I can't be losing sleep
over this, no I can't
and now I cannot stop pacing
give me a few hours
I'll have this all sorted out
if my mind would just stop racing
cause I cannot stand still
I can't be this unsturdy
this cannot be happening
this is over my head
but underneath my feet
cause by tomorrow morning
I'll have this thing beat
and everything will be back to the way that it was
I wish that it was just that easy
"Somewhere in Between" by Lifehouse
Divided We Stand
Kim didn't know what to do or what to think. She had been confusion since graduation over her changing feelings for Ron. On the one hand he was her friend and she didn't' want to lose that. On the other they could have been so much more. Now he was with Bonnie of all people. It wasn't something that Kim could understand.
She made it home mostly on autopilot. She went straight to her couch and sat hugging her knees to her chest. The tear streaks could be seen on her face. No tears though. Those were used up on the run here.
That was how Monique found her when she arrived. Kim didn't even acknowledge her as she came in the door that Kim hadn't even bothered to close all the way, let alone lock. She just sat on the couch with her friend and waited until she was ready.
"Why?" Kim asked after a few minutes, still not looking at Monique. "Why her? She tormented him for so long and now I'm supposed to believe they're in love? Is he with her because she's pretty? Because she's easy?"
"You know Ron's not like that Kim. If he's with her it's not because of looks or sex. It would have to be more than that."
Kim sighed and rested her head on her knees. "I know Ron's not like that, but she is. She hates me, always has. This is jus the type of thing she would do to get to me."
"We have to believe that he would know the difference. We're his friends and friends support each other. Even if they think they're making a mistake." Monique told her gently as she place a hand on Kim's shoulder.
Kim had all she could take. She hugged Monique, fresh tears rolling down her cheeks. "But why her. I could have handled anyone but her. Why couldn't it be…"
"You?" Monique finished for her.
"I'm going to have to talk to him aren't I?"
"Tomorrow when you've both had time to think."
**********
"I can't believe her!" Ron exclaimed while pacing the length of Bonnie's small dorm room. Bonnie sat cross-legged on the bed listening to him rant.
"She's acting like this is about her! Not everything revolves around the Great Kim Possible!"
He plopped heavily beside Bonnie and sighed. "I know it wasn't exactly the most ideal way to find out about us, but she still had no business acting like she did. I've found someone I love and who loves me. Why can't she just be happy for me?"
"Look." Bonnie said, lifting his head to face her. "You know I'm definitely not a big fan of Kim's, but she probably just needs time to process things. Finding out your best friend is sleeping with someone you've thought of as an enemy for so long has to be a shock. She'll come around. I know how much Kim's opinion means to you."
It was brief, but Ron still caught the flash in her eyes and the hitch in her voice. "Hey, you're right. Kim's opinion does matter to me. But I can tell you with absolute certainty that her disapproval will not make me stop loving you. If she can't accept that it's her problem."
She smiled at him and kissed him gently. As they embraced she asked. "Are you going to go find her and talk?"
"Tomorrow." He said. "Best to let things be tonight I think."
**********
Grissim again stood before a semicircle table and seven figures in the same darkened room as before. The monitors behind them are again the only source of light. In fact the only difference this time is Grissim himself. Where as last time him was confident and certain as to the outcome this time he was nervous and wary. He showed none of it of course.
"The Council is not pleased Grissim." The first voice echoed throughout the room.
"You assured us that Ronald Stoppable was a non-factor. 'Completely inept' I believe were your own words." A second added.
"His sudden surge of ability and drive was… unexpected. None of our research indicated any such level of skill. We simply underestimated him." Grissim said calmly, choosing his words carefully.
"Underestimated him!" A forth voice exclaimed. "You assured us that with Kim Possible controllable you could complete your task and assure our objectives! Now this boy is bringing order to our chaos!"
"He has been operating for less than two months and already he has stopped numerous high tech and chemical thefts, three kidnappings, one hostage situation and twelve take over the world plots. At least. He has been a very busy gnat. Need I remind you that we influence much of the world's crime and profit greatly from it?" Came a much more controlled fifth voice.
A sixth voice picked up from there. "It may be necessary to terminate your contract."
Genuine fear entered Grissim's eyes. Something very few have ever seen. "NO! I can still fix this! I've already hired someone with a score to settle with Stoppable to handle the matter!"
"One last chance Grissim." Spoke the final figure. "Do not fail us."
**********
A black clad figure crept silently outside the temple hidden in a Tibetan mountain range. The figure moved with purpose and grace, quickly making their way to the entrance.
Inside the large main room of the temple was its lone occupant. He was almost impossibly old, with a long white beard. The man sat in the dead centre of the room meditating, apparently oblivious to everything else. Apparently, but not so.
"I have been waiting for you. You've come to kill me yes? I've already foreseen it." The old man spoke quietly without bothering to open his eyes.
"My name is Caesar, Ancient One. And yes, I have come to end your life." The ninja's distorted voice echoed through the large empty room.
"Do you really think that mask fools me boy?"
"It fooled your precious Ronald." Caesar spat while coming to a stop over the Ancient One.
"For now, but he will learn your identity and stop you soon enough."
"You've foreseen that too?"
The old man just smiled. "He has a pure heart. He was always better than you. I don't need to foresee it, I feel it."
"Feel this old man!" Caesar yelled as he brought his blade down.
As his life drain from him the Ancient One managed one final cry. "Ronald!"
**********
Ron shot up from bed. A cold sweat soaked his body and his breathing was heavy. His sudden movement woke Bonnie beside him. "What is it Ron?"
"Kim will have to wait. I have to go to Tibet."