Path to Home
To die one's self is a thing that must be easy, and light of consequence; but to lose a part of one's self…well, we know how deep that pang goes, we who have suffered that disaster, received that wound which cannot heal. – Letter to Will Bowen, Mark Twain 11-4-1888
Chapter 5 : A means to an end
Instead of returning to Kim's place Ron made his way up to the summit of Mt Middleton. The recent development in the mission and what had happened last night with Kim had caused his mind to swim. He needed to clear his head so that he would be at his peak for what was to come. The news about the assassination plot against Kim had shaken him up more than he let on. It had brought up many old fears and feelings.
He didn't regret what he did with Kim…he never would either. He still missed Yori deeply, her death had left a hole in his heart and no matter how much he did love Kim, that hole would never truly disappear.
Once again he was faced with a mission that could cost him a loved one. He knew if he lost Kim it was all over…he would kill who ever did it…after making them suffer horribly and then he would just vanish from the world. He would exile himself from the rest of humanity so that he could waste away and finally be giving his release from this mortal coil.
No one knew how truly tired he was, death had become such a constant in his life there were many times he yearned for the release himself. He couldn't help but to think of all the people he had cared for that he lost in his life, his parents, Rufus, Master Sensei, Yori and his unborn child, few knew Yori had been pregnant when she was killed. Yet no matter what happened…he always lived, like it was some kind of sick punishment for his inability to protect his loved ones.
He never thought he would get another chance…a chance to be human again, a chance to have a family with a woman he never thought could return his love…he had a chance to feel love again and with whatever gods out there as his witness NO ONE, not Muhammad, Myers or any other force on this planet was going to take it away from him again…ever.
He sat down next to a large boulder and rested against it, his long golden hair fluttering in the icy wind as stormy clouds passed over head. Taking off his shades he looked up at the gloomy sky, his eyes remaining their usual brown color as a small, sad smile crossed his lips.
"It was real good while it lasted wasn't it…Yori?" He asked the sky. "I've done like you asked me to do…I moved on with my life and I even made up with Kim."
Ron let out a hollow chuckle. "Sometimes I think you wanted us to come to America just so you could try to get me and Kim to at least be friends again…but you knew didn't you…you knew that I still loved her."
Ron sighed and brushed some stray hair out of his face. "I miss you…I may have always loved Kim but you had a special place in my heart too."
"What should I do now though…I hate to admit it but I'm scared." Ron said softly as tears welled up in his eyes for the second time in many years. "I…I can't lose her like I lost you…I wouldn't want to live anymore. It's bad enough that I lost you and our child…all these damn powers and I can't even protect those I love. Do you think the same thing will happen with Kim? Will I finally get the happiness I've yearned for, for so long only to have it ripped viciously away again?" His only answer was a slight rumble of thunder and a few rain drops.
"I'm so tired of fighting…tired of killing, I just want a normal life DAMMIT!" He cursed and crushed the rock he had picked up into powder.
Looking at the crushed remains of the rock and then up into the sky once again his eyes narrowed in determination. "I may be tired but I will not quit. Kim will not have your fate, Yori, I swear it. The mystical power in me is my gift, my burden and it's about damn time I started using it again instead of denying it. I could never bring myself to use my full power after your death…I had always thought that it might have been my fault that the building caught fire because of my powers…but it wasn't."
"I guess Wade was right…I have been blaming myself for something that I couldn't stop. Life happens and so does death. No matter how powerful I am…I know I cannot save everyone or stop every murderer out there, but I can protect the only person left in this world that gives my life any meaning." Ron said, his eyes glowing bright blue and surging with power.
He looked at his guns for a moment; taking them out of their holsters and then placing them back in. He raised his hand out in front of him as thunder cracked loudly. In a bright flash of blue light the Lotus Blade came to his hand, energy surging up and down its glowing azure blade.
