room apprehensively. Ron was sitting on the bed, shirtless, a new ace bandage covering the tape on his chest. A gauze patch decorated the back of his left arm, while a hopeful grin graced his face.

"Yes, son, what did you..."

"Enough games, Dean." Anne stormed softly, "I want to know what is going on here."

Ron gestured at the deflated bag hanging from the pole. "She came in before I could get it in the closet. Then she saw the blood on my sleeve." He rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment, "I forgot a band aid."

Anne stood, toe tapping, arms crossed on her chest, glaring at the Stoppable men.

Dean swallowed heavily, then tried a friendly smile, "Anne, why don't you let Ron get dressed and say goodbye to Kim, then we can talk."

Before Anne could respond, Ron grabbed a clean mock turtleneck and jerked it on, reaching for a maroon jersey.

"Now just wait a minute Ron..."

"Anne, tell Kimberly to take the van to school, James can drop you off at work, then this evening Barbara can explain it all."

"Barb is involved in this?"

"Well, yeah, Mom kinda..."

"That's enough, son," Dean interrupted, "Will you give us that much, Anne?"

Dr. Possible thought furiously for a moment, "I get to examine Ron after Kim leaves?"

"Yes, ma'am." Dean smiled.

"And Barbara, you, and Ron will explain all this this evening?"

"Ahhh, not quite Mrs. Dr. P." Before Anne's glare could wither him too much, he continued, "See, I've got to keep KP away from here while the 'rents explain. I promise I'm good."

"You only go if I say you're up to it." Anne demanded.

"Agreed." Dean grinned, "Now shall we try and pacify the redheaded terror downstairs before she comes up?"

The three smiled in conspiratorial companionship.

VI.

Kim held Ron in a light embrace, careful of the ribs he had been holding as he came down the stairs after her mother had explained the new transportation arrangement. "Ron, how could you..."

"I'm sorry, KP, I should have told you everything but you were already hurt and I was worried and...and...I'm sorry." He dipped his head to rest his forehead on her shoulder.

"Shhh, Ron, it's alright." Kim gently raised his head to stare into his eyes. "Just don't do this again, all right? We've both been hurt before, but thinking you were really, really hurt scared me."

"KP, I'm..."

Kim placed her fingers over his lips, "No more apologies. Just, are you sure you should go with Daddy?"

"Ron quickly kissed the slim fingers lightly touching his lips. "I'm sure, KP, all I have to do is sit in a chair and work a joy stick. If it hurts too bad, there's a couple ten or so doctors there."

"OK, but I'm coming over right after school and you'd better be here, understand?"

"You got it, KP."

With one last kiss, and a wave and goodbye to the adults, Kim left the house.

Before Anne's opening mouth could speak, three voices anticipated her.

"Later!"

XXXXX

AN: Please forgive any minor typos. I'm still trying to do this one handed and let me tell you, it's a b. Hope you enjoyed it, and the next will not take so long.