Annnnddd welcome back, good ole ST-103 has some news. Am I going to stop writing this? No, you're not that lucky so get that thought outta your collective minds. It seems I have acquired a second beta. Most of you are familiar with Jimmy1201 and he felt CB73 needed help pulling my sorry can outta the swamp and they will take turns from now on. I guess CajunBear's shrink bills got a little too heavy or something. Anyway, let's keep the Bronx cheers down on either of my betas and leave them for me alone, but make the complaints coherent please.
I want to thank everyone who has followed, alerted, faved and or reviewed this little work. So, let's answer some of those reviews: CB73, Ron doesn't reveal his whole life or secrets ('cept maybe Wade and it's a wonder that geek boy hasn't turned to drugs or alcohol over Ron and his stunts). Said Kim's new 'boyfriend' shouldn't be trusted with a sack of rice, but that is for the end of this book and the first part of book 3; Uberscribbler, 'bloody freaking hell'. Ron's world is falling apart…don't worry it gets better. Hints are in the chapter; Gj agent, gossip queen's real awakening is not here yet. But she does see the sidekick working his arse off and she also gets the idea that our semi favorite hero can brush her off too.
Jimmy1201, no they didn't take the money. Oversight or on purpose? Not sure, if they did it on purpose it would be to show that Woodson might have been into somethings. Keep that distancing in mind Jimmy; Bobtrumpet, why did Monique even bother? Basically, it was for Kim. If Eric's boys tried the diner this would be a very short tale. Damn near everyone at the diner is packing. You even see 'open carry' at eateries in my state often. Eric should be worried about the countess first (but that is near the end of book 3); Va3028, ? what the heck are you talking about? Just so you know, the mods have read your little rant.
With that last part, if someone wants to tell me what 3028 was talking about send me a PM, 'cause I sure don't get it and I worked for years in the intelligence field and some of that stuff was wacko.
Let's get this show on the road,
ST-103
The Hunter: Book Two
Chapter 29
Middleton High before first hour:
"Shit Ron, where the hell have you been?", a very worried Dave Alberts rushed over to his friend who was getting textbooks out of his locker.
"Huh? Dave, what are you doing in this hall? ...You belong in the senior hallway."
"Trying to find you, the guys have been trying to call you since Two AM."
"I had my phone on the charger. We had a late night at the diner and I sorta got in late, then I had homework to do after I put Hanna to bed after her bath…WHY?" (in truth our hero was back in the basement training after getting his homework done, so he basically didn't get any sleep…AN)
"It's about Tank."
Ron frowned not liking where this was going, he asked, "What. About. Tank?"
"H...he, sigh, was murdered last night at one of his convivence stores…they shot him the back.", Dave informed his friend, "It's all over the news."
Ron Stoppable took a deep breath and let it out as he leaned against the locker next to his then screamed, "SHIT!" Then he spun around and hit that locker as hard as he could denting the door leaving it caved in almost an inch with two extra impressions that lined up with the covert ninja's primary knuckles.
(AN…a martial artist's 'primary knuckles are the first knuckles on the index and middle fingers so that when he punches, they are the ones that 'line up' to make a better line to the shoulder. More power, less effort and broken bones. We'll get into why hand techniques are 'twisted' at another time.)
The blond teen drew back to pop the locker one more time when a nervous Dave Alberts put his hand on his friend's shoulder, "You're not making it any better Stoppable, you need to calm down before some teacher sees you and turns you in. There's a team meeting in the athletic class room during home room all varsity football players are supposed to be there, they'll have slips to give to the teachers. Let's get going."
With damp eyes, the former running back closed his locker and followed his friend. Suddenly Ron Stoppable was more tired than he ever remembered being. He had lost Rufus, his parents and now one of his friends and it was starting to worry him. Before they got halfway down the hall, he began to shake at what he was losing.
XX
Bonnie Rockwaller gathered all the cheerleaders together just down the hall from the offices. Kim asked, "Why did you call a meeting by the offices 'B'?", Kim inquired.
"I got the word last night from Dad…and well, Tara did as well from her Mother, but one of the guys on the football team was murdered last night.", the teal eyed brunette informed them.
