The Lecture: Chapter 6

I.

Kim felt the large hands comforting her, one in the exactly right place on her back, the other stroking her hair. He murmured soft, soothing nonsense into her ear while she wept brokenly, "Knew it …lie..not dead…everybody…knew…"

Finally, she raised moist emerald eyes to damp chocolate brown ones, "Ron, why?" she managed.

Not answering, he led her to a couch. Touching a switch, drapes pulled back to reveal a shadowed view of magnificent gardens. Then he finally joined her.

"Why, Kim? Which why?"

Kim was momentarily speechless at the apparently simple question with unrealized depths.

"Which why? Good question, can you answer it?"

"I don't know, how far back do I ask?"

"How about starting with the oldest?"

She turned toward him, "Ron, there are so many whys, how about why you let everyone think you were dead?"

"Not everyone, my parents knew."

"But none of your friends, not…me."

"Kim, be honest, how many of my 'friends' remembered my name at graduation?"

"There was Felix, and Monique, and Wade, and Tara, and…and…." quietly, "Mr. Barkin."

"Not a particularly large crowd at the funeral was there?"

"I was there, I couldn't leave."

"Thanks, Kim; I hoped you would miss me."

She snapped upright, eyes blazing, her right palm connected with his cheek with a resounding slap. "Hoped I'd miss you, you unfeeling bastard, do you have any idea how I felt? My best friend, everyone said you were dead, but I wouldn't, I couldn't believe it. I almost cracked up."

Suddenly her anger dissolved and her tears returned. His arms wrapped around her slightly resisting body once more.

He held her tenderly, "Don't cry, Kim, I never meant to hurt you. I meant to help you."

"How, by abandoning me?"

"Now wait a minute," he was suddenly indignant, "I did not abandon you. I left you with your 'only one', remember."

"I don't know who you're…oh."

"Yeah, oh."

"He didn't know! How could he not have known?"

"Easy, he was shot, remember, and still completed the take down."

"Ron, what do you remember about Eric?"

"What do you mean?" Ron was abruptly wary. "He got out, didn't he; I mean he was never mentioned in the obituaries or anything."

"He wouldn't be." She was clearly bitter.

"What did he do to you?" His angry voice implied he could do something about a ten year old injury. "What happened?"

"Ron, how can you not know, you were there."

"I was where?"

"Bueno Nacho. That night."

"What? No, I…" His eyes looked panicked. "I didn't go with you remember."

"Ron, I was paralyzed, not unconscious."

Definitely panicked.

"I remember, Ron. I remember everything."

"Everything?" He questioned weakly.

"Everything."

"Well, well, waitaminnit, Wade, he told you."

"Only that you went solo when I wouldn't listen."

"Oh, you still couldn't have…"

"Seen the ninja that rescued me? Seen the man who kissed me and left me."

Ron stared at her slack jawed, "How did you…you were…"

"I told you Ron, I was paralyzed, not unconscious."

"Ok, ok," he conceded, "but that still doesn't tell me what Eric did."

"Never mind that, I want to know…"

"Later, KP, later, first tell me about him."

The endearment she had not heard in ten years melted her. "All right, Ron, but we will talk about you."

"Later, KP, promise." Kim could tell he didn't even realize he had used his special name for her.

"All right," she smiled, "if you promise, although why I should let you slide after you broke our promise, I don't know."

Ron looked puzzled.

"Best friends forever, remember."

If the blush that burst forth was any indication, he clearly did.

"I know; another later. Eric, how about he almost killed me." Ronappeared shocked, "Ron, he wasn't human, he was one of Drakken's synthodrones."

He was definitely shocked now, "How, I mean, couldn't you tell when you…ah…kissed him?"

"I never kissed him!"

"Oh, ok, but what happened?" For some reason Ron looked happier.

"The reason you found me paralyzed was that Eric had shocked me and kidnapped me. Shego later injected me with a paralyzing serum. He escaped with Drakken."

