And welcome back to my little corner of insanity and just sit yourself right down. Would you like something to drink?
OK what happened last time? Ron was picked up at practice by Kim and taken to the hospital to be checked out 'cause he wasn't feeling well. The blond goof gets through all that without too much trouble but he has to sorta tell Anne where that thing is his chest came from. Does she buy it? I don't know you'd better ask her.
Again I want to thank my beat slash editor slash co-writer (in other stories sometimes) slash sounding board the one and the only the amazing CajunBear73 for all the work over the years. Hopefully it will be for a lot longer.
I also want to thank anyone who has read, reviewed, alerted or faved any of my tales especially readerjunkie, CB73, Jimmy1201 and Levi2000a1.
Now what is happening here? Well some messages get sent and received, James gets a few more visitors good ole Sent works his tail off making Mankey look good. Hey here's a good part….a Rockwaller family meeting, I wonder what's gonna happen and I expect at least one review to mention this! Or at least mention the part at the end.
So let's get this show on the road.
ST-103
The Hunter: Book One
Chapter 25
Middleton Mall:
Two seedy looking 'teen' males entered the Club Banana at the mall. Looking around till they were assured the African-American girl working alone they closed in on her.
"How you doin' girl?", Vinnie asked as he bumped her getting her attention.
Not raising her head Monique replied ignoring someone entering her personal space without asking first, "Just fine, what can I do….."
"For us?", Junior completed the thought, "Maybe it's something that you don't want to do, but then I might be wrong."
"I can have security here in two minutes you D Hall losers.", Monique hissed as she glanced up then around to see if there was anyone to help.
"Ya won't be fast enough little girl. You know they might keep you from bleeding out…they'll never stop us first though, but we just want to pass a message on to you from some friends of ours.", Vinnie took over as he reached and stroked her chin.
"What message is that you pair of sub-humans? And who is it from?", the African-American beauty asked the two members of the 'Lifetime Losers Club' as a shudder ran up her spine.
"Never mind who sent it. We guess that our old budddy Brick Flagg told you a few things about the athletics department at good ole Middleton High and what goes on there behind the scenes. We've been asked to pass on the fact to you that it wouldn't be a healthy idea for that information to be widely circulated….if you know what I mean.", Vinnie continued as he then put his arm around her waist almost putting a hand where he was sure she didn't want it.
"What are you going to do, beat me up? Get your slimy hands off me!", Monique was now worried as Junior moved in as she pushed Vinnie away.
"Who us? We'd never do anything that can be traced to us, we're a little too smart for that. It's just you know the stairways at Middleton are dark and a little too steep. People almost fall down them all the time. It's a shame really. Your face could get really messed up.", Junior clarified then sneered, "Then nobody but us 'Losers' will have anything to do with ya."
"I'm not afraid of you…."
"You should be sweetie, it's a long year you know. Maybe some of your friends may end up with the same treatment. If bad stuff happens it might even come back on Flagg.", Vinnie whispered into her ear.
"So what do you mean, what do you want?", Monique muttered not wanting her new boyfriend to get hurt.
"For you not to say anything to anybody about the Athletic Department or anything about sports, that's all. It's very simple even us dummies get it…."
"But Kim is going to find out…."
"She'd better not from you baby, we have friends who are talking to your boyfriend right about now. All you have to do is keep your mouth shut and you might even get to go to college with him like I heard you wanted.", Vinnie warned as Junior moved back and out of her sight.
"Just don't hurt Brick..."
"That won't be up to us Jenkins, you just keep that gossiping mouth of yours shut and maybe this will blow over.", Junior spun her around and slapped her across the face to punctuate their visit, not really caring if the incident got caught on camera or not.
Monique's cheek reddened after the strike as tears now came from her eyes and blood began to flow from her lower lip.
XXX
Colorado State University:
"Hey buddy.", the largest one of the three asked the tall and buff athlete.
"Yeah, what can I do for you dude?"
"Ya know where Macy's Bar is? A friend of mine told me it's somewhere around here."
"I'm new so I really can't help you there, sorry.", Brick Flagg replied as one of them spun him around and hit him in the stomach while another one grabbed him from behind.
Brick gasped in sudden pain, "What..."
"Shut up Flagg, I have a message from some friends.", the tall one punctuated with a punch to the quarterback's face.
Brick, to his credit, blocked the next punch as he was kicked from behind. Finally the three had him down and were taking turns kicking the football player as he laid there and tried to cover up.
After a few shots they stopped.
"Now traitor, you better listen up. You don't talk about what happens at Middleton to anyone or we're gonna come back. When we're done with you, then we'll have a nice little talk with your new girlfriend back home. After we're done with her she'll probably forget about you.", the shortest one warned him coldly as he flipped a picture out of his hand and onto the ground beside Brick, "She's sorta cute, don't you think? It'd be too bad if something happened to her."
"Fuck you asshole.", Brick Flagg made the mistake of trying to get to his knees. When a kick to his face split his lip and put him down again.
