Chapter Nine
It was Christmas day, and as per tradition, the Possible family had gathered to celebrate. Jos had flown home to spend Christmas with her dad, and she had already exchanged gifts with them all before she left. So it would be only the immediate family and Ron this year, and although it was a relatively meager one, there was no less joy when the presents were handed out. All the years they grew up together, Kim always gave Ron a Christmas present, and though he was Jewish, he always gave her one too. His family celebrated Channukah at temple and at home, but he always made time to be with Kim when her family opened their presents. This year she had thought long and hard about what to give him, more so than in the past. She was thrilled with the recent revelation of his new skills. He might not be 'all that', in her mind, but there was no question of the new found respect Kim had for her boyfriend now. Because of that, she really wanted this Christmas to be special. It was just that it was also such bad timing it had to be when she was forced to stay on a tighter budget. One thing she knew she wasn't going to do was ask her parents to help. She had to earn more money, and even though she was now involved in much more important missions than she was as a freshman, she substantially increased the number of baby-sitting jobs in order to make the extra cash she needed.
Remarkably, she found the perfect gift, but still didn't have enough money. But it didn't matter. She had to have it for him. Going through her closet, she pulled out two of the best winter coats she had and took them down to a used clothes store. Despite being more than a week old and out of fashion, at least for a teenager like her, she still got a good price, and with that she had the funds she needed. She kept it hidden beneath her bed until Christmas Day, and when they gathered around the tree after Christmas dinner to begin giving out presents, she was ready and eager. When it came to start, Ron hesitated, not wanting to give his 'present' to her first, so Kim did. She went up to her room and came back down with it, smiling beatifically as she presented him a small, but beautifully wrapped box. He took it from her gently, reverently handling it, seeing how she had taken special pains to wrap it. Carefully, he opened it and found a small jewelry case in it, like the ones used to give rings, and his breath caught for a moment as he lifted up the lid.
Inside was a miniature, but exquisite Star of David inset with little diamonds. He held it up and admired it in the light of the den, her parents smiling and commenting on how beautiful it was as he showed it to them.
Her face shining with joy at his reaction, she said, "I know you've been spending more time at the synagogue, and I think your maturity has really shown on you. I wanted to get you something that really was meaningful, something really personal from me to you."
It was true. He had been more active at the synagogue, often involving himself in deep discussions with Rabbi Katz about a lot of subjects he had never thought would interest him before last year, even learning Talmud with him. The rabbi was very pleased with his new interest in his heritage. Looking at the star, he was awed. He knew this was not an inexpensive purchase.
"Oh, Kim, you shouldn't have,", he said softly with concern, "Not with the money thing and all."
'It's okay, Ron,", she said, smiling, "I was able to pull it off, and I had to do this. It wasn't right any other way."
She could see the great pleasure in his face as he looked at her and then back at the Star. He put the box down and placed the gift over his head and around his neck.
"Thank you, Kim. This is the best Christmas gift you've ever given me.", and he hugged her tenderly, which she returned in kind.
He looked down at the star on his chest again, then turned his eyes back up at her and said, "You know, I really thought hard about what to give you. I know your family has had a tough time these last six months with your dad being out of work and all. I really wanted to give you something truly special this year. And I figured out that the way to do that was not to give you something special, but to give someone else something special, which in turn will be a really special gift for you."
Kim frowned slightly through her smile, a puzzled look coming over her.
She said, "Ron, you're not making sense."
"Bear with me, K.P. I think you'll like this."
"Well, okay.", she said, then added slyly, "As long as it isn't Bueno Nacho bonus bucks again."
He rolled his eyes, "You're never going to let me forget that, are you?"
"Not a chance, BF!", she said with a chuckle, "So, who is this person other than me you want to give something?"
"Your dad."
She smiled appreciatively, but Ron could see she still had no idea what he doing.
"Well, that's great.", she said, "I don't mind at all. But how does giving my dad something special mean giving me something special more than just giving it to me?"
"Well.", he started.
"I know you already sort of gave me something at Killigan's.", she said, smiling even wider.
Kim's parents began looking at the two of them strangely, wondering just what exactly did Ron give their little girl, far away in Scotland, without them around.
Picking up on their alarm, she went on, "Uh, you've already given me the greatest Christmas gift ever. That new method for taking out the bad guys? I mean I just love it and all, but, you know..."
Her parents relaxed. So did Kim and Ron.
She had talked too much and simply said, "Okay, whomever you want to give a present to is just great with me. But you don't have to give me anymore than you already have."
Ron replied, "Thanks, but believe me. This will work out. Now, I beg to differ. I hope this will be the best Christmas gift I give to you this year, maybe any year."
She stared at him silently, perplexed.
