Disclaimer:Disney owns Kim Possible. Only the story is mine.
Chapter 6: The Pain We FeelBonnie yelped as the hand gripped her shoulder. Spinning around to confront her would be assailant, her mouth open, but she found she couldn't get the question out.
"Bonnie, what the hell are you doing with my Ron?" Kim spat.
Bonnie suddenly found courage she didn't have before, "I needed to talk to him about earlier… I wanted to know why he gave me his sword, and not you."
"I saw you holding his hand, don't you lie to me. He is mine, go and get your own. You've had enough of them on your own. I don't want to see what it looks like when you hurt him too."
"I don't want him like that. I want to be his friend." That revelation stunned the redhead. "He said I should allow the real me to come out." Bonnie took on a look like a small child. "He said there was good left in me. I think I owe it to him with all he will be dealing with to allow that part out again, for him."
Now it was Bonnie's turn to be shocked as Kim smiled and quickly hugged Bonnie. "I had a feeling that only Ron could get you to reconsider your choices." Kim put her arm around the brunette as they walked down to the elevator. Each beginning a friendship anew that had languished in hatred and loathing for years.
Ron sat up in his bed feeling the warm early morning sun. Pushing another pillow behind him to prop himself up he finally found the correct angle to be comfortable. He looked around his room at all the flowers and cards decorating every spare inch of counter space.
He thought back to the visit from his specialist. He had to begin his chemo today. Ron had finally relented to the pleadings of his mother and father, but he insisted that they delay until Kim got out of school. He sat waiting, watching the creeping clock on the wall. His mind drifted between what was today and what tomorrow might bring, the fear of the unknown brought such horrible images to mind he tried to keep them from his mind.
He had pictured the day of his wake. There was a service; Kim dressed all in black sitting at the front of the families. Their friends had taken up all of the other seats in the tiny chamber. He could see his face drawn and pale looking emaciated from the ravages of his illness. The wails from the girls, Tara, Hope, Marcella, and even Bonnie; that had almost been too much to bear. As he watched Kim stood to speak, as she was about to begin the world seemed to crash in on her. There above the gathering stood all their foes laughing triumphantly at the once proud hero, now only wishing to remember her departed love. As the scene played out he saw the misanthropes back away slowly only to have the entire crowd of mourners disappear in a blinding light. Worst of all Kim had bore the brunt of the attack, killed because he had not been there to save her. He knew he had to find a way to keep his vision from occurring.
Ron was deep in thought as Kim knocked at his door… no answer, she knocked again… still no answer. 'Fortune favors the bold.' She thought as she tried the latch and proceeded inside. He seemed to be lost in his thoughts, temporarily sane, as some might say. Ron never flinched until she sat at his side.
He looked at her smiling face knowing the hard part had just begun. "Hi KP, I hope today went better than yesterday."
Her smile took a leave of absence, "No it didn't, but now it's getting better." As she took his hand holding it gently.
This was not the way he intended the conversation to commence; he carefully pulled back his hand leaving Kim with an astonished look in her eyes.
"What's wrong Ron?"
"I think we need to talk Kim."
That didn't sound good. "What's on your mind?"
"Before I begin I want you to know that I love you more than anything else." Suddenly he couldn't keep eye contact.
"I love you too Ron, never doubt that. Is that what is worrying you? If it is, don't."
"No, that's not it. I think it would be better for you if you didn't come back to the hospital, to see me. My doctor wants me to start the chemotherapy today."
If Kim was concerned before, now she was getting angry. "You mean to say that you don't want me to come and visit you, to be here for you, now that you're here." Kim started pointing her finger right in his face, "Now that we have finally admitted how we feel, you want me to just walk away from you." She started to get up from the bedside, but Ron captured her wrist before she got away.
"Amp down KP, you don't realize what this is going to do to me, I do." Ron brought his stare back up to meet her. His voice rose, "I've been through this before remember? It's not anything I would recommend for my worst enemy. It's horrible to say the least. The pain is excruciating, you lose hair, you are always weak from the drugs, how's that for a pleasant evening?"
Kim was stunned, but Ron still went on.
"I want to do this on my own. I need to be the one, the only one, having to suffer the ravages of this disease. I don't want you to have to suffer through this too. I need for you to be happy."
Kim wasn't about to let Ron badger her into turning her back on him, not after all they had gone through over the years together. Her voice rose to meet his, the fury behind those eyes exploded. "I am not, I repeat not, going to walk away because you think that this is some kind of macho act. Standing alone facing death with no one to be there for you. I'm here now for you, and I am not going to back down. You either accept my place at your side like I accepted you at mine, or…" She didn't want to make an ultimatum, but he gave her little choice. "We're through." Her voice heavy with fear.
