So Not The EndMaybe Chapter 11, a kim possible fanfic

So, it looks like Ron got the space plane off the ground. Will James Possible (and others) be able to convince the former sidekick to bring it back to land? Will the GJ agent declare an inflight emergency and get into an escape pod? Will the author…..uh never mind.

Again, Thanks for reading, faving, alerting, following and or reviewing. I appreciate them all even the not-so-nice ones. Now let's get to the reviews: sodan64, thanks; CB73, yeah time for Ron to get off planet; readerjunkie, thanks four left to go'

DRM7, Sorry, had to stop somewhere; Uberscribbler, this is the 'it'. Things get better and worse; ajw1970, yeah it looks like Ron kept James on the ground, and I have no idea that Einstein said….so don't expect time coonies here. LOL

Jimmy1201, you can write that part Jimmy…yeah good job kid; zafnak, Ron does what he thinks he has to do.

Again, thanks to everyone, and a huuuuuuge thanks to CajunBear73 for all the work over the year.

So, no time cooties, no dream sequence. A semi-straight forward tale.

Everyone have their drinks and popcorn? Okay, let's go!

ST-103

So Not The End…..Maybe

Chapter 11

The Middleton Space Center:

"James?", Anne inquired from her husband in a lowered voice, "What do you mean, Ronald?"

Sigh "He was the pilot I contacted. I have to get to the Operations Center." Then he told everyone, "Please get back in the vans. We must stop the Kepler and get it back to Earth, Doctor Renton has a program installed in the space plane to make sure that something like this couldn't happen."

"Daddy…", Kim reached out and put her hand on his shoulder.

"Honey, I'll explain later this is important. We have to hurry."

"MACH One.", the computer told Ron as he kept the Kepler fairly level.

As he was pushed back in his seat, Ron grunted, now feeling that he was accelerating really fast, "Sure don't remember it hurting this much."

"MACH Two point Two. Altitude, one thousand five hundred meters."

Ron pulled back slightly on the stick and banked at the same time to get oriented in the correct direction before he finished gaining his initial speed. He counted back in his head from sixty and pulled back on the stick hard.

"Ten thousand meters. Abort is now possible."

Ron stated clearly, "Computer. The Kepler is going for orbit."

"MACH Three point Seven. Altitude, sixteen thousand meters."

"MACH Four point Seven. Twenty thousand meters."

Ron pulled back on the throttle to slow down a little so that the space plane wouldn't break up before he reached the near vacuum of space.

XXX
Command Center:

"Shit Justine! That asshole is almost fifty miles up already.", Felix Renton hissed, "We have to try and take over the controls now or we'll never get him back."

"Are you sure you want to do that, Renton? It could be dangerous to the pilot and the machine."

"Yes! And that jerk is going to jail for this if I have anything to say about it! I didn't like the whole thing to begin with…And I think he's still playing everyone. James Possible bought into Ron being changed and you saw for yourself…I don't know why you are standing up for him, and I don't care what that book says."

"Dammit Felix! He did what he said he was going to do, now let's see if he declares an inflight emergency and uses an escape pod. If he does it in orbit, we can save the space plane."

"I don't like it Justine, I just don't trust him…"

"I read the manuscript and you didn't."

"Sure! I'll bet it's just propaganda to make him look good…"

"Admitting to murdering a bunch of killers makes him look good?"

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"Something that happened…it was like he was recounting it in detail. All you remember was the clown you knew in high school, Renton. I took care of his stump…He didn't even ask for help. He was bleeding through his pants."

"What do you mean? And why didn't they grow him a new one?"

"They tried that over in Japan! Christ, Renton! He's been going over there, for years, to have his operations and chemo treatments so no one would have any idea and feel sorry for him. You saw the images. He's dying and he doesn't want people to know about it. Dammit, you're supposed to be smart, Renton! Start thinking.", Justine hissed as she watched the telemetry from the Kepler, "Is it normal to roll the space plane over on its back when it's taking off like this?"

"Yeah, it is, it helps them withstand the G forces on their bodies. By the time the crew gets into orbit they will perform another roll maneuver, most likely, although it really doesn't make any difference.", Felix explained as James Possible, followed by the rest of his family, entered the command center.

"What's the status of the Kepler?", the rocket scientist inquired.

"Stoppable is going for orbit.", Justine informed him.

"Did we have any idea that he might try something like this?"

"Yes sir.", Felix told him.

"Justine?"

Sigh, "Yes Sir."

"Carmondy!", James yelled, "Can you get Ronald on the radio?"

"I'll try. I am getting telemetry, so I should be able to get him."