X
Brick lay there next to the photo for a couple of minutes before he was able to get to his knees. He picked up the picture of Monique Jenkins, now feeling the need to call her right away. 'Man I hope Moni is alright.'
"Hey are you going to be ok buddy?", a red haired young man asked as he looked over the groggy member of the Cowboys Football team, "I didn't see what happened, but you look like somebody sucker punched you."
"Yeah, thanks…someone did.", Brick groaned not wanting to have this conversation.
"Uh what happened?"
"I got rolled. I guess it can happen anywhere.", Brick frowned not wanting to explain what choices he had just been given.
"Let me help you up, are you sure you're alright?"
"Yeah, hey thanks a lot….I uh have to call someone."
XXX
Bueno Nacho, Middleton, Colorado:
"Well Tara only a few more weeks till school starts again. We'll be Seniors.", Josh Mankey smiled across the booth from his girlfriend.
"We've had a good summer honey. Too bad Kim and Ron didn't have anything like ours.", the platinum blonde replied with a small wistful smile.
"Well maybe she's back by now. If you think about it, we haven't even seen Ron around much either. I wonder what they're doing?", the artist contemplated.
"Well maybe they'll go out to dinner with us, but I'm still upset over how the girls beat up on Ron last spring at that meeting for cheerleaders…he wasn't even invited. He never did anything to deserve what they did to him.", Tara frowned not revealing some of the things her Mother had told her about some meetings the School Board had with several members of the faculty over the matter nor remembering the schedule that Kim's vacation followed.
"A little company would be nice. I wonder how their relationship is progressing?", Josh asked.
"I'm not sure, just a minute I'll give Kim a call."
"Hi Kim, this is Tara, How are you?", the platinum blonde asked over her phone after she hit the speed dial.
"Hi Tara, we were on the way to Montana after being here for a day...but we had to turn around."
"Did you forget something; I could have mailed it for you."
"Tara thanks you're a great friend, b...but...Dad had a stroke."
"Your Dad? K...Kim are you alright? Is your Dad alright?", Tara inquired really worried now at the news having see some things while helping out at the hospital.
"Dad's resting; it looks like he was lucky. We'll know more in a day or two.", the red head informed her friend.
"You guys are here in Middleton?"
"Yeah, Dad's in room 3121 at the hospital, that's where we're at right now."
"I'll be there in a few minutes. See you then.", Tara closed her phone.
"You don't have...", Kim tried talking and realized she was speaking to herself.
X
Josh had been watching his girlfriend and listening to her comments, "What's going on Tara."
"Kim's Dad had a stroke honey; can you take me to the hospital?"
"Yeah let's go.", Josh immediately slid out of the booth and reached for his girlfriend, praying that it wasn't too bad, he remembered James Possible and how he had treated him when he had taken Kim out a couple of times.
After they got in his van Tara opened her phone again and dialed, "Mom, Josh and I are heading to the hospital."
"Are you alright honey, did someone get hurt or sick?", as Abby's protective instincts began to kick in.
"It's Kim's Dad, he had a stroke...We're going up to the hospital to see if there's anything we can do to help.", Tara told her Mom..
"Let us know honey, remember to call if you're going to be late."
"I will Mom."
"Let's go.", Josh began offered Tara his hand as he got out first like the gentleman he was.
"See you later Ned.", Josh called out to the nerdy Assistant Manager behind the counter who waved back.
Once in the car Tara opened her phone again and quickly dialed, "Mrs. Mankey...Yeah, can we be out a little late?...We're going to the hospital...No Josh and I are both fine...uh Kim's Dad had a stroke and we just found out and we're going up to see him...Yeah I'll give him your best."
"Your Mom says it's ok, but we gotta call her with an update when we find out anything.", Tara told her boyfriend as he navigated the early evening street traffic of the small city.
"Thanks honey. We should stop for flowers or a card.", Josh suggested.
"There's a gift shop on the main floor just after you go through the lobby, we can stop there."
"Maybe we can get Mr. Dr. Possible a 'get well monkey'.", Tara's brain was working like an over clocked computer now.
"Monkey? Oh sure set Ron off why don't you?", Josh snorted unaware that Kim's boyfriend had broken that phobia.
"It's the thought that counts.", Tara countered.
"Yeah I suppose, I hope her Dad is alright. He was always nice to me."
"Yes he was, now for some reason though he doesn't care for Ron..."
"If he didn't like Ron then why does he let Kim hang around with him? She could have her pick of almost any guy in the school and Ron, well he could find more girls to go out with than he realizes."
"Probably more than you realize too, Josh."
"Huh?"
"I had a crush on him, still would have it if it wasn't a hopeless cause.", the platinum blonde informed her boyfriend.
"Then why?"
"Bonnie.", Tara answered before the question even had been asked.
"Well I went out with your friend a couple of times. Your Ms. Rockwaller isn't very nice to a lot of people."
"Yeah and I have no idea why she's so nice to me...After I crossed her last spring I was sure that I would have been asked to leave the squad with Ron.", Tara informed Josh.
"Now that you mention it, that doesn't make sense to me either. I wonder what makes her tick?", the artist mused.
