Disclaimer: I do not own Kim Possible, any of the other characters from that show, or those from any other media I may reference in my stories.

Thanks to King in Yellow, CajunBEar73, Robert Teague, screaming phoenix, and Michael Howard for reviewing last chapter, as well as belated thanks to most of them for reviewing chapter 8.

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"Here's the rest of your order, Ron." Ned said, breaking Ron's focus on the TV set hidden behind the counter of the Bueno Nacho. It was running some old footage of Kim, with the headline "Child saved from fiery death by teen heroine..but not who you think!" Ned glanced at it. "Yeah, earlier it said Kim saved the little girl, but now it's hinting someone else did." Then he looked past Ron. "Whatever happened, it sure must have worn her out!"

Mulling over the headline, and wondering if it was Summer Gale at it again, Ron responded absently, "Kim's fine."

Ned gaped at him. "Dude, she's asleep in the booth!" Ron's head snapped around, and just as Ned said, Kim was sleeping, leaning with one shoulder against the window, with her head in turn resting against the glass, mouth slightly open, breathing normally. It was a scene Ron had witnessed many times before, though never in Bueno Nacho!

He turned back towards Ned, only to have the counterman ask "When did her skin go back to normal? Or was that photo of her with red skin faked?" Ron's jaw dropped and he spun to look at Kim again. "I..didn't..even..notice!" He shook his head violently, but then his eyes narrowed as he saw some alarming signs from Kim. She'd started frowning, and then she twitched violently. "Nightmare Sign!" Ron thought in alarm. He spun around, grabbed their orders, then turned back towards Kim, and found the situation in hand.

"Kimberly Anne, did you brush your teeth before going to bed?"

Kim stopped frowning, and there was movement as she ran her tongue over her teeth inside her lips. Then she winced slightly, and started to talk. "No, Bernie, but I'll do it.." Then her eyes popped open, to stare into Bernadette Barr's smiling face as the nurse leaned on the back of Kim's seat. Kim's eyes swiveled about as she took in her surroundings, before a sour look crossed her features. "Not fair." She muttered, then noticed Ron reach the table with their food. She favored him with a sheepish grin. "Guess I should have gotten some sleep on the plane!" Then she made a face while working her mouth, "Please hand me whichever soda is mine, so I can get this taste out of my mouth!" Ron complied, and she took in a mouthful, swishing it around like mouthwash, then swallowed.

"What taste?" Bernie asked as she headed towards the counter.

"Jalapeño flavored Tea cookie." Ron explained, causing Bernie to shudder while making a disgusted face, before turning back to Kim, "Sorry again, KP, should have remembered you don't like jalapeños much, and spoken sooner!"

"I don't like jalapeños at all!" Kim corrected him emphatically as she straightened herself up in her seat, eying her salad hungrily. Her stomach growled slightly, causing her blush to renew itself. "What was that you muttered about being lucky you didn't grab any of the orange ones?" She said just before putting a forkful of salad in her mouth.

"Nothing important, KP." He responded blithely, before shifting around to his usual seat.

Though a hint of suspicion appeared in Kim's eyes, she merely smiled and said "You didn't have to do that, I wouldn't mind you sharing this seat!"

"Until the elbows started flying, you mean!" Ron responded as he dug into his own meal.

Kim shook her head, washed her food down, and then "Ron, you haven't been throwing your elbows around nearly as much as you used to. I mean at our table at lunch in the school cafeteria, when was the last time you actually nudged one of us, or knocked anything out of our hands?"

Ron mulled that over a moment, then replied, "Tomorrow?"

Kim snorted, sending some bubbles up into her nose, and spent a few moments getting her nasal passages clear. She waved her hands in surrender. "Sorry to have brought it up, now you'll be obsessing about where your elbows are every second, right? Anyway, there are a couple of other more important things to talk about right now, so eat up, I don't want to spoil your appetite."

"Kim, Kim..." Bernie said with a sad shake of her head from her position at the counter, "I know you're a firm believer of your dad's favorite slogan, but you have to know some things are simply not possible!"

Kim smacked her forehead in mock shock. "What was I thinking!" Then she giggled at the sour look she got from Ron, whose mouth, for the record, was already full. Once it was reasonably empty, though, he grinned back.

