Chapter 2
"So let me get this straight", Dr. Larson said, leaning forward towards Ron "your pet, a naked mole rate, talks to you?"
"That's right", Ron said with a chuckle, "I bought him at Smarty Mart, and he was my closest friend, next to Kim of course. Don't ask me how he talks, I don't know. But he's a better friend then a lot of people I know, and a hell of a resource when saving the world."
"I see", Dr. Larson replied, writing something down on the papers in front of him
"Maybe the psych evaluation will be a problem", he said to himself, before looking back up from his notes.
"So at this point the gunman has you both at gunpoint, what were you feeling at this time?" the judge inquired.
"Well, I was pretty much scared out of my mind", said Ron. "Kim and I had faced death on almost a daily basis, but for some reason this time seemed more real. I don't know why, maybe it was because we were caught off guard there in the park. Maybe it was because the guy wasn't wearing a brightly colored costume, I don't know, it was just.different somehow"
"When you finally did act, was it out of fear, or anger?"
"A little bit of both your honor. Anyone that attacks in that situation without fear is crazy. At the same time, what he planned to do to her, to Kim, I-I've never been so angry in my life", Ron replied, clenching his fist as he relived his own personal nightmare yet again.
"You said at your trial you feared the man planned to kill, possibly rape your friend, is that correct?" it was the warden who questioned Ron this time.
"Yes, from what he said, and the way he looked at her.I don't wish to imagine what he had planned for her."
"But he never got the chance to do that did he?" the warden said leaning back in his chair, "Please continue with the story young man"
"Alright. Well as I was saying, he had turned down my offer of money. He was eyeing Kim up and down, and made a move towards her. And that's when I stepped in front of her, and pushed her back behind me.."
***
"She's not going anywhere with you pal", Ron said in a surprisingly calm voice.
"Very noble kid, but your going to have a hard time helping Red back there with a bullet in your head", the man said raising his pistol to Ron's face.
"Any last words tough guy?"
"Yea, just three.go to hell", Ron replied calmly.
Ron's left hand shot up with speed that surprised even Kim. He grabbed the man's wrist twisting it to the right while squeezing the appropriate nerve bundle. The mans hand involuntarily flexed open, causing the pistol to clatter harmlessly to the ground. He was barely able to let out a yelp before Ron's next move came. The haymaker right cross would have knocked the larger man to the ground had Ron not still held tightly to his right wrist.
Ron jerked the man up and towards him by his left wrist, following that with a quick punch to the man's gut. He felt his air leaving him immediately before Ron grabbed his belt. Crouching slightly and using his left leg for leverage, Ron flipped the man over his head and unto the ground a few feet away.
"Are you alright?", Ron turned and faced Kim, who was wearing a mixed expression of shock and pride.
"Yea, I'm fine. Ron that was ama-"
"Good. I'm not done yet", Ron replied turning away from her and facing the man who was on his hands and knees, struggling to get up.
"Ron, don't, lets call the police and let them handle him", Kim cried.
Her cries fell on deaf ears however as Ron approached the man. Ron delivered a swift kick to the mans midsection. The kick was hard enough to lift the man slightly in the air, and when he landed on the ground he rolled over onto his back with a groan. Ron straddled his chest, then crouched down into a squatting position and lifted the man's head up by his shirt collar.
"Any last words tough guy?" Ron growled, pulling the man's face inches away from his own.
"S-Stop", the man managed to gasp out before Ron dealt another right cross to his face.
Ron didn't hear the man's plea, or Kim's cries at him to stop. He heard nothing, thought nothing, and saw nothing but red. The anger Ron felt was unlike any he had ever known. The adrenaline coursing through his body had taken over and gave him far more strength and determination then he ever could've imagined. As Ron rained blow after blow to the man's bloodied face, the only thought entering his mind was what the man planned to do to Kim. And for that, he must pay.
Kim stood in horror watching Ron attack their attacker. She had used the Kimmunicator to call the police moments after she had suggested it to Ron. She now screamed pleas at Ron to stop the beating. Finally, seeing no other choice she decided to intervene. She ran over to her friend and grabbed his forearm on the back swing of a punch.
"Ron, stop this, your killing him", she said, looking from Ron, to the mans bloodied face, then back to Ron.
"No", came Ron's only response, as her jerked his arm free, and launched another punch.
