School of Life
Chapter 14
Headgames
Kim made her way across campus toward the cafeteria. They had returned to campus after their debriefing and some medical care. To say both of them were in foul moods would be like saying the Pacific Ocean is a small puddle of salt water. Being set up by Nick Fury did not endear themselves to membership in that organization. The nomination to join the Avengers was an interesting side development. They heard later that Fury went ballistic when he found out. But, since he was in the medical bay at the time there was not a lot he could do. It took one of S.H.I.E.L.D's best dentists to repair the damage to his teeth and jaw. He also had to carry around a bag of ice for a couple of days. There were quite a few snickers behind his back in regards to his unusual wide-legged gait.
Her injury was healing quickly, it mainly was just a deep muscle bruise. It would have been worse if Ron had not be himself and tackled her out of the way of the blast. While they had been able to use the underwater lava tube to get into Dementor's lair, he still had his normal muscle bound goons on staff. They had been armed with a wondrous array of weapons. She had chased down Dementor and cornered him in a hallway. Just before she could demand his surrender one of the goons had fired a laser blast at her. Ron had seen the goon about to fire and had decked him at the same moment he fired. Instead of hitting her in the head the shot struck the rock wall beside her and gouged a hole into it spraying shards of rock all around her. A large splinter glanced off her leg knocking her to the floor. The pain had been shocking for just a split second then her leg went numb.
Namor had pulled her clear of the area while Ron had gone berserk. Dementor and his goons were begging to surrender by the time he had even gotten started. Maybe it was the sight of Ron glowing blue and floating across the room or maybe it was the sight of Ron grabbing one of Dementor's gigantic lasers and ripping it off its mounts. The fact that the device weighed approximately a ton didn't seem to bother him. When he started to use his new toy like a baseball bat Dementor decided that surrender was better than being pummeled by a wild haired floating maniac. After their surrender Ron had bundled Kim up in his arms and jumped on the first helicopter to land on the island. The pilot was about to object when he got a good look at Ron's eyes. They were not blue anymore but the look convinced the pilot that immediate takeoff and return to base was the best action he could take. He had nearly bent the collective stick he pulled up on it so hard.
Spiderman and Thor had ridden back to Vandercraft with them to brief them on what was expecting of them and what they could expect from the other Avengers. They would have work toward being full members of the Avengers if they wished. That would mean a good deal of training on top of what Global Justice might want them to do. It was understood that they could maintain ties with both organizations if they so wanted. Dr. Director, who was extremely unhappy about what had happened to the two of them had told Kim and Ron she would be honored them as members of Global Justice and the Avengers. The two Avengers dropped Kim and Ron off in the area between their dorms. It cause quite a stir on campus as the two Avengers stepped off their crafts to say goodbye to the two of them.
Now it was back to a normal life or at least what was normal for the two of them. Both of them had a number of tests coming up as well as a few papers. Kim had one large project due and Ron's cooking class had a surprise presentation coming up. Ron told her that the students were to be given a surprise ingredient. Then they would have to produce a four course meal based on that ingredient. Kim mentioned that it sounded like the show he liked to watch, "Steel Chef USA". Ron had laughed as he agreed with her saying the the instructor encouraged them to watch the show.
"Hey KIM! Wait up!"
The voice calling out to her broke her out of her thoughts. She stopped and turned around in the direction of the voice. She noticed Cathy waving at her as she started to jog to catch up with the redhead. Kim waved and waited for the other girl to catch up with her.
"What's up Cathy?"
Cathy smiled as she joined up with Kim.
"Not much. Saw you heading this way and thought I might tag along. Headed to get something to eat?"
Kim nodded as she resumed her walk. She winced slightly from a twinge of pain in her legs. It was fine if she didn't strain it too much but twisting around was a sure way for it to start hurting. Cathy noticed the wince.
"Are you okay? I heard this last mission was a bad one."
Kim shrugged her shoulders.
"No big. Least not real big. Either one of us has gotten hurt worse before. It's okay as long as I don't twist it too much."
Cathy put her arm through Kim's as she fell into step beside her.
"I gotta say that it was quite a show for Spiderman and Thor to bring you two back."
Kim nodded.
"Yeah, the training mission we went on turned into a real mission. The Avengers gave us a hand then a ride back to school."
Cathy glanced back at Kim.
"What about the rumors that you and Ron were going to join some group called SHIELD?"
