I don't suppose y'all would accept an apology from me saying that I'm sorry for making everyone wait this long for a new chapter? The ol' mundane life just tends to get in the way at times.

Let me say a big "Thank-You" to all those who are reading and reviewing this story, and Thanks to all those who reviewed the last chapter: CajunBear73, bthecatslayer, Solarstone, Ace Ian Combat, Star-Eva01, Zaratan, and Sir Sebastian. If any of you feel inclined to do so, please vote for us in this year's Fannies… It would be mucho appreciado! Again, we call ourselves Team WhiteCap…

Once again, that pesky disclaimer: Neither Captainkodak1 nor I own any of the characters involved in this story we are writing.

Trial of the Hearts

Chapter 7

Ron stumbled a bit as Anne gently gave him a shove from the Possible's household, but he didn't get very far as his feet caught on themselves. He would have performed a flawless face-plant in the front yard if he hadn't cartwheeled his arms.

After regaining his balance, Ron stood still for a bit trying to figure out what had just happened. OK… Mr. Dr. P. thinks Kim and I did it… But we know we didn't, and Mrs. Dr. P. seems to believe us. This is so not good. How are we going to get him to believe us?

Then he remembered what Kim's mom had done and said just before pushing him out the door. She had given him a hug, and whispered something into his ear that he would never forget: "Ronald… Please know that we have, and always will, love you like a son. James and I really do trust you with Kimmie, but James can be a bit… over-protective of his only daughter. You are the only one we would ever trust our daughters, and the rest of our families lives with. Come back tomorrow afternoon, and I should have James settled down by then."

The words that Kim's mom had said struck a cord with Ron, and he had never felt so important in his life until that moment when Kim's mom said those things to him. Ron straightened himself up, and proceeded to walk home.

When he was just a few yards from his front door, Ron had a thought. "Oh mann… I'll bet Mom and Dad have seen that video on TV also. "

…x x x x…

After entering his house, Ron headed straight towards the kitchen. Being thrown out of his girlfriend's house had worked up a thirst. Well, that, and it was a bit hot outside too. As soon as he entered the kitchen, he saw his parents sitting at the small kitchen table.

His father spoke first. "Ronald… Please, sit down."

Ron quickly grabbed a soda from the refrigerator and sat down popping the top. He took a sip and saw that both of his parents were not happy. His mother spoke next. "Ronald… we are very, very upset with you right now. Do you know why?"

"Umm… I… suppose you saw the…"

"Video? Yes, we have. It's on all the news channels Ronald." His father finished.

Tears were falling from his mother's eyes. "How COULD you Ronald? I never thought in my wildest dreams that you would… that you would… And on National TV no less!" Ron could hear both anger and sadness in his mother's voice, and he couldn't stand to see her crying like this.

"Now Dear…" Gene said, placing a hand on his wife's hand. "We haven't heard Ron's side of the story. You know how the media can put their own spin on things, and make it look like something completely different. Please Ron, tell us that it wasn't as things looked?"

Ron then told his parents everything that had happened that morning, and left out nothing. He so did not want a repeat of what had happened at the Possible's earlier. When he finished, he asked his parents a simple question.

"You believe me, don't you?"

His father once again spoke first. "Of course we do Ronald. You're mother here can just get a little emotional at times." He patted her folded hands. "Isn't that right, Dear?"

Taking one hand, Jean wiped tears from her face, and continued to hold onto her husband's hand with the other. "Can you forgive me Ronald? You know how I tend to jump to conclusions…"

"Of course Mom…" Ron said. "I understand completely. You don't have to be sorry for trying to be a good mother to me." Three chairs slid across a linoleum floor, and then a son hugged his parents, feeling the love and understanding coming from them.

After the shared hug, Ron said Good Night and went to his upstairs bedroom. He fell asleep happy with the knowledge that he had such understanding parents. He just wished that Kim's Dad hadn't been so… upset with him. He could understand why he had reacted the way he did, but that didn't make it right.

Just before the Sandman claimed Ron for the night, he remembered that he was to receive his award for Most Improved Student in just a few days. That would make him feel so much better. The only thing was, he had to share a long ride with one Mr. Steve Barkin.

