And welcome back to what is turning out to be an angst fest in the middle of this global pandemic. I hope everyone is safe and well. Now make sure you wear masks in public and wash your hands. Simple things might be what keeps people safe in this one until a real vaccine comes along.
Ron Stoppable's life has just been made worse since he is now the patriarch of the Stoppable family in Middleton, Colorado. Barkin has been a total turd through out this adventure and wellll, he is playing the role well. Will the flat topped asswipe continue to be a thorn in the blond teen's side? Yeah, pretty much although he will find himself in legal jeopardy wayyyy before the end of Book 2. What other surprises do I have? Well I could tell everyone, but then they wouldn't be surprises then, would they?
I want to thank everyone working their way through this, but let's get to the reviews. So here we go: Bobtrumpet, you are up first, NO, we will not see the vice principal dissected in Middleton. We need a good villain and they are so good to find; CB73, I agree, Stevie does need a blanket party. Monique? She will see the error of her ways by an OC. Both Monique AND Kim have been manipulated. The one good thing about this whole ARC is that Ron has found other friends through hard work and loyalty and the buffoon has always shown loyalty; Jimmy1201, incredible? Incredibly bad I can believe. So you think that this is Ron's version of that Christmas classic? I think blondie prefers Snow Man Hank.
Uberscribbler, $7 in household chemicals? I think with the pandemic going around and the scarcity of said chemicals Stevie boy is worth even more; ajw1970, yeah Ronnie boy has basically told off Barkin a couple of times. It will get worse in about chapter 60, in I think, 59 it gets better, but it tanks for several reasons in 60.
Again, thanks to everyone for plodding through this. Now the reason it is taking so long between updates is that we are in the middle of some real-world stuff and hopefully we'll be back on track soon. I have already started on the next story after this one for ST-103 and CB has about 2 chapters left to post on 'SC'. I haven't really start on the write for the following tale after 'SC', but I know where it starts and ends.
Anyway, that is all the updates that I can think of so let's get this party on the road,
ST-103
The Hunter: Book Two
Chapter 16
The Stoppable home, Middleton:
"It sure is quiet up there.", Felix noted as he cut into his meal, while trying to listen for any noise from the raven-haired tyke.
"Hanna is out boyfriend.", Zita replied confidently as she looked over the math assignment. She was tutoring her ex on while all three paid half attention to their meals.
"This sucks.", Ron grumbled as Zita grabbed his pencil, spun it around and used the eraser and then very lightly showed how the problem worked out.
"No, you suck sidekick; but that is because you have not had the prerequisite courses to get you ready for this. Knowing trig is not really essential, but it would help if you had it.", Zita explained as she wondered if she would have to give Ron a crash course in trigonometry.
Felix frowned at the trouble his friend was having and had decided to let Zita handle it because she was better at explaining things than he was much of the time.
"Well, it's a little late to learn, but I know Barkin did this to flunk me…"
Felix asked, "Why would Barkin do something like that, Ron? I know that he's an ass, but if this is true and gets out there will be holy hell to pay. According to rumors he has to appear before the school board anyway."
Ron muttered as Zita continued to correct him, "Ain't gonna happen till April guys, by then my grades are gonna be in the toilet."
Felix stared at Ron, "If he's screwing the pooch why are they waiting?"
"The school board has other things on the agenda. It's was the first opening they had, so all us vermin who slip through the cracks have to wait."
"US vermin? Think of yourself, Stoppable.", Zita snarked as she leaned back so she was now seated upright.
"Okay, me then. Anyway, Barkin told me if I failed this semester I would have to come back and play football again…"
Felix rolled his eyes and pointed out, "If you failed wouldn't you be ineligible to play sports in the next semester Ron?"
"Heck I don't know, Wheels. I'm kinda new at this athlete stuff…I do know I'm done playing football. I only did it for Kim…"
Felix frowned, "You used to call Kim 'KP' and now you call her by her first name, what gives?"
"Kim told me only her boyfriend could call her KP, I am not her boyfriend, Eric is."
Zita's right eye twitched, "You made that up…"
"Nope, even if she doesn't remember, I'm going to follow her wishes.", the blond teen stared at his former girlfriend.
