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.

As always, a big thank you to everyone who reviewed! I'm pretty busy these days, which has led to the long delay, and I'm sorry about that. The next chapter will take some time (again), because I'll be on a business trip for the next two weeks. The story is, however, not abandoned by any means!

That being said, enjoy the new chappie! As always, feedback is highly appreciated!

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When Kim arrived at the hospital, she found her mother waiting for her. "Hey mom, how's Ron?"

"He hasn't woken up yet. Kim, before you go in there, I need to talk to you."

The serious tone in her mother's voice surprised Kim a little; what was there to talk about in a moment like this? However, she nodded and sat down on one of the chairs in the waiting room.

"Kim," Dr. Possible began, "the two guys that kidnapped Ron were brought in right after you'd left. By the way, where were you?"

"I went to Drakken's lair to have a word with Shego."

Dr. Possible's eyes narrowed. "And?"

Kim shrugged. "And I had. Well, actually, I talked to Drakken, but Shego was there. It seems she didn't know about the background of those guys."

"Did you only talk?"

Kim nodded. "I wanted to beat Shego up when I went there, but somehow, Drakken completely threw me off when he demanded I talk to him instead. So, I told them everything, and after that, I was just… spent or something. Anyway, I came back as fast as I could. Can I see Ron now?"

Her mother shook her head. "In a minute. Kim, the guys you took out… Did you want to free Ron, or did you want to beat them into a pulp?"

Kim seemed surprised. "What? I wanted to save Ron, of course! Why do you ask? What happened?"

Dr. Possible sighed. "Kim, the guys were brought here by the police because they were severely injured. We had to operate one of them, and they'll both take a few weeks before they're completely healed."

Kim nodded coldly. "Well, I didn't realize I hit them that hard, but they deserved it." At her mother's shocked expression, Kim's temper rose. "What? Should I feel sorry for them?"

Dr. Possible shook her head. "No, Kimmie, but you shouldn't forget that you are a very strong and capable fighter. It seems you lost control when you fought them; they could have been killed or permanently injured, and then what would you do?"

Kim gulped. "Well… I… I don't know…"

Her mother nodded. "That's why you shouldn't lose control like that. Granted, they are criminals, and with Ron involved, it was kind of personal, but it's not your job to punish them."

The younger Possible nodded, subdued. "I'm sorry, mom. You're right, and it won't happen again."

Dr. Possible nodded and took a deep breath. "Well, in that case, I think you've waited long enough to see Ron. He's in room 17."

Kim hurried to Ron's room after a quick "thanks" to her mother. When she entered, she found Ron, obviously asleep, with Tara sitting beside his bed and Bonnie lying in the second bed.

"Hey," she said quietly. "How are you? Has Ron woken up yet?"

Tara smiled but shook her head. "He hasn't, but the doctor said it's highly probable that he'll sleep the night through, given how late it is."

Kim sat down in the chair on the other side of Ron's bed. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

Again, it was Tara who answered. "No, thanks, Kim. I called my parents, and they allowed me to stay here."

Kim turned to Bonnie, who had yet to say something. "How about you?"

The brunette just shook her head. "My parents are out of town, but the doctors want me to stay overnight anyway. I called Connie, though. She's glad we're alright but worried because Lonnie still hasn't come home."

Kim frowned at this news. "Bonnie, do you think… I mean… Could Lonnie be at… you know, the place of…?"

"Connie called there, but no one answered the phone."

"Her cell?" Kim asked.

"No answer, either. And that's really unlike her, no matter how mad she might be. She wouldn't ignore Connie's calls like that."

Kim raised an eye-brow. "What about this: She went to those guys, told them everything she knew. They wanted revenge on Ron and hired Shego to capture him, but they couldn't take Lonnie with them, so they just tied her up or something? Maybe she's at one of their places but can't answer the phone?"

Bonnie looked really worried. "You think they… they…?"

Kim realized what Bonnie was asking. "No, Bonnie, I'm sure they wouldn't do something like that! They must know that they can't get away with murder!"

Tears started rolling down Bonnie's cheeks. "Kim… they… they might just think that. They're… so arrogant. Just because they're filthy rich, they think they're above the law!"

Kim grew worried herself now. "I'll have Wade send someone over and check. Don't worry, Bonnie, I'm sure we'll find her."

The door opened, and a friendly looking nurse entered the room. "I'm sorry, dears, but you'll have to leave now. Visiting hours are long over, and Mr. Stoppable and Ms. Rockwaller need rest."

Tara and Kim rose from their seats, nodding. "Of course," the blonde replied. "We're as good as gone." She turned to her best friend. "Good night, Bonnie, and don't worry. It'll all be okay." She quickly hugged the brunette, then leaned over Ron's bed. "Sleep tight, Ron, I'll be back tomorrow." She kissed him softly on his forehead and left the room.

Kim's throat tightened a little, and she had to clear it before she could say good night to Bonnie. Then she brushed softly through Ron's hair. "Get well soon, Ron."

Outside, Tara was waiting for her. "Kim, I just wanted to say thank you. You know, for letting me come with you."

"No big, Tara. I know how it feels to worry about someone… a friend."

Tara nodded, feeling slightly uneasy. "Kim… believe me, you don't have to worry about me."

The red-head looked at her companion in surprise. Had Tara lost her interest in Ron?

The blonde continued. "I know Ron's very important to you, and you don't want to see him hurt." She looked at Kim with a resolved expression. "I promise this isn't some silly crush, Kim. I really like him a lot, and I want to see him happy."

