Chapter 9
-Consequences aren't so bad-
By Geor-sama

The office was smaller and even more oppressive than Ron could ever remember it being. It also didn't hurt that he was feeling about three inches tall but invariable all at once; indeed he couldn't seem to suppress the part of him that wanted to cheer for his actions, but thankfully the part of him that felt bad for it was much larger.

He scanned the room with his chocolate eyes letting the feelings of being uncomfortable and nervous grow. It had been half an hour since the 'incident' in the band room, what that incident had been nobody could agree on. Kim and Bonnie claimed Josh slipped and feel, Josh at first said he'd been hit but quickly changed his story, so that it was Ron alone who maintained he had hit Josh.

Finally the young man settled his gaze on the large, buzz-cut, man located behind a massive wooden desk. His meaty fingers were laced together and laid before him on the desk; his face was a mask of authority. They locked eyes, forcing Ron to drop his gaze to the floor between his feet.

"Stoppable, you are without a doubt one of the most disruptive students I have ever been forced to deal with in all of my years."

The boy nodded meekly speaking softly "Did you call my parents?"

Barkin shook his head, unlacing his fingers and opened a manila folder looking back up at him "Just your father." He glanced at the paper and then the pen just a few inches away then back up at Ron "Help me understand this would you? I have a report from Mankey, before he changed his story might I add that you hit him. Then I have two reports from Possible and Rockwaller, the last of whom had no reason to try and help you, saying that he slipped."

Ron nodded slowly, shifting in his seat, Mr. Barkin looked back at the folder and then back up at him "Then I have a revised report from Mankey saying that he slipped. But I have admittance from you that you did hit him."

The boy nodded meekly not looking up "Did you call my parents?"

Barkin forced his lips into a thin line then unlaced his fingers opening a manila folder "Just your father." He glanced at the paper in the folder and picked up the pen looking back at the student before him "Help me understand this, at first both you and Mankey agreed that you hit him. Then he changed his story to match both Possible and Rockwaller's story that he slipped."

Ron nodded slowly, shifting in his seat slightly as Mr. Barkin continued "Yet you refuse that version. You still maintain that you hit him." There was a moment of silence then his intercom buzzed, Barkin depressed the button and the secretary announced Mr. Stoppable had arrived.

"Alright son, last chance are you sure you want to stick with your story?" Mr. Barking asked looking back at Ron, having let the intercom button go to allow a last minute of private conversation. Ron nodded, resolving himself to take responsibility for his actions. Mr. Barkin sighed, pushed the button and told the secretary to send Mr. Stoppable in.

The door opened a few more minutes revealing the short and stocky frame of the brown haired actuary that was Ron's father. Mr. Barkin watched the man approach and take a seat next to his son, the vice-principal couldn't help but wonder about how the two Stoppable men could be so different.

"Ron, what did you do?" Mr. Stoppable asked looking over at his son, confused. He had never gotten a phone call from the school about Ron before, so he was mildly alarmed.

Ron looked at his father opening his mouth to say something but bit it off as Mr. Barkin answered for him "That's the problem; nobody can agree what exactly he did."

There was a moment of silence as Mr. Stoppable absorbed that, then looked from Ron to Mr. Barkin and then back to his son finally settling back into his chair remaining silent waiting for the vice-principal to continue.

Mr. Barkin obliged "Three students maintain that he was trying to help another student up from the ground. But you son is saying he hit, and pardon my language, knocked him on his ass."

"Can I ask which students?" Mr. Stoppable asked, not so much as glancing at his son.

"Josh Mankey, Bonnie Rockwaller and Kim Possible." Barkin paused, thinking, then added "Mankey is the one who Ron either hit or helped up. He changed his story from Ron hitting him to helping him up."

"Did you hit him?" The older Stoppable male asked his son not looking over at him, his voice neutral.

Ron nodded ashamed "Yes, I did."

"Stoppable, you just want to make my life difficult don't you?" Mr. Barkin said, picking his pen up "The only way I can even cover this and not develop more ulcers, is to put it down that you were involved in an undescribed 'incident' " He made his marks and then looked back up at the young man before him. "This means I have to give some sort of punishment. I think day's suspension from school is sufficient, by that time I'm sure the entire school will know what exactly happened." There was a hint of amusement in his voice.