"Uh, even better than what you gave me at Killigan's?"
He smiled impishly and said, "Yep."
She thought, 'Oh my gosh, what has he done now?'
Dr. Possible piped up and said, "Well, that's very nice, Ron, But what is it you want to give me that's so special?"
"A job."
Kim's father looked at him with a blank stare.
"A job?"
Kim also looked at him suspiciously.
"A job? What kind of job?", she asked.
Smiling even wider, Ron replied cryptically, "Oh, just a job as a rocket scientist at a top notch research facility with a good salary and all the equipment and funds you need, where you can invent to your heart's content."
Raising one eyebrow, and still looking confused, she asked, "You're kidding, right?"
A little surprised at her hesitance, he looked at her innocently and said in all seriousness, "No, Kim. I'm not."
Her confusion changed to looking outright aghast. Ron backed up slightly, taken off guard by her reaction.
"Ron, this is so not funny!"
"I'm!... ...I'm not kidding, Kim!"
She became angry, saying, "Okay, answer me this! One, what job do you have that you can possibly give him? Two, exactly what would his job description be? Three, from what company? Four, with what money are you going to pay him? And Five, How?"
Stone faced, he blinked, his manner unfazed.
"One.", he replied calmly, "I myself. Yes, me, myself, and I, have a job to give him, actually one of many. Two, Chief Rocket Scientist for the new government agency of Super Secret Special Operations or something or other, which really needs a new name by the way. Three, not a company, but the US government under special funding from Bueno Nacho Incorporated."
"Bueno Nacho!", she cried out, exasperated, "Ron! What are you talking about? This doesn't make any sense!..."
"Let me finish, KP.", he interrupted, "Four, from the funds donated by Bueno Nacho Incorporated to set up this special government agency to fight crime and help people. And five, because as president and majority owner of Bueno Nacho, I ordered it done."
He stopped talking and everyone in the room froze and stared at him, including the tweebs. Kim's mother had a knowing smile but stayed silent. The quiet was deafening.
"You own Bueno Nacho?", she practically screeched at him.
"Yes, I do."
"This is your restaurant venture? How──?"
Her voice squeaked to silence, becoming almost catatonic.
"Well." he started pensively, "When we took Drakken down after the diablo thing, the company almost went bankrupt from the fallout. You know, the lawsuits, the clean-up, the fines, the scandals and all that. The company was in a real mess. My dad pointed out to me the company was in real trouble from an actuarial standpoint, and that someone needed to bail them out. So, you remember my naco royalties? They kept accumulating. But I learned my lesson and didn't touch the money. No, sirree! My dad handled all of that. So after I came back from Japan this last time, I asked Dad about my buying the company, and he thought it was a great idea. I took the money and bought the controlling interest in it. It was dirt cheap, too. Since then, I've been building it back up to the way it used to be. Hey! It makes a difference when you buy at twenty cents a share and it comes back to over sixty bucks!"
Kim gaped at him with more shock in her face than he had ever seen.
"But I thought you weren't getting much money from your royalties!"
"Uh, no, I told you I wasn't getting any of the money. My dad was handling it for me."
She was dumbfounded. Then her face fell, aggravation twisting her features.
"Ohhhhhh, nooo!", she moaned loudly, "You're really are rich again? Oh, Ron! You're not going to do that, are you? It was so annoying the last time, what with the peeps, the bling, the groupies, Bonnie!"
"Uh, not this time.", he answered very quietly, with confidence.
"Oh, really?" , she said, clearly in angry disbelief.
He looked her straight in the eye,"I'll prove it. Look at me. What do you see that's different?"
Kim stared hard at Ron for a minute, then scanned the room. She looked all around him, even checking his back, then stomped over to the front door and looked outside for some time before closing it and coming back and facing him down.
"No bling?"
"No bling."
"No peeps?"
"No peeps."
"No finger candy?"
"Not a stone anywhere."
"No cash in your pockets?"
"Not a dime.", and he turned his pockets out to prove it, dumping Rufus on the coffee table with a complaining squeak, muttering, "Hey!"
"No gold plated limousine outside waiting for you?"
"Absolutely so not there!"
"No transportation at all?"
"Uh, well, yeah. My dad let me buy a real motorcycle."
"Huh! No Bonnie?"
"Definitely! No Bonnie!"
She looked hard at him.
"You're serious? You've been so great lately! You haven't let this go to your head?"
Ron took a deep breath and sighed.
He replied to her in all seriousness, "Kim, the naco royalties have been coming in for more than a year. My dad was so mad after what I did with the first royalty check, he made me give it all to him, and he invested it for me. After the diablo mission, I couldn't let Bueno Nacho just go down the tubes like that. So I suggested we buy the company with the money I had, and he thought that was a good opportunity for me to learn the business. With the company devalued to less than one percent of it's original value, it was a steal. Everybody thought the company was a goner and unsalvageable, except my Dad. He's been really great showing me what to do with it. You know being an actuary's not too far from being an accountant, and in fact he had a minor in that in college."
