DISCLAIMER: I don't own Kim Possible. This story is just for fun. The characters of Firefly/Rebecca Shaw, Isabella Shaw, and Robert Gibbs are OCs I created for this story.

A/N: Thanks everyone for being so patient with the delay in updating the last chapter. While I won't be updating daily anymore, I will be trying to update as often as I can.

Kim Possible

Red Flame

Chapter 14 – Shadows of Future Days

Middleton, Middleton High-Possible Residence

The first day back at school was a strange one for Kim. Hell, the first week was entirely strange. To start things off, Kim and Rebecca ran into Ron on their way to school, which could've been a potential disaster emotionally (and possibly physically) speaking; however, nothing untoward occurred, which surprised Kim (considering what had happened the last time she saw Ron) and made Rebecca suspicious (because she knew what had happened before and didn't trust the blond). As if seeing Ron wasn't enough of a shock, Bonnie had approached the couple and asked if they wanted to watch the cheer squad practice – and maybe even try out for it. Though the brunette had blushed after she'd said that, as Kim had lifted up her still-healing arm. But the couple had agreed to come watch the squad's practice, a little in shock at how nice Bonnie was being. Rebecca felt a slight sinking feeling in her stomach, as well as a burst of irrational anger at Bonnie; she didn't know what either feeling was, and was a bit hesitant about talking to Kim about them. She knew her girlfriend and lover wouldn't hold anything against her, and might even help her sort them out. She resolved to bring it up later, after school. To top off all of the weirdness, Coach Barkin had been the substitute teacher for their math class, and he'd actually been highly tolerable as well as less 'barky' than his name (and behavior) suggested to the students.

"I'm kinda creeped out right now," Rebecca told Kim as they walked back home after school that Thursday.

"Only kinda creeped out?" Kim echoed incredulously. "Bonnie's doing a complete one-eighty with her personality, Barkin isn't barking much, and Ron's back. How the hell do you think I'm doing?"

"To be honest I don't like Ron at all," the ivory-toned girl said, the bitterness in her voice surprising her girlfriend.

"Why not?" the redhead asked, a bit confused.

"When you came out to him, you were already emotionally unsteady because of what happened with my sister during the Li'l Diablo thing," she explained. "And instead of being there for you like he should have, since you two were friends since forever, he turned on you, snapped at you, and then left you to deal with everything on your own; incidentally, making your mental and emotional health worse."

"To be honest, if he hadn't, it might've taken us longer to get together," Kim told her. "Look, Rebecca, I understand how you feel. Really, I do, because I don't appreciate what he did to me, either. A hell of a lot more than you don't. But like you said, he's been my best friend for a long time. That, and the fact that I am a kind and forgiving person, means that I want to give him a second chance."

"He just wants to get into your pants," Rebecca snapped, then her expression fell and tears gathered in the corners of her eyes. "I'm sorry. I just . . ."

"It's okay, Bombshell," Kim said with smile, then putting an arm around her girlfriend's shoulders as they neared the Possible home. "You have nothing to be jealous about."

"Jealous. I'm jealous?" the other girl asked, surprised.

"You've never been jealous before?" the redhead asked, getting a head shake in response.

"You're the first person I've ever felt like this about," Rebecca explained, blushing. "And I don't want to have anyone else. So I've never had any real experience with jealousy."

"Well, you don't have to worry, my perfect Bombshell," Kim said, giving her girlfriend a peck on the cheek. "I'm a straight up lesbian, and I won't have anyone else but you."

"How can lesbians be straight?" the ivory-toned girl asked, smirking.

"I dunno," the redhead said with a shrug as they walked into the house. "But how do you feel about Bonnie being nice, since we're on the subject of weirdness?"

"It's disturbing," the plasma-wielding girl admitted. "She's been such a bitch to you for years, and really only stopped because I gave back more than she could handle, and now after summer break she's acting nice and friendly? That's just as unsettling as Ron's behavior; more so, really, since I already have experience with Bonnie." She sighed. "I can't help thinking, though, that something isn't right."

