A/N: Please note that I still don't own Kim Possible or Ron Stoppable, so I have no rights at all to them as they and all the characters, objects and places associated with the show belong to the Disney Corporation. I still don't make any money from this hobby and I suppose that it's for the best though someday I'd love to get out of the stinking factory. However the characters Wanda Wang and Suzie Chin as well as Maku-san, Major John Grant, Major John Jackson and Judge Q. Hector Snobblestone do belong to me and are creations of my warped mind. So please ask if you want to use them…OK? I've borrowed from other authors with their permission
Foremost I want to thank again CajunBear73 for his tireless efforts at trying to make these stories readable. His comments in red are usually better than the story itself and one of these days I might include some of them in the comments section. I want to give a shout to Spectre666, Screaming Phoenix, Waveform they review me all the time and provoke me...I uh mean inspire me to do better, enough with the sticks already.
And now for the reviews: Shrike176 as for arresting Josh, I think that Dr. Director wants to know just who is involved before she starts going after people.
CajunBear, Ron went in the Army to help people, how many has Ron helped over the years? He learned this from his time with Team Possible. Kim is being cared for by a dedicated staff and loving friends and family. Hopefully for her the journey may be coming to an end. As for Josh and bats.....hmmm ya never know.
Screaming Phoenix, yes Kim is enjoying her own personal hell at the moment. I hope it gets better soon. And Ron is becoming a force.
Joe Stoppinghem, nice try. I think that Yori and Hirotaka will be ninja quiet about Ron-san's activities around Kim. Great idea though. Kim is making progress a lot due to that care of her friends and family. I just wonder how much Ron has done to help people during all this time? Maybe that will come out later....
Waveform, Josh and the jewelry...Yeah he does have a one track mind. It goes further than just the necklace and ear rings though. The Mankeys really do believe that they 'own' Kim....but that's for a later story that I don't want to give the plot away on yet. Yes Josh being the opposite of Ron....
Daccu65, I think a lot of the problem with Mr. F letting Kim go was that Amy Hall ....hold on I better let that one ride for a bit. Let's say it's probably getting a little expensive to keep Kim on the drug...I have a few other surprises, but if I told you what they were then you'd never forgive me.
A big thanks to the reviewers I truly appreciate the comments. Now I do have one comment that I need to make. If something like "Is there going to be a sequel" enters your mind and you put that in the review (Yes this actually happened), and that information is included HERE, all that it tells me is that the reader didn't pay attention to the Author's Notes where I do try to let the reader know these kind of things, I'm not that big of a jerk to not let you know if more stuff is coming up.
Therefore let me say right up front 'Separate Lives' is between 'Broken Promise' and 'Once Again'. So it goes 'Winter Adventure' (Christmas of Kim and Ron's junior year), 'A Lasting Love' (Senior Prom…Or about four weeks before Graduation), 'Broken Promise' (Graduation to a month after graduation), and 'Separate Lives' (A month after Graduation till sixty-three months after Graduation). 'Once Again' is placed after that. I pretty much thought that was clear, but I'm just a dumb pipefitter.
For the rest of you I apologize. 99.987% of you already caught on a long time ago and I'm just trying to get the rest up to speed.
So this is the last of the prequel stories and if I ever attempt to do this again, please someone put me out of my misery. Please be patient because it is going to take a while to spin this yarn. It will go forty chapters. It will be dark in places. In other places it will be light. Expect drama and adventure with some humor thrown in.
Now Kim is almost done with the drugs. Hopefully, her life will turn around and maybe she will enjoy the comfort of family and friends again. Is the Master finished with er and Josh? As for Ron and his men what trials await? They were deployed for over a year, they should need some R&R...Well that's what we called it. Spectre calls it something else. I think CajunBear and Duccu had the same idea. Anyway it looks like Ron has his own idea of what it should be. And why is that?
ST 103
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Separate Lives
Chapter 26
Fort Lewis, Washington:
"So when is your squad going back to Japan for more training at that school, Sergeant?", Major Jackson asked.
"Sir we're leaving next week. Most of the guys took a couple of weeks to wind down with their families. We had been gone this time for over a year and we saw a lot of action. I mean they deserved the right to be off.", Sergeant Stoppable explained.
"What did you do while they were off, son?", the Battalion's S-2 asked.
"Well sir, I decided that I wasn't all that good at waterborne insertions so I took some training with a few SEALS that I know. You know as a favor. Then I went to see the Merchants to see how they were getting along.", Ron told his superior officer.
"When was the last time you had a vacation Stoppable?", he asked.
"Well sir I thought that the training thing was my vacation. Before that was when the squad went to Japan. That was nice.", he replied.
