Don't forget to participate and cast your vote in the Fannies! I have two stories nominated in the same category, so I'm hoping everyone picks the same story so all votes go towards it. (I'm partial to "Not Quite Human"). (end plug)

Disclaimer: Any Kim Possible characters used in this story were not created by me…

Thanks again to all who reviewed my last chapter: CajunBear73, creativetoo, Lonestarr, AtomicFire, qtpie, Joe Stoppinghem, Etherelemental, US.Steele, Bubbahotek, Dr. Jones, and yvj…

Chapter 5

Previous POV of Clara Dubois:

Clara stood up from her prone position on the floor of the bedroom, her feet crunching on pieces of the broken vase Kim had hit her over the head with. She brought a hand to her temple and lightly pressed in an attempt to lessen the pain.

Looking to her left, she saw the handcuff's that had held Kim in place dangling from the headboard. "Damnit Kimberly…" She mumbled.

Carla stumbled a bit as she tried to hurry out of the bedroom talking to her self. "I did that to protect you Kim! I can't control Cujo. Especially at night."

On her way out of the house, Carla went to a closet located underneath the stairs, and grabbed her 12 gauge shotgun. She grabbed a handful of shells and hurried out of the house dropping some of them as she tried to load the gun on the run.

Coming around the corner of the house Carla stopped cold at the scene that was presented to her. Kimberly was standing in front of the open barn door looking at the flat bed truck that held her car. The light of the full moon lit the area up well, so she could see a few feet inside the door. In the shadows of the barn, Carla could make out two slits of eyes about 2 feet off the ground.

"Please Cujo… No," Carla muttered to herself.

Carla had raised the Wolf/Shepherd mix from a pup after finding him abandoned in the country where someone had dropped him off, no doubt afraid they couldn't control such a volatile mix of dog. As he got older, Cujo became more brazen, and dangerous. At night he pretty much "Ruled the Roost", and if anyone came around the farm that he didn't know, he would attack with the slightest provocation.

Now he was stalking Kimberly, and Carla was afraid for the redhead's life. If Cujo attacked Kim, she would have to shoot her beloved pet. Carla slowly and quietly walked up to just a few yards behind Kim, keeping her eye on the dog/wolf, as he was silent and in stalking mode.

Carla called out to Kim.

"Stop right there Kim. Please, don't move."

"What is this Carla?" Kim said, holding her hands out to her side in an attempt to show Carla she wasn't going to try anything. "Why do you have my car here?"

"You shouldn't be here, Kim."

"Why Carla? Because I found out you're trying to keep me here?" Kim's voice was starting to shake. She started to turn around to face Carla.

"I said don't move!" Carla hissed, and Kim froze in place. "Now you've done it, Kim. Now you've put me in a position that I did not want to be."

"What are you going to do, Carla? Sh… shoot me?"

Carla didn't say a word as the wolf mix began to step out of the shadows without Kim noticing, and started to come in on her left flank.

"Car… Carla?"

Cujo jumped in attack intent on tearing the throat out this intruder, but the blast of Carla's shotgun hit him in the middle of his leap. His body continued on and slammed in the back of Kim, knocking her down where her head hit the bottom of an overturned metal bucket. The clang reverberated throughout the barn.

Cujo's body slid off of Kim's back, his blood smearing and soaking into the thin robe she still wore. He wasn't quite dead though, and the dog was still intent on taking out this person he thought was a danger to his owner.

With teeth bared, Cujo started to drag himself up toward his victim's neck, and just before he was about to bite down and sever his prey's carotid, a flash of light landed on him and the body of his victim. The last thing he heard was Carla weeping and saying, "I'm sorry Cujo."

The blast took off half his head, spraying blood onto the side of Kim's unconscious form.

"Kiiiim!!!!"

Carla stood up at the sound of a voice she didn't recognize, and as she did so, her movement inadvertently brought the gun up in what looked like a threatening manner.

The blast of a different gun rang in the night and Carla fell backwards as if hit with a sledge hammer, her chest burning.

