Disclaimer: This is a work of not-for-profit fan-fiction. The appropriate parties own the rights to the characters listed herein. If you're reading this, you may have already won one million dollars. Please sign the dotted line to get your very own piece of Montana swampland.

Authors Note: I am actively working on this title. It started out as a one-shot, but after I finished I began formulating the rest of the plot. Please be patient; I write very, very slowly. Thanks to everyone who was read and reviewed, I really appreciate it. Keep R&R-ing.

From This Day Forth

Chapter 3: Curiouser. . .

In a helicopter over Iowa

Kim looked up at Ron. He and Rufus were chatting about something she could care less about, so she resigned herself to watching Ron. She leaned up against the side of the helicopter and watched every part of him. How his chest moved as he breathed. How his eyes sparkled in the light. How his hands went every which-way as he talked. How his smile grew every time he glanced over at her.

Kim smiled as she felt the warmth inside her. She was the happiest girl in the world. She had been thinking about all of the times Ron and she had been together, the good and the bad, about Josh and Eric, and about her life. The one thing she knew was that she was the happiest she had ever been. Ron was the one for her. She knew it.

Beep Beep Be-Beep.

Kim came out of her haze and grabbed her Kimmunicator. "Go Wade," Kim said.

"I found some information on warehouse you might need," Wade said nervously. The pilot is going to drop you off on the roof, on the north side of the factory. The bad guys are expecting you to walk down the stairs from the roof. But a lot of the windows are broken in that area. You may be able to find a way in without tipping anyone of. You can drop down inside on a catwalk that surrounds the entire room. The hostages are being held in a center room that is only accessible from the ground floor. The bad guys should all be guarding the door."

Kim looked suspiciously at Wade. He never seemed worried or nervous about anything before. What was the deal now? "Are you sure you okay Wade," Kim quizzed?

"Oh yeah, Kim," Wade sputtered, as sweat beaded on his forehead. "I, uh, just ate something hot. I need a glass of water. Beep me if you need anything." Wade killed the connection.

"Okay, that was weird," Kim said. She put the down the Kimmunicator and turn her attention back to her man. She paused at that thought. Ron was her man, wasn't he? Well, her boy at least. She thought back to the incident with Yori. She had been jelling over Yori big time, not that she would ever admit that to Monique. For someone she had never even considered dating, she had wanted Ron all to herself. Her cheeks turned red as waves of embarrassment and guilt came upon her. Bonnie had cruelly joked that Ron was her slave. Maybe she was right…

"Yo KP, you still here," Ron asked concernedly?

Kim blinked her eyes as she came out of her thoughts. Ron was seriously throwing her off her game. She smiled weakly and replied, "Yeah, I was just thinking about how much of a distraction you are." Kim saw Ron's face fall. She smiled to herself and leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "But you're MY distraction."

Ron smiled feebily. "You know KP, the reason I've always came on these missions is..." Kim placed a finger on Ron's lips. "Shush! If it weren't for you, there wouldn't be a TEAM Possible. We can always work together to be even better. So don't think for a second that you shouldn't be here by my side.

Ron smiled a breathed a sigh of relief. Kim understood him better than he did, and he was grateful. He wasn't sure he was going to be able tell Kim how he felt, but he didn't have to.

Feeling encouraged, Ron leaned forward and placed his lips on Kim's. Kim, startled at first by Ron's boldness, received his advances and kissed back.

"Miss Possible, we are nearing the warehouse." Kim pulled back from Ron, alarmed at the pilot's sudden announcement. Kim blushed and said apologetically, "Time to save the world."

Taking care to check their gear first, they secured their parachutes, opened the door and jumped from the helicopter.

"KP, I want to pull my chute," Ron yelled hysterically. "Not yet," Kim yelled back. A few seconds later as the warehouse suddenly loomed before them, Kim yelled at Ron to pull his parachute.

A minute later Kim landed safely on the roof of the warehouse. Ron, however, had been blown of course by a gust of wind. "Help KP," Ron exclaimed! Before Kim could do anything, another gust of wind blew Ron back on course. But Ron was traveling to low now. Kim held in a squeal as Ron raced toward the side of the building.

But he didn't careen into the building. Ron had just enough height so that only his legs smacked the wall of the warehouse. Ron somersaulted onto the roof, getting tangled up in his parachute.

Kim looked at Ron, and took a deep breath. She had always trusted Ron to not get in to too much trouble before, and she would have to continue that trust. It wasn't as though he meant more to her now, it was that she now realized just how much he did mean to her. Kim had meant every word she had spoken on the helicopter, but she did have to admit that she wondered why she put up with him and his antics. Kim looked over and saw Ron and Rufus finally freed themselves. Kim smiled at Ron. Because I love him. "Okay Ron, game time!"

