Annnd we're back a little early this time and surprise we have a new beta: Jimmy1201. I'd like to have him say a few words, but I think he's in a little shock right now. So, everyone has to be nice to him….okay. Anyway, CajunBear will be editing the next chapter.
First off, relax on the meds. No one dies in this chappie although there is an altercation, someone does get hurt, but it's not that bad and gives some insight into a later chapter.
Now, I am currently writing chapter 93 so YES there will be 'graduation' in this tale…well MY version of graduation so by the end of chapter 94 you will need those meds I mentioned earlier.
Again, I want to thank everyone who has read, faved, alerted, followed and or reviewed this ditty. And here is where I get to respond to some of those reviews: Bobtrumpet, Jimmy take a bow, man you don't need but one or two for this chapter Bob, so ease off a little. Binge read after book 3, mannnn that will be punishment; CB73, Barkin and his pals ARE nuts to think that they can get away with anything. They do have the County Clerk in their back pockets so he can change birth certificates and such. Threats to Hanna? Last mistake some of them will make. Kim is exploited, but her personality has her pointed that way. Eric is masterful…well not quite in using the heroine. Monique is going to go through some things and most likely almost cause her to break up with Brick Flagg. And Ron playing by the rules? Has he ever really played by the rules? Sure he knows what the rules are because he's always been on the wrong side of the rules; Gj agent, yeah Monique really only likes Kim from Team Possible. And the house…..it might be more of a problem for 'Eric' than it first seems.
Uberscribbler, oh don't worry there will be more than one explosion. Nah, startlight vision is going to be plenty….turn around? What es des turnaround thing?; Jimmy1201, county clerks handle ALL sorts of mundane things like birth certificates, property taxes. The kind of things that can turn your life into shit.
Welp, let's get this one on the road,
ST-103
The Hunter: Book Two
Chapter 30
Ackerson Funeral Home Lowerton, Colorado, Saturday:
The blond teen who was almost a brother to the deceased had his arm around Melanie Woodson as they sat in the front row before the casket.
With all the stress and being pulled three different ways at once, our hero, finally relented and left his sister in Kim Possible's care even though she also had Eric there as well.
"You know, Tank loved you like a younger brother Ron," Missus Woodson began through sniffles, "He loved all the guys, but you the most, maybe more than his own family."
Dave Alberts put his hand on Ron's back, as Kim Possible's sidekick whispered, "I shoulda been there for him I coulda made a difference."
"No,", Melanie sniffed, "they would have murdered you as well…"
(AN….she had no idea what or who she was talking to.)
Curt and Melissa Whiney were standing by the casket greeting people after they viewed the body. "Who would've thought that Whiney was a natural at this, sort of a sucky skill to have when you think of it," Liz Sours observed from her place next to Dave to take everyone's mind off the pity fest.
Melanie wiped a tear from her eye, "Curt was always the diplomatic one in this group," as more men came to stand next to Curt.
Ron whispered, "Who are they?"
"Tank's brothers Ron, whoever did this had better hope that they don't find out. My hubby had lots of tough friends and his brothers could tear someone apart…"
"They'd better beat me to the perps." The former running back informed her.
"Ron don't get involved. Tank's brothers are mostly cops; they didn't like him playing for more years either."
Kim Possible's sidekick stiffened as he looked at his Kimmunicator which repeated a subdued vibrate code that the teen had set the unit for, "Excuse me for a few minutes, I'll be right back."
XXX
The Possible house:
"What happened to the baby?", James Possible asked with narrowed eyes as he saw the tyke's left arm bent awkwardly. Tim and Jim were kneeling by the tiny accident victim. Tim held his fist out of reach above the infant who was still whimpering although entranced by the light show generated by the small device in the young man's hand. Jim had his hand resting gently on Hanna's chest worried that he was hurting her but not knowing anything else to do to help calm and comfort Ron's baby sister.
