Trial of the Hearts
Chapter 4
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The rain came down in sheets as Ron walked along the street toward his house. Barkin had really laid into him for his mistake. He was benched for the next two games.
As Ron turned to leave the room, Barkin called to him.
"Stoppable, I think I know what you were trying to do. Possible's lucky to have someone like you looking after her. I'm sorry this had to happen. She'll be okay. Liz and Crystal were able to break her fall. Liz reported to me that Rockwaller intentionally moved just as Possible reached her point. Rockwaller is suspended for the time being. Kim has a sprained ankle and should be out of the trainer's office in a few minutes. Luckily, it wasn't a conference game, but it's still gonna hurt our standing. Go on home, son, and rest up."
Ron nodded and left the office. There was no one was around as he pushed on the bar to open the outside door. He stepped out into the rain and headed for home. Kim would not want to see him after such a stupid mistake. He could hear her now.
"Ron, I can take care of myself. Your mistake really cost us. You need to keep your head in the game."
He sighed as he pulled his jacket further around him. Water dripped from his bangs and his shoes squished with each step. His clothes clung to him as the rain continued to fall. A few more minutes and he would be home. Maybe Kim would talk to him in a couple of days.
A car pulled up beside him and slowed down. He knew from the sound it was Kim's car, but he kept walking.
"Ron, get in the car. You're going to catch cold."
Ron shook his head.
"Just leave me alone, Kim. I'm just a loser. I cost the team, Kim. I cost us big time. Maybe I should just be the towel boy; the team would the better off. The head cheerleader needs to find a BF that doesn't make such stupid mistakes."
Kim's car screeched to a halt, the wipers slapping back and forth, the headlights shining their twin beams into the rain. Ron kept walking. He heard Kim running to catch up with him. She grabbed him by the arm and spun him around.
"Ron, look at me."
Ron raised his head to gaze into the emerald orbs of her eyes. Tears rolled down her cheeks and were washed away by the rain. Her hair started to fall limp in the damping rain. Her cheer uniform began to cling to her.
Kim raised her hands and turned his face to hers.
"Ron, you are my BF. You are my hero. You always have my back no matter the cost to yourself. You made a mistake. The mistake cost us the game. So what? It was one game."
Ron shook his head.
"But KP, this time I did it in front of everyone."
Kim caressed his cheek.
"Do you know what I saw?"
Ron stopped and shook his head as he looked at her. Her hair now hung in long dark strings. She sighed and bowed her head.
"I saw the man I love take a lot of heat because he loved me enough to take a risk. Ron, I love you. Nothing you do could ever make me ashamed of you."
Kim raised her face to look back up him and winced. He reached out and grabbed her as she wobbled a little.
A smile crossed her face.
"I sprained my ankle a little, but I should be okay in a day or so. I just need to stay off of it awhile. Besides, I think my BFBF deserves a little snuggle time. It's not every day that the star running back of Middleton High is also nominated for most improved student."
Ron pulled her into his arms and buried his face into her soaking wet hair. She held him as he shivered. Kim did not know if it was because of the chill in the air or him emotions. She knew he would need a little support. He had made a mistake for sure, and he would have to take a lot of heat for it. But she was the reason he made that mistake and dang if she would let him take the heat alone. They were more than just partners. Their hearts were joined in a way that most people could never imagine or hope to reach.
Kim pulled back and gazed up at him.
"Come on, let's get in the car before we both catch colds."
Kim placed her arm around his waist as his arm came down around her shoulders and together they walked back to the car.
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Be Be Be-beep.
Be Be Be-beep.
The screen on the aqua-blue device kept flashing until Wade's face appeared.
"Kim? Ron? Come on, guys. I know you're there. The scanner says you are and, considering your physical parameters, I know that I'm already dead meat. So answer already!"
A lithe feminine arm came across the back of the couch, grabbed the device and pulled it over the front.
"Okay, Wade. What's the sitch?"
Wade saw Kim and Ron lying on the couch. Ron was propped up on one pillow as Kim lay on top. A single blanket covered them both, and... and... their shoulders were bare!
"Aggghh!!! Sppllluuuppppp!!!"
Wade spit his drink all over the webcam and fell backwards out of his chair.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean…"
Kim glared into the screen.
"So not the drama, Wade," Kim sat up and the blanket fell off.
"NO, KIM!!! DON'T!!! I'LL WAIT UNTIL…"
Kim sat up in a sleeveless top and shorts. Ron sat up next to her. His chest was bare but he wore a pair of board shorts."
"Until what, Wade?"
Wade uncovered his eyes and stared into the camera.
"I'm sorry. I thought you were…."
Kim's face turned bright red.
"Wade! Get your mind out of the gutter and into the game! What's the sitch?"
Wade started typing on his keyboard.
"Okay, Drakken and Shego have escaped from prison. Apparently they've set up a lair in the Arctic. I have your ride on the way with the clothes you'll need."
Kim stood.
"Okay, Wade. We'll be ready. Come on, Ron! Mission time!"
