A/N: By the Way, if I haven't mentioned this before, if this was animated as Ron, it would sound like the typical Ron we all know and love, but as Robin, he'd sound a lot more like Batman Beyond. That is all, enjoy the chapter and be warned: character death and some sexuality in this chapter.

Chapter 10: Facing Fears part 2

Kim and Josh stood at the steps of the private Wayne jet preparing to take them back to Middleton, before them stood Bruce, Diana, and Alfred with Rufus on the old Englishman's shoulder.

"I'm sure Ron had a reason for not seeing us off, Kim," Josh said reassuringly to the sad looking redhead.

Kim nodded slightly before she was pulled into a warm hug by her childhood idol. "It was a pleasure to get to know you, Kim, and I hope we can meet up again when you move to Gotham," Diana said, pulling away from the girl, but not before using her forefinger to lift the girl's chin, "Chin up, Amazons stand tall."

"But I'm …" Kim said in confusion.

"You may not be born of Themyscira," Diana nodded, "But you have the heart of a proud Amazon warrior."

"Thank you … see you in around two weeks then," Kim gave a small smile, her eyes beaming from the compliment Wonder Woman gave her. "Bye Diana, Mr. Wayne, Alfred, and … and say bye to Ron for me." Kim waited for Bruce and Diana to nod, before she and Josh turned to the plane.

Diana watched as the two teenaged climbed on Bruce's jet and once they were both onboard turned to her billionaire boyfriend, "Why didn't you get Ron to come?"

"Took your advice," Bruce said somewhat coldly as he turned and started back toward the limo.

"My Advice?" Diana asked, blinking in confusion.

"You said give the boy his space, let him make his own decisions," Bruce said opening the door for her. "So I let him make his own screw ups."

---

Batgirl kicked her legs as she sat on the balance bar, wincing at every thud as Ron, clad only in his tights and tunic, was currently beating the hell out of a punching bag.

"What bag do to you?" Batgirl asked, removing her full mask, letting her short, dark hair tumble to just above her shoulders.

"What are you talking about?" Ron asked, doing a jumping roundhouse kick to the firm sandbag.

"Why angry?" She asked, hopping down to the floor.

"I'm not angry," Ron said, doing a one two combo on the bag.

"You always angry now," Batgirl said, somewhat sadly, "Not used to be. Not when Kimmie was here."

"You don't know what you're talking about," Ron growled, hitting the bag even harder.

"You friend, I worry," Batgirl said softly, looking away, not liking the anger she saw from her friend's body language.

"You have no reason to be worried, Cassandra," Ron grunted as he punched it even harder, imagining the face of his parents murderer.

"If so, why no talk?" she asked looking up, but Ron was in his own world.

The punching bag was now the murderer: the one who killed his parents. Ron saw the killer's blond hair … brown eyes … freckles … he hated him. Ron took a hard forward punch, his fist tearing through the leather exterior pushing through the sand, and on out the back. "No reason to worry …" Cassandra sighed, before walking away from the teenager.

Ron pulled back and looked at his bloodied knuckle through the torn green glove. He wiggled his fingers thankful only his skin was broken and his bones were intact. He made his way to the medical station of the Cave. He began to wrap his fist with bandages when a small mirror caught his attention. He saw himself, without the mask. It wasn't the masquerade of the old Ron Stoppable or the physical mask of Robin. It was merely what he was now. The sight sickened him.

---

"Kim," a voice stirred the young redhead from her slumber, "Kim, we're almost home."

"Wha … Ron?" She finally set up from her seat on the private jet.

"Close," Josh smiled, kissing her cheek. "Try the second best looking guy from Middleton."

"Where are we?" she asked glancing out the window of the jet.

"Should be landing at Upperton Airport in a couple minutes," Josh said, stifling a yawn.

"Already? I slept that long?" Kim asked, smiling bashfully before looking away with a frown.

"You ok, Kim?" Josh asked taking her hand in his.

"It's nothing," Kim sighed, looking away, "I just … I just miss my best friend."

"It'll be ok, Kim, everything will work out just fine," Josh said pulling her into his arms to hold her. "He's just got a lot of problems to work out."

"I know … I just wish he knew I was there for him …" Kim breathed, melting into her boyfriend's embrace.

