Things are heating up…don't worry we'll see a little more of Kim and Ron in action again later on. I'm also hashing out the direction this 'downfall' will take. I have had several ides about how to bring the two together (KR and the War), but I'll probably change my mind when I'm writing it.
Reviewers, thanks for your votes of confidence, and ideas. I really am a person obsessed with the workability of some aspects of the story. It seems to add a lot when it actually sounds plausible.Seamus Dubh: I may take you up on your offer to help out with the military procedure…we'll just have to see where the rest of this tale heads! I'm glad you're willing to help me out on that, I really appreciate it.Mattb3671: here's your answer. I'm a big KR fan, and also have a thing for Ron and Shego (By the way, if you want a really, really good one for R&S look up Unexpected by Charles Gray), but I have yet to get a really good story idea for them.
If more people want to review, that would be great…even if you want to cut it down, don't be shy, it'll only help me in the future.

Chapter Four Vows

Christmas this year in Middleton, as well as the rest of the world, would be a solemn one. For Ron Stoppable, it might be just the hardest time in his life. He did not celebrate Christmas, he was Jewish, however all his friends did…or at least the few he had. He loved the holiday; he liked to make people smile and laugh, but most of all he loved to see Kim smile and laugh. It was two weeks before the beginning of Christmas break and Ron had received some mail: a draft notice. Ron had registered, as required by law, after he turned 18, but did not really think of the possibility of it actually happening. Now, all he could think of was the fact that he might not be home for Christmas…or ever come home again for that matter. His parents let him take the day off school to take it in. They all knew there was no way to get him out of it. He had not real physical or mental aliments, he did not work for the government, nor did he have a good enough GPA to get in college. Ron spent most of the day setting in the old tree house looking at old photo albums. In a week he had to report to the draft office for his screening, and then a few days later they would head out for a quick boot camp, then to war.

Ron did want to serve his country, but this…this was over money and oil, not freedom or saving lives; he just could not imagine dying for it. All those plans and great dreams of the future with Kim and Team Possible were down the drain now…of course he would eventually have to get used to the idea of giving up his time with Kim anyway. Whenever she got serious with a boyfriend she left him behind, whenever she got married he figured it would be even more so. Maybe this was for the best, a damned if you do and damned if you don't scenario; Kim was right when she said to him earlier that summer 'it's time to grow up'.

"Hey Kim! Have you seen Ron today? We were supposed to shoot some hoops in the Gym after lunch, but I have not seen him all day." Felix asked as Kim and Josh walked up to join the group for lunch.

"Hey Felix…I don't know where Ron is, I have not seen him since yesterday. To tell you the truth, I'm getting a little worried. He usually calls me on the Kimmunicator if he is sick, and yesterday he said he would call me back after his mom wanted something from him, but he never did."

"Hey Wade, I know your busy and all, but I wonder if you might be able to do me a favor?" Kim asked as she stood at her locker, dressed in her cheerleading outfit. She had just come from after school cheer practice and was now very worried about Ron. It was not like him to just not call her if something was wrong, and he had been kidnapped by villains before, plus something just told her that there was something wrong with Ron.

"Sure Kim, what do you need?"

"We'll you see Ron missed school today, and I'm getting worried about him. He has not called or anything so I was wondering if you could tell me where he is?"

"Sure, let me triangulate the coordinates on his chip…ahh….ok got it. He's in the old tree house."

"Ok…hmm…thanks Wade! You rock!" Kim thanked her friend, but the fact Ron was in the tree house definitely meant there was something wrong. He did not go there unless something was troubling him, and the fact that he had not been at school today meant it was probably big.

"Ron! Are you up there?" Asked Kim as she climbed the ladder into the tree house, poking her head through the hole to see Ron just sitting there looking glum.

"Yeah, KP, I'm here." Ron answered quietly as she climbed through the hole into the small room. Kim sat down beside him on the couch and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Hey Ron…what's going on, why weren't you at school today?"

