Chapter 5:
Valentines
By Georsama

The sun rose in a partialness of its glory, the snow having finally melted by mid-January to reveal the brown dead grass buried underneath it. But now twelve days into February the grass was beginning to gain some color, but not much.

But of course it was not just the calendar that told those residing in the Middleton area that it was the month of love, it was the red and pink hearts all over the place, the bouquet of roses and other various flowers on sale, and the sappy, yet romantic, poem's to be found on everything from cards to the T.V.

With the Superbowel past all attention had shifted completely to the day of lovers, Valentines day.

Which explained why a rather cleaned up faded black sunbird was parked in the lot of a closed store, a store that happened to specialize in valentine items. Inside the car with teeth rattling just a tad sat a very patient blonde young man.

He eyed the store impatiently, debating whether or not to wait for it to open and buy Kim a gift now, or to go on and head for her house to pick her up for temple. She went every Saturday now since Christmas, he figured because she just wanted to share something with him, not guessing that she also went to remind the girls there that he was off the market.

He glanced at the digital clock and sighing put his car into gear and drove a big loop pulling back out onto the highway heading for her house. If he waited for the store to open he'd never be able to get Kim and make it to temple on time.

Secretly he was glad she was coming with him to Temple, since Yori had arrived he and Kim had been spending less time together, of course her various activates played a large part in it. But whenever he suggest he'd hang around she told him to go on and hang out with Yori.

Of course being Ron he took this at face value that Kim had accepted Yori as his friend, not knowing that his red haired girlfriend was in her mind taking a huge leap of blind faith that Ron would stay true to her

Of course none of this was on his radar, he was humming along with a song on the radio for the first time in a while not thinking about Monkey Fist. It had been very quiet on that front since the Bronx incident, which made Ron feel both better and worse.

His car glided along the road silently pulling up to a stop in front of the familiar house. Ron smiled putting his car in park and got out, intent on collecting Kim. He paused however as the front door opened and Kim exited the house closing the door behind her. With the dress she was wearing and her hair was done up perfectly he couldn't help but think of her as once more an angel.

He just stood there and watched her walk towards him, stopping within arms reach. He continued to stare at her smiling face until she coughed reminding him to stop staring.

"Kim, you look, just wow." He managed, which earned him a roll of the eyes and a kiss on the cheek.

"You say that every Saturday." She smiled however and waited patiently for him to open the door for her. She slid in wordlessly and then watched as he quickly moved around the car and slid into the drivers side. He smiled at her and putting the car in drive pulled out slowly heading for temple.

***

Kim glanced at Ron out of the corner of her eye, watching him during the service. She didn't get to see him as often as she liked anymore, school activities were taking up more and more of her time. She had caught up with him partial on the ride over, feeling jealous every time he mentioned Yori, in Kim's mind the girl was around far to much.

Still she was Ron's friend, which despite Yori's actions and Kim's mistrust of the girl was how Ron treated the dark haired girl. Still she didn't like the girl. Ron suddenly slipped his arm around her shoulders, which caused Kim to blush a tad it was by far the most public display of affection he had ever done during temple.

She glanced around nervously noticing that a few girls and several adults were giving them both severe stares, she wondered about his parents but she guessed they wouldn't raise an eyebrow.

Without realizing it she leaned against him a little, her head resting on his shoulder. For some reason, with his arm around her she couldn't help but wish that temple would never end.

***

Ron was quite content back at his house, somehow Kim had convinced his parents to let her spend the night. He wasn't going to complain, but it was odd, but then again things after the hospital had been nothing but odd, well odder.

Ron was lost in his silent thoughts as was Kim, both quiet content to share the couch and look at nothing inparticular. Normally Kim would be constantly talking, but she would save that for later tonight.

"So what'd you get me for valentines day?" Kim suddenly asked her poppy dog pout making itself evident when he looked over at her.

Ron quickly looked up at the ceiling staying quiet trying and knowing it was pointless to avoid her question. He felt her head come to a rest to his shoulder and he turned to look at her once more.

