Hey guys !

So, a few words before you start reading the second chapter.

First, let's start with the disclaimers: I don't own anything, Kim Possible is Disney's property, you know the drill.

Second, a bit of warning. This story will have some serious and very mature content. Some scenes in future chapters (I already have one in mind) will be really hard to read (and to write, gosh I'm not even ready), so be warned.

Third, about the story itself. The idea came to me some weeks ago. As said before, it's a really dark story, with a bit of everything (humour, romance, etc). I think it will be around ten chapters long, but we never know. Maybe it'll be longer, maybe I'll end it before, we'll see. As for the chronology, it's set after the "Gorilla Fist" episode (which means Kim know about Ron's powers) but before "So The Drame", so there's still no Kim/Ron couple. And I doubt the stoy will be compatible with the show's fourth season, so there you have it.

Finally and most important: I want to thank my "Beta reader", who is a very close friend of mine. She has been, is and will be really helpful and I hope she'll agree to stand me a bit longer.

Finally (yes, there's a second "finally", I know), about the delay in posting the chapters. Actually, this chapter has been completed for a whole month. But I haven't been very well for some time, so it was kinda hard to get back to it. One of the things that kept me motivated was the success of the first chapter. Your reviews were fantastic and it really helped me up. So, thank you all. And please, PLEASE keep reviewing, even if you disliked what I wrote. Constructive critics are always welcome and it's really helpful.

That's finally it. Now, off you go with your reading ! I hope you'll like it. Chapter 3 will (hopefully) be ready soon.

Chapter 2:

And darkness came

All Kim could hear was silence. She stood there, arms on her sides, head low and her gaze focused on the grass.

Her body seemed so weak that when the wind weakly began to blow, any bystander would have feared to see her dragged along. Her red hair flew gracefully around her face, covering it and staying there as the girl didn't bother to remove it. In fact, she didn't even notice the movements of her hair. She didn't notice the wind nor theleaves rustling behind her.

She was lost, both in thought and in self-loathing.

How did it happen ? How did I let that happen ?

Her fists clenched, arms shaking as her whole body tensed in anger. 'The girl who can do anything'. What a joke. Look at me. If I could do anything, then he...he...

She silently breathed through her teeth, shutting her eyes as the thought crossed her mind. She then felt something running down her face. Surprised, she looked up at the sky, wondering when it had begun to rain. Seeing only blue and no clouds, she realized she was crying. And, while her cheeks slowly became wetter, she closed her eyes again and let her head dropagain.

A word suddenly appeared in her mind, growing brighter and stronger by the second. She bit her lip as she tried to keep the thought as far away as she could. For a moment, she succeeded.

DEAD.

The word hit her right in the chest. She felt all the air in her lungs vanish as she let out a gasp. The pain was worse than anything she had ever experienced. Within seconds, all her previous fights had been reduced to nothing as she felt her heart being torn, ripped off her chest and thrown to the ground. Sobbing, she fell to her knees, bruising her ankles as she did.

As sadness and pain echoed throughout her body, she looked at the stone in front of her. She could see her own heart there, beating slower and slower as the same word invaded her mind, pushing out any other thought. She kept sobbing as she saw her heart stopping, letting her blood flow down the stone, leaving a small red trail on the epitaph.

Ronald Dean Stoppable

1990-2006

Beloved son

Loyal friend

Young Hero

A month earlier

"How do you think villains do their shopping ?"

"What ?"

"Well, I mean, it's not like they can just walk through the doors of Smarty-Mart and grab something to eat, you know ? So, I was wondering, how do you think they do it ?"

"Ron."

"I guess "stealing" might be the probable answer...Though I was thinking of something more like Internet shopping. But then, wouldn't there be people who can track their IP thingies and then locate them ?"

"RON !"

"What ?"

"A little bit of focus, here ! We're on a mission, remember ?"

"Oh, yeah, right. Sorry, Kim. Going into mission mode."

"Thanks. Now, try to keep a low profile."