"That was training as well, I was there…Remember?", Jackson pushed his point.
"Well sir, I mean I try to keep busy…You know, so that I don't remember my old life. If...if I stop to think about her I can't seem to get going again. So I try to keep going; that keeps my mind occupied. Anyway I'm happy here. Sometimes I take guys duties so they can have a bit more family time.", he told the officer.
"What about your family, Have you ever tell them what your profession is? Do they even know that you're still alive?", Jackson inquired. 'Crap this kid is going to burn out.', he mused angrily.
"Sir I never told them where I went, if that's what you mean. I just disappeared. It was better that way. They should have all forgotten about me by now I suppose. I can't show my face in Middleton again. All that ridicule and tormenting by others… Loser…. Buffoon… Sidekick. How about Distraction or Bottom Feeder? Those were all terms that were used to describe me when I lived there. Most of the people hardly ever used my name, Ron Stoppable. Now that I'm gone at least Mom and Dad don't have to see or hear all that stuff. Maybe Hanna doesn't have to choke on those words either. I can't go back to that. It's better the way it is now.", Stoppable explained.
"But your parents have the right to know if you're even alive. You need to a least tell them. How long have you been in? Four years? I couldn't imagine not hearing from my kids or parents for a year, let alone four. Do you hate your family Ron?" , he asked trying to make his point.
"NO sir, I don't hate my family, I'm not too thrilled about one cousin. But then I think he's heading for the big house when he turns eighteen. I love my Mom, Dad, sister and Rufus.", he responded, 'K...Kim too, but I can't let it bother me now. It's years too late for that.'
"Well son, I'm going to make a promise to you. If you don't contact your family before you leave for Japan, then I'm going to call them.", he informed the Sergeant.
"You can't do that sir.", Ron replied.
"What do you mean, I can't soldier?", he asked sharply.
"Well sir they have an unlisted number, Dad got it my junior year when I was stuck on Longs Peak.", he told the Major, "Those media nutcases were bothering Mom and Dad."
"Son, all I have to do is inform that Miss Marks of your location or that old web site that Miss Possible still has up. If that doesn't work I know that there is a recruiting center in your town. I can have them stop by and see your folks, and I can guarantee that people will be calling me for information about you. Listen Ron, all you have to do is tell your parents that you're alive. That's all I ask.", he stated.
"OK sir, I can do that.. I'll tell Mom and Dad. But I'll have to make them promise not to tell anyone else. I just want to stay in the background, as I always have. I like it here, I like doing what I do. If I told my Mom that I was a Ranger, well she might faint on me.", Stoppable replied.
"Why is that?", the officer asked.
"She sorta has problems with me being in harms way.", he replied.
"Yeah son, I can see where what you do may bother her, but you let them know that you're alive anyway.", he nearly ordered.
As Sergeant Stoppable walked out, another door opened and Major Grant walked in. "Well how did he take it John?", John Grant asked John Jackson.
"You've known him longer that I. Why didn't you make him tell his folks?", the S-2 inquired.
"Self preservation John. Remember, I saw what he could do as an eighteen year old kid. He's a lot more capable now then he was when he began. Another thing, I finally got some of the footage that he talked about...you know during his graduation. That's just plain scary. What he did to those aliens because they were going to make a trophy out of his girlfriend. I checked on that Possible girl too.", he replied.
Looking at a folder, he started again, "Let's see here Kimberly Anne Possible (EX Mankey). Senior Global Justice Agent and the head of agent training. She's now divorced and in some kind of re-hab. I went through the Pentagon's liaison with that Global Justice outfit. They're not providing details, but some thing is definitely wrong with her. In checking further I found there's still people looking for a Ronald Dean Stoppable all the time. We have a heck of a filter in place to keep those inquiries at bay. Ron's still officially known as Ronald Theodore Loosee' in governmental records. It's going to take some fancy footwork to keep from getting our fingers slapped over this, but in a lot of people's minds it's well worth it.", John Grant informed his friend.
"Well what do we do Major Grant?", John Jackson asked.
"About what?", Grant replied.
"Getting those two clowns, Kim Possible and Sergeant Stoppable, back together. That Japanese couple was very concerned that Stoppable go back home and patch things up with the Possible woman. I don't know why but they took me off to side to see if I could force Stoppable to return and at least become friends with her again.", Major Jackson informed his fellow officer.
"Do you remember what he said. He still loved her. I mean after what she said to him...I just don't know. I don't know if we can force Sergeant Stoppable to do anything that he doesn't want to do.", John Grant informed Jackson.
