Hi everybody and welcome back! I hope you're enjoying it. One of the things about writing a long tale is that usually there is a lot going on at the same time. I prefer to break the chapters up like a soap opera so that everything flows along at about the same time. It's easier for me and I hope easier for you.
Now I don't beg for reviews, some authors do, but I don't. My ego loves the feedback and the attention and I usually do mention the reviewers here in the notes section. So here we go; Anon, yeah Tara is just a sweetie and so is Monique. I sure hope nothing messes with those two girls. TemporaryInsanity91, I think most girls who are in an exclusive relationship would want to know if some other girl is going out to lunch with her guy. Now you might want to consider this, Ron knows all of Kim's faults…..he sees past them. He has accepted her and knows that this is part of her make-up. CB73, you know almost the whole tale here all the way to the very end and yeah it might take that route.
Readerjunkie, mannnn you don't want a copy of my brain…heck I don't want a copy of my brain….but thanks. Guest (#1) Yeah it's good to have friends. Ron has a lot of insight, he might not be as smart (unless he is in Zorpox mode) as James Possible, but he does see the older man disliking him….or distrusting him. Will the rocket scientist change? You'll have to wait and see. Guest (#2), Yeah Monique thinks Ron is wimpy, she doesn't understand what he is capable of doing….yet. And about the food….bingo. Now can you see a reason for this?
Pbow, whew the bad guys weren't driving anything as dangerous as a Pinto (gas tanks used to blow up on them). Is Stevie boy looking out for his interest? Yeah maybe, will this keep the school administrator off the blond teens butt? Come on this is Sarge Barkin. Angelus-alvus, thanks I'll try to keep it from becoming too boring.
Thanks to everyone who has reviewed, followed, faved and or read 'The Hunter' or any of my other tales. I really want to say thanks to my beta, CajunBear73, for all his work over the years. We really do spend a lot of time on the phone and email working on things. Thanks bud I appreciate it!
Now I know that I took a lot of time here so let's get going.
ST-103
The Hunter: Book One
Chapter 36
The Crooked 'D'/ Lazy 'C':
After making great progress crossing the range all morning, the small band of riders paused when Kim's Kimmunicator sounded its famous notes: Beep-beep-de-da-beep.
"You guys go on ahead I'll catch up.", Kim called out as she slowed her robot horse down to a stop.
"Are you sure Kim?", Slim inquired.
"You have these horses linked through your satellite don't you Uncle Slim?"
"Yeah I do. Don't be too long, we have some work to get done today.", the tallest Possible replied as he led the rest towards where the ranch hands were working leaving Kim with some privacy.
With a smile Kim pulled out her communications device and pressed the connect button, "Go Wade."
"Kim a Tara King is calling for you. Do you want to talk to her?", the tech guru inquired.
"Sure go ahead, I haven't talked to her in a while. Oh and Wade you can always patch her through to me….unless I'm necking with Ronnie."
"Uh….sure Kim, here she is." Then Kim heard, "Go ahead Miss King."
"Kim? Kim are you there?", the other cheerleader's voice came though Kim's PDA like thing.
"Yeah Tara, how are you?"
"We're just fine, uh I hate to make this short, but can I invite Ron out to dinner tonight?"
"Why, do you want to date Ron? Isn't Josh enough for you, do you need a harem or something?", Kim's ire and protective instincts for her boyfriend came to the forefront in record time.
"Huh…no, no Kim I don't want to date him, it's just Josh and I thought that he might be a little lonely since you are out of town and we decided that we'd at least ask him out to take his mind off you not being there.", Tara quickly explained the situation to the fiery red head.
"Oh..kay Tara, sorry about the outburst there….so just as long as you're not trying to take Ronnie away from me or lure him into some kind of love triangle I can go along with this.", Kim snarked then told her friend, "It's good to know that someone is looking out for my boyfriend besides me and Monique."
"Does Ron need his own 'keeper'?", Tara giggled.
"Yeah he does….sometimes.", Kim giggled back purposely not mentioning the accident Ron had gotten into less than twenty-four hours previously.
"All boys need proper feminine supervision, you should have appointed someone before you went on vacation.", Tara teased.
"You and Monique already have your hands full.", Kim stated, "I can just imagine how much effort it takes to look after those two hotties. Of course Ronnie only needs someone to check on him once and a while…."
"Well it would be a part time position. Maybe Flanner, Flores or Bonnie could do it.", Tara suggested.
"I think that Zita might be a bad choice since she and Ron dated for a bit."
"It wasn't even enough to start a relationship Kim…..you know that."
"True but you never know. Justine…..well I just don't know about her. It's the quiet ones you have to worry about.", Kim mused.
"Well you know Bonnie would never go for Ron, not in a million years.", Tara giggled having fun playing with the Cheer Captain's head, "Anyway you never give us any details."
"And I won't either about the physical aspects of the guys I go out with.", Kim reminded her friend. About Bonnie…don't even suggest that Tara. Ron avoids her like the plague.", Kim hissed out, "I think he rather be chased by rabid monkeys than being stalked by her."
"Ok, ok but the next time you go out of town, you have to set up a 'proper' babysitter for Ron. You never know he could stray."
"Don't say that Tara. Gawd; that's my worst nightmare."
"Ok, I won't but thanks for giving us permission for this.", Tara brought the red head back on task.
"Yeah call me and let me know how it went. But right now I have to get going, we have some work to do and another 'project' on tap to try and make Daddy see the light."
"What are you doing?"
"Other than repairing a fence row I can't tell you. I'll talk to you later see ya Tara, I have to go…bye.", Kim wondered if she gave too much information at the last as she got the robot horse moving again and increased the speed.
'I hope Ronnie doesn't get mad at me over this. Uncle Slim I sure hope you know what you are doing.' , Kim bit her lower lip as she thought about how hard she was going to play this as she got the horse moving again.
XXX
The Stoppable home:
Ron pulled his key out of his pocket and unlocked the door. "Rufus I'm home. I got you something cheesy for lunch.", the blond called out as he walked into the kitchen and away from the doorway leading from the stairs hoping to avoid a collision with the mole rat he supposed would be heading downstairs in a moment.