"Then how did you…"

"I took him down when I captured Drakken, but he almost got me. He was fast, and tried to shock me but that time I was wearing the improved battle suit. I got away and ruptured him with the grapple gun. My neck was sore for weeks where he grabbed me, though."

Ron gripped her hands tightly. He leaned forward to lightly kiss her neck.

"Ron, it happened ten years ago."

"That wasn't only for comfort, it was an apology."

"For what? Running away?"

"No, for not being there and for not ripping Eric's head off like I wanted to."

She smiled mistily, "You mean you were jealous back then?"

"Totally. After the modulator incident, I knew."

"Then why didn't you…"

"Come on, Kim, you wouldn't look at me for weeks after that. The only time we spoke was on missions. You didn't settle down until I told you we were best friends only. Then you took one look at pretty boy and I dropped completely off your radar."

Kim blushed furiously, "Ron, I was in high school, I was a teenager. Couldn't you have cut me some slack?"

"FYI, Kim, I was a teenager too, remember? Plus I was a teenage boy with hormone overload every time you grabbed me." Ron grinned, "I sometimes felt like a piece of furniture."

"Yeah, a table leg." Kim's hands snapped up to cover her mouth as her eyes widened. She turned and began to bounce her head on the couch back, "I did not just say that, I did not."

Ron's jaw dropped, right before he fell off the couch in helpless laughter. "KP…KP…" he couldn't continue, tears tracking down his face.

After a moment, Kim turned back to look down, "When you are finished?" She said as coldly as she could manage.

Looking up from the floor, Ron finally wound down to occasional chuckles, "Kim, did you know your complexion can be the same shade as your hair?"

"Never mind that," she scowled, "I want some answers, Chosen One. What's that all about anyway?"

"That is a long story. Short version is that it is the title of the wielder of the Lotus Blade."

"The Lotus Blade? The sword Yori mentioned?"

"That's it. But I want to hear more about the kitchen furniture."

"Back off, blade boy, that discussion is for much later. Right now I'd like to know my sentence."

"Sentence?" Ron was obviously puzzled.

"You know, breaking and entering, attempted theft? Why I've been held for two days."

"Oh, that."

"Uh huh."

"Right, I suppose I had better pass sentence." Ron stood and walked over to a raised padded dais. He sat down and motioned Kim to stand in front of him. "Your sentence is…"

"Wait a minute, don't I get a trial? Lawyer? Witnesses?"

Ron's face was a stranger to her. Stern, calm, judicial, he waited for her to finish. "I am the master, I am the judge, jury, and if necessary, the executioner. Your 'trial' has already been completed, you are here for judgment."

Kim was suddenly nervous. This grim figure was not her Ron, or any Ron she had ever seen.

"Kimberly Anne Possible, stand forth for judgment." Ron's voice was deep and emotionless. When Kim straightened her shoulders and stared back at him, he continued, "You are hereby sentenced to eight hours of sleep, and breakfast with me."

"He played me! I have just been played big-time!"

"What are you going to do about it?"

Kim leapt onto the dais, fingers spread, "Tickle attack!"

II.

Kim lightly caressed the scarred back of the man sleeping beside her. They had talked for what seemed like hours until Ron had insisted she carry out his 'sentence'. When he tried to leave her at her door, she had experienced what she could only think of as a panic attack.

"Ron, please, stay with me."

"Kim, I…"

Her arms had wrapped him tightly, refusing to let go.

"I'm scared, Ron. I'm afraid that if I leave you, this will all have been a dream."

He had returned her embrace, just as tightly.

"Can't have my KP frightened, can I?"

He had assisted her with various buttons and closures then turned his back for her to change. When she was in bed, he had stripped down to boxers. He joined her between the silk sheets, pulled her close, and whispered, "Only sweet dreams for my KP, only sweet dreams."

She had fallen asleep almost instantly. Now, in the moonlight of her open drapes, she studied the muscled back and profile of the man beside her.

"What kind of life has he led? A hard one if these scars mean anything. Sometimes he seems to be just my Ron, and then he's a complete stranger. Who is he? What is he? Can we ever be the same? Can we be better, or is it too late? Oh, God, I don't know what to do."

