The platoon was assembled on the parade ground; Ron was in full battle dress with his body armor, jawbreaker pack, rifle, and helmet, 110 pounds worth of gear waiting for the march to begin.

Trucks rolled up and Sergeant Eldar ordered the troops into the back, "We are going to train on entering and exiting a helicopter before we fly off to the Negev desert to start the march."

It was the first week of December and it was cold and overcast as the platoon rode off in the trucks for fields not far from the base there they would board Owl helicopters and fly south.

Ron recognized the helicopter immediately, "These are Blackhawk helicopters…No Hebrew word for Blackhawk so over here they are just called Owls."

They practiced entering the helicopters and how to quickly get out in case of an emergency or if they were under fire, Ron paid attention to the lesson, "Useful safety tips."

Israel is a very small country that can easily be driven across in a few hours; however this flight was going from north to south. They flew for about and two and a half hours, and sat down just north of Elat Airport just off the Gulf of Aquba.

The helicopters landed and the Ron and the rest of the platoon hopped off, Sergeant Eldar and the Platoon Leader ordered them to assemble quickly, "Faster, faster or we will end up marching all night.

Once the platoon was assembled the order came out, "Company C has drawn the honor of being the first company in line of march, now…machine gunner to the front, move out."

Ron was excited and happy the march was finally under way, "Get this thing done and everything else is easy…No more forced marches."

Kim stared at the cage that held Candi and Mortimer, watched them interact and play together, "I wonder…Maybe…I'll try to separate them and see how far I can get them apart."

She put on a pair of powder free latex gloves and reached into the Plexiglas cage and picked Mortimer up, almost immediately Candi began to run around in circles and hurl her body against the cage.

The force of Cani's body hitting the Plexiglas side of the cage unnerved Kim as the cage began to move off the table, Kim quickly grabbed the cage and put Mortimer back in side.

Once inside they began playing and then Candi began bringing Mortimer food pellets, "She was afraid of losing him…I can relate to that."

Dr. Wong entered the lab, "Ready to go next door and work with the mental focusing unit?"

Kim shook her head, "No…I was thinking that…Maybe we are invading Ron's privacy…I just don't want him to hate me."

"I never really thought about privacy issues, well if you don't want to use the mental focuser, we won't…Have you noticed any changes in yourself since you were attached to the machine?" Dr. Wong asked as she pulled out a pen light and looked into Kim's eyes.

She remained still while Dr. Wong looked into her eyes, "No…Well yes, I'm not smoking as much."

Dr. Wong smiled, "Do you feel less stress, since you are able to keep in touch with him?"

Kim frowned, "I feel better but…I honestly think the chair might be addictive…I've wanted to do nothing but sit in the chair since I came in this morning."

"Do you think it's the chair or the pull of your feelings towards Ron?" Dr. Wong asked as she pulled out her clipboard to take notes.

She pulled the latex gloves off her hands and was silent for a long moment, "My feelings for Ron…I loved knowing that he's ok…I get mad at some of the things he did at that party…It's always Ron though…I haven't seen him in nearly six months…and…and…I want a cigarette."

Kim closed her eyes and put her hand over her mouth, "I…I have to go in the chair…No…Don't cry…Maybe an hour in the chair…I'm…loosing my grip…Stay together…Don't wig out…not here…"

She opened her eyes and there was Dr. Wong, "Kim…are you having emotional problems right now?"

"Yes…I want…I need to sit in the chair…its killing me…I want to see Ron." Kim said as she started to shake.

Dr. Wong looked at her nervously, "We could try it for just a little while, and it's been several days since you were in it."

Kim's eyes went wide, "YES…I NEED TO SEE RONNN."

They quickly moved into the lab next door and Kim sat in the chair and placed the head gear on, "I'm ok over here."

Dr. Wong nodded and opened the necessary programs, "I'm up and running here."

Kim let out a deep breath and noticed that she was sweating, "I'm concentrating…."

She could see Ron marching in the rain, "Weird rain storm in the desert…Good about time they called a halt…find my rain poncho…Ahhhhhh didn't forget it…good."

Ron stood up straight and worked his shoulders, "Damn jawbreaker is giving me a blister on my shoulder from the strap…I hope it doesn't get any worse."

