Chapter 3: A Unexpected Savior.

-Hi everyone, I just want to say sorry for the long delay in this chapter, but I have no other reason other then dame work thinking that people don't have a life outside of there grubby four walls. I hope you all enjoy this chapter as its slightly longer then my previous chapters, and hope its worth the wait. Please read on and please enjoy.-

Ron looked towards Kim and Josh, fighting off the building flow of tears that was threatening to burst free from their dame that was his eyes. He pulled back a silent sob before turning away, turning from the sight that was causing him such deep pain, and walked out of the Cafeteria, leaving Kim completely with Josh. She didn't need him now.

Ron left the hallow holding of the Cafeteria, out into the blazing sunshine of Middleton Highs playground. Now he let his tears fall. Away from Kim he was free to cry. He wiped at the salty tears, as they made tracks down his now grieving face. He released one more sob as he felt his heart almost burn, begging him to go back inside to see her. But he shook his head. What was the use? She was happy now and no matter what he felt inside he could not deny her happiness, even if inside his own heart felt like it would crumble at any second.

What difference would it make if he told her anyway? If he walked through that cafeteria and dropped to his knees before her. Told her how much he cared. He'd just make a fool out of himself. Kim had made her choice, not that there ever was a choice. Kim had no idea how he felt about her. She knew nothing of how he felt for her, she knew nothing of how she entered his dreams every night, she knew nothing of the joy just being around her brought him. He'd kept this bottled up inside for so long, terrified of what she would say. He loved their friendship, but he wanted something so much more. He wanted to worship the ground she walked upon. He wanted his love to be set free, for her to accept his heart, like he would accept hers. But now she was gone. Mankey that brute had charmed the woman he loved away from his heart. And it hurt.

One she was always there for him. She would once stand by him no matter what. Like he did her. She accepted him all through school. Ever since Pre K they had been a team. She was the rock the held his heart for so long. But now that rock was gone, and all that remained was a hole, a caesium that could never be filled.

Mankey had made all the difference. She was Mankey's Girlfriend. She didn't care about him the same way he did for her. That part of her heart, the part he so desperately wanted, belonged to a thug. A thug that had pushed him into his own locker, a thug that had slapped him across the face. Kim liked the bad boys, and Ron would never be a bad boy. Beautiful girls always like the Bad Boys.

Ron then felt his fist clench at that thought. Josh was trying to turn over a new leaf, and start again. At least that's what his boys had said. Ron didn't buy it. Leopards don't change their spots, and nether did people. Something lingered in the air as he thought of that. A fishy smell that wasn't the fish surprise that Cafeteria lady as serving up today. Why couldn't he just accept it, Kim was with Josh now, All Ron would ever be was Kim Possible's best friend. Nothing more nothing less.

Ron chocked back more tears that threatened to stain his cheeks and he looked around the school playground. He saw a few kids maybe in 8th maybe 9th grade playing pat ball against the music block wall. A few seniors that sat by one of the school steps, either reading or making out with each other. He'd often looked at scenes like that or from mushy movies and wished that one day he and Kim would one day be like that. He then felt a stinging blush come to his face as he thought about Kim, thinking about Kim only brought thoughts of Mankey, and those thoughts he could live without.

Ron then looked over to a small band of 7th graders playing catch. One of the kids had just missed the ball, and it came hurtling towards Rons face. Ron just grabbed that ball fast enough before it struck him as the kids smiled at him. Ron happily returned their small smiles before tossing the ball back at the two boys. The boys smiled before throwing the ball back at Ron. Ron caught the ball once more and laughed as finally he began to feel better in himself, and started to join in, with their game.

