Here we go again… Going a slightly different direction. Hope y'all like… let me know…

Disclaimer (again): I don't own the Kim Possible characters. Richard is a character created by Richard Sirois…

Chapter 4

"Kim… it w… was…"

Kim's computer came to life inside her locker interrupting Rich. "Kim! Glad you're there! You will never guess who is sending you a live feed."

"Stream it, Wade." Suddenly Kim's attention was on her computer screen, and away from Rich. Apparently he wasn't much interested, as he leaned against the locker next to hers, out of the computers camera range.

The screen fizzled with static, and Drakken's face appeared. "Shego? Is this thing on? OK… good. Hello Kim Possible. I bet you are wondering why I am contacting you through your website. That's because it would take too long to snail-mail this video to you." He gestured a slash mark across his throat.

Immediately the screen changed, fizzed with some more static, and suddenly the screen showed a picture that made Kim inhale sharply, and her hand cover her mouth.

"Oh my God, Ron!"

Ron was strapped down to a large stainless steel table, and large cables were attached to his hands by a clamp that completely covered them. A vaguely familiar form was hunched over a computer, facing away from the camera. Suddenly the figure turned around.

"Drakken, you fool!" It was Monkey Fist! "I told you I wasn't ready for another 10 minutes!" He hopped over to the camera, and his hand swung, knocking it over, causing the picture to turn sideways.

"Kim!" She heard Ron yell in the background. "Don't come here! It's …" The video suddenly cut off.

Drakkens face suddenly appeared again. "What, were back? Already? Anyway. We have you're Buffoon here…" Drakken was suddenly pushed out of the picture by Shego.

"Better come get your loser boyfriend, Princess! After we're done with him, he will need you to push his wheel chair!" She advanced on the camera as she spoke, her face turning to a grimace. Her hand then reached behind the camera, and the picture went dark.

Immediately, Wade's face appeared. "That's it Kim. I've got a ride going to you now!"

Grabbing Richard by the arm, Kim rushed out of the school to catch the VTOL jet that was landing on the front yard of the school.

As the two strapped themselves in, Kim spoke loudly so she could be heard over the roar of the engines. "Rich! You better tell me what happened, and fast!" After the engine roar faded in favor of speed, Richard told his tale.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Previously, outside the school.

Ron walked out the front doors of the school after speaking with Tara. His hands were stuffed in his pockets and his head down as he watched the ground under his feet. His thoughts were on a particular redhead, and what Tara had just told him. He never noticed the fairly large hovercraft rise over a nearby tree with one occupant. He also didn't see the green and black figure hidden in the shadows of the same tree.

Shego raised her hands to her mouth with the blow-dart, and blew hard. The dart caught Ron in the side of the neck. It was only then, after raising his hand to his neck by reaction, did he look to his left and see Shego standing there with a satisfied grin on her face.

"Oh no you didn't!" Shego heard from right behind her. She turned just in time to have a dark-haired form tackle her at the waist. They both went down, rolling on the hard sidewalk. They rolled together and then separated. Shego jumped up before her attacker did, and she delivered a roundhouse kick to the left side of his face. He spun around, and landed hard, as he fought to keep consciousness.

Shego walked over to the struggling form of Ron, who had fallen on his knees as he fought the drug that was now coursing through his bloodstream. She picked him up, and threw him over her shoulder without any resistance. Raising her hand to signal Dr. Drakken in the hover vehicle, a ladder dropped down. Just as it lifted off, Ron was able to give Richard a final look in the eye before he finally succumbed to the knockout drug.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"That's it? No explanation?" Kim asked as they neared Drakken's local lair/hang-out.

Rich just shook his head side to side, eyes lowered. "I… I couldn't help him. Shego w… was just t… too quick."

"Don't blame yourself. Shego's taken out people far worse than you!"

"Gee, thanks Kim. That makes me feel soo much better."

"Cut the sarcasm, and get your head in the game! I'm going to need your help to save Ron!"

Rich raised his head suddenly, surprised by Kim's statement. "Y… you want me to help?"

"I can't do this alone!"

"B… but…"

"But nothing." Kim was all business. She so did NOT want to be having this discussion right now when she had to rescue Ron. As soon as the wheels touched the ground, both were out of the jet like a shot. Kim pulling Richard along by the wrist.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Inside the lair:

What ARE you doing?" Ron asked Monkey Fist as he typed more into the computer terminal.

"My dear boy. If you haven't figured it out yet, then I really do pity you."

"Pity me all you want Monkey Boy! Just tell me what you and Drakken are up to!"

Fist took a deep breath, and pushed it out hard. "You see, I asked Drakken to figure out a way to pull the Mystical Monkey Power out of your body, and put it into me! I've gotten tired of running all around the globe trying to find a Monkey Amulet here, a Monkey Idol there…"

"Monkey, Monkey, everywhere a monkey!" Ron quipped, hoping to stall him longer so Kim could arrive. "You have no idea what you're doing, do you?"

"On the contrary, my boy. Drakken's device is really quite simple. He was able to define the energy signature that Monkey Power uses, and this device attracts it. After it is all collected from your body, it will go here," He placed his hand on a metal chair that looked for all intensive purposes like a hairstylists hair dryer, "and directly into meee! Ha ha ha ha ha ha!" His laugh rose in pitch as he hopped back over to the keyboard.

Kim and Richard were crawling through an air duct as they headed deeper into the lair. Wade had pinpointed a large energy signature, and was directing them towards it. The two whispered back and forth.

"Left at the next junction, then another right, Kim. That should put you right above the room."

"Thanks Wade, you Rock." Kim whispered. It was at that point that both heard the echo of Monkey Fists' laughter. She then removed the earpiece, and placed it in her pocket with the Kimmunicator.

"Kim? Don't you think we should hold off? I mean this could be a trap."

"Don't you think I know that?" Kim snapped back, causing Rich to slightly wince. "Now be quiet! We're on a rescue mission here!" She whispered vehemently.

"But Kim…" Rich started to press the issue.

"Rich…"

"Kim, I don't want you to get hurt."

"Uhh, Rich… I'm Kim Possible. I can do anything. Remember?"

"But Kim, I don't…"

"Shhh!"

"Kim…" Rich grabbed her on the ankle to stop her forward progress. "I love you!"

Yeah, I know I've shifted into an action fic now… But the real question is going to be whether Kim and Richard can now work together to save Ron… What will Kim's reaction be to Richard's formal declaration to her? Especially in the middle of a rescue mission? For Ron! (told y'all no one would guess…)