For the second time in two months, Kim was stunned almost speechless, paralyzed as she tried to understand it all.
"And you're actually are interested in accounting?"
"Yeah. Strange, isn't it?"
"But I thought you didn't like financial planning?"
"How was I supposed to know I would like it before I actually tried it?"
Still staring and almost tongue tied, she asked him in a small and timid voice, "Okay. So, just how much money do you have?"
"Well.", he said, scratching his head, "Let's see. The naco continued to sell well even after the first royalty check came through, although it slowed down some. Also as you know, they could never make a go of it in Go City. Can't figure it."
"How much, Ron?"
"I still get a nickel for every naco sold."
"How much, Ron?"
"In actual worth or what I can liquidate?"
"Ron!"
"Uh. Let's just say, I can give the Señor Seniors a serious run for their money... ...so to speak."
Kim's eyes went wide.
"The far side of billionaire?", she said breathlessly.
"Well, yeah, Kim."
Her jaw dropped like a stone for ten full seconds before she could talk again.
When she did speak, she softly said, "So. You're now president?"
"President and majority owner, K.P."
"Okay. President and majority owner of Bueno Nacho?"
"Yes! That's what I'm trying to tell you!"
She shook her head in dismayed wonder.
"Oh my gosh. No wonder naco night came back!"
"Buya!" he said, and Rufus echoed that sentiment.
"I knew something was up when I didn't have to pay for your nacos anymore!"
He continued, "Yeah, I get them free now! Look, the company is really doing well and I have all the money I need. More than enough. When you told me about the government offering you that position, and that you didn't have the money, and of course I knew things were tough with your dad not having a job. I just thought I could help. So I called the government up and offered the funding for the agency."
The shock hit her now as she understood how the gift to her father became a gift for her as well. He was giving her what she wished for on the plane. Her head was spinning. Was this real?
"But, who is heading the operation? Who is in charge?"
He just grinned excitedly, "That's the neat thing! You are, Kim! You're the Chief Operative and Agency boss. I've already talked to Wade and he has accepted the position as Head of Security, Intelligence, and Counterintelligence. Boy, is he going to have fun with all the new gear we're getting him! And your mother has accepted the position of Chief Medical Officer!"
She looked at her mother, wide-eyed, and she just smiled back at her. Then she remembered how cheerful her mother had been for the last couple of weeks. That must have been when he told her. When she had asked her mother why she was so happy, Dr. Possible just said everything would be okay.
"So that's the new job offer you told me about!", she exclaimed.
"I told you things would be fine, dear.", her mother replied, grinning widely.
Ever since the Eric debacle, Kim's mother had been so worried about the relationship between Ron and Kim. Now, her look was one of sublime satisfaction. Her thoughts centered on the fact she had wanted this relationship for her daughter. She always had full faith that Ron would come through for her, and he had.
"You planned on giving everyone in my family jobs?", Kim asked in exasperation, turning back to him.
"Well, not at first.", Ron answered, "It just sort of worked out as the best solution."
"But what about you?"
"Oh, I'm Special Agent in Charge of, uh, Financing. And Deputy Chief Operative or something. And, well, anything else you may need. Oh, and your grandmother is in charge of Agent Training."
When Ron had revealed his abilities in Scotland, she had never been so stunned in her life, so awed, but this! This was Ron? This was the self-absorbed childish somewhat incompetent, frequently irritating, even dweebish, but always faithful, lovable, dedicated best friend who could make her laugh and had always been there for her? Oh, yeah, he had been more mature lately, able to step up and be a true partner as a crime fighter, as long as he didn't try to do things on his own. She dreaded the first time the press got wind of his abilities and then it would be a race to see how much he would preen before the cameras, maybe demonstrating a few moves or something like that. That would be annoying, but what worried her more was if he suddenly went off on his own like he did in Scotland. Of course, what he did in Scotland was the right thing to do. But would he follow her lead? Or would he want to command a mission. She remembered his words from Camp Wannaweep such a long time ago...
"So, on the next mission, I call the shots?
"Er...We'll see."
"Oh, come on! I know what that means."
"It means we'll see."
"Yeah, that's code for "not a chance"."
"Actually, it's code for "ferociously unlikely"."
"Oh, man!"
Suddenly feeling unsure and timid, she said, "Ron. I am so, so blown away right now. You don't know how..."
"Kim, everyone else is on board already, and I assume your dad will."
Dr. Possible smiled back at Ron and gave him a thumbs up saying, "You betcha!"
