Thanks for the reviews. I'll be updating when I can over the next few weeks, but school started today, and we'll be knee deep in projects by next week, so I'll get to this when I can. The changed the rating with this update because I feel like I could do just as good a job describing everything without explicate sex scenes or excessive language…sorry, I'm not a big fan of writing smut just for the sake of it. It will be suggested later on, and I think it will definitely use all of the 'T' rating, but I don't really feel the need to go over that. I know it's starting a bit slowly, but I think the pace will pick up a bit after this chapter. Also, I registered for the draft when I turned 18…long ago…or at least it seems like it…anyway…I don't' really know all the provisions to the current bill, so don't shoot me if I get it wrong, roll with it.

Chapter Three Days Between

Ned smiled as he caught sight of the attractive redhead entering the doors to Bueno Nacho. Rain-spots were dotted on her dress, but it had just started so she was not soaked. She smiled back and quietly approached, Ned just nodded and got up, silently letting the two friends be alone. Ron had his head laid on the table turned so that he was staring out the window watching the rain begin. He did not seem coherent as Kim slid into the booth next to him, and worriedly placed a hand on his shoulder. He slowly turned towards her and gave a wan smile as he sat up. He may have seemed like he did not know she had come in, but somehow he had known she was coming. His 'Kim sense' he guessed.

"You alright?" Kim asked giving her friend a worried look, and a quick once over as he turned to her.

"Yeah KP, I'm alright….you?" He quietly asked back.

Kim just nodded, and looked very worried. Ron knew that the news had reached Kim and that she must have been worried about him if she had broken away from Josh. He reached out and hugged her; she hugged back, and they sat like that for nearly thirty minutes before anyone spoke again.

"What are we going to do Ron? I don't think we can save the world from this."

"We'll just have to keep doing what we do best KP, saving lives and keeping the bad guys from taking over the world." Kim just nodded.

"I guess we better get home. You can call your parents from my house." Kim said as she gathered herself and pulled Ron up from the booth. He handed Kim his rain jacket as they got to the door.

"What's this for?"

"Duh…so you don't get wet."

"Ron, I'm a big girl, I can take a little water."

"But you also have a nice dress on that you might not want to get wet. By the way did I mention how good you look in it?"

"No Ron you didn't, thank you." Kim rolled her eyes at his complement…but smiled as she put on his jacket. Ron was never the ladies man, but he could sometimes surprise her by being very sweet. He just gave her a big grin. He had once again done it…eased her fears and worries, she would have to ask him how he did it one day, so that she could pass it on to whomever she married.

"No mom…I'm ok…yeah, I'm at Kim's…she's alright…Ok…I'll be home about eleven…ok…yes mom…" Ron paced in the foyer of the Possible home as he talked to his mother. Kim had gone off to find him some dry clothes, since he was soaked from the walk home, and the rest of the possible family was huddled in the living room watching the news.

As Ron hung up the phone Kim came back into the room with a dry set of his clothes, his blue bowling shirt, and a pair of shorts he had left a few weeks ago when he had changed for a mission. He went to change into them as Kim went to change into her night-clothes.

Ron slid in beside Kim on the couch to watch the news with the rest of her family after he had changed and placed his wet clothes in the dryer. Kim immediately took his arm and lifted it so she could slide back onto his chest with his arm resting around her waist. They had both never been very touchy people, but when Kim needed comfort she had always found Ron's hugs to be most soothing. Kim's parents were huddled much the same way on the other end of the couch, and the twins were seated in the floor in front. Were it not for Kim and Ron hugging, and Jim and Tim being quite, it would actually have been a fairly normal scene at the possible household. Everyone was silent as they watched the news over the next few hours. Mr. Possible alternated between switching between the analyst on one channel, talking about how the war would go and if they would attack on US soil or just in the middle east; and c-span for the latest briefing from Washington.

Josh called later that evening just as the family was getting restless of watching the new coverage. Kim ran off to talk to him; the twins went to their room to work on some invention, and Mr. Possible got up to take a call from the space center; leaving Mrs. Possible and Ron sitting in the living room.

"We'll Mrs. Dr. P, I think it's time I headed home, my parents will probably be worried about me." Ron said as he got up and stretched some.

"Ron." Mrs. Possible addressed him as he began to head towards the door.

"Yes Mrs. Dr. P?"

"Thank you for being here for Kim. Sometimes I think you're the only one she'll allow to comfort her when things aren't going well." Ron gave her a little smile as he started towards the door again. It was ironic to him, how good it felt to hold Kim when she needed him to be supportive, but how he would never be able to hold her as her boyfriend..