"Good! Maybe we won't have to take control of the Kepler after all."

Felix looked at his screen, "I can make the Kepler turn around."

"Doctor Renton…I would prefer that we reason with Commander Stoppable first. But I want the launch to take place now. He might as well reach orbit.", James sighed, "This can be a practice run. If he brings it back on his own we can ring it up as a learning experience."

"James…"

"Yes Annie.", James Possible looked into the blue eyes of his wife.

"You found Ronald?"

"Yes, but he's changed…He's not the goofy kid we all knew."

"Doctor Possible, the Kepler is at one hundred miles in altitude and it is three hundred miles downrange and he has now accelerated to MACH Ten.", Felix announced.

One of the technicians responded, "Well, we now know that the engines and design will get us to space."

"Shut up Brandon. We gotta hack into the controls to bring it back in.", Janice Grunt told him.

James knew that he had to take control of the situation, "We will wait. He can't leave orbit anyway…I'm the only one who can get the faster than light engines to work. We can have one of the other ships in low orbit latch on to the Kepler and we will have it back in short order."

James was about to say something else, but Will Du, acting aristocratic as always, took that moment to walk through the doors. "How is my boy doing?", he inquired.

Kim frowned, "Ron Stoppable is not a boy you jerk."

"Oh, but he is Amateur. He's not as bad as he once was, but he is still a clown. He might be a coldblooded murderer, but he is still a clown.", the Director of Global Justice told her, "Anyway, I own him. He put enough years in and is drawing a retirement…That means I can activate him at any time."

Anne hissed at the Asian man, "My daughter is right. You are a jerk."

"It is a requirement for the job, Ma'am. Doctor Possible, could you please connect me to my asset as soon as you can?"

"We haven't tried as yet. Now I do not know who you are and I think before we concede to your requests, I feel that you need to show your identification."

"Why don't you ask your daughter, Doctor Possible?"

"Kimberly?"

"Make the asshole show his ID Dad. He could very well be a synthodrone for all we know."

Will Du knew right then he was getting no respect from the woman he had taunted for years, "Very well." Will Du pulled out his Global Justice badge and presented it.

James took it and studied it for a second then handed it off to his Chief of Security. "Branson.", James instructed, "Run this down and make sure it's authentic."

"Yes Sir.", Seymore Branson replied and took the badge.

"Daddy, can you try and call Ron?"

"I will Kimmie, when he is in orbit. I would suspect that right now he is fairly busy. Normally there is a crew of at least two…He is trying to do this alone."

Justine announced, "I have his bios, his heart rate is erratic and his blood pressure is low."

"Justine, any ideas?"

"Not at the moment, sir."

Felix bit his tongue.

"Now, I am asking again, was there any clue that Commander Stoppable was mentally capable of hijacking the space plane?", James asked.

Du looked at a very pissed off rocket scientist, "I ordered him to keep you on the ground. That is why I returned him to active duty."

"Ronnie is on active duty? … I had heard a rumor that he had been ill…", Kim informed the man who had been a thorn in her side for years.

"He was medically retired, the reasons are classified and sealed…I cannot even read them."

"That's not the answer I wanted.", James told them.

Justine got up from her chair, "I'll be right back."

Anne watched the blonde genius leave her seat, "Justine is there anything I can help you with?"

"Sure Mrs. Possible, you can come with me."

Justine, with Anne following, walked to one of the space center's cars and got in, "Where are we going?"

"Back to the office Ma'am, I need to get something…Kim and you need to see it."

"What is it?"

"A book. I'm not lying for him anymore."

It took five minutes for the blonde and James' wife to enter her office. Justine took a key, opened a file drawer and removed a rather large book. She handed it to Anne, "Here, you and Kim might find this interesting reading."

"What is it?"

"Something Ron wrote while he was recovering in Japan."

"Why would Ronald need to recover in Japan?"

"Read it Anne. You and Kim really need to see this…Sigh…It will explain all his actions since before the breakup."

"So, there was a good reason?", Anne inquired after she took the manuscript and saw it was handwritten.

Justine turned to Anne, her lower lip quivering, "Yeah, there was a reason, Ron wrote this…I got it from a trash dumpster a few years ago…Maybe it's not a good reason, but after you read it you'll know what happened and why he did what he did. Listen, we have to get back to the others."

Less than ten minutes later, the two women re-entered the command center. Once they were inside Anne walked over to an unused desk and sat down. She began with the title.

Felix Renton announced, "OK the Kepler is in orbit and it looks like the apogee is going to be about six hundred miles and the perigee is around four hundred. I can still recover the Kepler in that orbit."