"Oh, sorry KP, I would have called, but I guess it just slipped my mind." Ron said as Kim looked around the room, noticing the picture books, empty Bueno Nacho bags sitting on the floor, and Rufus curled up in a corner asleep.

"Ron, what's the matter? Please tell me. You had me worried all day at school, and you're not acting like yourself." Ron gave her a week smile, then sighed and handed her the letter. She read it over, re-read it to make sure it was right, and then Kim did something Ron had only rarely ever seen her do. She began to cry.

"It's alright KP, I'll be fine…" Ron tried to sooth her, and hugged her close. Now that she was the distraught one, his previous funk did not seem to matter much. After a few minutes, Kim seemed to regain her composure a little, and stopped crying. She wiped away her tears, sat up straight, and smoothed her clothes and hair.

"We have a week Ron, and in that week I am going to find a way to get you out of this, ok?" Kim was dead serious as she looked straight into his eyes. "I'm not going to let you go; I need you here for Team Possible." Kim explained trying to quell her own feelings and to re-assure Ron.

"Kim, I don't know…my parents and I already discussed it and they did not see anyway I could get out of it. Maybe it's for the better too….I mean…"

"Ron, I'm not asking your permission. I will get you out of this out of this one way or another. Now hand me that packet, and the letter they sent you. I'll talk to my parents, and Wade to see if they can help any." Kim said, cutting off Ron, and grabbing both items as, what Ron called, her natural 'Kimness' took over. "Now come on, we've got to go tell this to my parents, and then we have research to do."

"All right, I guess I have nothing to loose anyway." Ron said, grabbing Rufus, and the books, then climbing down the ladder to the tree house after Kim. Ron would have to break the news to the Possible's in person, it was only right. In a way her parents were like a second mother and father to him, and they would be just as worried as his were.

"Alright Dr. Director, thanks anyway." Kim said as she sighed heavily. She had pulled every string she knew how to during the last week. Her Parents, Wade, Monique, and Felix even tried to help find a way for Ron to avoid getting drafted. She had even made Ron go take a physical to see if there was a medical reason he might be exempt. It was all for naught though. Kim had just gotten off the phone with Global Justice's Dr. Director asking if Ron could be signed on as an agent early (before turning 21) so he could avoid the draft, but as much as she wanted to help Dr. Directors hands were tied. All new agents were reviewed by the department of defense for their credentials, Ron would most certainly spark a red flag and be denied…along with being drafted. Tomorrow he would walk into that office, go through his screening, and she might never see him again.

"Kimmy?" Her mom said as she came into her daughter room. "What's the matter dear?"

"I've done everything I can mom, and I can't get Ron out of this….he has to go...and he's going to get killed…I know he is…" Kim began to cry as she looked at her mother. She may be the girl, who could do anything, and she was mature beyond her age, but right now to her mother she looked scared and helpless. Mrs. Possible sat down on the bed next to Kim and pulled her into a hug and let her daughter cry it out.

"Mom…I can't loose Ron. He's the only reason I can do the stuff I do…he's…he's my best friend mom, I love him…and I'll do anything to keep him from dying." She said as she began to stop crying and looked up at her mother, distraught.

"Kim, I know you don't Ron to go, but he will have to. I know he does not want to go either, but he also knows he will serve his country by doing so. And if you're thinking about sneaking him out of the country, it's not an option, he won't go." Kim nodded; she had already talked the possibility over with him, he had told her the same.

"Mom….there is another way." She said looking at her mother, very worried…it worried and scared her too, but if it would keep Ron alive she would do anything she had to.

"Kim…" Her mom followed her train of thought, but when she was about to softly tell her to dismiss the idea, she looked at her daughter. Kim had recently turned 18, a few weeks after Ron…and if she told her no, then Kim would go and do it without her and her father's permission. She was determined, and would do anything. "Kimberly it's yours and Ron's decision and I know I could not stop you if I tired, so I'll say this. Do what you think is right, but don't lead him into any false commitments. This is not something you can just take back later on. If you do this, it will be for life, not just till he's 21; understand? I'll let you break it to your father if it comes to that, ok?" Kim nodded; she would get no sleep that night; she had a decision to make.

