Author's Note: Mmkay, thanks for reading everyone. I received some really wonderful reviews. Thank-you so much for the splendidly kind words!

1. I'm glad you enjoy the long chapters; I enjoy writing them. Novel length fanfics are what I aim for.

2. There are twelve instalments for Tension Living. Equal Romance will be continued in the second story which I'm now writing, it's coming along great.

3. Of course Kim didn't insult Bonnie back for insulting Ron. Couldn't you tell she was way too upset with her own feelings and what was being said to her plus everything that had happened to her that day to say anything? She was absolutely dejected in spirit and had no strength left that day to rebuttle which is why she fled home and cried.

4. I gave a brief explanation in one of the instalments as to why they weren't going to tell anyone. Not only that Mr Barkin wouldn't believe them anyway -lol. After all, he is a Barkin.

5. I can NOT believe I'm saying this again. I am Canadian and spell things differently: realise, colour, alarum, neighbour, instalment etc. They're all in my Canadian Dictionary. I'm getting freakin' PISSED at people nagging at me and the more you do it won't change the way I spell. Not only that but it's just freaking RUDE; it makes me resent posting this story more and more. Would you change the way you learnt to spell, the American way, if I read one of your fics? Probably not.

6. Kim's not a pansy. You have to put yourself in her POV that day. Everything that happened is absolutely tearing her up inside, Kim is only human. All the insults, Josh, her conflicting feelings for Ron, it was too much for her. Kim is human and she is allowed to feel devastated. Not only that, but she was probably also PMSing and thus gave into her emotions more than she normally might have.

7. Jhustine is NOT spelt incorrectly. That is another spelling variation as many names have, look it up in any baby name book. I have a friend named Jhustine and that is how her name is spelt.

8. I'm using Celsius: DEAL WITH IT.

Again, thank-you so much for all the compliments, comments, questions and most of all for reading and reviewing the story. And finally, a personal thank-you to the reviewers: kimnronever, JulesFire, MtnRon, Forlong, Me262, John Steppenwolf, crazyboutbooks, Ashley, Chief316, Ptashi, Sukari, LJ Fan, Cold-Chaos, Intrepidwarriors, ShadowGirl, AmyRM, Amaris, Char and Loo (I PROMISE TO HAVE KISSI UP MY SLEEVE SOON… hopefully… maybe… uh… urm… e-e; KRSPAWN (flees)). I received so many reviews so I'm sorry if I skipped anyone or neglected to answer a question. Thanks!

¤ Instalment 10 »» Day Six: The Realisation ¤

There is definitely

One person who

Needs you

And that person who needs you

Would definitely always

Be smiling by your side

-Ayumi Hamasaki, 'Depend on You'

Kim laid her chin softly onto her pink pillow, her free arm resting in front of her. She blinked slowly, her expression was troubled yet her mind was adrift in thought. Allowing her eyes to droop slightly, where else could her mind meander to but to-day's events?

School had passed by differently than Kim had originally depicted it in her mind. But then upon reflection the original sketch, now in rationality, seemed outlandishly distorted and not at all plausible. However, that didn't stop the day from being zippadeedooda either.

Everything had gone wrong; it had been one embarrassment to another. Everything had just escalated out of control. All Kim wanted to do was become inconspicuous with Ron at school. Her plan was to just silently and invisibly go through the day ignoring any of the (what she expected to be) minor taunts that were thrown their way. How quickly that notion evaporated; Kim could only reminisce the library incident.

The worst of all that happened had to be either giving Josh the muffin, or after Gym class. She couldn't be sure, both battled inside of her.

Stop! she cried at herself. I've dwelled on those enough to-day, I don't… I don't want to think of them anymore. Not when I'm trying to sleep.

Her eyes peered out of the corner, looking over Ron's sleeping form beside her and at the moon in the night sky outside the window.

I've spent hours mulling over what happened to-day since Ron and I went to bed; since he fell asleep. I wish I could do the same. But nothing effected him to-day like it does me. Sure he's a bit beat up but there's no-way he can understand what it feels like inside. The comments Bonnie thrust at me have no effect to him. Then all what Bonnie had said reeled back into Kim's mind all over again. Every word was a slap, the cruel words Bonnie had thrust at Kim… She shook her head violently, fervently intent on shooing them out of her mind…

She was determined to push the embarrassments of cheerleading practice aside and actually catch some sleep before school to-morrow yet it only proved impossible for there was only one event that day in particular that Kim's mind would permit her to dwell on. And that was Josh Mankey.

A tear formed in the corner of Kim's eye as she reminisced.

She had attempted to talk to Josh, but that look in his eye… it wasn't hurt, Kim knew it, it was disgust. Disgust at her 'lies' to him (especially when he had been there when she had supposedly 'learned her lesson' about lying that one Hallowe'en night…). Josh didn't want to even hear her voice nor an explanation for blowing him off that weekend. His exact words repeated over and over like a broken record: "Save it, Kim. I just- … It's over."

Over.

There had been something between them, but before Kim could even uncover what that something was. Whatever it was, 'it', apparently, was over. 'Tell me-' she wished she had had the nerve to call out to him before he could retreat back in Bueno Nacho. '-what's over? And is there any way we can start it up again?'

For all the time Kim had to think of that event, she had now concocted over a million things she could have said or even have done before Josh walked away. And out of her heart. Kim could wrestle giant mutant octopi and tackle hordes of professional henchmen, but couldn't find the nerve to call out to Josh's retreating back. She was so ashamed.

How could she have anyway? How could she have called out to Josh? With Ron standing there. In the way.

He had knocked down the bookcase. He had fallen off the toilet. He had been the reason they were in the girl's changing room. He had been the reason Bonnie insulted her. He was there the whole time. The whole time he had ruined everything for her.

It wasn't his fault. Kim tried to reason that new voice of wanting to overcome her old let-the-rage-fall-on-Ron personality. But wasn't Ron always in the way? If he wasn't clumsily tripping over wires, detonating the evil villain's lair, then he was… destroying her Valentine's gift… from Walter Nelson…

No… wait a minute…

Kim lifted her head, contemplating this new memory that somehow surfaced into her mind from behind a long ago forgotten door. Why was this memory coming to her when she was supposed to be jilting over Josh and to-days events!

How old had they been? Eleven? Maybe twelve? It happened on a chilly, wet February fourteenth. Naturally, the class had been exchanging Valentine's Day cards; mostly everyone's were store bought, including Kim's. Except one; one she had saved for Walter Nelson, the boy she had the crush on back then (Kim giggled quietly as she thought of that silly crush). He had also been the only other kid with braces in her class (lucky Ron had perfect teeth).

At recess, Kim gathered up all her courage and presented Walter with her homemade card. Much to her delight, Walter had thought of Kim too, gifting her with two pretty flowers. Kim adored them all day, keeping them carefully in her desk, often checking on them to see if they were still as pretty. She was positively unable to contain herself until she reached home where she could then place them in water and then in a vase to keep them by her bed stand.

But it hadn't happened that way.

Being February, it began to rain as it so often does in Februaries and continued to pour well past the last school bell of the day, signalling the end of class. Like everyday, Kim and Ron walked home together. There was only one umbrella for the both of them which was owned by Kim, her Mother made her take one with her though it hadn't rained on their way to school.

So with an umbrella in one hand and her precious Walter-given flowers in the other, she would watch Ron leap in his rubber boots from one puddle to another, trying to make a bigger splash than the prior. Kim, as well as holding said umbrella and flowers, was talking on to Ron (or was it just aloud?), mostly about her flowers and Walter Nelson.

"Of course I'm listening, KP!" Ron would exclaim, continuing to soak his pants in the splashes during Kim's inquisition to see if he was really listening. "But I still don't get what's so special-" (more leaps and Kim exclaiming loudly if his splashes neared her) "-They're just flowers. You can pluck them out of the ground for free. I have some in my backyard."

"Ron—don't splash so close to me, you'll get me wet!" (Ron laughed and began to kick up the puddles.) "You obviously don't know anything about romance—" (Ron rolled his eyes) "—these flowers aren't from any old backyard garden. They're store bought."

"And where do you think the store got them?"

Kim groaned. It was useless to explain such things to Ron. He just didn't understand ideas like romance. Kim was going to continue on about how it wasn't just the flowers being store bought that was important; it was the thought and what they represented. What Walter meant when he gave those flowers to only her.

But she never had the chance.

"Ron! I told you to watch where you're – EEK!" Kim let out a scream as one of Ron's puddle hunting brought him close to Kim. Before he could even think about where he would land, Ron had already slapped the large puddle, substantially dousing Kim in water. The flowers too.

They both froze. Kim gasped through her drenched face, shaking the water and dripping hair from her eyes. Then she looked at the flowers: the ruined flowers.

Tears began to well up in Kim's eyes. It was hard to tell what were tears and what was the puddle on her face. She cried out, already choking on her words in upset.

"I told you to watch where you were going, you never listen to me! LOOK at what you've done and you don't even care!" Ron didn't speak; the only movement was the soft blinking of his brown eyes. Kim leaned forwards and shouted at him, "I hate you so much—forever!" Then she turned and ran all the way home, leaving Ron to feel guilty about his recklessness.

When Kim had arrived at home, she burst into her kitchen and into her Mother's arms crying her eyes tearless. Shocked that Kim had come home, not only in tears, but wet from head to toe and looking like she had taken a swim when she had her umbrella, Mrs Possible naturally inquired as to Kim's predicament. She explained everything through many-a-sob and used up many-a-tissue.

"I'm sure Ron didn't do it on purpose," her Mother comforted.

"He never listens! Everything goes in one ear and out the other."

Mrs Possible patted her daughter, "That's not his fault."

"Yes it is!" Kim insisted, "Ron's so stupid, I hate him and I never want to see him again." Kim broke out into more sobs.

Mrs Possible sighed sympathetically and embraced her daughter until she calmed down. "Maybe you'll feel differently after you shower up."

Kim pushed away some sniffles, "I won't, but I'll shower anyway."

So Kim cleaned the dirty water off of her in the shower and changed into some new, comfortable clothes. When she came downstairs into the sitting room her Mother delivered the unfortunate news that the flowers could not be salvaged. Kim was now in too much of a sour mood to cry again; she acted indifferently but felt distraught.

More time passed and it was well into the evening as Kim sat on the chesterfield, flicking the channels on the remote and listening to the rain as it now berated the window glass surrounding Kim as if it desired with all its being to come inside.

"It's a good thing it wasn't raining this bad when you came home," her Father remarked; Kim merely grunted, not taking her eyes off the television set.

Her eyes did move when the doorbell rang, but not the one for the front door, this bell was from the kitchen door (it had a different chime).

"I'll get it," Mrs Possible said after placing down her hot cup of cocoa.

Kim wondered who could be ringing from the back door, but was only curious enough to keep an ear out, not to actually stand up and see.

"O-my!" she heard her Mother's astounded voice, now snagging all of Kim's attention. She sat up and listened attentively as she heard a new voice speak and then her Mother's response. Kim stood up and cautiously snuck to the kitchen entrance where she peered around the corner to see who had come calling.

"I can't come inside, my parents will be angry enough cos I haven't come home yet. I just wanna speak to Kim."

"I'm sorry, Ron," her Mother replied gently, "But Kim isn't at all up to seeing anyone at the moment. Are you sure you won't come in? I could drive you home."

"No thanks, Mrs Dr P. You sure Kim can't come to the door? It's kinda important…"

Kim's Mother was going to say something but at that moment, Ron's eyes flickered and met Kim's, they held each others gaze; Kim blushed.

"Kim!" he called to her from beyond Mrs Possible. "Kim, I wanna speak to you."

Kim didn't move.

"Please?"

Not sure what kind of front to put up with Ron, Kim knew it was too late to run or hide away. She made her way slowly to the kitchen door, only to be utterly shocked.

Because there was Ron—absolutely soaked to the bone in only his shirt and pants, his raincoat gone; his skin was so pale, it was on the borderline of being translucent. The rain beat on his head and whenever he stopped talking, his jaw would chatter violently. He stood there, shivering and hunched over.

"R-Ron?"

"I know you still hate me," Ron hastened to speak. "But I don't want you to hate me forever," he looked upset, but from behind his back, he withdrew something that was covered by his raincoat. He reached out so what he held was inside the house and pulled the raincoat off… off a dozen, red roses.

Kim held her hands to her mouth and gasped; her Mother gasped as well.

"They're store bought, to replace the ones, I… uh… broke. I don't think it's the exact same kind of flower, but I couldn't find anything that looked the same… that and, um, I couldn't remember…"

Ron handed them over to her. Kim was speechless and felt her cheeks flushing.

"Did your Mother help you purchase these?" Mrs Possible asked, in shock.

"No, I used my own money. I'm not allowed to use my parent's money." He turned to Kim, looked her squarely in the eye. As he did so, Kim shivered and felt a strange notion that made her feel like her and Ron were the only ones in the room. He said: "I'm sorry they're not from Walter Nelson."

Unable to find her voice, Kim lowered her head and gazed at Ron. So he did know why those flowers Walter had given her were important, the reason Kim didn't explain to him. If he knew…. Then why did he act so nonchalant about them? Remarking about them "'just' being store-bought"? Why did he hide that?

Mrs Possible poked at the flowers and muttered to herself, "And those aren't the cheap kind either…" To Ron, she said, "Ron, please let me drive you home. You're frozen and the weather isn't fit for anyone to be in."

But Ron shook his head, "I can't, I have to go home… a-alone. Please. Bye, KP, see you at school to-morrow."

Before Kim's Mother could protest, he ran out of the door and down the main street, not even bothering to put on his raincoat.

Mrs Possible closed the door. Looking at the flowers, she shook her head while saying wistfully, "That's some boy." Kim silently agreed, staring at the swirling flower petals closing in the centre.

The next day, Ron was sick with the flu.

When the memory completed itself, Kim let her head lower back onto the comforting pillow which enveloped her face. She didn't know what to make of that memory or why that, of all memories, brought itself forward.

But then understanding came to her. Even though Ron would mess things up, usually unintentionally, he always did his best to correct what he'd done, even went the extra mile for her. Hadn't he?

Like when Kim wanted to blame Ron for having to go out on Saturday because he had forgotten his groceries at the mall when his pet had gone wild, the day Josh had seen them at Bueno Nacho, Ron had redeemed himself by being there for her the following day. Not 'physically' being there for her, after all, they were stuck to each other. But how… how comforting, understanding and… affectionate he had been… thoughts of her crying into his arms came back and suddenly Kim felt guilty. Then there was the speech about them sticking together. She was sure saying what he had said wasn't easy for Ron but he had said it anyway, and meant every word of it.

It had been Kim who broke that pact.