They tossed the ball back and forth to each other, each of the boys trying to catch Ron out, he was finally smiling once more. Then just as Ron tossed back the ball to the smallest of the boys, he seemed to freeze, almost petrified to the spot. His face once filled with youthful fun, now a bitter cast of fear. Ron looked at them confused, just when he saw that same expression upon the face of his friend. They slowly began to back away from his, their bodies shaking with terror, before turning around and sprinting away as fast as they could run. Ron just chuckled at this strange behaviour when he noticed that he was being covered by an immeasurable shadow. He looked up, but saw not one cloud in the deep blue sky. Then gulping hard he began to turn apprehensively around. Into five hooded faces.

The fives faces all glared at him from inside their hooded jumpers. Each of them Ron recognised. Immediately each of their faces were embedded in his mind. He was standing face to face with Mankey's gang, even Big Mike and the other boy he'd been in isolation with.

"Well looky what we have here boys," spoke the slightly taller boy that stood in front of him. He was the same boy that had been in isolation with Ron and Mike. He smiled a rather menacing smile which each of the boys seemed to return.

"You know kid. We don't take kindly to being ignored" The boy seemed to spit with each of his words, and he stood so close that each drop landed in Ron's face, as his breath seemed to penetrate each of Ron's pores, as his eyes stayed locked with Ron's, almost looking for some essence of fear. Fear which Ron had to admit was beginning to wash over him.

"Well get used to it!" Ron snapped back, surprised at the venom in his voice as he turned away from the gang of yobs. He just wanted out, but the gang seemed to have surrounded him, trapping him in there mist like a pack of hyenas. Another of the gang pushed Ron back to face the boy he'd turned away from. The boy had dropped now dropped his hood, to reveille his shaven head, as a cocky arrogant smile crossed his lips.

"Well, looks like its down to us to teach you some manners, yeah boys." snapped the boy before Ron as slowly he began to crack his knuckles.

"That's rich coming from someone like you, then again I doubt you can even spell manners let alone teach it." Ron's voice was now filled once more with rage, a rage that had accumulated for so long. The rage of losing Kim, Mankey's slap, everything came back to him as he stood defiantly in this circle of bullies, face to face with this kid, he would not be intimidated, he would not be a play thing for these hoodlums. The boy sniggered at Ron's reaction. Then cracking his knuckles one last time, he threw a punch out at the insolent blond. Ron with reactions as fast as quick as ever. He blocked the punch like it was nothing then launched one of his own. His fist collided with the side of the boys face flooring him instantly.

It was the only punch Ron would get in, as immediately after he was punched in the back. Ron stumbled forward his breath being forced from his lungs, as another punched seemed to come from out of nowhere smacked him in the face hard. Ron crumpled to the floor his mouth leaking blood just as the gang moved in. Like a pack of Vultures they began to attack. They started to stomp and kick at Ron from every angel. Ron clutched at his face desperately now open to all their attacks. One of the boys then kicked him in the stomach so hard, that Ron was almost lifted from the ground.

Blood burst out of Ron's mouth as he held his stomach tight, then another kick collided with the side of his face. Blood flew from Ron's nose onto one of the boys shoes, just as another kicked him relentlessly in the back, just as another kick slammed into his chest bending him like a bow. Ron could only roll onto his stomach, as his beating continued. Only wishing that it would soon be over, when suddenly a sweet voice came over the sound of his body being stomped.

"HAY LEAVE HIM ALONE!" came the cries of a girl. The gang slowly began to split, slowly allowing Ron's bloody battered form be reviled to who had called out. Ron coughed hard, leaving a trail of blood to connect him to the floor, as he felt soft gentle hands upon his being. Ron turned around onto his back, his body a uproar of pain, showing his bruised and bloody face to who had touched him so kindly. His vision was blurry from his assault, but he could see a flowing mane of red hair in front of him. Then a voice filled his ears, a voice so sweet it only belonged to one person. Kim Possible had come to his aid.