Kim grimaced.
"They were supposed to be part of the training mission but it worked out that we will not be doing much with them. Call it operational differences. Oh, we will help if they need us and they will help us if we need it but the cooperation most likely will end there."
Cathy hugged Kim's arm tightly.
"I'm just glad that you are okay. I know we haven't known each other long but I feel like you are one of my best friends."
Kim reached over and patted Cathy's hand.
"I know you are a good friend Cathy."
Kim turned her head quickly to her right and looked out over the campus.
"Did you hear that?"
Cathy frowned.
"Hear what? I didn't hear anything. You sure you are okay?"
Kim raised her arms and rubbed her temples.
"I thought I heard someone call my name. Now I am starting to get a headache."
Cathy rubbed Kim's arm.
"I know. You have been under a lot of stress and you probably have not been eating as good as you should. Here, breakfast is on me and I'm gonna make sure that you get a good meal in you."
Cathy leaned over and gave Kim a quick kiss on the cheek.
"I've got to take care of my best friend you know."
Kim put her hands down and blinked her eyes.
"It's going away. Maybe the glare of the sun was just getting to me. A big breakfast sounds good. Thanks Cathy."
Cathy took Kim's arm again and started to lead you toward the cafeteria.
"You are very welcome. Now I think I'll start you with some pancakes and some bacon. Then some fruit. But NO Coffee. I think the last thing you need is any caffeine."
Kim giggled.
"Sounds good to me. I feel so hungry now I think I could keep pace with Ron."
Cathy burst out laughing.
"Now I KNOW that you were just hungry. Ron's eating is legendary."
Kim and Cathy laughed as they entered the cafeteria.
Wayne stared across the parking lot was he watched Kim and Cathy enter the building. He grated his teeth she walked free as a bird across campus. She was as beautiful as he remembered. Right now he was not even supposed to be on campus and if it was revealed that he was here it would be straight back to prison. Still, he had to see her. He wanted to see her happy and set that vision in his mind. Because when he was finished with her he wanted to be sure to remember the crushed, vanquished shell of the person she used to be.
His new friends were a little strange. Okay they were REALLY strange. The little British dude was sort of okay but that fat woman was whacko. They had one thing in common though. An intense hate for Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable. Apparently they had done something to someone called Monty Fisk. The little British dude had worked for the dude before and the woman... ugh she kept talking about the dude as "monkeykins". Wayne shuddered. The thought of that woman being attracted to someone and/or that person attracted to her brought on thoughts that would give a normal person nightmares.
He reached down and started the car he was driving. It was not anything of the line that he normally drove. But being flashy was the last thing he needed to do now. Wayne thought of some of the plans his new friends had for Kim and Ron, especially Kim. Their plans sounded like something out of science fiction but they had already started their plans and they seemed to be working. Now the rest of the plans would start to move forward and soon everyone would be laughing at the name of Kim Possible. He would be there when she fell and he would make sure she knew that he was the one that helped to take her down. Wayne paused for a moment as he waited for the traffic to clear before he pulled out into the street. When it was clear he pulled out onto the street and drove away. He failed to notice someone standing in a nearby bus stop had been watching him. The figure pulled a phone from their pocket and started to dial.
Ron slung his bag over his shoulder as he left the classroom. This class was not normally held this early but the instructor had wanted be meet in a breakfast setting. The dishes that had been prepared that morning were simple but very filling and very good. That was the point that the instructor wanted to make. That a good meal did not have to be fancy. He had made a point to make up a couple of plates. One was for Glenn and the other was for Kim. He balanced the plates in one hand as he pushed against the door on the way out. The sun was bright and the air cold as he stepped out the door. Lena, a girl from his class jogged to keep up with him.
"Hey Ron, that "tweeb french toast" was delicious. Where did you think that one up?"
Ron grinned.
"Well, Kim had really done something really to tweak me. She was just in one of her moody moods and I really didn't want to deal with her. It was a Saturday, her folks were out of town and she had to stay around the house and make sure they didn't destroy the place. We had had an argument and I was not in the best of moods. I couldn't stay and that was one of the reasons for the argument. So, I thought I would leave a little gift. I fixed her two twin brothers, who were about 11 at the time, a very special breakfast."
Lena smiled.
