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, Eckles, Daccu65 and Joe Stoppinghem. They review me all the time and provoke me...I uh mean inspire me to do better, enough with the sticks already.
As for the reviewers Waveform, Eckles, Shackwave88, CajunBear, Joe Stoppinghem, Daccu65, readerjunkie, Shrike176, Classic Cowboy, jgo, HarrylovesGinny09, hiddenloner and fatedtolove a big thanks. I truly do appreciate the comments (yes even the ones that seem to be on fire at the time).
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. The first post 'Once Again' story is under construction it's titled 'The Truth'. So in about four chapters go read 'Once Again' again check the little changes and by then maybe 'The Truth' will be ready.
I have had a question about Kim's portrayal of her emotions about Ron. Maybe they are out of whack, but then so is what happened to her. I think when all is put into context you'll see it fits. She never stopped loving Ron and she was betrayed by a boyfriend and forced to marry him. Once she is free of the other guy I can make a case about her sharing her emotions about Ron Stoppable.
Let's get this show on the road.
ST 103
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Separate Lives
Chapter 36
Ronald's Middleton, Colorado:
Barb's cell rang almost to the minute of when it was supposed to. "Hi Mom, It's me again.", the voice on the other end sounded.
"How are you feeling Ronald?", she asked.
"Not bad just got done with a few hours of therapy. Now I have to get something to eat. It looks like they want me to push to get back into shape. Heck Mom I already hurt.", he replied with a small laugh.
"Don't overdo it Dear, now your father wants to speak to you.", she told him.
"I'll try not to, the Physical Terrorists are really working me over. I guess it's for the best though the harder I push the sooner I get back to the unit. If I do it right and everything works out then I'll be able to get home", he informed his mom.
"Well we heard you lost weight, make sure you eat right or I'll have Anne come out and threaten you.", Barb told her son lightheartedly.
"Thanks Mom, I want to talk to everyone there....uh Kim's not there is she....I mean she should be out with her husband or at home....Whatever couples do, I can't seem to remember anymore.", he replied nervously.
"No she's babysitting Hanna right now.", Barb explained.
"Good thanks Mom. Let me have Dad OK?", he asked.
"How are you feeling Son?", Dean asked.
"Not bad, just weak and sore. I guess that's to be expected for laying on my back for so long.", he answered.
"Ronald, don't try to gloss it over. That nice Major Grant told us what happened. Were you really in a jungle for a few months by yourself?", he inquired.
"Yeah Dad, I didn't do too good. I had to keep moving, there was a couple of times I thought about giving up. Please don't tell that to Mom. Anyway, do me a favor, take some of the Naco money and put it in a fund for the Possibles. My time in the jungle sort of reminded me that I won't live forever. Don't tell them about it though. You know just in case.", Ron replied.
"Sure son, I'll make sure that we do that for them.", Dean replied, 'And a little for my other daughter too.'
--
While Ron and his Dad were talking Barb was reminding her friends. "Please remember, Ronald doesn't know that Kimberly and Josh are divorced...Let's not bring any of that up right now. Ronald has to recover before he can even think about that.", Barb whispered to the Drs. Possible. Seeing both their nods she smiled.
--
Soon the phone was given to Anne Possible. "Ronald tell me truthfully how you're feeling. You know that I am a doctor and I CAN find out.", Anne threatened.
"Mrs. P, I've only been awake for about six hours. I ache all over. I think somebody beat me everyday with a ball bat while I was out. And I am so weak, it's hard to even keep my head up. The doctor told me that I have malaria...I guess that's another reason to stay away from me. Anyway how are the Tweebs doing?", Ron asked trying to talk more about something else.
"They're fine and are on the Dean's list in college and they have girlfriends now. Kim teases them all the time.", she froze...
"Uh...thanks Mrs. P....Is...is Kim happy? That's really all I need to know...Is that she's happy. All the everything that I've done, that's happened to me...If she's happy, then I'm good to go.", Ron sighed weakly.
Thinking for a moment, 'Should I tell him?', she responded,"Ronald, Kimberly's happy right now." 'She'd be a lot happier if you was with her though.', Anne worried to herself.
"That's good. Thanks Mrs. P. Thanks more than you know. Listen can I speak to Mr. P? I'm starting to get tired and they have a big day for me tomorrow. I have to eat yet and get some sleep.", he informed her.
