A/N: Well, here it is. Chapter 2 in the second story of the "8 Nights" arc. Warning: Songfic ahead!
Disclaimer thingy: Kim Possible, the mouse, blah blah blah
Special thanks to the following for their badical reviews: Pharaoh Rutin Tutin, Mike Industries, CajunBear73, lxk, rebafan4ever, DeucesWild, Captain IT, cpneb, Samurai Crunchbird, JA the writing team of JAKT, and kim's 1 fan.
Another big ol' thanks goes to cpneb and the writing team of JAKT for their awesome beta work. And another thanks for JA for permission to use one of his lines from his review in this story.
8 Nights: Help Us
Chapter 2
Kim's emerald eyes flowed from one part of the office to the other, taking in all sorts of artifacts and books and other objects of interest in the work place of one Rabbi Katz. Marital problems were the sitch that landed Kim where she was. She loved Ron with all her heart. Why were they screaming at each other almost all the time? The red-head hoped to try and figure that out before the good Rabbi came in; not that she objected to getting the help that she and her husband, who was currently seated beside her, needed. It's just that she couldn't escape the irony about it.
Ron's eyes looked upon the objects that he had seen several times during his childhood. Memories that seemed like flashes in time filled his head. One moment, he was looking around the office as a child while his parents talked to Rabbi Katz, and the next he was discussing the final points to his Bar Mitzvah. And now, here he was, waiting for Rabbi Katz to come in once again to help him. Ron was nervous, but he knew good and well that they had to get to the real matter of what was bothering his KP and himself and why they were screaming at each other all the time. Had the love really gone out of their relationship, both as husband and wife and as friends? If so, then he was in trouble, because he still loved Kim with all his heart.
Both of them nearly jumped out of their seats when Rabbi Katz closed the door behind himself as he walked into the office. In his hand was a flash drive, which held something that he hoped would remind Kim and Ron why they love each other. The Rabbi moved around to his desk and eased himself into his chair, plugging the flash drive into his lap top and then turned to look at the two young people in front of him. It broke his heart that such two people who cared for each other so much were acting like this. He had heard the story from Ron's mom, Mrs. Rebeka Jean Stoppable, about what happened to them. He had forced himself to keep from shedding more than a tear or two once he learned the sad news. And now, here they were, like two lost little puppies, all because of a freak twist of fate.
"Kimberly, Ronald: first and foremost, I want to tell you that there is no shame in coming to someone for help. As you should know, we can spend our entire lives helping others with their problems, yet still feel ashamed that we need help ourselves," Rabbi Katz said to them.
Both of them nodded their agreement, so Rabbi Katz went forward. "What we are going to do is, first, remind you of why you picked each other over the six billion people in this world. After that, we are going to try and move forward and hopefully get past the sadness that has invaded your lives."
Rabbi Katz placed his hands on his desk and interlaced his fingers, looking both Kim and Ron in the eye to judge the reaction they were giving him. Seeing that they were willing to go forward, indicated by the fact that the two were now holding hands, he pressed on. "I say 'we' because this will be a team effort. Each of us will have to work hard if we wish to accomplish our goals. I have brought with me something that I believe will help you rediscover the bond of love that you two share."
Rabbi Katz turned to his laptop and accessed the flash drive and, a few mouse clicks later, he turned back to the young Stoppables. "Music can have a very powerful effect on the heart if the right song is played. Two nights ago, after Ronald here called me and told me the trouble you two were having, I instantly went to my personal music collection to see if I could find something. I believe the two songs I have picked out will reflect the feelings you have for each other. Of course, I'm not you two," he smiled, "so forgive me if I, well, goofed. After all, I'm only a simple Rabbi," he said with a gentle chuckle.
"Ron, I believe this song is for you. Given how much time you've spent with Kim here, I felt that this would best describe the feelings you have for Kim. However, I could have drastically missed my mark here: as I said, I'm not you, but, please listen anyways," the Rabbi said, and then reached over and tapped the mouse of his computer.
A song began to emerge from the speakers. It was a pretty song, and Ron recognized instantly. He smiled and gave a simple nod of the head to Rabbi Katz, letting him know that he had indeed picked the right song for him. Soon, the voice of Bryan Adams came through the speakers.
Look
into my eyes - you will see
What you mean to me
Search your
heart - search your soul
And when you find me there you'll search
no more
Ron enjoyed this song. It fact, he even used this song to serenade Kim outside of their hotel window while on the honeymoon. Of course, back then, it didn't bring tears to his eyes like it was doing now. He reached up and brushed the tears from his eyes with his right index finger.
