A/N Hey as of 9/17/05 this is a new chapter to this story. I've moved one of the earlier chapters (chap 3 is now chap 7) around so make sure you're reading this right. I also updated the other chapters and corrected many of my mistakes, for those of you who want to read them over.Finally, I address the breakup, I had the original plans for the breakup months ago, but when it came done to writing it, I had a hard time getting the story just right, but I gave it my best shot. So enjoy
Monique grabbed a tray of sandwiches from the kitchen and carried them into the living room. She placed the tray on a coffee table and took a glance around the room. It was the evening before Kim and Ron's wedding and Monique had decided to throw Kim a bridal shower. Kim sat on the floor, tearing into her gifts that she had received from her closest friends.
"Kim since you're getting married what are you going to do with the house?"
"I guess I'm just going to sell it, why?"
"I don't know I just thought that, maybe I could, you know buy it" replied Monique
"What! You want to move out here; that would be so great. I'd be happy to sell it to you."
"Sell? You should give it to her for free, it's not like you're going to need the money," said Tara.
"Yeah or have you forgotten that Ron is seriously loaded. Maybe this will refresh your memory," said Bonnie as she held up a Fortune magazine with a picture of Ron on the cover.
"Yeah cousin you're set for life. Now that I think about it maybe we should take our gifts back," laughed Joss.
"Come on guys," said Kim sheepishly "he's not that rich."
"Kim he gave everyone first class plane tickets to get to the wedding" countered Joss
"He rented out three floor of the Milton hotel for the wedding guests," said Tara
"Do I need to show you the magazine again Kim?" Bonnie asked.
She threw her hands up in the air "alright guys I get it"
Justine Flanner took a seat next to Kim. "Kim no offense, but I always thought that you Ron should have gotten married a long time ago. We we're all at your last wedding and it...oh it just didn't feel right. Everyone there knew it should have been you and Ron up there."
The rest of the group murmured in agreement, while trying their best to avoid looking at Kim directly.
"All that stuff is in the past now; in the end it all turned out for the best."
"Yeah I'll say so; Ron made a boatload of money during your seven year hiatus, only to fall in love with you again. It doesn't turn out better than that for anybody."
They all began to laugh in unison. "I'd just like to thank you guys for coming."
Monique smiled at her friend "girl are you kidding me, I've been waiting for this day since the junior prom. I have to admit though for a moment there, during those seven years I was starting to think this wasn't going to happen, but like I've said before no one deserves each other more than you two."
"Here's another present," said Justine as she handed Kim another box.
"Hey this is from Dr. Director; she said she wouldn't be able to make it until tomorrow.
Kim opened the package and stared at a Sheer Mesh Teddy that wouldn't leave much to the imagination.
"It says for the honeymoon," Monique read from a little card she found in the box.
"Oh my" exclaimed Kim whose face was now bright red "I don't know, do you think he'll like it?"
"Maybe…. here's a question, is he a man? Does he have a heartbeat? If he does I'm pretty he'll like that" Bonnie answered.
"Oh wow do you know how expensive that is?" asked Joss
"Excuse me?" said Kim as she glared at her cousin.
"I've heard that it's really expensive," Joss answered quickly.
"That's better." Kim said her eyes locked on her cousin. "Guys this might be a bit much."
"Please if you won't wear it for him, someone else will," cautioned Bonnie.
"Speaking of lingerie, I wonder what the boys are up too at Ron's bachelor party."
" Tara, are you implying that the boys at Ron's bachelor party are up to no good?"
"Bonnie please I'm sure they're just playing video games or something. Ron wouldn't do anything nasty, besides Jim and Tim are going to be there."
"You know Kim if you're interested, I know away we can find out what's going on over there" Monique suggested with a sly look on her face.
"What are you talking about Monique?"
"Oh nothing... well let's just say I had Wade secretly plant a few audio and visual devices at Ron's house for just this special occasion. We can check out what's going on live from my laptop"
"Ya bugged his house?" Joss asked
"Bugged is such an ugly word."
"How did you get Wade to go along with this?"
"Well Tara a girl has to have her secrets. Of course if Kim doesn't want to check in on the party---"
Kim went over the idea in her mind before making a decision. "No it's ok, it would be wrong to spy on him. It's just a bachelor party; nothing really goes on at a bachelor party right?"
She searched the faces of her friends but didn't like the answer she got back from them.
"Yeah nothing but drunkenness and strippers" muttered Bonnie under her breath.
Kim pretended she didn't hear the comment, but it instantly changed her mind. "Okay Monique will just spy on them for a few minutes."
"That's my girl; you've got the makings of a great wife."
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Ron gathered his party guests out to his backyard. "Alright you guys I've got something to say."
"I just wanted you all to know that I appreciate what you are doing for me tonight. I have to tell you though I don't feel like I deserve it; I mean I haven't talked to most of you in years. Back then, I wanted to create a new life for myself and that unfortunately led to my decision to separate myself completely from my old life. Therefore, I have to say I'm surprised most of you are here. Wade you've been part of my life for years and you've saved my life on countless occasions. Will Du we did a bunch of missions together when I was still part of Team Possible. Felix from the moment we first met I knew we'd be cool for a long time. Brick we had our problems during high school, but we became good friends during our senior year. Plus thanks to you I won an office pool, you carried the Broncos into the playoffs and I appreciate that. And um---"
Ron paused for a moment and turned to Wade who was standing next to him "uh who invited Gil?"
Wade shrugged, just as surprised as Ron was.
"--- Gil, I really appreciate the fact that he hasn't tried to kill me for a least a decade."
"Actually it's been about eleven years" screamed Gil "Ronnie whoooo, yeah you da man."
"Okay...There are refreshments inside so let's get this party started" Ron yelled as he opened the doors to his house.