"Ron are you alright? Ron say something." Ron lay still, quavering from being kicked so brutally. His vision was still not very clear, but it was clear enough to look into Kim's shining green eyes, her soft beautiful eyes as she knelled by his side, such concern in her face. Ron felt his heart give a painful beat in his chest but he couldn't tear away from her eyes, and the feeling of having her so near to him. Even if he was in a uproar of pain, he didn't care. Kim was looking at him with compassion in her eyes. He knew this was the closes he'd ever get to her ever loving him, and he felt a tear come to his eyes at that thought. He was happy now.

Kim gently took Ron's still bloody form in her arms and gently began to help him to his feet, his arm draped over her shoulders, as she supported his weight with her. His legs we shaky and weak, but she held onto his tight, not wishing him to fall. The boys that had beaten Ron looked at this scene with disgust. They rolled their eyes at the kindness Kim was showing to their victim and started to turn away, now gloating over what they had done. Ron even though very hurt could hear them muttering comments of. "That'll teach him" and "Kicked the crap out of him" when Kim cried out.

"Why don't you try picking on someone your own size!" The gang suddenly seemed to freeze as this statement. Ron could almost hear them laughing to themselves, when suddenly methodically, they began to turn around. They each turned towards Kim who was still supporting Ron's body with her own. Ron saw that same cocky arrogant look in the face of the boy he had punched. Then not thinking he flung himself forward his arms spread out shielding Kim. Hurting him was one thing but he would not allow these brutes to hurt Kim. Kim grabbed at Ron's protective arms and cast them aside. She wore that same look of protectiveness that he possessed. She pushed Ron behind her and took a fighting stance, as the gang rallied on her their faces smiling with amusement.

"Well boys looks like its round two, and this time we get a cute one" cracked the shaky looking leader of the grope. He looked quite unbalanced probably from Ron's punch, but he still possessed this aura about him. A aura made Ron feel he was capable of anything, anything vile and hurtful. Ron then pushed past Kim weakly, anxiety still gripping him. He stood by Kim's side like he'd done countless times before. He took another fighting stance next to Kim, ready to protect her to the very end. These gorillas were not going to hurt Kim, not while there was breath in his lungs. They moved ever closer, most of them concentrating on Kim, but Ron's eyes stayed locked with the one he had punched. He could almost smell the venom in his breath, the wishing to hurt Ron for humiliating him. When suddenly a voice called behind them. A voice that stopped the gang in their tracks.

"Is there a problem here!" came a cool, calm voice behind Kim and Ron. Kim still stood firm, her eyes never leaving the now frozen bullies. She moved closer to Ron as he chanced a glance back. Wondering what could have stopped these bullies in full step. Ron couldn't believe what happened next. Ron at first thought his vision was blurry again, but his sight was now back with him. Strolling across the playground towards them wasn't a teacher, or any authority figure coming to clear this problem up. Instead walking across the playground in clear confidant steps, a positively livid look in his face was Josh Mankey. Josh walked around Kim and to Ron's shock stood between them and the rest of his gang. Josh folded his arms over his chest and stood confidant, unfazed by the shear number of the much larger boys. Kim tried to say something, but Josh just held back him arm to silence her as the boy Ron had punched stood into Josh's face.

The skin headed boy stood almost nose to nose with Josh. He glared at the two-toned haired boy with a look of utter distaste and distaste. Like Josh had just interrupted him from opening the Christmas present of a life time. Both of them stood eye to eye, Josh still unmoving, almost mocking the other bigger built youth. Ron watched as the skinhead clenched his hands into a fist, he was positively shaking in rage. But Josh continued to smile. His clear confident smile, a smile Ron hated. It was that same smile Josh had flashed him just before he slapped him. Ron could swear he could hear words being said, but they were to low to hear. Then as if some great colossal scales had been tipped, the boy began to back off. He started to slowly almost fearfully move back towards his now retreating gang. Josh stood still, his arms still lay folded across his chest, just as his old gang began to retreat. Ron kept his eyes locked on the skin headed boy just as he raised his arm into the air. His fingers then made the form of a gun, he then made a firing gesture towards Josh, before the gang left them completely alone.