"Please make contact with the Kepler Felix.", Doctor James Possible instructed.

"Are you sure?"

"Doctor, I am quite sure. Please do as I request.", James' tone hardened.

"Yes sir."

Kim watched her Mother sit down at a desk after carrying the fairly large book, while Justine went back to her console.

"Mom, what's that?"

"Kimmie…Uh, it is something Ronald wrote. And somehow Justine got her hands on it. I think we'll find out what happened if we have some patience."

"Can I sit with you? I have to know. He was my best friend."

Josh followed his wife, "Anne?"

"Josh. Could you look after your children for a while? Kim and I need to check this out.", Anne asked as there was a twin shimmering in front of her.

All three looked on in shock as two forms took shape. One was carrying something in its hands. "Kim Mankey-san.", a black robed woman inquired as she came completely into sight.

Kim nodded, "Yes."

"If you remember, I am Yori, Ron Stoppable-sama's friend from Japan. This is my spouse, Hirotaka.", Kim's eyes widened.

Sigh "I remember Yori and Hiro.", Kim blushed knowing she had made a fool of herself more than a few years ago over the Japanese male and had thought of the Japanese woman jealously when Ron had traveled with her to rescue the Headmaster at Yamanouchi.

Hiro bowed, "It is my honor to meet you again, Kim-san."

Yori bowed, "Ron-sama left this in our care so that we could return it to the sacred mountain since he was assigned this mission…But in truth there is somewhere where it would have a better home."

"What is it?"

"Ron-sama's robe of office. It is a tradition at Yamanouchi that when one Master dies he is to be cremated in his robe. Our friend has chosen not to follow this tradition for reasons which we cannot reveal. We are not worthy to maintain watch over the honored garment and we know of only one who is.", Yori bowed and offered the bundle to Kim.

"Me?"

"Yes, you, Kim-san.", Hiro stated, "His love for you was his undoing and his sacred honor…He never wavered from his feelings no matter what others have said. You would honor us in receiving the robe."

Kim held out her hands, Yori and Hiro bowed, Kim followed their lead, "I will try to take care of it, t…thank you."

Yori then placed the robe with her one-time rival for a towheaded blond's affections, "Kim-san. He always loved you…And he always will. We must go now."

"Please.", Kim asked, "Why did he do all of this? … Why all this agony?"

"Ron-sama is dying. He received his sentence when he saved your life.", Yori paused, "The cancer from those events is spreading and soon there will be nothing left of him but a shell. He has chosen this last act of self-sacrifice to protect your Father."

"I don't understand…"

"Ron-sama requested seppuku but was turned down by the council because he had done no wrong…He requested death…Something which you would give to a faithful dog…Yet it was denied him. He found this way to go to his reward and protect your honored Father at the same time. You should be proud of him at the end."

Again Hiro and Yori bowed and began to shimmer.

The rest of the Mankeys watched the scene with open mouths.

"STOP!", Director Du shouted at the two disappearing figures.

Yori and Hiro returned to full sight as Hirotaka's voice hardened, "What do you wish, Director?"

"Why did Stoppable launch? He could have completed the mission while not doing so."

"YOU ordered him to keep Doctor Possible on the Earth's surface any way he possibly could. He has performed this task in his own way.", Yori said as she walked to him. Then she pointed her finger at the Aristocratic retard and warned, "Everyone here is under Yamanouchi protection from this moment on. YOU WILL leave them alone from now on. This is the order of the Ruling Council of Nine."

The self-cheering ding-dong responded, the situation going completely over his head, "And if I recall Kim Mankey from her retirement?"

"Then you should consider the choice of casket you would prefer to be buried in.", Yori threatened.

"How dare you…"

"You will not see us coming Director Du. Be careful of your steps. I am sure there are many last year students who would crave your demise as their 'Final Project'.", Hiro took over as he nodded to his wife. Again the two began to shimmer and within ten seconds were completely gone.

"I guess they told you, Du.", Kim snipped at the GJ Director.

"It doesn't matter. Doctor Possible I demand to speak with Stoppable this instant."

"We've tried…Uh, he is not responding at the moment.", one of the technicians replied for James.

"Then I will wait at this empty console until he responds."

"Suit yourself Director Du." James replied as he wondered how someone that arrogant lived past his teens.

"Sir.", Walton Hicks announced, "I have a visual of the Kepler cockpit."

"Good bring it up on the main screen.", James told him.

In moments the picture stabilized and Ron Stoppable appeared unfastening himself from his launch chair. Slowly he rose and half limped to the pilot's faster than light station directly behind where he had been sitting. Once the orange suited figure got to the second set of controls he toggled a switch and the panel flipped over and locked it in place. Then he walked over to the Mission Commander's position and toggled that switch which had the same results.

