There's something out there. Something that's evil.
Kim Possible
-HellRaiser-
Chapter Five
By Georsama

The world was white. Not just white, as in bleach or snow, but as the complete and utter abcense of color. There also was no noise, not as in silence, but as in sound didn't exist in any form. It was also quite empty, not as if the world lacked an object, but as in nothing had ever or will ever exist. It was an absolute begining, clean and fresh. Then the darkness began to creep in, forming rather odd though interpetable images. Mostly these images were sexual, but a sexualness that no normal person could ever concieve of as pleasure.

The torturing of young mothers still with child, the rending of children limb from limb, the use of animals. Blood and flesh consumed with relish, the cornocpia of screams a nector of pleasure, and the pleas for mercy like an orgasm. The darkness flooded the world, bringing with it the sound of limitless torture. It seemed as if, for one brief moment in time, the world was a window into the levels of Hell itself.

Then over the screams and pleas, over the ripping of flesh, a cold distant voice began to speak "Isn't it wonderful? The secret song of the universe, the pleasure it brings you..." Slowly the darkness parted to allow a bone white head to swim into view, its face divided into squares by lines and pins. The eyes were darker than even the darkness "You are Levithan's Monique, you belong to us...you are ours...give him our gift."

"I-I"

The face suddenly twisted in a horrific rage as it shouted its response "We will devour your soul!"

"Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo-

-oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!" Monique wailed in terror as she sat up, her mind fleeing the nightmare that had been gripping her. Eyes wide she stared around at the empty room, hair plastered against her forehead and hands used to prop her upright. Chest heaving beneath her hospital gown she tried to catch her breath and slow her heartbeat down. Without realizing it tears began to trickle down her cheeks and it wasn't before long till she broke down completely.

She was brought back to herself when the door to her room clicked open and a young, brown haired doctor strolled in followed immedately by a athletic young man dressed in blue spandex. Monique's brian felt like it was drowned in molases and she had no clue what to say or do, meaning all she could was stare at the two.

The doctor, smiling reassuringly, pulled up a hardbacked chair sitting down at her bedside, clipboard and pen held in his hand. After a moment of settling in and making a few notes on the clipboard he looked up at her speaking for the first time "I'm Peter Davis M.D.," he paused here smiling a little more "And you are a very lucky young lady."

"I-what?" Monique mumbled, staring at the doctor curiously. In response he directed his attention to her hand which was now encased in a cast "My hand! What Happened!" Monique Shrieked and the doctor sighed softly.

"Well...we're not entirely sure. What is the last thing you remember?"

Taking several deep breaths Monique forced herself to realx and closed her eyes trying to remember, but all she could see was a black and gold laqucred puzzle box. Shaking her head she opened her eyes and looked at the doctor "Nothing...just this puzzle box...and...I think its a gift for someone."

The doctor glanced at the man in blue spandex who nodded and Doctor Davis reached into his pocket, withdrawing the chinese puzzle box. Holding it aloft for her he set it gently on the edge of the bed near her hand "When you were found three days ago, you were clutching that thing as if your life depended on it. The authorites were hoping it was a clue."

Monique nodded reluctantly reaching out slowly to take the box once more. She had been so bewildered and lost when she had first woken up, so much fear. But now, clutching the puzzle box she felt at peace and ease, as if it was the best tranqulizer ever. Lowering her eyes she studied her hand and then looked up at the doctor then over at the other man, continuing as if on another world "I've been here for three days?"

"Yes, it was very strange. You had suffered some damage to your hand, a great deal of pressure had been exerted on it actually forcing the bone to snap and pierce the skin. But what really made it strange was the fact that you were unconcious and nothing seemed to change that."

"I see," Monique muttered, her fingers running lightly over the puzzle box "What about my family?"

"They we're here not to long ago actually, we'll try and let them know you're awake now." Doctor Peter said standing up "You had two friends visit you back when you first arrived, incidentally. But I understand from the esteemed Will Du that only one of them is cleared for vistiation anymore."