---
After James finally hung up he told them, "Dean, Barb that is one tough kid you raised. Thank God he's out there between us and the people who mean us harm. I could feel the pain pouring out of him though. I suppose he has a lot of friends, but he's afraid to get too close to them. Most of them still don't know what he has done for the world, first with Kimmie and then on his own. I'd feel a lot happier if I knew that he and she were on the couch making out instead of hearing about him trekking through jungle by himself and killing off bad guys."
"Well Jimmie, somebody HAS to do that. I suppose that we're blessed to know a young man who is keeping us safe. I almost spilled to him about Kimmie a couple of times.", Anne told him as her eyes misted a little.
---
The sun was rising as Wanda entered the house that Yamanouchi had bought. "Well how did your shift go last night?", Suzie asked.
The tall ninja woman laughed, "Well it was boring last night. The man mountain that the artist is sharing a cell with was making some noise so I got out a steel garbage can and a coke bottle. Do you know that makes the most terrible noise sister? We kept the whole cell block up for the rest of the night. I think two or three nights of this and it will be quiet once again."
"What if they complain to their lawyers?", Suzie asked.
"Then let their lawyers guard them. I'd like to see how they handle refuse being thrown at them.", Wanda replied with a smirk as she grabbed some hot water to make some tea.
---
"Yamanouchi, Japan:
Sensei was sitting on his mat with his two favorite students. "Major Grant-san has informed me that Stoppable-san is now awake and is recovering from his trials in the jungle. They are beginning to rehabilitate him as we speak. This is good. After he gets his new squad working well together they expect him to take a couple weeks leave. When this happens I want all the teams in the Middleton area to go to alert status and remain there until this threat to the Chosen One and his Chosen is finally put to rest once and for all.", he told a now showing Yori and her beaming and doting husband, Hirotaka.
"Do you wish us to travel back to Colorado Sensei?", Yori asked.
"No my honored student, the child needs to be home with us here. You will not travel again until I truly need your services Yori-chun. Please, you have both achieved great success in making sure that the teams are coordinated. You may rest this time, I am very proud of both you and and Hirotaka-san.", Sensei told her softly.
---
Maddigan Medical Center Washington:
"Ahh, man that hurts.", the Sergeant grumbled loudly.
"Oh shut up. What kind of Ranger are you anyway? A cartoon one?", the small woman asked.
"Yeah I'd rather be a cartoon one, then the artist could just draw me back to health.", Ron replied.
"Well it's only been a week, you have a lot of your flexibility back and we have to work on your strength and cardio. I know you've been walking on your own. I want to put you on the treadmill for about ten minutes. The pace will be fast enough for a slow jog. I want you to use the handrails to keep your balance if you need to.", she instructed.
"Yes Ma'am.", Stoppable stated.
Like all good physical therapists she lied, she kept him talking while she dialed up the speed and distracted him as she kept him on for thirty minutes. After a half hour Stoppable began to stumble, so she turned the machine off.
"Not bad....Not as good as you should have done, but not bad either.", she stated as she looked over the readout, 'How was he able to do that? Only out of bed for a week and he just ran a little over four miles in just under thirty minutes. Maybe that dinner that we were promised is going to come true after all.'
"Is there anything wrong ma'am?", the Ranger asked.
"No nothing at all, please here at 0700 for your next appointment.", Mary Brooks instructed.
"Yes ma'am.", he replied.
---
Two weeks later the hospital finally released him, Captain Booth came over to pick him up. "Stoppable, you have to make sure you're in shape. I know that you're not close yet, but I need you ready in a couple weeks. So you are released from pulling duty. I want you to train and get up to your men's level."
"Yes Sir, when do I get to meet my men?", Sergeant Stoppable asked getting edgy about the time that he had missed.
"You'll go by and watch them train tomorrow. Right now they're on the range burning up ammo.", Booth replied.
"Sir, I could use some practice as well. Do you think I can draw a new weapon, and zero it to see what I lost?", he asked.
"I don't see why not Sergeant. We'll get you another M4A1.", Booth informed him. An hour later both had drawn their weapons and headed to the zeroing range. Another hour and they were pulling into the designated range. After they were cleared they drew ammo and began to pick off targets on the popup range. When the cycle was over, Captain Booth introduced Stoppable to his new squad.
