Author's note: I really don't know where this all came from. I just started typing and it poured out. I would like to thank kingprawnsct, Bubbahotek, and Jerridian for their reviews. I wouldn't be writing if I didn't think that anyone was going to read it! These updates have been coming in pretty fast, but that's just because I have had the entire last week off. I can not normally keep up this pace so don't get disappointed when I can't put something up every third day! As always, italizied text is meant to refer to the character's active thoughts.
Happy reading!
Ron was doing one of the things he liked doing least of all, manual labor. Landscaping was hard work. It was Thursday and the Possible house was starting to look like it had before the Diablo attack. Ron was shoveling dirt into the giant Diablo footprints that adorned the yard. Masons were finishing up laying brick on the front of the house. Mr. Dr. P. had had some sod delivered. Ron would be getting to that next. His mother didn't really have anything for him to do around the house after he cleaned out the garage on Tuesday and Wednesday, and the weeklong suspension from school wasn't going to be a vacation for him if she had anything to say about it. Besides, her husband and her were going to be gone for business for the rest of the week and it was nice to have someone to keep an eye on him. Mr. And Mrs. Possible had always treated Ron like a son.
Ron was laying the last of the sod in the front yard when Mrs. Possible pulled in the driveway. She got out of the car and looked at the lawn, "You're doing a great job Ronald. When you finish up I'll have some lemonade ready for you in the kitchen. Then you should get cleaned up, Kimmie will be home from school soon and you will have to get started on your schoolwork."
"OK Mrs. Dr. P." Ron said with all the cheer he could muster. "And I thought that cleaning the garage was hard," he thought. He finished rolling out and trimming the sod and set the sprinkler timer in the garage for ten minutes. "At least Doctors P. are happy with the repairs." He dusted off his pants and took his muddy shoes off at the door, walking into the kitchen. A glass of lemonade was set on the counter; he took it and drank it down quickly, realizing just how thirsty he was. Mrs. Possible smiled and poured him another glass.
"Don't drink too much, you'll get a belly ache," she warned.
"Mrs. Dr. P., can I ask you a question?
"You sure can Ronald, go ahead," she replied.
"How is Brick? I know he needed to have his cat scanned, so you must know.." Ron asked quietly.
"He will be OK Ronald. He has a concussion, but the doctors were able to set his jaw and brace it. He had to have some teeth put back in, but it could have been worse." She frowned at him, her voice growing serious, "You could have killed him Ron."
"I know Dr. P., I didn't mean to hit him that hard, I just reacted," Ron said hanging his head. "I don't usually fight back, unless we're on a mission."
"It's OK to defend yourself Ron, and I think that you did what you needed to do. You just need to be careful, be aware of what could happen and the consequences. Just like you need to be aware of the consequences of not acting. If Brick had gotten a hold of you it might be you in the hospital, or Bonnie, or both of you. I know you'd defend Kimmie just as quickly and for that I am thankful."
"How is Erik?" Ron asked suddenly, uncomfortable with the subject. "He was released from the hospital yesterday, he should be back in school today. I don't know how I'm going to be able to face him, my … distaste towards him was justified when he was a synthodrone, but now?"
"He was released from the hospital yesterday Ronald. He's just fine, all of his scans came back with normal readings." Mrs. Possible replied with and arched eyebrow. "Why do you ask?"
"I just wanted to know if he's OK, he is Kim's boyfriend after all."
"Ron," Mrs. Possible started. The front door opened and Kim came in. "Kimmie is home," she said, cut off from what she was going to say.
Kim came into the kitchen flopping a large bag of homework on the table for Ron. "Hi Mom," she said glancing to her mother. She walked over and gave Ron a hug, "Hi Ron. Whew! You stink. You better get cleaned up so you can get some work done."
"What do you think I've been doing!?" Ron replied, exasperated. He finished up his lemonade and headed to the guest bathroom to take a shower, or Ron's bathroom as the tweebs tended to call it. He showered quickly and changed into some clean clothes.