"Cheese.", came the squeak in reply as Ron smiled knowing the little guy was now moving.
"Want some hot sauce with it?", Ron asked as the rodent scampered up to the counter.
"Hnk, sure."
"Anything happen while I was gone?"
"Hnk, Phone."
"Did Mom and Dad call?"
"Hnk, Don't know.", the rodent squeaked out as he greedily looked at the bag of Tex-Mex.
"I guess I'd better look then, big help you are. You must have been asleep.", Ron mused as he opened the package and got out a plate for his friend to use and piled it high with Tex-Mex food.
In a few moments Ron was listening to his Mother explaining that they would be home sometime overnight. With a sigh he then checked the other four messages (one being from Kim and another being from Felix) before he erased them all and walked back into the kitchen. Two were from political solicitors and Ron detested hearing from them.
After he returned to the kitchen, Ron sat down and began to recount to the bored looking mole rat the conversation he had between himself and Kim's best female friend after he described the football practice he just endured.
"Well what do you think of all that buddy?", Ron asked after he finished.
Ron then listened to what to most people was a series of squeaks, sometimes making comments about a particular point. When they were done Ron picked up the now cleaned plate and put it into the sink.
"Rufus I have to be up in a couple hours, so don't let me oversleep. And remind me to call KP after practice tonight."
"Hnk sure thing.", Rufus squeaked as he gave his food provider a thumbs up. (which was really hard to do since he didn't have opposable thumbs…..AN)
Ron quickly climbed the stairs and stripped down to his boxers then set the second alarm clock (he had two, because he had developed the habit of rather violently shutting the annoying devices off or throwing them out the window) and climbed into bed.
XXX
Crooked 'D', Montana:
The riders came to a stop alongside the newly repaired fence line. "Well it looks like the boys are making good progress.", Slim Possible told them, "Ah didn't expected them to be this far along."
"Did ya hear that Pa?", Joss called out a little removed from the rest when one of the hand's voice came over the radio built into the robotic horse, "It sounds like Johnny and Bobby are over that'a way."
"Joss would you head over that way some more while we scout around here? They might just be takin' a break.", Slim asked, setting his…well Anne's plan in motion.
"Sure Pa, Kim can come with me.", the youngest red head inquired having worked this out beforehand.
"Don't see why not Joss, we're just gonna check out the work the boys are doin' maybe help them out a little, so we'll be able to get home before supper."
"Come on Kim you can really get Betsy goin'. She's a pretty fast robotic horse….One of the fastest pa's ever made.", Joss turned her own mount the up the old worn out fence row.
"Sounds like fun cousin.", Kim replied loudly since the youngest red head had already galloped off knowing the general idea and was wondering how to implement it, "See you guys later."
"Let's give them a few minutes then we'll mosey along. I figure we'll find the boys in a little while.", Slim smiled then explained, "Joss is a little sweet on the youngest one."
James had a frown on his face and began to turn his horse in the direction of the young man who was an unknown to him and advised, "You shouldn't let them boys get close to your daughter Slim….I'll take care of it for you."
"Hold on there pardner, I don't recall asking you to take care of anything! If things get out of hand Ah'll take care of it.", the tallest Possible restrained his younger brother turning serious all of a sudden.
"But Slim….."
"Ah asked you to butt out, this is none of your business. It's Joss's and mine. You might ruin the life of your own daughter and Ah might not be able to do anything about that, but you are gonna keep your nose outta my daughter's personal life or you and me are gonna scrap.", Slim warned, "And Ah cheat."
"Very well Slim, but you're making a mistake.", James frowned thinking he knew better than his older brother as Anne and the twins watched the little drama unfold between the brothers and their obvious parenting differences.
Anne thought to herself, 'I hope this works. I wish I knew why James is so protective of Kimmie.'
X
An hour later:
"Hey Bobby and Johnny how are you guys doing out here.", Slim and the rest of the Possible's finally caught up to his crew, "Where's Jeff and Morton?"
"They're showing the two girls around Boss.", Bobby replied, "Joss was real anxious to get Jeff off to herself. Your niece and Morton went along to keep them honest."
"Who's watching over Kimmie-cub.", James mumbled as he glanced up at his staring spouse not knowing she and his brother set this up with Joss and the ranch hands' help.
"She's legal up here Squirt, not much you can do….ya did drag her up here to keep her away from the tinhorn didn't ya?", Slim smirked as he winked over to Anne silently promising himself never to get on the bad side of his sister-in-law, the instigator of the whole thing unfolding before them.
"That he did Slim, well easy come easy go, I guess Kimmie might want to move up here and go to school from what she said earlier.", Anne suggested as James turned ashy gray.
"Wha…..what are you talking about honey?"
"Kimmie is just trying to please you and have a boyfriend too. A couple of the hands up here have spent some time with her doing chores.", the red headed surgeon explained.
James Possible's worst nightmare was now in his face….
"Dad, what's…", Jim inquired.
"Wrong with you?", Tim continued.
"Are you having another stroke?", and Jim completed.
"No, no. I'm fine….Yes I'm fine. Must have been the sun or dust.", the rocket scientist coughed slightly, "Now could we go round up my daughter since you don't seem to care about yours."
"Squirt I love my baby, but I give her some freedom. We've already talked about this and your problems with Kim and that boy she's dating. One word of advice, if you don't give her some freedom, she's gonna rebel on you eventually. But then I suspect she's already told you things. Then five or ten years from now instead of having grandkids to bounce on your knee, you'll have nothing except your rockets. You had better think this out carefully before you get in over your head.", Slim again showed his wisdom as he got back up on his robot horse.
"Anne, boys do you wanna stay here and watch my men work or come with us?"
"I'd like to tag along; someone has to keep their eyes on your brother. Jim, Tim do you want to stay here?"
The twins looked at each other after Tim pointed off to the side.
Jim replied, "Uh Mom, we saw something we want to check-out."
"We'll stay here till you guys get back.", Tim offered.
"Alright but no large explosions. I expect this part of the ranch to be left the same as when we got here. So no huge holes in the ground.", Anne warned seeing the two ranch hands flinch.
XX
"Well Joss just how long will it take them to find us?", Kim asked as the ranch hand showed her how to mend a fence and then let Joss help hoping that this little operation would work, yet didn't want to follow through with it.
