I see we haven't hit the abyss yet, but it looks like we're getting there.

Again, I want to thank CajunBear73 for all his work and he hinted that the next 'Storm Chaser' is due to come out soon.

Let's keep it short this time and thanks to everyone who has read, faved, alerted and or reviewed.

For those needing to take their meds, please do so although with this chapter you shouldn't need to.

Let's get going here,

ST-103

The Hunter: Book Two

Chapter 8

Middleton Memorial Hospital:

"May I sit Ronald?", the rocket scientist inquired.

"Mister Doctor…."

"Please, James, Ronald. I think you have deserved to call me by my Christian name.", the older man told the younger.

"Sir…uh J…James, what are you doing here?"

"I came to support a friend who has supported his childhood friend almost his whole life. It is something a man would know about.", James put his hand on Ron's shoulder.

"Sure, pull up a chair and thanks for coming…uh James."

The rocket scientist chuckled and then turned somewhat serious at the end, "See, that wasn't so hard. Now Ronald, when are you going to tell Kimmie about Rufus? He wasn't just your friend; he was also one of my daughter's."

Sighing, "I can't tell Kim to her face because of the allergy thing and I don't think a call would work either. Something like this has to be done in person. See, Rufus wasn't just a friend, he also pulled our bacon out of the fire, so to speak, more than once. During the sitch at Junior Prom, he was the one who took down the synthodrone and that allowed us to be able to stop the robots and the nuclear bombs. On the rescue mission, he was the one who smelled the girls' campfire before I did. Now, I don't know how we are going to deal with a replacement for him. Rufus was smart, maybe a genius in the mole rat world and he bonded to both of us. See, if something had happened to me, Kim would have been able to make crimefighting work with just him.", Ron explained.

James offered, "I don't think you give yourself much credit, Ronald. Sigh, do you want me to tell Kimmie, then?"

"That might be the best option Sir. Telling Kim over the phone would be really impersonal…she, sigh, deserves better than that."

"Almost as bad as getting slapped for what looked like was without cause?", James asked, "Sometimes Kimmie acts first and thinks later. You understand that more than anyone I know."

Ron half-smiled as he rubbed his jaw in memory, "I'll try not to get in the way of her hand again. We worked it out after the boxing match, I'll never touch her that way again."

"Good, a man should never strike a lady. Now when are you going to take care of Rufus?"

"Uh, today after I get home and get Hanna in bed. If he was Jewish I might have bent a few customs. I suppose it's a good thing he didn't attend temple."

James laughed to break the tension, "Sometimes that is best Ronald, I can help you if you need. So…Uh, how are you holding up?"

The smile now gone as the teen turned serious, "Bout as well as can be expected Mister…uh, James. As for the Service, sure if you want. I won't be out there very long since it's snowing."

"It might be late, Ronald…"

"I agree, it probably will, but Dad's supposed to have his turn on the table in the morning so I'll be doing this all over again tomorrow."

James smiled warmly, "Ronald in a year or so I am sure we will all be able to laugh about this around our Christmas tree while we drink eggnog…"

"You can have the laugh on your own, uh, James.", Ron told the older man who had almost raised him.

"Ronald, you are always welcome…"

"I'll be leaving town sometime after school gets out Sir, I don't plan on returning anytime soon."

"But your friends…"

"Most of them will be off to college. And remember, Kim is going to England with Eric. If she can go somewhere so can I. The only thing that might hamper that now is taking care of Mom, Dad and Sis."

"Ronald, I think that offer from Eric will be withdrawn before you graduate. Either Kimmie or Eric will move on before summer begins…That would leave the door open for you, she always comes back."

"James, I've thought this out and it's best that Kim and me remain just friends.", Ron informed the older man, "The way I see it…if Kim doesn't remember beyond 'best friends', then it is no loss. And at this point, I don't really want her to remember the last eight months."

"What will you do when she does Ronald?"

The blond thought for a moment, "You were right…errrr before. You and I understand that Kim is headed for better things than I am. I can see great things for her once she gets out of high school. Now I don't think Kim will remember what her old friend was to her and I'd rather be just a fading memory than be a source of pain, if you know what I mean."

