Ch.55
Ron had quickly jotted down a list of ingredients for Mrs. Renton to get at the store and tried to hand some money over but she refused it. After asking Zita and Yori to come with, they went shopping.
Now alone with Felix and Wade, Ron asks again. "So Wade, tell me a price for the holographic tech."
"Well, I'm not really sure." Wade admits.
"I'll make an offer and you tell me if you find it fair." Ron states.
"Okay." Wade agrees.
"Ten million and ten percent of the shares from my company. What do you say?" Ron asks.
"Ten million is less then I estimated but the ten percent shares should more than make me a profit." Wade states thinking a moment. "Alright Ron you have yourself a deal."
Ron shakes Wade's hand and transfers the appropriate amount while Felix looks on in awe. "Ten million just like that."
"Wade I'll leave it to you to take care of the legal procedures for the sale and rights of use. Is that okay?" Ron asks.
"Yeah, no problem." Wade says.
"Next we should work on a scrambling system to build into the Neuro Linker's so that it prevents reverse engineering, that way taking it apart would only let you know it's parts and other companies won't be able to make one." Ron says.
"Great idea, Ron." Felix says.
"Nice work, Ron." Wade agrees.
"I just didn't want anyone stealing from us." Ron says.
Twenty minutes later the ladies came back and Ron started cooking.
~~~~~
"I know I saw the article somewhere." Drakken says aloud as he browses his internet history.
He was currently looking for the key ingredient for his plan to get rid of Kim. An hour later after the distraction of a maid video and giving his hands a workout, he found what he was looking for.
"The rare Amazonian flower, Aurora Orchid." Drakken read aloud and began reading the article again to make sure. A few minutes later and he was certain. Checking who found the flower proved a simple task as they were credited at the bottom of the article.
"Found by renown archeologists, Lord Montgomery Fiske." Drakken read and contacted Monkey Fist.
When the video call connected Monkey Fist greeted. "Hello Drakken, to what do I owe the pleasure of this call?"
"Monkey Fist, I am in need of the Aurora Orchid for my plans to rid us of Kim Possible once and for all! Do you happen to have any on hand?" Drakken goes straight to the point asking.
"Ah, a most interesting endeavor. Sadly I do not have any on hand." Lamented Monkey Fist before adding. "But I'll make an exception and procure some for you since I know the specific location of the flower."
"That will be most appreciated." Drakken states, adding. "Once I, Dr. Drakken have eliminated Kim Possible once and for all, I shall notify you first."
"I look forward to the news." Said Monkey Fist with a cruel smile.
~~~~~
After dinner Ron brought everyone back to the lab and got ready for the testing on his upgrades.
Having Wade give him a quick overall of the holographic tech he started implementing some changes. Twenty minutes later Ron hooked Yori to some sensors and started to run a simulation. To everyone the holographic tech displayed Yori in a dojo moving her holographic image to the real ones movements.
Ron sat down and gave the dive command to join the simulation. "Burst Link."
A holographic Ron joined Yori in the dojo wearing a white gi. Everyone saw as Ron and Yori approached each other. Ron reached out and Yori grabbed his hand.
There was a moment of silence before Ron spoke. "Success. At the moment it should be a one to one equivalent for the sense of touch. Wade input command Alpha into the program that will start the limitation to a ten percent sense of touch."
"Got it." Wade said and inputted the command.
Ron and Yori proceeded to touch again and exchanged a few hits. A few minutes went by and Ron spoke again. "Wade input command Beta into the simulation please."
"Here goes." Wade declared tensing as weapons appeared in the dojo.
"Yori let's begin the last phase. Grab a weapon and let's see if the safety steps in place for weapon damage are enough." Ron explained.
"Ron-san are you sure there won't be a problem?" Yori asks.
"A 100%, Yori." Ron confidently replied.
"Okay." Yori said and grabbed a katana.
Everyone tensed as Ron slid his hand across the blade that Yori held.
"Pain is like a touch to the skin. Next test is for continuous pain. Yori sever my hand." Ron instructed.
Yori's hands trembled before she took a calming breath and swung the blade. Ron's hand hit the ground and another moment of silence ensued.