"Ahh!" Ron screamed as he was startled awake by the blare of his alarm clock, only to find Kim staring down at him, with a strange look of fear and sympathy on her face. "KP….what…what are you doing here? I thought we agreed it was best if I go alone?"

"I know Ron, but I just can't do it. I'm coming with you, and don't argue with me, my mind is made up." Ron nodded, there really was no arguing with Kim when she set her mind to doing something.

"You think we could stop by Bueno Nacho on the way home? I'm starving, and I'm sure Rufus is too." Ron said cheerily as they drove in Kim's car towards the draft office. She had received the car for her 18th, but at the moment she was not exactly happy about it. She would have preferred to take Ron's scooter to the office, just for the fact that she could touch him if he did have to go away.

"Honestly Ron, how do you think of food at times like these?" Kim said as she smiled at his randomness. Ron was certainly one-of-a-kind. Something struck Kim, though. Something she had never noticed till now; Ron was nervous, very nervous, judging by how hard he was scratching the back of his neck. Ron was also had a one-track mind, so how was it that at this time of seriousness that he had just made a silly comment about food? Ron was not making the comment cause he was hungry…he did it to see Kim smile, and to ease her fears. It was remarkable, she had never noticed it till now, but Ron Stoppable had purposely done that for her.

"Alright Mr. Stoppable it seems everything is in order. You passed your physical, mental exam, and there do not seem to be any other holds on your entry into the service." The bureaucrat at the office speaking to Ron was acting like it was not bit deal to send people off to their deaths, but Kim did not say it to him. She had been allowed to stay for Ron's screening only because she was 'The Kim Possible' and she did not want to anger the man, right now though she was ringing her hands in nervousness. If her plan was to work, Ron would have to catch on and 'run with the ball'…If all went well they would be arguing on their way home, but he would be safe.

"Are there any reasons you can think of that should allow you an exemption?" The man finally asked Ron. There was a brief silence as Ron thought the he started to answer.

"We'll, I don't…"

"Yes there is one." Kim said cutting Ron off, he looked at her quite bewildered.

"And what would that be Miss Possible?" The bureaucrat asked, looking over his glasses at her suspiciously.

"Were getting married….next week." Kim said, desperately trying to keep from sweating.

"Is that right? Is this true Mr. Stoppable?" The man asked Ron looking at him discerningly, trying to tell if they were lying. Luckily Ron caught on to Kim's play and rolled with it, despite his bewilderment.

"Yes Sir…it is, but the way I read the draft bill it only allowed couples to be exempt if they were married before being drafted." Ron said, hoping he had not just ruined the 'plan'.

"Hmm….We'll that is the way it was supposed to be read Mr. Stoppable, but this time I think we can let you slide, it being only a week before your wedding and all. I will need proof, though. I need to see a copy of the valid marriage license by Friday two weeks from now, and your official one must be filed by the same time."

"Thank you sir, I'll get it to you ASAP." Ron said as she stood to exit the office, sensing the interview was over.

"Congratulations you two, don't forget to get that license to me." The man said as he shook both Kim and Ron's hands and they exited the building. He knew they were lying when they told him that, but he had no doubt that either Ron would come back and do the right thing, or they would actually get married. He seemed very devoted to her and her to him. Either way, the right thing would be done.

It was silent as they got into the car and drove towards home. Kim pulled into the parking lot beside Middleton Pre-K, where they had met. Kim had done what she came to do today, propose to Ron…or rather break the news to him. By doing so she would keep him alive and safe; this was her gift to him. The both heaved sighs after a minute.

"Kim, what did we just do in there? We can't fool that guy into thinking were married. He's bound to find out we are not eventually, then I'll be going off to jail. This is not some joke Kim, this is real…I can't just go telling him that, and then try handing him a fake marriage license." Ron said as he began to get panicky. 'Now's the hard part' Kim thought.