"Ron?", Kim gasped, "He was working at that restaurant! What happened?"
"No K, Woodson. He was working the overnight shift at a convenience store and robbers shot him during a holdup.", a red-eyed Tara King clarified as she had gotten woken up by her Mother early in the morning and was given the basic information about Woodson's demise.
"He could have called for help, didn't the cops get there in time?", Crystal asked.
Sighing, "Tank was shot five times in the back…He was executed. There was no way that it was someone who just shot him by accident. They killed him on purpose.", Bonnie got out before she began crying, "Even though Dad's not in charge of the athletic boosters, he had been for a long time…so Magrath called him up."
The red-haired heroine stepped away from the others and hit the 'connect' button on her wrist unit.
A moment later Wade's holographic image appeared in front of her and asked, "Yeah Kim, what's going on?"
"We had a murder in Middleton last night…Tank Woodson? Is this for real? I wanna confirm it before the whole school goes nutso on us."
She heard typing and the response came quickly, "Yeah, the call came in last night to the Middleton Police at one eighteen in the morning. Someone had triggered a silent alarm from the convenience store where Woodson was working at the time. They have a confirmation of one death…Woodson."
"Any suspects Wade?"
"The security cameras got pictures of three people wearing masks…Kim, they made him lie on the floor face down and shot him in the back. It looked like it was a gang-style execution.", the genius revealed.
"Wade, I want you to dig deep on this one, as deep as you've ever gone. I want to know what Woodson was into or not into…make it a priority, it could be national a security issue here."
"The police, Kim…"
"Wade, he was a good friend of Ron's and no my partner didn't ask for our involvement in this either. I also want to see if GJ wants in on this one since Woodson was close to Ron and therefore me too, this might be a way of getting back at us.", Kim ordered, "After losing his Mom and Dad along with Rufus; Ron has to be devastated, but there could be a pattern that we should be worried about."
"Kim, I'll look in as deep as I can, maybe a little deeper. GJ does have more resources than I do and I think they need to be brought in quietly.", the genius agreed.
"Great; work on it with Betty. If she needs confirmation, call me up.", the heroine, who much of the world looked up, to told her friend.
XXX
The raven-haired woman read through the headlines of the paper she bought. The first convenience store she stopped at was closed and there were police all around it standing around crime scene barrier tape. Once she got the paper at the next place, she tried, Shego began to put two and two together after reading the headlines. 'So, a high school football player was murdered last night, I wonder if the buffoon got unlucky? Considering what he did to me, he'd have to be real unlucky.'
Seeing the name of the victim, the former member of Team Go almost whistled while she put this together, 'Okay, so the princess still has her buffoon…better not refer to Stoppable that way. Especially if I can't kill him, he might be able to kill me, so I'd better not underestimate him from now on.'
Spotting the waitress, she raised her cup for a refill and then when Rebecca came by, "I'm ready to order now."
The gum chewing waitress quickly wrote the order down, took the ticket to the counter and spindled it so the cook could get right on it. She then picked up a coffee carafe and took it to the pale-skinned woman's booth.
"So, what's Middleton, Colorado like?", the covert Shego asked as Rebecca poured a refill into her cup, "I'm thinking about taking a job here and I just read that you guys had a murder. That might be a deal breaker if push comes to shove."
"Oh that? Crime is pretty low in the area probably due to Kim Possible….you know the heroine. She has lots of fans here.", came the reply.
"Kim Possi…that name sounds familiar, my niece said something about her once.", the woman lied.
"Yeah, she does everything from cleaning the park to tutoring kids to fighting goons.", the waitress informed her, "She's a cheerleader at the high school."
"So, an asset to her community then? I like the idea of a place where criminal activity is very low. It makes a great place to find a husband and raise ankle biters."
XXX
GJ:
"Yes, Doctor Load, how may I help you.", Will Du inquired, the call routed to him since Betty had the overnight shift.
"We have a problem that we would like GJ's assistance with.", Wade requested.
Du asked, "Please explain, your team has been placed in reserve, remember?"