"Pa should be done with Uncle James any time Kim.", the freckled, barely teen replied as she strained against the barbed wire shaking her head at the man who was offering to assist her and her cousin.
"And why did you guys do this?"
"Pa wanted to teach your Pa a lesson about being too confining. Ah get a lot of freedom around here at the ranch and Pa wanted to show that it's not a bad thing, within reason, and you're almost out of high school.", Joss explained as she grunted with the strain.
"Well you could have told me before we left, Joss. You 'friends' are cute, but they're not my Ronnie.", Kim told her as she pulled alongside her cousin, also grunting with the effort.
"Pa knows that Kim, but Uncle James was acting like you was his prized heifer instead of his daughter. One thing that we see here at the Crooked 'D' an' the Lazy 'C' is the cycle of life. It's plain for anyone who's got their eyes open that you and Ron are a good fit. Your Pa was going to toss that away.", Joss explained.
"Yeah I think so too. But you know, Ronnie and I almost didn't get together. It was just a fluke. All it took was his bravery and four little words at the right time. I'm so happy that it happened, but I didn't see that what was right next to me was the best thing in my life."
"And your Pa is trying to mess it up. You still could have brung Ron with you, that camping trip would have been a lot more fun.", Joss suggested.
"That might have forced Dad into another stroke Joss, I can tell you it is scary when it happens. But having Ron here would have been fun." Kim both giggles and grunts as they almost get the wire where they want it, "Anyway with Ron being in Mr. Barkin's practices he'll look pretty buff when I get home….more boyfriend to cuddle with."
"Yeah I might have had to put ear plugs in to get some sleep if ya had brung him here, Ah never would have got any sleep.", Joss snorted.
"Joss we're not that bad, we haven't even…..uh….", Kim glanced at the two ranch hands who were listening to this back and forth, "Why don't you guys go over there, this is personal 'girl' talk." Kim nodded to a pile of huge boulders about fifty yards away.
"Sure thing Ma'am.", Morton Sandwich responded, "Jeff and me will jest be over there if you need us."
"Yeah Jeffy, go and dig some post holes over there and work your way back to us, we'll splice the wire here in a minute.", Joss told him. Then to Kim, "Why did you send them all the way over there? Your boyfriend isn't the only cute boy in this country, Ah was enjoying the scenery."
"We were getting into things that I'd rather not just have said out there where everyone can hear them. You're a little too trusting.", Kim informed and admonished her cousin as she levered the wire and motioned for Joss to attach it to the fence post, "Hurry up Joss it's hard to hold this!"
Once her cousin had finished Kim let up on the tension to see if it was going to hold. Joss was also standing back, "Good job Kim, this should hold for about ten years if we're lucky."
"It's a lot of work, now how do we splice the wires?"
The younger cousin picked up a curious looking tool and uncoiled some of the new roll of fence wire. "Hold these two wires, overlapping like this while I wrap them together Kim.", Joss instructed as she began to twist the wires to make the splice, after she got so far she held the other wire back as she grabbed on to one wire with a pair of large pliers. After a few minutes of twisting they set their work down and walked over to the men who were busy digging a hole.
X
Joss paid attention and could see the dust rising so she pointed, "Riders comin' Kim, it's 'bout time they got here. Action time, and about time to get your Pa's attention."
"Well let's see if Dad learned anything. I hate to have to do this to him, but he has to learn some time.", the world famous teen heroine giggled as they both slowed down to their location.
"Hi Mom and Dad, what took you so long? I was getting worried. We had a good time while waiting for you.", Kim waved as she called out playing her part to the fullest walking faster to the hand named Morton.
"Wha…wha are you doing with that man Kimmie-cub?", James Possible gasped as his daughter wrapped Morton in a hug and then released him.
Of course Morton Sandwich was enjoying this and was also in on the sting, "Hey Mister Possible, your daughter here is real pretty. Ah think she might want to stay up here when you decide to go back to Colorado."
"She can't do that, she has to go back home with us.", the oblivious Father seemed to pant as he climbed down off his mount.
"I'm of age here Dad. Uncle Slim, could I live with you guys? It'd give me a good chance to be close to Morton here and the rest of the ranch hands…."
"Why sure Kim if that's what you want.", Slim played along.
"Good! Mom I think I'll just stay up here. Do you thing when you get back to Middleton maybe you could pack up my stuff and send it all up here?"
"Yes honey, I suppose it's time for…"
James' chest tightened as he gasped again searching for a lifeline when it seemed to flash before his eyes, "What about us….wh…what about Ronald?"
"Daddy you don't want me to be with Ronnie, remember? In that case I guess being with Morton is preferable, don't you think? He is cute and all and about five years older. So I won't be with a boy, I'll be with a man.", Kim frowned not liking this a bit but hugging the buff cowboy once more before giving him a peck on the cheek.
"I…I'm not sure, Ronald has always been there for you. How will he take this?"
"So now you care about Ron Stoppable, huh? He wasn't good enough for your baby last night.", Kim hissed pressing the point releasing Morton and not so calmly walked over to her Father, "But now it's 'how will Ronald take this'? Why do you care? Here I am giving in to you and finding a new boyfriend and I still can't please you with my choices. I am not so going to date a robot Daddy, get that part through your head. So here are your choices, uh…uh oh yeah Morton, here or Ron Stoppable." Kim sure hoped this was going to work.
Anne held her breath as her husband stood there not even moving.
"I…I think Ronald is a very good young man and you should continue to date him…..sigh, if you want to.", James' voice cracked knowing once Kim got up to Montana without proper supervision she wouldn't be safe at all from the dreaded 'Y' chromosome that every male worth his salt bragged about. He also knew that he could intimidate the tow headed boy when he needed to.
Kim then looked at the buff cowboy, "Sorry Morton, but Daddy has spoken. I hope this doesn't bother you too much."
"Not at all Ma'am, I can get another heifer to move in with the girls.", Morton Sandwich replied, silently letting out a breath knowing he wasn't going to have to talk to his girlfriends about who was hanging on his arm at the moment.