Kim was munching on a granola bar as Ron came into the kitchen. "You ready to get to work? I don't want to see you fall behind." She proceeded to lie out his assignments for him and allowed him to read through the notes that she had taken in the classes they had together. "Mrs. Hazelwurth said she will drop off the Biology test tomorrow night as long as you take it with one of my parents present."
"Awww.. That tanks!" I get kicked out of school and still can't get away from tests," Ron grumbled.
"You should be happy Ron, they are going out of their way to make sure you don't fall behind. That usually doesn't happen." Kim said flatly. "And Brick isn't getting that chance at all. He got expelled."
"Wow, I didn't know that. How is everyone at school taking it?"
"Well, the football team isn't happy. They lost their star quarterback. Everyone else is doing well though. Felix, Monique, and Erik all said to tell you hi. Even Bonnie asked about you." Kim replied.
"What? Really?" Ron asked flabbergasted.
"Yah, Monday really got to her. She hasn't been acting normal lately. I haven't heard her call anyone a loser lately, and she chewed out a senior for picking on a sophomore." Ron looked out the window quickly. Kim followed, not noticing anything out of the ordinary. "What?" she asked.
"Just checking for flying pigs," Ron said with a grin.
Kim rolled her eyes. "Enough stalling Ron, unless you want me to ask the tweebs to go over your math with you," Kim threatened with a smile.
"OK, you got me," Ron pled, holding up his hands. They dug into the pile of papers and books. Ron actually found himself enjoying himself in spite of it being homework. "I hate homework, but this is actually fun." Kim was quizzing him on obscure historical figures. She'd praise him when he got the right answer and put on a fake pout when he'd get one wrong. He found himself lost gazing at her. "She is so beautiful, so… Kim."
"Ron, hello?!" Kim waved in front of his face. "What year did the Spanish-American war start?" "He's distracted, but at least he seems happy today. He has been a bit moody as of late. Well, I think Brick would say that moody is an understatement. I'll have to talk to him later."
"Oh, sorry KP, I'm just a little tired from working. 1898?" Ron replied.
"Correct potential boy!" Kim said with a grin.
"It was on that extra homework Mr. B. gave me." Ron stated happily.
"Kimmie, can you please set the table?" Mr. Possible asked from the kitchen.
"Sure Mom!" Kim called back. She looked up at Ron. "Well that was all of history, you're caught up. Now you have math. We're working on the calculations listed in the book on page 142 and 143. I can't really help you on those. I'll check them when you're gone. If you have any questions ask!" With that Kim started getting the dishes out for dinner.
"Math, blech. I hate math. It's just the cold, hard facts. Like my life. Kim is with Erik, who is a real boy, fact. She is happy with him, fact. I think I am in love with my best friend, Kim Possible, fact." He sighed, "I hate math."
After dinner Ron helped with the dishes and finished up his homework. Kim got a phone call from Erik and Ron had to do the unspeakable, ask the tweebs to help correct his math.
"It's simple Ron," started Jim.
"All you have to do," continued Tim.
"Is take what you know about X."
"From the right side of the equation."
"And bring it to the left."
Ron copied the number over quickly on his paper.
"Now finish the equation"
"On the left to get Y."
"Then transfer that back over"
"To the right side."
"And finish the equation."
Ron jotted and figured for a moment. "So Z is 12?" Ron asked hopefully.
"Hick a bic a boo!" Jim started, holding up a fist.
"Hoo sha!" Tim said, tapping his fist on Jim's.
"Math equations are like"
"a puzzle with rules."
"Badical!" Ron smiled, happy with himself. "OK, Rufus can test pilot for you tomorrow. Thanks guys!" Tim and Jim scampered off as Kim came into the room, talking on the phone.
"Sure thing Erik, pick me up at 6:30. No, I have to study for my SATs this weekend. Yep, the whole weekend. OK I will. See you tomorrow at school!" She pressed the button to hang up with a smile. "Hey Ron, how's the math coming?"
"I got Jim and Tim to help me with it," Ron said flatly, his smile gone, his face seeming weary.
