Disclaimer: I own nothing from this story... wait! I own nothing? Oh no, I'm poor! (cries).

Chapter 3: Your So Called Cheatin' Heart

Note: Story is set several weeks after Homecoming Upset, and months before Oh No! Yono! and Graduation.

--

It was well past sunrise and, luckily, a Saturday when Ron finally began to arouse from his fifteen hour sleep. Rufus, who had been wake for some time now, was brushing his two big teeth with an oversized, human toothbrush when he heard a half-unconscious groan from Ron's bedroom. He smiled, toothpaste still bubbling on his mouth, the naked mole rat didn't bother to wipe it off as he rushed out the bathroom door, across the bedroom carpet, and skittered up the night stand.

A bundle of navy blue blankets and orange PJ's twisted and stretched as Ron awoke, his eyes opening slower then usual, and he yawned loudly as he sat up and stretched every tight muscle loose. Man, he felt like he'd slept on concrete last night!

"Oh, Rufus," Ron muttered blindly as he rubbed his eyes awake, "I had the worst dream! We were on a mission and I found out that Kim was cheating on me with Sr. Senior Junior."

Ron removed his knuckles from his eyes and looked over to his night stand. He suddenly jumped back in surprise and fear.

"Rufus, you have rabies!"

The mole rat gave his master an annoyed look and whipped away the remaining toothpaste bubbles.

"Oh," Ron answered plainly. He kicked off the covers and slid off his bed, making his sluggish way to the bathroom, Rufus followed quickly.

Upon entering, Ron walked over to his mirror above the sink and smiled at his reflection.

"Well, at least it was only a dream,"

Rufus climbed onto the edge of the sink and looked at Ron's face carefully, the boy so full of happiness, then looked down at the blue tiling and sighed, shaking his head mournfully, bringing Ron's attention back down to him.

"What do you mean, buddy? That it wasn't a... and Kim really..." Ron began, his speech cut short from realization, he stared back at the mirror, mouth agape. "Oh man, that all really happened last night!"

"Oh, uh huh," Rufus muttered sadly, hating to be the bearer of bad news.

--

Mrs. Stoppable hummed a melodic tune happily as she slid two plates of freshly made pancakes onto the table where Ron and Rufus usually sat. Equal portions, it still always baffled her that that little mole rat could eat as much as her eighteen-year-old son.

She pulled the milk carton from the fridge and poured two glasses, then placed them next to the plates. And last but certainly not least, Mrs. Stoppable slammed a newly bought bottle of maple syrup in the center of the table, waiting for its contents to be smothered over two mountains of flapjacks.

"There, perfect!" she said proudly, smiling brightly, bringing her hands to her hips. Taking one last look at her handiwork, she skipped over to the highchair placed against the other side of the table, where Hana sat, half-eating, half-playing with the pancake her mother had given her.

"What do you think, Hana? Will big brother like this?" Mrs. Stoppable cooed, her chocolate eyes shining with love.

Hana looked up at her adoptive mother, pancake between her lips, and smiled innocently, not quite grasping the subject.

Mrs. Stoppable moved in front of the highchair and squatted down so that she was level with the baby.

"Hana, sweetie, Can you say pancake?" she gestured to the breakfast food in her daughter's hands for effect. The toddler removed the pancake from her mouth and admired the soft textured and sweet tasting cake, as if to figure out why her mom was so fascinated by it.

"Pancake," Mrs. Stoppable repeated, hoping to derive Hana's first words from breakfast, from anything if she could. Patience was needed when it came to child development, but what mother doesn't look forward to the time when their child began speaking?

But as usual, Hana just broke into a fit a babyish giggles and sank her small teeth into her breakfast again.

Mrs. Stoppable sighed, blowing at a loose strand of hair and straightening back up. Looks like patience was gonna have to hold out a little longer.

At that precise moment, Ron trudged into the kitchen doorway, fully dressed, with Rufus standing on his shoulder. The boy looked quite sullen, Mrs. Stoppable noted as she watched her son slide into his seat at the table, his small pet jumping down in front of one of the two plates, licking his pink lips graciously before digging into the meal with haste.