All day to-day (no, it was after midnight, yesterday) Ron had reminded Kim, promised he would be there for her, squeezed her hand to reassure her… Then Kim had promised back that she would remember his words. And she hadn't. She hadn't spoken to him all day since school. He had tried many attempts to make contact, to redeem himself but she hadn't allowed it. All Ron wanted to do was continue to be there for her.

I'm such a jerk to him…I have to apologise…

As the guilt consumed her, she looked at him now asleep on her right, lying on his stomach. Suddenly Kim did a double-take and peered closer at Ron.

His brow was covered in sweat, his back rose and lowered strenuously as if he was having some difficulty trying to breath. Alarumed, Kim sat up and moved closer to Ron, she saw his mouth moving, like he was muttering something- but what, Kim couldn't hear. She tenderly placed her free hand on Ron's bare neck and instantly she knew he was having a fever.

Immediately, Kim began to shake Ron in an attempt to wake him.

"Ron!" she whispered softly as she riled his shoulders, "Ron, wake up."

His reaction startled Kim for he shook himself as if to shake Kim off and away. His mutterings became more rapid and, although louder, still incomprehensible. But this wouldn't deter Kim; in fact, it made her all the more desperate to have him wake.

"Ron!" she called louder and shook him more. "Get up!"

By this time, Rufus awoke and stared at the unfolding scene in shocked concern. He leapt from the pillow and onto the sheets where he was by Ron's side and began to aid Kim in trying to wake Ron by streaming chatters into his ear.

After some more coaxing from both girl and mole-rat, Ron finally, and abruptly, woke with a shot. His eyes snapped open frightening Kim and Rufus. Ron's breathing was still laborious and more sweat ran down his face.

"Ron…" Kim neared her face to his, placing a comforting hand on his back.

He blinked continuously. "K-Kim…" he stuttered slowly, "W-what are you doing… here..?"

Kim responded gently, "You're in my room. Don't you remember?"

Ron stared ahead, not focusing on anything. "N-yes." Kim placed her hand to his forehead. "Can you lower the temp in here?" he asked, through gasps.

"The temperature isn't on in my room."

Ron blinked in a moments confusion. "Then, can you open a window? It's… dude, it's so hot in here."

Kim shook her head, "You have a fever, Ron; let's go downstairs and get you an ice pack, ok?"

Looking back at Ron again, she saw he had closed his eyes again, but he wasn't asleep. No—he was suffering from the fever. "Ok."

Kim slid off the bed sheets and stood by Ron's side of the bed, waiting for him to follow. He pushed himself up with his arms wobbling; clearly it took a lot of effort. Soon he was sitting on the edge of the bed, hunched over.

Because he didn't move for some time, Kim decided to ask: "Can I help you?"

But Ron shook his head. "It's all gravy, the Ronster can walk on his own."

Kim smiled in amusement, exchanging a look with Rufus on her shoulder.

Hesitating for only a moment, Ron pushed himself off the bed. His legs shook a little, but he still declined any help. Ron, with his sore eyes half open, took a few first steps… before he landed with a plop on his calves, blinking in wide-eyed shock.

Kim couldn't help but let out a giggle.

His blinks brought his eyes back to their half open state. With his face flushed from the fever, he looked about himself in confusion.

Kim squatted down in front of Ron and gave him a sympathetic look. "Want me to carry you?" He nodded.

So she scooped Ron up, although it took some troublesome minutes of them exchanging hands to work out a comfortable arm position for the both of them. Kim's left was under his legs attached to his right hand and her right was supporting his back.

As usual whenever Kim carried Ron, it was never much of a strain since Ron was so light weight. She wasn't sure how much he weighed, but whatever it was, even if he was taller and a boy, it had to be relatively close to Kim's own.

Kim carried Ron down the steps from her bedroom. Just to pass the time, she started a conversation; Kim thought she might as well ask.

"How much do you weigh?"

She felt Ron stir, "Huh?"

"In pounds, how much do you weigh?" she repeated.

Ron paused, "How much do you weigh?"

Kim laughed softly as to not awaken the household. "I asked you first! But I'm one-twelve, if that makes you feel any better. You?"

"Why? Am I too heavy?"

"Actually, no, you're much lighter than I imagined you would be."

"Heh, cool."

Once they arrived in the darkened kitchen, Ron flicked on the light-switch with his free hand. It took both of them awhile for their eyes to adjust in the bright light. But still Kim carried Ron until she was able to sit him down on the counter beside the refrigerator.

"Before I give you the ice pack, I'm gonna take your temp, ok?"

"Sure thing."

"Scoot over," Kim grabbed Ron's legs and pulled him along the counter so she could access the drawer otherwise blocked by this dangling legs. She scrounged in the drawer with one hand for the thermometer her Mother kept in there. Pulling it out, she shook it a couple of times to make sure it rested on zero.

Turning her attention back to Ron, he had closed his eyes again and was leaning his head back on the cabinet behind him.

"Put this under your arm, would ya?" she asked of him, holding out the thermometer; he followed her instructions. Kim smiled, remembering something Ron had said before, "So much for the 'Impenetrable Stoppable Fortress', huh?"

Ron merely grunted.

Kim put another hand to his forehead to feel his fever again and replied genuinely, "Aww, I'm sorry. I hope the ice helps after I take your temperature."

Ron nodded, continuing to sweat and look flushed; Kim wished she could hand him the ice pack now.

When it was time to pull the thermometer out, Kim found herself to be nodding off as she leaned against the fridge.

Good thing I set the egg-timer, she thought.

Kim gently patted Ron's shoulder so he would open his eyes; she wasn't sure if he had actually been sleeping or if he had just been resting his eyes.

"Time to take it out."

He shuffled lazily and handed her the thermometer.

Rather shocked by the result, Kim now knew for sure Ron had a high fever.

How could you have gotten one? Kim wondered as she shook the number back to zero and stuffed the thermometer into the drawer.

"Ice pack?" Ron moaned.

"Right away," Kim acknowledged. She opened the freezer door o the fridge and pulled out the ice pack, placing it on Ron's neck. He sighed in comfort.

"That's a whole lot better," he tried to smile.

"I don't want to stand here the whole time, so could we go sit at the table?" Kim asked.

Ron nodded and Kim didn't pause to ask Ron if he required help or not. She just gathered him from the counter like a pile of rags and carried him over to the cushioned plush seats of the breakfast table.

After sliding him in first, she scooted in after him. Kim laid her head on the table, eager for sleep. Ron held the icepack to his forehead now, leaning against the plush seat on his left as a pillow.

Some time passed before she noticed Ron looking uncomfortable and scrunching his eyes.

She poked him, "You ok?"

"Just a headache."

"Want some medicine?"

"No."

Kim watched Ron suffer silently, she pitied him greatly. She planned to tell her Mother about his temperature in the morning but wished there was more she could do for him now.

His expression worsened and Kim's worry grew inside of her. She asked, "Are you sure you don't want any medicine? I think it could help."

Again, Ron declined, this time by shaking his head.

"Then you'll at least tell me if your symptoms worsen, right?"

He nodded.

Sadly, Kim watched him try to sleep with his eyes closed. He kept grimacing at the pain. The sweat, to Kim, didn't appear to be clearing up. But what could she do? The only thing she could think of to help him was medicine, he didn't want any and she couldn't force him to take them. It'll be morning soon, Kim promised. Let's just get through the night.

The inclination to flutter over Ron, to help him through his fever, was intense, especially after her previous thoughts about how he had always been there for her. Now I can take care of you like you've been doing to me. She linked her free arm around Ron's, and, placing her head gently on his shoulder, she fell asleep.

ø

Light flooded into Kim Possible's closed eyes, urging her into waking. Opening her eyes, Kim was mildly surprised to find herself in the kitchen, but then memories of last night streamed back into her mind, reminding her. She stretched her free arm across the breakfast table and yawned away the morning drowse.

"I'm surprised to see you two down here so early. Perhaps too early?" Kim turned in her seat to greet her Mother stirring the morning cup of coffee.

After another yawn, Kim shook her head. "Not early, late." She glanced at the clock. "We came down here, maybe… around three in the morn?"

Mrs Possible widened her eyes and inclined her head. "No! What in Heaven's name for?"

"Before I was able to sleep, I saw Ron and he looked terrible; I thought he might be having a fever. I mean, what else could it have been right?"

"And was it?" her Mother prompted.

"It was! That's why I dragged him to the kitchen, to take his temperature—I was really worried for him."

Mrs Possible took a sip of her coffee and replied, "You know we have a thermometer in the upstairs bathroom, right?"

Kim rolled her eyes, irritated. "No. If I'd known that, I wouldn't have carried him down here."

"You carried him?"

"Yea, had to. He was having trouble walking, he was feeling that miserable. O, right! We had to come down here anyway to give him an ice pack."

Mrs Possible's mouth twitched. Amusement? "What was the fever?"

Kim placed a hand on her forehead in thought and dictated, "Fourty-one degrees."

Her Mother winced, "Gracious! That is terrible, poor boy. I hope it's not the beginning of something worse."

"Yea," Kim snorted, "Cos then I'm a shoe-in to catch it!" She waved her attached hand and turned to face Ron for the first time.

He was still sleeping soundly through her conversation with her Mother. There wasn't any sweat remaining on his brow but Kim placed a hand on his forehead anyway. It felt normal; she shrugged. Continuing to look at him, she unintentionally studied his features. Ron lay with his head resting on the plush seat next to him; the ice pack was resting on his lap, a limp hand resting beside it.

"Kim?"

"Huh?"

Kim's Mother called to her, working Kim out of a stupor. "I asked if he's fine now."

"O! Yes, his head feels fine." She picked up the warm ice pack from his lap and handed it to her Mother. "I think he's done with this, can you put it away for me?"

Mrs Possible walked over to Kim and took the ice pack from her. "Not that it'd be of any use now."

"True."

She opened the freezer and stored the pack. "You should wake Ron anyway. You two have school to-day."

A hand flew to Kim's mouth.

"Forgot?"

"School totally escaped my memory!"

"I hope homework didn't escape your memory too," her Mother added dryly.

Kim shook her head, "We did that last night before all this happened."

"That's good to hear. Now I suggest you and Ron ready for school and I'll have breakfast ready for the both of you."

"Thanks, Mom."

True, Kim was grateful, but she wished inside that her Mother hadn't reminded her of school. Then maybe she would have continued to forget and then have missed school completely. For inside, Kim absolutely dreaded going to school that day. Yesterday had been horrible enough, Kim was sure to-day would be another miserable rerun. Sighing, she hit her head on the kitchen table. If only Ron was still ill, if so, maybe he'd have to stay home and Kim would have no choice to stay with him.

"Kimmie," her Mother's voice warned.

"I know," came Kim's muffled reply.

Lifting her head, she began to shake Ron awake. "Hey," she said while rattling his shoulder, "Time to get ready for school."

Ron shifted, muttering, "No monkey"

"UP!" Kim called louder, "Let's hustle that bustle." So we can enter Humiliation High USA, Kim thought grimly as Bonnie's threats came back to her.

Ron's eyes opened and he straightened his spine while stretching his arms. "Buenos Mañana, Kimila," Ron smiled with a covered yawn. "What's going down?"

"Colonel Mom has ordered us to prepare ourselves for the barracks of school-life, like, now. C'mon Cadet Sleepy." Kim pushed herself out of seat and tugged Ron with her attached hand.

"Aye-aye, ma'am!" Ron said as he saluted Mrs Possible making her laugh after he had stood up.

"Suck up," Kim muttered in Ron's ear as they fled the kitchen.

"Yea, but maybe it'll get me less time on the battlefield."

Kim smiled, "If only."

ø

They prepared themselves much like the day before without some of the stumbles since they were now foreseeable. Ron said nothing on the fact that Kim was talking to him again, and normally too. He accepted it as her way of an apology although he wished she would actually say the words 'I'm sorry' for a change. But this was Kim and he adored her for who she was, despite her faults.

Dressing still took some time, what with the constant hand-switching especially when putting on shirts and things but soon the two emerged fully dressed; Kim in her golden peasant-chic top with flared sleeves and tight blue jeans. Ron wore his usual khaki pants and a plain black turtle-neck (long sleeved, unlike the mission sweater).

"Well you two look a whole lot better," Kim's Mother smiled at the both of them once they arrived downstairs in the kitchen. "Now come and break your fast."

Mr Possible was now in the kitchen, and as usual, he was reading the daily newspaper. "Sleep well?" he asked his daughter.

"So not," Kim grimaced. "Ron had a fever."

"O, that's no good," her Father folded the newspaper so he could see Kim now sitting across from him. "All better now, Ronald?"

"Nothing can penetrate my fortress for long," Ron replied, smiling down at his plate of bacon and eggs.

"Wouldn't want to miss school," Mrs Possible said.

"No," Kim sighed sarcastically, "We wouldn't want that now would we?" Note no question mark in Mom's statement, Kim thought.

"Aw, cheer up, Kimmie, it won't be that bad," her Mother said by the kitchen entrance. (Kim snorted, she had NO idea what yesterday had been like.) "Your brothers are taking awhile upstairs, I'm just going to pop up stairs and bring them down. If any of you want any more eggs, bacon strips, help yourself; they're warming on the stove, but save some for Jim and Tim."

Kim looked down at her breakfast despondently; suddenly, she didn't have much of an appetite anymore. She poked at the eggs with her fork. A nudge on her shoulder brought her attention back.

"Hey, KP," Ron nudged her shoulder again with his. "You gonna eat that?"

Kim double blinked in shock, staring at Ron's own plate. "You ate your breakfast already!" His plate was empty, the two bacon strips and three eggs… gone.

Ron shrugged and pointed at her plate in a silent beg. She pushed it his way.

"Fine, I'm not hungry anyway."

Smiling from eat to ear, Ron picked up his fork and began eating from her plate.

"Kimmie-cub," came her Father's stern voice from behind his newspaper. "You know breakfast is the most important meal of the day. You need to eat."

Kim let out a groan, "I'll eat a granola bar on the way to school." She gave Ron a nudge of her own, "He can make sure of that for you, Dad."

"Huh?" Ron looked at Kim quizzically, half the plate was gone already. Kim rolled her eyes and smiled, amused. "Just keep eating." Ron obliged.

Not too long after Ron was polishing off Kim's breakfast did Mrs Possible return with Jim and Tim in tow.

"Sleeping in isn't healthy, boys," Mr Possible commented on the twins tardiness.

"They weren't sleeping in," Mrs Possible replied, then she eyed the boys dangerously while drawling, "They were combining their alarum clock with an old toaster. I also caught them with a can of rocket fuel."

"Huh, O boy; better keep that stuff locked up from now on," Mr Possible grimaced evasively from behind the paper.