Felix said, "I haven't heard Eric calling Kim 'KP' so you might want to rethink that, Ron…"
"Again, nope, end of discussion. She made the rule, I will follow it. Just like I mentioned, I hung up my cleats, I got my fifteen minutes of fame and it wasn't much fun. So, I am done with it. Kim's going off to college in the fall with that limey jerk and I ain't gonna stick around here after graduation. Most of my friends will be gone and I have to leave Middleton anyway so I can try to earn a living."
The wheelchair bound young man advised his friend, "That is bullshit Ron! There is no way someone can shut you out of having a job. Your family is here…"
Sigh, "Yeah, Dad will be here for a long time…Anyway, Smarty Mart is huge in this town and what they say goes."
"Ron, I'm sorry, I didn't mean that…"
"Don't worry, I know you didn't, Wheels. Anyway, if I flunk out unlike what idiot Barkin thinks, they can't make me come back next fall. I'll be eighteen and I'll just have Mom give me enough for a junk car and some for rent and I'll move to Lowerton or something. I can work there at some greasy spoons and if I stay on the downlow and I can get a cheapo apartment or a rent a small trailer. They have mobile home parks there and I'm sure I can get reasonable rent in one of the more rundown parks. I won't need much, with Rufus gone the food bill will be about a third of what it was with him…sigh…while I'm there I'll get my GED and there's nothing that flat-topped jerk can do about it."
With that the blond sidekick hung his head, "I'm gonna be lonely…" A tear rolled down the blond's cheek, "I am gonna be so lonely…sigh."
Zita grabbed onto Ron, "Don't you dare give up! You're tough Stoppable. And your Mom and Sister need you right now. You can give up later, but not now."
Sigh… "Yeah, let's get back to that problem."
X
Two hours later:
"Ron, you are not getting this…"
"I know, listen can you guys wait inside, for a minute before you go?"
Felix glanced over at his girlfriend who nodded, "Sure."
"I wanna talk to Rufus for a minute."
Ron put on his coat and went out on the deck and out into the yard.
"You know Rufus being dead is going to be hard on him.", Felix noted to Zita, "That rat was his friend and after Kim forgot him…"
"Ron cared more about his pet than he did for most people.", she replied.
Felix noted, "Ron needs a girlfriend, you know."
"Maybe, right now I think he's too numb with his dad and all. His Mom better pull through."
"You are not the only one who thinks that way Zita, but with Kim showing allergic reactions to Ron, he is going to need someone…at least someone he can talk to.", Felix announced as he watched his friend standing over the grave of the famous rodent. The backyard lights gave on an eerie glow in the snowfall like it was a fog.
Twenty minutes later Ron came back inside, "Uh, you guys better get going the weather is turning to shit again. I sent all the info to my Rabbi and the funeral is going to be the day after tomorrow."
"No visitation?", Zita inquired.
"Traditionally Jews don't have visitations."
Felix told his friend, "You are gonna have to lean on someone Ron…"
"Yeah, I know. The Temple is good for that. Dad had a bunch of friends there. More than enough to sing for the service and to recite prayers. I don't know how I'm gonna break this to Mom. It'd be a lot easier if she was up and around."
After they left the lonely blond teen went upstairs to get his sister. He got her into her snowsuit and then into her car seat. Five minutes later he was carefully driving to the hospital so that he wouldn't crack up the last vehicle in the Stoppable household.
XXX
The overcoat wearing teen sprinkled dirt on the casket. Only a few men were at the graveside interment service since the weather had turned brutal. Hanna was at home being babysat by Justine and Tara.
Once the men were all by their autos James Possible came up to Ron, "I'm sorry Kimmie didn't come to the funeral Ronald…Her boyfriend was had a minor accident and slipped on the ice in front of your house and she had to deal with it."
"It's alright Sir, they're all supposed to meet us back at Temple's hall for dinner…the ladies cooked for us.", Ron replied, sorta half out of it, "I get that Kim had to take care of her boyfriend."
"Doctor Possible?", from a large well 'put together' man who had been standing by them.
"Yes, what can I do for you?"
"I'll get Ron over to the dinner and I'll have my partner drive his car there.", Tank Woodson told the rocket scientist, "He shouldn't have even driven to the cemetery, I should have thought of this before, but I was distracted."
James half smiled and motioned to his sons, "We will meet you there, Ronald. We should have shoveled in front of your house…If we had, Eric wouldn't have slipped."
Ron shook his head, "My house, my responsibility."