"No problem, It's what I do. Tell Kim goodnight for me." He said as she shut the door behind him, Mrs. Possible smiled as he left. Sometimes she wondered if Ron was really as dumb or clumsy as he made himself out to be. Every-once-and-a-while he showed a great deal of perception to things and looked as skilled as Kim.

The first half of the semester was a busy one for Kim and Ron. Over the next few weeks they battled villains on a weekly basis. It seemed that everyone wanted to take a stab at taking over the world now that things were looking bleak and the public opinion of the government was low. From rebellions to strikes to riots, and Dr. Drakken; Team Possible took on everything. Kim and Ron were run ragged trying to keep up with school, villains, and, for Kim, balance her love life. Things at home got interesting too. While there were not food or supply shortages yet, people began to feel the pressure of the oncoming war and energy situation. Food prices at the supermarket tripled because of shipping expenses, and gas prices continued to rise. People moved by the droves into the central city, setting up houses, and businesses where ever they could fine real estate. Kim and Ron both noticed that the amount of people walking places on their morning walk to school had nearly quadrupled, and many products were even rationed. There was also the war.

News covered the opening battles relentlessly, and the National Guard was stationed outside government facilities and buildings. At first troops were called up gradually, then, as the battles along the Saudi borders intensified more and more were sent. Early in November things took a turn for the worst. As the countries of the world took sides and developed alliances, the fighting spread. India, which sided with the US as attacked from the north and west by Chinese and Pakistani forces, Algeria began bombing mainland Europe and the Balkan states attacked another American ally: Germany. It was World War Three, but this time it was not over a conquering country trying to take over territory or genocide. The war was not about liberty or the protection of life; it was over the energy sources that the worlds economies needed to survive. In the mainland US the war took on a different, tactic. Chinese loyalist, spies and terrorist groups took to bombing government building, water treatment, power plants, and other vital industries. Panic seemed to sweep over the nation, and riots broke out in several major cities. For Kim and Ron, this actually had a welcome result: the villains went into hiding and they received a most welcome break. This gave them both a chance to have a breather and to celebrate first, Ron's 18th birthday, and then Thanksgiving. Of course for as much relief the break provided Team Possible, Ron also did not see Kim much. Of course he saw her at school, and on his birthday and Thanksgiving, but otherwise she busied herself with Josh.

Ron awoke one Saturday morning freezing in his room. Even though he was buried under a sheet and two large fluffy blankets he was still cold. His parents normally kept the house cool in the winter to save money and because his dad liked it that way, but this was a little ridiculous. Ron looked around for his alarm clock to check what time it was, but could not seem t locate it, he figured he had just flung it across the room when it had awoken him earlier, so he got out of bed and ventured into hall.

"Oww….that was my toe." Ron whined as he stubbed his toe on the stair railing while reaching for the light switch. He flipped it a couple of times but nothing seemed to happen.

"Hmm…the power must be out." Ron mused as he made his way downstairs in the dark to open a curtain so he could see. Something did not sit right though. If the power had just gone out and come back on like normal, it would not be this cold. That meant that power had been out long enough for the house to cool down, which could have been quite a while. Once Ron got enough curtains open he could see to make his way around he went back upstairs, he decided that he would just call Wade to see if he knew why it had been out so long.

"Hey Ron!" Wade answered.

"Hey Wade-man, what's going on!" Ron greeted his friend with his usual cheeriness.

"What's up Ron? Did you need something?"

"Well Wade, ya' see my power it out at the house, and I was wondering if you knew why?"

"Sorry Ron, the main power is out here too, but I'm not in a position to find out why at the moment. All of my equipment is packed up, and all I have is a Kimmunicator like you."

"Alright Wade…wait, all your equipment is packed up? Are you moving or something?"

"Yup, I made several breakthroughs on my energy research and the government seems to think I need to be relocated for safety and so I can be near my work. So now, I own a house!"

"You own a house!"

"Yeah, well sort-of. They actually gave me a decommissioned cold-war missile silo and an army base along with the 10,000 acres it sits on. There is enough room there that I can continue my work and live there. Eventually I plan on building a proper house, but for now I'm living in one of the officer's apartments located at the base. In fact I was going to call you and Kim to come out and see it when I get settled in. I am actually going to open my own research company called "Load Labs" and I was thinking we might also use the base for Team Possible's HQ as well!"

"That is badacal Wade! When can we come see it?"

"Not for a while yet Ron, I've got a lot of work to do getting the place livable and updated with all my equipment. I figured I could use this time while we have so few missions going on to get everything out there in order. I've got to go, talk to you later Ron!" As Wade cut the connection on his Kimmunicator Ron could not help but yell out a 'booyah!' for the possibility of actually having a headquarters for the team. He immediately began to visualize all the possibilities of how it would look like Batman's bat cave or Superman's fortress of solitude.