"Ronald, I will tell Kimmie…about what you were to each other."

"Uh, don't do that Sir, that would put me and an impossible situation of explaining…And you know what that shrink said. Anyway, I'd just end up having to deny that anything ever happened between us. Kim might even think that you would have brought it up to try and break her and Eric up and knowing from past experience it could end up tanking spectacularly…Listen, she's happy. Let her be happy. I really don't want more than that, James.", Ron confided.

James Possible wasn't done with trying to reason with the blond teen, "And what would you do if Kimmie remembers on her own?"

"I'm hoping that she won't until sometime around her junior or senior year of college. By then she may not even be able to find me if I work it out right.", Ron confessed.

"And if she tracks you down?"

"I'll try to let her down easy. But I really don't think she'd come looking for me anyway, since she's allergic to me now. And I don't think it would be very healthy for her."

"Kimmie somehow developing an allergy to you Ronald, is, in my mind, very unusual. Doesn't it strike you the same way?"

Ron replied after he thought for a few moments, "Considering this is Middleton, Colorado? Not really, we have all these wacked out weirdo villains as well as a world-class hospital and a space center, as well has several very good universities all in an area that is populated by very few. No this is a wacked out place where weird stuff happens all the time. It's almost like a Saturday cartoon show, only with this one we have a teenaged heroine who doubles as a cheerleader and her goofy and often inept sidekick."

James Possible chuckled, "Cartoon show folk? And how the goofy sidekick was somehow able to hand her ass to her in a sparring match and realizing said girl knows multiple forms of Kung Fu? Anyway, after the rescue and what followed and stopping that train…I think you are selling yourself short."

Ron retorted, "Even a blind squirrel like me gets lucky once in a while, you know."

"You're better than that, Ronald."

"Nah, I've been lucky for the last half year. It's about time for my luck to change back to normal."

A man in surgical garb entered the waiting room and asked breaking the conversation between the two, "Mister Stoppable?"

James pointed to the blond teen.

Ron rose to his feet as the doctor continued, "I am Doctor Tinkerton, Mister Stoppable…"

"Mister Stoppable is my Dad, I'm Ron, the town goof up.", the blond teen responded as he held out his hand. James shook he head and rose to stand next to Ron.

"Hi Mack, I'm Anne's husband.", Doctor Possible introduced himself.

"Hi Jim, Annie called you last night?"

"Of course, Mack, we don't want our children to handle things like this on their own.". Then to Ron, "Ronald would you like for me to be here while the Doctor explains what he did and what he expects to happen?"

"Since you have a direct line to Doctor Possible the surgeon, sure Mist…ah, James.", Ron replied as he caught himself.

Doctor Possible chuckled, "Ronald has been calling me Mister Doctor P for more than ten years, Mack. And by his religion, he's an adult and considering who is looking after his baby sister, I think he should have the right to use my first name."

"I had heard from Doctor Swashplate…"

"That's not all.", James kept going, "You heard about the runaway train?"

"I knew we had one…"

"A nuclear-powered train and I have no idea why, but Ronald stopped it by himself with an ax…he cut the high voltage feeds…He should have been killed. The kid deserves to use first names, Mack.", James concluded.

Ron frowned, "I'm not that close to Doctor Tinkerton…uh James, I think I'll stick with the 'Doctor' thing at least for now."

Mack chuckled, "Sure, just call me Doctor Mack, Ronald. Now, first your Mother is in recovery at the moment and while there is still danger, we are optimistic that she will make speedy and full recovery. We will keep her in a coma for the near future to ensure she heals properly. So, after an hour of observation we are taking her up to her room where she will be monitored. Do you have questions Ronald?"

"Uh, not at the moment. Still stunned, you know, Doc.", Ron responded.

Mack Tinkerton nodded, "I understand that you have your hands full and will need some time to process this information Ronald. Please, if you need anything…Doctor Possible here can get a hold of me quickly."

"Thanks again Doc, you might have saved Mom's life and I can't repay you enough for that."

