Chapter 7

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Kim stared at the large male figure blocking her path detachedly, amazed however by his sheer bulk. He was easily 6'8, with a stocky frame and a flat face as if it'd been smashed into a brick wall several times. His piggish eyes stared at her with a coldness that she didn't like at all.

Appearing nonchalant Kim eased her duffle bag to the ground next to her, preparing for the fight she could feel coming. Already her mind was considering how this fight would have to happen. The hallway was to narrow for any acrobatics. A head on confrontation was the only course, she had to strike him hard enough to deter further interest in trying anything.

The large man gave her a toothy smile, revealing his missing teeth "This ain't a nice place red, ya wanna come back to my place?"

"No," Kim said simply, unable to believe how much trouble the decision to come back to Ron's apartment was creating for her. She noted the anger that flashed in his eyes and read his body language pleased that two years of inactivity hadn't hurt her too much.

Kim reacted fluidly to his sudden lunge, her foot coming high into his breast bone forcing him to stumble back in pain. A beefy hand reached up to rub vigorously against his chest as he stared at her with increasing rage "Bitch! I'm gonna-"

Before he could finish that statement Kim moved in and smashed her fist into his face, drawing blood and forcing him to stumble backward once more. Kim was satisfied that the fight was over, she'd struck hard and fast and hurt him, which the blood running from his nose and mouth could attest to.

Then fear clutched at her heart as he shook his head like an enraged beast apparently unfazed by the blood. Kim slipped into her fighting stance, mentally cursing her restraint. This wasn't a henchman or Shego, but she still needed to hit him as hard as she could. If the fight went on to long then she was bound to lose. It was a fact, he was bigger and that could control her once.

The man hesitated, eyeing her closely. This gave Kim hope that he was going to back off and wait for an easier target. She watched his mid-section out of habit, this offered her the best chance to see what he was going to do before he did it.

The confrontation however was brought to an abrupt halt as the door to Ron's apartment opened, allowing the lanky form of Ron Stoppable to step into the hallway. He barely came to the attacker's chest, but he seemed unbothered by the size difference.

Kim however was suddenly terrified, not for herself but for the blond in front of her. She could remember all the missions, they flashed through her mind's eye in half a heart beat. What was he trying to do, get himself killed?

"What do you want Ronnie," The large man said, a taunting tone in his voice "Sloppy seconds?"

"We've discussed this Brig," Ron said softly, apparently unfazed by the taunt "You don't assault girls. Not nice."

Kim took a step back, trying to see if there was a way to help Ron. Then the large man came forward lumberingly, silently she urged Ron to move but he remained rooted to his spot. Just as Kim prepared to move forward and knock him out of the way, Ron lashed out with a left hook to the ribs and then a right cross to Brig's face.

Eyes wide Kim watched as the large man stumbled away from the blows, smashing into a wall before falling to the ground on his side. The light making his still form look twisted and misshapen, but Kim was more surprised that nobody had come running from the noise the three of them had been making.

"Can't fight fair here," Ron said drawing attention back to him. His tone was of someone holding emotions in check, and his brown eyes stared at her with an accusing air "And you can't pull your punches, that's a good way to get raped." That said he quietly transferred the roll of quarters in his right hand to his left and pocketed both rolls.

Kim felt uncomfortable under his cold gaze but nodded, understanding perfectly. Using such an underhanded trick was bad, but since the guy he'd been facing was twice his size Kim understood perfectly. "Than-"

"Inside. He'll be up soon and he won't be happy." Ron said in a clipped ton, starting for his apartment.

"Right," Kim said slowly and quickly retrieved her duffle bag, entering his apartment under the cold watchful eyes of her former best-friend. She stopped beside Ron who closed the door hard and locking the deadbolt with a great deal more force than needed. She thought of saying something when he pushed past her without a second glance, heading into the apartment itself.

The bathroom was large, filled with several stalls and urinals. The floor was clean as was everything else, obviously due to a good sanitation budget. Along one wall was a long faux-marble sink and a long, smudge-free mirror with a bank of air-hand driers and paper towel dispensers on the opposite wall. Against another wall sat a plastic, folding baby changing table which was currently home to a leather encased laptop and a small suitcase.

A lean young man, with styled blond hair a wining smile and a handsome face eased the bathroom door open once more and stepped inside, a cup of fresh coffee cradled in his hand. Sipping it he walked over to the sink and set it down, studying his reflection carefully.

