Disclaimer: This is a work of not-for-profit fan-fiction. The appropriate parties own the rights to the characters listed herein.

Authors Note: I apologize for the cheap way I got myself out of having Kim's house perfect when they got back from the prom. I totally did not realize what I had done until I was halfway thru this chapter.

Thanks to everyone who has reviewed. And to everyone who will!

From This Day Forth

Chapter 2: The Stranger

Ron's Treehouse

It was raining when Kim woke up; she smiled as she realized where she was. She felt Ron playing with her hair, and she turned over to greet him.

"Hey there, love of my life." "Hello yourself," Ron whispered back. He cautiously leaned over and placed a delicate kiss on Kim's lips. He was still nervous about this new wrinkle in their relationship and the last thing he wanted was to screw it up.

Kim melted as Ron kissed her. Neither Josh nor Eric had ever made her feel like this. Ron made her feel complete, and she loved every second of it. "That's one way to greet a girl," Kim smirked, as she reached to place her hands on Ron's face. They studied each other for a moment, probing, making sure that last night wasn't a dream. Content with his findings, Ron propped himself up with his arm and kissed Kim again, with as much passion as he could muster.

Suddenly, Ron's hand slipped off of the couch and he rolled over Kim, spilling onto the floor. As he tried to pick himself up, he somehow (it is the Ron factor after all) missed the floor and dropped to the ground. "Oomph!"

"Ron," Kim cried, as she jumped off the couch and peered through the hole in the floor. "I'm okay KP," Ron yelled. He slowly picked his now soggy self off the ground and climbed back up to the tree house.

"Oh, Ron!" Kim rolled her eyes and proceeded to envelop Ron in a big hug.

"Oww!" Ron winced in pain. "What wrong," Kim asked, worried Ron's clumsiness had gotten him hurt. "Eh, nothin', it's just between Shego's clothes-line and Eric's face stomping, I'm a little sore"

"Awe, do you want me to kiss your neck and make it better," Kim solicited? "Yes, ma'am," Ron exclaimed! Realizing what he had just said, Ron turned crimson and looked away.

Kim felt equally awkward. She had enjoyed their flirting, but she suddenly realized a big problem. This was Ron. She couldn't imagine talking to him about any of her relationships, yet here he was, and her boyfriend no less.

Then Kim had another thought about where all of this led. Marriage? Sex? Marriage didn't bother Kim. She couldn't image a future without Ron, and they were already so close that marriage was just a progression. But SEX! She was revolted at the idea; yet at the same time she knew that's what she wanted. His kisses, his touch, his embrace: they drove her wild. But this was Ron! Best Friend Forever Ron since pre-K. How could they…

"KP? Hey, earth to KP." Ron waved his hand in front of her face. Ron had been embarrassed at his outburst. This was his best friend after all. But now Kim was also his girlfriend, and well…. Ron paused. Conflicting emotions rose within him, and he knew they were going to have to have a long talk.

"Oh, sorry Ron," Kim said sheepishly. "I was just thinking." "About what KP," Ron asked? "Oh, nothing in particular. I was just thinking about us."

"In a good way or a bad way," Ron asked nervously. "I would have to say in a confused way," Kim said shyly. "I just feel Weird right now." "What do you…?" Kim cut him off. "Ron, you're my best friend in the whole wide world but now you're something even more and it's confusing me."

Ron's insides started shaking. He began to prepare himself for the worst. Kim saw his downtrodden face and reached over and embraced him with a ferocious hug. "Ron, I'm not breaking up with you. I just don't understand my feelings any more."

"Sorry KP. I guess I'm a little confused too." They held each other for a few moments, neither of them sure what to do or say. Ron pulled back from Kim and gazed into her eyes. He saw fear and uncertainty there that he had seen only once before.

It frightened him. Kim was always the strong one, and he always followed her lead. But Ron took a moment and realized why he had always been with her: to be there when she needed him. And for the second time in twelve hours, he was determined to help her through her uncertainty.

He reached over and brushed Kim's cheek as he laid his chin on her shoulder. "I love you KP," he whispered. "I always have and I always will." Kim nearly squealed, and squeezed the air out of Ron. When she finally let go, a blue-faced Ron gasped for air. She laughed at Ron as he overdramatically pretended to cough and sputter. After he finished his performance, he looked back at Kim. Her green eyes shimmered with light behind them. He smiled to himself.

"What are you so happy about," Kim probed? "Nothing, I just like seeing you happy." "That is THE corniest thing I've ever heard— and I loved it." Kim planted a light kiss on Ron's lips. Ron felt himself stir and kissed back with a desire.

"Grawpp!"

Ron stopped in his tracks and opened his eyes. Kim blushed and pulled away, grabbing Ron's hand as she did. "I'd better go. That was the cry to breakfast and if I don't get back there quick, mom and dad are going to find me missing." She kissed him on the cheek. "Get cleaned up and meet me at my house in 30 minutes. Ok?"

Kim climbed down from the tree house without another word. She winked up at Ron before turning and walking home. The rain had finally stopped, and the sun was beginning to shine through the clouds. Ron climbed down, and smiled at the sight of a beautiful spring morning and the red-haired girl's behind swaying as she walked away. Noticing his own excitement, Ron walked back to the house for a cold shower.