…x x x x…

Ron dug a finger in his ear in an attempt to stop the ringing, and looked over at Anita Director. She was in a classic shooter's stance, her hands trembling as they held a Desert Eagle .45 Cal. Handgun. Her finger kept pulling the trigger even though the slide was back, obviously empty. She only had one round loaded in the gun.

Ron reached out to her shaking hands, and before he was able to touch them, Anita dropped the gun and brought her hands to her face as she started to cry uncontrollably.

"I… I shot her. I… I killed… someone!" Her knees gave out as Ron caught the distraught officer, and let her gently down to the ground.

"You had to do it, Anita." Ron said softly. "She would have killed me."

Ron looked up at the body of Kim, and then stood back up. "I'm going to check on Kim, Anita. OK?"

Anita nodded in her hands as she continued to weep for the poor soul she had just killed. This was the first time she had ever drawn on anyone. Ever.

Ron walked up to the side of Kim, and his eyes immediately landed on the large blotch of red on her back. He immediately thought that this was where she had been shot, but then he saw a dark gray form lying beside her. Cocking his head sideways in slight confusion, Ron followed the streak of blood as it led from Kim's back to a gaping wound on the side of a dog. It was the DOGS blood!

He then noticed that half the head was missing, and Kim was splattered with blood and assorted pieces of flesh as a result of the blast. The dog's still bared teeth were just grazing the skin on Kim's neck.

"She shot the dog." Ron said to him self in astonishment. "She didn't kill Kim, she killed the damn dog!"

As he knelt down at Kim's side, he heard her moan and also noticed she was starting to move. Gently Ron placed a hand under one of her shoulders, and rolled Kim onto her back. There was a small gash on her forehead where she had struck the overturned bucket.

"Kim…?" He said. "Are… How do you feel?"

"Like a truck hit me." She said, and then grimaced at her own choice of words. "I'm… alive?"

Ron helped her to sit up, and looked over at Carla's body. She seemed to still be alive, as they could hear her heavy, raspy breath. "I guess she killed this… it looks like part wolf… before it could kill you."

Kim winced as she stood with Ron's help, and wrapped her arms around his neck, tears squeezing out of her tightly clenched eyelids. "I Love You so much, Ron. I'm so glad to see you."

"I Love You too, Kim." Ron said as Kim raised her head from his shoulder and they looked deep into each other's eyes.

Then they spoke at the same time saying the exact same thing. "Let's never separate again." Their lips met in a much waited and anticipated kiss that both had wanted, no… needed for the past 2 years.

The moment was interrupted by a gurgling cough from Carla. Anita was standing back giving the couple their moment, and all three went to Carla's side.

Anita had a bit more control than before, but tears still streaked her face. "I'm so, so… sorry. I… shouldn't have shot. I… thought…" She fell to her knees at Carla's side, and Ron and Kim knelt down beside her.

"It's…(cough)… Okay." Carla was trying to speak. "I… (wheeze) shouldn't have done to you… what I did, Kim. I… I was just try… (wheeze) trying to protect you."

"Please… Please Carla, don't talk." Kim said, "We'll… we'll get some help." She looked at Anita, who nodded and stood up and went back to the cruiser to call for an ambulance.

Carla continued to try and speak. "K… Kim? R… remember wh...(cough)" This time some blood frothed out of her mouth. "When I s… said I… I was your… biggest f… fan?"

"Yes Carla, yes I do." Tears now streaked Kim's dirty cheeks. As she tried to give an encouraging smile. "And I am honored you feel that way."

"I… it wasn't jus… just you." Carla wheezed out again. She took one of Kim's hands and then weakly reached for one of Ron's who was still kneeling at Kim's side. She took both their hands, and placed them together. Kim and Ron intertwined their fingers together as soon as they touched.

Carla clenched both of their hands in hers, and spoke again, her voice fading. "I'm… YOUR," She indicated their clenched hands giving them a light squeeze and shake. "Biggest… f… fffaaaann…"

Carla's last breath passed her lips and her body went limp, her lifeless brown eyes staring out at nothing. Ron reached over and gently closed her eyelids.

Ron then drew Kim into a crushing hug, and both cried into each other, rocking back and forth as they both sat on the cold ground. Off in the distance they could hear the wail of sirens that would be silent when they returned.