Then the former hero went to where the laptop was plugged in and transferred it to the same position between the last set of flight controls and plugged it in then secured it. Since the computer was running there was no booting up again. Ron then reached in to James' set of controls and turned a curious key and pushed three buttons at the same time.

"Oh no, somehow Ronald has found out how to turn on the reactors for the faster than light engines.", James gasped lowly. Then ordered, "Make that contact. Right now!"

While they were waiting, all watched Ron Stoppable remove the suit that he had launched in. He then carried it to a rack and hung it up.

James blurted out as Ron sat on the deck, unzipped his coveralls and began to remove them too, "What is he doing?"

After he took both arms out, Ron then slid the coveralls off his legs. Then he removed the prosthetic limb, tossed it aside and put his coveralls back on, tucking the unneeded leg into the waist band.

After a moment he sat unmoving and closed his eyes.

They watched in awe as he began to softly glow.

XXX

Pueblo, Colorado:

"Rufus?"

","

"Ruuuuuufus?"

"Hink, Ron?"

"Yeah buddy, it's me…Ron. I just wanna tell ya, it's time. You can rest now."

"Hnk good, but no fly?"

"Yeah I am, wait for me buddy. Thanks for being you, I appreciate everything…"

"Me too…Bye."

"Yeah bye, you were the best.", Ron ended the link sensing that his mole rat buddy was getting weaker.

XXX

Lowerton, Colorado:

The red headed girl casually walked up to the door. Not worrying about anyone noticing her, she simply studied the door for a moment before bringing a small key ring out of her purse. It took only a few seconds before the 'girl' was inside the townhouse.

She didn't even turn on the lights, but went to the desk and opened a drawer. She reached in and took the folder on top with "WADE" written on top. 'She' also noticed a small photo in a worn frame. This she took also and put both items into her rather large purse. Five minutes after walking to the door, she was walking back to 'her' car. Soon 'she' was gone.

XXX

The Space Center:

"His eyes are opening, try again.", James told his technicians as he watched the boy slash man he had known for years seem to come out of a trance.

Jamie Pakerby yelled, "I'm through!"

Will Du got up and walked to that station and barked, "Stoppable! … What in the hammer hell are you doing, you amateur?"

After a moment Ron got up from the floor and hopped to his faster than light position, "Gawd…that sounds like Willie boy. Hang on a second let me get some visual."

Jamie told Du, "He can see you now."

"Good, now run along.", Du ordered.

The petite brunette glared at Du, "This is my assigned station sir. You may use this set to talk to the Kepler…but this is my assignment. You are a guest here.

James told her, "He'll be done in a moment Jamie. Won't you director?"

"I uh…"

Ron's voice came back on, "Well the prick hasn't committed Hari Kari yet, but the day is young."

Du was speaking even before Ron stopped, "I order you to return the space craft to the Space Center! Immediately!"

"Order…", he snarked, "Asshole, you are hardly in a position to order anyone to do anything right now. Especially me, to bring the space plane back.", Ron replied jovially.

"Why…"

Ron smirked, then frowned, "Article Four-Sixteen."

"What are you talking about, Stoppable?"

"The faster than light engines are fueled by PDVIs.", he deadpanned. "Remember? That's a banned device that GJ is tasked with in eliminating. And…since I am the Agent in Charge of this operation, I have taken the onus to remove the device from close proximity to Earth for the safety of the inhabitants.", Ron explained to his arrogant boss, "And I have exercised that authority with the launch. You have no recourse."

The aristocratic Asian man asked, "I don't remember what the problem is with the device?"

"Back in high school I had one in my hand that was about the size of a two-pound coffee can and it could create a black hole about the size of Nevada. The ones on the Kepler are much bigger…I'd hate to guess the damage they are capable of doing. Maybe Wade Load could tell you, but I don't have a bunch of PhDs like he has."

Du's eyes widened and his face turned ashen as did all those in the Control Center, "Uh…Proceed Stoppable…And good luck."

"Yeah, good luck, bite me Du…Now why don't you get the hell out of my face and go back to twiddling your thumbs in that big-assed office of yours and let the professionals do their jobs. I'm sorta busy up here."

Du looked around, "Ah yes, I should be going." He turned and walked out the door.

James looked stricken with what he had just learned, "Ronald…What are you going to do?"

A moment later the former member of Team Possible replied, "I'm taking the Kepler out of orbit. Sorry sir, this isn't going to be your ride. I promised a long time ago to have Kim's back…I'm having yours too."