"French toast, dipped in mixture of sugar, eggs, chocolate bits and fried to perfection. Then covered maple syrup with a little pure cocoa mixed in and butter on top of that. Then you added hot chocolate with whipped cream and shaved chocolate? That had to have wired them like nothing else."
Ron nodded with a grin.
"OOHHHHH yeahhhh. I left after I fixed everything, they were digging in by the time Kim had gotten ready and made it down to the kitchen. She...she was not pleased with the breakfast that I had fixed. They drove her to distraction the whole day and only the use of a couple of little toys we got from one of Drakken's lairs got them slowed down enough for her to handle, which by the way was to put them to sleep. When her folks got home she was laying exhausted on the couch with the house in shambles. Her mom was not pleased with what she did to her brothers but she was not pleased with how her brothers had behaved either."
Lena giggled.
"You left one thing out. What did Kim do to you when she caught you?"
Ron shuddered.
"Weeeeellllll. It was not just Kim. You see Kim's mom called my mom. The next thing I know the dad's are out for a dad's night and I was placed in the middle of the Possible living room facing Kim, her mom and my mom. THEY didn't think my little prank was funny. At least later, they did get a good laugh out of it to start with. BUT, they decided that since I had a part in the destruction that I was to help clean it all up. It took Kim, her brothers and I several hours to clean up. After that "Tweeb's french toast" was off the menu."
Lena laughed.
"What did 'Kim' have to say about it, like later?"
Ron blushed.
"Now Lena you know that I don't break secrets."
She punched him slightly in the arm.
"Come on Ron. Everyone knows of the famous Kim Possible temper!"
He smiled slightly.
"Actually would you believe that she actually apologized for being so snarky that morning."
Lena stopped with her jaw wide open.
"She did what?"
Ron nodded.
"Yep. She apologized for what she said and told me that what I did was pretty funny."
Lena thought for a moment.
"Now Ron, that is not quite the Kim I think I know. I don't think she would have just left it at that."
Ron paled slightly.
"Oh no. Let's just say the next sparring match we had she 'really' took it to the mat."
Lena grinned big.
"Cleaned your clock didn't she."
Ron shuddered.
"Cleaned my clock, my watch, wiped the mat with me, bounced me off the wall, the ceiling and literally anything else she could think of."
Ron phone went off at that moment, he pulled it from his pocket to answer it.
"Hello?"
The walls of the coliseum seem to literally vibrate from the screams of the crowds. Fans had to yell at each other just sitting next to one another. The Bull Dogs were in a tight fight for a big game. The basketball team had just staged the greatest comeback in the school history. They had been behind twelve points and now were ahead by two. There was just about a minute on the clock when the other team called a timeout. The crowd quieted down just a little bit as everyone seemed to take a break from the yelling and screaming.
The cheerleaders went through a quick routine to keep the crowd on its feet and then took a quick break. Kim walked over to their bench and pulled a bottle of sport drink out of the cooler. Her head was really hurting and the noise of the crowd was not helping. It seemed that the sound was literally pounding on her head. She had been hearing things the whole week and had been having several headaches. Even as much as she hated to go to the doctor she was seriously thinking of going to the infirmary or at least calling her mom and have Wade do a scan on her while her mom looked on.
Ron stepped up to her and pulled off the Bull Dog head.
"You okay KP? Another one of those headaches?"
Kim nodded.
"Yeah, think we can skip the after game party? I really don't feel like going."
Ron nodded just as the horn blew signaling the end of the timeout.
"Sure KP. I'll meet you outside after the game. Don't worry about taking a shower or anything. Just come on outside and we'll head back to your room. Do you want to call your mom or go to the infirmary?"
Kim thought about it for a moment.
"I'll let you know after the game. Let's get back to work."
Ron slipped the character head back on and took his position. Kim started to cheer along with everyone else as the game started and the clock counted down. Seconds passed as the ball changed hands several times. Kim waited for the sound of the horn so she could join the cheerleaders in celebrating their win on the floor. Her head started to hurt again as the other team made a shot. It bounced off the rim and landed in the court just in front of her as she heard the horn sound. Jumping out on the court she grabbed the ball and tossed it into the air. The sound of whistles came to her ears and she looked around. The ball players were looking at her as if she was crazy or something. The referee was pointing at her and saying something. The announcer came on over the crowd.
"Technical foul, Vandercraft."
