Disclaimer: Disney owns Kim Possible, wish I did so we could all share. Only the story is mine.
Chapter 1: A Broken Friend"Kimberly, down here." The auburn haired doctor waved to her daughter from the open doorway.
A beautiful young lady of 17 years waved back to her mother as she set off down the hall. Had you not known who she was, you would have thought she was simply the daughter of a doing well doctor, however. She is well known to all. A teen hero who on occasion saves the worlds in her spare time, as well as the head cheerleader of the local high school. A lithe form almost always sporting blue cargo pants and a light green crop top. Long flowing red hair framed a flawless face only accentuating deep green eyes. She is the Kim Possible.
"Ready for some shopping mom?" she asked entering the office.
"Just about dear, I only have one more form to fill out. No matter how much they say we are becoming a paperless society, I get three more forms to prove it."
"It's alright I'm early. It's been boring around the world. All the villains seem to have taken a vacation." She said with a wry smile, which quickly melted. "And I haven't seen or heard from Ron in a couple of days. I'm beginning to worry about him."
The last of her daughters' statement sent a warm feeling across her face. 'Maybe she is finally opening her eyes to what I've seen, and hoped for, for quite a while?' As she looked up from her papers she was greeted by a scowl from Kim. "What?" she asked with a slight pout.
"I just thought I saw an evil smirk cross your face."
"No dear, let's get moving. I want to get some lunch before we hit the mall." Anne said closing the report.
As Kim and her mother were about to enter the elevator they heard a familiar voice from down the hall.
"Thank you Dr. Hall, I will be sure that he will be on time for the appointment next Monday." The voice of Ron's mother, Barbara Stoppable.
Kim held open the door looking for the owner of the voice down the hall. She spotted Barbara through a half-opened fire door speaking to a doctor hidden behind the opposite door. As she came through the door she stopped after seeing Kim waving to her from the elevator. Slowly she turned back and spoke to someone still hidden behind the doors.
"Hold on for one minute mom. I would like to speak to Mrs. Stoppable; maybe she can tell me where Ron has been keeping himself." Kim could see the worried look on Barb's face as she got closer. "Hi Mrs. Stoppable, I was hoping you could tell me where Ron's been. I haven't heard from him for a few days. I'm starting to worry."
Barb looked at her son's best friend with a deepening concern. "Honey he's just been really busy lately. I'm sure he will call you soon to check on you."
"Thanks ma'am, tell him I wanted to talk as soon as he can find the time."
"I will Kimberly. You better get going your mother is looking anxious."
Kim took off for the elevator and her waiting mother; she looked over her shoulder and waved good-bye. As she was entering the elevator doors Kim looked back at Ron's mother, she carefully pushed back the large swinging door and Ron stepped through slowly.
His face looked long and sad as he walked slowly through, letting his weight rest gently on a light blue cane. Ron's face froze when he spotted Kim entering the elevator doors. He quickly moved to hide behind his mother before Kim could get a good look, but he knew he had been seen, and soon his secret would be out.
Kim sat with her mom at the Middleton Mall food court enjoying a chef salad and water. Conversation was light and at times short on content as she replayed the sight of Ron at the hospital. The forlorn look in his eyes brought a seldom and little fear to her mind, something was so very wrong.
"Kimmie, you're worried about Ronald aren't you?" Anne asked.
"Is it that obvious?" Showing a forced smile, she hoped to relieve the discomfort of the moment.
Anne reached across the table and touched Kim's hand lightly, "It's alright, when we get home why don't you call him and see if you can go over and talk with Ronald, Ok?"
"Thanks mom." Kim's smile brightened along with the shine in her eyes.
The afternoon passed quickly as the shopping proceeded well. They had, of course ended up back at Club Banana, where Kim purchased her usual blue cargos and green tops. Along with her usual fare Kim found a blue dress that she thought would be perfect for a formal dance. The trip ended soon as mother and daughter rode back home chatting about all the clothes they wanted but chose not to buy. Kim went silent as they passed Ron's house. She spotted the family's car in the garage and her growing impatience to find out about her friends mysterious absence came flowing back.
As Anne parked the car Kim hurried inside to call Ron. She stacked her purchases on her bed and reached for her phone, dialing a number as a reflexive action.
"Hello Mrs. Stoppable, can I speak to Ron?" Kim waited as she heard a muffled conversation from the other side of the connection.
"Kimberly, Ronald is taking a nap just now. Can I take a message?"
"Thanks, just let him know I called, and I wanted to talk when he gets up."
"I will tell him Kim. Bye now." As the phone clicked off quickly.
"I will not let him ignore me like this." Kim said aloud to no one as she replaced the phone in its cradle. Her Kimness took over as her face went serious. She descended the stairs from her loft bedroom four steps at a time. As she reached for the door the Kimmunicator sounded its four all too familiar tones.
