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 17
The Kimmunicator beeped, barley audible over the tractor engine.
"Go Wade."
"I found him! I found RON!" the young genius exclaimed. "You must be digging in the right location. His tracking chip signal is coming through strong as ever."
"Thank God!."
Kim continued to dig. Each time she extracted a little less dirt with the large shovel. She didn't want to crush the box Ron might be in. Then another thought struck Kim. 'What if there's no box? They may have just tossed him in and buried him!'
On the next pass bucket scrapped something. Kim instantly stopped the digger. She looked into the hole; it was about 5 foot deep. Nothing was immediately visible in the pale morning light. She jumped down out of the seat and looked behind the metal scoop. She saw what the shovel had hit. It was something made of wood!
She climbed back into the seat and cautiously dug around the wooden object. With about half of the top exposed Kim extracted the backhoe. She swung around, jumped out of the seat then down in the hole.
"RON. Can you hear me?" Kim yelled. "RON!"
No answer.
Kim retrieved a hand shovel, pry bar and hammer from the tractor tool box. The dirt still on top of the box was quickly shoveled aside. She pounded the pry bar under the lid and lifted. A corner of the wood came up a little.
"RON! Are you in there?" Kim had never been so afraid of what she might find. If Ron was dead she would never forgive herself for not trusting him; for not listening to him.
She pried another section of the box open. This time the board snapped at a knot. She could see Ron's messy blond hair. He was not moving.
"Oh Ron. Please be alright! I couldn't go on without you!" She used the opening to get a better angel with the tool. This time an entire board moved out of the way as she put all her strength into the bar.
Ron was perfectly still. She reached her hand inside the box and placed the exposed section of her wrist on his forehead. He was still warm! She had to get him out of the box and into some fresh air.
With renewed energy she loosed the boards enough to get her arms under Ron's shoulders and pulled him free of the box. He was breathing shallow. She laid him back on the cold earth.
She checked for a pulse. It was weak. "Ron! Wake up, Ron." She started shaking his shoulders. His breathing was still not normal. 'I don't know what to do! How do I get him to breath deeper?' After a second Kim positioned her mouth over his and pinched his nose closed. When he breathed in she blew softly into his lungs. He exhaled. Once again she breathed into is open mouth.
Ron's eyes opened in surprise. He was not sure what to make of the situation. He had been dreaming about Kim kissing him and now his dream appeared to be true! He reached up and put one hand on her stomach and closed his eyes again.
"RON!" Kim yelled as she wrapped her arms around his neck, squeezing him tight.
"Yea. I think so." Ran said with a smile. "This is the best day of my life." He felt great, except for the headache that was getting worse.
"Oh Ron! I was so worried about you!" Tears of joy and relief were running down her cheeks. The emotion of having her Ron back could not be contained.
Kim released Ron and looked at him closely. His forehead was scrapped and bruised, and there were bloody cuts around his wrists. Other than that, he looked pretty much okay. Then Kim realized what Ron had said. "What do you mean, 'it's the best day of your life'?"
The euphoric effect of the hypoxia had just about worn off. But Ron still felt pretty good about everything. "You kissed me. It was great!"
"I wasn't kissing you! I was resuscitating you!"
Ron looked up at Kim dreamy eyed. "It sure felt like a kiss."
Kim pulled further away from her friend and put her hands on her hips. "Well. It may have felt like a kiss to you, but I was not kissing you." Then Kim smiled at her best friend. The friend she thought lost forever, remembering all the words she was afraid she would never have a change to tell him. "I kiss much better than that."
Ron cocked an eyebrow at Kim and said nothing for a few seconds.
"Well, I guess this means you're talking to me again." Ron started.
Kim looked down at her feet. "Yea, about that. I owe you an apology."
"No way KP! I saw the pictures Drakken was showing…"
"No Ron. It has nothing to do with him. I was upset because of Drakken's pictures, but I choose not to talk with you. If I had faith in my dearest friend, none of this would have happened. Can you forgive me?" Kim asked sincerely.
Ron understood what she meant. The "can do it all" girl and "never serious" boy had been friends forever because both knew they were not perfect. "Of course KP!" Ron held out his fist to seal the deal. Kim responded in kind. The two knocked knuckles and the discussion was closed.
