Enjoy the schmaltz.

Oh and I'd like to thank the reviewers (G-Go and Ron-sama) thanks a lot for the kind words.

Using her lip brush Kim worked in from the corners and made her lips look positively luminous. When she finished, she grabbed a mirror and smiled at her reflection. She tossed her hair, brought the mirror up close, and examined her face from every angle.

"Well Kimberly you've still got it" she said to herself.

She walked through her new house, when the babysitter approached.

"Hey there's some blond guy hanging around outside."

"Well, did you invite him in?"

"Yeah but he said, he would rather wait outside."

"That's Ron for ya," she thought.

"Alright Mary, I'll be back later tonight. Take care of Adrian for me."

"Can do" Mary replied.

Kim walked through the front door, where she found Ron sitting on the porch. She was not a big believer in fate. However, how could she explain these recent events? After being separated for years, she and Ron had a chance meeting. At first, she thought they could go back to being friends, but once again, the relationship was taking off.

"So Ron how's life?"

"Well, I could be smart instead of handsome, but we've all got our problems."

"Let me ask you something. Do you have a problem with my house?"

Ron sighed with a look of contentment on his face "not really" he said. He didn't know how to tell her, but it just didn't feel right for him to step into her house. It was a curious feeling, but since they had reunited, three weeks ago, he had yet to step foot into her house.

"So KP, where are we going today?"

"I've been meaning to ask you about that, why am I always planning these dates."

He sighed again "all of my previous dates, all followed a familiar pattern. A few simple routines you might say to maximize the probability of---"

"Of you getting laid" she said.

"Yes" he replied quickly.

"So what's the success rate of these seductive traps?"

"One hundred percent."

"Impressive."

"Well the system works," he said nonchalantly.

"So how does this system work?"

"Well one scenario would have me showing up at the girl's house in my Jaguar XK8. If the girl were a little low on the "virtuous" scale, then I'd already have the keys to the Promised Land without saying a word. If that doesn't get the job done, then it's a trip to either phony celebrity parties, or a nightclub. Then the night caps off at the Ritz."

"Ok I see what you're saying is, that I'm not good enough for the system."

"You're not getting it Kim; you're too good for that. That routine is just if I want to get into somebody's pants. When there is no emotion involved. Anyway I'm a little afraid I might snap into that "guy" during our dates."

"Ron you're worrying too much," she said as she rolled her eyes.

"No I'm not, I don't want this to be like the phony dates I've been having for years. This, this is going to be legit."

"Oh come on, you know what. Now I actually want to go on one of these "seduction" dates."

"No come on, did you not hear what I just said. I'm trying to avoid that, it's like a game. I literally felt nothing during those dates."

"You know what I think Ron; I think you're scared that I'll start liking you for your money, instead of liking you, for you."

"I...uh, what? No, No."

"Uh huh, Ron the reason you've never felt anything for those girls, is probably because you thought they were all just after your money."

"Tch, you couldn't be further from the ...When did you become a shrink anyway?"

"What are you afraid of then?"

"Alright, you want the treatment. Then that's what I'll give you" He pulled a set of keys from his pocket.

"I assumed we'd be walking, but I brought this just in case" he led her in the direction of his car. "Jaguar convertible drops panties in two seconds flat. Oh I hope you have some self control Kim, some girls don't make it out of the car."

"Oh my god you were such a man slut."

"I think the correct term, in the streets these days, is pimp."

"Ron that is such a double standard, do you know how many guys I've been with?"

"Actually, I don't want to know," he replied as they entered the car.

"Two."

"Two, oh my two, what, oh my... I guess that's how you were raised," he teased.

"How dare you," she said as she hit him playfully.

As he accelerated the car, Ron turned to her "two, huh, including me?"

"Yes."

"Wow, well I guess in retrospect, I am a slut."

"Well I'm glad you've seen the light."

"I guess what they say is true, blonds do have more fun."

This caused Kim to laugh "how did this conversation start, people don't usually talk about their pasts, during a date."

"Well I guess the fact that we were friends for so long, has helped us communicate better. Even after all these years."