XXX
Middleton Memorial:
The red-haired young woman kept her arm around her boyfriend as they walked out to the Sloth to steady him, "Careful Eric, I don't want you to slip on the ice again…"
"I will attempt to be careful, the cold compresses at the hospital seem to help Kimberly and the muscle relaxers also seem to aid. It appears that being around Stoppable is detrimental to my wellbeing."
Sigh, "Maybe you shouldn't have insisted on attending the funeral, Eric. You didn't have to be there."
"And what kind of gentleman would that make me out to be to not support the woman that he loves.", the 'English' teen remarked.
"Eric, I'm used to getting around in these storms.", Kim argued as she blushed.
"When you move to England you won't have to be in this weather unless you want to go skiing."
Kim took a deep breath then let it out, "Well maybe, but Middleton is still my home where my parents will still live. Now, just relax and I'll take you home where you can relax and I'll pick you up in the morning for school. Think of it as door to door service."
"Would you be able to stay with me for a while, my companions are not home yet and…"
Kim blushed even deeper, "Sure."
XXX
At the large room in the basement at the Synagogue:
The platinum blonde instructed the former running back, "Ron, I'll handle your Sister, you have to make the rounds and thank everyone for coming…"
Sigh, "Yeah….T…Tara thanks…"
Curt looked over Ron's shoulder, "Man, you look like crap…How are you doing Ron."
"I feel bout like I did after I got back from that long walk…Sorta numb, you know.", the tired blond responded with a small smile.
Curt responded, "I still have my old man and I'm not sure what I'd do if he passed. Listen, if you ever need anything don't wait, come get me…"
Ron frowned, "Cept for a job that is."
"Yeah, I'm sorry about that, but Martin Smarty has this burg locked up."
"Yeah, I know, but I'm gonna have to leave sometime after school's out in the spring. I have ta make a living somewhere…"
"You could go to college on a schollie. You're good enough…One of Brick's coaches is here…"
"We've been over this Curt, I only played to impress Kim, which it did for a while. We are not dating any more, so there is no reason for me to play. I'm not sure what I'm gonna do though…"
"And Possible's going to college somewhere?", the now retired fullback asked.
"I guess, but whatever her plans are don't have anything to do with me. She informed me she's going to England with the Limey Dude and all I can say is, good. I'm gonna do my own thing. Anyway, thanks for coming Curt, I have to make my rounds."
"Sure, later."
"Yeah."
XXX
Kim checked her wrist Kimmunicator and saw the time and mentally grimaced, 'I guess the dinner will be over by now, so I'll keep Eric company for another hour or two before his friends get home.' "Eric, do you want to watch a movie?", the red head inquired of her boyfriend.
"Excuse me, Kimberly?"
"I have to call my Dad and let him know where I am and then I want to watch a movie with you. Is that all right?", the red head clarified.
The suave 'English' teen replied, "That sounds very good…Oh, before you do that, can you give me a back massage?"
"Sure honey, but let me call Dad first, I'm sure he's concerned about your injury.", Kim offered as she brought up the holograph on her unit. The heroine quickly touched the highlighted number by her Dad's name and it began to dial since it was on 'cell phone' mode at the moment.
X
Moments later:
"Hi Kimmie, how is your beau doing?", James asked as he sipped on a cup of coffee.
"We're back from the hospital. Eric's back is bothering him, Dad, so I'm going to stay here until the staff gets home to look after him.", Kim notified her parent then asked, "Are you home yet?"
"No, the boys and I are still here. Do you want me to bring you and Eric anything?"
"I'll ask, hold on."
Kim looked over to her BF, "Do you want Dad to bring anything."
"No, but thank you for thinking of me Kimberly, Henri will be home in an hour or so."
The heroine nodded and spoke into her unit, "Dad, Eric said that he will be alright, but I am staying here until his friends get home."
"Okay honey, but be careful. Do you want anything?"
"Sure Dad, anything you bring will be fine with me. How is Ron doing?"
"About as well as expected Kimmie. It would have been better if he had at least seen you at the funeral.", James told his daughter.
"Dad, Eric was hurt when he slipped on the ice at Ron's house. I had to make sure he was alright. Anyway, I'm sure Ron had lots of support today.", Kim argued to remind her father that it appeared to be Ron's fault that her boyfriend had gotten injured.
James knew and understood his daughter's logic then replied, "Yes he did. The boys and I will be here for a while longer, now behave yourself. I'll have something for you to eat when you get home."
"Thanks Dad, I love you."