"He knows, and when he's ready and then," Josh said before clearing his voice and speaking again, this time mimicking Ron's voice, "Hey, KP, wanna go grab some Bueno Nacho with the Ron-Man?"

Kim sighed as she snuggled against her boyfriend, "He'll get better … but you didn't see him … you didn't see him when his parents … He'll never be the same, not after that …"

'If you only knew, Kim …' Josh thought to himself, as he held her, 'If you only knew …'

The jet landed without a catch at the Upperton International Airport, and Kim and Josh quickly located his sports car that he had left in the parking lot.

Josh watched the road as they pulled out and made their way toward the Possibles' home just outside Middleton.

The trip to the house was silent and to the two young adult's surprise there wasn't anyone at home.

"Where is everybody?" Kim asked as the couple walked into the kitchen. Kim searched the counter for any notes left for her, and Josh 'inspected' the refrigerator for anything out of place.

"Maybe Wade knows something …" Kim said, pulling out her Kimmunicator. "Hey, Wade, you there?" She asked, but there was no response, "Now that's different … he usually never leaves his room …"

Suddenly the telephone rang, and Kim quickly grabbed it up, "Possible residence, Kim speaking," Kim answered politely, "Hi, Mom, I was wondering … what? What's wrong? Oh … oh ok, we'll be right there. Right. Bye." Kim finished the call and hung up, turning to her attentive and worried boyfriend. "Something's up, mom didn't say what, just told me to hurry to the hospital."

---

Kim and Josh quickly made it to Middleton Memorial Hospital, the very hospital where Kim's mother worked as a brain surgeon. The couple dashed into the hospital and a sound echoed that caused Kim's blood to chill. It was Wade's voice, loud and clear, echoing through the hospital laughing hysterically. "Oh, God, Josh," Kim gasped, grabbing Josh's hand and squeezing it tight, "It's just like … it's just like Ron's parents!"

Kim literally dragged Josh through the halls of the hospital, following the sound of the laughter to find her mother and Wade's parents standing outside an OR entrance. "Mom, Wade, what happened?" Kim breathed, finally coming to a stop before her mother and Wade's worried parents.

"Wade got a package in the mail," His mother whimpered through her tears, "I didn't thing anything of it … he's always getting new computer parts in the mail … I gave it to him … left the room … heard an explosion and laughter … Wade was laughing … but it wasn't natural … it was … oh, God, it was horrible …" she finished, collapsing in her husband's arms as the horrible laughing of their son continued to echo from the OR.

"Joker …" Kim and her mother said in unison with almost the same tone of voice. But before Josh or the Loads could question them on it, the laughter ceased.

All five looked up toward the door with nothing but hope in their eyes.

The doctor finally came out, but the look on his face caused all hope to fade away into sickening grief. "I'm sorry … we … we couldn't get the antidote into him in time …"

"No …" Kim breathed as she dove into Josh's arms, burying her face in his chest.

Mrs. Possible quickly went to the Loads, trying to offer them some sympathy and comfort, but both were in too much shock to do much. "Josh," Mrs. P. said turning to the two teens, "Take Kim home, and stay with her. The boys and their father are gone on a fishing trip and won't be back until late tomorrow and I'm working third shift tonight, but I don't want Kim to be alone. Would you care to stay with her tonight? I can get someone to fill in if it's a problem."

"Sure, it's no trouble, Mrs. Possible," Josh said before turning the trembling Kim around and leading her back toward the exit.

Mrs. Possible watched them leave before moving to a nurse's station and picking up a telephone, "Operator, I'd like to make a collect call to Gotham City …"

---

A small truck filled with chemicals slowly made its way down the dark streets of Gotham. The two thugs driving the unmarked transport were absentmindedly watching the road as they roared between the buildings, neither of them noticed the shadowy figures watching their every move.

The driver took a glance in the side mirror and spit his cigarette out in shock, "IT'S THE BAT!" He gasped as Batman and Robin swooped down on the slow moving truck. He tried to accelerate but the Caped Crusaders were already planted firmly on the cab of the truck.

"Pull over. Now." Batman snapped, looking down at the fearful thug.

