Chapter 6
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"You don't believe me?" The blond said softly, staring at Kim a note of hurt in his voice. He looked taken aback by the point blank refusal to believe him.

"Ron! Josh and Monique both say it was you." Kim said hotly, her face holding a look of anger much worse than anything she'd ever used before. Her arms were crossed just under her chest "I thought you were my best-friend! Not some, some-" words failed and she just glared at him.

This it seemed was enough to get Ron mad, since he slammed his locker door shut with such force that it sprang back open and dented the neighboring locker. "I've told you what happened! Since when do you take moronic, backstabbing liars like that seriously?"

"Since Pre-K." Kim responded instantly and coldly.

Classroom doorways, which had been open and devoid of any students were suddenly filled with anxious looking students and teachers. But the arguing seniors ignored them as they stared at each other.

Ron's face became stony and it was obvious that he wanted to say or do something in retaliation. Instead he took ten deep breaths before trying to say anything "KP, I-"

Before he could finish his sentence though, Kim slapped the taste out of his mouth. It was hard enough to cause him to stagger and leave a hand print on his cheek. "Don't. You. Dare!" Kim shouted "You don't have the right to call me that anymore you bastard!"

Ron, who had reached up in mute silence to touch his cheek froze and turned his gaze toward her. He righted himself, setting his jaw as he spoke "Fine Kimberly. I know how things really stand now, and I'm not going to stay where I'm not wanted."

Kim seemed nonplused by his tone of voice or how he was looking at her "Hasn't stopped you for thirteen years, why should it now?"

Ron, in response stepped in close to her, so that his nose was practically touching hers. Neither looked away as he spoke in a low, dangerous tone "Good bye Kimmie, hope you have a nice life. Remember that when the asshole rapes you and Monique is off diddling herself, not to come looking for me. Cause I warned you."

Kim opened her mouth to responded but he had already turned and was marching off, shoving his way through the students and teachers that had finally given up pretense of hiding in their rooms. Kim knew her cheeks were red from anger and she shouted the only thing that she could think of "YOU'RE A LOSER!" she cupped her hands shouting it at the top of her voice "LOSER!"

She saw the shocked look on the faces of the students but she grabbed her backpack shouting at them "What are you looking at?" When none of them said anything, she turned and stalked off.
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Kim jerked awake suddenly, looking around in a panic. The dream had reawakened a fear deep inside her, Ron had told her not to come looking for him. He had said it in such a voice that she had no doubt that he wouldn't care. She reached out for the small plastic cup holding two pills' a stewardess had given her.

Kim's hand trembled as she picked up the plastic cup, and selected a pill. Closing her eyes she tossed it in her mouth and swallowed, trying to relax and let the nerve pill work. She was lucky the stewardess know who she was and gave her the pills. The red head set the cup back down and leaned back in her seat, willing herself to calm down.

The pill would work, but if she was relaxed it would work faster. However her mind was unwilling to let her stop thinking about the blond male and how was he going to react when he saw her. Would he yell at her or curse her or just slam the door in her face? Would he slap her? No, Kim knew that no matter how much Ron hated her he'd never lay a hand on her, not that he needed to do that to hurt her.

Dimly she realized that she was no longer trembling, thankfully the pill was beginning to take affect. She checked her watch, and hour or so left and she would be in Michigan. Wade said he had a ride waiting for her at the airport who had Ron's address, so she didn't have to try and figure out a way to get there.

Kim closed her eyes, taking deep calming breaths. As she drifted off to nerve-pill induced sleep, she whispered his name once before finally going out like a light. A minute later a stewardess, looking worried about Kim, strode down the aisle and covered the sleeping teenager with a blanket.

Josh shifted in his seat, the hard molded plastic seat insuring that he was uncomfortable. He slid his gaze along the various groups of people filling the terminal. He settled his gaze on a little girl with brown hair clutching tight to her mothers hand, he studied her for a moment then adverted his gaze.

He quickly picked up his laptop, thinking to maybe do a little work on the graphic his was designing for his class. However he stared at the screen blankly, realizing that he was unable to concentrate well enough to do the required work. Cursing himself he returned the device to his carry on bag and pulled out the ticket.

