As always, nothing is mine except the plot. The rest belongs to Disney.

Chapter 2 – Damage Assessment

The next morning after the rest of the family had gone to breakfast. Nana Possible knocked gently on the door of Kim's bedroom. She received the same response given earlier to the suggestion that Kim join the rest of the family for breakfast. "Go away. Just leave me alone."

Ignoring her granddaughter's request, Nana opened the door and walked over to the bed. Kim was lying on her stomach reading. "You can't hide in here forever. If you want to talk about what happened yesterday, I'm here to listen," she said, pulling one of the chairs next to the bed. "What are you reading?"

"The Bible from the nightstand. David and Goliath."

"I see. You were a little harsh with Ronald yesterday, dear."

Kim rolled over and then pulled herself up to sit on the edge of the bed facing Nana. "It's just, I don't know, it just seems like maybe he's not my Ron any more. It didn't even seem to bother him that the two aliens died," Kim replied, holding her head in her hands.

"I'm sure it bothers him more than you know, Kimberly Ann. Men tend to hide their feelings, especially something like this."

"It's just, he was so different out there, and yesterday. He's never been like that, except twice." Nana's look told Kim to continue. "There's this thing called the attitudinator. It changes people, makes them evil. Ron, he, twice," she sniffled, then continued, "it turned him evil. Both times he was so sure of himself, competent, and a good fighter." She paused to maintain her composure. "J-j-just like he was w-w-with the aliens. And t-t-then yesterday. W-w-what if he's turned e-e-evil again too?"

"Perhaps he has just grown up a little, dear," Nana replied, placing her hand on Kim's shoulder. "You did tell me he has improved his school work this year, has a job, and played football. Weren't those were all things he did for you?"

Kim nodded, "but even playing football he mostly ran away. All the missions we went on, except when under the attitudinator, I never saw him act like he did with the aliens. He just wasn't the guy I have known all these years, and I'm scared. My Ron, he couldn't handle being responsible for two deaths. But he acts like it was no big."

"Acts probably sums it up well. I can't tell you what to do or how to feel. You're a grown woman now and you have to make your own decisions. But at least let me tell you a story, a true story. You know Henry Jackson?"

"Yes, yes I do. He's that sweet old man who used to run the bakery Mom always took us to."

"Did you ever notice that on Memorial Day or Veterans Day he was always on the parade reviewing stand with the mayor and all the other dignitaries? Kim nodded. "Have you any idea why he was there?"

Kim shook her head. "No, but now that you mention it, it does seem strange."

"Henry was with the Middleton Brigade that landed in the first wave on Omaha beach in June of 1944. By December what was left of his unit moved near Bastogne in the Ardennes region of France, a quiet sector of the war where they could rest. The Germans had other ideas. A little more than a week before Christmas they attacked. After several days fighting the town of Bastogne was surrounded, the Germans demanding its' surrender.

There was a relief column coming from the south. A few miles from Bastogne several major roads came together. Henry's unit was assigned to hold that junction, with his platoon on one of the flanks. The Germans came at them in the middle of the afternoon and continued sporadic assaults throughout the night. By nightfall, most of his comrades were dead or wounded. All that night Henry tended to the wounded and moved between three machine gun positions, firing on the approaching Germans and throwing hand grenades successfully defending the position.

When the relief column arrived the next morning, they found Henry the only able bodied soldier remaining. On the slope below him were a number of dead Germans, with more wounded among the prisoners taken. You might say that makes Henry a killer. His commander thought otherwise and recommended him for the Congressional Medal of Honor. That medal is why you always saw Henry on the reviewing stand."

Kim looked at her grandmother almost in disbelief. "How could he go through that and still be such a sweet person?"

"Because he was a soldier, not a killer. A killer takes a life because he wants to. Soldiers take lives because they have to. If Henry hadn't been on that hill, maybe those German boys wouldn't have died that night. But somewhere on that battlefield more American boys would have. German success in that battle would have made the war longer, with more lives lost on both sides. Do you think Henry should have walked away, hoping somebody else would reason with the Germans?"

Looking down, unable to meet her grandmother's eyes, Kim shook her head and whispered, "No."

