Disclaimer
Kim Possible is a registered trademark of Disney Inc. I have no rights to any of the characters. And they have no rights to me.
Providence
A Kim Possible Story
Author: falfurrian
Editor: Spice of Life
Chapter 13
Thankful to be home, Ron headed right into the kitchen to get a snack. It was almost noon, and even though his mother told him she was making lunch, he knew it would be at least 20 minutes before it was ready. Plenty of time to eat an appetizer or two.
After collecting some chips and salsa, along with a couple of pickles and a banana, Ron headed for his bedroom. It's not that he was tired, he wanted to be alone. Ever since last night, he had been trying to figure out what to do next about Kim. Nothing in the world would make him happier than to hear Kim say 'Ron, I love you.' It would be his dreams come true. He smiled even broader.
Ron set his plates full of food on his bed very carefully, and sat down next to it. His mother had cleaned his room while he was in the hospital, for which he was very grateful. It was his chore to keep it clean, but rarely remembered without being reminded. He would have to thank her, especially since it meant he wouldn't have to clean it before Kim came over tonight.
As Ron scanned his room, his eyes fell on his little friend's cage. "Rufus!" Ron yelled, as he went to retrieve his pink hairless friend.
Rufus had been sleeping when Ron came in, but at the sound of his name he started jumping up and down and squeaking his master's name.
'Ron Ron' came the tiny voice. Opening his cage, Rufus ran up Ron's sleeve and down the other.
"It's good to see you too little buddy! I missed you while I was in the hospital." Rufus looked at him with sympathetic eyes. Then he noticed the plates full of food sitting on the bed.
'Food!' He yelled, as he ran at the food on the bed. His little friend was deep in the snackage, and Ron's thoughts once again returned to Kim.
'Ron, I love you.' Ron sighed. A lot had to happen before he would ever hear those words. He knew from listening to Kim and Monique talk about couples that the 'L' word was not something Kim would use lightly. But, first things first. 'I want to be sure Kim like-likes me before I get my hopes up too high,' He told himself sternly, determined not to get his hopes up..
Ron was lying and he knew it. "I'm already so excited I can't stop thinking about her," he said aloud.
He then quickly looked around to make sure he and Rufus were the only ones in the room. With a nervous laugh, he started thinking about his quandary, and began eating his food. He had to let Kim know he was interested in her, but still have the option to back away should she reject. 'Arg, what an awful word', reject – shiver- his advance.
He thought about a card or some flowers, but he had given her those thing many times for various special occasions. This was going to have to be personal and intimate. 'Well, not that intimate.' Ron thought, feeling a little guilty about thinking of Kim that way.
That's when it hit him, he knew what to do. Simple, yet filled with possibilities. Timing and position here were key, but he could manage. Ron smiled as he reached for another hand full of chips, only to find an overstuffed naked mole rat sleeping in the empty bowl.
Without cheer practice after school, it made for a short day. For once Kim was thankful for not having a busy schedule. She knocked on the back door of the Stoppable's house, and headed on in as usual. "Anyone home?" She said a little softer than normal, just in case Ron was asleep.
"Come on in Kim." Ron's mother greeted her with a smile.
"Thanks Mrs. Stoppable. How are you doing?"
"Much better now that Ronnie's home." She admitted.
"I bet you're pleased to have him home." Kim said. 'I know I am.' She thought quietly to herself.
"Yes. They finally released him about 11:00 this morning." Mrs. Stoppable sighed, "I know he's a young man and all, but I just feel better when I can keep an eye on him. We both know he can be a little ... clumsy."
Kim smiled at the tall woman. If there was anyone who knew Ron as well and she, it was his mother.
"I brought Ron his homework." She replied, holding out an armful of books.
"Thank you Kim; that was very thoughtful."
"I suspect he might need some extra help since he didn't hear the lectures."
"If you are going to be helping Ron with his homework, will you stay for dinner?" Mrs. Stoppable asked politely.
"Sounds great. I'll need to check with mom to make sure it's okay first."
