Disclaimer: Disney owns Kim Possible. Only the story is mine.
Chapter 22: Saying GoodbyeKim was resting quietly. It had taken a host of friends and family to pry her distressed form away from the lifeless body of her deceased husband, Ron. It had not been until her onetime enemy, Shego, leaned down and whispered into her ear that she looked away from his face. Neither Kim nor Shego were forthcoming with what had been said.
Kims' mother, being a doctor, had seen to it that Kim was given a tranquilizer to help her calm down. It pained her so to see her daughter so utterly distraught. Even in her relaxed state Kim still shed tears, the pain of this New Year would be difficult to erase from her mind. Even though Kim had been late in learning of Rons' love for her, it was the most powerful and pure emotion Ann had ever seen. Now she had to help Kim get through the most powerful loss in her young life.
Many of the guests had left after the paramedics arrived to remove Rons' body from the house. Bonnie and Shego had stayed to see after Kims' wellbeing.
"What are you still doing here? It's Bonnie isn't it?" Shego asked taking a sip of her coffee.
"That's right. I have certain, shall we say debts that I need to repay."
"And I thought I was the only one." Shego said with a smirk.
"No, not you alone, a lot of us around here owe a lot to Ron. Well Ron and Kim of course."
Shego looked at the brunette with knowing eyes. "What did he do for you?"
"He said he saw potential; after all I did for him was run him into the ground every time I opened my mouth. I made him look small to build myself up." The self-loathing was evident in her voice. "I made his life hell, and he put me on a pedestal."
Shego hung her head; "I know exactly what you are going through. I was intent on destroying everything he stood for, destroying everyone around him, destroying him. He showed compassion, he showed understanding, and then he destroyed my will to carry out those directives with his love for her."
"Shego, Bonnie…"Ann said walking into the kitchen, "Why don't you get some rest it's going to get hectic around here later today. Kimmie is going to need you to be at your rested best." Ann took a seat next to Shego. "Bonnie why don't you take the couch in the living room, and Shego you can take the guest room." Ann gasped after she thought for a second. "I'm so sorry Shego, I should have been more considerate. That was Ron's room after he came back from the hospital."
"It's OK, I will just take a sleeping bag and camp out on the floor in Princess'… sorry, Kims' room, old habits sometimes do die hard."
"Bonnie, why don't you come with me and we'll get you some blankets and a pillow for the couch?"
Shego watched as the pair exited to raid the linen closet. She sat there and finished her drink before she found a sleeping bag and her overnight case. Slowly she climbed the ladder until she poked her head through the hatch, she stopped short at seeing Mr. Possible sitting at Kims bedside stroking his little girls hair and talking in a low and serene voice.
"Oh baby, my little girl. I'm so sorry this had to happen to you. You and Ronald should have been together for so much longer than you were. If I had been a little more understanding of your feelings you two would have been together so much sooner. He showed you so much love; so much kindness. I don't think I would have allowed anyone else to escort you around the world. Even though I never wanted to admit it, I trusted him with you much more than I ever thought. Even though he is gone Kimmie, I still feel him here with you. I should get to bed; you're going to be very much in everyone's thoughts and prayers. Sleep tight honey, we will make it better in the morning. I promise you."
Standing at the bedside he leaned down and kissed her forehead before he turned to go. James stopped momentarily when he spotted Shego at the top of the ladder, as he passed her he just smiled and put his hand on her shoulder. "It will be better in the morning. Good night." And he disappeared down the ladder.
Kim felt like the entire world fell on her, not just fell, but was grinding her into the soil. The phone had been disconnected and the police had been called to keep the press at bay. News of Rons passing had been disseminated the world over. World leaders had sent representatives; the people they rescued had sent letters of condolence. Through it all Kim had barely been able to keep herself out of the bathroom. She felt sick to her stomach and had been unable to keep any food down for any length of time. Her world had come crashing down at the stroke of midnight. Ron was lost to her and even her very sanity seemed in doubt.
The hours were a blur as loved ones passed through the household. So many callers Kim soon lost count. As the afternoon came and went preparations were made for the visitation and for the service. An elegant and ornate coffin was delivered from Japan courtesy of Mr. Nakasumi. There had been rumors of a presidential visit, but Kim had asked that he not attend as so to bar the former enemies in attendance, or to make them any more uncomfortable.