"I knew Henry's wife, dear. She sometimes talked about him, because she knew I was one of her few friends who would understand. She said he sometimes had dreams about that night and would wake up screaming. It was hard for her, she said, listening to him speak of memories he fought to keep inside himself. She would just listen, comfort him and reassure him until he relaxed and could go back to sleep. Two or three times a month for nearly 50 years.

Ronald has been beside you nearly all your life. He's taken care of you even when you didn't deserve it. I don't believe you can give me one example of a time when he truly let you down." Kim shook her head. "When Ronald's nightmares come, and they will, who will be there for him?"

"I don't know," Kim whispered. "I just don't know."

There was steel in her grandmother's voice. "I know who it should be, Kimberly Ann. And so do you."

"I just don't know if I can. I have to sort it all out in my mind."

"You still care about him, don't you?" Nana asked, softly. Kim nodded. "You should call him, dear. He's hurting just like you are. He needs you."

"But what if he's changed so much we can't be together any more?"

"If you don't give him a chance, dear, you'll never know."

KPKPKPKPKPKPKP

Ron slept poorly that Sunday night. Finally around six o'clock he gave up and crawled out of his bed. Not ready to face the day, he sat on the edge of his bed, head in hands, trying to make sense of the previous day. 'The real shock is that she put up with you this long' a nasty voice said from one of the dark corners of his mind. He let his uncertainty and fears guide him as he struggled with how to react. Kim obviously wanted him out of her life, so what should he do? Finally he made up his mind.

The first thing he had to do was get out of Middleton. He would give notice when he got to work. Then he would arrange a flight to Japan. Once there he would decide whether to remain or return in the fall for college. Perhaps Sensei could help him get into one of the better Japanese culinary schools.

A little before noon Ron arrived at Smarty Mart. After visiting the personnel office, he took up his duties in the pet department. Unfortunately it was a slow day and his mind wandered to the reason he got the job. Kim pushed him to take it. Just like she pushed him to get his grades up and dozens of little things. Keeping things together would be harder for him now. He would have to find ways to motivate himself.

He was in the lunchroom when Mr. Barkin entered. The big man saw him, came to his table and took a seat. "Thought you would be dancing in the streets. No more homework, no more detention, and no more," the big man grimaced, "uggggh mystery meat. On top of that you're quite the hero. Always knew you had it in you."

"Yeah. About that. Being the hero isn't all its' cracked up to be. Right now my life is kinda in the clearance bin. Gonna be a few changes."

"I thought your plans were set. Upperton U in the fall for both of you."

"Things change. I'll be going to Japan. Don't know about Kim." Barkin gave him a questioning look. "The two aliens died in the battle. Kim, she kinda doesn't want me around anymore." Barkin just looked at him and shook his head. "I gotta get back on the floor. See you around, Mr. B., at least until next Friday."

"Probably doesn't make you feel any better, Stoppable, but you're not the first guy whose girl dumped him when he came home from the war," Barkin said sadly.

The comment tweaked Ron and he snapped back. "But I bet I'm the first to get dumped for saving her life!" He got up and left the lunchroom, looking for a place to be alone.

KPKPKPKPKPKP

As soon as Kim walked in for her shift at Club Banana, Monique motioned her into the back room. "Time for some serious 411. What's up with you and Ron? The rumor mill is working overtime."

"Oh, really? What have you heard?"

"First that the two of you went to the Middleton Inn for a little post graduation cuddling but he wanted more than you were willing to give up so he left in a huff."

"Well that one is totally wrong. Living there with parents because aliens blew up our house. And Ron isn't that kind of guy."

"So there's no trouble in paradise?"

"Wellll, maybe just a little," Kim said sheepishly. "Global Justice told us Ron killed the two aliens. I didn't take it very well. I kinda threw him out and told him I didn't want to see him again. But I'll talk to him after work and it'll be OK."

"Maybe. But that makes the other rumor more believable. He was seen holding hands with Tara out at the Dawn Diner late last night. They left together."

