Chapter 12: Powder Keg

"Ron, it's Kim. Is everything alright?" Kim said over the door.

Clearing his throat, he opened the door. "Ah… Yeah, I'm good… I just got back from a jog." He said. He could see that Kim was taking a look at something.

"You wear gloves for jogging?" She folds her arms and eyes them attentively.

"Well not for normal jogging, but rather for free-running." He says. "Is there something I can help you with? I mean I could whip us up something to eat."

"No, no, I'm good. Actually I do need a favor." Kim says. Her voice was drained of confidence and filled with uncertainty. Would it really be right to ask him, considering what happened last time?

To hell with it, they cannot blame her for trying.

"I need someone to help me out on a mission. Just a regular mission, nothing special." She looked away from him.

"Why come to me? Don't you have other people who can help?" He raised an eyebrow.

"That's just it… some things happened and… some of them can't do it. Some of my workers are still recovering. Honestly, I really need you to help me out on this."

Ron sighed. "Ok, I guess I can help out."

"Thanks Ron." Kim said. She placed her hands on his shoulders while smiling. "You don't know how much this'll help."

"Sure, as long as it's nothing special. We'll… make it through, right?" Ron said, feigning worry.

"Funny, where was all of that bravado when we fought those guys when we went out?" She smirked.

"Pretty different KP, I mean there's still a lot of stuff that I don't know about." He scratches his head. Ron spoke something of a truth, how was he to know what Kim's missions were like? He knew his type of mission, but they were rather… messier.

"GJ will take us after school and I'll explain from there." She answered. Yet her mind wandered onto another subject. "KP?" She asked. At the moment, she was confused by the alias.

"Yeah, KP. Short for Kim Possible. If you don't want me to call you that, it's…"

"No, no I get it." She says to him. 'And I feel like an idiot.' A statement emanating in her mind.

"So school's about to start soon, I'll be out in a minute." He said as he turned his back.

"Really, we could walk to it if you want." Kim added. She pointed her thumb towards the direction of the school.

"Uhh… sorry, there's some things I need to take care of first, I'll catch up later on." Ron turned around and took off his gloves.

"Alright, I'll see you soon." Kim closed the door and walked away from the house, leaving Ron by his lonesome. His hands trembled and balled into a fist.

He was panicked. For the gloves had the smell of blood on them. 'After what happened, I thought she would've sniffed it out by now. This mission's gonna put me in her crosshairs more than ever. I won't die by those creeps, much less get beaten by them. Kim probably would feel the same way about this in my position, she has pride. This is just…' Before his mind could continue further, he felt his phone vibrate, his contact: Felix.

A text was left for him. 'Yo, the cafeteria is serving breakfast sandwiches, you coming or what?'

Ron replied 'I'm coming'. Obviously Felix got his recent message and wants to talk in person. He wouldn't discuss it over the phone… smart kid. Also he knew something else; he had to leave Hench in the car, which could be found by police or people who are 'curious' about it. He sighs, believing he'll get away… again.

Walking towards the school would be moody for him.

As Kim approached the school, she felt relieved. Things were going her way for once; no stagnant missions, a partner she could actually get along with, and a meet-up with Josh. Today can probably exorcise the hectic timing of stuff that's happening.

To her luck, Josh was in front of her, his back leaning against the wall, yawning while covering his mouth and holding a water bottle in his other hand.

"Hey. Sorry I didn't call back." Kim said approaching him.

Josh's brow arched at the sound of the voice. "Hmm?" Was the sound emanating from his mouth. "Hey Kim. Look, don't worry about it. I know you're saving the world, no big deal." He leaned away from the wall. "So what's new?"

"Another mission, except that…" Should she tell him? Does she say that Ron is her partner for this? To see how it looks, she could've asked Monique, or one of her parents. Hell, she could try Bonnie, not that she wanted to, but this random guy who shows up at their school. This guy can fight, take on henchmen and bullies and he seemed okay. But Ron is barely known to her, yet he's made friends with Monique and Felix. He was also a 'wingman' for the two. Even the conversations the two had were pleasant, with enough chuckling and giggling to indicate 'something'.

'Best to leave it out, it's just one mission.' Kim thought. "…It's not gonna be the same stuff I've been doing for months." She says.

"No, I get it. It's just… why don't I help… how bad could it be?" Josh suggested. Kim tried to hold back a stifle, she didn't see Josh as strong or wimpy, the mission wasn't in his field.

"It's bad. Exploding golf balls, evil lairs with self-destruct buttons, maniacs and psychos in one room wanting to kill you. It's a mess." Kim remarked, hoping to discourage him from making this decision.