"RON!" Kim now screamed, grabbing for his arm again.
This time however Ron was prepared, and grabbed Kim by the wrist as she reached for his arm. In one fluid motion, he pulled her closer, and then hit her with a vicious backhand across the face. The blow sent the teen heroine backwards where she fell to the ground behind them. Without second thought Ron returned to raining down blows on the man.
Kim wiped at the corner of her mouth from where she landed. Looking at the back of her hand she noticed a smear of blood. Moving her hand up to her cheek where Ron had hit her, she could feel her hot tears running down her face. She had been hit harder before, but for obvious reasons, this one hurt a lot more. Looking back down at her hand, then to Ron, she began to sob uncontrollably.
Ron landed one more hard punch, and then tossed the man's limp body back to the ground. His mind still awash in rage, he could barely hear Kim weeping behind him. Standing up, he looked down at his right hand and flexed it. As he looked at the blood-covered appendage he suddenly became very dizzy. He walked away from the body, leaning against a nearby tree for some support. Once he had gathered himself, he looked back to the body then to his hand, and then finally he looked at Kim. It was like waking from a terrible nightmare.
"My God.what.what have I done" Ron said quietly as he walked towards Kim on shaky legs. "Kim, are you. what have. why are you."
Ron stopped dead in his tracks as Kim looked up at him with her deep green eyes. He had looked into them countless times before, and gotten lost in them almost as much. One thing he had never seen in those eyes was fear, and that is exactly what was in them now. As Kim scooted on the ground away from him, he realized exactly what the fear was of.
"Kim, I was just trying to.oh God" he started before giving away to his weak legs and dropping to his knees and burying his face in his hands. "I'm so sorry"
His apologies were drowned out by the wail of police sirens. Two squad cars pulled up to the park, one at each entrance. As the car at the far entrance shone its spotlight onto the scene, the officers from the other squad car raced into the park, weapons drawn. Once they saw the scene before them, they quickly holstered their side arms and went to work. One of the officers, a female, went to where Ron and Kim sat on the ground. The other officer, a male, went to where the would-be attacker now lay.
One look at the attackers face and the officer knew he was dead. A quick check of the pulse confirmed his suspicions. The officer turned to his partner, who was having little luck talking to the two distraught teens. From his vantage point the officer could see Ron's right hand, and instantly the events of the night became clear.
"Amy" the officer approached his partner from behind. "Could you come over here for a moment please?"
"Yes John?" she responded, crossing her arms as she turned away from Ron and Kim.
"This guy." John started, indicating the dead man to his right. ".Is dead. And judging by that kids right hand, I would say he was the one who punched his ticket. We need to get these kids to the station and find out what happened here, and get this over here cleaned up."
"Alright, I'll have O'Neil and McClain take the kids to the station, you go call this in." Amy said, turning back to Ron and Kim.
***
"The rest of the night is pretty much a blur. I remember going downtown, and waking up the next morning. Everything in between there is pretty hazy." Ron said, leaning back in his chair rubbing his eyes.
"That's fine, our concern lies mainly with the incident, and what caused it", the judge started, "But do tell us, as you describe it, it would seem that you lost complete control of your emotions. A person who cannot control his emotions is not someone we would like to release back into society, especially one with a background of crime fighting, and combat skills."
"I understand your concerns Your Honor, but they are unfounded. If you were to look at any of the files involving my adventures of crime fighting, I think you would be hard pressed to find an incident where I lost control." Ron started, then added with a smile "In fact, you probably wont even find my name in most of the reports."
"When I first came here I was placed in a cell block with several inmates that Kim and I had helped put away. Needless to say there was a bit of tension at first. My emotional state wasn't exactly where it should be, given the events of the night in question and my trial. If a loss of control were in issue with me, that time would have been a perfect moment for me to lose it again. I believe the warden can attest that I didn't."
The warden nodded in agreement with Ron, and made some notations on the paper in front of him. The other man did the same, seemingly satisfied with Ron's answer.
Dr. Larson finished writing, and then looked up at Ron. "So for the most part, the reason you lost control of your emotions, was because Kimberly was in immediate danger?"
"Yes sir", Ron replied.
"Well, if you resume fighting crime with Kimberly, and a situation arises similar to the one in question, how will you act? Will you be able to control your emotions, and act accordingly, or will we see you back here in a month?" Dr. Larson said, tapping his pen on the desk.