She rolled her eyes up to look at him a small smile on her face "Pretty please Ron?" she asked her voice becoming almost begging as she rubbed her head on his shoulder.

Ron looked up quickly once more "Kim, you know I can't tell you that."

Kim, seeming to have plenty of ideas about how to make him talk put her finger on his chest and moved it in a small circle talking in her pleading little girl voice "But Roooon....."

Ron felt a small ripple run up him as he turned his head to look at her "I-i can't..." he trailed off as her finger trailed down from his chest to his stomach slowly. That action alone derailed his entire train of thought, she tickled him with it a little, but it was causing havoc with his mind and blood flow.

Just as he was about to stuttering tell her that he hadn't gotten her anything his mother came in announcing that it was time for dinner. Kim couldn't help but pout as Ron hopped off the couch seeming to lean forward a tad talking hurriedly about how great a cook his mother was.

Kim followed reluctantly, though she didn't miss the wink Ron's mother gave her, that alone gave her a new reason to smile.

***

Kim climbed into Ron's bed quietly, he was once more gallantly sleeping on the floor amid the mess of clothes and lord knew what else. Rufus was already snoring peacefully from his spot in his dresser bed, which only made Kim feel more at home.

She smiled feeling the blanket and sheets against her, thankful that Ron was at least keeping the bed clean for her, there for a while she would wake up and find bits of left over nachos and cheese on her. Now, all she had to do was either break down and clean his room or with hold kisses until he did it himself.

She snuggled against his pillows and then smiling spoke up.

"So, what else have you been up to this week?"

"Well, not much else. I told you that I worked on the car a tad and that Wade is really helping out. Yori helped me some to, we caught a movie or two and such. Really I lead a boring life without you." Ron told her as he rolled over on his back and laced his fingers behind his head "Oh I did hang around on Thursday after school waiting for you to get out of that meeting."

Kim as she listened tightening her grip on his pillow, thankful that he wouldn't notice that at the mention of Yori's name she attempted to strangle the pillow. In a little under a month the girl had managed to worm her way into Ron's life so that he was constantly talking about her.

Still, Kim stayed silent, after all she was Ron's friend. Kim was rather lost in her thoughts until she felt the foot of the bed move which caused her to look down to find Ron propped up on the foot of the bed with his elbows. He gave her a smile before yawning.

"Kim, you know I love you right?" He asked quietly.

"Of course I do Ron." The redhead answered with a slow nod. He smiled and just closed his eyes sliding back off the bed to lay down.

"Good."

Kim sat up his blanket falling to pool around him, she craned her neck to see his form on the ground and for one brief moment she remembered how he looked after the explosion. She bit back her impulse to yell his name.

"Ron, can you do me a favor?"

"Of course Kp, you know I will." The still form of the blonde boy said as he stirred, then sat up once more.

Holding the blanket around herself Kim slid out of the bed and sat down next to Ron on the floor wrapping the blanket and her arm around him "Hold me while I sleep?"

Ron blinked, surprised, but he slipped his arms around her as she laid back into his makeshift bed on the floor, a first for her. She snuggled up against him, remembering the night in the hospital when she had snuck into his medical bed.

Ron closed his eyes and kissed her forehead, he tightened up and closed his eyes drifted off to sleep just loving the feeling of how she felt in his arms.

"Ron, I love you.." Kim whispered as she too drifted off to sleep holding him rather tightly.

***

Ron walked into the store quietly, looking around. He had dropped Kim off at her house earlier that day, he was amazed that somehow he had managed to avoid telling her what he had planned yesterday.

The shop was large and stuffed with all sorts of items; giant hearts, teddy bears, cards, flowers, jewelry, candy and every other type of romantic or valentines gift one could think of.

He browsed it all with interest and then stopped at the counter, looking at the shop manager. A tall black man wearing wire framed glasses and a beard. He was dressed with great care, which was in stark comparison to Ron who was dressed in his baggy red hockey shirt and tan pants. Self coconsciously the young man reached up to try and brush his messy hair with his hand.

