School of Life
Chapter 3
Trials for Team Possible
Opening up the box that Wade had sent her, Kim pulled the one piece outfit out of the box and held it up in front of her. Ron let out a low wolf whistle.
"Now that is going to look good on you KP!"
Kim turned and gave him a leer.
"I can't wait to see you in yours."
Ron turned slightly pink as he pulled open the box that was in front of him. He lifted the suit out and held it up just as she had done. Kim gave a little growl.
"Rrrwwrrrr. Now that's a suit that's going to get my attention."
Ron sighed.
"Well, let's try them on and see what they look like. Wade went to a lot of trouble on short notice to get these made. Then we have the news conference coming up."
Kim sauntered over behind a curtain that had been set up in the room. Ron's eyes instantly trailed down to a certain part that Kim made sure was shaking as she walked behind the screen. Shaking his head, he brought himself back to reality and made his way behind the changing screen that had been put up for him. Moments later he stepped back out to see Kim waiting for him. He had to admit he was right that she would look good in the outfit. She looked better than good, she looked great.
The suit was a one piece jumpsuit similar to her super suit, except this one was made of heavier material. The suit was black with purple piping. Over her right upper chest was the Team Possible logo along with the 2010 Olympic logo. A small equipment belt circled her waist. Calf high boots finished the look. Kim gave a low wold whistle at him as he stepped out. His suit was identical to her except that the piping to his was golden yellow.
Kim had to admit to herself that Ron had filled out a lot since the start of football season. Where before he had been fit, now he was more than fit. While he didn't have a washboard stomach what showed was fit and trim. His chest was tight and his shoulders broad. Kim knew she would have to beat the other girls off of him. Sixteen styles of kung-fu might not be enough.
She slipped over and placed her hands on his chest and kneaded them slightly. Sliding her hands around his back she pulled him into a tight hug. Ron raised his arms around her and held her close. A slight purr came out as she settled down into his arms. Then raising her head she gazed up into his eyes.
"Well, while this is fun we need to step out there for the news conference. And just a bit of info, when all the girls start to come on to you. Enjoy yourself, but not too much and remember who you belong to."
Ron raised one hand to cup her cheek.
"Like I would ever forget. When do you want for that little bit of information to be public?"
Kim sighed.
"I don't know Ron. I know it's not now, maybe after the Olympics."
He nodded and presented his arm as they separated.
Lights focused on the podium as Blair StJohn approached the podium. He paused for a moment as the reporters in the room settled into their seat and others took their places. When the room had quieted down to level he could talk he began.
"The staff of the International News Network thanks all of you for coming here today. INN has the great honor of adding two incredible people to the staff that will be reporting from the Vancouver Winter Olympics. They will be mingling with the athletes, living with them, dining with them and practicing with them. They will also actually demonstrate the event. We at INN came up with the idea several months ago but had trouble finding anyone willing and capable of taking this on. Then we thought of a special couple that filled all the requirements that we needed. That couple is known as the Team Possible. I doubt I will need to introduce this couple any more, so Kim, Ron, will you come to the podium please?"
Kim and Ron entered the room holding hands as the made their way from a side door to the podium amid an explosion of camera flashes and shouted questions. They stopped at the podium and stood there waving at the assembled reporters and news crews. They waited for a few moments then Kim started to speak.
"Ron and I are excited about this new adventure in our lives. This will be an interesting new chapter in our adventures. We look forward to meeting with, living with, and participating in some of the events. We hope to do a good job for the people back in the U.S. so they can gain a greater understanding of the events and the athletes."
Kim pointed to one of the reporters in front. He jumped to his feet.
"Miss Possible, what about your classes and your responsibilities here at Vandercraft University?"
Kim nodded as he sat down.
"We have permission from the school to participate in this event. Two professors will be traveling with us to be sure that our studies will be maintained. As for our other responsibilities, since football season is over, Ron is free except for his classes. As for me, the cheer team will be using smaller squads at the basketball games anyway so I will be excused from that duty, at least until I return when I will be expected to make up that time."
Kim pointed to another reporter. She remained seated as she asked her question.