"Tweebs," Kim hissed at Jim and Tim as they marched by.

"Would you believe we wanted to make time fly?" Jim smiled sweetly.

"That's already been invented," Kim grunted back.

"By Wade!" Tim replied excitedly.

"No, by school." Kim sighed, "Which Ron and I better head off to now…" She looked at the clock and then at Ron to see if he was yet finished with his, or rather Kim's breakfast.

He was. Curiously, Kim watched Ron as he sat uncharacteristically still and silent, seemingly brooding while leaning over the empty plate.

Wonder what he's thinking about…

His eyes flickered, but he didn't move.

"Ron?" Kim questioned, leaning close. "Kim to Ron, anybody home?"

He furrowed his brow and for an instant… Kim had a strange notion of disappointment occur inside her head. For some unexplainable reason, she thought of the sentence 'How can I pull this off..?' and then maybe something like 'I can't believe I was so stupid…'. Kim shook her head to clear her mind.

Pull what off? She asked herself, what did I do that was stupid? She wondered where these thoughts had come from since they didn't relate in any way to what she was thinking or planning on doing. The feeling of annoyance and upset grew inside her, but not from herself, in a way that it felt separate from her own feelings. It didn't make sense at all.

Biting her lower lip, she turned back to Ron who still hadn't moved. Kim decided to attempt contact again, this time by gently poking him on one of his freckles upon his cheek with her unused fork. This time she received a reaction.

"Whoah, dudette!" Ron exclaimed, edging away from Kim. "You trying to take my eye out?"

"Perhaps," she smirked. "Um," she felt the strange feelings vanished inside her, "Let's go grab our bags, ok?"

"No prob."

They exchanged hands again. Ron's right holding Kim's left rather than his left like how they usually held hands while eating.

"We're leaving now, Mom," Kim stood up after Ron with Rufus on his shoulder and heaved in a deep sigh. "You two have a good day now," she chimed after them.

But before they could leave, Mr Possible's voice called out, "Kimmie-cub…"

Kim poked her head back into the kitchen, "What's that, Dad?"

"You forgetting something?" He pointed over to the cupboard.

"O… right… a granola bar." Kim blew a lock of hair from her face.

ø

After Kim had snagged her granola bar, she and Ron (with Rufus) had left the house together with their homework inside their school-bags tight on their backs.

Only when Kim was well out of view of her house, to Ron's surprise, did she stop and sit down on a patch of grass beside the sidewalk. Ron had no choice but to sit down with her, wondering why they had suddenly stopped.

Exchanging hands and then back again, Kim slipped her backpack off and successfully reached into her bag. Ron half expected her to pull out her homework, but no—he was positive they had finished it all the night before. Instead, Kim pulled out the Kimmunicator and switched it on.

"Wait a second-" Ron interrupted before Kim could greet Wade, "You don't have any intention of going to school to-day, do you, Kimbo?"

"Ron, shuh-uh!" At first she glared at him then turned back to Wade, but she turned back to Ron again and gave him a quick smile. That baffled him. Back to Wade: "Hey, Wade! Please tell me-"

She was interrupted again, this time by Wade. "If you're asking for a progress report on the hand thing, then the answer is not yet."

"That's not what I was beeping for, but thanks anyway," Kim sighed.

"Then what?" Wade asked.

"Ya, what?" Ron asked, but his sounded more accusatory.

"For anything," Kim begged, desperately clutching the Kimmunicator close to her face. "Any body that requires my help, please, Wade. I'm SO serious."

Wade blinked, taken aback, but then he grinned slyly. "I know what this is about. You want to skip school to-day, don't you?"

Kim flashed her teeth, in a fake smile, "Maybe."

A sigh from Ron.

Wade looked at another computer on his left and rapidly tapped the keyboard. "Well, looks like you're in luck."

"Thank-you, Wade!"

"There's a manuscript in a museum in China. I hacked around a villain's journal community and found that Monkey Fist plans to steal it. To-day." He took a moment to pause and read the computer screen on his left. "If I hurry you over to an airport near the west coast, the O Boyz will be more than happy to let you hook a lift with them to Asia since you helped them out last time."

"You mean since I helped them!" Ron snorted.

"Hey!" Rufus glared at Ron, reminding him it was he who built the CD player to fire a laser and bust them out of the prison.

Wade smiled, "You'll be at the museum in no time at all."

"Please and thank-you!"

"In fact," Wade went on, "I'm tracking a van driving down the interstate highway, looks like they're headed in your direction. I'm sure they'll give you a lift to the airport too."

"You totally rock, Wade. Catch ya later." She blipped off the Kimmunicator and stored it away in her bag. "Come on, Ron, we have to catch that van." She stood up preparing to leave, slinging her bag over her shoulder when she realised Ron was still sitting on the grass, glaring coldly up at her. "What?" she faltered, "I said 'come on'."

Ron pushed himself up and Rufus ran from his shoulder into his pocket. "You know, I can't believe you sometimes, KP."

Kim narrowed her eyes at Ron, but her voice was somewhat frantic. "What?"

"Going on a mission just to avoid school."

Kim tossed her hair in irritation. "Look, Wade would have beeped us at school anyway. It's no big."

"What are you embarrassed of, Kim?"

"What?"

Ron took a step away from her, "You just don't wanna go to school because you're worried what people will think of; us being stuck."

"Duh! Didn't you hear what Bonnie said? I know she's going to have something in store for me and I'd really rather not face it. I already went to school yesterday and it didn't exactly turn out well did it?" (Her voice choked.) "You were there, you should know! Can you blame me?"

"Yes!" Ron retorted, "If you were stuck with Josh Mankey, you wouldn't be afraid to go to school. It's because it's me, isn't it?"

Kim fell silent and lowered her gaze.

"That's a 'yes', huh?"

"Ron… I didn't mean to hurt your feelings… Besides, about Josh, I think-"

He snorted and said under his breath, "You've been doing it so often lately, I don't know what's by accident and what's intentional anymore."

A small gasp escaped Kim's mouth.

Ron gave a small sound of shock. He hadn't meant to say that out loud. Or if he did, not so Kim could hear him.

"I have..?" she asked weakly. To Ron it sounded like a question, but to Kim it was a reminded realisation.

Ron didn't respond.

"Please," Kim pulled on her left hand attached to Ron's, pulling him closer to her. "Tell me. I can't do anything if you don't tell me how to fix it."

Ron's lowered head raised to meet Kim's shimmering green eyes. He muttered, looking away from Kim, "Maybe you should just know."

"Maybe," Kim replied, "Or you could pretend I'm stupid and just tell me."

A small laugh from Ron, he looked at Kim again. "You're not stupid, KP."

"If I've been hurting your feelings and not known it then I think I have been." Ron didn't respond again; Kim playfully shook their attached hands. "Ron, we're bestest best friends and…" she stopped in mid-sentence, her eyes no-longer focusing meaning her mind was flowing with unspoken thoughts.

What is she thinking? Ron wanted to know. If there was any time that he wished Kim's thoughts would enter his own, it was now.

Unexpectedly, she leaned forwards, dropping her head on Ron's shoulder. "I don't want to hurt you…"

Greatly shocked, Ron was finally at a loss for words. He felt the urge to gently place his head by hers and whisper something in her ear. "It's not something I can talk about right now," he said softly instead.

"Why not?" came Kim's distant reply.

"I… can't…" Ron knew inside of him that Kim was still feeling pained inside about Josh Mankey. He also knew he was receiving some sort of intense emotion from Kim within; even to comprehend it was beyond him. Ron wondered if Kim could feel any of his own emotions now. Or receiving some of his thoughts; he wished he could hear hers.

Suddenly, it hit Ron that they were standing really close and perhaps even looking very intimate… all while standing in the middle of the street (well, on the sidewalk- but still!). People could be observing them from their homes! What if people were walking down the street or driving by?

Too bad we're standing here instead of being up in her room, Ron thought. We could continue with this… conversation.

Breaking away from Kim, he flashed a toothy smile at his friend whose face remained upset. "Besides, we don't have time for this now. … We have a mission to go on!"

A smile formed across Kim's face, Ron was always successful at cheering her up. "So… we can go? You don't mind?" she asked.

"Whatchu asking me for?" Ron grinned, tugging Kim along. "You call the shots."

Kim laughed genuinely.

"So, what are we going to do about clothes, though?"

"H'm?"

"Mission clothes. Do we head back to the house after Doctors P Squared leave the house or what?"

Kim shook her head, patting the pack on her back. "Already packed them."

"Mine too?"

"In your bag."

Ron let out a laugh, "Kim, you're always one step ahead."

"With you along, I'm the only candidate!"

ø

It didn't take Kim and Ron long to reach the interstate highway. All they had to do now was to stand and wait for their ride to stop and pick them up. On their way to the highway, Wade had beeped back in to explain he alerted the drivers of the van to be on the look-out for Kim and Ron.

"When do we change into our mission clothes?" Ron asked, sighing in boredom.

"We can do it in the washroom on the van."

Ron double-blinked, "They have a washroom in the van?"

"Apparently Wade said it's one of those motor-homes or something like that," Kim explained.

"Like an RV?"

"Probably – I suppose so… Look!" Kim pointed at a nearing vehicle greatly resembling an RV. "They're pulling over!"

"About time."

Kim gave Ron a sharp nudge with her elbow but unknown to him, she instantly regretted it.

The RV did indeed pull over and halt in front of the two friends. The driver leaned out of the window, smiling.

"Kim Possible?" he asked.

"That's me!" Kim returned a charismatic smile. "Thanks for the lift."

"Come on in!" Kim stepped forwards and opened the door with her free right hand and walked inside. "It's the least I could do after you saved our All Terrain Vehicles from Motor Ed at the Middleton fair last year."

Kim giggled, waving a dismissive hand, "No big. I had huge help from a friend in a wheelchair."

The RV took off down the highway so Kim and Ron walked further in looking for a seat. Inside were more men that rode the All Terrain Vehicles, they smiled kindly at her, welcoming her aboard, all of them grateful to her when she rescued their vehicles.

Walking up to one of them, Kim asked politely, "May we use your washroom?"

"Sure, don't even have to ask," was the response.

Kim and Ron didn't notice the incredulous looks when they walked into the washroom… together. Nor the wide-eyed stars and whispers they received when they came out… in different clothing.

"Kids to-day…" one shook his head to his friend. "They always want to rush things."

Meanwhile, Kim slid into a two-row seat, obviously taking the window seat for herself as usual. (She did it without thinking, otherwise she might have given it to Ron as apart of her indirect apology.) She felt Ron settling himself comfortably beside her, nothing more to do now but sit back and watch the scenery. Or take out the Kimmunicator and browse the new arrivals at Club Banana's website.

With all the time passing by, visiting Club Banana's site wasn't enough. Bringing out her granola bar in her pant pocket stored in her bag, she munched mindlessly at it while browsing some other clothing sites. Occasionally, a piece of granola would fall onto the Kimmunicator screen and Kim had to brush it off. But after some time, browsing the clothing began to grow tiresome, so she put the Kimmunicator down to rest her eyes.

She scrunched up the granola wrapper when it suddenly reminded her of Josh Mankey and the granola bar he had given her last Thursday. She sighed. Things between her and Josh… she totally blew it. But the hurt now wasn't the same as Sunday night or last night. No, that had been absolutely dreadful. So much that she couldn't put her pain into words. Now… now it didn't seem to hurt anymore. In fact… it had only been four days since her breakdown and thinking about Josh, while still saddening, wasn't the same as it used to be. She used to feel… giddy and euphoric. Now he was just a hot guy at school. Kim didn't know how to explain that but supposed it was better than crying every time she heard or even thought of his name. Now she though of…

Ron?

A sudden feeling inside Kim made her instantly think of him. Him. A Boy. Like Josh. Like how she thought that night after their trip to the mall…

Stop, Kim told her mind. There's… something else there…

It's not that Kim didn't want to explore that topic anymore, it was just… there was something else there. It was another feeling inside Kim that she knew wasn't how she was feeling. And yet it was in her. She concentrated hard on the feeling, to give it some sort of name.

…

It was a miserable feeling, she thought. Yes, a miserable, upset… unhappy feeling and…

… don't feel well… there yet..?

Kim stopped. She could have sworn she thought 'not feeling well' or something similar to that just ran in her mind. But how could that be when she was sure she was feeling fine?

Blinking out of her thought, Kim looked down at the Kimmunicator in her lap. She didn't feel like using it anymore, perhaps she'd give it to Ron and he might decide to play 'bingo'. In fact, Kim puzzled over why Ron wasn't anxiously squirming around and chatting to her because he had nothing to do. Playing with the Kimmunicator was usually the only thing that kept Ron quiet. Or her chatting his ear off, which she wasn't at the moment.

That's when Kim finally noticed something was on her shoulder. Shocked, Kim jumped in her seat, only to be relieved when she saw it to be Ron. Kim was aware of her immediate blushing, having his head resting on her shoulder. But her racing heartbeat slowed when it dawned on her that it was probably an accident. Perhaps he'd fallen asleep and the movement of the RV knocked him over like so. The excitement unwillingly drained from Kim.

But after baring a closer investigation, she froze.

He was awake. Ron was staring straight ahead, his head nestled softly on her shoulder, his eyes half open. And… he looked downright deflated. Positively… miserable.

"Hey," she whispered softly in his ear, poking him ever so gently on his chest to attain his attention. "You don't look so well, how're you feeling?"

It took Ron awhile to respond, Kim waited for his answer patiently. "I… it's only a headache," he murmured so gently she could barely hear. "But… it is terribly hot in here…"

Kim blinked slowly. Ron was probably having a relapse of his fever from the night before; and he didn't look well at all. His eyes appeared glazed over and his breathing was louder than before; Rufus slept curled up in his free limp hand on his lap. She placed a hand on his forehead; he was burning up just like last night. Worry began to overcome Kim again.

"Listen, Ron, do you think you can sit up on your own for a moment? I'm going to have to stand up so I can open a window for you."

She helped prop Ron up, making him lean back in his seat while she reached up and slid open the top window then the bottom one.

Sitting back down with the breeze coming in the open window buffeting her face, she turned to Ron, "Does the breeze feel any better?"

Ron leaned his head back onto Kim's shoulder, she held her breath. Without giving her an answer, he closed his eyes. Kim could only assume that he fell asleep, that or he was resting his eyes. She took the hand she was already holding onto her hap and began to absent-mindedly stroke his hand with her free one. For the rest of the trip.

ø

When they arrived at the airport, Kim gently awoke Ron, unsure of what condition he might be in, thinking she might have to carry him (not that she'd mind). But the sleep must have helped for Ron stretched and yawned, exclaiming happily: "We're here!" Kim laughed affectionately.