Kim walked over to the side of the building and looked down. The window was broken out. She nodded at Ron, pulled out her hairdryer, and fired at a nearby pipe. The grappling hook secured itself to the pipe. Ron walked over and took hold of hairdryer with Kim. They jumped out and off the roof.

When the rope became taut, Kim and Ron swung back towards the building, through the open window, and onto the catwalk.

The hairdryer recoiled itself as the two looked around. The layout was exactly as Wade had described it. Kim and Ron jumped as a loud voice called from below.

"Hello Kim Possible. Welcome to your death."

They gazed down at the floor of the warehouse. Near one wall, the man who had spoken was standing next to a door.

Kim yelled at the strange man who was wearing a black cover operations outfit. "Who are you and where are the hostages."

"I am called Stryker, and I hope you won't be too disappointed, but I'm afraid there aren't any hostages." Kim and Ron glanced at each other. "Dude," Ron yelled, "then why did you want us?"

"Us, huh," Stryker smirked. Since when did you become Kim Possible? Or did she become Kim Stoppable?"

Kim and Ron glanced at each other, and then stared at their feet. Stryker laughed at their discomfort. "Ohhh, did I embarrass you? No matter. What I want with you is my own business. The only thing you should be concerned with is the fact that I have you right where I want you. Men, seize them."

Suddenly, two dozen soldiers dressed like Stryker appeared out of nowhere. Each carried a riffle in their hands. A few came running at them on the catwalk, guns drawn. Two of them fired at the teens. Kim grabbed a hold of Ron and jumped off the catwalk, firing the hairdryer. Rufus ran at one of the men and bit the nearest soldier. Howling in pain, the man grabbed Rufus and threw him against the wall.

On the warehouse floor, Kim kicked two men while Ron tried to show off his monkey-fu. "Halt," yelled Stryker. It was only then that the teen realized the truth.

They were surrounded. Every soldier had their guns trained on them. Kim could see the red points of light all over Ron's body. Kim stopped dead in her tracks, as did Ron.

"Grab him," ordered Stryker. Kim watched in horror as four men lowered their guns and went for Ron. They grabbed his arms and legs, picked him off the ground, and carried him through the small door below Stryker. A flood of emotion came over Kim as her blood ran ice cold. I've failed you Ron, she thought miserably. Great job Kim, you've let the most important person in your life get… She didn't dare continue that line of thought.

Suddenly, rough hands grasped at her limbs and Kim was lifted of the ground. Kim angrily screamed at Stryker, "Let him go. He isn't a threat to you. You have me, just let him GO!" Kim burst into tears as she finished her exclamation. Stryker chuckled. "Funny, that's the exact same thing I can hear the boy yelling." He removed a listening device from his ear and started playing with his ear. "And that brat has a higher voice than you." He replaced the device and smiled devilishly at Kim. "Don't worry, Miss Possible, you'll get to join him in as second. A minute later, Stryker pointed at the soldiers holding Kim, and they started off to the oh-so-special room Stryker had been guarding..

When she arrived in the mysterious room, she was surprised. The room was barely bigger than her bedroom. She saw Ron strapped to a large metal slab resting against the back wall with large leather straps. She saw an identical slab, presumable for her, and a chair. What is going on here, Kim asked herself.

"Let her go!" Kim saw Ron struggling, desperately trying to break free. Despite the grim circumstance, Kim smiled to herself. Her man was trying his best to save her. She let a small sigh. Despite their situation, Kim found comfort in Ron's feeble attempts to save her. "Why didn't I noticed this before," she though glumly. Before she could think another thought, she involuntarily let out a large groan as the soldiers threw her against the empty slab. Two of the soldiers immediately pinned her down while the other two began to secure the straps around her body, arms, and legs. Kim struggled, and managed to kick one of the soldiers away.

Smack! Kim's face suddenly felt like it was on fire. One of the soldiers had backhanded her ferociously. Ok. I won't try that again, Kim mentally noted. "Hey! Why I…" Ron struggled even more at the sight of Kim getting hurt. One of Ron's guards, tired of his mouth, punched him violently. Kim gasped at the sight of Ron's body flailing in response, the saliva flying out of his mouth, and then the stillness of his body as it came to rest on the slab. Kim let out a gasp. She suddenly felt the urge to cry, but held it back. It would be to their disadvantage to show weakness.