Sighing, "Ronald, us doctors try to make people's lives better. We all take an oath that we will do no harm. Save them, if you will. Now I have another operation, and there will be a nurse in here to get you in a while. I understand that you may need to see your Father. I suggest you do that while you are waiting then when by the time you return there will be someone to take you up to your Mother's room."

"If Mom is going to be a while, I'd better go up to ICU and see how Dad is doing.", Ron frowned. "Thanks doctor, I appreciate everything you've done for Mom."

"I will speak with you later Ronald.", Doctor Tinkerton replied as he turned towards the door.

"Mister…errr James, thanks for coming in. I'm ah going to check on Dad.", Ron offered his hand. The surgeon took the offered hand while he said, "James, I'll talk to Anne later today."

James Possible responded, "Thanks Mack. Ronald is like my third son and I really appreciate everything that is being done for his family."

"Sure James, I have another procedure so I have to go, give Anne my best…and keep an eye on Ron. He's just holding it together and I think he can use some support."

The rocket scientist nodded, "Don't worry, Mack. He has friends over at his house watching his sister while he is here."

"I hope things turn out for the best, James."

Doctor Possible, the rocket scientist, watched his wife's colleague walk away. The patriarch of the Possible home in Middleton shook his head sadly and then walked out, heading to his car. The scientist muttered to himself as he pulled his collar up around his neck to block the falling snow as he walked to his auto.

XXX

The Possible home:

"GF these waffles are great!", the fashionista exclaimed as she took another forkful, "That cook Eric has working for him is fantastic."

Kim smiled at the complement, "Henri, Eric's cook, is very good. In most ways he is better than Ron at cooking meals."

Tim Possible grumbled, "I admit it is good, but this 'Henri' guy is older and your boyfriend called him a chef. Ron hasn't had professional instruction yet has he?"

Kim's smile was replaced by a scowl, "Listen Tweeb, Ron might be good, but Eric's cook is a pro. And I agree he has been to culinary school already…"

Tim cut her off, "And maybe when Ron gets the same training he'll end up being better than this Henri guy."

Kim rolled her eyes about Tim ripping into both herself and Monique. She was about so retort when James entered the kitchen and went to the coffee pot as he removed his coat. Checking to see if it was hot, he then poured himself a cup of 'joe' and sat down.

Kim inquired, "Why are you back home Daddy?"

"Oh, just stopped to see if everything was fine before I went into the Center, honey."

Kim then asked, "Well you left before we got up. Where were you?"

Sigh, "I went into the hospital this morning to see if Ronald needed some support."

"Why was that Doctor Possible?", Monique inquired.

"Barbara Stoppable had her operation this morning. I felt someone should be there for him."

"I ah,", Kim looked around and explained, "I didn't know when she was going in…and I don't think I can be close to Ron because of my allergy to him."

James took another sip, "That may be true, but there is something that you should be aware of…"

Kim caught the serious tone, "Is Mrs. Stoppable alright?"

"When I left she was in recovery, Ronald was going up to see his Dad while she was coming out."

"I hope she'll be alright…"

James took another sip and decided just to lay it out and see who would pay attention, "Honey, Rufus is dead."

"Huh? WHAT? How can Rufus be dea…"

"He was in the Stoppables' car the night of the accident, wasn't he?", James asked.

"Yeah…but…"

"Did you ever see him later, Kimmie?"

"No, I didn't even think of it. I didn't even know at the time that Ron's parents had been in an accident…I didn't think…" Kim groaned, "Did Ron tell you?"

"No, Wade did…"

"Then why didn't Wade tell me?"

James frowned, "Ronald asked him not to, he felt that he should tell you…"

"Dad, Ron should have told me…"

"I agree Honey, but you have to admit he has a lot on his plate right now. I told you because Ronald is so busy with his sister and his parents and may not be all there at the moment."

The red head looked down at her plate and muttered, "He should have told me right away…"

"Honey, Ronald didn't know right away. Anyway, when I spoke with him he told me that you may not be able to be there because of your allergies to him. Right now, I think he's in the vortex of a storm and is not thinking of a lot. You should call him."

"Dad, Ron hasn't given me his number yet…"

"Does Wade know it?", Doctor Possible asked.