"How about your missions? Will you be going on any missions while you are there?"
Kim shook her head.
"We don't know. Since we will not be actual athletes we could be free for mission if our assistance would be required. However, we will be notifying the proper authorities that we may not be available to lend assistance."
Kim pointed to another reporter. He nodded to Ron.
"There are rumors that you and Mr. Stoppable were splitting up at the end of last semester, yet the two of you came out here holding hands. Would you care to speak on that."
Kim scowled and the man but a quick squeeze from Ron's hand settled her temper down. She turned to the reporter and shrugged.
"We don't know where these rumors keep coming from. We have not broken up and do not intend to. While there were a number of incidents at the end of last semester we are still a couple and love each other a great deal."
She added actions to her words as she turned and gave Ron a quick peck on the cheek before she turned back to the microphone.
"Please, if you don't mind. This news conference was called by the network to cover the fact that we will be assisting them with the coverage of the Olympics. Let's keep the discussion to that. Ron and I will answer more questions after the news conference."
Another reporter stood.
"Have you decided what events that the two of you will be reporting on?"
Kim gave Ron's hand a squeeze as the turned to him. This was her signal to him that she wanted him to answer that question. While he was getting better at talking with the media, he normally let Kim do the talking. But sometimes she wanted him to do some of the speaking and this a signal between the two of them of when she wanted him to do the talking. Ron shook his head.
"No, at least not completely at this time. We have talked about it a little. We will be letting our abilities guide us a little. Kim most likely will do the figure skating, while I will do the hockey. In the mixed events and most of the paired events, either one of us or both of us will demonstrate the event. However, we will not be demonstrating paired figure skating. I am not the best skater and after dropping Kim once or twice we decided that event we would leave alone. For the rest of the events, we may just end up pulling a slip of paper out of a hat."
Kim glanced out over the group of reporters.
"We will take one more question."
Ron pointed to a reporter midway back in the room. He stood as he
"Would either of you care to make a statement about Wayne Kingston?"
Kim shook her head.
"I am sorry but we are not able to discuss that at this time. As you may know Wayne Kingston's trial is going on now and we are witnesses. We would like to thank all of you for coming at this time. The network representative have a press release for each of you. Thank you."
Kim and Ron stepped back from the microphone and waved as they left the room. Ron closed the door behind them as they left the room. Back in the changing room Kim took a seat. Leaning forward she placed her face in her hands, then with a sigh she stood up and headed for the changing screen.
"We might as well get changed and try to get a little rest. The last part of the trial will be tomorrow and I just want to get the whole thing behind us."
Ron leaned back against the wall.
"What do you think is going to happen? That defense attorney really tore into you, saying that you led him on."
Kim stepped behind her changing screen.
"Yeah, he did for all the good it did. I know they tried to play up the fight we had and everything else that happened. But with the tape Cap made and the testimony of that young man he really couldn't do much. Let's get changed. I feel like eating a good steak."
Silence reigned the in courtroom as the judge rapped his gavel.
"This court is now in order. We will hear the summations and turn the case over to the judges. Mr. Prosecutor you can begin."
The District Attorney stood up and made his way in front of the jury.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, we have before us today a case of a young man who pursued Kim Possible, who repeatedly rejected his advances. She rejected his advances both verbally, and physically. Yet, this young man continued to make advances upon her. When she continued to reject him he started to use every means in his disposal to cause a break up between the young woman and her boyfriend, when this did not work he attempted to cause physical harm to come to the young man, and attempted to harm the young man's reputation and athletic eligibility. The defendant used other students, paid other students, and other people in the community to force his way into her life. All because he wanted to use her good name only to further his own ambitions. He nearly had her friend killed just so he could be near her. One of his associates nearly killed Miss Possible, just so he could look like the hero that he pretended to be. I ask you to look closely at this young man and don't be fooled by his charming demeanor. Sure he is a star football player with his whole life in front of him. But he is also a cold calculating person willing to do whatever he had to do just because his ego could not stand for a young woman, any young woman to reject him. I ask you to find him guilty on all charges for what he has done. Send a statement to this young man that behavior like this will not be tolerated. Thank you."