Kim sat pondering the last few months. Everything Ron had been doing and accomplished had been done for her, now she wished he hadn't, wished he had just been there with her, nothing more. Ron's parents had asked Kim what plans she had for the funeral. They had shown up with Rabbi Katz in the late morning, shortly after Kim woke up. They had inquired as to if she was going to plan a service to follow his religious upbringing.
"Kim dear… would you allow us to perform a traditional service for Ronald tonight? It is tradition that the deceased be interred before sunset. We realize that with all that Ronald and you have done a lot of the world is going to want to be in attendance for his public service." Barbara put a hand on Kim's shoulder. "We would just like to ask to be allowed to adhere to our burial rights, at least to a point."
Kim looked her in the eyes with a warmth of heart. "I wouldn't dream of keeping you from honoring him in your traditions. It's what we wanted." Kim looked to Rabbi Katz, "Would it be in poor manners if I didn't attend the service? I know that as his widow I should be sitting Shiva, but I don't want to intrude on the families mourning. I have so many services to plan and calls to make. I don't want you or anyone in your faith to feel insulted by my not attending; I just don't think I can emotionally handle too much more."
Rabbi Katz placed a soft hand on her shoulder, "Dear child, no one of any faith could ever feel insulted by your request. It's only normal to be overwhelmed by all this." He looked her sternly in the eyes, "If any man has issue with this, he will answer to me and to God, surely he would never deny compassion for one under such a strain. Don't worry dear, it will be alright."
Kim's' eyes showed her answer 'From the bottom of my heart… Thank You…'
The rest of her day went better than the start of her day had been. Calls were made and arrangements had been finalized. Ron would be moved to the funeral home following the service at the synagogue, there he would lie in state for the visitation and then the next day they would perform both services. The first service for the public figures early in the afternoon, and then later, just before sunset, they would hold the service for family and a few close friends.
Kim spent the next morning again sick to her stomach. Her mother insisted that she go see the family doctor as a precaution. Kim was in no condition to argue as her mother walked her to the car. The doctor insisted that she take some pills to help her relax, her heart rate had been elevated along with her blood pressure. A nurse took some blood and medical history, before she knew it Kim was back in her room at home resting.
Everyone sat in the family room, it was an odd assortment gathered there but this was the Possible household, so odd it was the norm. Tonight would be the visitation and tomorrow would be the public service followed by a small private service at the interment. Kim had insisted that even those considered one-time villains, those Ron had helped, be included with the families in the receiving line for the evening.
Shego looked nervous, still filing her nails incessantly. Monty stood with his hands behind his back looking out into the darkness as the light snow began to fall. Even Drakken looked more than a little uncomfortable to be back in the house, he had refused to come back in until Kim asked him specifically to stand with the families, not out of malice, but not wanting to intrude further into her grief.
James approached the younger nobleman at the window with a jittery and nervous mind. "Mr. Fiske… if I might have a word with you."
"Mr. Possible, what can I do for you?" Monty asked not turning around."
"I know that Ronald asked you to watch over my Kimmie-Cub until she can get back on her feet." James seemed almost afraid as he continued. "I wanted to ask you to be a guest in our home while you honor his request. We have an extra room that can be made up. It's small but I'm sure we can…"
"Sir, It would be my honor to accept you hospitality." Monty turned looking James in the eye. "I have fought many foes in my life, some on the other side from mine and some on my side. This task I pledged to fulfill with my dying breath, Ronald was just that kind of person, honorable in every sense of the word. I can act no less on his behalf."
The visitation had proceeded well, even the paparazzi kept their distance for fear of angering Monty and Shego, who had only glared at anyone with a camera standing back on the curbside. Even Felix had to be sent out for more tissues from Smarty Mart when supplies had run dangerously low.
Even Ron's one time crush, Zita Flores, had shown up. Bonnie and Monique held their breaths as Zita approached Kim. Both women looked into the others eyes and hugged, consoling each other with the loss. Their words of comfort to each coming through sobs and tears.
"Thanks for coming Zita, I know Ron would really have liked it that you came."
"I let him down before, I couldn't do it twice. I could never forgive myself for hurting him again."
"I am really glad you came. It's nice to know that even though we all make mistakes, we all can learn from them and move forward to bigger and better opportunities."
"Kim I may have moved on, but to say bigger and better; you got the better end of that deal. I made my mistakes and I will have to live with those results for the rest of my life. Everyone has a what could have been, Ron was mine."