"It's time I stop relying mostly on guns and start relying again on all of my skills and powers." Ron said performing a kata and savoring the perfect balance of his sword…it had been so long since he had last used it. He could feel his other powers surging within him, he had limited himself to just mild use of psionics for so long that it felt almost like a release as he let his power flow freely.
Looking at his sword he let another smile grace his lips, it felt good to embrace his powers again and to feel a blade in his hands. "I have regained my reason to fight…to live. What's in the past doesn't matter anymore…just my future…my future with Kim. I will protect her and this time I will not fail." Ron said with determination in his voice, his spirit felt renewed once again…almost like he had come back to life. No longer would he let his past haunt his present, Kim and ultimately himself deserved that much.
Kim jumped slightly as Ron appeared back in her room in a flash of light. She was so going to have to get used to the fact that he had weird powers and abilities. She noticed that while his face was pensive it looked lighter, as if he had come to a conclusion about something that had taken a weight off his shoulders.
"How did the meeting go?" Kim asked.
"That would depend of your perspective of certain situations. Professionally it was not surprising, Personally…it pissed me off." Ron stated.
"That bad huh?" Kim asked.
"Considering you've been made the target for a gang beating and rape followed by a nude lynching in the park…yeah it was just prime news." Ron grumbled.
Kim shuddered at the thought and suddenly felt nervous and scared. Life wasn't perfect, bad things happened and no matter how strong or powerful Ron was…he might not be able to protect her, hell, she might not even be able to protect herself if she was drugged or something. Which was the favorite way of detaining female GJ agents these days, drug em, rape em and kill em.
Ron glanced at Kim and saw the various emotions play across her features. He saw her usual determination but also fear and worry. He could not blame her, he knew all to well how scumbags like Muhammad partook of deplorable criminal acts against female Global Justice Agents.
Placing a hand on her shoulder she looked up to him, their eyes met and she saw a fire burning within his brown eyes. A fire that clearly said he would move heaven, earth and hell to keep her from harm.
"I know things seem like they have gotten worse KP, but it really hasn't. We've both been in far worse situations before. Don't let self-doubt cloud your judgment or abilities. And most of all remember that I will be there with you and that so long as I am around, they will never harm you. I failed before with Yori…I will not fail with you." Ron said.
Kim melted in him and wrapped her arms around him muscular torso burying her face into his chest. "I believe you Ron, I know you will protect me but…we just found eachother again…I'm so scared of losing that again. If you were to ever die…I don't think I could go on." She admitted softly.
Ron frowned. "Kim…you are a strong woman. You need to realize that no matter what happens, even if I should be killed, I will always be with you." He said idly wondering if he should tell her that killing him was not an easy thing to do for anybody or that few people had the ability to do so. "KP, do not worry about me, I do not die easily, it will take much more than mere gunshots or blades to bring me down for the count."
"Your power?" Kim asked looking up at him.
Ron nodded. "Yes, it makes killing me by normal means nearly impossible. I'm immune to poisons and drugs and I have a enhanced and accelerated healing factor. The side effect is that it drastically slows my aging process to a snails pace. My bones became harder and denser to the point of being as strong if not more so than Titanium…though they still can be broken."
Kim frowned. "Then that means when I'm old and gray you will still be young and fit. That is so not fair." She pouted.
Ron chuckled. "Don't worry KP, if you want I can share just enough of my power with you to give you my healing, immunity and aging abilities. It would have to wait for our wedding though, the power transfer can only be done when we become married and it will have to happen on our wedding night."
Kim nodded satisfied. "Sounds good to me, what do you think about a Christmas Wedding?" She asked.
"Sounds nice, I haven't enjoyed that holiday for a long time now." Ron looked thoughtful for a moment. "Why don't we do it just before Christmas, say about a week, then we could spend the holidays with your parents and take our honeymoon over new years. Say a tropical cruise in the Caribbean?" He asked.
"It sounds perfect." Kim smiled and kissed him softly.
To the casual on looker Club X appeared to be busy as usual, to the trained eye it seemed busy but with something going on, To someone like Ron Stoppable it was simply a calm before the storm.