"All of her life she's always thought that she was a better person than anyone. Bonnie's sisters are a big part of the problem.", Tara explained, "And her parents just let Lonnie and Connie do just about anything they want, including making my friends' lives miserable."
"Yeah she griped about that when we went out a few times. They really got on her nerves.", Josh admitted.
"I've seen them for nine or ten years Josh. If anything they've gotten more spoiled as they got older. I know this is hard to say, but it would have been better for Bonnie if she was an only child."
"You know Tara, I hate to agree, but I think you're right."
"Yeah they were the top of the 'food chain' when they were at Middleton High, now they expect Bonnie to Lord over everyone the way they did. And their Dad has something going on too. You know, he has a lot of interest in football and basketball. But since they only had girls you have to wonder.", Tara mused out loud, "You'd think that he would have more interest in cheerleading since Bonnie is number two on the squad.
"Yeah I could see that if he had boys too. It makes no sense, I guess he's just reliving his past or something.", Josh replied as they pulled into the parking lot of the hospital.
"Yeah I guess, let's hit the gift shop and go visit Dr. Possible.", Tara smiled sadly as she grabbed onto her boyfriend's hand for support.
X
"Hey Ron, haven't seen you almost all summer, how are you doing?", Josh Mankey asked as he and Tara were entering the hospital's gift shop as the blond haired young man was leaving.
"Huh...oh hi Josh, Tara. It's good to see you guys. I've been pretty busy this year.", Ron Stoppable replied as he let out a sigh.
Tara looked at the blond who for some reason looked bigger than he used to, like he had filled out, "Ron have you gotten taller?"
"I don't know girlfriend, I don't think I am, but I spent two months in Japan and then almost right away when I got back I found myself in summer football workouts. I guess I might have 'cause I had to buy a new set of Smarty Mart clothes. My old stuff was shrinking. I can't believe they carried clothes that shrank like that.", Ron explained as he mock ranted.
"They may not have gotten smaller Ron, you might have hit a growth spurt, and it's about time you did. Are you and Kim still together?", the blonde inquired of the other blond.
"Yeah, I guess. Her Dad's not too thrilled about it though. If I had any brains I'd move on to let KP find a more 'appropriate' guy to date.", Ron muttered still frustrated by the situation and made him grind his teeth confirming what Tara had thought.
Josh broke in, "Not all Fathers are in favor of their daughters dating. They remember when they were teens."
"Yeah I know Josh you're not the first person to tell me that, listen I'm going up for a while to see Mr. P.", Ron smiled then turned to leave carrying a plant.
"See you up there."
X
Room 3121:
Ron rapped once on the door before sticking his head through, "Is it alright to come in Sir?"
"Yes Ronald thank you for coming.", Anne Possible replied answering for her husband who was watching the TV and motioning for him to enter.
Smiling now the teen entered bearing the plant and card.
"Hey Mr. Dr. P how are you feeling tonight.", Ron asked.
"Much better today Ronald.", James distracted from his favorite show now.
"Hey Sir, 'Rockets Are Go'.", Ron chuckled.
"Yes 'Rockets Are Go'.", James repeated his favorite phrase, the frown that was on his face disappearing now.
"Kimberly and the boys are down in the cafeteria getting a bite to eat, do you want to go downstairs as well?", Anne inquired.
"I'll eat later Ma'am, maybe you should go and take a break. I can sit with Mr. P.", Ron suggested.
"Thank you Ronald, but are you sure? Having two football workouts a day has got to be stressful on you."
"Uh, well they really don't work me that hard. You know sitting on the bench and all.", the blond teen smiled, "Anyway, there's a Captain Constellation marathon on and you know me, I just love that show."
"Very well Ronald I suppose between you two 'fan boys' no one will notice me being gone, so I am going to get a cup of coffee.", Anne got up from her chair.
"I'll see you later Anne.", James replied absently as she kissed her husband on the forehead.
"Sir it's a good thing Mr. Barkin isn't here that could get both of you guys detention.", Ron smiled trying to get them both to loosen up.
Anne smiled, "Kimmie's right sometimes you are a goof Ronald."
After the surgeon left James asked while not taking his eyes from the TV, "Ronald you were here last evening, do you remember anything? About what happened I mean. I really don't remember anything."
"Uh yes Sir, I guess it was about midnight or a little later. I was just sitting here thinking, ya know when that machine that was beeping starting making a more annoying noise...Then a bunch of people ran in here. You didn't wake up or anything...Anyway, they sorta got me out of here. Later, they let me back in. I was worried, but they said everything was alright.", Ron paused then continued.
"I was gonna call Mrs. Dr. P, but she was so tired looking when she left...I just couldn't do that. I'm really sorry and I should apologize for that."
"I suppose it was a false alarm. Anne may have been upset, but everything came out all right.", James mused when there was a knock on the door.
"Come in.", he called.
"Is it all right?", the voice of a pensive Tara King sounded before it opened showing the apprehensive platinum blond and a brown and blond haired young man behind her.
"Mr. P if you don't remember these are a couple of Kim's friends.", Ron stated, "Tara, a cheerleader friend and of course Josh Mankey, who KP dated for a while."