She could see the truth in Ron's words, in only about three weeks they were connecting as if there had been no separation. She leaned back in the surprisingly comfortable seat, and turned to Ron whose attention was now on the road. When they were together, she was with him entirely. When they were apart, the memory of him filled her thoughts, and wrapped around her. Just being next to him, lifted her spirits. Moreover, the Jaguar was sweet too.

A few minutes later they arrived at a nightclub called the Minx.

"What is this place?" She asked.

"This is a night club owned by my good friend Gene. I say owned although I loaned him the money to front this place."

"Shouldn't we wait on line?" She asked as they passed by a large number of people, standing behind a velvet rope.

"I told you Kim, I practically own this club."

"Ooh, that should get you a lot of brownie points with the ladies."

"You better believe it, are you impressed yet?"

"It's pretty impressive, but I'm not ready to jump into your arms yet," she smirked.

"Well you do have a stronger will then most," he said, as they reached the entrance.

"Ron" screamed a greasy haired, weasely looking man who greeted them at the entrance. "Long time no see baby."

"Gene how's it going?"

"Ron I told you it's not Gene, its G Loc."

"Gene this is Kim."

"Whoa, hold the phone, stop the presses; you're actually bringing girls in here now."

Ron dropped his head in disappointment "Gene, shut the hell up" he whispered to him.

"Wait hold on; what are you talking about?" Kim inquired.

"It's nothing Kim let's go inside."

"Hold on Ron; Um G Loc what did you mean by actually bringing girls in?"

"Hey G Loc just thought it was rare for Ron to bring a date in here. He usually walks in alone and comes out with a piece of tail attached to his arm. You know what I'm saying, yeah, high five Ron man."

Ron stood there, contemplating the physical torture he could inflict on his friend.

"Well Ron man don't leave him hanging" said Kim

Ron put his hands out, to receive the high five. Gene brought his hand down hard.

"Alright man, yeah, come in, and take the fine babe in with you. You at the Minx it's always a party baby."

"Sorry about that" said Ron as they entered the club

"Don't worry about it, I'm just finding out about the new Ron."

"You mean the old Ron."

"Come on Ron, you can't tell me you didn't enjoy any of this."

Ron thought about it for a moment, and knew she was right. He did have some good times, but most of it felt shallow. No matter how he tried, he couldn't fake his way to happiness.

"Well KP this is The Minx. A bi-level bar divided to suit many different appetites. If you're looking for a relaxing late-evening dinner, head upstairs where you'll be greeted by a full bar and crystal chandelier. Toward the back, a few small booths roped off with sheer curtains provide a romantic retreat. If you're searching for a drink and lounging, stay downstairs. Curving banquette seatings wrap around one wall, opposite of that is a wood bar. Hidden in the shadows toward the back, a DJ booth is nestled into a corner by the dance floor."

"I'm getting an "I'm in a liquor commercial vibe" Kim remarked.

Ron continued, "Tuesdays is Live Bliff night, rock-oriented events featuring local bands. Live music and Latin jazz start at seven pm, on Wednesdays. Hip-hop and R&B take Thursdays, while Fridays are my favorites, eighties night"

"Eighties night?"

Suddenly the DJ shone the spotlight on Ron. "Y'all know we can't start off this party, without my man Ron."

The crowd broke into applause, Ron waved at them, a grin on his face.

"You ready to jump into my arms, yet KP," he whispered.

"No," but I'm starting to see why the system works so well."

A few hours later they were driving home, exhausted from a night of dancing. They rested in complete silence, during the first few minutes of the drive.

"I'm guessing we should have had dinner, before we went to the night club," Ron said as he noticed time.

"So there is a flaw in the system."

"It's pretty much your fault Kim, you shouldn't have challenged me too a dance contest. Have you forgotten I'm a Bon-diggety dancer?"

"Please, you're just angry that I took you to school tonight. Anyway, I've got some food at the house. Maybe I can whip us up something."

"I think I'll take a rain check on that," he said quickly.

"What was that?"

"No it's nothing; I just don't think I've enough antacids at home."

"I can't believe it," she said.

"You can't believe what?"

"I can't believe that after all these years; you still think I can't cook. As far as you know, I could have taken cooking lessons."

"Did you?"

"No, but I can cook, okay."

