Disclaimer:Disney owns Kim Possible. Only the story is mine.
Chapter 11: Morning of Discontent"Shego, are you sure about this? I can't believe he could really set this up." Drakken looked over the top of the morning paper. "I always thought Possible could do anything, but apparently it wasn't an exclusive talent."
"You may have your doubts Doc, but as for me, I believe him. He wants to end this life knowing that Possible will live a long and happy life." Shego glared at Drakken. "How many people do you think would have even thought of another persons well-being like he has, even considered the futures of people like us. Most in his position would have thought about themselves, how they would be remembered, felt sorry for themselves. Not this man Doc, he has spent the past few weeks finding ways to assure a better world for the woman he loves, after he is gone."
"I know Shego," as he returned to scanning the headlines, "I just have to be the pessimist of the group. I've been too wrapped up in making everyone in the world seem smaller than me that I haven't even considered becoming a part of it again."
"Speaking of Stoppable, is he still in his room?"
"No, he went out to watch the sun come up. He said he has been going out to see it every day, he likes to feel renewed by basking in the early morning warmth of the first rays of sunshine." Drakken put down his paper and retired to the lounge to watch the early morning news shows.
Ron sat facing the east as the sun made its appearance from behind the gently lapping sea. Warmth filled his aching joints and muscles. He sat alone in the sand waiting for almost an hour before the sun had risen. The warm red glow that had signaled the beginning of a new day so reminded him of the loved one he longed to return to.
Shego had left the lair to find Ron. She wanted to just talk with him; he had seemed so intent on making Kims life of normality into reality, as his own future appeared as a distant afterthought. Shego sat down a few feet behind him not wanting to disturb his meditations.
He seemed so at peace, for her it seemed such a long time ago that she had enjoyed that simplest of pleasures. "Ron?" Quietly at first, so quiet she thought he hadn't heard her. "Ron?"
"Yes Shego, just sit for a minute and let the sun warm your face. Feel the stress and pain of a lifetime of regrets wash from your soul." His voice seemed to thrum with strength and vigor, such placid thoughts, insight well beyond his too few years. Minutes passed as the light turned from deep red to orange and then to blue sky overhead. Finally he turned, reseating himself to look Shego in the face. "I feel better now. Don't you?"
A sly smile crossed her face, "Yeah, I do feel better. Would you like to come back inside and have some breakfast before you discuss your proposal with the Doc?"
"Breakfast would be great Shego. Have you eaten yet?"
His question caught her off guard. "No… I haven't. I seldom get up this early so I don't usually have breakfast."
"Well then I will make you whatever you desire for this auspicious occasion." Ron rose to his feet and offered a hand to Shego.
Ron and Shego returned to the lairs' kitchen where he fixed a breakfast of eggs, pancakes, bacon, hash browns, and coffee. Shego was impressed with his talents in the kitchen, never had she thought that a man of Rons seemingly underestimated talents would have the patience for the culinary arts. She watched him with deep interest as he went from bowl to pan to stove, stirring this, flipping that, and making the best coffee she had tasted since she had left home. 'What a lucky girl you are Princess, not only does he have talent and grace, but he loves you enough to take on this mission for your future.' Having finished breakfast, Shego helped Ron clean up the small kitchen and dining area, and even dried the dishes as Ron washed them.
Ron spent the next several hours, with the aid of Shego, convincing Drakken to agree to Rons' request. In the end Rons' perseverance won out as Drakken stood to shake hands on the agreement. As they shook hands an alarm sounded, not a blaring klaxon, but a lower level alert.
"What is that?" Ron asked looking around.
Drakken just rested a hand on his shoulder, "I have my information systems setup to alert me if anything from Middleton comes across the wire. That alarm means there has been a mention of Middleton on the news. Drakken sat back down and picked up the television remote and switched it on.
A sad looking announcer was standing in front of Middleton General Hospital giving a report. Drakken increased the volume so everyone could hear the report. "Repeating the top story here from Middleton Hospital. Moments ago at a press conference. Miss Kimberly Possible, teen hero, announced the mother of her partner, Ronald Stoppable, had collapsed with a possible heartattack. Authorities are asking anyone with knowledge of Mr. Stoppables' whereabouts to contact them. Mr. Stoppable had disappeared several weeks ago after he had been diagnosed with terminal leukemia. The condition of Mrs. Stoppable is not known at this time, but indications are that her prognosis may not be very good. Friends and family have gathered here to await further information. Now here are portions from the press conference just concluded."
Ron watched with a lost look in his eyes as the scene played out across the screen.
Kim stood at the podium reading a prepared speech. "We would like to thank the Tri-Cities community for the outpouring of sympathy and well wishes for Rons' mom in her time of need. I would like to take a moment to speak to one person we all miss and wish would come home to the ones who care about him the most." Kim looked directly into the camera with a ferociousness that he had never seen. "Ron we need you. We need you here, your mother and father need you, and I need you. Let us be here for you. Come back Ron…" Kim was led sniffling from the microphones in by Bonnie and Tara.
"That was the scene moments ago where Kim Possible pleaded for the safe return of partner Ronald Stoppable. As a member of the world community I can only ask myself, 'If I were in his shoes what would have made me leave the ones who cared the most for me and disappear for who knows what reasons.' The world may never know…"
As Drakken clicked off the set helooked back at where Ron was sitting with a concerned expression, "What do you intend to do Ron?" He found only an empty chair.
Ron had shot from his seat the instant Kims' tears started to fall. He knew only one thing. He had to get home to his family, to Kim.
Shego and Drakken appeared in the doorway to his temporary room. "You're going home aren't you?"
Ron only nodded at Shegos' question. Not wanting his wavering voice to betray his emotions. He continued to pack his meager belongings and reached for his coat and glasses. Drakken blocked his path. "I need to go right now, please step out of the way Doc." The sternness of his seeming command shocked him.
Shego put her hand on his shoulder. "Hold up there bub. It's going to take twenty minutes to prepare Drakforce for takeoff then you… no WE will be on our way to Middleton." Drakken just closed his eyes and nodded.
"You mean you're coming with me?"
Both just nodded.
"To prove my intention to you I will surrender immediately, and Shego wants to accompany you as your bodyguard." Drakken gave Ron a hardened look, "You have shown compassion to those who have shown you none, I can find no better way to make absolution than to do it where you can see it. Now let's get preparations underway for take off, it's still going to take time to get there, probably won't arrive until after dark. Why don't you go pack a lunch and let us get moving, Ok?"
Ron could only stand there with his mouth hanging open as Drakken turned to go, Shego just wrapped him in a tight hug before hurrying off to her flight duties.
Thirty minutes later the most unlikely of trios were winging their way toward Middleton through late morning sun and light clouds. Never in his life had Ron experienced the feeling of joy being headed home and the dread for what awaited him at the journeys end.