After waving good-bye to the bikers, Kim and Ron entered the airport. It was a good thing they didn't require tickets for the line-ups for the check-in was downright horrendous, they skirted them auspiciously.

"Wade said the O Boyz would be leaving at Gate Four, right?" Kim asked, wandering down one the stretching halls passing various people carrying their luggage, some on wheels, hurrying to catch their plane.

"I guess," Ron shrugged.

"Thanks for the big help."

Arriving at Gate Four, Kim peered out the window. "Their plane isn't even here yet," she looked at a wall clock. "We're early."

"Hey, KP," Ron tugged on her sleeve, "Can we get something to ear? I'm starved."

"Starved!" Kim exclaimed, turning away from the window, a hand on her hip. "You ate two breakfasts!"

Ron stood silently, blinking at her, an expression of upset on his face.

"Alright," Kim gave in, throwing up and arm. "That granola bar wasn't the most filling of foods, I wouldn't mind something to eat, myself."

"Way to go!" Ron cheered, "Now I thought we passed a food court not too long ago…" He led the way, pulling Kim along.

ø

"… and two diet pops," Kim finished the food order, reaching into her backpack for her wallet.

She felt a poke in her shoulder, "That's it?" Ron asked pitifully.

"What do you mean 'that's it'?" Kim grunted back, fishing out the bills to pay for the food. Her treat since Ron paid for both of them when they ate at Bueno Nacho.

Ron hid his face between two fingers.

Kim groaned, "Make that two meat and veggie slices," she told the cashier. She glared at Ron, "Happy now?"

He nodded enthusiastically.

After they were handed their trays with one Hawaiian pizza slice, two meat and veggie combos and two sodas, Kim and Ron both helped carry the tray Rufus sat on while they found a seat where the could watch gate number four. This time, however, they were more than well-aware of the receiving stares of people around them. They must look awfully curious, holding hands and carrying a tray between them. But neither of them cared about the staring eyes of total strangers.

They seated themselves beside each other, laying the tray carefully down on the table (which had some old drink stains barely visible on it) as to not spill their drinks onto their pizzas. They switched their hands so they were both able to eat their slices with their own right hands.

Kim slipped off her mission glove and picked up her Hawaiian slice with one clean hand, trying to spread her palm underneath so no-more pieces of pineapple or other such toppings would topple off her slice. Ron was less precarious with his, but he did pull off his glove after watching Kim pull off hers.

They ate their pizzas mostly in silence again, but both of them appeared to be in a good mood. It was amazing, but Ron happened to finish both his slices faster than Kim was able to eat her one. Most likely because she was focusing her eyes on Gate Four and not taking many bites out of her slice.

Ron then reached into one of his belt pockets and, Kim had to give him some credit, he almost did it without her noticing, he was so discreet and smooth with his actions, but she caught him pulling out some sort of mini tin. He had slipped out some contents she couldn't see, his fingers hid the small whatever-it-was as he popped it into his mouth.

"Aah." Kim said aloud as soon as Ron swallowed the treat, washing it down with a drink of his soda. She narrowed her eyes, but a playful smile danced across her face. "What have I told you, Ron?" she said almost more coyly than she meant.

"What?" Ron asked, turning to face her sitting close beside him.

"Don't play that game with me," she grinned, "I saw that!"

"… S-saw what?"

Kim cast her head away and faked a sob, "Of all the years we've been friends… you… you won't even share your candies with me!"

"Candies?"

"C'mon, Ron," Kim said, attempting to be serious and yet not frighten Ron, "Remember what I said? 'Sharing is Caring' now…" she gave her hand to Ron, palm up, "Pay up."

If she assumed Ron would laugh at her playfulness and give in, she was drastically mistaken.

"Uh, no…" Ron muttered, "They're… that was the last one."

"Last one?" Kim grew sceptical. "Right. Like I'm buying that one."

"Well," Ron mumbled, "Why else wouldn't I share with you?"

"Because you're being a hog!" Kim laughed and took a bite from her pizza.

"… H-hog? Like, a pig?" Ron's face suddenly dropped, almost like he was thinking, and his gaze was cast downward.

Now it was Kim's turn to draw a blank. "… Ron. It's a joke. It's a metaphor. I'm saying you are like a hog because you are 'hogging' the candies. Get it?"

"OH, Yea, Yea, good one," Ron let out a series of unbelievably fake laughs, "I get you."

Kim stared hard at Ron, one eye squinted. "Yea… but I don't get you." Before Ron could stammer something out, Kim held up her hand and sighed. "Y'know what? Just forget it. Keep the candies, but most of all, keep your weirdness." She turned her head back to finishing off her slice. Out of the corner of her eyes she could see Ron looking troubled. So to lighten him up, she playfully poked him with her elbow in his side to grab his attention and smile at him which he returned.

It wasn't long afterward when Kim spotted their airplane landing in the told Gate Four and Kim lead Ron out of their seats, weaving in and out of the growing group of people massing at their Gate. Giving up on politeness, Kim had to elbow, shove and growl her way through the throng (mostly fangirls and the press) all of whom were waiting for the famed O Boyz to arrive.

Behind her was Ron, constantly being left behind despite their attachment. Numerous times, two people would press together, closing in on their stretching arms. Ron would yelp and whine as the people jostled him around as he struggled to keep up with Kim.

It felt like eons before Kim and Ron finally pushed their way to the front of the line where most of the press was. It was not only a struggle to arrive at the front for the both of them, but to stay there as well. It was mostly the fangirls screaming and screeching in their ears that kept trying to shove Kim and Ron aside for their positions at the front along the tapered off line leading from the halls of the airport to the airplane.

Constantly being shoved around, Ron pressed himself close to Kim placing a steady hand on her shoulder and asked as he shielded himself: "Can you see them?"

"Yea, they're com- ACK- right in my EYE! Oh gee, that's helpful," Kim growled dangerously as a paparazzi's camera flash flashed right into Kim's eyes. She attacked her eyes, rubbing them constantly to ineffectively chase out the blind-spots dancing in her vision

It was then that she heard a voice and she blinked rapidly and leered forward like a blind person in her strain to clear her eyes and see the speaker.

"Hey-hey!" Nicky-Nick crowed as he flashed a pearly-white smile at a photographer. "It's Kim Possible—the crime-fighting cheerleader!"

Girls screeched with envy and thrill as Nicky-Nick reached into the crowed (many girls reached out for a fleeting touch of his wonderful skin) and took Kim's hand. He pulled her out of the crowd, Ron following, and slipped underneath the marker tape to join the O Boyz in the aisle.

"We heard you needed a lift," Dexter smiled, signing some autographs for some fainting girls.

"And we're only too happy to help since your boyfriend here helped get our act together when escaping from the crazed fanboy," Robbie smirked his gorgeous smile at Kim. "You were too cool too."

"Aww, it was no big," Kim shrugged and smiled.

Ron blinked in amazement as Kim didn't even bother to correct Robbie about him being her 'boyfriend'. She didn't even bluster, but then maybe she didn't even hear…

"Well, let's get going," Ryan said and posed something hip-like for a bunch of paparazzi. "We've got a schedule to keep."

"And we'd like to be home in time for a decent sleep before school to-morrow," Kim added patiently.

"Me-ow," Robbie double winked and nudged Ron with his elbow who stood immobile with wide eyes.

ø

Kim and Ron had parachuted out of the airplane right in front of the museum, very convenient. She pulled off her helmet with one hand then her hair tie out of her hair that Ron had helped her put on, her full hair swinging down. Ron stood beside her, dumping his helmet beside hers.

It was evening in China, the moon was out, a full moon. This museum was different from the one they had been in before—the one that had contained the Monkey King Amulet. This museum was more modern looking, although it was not in the city. To the sides of the museum were trees lining the welcoming gateway.

They strolled through the archway and up to the front doors. Kim tugged, but they were locked. She turned to Ron. "Looks like we're going in a different way."

"Vents?" Ron pleaded for it not to be so.

"Vents it is."

Kim pulled out the Kimminucator. "Ok, Wade. Doors are locked. We need a ventilation shaft that's big enough for us."

Wade nodded and clacked away at the computer. "Found one," he brought up the museum blue-prints. "Outside, to your right: look up. There's a vent on level with the second floor."

"Thanks, Wade."

Kim looked up and indeed saw the aforementioned ventilation shaft. Reaching with her one hand into her backpack, she pulled out her grappling hook, took aim and fired. The hook tore out of its projectile and fastened itself to an outcrop just above the shaft.

Kim turned to Ron and spread her arm out. Ron stood close beside her. It was awkward, but Kim managed to wrap her attached hand around Ron and he secured himself by wrapping his free arm around her waist.

Pressing the button, they zoomed up to the shaft. Kim let out a cry as she lifted up her leg and kicked in the shaft's grate. It broke easily. They really needed to boost security here. At least she and Ron were breaking in with good intentions.

Climbing in with their attached hands was no easy task either. Kim managed to slip in while pulling in Ron with her at the same time. It wasn't an easy fit; the vent wasn't big enough for the both of them side by side so they were pressed together tightly. Kim grunted as she pulled herself forwards to free herself.

With Kim in the lead, they were careful not to make any loud noises as it could reverberate throughout the duct and travel to another room giving away their position. She stopped before a grate, double checking her position on the map on the Kimmunicator that was strapped to her wrist (their only source of light). Twisting around, she grunted as she kicked open the grate. It popped off and fell with a clang onto the ground below.

Climbing out, Ron followed and found themselves on a stylish ledge high above the actual museum. Ron peered over the edge and saw the manuscript protected within its case, a dim light shining down upon it. Right beside it were two amulets in the same case, the jewels gleamed in the minimal light. If Ron squinted, he could see a card on the pedestal the manuscript rested upon with writing in Chinese.

"How long do we have to stay here?" Ron whispered.

"Until Monkey Fist arrives," Kim whispered back, shrugging off her backpack and taking Ron's hand in her other so she could fully slip it off her back. "We'll just have to camp out here in the meantime."

"Do NOT use the 'c' word with me, KP."

"Aha, sorry!" Kim laughed evasively.

Ron sighed and shrugged off his own backpack then took a lay down on his stomach using his pack as a pillow. "I hope it's not long, I kinda wanted to watch wrestling to-night."

Kim rolled her eyes, "I think we'll be missing that."

But before Ron could retort, they heard the swift sounds of three monkey ninjas slicing through the air and landing in a triangle formation around the glass-guarded manuscript.

"KP!"

"How time convenient," she drawled before springing onto her feet.

The monkey ninjas each took a turn leaping at the glass box, taking a slicing judo-swipe at the glass. It didn't look like any damage was done until they the last one landed back on its feet and curled around to face the manuscript. Together they each emitted a shrill monkey scream. Ron whimpered so horribly, Kim was concerned for him, sinking to his knees in intense fear, covering his ears and shutting his eyes as the life-scarring monkey flashbacks danced before his eyes. Turning back to the glass, the screams had shattered it; Kim gasped.

"Come on, Ron!" Kim shouted and leapt from the outcrop and onto her feet and one hand. Ron had leapt with her just in time before he was dragged right off. As soon as he hit the floor, Kim was up and running, yanking his arm along. The monkey ninjas, upon realising they were not alone, swept the manuscript from its coveted cushion among the glass shards and sped off to return the stolen good to their master.

Together, Kim and Ron chased after the escaping monkey ninjas as fast as they could. Kim tore after them, just able to see the ends of their tails, racing on the tips of her toes, leaning forwards for speed. But Ron being stuck was holding her back. She tried not to let that annoy her.

Don't… she warned herself. Don't get angry over nothing. It's not his fault… don't, Kim…

And she didn't this time. She didn't yell out at Ron but focused on keeping the fleeing monkey ninjas in her line of sight. The three monkey ninjas were leaping backwards and forwards, from side to side, leaping off walls and statues to propel themselves through the air thus putting more distance between them and their pursuers. Kim wished she could do the same, but certainly not with Ron's hand perpetually stuck in hers.

Her mind flashed back to the gang fight and how easily they had worked together. Don't think of being stuck to Ron as a disadvantage – use him to help you…But how?

She wasn't able to think of anything for the monkey ninjas suddenly leapt off of the head of an enormous Chinese dragon festival costume and speared through a high open window, shattering and sprinkling glass down below onto the two. (Rufus had taken this unfortunate moment to stick his head out of Ron's pocket and upon seeing the glass shards headed down upon him, shrieked and fainted back into Ron's pocket.)

Kim immediately cringed and covered her neck with her free hand, Ron doing the same but letting out a wail as he did so.

Clenching her teeth, Kim glared, her eyebrows narrowing at the broken window above them once the glass shards had stopped raining down. The moonlight seared through the window, hitting all of the broken shards of glass and illuminating the floor as if it were a pool of moonbeams. Beautiful, but Kim took no notice. Her mind was a buzz with thoughts on how to follow. There was no way she could leap after the monkey ninjas. Ron couldn't do the jumps she could…

"Kim, what are you waiting for? C'mon!" Ron woke Kim out of her thoughts and pointed to… a door. A fire exist.

"That'll work to," Kim cocked her head to one side for a split second, then dashed out of it with Ron hot on her heels.

But as soon as they flew out of the back fire exit door, the both of them froze and recoiled. What had they expected to be outside? A city? A forest? An alleyway? Whatever they had expected, they had not been prepared for a swamp.

Kim's lips puckered immediately and Ron let out a gagging sound.

The ground, all of it was mud, sickening, brown, disgusting mud and in it, weeds, dying grass, gunk… And off in the far distance, a thickening forest. The bog was so flat for kilometres. They could still see the monkey ninjas leaping up and down through the tall weeds. Distance-wise, they could still catch up, but catching-up while trudging through that muck? That was something else.

"Come on," Kim grunted and leapt off of the boardwalk that they had first stepped upon, hugging the museum building. Ron had no choice but to follow.

The instant they stepped onto the mud, their feet sank a couple of centimetres before stopping. Kim's lip curled in disgust as she looked at the mud enveloping her feet. To-day was not going as planned. She might have preferred going to school than this. Muck was so not her thing.

But one had to make sacrifices when saving the world, not that she knew what kind of threat a manuscript could hold, but alas, que sera sera.

She couldn't help it, she knew her clothes were going to get dirty, but… it was mud. So she had to tread softly, cautiously. Ron actually laughed at her, "KP, I don't think we're gonna catch up with them at this speed. C'mon, you can always clean your clothes at home."