"Alright, you can cook." He said throwing up his hands in surrender "hey do you want to hear a joke?"

"Sure."

"A magician is driving down the road, then he turns into a drive way."

She looked at him for a moment and then broke in a fit of laughter "that was the joke?"

"Yeah"

"That was the stupidest joke ever," she laughed.

"Ok how about this."

"Why was the Energizer Bunny arrested?"

"Why?"

"He was charged with battery."

She groaned loudly, "oh my god."

"What? These jokes are gold."

"Gold? I think the world should be grateful you're not a stand up comic."

"Alright, I'm going to bring out the big guns"

"Ok bring them out" she challenged.

"I went to see my doctor the other day, I say doctor, every morning when I get up and I look in the mirror. I feel like throwing up; what's wrong with me?" He said, "I don't know but your eyesight is perfect."

Kim tried her best contain her laughter, but she couldn't hold out for long.

"Ah, you're going to crack. Ok how does a woman show she's planning for the future?"

"Oh boy"

"Plastic Surgery."

That was the last straw, she couldn't contain it anymore, and the car was soon filled with joyous laughter.

"Oh, that last one was so wrong" she said between breaths.

"That's why it's so funny," he said. "Well we're here". Ron pointed out as he pulled into her driveway.

"I had fun tonight," she said as he walked her to the door.

"Yeah, me too, it brought back some old memories. But I think it'd be better if I went home."

"Oh come on Ron, I'll give you a tour."

"Nah it's alright. It's getting late."

"Please" she pleaded as she gave him the puppy dog pout.

"Oh man, I haven't seen that in years. Yet somehow it's still effective."

"I knew it would be," she said as they entered the house.

"Hey Kim, you're home" Mary called out when they walked into the living room.

"Mary, this is Ron, Ron this is Mary".

"Hello" he said quickly.

"How was Adrian?" Kim asked

"Oh he was a dear, although he did start crying awhile ago. But you were right, if you start singing he'll quiet down".

"He loves to be sung to" Kim told Ron.

"Well thanks a lot Mary; I'll take it from here."

"Oh Kim I forget to ask, if it wouldn't be too much trouble. My mom has something important she wants to show you at the house."

"Can't it wait" Kim pleaded.

"I'm sorry, but you know how she is."

She sighed to herself "fine, Ron can you wait here for a moment, while I go next door."

"What, um I guess that's ok."

"Alright, let's go Mary."

The minute they left. An awkward feeling came over Ron, as he realized that he was alone.

"Damn that puppy dog pout. It's so damn powerful."

He walked around the living room, examining the photos she had put up. He spotted her and picked up her wedding picture. He recalled how close he had been to being in those very frames. Even though she was going through a divorce, it still made him feel, as if he had missed out on something

He focused on Kim in her wedding dress, consciously blocking out the image of the man standing next to her.

"Man she was so beautiful," he whispered to himself.

A sound coming from the upstairs interrupts his thoughts. Ignoring his own instinct to ignore the sound, he found his way into her son Adrian's bedroom. Ron watched as Adrian moved in his crib.

"Hey there big guy" he said.

Ron walked over to the crib "how're you doing there buddy?"

Adrian looked up at him with the confused look of a child, then he gave Ron a smile, followed by a light squeal.

"There you go. Can you say deoxyribonucleic acid? Come on follow me deox y ri bose nucle ic acid."

Ron stared in admiration, as Adrian moved back in forth throughout the crib. He felt a tinge of sadness as he watched.

"You could've been my son you know. But I screwed it up." Adrian nods as if he understood, then he grabbed Ron's nose.

A few minutes later Kim entered the house, and breathed a sigh of relief. Those neighbors were getting to be a handful. Moving into the living room, she discovered that Ron was missing.

"Ron" she called out softly, trying to avoid waking up Adrian. Then she heard his giggling from upstairs. Wondering if Ron was there too, she headed up the stairs. As she approached the room, she could hear Ron speaking. Stopping in front of the doorway, she began to eavesdrop.

"Can you keep a secret Ad'. I once told your mom, that I never thought of her when we separated. But I lied, I completely and totally lied right to her face. Why did I lie you ask, well because I'm an idiot."