Seeing this was played out and both niece and daughter had done a remarkable job playing his brother the way he did, Slim realized that he would need to talk to Ron Stoppable and inform him of why Kim had to act in the way she did. 'I just hope he doesn't get too upset with me, but it was to make his life easier in the long run.'
"Kimmie could I ask you something….in private?", Anne asked taking Kim by the arm and leading her off a ways.
"Yeah sure Mom…"
"You played that a little hard didn't you….what would you have done if your Father picked the cowboy.", Anne hissed knowing they weren't far enough away from the group yet.
"Not a chance Mom, that Morton guy and I talked about it before you guys got up here. He's got a girlfriend well a main one and a couple others, but the main one works at the diner in Pine Falls.", Kim smirked.
"OK, but it could have backfired."
"Not likely Mom."
"Why is that Kimmie?"
"Daddy is less afraid of Ronnie. He fears more what he doesn't know than what he thinks he can manipulate and Daddy thinks he has Ron completely afraid of him.", Kim informed her Mother.
"He does, but when you corner your Father like that who knows what he would do."
"Mom I like it up here, but I'd like it a lot more if Ronnie was here with me. I can see us living in a place like this someday…..but then I really can't see me living anywhere without Ronnie.", Kim confided now seeing that James was talking to the boy slash man, but Slim was staying close in case things got out of hand.
XX
"So young man, you are interested in my Kimmie-cub?", James asked.
"Sure Mr. Possible, she'd fit right in with my other girlfriends.", Morton smirked deciding to make this real good and teach the Father a lesson as he had been instructed, "If she didn't want to live on the Ranch I got a small place…you know a one bedroom efficiency, back in town. I always have a couple girls stay with me sometimes together, what's one more?"
James took the bait, "You mean you have a harem?"
"Uh no Sir, I aint marrying any of them….just friends with benefits….real good benefits.", the cowboy hinted.
"Benefits? What kind of benefits?", James asked but instinctively knew the answer.
In reply Morton Sandwich winked, "I shouldn't have to tell you Sir, you have three kids." Causing the rocket scientist to reach out and hold on to his robotic horse for a moment for support as he felt a little light headed.
Then James smiled, "Well at least Ronald is only interested in Kimmie-cub and no other 'girl'. It's been good talking to you. Uh Slim, why don't we help dig a couple of holes and help out these fine men?"
"We are Squirt. I want them to get this section done. Better put on some gloves we are gonna build a little sweat.", Slim smiled behind his mustache knowing this had gone better than he hoped for.
XXX
The Stoppable home:
Brinnnnng….brinnnnng…..brinnnnng
"Yeah, snort….who is it…..what time is it?", a sleep addled Ron Stoppable moaned into the handset of the phone off the night table.
"Ron, is that you?", a girl's voice sounded.
"Cough…I think it's me, why do I look different?", the blond teen's brain tried to come online.
"It's Tara, you know Tara King?", the voice clarified after she first giggled.
"What time is it beautiful?", he inquired.
"It's noon Ron, why?"
"I was asleep, I was up most of the night.", Ron explained wondering why she was calling him.
"Were you up gaming all night again?", Tara's voice ended on a higher pitch than normal.
"Just a second let me wake up….(Ron shook his head)…..there that's better. I got in a car accident last night and I was in the hospital till some ungodly hour this morning. Then I had a football practice at oh six thirty. Now I have a classroom session at two and then practice again after that.", Ron explained getting a little upset and not recognizing her being worried about him.
"You got in an accident? Are you alright? Is your car OK?", Tara rapid fired questions at Kim Possible's sidekick wondering of Kim even knew.
"Yes I got in an accident; a car ran me and my scooter off the road coming home from Felix's house. So whoever is was hit me. Anyway, I didn't know it and KP was monitoring me and it freaked her out. Anyway I'm all scraped up and I went through some clothes, but I'll survive.", Ron informed the cheerleader, "I'll have to make another trip to Smarty Mart."
"Ron that's terrible, what did the Police do?"
"Well they stabilized the scene and brought my scooter home for me while the EMTs took me to the hospital. They did their job; anyway I just got a lot of scratches no broken bones or anything."
"Ron I was calling to see if you want to go out, Josh and I are inviting you."
"I can't Mom and Dad are gonna be a little upset about this when they get home tonight."
"Your Mom and Dad aren't home?"
"No they had a dinner meeting last night and it musta run long, I'll see them tonight."
"Well go back to sleep then."
"I'd better get up anyway Tara; I have to in a little while anyway."
"How much sleep are you getting at night?"
"About four hours on a good night, last night about one or two."
"That's not enough"
"You're telling me, my skin is crawling I'm so beat. But I don't want to give Mr. Barkin a reason to tack on more miles."
"He can't do that Ron."
"Wanna bet? I haven't met anybody get away with that yet, and I won't be the first. I'll bet he can give Hippie Alice laps or pushups.", Ron Stoppable snorted at the thought.
"He's not a nice man?", Tara told Ron.
"Huh, you mean you just figured that out? Heck I've been telling everybody for years, he's not a nice man."
Tara took a breath and decided to ask Ron about what was really bothering her, "Ron did the Lawyers for the School District call you or your parents?"
"Not that I know of, why?"
"Well they want me to answer some questions about you being voted off the squad."
"Ah no they haven't Tara. If you remember I wasn't there when it happened. So I don't know what's going on."
"Have they talked to Kim?"
"Not that I know of, but remember she's been outta town most of the summer.", Ron explained.
"Yeah I know….So you're sure you can't come out with us tonight?"
"No can do Tara honey, I appreciate you standing up to Bon-Bon and her 'friends' at the end of last year, but I really can't get out. I haven't even called KP today…..I don't think I called her yesterday either and she's not going to be happy with me over that….hold it, that's right what was I thinking she was on the Kimmunicator when I got knocked off my bike, I heard her scream….And I have only been able to talk to her for a few minutes."
"Ron, are you going to be alright?"
"Yeah thanks for calling me, I gotta call KP….Man I sooo screwed up. Listen I gotta go, you and Josh have a good time tonight."
XX
Ron picked up his Kimmunicator and pushed the connect button. Wade's face appeared, "Hey Ron what's up?"
"Uh is KP OK?", Ron asked.