"Most of the time its me who is in the danger on a mission, Doctor", Ron replied. "And if you have been following the papers at all, Kim has taken on a new sidekick, so I don't think I will even be in a position like that."
"That being said young man, what will you do if released?" inquired the warden.
"Go back to school, for starters. My senior year of high school is coming up, and I believe the credits that I have earned in the jails educational system transfer over. I'm exactly where I should be as far as working towards a diploma. After that, I don't know, college, a job, who knows." Ron responded.
"Modest ambitions, and it is no coincidence that this hearing is such a short time a way from the start of the school year. We feel it would be a good chance for you to start over at high school, before throwing you into the real world", the warden responded.
"Now, I believe it is lunch time, and I'm sure this hearing has left you famished. We will all recess for lunch, at which time the three of us will compare our notes, and discuss this hearing. After lunch you will be brought back here to have your psych evaluation with Dr. Larson. After that is complete, we will all meet again to let you know of our decision."
All three men stood up, and moved towards the door. The warden turned the camera off with the remote, and then knocked three times on the door. The lock clicked, and the door swung open allowing them to leave. As they did so, the guards who had brought Ron in earlier returned to take him to the cafeteria.
As he walked down the familiar hallways to the cafeteria, Ron couldn't help but wonder what the discussion would be like between the men deciding his fate. He wished he could skip lunch and get right to the business at hand. This thought brought a smile to his face. He couldn't ever remember a time he wanted to skip lunch. Perhaps prison does indeed change a man.
***
Disclaimer- I don't own Kim Possible or any related characters.
A/N- this is my first shot at fan fiction, so to everyone who reviewed thanks, they mean a lot to me. I know some of you are wondering why Ron is in jail for something that is essentially self-defense. All I can say is that, sometimes the judicial system isn't fair. I'll probably touch more on that later, mention the trial and such, in coming chapters. So thanks again to everyone who reviewed, and has read the story so far. Special thanks to Classic Cowboy for all your help. I'd be lost without you. And if for some reason anyone here isn't reading his work, you should be, go do it now. -Reed
"So let me get this straight", Dr. Larson said, leaning forward towards Ron "your pet, a naked mole rate, talks to you?"
"That's right", Ron said with a chuckle, "I bought him at Smarty Mart, and he was my closest friend, next to Kim of course. Don't ask me how he talks, I don't know. But he's a better friend then a lot of people I know, and a hell of a resource when saving the world."
"I see", Dr. Larson replied, writing something down on the papers in front of him
"Maybe the psych evaluation will be a problem", he said to himself, before looking back up from his notes.
"So at this point the gunman has you both at gunpoint, what were you feeling at this time?" the judge inquired.
"Well, I was pretty much scared out of my mind", said Ron. "Kim and I had faced death on almost a daily basis, but for some reason this time seemed more real. I don't know why, maybe it was because we were caught off guard there in the park. Maybe it was because the guy wasn't wearing a brightly colored costume, I don't know, it was just.different somehow"
"When you finally did act, was it out of fear, or anger?"
"A little bit of both your honor. Anyone that attacks in that situation without fear is crazy. At the same time, what he planned to do to her, to Kim, I-I've never been so angry in my life", Ron replied, clenching his fist as he relived his own personal nightmare yet again.
"You said at your trial you feared the man planned to kill, possibly rape your friend, is that correct?" it was the warden who questioned Ron this time.
"Yes, from what he said, and the way he looked at her.I don't wish to imagine what he had planned for her."
"But he never got the chance to do that did he?" the warden said leaning back in his chair, "Please continue with the story young man"
"Alright. Well as I was saying, he had turned down my offer of money. He was eyeing Kim up and down, and made a move towards her. And that's when I stepped in front of her, and pushed her back behind me.."
***
"She's not going anywhere with you pal", Ron said in a surprisingly calm voice.
"Very noble kid, but your going to have a hard time helping Red back there with a bullet in your head", the man said raising his pistol to Ron's face.
"Any last words tough guy?"
"Yea, just three.go to hell", Ron replied calmly.
