A/N: Okay, first off, I apologize for the amazingly long wait on this chapter. I accidentally made my muse mad and it took me a while to patch things up.
JonathonWolf is also writing a fic of Ron/Bon goodness, and if you haven't read it I suggest it. It's called Bonnie's Big Date, the ID number is 2533520 if you wanna look it up that way.
About the story A/N's: Mr. Rockwaller is an OC, I'm thinking big, intimidating, ex-military, while still being a basically good well rounded type of a guy (Think Barkin, but a little smaller). Physical description (because when we see him it's in Bonnie's POV and her describing him would be... odd I think) is roughly 6'1", 250-260 lbs of solidness, definite army haircut the same color as Bonnie's, eyes are brown, clean cut with a noticeable jawline but not the typical square hero jawline, he's not as barrel chested as Barkin, but looks like he's hold his own.
"...believe it?"
"That... ...slu-... ...going to get..."
What's going on?... what's all that noise?... I tried to open my eyes but the light on the ceiling caused me to squint to the point I couldn't see anything anyways, so I closed them again. A smile crossed my face, mmm... I love that smell... vanilla... I wonder why I smell vanilla?... and it's so strong... like it's right in front of me... I felt something stir on my chest, Rufus must have been REALLY cold if he crawled under the blankets with me, then whatever it was that was on my chest moved again, and I realized that it was much larger than the little pink guy. Okay, think... what would be laying on my chest, smell like vanilla, and be bigger than Rufus, I moved my hand to my chest to see if I could identify what was holding me in place.
Have you ever had an epiphany?... a sudden revelation that shook your entire being for a short period of time... My fingers felt fur, Rufus is called a naked mole rat for a reason, but this was longer, more like hair, soft hair that I'm going to run my fingers through, hair that I found to be about the same length as Bonnie's. Yeah, that's when it hit me... this is Bonnie's hair... and that means that either Bonnie is using me as a pillow, or I don't want to wake up... Then the noise started again.
"Hey, are you going to ignore us!"
"Yes." I could feel the little vibrations when that voice spoke.
"I'm going to get Mom!" Panic?... where's the panic?... I really should be gone in a screaming flurry by now... but I don't feel like running... odd, but right now, I'm the most relaxed I think I've ever been...
I heard four stomping feet fade away, "We should get up." That was a voice I knew, it was the one that sent those warm fuzzy feelings through me.
"We're in deep, aren't we?" I knew the answer, but I felt it needed to be said.
"Deep would have been if they woke us up at midnight and sent you home then."
"Yeah." this is gonna suck so much... as in Drakken finally making something that works for once, kind of suck, "But, I can't complain about waking up like this too much."
"What do you mean?"
"Notice, I'm still laying here. Normal me, I would have been up and running out the door at the first loud noise, some call it being a coward, I call it good self preservation. But, right now I'm the most relaxed I've been since you gave me those back massages after..." she knew what I was talking about, and I didn't want to relive any memories that I didn't have to.
"Now that you mention it, if you take away the yelling, I can't think of a better way to wake up." I felt her arms pull her closer, and using my arm that wasn't running through her hair I helped her find a comfortable position.
"My mom isn't going to like this when she finds out."
"I thought she never complained about stuff like this before?" I could hear the hurt and bite in her voice, they didn't hit it off so good, especially after their awkward meeting. I can just hear her now, complaining that if I'm too embarrassed to let Bonnie meet her, then I shouldn't be seeing her.
"That was either with KP after a mission, or when I was stranded here during that blizzard. Even then I could tell she wasn't happy. But because it was Kim, she didn't complain too much because we were just friends. And when I couldn't make it home a couple weeks ago, she thought we hated each other, and still asked if I was going to behave. Imagine what she's going to do now that we're dating." I don't want to think about it... the idea of no Bueno Nacho for a week scares me...
Neither one of us moved though, we were content to stay there the rest of the day. Until I realized we were still on her couch, where certain people could come back and start yelling again, "Um, I just got to thinking. Aren't your sisters gonna have a fit if we lay here all day?"
I felt her tense up when I mentioned them, "It's not them I'm worried about."
Now, I may have been in my best state of vegetation I can remember, but the tone in her voice scared me, "What are you talking about?"
"My dad's kind of... overprotective." My eyes shot open at this, crap, crap, and more crap... then double it... and add some monkey crap to it, just to make things interesting... While I've never met the man personally, I knew a few things, like the fact that he used to serve in the military with a certain large teacher of mine, and the idea of what an ex-military man was capable of doing to me scared me.