'Eric' backed away from the concerned parent and said, "I accidently dropped her, you have my humblest apologies…"
Kim ran into the room, trying to figure out what was going on.
A now pissed rocket scientist stared at the young man, "Eric please leave."
Kim, concern showing on her face, stopped a step behind and to the side of her boyfriend.
'Eric' smirking inside, said in his best 'continental' contrite manner,
"Sir, I am truly sorry about being clumsy…don't send me away….please."
With his hands on his hips, James clarified, "Eric, leave my property….now."
"Dad…" Kim took a step forward.
"Kimmie, you are an EMT act like it, Hanna's arm looks funny to me. Call the ambulance please. I do not want to cause the child more trauma."
"I was going to check on her first…"
"Call the ambulance; her arm looks broken," James ordered, "Now! I will not repeat myself."
"Ambulance is on the way!" Jim announced, happy to have thought of something he could do to help Ron's baby sister and to annoy his own and in his opinion crappy boyfriend.
X
"Let me see the child," the EMT told Kim then asked, "What happened?"
The red-haired teen responded, "My boyfriend was playing with her while I was doing some homework and he said he dropped her."
"Dropped the child?", the EMT asked then rubbed Hanna's side that was away from the arm in question causing the baby to flinch and screech, "Maybe kicked her as well, we are going to have to go the hospital and we are going to have to make a police report and call her parents to meet us there."
James informed them, "Her parents are dead, and her guardian is at a funeral." Then to his daughter he instructed, "Kimmie call Ronald up and inform him about everything….use your PDA thing and go through Wade so there is a record. We have to document this….(James looked at the EMTs who nodded) as a case of possible abuse which I am sure they have to report."
"We do."
"We will follow you to the hospital," James Possible told them.
XXX
Lowerton:
Ron Stoppable quickly walked back in to the funeral home and stopped next to Melanie and whispered, "There was an accident with my sister and they are taking her to the hospital, I have to go."
"Did they tell you what happened."
"No but she might have broken bones I have to get there, I'm sorry about all of this…"
"You are Hanna's parent now, you need to be there," Missus Woodson told him and then rose to give Ron a kiss on the cheek, "Be careful driving, be in control."
"Yes, Missus Woodson, I will," Ron turned to Melanie, "Thanks Mel, I'll talk to you later," Ron said as he walked quickly to the door.
Curt said, "Slow up Ron."
"Yeah…"
"What happened?"
"Hanna got hurt over at Kim's place and she's going by ambulance to the hospital…I have ta check on her," Ron explained.
Dave asked, "Do you want me to go with you?"
Sigh, "No, I can handle it and I don't want you to strand Liz, she has a temper that I can attest to. Listen I don't know how bad it is, but I'm supposed to be the responsible party here and am in charge of the intruder. I'll check in with you guys later…Shit this sucks," Ron explained as he pushed the door open and jogged out to his Mom's car for the drive to Middleton.
X
Middleton Memorial Hospital:
Ron walked in to the ER and asked the receptionist, "Hanna Stoppable was brought in a while ago, I am her brother and guardian….I was attending a funeral in Lowerton."
"Room twelve, I will escort you back to the treatment room Mister Stoppable."
"Thanks, do we know anything yet?"
"I'm not at liberty to say because of HIPAA , but the Doctor will be able to inform you of what they found. Oh, so you know, there is a young lady and an older man with the child," the receptionist informed the blond teen as she led him back to the treatment rooms, "And you should be aware the police are in the room as well getting a statement about the incident."
"Thanks," Ron replied wondering if he would get interrogated about Hanna being injured.
Ron walked in as Kim stood up and he asked, "How is she?"
The red head started sneezing, so the blond teen quickly backed out as the doctor followed him with a questioning look on his face. Before he could ask, Ron simply stated, "Kim is allergic to me, now what is wrong with my sister, and what happened?"
Doctor Jasper responded, "According to Miss Possible your sister was dropped earlier in the day by her boyfriend."