"Hi and come on in. Thanks for coming up to visit me.", James smiled as the two teens entered.
"Hi Dr. Possible...I'm...we're sorry to hear that you had a..."
"A stroke? It was a blessing in disguise.", James stopped to gauge their reactions then continued after seeing the looks on the teens' faces.
"The doctors here were able to fix everything and we're just waiting on the results of all the tests.", James took over seeing the artist having some trouble in the conversation as Ron stepped back to let the couple get closer.
"I was just in shock after I talked to K...Kim a little while ago Dr. Possible, I didn't know what to think or do...", Tara trailed off.
"And you did all you could do, now what's this Kim has been telling me, that you and Kim's former boyfriend are dating?", James asked hoping it wasn't true and his daughter would find a 'cute' guy.
"Yeah Dr. Possible, Josh and I decided to try being a couple since Kim already picked Ron.", the platinum blonde sighed, "Josh is sooo nice to me." In the background the teen artist looked embarrassed and suddenly seemed the study a piece of tile in the floor.
"We already got into trouble for being late on curfew once.", Josh added, "We were watching the stars and we just fell asleep. We weren't doing anything, but it wasn't right. Our 'rents were worried about us."
"I can see that they would be Josh.", James replied trying to remember if Ron ever brought his daughter back home late except for when they were on a mission. Then he remembered the blond teen never had.
XX
Cafeteria:
"Hi Mom, taking a break?", Kim asked while she watched over her two brothers. Tim was reading a Physics book and Jim was doing the same with a Calculus book, both had notebooks out and were doing problems without the aid of their calculators.
"Looks like you found a way to keep your brothers from trying to make some form of hospital equipment into a rocket ship.", Anne smiled at the scene before her.
"Yeah now if Ron could just get up here so that he and I could..."
"Kimmie he's in the room with your Father right now."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I just did, he only got here a few minutes ago Kimmie, he volunteered to sit with your Father to give me a break. Let those two spend a couple of minutes together, it might help to make James be more accepting of Ronald.", Anne advised the teen who was now rising out of her chair.
The younger red head looked at her Mother then sighed and plopped back down in her chair with her arms crossed and a frown on her beautiful face. "OK Mom, I'll give them a little while, but I want to spend a few minutes with Ronnie.", Kim stared at her two brothers as they began to make gagging noises in stereo.
"Thank you honey, now we'll be leaving in a little while, the boys have been very good and I just don't know how far to trust to luck.", Anne smiled knowing somewhere deep inside, Jim and Tim could act like adults instead of like little monsters they usually were.
"Yeah I know, it sort of surprises me too.", Kim continued to frown trying to remember when the last time was when her bothers were so good.
"Mom...I'm really worried about Dad, maybe I should spend more time around the house.", Kim offered.
"Honey I don't think that is necessary, you need to have a life. I think that you are doing wonderful things helping people. And with all the clubs you belong to, it's quite remarkable you know.", Anne advised her eldest.
"But if I gave up cheerleading, I could spend more time at home...With you going to Denver for what is going to be most of the school year...Maybe I should just back off.", Kim thought out loud.
"No Kimberly, all those clubs and cheerleading and helping all those people are part of what you are. Don't give it up. I know you are feeling a little guilty right now, but things are going to get better.", Anne promised.
"But Daddy..."
"If your Father has any idea of you having that mindset he'll just suggest you give up your Ronald instead...Now are you willing to give up your longest lasting friend?"
"No Mom, I don't want to do that...It's just..."
"It's just you're feeling that you're responsible for your Father's condition. You are not; you have a life to live Kimberly. If James thought that he could get away from it he would have you dating those robot things instead, is that how you want to live your life?"
"No Mom not really, I don't want to give up Ron. I mean I really, really love him..."
"Then you had better take some time thinking about what you want to do. Maybe you'd better spend some time with Ronald. He should be kept in the loop with what's going through your head right now."
"Sigh, I know Mom, but usually I do my best thinking without interruption. I guess I need to talk to Ronnie though, I haven't been that good of a girlfriend for him."
"That wasn't all your fault either, Kim. James' antics really upset me, but I can't do anything about that now. I don't want to stress him even more.", Anne cautioned.
"Then you suggest that I break up with Ron?"
"No, don't do that, your Father is just going to have to adapt that's all. Now I think your Father and Ronald have spent enough time bonding. You should go rescue your boyfriend before he goes gaga over 'Captain Constellation'.", Anne snorted.
"Oh Mom that is terrible.", Kim imitated her Mother.
"What do you think they are doing right now Kimmie?"
XXX
The Jacob Rockwaller home:
"Girls please come into the family room.", Jacob implored his three daughters from his downstairs study.
"I'm busy.", Connie yelled back downstairs as she worked on the fingernails of her left hand.
"It wasn't a request girls.", Jacob raised his voice, "If I have to call again I'm cutting off your allowance."
It wasn't a long wait before all three Rockwaller daughters stood before him. "Sit down.", he told them.