"Zita that is all in the past, let's never speak of it again, OK…"
So many others from Ron and Kim's' past attended; the hours had to be extended to accommodate all of them. Almost all of the school had shown up and filed in one after another. Even Mr. Barkin showed up in his dress uniform, the entire room fell silent as a contingent of military officers entered the chapel and formed up behind him. Silence permeated the room when they all snapped to attention and slowly saluted in unison. It had been the only time in her life she had seen even the hint of a tear in Barkins' eyes as he turned to leave.
Even some parolees from the past paid their respects. Frugal Lucre carpooled to the visitation with Adrena Lynn. The two just looked shocked as they stood staring at the life size picture of Ron next to the closed casket. Even an odder sight was that Adrena Lynn was silent as she walked slowly through the receiving line. Soon it was getting late and even the chapel had to close so the personnel could begin preparations for the services tomorrow. It was announced over a loud speaker that viewing would be allowed early in the morning, even though the family would not be present. Kim and her entourage exited the chapel to see people as far as the eye could see, standing on sidewalks, in yards and anywhere there was room. As the cars left the lot Kim marveled through tear filled eyes at just how many turned out to pay respects to a man that had gone largely unnoticed in his life, had touched so many.
Sleep found Kim easily that night. Images of Ron through their lives filling her every thought. Their first meeting at Pre-K, their first mission. Even the memories of his having had to be rescued were comforting to her tortured mind, at least then she had been able to get him back, now that was impossible. Apparently there was something that was not possible for a Possible.
The next morning Shego was up before the rest of the families in the house. She sat in the kitchen with a cup of coffee as the morning news relayed for what seemed the fortieth time the schedule for the televised portion of the service. 'That Ron… he would find all this fuss over him simply insane. He would probably wave his arms around and shoo everyone away saying he didn't do anything that deserved this.'
She could hear his voice from that morning on the beach, 'I have done all I have for her, not for the accolades and glory, but so that she could always come home. It made it all worthwhile just to see her smile on the way to school in the morning. It made all the bruises worth it, every last one.'
Today is the day we say good-bye…
Ann Possible roused the rest of the family first and let her daughter sleep longer. As the morning progressed others arrived, Drew and Monty arrived shortly after breakfast started. Although it was offered they declined to join the family and retired to the family room until it would be time to go. Duff arrived with an escort from GJ, Dr. Betty Director, even as he was one of the worlds most wanted, he had kept his promise to Ron and cooperated with GJ to, and above expected limits. The last to arrive were the Senior's, their arrival was heralded with a fleet of limousines to whisk the families away to the ceremony.
Bonnie arrived shortly after Kim made her initial appearance, short as it was as she ducked back into the bathroom to purge all that was left in her stomach from the night before. Once her system settled down Bonnie, Tara, and Shego went in to help her get ready. Shego and Tara set about getting her dress ready while Bonnie helped with Kim's' makeup and doing her hair. It seemed odd to her classmates but when Kim felt like she was going to lose it Shego would notice and move to whisper something in her ear, and Kim would almost immediately calm back down.
Soon the family and extended family made their way to the waiting rides. It seemed almost surreal to see cameras at almost every point on the route the little motorcade took, but that was the way the day seemed to be moving toward. Taking a respite from watching the crowds gathered on the roadside Kim looked down to the purse in her lap, Rufus had his head sticking up out of the main compartment. He was dressed smartly in a black tailored suit donated for this very occasion by the Smarty Mart Corp., for Ron's steadfast patronage, as well as his assistance with Lucre. He looked so sad as Kim placed her hand on his head, scratching him lightly behind the ears.
Without realizing it Kim found her self stepping out of the limo and being led to the chapel as she took her fathers arm on her right side and Monty on her left. The scene had the feel of a movie as the veil she wore cast a darkened pall on everything, a pall that matched her heart. Cameras were snapping in the distance as television cameras took to the rooftops to avoid intruding on the grieving of the family. As she was about to enter the doors she stopped as something seemed out of place.
"Monty, where is Amy? I thought she would have been here by now." Kim whispered leaning over to his ear.
"She's still upset about not being able to cure Ronald. She is as the hospital lab going over her research. She said she would be here before the service starts." As he patted her arm gently with a smile.
Across town DN Amy sat at the microscope in the lab of Middleton General Hospital going through slides and examining samples that had been kept from during the time Ron Stoppable was in her care. For the life of her she just couldn't figure out why the treatment didn't work. She had spent most of the day pouring over old test results and felt the answer was right there, it just needed to jump out and say 'I'm here…'
"What have I missed?" Amy said to no one. "What is it that I'm not seeing. I ran all the simulations and every time it cured the cancer. So why didn't it work when we tried it on Stoppable?"
