Ch.36

After Ron introduced Master Sensei and Xu Ming Yue he went to the side and began meditating choosing to give them privacy.

A long time later, he was brought out of meditation by Xu Ming Yue to start his lessons. He was to learn a means to exercise his body, making full use of his body weight. By the time he memorized the exercises that resembled yoga he wondered if his body would be able to achieve some of the more complex stances. Especially the ones where he was on only a foot or hand. Then Xu Ming Yue explained that he was to run a set amount a day in alternating speeds to work on his stamina and endurance. She explained that the running in combination with the flexibility and muscle exercises would help him meet the minimum requirements for the training to come.

Afterwards she asked Ron to enter meditation and continued to train him to remain aware of his surroundings while meditating so that he could protect himself if need be. Xu Ming Yue also explained that at certain moments while handling Ki it was dangerous to stop midway and that doing so would cause damage, stressing that if he was meditating to increase his control or capacity with Ki, a calm environment was crucial.

As Ron was trained he noticed that Master Sensei and Xu Ming Yue continued to converse. At some point Xu Ming Yue started teaching Master Sensei the healing technique while checking to see if he was able to move his awareness around his body and more specifically throughout his body at the same time. When Master Sensei confirmed that he could, Xu Ming Yue summoned an astral body and showed him how to guide the Ki for the desired effect.

"Is this technique applicable to other people?" Master Sensei asked to which Xu Ming Yue smiled and nodded.

Like this Ron continued his awareness training till Xu Ming Yue was satisfied and moved to the next step.

~~~~~

Ron had to admit he was starting to enjoy being in the hospital. There was only one reason for that, Kim. Since he woke up from the surgery Kim has been paying attention to him again and Ron could honestly say he missed hanging out, talking with and just being around Kim.

Still, he knew the moment would eventually end so Ron was going to make the most of it.

On the second day since the surgery, Ron had just finished asking Akito if they were getting enough rest and food, when Kim came in wearing a GJ training suit that she had changed into. Deciding it was time, Ron took a moment to organize his thoughts before looking Kim in the eye.

"Hey KP, I want to tell you something." Ron stated to draw her attention.

"Sure Ron, what's up?" Kim asked.

Ron took a deep breath before speaking. "I know you have a boyfriend and it's unfair of me to spring this on you but," Ron raised his hand to prevent Kim from interrupting. "I felt like this from a long time and it's time I tell you. KP, I like you as more than a friend. You are one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen and you know I met a lot of them. I find you to be an amazing girl. All the good you do to help others even inspires me to try harder. Above all you've been my bestfriend for so long. I know this is a lot but I want to know if there is ever a chance that you'd see me as more than your friend, maybe one of those hotties you always chase after."

Kim's expression was one of surprise but Ron was expecting that from his confession. It took Kim a moment to find her voice and the first thing that slipped through hurt Ron in more ways than he could describe.

"But...you're not." Kim whispered softly to herself but Ron was still able to hear it, his expression dimming. "I know that you're a great guy Ron but you're not that guy for me. You're not," 'A hottie.' Ron added to himself. "What I'm looking for in a partner."

"I understand KP, I just had to get that off my chest." Ron admitted quietly. "Pretend I never said anything."

"Ron are you going to be okay?" Kim asked.

"Of course, now I have officially been rejected by all the girls at Middleton High." Ron joked and changed the topic. "Can you check when they are letting me go home? Being confined to this room is driving me nuts."

"Sure, I'll be right back." Kim quickly said understanding that he might want to be alone for a bit.

After Kim left, Ron felt Rufus climbed onto his shoulder and spoke. "That was a horrible crash wasn't it buddy?"

Rufus patted his face as he spoke. "Hnk, sorry."

"It's actually okay buddy." Ron confessed. "Now I don't have to wonder if it would work out and can move on."

"Yori..Shego...Tara...Monique!" Rufus reminded hoping to improve Ron's mood.

"Thanks Rufus, you always know what to say." Ron smiled knowing what Rufus was trying to do.

As Ron started to wonder if he could go home, Kim made it back in with a doctor. After talking with the dorctor for a while it was agreed that they would discharge Ron in a day as long the next test's results came back okay. Satisfied with that answer Ron asked about some pain meds and after a couple other topics the doctor left to schedule the tests.

~~~~~

It was Wednesday around 8p.m. when Monique's phone rang with a call from Kim. Excited Monique picked up.

"Girl it was about time you called." Monique said in way of greeting. "I've been worried about you guys, how's baby boy doing?"

"Sorry about that Monique, I was caught up in what happened." Kim explained. "Mom told me that she explained to you what happened when I talked with her earlier and she reminded me to call you. As for Ron he doing okay, right now they have him doing some test to see if he can go home."

"How bad was it Kim?" Monique asked what was really on her mind.

"It was a close one Monique, he was gone for a minute." Kim stated.

When Monique heard gone she knew what Kim meant but had to be sure. "What do you mean gone?"

"His heart had stopped Monique, there was a whole minute where his heart had stopped." Kim said her voice breaking a bit.

When Monique heard this, tears flowed down her face and she resolved herself to treasure this opportunity.

"How did it happen?" Monique asked wanting to know the details.

Kim proceeded to explain that what was supposed to be a simple stealth and extraction mission got complicated when the locals attacked the compound where the dictator they were supposed to extract was located. Then after making the infiltration to the command center things went wrong. Ron first went in as a distraction and a while later Kim went in but what she didn't realize at the time was that when she made her entrance Ron had been shot. Once Wade told her Ron was hurt she looked around the room and found a puddle of blood but no Ron.

"Ron made his way out of the compound while injured and returned to our landing point." Kim stated and continued explaining.