"Then what do we do John?", John Jackson asked.
"We wait. For some reason this isn't over. That's one thing I'm sure of. If push comes to shove I think I'll head over to Colorado to check out the National Guard Infantry Companies. Then maybe I'll go look that Space Center over too. Did you know her father works there? I might even take a tour of that Global Justice police outfit. Since we did an operation with them, maybe I'll check with the head of their training program to see how well we interface with them.", Grant laughed.
"Oh you are evil.", Major Jackson replied.
---
Middleton General Hospital. Middleton, Colorado:
"Very good Kimberly, your treatment going pretty well right now. From the blood tests, we can tell that the drug is almost flushed from your system. The days when you are with us are a lot longer than when you're out of it that's for sure. Now it should only be a few weeks more if we're lucky.", Dr. Andy Thumper informed her as Dr. Director and the Drs. Possible sat in on the conference.
"Thanks a lot Doctor, if it wasn't for family and all my friends I don't think that I ever could have gotten here. While it was bad for me at times, it must have been very distressing for all of the them.", Kim replied, "The problem now is that when I'm thinking clearly I have these images in my mind. And I don't know why. Am I going crazy?", she asked.
"Well I don't think so. With all that you have gone through with the drugs and all I wonder if we missed something.", he replied, 'She doesn't know about the chip that they removed right after they brought her in that first night. I wonder what's going on in her head?'
Dr. Director stated, "Kimberly I know this is a little harsh, but we're not sure of what all happened to you, I'd like to have a specialist hypnotize you to find out. There's something that's bothering you and it might be your subconscious mind. We still don't know who is behind this attack on you."
"I suppose you're right Dr. Director. I want witnesses though. I want Mom and Dad there, I want Mr. and Mrs. Stoppable there too, maybe we can find out why Ron and I broke up. Think Tara and Bonnie have the right as well as Wade.", she answered, "They've all known me for a long time and they all spent a lot of hours hearing me scream my head off."
"I understand. Those that have been hurt by the things that have happened to you will be allowed to attend if your mother and father agree.", she stated to the young redhead.
James answered for both, "Betty, I think it's time we found out what happened to Kimberly."
---
Stoppable household:
Hanna was sitting at the kitchen table while Barbara was cooking dinner, when the phone rang. The youngster quickly picked up the phone hoping it was her new friend Linda Runnable. "Hello.", she said into the mouthpiece.
"OH excuse me I thought I dialed the Stoppable home. I apologize.", the voice replied.
"Hold on mister, this is the Stoppable house. I'm Hanna.", she informed the person on the other end.
"May I please speak to Mom or Dad?", the voice asked.
"Who?", Hanna asked becoming worried now.
"Mrs. Stoppable or Mr. Stoppable.", he replied.
"Who may I ask is calling?", as she suddenly remembered her manners.
"Ron.", the man other end end explained.
"Ron who?", the young girl asked.
"Ron Stoppable, Hanna. Your brother.", he replied with a small laugh.
"Ron Stop....RON? RONN!", she yelled as she figured out who was talking to her, "Brother Ron...MOM, Ron's on the phone, hurry and pick it up."
Breathlessly Barb Stoppable picked up the phone, "Ron, is that really you?"
"Yeah Mom, sorry about scaring everyone and taking so long to let you guys know that I'm OK. But I thought that I explained it all in the letter. You guys got the letter didn't you?", he asked.
"Ron, you freaked out your whole High School graduating class, as well as everyone else in the whole city, but Kimberly and that jerk she ended up marrying. Everyone was so worried about you. DON'T you ever do that again. DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME! It's been four long years and so much has happened!", she yelled over the phone and then softened her voice at the end.
"OK Mom, Listen I'll call later when you're not so upset. I'll talk to you guys later....", he was cut off.
"DON'T you dare hang up Ronald Dean Stoppable. I'm just frustrated that's all. I mean all of your friends have been looking for you since you left after that scene at the mall.", she calmed down.
"Oh, OK. Why would they do that? Is Dad around? I have to make this short 'cause we're getting ready to go.", he stated as he looked at his packed bags.
"No honey he'll be back later tonight. Your friends all cared about you. What have you been up to. I mean it's been over four years. Where do you have to go?", she asked.
"Mom I went in the service. I won't tell you where I am unless you promise not to tell anyone else, including Wendy Marks.", he told her.
"OK I promise and I promise for Dean and Hanna too.", she replied as she noticed her daughter sticking out her tongue.
"OK then, I'm in the Army Mom, I have about two years to go, but I'm thinking real hard about making a career of it. I finally found a home for me. They want me here Mom. I feel needed and I've done good too.", he explained.