"Oh," KP looked at him sheepishly, "I'm sorry I took so long on the phone."
"No big KP," Ron said stealing her line.
"Ron, is something bothering you?" Kim asked worriedly.
BEEP BEEP BE BEEP!
Kim grabbed the Kimmunicator out of her pocket. "Sitch me Wade." Ron leaned over her shoulder to catch a look at the screen.
Wade was at the screen looking a little uncomfortable. "Well Kim, Shego and Drakken have escaped from GJ custody."
"What!?" Kim and Ron said together.
"Um, Jinx, you both owe me a soda?" Wade said apprehensively.
"Wade, so not the time." Kim chided. "How did they escape now!? I thought you had designed special hand cuffs to keep Shego from using her plasma."
"Don't yell at me, I'm just the messenger," Wade began. "It seems the Seniors owed Shego a favor as part of their tutoring deal. She called it in. They broke them out during a top secret transfer to a more secure GJ facility." He shrugged his shoulders. "Sorry Kim."
"It's not your fault Wade," Kim said with a little regret. "I just wish Global Justice could hold onto prisoners for more than a week at a time."
"Yeah, this is getting a bit old." Ron said with a frown.
"Do you have any intel on where they might be?" Kim asked hopefully.
"No, I just thought I should give you guys a heads up," Wade answered. I will let you know as soon as I get anything.
"Please and thank you Wade." Kim said signing off.
"I'm really tired KP," Ron said stifling a yawn. "I'm going to turn in. Goodnight." Ron headed off to the guest bedroom intent on a good nights sleep.
"Umm, OK Ron, goodnight," she said. "I guess I'll talk to him later."
The next day held more work for Ron, and studying for his Biology test.
"This is like before Prom all over again," Ron thought gloomily. He didn't get much time to spend with Kim with all his homework, his biology exam, and her date with Erik. "How do you think that I did Mrs. Dr. P.?" Ron asked after handing her his biology paper.
"It looked like you passed to me Ronald, but the essay questions are at the discretion of your teacher," Mr. Possible said with a smile.
"I'm beat, I think I'm going to bed early tonight Drs. P." Ron said with a yawn.
"You don't want to stay up with me and wait for Kimmie-cub?" Mr. Possible asked. He was poised at the edge of the couch and would get up and go to the window every time headlights came near.
"Not tonight Mr. Dr. P." I want to get up early and practice my martial arts with Kim.
"OK Ronald, goodnight." Mr. and Mrs. Possible said to Ron.
"Jinx, you owe me a kiss Timothy." Mrs. Possible said with a grin.
Ron normally rolled his eyes at these antics, but this time something welled up inside him. "Goodnight Drs. P." he said while he still had the breath to do so. He headed off to bed, tears brimming in his eyes. "That is what I want, happiness. Friendship. Love." He wiped his eyes. "If I tell her how I feel I might lose all three. Can't I just have the friendship and be happy with it?" He drifted off to sleep, trying to convince himself that he could.
The next morning his alarm woke him up before Kim. He dressed in his gi and, after shaking the dust out of it, filled his water bottle and headed into the back yard to start stretching. It was a brisk morning out and he jogged in place and did some jumping jacks to warm up. Kim came out groggily and noticed Ron standing there, sparring gear in a bag beside him.
Ron stood there with a sheepish grin on his face. "Hey KP, I figured we could do some sparring. I think I could have pulled my weight a little better in that last mission and maybe I wouldn't have needed Rufus to help me."
"Ron! You did just fine!" Kim said, exasperated. "But I'm glad to see you trying to improve yourself." Kim grinned, "Let me get my gear on."
They moved over to the sand pit made just for this purpose and sparred for an hour. Then they went over some of the moves in slow motion. Kim was getting the upper hand and was doing more teaching than learning. Ron finished up a throw she taught him and Kim sat in the sand patting a place beside her. He flopped down beside her.
"What's wrong Ron?" she asked concerned. "You seem like you could use some of your own Ronshine. Is it the Brick sitch?"