He looked around and saw that everyone looked like they were still in good spirits, "Corporal Shomron…How far do you think we have marched?"

"Only maybe 20 kilometers, how are your feet doing?" The Corporal asked looking down at Ron's boots.

Ron stomped his feet, "They feel pretty good, new socks."

The corporal smiled, "Do not worry you will make good infantry man…Remember you feet get limber after the first few thousand kilometers."

Ron nodded and then started digging in his pack again, "Condom, condom where did I put that condom…I know it didn't get used in Bat Yam…Ahhhhhhhh here we go."

Kim made a face in the chair back in Middleton, "Ron…?"

Ron pulled his rifle off his shoulder and pointed the barrel towards the ground and a little bit of water rolled out. He looked up at the desert and the rain was coming in sheets now.

He fought the wind as he brought the rifle up and rolled the condom over the barrel of the rifle to keep the water out, "Ok…dust cover still on…good…man it's raining hard."

Kim nodded and smiled, "Now that's clever."

She could hear Ron grunt and groan as he put the pack back on, and then she felt the burning sensation in her right shoulder and quickly told Dr. Wong, "I'm feeling pain in my shoulder…Ron has a blister there."

"Do you want to quit?" Dr. Wong asked as she furiously scribbled some notes on the clipboard.

"No…I'm fine." Kim told her as she made herself comfortable in the chair.

Ron reached off to his right side and brought up a canteen and began to drink, "Glad they let us carry two canteens this time…Weather's too crappy to bring aviation flares."

Tirza walked up trying to pull the helmet over his eyes to keep the rain out, "Ronnie did you hear from Babbette?"

Ron chuckled, "No…I think that was a setup…I stand as much of a chance of getting an email from her as I do of getting one from Kim."

Kim frowned, "I emailed you already, check your email account."

Tirza laughed, "I don't think Sergei has heard from Bina either."

Sergeant Eldar walked the ranks, "Gear up we're moving out."

Ron fell into formation and began to march with the rest of the platoon, "Sergei, how much rain can the desert get?"

Sergei shrugged, "I do not know…This is starting to break my penis."

"Tell me about it." Ron said as he looked over at Tirza.

Tirza saw the look Ron was giving him, "What?"

Ron smiled, "You are supposed to be the medic, fix our penises."

Tirza laughed, "The only thing I have for sad, lazy soldiers is hard penis and bubble gum…and I am all out of bubble gum."

Kim put a hand over her face, "I don't think this was a good day for the mental focusing unit…I wonder if Ron's like that all the time when I'm not around?"

She lay back with her eyes closed as Ron kept marching and giving guys in the company a hard time, "OK Ron, Enough of calling various guys parts of the female anatomy...He has developed such a dirty mouth."

"Ohhh some big guy just threw a hand full of wet sand at him…He's laughing and promising to shut up…Good." Kim shook her head at what was going on as the march continued.

Kim was startled and she let out a scream, Dr. Wong looked up, "What's going on…Should I shut down the chair?"

"Nooooooooo…He's…fantasizing and I can see it…clearly." Kim's eyes were closed tight as she was enjoying the new sensations.

Dr. Wong prodded her for information, "Is the fantasy of a sexual nature?"

Kim shook her head, "No…I think it is one I'd better keep to myself though."

"Ohhhhhhhhh Ron…wow…I don't believe it…yes I do…." Kim smiled as she enjoyed the fantasy.

They were in a house, with a fire in the fireplace, it was winter and Kim was holding a baby. A daughter and he was kissing her forehead and playing with the baby and saying sweet things to her that she couldn't quite understand and then the image faded and she was back on the long march.

She could see Ron shake his head and an overwhelming sadness came over her. Then Ron's thoughts were coming through again, "Stop it…STOP IT…Those things aren't for you…Remember what Sensei said…I'll never have that kind of life….focus on what you are doing."

Kim was fighting back tears, "SCREW SENSEI…Ron you can have that kind of life."

Ron's mind was blank as the march continued, he looked over towards Tirza, "What?"

Ron shrugged, "If we stop again…I might need you to look at my shoulder…The webbing is giving me a blister."