Global Justice agents had been placed on the rooftop above them and across the street with sniper rifles. The only field agents that would be in the main area was himself and Kim undercover. It was to dangerous to have any more agents posing as patrons or dancers as it could alert their targets and thus put innocent civilians in danger.
"You got everything ready Clint?" Mark asked nonchalant as he polished some glasses.
"Yeah…everything is prime." Ron replied in monotone.
Paul came out and took his position in the DJ booth next to their DJ and his daughter Alice. They would be the extra eyes and backup if need be.
"Everything ready Alice?" Paul asked.
"Ready to daddy, just need the scumbags to…and speak of the devil." Alice said and gestured.
Myers, Muhammad and about three other thug-like people entered the club. They quietly and as inconspicuous as possible took their seats at the table at the end of the runway.
"Hmm…most likely so they have a perfect shot at Kim should things get out of hand." Ron thought and then tapped the side of his shades kicking in their X-ray option.
He was far from surprised to see that each one was well armed with either a 9mm pistol or a small SMG. One of the larger thugs also had a dart gun and a small stun prod, which meant they planned on drugging Kim and if that failed, stun her. He also noticed that each of them was wearing an armored vest, looks like they expected trouble and were they going to get it.
Ron smirked darkly to himself. Bulletproof vests worked good for the chest but did nothing to protect the head. Still, something felt off. Instincts knew there was something or someone else waiting for a chance to strike, experience had taught him to always expect the unexpected and that nothing is ever as it seems.
Ron glanced over at the DJ booth and gave such a slight nod that if one weren't looking for it they would never have noticed it. Paul and Alice returned the nod with a thumbs up and prepared to start the evening and operation.
Mark fingered the colt .45 just under the bar and out of sight as he glanced at the targets and then Ron. "Right nasty looking blokes aye?"
"Yup." Ron replied gruffly. "Keep an eye on the big one to the left…he moves in anyway that looks suspicious…ventilate him."
Mark nodded. "Oy…Betty and Paulo don't pay me enough for this."
"Focus!" Ron snapped quietly. "Tina is up, then Miranda and then Korey…that is when they will make their move."
"Too right." Mark stated and went back to his work while keeping an eye on the criminals.
As Tina was doing her dance, Ron quickly made sure his guns were in place hidden under his biker jacket, the Lotus Blade was in the shape of a bracelet on his right wrist and if all else failed he had his powers.
Finally Kim came out to do what she was glad was her final performance. This time she was dressed as a Catholic School Girl. Ron idly wondered if she was purposely trying to make him screw up. Thank god she didn't wear skirts that short in public…she'd be taken in on exposure charges.
Ron's stoic features got more stone-like as the music started and Kim started to dance. His eyes darting all around the room looking for any sign of something happening.
Then it did just as Kim was about to remove her first article of clothes Ron spotted a slight glint of metal coming from behind the stage curtain…it was a gun barrel.
"Shit…sneak attack!" Ron grumbled.
Several things happened within the span of seconds. Four gun shots fired off, several patrons screamed in panic, Kim was suddenly knocked off the stage and Ron was in her place taking three bullets to the chest and one in the head. He fell over seeming dead.
Kim rolled off the edge of the walkway and ducked behind it and grabbed her sidearm, she had placed it there just in case something like this were to happen.
Muhammad, Myers and their goons stood and drew their guns to attack Kim. "Stupid bouncer." Myers spat.
The next thing that happened promptly freaked everyone save a few people out. Ron flipped upright again as the sounds of metal plinks came from the stage floor. Between his feet rested four bullets, there was little blood and the wounds were sealing up.
"Well…that stung." Ron growled as he glared at the shooter. "Come on out Teaser…or should I say Panther?"
"Very perceptive Clint." Panther said sauntering out in a skintight black jumpsuit. "Too good for a cooler." She added keeping her gun trained on him.