"I thought that you were going to talk to Anne and Kimberly after the mission?"

"Yes sir, I was, but as you just heard there were, uh, complications and I won't be able to do that now."

Kim had been listening to this and walked over to the console that James was, "Ron?"

Everyone could see Stoppable's eyes widen and then look down, "Hello Kim, how are you?"

"Reactors Twelve percent.", the computer took that moment to announce the power level.

"Ron, sigh, I talked to Liz…she told me…"

"Oh."

"She told me that Tony wasn't your Son…"

"Yeah."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I tried to Kim, but the media already convicted me in the public arena. Me, the fiancée of the great Kim Possible denying everything wouldn't have any effect. Yeah denying anything would have just left more pain for you and our 'rents. It was better just to take the hit myself. Anyway Liz needed help so I supported her…"

"Then why didn't you marry her?"

"Kim, I never loved Liz…She was a friend who needed help and support." Ron paused and coughed and wiped his mouth on his sleeve leaving a red stain, "If I had done that it would have been the last betrayal of me to you…I couldn't do that. What happened was bad enough." The former hero paused again.

"I tried to talk to Monique, but it didn't go too well…She wouldn't listen to me."

"Yeah I heard, Monique is still real mad.", Ron paused then continued,

"She's a fiery girl. Anyway, she was more your friend than mine…Mike told me she and Brick got married…I hope they're doing alright."

"They are."

"Good."

Kim's voice got softer, "Mom got a book from Justine. What's it about?"

"I guess there is no way I can hide it now, so tell brain girl thanks. But it covered our lives and then our relationship 'till the breakup and then my life after…It doesn't cover the last three years, though. She shouldn't have even picked it out of the dumpster."

"Why?"

"If you read the thing it's going to bring up some old memories for you and your family. I don't want to hurt you anymore. What happened was bad enough…I could have faded into the background like I wanted and only a handful of people would ever have known. I wrote the thing to get the demons out of my mind…It sorta worked."

"Yori gave me your robe. What does it mean?"

"She did? ... Damn. She wasn't happy about all this…you know,", Sigh "All Masters of the MMP have robes…For official functions, I was one of something called the Ruling Council of Nine 'cause I was the Chosen One and the Monkey Master. Anyway, the Masters carry their robes with them…I really couldn't bring it with me, you know, on the flight…Too many people would know, then."

"What level of Master are you, Ron?"

"It's place really is on Earth, not in outer space.", Ron continued as if not hearing his old friend.

"Ron…"

"I'm the main dude…Well, I was. I sorta retired from that too. I can't even float anymore…Well on Earth, that is."

James leaned in, "Ronald, if you have to dispose of the reactors, how are you going to get home?"

Ron reached behind his neck and began to rub it nervously.

"Ronald…"

"Uh, Sir…I…I'm not. This is a one-way trip."

"What do you mean Ron?", a cold shiver went up the red head's spine soon as she heard the answer.

"Uh, two reasons...There won't be a way back and…my time is running out…Finally."

"No Ron, you can't…"

"Kimmie, could you come over here for a moment?", Anne called her daughter away from a conversation that was about to get very heated.

"Mom, I need to talk to Ron here. It's important…"

"Please honey. I think this is important, too."

Kim knew something was wrong by the tone of her Mother's voice.

"Ronald are you sure the Kepler is dangerous?", James inquired after his daughter left to see what Anne called her over for.

"Yes sir. You see, even if I am not a scientist or an engineer, as a test pilot and GJ Agent I have had to learn some things over the years. When I talked to Doctor Load he confirmed my suspicions and when I asked where you got the information, your answer left me no options. If the Kepler's engines got out of control we could have a black hole near the Earth large enough to swallow it up.", Ron explained as he touched something on the holographic display in front of him.

"I see…"

"Sir you didn't do anything wrong. And let's face it, you did me a big favor…At least I don't have that prick Du bothering me anymore."

"How did I do that?"

"You gave me the opportunity and the means to end my life without committing suicide."

"How is that a favor, son?"

"What I have is terminal; it's just taking a while. Let's face a little truth here. I'm dying, it's painful…more than you can believe and there is no cure…No good way out of the sitch. The reason I went to Japan all those times was for treatments and operations, the last one was to remove the leg."

"Why didn't they grow you another one?"

"They did…two times. Something with the MMP makes my body reject transplants and other exotic treatments. So they gave me the fake one and it gives me trouble too, that's why I'm going to turn off the artificial gravity in a while. It'll be easier moving around in here on one leg. The thing is that the MMP really slows down the spread of the disease. If I was a normal person I would have been put in a hospice before I even returned from Japan…It would have saved you guys a lot of hassle with the media…But then, Tony would never have been born."

