School Days
Chapter 26
Answers and Reaction
Ron held the door open for Kim as they left the restaurant. Looking out over the parking lot, Kim noticed that both sleet and freezing rain had started to fall. Ron groaned.
"This is going to be a mess to go through to get home."
Kim grabbed his arm as they made their way out to the Sloth.
"Yeah, but at least the Sloth should be able to fly above it. Wade filed our flight path with the FAA, so we should be able to get cleared all the way through. Since we're not on a mission, we don't have priority. Even so, we should be back home right after supper."
Ron winced.
"Your dad in a rant?"
Ron slumped down as Kim nodded.
"Great, your dad is going to send me on a one way trip."
Kim abruptly pulled him to a stop and nearly made them both fall onto the slick pavement.
"Ron! We've talked about this inside! It wasn't just you, we figured out that it was both of us! WE got SET UP, now get that into your head! Plus, it's dad I REALLY want to talk to. It was because of him that we got set up like this last time. Now, we've talked to Wade and he is doing some checking. What on, I really don't want to know. We've also talked to Dr. Director. She is putting a tail on some people around here, starting with Wayne. Now let's get going, it's getting cold and wet out here."
She pulled him down slightly and raised herself up onto her toes to give him a kiss. Giving him a sultry look, she whispered up to him.
"You can warm me up on the way home."
Ron rubbed noses with her.
"Boooooyahhhhhh..."
Both of them suddenly jumped at the sound of crunching metal and shattering glass. Looking to their left, they saw two cars coming to rest in the road. Both were heavily damaged and one had already started to burn. They both started to run whilst slipping and sliding toward the burning car as Kim screamed to a crowd of people watching.
"CALL 911!"
Ron got on one side of the smoldering car and Kim got on the other. The front and side of the car was crushed as flames started to grow at the rear. The scream of a child came from the backseat and Kim looked in to see a little girl of about ten years old tangled up in her seat belt. She was pinned in by the wreckage. There was an older woman in the drivers seat and a younger man about their age in the front passenger seat. Kim pulled on the door on her side and it creaked open. The woman moaned and started to move.
"My baby, get my baby!"
Kim nodded.
"We will, right now we need to get you out first."
Kim reached out around her and unbuckled the seat belt. Pulling at the woman, Kim held her breath knowing that she was moving someone who might be injured, but the flaming car did not give her another choice. She pulled the woman out of the car and helped her to the side of the road where some other people had gathered. Turning, Kim ran back to the car. Ron was still pulling at the other door.
"Kim, get him out on your side. This door is stuck!"
Kim nodded and went back to the drivers side. Pulling her laser lipstick out, she cut off the steering column and dropped it to the floor. Reaching over the front seat she grabbed the man's arm. He reached out, grabbed her arms and pulled himself to her, screaming as his leg moved. Kim stopped for a second. He shook his head.
"It's okay, my leg is broke, just get my sister out. I can get clear."
Kim pulled him from the car and laid him out onto the road. The man skittered back away from the car as he yelled.
"Get my sister!"
Kim turned around to see Ron looking around. There was no one on his side of the car. She watched as the familiar blue light filled his eyes. His hands started to glow as he gripped the rear passenger door. Kim called out to the little girl.
"Over here. Look at me!"
The child looked over at Kim with sheer terror in her eyes. She didn't see Ron nearly rip the door off of the wrecked car. Ron reached in and then broke the seat belt latch with his hand. Grabbing the child with one arm and using the other to bend the wreckage out of the way, he pulled her free from the car. Kim ran around to his side and helped him pull himself out of the car. They slid for the side of the road just before a dull 'whump' sounded and the rest of the car was quickly engulfed in flames.
Ron handed the child to her mother as the tearful mother grabbed for the child. She took the child into her lap and rocked her back and forth.
"God bless you, god bless you. Thank you, thank you..."
Ron stepped over to help the young man to the side of the road beside the mother and her child. He had a cast on his right wrist. Ron nodded to his leg.
"Looks like you'll have a broken leg to go with that broken wrist."
The young man laughed even though his face was gray with pain.
"Yeah, you're Ron Stoppable aren't you?"
Ron nodded.
"All day long."
The young man paused for a moment.
"I owe you one man."
Ron shook his head.
"Naw, it's just what KP and I do."
The young man shook his head.
"No dude. You two saved my mom and my little sister. I can't wait to tell my older brother who saved us. Our family pays our debts."