He went on excitedly, "The headquarters is spanking! It's an old military base I bought really cheap just outside Middleton that's been converted especially for this purpose. And now its ours! There are plans for all the transportation vehicles and other equipment. It's already being worked on. The only thing holding it up is you saying 'yes'!"
She saw it again just then, just how different Ron looked to her. His eyes showed so much excitement, so much energy. But that was what was different about it. It was all for her, and realized it was the same in Scotland. There was nothing of advantage for him in it. He was giving, and thinking all of this, just for her.
Only for her...
The only return he was looking for was her being happy. For so long when Kim had looked at Ron before, she had always seen the boy who was a little too self absorbed, even though he was her best friend. For the first time in her life, she truly looked at Ron as a man. And for the first time since the end of their junior year, Eric didn't enter her mind at all.
"Oh, my God.", she whispered, her hand covering her mouth.
This had nothing to do with his promise to Sensei. This was because of what he felt for her, for her only.
She started crying large tears that ran down her face in small rivulets to the floor. But her eyes told the story, shining with a blissful joy Ron hoped would never ever leave them.
"And I thought you couldn't top the last present!", she cried, "But this so blows it out of the water!"
"So this is yes?"
She smiled wider through the tears and nodded, "Yes!"
"Buya!", And he grabbed her in another hug and swung her around the room as she laughed. Then he put her down and looked at her, satisfied to see that joy in her eyes where before there had been so much sadness. He kept his arms around her as he looked deeply into those green emeralds again, gathering her to him as she encircled his neck with her own arms.
"Merry Christmas, Kimberly Ann.", he said softly.
"Merry Christmas, Ronald."
And then she kissed him deeply and passionately, and she didn't even mind it was in front of the whole family.
Even the tweebs were weirded out.
After she kissed him, Kim looked intently at Ron, her arms still around his neck, her forehead touching his, a gleam in her eye.
"Oh my gosh, Ron! I just cannot believe this! I've got to tell Monique! This is so spanking!"
Ron chuckled, "I'm glad you like it, Kim. Just tell me what you need and I'll see it gets done."
"You mean like spend billions of dollars just to make sure my dad got a job? You are so the 'child-like wonder' right now, you know, but in a good way!"
He laughed, "Well, at least it's good for something, huh?"
"Totally!", she gushed, laughing with him, then a thought struck her and she got a certain look in her eyes.
"Uh, does this mean I can get that cool roboplane back?", she asked.
He snickered loudly, "Anything you want! You only have to ask."
"Okaaay! And hey, didn't you say your dad let you have a real motorcycle?"
"Yeah."
"Wanna go for a ride?", she proposed to him sultrily, her eyes still glistening.
Later, when the government helicopter came to pick Kim and her dad up to go check out the new base of operations and get things into gear, they went out to board the copter as Ron lingered behind to clear up a couple of details with Mrs. Dr. P about her new position. After that business was settled, she subtly changed the subject.
"If I didn't know better I wouldn't be able to say this, but you made a decision tonight about my daughter."
He looked out the doorway at the waiting helicopter as Kim and Dr. Possible boarded it, and then looked down at the ground.
"Actually, Dr. P., I made that decision last summer."
"Really?"
She paused a bit, then asked, "When did you realize you loved her?"
This worried him, but he just smiled to himself, then looked up at her before he answered, "I really knew for sure the minute I kissed her at the prom last April. It just took me a little side trip to Japan to fully understand it."
Dr. Possible smiled, too. She just loved it when she was right.
He said, "I know she cares for me, too, Dr. P. But, she's so busy now. There's so much to do in her life. I don't want to add to that. I know she can't make any commitments more than she already has now."
"Don't worry, Ron. I have a feeling things will work out."
"You think so, Dr. P?"
"I'm sure of it. Just be yourself. You'll be fine."
Ron knew better, though...
His face scrunched up, "Please, you can't tell her. You can't. You got to let me do that."
"I understand, Ron."
He smiled again, "Thanks, Dr. P. I really appreciate it."
He would leave it to Dr. P to tell Kim he loved her later... ...after he was gone.
She smiled back and waved goodbye as he went out to the helicopter and got on board, and the team flew off to inspect their new accommodations.
Over the spring semester, Kim and Ron got ready for graduation. They had both been accepted to Middleton College, which seemed to double their work load. She had managed to score a scholarship with her good academic scores, but his grades of course were not quite so stellar. Still, he was able to squeak in, and Kim was proud of him as he had done it by hard work, substantially raising his GPA enough this year to make it. And of course, he didn't have to worry about tuition. They had planned on taking as many of their classes together as they could, even though there weren't all that many they had in common. He was going for business administration and a subsequent MBA. Kim's decision was a little more troubling to her. She had signed up for a criminal justice degree, because her intention was that she had decided that her hobby/business would now be her profession as well, but now she wasn't so sure. However, remembering her grandmother's advice, she stayed with it for the time being.
