Disclaimer: I do not own Kim Possible or any of the show's characters (unfortunately). This fic is written solely to entertain; I do not earn anything (except reviews).

AN: This story ignores the events of StD, but includes all the episodes of the series.

First of all, again many many thanks for your reviews! I was very relieved to see that most of you seem to have enjoyed what I did with the characters in the last chapter. I wasn't sure you'd agree with my take on Connie (and we haven't seen much of Lonnie yet). Now this chapter proved to be a bit tricky to write, so let's see how you like it.

As always: Enjoy the chapter, and feedback is of course still highly appreciated!

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Tara smiled. Almost three hours had passed since she had come downstairs with Ron. After the Roadrunner, Ron had given Tara the remote. "I've watched what I wanted, not it's your turn," he had said. Tara had blushed furiously, because she had secretly watched what she wanted most of the time, too, but of course she couldn't say that. At lunch time, they had decided to order something for lunch and continue waiting. The pizzas had been very good, but soon after lunch, Ron had fallen asleep on the sofa. That had been half an hour ago. After making sure the blond boy was asleep, Tara had leaned against his shoulder with a content smile on her face.

Now, she sat up straight quickly when she heard someone come downstairs. Ron seemed to notice it, too, because he woke up and yawned.

A moment later, Bonnie appeared in the living room. She had red, puffy eyes, but seemed relieved somehow.

"Hey, you're still here?" Bonnie asked with a small smile.

Tara rose from the sofa. "Of course, Bonnie. We wanted to see how you were doing. So… how are you doing?" she asked cautiously.

Bonnie gave sort of a half shrug. "We talked about a lot of things. It helped. We still have much to sort out, but it was a start." She looked at the table. "Is that pizza I see?"

Ron nodded with his usual goofy grin. "We ordered a couple for lunch. Yours is cold now, but if you heat it up, it should be fine."

Bonnie gave a grateful smile. "I'm starving. Tara, could you go upstairs and ask Connie if she wants some pizza, too?"

The blonde girl nodded and bounced up the stairs. When she returned with Connie's answer (she wasn't hungry), Bonnie was already heating the pizzas up in the oven. A few minutes later, the three of them sat in the living room again and ate in silence.

After they'd finished, Tara helped Bonnie putting the dishes in the dish-washer while Ron remained on the sofa. "Bonnie, is there anything I can do?" the blonde girl asked.

Bonnie shook her head. "No, Tara, but thanks for asking." She hugged her friend. "Thanks for everything."

Tara returned the hug. "You're welcome, but I think it's Ron you should be thanking."

Bonnie broke the hug and looked down. "I know," she whispered.

Tara just smiled. "He's a great guy."

Bonnie still didn't look up. "I... I guess so."

Tara looked at her watch and gasped. "It's four already! Oh my gosh! I have to hurry! My parents will be home soon, and I haven't finished my homework!" She was about to turn, when she stopped. "Bonnie, is it ok if I go home? I mean…"

Bonnie gave her a small smile. "Of course, Tara. I need some time alone now anyway, you know?"

The platinum blonde nodded. "Okay, but if you need something…"

"I'll call. Don't worry," Bonnie reassured her.

Tara nodded and went back into the living room. "Ron, I'll leave now."

Ron came over immediately. "Oh, ok, Tara. I guess I'll head home, too."

Bonnie, who had followed Tara, cleared her throat a little. "Um, Ron? Can I talk to you for a moment before you leave?"

He looked nonplussed. "Err, of course, Bonnie." He turned to Tara. "Well, bye then. I guess I'll see you at school tomorrow."

Tara smiled and, blushing, gave him a quick hug. "See you tomorrow, Ron." She then hugged Bonnie. "Bye, Bonnie."

"See you," the brunette replied.

When Tara had left, Bonnie and Ron went back into the living room, where the brunette sat down on the sofa. Ron sat down on the other end and waited for her to say something.

Whatever he might have expected, the question she asked caught him off guard.

"Alright, what do you want?"

Bonnie bit her lower lip; she hadn't meant for it to sound so harsh.

Ron blinked once, then for a second time, before he finally managed a reply: "Huh?"

Bonnie sighed. "You helped me, Stoppable, and I'm sure there's something you want in return, so what is it?"