"So, you have this all figured out Ronald? ... But, why wouldn't Tony have been born?"

"Uh, no sir, but I know I have a duty and I'm the only one who is in the position to make this work so that no one else gets hurt…", Ron paused not knowing how this was going to be handled, "When I saw Liz that day…she was on the way to the clinic…her parents had been giving her a hard time of it…"

"She was going to have an abortion?"

"Ah yes sir, I think so…I mean it wasn't the kid's fault. If anything, he was innocent. I had to save him. It seemed the best way…Though it cost me Kim."

"Yeah Mom, what do you want to show me?", Kim asked as she sat down trying to hear what was being said behind her.

"The words Ronald uses in this manuscript…I think he did some serious research into his condition."

"What do you mean, Mom?"

"He uses the term sarcoma and uses the term correctly.", Anne paused and turned the book so that Kim could see, "Here, see this?" Kim nodded, "And here, see the term, carcinoma?" Again Kim nodded, "Ronald has several types of cancer…He understands what they are."

"Mom…"

"Kimmie, Ronald should not be on that spaceship…"

"Reactors at Twenty-five Percent."

Anne ignored the computer and wiped a tear from her eyes, "He should be somewhere…he should be taken care of…until his time comes. Somewhere he could say goodbye to his friends in peace and quiet…with dignity."

Hearing this news Kim's eyes began to water as well, "Mom…I didn't mean…for Ron to die…"

"None of us do, honey…"

"So you think that the reason you were saved was to save Tony?", James asked.

"I…I don't know. Anyway, I wasn't saved…I was sorta put on hold."

"Why didn't you tell Kimberly of your ailments?"

Sigh "Sir, I knew that Kim, you and Mrs. P wanted grandchildren…With the first round of operations I sorta lost the ability to help in that regard…It shoulda happened in high school…Bonnie Rockwaller would have been happy to hear it and it would have saved a lot of trouble later."

"Ronald…"

"I don't have the equipment God supplied us guys with. Sure, we could have adopted…but then we wouldn't have that great Possible gene set…And after what the media had done to my character, imagine what they could have done to hers…sigh…It was better for everyone this way."

"You still should have told her…"

"Yeah, maybe I should have, but then she'd feel guilty. She had her whole life ahead of her…Kim deserved to be happy, she gave so much of herself when she was younger…It wouldn't have been fair to be married to a dead man."

"And you?"

"Whatever's left of it, sir…I have my memories…"

Josh, listening to the ongoing conversations, motioned to his children to come over, "Kids, that guy on the screen was a hero just like your Mom. There was something that happened between them a long time ago."

Jenny half frowned, "Dad, he was that Ron guy?"

"Yeah honey, he's that Ron guy. You guys remember one thing, your Mom and he were in love. I came along later and tried to make her happy…I tried to do my best."

The oldest, Joshua, asked, "Dad, this Ron guy was the one who ran around with Mom fighting the bad guys…Why do people say bad things about him?"

"I'm not sure, but if none of this had happened he would have been your Father."

Jenny asked, "Can we see him?"

"I don't know why not. But be respectful like you would for an older person.", Josh decided to introduce them.

A few moments later the four Mankeys walked up to James' station. When they got in front of the screen, Ron's voice came through, "Hi Josh, how are ya doin'?"

"Pretty good Ron…Uh long time, huh?"

"Yeah pretty much. So, who are your friends?"

"Uh Ron.", Josh glanced to his Father-in-law who nodded, "From the tallest to the shortest, my children; Joshua, Jennifer, and Jeremy."

"Pleased to meet you. I am Ron Stoppable, an old friend…Maybe not as old as your Grandfather, but old enough. I knew your Mom and Dad back in high school.", Ron told them as he smiled, then coughed, "You know, I have something for each of you and in a few weeks somebody's gonna call your house and ask you to go to a meeting with some other people."

"What kind of meeting, Ron?", Jeremy inquired.

"Somebody is going to read something to you and give you something. All you have to do is be there and listen.", Ron cryptically informed the three, "Your Mom and Dad and Grandma and Grandpa have to be there anyway."

James asked, "Ronald…What are…"

"It's just going to be an estate reading, that's all, sir. I mean it's better than the government getting everything. Oh Josh…errrr I mean Daddy Mankey, in my locker here are my house keys and my wallet, which has my address in it. I highly suggest that you take that van you always seemed to have and drop by my place before too much time has passed."

"Why do I need to do that?"