"Well… ok just be careful. Hey, will you be free tonight?" He asked.

"Asking me out?" She smiled coyly.

"If you want to." He scratched the back of his head.

"I guess we could make it happen, let's say at seven?" Kim suggested.

"It's a deal." Josh said. As that conversation ended, the two saw Ron heading into the cafeteria. He may look calm, however the look only masked his distraught. He passed by without even saying hi.

In the cafeteria, Ron tried to find Felix. Shouldn't be a problem for him, right? He sees Felix and sits with him. "How is he?" Ron asked. He was inquiring about Ned, after his injuries and the unfortunate attack that happened to him.

"He's ok, docs are patching him up and phone records show that his parents know and they're on their way. I also sent a drone to catch up with you and monitor Jack." Felix took a sip of his drink. "I think we can both agree that you did what had to be done. I just hope he's alright."

"I had to let Jack live a little longer. He's still in the car, locked in the trunk. I want to kill him, but not like the Fashionistas, he has something. I want it."

Felix shook his head. "Ron, what does he have? GJ's been on his case for a while, even without that, they can link him to Hoodie's murder. His DNA was there, they can put him on the spot."

"That's the thing… they got to something, a cargo manifest. It was in his estate during the attack. I don't know what was on it, or where it was going. But… I can't ignore it, much less leave it to Red." He pinches the Bridge of his nose.

"You want Jack alive, find out what he knows and then kill him, right?" Felix's hypothesis caused Ron to nod his head. "What's next right now?"

"Kim asked me to do a mission with her. Something about a blue scientist and a green mercenary."

"Drakken and Shego?" Felix questioned. "Looks like something interesting. The vigilante and Ron can't be in the different places. But what if, the vigilante just unexpectedly showed up?"

"Why would I show up out of the blue like that? Kim can put two and two together, she isn't stupid."

"The vigilante is hunting Jack Hench, but Ron's gonna be on a mission. Jack was somehow moved to the lair because of a contract assigned to a… 'fixer'." Ron's brow arched. Felix can do that type of stuff? "He's in the lair, guards watch him, Hench has nowhere to go, you can target him however you want. But look… you said it yourself, Kim's not dumb. One wrong move… and she'll know. If anything, she didn't just ask you because you could defend yourself… she's trying to deduce if you're the vigilante."

Ron listened attentively, of course this had to happen. Felix had a point, Ron and the 'vigilante' happened across Middleton at the same time, if someone like Felix can deduce this… the same can be said for Kim or maybe the agency she works for… if Felix didn't cover his tracks.

"I won't hide from her for long, you can count on that." As Ron said that sentence, a certain gossiper came out of nowhere.

"Hey guys, whatcha doin'?" Monique said as she popped behind Ron. "I couldn't help but hear that you…" she patted Ron's shoulders. "… are gonna play hero with my bestie." A smile was on her face when she said this.

Ron had to say something, if she overheard the 'important' part. He would fear rejection more, compared to exposure. "Uh… yeah. Just a little nervous… that's all."

"Please, from what I've heard, you can take it." Ron felt a light punch on the shoulder.

"Y-Yeah… I guess you're right. Quick question… do you know about the vigilante… y'know the new one?" He asked.

"Heard the guy kills bad guys. I mean it's not an easy choice to make, but in some ways, Kim's in less of a funk. I mean, she's still focused, but that's just her. Because of him, Bueno Nacho has a better atmosphere, a guy called Jack is getting the stuffing beaten out of him and I… I think he'll be doing more than that."

Ron eyes were downcast "It's okay if you're scared of him… I get it. He kills."

"Yeah, it scares me a little… but I know some of them and they're horrible, disgusting people." She says. As the bell rang, they left the cafeteria, Ron and Monique were walking together to the classroom.

"Hey, I almost forgot to ask, but tomorrow's gonna be another wrestling night, you in?"

"Sure… I'd like that." Ron said. As they were about to enter the room. A brash female pushed herself in between the two.

"Ugh, can you two be any slower? Get a room!" She says while fluffing her hair. Ron and Monique's eyes shot daggers at her; but it didn't matter to her.

"Screw off Bonnie, we don't have time for this." Monique said. She folded her arms, standing next to Ron whose eyes didn't escape her.

His eyes showed contempt, his right hand, particularly his middle finger and thumb just twitched. He could also feel someone behind him, a hunk of meat and nothing else.

"Sorry losers, but you'll have to get on our level." This guy, what was his name again? Yes… it was Brick Flagg, as if it matters.