"Yes, but I am looking into a murder, maybe premeditated, on a person close to a member of Team Possible. I would like semi-official assistance from GJ to help me get information on the crime.", Wade explained, "If someone is targeting Team Possible then they might also be targeting Global Justice and possibly your security."
"What is the name of the victim, Doctor Load?"
"His name is Ansel Woodson although he goes…uh went by the nickname 'Tank'. I have hacked the police department and saw the video, it ah looked like an execution.", Wade told the GJ 'top' agent.
"The football player?", Du inquired.
"Yeah, he played on the defense and was their captain."
"Sigh, I will notify the Middleton…it did happen in Middleton, right?", Du asked for clarification.
"Yeah, Middleton about One AM…"
"I will notify them that we are also investigating and will make sure they take the lead and will only come in to assist them if they ask. We will also take the lead with the FBI as well…I see that that the homicide is linked to a robbery…yes, the FBI and the ATF will also be brought in at least in advisory roles. Thank you for bringing this to our attention Doctor Load. We will try to keep your team out of all the inter-department politics."
"I appreciate that Agent Du, I know that with everything that is happened in Ron's life, this did not help him at all."
"Does Stoppable need to come in and speak with one of our counselors, Doctor?"
"I don't know and considering how much time Ron spends at work after school, I don't know if we can even set up a schedule an appointment."
"Now that I think of it, Stoppable needs to come in to go over a checkup on that procedure that he underwent earlier in the year. We want to make sure there are no snags with him applying his new learning abilities. So, when you get the chance speak with Stoppable and we will set up an appointment at least for that."
Sigh, "When Ron is feeling up to it, I will."
"Good, let us know. Mister Stoppable is a valuable asset and we of course would like to use him and Miss Possible in the future. If there is nothing else, I have some calls to make…"
"No, nothing. Thanks for your help Agent Du.", Wade replied as the connection was cut.
The genius rolled his eyes then hacked into Middleton's surveillance camera network and began to narrow down which the network's cameras were monitoring the area around the crime scene.
X
Two hours later:
"THERE!", Wade Load hissed almost swearing to take up drinking coffee instead of one of his sodas.
'Now I just have to enhance the picture 'cause I can't tell from their faces since they have those masks on…I need to see the license plate number then I have them.'
Our favorite geek pulled up a program he had pirated and began to work on the image.
Finally, after another two hours, Wade was able to enhance the image to get the number off the plate when he realized that the whole plate was covered with white tape.
"Shit!", the genius moaned as he went back and tried to follow it through the network.
XXX
Middleton High (two hours before Wade caught his break):
Coach Ernie Roberts stood in front of the team that won the state football championship and yelled, "Ladies listen up…."
The response came from Big Mike Little and sounded like it came from a tomb, "Shut the fuck up Roberts and stop treating us like children or I'll do something that Tank wanted to do all last year."
Roberts frowned as Big Mike usually didn't say much and was easy to mollify so roared back, "Like what, punk?"
"To turn you into a little girl.", Mike now stood up as Ron grabbed ahold of his friend and said, "Mike ya gotta cool off, people are watching."
"I don't care Ron…"
"If they kick you outta school who's going to protect Justine?", Ron asked.
At this point to other men stood up next to Ernie Roberts; the old head of the athletic boosters, Jacob Rockwaller and the new head, Chester Wilmington. Wilmington motioned for Jacob to speak, so Rockwaller stepped in front and raised his hand for quiet, "Mad Dogs, Coach Roberts meant no disrespect to you or Tank. Tank has been with our program for a long time and we need to honor him as a good man. We are going to give every member of the team black armbands to wear on your right arms as you leave this room to show solidarity to Tank's family and for what we mean to each other.
The larger than life human basically ignored the men as he turned his head to stare at his D-Hall buddy, then sighed, "No one disrespects us, any of us forever….uh thanks Ron, do you want me and Justine to babysit your sister tonight?"
"Uh, no I have it taken care of. You kids spend some time together.", Ron suggested then added, "Now, why don't you sit down before they call out the State Police SWAT team?"