"What up?" The young man asked as he dropped his hand and slapped the counter in an irregular rhythm.

The older man smiled though he eyed the boy memorizing his face "Nothing at all." There was a beat of silence and then the older man leaned forward onto his elbows "Are you here for anything inparticular?"

"Weeellll..."Ron responded while he reached up to rub the back of his neck "This is my first valentines where I actually, ya know, have a girlfriend."

The man smiled some in bemusement. "I see you know most young mean just go to the mall and buy their sweethearts flowers and candy."

"Well, it's sort of complicated." Ron stated scuffing his foot on the ground. The man nodded pushing off the counter then walked around locking the door and turning the sign on the door to show that they were closed "This sounds like it's going to be an interesting tale."

"What about the other customers?" Ron found himself asking as he took a seat on the stool the older man had indicated.

"Oh, don't worry, it's the day before Valentines day everybody else is at the mall." he answered with a smile, normally today was the day he did his best business, but he couldn't pass this story up it sounded as if it would be interesting. "Now then, tell me everything and start at the beginning."

***

"So you have no clue what he's getting you?"

Kim looked up from her soup shaking her head, which earned her a raised eyebrow from her other best friend Monique. Kim set her spoon down and sighed "He wouldn't tell...and his mom wouldn't leave us alone enough for any major tactics."

"Major tactics? You mean you have something that's more influential than the pout?" Monique asked interested as she leaned against the blue kitchen table.

"Oh totally. If you nibble his neck right below his ear he'll give in to anything which is nothing compared to..." Kim began without thinking then stopped herself. She blushed lightly and focused on her bowel of soup once more.

"I see." Monique said quietly to herself as she arched an eyebrow, looking at her friend several questions racing through her mind. "Kim...as a friend, just how far have you and he...ya know?" she asked lowering her voice to a whisper, unsure of where friends or brothers were.

Kim looked up at Monique in surprise, which caused the other girl to laugh. Kim stammered for a minute then flipping her hair back stared at the other girl.

"We haven't done all that much."

The darkly tanned girl nodded smiling "Right...so why'd you shut up and start blushing?"

"Monique, were not doing anything even remotely like what your thinking." Kim responded though blushing slightly from the idea.

Monique relented and smiling sat back "I believe you...but you must've thought about it. I mean nobody blushes over a little necking."

"Ok...so I've thought about it some." Kim admitted as she stood up, her soup having grown cold. She picked her bowel up and poured it out and then ran some water before leaving it in the sink for later. She turned back to Monique and smiled nervously "And maybe we have done some other things besides necking...but were not even remotely near doing what your thinking about."

Monique stood up smiling picking up her purse "Hey, don't have to explain yourself to me. I've had a few boyfriends in my time...I'm just glad you didn't do anything stupid with Josh."

Kim laughed picking up her own purse "Yea, thank god for small miracles." Mentally she did the math and realized that she had done more with Ron in the two and a half months they had been together than she ever did with Josh in the seven months that they dated.

Monique nodded opening the door for her friend "That's because you've always loved Ron. Now enough about the boys, lets go shop, time for the girls to have some fun."

Kim laughed in complete agreement with Monique and the two girls chattered about fashion and jewelry, all the while however Kim was mentally wondering why, if she really did love Ron, they hadn't they done anything more yet.

He had been her best friend forever almost and he loved her, she wondered if she shouldn't take things to the next level but shelved it for future consideration.

***

Ron looked mortified at the older man who was laughing at him "So, you were hanging upside down wearing blue and white boxers?"

"Yes and it wasn't that funny." Ron huffed in embarrassment.

However the older man, whose name he found out was Teddy Hanson, continued to laugh "So you two have been friends for fifteen years...and your just now starting to date."

Ron nodded sighing, quiet used to being laughed at. Teddy shaking his head stood up from his seat behind the counter "Stay here, I have just the thing." Ron nodded then watched as the man walked into the back of his shop, the blond haired boy couldn't help but wonder what he was going to bring out.