"Ron." Kim said sternly but quietly, getting Ron's attention and looking him straight in the eye. "I was not lying, and it was not a joke. I want you to marry me. I'm serious about this Ron….will you be my husband?" Kim said sternly at first, then letting her voice taper off. She turned towards the window; she could not face him if he rejected her.

"Kim….KP…we can't just go getting married. It's not right….I mean, what do you intend? That it just be till we were 21 then we would get a divorce? Besides you're not in love with me." Ron said letting his voice taper off too, just barely whispering the last part so Kim could hear. Kim smiled despite herself; she noticed he did not include himself in that statement.

"Ron you know me better than that; I don't intend this to be temporary or fake. If we do this, it's permanent, real marriage. Till death do us part." Kim smiled at him, but looked distressed as she continued. "Ron…I don't know if I can ever crush on you like I do Josh. I don't even know if I can be sexually attracted to you. But, Ron, I do know I love you. Maybe only as a best friend, but that's all I need…in time maybe I will develop those feelings for you, I just don't know, I never really gave it a chance until now. If you do go, you will die. I know it, the ship the Chinese sank when they started the war, the Enterprise, was sunk with only one bomb Ron, and there were no survivors." Ron looked at her confused.

"The only type of bomb that can do that is a tactical nuclear warhead. If they used it on ships…we'll it's only a matter of time before they expand their use of them. This is not a war, its suicide." She reached out and cradled his cheek in her hand; tears began to edge down her face. "Please Ron, do this for me. If you want to make me happy…if you want to see me smile, please Ron, don't leave me. I can't go on without you."

"Kim… there is something you ought to know. I….I….Kim…I'm in love with you." Ron said looking down at his lap, feeling ashamed that he loved her in a way she did not return. Kim smiled.

"I know."

"How?...When did you know?" Ron asked, a bit shocked she had figured it out.

"This week I did a lot of thinking about me, you, and us Ron. I thought a lot about all you have done for me over the years, and that comment Joss made about you stuck out in my head. She said a guy filled with that much fear always charging into action with me was a true hero. She's right Ron, and when I thought about us this week I asked myself 'why would you do that'? Just what made you confront your worst fears everyday? I realized that you loved me. And on the way here…you made that comment about Bueno Nacho deliberately to make me feel better, I never noticed you doing stuff like that before. As I think about it though, you've been doing that all along haven't you?" Ron nodded and blushed a bit. Kim smiled and took his hand, and he looked up at her. "You have given me so much Ron, I'm giving you this…you get me, for the rest of your life."

"KP, what if it does not work out? I mean…"

"Ron we are getting married. I only asked because it was the right thing to do, but if I have to drug you and carry you kicking and screaming to the alter myself, I'll do it. We'll find a way to make it work, we always have."

"Alright Kim, I'll marry you, and you won't have to drug me either. But can I do something before we make it official, though?" Ron smiled as she nodded, then got out of the car, opened her door and escorted her out and over to the tree where they had first met. Then he dropped to one knee…took a deep breath.

"Kimberly Ann Possible, will you marry me?" Kim smiled, Ron always was a traditionalist….and this was the cuitest thing she ever heard of; Romantic, really, in a strange way.

"Yes Ronald Dean Stoppable, I will." She said smiling can pulling him up off his knee. They stood there awkwardly for a minute, looking at each other. They both then, slowly brought their heads together and gingerly kissed. It was nice, not as weird at they thought it might be, but at the time they were both to pre-occupied with all the events of the day to really notice if it was 'magical' or not.

"Maybe I should drive home." Ron said as they got back to the car.

"Why?"

"We'll, you know most girls are usually week at the knees and distracted after getting proposed to." Ron grinned madly.

"Oh Ron! I believe I was the one who proposed to you, and I'm fine!" Grinning back….same old Ron, now how did he know just what to say? "Now, about that Bueno Nacho…"

Ron was as petrified as he had ever been, and judging by Kim's grip on his hand, she was too. Here they were standing in front of Kim's parents about to announce that they were getting married…..at 18…that Saturday…weather they liked it or not. Needless to say Ron was having a hard time breathing as his head was filled with images of black holes.

