Disclaimer: I don't own Kim Possible, but I do own an imagination. This is from there, and I am not making any money from it.

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Author's Notes: The story is progressing, some have probably figured out what happened to Justine, while others probably have a feeling, but don't want to be right about it.

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Ronald walked up towards the school with a backpack swung upon his shoulders. Now, to the casual observer this would be nothing out of the ordinary. Most of the students carry some sort of bag, and the majority of those are on the shoulders of their hosts. What would be different about this is that if you had observed Ronald over the last several weeks, you would notice that he has never carried a backpack. If you had not noticed, then worry not, for but a few of his fellow students noticed.

The one that noticed first, and was most perplexed was his constant companion, Justine. She looked at him in not quite a stare as he approached her. As he neared to her, she spoke, "Ronald, why are you wearing that? Didn't you say that backpacks were the implement of oppression of scholars and students alike?"

"Yes, yes, I know, but this is a necessity to test out a new project," surly answered Ronald.

"Another project Ronald, do you not think that you may perhaps have too much going on, do you?" asked Justine, concern obvious in her voice.

"No, not too many projects, my fair flower of femininity, I have ended the Terrific Trio study, and have not added another project at this point. I have the backpack for one specific reason. I need to have my tools with me today in case my current project has issues."

"Current project, the only ongoing project that you have that would require tools would be the RUFUS unit."

Ronald nodded, "Quite so, Mark One and I last night completed the work on Version Two, the smaller version that I mentioned to you. The casing is just aluminum, but if the field test goes well, then I will be commissioning a titanium composite for durability."

Justine was a bit slack jawed at the implications of what Ronald had said. In the course of but two days, he had taken a new creation and was able to miniaturize it. "Ronald, may I see it?"

Ron beamed at her, she was the only one that he truly wished to impress, "Surely my lady," he said as he reached into his pocket, instead of the backpack and produced a gleaming metallic object. "I present to you the R.U.F.U.S. Version Two Deviation One."

The device in Ronald's hand pushed up on his hand with the front legs of its form while lowering the back half of itself. It looked as if it was sitting up. "Hi ya," came the tiny tinny sound from the hiding speaker in the head.

Justine's eyes grew large. "Hello Rufus, how are you?" she questioned the new mechanicon.

"Boo yah," responded the small device.

She looked quizzically at Ronald, "Booyah? Sounds like you are teaching him your own private language."

"In order to have all of the essential programming and mechanics in, I had to eliminate some functions; speech response was one of them. I also have a wheeled conversion for speed, as well as the normal quadruped design. The data acquisition ability actually came out better than I had planned. Once we have results from the field test, I will work on improvements. Perhaps you will look into the programming so my code won't be as bloated as it can get to be at times?"

"It would be my pleasure, Ronald," she said looking up into his eyes. "I am also happy that you broached the subject of help."

There was silence in a long pause, Justine not talking, and Ronald waiting for the request. Upon getting no response from her Ronald said, "Anything, Justine, you know that."

Justine gave him a wavering smile before looking towards the ground, "I received a call from my new therapist, and was requested to see if you would attend the session with me this afternoon," Justine informed him quietly.

"You want me to go to see your therapist with you?" Ronald asked to clarify her statement.

Justine shook her head slightly, "Doctor Cranston asked me to bring the one person that I trusted the most with me. The only person I truly trust is you. I understand your disinclination to attend the session with me and will full understand your declination of the request."

Ronald placed his new Rufus unit into his pocket and then raised Justine's face to look at his. "If you would ask me to walk through the gates of Hades itself, I would without hesitation. Though I may not hold the industry itself in high regard, I will not use that to bow out of this. Perhaps this will be a breakthrough, and I will see my friend all the time again, instead of just glimpses of her."

Justine blushed slightly and pressed her forehead against Ronald. "Thank you Ronald, I hope to have your friend back also."

Ronald did nothing but place a hand upon her shoulder and placed his head upon hers. He smelled deep of her hair; it smelled of lavender and gardenias. Ron knew more than any other smell that this was his favorite smell in the world.

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Ron didn't walk any of the Trio to class that morning. He did make an appearance and begged off the pleading faces so he could walk Justine to her first class of the day. Missus Fiser smiled as she saw them walk in, side by side.

Author's notes: The continuation of this will be out later. I am not getting into the flow, and this is a good stopping place. The angst is about to get kicked up a couple of levels.