Booth stepped back and the other NCOs stepped away as still very thin Sergeant Stoppable took control of his men. 'Well that shows how much he listens to me. I hope he's up to this.', Booth worried
"Men as the Captain told you, my name is Stoppable. I guess I've been around a little bit. Now even though we're not clicking as a team yet, we are designated as the strike team of the Company and the Battalion. I was told you guys are good. It's only five miles back to the barracks. We are going to double-time it the whole way. Then we are going to do an hour of PT before we break for dinner. Then we're heading out to the night infiltration course. Expect me to do everything that you do. I know it sounds tough, but that's what you get for being a Ranger. Let's move out.", he ordered.
Booth watched as the eleven men took off, at double-time pace, back towards home. 'He's not wasting any time.', he worried.
Having arrived before the Squad at the Company Compound, the Captain had set up a video camera to record how the Squad interacted during exercises. Twenty minutes later they got in, and Booth began recording. After PT Sergeant Stoppable released his men to eat and get ready for the upcoming night exercise.
"Sergeant.", the Captain started as he approached the squad leader, "I see you're getting off on the right foot. I thought that you was going to wait a little before doing this?"
"Had to Sir, they're too laid back. I want them to focus on my whim or we're gonna get creamed. I'm gonna ride em hard for a couple of weeks and then reevaluate them. You don't know how bad I hurt right now. Maybe this is what I needed.", Stoppable replied, "Anyway Sir I'm gonna grab some chow and get my men moving. The next couple weeks are going to be harsh on the guys."
"And harsh on you too. Who do you want to watch over them when you go on Leave?", Booth asked.
"Sir considering how much time I have to get them ready, I don't know if I can afford to go on Leave. I have to put my personal problems behind me. Anyway I got some time to work on it.", he replied.
"But what about that promise Stoppable? You promised those people that you would go on Leave as soon as possible. You're backing out. If that little Monique girl learns to hate me for this, you better end up dead.", he snapped.
"Sir I'll write you a nice letter to Monique Jenkins, it'll get you off the hook. I'll say it was all my idea. I'm glad you found her, she's a great girl. Now both Kim and her best friend will be happy. Sir I gotta get some food in me or it's gonna be a real long night.", he informed his Company Commander. Stoppable saluted and made his way to the dining hall to grab something to eat. After ten minutes he called them out and got them running again. Two hours later they were at the infiltration course.
"OK you guys are supposed to be pretty good. We're gonna do this with lights on first, then we're gonna do with no lights or night vision. You won't always have that device to save your tails. And we're gonna do this till I get tired. OK?", he asked them.
Two officers watched the Sergeant put his men through their paces. "What's Stoppable trying to do Captain...Kill himself?", Lt. Wallace asked.
"A couple of things, he's trying to get teamwork going, he's getting the respect of his men and he's trying to teach them that they ARE the tip of the Ranger spear. We'll just have to wait an see how they respond.
An hour later Stoppable was going over the first run, "Remember we go easy till we know that we're spotted, then we bound by team when I yell ALPHA. So easy, then hard. Ya have to make it so that they can't bring down artillery on ya, but we have to be smart with it."
The lights went out and the exercise started again. After the third time through, Stoppable was satisfied for the night. Hearing that the squad was done Booth called for a pickup so that they wouldn't have to hump back after midnight.
As he dismissed them Stoppable informed them, "This was an OK first day. Be ready at 0500, we have a ten mile run, an hour of PT, then chow. We will then head over for some hand-to-hand for two hours, then we are going to hit the ranges till your scores are perfect, count on two hours of hand-to-hand each day. Dismissed."
In the morning they all headed off in sweats for the early morning run. After eight miles Ron was gasping at the pace that he set, 'Good they're all with me. I just gotta pull it together for the next two miles.', he mused worriedly.
After PT he released them to get late chow. "How did it go Sergeant?", Lt. Wallace asked.
"I started to die at mile eight. I grunted it through though Sir.", he replied.
"Why didn't you back down Stoppable? You can't be back to full strength yet. Heck you're not even back to full weight either. You were skinny before you jumped out over that jungle. Then for the most part you didn't eat for three months, then no real food for six more weeks. That would have killed just about anyone else. Now you're trying to be more than what you were? I know the mission you have been assigned. I can get it pulled too.", his platoon leader suggested.