"Yeah sure hang on let me connect you."
"Hey thanks. Man I didn't talk to her much; I'll bet she's worried."
After a moment of typing Wade came back through, "Kim is out on horseback outing with her family. It seems like they're doing some work out at the ranch."
"Oh ok then, I don't want to bother a family function…."
"Nah it's alright I'll put you through.", Wade countered.
"Sure buddy I'll wait. Ah give me a second to toss some clothes on.", Ron blushed since he was still in an undershirt and boxers.
"I can wait, though Kim and her Mom might not want to."
Rather quickly Ron tossed on a pair of cargo shorts and his blue and white bowling shirt which had 'Mad Dog' embroidered on the left chest before announcing, "Ready to go Wade patch me through."
"Ronnie? Are you there?", Kim's voice sounded before her image came on the screen.
"Hey KP how are ya doing?", Ron smiled as those emerald orbs stared back at him.
"Ron, are you alright, after last night I was so worried."
"I sorta don't remember much during and after the accident KP. I gotta really concentrate to make ends out of it.", Ron explained.
"Is that Ronald?", another woman's voice came through.
"Hey Mrs. Dr. P Wade said you guys were out on a horseback ride. Are you having fun?"
"Yes we are, how are you feeling?"
"A little stiff and sore Ma'am, the road rash is all scabby and the bruises throb some, but other than that I feel better than I look.", Ron gave the run down to the Anne who was in doctor mode for the moment.
"Do you have any headaches or double vision?"
"No Ma'am.", Ron knew better then to lie to his second Mother.
"What did your parents say?"
"I haven't seen them yet, they are on some business thing. Mom left a message for me that they plan to be back tonight.", the blond teen informed her.
"Make sure that if you begin to feel bad that you head into the hospital.", Anne instructed.
"Yes Ma'am I will, I promise."
"Good, feel free to call me anytime Ronald. I'll give you back to my daughter."
"Thanks Mrs. Dr. P, I appreciate you caring more than you know."
"Ron I'm back, how bad was it?"
"Well the people at the hospital weren't able to make me prettier and the scabs are sorta gross, but other than that I'm alright.", Ron kept this light knowing that his best friend girlfriend sometimes worried about him.
"I…..I was so worried about you, it scared me that accident and all. Why were you out so late at Felix's?"
"Well I was going to do some gaming with him, but I sorta fell asleep you know…."
"Ron you could have just gone over there another night."
"Yeah I could have, but the Rentons had a home invasion a couple days ago and I was a worried about them as your Mom is about me.", Ron enlightened her.
"What happened?", Kim inquired.
"I… uh, I really don't know, but someone broke into their house for some reason. Whoever it was didn't get what they were after, but Felix and his Mom got roughed up some. I plan on calling them today or go see them again. I don't like people picking on guys in wheelchairs, it's not right."
"I totally agree Ronnie, but you need to take care of yourself too. Do you think that the home invasion was connected to the accident last night?", Kim began to get suspicious.
"I don't think so KP.", Ron replied not adding that Shego didn't seem like the person who would want to dispense her style of justice with an automobile.
"Did you talk to Monique yet today?"
"Yeah she got me to buy her lunch at Bueno Nacho.", Ron informed her.
"How's she doing?"
"Considering what my second best girlfriend said, she and Brick Flagg are an item, even more than they were at the cookout, and that's pretty good. She didn't give a lot of details, but I think it's going to be good for them."
"That's good maybe they can have something as good as we have.", Kim felt a lot better since her boyfriend gave an assessment similar to hers on the Monique front.
"Yeah maybe, oh Tara King called a little while ago."
"Oh what did she want?", Kim decided not to give anything away.
"I guess she wanted to see me, well she and Josh asked me to go out with them tonight.", Ron explained.
"That was nice of them, what did you tell them?"
"Well it was Tara I was talking to and I told them I couldn't. Mom and Dad are supposed to be home tonight and I wanted to spend time with them. I haven't seen them very much with all their business trips this year. Oh before I forget did any lawyers call you about talking to them about me being voted off the cheer squad. Tara asked me when she called."
"I can see your point Ronnie, maybe we can do a double date after we get back from Montana?", Kim began to make plans aloud, "And no….we haven't had a call from any lawyers."
"Sure KP anything you say and it's a good thing that you don't have to deal with lawyers, they always twist your words…."
"There is one more thing that been happening Ron and I have to explain it to you.", Kim interrupted.
"What is it KP?"
"Well, you know Daddy has a dim view on us dating and all right?"
"Yeah I'm not good enough for you.", Ron replied wondering where this was headed and hoping he still had a girlfriend in five minutes.
"Well you know that Mom is not real happy with his attitude."
"I got that KP, so what is happening then?"
"Well Slim isn't real happy either, with Dad I mean; anyway we worked out a little sting with a couple of the hands up here. The guy is a playboy, anyway Slim had me fawn all over him and I made Daddy pick between you and him.", Kim explained hoping Ron wasn't going to blow up.
"Huh?"
"I posed as another one of his 'love' interests so Daddy could see how bad it could get if his baby girl pushed the envelope so to speak.", Kim told him then paused for a moment then continued.
"So I take it that James Possible didn't like this development too well."
"He didn't, how many Fathers in the United States want their daughters to be part of a harem?", Kim hinted.
"Probably not many, though they'd like it for themselves, seeing their babies in that kind of relationship is not what a lot of men would want to see.", Ron admitted becoming very nervous when he heard the term harem, "So are you gonna marry this guy?"
"Marry? As if. This guy just keeps girls at his place, he has no intentions on marrying anyone let alone me, and I have absolutely no interest in him. Anyway, when we get back you and I are going to have a real good date. Then it's going to be you, me and the couch in the family room with no one home….cuddling and kissing and, and….", Kim told her boyfriend leaving that part hanging to get his mind to think what they might do together, "I ended up giving the cowboy a peck on the cheek, I think that got Dad's attention."
"What would you have done if James T. Possible, renowned rocket scientist, liked him more than me?", Ron's tone turned a little cool as he paused for a second.
"If Daddy was dumb enough to make that pick I simply would have moved up here for all of ten minutes and then immediately returned to Middleton to live in the tree house in the back of your property.", Kim giggled.
