The Choices We Make Chapter 2 Changes
Disney owns the chars. Plot is mine.
Smaller than my first I know. Submission sizes will vary greatly. Sorry.
Oh and thanks for the reviews so far. Remember those that do not take constructive criticism well are stupid.
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"You're what?!" Anne almost screamed at the black man almost two feet taller than she was.
Mr. Bundy sighed. "Mrs. Possible, I told you I am ordering an addition of point two percent calcium bromide to your daughter's mineral supplement. The stuff they're giving her is fine, but this has properties that their supplement do not. Trust me; it will help her heal faster."
Anne was almost apoplectic. "We use that in our sedatives and epilepsy medicine for Christ's sake!"
Mr. Bundy nodded. "True, she will be tired and lethargic, but the supplement is only temporary." He continued to massage and stretch Kim's good leg as much as he could. "If you want to get technical it's also used as a coolant in oil drilling, too. Oh, and before you get to it on the list keep in mind that poisons in low enough doses are good for the body."
Frantically Anne scanned down the list of additions to her daughter's medication. The screech could be heard down the hall. "Strychnine!"
Mr. Bundy winced. "Yes, Mrs. Possible. I am sure you are aware of the stimulant effect of it as well as the cause of death from it. I have carefully balanced her dosage to induce mild muscular tremors. Single use dosages with plenty of time for it to be flushed from her system before the next dose. The muscular tremors will ensure that none of her muscles atrophy while bedridden."
Mrs. Possible was furious. "What if you mistake the dosage and she…"
Mr. Bundy stood and loomed over Kim's mother who gulped visibly afraid. "I know full well what is at stake Mrs. Possible. I am also fully aware of what your daughter needs to recover rapidly and fully. You may be a neurosurgeon, but I am an expert in what chemicals do to ALL aspects of a person's body. I have done more with naturally occurring herbs than you have done in your whole practice. I have the full use of a modern pharmacy and I will use it. Do not question me further." He didn't yell. He didn't use threatening hand gestures. He simply talked and to Anne and Kim that was far more threatening. He seemed to understand what he was doing and took a deep breath. Mr. Bundy opened his mouth as if to apologize but instead went back to a knee to work on Kim's uninjured ankle.
Kim coughed. "Well that was awkward."
Reluctantly the huge man spoke. "I am sorry. It has taken me a long time to control my inherent rage. It just offends me deeply when people question me in fields where I know I have great knowledge. You did not deserve such treatment Mrs. Possible. For that I must apologize."
It took several moments for Anne to respond. "I'm sorry, too. You have to see why I am so concerned?"
A small smile graced Mr. Bundy's face. "I do, but as much as you care for your daughter's health, I care more." His eyes met Kim's. "You want to see her get better. I, however, wish to see her thrive and emerge stronger than before." He turned his head to face Anne. "To do so is in my best interest as an instructor whether she is my student or not."
Anne nodded. "Are you certain this poison will help her?"
Mr. Bundy gave a small chuckle. "If you want I will take the same dosages adjusted appropriately for my size. I have never nor will I ever give what I will not take myself. On that, you have my word."
Anne took a deep breath and lowered her head. From that position she nodded as she released the breath. "Okay, but please cut back on the Strychnine by a mil."
Mr. Bundy stared at her for several long seconds then nodded. "Okay, I will do that."
The silence was deafening.
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The Kimmunicator beeped distinctively. Kim tried to reach it, but was not as fast as Ron for once. Ron smiled as Kim gave him a defeated look. He activated the device. "What's the sitch, Wade?"
Wade blinked. "That just sounds too weird coming from you. Anyway, are you free?"
Ron shrugged. "What's up?"
"Drakken's at it again. GJ says they can make it in 42 minutes, but I can get you there in fourteen. I know Kim is out of commission, but someone at least needs to stall Drakken. Think you can do that?"
Kim was frowning when Ron looked to her. "Yeah Wade, I can keep them busy."
"Your ride will be in the parking lot. Be quick." Wade cut the connection.
Kim stared at Ron hard. "You be careful. Watch out for Shego."
Ron smiled back. He held up a finger. "Ah, Ah, Aaahhh. Wade said stall them. He didn't say defeat them, and you're looking at the master of distraction. I'll be fine. See you later, Kim." Ron left the hospital room in a run.
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The Lair layout was almost identical as the earlier incarnations. Ron found his way inside easily. As quietly as he could he dropped from the ventilation ducting into the main lab area. He sneaked around looking for the main device. He found Drakken reveling in his supposed success. Ron stepped from the darkness. "So what does this one do?"
Drakken wheeled around rapidly. "The buffoon!" He scanned the rest of the lab rapidly. "Where is that do-gooder Kim Possible?"
Ron was startled when Shego appeared from a doorway to his left. "Yeah where is princess?"
Ron stuttered a little. "Haven't you heard? Kim's in the hospital?"
Shego mock pouted, "Finally cut too deep?"
Ron scowled. "She isn't like that. No, she was hit by a car if you must know."
Drakken laughed. "So you came alone?"