At this the other boy, who was of asian decent and had a smugness to him, nodded studying her closly. Still saying nothing he turned heading for the door, allowing the Doctor time to arrange another check up, then opened the door ushing Peter outside. Monique watched as he glaned back at her, eyes narrowed, while he passed through the door.

"Ron..." Monique murmured and closed her eyes, thumb rubbing the box lightly.

The house groaned as it settled into its foundations, which destbured the young blond man who was napping on the couch. Snorting in his sleep he rolled over, arm flinging out into nothingness. Eyes opened a split second before the rest of him, which had followed his arm into the empty air next to the sofa, came crashing to the ground painfully. Grumbling and cursing he pushed hismelf up, his legs still tangled in the blaknet that had been covering him.

Realizing that he wasn't about to get free at the moment he stopped his struggling and proped his chin up in his hand, staring disgruntled at the far wall. Why did it always have to be him? Why couldn't it be someone else for a change, he always seemed to be the one to roll off into thin air, or to have his pants ripped off in a freak accident.

"Why me?" Ron asked looking skyward through the window then sighed letting his head fall as he removed his arm. At least Kim hadn't woken up with the racket he had made. Rolling over, he quietly tried to get free, managining after several attempts. Sitting upright he sighed, wonderinig once more what had happened to Rufus. This was a regualr worry of his, he always worried when he and his faviorte mole rat were seperated for long periods of time. Standing up he looked around as if half-expecting for the naked mole rat to be laying in plain sight.

Knowing how stupid that was he started toward the kitchen, his stomach rumbling slightly. Three days of nothing, no news about Kim's family. No news about Rufus. No nothing, Kim's dad had stopped by that first night to check on her. She had been crying most of the day, so her eyes had been rimmed with red and her dad hadn't been able to cheer her up. Then Will Du had arrived the next day, taking over the invesgation and delievering the orders that Kim was to stay out of the field for a while.

'Mental Unstablity' Will had whispered to Ron. Still the pompus jerk was keeping them updated, letting Ron take a small part in the investgation. Shaking his head the freckled blond slipped into the kitchen, setting to the task of preparing a few sandwhiches. He once more silenly thanked his uncle's senamentality for not selling the old house since it was now providing him and Kim a place to stay. She refused to go to her dads and they couldn't go back to Kim's moms house, what with it being a crime scene now and all.

Shaking his head he picked up the first of his peanut butter and jelly sandwhiches, pausing as Kim shouted his name from upstairs. Knocking his chiar over and stubbing his toes he tore out of the kitchen, feet tripping over the stairs as he rushed toward his room. Flinging the door open he found Kim sitting upright in his bed, her eyes red once more from tears. Forgetting about his aches and pains he stumbled over and sat down next to her on the bed talking softly "Kim?"

The red head glanced at him and then looked away, her voice trembling "H-have we heard anything yet?" Ron laid a hand gently on her shoulder, shaking his head. Kim's shoulders trembled for a moment then she shrugged his hand off and laid back down eyes closed "I see."

Sighing Ron stood and tucked her in "Want me to get the-"

"I don't want it," Kim said curtly opening her eyes to stare up at him "Leave me alone."

Nodding reluctantly he leaned over, kissing her forehead quickly before retreating from the room leaving her alone once more. That was something else he hated about this, Kim had withdrawn a great deal. She had been hurt by the divorce sure, he knew that even when they were getting closer she was still hurting, but now she had cut herself off completely and shut him out. He felt so helpless, because he knew she needed him now more than ever.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs, he paused as his cellphone began to ring. Glancing upstairs he turned walking over to the coffee table to answer it "Hullo," he paused listening to whatever was said then glanced up once more "She's sleeping...I guess I'll go see her now. Did you get that thing Kim asked for?"