The thug did as told and the two slowly got out, trying futilely to hide bats behind their backs.

"Drop them," Robin growled as he stood by Batman's side.

"What if we don't want to," the thug said confidently, bringing the bat around and rubbing the larger end with his hand, "you gonna make us?"

The other looked at him as if he was an idiot, but timidly did as told.

"I'll take the scared one," Batman said to his partner, "You take the genius."

"Want him conscious?" Robin asked, popping his neck.

"The scared one will talk." Batman said simply before moving toward the horrified thug.

Robin sighed before moving in, ducking the thug's swing. He moved in on the big man's surprised face and punched him hard just below the sternum before elbowing him in the face, sending him to the ground with a thud.

Sure, he was unconscious, Robin silently removed wire from his utility belt and began tying the thug a nearby street light. He then glanced toward the Batman, who was holding the other thug by his collar.

Robin narrowed his eyes when Batman suddenly stopped and pressed his fingers to the side of his cowl. He then proceeded to drag the thug over to his unconscious accomplice and tie him up as well.

"Find out where Scarecrow's hiding?" Robin asked.

"They don't know. It doesn't matter right now." Batman said, pulling his grappling hook, "We're going home."

"But we just got out," Robin complained, following.

"You're packing your bag and leaving for Middleton tomorrow evening." Batman stated, as they landed on the rooftop.

"What? you said I couldn't go!" Robin shot back, "What changed your mind?"

"Wade Load." Batman said emotionlessly. "He died one hour ago."

Robin stopped all motion, "W-What?" He asked, his voice reverting to his normal 'Ron' voice.

Batman didn't look back, but let his cloak wrap around his shoulders. "Joker."

---

Kim let Josh lead her into her room and he helped her sit down. Kim had finally got a handle on her trembling and crying, but the pain wasn't easing up. First, the Joker made her best friend hate her … now he took another friend away. "Kim, are you ok?"

"No …" Kim whimpered, "I'm not ok … Wade's … Wade's gone …"

"I know, Kimmie," He said, sitting down beside her. He put his arms around her to hold her, "Let it out, Kimmie, if you need anything, anything at all, I'll do it."

"Joker … he's taken so much from me …" She sniffled. "I don't want to lose you too …"

"You won't lose me, Kim," Josh said, leaning forward to kiss her softly on the lips.

She pulled back slightly and looked in his eyes that reminded her so much of Ron's … before his parents died and he started 'hating' her. "How do you know?"

"Gut feeling," Josh smiled at his girlfriend, only to let his smile grow a bit more when she returned it.

"Josh … you said you'd do anything for me?" She asked tentatively. Josh gave a small, confused nod. "Josh … love me … I'm ready … I want you to love me tonight." She asked, almost begged, looking up at him hopefully.

"Are you sure?" Josh asked nervously, looking down at her. She gave a firm nod, and he sighed before moving in to press his lips to hers. She moaned into his mouth as they lowered themselves down on the bed, beginning to pull at each other's clothing.

---

Joker laughed loudly as he watched the monitors receiving footage from the hospital security cameras. "Aw, Mr. and Mrs. Load, your little couch potato boy done gone to push up daisies, guess he ran out of extra lives!" he said before bursting into laughter again, "Extra lives! HAHAHA!"

"You sure this won't attract Mr. Pointy-ears, Puddin'?" Harley Quinn asked as she sat on his desk.

"Yeah, Batsy's too busy hunting down Scarecrow," Joker shrugged, "He'll probably send his pet bird to investigate, OOOOOOOOOOH!" the pale skinned villain squealed, "How great it'll be if I kill another Boy Wonder! HAHAHA! Seeing Batman all broken hearted is WONDERFUL!"

"Anyway," Joker cleared his throat, "We've completed stage one of Operation: Break the Red Head." Joker said seriously, "Her brain has been cut off, without her chubby little friend to give her heads up and information, we can pick her little, spoiled, pathetic life apart without her being able to lift a cute little pinky to stop us! Let's see who's next …" He said pulling up a piece of paper from his jacket pocket, "Ok, Brain Wade Load has been taken care of with a smile .. hehe, lets see, oh yes … he'll be fun … very fun HAHAHAHAHA!"

To Be Continued …