Both of them grew closer over the months leading up to graduation. For Kim, it was the biggest change she had ever undergone in her relationship with Ron. All her life, she had been so used to being the sensible one, the one who was the "steady rock". He was always the one with the childish behavior, doing exactly what he wanted even when it was irresponsible or foolish. She forgave him those failings because she adored her friend who was more devoted to her than anyone else she knew. And so she always made sure he was okay, that he didn't come to harm, that he didn't get too weird on her.
But now.. ...he was completely different. When and where did this new, incredible Ron Stoppable come from? First he soothes her soul, able to say the right words to make her feel better, revealing a soul and a mind far deeper than she ever suspected was there before, then he loses the Ronness!, or at least controls it. He becomes a true partner, capable of helping her save the world, maybe as good as she does?.. ...then, then he gives her the financial means to save the world too? It was insane! He had made the commitment to share that responsibility with her, to truly and willingly bear the burden of her commitment to what she did, and not just tag along as the "sidekick". He had proven it to her in such an so incredible display of responsibility and competence. She no longer could look at him that same way, as something like a wayward child.
Oh, it was true he still would do something crazy like the night when he challenged Felix to the endurance record of Zombie's Revenge, staying up all night before a major math test. She chuckled to herself recalling that he lost that battle, but still did well on the test. Then there was that contest to see who could eat a naco the fastest through a straw with Rufus. Rufus won that one too. But now, his mind was all business when it mattered. On missions, he got the job done. She no longer had to look out for him, and she loved being able to actually count on him, not having to worry that he couldn't do it. Even more, she reveled in the fact she really had confidence in his abilities.
She had no idea how to handle this! Her new found respect for Ron had put her in an uncomfortable position. Suddenly, she could see this was a possible life partner for her. She could now see spending her life with him. How did he feel about it? For all his support, he still wasn't being that open. Was he thinking about the same things? Would he accept her stepping down to an ordinary life, and not saving the world if she chose that? Did he love her?...really, love her?
It was so confusing. He was so close to her, open with her, all the time, but he still was holding something back. She thought that might be true, if he was sensing she was still holding back too...
For his part, Ron was relieved she was so much more comfortable being close to him, especially now that they were again confiding everything to each other again, and they spent as much time together as they could. But even so, he could see she still was a little unsure about herself. He didn't push her. He wanted so much to tell her everything, how he really felt, what he wanted to do with her in his life. He thought that might be the last thing she needed to recover her confidence. But there was no way he was going to have her grieve again for someone she loved like she loved 'Eric'... ...if she did love him like that. He had to wait. He had to be sure. He had to know he would come back to her before he would ever tell her...
Time-wise, there was the graduation itself. As usual, she was in charge of so many committees. She was in charge of prom decorations, again. And, she was now the boss of a new government agency dedicated to fighting crime all over the world. It was a wonder they ever saw each other as much as they did! When they did, it was almost always something to do with Team Possible, which was the new name they came up with. But it was either that getting in the way, or it was just 'high school' stuff. He wished more than ever that she would say 'no' whenever some person or committee would ask her for some favor or task. Yet, he was resigned to the fact that she was who she was, the most giving person he knew. And now, the prom was just around the corner, cutting further into their schedule.
On a brighter note, Team Possible was working out well and they already had completed a few successful assignments. Jos was still being 'Jos', but Ron and Kim both looked out after her on the missions, and she continued to improve. After the initial refit of the base, Wade settled in his new communications center and was having the time of his life. He had a special transport constructed underground that took him back and forth from his room at home, and now he would have two places they could find him, though like before, he would never leave either one if he could help it. And so far, aside from the Team Impossible mission where his computer system got spiked, they still didn't see him in person.
With the expansion of Kim's activities from just Kim Possible-dot-com to Team Possible-dot-gov, there were now occasional missions which required large contingents of personnel to execute them, and this was where the Yamanuchi ninjas came in especially handy. Ron arranged with Sensei to have graduates of the Yamanuchi school come in as adjunct operatives for the new organization. The government also contributed additional personnel for the support sections, supplying both of Kim's parents with the staff they needed to run their respective departments. They were able to hand pick the subordinates and organize them into effective units. Of course, their salaries and the funds for operation came through Bueno Nacho Incorporated, and Ron handled the money transfers and accounting, with his dad often assisting, in an efficient and cost effective manner, and it still amazed Kim even after several months of operation that he could do that.