Ron removed his shades letting his powers flow through his eyes, Panther stumbled in shock…she knew of only one man that could do such a thing, the man that killed her Uncle Monty Fiske.
"YOU!" She screamed. "Stoppable! You killed my uncle."
Ron shrugged. "Play with fire and you get burned." He replied emotionlessly. "Monkey boy shouldn't have tried to take me out…never send an assassin to kill a better assassin, especially a egotistical one like Fiske."
"Well that's new…" Kim mumbled and trained her gun on the other criminals.
"DIE DAMN YOU!" Panther screeched and charged Ron with gun ready and a dagger drawn.
"Not today." Ron said.
Just as she got close to him he lashed out his foot kicking her gun into the air and followed up with an elbow into the gut. She gasped and then struck with her blade, Ron caught her wrist and twisted it until it snapped.
She screamed in pain as the dagger hit the floor, Ron plucked her gun out of the air and with a savage roundhouse kick sent her sprawling back.
"Bad kitty." Ron snapped and pulled the trigger.
The assassin once known as Panther now lay on the floor of the stage, a large bullet hole right between her eyes as they looked lifelessly up at the ceiling.
Muhammad raised his SMG to shoot Ron. "Freeze in the name of Global Justice!" Kim shouted. "One more move and I shoot."
Myers wasn't about to listen and pulled out his gun to shoot Kim. Ron in one deadly fluid motion flipped forward into a handstand, grabbed Panther's dropped dagger and threw it nailing Myers in the throat as he stood upright facing the remaining criminals.
Kim was shocked and watched Myers fall over gurgling on his own blood before dying. She knew Ron was good but DAMN that was in a class all its own.
"Aziz Muhammad Al-Hadir, you have been marked and for your crimes there will be no mercy." Ron said glaring at the frightened Arabian. Ron's scowl deepened. "Had you not decided to make Agent Possible your next target for your sick little fun I might have let you live and rot in prison. Anyone trying to hurt her goes through me first and you really don't want to make that mistake. Enjoy hell Muhammad, I hear it's warm this time of year." Ron snarled and fired the remaining rounds of Panther's gun into the terrorist.
Muhammad now resembling a bloody piece of Swiss cheese dropped dead next to his accomplice Stan Myers, neither could have known that their plans could have gone so wrong…but they should have known…to mess with Kim Possible is to incur the Wraith of Ron Stoppable.
Paul and Mark ran out with their guns and pointed them at the remaining three thugs. The last three being a bit smarter then their employers dropped their weapons and raised their hands the second Ron took out Muhammad…no way were they that stupid.
Ron pulled out his SAT-phone. "Commander Stoppable here, targets Myers and Muhammad terminated, accomplices captured and awaiting pickup. Mission successful and complete…Stoppable out."
Ron put his SAT-phone away and let out a sigh. It was over…it was all finally over. Before he could think further on the matter Kim had plowed into him and was giving him a heated kiss.
Several GJ agents that walked in either gawked or sniggered at the sight before hauling the three thugs out to the containment transporter.
A few moments later the kiss was broken but Kim remained snuggled in Ron's arms. "I'm finally free KP." Ron said softly. "I don't have to do this anymore, we don't have to do this anymore. No more killing or suicide missions. We can finally find some peace."
"We will Ron…I promise." Kim muttered into his chest.
Paul walked up with Mark and Wade who had arrived with the other agents. "You did it, Ronnie me boyo. Ya did good." Paul said patting his shoulder.
"Thanks Paulie." Ron said and then looked at Wade. "Hey Wade…do me a favor?" He asked.
Wade smiled and nodded. "Sure thing."
"Tell Betty I resign. It's time to put my past and all this killing behind me." Glancing down at Kim he let a smile grace his features. "I have a future to look forward to know. But if I am ever needed again, I mean really needed…you know how to reach me." Ron said.
"Sure thing buddy, I'm glad to see you find some happiness." Wade stated.
"Me too, it's been far to long for us all." Ron said. "Try not to be a stranger and we'll be expecting you at the wedding."