"Oh, I'll call your mother. I need to ask her a question anyway." She smiled, arising from her seat.
"Thanks Mrs. Stoppable."
Ron's mother smiled at the pretty young woman in her kitchen. "Kim, thank you for all your help with Ron. My husband and I appreciated the time you spent with him at the hospital. It's great he has such a wonderful, responsible friend." Mrs. Stoppable beamed at Kim.
"No big. Besides, Ron would do the same for me."
"Ron's upstairs in his room. Go on up."
As she headed for Ron's room upstairs, Kim noticed the flowers from the hospital room were placed throughout the house. The feeling that Ron had been doing something she didn't like was starting to return. 'I hate this! Why am I getting upset?' His door was partially shut, so she knocked before going in.
"KP? Is that you?"
"Hey Ron," she said flatly. "I brought you your homework."
Ron was holding a picture in both hands when Kim entered the room. She was slightly agitated with Ron, but not sure why. Seeing all the flowers in the house brought images to mind of Ron with different girls from school. In his room however, he only had one bouquet of flowers. It was the one the squad had sent. Her displeasure ebbed a little. But she had some questions for Ron Stoppable, and she wanted answers.
"How ya doin' Kim?" Ron said looking closely at his friend.
"I'm doing fine." Kim answered quietly, acknowledging him with a wave of her hand.
"Don't play me Kim. What's up?" Ron knew Kim was acting strange. She was staring off into space, very un- Kim-like'.
'Stay calm Kim. You can do this.' She recited to herself. 'It's no big...'
"Err Ron, what do you think about all these girls sending you flowers?" She finally asked, playing it cool. Or at least trying too.
"Oh, I think it's cool!" Ron said a little excited. Then he added with an odd look on his face, "But strange. I can understand the flowers from the squad and my grandmother, but the others are from girls that never talk to me. Well, sometimes they call me names, but I guess that doesn't count."
'Well that sounds pretty normal. Nothing there,' Kim thought.
"So, did anyone from school come by to see you?"
"No, no one. Kim, are you trying to tell me something here?" Ron looked up at Kim with questioning eyes. "I don't care why those girls sent me the flowers. They don't mean anything to me. Well, all except these here." Ron looked at the spring bouquet next to his bed. "I know you sent them. I ... err ... heard about the birthday rat thing."
Kim sighed. 'I must be nuts. He is completely sincere and he's not even getting all bigheaded over this!' She placed the books and papers she still had in her arms on Ron's unusually clean desk. She sat down on the bed next to him.
"No Ron. I'm not trying to tell you anything. I'm not sure what I'm thinking. Can we just forget about it?" If that apology didn't work, she could always put on her puppy dog pout.
"Anything you want KP." Ron answered, his trademark smile re-appearing on his face, "So, tell me about the rest of your day."
Kim proceeded to told Ron about her encounter with Josh. When she was finished, Ron looked stunned.
"You hit Josh because of what he did to me?"
Kim didn't know what to say, that was absolutely true. She had gotten mad at Josh for that exact reason.
"I can't understand what I ever saw in him." Kim said, rising from the bed. She started to pace the room.
"Kim, don't be so hard on yourself. We all make judgments about people before we get to know them."
"It's not that Ron! I lost control of my emotions. I hit him. Twice!" If it hadn't been for the seriousness of the conversation, Ron would have laughed at how stunned Kim was acting. Unfortunately, it was nothing to laugh over.
Ron reached out and took Kim's hand to calm her down. He looked up at her and smiled. "It's okay. Remember, it's just like you told me, maybe that's what he needed." Kim's shoulders slumped. There wasn't anything she could do about it now. It was in the past.
Ron was still holding her hand. "Kim, I never thought I would say this to you."
"What Ron?"
"Let's get started on my homework."
Kim sat at Ron's desk. Ron took a seat next to his friend, and they started working the first subject. With Kim's help, it only took two hours for Ron to catch up on his assignments. They talked a little while working, but Kim kept things focused. Ron didn't mind the work; Kim was a great teacher, and having her close made everything okay.