Mr. Stoppable stood as soon as Mr. Barkin was finished and offered his hand "Thank you Mr. Barkin, I'll take him home and we'll have a very long talk." They shook hands and the short man turned to stare at his son who stood up slowly looking at his shoes.

"Ronald, pleas do make sure someone, like Miss Possible, collects your school work. This will not be a vacation, your being punished."

Ron nodded and turned to follow his father out of the room but stopped when Mr. Barkin called his name. "Yes sir?"

Mr. Barkin picked up the closed folder and walked over to drop it into the correct drawer "I have to know; how did it feel to hit that jerk?" He turned to look at the young boy an almost unnoticeable smile on his face

Ron looked at him blankly for a moment and then responded in a low voice "It felt great."

The buzz cut man nodded and motioned for him to go ahead and leave. Ron did as he had been motioned to do closing the door behind him. He received a quick hug and kiss from Kim who had hung around waiting to find out his fate and then left taking his seat next to his father in the car ready for that long drive home.

***

Kim watched her boyfriend and his father pull away from her spot the front hallway right outside the office, she would have asked for a ride but something told her that wouldn't be such a good idea. Picking up her bookbag she turned to walk down the hallway but found herself face to face with Bonnie.

The two rivals stared at each other, vehemence in both girl's eyes and body language. But Kim swallowed her hatred for the other girl, after all she had tried to keep Ron out of trouble and Kim's conscious was nagging at her to thank the girl.

"Listen, umm...thanks." Seeing the blankness on Bonnie's face she continued quickly "For trying to help Ron."

Bonnie snorted flipping her brown hair back over her shoulder adjusting her own book bag, responding in a cool voice "Don't thank me Kim. I only did it because Josh is a jerk." She smiled mockingly at the other cheerleader "You know I'm still going to steal him, either from Yori or you." Before Kim could respond she brushed past the red head and continued on down the hallway a seductive sway in her hips.

Kim felt her temper rise, her hands balling into fists, her mouth setting into a thin line. She managed to hold it in check however, mainly because she had more important matters such as telling her parents what had happened, Monique would need to know to, and much to her distaste she would probably wind up having to tell Yori. She brightened up however when she realized that she didn't know the other girls number and was thus off the hook there. But she would definitely be calling Ron later to find out if he got grounded.

With a sigh Kim started off, heading for the doorway on the far end of the hallway that would let her exit onto a street that would let her take a back way home, she just wanted to take her time and think things over. She had her head down watching the tiles but snapped it up and looked over as the door to the nurses office opened and Josh stepped out.

He stopped in his tracks, his eyes were still red he had apparently just finished crying. He couldn't hold her gaze and looked away and down hurrying off in the opposite direction. Kim turned and watching him go, she shook her head in disgust in her mind he had gotten off easy; she would have broken his jaw.

With a snort she turned and continued on, exited the school and started the long winding way back home. Absently she kicked a rock down the sidewalk, her mood rather down.

***

Monkey Fist grumbled to himself as he guided his boat into the dock. It was a private port, were no questions were asked but he did not fully trust the men working it with his prize ship. He didn't have much choice however.

As he pulled into the dock and the monkey ninjas preformed their jobs of securing the boat to the moorings he knew it was worth the risk if he could restore the third jade monkey thus restoring even more of his stolen power.

He picked up the padded case he had placed the jade monkey into and exited the cabin and onto the wooden walkway followed by his ninja monkeys. They passed other boats, none as nice or well cared for as his S.S. Sea Monkey. Those people that looked less than trustworthy stayed out of his way, whether from his reputation, the sense of power he had or the small army he had surrounding him.

He glanced at the monkeys, nodding slightly in approval; Chippy was defiantly working over time to make up for his past transgressions. Looking away he resumed his walk, exiting the dock and into the small port town. It would take what was left of the day to reach Ahmedabad, but he could wait that long, besides tomorrow would be the best day he could strike.

***

For the second time in a very short amount of time Ron Stoppable found himself in his fathers den. It had bookshelves filled with books and the lighting was mild, coming from the desk lamb and the over head lights.

