Author's Note: woo! Here we go, the SECOND STORY LIEK OMG FINALLY. If you are new to the Equal Romance Trilogy stop right there and read this! This is a continuing story, the second in a trilogy. If you are planning on reading this story, it is highly recomended that you read the first story: Equal Romance :01: Tension Living. Yes, it's long, but this story isn't going anywhere. You'll be caught up to speed on what's going on and you won't have the ending of the first story spoiled for you ;0.

And to my returning readers, thank-you for your interest in my story!

Question time!

1. Yes, I have the whole trilogy all mapped out. For this second story, I know how many instalments there are and what will happen in each one (there is the possibility of a merge/separation though; like in Tension Living, 02 & 03 were originally one chapter and this one was originally two chapters). Sometimes I do throw in smaller scenes that weren't in the original plan, mainly to help connect things or something fun :P

2. Yes, in Obscure Ways to Devotion, there'll be 'abnormalities' like the hand-holding thing in Tension Living.

3. Ron's Monkey Powers? There's definately a possibility of them resurfacing later on in this fict ;D

4. Not an answer to a question, but thank-you for understanding that I also have RL issues to deal with! Due to circumstances out of my control, I haven't been able to write on this story in a long time, it was SO frustrating, lemme tell you. I was able to campout on the bathroom floor at one in the morning writing on ER in a tiny notebook however 8D;

5. Thank-you for the apology, drakken. I'm sorry, but no. This is not a request fic, I already have the story planned, I know what's going to happen and it will happen the way the story is meant to be told.

6. 'Cos' is a slang abreviation for 'because', I've seen it written as such before. I think it's in my slang dictionary too gasp:0

7. Lol that's ok! Yes, I am female :D

8. After finally watching So the Drama, Maggie's name was changed to Jessica.

This instalment is really long, sorry, but Loo and I thought it best to merge the original instalments one and two. But I think it'll be ok since I've deprived you for so long :x SORRY. I'll try to let it not happen again but who knows what life will fling at me next x.x;;

Some of you wrote truly beautiful reviews, you know who you are and I thank you a billion times over times five plus four. Deeper reviews like that really help me and are just plain wonderful to read. Thank-you for taking your time to do so.

I'd like to thank the reviewers who reviewed 'Tension Living 12: Prelude to Obscure Ways': Classic Cowboy, I walk alone, Liliac Moon, Masau, Ashley, John Steppenwolf, Nessa, Cold-Chaos, nebulia, Crystal-One, Sean, Paul Stoppable, Dragonslayer527, JPMod, LJ Fan, Gryfffinrose, Forlong, Fernnu, kpShadowGirl, Zippy, CPO3, Nakasumisan24, MtnRon, Dreamer007, BabyMama9672, knuckz, Mavyric, Aldea Donder, Taka, Akemi, DigiSim, Caiyne, Razzle Jazzle, crazyboutbooks, Sukari, scubagurl, YamiSakura989, Sessha WaRurouni, Spider-Woman, BrattyBrina, Salimoo, continental-line,Char, Ptashi & Loo (... I've nothing to say actually. It's quite sad that we haven't talked in awhile. NO SODA FOR YOU. Or Rondrugs. Definately not .0.)

A. King

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¤ Instalment 01 »» Tension Reprisal ¤

I was really expecting it

I was really doubting it

What was it? Who was it?

They say he's a good person

He seems like a person I don't care about

-Ayumi Hamasaki, 'Boys and Girls'

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In Middleton High's school cafeteria, Ron Stoppable sat chewing despondently on a carrot stick as he listened half-heartedly to his friend's talk of the new Zombie Mayhem video game instalment due to come out for the Holiday season.

"I heard there's twelve unlockable weapons to select from," Felix intoned after swallowing his bite of tuna sandwich. "Three of which are brand new! I saw a screenshot of one of them, but you can never tell if they're gonna be of any good until you actually use them in the game," he laughed.

"H'm," Ron replied to which Felix murmured a sigh. This seemed to be Ron's favoured reply for the past four weeks.