Mike took a second, then nodded and sat in his much-too-small chair.
The former running back then motioned for the men to continue.
The 'new' guy stepped forward suddenly a little nervous at how volatile some members of the team seemed to be to authority figures. "Hello men, I am Mister Wilmington the new head of the athletic boosters. We want you to know that we are deeply saddened by Tank's passing…"
"Tank Woodson didn't pass, he was murdered.", Ron Stoppable countered, "Being shot in the back five times counts as being murdered. And. We. Are. Pissed. About. It. And if I find the ones who did this you won't find the body."
"Who are you, young man?", Wilmington inquired causing the room to chuckle.
"I'm just the water boy Sir.", Ron informed him.
Which caused the laughter to get louder than before.
"That 'young man' is Ronald Stoppable. He was instrumental in our championship victory and he was a personal friend to Mister Woodson…"
"IS Sir, I am still Tank's friend. I owe him for helping me out.", Ron countered.
"I see…"
Curt finally spoke up, "I hope so."
Wilmington turned to Coach Roberts, "So, Mister Stoppable is one of the cornerstones we are pinning our hopes on next year?"
Roberts replied, "That is the plan…"
Ron's right eye twitched when he retorted, "I'm a senior at this place of higher learning, so I won't be back…Sorry."
Wimington's eyes narrowed and muttered, "We'll see."
Dave Alberts could see this was about to go oblong, and asked, "Sir is that all you have for us?"
Coach Roberts said, "Everyone but Stoppable is excused. Please be safe today we do not need anyone to get hurt."
After the other members of the team had left Coach Barkin stepped out and growled, "You almost made asses out of us Stoppable…"
"Yeah, yeah how is that any different than the other times?"
"Getting to the point; we want you to play football for two more years…"
Ron started laughing, "Not a fucking chance, I am a senior here so you can kiss my ass. I gave you a championship, I've done my part. Anyway, I've had it will Middleton, they can shove it."
"No," Roberts told Ron, "We really need you to accomplish that, the odds against repeats are very large and if we are able to do it there would be a large payoff."
The blond teen's eyes narrowed, "Payoff? What the hell are you talking about?"
"People bet on games and to make the games more competitive we keep guys past their high school limit. That's how Flagg spent so many years here.", Barkin informed the blond teen.
"I always thought it was because he was stupid, now I find out that it is illegal. Like I said 'not a fucking chance'. You're not getting me to do anything illegal."
Wilmington added, "We can find you a decent job. You have a child to raise, I hear…"
Ron cocked his head to one side, "I have been banned from working in Middleton, so get bent."
The new head of the athletic boosters said, "We can change that…"
"What are you gonna do, buy Martin Smarty off? I don't think you have enough claude to even get his attention. He is one of the five richest SOBs in the world ya know.", Ron snarked back as the bell rang.
"Smarty Mart?"
"Yeah, one in the same. When I piss someone off, I do a great job of it. Anyway, in June I'm taking my sister and am leaving town. Middleton, Colorado can kiss my skinny ass. I won't have a place to live here anyway."
At this Roberts asked, "You won't have a place to live?"
"Yeah, one of my classmates is suing for the house because he got hurt. We're making a deal that he gets the house, but nothing else. I'm getting ready to make an offer on a place in Lowerton, so bite me! With the money I make at the place I DO work out of, outside of town, I can make ends meet without getting into the rest of the insurance money."
Jacob looked at Ron and frowned as he thought about the teen's problem, "If it's true that Smarty has a hard-on for Stoppable, we may not be able to offer him financial support…"
"Sir, with all due respect, I do not need financial support, just let me graduate and I'm outta your hair."
Barkin growled he threatened, "You don't understand sidekick, you ARE staying at Middleton. You are not graduating this year. We are contesting your grades in several subjects so you will not have the hours to graduate. Live with it!"
Ron began to feel the 'urge' to smack the older man around, "Even if I don't graduate, I leave period."