Kim nodded, "Then have Wade contact Ronald for you.", James suggested.

The teen red head pulled out her Kimmunicator, James laid his hand on hers, "Since Ronald is busy, more than I hope you will ever be honey, why don't you wait until after he leaves the hospital and gets home. The boy has to be distraught at the moment."

Kim muttered as she put the unit back in her capris, "And I can't even give him a shoulder to cry on. This is wayyyy beyond evil."

James set his cup down, "I'm not sure it's evil honey, but it surely isn't right."

"And about Rufus,", Kim said lowly, "he wasn't just a pet he was an ally, friend and asset. He was super smart. I am going to miss him." In the back of the heroine's mind was the thought that the small, pink rodent had pulled her and Ron's bacon out of the fire on several occasions and she knew she didn't have that backstop for safety now.

"Being down a team member, even if it is Rufus, could cause a lessening of your effectiveness Kimmie in crime fighting.", James surmised his feelings for his red headed daughter's safety the next time she squared off with a group of super villains and their Henchmen®, "So, I am laying down the law here…until Ronald is back on his feet and can support you completely…no more missions unless it's to get a cat out of a tree."

"Daddy…"

"No, honey you are still a minor. I will have you brought up on some kind of charge to keep you reasonably safe until things calm down and Ronald is capable of making sure that you return home safely to your friends and family. He does an adequate job of making sure you are safe and I will not have that compromised.", James frowned not wanting to have this conversation with his daughter at this moment.

The red-haired teen attempted to argue, "Dadddd. People need me…"

"End of discussion, Kimberly,", James frowned, "I am calling your Mother to let her know. Now you can call your GJ or have Wade call them to inform them that you and Ronald are not taking any missions at least until all of these events from over the last few weeks have stabilized and Ronald is able to keep up his end of the heavy lifting. This is not a negotiation, if you do not comply I have the authority to force you to give up cheerleading and take the Sloth away. Then I will call the authorities myself and get their compliance with my, and, I assume Anne's position in this matter. As for people needing you; I am aware of that being the case Kimmie, but I am also aware that some of these people tend to put you in dangerous situations with less than standard safety protocols and I will not stand for it. Without proper backup I would be remiss if I allowed you to perform these heroic deeds when there are agencies that actually have the paid personnel who are trained to perform this work."

The cheerleader knew her Father meant every word and silently nodded her acceptance as James continued, "Good Kimmie, I want both you and Ronald both safe. At the moment all his sister has is him until his parents get home and if something happened to Ronald on one of your missions, you have to consider what is going to happen to Hanna."

"I um, see your point and I agree that maybe Team Go or Team Impossible could watch over what we've been doing for GJ over the last year or so.", Kim replied, now wide-eyed as she considered that there was more than her need to help people out to think about.

James finished his coffee, "I am going in and should be home about three because of Ron and his pet. Remember boys, nuke your own lunches and don't let your sister do it for you." He smiled at the end to lighten up the mood.

"Daddy?", Kim asked still reeling from the news of the rodent member of Team Possible, "Are you sure Ron is going to bury Rufus today?"

"When I spoke with him at the hospital those were his plans, even if it was late tonight.", the rocket scientist responded.

"After I speak with Wade and Doctor Director, I'll call Ron and talk with him…that is if Wade gives me his phone number."

"Good honey, I'll be home later.", James replied as he put his coat back on after he rose from his chair.

After James left, Kim pushed the connect button on her wrist Kimmunicator. Moments later, Wade's holographic image appeared and asked, "Hey Kim, what can I help you with?"

"Dad told me about Rufus, are you sure that he passed away?"

"Yeah Kim, Ron's pet is dead. I've been monitoring his stats and he is very calm right now…"

The red head exclaimed, "How could Ron be calm?"

"I don't know, but I think he might be in shock or is compartmentalizing all this and it will hit him later."

"No one needs anything like this Wade, see if you can keep an eye on the Stoppables and monitor their house closely."

"I always do Kim."

"I know, could you contact Doctor Director for me? We won't be taking missions until things calm down with Ron's sitch."

