A/N: the following story is a work of fiction. The characters from the Kim Possible Show, you know Kim Possible, Ron Stoppable and so on belong to the Disney Corporation and not to myself. If they did, I wouldn't be working in a stinking factory to make a living. I'd like to make money at this, but let's face it I'm not good enough. So stroke my ego and read it. Thanks.

I wish to thank CajunBear73 for his tireless efforts in trying to make me appear intelligent and at least semi-talented. I really do appreciate his hard work. I'd recommend him as someone else's beta, but I still have dibs with Screaming Phoenix. I want to thank Spectre666 as well, he makes me think hard and makes me defend my stories and how and why I wrote a certain way. When you have to be ready for that, you think it through a lot better, trust me on that. We have enough yes men in the world and he isn't one. Also thanks for the encouragement that other writers have given me and a great thanks to readers that have thought that the works that I have written so far are worth reading.

Thanks to Wave Form, CajunBear, Screaming Phoenix and RabulaTalsa for the reviews it really does make my day.

As for this story CaptainKodak observed you have to get through Good Friday before you can get to Easter. And I had to do it some way. So here it is.

Broken Promise

Chapter 5

It was a long flight back to Middleton. Kim couldn't wait to get home with the guy that she loved. 'I know that I love him and want to spend the rest of my life at his side. But I want to work for GJ too. How are they going to take all this? If I hold back the information after they ask it'll be like lying to them. Should it make a difference? If they're not interested in Ron so why should I tell them anything at all?', she mused.

Ron turned in his sleep, waking with a gasp. He was still tender from the burns. He looked at his hand where the skin was beginning to heal. 'I wonder if my finger prints will change because of the injury.', he thought to himself.

Kim rolled to him. She was very careful, she had seen the pain in his eyes even when he didn't make a noise. "I love you Ron, remember what I said before. I want to be the Mrs. Ronald Stoppable. That is my goal in life honey, no matter what. If you don't hear anything from any of those schools I'm going to find out what's going on. It's just not right.", she told him softly. "One thing I was wondering about boyfriend, how come you could talk to those people? Have you been taking foreign languages?", she asked.

"I don't know how I knew what they were saying KP. I just knew, I guess after learning Giant Cockroach, a human languages are pretty easy. Now as to the college thing KP, I know that you don't like pulling in favors, so please don't for me. I mean it's not fair to others that might be getting the same treatment. I love you honey, we just have to trust that maybe it'll all work out.", he replied.

Considering his upcoming work schedule, Ron asked to use the communications device to talk to Smarty Mart and the restaurant. Five minutes later Ron announced, "KP I have a lot of work to make up. I gotta be at the store immediately after we get back. Then when the restaurant opens I gotta get over there. When I get done there I gotta head back to Smarty Mart again. I gotta do this for then next five or six days. I guess no date time for a while. Man this is gonna kill me.", he told her.

Kim snapped, "That is crazy Ron, they can't do that. It'll be too dangerous. No sleep for that long could kill you!"

"I'll be OK KP, just going that long without you is gonna be hard. I hope I can live long enough to get some more KP kisses.", he told her softly.

She laughed and gave him a quick hug until he gasped again.

After they landed Wade had a ride for them back to the Stoppable home. Ron quickly changed and put a bag with extra clothes for a few days in his car. Ron kissed his lover goodbye as he left for his extended shift.

Kim looked at her watch, 'Two AM? He hardly got any sleep. Well when I go into Club Banana later today I'm gonna have Wade keep an eye on Ron. I don't want him to get sick or hurt.' She headed to bed without waking any of the parents. She was beat too.

---

Kim headed back into to the mall's Bueno Nacho for lunch. 'What, Josh is here again? Doesn't he ever do anything, but sit here and wait?', she wondered.

"Hi Kim how are you doing? I haven't seen you here for a few days? What's been going on?", he asked.

"Oh Ron and I had a mission and we just got in last night. He's working another monster shift to make up for it.", she replied.

"You do look pretty tired, you want some of those vitamins to go with your lunch?", he asked.

"Yeah I feel pretty tired too Josh. Sure I'll take some. By the way where's Tara at?", Kim asked.

"She's with Bonnie, Hope and Liz they're all getting their hair done.", he informed Kim.

Kim walked up to the counter and gave her order. As she got back she noticed Josh on his phone and he quickly shut it off as she returned to the booth. "Here you go.", Josh told her as he handed over the vial.