He nodded, frowning "English please," he paused frowning even more "Simple english." After a moment he scratched the back of his head sighing "Wade you'll just have to explain that to Kim, I don't get it. Anyway, thank Will for me and I'll be there in a few." Nodding once more he said his goodbyes and hung up. Looking up he wondered if he should tell her about Monique or not. He deicided not to for the moment, she would only blame herself for not being able to do more. It would be bad enough when he came back and told her what was said and done, she was always so quiet and he could almost sense her disappointment.

Shaking his head he set the phone down and walked tot he door where he slipped his shoes on and grabbing the keys stepped outside, locking the door as the assigned Global Justice car came to a stop in front of his house "Please let her know something," Ron prayed soflty.

Kim opened her eyes slowly and sat up, knowing that Ron was long gone and wishing that he wasn't. She had heard his phone and thus knew that he had gotten something new to check out in the case. Sighing she drew her knees in toward her chest and rested her chin on them, she could have went with him. If she hadn't found the body, that horrible, mutilated body that had once been a little girl. Up till that point she had been rock soild, Global Justice agent through and through, and truthfully it hadn't even been the body that had bothered her.

Ron's obscension with horror movies had rid her of any squimishness concerning such a sight.

It was when they had found the fingerprints and she had had Wade analyze them. Wade had responded minutes later that they were only partials, but that there was enough for him to get an almost perfect match. He was also equally sure that from the pressure on the exisiting line that she hadn't been forced. Kim had refused to believe him, had claimed he had to be lying and then when the local police had provided the same report she had stumbled off and broke down. Ron, when he had come back to the house, had found her and coaxed her back to the car that had brought Will Du.

Still, Kim wasn't quite as handicapped as Will Du believed. It had taken her two days of reviewing all the facts and piecing things together with Ron, but now she accepted that her mother was a murder. That her brothers had more than likely attacked Monique. She knew this, she understood it and accepted all of those things. Yet she still refused to speak more than three syllables to Ron, maybe he thought she hated him, but it was more that she was ashamed.

If she hadn't been distracted by what she felt for him then her mother wouldn't have done this. Kim could have stopped this atrocity from happening, she had had the power the whole time. The clues were there, clues that she could have seen clearer if she hadn't been thinking with her heart. So she had resolved on that second day to stop things with Ron, no more flirting. No more friendship. No more love. He was nothing more than Agent Ron Stoppable, her partner and nothing else.

Unfortunately she couldn't really do that. Yes, she was ashamed, yes she was at fault. But she could't stop what she felt for him. Denying it wouldn't work, forgetting about it was impossible. She would have to explain things to him soon, get him to understand that no matter how much both of them wanted this relationship that they couldn't have it because of how blind it made them. She'd have to be tough for them both, she couldn't risk being blinded again. Next time it might cost her something more precious, it might cost her Ron.

Sighing she stretched her legs back out under the covers and laid back down, rolling over on her side. Why couldn't she just be Kim the cheerleader? Or Kim the smart girl or even Kim, the girlfriend to the loser? Why did she have to be so brave, so responsible, so gifted. It wasn't fair, Bonnie got to go to college and have a boyfriend and didn't have the weight of the world on her shoulders. Kim wanted that, a normal life with normal worries.

Closing her eyes she huddled beneath the blankets on Ron's bed. Oh, how she wanted Ron to hold her once more. She remebered how his arms felt around her, the way they had declared silently that he would protect her forever and denied the outside world access to her.

She would give her soul if he could hold her like that forever.

Monique watched the door as it eased open, holding her breath without realizing it. She breathed easier when Ron peeked his goofy, freckled face around the door and gave her a reassuring smile. "Mon! You're awake!"

Laughing she sat up, crossing her arms "Geee, Enstien, whatever was your clue?"

He laughed good naturedly walking into the room, dressed in his street clothes but Monique doubted this was entirely a social call. Ahh, but if it was...she quickly changed tracks, unwilling to allow that to roam further. Smiling he plopped down on the side of her bed, reaching out to pinch her leg through the blanket. She shriekd in mock pain and he smiled even more.

"So, what drags you all the way to my private hosptial room?" Monique finally asked, grinning "Here to give me a 'phsyical'?"