Noticing a loose strand of hair he quietly smoothed it back into place and took a sip of his coffee. He spent several minutes changing his facial expressions. First he was smiling, then he was scowling, then he was sad and then he was both sad and happy, he stopped finally and stared steadily into his eyes.

His face lacked any emotions now, sort of a blank slate. It was part of his many talents that ability to use his face like a mask. Thanks to this ability he had always been able to convince anyone of what he wanted them to think he was feeling. His ability to do the same thing with his voice was part of the same gift and he utilized them both completely.

Finally he let his real emotions show on his face, one of worried anger. He had a lot to do, a few people to see. If he was going to set things going he had to get to work, he knew it was nearly night now. He'd drive through the night to Kalamazoo, catch some sleep at a hotel and then set about his tasks.

Nodding once he finished his coffee and then quietly slid his finger along his perfect teeth. Once satisfied that they were indeed clean he turned retrieving his laptop and his suitcase. Whistling he pulled the door open and stepped out into the mildly busy airport lobby.

He looked around curiously and then started off heading for the general direction fo a car rental counter. He brushed past a group of girls, his charming smile in place when he felt his cell phone vibrating in his pocket. Shifting his bags around he freed a hand and produced te cell phone talking quietly "Hullo,"

He nodded, allowing a group of nuns to cut in front of him at the counter "I'm here, don't worry. Just renting a car right now."

He nodded again turning to look behind him, flashing a smile at a young teenage girl watching him. Noticing her blush he smiled a little more then stepped out of line turning away to speak softly into the phone "Don't worry about them. They hate each other. He'll probably kick her out and she's going to be pissed, not exactly the best of moods to make up."

He fell silent, listening to whatever was said and then promptly shut off the cell phone, pocketing it. He glanced back at the line and stepped in behind the girl, keeping eye contact with her smiling the entire time.

Kim sat awkwardly in the small livingroom/kitchen of the apartment unsure of what she should say or do. The apartment was a small one bedroom affair, who's door was currently closed, with an ugly brownish-yellow shag carpet. It was furnished not surprisingly, with a battered coffee table, faded and sagging chair and couch combination and no TV. The only source of light was a flicker over head lightbulb.

Kim glanced at the half kitchen seeing a gray fridge, battered toaster and a sink. At least the kitchen was clean and lit by a separate lightbulb that didn't flicker. She looked at Ron who was still standing, unmoved and unwilling to speak to her. Just as they had been for the last hour, the only noise coming from the inside of the bedroom.

Finally Ron spoke up, his voice sharp "Zita, you got all your crap yet?"

"Sí, sostenga sus caballos. Éste sigue siendo mi apartamento también..." A femine voice shouted from behind the closed door. Kim winced, unable to believe her bad luck, realizing that he was undoubtably even more pissed than he would be.

"Como infierno es. Éste es yo y apartamento de Brians. Le deseo fuera de aquí en cinco minutos." Ron responded, his voice hardening obviously not liking what Zita had said.

"Porqué las acometidas, conseguidas otra perra a moverse adentro ya?" Zita shouted back, the sound of drawers slamminig shut punctuating her sentence.

Ron snorted crossing his arms "Ninguno de su negocio Zita. Pero yo así que yo todavía le deseamos quizá fuera de aquí ahora."

Kim caught bits and pieces of their conversation, it'd been to rapid for her and she was distracted. However when she realized that Ron could speak another language, she couldn't help but be in impressed. Suddenly the bedroom door opened with a bang, causing Kim to jump as if shot.

Zita swiftly exited the bedroom, dressed in a pair of tight blue jeans and a white blouse. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, her skin looked darker due to the harsh light in the room. She hesitated, cardboard box propped against her side with her other hand pressed to her hip, eyeing first Ron then Kim.

Eyes narrowing she turned her attention back to Ron, stalking toward him speaking with a venomus voice "I've got everything. Do I get a ride or am I walking?"

Ron, arms still crossed, gave her an unamused laugh "Key."

Zita jerked her head toward the battered coffee table "There," she glanced at Kim then snorted in disgust "You've no idea what your giving up. This is something you're gonna regret."

Ron glanced at the key then back at her nodding curtly "I know exactly I'm giving up and "I've regretted a lot of things Zita, trust me doing this isn't one of them."