…x x x x…

The next morning, Kim woke up feeling completely drained, even though she had about 7 hours of sleep. She was glad that it was a Saturday and she could sleep in. Her alarm didn't go off since she had forgotten to set it, and no one had bothered to come up to wake her.

Opting to take a shower later, Kim dragged a comb through her hair, and stumbled down to the kitchen. It wasn't until she reached her destination that Kim realized the house was quiet. Very quiet. Then she saw the note stuck to the fridge with a Rocket Ranger Fridge Magnet.

It was in her mother's hand writing, and it read:

"Kimmie… You're father and I are taking the Tweebs to Lake Middleton for a quick fishing trip. We thought you would like to sleep in after what happened last night. We should be home just after 12 noon. We had breakfast skillets before leaving, and there are leftovers in the fridge if you want. Just heat on High for 2 minutes in the micro, and you're good to go. See you after 12… Love, Mom."

Kim did feel a bit hungry, so she found the leftovers, popped it in the microwave, and sat down in their breakfast nook. The skillet her mom had made consisted of scrambled eggs, chunks of potato, ham, sausage, green peppers, and onions. It was after she had devoured the entire plate full that she realized that she must have really been hungry.

When Kim went back to the fridge for another glass of orange juice, she saw yesterdays pile of mail sitting on the counter. On the very top was an envelope from the Intercollegiate Cheerleading Association. She picked it up, opened it, and idly wondered what else they would be sending her.

She unfolded the single piece of paper that was enclosed, and her eyes increased in size as she read. She also started to mouth one word over and over while shaking her head side to side. "No… No… Noooo I can't believe this!"

Her first reaction was to tear the letter up, but she stopped herself just as her fingers started a tear. Instead, Kim sat down hard next to the table and dropped her head into her arms, her hair draping over the table.

…x x x x…

After waking up a bit earlier than usual, Ron had taken a chance and went to Kim's house earlier than what her mom had suggested. When he saw that the family van was missing from the garage and the Sloth was parked outside on the driveway, he knew that Kim was most likely home alone. After what had happened the previous evening, he was pretty sure that Kim wasn't with her parents.

He entered the house through the garage door, and immediately Ron heard soft crying coming from the kitchen. He walked in and saw Kim's form hunched over the table, her shoulders heaving. Immediately he was at her side.

"Kim? Kim…?" Ron said as he gently rubbed her back. "What's wrong?"

His girlfriend didn't say a word, and her hand snapped up, holding a piece of paper. He took it from her grasp, and read.

The top had an official seal, and the heading of "Intercollegiate Cheerleading Association". The body of the letter read as the following:

Dear Miss Possible,

When the Cheerleading Association selected you to receive this award and recognition, it was because of your exemplary status as a student, and your incredible abilities as a cheerleader. Many young girls look up to you as a role model, and some even strive to be like you.

However, we have been disturbed by the recent media events in your life, and this causes us to feel much concern. We have no doubt that these rumors will be cleared in time, but until then, the board has decided to ask you not to attend the coming Meet and Leadership Camp.

As a result of this negative media attention you have been receiving as of late, your presence as a public figure in this situation may not only shine a negative light on the proceedings, but we are also afraid that your attendance could be disruptive to all those present. This includes not only the attending teams and judges, but the accompanying press that would most surely be following you.

We regret that we have had to take these steps, and we hope you realize it is best for all concerned that you not attend. We sincerely hope that these events will come to pass so that in the future you will be allowed to attend.

Gladys Perkins

Secretary

Ron didn't completely understand a few of the bigger words, but he knew exactly what the letter was saying. When he finished reading it, he looked at Kim and saw the sadness etched in her eyes. He didn't say a word, opened his arms, and held his girlfriend.

…x x x x…

For the rest of Saturday, and all of Sunday, Ron stayed at Kim's side, and did everything for her she had asked, without pause and without question. He hated to see Kim so down, but this rejection letter had really hit her hard. Kim was so hyped that she was selected, and was on cloud nine after receiving the initial letter informing her of everything she would be doing. It was a dream come true. Then everything went downhill.

When Monday arrived, Kim was feeling a bit better, but when they entered the doors of Middleton High, a simple greeting brought them down again. "Hi K…" It was Bonnie.

"So Kim… did you realize that there was an alternate also selected for the ICA things?"