Tirza nodded, "I will look at it."

Kim opened her eyes and realized that the pain in the shoulder was getting worse, "Dr. Wong…Can you look at my shoulder?"

Dr. Wong walked over to Kim, "Which one?"

Kim pulled her shirt up, "Right"

"Oh my…That's an ugly looking blister…Ron's must be getting worse." She observed.

Kim nodded, "Yea"

Dr. Wong took measurements of the blister and Kim closed her eyes again and focused on Ron, "I can feel him tiring out, that rain has turned the desert into a bog."

"Kim's boyfriend is probably nice…rich…can buy her things I couldn't….She probably wouldn't let the kids be brought up Jewish anyway." Kim could see the ground and Ron shook his head back and forth.

She wiped a tear from her eye, "I am so going to kick your ass…Why don't you talk to me about these things?"

"He won't talk to you about them because he's afraid of the answers and doesn't want to make me mad…Or drive me away, Ohhhhhhh I've got so much to think about." Kim shook her head and let out a deep breath.

She looked up at Dr. Wong, "I'm ready to quit…I'm really tired…Ron's really tired."

Dr. Wong looked at the time, "Oh….We missed our hour mark…You've been in the chair for a little over three hours."

Kim struggled to get up, "I'm going home now…It was good seeing Ron…Thank you."

"Alright Kim…We'll see you tomorrow." Then Dr. Wong went to the business of data retrieval.

She frowned and shook her head, "She may be right about the chair…I'll bring an egg timer next time so we don't lose track of time."

"Company HALT." Sergeant Eldar yelled as he took over the field radio.

He talked and nodded his head as Ron and the rest of the company stood watching, then he hung up the field radio, "I have been told that we are a thousand meters away from our rear…So we will wait here for the rest of the Platoon."

Ron sat on his butt in the wet sand and took his helmet off, the rain continued to fall as he took off his pack and rain poncho. Tirza came over and helped him unbutton his shirt.

"Ewwwwwww that is a nasty one." Tirza exclaimed as he made a face and started digging in his medical bag.

Ron looked at the ugly purplish blister on his shoulder, "You are going to have to lance it…yes?"

Tirza nodded and pulled out a scalpel and sliced the blister, purplish blood sprayed out from the incision and Ron yelped as Tirza quickly put a dressing on it, "You have your pack cinched to tightly…You need to loosen it just a bit."

Kim was at home napping when she felt a sudden bolt of pain through her shoulder, "Ahhhhhgggggghhhhh…That hurt."

Then she sat up in bed, "I can feel what's happening to him without the chair!"

Ron was breathing hard as Tirza finished taping him up, "Do you feel better?"

He closed his eyes and nodded, "Yes, help me to my feet, I am soaked to the bone and I am tired of sitting in a puddle of water."

Tirza helped pull him to his feet, Ron looked pale and then his eyes started to roll back in his head, Tirza looked over towards Sergie, "Help me with him."

Sergei reached over and grabbed Ron's left arm, "Ronnie, are you alright?"

Ron smiled embarrassed that he was causing such a fuss, "I will be fine, I just need some help to get my gear back on."

"I will get your body armor." Tirza reached down and picked up the vest and helped Ron put it on.

Next came the rain poncho, Tirza helped him on with hit, "This weather is most odd, they normally only get about ten centimeters of rain a year here."

Sergei saw Ron looking towards his pack and rifle, "Ronnie leave it off until we are about to move out."

Ron nodded his head in agreement, "How far do you think we've marched so far?"

Sergei shrugged, "I am not sure, we haven't moved very quickly today because of the weather, maybe…40 kilometers…we will march well into dark before we make camp."

Ron looked behind him and saw the rest of the platoon catching up to them, Sergeant Eldar called the company to formation, "You are all very lucky…In my opinion you do not deserve this…We will march another two kilometers towards the north then we will march another eight kilometers to the west where we will find a highway….From there we will board choppers and head back to Bezeq."

Sergeant Eldar shook his head in disgust, "The march is being cut short because of rain and cold weather..."

There was much cheering and Ron just stood there with his mouth open, "Cold weather…this isn't cold…Yamanouchi is cold, the kind of cold these desert people can't understand…Well…good, cut it short then."