Zita stiffened as if struck, her eyes narrowed and jaw muscles tightening. She obviously wanted to say something else, but apparently thought better of it and shoved past Ron to the door. Realizing that she wasn't about to have any help, she propped the box between her hip and the wall as she undid the locks and then stormed out of the apartment, slamming the door behind her.

Kim twisted back around in her seat from the doorway to stare at Ron with wide eyes. The blond seemed unbothered by Zita's actions or Kim's gaze, instead walking over to retrieve the key, placing it with the other objects in his pocket.

"R-ron-" Kim said softly but stopped when he glared at her.

"I'll get you some water," Ron said in a fury tight voice "Then you're leaving."

"I want to-"Kim began then fell silent as Ron, who was already moving toward the kitchen paused and looked back at her coldly.

"I don't care what you want," he said not bothering to mask the anger in his voice "I know he tried. I don't know why you bothered coming to see me...but since you did, he obviously tried." That said he turned back and continued on into the kitchen. He produced a small glass and filled it with water, coming back to hand it to her "Here,"

Wide eyed Kim cautiously took the glass, taking a small sip. After a moment of uncomfortable silence she spoke up focusing her attention the battered coffee table "I'm sorry-about you and Zita."

The blond's face tightened slightly but he nodded "Thanks..." he sat down in the chair and stared at her intently, his gaze both appraising and cold. Kim took another sip of her water, uneasy with his gaze. She wanted desperately to know for sure what was going through his mind.

"Did Monique come with you?"

Kim shook her head, taking her time with her water thinking, trying to figure out the situation she found herself in "No, she doesn't know I'm here."

"Does your mom?" he asked sounding uninterested.

"Well, yea she does...I-that's a long story Ron." Kim responded softly sipping her water once more.

Ron shrugged, settling back into the old chair "Whatever,"

Kim felt her temper flare, but quickly squashed it. She knew he wouldn't care, that he would be distant and cold. He had spent the last two years hating her. At least he wasn't telling her 'I told you so' about Josh. That might be a sign that he was willing to listen to her.

She looked down at the glass she was holding and then up at him "How's school?"

Ron, who had been gazing at a far wall, jerked slightly at the sound of her voice answering in a strained voice "Fine."

Kim, deciding to take a little gamble gave him a small smile "Gee, monosyllabic much?"

"Sorry, I just don't like talking to people that stab me in the back." Ron responded cooly and Kim inwardly winced, realizing she'd lost. Setting her glass down, half empty Kim settled back into the couch, getting comfortable.

"How'd you find me?"

Kim blinked at his question then shrugged "Anything's possible for a Possible."

"Except listening to anything other than..." Ron began then stopped, seeming to catch himself his anger hidden badly behind a facade of indifference "Yes, I suppose it is."

Kim shifted uncomfortable on the couch and looked around then "So, nice place..."

Ron snorted "It's a crap hole but its free lodgings this year."

"This year?"

"Yea, me and Brian alternate paying a years rent. This is his year to pay." He shook his head, his passive tone obviously forced "Nice guy, really, bit dark though."

Kim nodded and reached out careful retrieving her glass and finishing off her water in a small gulp "So," then Kim realized she had ran out of things to say. Well, no she still had things to say but she doubted Ron wanted to hear them. Besides he was being pleasant right now and she didn't want to risk upsetting him.

"So?"

"Er, so you get the bedroom?"

Ron stared at her levelly for a moment then shook his head "I'm sleeping on the couch."

"Oh, doesn't that hurt your back?"

"I've slept on worse."

Kim shifted uncomfortable at the abrupt end of the conversation wondering if should she force the matter.

"Time to go." Ron said, deciding the matter as he stood. Kim looking at him in surprise set her glass down and stood, she couldn't force him to stay and talk after all.

Still at least he was being pleasant for now, no sooner had she picked up her duffle bag than a thought occurred to her "Ron, where's Rufus?"

The blond paused and looked back at her "Dead." he didn't seem willing to elaborate, and Kim understood.

"When?"

"Last year." Ron started toward the door "Now come on."

Kim, already walking behind him reached out to place her hand on his shoulder. She felt Ron stiffen and Kim let him go almost immediately "Sorry-about Rufus I mean." Kim muttered and Ron seemed to relax.