"Well, it isn't mind control," Kim said. "I had Wade do a scan of Bonnie after that first day, and it came up clean. Thanks to a lot of my villains, he has an extensive library of various mind-control methods. But he won't do anything with that knowledge because he's got such an amazing character."

"I'm just surprised we haven't had any missions recently," Rebecca replied as the two headed up to their room to start on homework (by now, they – and everyone else – really considered Kim's room to belong to both girls). Kim and Rebecca were still sexually active, though taking things easy because the redhead was still recovering. James had taken the fact that his daughter and her girlfriend were having sex a lot better than his wife had; his words when he was told about it: "At least she isn't doing it with some boy. Though I'll still have to have the black hole talk with that girl." The two girls didn't take long doing their homework, considering they were both pretty intelligent, and were about to head into the backyard to spar some when Ann Possible called out for Kim to come to the phone. Rebecca sat down in the kitchen to wait while Kim took the call in the den.

"Hello?" the redhead said after she'd been handed the phone.

"Kim? It's Bonnie," said a familiar and not too welcome voice.

"Oh, hey, Bonnie," Kim replied, her mood falling a bit. "What is it?"

"Um, well, it's . . . I'm . . ." the other girl stammered.

"Just say it, Bonnie," the ex-cheerleader pushed.

"Alright, alright. Look, I'm having a bit of trouble with math, okay? And I was wanting to know if you could help me out."

"Wait, hold on a minute," Kim interjected. "You, Bonnie Rockwaller, are asking me, Kim Possible, for help?"

"Look, I know it's fucked up, okay? But I did a lot of thinking over the summer, and . . . and I didn't like what I was turning into. I'm trying to start over, and I figured a good place to start would be with you. I still remember my first attempt, back when you were depressed and all."

"I remember that, too," the readhead said. "So what's the deal, then, Bonnie?"

"I really do need help with math, especially since I at least want to be able to go to a decent college or university."

"You're actually thinking about your future?"

"Okay, Possible, enough with the teasing. Will you help me or not?"

"Of course I'll help, Bonnie."

"And could you leave your girlfriend behind? I don't think she likes me at all."

"I don't know, Bonnie," Kim said hesitantly.

"I'll make my peace with her, but you're easier to start with. Not that I think you're easy, I mean. I-I just-"

"Relax, Bonnie," the redhead said, smothering a chuckle. "Look, I'll talk it over with her, and let you know if I can't make it. If I can, expect me in about ten minutes or so."

"Thanks, Kim. I . . . I really appreciate it." And then the call was disconnected. Kim looked at the phone for a minute before setting it back in its cradle and heading into the kitchen. Her girlfriend looked up as she walked in.

"So who was it?" Rebecca asked, standing up. She'd spent the time waiting studying her hands. Earlier, during school, she'd noticed a slight tremble to them that she couldn't really explain, though it had faded away after a while. But she'd experienced it again while waiting for Kim, and was now resting one hand on the table in the hopes of her girlfriend not noticing it.

"Oh, it was . . . Bonnie," Kim answered.

"What the hell did she want?" the ivory-toned girl asked.

"Be nice, Bombshell," the redhead replied. "She wanted to know if I'd tutor her in math."

"And you agreed?" Rebecca said incredulously. "What the hell, Bubbles?"

"Look, I didn't really agree, okay?" Kim responded, her tone a bit snappish. "I told her that I'd talk to you about it, and if you weren't okay with it I'd let her know."

"Would you still go if I wasn't okay with it?" the orange-eyed girl asked, feeling a little hurt by her girlfriend's tone.

"No! Of course not!" Kim protested, feeling just as hurt. "I love you, Rebecca. If you weren't okay with something I wouldn't do it, you know that!"

"Yeah, I do," the red/black-haired girl agreed, lowering her gaze to the floor. "I'm sorry."

"It's no big," the redhead said, moving closer to her girlfriend and pulling her into a hug, which was happily returned.

"Does she really need your help?" Rebecca asked softly.

"Bonnie has never really been good with math," Kim said.

"Then you should help her."

"Are . . . are you sure?"