Ron rolled his eyes, "I thought I made it clear I didn't want Eric around Sis?"
James Possible also appeared from the room, "I was sitting in the same room most of the time Ronald, but I had to leave for a few moments to check on what the twins were building in the garage, that's when it happened. We were all on our way back into the house to get sodas when we heard Hanna cry out."
Ron responded, "Thirty-two feet per second per second."
Doctor Possible, famous rocket scientist cocked his head, "How fast an object falls on the face of the Earth. Why did you say that, Ronald?" as the medical Doctor watched.
"How long does it take a baby to fall four feet?", the blond teen asked.
"About one second, there is acceleration…the second thirty-two feet takes less time."
Ron remembering his science class said, "Until you reach terminal velocity."
"Correct…Which is because of wind resistance, in a vacuum the object would keep accelerating."
Sigh, "That's how fast it can happen, shit I hate math and I hate the things I get to think about now being a guardian and all. Thanks to science class I guess I kinda understand it," Ron grumbled, "Doc, can I go in and see my sister?"
"You may, but first I wish to discuss what your sister is suffering from."
"Sure…
"I…uh am not sure how to say this, but your sister's arm was broken, I checked it myself and when we did the whole-body x-ray…well it wasn't…"
"Uh Doc, that doesn't make any sense…"
"I am not finished, she had at least bruised ribs and now there is no…no ah, injury, no discoloration at all."
Sigh, "The next thing you are going to tell me is that my sister is an android?", Ron asked.
"No, she is as human as you or I."
Ron frowned, "I think we should get to the bottom of this."
"I agree, we would like to run more tests and keep her overnight."
"Okay, let me get this straight, my sister was dropped, broke her arm and maybe bruised her ribs and now she's all healed up like it didn't happen. Is there any evidence that Hanna even had the injuries?"
"You understand my quandary Mister Stoppable, there is no evidence to suggest that she has ever been injured."
"Did Kim tell you she can run on the ceiling?", Ron inquired.
"No…" the doctor looked puzzled at the apparent non-sequitur.
"Okay ask Tara King, she sometimes works in the nursery…she can fill you in. Sigh, I agree, we need to do tests at least to make sure your equipment is working correctly, say maybe an overnight stay or a couple of days?", Ron suggested.
"I can agree with that young man; I assume you would like to be here?"
"Yeah," Ron informed the doctor, "but I have to get my assignments from school."
James said, "I will call the school and let them know, I can drop the note off to them at school on my way into work Monday."
"Thanks Mister Docto…uh James. I appreciate the help. I don't want to deal with Steve Barkin at the moment."
"I understand Ronald…"
Ron looked at the two doctors then asked, "Are we done out here?"
Doctor Jasper nodded. As he did so, Ron pulled the hood out of the back of his shirt after he loosened his tie and unbuttoned the collar. The teen pulled the hood forward and sealed it. Then the sidekick pulled the sleeves down and stuck his hands to the gloves that were attached.
Ron's muffled voice came through, "Okay, ready."
"Why are you in that hazmat suit young man?"
"Kim's allergic to me, I can keep this up for about forty-five minutes before I burn up," Ron told the doctor as the teen removed his suit coat and draped it over his left forearm.
Jasper glanced at his watch and motioned for Ron to go ahead.
"Hey intruder," Ron's muffled voice exclaimed.
Hanna's head snapped around (she had seen Ron before in his new 'superman' outfit), clapped her hands, and laughed.
The older brother put his coat down and held out his hands. Kim seeing this stood up and handed the child off to the blond teen.
"I'm sorry about the trouble Ron…"
"Well, the Woodsons understood the sitch and I'll check in with them tomorrow. So, false alarm on Hanna being hurt?", Ron asked.
"I guess, her arm looked broken, but I was wrong unless your sister can magically heal herself in an hour," Kim replied as Hanna played with Ron's suit.