When Bernie had received her order, she headed for another booth, but Kim, now with her mouth full, waved to her and slid over in her seat, indicating she wanted Bernie to sit with them. "Are you sure?" Bernie asked hesitantly, "I thought you and Ron needed to have a private talk?" Kim nodded emphatically, and Bernie accepted the offer. As she sat, she quietly said "Well, still want to schedule my own private talk with you, Kim." Kim tried to hide the slight cringe that remark caused.

They began with Ron relating the story of the hostage situation, which left both women regarding him incredulously. "Pee Wee League point shaving? That implies that someone actually makes, and takes, bets on those games!" Bernie exclaimed.

"Al Betsarof, he's a local bookie, he'll run a line on anything." Kim responded. Seeing Bernie's eyebrows rise, she blushed slightly. "Been doing a better job of learning what 'evil' lurks right under my nose then I used to. Sergeant Hobble has helped, but I'm still not supposed to get involved in local law enforcement."

"Probably wise of you." Bernie opined, then nodded towards Ron "Now it's your turn." Kim grimaced, but nodded, and related to Ron the story of their abbreviated weekend getaway. She began with the changing of her skin color, which made him thoughtful, then told about the fire, which caused a variety of emotions, notably horror, and finished with what Bernie and Shego had told her about the aliens, which left him open-mouthed in wonder.

Bernie and Kim sat there patiently as Ron processed it on, then jumped when he smacked his palm on the tabletop. "Darn it! I already have the finale all clear in my head, and now this comes up!"

Kim sat there blinking, a piece of lettuce stuck to the corner of her mouth, then suddenly shook her head violently. "Ron! There is no way you're putting this in one of your stories! It's a secret between you, me, my parents when I tell them, Bernie, Shego..." Then she trailed off as her eyes widened in realization, "...and Bonnie, Tara, and Monique..." she finished sarcastically. She then groaned and planted her forehead on the table. "I really let the cat out of the bag, big time!" she moaned.

"Yep." Bernie agreed. Then she looked at Ron. "So, this bit of alien tomfoolery does not end up on the web, agreed?"

The boy nodded. "I gotcha, sorry if I went a bit random there."

"Ron," Bernie solemnly intoned, "You live in a perpetual state of randomness, with occasional brief flings with order, which we all cherish." Kim snorted, then giggled. Ron gave them both a scowl which morphed into a goofy grin as he picked up his second naco and went to work on it. "Of course, in a couple of things you are truly constant." Bernie then remarked.

Ron's eyebrows raised as he thought about it, for half a minute at least. Then he shook his head. "I got nothing." He winced as both females rolled their eyes, then Bernie sadly shook her head.

"He's still a work in progress." Kim told her apologetically. Then she reached both hands across the table and Ron reflexively grasped them, suddenly getting a notion of what he'd missed. "Love, Ron, and friendship! In those, you are more constant then any other person I've known." Kim told him solemnly, "And I love you for it."

Bernie felt more than a bit awkward to be intruding on this scene, even though she was certain neither teen viewed her that way. "These two have grown up so much, almost makes me feel old. At twenty-three!" Nevertheless, she couldn't bring herself to interrupt.

Eventually though, Kim broke eye contact with Ron, blushing slightly as she seemed to remember Bernie, then looked the older woman in the eye. "Did I ever apologize for not visiting you at all after we made it home?"

Bernie smiled as she replied, "Did I ever apologize for not checking up on you to see how you were handling what happened, or not even thinking to ask if that was the cause when you started having problems?" They held each others' gazes for a moment, then Kim sighed, and looked at Ron.

"Well, let's see if I can handle things better this time!" she remarked with a hint of self-deprecation. She captured and held Ron's attention, took a deep breath, and said "Ron, there's a chance I may not be done having bad 'moments', especially on missions." A hint of hesitation then, before she pressed on, "I want..no, need you to keep an eye on me, and watch for signs that I might be zoning out, or whatever. And, I need you to tell me if you notice anything, even if you think I might get mad, or be irritated, no matter what! Don't focus on me, do your normal job, but if you do notice anything, please let me know."