"Mom, Dad…Ron and I…we'll you see…uh…Ron and I are getting married." Kim finally spit out. Mrs. Dr. Possible was quite, but passive looking, waiting for her husband's response to her daughter. Mr. Dr. Possible looked at first like he was shocked…then horrified…and finally very angry.

"Kimberly Ann Possible, I will not allow any daughter of mine to go off and…"

"James, calm down! Let these two explain before you go flying off the handle." Mrs. Dr. Possible quieted her husband. "Now Kim, Ron please explain to your father and I just why you want to get married, and how all this came about." Kim's mother continued; she knew why, and even knew Kim was thinking about it, but her husband needed to hear it.

"….and that's why daddy. I know it's not how your and mom imagined I would get married, and it's not how Ron or I imagined it either, but it has to be this way. Even if you don't approve we are both 18 and will do it anyway." Kim finished sternly, after her lengthy explanation of all that had been happening since Ron got his draft notice, her thoughts, trying to find another way, and finally their decision to go through with the marriage. Her father still looked peeved, but better than at first, and her mother looked thoughtful.

"Do Ronald's parents know yet?" Mr. Possible asked sternly. In a way he was glad it was not Ron's idea, and that he was serious about it when Kim proposed it…but he was still a boy, and this was his baby girl.

"No." Kim and Ron both answered.

"We'll I think you ought to call them Ron and invite them over so that you can explain this to them, alright?" Ron left the room to call his parents, reluctantly leaving a trembling Kim to deal with her parents.

"Kim, before you and Ron go do this, I want you to understand that your father and I will love you…and Ron…no matter what decision you make. Kim, we want you to be aware of just how serious the commitment you are making is. Marriage is not something you or Ron should take lightly, and while we know you want to do this to keep him out of the war, you still ought to consider all the ramifications of your decision." Mrs. Possible addressed her daughter calmly about the subject. Mr. Possible was still tight lipped sitting beside his wife, but seemed to relax a bit when Ron left the room.

"Kim have you considered things like: Where you're going to live? Money and Jobs? If and when you go to college what will happen? Do you even think you can make a marriage with Ron work? Will you get tired of each other, or are you compatible? How will your friends and family react, how will Ron's parents, and Josh? What about sex? Kim, these are all important questions you need to think about." Kim and her father both went visibly pale at the mention of sex, but Kim was not deterred.

"Mom, I know there important, and we have not talked about most of that…but we have to do this. There is not other way. Mom, Dad…do you know how the Chinese sunk the Enterprise?...They used a nuclear warhead! If they used it on that ship, then it's only a matter of time before they start using them in ground combat. Don't you see? Ron will die if he goes….and I…I can't live without him." Kim was oscillating between angry and crying…but she did have to admit that her mother made a good point. She and Ron should discuss those things, but that did not change the fact that she was going to keep him out of the war no matter what. Ron quietly walked back beside Kim as she finished her rebuttal and gave her hand a good squeeze as he stepped back by her side.

"My parents are on there way over, Dad's coming from work so it might be half an hour before he can get here." Said Ron after Kim had finished and there seemed to be a gap in the conversation. Kim's father finally looked like he was ready to talk again.

"Kim, Ron…your mother and I need to discuss this a bit before the Stoppable's get here. You mother is absolutely right Kim, you and Ron do have a lot to talk about, I think you two should go and talk a bit while we discuss this ourselves. When the Stoppable's get here you should come back in and we can all sort this out together." The two teens nodded and headed towards Kim's room, where they could have a bit of privacy while they waited.

"We'll that could have gone better." Said Kim as she closed the door to her room, and Ron flopped himself down on the bed with a heavy sigh.

"Yeah, I guess it could have. On the bright side though, at least they did not totally cut us off."

"True, Ron did you hear the questions my Mom was asking before you came back in?"

"No."

"We'll she said we should discuss where were going to live, money, jobs, college, and that type of stuff…she also wanted to know about how our friends would react, and Josh, and if we were compatible…and…uh…sex. " Kim blushed at the mention of intimacy with Ron. Sure they had both thought about it…they were both hormone riddled teenagers with a best friend of the opposite sex, but had never openly discussed their sexuality, even in abstract, with each other.

