Chapter 2

She found herself reaching for the hair dryer/grappling hook that hadn't been there for six years. At least the instincts were still there. She raced toward the remains of the front doors. A piece of rebar protruded from the ceiling of the first floor. She grabbed it and swung herself up. Kicking her legs up, she let go of the rebar and somersaulted once, landing on the second floor ledge.

The ninja stood at the edge of the hole in the roof above her, but he was not looking at Kim. His face was turned skyward. Kim saw her opportunity and ran straight at the wall, then appeared to almost run straight up it. At the peak of her upward momentum, she pushed herself off the wall and arched her back, twisting in the air. Her hand was just at the point of grasping the ninja's right leg when the ninja did a backward hand flip, over and over until he was on the other side of the roof.

Meanwhile, Kim was caught by surprise. She was sure he couldn't see her coming, but quickly set that particular problem aside since she was in mid-air and in danger of plummeting all the way down to the first floor. Her right hand grasped the edge of the hole but that part of the roof instantly crumbled away. Kim threw her head back, did a backward somersault and landed on the second floor again.

She stood up straight and noted that her muscles were already beginning to ache. She wasn't as young as she used to be, or as fast. She took another run straight up the wall, pushed herself off and this time caught the edge with both hands, vaulting herself up on to the roof.

The ninja was perched on the furthest corner of the roof, again looking to the sky. She followed his gaze and noticed some kind of small aircraft approaching the school, but was still a mile or so off. It would be a few minutes before it arrived. Fearing this was the ninja's escape vehicle, Kim sprinted across the roof straight at him. He didn't even turn to look at her, but continued gazing at the approaching aircraft.

"You're not getting away that easy", Kim growled. With a leap, she launched herself at the ninja, intending to tackle him.

Never looking at her, the ninja leaped away just before she would have gotten him. To her horror, Kim realized she had run out of roof and, without her grappler, would fall to the parking lot below. It all seemed to play out in slow motion. She was too far above the roof to grab on to anything, and would fall too far forward of the edge to catch herself.

A flash of movement in the corner of her eye. Almost by instinct, she caught the end of a small stick with her right hand, then grasped it with her left as well and hung on for dear life. The stick was attached to a small chain, which was attached to another stick which the ninja was holding in his right hand. Nun chucks.

The dark-clad warrior grasped the roof edge with his left hand and swung himself over. Kim realized this was so she would have enough time to twist in the air and "land" with her feet on the wall. She did so, and then looked up into the eyes of the person who had just saved her life.

"I am not your enemy", he said in a low, rough voice.


"Let us not be enemies", the e-mail pleaded, "I simply wish to know you better."

It was the afternoon after the Prom, and Kim had gotten yet another e-mail from Senor Senior Jr. expressing his supposed undying love and devotion to her. Kim rolled her eyes and was about to delete the e-mail as she always did when a thought struck her. This time she had an answer for him. Perhaps if he knew what was up, he might stop pestering her. She hit the "reply" button and typed out a note.

Junior,

While I am flattered at all this attention you say you wish to shower upon me, I feel I must inform you that I am currently involved with someone. He is a kind, warm, loving man with whom I expect to spend the rest of my life.

Whoa.

She had typed that last sentence without realizing what she was saying. She was also startled to discover that she meant it. Kim sat back in her chair in a bit of a daze. The rest of my life. Yep, that's what she had written. It wasn't an unpleasant thought. On the contrary, it almost seemed like stating an obvious fact.

"The sky is blue," she said to herself softly, "Water is wet, ice is cold, I am going to spend my life with Ron." It all certainly seemed to be true enough. So, what exactly did this mean?

Three minutes later, she was downstairs at the kitchen table with a soda in her hands. Her mother sat across from her sipping her own soda. The unfinished e-mail remained on the screen of her computer upstairs. Kim was just finishing her description of the note, and what she had just said to herself.

Her mother sat in silence and smiled at her.

"What?", Kim asked.

"What what?" her mother asked her back.

"Can't you tell me what this means?" Kim pleaded.

"Doesn't it sound self-explanatory to you?" her mother queried.

"So I'm going to spend the rest of my life with Ron?"

"Is that a bad thing?"

"Are you going to answer all my questions with questions?" Kim demanded.

"Why? Is this bugging you?" her mother asked pointedly.

"Arrrrgh! YES!" Kim practically shouted in frustration.

Silence.

"You're mad because I shouted." Kim said dejectedly. She was beginning to feel as though her mother wasn't going to help her out at all, "I'm sorry."