Roberts then casually said, "Be a shame if something happened to your sister…"
In a flash before anyone else could move, the covert ninja slapped the assistant coach on the neck causing him to drop to his knees, "Do not EVER threaten Sis, Coach Roberts, or I might get mad…And YOU wouldn't like it if I got mad. Accidents happen you know. Now if you don't have anything else for me, I need my pass to get to class since I'm tardy because I was talking to you four."
Barkin ripped a yellow slip of paper off a pad, "Here you go punk, and we're not done here…"
"More self-defense in gym class Coach? I'm looking forward to it. Maybe, I'll use some of the advanced stuff. Of course, I'm a little sloppy in those techniques so someone could get hurt, it might be you.", Ron said as he turned and walked out.
XXX
"Moni,", Kim whispered as two members of the football team entered and handed their slips to the teacher, "Wade checked and it's true about Woodson."
"Hmmmp, who cares about that oaf?"
"Even if you don't like your fellow classmate Monique, you don't have to be disrespectful to him when he was just killed.", Kim suggested, "People might do that to someone you love if the same thing happened to them."
"Listen GF, that clown disrespected me and sometimes Brick. I do not care about him capiche?", the African- American teen's eyes narrowed.
"After the way you acted towards Ron, I think Tank and Curt wanted to set you straight. They are better friends to him than I am sometimes. I've apologized to Ron and I think we are friends again, but with your attitude you might have wrecked it with him even though you said you made up and I don't want to be caught in the middle."
Monique countered, "I gave Stoppable a better apology than he deserved, if he doesn't like it screw him."
Kim pushed, "I didn't ask last night, but did Ron accept your token?"
"Yeah, I guess…"
"After you bagged on him 'Nique?"
"What has that to do with anything?", the fashionista countered.
"Because after the world taking a crap on Ron, and him deciding to let bygones be bygones, might make him a better person than either of us…better than me for sure since I struck him. Now the only way I can speak with him is over a cell or through that suit that he wears to keep me from having an allergic reaction. All the while when he's on an emotional rollercoaster…", the red head began to sniffle.
"GF, I get it, Stoppable is your lifelong friend. I am still not happy with him and I'm pretty sure I won't be for a while."
"Then why did to you go to the funerals for Ron's parents Moni?"
"Brick was here and I was supporting him…"
"Then you should've stayed in school, so you wouldn't have been compromising your ethics.", Kim advised.
Monique Jenkins grabbed her red-haired friend's shoulder, "Listen Kim, in my former life I was treated like crap and that is how my mind is…you know…get even or get ahead. If I even think that someone has screwed with me, they will get it back ten-fold and that is my mindset, I know it's not right and I am trying to do better, but the only reason I tolerated Stoppable to begin with was because of his friendship to you. You have to understand that…hell he cheers for my hero's nemesis in the ring. Stoppable's only redeeming quality is Tex-Mex. Even the rat was gross…"
Kim's eyes narrowed, "Don't dis Rufus, because of him you are alive right now."
"You've said stuff like that before…dish."
"Rufus was the one who deflated Nine-O-One, the synthodrone. If he hadn't, Middleton would be nothing but a radioactive glass parking lot and everyone would have been dead, dead, dead…Let that sink in for a little while and ask yourself who would pick up the slack if that happened again?"
Kim stopped for a moment then added, "I keep getting little dreams about Ron. Like there is something behind him pushing him forward…like I'm waiting for something."
The fashionista inquired, "What are you talking about, GF?"
"I don't know and then when I wake up all I get is some kind of fog…I keep seeing Ron handcuffed to a table…is seated in a chair with bullet holes in his chest…he's…he's dead."
"How can you tell Kim?"
"With that many holes in your chest you are dead…anyway he has one eye staring at me," Kim shuddered, "but he's sorta splayed out. He looks like he's been beaten…or tortured. There's blood all over his face…."
"I think you need to talk to someone about that if you're getting freaked out by a dead Stoppable…"
"Wouldn't you be if you dreamed of Brick being that way, but it's good advice so maybe. I'll call Mom and let her know. This might be some kind of post-traumatic stress. She'd know who to talk to."
XXX
Wilmington stared at the two coaches, "I cannot say that I am happy with Stumpable's attitude this morning Mister Barkin, why don't you do something about it?"