"Black hole overprotective, or yell and scream overprotective?" I felt her turn her head to look at me, and I could see she didn't have a clue what I was talking about, "Nevermind. I don't want to make your life miserable, and I'm not thinking it's the best idea for me to have a bad first impression on him, though I'm betting that I'm too late for that one." good bye cruel cruel world... it's been nice knowing you...
Bonnie's POV
"He's going to be mad, I won't try and say he's going to be happy. But I hope that since nothing happened and it was an accident..." Okay, I got this under control... just bat my big blues and he's putty in my hands... I hope. I too a deep breath and silently prayed Ron was up for the next thing I had to ask, "Why don't you go use the spare bathroom and clean up then meet me down here when you get done?"
"Uh, Bon-Bon, I'm not sure that's a good idea. Don't you think it'd be better if I just went home? I mean, aren't you in enough trouble without me sticking around to make it worse?" I thought he was trying to get out of here as fast as he could when he started off, but the concern and comfort I could hear him pouring into every word helped me realize he was more worried about me getting into trouble than he was about his own safety.
"The way I see it, if you stay here and help me explain what really happened, he won't get any ideas and try to hunt you down. And it won't look like you're trying to hide something by not facing him, maybe he'll see that we didn't mean to do this and take some mercy on us." we're dead as last yesterday's leftovers...
Ron still wasn't as sure about my idea as I was trying to sound I was, "Mercy? As in we get to choose how we die, mercy?" I knew he was overreacting, but I also had a feeling he wasn't too far off, "But, if you think it'll be better for you, I'll stay. I'm just going to clean up a little though, I'm not gonna take a shower and all that. I'll wait till I get home and can change." The realization that he was still in his good clothes made me laugh inside, wait, if he's in his... that means I'm in mine... crap, it's gonna take forever to get these wrinkles out... and I just had it dry cleaned...
Neither one of us really felt like moving still, "Are you going to go clean up Ronnie?"
"I would, but I have this beautiful woman using me as a pillow and I don't want to disturb her." okay... that was cheesy... but so very much Ron...
"Should I be jealous?" what can I say?... I like cheesy...
"Very." Finally, a mix of knowledge that we needed to get up and a call from Mother Nature I crawled out from under the blanket and helped him to his feet, "You're kinda cute with bed head." The look I shot him sent him to the spare bathroom without another word, I hate mornings... and I look like crap... bed head is so NOT cute...
I pulled a 100 yard dash getting ready, because I wanted to talk to Dad before he got his hands around Ron's neck. As I stepped into the kitchen I decided that it was definitely a good thing I beat Ron down, but was wishing he was there with me, at least Dad isn't cleaning a gun this time, "I can't believe you'd do something like this!" Woah... you're going to yell without asking questions?... not on my clock... I don't care if you are my dad... not gonna happen...
"You don't even know what happened, or in thi-"
He interrupted me, "Your sisters told me what you did. I don't need to hear it again." I could hear something in his voice besides the obvious anger, but I couldn't place it, "Under my roof... On our couch... how could you?... when I get my hands on that little punk I'm going to ri-"
It was my turn to interrupt, "Shut up!" That was the first time, and more than likely the only time I have ever told my dad to shut up, and probably the only time I would ever get away with it, "First off, nothing happened, at least not like you think." He tried to speak but I kept going, "Two, don't get me started on what those two have done in the house, in YOUR bed." The shock on his face was well worth exposing the one piece of blackmail I had on those two, "Three, yes what happened shouldn't have happened, but it did."
"I thought nothing happened?" his voice was accusative to the max, and it rubbed me wrong.
But I knew that if this was going to have any semblance of being civil, I had to shake it off, so grinding my teeth I continued, "Something did happen, just not what you think. We were watching a movie and we both fell asleep, fully clothed, on the couch, then were woke up by those two yelling. If that is a crime, then lock me up because I'm guilty as charged." There was a long silence, where he sat there and I stood having an unofficial staredown. We were both trying to figure out what was going on behind the other's stone face, and neither making any headway. I heard the light approach of a slightly off beat gait, "Ron, you can come in here. You don't have to be afraid of my dad."
A low grumble came, "He should be, he slept with my daughter on my couch."
That was the last straw before I snapped, "SLEPT! Did you hear what you just said? S-L-E-P-T, slept! We did sleep on your couch, we did not do anything other than sleep!"