"I'm not mad," her mother said, "I understand how someone can become frustrated when bombarded with a bunch of questions, especially when there don't seem to be any answers."

Kim looked at her mother, who was returning her gaze with a smile and a raised eyebrow. Dr. Possible sipped her soda.

Kim's face fell. Somehow she thought her mother was going to tell her everything would be wonderful and her world would be all rainbows and Ron, happily ever after. Mom seemed to know something but wasn't telling her. Did Mom know that Kim and Ron would stay together always? Kim supposed her mother, brain surgeon that she was, could do a lot of things, but she could not see into the future.

Wait a minute.

Mom's smile brightened. She could tell her daughter was coming to a realization.

"So," Kim said slowly, "Maybe it's possible to ask too many questions."

"It is if you expect answers to all of them", Mom replied.

"You're saying I should just relax," Kim stated, "And enjoy the here and now."

"In this case, yes. Whether or not you know you will spend your life with Ron doesn't change today. Today you and Ron have each other, and you both like it that way. Why spoil it by asking a lot of questions that only time can answer? Let tomorrow take care of itself. If you two are meant to be together, then that's wonderful. Ron is already practically part of the family, and I would love to have his parents as in-laws."

Kim felt flush at this. Though she had been talking in permanent terms, the word 'marriage' never quite popped into her head until now. Visions of Christmas celebrations, Hanukkah feasts, summer family reunions and all manner of domestic loveliness danced in her head. She was a little surprised by this.

Mom sensed what she was thinking, "Just make sure you guys take things nice and slow. You've known each other this long, doesn't it make sense that you'll know each other a lot longer? If you're meant to be together, then you will be."

"I think we will be", Kim said happily. She got up and kissed her mother on the cheek. "Thanks, Mom, you rock."

"I have my moments", her mother agreed.

Kim raced back upstairs, finished the e-mail, and sent it out.

Ron showed up promptly at 6:30. This evening was to be their official first date. Kim had been trying to call him all day, but Ron's father said he was out, and he wasn't sure when he'd be home, but to tell Kim that tonight's dress code was "casual". Kim figured they'd probably go to Bueno Nacho and then catch a movie. It was weird. They'd actually done Bueno Nacho and a movie a hundred times, but tonight felt different. Somehow it was all new and exciting. She could care less what they did, she just wanted to be with him. And even though Ron's dad insisted it was casual, she dressed up anyway.

At the sound of the doorbell, she ran a brush quickly through her hair, grabbed her coat and ran downstairs. Ron stood just inside the doorway. The twins had answered the doorbell and were talking to Ron. Kim was horrified, already the twins were trying to ruin their first date. She felt her anger rising.

"Tweebs!", she hollered leaping down the stairs three at a time, "Step away from my boyfriend, now!"

Ron was handing something to Jim. He looked up at her and smiled broadly. To Kim's utter astonishment, Jim took what was handed to him and the twins quietly, almost respectfully, left the foyer and went into the living room. They didn't look back, they didn't make any annoying remarks, they didn't make any goofy faces. Kim was almost sure they'd tease her about the 'boyfriend' remark.

"Hey", said Ron pleasantly, "How's it goin'?"

He had decided to dress up as well. This time he was wearing a proper black tux he'd rented that afternoon. He looked different, much more grown up.

"I was going to say 'same as usual', but there's nothing usual about the way the Tweebs just walked away like that," Kim replied, suspiciously eyeing the door to the living room.

"Well, I guess it's an unusual night," Ron observed thoughtfully, "Though I'm hoping it will become a common event. You know, us going out, I mean."

"Me, too," she smiled warmly at him and kissed his cheek.

At that moment, Mr. And Mrs. Possible came in from the kitchen. Both had smiles on their faces. Kim felt almost too happy to speak. Suddenly, it just seemed like everything was right with the world.

"Hi, Ron!" Kim's father greeted him cheerfully, "Everything's all set!"

"Terrific, Doctor P, thanks!", Ron replied.

Kim looked at her father. He had a look on his face like he was hiding something from her, and enjoying it. She turned to Ron and pulled a couple of pieces of paper from her pocket.

"I got coupons for Bueno Nacho! Nacos are on me!" she informed him.

"Coupons! Excellent! These will come in handy sometime," he said excitedly with a huge grin. Then suddenly his face turned very serious, and his voice took on an overly serious tone, "But not tonight. Tonight, we are embarking on our first date! And for my lady, tonight Bueno Nacho will not suffice…although in the future I'm hoping it will suffice quite often as I am very fond of the cuisine there. Tonight, however, we are dining at Chez Ron!"