"Ronnie what do you do in the Army and where are you?", she asked getting a little flustered.
"I'm just a soldier Mom, a glorified ground pounder, if you will. That's all that I am and that's about all I can say. I can tell you that I'm stationed at Fort Lewis, but that doesn't tell you what I do.", he responded.
"Is it dangerous Ron?", she asked.
"Not really Mom, we just walk around a lot and wear our feet out. Bout the worse we do is get blisters.", he added with a slight laugh.
"OK as long as you're safe. That's all that matters. Do you want to know what's been happening to the members of your class Ron?", she asked, 'Why didn't he answer my question about where he's going?'
"Sure., but what about my sister first? How have you been Hanna? Did you get the toys I started sending a few years ago for Christmas and your Birthday?", he asked
"Ron you know we don't celebrate Christmas. You only did because of Kim.", Hanna reminded her brother.
"I know sis, but I thought you would like something during the holidays. It was just something to brighten up the season for you.", he told her.
"Yes I got them and thanks. I have a nice assortment of Cuddlebuddies now. Maybe one of the best collections in my school.", Hanna replied.
"I'll bet you're growing into a pretty girl. I'll bet all the boys are chasing you around and Dad has to beat them off with a broom.", he observed with a chuckle.
"Well there is one boy, but it's not like that brother, not like you and Kim.", she informed him.
"Sure Hanna, tell that to someone else...I know better. I'll have to tell Dad to make sure he leaves the lights on outside to scare them all off.", Ron continued to chuckle.
Barb waited for her son to finish teasing his sister. It made her smile. She remembered the time when Hanna cried for him at night, and she didn't even have her 'big sister' turn to.
Finally they were done catching up when he brought Barb Stoppable out of her revelry with "Thanks Mom thanks for waiting about the classmates stuff I really needed to talk to Hanna. Anyway what's been going on with them?", he asked.
"Well Kimber....", she was interrupted.
"Mom, please, no news about Kim. That's water under the bridge. If you're going to talk about her then I'm going to hang up. Listen I still love her so much it hurts, not being with her is like a big pain in my chest. That's the reason I left and that's the reason that I won't come back.", his voiced hardened.
"OK no news about her then. Well a bunch of members of your class graduated some of them are headed to grad school. Tara's doing well. Oh guess what, Justine and Big Mike got married and they have a baby girl, her name is Kim...Oh I'm sorry....Monique is done with school too, she is going to London as a designer.", she told her son.
"Wow, Mom that's great. I'm glad they're all doing so well. Could you do me a favor?", he asked.
"Yes Ronald.", she responded hoping he was going to change his mind about Kim.
"I'm thinking about transferring some money back to the accounts that Dad has invested. Could you have him take care of it for me. I just don't need that much to get by here.", he told her.
"I will tell him for you. Are you sure you don't want to hear anything about the Possibles?", she asked.
"Well anyone but Kim. After she told me 'goodbye loser' and 'good riddance' at the mall, I figured it was over between us and it was time to get on with my life. She didn't even need me as the sidekick since she took Team Possible down. She's happy now Mom, she has Josh, maybe they have two or three kids by now and she has her Global Justice thing. I have my thing too, people respect the work I've done and I feel much better about myself. Anyway how are Mr. and Mrs. P doing?", he asked avoiding telling his mother too much about his life.
"They are both well. James just got a promotion and Anne is the head of all surgery at the hospital now.", she told him, "The twins are in college now and they're blowing things up at one of the big engineering schools." 'I can't tell him anything about Kimberly or he might hang up on me. I just don't know how he would take the news of how bad it's been for her.', she thought sadly, 'That's too bad, he could fix her, he could always fix her. It must have been real bad for him to be that harsh about it.'
"Anyway thanks for having the time to talk to me Mom. I'll call when I get another chance. Remember, you don't know where I am, and I'm not using my given name. Make sure you tell Dad, a guy named Arthur will call in a day or two with account information. Don't ask him for information about me either. It's in his employment contract.", he informed her.
"Ronald, what name are you using? People have been trying to find you since you left.", she asked.
"Sorry Mom, if you knew the name that I've taken then you could find me. I don't want to be found by anyone from Middleton for the foreseeable future. So I have no plans to return home anytime soon, if ever.", he replied.
"Will we ever see you again honey?", she asked finally beginning to understand how deeply he was hurt by those events four years earlier.
"I don't know Mom, I just don't know.", he told her.
"I mean what happens and you're killed? Won't you even return home then?", she queried her son.