"All within acceptable parameters. We have a success." Ron declared. Afterwards Ron asked Yori to try the various weapons, confirming for each that the pain was negligible. He even had mortal wounds but they left no visible effect on Ron.
Even Wade who was monitoring Ron's vitals saw no extreme changes even as the wounds appeared. As everyone watched Ron ended the dive and took off the Neuro Linker, moving to inspect his body before speaking. "There's no negative effects from loosing a limb in the dive or mortal wounds. We have a full success on pain integration tests." Ron said noticing Yori and everyone visibly relax at his words and then cheer.
After checking on Ron, everyone had a go at the simulation confirming for themselves the extent of Ron's upgrades. Each admitting that at one to one ratio it was no different from reality and that the limits to the sense of touch only helped to identify points of contact, posing no threat to the user.
While everyone had their try of the simulation Ron pulled Yori to the side. "Are you okay Yori?"
"I am fine Ron-san." Yori answers.
Ron, feeling that Yori was still tense, brought her into a hug. "I know there's something on your mind but I won't ask, just know that I'm here if you need to talk."
After slight hesitation Yori explains what was troubling her. "Ron-san I talked with Master Sensei about Shego-san's and your feeling that I'm in danger and he confirmed that there's a real possibility you guys might be right."
"This is good news." Ron says after thinking a moment.
"Ron-san how is this good news? It's been confirmed that I'm in danger, making me a potential distraction to your safety and training." Yori demands.
"Wait Yori, you misunderstood me." Ron said and begins to explain. "Now that I know that this feeling is real I can finally take steps to ensure your safety. Before all we had to go on was a vague feeling, now Sensei expressed trust in its warning. Now all that's left is working on something to keep you safe. Do you understand what I mean? We have been warned early and now can take precautions."
"You're right Ron-san, this can only serve to warn us." Yori admits.
"Yup." Ron says and brings Yori towards the Neuro Linker so she could try the simulation and he can talk to Zita.
As Yori tries the simulation, Ron explains that they should use the sensors to start updating the movements available in the game so that the player would be able to move freely instead of in preprogrammed patterns.
~~~~~
Kim was glad to have made it home with plenty of time before her date with Josh. There have been times she's forced to reschedule because of a mission so she was glad to not have her plans disrupted.
For Kim, her evening with Josh was perfect. They went out to dinner and a movie before taking a walk in the park. As they talked and laughed they came closer and closer together till conversation was no longer needed, sharing a few passionate kisses.
When Josh dropped Kim off at her house they shared a quick kiss before Kim made her way inside and started dialing Monique.
On the third ring Monique picked up asking. "So how was it?"
"Monique it was amazing. Josh took me to an Italian restaurant before going to the movies. Then we went for a walk in the park and ended up kissing for a while. He was amazing." Kim explained.
"Girl, I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. Now tell me was he a good kisser?" Monique said sounding genuinely happy for Kim then asked.
Kim's and Monique's girl talk went on for two hours before they called it a night. Kim then proceeded to update her diary before getting ready for bed.
Kim once again thought about Ron and the fact she messed up his shot at a scholarship, feeling guilty. 'I only did it to bring us closer, why did he have to have a shot at a scholarship ruined. If he finds out it was me, Ron would never forgive me.' With that thought in mind Kim laid down in her bed.
In the morning, Kim went about her routine while looking forward to lunch later.
~~~~~
Ron woke up in his bed withYori next to him and couldn't help but look at her. She was wearing his jersey, which made Ron proud and had a smile on her face even as she slept. Ron knew he had a smile of his own as he brought Yori closer to his chest and gave her a quick kiss.
After enjoying Yori's soothing presence for a while Ron reached for his phone that was on the nightstand and started to check his email. The parts for the security upgrades that Shego wanted to implement into the workshop were scheduled to arrive in the afternoon along with the parts for the sleek Neuro Linker design. Idly rubbing Yori's back, Ron looked to his desk thinking of the USB flash drive and decided to show it to Ann. She had the right to decide what direction her life took and he would simply provide her information.