His father was seated in one of the only chairs in the room behind his large desk. He stared at his son who had chosen to remain standing, they hadn't said much of anything since school and Ron was afraid of what was going through his fathers mind.

"So you hit this Mankey boy?" His father finally asked. Ron nodded slowly, shifting from foot to foot. His father remained quiet for a moment longer and then leaned forward "So what did he say or do to Kim to get you to strike him?"

"Wha? How did you, why do you think?" Ron began then fell silent as his dad gave a small smile.

"Because it's out of character for you to go around hitting people" his father said shrugging "Besides, if he had threatened you Kim would have had said so or been the one in trouble."

Ron looked away, unwilling to meet his fathers gaze anymore. With Mr. Barkin it wasn't so bad, but this was his father and some how he felt like he had let his father down.

"Ron, we can't do anything until you tell me." his father said rather gently "Did he threaten her? Put a hand on her?" Ron shook his head and looked back at his father. "So did he threaten her verbal? What did he say to provoke you into hitting him?"

Ron shifted his feet and sighed looking around then back at his father "You know that word you don't like people calling mom? He called her that."

His father nodded slowly sitting back into his chair "I see, Ron we need to have a talk." The young man nodded shifting his feet slowly as his father began the talk.

"First off, you're not in trouble because you're young and impulsive." he paused and smiled to himself "And because I hit someone once myself for a very similar reason." He chuckled and continued "But that urge you felt, the one that made you hit this boy, you need to be on guard for it. If you give into it again things will very likely wind up much worse."

Ron nodded slowly "What about the missions?"

His father shook his head "You're smart enough to know the two matters are different." He tapped his finger on the desk top "The missions are to keep the world, and I'm wagering Kim, safe. Striking this eisl is different."

Ron nodded relieved; to be honest he hadn't been so sure if there was a difference.

"Son, giving into that urge is easy but you're a man now you can't do easy things. The next time you feel it you must try and resist, try counting to ten or taking deep breaths if it'll help, but don't give into it."

Ron nodded "I'll try, I promise. But I just, it happened before I even realized it." He said trying to explain himself.

His father nodded "As do all regrettable acts." He leaned back in his chair then stood up, making his way around his desk to place his hands on Ron's shoulders "Today, I think you've grown as a man. Few men feel bad after striking someone when justified. "

Ron nodded, letting a genuine smile come to him, untold relief flooding through him. His father removed his hands and ran one through his hair, turning to head back to his chair.

"Now I just have to figure out how to tell your mother." he turned taking his seat and shook his head "I think it'd be best for you if you went to your room and waited for dinner." He sighed "I think I'll have her calmed down by then."

Ron nodded taking a sudden gulp, so worried about his father and his reaction he had forgotten about his mother. He couldn't even imagine what her reaction would be.

He turned and started towards the door, quite willing to hide out in his room. He paused however his hand on the cool brass handle and turned back to look at his father "Can I ask you how it felt?" he looked at his father earnestly "You know when you hit that guy?"

His dad looked at him curiously then gave a short laugh "I imagine it felt every bit as good as when you hit that boy." He frowned slightly "And it was every bit as wrong. A moment's satisfaction and an unbelievable amount of guilt."

Ron nodded, wishing he could still live in a black and white world where hitting Mankey wouldn't make him feel guilty. With a sigh he left the den.

His father shook his head, unable to keep from thinking back to when he had been that young and foolish. He couldn't help but wonder however, what if he hadn't hit that man would his wife have still married him. He shrugged turned his mind to more productive things, like how to tell Ron's mother.

***

Shego pulled into the small town with little fanfare, parking the 'borrowed' car in a busy parking lot so that it would go unnoticed for a while. She quickly intermixed with the town's people disappearing among them.

A small town by her standards, but it had a nuclear power station, so she would have to keep this place in mind. She quickly learned a few things mainly that the town was called Springfield and that the people were generally morons and they all were yellow.

But at least with the odd skin condition of the people her paleness passed without a word. Normally she would have had at least one gawkier, but here nobody batted an eye.

She felt disgust; this place was way not to her tastes. Shrugging, all she needed to do was hold up one night and then she could be on her way. It didn't take her long to find a cheap motel to stay at, she grumbled entering her room; it was a step above the one that she had used in the Bronx but it was still below her standards.