"Okay Ron. Lets get out of this hole."
"You said it! I don't want to see any more pine for as long as I live!"
Kim offered Ron her hand. He took hold and let her pull him upright. His head was still hurting from the lack of oxygen, but he was feeling much better just being out from that nightmare. A shiver went through him as he thought about his imprisonment.
"Wait KP! Where's Rufus? Did he get out?"
They both turned toward the wooden box. The little naked mole rat was just climbing out. He seemed no worse for the stay. It kind of made sense, him being a mole rat. He ran up to Ron and hugged his leg. He was happy to have the old Ron again. But afterward he ran and got in Kim's pocket. The two teens looked at each other and smiled.
Kim was exhausted. It had been a long, anxious night and the need for rest was foremost on her mind. She began climbing out of the hole. Ron looked over his shoulder at what could have been his final resting place. Silently he thanked God again for getting him out of there with his sanity intact.
The tiredness Kim felt made the short ascent arduous. Thus, she was completely caught off guard by the kick that sent her flying back into the pit. Kim hit the bottom of the hole and didn't move.
"Now Dr D!" Shego yelled. The tractor engine revved and jerked into motion away from the hole. It quickly pulled away from the hole and began to circle back toward the mound of dirt Kim had just extracted. The front loader scoop was being positioned to use as a dozer blade.
Ron looked up at Shego, now standing at the edge of the hole. "You witch!" he yelled with venom. He turned and knelt down next to Kim. Her face was already starting to swell from the brutal blow. He heard the tractor continuing its approach.
"This is great!" Shego laughed. "We can bury two of you for the price of one. You won't get that kind of deal at any funeral home."
The thought of Kim enduring even a portion of the agony he just suffered was unbearable. He was not going to let this happen. Not to his best friend. Not to Kim.
"NO!" Ronscreamed with the anguish of a thousand lifetimes.
Kim had just begun opening her eyes when she saw Ron lunge out of the hole. He sprang up with his legs and pushed off with his arms between his legs to carry him the rest of the way out. In one fluid motion he was out of the hole and running.
Ron stiff-armed Shego as he ran past. She was not his primary target. The woman fell backward by the sudden attack, loosing her balance in the process.
Drakken's face change from glee to utter panic as Kim Possible's side-kick ran at the tractor. Ron's focus did not waver as the blue skinned man managed to turn the wheel enough to point the machine directly at him. With the grace of a large cat Ron jumped from the ground to the front loader to the top of the tractor. Ron steadied himself against the rocking motion of the tractor for an instant. Drakken stated up at him in disbelief. The blond executed a sweeping leg kick that caught Drakken hard on the side of the head.
Drakken let go of the steering wheel at the last moment to shield his head. But this allowed the harsh blow to knock him completely out of his seat. He tumbled to the ground face down. Immediately he began struggling to clean his legs of the large rear wheel. He move fast but did not covered the required distance. His right foot was quickly pinned under the heavy, ridged tire. The ankle bones braking were audible to all present.
While Drakken was falling Ron had reached down and turned off the ignition from his perch atop the tractor. As the engine quickly died he leapt down. The machine stopped on top of Drakken's ankle. The blue skinned man was yelling but Ron never gave him a second look.
When Ron jumped out Kim had managed to stand and look over the edge of the hole. She was amazed. He moved with real grace and power.
Shego waited for Ron next to the hole. Her stance defensive, face set. Ron continued approaching the woman without pause.
"So, the little boy is protecting his girlfriend," Shego taunted. But this time her voice lacked its usual confidence. 'Is she worried?' Kim wondered.
Ron did not replay. He stopped about five feet in front of her and assumed a rather odd looking stance. It reminded Kim of the monkeys she had seen. Maybe even Monkey Fist? Ron stood still. Their eyes locked on other.
Shego narrowed her eyes at Ron. She flung her arms away from her body, igniting her hands in green energy. "Let's do it, boy!" She ran at Ron ready to give him a punch combination. Just before the first punch landed Ron fell onto his back. Shego's momentum carried her forward. She managed to look down just in time to see approaching blow.