Kim took the dose of enhanced vitamins and asked, "How much is it Josh? I can't take your stuff and not pay you for it."

"It's only a buck Kim. Retail is a bit higher, but they give me a good deal.", he explained.

Kim looked at her change and gave him the cost of the vial. "You know that's pretty cheap considering how good it's supposed to be.", Kim observed, "You didn't add anything to it to get me under your spell did you Josh? Cause the only one that I'm head over heals in love with is Ron."

"You think I'd do something like that when I have Tara? You're whacked Possible.", he laughed.

Kim told him about the latest adventure while omitting Ron's attributes.

"So.", Josh asked, "Somehow you guys were able to stabilize that hillside that was threatening the village. You sure are some kind of brave woman Kim."

"It was more Ron than me Josh.", she replied.

"Well just for the record and I know that you don't believe me Kim, but you could do better than Stoppable. I mean Rockwaller wasn't wrong about everything. That's my opinion, not yours, and I know that. Anyway I have to go for a while. I'll see you later.", he got up and left.

'That Josh, I wonder who he thinks would be better for me than Ron....him? That jerk!', she thought harshly. After a few more minutes Kim returned to finish her shift.

---

Ron had already left Smarty Mart for the restaurant. He was already tired, but pushed the thought of his current physical state to the back of his head. 'I wonder how KP is doing?', he mused driving the twenty minutes from one job to the other.

It was a hard night at the restaurant. Ron was sous chef that night and spent time busing tables too. They really did need him running double duty that night, as there were plenty of staff off for vacation. He finally got back in his car about Two AM to do his second stint at the We-Have-Everything store. He had a few minutes before Kim was supposed to report in and he called her. "Hi honey, how are you doing? I love you, I try to talk to you after you get off tonight. Bye", he told Kim's voice mail.

---

Again at her lunch break on the following day, Kim saw Josh sitting in the Bueno Nacho. This time Tara was with him. She felt a lot more comfortable with her cheer friend sitting with them for some reason. "Hey K, you look tired. Haven't you been sleeping?", Tara asked as Josh pulled out a vial from his pocket.

Kim placed her order and picked up her drink. They had told her it would be few minutes and that they would bring her order out. Kim poured the liquid into her drink. She handed Josh back his cost and began to sip the iced tea down. "I've been sleeping OK, I guess. But Ronnie's been going without any sleep for a couple of days. He's on this crazy schedule at both of his jobs. He's trying to get caught up on hours, and I'm afraid it might hurt him or make him sick.", she confessed. They talked for a while and finally Kim's break was over and she went back in to finish her shift. 'At least tomorrow I don't have to work and I can meet Ron with his lunch.', she thought.

Later that night a person made a phone call. "The first two doses have been administered sir. I don't think she knows.", he told his contact.

"That is well. Once I have the outsider in more than one piece you are released and your family will survive.", he told the smaller man.

"I don't like this, if he finds out I'm as good as dead.", he told the dark man.

"If he kills you he will go to jail. That is, if he finds out. You must make sure the woman gets the dosage in the order that I have given you. Once you do that she will be receptive to my suggestions. DO NOT FAIL me Mankey if you want you and your family and friends to live. I think the little blond will be quite entertaining for some time.", he snarled.

"I will do as you ordered master.", the smaller one told him.

"See that you do servant.", the larger one replied dismissing him while he was shutting down the connection.

---

Monique was watching her best friend. 'She sure seemed to get some energy during her break. I wonder what's going on. I'll bet Ron had something to do with it.', she thought with a grin.

"Hey Monique. How are we doing tonight? I'm bushed and I don't even know how Ronnie's handling it. I mean I put in two eight or ten hour shifts in a couple of days and Ron's working around the clock. He hasfourmoredaystogoandI'mafraidhe'sgonnagetsick.", she told her friend breathlessly.

"Where is that boy of yours girl? What do you mean he's working around the clock?", Mo asked Kim.

"Well Ron said he had to make up the hours while we were gone on that mission. He's gonna be exhausted. I'm afraid that we might get called on another mission too. He could get killed.", she sobbed.

"It'll work out girlfriend. Maybe you might want to get something to take his mind off his troubles Kim.", the raven haired beauty told her.

"That's a good idea Monique. I'll look around and pick something out.", she giggled, "A very special something out."

Monique laughed with her, "Just don't break his brain with anything though Kim."

"I don't plan on breaking anything on him Mo, not that I might not try and wear him out though.", Kim replied breaking out giggling again.