Kim sighed, rolling her eyes and splashed forwards, Ron dashing beside her. It was easy going at first; it was like running through a series of mud puddles. Kim looked down and saw the mud splattered onto her khaki mission pants. At least it'd come out in the wash…

But as soon as they had covered a fair amount of ground, the ground itself began to change. Their feet would sink deeper and deeper into the mud with each running tread. Their feet and legs were picking up more and more mud, clinging to their legs and shoes, weighing them down and making each next step more difficult. It was slowing them down substantially and soon they were no longer gaining distance between them and the Monkey Ninjas, but rather loosing the distance…

"Send Rufus ahead," Kim ordered, grimacing and grunting each time she rose her mud-laden foot out of the muck, swinging her free arm from side-to-side for balance. "Maybe… maybe he can get the manuscript." She looked behind her at the museum now far behind them. They were out in the middle of no-where, not near the museum behind them nor the forest ahead. "He won't sink in this mud, will he?"

"I dunno," Ron replied but opened the flap in his pant pocket as he took a giant step forwards. "Hey, Rufus, pal. Think you can run ahead and maybe snatch back that roll of paper for us?"

Rufus leaned over Ron's pocket and into the mud below. He nodded eagerly and flew out onto the mud, dashing forwards.

"At least something's going our way…" Kim muttered.

"Think we should head back in case Rufus does get the old paper back for us?"

"No, he can meet us on his way back. Y'know, just in case…"

Ron only grunted his response.

They weren't sure how much distance they had covered since Rufus went solo or how much time had passed. Both of them were now panting and sweating with the effort it took to just lift their leg out of the mud when it so desperately wanted to cling to their legs forever and drag them down if they lingered too long…

If they looked up, they could still see the odd little dot far ahead of them that was a monkey ninja leaping into the air never staying on the mud for more than a split second otherwise they too would be weighed down like the clumsy humans behind them.

In an abrupt outburst, shrieks of the monkey ninjas filled the air. Kim and Ron both lifted their heads in an instant and gave each other knowing looks. It was clear that Rufus must have at least intercepted the thieves. Hopefully those shrieks were in rage of a disappearing manuscript as well…

The sudden swing in Kim and Ron's favour gave Kim a new determination. She hoisted up her legs and plundered forwards, eager to meet up with Rufus and return to the museum with the manuscript…

"Ah?" Ahead of Kim, she could see the tall weeds rustling as something was fast approaching them. Kim halted and took a defensive stance, her arm raised ready for a fight in case the monkey ninjas barrelled through the mass of weeds. In the corner of her eyes, Kim saw Ron familiarly slink behind her for her protection.

Closer… closer… Kim clenched her teeth.

The weeds parted and… out leapt Rufus with the manuscript carefully held within his little mouth behind his tooth which could slice the ancient paper if he wasn't careful. Kim was going to congratulate the little rodent when she realised how panicked he was. Without stopping, Rufus dashed into Kim's arm, gave her the manuscript, then slipped back into Ron's pocket.

"What..?" Ron asked, curiosity on his face.

"Get ready!" Kim shouted, she had reverted her attention back to where Rufus had appeared to realise that the weeds were still rustling, but much more violently than what Rufus had caused and it could only be one thing… well… three.

Frightened, Ron slid back behind Kim as the sounds of slapping mud and rustling weeds grew louder and louder and…

The three monkey ninjas broke through the weeds at such speeds that Kim was actually taken aback despite how well she had prepared herself for their appearance. She faltered when they burst out at them which cost her greatly for the skilled ninjas attacked immediately, one of them successfully delivering a blow to Kim's naked stomach.

Reaction caused her to lurch forwards slightly, another advantage for a monkey ninja to strike at her, causing Kim to stumble to her left. But she was skilled at fighting as well and managed to regain her balance swiftly (and tightened her grip on the coveted manuscript).

Clumsily, she lashed out at a monkey ninja, but it just as well might have been in slow motion. It felt like forever to pull her heavy foot out of the mud and kick at the monkey. Even when she was able to pull out her foot, it felt like it weighed tons and she could barely lift it high enough when the monkey leapt. Her kick was so slow that the monkey ninja probably would have laughed if it could.

Her foot landed back into the mud with a thunk and sank deep. Breathless already, Kim tried to kick out with her other foot, but with no better results. Kim let out a cry as two monkey ninjas struck out at her in union, knocking her back into Ron who placed a steadying hand on her bare hip while the ninja other made an attempt to snatch the manuscript from her weary hand. But still Kim held on tightly still.

Her bangs were clumped together by the mud now masking her face. The attempted fight was strenuous and mud was being kicked up every which way, splattering Kim and Ron; slapping their clothing, masking their faces.

This wasn't getting anywhere… it was impossible… Kim attacked again and again with no result, each attempt slowly eating away at her energy… And each time she missed, each time she took a mere second to breath, she'd be attacked by the monkeys mercilessly. They'd attempt to knock her over and she'd stagger in the mud, leaving more and more openings for a chance to retrieve the manuscript.

Gasping for air, gasping for hope, Kim let out a gasp as a monkey ninja leapt and dealt her a blow that successfully knocked her over. She fell on her side into the mud, a great splash splattering around her.

The manuscript! We could ruin it…were Kim's first panicked thoughts as she fell. She was so lucky… even though he hadn't done a bloody thing up until now… she was still so lucky to have Ron at her side.

"Kim!" he cried out tersely, and leapt to snatch the manuscript before it could fall into the mud.

Now Ron was the centre of the attacks. He whimpered pitifully as the monkey ninjas leapt at him. Instead of trying to lash back out at them as Kim had, Ron was stepping back desperately trying to evade the ninjas. Each time they lashed at him, he took a frightened step backwards. He wanted to run, to hide, but because of Kim, he was chained to the spot. Ron flinched, he ducked, he yelped: "Kim, help!"

Kim growled, not at Ron, but at being defeated and kicked into the sickening mud which was now all over her perfect hair, and in her mouth… she spat it out viciously and snapped her head in the direction of the current fight, glowing with anger.

Another fierce growl and Kim lashed out with her leg, pulling it out of the mud was no easy effort, trying to pull her leg up was like trying to open a car door while it was sinking in water… it was impossible… but she managed and tried to strike a monkey ninja, but again she was far too slow and instead her foot connected with the back of Ron's knees and he buckled forwards onto his knees in the mud (the manuscript still, somehow, was clean).

Kim gasped but there was no time to utter an apology. If Ron was down, he'd be an even sweeter target. Quickly (well, she attempted to do it quickly), Kim pushed her upper body out of the mud and pulled herself towards Ron, her gloved fingers raking the mud. Tearing off the muddy and probably bacteria covered glove with her teeth, Kim just barely managed to swipe the manuscript from Ron's hands before one of the monkey ninjas was able to.

"Kim…" Ron sobbed, his back hunched over as he sobbed about their despairing situation. Everything they did took great amounts of effort. It was like fighting while chained down to the weight of an elephant.

I can't do this… Kim wept in her mind, tears of rage, disappointment and failure crept into the corners of her eyes, undistinguishable from the mud that masked her face. It's impossible! I just… I want to give up… her body shuddered, she was so weak, so drained… No more… I can do no more…

The mud clung to her like her own dismay, her own grief.

A high-pitched shriek and a monkey ninja struck at Kim. She fell back into the mud, and as she did so, she gave in, she gave up… It's impossible…Her hand on the manuscript grew lax and was easily released as it was struck again, repeatedly so much that her wrist grew sore and ached. The manuscript flew from her hand into that of a monkey ninja.

Together the three monkey ninjas cheered their success with a series of monkey cries, jumping up and down and ook-ooking. But they feared Kim's quick recovery (that was not bound to come) and they fled into the night towards the distant forest.

Hurriedly, Kim pushed her upper body out of the mud with her one free hand (it sank into the mud about midway to her elbow) and watched in utter abhorrence at her own failure…

She didn't notice Ron pushing himself out of the mud to stand beside her, ready to aid her to a stance. Kim was frozen to the spot, her mouth slightly open in shock, her eyes… filled with such misery…

"YEERRG!" Kim shouted out in anguish, slapping a fist into the mud, bits flying upwards and clinging to her already mud-masked face. "I can't do this!" she sobbed. Her voice began to shake and slowly Ron could hear her begin to sob more. She slapped her hand into the mud again and dropped from her knees so she laid chest-down into the mud. "I can't…"

Ron was still breathing hard from the exercise in a constant pant for air. His rib cage expanded greatly with each breath of air. It was not only because of his fevers but also his still fresh injury to his chest, it was so not making this one of the easiest of missions for Ron (not that any of them were easy).

He continued to watch Kim, waiting her to let out a growl of determination shouting 'Nothing's impossible for a Possible!' but he waited… and waited… and it didn't come. Kim only lay immobile, looking as if she had been dead in the bog for days. Ron contemplated nudging her with his foot but decided (for his body's best interest) not to. There ought to be an expression about treading softly near an angered Kim.

After much more time, the only sign of life was a bubble popping in the mud when Kim let out an audible sob. All the while he waited for her; Ron's air supply recuperating. Now able to stand straight, he rubbed some mud out of his eyes with his arm and attempted to push his dripping bangs out of his face.

Blinking, he looked around in the night. The monkey ninjas were gone. (Or so it seemed at that moment.) Ron looked back down at Kim, his eyes soft.

Thoughts from Kim dotted Ron's mind, all of them similar, all of them filled with the word 'can't'. If this was how she was thinking, she wouldn't be up anytime soon. Ron sighed and bent down next to Kim.

Without asking, he scooped her up, her legs slipping onto Ron's arm which was attached to hers. Kim opened her eyes, blinking, almost as if she were confused. Ron's face was grim and set forward as he began to tread back to the museum.

Back to the museum…

"Where are you going?" Kim demanded.

Ron was rattled by the harshness of her voice towards him, but answered simply: "Back to the museum." They could see it in the distance, wasn't it clear?

Kim's expression flashed with indignation. "No! No, Ron! Put me down! We can't go back to the museum, what are you thinking? We have to go back and get that manuscript back from Monkey Fist, are you kidding me?"

"No," Ron grunted. "You were complaining about 'you can't' so I assumed we were heading back home."

"Shut-up! I CAN. And I don't need you to carry me either! Put me down!" her voice shrilled so abruptly that it frightened Ron, that and her sudden switch in determination.

But he continued to trudge through the mud. Every time he lifted his foot out of the mud, more would stick to his shoes and ankles thus weighing his feet down more and more until they felt like he was in chains dragging steel balls. Each step was strenuous and even more so with Kim's added weight. But he gritted his teeth and continued slowly forwards, unknowingly clinging tightly to Kim.

"I said PUT ME DOWN!" Kim shrieked, "I can walk for myself!"

"I'm just trying to help!"

"Maybe I don't need your help!" Kim snarled back, her voice was particularly severe to Ron since she was so close to him. She attempted to shake off some clinging mud to her free arm. "I am Kim Possible. I can do anything I'm the one doing most of the fighting, Ron, if you haven't noticed.I can take on anyone! I can trudge through this gunk! Remember the last fight we were in? Those guys didn't even stand a chance against me! They were nothing!"

Ron gritted his teeth, his free hand holding Kim began to scrunch into a fist. It was this topic that had set him off, the Gang Fight was an event that truly troubled and effected Ron mostly because of its relation to the previous flashback. Anger began to flow inside him, but it wasn't Kim's anger; it was his own. He had to hold it in… like all the times before, had to hold in his thoughts, his feelings.

And yet he couldn't take it anymore. He dropped her into the mud. Kim landed with a squishing splash, bottom first and then onto her back. Kim was more stunned than anything and lay there frozen for a few moments. With their hands still stuck, hers hung in the air. At first, she wasn't clear if it was an accident or if Ron actually dropped her on purpose.

She fixed her shocked wide eyes at Ron who was standing above her, his head down and his eyes… they were blazing into hers. Kim wasn't sure if she'd ever seen this emotion in Ron before, what was it? It looked like… was that… anger?

"Are you blind? Kim Possible, you think you can do anything and you can do mostly anything but do you comprehend even in the smallest of ways how close you were to… do you even understand what they were going to do to you?" Ron spluttered, gasping for breath and some sort of ground of reason between the two. He stared at her incredulously, not noticing how his head shook slightly from side to side and his free fist was clenched at his side.

Kim sat in the mud, her hand behind her propping herself up. She was staring at him, through the muddy hair clumped together in front of her face. Her eyes were round and she actually looked frightened for once, those frightened eyes bore into his and he stared back unblinkingly.

Ron almost panicked fearing he had been out of line. He almost fell to the ground, allowing the mud to slurp around his legs where he would then blurt out apologises, one after another for everything he could think of. He'd feel timid and submissive for what he'd done, to dare to yell at Kim. Then she would be stern with him and everything would fall back into place. But if you noticed, it was almost.

"I-" Kim stammered. She blinked rapidly, looking around herself in the mud.

His voice was trembling by now, Ron had never, not ever gone this far. Whenever he approached matters with Kim, he'd always been soft and she'd always ignore him rudely, maybe leaving a careless and hurtful remark. But this time Ron fought to hold back the signs of weakness, the tables had turned and now that Ron had the chance, he wasn't going to let it go. Besides, if he did, he probably would never be able to speak up like this again.

"No, you didn't understand what they were going to do; the danger that was involved? You always jump into any sitch without thinking. You laugh cos I'm always afraid and maybe sometimes it is stupid, but did it ever occur to you that I was being sensible?" He let that sit in the air, to sink in then carried on.

"Then let me spell it out for you, maybe it'll make you think in the future, ok? Did you get how serious they were? Here's the truth: they were probably going to kill me first. Yea, that's right, kill. Does that shock you? Then do you know what they were going to do to you? Do you know? Or maybe you do know but are too afraid now that you realised it. Is that right?" Kim didn't respond. "Kim, they were going to… they…" A terrible moment for Ron's tongue to be tied, but he couldn't say it, it frightened him too… He gasped and felt his emotions rise and wondered if she was receiving them, wondered if she knew where those emotions were coming from. The few tears that ran down Ron's cheek were probably not visible to Kim through the mud masking his face.

"Kim, I'm not asking you to change who you are, cos… I… you… you're fine the way you are. I'm fine with how you are. But try to be a bit more… ah… aware, huh?"

After staring Ron directly in the eyes for quite some time, she lowered her gaze then looked at something to her left. "We're not just talking about the gang fight, are we, Ron?"

"Huh?"

"When you say 'aware', it's not just about…" she shivered. He knew she understood now, knew she was feeling uncomfortable. He even caught her eyes darting down at herself. "… about the fight, I mean, … you mean more aware… of you… and…"

"I…"

A sudden shrill sound broke their connection, shattering in the night sky. Kim and Ron's faces immediately darted to the source of the sound. Meeting their eyes was the thick forest growing right out of the bog itself. The trees were so dense ahead of them, they could barely make out the third 'row' of trees; beyond the second group was massed darkness. Both felt a chill run down their spines.