Kim scowled. "He's not wasting any time. Now he's Mr. Hero so he probably doesn't even care anymore. I can just hear him now, "Look at me, I saved the world. Step right up ladies, there's plenty of The Ron to go around." Just like before." Her shoulders slumped. "Maybe it's best this way. He killed two people. I don't know how that couldn't make him way different. Maybe I should just let him go."

"You don't believe that for a minute. Girlfriend, you should have genius boy play you the news tapes from that fight. Be sure to ask for the one with the audio." Kim gave a questioning look. "I remember Mr. Mean Green dangling you by one leg like a Sunday chicken, ready to snap your skinny neck and mount your head on his wall. Only thing stopped him was your BF going all blue on him." Monique shook her head sadly. "You sure got a funny way to say thank you." Kim was silent.

She went about the rest of her day, stewing silently over the current sitch. The more she thought about Ron and Tara, the angrier she became. After talking with Nana she had decided to call him to talk after they both finished work. Now she was tweaked, and although she would never admit it, jealous. She turned off her kimmunicator. 'I don't need a guy who runs to another girl as soon as we have a little fight,' she told herself. 'You want Tara, Mr. Stoppable, she can have you."

The mall closed at nine. When Monique suggested a girls' night out to give Kim a chance to unwind she reluctantly agreed. They were on their way to meet several friends at Cow and Chow when they passed Smarty Mart. Kim glanced out the window to see Ron getting into Tara's car. Perception became reality in her mind as she told herself 'You've really done it this time, Possible.' Suddenly the only thing she wanted was to go home and crawl in bed. Alone. Even Pandaroo was gone.

KPKPKPKPKPKPKP

The conversation with Barkin weighed heavily on his mind. Every time Ron took a break that afternoon he tried to call Kim. Every call went to voice mail. Finally when his shift was over he called the Middleton Inn, only to be told by Kim's mother that she was with Monique and would not be home until late. She would let Kim know he had called.

He had the look of a beaten man as he headed toward the door. "Tough day. Ron?" the elderly greeter asked as he passed on his way out of the store.

"One of the toughest, Bill," he replied. Without his scooter he had nearly a two-mile walk ahead of him. Sprinkles of rain began to fall around him. Looking up at the dark clouds he muttered, "go ahead, dump on me. Everybody else has." He had just reached the sidewalk when a plum colored Alero stopped at the curb.

"Looks like somebody could use a ride," Tara exclaimed through the open window.

"Yeah. Guess I could," he replied, sliding into the seat. He didn't notice the face pressed against the window of the car passing on their left.

"You don't look very happy," Tara remarked as she pulled away from the curb. "Wanna go somewhere and talk?"

"I'm afraid I wouldn't be very good company, but thanks for asking. Just take me home, please," Ron replied. "I just wish I could figure Kim out. She won't even talk to me. I'm feeling like road kill on life's highway and she's out partying with Monique. I guess she really doesn't care any more."

"She's not the only girl in Middleton who might like to spend some time with you," Tara replied in a flirty voice.

"Right. The Ronster has such great luck with the ladies of Middleton. Other than Kim there was Zita, who lasted two whole dates," he replied, grimacing.

"You never asked me…" Tara said.

Ron interrupted. "Hello? The Spirit Dance, freshman year? I remember the entire cheer squad laughing loud and long when I suggested I was available."

"Whatever. It was Bonnie's fault. The whole food chain thing. But if it would help you feel better we could maybe catch a movie after work on Friday."

"I guess we could. If, you know, nothing changes by Friday. That's my house. Thanks for the ride," Ron said as the car stopped in front and he got out.

"See you Friday?" Tara asked hopefully.

"I'll call you after I get out of work," he replied, heading into the house.

He went upstairs to his room. It was only ten, so he was sure Kim would not be back at the hotel yet. He thought of borrowing his mother's car to go looking for her, but decided against it. It had been bad enough in front of their families. He doubted her could take her acting the same way toward him in front of strangers. He collapsed on his bed fully clothed and fell asleep.

Warhok stood over him, laughing. "Even in defeat I have my revenge. I have taken your mate as sure as had I killed her." Ron woke in a cold sweat, screaming.

TBC

A/N: Thanks to those who took the time to review. Your comments helped immensely with this chapter.