The arch of Ron's foot landed squarely between Shego's legs. She was flipped over him, landing hard on her back. With some effort, she rolled to her feet. Kim had seen the grimace on her face as Ron's well aimed foot landed home. Kim knew this pain and felt a little sorry for Shego. But only a little. Ron was back on his feet, moving slowly towards the woman.
Shego took a defensive position and let Ron approach. When he was about 6 feet away, Ron attacked. His first blow was aimed at her ribs, the second at her head. Shego managed to block his double side kick with her arms. But this attach was in preparation for the next. Ron turned away slightly, bringing the same leg back and forward again with lightning speed. The back-kick struck Shego in the stomach. The blow was so powerful it lifted her up off the ground and carried her back 10 feet. She hit the ground on her back and did not move.
"Shego! Forget the duffus! Get me out from under this contraption and let's get out of here!" Drakken yelled. "Shego! Can you hear me?" He added with a whimper.
Kim was still in the hole when the person she normal bested fell at the hands of her friend. She stared in disbelief. 'So Ron CAN fight.' Kim thought, admiring him. As he stood looking at Shego on the ground his demeanor began to change. His expression softened and he resumed his normal casual stance. Finally, he turned to Kim with a triumphant grin.
Kim's thoughts were interrupted by the beeps of her Kimmunicator. She tore her eyes away from Ron and looked at the small device before pushing the button to receive the call.
"Kim, are you all right? How's Ron?" Wade said in anxious tone. "I picked up Drakken's hover jet on my thermal scanners. He's in your area"
"We're fine Wade. The Drakken threat has been put to rest." Kim said smiling at her lame pun.
"I took the liberty of calling 911. When you didn't call I assumed the worst." Wade said a little hurt.
"Sorry about that Wade. Ron had a little business he needed to take of."
"Oh. Yea. I bet. 'Business,' I get it. He was in that box a looong time." Wade said with a smile.
She smiled back at their young friend. He had completely misunderstood her meaning. "Thanks Wade. I'll fill you in on the details later. Kim out."
Kim heard the familiar sound of distant sirens as she started climbing out the of hole one more time. Ron ran over to her, extending a hand. She took it gratefully and let Ron pull her the rest of the way out.
"Ron, that was amazing! When did you learn to fight like that?" Kim asked, still holding Ron's hand.
"I'm not sure actually. I think I picked it up when I got struck by the mystical monkey power." Ron stated with a far off look in his eyes. He knew a little more than he was telling, but didn't want to renege on his promise to Master Sensei.
Kim looked as him suspiciously, but decided it was best to talk about this later. She was too happy to have Ron standing next to her for anything else to come between them.
"Come on Ron. I want the paramedics to look you over." She pulled on his hand and Ron followed without resistance. He looked down at the small hand that held his and smiled.
"Anything you say KP."
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Ron sat on the couch for about an hour, planning his approach. Unfortunately, like most of his planning efforts, he was not getting very far. His style was more free-wheeling. But deep inside he knew this was way too important to just 'wing it'. The last 15 minutes he had been watching TV, hoping it might offer him some inspiration. The apprehension of Drakken and Shego had made the five o'clock news. Wanton criminals being captured was news worthy but Ron's 'chilling ordeal' in the ground assured the story would be televised. They showed the interview with Kim and even the one with Police Officer O'Reilly. The news broadcast showed a great deal of the protruding wooden box and even played some sound bites from his interview. But while he was speaking they either showed the box or the anchor woman with Ron's usual 'file photo' in the upper corner. Ron shook his head wondering where they get that stupid picture.
The door bell sounded about a minute after the TV station went to a commercial. Ron did not move. His parents had told him to stay on the couch and that was perfectly alright with him.
=======================================
Kim waited at the front door, breathing heavy. She had run over to Stoppable's right after their story ended on Channel 8. Her family had finished supper and she wanted to see Ron.
Kim was greeted by a tall bond woman with a warm smile.
"Kim! It's good to see you. Come in! Come in!"
"Hello, Mrs. Stoppable."
Kim walked through the doorway and was startled as Mrs. Stoppable's long arms encircled her in a tight embrace. Kim tried to return the hug but found her arms pinned to her sides. Ron's mother let go and stepped back a little.
