I don't own KP, just this story. Sorry for the delay folks, but when you don't get off work until 9 and then suffer through 3 blackouts in a 3 hour span thanks to a thunderstorm, there's not all that much you can do. With Friday being a holiday, I'll make it up to everyone then, as well as finally respond to all the reviews I've accumulated the last couple of weeks.

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Impossible Love – Chapter 11

If it hadn't been for the fact that the kingdom was falling apart, villains were stealing the throne, and they were being hunted like animals, their walk could have almost been considered pleasant. The sun was shining brightly overhead, and the cool breeze kept them from overheating as they steadily hiked through the woods to get back to the palace.

Ron kept glancing towards his friend when he thought she wasn't looking, and couldn't help but smile. When they had first begun hiking, Kimberly had found herself getting overheated in her heavy gown that had been provided by Lord Fiske. When they had stopped, she took the sword he had been given to try and lighten the burden. Of course, that led to their first major surprise of the hike.

Ron's eyebrows rose in surprise as Kimberly began hacking at the dress. "Umm... PK, what are you doing?"

Kimberly glanced up, smiling brightly. "This thing is hot. I'm just trying to get cool. I figure taking a bit off the legs and arms should make this more bearable."

Ron couldn't keep his off off his friend as she carefully sliced through the material, her bare legs being exposed slowly. Sure they had been swimming together, and she had worn less, but it gave his heart pause to see it. Of course, he could never tell her that. Friends just didn't think of friends like that, and it would probably freak her out to know he did. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt their friendship.

Ron saw her struggling with the large blade, and wondered if he should offer to help. He stepped over to her, watching her work. "Too bad we don't have a knife, it would be much... easier..."

Ron couldn't believe his eyes, and neither could Kimberly. As soon as he had mentioned knife, the blade had transformed from a curved sword into a knife little more than eight inches long. The blade fell from her grasp as she gasped, and both could only stare at it intently.

Kimberly looked up at him, her shock passing quickly. "Did you do that?"

Ron could only shake his head. "I... I just said..." It was at that moment that Ron remembered the fight with Lord Fiske's man, and how, just when Ron thought he was going to die, wishing he had had a shield to block the swing, he suddenly had one in hand. His eyes widened, and Ron smiled. "You know PK, I think I did."

Kimberly picked up the knife again, rising to her feet. "Try to change it into something else."

Ron thought for a moment, and the blade changed yet again, this time into a horseshoe, then into a staff, and finally back into a sword. Ron didn't even try to hold back his excitement. "Oh man PK, this thing is so cool!"

Kimberly couldn't help laughing herself as she watched the look of wonder on his face. "You are right, it is. Now, if you could turn it back into a knife so I can finish..."

Ron nodded happily, and as the knife reappeared, Kimberly quickly finished her work, removing most of the sleeves, as well as most of the gown to the knees. When she was done, she took a moment to admire her handiwork before smiling. "That's much better. Come on Ron, we better get going."

That had been a couple hours ago, and things just kept looking up for them. They were making good time, much better than he had thought they would through the woods, and all through that time they had just been talking and laughing like it was old times, back when they were little kids and the weight of the world wasn't bearing down on them. Kimberly seemed almost exultant. Sure, they had a definite goal, there was a kingdom to save, but for just now, they could forget all that and just enjoy their time together. And as they talked, Ron couldn't help but remember just why he loved this girl as much as he did. Her cheerfulness, her optimism, it just exuded from her, even despite the circumstances. She just made anything seem possible, just by the way she handled everything. He almost didn't want this time to end. He just wished there was some way that he could show her just how much he loved her that wouldn't damage what they had.

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Kimberly couldn't help but to look over at Ron when she thought he wasn't looking. It wasn't that he was an entirely new person, he was just the same as ever, making jokes and everything, but Kimberly found herself even more drawn to Ron than she ever had before. It wasn't just anyone who would risk everything as he had to save someone, and despite how long she had known him, she never thought it was something he would have been capable of. The young boy who would panic at the sight of a spider, or ran hiding when the traveling show's monkey had approached him years before had chased miles and miles after her, breaking into a heavily fortified keep, and fought with armed guards just to try and save her. If she couldn't quite admit before that she loved him, she sure did now. Ron had an almost confidence about him that made her feel she could do almost anything with him if he was by her side.

Of course, that brought her thoughts back to her pending nuptuals to Prince Joshua. She hid it well from Ron as they walked and talked, but the thought bearing down on her was hard to suppress. Joshua was everything most princesses wanted as they were growing up; handsome, rich, kind, sweet. Given other circumstances, Kim would have been very happy to be getting married to him. But the thought of losing Ron, of never being able to share her love with him, that gave her great pangs.

Of course, she also had to wonder if Ron could possibly feel for her as she did for him. He was the best friend she could have ever hoped for, and what he had done for her was beyond amazing, but did that necessarily mean that he loved her that way? Kimberly wasn't sure. And would it even be fair to either one of them to explore those feelings now, knowing that she was to be wed? Would it just mean even greater heartache in the future?

Kimberly noticed Ron stop for a second, bending down to pick something up. Curious, Kimberly looked over his shoulder, trying to see what he had found, but he kept it hidden from her. She was about to say something when he turned around, and the smile on her face grew.

Ron held up a single red tulip, his smile bright. He held it out before him, handing it to her. "Here you go, a beautiful flower for a beautiful princess."