The DA took a seat, while Wayne's attorney stood up and approached the jury.
"My esteemed colleague seems for have forgotten that he has yet to prove beyond a doubt that my client is guilty of anything other than getting mixed up in the wild life of the Kim Possible. My client was a respected and honored member of the student body before he had the unfortunate chance to cross paths with Kim Possible. I doubt that the young man that testified against my client can hardly be called a reliable witness. And that video? Just where did that video really come from? Who made it? Oh, I know that the prosecution has stated that it came from a reliable witness source. Are we to really believe that that man was actually waiting in the tree on campus waiting for the so called payoff? What was really passed in that package? Could the witness not have put the money in the case before taking it to the police? And Miss Possible? Just what part did she play in this fiasco. We have pictures of her kiss at that weekend meeting. We also have testimony from others that she acted like she wanted or was attracted to his intentions. My client stated that after he made the first approach, she started to show up at inappropriate times forcing him to try let her know that he was not interested. Then her boyfriend used his own notoriety to make my client look bad on the playing field, to the point that my client was benched for several games. This cost my client an award that he should have been awarded. It also cost my client any chance at a football career in the near future. Miss Possible says my client tried to force his affections on her. I say she wanted to play the field, like all the celebrities do. My client was just caught up between the wild life of Miss Possible and Mr. Stoppable. I ask you to find my client innocent of all charges."
Wayne's attorney took his seat as the DA stood for the last part of the trial as he approached the jury.
"The defendant's counsel appears to forget the other witnesses that stated the real reputation that the accused had on campus. Can he explain away the numerous official complaints made by other female students at Vandercraft University. The testimony of the witness was made at his own free will after turning himself into the police. He was not treated any different from any other person in his position. We have the testimony of other students of what a world that the defendant lived in. That world being one where all the girls deferred to him for his attentions. That world were everything was owed to him, and he owed no one any respect or concern. The defendant harassed, stalked, and in the case of Mr. Stoppable openly attempted to harm. Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable are good, upstanding young people who may live a different life than most of us. However, they never ask for special treatment. The defendant openly and often asked and demanded special treatment. He is guilty of all the charges and I ask you to find him so."
The DA turned and sat down. Before he did, he gave a smile and a nod to Kim. Ron had held on to Kim's hand tight during the entire time. She went rigid when the defense attorney made those comments about her. It had taken some serious time with Ron to get her over some parts of the trial. Although she never showed that the comments in the court room bothered her. She was an emotional wreck when they got back. Never had anyone attacked her in that fashion. She was used to a stand up fight. The defense attorney attacked every part of you she was making her out to be someone she was not. Ron had held her as she cried the pain and anguish out.
The judge looked over at the jury.
"Ladies and gentleman of the jury, you have heard all of the arguments. In a moment, I will give you your final instructions and you will leave to deliberate."
Kim laid her head over on Ron's shoulder. He had been the one thing that kept her going through all of this. She listened as the judge gave his instructions to the jury and allowed them to leave. After they left she stood with the DA and Ron. The DA turned to face her.
"Kim, I wouldn't worry too much about what the defense said. This is a pretty tight case. About the only defense they had was that you were the one that started approaching him and that was pretty well defeated. They may have used the mental thing that Wayne's ego had gotten the best of him, but that will not have a lot of bearing on what happened. Let's go downstairs to the cafeteria. Lunch is on me."
The rapping of the gavel made Kim's heart to beat faster. They had barely finished their lunch when the bailiff contacted the DA. The jury had reached a decision. Kim held on to Ron's hand as the jury filed into the room. Ron grunted a little and Kim released some of the pressure that she was putting on his hand. He gave her a slight smile and turned back to the jury. The judge faced the jury.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury have you reached a decision."
A tall, dark haired man stood.
"Yes your honor."
The judge nodded.
"Was the decision unanimous?"
The man nodded.
"Yes your Honor."
The judge wrote something down on his papers.
"Please give the decision to the bailiff."