Ron just sat there for a moment, a bemused smile on his face, but finally he sighed and spoke up. "Kim, I've just gotten over kicking myself for thinking I'd failed to see things before, and let you down. And that was after I finally came to terms with the fact you had any real flaws." When Kim snorted, Ron held up his hand to forestall her saying anything. "Okay, maybe I should say I recognized that things that were flaws in others also happened to be flaws in you, and not just a part of your character. I never, ever wanted to change you, and I guess that meant I was too accepting of some things."

Kim gazed at him in mild amazement for a moment, then grinned. "Same back at you, Ron, except I did try and change you, and maybe tried a little too hard to change a few of those things, right?"

Ron shrugged, goofy grin back. "Maybe, though maybe you didn't try hard enough on one or two them."

"Maybe." Kim conceded with a smile. Then her expression sobered. "Now, let's get to the last thing, the 'fear' sitch..."

"Whoa, wait!" Ron waved his hands to emphasize his words, "Let me say this first, please?" Kim hesitated, but finally nodded. Ron wet his lips, then began "Kim, I know you'd never hurt me in any way on purpose. Accidentally(Kim grimaced)...is another story, but that was different and usually my fault for not giving you enough room when you were fighting, but I learned better! And, I know you are not going to leave me over the dumb things I do. If you were planning to, I think I've given you enough chances." He again raised his hand to stop Kim speaking. "So I have no clue why I feel this way, KP! I've never thought such an unfair thing about you ever, and I feel like I need to apologize." He finally halted with a puzzled, and slightly hurt, frown when he saw Kim shaking her head with a rueful smile on her lips.

"There's a reason, Ron." Bernie spoke up. Ron shifted his gaze to her, more puzzled then ever. "In truth, it's one and the same to you. If Kim left you, it would hurt you, worse then anything, right?"

Ron nodded emphatically. "Of course! But I know she'd never do that, Bernie, so that still doesn't explain..." Bernie's 'stop' sign made him break off.

"Of her own free will, never, Ron." Bernie told him gently. "But what if it's not her choice?"

"Like anyone could make her!" Ron scoffed. He started to add something, when suddenly a stunned look came to his face, eyes widening, jaw slowly dropping. "Oh..." He finally said in a small voice.

Kim sighed. "It's so obvious, I'm embarrassed that Bernie had to make me see it, so don't feel bad." She consoled her boyfriend.

"But...but you've been doing dangerous stuff for years! Why would I suddenly feel this way now?" Ron asked, confusion plain in his voice.

"Not sure it's that sudden, Ron." Bernie replied, "I think you've had occasional bouts of it before, but it became serious after Kim toppled off one of the pedestals you put her on, the one for the 'Invincible Heroine'."

Kim favored Bernie with a bemused look. "How many pedestals do you think I'm on?" She asked wryly.

Bernie shrugged. "Well, 'Perfect Girlfriend'? Think you're still on that one?" Kim snorted, then considered the question, and shook her head. "Perfect Wife and Mother' is just waiting for the future tremors, I'm sure." Bernie teased, bringing a slight blush to Kim's face, and grins from both of them. "As to the rest? Hopefully, no more with 'Perfect' in the title, or so I hope." Bernie finished earnestly.

Ron cast his eyes down and fidgeted slightly as he spoke next. "Maybe you're right about the 'perfect' ones, Bernie." He admitted, "But there's one she can't fall off of, as far as I'm concerned." He brought his eyes up to meet Kim's questioning gaze. "'Greatest Love of my life, that I have ever or will ever know!'" And suddenly both teens' world shrank to the narrowest focus necessary to encompass the other and nothing else.

Bernie decided to go dump her trash to avoid intruding on this moment, the intensity she sensed between them right then possessing almost physical force. From the counter she looked back, to see them gripping each others hands, eyes only for each other. "There can't be many cases of love more true, more intense, then the one right there! Makes me feel like whatever I find will never be better then second best."

Eventually the young couple returned to reality, and sat back a bit self-consciously, smiling shyly. To cover up her embarrassment as Bernie rejoined them, smiling, Kim asked the first question that popped into her head. "So, Ron, you're going to help Mister Barkin and Mister Flagg find out what really happened between their ancestors?"

"Huh?" Ron was a little slower shifting mental gears then Kim. Then his eyes widened slightly "Oh! Yeah, going to talk to Mister North about seeing those family papers of his!"