Ron pulled Kim out of the mud with their attached hands but never removed his eyes from the forest ahead of them.

"Do we really have to go in there?" Ron whimpered. The fright of the monkey call made him loose all the confidence he had and he now reverted back to his timid self.

Kim grimaced at the foreboding sight and nodded. "It's not going to be fun, but… let's go in and get this over with." Her voice was still a bit awkward. She strutted forwards, wiping some mud off her rear with her free hand, Ron trailing behind as slowly as he could (O, he really wished he weren't attached to Kim now!).

The walk… it must of taken hours, it felt like it, but yet it couldn't have. When they reached the forest, the ground was much more firm and Kim was able to run around while looking up into the trees. But there was no sign of the monkey ninjas.

"There's no way we can follow after the monkey ninjas!" Kim panicked, looking up into the foliage of the trees above them, slowly shaking her head. "Even if I hadn't forgotten my grappling hook in my bag, there's no way we could navigate through that as quickly as a monkey."

"… Quickly as a monkey…"

"Yea, Ron. And it's much too dense for a jet pack. Errgg!" Kim growled and kicked the trunk of a tree with her foot in anger. "Doesn't Wade have a gadget for this?" Kim murmured and contemplated pulling out the Kimmunicator for assistance. "I guess… maybe we'll have to hitch a ride to Europe and converge with Monkey Fist at his manor in England… O boy, this is gonna be a long night…"

At least she hadn't left the Kimmunicator back in the bag. Right now it was in its usual hip pocket. She lifted open the flap with her free right hand, picking up the aquamarine device she used to contact their super genius. But before she could press the button to turn it on, Ron had placed a gentle free hand on top of Kim's and lowered the Kimmunicator.

"Wha..?" Kim asked irritably but her cantankerous attitude vanished when she looked at Ron's expression.

Eyes glazed, he was staring up into the trees as if mesmerized. Kim looked up too but saw nothing fascinating.

"We're wasting time here, Ron. There is school to-morrow." O right… school

"It's ok, Kim, put the Kimmunicator away."

"Why?"

Ron's glazed gaze shifted from the trees and rested on Kim, evaluating her and the previous conversation about her 'being aware' came back to her mind. She put the Kimmunicator away.

"Ok, Ron, what's the sitch?"

Ron strolled up to one of the trees and placed his hand on the bark.

"Ooh, special bark," Kim rolled her eyes.

But Ron wouldn't, or couldn't, hear her. His attention was fully focused on the tree. He placed his hand higher, then higher and then as high as he could reach on the tree. Ron whipped his head around to face Kim, his bangs buoyantly bouncing in the turn.

"I can do it!"

"What? Chop all the trees down?"

"No, I feel it, I can… I feel it! Dude, this is so cool."

"And I 'feel' that our time is running out. Can we play hippies later, Ron?"

"Give me your hand."

"You already have it."

"No," Ron shook his head impatiently, "Your other hand, I want to have my right hand free."

Kim granted him a sceptical look but did as she was told. As she did this, she noticed Ron beginning to bounce on his feet with some sort of anticipation. Was switching hands really that exciting?

"Stand behind me," Ron ordered, his tone serious.

Now Kim could only eye Ron suspiciously. She was going to ask 'why' but decided they had wasted enough time already. The monkey ninjas were bound to have covered a great distance by now. But Ron seemed to have a plan, and granted, not all his plans were appealing (the 'naco' came to mind), they did tend to work in the long run (the naco royalties also came to mind).

As soon as she stepped behind Ron, he backed into her, leaning forwards so she propped up on his back much like a parent carries a little child on their back.

"Hang on tight!"

"What in the-"

And they were off!

Ron leapt upwards and tore up the tree before Kim could have a moments thought and what exactly was happening. Kim was bounded around on Ron's back before she realised that she should listen to what he said and actually 'hang on tight'. She clamped her free arm around Ron's waist. She noticed that Ron's left was attached to the back of her hand so she was able to cling to Ron's shirt for extra security.

After moments had passed it began to dawn on Kim what was going on. Ron was running through the branches of the trees, grabbing the branch with his right and only hand, swinging himself forwards, landing on another branch with his feet, pushing off and repeating the process.

"No way!" Kim laughed out loud as branches zipped past them. Ron was going at such a furious speed that they would certainly be able to catch up with the monkey ninjas now. A branch whizzing by scratched Kim's cheek. She recoiled and laid her head closer to Ron's back to avoid being cut by anymore branches.

"Holy goodness, Ron!" Kim cried out so her voice could be heard over the rushing noise as they tore through the trees. "Since when could you do this!"

"I unno," Ron murmured and as he did his movements began to become clumsy. "I don't know. I just can… sometimes." His hand slipped on a branch and his upper torso lost some height causing Kim to utter a small yelp of worry. "Usually when I'm fighting Monkey Fist, I guess… or..." he kept moving regardless but still he lost his grip on occasion. He mumbled: "Or when you're not around…" but she heard him regardless.

"This is amazing," Kim praised her friend. Her head almost smacked into a branch which was a good reminder to keep her head low. "Where's the monkey ninjas? How do you know which way to go?"

Ron returned no response but she was positive if he could he would have shrugged. Now that Kim was keeping silent, Ron began to move faster and with more ease. She wondered if it had to do with the distraction of a conversation, or if it was her making him self-conscious.

What struck Kim was how Ron could navigate at such a speed through the trees, up, down, down, left, up—all with one hand. He'd launch himself with his legs and grab a branch above or below him then swing with his arm to another branch leaping off with his legs once again. The speed was just outrageous to Kim! She had a hard time trying to focus her eyes on anything around her; how could Ron do it? And… how come he never navigated himself like this on the ground on other missions? Or just everyday? This had to take a great deal of caution and the movements were, well, very un-clumsy. Which was the opposite of the Ron Kim knew.

The way he moved, it was like it took little to no thought; it was a breeze. How? His movements… he was moving so superbly through the density of the trees like… a…

A flashback hit Kim. She was sitting in her room talking to Wade when she came home from her Cousin Larry's house. It was just after that mission where Lord Monte Fiske became Monkey Fist. When Ron had gone to his manor alone (well, the Holo-Kim had been there, but that didn't count no matter how much Wade would protest). Wade had been filling her in on what had happened at the manor since she was forced to stay with her geeky cousin. Wade had it all on video; he told and showed Kim everything… like how Ron had been zapped by the Mystical Monkey Power!

Of course! Kim would have slapped her forehead if she didn't run the risk of tearing her arm off if she moved it by a branch tearing past them. But didn't the power break up when Ron and Rufus separated the monkey idols? Kim contemplated, clinging to the back of Ron's shirt. Otherwise Monkey Fist would still have the power too… Maybe some residue? Or maybe it… She thought of what Ron had said about being able to do actions like this whenever she wasn't around. Maybe it just awakened his inner ability..? But he can do it now. Why?

Whatever the reason Kim was forever grateful. She wanted to ask Ron more questions, but decided it was best to keep inconspicuous. After all, she didn't want Ron to loose his concentration, for dropping to the ground at this height would be more than perilous.

It had to be the Mystical Monkey Power though, Ron said himself he could feel something. She had heard him say 'quick as a monkey'…

"How close are we?" she dared to ask.

Then, suddenly, from somewhere above them dropped five monkey ninjas, they began to run in unison surrounding Ron and Kim.

"Well that answered my question," she muttered. She tried to focus her eyes ahead to see if any branches were coming up that would hinder her attack plan. Seeing none, Kim grunted as she lashed out with her leg and sent a monkey ninja galloping on their left flying. "Heh!"

Ron suddenly dropped downwards without any warning causing Kim to let out a loud wail, her hair whipping up behind her. She dug her fingers into his shirt in fear that the updraft would pull her right off. But the fall ceased abruptly when Ron landed on a branch and leapt upwards to land on another then continued to speed forwards. Needless to say, Kim was bounced around out of her boggled mind. This was way too much for her.

She thought they had lost the monkey ninjas but their angered grunts were soon heard behind them. Still keeping her head low, Kim ventured a look behind and could see the monkeys racing after them, their masked faces making them appear even more menacing.

This time Ron leaped upwards and continued leaping up in a zigzag formation, bounding from one branch to the higher one on the other side of him. Kim looked down below but the monkey ninjas were no-where to be seen. But a dizzying height was. Kim wasn't afraid of heights, but for some reason she felt anxious inside and clung tighter to Ron. Just as she did so, Ron faltered in his leap and his one hand slipped.

Kim yelled out as Ron's gloved hand, already full of rips and splinters, clung to the thick branch. The rest of him and Kim dangled below.

Kim could see the grimaced look on Ron's face as the little strength Ron had drained away. One hand on the branch, his shoulder trembled from the weight understandably. Swinging himself, Ron tried to pull himself up but instead he slipped down further.

"I… I can help pull you up!" Kim's voice was shrill. She tried to shimmy up but didn't get very far for Monkey Fist himself leapt onto the branch from below. The branch shook. The manuscript could be seen scrolled up in a pouch on his hip. Both Kim and Ron's eyes darted to it then back at Monkey Fist who leered down at them sitting very much like a monkey. The monkey ninjas leapt onto the branches around them. Trapped. And still Ron struggled and whimpered as he clung to the branch. His legs swung for some kind of helping grip but there was none. The trunk of the tree was too far away.

"Interesting moves, Ron Stoppable," Monkey Fist drawled. As if saying a funny joke, the monkey ninjas chattered that sounded like laughter to Kim. "I must commend you for your skills. I admit I am rather impressed. But although you have these monkey-like abilities," he sneered, craning his neck down over Ron, "As you teens might say, you're a 'poseur' and pale in comparison to a true monkey-master such as myself."

While Monkey Fist droned his monologue, Kim's eyes darted to a single moving figure sneaking towards the manuscript poking out of Monkey Fist's pocket. Rufus had sensed the ceased movements in Ron's pocket and had ventured to look around. Seeing the opportunity at hand, Rufus took the advantage.

It was a huge risk. The monkey ninjas around them could easily spot Rufus if Monkey Fist did not. After all, Rufus' skin didn't exactly blend into the tree's branches and leaves in the night. But so far, Rufus was successful… just a few more steps forwards…

"… although I have a twinge of regret to dispose of someone with potential to be a worthy opponent, my weariness overcomes this feeling in having an American teenager with monkey powers. I say: so long to you, Ron Stoppable!"

At this point, Ron was struggling frantically to pull himself up but still he couldn't. Monkey Fist grinned at all of Ron's failed attempts. He raised his hand in a judo-chop and struck it painfully down on Ron's hands. Ron let out a yelp and let go of the branch in the pain.

At the same time a monkey ninja shrilled out a series of alaruming shrieks. Jumping up and down, it pointed to Rufus who had finally retrieved the stolen manuscript.

"GET THAT RODENT!" Moneky Fist's yell broke through the quiet night air and sent a number of frightened exotic birds into the sky.

Rufus scurried down the branch and after a falling Ron.

Kim's mind was in a flurry for ideas, she tried to reach for her grappling hook in her pack only to realise she had left it back at the museum. Sharp branches scratched and banged her along with leaves filling her mouth and obscuring her eyes.

That and she suddenly found herself from being upside down, to right-side up. She blinked in confusion and realised Ron had twisted himself in his fall. He reached out with curved fingers and dug them into a tree's trunk. Once he was close enough, Ron used his feet to help brace their fall as well. Kim thought she could help too and stuck out her legs but the bark shredded off and the speedy downward movement wanted to pull Kim's legs up, tearing her off. She realised it was much harder than it looked and kept her legs safely tucked on either side of Ron.

They must have been extremely high up after all for it seemed to take forever until their fall was finally slowed down and Ron gave a light leap from the trunk to a branch of an another tree not too far away (and still she could not see the forest floor).

"That," Kim breathed, "Was freaking insane. Ron," she moved her face over his shoulder so she could look at him, "You're amazing."

Ron blinked in confusion but then smiled back at Kim. "Thanks, KP. Didn't know I could do that…" Ron's voice was breathless and he was panting hard. Kim could feel his sides under her legs heaving for air. She didn't blame him.

"When we get home," she kept her voice quiet just in case Monkey Fist had some-sort of super-monkey-hearing. "We're going to have a bath, and then sit by the fireplace with some hot cocoa and a big warm blanket! Maybe we can order out and…"

The only reason Kim stopped was because she suddenly found herself out of breath. She leaned her head on Ron's back also taking in air. It was so quiet down here, there were little night-time forest noises so maybe it was just the contrast between that and the noises of monkey ninjas, Monkey Fist and the whirling sound as the had sped through the trees. Without really thinking of it, Kim laid her free hand on Ron's back and began to rub his right shoulder blade.

Ron embraced her touch and settled himself down on the branch. It was thick enough for him to curl up on his stomach, tucking his aching, cut, splintered and bloodied hand and weary feet underneath him. Still exhausted and panting, Ron closed his eyes enjoying Kim.

They rested for some time, both of them forgetting the mission, Rufus, the manuscript and the danger above them.

"I never knew you could do that, I wish you could more often," Kim said softly.

Ron made no reply other than a contended sound in his throat.

Then a sudden burst of noise came from above them. They could hear the monkey ninjas and great rustling sounds. It sounded like it was coming closer…

"We still need to get the manuscript back," Kim said, looking up and trying to pinpoint the sounds.

"I wanna go home."

"So do I, but we're not done here yet… wait a minute, where's Rufus! He was… getting the manuscript…"

Something fell from a branch above and landed in front of Kim and Ron. They both blinked and stared. It was Rufus! And he had the manuscript!

"Booyah, Rufus!" Ron cheered, "Now let's-"

Then the noises grew louder and… "MONKIES!" Ron shrieked and without a moment's thought, Rufus leapt onto Ron's back with Kim and Ron kicked off the branch below and began to run back in the direction which Kim hoped was the museum.

Not even seconds from when they left the branch did a stream of monkey ninjas bound onto the spot where they had been momentarily. Immediately, they swerved after Ron, all yelling angered monkey threats.

"I WANT THAT MANUSCRIPT!" Monkey Fist's holler shouted out behind them (a little too closely for Kim's comfort).

"Hurry, Ron!" Kim cried out over the monkeys and the whirlwind breeze.

Ron bounded upwards, swinging on a branch and propelling himself forwards… then he came to an abrupt stop. Ron's sneakers skidded on the branch, eating up a layer of bark. Wondering why Ron had stopped, they realised they had come to an edge of the forest, before them was the bog and across that in the far distance, they could both make out the Chinese Museum.