Tirza helped Ron put his gear on and shoulder his rifle, he then loosened the straps so they wouldn't dig into Ron's shoulders so much, "This should help you out some."

Ron nodded as the company set off to finish the march.

Bonnie finally received what she had been waiting for several days, "Ahhhhhhh Email from Rabbi Katz."

"Bonnie

I am happy you are doing so well in Netanya.

I hope you are adjusting to speaking Hebrew.

Sometimes it takes a while to pick up.

I think finding Ronald Stoppable and having

Him help you is a great idea.

I know he is almost finished with basic training,

And will probably be stationed close to you.

Here is his email address if you would like to write to him. think he would enjoy hearing from a friend.

Good luck to you

Rabbi Katz"

Bonnie smiled, "Ahhhhhhhhh Ron, soon you'll be mine and Kim will be crushed…I will marry you and then I will crush you."

Bonnie surfed over to and clicked on the mail button, she typed in Ron's email address and then under password typed "Kimberly", "Well that wasn't it."

She tried again this time using "Rufus" for the password, "Ah ha…He's as transparent as glass…Ron's always been a good guy…Maybe I'll just crush Kim…and divorce Ron."

"Look at this a new email from Kimmie...Let's she what she has to say." Bonnie smiled as she double clicked the email message.

"Ron

I'm sorry I haven't written in a while.

I've been busy with school and work.

I hope your doing ok and I really miss you.

Just to ease your mind, I haven't found a new boyfriend.

You know there couldn't be anyone else to replace you in my heart."

Bonnie rolled her eyes, "Danny sure did some replacing…Kimmie's lying to Ron…Kimmie hasn't been writing Ron…Ohhhhhh this will be too easy."

"Rufus is doing good and says "Hi"

Did I tell you that I miss you…A lot!"

I have to run…Be careful

Love you

Kim"

She smiled as she read through Ron's email messages, "She never mentioned Danny...It's payback time little Miss Perfect, I'm going to deprive you of the one person that means most to you…Ron."

Bonnie started humming an Oh Boyz tune as she clicked on the "Check All" box and then she hit the delete button, "This will make sure that my email message is the only one Ron receives…anything else…I'll just delete it."

"Who knows Ronnie, maybe if you tow the line and do as I say…I may just keep you around."

Bonnie smiled as she started to write her heartfelt email to Ron.

"Hi Ron

I hope that you are doing well.

I just started school at the Netanya Academic College,

I'm very lonely. There are not very many people that speak English here.

Hebrew is so hard for me.

I know from what Rabbi Katz says that you will be out of basic training soon.

I'd really like to see a familiar face.

Please call me.

Bonnie

09-833-6324"

Bonnie was on cloud nine as she hit the send button, "This is all just too easy."

The next two weeks flew by for Ron; he was trained on the scorpion rubber rafts, water obstacles, and urban combat, now for the final lesson before the end of basic training close order drilling.

Sergeant Eldar walked in front of the company, "In the IDF we teach you to fight wars not to march in parades…However since you will be marching in your commencement appearance at the Western Wall in Jerusalem…I do not wish to be embarrassed."

Sergeant Eldar and Corporal Shomron marched and drilled the company until they could march and maneuver in formation, this took most of the afternoon, "Now your marching is satisfactory, You are to receive Liberty for the Shabbat and I know that you are planning a party…Do not get so drunk that you vomit on your dress uniforms on Sunday night."

Ron smiled, "Important safety tip"

Sergeant Eldar looked over the company, "You all we be fine soldiers, now when I dismiss you, you will head back to the supply house and check back in all your equipment…Any equipment not accounted for your pay will be docked."

Sergei stood in the line shaking his head, "Ronnie…They are taking all our stuff away."

Ron shrugged, "We will get new stuff once we are posted."

Tirza smiled, "Less stuff we have to carry."

Ron looked around, "So where is the party going to be?"

"I think it will be at Jacob Spielman's farm just west of here…There will be much celebrating tonight." Tirza offered.

Sergei smiled, "I hope they have something harder than Rabbinical wine."

Once the gear was checked back in, they loaded up in a few large trucks and drove west to Jacob Spielman's family farm. They had survived four and a half months of training and everyone wanted to celebrate.