"It's what you do, right? Help people?" the ivory-toned girl asked, pulling back a bit to look at her girlfriend's face.

"You've made it clear how you feel about Bonnie, though," the olive-eyed girl replied, gazing into her girlfriend's eyes. "If this is going to bother you I won't do it."

"It will bother me," Rebecca admitted. "But it would be selfish of me to stop you from helping someone who needs help just because of that." She sighed, looking away for a moment. "You always see the good in people, so maybe there's something redeemable about Bonnie. I . . . I just don't feel comfortable around her, so if you go I'll be staying here." She smiled at the redhead. "You're the woman I love; I trust and believe in you."

"Thanks, Bombshell," Kim replied, pulling her girlfriend back into the hug. "I promise, I won't be at her house more than an hour, okay?"

"Okay," Rebecca agreed, tightening her hug. That unidentifiable sinking feeling was back in her stomach, and she still couldn't explain it. She felt Kim wince, and immediately let go. "Sorry," she said.

"It's no big," Kim said. Though she was getting better, her arm was still bothering her a bit. Kim went to go get her bag and let her mom know what was going on, while Rebecca sat down and tried to work out what she was feeling – and while her hands seemed to be vibrating a little.

Middleton, Rockwaller Residence

Kim was surprised by how happy Bonnie was when she showed up; she was actually hugged by the once-bitchy bruntette. As they went up to Bonnie's room, Kim noticed that the other girl's sisters were hanging back, as though wanting to watch Bonnie but afraid to do so. When they got into the bedroom, Bonnie shut and locked the door. She noticed the look on Kim's face at that, and blushed.

"I'm tired of my sisters thinking they can just come in here whenever they want and harass me," she explained. "Locking my door stops that."

"What about them involving your mom?" Kim asked.

"Are you kidding? My mom believes that her decision-making ends at that door," Bonnie replied. "What anyone does in their room is none of her business, she's said."

"I remember things being a bit different," the redhead said.

"Like I said, Kim," the brunette replied, her voice less stern, "I was doing a lot of thinking over the summer."

"I can see," the ex-cheerleader agreed softly. She had to shake away the thought that Bonnie looked a little cute when she looked vulnerable like that, but she went over and sat down at her former rival's desk. "So . . . let's get started on that math. What's giving you the most trouble?"

Bonnie walked over and sat on her bed, pulling out her math book and showing Kim what she was having issues with. It was typical high school trigonometry, but Kim could see how Bonnie would have trouble with it; it had been easy for her to get it, but she was pretty smart thanks to a neurosurgeon mom and a rocket scientist dad. She looked over the homework assignments they'd been given for the week, and went over each type of problem step-by-step with the brunette. She explained each step as she went, and only went on when she was sure that Bonnie had gotten it. Kim made sure to keep an eye on the time, so she wouldn't be there longer than she'd promised her girlfriend. They'd gotten through most of the homework assignments by the time Kim had to leave. Bonnie, of course, wanted the redhead to stay longer, but she knew she couldn't do so without arousing suspicion so she let the redhead go. She did ask, though, if Kim would continue to to tutor her. The olive-eyed girl agreed to continue helping Bonnie out if the brunette ran into any problems with anything else. After Kim had left, Bonnie fell back on her bed and let out a sigh of pent-up frustration. It hadn't been easy for her to have the redhead there, even though it was what she wanted. It wasn't because she wanted to verbally abuse and degrade the other teen – Bonnie was actually completely sincere about her desire to be a better person than she had been – but because she had to restrain herself from going directly for her endgame. Patience wasn't really her strong point, but she knew she had to be patient to get what she wanted. At least when it came to a certain attractive redhead.

Middleton, Possible Residence

Kim had been gone for about five minutes, and the slight shaking in Rebecca's hands had finally stopped. Letting out a breath, she came out of the kitchen and went to the room she shared with her girlfriend. Once in there, she pulled out her kimmunicator and called up her moms. Isabella is the one who answered.

"Rebecca!" the raven-haired woman said with joy. "How's my little girl doing?"

"I guess I'm okay, Mom," the red/black-haired girl replied.

"What's wrong, sweetie?" her mom asked.