Kim looked up at the clock. There were two seconds on the clock. She looked around to see Ron stepping over to take her arm and pull her off the court. Boo's and screams sounded throughout the room. Kim took a seat and buried her face in her hands tears streaming from her face. The opposing player went to the line and took a shot.
Ron held onto a sleeping Kim as she lay in his arms in her room. He had held her as they left the coliseum amid catcalls and boo's. The cheerleaders had supported her, but she could see in their eyes that they blamed her for what had happened. She tried to explain again and again that she had heard the horn but no one was listening. Even Ron told her that no horn had sounded, though he did do it a lot gentler than everyone else did. She was currently suspended from the cheer team and could be removed entirely.
The sitch was not as bad as it could have been. The opposing player had hit the first free throw to bring the score within one. However, he missed the second one. His team got possession of the ball but with only one second on the clock there was little chance of a score. The hail-mary shot actually hit the rim at the other end of the court but bounced away failing to score. The Bull Dogs survived but the comeback and win had been forgotten and the only thing everyone seemed to remember or wanted to talk about was how Kim Possible nearly lost the game for her team.
It was a deep blow to her. After all she had been cheer leading for years and had never done something like this. She prided herself with doing everything possible to do everything right. Before she finally cried herself to sleep she mumbled that she was indeed Kim Possible and she could do anything including nearly make her team lose a game.
Ron cradled her closely and continued rock her gently. Tomorrow would be another day and she would need every friend she beside her. Kim had always been the center of attention, but that attention had almost always been positive. Now, the attention was a great deal less than positive and it was very public. He glanced over to the Kimmunicator that lay on her desk. Nodding to Lauren he motioned for her to pick it up and bring it over to him. When she handed it to him is activated the call button. Wade's face immediately appeared. The concern was evident on his face.
"How's Kim?"
Ron looked down at her as she squirmed slightly at the noise.
"She's okay...no...she is not okay. She is a wreck right now. I need you to scan her. She has been hearing things and been getting headaches. I am really worried about her. So let's do the scan and get her mom on the line to look at it."
Wade didn't even say a word as his fingers flew across the screen as he typed the screen split in two and Anne Possible's face appeared on the other side of Wade.
"Ron, is Kimmie okay? We saw what happened but didn't know what to do. James wanted to call right then but I told him that you were there and it would be best for you to handle it."
Ron voice hitches as he spoke. No words that could have been said that would illustrate the trust that Kim's parents had apparently placed in him.
"Thanks Mrs. Dr. P. I am trying to do my best. Right now Wade is going to scan Kim and I want you to look at it."
Anne bit her lip for a moment. Kim was an adult and should give consent for any test but she was not awake right now, Ron had asked for the test and this was her own damn daughter. Ron stared down at the screen.
"I'll take the heat from Kim. If she wants to get mad she can get mad at me. Now just do the scan."
Anne's opinion of Ron went up several points even if that was even possible.
"You are not going to face that alone. I'm still her mother so Wade do the scan."
Ron held out the Kimmunicator and a beam scanned over Kim from head to toe. Ron put the device down in his lap. Anne appeared to looking at the results of the scan. He just waited until she nodded.
"Okay, Ron. Everything seems to be clear for the most part but something is going on. There seems to be some slight trauma to her head. Did she get hit on this last mission?"
Ron shook his head.
"Yes, but not in the head. Least not hard enough to cause any problems. You know as well that she has a hard head. Literally and figuratively."
Anne giggled.
"Ron, I didn't know you knew words like that."
Ron was about to answer when a voice under his chin announced it's prescience.
"Neither did I and considering the context of the conversation someone better start explaining."
Ron gulped as Kim sat up and ran her hand through her hair. The glare she gave Ron caused his blood pressure to go up a few points. She was about to say something when her mother interrupted.
"Kimmie, if you want to lay into someone you better start with me. I would have done the scan no matter what."
Kim sighed.
"It's okay mom. I'm not mad. Tweaked, but not mad. You could have waited until I was awake."
Anne nodded.
"Yes Kimmie, but Ron was there, he was ready and there was no need in waiting. Besides young lady I was not in the mood for an argument from you over it."
Kim giggled a little.
"Okay now I'm not THAT bad about it."
There was a moment of silence in the room. Kim's eyes went from the two expressions on the Kimmunicator to the one on Ron's face. She groaned and rolled her eyes.
"Okay, okay I get the point."