"Just try not to track any dirt on the car----
He was interrupted when everyone rushed into the house.
"--pet," he finished. "Something tells me I shouldn't have had this party at my house."
"My goodness, Stoppable this place is enormous," Will, said, "I definitely chose the wrong career. Law enforcement just doesn't pay"
"Ron, are you sure about this?" Asked Brick, as he continued to admire the house
"Sure about what?"
"Getting married, dude with a pad like this you must have been swimming in females."
Ron kept his gaze at on the floor "Uh yeah I had a couple of dates."
"Dates? That's not what I've heard from Monique," laughed Felix.
"What does Monique know?" Ron grumbled but he knew that Monique had a good source of information from Kim.
"Okay, I may have been a tad bit promiscuous."
Felix laughed aloud again.
"Dude" said Brick as he shoveled party food into his mouth. "Tell us some juicy stories."
"I well I don't really have any---"
"Just one story Ron"
"Ronnie what's the wildest thing a girl ever did to you?" Gil asked abruptly
"Well there was this one girl who was pretty wild. She used to cover me in oil... and then light me on fire."
"Aw" most of them groaned except for Brick who asked, "are you serious?"
"That must have been one hot experience huh," Joked Wade
"Ugh Wade stick to the computers buddy, comedy just isn't you're thing. Anyway; I was just joking Brick, guys I really don't have any stories to tell."
"Just one story and then we'll drop it," urged Gil
"Fine let's see a story, alright my last girlfriend had this, well will just say she had this skill. It involved jalapeño peppers, a vacuum cleaner, and a ceiling fan. So first she would..." Ron stopped as he saw to familiar figures entered the room, "Jim, Tim I'm glad you guys could show up."
"So close" sighed Felix along with the rest
"Good to see you again Ron. I guess tomorrow we're officially family," said Tim
"Took you long enough dude," added Jim.
It took all of Ron's will power, to keep himself from crying on the spot "I don't know what to say guys. I really, really appreciate that. You know I always thought of you guys as my younger brothers anyway."
"That's sweet Ron it makes it harder for us to do this."
Jim put up a small box in front of Ron. The box released a stream of green gas into his face. Soon the world began to spin around him.
"What in the world?" he cried before collapsing on the ground.
"I kind of feel bad about this Tim."
"I know what you mean, but this is the only way."
Ron awoke minutes later his mind in a clouded haze. "What happened" he called out, only to find himself strapped to a chair.
"Have a nice nap Ron?" said Felix.
He looked up to see that his guests now surrounded him. He got another frightening discovery when he discovered there were wires attached to his body.
"Can someone explain what's going on here?"
"Hey it's not a party until someone gets tied up," laughed Brick.
"Is that a generator over there?"
Tim stepped up to answer Ron's question. "Yes Ron that is generator. In addition, it is connected to those wires that happen to be attached to your body. If you try to pull them off they'll explode."
"You see Ron there's been one question that has yet to be answered. And that million-dollar question is! Why did you and our sister break up?" added Jim
Tim continued, "Of course there have been plenty of "rumors" about it back in Middleton. But we want to know the truth, I think everyone here will agree that it's about time we learn the truth."
"I'm sure Kim has said something. You've probably just forgotten."
"Nope only three people know the truth you, Kim, and our mom. And believe me they're not talking." Said Jim
"It turns out mom and Kim, have a really high immunity to Sodium Pentothal," continued Tim
Ron struggled valiantly to remove himself from the chair. "Guys look if they didn't want to tell you. Then you've got to respect their decision."
"We've only got one question, why did you guys break up?"
Ron looked around nervously "uh we grew apart." Abruptly he felt a large jolt go through his body.
"Ow you tweebs that really hurt!" he screamed.
"Tweebs" Jim sighed nostalgically.
"Now Ron" Tim began "If you don't start talking soon, the next shock will be a little south of the border."
"You wouldn't" Ron gulped.
"Try us. As much as we would like to have another niece or nephew, we're willing to make a few sacrifices."
"Wade my oldest and truest friend. Please help me."
"Sorry Ron inquiring minds want to know."
"This whole party is just one big set up isn't it?"
"Yep" everyone in the room agreed
"Then I'd rather take the truth serum."
"Sorry we're all out, mom raided Jim's side of the room."
"Fine I'll talk, but you can forget about what I said earlier."
Jim turned to his brother "Hikka-bikka-boo?"
"Hoo-sha."
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"All right that's enough," said Kim as she blocked the computer screen.
"What are you doing? We have been waiting forever to find out what happened and this is our chance."
"Yeah Kim Monique is right, it's time everyone found out."
"But Joss, Ron obviously has no choice over there. But I'm sure he didn't mean for all these people to find out."
"Kim we're going to find out from one of the guys there anyway. So you might as well let us watch."
Kim knew that Bonnie was right. The story was going to get out anyway, there really was no use fighting it.
"Alright" she said, "I guess you guys have a right to know."
"Yes!" exclaimed Monique " Tara grab the popcorn."
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"Well it started eight years ago; some of you might remember a certain hostage situation in New Mexico, Will you were there."
Will, nodded slowly.
"Yep that's where it all started."
Seven years ago:
Ron walked out of the mall his head buzzed as if he had been drinking all night. Cops scrambled all around him. But he could hardly notice them. He replayed the events of the day repeatedly in his head as he walked in a zombie like trance. But he couldn't come up with anything positive, he had blown it, he had made mistakes. He tried to remember the girl's eyes, were they brown or back? Dr. Director put a hand on his shoulder and asked him if he was okay. He said something and she told him to go home.
"Ron" a voice called from behind him. He turned to Kim and stared at her, she didn't seem real at all, in fact, it was as if everything was a dream.
