Legal Disclaimer: For the last time, at least for this story, I don't own Kim Possible, Disney does. I do own a car though…
Thanks to CajunBear73, Ran Hakubi, MrDrP, and LTAOZFAN for reviewing.
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Second Mission, Second Thoughts
Chapter 11: It All Comes Down to This
"So you got the plan?" the redhead queried.
Ron looked at the set up. Most of the downstairs lights were turned off except for one in the far back and one close to his best friend. Kim was off to one side, posed to swing down at the door. One hand was holding onto her grappling line and the other had the Kimmunicator. "Let's see. First, you want me to get them to chase me through this doorway. When they come through, you use the Kimmunicator scanner thingee to blind them. Then you swing at them, and knock them out."
"Right," Kim replied and looked into the gadget, "Is the Kimmunicator ready, Wade?"
"Yep," the technical genius replied, "I've modified the emitter remotely to produce a charged photon pulse. Push the 'up' button, hold it for a second, and release. That should have the same effect as flash bulb – A really big flash bulb. So be sure to look away or shut your eyes before then. By the way, I called the local sheriff and after a little convincing, he should be there soon."
"You convinced the sheriff?" a surprised Kim replied.
"Let's just say that I had some interesting video footage of the place," he smiled and leaned back in his chair. "Good luck guys."
"You rock, Wade!" she said as the transmission ended.
Ron had a strange look on his face as he gazed at Kim. Taking notice of Ron, Kim asked, "What?"
"So, I'm like the distraction, right?"
"'Distraction?' I guess you call it that. But unless you somehow know some form of martial arts or something – "
"'kay. Gotcha. Distraction it is," he said as he moved to the doorway. Then, suddenly, he stopped.
Kim, sensing his hesitation, asked, "Ron, are you okay with this? I mean I'm asking a lot…and you could get hurt."
Ron looked at her with a thoughtful expression, "Yeah, I'm fine with it. It's no problem, KP, really. It's just that…I have the feeling that you should be offering me some snackage like a mini chimerrito – "
"Chimerrito!" Rufus exclaimed as he popped out of Ron's pocket.
"Sorry buddy, no chimerritos here."
"Aww," Rufus grumbled, and disappeared into the pocket.
Ron chuckled lightly and then continued, "Where was I? No problem. Funny feeling. Snackage. Oh yeah snackage, you know – kind of like a bribe."
A puzzled expression grew on her face. "Bribe?"
"Yeah, I know," Ron shrugged, "Weird."
Ron looked out the doorway and saw the Wildcats were almost finished with their task. "Okay buddy, here it goes," he said as set Rufus down by the doorway, "Stay here in case something goes wrong."
Rufus saluted his human and raced to the top of one of the chairs near the window. Ron then looked to Kim and gave a thumbs-up.
"Ron, please: be careful out there."
"Hey, it's just me, the distraction," he smiled and disappeared out the door
Kim checked the rope one last time as she watched her best friend step outside the doorway. She whispered, "'Weird'…kind of nice," and turned off the light next to her.
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Once Ron reached the porch, lightning flashed again accompanied by light rain but Ron didn't scream or run. He wanted to, but held his ground – Kim was counting on him. He grabbed an empty glass bottle and threw it down to the ground where it exploded with a loud crash. "Oh no! I seemed to have knocked down something. I hope that they did not hear that," Ron uttered in loud voice, but in a tone sounding like a bad actor.
Kim shook her head, "Not Oscar material but it works."
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"Hey!" one of the rustlers cried, "They got loose!"
Soon all eyes were on the blonde teen. "What the? He's escaped? Get 'em boys! We can't let 'em get away!" Texas Tom commanded.
Shane started first with his club ablaze with electricity and was soon followed by the others. Ron screamed at the top of his lungs as he turned and fled into the house. The muscles all over her body flexed as Kim saw Ron run by and disappear into the darkness. Then, she heard the Wildcats tromping in.
With exception of the single light in the back corner, it was dark. The male intruder was missing, most likely hiding somewhere in the darkness. "I don't like this. Someone get the lights."
An instant later, there was a click, and then a whining sound. "How about this?" a female voice retorted as almost instantly an intense, pale blue light flashed. In the darkness, voices groaned and complained "Ah!" "I can't see." "What happened?" "I'm blind!"
Then, Kim took off and collided with the group. Ron flipped on the lights to see that Kim had knocked all the rustlers on the floor. Some of them were out cold, others groaned. Using the rope, Kim and Ron quickly tied the Wildcats hands and feet, starting with the semi-conscious ones. After a few minutes, Kim said matter-of-factly "Well, that takes care of the henchmen. What about Texas Tom?"
"What about me?" the cowboy mastermind replied, drawing his gun and pointed in their general direction.