"Hay Kim, is he ok?" asked Josh speaking clearly to Kim and Ron for the first time, turning towards Ron. Ron then felt his legs beginning to hurt once more. Only the desire to protect Kim from harm had allowed him to stand on his own weight. Now with the threat of Kim being hurt gone, all the pain Ron felt of being trampled underfoot returned to him. He fell forward as Kim grabbed hold of him, her arm clutched him tight to her body, something Ron noticed made Josh almost frown at. Ron looked up at Josh, the taste of his own blood still fresh in his mouth, with questioning eyes. Why had he done this, was Josh really trying to reform from his old ways?

"He should be ok josh, I'm gonna take him to the nurse though just to make sure." Ron smiled as he felt Kim lean in against him. Her warm body felt so good against his own sore beaten one. Ron's eyes meet hers for just a second, and he could see something in her eyes much more then concern, something that warmed his very soul. But one look at Josh chilled that feeling instantly, because of the daggers he was shooting at him. Daggers Kim did not seem to see.

"Hay dude, you should stay away from those guys, they can be dangerous." spoke Josh, this time he seemed more sincere in his looks towards him, but Ron had to try and suppress a snigger at what Josh had just said. Josh himself should know how much bad news they were, Josh hanged out with them.

"Rest up man ok" Josh then held out his hand towards Ron who was still being supported by Kim. Ron looked up at Josh almost not believing what he was seeing. Josh had slapped him across the face, no more then three hours ago, now he was handing out the hand of friendship towards him. Ron looked up into Josh's eyes as he smiled a small smile towards him. Josh's eyes seemed to shine there sharp icy blue as Kim smiled towards Ron. Then almost under the influence of some strange spell, Ron held out his hand and gripped Josh's hand tight. Ron gripped Josh's had with all the force he could muster, Josh just smiled back at him, an almost pitying smile as Josh let go of his hand.

"See ya around" spoke Josh kindly as Kim turned Ron away, carrying him off to the nurses office. Ron slowly looked back behind him and saw Josh still looking towards them, and snarled. He had just shook Josh Mankey's hand. A boy that had slammed him head first into his own locker had just saved Kim and him from being beaten by his own gang of thugs. Ron looked down that the hand that he had used to shake Josh's hand, and it seemed to burn, almost like it was poison. Maybe it was just Ron's feeling towards the woman that held him upright that was making him feel this way. But something told him that he now owed Josh. No matter how bad it felt inside he owed him.

Kim carried a bloody and now brushing Ron through the gasps and remarks of their fellow students, towards the nurses office. Ron looked at Kim as she helped him into a seat just outside the office. Ron groaned in pain as she sat him in the uncomfortable seat, as he held his ribs which protested in pain. Ron looked as Kim knocked on the door, but no answer came. She then opened the door as Ron watched her enter the nurses office. Ron heard a few curse words come from the office which made Ron smile. Then Kim walked out of the office a look of anger on her beautiful face.

"The nurse seems to have stepped out Ron, but I'm not leaving you like that, come on." Kim then held out her hand to her best friend. Ron looked up at her, smiling down upon him with her soft loving smile as he took her hand. Slowly she helped him to his feet. Placing him once again around her shoulders she helped Ron inside the nurses office. The nurses office was everything a normal nurses office would be. It was a white walled office with various pictures of school related injuries. One told of the problems with not brushing your teeth properly, one quite horrible picture kept near the back showed the rather unflattering effects of gingivitis. Ron looked away from the pictures on the wall, to the long white bed Kim was leading him towards.

The bed was a long, white, hospital style bed with a single sheet through the middle. The bed reminded him of a dream he once had. A dream that Kim had come back from the Andes with Rictis Paralysis. Everyone was effected and only Ron could save her life, and after he did, she looked up at him, with deep affection in her eyes and called him a hero. Now he was the one on the bed, and although he had, had many dreams about he and Kim they still made his heart pound when he thought of them. And now to have her so close to him, in pain or not made his heart pound relentlessly within his chest.