"Sounds too good to be true KP, but I'm sure we could fit you in around here.", Ron felt a lot better and his tone was much more relaxed.
"Yeah we so need some alone time. This was the summer from hell. Ron I have to go, we are helping to string barbed wire and the sooner we get this part done the sooner we can get back to the main house."
"Yeah KP, I need to get moving too. Can I call you later then?"
"Of course Ronnie, maybe just before bedtime…I sleep a lot better after I talk to you."
"You do?"
"Yes silly, why do you think I wanna be Mrs. Ronald Stoppable?", Kim squeaked
"You do?"
"Yep."
"Man I uh have to take a shower…..a cold shower KP, I'll call tonight. I love you….Bye."
"Talk to you later Ronnie.", Kim replied as the connection was severed.
XX
"Rufus I gotta go in a little while, Mr. Barkin loves to torture us.", Ron called out, "Do you want some cheese after I get out of the shower?"
"Hnk, cheese.", came the reply from the top of the night table.
"Well hold on to your horses buddy. Give me fifteen minutes and you'll get some nice aged Swiss.", the blond teen promised.
Ron turned on the warm water and climbed into the shower and let the soothing fluid cascade all over him.
'Ahhhh this is good..well I'd better cool down or I'll never be able to run today.', he mused not looking forward to the change in temperature but definitely enjoyed thinking of his girlfriend a little while before.
XX
Montana:
"How was Ron honey?", Anne Possible inquired.
"I guess he has a bad case of road rash Mom, maybe it will be mostly healed by the time I get back….but you know if I had been home we could have gone over to Felix's together and Ronnie never would have gotten hurt.", the auburn haired teen frowned, "You know I really owe Dad for all this, Ronnie could have come up here with us…."
"And he has football practice now honey. Now that I think of it staying home and going to practice might have been the best thing for him if he was playing in the fall. Ronald has had some time to get into shape and get used to being run into by some larger boys.", Anne mused out loud, "if Ronald was up here and went on that camping trip with you and Joss according to what you and the crew told us one of you or a horse would have stayed behind and Ronald being larger than you or Joss would have volunteered."
"Mom, I would have stayed behind. I had a better chance than Joss or Ron.", Kim countered.
"Like I said Ronald is heavier than you are Kimmie, if you would have not got on board then the helicopter may still have crashed and all of you would have drowned including the crew. Your Uncle Slim…no, all of us and the Stoppables would have been devastated at losing you three.", Anne gazed intently at her daughter and paused as the younger red head stood there without a sound.
"No, if Ronald knew he would have made the sacrifice just for you and Joss. I am sure of it."
"How do you know Mom? I mean if I'm the leader then I should make the sacrifices and not Ronnie.", Kim protested.
"And that boy has been at your side the whole time honey, even when you overlooked him he has always supported you."
"I know Mom, but I don't want that sacrifice from Ronnie. I just want my boyfriend, nothing more than that.", Kim responded lowly so that her Father wouldn't hear.
"Kimmie with all the dangerous things you do and all, here's something to think about….what if that is what Ronald is meant to do, to make sure that sometime you are supposed to get clear from an exploding lair. What if that was what he was put on the Earth for?"
"Mom I cannot believe that Ron's future would be so grim….."
"If he accomplished what he is meant to do then is it so grim honey?"
"I don't want to live without him Mom, I don't know if I could. Maybe I should ban Ron from coming on missions."
"Kimmie do you really think that would stop Ronald? He's turned into an adrenaline junkie just like you have. If you ban him from going with you, he might start his own little adventure club. Without you to lead it would be very dangerous for Ronald and anyone that goes with him and don't think there won't be any takers. So you just can't stop him and you just can't let him go off and do these things. In a way you are responsible for others wanting to emulate you."
"But what can I do Mom? Like I said if something happened to Ronnie, I just don't know."
"Just do what you are doing honey, it's safer for you, for Ron and for everyone else too.", Anne instructed, then paused and looked at her daughter.
"People from around the world have come to count on you and your boyfriend. For better or worse this is your life….and it is Ronald's life too. Maybe years ago we should have stopped you from doing all these dangerous things, but it's way too late for that now. Even if you stop, you have to have made some enemies. I highly doubt that they won't come after you or family and friends if you stop. So you have to keep going and fight these bad guys the best you can."
"OK Mom but you made it sound like we went out on purpose to fight these 'people'; we started by just trying to help."
"You did honey. You knew fully well that in fighting them you and others could get hurt or killed, at least that is what it has turned into with Drakken's take over the world thing last spring. But I have to agree, you were drawn in slowly, I don't think the people you have worked with and helped over the years meant for these villains to try lethal means to harm two kids, but we have arrived at this point now and I do not think there is any going back."
"I could get Ronnie out of this and go at it alone….."
"No Kimmie, I am surer now than ever that even if Ronald got out of your lifestyle that he would be safe from reprisals, no he is safer with you. I don't want him going off on his own. He is much safer with you."
"I guess I see your point Mom, I'll wait to talk to Ronnie when we get alone. I'll make the offer to him. If he declines it then we'll stay a team. If not I'll join GJ or something.", Kim informed her Mother.
"Well let's get back to work or we'll never get back to the ranch house for dinner and I know we're going to be hungry.", Anne pulled off one of her gloves to examine her hand with a frown on her face, "Seems like I have a blister."
"Want me to take care of it Mom?"
"I think I can manage honey, but let's get back they've only got one more hole to go then we can string the wire and you and Joss have shown that you can take care of that part of the job.", Anne smiled patting her daughter on the shoulder as they walked back to the rest of the group.
XXX
An art studio in Middleton, Colorado:
"Hi honey.", Tara King spoke over the phone to her boyfriend who had just picked up.
"What have you been up to today?"
"Remember when we talked about inviting Stoppable out?"
"Yeah, where are we going?"
"Anywhere you want, but Ron can't come he says that his parents are supposed to get home tonight and he wants to be there.", Tara told her boyfriend.
"I guess family comes first, uh what are you doing right now?"
"Nothing, and if I stay around here much longer either Mom is going to put me to work or Bonnie might call. She'll tie me up the whole rest of the day.", Tara informed Josh.