"Should we-" Ron started to ask when shockingly, a monkey ninja swung upside down in front of Ron hanging to an upper branch with it's tail and whipped the manuscript out of Kim's hands then in a flash, it was gone.

"Hey!" Kim wailed and tried to catch the monkey, but it was gone and probably on its way to join up with its master.

Ron grunted and turned around to chase the monkey. "I'd really like to go home now!" He tore through the trees, crashing through the leaves and branches, twigs scraping Kim's face and bare arms. There wasn't much to see and keeping her eyes open risked getting something in them so she closed her eyes. Her free hand was twisted for a strong grip in his shirt, probably stretching the threads. Underneath, she could feel Ron bounding along through the trees.

She opened her eyes again when she heard less crashing noises. They were higher up than before, up in the canopy. Now she could see the monkey ninja with the manuscript trying to evade them a few branches above.

"Get closer, Ron," Kim urged in his ear. "Maybe I can snag it," her teeth gritted and she pressed her head close to Ron's back as a branch almost took her head off. "Hey, watch it!"

At her command, Ron pushed off from one of the branches and still with some height, grabbed a passing branch with his hand to give him some extra elevation to just land on a branch above. The branch shook violently under their weight but before Kim could worry on whether or not it would break, Ron was already five branches away and counting. Now they were directly behind the monkey ninja.

It knew they were behind it and began to run about in wild directions to try to shake Ron off but it couldn't be done.

"I'll get the manuscript," Kim raised her voice over the rushing sounds. "You just keep an eye on where we're going!"

With a tremendous leap Ron bounded forwards and was now running side-by-side the monkey ninja. It looked startled and was slightly put off. It was a good thing Ron's stuck hand was on the back of Kim's so she was able to hold onto Ron leaping up and down violently and reach out for the manuscript at the same time.

"Closer!" she shouted. Leaves were tearing off the branches and into Kim's eyes, blocking her vision and smacking her gritted teeth. Kim was blinking rapidly, so rapidly she could barely see; it was almost like looking at a bunch of still images, or a really choppy animation. Everything around her was a rapid blur and the violent movements of Ron running and leaping and jumping didn't help.

But still she reached out for the manuscript. No damage could befall it. Kim grunted and almost had it when a branch tore past and slit her bare arm. She let out a yelp as blood flew and whipped in the breeze behind them but she didn't stop to pity herself. Instead she reached out again with her gloved hand, Ron's on the back of hers…

…When it was suddenly stolen from Monkey Fist. He had been running in the branches above them and snagged it from his monkey ninja.

"It's been fun, but my monkey ninjas and I really must take our leave!" he shouted and gave a monkey-like cackle.

Before Kim could alert Ron, he already leapt up and was hot on Monkey Fist's trail. Looking behind at Ron, Monkey Fist glared and began to weave in and out of the trees trying to shake Ron off much like the monkey ninja had done but Monkey Fist was much more skilled. At times Kim lost sight of him but Ron seemed to know where he was going and she could catch a glimpse of their foe just around the corner of the upcoming trunk.

Vines, bugs and leaves continued to smack Kim's face, she was sure it would be covered in scratch marks, if only she had worn something a bit more covering on her arms and back.

It took awhile but soon, Ron had actually caught up with Monkey Fist and the two were running side-by-side. Monkey Fist growled and tried to strike out at Ron, but he avoided this easily by leaping to one branch over and back again before there wasn't any branch left to run on.

Reading herself, Kim made another attempt to snatch the manuscript. Not the easiest of tasks since Ron and Monkey Fist were bounding along at different levels so she had to time it just right…

And she snatched it! But her hand hit a branch and the manuscript flew from her hand.

"Ron!" Kim cried out. Both Monkey Fist and Ron's eyes followed the falling manuscript. Down it went… towards the swampy bog below…

Ron was the quickest to react, he leapt forward on his one hand, gripping the branch with all his might as he swung his body forwards. Without even knowing how, Kim seemed to understand where Ron was going with this and leaned forwards as far as she could, stretching out her arm to the spiralling manuscript; her only grip on Ron were her legs wrapped tightly around his lower back.

While Ron swung around the branch completely like on a pair of monkey bars, Kim had managed to grasp the manuscript. Without even a pause for celebration, Ron was off again in the opposite direction, heading back to the swamp. But as soon as Ron had sped off, the monkey ninjas and their Master were after them.

"We can't do this again!" Kim called above the torrent noises of the whipping branches. "They'll meet us up at the bog, they'll catch us!"

Ron didn't respond, with an abrupt motion, he hit a hard left. So hard, Kim shut her eyes but felt her right side hitting wood then more violent movements as Ron obviously climbed upwards. And then… they were still.

Cautiously, Kim opened her eyes and saw darkness. Looking around, they were sitting upright, side-by-side on a piece of wood inside… inside a tree. Looking off the ledge, she saw minimal light streaming into a tree hole below where Ron must have entered. She huddled closer to Ron, their attached hands in front of them, her other hand tightly gripping the manuscript. She looked at Ron beside her and he gently lifted his pointer finger to his lip in a signal of silence; didn't need to tell her that.

Soon enough outside, they could hear the rushing sounds of the passing monkey ninjas. Without thinking, she pressed herself closer to Ron, letting out his name in a soft gasp as Monkey Fist thudded past. He seemed to snuggle closer to her as well. Rufus scampered out of Ron's pocket and onto his shoulder to join in the frightened huddle.

Even a long time after the dangers past, no-one moved or spoke. The only sounds inside the tree were their collective breaths… and some other twittering, shuffling noises Kim wouldn't dare to think whom they could belong too (and hoped that none of them were in her hair…).

More time past, Kim grew weary, placing her head on Ron's shoulder. Ron, probably wearier than her, laid his head on top of hers. But even though the two were probably as comfy as they could be inside the tree and no matter how much they desired a sleep, neither of them dozed off. Both were highly alert for any outside noises threatening their well-being.

"R-Ron…" Kim began softly, wondering if this was a good time to bring up what she had in mind.

Ron turned his head to face her, they were so close, Ron's bangs brushed softly against her own forehead (which she embraced). "Yea?" he whispered back. "I could never do what you just did out there. You're right… I can't do everything, even if I can do a lot. I…"

Her voice had been slowly rising and Ron had brought a finger to his lips again to quieten her. Lowering her voice back down, she continued, "I guess that I fight danger so much, I don't really realise… how much danger really is involved in the sitches I get ourselves into. I… the gang fight," she looked up at Ron's eyes and found comfort, "I just saw it as a fight that I had to win. I don't think I saw of what was going to happen, even with the prior banter and the things they called us."

"Us?"

"O, right, you were asleep, um," Kim blushed remembering the 'little blonde pony' remark, she decided to side-step it. "Even with all that, I never thought of 'what if I loose?' That's negative, y'know?"

"Yea?"

"Yea, it's negative and if you think of the negative, it might happen or cause you to make a mistake. So I always think positively but sometimes that's not a good thing. Because then I'm not cautious like you are. I think… that's why I need you a lot."

At this point, Ron lifted his head ever so slightly, his chest starting to feel some adrenaline.

"We sort of balance each other out, don't you think?" Kim smiled. "See, you need some more confidence, and… you're kinda of a wuss, no offence." Ron cocked an eyebrow at her. "So you need me to be there for you. And you... See, my goodness Ron, it's all coming together, I get it now."

"What?"

"See, I need to be there for you and I haven't been doing that lately. If ever at all. Then you, I need you to be there for me. To be my reality, so I can look before I leap. And again, I haven't been listening to you. In the bog, I-I…" In the bog Kim had lost herself what with her disparity of how the mission had been going, even when earlier that day she had been thinking of being more aware of Ron. It hadn't been enough for her to just think it; she had needed Ron to say it to her. "Oh my goodness…"

Ron again murmured his inquiries.

Finally she could tell Ron what she had been thinking about last night. "Over these past days, I've been completely ignoring you. Like, what you've been doing to help me, about Josh, Monday and at school yesterday. Everything you said on Monday night… I was so stupid and forgot all of it and then I treated you so rudely after school. I let you get pummelled in dodgeball and I wouldn't talk to you because I was upset about Josh and Bonnie even though that wasn't your fault but I ACTED like it was and… and I didn't even apologise for any of it to-day!" Kim finally stopped her run-on sentence only for deep, heavy intakes of air.

Sometime in her conversation, she began to forget what she was saying aloud and was just voicing her thoughts. Her head down, she now lifted it again to realise she was saying all of this to Ron. "It's me… It's all my fault. I get it now. I'm right, aren't I? You've been trying to help me, trying to help my realise everything and I've just been ignoring you o-or forgetting. Am I right?"

The dazzle in Ron's eyes was enough of a response. They brightened, knowing that he'd finally made contact with her. (But of course, there was still some more contact to be done.)

"O… O my goodness! I... I'm so sorry, Ron! None of this is your fault. I should never have treated you the way I did. And even before all of this hand-holding sitch I never treated you with enough respect that you deserve for being my friend!"

Everything Kim said was a stunning blow to Ron. Never. Never would he have believed Kim would admit her faults. And… and she apologised for yesterday. He thought she'd just forget to apologise and move on. Eventually talking to him again, but never say the 's' word which she rarely uttered to him. He was even more stunned to have Kim throw herself at him, wrapping her free arm around his shoulder tightly. She buried her head into his shoulder like when she had jilted on Monday night. So close…

"… And… they were going to hurt me, weren't they?" she murmured, her mouth right by his ear.

He couldn't bring himself to respond.

"And… it was teamwork that stopped the gang fight. I was wrong, sorry."

"Thank-you…"

The hollow of the tree was so dark, even with her adjusted eyes she could barely make out her surroundings, even Ron so close. She could feel his gloved hand in hers. She removed her hand from around his shoulder and placed it placidly on his chest. Resting there like so for so long, Ron ventured to place his own free arm around Kim, clasping their attached hands together up between them.

Finding this position comfortable (on more levels than one), neither of them longed to move. They were so close together, both of them feeling the intimacy, both longing to feel something from their closeness. In their minds, buried deep down both of them knew that the closeness they were experiencing was different from anything before their hands had been so strangely and inexplicably attached, that if any other boy and girl were seen sitting like they were, it would be read as more than just two best friends. They could each feel it between them… and… wanted it.

It must have been over an hour that flew by when Kim's mind, shifting out of this intoxicated stupor, stretched out her legs after she felt them beginning to cramp up.

"Think it's safe?" Ron asked in a hushed voice. For all his bravery and confidence he had shown it seemed to have slipped away in the time they had been resting in their hideaway hole. Looking at him, his eyes were wide with the usual fear she was used to seeing on their missions, looking meek once again.

Kim took up her leadership role again since Ron was apparently returning to the sidekick role. But that doesn't mean I have to be bossy.

"Yea, I think so," she whispered back. "What time is it?" Ron shrugged having no watch on his wrist or his cell-phone with him (which was still in the backpack back at the museum).

Kim reached into her pant leg and pulled out the Kimmunicator, checking the time. "Wish I checked the time when we came in here," she muttered to herself instead of putting the blame on Ron by hot-headedly flaring at him for 'leaving his cell-phone behind because then if he had it with him, he might have been able to check the time'.

Aloud to Ron, but still a whisper, Kim said: "Let's go. I think… this time, let's walk back on the ground instead of swinging through the trees."

Ron tilted his head inquisitively (it reminded her of a curious monkey), "B-but won't that give them an advantage?" (Rufus on his shoulder agreed with Ron.) "They could leap down on us, or-"

"But they also won't be expecting it. They'll be looking in the trees for us, not on the ground mucking through the swamp. They might even be closer to the canopy, thinking that we'd go for a height advantage." Kim slipped down carefully, holding onto the piece of tree they had been sitting on to one lower down, more on level with the tree hole.

Ron, following, couldn't help but say: "But what if they guess that? Like, what if they think we'll think they'll be looking for us above instead of on the ground and come after us there? Then we'll really be at a loss."

Kim might normally have snapped or retorted at Ron. But instead a quirky smile crossed her face and she gave Ron a jokingly quelling eye. "I guess we'll just have to risk it. Then we can be on the ground, my speciality, and it'll be my pleasure to return all you've done by saving your butt."

Ron coughed something that sounded like 'sad-but-true' into his free fist as Rufus scampered back into his pocket.

The mud on the ground was more firm than out in the swamp plain but they knew they'd have to cross it eventually in the clearing. That would be the most vulnerable time for them. They would not only be easy targets against the monkey ninjas that could practically fly in their bounds over the swamp, but if one of them or Monkey Fist looked out into the clearing, they would be easily spotted. The weeds were tall, but not tall enough. If they made it out far enough, their clothing (and mud covering their clothing) might be camouflaged.

They didn't speak on their trek back to the museum. Mostly because they feared they might be overheard. Silently they stalked, weaving through the dense trees. They left the forest safely and now risked the travel through the swamp. Ron frequently looked behind him with anxiety but the two made it back safely, miraculously.

They were back on the boardwalk outside the back fire exit. There was actually a hose attached to a facet in the wall; placing the manuscript far out of the waters reach, Kim turned on the hose and together she and Ron cleaned off the mud. They were still dirty and both planned to shower better when they were back at home, but the hose worked for now, at least they looked somewhat decent.

"Hey Wade," Kim turned on the Kimmunicator as Ron washed the mud out of his hair. "Think you can swing a ride home for us? We've retrieved the manuscript."

"Took long enough," Wade frowned.

"Don't start with me, boy," Kim pointed at Wade on the screen fiercely.

"Ok, ok, I won't!" Wade backed up in his seat holding up his hands. "Sure, can do. But I want a favour, Kim."

"Yea?"

"Unroll the manuscript; I want to scan it for my database. Can you believe there are no websites that say what's on the script?"

"Uh, can I do that?" Kim asked.

"Well… not really. But since you have it… Don't worry, it won't do any dollar damage to the scroll."

"Alright."

With her hand dry, she waited for Ron to finish washing himself then unrolled the scroll precariously with her one hand. The paper was stiff, but not brittle—unrolling it was no danger of cracking or snapping the paper.

A green light emitted from the Kimmunicator as it scanned the ancient Chinese script.

"Thanks!" Wade replied before disconnecting.

When they arrived inside the museum, they found the security guards with the police examining the crime scene where the manuscript had been stolen from its pedestal next to the identical case housing the two amulets they had seen before. All of them had been shocked to see Kim stroll in with Ron, the precious manuscript in hand but were they ever grateful. They thanked Kim and Ron both over and over again, especially that it had returned with no damage. However, if they had only knew the journey it had undertook…

"Where to now?" Ron asked when they stepped outside the museum gates, backpacks snug on their backs.

Kim pulled out the Kimmunicator again and Wade told them a boat would pick them up at a dock on the map he showed them.