Brick noticed the glare Ron made. "Take a look babe, he actually wants to stand up for himself. Look, how bout this… first one's…" Before he could say 'free', Ron grabbed him by the shirt and slammed him towards the wall. His left forearm pressed itself on Brick's neck and he placed enough pressure to choke the jock.

"What? You said first ones free." He squeezed harder. Then he made his hand into a fist, gently implanting it onto his rib and twisting it, hoping to give him at least a minor discomfort… it worked. "Now, I think you owe us a little apology. I really don't care, but I feel Monique should at least have that. I mean c'mon, you can't defend yourself from a loser and you can't even defend your girlfriends honor."

"Excuse me?!" Bonnie said, clenching her fists.

"It's ok, you're excused." Ron looked back at the brunette. "Ok five seconds before I throw you out the window, I'll help count. One… two…"Before Ron could reach the next number, Brick spoke.

"Ok, I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything by it." Brick raised his hands. Ron let go of his grip and use his right hand to pat Brick's left shoulder.

"Thanks man." Ron had a casual tone in his voice when he said the statement. He walked nonchalantly to his desk, pulling out his books and notes. Many of the students who witnessed the infraction were left in shock and disbelief. Just as Mr. Barkin was about to come in, Brick with a stubborn look on his face flops on the chair and looks away. Bonnie went to desk as well, with a scowl on her face, eyes glued onto the new kid.

What he did isn't gonna slide, not by a longshot.

After class was finished, Ron and Kim went into the gym… usually cheerleading practice would take place there… but not today.

"So is there a reason why you brought me here?" Ron asked.

"Listen, I'm taking you on a mission, I need to know if you're ready. Why don't we have a little spar? Considering that you know a thing or two about martial arts, it'll be good for both of us." Kim stood in front of Ron in a distance and did a bow.

Ron was about to do a different salute with his fingers, but quickly refrained from it and gave a generic bow, similar to the redhead's. "Ok."

Both walked towards each other, reminding themselves that this isn't a battlefield, they're not in serious combat, not yet.

Kim used her left leg to kick Ron's right leg, she then stepped back and did a head kick, which Ron ducked. But not after receiving a backhanded punch from her right hand.

Kim was about to follow up with a left hook, but Ron countered by using his hands to deal two body blows, affecting the ribs. He pressed Kim into a clinching position, using his weight to see if he could take her down.

Ron was wrong, Kim used his momentum against him, threw one of her legs on top of his shoulder, grabbing his arm and falling to the ground. Ron instantly knew that she could've placed him in an arm bar. But she didn't… her grip loosened and she rolled away.

Ron sat himself up and did a sweep kick that Kim blocked, but it caused her to lose balance. They both got back up.

"Y'know, there's this girl I know." Ron chuckled. "She taught me the same move you did, I actually wanted to do that." He rotated his shoulders and tilted his head from side to side.

"The arm bar?" Kim asked. "Heh, yeah you should've watched out for it."

"You should've kept your grip." Ron verbally countered. "Should we still keep going or… are we done?"

"Not yet. You still have to show me that you're ready." She said.

"Fair enough." Ron prepared for the second round.

Ron faked a push kick with his left leg and instead followed with his right. Kim was about to tackle him, but instead he tripped her and misdirected her attack. Kim did a forward cartwheel. Ron twisted his body 540 degrees and performed a hook kick, which hit its mark. He then threw his body at her, he fell to the ground with Kim on top for a couple of seconds, but they rolled to a point where the roles were reversed. One forearm on her neck and his left hand showing a fist, it indicated a victory.

"Give up?" She asked.

"Mmm…" was the sound Kim gave out. "Ok, I think you're ready." Kim and Ron were in a half-guard position. To show that Kim could get out of it, she threw her free leg onto his neck. Ron had grabbed the leg with his left hand, whereas Kim took her chance to trap the left hand by grabbing it. Twisting her body to a point where she mounted him.

"Just wanted to show you that I could've gotten out of that no problem. Her elbows dug onto Ron's shoulders as she leaned closer to meet his eyes.

Ron's mind was adrift. A pretty girl on top of him, their lower bodies touching each other, her warm smile melting the remnants of his mind. To hold her in his arms, allow his hands to touch her thighs and make its way to her curvy, lively hips. No! He had to focus damn it! Ron pushed those thoughts from his mind.

He sat up, making Kim get off of him and they walked towards the exit, where a VTOL awaited for them.

"Ready?" Kim asked. Looking at him.

"As I'll ever be." Ron answered as he cleared his throat.