"If that's the way you want it."
"No, that is not the way I want it." Kim yelled. "I want you to accept that there is someone here that wants to help you like you helped me. You have shown such bravery and courage in the face of such stupidity on my part, I want an opportunity to repay, no not repay, and reciprocate likewise to you. Ron, you were the one who went to the Amazon to get a rare orchid to save me from fading into nonexistence. It was you who was there to catch me when I fell from a blimp over Go City. You are the one who shows courage on an almost daily basis. Joss said it best 'you are the one who with all your fears follows me into danger without a second thought for your safety'. Let me be here for you now," her tone going low and intimate, burning into his mind. "Rest your head on my shoulder, let me help you up this once, if we are to be separated by this disease let me spend that time with you. I love you."
Ron lay there not moving, not saying a word, just letting it all sink in.
The tension was thick as Ron considered his current course of action. Kim sat beside him watching intently for any sign of capitulation on his part. Kim nearly jumped out of her skin when a knock at the door startled her, Ron never budged.
"Mr. Stoppable, ahh Ronald, I'm here to take you to begin your chemo." The orderly looked at the duo noticing the pall in the air. "Are you ready to go?" he asked pushing the wheelchair over to the bed.
Ron looked up sadly. "Yeah, I'm ready. Let's get this train on the tracks."
The orderly helped Ron from his bed and began to release the brakes on the chair. He glanced nervously at the girl still seated on the bedside, unmoving with a downcast look in her eyes. He started to push his charge out of the room when Ron reached down and grabbed the brakes, bringing them to a screeching halt.
"Kim?" his voice questioning.
She never looked up, not wanting him to see the pain in her eyes. "What Ron?"
"Kim…" his voice more of a plea rather than a question this time.
Kim finally looked up hoping to put an end to this whole scene. Ron was in an uncomfortable position with his chair pointed out the door; he was looking back over his shoulder trying to get a look at her. His left hand was held out as far behind him as he could get it, reaching for her, grasping for her, needing hers in his. She felt like her heart would split in two until she realized his intent. He needed her.
Quietly Kim raised from the bed and walked behind Ron. Carefully she slid her hand into his letting him feel the warmth of her touch. She felt like she could float around the room.
Kim spent every available minute at Ron's side during the chemotherapy. Getting out of school she would hurry to the hospital in time for his afternoon cocktail. She would sit by his side as the drugs would take effect. Ron would moan listlessly as his body began to fight back with the aid of medicine. He would toss and turn as his muscles and flesh would crawl from the almost inhuman pain. As they would bring Ron back to his room Kim would walk by his side, as their hands touched it would appear as if the pain would disappear and his face would show contentment.
Ron was hooked up to a morphine bag as he settled back into his bed. Kim took a chair and moved it closer to the bedside. As the drugs took effect Ron drifted in and out of consciousness. As she watched over him Ron would occasionally let slip little thoughts leaking from his psyche.
"No… Kim get back. They're right above you." His face contorted as the dreams progressed. "All my power and I couldn't save her, I am such a failure…"
Kim tried to restrain him, as the dream became more troubling. "Ron, please… I'm right here, it's all right." Her voice pleaded with him. "Please Ron… " She leaned across his chest to hold him down in the bed. Kim placed her head just below his chin trying to gain some leverage. As she did Ron got a whiff of her scented hair, quickly his convulsions ended. His breathing evened out and he relaxed back into the deep pillows.
"Got to save Kim… Keep her safe… Have to stop them all." He muttered still reliving some of his visions.
Kim relaxed her hold on Ron, as he seemed to have gotten past the worst of the dream. 'I am going to have to have a talk with him about this dream. This it the third day in a row that he has said basically the same things. He really has me worried if these are the kinds of things he is worried about.'
Ron woke briefly when she kissed him lightly as she went back to her chair. He smiled and squeezed her hand, and then he resumed his long nap.
Kim sat watching her life's truest love as he slept. The portions of his nightmares she heard running and rerunning in her mind. Ron was afraid for her; afraid that all her enemies were going to come after her when… the thought was blocked as quickly as it came. Soon it would be time for her to go once visiting hours were over. Quietly she scooted her chair closer to the bed; she took his hand in hers. Kim laid her head on the side of the bed and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. He would sleep well, but for her the worries were just beginning.