"Ron, are you ok? You left without saying anything" she had a look of sadness mixed with pity in her eyes and he hated it.
"Rufus is going to be fine you know I'm sure of it."
He remained silent.
"You're shaking. You know Ron it wasn't your fault."
He suddenly felt like laughing, was that the best she could do in this situation.
"Kim, I won't be able to this anymore."
"What?"
"Saving the world, this is my last mission. I won't be able to handle it. I quit."
"Wait a minute, think about this for a minute."
"I've thought about it enough, I won't... I can't go on these missions any more."
"Ron I know what just happened was tragic, but you're being too hasty."
"I'm done." He said as he walked away; once again, he wondered about the color of the girl's eyes.
"I remember that night you trashed our dorm room and locked yourself in the bathroom the whole day," said Felix
"I thought you told Dr. Director you were fine."
"Well Will obviously I lied." Ron continued, "These three thugs had taken a group of people hostage at this mall and we were supposed to take them down. The local police had given us walkie-talkies so we could stay in contact with them. For some reason the targets must have gotten into an argument because two of them separated from their leader. I being the genius that I am decided we should split up too. I went after the one lone guy while Kim took down the other two. That's when Global Justice showed up, it turned out the group's ringleader, was a real nut job, with a habit of easily achieving a psychotic breakdown. He was on top of their wanted list. Global Justice was able to warn Kim because well, she didn't break her walkie-talkie tripping over a stuffed poodle in the toy department. If I wasn't so clumsy I wouldn't' have broken the walkie talkie, I would have backed away, I wouldn't have come in contact with that psycho."
"What happened next?" Asked Brick
"This isn't a campfire story dude," Ron snapped. "The psycho took this girl hostage. When I found him he threatened to kill her, I tried to talk him out of it but he was nuts. So instead of backing away or regrouping I tried to fight. During the struggle he managed to get a hold of Rufus..., well Rufus for the past couple of years has been in an iron lung specially made for animals, at this private hospital upstate. He can't live without it. I go and visit him every once in awhile."
"So that's what happened to Rufus... I hope you beat the heck out of that guy," growled Brick.
"Yeah I pounded on his face for awhile, but that just made him angrier. He pulled out a knife and instead of turning on me. He attacked the girl, by the time Kim and GJ showed up it was too late. Man I never thought I would talk about this with anyone.
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"Wow" said Bonnie who joined the growing number of eyes that was now on Kim.
"Is that really what happened?" Joss asked
"Yeah that's what happened" Kim sighed. "After that he spent weeks wallowing in the worst depression. Every time I looked into his eyes, he looked totally empty. I was so scared back then, I wanted to help him but I didn't know what to do. Sometimes I avoided him a little because I couldn't deal with it."
"Jeez that's rough," said Tara. "I remember reports about this, but I didn't think you two were so close to the action."
"Poor Rufus" cried Joss.
"Hold on he's going to continue." Bonnie pointed out.
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Those first couple of weeks after, the girl's eyes stalked Ron from every corner. This was followed by Rufus's squeals of hate. After awhile he didn't feel anything, he watched the world as if he was watching a TV show. He slowly began to distance himself from all of his friends. He told himself that he was sparing them from seeing him hit rock bottom, but he had begun to associate the tragic incident with his life, and it was slowly destroying him. He soon decided it was in his best interest to find away to move on quickly. A change of lifestyle might help him forget and allow him to heal. That is if he ever healed.
"Hey Ron did you check out today's paper." Felix handed him a paper with Kim on the cover.
Ron looked at the paper and poured himself a bowl of cereal.
"Haven't you heard? She saved the world again."
"Yeah," Ron replied digging into his breakfast.
"They said she barely survived this time."
"Kim can take of herself. She's a real hero."
"Come on dude. What's Team Possible without Ron Stoppable?"
"What's Ron Stoppable without Team Possible?" Ron countered.
"Ron come on that doesn't even make any sense. Aren't you engaged, don't you care about you're fiancé's safety
Ron just stared at Felix, and then he poured out his bowl into the sink. "I'm late for my management and marketing class."
"What is wrong with you?"
"I don't know" Ron replied before he walked out.
The truth was that he was nowhere near being late for his class. He had a good hour before it started. So he decided to take a stroll around the campus. As he walked across the campus parking lot, a large limousine barreled towards him. Thinking quickly he barely managed to dodge the vehicle. As he rolled across the floor, the limo came to a screeching halt and a man in an expensive suit scrambled out of it quickly.
"Hey kid, are you ok?" The man asked.
Ron took a deep breath and said a quick prayer.
"Johnson you idiot, you almost killed the kid," the man yelled at his driver.
"That was really freaking close" Ron said aloud.
A concerned look came over the man's face and he reached into his breast pocket.
As he regained his composure, Ron noticed the man scribbling furiously on a piece of paper.
"Here you go kid," he said handing Ron the paper.
"Is this a check?"
"You just keep this little incident between us two," the man said before he returned to his limo.
Ron stared down at the check. Some stranger had just handed him five grand as if it was nothing. Obviously, the man was rich as hell and he wouldn't miss a dime. Ron recalled when he was a millionaire, the result of having invented the naco, for the first time in many years, he wished he still had not blown all that money. It would be great to be able to toss money at his problems, just as this---- He read the name on the check---- just like this McDowell did.
Ron entered the classroom and took a seat. He had been sitting in a random seat for the past couple of weeks. It didn't matter where he sat, he couldn't have cared less.
The professor entered the room with a smile on his face. "Student's instead of a normal lecture on management today, we have a special guest lecturer. Please give a hand for the new Chairman and CEO of the Bueno Nacho Corporation, Mr. McDowell.
"For the first time in weeks, I would finally pay attention in class; although he just rambled on about management for awhile. Things didn't get interesting until the Q and A session."