I was taking a breath to keep going when I felt a light pressure on my shoulder and a very scared voice started to speak, "Bon-Bon, he has a point, we did sleep together," Suddenly one of his panic induced ramblings stuck him, "And by sleep I do mean it the unconscious way, Mr. Rockwaller. Not that I would have complained if I meant the other kind of sleep, because have you seen wha..." smooth... that's going to make him in a so much better mood, Ron paused and took a second to collect himself again, "As I was saying, even though nothing happened it's just our word to go on, and if I was in your shoes, I'd be saying we're crazy if we expected me to believe what we said. That made so much more sense in my head." what?... now you're going to just lay down and take it... how can you do that?... I thought we talked about taking crap you don't deserve...
"Son, are you going to stand there and tell me that even though you say nothing happened you will take whatever I dish out?" all things that are holy... I know what that man can dish out... and Ron doesn't want any of it...
By this time, Ron had made his way to stand beside me and had his arm on my shoulder, and was standing a half step closer to my dad than I was, it was almost like he was protecting me... from my dad?... it didn't make sense... he's the one in danger here. He looked down at me and could see me silently telling him that he'd better say no. Never breaking eye contact with me he said, "I don't see that I have any other choice," wrong answer... you were supposed to agree with me... nothing happened so he shouldn't do anything, Ron then turned to face the solid man drinking coffee, "I had the option of waking her up when she first fell asleep and leaving then, but I didn't because she looked so peaceful laying there in my arms. Or I should have left when I first realized I was a little tired, but I thought I could make it through the movie so I could hold her just a little while longer. Then I made my biggest mistake, I laid my head back for a minute to rest, I wasn't going to go to sleep, I just wanted to give my eyes a break, but I did go to sleep. And to be honest I think I got one of the best nights sleep last night, and waking up with her right there... I can't explain it, it was just... amazing comes close to explaining it, but... Man, I hate trying to 'splain things" I know what you mean... It was more than amazing, "But all that said, it doesn't really matter much does it? I can't prove a word of it, for all you know I'm standing here feeding you a line of pure and unaltered BS, so I guess I have to take whatever you have in mind." If Dad hadn't been sitting right there, and I was tempted with him there, and we weren't standing there for the reasons we were I would have given Ron the biggest kiss on the record books, the way he spoke about watching me sleep in his arms and how he felt this morning made me want to melt, note to self... repay him later...
Another sip of coffee later, "What would you say if I said you couldn't see my daughter anymore?"
My calm manner that I'd built up while Ron was speaking shattered like a window in a Jacki Chan movie, "Dad!"
"No, it's alright Bonnie." What do you mean it's alright?... he just said you couldn't see me anymore, "If you said that, I'd have to kindly ignore you." not the words I would have used, I saw his death grip on the coffee mug tighten, "But, you would never see me around here again. Which, I might point out, is a bad thing if I were in your shoes. Think about it this way, here you can personally keep an eye on us, elsewhere we won't necessarily have a chaperon to keep us out of trouble." in three... two... one... his panic hit again, "Not that we would be getting into trouble, because we wouldn't do that, the most we hav..." I gave him a light squeeze around the waist to stop him from making things worse, and you were doing so good, "Okay, I'm going to shut up now."
I swear he took those next three drinks in slow motion, just trying to draw things out and make me more nervous than I already was, okay working... you can start yelling now, "You were both wrong in allowing what happened to happen. But, if the military taught me anything, it's that the people willing to take a beating usually don't need it. It's those that fight tooth and nail to get out of it that need it the most." I swore that he had a bottomless mug, because after a couple more of those way to slow drinks he continued, "Bonnie is an exception, she'll fight tooth and nail either way. The fact that you stuck around to face me, and the way you handled yourself, I'm going to stand on a limb and say that nothing inappropriate happened last night." it took you this long to figure that out?... I'm going to shove that coffee cup down your throat if you don't quit, "But because you did do something that was wrong; Bonnie, you're curfew is now 7:30 during the week and 9 on weekends. And it's going to stay that way until I say otherwise. And no one is allowed to be here after 8 and 9:30, respectively." I knew we were getting off easier than we could have so I didn't argue, all thanks to my smooth talking boyfriend...
"Yes, Daddy." pull the "Daddy" card... it always helps smooth things over... maybe he'll cut the curfew restrictions short...
"And I'm going to call your parents and tell them that last night has been dealt with, and hope they will see reason."
Okay, I know my dad pretty good, I have known him all my life, but I had no idea what he was thinking right then, and neither did Ron, "Sir, what do you mean 'see reason'?"