"Kim, thank you for saving our son." Mrs. Stoppable said softly. Her eyes pregnant with tears. "I'm not sure what Ron has done to deserve such a wonderful friend, but we are eternally grateful."
For once 'no big' didn't say enough. Both women loved Ron in ways only they could understand. The emotion of the situation was contagious and Kim felt tears pooling in her eyes.
"Ron's the best Mrs. Stoppable." Kim managed, with a slight crack in her voice.
Ron's mom presented a toothy smiled as she stepped beside Kim and shut the front door. 'This is not the first time she has been crying today.' Kim thought. The older woman presented Kim with a tissue from a nearby box and took one herself.
"I am super pissed-off Ron left without telling anyone where he was going." Ron's mother said in a whisper as she dabbed at her eyes. "I don't want him to think I'm softening my stance."
"It's hard to stay mad at him," Kim said with a frown. The two looked at each other with stern faces then shared a knowing laugh. As they approached the couch where Ron was sitting their expressions changed back to disapproval, mostly.
=======================================
Ron heard Kim and his mother talking at the front door and wondered what was taking so long for Kim to find him. When they finally entered Ron noticed his mother had been crying again. She was not very good at hiding this fact. Today her tears signaled more food or more lectures. Both of which Ron had had plenty. The two women looked rather stern as they stopped next to the couch so Ron assumed it meant more lectures.
"Hey KP! Did you catch the Channel 8 news?" Ron said hoping to divert another scolding.
"You two have fun," Mrs. Stoppable said giving Ron a unsympathetic look. She glanced back at Kim and winked before returning to the kitchen.
Ron watched the unusual exchange with wonder. 'I will never understand girls.'
Kim sat next to Ron in her unusual position on the couch. But today it didn't seem close enough.
"I left the house just as the story ended." Kim said looking at Ron. He had bags under his eyes and scraps on his head. "They used some of your interview in the story." Kim said enthusiastically. Trying to make the best of what she knew would be a disappointing story for her friend.
"Yea, and the same old stupid picture," Ron said with disgust.
"Yea, Wade needs to send them another picture of you," Kim said casually.
"You mean Wade is the one that sent them that stupid picture of me?" Ron exclaimed.
Kim had let a secret slip that she was not supposed to tell Ron. Changing the subject, Kim went on. "I talked to Monique today about Drakken's pictures. She was truly bummed about the way she treated you."
Ron didn't want to change the subject just yet but decided to go along. "Thanks for talking with her KP. I was not looking forward to seeing her Monday. She can be kind'a … scary … when she's mad." Ron said embarrassed.
"Speaking of scary, how are you doing? When I called a few hours ago your mom said you were having a hard time sleeping. She said something about bad dreams," Kim said softly.
"Yea … I can't seem to get my mind off being in that dumb box. Just having my covers up makes me feel like I'm suffocating." Ron said awkwardly.
"Oh Ron, that's awful! Is there anything I can do to help?" Kim asked sincerely, placing her hand on his arm.
"Maybe you could come hold my hand while I sleep?" Ron replied, playfully.
Kim smiled. "Are you sucking your thumb again?" Kim teased, remembering their vacation to the beach many years before.
"No!" Ron stated, irritated for setting himself up for such an easy comeback.
Feeling a little guilt for slamming him, Kim added, "I was actually thinking more along the lines of staying with you until you fell asleep."
"That would be GREAT!" Ron yelled enthusiastically. "But, I'll have to clear it with my mom and dad." He said as the smile left his face. "My parents were super mad about me leaving without letting anyone know."
"So what did they do?"
"They grounded me! Can you believe that!" Ron said with genuine surprise.
"They're only trying to protect you," Kim said feeling the same about the situation as Ron's parents.
"Yea I know. I got the 'your injured and don't need to be out saving the world' lecture."
"So how long is your sentence?" Kim asked with concern. She had something in mind that required her friend to leave the house later in the week.
"Just until Friday," Ron answered, a little less dramatic.
"Well, that's not too bad." Kim said with a smile.
An idea came to Ron. It was so simple he wondered why he had not thought of it before. It was staring him right in the face, and he had missed it. To Ron it was now or never. The mood was right, the setting was good and he had Kim's full attention.