"Okay Kim, hang on for a minute, I was going to suggest that anyway. Wait while I get her on the line.", the tech genius told her.

"Thanks Wade, you rock as always and would you stay on afterward I'd like to speak with you for a minute too."

Just as Wade's before Wade's hologram faded, he said, "Sure Kim, and here is Doctor Director."

Kim waited for Betty to come on, though her image didn't appear (since she didn't have the equipment for holograms), however the director of Global Justice voice did, "Miss Possible, how may I assist you?"

"Doctor Director, I am sorry to inform you, but Team Possible is going to have to stand down for the near future."

"Why is that Miss Possible? We have come to rely on your team to help us out of some tight situations."

"Ron's parents were in an automobile accident and at the moment he is the only caregiver for his baby sister.", Kim replied.

Betty Director knew this was going to happen because she had been advised by Wade about Doctor Possible's comments and concerns from a few minutes before. Therefore, the Director was in agreement, "I understand the situation Kimberly. I planned to speak with Ronald later today on this subject anyway, but your team is now on reserve. We will not call you out for missions until Ronald's family situation is somehow cleared up so that he is comfortable in assisting you again."

"Are you going to call Ron up? He's not at home at the moment.", Kim informed the older red head.

"No Kim, I am going to lend my support to him as he lays his pet to rest.", Betts explained.

"I don't know if I should, considering my allergies Ma'am. I'd like to…because we're best friends…"

"Kimberly, you don't have to explain to me. You two have been friends and partners for years, I understand losing Rufus will have an effect on your team's dynamic in a detrimental way, but you and Ronald need to stay as close as you can because Rufus is not a factor."

Sighing, "Then when we get active again, we are both going to have to step up our game since Rufus won't be there to back us up."

"I agree Kimberly, both you and Ronald will have to step up your game considering you now have a large hole in your team to plug. You will have to pay closer attention to your surroundings to make sure your missions are successful and to ensure you are safe."

"It's going to be harder doing missions without the pink guy.", Kim mused.

"And think about Ronald, he is missing a family member. In the matter of a day his world has turned upside-down. He will have deep issues which he is going to have to deal with…"

Sighing, "And I can't get close to him either…uh thinking about that Ma'am, did you guys found any reason why I am having reactions to being around Ron?"

"Kimberly, we agree you are now highly sensitive to being in Ronald's presence and we are trying to come up with an idea on how to deal with that. We should have some recommendations within forty-eight hours."

"Thank you, Doctor Director, that was faster than I had hoped…"

"Kimberly, recognize that what GJ is working on may not be a cure, but a temporary fix that will allow us to come up with a permanent one. So, it will not include serums or anything like that…"

"Ma'am?"

"Do you trust Doctor Load?"

"Yes, Ma'am both Ron and I have trusted our lives to Wade…"

"In your mind does Ronald trust Doctor Load?", the one-eyed director of Global Justice inquired.

"Yes Ma'am, I am certain of it.", the heroine responded while the rest of those sitting around her watched.

"Good, try to keep that in mind when you see what we think is a short-term solution."

Kim asked, "Can you tell me anything about this solution Doctor Director?"

"I would prefer to speak with Doctor Load and both you and Ronald at the same time. Actually, since the weight of this will be on your partner, I wish to speak with him first and I shall do so when I see him later today."

Kim, not like the sound of this, muttered, "I see…"

Betty Director caught the tone and explained to the heroine, "Ronald will have to wear something so that his odor or pheromones will not be noticed by your senses Kimberly. The garment that we think will work is rather warm and will be rather uncomfortable to wear, and at this point in time we have to see if we can change it enough to be worn for long durations of time. Doctor Load would be able to help us here and of course Ronald will have to wear it anytime he is near you like when he is on missions or in class."

"I…understand Ma'am."

"Good Kimberly, Wade is going to contact me when he finds out when Ronald is going to put Rufus in the ground…"

"I should have Wade get a hold of me too.", Kim added.

"Kimberly, I think that is a very good idea. I will speak with you later.", Kim's unit was suddenly silent and then Wade's hologram returned.