"No, KP, it's not the Brick sitch. It's just, Umm.. Kim, we haven't been really spending much time together lately." He stopped her, "I know, I know, time to grow up. But I miss you, I miss just hanging out with you."
"We'll always be friends Ron, you know that," she said, placing her hand on his arm. "I know that I have been spending a lot of time with Erik. Maybe we call all start doing some things together." She got a little smirk on her face, "maybe double dating, I hear Bonnie is single now."
"Oh you little!" Ron said laughing, pushing her into the sand, moving in for a pin.
Kim twisted up and scissors leg tripped him, rolling to pin him to the ground. "Not this time Ron Stoppable! She giggled, helping him to his feet. "Let's get cleaned up, if I'm lucky Mom will have slept in and you can cook breakfast. Then I have to get studying."
Yeah, I have to get home after breakfast, the 'rents were supposed to get back in late last night. It was fun KP, same time tomorrow?" Ron asked hopefully.
"Sure thing Ron," she answered back with a smile.
Ron whistled happily as he walked over to the Possible household for Kim and his Sunday morning sparring session. He walked into the backyard to see Kim beginning her stretching. He set down his bag and went to join her. "Morning KP," he said.
She let out a little yawn. "Good morning yourself. Who's idea was it to get up at this hour on a Sunday anyways?" she questioned playfully.
"Come on KP, this will be good for us," Ron yawned. "Besides, it will help on the missions."
Just then the sound of a motor came from around the house. Kim's face lit up as Erik came around the house, dressed in a karate gi.
"Hey Kim, Hey Ron," he said, walking up with a smile on his face. "Kim told me all about your training yesterday on the phone and I thought I'd join in, I could use the practice.
"You know martial arts?" Ron asked. "This is so not what I thought she meant by the three of us spending time together."
"I know a little karate," Erik replied.
"Oh come on Erik, you're a black belt! You don't have to be so modest," Kim beamed. "Let's get started. I'll start off with Ron while you stretch, and then we can rotate out."
Kim and Ron squared off. "Why didn't you tell me Kim?" Ron said flatly.
"Oh, sorry Ron, we were talking about it late last night and it was a little late to call," Kim replied. "You're not upset are you?"
"No big KP, of course I'm not upset," Ron said, faking a grin. They began fighting, throwing punches and kicks with their gloves and pads on. "Of course I'm upset! How can I not be upset! I pretty much flat out told you that I want to spend more time with you and you invite him here!" They exchanged blows and warded off each other's punches. The pace steadily increased until Kim slipped in a quick shot to Ron's chest.
"Gotcha Ron! Wow, you really gave me a run there. We should have stuck to this years ago, it would make things a lot easier dealing with all the henchmen we've faced."
"Umm, thanks KP," Ron said, walking to the edge of the sand.
"Why don't you stay in Ron? You need the practice more than I do," Kim said with a smile.
"OK," Ron said, taking a drink from his water bottle before going back to the sandpit.
"Are you ready Ron? Don't worry I'll go easy on you," Erik said with a confident smile on his face.
"Yep." "Yah, I'm ready. It's not enough that you come in and take Kim, driving us apart. Then you have to butt into the things that we do together? Isn't having her heart enough for you?"
Erik started off with a high kick followed by a foot sweep. Both Ron easily avoided. Ron struck at him with a few punches, all neatly blocked. Erik advanced again with a series of kicks. Ron stepped in and judo threw Erik to the ground. He then stepped back allowing Erik to get back up, his face devoid of a smile.
"Again?" Ron asked politely. Erik shook his head yes with the flicker of a grin.
Ron approached this time and Erik threw a flurry of combinations that Ron was hard-pressed to block. Erik tried to follow up with an axe kick but Ron swept his leg before he could complete it. He rolled to the ground with Erik and put him into an arm bar.
"OK, OK, you got me!" Erik said. He got to his feet and brushed off his gi angrily.
"Maybe I should switch in?" Kim said with concern, looking from her best friend to her boy friend and back.