Ron rolled his eyes inside his suit, "That would mean Sis is a super powered ninja baby, wouldn't it?"
"Putting it that way is sorta funny Ron, was Monique at the funeral?"
"No, but Brick was. I think there was bad blood between her and Tank," Ron informed her, "I think it goes back to when I had just got back from my excursion out to the western part of the state. He was really mad at her because of her attitude."
"Monique has a hard time letting things go Ron, something happened to her before she came to Middleton."
"Maybe she should talk to a shrink," the sidekick suggested as he sat down with his sister in his lap.
"I think part of Moni's problem is that she doesn't think she has a problem Ron," Kim replied as she sat down next to him.
"I can't help 'Nique right now Kim, I have enough on my hands and almost every time I turn around it's something else new. I almost swear that I'm being targeted by the devil."
"You don't have to carry everything on your back Ron, it's not all your problem…"
"Well, at least I don't have to worry about playing football anymore and if the school schedule goes too nutso, I'll just drop outta school and get my GED later."
Kim admonished her friend, "Ron, don't talk like that, things will get better…they have to. This is just a bad run of luck, and we are here for you."
James Possible's heart about broke as he listened in on the discussion. The other doctor pulled him out into the hallway. "That's some pretty adult things they are talking about, I hope it gets better for them. Are they dating, with the child and all?"
James lowered his voice as they walked further away, "They did for a while, but Kimmie forgot what he was to her, she has some kind of amnesia…they didn't even break up since she never remembered the relationship. I wish Anne was here, she could fix this."
"Anne Possible?"
James nodded as the other doctor put two and two together then asked, "She's Kim Possible's child?"
[J: Saying "Kim with child" sounds like she is pregnant.]
James half-smiled and clarified to the medical doctor, "Not theirs, she is Ronald's adopted sister. The child is of Japanese heritage."
"How is the boy doing?"
"Like Kimmie, he is finishing high school. I am not sure what his future holds at this point."
Doctor Jasper stared at James, "He is raising a small child while going to high school…that's nuts."
"And that young man works almost every day after school as well. His parents were not wealthy, and he is going to have to move to somewhere more economical," James explained, "It's very difficult to watch from the outside and not be able to help."
"And an almost fulltime job after school as well?", the physician shook his head.
"Normally Hanna is in the nursery here through the week, if Ronald didn't have that I'm not sure how he would do it."
"Too bad the school doesn't have day care, in some areas of the country it is becoming a practice," Jasper informed James.
"A little too late for me and I hope way too early for my eldest," James chuckled.
XXX
The Ranch:
"Well nephew, you seem very happy with yourself after getting back from your girlfriend's home."
"Yes Uncle, I managed to bungle my attempt at babysitting. When left alone with her, I picked up the child and threw her onto the floor. I think I broke her arm, of course, to make sure I then kicked her into a wall," Hans/Eric retorted as he raised a glass of beir to his lips.
Otto narrowed his eyes, "Please do not abuse this child again Hans. I've told you where I stand on child abuse."
"It was only a broken arm…"
"What would you do if the police arrested you for assault on the child considering that you have sued her guardian? Wouldn't that allow the court to take a very good look at your case against them and maybe reverse it?"
"Even if they do, I have still split the dolt and the girl further apart…"
"Oh? You might drive her back to him…"
"But the allergies will keep them apart…"
"And if they come up with a cure? This whole thing falls apart nephew," Otto cautioned.
"Then we simply use the snipers and take the boy out. We will win in this," Hans chuckled then set his brewski down and rubbed his chin.
"What are you thinking of now Nephew?"
"Wouldn't Mother and Father love to have a little Asian baby to raise?"
"What are you talking about? They want to have nothing to do with us especially you since your face is on the most wanted list at Interpol," Otto pointed out.
"My other face Uncle, but the point is they won't have to, we need to make a case against that clown being an unfit guardian for the child, he will be further isolated from support when she is removed. We just have to make it look like his fault and get our perfect Kimberly to back us up."