"Yea"

Without another word he opened the door and ushered her into the hallway, joining her seconds later. Without a word he locked his door, the deadbolt sliding home with a heavy thunk and then started toward the stairs. Quietly they descended the creaking steps and then stepped out into the litter strewn landing in front of his building. The blond stopped, looking around ignoring the obvious threats.

Apparently satisfied he quickly left the landing to his building and started off down the sidewalk at a brisk pace. Kim was quick to follow, wondering if she would ever get the chance to say what she had come to say, but she quickly stopped worrying about that and concentrated on where they were going. Since she didn't know where the subway entrance was she had to follow him, even if he was angry.

Kim eyed the darkening neighborhood cautiously, her emerald eyes darting from dark shadow to dark shadow staying close to Ron, wondering how he could walk these streets without any sign of fear. With his hands shoved in his pockets, his body language spoke nothing but ease and his face lacked a sign of worry.

"I thought I was leaving," Kim asked finally after several minutes.

"I've got to pick up my paycheck first. If I don't then by the time we get to the subway I won't be able to get inside." Ron responded evenly, restraining his tone. He nodded briefly at a group of guys crowded around a stoop and Kim stared at him mutely.

It was obvious just how much an effort he was making to keep his temper, and it was also obvious that Ron had changed. It wasn't all that long ago that he would have been to scared to walk through a section of town like this and yet here he was nodding at guys that could be in a gang with familiarity.

Kim began to wonder about how many fights had he been in and how many visits to the hospital he'd made. This lead to wondering if he had ever cried himself to sleep or just how angry was he with her. Did he hate her completely or did he have some sort of non-angry emotion left for her? She stopped herself, realizing both the futility of thinking about it and telling herself she didn't care.

Glancing around she began wondering where exactly he worked, his white shirt and black pants gave her a clue, probably a restaurant. A waiter more than likely, apprenticing to be a chief. At least that was what he would be if they were heading down town, instead they we're moving towards a small gray building with a neon sing saying Rhodes Diner. A waiter or a cook, Kim decided. When they reached the corner directly across from the diner Kim spoke up "So this is where you work?"

"No, end of the other block..." was his instant and restrained answer. Then that said he crossed the street and Kim trudged alongside him. It wasn't till she reached the end of the block that she saw even more women dressed in outfits that left little to the imagination walking the streets.

Suddenly Kim had a startling thought as a few smiled at him in passing, what if he was a pimp? Or a dealer? She eyed Ron closely, but he didn't look at her. Kim wondered what he was doing, maybe he was going to try and get her hooked on drugs and pimp her out. She tightened her hands into fists, preparing to fight if she had to.

Then they came to a stop in front a medium sized brick building with women milling around the front of it. The bricks were aged beyond belief, appearing almost black and the two windows were painted with chipping black paint. In front fo the metal and wood door was a large man, dressed in a tight shirt and tight pants. Obviously a bouncer.

Kim glanced at Ron then up at the flickering neon sign that read 'XXX Strip Club: Tropicana Review-Ladies Only.' She felt her cheeks flushing realizing what kind of place this, she and Monique had visited one on Kim's last birthday. Then she realized what this meant, Ron worked here! Kim stared at him as he was talking briefly with the bouncer before disappearing inside.

What was his job? A dancer? No, he didn't have the right build for it, at least not the last time she had seen him without his shirt. She glanced around and then approached the door only to be barred by the bouncer who shook his head "We're not open yet, you'll have to wait."

Kim blushed wondering if it was tattooed on her forehead that she'd seen a strip show before.

She glared at the bouncer, knowing that it was just because of the crowd, but still: SHE WAS KIM POSSIBLE! She didn't want to see strange men stripping, even on her birthday she hadn't enjoyed it.

"Come on, move back..." The bouncer said gruffly and Kim sighed stepping away, giving in. She stayed close to the entrance however, wondering What exactly did Ron do here, this places didn't have waiters...not the type that Ron could be. If he was a stripper how good was he? Did he make good money? Why was he working here? Maybe he was the bartender, that could be a possibility, but it was going to drive her crazy till she knew for sure.

Kim had just laid out how to gain entrance to the building when Ron came back out, a white envelope disappearing into his back pocket. He nodded briefly at the bouncer and spotting Kim walked over "Come on, we don't have much time to make it to the subway." Then started off back the way they came.

Kim was hot on his heels, wanting to ask a thousand questions. She held her tongue however, startled when Ron finally spoke up, his voice harsh "Yes, I work at a strip club. The pays good, no I don't take girls home and really its none of your business what exactly I do there."