The jury foreman handed a folded slip of paper to the bailiff and the handed the paper to the judge. The judge read the slip of paper and made more notes on his papers. Handing the paper back the bailiff, the bailiff took the paper back to the jury foreman. The judge stared at Wayne.
"Will the defendant please rise?"
Wayne stood with his attorney.
The judge glanced back at the jury foreman.
"Would you please read the verdict as I read the charges."
"How do you find the defendant on the charge of conspiracy to commit assault in the second degree?"
The foreman looked at the paper.
"We find the defendant guilty."
There was a gentle whispering in the court. There were several reporters from various sports magazines and gossip magazines. They all got quiet with a look from the judge. The judge turned back to the jury.
"How do you find the defendant on the charge of stalking in the fourth degree?"
The jury foreman looked over at Wayne.
"We find the defendant guilty."
Kim saw Wayne shake as he closed his eyes. Wayne's mother sobbed as she sat behind her son. Wayne's father was not in court as he was still in jail from his charges. The DA told Kim he had already made a plea agreement and would be going away for a couple of years. The judge made some more notes on his paper and nodded to the jury.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury. I thank you for your work. Mr. Foreman, you may have a seat."
The judge turned to Wayne.
"Mr. Wayne Kingston, you have been found guilty of the charges of conspiracy to commit assault in the second degree which is a class B felony. You have also been found guilty of stalking in the fourth degree, which is a Class B misdemeanor."
The judge paused for a moment and removed his glasses as he looked at the young man standing before him.
"Mr. Kingston, in light of this case and this being your first offense, there is precedence to let you free with no jail time."
Kim took in a breath as the judge paused. Then looking over at Kim he continued.
"However, I cannot do so due to the activities that you engaged in during the commission of the acts that have brought us to his moment. I do hereby sentence you to three years in the state prison system. Bailiff, please remove the prisoner for processing. This court is adjourned."
Kim nearly collapsed against Ron as the court room exploded into noise. Wayne's mother broke down as he reached over to hug her. The bailiffs came over and pulled his hands behind him and placed them in handcuffs. Kim turned to look over at him. He looked back with pure hatred as the bailiffs pulled him from the room. Kim and Ron stood with the DA as he gathered his papers.
"Congratulations Miss Possible. I hope that you can put this behind you."
Kim sighed as she shook his hand.
"This is a major point at being over it. Now I just want to get back to school. I don't look forward to facing all the press."
The DA nodded to the opposite door.
"The judge and I figured that you would want a little privacy, so we made arrangements for you and Ron to leave by the basement entrance. A deputy will drive you back to school. I will be going out front for a news conference so hopefully that will distract most of the press. Good luck."
Ron took Kim's arm and guided her to the other door. The DA shook his head as they left the room.
"Good luck you two."
Ron pulled Kim's comforter up to her neck and tucked her into her bed. Leaning over he gave her a kiss on her cheek. Earlier, they had reached the basement of the courthouse and got into a Sheriff's car. The deputy drove them out of the secure entrance as several people with cameras tried to get pictures of her leaving. A number of reporters ran along side the car trying to yell questions at her. Once they arrived at the campus it was not too much better but at least when they were in her building the news crews left. Kim had gotten in a good cry. She was frustrated, hurt, and just plain tired. Ron had all but carried her up to her room. He had waited for her to change and they had planned to watch a movie, but she went to sleep the second her head hit her pillow. Ron glanced over at Janice.
"Take care of her please. Tell her I'll be by in the morning and we'll go to breakfast."
Janice nodded.
"Don't you worry about that. I'll take care of her. How about you?"
Ron shrugged.
"I'm okay. I think I'll go over to the gym and work out some frustrations. Could you call Glen and let him know. Not that he would worry but tell him I could use the company."
Janice nodded.
"I sure will."