"I do not see how you will be able to convince her that her buffoon is a menace to children…"
"Not all children Uncle, just his sister. He has called her 'intruder' which is somewhat derogatory, and enough people have heard him. And if my supposed relatives end up with the girl that could cause him to implode," Eric/Hans argued.
XXX
Middleton Memorial Hospital:
"Ronald, we could stay with the baby so you can get some rest…"
"It's my responsibility Sir, you guys head home. I might stay the night here so I might head home for a few minutes to get my homework and some clothes, sis would be easier to get along with if I was here," the blond teen responded as they walked behind the crib being pushed by a male nurse. In truth, the sidekick didn't want anyone to attack his sister like they attacked his Mother before.
Kim frowned, "I need to speak with Eric, he looked traumatized by all this."
The sidekick in Team Possible nodded inside his suit, "Yeah, that's probably a good idea, Kim. I'd hate for him to have a breakdown because Sis busted herself up because she couldn't fly…That would make me feel bad cause I'd probably get sued again for his medical care."
The heroine didn't catch the blond's snark, "Yeah, and his family does so much for disadvantaged people…"
Ron frowned as he realized that she didn't catch what he was tossing as the nurse walked into a room on the second floor, "I'm sure they do Kim, I'm sure they do. Maybe you guys oughta head out I think I can take it from here, I'm sure you missed a meal and are hungry."
James realized Ron was nearing the end of how long he could be in the suit without cooling off for a while * so he asked, "Will it be alright for us to drop by later Ronald?" *(and put up with Kim's obliviousness about her boyfriend) – maybe?*
The nurse locked the wheels on the hospital bed and stepped back.
"Uh sure."
"Do you want us to bring your books up with us?"
"I'll take care of that Sir, a little later, no need to worry."
"Ronald we could…"
"James, your wife is outta town and you need to spend time with your kids. I've learned how fragile life is with my 'rents and all. I wanna make sure that I spend it wisely 'cause you never know when it will come to a screeching halt. My friend, Tank, is being buried today in Lowerton and he leaves behind friends and family because some ass wipe decided to end his existence with a nine-millimeter handgun….spend time with your kids and maybe next weekend you might think about going up to Denver for the weekend."
Kim frowned, "How do you know it was a nine?"
"Kim, I have friends in the police department. That's how."
"I…uh agree Ronald we should go home and check on the twins at least. If you need anything give me a call…"
"I will, Sir."
With that the Possibles left, after they did so, Ron peeked out the door and peeled off the gloves to his suit and unsealed the head gear and pulled it off his head.
"Do you need a drink of water Mister Stoppable?", the nurse whose name was Max, asked.
"Yeah, if you don't mind. If you have time, the last time I was here was when my Mother died and a nurse disappeared, did he ever show back up?"
"I'll ask while I'm getting you some water."
"Thanks, is it alright to let Hanna out of her crib for a while? I'll keep an eye on her."
"As long as you are present and the door is open…yes," the nurse answered as a nurse named 'Jenny' entered.
Ron put his suit jacket over the chair in the room as Jenny said, "I am Hanna's nurse today. I saw from her file she came to the ER with a possible broken arm and damaged ribs."
"Yeah, that's what the people who were watching Sis said," Ron informed her.
"You weren't there?"
"No, I was at a funeral in Lowerton and came back while the ambulance was on the way to the Possible house when Kim called me."
"Doctor Possible's house?", 'Jenny' clarified.
"Misses Doctor P? Yeah, but she wasn't there since she's in Denver till the spring. Kim was babysitting her."
"The word is that she is taking Doctor Swashplate's job since he wants to cut back on his hours."
"Yeah, that's what I heard too," Ron replied as 'Jenny' checked Hanna's temperature.
The blond teen's Kimmunicator began to beep. He hit the connect button, "Yeah Wade."
"How's your Sister, ah…her file wasn't updated yet."