Ron blushed and shifted slightly "No, just came to check up on ya. You had me and Kim worried."

"Oh," Monique paused lowering her voice "Where is she Ron?"

"Back at my house, she's sorta under medical house arrest." Monique nodded and Ron sighed looking back at her, face serious "What happened Monique?"

"I-" Monique paused scowling as she tried to remember "I-can't really remember Ron, it was horrible I can feel that. Kim's mom, Kim's mom..."

"What about her?"

"She-I think she was killed...I can't remember that well, but there was this guy there..." Monique scowled even more, wishing she could remember more. Praying that she could remember more, but knowing that she couldn't. Sighing she looked up at him shaking her head "I saw a psychologist not to long ago, he thinks I must've blocked things out. But Ron, I know she was a victim."

Ron stood up, pacing the room allowing Monique to watch him. He resembled a lion, she thought, he had a toned body with some speed and power. He also seemed to have a sort of authority, not an overwhelming level, just enough that you could tell he was important. If six months of military training had made such changes in him, what would he be like in a full year? She was fascinated and then jerked realizing that he had noticed her attention. "Ron," she paused and lowered her eyes "You know I liked you right?"

"Uh?" Ron managed, looking surprised at her sudden admission.

Monique wasn't even sure why she had said it either, she hadn't been planning on it but she had and he was now standing their expectantly and she had no choice but continue "I would have...if you had asked me out Ron, I would have said yes." Lifting her eyes she stared into his shocked eyes "We had so much in common and I know I could be mean, but I just wanted you to apply yourself. Like Kim does. I don't know why I'm telling you this now, except that maybe I couldn't stand keeping it inside anymore."

"I, I, I-" Ron stammered then seemed to get ahold of himself and sat down heavily in a nearby chair staring at her flabbergasted.

Groaning Monique shifted in the bed, slidding her legs off the side to sit up and stare at him closly. She gave him a ghost of a smile, trying to ease him from the panic she could see in his eyes. He really hadn't know, was all that Monique could think. She had known Ron was clueless about girls liking him, but she had always figured he knew about her crush in some small way. Shaking her head she laughed for a moment.

"Monique, we-we're just friends." He finally managed slowly "Not even very close. You're Kim's friend and that makes you mine..."

"You never thought about-" Monqiue paused, seeing his faint blush and she lowered her eyes reaching over to pick up the black and gold lacqured box "I got his for you Ron...I wish I could remember more too. For Kim, this has got to be killing her and I don't think I gave you much to work with. But I really do think she's dead."

Ron sat forward, taking the inaspucious box from Monique wincing as static electricty ran through his fingers "What'd this guy look like, can you remember?"

Monique nodded, placing her hands on either side of her "Sort of Ron, he was really white. Not pale, but white like bleached white...and I think he was bald." she lowered her gaze to the floor then back up at him "I can't remember anything else though, like I said they think I've blocked things out."

He nodded and lowered his gaze to the box, frowning as he studied it. Then he looked back up at her, his face softening "Thanks Monique. Hey! want me to sign your cast?" Monique smiled and nodded holding her hand out while he searched for a pen. Then grasping one he absently slipped the box into his pocket and signed his name and the typical best wishes message "There you go, all signed. You should feel privleaged, what with me signing your cast and all."

"Oh yea, real previlaged." Monique muttered teasingly, looking up at him as he put the cap back on the pen. He looked, not handsome, but strong. Capable. He glanced at her and she opened her mouth to say something when he leaned down and kissed her on the forehead like an older brother.

Standing upright he turned walking to the door where he stopped and looked back at her. Giving her his trademark goofy smile he opened the door and stepped out into the hallway leaving her alone. Monique almost swore that from the look in his eyes that he was thinking about her.

Kim heard the front door close with a soft thunk, which meant Ron was back and that he was trying to keep from letting her know. The red head didn't pay it to much attention, just continued to pull on her t-shirt and turn to finish packing her bag. Her decision to keep things professional between them could only work if they weren't spending so much time together, she'd just slip off after telling him and head to a motel.