Amy took another look at the sample from the last set they ran before coming back to Middleton. She looked closely and blinked in surprise, she rubbed her eyes and looked again. How had she missed something so obvious? "That's it! What an utter maroon. I could have lost my medical license, that would be if I had one." Quickly she reached for the phone and dialed quickly.
"I know why it didn't work. There was a problem with the disease…" Amy never saw the hand reach around that covered her mouth with a chloroform soaked rag. The last thing she heard was the receiver hitting the floor before everything went black.
It was definitely not a traditional funeral service. Kim had insisted that she greet each of the attending dignitaries as well as all the friends she and Ron had helped through the years. As she greeted the last of the mourners she felt a pang of disappointment. Neither Hirotaka, nor anyone from the school Ron had visited in Japan had thought to come. Surely she thought that the beautiful girl, Yori, would make an effort to send a card or flowers, so far not a peep from his foreign classmates.
The service was brought to order by Rabbi Katz and Pastor Smith, the same duo that had performed their wedding not much more than two weeks ago. Each gave an invocation prayer in their respective clergy traditions. Next came the soloist, Tara looked nervous as she could be, as she passed by Kim snagged her hand.
Kim pulled her close enough to whisper. "Tara, I don't know what song Ron wanted you to sing but sing it just like you were singing to him alone."
"He asked me to sing for both of you not for him alone. Ron wanted you to understand just how at peace he was at the end. He wanted to sing it to you, to help set your mind at ease, but when he knew he couldn't so he asked me to sing it for him." Tara smiled through misty eyes as she turned to climb to the stage. As she took the microphone she hoped that she could finish the song Ron requested she sing, as the first notes from a lonely piano began the first of her tears glistened in her eyes. As the first made its pilgrimage down her cheek she began to sing.
Lay down your sweet and weary head,
Night is falling, you have come to journey's end.
Sleep now, and dream of the ones who came before,
They are calling from across a distant shore.
Why do you weep? What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see, all of your fears will pass away.
Sail for miles, you're only sleeping.
What can you see on the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea a pale moon rises,
The ships have come to carry you home.
And all will turn to silver glass,
A light on the water, all souls pass.
Hope fades into the world of night,
Through shadows falling out of memory and time.
Don't say, We have come now to the end.?
White shores are calling, you and I will meet again
And you'll be here in my arms, just sleeping.
What can you see on the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea a pale moon rises,
The ships have come to carry you home.
And all will turn to silver glass
A light on the water, Grey Ships pass into the west.
Returning the microphone to the stand not a dry eye remained in the chapel. The most regal and stalwart leaders of the world had tears in their eyes; each knew exactly whom the song was meant for.
The entire public ceremony seemed to fly by as guests and friends came forward at invitation to share with the world their experiences of Ron. The world seemed to pause when Ron's next best buddy came forward to give the eulogy, Felix Renton.
"It is really difficult to find any single event to represent the life of Ron Stoppable, there were so many. I can remember the first time I met him. It was at the Middleton carnival a few years ago. He and Kim had just gotten off the spin-me ride and were enjoying the whack-a-mole game. Ron was trying to win a blowup bat when I beat him. I thought he was a little strange, heck I thought he was a lot strange, but that was his best quality. 'Never be Normal…' being his motto, one he followed everyday. When we met I thought he and Kim were already an item just by the way they seemed so comfortable together." Felix looked down to see Kim almost in tears as he pushed on.
"It would seem to anyone looking in their general direction that those two belonged together. I got to see just how much they cared about each other in a very strange local, a junkyard in New Jersey. Ron had been captured and Kim was going to rescue him. I have never seen that kind of look in anyone's eyes. That look she gave could have burned through solid steel. When we finally found Ron I thought she would explode. For the ever so briefest of moments what I saw in her face could only be defined as a hidden emotion. I knew if I pressed the point with her she would just deny it, or worse, pound me like I saw done to the henchmen that day. The day I had my suspicions confirmed I saw Ron wrapped up in Kim's arms right in front of her locker. The look on Rons face as he fell back to the floor, I'd call it sheer pleasure. When Kim helped him back up the look in his eyes… let's just say I thought his brain was going to melt. Later after they had gone to Middleton Days he told me that Kim had a chip stuck to her neck that controlled her emotions. I wanted to tell him he was full of it, but held back. I just didn't want to anger Kim; that would have been bad. I knew he loved her from the first time I met them. Even if they couldn't see it, I knew it was there. When they finally got together I was so relieved, well relieved until I heard what it was that forced the issue."