The leather bound wheel slid easily through the handsome young man's loose grip, guiding the white jaguar along the nearly empty roadway. Its headlights sliced through the night, while the radio played soft music providing a counter to the silence that filled the inside of the vehicle. The young man behind the wheel darted his eyes lazily from the road to his mirrors, then his speedometer.

Seeing that things were as they should be, he reached over and turned the volume up on the radio, giving the gas peddle a tap. The jaguar sped forward smoothly, which brought a satisfied smile to the drivers handsome face. Satisfied with the speed and the cars performance he returned his thoughts to more pressing matters.

He briefly went over his plan for freedom once more, trying to spot a flaw of any time. Unable to see one he smiled, he had plenty of time. Those two had said a lot of things that, while neither had meant, had hurt each other. She was still be back east and didn't have a clue what was going on here and he was already on the road heading for his first stop.

Suddenly he began to laugh at just how stupid she and everyone else were. He had known Kim and Ron longer than any of them and he knew that no matter what, those two would always be friends. They might have been more, baring of course, the various plans that had been created to drive and keep them apart. Josh wasn't stupid, he knew what was up with those two.

When he had started dating Kim he had only meant to date her for a bit, get what he could from her and then move on. Kim had been the queen of the school and he wasn't about to let a chance to at least sample some of her wares go by. Stupid him, he had to date her longer than he intended. A few rash decision and he got caught in the middle of all the webs of deceit. It was his fault for that, but he would be damned if he would stay in them.

Josh wasn't just a handsome jerk, he was a handsome jerk that was also a master of revenge.

Kim felt trapped by her clothes, dressed as she was her lithe and very feminie form was shown off nicely. Which of course drew lustful and lecherous stares from the males now filling the street. Absently Kim pulled her hair back into a ponytail, preparing absent-mindedly for a fight.

She glanced at Ron, the boys gait slow and measured. His hands where shoved in his pockets, the only sign that he knew just how dangerous things were becoming was the fact that his brown eyes were roaming everywhere. Yet never once did he look at Kim.

Kim couldn't decide how she felt about that, she had come several hundred miles to apologize to him and he was treating her like something on the bottom of his shoe. What was the matter with him? Did he blame her for what Zita did, or his failed life?

What the hell had happened to him? Kim wondered silently, it was like he had aborted his life. Was it really her fault that his life was this horrible? Yes she had said and done things to him that a best-friend didn't do, but she wasn't to blame for how he'd let his life turn out.

Kim was distracted seeing a group of guys across the street trailing them slightly. Where they going to try something on the subway or was it just a coincidence? The group turned down an alley and she glanced back at Ron who was staring at a dimly lit subway entrance.

Kim took a steadying breath as the continued on, drawing closer and closer to the entrance. She glanced at her watch feeling slightly panicked, only five minutes to get through the turnstiles, find her train and make it on there. She could do that, it would be easy.

However, she'd come all this way and his emotions and hurt feelings be damned she was going to say what she had to say before she left. Kim turned, mouth open to say something he spoke, his tone of tightly controlled anger "You'll be fine."

Kim hesitated, yes the anger had been there but had she heard a note of worry in his voice as well? "I know I will Ron. This is no big,"

She studied his freckled face, his 'Ron' brown eyes looking for something other than anger but couldn't find anything. Frowning slightly she decided to plow ahead with what she wanted to say "The reason I came out here Ron was to say sorry."

"You're going to miss your train." Ron said sharply, eyes narrowing.

Kim however wasn't about to back off, she had started and she was going to finish "I'm sorry about not believing you when you told me about what Josh was. What he'd try. About not believing you when you told me how stupid I was being with Josh. "

"Is that it?" He was stare was colder than ever "That's all nice, but you still don't believe that I didn't..."

Kim had a sudden flash of insight, that was it, why he was so angry. "Ron, I don't believe any of what Josh had told me anymore." She paused swearing she could see his coldness retreat and she smiled in relief "I mean, you wouldn't have tried to...maybe he tricked Monique too. Probably did, she wouldn't intentionally lie about that sort of thing."

"So does this make us fiends again? Can I, like, call you and we can talk about old times, and like, see each other from time to time? Cause that would be, like so super." Ron asked, his entire tone laced with sarcasm and his features clouded once more with anger.