Ron looked at his watch. 'KP should be getting off in a bit. I'll call her then.', he thought.

Kim was walking out to the Sloth when her phone rang. "Hi ...Ron, oh honey how are you feeling? That bad huh? How many more days you have to do this? HONEY, that could kill anyone, even me. Make them stop working you so many hours. If they don't, quit one of the jobs. It won't do you any good raising my kids if you're sick or dead......Ron...Ron...RON are you OK? No I'm not. No not even close....yes I'm totally sure....I was just making a point...Yes, now calm down. I know you love me and you better know that I love you too...Yeah honey, I'll see you later, try to get some time off..", she told him.

Ron turned his phone off. 'That was weird, I wonder what's going on.', he thought with his befuddled mind. Ron looked at his watch, and winced. 'Only four more hours and I can head back in to Smarty Mart and start all over again.', he groaned. He smelled himself. Gack, I reek, I'd better hurry so that I can get a shower before starting. He checked his pockets to see if he had enough change to pay for his shower.

Ron cringed as he entered the establishment that his hero had built. His whole body had goose pimples on it as he checked his watch again to make sure of the day. 'How much longer can I keep this up before it comes crashing down?', he mused. Unexpectedly, he began to shiver. He knew the signs of exhaustion he had worked these shifts before covering people either sick or on vacation. 'Now is not the time!', he snarled to himself, 'Get a grip you idiot. You've done this before, you can do it again.'

She got home and showered. Kim came downstairs for a few minutes to say hi to both sets of parents. "Hi Mom and Dad, Mr. and Mrs. S?", she said.

"Hi Kimmie.", they all returned, "How was your shift?"

"Oh about same ol' same ol'.", she told them, "I've been taking some of those vitamins that Josh has, they work pretty well. Maybe I ought to get Ron some. He's been working around the clock, and I'm afraid he's gonna get hurt or sick. Mrs. S do you think you can do that thing again. Ronnie's going overboard on his hours. He was working more than fulltime before and since that mission he hasn't gotten any sleep at all. I'm really worried about him.", Kim told them.

James picked it up, "You know I think Ronald feels guilty about not getting any acceptance letters back Kimmie-cub. I started to wonder about that. His grades had come way up. Some were good enough to get into some of the schools that you've been accepted to."

"Yeah Dad I know that he should have gotten something by now, I wonder if someone is trying to hurt Ronnie. I've decided to turn Wade loose.', she told them.

Finally making the decision she hit the call button on the device. In a moment the African American genius could be seen on the small screen. "What's up Kim?", he asked.

"Wade could you find out why Ron hasn't gotten any college acceptance letters back. I know he mailed them, heck I know I mailed some for him too.", she told Wade.

"OK Kim, I'll get on it in the morning. I'm just getting over a cold and I'm not up to snuff yet.", he confessed.

"OK Wade, but something is fishy. You know how well he did the last couple of years. I wonder if it's something that Dr. D could be behind?", she asked.

"I don't think so Kim. Drakken has been pretty calm lately. There are several major labs that want his services. The funny thing is, that's what I think he wanted all the time.", Wade told her, "Oh just to remind you Kim. You are supposed to be at Global Justice tomorrow to discuss what happened during your graduation. They'll have a car at the Stoppable home by Eight-thirty in the morning. I've hacked into their system. They got wind of what Ron did. That might be one of the things they're going want to talk about."

"Ron has to work that stupid schedule he's on. Is he supposed to be there too?", she asked.

"No Kim, Dr. Director was specific. She said Kim Possible. When I asked for clarification she told me 'only prospective agent Possible' is the only one to be interviewed. Which means that they have no plans for Ron.", he replied.

"OK Wade thanks for letting me know, I wish Ron was coming too. It would be a lot easier that way.", she replied shutting the connection down.

Kim looked at Ron's parents, "I'm sorry Mr. and Mrs. S, I think that GJ is messing up."

"That's alright dear. Ronnie will have to find another way to help people. He's made some contacts outside the team. You never know, he's always wanted to be a chef. Maybe he'll get an opportunity. It might come in handy down the road if you two have a big family.", Barb Stoppable told her with a smile.

With that, Kim blushed, causing all the adults to laugh. "Guys I need to go to bed. It might be a long day tomorrow. If you hear from Ron remind him that I love him. He's only heard it a few times today.

---

Yamanouchi, Japan:

Sensei looked at his old friend. They had disagreed in the past over minor things, but usually they saw things the same way. The current situation needed to be cleared up in his mind.