Ron's left hand shot up with speed that surprised even Kim. He grabbed the man's wrist twisting it to the right while squeezing the appropriate nerve bundle. The mans hand involuntarily flexed open, causing the pistol to clatter harmlessly to the ground. He was barely able to let out a yelp before Ron's next move came. The haymaker right cross would have knocked the larger man to the ground had Ron not still held tightly to his right wrist.
Ron jerked the man up and towards him by his left wrist, following that with a quick punch to the man's gut. He felt his air leaving him immediately before Ron grabbed his belt. Crouching slightly and using his left leg for leverage, Ron flipped the man over his head and unto the ground a few feet away.
"Are you alright?", Ron turned and faced Kim, who was wearing a mixed expression of shock and pride.
"Yea, I'm fine. Ron that was ama-"
"Good. I'm not done yet", Ron replied turning away from her and facing the man who was on his hands and knees, struggling to get up.
"Ron, don't, lets call the police and let them handle him", Kim cried.
Her cries fell on deaf ears however as Ron approached the man. Ron delivered a swift kick to the mans midsection. The kick was hard enough to lift the man slightly in the air, and when he landed on the ground he rolled over onto his back with a groan. Ron straddled his chest, then crouched down into a squatting position and lifted the man's head up by his shirt collar.
"Any last words tough guy?" Ron growled, pulling the man's face inches away from his own.
"S-Stop", the man managed to gasp out before Ron dealt another right cross to his face.
Ron didn't hear the man's plea, or Kim's cries at him to stop. He heard nothing, thought nothing, and saw nothing but red. The anger Ron felt was unlike any he had ever known. The adrenaline coursing through his body had taken over and gave him far more strength and determination then he ever could've imagined. As Ron rained blow after blow to the man's bloodied face, the only thought entering his mind was what the man planned to do to Kim. And for that, he must pay.
Kim stood in horror watching Ron attack their attacker. She had used the Kimmunicator to call the police moments after she had suggested it to Ron. She now screamed pleas at Ron to stop the beating. Finally, seeing no other choice she decided to intervene. She ran over to her friend and grabbed his forearm on the back swing of a punch.
"Ron, stop this, your killing him", she said, looking from Ron, to the mans bloodied face, then back to Ron.
"No", came Ron's only response, as her jerked his arm free, and launched another punch.
"RON!" Kim now screamed, grabbing for his arm again.
This time however Ron was prepared, and grabbed Kim by the wrist as she reached for his arm. In one fluid motion, he pulled her closer, and then hit her with a vicious backhand across the face. The blow sent the teen heroine backwards where she fell to the ground behind them. Without second thought Ron returned to raining down blows on the man.
Kim wiped at the corner of her mouth from where she landed. Looking at the back of her hand she noticed a smear of blood. Moving her hand up to her cheek where Ron had hit her, she could feel her hot tears running down her face. She had been hit harder before, but for obvious reasons, this one hurt a lot more. Looking back down at her hand, then to Ron, she began to sob uncontrollably.
Ron landed one more hard punch, and then tossed the man's limp body back to the ground. His mind still awash in rage, he could barely hear Kim weeping behind him. Standing up, he looked down at his right hand and flexed it. As he looked at the blood-covered appendage he suddenly became very dizzy. He walked away from the body, leaning against a nearby tree for some support. Once he had gathered himself, he looked back to the body then to his hand, and then finally he looked at Kim. It was like waking from a terrible nightmare.
"My God.what.what have I done" Ron said quietly as he walked towards Kim on shaky legs. "Kim, are you. what have. why are you."
Ron stopped dead in his tracks as Kim looked up at him with her deep green eyes. He had looked into them countless times before, and gotten lost in them almost as much. One thing he had never seen in those eyes was fear, and that is exactly what was in them now. As Kim scooted on the ground away from him, he realized exactly what the fear was of.
"Kim, I was just trying to.oh God" he started before giving away to his weak legs and dropping to his knees and burying his face in his hands. "I'm so sorry"
His apologies were drowned out by the wail of police sirens. Two squad cars pulled up to the park, one at each entrance. As the car at the far entrance shone its spotlight onto the scene, the officers from the other squad car raced into the park, weapons drawn. Once they saw the scene before them, they quickly holstered their side arms and went to work. One of the officers, a female, went to where Ron and Kim sat on the ground. The other officer, a male, went to where the would-be attacker now lay.