They built a bon fire and passed bottles of wine around, Ron began to get sauced and was enjoying the feeling know that he didn't have to drive home.

Sergei slapped Ronnie on the back, "Sooooooo tell me once again…Why did you make your aliyah?"

Ron weaved back and forth, "I had trouble in school…I was having too much sex with too many girls…Sooooooo ummmmm they sent me to this doctor and she said I was addicted to sex."

Tirza laughed, "Soooooo what does that have to do with aliyah?"

Ron gave him a stern glance, "I am getting to that…You just…have to wait…ummmm…So I try to go back to school…They say Ronnie…you have sex so much…you make girls…nervous…Sooooooooo they decided to send me to the one place on earth that I will never experience sex again."

Tirza and Sergei started laughing and chimed in with Ron, "ISRAEL"

He smiled and said softly in English, "Jinx you owe me a soda."

"Kim have you been drinking?" Mrs. Dr. Possible asked as she walked in and discovered Kim sitting in a chair with glassy eyes and a silly grin on her face.

Kim shook her head, "Nope…Not me…its Ron…Ron's tanked."

Mrs. Dr. P. gave her daughter a strange look, "Kim, Ron's in Israel…I think we need to have a talk, about your smoking and drinking."

Kim shook her head, "Nuh huh…I'm not drunk…Ron is."

Mrs. Dr. P. winced, "Kim…The first step towards recovery is to admit you have a problem. I can smell cigarette smoke on you from across the room and now it's not even 8:00AM and you're drunk."

Jim and Tim ran into the kitchen, Jim put his face right up to Kim's, "Tim, Sis is still smashed."

Kim was starting to become annoyed, "I do not need help, I do not need sommmmeee twelve step program…I am not drunk…Daddddddddddyyyyyyyyy can you drive me to work….Pleasssssssseeeeeeee."

Mr. Dr. P. shook his head from the edge of the kitchen, "Ummmmm Kimmie Cub…it's Saturday…Kim…I think you need to drink some coffee."

"Kimmie…dear…we know you miss Ron…but we think your headed down the wrong road…I'm going to make an appointment with the Bridgeway House and see if we can get you some treatment." Mrs. Dr. P. said quietly as she patted Kim's hand.

Tim and Jim started to sing a happy little rhyme, "Kimmie's a lush, Kimmie's a lush."

The bonfire finally started to burn out and Ron was running out of steam, so he finally collapsed against a bail of hay and went to sleep.

Kim's head jerked upright, she got out of the chair and walked towards the door, "OK…Great, I am not drunk, Ron is, Ron's passed out so now I'm fine."

Mrs. Dr. P. followed her to the door, "Kim honey…You're in denial."

Kim was loosing her temper, "MOTHER" She raised her hands palms out towards Mrs. Dr. P., "It's complicated…Now I have to get to work."

Kim turned and started walking towards her car, "When I go visit Ron…He's going to have to do some fast talking."

Mr. Dr. P. walked up behind his wife and put a hand on her shoulder, "I think if Ron ever comes back for a visit…I'm going to try and get him a job at the Space Center."

Mrs. Dr. P. nodded, "Or we'll have to try and get Kim to go to school in Israel."

Kim wheeled into the Space Center parking lot and then realized it was Saturday morning, "Where is everyone…grrrrrrr…OK, call Dr. Wong at home."

She quickly dialed Dr. Wong's cell phone number and was connected to her voice mail, "You have reached the number of Dr. Wanda Wong, I'm not able to answer your call right now, so if you could. Leave a brief message and a number where I can reach you, I will return your call as soon as possible…Thank you…."BEEP"

"Dr. Wong, This is Kim Possible…I'm experiencing things without the chair…I need help…Call me as soon as you can." She ended the call and buried her head in her hands.

"I need a cigarette."

Ron awoke late in the morning he staggered behind the barn and walked down a path to a small pond and relieved himself, "Ohhhhhhhhh I've been tipsy before but nothing like this…My head is killing me."

"Well at least I'm not throwing up…That was a good party…From what I remember of it." Ron thought as he began looking for Sergei and Tirza.