"Mom, my officers know my story and who I am. If there's anything left after anything happens to me, they will make sure that I have a proper burial. They will at least notify you so that you will have closure. I made them agree not to reveal the location of my grave to anyone." he replied, "Even to my family."
"Ron that is very harsh, not letting us know where your resting place is.", Barb observed over the phone.
"I know Mom, but that's how I feel still. Listen Mom I really have to go. I'll be out of contact for at least another month. I have a flight to catch. Tell Dad that I love all you guys. Bye Mom.", the former hero told his mother over the phone.
"Bye Ron, take care of yourself.", she replied as she began to cry.
--
'Well it looks like they all moved on, but why did they look for me? Who would care about a loser? Mom was probably going to tell me about Kim's two or three babies and how cute they were and how much they looked like Josh. I couldn't take that. If I heard about that it would be just a reminder of how big of loser I am and what my future really is. Hell maybe when my hitch is up I'll join the French Foreign Legion. That will keep me out of the way for another six years or so. By that time everyone will have forgotten my name. Anyway who cares? I may not even make it that far. All it takes is one lucky guy, not like the last two times.', he thought darkly as he gathered up his bags to catch up with his men for the flight, a strap rubbing a circular shaped scar on his chest causing him to wince.
---
Upperton, Colorado:
Yori brought the briefing to order. "The Chosen One and his comrades are en-route to Yamanouchi. The main group will stay there for a month. Ron-san will spend nearly three weeks in intense meditation. The rest of the time he will be with his men as they try to become a better fighting force.", she informed them.
Hiro began his statement, "Kim-san is nearly through purging herself of the drug. Both Yori-san and myself sat with her a few times. It was heart wrenching to behold her fight with the substance. She has nearly conquered the drug which had dragged her down a very dark path."
"How do we re-introduce them to each other. Ron-san refuses any information about his Chosen? Unless he changes, the split will be hard to mend. Kim-san mourns for him, but will she continue to do so?", Oma-san asked.
"I do not know sister. While Stoppable-san's trials were mostly physical, Kim-san has truly had her mind and soul torn. Our mole has informed us that she was not only under the influence of a emotion altering drug, she appears to have been under some sort of a mind control chip as well. Global Justice has been pursuing leads as to where that device originated. At this moment they are not happy that one of their people was that easy to control.", Yori told them.
"Maybe it would be wise to see who in the world is capable of making such a device and have a talk with them about who has purchased their 'chip'.", Tura Stutia mentioned.
"I will inform Sensei. It will be his decision to make on how we use the available manpower.", Yori replied.
"When do you return to the sacred mountain to recite your vows to each other?", Suzie asked.
"Soon, our friends, soon.", Hirotaka informed them, "We wish to have the Chosen One present."
---
Middleton General Hospital, Middleton, Colorado:
Bonnie Rockwaller was sitting in the cafeteria with Kim and Tara. "Kim do you have any idea why you chased after Josh and then married him. I mean I thought that you and Ron were going to tie the knot from what Monique told me.", she inquired.
"Bonnie, I have no idea why I chased after him. Not only do I not know why I did it, I DO know that it was the biggest mistake of my life. I mean right before I did it Ron and I were discussing marriage and a life time together. What would make me drop Ron and chase after Josh?", Kim asked.
Tara interjected, "But Kim it looked like you made the decision with your eyes open."
"You don't think that I know that....But I never remember loving Josh. At night I can't sleep because I keep asking the question 'Why did I do that?' Yeah sure Ron had flaws, heck I have just as many flaws. I know that he was the right guy for me, but then I go and chase after another guy? Someone Who I had NO interest in. It just doesn't make sense. Why did I abandon Ron's love to chase after a jerk's affection who didn't even rate? Did I so insane?", Kim asked.
Bonnie looked hard at her friend, 'Damn she's been through a lot, but I have to push now.', "Kim, I can't answer why you did it, but you have to face the fact that you did choose Josh over Ron."
"I know, I know.", Kim rubbed her temples, "If I ever get the chance to make it up to Ronnie I'll do my best. I want his love and I want his children. I want to wake up in his arms every morning for the rest of my life."
Bonnie poised for the final push, "Do you think that it's that easy Kim? No one wants to be second best in love. You might have seen the light, but what about Ron. Does he see himself as the loser in your eyes? Sure we all know that Josh is a jerk, but in Ron's eyes you chose Josh over him. God, can you believe how bitter it must be for him? How do you think he felt when you dumped him in favor of the artist? How does he come back from that?"
Kim glanced at Tara, "Listen we all know that I made a huge mistake. The mistake of a lifetime and I have no idea why I did it. I know that if he feels anything like I feel...I know that he would wish that he was dead....God how I feel that way. I have to fix this. I just have to. I just hope I get the chance to rectify it with Ron. I need to show Ron that I learn from my mistakes."