Shego stepped forward adopting a fighting stance. "Ha, this won't even be a challenge."
Ron looked nervously at Shego then his gaze drifted to Drakken, and back to Shego. This time he wasn't as nervous as before. "I really don't want to fight, 'cause lets face it Shego, your good. Really good."
Her stance relaxed and she responded. "Yes, I am, but by all means continue. Flattery will get you everywhere."
Ron smiled and was more confident. "I mean you're like, the best. Where would Drakken be without you?"
Shego's stance relaxed more as she looked at Drakken who was bewildered. "True."
"How much does he pay you? It's got to be a lot to get the kind of loyalty you show him." Ron edged closer to Shego.
Shego looked at Drakken with a scowl. "Not nearly enough for his little tantrums."
Ron edged closer. "No, really how much?"
Shego's gaze returned to Ron. "Why?"
Ron shrugged. "Let's face it. Kim is out of action for a long time, and it's not like we want to do this whole save the world thing forever. Global Justice is fairly competent, but when it comes to Drakken here you always manage to save his bacon." Ron shrugged again. "I guess what I'm saying is, I have money, you like money. Lets make a deal. A job offer so to speak."
Shego laughed as she crossed her arms. "That's good. I needed a good laugh. There is no way I'm going to work for you and the princess."
Ron shook his head. "That's not what I'm offering. I'm offering to pay you to not work for villains. That's it. I'm not saying you have to help us or catch villains or anything, just don't work for them. So, I'll ask you again. What is he paying you?"
Shego shook her head. "You're serious, aren't you?'
"Wait what's going on here? Shego, do your thing so we can move on to world domination."
Shego held up a hand in Drakken's direction. "Quiet blue boy. As much as I hate to say it, but the adults are talking here." Her focus returned to Ron. "One hundred and twenty thousand a year, including bonuses for thefts."
Ron grabbed a pen and paper from the nearby desk. "On average how much do those bonuses come to?"
Shego shrugged. "Around a hundred thousand." Her eyes narrowed. "I want 3 million a year."
Ron gulped. "That's a lot."
Shego smirked. "Come on naco-boy. Those royalty checks not what they used to be?"
Ron smiled. "Aw, I didn't think you cared?" Shego leveled her gaze at him. "One million a year."
"Two point Five"
"One point two"
"Two point two"
"One point three"
"Two plus comprehensive medical and dental"
"One point five and I do my damnedest to get your criminal record cleared. One would hate for your vacation to be cut short by an arrest."
Shego seemed to consider it. "One point seven, the criminal record thing, plus the medical and dental."
Ron sighed heavily. "There is a lot that still needs to be worked out for a contract, but" Ron held out his hand. "I think we have an agreement."
Shego nodded as she took the offered hand. "It is everyone's dream to get paid to do nothing."
And that is how GJ found them still shaking hands.
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Ron settled the many books and papers down on the small couch in Kim's hospital room. She had been receiving so many visitors they moved her to a larger room. "What is all that?" Kim asked him.
Ron was breathing heavily. "Your homework, but mostly it's for her." Ron pointed at the doorway where the raven haired woman entered wearing normal clothes for once.
Kim was startled as she recognized the face. She tried to scramble away painfully. "Wha… What the hell are you doing here?"
Shego smirked as she entered the room and took a seat. "Chill princess. The buffoon and I…" Shego was interrupted by a cough from Ron. She rolled her eyes. "Stoppable and I have a contract to work on and he wanted to do it here."
"Remember no spinning up of the bedridden." Ron chided the villainess who could easily break him.
"Wait, Ron, you INVITED a villain into my hospital room? And since when is she on good terms with you?"
Shego scoffed as she sat in the opposite chair. "Since he offered me a LOT of money to not work for Drakken, duh."
Kim reached for the phone. "Well I'm calling the police so she can be put behind bars where she belongs."
Kim looked at Ron hurt when he covered the phone with his own hand. "I have paid a lot of people a lot of money to halt all police action for the time being, and I'm paying Shego here half a million to be a good girl until all of her crimes can be tallied up and the proper punishment can be worked out."
Shego crossed her legs. "As much as I hate to admit it. Your little friend had a pretty good idea. Pay me to be a good girl. I'm being paid more than a million dollars a year to not work, how cool is that?"
Ron smiled. "With appropriate bonuses for good deeds."
Kim coughed. "So is that the plan, Ron? Get all the villains on a payroll?"
Ron shook his head. "Just Shego. With her out of the villainous community GJ can pretty much take care of it."
The room fell into silence. Shego decided to break the silence. "So the great Kim Possible is bested by a mere car eh?"
Kim scowled. "I almost died."
Ron's face grew darker. "Actually she did die. Four times."
"So, I guess anything is possible for a possible. Even coming back from the dead?"
Ron pointed a finger at Shego. "Stop it!"
Shego stood. "I'm actually trying here. What the hell else am I supposed to talk about?" There was silence all around. Both Kim and Ron looked abashed. "I don't need this. I'm gonna go steal something. That always makes me feel better."
