A\N HI! UPDATE!

Yeah…really sorry for THIS delay, i mean 3 months, yikes. But yeah, real life kicked me in the nuggets, and i needed to sort some shit out. But yeah, i'm back!(i hope…) and with some fresh ideas!

And, as always…

READ AND REVIEW.

Disclaimer: I don't own Kim Possible.

Chapter 18

Secret dilemma

In early morning, with a cup of freshly made coffee in her hand, Ann Stoppable, mother of three plus one, was busy making some breakfast. Nothing too complicated, just some toasts for children and couple sunny-side ups double eggs for her hubby and herself. Following the smell, James Possible, in a half-asleep daze, dragged himself to the table. The morning newspaper was already laid in front of him, courtesy of his lovely wife.

"Good morning." Ann placed cup of coffee and a plate with eggs on the table.

"G'morning." he mumbled back, having a good gulp of bracing beverage. "Oh, that's good. Have I told you how much I love you?"

"Every day, hon." she planted a small kiss on his cheek.

"Ew! Gross!" Tim and Jim said in sync, entering the kitchen together.

"Grow up you two!" Kim appeared behind them, smacking both of their heads with her palms.

"Boys, have you brushed your teeth?" Ann asked, placing a plate full of toasts in a middle of the table.

"What's the point?" Jim said.

"We'll just brush them when it's dirty." Tim added."

"Boys, listen to your mother and go brush your teeth." James said sternly, moving his eyes from the opened newspaper for a moment.

"Ugh, fine!" twins groaned and went away.

Kim rolled her eyes and opened the fridge, taking a full milk carton box from it. Grabbing a glass along the way, girl sat at the table.

"Kim, have you…"

"Brushed my teeth, washed my face, combed my hair and packed for school." Kim interrupted her mother before biting on a toast.

"That's my girl." Mr. Possible said.

"Said the one who sits in single sock." Mrs. Possible smirked at her husband, who was checking his feet at that moment with a slightly ashamed chuckle.

His awkward moment was interrupted by several chaotic thuds and shorted muffled shouts accompanied by a clacking sound. Down the stairs, like a heavy tumbleweed, rolled down a body of the blond boy. He stopped at the wall in the upside-down position, with his legs above his face. A rather small object landed in the near from him corner, making twins cringe slightly.

"I'm okay." he groaned, standing up carefully and stretching his back till the satisfying cracking sound. "Just missed a step."

"Are you sure?" Ann rushed to his side like a mother-hen.

"Totally, ooh toasts!" he made couple steps towards the table, limping a bit, only to be stopped by Ann herself.

"Kim." woman looked at her daughter.

"On it." Kim ran to the bathroom, and got back couple seconds later with a tube of ointment and handed it to Ron. "Here you go."

"Go brush your teeth first, and treat your bruises, then toasts." Ann pointed in direction of bathroom. "And don't' forget to wash your hands."

"Yes mam." Ron hanged his head in defeat, and limped away avoiding hungry twins on his way.

"Did Ron fell again?" Jim asked, eyes shifting.

"He sure is clumsy, huh?" Tim let a light, totally unsuspicious, laugh along with his brother.

Needless to say Ann wasn't convinced by their act and went to check base of stairs herself. Several minutes later, cleaned up and patched up blonde reentered the kitchen and instantly was met by skeptic gaze of Ann, holding a miniature metal car, with bent roof, in her hand. Twins meanwhile shifted uncomfortably on their chairs.

"Missed a step, huh?" Ann's heavy stare switched towards younger possible, making them jump a little. "How many times i told you boys not to leave your toys scattered around."

"It's not a toy." Jim answered, while fixing his eyes at the refrigerator.

"It's a remote control experiment." Tim added, focusing on a plant in the corner.

"You said something?" Ann snapped on them.

"No mom." Jim trembled.

"We're sorry mom." Tim was shaking.

"That's better, now go prepare for school." she shooed them off their chairs.

"Thanks for attempt Ron." Jim whispered sincerely, moving past the guy.

"And sorry." Tim added as always.

"Now for you mister." Mother of the family kept her intimidating tone, while James slowly slurped his coffee, observing the situation with a corner of his eye. "I'm glad that you are bonding with boys and all, but please stop covering their mess, it's third time…"

"Fourth." James decided to add a correction.

"Yes, fourth time this month you do that."