"Let's just say, a friend of mine at the American Legion told me you were a good kid. And this guys a good judge of character, so I trust him. So I'll call your folks and tell them that, while it is up to them, I think the punishment I have placed on Bonnie will be more than enough to punish you as well. But, remember, it is up to them in the end." My jaw hit the ground and started to bounce like a quarter super ball, "What? You think I don't check up on all your boyfriends?" you are so going to die a slow painful death, "Don't worry, from what I hear, you got a good one this time. Definitely better than that brute you were dating, what was his name? Rocky?..." Dad just said I have a good one?... that is most definitely a good sign...
"Brick?" his eyes lit with recognition, "Let's just say brute was a complement."
Kim's POV
Will someone remind me why I'm picking her up... wouldn't this be Ron's 'honor' to pick her up?... I pulled into the parking lot of the hotel, "Let's hope she's ready. I really don't wanna have to wait out here all day, and my stomach is making noises similar to Rufus'." I couldn't help but laugh at the comment coming from the man in the passenger seat, Ron had entrusted him with the care of Rufus for the night because of his date with Bonnie and Yori, oh yeah... that's why I'm picking her up... she crashed his date... and he wanted to have the morning alone with Kitten... I'm gonna have to thank Shego for that... then again, maybe not...
I threw the lever up, and looked down to find the buckle so I could go get our young friend. I swear they make these things harder and harder to get to and get off, but I finally found the little button and was opening my door to get out. My heart skipped a beat, not only was Yori ready, but she was also standing right outside my door, "Where is Ron-san?" what?... no 'hello'?... no nothing?... come on you scare me half to death, it's the least you can do...
"I'm sure he is spending the morning with Bonnie. They probably felt they needed some time alone after their plans got changed for them yesterday." I'm pretty sure she caught onto the sarcasm that was dripping from the statement.
"I feel bad for having poor timing." meaning, you wish you wouldn't have rained on Bonnie's Ronshine?... or you wish you were here about 3 weeks ago?...
"No problems, Yori. I'll bet he was at her house at the crack of dawn to make it up to her. He's head over heals for her, and I'll bet he'd give up his ritual 2 extra hours of sleep and Saturday morning cartoons for her." I could tell she wasn't overly pleased by Felix's revelation, and I could understand. I was there myself not a week ago, but thanks to a few friends I am coming to the realization we were lucky Bonnie quit being... well, Bonnie-ish.
"We'll see him at Beuno Nacho, no?"
"Are you kidding? That is one thing Ron would go through time and fight mutants to save." why does that sound familiar?...
"No kidding. I'm not sure whether he likes Bonnie or Nacos more."
"Felix!" I gave him a slap on the shoulder.
"Sure, beat up on the crippled kid." the words were forming in my mouth to apologize, but he started laughing, "Gotcha. Man, Ron was right, I should have done that a long time ago. Your face was priceless."
I wasn't sure whether to me mad that he just got me, big, or laugh because it was funny. I went for neither and changed the subject, "So, why did you cross the big lake?"
"I came to see if Stoppable-san and yourself were in good health. And to check on your status with Global Justice." The way she said it came out robotic, almost rehearsed.
"Are you sure it didn't have anything to do with finding out Ron's status?" I saw the way she lit up yesterday when she found out Ron and I weren't together, then watched her deflate when Bonnie spoke up.
She didn't answer immediately, confirming my theory, when she finally spoke I was almost surprised, almost because I've heard it so much in the last couple weeks that I've got used to it, "I was curious. You are a very observant person, so I will assume you know that I have feelings for him." I nodded at her in the back seat through the mirror to continue, "When you said you had plans and Ron confirmed you were not together I was shocked, but pleased. I was surprised the two of you had not discovered your hidden feelings for each other, but because you were not together I had hoped that I would get the opportunity to share my feelings for him and that maybe he would return them."
"Wait. Are you saying, you came clear across the ocean just to see if Ron was single, and if he was you were going to ask him out?" are guys really that dense when it comes to the way girls think?, "Why didn't you just call or write an e-mail? It would have been cheaper, and you could have saved yourself a lot of the hurt of rejection."
"It was to impersonal. And I had hoped that my making the effort to come would help in his decision." the things we do for guys... and they don't even notice... makes you wonder why we even try...
We pulled into the parking lot of Bueno Nacho, and I helped Felix out of the passenger seat and into his chair. He smiled and placed his hand on mine briefly, "Thanks."
Monique waved us over to the big table in the corner, "Over here you three." We were barely settled in when she started up on her twenty questions routine, "So how are you doing Yori? What brings you across the ocean to see little ol' us? How was your night, I heard you went to Alfred's for dinner?"
"Easy, Monique. You need to remember to breathe once in a while."
"This coming from the girl that forgets how to speak when Ron comes around."