His mind made up Ron slowly left the bed making sure not to wake Yori. Grabbing a shower and getting dressed Ron went downstairs to make some breakfast. By the time he finished cooking Yori was downstairs in her training gear. Ron greeted her with a Ronshine smile and a kiss to which Yori happily responded.
They ate while holding a light conversation as Yori explained that she would start his next phase of training. Ron was surprised seeing as he had yet to learn the latest lesson. When he mentioned this Yori explained that not moving forward would have a negative impact on his training and that she would still bring up the lesson when they sparred. With Yori's assurance Ron relaxed and looked forward to it.
After breakfast they went for their morning run and by the time they came back Ron was covered in dirt and paint. During the run Yori and the ninjas ambushed Ron with traps or weapons explaining his appearance. Had the exercise been real he would have died ten times that morning.
Later grabbing a shower with Yori and having sex, Ron led them to the lab where Felix, Zita and Wade were already working.
"Morning guys, when did you get here?" Ron asks.
"Me and Zita got here about half an hour ago." Felix answers.
"Never left." Wade says.
"Okay Wade, I'll make you something to eat. Want any Felix, Zita?" Ron says and asks.
"We're good." Zita replies.
Ron came back from the kitchen holding a tray of scrambled eggs, bacon, toast and oj. Handing it to Wade, Ron got to work on some features for the Neuro Linker.
By 11am the device had a built in scrambler so its programs and features were safe and for good measure an overload feature that would fry the system when certain parts were dismantled without imputing codes beforehand. Checking the time Ron noticed he had to go meet Kim and did just that.
~~~~~
Kim got to Bueno Nacho after Ron which wasn't surprising since Ron wouldn't miss a meal let alone be late for one.
Sitting with Ron at their booth Kim saw he ordered for both and that Rufus was swimming in his nachos.
"Hey KP, for a second I thought you weren't going to make it." Ron jokes after greeting her.
"Hey Ron, why would you think that?" Kim asked.
"No reason really, just a passing thought." Ron openly lied. Seeing this Kim wanted to press for an answer but Ron spoke first. "Anyway what have you been up to the last couple days? Didn't really get a chance to ask when we went on the mission yesterday."
"Oh I've been hanging out with Josh. He even promised that he's working on a surprise for me. Can't wait to see it." Kim quickly explains before asking. "What have you been up to?"
"Working on a project." Ron says not moving to explain further.
"Who do you have doing the work this time?" Kim asks.
Blushing Ron says. "Hey that's the old Ron, I'm pulling my own weight this time."
At his words they shared a laugh as they ate.
From what Kim could see Ron was in a good mood even though she expected him to be down with what happened to the scholarship so she decided to ask. "Ron I... I heard you had a scholarship riding on the food presentation the other day. How are you holding up with what happened?"
"So you knew huh. It was going to be a surprise." Ron said while looking at Kim then asked. "How did you find out?"
"Wade told me after the food inspector showed up. I'm sorry." Kim explained and took the chance to apologize though Ron didn't know for what.
"No need to be sorry Kim, it's not like you called the food inspector. When I find out who did they're going to get a piece of my mind though." Ron said missing the brief panicked look that Kim had. "That aside, though but fair Barkin came through for me and the scholarship people got to eat my food. They offered me a ride and I think I'm going to take it."
"That's great, congratulations." Kim said sweating a bit.
"Thanks." Ron says and adds as an afterthought. "That reminds me I'm going to ask Wade to look into the food inspector thing, he should be able to get to the bottom of it."
"Great idea, knowing Wade he'd be glad to look into it." Kim said already wanting to talk to Wade about keeping it from Ron and letting her be the one to 'tell' him.
Like this Ron and Kim continued to enjoy each others company, even stopping at the Mall for some shopping. A couple hours later they parted at Kim's house, Kim making that call to Wade.
~~~~~
Ann was going over some paperwork after her last surgery when a call came in. "Dr. Possible, to whom am I speaking?"
"Hey Ann, its Ron. I was wondering if I could stop by the hospital and talk to you?" Ron asked on the other end of the line.
Ann's heart sped up when Ron called her by name. Quickly agreeing she couldn't stop smiling.
Ron knocked on her office door not twenty minutes later. Ann welcomed him with a smile but seeing Ron's serious appearance her mood dimmed a bit.