James Possible frowned as he disconnected. He knew his daughter wanted to attend Dean Stoppable's funeral, even though she had some kind of allergy to her best friend forever…And then that boy she was dating conveniently came down with an injury, that the rocket scientist was not sure it wasn't staged. James knew that he could come up with something so that the best friends could at least interact. 'I wonder just how good the suit that Ronald received is? I suppose I need to check it out."
XX
Back at the dinner:
"Ron, I'd like you to meet Coach Jefferies, he's the running backs' coach at school.", as Brick Flagg introduced a middle-aged balding man of African-American heritage.
"Sir, nice to meet you.", Ron offered his hand.
"Same here Ron. I am sorry for your loss.", the coach responded and took the teen's hand. "I know you have a lot going on right now…more than anyone your age has to, but I would like to talk to you later sometime if you have the chance."
"Sure sir, I do have a lot going on right now and I can't really break away for a week because of the mourning period…It's a Jewish thing, you know."
"I am aware of the custom Ron. Here, let me give you my card. Again, you have my and the rest of the school's sympathies.", the coach then gave the former Middleton Mad Dog a card.
Ron smiled as he glanced at it, then put it in a pocket in his jacket. He sighed and took a breath, "Brick, I'm glad you could make it. The roads suck this time of year and Monique, thanks for coming."
The African-American teen said, "Kim was supposed to be here, but I haven't seen her."
"Eric slipped on the ice and Kim took him to the hospital to make sure he was alright.", Ron responded, "I can see her concern."
"Did you ever slip on the ice?", Brick inquired.
"Yeah, just like everyone else in this town, but then, I've been run over by cars…"
"When did that happen?", the college QB asked.
"Last Thanksgiving or thereabouts. Listen, I have to see everyone else before they all leave, thanks again for coming.", Ron then took his leave.
Coach Jefferies observed, "He is holding it together better than I thought he would be able to do. It takes character…"
Monique's eyes narrowed (she still wasn't over the slight that she perceived in the fall…AN), "Or he doesn't care about his father…"
"Monique! Don't say that. I think you're seeing an act and later when no one is around is when he'll break down.", Brick told her.
"Agreed,", Coach Jefferies said, "you told me his Mother is in the hospital and he is caring for his Sister. With that and school…he is going through the motions right now."
"It has been my experience that when it hits him, he will close down. I can see here Ron has friends that will help him through the grief process."
XX
The 'other' red head on the cheer squad gave the blond a warm hug and asked lowly, "How are you holding up Ron?"
Still embraced, he responded, "Sorta in a haze, I just feel numb right now."
Ron released her as Dave Alberts grabbed him, "We're all here for you Ron."
"Thanks, I never thought I'd be one of the 'A' listers in school, it's sorta weird in a humbling kind of way."
"Yeah, I think I know what you mean. Are you gonna talk with Rockwaller?"
"I guess I'd better anyway. Bonnie is trying to help out with making sure some of the older ladies get something to eat. She sure has come a long way."
Dave chuckled, "She has. You take it easy. Remember, there are a whole bunch of us can do babysitting duty…"
"That reminds me, have you seen my sister? She needs to be watched.", Ron then lowered his voice, "All the time."
The high school QB patted Ron on the back and told him, "Tara has that covered." Then he pointed.
"I'd better rescue her and Josh if I wanna keep them as friends.", Ron replied as he headed in that direction.
Ron shook hands with more people (many of whom he knew from Temple) before I got to the platinum blonde cheerleader and her artist boyfriend and asked, "Can I relieve you guys? Hanna can be a handful."
Josh laughed, "We've been trading off with Justine and Big Mike, so we're good. Anyway, your Sister isn't that bad?"
Ron snorted, "Did Tara tell you what that little bundle of joy did to her at the hospital?"
"Yeah, she did. But, come on…"
"Running on the walls, almost destroying the daycare at the hospital…I could go on."
Tara picked up the Asian toddler, "I was just tired that day Ron. You go on, we're tag teaming your sis. She'll wear down…Oh, and Mister Barkin wanted me to let you know that you have to take that child raising class in the spring…"
"Can I turn Han loose on the class?"
"Maybe they need to be eased into Hanna.", the cheerleader giggled.
"Okay then, if you'll excuse me, I have to move around some more."
XX
"Hey Mister Rockwaller, I'm glad you and Bonnie were able to come today. I figure Mister Barkin is going to toss everyone into the gym for detention." Ron offered his hand and the older man accepted it.