Tossing her trench coat to the side so that it landed on a chair then collapsed onto the bed. She'd catch a few Z's and then figure out something when she got up.

***

Monique shook her head, wondering why Kim seemed to be so blind. Still she cradled the phone trying to convince her about Ron and Yori "Kim, Yori is dating him. She's kissed him." She paused and sighed "On the cheek."

Kim said something that caused Monique to sigh and look down at her bed "Kim, maybe it was on the cheek but she's been kissing him and he's been letting her."

She squirmed uncomfortable as her friend something, then answered hotly "No. I've never kissed him! Kim, its Ron for the love Pete why would I kiss him? I don't accept that friends kiss each other on a normal basis."

There was a moment of silence and Monique laid her head back on the headboard of her bed "So he's really been suspended for a day?"

Monique stared up at the ceiling "I'm sorry Kim. But hey, what can happen in a day?" she rolled her eyes "I doubt he'll be running into Shego. Besides unlike Yori I don't think you have to worry about that dried up old hag."

There was a moment of silence and then Monique made an odd face "Alright, I'll talk to you tomorrow at school. Goodnight." She lowered the phone and hit the power button.

She rolled over stretching slightly to place the phone on its stand, then settled back onto her bed returning to her neglected homework. So much work and so little time, she'd need to get to sleep soon.

***

Kim cradled the phone in her hand for a moment; Monique's accusations about Ron and Yori were beginning to get on her nerves. It wasn't that Kim didn't have the same doubts; it was more that she trusted Ron and as long as she did she was able to keep those doubts down.

She shrugged off her annoyance with Monique, only because she knew her friend was worried about her, still it tweaked her. She sighed, looking at her books not a lot of homework but enough that she should get to work.

She set her phone to the side and reached towards them and a notebook, just as she snagged them and settled back into a sitting position her phone rang. She dropped the books to the bed and picked up the phone checking the digital read out, a silly smile finding its way to her face upon seeing it was Ron.

She hit the button taking his call as she held it to her ear "Hey Ron." She giggled a little "No dummy, I just read the display on my phone." She nodded and then remained silent listening to him talk, wondering absently if it was normal to love his idiosyncrasies and want to change them all at the same time.

"So, what are you going to do tomorrow? I mean, no school, no car, but your not grounded. Going to be pretty boring isn't it?" Kim finally asked in the pause of his conversation.

She laughed shaking her head "Buneo Nacho all day? You're going to turn into a nacho some day." She nodded "Alright, I'll be out front waiting for you at three."

She stretched out on the bed, picking up her pen opening her book settling down to her homework and talk to Ron. It was easy, no matter how things had changed between them; a phone conversation was easily one-sided.

He would talk and she would listen, that was how it worked when he called and when she called he would listen. It was a great system and it would serve them well for a long time to come.

By the time they both got off the phone, they were yawning on a semi-regular basis. Still it took quite a few minutes before either one would hang up, that old high school tradition of not wanting to be the first one to hang-up still holding strong.

But finally as Kim set her phone back into its cradle she looked at her work, slightly amazed she had managed to do her homework and get the answers correct.

She closed her books and put them to the side, climbing under her covers and snuggling up with her pillows before turning off her lamp. Closing her eyes she drifted off to sleep easily, she would need her rest for tomorrow.

***

Ron sighed settling into his bed, glancing at Rufus who was shaking his head as he settled into his small bed. The blond shrugged setting his phone off to the side, thinking that things could be worse. After all Yori could know that he had tomorrow off; she would no doubt want him to be training even if she was in school.

When the phone began to ring he didn't dare turn over and check it, he buried his head under his pillow groaning. What was that old saying, he asked himself, talk of the devil and he'll show up? It was something like that anyway. As the phone continued to ring he sighed and rolled over reluctantly picking it up "Yes Yori?"

He paused giving a slight smile "I'm telepathic that's how." his smile faded some "Anyway, bad news I'm suspended from school for a day." Whatever Yori said caused him to let out a deep groan from within "The Rachio and Dragon course? Come on, do I have to train while your in school?" Whatever she said only cause Ron to groan even more, his despair reaching up to swallow him.