"Go ahead son" said McDowell as he called on Ron.
"Mr. McDowell sir do you remember me?"
"Ah yes, we met briefly in the parking lot. This is quite a coincidence."
"So you've brought Bueno Nacho."
"Yes I acquired it, this past year. But lately I wished I didn't, profits are down thirty percent this year." McDowell laughed along with the rest of the class.
"Bueno Nacho is losing money?"
"Well, I wouldn't go as far as to say we're losing money. We've just been in a bit of a slump sales wise."
Ron sat up in his seat, "Um I've got an idea on how you can save some money."
McDowell laughed "Oh really have you been following our business plans?"
"No but I love Bueno Nacho, and I'd like to help out anyway I can."
"Alright son" McDowell smiled "what's your plan?"
"Yeah I've wondered have you ever thought about using rice or til oil for stir frying. I've found that if you use any other oil, at high temperatures, the oil is likely to disintegrate and the food will lose some flavor. Especially olive oil, which is what, Bueno Nacho uses. I believe rice oil is cheaper and will actually make the food taste better. At least that's my opinion."
"Well now" McDowell paused for moment "my, that's not such a bad idea. What's your name son?"
"My name is Ron Stoppable."
McDowell reflected on the name for a moment "wait a minute, wait just a got dang minute. Are you Ronald Stoppable, the young man who created the naco?"
"The one and only" Ron replied sheepishly.
"That's our best selling food product nationwide. Did you know that?"
"Not really. A Bueno nacho employee once told me that it didn't test well."
"Poppycock it's one of our finest products. Ron Stoppable… don't you also save the world, or do some other kind of heroic activity?"
"No sir, I don't do that anymore, I'm not a hero never was."
"That's interesting; but your idea is even more interesting. You're probably just full of ideas aren't you, a fast food think tank."
Ron could swear he saw a tiny gleam in the man's eyes.
"After class McDowell, pulled me aside and asked if I had anymore good ideas. I told him I had a few. So he told me to put all my ideas into a presentation and then he invited me to some meeting he was holding, for all the Bueno Nacho managers in Middleton. Later on it would be known that Bueno Nacho was in a lot more trouble then McDowell allowed others to believe, he needed new ideas and that's where eventually I'd come in."
Kim walked into Ron's room and she found him typing quickly into his computer. Before Felix had gone away for the weekend, he told her how Ron had spent the past week just typing away.
"Hey" she called out
Ron stopped typing, "It's been awhile KP."
"Yes well it's been rough these past few weeks. Drakken and Dementor are having some kind of super villain feud and then there are midterms coming."
Ron continued his typing.
"So how are you holding up?" She asked.
"Psychologically?"
"Yeah"
"Not so good. But at least I'm still good looking" he replied.
She chuckled lightly happy to hear him joking again.
She sat down on his bed, pleased that everything was going well so far. "Uh Ron, if you didn't know the Omniplex might be closing down soon. Felix, Monique and I are going to start a fund raiser to try and save it."
"Uh huh"
"Ron did you hear me?"
"Yeah will go to the Omniplex later," he said passively
"No Ron it's closing it down."
"That's a shame."
"Ron don't you care about the Omniplex?"
"Kim I need to get this presentation done, so will you please---"
"We had our first date there!"
Ron stopped, she was right their first real official date as a couple had been there. Even before that, it was their favorite movie theater. Those days seemed so long ago. No wonder it meant so much to her.
"Alright KP, I promise I'll help with the fund raiser. But right now, I just want to get this done. I just want to see if I'm any good at this."
She looked at him. He seemed genuinely apologetic; she was willing to forgive this minor infraction.
"Look after my presentation tomorrow I swear, I'll help out in any way I can."
"You swear?" she said as she moved closer.
He got from his seat and kissed her lightly on the lips. It occurred to him that they hadn't kissed for along time. "I swear. I'm sorry for being a jerk"
She smiled, and then walked over to hook her arms around his waist. "Yeah you're right about the jerk part."
"You know one big sloppy kiss, is exactly what I could use right now."
Later that night, Ron found that he had lost track of time as he watched Kim sleep. She still had a hand in his; squeezing it lightly, while she slept. He had stayed up all night thinking random thoughts about where his life was headed.
"KP I know you've been waiting for me to heal, if this works out I might be able to, just wait a little bit longer Okay."
He gathered up his clothes and headed back to his computer.
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Ron squirmed in front of the group of disgruntled middle-aged men as beads of sweat formed on his forehead. He cursed McDowell for putting him in the spotlight so quickly. He was on his fifth idea already and he wasn't sure if things were going well.
"Ok pizza and taco cones, they offer the convenience of eating on the move without making a mess." Ron said as he pointed towards his conceptual drawings. A heavy tension crept up his spine as he realized he was getting no reaction from the board members. He took a quick glance at McDowell who gave him a slight nod.
"Alright following the same theme, um my next idea is um I think that most of Bueno Nacho's food should come in cup holder type boxes. It's a lot better than the huge cinder blocks the fries come in now. They're kind of an inconvenience if you want to walk and eat. Which is what more people are doing these days; think about it, eat while you burn calories."
Still there was no reaction.
"Okay I've been reading up on this product called shugar. An artificial sweetener that tastes exactly like pure sugar, now by the end of the year it will be sold in every health food store in the nation. If Bueno Nacho uses this product in their food, before any other fast food chain, it'll appease the health food nuts and the rest won't be able to tell the difference."
"Now my final idea is about advertisements. Why not advertise on the backs of homeless peoples' clothes. They have great exposure, they are always moving around all day, everyday! Everyone wins; the homeless get free clothing and cash; Bueno Nacho gets exposure and will get a charitable tax receipt on top of all profits!"