But then, Ron had a lot to dwell upon during those four weeks; Felix understood this and remained diligently patient with Ron's dull and tedious funk. Not that Ron ever had his uplifting moments, but those were always rare and few, never happening at school and only when he was in company of Felix and Rufus, his only friends. It was as if the school building itself dragged Ron down, secreting some sort of special poison or other that could only effect Ron's attitude.

It was a sort of poison, Felix knew: a poison of infectious memories. Memories that swirled inside Ron's mind and lingered like an unwanted shadow from the moment the blonde haired, brown eyed boy stepped upon the premises. Even with all the memories the surrounding area brought forth for Ron Stoppable, it was made all the worse by the constant sight of the person who had caused all of his current woes:

Kim Possible.

School was the only place he ever saw her nowadays, she had to be the source of the poison, not the school. True, it was hard to believe that the month of September had passed them all by and it brought in the month of October. A new month usually meant changes, but not for the relationship between Kim and Ron however. It was this that was Ron's constant fraught.

Nothing at all developed between the two once the best and closest of friends anyone at Middleton High had ever seen, who had been on the very verge of becoming more than just that, had torn apart from one another in such an inexplicably violent way. After their hands had separated from one another, after that following day, the two had not even exchanged one single word with the other. Ron was past attempting contact with Kim, he had appeared to have accepted this tragic schism in their friendship.

No. Ron had not totally accepted this through all those four weeks that had passed by. He had only 'come to terms' with it. Barely.

How could he accept it when his feelings for Kim, like their broken ties, remained unchanging? How could he when he felt his own heart bleed whenever he sighted Kim with Josh Mankey?

Josh Mankey. And to believe Ron had once erased that blasted boy from his worry-chart forever. To think Ron had once been relieved in thinking Kim would never have any sort of affection for that boy again. What a laugh!

If four weeks had passed since Kim and Ron separated hands, then that meant Kim and Josh had also been dating for a full thirty-three days. Thirty three days they had been dating Who knew what could have happened during that time. Who knew how their relationship could have developed or what they might have shared with one another during those cursed thirty-three days.

Those thoughts never graced Ron's mind with absence. Every time he spotted Kim standing with Josh at his locker, admiring some stupid painting he did, walking down the halls with him, or sitting with him in the cafeteria just as they were doing now, Ron's mind would be flooded with his own curiosity; wondering how close they were… how close things could get…

Ron wouldn't dare approach Kim anymore, not since the day after Kim had denounced him with a sharp physical branding of repent. Not since Kim had taken her usual seat in Chemistry class. That spoke volumes to Ron. Before, during that day, it was Kim who would distance herself from Ron, seating herself elsewhere as he took his usual seat hoping Kim would sit with him as she always did. But when she took up her usual seat, that said to Ron that she would not hide from him, he would have to hide from her. He had to change his seat. Ron had to make the adjustments, not Kim. That hurt him still.

Maybe he would approach her… maybe if he found some confidence in those firm, glimmering green eyes that he found so attractive. But he never did. Although they exchanged not a word, they often exchanged glances. This is what caused what little hope that somehow sparked within Ron on occasion to diminish.

Her eyes were always callous to him and yet so endearing when gazing upon Josh's handsome form. When looking at Ron and gazing into his eyes as he looked into hers, they were always scrutinizing and filled with such a strong emotion that Ron feared, feared might one day turn to hatred, if it was not so already. This is what made Ron loose any confidence in approaching her. He couldn't bare the thought of accidentally pushing her to that brink. He could not fully live if Kim Possible hated him.

And so it all was that added up to Ron's replied 'H'm' that Felix composedly accepted. Felix himself had no notion of how long Ron's upset state would continue, especially if it had been going on for a full month now. He truly hoped it wouldn't last much longer yet not for his own sake in dealing with Ron. No, Felix was much too charitable for that, but for Ron's own health, not to mention his grades.

Both slipped drastically ever since. Without Kim to aid him and cram with, Ron's grades, which had, back then, been rising slowly, began to drop. Even in Ron's cooking class did Ron's grades decline, which really only proved it was not only Kim's lack of help, but Ron's own poor attitude affecting his grades. Not that Ron cared about his descending grades, his mind was so fixated on his depression (no, not diagnosed), that he began not to care.