Kim gulped. She wasn't sure if this was what she wanted to hear right now.

"I also know that you two are best friends, and I don't want to change that. I really want us to be friends, too. I know it's difficult, what with me being best friends with Bonnie and all, but I hope you'll give me a chance."

Kim didn't know what to say, and Tara looked at her expectantly with that big, hopeful smile of hers. Finally, she managed a smile of her own. "Sure, Tara, I'd like that."

"Great!" Tara beamed. "I'll see you tomorrow then. Bye, Kim!"

"Yeah… bye…" Kim's gaze followed the bubbly blonde as she hurried home, and her mantra 'be a good friend to Ron' resounded mockingly in her head. Tara was honestly falling for Ron, that much was obvious, and she wasn't sure how she felt about that. She sighed and shook her head. Somehow, she hadn't managed to talk to Ron this afternoon, and she hadn't managed to talk to her mother, either, and now she was really confused. Why did she feel this stinging sensation when she thought about Ron and Tara together? Surely she didn't begrudge him having a girlfriend? With yet another sigh, she walked home. Perhaps a good night's rest would help her to clear up the sitch. Then she remembered her promise to Bonnie and called Wade.

"Hey Kim, what's up?"

"Hey Wade. I need a favour; Bonnie's sister Lonnie is still missing, and we suspect that she's being held at the place of one of those guys. Could you tip off the police or something?"

"Consider it done. Is there anything else I can do?"

"I don't think so, but thanks for asking. I'll just get home and try to catch some sleep."

Wade nodded sympathetically. "Yeah, I'll call you tomorrow if the police find Lonnie."

"Please and thank you, Wade."

With that, Kim switched the device off and went home; it had been a long day, and sleep came to her easily despite the many thoughts that were swirling in her mind.

-

In Middleton Hospital, Bonnie was woken in the middle of the night by whimpering and mumbling. It took her a while to realize that the sounds came from the other bed.

"Ron?" she carefully asked in the darkness. "Ron?"

There was no reaction, however, and the sounds continued. Bonnie reached for the light switch and turned on the lights. Momentarily blinded, she had to shield her eyes until they'd grown used to the sudden brightness. Blinking, she looked over at Ron's bed. The blonde boy was sweating and mumbling in his sleep, and she was pretty sure he was having a nightmare. "Ron, wake up!" When he didn't react to that, Bonnie climbed out of her bed and walked over to him. Now that she could get a closer look, she saw that he was crying in his sleep, but before she could touch him to wake him up, he started talking in his sleep again.

"No… leave me alone… why do you do that… don't… no…"

Bonnie had automatically taken a step back when Ron had started talking again; now she reached for his shoulder, but froze at Ron's next words.

"Bonnie… don't… I can't… no…"

She staggered backward as if hit by a physical blow, her eyes wide. He was having a nightmare about her! Suddenly, she saw vivid images in her mind's eye: her putting Ron down in the hallway, her mocking him during cheer practise, her laughing at him after another mishap, her dumping her lunch over him in the cafeteria. "Oh god…" she murmured. "Oh god…" In the next second, she hurried back to his bedside and shook him awake. "Ron, wake up! Ron!"

The blonde finally woke, breathing heavily. "What? Where? Huh?" He looked around in confusion. "Bonnie? What are you…? Where am I?"

"You're in hospital," she replied softly, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Do you remember what happened?"

He blinked a couple of times, his eyes still adjusting. "I was being held by those guys… They beat me up. Kim came to save me, but I must've passed out after she freed me…"

"That's right. You have two broken ribs and a couple of bruises; that's why you're here."

He nodded, and a momentary silence fell between them. After a couple of seconds, however, Ron spoke again. "And what are you doing here?"

"Well, Tara and I came with Kim, and seeing them again… Let's say I didn't react too well to that." She didn't have to explain who 'they' were; Ron understood perfectly even in his slightly dazed condition.

"Okay, I see. And why did you wake me up?"

She swallowed hard before answering. "You were having a nightmare, Ron."

"Really?" He seemed honestly confused. "I don't remember…"

"You were trashing and mumbling in your sleep, and you were sweating."

"Oh… I guess I woke you up then? I'm sorry…"

Bonnie didn't know what to say. He couldn't remember having a nightmare, and now he apologised for waking her, even though she was the very reason he'd had the nightmare in the first place. Acting on impulse, she carefully wrapped her arms around him. "Shhh, don't. It's not your fault." She held onto him for a while, trying to gather her courage before releasing him and looking him straight in the eye. "Ron, I'm the one who should apologise. You… your nightmare was about me." Ron's eyes widened in surprise, but she continued before he could utter a word. "You were mumbling in your sleep, so I heard. Do you… do you usually have nightmares about me?"

He shook his head. "Bonnie, I don't remember ever having nightmares."

She looked at him, unsure what to do. "You don't? But… I always remember my dreams…"

"I do remember my dreams, Bonnie," he replied. "I have dreams about nacos, missions with KP and stuff like that." He blushed a little, remembering a few other things he'd had dreams about, and hoped Bonnie didn't notice. "Anyway, I don't recall any nightmares." He yawned. "But I'm pretty tired."

"Of course! You go back to sleep, Ron."

"Night, Bonnie."

"Good night, Ron." She wasn't sure if he'd even heard her, for it seemed he was already asleep again. "You won't have any more nightmares about me, I promise," she added in a whisper before climbing back into her bed and switching the light off.