Ron groaned in his mind. The punch had really hurt. But for some reason he didn't care. For the first time ever, he knew he had to be strong, for Kim. The only reason he started coming on these missions was to be there for Kim, to keep her safe. Yet most of the time he ended up running around, fearing for his life. But this time was different- something had changed. As Ron saw Kim giving it her all and still losing, Ron saw a different side of Kim: a scared Kim. He saw it on her face briefly as they were carrying her into the room. His heart ached to see her like this.

And suddenly Ron came to a realization. He wasn't concerned about his own safety anymore. The only thing he could think of was saving Kim. He wiggled and struggled and yelled; everything he could think of to try and get free He became incensed when he saw that creep lash out at Kim. He doubled his efforts. He wanted to make that guy pay.

He didn't see the punch coming, and for a second he didn't even feel it. But reality caught up with him soon enough. He paused, not daring to move. The pain was almost unbearable, and Ron feared his ribs were cracked. Out of the corner of Ron saw Kim, and he decided he must be strong for her. He didn't doubt for a second she was worried about, he needed to calm her fears. He turned to the guy who had punched him and taunted, "That was a good try, but my grandma could do better." He stared at him with a smile, while grimacing inside. Stupid! Why did I just mock him? Now he's going to pound me harder.

Sure enough, the soldier was in motion to punch Ron again. "STOP," yelled Stryker, as he came though the door. In one hand he had a black case, and in the other, a cage containing Rufus, who had tried to run away. Stryker placed the cage on the ground and kicked it against the wall. Rufus wailed as the cage smacked into the wall, coming to a stop. "Rufus," Ron cried out, disheartened that his pal had been caught and treated in such a manner. The little guy squeaked angrily, but looked no worse for the wear.

Stryker set his case on the empty chair and opened it up. He reached and pulled out a small glass bottle and a very large syringe. A wicked smile appeared across his face. "Oh, I'm going to enjoy this. Stryker took his time filling up the syringe. As soon as it was full, he began waving in front of Kim and Ron's faces. He walked over to Kim and pressed himself against her. "What a wonderful time we all shall have," he muttered into Kim's ear, while he used the needle to outline Kim's right breast. Kim closed her eyes, wishing he would stop.

Ron began struggling at the sight of his best friend being molested by this creep. "You leave my K . . ." THWAP. The soldier guarding Ron backhanded him, hard. "Shud up boy," the soldier spat. Stryker looked over at the soldier and frowned. "Delta, don't do that again," Stryker exclaimed with as much enthusiasm as a bored socialite.

Without warning, Stryker jabbed the needle with excessive force into Kim's stomach, causing her to scream out in fear and pain. He emptied half of the contents of the syringe into Kim before violently ripping it back out, causing Kim scream out again as she began to bleed. Ron turned white as ghost at the horrific sight in front of him. Stryker walked over to the cage containing Rufus, and jabbed the little guy with the needle, squirting a small amount of the mystery solution into him. Rufus squealed, and then became strangely silent. Stryker laughed as he made his way over to Ron.

"You know, chemical agent 42 has never been tested on anyone or anything before," Stryker mused. "The scientists that created this stuff were worried about 'instantaneous death' or something to that effect. Oh, well." He gazed over at Kim. Ron, unable to stop himself, followed Stryker's gaze. Kim had stopped screaming now. In fact, she wasn't moving at all. Ron glanced down at Rufus. The little guy was motionless as well. Ron's eyes watered as he looked back at Stryker, who was staring at him with amusement. "Your turn." Ron suddenly felt a sharp pain in his stomach, and before he could scream, everything was black.

Stryker laughed at the sight in front of him before sobering. "All right men, all according to the plan." The other soldiers released the bodies and laid them on the floor. They opened Rufus' cage and laid him next to Ron. The soldiers then went throughout the warehouse removing all signs that they had been there. They soon heard the sound of a helicopter landing on the roof. "Finish up and get on the helicopter," Stryker ordered his men. As his men were leaving, Stryker retrieved a knife from his belt and walked back to Kim.

Ten minutes later

Stryker looked down at his handiwork and smiled. Kim laid motionless on the ground. Her clothes were torn to shreds. He smiled as he saw red drips off blood flow in the spots he 'accidentally' stabbed her where he had started cutting away her clothes. He began chuckling as he wondered how she would respond when she realized what had happened to her.

Stryker pulled out a cloth and wiped the knife clean of fingerprints, and placed the knife in Ron's hand. This should be interesting. Too bad I can't stay and watch. He grabbed his case, and made his way to the helicopter. It was the same one that had dropped Kim and Ron off.

Once in flight, Stryker's cell phone rang. "Hello, Mr. Smith. The objective has been completed." "And what of the cameras," inquired Mr. Smith? "Sir, the video cameras are in place and operational." On the other end, Mr. Smith allowed himself a big smile. "Notify me as soon as they begin to wake up."