"That's not fair. I think I figured that all out anyways."
Then our guest got curious, "I thought you didn't like him like that?" oh the joys of being near Monique... they're endless...
"Oh, you didn't know?" I gave her a look that said shut up, but she never listens, "Yeah, Kim here finally figured it all out about two weeks ago, but around the same time Ron caught the attention of one Bonnie Rockwaller. Long drama later, Ron and Kim are still best friends, even though Kim kinda likes Ron, and Ron admittedly isn't a hundred percent sure how he feels about Kim and is dating Bonnie."
If it wouldn't have been because of what Monique just said, the shock on Yori's face would have been funny, "So, I was not inaccurate in thinking there was a bond between the two of you?"
I looked down at the designs on the table, "No. Apparently, he has had feelings for me for some time, but because he was afraid of ruining our friendship he never said anything. And everyone keeps telling me that I've liked him for a while, but wouldn't admit it to myself because of the stupid food-chain. By the time I figured out that there might be something between us, it was too late."
"I think I understand your situation." I wanted to yell at her that she had no idea what I went through, but I also knew that she was going through something similar right now.
"It's okay, I think things might have worked out for the best. I still have my best friend, and partner, who has always been there for me, and says he will always be there for me. And, Ron has a girlfriend that isn't after him for a new haircut or his bank account."
"Aww, my little girl is growing up." I tried to get mad at Monique for that, but couldn't help myself from joining in the laughter.
"Hey guys, what's so funny?" I looked over my shoulder to see Ron and his new appendage walking up.
Monique filled in, "Nothing, we're just making fun of Kim."
"Well, if that's the case don't let me stop you."
"Gee, thanks Ron. What a great friend you are."
"I do what I can, KP." He pulled a chair out for Bonnie, "So, have you ordered?" The looks on everyone's face answered his question for him, "I'll be right back."
Sure enough, he came back shortly with a couple trays of food. Felix asked, "What do we owe you, man?"
"Nothing, it's my treat." The entire place got silent, Ron just bought six people food at Beuno Nacho?, "They wouldn't let me pay last night, so I have a little cash on me."
"I'm not gonna complain, because you never look a gift horse in the mouth, but what did you get us?"
"Let's see, for you Monique, I got 3 soft shell tacos..." he began to list off the things he had bought as he handed them out, all of which are what we normally get... he pays attention more than I give him credit for, "...and don't let me forget, Rufus, you get your own Nacho platter with extra cheese for behaving for Felix."
Beep, Beep, Beep, Beep
Before the last tone finished Bonnie started in, "No, come on, not today. Please?" Oh no, she's gonna use her "I'm so hurt that you're leaving me" face... must interfere...
"Do you really think either of us really like it when our plans get interrupted? But we did kinda sign up for this, and unless you want to come to school tomorrow in a kilt while having to avoid the monkeys swinging off a whack death ray we really need to get going." okay, so that was over kill... but it got the point across... just look at her face...
"Oh." sheer terror drenched that little sound, "Ronnie, she's just joking with me, right?"
"Well, that would be what I would call a WCS, but it is possible."
"WCS?" I held in a laugh, Yori may be fluent in English, but acronyms are still a few levels above her.
"I think what he's talking about, girl, is a Worst Case Scenario. Am I right or am I right?"
No one answered her because, as queen of abbreviations, Monique was obviously right, "KP, I'll meet you at your place, I'm gonna go get changed."
He didn't have to tell me twice, and I was headed out the door reaching for my Kimmunicator as it chimed again.
Beep, Beep, Beep, Beep
"Hey Wade, what's the stitch?"
Bonnie's POV
I was thinking a lot of things that don't even qualify for Daddy's book of words for plumbing, why do they have to ruin a perfectly fine day?... why can't they do things like this on... ...well why can't they just quit doing things like this?... "Aren't you coming?" he voice made me realize he was wanting me to walk home with him.
"Yeah girlfriend, you better make sure he finds himself a belt so he ain't loosin' his britches for Kim." I turned as soon as I got up to rip her apart, how dare she even suggest that he, no they, would do something like that, "Chill, but now that I have your undivided attention, meet me in an hour at the mall. Girl you need some stress relief in the form of a banana, Club Banana that is. Nothin makes a girl feel better about herself than a new swim suit, or a nice silk teddy, or even better a nice set of sexy ling..."
"I GET THE IDEA, Monique." as much as she's right, I really didn't want to get Ron distracted before a mission. I do want him to come home in one piece, "Let's go Ron."