Kim quietly shut the door behind her. She took quick peeks into every room before moving on. She made her way up the stairs and went into the bathroom. She showered quickly and performed her morning rituals. She finished and went to her room. She quickly noticed that her bed was still perfect, so she quickly messed up her sheets and pillows and began changing. She glanced at the clock as she dressed. "7:30? Mom and dad should be up by now," she said softly to herself.

"Oh, we are," said a perturbed feminine voice. Kim jumped out of her skin and let out a small scream. "Mom? You scared me. I…." "Where have you been young lady," her mom interrupted, not hiding her anger? Kim finished putting on her shirt and weakly replied, "I was taking a shower."

"Before that!" Kim crumbled under the glare of her mom. "I was with Ron," she whispered, tears beginning to fill her eyes. Don't take Ron away from me, she thought.

Mrs. Dr. Possible walked over to her daughter and hugged her, her anger subsiding. "So, what did you two do?" Kim, finding her voice, wiped her tears away and briefly described the night's activities. "That's it mom, I swear. We didn't do…." "I believe you Kimmi." "But what about dad?" "We'll let him stay in the dark. THIS time," Mrs. Dr. Possible threatened. "Thanks mom," Kim said, as she gave her a kiss. "Now come on down, breakfast is ready."

As Kim sat down at the kitchen table, Ron knocked and came in the kitchen door. "Morning Dr. P, Mrs. Dr. P, Kim." He sat down next to Kim and took her hand. They chatted as they ate. Both Drs. Possible were anxious to talk about Kim and Ron, but Kim made sure to change the subject whenever they tried. They had been going out for less than twelve hours. How were they supposed to answer questions if they didn't know the answers themselves yet?

"Um, question," Ron asked inquisitively, looking around at the house. "I thought we left the house in ruins last night, ya know the whole evil Diablos blowing things up?"

Kim gasped. "Oh my gawd, I hadn't even noticed," Kim said in disbelief. "If Ron has me this shaken up already, I'm going to have to practice at ignoring him during missions," Kim thought. "

Dr. Possible grinned. "Let's just say that the Diablos aren't the only things that have been modified by the Hephaestus project." "Right on Dr. P," Ron yelled.

Kim and Ron spent the rest of the morning up in Kim's room. Dr. Possible kept checking in on them every five minutes, but got tired by 10 a.m. and finally gave up. Kim sat in bed and played with the golden locks of the boy in her lap. They talked some, but mostly kept silent; both lost in their own thoughts.

"KP." "Yeah Ron." "Why haven't we done this in a while; ya know, just sitting around talking and stuff? We used to do it all the time in Middle School." Kim sighed. "Because we both got busy with High School and missions and…."

Beep Beep Be-Beep.

"You just had to say something, didn't you?" Kim flicked Ron on the forehead and reached for the Kimmunicator. "What's the sitch Wade?"

"Kim! We've got big problems." Wade looked nervous, and that made Kim's weird-ar go off. "There's been a break-in at a factory outside Chicago. The bad guys have taken hostages and are threatening to kill them unless you show up."

"I'm, no, we're on it Wade," Kim said, correcting herself. She looked down at Ron, who let his smile grow as he heard Kim. He understands, doesn't he, Kim pondered? I want him by my side, equal. There's no way I'm going to let him play second banana to me anymore. He's always been there for me, and has helped me more than I've ever let on, or even realized.

"You're ride will be there in 20 minutes," Wade said, still looking nervous. "Thanks Wade," Kim said, pushing Wade out of her mind. "We've got work to do Ron." "Awww, man!" Ron got up and kissed Kim on the cheek. "I'll be back in ten KP." With that, Ron rushed out, on his way home to grab his mission clothes and Rufus.

Wade's Room

"You're a remarkable boy," said the stranger. Wade felt the gun leave his back. The man spoke again. "Give Kim Possible and Ronald Stoppable all the information I have given you once they're on their way. Oh, and do beef up the security here. I got in way too easy." Wade heard the stranger walk out the room. He had never gotten a chance to see his face. The stranger's black, wide-brimmed hat and upturned collar on his trench coat had kept Wade from finding out the mysterious visitor's identity.

Wade reset the security measures after he saw the man walking away from his house. "How did he get through," Wade wondered? He thought about what just happened.

Wade had been in his room, working on the new battle suit. After Kim's road test, Wade wanted to incorporate all of the information he had gotten from the suit's internal logs. As he was working, the security system spontaneously shut down. Suddenly, the man in black had appeared behind him, holding a gun. He had wanted to send Kim out on a mission. He gave all of the information he wanted Wade to repeat to Kim, and threatened to "come back" if Wade let their encounter be known. The stranger had even arranged to "provide transportation" for Kim.

"I've got to get to the bottom of this," Wade thought, as he began doing what he did best.

In a helicopter, flying toward Chicago

"Mr. Stryker, the targets are on their way." The mysterious stranger was speaking on a cell phone, and if anyone could have seen his face, they would have seen a great big smile. "My men are ready Mr. Smith," came the answer from someone on the other end of the phone. "Good." With that, 'Mr. Smith' hung up his phone and pulled out a newspaper, whistling a very cheerful tune.