"Sir, I and my men have to get better. I'm not going to ask for another mission. It's my job to get these men ready to fight. I'll see what kind of men they are within two weeks. Then I'll know. After that I'll take em climbing, remember what that did to my first squad? Teamwork Sir, that's what we all have to learn and be the best at what we do. Excuse me Sir, I have to stoke the body too. We have a long day yet.", Stoppable replied.
-
After chow they went to the ranges. All in all, the new team were even better marksmen than his original squad. After all day on the range he had them double-time back to the Company Compound. "All right it's late clean your weapons and get chow. Be ready, full rucks and weapons at 0300. Be ready to roll. We're gonna do a force march, live fire at 0715 and I know that it's ten miles there. You will be on MREs all day so make sure you draw two. After the live fire exercise we have a twenty mile hike set up. Don't expect to be back before 0100 the next day. After that we're gonna start pushing.", he informed his men.
Spec 4 Crowe asked, "Sarge are you trying to kill us? Cause if you are why don't you just shoot me now that way I won't die tired." Which got a laugh from the rest of his men.
"If I wanted to kill you Specialist, you would be dead already. This is part of my evaluation of you. So far you guys haven't done bad, however I want you to know that comparing yourselves to me is doing yourselves a disservice I've only got out of bed about three weeks ago and was flat on my back for six or seven weeks recovering from malaria and a few other things. SO I AM pushing not only you, but myself. Now clean your weapons then chow then the rack. Got it?", he explained.
"Yes Sarge.", they replied.
At 0300 everyone was was out and loaded. "Move out.", Stoppable told them. All members wore strobes to make sure that they were seen as they moved quietly before the sun came up. At 0700 they were at the start of the forced march live fire stage. Waiting until the exact moment, he moved them out at an easy jog as each were carrying a ninety pound ruck and live ammunition. After a mile the squad picked up the pace. An hour later they engaged the targets on the live fire range. Grant was watching from above, taking notes.
---
Two weeks later Sergeant Stoppable brought his squad in, "OK party starts in an hour, get into civvies for once."
PFC Smith asked, "Uh Sarge, did you blow a head gasket?"
"We work hard we play hard. You got tomorrow off and the weekend too, but tonight I'm calling a cookout.", he yelled.
One of the windows in the barracks opened and a head poked out, "Stoppable is calling a cookout? Oh man....Somebody get the beer."
"Sarge what's going on? I mean guys are already starting to flock over here from the other Companies." Corporal Miles asked, "I mean we're all new around here."
"Hey buddy you ever hear of Sergeant Lossee's cookouts?", another corporal asked.
"Yeah, they're legendary.", Miles replied.
"Well think of Stoppable and Loosee' being the same guy, that was a cover name for him when he first got here.", Spec 4 Mickleson informed him.
"Hold on Stoppable is Loosee'? You meant the fastest guy ever on the Darby Queen?", Miles asked again trying to figure it all out.
"Yep. Now you're catching on buddy.", Mickleson replied.
"Listen, you can wait around and talk all day, but I heard the cooks already put the baked potatoes in about a half hour ago. Some of the cooks were cleaning corn. The Officers are cleaning salmon, and he's got steaks going too along with chicken and brats. Welch sent a couple of kegs to help everybody let off a little steam. Stoppable's gonna have four big grills going. Man have we missed him.", Mickleson informed him, "If you can't find anything you like you're just too picky. Heck one time we had some Green Berets here and he grilled snake for them to make them feel at home."
Some of his men noticed others coming over to give their Sergeant hugs. "Sarge I'm glad you got back. I swore we lost you on that last one.", a Corporal Wilson laughed.
"Good to see you got promoted Wilson, did you get a good bunch of men?", Stoppable asked.
"Yeah Sarge, I keep trying to remember all you taught me. It's going pretty good.", the new Corporal replied, "You know I thought we lost you. I mean three months with no word. If it had gone on much longer I think that scary woman was going to come back and begin taking heads."
"She knows the risks that we take, she's a warrior herself. I think she was back, but for some reason it's kinda foggy. Anyway enjoy the grub. I gotta get some more food on the grills", Stoppable laughed.