And with that, he whisked her out the door.

Kim barely had time to say goodbye to her parents. They stood at the doorway and waved. Even the twins came out and wished them a fun night. Kim was speechless. Her Dad never said anything about a curfew, but then he seemed to know something she didn't. She gave them all a wave, and then turned to smile at Ron. He, too was waving at her parents, and then he looked at Kim and smiled.

"I'll get the door", he said and walked ahead a few steps.

For the first time, Kim noticed the black stretch SUV style limousine parked at the end of their driveway. Ron was already there, holding a door open for her.

"Wow, Ron, you really didn't have to do this", she said in an awed voice, "I figured we'd just go to Bueno Nacho and a movie. You know I don't expect you to do this."

"Exactly why I did do it," Ron declared, "You don't expect to be spoiled by your dates. And in all the time I've known you, I've never seen anyone pick you up in a limo. I wanted to be the first."

Kim tried to say something but found she couldn't. He wasn't trying to impress her. She knew him too well. Ron might have put up a false front for others, trying to act manly, or smooth, or even sophisticated. But she realized she was the one person, except for maybe his parents, that Ron was real with. So she knew that when Ron hired a limo for their date, it wasn't about trying to be something he wasn't, it was about expressing to her what she meant to him.

"Ron, how-" she began but he cut her off.

"Remember that huge Naco royalties check? Well, when my Dad found out what I had done with it, he wrote the Bueno Nacho corporation and told them to send any additional checks to him for safekeeping. Any that came he put into a trust fund for me. I can't touch most of it until I'm 21, but I do get an allowance from it. For tonight, my dad gave me an advance."

She climbed in and he got in after her. They settled on the plush seat all the way at the back. The car was as big as a bus. Kim figured they'd have to yell up to the driver to tell him wherever Chez Ron was. Ron picked up the phone next to him.

"Salad course", he said and hung up. The limo pulled away from the driveway and moved off down the street.

"I hope you're hungry", he said.

"Famished," She answered, " I've been saving my appetite for tonight. So where exactly where is Chez Ron?"

"Chez Ron is everywhere, baby. You'll see", he said putting his arm around her.

Kim settled up against him and laid her head on his shoulder with a sigh of contentment. She marveled at this new side of Ron. She also marveled at how she could know someone her whole life only to have him surprise her from time to time. She liked this. During missions, she had to take the lead, but tonight, she was satisfied to let him handle things.

The sun was low and the air cool when they pulled up to their destination a few minutes later. Ron got out first, and then assisted Kim. She could parachute from great heights, scale sheer rock walls, jump from one high rooftop to the next. But getting in and out of an SUV in heels proved tricky. Her heel caught on the doorsill, and while she could have easily corrected her step, she allowed herself to fall into his arms. He caught her with some difficulty, kissed her forehead and gestured behind him. It was…a playground?

Kim was wondering if maybe she should have dressed casual after all when she noticed the small folding chairs and table. On it were two place settings, and two candles already lit. Ron helped her into her seat and sat down on the other side. On the table was a bowl of salad, covered in plastic wrap. He uncovered it and served her, and then himself.

Kim still didn't understand, "So, Chez Ron is a playground?"

"Not just any playground, KP, our playground!" He said gesturing about.

She looked around, confused, and then it dawned on her. This was the preschool where they met. The thought made her melt inside, realizing the trouble he had gone to not just make this a great night, but a meaningful one.

"Alright, before we get into any heavy conversation, I must inform you of two rules regarding this portion of our meal." Ron said with mock importance.

"Fire away", Kim said gamely.

"Rule Numero Uno: Don't eat too much salad because there three other courses coming. And Rule Numero Two-o: the subject of conversation during the salad course can only be about our preschool days."

Kim blinked, Ron really had put a lot of thought into this.

As much as she wanted to ask him how he managed to get her brothers to act so civil, and maybe a hundred other questions, she played by the rules. Soon they found themselves laughing and giggling at all the memories from back when they first met.

The conversation was far from over when Ron announced it was time for the second course of the meal.

"Great", Kim said, "What are we having?"

"Let's go find out," He said standing and taking her by the hand. He led her to the limo, helped her in, and they were off.

Half an hour later, they pulled into the driveway of a mansion in Upperton. The massive house was dark and empty, as Mr. Paisley had moved on to bigger and better places. But Ron had apparently gotten Paisley's permission to use it. Once again, a table and chairs, with two lit candles, were waiting for them inside.