He scanned the room nervously "and those are my ideas."
For a few seconds there was nothing but silence, and then the room erupted with applause. The board members stood up and gave him a standing ovation.
"I told you, I told you this boy was a genius," cackled McDowell.
"Where did you find this kid?" McDowell's assistant asked.
"Right here in Middleton of all places. The minute I saw him, I said this boy is going to save Bueno Nacho."
The last few minutes of the meeting consisted of more praise and predictions of future success. As the members began to file out, Ron attempted to make his way to the exit, but McDowell's assistant approached him.
"Excuse me where are you going?"
Ron was slightly taken aback by the abruptness of the question. "The meeting is over right?"
"No, McDowell requests your presence immediately," said the assistant as if Ron was disobeying specific orders.
"He does?"
"You're a native of Middleton right; well he's looking for a guide for himself and a group of associates"
"He wants me as a guide?"
"Yes, a guide of the Middleton night life. In other words it's your job to show them a good time."
"Tell McDowell I'm sorry but I've really got to get going."
"Look son" grumbled the assistant "if you're to be groomed to be an executive."
"Groomed, me?"
"Yeah you, if you're going to be groomed, take my advice and do whatever you're told and you'll be out of this hick tri-city area before you know it."
Ron weighed the pros and cons in his mind. Yeah Kim would be mad, but how often are you groomed to be an executive?
"Fine" he said finally.
"You made the right decision kid."
Ron didn't get back to his dorm until late the next morning. Felix was already having breakfast.
"Dang, where were you last night dude?"
"I had to show these old fossils from Bueno Nacho around town. Man you should have seen these guys Felix. They were just throwing money around like it was nothing, not a care in the world. Do you remember when I was a millionaire?"
"Yes unfortunately I do."
"Yeah that was great" Ron replied he obviously did not hear Felix's comment
"Speaking of cares, we missed you last night."
"What? Last night... Oh crap."
"Oh crap indeed my friend. You totally blew us off at the fund raiser, what happened to your cell?"
"I shut it off," Ron sighed as he rubbed his hands along his face. "Oh man she's going to blow."
"Like Mt St. Helen."
"I'm going to have to buy her something, and I should start thinking about working on a really good apology."
I guess we know who wears the pants in this relationship."
"The pants, the jacket, shirt and tie" Ron replied as he rubbed his eyelids. "Hallmark is open past five, right?"
"Probably; hey doesn't your management class start in a few minutes?"
"Please, like I need that class anymore. I'm practically an executive."
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Kim stopped in her tracks as she entered her dorm room. It was completely decorated with flowers and balloons.
"I love you," Ron said as he popped out from the shadows.
Kim closed the door behind her so livid that she wouldn't even look at him.
"Earth to KP"
She gave a cold stare that sent shivers through his body.
"What are you thinking?" He asked innocently.
"Oh it's nothing really; a certain someone just forgot to keep his promise that's all."
"Are you talking about me?"
She glared at him again.
"Hmm so humor is not going to lighten the mood huh. Kim I had to guide some important people around town last night, and I lost track of time..., anyway I'm really, really sorry for missing the fund raiser."
She tried to keep up her scowl, but she could not help but smile.
"Apology accepted?"
"Apology accepted"
"Thank goodness" he thought as he grabbed her by the hand and they began to dance.
"Why are we dancing?" She laughed.
"Well I got a new job."
"You got the job, that's great."
"Better, word is I'm being prepped for upper management."
"What! You are already, that's great."
"Oh yeah I'm pretty much set. Now I know I didn't get paid yet, but I couldn't wait to get you this."
He pulled a small box from his pockets and revealed a glittering ring.
"You see now I can afford to give you a proper ring. You can finally get rid of the gaudy old one"
"What?" She pulled her hand away from his.
"This ring is ten times better than the old one; it's worth a hell of a lot more too."
"But I love this one, it's a family heirloom. It's my grandmother's ring; my mother gave it to you."
Ron quickly realized he was treading on thin ice. "I know and I appreciate that, really I do. But now you can get a ring you deserve."
"Ron the new ring is lovely, but the old one it's special."
"I can't believe----"
Beep-beep-be-beep
The kimmunicator interrupted Ron mid sentence.
"What's the sitch Wade?"
"Kim it's Drakken he's stolen a hydro nullifier."
"Again uh, I'm getting to old for this."
"I've got your transportation waiting outside Kim."
"Thanks Wade. Ron I've got to go."
"Yeah" he said; suddenly he was no longer able to look at her face."
Before she could make it to the exit, Ron grabbed her by the shoulder. "KP McDowell thinks it would be better if I got my degree at this school in California. It has a better business program, and it wouldn't take me as long as it would here to graduate."
She stared for a moment, temporarily speechless, "so what are you going to do?"
"I'm going to seriously consider it."
"Uh I've got to go; we'll talk about this later." She said as she rushed out the door.
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A few weeks later
"So she's been avoiding the subject huh," said Felix as Ron poured himself over his notes.
"Yeah but it's not like we see each other that often anyway, sometimes she's out saving the world. I'm working on new ideas. But when we do see each other and I try to bring it up she quickly changes the subject."
"About you working, you know dude we haven't hung out in awhile."
Ron purposefully ignored his friend "it's not like I'm leaving without her; it's the opposite I want her to come along."
"So you're dead set on leaving huh?"
"I don't think I can stay in Middleton anymore Felix, I just want to start over" he said bitterly. Hoping his mind wouldn't bring back uninvited memories.
"Does starting over mean leaving your friends behind?"
Ron ignored Felix again "I've supported her decisions all of our lives. Why can't she support me for once?"
"I don't think that's the problem."
Ron stopped; there had been some tension between them for a while now. "What's the problem then?"