She paused for a moment.
"Mom, I was going to call you. This has really got me freaked out. I've been hearing things when I shouldn't and I've been having a lot of headaches."
Anne pursed her lips for a moment.
"Okay Kimmie, that's it. You are going in for a full examination. I don't know what is going on but I'm going to find out."
Kim was about to open her mouth when her mother interrupted.
"No argument young lady."
Kim nodded.
"No argument mom. It's just that both of us have a few big tests coming up this week. Could we hold on the tests until we can make a trip home this weekend. And could Ron come with me?"
Anne smiled.
"Yes to both. But with one exception. If you have any more headaches or hear anything else out of the ordinary I want you to go straight to the hospital."
Kim nodded.
"Yes ma'am."
Anne turned on the screen to look at Ron.
"And Ronald, James and I would like to thank you again. There is no one out there we trust more than you. Take care of our little girl."
Ron smiled.
"Will do .P."
Anne gave Ron a slight puppy dog pout.
"Now Ronnie, just what did I ask you to call me?"
Ron swallowed.
"Okay...mom."
Anne smiled.
"That's a good boy. Good night you two."
The screen went blank as Wade cut the signal. Kim turned to Ron and sighed.
"Thanks Ron."
He grinned.
"As always."
Kim put her arms around his neck and stared into his eyes.
"Now Mr. Stoppable! About that comment."
Ron swallowed.
"Uh Kim I..."
His answer was interrupted by two soft lips covering his. The kiss deepened as Kim let him know of her appreciation of taking care of her. She pulled back with an evil grin.
"Now about that comment. Remember the sparring session after the french toast incident?"
Ron's eyes went wide.
"Awwwww mannnnnn."
Wayne sat back in his easy chair in front of the TV thoroughly enjoying himself. Kim Possible had made a complete fool of herself on a televised game. His compatriot's plan seem to be working well. While he didn't understand the science of what was happening that was no doubt that it seemed to be working. He had watched some show on that science channel and it helped him understand a little of what was going on. Apparently his short little friend had a device that would fire a microwave beam in a narrow enough beam to hit one person from a distance. By regulating the beam against the skull of the target, the user could actually produce indistinct to distinct sound depending on the distance the device was from the target.
The British dude had been using the device on Possible for the last couple of weeks. There was no doubt it was working. Possible appeared to be coming unglued. They had to be careful though. Extended use could cause headaches in the target. Since Kim had been acting like she had a headache they had to backoff using the device so much. But even the use every day or so seemed to be working. From what he had heard from his sources on campus she had been acting strange. That would work perfectly in their and his plans. When it came for his hearings and it was time to put Kim back on the stand her credibility would be worthless.
He would have to tell the short little Englishman something else. That girl that seemed to want to be all over Kim. That was a new development. One that they could use to their advantage. Kim had to be completely naïve not to know just what that girls intentions might be. Cathy didn't like boys. She liked girls. While she was not brazen about it she wouldn't deny and actively chased after any girl that took her fancy. Now she appeared to have set her sights on Kim Possible. This couldn't be working better.
His father had dealings with and friends with a couple of big newspaper and even a couple of TV stations. When the time came everything would be exposed to the world and the Kim Possible would be the laughing stock of the world. Then it would come the loser's turn. The little English dude and the fat woman had told him that they had a plan for Ron too. All he had to do is visit some shrine and perform some ritual. The ritual would give him unlimited power to finish his revenge on Kim and give the loser a lesson he would remember forever.
Bates placed his device back in a safe place in his room. Walking back to the living room he noticed that idiot American thug was sitting there in front of the television half drunk. Amy stepped up beside him.
"Bates, he is such a nasty boy all he could do is leer at Possible during the whole game. Oh, the language he used and the things he said he wanted to do to her. It was just awful. When oh when are we going to get Montykins free?"
Bates turned his head and grimaced. He could barely stand the fat woman and the boy was even worse. He had his own plans and they were working well. The first part was done. The device had worked better than he had ever hoped. Now it was time to lay low and let things play out. He thought of his master.
"Soon my Lord, Soon."
Greetings everyone. I finally got back to this one. I had pretty big writer block on this one for a little while. Also real life came into play and it has really been hard to find the time to write. I hope that you will enjoy the story. Please leave a review. I would appreciate it.
This is the Captain
Roger and out
Right hand salute.