He considered the heavy piece of paper, it felt thick and heavier than normal and for one wild moment he wondered if this was how his heart felt from everything he'd done over the last year. He quickly rejected that, not really believing that he could indulge in such thoughts. It was childish and immature to think such things. A piece of paper was a piece of paper, no matter what he knew that perfectly well.

Sighing he slid the ticket back into bookbag and crossed his arms, slipping down slightly in his seat. His handsome face becoming neutral as he studied the crowds of people once more, wondering how he could have ever been foolish enough to get involved in this situation. It wasn't the first time he had wondered such a thing and it wouldn't be the last he was sure. Displeased he closed his eyes and tried to take a nap, but was unable to relax enough to do so.

Grumbling he opened his eyes and stood, grabbing his carry-on bag and started down the aisle way of the waiting seats in a search for some food. He had an hour to kill before his flight left and he had skipped breakfast. He gave a few girls a pleasing smile out of instinct, working his way through the crowds. Maybe with any luck he'd miss his flight that would serve the bitch right.

The cold wind caused a shiver to run up the spine of the attractive red head as she stepped out of the heated airport, into the sprawling city of Ypsilanti. Slightly bloodshot emerald eyes scanned the distant landscape, as they wondered how a city could look so clean and dirty at the same time. Jostled slightly the feminine figure, dressed in a light jacket and blue pants stepped to the side so that the entrance to the airport wasn't blocked.

With a shaking hand she fished in her pocket, then produced the blue PDA style device. She stared at the blank screen, a minor terror rampaging through her heart. With a practiced ease born from years of missions she manipulated the device causing the screen to blink to life with the default setting of the green and yellow initials of her name.

Licking her dry lips nervously she glanced up at the traffic then almost immediately looked away, unable to stand the sight of all those happy couples and friends. Beginning to doubt her rash judgement, she shifted uneasily before focusing on the screen once more where a chubby, African-American teenager waited. She was taken aback once more by his appearance, but she quickly recovered and gave him a ghost of a smile "Hey Wade,"

The young man nodded in way of greeting. His eyes flickered to another screen and then he looked back at her, speaking in a subdued tone of voice "You made it alright?" once the young woman nodded he sighed, typing slowly "Good. Your ride should be there soon, I've given Justine Ron's address."

"Justine? She's in Michigan?" Kim asked sounding mildly surprised, her melancholy disappearing for a moment.

Wade nodded allowing a smile to tug at his lips "Yep, professor of Advanced Physics and Theoretical Quantum Mechanics at Eastern Michigan."

"That's where Ron goes," Kim said automatic, not registering she was just repeating information that Wade had already given her.

The boy hesitated then laid his hands on the desk near the keyboard "Yes, I've been...well, keeping track of him. Besides, I fill in sometimes for Justine so it's a fair trade of services." Kim nodded distractedly and the computer genius plowed on with what he really had to say "I'm not sure this is a good idea Kim. You and Ron, well...those last few days weren't pleasant, he might hate you. Might even lash out."

"I-I know Wade," Kim said softly "I'll be fine though...he's still Ron." She said this last part as much to convince herself as to convince Wade. The boy gave her a skeptical look, but said nothing else. Kim, gave him a weak smile "I just...thanks Wade. For everything. You rock."

The boy was silent for a moment then gave her his own smile "Just glad to help you one last time...Good luck." then before Kim could say anything or an awkward silence could develop he killed the connection and the PDA went cold in her hands. Kim stared at it a moment longer then slipped it back into her pocket, knowing that she would probably never see Wade again.

Something about that filled her with a feeling of discomfort, he'd always been with her in some way. The rest of her however felt good, at least they'd come to some sort of reconciliation and if nothing else that was good. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, looking up at the skyline "Goodbye Wade,"

After a moment of silence she returned her gaze to the parking lot and saw a blue Saturn parking and a waspish young blond woman climbing out. It took Kim only a moment to realize who it was, that look of superiority would never change. Adjusting her duffle bag on her shoulder, she stepped off the curb and started toward the impatient looking woman.