He approached Maku-san and asked him, "Brother may I speak with you further on the matter of Stoppable-san revealing some of the school's secrets to his beloved?"

"Come Sensei, my old friend. We must talk about the consequences of our path during this time of trouble and doubt for the Chosen One. Please sit with me so we may talk.", he invited.

After collecting his thoughts, Sensei began, "My brother, why do you not want the Master of the Blade to reveal minor secrets to Possible-san?"

"There are several reasons my old friend. First Stoppable-san is not Japanese, nor is his future mate. Though it does not require that the Master come from our home, he always has been. If he becomes too close to Possible-san then there will be no chance to rectify this quirk with the Lotus Blade's choice. Second Possible-san is being recruited by the world crime fighting organization Global Justice. I am not sure that I want them knowing much about Yamanouchi's abilities and actions. Third if Stoppable-san does not reveal the secrets to Possible-san they may become estranged and he would return here for further training. Maybe someone here would attract his attention and he may decide to stay within our walls bringing further glory to the school.", he told Master Sensei.

"I feel you are wrong Maku-san. We do not know that the first Master, Lord Toshimiru, was Japanese my friend. I have read several scrolls that make me think that he was from Africa. Another one that he was European. So, I do not see where it makes a difference my friend. Also, the Lotus Blade does not look to one's heritage to determine one's worth. It look's into his heart and soul. It knows that Stoppable-san is honest, loyal and kind. These along with being brave, I believe, are the criteria that it used when chose its Master. We do not question how the blade chooses, just that it does the honorable choice. As for Possible-san joining Global Justice, maybe it's time for Yamanouchi to return from the shadows to fight for good in the light again. In my humble opinion she could be a wise leader and a great ally. Lastly, do not count your eggs before entering the chicken coop my friend. While Stoppable-san may feel the need to return if he and Possible-san decide to part, I would not be absolutely sure that he would do so. With this in mind, remember that we have refused to answer his call several times now. How long to we want to continue to alienate him? Do we want to gamble on this one?", he finished.

"My friend, I am sure that he would come here if she breaks his heart. Yori-san could be most helpful with him enduring such pain.", the other Master Ninja told Sensei.

"Maku-san, you know Yori-san is betrothed to another! I do not wish to cause pain to Hirotaka-san or Yori-san. I will forbid them being broken up against their will. Our society is not like it was seven hundred years ago, my friend. We must learn to advance with the rest of the country and not revisit the past.", Sensei rebutted his friend.

"Still my friend, I will not assent to Stoppable-san giving our secrets Possible-san. It is best that we remain in the shadows until we are needed again.", Maku-san finished.

"Hai, my friend. I hope that this does not come back to haunt us.", Sensei finished as well hoping that his feelings were wrong.

Middleton, Colorado:

Ron was walking back to the animal area that he was in the process of scrubbing, when he noticed his old nemesis, Mr. Barkin heading his way. "Hey Mr. B, what's up? I didn't know you worked the graveyard shift.", he asked his former Vice Principal.

"Just like you Stoppable. I'm working extra hours because everyone's on vacation. How are you holding up?", he asked the recent graduate.

"Well sir we had that mission and then I went right back to work when we got back that was three days ago. I haven't been to bed since the air plane landed. Right now it's rough.", he told the older man.

"Yeah it reminds me of the good old days when I was in the Corps. Those were the days. Go for weeks on only a couple hours each day. You should enjoy it Stoppable, it'll make a man out of you.", he advised the Blond haired youngster.

"Yeah thanks Mr. B, I guess I'll enjoy it a lot more twenty years down the road.", Ron laughed.

Ron headed back to his department to finish scrubbing down the cages. 'Boy I really do like working here. Mr. Smarty trusts me and he's always treated me good.', Ron mused, looking at his watch, 'only seven more hours to go and I can head back in to the restaurant. I can almost feel my second wind.'

The Stoppable Home:

The pink rodent suddenly looked up. "Uh oh, RON.", he squeaked in alarm.

Smarty Mart:

One by one, they entered the superstore. In total, there was only six of them, but the weapons made up for the lack of numbers. They had cased the store only a week before and had checked the employees' work habits. They each found their own target before the leader came into the building. Before anyone knew what happened, there was a gun aimed at each worker.

Ron backed out of the room he had just finished cleaning. "Hey YOU, KID, hands up!", one of the thugs yelled, just as another one fired five shots at the teen hero.