Kim woke the next morning and looked around her room, something didn't feel right, out of place but what? The entire day at school she just couldn't shake the feeling. When she had lunch with the other cheerleaders, something she had begun in Ron's absence, they too had the same feeling but none of them could quite put their finger on it. As the day came to a close Kim sat in her final class, Mr. Barkin was giving a lecture on the modern political structure of the world when the sound reached their ears. It began slowly and grew in intensity. Mild pings like; a hammer falling on an anvil. It grew louder; Kim looked at Bonnie who only shrugged. Tara looked like she might faint from fear, she was no help. Even Barkin seemed slightly unnerved as he began casting his eyes from side to side. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he heard the knock on the door. Barkin opened the door slightly and peered out.
"Oh my god in heaven… What on earth are you doing here?"
The entire class was trying to see who it was that had interrupted the lecture. When he stepped back he opened the door fully and shocked the entire class. Ron Stoppable was leaning heavily on his light blue cane with a broad but very tired looking grin across his face.
"Ron!" Kim screamed as she jumped out of her chair. She nearly knocked Ron over as she rushed over and hugged him tightly. She would have like to have kissed him, but she remembered they were in school and PDA's were frowned on, she thought even her embrace could earn her a minor warning.
Barkin jolted her back into reality, "Possible… would you kindly show our guest to a chair next to my desk please?" his voice resounding its normal basso rumble.
Kim led Ron to a seat next to the table and sat him down gingerly. She made no move to return to her seat until Barkin cleared his throat, very loudly.
Mr. Barkin turned to Ron where the class couldn't see his face. "Mr. Stoppable what are you doing here? I thought you would be in the hospital for another two weeks."
Ron hunched forward resting on his cane. "I told them if I didn't get some time off for good behavior, the other side of me might take it personally." Ron changed his expression and his eyes flashed briefly, "I wanted to have some time out of that bed so I went for a walk, they should begin looking for me soon. I will be going back, I have a few more days left, but it was really wearing on me."
Kim looked as is she wanted to drag him forcibly from the room and return him to the hospital. Bonnie reached over and put her hand on Kim's shoulder, the look Kim got was one of understanding and concern. The look also told her everyone there would make sure Ron got back to the hospital, one way or the other.
Ron spent the rest of the class period watching and listening to Barkins lecture. He may have been boring, but it had been better than listening to those god awful soap operas on that tiny television.
Once the class was over Barkin asked Ron to stay for a minute. "Stoppable, if you don't mind I would like to have a word with you. In private…" Barkin turned to the girls waiting for Ron. "You can have him once WE finish here." And he ushered out the group and closed the door behind them. Ron and Mr. B talked for almost a half-hour behind closed doors.
Kim was still waiting for Ron, albeit impatiently, in the hall when the door reopened. Ron emerged still leaning heavy on his cane. "Possible…" Barkin thundered, "I think Stoppable here has been waiting for something, I think he deserves it now…" Barkin smiled, something seldom if ever seen in the halls of Middleton High, and closed the door so he wouldn't have to report the infraction.
Ron thought Kim would knock him over with her hug but all she did was yell down the corridor. "Bring it out Bonnie."
Bonnie flew around the corner pushing a wheelchair. Ron thought he was safe until he was manhandled into the chair by Brick and Monique. Once they had him securely in the chair they used their secret weapon to keep him in it, Kim. She threw herself into his lap and flung her arms around him, kissing his face all over. Ron turned every shade of red as the display played out.
Bonnie looked at the hapless teen. Leaning down to his ear she whispered, "Kim and I have been studying your condition in the off hours. We know how debilitating it is so you just sit there and let us do the driving."
Ron was about to protest when he was countermanded. Before he could object Kim took his face in her hands and kissed him long and hard until she ran out of breath. When she backed away she did with an evil looking grin, "You had something to say Ronnie?" All Ron could do was shake his head no. "Good, now that you're here, we are going to my house for a little get together. I know you have no objections, do you?" Again he shook his head.
Bonnie and Brick pushed the pair out to the parking lot and loaded them into Bonnie's car for the trip to Kim's house.
Bonnie just laughed as Kim sat in Ron's lap the entire way to her house. Bonnie wanted some way to show her appreciation to Ron for his trust in her. Parking the car in the driveway Bonnie waited for Kim to open the door so she could help Ron out. She waited, and she waited, finally she opened the door and tapped Kim on the shoulder.
"Oh, we're here." She said with surprise. Ron just sat there beneath her with a stupid grin from ear to ear. "Let's get you inside Ron where it's comfortable."
Kim stepped from the car and turned to help Ron out, but Bonnie had beaten her to the punch. Bonnie leaned in and took Ron by the hand and pulled him from the passenger seat. Ron looked somewhat confused when she pulled him close into an embrace. Kim looked like she was about to blow her stack when she heard Bonnie whisper in his ear.