The teenage girl turned around to look at the tall lair in front of them. Only a few hours ago, Wade had called and told them Drakken was being his usual evil self along with Shego. Her and Ron had called in a favour and now, here they were. For a moment, Kim let her mind wander back to the first time they had seen the big building: she hadn't even been afraid. She had mostly been curious and actually quite surprised that such an immense construction would remain undetected by international organizations, including Global Justice.

She snapped back to reality as she heard Ron babbling again about 'villain shopping'. She scowled him and turned back her focus to the outer wall of the lair. Both her and Ron took out their grappling gun and fired it, managing to hook it near a high-placed window. They opened it and sneaked in a dimly lit room. They slowly made their way towards the central room of the place, the command room where Drakken usually displayed his inventions.

Kim had a strange feeling. She didn't know if it was instinct, but she knew something wasn't quite right. Maybe the fact that they hadn't seen even one henchman ? Well, yes, but not only that. The feeling bugged her for a few seconds, until she decided to wait and see, sending her thoughts to the back of her head. Just in time, as they reached the doors to the room.

Hearing Drakken's mumblings, Kim couldn't help but smirk. As much as she did what she did to help people, she had to admit she liked almost as much being able to kick some villain's ass, specifically Shego's, probably the only one who could oppose some kind of physical resistance and a decent fight.

Both teens walked through the door, entering the large room. Their gaze was instantly focused on Drakken. They could only see his back though, as he was bend over some blueprints displayed on a table in front on him.

Again, the weird feeling came back. This was wrong, really wrong. Wasn't he expecting them ? He usually detected them or had at least a surprised reaction, but now he was simply ignoring them. Hell, Kim didn't even know if he had heard or seen them at all. She took a step forward and instantly felt her foot slip. She didn't fall, but suddenly felt light headed. She put a hand on the side of her head, trying to understand where this dizziness had come from. As her vision got fuzzy, she crouched, trying to keep her balance as she heard Ron call out her name and approach her. Focusing her eyes in front of her, she saw the villain slowly turn around to look at her. Something odd was on his face. His eyes seemed off...

Her eyes grew wide.

A gas-mask.

She opened her mouth, trying to tell Ron to stay away, but instead absorbed more of the invisible sleeping gas spread all over the room. She fell forward, her eyes closing, until she saw only darkness.

Kim bent forward, resting her forehead against the tombstone.

How did I miss it ?

She tried to calm down, trying to breathe slower. Once her heartbeat had returned to steady pace, she closed her eyes, preparing herself for the memories begging to come back and haunt her.

She grunted. Her head was aching. It took her at least a few minutes just to open her eyes, only to close them again right away.She breathed through her gritted teeth, opening them one more time, this time slowly. After what seemed a whole hour, she fully regained her senses and notices the ropes that were tying her up to a large pillar. After some struggling, it appeared that Drakken's 'tying up' skills were as sloppy as usual. Kim managed to loosen up the ropes and dropped to the floor, rolling forward before getting up in a fighting stance, just in case. Seeing no one was coming to attack her, she relaxed her muscles and sighed. Now that the weird part was done, it was time to get the villain and save the day. She began to walk but soon stopped in her tracks. She glanced around her, concern suddenly overflowing her mind.

"Ron ?"

Nothing. Or rather, no one. Her worry grew more intense every second that went by. It was soon replaced with frustration, though. Why was this mission so weird ? First the sleeping gas, which was unusually smart and subtle for someone like Drakken. And now, her and Ron held separately ? What the hell ? And even stranger, no one to keep watch over her. If they weren't here, then that meant they were with Ron. She could picture him tied up just like her, Shego teasingly getting her glowing hands closer to him, burns slowly appearing on her friend's skin...

She shivered. Her frustration became anger at the thought of those bastards hurting him.Her arms throbbing in anger, she pulled out her Kimmunicator and called Wade.

"Kim ! What happened ? I lost contact with you for -"

"Scan the lair, Wade. I want to know where Ron is."

"Ron ? Wait, you mean he isn't with you ? What -"

"Wade."

The tone of her voice sent a chill down the young genius' spine. He had seen her angry before, of course, even furious, mostly against the Tweebs. But he felt something entirely different this time. Her whole body seemed to vibrate with her anger. The flame in her eyes somehow had a darker shade to it, way more serious and hurtful than usual.