"Right, now take your shirt off Ron" Kim said as he helped Ron clime onto the bed.

"What!" asked Ron started, feeling a slight red come to his cheeks that's was nothing to do with his beating.

"Oh don't be so modest, I've seen you without a top on countless times come on." Then without taking another word of protest from Ron, Kim reached forward and took hold of the hem of his red jersey, now stained with his blood. Ron struggled at first trying to stay clothed in front of his friend, but he couldn't hide a small smile to himself as Kim touched him. Then the playfulness stopped when Kim finally took off Ron's red and black jersey and let out a gasp of utter horror. Ron's upper body although quite toned from his countless missions with Kim was now black and blue with bruises and abrasions. It was now that Kim really understood the ferocity of his attack.

She saw the marks on his arms where he had tried to defend his face from the attacks. She saw something that looked like a shoe impression near his stomach, it was so clear in the bruise that she could make out the brand name of the trainer that his attacker had worn. She saw now that his nose was bleeding and that his lips although now no longer leaking stands of blood, was beginning to glow purple. It seemed the only thing that wasn't effected by their vicious attacks were Ron's eyes which still shone with that Ronness she'd come to know. Slowly, not wanting to cause Ron anymore pain, she reached out and began to press into Ron's ribs. Ron let out a small hiss as Kim touched his injured ribs. Her delicate fingers touched Ron's body so gently that it was almost comforting, if it wasn't for the fact that every part of his body felt like it was broken. Ron looked down upon her as she traced her fingers gently across his stomach looking for any sign of internal damage, and felt himself fall into her touch. Ron closed his eyes enjoying the feeling of having the woman he secretly loved touch him. She then moved her hands up from his ribs and arms to now clutch his face, running her thumb over the wound in his mouth when he open his eyes to look at her.

"Those brutes, how could they do this to you?" spoke Kim as she looked over his bruises, and at his face now no longer shining with his Ronness, but with blood and deepening purple bruises. Kim then turned away from Ron and walked towards the nurses cupboard which was filled with all the things she needed to use. Ron could almost swear that he had seen a hint of tears in her eyes, as she survived his wounds. Ron stayed seated on the bed not wanting to move just happy watching Kim just a few spaces away from him. This was the closes they'd been since she'd started dating Mankey, and he wasn't going to ruin this.

"Well good news is there's no internal damage, maybe a few bruised ribs, but apart from that you should be cool" said Kim still treating about with the nurses things.

"I bet your glad I took that first aid course now, hay Ron"

"Oh yeah really glad KP. You won't need to study Egypt in History then if you make me into a mummy" Kim let out a small giggle at what Ron said. How even now could he just joke about things like this. She found herself smiling to herself at that, his ability to laugh at things was one of the many things she admired about him.

"Well I don't know about mummy Ron, but I could try and put a curse on those bullies that did this to you. Like giving them some sensitivity training." Kim balled her hand into a fist as she turned around to face Ron, with a bowl of what looked filled with water. Ron laughed at this, but the laugh made his bruised ribs force a squeal of pain out.

"Are you alright?" asked Kim now worried as she came to his side, with the bowl and bandages. "Does it hurt anywhere?"

"Only when I laugh KP, so don't tell me any jokes."

Kim let out another small giggle at this, then found her cheeks felling slightly hot as she looked at Ron. She shook this off as she started to dip some cotton wool into the bowl she'd brought over to him. Ron watched her gently his eyes never leaving the soft beauty of her face, as slowly she brought the cotton wool to his lip. Ron let out a gasp as the salty substance started to sting. Ron pushed her hand away and she looked up at him smiling. She then tried to put the cotton wall to his lip once more, but once again he pushed her hand away, because of the stinging pain it caused. Kim this time just threw the cotton wall at Ron at Ron looked at her sternly, before tossing the ball back at her. Kim looked back at him shocked as a small laugh escaped her lips. Then she threw it back at him again. This time she tried to reach out and tickle him but he wrenched in pain, and she stopped immediately.