Felix wasn't positive on this, but he felt as if Ron's health was also decreasing. But maybe it was just Ron's continual wilting attitude. Felix had no way of knowing this, but he was spot on with that guess.

Ron's fevers were more frequent and heightened in temperature. The ill feeling in his stomach increased and was almost always with him. Often Ron felt like throwing everything up but somehow managed to keep it down, going at an easy pace.

At the beginning, when he and Kim were still stuck at the hands, Ron thought his stomach sickness and reoccurring fevers was some illness that had managed to penetrate his Stoppable Immune System and would be gone in a matter of days.

Wishful thinking on Ron's part. Yes, he thought about going to see the school nurse from time to time when the thought drifted into his mind, but honestly, he saw no point in doing so. He always told himself it would clear up in a day or two, although it only worsened.

Eventually, although it was persistently with him, his mysterious illness took a backseat on his priority chart to his feelings.

His longing feelings for Kim…

There she sat now, Ron observed, turning his head away from Felix and away from Rufus too (who was probably in the process of thieving Ron's unattended Lunch…). How beautifully she had brushed her flowing, radiating red hair that morning and how serenely she sat… side-by-side Josh Mankey who was talking merrily with his artist pals at a far away lunch table.

Huh, Ron snorted. How could she have ever thought he would ever treat her like an object to gain pleasure from when it was obviously Mankey treating her so? She sat diligently, silently at his side like some elegant ornament. If it were he instead of Josh at her side, Ron would be engaging with her, telling her a joke, talking with her and enjoying her presence. Appreciating her presence. Not ignoring her. She deserved better…

And how Ron yearned to show Kim how much he desired her. How he deserved to desire Kim.

"So, what do you think?" Felix pressed after the long pause. "It's going on my Christmas list."

Ron turned his head back to Felix beside him on his other side, although he responded, his eyes looked remote. "Oh yea, me too, sounds like fun."

"What sounds like fun?" said a new voice from behind and the two boys plus naked mole-rat turned around to face Gil who was approaching with Prince Wally right behind.

"The sound of your feet walking in the other direction," Ron retorted; Felix smiled and Rufus returned to eating Ron's lunch.

Gil took up a seat on Ron's free side, blocking his view of Kim "Oh, that hurts, Squeeb," Gil replied, rolling his eyes. "Are you still in a Kim-induced funk? Yeesh, I thought this would have blown over already."

Ron turned away and commenced poking at his mashed potatoes with his silver fork; the few potatoes that remained from Rufus' scrounge anyway. "Ugh, you don't get anything, just leave me alone."

"Teen angst, ahoy," Gil laughed. He leaned forwards and asked of Felix, "Is he like this twenty-four/seven? Or am I just special like this?"

"He's been like this ever since," Felix shrugged.

Ron glared at Felix with his head still down, "Don't need ta talk like I'm not here. Thank-you, but I am still here, y'know."

"Which is really too bad," Gil mulled, resting his chin in the palm of his hand.

Ron shot Gil a look.

"Y'know, sometimes I wish I had ripped you apart way back when we were all at Camp Gottagrin, it'd put you out of this misery," Gil said conversationally.

"Oh, that's nice to know," Ron's voice dripped heavily with sarcastic venom, Rufus giggled, but at whom it was hard to tell.

Wally sat down gingerly in the chair next to Gil, facing Ron. "Haven't you ever tried to do something that you commoners might call 'fun'? It might cheer you up."

"Aww, Wally, didn't know you cared for Ronnie here," Gil mocked, grinning broadly.

"I don't," Wally sniffed, flicking a crumb off the table in front of him. "But if I sound like I care I might earn his vote for class president."

"Going for your third year in a row?" Felix asked, sceptically.

"I haven't lost to anyone yet, not even Kim Possible," Wally said, his pompous nose in the air, "She really can do anything. Like loose to a prince… like me."