Ron sighed. "Fine. 5% of the initial court fees and clerical expenses will be deducted from your first paycheck up to 50%. The remainder will come out on subsequent checks."
Shego turned on him. "You can't be serious. I won't sign the contract then."
"Okay now its 6%." He handed Shego a piece of paper. "That's just the FBI's."
Shego's eyes widened. "Drakken never gave me any crap like this."
Ron smiled. "Drakken isn't paying what I'm Paying." Shego bristled even more. "Wanna make it 7%?"
"I am so out of here. Drakken will hire be back no problem."
"Not after you betrayed him before his very eyes."
Shego was fuming now. "I can find work anywhere."
Ron's smile grew larger. "I doubt that. Wade has already announced to the villain community that you are now taking money from Team Possible. Good luck convincing them you're not, especially with Drakken to back it up."
Shego ignited her hands. "You did what!?"
Ron held up a finger. "Remember all plasma induced wounds come out of your paycheck."
Reluctantly Shego let the flames die on her hands and she almost fell into the chair. She looked at Kim. "Did he always have the hidden balls?"
Kim shook her head. "Nope. Must have grown them recently." First Shego started laughing and Kim joined her. Several seconds later the laughter died. Kim looked at the laughing Shego and shook her head and scowled. "No! What the hell is going on here?" She looked at Ron. "I don't even like her. In fact I hate her. She's tried to kill me a lot. I'm not supposed to laugh with her. Let alone be in the same room with her."
Ron looked confused. It was Shego who broke the silence. "Money can have strange effects on people. C'mon Kimmie. I can't be that bad can I?" There was silence. "Besides who better to spar with you for your recovery?"
The deep bass voice startled everyone. "Not a second rate fighter like you that's for sure."
Shego whipped around fear etched in her face. "Mr. Bundy?!"
"You know him?" Kim asked surprised.
Mr. Bundy went to a knee near Kim's good side and started the daily massages on her arm. "She was my student at one time. A very promising fighter. Too bad she went into child development."
"So your degree is legit?" Ron was surprised.
Mr. Bundy smiled. "Oh, quite legit. Oh the stories I could tell of Ms. Gho when she was a student. Did you know she had braces for the longest time?"
Shego narrowed her eyes. "You wouldn't."
"I think I still have the yearbook. If not it's in the archives."
Kim winced in pain as Mr. Bundy found a sensitive part. "I would love to see it." She grinned evilly at Shego.
Shego folded her arms. "Buffoon, I believe we have work to do?"
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James ticked off time on his fingers. "But, it's almost two months earlier than you said before, Dr."
Dr. Lyle shrugged. "True, but all the x-rays show her bones are mending remarkably well. Mr. Bundy's supplement regimen seems to have helped immensely. She is scheduled for surgery Tuesday to remove the pins and after that she will start physical therapy."
Anne shook her head. "Amazing. I honestly didn't think it would work so well."
Kim gave a short laugh. "Actually Mom you were about ready to kill him. If I remember correctly." Kim had gotten used to the involuntary jerks of her muscles.
Ron clutched her wildly jerking hand to stop it from tearing out the I.V. "How do you feel?"
Kim gave a short laugh again. "Stoned, sober and in pain." She looked at Ron. "Don't try to imagine that, your head will explode."
Ron nodded. "I concede the point."
Dr. Lyle stood. "There isn't much else to discuss. I will notify Mr. Bundy of her progress."
Anne stood as well. "Thank you doctor."
"Yeah, thanks." Ron added.
Dr. Lyle smiled. "Just doing my job." With that she left.
Ron stood up. "I have to go too. Shego and I have a date."
Kim looked at him quizzically. It was Anne who spoke. "You mean the villainess who tried to kill Kim on many occasions? That Shego?"
Ron smiled. "It was just a figure of speech. She and I have an appointment with the district attorney. The legal hoops I have to jump through are getting more, well hoopy, and I need some help."
"I hope you know what you're doing, Ron." Kim stated.
Ron shrugged. "Not really, but I'm learning." He left the room with a nod to Anne and James.
The silence in the room was almost palpable. "So, you're set on going to this school then?" James held his daughter's hand.
Kim looked up at him. "Yes, I am. Unless you two don't want me to." Her last statement was spoken softly.
James looked at Anne. Mrs. Possible's mouth hardened and finally relaxed into a smile. "Well we wouldn't want to make Wade angry would we?"
Kim smiled. "I know it's going to be hard Mom, but this really is the best thing for me."
"We know Kimmie-cub. So what are you going to study?" James Possible smiled.
Kim half-smiled and mumbled something. "What was that honey?" Anne asked.
Kim sighed deeply. "Theology and Philosophy."
Mr. and Mrs. Possible looked at each other and blinked. "Really?" Anne asked. Kim nodded.
"Are you sure?" James asked.
Kim smiled. "I know where my strengths are. I'm no brainiac like my parents or my brothers. I just want to study something I'm interested in besides hand to hand."
James smiled proudly. "As long as you're happy."
The tears shone in Kim's eyes. "Thank you daddy."