Ron just shook his hand.
"You just take care of your mom and your sister. Tell your brother it's no big."
Firetrucks, police and EMS started to arrive as the onlooking crowd grew. Kim and Ron stood together whilst hugging one another as cheers and whistles filled the air.
Anne watched as her husband strode back and forth across the living room in a rant.
"How could he do it? How could Ron do something like this? I..."
James covered his ears to protect them from an ear-splitting whistle. He turned to see his wife stand up after taking two of her two fingers out of her mouth.
"JAMES POSSIBLE! SIT DOWN AND CALM DOWN!"
He glared at her for a second but then flopped down onto the couch. She strode over and stood in front of him.
"First! We do NOT know EXACTLY what happened. We both know that the man on that show has been after the two of them ever since they got to school."
He grumbled, "Yeah, and it wouldn't have happened if they had gone to school here."
Anne snapped a glare at him.
"We have gone over this before again and again. Kim and Ron need and have the right to make their own decisions. And THAT means without you hanging over their shoulders."
He was about to reply when a familiar noise came up from just outside the house. Anne walked over to the window and looked out. Her eyes went wide when her eyes confirmed what her ears had heard.
"It's Kimmie and Ron. What are they doing here?"
James jumped to his feet.
"Whatever the reason, Ron has some explaining to do."
Anne stopped in front of him.
"JAMES NOT NOW! At least give them the courtesy of greeting them before you start to grill them."
They went to the door to see another car pull into the driveway. It was the Stoppable's. Kim and Ron jogged over to hug them as they got out of their car. Anne stepped out the door as James followed her. They all met in the front yard with a lot of hugs. Anne nearly crushed her daughter in her own hug.
"We thought you weren't coming home until tomorrow."
Kim pulled back.
"We weren't. But something came up and we thought it best to come home tonight. We have a lot to discuss."
James growled as he looked at Kim and Ron.
"Yes we do young lady, especially you young man."
Kim growled right back at her dad.
"Dad, we need to take this discussion inside."
Ron gave his mom another hug.
"Where's Hana?"
Jean Stoppable smiled up at her son.
"She was already sleepy when you called. We thought it would be best to just let her sleep. Mrs. Awiggins is staying with her."
Ron glanced at his mom with a frightened look. His mom grinned.
"She knows. Your Mr. Sensei recommended her."
Kim slid up next to Ron and put her arm around him. Everyone went inside and gathered into the living room. Her mother took a step forwards before her father could say anything and it was quickly apparent that she had taken over the meeting.
"Now Kimmie, you said something had come up. What can you tell us?"
Kim took Ron's hand and held it tight.
"We were surprised by the report. They hadn't done anything on us for awhile so we didn't think they were around. Then that report came out. Ron and I discussed what we had seen, who we had talked to and who we noticed being around. Well, we wondered where they got the information. Ron was in another student's room playing some games when another guy started to ask a lot of questions. We know that they did trick Ron into signing a piece of paper. He didn't know what it was, just that someone was asking for his autograph. I can't fault him there. I have signed a lot of things before without looking at them. He did mention the sleeping thing to them but even I have said that to the members of the cheer squad. The station just twisted his words. BUT! He did NOT tell them about anything else. In fact, he refused to tell them about it and told them it was none of their business."
Jean leaned forward.
"Then where did they get the information?"
Kim glanced at Ron.
"Well, we were wondering about that also when we were going to dinner tonight. Then something happened that caused things to start to fall into place. Wayne Kingston walked up to me as I as going to meet Ron."
Kim noticed that her dad had brightened up.
"Wayne started talking about the newscast and how sorry he was that Ron would do something like that."
Her dad smiled.
"That was very nice of the young man."
Kim continued.
"But that was not ALL that he said. He started talking about some other things. Things that were not in the newscast. Things like when the tweebs used my cheer outfit for an experiment."
Anne glanced at Kim.
"But nobody but us knew about that. The twins were punished for it and we decided that we would not talk about it."
Kim turned to her dad.
"Yeah mom, I know. Then Wayne started talking about dad coming to see Ron and I. Apparently we were on a mission so he asked Wayne out to dinner. It seems that he and Wayne got reeaal chummy that night."
James brightened up even more.
"Yes, I remember. I was passing through town after attending a conference in New York. I thought I would surprise the two of you but apparently you were off on a mission against Dementor or Killigan, I don't remember who. Just as I was about to leave, Wayne walked up and we started to have a really nice chat. You know Kimmie, Wayne is such a nice young man. Smart, good manners, a nice tall and well groomed young man AND he likes Captain Constellation."