"So Ron, to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" Ann went straight to the point and asked thinking that Ron wanted to talk about them having sex but unsure what direction the conversation would take.
"Ann there's something I've wanted to tell you for a long time but I didn't know how to go about it." Ron said till here and paused, while Ann felt her heart race and smiled. 'He has a crush on me! So cute.' She thought before Ron continued. "Then there is Mr. Dr. P promising to send me to a blackhole if I ever talked." 'James knows? That's odd.' Ann thought. "And the effect it would have on your marriage. Add that we were sexually involved and bringing this topic up will not go well but you have a right to know."
Ann was excited though a bit confused as Ron was nearly rambling. Looking at his face she spoke to get his attention. "Ron." He didn't look up. "Ron look at me." He lifted his eyes to meet hers. "Take a deep breath and say it."
With a tear falling from his eyes Ron took a deep breath and spoke, his words not what Ann had expected to hear. "Mr. Dr. P has been cheating on you for at least the last six years."
The room went quiet as Ann opened her eyes wide and started to quietly cry before her expression turned to anger. Shouting Ann asked. "Is this really what you wanted to tell me? That my husband is cheating on me. Isn't the timing too perfect. We had sex recently and now my husband is cheating. I know we made a mistake. I'm the one who cheated and in the right circumstances I would do it again but to lie about my marriage. Ron that's beneath you."
Ann saw as Ron's expression disappeared at her words though he briefly showed surprise when she admitted she'd have sex with him again if the circumstances were right. When she finished shouting at him the only sign of emotion on Ron's face were the tears in his eyes.
"I'm sorry Ann but it's the truth." Ron said again in a eerily calm voice and stood walking over to her.
Ann who was standing since she started shouting, looked at the approaching Ron and smacked him across the face. Ron was stunned and stopped moving a moment as Ann began to speak. "Ron this is not how you should have gone about this. You should have told me your feelings not involve my marriage."
Nodding Ron started approaching again as Ann backed away and around the desk. When Ann thought Ron would speed up his approach he simply reached into his pocket for a USB flash drive and inserted it to the computer. After manipulating the computer for a bit Ron straightened and looked Ann in the eyes. He needed no words to explain what he put up on the screen and Ann's curiosity did the rest.
Going back around her desk Ann stood next to Ron and looked at the computer. It was filled various surveillance footage from the space center. When she enlarged the first one Ann's heart felt like it had been torn from her chest. Her husband was kissing Wanda Wong, one of the board of directors at the space center. Ann didn't want to believe it so she went to the next video and the one after that. Their message was clear, her husband was cheating on her. After seeing all the clips and even the one where James threatened a younger Ron into silence at the space center, Ann had no choice but to believe.
Crying into her hands, Ann sat in her chair. Ron reached down and rubbed circles on Ann's back as she let her pain out. After a few minutes of this Ann spoke. "I'm sorry Ron. You only tried to show me the truth and here I am hitting you while deluding myself. I'm a joke."
"Nothing to be sorry about Ann. I don't think I would have reacted better if someone tells me my wife is cheating on me. Specially after being intimate with that person." Ron admits quietly his voice still eerily calm. "You have to understand it's his lose Ann. He has been cheating on you for such a long time, disregarding the home you have built together. Now you know and can decide what to do going forward. You can ask for a divorce or seek marriage counseling and start over. It's your choice."
Ann felt Ron's words sink into her heart and started to think. 'Ron's right, with this evidence I can get a divorce if I wanted too but what would that do to the kids? I can also confront James and come clean about sleeping with Ron so we can start over but after cheating on me for so long can I really trust him? And then there's Ron. What impact will James finding out about us sleeping together going to have on Ron and the kids? What would Ron do if I left James? Can me and Ron be a couple even though I'm old enough to be his mother? What would Kim think about it? No, me and Ron can't start seeing each other, the impact on our families would be too great.' With that last thought Ann at least made up her mind on her relationship with Ron going forward.
Through the tears, Ann looked up and said to Ron. "I'd like to be alone now, you can go home."
Ron looked at Ann deeply before nodding and heading to the door, giving Ann the feeling she'd never see him again.