One look at the attackers face and the officer knew he was dead. A quick check of the pulse confirmed his suspicions. The officer turned to his partner, who was having little luck talking to the two distraught teens. From his vantage point the officer could see Ron's right hand, and instantly the events of the night became clear.
"Amy" the officer approached his partner from behind. "Could you come over here for a moment please?"
"Yes John?" she responded, crossing her arms as she turned away from Ron and Kim.
"This guy." John started, indicating the dead man to his right. ".Is dead. And judging by that kids right hand, I would say he was the one who punched his ticket. We need to get these kids to the station and find out what happened here, and get this over here cleaned up."
"Alright, I'll have O'Neil and McClain take the kids to the station, you go call this in." Amy said, turning back to Ron and Kim.
***
"The rest of the night is pretty much a blur. I remember going downtown, and waking up the next morning. Everything in between there is pretty hazy." Ron said, leaning back in his chair rubbing his eyes.
"That's fine, our concern lies mainly with the incident, and what caused it", the judge started, "But do tell us, as you describe it, it would seem that you lost complete control of your emotions. A person who cannot control his emotions is not someone we would like to release back into society, especially one with a background of crime fighting, and combat skills."
"I understand your concerns Your Honor, but they are unfounded. If you were to look at any of the files involving my adventures of crime fighting, I think you would be hard pressed to find an incident where I lost control." Ron started, then added with a smile "In fact, you probably wont even find my name in most of the reports."
"When I first came here I was placed in a cell block with several inmates that Kim and I had helped put away. Needless to say there was a bit of tension at first. My emotional state wasn't exactly where it should be, given the events of the night in question and my trial. If a loss of control were in issue with me, that time would have been a perfect moment for me to lose it again. I believe the warden can attest that I didn't."
The warden nodded in agreement with Ron, and made some notations on the paper in front of him. The other man did the same, seemingly satisfied with Ron's answer.
Dr. Larson finished writing, and then looked up at Ron. "So for the most part, the reason you lost control of your emotions, was because Kimberly was in immediate danger?"
"Yes sir", Ron replied.
"Well, if you resume fighting crime with Kimberly, and a situation arises similar to the one in question, how will you act? Will you be able to control your emotions, and act accordingly, or will we see you back here in a month?" Dr. Larson said, tapping his pen on the desk.
"Most of the time its me who is in the danger on a mission, Doctor", Ron replied. "And if you have been following the papers at all, Kim has taken on a new sidekick, so I don't think I will even be in a position like that."
"That being said young man, what will you do if released?" inquired the warden.
"Go back to school, for starters. My senior year of high school is coming up, and I believe the credits that I have earned in the jails educational system transfer over. I'm exactly where I should be as far as working towards a diploma. After that, I don't know, college, a job, who knows." Ron responded.
"Modest ambitions, and it is no coincidence that this hearing is such a short time a way from the start of the school year. We feel it would be a good chance for you to start over at high school, before throwing you into the real world", the warden responded.
"Now, I believe it is lunch time, and I'm sure this hearing has left you famished. We will all recess for lunch, at which time the three of us will compare our notes, and discuss this hearing. After lunch you will be brought back here to have your psych evaluation with Dr. Larson. After that is complete, we will all meet again to let you know of our decision."
All three men stood up, and moved towards the door. The warden turned the camera off with the remote, and then knocked three times on the door. The lock clicked, and the door swung open allowing them to leave. As they did so, the guards who had brought Ron in earlier returned to take him to the cafeteria.
As he walked down the familiar hallways to the cafeteria, Ron couldn't help but wonder what the discussion would be like between the men deciding his fate. He wished he could skip lunch and get right to the business at hand. This thought brought a smile to his face. He couldn't ever remember a time he wanted to skip lunch. Perhaps prison does indeed change a man.
***
Disclaimer- I don't own Kim Possible or any related characters.
A/N- this is my first shot at fan fiction, so to everyone who reviewed thanks, they mean a lot to me. I know some of you are wondering why Ron is in jail for something that is essentially self-defense. All I can say is that, sometimes the judicial system isn't fair. I'll probably touch more on that later, mention the trial and such, in coming chapters. So thanks again to everyone who reviewed, and has read the story so far. Special thanks to Classic Cowboy for all your help. I'd be lost without you. And if for some reason anyone here isn't reading his work, you should be, go do it now. -Reed