"It is nothing really, no harm was done…" Ron said, instantly realizing the fault in his words. "No permanent at least?"

"You should think more about yourself, honestly." Ann sighed.

"And speaking of you." James put away his newspaper. "Do you have any plans for the weekend?"

"Nothing particularly." Ron took a toast from a plate.

"In that case, you and me, are going to Lowerton tomorrow." Father of the family stood up, to put a cup in a sink.

"Wha- kha- kha…" blonde choke on a piece of toast.

"Here." Mrs. Possible swiftly poured a glass of water and handed it to boy.

"Thanks…" Ron puffed after gulping the whole thing down. "Uhm, do i have to…"

"Both Ann and i agree that it would be better for you." James interrupted him. "You'll only visit the house, that's all we ask."

"It is for your own good Ron." Ann checked watch on her wrist. "Let's speak about it later, after dinner. I gotta run now."

"Mom, can you drop me at the school?" Kim asked, with back bag already hanging on her shoulder. "I need to deal with several things with clubs."

"Sure sweetie, just be hurry."

"Already there." red blur disappeared from the room.

"Ron?" Ann asked, moving toward the door.

"I'm good, thanks!" he answered fast.

After a sound Ann's car driving away was heard, Ron grabbed uneaten toast piece, and went for his bag.

"Now that what i would call a great start of the day" boy let a quiet growl.

"You can't stay mad at me forever BonBon." Ryan sighed, carefully driving his car towards Middleton High.

"Hmph." she gave him short disgruntled answer from the backseat.

"Both Connie and Lonnie tried to when they were your age, even your mother in the occasions, but in the end it just wastes everyone's time."

"Hmph."

"And i have apologized five times for my, admittedly, rushed and badly researched decisions."

As car stopped near the school, Bonnie, without saying anything back, stepped out, and slammed the door as hard as she could, heading away from it in a fast pace.

"She inherited her mother's temper, indeed she had." Ryan hit his forehead lightly the steering wheel, contemplating on the harsh days before him.

If temper was given to her by mother, then stubbornness was definitely something girl got from Ryan. With that combination inside, Bonnie could hold a grudge for as long as she'd like to. And she had full intention to do so. Girl was afraid, scared that if her father push Ron too hard, he will disappear, this time for good. Heavens know a human can endure so much in life. She still doesn't know what Ron said to her father to let him keep his memories, making her a little nervous. What if he'll change his mind? What if he'd think this weirdness is too much for him?

'Come on me, stop overthinking it' she berated herself. 'Yes, he was a little shaken yesterday, but who wouldn't? It is fine, i bet he's waiting for me, with sleepy smile of his…'

She stopped on her tracks, seeing a blond friend of hers sighing deeply near his own locker. After one small gulp, girl moved towards him.

"Hey Ron!" she waved.

"Oh, hi Bonnie." his expression instantly changed, with a wide smile tugging his lips.

"So…how are you?" she asked carefully, feeling insecurities crawling on her back again.

"What, uhm, why are you asking?"

"You know, because yesterday…"

"Ah, that!" he relaxed a bit. "I'm fine, really."

"You sure? I mean, you seem kinda…tense."

"Nah, just your imagination." he waved it off. "Come on, we gonna be late. Don't want for Barkin to chew me up again."

One of the upsides of being a student in Middleton high is shortened last day before spring break. Basically you get a report card from your homeroom teacher and you a free, unless you're into some extracurricular activities, which mean also attending club meeting. But for your average student it's almost a day off.

And while most of the student pondered upon their grades, two of them were having different thoughts. Ron was trying to think up what to say Possible's this evening. Despite him making some progress for past couple months, he still felt extremely uneasy just from the thought of coming back at Lowerton. Bonnie on the other hand was getting agitated by his antics. The logical part of her mind was screaming not to push on the issue. Too bad she wasn't listening to it.

"Ron" she said a soon as they got their reports and stepped out of classroom.

"Wha-"

"Let's go to the park."

"I guess we can…"

"Good!"she yanked his hand, and dragged him out.

Park was ten minutes walking from the school, tops. It was a quite popular place to skip a lesson or two, so it wasn't so rare to see a school student there. Two teens approached it, after walking in total silence from the school ground. One was lost in his thoughts; another one was gradually getting more and more anxious about it. Bonnie chose an isolated spot near the lake bed and stopped there, pushing Ron with both hands. Losing his balanced he fell ungracefully on his bruised butt.