Wade instantly started typing on his keyboard. Merely ten seconds later, he gave Ron's location to the redhead, only able to see her storm out of the room through the Kimmunicator's camera. Shivering, he decided to let communication open, just in case.

Kim was running around the lair. She followed the instructions Wade had given her, seriously thinking of activating the rocket-shoes she wore. She didn't need to though, as she arrived soon enough at the right place. Not even thinking about sneaking in, she walked through the doors. She stopped almost right away though, as the sight in front of her made her body tense even more.

Ron was pinned to a wall by strong mechanical arms. He had some bruises on his arms, probably from trying to escape from his prison. His breathing seemed shallow, perhaps a broken rib. A small cut on his lower lip was letting blood drip on the floor, forming red trails on his shirt and pants.

Kim's anger grew stronger than ever. Her arms were shaking and her fists were clenched so hard they were growing whiter by the second. She let out a small growl and started walking again towards Ron.

While she was looking at her friend and his wounds, the bad guys in the room had noticed her. Six henchmen jumped at her from all sides while Drakken and Shego stayed behind, grinning.

Kim didn't even bother to evade the attack. When the one in front of her got a few inches close to her, she dropped to the ground in a crouching position and slid her legs forward. The thug having gathered speed, the sudden sweep of his legs threw him forward and into his partner that was coming from behind, knocking both of them out. Kim quickly stood up and performed a roundhouse kick, sending three of them into a nearby machine and leaving them unconscious. The last henchman, taking advantage of the young girl's vulnerable position, tried to grab her from the side in one swift motion. The redhead saw him coming and instantly backflipped, landing hard on the thug's back. Leaning over, she drew a final, strong punch to the side of his forehead, knocking him out cold.

Standing up, she turned around and saw Ron a few feet in front of her. Without thinking of Shego's and Drakken's possible whereabouts, she ran up to him and squeezed him, trying to wake him up. He finally opened his eyes, giving a tired smile to his best friend.

"Oh, hi there..." He glanced around and saw the henchmen unconscious on the ground. "I would have loved to help you out, but you know, my hands were kinda tied...Both figuratively and literally."

Kim chuckled, then moved closer to give him a fierce hug. "Damn it, I was worried. Now, let's get you out of these and bring you home."

"Not so fast, Princess !"

Turning around, the redhead growled as she recognized her arch-foe standing next to a computer a few feet away. "Nice timing, Shego. I was just thinking of you."

"Oh, I'm flattered. Don't worry, I'll make sure your body remembers me too, just like your sidekick's. I think the burn marks work as nice tattoos, don't you think ?"

"Don't know, don't care. But stay still. I'll show you just how good I am at marking your skin with my fists."

Shego didn't have the time to reply. She opened her mouth just to have it instantly closed by Kim's uppercut to her jaw, sending her flying into the air. Reacting promptly, she flipped and landed on her feet, a small cut now marking her lip. She smirked and jumped at the young girl, hands glowing brightly.

The fight escalated quickly, both women returning every hit they took. It soon appeared that Kim was gaining ground though, as her hits were far more violent than Shego's. For each bruise the young hero had on her body, Shego had blood marks. Finally, the villain was brutally thrown to the wall by a powerful kick Kim had delivered to her chest.

Waiting for her arch-foe to stand up, the teenage girl had a strange feeling yet again. Shego was acting strange. Well, she was her usual self, but quite weaker. Her punches and kicks barely hurt, and her moves were slower, almost robotic. They lacked the improvisation, the speed and the fluidity that made Shego so dangerous. Kim was conscious that her actual enraged state and the flow of adrenalin through her body were boosting her. Still, even taking this into account, something was definitely wrong with her enemy. Not that she was complaining, though. She would enjoy defeating her this time. She would hit her the same way she had hit Ron, giving back every hit, however weak or strong, she had inflicted on her friend. Grinning at the thought, she slowly walked towards Shego, still getting up from the ground.

She was stopped in her tracks though, as Drakken, now in his hoverboard, had fired a laser gun mere inches from her feet. Jumping back, she stared as Shego performed a high jump to join Drakken on his flying device and the madman started to speak.