Don't
tell me it's not worth tryin' for
You can't tell me it's not
worth dyin' for
You know it's true
Everything I do - I do it
for you
There was a sigh. Ron knew that he would make the ultimate sacrifice for Kim, if need be, and he would do it without a second thought. Her love, indeed, was worth trying for. It was, indeed, worth dying for.
Look
into your heart - you will find
There's nothin' there to hide
Take me as I am - take my life
I would give it all - I would
sacrifice
Ron didn't think it was possible, but he was falling even more in love with Kim. The song was getting to him, and getting to him hard.
Don't
tell me it's not worth fightin' for
I can't help it - there's
nothin' I want more
Ya know it's true
Everything I do - I do
it for you
There's no love - like your love
And no other
- could give more love
There's nowhere - unless you're there
All
the time - all the way
That did it. The tears from Ron's eyes were now flowing freely. He reached over to Rabbi Katz desk and grabbed a tissue. With a loud "honk", Ron's nose was now clear, for the moment. His eyes were still very wet, though.
Oh
- you can't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
I can't help it -
there's nothin' I want more
I would fight for you - I'd lie for
you
Walk the wire for you - ya I'd die for you
Ya know
it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you
Rabbi Katz reached over and tapped his computer mouse again once the song was finished. "Well, Kim, is there anything that you would like to say to Ron?"
About half-way through the song, Kim had reached for tissue of her own. Using it now to dry her eyes, she turned and looked at Ron. "Ron, I know that when we are on missions or just at home, you give your all for me. That…that is something that means a lot to me, and I can't think you enough for it." Kim brought Ron's hand up and kissed the top of it, and then looked back into his deep brown eyes, searching his heart and his soul.
"And I know, that, whenever I look into your eyes, I see nothing but love, devotion, and caring." Kim had to stop and wipe away some tears again before pressing forward, "But it isn't just me you do it for. It's your family, my family, our friends…the whole world. You can trick yourself into thinking that you do it for me, but, I know that isn't one hundred percent true. And, because I know it isn't, I love you all the more."
Rabbi Katz smiled, as he knew his plan was working, somewhat. "This is what we're here today for. When we realize just how much you two mean to each other, we can use that strength to fall back on when we need it."
The Rabbi then turned his attention fully towards Kim. "Kim, I believe that this song best describes your thoughts on being with Ron. Again, I could have missed my mark here," Rabbi Katz smiled again, "but we'll see." And with that, Rabbi Katz reached over and tapped his mouse yet again, this time, an acoustic guitar and drums started off the song, followed shortly by a very deep "Hmm".
Kim recognized the song once the humming made itself known. A small chuckle escaped her throat when she pictured Rabbi Katz wearing a cowboy hat and doing a line dance. However, when Johnny Cash started singing, it brought her out of her thoughts and back into the real world, where she listened to the song.
I keep
a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all
the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because
you're mine, I walk the line
Kim thought about the lyrics to the song and what they meant to her relationship with Ron. She was walking a line, keeping a balance between her time with Ron, missions, work, and helping out around the neighborhood that was her world now.
I
find it very, very easy to be true
I find myself alone when each
day is through
Yes, I'll admit that I'm a fool for you
Because
you're mine, I walk the line
Kim's thoughts turned to the next set of lyrics. During her time at Club Banana, she had been hit on by just about every piece of sleaze that had a mouth. Of course, all she had to do was flash her wedding ring and they backed off instantly. She now grabbed that ring and twirled it around her finger slightly, thinking about how happy she had been when Ron had put it on her finger.
As
sure as night is dark and day is light
I keep you on my mind both
day and night
And happiness I've known proves that it's
right
Because you're mine, I walk the line
You've got a way
to keep me on your side
You give me cause for love that I can't
hide
For you I know I'd even try to turn the tide
Because
you're mine, I walk the line
That verse was perfect…it perfectly described the way that Kim felt for Ron. How much he meant to her, and how she would do anything to keep him in her life. In fact, one time she did have to turn a tide: a tide of negative press from those who thought she would be best with Shego, Josh Mankey, even in some small cases, Felix Renton. That one was just weird.
I
keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open
all the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because
you're mine, I walk the line
As before, Rabbi Katz reached over and tapped the mouse, ending the song. "Ronald, is there anything you would like to say to Kim?"