Bonnie and her sisters looked back and forth to each other and mutually decided to let their Father have his moment of being in charge and did as he requested.
"I was at the high school today.", he began.
"So Daddy, it's like I said, only losers like Bonnie hang out at high school, right?", Connie got her barb at her sister in.
"And so did you when you were her age. Now please be quiet while I talk, it is impolite to interrupt your Father.", Jacob told them coldly.
Plllllease Daddy.", Connie griped as she got up and was grabbed by her Father who bent her over and cracked her on the behind with a hairbrush he whipped out of his hip pocket.
"I said be quiet.", the elder Rockwaller grated out waiting for this to take effect.
Connie gasped, "You hit me!"
"Very good of you to figure that out on your own, and you've deserved it for years. Now either shut the fire truck up or get out of my house.", he warned as he raised the brush again.
Not wanting another painful lesson into who was stronger and faster the chastised Ms. Rockwaller sat down and shut her yap.
"Now that's better. Girls you have a problem with a young Mr. Ronald Stoppable, am I correct?", Jacob asked.
"Yeah he's dating Possible even after I ordered them not to.", Bonnie informed him.
"Leave him and the Possible girl alone.", Jacob advised them in a cold voice that got all three girls' attention.
Bonnie started, "I can't...I'll lose face, all the other girls in the posse will laugh at me."
"I don't care, from now on if you can't be nice to them, leave them alone.", Jacob warned.
"And if I don't?", Bonnie frowned.
"Did you see the look on your sister's face?"
"Yes I did..."
"Good, imagine the same look on your face for the same reasons."
"You'd hit me? -You can't do that...It's abuse.", Bonnie countered though not real sure about her facts.
"True Bon-Bon, but now that you're seventeen you can move out, get a place of your own and get a job while going to school. That should move you down a few rungs on your precious 'food chain' shouldn't it."
"Bonnie you loser.", Lonnie Rockwaller smirked.
"Lonnie, you can move out with her you know."
"You know what, all you girls can move out. Then I can downsize on the house and save myself a ton of money. Then I wouldn't have to feed or clothe you either. Then you could say or do whatever you wanted.", he suggested, "And probably go hungry."
The three girls paled at the thought of fending for themselves and maybe even shopping at…..ugh Smarty Mart...Finally Connie asked, "So you want us to lay off Stoppable and Possible?"
"That I do."
"Why?"
"Why is none of your business.", Jacob responded.
"Buttt..."
"I told you it's none of your business, and if you wish to continue living under my roof you'll respect my wishes concerning a few things, that's all I ask."
"We'll tell Mom..."
"Go ahead; she suggested I do this a few years ago. I've let you get out of control and it's best for all concerned if we don't let it go any further."
"But I'll be a laughingstock at school.", Bonnie moaned.
"Just tell your posse that you grew out of wasting your time on Possible and Stoppable.", he advised, "That you have more important things to worry about since you're a Senior, like which prestigious University you are going to grace with your attendance."
"It's going to take some work Daddy."
"I know, but not as much as shopping in places like Smarty Mart for clothes and food.", he gave her insight to her future then he glanced at his other two daughters as all three cringed seeing their worst collective nightmare appear in front of them, "And you helped this along. You weren't as good as you made yourselves out to be. I had to bribe those judges at the talent shows."
"The talent shows?", Connie asked confused.
"Yes the high school talent contests, remember the ones you won? I bribed the judges.", Jacob clarified.
"You didn't..."
"Ask your Mother, she didn't want me to do that...but I felt it would make you feel better, I should have told you last year when you laughed at Bonnie."
"So like I said I want you to lay off Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable, and don't ask any questions about my business, do you understand me?"
"Do I have to let that loser back on the cheer squad.", Bonnie moaned not knowing what connection Ron and her Dad had.
"No you've done enough Bonnie. Just leave them alone from now on. If you have to pick on someone do it with someone else.", he advised her actually happy about what she had done for him.
"Now Possible will have a boyfriend and I don't, this is going to suck. I don't know what I'm going to do."
"That's not my problem right now Bonnie, with school approaching you'll find a guy soon enough.", Jacob told his daughter wondering if her bedroom was going to a constant mess again.
"That's right Bonnie, you'll probably steal Possible's from her.", Lonnie laughed, "She can't even land a boyfriend now."
'Hummm, I wonder if that could be a way to keep him at Middleton after this year.', Jacob began to smile as an idea came to mind.
XXX
Global Justice Headquarters:
"Agent Du has our asset in Paris made any further contact with those individuals she thought might be of interest to us?", Betty Director asked her top Agent.
"No Ma'am, I was thinking of letting her not pursue the one she thought was in that team so as not to scare him off.", Will replied.
"Good idea, but in a few days I want her to make contact again. This time have her take a bug with her and make sure if she has a chance she inserts it on the premises in a place where we can find out more about them."
"Yes Ma'am I will take care of it right away."
"Thank you Will."
XXX
"Anyway, when Kimmie-cub was just oh I guess five or so, she and Ronald were making mud pies out in the backyard. Ronald had offered to teach Kimmie how to bake. They were covered in thick mud, what a mess. Now I had this great idea to use a power washer to clean them off, but Anne put the kibosh on that one.", James chuckled.