When he reemerged, Ron couldn't help but smile and say a "Booyah!" at what he was carrying. Teddy set it down on the counter with care then sat back down.

"There you go Ronald, it's the perfect gift for her." Teddy said as he leaned forward "You two have been together to long to worry about buying her something expensive to impress her, simple and thoughtful is what you need."

Ron nodded pulling out his wallet "It's perfect. Thank you." He opened the rather thin piece of leather talking "But I don't think I can afford it."

"Do you got a dollar?" Teddy asked unconcerned.

Ron nodded pulling the faded dollar bill out of his wallet. Teddy smiled and held his hand out "Then it'll be just a dollar, with tax."

"But, but...the neck-" Ron stammered before being cut off by the man.

"One dollars the price young man."

Ron nodded giving the man the dollar and then picked up the perfect gift. Teddy smiled and putting the bill in his shirt pocket walked around and unlocked the door "Now you go and relax, tomorrows the big day."

Ron nodded starting towards the door, he bumped a rack which tittered unnoticed by him, but not by Teddy, as he passed "Thanks Mr. Hanson, I'll never be able to thank you enough."

The older man waved off the comment "It's Teddy and you don't have to. I'm just happy to help out young love." He ushered the young boy out of his store congenial and then watched him climb into his car and after setting the gift into the passenger seat carefully take off.

He smiled then jumped as a loud crashing noise rose from behind him. He turned his smile fading as he saw a good part of his store's inventory in ruins. He shook his head mentally swearing to never ever forget the name Ron Stoppable.

***

"Ron-san, is it wise to be concentrating on matters of the heart when Monkey Fist is missing?" Yori asked as Ron crawled under his car tool in hand. She had been spending all her time with him, which a good potion of which he spent working on his car, trying to fix it and turn it into a super secret bombdiggty bond type spy car.

"Come on Yori, he hasn't done anything in a month. Nothing to do but wait." Ron's voice said as it drifted out from under the car.

"Ron-san, I am not asking about waiting I am asking if it is wise to spend the time while you wait thinking about Kim-dono." Yori responded looking at the gift he had bought his girlfriend.

"I always think about her. Can't help it, I love her." He slid out from under the car and grabbed his communicator. Wade had given it to him so that he they could do the 'guy thing' and work on the car together.

He turned on the screen and shook his head talking to the computer genius "No good Wade, I can't seem to find it."

"Ron, it's right next to the new intake system." The ten year old computer genius said before taking a drink of his soda.

The blonde nodded and sighing slid back under the car, he spent a few minutes there and then slide back out his face covered in the dark rich oil, he sighed and shook his head picking up the communicator "Well have to leave it be for now. I have to clean myself up, thanks for the help Wade."

Wade nodded smiling and doing a two finger salute shut off his communicator. Ron did the same and got up, glad that this time he had had the sense to change into an old pair of clothes. He turned to find Yori, then realized that he was alone.

Sighing he shook his head, feeling bad. She'd came over to see him and hang out and he'd spent most of it working on the car. Oh well she was gone now, he'd just have to call and apologize later. With a reluctant sigh he left the enclosed garage and started towards the house. He'd have to use the hose...again. He was glad the day was almost over, a few hours and he'd be climbing into bed.

***

Ron leaned against his car, squinting against the sunrise, waiting patiently for Kim. He'd been here forty five minutes waiting. Kim knew he was here, after all she had sent her mother to tell him to wait outside.

He sighed just about to go knock on the door when it opened and Kim came walking out. Her hair pulled back into a ponytail revealing her neck. She was wearing the jacket he'd gotten her for Christmas which seemed to hug her curves to an extent and a white t-shirt.

Watching her approach was enough to speed up his heart beat. He smiled brightly at her, which she returned. She stopped in front of him and standing on her toes a bit kissed him lightly on the lips which of course he returned.

When they broke it Ron smiled brightly, he had to give it to her now. With a quick gesture for her to close her eyes, and once he was sure she did, he opened the backseat passenger side door, uncovering it and returning to his position in front of her.