"Possession is nine tenths of the law and I wanna make sure you guys get some things out of there before the government revenuers get their grimy mitts on anything. Some of it was worth a fair amount of cash and I figure that your place might be better suited for it than some auction."

"I have the van at the studio, I can do want you want. "

"Good…I don't want it back, so you might wanna keep it if you want it."

"How do I know what to take?"

"Josh you're a smart guy, I think you'll figure it out without me telling you."

"Ron…Uh thanks…and uh, thanks for taking care of Kim when she was younger…"

"It, uh, was my sacred honor to do so Josh.", Ron paused for a moment and coughed, "I hope you guys are doing alright…"

"Yeah…We are. Kim told me what Liz said. I don't know what to say except to ask why."

"Uh Josh, it was for the good of the many, not the one. My time was behind me…Kim's was ahead of her with you…Uh listen guys, I have to talk to your Grandpa for a few minutes and then I think your Grandma and your Mom are gonna want to speak with me…"

"Reactor at Seventy-three Percent."

"Yeah, I don't have a lot of time here.", Ron continued, "Uh Josh, you might want to take the three J's with you. I'm sure they need to exercise carrying things."

Jenny butt in, "But we wanted to watch the launch."

"Yeah.", Jeremy said.

"There will always be launches, kids. I'm sure your Granddad has another one planned next month…Right, Doctor Possible?"

"Huh…Oh sure Ronald. Why don't you do as Mister Stoppable, said kids."

Josh (the Dad) said, "Come on guys let's go to the locker room and get Mister Stoppable's keys. I think he wants us to store some stuff for him."

"Yeah, thanks Josh, see ya later…Oh and you was the better guy. I'm glad I met ya.", Ron told them as the four walked out the door, the Mankey girl turned and waved.

Josh stopped and looked over his shoulder, "Thanks for everything."

"You deserved it. Remember, you have all the talent you need, make the most of it. See ya."

The artist half-smiled and turned again.

James looked at one of the security guards, "Make sure they stay safe and get those things from Commander Stoppable's locker, please?"

One of the guards replied, "Yes Sir.", and followed the four Mankeys.

"Ronald what was that all about?"

"Uh…uh, it was something I've sorta been hanging onto for Josh and Kim…Sorta a belated wedding present, you know.", Ron vaguely replied, "Anyway, I didn't want them around when Mrs. P and Kim tear into me."

"Ronald, Joshua and Kimberly been married for years. Their youngest is about ready to go into high school…I also don't think that neither Kimberly, nor Anne want to yell. I think they want to talk…"

"I guess. But my mistake, I musta meant Anniversary present. Sorry Doctor Possible…Hang on I gotta secure the peg leg so that it doesn't fly into something delicate and turn off the gravity thingie."

Two minutes later, a floating, smiling Ron Stoppable came back into view, "So where do you think I should go on this little trip Doc P? I already checked there are no black holes that I can reach in my expected lifetime."

Sigh, "At ten times the speed of light you could make Vega in about two and a quarter years Ronald."

"I might be able to pull that off sir. That is, if the Kepler holds together that long. But you never know, I might get sidetracked…You know how easily I get distracted!"

Justine Little looked over at the console next to her and whispered, "Can you hack the Kepler Felix?"

"Damn! …I…I don't know. I've tried and I'm still trying. I can't break through my backdoor. It's like somebody took it out…"

"Well I didn't do it. Try again."

"I am, and I'm getting readings that two of the reactors are getting close to a hundred percent. If Stoppable engages them, we might not be able to stop him."

"You'd better stop him. Shit! He's given all his art away to Mankey.", Justine gasped as she heard that part of Josh and Ron speaking.

"What do you mean?"

"I've been to his place. All of Josh's earlier work is in Ron's villa…The reason that Josh got famous so fast was because Ron bought his best stuff up through front men."

"He what?", Felix's voiced raised enough for both Kim and Anne to look over at them.

"Way to go Wheels…Try to be a little more subtle."

"Why did Ron do that?", Felix lowered his voice to a whisper.

Sighing "Josh was worried he couldn't support Kim…She wanted to start a family and retire from GJ. Mike sorta told Ron. Anyway, Ron started watching where Josh was showing his stuff. The first purchases he made…Kim's old boyfriend spent millions. That's when Josh asked Kim to marry him because he was confident that he could support her."

"So, you mean Josh isn't that good?"

"He's more than good enough. But he just needed the right exposure. Ron owns some other real special art and he had some showings on his own through galleries. He made Josh's works the centerpiece of his shows. Then there was a clamor for his stuff. And Ron kept investing in Josh's stuff too. He's even loaned some of it to museums."