"Bonnie, what the…"

"Spill!" she said sternly.

"What?"

"I know something is gloating you, spill it!" she practically ordered him.

"Nothing is gloating me, really." he put his hands before him defensively.

"Bullshit." Bonnie snapped. "You are doing same shtick you did when Lowerton guys came over since morning! And don't try to deny it again or ill smack you!"

"Guess i can't hide things from you, huh." Ron's hand fond its place on boy's neck.

"Nope." she said more softly and sad beside him, resting arms on her knees. "I want you to talk with me about things that bother you, i am still your friend, am i?"

"Of course you are, why do you ask?"

"Well, you know, after yesterday…"

"Yesterday? Come on Bonnie, i told you, it's fine. Yeah, it wasn't really a pleasant experience, but it's not the worst thing i've been through. Also, i might have superpowers now, how cool is that?!" Ron said excitingly.

"I see." She admittedly felt much better hearing this. "Have something happen between yesterday's evening and this morning then?"

"Yeah." Ron sighed, lowering his head a bit. "During breakfast Mr. Possible told me that we are going to Lowerton tomorrow. They gave time 'till the evening to think about it."

"Ow. I guess you don't like the idea and don't know how to turn off his offer nicely?"

"Yup, that's it." Ron confirmed, dropping in spirit.

"Then don't." she said bluntly.

"I'm sorry what?"

"I think visiting your home might be a good thing for you."

"Ok, now you make no sense." Ron scowled.

"Listen." Bonnie hugged her knees. "After mom and my sisters died five years ago it was really hard for us. Literally everything in the house reminded us about them. Dad basically locked himself in the study, grandma and grandpa moved in for some time and hid most of the pictures and mementos so it was easier for me. I wasn't much better than dad at first, sitting in my room, hugging a teddy bear, crying to sleep every night. But, it's not getting any easier if you ignore it. I… i had a dream soon after, in that dream i saw mom, Connie and Lonnie, but their faces were somewhat blurred. Once i woke up i realized that it was just a nightmare, i still remember them perfectly, and yet the fear of forgetting was and is in me. I snuck up the key from my sister's room, where all hidden things were placed back then, and opened it. Not gonna lie, it was really hard for me, like every move from turning the key to stepping in took more strength from me than anything before. Couple hours later grandpa noticed that room was open and found me, a total wreck, tears, snot, puffy eyes, and big red nose. And i was smiling, genuinely smiling, that was one of the rare moments when i saw grandpa shocked, he usually is a solid unemotional wall on outside, but a big softie inside, at least if to believe grandma's words. I was so happy to remember my mom and sisters, i felt so guilty for trying forgetting about everything. I know i can't get them back, but, i can make them stay in my memories for as long as i like. What i am trying to say, don't push it away, i don't think your parents wanted you to ignore them forever."

"I..uhm." Ron mumbled, being somewhat ashamed of himself at the moment. "Thank Bonnie, i'm…i'm gonna think about it."

"No problem" she said back. "Just don't do this «I'm fine» shtick again. You can't fool me with this. If something is wrong, just tell me, ok?"

"Sure BonBon." he let a chuckle out.

"Did you just call me BonBon?" she raised one brow in amusement.

"I did?" Ron waved his hands panicky. "I'm sorry, i remember your father calling you that once, and i thought it was cute, and it just slipped my tongue right now."

"It's fine. It's just weird hearing it from anyone other than dad or grandparents."

"Got it, no BonBon."

"I didn't say it was bad kind of weird." she felt a little blush creeping in.

"So, it's fine to call you BonBon?"

"Sometimes." she said coyly. "When i'm in the mood."

"Well, no offence Bonnie, but your mood swings are hard to predict sometimes."

"Well, tough luck." girl stuck her tongue out, just out of spite.

Any argument blonde boy had at that moment got lost in the low growl of his stomach. Hearing this, teens had an awkward pause for a second or two.

"Food?" Bonnie broke the silence.

"How about Bueno Nacho?" Ron asked hopefully.

"Sure, but you really should start morning jogging like you promised, considering how much of fast food you eat." she commented.

"Oh man…" Ron was downed by that comment, as he pitched his belly, feeling baby fat. "Maybe i really should."