"Well can you come over to the studio? I want to work on that painting a little more and then I want to work on the background of the present that I'm doing for Kim and Ron.", the artist informed her.
"Sure."
"Then I want to make a clay model for a bust I'm thinking about down the road a little, I'm trying to learn how to do sculptures.", Josh explained.
"Who are you thinking of as a model honey?"
"You of course.", the young artist informed the blonde.
"Give me a few minutes to get ready. I'll bring some soda too."
"Thanks."
XXX
"Come on Rufus I got your cheese down here waiting.", Ron yelled up the stairs to wake the mole rat again, "Man you are lazier than I am on a Sunday."
"Pffffth.", Rufus stuck out his tongue at the insult as he paused looking at his master.
"Yeah just the kind of respect I'm used to from everybody else too.", Ron laughed at his little friend's antics.
The teen got a glass out of the cabinets and filled a glass with water as Rufus tore into the aged Swiss with gusto, "It's going to be good to see Mom and Dad again."
The pink and totally hairless rodent paused in his repast, "Hnk sure."
"You know I'm going to classroom work and then afternoon practice right?", Ron inquired.
Rufus just smiled and pointed to the schedule that was stuck to the refrigerator with a Wonder Weasel magnet.
"Are you sure you can't read? Oh yeah if you couldn't read how can you play 'Everlot' and be the 'Tunnel Lord'.", Ron caught himself, "You know you stomped on Felix last night, he complained about you."
Rufus just gave Ron the thumbs up for figuring it out himself.
"You know I wonder how you got so smart, most mole rats don't interact with humans the way you can.", Ron gave his insight.
"Hnk don't know."
"Listen keep at least one eye open and let me know if anyone else calls while I'm away.", Ron instructed the pink critter.
Seeing an annoyed expression on his friend Ron added, "I promise to make some brownies, but people have to eat them too so no cheese this time."
"Hnk aw shucks.", Rufus tried to snap his fingers.
"Yeah, aw shucks.", Ron laughed as he picked up the now cleaned plate.
'I really ought to get the scooter in to get it checked out before I ride it again. Maybe they can total the thing and I can get a good used car….hummm that means I need a license. Well Mr. Barkin is the teacher for Driver's Ed too.', the blond mused as he quickly washed the small amount of dishes in the sink and put them in the drying rack.
Ten minutes later a little more beaten up Ron Stoppable began his walk to Middleton High…again.
X
"Well Dave that one looks straight forward.", Ron whispered wondering how he was going to make the fake work.
"It is, but you have to act like you're staying in to block.", Dave whispered back about the screen play they had been discussing for over ten minutes.
"Stoppable, Alberts do you have anything to add to this?", Coach Barkin growled at what he recognized as goofing off wanting to nip it in the bud.
"Sir, Stoppable was asking the best way to 'sell' his block so that the defense buys it and gives me another count or two.", Dave answered quickly.
Coach Roberts took over, "Stoppable come up here."
"Yes Sir.", Ron got up and went to the coach.
"Now show me how you make the block."
Ron demonstrated the movement.
"Good you have the moves down, but you have to make good contact. Not good enough to knock him down, but good enough to delay him for a second. If you do that then he'll think it's a real block. Since Dave will be looking downfield first the defenders will come after him, they will be trying to shuck the blockers and get to him to make a sack. That's when you move out of the way. When you see that happen, make sure that Dave has a lane to put the ball in just over your head. If you are moving to the line of scrimmage you should be able to catch the ball without breaking stride and should have space to make a good run.", Coach Roberts informed them.
"We will be going over this as well as working on our wide runs this afternoon. Suit up in shorts, helmets and shoulder pads.", Barkin ordered, "Move it, I want five laps to start with."
"Stoppable since we are not going hard contact you may practice with us instead of running the bleachers.", the Coach slash Vice Principal informed the blond teen.
"Yes Sir.", Ron responded as he went to put on his gear.
"But you will still have an hour of stairs because you are still fat!"
"Yes Sir."
Already dressed in shorts Ron put on his pads, laced up his cleats and grabbed his helmet and mouthpiece.
"Another lovely day in paradise.", Ron mumbled to no one in particular as he joined the other football players as they exited the locker room for the practice fields.
Curt trotted up behind Stoppable and Alberts, "Looks like you get to play with us again Stoppable. Remember you're not used to pass blocking and making the wide runs, let one of the other guys take a couple of snaps and watch them."
"Yeah.", Dave added, "But on the screens I want you to take first shots. Just make sure you get one good pop in before you release. We had a guy that avoided blocking a couple years ago and if it had been anyone else but Flagg in at quarterback he would have gotten flattened. Remember though you have to find some daylight. If I have enough time I'll find you. Just get open."
"I'll do what I can, I've only seen the play once or twice on the films.", Ron grunted.
"We'll be doing walkthroughs first then we'll be going a little slow at jogging through. I don't even know if we'll see full speed today. Maybe tomorrow.", Dave explained, "Anyway we have to work on our 6, 7, 8, and 9 holes. We're going to go the full practice just on that and a few drills."
"With my luck I'll have an hour at the blocking sled again.", Ron snorted.
Curt hissed lowly, "Don't say that too loud, it might give Barkin some ideas."
"See Dave, Curt thinks like me. I knew he'd come around.", Ron chuckled as others chimed in adding their own comments.
But Ron reminded them, "Remember if it's dirty, nasty or anything else bad the Ronster gets it first. I think Mr. B uses me as sorta 'this is what can happen to you if you don't shape up' model."
After he paused he added, "Its better this way 'cause only one guy gets crapped on…me."
"You make Barkin sound like some kind of terrorist Stoppable.", Tank Woodson countered.
Ron laughed, "Maybe not a terrorist per se, but a villain like KP and I face all the time, but yeah he could easily end up being that…hummmm now what would he be called."
"Stoppable where are you going with this?", Dave Alberts laughed never having been caught up in the full fury of one of Ron's 'random moments'.
Of course the blond running back seeing he had an audience continued, "That's it! Steve Barkin would be called The Educator', and he'd be wearing a black graduation robe."
Curt chuckled as they jog along, "So, what would he be doing that was so bad?"
