Disclaimer: Disney owns Kim Possible. Only the story is mine.

Chapter 13: Getting Reacquainted

Mr. Barkin returned to the now vacant podium, "Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats, please. Mr. Stoppable and I would like to ask all of you to please not discuss his return to Middleton until he makes his appearance tonight at the homecoming halftime festivities. If there is anyone who doesn't think they can keep with Ronald's wishes please tell us now."

Silence filled the auditorium. Barkin watched as the students filed out past Ron and Kim, still locked in each other's arms. Only the sound of footsteps echoes breaking the silence.

"Ronald… Kimmie… Come on into the teachers lounge and let's all sit down, relax, and just let things settle in, OK?" Kim turned her head slightly to see her father put his hand on Ron's shoulder. Gently he was able to herd the pair out into the hall and down to the lounge.

Kim walked slowly at Ron's side as they made their way through the halls, never releasing her hold on his arm. Ron had considered simply picking her up and carrying her especially after the second time she stopped him and hugged him tightly, her tears had grown too much to hold back. Everyone in the little entourage simply stopped and allowed the emotions to ebb before continuing on.

As they neared the lounge Ron stopped and leaned down close to Kim's ear. "KP, I want you to go on in and relax. I want to talk to your parents for a minute." A look of sheer terror flashed in her eyes before he added, "I'll be in right after I talk to them OK?" Kim simply nodded as she slowly released his arm, watching him as she disappeared through the door with the rest of the group.

"Ronald, you wanted to talk to James and me?" Mrs. Possible asked.

"Yes I do. I wanted to apologize to you both for what you must have had to go through when I left." Ron looked to the floor not wanting to see their disapproval. "I know there is nothing I could ever say or do to make up for the pain and suffering I must have put you all through. I just wanted to say…" he was stopped when Mr. Possible put his hand on Ron's shoulder.

"Ronald, we realize what you were doing took a lot of sacrifice on your part. To jeopardize your own health, your life, to give our Kimmie a better future. How could we find fault with that?"

"Ronald, we couldn't have asked anyone to have ever even considered what you have done for Kim." Mrs. Possible began. "You have shown so much love for our little girl we never thought she would have realized how much you really cared for her." Ron was staggered by her words. "I have wanted to make her see your compassion, how much you loved her for so long; I never thought she would see it for herself."

"I have been the overprotective father for too long Ronald. Maybe it is time for me to relinquish that task to you. We think you are doing a fine job of protecting her on your own." James took Ron and turned him around, pointing him into the lounge, "Now get in there and make her happy again." as he nudged the smiling blonde toward the door.

"Never have I seen a sight like the one I see here." Ron proclaimed as he stood in the doorway. Milling around the lounge were the cheerleading squad, Mr. Barkin, Drakken and Shego, his parents, and Kim's parents as they stepped around him to chat with the others. Monique and Felix were huddled protectively around Kim as she watched expectantly for Ron to reappear.

Bonnie was the first to approach him. Her glare made him wish he hadn't made such a public return. "Stoppable, if you ever do that again…" she began but her look softened as she grabbed him and held him in a crushing hug."If you do that again we are all coming after you. Do you understand me?" she whispered in his ear as an evil grin crossed her face. As she released him she gave him a quick peck on the cheek causing his face to flame.

Tara could only hug him; words seemed inadequate to describe how she was feeling at that moment let alone when he appeared before them all. Felix only nodded as Ron passed on his way to the couch. As he sat down next to Kim he noticed the lost look in her eyes, one he never wanted, let alone thought he would see from her.

Ron took her hands in his, "Kim, I'm sorry for what I put you through these past few weeks. I never thought it would have ended up this way, but after seeing you in that press conference I had to come back. I allowed myself to believe I was doing the right thing by protecting you; now because I knew I couldn't do it later. In the process of fulfilling my mission I hurt you even more." Kim started to interrupt him, but he stopped her. "Kim please let me finish then you can vent on me. I have accomplished quite a bit in my travels this time around, however I still have a couple of more stops to make. I really need to see this thing through. I will stay for a couple of weeks until my mom gets better and then I have to finish what I started. Please understand."

Kim looked at him with pleading eyes, "Ron I never wanted anything more than to spend what time you have left with me, not chasing our adversaries around the globe to put an end to their plans permanently. I wanted you here with me, for today, not fixing the world for my tomorrow. Stay with me now and let the chips fall where they may."

The silence was deafening in the room as everyone waited for Ron to answer Kim. Monique looked nervous as she shifted in her seat next to Kim. All their friends held their breaths and waited for Ron's response.

"Well KP, as much as I want to grant you your wish I really think it would be better if I finish what has already begun. This is one thing I want to have finished." He let out a low sigh, "Can we please table this until morning, it really would be best if we can come at this question fresh."

Kim simply took her hand and gently pulled his cheek next to hers. "All right, we will let it slide for tonight. I want to spend some quiet time alone with you later, OK?"