Jacob shook his head, "Steven will play nice, I assure you Ronald."
"That's good, I'd hate to see any of my classmates getting into trouble because of me."
"I think complaints would come out if the school did anything like that. It wouldn't look very well in the press."
"I suppose, but like I said, and I think I can speak for my Mom, thank you for coming. It means more than you know."
"I understand Ronald…and if you need someone to speak with, I am available."
Ron nodded and went over to Bonnie. He tapped her on the shoulder and leaned in (because she was busy), "Thanks for coming Bonnie, I haveta to make my rounds, but thanks."
The brunette quickly turned, "How are you holding up?"
"We'll see what it's like in a couple days, right now I'm numb."
XXX
People had already left and Justine was standing next to Ron as he shook hands again, "Please be careful driving home, it's a lousy day to be outside."
X
The slight blonde handed the raven-haired child to Ron, "Well we'd better get home. Ron are you sure you don't need some of us to come over?"
"Yeah, I'm gonna make Sis her dinner and tomorrow's bottles and then we are going up to see Mom."
"Okay."
The larger than life man with her nodded, "Don't drive too much Ron."
"I won't, but I didn't sit with Mom today and I'd feel real bad if I didn't, the Lord might hold it against me."
Justine frowned, "He wouldn't Ron, but we are going home, I have to help Mike with his homework."
"Yeah, you guys take it easy."
James Possible and the twins came up to Ron holding boxes filled with food, "Do you want us to come over Ronald?"
"It's a good night to pull up the comforter in front of a fire."
"I heard you were going to the hospital."
"Yeah, but I'll be careful, Mom's car is all-wheel drive and I'll drive slow."
"If you need anything please call Ronald."
"I will."
Twenty-five minutes later:
Ron shut off his Mom's car and got out then took his sister out of her seat. Going inside, shut the overhead door on the way into the kitchen.
"Come on Sis, let me get you out of your chair and duds, we gotta get you a bath and some bottles made up for tomorrow.", Ron explained more for his own benefit than Hanna's.
He quickly performed the tasks and while his sister tried to walk around, he took her things out of her bag and placed the bottles in the sink to wash them. The tyke had followed her brother into the kitchen and before long the bottles were in the dishwasher and he was filling more bottles. He placed those in the refrigerator.
"Are you hungry, Hanna?"
She raised her arms and smiled at him. So, Ron picked her up and set her in her chair, "I'm gonna give you some grub 'cause I wasn't paying much attention at the dinner. Is that okay with you?"
He got out a couple of jars and quickly heated them up and put them in her heated bowl. He got her favorite spoon out of the drawer and made sure that the meat and vegetables were at a proper temperature and began to feed the tyke.
When Hanna signaled she was done eating, Ron filled a bottle with water and offered it to her. Then he picked her up out of the chair and placed the bowl in the sink to run water over it. Then he carried her upstairs to her room/bathroom, undressed her and got her ready for her bath.
X
Middleton Memorial:
"Ah so you're back Mister Stoppable.", a middle-aged lady inquired as Ron handed his Sister over to her.
"Yeah, I think I'll be upstairs till about ten or eleven sitting with my Mom."
The lady frowned as she stared at the bags under the blond teen's eyes, "You should be in bed like your Sister should."
"It's sorta tough getting to sleep lately Ma'am, we just buried Dad today…and…"
"Say no more, we'll watch the child. We'll put her in a crib.", she ensured Ron as she began to remove Hanna's snowsuit.
"Thanks."
"Get coffee at the nurses' station on your Mom's floor."
XXX
"Are you sure he's not here?", the now retired fullback asked his linebacker buddy.
Tank frowned, "Call the house phone, dummy. It's like nine at night, the dinner was over at five."
Curt did as his friend asked, they had both wanted to check on their friend and were uneasy about him not being home since it was still snowing.
"I can hear it ringing, let's see if Ron picks up.", Tank observed.
After two minutes and the phone still ringing the linebacker said, "He must really be out…"
"Or Stoppable's not home, I'll try his cell."
X
Five minutes later:
Curt shook his head and muttered, "I wonder where that goof off is?"
Whiney's phone vibrated, "Yeah?"
"Just returning your call Curt, what do ya need?"
"Tank and me were worried about you and the kid. Where the hell are you?"
"I was sitting with Mom in the hospital.", Ron replied.