"Ok, you can look now." He said, holding the present ready.

Kim opened her eyes, then looked down to see what he was holding. She smiled brightly reaching out for the white teddy bear. It had a silk heart sewed unto its stomach and in its hand it was holding a single red rose. Around its neck dangled a silver necklace.

Kim though it was very sweet of him, until she really looked at the necklace which had a clear shining jewel in the shape of tear hanging from it. She took a deep breath, realizing it was a diamond necklace. She was no expert but it looked like it would have had cost more than she was expecting.

Ron smiling took the bear back, turned setting it on the hood of the car then when he turned back around he held the necklace up so that it danced in the light. She just stood there in her rather stunned silence and waited while he put the necklace around her neck, where it rested perfectly against her skin.

Holding her shoulders he kissed the nape of her neck and whispered to her "Happy Valentines Day Kim."

Kim turned and threw her arms around his neck giving him a deep, loving kiss; one that he happily returned.

The sun climbed higher in the sky while they two young lovers embraced, unaware that one set of parental eyes were watching them.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

AR:

Lolita Banks: wish granted.

Sloane Miette: Actually not everyone's in love with him. Bonnie detests him still, but she's just trying to get at Kim through Ron and Shego still doesn't like him to much, but he's a nice guy so she can't help but have a sort of soft spot for him (besides like you say she's trying to make Kim mad) As for Ron being a little oc sorry I'll try and fix that.

Rockman SP: Well you flatter me with your review. I'm glad I did a fine job, and to answer you: What are evil, demented gamers doing screwing in a light bulb and not playing a game?

ss3dj: Well, just because she despises them doesn't mean she don't care. I hope he's wrong to, but you never know till the end. Thank you for the compliment and I might or I might not, it would depend. and no this fic won't be done for a while I don't think.

warprince2099: Thanks

Spice of Life: Yes, cardbordish characters...glad you like how that sounds. Thank you and I update as soon as I can.

Monkey Fist: Glad you enjoyed the chapter and of course you won your the master of Tai Shing Pek Kwar after all (which you already knew)

SkyFireZero: Thanks, I'll try and stay brilliant. I'm glad the opening was good and so far and yes they have left a lot open with the show.

Classic Cowboy: thank you, those bad vibes will be increasing soon I think. A happy ending would be nice, but well have to see how the cards play out. I'll keep up my good work if you do.

Kat: Me to, I was worried I would kick into evil gear and put him in a coma. And those bad feelings are only going to get worse.

Yamal: Shego went! I'm glad you enjoyed the action scenes, I never feel they live up to the way they appear in my mind. Well, Bonnie may despise them, but like she said there her thorns.
Well Ron's PDP is used to get her to laugh, but I love to see it animated as well. Glad you enjoyed Kim that worried. She made like a five minute appearance, and yes no Josh which is a bit of both a good and bad omen.
Well, yes it was suppose to be unstoppable, but it's a nice pun isn't it? I figured as much, I write very fast but thank you for pointing them out.
I'm sorry about the long time it takes, but I have a busy schedule however this one was done in only two days. (I've never written anything that fast before) And I'm glad you'll be waiting for the next chapter ^__^

Parareru: You know, I had the same reaction when I wrote that...and yes, it was a solemn day for Ron, though he's not sure who to blame the most. Wellll...she's a teenager in love and it's not like he wouldn't have done the same thing. ^_^ Wonder all you would like, but I will say this, it's not good. Hope you enjoyed the nice fluffy chapter.

AN:

Well, this chapter was done in about two days, at warp speed with little sleep and very little food. I hope you enjoyed it, I'm sorry there wasn't a lot of fluff I don't guess, but then again the ending was enough to rot the rest of my mind.

I had originally planned a dance, but I checked the calendar (thank God for electronic computer calendars.) and in 2005 Valentines Day falls on a Monday. So I settled for this fluff ending.

Now with this fluff chapter done, I can return to sicing Monkey Fist on them.

Sincerely,
Geor-sama