Sorry about confusing everyone. I wanted to create some suspense as to what happened. I just didn't mean to take so long getting to the next chapter. Had a bit of writer's block and had my wisdom teeth removed. Pain isn't conducive to writing. I also agree that the songfic wasn't well placed, but I feel it was better than what I could have written. Regardless, there won't be any more in stories. I've enjoyed the constructive criticisms I've gotten with this story. They should help me with planning other works. Thanks, everyone, and enjoy this chapter.
Chapter 4
Kim was sitting up in the hospital bed, staring at the pendant in her hands. The pendant Ron had given her. It had been easy to convince the staff to let her have it back, and it did calm her down as she'd promised. She looked back up at the three most authoritative people in her life, her parents and Dr. Director. She had regained all her memories, but the price had been too high.
Now she had to explain why she had put herself in danger and gotten her friend killed. If there was one memory she wished she could forget, that was it. She could have been hurt worse, but this didn't feel any better. She had been unconscious for a few days, and she had no serious injuries beyond some blood loss.
"Ron has told me about all of our missions. What I took from it was we were a team and always there for each other," she started. "When he got the call, I was afraid what would happen if we weren't together. So, I snuck on board and parachuted after him.
"When I landed, he was waiting for me. He tried to get me to go to the rendezvous point, but I was being stubborn. I finally convinced him to let me be the distraction, so he could complete the mission. I went in first to draw their attention, and then Ron tried to sneak around to destroy the laser. For the most part, it worked. That's when the laser started firing randomly instead of simply overloading. Dr. Drakken and Shego managed to escape, but we were pinned down as the laser destroyed the lair.
"I panicked and flashed back to the mission before. When I ran, Ron pushed me out of the way. I watched him take the shot to his back, and everything came back. I tried to get to him, but the laser exploded and threw me across the room. I lay there dazed and unable to move. Rubble was falling everywhere, and all I could think about was if Ron was all right. That's when he carried me outside and collapsed from blood loss. I blacked out when the medics got there."
Dr. Director simply nodded. "That confirms what we were able to salvage from the security tapes. They end when the laser exploded, and I was hoping you would be able to shed more light on how Mr. Stoppable got you out. I wish I weren't the one to tell you, but the laser pierced his heart. The medics were dispatched as soon as his vitals stopped. He died instantly, Kim."
"Thank you for telling me," she said quietly.
Dr. Director stood to leave. "Kim, what happened was an unfortunate accident and not your fault. If you ever feel ready to work with us again or need anything, feel free to call. We're working with the Stoppables to arrange a hero's funeral. It's the least we can do."
Kim continued to sit in silence, staring at the pendant as she caused the tiny orb to go in and out of the chest. Her parents shared looks of concern, unable to protect their daughter from this loss of innocence. "How are you feeling, Kimmie?" Mrs. Possible asked.
"You know, if Ron were here, he'd probably joke about how it's a good thing he gave me his heart before it was broken." She smiled sadly before her face screwed up as she unsuccessfully tried not to cry.
Her parents rushed to opposite sides of the bed to hold her. Kim cried on her mom's shoulder, sobbing her apologies. They tried to reassure her, but their words sounded hollow even to their ears. Soon tears came to their eyes as they mourned with their daughter the loss of a boy that was like a son to them. They felt like they had failed as parents to protect the two children from the pains of the world.
Kim lay in the dark, staring at the ceiling. Unable to sleep, she was left only with her thoughts. Her parents had long since gone home, and she was glad they had left. She didn't want to be left alone, but it hurt her to see them in so much pain because of her. It would be conceited of her to believe her pain was more than theirs. She still remembered those nights she and Ron had spent with her parents going over photo albums to help her get her memory back. She could probably count on one hand the total number of pictures she was in that he wasn't. Her relatives even sent him birthday gifts.
It had taken the amnesia for her to see everything from the outside. How much her family loved her. How wonderful her friendship with Ron was. The way her parents couldn't love Ron any more even if he were of their own flesh and blood. What hurt the most was looking back and seeing the turmoil in his eyes whenever she had crushed on him. Knowing him, he'd probably been planning some way to blow off her apologies when her memories came back.
These thoughts nearly brought her to tears again. Ron had given her everything to help her, but he wouldn't commit to dating her. Had he not shared her feelings, he would have told her. But he had said they would see. She knew now that she was going to apologize to him, but not for the reason he thought. As a stranger, she had fallen in love with all the qualities that had made them friends. After regaining her memories, those feelings only intensified. What she had known in her mind then, she now knew in her heart. She wanted to apologize for not seeing it before, but it was too late now. Unable to hold back anymore, she let the tears flow freely until sleep finally took her.
Kim was running from some terrifying creature, and her mission clothes felt like they were slowing her down. She didn't know what it was, but she had to find somewhere safe. Seeing two glowing green dots, she headed there. When she got to the source, she saw it was Shego and tried to back away. Looking around frantically, she found the menacing gazes of villains and friends surrounding her. Wordlessly, they chanted one word as they loomed taller and taller. Murderer.
The little girl pulled her pigtails in front of her face. She sobbed her apologies as she tried to hide from the shame. As suddenly as it had begun, the whispers ceased. Looking out with tear-filled eyes, she saw an almost familiar figure. He looked taller, stronger, and somehow more handsome. But she could never forget those brown eyes.
She was in his arms, her little head nuzzled against his chest. "I'm sorry, Ron. I miss you."
He smiled down at her. "I know, KP. But you've got me right next to your heart."
Kim frowned. "But it's not the same. It's my fault you're dead."
"I knew it could happen. I have no regrets. Besides, I get you to guard your dreams."
"It's not fair," she said, threatening a tantrum. "There has to be a way. You were always better at leaps of logic."
The blonde shrugged. "Divine intervention?"
Kim's eyes went wide with hope, "Do you think God would do it?"
He sighed. "Thousands of similar prayers aren't answered."
She shrunk into herself, huddling in his arms.
Ron was unable to bear this sight of his friend. "On Mt. Yamounuchi, seek a man known as Sensei. Ask him how to find Izanagi and Izanami. I have a connection to Japan; and if there's anyone that can convince a god, it's you.
She dropped down to find herself looking across a forest valley at a beautiful mountain. Pulling loose strands of her hair from her face, she looked at her friend. "Is that where I'll find them?"
He nodded. "I don't know where it is. Gods can be secretive." He hugged her tightly. "Be careful. No point in you dying just for me."
She grinned at him. "I'll succeed. Anything's possible for a Possible."
He laughed as they sat against a tree and watched her memories play against the sky until she woke.
Dr. Director silently sat at her desk, mulling over the call she had just received. It seemed like a crazy plan, but so were most evil plots. Kim just wanted the body safe while she tried to talk to some gods. The redhead figured this just meant not cremating him; Global Justice actually had a protocol for this. It would be easy to have Ron moved to a Lazarus Box, a refrigeration unit that monitored for life signs and adjusted the internal environment accordingly. It was meant to give agents under the influence of drugs that slowed respiration and heart rate a chance. If they were dead, it still preserved the body.
Making her decision, she picked up the phone. "Morgue, I need you to do me a favor."