"Ron you know you've changed man. Ever since you quit Team Possible, you've been acting differently."
"Maybe I've changed for the better, for one of the few times in my life. I'm really focused on a goal. This is the road; I want my life to follow. I'm good at this; no I'm great at this Felix."
"So what do you guys fight about?" Felix asked he was already becoming weary of this subject.
"We fight about little stupid stuff, stuff that we have no reason to be arguing about. Like we were some old bitter married couple, I swear sometimes I can't even look at her."
Felix cringed at the venom in Ron's voice, "well I don't know what to tell you."
"Oh thank you Felix, I don't know what I'd do without your wise and helpful advice." Ron grabbed his folders and left the room in a huff.
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"Ronald, we're already implementing some of your ideas. We should have most of them underway by the end of the year."
"That's good to know" Ron replied as he admired the inside of McDowell's limo.
"You like the limo?"
"Yeah, it's something else."
"You want it?"
"What?"
"Do you want the limo?'
"Are you serious?"
"Yeah sure I was thinking about buying a new model anyway."
"Wow I don't know what to say."
McDowell smiled "so have you given any thought about transferring schools."
"Yes McDowell about that; I don't think at this time, that I'll be able to move."
"Why is that son, is their something wrong with the school, believe me it's a fine institution."
"I know it's a good school---"
"If money is a problem, Bueno Nacho will be happy to sponsor you."
"I appreciate the offer, but---"
"Stoppable is their something holding you back."
"Holding me back" Ron paused for a moment, "No sir it's just that I have family here and..."
"Stoppable if you get into this school. I can assure you that you will get a degree by the end of the year. Then I can officially make you an exec."
"I know."
"Six figures right off the bat, do you know how many twenty one year olds would kill for this opportunity."
"A lot I'm sure."
"Stoppable let me tell you something, now this stays between you and me. Bueno Nacho is in a bit of a pickle. I've got two years to turn this baby around or we'll be vulnerable enough, to be in danger of being brought out by Taco King."
"Taco King, their food is terrible."
"Yes it is son, Bueno Nacho as we know it may not survive the next five years."
"A world without Bueno Nacho, my god the horror, the horror" Ron gasped.
"But."
"But?" Ron echoed.
"You're here now Ronald and you can be a hero."
"A hero!" Ron's eyes became as wide as saucers.
"Yes if Bueno Nacho goes under, their will be massive layoffs and worse of all millions will never experience, the glorious taste of the naco."
"A hero"
"Yes a hero, we don't have time to waste son. I need you, to help me save Bueno Nacho. Will you do it son?"
"Ron jumped out of his seat "yes sir I'll be that hero. I wouldn't want to be anything else."
A small smile came over McDowell face; he had just about closed the deal. Stoppable was a young, charismatic, mini fast food genius, who used to save the world, and now he was had one foot in McDowell's pocket. The ultimate diamond in rough, he would turn Stoppable into a money making machine in record time. There was only one obstacle left, and he could probably guess what it was.
"You know Stoppable; I owe most of my success to my wife."
"What?" Ron said startled by the randomness of the remark.
"Yes, she supported every decision I ever made. In fact she urged me to follow my dreams; the last thing she wanted was to hold me back."
"Sir?"
"Yes Stoppable if someone truly loves you, they'll support anything you do." McDowell stopped talking he let his eyes wander to the window. Through the corner of his eye, he studied Ron's reaction. Once Stoppable realized his old life was in the way of his dream, he would part himself from it. McDowell smiled to himself as Ron sank in his seat and sighed.
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2 weeks later:
It was their first real date in awhile. Ron decided that after their last fight, that he should take her out to dinner. Kim's constant nagging that he wasn't paying attention to anyone including her anymore caused that fight. She had just come off a huge mission, so they did have a proper cause for celebration.
"Congrats KP, I think you put Drakken away for good this time. Wasn't this your fourth successful mission this week?"
"Yeah, but I don't think I can keep going on like this. Saving the world alone is really taking its toll on me." She said icily
Ron cringed at the obvious shot at him.
"Yeah maybe you should retire; isn't Global Justice doing a huge crack down on super villainy these days."
"You might be right," she said as she dug into her food.
"This is going well," Ron muttered under his breath.
"Ron."
"Yes."
"Remember the Omniplex?"
"Oh god" Ron thought, he took a sip of water to hide the panicked look on his face. "Yeah, how did the fund raiser go? I'm sorry I wasn't much help."
"It didn't go so well, we couldn't raise enough money in time. Some one else brought the property, so I guess the Omniplex is gone for good."
"Man that's too bad, we've had a lot of memories there."
"Ron, you wouldn't happen to know who brought the Omniplex, would you."
"Oh crap, oh crap," he said repeatedly in his mind. "Who?"
"Bueno Nacho."
"Really!" Ron cried in fake surprise.
"Ron did you know anything about this?"
"Well, I don't know everything that goes on at Bueno Nacho, I...I."
"I can tell when you're lying. So tell the truth."
He leaned back in his chair "they asked me if I knew any prime locations for a new---"
"How could you!"
"Come on KP there was no way you could have saved that place. It was just a matter of time before it shut down."
"I can't believe you would do that."
"Oh come on," he said. "I hate when you get all wound up about something that's got nothing to do with us."
Kim stopped and gazed at him. "I didn't expect you to say this has nothing to do with us, when you know how I feel about it. I didn't expect you to tell me not to 'be all wound up' about something that should mean a lot to both of us. But that doesn't matter to you. What does matter to you, Bueno Nacho? This new Ron you're trying to become."
"Alright fine, I was wrong can we just have a truce? Jeez, we've been fighting so much lately and it always comes from out of nowhere. One minute everything is beautiful, then it's world war three. You never know what might set us off. Let's just put an end to this."