"Imagine this, Barkin decides that education is not tough enough, so he has ummm, Dr. Drakken clones him and all the clones get jobs as teachers all across the country and the Barkins change how we go to school. You like have to go to high school till you're twenty-five or so."
Alberts glanced over at Ron, "Thanks, now I'll have nightmares if I think about that too much."
"They'd never do something like that."
Ron interrupted Tank, "And we'd have to live in dorms, we could see our parents once a month and we'd have to go to school seven days a week too. So, no girlfriends or anything, and school starts at oh six hundred and finishes at eight at night. If you want to get a job, you can but you have to be back for bunk check before lights out. Imagine all that."
"I hate you Stoppable.", one of the younger defensive linemen yelled.
"Get in line Perry, Tank here has one of the first shots."
X
"Alright again this time.", Coach Roberts told them, "Stoppable don't hesitate, you have to get to free space to use your speed. Just like when those henchmen chase you."
"You had to bring that up didn't you Sir?", the blond frowned.
The practice had gone along fairly well and both coaches were impressed even more when they saw what Ron could do when he got a couple of steps on someone.
Dave Alberts broke the huddle as Curt settled in three yard back and to the right; Ron was the same distance back and to the left. At the second hut the ball was snapped and Dave dropped back between his fullback and running back. Seeing a red dog in front of him he dropped back even further.
Ron reading the blitz and seeing Tank bear down on the quarterback cut him off. The pop of the initial contact was numbing to the sidekick of Kim Possible, but he stayed with the block for a moment more before the outside linebacker tossed him aside. Seeing his opportunity Ron used the momentum from that move to propel him into the open and turned his head as he slipped further out to the sideline.
"Screen!", someone yelled as some of the attention of the defense was turned to Ron.
Still keeping his eyes on his quarterback friend, Ron got into space as they had worked on and in moments could see the ball was heading his way. The freckled blond thought for a second about looking to see if he was going to get nailed but shook the feeling off. Now slowing down he reached with both hands and caught the pigskin and turned up field with eyes as wide as dinner plates astonished by the room he had. Seeing the cornerback closing to make the hit, Ron zigged once and spun as they collided only four yards past the line of scrimmage. The unfortunate 'D' back was also stunned for a moment just as Ron spun and skipped to the side as he dove forward getting his legs under him.
"Tweet."
"Now that was good, nice job Alberts.", Coach Barkin yelled, "Line up for sprints."
"Just what I need.". Ron moaned.
"What did you say Stoppable?", Barkin frowned.
"Sir I said I needed that.", Ron clarified not wanting to get in anymore trouble.
X
"Bring it in.", Barkin ordered.
"Yes Coach."
"You have made a little progress, but we are falling behind. Meet in the classroom at daybreak."
"We have an extra hour that we can use. Now five laps. Move it…..oh Stoppable once you are done remember stairs."
"Yes Coach."
X
Dave looked at Ron as he made to walk back inside to let the blond goof up do his hour of stadium stairs, "Nice run there Ron, Barkin should have said something."
"Nah, but it makes my point from earlier.", Ron grumped taking off his helmet for a moment and then putting it back on.
"Yeah I see that."
All the blond running back slash sidekick did was smile.
Dave seeing Ron wasn't going to say anything asked, "What are you doing tonight?"
"Probably staying home with the 'rents if they get in, maybe I'll go for a walk like KP and me used to do when we were younger.", Ron replied.
"You miss her don't ya?"
"Yep we talked before practice this afternoon, but I can't wait for her to get back. Man this has been a long summer. I'm almost glad it's over, I'll see ya in the morning….I'll bet Barkin is filming everything."
"You know it Ron, see ya."
XX
The Stoppable home:
Ron, seeing his Mom's car in the drive, got a smile on his face and entered his abode. "Mom I'm home, want me to cook dinner?", the blond teen called out.
"I've got it started honey, your Father will be home in a few minutes. We got the contractor starting on your place in the basement in the morning.", she informed Ron as she gave him a hug.
"Hey that's great, maybe I'll head downstairs and talk to my new roomies.", Ron chuckled. Seeing his Mother's confused expression he added, "The washer and dryer."
"Oh."
"It was a joke Mom, lighten up.", Ron clarified seeing her eyes widen.
XXX
The Rockwaller house:
'Crud there is nothing to do. I know.,' the teal eyed brunette thought to herself as she picked up her phone.
"Hey Tara, what are you doing today?", Bonnie asked her friend.
"Going to my boyfriend's studio, he has something he's working on and wants to show me.", Tara responded as she closed the door to her home and locked it.
"Well do you want to go shopping?", the Queen Bee inquired.
"Not really and no I can't go tomorrow I have to work at the hospital.", Tara added before her friend could ask.
"What are you doing tonight then?", the second best cheerleader in the area asked.
Tara smiled and told her, "I am going out to a movie with Josh and then dinner."
"What about after that?"
"Bonnie, I have a curfew so I not only have to respect Mom and Dad's wishes but I have to work in the morning."
"You know you're a spoilsport Tara. Girls at the top of the chain don't have jobs."
"Maybe that's why I may never be at the top of your precious food chain, but I have to do things my way. Now if you want to set something up for Saturday afternoon I can do it. Club Banana has a sale on and the fall stuff is starting to come in.", the platinum blonde informed Bonnie.
"Yeah we can do that, maybe take in a movie and get some lunch.", Bonnie responded with a growing smile.
"That sounds great see you then, I'll call later to make sure of the plans.", Tara giggled.
XXXX
Well that was interesting. Brick and Monique are looking out for Ron….or are they? Kim, Anne and Slim have to teach the famous but over protective rocket scientist that it might be better facing the devil you know rather than the devil you don't. Oh for you James Possible haters try this; James really is trying to do what he thinks is best for his daughter. Will he come around? Well I can't really say, but you'll have to see for yourself.
Anyway Kim Possible, Ron Stoppable, Felix Renton, Rufus, Steve Barkin, Tara, Bonnie and all the other 'canon' characters in the show 'Kim Possible' belong to the show's creators and the Disney Corporation and not myself nor my beta CajunBear73. Heck we don't even make any money off this little hobby.
I'll see ya down the road,
ST-103