Betrayal
-Epilogue-
:
:
:

Thick fingers gingerly touched the bandage around his midsection, checking to see if it was still in place. The touch however was more than was bearable, eliciting a wince of pain. Removing the fingers the young man stared at himself in the streaked and dirty bathroom mirror. Frowning he lowered his gaze to his exposed wrist taking in the healing cut located there. Frowning he picked up the bandage roll, rewrapping it.

Satisfied he flexed his hand, then let out a breath as he turned to the closed door of the musky and dim bathroom. Resting his hand on the dirty doorknob he stood there, apparently considering something serious. Closing his eyes he opened the door, stepping out into the small dingy apartment.

Opening his eyes he tugged the sleeve of his shirt down, avoiding the gaze from the girl seated on the sagging couch. Done he looked back up, glancing at her only briefly before he walked over to stare at the two battered boxes seated on the couch next to her. Reaching into the box he picked up a picture frame, then immediately replaced it.

"You should be happy," Ron murmured finally meeting the girls slightly accusing gaze.

"Why's that? 'Cause now me and Brain can move in together?" the girl retorted sarcastically "You know better than that. We can't share an apartment...we can just barely get along in the same building."

Grunting Ron looked down, folding the box shut. That done he looked back up at her, hand instinctively going to the bandaged wound in his stomach "You're taking this worse than Brain. He understands and agrees its time I moved on."

"Don't give me that."

"Ashley I'm tired. I won't last much longer here, you know it. How long do you honestly think I can keep going like this?" Ron asked gently "Not long. I'm moving to the dorms, I'm getting my life going again."

"How exactly are you going to afford-"

"Mom and dad agreed to pay the extra money until I can get a better job." Ron said cutting her off, his voice lacking malice "Just be happy for me Ashley."

The girl snorted, settling on glaring at him for the moment. Ron shifted his gaze from her toward the small alcove where the front door creaked open and then slammed closed. Seconds later he was greeted with the sight of a young apathetic brown haired man, dressed in a faded heavy metal shirt and black jeans walking into the apartment.

"Hey Bri-"

"She's here Ron," the young man said detachedly, hands in his pockets "Out in the hallway."

Ron stood there a moment, then glanced at Ashley who was scowling before looking back to Brian nodding. He had taken three steps around the couch heading for the door when Ashley stopped him with her question.

"So what are you going to do?"

"Give her exactly what she deserves." Ron answered evenly, his voice hard and decisive.

It was obvious he had a million choices on what to do and what to say. It was also very clear to the two friends that beneath the hate and the loathing, and everything else Ron felt toward Kim, he still cared and might even still love her.

It was just that simple and that complex.

Ron, seeing that neither had anything else to say, continued on his way stopping at the door for a moment. Taking a breath he opened it and stepped out into the dimly lit hallway, closing it behind him.

"You're-You're looking good Ron." Kim murmured, adjusting the duffle bag on her shoulder. Her attractive face still bore a few thin lines from where Monique had used her nails, but they were healing. "Glad they didn't keep you at the hospital, I know how much you hate them."

"Yea," he grunted, studying her features carefully before speaking in a slightly softer tone "How are you doing?"

"Oh," Kim said startled staring at him curiously "I'm doing fine...the doctors say I won't have any scars, just a few more days and you'll never be able to tell I was mauled by a psycho." she paused sighing "Monique's family isn't too thrilled with us getting their daughter put in the psych ward. But they did apologize."

Ron nodded, his eyes lingering on the corner of her mouth "It is our fault Kim, it doesn't excuse what she tried...but its our fault."

"We we're teenagers Ron, what'd we know about the real world?" Kim asked softly lowering her head, taking a breath.

"So you going home today?"

"Yea...I-I got to get back to school and apologize to my mom and then..." Kim answered looking back up at him "Are you still going to move out?"