Josh pushed aside the blue curtain out of the way and smiling confidently strode down the carpeted aisle to his seat toward the front of the plane. He eyed the movie screen then placed his carry-on bag into the overhead compartment. He had to struggle for a moment, then having managed to latch the compartment took his seat near the window.

He nodded pleasantly at the few other passengers then propped his chin on his fist staring out the window at the tarmac. Why was he even bothering to go through with this? So what if Kim found Ron, so what if they made up, it's not like he'd have anything to worry about. Ron wouldn't hurt him, well he'd try but this was Ron after all, besides Kim would keep them apart. Hell, he actually hoped Kim found Ron and they did make up, just to screw up all the plans that had been laid.

His eyebrows knitted as he considered everything, wondering if maybe instead of keeping them apart if he shouldn't tell them the truth. The whole, unadulterated truth, every rotten detail. Even his part in everything. It was tempting, oh so tempting but he wasn't in a position to really do that as long as she had something to hold over his head.

He smiled slowly, much as a caged predator would when it sensed a way of escape. As long as he was in Michigan he might just have to run a few errands. He chuckled, shifting in his seat and let out a breath relaxing. He glanced at the older man, dressed like a business man, taking a seat next to him and smiled extending his hand "Joshua Mankey,"

The man, taken aback, shook the young mans hand "Mr. Matthews," he paused smiling "Going to visit family son?"

The blond shook his head, settling back into his plush seat "No, I'm going to see a few friends."

"Ahh," the man said settling into his own seat "So do you go to school?"

Josh nodded "Yes sir, USC. Graphic Design." Smiling Josh adjusted himself in his seat beginning to hold a conversation with this man, unconsciously aware that this would be good practice for a job interview. His mind wasn't focused on it though, it was on other matters ones that he needed to resolve if he was going to teach her a lesson. A lesson she needed to learn.

Kim leaned the side of her head against the cool pane of glass on the passenger side of the car, staring out at the road. Justine refused to play any music, saying it was a waste of energy to listen to canned, mass-produced sound. Kim wished she had the music, but was thankful that she could listen to the thump of the tires on the pavement. However it didn't distract her from thinking about what kind of life Ron was living.

It had become apparent shortly after leaving the airport that Justine was not heading into a nice neighborhood. The two girls had exchanged the required polite pleasantries and then fell silent, due to the fact that Justine wouldn't answer Kim's questions. Not that Kim needed Justine's explanations to figure out they were heading into Ypsilanti's slum and low rent section of the city.

It was a harsh place to see, the buildings were crowded together many looking as if they were ready to fall in. The streets were rough from pot holes and the sidewalks, which had litter, were filled with rough looking characters and at least one girl Kim swore had to be a 'working girl'.

Kim, watched as the made yet another turn and shaking her head looked over at her driver speaking softly "so, Teaching. Bet that's rewarding."

Justine sniffed not looking away from the road "I make maybe thirty thousand a year, I have a bunch of rich brats as students...yea it's real rewarding." The waspish woman turned onto yet another uneven side street, eyes roaming "You know he's not a happy guy don't you?"

"He's not?" Kim asked eyes widening in surprise "Is he...has he gotten mean?"

Justine shook her head "No...he's gotten more rude I guess is a word to use. He's not using drugs, that I know of, but he's not doing all that good. He's just barely scrapping by in college. He's had a few relationships and they've ended up in the dumpster in a matter of days."

"So, he's had girlfriends?" Kim asked slightly startled.

Justine nodded "Yea, I guess you'd call them that. He had just started dating Zita, but that's...she slept around on him and he found out yesterday."

"Oh god," Kim muttered "She didn't."

"She did...the entire campus already knew. I don't know how he's handling it or anything." Justine hesitated glancing at her redheaded passenger "I'd thought I should tell you just in case. I don't know how stable he'll be now and trust me, he's been in a few fight fights living here."

Kim gulping tried to look unconcerned "Don't worry, no matter what he's feelin he's still Ron. He wouldn't hit me..."

"Yea, well you'll find out for sure cause here we are. He's on the second floor, apartment six." Justine responded as she pulled up to a curb in front of one of the better-looking buildings.