"Kim those are nice words, but if you learned from your mistakes maybe Ron did too, maybe he saw you as his mistake?", Bonnie muttered.
"DO you mean Ron may never come home Bonnie?", Kim gasped.
"Kim, Ron may have killed himself four years ago. After seeing what he could do and after Tara told me what happened. Ron might have actually done more than simply disappear. None of us may ever see him again.", Bonnie stated.
"What do you mean Bonnie?", Kim asked.
"Ron may have committed suicide. If his pain was that great he may have done that or found another woman.", Bonnie replied.
Kim sat there with her friends trying to hold it together. Finally the pressure was to great on the red head. As she began to break down with Tara reaching over to comfort her.
"Kim, Bonnie and I had to make you aware of how Ron might have viewed your actions when you dumped him. In doing this we can prepare in case he ever shows up again. You two might have to completely rebuild the trust that you had together, not just the love. It may not be easy, but you have a lot of friends to help you.", Tara finished.
---
Global Justice Headquarters:
They all sat in the room waiting for the session to begin. Kim was nervous. Her tummy was flip flopping around and she tended to shiver a bit. Anne came up to her and gave her daughter a warm hug. "Mom, I'm scared. I've never liked giving up my dignity. What if he makes me clap like a trained sea lion? I'd be so embarrassed.", she told Anne as she continued to tremble.
"It'll be fine Kimmie, he'll only do that to make sure you're out.", the famous brain surgeon told her daughter.
"OK, just don't let him make a fool out of me Mom, not in front of my friends.", the younger redhead pleaded.
He won't Kimberly, he's a professional not a talk show host attention getter hack.", Anne replied.
As it quieted down Barb leaned over to Anne softly she told her friend, "We need to talk to you and James later. In private." Anne returned her small announcement with a nod.
A short balding man with a bit of belly and a well trimmed beard entered the small conference room followed by Wade and Dr. Director.
Wade sat down next to Kim and the table that was next to her. He opened up a non-descript black box that was on it and began pulling out wires. "Kim this device is sort of like a lie detector, but it's more improved.", he started, "We are hooking you up for the purpose of checking to see if anyone left 'road blocks' to impede our session today. Most people can't lie under hypnosis and I highly doubt if you can either."
"It's OK Wade, Mom was already briefed me on it and she told me what to expect.", the young redhead replied nervously.
The bald man looked at her, "Kimberly I am Dr. Winkerbean, you look a little jumpy today. Would you like for something to calm you down a bit?", he asked.
"Mom, would that be OK, I don't want to mess up the session and waste the Doctor's time.", Kim asked.
Anne looked at the pill and nodded her approval. Kim took the pill with water and they dimmed the lights a bit. "How are you feeling now?", Winkerbean asked after a few minutes.
"Oh I feel much calmer now.", Kim told him with a small smile.
"Alright Kimberly, I want you to relax. Remember there is no wrong answer. You are innocent and are the victim. Someone preyed on you. We think somewhere in the back of your mind we will be able to find the answers to who did this to you and why. Now I want you to take a deep breath and let it out slowly.", the hypnotist instructed.
There now again do the same thing....Very good Kimberly. Now I want you to open your eyes. "What do I have in my hand?", he asked softly.
"My necklace...The one Ronnie gave me.", she replied with a small smile.
"Yes Kimberly that is correct. Would you like to watch it swirl and sway back and forth?", he asked.
"Yesssss.", she replied softly becoming more relaxed.
"Good then watch it closely...Very good, now Kimberly your eyes are becoming heavy very heavy aren't they?", he inquired.
"Yes doctor.", she responded.
"You may close them when you need to.", he instructed.
He stopped talking as he watched the young woman breathing softy.
"What is your name?", he asked.
"Kimberly Anne Possible.", she replied simply.
"Where do you live?", he asked again.
"In Middleton, Colorado with my parents.", she replied.
"Surely a self assured young woman as yourself should have moved out from home a while ago, why are you living there?", he prodded.
"After my divorce from Josh, I had to move home because all my money disappeared.", she replied without emotion.
"Did you love Josh?", he asked.
"No, I never loved Josh. I had a crush on him when I was younger, but I love Ron.", she replied to the doctor, who watched as Wade nodded yes.
"Then why did you marry Josh if you didn't love him?", the doctor asked.
"The Master ordered me to.", Kim stated simply.
"He did? Who is the Master? Josh?", he inquired wondering what was going on.