Lightning flashed again but this time, the rain started to come down, hard. "Ahh!" the blonde shrieked as he stumbled backwards to the ground.
Kim was quiet but raised her hands in surrender.
"Ya'know, I didn't want ta resort ta killin' but you're makin' it really hard not ta…Now why don't you untie my boys here and I'll let ya live."
"Like we're going to have any choice?" Kim said, breaking her silence.
"Not really," he replied, leveling his revolver at Kim but she didn't move. He looked at the red-haired girl; she had a serious and almost smug expression.
"Kim!" Ron cried as he moved to place himself between the gun and his best friend.
"Maybe you need a little…incentive," he said, redirecting his aim to the blonde teen's head.
Kim's smugness quickly evaporated. "Ron!"
Texas Tom let out a loud huff and moved to pull back the gun's hammer. "I said, let 'em g – Ahhhhh!" The cowboy mastermind howled as he dropped his weapon. As his weapon fell to the ground, a pink blur raced to the ground as well. "My hand! Something bit my hand!" he wailed, grasping it with his uninjured one.
Ron kicked Tom's revolver off to one side and said as Rufus leapt to his shoulder, "Naked mole rat."
Rufus leaned forward and issued a raspberry to the wounded cowboy.
"I've got something, too," Kim added. He looked to the owner of that voice only to find himself witnessing the redhead sailing through the air, boot first, towards him. The impact sent him out of the house, past the porch and onto the muddied dirt road. After skidding to a stop, his head rolled to one side. The last thing he remembered was the redhead, followed by the blonde walking out of the old house towards him.
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Texas Tom's slowly opened his eyes to the sight of blue and red flashing lights. It was still raining but it had lessened considerably. Although things were still blurry, he could make out at least four sets of police lights and several people. Some of them were standing around talking to each other while others were in motion. He could make out his Wildcats being lead into a police wagon. Looking around, he guessed that he had been out for a good hour or more. Texas Tom looked at himself; he was surprised to find that he was restrained to a gurney. Two EMT's were moving him to an awaiting ambulance.
"Whu-what's going on?" he asked trying to get up but found that he had lacked the strength to do so.
"We're taking you to MONARC Injury Center in Great Falls, Mr. Stone," one of the EMT's replied.
"How many times do I have ta tell you people," he replied weakily, "its Texas Tornado Tom the third!"
A medic stepped out from the van. "Please Mr. Sto – Tom sir. Calm down. You've experienced some – head trauma and it's not from your recent encounter. We have some people that want to help you in Great Falls."
"But ya don't understand!" he mumbled, trying to get out of the medical cot, "I've got a business ta run. I'm the best in these here parts!"
"Please sir, try to calm down. We don't want to have to resort to stronger sedatives," the medic pleaded as they loaded him into the medical van.
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Kim and Ron watched as the doors closed. They were still unsure of what exactly happened but were glad that it was over. With the operation shutdown, Texas Tom was being taken away, the 'Wildcats' were loaded in the paddy wagon and the cattle was being returned to their owners. They strode over to Mr. Davis, who was talking to the sheriff and one of his deputies. Kim and Ron had already told the sheriff a detailed account of what had happened earlier and now it was time for Mr. Davis to add his testimony. It looked like he had just finished. "Yes sir," John said to one of the police officers, "That's Mr. Stone."
"Thank you, Mr. Davis," the sheriff replied, tipping his hat, "If we need to contact you later, can we call the ranch?"
"Yes, sir."
With that, they went onto interview another rancher.
"So, that was Mr. Stone?" the redhead asked.
Mr. Davis turned to Kim and Ron. "Yes ma'am. Nice fella – at least when he first came up to the ranch. He came up to the ranch a month ago for an ol' fashioned cattle drive. He fancied himself as a cowboy but he didn't quite make it. Tried to ride ol' Foxtrot but took a nasty spill. Doc McCoy checked him out. He told Mr. Stone that he should see a specialist in Great Falls but Mr. Stone downright refused. Next morning, he said he had some urgent business, paid the rest of his stay in full and left. That was the last I heard of him – until now. Kim, I can't thank you and Ron enough. You're welcome to stay at my ranch any time."
"Thanks, Mr. Davis," Kim beamed, "I was just glad I could help out."
"Are you going to stay the night?"
"Sure. It is pretty late."
"Can we get some of that ribeye?" Ron chimed in.
Mr. Davis chuckled, "I'm sure Rachael would be happy to oblige."
"Badical!"
"Ya'll just sit tight, I'm going to check on Gertie and then I'll bring the truck around."