"Anyway we got most of it off them with a garden hose; I still think the power washer would have been faster though."
"Mr. P is that the time when Missus P stripped us down and put us in the tub together?", Ron asked.
"Well that was the first time, well no it wasn't, but it was the most memorable….at least to me it was.", James smiled at the memory not really making the connection between the blond sitting with him and the boy in the tub.
Ron glanced back and forth between Tara and Josh with a blush and explained, "I'm an only child, until that moment I didn't know what the difference was between girls and boys...I thought KP was broken and I asked Mrs. P about it."
"You mean you saw...", Tara now turned red.
Ron nodded then shrugged his shoulders, "I was only five, and Kim had two brothers. I thought everyone was built the way I was. For all I knew girls were long haired boys." This drew another snort from James while unseen to him a figure slipped into the room and crossed her arms.
"So the first time you were ever kissed was when I gave you that one where that green lizard kid kidnapped us?", Tara asked hoping she had been his first.
"Well Mom had kissed me and KP did too, but from her it was more of a best bud type of thing. Even if we weren't dating now.", Ron glanced up in time to see James flinch a little, "She is always my best friend and I want to thank Mr. P for trusting her safety to me."
"Ronnn we kissed before, don't you remember? I wanted to know what it was like and I used you as a guinea pig.", Kim finally spoke up reminding him of a few events from years earlier.
"You kissed Ronald years ago?", James eyes widened.
"Yeah tongue and all Daddy, a girl's got to start somewhere. We all heard talk and we wanted to know what it was about."
"Just where did you hear this 'talk' from?"
"Uh Tara's best friend.", Ron added seeing Kim was so red she was about to spontaneously combust.
"Don't look at me, I never kissed her. I like her as a friend, but that is ewwww.", Tara sat wide eyed as she glanced at Josh.
"Neither did I.", Ron decided to butt out of this one before the rocket scientist called in any favors from his friends at the space center.
"Listen, I went out with her...but she already knew the 'facts of life' before I had any idea.", Josh countered.
They all turned to look at Kim, "Whoa guys, I don't swing that way, I'm a one guy girl...sorry Josh., but I think that dating you was just going to be for experience."
"Now it was not what you think Daddy, but now Ronnie's the only guy for this Possible.", Kim finally smiled making her blond boyfriend melt inside.
"So Kimmie-cub you and Joshua or you and Ronald never led to anything more amorous?"
"No Daddy, you know I'd never make that decision without talking to Mom first."
"Uh Sir do you mind if we get away from this part of the conversation? I'm a little uncomfortable with the rating right now.", Ron asked then added, "if your sons came in right about now they might strangle each other in some convoluted suicide pact."
Tara looked at her boyfriend and nodded, "Mr. Possible, Kim, we have to go. It's almost my curfew and we already got busted once this summer when we fell asleep while watching the stars. I don't want to get grounded again."
"Thank you for coming up to see me. It was very nice of you.", James smiled.
"Are you guys going to be in town for a while longer?", Josh asked hoping to get a double date in with the hero couple.
"I don't know Josh, it depends on how long it takes to go over everything and what the doctors say.", Kim replied, "Dad, Ronnie and I are gonna walk out to Josh's van with them. I haven't seen them all summer and I'd like to catch up for a few minutes."
"Sure honey, your Mom and the boys should be back soon enough.", James grabbed onto his daughter's hand, "Ronald was here a long time last night, he might want to go home."
"Ronnie's developed an independent streak Daddy so I have no idea what he'll do next. I'll be back up in a few minutes.", Kim squeezed his hand.
Kim held on to Ron's hand as Josh held Tara's as they exited the hospital room. Quietly they walked down the hall to the elevator as Tara began to break down. "How bad is your Dad Kim?", the platinum blonde asked her friend.
"We're not sure, he's already better tonight than he was last night. What a difference twenty-four hours makes. I was so scared about losing Dad last night.", Kim trembled not knowing her boyfriend was shaking a little too, but not the reason why, as the elevator door opened.
After the doors closed and the lift began to descend Kim continued, "I thought we were going to lose Dad last night. From what Mom said he had a major one then when Ron was sitting with him. Somehow it cleared up."
"How did it do that?", Josh asked.
"I don't know, right now I don't care. Ron won't say anything about it either."
"Uh KP, it's not that I won't it's just I have no idea what happened, asking me about it is like asking if I can speak Hungarian...And no I can't.", Ron nipped that in the bud.
"You can speak rat…..."
"No I can speak naked mole rat and, I couldn't do it if Rufus wasn't so smart.", Ron clarified causing Kim to grab onto his hand with her other one too. The doors opened again and the two couples walked out to the main doors of the hospital.
"And I remember you can speak Cockroach too.", Kim added as she squeezed his arm.
"Giant Cockroach, it's a bit of a different dialect."
"How is it different?", Tara wondered out loud.
"The clicks and squeaks are a different tone...and no I don't know why either."