"Yea," Ron grunted allowing the silence to fall between them. He watched her as she almost seemed huddle against herself, how her posture spoke not only nervousness but fear. Because of him. Sighing softly he cautiously reached out to touch her shoulder his voice almost as soft as it was that night so long ago "Kim."

Kim stared at him, her eyes scanning his face restlessly "Yes?"

Keeping his hand in place, he continued "I'm sorry about...slapping you...I should have never done that. No matter how much..." he hesitated struggling to say it now "No matter how much I hated you...I should have never hit you." When Kim nodded he sighed again "Now I'm going to give you what you deserve. What you really deserve."

Kim nodded, biting her bottom lip. Ron, using the hand on her shoulder pulled her in to his chest, wrapping his other arm around her. Once she was in the embrace he closed his eyes and he rubbed her back. It was to much for Kim and she began crying yet again, staining his shirt with her tears "KP, I'm sorry..."

Kim's only response was to cry a little harder. When they finally separated, Ron let her go without a word. Kim stared up at him, gracing him with a small smile "Thanks, I-"

"It's what you deserve..."

"I-I guess your right," Kim muttered, still giving him that small smile "I better go now. I'll see you later, Ron?"

Ron remained silent, as if considering what agreeing to that might mean. Sighing he shrugged seeming to come to some private realization "Yea, I suppose so." He was startled when she suddenly stood on her tip-toes and kissed his cheek. Then backing up she turned, adjusting her duffle bag as she walked to the stairway. Turning she gave him a small wave, then when he waved back she disappeared down the stairs.

Ron stood there staring after her, his uncertainty clear for a moment. Then, almost reluctantly, he turned and opened the door stepping back into the apartment only to come face to face with a clearly irritated Ashley. "Well did you give it to her?"

Ron grunted and pushed past her, heading for the chair where he had his jacket was laying. Pulling it on, he turned considering a still irritated Ashley. Shaking his head he walked back to her, then past her only to stop when she grabbed his arm yanking him around to face her.

"Well?"

Ron glared at her for a moment then yanked his arm away from her, his voice hard "I gave her exactly what she deserved." That said he turned continuing to the front door "I'm going to Buneo Nacho." That said he opened the door and walked out of the apartment, closing it behind him with a loud thunk. Ashley stared after him then turned, arms crossed as she walked over to the chair and sat down heavily. Quietly she watched as Brain moved his lips while reading his book from his spot on the couch, apparently intent on saying nothing.

"Do you think he really gave her what she deserved?" Ashley finally asked, clearly upset.

The brown haired boy glanced at her over the top of his glasses then stood, book held at his side. Staring at her as if considering what she had asked he pushed his wire-framed glasses up his nose before nodding "Of course he did." That said he walked to his bedroom, slipping through the slightly ajar door which closed behind him once he was inside, leaving Ashley alone in the chair staring at the ugly bare spot where a TV should be.

Outside the first stinging drops of rain splattered against the window of the apartment.

Cast/Performers
(in order of appearance)
Kim Possible
Josh Mankey
Kim's roommate
Monique
James Timothy Possible
Mrs. Possible
Jim and Tim Possible
Delivery guy
Bonnie Rockwaller
Bobby
Wade
Justine
Ron Stoppable
Zita Flores
Brian Waters
Ashley
Carlos
Keisha

Adapted and directed by
Geor-sama

Written and directed by
Geor-sama

Music adviser
Classic Cowboy

Title music
Snow of Our Memories

Translation (by)
Yamal

Based on an original idea by
Ron Stoppable

Devised by / deviser
Ron Stoppable

Dramatized by
Geor-sama

From an idea by
Ron Stoppable

Series created by / series creator
Disney

Special Thanks to:
Ron Stoppable, Classic Cowboy, Yamal, Frederick Aloysius, Fanfiction(dot)net and most importantly: ALL THE FANS!

Ron's Theme-Incomplete... ...Kim's Theme-Fragile

Main Theme- Snow of Our Memories

-Fin