Kim looked out at the window and silently readied herself. Everything she'd learned causing the disquiet she felt in meeting Ron to grow to epic portions. She eyed the sidewalk where two unsavory young men leaned against the wall, then the three stone stairs covered with litter leading to the building.

Kim licked her dry lips "Thanks Justine-I guess, I better go on up."

"If things go south, head to the subway and take it uptown and get a taxi." Justine said offering a small card "Take this and give it to the driver. It's my apartment, you can stay with me if you need to."

Kim took the card absently and slipped it into her pocket "Thanks," then taking a deep breath she grabbed her duffle back and opened the door stepping out into the chilly air. She glanced at the building then started forward, returning the lecherous gaze of the two men with her own defiant glare. Silently she dared them to try something, she had been out of the 'hero business' for two years but she was still a dangerous fighter.

Seeing they weren't about to make a move, Kim focused on the stairs. They seemed to loom before her daunting, before she knew it she was opening the peeling brown security door and entered the dim building. Adjusting her duffle bag, she started up the creaking stairs, heart racing a mile a minute. She reached the second floor landing and hesitated staring down the long, olive brown hallway.

It was lit by a single light bulb that provided just enough light to show just how gloomy the hallway was. Grimacing she started forward, eyes darting around for hidden dangers but found none. Kim spotted the dully bronze number signaling that the room beyond was Ron's apartment, upon seeing it she felt as if someone had dumped a bucket of ice water on her.

"I can do this," Kim muttered lifting her hand to knock on the door "It's just R-Ron." She knocked four times and then stopped, waiting uneasily for the door to open. She hadn't counted on the fear she felt when she heard a faint voice on the other side of the door. She wanted to run away, maybe if she was lucky she'd catch Justine.

Kim clenched her eyes shut and shook her head violently, unwilling to give into such a cowardly urge. She opened her eyes preparing to knock once more, but hesitated when a slightly louder statement reached her ears followed by a series of deadbolts and chain locks being undone. Kim hurriedly tried to smooth her hair out and keep the look of fearful anticipation off her face.

The door opened to reveal a taller and leaner looking Ron. His mouth was open as if to say something, but he hesitated seeing her. Kim stared at his freckled face and those 'Ron-brown' eyes, her breath catching in her throat for a moment. He looked the same and yet he was different, then suddenly she realized he was wearing a hastily buttoned white shirt and pants.

In the second it took for him to notice it was Kim and not someone else his face had closed and eyes hardened. He stared at her silently with a blank face and emotionless brown eyes, insuring that his once innocent face was devoid of any hint of what he was thinking or feeling. He was just standing there staring at her, hand on the handle of his apartment.

Kim opened her mouth to say something, despite the fact that her mind could think of nothing to say. She closed her mouth and stared continued to stare at him knowing she had so many things to say, so many things needing to be said, so much cashing around in her mind. Paramount of these was the urge to tell him that he was right that she was sorry. Finally she only managed to say a single word, mentally wincing at her weak voice "Ron,"

At the sound of her voice, his eyes narrowed and he slammed the door in her face. Kim stared at the door blankly, not at all surprised by his reaction. Instead of crying, she frowned muttering "I deserved that." sighing she reached up and began knocking on the door once more.

She paused only when she heard a new voice, female, asking faintly who it was. Ron's voice answered her, extra loud and harsh "It's nobody." Kim couldn't help but wince as if physically struck, tears threatening to escape her.

She had known better, she had known how he'd react. He hated her and she didn't deserve to be here intruding on his life, no matter what sort of problems he had. Without a word she turned and bolted down the hallway and the stairs then out onto the sidewalk.

AN: a long wait, yet again. For some reason this story is slow to develop. I won't abadon it however, but its getting annoying how hard it is to write anything for this fic. Before anyone askes yes, Eastern Michigan is located in Ypsilanti. Don't beleive me look it up, also I'm not sure if it would have a subway but here it does sorry. Anyway, hope this chapter lived up to its predcessors and that I'll get at least one review out of it.

Geor-sama