"Let me guess", Kim said, smiling at him "Conversation is limited to our first mission."

"Well," Ron said, thinking, "It doesn't have to be just that."

Their voices echoed through the empty house.

"Man, this place is kinda creepy", Ron observed nervously, "It wasn't this dark here this morning."

"I like it" she said to him softly, "A house of our own… you know, for a little while."

Both of them blushed but were surprised to find they weren't embarrassed about it. Ron went into the kitchen where the soup was being kept warm and came back with two bowls.

The conversation this time focused on how they were getting to know each other in Junior High School, and how each of her missions seemed to get more and more difficult as the years went by. All the while she was talking, Kim basked in his thoughtfulness. She couldn't possibly imagine how a date could get more romantic than this one, and told him so.

"Oh terrific," he said with exaggerated alarm, "That means it's all down hill from here!"

"Maybe", she said laughing, "But sometimes relationships can be like a roller coaster. The down hill is the best part."

He noticed most of her soup was finished. He stood up, took a small remote control device out of his pocket and pressed a button. From somewhere in a dark corner, the song "Could It Be" began to play. He took her hand, led her out to the middle of the empty room, and they danced in the candlelight. Kim began to wonder if she was dreaming.

Twenty minutes later, the limo pulled up to her father's lab. After the security gate opened, they drove around to the airstrip behind where an experimental aircraft was waiting. Kim finally discovered what her father seemed to be hiding from her earlier.

Dr. Possible had arranged, at Ron's request, for a the aircraft and a pilot to take them wherever Ron wished to go. In two hours, Ron and Kim were standing on a deserted mountain-top on an uncharted island in the Caribbean. Drakken's first lair.

Again, a table, chairs, and two lit candles.

"I thought since you put Drakken away last night-" Ron began.

"We put him away, Ron," Kim corrected him.

"Anyway," he continued, "I thought the main course should be where we first met him. Ya gotta admit. In his own twisted way, Drakken did bring us closer together."

Ron had brought the main course with them on the aircraft. As he went to retrieve it, Kim looked around, almost wistfully. Strewn about the place were the remains of death rays, brain tap machines, large aquariums that had once held giant sharks. How many times had they been here? How many battles had she fought with Shego? Now that Drakken was put away for likely a very long time, was she actually beginning to miss him? Perhaps, she concluded, she missed him in a way that only a superhero can miss an arch foe. They had an almost symbiotic relationship; Kim/Ron, girl/boy, hero/sidekick, while on the opposite side were Drakken/Shego, boy/girl, villain/sidekick. Each the seemingbizarroversion of the other.

Ron came back with the main course and they ate in almost complete silence.

"It's weird, isn't it?" Ron said, his voice echoing through the vast lair, "With Drakken and Shego gone, it's almost like some bizarre chapter in our lives is ending."

Kim squinted her eyes and studied the young man sitting opposite her. Could he actually read her mind now? Where did that come from?

"Who are you?" she asked teasingly.


"Who are you?" she demanded.

For a split second the crimson stripes on the ninja's suit glowed, and then he pulled her up on to the roof.

"I-" he began, but suddenly lunged at her, grabbed her by the waist and threw her aside. Kim landed tumbling and quickly recovered her feet.

The air suddenly seemed to be electrified as a whirring/zapping sound preceded an explosion where Kim and the ninja had been standing a second earlier. A massive laser beam tore a hole in the school roof. Kim was thrown off her feet once more, while the ninja, crimson stripes glowing again, somersaulted clear of the destruction.

What Kim had seen as a small aircraft was actually a huge robot of some kind; a mechanized being that stood about twelve feet tall and bristled with all manner of laser type weapons. It flew over them with a roar, dropped to the field behind the school for an instant, then launched itself up to the roof, landing with a massive thud. It turned and faced the ninja.

"I am Lord Deathray", it said in a slight English accent, "I have come to annihilate Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable."

The ninja leaped to the far corner of the roof, drawing the robot's attention away from Kim. Muffled cries could be heard from below, while there were approaching sirens in the distance.

"The one you know as Stoppable is no more", the ninja said, turning to face the gigantic machine, "You destroyed him as he was attempting to enter the building. I regret I was not in time to stop you. But I will not allow you to harm anyone else. If you wish to fight, climb out of that machine and face me."

From a remote, detached part of her sub-conscience, Kim observed that this was not a robot, but rather someone in a massive mechanized battle suit. This particular fact went unnoticed, drowned out by a screaming, horrific confirmation of her worst fears:

Ron Stoppable was dead.