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Ron sat on the steps of the old house, watching as the police and ranchers sorted out the whole mess. Kim sat next to him but was sure that she wasn't too close. Ron noticed but gazed at his best friend with a warm smile. Kim returned his smile and folded her arms. She shivered slightly, mostly from the frigid night air. "Cold?" he asked.
"A little."
"Come here," he beckoned. Kim looked at him hesitantly. "What?" Ron asked, "You're cold. Our jackets are gone. I'm just offering to keep you warm. Besides, I'm a little chilly myself."
"'K," Kim grinned and allowed his arm to hold her. It was – nice.
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After a few minutes of watching quietly, Kim spoke up, "Ron, about doing all of this – this 'mission' thing––"
"Yeah, I was going to talk to you about that," he replied, looking across the yard.
"Oh," she replied, softly biting her lower lip.
He took a deep breath and then asked, "So what's the next mission?"
"What?" she blurted out, drawing herself away from her best friend.
"I said, 'so what's the next mission'?" Ron said plainly with a small smile.
"Are you serious? You still want to go with me, on these 'missions'? Even after all the guns, fights and craziness?"
He turned to her with his gentle brown eyes looking into her deep green ones. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared, you know, some of the time," Ron flashed sheepish smile, "But if this is something that you really want to do, then I'm all for it. Besides, I can't let you do this all by yourself."
"Ron I don't think I could do this without you."
"Then, I'm in. Like I keep telling you, I've got your back."
Kim smiled brightly and her eyes glistened. "Thanks, Ron," she half-whispered and rested her head on his shoulder.
"This is – nice." Ron thought to himself.
A few moments later, Kim sat straight up, "Oh, there's one other person I should thank." She turned on her Kimmunicator and hit the speed dial for Wade. Almost immediately the African-American computer genius' face appeared on screen surrounded by his ever-present computer equipment. He was tired but cheerful. "Kim, I was just about to call you. I managed to repair the damage that Shane did to the other ranches' computers. Apparently, after the Wildcats took the cattle, he erased all the records of the missing cattle so the ranchers had nothing to follow up on. Without proof, the ranchers couldn't file a report," he said and then took a sip from his slurpster.
"Once again, Wade, you rock! But that's not why I called."
"Oh?"
"Actually, I just wanted to say thanks, thanks for everything. I'm not sure how we can pay you for all of this."
Wade put his soda down with one hand and held up his hand, palm facing the screen. "Kim, all I really wanted is to be part of this team. Besides, whether you believe it or not," Wade gave her a big smile, "you rock, too."
"So I'm told," she replies looking back at Ron. Turning her attention back to Wade. "Thanks. You're big part of the team." Kim smiled.
"Really? Thanks, Kim!"
"No big," she grinned and signed off.
"Booyah! We got ourselves a real team!"
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Both teens said their tearful goodbyes as they boarded Mr. Cutter's Lockheed L-100C. The flight was going fairly long but not too long and both decided to rest on the way back. Ron really wished that he had brought along his English assignment with him, seeing that he would have to start it as soon as he got home. Kim was fast asleep as soon as she had settled in.
Although the cargo manifest was different, Ron managed to remake his flour seat, seeing that the dog had taken his usual spot next to Kim. This time, he repositioned himself so that he could see his best friend easily. Despite her suggestion, Ron remained awake and watched over his best friend. Unfortunately, the steak sandwiches that Rachael supplied them with along with the relative comfort of his chair lulled the blonde to sleep and dreamland.
Once again, he found himself in his CC: II dream, aboard the dark olive C-130 Hercules. All the soldiers were there and soon the huge faceless commanding officer appeared next to him. Despite having seen this before, he still unnerved the blonde teen.
"Stoppable," the lead soldier's deep voice boomed, "Are you ready?"
"Y-yes sir."
Once again, Ron could see a white grin appear on the 'faceless soldier'.
"Scared?" the soldier asked, his voice tinged with mockery.
"Y-Yeah," Ron stuttered.
Slowly and carefully, the commanding officer leaned in and then bellowed "SO WHY ARE YOU HERE?!?"
Ron's initial reaction was to cower in fear. He wanted to, but didn't…because he saw Kim. The blonde soldier smiled and proclaimed, "Because I want to be here… and. for her, SIR!"
Surprisingly, the soldier leaned back and smiled. This time his smile had no trace of maliciousness.
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Ron slept well for the remainder of the flight.
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Far to the west, across the Pacific, deep in the mountains of Japan, an old, bearded man with a golden robe watched as these events transpired in the small reflecting pool before him. A small smile came to his face…
- End -
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Chapter End Notes: First and foremost – Many, many thanks to cpneb for his beta-ing. Thanks also goes to my family and friends for their encouragement and support.
Other Stuff: The MONARC Injury Center in Great Falls, Montana is a real hospital and has a neurological center.