For once, Ron wasn't in the mood to eat. He had too much on his mind to think about food, even if it looked as good as this did. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of his mother, a worried expression growing on her aging face. Without thinking, he picked up his fork and knife and began slowly sawing away at the flapjacks, just to make sure Mom didn't think anything was wrong, even if something was.

Mrs. Stoppable sat down in the chair opposite of Ron's, cupping her hands over the table.

"Is something wrong, Ronnie?"

Darn it. How did moms always know? Ron pulled his eyes away from breakfast; the knife had made its way to the bottom of the plate, grating against what was thankfully paper, when he finally pulled it out, setting the silverware aside and looking his mother dead in the eyes.

"I'm fine, Mom, a little tired, that's all," She saw right through his lie, Ron knew she had from the moment the words left his mouth.

"You slept all night, Ronald. Kimmie brought you home, said you got knocked out during last night's mission," There was more worry in her voice, which made the poor teenager feel even worse. Something told him she'd been up half the night, tending to him, worrying, making phone calls to Mrs. Possible so she was sure that her son didn't have a concussion of any sort. She'd done that every time Ron had received a bump to the head, every time since he was a little kid. Overprotective, yes, but she was his mother, and for a long time, Ron was her only child, it was only natural that she wanted to make sure he was safe, even when he was running around the world with his teen hero best friend/girl friend.

"I'm okay, Mom, really!" Ron lied again. "I'm just bummed that KP and I missed out on our date, that's all,"

Mrs. Stoppable saw through him again, but decided that if her son wasn't willing to share his problems yet, she would wait 'till he was ready, and he always got that point.

"Speaking of Kimmie, she called this morning, said to meet her at Beuno Nacho once you were awake, something about needing to talk about last night's mission."

Ron's mind went whirling at that sentence. Needed to talk, those were the three deadly words of dating. The ones he hated most of all, because they almost always signaled that a break up was about to happen. And he understood why she would do this too, because of Junior, he thought sadly, but angrily.

Ron suddenly pushed his chair, catching his mother, Hana, and Rufus by surprise.

"I'm not hungry anymore, Mom. I'm just gonna go and see Kim, I need to ask her some things too," his voice was sullen and serious as he left the kitchen sluggishly.

Mrs. Stoppable was sure something was wrong now. She stood up and waved at quick goodbye to her son.

"Okay, Ronnie, be careful," she ended her sentence with a heavy sigh. Relationship issues, it had to be. Hopefully her son would open up to her about it before things got bad, if it got that far with Kim and Ron. They cared so much for each other, what could possibly drive a stake between them?

Changing the subject, Mrs. Stoppable looked down at the mess left on the table, and the stack of nearly untouched pancakes. Her hands clasped her hips and she shook her head in disappointment.

"Now what am I going to with-"

Her question, though unfinished, was quickly answered as Rufus leaped from his plate to Ron's, making short work of pancakes in less then a minute, then zipping off after Ron, leaving a bewildered Mrs. Stoppable and giggling Hana in his wake.

--

How could this happen, were Ron's first clear thoughts as he raced off his street on his newly renovated scooter. Rufus lounged in the bike's basket, sporting a pair of goggles as he licked his paws of remaining butter and syrup.

I mean, how could Kim lie to me like that? We're best friends, and we- he paused his train of thought for second, I mean I love her, I'm not sure how she feels anymore. There was such bitterness in his eyes, Rufus paused for moment, looking up at his master in worry. Ron made another block as edged closer to his destination.

And how long has this been going on anyway? Ron thought back to what Junior had said. Since they'd discovered their feelings, was what he'd said. That would've been... since the mini corndog freezer thing! That was over three years ago! Disgust filled Ron. They'd been secretly dating for years, and Ron had never known.

She could've a least told me! I would've understood... kinda. Who was he kidding? Kim and Junior? He wasn't even sure wrongsick was bad enough to describe it. What did he have to offer Kim that Ron didn't?