"My dear Kim Possible. I'm sorry to tell you that this is enough. You've done enough damage here. We will go, and you won't catch us. You'll let us go."

"What exactly makes you think that I'll let you go ?" Kim let out in a growl, fists clenching again.

The villain grinned. "Because you might want to take care of your friend and bring him home." Kim grew silent. She knew he was right. Damn it ! She wanted to beat them up so badly...But Ron was more important. She wouldn't be able to forgive herself if something happened to him because of her.

Her train of thought was suddenly cut off by Drakken: "...That is, if you manage to defuse the bomb, of course."

Her heart missed a beat. A bomb ? What bomb ? )

"Well, seeing as you don't have much time left, we should leave. After all, we wouldn't want to be caught in the explosion...Would you ?" The hoverboard then flew away, Drakken's evil laugh echoing within the room.

Kim didn't waste a moment. She ran back to Ron and started searching for any bomb device she could find. Ron wasn't really helping her focus, though.

"A bomb, huh ? So classic. I mean, I know there's this "Code of villains" and all, but...Really ? A bomb ? Come on, there must be something more to this. I swear, the lack of originality this days..."

"RON !"

"What ?"

"Do you want to be saved or not ?! If you do, shut up, please and thank you !"

"No need to yell, Kim, I'm right -"

One glance from his friend made him stop mid-sentence. He knew when she was serious, and now she was dead-serious. He closed his mouth and let her focus.

Kim, focusing again, noticed for the first time how long the mechanical arms that held Ron in place were. She had been so focused on her friend that she hadn't seen the long metallic pipes that linked them to a control panel displayed on the wall a few feet away. Once she saw what it showed, she pulled out her Kimmunicatior. She had one minute to defuse the bomb.

"Wade !"

"I'm already looking into it. Give me a few seconds..."

"Hurry !"

She saw Wade's face grow pale. She felt her heart clench.

"I-I'm sorry, Kim. I can't do anything. I could defuse it, but it would take me at least ten minutes, and that's by working fast."

"Can't you cut off the signal or something ? Can you do anything ?"

"No. I've never seen something like this. I can't do it."

The shocked look on his face told her anything she needed to know. Glancing back at Ron, she ran to him and tried to think of anything. Tears of frustration began to form in her eyes. She let out a growl and pulled her hair in despair. It couldn't end like this ! She had to think of something !

Looking at the device, she saw that only thirty seconds were left. Tears were freely flowing down her cheeks now. She closed her eyes, still trying to think.

"Kim."

She looked up to Ron; and was shocked to see him smile. A reassuring, calm smile. She couldn't help but notice that it didn't reach his eyes, filled with fear and sadness.

"It's alright. We both knew the risks right from the start."

"What are you saying ? We can still do it ! Come on ! Think !"

"No, Kim -" He slowly breathed and looked right into her eyes." Leave me here. You've always been the hero, you know ? I'm just the sidekick. I can be helpful, but you are the important one. Leave and keep up with everything we've done."

"Don't talk nonsense ! I'm not leaving you !"

"I knew you'd say that." Ron sighed. "You are everyone's hero, Kim. You can't die here." He paused. "You're my hero, too."

Kim felt more tears flowing down her face. She brought up a hand and took his hand, squeezing it hard. "I'm staying with you, whether you want it or not."

"If you want it that way..." He suddenly shouted. "Wade ! Activate Kim's rocket-shoes and get her out of here ! NOW !"

(Middleton, Wade Load's house)

The young African-American genius had been listening to the whole conversation. Tears were filling up his eyes, too. Typing on his keyboard as fast as he could, he remotely activated Kim's shoes. Once he had finished the process, he felt a tear fallon his hand.

His tears were flowing freely down his cheeks. He didn't wipe them.

He didn't want to.

(Drakken's lair)

"What ?! What are you-"

Kim's sentence was cut off as her shoes began to drag her towards the doors of the room, steadily gaining speed.

"Sorry, Kim ! The world needs you more than I do !"

"RON !"