A few members of Stoppable's new squad cornered Corporal Wilson. "Seems like you and our Squad Leader go back a ways, Wanna talk about it?", one of them asked.
"Sure, but nothing classified.", Wilson replied as he shrugged his shoulders.
"We understand. Just how tough is Sergeant Stoppable?", one of them asked.
"Well let me put it this way. If you have all your weapons and he only has a knife. I'd take him over you and every other man in this Battalion. If he wants you dead, just do yourself a favor go ahead and commit suicide, it'll be less painful for you. He's done some things that I saw. And ever more from what some of the other guys from our squad told me...He can do some scary things like taking on three or four armed men at the same time when he only had a knife and cutting them to ribbons. I won't even go into his Silver Star. And he GAVE that award to the guy's mom that he saved. He's a hero dude. Just remember to do what he says. I worked with him for over a year and he kept me alive a couple times when I thought it was over.", Wilson told them.
"So you're officially a member of Sergeant Stoppable's fan club.", Corporal White asked.
"Yeah I am, but not as much as that guy over there.", Wilson responded to a rough looking Sergeant who was walking like he owned the place.
"Oh, who's he?", one of the new guys asked.
"That's Sergeant First Class Albert Harris from 3rd Battalion he knew about the feed too and flew in a few days ago. He's the brother of the kid that Stoppable got out when he got his first Purple Heart and Silver Star. The kid that the Sarge pulled out of harms way was Sergeant Harris's baby brother. Sergeant Harris is no shrinking violet either. He's the one at the Ranger School they still call Crazy Albert.", Wilson replied, "You know with all the combat that Stoppable has been through he's only lost one man, the guy's name was Cole. I took his place."
They watched as a car full of young women from the hospital stopped and got out. "So this is the famous feed that Captain Booth invited us to.", one of the pretty young ladies asked.
"Yep, we'll see just how good a cook that grunt that you tortured is.", another one told the first.
An hour later the five young women sat back rubbing their stomachs. "Where is that guy? I'm in love!", Mary Brooks yelled.
"What guy Ma'am?", Staff Sergeant Ben Turner asked having watched the episode, knowing what was going on.
"The man who cooked all this, I have to apologize and propose.", Miss Brooks.
"Stoppable's over on the grill finishing up ma'am. I hope you really don't mean the proposal crack...He's a one woman man...So, I think he's been off the market for years, possibly longer.", he informed her.
"OK maybe I went a little overboard, but I have to thank him for the dinner.", she replied.
--
As the night wore on only the NCOs and the Officers stuck around and talked shop in a relaxed atmosphere while others listened.
"So now that you're healthy when are you going on leave Stoppable?", Major Grant asked.
"Sir, not until I can get my men ready for deployment. I have to think about them, more that me right now. Once I think they're ready I'll be on that airplane to see my family and catch up, it's only been four years and a bit. Anyway, I promise I'll do it. But when it's my men's lives verses my personal happiness, it's not a contest Sir. By the way, have you seen Don Stoner?", he asked.
"He's got a date with a female enlisted person tonight. Well that's what on of the clerks told me today.", Grant replied as he looked around seeing the expressions.
"Wow, really, that's great, Sir. I'll save him some grub. I'd hate to have him kick himself from getting a chance at romance. I wonder what it's like?", Ron laughed to himself trying to remember as a small black car pulled up into the compound.
"Ron, she made me come.", Stoner yelled as he got out, "When I told her what was going on tonight she got angry that she was missing a famous feed. Sergeant Ron Stoppable, this is Specialist Becky Watson.", Don Stoner told him as they walked up to the group, "Becky this is the infamous guy who ran up one side of me and down the other one in High School: The former Sidekick of Kim Possible, Sergeant Ronald Stoppable."
Instantly Major Grant was alert. "Specialist Stoner? Congratulations, you just upgraded Specialist Watson's Clearance up to Secret, maybe higher.", he calmly informed them.
"Sir I'm sorry...", she began to reply.
"No harm Miss, but I must warn you that you can't talk about Sergeant Stoppable. I want to make that clear. We really don't want his whereabouts commonly known. So please don't tell anyone else. And now you can talk to him. He doesn't bite....that much.", Grant replied with a small chuckle, "And he is a heck of a cook. Oh you girls from the hospital that goes double for you."