Ron scratched his head. "Err, Bonnie, what are you talking about? I helped you because you were in trouble."

He seemed honestly confused, and Bonnie felt fresh tears building up. "Really?" she asked in a tiny voice.

"Sure. What other reason could I have to…?" He paused, and his eyes narrowed. "You think I helped you to get something out of it?"

He sounded a bit angry, but mostly hurt, and Bonnie broke down in tears. "I'm sorry, Ron… I just… Why would you help me? I've been nothing but horrible to you. You have every reason to hate me… I just don't understand…"

He took a deep breath to calm down before he answered. "I don't hate you, Bonnie. I mean, I don't like how you always try to put down KP, but…"

"But I've always treated you like dirt! You… you…"

"You think I hate you because you called me names? Come on, Bonnie… I have an arch-foe who tries to kill me because he wants some mystical power. The villains Kim and I fight don't even remember my name, because I'm just the buffoon. I've been beaten up by bullies and henchmen more often than I care to remember. Do you really think I even notice your put-downs any more?"

She couldn't believe what she had just heard. "You mean you're so used to it that you don't notice it any more?"

Ron gave a half-shrug. "More or less." When he saw her shocked expression, he continued. "Hey, it isn't as bad as it sounds. The bullies have pretty much left me alone since KP had a word with them." He chuckled at the memory before turning serious again. "And I would never let KP face the villains alone. She's my best friend, and if she got hurt because I wasn't there…" He shook his head before smiling brightly. "And it's not like we don't have any fun, you know. And it feels good to help other people, too. I mean, sure, KP does most of the help part, but still."

Bonnie could only stare.

"Um, Bonnie, are you ok? You look a little…"

He was cut off when Bonnie launched herself at him and hugged him. "I'm so sorry," she sobbed.

He returned the hug tentatively. "It's ok, Bonnie. No harm done." He wasn't quite sure what she was sorry for, but he didn't want to see her cry, so he tried to comfort her.

"It's not okay," came her muffled response. Letting go of him, she continued, "but it will be." Her voice sounded somewhat determined now.

"What do you mean?" Ron asked.

"You'll see," she answered with a small smile. "But I… I have a favour to ask."

"What is it?"

"Please don't tell anyone what happened on Friday. I… I don't want people to know." She looked at him with big, pleading eyes.

"I guess that includes Kim?"

Bonnie nodded. "Please…"

Ron sighed. "Alright, I promise I won't tell anyone."

She smiled. "Thanks, Ron."

"Don't mention it." He looked at his watch. "Well, I should be heading home. Will you be ok?"

She nodded. "Yes."

They walked to the door, where Bonnie hugged Ron again. "Thanks Ron…"

He just gave his goofy grin. "Hey, that's what I'm here for… you know, saving the day, rescuing people, procrastinating in doing my homework…" he joked.

She couldn't help but giggle at that. "Well, thanks anyway. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Bye, Bon-Bon."

After Ron had left, Bonnie went back into the living room. She still could hardly believe it. How did Ron manage to keep this care-free, laid-back, and friendly disposition after all he'd been put through? People had ridiculed or ignored him, and he had been beaten up many times. He had to be one of the strongest guys she knew to come out of all this unfazed. Ok, so he was a bit weird, lacked any fashion sense whatsoever, kept a rodent in his pocket and what not, but today, she had seen the great friend Ron could be when given the chance. 'That must be why Kim's still his best friend,' she thought. 'She's really lucky to have someone like him… and to think she's had him all her life. No wonder she can supposedly do anything.' She buried her face in her hands. For the first time that she could remember, a guy did something for her without wanting anything in return, and with said guy being Ron, she felt that she didn't deserve it. She remembered all the times she had put him down one way or another, had made fun of him and had ridiculed him. She also remembered that he had hardly ever replied to her insults. She had always thought he just didn't have an answer to her remarks, but now she realized that it just wasn't in him to be mean. He would never stomp on anyone, no matter how much they might deserve it. "Some friend you got there," Connie had said about him with a teary smile. It had been the first time in years that Bonnie had completely agreed with her sister.

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AN, part 2: I'll be on vacation for two weeks now, but I will update as soon as possible after that! But at least I did not finish this chapter with a mean cliffhanger. ;)