The addition of the ninja operatives gave Kim great experience in learning to command larger bodies of operatives, which was something she already had shown a great talent in doing. In the past, these large tasks were not missions the government called Kim Possible to take on, but with Team Possible this was no longer a problem, and the government was going more and more towards giving her these larger scale operations. Also, with the additional missions, especially the large scale ones, she was appearing on the news far more frequently. There was even a fan club started for her by somebody, which only made her groan with annoyance when she heard about it. Now that she was the leader of a major government crime agency, it was practically required that with her increasing popularity she had to start making some public appearances for "PR" purposes. Her fame was finally starting to catch up to her.
There was one occasion in late April which would always stay in her memory as long as she lived. She was giving a speech to a group of young children about school safety at an elementary school in a Los Angeles suburb, of all places. The principal seemed to think a world famous teen hero would be just the person to give that speech. As usual, she just couldn't say no. But it also gave Ron a chance to meet with the West Coast branch of Bueno Nacho Incorporated, so they were able to take a trip out west together.
It was during that speech that a severe earthquake hit the area and a large crevice appeared right beneath the school and sucked the building down, burying it deep in the ground. The school had unfortunately been built right on the fault line. Though very frightening for the children, to their guests it was "no big". They had been through worse. But when the shaking had settled down, they were the only "adults" that ended up with the kids, as their teacher had been separated from them when she stepped out of the room momentarily just before the earthquake hit. The building was heavily damaged, but they did their best to calm them after Kim had rescued five or six of the boys from falling debris. Being trapped underground, the children remained very afraid as they waited for help to come get them. Kim hadn't taken any of her usual tools of the trade with her for this visit except the Kimmunicator, and it was damaged in the quake. Ron hadn't brought his. Her unit kept cutting in and out, but she finally got Wade on the line and told him everyone was safe for the moment. The device soon sputtered dead again, but not before Wade replied help was on the way. So at least they knew somebody would be coming to get them out.
Ron tried to get a phone working. The kids remained scared and she was doing her best with them, but wasn't having much luck in keeping them occupied. Frustrated, she asked him to help. So he left the phone line panel he was working on and went to the kids, getting them all together in a group. He began to tell them a story and soon had them all settled.
At first, she groaned to herself when he started to talk. She remembered how in the past his Wannaweep stories had bored everyone around him out of their minds. Only Drakken's monotone disasters were worse. But it soon became apparent this was different. She was mystified seeing how the kids were rapt in their attention to him as he spoke. The story itself was a beautiful fairy tale, one she didn't know, and he just kept spinning it out. During the story, there were a some aftershocks and a couple of the kids panicked, shrieking and running. Ron calmly gathered them back again and shushed their fears away, promising them everything would be all right and then going on with the story. Smoothly he gained their trust and they hung on to him feeling very safe and comfortable. Stroking the hair of the two scared ones as they slept in his lap, he continued to spellbind them with his words. She sat quietly by him, wondering, how he could be so good with these kids? It came to her how much like a parent he was being, calming, soothing, protecting...
Then it hit her. His "child-like wonder" was the answer. This childish quality she had so disliked in him, that caused her to stay at arm's distance sometimes, even now as close to him as she was. She had never thought how it could be an advantage. She herself had never been that good with young children. She was okay, good enough to babysit, but not like this. Now she could see how he could do it with ease. She had come to see he was more mature now, truly a grown man in her eyes, but it was also awesome how he could just tap that inner child and become so much like them, able to relate easily and make them feel so safe and secure, almost happy even in circumstances like these, and it totally rocked her mind. He kept his storytelling up for a long time, over a couple of hours it seemed, and still the children were entranced. But by then, even the most ardent of them were getting tired and they became so sleepy they all had to take naps. When the last one was quietly dreaming of better times, she turned to him.
Awestruck, she said, "Ron, that was so, so amazing!"
He smiled back a little sheepishly, "Oh it's no big, K.P."
"You're wrong! It's way big, Ron! But I thought you didn't like kids, especially after the way they overran Bueno Nacho."
"Oh, no, Kim. It wasn't the kids at all. It was just how the diablos were ruining BN."
"But I've never heard you tell a story like that before! It's awesome!."
"Thinking of Wannaweep, huh?"
"Uh, yeah. But really. This was totally different. It was so beautiful!"
"Thanks, though to tell the truth I did have to practice."
"Practice? What do you mean?"
Ron replied, "Well, Bueno Nacho has been involved in some charity work. You know, donations, funds for projects and whatever. Anyway, as president I sometimes would have to go down and present the check or make a small speech or presentation. Just before we started this school year, I went down to the Middleton Orphanage to give them a check to open a new wing and add some more beds.