It was a cold morning he could see his breath in the air, He walked around the soldiers lying passed out on the ground until he found Sergei, "You awake?"

Sergei smiled and slowly rose to his feet, "Ronnieeeeeeeeeee…You look…terrible."

Ron smiled, "You don't look real good either."

Sergei laughed, "I have looked much worse…Rabbinical wine…Ha…Now if we had some Vodka…Now…What time is it?"

"I think it is morning, we have to load up and get back to base." He told him as he started his search for Tirza.

Ron put his hands on top of his head, "You know where Smiley is?"

Sergei started moving around, "Not sure…I can tell you he was in better shape than me last night…That little guy can drink."

Ron spotted him sitting in the corner of the barn, asleep still holding his bottle, "Tirza…Tirza wake up."

Tirza looked up at Ron and smiled and then went back to sleep, "Come on…get up…I think I am hungry."

"What am I supposed to do about that?" Tirza asked as he struggled to his feet.

Sergei spotted Jacob Spielman, "Jaaaaaaaaaaacobbbbbbb, you look good this morning."

Jacob walked over to the three men, "I should look good I slept inside."

Ron punched him in the shoulder, "So when we headed back to base?"

He scratched his head, "ahhhhhhhhhhhhh I guess soon…We have to these guys up and moving first."

Eventually the rest of the company was able to wake up and they loaded up in the trucks and returned to base. Ron still had left over computer time and decided to use it up before he left.

He showered and dressed in his dress clothes, and logged into the computer then logged into his email account, "What the hell…Where did my emails go…Stupid Yahoo…Hmmmmmmmm email from Bonnie!"

Ron opened the email and read the message, "I know the feeling Bonnie, of course I'll call you."

Ron signed off of the computer and went out to a pay phone, first he called the Oster's to let them know that he was going to in Jerusalem that evening to be sworn in and receive his brown beret and he invited them to the ceremony.

"Of course we'll be there Ronald. " Eli told him happily.

"I'll have all my cloths with me, so I'll be coming back with you guys …If that is alright." Ron said nervously.

Eli laughed, "Of course it is alright, will you be staying for the week before you report for your post?"

"Yes, looking forward to the week off, well I shall see you down there tonight at 6:00 PM then." Ron said as he quickly fished out another calling card.

They said they're goodbyes and then Ron dug Bonnie's phone number out of his pocket, "OK Bon Bon, let's see if you are home."

Ron dialed the number, "09-833-6324…okay."

A female voice answered the phone, "Shalome"

"Shalome Bonnie this is Ron…Ron Stoppable." He said happily as he heard her voice.

Bonnie turned on the sad voice, "Ron…Is that really you…I'm so glad you called, I need so much help…I'm not…adjusting to things here…I miss Middleton."

Ron frowned, "I understand, I will be off for a week before I have to report for my assignment…I will be in Bat Yam tomorrow, how do I get there to find you?"

Bonnie was quiet for a long moment, "Ron my Hebrew stinks…Ummmmm let me see…I'm in Netanya."

Ron closed his eyes and nodded, "Your just up the highway from Bat Yam, I could take a bus up there in the morning."

Bonnie's voice was much more animated, "I have a better idea, I have a car that Daddy rented for me…I'll just come and pick you up and we'll have lunch…If I can find you."

Ron laughed and gave her directions to the Oster's house and gave her their phone number in case she got lost, "I have to hang up Bonnie my calling card is out of time…It's good to hear a familiar voice."

Bonnie's voice was happy and upbeat, "Ron you have no idea how much this means to me…bye."

Ron smiled and hung up the phone, "YES…I'm going to have someone to goof off with this week."

Bonnie chuckled as she hung the phone up, "This is all too easy…Life is good."

Ron went back to the barracks and packed up his cloths shoved them in a duffle bag and then took his duffle bad and gear to the bus. Once the bus was loaded the company left Bezeq, many for the last time. The next stop was Jerusalem.

Ron dozed on the trip south and woke up at the entrance to the ruins of the great temple, "It's time, this is the finale to four and a half months of training."

In the Jewish faith it is believed that God walked the halls of the Great Temple so when one goes to pray at the walls of the ruins of this temple that it is similar to making a local phone call to God.

