Alrighty peoples, I must apologise for the lack of chapters recently. University, exams in just over a week, general mayhem and fun...the usual. So, here's chapter 5. I hope you all enjoy. As usual, Kim Possible and all related characters are copyright their respective owners (i.e. not me).

It felt odd. The darkness, the sensation of floating in nothingness whilst still aware of some solid, physical presence against your body. In an area that, as far as his perception allowed him to ascertain, was purely a black expanse of emptiness, the nerve endings in his body had found some form of physical form to latch onto and project its presence into his nervous system, and thus become aware of it consciously. And interesting sensation, floating in nothingness, but being aware of a soft, comforting form enveloping his back and a lighter, softer feeling over his front. Despite being unable to move his arms and search out this almost tangible presence, he knew it was there.

The question was, was he there with it?

Ron's brain ached. Such questions bordered on the philosophical, and previously, Ron's most demanding question in recent weeks had been "Grande Naco or two Grande Nacos?" No, his mind thought, that's a lie. The most difficult question I've faced was whether to date KP or not. But for something so difficult, it felt…right, easy once it was done. Ron would have groaned if what he perceived to be his almost astral projection of soul had vocal chords. Since when did I know big words?

The second question he faced was a similarly difficult one to answer: why was he here? Ron understood the concept of unconsciousness, that stage where the human body has either suffered sufficient trauma or is lacking in nutrients and fuels to cease conscious function and remove the faculties of perception in the physical plain…damnit, small words, Ron, small words!... and yet he had no idea what actually happened in unconsciousness. He could only guess that what he was experiencing at this moment could be considered normal for someone who had recently slipped out of their easily discernable higher brain functions. Of course, to Ron, the fact that most of his thoughts contained words he thought were merely legends, and indeed the fact that he was thinking at all, an action associated with conscious awareness, was quite surprising to him.

So, logically…urgh, logic, never used it before, it feels wrong! So very wrong! Ok, obviously…yes, better...obviously, I'm not unconscious if I can think and be aware of myself thinking in such a manner. So that means I am conscious, but why the darkness? Duh, eyes closed!

Considering that, less than ten minutes ago Ron had believed he was unconscious, the speed with which he managed to sit up and open his eyes completely terrified the once sleeping form sat next to his bed, holding his hand lightly in her own.

Kim had been with Ron in the ambulance, clutching his hand tightly on the journey from his house to the emergency facility located near the centre of Middleton. She had been forced to relinquish her grip, if only briefly, when Ron's inert form had been transferred from the ambulance to a stretcher and from there to a waiting hospital bed. Kim didn't exactly dislike hospitals, but she had little love for the sterile, white walls that pressed in around her. Despite knowing that Ron was fine (Kim trusted her mother's words), she still worried about him.

When Ron had been gently deposited in his bed, and the crisp, clean sheets pulled up to his chest, Kim had resumed gripping his inert hand. She had told herself she would not fall asleep, that she would be awake when her Ron…yes, my Ron…awoke. She wanted to be the first face that he would see, not some indifferent nurse who didn't know him, who had no idea what he had just been through. To be fair, Kim didn't know exactly what had happened between Ron and Monkey Fist, but Ron had said enough to give Kim a good idea of what must have taken place. However, emotional and physical weariness soon overcame her, and Kim fell into a light doze, slumping forwards in her chair. Her head rested gently on the bedcovers, and her right arm was stretched forward as her hand remained in a gentle embrace with Ron's.

It is understandable, then, that when an unconscious form suddenly sits bolt upright and opens his eyes, Kim awoke with a start and a small shriek, tipping her chair backwards and rolling onto the floor as she attempted to leap instinctively backwards. The cold floor tiles touched her skin, their coolness bringing her mind fully awake, although this could in some small way be contributed to landing on the floor with considerable force.

Kim looked up at the form of her boyfriend, rubbing his eyes and glancing around the hospital room with a bemused expression planted firmly on his face. The skin around his eyes tightened slightly as he peered down at her lying sprawled across the floor.

"KP?" his voice croaked.

"Ron!" she screamed in relief and delight, leaping from the floor with amazing agility and landing on top of him, hugging him tightly.

Ron fell backwards as Kim barrelled into him, landing softly on the mattress. His arms, pinned to his sides, did their best to return the hug, the hands resting gently on her hips. "Good to see you too, Kim," he said, his voice hoarse.

"I'm so glad you're awake! I thought you might have remained unconscious for hours! I was so worried!" Kim drew back from him, looking him straight in the eye. "Don't you ever worry me like that again!" she said with all seriousness.

Ron just smiled and nodded. "Sorry, KP, didn't mean to worry you so much. Although if I get such great treatment every time I wake from unconsciousness…" He laughed shortly.

Kim's gentle laughter joined with his. "Same old Ron," she said quietly, smiling at him.

Ron's smile faded slightly, and his eyes began to water. "Any luck with my parents yet?" he asked, trying hard not to touch the purple welt in the centre of his chest.

Kim immediately embraced Ron again, her arms far gentler this time as they encircled his neck. "I've got Wade working on tracking Fist," she said. "Don't worry Ron, we'll find your mom and dad and get them back. I promise."

Ron's smile returned slightly, though his eyes still showed the grief he felt inside. "I'm so lucky to have such a great friend," he said, his arms slipping around Kim as a few tears escaped his eyes and rolled silently down his face.

Ron had drifted back to sleep, still weary from the fight he had had with Monkey Fist and his ninjas. Kim was relieved now, knowing that the rhythmic rising and falling of his chest signified deep sleep rather than unconsciousness. She stood and walked around the room, stopping by the window and looking out into the shadowy night. Despite being so close to the centre of Middleton, the stars could still be seen, tiny pinpricks of light against the blackness of space. Kim looked for familiar shades in the stars, searching out the constellations. She thought how, from here, the stars looked so tiny, yet they were in fact huge balls of brilliantly burning gases billions of miles away. She marvelled at how long it took the light from these stars to reach Earth; that so many of these stars could have gone supernova or simply winked out of existence, and it wouldn't be known on Earth for hundreds of years.

Kim indulged herself in a small smile, walking back to Ron's bed and sitting back in her chair. Reaching out with a gentle hand, Kim placed her palm on Ron's head lightly. Seeing that he was in too deep a sleep to notice, she gently stroked through his hair. She did this as much to comfort herself as any effect it may have on Ron: somehow, the unobtrusive intimacy of the action soothed her rioting thoughts and emotions: anger at Monkey Fist, fear for Ron, concern, rage; mostly she had been feeling variations over two powerful, central emotions. But a new one arose in her thoughts, intruding into her conscious mind: this one she crushed immediately, with help from the calming influences of playing with Ron's hair. This new desire was one she didn't want to feel: the desire for revenge. To give in to it would undermine everything that Kim, and indeed Ron, had worked for over the past few years: peace and crime fighting. To act on the vengeful impulse, to go after Fist and make him succumb to her own brand of justice…well, Kim knew very well that it was enough to hand him over to the authorities. Neither he nor Ron had the right to be judge and jury.

Kim leaned forward, and kissed Ron gently on the forehead. "Goodnight, Ron," she whispered. As she laid her head on the bed, Kim glanced up at Ron's peaceful face, and was met by a tiny smile that had formed on his lips. Kim closed her eyes, and could swear she heard a gentle whisper reach her ears.

"Goodnight, KP."