Kimberly positively swooned at those words, taking the flower almost coyly. "A token from my valiant knight. Perhaps I should return the favour." With that, Kimberly leaned forward, and kissed him gently on the cheek. She watched as Ron blushed deeply and grinned, and Kimberly couldn't help but giggle. It had been so long since she had seen Ron blush, and she found it to be quite cute.

When his blushing had minimized, he took the flower from her again, and placed it in her hair, just over her left ear. He smiled when he pulled back, and just blushed again. After that, Kimberly didn't see any reason not to be a bit bolder. She took hold of his arm and smiled at him, and their eyes met. She couldn't help but see the love for her within those chocolate-brown orbs, and at that moment, she didn't care about the future, or who she was going to marry. She and Ron had here and now, and that was good enough.

Arm in arm, the pair set off again, their conversation resumed. Though there was no further mention of what had just happened, no words were really needed. Let the future hold what it will, they were happy now.

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As darkness approached, the skies above got darker with clouds. It was obvious a storm was coming in, and Kimberly and Ron set out to find somewhere to weather the storm. As the storm approached, they spotted an old barn, off in the distance. Considering the surrounding lands and the condition of the barn, at least as it appeared at this distance, it looked like the place had been abandoned for some time.

Holding hands, the pair bolted for the barn as the first of the rains came down on their heads. Kim squealed as the large drops came down, and began soaking them, but they never let go, practically laughing as they ran the last few hundred yards to get to cover. Kimberly was covering her head with her free hand, smiling brightly as they reached the door, and Ron was actually laughing as he threw the door open, pulling her inside.

Despite the outside appearance, the inside looked almost warm and welcoming. There didn't seem to be the hint of mustiness or mold you would expect to see from such a place that had been abandoned. In fact, it looked like there was fresh straw, piled high in the corner. No doubt the place, while no longer used by farmers, was still maintained, no doubt by children as a club house, or more likely, some young lovers hideaway.

Ron surprised her then, wrapping his arms around her waist, and picking her up. He spun her around, laughing all the while, and Kimberly felt all her concerns melt away as she felt herself melt into his strong arms. When he put her down though, she figured a little retribution was in order. Kimberly pounced once she was free, and began tickling him, her fingers running up and down his sides. Ron bent down and away, trying to break free, but Kimberly was relentless, and when he finally got free, she gave chase. Laughing and carrying on like children, they chased themselves around the barn, frolicking in care-free style.

When Ron moved over to the straw, Kim pounced, throwing herself on top of him, and knocking him into the straw. Her hands flew to his sides again as she sat atop him, both laughing exuberantly. After a couple of minutes of this, Ron couldn't take anymore, and raised his hands in surrender. "I give PK, I yield. Have mercy!"

With one last tickle, Kimberly sank into the straw beside him, though her legs still lay over his. Both of them gasped for breath, their broad smiles practically lighting up the room. Finally, as they settled down, Kimberly wrapped one arm around Ron, looking up into his face. "Ron, I... I just want to say again how glad I am that you came to rescue me."

Ron's arm moved around her, holding her tight. "You would have done the same for me PK."

"Yeah, but you were so brave. I've never seen that side of you before."

"PK, you're the most important person in my life. I don't know what I would do without you. When you were captured, I had to do something. I couldn't just sit there, wondering if you were all right. I had to do something."

Kimberly leaned in closer, her face just inches from his. "I am glad you did. Ron, you are the most important person in my life too. I just..." Kimberly paused, as she locked eyes with him.

"Kimberly..." Ron's voice was barely a whisper, as his lips moved closer to hers.

"Ron..."

Kimberly leaned up that final inch, and their lips met briefly. They pulled back together, just enough to see the other clearly, and their eyes said everything that words couldn't. Their lips met again, with greater passion this time. As one, they pulled their bodies together, feeling the electricity where they made contact. One of Kim's hands moved up to his neck, pulling him tight, while the other explored up and down his back. Ron's hands were not idle either, as they traced small patterns up and down her back, his hands moving steadily downward.

They pulled back again, gasping for breath, and Ron brought one of his hands up to pull a loose strand of hair away from her face, as he smiled down at her. Kimberly smiled back, and she pulled him down on top of her yet again. They rained a shower of kisses down on each other, not maddened, but full of expressions of love. His lips moved downward, first raining kisses on her chin before moving on to her neck. Kim arched up against him, and Kimberly could only sigh at the sensation she was experiencing for the first time. Her fingers ran through his hair, and when he nipped on the nape of her neck, she moaned his name, unable to believe the feelings he was bringing out in her.

He moved back up, and their lips met again, hungrily seeking the others out, and Kimberly felt Ron's legs entwining with hers. Kim's only thoughts were for how much she loved him, and how much he loved her. She slid one hand inside his shirt, her fingers playing over his chest, and she heard him moan her name this time. The moment seemed to stretch on forever!

"Oh my god!"

It took a second for the third voice to pierce the fog of their activities, but when it did, they both bolted upright quickly, gasping in shock.

The brunette who had issued the statement stood with her hand over her mouth, not quite believing what she was seeing. But it was the understanding and relieved look on her companions face that upset them the most.

Kimberly sat upright, hugging herself tightly as she finally released Ron. "Prince Joshua? Lady Rockwaller? How... what are you doing here?"

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Author's Notes - Kimberly and Ronald have been joined by Joshua and Bonnie, and now those released emotions are put on hold as they make the final stretch back to the palace. But are they in time to stop Lipsky and save the kingdom? And just how did Joshua and Bonnie get there?