The company formed up and then marched in formation into the temple ruins, they moved in next to other companies that had also finished basic training.

Ron looked around the spectator's area for the Oster's, he couldn't find them so he just focused on the ceremony.

General Efi Halutz Commanding General of the Golani Brigade, Spoke of the importance of the IDF in the protection of Israel and how that the soldiers were fortunate to become a part of the Golani tradition.

The General then ordered the new soldiers to swear their oath of allegiance, "You will all raise your right hand and repeat after me…I swear and obligate myself on my word of honor to remain loyal to the State of Israel, its laws and its legitimate administration ... and to devote all of my strength, and even to sacrifice my life, in the defense of the homeland and the freedom of Israel."

Then the soldiers threw their training berets into the air and gave three resounding cheers, "UP TO BATTLE, UP TO BATTLE, UP TO BATTLE."

The names of the companies were called one by one and they received their brown berets of the Golani and an envelope with their orders.

Ron's name was finally called and the announcer also informed the audience that Ron was an American and was voted outstanding soldier in his company.

Ron was stunned as he went to the podium, "Outstanding soldier…ME?"

Ron saluted General Halutz, who decided to show off his English skills, "You are outstanding soldier…You must be very proud."

"Yes Officer, very proud." Ron barked out nervously.

He was given his brown beret, envelope and then General Haltuz pinned the gold emblem of the Golani Brigade on Ron's uniform. Ron looked at the gold embalm of a combat knife with an olive tree attached to it.

Ron saluted and moved off, "Why me? Roth was the super soldier….Oh yea, he didn't shoot two people in the head."

At the end of the ceremony Ron, Sergei and Tirza met up and opened their envelopes. Ron opened his, "I will be stationed with Company C, 3rd Platoon, 51st battalion stationed at Tulkharm."

Sergei and Tirza opened their orders, "I am going their too." Tirza said happily.

"I will be there as well….I think most of the company will be stationed at the border crossing." Sergei observed.

Ron smiled, "Now Sergei will get to be with Bina always."

Sergei cringed, "Ohhhhhhhh Noooooooo"

They then stood in line to pray at the wall and then Ron found the Oster's gathered his gear and left for Bat Yam..

Bonnie headed south from Netanya, "Let's see, Tel Aviv, and then keep going till you reach the Bat Yam exit."

Once Bonnie was in Bat Yam she called the Oster's on the cell phone, Sima answered and gave the phone to Ron and he gave her directions for the rest of the trip to the Oster's house.

She drove up in the driveway and got out of the car, Ron walked out the door and she gasped, "Oh my God, You look so different…Good but different."

Ron smiled and gave her a big hug, "Ahhhhh it's the army haircut, You look great as usual…It is so good to see you"

"I can't tell you how good it is to see a familiar face." Bonnie said as she looked over the outside of the Oster's house.

"Come in, it's a little chilly to be standing out here." Ron told her as he escorted her inside.

Sima was waiting inside the door and Ron glared at her, "This is the daughter of the people that live here, her name is Sima."

Bonnie smiled and shook her hand, "Shalome Sima."

Sima giggled, "Are you one of Ron's old girlfriends?"

Ron looked embarrassed, "SIMA"

Bonnie shook her head, "No…I'm a friend of Ron's old girlfriend Kim."

Ron caught the word "old", "Follow me upstairs, there's a great view of the Mediterranean up there."

Bonnie and Sima followed Ron up to the dining room where they sat down at the table, "So Bonnie, when did you get here?"

Bonnie smiled and shot a questioning glance at Sima, "I just arrived back at the beginning in October."

Ron nodded, "How's Kim been doing? I haven't heard from her since September."

Bonnie smiled, "This sure didn't take long."

"Ohhhhhhhh her and Danny are doing great, they were registering for wedding presents all over the place when I left."

Ron smiled and nodded, "No I meant about Kim."

Bonnie lost her smile, "Didn't Kim tell you?"

"Tell me what?" Ron said as he was starting to look around the room nervously.

She closed her eyes, "Kim must have been so busy she forgot to let you know."

"Know?" Ron said quietly.