Rons face flamed, "Thanks KP; I will make it worth your while." As he leaned in and kissed her lightly.

The hours passed quickly and soon the students returned to fill the stadium seats. Ron had donned his makeup once again as he strode out onto the field with other alumni, all of who wondered whom this seeming interloper was. He took a seat at the side of the field as the team settled in for the first half. Filling the stands were parents, students and the populace of alumni in town for the festivities. As he scanned the crowd he spotted the occasional reporter begging for man on the street interviews from students and parents. He had overheard one of the reporters about the possibility of Ron's return, but ignored the answer already knowing the truth. All too soon halftime was upon them and the moment of truth was here.

As he removed his mask and costume the crowd had gone silent; a pall hung over the stadium. Ron had stood at the podium for what seemed millennia, as flash bulbs seemed to blot out the stars above. Questions and quandaries came at full speed until all that could be asked were. Reporters followed him and delayed the start of the second half each wanting to do "exclusive" interviews, interviews that he quickly rejected. Ron finally made his way out of the game and was to be chauffeured back to the Possible home by her parents. Slowly the car exited the parking area having to avoid the photographers; all of whom were busy snapping his picture cuddled up in the back seat with Kim.

Arriving back at Kim's home Ron was grateful to find the yard devoid of any media. As they entered the house Ron found himself directed off to the kitchen with Mr. Dr. Possible, and Kim escorted to her room by her mother.

"Ron," her father stated sitting down, "I wanted to say how good it is to have you back. I don't know if you realize just how much happier my Kimmie-Cub is just to be in the same room with you."

"Sir, I can only guess. But by the expression on her face this afternoon, I'd have to say it's quite a bit."

"I know you think you're doing what you think is right, but please, just please consider staying for a while."

"I have, but unlike the rest of my life I want to finish this one mission on my own." His face getting a hard somber look.

"Alright Ronald, I've said my peace, now get up there and make her happy again."

Kim sat on her bed as she cried on her mother's shoulder. Ann Possible stroked her daughter's hair trying to assure her that all would be right now that her Ron had come back to them. Pulling back she looked into Kim's hopeful face and knew once she had him back in Kim's arms all her parental worries would be over.

She rose as the quiet footsteps wafted up the steps to the loft. "Kimmie, I'm going downstairs now. You two have a lot of talking to do," she leaned in closely and whispered, "If you love him, don't let him go." Turning to find Ron watching from the top step she left the loft. As she passed him she gently kissed his cheek motherly. "Stay as long as you want Ronald, I don't think anyone will mind tonight, I already talked to your dad." Ron blushed profusely. He turned, watching her descend the stairs, looking back at him with a wicked grin across her face.

He had scarcely a second to dwell on it before he felt a pair of arms snake themselves around his chest, and a soft forehead pressed into his back. With great care he took her hands in his and slowly turned around to face her. As Ron closed his eyes trying to find the words to express all he had seen and done, he felt her slip a hand from his grip. As he opened them his reflexes kicked in. He may have been fast, but not fast enough.

SMACK!

Kim slapped him hard across his face as tears streamed down hers. At once her body began shaking as she pointed a finger in his face, "Ronald Stoppable! Don't you ever do that to me again. You may leave without telling where you're going, but don't let me think I won't ever see you again." The anger in her eyes simmered down. "Don't shut me out…"

Ron carefully backed himself away from Kim, and turned without a word going toward the loft hatch. Fear took the forefront in Kim's thoughts, he was leaving. Ron stepped through the hatch and down the steps, he never said a word. Kim was left to sit alone in her room; she pulled her knees up to her chest and sobbed loudly into them.

Mr. & Mrs. Dr. P sat in the living room talking quietly when Ron descended the stairs. They looked at him with apprehension and then back at each other. What had happened?

"Ronald, is everything OK?" Ann asked.

"Fine, I just need a glass of water." As he went into the kitchen. Ron retrieved a glass from the cupboard and filled it with ice and water. Without another word he returned to the stairs and once more ascended. When he reached her door he entered without knocking and went to her side.

"Mom, I'm so afraid. I slapped Ron. I don't know what came over me. First all I wanted was to just have him hold me, and then I got so angry. So angry, and then afraid, now; I think I've lost him." Tears had run down her chin and soaked her sleeves. A hand touched her shoulder, and she looked up through bleary eyes. "Ron?" Kim sat there, terrified.

"KP, drink this." Ron took her hand and placed the drink in it. Slowly he sat down on the bedside, not right beside Kim, but at an arms length away. He watched her as she took first a slow sip, then a longer drink before he took the half-full glass and set it on the nightstand. Neither said a word for a long time.

"Ron, I'm sorry. So sorry. I never should have slapped you." She ventured a glance at him with pleading eyes. Her eyes could have melted his heart on the coldest of days, but he would have had to been looking at her for that. She grew more terrified by the second as he sat there in silence.