I pulled his half glazed stupor out into the chill, which was enough to bring him around, "Hey are you cold? Here you can have my coat." He was already taking it off before I had a chance to respond.
"I don't want your coat." he stopped with one arm still in it's hole, "I want to share." I pulled it back over his shoulder and let his arms find their way around me as we walked the rest of the way to his place in silence.
"I'm so sorry, I wish I didn't have to take off like this." there he goes with apologizing for something he has no control over...
"Well, as much fun as wearing a kilt sounds like, I plan on wearing something... more comfortable tomorrow."
I regretted the words as soon as they were out of my mouth, "You mean... Monique wasn't... silk?"
"Ron, focus, you have to make it through whatever mission you have today before tomorrow even gets here."
He straightened up and very matter-of-factually stated, "I wouldn't miss that for the world."
"I'll make you a deal, you make it back in one piece and tomorrow we'll go sit in my hot tub and work out any sore muscles you get."
"Have I told you what an amazing girlfriend you are lately?"
"Not in a couple hours or so."
"Then I'm slacking, you're amazing and beautiful and I don't deserve you. But I'm glad I have you fooled into thinking I do."
"Normally I'd yell at you to quit putting yourself down, but that was sweet." sweet enough to get a small peck at least...
"As much as I'd love to stand here and keep this conversation going, I really better get changed." He darted upstairs to get ready. Not 3 minutes later he came plodding back down, "We got a couple more minutes, the ride got to Kim faster than expected, so she's on her way here instead of me running over there." I guess I'd better count my blessings... a few minutes is a few minutes...
As he sat down next to me on the couch I asked, "So, did she mention which loon forgot to pad their walls?"
"I thought I was the one that supposed to make the corny jokes."
"I guess I've had to much exposure to Ronshine, the side effects being corny jokes, randomly disappearing boyfriends, and staying warm." To make my last point, I snuggled up against him, "And you still haven't answered my question, did she say who it was this time?"
"Well, kinda. This time it really isn't a 'save the world' type of mission, it's more of a 'evacuate a little village before a dam breaks' type of mission."
"I thought there were agencies designed to handle that type of stuff?" I really did, and if they did exist I wanted them to go do the dirty work, a breaking dam can NOT be good for Ron's health.
"Typically, yeah. But most are busy with other humanitarian projects and can't spare the manpower, or they don't have the resources available to them that we do."
"Basically you can get there faster than anybody that is available, right?" I was in full pout mode, I wasn't trying to change his mind, because I know he needs to go, but I was pissed that no one else is capable of doing what he was planning on doing right then.
"The long answer is yes." I was trying to hide my disappointment and fear, but Ron can read me like an open book, "Hey, does it really bother you?"
"Which part? The fact that you're getting ready to risk your life for people you don't even know, or how I won't know whether you made it out alive until tomorrow, or are you talking about..."
"Maybe I can sit this one out. I mean it's just a evacuation mission, we've done this type of thing before and I'm sure Kim can handle it herself."
"NO!" I felt him jump when I yelled, easy Bonnie, I started again, "No, don't do that. Kim needs you out there more than I want you here. I'm just scared, you weaseled your way under my solid emotional wall and now I kinda like you around. If you went away..."
"Shh, how about this, I set a day that the only way I disappear is if the entire world is in danger. If it's just an evacuation mission Kim can handle it, and if it's only Canada Drakken's trying to take over... well, let him have it, I never like the Canucks anyways." His off center humor was just enough to break a smile out of me. "See, there it is, I knew it was possible, you can smile."
"Okay Mr. 'I can make Bonnie smile', you win. But I think I hear a helicopter outside and I want you there and out as fast as possible."
He stood and helped me up, "Yes mother."
As he locked the door behind us I asked, "Doesn't mommy get a kiss goodbye?"
Leaning down he said, "I don't kiss my mom like this." then proceeded to warm me up down to the tips of my toes.
Breaking it off far sooner than I wanted he started trotting towards the wirly-bird. I muttered under my breath, "I sure hope not."
A few hours later I stepped into my domain, the Middleton Mall. This place is, or rather was until Ron, my safe haven from my sisters. Now I try to ignore them, which I think is one of the best forms of torture I have ever seen with them, "Hey, Bonnie, girlfriend, over here." I followed the sounds and found my target, "Hello, Earth to Bonnie, you are getting ready to shop I wanna see that game face."
"Monique, has anybody told you that you take the whole shopping experience to a whole new level?" I'm serious... she might want to see a counselor or something... she's worse than me...
"Girl, don't even be trying to rain on my parade. I have so many ideas for how you're gonna knock Ron's sock off."