Bonnie licked her lips and took Ron's hand, "Ron…Kim's engaged to a man named Danny Baldwin that she met at Upperton University."

The color drained out of Ron's face, he took a deep breath and then he started to shake his head, "S…Sima…Please leave the room."

"Why?" Sima asked since she was curios as to what was going on.

"Because…I…I have received bad news from Bonnie and…I would prefer that you were not here…in the room with me." Ron said trying to hold back his tears.

Sima nodded and quickly left the room.

Ron then turned his attention back to Bonnie, "Ummmmmm…How did this happen?"

Bonnie chuckled, "Ron how does it always happen, the two met in school and they just clicked."

Ron turned his head away from Bonnie, "Yes…Well…It is all for the best I suppose."

Bonnie shook her head, "Ron…English please."

"Shaaaa…ummmmmmm…yeaaaaaa…I'm down with this…ummmmm…yeaaaaaaaa…I…just always thought that…oh…oh." Ron was beginning to lose control of his emotions.

Bonnie pulled the two pictures from her purse, "They make a great couple, I was at the engagement party."

Ron was still shaking his head in disbelief, "Engagement party?"

Bonnie looked sympathetically at Ron, "Yea the Possible's rented out a hall…I've got some pictures from the party."

Ron's hands were shaking as he looked at the pictures, he swallowed hard and turned away and then looked at them again, he licked his lips, "She's kissing him…wow…This has to be a bad dream."

"So…is he nice…does he treat her…ok?" He asked as he continued to stare at the image.

Bonnie shook her head, "Always more concerned about Kim than himself."

"I don't know Ron…I only met him at the party…I think he's ok…The Possible's really like him."

Ron winced at that piece of information and started to rub his chin, "I…I just wish…things could have been…different."

He looked at the picture again, the image burning into his mind, "She looks happy…He's tall good looking…Probably rich…He can give her all the things that I can't….good for you Kim."

Ron hands were shaking so bad he couldn't look at the picture anymore so he looked at the one behind it, "You and Kim…She looks happy."

Bonnie squeezed his hand, "I'm so sorry Ron."

He shoved the pictures back towards her, "Ummm…I…ummm…didn't know…ummm.

"Come on Ron…I'll buy you some lunch." Bonnie said quietly.

Ron turned his head away, "No…I…ummm…ahhhhh."

Bonnie started to rub the back of Ron's neck, "Ron…Kim's moved on…She wouldn't want you to be this way."

He smiled and nodded, "You're right…ummmmm…I'm stunned Bonnie…I just don't know what to think."

Bonnie smiled, "Come on Mad Dog, let's go to lunch and catch up."

He stood up and walked with Bonnie back downstairs, "I'll be just a minute…I need to talk to Sima."

Bonnie nodded her head, "I'll be in the car…okay?"

Ron smiled, "I'll be only a minute."

He turned to Sima, "Bonnie told me…that my Kim is engaged to another man…I'm sorry to run you out of the room…I am very sad right now…I will talk to you later tonight."

Sima nodded her head, "I…I am sorry Ron."

He left the house and climbed into the passenger seat with Bonnie and then the two drove off for lunch.

Monique was awakened by a telephone call in the night, "Monique…Something's wrong with Ron…Something happened."

"OK…That's great Kim…I'll talk to you tomorrow." Monique said half asleep.

"MONIQUE" Kim screamed into the phone to wake her up.

Her eyes opened, "I'm up…who is this?"

"It's Kim…Something's happened to Ron." She repeated to her groggy friend.

Monique looked around the darkened room, "Kim…go to bed."

Kim wouldn't give up trying to wake Monique up, "I just got hit with a wave of sadness that left me sick to my stomach….Monique...Something is wrong with Ron."

She laid her head back down on pillow, "Have wade fix the doohickeys and call him tomorrow…Bye Kim."

Kim sat in a darkened room, "That's not a bad idea."

She grabbed the Kimmunicator and hit the connect button, "Wade are you up."

Wade's voice came over the Kimmunicator, "You have reached the basement of Wade Load, I'm currently not available at the moment so at the sound of the beep leave your name and a short message and I will get back to you as soon as possible."

Kim put the Kimmunicator on the nightstand and continued to sit in the dark all by herself.