Ron turned to face Kim easier and looked deep into those pools of emerald green that he fell in love with, back when he was seventeen. In fact, the words that he used to confess his feelings had become a catch phrase on several occasions. Even Paul Harvey had been known to use them. "Out there, in here."
Ron took Kim's hand lightly in his. "KP, you know you are the greatest thing to happen to my life. It…it's amazing how much you mean to me. You've been there when I've needed you the most. I just couldn't imagine what it would be like without you having my back. Kim, I want us to get passed this. I want you here, with me, like it has been, since we were four."
Ron's free hand found itself on top of Kim's. The skin was so soft and light, yet strong. "Kim, you don't have to 'Walk the Line' with me, you know that no matter what happens, I'll be here for you, even in light of…recent actions." And then he sighed. He couldn't believe what a jerk he had been, and to his wife, of all people! Maybe Zorpox was starting to come back. No. Ron would not let that happen. "Kim, KP, you know how much I love you, I can't say anything else to express it."
Rabbi Katz smiled from behind his desk. Things were indeed going well. While he might have been slightly off with his song choice, what he had set out to do worked, and worked well. It still amazed him when music helped sooth the savage beast. "Kim, Ron, do either of you have any questions to me about what has been going on with your current lives or what we have done here tonight?" the good Rabbi asked.
Kim spoke up, "Rabbi…it just seems like I'm so angry all the time. Am I becoming a bad person? Will I eventually end up evil?"
Rabbi Katz smiled and shook his head. "You're not a bad person Kim. It's healthy and, dare I say, normal to feel angry after what happened, even to feel angry at Him. You are a very good person that something bad happened to them. Besides, this world isn't split into good and bad people. We all have light and dark inside of us. What matters is he power we choose to act on. That's who we really are."
Ron held up his arm at the elbow, as if asking to be called on in class, "Then what about that time I became Zorpox? I like to think would never choose to try and take over the world like that, but still…"
"That's a very good question," Rabbi Katz said, "and while I know that you would never act in such a manner, it is a sad fact in this life that there are machines in this world that would force us to act in a manner that isn't who we really are. Mind control: it's a cornucopia of disturbing concepts."
"Kimberly, Ronald, I would like for you to come to temple, and after words, we can meet and talk more. I believe that a service and then a session could provide a, rather effective one-two punch in helping us get through this," Rabbi Katz said, and was given a rather strange look from Kim and Ron.
"What? I like boxing," Rabbi Katz said with a slight chuckle.
Kim and Ron stood up, along with Rabbi Katz, and all three of them made their way to the office door, "Kim, Ron, you two are great people. And we will get through this, but since we can't be together all the time, I want you to take what we've learned here home with you. Next time either of you can feel an argument brewing, try to take a step back and think things through. Also, I would like for you two to take a break from the hero work, at least until we're further along," the good Rabbi said and opened up the door for the two. Reaching out, he shook both Kim and Ron's hand.
"Thanks Rabbi, it's going to be a long, hard road, but with your help, Ron and I will get through it. We're lucky to have you as a friend," Kim said as she and Ron walked out the door.
"Think nothing of it: it's my pleasure to help two great heroes such as yourselves," Rabbi Katz said, and before he could go back to his desk, he was enveloped in a hug. "Ronald, you might want to save these for your wife, she's the one that needs them more."
Ron nodded and jogged off to catch up with Kim, as the Rabbi went back to his desk after shutting his door. He pulled open a desk drawer and pulled out a strange looking device. Pressing a button on the object, he spoke into it "You were wrong, you Green Giant wanna-be, Ronald and Kimberly are not out of it for good. They will return, and they will defeat you."
"If that is true, if I see those two, then your life will become forfeit, Rabbi," and then the device went dead.
Rabbi Katz dropped it back into his desk drawer and shut it, then rubbed his forehead. "What have I done?" he whispered.
A/N: Oh snap! I done did it again! Left ya'll goin "WTF!" Well, I've got my reasons, so yeah.
"Don't Tell Me" is owned by Bryan Adams, and "I Walk the Line" is owned by the estate of Johnny Cash.
Also, be sure to stop by the forum "Kim Possible Discussion" to make your voice as a member of the Kim Possible community by voting loud and proud your picks for the 3rd Annual Fannie Awards! As of the first batch of votes, I'm nominated in six catigories! Thank you ALL for your support of not only me, but my fellow authors.
If you've gotten a review from me, then you know my closing statement, but now its up to all of us to tell our fellow members, "Keep on writing in the free world!"