The other couple just stopped for a second to see if Ron had grown a second head.
"What?"
"Nothing Ron, nothing.", Josh shook his head for a second wondering just how much Ron knew about life.
Reaching his van Josh asked after having discussed what he was going to do with Tara before, "Are you guys able to go out on a double date sometime before school starts? I mean after that all of us are going to be a little busy."
"I guess we could, but I'm not sure when Daddy's going to get out of the hospital so it's best not to make plans. I'm sure we'll get together sometime.", Kim responded, "If we have time we are going to Montana to see my uncle."
"We can work it out Kim, if you can come we have a surprise for you.", Tara hinted.
"What...are you guys moving your relationship to the next level?", Kim inquired a little confused yet hopeful for the two since Tara had been crushing on her boyfriend over a year before.
"What? No, well maybe..., sigh, Josh and I are a couple...We're not sure about where our lives are going to lead, so we're just boyfriend, girlfriend.", Tara replied seeing both Kim and Ron were surprised and perplexed.
Ron decided to take the bull by the horns, "Sure if we can work out a time, we'd love to join you on a double date as long as Bonnie doesn't' show up." As an idea began to form in his mind, his smile grew to epic proportions for a moment.
"OK you two take care and make sure you call your 'rents I don't want to see you get in trouble for being out late.", Kim advised.
"Don't worry Mother, I'll do it on the way home.", Tara giggled getting her way about the double date as the two cheerleaders hugged. Ron and Josh just shook hands. Then Kim turned to Josh and Tara turned to Ron, warm hugs were given and received.
"Be careful.", Ron told them.
Josh and Tara got in his car. Kim could see Tara wave then pull out her phone.
"That was sooo nice of them to come and see Dad.", Kim sighed as she reached for Ron's hand.
"Yeah it was."
"You don't act jealous of Josh anymore Ronnie."
"I'm not; you know I didn't like him when he took you out. I...I thought that I lost you back then. But when I think about it, it couldn't have been to a nicer guy."
"We drifted apart a little then didn't we? Promise me whatever happens to us we remain friends forever.", the red head asked as she laid her head on Ron's shoulder.
"As long as you want KP, even if it's forever.", Ron sighed hoping the feeling and closeness would never end.
"Good 'cause that's what I want. Now you should be going home too honey, you still look beat.", Kim looked up a little and could see the lines in his face.
"It must be the makeup I wore today, if ya don't mind I'd like to say goodnight to your 'rents."
"You goof. Ok let's go back upstairs so you can say goodnight. Then you have to get home, that's an order.", Kim replied softly.
"See, sidekicks don't need sleep, we're the comic relief. We just go on and on like that rabbit with the bass drum who hawks batteries.", Ron held her hand as they walked back inside.
X
Twenty minutes later:
The blond teen looked left and right at the stop sign before continuing on the street towards home and Rufus as an argument raged inside the teen hero's head:
'Better keep this thing on the road or Mr. B is gonna love the road rash, maybe he'll rub some cinders in any wounds to make me tougher.'
'KP would have ridden with me.'
'Well she's as tired as I am, I should have stayed.'
'Oh yeah, real smart. Tick off KP why don't ya? Tick her off and get her hurt 'cause I'm a clumsy oaf and her Dad WILL have me on some Pluto bound rocket even if he has to sign himself out of the hospital.'
'I can only die once. Anyway she'd just beat the snot outta me.'
'And she can make the experience unforgettable too.'
'Just like every other one.'
'Well when she walked me out to my crappy transportation I thought I was gonna melt from the heat.'
'Her knees almost buckled too or didn't you notice? She does love me.'
'How could I not notice? I had to hold onto her. And I love her back, I hope all this is going to work out.'
"Well her Mom isn't gonna let them stay out too late. They're all tired too...I wonder if Dr. Director is still up?'
The teen finally got home and shut down his scooter which should be been in a junkyard years before and opened the door. "Rufus.", Ron yelled, "I'm home. Did Mom and Dad call?"
Seeing the blinking light he smiled knowing that at least someone used the answering machine...finally. Pushing the recall button Ron soon found out after listening to his Mother's voice for two minutes that his parents would be home the next evening.
"Come on buddy, I'm going to Bueno Nacho to celebrate you wanna come with me?", Ron yelled to his rat.
"Hnk cheese.", the mole rat chittered as he ran down stairs to a waiting Ron Stoppable.
"I knew that would wake you up."
XXX
"Come on honey say goodnight to your Father, we all need some sleep.", Anne told her eldest.
"Yawn, yeah I guess you're right Mom. I'm beat, and even the Tweebs are tired.", the younger red head replied as she stretched seeing both of them nodding off.
"Goodnight Dad, we'll be back up tomorrow morning after I start some laundry.", Kim kissed her Father on the forehead.
"You Mother usually does all that..."
"She's real busy right now Dad.", then the younger red head paused before continuing.
"And we have to get used to fending for ourselves a little. Mom is going to be out of town for weeks at a time, I have to do something to help out...at least I know how to do the laundry and run the vacuum cleaner and do the dishes.", Kim explained.