"Wow…"

"Yeah, wow, indeed. So, Josh becomes famous and Kim and him get hitched…And Ron fades into the background."

"Shit Justine! …. If Josh is heading over there…"

"Did you hear what Ron said to Josh before he left?"

"Mom, do you think that we can talk Ron down so that he can get treatment?"

"Honey, Ronald went out of his way to stage this. I don't think that we'll be able to do that…We can try, but don't get your hopes up too high.", the brain surgeon told her daughter.

"I have to try. I have to tell him that I don't hate him…He needs to know that, at least."

"I agree. Ronald does need to know that. Maybe even if he flies off to who knows where, this will comfort him a little.", Anne smiled and put her arm around Kim's shoulder.

"Yeah Mom. Uh, do you want to speak with Ron, too?"

"Yes, I would like that honey. We at least know some of what we are facing now."

Both Possible women rose from their chairs and walked over to the Console James was using, "Ron?", Kim asked.

"Yeah Kim.", Ron replied while opening a program which Kim couldn't see because of where the display was pointed.

"Can we talk?"

"Yeah we can, I got all the time in the world now."

"Do you know where Josh and the kids went?"

"Yeah they went to get some stuff from my place."

"What stuff?"

"Just some things that I though you and he might like to have…I really don't need it anymore."

Anne wiped a tear away, "Ronald, are you sure you want to do this?"

"Don't want to Mrs. P…I sorta have to. Agent in charge ya know, somebody's gotta take responsibility."

"Are you sure that the Kepler is powered by PDVIs, Ron?"

"Yup, ask your Dad.", Ron replied still not looking directly at them but instead was fiddling with a control, "SOP with that device is to get rid of it before it creates a black hole. I'd rather not have one of those anywhere near the Earth. Jenny is too pretty to get sucked into one."

"I could fly that thing away…You don't have to do it…"

"I don't have anything to lose Kim. I lost everything years ago. I've just been marking time for a very long time and I finally found a way out of my sitch."

James' eyes widened, "Ronald I didn't create this thing for it to murder you."

"Yes sir, I know, but it is what it is and I am what I am. Shed no tears for me anybody, I've had the best life I could have dreamed of. I was a hero once and even saved the girl I loved from death a few times. I got to make love with her…It couldn't get any better for me." Sighing, "The time I had with Kim was the best time of my life and I will cherish it until my last breath." Ron turned to look directly at them with tears showing in his eyes, "Kim…I'm glad that you and Josh made each other happy, your kids are great. Doctors Possible…I want to thank you for letting me hang around when I was a kid, it means more to me than you could ever know and thanks for letting me date Kim, too."

"Reactors at Ninety-six Percent."

"Kepler launch nozzles retracting to stored locations."

"Faster than light nacelles opening up in thirty seconds."

"Initial course laid in out of the elliptic."

"Note the wrap ring will not deploy from its stored position until one third light speed has been reached."

"Daddy?"

"It's going to be alright Kimmie.", James put his arm around his daughter.

"Don't worry Possible People, I can still communicate…for days anyway, since we are going to accelerate slowly.", Ron's face smiled, "I remember what Doc P said about the Earth and Moon."

"I'll try to send reports back on how the Kepler is doing during the flight, but as I go further, they will have longer durations of no contact. Maybe this data will help somebody in the future."

"I won't be back so don't expect me. If you hear from my family let them know that this my way of telling them that I'm out of their hair…Finally."

"Ron...", Kim held her hand up to the camera. She smiled when she saw Ron reach out too obviously trying to touch something only he could see, "Are we friends again?"

"Kim even when you hated me I was your friend, I'll always be your friend…Forever."

"Thank you so much Ron…"

"Reactors, One hundred Percent."

"Engaging engines. Point zero three percent of light speed.", Ron calmly told them as he pushed a set of buttons in sequence.

Felix Renton called out, "The Kepler is turning and leaving orbit! I can't stop him."

The space plane streaked out of orbit at five-thousand-five-hundred-eighty miles per second. Radars which had been turned to the space plane began to calculate the course that the former hero had laid in.

XXXXX

Well, there ya go, is there a chance Ron will return? Meh…no!.

Kim Possible, Josh Mankey, Ron Stoppable, Rufus, Docotors Pea, Felix, Justine and all the other 'canon' characters of the show 'Kim Possible' belong to Bob, Mark and the Disney Corporation and not myself nor CajunBear73. We do this little hobby to help with the alcohol industry (and you'd think we'd get SOME kind of compensation for our efforts) but NO, therefore it is still a hobby for us.

We'll see ya around in a couple weeks,

ST-103