Staring at his face, she noticed he looked younger than he had earlier. The care and concern lessened. A small smile formed as she stroked him.

"I'll worry about it in the morning." She snuggled close and closed her eyes.

III.

Kim's eyes snapped open as her groping fingers found nothing. For a moment she lay in panic, convinced she had dreamed it all. Then she heard the soft voices at her door. Ron was speaking with her captor and Diana. She flushed as she heard both the women softly giggling. Ron finally returned their deep bows and turned back to the bed. Kim hurriedly closed her eyes.

She felt the mattress sink, then Ron's arm under her neck, cuddling her close. His fingers began lightly stroking her shoulder where her gown strap had fallen. The fingers began a slow, soft journey down her skin, easing the barrier further. She lay in gentle pleasure until she felt the silk gown catch on her hardened…

"Ronald Dean Stoppable! What do you think you're doing?" She rolled away from him, pulling her gown back up. She felt his chest moving with silent laughter as he kissed her neck.

"You must admit, KP, you enjoyed my wake up call more than your old alarm."

Kim rolled back to face him, nose to nose.

"You knew I was awake!" She whispered, "You tease!" Her arms wrapped naturally around his neck. She placed a light kiss on his mouth. "And yes, it was much nicer than my alarm."

They lay, kissing and cuddling, whispering nonsense until Ron's stomach protested loudly.

Giggling, Kim rubbed Ron's bare belly, "I think the beast wants me to complete my 'sentence'."

Face red, Ron nuzzled her neck, "Sorry, but you know my appetite, it hasn't changed."

She kissed the top of his head then quickly rolled away. "I'm going to shower and change, ninja boy, how about you?"

"Is that an invitation?"

Kim's face flamed, "Out, meet me back here in fifteen minutes." She pointed at the door.

A lost pup by the side of the road face was his reply.

"No, out."

Ron turned and slumped toward the door as if his last hope had deserted him. Kim ran over to pull him back against her silk clad body.

"I don't know where you learned that, but it almost worked. You are just too cute. Now go so you can get back." She kissed his neck, and rewarded him one last wriggle.

Ron didn't turn around, but she could see the corners of his smile. "And you seriously think that helps me leave? Thanks a lot, KP."

"Go." She shut the door on him and leaned against it giggling.

Halfway to her bathroom a knock came from the door.

"You can't be finished that…oh, Good morning, Diana."

"Miss," Diana smiled back, "I told Erabareshi mono to stay away for at least forty five minutes. You must be beautiful for him."

"We need to have a talk, Diana, about modern women and who we dress for."

"You do not wish for Ronald-sama to find you beautiful?"

"Well, yes, but…"

The young girl eased her toward the bathroom, "Then we shall make you so. Come."

IV.

Over a delicious Denver omelet, Kim braced Ron. "Ron, about Diana…"

"Don't you like her, Kim?'

"Very much, but she…"

"Well, she certainly likes you. She does good work too." He looked at her admiringly.

"I'm glad she likes me but I…"

"Good, that's settled then. Later we can…"

"Ron."

Ron looked sheepish, "Yes, KP?"

"Stop it. You are not going to sidetrack me. And save the innocent look, I'm serious. If I'm not a prisoner any more, I have things I need to do. Also I'd like to run by my apartment and get some clothes."

"You don't like the clothes? You look beautiful in them."

"I love the dresses, but I need some jeans, cargos, casual clothes. I can't just wear a gi, a meditation robe, or a nightgown."

Ron's face brightened, "you mean you plan to stay?'

"If you want me too, at least for a while."

"If…?"

Kim gave him her brightest smile, "I want to stay, but I have a job, duties, I can't just stop everything."

"All right," Ron smiled back, "I guess I was being selfish. I want all your time, but I have duties that will take me away, too. I'll have them bring your car around whenever you want."

"Has my car been on the street all this time?"

"No, I had it put in the garage. By the way, did you know your brakes were worn?"

"Ron, what did you do?"

"I had Mikato go over it from fender to fender. I knew you would want to drive it, and I figured you were no more interested in vehicle maintenance than ever. I was right. KP, ever hear of changing your oil?"