"Maybe you're right."
Visibly alarmed he stared at her. "Whoa, whoa that's not what I meant at all."
"Ever since the... incident you've been impatient, critical and nowhere near as nice as you used to be."
She felt miserable. All she wanted at this point was to walk out and go home. She got up and he quickly put a hand on her arm.
"Wait just a minute here. What is going on here?"
"Ron, I don't things are working out."
"What we're supposed to get married after college. It doesn't make any sense, a few fights and you want to walk out. Don't abandon me now KP."
"Abandon you? Who's the one that said he'd follow me to the ends of the earth. Then suddenly he quits our team. I guess that is how you show your love Ron, by letting me tackle dangerous missions alone. Do you care about my safety at all?"
Ron suddenly wanted to laugh, "You know exactly why I quit. You know what I went through, or maybe you don't because when I was having the worse crisis in my life, you avoided me like the plague. Oh sorry I didn't support you Ron, I had to rescue a cat from a tree and of course we can't forget about midterms," he said mockingly. "Guess what maybe if I wasn't trying so hard to please you in the first place; I would have realized, I had no business being out there and that girl would still be alive."
"So you're going to blame for that huh?"
He let go of her arm "Kim, I'm leaving next week, are you going to be there with me?" he asked flatly.
"I don't know."
He turned away from her "just leave."
He stayed in the restaurant for another hour after she left. Then he spent another thirty minutes in the parking lot. It was then that he suddenly got the urge to visit his parents, and tell them he was moving to California.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Ron spent the weekend at his parent's house; at first, they were reluctant to accept his moving. But he soon convinced them that it was for the best. He promised them that he would visit often and that there was nothing for them to be worried about. His future was already set in stone.
As he left the house, he ran into Mrs. Possible.
"Hey Mrs. P" he said. There was such tenderness in her eyes when she looked at him, that it made his heart sink.
"How are you doing Ronald?"
"Not so good, right now you know. I'm going through a rough path right now."
"This year has been so hard on you, hasn't it?" Mrs. P always had understanding eyes; it was as if she knew, the pain he was feeling.
"How's Kim?"
"Oh you know" she replied.
"Yeah, well it's good to be home. Everything is the same, except for my tree house. It's falling apart; I might have to tear it down soon. It's funny I used to think it would be there forever."
"Sometimes life can be like that. It's really unfair. But you shouldn't forget all the good times you had with it" she replied.
"True" he said after a moment of silence. "I'll see you later Mrs. P," he said as he made his way past her.
Middleton Park
It was the night before he was supposed to leave and Ron hadn't spoken to Kim since their fight at the restaurant. He knew he couldn't leave without a definite answer from her, so he invited her to a spot they visited frequently. It was one of her favorite places ever; they had spent many hours on this tiny bridge. He remembered how she always thought it was beautiful the way the moonlight would reflect of the surface of the stream. He paced back and forth anxiously until she finally showed up.
"Hi"
Kim look, I'm leaving and I just want to know if you're coming with me."
"No I'm not" she replied.
He took a deep breath; the impact of her refusal was like a shotgun blast to the face. "Okay, we can still talk over the phone, email each other every day and when you're ready----"
"Long distance relationship won't work. You know that."
He closed his eyes for a moment and then took another deep breath, "what are you doing? Why are you shooting this down?"
"I--"
"No don't talk. We both know you can out argue me so wait just a minute and let me analyze what is going on here. I need to figure out why you're playing me right now."
He leaned against the railing of the bridge, the moonlight reflecting on its surface. It was a perfect night considering the circumstances.
He pulled his gaze away from the water and turned to Kim "look, I'm sorry just, just don't do this" he said
She was fighting her feelings again, She looked away; it was too much to see the stunned look on his face. Her body shook, all she wanted to do now was to hold him and wipe away all that was said. But it was too late.
"Ron I've loved you for who you are, I have from the day we first met. But I feel like this relationship is dying, I'm not only losing a fiancé here, I'm also losing my best friend. I don't want to change you Ron, so I think this is for the best."
He grabbed her by the arms "I don't understand what's going on here, but we can get through this."
"I just don't think its going to work out. We've grown apart."
Ron put his hands to his face "I don't believe this, what the hell does that mean?" he screamed at her
She grabbed his hand and placed an object in his palm.
"Tell me this is not" he opens his palm to find a ring, the ring he had given her.
"Why?" he managed to choke out.
"I have to. Its over."
"I don't think you've given this enough thought."
"I've thought about this for awhile, I just didn't tell you."
Ron felt disgusted; he walked away from her and went back to leaning on the railing.
"So you're leaving tomorrow," she said.
"Yeah, I am."
"I'll drop by and say goodbye then."
"That won't be necessary," he said softy not bothering to turn to her.
"Oh, well I guess this is goodbye then"
"I guess so."
"I'll see you around then, you know when you visit your family."
"Right" he answers but he had at that moment decided to never step foot in Middleton again. In fact, he wished he could have flown away right there.
"A part of you will always be with me Ron. I will always love you"
"A lot of good that does me" he said on the verge of tears. "Why do I feel like crap? I didn't do anything wrong. You've probably wanted to get rid of me for a while now. Yeah I was never good enough I tried though. I tried so hard in every way imaginable."
"That's not true."
"I know what the truth is, and I don't need your reasons. Let's just stop talking before one of us says something hurtful."
"Ron"
"You know Kim, I used to think we'd be together forever and then... hey whatever I guess this is just how life is right. It's like drawing without an eraser. I think it'd be best if you leave."
He said nothing as she walked away; he felt an anger boiling inside him that he had never felt before. It would be years before he realized what had gone wrong, but right now, he felt as if the world had turned on him.