Jacob butt in, "I'm afraid I owe Ron Stoppable and I can't let anything happen to him."
Wilmington's eyes narrowed, "Jacob, you are my friend, but I want and deserve compliance with my wishes. I expect for Mister Stumpable to be on the field with us year. Do I make myself clear gentlemen?"
Jacob Rockwaller nodded as did the two coaches. The Wilmington smiled, "See how easy that was? Send some of our friends to have a talk with him, break some fingers if you have to."
Roberts inquired, "If Stoppable moves to Lowerton how are we going to make him so to school here?"
Sigh, "I will speak with the powers there and maybe we can give them Alberts…"
Barkin, then suggested, "Maybe someone else. I've heard that he is related to someone we don't want to mess with."
"Lean on his Alberts' girlfriend then…"
Rockwaller stepped up and warned, "Stay away from the cheerleaders…"
"Why is that?"
"Kim Possible will unleash hell on you and that's another reason you want to stay away from Stoppable…He works with some police agency and there is no way we want them in our business. I had to tip-toe around him for that reason alone, last fall. If you go too far this will all come down around our ears."
"Stoppable works with Possible?"
Barkin said, "He has for years, but was the resident joke; lately though, he has grown his own spine."
Wilmington's eye twitched, "Break his Sister's arm, that will make a believer out of him that I mean business."
"If he finds out that you were behind this, or if Possible does, or her tech guy, we are going to have a full-on revolt on this team and they will find out and make the guys who did this squeal like pigs.", Rockwaller cautioned.
"Jacob, we have to make sure people obey our desires…"
"My daughter's boyfriend's father is another of the five richest men in the world and the word is that he has ties to the underworld….so he might have your legs broken."
Chester's face paled, "I concur."
X
"Mister Browne, may I have a moment of your time?", the assistant principal asked.
"I have a few moments Mister Barkin, what can I do for you?"
"Uh how is Stoppable doing in your math class?"
"Well, he had a rough start to the semester, but for the last several weeks he has been at the top of the class. Considering he does not have the prerequisites for that class. Why do you ask?"
"I want you to do something for me and if you do, I can assure you that you will get my recommendation for tenure which comes up this summer.", Barkin told the math teacher.
"Well, I'm listening…"
"Not here.", Stevie boy slipped a piece of paper to Chad, "Meet me here at seven-thirty tonight."
Browne nodded.
XX
Kim Possible had drifted into the underclassman hallway and noticed a shock of blond hair walking towards her. "Ron!", the red head called out as she raised her hand.
As he approached her, he pulled something up out of his hockey jersey and pulled it over his head then zipped it up. Then he tugged at his sleeves and pulled them down. By the time he reached her Ron was all sealed up.
"How are you holding up with Tank…"
Being enclosed in his suit, Ron's voice didn't sound anything like it would normally, "It's just hitting me, Kim. I'm gonna check on Curt in a little while but at the moment he has friends around him."
The teen heroine shook her head, "With all that we've ever done we're walking around, but Tank…he was just trying to live a life."
"I…uh heard that you threatened the life of the guy who killed Tank, Ron, that's not what we're about…"
"If I find him, Kim…I meant it as a promise. Of course, since they were wearing masks…and I doubt if someone would just brag that he did the deed, there is little chance that I'll find him easily. Of course, with Wade on the job the task got a little easier."
"Ron, you know how I feel about taking lives…"
"Do you feel that way for the guys who saved you and Monique…murder may have been involved there, too."
"What do you know about that, Ron?"
"Not much, I don't have any way of knowing if any of the Yamanouchi guys did that stuff…"
Kim frowned, "According to Monique they did. But they had to, since the bad guys were shooting at them."
"I have a question Kim…"
"Sure."
"When does doing that kind of stuff become excessive?"
"I'm not sure…"
"Listen, I have to get to class and get through school today…"
"Are you working tonight?"
"Yeah, six to eleven.", Ron responded.
"Again?"
"Yeah, then I have ta get the rugrat ready for bed then I have to study.", the sidekick informed his lifelong friend although he didn't mention the training that he did which cut into his sleep.