Kim stared at him incredulously, what had just happened? She had been making headway and he was anger all over again? Over nothing? Suddenly Kim's own temper boiled to the surface and she didn't bother trying to control it "What the hell is the matter with you! I just apologized for Josh and what he made me believe and your treating me like scum. Are you blaming me for your life? Is that it!"

Kim saw the hand suddenly jerk from a pocket and raise in the air, palm toward her. She dully understood what was about to happen, the slap that was coming. But it didn't, he stopped his hand in mid-air though the look on his face showed just how much he wanted to slap her right now. Instead he lowered his hand speaking slowly not bothering to hide his contempt or his anger "Why did you want to say all this?"

"All what? About your life? It's true, whatever's happened to you isn't my fault. I apologized about Josh because I wanted to give us both closure."

"Gee, that's just so thoughtful." Ron snarled, glaring at her "By the way, you've just missed your train. Now your stuck in this neighborhood till the morning."

"Don't change the subject Ron! I know your upset with me, angry, but you shouldn't be, because-"

"You don't get it do you?" Ron suddenly shouted causing Kim to take an involuntary step backwards "I'm not upset with you. I hate You. Do you understand that? I.HATE.YOU. Not what you did, but you!"

Kim stared at him with wide, disbelieving eyes. Watched as his face contorted with anger and hatred, his chest expand and contract from the force of his shouting.

"I don't want you here. I don't want to hear your voice, smell your shampoo, see your face! I just want you gone. Go away, far away. This entire damn apology is about you and what you need. And I hate that too." He paused his tone dropping but the anger and hate remained "I'm sorry Josh tried to rape you, really I am, but I don't need you around telling me that you're sorry you didn't listen to me about him."

Kim's mind was shattered at his outburst. He wasn't just angry with her, he actually hated her. Completely and utterly hated her. "I-" Kim squeaked only to be shouted down by Ron once more.

"Two damn years and you're still a selfish little bitch, KP!" He stopped, face contorting with the effort it took and then with a last hate-filled glare turned storming off.

Kim stood there, utterly lost and bewildered. Had she messed up everything? Was everything her fault? She wanted to break down, right here. She didn't care that there were a dozen or so guys ready to pounce on her, she just wanted to curl up and cry. Then she felt a hand grab her arm and yank her forward in a forced march.

She whipped her head around, hand ready to fire a punch when she saw that it was Ron who was force marching her. His face was still angry, but it no where near what it had been "Come on, its not safe here at night and your trains left already." he muttered and Kim wondered why he was being so thoughtful now.

"You can crash at the apartment and leave in the morning. I'm not that heartless you know,"

"Where are you going to sleep if I stay?" Kim asked cautiously, once he released her arm.

Ron, grumbling, didn't answer her immediately. He nodded at a few hoodlums and exchanged brief hellos with a girl dressed in skimpy clothes and too much make up. Kim began replaying the last few minutes, which seemed more like a lifetime, trying to understand what was going on.

"You'll get the bedroom and I'll sleep on the couch." Ron said, pulling her from her musings as they stopped on the curb allowing a car to fly by.

"But isn't Brian sleeping in the bedroom?" Kim asked slowly, trying to talk and figure out what was going on.

Ron grunted as they crossed the street and eyed down two figures in the entrance to an alleyway "He'll take the chair."

Kim was silent for a moment, then adjusting her duffle bag on her shoulder, looking down at the ground her voice trembling "Thanks Ron, for letting me stay."

"I wouldn't be able to sleep if I didn't," Ron said distractedly eyeing a pack of slowly gathering gang members in front of a building across the street "Just remember you're leaving first thing in the morning." Kim nodded and studied him out of the corner of her eye.

His last outburst finally replayed in her mind. She felt a small, genuine smile tugging at the corners of her mouth, she hid it not entirely sure why she was smiling.

AN:

Another update, a quick one to. Amazing ain't it? Just don't get used to this, for some reason this chapter just wouldn't leave me alone till I wrote it. A big thanks goes out to my friend Fredrick Alyeious for his input. Go check out his stuff if you hadn't.

Just so where clear there is no huge 'Kim-apologies-and-everything-forgotten' scene in the next chapter. I'm only getting started with the emotional tort-er damage...honest.

Anyway, I hope that this chapter at least in some way measured up to the other, previous chapters and you forgive me if I've botched anything up.

Geor-sama