Kim blushed as she growled, "It gets me where I want to go, all right?"

Ron grinned, "Well, it will get you there better, now. Are you going in to GJ while you're out?"

Kim choked on her OJ, "What GJ? I teach at the college."

"You are a part time instructor at the college. Your courses are popular, and well received. You teach criminal law and its' limitations." Ron was very serious. "You are also a senior agent for Global Justice. You were promoted to supervisor three years ago after capturing Dr. Dementor before he could release his mutagenic pathogens into the atmosphere."

"How…how do you know all that? Have you been spying on me?"

"In a way."

Her temper was flaring. "In what way."

"Kim," he reached for her hand, she allowed him to hold it, "when I became the Chosen One, I also became the master of the Yamanouchi ninja. I have never asked to see any personal details about your life; I just wanted to make sure you were safe."

"You want to expand on that?"

"Right." Ron drew a deep breath, "I ordered the ninja of Yamanouchi to protect you."

She looked at him with horror, "You mean my whole career has been a fake?"

"No! They only interfered if you were in over your head, or your back up was late. The ninja only acted a few times."

Her anger left her, "Ron, in all this time, why haven't you ever asked about me?"

Ron finally looked into her eyes, "I couldn't, Kim, I would have tried to come back, and I couldn't. I just wanted to make sure you were safe. I never interfered in any other way or had you spied on."

Kim was silent for a moment, "I'll have to think about this, but I think I'm beginning to understand a few things."

"Mad at me?"

Kim finally smiled, "No, not really, I've heard other agents say I had a guardian angel, it seems he was more real than I thought."

Ron clasped her hand in relief. "Well, now that that's out of the way, what are your plans for today?'

"Drop by my apartment, check with GJ, and see if I can find the woman who picked out my clothes and furnished my room."

"Why do you want to know?"

"Ron, she has…" Kim noticed Ron looked like he was strangling, "It was you, wasn't it?"

"Uh….ah….well…"

Kim patted her lips with her napkin, preparing to rise. "You have a very active imagination." She leaned over and kissed Ron, whispering, "And that lingerie, I have got to find out more about your fantasies." She walked away, a little extra kapow in her hips, leaving a gaping chosen one behind.

V.

"Good afternoon, Marcy." Kim trilled as she floated into her office.

Mouth agape, the blonde secretary just stared.

"What?"

"I'm calling security." Marcy grinned, "You are not the woman I work for."

"Can't I be happy?"

"Happy?Bottle whatever you're on and we'll both get rich." Marcy laughed. "That must have been some break."

"Oh, it was, it was."

"Soooo, sounds like you didn't get a little, you got a lot." The blonde grinned.

"Marcy! I didn't."

"Damn, must be drugs."

Laughing, Kim reassured her friend, "No, just met somebody, but stand by for bulletins. Is there anything urgent for the next week or so?"

"No, just routine."

"Put me out on vacation then. If you need me, call."

Marcy smiled back at her boss and friend, "Don't worry, you are covered for two weeks if you want. Nobody will bother you if I can help it. Just be careful and have fun."

Grabbing her stacked mail, Kim patted the blonde hair on her way out, "Yes, mother."

VI.

The two women sat in the sauna, wrapped in soft velour towels.

"I want to ask you a question." Kim began, "and straight answers please."

Her raven haired captor smiled, "Of course."

Kim looked at her skeptically, "Ok, why have you been laughing at me? Do I know you?"

"Possible-san, I have never…"

"Not out loud, maybe, but with your eyes. Why?"

"Kim-san, think back."

Eyes widening Kim gasped, "Yori?"

"Hai."

"You've been with Ron all these years?"

"No, Kim-san."

"Please, can you call me just Kim?"

"If you permit."

"Please. So why didn't you tell me who you were the first night?"

"Curiosity, I wanted to see if you would remember."

"Yori, I'm sure I'm not the first to tell you this, but you've changed. Your figure, your hair."

"I know," Yori giggled, "but you have changed also, Kim. Your figure has grown."