"Don't be so negative about it." Bonnie stood with a little swirl. "I'll be joining you in this."

"You got fat too?" boy asked, instantly regretting his words as piercing teal eyes were drilling holes in his face. "Just to keep me company, got it!"

Later, this evening, Ron walked up to the Possible's kitchen, where Ann was already busy, making dinner for the family. Noticing that somebody entered, she downed the fire under the pot and turned towards the boy.

"Hey Mrs. Possible, can... can i ask you a question?" Ron said, awkwardly.

"Of course." she smiled, wiping her hands with a towel.

"Uhm, my… my mom said something to me after the school accident. And i'm really confused right now because of it." Boys slid the stood and sat at the dinner table.

"And what did she say?" Ann sat across him, worrying for the kid.

"She said that, if something is bothering me, i should just smile, not letting anyone see it, but…"

Ron got interrupted by a loud, hearty laugh from the Mrs. Possible herself. It was almost hysterical, with trace of tears appearing in the corner of her eyes.

"Uhm.. are you alright?"

"Yeah, yeah." she said, gasping for air. "You and Sarah, you are really alike."

"Mom and me?"

"Let me guess, you thought it meant to hide everything from everyone around, right?"

"Yeah, i didn't want to bother you or Mr. Possible with my problems, so…"

"Put on a mask?"

Ron just nodded back, still startled by her reaction.

"Let me tell you something. What Sarah meant is don't let people that hurt you see that it affects you, which is pretty decent advice. However, don't hide it from people who cares about you, it's only going to make them worry as well."

"Yeah." Ron agreed, remembering Bonnie's blow-up earlier.

"Honestly Sarah did the same shtick in the school, only less smily, and more frowny, till me and her had basically the same talk we're having now."

"Only time i saw mom frowning when i was trying to lie to her, never was good at it." Ron's voice cracked up a bit. "I think, i'm ready to visit home now."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, can't ignore it forever." he shrugged off, and stood from the table.

"I'll tell James about it." Ann smiled. "And, Ron?"

"Yes?"

"I'm really glad you talked to me about it."

"Me too Aunty Ann." he grinned, calling her the name he used as a younger kid. "And, thank you."

After the dinner, Ron went straight to his room, locking the door behind him. With slightly shaken hands, he opened up drawer in his desk, pulling out an object he ignored for too long. Thin layer of dust was brushed away by his palm. Hearing his own heart pounding in his chest, Ron pulled the cardboard cover of the photo album. It almost felt as heavy as lead at first, but as it turned it was as light as a feather. Seeing this pictures again after all this time made his stomach feel like a knot, his eyes and nose were leaking non-stop, as his breathing was uneven and rapid. His parents. He was missing them so much. With each page memories of them bloomed in his head full force. Their smiles, scowls, laugh, kindness. By the time Ron got to the last page, however, he felt weirdly, relieved. Wiping his nose with a end of the shirt's sleeve, he put away the album and stood up, slowly walking to the bathroom, hoping nobody would see him in this state. As bright bulb lit up the small tiled room, boy noticed his reflection in the wall mirror.

He was smiling.

Bonnie was in her usual half-lying position on the living room couch, with a book in her hands, when phone-ring disturbed her concentration. She lazily stretched her had for the phone, not wanting to raise her butt from the soft place. Annoyingly sounding item was in her hand's reach after all.

"Hello." she answered the call.

-Bonnie! How are you?, - voice on the other end asked.

"Grandma?" Bonnie asked happily.

-Yes deary, i haven't heard from both of you in months! Are you two okay?

"Oops, sorry. A lot of happened here, so…"

-What do you mean?

"You won't be interested, it's partly about magic and that kinda stuff."

-Nonsense! Of course i'll be interested in what is going on in my son and granddaughter's stuff. Even if it has your magic-wagic. I must know what so important happened that you forgot about me for couple months.

"Well, okay. It's all started at my school..."

Sometime later, Ryan heard sound of running feet approaching his study. Door to it was swung open, with his daughter rushing in.

"Daddy i forgive you and i hope you'll do the same." she said with worrying smile, before tossing him a phone, like a hot potato, and dashing out of the room.

Confused, Ryan put the device to his ear.

"Hello?"

-RY~AN,- voice came from it.

"Ah, hello mother…" he said, feeling of dread already looming around him.

-Don't hello mother to me here, mister! You have a lot of explanation to do…