"You want to see me cry is that what you want," he screamed at no one in particular venting his anger at the full moon.
"I won't give you the satisfaction" he called out fighting back his tears "all those years, and then this" He clutched the ring in his palm and flung it with all his might "from now on, I take care of myself".
He watched as the ring sailed over the stream and land on its bank. He stood there letting his anger wash over him. It wasn't long before his anger was replaced by sadness and regret. Impulsively he threw himself over the railing into the stream. He paddled towards where he thought he saw the ring land. He searched the bank for hours on his hands and knees until he found it.
XXXXX
The next morning he stood alone on the platform of the train station. McDowell had insisted they take the scenic route to California. His train was probably going to leave any minute now.
"Come on KP" he thought as he scanned the platform.
Suddenly someone tapped him on his shoulders. It was McDowell.
"Let me give you some advice son if you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal or your work, not to people or things."
Ron smiled at him.
"Now come on my boy the train is leaving. You can't be late for you're new life, as the savior of Bueno Nacho"
"Yes sir," Ron said then he took one last look behind him, half expecting her to be there. Just like in those movies, she always dragged him too. He would wonder for years to come if he would have changed his mind if she had showed up.
He stepped into the car and found himself surrounded by a bunch of men in suits, just laughing, joking and spending money.
"Alright, I can live with this."
Kim slid into the passenger side of her mother's car.
"What happened?" her mother asked.
"The train, it left five minutes ago. He's gone," she said bitterly.
"Oh I'm sorry Kimmie. I couldn't get you here on time."
"You know I half expected the train to be delayed or some miracle would happen, and he'd still be here, like in all those movies I used to drag him too. But I think this is really what he wanted maybe he needed a fresh start, a new life."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"So I left, I dedicated myself to Bueno Nacho and the money of course. I worked in the day, and partied at night. First couple of years I thought that my new life was great. But eventually I started to feel empty again, then out of nowhere, Kim shows up, and I realized that I hated the new Ron, and I still loved her, and so we are back together after being years apart. So I guess you can call it fate.
"Oh my god that was saddest thing I've ever heard" Brick cried on Will's shoulders.
"I wish I could have helped you guys out," said Wade as he wiped the tear from his eyes.
"Was he telling the truth Jim?" Tim sniffled.
Tim grabbed a roll of sheets that popped out of the generator, which also doubled as a lie detector.
"Yeah he was telling the truth."
Meanwhile Kim had to tell her friends who were now in tears, that she was fine and the past was in the past.
"Did you really go to the station?" Monique asked.
"Yeah I got there late, so I missed his train."
"It reminds of an episode of Agony County," cried Bonnie
Ron struggled against his restraints again "alright guy I spilled my guts, now let me out of this death trap."
"That I can do," said Jim as he pushed buttons on the generator. "Hmm"
"Hmm? I don't like the sound of that. Did you turn it off? Is it off? Tell me it's off?"
"Let's test it out. Uh when you and Kim were dating did you ever get it on in our room when we were not there.
"Of course not" The second he finished, a jolt of electricity coursed through his body.
"Oh god I knew it. Taking a phrase from your book Ron, that's sick and wrong," cried Tim
"You know what else is wrong, Tim I can't turn the generator off."
"Well pull out the wires."
"But then they'll explode."
"Wait a minute Jim; you actually rigged them to explode? I was joking about that."
"I thought you were serious."
"WWWWWWWWWWHHHHHHHHHAAAAAT?" Ron screamed, as electricity continued to course through his body
Jim backed away as the generator began to shoot sparks across the room.
"It's going berserk, everyone hit the floor know" Will yelled as they scrambled around the room
"This is why I stay in my room," screamed Wade as he dodged a spark.
"Uh Tim you better do something quick. I don't know how long he can handle those shocks, besides Kim will be pissed."
"Why does it have to be me?"
"You're the one in advanced robotics"
"Look I only signed up for that class, because the teacher's hot."
"HHHHHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPPP!"
Monique shook her head at the computer screen "Kim you might not have a groom for the wedding tomorrow."
Kim grabbed the laptop and shook it with both hands "those TWEEBS! They're going to kill me husband."
"Whoa Tim" Jim shivered "did you feel that dark presence?"
"Yeah we better find away to save him because if we don't. There will be something out there waiting for us, and it will kill us."
"Wait" yelled Jim "I think Wade's going to do something."
Wade dodged the sparks were rapidly emitting from the generator. He got up close, studied the complex mechanisms in the generator and decided the best course of action.
He kicked the generator. It quickly collapsed into a steaming pile of parts on the floor.
"Well we could have done that," said Tim.
"Wade you're a genius" said Brick
"Genius" cried Jim "he kicked it"
"Uh guys, Ron doesn't look so good" remarked Will "We might have to take him to hospital."
"Kim is going freak," said Tim
"So will mom" added Jim
"Well we better do something quick," Wade said as Ron's body twitched in the chair "He's unconscious."
"I'll call the ambulance."
"No wait Tim, we can take him ourselves."
"How?" Tim asked his brother.
"Ron has a Jaguar XK8."
Tim's eyes opened up wide ""Hikka-bikka-boo?"
"Hoo-sha."
"Man this was one helluva party," Brick yelled out.
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The bridal shower had officially been canceled as Kim paced around her house screaming into the phone.
"Mom they're taking him to the hospital, the wedding is tomorrow! What am I going to do? I told you that they shouldn't have gone to--"
"Poor Kim, looks like her dream day is going to be delayed again" said Joss
"Mom I swear I'm going to kill them!"
"Our hotel rooms are paid for the rest of the week right?" Bonnie asked.
To be continued:
So what did you think? Did I handle the breakup well? That had to be one of the hardest chapters I've ever written in my short history of writing. Hope you liked it.