"Think he'll have any objections?" Bernie asked curiously.

Ron shrugged. "Can't think of a reason why! Of course, maybe I'll have to do him a favor or something in return. Doctor Drakken has promised to do whatever it takes to get this done, I think he's as curious as any of us!"

"Oh! That reminds me!" Kim exclaimed, then winced and lowered her voice as Ned popped into view, studying her curiously. "Two things, Ron! First, don't mention anything about the Aliens in front of Drakken." She glanced quickly at Bernie, but the older woman kept her face neutral. Kim still bit her lip nervously before again turning to Ron. "Second, we're giving Tara the credit for saving the little girl, to explain her burns to everyone. She's not happy about it, it took all of us to convince her. And Mon and Bonnie took her home to make sure that's what her parents hear."

Ron nodded. "Gotcha!" Then he frowned, looking at Bernie. "But what about Bernie's burns? OOo, that rhymes...never mind."

"Not going to be a problem, Ron." Bernie assured him, "I'm headed back out of town for a while, letting Loretta's friend have the school nurse's job, she needs it more then me, money wise."

"Awww..." Was Ron's response, but Kim scowled slightly. "What about for other reasons, Bernie? Don't you need something to do?"

"I'll be fine, Kim." Bernie replied with a fond smile, "I'm going to miss the unique nature of the crises I encounter at Middleton High, for sure, but I'll find something else to occupy myself, don't worry. Not going to devolve into a spoiled rich brat, or anything like that."

"Going to miss having you around School, though." Kim told her sincerely.

Bernie reddened just slightly as she bobbed her head gratefully. "Thanks, you guys." She then asked Ron, "What kind of favor does Mr North usually ask you to do?"

Ron shrugged. "Nothing particular, could be anything!"

"Well, if you need any help at all with it, don't hesitate to ask." Bernie told him.

"Same here, Ron." Kim chimed in, "Anything I can do, just ask."

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"Okay, I understand how you got railroaded into this, Possible, but how the hell did I get elected?" Shego complained aloud as she struggled to puzzle out the outfit she was supposed to be donning.

"Because Doctor Drakken volunteered you?" Kim replied snarkily as she wrestled herself into her own costume.

Shego glared at the teen. "Remind me never to sign another personal services contract while pretending to know what all the legal terminology means!" She looked down at her self and scowled. "Since when is there a Ferretwoman?"

"She's part of the updated Fearless Ferret." Bernie informed her glowering friend, "Something to add a little spice. Rumor is that she bats for the other team, if you know what I mean?" She waggled her eyebrows, grinning at Shego's discomfiture.

"You know how many times I've refused to wear this costume?" Kim moaned as she finished adjusting her FerretGirl outfit. "Why did I have to promise to do anything to help Ron!"

"Ohhh, don't be babies!" Bernie cracked, "It's only for some pics that will go into his private memorabilia collection, it's not like he's posting them on the Internet, after all! They won't become public at least until after he passes away." Then she shrugged. "Besides, with the masks, no one will recognize you, anyway!"

Now dressed, Shego just grumbled something unintelligible, but almost certainly impolite. Kim rolled her eyes and then nodded grimly. "Let's get this over with, then we can get a look at those journals."

"Well, that won't be until tomorrow, Kim." Bernie informed her, "Judge won't set bail for Mister Flagg tonight, and Doctor Drakken promised Flagg he'd be present for the reading. So, if you want to be present, too, it'll be done after school tomorrow."

A sour look on her face, Kim began to reply, then stopped and looked thoughtful. Finally she nodded decisively. "You know, I do want to be there!"

Bernie smiled and gave her a nod of approval. "Good, nice to see you sharing Ron's interest! Now, as you said before, let's get this over with, it's been an incredibly long and eventful weekend, I'd like it to be at an end!"

"Amen, Sister!" Shego responded fervently. She looked down her own cleavage sourly. "If I had worn this after I left Team Go, my criminal career would have been very brief, and consisted mostly of killing the guys who made remarks about it!"

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And so I end a short chapter. Was going to finish with the actual resolution of this particular plotline, but feel an urge to post, so you all get a talkfest.

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