Once Kim made it outside the compound, she found Ron and he had already extracted the bullets but seemed to have passed out. After the evacuation team made it and as they were working on his injuries his heart had stopped for a whole minute. Then they got it going again and he was able to make it to a GJ base for full medical attention.

"That's pretty much all of it." Kim stated.

"He is lucky to be alive!" Monique cried then asked. "How did you notice he was hurt?"

"Oh, Wade hacked into the camaras." Kim lied.

"I want to talk to him Kim." Monique begged.

"Okay, Monique." Kim agreed. "Once Ron is done with the test I'll have him call you."

"Thank you Kim, you don't know how much this means to me." Monique thanked Kim excited to talk to Ron.

"Monique I have major news!" Kim said bringing Monique's attention back to the conversation. "He confessed."

"Who did?" Monique didn't understand who Kim was talking about so she asked.

"Ron!" Kim clarified.

Monique's excitement stilled and was slowly replaced with dread. 'Ron finally did it.' She thought. "So what did you tell him?"

"I let him down easy." Stated an oblivious Kim. "I have my hottie and as great a guy Ron is, well, he's not a hottie." Kim admitted.

Monique didn't know whether to be disgusted at Kim's shallowness or celebrate it. For now she decided to confirm Kim wasn't dumb enough to tell him that. "Please tell me you didn't use those words to shut him down?"

"No, of course not." Kim said and explained. "I told him he wasn't the guy for me or what I was looking for in a partner."

Monique sighed thinking that it was probably Kim's greatest mistake to date. "GF to be totally honest with you I think you made a mistake."

"What makes you think that Monique?" Kim asked curious.

"If I was asked to explain Ron as a partner I would say that he's what every girl should look for in a guy." Monique stated and began to explain. "One, he is loyal to a fault. Two, the guy CAN cook! Three, Ron is like a gem in the rough, a little polish and you made your investment back in tons. Last but not least, once Ron grows into his own he'll put the hotties to shame."

"Monique he's Ron." Kim said. "Yes, he is loyal. Yes, he can cook but a gem? Putting the hotties to shame? Aren't you giving your friend too high an appraisal?"

"Yes, gem." Monique said and explained. "Your talent show song, who wrote the lyrics? Ron! Who won said talent show? Ron! His act showed that he had versatility, on the drop of hat he showed enough talent in various areas to win. Next, Naked Mole Rap and the Naco!" Monique simply said.

"Okay point made but he is still not a hottie." Kim argued.

"LATD." Monique said.

"What?" Kim asked.

"Let's agree to disagree." Monique clarified.

~~~~~

When Ron got back from the tests, Kim was waiting for him with his meal which consisted of liquids. Downing a shake Ron looked over and noticed Kim was absentminded.

"What's wrong?" Ron asked.

"Oh nothing just thinking about something Monique said." Kim admitted.

"Wanna talk about it?" Ron asked just to be sure.

"No it's okay." Kim said and added. "She wants to talk to you so once you're done with dinner I'll have Wade connect you."

"Thanks but can you leave the Kimmunicator instead? I have various calls that I have to make specially to my parents, they must be worried sick by now." Ron asked and explained.

"Sure but Ron." Said Kim hesitating before continuing. "We have tried calling your mom's cellphone but no one has picked up or called back."

Ron smiled sadly at this, having his hope that they were back home waiting for him dashed.

After he finished eating Ron called Monique since she had already expected a call from him. When Monique answered on the first ring Ron knew she had been waiting.

"Hey Monique, it's Ron." He greeted.

"Baby boy glad to hear from you!" Monique said into the line. "How are you?"

"I'm okay." Ron said and proceeded to answer Monique's questions while assuring her that he was fine.

They talked for nearly half an hour before Ron asked Monique if she could dial Tara make a three way call so he could talk to her. When she agreed it wasn't long before Tara's voice was on the line.

"Anymore news from Ron?" Was the first thing Tara said.

Touched by her concern Ron greeted. "Hey Tara, I'm on the line."

"Ron!" Tara's tear filled voice replied as she proceeded to ask much the same questions that Monique had earlier.

Once Ron assured Tara that he was indeed okay, they proceeded to talk about school and the classes he missed. Then, Ron promised to call them the moment he got back to Middleton.

With that Ron proceeded to have Wade call Mr. Barkin. To the gruff voice of the school administrator and teacher Ron greeted. "Hello Mr. B."

"Stoppable why are you calling at this hour?" Barkin asked.

"Sir, I was just wondering if you had been informed of what happened?" Ron asked.

"Yes I got a call from a Dr. Wellstone. The proper paperwork was placed on file with the nurses office and administration." Mr. Barkin answered.

"Thank you sir, I also wanted to make sure that my schoolwork was sent over with the right person." Ron stated.

Afterwards Ron explained that he would like his assignments sent with Yori and that he would be calling her afterwards to check with her. Barkin proceeded to ask a few questions before he was satisfied.

Next Ron proceeded to dial his house number instead of Yori's cell since he'd yet to memorize it. When the call went to voicemail Ron knew she wasn't comfortable with answering and was probably listening to the voicemail so he spoke. "Hey Yori, it's Ron."

With that the line connected and Yori's voice came through. "Ron-san, it is good to hear from you. I was worried."

Ron apologized and proceeded to explain what happened since Wade recorded any communications that went through him and he didn't want to explain why Yori already knew he was hurt.

"Yori I also wanted to know if you're okay with picking up my assignments from school?" Ron asked.

Yori's reply made them both laugh as she stated. "It would be my honor, Ron-san."

"Thanks Yori." Ron said and asked. "Can you call Sarah for me and let her know what happened? Also that I'll be calling her once I get to Middleton?"

They then proceeded to talk for an hour just catching up.