"Oh Ron I'm so sorry" said Kim as she reached out and touched his ribs gently, looking up into his eyes. Those soft brown eyes, that still seemed to shine so brightly. She looked up into his eyes and found herself lost in his gaze. Something spoke to her in his eyes, something that made her face flash a deep shade of red, and cause her stomach to fill with butterflies. Something that made her own heart pound so vigorously within her breast. Kim then shook her head at this, that was a stupid thing to think about. Ron was injured and needed her help. But even as he now let her clean his face with the cotton wool, she couldn't help but look into his eyes, and those feeling returned to her.

Kim gently patched Ron up, with sterile water and bandages. There was nothing she could do about the bruises. Only plenty of rest would cure those. Kim now finished cleaning the last of his wounds near his chest, and felt his heart beating franticly by her touch. It was the same as her own, but Kim passed it off as shock of the moment. Both of them were upset over what happen, it was nothing. Kim finished that one last wound when Ron spoke up for the first time since coming to the nurses office.

"So Mankey is taking you out on a date after cheer practice today, hay KP?" Ron asked her as she looked up at him, still sat upon the nurses bed looking down at her.

"Yeah, not sure where though, he said he wanted it to be a surprise." said Kim truthfully, the thought of Josh, for some reason made her once frantic heart begin to calm down. This she didn't know why.

"I hope your being careful around him Kim, you know he's only one vowel away from Monkey you know" Ron could have kicked himself for that, here was a perfect chance for him to tell her how bad Josh could be, but he was wasting it on jokes.

"Ha, I think I can handle myself Ron, what with Monkey's and all. But thanks" Kim laughed at Ron's joke, but when she looked up at him she could see how stern and concerned his eyes were. They were not the shining brown orbs she'd only just looked into, but were filled with something worst now, something that seemed to chill her to the bone.

"I just want you to be careful around him Kim, please. I don't want you t get hurt." Ron's voice sounded pleading almost desperate to her, but she couldn't for the life of her understand why. Josh was a nice guy, he'd even helped them with those bullies.

"Ron, I'm a big girl now I can handle myself ok. Besides it's my birthday tomorrow so something to look forward to" said Kim trying for some reason to get off the subject of Josh. Of some reason the only thing that mattered to her now was Ron. The way his eyes looked at her, as she felt her heart begin to pound again, almost uncontrollably.

"Ok KP, just wanted to make sure everything's ok that's all." Ron looked back at her as she now helped him down from the bed. For a fraction of a second Kim and Ron stood face to face, their faces only inches from each other. Both looked at each other with their eyes filled with something so much more then friendship. Something that made Kim turn a soft shade of red, and Ron wanting nothing more then to reach out and take her in his arms.

"Well… hmm… I'll tell the squad that you won't be there today ok Ron." said Kim trying to look anywhere but at his eyes, as inside she felt her heart beginning to pound once more.

"Sure KP…. I'll see you tomorrow, I'll need to swing by with your present."

"Oh Ron you shouldn't have" said Kim faking surprise as Ron smiled.

"Yes I should have, after what you've just done for me."

"Hay its no big, you'd do the same for me"

Ron looked at her once more as she started to walk away from him, he felt his heart call out to her, his hand trembling to clutch hold of her own. But he fought it off, then he felt the tears beginning to return to his eyes as she left him alone once more.

"yes Kim. . . I'd do anything for you"

-Well there's chapter 3 down. I hope you enjoyed it. One thing I must say is thank you to Momike and Spiritofdawolf for their constant reviews and following of this story. I am sorry for not being able to update this story faster, but without loyal readers like them I wouldn't even be writing so thank you. For people that maybe wondering when Ron gets killed, I'm afraid that is information I can not divulge, but keep reading and you will find out. Thanks for reading and please review.-