"Doesn't look too far away," Ron commented and Kim agreed, thankful.

ø

Kim sat down on the dock, her feet dangling over the edge yet still had height above the ocean water lapping at the mouldy poles holding up the dock. Exhaustingly, Ron sat himself down beside her and together they watching the calmness of the ocean.

At home would be awaiting Kim's parents, food, shelter, a place of comfort. And all this she would share with Ron for another night. How many nights had they spent… lived together now? Kim couldn't be sure anymore, and although it felt like forever, it wasn't an exasperated trapped-in-detention kind of forever. No, it was like… like how she used to feel when standing beside Josh and being in his company, kind of forever. But it wasn't Josh, it was Ron.

In fact, if she thought of Josh she thought of, well, just Josh. Josh Mankey, the school's top artist. No fervent blushing, no giddy laughter, no Mrs Kimberly-Anne Mankey. It was an indifferent blank that came to her mind.

I'm over him.

And she was. Sighing, Kim tilted her head without really thinking so it rested on Ron's shoulder. She didn't notice, but he glanced at her and softly smiled, turning his gaze back out to sea, deep in his own thoughts.

Ron had been insanely wicked to-day. Everything he'd done to retrieve the missing manuscript, she wondered if she could ever have retrieved it without Ron's help. He was brave, he was confident. He deserved much more credit than Kim gave him and she knew that now, even though she understood it from what Ron had shown her what with tracking down the manuscript, but it really struck out with Kim when he had told her. She had needed to hear that, from him. Not some in-one-ear-and-out-the-other advice from her Mother, not some little conscience inside her becoming over powered by her anger or stubbornness, but from Ron's own heart and mind. She understood now, it was clear.

"Ron, you were awesome to-day, y'know that?"

"Thanks, KP," Ron beamed.

Kim continued to speak without turning her head to look at him; her head was still upon his shoulder, (some of her hairs brushing Ron's neck).

"I couldn't have done this without you… I couldn't." She remembered their conversation, or rather, her monologue to Ron inside the tree. Suddenly everything that she had said hit Kim and she blushed. She'd been so open with her feelings and he… he had heard it all… and… accepted?

"Thank-you for always being there for me," she purred softly, closing her eyes. Contentedly, Ron closed his own, swallowing the pleasure of her comfort.

"It's cool that you realise that now. Like, really realise it… that makes me happy."

"And I won't ever forget it, Ron, I won't. You showed me to-day, no—you told me to-day and I so know it now." She paused, "I can't forget."

Ron boldly nuzzled Kim's face with his, smiling. "Not ever?"

"Not ever."

"Even if Josh Mankey walked shirtless down the street and flexed his artsy-muscles at you?"

Kim laughed softly and nuzzled him back, "Even if Robbie, Josh, Bobby Johnson, and anyone you care to mention were shirtless in front of me I would turn my back on them all for you."

Ron's bangs brushed by Kim's forehead, tickling her, she chuckled some more and squeezed Ron's hand in hers. Then she blinked wide-eyed and realised what exactly she said.

In the tree, she felt she was more admitting her need to have Ron as a friend, to be more aware of his feelings in their friendship but suddenly that had all changed with what she had just said. She was no longer admitting her faults in their friendship. No, by saying what she did, she was definitely admitting to something else.

This was not the way two best friends sat.

Kim swallowed hard. Was she really saying out loud to Ron what she had been dangerously flitting with inside her mind? That she could possibly like Ron more than just a friend. That she wanted to have Ron as more than a friend?

She looked up at Ron with confused eyes. He was smiling his eyes back down at her. Opening them, they shone with happiness, no, not just happiness, with elation. Did he know that how they were acting together right now was more than just friends? He laughed softly and brushed his cheek against hers affectionately. Her mouth formed an 'o' shape as he did so and she blushed more. He took her attached hand in his lap and held it close.

She pulled her head away so she could sit straight and look at Ron. When she did so, Ron straightened and looked back at her with equal confusion. He attempted to smile at her and it made her smile back. Kim sighed softly and went to rest her head on his shoulder again.

"Ron…" she murmured and leaned her face closer to Ron. She was sure she had been aiming for his shoulder, but it was clear her face was going elsewhere. Ron inclined his head to meet hers, his eyes half-open—a calm state settling over the both of them.

Their heads bent slightly down, their foreheads touched and the rested like so for some moments. She wasn't sure… but she was… Was he?

She moved her head slightly up… to meet… the top of their lips touched faintly, almost… They were about to kiss fully when:

"Kim Possible?" a voice said from behind them.

Kim panicked and recoiled from Ron as if she had just been caught stealing something. Quickly she brushed some hair back that didn't need brushing back and flushed cumbersomely. She whipped her head around to look at the voice and saw a young, slim Asian woman who looked only a couple of years older than Kim.

"Aah, yes?" she asked, standing up.

"We heard you needed a ride back to the United States?" she asked, "It's out pleasure to assist you since you saved our new houseboats from the storm when they had drifted out to sea and rescued them right before we were supposed to preview them to our costumers."

"Oh, that was no big," Kim flushed, still more about being caught almost kissing than the flattery. "I'm sure anyone could have jump-started a speed-boat and tracked down the missing twenty-eight house boats in a storm at night through killer waves with no working radar!"

"Our boat is waiting over there," the young woman pointed in the direction of her Father's expensive boat. It was slim and could definitely cover great distances in a short amount of time. Kim wasn't sure if a boat this technologically advanced was available in the USA yet.

"Thanks," Kim inclined her head. Ron stood up, saying nothing and followed Kim over to the boat. She eyed him carefully through the corners of her eyes for any signs that could help her understand his thoughts about their near lip-lock. Unconsciously, Kim ran her tongue over the bottom of her lip. But he was utterly blank, as usual, it annoyed her. Didn't he feel anything? Was he going to ignore it? It was a revelation between them! They almost kissed for goodness sakes, after being best friends since preschool.

"Kim Possible! And… friend…" the Father of the young woman waved at Kim from the window of the Captain's room in the boat. He probably couldn't remember Ron's name, no-one really did. "Come aboard and we'll set sail immediately!"

The three boarded the ship and met up with the Captain, also owner of the major houseboat corporation in China in the Captain's room (he was a bit of an eccentric). He flicked on the various switches and began to steer the boat out of the harbour.

"I hope we're not inconveniencing you," Kim said graciously.

"Not at all, we have to meet a client in the US who's looking to buy our houses—and what better way to get there by sailing the sea ourselves!"

"Might Ron and I have a look around?"

"Suit yourselves, my boat, is your boat!"

ø

Reflecting on the boat ride, it was most certainly one of the fastest boat rides they'd ever had when they were continent hopping. Most of the time, they had spent playing card games with the Captain's daughter. She taught Kim a couple of games and even a fun school-girl game with cards that's supposed to tell you if the person you say will be your wedded and what your marriage would be like.

Kim really didn't feel like mentioning Josh's name, especially after the kiss-that-almost-was. So she tried to sound nonchalant. She acted sceptical and just said to use Ron's name since he was right beside her.

Apparently, they would marry and have eight kids. Ron would be very rich but be fool-hardy with his money. Flipping over more cards, Kim would be overly defensive of their relationship and yet be fulfilled. She would also have one child from a previous affair. They all laughed at the fun and tried pairing up friends they knew, giggling so much that their sides hurt.

Kim even chuckled again as she remembered their results, but softly for Ron had fallen ill again and was now sleeping lightly as they rode in the back of a van that was going to drop them off at Kim's house. Kim was lying down too; the two of them had both taken off their seatbelts. She laid sideways on the seats and Ron oppositely laid behind her, his head resting on her hip like it was a pillow. His legs were bent underneath so Kim's head rested in the corner of the 'L' shape between his stomach and legs.

The car rumbling along was slowly putting Kim into a sleep, but for some reason she didn't want to sleep. Not yet. Maybe she wanted to stay alert in case Ron should need her. She didn't think she'd manage staying awake though, but she ended up staying awake for they soon came to a halt in front of Kim's house. The driver softly called out to them both thinking they were both sleeping.

"Thanks for the lift!" she called as she waved her farewell to the driver once she and Ron clambered out of the vehicle.

When the van was no longer in view, Kim turned her attention to Ron whom she had to help prop up for his fever was worse than in the car. She thought the cool air would help cool him down, but he had the chills and now it was making him too cold.

"I… can't…" Ron murmured and collapsed onto the pavement of Kim's driveway, his teeth chattering.

Kim let out a shout of alarum when he fell and quickly dropped down on her knees beside him. "O, Ron…" she murmured and embraced his back, placing her free hand on his back and giving him a swooning hug. She rubbed his back gently for awhile to help soothe him.

"I'll help you," she murmured close to his ear, "I'm here for you now."

She rubbed his back some more before standing up and scooping him up in her arms and up the driveway and into her house.

Kim carried Ron up the stairs softly after passing her parents. Instead of bearing Ron up to her room for the sleep that beckoned them both (or might have already called upon Ron, or so she wondered when she looked down on his shut eyes), she directed themselves into the bathroom underneath her room and pushed the door closed with her back as she entered. When she did place Ron down, it was in the basin of the bathtub, his back propped up against the wall, his eyes opened, but only a slight, as if to suddenly realise he'd been moving.

He kept his eyes half open, watching Kim all the while with intense curiosity as she sat in the tub across from him. Leaning forwards, Kim began the awkward strains of removing Ron's mission shirt. He bristled as she did so; he hadn't been expecting to be stripped even if the bathtub had been a hefty hint.

Kim's intentions were to keep her eyes solely on the business at hand, but she couldn't let slip the temptation of looking at Ron's expression. After she had taken off his shirt and then removed his gloves, he closed his eyes again although she doubted he had fallen asleep. She continued to take off his clothes until he remained in his boxers and left him as such.

Then she began to take off her own clothes, again having to repeatedly switch hands to be able to fully remove her garments. The dirty clothes (they were still grungy even from after the hose down outside the museum) were cast onto the bathroom floor just in front of the tub matt. When the two were sitting in their underwear only, Kim leaned back and began to fill the tub with water, plugging the drain.

Ron opened his eyes again (but he might have peeked a couple of times while she was undressing which, for some reason, gave an upward curl to her mouth) and watched the water slowly rise. Kim studied him carefully as she felt the water lightly lapping against her legs. His face was so flushed, he was so ill… how, why? Perhaps he picked up something from school. It didn't really matter; it just upset her to see him like this. She watched him give a shudder.

The water had filled substantially. So after turning off the water, Kim pulled out the shampoo and began to lather up her hair. All the time, she watched Ron and he watched her. It was so hard to understand his expression; it was just completely blank. No, she was sure there was something hidden, but the pain, soreness… his affliction his mask.

She wished she had been able to kiss him.

When Kim was done with her own hair, she scooted forwards, close to Ron so she may be able to scrub Ron's hair with her one free hand. He didn't squirm or fuss, just remained silent and exhaustive. His eye were still open, still looking as she washed his hair and wondered, even though he was ill, was he thinking? If so, what about? Something stupid like video games or wrestling? Or something else? About the kiss? If only she knew!

In any case, she brought down the shower head to rinse out their hair. She bent Ron's head down towards her so she would be able to wash off the conditioner at the back of his head. Then she brought out a washing cloth for each of them and began to clean herself. She began to blush as she remembered Ron was still watching, but even though his eyes were open, he didn't seem to be looking. It appeared as if he was looking at something in the far off distance. Looking at something that didn't exist. Or did. Whatever.

When she finished with herself, she pulled out the other washing cloth and cleaned up Ron. He didn't resist. Ron just sat there as Kim washed him. She ran the washing cloth laden with cleansing soap first over his face, studying his features and feeling strangely attracted to them. Then down his arms, they weren't rippling with muscles, of course, but she still felt herself smiling yet again.

She was extremely careful when washing his chest, unsure of how tender it was. It still pained her that both injuries to his chest were her fault. She had slammed him into the door because she had neglected him. She had neglected his need for her during dodgeball, if only she had reacted sooner. But although she couldn't take back what happened, she was determined to make it up to him.

When they were done showering, Kim pulled the plug and brought out two towels, wrapping them both around herself and then Ron.

Ron was still far too feverish to walk up the stairs (or walk, period) so she carried him once again up to her room. She left Ron out side the screen, their arms bent around it as she changed into her purple pyjamas. After changing, she realised Ron was much too weak and ill to change into his pyjamas by himself. So Kim sat him down on the floor and knelt beside him, drying him with the towel and then pulling on his blue pyjamas for him.

Kim laid Ron onto the bed where he usually slept then she lifted up the cover and slid herself in beside him. His head was quickly engulfed in the comforting pillow, for once Ron looked like he would be able to finally have a well deserved rest.

And 'deserved' was certainly no understatement. As she snuggled close to him, she thought of how heroic he'd been that day to help retrieve the stolen manuscript. Remembered his bounding, leaps and… and the argument in the bog. He was right. Everything he said had been true, she knew it, but she didn't have the courage to say it to his face. Was it courage she didn't have? Or something else? No, she had courage, she didn't have the humility to admit that maybe Ron was right and she was wrong. Everything was true…

Including the gang fight on Thursday night. Now… now she began to feel the fear from the pending predicament. Ron was right again, during the fight, it had just been a fight. To Kim, she hadn't thought about what they were going to do to her, what their intentions were other than fighting; same with Shego and henchmen. They didn't just want to fight, they wanted to kill her (while the gang had wanted to do something first before they killed her). And how close they had been to succeeding… That one who preferred 'little blonde ponies' would have done something to Ron… then would have killed him, then to her… She remembered them twisting her arm and she sunk low to the ground, closing her eyes in pain. Ron had then seen things she hadn't, or so he said. And she believed him.

A shudder ran down her spine. Fear settled inside her, although she was certainly safe inside her room, under the comforters. All the same, she snuggled closer to Ron. Her free hand was her right and she wrapped this arm around Ron, bringing their stuck hands up between them comfortably.

She lightly skimmed Ron's back with her hand, up and down. More thoughts came to her, like how they'd been waiting at the dock. What had almost happened. Maybe… maybe now…

She lifted her head to face his, inches away… but he was asleep, she could see his eyes flickering underneath his eyelids already dreaming. It made her smile, he must have conked out as soon as she placed him onto the bed. Maybe even sooner, maybe he had been asleep in her arms. That thought made her smile yet again, so warmly that she could only move herself even closer to Ron.

With her arm around his, her head tucked under his, she was almost completely shielded by the hugging comforters when she fell asleep with him, their breathing coincided with one another. Together in unison yet again. She knew, as she was drifting off, that to-morrow would be vastly different for them, between them, once Ron was up to his normal self again. And she couldn't wait.