"What's the sitch Wade?" as she clicked the receive button on the small PDA like device.
Her 13 year-old tech genius appeared with a worried look across his face. "Kim, I know where you are going, don't. Let it be. Ron is alright. He needs space right now."
"First of all, how did you know where I was going? And secondly, how do you know how Ron is doing?" Kim asked becoming ever more suspicious.
"I will answer you questions in order. One, I have been monitoring incoming calls to the Stoppable phone, as well as cellular calls. Second, Ron called me and asked me to do it. He knew you would try to get…involved."
"What do you mean involved?"
"He wants to deal with this on his own. He doesn't want you to involve yourself with his problems." Wades' face blanched realizing he had just given out more information than he should have.
"Ron is in trouble? Why didn't you tell me?" her face was becoming more flushed the madder she got. "Wade he is our friend, not just mine but yours as well, he needs us, both."
"If you go there, I will disavow any knowledge. I made a promise to him, but if you insist, I will call his mom and let her know you are coming. Give me a few minutes to contact her."
"Please and thank you." A smile showing relief and immense gratitude on her face.
Kim waited a half-hour to let Wade work his magic before she headed out the door and down the street. It took only minutes before she moved up to the Stoppable's front door. As she was about to ring the bell the door flew open, and Barbara stepped out through the door, leaving it slightly ajar.
"Kimberly, I am so sorry that I couldn't tell you the truth at the hospital. Ronald was behind the door, and he didn't want you to know he is sick. Any more than that you will have to ask him." His mother put her hand on Kim's shoulder. "Please, go talk to him he has never been able to say no to you, help him. He needs you now more than ever. He is resting in his room, go up stairs quietly. Do Not let him push you away. I am going to go to the store for a while and let you work this out with him, alone."
Kim stood quietly as Mrs. Stoppable drove away, when the car was far enough from the residence she entered the house. She silently crept up the stairs and stopped to listen at the door to her oldest and best friend in the world. She could hear soft snoring mixed with light breathing; carefully she opened the door and entered. Ron laid facing away from her toward the wall; his light blue cane stood next to the headboard propped against the nightstand.
Ron seemed as though he was stirring, but yawned briefly before adjusting his sleeping position.
Kim gently sat down beside her sleeping friend and put a hand on his arm, softly rubbing it. His face looked so peaceful as he slept, unlike the look she saw earlier in the day. Ron had a lock of hair hanging down in his eyes; Kim reached out a tentative hand and brushed it back. She tried to pull her hand back but Ron grabbed it tenderly before she could.
"Mom, I'm OK. I just need to rest up and get mentally prepared before I start the treatments." Ron opened his eyes and looked at the hand he had taken. It didn't look like his mothers. Almost violently he sat up in bed as his eyes registered the appendage. "Kim! What are you doing here?"
"I was worried about you, and you wouldn't talk to me, so here I am." She said trying to avert her eyes.
Rufus popped out from his bed and gestured to Ron, an almost pleading look in his eyes. 'Help him, please.' apparent in his chattering speech. He quickly scurried from the room wanting to give the friends the privacy the needed.
A pained look appeared on his face, "KP, please leave now."He closed his eyes not wanting to see the hurt in hers.
"Ron please just tell me what is going on."
Ron pushed his way past her, "KP… get out now. Leave and don't ever come back." Ron yelled becoming angrier by the second. "I don't want, nor do I need your help. I can deal with this on my own." Ron shoved his finger in her face; "I'm not as helpless as everyone thinks I am, now go!"
Kim grew indigent. "I want you to tell me what is going on."
"You go deal with your pretty boys and let me live my life. I don't need you telling me how to live too."
Kim had never heard Ron speak in this fashion, to anyone, let alone her. His tone combined with his reddening face added to the terror she was facing. Ron was pushing her out of his life, seemingly forever. Kim tried to hold back the tears, but try as she may they started to fall on their own.
Ron looked at his best friend in the world. She had been there forever, at his side when he needed her before, just as he had been for her. Now the tears were beginning to flow. Tears he was responsible for her shedding. Ron sank back down on the bed, his face blanched at the thought of what he had done.
Kim tried to touch his cheek, but he pulled away when he felt her finger tips touch. Her tone softened, "Ron, just talk to me. I won't judge you, you know that. You have helped me all our lives, heck, I owe you my life so many times over, let me pay at least some of that debt to you now. I will say it again…just talk to me."
His face softened as he took a deep breath. As he opened his eyes he looked deep into hers, a tear ran down his cheek. "Kim, I'm going to die."
Thank you to all who read my first story 'Gardens of Devotion', special thanks go to all those who reviewed. If you like the story reviews are appreciated, even if you don't I welcome your comments as well. I will try to reply in a timely manner to all. I.O.