The nurse heard this and cocked her head as Ron laughed, "The hospital now knows that you can get into their system…thanks Wade. Do you wanna explain?"
"Sorry Ron, uh yea, I wanna speak to the person that heard me."
X
"Alright I won't turn you in, but this tech guy needs to be up front with the hospital bigwigs even if this is national security concerns," Jennifer told Ron and Wade, "But you have till Tuesday to inform them, or I'm going to them and tell them everything that you told me."
"I have already done better than that,", Wade responded, "I have notified the government agency we are aligned with, and they have been listening in." Wade also informed her, "They will be coming in…oh just so you know…you will have people tailing you. They already know what you look like since I have a screen shot of your face and a voiceprint, don't be too concerned, they are part of your security."
[J: Is Wade threatening Jenny? It sounds like a threat to me. At least an ominous warning…]
XXX
"Daddy, Ron looks really down…."
"Wouldn't you be down as well if someone walked into Club Banana, murdered Monique and then you are called away from her funeral because one of the twins got into a fight with a bully and ended up in the ER?"
"Dad, that's not the same…"
"I admit it is not exactly the same, but it is close enough to think how you would feel about it. Now add that your Mother and I were dead, and she was murdered. How would you be feeling at the moment."
The teen heroine admitted, "I'd be devastated."
"Add to that having to work every day as well to make ends meet."
"You win Dad."
"Very well, you should at least call Eric up and inform him that Hanna's injuries were not as they first seemed. It might make him feel better."
"I'll um, call him up Dad, but we might go out for dinner tonight."
"Okay honey but remember since it's the weekend you don't have to be in till eleven."
"Thanks Dad, maybe I can convince Eric to take me dancing." (Kim is such the little distracted tart, ain't she?)
XXX
Middleton Memorial:
'Jenny' was back in Hanna's room. Ron got up from the floor after playing with the tyke and said, "I have to make a couple of phone calls outside, will you be alright until I get back?"
"With this sweetheart? Sure, you should go to the cafeteria and get something to eat."
"Yeah, maybe I will. Page me if the munchkin starts running on the walls or ceiling."
"Huh?"
"Ask Tara in the nursery," Ron smirked as he opened the door and said, "Hanna, be nice while I am gone…please."
The blond teen heard as he exited, "Is your brother always that goofy?"
Hana giggled and burbled happily in response.
Ron rolled his eyes as he walked to the elevator and went outside. Then he pulled his Team Possible unit out and hit the connect button.
"Yeah Ron, who do you need?"
"Dave Alberts or Curt Whiney."
"Okay Ron, they are just breaking up from the graveside. The next voice you'll hear is Dave's."
"Thanks Wade."
"Hey Ron, how's your sister?", the former high school quarterback inquired.
Sigh, "No broken bones, but they are going to get her another full body x-ray a little later and maybe an MRI and cat scan to make sure," the former running back informed his backfield friend.
"That's great news Ron, at least she wasn't injured. Was she scared?"
"No, not really…but this just confirms my feelings to keep Kim's squeeze away from my sister."
"What happened?", Dave asked.
"According to Kim, Eric picked her up and dropped her. One plus thing is that James Possible, PhD, was not happy about this happening," Ron responded.
Dave snorted on the other end of the line, "Who would be?"
"What was pretty boy's reaction to all this?"
"Kim said he was devastated, me, I hope he has nightmares over it and that it haunts him till the day he dies."
"Ron, you have ta get over Kim and Eric…"
"Yeah, already figured that one out and I am working on it. Anyway, she goes to England in the fall and I'm going to Lowerton."
"I still think that is bogus Ron…"
"Are you gonna leave?"
"Yeah, but Mike and Curt aren't."
"I'll be close enough to come in and see them once in a while Dave. Most of my friends are going off, I see no reason that I have to stick around since I can't work in the city limits."