For a few minutes she prodded Ron about questions of Rufus, Wade and Kim as she ate. She could tell there was something he was hiding and she finally hit on it. "You still love her, don't you?", Beck asked softly.
A small figure was within listening distance and was taking it all in.
"Yes ma'am, but she's married to a pretty neat guy. I mean he's smart and talented even handsome, Kim has it all with him. I haven't talked to her in over four years, well I guess it's closer to five years now. Her parents are real nice too. They were like family to me."
"But Sarge, you must have dated a lot of girls in high school. You're a nice guy.", she told him.
"Me date...yeah I guess those two dates with Zita Flores counted...You have to understand that I was Kim's best friend since we were four....And I have to face it, I wasn't a normal kid...I mean how many 'normal' kids carry a naked mole rat with them? My best friend knew sixteen styles of Kung Fu and we were always on the go stopping villains and trying to help people. Not many girls would want to get in the middle of that mess. That and who really wants to date the town clown? I mean Kim and I finally became a couple after our junior prom when Dr. D tried to take over the world with his toys. It was good.... fairy tale good for over a year....She even put up with my insecurities, let me tell you there's not many people that would do that. Well after we graduated, we had an argument, well more of her telling me off than anything. About a week later I was getting ready to you know 'pop the question' and I caught her and her now husband, kissing at a restaurant. Anyway that was the last time I saw her and she basically told me to get lost....And so I did...and here I am...There you go Miss Watson, Ron Stoppable's life story in five hundred words or less, or fifteen seconds of fame, which is even shorter.", he chuckled before he tilted back a now warm beer.
"I'm sorry Sergeant Stoppable, I didn't know. I mean I saw all the Kim Possible footage when I was younger. A couple of times I guess I did see you, but you never answered any questions and it seemed like you avoided the cameras. Why was that?", she asked.
"A couple if incidents when I was younger ma'am. They taught me that I wasn't the darling of the media and it seemed like and I always put my foot in my mouth. So I just let Kim handle all that. My only reason for going and helping Kim in the first place was to keep her safe. I made a promise to her parents when I was a freshman in high school and my rabbi told me never to make a vow that I didn't intend to keep. So when I made it I was determined to keep it the best I could. I mean I hardly ever did anything for myself except for gaming. Kim was my only real friend at the time except for a couple of others, and it gave me a chance to be with her more than ever..I mean it really wasn't much of a choice for a homely loner that always carried a rodent in his pants pocket.", Ron explained.
"But Don said you were a great football player, you set records in high school. Why didn't you go to college to play football?", she inquired.
"Must not have been good enough. I knew Mr. Barkin sent my tapes off, but I never heard a word. Anyway that's another world now.", he told her.
"Well I saw that video that the Marks woman did on you. She out and out portrayed you as a hero. What do you say about that?", she prodded.
"She was young. Anyone else bringing her off that mountain would have gotten the same reaction. She should be over it by now.", he replied with a soft chuckle, "I can't believe you guys actually remember that."
'Marks? Mountain? Stoppable, Possible? Hold on he's the guy?', Mary Brooks mused now paying a lot of attention to the conversation.
"So are you going to go home for a while and at least see your family?", the Specialist asked.
"Only if my men get up to speed. So far we are not working as a team yet. Before I feel comfortable taking any time off for myself, I have to make sure that they are ready to fight together. I feel we have to be at the same level of the squad that I just had on the last mission. Otherwise it might cost all of them their lives. Since I am responsible for those men I have to put their welfare ahead of my desire to see my family and friends.", he informed her, "You see Middleton, Colorado and everything that happened there was another life for me, in some ways it really was another life. I have a family and home right here, when I left I felt beaten, I had always had Kim, Mom and Dad... well, that is, when they thought about me, 'cause I wasn't always on their radar. Now I have a place where I'm needed, I'm accepted for myself not for being a tag along to the accomplishments of other people. I hope my Mom and Dad understand it."
"I didn't know.", she told him.
"Ma'am there was no way that you could know. I never broadcast my problems. It was my personal business. All I want to do is the job that I've been trained to do for my country. I just wanted the chance that I could prove that I could do the job myself.", Ron replied.