"As I was making a speech... ...By the way, I'm getting better at that too... ...Anyway, I noticed the kids in the background. There was something about them, a look, that just sort of, uh, spoke to me. After that, I made it a point to go back and talk to them. I found out there are some great kids there. And I really do like kids, K.P. I've been going back and doing some volunteer work there. You know, playing games, videos, whatever. And I would tell a lot of stories, especially bedtime stories to get them to sleep. I wasn't too good at first, but I got better and better."
She was entranced, totally fascinated. How many more surprises was he going to spring on her? And then she couldn't speak because her emotions became completely jumbled. For the first time since the junior prom, she dared to try and trust herself to know how she felt about him, and saw that it was real.
He saw something change in her face. It was subtle, but he could tell it was there, though not what it meant. Before he could ask, a noise rang out above them, and the ground started to shake again. Some of the kids woke up, afraid the ground was about to bury them, but then one side of the room collapsed inward with a roar as the rotating giant drill bit of a ground boring machine had broken through. The kids all screamed and rushed to Ron, holding on for dear life as he shushed them quiet again and told them that everything was all right and they were about to be rescued. Jos herself was piloting the behemoth, with Wade on visual display guiding the way. As soon as the kids saw that, they started to yell excitedly and soon crowded their way towards the giant machine, seeking its shelter. Jos stepped out grinning, opened a side door, and started helping them in. Ron picked up the last child in his arms and turned towards Kim and smiled.
"You ready, K.P?"
Kim smiled back, truly appreciating that image.
"Right behind you, Ron.", she said softly.
Still grinning, Ron turned and walked into the boring machine, Kim following. As he entered, she stopped at the door next to Jos, who looked at her strangely when she noted her cousin's face. There were tears in her eyes, the smile still on her lips.
"You okay, cuz?", she asked.
Her eyes angelic, Kim looked at her and said, "Oh yes, Jos. Everything is absolutely fine."
She went inside and Jos followed, locking the side door before going up front to the driving controls of the boring machine. In less than an hour they managed to evacuate the building and get the kids away to safety.
All the way back, for the second time in her life, Kim could feel her heart doing flip-flops.
They went back to Middleton High the next day as if there had been no disaster, busy with their lives once more. But it happened again, as it always seemed to do before a big dance, when she had way too much to do. Wade would beep her and she would have to say, "What's the sitch?". And it was bad news.
This time, there was a big disturbance in deepest Africa. This one definitely had Monkey Fist written all over it, even more than Cambodia. The place was called the Temple of the Tempus Simia. Almost two years before, they had foiled a triple threat robbery by Drakken, Duff Killigan, and Monkey Fist to steal the Tempus Simia Idol from the Tri-City Museum. She was sure there had to be a connection with that. The two teens both arrived just as the villains were about to remove it from its pedestal. Kim almost got tripped up when she didn't see Shego in time and got blindsided, her nemesis kicking her towards an empty Egyptian sarcophagus. She would have been trapped in it if Ron hadn't been in the way and broke her line of flight into the ancient relic. Afterwards, she was able to get back into the fight with Shego while he distracted the others and they foiled the robbery, although the four villains got away.
At the time she didn't know what the Tempus Simia Idol was, but she took Latin last year with Ron, his misguided idea, and she learned it meant "Time Monkey". It was actually no big, except the weird dream they both had after that in which they traveled all over the time stream to catch Shego, who had taken over the world with the Tempus Simia Idol. The dream was so vivid that she could recall how her brothers looked, all grown up, following Wade as the resistance leader, also very grown up. But more importantly she could remember being inside that Temple of the Tempus Simia. The strange thing was that Ron had dreamed the same exact dream. This was definitely too weird as it wasn't the only time they had dreamed alike. They also had other dreams together as well. For the last few months they each dreamed of finding themselves on a marble floor, inside some sort of huge golden edifice. A golden temple...
Shortly after Wade had beeped them, Kim told him they were ready to go. Since they were not at the base, Wade arranged for a helicopter to go and pick them up at her house. They were mission ready when it arrived, and the helicopter landed out on the front lawn, waiting to take them back to headquarters. Ron had gone out and was putting their equipment into the back bay. Kim stood in the doorway a moment, deep in thought, just watching him.
Her mother came up, having been watching her.
"A penny for your thoughts, dear?"
She turned and looked deeply into her mother's eyes, searching for the wisdom she knew was always there.
"Mom.", she said softly, "I am so blind."
"What do you mean?"
"All this time. Ron has always been Ron. He wasn't a guy. He was just Ron, my best friend. Even with everything he's accomplished recently, I could see he had grown up a lot. God, I am so in awe of what he's done now. I don't know why. Even with all that though, he still wasn't quite a 'guy' to me."
"Yes, dear. So you have told me before. What's different now?"
Kim had a look of angst on her face as she explained.