…x x x x…

After Carla's body was loaded into the ambulance, the doors were closed, and it slowly left the farm. Still holding onto each other, Kim and Ron stood by the cruiser giving each other small pecks on the face.

"Guys?" Anita said, reluctant to interrupt the two. "We really should go back. I need to write a report. Both Kim and Ron then took a deep breath and slowly let it out. "I'm sorry, but there's not enough room for all three of us in the front seat. Besides, I'm missing a passenger door."

"Oh, right." Ron said sheepishly as he opened the door for Kim.

"I don't suppose you can tell me how you…" Anita started to say.

"No, I can't." Ron quickly replied.

"I guess I can come up with something for an explanation." Anita muttered as she started the engine.

They rode in silence on the way back to the main highway, and as soon as the tires hit pavement, Kim spoke up. "Wait a sec… If Carla owned the tow truck… why was that 18 wheeler on the farm also?"

The car was now accelerating on the highway, and Anita started to look nervously into the rearview mirror, strangely silent.

"Anita? What's wrong?" Ron asked.

"I think you're about to find out an answer Kim." Both Kim and Ron turned around to look out the back window and saw the 18-wheeler barreling down on them!

"Who's driving it?" Kim yelled. "Ron! Can you see?"

"Not yet… but I might have an idea who it is…"

Anita Director continued her silence as she concentrated on the road pushing the police car to its limits. As it hit 100 mph, the car sputtered and started to slow, and dropped below 100.

"Damnit!" Anita screamed. "They told me at the garage that the Speed Limiter was removed! I can't even go 100 miles an hour!"

In what seemed mere seconds, the 18 wheeled truck came up behind the car, and everyone could see who was driving. It was the currently unemployed Detective Carlson!

"He was at the farm!" Ron said loudly. "But how did he get there? And why is he chasing us in a big rig?" The front bumper of the large truck connected with the rear of the Police Cruiser, and Anita fought to keep it on the road.

"I always knew this guy was nuts!" Anita yelled over the roar of the big diesel as it was much louder now that a door was missing on the car. "He either followed us out here, or stowed away in the trunk of my cruiser!"

"What!" Kim exclaimed. "How could he do that?"

"There's a release on the inside of the trunk lid in case anyone is locked in… Hang on!"

The truck slammed into the back of the cruiser again, this time the bumpers temporarily locked where there had already been damage to the front of the truck. Anita swerved to the right causing the rear bumper of the cruiser to be ripped off, and it went under the front tire of the truck, causing it to blow out!

Almost immediately the truck jerked to the left, and went into the dirt on the side of the road. The bumper that had come off of the cruiser was now jammed in behind the tire pressed into the fuel tank. The left front tire started to shred, and the force of the rubber slamming into the now mangled bumper shoved it into the tank, puncturing it causing diesel fuel to pour out.

The truck then veered back onto the road, and sparks started to fly from the end of the bumper that was now dragging on the highway. One spark landed in the right place at the right time, and ignited the fuel trail on the road. Again the truck jerked to the side as the driver over corrected, and it jack-knifed! The momentum pushed the now cock-eyed truck about a hundred more feet, and it finally came to a stop, smoke rolling from the tires.

Anita slammed on her brakes locking them up, and smoke rolled from her tires as well, filling the car with the smell of burnt rubber. She got out, and opened the back door for Kim and Ron to exit the back seat.

All three stood there waiting for Carlson to exit the truck, and suddenly all three saw what was about to happen. Flames raced on the highway where the fuel had leaked, heading straight for the truck! In a matter of seconds, flames encircled the cab.

Kim and Ron started to run forward to help Carlson get out, even though he had just tried to kill them. Anita stopped them both by grabbing each of their wrists. "It's too late!" She yelled, and almost immediately the fuel tank on the side of the truck erupted in a gigantic explosion, sending a ball of flame skyward.

All three instinctively ducked and turned their backs, but Ron's eyes stayed on the explosion a split second longer. His eyes glowed blue, and he ducked down just after the girls did, covering them both with his arms.