"There! All finished." Kim announced with satisfaction. Ron could be rather smart if he tried.
"This feels great! I can go to school tomorrow and not have to worry about being behind." He exclaimed happily. Calming himself down, he was silent for a moment, deep in thought.
Ron had been planning this next part ever since he got home from the hospital. He wanted Kim to know how he felt about her, but was afraid he might not be reading the signals correctly. Kim's friendship meant too much for him to take chances. Ron leaned over and kissed Kim on the cheek. He then added in his most sincere voice, "Thank you Kim. You mean so much to me." Ron had meant to say 'this means so much to me' but it came out a little different. Ron watched Kim closely for her reaction.
'He kissed me! He's never done that before.' Kim turned her head toward Ron, "You're my pleasure Ron." Instantly recognizing her mistake she quickly added "You know what I mean." Nervous laughter followed her mistake. She smiled at Ron, looking into his soft brown eyes. Kim had no doubts about how Ron felt. Ron was thinking about her as more than his best friend. 'Should I kiss him? I want to.'
Kim started to close her eyes....
Ron leaned into her...
"Kim, Ron! Time for dinner." Mrs. Stoppable yelled from the foot of the stairs. The unexpected words broke the moment between the young couple. Kim and Ron both pulled away from each other, feeling suddenly shy.
"You err... ready to eat Kim?" Ron said standing up. He put his hand out to help her up, but she stood on her own.
"You bet. I'm famished," Kim said with a smile on her face. Ron returned the smile, as they walked to the stairs and down.
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However, after Kim got home. Those jealous thoughts about Ron returned even stronger.
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Ron's mother insisted on taking him to school. Ron knew she would be a little over protective for a while, so he didn't argue too much.
The school sign read "Welcome back Ron!"
As Ron got out of their car, he was greeted by several girls all talking at once, asking about his head and whether or not he received their flowers. Ron was surprised at the unexpected attention. He also felt really guilt because he enjoyed it. The girls, mostly seniors, were very attractive and well built.
"Ron, I didn't know you could be so tough." Vanessa said looking at Ron with cow eyes.
"Yes, we had no idea you were more than just a sidekick to Possible. Should it be 'Team Stoppable'?" This last comment brought Ron back to reality fast. He was not sure why these girls were all over him, but he knew something was not right.
"Err ... you ladies will have to excuse me. I might be late for class or something." With that said, Ron ran toward the school and his locker.
His head was really hurting when he faced his combination lock, and the numbers were a little blurry. Ron worked the dial on his lock and popped the door open.
"Ron, how have you been?" Asked a soft voice from behind. Ron turned around to see Tara standing there with a warm smile.
"Oh, hi Tara." He replied quietly, acknowledging her with a wave.
"So? How's your head? Everyone at school heard what happened at Randy's party."
"I'm doing fine." Ron said cautiously. Tara was one of the few girls that every now and then said hi to him. She was shy, and a little dingy. Ron liked her; 'but only as a friend', he reminded himself.
"Ron, can I ask you a favor?" She asked shyly.
"Sure. What do you need?"
"You remember last Saturday in the mall? You know, in the dressing room...?" Tara was slowly turning a lovely shade of red. But she was looking at him expectantly.
Ron's suspicious expression turned to surprise. He had not thought about that incident since it happened. He could slowly feel his face turning red also.
"Yes, err... hum...I do." Ron looked a little away from Tara and started rubbing the back of his neck.
"Good! Well, hmm, not really. Ron, would not tell anyone about what you saw? It would mean a lot to me."
Ron sighed, "Of course Tara! I won't tell. That would be rude."
Tara exhaled and looked relieved. "Thank you Ron. You are a true gentleman."
Tara walked away with a spring in her step. Ron was relieved she had acted normal. Not like those girls on the way into school. He watched her walk down the hall a little ways, and turned back to his locker.
"Hi Ron," Kim said in an accusing tone, coming up from behind him.
Ron jumped at the sound of her voice.