Her shout echoed within the room. But she wasn't there anymore. She was nearly outside the lair, taken away by her shoes. "Wade ! WADE ! Take me back ! I can save him ! I'll save -"

Her voice was covered by the ear-crushing sound of an explosion. She saw the lair slowly collapsing on itself, burying everything beneath its' own ruins. The blast of the explosion threw her off balance and into the nearby forest, slamming her hard against a tree.

All the air vanished from her lungs.

And all became dark.

She looked at the sky.

And then –

Waking up at the hospital.

First, the confusion. The dizziness. Then, the memories. The mission. The gas. The henchmen. Shego.

The bomb.

And Ron –

Ron.

She had cried the first day and the first night. She tried to get up from the bed. She wanted to return to the lair to look for him. She wanted to find him. She needed to find him. But her injuries were hurting too much. The nurse put her back in bed, crying and screaming.

She had spent the next two weeks recovering from her aching bones and muscles. She didn't talk to anyone. She ate as much as she slept, which wasn't even remotely enough.

Finally, she went home. And she had spent the last week in her room, barely coming out of it to eat something, mostly at night when she thought everyone was asleep. She then returned to the safe place her bed had become. She didn't even cry anymore. She just stayed there, lying on the sheets, gazing at the ceiling. Her thoughts were all focused on one person only. And every time she remembered the events, she buried her face in her pillows to muffle her screams.

She had thought of suicide. Briefly. Ignoring Wade's calls on her Kimmunicator, Monique's texts, her family's attempts at cheering her up, her thoughts led her once again to Ron. She began to wonder what he felt at that moment. Sadness ? Disappointment that she wasn't able to save him ? Betrayal ? Anger ? She couldn't figure it out. And it drove her crazy. So one night, after closing the fridge, her eyes somehow landed on the kitchen knife. Glancing at it, she stayed there for a full half-hour, seriously thinking of the opportunity and of the consequences. She had actually stepped closer to it. But as her fingers touched the blade, memories of Ron's final moments rushed back through her mind. Jumping back with a gasp and widened eyes, she had run back to her room, shutting herself inside. Now, she didn't even dare to look around the kitchen.

Eventually, she came out of her room. The only reason being Ron's funeral. She didn't want to go. She couldn't look at him anymore. But when her mother told her his body hadn't been retrieved, she felt strangely relieved. She wanted to remember him alive, moving, his sparkling brown eyes. Everything, but not dead.

The ceremony had gone without a hitch. Everyone was quiet. Some were sobbing, others kept looking at the ground. But everyone avoided her eyes. That was fine by her. She knew she wouldn't be able to handle their compassion, their pity, their sadness when she couldn't even handle her own. Not a tear wet her face when they buried his body. Not a tear crossed her cheek when she rose to lay a flower in his grave. And, after everyone took off, she stayed there, standing, as silent as the stone in front of her.

And there she was now.

She thought about the past weeks. Now that she was outside and he was buried, she couldn't help but feel more relaxed, more calm.

What had she been doing ? She had cried, screamed, cried again. Damn, she had even thought of killing herself ! What was that all about ? She was 'the girl who can do anything', right ? She had to do something. Anything ! She knew going back to her room would end up killing her with sadness. She had to act. But act how ? Do what ?

(Possible household)

"I'm worried about her."

"We all are, James. She just lost her best friend. And she blames herself for it."

"You sure ?"

"Come on, I'm a doctor. Besides, she's the one that started this whole saving the world thing, Ron followed her because she's – " Anne paused. "...was his best friend. Right now, she probably thinks it's her fault he was even there with her."

James sighed. "I guess you're right. Still, I wish we could do something more than just stand around trying to cheer her up..."

Anne reached out to him and drew him into a loving hug. "I know. I wish we could, too."

(Graveyard)

She knew what to do.

She wanted the pain to go away. She knew it wasn't possible. Even for her. But she knew how to make it easier to handle. And there was only one way to do that.

She reached inside her pocket and took out her Kimmunicator.

"Wade."

"Kim ! I've been trying to reach you for days ! How are you doing ?"

His voice sounded desperate and, at the same time, relieved.

"No time for that. I have a favour to ask."

"Sure, Kim. Anything."

"There's two people I'd like you to locate for me..."