Ron was about to say something but Kim elbowed him to be quiet as her dad continued.
"We had such a nice dinner. He really is a good friend for you Kimmie-cub. He told me a little about his family but he was so fascinated with our family and about you Kimmie. He wanted to know all about you. He said that he really liked you and that he hoped that you could really be good friends. I felt comfortable around him. We talked about how you and Ron met and all the things that had happened. We talked for a long time. He really laughed when he heard about Tim and Jim's trick with Kim's cheerleader outfit. I...."
Anne jumped to her feet.
"James Possible! How could you?"
James stared over at his wife.
"What do you mean dear? I just had a good conversation with that fine young man. He is so interested in Kim. Kim, you really ought to spend more time with that young man."
Anne stepped out in front of him.
"James! Did you mention about the hospital thing, and the twins and the rocket fuel?"
He smiled.
"Of course! I mean, they were parts of Kim's life. What are you so upset about? I was just trying to be nice to the young man."
Anne covered her face with her hand for a few seconds.
"James! As Kim would say, 'Get your head in the game!' If Kim didn't say anything to anyone and Ron didn't say anything to anyone, just HOW do you think the man on that show got the information? THINK JAMES!"
Kim's dad sat deep in thought for a moment.
"But, he was so nice and he thought so highly of Captain Constellation. He...he..."
Anne threw her hands up into the air.
"James, he used you! I thought that something was off about that boy! He was TOO perfect! He was TOO courteous!"
James looked over at Kim.
"But...but...he just seemed to have it going on!"
Kim tightened her grip on Ron's hand.
"Daddy, you said that about another young man that came into my life. Just what did HE do to me?"
James put his face into his hands.
"Dear God, what have I done?"
Kim stepped over to her dad, got down on her knees and took his hands into her own.
"Daddy. I know that you thought that you were doing what was best for me, but I am making my own way now. I need to make my own decisions and choose the people in my life on my own. I think I have done a pretty good job."
Kim glanced back at Ron.
"And I think I did a pretty good job of finding someone. It took me twelve years to realize that but I know it now."
Anne saw the look in her daughter's face and her heart suddenly skipped a beat. She knew that Kim loved Ron, but that look told her everything. Her daughter was totally and completely in love. The fact that even after all that was currently happening to them both, the two of them were holding hands told her volumes. The two of them had crossed the bridge of total trust and forgiveness. Kim turned back to her dad.
"Daddy, we need to know about anything else you might have told Wayne. I have already had Wade start to do some checking. I want as much as the full story as I can get before I confront Wayne."
Anne gasped.
"Are you sure that is a good idea Kimmie? I mean, this could lead to a lot of publicity."
Kim smiled.
"I know mom, but nobody knows how to play the press better than Wade. We have been dancing on the end of a hook for a few months now. It's time for payback. We are putting to together a plan that the news media will eat up. I normally like to be upfront in confronting things, but Ron thought of this and I think it will work."
Kim turned back to her dad and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Daddy, you got used also. Wayne was just playing you just so he could get to me. He is one of the biggest players on campus. He even hit on me the first day I was on campus! Some people warned me what he was like but I just didn't think he was this big a deal. I was wrong and we didn't realize until tonight what was really happening."
James looked up at Kim.
"I am so sorry Kimmi....Kim."
Kim reached up and caressed his cheek.
"Daddy, I will always be your Kimmie-cub and I will always love you."
Tears leaked out of James' eyes as he engulfed Kim in an hug. Kim turned her head and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Her eyes glistened as she whispered something into his ear. A sly demure smile crossed her face as she smiled at him. He turned his head, pulled her head down onto his shoulder and pulled her up into his lap. He held her gently for a few seconds as he rocked her back and forth. Stopping, he whispered something in her ear. Her face brightened and she stood up out of his lap.
James stood and walked over to face Ron. Ron stood as he walked up to him. James reached out and gently laid his hand onto Ron's shoulder. Kim started to walk over, but her mother motioned for her to stay still. Kim suddenly understood. This was between the two men in her life.
"Ron, someday I hope that you will forgive me for what I have done. I doubted you, put you down and then almost caused harm to come to both you yourself as well as what you have with my daughter. I cannot think of a better man that I would rather have standing next to my daughter. You two have something that is very special and I just didn't understand that. If there is anything I can do for you, just ask."