Before Kim could speak, "I got all that and I'll monitor Ron for you Kim, and let you know when he's going to take care of Rufus…Later."

While she shook her head, Monique asked, "I can't believe Rufus is dead, he was a way cool rodent."

A tear escaped the red head's eyes, "Yeah, he saved my bacon more than once…"

XXX

The blond teen felt the vibration of his phone and sat with his blonde-haired Mother. Ron glanced at the number and pushed the 'green' button on his cell. "Hey Wade, how are you doing? Did anything come up?", the now former running back inquired.

"Just checking on you, Ron. How's your Mom and Dad?"

"Dad still hasn't woken up yet, but then neither has Mom. She got through the operation this morning and it looks like it was a success from what I can gather.", the blond teen informed his tech guru, he paused for a moment, "Mom is up in her room and I'm sitting with her and I checked on Dad a while ago. They plan to operate on him in the morning so I get to come in again early. I am soooo not ready for all of this Wade."

"Ron you have ta hold it together, your Mom and Dad are counting on you.", Wade encouraged his friend, "Also, on another path here…"

"Yeah Wade, what do you have?"

"GJ and I came up with a temporary solution to Kim having an allergic reaction to being around you…"

Ron snorted, "Or when I'm around her?"

"Yeah, that too. GJ came up with material for a full bodysuit and I think we can set it up to wear under your regular clothes.", Wade informed him then added, "I just have to work out how you are going to breathe in it…"

"Breathe in it? What are you…", Ron responded.

Wade cut his friend off to explain, "Any way that Kim catches your scent could be enough to damage her, Ron, it's safer this way. I just have to figure it out. Also, from the specifications GJ sent me this sucker is going to be hot. You will have to be a hundred percent covered to make sure. This is for Kim's benefit, Ron."

"Yeah, I know. Sucks to be me, like always, Wade."

The tech guru then asked, "When are you planning on taking care of Rufus?"

"It looks like it's going to be after dark at this rate. I'm going back up to check on Dad in a few minutes, then after they kick me out I'll sit with Mom for a while before I head home. I guess some of the guys are digging the hole, if not I'll do it."

"Ron, I just checked surveillance around your house, there are four guys out there digging a hole under the tree where your treehouse is. I suppose that is where you wanted it…"

"Yeah, and thanks Wade. Listen, I'll call when I leave. My stomach is growling right now I need to get something."

The African-American genius replied, "I understand Ron, just relax everything is going to be alright. You have friends out there helping you, please let them. Oh, Kim needs your number if you don't carry your unit, you should give it to her."

"Yeah, make sure she gets it and I'll try to remember to let my friends help me out, later Wade…I appreciate all you do for us.", Ron told his friend as he shut down the connection.

XXX

The Possible home:

Kim picked up her Kimmunicator as the tone went off and she asked, "What's the sitch Wade?"

"Ron said to give you his number. Right now, he's a little numb, but he is burying Rufus later today. I'll call later when he plans on doing it. Something tells me he won't be alone out there…"

"Where are they going to put Rufus, Wade?"

"Under the treehouse, there are some guys digging the hole right now.", the pre-teen informed her.

"That's going to be hard on Ron. How is he holding up, Wade?"

Sighing sadly, "I guess about as well as can be expected, Kim. He has to be under tremendous pressure at the moment. I hope he can get through it halfway sane. Oh, I told Ron about what I think might work so that your new allergy to him will at least let you guys be close together for missions.", Wade told Kim.

"That's great Wade, can you bring up his cell, I'd like to speak with him for a few minutes."

"Sure, Kim and I'll copy his number onto your unit under his name, so it will be easier to get a hold of him…"

"Thanks Wade. Uh, why doesn't he have it on him at the moment?"

"I don't know, you'll have to ask him.", Wade replied then asked, "He's ringing, but I need to speak to him about getting his chip put back in."

XXXXX

Kim Possible, Ron Stoppable, Brick, Monique, Felix, Zita and all the other 'canon characters of the show 'Kim Possible' belong to Bob, Mark and the Disney Corporation and not myself nor CajunBear73. We perform this service to our readers for free since it's a hobby and all.

We'll see ya down the road,

ST-103