"When Ron went away he never told anyone where he was going. I had a pretty good idea of what he was doing from our last conversation. All he would say was that what he was going to do he had to do, for Kim. I respected his wishes and kept what he said to myself, secrets on top of secrets. Ron was and always will be my friend. I can look out at the world and wonder what it would be like if he and Kim had never met. That thought always sends a shiver down my spine." Felix turned and rolled over to the casket. Putting his hand on the teak lid he summed it up. "Ron-man… you have been my friend. You were all our friends. I can only imagine the trouble you're getting into right now, but please. Please, Ron keep an eye on us down here, we all need a little Ron-shine now and then."
Felix rolled back down the ramp to the main floor and down past the families. As he wheeled past Kim reached out and stopped him briefly. She couldn't muster the words, but her eyes said it all. With care he gently kissed her hand and then continued on, his own tears glistening on his cheeks.
The public funeral ceremony had gone quickly in Kim's mind. As the closing prayer was being sung by Rabbi Katz; Kim felt her heart sink. Soon she would be expected, although her mother had vexed it; to speak to the crowds. She simply felt she had to speak for him.
Alone, Kim climbed to the pulpit. Her gaze transfixed on the closed casket off to the side. She took a deep breath as she removed the black veil covered hat she wore. With frightened eyes she stared at the microphones across the stand before her. With a trembling voice she began.
"The world has lost a great hero, a friend, the greatest of us all. With childlike wonder he looked at the world without prejudice, or preconceived notions. Ron treated all mankind with respect, even though there were times it treated him with less than reciprocal comforts. Ron was the greatest of friends, someone you could count on no matter what. With his loss I have lost the better half of me, the greater part of my team. I haven't always been able to see the worth of everything that went on around me, least of all the value of the person next to me. That piece of the puzzle only presented itself when I found out he was going to leave us."
Kim walked toward the casket with tears streaming down her face. She reached out and stroked the polished wood with a gentle hand. She spoke to him as if he were right there with her. "I know you said you will be there for me later. I wish you were here with me now, later doesn't matter, right now does. You have been gone only a few days; and already I feel like it has been an eternity, I miss you, and I love you always Ron…"as she collapsed against the stained wood crying.
As she lay there feeling the release of her sorrow she felt a steady hand touch her shoulder. Looking back she saw the strangely smiling eyes of Monty, there only to steady her fragile demeanor. With a steady hand he helped Kim back to her feet and led her back to the podium. Gently he patted her arm for reassurance and she continued.
"I have lost the only man I have truly loved in my life. We had such a long time together, but such a short time to love one another. As you know we married about a week before he was taken from us all. I have lost my best friend, an extra brother to my family, my better half. We have all lost the greatest hero I have ever seen. He did all without ever expecting recognition, either of deed or by name. He was my greatest love. I am diminished with out him. Thank you all for everything, all the words and cards of caring and kindness. I hope we all leave here today and try to be a little bit more like him, if even for just once in a lifetime." Kim left the stage to wave after wave of applause, it continued long after she regained her seat.
When the applause ended it had taken all of fifteen plus minutes to return order to the guests. The pastor called the gathered to their feet as a procession of pallbearers made its way forward. Rons' casket was lifted as the choir began to sing, it was carried out by a member of each of the armed forces branches; and mixed with Brick Flagg, Monty Fisk, Drew Lipsky, and Senor Senior Junior. Kim followed them out of the church and stood back a short distance as the casket was placed into the waiting Hearse.
As the Hearse carrying Ron made its way out onto the boulevard Kim walked behind for the short trip to the cemetery. As she walked with the rest of the family and friends beside her she found it strangely quiet. Looking back she saw all the dignitaries and friends walking along with her. As the car made its turn down a long and open street the procession had gone almost a quarter of a mile and was about to enter the cemeteries gates when she heard the roar of military jets. As she looked up a flight of seven jets, one each from the major powers of the world, flew straight toward them following the road. As the jets got nearly overhead the second plane back from the lead peeled off and accelerated up into the sun.
The song Tara sings "Into the West"
Original words and music by Howard Shore, Fran Walsh, and Annie Lennox
From 'Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'