"KP, what I have done has been only out of love for you. I didn't want to leave you, but I knew if you knew what I was going to do you would have tried to stop me." He turned to her with a steady gaze, his deep brown eyes burning into her soul. "I won't be here to watch over you later. I needed to make sure I wouldn't have to be when the time came. I have done what I had to do. Out of love of you. In repayment of the love you gave to me. Making sure you were safe is the only thing that makes the time I have left of any real consequence." Ron cast his eyes to the floor and in a small voice, "Next to your love."

Kim's voice came almost in a whisper, "What have I done?"

Ron scooted closer and took her hand, "You did nothing Kim, nothing wrong. All you wanted was for me to be here, and I wasn't. You only expected me to be what I always was, by your side."

Kim moved closer beside Ron. Taking his hand she caressed her cheek with it, nuzzling his palm. Slowly a tear appeared running down her cheek onto his open hand, followed by another, then more followed. "I only wanted to protect you, be there for you when you needed me. When you went away all I had were the memories. I knew you were out there, lost to me, and the only way I could get to you was to try and convince you to come back home."

"I would have come back, eventually."

Kim tried not to sound spiteful, but couldn't, "You mean when you died."

"Not entirely KP. I have been feeling pretty good lately, stronger, almost renewed. Believe me; I wouldn't have made you wait until it was too late. I can only ask you to believe me."

Kim now saw in his face the strength and wisdom that had eluded him for so long. Ron had seemingly matured so much in the weeks he had been away. The love and concern he held for her almost overwhelmed her in the minute of realization. He had been willing to sacrifice the remaining weeks and days of his life for her. An all encompassing love. Love without beginning and end, knowing no minute gesture or grandiose display. His Love for his KP.

Kim wanted to ask for his forgiveness but found her voice lacking. Ron stared into those deep, soulful emerald eyes and found he knew the question as well as his answer. He stood and faced her still unable to speak. Gently he pulled her to the edge of the bed, leaning down he placed one arm under her knees and one around her back and lifted her off the bed. He carried her over to the window seat and sat down with her still in his lap. Taking one free hand he entwined their fingers feeling the warmth of her touch, with the other he gently pulled her head over to his shoulder.

'How could I have doubted him?'

The young lovers sat there watching the moon rise from behind the mountains and make its way high in to the night sky. Soon the sea of stars blanketed the night as rest beckoned. Ron gently shook Kim, "KP, it's time that you get some sleep. We will have breakfast tomorrow and then let's get together with our friends, OK?" She only nodded not wanting to break the spell surrounding them. He carefully stood, going to the bed he placed Kim down and pulled back the covers and helped her under, covering her as she settled back.

Kim watched him back away and start for the hatch. "Ron, where are you going?" she asked through sleepy eyes. She rolled over onto an elbow and patted the bed beside her. "It's nice and warm right here." She settled back onto the pillow with a warm smile.

"Kim that really wouldn't be proper now would it. What would your parents say if they knew?" Ron nearly jumped at the creaking of the steps.

Mrs. Possible slowly peeked through the opening. "Kimmie, Ronald, are you still up?"

Ron walked slowly over to her "Mrs. P, I was on my way home. Did you need something?"

"Ronald your father dropped off your overnight bag, and I thought you might be more comfortable in your own PJ's."

Ron's face showed a quizzical expression, and then mentally answered his own question. "Thanks, I'll just go down and get a sleeping bag from the basement and camp out in the den." As he reached for the bag Ann took him by the arm.

"Ronald, it's OK. You two can stay in the same room. James and I trust you. Besides we both know you respect as well as love Kim. Besides if you left here tonight, I have no doubt she would follow you and end up in exactly the same position."

Ron stared at her gaping. "I won't get shot into a black hole? And I get to keep all my appendages intact?"

Smiling brightly, Ann only nodded and headed back off for her own room.

Closing the door behind her she noticed a grin on her husbands face.

James reached over and turned out the bedside lamp, "How did he react Ann?"

"I think his brain will need an overhaul after tonight dear." She started to laugh, "I thought I saw smoke coming out his ears."

James went serious for a moment; "I don't know how I ever could have doubted Ronald's sincerity towards our Kimmie. To see all he has gone through for her. I can only shake my head and wonder why I was so afraid."

Ron slowly re-entered Kim's room, she quietly watched him go into the bathroom and close the door. Kim took the opportunity to change into her nightclothes and get back into bed before Ron came back out. A few minutes later Ron re-emerged dressed for bed. Kim rolled back the covers when Ron got closer. Gingerly he climbed in and pulled the covers back up. As he settled in Kim rolled over laying her head on his chest, sliding her arm around him she snuggled even closer. Ron slid his arms around Kim's relaxed form beside him and kissed her forehead as sleep took the pair into a peaceful slumber.