"Thank you honey that is so thoughtful.", Anne smiled.
"Mom some of the other girls do the laundry in their homes, some help clean the house. If they can why can't I? I guess if I can convince the Tweebs to clean their bathroom and their bedroom and clean up after themselves it will make it a lot easier for all of us."
"I'm sure that cleaning up after themselves will help them to mature Kimmie.", Anne replied seeing both boys look on in horror the shock waking them up entirely, "And boys there will be no modifications done to any of my equipment around the house...do you understand me?"
"Mommm...oh alright.", they replied in stereo remembering that they agreed with each other to help as they could and behave themselves.
"I knew it you had it in you boys.", James smiled obviously tired as well.
Anne spoke up, "James sleep well tonight. They'll keep you monitored, but right now things look amazingly promising. I'll be back up early, now get some sleep. We might even able to finish what is left of our vacation." The couple who had been together since their Sophomore Year in College hugged and kissed then Anne turned to follow her children out the door to where both the car and the minivan were parked.
"Mommm how's Dad really doing?", a softly weeping teen asked.
"He...he somehow in the middle of a major stroke...completely healed himself in the blink of an eye.", Anne replied lowly, "I know the drugs helped, but we are still very lucky."
"I think we should spend some time in the chapel.", Kim observed.
"I think that's a wise idea honey, but right now, I think God would want us to get our sleep. I don't think he wants us on his doorstep quite this soon. If he did then why did he do what he did for your Father? We'll spend some time in there tomorrow."
"Good enough Mom, is it alright if I bring Ronnie too?"
"That would be a nice gesture honey." Anne smiled at her children as the doors to the elevator closed and they began their descent to the main floor and the cars for the drive home.
XXX
Bueno Nacho drive through:
"Have a Bueno Nacho day Ron.", Ned Breeze told his friend with a smile as he handed the sacks over.
"Thanks Ned. Maybe I'll see you tomorrow.", the helmeted teen with his helmeted mole rat replied with a grin and waved.
"Come on buddy let's get back home before our meals get cold, you know what happens to a Naco when it sits for a while.", Ron gabbed happier than he had been since his little adventure at the hospital and Mr. Dr. P almost twenty-three hours before. 'I sure am glad Sensei was able to show me the way. Now KP and Misses P are gonna have Mr. P for a long time.'
Suddenly the hair on the back of the neck of reluctant teen hero rose. 'What the?...', Ron thought as he quickly swerved making Rufus hold on for dear life to his late night snack.
With his heart racing, Ron applied the gas and hit the brake at the same time causing the scooter to spin a hundred and eighty degrees. Dropping the kick stand in the same instant, the blond dove from his seat, dropped his shoulder and rolled popping up in a defensive back stance his eyes searching the darkness around him for the threat he perceived.
Out of a shadow a dark figure appeared in front of him and waited for a second before closing the distance almost in a blur. Seeing this Ron whipped his helmet off at the attacker. The guy in black simply swatted the head gear away as he continued his advance.
The teen countered by sliding to his left and spinning while switching feet three times in rapid succession keeping his guard up. Ron's opponent quickly recovered and pulled out a pair of Sais from his belt and twirled them.
The blond knew that he was going to have to fight and also knew at the moment he didn't have a weapon on him to counter the spinning tines as they flashed in the moonlight. 'I'm gonna get spindled if I'm not careful.', he worried, 'Then KP and her Mom are both gonna be pissed at me. Who comes after the sidekick anyway? And how am I gonna 'splain this to them or to Mom and Dad?'
Ron's opponent didn't give him time for further reflection as the figure attacked again.
Without a sound the masked attacker again closed the distance as the weapons in his hands began to spin almost faster than the eye could follow.
"Rufus.", Ron hissed, "Make a mess buddy."
The pink rodent looked at this Master for a moment before running off to the side carrying the precious bag of cheese and stuff and threw it into the air and scampered away to safety.
Ron glanced out of the corner of his eye at his buddy to see that he had done what he wanted. Then Ron turned and sprinted to the mess in the middle of the street barely avoiding getting caught in the greasy slick.
'I hope this clown buys into this, otherwise KP is gonna be looking for a new boyfriend.', the sidekick worried as the disguised form again closed the distance silently ignoring the pile of food. Ron charged the form and looked around for a weapon of opportunity like he had been taught in his Kenjitsu classes with Master Umestsu. Seeing none that would suffice Ron paused for an instant as he ducked under the twirling Sais then hopped over the leg sweep by his adversary.
'I wonder?', Ron mused as he reached for his belt and pulled.
XXXXX
I hope you all liked it….or at least didn't hate it.
Now for the dreaded disclaimer; Kim Possible, Ron Stoppable, Rufus, Tara, Josh Mankey and a slew of others who were in the show 'Kim Possible' belong to the creators of said show and the Disney Corporation and not myself. Since they own KP and would obviously make tons of cash on the show if they had it on and I don't, well I can't make any…..money that is. Well off this hobby.
Now what's gonna happen next time? Uh I forget, but you'll see it in about a week.
See ya down the road.
ST-103