Adrian began to giggle, "Yeah, you're right to laugh, I'm an idiot. Let me give you some early advice Ad, never use a bunch of girls to forget your old girlfriend. It's not healthy, and can only lead to disaster. And never, ever, bet someone that you can swallow your tongue. Turns out, it is possible."

Ron sighed, "ever hear of Frankie Valli, kid." Adrian looked at Ron for a moment, and then began to play with his teddy bear.

"Before your time I guess. Anyway, he had this song. And this song every time I hear it emotionally kicks the crap out of me. Oops, I'm sorry for cursing don't tell your mom. Anyway, I was on this date right, with this girl called Shelia, when this song came on. So there we are sitting at this restaurant. We're eating right, and then this song comes wafting through the speakers."

Ron watched as Adrian continued to play, and picked him up out of his crib. "You want to hear the song"

A bit of Adrian's drool dropped on Ron's cheek "I'll take that as a yes. Well it goes a little like this".

He drew Adrian closer to him; "My eyes adored you, Though I never laid a hand on you, My eyes adored you, Like a million miles away from me you couldn't see, How I adored you: So close, so close and yet so far away".

He placed Adrian on his shoulder. "Carried your books from school, Playing make-believe you're married to me: You were fifth grade, I was sixth, When we came to be, Walking home every day over Barnegat, Bridge and Bay, Till we grew into the me and you, Who went our separate ways". "My eyes adored you, though I never laid a hand on you, my eyes adored you, like a million miles away from me you couldn't see how I adored you: So close, so close and yet so far".

"Headed for city lights, Climbed the ladder up to fortune and fame, I worked my fingers to the bone, Made myself a name. Funny, I seem to find that, no matter how the years unwind, still I reminisce about the girl I miss and the love I left behind..." "My eyes adored you though I never laid a hand on you, my eyes adored you, like a million miles away from me you couldn't see how I adored you: So close, so close and yet so far away".

Ron paused for a minute as he remembered, how hard the song had hit him, the first time he had heard it. And as he sung it now, he could still feel its effects.

"All my life I will remember how warm and tender, We were way back then Though I'm feeling sad regrets I know I won't ever forget, You, my childhood friend".

"Now there are some differences, like me and your mom were in the same grade. Plus, no offense buddy, but I did more than lay a hand on her. But the rest...it was my life exactly. Don't tell anyone, but I heard the song, and then I spent like thirty minutes in the bathroom crying, well crying like a baby. Ad' there is nothing like, bawling in the men's room for thirty minutes, to put your life in perspective. Love is a ver--. Ad, are you awake?"

Ron looked to see that Adrian had fallen asleep on his shoulder. "I don't blame you for falling asleep kid, that story gets old real fast."

He lay Adrian back down in his crib "hey" he said softly "you know who I'm the most jealous of in the whole world. Your dad." A deep sadness filled him. It could have been different, now those dreams felt like fantasies.

Kim backed away from the door silently, and retreated downstairs. Ron followed soon after, completely unaware, that she had been there minutes before.

He found her in the kitchen "that's a cute kid. He's a good listener, who needs therapy when you've got a baby around."

He stared at her suspiciously, she had her backed turned to him.

"What's wrong?"

She turned her face quickly to answer him "nothings wrong" then turned her back to him again.

"Is it me or have you been crying?"

"No I was just cutting these onions," she said as she wiped her eyes.

"Oh, so what are we having?"

"I don't know," she said.

"So why are you cutting those onions?"

"Hey who's making the food, you or me?" She snapped

Ron sighed, "Ok... that's normal. So what happened to the tour?"

She sniffed " Adrian's room, my room and the bathroom are upstairs, the guest room, living room and kitchen are downstairs," she said quickly. "Any questions."

"Yeah, what's another word for thesaurus? Seriously though, that wasn't much of tour," he said as he walked over too her.

"So tell me a little about your house?"

Ron stopped in his tracks "my house, well my house is huge or should I say excessively large. I've got a butler, part time cook, two maids, and a gardener who manages my vegetable garden."

"Wow" she said, finally ready to turn around.

"Yeah, I get that look a lot. People get surprised when they realize I've got more money, then they think. Then they've got to re-evaluate me."