Ron placed his hand on James' hand.
"MrDrP, there is nothing to forgive. You were just doing what I myself have always tried to do. That is what I thought was best for Kim. I will always trust you. But, you could do me a favor."
James pulled out his handkerchief and then blew his nose.
"What would that be son?"
Ron held out his hand.
"Would you allow me the honor of being able to marry your daughter?"
There was total silence in the room. Then came the sound of a glass hitting the floor. Anne stood there with water soaking into the carpet at her feet. Kim finally got her mouth working as her father took Ron's hand and placed his other hand on Ron's elbow.
"RON! YOU haven't even asked ME yet!"
Ron beckoned her over and took her into his arms. Looking down into those emerald eyes shining up at him, he smiled.
"Yeah, but your dad needed to know just how much I trust him. So, I went ahead and asked him. Besides, I wanted to ask him first anyway."
Kim dove into a tight cuddle with Ron. He could surprise her in the most wondrous ways! The two stood there for a moment and then turned to face James. He stood there for a moment as he put his handkerchief back into his pocket. He then motioned for Anne to come over. Anne literally glowed as she walked over next to her husband. He whispered a question into her ear and then grinned brightly as she nodded. As she stood at his side, James put his arm around her and then turned back to Kim and Ron. Gene and Jean joined Ann and James as they stood in front of their children. James cleared his throat.
"Ronald, son, you have our permission to marry our daughter...just wait 'till AFTER graduation."
Wayne held onto the backpack as he walked across the campus. He stared deep into every shadow that he could see. The note had arrived in his mailbox that morning. It gave him the time and place for the payoff to go down. His dad had not been very happy when he found out that the payoff had increased but then told Wayne that he could pay him back when he made the NFL. Besides, what team would turn him down with Kim Possible at his side? Wayne found the bench on the far side of the campus. He stood in the dark under the tree and waited.
The rumors were running rampant around the campus. Kim and Ron had disappeared from the campus after rescuing somebody from a wreck. Now, Kim had been seen on campus but Ron hadn't. The reporter from Celebrity Third Degree had been calling him, asking if he had seen or heard anything else from either Kim or Ron. Wayne mentioned to the reporter what Kim had said. The reporter told him to call when Kim called. They could then set up Kim to make it appear that she was cheating on Ron or that she had dumped Ron. It all came down to whatever would bring a better headline. They would even set it up so that it looked like Ron had something to do with it.
Looking up, the bare limbs of the large tree swayed in the wind. Wayne sighed and hoped that his contact would be here soon. It was too blasted cold to be standing out here. Above him, he failed to notice that part of one large limb seemed to move. He also didn't see the lens of a camera focus on him. Two dark brown eyes focused on him from above. A thin smile crossed the figure's face.
"We meet again Mr. Kingston. If we ever meet face to face for any reason you will NOT like it. You have hurt two people that I care about very much. I will be delighted to be a part of giving you what you deserve."
Wayne noticed a figure approaching him in the darkness, limping along on crutches. He waited until the figure had made his way to the place under the tree. Wayne noticed that it was one of the young men that worked for Davy. The man made his way up to Wayne and then stopped in front of him.
"You got the money?"
Wayne nodded.
"Who are you?"
The man glanced around the area.
"Davy sent me."
Wayne nodded and then handed the backpack to the man. He hopped onto one foot, held both crutches in one hand as he slipped the backpack onto his back and then put both of crutches back under his arms as he looked up at Wayne.
"Get your jollies using someone else to do your dirty work?"
Wayne sneered.
"Just why do you care? I paid you and your friends to hurt Stoppable because he's in my way. I want Kim Possible and I ALWAYS get what I want. I paid you to hurt him and to get him out of the way for a little bit. I sold off information to that guy on that TV show. That dork dad of Possible's ran off at the mouth and gave me everything I needed to break to two of them up. With luck, I'll even be able to get Stoppable kicked off of the team and better yet, out of school!"
The man just shook his head.
"Just what did they ever do to you?"
Wayne glared back at him.
"They made me look like a fool to an important visitor. Ron showed me up on the field and took over my place as starting running back. Kim? That little witch turned me down. Me, Wayne Kingston and she turned me down flat! NO girl turns me down! Now, you got your money, get lost! I got better things to do."