"That's a brutal schedule Ron, but the offer stands, Eric and I could babysit…"
"I've told you before Kim, I don't want Eric around Sis. Even though he's your boyfriend, he gives me the creeps.", Ron cut his friend off before she could make points on how it would be a good experience for the tyke.
"Well think it over, I've already spoke with Eric about this and he is willing. He even thought it would be a great idea if he adopted Hanna, that would let you have a normal life…"
Our hero wasn't happy about his friend's suggestion, "Kim, I've never had a normal life…Anyway, it's my job to raise Hanna and provide for her. No one should take over my responsibilities. You have world saving to do, at the least, I have raising my sister, so she doesn't have anything but a normal childhood."
"But raising a child will take all your time, and working…when will you have time to go to college Ron?"
"I…I don't know and right now I don't care. Maybe once she gets to grade school, I can start college. Anyway, I'm worried more about how Melanie is handling this…"
"Melanie?", Kim began then said, "Oh, Tank's girlfriend. Yeah, I can see where she would be devastated."
Ron almost rolled his eyes and he might have even gotten away with it since Kim couldn't see all the features of his face, "Yeah, his girlfriend. I have ta check with the guys and see who is going to see her tonight."
"And with everything else you are worried about her…", replied the heroine who did catch Ron's eye roll, but decided not to comment on it because they were running out of time between classes.
"We could get a mission too, Kim.", Ron seemed to chuckle, "But seriously, I have to get to class. My grades are better but that doesn't mean I can slack off."
"You don't let me help with your homework Ron anymore? Why?"
Sigh, "I have commitments as do you and you have Eric who takes up most of the rest of your time…Anyway, I don't love being all sealed up in the suit. It has a time limit to where I could pass out, so I only wear it when I have to.", the former mascot responded.
"I can handle Eric…"
"Not going there Kim. We still have some banter during missions. For now, it works because there are only so many hours in the day."
"Monique still doesn't see you as her friend…"
"Kim I gotta go, but I don't think I was ever her friend like you and I are. I'll see ya."
The blond teen almost ran to his classroom (which was in another hall) and made it to his desk just as the bell rang.
Breathing a sigh of relief, he plopped down next to Justine who had an annoyed expression on her face.
Chad Browne glanced around the class as he took attendance and announced, "Mister Stoppable, it has come to my attention that two weeks ago when you were absent from school for one of your missions you missed a test given by Mister Barkin since he was in for me that day and as you also know he usually gives test when he subs. You must take that exam you understand."
Ron looked bewildered the nodded, "Sure Sir, when do you want me to take it?"
"After school please.", was the answer.
"Sorry, but I'm busy after school Sir, how about during my study hall next period?"
"That is the only time available Mister Stoppable, the one I offered; I will have to give you a zero for missing that exam."
Felix frowned and knew that Steve Barkin had NOT given an exam on that day and wondered what the hell was going on as Justine just glared at the teacher.
Browne continued, "Having gotten that out of the way, class please turn in yesterday's assignment and open your books to chapter thirty-three."
X
Wheels followed a ticked off Ron Stoppable out of the room, "Ron," he began, "we didn't have a test the day you were gone."
"I figured that either you or Justine would have mentioned it in our next study sessions bud, I'm trying to figure out why Browne has turned into a jerk. Of course, with the argument between me and some of the coaches this morning it makes me a little suspicious."
"What are you talking about Ron?"
"Oh. Nothing."
"Nothing?", Felix pushed.
"Nothing worth bothering about Wheels, sorry."
XXX
"County Clerk's Office, how may I direct your call?", a woman's voice inquired.
"May I speak with Miles Gatwick, this is Mister Barkin."
"Hold on please I will connect you.", she replied.
After a few moments, a man's voice came on, "Hello Steve, what can I do for you today?"
XXXXX
Kim Possible, Ron Stoppable, Steve Barkin, Felix, Bonnie 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 just do this to annoy people.
Again, we are adding Jimmy1201 as a beta and I think chapter 30 will showcase his talents.
We'll see ya down the road,
ST-103 and his army.