"When we were trapped in the earthquake, I saw something that was so totally amazing, and I can't believe I still didn't see the whole picture until then. When did he become a guy?"
Her mother laughed a little and said, "I think he's always been 'a guy', honey. What happened to make you see that?"
"Well, you know I never really saw him as 'BF' material."
"Yes, dear. I remember you said that before Junior Prom.", her mother replied, "I was a little surprised you changed your mind then, not that I'm complaining at all, mind you."
"Well, I didn't really, not then." Kim said, "And for a long time, I hadn't. But then I really found out at Halloween what kind of friend he could be, especially as a BF. I thought... ...I could see him as a real partner then, an even better friend than I ever suspected he could be. I could see being his girlfriend then. I thought I wouldn't ever be 'gaga' over him like I was with... ...with Eric. But then I could do a lot worse."
"Quite true, dear. But what's different now?"
Kim's eyes came alive as she looked at her mother.
"It was when he surprised me at Killigan's, able to step up to the plate like he did, and then this... ...all this with the Bueno Nacho thing. I'm so completely blown away, Mom. I never expected this from Ron. Not in my wildest dreams did I think he could be capable of doing this, of doing so much. I never thought he could undo all that 'Ronness'. But now..."
"Yes?"
"Mom, I watched Ron take a room full of scared panicky kids and completely make them feel safe and happy, despite the fact we could have been killed at any time. I couldn't take my eyes off him. He was being so "Ronnish"... ...All the 'Ronness' which I thought was such a bad thing.. ...I saw it then exactly the opposite, as an asset, a positive thing. I kept saying to myself, 'This is how I would like the father of my children to be'."
She turned and looked out the door to where he was working, her eyes sparkling from the tears in them.
"And then I realized, that it was Ron who I wanted to be the father of my children."
Her mother said nothing, just smiling at her.
"Oh God, Mom. I love him. I just then figured out how much I love him."
"Of course, you do, dear. I've known that for some time."
She looked at her, exasperated, "What? You did? Why didn't you tell me?"
"I felt that was something you had to figure out for yourself."
Kim looked at her thoughtfully as she considered that, accepting it finally, then looked apprehensive.
"I have, Mom. I have. But I couldn't admit it to myself. I didn't trust myself to be able to do that after..."
"After Eric?"
She looked into her mother's eyes, seeing she understood.
'Yes.", she whispered, "Ron was right. I shouldn't blame myself for that."
"He trusts you to understand that."
"I know. Mom. And I do understand where he's coming from. I've been beating myself up way too much for something really stupid."
"And has it helped you trust yourself better?"
Kim gazed in wonder at her boyfriend, slowly nodding.
"I think so, Mom. But if I don't, I'm sure Ron will show me the way. But I wish.. ...I wish..."
Her mother frowned a little.
"What is it, dear?"
Kim couldn't tell her...
She loved Ron. How the heck did that happen...? She thought it again. She loved Ron... ...she knew it. But was it enough?...
She had said before she could marry Ron, though privately she really had never really thought it possible, but now?... Now she had absolutely no reservations. She could.. ...she did love him as much as Eric, and marry him? Yes, she could, if he felt the same. She just didn't know how he felt.
Dr. Possible gathered her daughter into arms and hugged her tight, so glad she had seen the truth of her feelings for Ron, but she could see there was still that confidence issue in her daughter as well.
"Mom, does he love me, I mean really love, love me?", Kim asked, "I'm think he does. But he's never actually said it."
"He hasn't said anything?"
"He...", Kim bit her lower lip, "I don't know. I know he feels something. But am I the problem? Does he really not care for me that way after all?"
"Kimmie!", her mother scolded, "Don't say that! If he loves you, I'm sure he'll tell you when the time is right, dear."
"But... ...something isn't right, Mom. He's holding back. Maybe he really doesn't feel that way about me."
Her mother looked out the door at Ron as she hugged her.
"Kimmie, don't worry about it. Things will be fine. Just concentrate on the mission for now."
She pulled back and squinted her eyes at her, "Mom, you're not telling me something."
Dr. Possible looked at her daughter in feigned surprise, "Why Kimberly Ann, I don't know what else there is to tell you!"
She growled, "Mom!"
Her mother laughed, "Really! I would tell you anything that was important. But you don't need to worry. Like I said, everything will come in its own time. Now go on. You have work to do."
This was a small white lie, but she also knew it was Ron who had to tell Kim he loved her, not her mother.
Kim softened up, silent for a moment before saying, "Are you sure?"
Dr. Possible hugged her again, "Honey, your mother knows these things. Believe me."
She relaxed in her mother's embrace, "Okay. Thanks, Mom. You really rock, as always."
"I know, dear. Now be careful."