"I . . . I don't really know," she admitted.

"Are you and Kim okay?"

"Yeah, we are. We, um, did kinda have a fight just a little earlier, though," Rebecca explained.

"What about, Firefly?"

"Well . . . this girl that used to be a real bitch to Kim called her up and asked for tutoring," she replied. "She's been trying to be nice to us since school started up, but it's kind of making me feel weird."

"Weird how?" Isabella asked.

"I . . . I don't know. Kim said I was probably feeling jealous because of how I feel about her – her being Kim, I mean – and that it's okay to feel that way."

"It is, Rebecca. Jealousy is a natural part of life; well, at least as far as relationships go. I'm guessing that this girl is fairly attractive physically, even if her personality wasn't that way before."

"Well, yeah, I suppose she is a little easy on the eyes," Rebecca grudgingly admitted.

"Firefly, you have nothing to worry about. You and Kim are just perfect for each other. I'll admit that the possibility of romantic entanglements never occurred to either myself or your mother when we selected Kim to be the one for you to stay with, but it's turned out so well for everyone involved."

"I just . . . all this week, ever since Bonnie's started being nice to us, I've been getting this really . . . weird feeling."

"What does it seem like?"

"Like . . . like . . . well, I dunno. Like something's sinking in my stomach, but not in a good way. It makes me feel very uneasy, too."

"Rebecca," Isabella said soothingly, "I want to say that it's going to be okay, but I have promised to never lie to you. I don't think it'll turn out to be anything bad, but it sounds like some part of your subconscious has picked up on something and is trying to tell you about it."

"But what could it be?" Rebecca asked, whining a bit.

"I don't know, sweetie. I'm not you, and I'm not there, so I can't really explain it any better. All I can say is you have to trust your instincts and your girlfriend. You and Kim love each other in the same way that your mother and I do. I can't promise smooth sailing for the two of you; every couple will have relationship troubles and fights every now and then. Those can't really be avoided. But how you handle them when they do come up will determine how well your relationship does. Trust is a big part of that, and so is communication. You have to let Kim know how you feel. Talk things out, don't bottle them up. If you conceal anything, try to not feel, then it'll just blow up one day and cause a major issue that might not be able to be fixed."

Rebecca was quiet for a few moments, thinking over her mom's words. "Thanks, Mom," she said after several minutes' worth of silence.

"It's what I'm here for, Firefly," Isabella replied. "Just remember that a relationship, like anything else, only gives back what you put into it. Trust is hard to come by, but easy to lose. Now I've got to go, sweetie; I have to review some asshole's idea about improving the tensile strength of the ballistic cloth used in the Global Justice agent uniforms. I love you, Rebecca."

"I love you, too, Mom," the ivory-toned girl said, smiling. Her smile faded after the call was disconnected, though; thoughts of that unpleasant feeling and Bonnie intruded upon her mind, sapping away her good mood. I don't know if I should tell Kim right now, she thought. I don't want to seem like a clingy girlfriend, or that I don't trust her. I mean, I doubt the tutoring will stop after just this day, but . . . something just doesn't seem quite right about it all. I understand that someone can change if they really want to, and they have a real reason to, but Bonnie still makes my skin crawl. She fell back on the bed, hoping that she could banish these thoughts before her girlfriend got back. But a small voice in the back of her head was quietly whispering that she really needed to talk things out with Kim, let the redhead know her fears and thoughts, as soon as she could. But that small voice went unheeded.

E/N: And there it is. I know this chapter is a bit short, but I'm sure that's okay. It wasn't really meant to be too long of a chapter.

So school's started up again and Bonnie's acting completely out of character. Ron's back, and it's still uncertain how things are between him and Kim. Kim's now tutoring Bonnie, though math probably won't be the only subject they work on. Rebecca is having some concerns about Bonnie's new behavior, and had a talk with her mom about it.

So just what is Rebecca afraid of? Will she and Kim talk about what's bothering the plasma-wielding girl, or will Rebecca just keep things bottled up? Things may become clearer in the next chapter of Red Flame, "The Approaching Storm."