Glen sat back and watched as his best friend/roommate proceeded to give a beating to a punching bag that would have to be seen to be believed. He knew Ron was using the heaviest bag in the gym, but Ron was making the entire bag shiver with the blows he was delivering with his hands, feet, knees and elbows. Glen had seen that famous workout at the first of the year. He knew from Ron that that had been for show. But this, this was pure anger and frustration being worked out. He knew from the nightmares that Ron had had that the entire situation with Kim had effected him almost as much as it had gotten to her. Glen sat back with a couple of towels and a couple bottles of water and watched. He did have some studying to do but right now his friend needed him. He watched as the tears streamed down from Ron's face as he continued to beat on the punching bag.
Kim made her jump to the top of the pyramid. The trial was behind her now and she was getting back into form. Glenda applauded.
"Great job everybody! Let's take a little break and get some water."
Kim joined the rest of the cheerleaders as they walked over to where the cooler sat against the wall.
"I just wanted to tell all of you thanks for what you have done the past few days. I know I have not really been into cheering lately. I also want to thank you for being willing to take over some of my spots while Ron and I are at the Olympics."
Kathy glared over at Kim.
"Save it Kim. Some of us didn't quite volunteer for the extra duty."
Glenda turned to glare at Kathy.
"Stuff that attitude Kathy. You had a chance to voice your opinions. Besides, I don't think I ever heard you tell Kim thanks when she and Ron helped you out when your car broke down. They could have left you right where you were. As it was they were late getting back to school for some meetings they needed to go to. What would you have done if THEY had been broken down on the side of the road and you drove by knowing that if YOU stopped to help that YOU would be late?"
Kathy snorted and stormed off with her group. Glenda turned back to Kim.
"Sorry about that Kim. Don't worry about the team, we will make do while you are gone. We are so proud of you and look forward to seeing you at the Olympics."
Jessica leaned over.
"I look forward to seeing Ron in that outfit he wore to the news conference. Growwwlllll."
Kim laughed with the others as she play punched Jessica.
"Looks are okay, but hands off my boyfriend."
The group laughed again as Kim took a sip of her water. Kim answered a lot of questions about what they would be doing at the Olympics while she sipped at her water. No one asked about the trial. After a few minutes Glenda clapped her hands.
"Okay everyone, let's get back at it. I want to go over the new routine with MadDawg."
Kim and the rest looked over to see Jason Farmer walking up in the MadDawg suit. He was the Vandercraft mascot. He and Ron had become fast friends while they discussed the finer points of being a mascot. Glenda started the cheer. Every one was moving to the beat of the routine when it was time for Jason to make his move. He ran out on the floor to do his tumble. Kim noticed that he slipped and was off balance when he jumped. He made a bad landing and Kim heard the bone snap from where she was standing. Glenda ran to get one of the trainers while Kim knelt next to him.
"Stay still Jason. The trainer will be here in a moment. I pretty sure you broke your leg."
Kathy sneered.
"When did you get your medical degree Kimmie."
Kim turned her head to face her.
"I don't need one. I heard the bone snap from where I was standing. Besides, Ron and I have been busted up pretty good on mission and I know what one looks like."
Kim pointed to Jason's leg to make her point. The leg lay at an odd angle to the rest of his body. The trainers came over and took care of Jason. Glenda called off practice for the rest of the day. As they were leaving Glenda looked over to Kim.
"Kim, Jason was the replacement mascot when the other guy transferred to another school. Do you have anyone in mind who might be able to take over mascot duties?"
Kim's face broke out in a big smile.
"I think I have just the guy. He has a lot of experience and I think he would love to do it."
Glenda saw the look on Kim's face.
"Ohhhhh boy. This is going to be fun."
I hope that you have enjoyed this chapter. I normally don't put up a chapter this fast, but some of you may have seen the news about the big winter storm that hit the east coast. Well, we got a good dose of snow, sleet and freezing rain. We can't make a snowman or anything as there is a good coating of ice on top of the snow. All the road were nearly impassable yesterday and barely passable for today. I know what we got is nothing to some of you, but we just are not used to this much snow.
Wayne's trial is over and he is where is belongs. Now Kim and Ron will need to catch up on their studies and get ready for their trip to the Olympics. It looks like Ron will be soon be the newest member of the cheer team as the new mascot. One wonders at the new adventures they will face.
This is the Captain
Right hand salute
Roger and out.