I think I must have been thinking out loud, either that or Monique can read minds because she heard me when I said, "That's not all I'd like to knock off."
I wonder if she even knows the meaning of inconspicuous?, "Did you just say what I think you just said? You got it bad if you wanna mruph" She didn't get the chance to finish her sentence because of a hand magically appearing over her mouth.
"If you value the ability to use your limbs I'd stop speaking, now."
I slowly removed my hand, and heard a side of her I didn't know existed, a quiet side, "Sorry B, I was just getting excited for my man, Ron." excuse me!
"What do you mean 'my man'? Last time I checked he was mine."
"Chill, I didn't mean it like that. It's just someone has to keep an eye out for him, besides Kim. And I've kinda grown to like the guy, not the same way you do, more like a little puppy. He's loyal to a fault, but still learning the lay of the land and needs a push once in a while. To see him actually doing something for himself, well it kinda makes me excited for him."
Before I lost it completely I turned towards Club Banana, "Let's get this shopping spree started." That was rather funny... my Ronnie compared to a puppy... a very cute and oh so cuddly puppy...
"Hey can we stop in here first?" She stopped outside the one store in the mall I never entered without disguise or with other people, Odd 'n Ends. Imagine every sci-fi fan's wet dream of a store, mix it with fantasy, cards, random Japanese trinkets, and a few replicas from different genre's and you have this place.
"Why do you want to go in?" I've been in there... that place is pretty cool... in an uncool kind of way... what would Monique want in there... and how many times has she been in before?...
"I heard they had a new Legolas poster, and Orlando Bloom is THTH."
"You're a Rings fan?" she nodded like it was no big deal, well I guess if I'm gonna turn over a new leaf I might as well start here, "Do you know if they have the new Aragorn poster in? Or the new Episode III one, because Hayden Christensen is tasty." If for no other reason than to see Monique's face, that was so worth it.
"I knew you were a fan girl. So I'm going to assume that you've been in here before?"
"Under guise, but yes."
She got this evil grin that made me wonder what was going through her head, "Then you might have seen what I want to show you." Not giving me time to ask what that thing might be, she grabbed my arm and drug me inside.
The guy behind the counter looked up from his comics, "Hey Monique," and dropped his head to keep reading but popped right back up, "And Bonnie? What are you doing here, you know, during daylight hours when there might be people that can see you?"
"Hey Brian. I'm trying to get over some old habits." he looked worried when I said that, "No I don't mean getting over this place, I mean getting over hiding the fact I like this place. I mean where else can I find my detailed replica of a Jedi knight's cloak?"
"Wait? You know Brian? Brian recognizes you? Brian only takes the time to remember people's names that are here on a regular basis and spend a decent amount of money."
Brian decided I needed a little help with my confessional hour, "Yeah, Bonnie drops by at least once a month, but tries to stop by every week right after the newest shipment arrives. She doesn't want to miss anything or let someone else get their hands on it before she does. Besides, there are only two people that have ever used a platinum card in this store, and my day just got brighter when they both walked through that door together."
"Thanks Brian, I might have to take you up on that duel in Everlot sometime for that information."
"Are you kidding? You'd beat me faster than the Tunnel King could get there to save me from the injustice."
With a laugh she continued to pull me to the back of the store, and as was so kindly pointed out, I know what's where in this store. My pulse quickened at the knowledge of what was back here, "Monique? What exactly is it you wanted to show me?"
"Something that you're probably going to hit me for, but it's so worth it."
I stopped, I knew what she was going to show me, "Hey look at the cool necklaces they have here." While it was originally a ploy to delay what I feared to be the inevitable they did catch my eye.
"Let's see, the Rebel Emblem, the mark from every generation of Star Trek, including the mirror universe Empire one, a few superhero symbols, and a few mystical animal emblems."
"Ooh, isn't that cute?" I pointed to one that caught my eye, it wasn't anything special really. Actually it was rather plain by my typical standards, but I liked it. It was a simple black leather necklace with a small carved monkey pendant that looked like it was made out of marble or something,
"Actually, in an odd kind of way, yeah it is. Too bad your man has a thing for monkeys."
"Might have to help him with that."
She actually laughed at me, "Good luck with that one. I've seen that kid freak out at the zoo because we walked past the chimpanzee cages. He likes monkeys about as much as Kim likes wrestling, maybe less."
"Maybe some 'immersion therapy' will help." I grabbed the necklace off the hook.
"Whatever you say girl, but your still not off the hook." And with that she started to pull me again towards the back of the store.
"No, I'm not going back there, no way, no how."