"I know, I'll still never be top-heavy, but at least I don't look like a boy."

"That, you never did. Ask Ron-sama."

"Yori, if he hasn't been with you, where has he been?" Kim felt a twinge of jealousy.

"I do not know of all his travels. I know Sensei was in contact with him his first year, before he returned to Yamanouchi."

"Did he ever say where he was?"

"No, although he did issue instructions to watch you."

"Me?"

"Yes, Sensei knew Ron-sama would be most displeased if harm came to you in your grief."

"Why didn't he tell me?" Kim held tears back.

"I do not question Sensei."

"Yori," Kim began hesitatingly, "I know that you were attracted to Ron, did he ever…"

"Kim-san, I believe I have had enough heat. Ask your questions of Ron-sama, he will not lie to you."

"I'm sorry."

"No need to apologize, but these are matters between you and him."

"Thank you, Yori."

Yori suddenly laughed, "Join me for breakfast in the morning, Kim, we will talk further there."

"It's a date."

VII.

After returning from her apartment and working out with Yori, Kim had found Ron sitting in an ultra-modern office, complete with more gadgets than the GJ director's.

"Ron," she marveled, "what is all this?"

He grinned at her, "Kim, this is a foundation."

"I know, but for what? My secretary couldn't find out what you do." She flushed as she realized what she had revealed.

"Checked us out before you broke in, huh?" Ron laughed. "Good, if your secretary couldn't get any info our security is still tight."

"But why all the secrecy?"

"Privacy, Kim, privacy. Ever hear of the Knights Templar?"

"A little, why."

"They were a religious order that got too rich. One day the governments of Europe decided they didn't want to pay back loans the Templar's made them, and the Kings decided they needed the money. No more Knights Templar."

Kim was puzzled, "Are you a religious order then?"

"Kim, I'm Jewish, remember?" She nodded, "Among my friends are Shintoists, Buddhists, Christians, there are even a few Muslims."

"But you're not religious."

"That's each person's private affair, Kim. I don't worry about it."

"Ok, then what do you do?"

Ron got a far away look in his eyes, "Kim, what was my major rep in high school? Give you a hint, begins with L."

"You were never a loser, Ron, never. If idiots couldn't see that…"

"KP, don't get mad now, it was a long time ago, but that's part of what we do. We find those "losers" and we try to see if we can help."

"That's sweet, Ron, but why all the security for that?"

"I said that's part of what we do, an important part, Kim, but it's not all. I can't tell you everything, those aren't my secrets alone."

"If you assure me the Lotus is no threat to the US or…"

"KP, you have my word, we are not a threat. Heck, if I was alive, I'd be a US citizen."

Kim shuddered, "Don't joke about that, please Ron."

Ron came around his desk to hug her tightly, "Sorry, KP, won't happen again."

VIII.

As Kim prepared for bed, she reflected on the last two days. She had found a Ron that was still the same and yet, so much more. The real respect and love his friends and students had for him. The simple joy he found in cooking a private meal for her. She had discovered there were children in the mansion, their parents presumably part of Ron's group. The children didn't treat Ron like a respected elder, but rather as a welcome friend and playmate. Their mutual love was apparent.

Kim found her own love for her old partner blossoming into even more than it had been in the past. He still occasionally irritated her, but he even more often made her collapse in laughter. She hadn't felt this good or relaxed in years. And she had decided that tonight was the night she had waited ten years for.

IX.

Ron lay in bed, waiting for Kim to join him. These last three nights had been a mixture of heaven and hell that he would never forget. The joy of holding her safe, the wonder of waking next to her, the pure hell of not being able to join with her, of knowing that his own love was not, never would be enough, had been a roller coaster ride he would always remember.

He turned at the sound of the opening door. A vision of red hair, transparent white silk, and rare joy met his eyes. She swayed shyly toward him.

"Ron, I love you." She kissed him with a nervous passion, "Please, please love me back."

"Kim", he breathed deeply of her scent, "I couldn't do anything else. I always have, I always will." They lay down, together.