"No Josh is the servant. The Master forced Josh to marry me.", Kim tried to clearify.
"Do you know who the Master is then?", Winkerbean asked.
"No, I do not know who he is.", she replied.
"What does he look like Kimberly?", the hypnotist asked.
"He is fairly tall and is an Asian. He may be Chinese or Japanese. He has a muscular build. He carries himself like a fighter.", she informed, "Josh told me he goes by the name of Mr. F sometimes."
"Kimberly this is important, do you know what drug they gave you and when it started?", he asked.
"Josh started giving me vitamins after Graduation, since he and Tara were taking them I thought it was safe. I even gave some to Mom to have tested. She said they were vitamins too.", Kim replied.
No one noticed Tara's eyes beginning to water.
"When did things change Kimberly?", he asked.
"One night after work Josh appeared in the parking lot. Then I remember falling.", she stated.
"Was that all Kimberly?", he asked.
"NO...I woke up in a chair. I was tied to it. The Master put a drug in me and made me keep taking it later. I couldn't stop....I tried....I tried.", she informed him with a sniff and tears beginning to fall.
"How did he make you keep taking it Kimberly?", he asked.
"He put something in my head. I could feel it go under the skin, it hurt but I couldn't say anything.", she began to cry a bit harder.
"Relax Kimberly, please wait here.", Winkerbean instructed softly.
By this time some of those present began to get edgy. The hypnotist motioned for most of the people to follow him outside the room.
--
"The woman has been put under mind control. Just a warning here. Once I bring this up, she might be able to remember what all happened to her. If that happens she might shatter. We had better construct a little better reality for her or we may lose her to madness in moments. I'm going to find out more about everyone that has a part in this and it's going to be a long day. I am going to put Miss Possible into a deeper trance. That way I might be able to erase what someone else did to her. Dr. Director and Drs. Possible you and all of Kim's friends that know what happens here today are going to have to live with this reality in her presence. Do you understand?", he asked.
He could see all the nods, "OK, we ARE keeping an official record of this, are we not?"
"Yes doctor we are. We think crimes have been committed against Miss Possible by one or more unnamed persons at this time.", Dr Director replied, "We will hide the information under clearances that she hasn't attained yet."
"Miss are you alright?", Winkerbean aksed Tara.
"Josh used me to drug Kim?", she asked through her tears.
"I don't know what happened yet miss. I think you was a pawn here too. If it hadn't been you, it may have been another person. It is not your fault either.", he replied trying to calm Tara.
"Thank you doctor.", the blond replied through her tears.
"OK, but getting back on track here Miss Possible doesn't remember any of this until I give permission. Do you all understand?", he asked.
He saw the nods. "Doctor?", Bonnie asked, "That means that we can't discuss it around her?"
"That's exactly what it means young lady. If she has any idea of what truly happened to her we may lose her to madness.", he replied with a frown, "I would rather you didn't discuss it within a hundred miles of her just in case."
"OK then let's go back inside and meet this monster that is tormenting my daughter.", James growled.
--
"Kimberly do you remember me?", the doctor asked.
"Yes doctor.", she replied.
"Now listen carefully. I want you to take a deep breath and let it out very slowly." he instructed.
She did.
"Again please.", his soothing voice instructed again.
"Very good Kimberly. I have a question. You mentioned a Ron before. Who is he?", he asked.
"He is Ron Stoppable, he is my best friend and the boy that I love.", she replied with a small smile.
"Do you love him enough to be his wife?", he asked.
"Yes, I want to be Kim Stoppable and have his children.", she responded, "But that can't happen because he is dead."
"We have heard you say that before, how do you know that Ron is dead?", he asked.
"Because I killed him.", she replied without emotion.
"When and how did this happen?", the doctor kept pushing.
"It was on the drug laboratory mission that I hurt my leg on.", she explained.
"How do you know this is correct Kimberly?", he prodded.
I heard his voice on the radio after I got wounded. I had to find another rifle, I couldn't see very well, but I finally was able to locate him through the sights on the rifle. I recognized him then I shot him three times.", she stated.
"How did you recognize Ron Stoppable?", he asked.
"I knew Ronnie since we were kids, then later when we made love. I just knew how he moved.", she informed the doctor.
"OK, I understand Kimberly. Now why did you shoot him? Were you mad at him?", the doctor asked.
"NO! I love Ron. Master ordered me to kill Ron. I had to obey. I...I killed h..him...I murdered the man that I love...I killed Ronnie...Honey I'm sorry he made me do it....The Master made me do it.", she began to breakdown again.
"Relax Kimberly. It was very good for you to tell us this. Was Ronald a bad guy?", the doctor continued to prod.