"Alright, alright, I give up." he reached up covering his eyes with his hand "Rachio course, seven o'clock, then the dragon course at eleven. Goal of twenty-five minutes each." he listened to her and shook his head "I'll have Rufus time me, I promise. He'll keep things honest."

He nodded sighing "Yes, of course." He dropped his hand back to his side "Listen, the twenty first I can't train." he closed his eyes and shook his head "No training on the twenty first, Yes of this month, March. It's Kim's Birthday, I can't risk screwing it up."

He let out a relieved sigh and smiled relaxing "Thank you." yawning he listened to Yori do the same "We better get to bed," he pushed debris off his bed "G'night, take it easy." He nodded and hit the power button, that silly not hanging up rule having no bearing on him during this conversation.

Putting his phone on the nightstand, hit the off switch to his lamp and rolled over, not even bothering to crawl under the blankets on his bed. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath and letting it out slowly he rested his head on his pillow easing himself to sleep to dream about Kim.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

AR:

Japanesejewel: I do? Good to know.

Parareru: Yes, it has been quite a while. I'm glad you liked the last two chapters. I'm glad you enjoyed that bit between Yori and Bonnie. Well, more like a less violent side after all she's Shego. As for Kim and Ron and that movie: I couldn't resist, it was a joke waiting to happen. And don't be surprised, they're both (Ron especially) so innocent so it's probably not the only thing they haven't heard or seen before.
Interesting developments...that's what I should have titled it, as for the Aoshima/Sayoko vibe, they may have influenced that partnership some. Hey, Kim's smart even when she's über-mad. Ron decked Mankey, schools out for a holiday. (hey that rhymed.)

Rockman: Glad to hear it. And it's ok that you didn't review before, everyone gets busy and thanks. Also remember this: Insanity is only a state of mind.

MC Becky a.k.a Miss Cheetah: Thank you, and yes Ron punched Josh....but he got suspended. Your right though he is TOO perfect, which explains why everyone dislikes him. Nope, can't let that happen, besides Ron's way to loyal to Kim for that.

OsuwariTetsusaiga: Yes, Yes I do. S'ok, I understand completely and no hard feelings at all.

Wonderbee31: I'm glad this was another great chapter, and was there any other outcome possible? It was even nicer to write Ron having that gumption. As for Monique and Yori, that's up in the air cause I hadn't planned for it.

ss3dj: Well, things didn't get as ugly as they could have, because Barkin doesn't like Josh either. Thank you, and your the closest with 20 (Only off by two) So I will let you in, but only if you feel like emailing me so we can talk and figure out how it'll work out.

SkyFireZero: Thank you on both points, but alas your wrong. I'm older than 17, but less than 25. But thank you for playing. : )

red52: Yes, I have to. If I didn't then they would go on forever and over run the story. And I repeat thank you for saying I'm one of the best writers in this section. Maybe it will someday, cause hey if I get lucky and hired to write for the show expect it to happen. : ) did chapter nine come fast enough?

Monkey Fist: Thank you, I hope you don't mind but I borrowed your ships name and I don't think Shego's right, it's a unique name not a lame one. Good evening.

Yamal: Thank you once again. What Wade is doing to Ron's car? hehe just wait. Trust me it was even more fun to write, and yes they weren't very smart were they cause that's like an unwritten rule. Yori's behavior is doing her job perfectly no? Glad Shego rocked once more and Chippy! How can you not love that hairy ape. Alas Fredrick is stuck in space (for now) I'll keep up the awesome work just keep leaving the great reviews.

Jayv: Right in one, sorta, it meant that Ron would always be closer and tighter with Kim than Monique will ever be. And Mr. Barkin is a teacher/principal they always arrive after everything is over. Also once more congrats on being my 100th reviewer!

warprince2099: Thank you and I updated soon

AN:

Short chapter this time around, it would have been longer but I couldn't seem to come up with a good way to continue with the next day. Hopefully you won't hold this chapter against me. I must say though, I wish I had a father like what I wrote.
The first time I hit someone like that (laid them out to) I just got in a whole world of trouble detentions, grounding, all the good stuff. On a side note the guy avoided my like a plague afterwards. J
That being said, I hope you all enjoyed this and that nobodies going to hold anything written in this against me.

Geor-sama