Ron reached over and took Kim's hand in his. "Kim?" Ron said with a slight quiver in his voice.
"Yes Ron?" Kim replied expectantly. 'Is he finally going to ask me ou?!'
He took a deep breath. Even with all he had been though, this was still the hardest thing he had ever done. So much was at stake. He suddenly wished he looked better …
"Kim! Will you excuse me a second." Ron said has he jumped up from the couch and ran up the stairs to his bathroom.
Kim stared up at the closed door bewildered. 'What was he doing? I hope he's not sick. Or did that stay in the box make him more erratic! Lord, I hope not.' Kim scanned around the room for clues as to why he may have unexpectedly disappeared. Turning her head Kim thought she saw someone duck back into the kitchen, but she was not sure.
Her attention returned to the upstairs as Ron appeared from the bathroom. No toilet sounds so maybe he was not sick. As he quickly came down the stairs she noticed he looked different. Ron resumed his position on the couch, but this time he was a little closer.
Ron appeared different. Neater. He smelled … good! 'Cologne!' And his hair was newly combed. 'Is that an actual part in his hair?'
"Sorry about that KP." Ron said a little winded.
'And fresh breath too!'
Ron turned toward Kim, their knees touched. He reached over and took her hand again, cupping it between his. He took a deep breath and looked deep into her emerald eyes.
"Kim?" Ron started again. "Will you go to the dance this Friday with me …"
"Yes Ron!" Kim answered before he could finish.
"Kim, before you say 'yes', let me finish. I don't want to go as friends. I want you to come with me as my, well you know, … more like … a-a date."
"Yes, Ron!" Kim repeated vigorously.
"Do you mean it?" Ron asked with jubilation.
"Yes. I mean it." She smiled proudly. "I would be honored to accompany Ron Stoppable to the Spring Formal as your date."
As their eyes met, they shared the unspoken language of long time companions. The subtle movements and expressions that had made them close friends and a team, were now making them a couple. They knew what was happening. It felt right. There was no hesitation; only the slow movement of relished anticipation. Sliding closer to each other, feeling each others breath, their eyes closed as lips met. Heat from touching flesh and suppression adoration passed between them. They two were as one; thoughts and motion singular in nature. They had discovered joy together.
Their first kiss was gentle, yet passionate. Time stood while a whole new set of emotions filled their bodies. Slowly they separated their swollen lips. Kim opened her eyes. Ron's eyes were still closed, mouth open slightly. He looked at peace.
"That was wonderful," Ron said without moving. "I had no idea someone could make me feel so happy." He opened his eyes to see Kim looking up at him. Her lips full, eyes shining.
"That's sweet Ron." Kim said softly, a little breathless.
"YES!" Both teens turned their heads as the faint, but plainly audible exclamation was heard coming from the kitchen. They shared an embarrassed smile before returning to their 'semi'-private world.
"Well, if you're going to take me to the dance this Friday, you'll need a tux," Kim said putter her arm around Ron's shoulder. "The mall is still open for another hour or so. Do you think your mom would let us go for a fitting?"
"I don't think that will be an issue," Ron said sarcastically, rolling his eyes toward the kitchen.
"Great! We could swing by my house and get my green dress. I want to exchange it for the black one you picked out. I liked it better but I couldn't think of anyone special enough to wear it for." Kim smiled slyly as her meaning slowing sank into Ron.
Ron imagined Kim dancing slow with him under the soft lights in the black dress he liked so well. Then later maybe even getting more great kisses from the girl he had loved for more years than he knew. Ron smiled. He had so much more he wanted to tell her but all he could think to say was …
"Booyah!"
Fin
A/N: Thank you to everyone who read my story. Especially those who left reviews. Writing really highlighted the importance of the review process. I really like the critical reviews. They help me improve my skills.
You may remember how many mistakes there were at the beginning of the story. Spelling, word usage, lack of dialog descriptions, etc. It was awful! Well, I want to thank Spice of Life for reviewing and editing the story starting with Chapter 10. She helped eliminate a lot of my mistakes and improved the quality of the story greatly! If you have never had someone talented edit your stories, I highly recommend it.
While she was not able to edit the last chapter, she was enormous help for the others. A big hand please for Spice of Life!
Thank you!