"Hey KP! What's up?"
"Why are you blushing? What were you talking to Tara about?" Kim tried to act calmly, but the distrust in her voice was evident.
"Blushing? Me? No way! I never get ..."
Kim was staring at him very hard. This was the look she gave Bonnie when she was about to lay into her for being selfish. Guilt fell all over him like a pall.
"She was asking me not to say anything about me seeing her, err, you know what, at the mall last Saturday. Honest!" Ron put his hands up defensively.
'Well, that was the truth', Kim thought. Yet she knew he was hiding something. She had felt it all night and she wanted to know what. Let's see how he does with this one.
"Why did you jump when I said your name?"
Ron started fidgeting. This one was a little trickier to answer. The whole truth would involve the girls fawning over him as he entered school. He didn't think he had done anything wrong, but with girls you never know. And the last thing he wanted was for Kim to think he was interested in other girls! Especially after last night...
"I guess you just startled me. That's all." It was mostly the truth.
Kim looked at his suspiciously. "Ron, what are you hiding from me? I can tell there is something you are not telling me."
"Really Kim. It's nothing!"
"What's nothing?" Kim raised her eyebrow.
"No. I meant to say, 'There's nothing'."
"Uh huh, I'm sure. Well, if you aren't going to tell your best friend. I guess there is no reason to keep asking. Is there?" Kim turned and walked toward their first class, purposely ignoring Ron. She could tell he was hiding something, she just could not tell what.
Ron was crushed. 'That had certainly not gone according to plan!' He began to think he made a big mistake last night by kissing Kim. Dinner had gone really well, and they had watched TV for an hour before she had to leave. She even sat very close to him on the couch. Girls were so confusing.
Rufus poked his head out of Ron's pocket and stretched. "Rufus, what am I going to do? I'm so confused!"
At lunch Ron tries to sit with Kim and Monique. However as he sat down, they got up and moved to another table. Ron stayed were he was, not wanting to make Kim any more angry with him.
However, that was not going to be the case.
"Ron!" called out a tall senior named Marci. She was one of the girls in the crowd this morning before school." Can I join you?" She asked as she sat right next to him at the cafeteria table. Ron scooted over a little to put some room between them. Marci quickly closed the gap, and put her arm around Ron's shoulder.
"What's the problem Ron? Was it something I said?"
Ron looked at the arm around his shoulder, and then over to Kim. She was glaring at him. If looks could kill, he would be dead. This day was turning out all wrong! Kim got up from her table and headed out the door in a huff.
Ron jumped up from the table, ignoring Marci's protest at being pushed aside. "Kim! Please wait! It's not what it seems!" Ron yelled as he went to follow her.
Right before he reached the door to the cafeteria, Monique stepped in front of Ron, causing him to halt.
"Look Stoppable! You leave that girl alone! She has finally seen you for what you are and she doesn't want to have anything to do with you." Monique told him sternly, a look of hate plastered all over her face.
"Monique! What are you talking about? I need to explain to Kim, she ..."
"She's better off without you boy." Monique said with loathing in her voice.
"Kim said you were mad at me. What have I done?" Ron yelled.
"You know what you've done! I've seen how you treat the brothers! They should be hanging YOU!" Monique raged on, pointing an accusing finger in his confused face.
"What are you talking about? I have no idea what you ..."
"Look! You just stay away from Kim. You hear me?" Monique was in Ron's face. Her fists were clinched and she was shaking with rage. Ron knew he was about to get hit, so he instantly backed up.
"What is going on here people?" Mr. Barkin yelled as he stepped between Ron and Monique. "There will be no fighting on my watch!"
Monique turned around and headed out the door, not bothering to hide her anger.
Ron looks up at Mr. Barkin with a stunned expression. "Can you explain to me what just happened?" Ron bellowed, waving his arms in the air. "Because I have no idea."
The teacher returned the same look of confusion at Ron's reaction, "I was hoping you could explain it to me."A/N: Thank you for your reviews and words of encouragement. The next chapter will be up real soon.