"Sorry I bothered you…"
"Don't be, I'm just heading down to the daycare here and am picking up Hanna. I'll be home in less than twenty minutes."
"We'll wait in the pickup…"
"Nah, I'll call Wade and have him unlock the front door. It's cool, there's drinks in the fridge."
Sure enough, after about three minutes, Tank heard the front door unlock. After the partners entered, a young man's voice said over a speaker, "Gentlemen, Ron Stoppable had me unlock the door for you. Please make yourselves comfortable. Ron should be home in about fifteen minutes. He has already loaded his sister into the car."
"Uh thanks", Curt replied as he wondered if there was a way of him hearing them.
"You're welcome. Now, you guys are out late on a crappy night, you know. Who's watching your convenience stores?"
"We are a small company, but we have overnight help that we schedule when we have other commitments.", Tank informed the young man who seemed to know a lot about them.
"Uh what's your name?", Curt inquired.
"Wade Load, Kim Possible's tech guy. I have both of their homes under surveillance for security.", Wade explained.
"It'd be nice to have that kind of insurance, Wade…", Curt suggested.
"Yeah, maybe with someone else. I'm not even a teenager, yet I perform this as security for the team since they go up against criminals. There are security firms which would be cheaper than using me and since I work alone and I use state of the art equipment. I really don't have time to watch other properties, Kim and Ron are into stuff that's a lot more elaborate than what you need."
"Sounds like you don't want any business…"
"I don't need the business. Other qualified companies however, do.", Wade suggested.
Tank laughed, "Maybe in a couple of months, by then we can afford the cost."
Curt said to the mic (wherever it was), "I guess we can make some coffee and watch the tube till Stoppable gets here."
"Yeah, go ahead, Ron's about ten minutes away. I'll just sit back and monitor like I do other things on the web.", Wade then cut off.
"Weird,", Curt muttered, "maybe Possible and Stoppable are into things we don't wanna even know about."
Tank Woodson nodded, "Even their rescues can get screwed up and be dangerous."
They heard the garage door open and a minute later a car drove in and shut off. Then they heard the door close. A few minutes later Ron emerged from said garage. He was carrying a car seat with a child inside.
The blond removed his coat and then set about getting Hanna out of her seat and snowsuit.
After Hanna was finally free from being confined, Tank asked, "How's your Mom?"
"Mom's coma is not as deep as it was thought to be…so I told her about Dad.", Ron replied before moving to the stairs, "I'm gonna change Hanna again and then come down. I'll only be a couple of minutes."
X
"Is your sister still out?", Tank inquired of his friend who looked like he had seen a lot better days.
"Yeah…You know, even though I call her Little Intruder, she's a good kid, 'cept for running on the ceiling sometimes, she doesn't get into many things like I thought she would. She's a lot better than Kim was from what her parents have said.", Ron replied as he picked up the diaper bag and walked into the kitchen so he could take the bottles out.
XXX
The Possible home:
"Hey Moni how did the funeral go?", Kim asked her friend after answering the phone call.
"Brick made me go to the cemetery GF, it was cold there.", the fashionista responded, "Why didn't you show up?"
"Well, we dropped by Ron's house on the way to the service and Eric slipped on a patch of ice and hurt himself. I ended up taking him to the hospital. They checked him out and told him ice packs for two days then alternate heat and ice. Then they gave him some muscle relaxers.", Kim told her best female friend.
"Wow Kim, isn't that the second time he got hurt helping skinny boy out?"
"Huh, what do you mean 'Nique?"
"Well didn't Eric get hurt by doing all Stoppable's work on that rescue where Eric found those girls?"
"Uh, no. As a matter of fact, Ron did most of Eric's work. Ron set up his tent, sleeping bag, made dinner and breakfast and hauled the water for the camp. And he's the one that found the girls and carried one of them back to us.", Kim said, "Ron even carried most of the weight."
"GF, that's not how it sounded when your hottie BF told me what happened before Stoppable came back."
"Monique, I know what happened. I was watching Eric most of the time. His pack was lighter than mine, I think. Ron carried most of the food and water…and then we hardly left him with anything when we returned from the mountains…sigh…I almost killed my best friend."
"GF, it's true Stoppable had to walk across the state, but he was able to do it. Don't be so hard on yourself."
"Yeah, but how did Ron do today?"
"He was down and a little out of it, but I guess burying a parent can take a lot out of you.", Monique Jenkins conceded.