Unfourtnately her plan had over looked just how stubborn and inquisitve Ron was. Apparently he had felt the overwhelming curosity to check in on her and now he stood barring the only way out of the bedroom. The look on his face was almost unreadable, was he angry or hurt? Did it really matter, no, but she wished she could tell. Despite all her well thought out words, seeing him standing there, not moving turned them to little more than sounds.

"Going some where Kim?"

Kim felt herself shiver, normally lately, she had been KP. In highschool he had flipped back and forth between using her normal name and his nickname for her, she had privately prefered him using 'KP'. It was special and anytime he didn't use it, she felt left out in the cold. Still, she had to do this no matter how cold she felt. "Yea, I've been enough of a burden on you Ron. I'll get a motel room or somethi-"

"You're not a burden," he responded moving toward her, goofy smile hovering on the corners of his lips "Besides, I was getting used to having you in my bed."

Kim allowed the implied flirt/joke to pass, instead picking up her bag "Well, I'm not going to be there anymore." He stopped short and stared into her eyes, he seemed to probe her quietly and the hint of his goofy smile faded away leaving a very confused look on his face. Steeling herself Kim pushed past him, moving toward the door "Goodb-"

She was stopped suddenly when Ron grabbed her arm, holding her in place. God, did he have to make this harder than it already was? She wanted to get out of here, tell him once she was far away so that he coulnd't talk out of this decision. Becuase he could, he could very easily talk her out of leaving, he could just as easily talk her into anything he wanted. That's how blind he made her and she could do the same to him, which meant she made him just as blind. "KP, why do you want to..."

Turning Kim sighed, staring at him "Because we need to stop Ron. This can't happen, you and me, we can never go past being best-friends."

"Why?"

"Because...just because!" Kim finished lamely, but he shook his head frowning a little more and Kim almost growled in frustration "Ron, we can't. If we do, it'll be the biggest mistake we could make...no matter what we feel, it'd be the worst thing we could do. You know it, deep down, you know I'm telling you the truth."

Ron shook his head, letting her arm go. He didn't say anything for a long moment and Kim took this as a sign that he was agreeing with her. That he understood. Turning, struggling to keep from crying because on some level she had wanted him to stop her. She stopped once more however with the next words he said, the only words that could shatter any sort of argument she could mount.

"I love you."

Kim felt the chill that ran up her spine at those words, the tears that dampened her cheeks. Those words, from him, were the most powerful drug she could concieve of. Kim knew that she had whispered those words in her own heart since prom, but she had never said them outloud. But he had just done that and it wasn't just a ploy to keep her here, it was the truth. She cursed him, cursed the way his voice saying those words made her feel.

Suddenly he was there, right behind her, hands holding her shoulder and his lips pressing against what there was of her exposed shoulder. Kim closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling and crying all the more. How dare he do this, couldn't he just let her go and let her do what was right for them?

"Kim, I don't know what you've gotten into your head, maybe your right. About this between us being the worst thing we could do, but I don't care. Because I love you and I want you here with me. I want to hold you, to kiss you, to see you laugh and smile. Even to cry. I don't want to be just your Global Justice partner." he paused and kissed her shoulder again "I love you."

Kim was torn, his whole speech so un-Ronlike, but it touched her. She wanted to keep moving away and she wanted to turn around and embrace him and posses him and be possesed. It was an inhuman desire welling up inside her and against her will she allowed her bag to slid off her shoulder and she turned to face him, tears still trailing down her cheeks.

Kim stared into those soft brown eyes, seeing how they willed her to give in. Her heart won out over the logic and she pressed her lips against his in a passionate kiss, hands moving up to clutch at his upperback.

His arms encircled her waist tightly, holding her against him and Kim was swept away in the feelings flowing through her. All thoughts of leaving him were cast aside, as was any desire to. This was it for her, irrevocably she belonged to him and would never leave him.

She didn't know who did what, or whose idea it was, but soon they were sinking to the floor shedding clothes as they needed.