Kim started toward the stairs as Ron got to his feet. "Got your back, KP!"
Kim started up the stairs to her room with Ron right behind her.
"And got the best view in Middleton."
Kim's eyes popped open as she turned and stared back at Ron. He stood there with that goofy grin on his face, winking at her. A grin spread across her face as she turned and continued back up the stairs with a decidedly bigger swing in her hips. Ron stood there for a few seconds, admiring the view.
"I think it's time to write "A Work of Art II".
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The C-130 supply plane flew through the clouds over the frozen tundra of Alaska. The two teens of Team Possible cuddled together with their new snow gear. Gone were the older ski-type suits. They were now wearing heavy fur-lined parkas and matching pants. Mukluks covered their feet. Their Team Possible snowmobiles were sitting on a drop pallet in the cargo bay. The pilot came back and stood beside them.
"Glad to have the two of you aboard, Team Possible!"
A grin spread across Kim's face. People seemed to be calling them Team Possible instead of her being just Kim Possible.
"We'd like to thank you for the ride, Captain."
The pilot smiled.
"No problem. It's not everyday that you can watch one of the members of Team Possible wire his game controller into the controls of an airplane and fly it to a landing. Mr. Stoppable, if you ever --- and I mean ever --- think about a career flying planes, the United States Air Force will have a job for you."
Ron smiled as he sat back and put his arm around Kim.
"Thanks, Captain, but I think I know where I want to be."
The plane began its descent. The pilot saluted the two and turned toward the cockpit. Loadmaster Warren signaled for the teens to get ready.
"We'll skim the surface of the snow. A chute will drag off the pallet with you and your snowmobiles. Strap yourselves in good and get ready. I'll give you a finger countdown."
Kim and Ron mounted their snowmobiles and strapped themselves onto the seats. The snowmobiles were tied down to the pallet. Once the pallet was pulled from the plane, it would skip along the snow. After it stopped, the teens would unlock the clips holding the snowmobiles to the pallet and drive off towards Drakken's lair.
The Loadmaster waved to them as the plane leveled off. He started a finger countdown.
5… 4… 3… 2… 1…
The two teens caught their breaths as they were thrown forward against their harnesses. The plane disappeared in a plume of snow and ice as the pallet slid to a stop.
Ron wiped his goggles clear and glanced over to see Kim doing the same. She pulled back the hood to her parka, revealing her helmet. She stood and scanned the area, then sat back down. Activating the Kimmunicator on her wrist, she called Wade.
"Wade, we got here with somewhat of a bump but we're here. Now, where do we head?"
Wade typed on his keyboard.
"I just downloaded the coordinates of the lair into the GPS units on your snowmobiles. My scans show that Drakken and Shego must have stopped any experiments. The lair is only pulling a minimum of power."
Kim scowled.
"Do you think they know we're coming?"
Wade shook his head.
"I don't think so. The plane was supposed to make a supply point drop at your position. We just added the two of you and your snowmobiles. A known and scheduled scientific party will arrive at the pallet to get their supplies. Even if Drakken and Shego saw the plane, they wouldn't have any idea you're there."
Kim nodded as she prepared to shut off the Kimmunicator.
"Okay, Wade. We're on the move. Will contact you later when we have Drakken and Shego."
Unhooking their snowmobiles, the two teens started off across the snow.
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Ron slid up next to Kim. They were in their winter mission clothes, their artic outfits having been left behind at the entrance of the lair. The ride to the lair had been quick. The stealth mode on the engines allowed them to approach quietly. The cave where the lair was hidden was open before them. Ron followed Kim into the cave. Soon they found themselves in a large open room. A group of synthodrones were working on the other side of the room. A light came from a large window overlooking the area. Kim noticed Shego pass by in the window
"Come on, Ron. Let's get over there."
Kim slipped along the wall until they were under the window. She raised her arm and fired the small grapple into the wall above the window. Ron came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her as she activated the motor to pull them up. Their eye grew wide when the section of wall the grapple was in pulled loose. It fell open and dumped several small bags out. The bags hit them and exploded in showers of white.
Kim looked over at Ron. He did the same to her. They were covered head to foot in a white powder. Ron licked at his hand.
"Flour?"
Two voices burst into laughter above them.
"Oh, this is rich. I have heard of flamingoats and pandaroos, but a pandaKimmie and pandaRonnie is perfect. SMILE!"
Kim and Ron looked up to see Shego leaning out of the window above them, high-tech digital camera in her hand.
Click Click
The flash fired twice as Shego took two quick pictures.
A odd feeling came over the two teens as they stood there.
Drakken stuck his head out.
"Ohhh. By the way, we added a little something extra to the flour. We thought a little itching powder would make things interesting."
Kim's eyes grew wide as the itching grew.
"Oh, man! It's down my neck and in my …," groaned Ron.
"Don't say it, Ron!" Kim growled. The fine powder had found its way down her shirt and started to venture lower..
Drakken stared down at the duo.