Major Grant was watching the conversation with interest. He had gotten information out of his prized soldier, and now he was finding out how he ticked. It was amazing to him just how deep the pain went. "Sergeant.", he started, "You know that we went to Middleton to see your family when you hadn't returned from the jungle. It seems to me that you might want to give them all another chance. Captain Booth has a keen interest in this Miss Jenkins and it seems that she has one in him as well. And I think you might want to give Kim Possible a chance. Maybe things have changed in four years, maybe they weren't as they first seemed either. Also you promised that you would see them and talk to Kimberly. We had a chance to talk to her, she is a very quiet young woman. I believe that she still cares for you. So do me a favor and the first chance you get, you get on a plane to see her and work out your differences. I'm sure both your families will feel a lot better."
"Yes Sir I heard about the trip and thanks for stopping in to see my folks, I plan on that on taking that Leave. But right now I have to get my men trained. Once they're up to speed I fully intend to take a couple weeks and get everything fixed up. I'll even apologize to Josh Mankey for upsetting Kim. Sir I have to hit the rack early 'cause I need to be up before dawn to get my ten mile run in. All my men are in great shape and I'm not even close yet. So I have a full training weekend planned. Goodnight all. Sir if you can, please have the cooks clean up a bit. I'll finish after I get back from my workouts tomorrow.", Stoppable finished as he got up and walked to the barracks.
As he was leaving Ron's personal torturer ran up to him. "You're the one? I mean you was the guy that helped Kim Possible stop those robots six years ago? How can I ever repay you? You saved my aunt's life.", Mary Brooks asked.
"Forget about me Mary, that is until you have to do therapy on me again. Next time give me a bit of a break OK?", Ron asked with a smile.
"Sure, until next time then. Oh and thanks that was a great meal. Maybe I'll see you around then.", she replied as he walked over to his barracks.
"Yes Ma'am until next time. And you are welcome, I'm glad you enjoyed the cook out.", Ron turned to leave.
"Stoppable, are you using the cabin this weekend?", Don Stoner yelled at his disappearing friend.
"Nope, I'm gonna be here buddy. Get the keys from the Company HQ and sign them out so that everyone knows who has it. Have fun.", he called back, now noticing that Spec 4 Watson was turning red., 'Have a nice weekend guys.'
---
Senior Island:
"Are you sure of this information Doctor Lipsky?", eccentric old billionaire asked.
"Yes my old friend. Remember not to tell anyone else or Dr. Director will come looking for us personally. Or even worse she might contact HIM. Maybe Monkey Fist wasn't that crazy after may not care, but I'm not sure that I want a glowing sword through my guts moments before I lose my head. I've been obeying the law for almost five years and in a few more I'm going to retire and live off the proceeds from the patents of my inventions. Ruling the world is so overrated.", the blue skinned scientist replied.
"Have you heard any more news about Miss Hall?", Senior asked.
"Yeah, Shego is keeping her on the run. It's like a cougar playing with a mouse. It keeps her occupied and it keeps the crazy geneticist moving around too. Shego sends me videos. It is rather amusing in it's own way. I think Global Justice is paying her to play with Amy.", Drew replied.
"As long and your former partner isn't making my life difficult Dr Lipsky. I think it's marveolus fun. Send me some of the videos if you can. I could use a good laugh.", Senior asked.
A/N: Well Ron's on the mend and getting his men trained. Not much about Kim in this one....sorry guys. Anyway, things are starting to wrap up...or are they?
I suppose we'll just have to wait and see.
Here's my plug again for other authors' stories. I heard that Screaming Phoenix is getting read to update 'Twin Flames in Darkness' that's a must read. I think that Captain Kodak is getting ready on a couple of updates himself. I want to find out what's going to happen in 'School Days' myself. Nutzkie has the 'Rise of Rhodighan' getting ready to kick into high gear. Waveform is going to unmask the Supreme empress in 'Reset'. MrDrP has two great stories going (or is it more?). And I hope Spectre666 is working on several....I wonder what he's going to us do now? Claasic Cowboy is working on 'Transfomers' I think if we all bug him, he might just get done soon.
To all those that read my work thanks again, I really appreciate it. Hopefully by the time this story is done and over I will have 'The Truth' finished.
Thanks and I'll see ya all down the road,
ST-103