"How did the dinner go? Dad brought home food for me."
"The girls from the cheer squad helped out a lot. Bonnie was taking food to the old people. Tara, Justine and Liz were taking turns watching Ron's sister while he was mingling. The blond goof looked like he tried to speak with everyone there, even the coach that Brick brought from school."
"Coach?", the red-haired teen asked.
"Yeah the running backs' coach from college, I think they are interested in recruiting Stoppable there, but I didn't ask."
"Good, maybe you can go to college with Ron and watch out for him…"
"Don't ask that favor GF! I don't trust that clown and I don't think it's a good idea that you do. I'm still mad at that idiot! I don't even think it's a good idea that he might be on Brick's team next year."
"Why are you mad at Ron?"
"I don't trust him. There is something going on and I don't like it…"
"They moved Ron out of my classes with him…"
"Good!"
"Monique! That's not nice.", Kim mock scolded her friend.
"Who says I'm nice?", the African-American beauty replied.
"His locker isn't by mine anymore, they moved him into another hall.", Kim kept going.
"Again…Good!"
"Moni, if I didn't know better, I'd say someone is trying to breakup Team Possible. Mister Barkin said moving Ron was because of my allergies…they wanted to protect me."
"Bullshit Kim…."
"Moni? I just thought of something. I'll talk to you in the morning."
"Okay, goodnight, GF."
"Yeah, you too.", Kim then broke the connection.
The red head then punched the number sequence for GJ, "Doctor Director isn't here at the moment Miss Possible."
"Who am I speaking with?", she asked.
"Top Agent Du, what can I do for you?"
"You understand that I have allergies to Ron Stoppable?"
"We have heard."
"Well, I have an idea…"
"GJ and Doctor Load have already found a temporary solution Miss Possible.", Du informed Kim.
"What kind of solution?"
"It is a suit which Stoppable will where under his clothes. He will seal it up when you are in close proximity."
"Well then, why did they move Ron out of my classes?", Kim asked.
"I do not know Miss Possible, but I can tell you that when Stoppable closes up the suit it gets very warm inside and he can keep it closed only so long. It is a prototype, you understand."
"Can they make it better?"
"Not at the moment, there is no magic bullet, you understand. We found a temporary solution so that you can still take missions and be successful."
"Oh, and where is Doctor Director?", Kim inquired.
"The Director has a meeting this evening. If that is all I have work to get back to.", Will stated.
"Thanks Agent Du…"
"That's Top Agent Du and goodnight.", Will disconnected with a smirk.
Kim let out a breath, "Damn I hate talking to him. I hope Ron is alright."
XXX
The Stoppable home:
"Now, are you going to be alright Stoppable?", Tank stared that the blond teen as he put on his coat.
"Yeah, just gonna get my blanket and pillow out…gonna sleep on the sofa here.", Ron informed his former teammates as he walked to the closet.
"Why on the couch?", Curt asked.
Ron explained, "My room is in the basement, if I slept down there, I wouldn't hear Hanna if she started crying or something."
Curt frowned I know there is another bedroom upstairs, why don't you use it?"
"That's Mom and Dad's bedroom…I can't sleep in there. I'm better off here."
Tank shook his head, "You need rest, you have bags under your eyes."
"I'll be fine here. Listen you guys, be safe driving home…And thanks for coming over to check on me."
The partners both came up and patted Ron on the shoulder. Curt said, "Remember to lean on the guys. Don't do this alone."
Sighing, "Don't worry, I can do this."
Ron walked them to the door and opened it for them. He kept watching until they backed out of the driveway and on to the street. He then shut the door and turned off the outside light. He was about to go downstairs to take a shower when there was a knock on the door, turning the light on he could see a familiar face and quickly opened the door.
"Doctor Director? What are you doing here?"
"I came to see how you were doing Ronald and offer my sympathies and those of my organization."
"Uh thanks, do you want to come in? I have some coffee made."
"Regular?", the one-eyed director of Global Justice inquired.
"Yeah and it just shutoff…the plate I mean, it's still plenty hot."
"Thank you Ronald."
XXXXX
Kim Possible, Ron Stoppable, Hanna, Josh, Tara and all other canon characters of the show 'Kim Possible' belong to Bob, Mark and the Disney Corporation. So CajunBear73 and I do not make any claude off this little hobby of ours except the satisfaction that you all take your meds.
We'll see ya down the road,
ST-103