"Don't tell me…" Kim dead-panned.

"Yup…" Bonnie said with an almost evil smile. "They selected me." Kim dropped her head and groaned, as Bonnie sauntered away feeling quite proud of herself.

Then another voice rang out. "Stoppable…" It was Mr. Barkin. "Here…"

"What's this?" Ron asked as he took a rather large manila envelope from Middleton High's 'Teacher of all trades'.

"It's your homework for Wednesday. Have it on my desk by tomorrow after school. I trust you won't have any problems getting it done?" He eyed Ron's red-headed girlfriend.

"But, why are you giving me homework for Wednesday on a Monday?" Ron asked with confusion evident on his face.

"Have you forgotten already?" Barkin growled. "Wednesday is the presentation award for Colorado's most improved student."

"That's this Wednesday?" Apparently Ron had almost forgotten about it. "Awww Mannn."

…x x x x…

Monday and Tuesday were pretty much uneventful for the teens, as all they really had to deal with was Bonnie's snarky-ness, and Mr. Barkin breathing down their necks about PDA again.

It wasn't until Tuesday evening that Ron finally had the guts to go over to Kim's house, since he was still a bit leery of how her Dad would react to him being there. He needed some help with one final assignment he had for Mr. Barkin, and Ron was able to get a short extension on this one particular assignment. It was a report detailing both sides of the Global Warming debate, whether it was Man-caused, or a result of a natural cycle.

Wednesday morning came way too early for Ron, as Mr. Barkin insisted he be ready in front of his house to depart at 0500 hours. The drive to Denver was going to be about 3.5 hours, and Mr. Barkin wanted to be there early to scope out the venue that the awards were to be handed out in. He wanted nothing to go wrong when Ron took possession of the award.

…x x x x…

Bleary eyed but ready, on Wednesday morning Ron stepped out of his front door just as Mr. Barkin pulled up to the curb with his green SUV. Barkin rolled down the window just as the vehicle stopped. "Get the lead out Stoppable. We're two minutes behind."

Ron set his suit in the back seat, and then just as he plopped down in the front with Mr. Barkin, handed over the finished paper. "Good job, son. I knew you could do it. Now buckle up. I want you to read me your paper while I drive." Ron groaned, as he thought he would have been able to get some extra sleep during the ride.

Ron wasn't aware of Mr. Barkin's fascination with Al Gore, so after he finished reading the paper, Ron had to spend the rest of the ride listening to Mr. Barkin extol the virtues of Mr. Gore's book "An Inconvenient Truth".

…x x x x…

"Stoppable… Stoppable!" Ron felt a shake on his shoulder. "We're here. And did you even hear anything that I was telling you?"

"Ummm… " Ron had to think of something real quick. He wiped the bit of drool from his chin and said "Global warming is bad?"

Mr. Barkin humphed, and parked the car near the entrance of the Hotel. The Grand Mark Hotel was to be the place of the awards banquet in which Ron was to receive his award, along with other presentations.

A Bell Hop helped them with their luggage, and led Ron and Mr. Barkin to their 2nd floor room. There the two freshened up from their ride, and then headed down to checkout the room that the awards banquet was to be held in.

Mr. Barkin noted where all the emergency exits were, and nodded his approval while he inspected the wiring cables leading to the podium. He then went over the afternoon's schedule with Ron, who just nodded in agreement, and he started to feel a little nervous. Mr. Barkin immediately picked up on what the young teen was feeling.

The Teacher placed a hand on Ron's shoulder. "Son, don't let it get to you. You're only representing the entire student body from our county, Middleton High, and me. You have nothing to be nervous about."

"Gee, Thanks Mr. Barkin." Ron said with a small smile. "That makes me feel so much better…"

…x x x x…

The time finally arrived for the Awards Banquet to start, and just after everyone had a meal of chicken or fish with rice pilaf and vegies, the awards presentations started. There were two before Ron's presentation. One called "Going the Extra Mile" for students that went above and beyond what was expected during the school year, and "Best Student Teacher" for the one who most exemplified being in that position.