"Listen, I think if you cause a big enough stink that would change pretty quick, just think what the newsies could do with it, the guy who is almost an All-American not being able to work in his hometown because of an employment dispute…That would make headlines."
"I don't want headlines Dave, never have…well except that stint with the school paper ya know, but I was younger then."
"We all were…You wanna talk to Curt?"
"No, he's got his hands full right now and he doesn't need my BS to screw him up. Give my best to everyone and I'll see ya Monday," Ron replied.
Immediately after the call disconnected Wade's voice came on, "Ron?"
"Yeah bud?"
"According to the files your sister is going to be fine, but there is going to be an inquiry into the situation. Do you wanna speak with a lawyer?"
"No, but Yamanouchi might want to know what is happening here," the blond teen responded.
"It's the middle of the night there Ron…"
"Can you get hold of them for what is their morning and connect me with them? Sensei isn't going to be happy with this development at all."
"I'll set an alarm Ron."
"Thanks Wade, like Kim says, 'you rock'."
"Just backing you guys up Ron and you just need a little more back up now that you are trying to fly solo."
"Yeah, but I have help Wade, thanks. I have ta go back in and sit with Sis for a while."
"Long night for you?"
"Yeah, there's not any other place I have to be. I'm gonna head home for a while and pickup school stuff and a change of clothes. I think I'll stay up here tonight in case Hanna has a fit and wakes up. I'd hate to have ta pay for a new hospital. I don't think my insurance would cover that."
Wade knew of Hanna's abilities to create havoc and laughed, "Good choice Ron, but your call will come in about midnight or one…just giving ya the head's up."
"I may not act like it Wade, but I'm a big boy."
XXX
The Possible home:
Kim buckled herself into Eric's car as the suave 'teen' asked, "And the child? Is she badly injured?"
"She has light bruises Eric according to the doctor, she should be fine, but they are keeping her tonight in the hospital," the heroine told her 'concerned' boyfriend.
"That is much better Kimberly, but now that I've had time to think about it, I think she was favoring her arm before I picked her up."
"Huh, well I didn't notice that honey, I'm sure you are imagining things."
"If the child were, it could be abuse by her brother and you know that I think he is immature…maybe too much so to care for a child. To alleviate the situation, my family may be interested in take her under their wing and provide her what her brother cannot," Eric suggested as he started his car up and backed out of the driveway. 'I have planted the seed, let's see where this goes.', Eric thought to himself as he mentally chuckled about the chance of screwing with the blond further, and how he would react once he found out his 'best friend' sold him down the river.
(Of course, Hans/Eric didn't expect all his little plots would work, but he knew enough that if he sowed doubt among friends and allies it could tear them apart and allow him to achieve most of what he wanted to accomplish…AN)
X
Pace's Italian Restaurant:
The English 'teen' frowned as he gave his 'professional' opinion of the dish he was sampling (Kim had ordered), "Kimberly, I am sorry, but I don't feel this is authentic Italian cuisine…"
"Ron Stoppable developed this and gave the recipe to Mister Pace," Kim informed her boyfriend.
Eric chuckled derisively, "Are you sure that this isn't something purchased out of a grocery store…In my opinion it is nothing more than a cheap knockoff of the same dish by a reputable chef. I must show my displeasure of the quality to the Manager." The 'teen' then raised his hand to get the waitress's attention.
X
"Yes Sir?"
"This chicken parmesan is more than subpar; it is grossly inadequate and is poor excuse for slop fed to hogs."
"Sir? I assure you that the ingredients are fresh and of high quality as is all our other offerings," 'Susan' replied.
"Eric, please don't make a scene," Kim pleaded turning red with embarrassment.
"Nonsense Kimberly; may I speak with the Manager this instant?"
"He is in the back, I will send him out when he is finished," 'Susan' informed the irate customer as she turned to inform the owner of the customer and his problem with the food.
The 'English' teen sat back in his chair with his arms crossed, "Maybe they will bring out a decent meal, Kimberly."