"I'm so sorry Ronnie, for everything. For the way I treated you, for the way you were ostracized by my cruelty. I'm so, so sorry for everything." Bonnie started to cry on his shoulder.
Kim could see Ron felt bad for her.
"It's all right Bon-bon; it's all a part of growing up. You have nothing to be sorry for." He put his arm around her back and tried to comfort her.
Bonnie looked up into his hazel eyes, "You're too generous, but thanks anyway. I know I will have to work long and hard to live up to your expectations."
"Don't beat yourself up over it Bonnie. I can forgive you without a second thought. It seems that is about all I have left these days." He turned with Bonnie still wrapped around his arm and took Kim with his free arm and began to walk up the sidewalk.
Bonnie ducked out from under Ron when they reached the door. Kim helped him into the living room and returned to the door to show the rest of their guests in. As she went into the kitchen to get refreshments everyone sat intently as Ron recounted the past week of boredom. He looked uncomfortable as he described it, skirting around the more grisly details. The tale went on for almost an hour with all the questions, but it came to an intermission when the doorbell rang. Kim got up and answered the door, when she returned she wasn't alone. She came back with Josh Mankey in tow.
Everyone present felt a sudden electricity in the air. All eyes turned to Ron who sat with a severe scowl, his cane clutched tightly in one hand, and his other open palm up, a small but intense blue orb crackling in his grip.
Kim realized the sitch, "Ron no… He's here to pick up Tara." She hurried over in front of Ron and blocked his view of Mankey. She leaned down into his face closely and whispered, "He will be gone in a minute, there is no need to cook him just yet." As she kissed his cheek quickly. Slowly the orb dissolved from sight.
Brick had been almost out of his seat when Kim returned to halt the impending barbecue. "Ease up there Ron-man. No need to go fry-daddy on the dude, not unless he tries to pull something on Tara." He said with a sly smile.
Felix looked over at Ron "I have to agree with Brick on this one Ron. Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves, I don't think he is going to try anything with Kim… ah I mean he looked scared enough coming through the door, and then I thought he was going to whiz his pants when you whipped out that energy ball thingy."
Kim sat back down after she showed Josh and Tara to the door. Slowly she put her arm around Ron's neck and gave him a peck on the cheek. "That's my extra special protector, and super boyfriend. Now you really didn't have to scare him so badly. I think he was sweating and shivering at the same time."
"Sorry KP, that guy just gets me really amped up. I really wanted to sling his hash, just once."
Bonnie noticed the look of hatred in Ron's eyes and moved over to take the empty seat that had been Tara's. "Don't worry about him Ron, he isn't worth the air he breathes. I mean, I wouldn't even date him, he's that much more full of himself than I am… I mean was."
Ron reached over and took Bonnie's hand. Slowly and deliberately he brought it to his lips and kissed it ceremoniously.
"Thanks B…" He said sheepishly.
Kim felt a sudden jealousy at the display next to her and grabbed Ron's hand from Bonnie. Everyone laughed at the sudden change in Kim, Monique just cleared her throat and Kim realized what she had done. Kim ran to her room afraid to confront her own jealousies.
Once Kim had gone the guests made their apologies and piled out of the house and into Monique and Bonnie's cars and headed home. Ron tiredly climbed the stairs to Kim's loft and found her crying face down on her bed.
"What's wrong KP?" he asked stroking her hair as he sat beside her. "Bonnie wanted to apologize for what happened, but she thought it could wait till you're in a better frame of mind. Do you want to tell me what's wrong?"
"No…" Kim said between sniffs.
"KP… I have to leave soon; they will probably chain me down if I'm not back in my bed by seven. I have to start the second phase of the treatment tomorrow. I know you want to be there for me, but it has to be given in the morning so they can watch the progress. I won't get to see you for a few days."
"Kim turned over with a shocked look in her reddened and puffy eyes.
"I will be out of it for quite a while. They said I probably wouldn't even know what day it is for a while, so you don't have to bother coming to the hospital. I wouldn't even know you were there."
Kim was speechless; Ron was still trying to protect her from what he was going through. "I will still be there after school."
"You don't have…"
Kim cut him off as she threw her arms around him; "I will be there no matter what you say. I will always be there for you." She sobbed into his shoulder.
"I know you would," he cooed into her ear. "That's what makes it too hard not to love you."
Kim pulled back as they shared a long kiss. She stood and helped him stand. "Come on now. I have to get you back to the hospital, you have to be ready for tomorrow, and I will be there for you no matter what, because I love you more than ever."