"All through our trials by Global Justice we were thinking of ways to have our revenge. We'll leave you now. I'm sure that you'll have other things to do after we're gone. You think you're all that! Well, your trials have just begun."
Kim tried to load another charge into her grapple gun but the itching all over was too great. Ron was already twisting and turning, attempting to scratch where he itched. He made one move to scratch somewhere private when he noticed Kim staring at him.
Kim just shrugged.
"Scratch where it itches, Ron. I plan to."
Kim hit the button on the Kimmunitcator while putting her own advice into action.
"Wade, get us a ride and make it yesterday. We need a way to get a shower and some clean clothes."
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Next week
Monique struggled to maintain her composure as she watched her two friends trying to eat lunch. Kim and Ron had found a seat in the far corner of the cafeteria and tried to make themselves as inconspicuous as possible.
"Sorry, guys, but it is funny. You didn't know that Drakken had the lair wired with cameras? He had that video of the two of you out on the Internet within minutes."
One of Bonnie's posse walked by with a t-shirt on. "Scratch Where It Itches, Ron. I Plan To." was written across the front. Two cartoon figures of them scratching themselves were on the back of the shirt.
Kim growled as the sophomore passed by.
"I so can't believe this is happening. The next time I get my hands on Drakken, I'll…"
Ron put his arm around Kim.
"KP, we're lucky they didn't get a tape of what else happened."
Kim's face went as red as her hair.. What the world did not know is that after Drakken and Shego left, the two teens found a pair of showers. Each quickly started the water in separate showers and started to wash the powder off. Both were well into soaping down with the liquid soap from the dispensers when Kim thought she smelled something familiar. They were both lucky that Kim recognized the smell. Shego had mixed Nair into the soap.
Ron was just getting ready to wash his hair when Kim and screamed for him to stop. The shampoo was nearly all Nair. They didn't lose any head hair, but the rest of their bodies was a different story. Barkin allowed Kim and Ron to go straight home after a game or practice. The story was they had other injuries that required home care, so they could not shower at the school. Both teens had various plans of what to do to Drakken and Shego the next time they got them in their hands.
Monique patted Kim's hand.
"Well, are you all packed for the training camp for the Inter-State Cheerleading Competition? "
Kim nodded brightly.
"Yep. I spent all last night packing and going over everything that they said I needed. I got a call from one of the people I'm supposed to work with. She was so excited to be working with me. We talked for hours. I am so amped."
Ron glanced over at Kim.
"Ahhh, KP. Didn't you tell me that you had an AP Chemistry test today?"
Kim looked around for Barkin or other faculty and then gave Ron a kiss.
"Nope, that's not today. Marcella called and told me that it had been postponed until tomorrow. I plan to study tonight. I can't mess up in this class."
Ron gave her a funny look.
"Ahhh, KP. When did Marcella call you?"
Kim munched on a celery stick as she thought.
"Oh, right before that other girl called; about seven o'clock."
Ron took Kim's arm.
"Kim, Marcella was with Felix and me at the Library then. Are you sure about the girl who called? What did she say?"
Kim thought for a minute.
"You know, it's funny. The last thing she said was something about the test. How would she know…unless…..OHHHH NNOOOO!"
Kim activated the Kimmunicator.
"Wade, run a trace on the two calls to my phone last night from sixty-forty-five to about eight o'clock."
Wade started tapping on his keyboard.
"Kim, this is weird. Those two calls seem to have come from two different numbers but when I run a deeper trace they both come from a totally different number. Kim, I traced it back. It seems that it came from some old lair of Drakken's."
Kim's face fell.
"That means….Shego…."
Wade's face fell.
"Kim, I just did a test on the conversation you had with whoever was calling as Marcella and the other caller. Analysis shows that it was Shego using a voice modification box."
Kim's face turned white.
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Kim's panicked face surveyed the room. Everyone was sitting in their seats with extra paper and their calculators ready. Mrs. Davidson noticed as Kim walked in.
"Ahhh. Miss Possible. I do hope you're prepared. I hope you remembered that I warned you that I would not accept any excuses for missing or delaying this test. Need I remind you that your grade has already suffered some from your missions. A poor showing on this test could cause problems for your overall grade and may hinder your participation on the cheer team. Please have a seat and let's begin."
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The sun was setting when Ron climbed into the tree house that had been their special spot over the summer and for most of their lives. He knew he would find her here; this was the one place that they could come to when one of them needed a little special time. Kim had run crying out of her house after Mr. and Mrs. Possible had found out the results of her chemistry test. Before that, loud voices could be heard shouting in the kitchen of the Possible home. She had not even spoken to Ron as she ran past him as he stood in the door to her home. He took his time moving over to her. She sat there on the couch in the tree house with her head between her knees, her quiet sobbing tearing his heart apart. Slowly taking a seat at her side, he curved his arm around her shoulders. She leaned over and buried her face into his chest. The paper fell from her hand to the floor of the tree house, the letter "D" written in red under her name.
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Things seem to be going good and bad for our two teens. Drakken and Shego are loose. What is coming? Only Whitem and I know. I hand off to Whitem now.
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