Wayne turned around and then started to walk back up to the main part of the campus. The man watched as Wayne walked away. Then, looking up into the tree, he smiled. Turning around, he made his way back up the same way from where he had first come. The area around the tree was quiet for several minutes until a stealthy figure made it's way down out of the tree. Standing straight, the figure walked off into the darkness whistling 'Dixie'.
The conference room buzzed with activity as a number of camera crews finished setting up their equipment. Other sports writers took their seats which had been set up in front of the podium. Wayne's dad stepped up to the microphone.
"Thank you for coming. My name is Jason Kingston. My son and I are thankful for you being here today. Wayne, will you come up?"
Wayne stepped up to the microphone grinning. He was going to announce that he himself was eligible for the draft. After the season that he had just had, he had no doubt that they would be clamoring for him. He knew that he was up in the top of the list for the Heisman. All he had to do was get Kim on his arm and life would be good.
"Thank you for coming today. I would like to announce that I will be eligible for the draft. I have enjoyed the many years here that I have had at Vandercraft University and I am looking forward to the future."
A reporter on the front stood up.
"Mr. Kingston, what do you think your chances are with the Heisman?"
Wayne shrugged his shoulders.
"I don't know, you guys know more about that than I do."
At that moment, Kim walked into the room with a couple of other people that he didn't recognize.
They all held a number of manila envelopes.
"Kim? Ladies and gentlemen, I don't think she needs any introduction but this is a friend of mine, Kim Possible."
One of the reporter jumped up.
"Miss Possible, it is true that you have broken up with your boyfriend and are you starting a relationship with Wayne Kingston?"
Wayne settled back. This was the crowning moment. This would be his shining moment when Kim would step up to his side. Kim stopped in front of the table and laid a number of manila envelopes on the table in front of everyone. Then, turning back to the reporters, Kim flashed a smile.
"Just for the record, I have NOT broken up with my boyfriend and partner, Ron Stoppable. I am NOT here to start a relationship with Wayne. However, I am here to inform the media and school officials about some actions of Wayne Kingston and Jason Kingston."
Wayne's eyes flew open.
Kim picked up one of the packets.
"Inside each of the press packets is information about some recent actions of Wayne and his father.
This includes the payoff to a group of local thugs to attack and injure Ron Stoppable. We have a tape of the payoff with Mr. Wayne Kingston stating his motives and reasoning for paying for the attack. We also have a number of sworn statements by a number of students of additional actions taken by Wayne Kingston in order to force a breakup between Ron and myself. There is also evidence that Wayne paid a fellow student to switch a test paper on Ron that would have forced Ron to fail a course and thus lose his eligibility to play."
Another reporter jumped to his feet.
"Miss Possible, these are some very serious charges! Do you have any evidence?"
A tall figure in a dark business suit entered into the room.
"She has the evidence and more. I am Samuel Dunn of the F.B.I.. I am here to ask Mr. Wayne Kingston and Mr. Jason Kingston some questions."
Kim made her way up to the podium and then gave Wayne a glare that made him step back a couple of steps. Ron entered the room and then made his way to Kim's side as she faced the audience.
"Many may be wondering why Wayne would do these things. I am not sure, but I will say that Wayne has made several passes at me. I told him each time that I was not interested in him. Apparently, he would not take the word 'no' for an answer. In fact, when speaking to the party he was paying off, he stated that NO girl ever turns down Wayne Kingston. Well Wayne, I turned you down, several times. I have a boyfriend- a very good boyfriend. I don't need anyone one else."
Wayne leaped forward and grabbed Kim by the arm.
"YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME!"
Kim grabbed his arm and then flipped him over the table onto the floor in front of everyone. She leaned over the table and then scowled down at him whilst he groaned on the floor.
"I would suggest you keep your hands off of me. I told you once, and I'll tell you again. I am not, nor will I ever be interested in such a self-centered, egotistical piece of sludge such as yourself. Ron Stoppable is more a man than you will ever hope to be. After the police get through with you, if you ever come near to me, Ron or our families, I'll do more than just throw you over a table."
Kim held on to Ron as they walked back to the dorm's after class. It had been a few days since the incident at the news conference. Global Justice had stepped in along with the FBI, the IRS, Campus Police and the local police. Wayne and his father had been placed under arrest in full view of all the cameras and sports writers. It became one of the biggest news stories for several days. Kim and Ron found out later that the father had embezzled money from the company that he had worked for to both pay off the people to attack Ron and to purchase favors to try and influence the voting of the Heisman.