Not even knowing he had done it, Ron had sensed that a part of the truck, the driver's side door actually, was hurtling directly at them! When he covered both girls, a blue bubble of energy formed around the three of them just before the door reached them, and deflected the door milli-seconds before it could slam into their bodies! It would have most likely killed all three.

…x x x x…

Captain Morrison held the report in his hands as Officer Anita Director stood in front of his desk, waiting.

"You expect me to believe this?" He said, the ever-present unlit cigar dangling from the corner of his mouth.

"I only put in there what actually happened, Sir." She answered crisply.

"Huh… " He glanced over at the picture of his daughter and Team Possible on the wall, seemingly in deep thought.

"Sir?" Anita asked, wondering why her now direct superior had suddenly gone quiet.

His normally rough voice seemed to soften for a bit. "It's nothing. Nothing at all, Detective Director."

"Sir?" Anita prompted again. "What about Kim and Ron?"

He looked at her for a couple seconds. "Oh, yes. They are free to go."

…x x x x…

Anita walked back to the holding cell, and opened the door with a creak. Kim and Ron were sitting on the single cot, holding each other close. It was as if they never even noticed that she was there.

Anita Director cleared her throat. "Ahem… You two are free to go now."

The two sitting on the couch stood and started to walk towards the open cell door, but the Detective stopped them both before they could exit. "The two of you still need an escort while inside the building. I'm sorry, it's policy."

"Do you need to handcuff us again?" Ron asked.

"Only if you really, really want me to." Anita said and gave him a smile and a wink.

"Umm… no. That's not necessary." Ron said suddenly feeling nervous. He never noticed the look of mild jealousy wash over Kim's face.

The three walked through the Police office, and out the front doors. As they stood standing at the top of the steps, both Kim and Ron breathed in deep. Even with the slight pollution, the air outside was still better than the stale, heavy air inside the Police Station.

"What now, Ron?"

"I really think we should pay our respects, Kim."

Kim's temper began to flare a bit. "Even after everything she did to me? Ron, I never thought…" She looked into his deep brown eyes and saw the sadness. "… OK, you're right."

It had been less than a week since entire incident occurred, and only a day since the burial of Carla Dubois. Only three people attended the graveside funeral, Kim, Ron, and Anita. The dirt covering the grave was still fresh and a lone yellow rose lay across the brown earth, making a sharp contrast of colors.

"I wonder who put that there?" Kim said, referring to the rose.

Ron shrugged as he stepped up to the simple in-ground marker. The inscription was simple. Carla Dubois, 1968 – 2006. May She Rest In Peace.

"I still can't believe your going to do this Ron. I mean… it could be considered desecration, you know." She glanced around nervously as Ron knelt by the marker, and performed his duty.

It didn't take long, and he stood up next to Kim taking her hand in his. "Don't back out now Kim. You agreed to this to. Well… What do you think?"

Kim looked down at what Ron had done to the marker. The new letters now etched onto the stone shimmered a light blue for a few seconds, then died down to nothing.

The added inscription beneath the years of Carla's life was the following…

To Carla: You will always be our biggest fan.

Team Possible

As they turned and walked away from the small and unassuming grave, Kim leaned her head on Ron's shoulder and said, "You know… we're not in the world saving business anymore. I have to go back to classes on Monday."

"I know… I know." Ron said. "But we are back to being a… team, aren't we?"

"Of course." Kim said with a smile and a playful poke in his ribs. "You just need to get a job so you can pay your half of the rent."

Ron closed the car door after Kim sat down in the passenger seat and one last time he glanced back towards the small grave. With his head turned, Kim didn't see his eyes glow a light shade of blue.

…x x x x…

The cemetery grounds keeper walked by the freshly filled grave about 10 minutes later, and looked down at the marker. His eyes scrunched together at what he saw. "I don't remember that being there…" He said, and reached down and traced the small rose that was etched onto the stone. "Nice workmanship though. Almost as if it was part of the stone…"

The end…

My muse for a continuation of this story has completely left me standing in the cold here, so I just decided to change the ending so it wouldn't need one.

Hope y'all don't mind…