Well he is rich, and good looking, and owns a big island, but Kim isn't into those things. She isn't that shallow, right? Poor Ron couldn't be sure of himself anymore, not since all this had started. Had Kim been playing him for a chump this whole time, had she done it just to avoid breaking his heart, or just because she could?

Did he really know his own girlfriend?

Ron gulped as all these horrible prospects entered his mind. As he made his way down the final street, the worst of them entered his mind.

What did he do now that he knew?

Well, he couldn't pretend like it never happened. That would drive him insane, day in and day out, acting like everything was normal between them when it never would be. Getting angry wouldn't help either, he could never bring himself to hurt Kim, even over something like this.

That left him only one option.

As Beuno Nacho entered his view, Ron felt his heart sink in his chest. He didn't wanna do it! It would hurt him too much!

But he had to, if he was ever going to end this terrible romantic triangle.

--

Ron felt as though he was going in slow motion again when he entered the doors of his favorite Tex-Mex eatery. Familiar faces abound as his usually shiny eyes scanned the room. Ned stood at the counter, handing a customer a paper bag dripping with hand-pumped cheese and dropping a small amount of change into the man's palm. He waved happily to Ron when he saw him at the door, but quickly went back to work.

Several Middleton High students were scattered across the restaurant. Hope and Marcella were gossiping amongst themselves at one table, while Tara sat with now college student Josh Mankey at another, sharing a plate of nachos with him and giggling at the story he was telling about his messy and annoying roommate back at Upperton University. The short haired, redheaded girl with freckles sat at a booth to herself, going over her homework and eating at the same time. Why could he never remember her name? Had they even spoken before? She'd been at Middleton High as long as he had, she was in all of his classes!

"Ron, over here!" called an all too familiar voice. He had been hoping that she wouldn't be here yet, but as he looked over to his regular booth, he realized that he'd hoped in vain.

Kim sat on her usual side, a breakfast naco set before her, several bites taken out of it already. She was waving Ron over, smiling happily at him.

Ron grated his teeth nervously and swallowed. Okay, you can do this, just act natural.

So, with that thought, he began to walk toward the booth stepping as though his legs were braced stiff. And he always did, Ron smiled, with the most forced smile Kim had seen in a long time, causing the teen hero to cock an eyebrow.

"Hi KP!" Ron mumbled through his tight smile as he slid into his seat, Rufus jumping out of his pocket and eyeing Kim's naco, like he hadn't just eaten two whole plates of pancakes.

"Hey... Ron," Kim said awkwardly, trying to make something of her boyfriend's strange behavior. "Are you okay?"

Asking about my well being, basic question, answer calmly.

"I'm fine," he answered, smiling disturbingly.

Kim's expression was blank, to say the least, it took her a second to reply. "Um, good then!"

Ron nodded vigorously . Keep it cool. She doesn't suspect that you know.

"So... anyway," Kim started again, in her usual mission tone. "Unless you don't know already, Junior got away last night..."

Sweat beaded down Ron's forehead. She's talking about him.

"... and he stole the Emerald Heart, a rare diamond with a green center..."

Okay, Ron. Take it easy.

"...now what he wanted with it, I don't now, probably for his father's next 'take over the world'scheme..."

Just carefully surface it the conversation, casual-like.

You can get through this!

"...so what I'm thinking is that we need to regroup, have Wade check Senior's island for any unusual activity, and..."

It was then that Ron jumped up in seat.

"KP, WHY ARE YOU CHEATING ON ME?!"

The silence that came afterward was so uncannily eerie, you could've pulled the cliche of the chirping cricket noise if it had been a TV show, 'cause that's just what Kim felt like she should be hearing. Her mouth was agape, her eyes as large as dinner plates.

And she wasn't the only one. Ron's little revelation had attracted some extra attention from the other fifteen people inside Bueno Nacho. Tara and Josh looked over the side of their booth, Hope and Marcella watched for a moment, then continued their gossiping match, the words 'Kim' and 'Ron' now coming up in their quiet conversation. Ned's expression was shocked, and a little worried to say the least. Rufus sat on the table, slapping his little face with his paws.

Ron looked around at all the surprised and overly nervous faces, and shrugged. "What's everyone looking at?"