"NO, he was an Army guy, a good guy. He was shooting men that were shooting us.", she responded starting to break down again, "He was trying to help us and I shot him. I killed him because the Master said that was the only way he could get his honor back. I sinned...I killed him, I killed the man that I love."
"Relax Kimberly.", the hypnotist ordered again afraid he was going to lose her.
As Kim Possible one time teen hero calmed, Dr. Director stood up. Winkerbean nodded to her. "Kimberly, do you know who I am?", she asked.
"Yes you are Dr. Betty Director, the head of Global Justice.", Kim replied with her tears still dripping off her chin.
"Have I ever lied to you Kimberly.", Betty asked.
"No, you haven't Doctor.", she replied again.
"Do you know that I have a copy of the Army's casualty records of the incident and their roster of those that took part in the raid?", Betty asked.?", Betty asked.
"No I didn't.", Kim replied.
"I do, and I can tell you that the Army said that none of it's soldiers were killed that night and that no one named Ronald Stoppable was there. Do you believe me?", the head of Global Justice queried.
"Yes Dr. Director, if you read an Army report then it's true. I did not kill Ron Stoppable.", she replied simply but with a smile.
"Good Kimberly, I want you to remember that. Remember that you did not kill Ronald Stoppable. If I ask you what will be your answer?", she asked sharply.
"Ron Stoppable was not shot by me. I did not kill him.", she replied.
"Very good Kimberly.", Betty responded as she sat down.
"Kimberly do you still remember me?", Winkerbean asked.
"Yes doctor, I remember.", she stated.
"Now I want to know how the Master ordered you to marry Josh Mankey.", he began anew.
---
Yamanouchi, Japan:
The eleven men finally made their way through the gates of the ancient school. All but one was sweaty and tired. First the enforced inactivity on the long flight, then the crowded minibus. After that the steep climb up the sacred mountain. For ten men this was their second trip to the ninja school, for one it just became another trip of many. In some ways he had almost grown up at the school, they taught him what he was and what he could be when he was just a young teenager. Now after the many hours of training that they worked with him to achieve the mastery of his art, he became almost stoic in appearance.
Corporal Yates asked, "Hey Sarge, does this hill seem to get steeper each time we climb it."
This finally caused a smile to form on his Squad Leader's face. "It just seems that way. Don't worry it hasn't changed. Maybe you guys should have done some training instead of trying to drink the bars dry while you were on leave.", Ron replied with a small laugh.
"Tell me Sarge, what did you do during that little down time?", PFC Wilson asked.
"I did a lot of swimming.", Stoppable replied knowing that they were being observed by students in Gis by now.
"Swimming with SEALS is not fun Sarge.", Specialist Stein informed him.
"It was instructional and it was also very nice. Those Navy guys know how to party when it's over. Oh, one more thing guys, do not try to out drink these people in sake. You will regret it, trust me on that one.", he told them as they came to a halt in the main training yard.
A/N: I want to thank Eckles for his contribution. It was his idea to include the dialogue between Kim and Bonnie with Tara mostly watching. This really does help set up the rest of the story and the rest of the ARC too. So big guy stand up and take a bow. Originally I was hesitant and I had to sleep on it, after doing so I felt I found the best place for this to happen. If you the reader are not familiar with his work you should take a good hard look at 'Atonement'. He really gets into the characters' minds.
As for Kim she provides information about what and why it happened. To bad they might have to put her under some control as well, but this time it should be for her own peace of mind. As for Ron, the adventure continues.
So thanks everybody for taking the time to read. I really do appreciate it. Remember Daccu65 is posting his 'After the Mat', Spectre has several things getting ready to post. Armydude is running wild with 'This Animal I have Become'. Zaratan has been getting out the Fannies and MrDrP has several out that he's working on. I think Mr. Wizard might get out another 'Ronman the Barbarian' chapter soon. Nutzkie has just updated 'Summertime Blues' too. I think that Kim and Ron are going celebrate their vicotry with a Haggis dinner with neeps and taties (yes that what they call it.). Captain Kodakjust came out with another 'School Days' chapter. I think Wayne is starting to lose it...Maybe he's going to take a crack at hurting the freshman running back...Now that I read the update I think that has already happened. You never know with the Captain. So readers please take some time and read these wonderful stories. If you can give em a review too. Oh I forgot...Screaming Phoenix's 'Twin Flames in Darkness'... I mean WOW. Now I know that I forgot to mention some because I'm a klutz and I'm sorry. And now I even remember Mr. Wizard's tales. I'd better stop before this turns into a Sentinel review fest.
Thanks again.
ST-103