The banquets MC then announced the third award: "Next I would like to present an award for the 'Most Improved Student'. This award goes to the one individual that has brought up his or her grades from the brink of failure to a very respectable average. Mr. Ron Stoppable has done such a feat. He went from an almost D-Minus average his Junior year in High School all the way to an almost perfect average as a Senior. He came within two points of receiving an A+ average, and now has a strong A average." The MC held up a small award that was about 10 inches high. It was a wooden base that held a gold colored scroll which was partially un-rolled. The plaque on the bottom simply read, "Ron Stoppable, Most Improved Student, 2007".

"Ronald Stoppable attends Middleton High School, which is also represented by the schools faculty member, Mr. Steven Barkin. Mr. Stoppable, if you please?"

Ron rose from the table he and Mr. Barkin were seated at, and walked up and onto the stage. There was a small smattering of applause as he walked across the stage, and received the award from the MC. Ron then turned to the audience and stepped behind the podium that was covered with microphones.

"I would like to thank the entire faculty of Middleton High, and especially one Mr. Barkin. If it wasn't for him constantly pushing me to do my best, I honestly don't think I would be where I am today." Mr. Barkin wiped a small tear from his cheek as Ron continued. "I would also like to thank my girlfriend Kim Possible, for helping me on many long study nights."

Just as the last words escaped from Ron's mouth, he knew he had said something that he probably shouldn't have as a murmur passed through the audience. Suddenly a single voice rose from the crowd. "That's the guy that screwed Kim Possible on TV!" Suddenly there was pandemonium amongst all those in attendance.

Immediately Mr. Barkin was near the stage waving Ron to quickly come down the steps. The two dashed through a side Emergency door, which Steve had seen when the two had cased the room earlier in the day. It dumped them out in the back parking lot, not too far from his SUV.

About half way to the vehicle, a voice was suddenly heard behind them making the two stop in their tracks. "Was she any good?"

Ron and Mr. Barkin slowly turned around to see a small group of 5 to 6 reporters, with the one who had just called out standing in front. The only response they had was to drop their jaws.

"Huh…?" The said simultaneously.

"I'll take that as a yes." The reporter said while scribbling on a small pad of paper.

"We don't have to talk to you." Mr. Barkin said as he took a step closer to the reporter as he pointed at the man. Mr. Barkin then turned back around and spoke to Ron in a gruff voice. "Let's go Ron."

After Ron turned around, he felt the hand of his teacher gently push him towards the car. He didn't notice that a hand had also landed on the shoulder of Mr. Barkin, but he did heard the reporter's voice again. "Don't turn your backs on me…"

Steve Barkin slowly turned back around to face the reporter, and gently raised the man's hand to remove it from his shoulder. Immediately the reporter started screaming one word.

"Assault! Assault! This man just attacked me!" The other reporters behind him all took a step back from the three as they all knew enough to stay out of this confrontation.

The reporter now held his hand as if it was hurt, and he spoke in an almost excited voice while looking at Ron. "So, you screw Kim Possible and then hire a body guard to take care of anyone who attempts to report anything about it?"

This time it was Ron who took a step towards the reporter, who thought he saw the blonde boys eyes glow blue for a split second. Ron's right hand was clenched in a fist, and the reporter took a slow step backwards. Ron felt Mr. Barkin's hand lay on his shoulder.

"He's not worth it, son." The teacher said under his breath into Ron's ear. He stepped around between the reporter and Ron, facing his student. "He can claim assault on you too."

Ron then saw Mr. Barkin's eyes light up in realization. "Don't touch him, or he will have a case." He paused. "But however, he touched me first… That allows me to do this…"

Steve Barkin's large right hand swung around as the teacher turned back towards the reporter, and caught the man right below the eye, spinning him around. He fell without a sound, his pad of paper and pen falling to the ground. He was out cold.

…x x x x…

The next day's newspaper had a small article in the back underneath the Educational section of the paper:

After the State High Schools Awards Banquet last night, a dispute was witnessed in which a student, teacher, and reporter had a minor altercation. The reporter in question started the fight when he placed his hand on the teacher's shoulder, initiating contact. The scuffle was short-lived as the reporter in question went down after just one punch.

There were a number of witnesses, and charges were never filed by either party. The reporter involved in the altercation was last seen at a local hospital where he could only eat soup broth from a straw. His prognosis by the doctors at the time was very good.

The names have been with-held from this report until all details of the altercation have been collected by local authorities.

To be continued…

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