"No Kim, I want one more try," Erik said flatly.
Ron shrugged his shoulders and stepped back to restart the sparring match. Erik came in with his kicks and punches hard now.
Kim stood up, "Hey guys, this is sparring! Amp down a little will you?"
Erik huffed, I have to speed it up Kim, ""How can I expect to defend you if I don't get any better?"
The warmth left Ron's eyes as he heard the words Erik spoke. "Defend her? DEFEND HER!!! SIDEKICK IS MY JOB!" His eyes flashed blue as Erik came in with a punch. Ron snatched Erik's wrist from the air and flipped him to the ground liked Kim had shown him yesterday. The air left Erik's chest as he landed on his stomach, the wind knocked out of him. He struggled to his hands and knees as Ron stepped forward with his left leg. Visions of synthoErik electrocuting Kim flashed through his head. Power flowed through his body.
"Ron!" Kim yelled, bringing him to his senses as Ron started to bring his right knee forward towards Erik's face. Ron pulled the blow just before it struck, tapping Erik lightly on the forehead. He then turned and walked out of he sand as Kim rushed to Erik helping him to his feet.
"You're crazy!" Erik gasped, pointing at Ron.
Kim walked up to Ron and grabbed his wrist as he turned to Erik; he twisted away. "Let me." She scowled and grabbed his wrist again, pulling his sleeve up to his armpit. Red splotches ran the length of his arm. "You're both crazy. This is supposed to be sparring, not an all out brawl." She looked into Ron's eyes, "Ron, you flipped him really hard." She turned to Erik and looked at him pointing out the marks on Ron's arms where he blocked Eric's strikes. "Erik there is no reason he should have these all over his arms, you were going full out against him there." She looked between the two of them and crossed her arms, "Erik you are my boyfriend. Ron, you are my best friend. You both need to grow up and get along."
Erik scowled and looked at his feet, straightening his gi. Ron looked blankly at them both.
"Sorry KP," Ron said, "I guess I just lost it for a minute there. After fighting that synthodrone on the roof, this is just too much, too soon."
Kim's mouth dropped wide open, "Oh my gosh Ron! I don't know how I forgot about that! I'm sorry to put you through that."
"Sorry dude, I forgot about that too." Erik said sheepishly.
"I should probably get home and get cleaned up. I'm still grounded until I return to school Tuesday." Ron turned and picked up his bag.
"Bye Ron!" Kim yelled as he walked around the house. Ron lifted up his hand and waved without looking back. "I think we're done for the day Erik, I think the sunlight is getting to me. I kept seeing blue spots while you two were fighting."
Ron was in the kitchen baking up a cake. He wanted to send it over to Kim as a surprise for a great SAT exam. He was also trying to make up for his spat with Erik, well at least make it up to Kim. He has just finished up mixing the batter when there was a knock at the front door. Ron answered it, a middle aged man stood there with a package in his hand.
"Sign here please sir," he said, holding out a clipboard.
Ron signed the clipboard and took the package; it was addressed to him from Wade. "Thanks, have a nice day."
"Oh I would, if I didn't have to work," the man replied as he walked to his delivery truck.
Ron tore open the package and saw a red colored Kimmunicator inside. It started beeping and he pressed the answer button. Wade popped up on the screen. "Ron, I can't get a hold of Kim, she's not answering her Kimmunicator!"
"Amp down Wade, she's taking her SATs," Ron said looking at his watch. "Yep, 1:30, she just started a half hour ago, the test is 3 hours and 45 minutes long." He noticed the look on Wade's face. "Umm, what's the sitch?"
"I have a lock on Drakken and Shego. They are next to Electrical Innovations Labs in Upperton in a hoverlair. They have a cloak but had to take if off for a moment while they landed. You need to get Kim and hurry!" Wade said.
"I can't take Kim away from her SAT's, they're crucial. The Ron Dog is going to have to go solo." Ron said with false bravado. "At least until you can get me some back up over there," he finished with a false grin.