"She does have a point; I guess we do need to discuss some of this stuff. As for where were' going to live…we'll I thought we could stay at my house or yours until after we graduate, then we could find and apartment or something. I'll let you handle Josh. I don't know about our compatibility as a couple, but we've been best friends for 14 years, and we have done fine there..." Ron got a little grin at his next comment, but nervously was scratching the back of his neck.

"…as for sex, we'll I'm a male…that's my sex, and I think you're a female if I'm not mistaken." He ended with a grin. Kim giggled a bit; at least she could always count on Ron to lighten the mood.

"Yes Ron, I'm glad you noticed that…" They continued to talk waiting for Ron's parents to arrive, touching on all the topics a little. They agreed to cross some bridges when they came to them, but Kim still did not know what to do about Josh, and Ron of course could not really offer any solutions either. She would just have to break it to him when she felt ready.

The wait did not take long, and soon they were explaining their decision to the Stoppable's, who had much the same reaction as the Possible's, however Ron's mom is the one who got mad, and his dad was the voice of reason. The discussion lasted for a couple of hours, each set of parents wanting to talk to both teens about it separately, and then with the other set, and then together. In the end Kim and Ron now stood before four very grave looking parents. Mrs. Dr. Possible seemed to be the designated spokesperson so she began.

"Kim, Ron. We have discussed this thoroughly with each other and you both, and have finally decided on our collective opinion on this whole thing is. We know you are dedicated to each other, and have been witness to your close friendship for the most part of your lives. We want you to know how serious this commitment is, and that it will be very hard work. It may take you years to fully understand your partner; you will have hard times to deal with and hard decisions to make. Kim, Ron…you're old enough to make your own decisions, and while we don't totally agree with it we do see why you're doing this. We love you both very dearly, and we will support you no matter what you decide to do with your lives, this marriage included." Kim and Ron both gave thankful sighs and each other a half smile. There mothers got up to hug each one, and tell them they loved them, and their dads shook hands and quietly talked where they sat.

"Ronald, could I ask you to come take a short walk with me?" Mr. Possible asked as they finished up dinner. The Stoppable's had stayed for dinner, and it was actually quite nice. Everyone was in a better mood; even Mr. Dr. Possible seemed much more comfortable with the idea once the matter was decided. The tweebs were at a friend's house during the whole time, and arrived back home just after dinner. They knew something was up, but nobody wanted to tell them just yet; Mrs. Possible would break it to them in private, later. They did not need to be getting in the middle of things tonight.

"Uh…sure Mr. Dr. P." Ron said, not quit sure what to expect from the scientist. Ron gave Kim a worried glance as he headed out with her father.

"Ronald I want to know what you think of all this."

"We'll Mr. Dr. P…I uh...I... I love your daughter very much, and while I know we have never dated…and I'm not exactly the best guy out there…I'll do anything to make her happy. If this is what she wants than, we'll I'd move heaven and earth to make it happen. There's nothing I'd like more than to spend the rest of my life with Kim, but I am worried about what will happen, and if we can make a marriage work, but if it's what Kim wants, then that is what I'll do." He had never spoken to anyone about his feelings for Kim, not until today at least, and now he had not only told her but her father as well. Understandably, Ron was having trouble articulating himself.

"Yes Ronald, I suspected you might. Look son, you might not think you're the best guy for Kim, but her mother and I have always been thankful that you are her friend. You stick by her trough thick and thin, and maybe I've never said it, but thank you. Ronald, I only want what is best for my daughter, and if she is going to marry someone under these circumstances…we'll son, I can't think of anyone I'd rather have as a son-in-law." Mr. Possible gave Ron a smile and clapped his hand on the young man's back, then turned to go back inside. Ron just stood there and looked stunned by Mr. Possible's acceptance of him. "Oh, and Ronald…just so you know, I don't think I'll be launching you into a black hole anytime soon…but if you ever hurt her…"

"Get out! You and Ron….You and Ron are getting married!" Monique screeched as she and Kim were talking in a private corner of the mall food court. It was Tuesday and Kim had come to talk in private with Monique, but with gas prices and all her whole family, including Ron had also come along to do some shopping. They were all elsewhere at the moment, even Ron who had gone to get some things for Rufus, and Kim was taking the opportunity to break the news to her friend. Both had missed school on Monday, obviously for the draft interview, then the discussions about their marriage, and had returned Tuesday to class. Kim had told Monique that she wanted to have a very serious talk after school during her break from work.