The big surprise came when they found out the man who had attacked Ron with the knife was the same one that they had pulled out of the burning car. The boss of the group, a man by the name of Davy, turned out to be the young man's older brother. The two of them arranged for the younger one to pick up the money. Davy then contacted the Team Possible website stating that he would set up Wayne to be taped. Wade contacted Cap and Cap was ready when the exchange was made. Then the younger man turned himself into the police with the money and the tape Cap had made.
The younger man would not tell anything about any of the others but he did tell everything about how they were approached to attack and injure Ron. He identified Wayne as the main person they had contacted. Clips from the videotape captured by Cap were the main feature of several news shows. The comments made by Wayne on the tape raised a lot of commentary about the behavior of some athletes. After hearing about what the young man had done, both Kim and Ron wrote letters to the court asking for leniency for him.
The Celebrity Third Degree Show took a hit when it came out that several students had taken money and that some of the students didn't even have classes with or even know Kim and Ron. The Space Center announced that the "dangerous chemicals" were actually very safe fuels and nothing any more dangerous than the model rocket motors you could purchase from the stores. As for the dangerous experiments, Child Services of Middleton released a full report that all of the activities of the twins had been investigated. Nothing could be found that would have been dangerous to anyone around them and if there was any danger, Mr. Possible was always supervising. Neighbors in the area also had no complaints. The hospital announced that Kim had been cross trained in emergency procedures and was qualified to assist in an operating room. Ian Quisition attempted to keep the story going but the revelations about Wayne had overshadowed anything that he had tried to say.
Kim and Ron did have a little awkward moment when it came to the discussion of "sleeping together". Both of them blushed to the roots of their hair when they talked about sleeping together in only the literal sense. Several of the questions from the audience got rather pointed but all they would state was they had only slept together as in resting fully clothed and snuggled together. The word intercourse was avoided completely. They stated that they were not ready for the responsibility of the consequences and were waiting. Many of the celebrity rags really had a heyday with the whole situation, and there was even a skit on Friday Night Live making fun of their decision. However, many religious leaders and family groups stood up and nearly cheered that two celebrities such as themselves would stand up and say that they were waiting.
All in all, it had been a couple of extremely interesting days. The two of them had gotten used to all the snickers and stares but all in all it appeared that everything was behind them. Exams were coming up, and both of them had been studying hard. Vandercraft had won the conference and was up for the Bulls-eye Bowl game. The sports writers were going crazy over Ron now. With Wayne out of the picture, Ron would have to carry the brunt of the game. Kim had been moved up to assistant head cheerleader next to Glenda.
Kim tugged at Ron's arm and then snuggled closer to him.
"Hungry?"
A rumbling growl came from Ron's stomach in answer to her question. Kim giggled and reached over to pat him on the stomach.
"What do you say that we head for the Doghouse?"
Ron laughed.
"Sounds good to me, can I get some onion rings...Pwweeeaase?"
Kim looked up to receive the full force of a Ron Stoppable Forlorn Puppy Dog look. She burst out laughing. It felt so good to laugh. There had been little to laugh about for so long. She pulled him down closer to her for a kiss.
"Only IF you share."
Jabbing his arm in the air, Ron yelled, "Booyah!"
Kim sighed as she snuggled up next to him as they made the turn to head for the Doghouse. She fell quiet for a little bit.
"Ron?"
He glanced down to see her staring at the ground. The inflection in her voice caught his attention. When she said his name like that in that tone, she always wanted to talk about something really serious.
"What's wrong KP?"
Kim looked up at him with those shining green eyes.
"There is not a single thing wrong Ron Stoppable. Everything is so right. It's just about that question you asked my dad...when will you be asking ME the question?"
Ron tried to think of a snappy comeback, but one would not come. This wasn't the time. He pulled her a little closer.
"I...I don't know KP. I mean we are just freshman. We have a lot of time. At least I hope we have a lot of time. I..."
Kim's phone rang at that moment. Both of them looked at each other and then started to laugh. It never failed that their lives would interrupt them when every time they started to have a serious conversation. Kim flipped her phone open.
"Hello? Gerald? What's wrong? What? Calm down and tell me what is going on."
Ron stopped and stared at Kim as she spoke into her phone. Kim listened for a few more seconds.
"Okay Gerald, I am on my way. Ron will be coming as soon as he gets our equipment. I'll see you soon."
Kim snapped her phone shut.