Kim finally regained her ability to speak. "Start explaining, Ron," the sternness in her voice caused him to look back and sit down, forcing him to face her.

"I shouldn't have to explain anything! You know all about it, and now I know!" he pointed at her accusingly. It was apparent that he wasn't about to calm down.

"Know what?" asked Kim, now very confused.

"Ugh! That you've been cheating on me since we got together, with Sr. Senior Junior of all guys!"

Kim was now confused and grossed out. "Okay, Ron, that goes way beyond wrongsick!"

"Well, you're the one dating him!" Ron was up in his seat again, pressing his hands hard on the table.

Kim, shocked by Ron's harsh words, sneered and stood, meeting the chocolate eyes of her accusing boyfriend with a cold stare that deterred him a little as he backed away.

"I am not dating him, I'm dating you," her expression softened on the last words, hoping to coax her boyfriend out of the fit. Instead, Ron used it to his fighting advantage.

"Not according to Junior!" he snapped.

This time Kim backed away, surprised by his viciousness, but it quickly melted away. She looked him dead in the eyes again, her fists now clutched tightly.

"You would believe a villain over me?" Kim shouted, now getting quite annoyed.

"I'm starting to wonder if I should believe anything you say," Ron stated coldly, his eyes narrowed coldly.

Kim gritted her teeth. "Ron, I. Am. Not. Dating. JUNIOR!"

Yes you are! Stop lying to me! You two have been secretly dating since the Animalogy thing!"

Kim's eyes widened even more so then before (if that was possible). "For four years?! Ron, you know I was with other guys at the time!"

Ron gasped in realization, jumping up onto his seat, standing in the plastic booth. "I'm not the only one! You cheated on Mankey and Brick Flagg and Erik- can you really cheat on a synthodrone? And, and-!"

Everyone in the room, except for Ron, saw that Kim's temper was beginning to flare. Her fingernails tearing at the pasture of the table, teeth bared and eyes on the brink of glowing red. How could he think such things about her? He was her best friend, her boyfriend, and he thought she was some cheating witch? How dare he! Ron should've known better! And here he was, listing all the guys she supposedly two-timed? It just made her so... angry!

Kim stood up to full height, facing her boyfriend with a most vicious glare.

"Ron, SHUT UP!"

Before he could continue on his list, a stinging pain struck through his cheek as Kim's hand ran across his face. He reeled back, falling into his seat.

Kim's tight expression suddenly softened again. What had she just done? Was Ron hurt? She wasn't sure just how hard she had slapped him! Quickly, she sat back down, reaching toward her friend comfortingly.

"Oh my gosh, Ron! I'm sorry! I don't know what got into me!"

Ron was slumping in his seat, but still conscious, rubbing his red cheek, his eyes filled with surprise, but that quickly changed as he glowered lightly at her, sliding out of the booth and standing up.

"So this is how it's gonna be, KP," he spoke darkly, then sighed. "I'm sorry, but I don't feel like playing the fool all my life. If you wanna be with Junior, go ahead, but leave me out of it."

Kim stood up, sadness filling every corner of her face. She put her hand on Ron's shoulder, seemingly begging him to change his mind. "Ron, you don't understand..."

He grabbed Kim's hand and pulled it off his shoulder gently. "You're right Kim, I don't, and I don't think I want to,"

With that, he turned his back to her and treaded toward to exit, opening the double glass doors. He took one last, sad look at his former girlfriend, the tears forming in her eyes. And for a moment, he hated himself for what he'd just done.

His mouth twisted into an apologetic frown. "Goodbye, KP,"

And with fifteen people, friends, classmates, complete strangers, watching; Ron Stoppable left Bueno Nacho for the day, and seemingly left Kim Possible forever.

--

Oh dear! What will become of our favorite couple now?

Any errors you may have found, please bring them up in your review.

Thanks to CajanBear73, Christian Ninja Rabbit, Ace Ian Combat, tater06, Darth Comrade, Kimron Posstoppable, Akinyi, and The Brunette Bookworm for reviewing.

Next Chapter: Music and Lyrics.