"Eric, my dinner was fine. I've eaten here before and so have you."
"I suppose you are right, but I want to show my date the finest food that I am able to…"
"That's the problem Eric, this is the best restaurant in Middleton or Lowerton. I don't want to drive to Upperton every time you want to treat me. We live in Colorado not Paris."
Sigh, "Very well Kimberly, but you have to admit that the food was not that good…"
"Actually, I've been to Italy once or twice on missions and the food tasted the same to me. Yes, it might not have been the best and not exactly fit for royalty, but it was very good, and I enjoyed it tremendously," Kim responded.
XXX
Middleton Memorial:
"Hey Sis, how are ya doing?", Ron greeted his sister on the floor tottering around as he walked into her room. He eyed the nurse, "I got it until I have to go home and pick up my homework and some clothes for tomorrow."
"You can't stay here tonight."
"I beg to differ, but my Mom was murdered here not too long ago, and I am more than a little nervous about leaving my baby sister in here without a bodyguard," Ron responded with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
Hanna Stoppable held out her arms and laughed.
With a sigh, the former running back, and high school mascot picked her up. He checked to see if she needed to be changed and chuckled, "Are you holding back on me runt?"
The nurse informed Ron as she looked over her shoulder, "I changed her about a half hour ago."
The former running back smiled as he raised his watch to see the time, "Sis is on her schedule."
X
Later that evening:
"Mister Stoppable, I am going to give your sister a bath. Do you want to grab a bite to eat?"
"Mister Stoppable was my dad… Errrrr, sorry, I'm not hungry, but this will give me the chance to get my homework and some clothes to change into," Ron replied.
"You haven't had anything to eat since you got here? …I checked with the last shift…"
Ron explained, "Since Mom and Dad died, I just don't have the appetite anymore. If it comes to eating or sleeping, I'd rather get the shuteye."
"But you need to eat something…"
"I will if I get hungry."
X
"Ronald?". Officer Wilmar called out after he knocked on the door to Hanna's room.
"Yeah, come on in," Ron said out loud as he set the youngest Stoppable into her crib. "Oh, Officer Hobble and Officer Wilmar. You guys wanna ask some questions I bet."
"Yes laddie,", Clancy Hobble, "we can do this either here or down at the station."
"Why don't we bring in a couple chairs and do it here?"
X
"So, you were at a funeral in Lowerton when you were called to tell you about your sister having an accident?", Wilmar inquired.
"Yeah, Tank Woodson's funeral," Ron explained.
Hobble asked, "And your sister acted normal when you last saw her?"
"Yeah, I dropped her off at the Possibles, 'cause you know Kim does babysitting…Then a couple hours later I got the call and hurried back to Middleton…I shoulda took her with me, but funerals really aren't places for babies to be. Anyway, she looks normal…well as normal as she can…But what gets me is the Doc said there were no injuries. I don't get that especially when they said she was tender…And look at her; does she look tender now? But how can she not even show bruises when Eric admitted to dropping her?"
Officer Wilmar glanced at his partner and nodded, "Thank you for your statement, Ron, we need to get one from Doctor Possible, Kim Possible and this Eric person to complete our investigation."
"I gotta get back to the munchkin before she destroys the hospital; I can't afford to replace it. Let me know if you need to talk again."
XXX
The Possible home:
James answered the door and half smiled as he invited the two policemen in.
XXXXX
Kim Possible, Ron Stoppable, Hanna, Monique, Felix, the tweebs the Doctors Possible and all the other 'canon' characters of the show 'Kim Possible' belong to Bob, Mark and the Disney Corporation and not myself, CajunBear73 or Jimmy1201. We just do this lil hobby to make sure you take your meds and hopefully get on some kind of program to get some expenses paid by some distilleries.
If you are keeping track of the casualties, be forewarned; there will be more and yes that goes for the last chapter too. I wanna kill off Otto, but I just can't find the right place….damn.
We'll see ya down the road,
ST-103