"Something is really wrong at Dr. Devilin's office. Gerald is really upset and sounded bad, like he was hurt. I'm going to go straight there. Get to the Sloth, get our gear and meet me there. Mission time."
Ron watched as Kim ran off across campus toward Dr. Devilin's office. He turned and ran toward the parking lot where the Sloth was parked. Slipping between two cars, he saw the Sloth sitting there covered in snow. He was about to feel for his keys when something hit him in the head and everything went black.
Kim ran up the stairs which lead to Devilin's office. The first thing that she noticed was the absence of the door on the hinges. It was there alright...well, what was left of it. The old wooden door with the frosted window and with Devilin's name on it lay in pieces on the floor and against the far wall amid piles of shattered glass. Kim stopped and looked around as she listened. Whoever did this did not appear to be around. At least, she hoped that they weren't still around. Stepping into the office, she started to look around. She pulled up short when she noticed that Dr. Devilin was sitting tied to his chair and was barely moving. There was a gag was stuffed in his mouth. He had also been severely beaten. She then noticed his hands: every one of his fingers had been methodically broken. Kim ran around the desk and quickly pulled the gag free. Devilin gasped.
"Miss Possible, be careful. I...I don't know if they are still around! They are looking for you."
Before Kim could ask him a single question, he passed out. She looked around once again before yelling out. She had to take the risk that whoever "they" were, were not still around. She had to find Gerald.
"Gerald!"
His voice called out from his office next door. Kim pushed the door open and looked around, but did not see him. Calling out softly, she entered the room.
"Gerald?"
His voice came from behind the desk.
"Here Kim."
She moved around the desk to see him lying on the floor with a bloody shirt. He had also been beaten badly. She instantly knelt beside him.
"Gerald!"
He shook his head.
"We don't have a lot of time. So please listen. Kim, I am sorry but Dr. Devilin and I have been using you. We were doing some research just like how we told you, but we were also doing something on the side. We were developing a project that would render any encrypted message to be read with ease. It was a computer program. We had to have you around so that no one would get the wiser as to what we might be doing. We completed the project but our benefactor decided that we are a liability. Dr. Devilin and I hid the only copy of the project on a jump drive here on campus. You need to get it and keep it away from them! Go to that bench on the far side of campus that you and your boyfriend like. The tree behind it has a hole in the trunk. Reach down into the hole and the jump drive is stuck to the inside of the hole with putty. Feel just inside the lip of the hole. Get it to your friends. They will know what to do with it."
Kim tried to help Gerald. He shook his head as he winced.
"They thought I was dead, and then they tortured Devilin to get him to tell where it was. He didn't talk. Then they decided that you might know where it was, so they went looking for you..."
Kim looked up at him.
"But I didn't see anyone on the way over here. If they were following me then..."
Kim looked around. Ron was not there yet. Alarm bells started to go off inside of her head. She grabbed her phone and, using speed dial, called Ron's number. The phone rang only a few times before he answered. Except, it was not Ron that had answered. A man's European accented voice spoke to her.
"Greetings Miss Possible. There is no need for any explanation. You knew or know by now the location of a certain object that we want. I would imagine that you also want your boyfriend back alive and well. I'll give you until 12:00 pm tomorrow to retrieve the object that we want. Be at the main fountain in the center of campus at that time and bring the object. I will be there with your boyfriend, who will be in as good a shape as he will allow. You give me the jump drive and I will let you and your boyfriend live."
Kim snorted.
"And you expect that I will let you just walk away?"
The voice chuckled.
"I believe that you will, or more than just you and your boyfriend will die. Until tomorrow, Miss Possible."
The phone line went dead in Kim's ear. Looking down, she noticed that Gerald had passed out also. She heard the Campus Police yelling from the door. She stood up and made her way around Gerald's desk.
"IN HERE!"
Pulling the Kimmunicator out from her pocket, she punched in the call button.
"Wade, patch me through to Dr. Director and make it like yesterday. We have trouble big time."
Wayne got his just desserts, with whipped cream and a cherry on top. Kim served him with a smile, cooking as only she can cook. Not in the kitchen of course, the university IS still standing. But cooking in a way only SHE can. She took him down in a way that hurt the most and she didn't even have to bruise her knuckles. Not that she didn't WANT to.
Now a different sitch has come up. One that is a lot more dangerous than egotistical jock.
Hang in there. This story isn't over yet.
Please leave a review, I would appreciate it.
This is the Captain
Roger and Out
Right hand salute.