"Come on Kim! Just think of all the cool stuff we could have out there!" Ron said as he followed Kim into the Possible families kitchen to put away their dirty dishes. Kim rolled her eyes as Ron continued to gush about that days' earlier visit to Wade's new abode. They rarely ever saw Wade in person, but since the 'Team Impossible' incident they actually got to see their agoraphobic super-genius friend every now and then. He had become more comfortable seeing them in person, and actually looked forward to their occasional personal visits. She did have to admit, though, some of Ron's ideas sounded pretty cool.

"Oh come on Ron, I can see the need for a helicopter pad, but not one that needs to be underground, and can raise and lower. Do you know how much that would cost!" Kim said as she playfully punched him in the arm. Ron gave her an evil grin as he poked her in her sides. Kim was not very ticklish, but when you are a person's best friend for fourteen years you get to know where and when they are ticklish.

"Oh no you don't Ron Stoppable…hey…..hahahahaha…" Kim squealed as Ron launched into tickling her.

"Admit it, it does sound cool…come on, just admit I'm right for once…" Ron said as she raced from him towards her room to hide, grinning the whole way. I had been a long time since they had just had fun hanging out, but the last few weeks they had done just that.

Since the first power outage that Ron had called Wade about there had been quite a few more. There were rolling blackouts throughout the Midwest because of several damaged power plants in the region. Since she could not go to the movies, or to the mall, or even watch TV Kim had to occupy her time. She always finished her homework early so that was not usually and option, and they had few missions those days. At first she had hung out with Josh, they went for walks, or she would watch him paint…but Josh was not really into the things Kim liked to do. He did not do extreme sports, he was a guy so fashion and shopping were out, he could really care less about cheerleading, he had dated Bonnie, and of course he really could not relate to fighting villains; plus he was not really into conversation that much….a man of few words as it were.

Kim was attracted to Josh, found him interesting at times, and he was really cute and popular to boot, but she found herself bored with the 'non-date' time she spent with him. Instead of hanging with Josh, she increasingly found herself hanging out with Ron. She and Ron could talk for hours without getting bored, even if Ron sometimes made the dumbest comments ever. He could talk about freak-fighting with her, and even if he was afraid of skydiving he liked nearly every other extreme sport, once he got used to them on missions with Kim. He was the mascot so he could relate to the cheerleading squad, and had problems with Bonnie himself. He even tolerated her talking about fashion sometimes…not boys though….even if he did roll his eyes and groan constantly. It was natural for them before the past summer, when she started dating Josh; they had spent nearly every waking hour together. It was comfortable and even though she had not noticed it till now, she really did have fun with Ron.

"Hey Wade! What's the sich?" Kim asked as Wade appeared on the screen inside her locker.

"Terrible news Kim, two things you may want to hear about before they hit the TV later tonight. I got some inside info on the war from a friend of mine at the department of defense. You know about the fact that there were no survivors from the Enterprise right?"

"Yeah, that's what the news said at least, why?" Kim noticed that wade looked a bit haggard. He had been working very hard for the space center on his energy projects lately, but that did not seem to be what was distressing him.

"We'll I did not know weather to tell you about this before, but I think you ought to know with today's events…"

"Come on Wade, what are talking about?"

"We'll Kim…uh…the attack on the Enterprise was not just a bombing…they only used one bomb, and it was launched from the wing of a high flying fighter. To do that much damage with only one hit, and no survivors means only one thing…"

"Oh, God…." Kim replied quietly, bringing her hand to her mouth, understanding what he meant, Wade nodded looking grim.

"You might find out about the other in class this afternoon, but I thought I'd let you know. Just a couple of hours ago congress passed a new draft bill. Its previsions are basically the same as the one in effect before this, but with two notable changes: Anyone with a lower than 2.2 GPA in college and high school can be drafted, no more exemptions for all college students, and over 18 seniors who have no real hope of getting into college. Apparently congress recognized that so many people are going to college now that they wanted some way of limiting the number. Anyone who is getting married, or married between the ages of 18 and 21 are also exempt, I heard it was to try and avoid another baby boom like we saw after WWII, because of energy problems. The regular rules also still apply: Only males can be drafted, anyone who already works in an essential government service and all those handicapped or deemed unfit cannot serve. I thought you might like to know because of your classmates, people will start receiving notices in about two weeks. Don't tell anyone about the Enterprise…it's classified, and they probably won't believe you anyway." Kim looked solemn. The draft did not really phase her, but the bombing…it was gruesome, terrible news.