Ron and Kim had agreed that it would probably be best to keep their engagement under wraps for now; it was only a week until they got out of school for Christmas break, and their marriage was on Saturday. This would allow them the break to have their short honeymoon…wherever, or whatever it would be, and also to decided on how to break the news publicly. They had already begun the throws of wedding planning, even if it was going to be very short, and very small. Kim's family would be there, including Slim, Joss, and Nana; the Stoppable's, and of course Wade. Ron's best man would be Felix, if he accepted, and Kim's maid of honor would be Monique. The only other guest invited was Dr. Director, and later that night they would be talking with Rabbi Katz about performing the ceremony. They were both aware he might not agree due to the nature of their engagement, but he was Ron's trusted spiritual advisor, and an understanging Rabbi.

"Yes Mon, we are. Before you ask how or why, I'll fill you in later, it will be this Saturday at the Mt. Middleton chapel."

"Whoa, that's fast."

"Yes, I know it is, but it has to be done within the next two weeks, and Saturday seems like the right day. Mon, can I ask you a huge favor?" Kim was tired, she had not gotten much sleep last night, and she had spent the day trying to avoid Josh while in school. Even thought she loved Monique as her best girl-friend, she was getting a little agitated at the whole thing.

"Sure…what do ya' need?"

"Look Mon, the only reason I'm telling you about this is because Ron and I want you to be there…and I want you to be my Maid of honor."

"Oh my gosh Kim! I would love too…now where do I go for the dress…"

"First, thanks it means a lot to me that we have your support. Second, we will not be having formal, coordinated wedding attire. I'm wearing a very nice white dress I have, and Ron is wearing his black suite. You can wear whatever you want, just make sure it is a dress and it looks formal…there's one more thing too. You can't tell anybody about this…and Mon, I know how you are, and I mean it. Nobody can know. Ron and I don't quite know what to think about this ourselves we don't want to have to deal with everybody from school, and least of all the press. Got it?"

"Alright Kim, but you know you can't keep it a secret forever. Speaking of which, have you told Josh yet? Don't you, like, need to break up with him?"

"No I haven't…I just don't know what to say to him. Look Mon, can we change the subject a little…I need to ask you…do you think Ron and I can make it? I mean I think we can, I just don't know about some things. I know marriage is not just about love, but…you know…some of the 'rules' we established as friends are just so hard to break."

"Hmm…what do you mean by rules Kim?"

"We'll I never really allowed myself to think about Ron as a guy I could have an interest in as a boyfriend. He's very sweet, he loves me, and we have always gotten along really well, despite our differences. But I guess I'm just worried about us not being able to…We'll you know …'get together'!" Kim said using air quotes, and giving Monique a look. Kim's mom had sparked some worry in her with her questions the other night, and while Kim was not necessarily worried about getting along with Ron, she was about their intimate contact.

"Oh…oh! We'll Kim I don't know; I guess you'll just have to take it one step at a time. This is Ron were talking about, all you have to do is say the word and it's his command, I'm sure he'll let you take it as fast or slow as you want to. I think you will be fine, you know Ron is a really sweet guy, and I'm sure once you allow yourself to think of him in this 'new light' you'll like it." Monique was right, Kim was still getting used to the idea of Ron being her fiancée and next week he would be her husband…it was very strange; but in a way she kind of liked it.