Kim looked at her stack of dirty dishes "ok rich boy, when's the last time you've washed dishes."

"Three years" he said calmly "but I'm willing to adapt to a strange culture."

Ron washed a few dishes as she continued to work on the food. He turned to face her, but she was looking down at the onions she was cutting into tiny pieces. He started to tell her that, the pieces were small enough already. But he just stopped and watched her. He felt a rush of protectiveness that caught him by surprise. It was a feeling; he had not felt in a long time. The same feeling that had puzzled him years ago. She had beauty and charm, energy, a quick wit, friends in every part of the world, and enough skills to constantly save the world. Yet he felt protective.

"Oh god what am I doing" he thought as he backed away from the sink.

"What are you doing Ron?"

He turned to her "I don't know, I'm not sure."

Kim studied his face she had an idea, about what he was thinking." If you're not sure, then give us time. We've built up a lot these past weeks."

"I don't know," he said again.

"Why?"

"Because... Because I don't feel good enough and guilty...I mean technically you're still--.

She moved closer and wrapped her arms around him "I think you're good enough."

"Are you sure?"

She nodded, her mouth opened beneath his and she forgot the seriousness in his voice. His mouth covered hers; she tasted his lips, and brought her body even closer to him. She gave herself up to what she loved about him, his openness, his strength; he was so intriguingly different from the people in her life.

"I love you" he said his voice low. "But it won't work our being together. The way we broke up"

"Ron shut up." She said kissing him again.

"Okay, you're the boss."

He bent to her again, his mouth finding hers as his hands curved her body.

"Couch?" He asked.

"No, guest room" she answered.

"Can do," he said as he lifted her off her feet.

He carried her, bumping into many pieces of furniture on the way to the room.

"Baby, let it take all of my life to find you, but you can believe it's going to take, the rest of my life to keep you." He said in his best Barry White impression, which caused her to laugh again.

"If you close your eyes, you can pretend this is the Ritz, rich boy."

"I don't want the Ritz, you wouldn't be there."

He entered the room, and tripped over the carpet, which sent Kim crashing to the ground.

"It was always an adventure with you Ron," she said mischievously, picking herself up.

Ron stared at her surprised; none of the other girls had ever laughed and joked in this situation. It was always silent and serious, business as usual. He had forgotten humor, could be a part of romance.

"You won't be laughing for long."

"You want to bet?" She laughed.

"Oh that's harsh."

He placed her on the bed, his heartbeat feeling to Kim as if were her own.

"Kim" he said slowly, as sensuously as he could "you're so incredibly beautiful."

"I know," she kissed him with a long slow kiss. "I love you too Ron" then she gave out low laugh that hit him like a warm breeze.

"What?"

"The system works."

Now it was his turn to laugh, startled and pleased at the same time. A few minutes later the only sounds were their breathing, and the whispering of names in the darkness.

A few hours later (fill in the blanks)

Ron sat up beside her. He looked around the room, then back to Kim's slim form. He felt a sense of happiness, because he had found exactly what he wanted.

"I love you KP."

She brushed her hand against his face "I've heard that before."

"I meant, every word I said, when I said that I love you I meant that I love you forever."

She smiled "the lyrics from an eighties pop song, is exactly what I needed to hear."

""Music is the soul of language."

"What does that mean?" She asked.

"I don't know, but it sounded good in my head."

"How did the rest of the song go?"

"And I'm going to keep on loving you. Because it's the only thing, I want to do. I don't want to sleep. I just want to keep on loving you."

"That's a good song," she said as she laid her head on his chest. "But I have better song."

"Really?"

She began to sing softly my eyes adored you, though I never laid a hand on you, my eyes adored you. Like a million miles away from me you couldn't see, how I adored you. So close, so close and yet so far."

She felt Ron's heartbeat quicken, then a few seconds later, it relaxed.

"That's a great song too," he said. "We'll get to the Ritz too one of these days, just to see if it makes a difference."

Well I hope you enjoyed it, because it's really, hard to write a romance fic. I hope it came out alright though. First, I want to know if the story can stand on its own without the earlier stories. Oh and it would be nice too know if I'm keeping the characters, in character at all. Just keep in mind though, that they're adults now