Surprisingly she let go of my arm, "Okay, then I go get it and bring it up here where Brian can see it, and anybody that happens to be walking by can see, and..."
"Fine, I'm coming." There was no way I could let her bring that up front to me... I still have a little bit of image I want to retain...
Stepping behind the rack of Jedi cloaks I saw what I knew she was going for, "This'll knock his socks off, and anything else you want knocked off too." She pointed to the case that held the Clone trooper suit and helmet, but not at that. No she was pointing to the joke Lucas put in Return of the Jedi, the gold bikini.
"No, and that's final."
"Pwease." I wasn't looking at her when she said it, and turned to ask her what the baby talk was for when I faced what I can only describe as the most convincing face I have ever seen. Her bottom jaw was ever so slightly pushed forward, her bottom lip was fully in "pout mode", mix that with her head being tilted slightly down and her big brown eyes looking up at me... It looked like a lost puppy, not the sick wet kind that you step around to avoid getting to close to in fear of catching something, no this was that look of "I get what I want... Now" look.
I'm not sure how long it took me, or how I was able to break free of that powerful stare, but I finally managed to avert my eyes enough to speak, "No, no, no. I am not buying the gold bikini."
"Wow."
I wasn't sure what she was in awe about, but I sure as heck wasn't going to look at her again to find out, "Wow, what?"
"You are the first person I have ever met that can resist the PDP."
"PDP?"
"Puppy Dog Pout, arguably the single most powerful, non-physical, weapon of persuasion in a woman's arsenal."
"I know why it's called the Puppy Dog Pout, you looked like a lost puppy and it took every bit of strength I had to say no... So how do you do that again?"
"Wait? You mean you don't know how to use The Pout, and have never used it on Ron?"
"No? Why?"
"Girl, I don't know how you keep him on such a short leash without this. But, be warned, only use this in case of emergency. You don't want him to become immune to it's power, and another thing you have to remember is..."
Ron's POV
Wow, I'm exhausted... that was a whole lot harder than I remember last time being... why wouldn't those kids just listen to Kim?... but, nooo they only listened to "Wonnie"... don't get me wrong, I love kids, but they made me run more than I really needed to...
"Thanks Ron." I looked down at my best friend using my lap as a pillow and looking about as tired as I felt, "I don't know if I could have got those kids out of there if you weren't there." As much as I knew she was right, and as good as I felt about helping those folks out, I couldn't help but feel a little let down that I couldn't spend the rest of the day with Bonnie rather than racing the clock. "You wish you could have stayed don't you?" I just nodded, she knew what I was thinking, she always knows what I'm thinking, "It's not easy to bail when you get the call, and it doesn't get any easier."
Laying my head back and closing my eyes I asked, "Trying to make a point?"
"Not trying to convince you that going out with Bonnie is a bad thing if that's what you think. No, I'm just saying that no matter how many times it happens or how many times you apologize and they forgive you, it doesn't get any easier."
"Gee, thanks for something to look forward to."
"I just don't want to see you like this after every mission, it may not get easier, but how you deal with it can get better."
I looked back down at her, "Good night Kim. I set the Kimmunicator to go off when we get close to home."
Her eyelids sagged, "Good night, Ron." her breathing was steady and I knew she was on her way to another world.
Man, she's pretty... I won't try and lie to myself and everyone else... I think my best friend is beautiful... and not just physically, she's a beautiful person... look at today... she allowed herself to be drug halfway across the world to save some random village that she didn't even know existed until Wade told us about it... but you know what I've discovered?... while KP is amazing in so many ways I don't think we could work like that... there'd be to much confusion and overlap of our personal and professional lives... I mean, if I screwed up on a mission, I'd be in the dog house for a week... and if I made her mad at home, one of us might get distracted and get hurt... I think things are working out for the best right now...
Then again, I could be a little bit biased... I have a totally badical girlfriend that loves me sitting back home... one that I hope to be able to tell all of my secrets someday soon... I just hope she doesn't freak out on me... being the "Chosen One" and the honored wielder of MMP and the Lotus Blade isn't something some people would take lightly... I just have to trust that her love is stronger than the weirdness factor that's gonna add... And, that's another thing... I've been doing some pretty awesome stuff lately, but I haven't felt the MMP flowing... It's like I'm doing it on my own... but that just doesn't make sense at all... maybe Sensei will know what's going on... I'll have to talk to him sometime... not right now though... now it's time for sleep... yep, definitely time for sleep...
I would have swore I caught the faintest hint of vanilla on the air as I drifted off, but brushed it off as my other senses getting to my dreams before I did.