Over the next few days the wedding plans progressed. Kim continued to avoid Josh, and she and Ron grew closer every day. Surprisingly, Kim enjoyed kissing Ron…he was actually a very good kisser, and even though it was still a little strange Kim found herself finding more things to like about Ron everyday…and of course he found the same about her as well. Ron had actually turned out to be a very perceptive boyfriend, and she regretted not being able to see his feelings for her earlier. The planning was going we'll, and even their honeymoon was already planned. Wade had surprised them earlier that week with a gift. He was going to give them a small portion of his land to build a house on, but until then, they could stay in the apartment building in another officer's apartment. He had completely redone the entire building (which included six apartments altogether) and had installed all the latest technology into every apartment, and had even handsomely furnished each one. But as the wedding day approached they both grew, understandably, more nervous; they were both worried about how things would go, and what their future held. This is what Kim was thinking about as she sat curled up on her bed late Thursday night. She had tired to go to sleep, and had even talked to Ron for a while, trying to ease her fears. He had done admirably, but he was nervous too, and this was just too big a deal to both of them.

"Kimmy…are you ok? Why aren't you asleep?" Mrs. Possible asked as she poked her head in her daughter's door, she had noticed the light and was well aware of both teens anxiety.

"Oh mom…I'm sorry, I'll turn out the light, but I just have not been able to get to sleep."

"Kim honey, tell me what you're so worried over."

"Its ok mom, I'm just worried about the wedding and all, that's it…"

"Kim honey, I am you mother, and last time I checked you never got this nervous over an event, not even asking Josh out." Kim sighed, her mom was right, she was even more worried about his than her first time asking Josh to the sprit dance.

"Yeah, your right…I'm just worried about he future, with Ron and Me, I mean. Mom, is it wrong I don't feel the same way about Ron as I have anybody else I've dated? I mean, I love Ron, but it just seems more like a friend right now…I just wonder if I can ever develop feelings for him like I should have towards my husband. I mean he is sweet, and kind, and he does love me...it's just…I don't know…" Kim was starting to ramble, she needed to get some advice on this but she was worried about what her mother may think.

"Kim, have I ever told you about how your father and I met?" Kim shook her head no…she really never had heard about her mother and fathers meeting or how they ended up together.

"Well, we met in college. One night a group of my girlfriends and I decided to hit the town for some fun and relaxation. Since we were medical students we usually spent a lot of time studying, but that night we had agreed to just let our hair down and have fun. We went to this local bar where there was lots of drinking and dancing, and cute guys to hang out with, but after a while I got tired of getting hit on by drunks, and the smoke was getting to my sinuses…so I decided to walk back to the dorms. The walk from the bar to my dorm was short, and it was a nice night so I took my time. About half-way back to my dorm, between the robotics labs and the quad my dorm was on I met a very interesting young man who was sitting on a bench looking glum. He looked like he could use a friend, so I sat down next to him and started up a conversation. He was shy and a bit goofy, but a nice guy. Over the next year I saw that young man many times while I was walking to class and we became good friends. He would walk with me to class, and sometimes we even ate lunch together. We always had fun, and he was funny, and could make me laugh. Eventually he got up the nerve to ask me out, but back then I just wanted to stay friends with the guy, so I refused. A month or so later, just after another boy had broken up with me, he asked me out again. This time I agreed, mainly because I really needed someone to make me laugh, and he could do just that. That date was not exactly magical, or earthshaking, but he was sweet, and we eventually became a couple. That was your father Kimmi. The reason I married him is because he loves me, and he can make me laugh. It was not because he was hot, or because he had muscles, or was popular, but it was because I could see myself growing old with him, and…we'll…we were also best friends."

It made Kim smile…her dad was a good man, and he loved his family very dearly, she could see her mothers point. Her dad and Ron did share many similarities. They were both goofs, but had good hearts, and Ron could defiantly make her laugh. He always knew how to comfort her or cheer her up, and she'd do anything for him, just as he would for her. Maybe she was looking at everything the wrong way. It was not a question of weather she could love Ron…it was the question of how much she could love Ron…and the answer that was obvious. She could never love him enough. Kim actually slept very well that night.