Wade grinned. "Count on it, I wouldn't miss it for the world."
Ron nodded. "Ready to go KP?" He asked.
"Yes Ron…lets go home." She said happily.
"Home…" Ron said softly. "I like the sound of that."
Wade, Paul and Mark watched the two walk out of the club, Ron's arm wrapped around Kim and Kim snuggled contentedly to his side. It was many years, allot of battles and quite a bit of misery in the making but two lost souls had finally found eachother. Who knew what new adventures lay in store for them, one thing was sure though, they would face them together.
The End
Epilogue…
Two men stood quietly on a large cliff top that looked over the Tri-City. Each staring out at the wondrous view that sunrise brought. One was young and strong looking, his features held a look of peace and happiness on them. The other was an older middle-aged man, kindness flowing from his features and gentleness radiating from his eyes.
"So, do you think your ready for this Ronald?" James Possible asked.
"More than anything else." Ron answered, the small content smile never leaving his lips. "I dreamed about this day ever since high school. Never thought it would ever happen but somehow, deep down I knew it would eventually."
James smiled. "We're all glad to have you back son. Kimmie was so miserable without you. Anne and I did what we could but we both knew that it was only something you could fix."
"I'm just sorry it took so long." Ron mused. "But all things happen for a reason and I would never change the outcome."
James nodded. "None of us would…so you ready to go make an honest woman out of my daughter?"
Ron smirked. "No such thing as an honest woman but I'll do my best."
James laughed. "To true son, to true."
Monique, Tara and Joss watched Kim pace the bride's dressing room nervously, he had he long white bridal gown hiked up so she wouldn't trip and she looked ready to climb the walls.
"Girl would you settle down!" Monique exclaimed.
"I can't Mon, I'm so nervous." Kim stated.
"Get any more jittery and I'll put you in charge of the jiffy pop popcorn." Joss said dryly.
"Funny." Kim replied sarcastically, Joss shrugged, sporting a wide grin.
"It's just that I've always wanted this…but I never thought it could ever happen." Kim said softly.
"And now it is." Tara finished. "Be thankful, I wish I could snag a hottie like Ron."
"Don't even think about it." Kim glared.
"Amp down Kim." Monique said with a chuckle. "He's marrying you isn't he? Just grab the bull by the horns and go with it."
Kim sighed and smiled. "Your right, besides, Kim Stoppable has a nice ring to it." The others nodded.
Anne knocked and opened the door. "Kimmie, your dad and Ron are here…it's time." She said happily, she had always wanted this to happen.
Kim took a deep breath and looked at everyone. "Well, I'm ready, let's get this thing started."
Ron stood up at the alter calmly, his face set in a stoic yet friendly look as his best man Paul stood next to him and his groomsmen Wade and Felix standing behind him.
Ron was dressed in a tailor made tuxedo, midnight black with a silk purple shirt and tie. His long unruly hair had been slightly tamed and pulled back into an elegant thick braid tied with a cobalt blue cord at the bottom.
Ron glanced up as the wedding march started. First came Monique, Joss and Tara in matching baby blue gowns, finally Kim came out escorted by her father. She was breathtaking to behold. Her gown was shoulder-less and pearl white. It was of an old Victorian design with silk elbow gloves and a snow-white veil.
"Who give this woman to this man?" The priest asked.
"I James Timothy Possible do." James said, pecked Kim on the cheek and took his seat next to his sobbing wife.
"You look stunning KP." Ron said softly.
"And you look incredibly handsome Ron." She replied with a blush.
"You ready for this?" Ron asked.
"Without a doubt." She replied.
They smiled at each other and turned to the priest. They would now be starting their lives together from this day as husband and wife. Neither could be more happier.
Disclaimer : We do not own Kim Possible
Authors : DragonMaster & Doug4422 aka Epic Quest INC
We would like to thank all of you out there that read this story and hope you enjoyed it. Stay tuned for more exciting adventures brought to you by us, Epic Quest INC.