At this Ron lifted his head, appearing extremely agitated, "Look, she could have won if she wanted to!"

"Touchy subject, meow," Gil smirked, he punched Ron lightly in the shoulder. "Calm down, would ya? We're just talking about class presidency here."

"If she didn't 'want to' then why did she force you to nominate her?" Prince Wally sneered under his breath, Ron flashed Wally a deadly look and if Felix didn't grab back Ron's arm, the boy might have flown at the prince for a royal beating. Ron was really touchy whenever someone talked of Kim and although he was irritated with her in his mind, he wouldn't take any bad talk of his ex-best friend.

"But hey, the Wallster has a point," Gil spoke up (Wally cringed at the repulsive nick-name brought up). "You do need to do something fun, you can't be like this forever just because Possible dumped your sorry ass." (Felix sent Gil a warning look that Gil seemed to have completely missed purposefully.) "And lucky you has me with all the answers!" he jabbed a proud finger at himself.

"And what's that? For him to sleep with every girl in Middleton?" Felix retorted dryly.

"Heeeeey," Gil growled back at the shot, "I was going through a very rough time, kay? It seemed like the natural solution."

"Emphasis on natural," Wally smirked.

"Anyway, as I was saying, I think the solution is very clear and I happen to have it right here in my pocket…"

At that, Felix, Ron, Rufus and Wally all blanched forwards in disgust.

"Oh, get your minds of the gutters, children," Gil scowled and withdrew from his coat pocket, a white envelope.

As soon as Ron spotted the envelope, his mind flashed back to the one he had written Kim's name on. The one which held the card that he had poured his mind and emotions into, staying up late at night, planning what to say to her. How it hurt and burned inside himself once more to remember that even with everything he had written inside it, Kim still rejected him. Presently he swallowed hard, his eyes shimmering with sorrow and more longing grew within…

But this envelope Gil had… could it be… could it be from Kim!

Gil waved the envelope back and forth between his pointer and middle finger. As he did this Ron caught the name on the envelope and it was indeed for him! Gil noticed Ron's anxious eyes fasten to the white envelope he waved about in front of his face.

"See, cos I concocted a plan and voila, this one is for you," Gil smirked, brushing back his black, spiked hair and handing Ron the envelope who took it from it carefully. It didn't look like Kim's handwriting.

Felix craned his neck over as he watched with inquisitive eyes while Ron tore open the sealed envelope, his own eyes were equally filled with intense curiosity. Opening the envelope, Ron pulled out a small card exchanging a look with Felix; Ron opened the card and read it to himself.

"Whoah, back-up, a party?" Ron blurted out, perplexed.

"That's right," Gil grinned, leaning back in his chair and folding his arms. "I'm gonna be hosting a party this Friday night, hope to see ya there, Ronnie. It'll do you some good to get some alcho- I mean, good times in your brain. Your funk here's been going on for much too long, heh."

After reading the invite for himself, Felix looked up at Gil suspiciously, "You'll have any excuse to throw a party, won't you?"

Leaning forwards, Gil returned the icy glare, "Keep that 'tude up and I'll make sure it's a stair-access party only, wheel-boy," and he tossed another envelope carelessly in Felix's direction with his name on it.

Ron heaved a sigh and tossed the card to one side, the other boys didn't know it, but his stomach illness was increasing dramatically inside him not only that but it was beginning to feel like a furnace in the cafeteria. "I dunno, I'm not in a mood for this kinda thing."

"Tchach, come off it, Squeeb! Besides, I invited some other peeps too y'know."

"Oh yea?"

"Yea. A certain… I dunno, red-head is coming…"

"Kim!"

"No, I mean her Mother. Of course Possible. With all the things going on, you might get a chance to approach the girl," Gil over exceeded his nonchalance, "Maybe… get a conversation going… maybe…"

"Oh, please," Wally rolled his eyes, "She hates him. As soon as she sees Ron approaching her, she'll shimmy on elsewhere."

" 'She'll shimmy on elsewhere,'" Gil viciously mocked Wally's accent.

Before he could say anything else, Felix interjected with his agreement. "It's true though," he said doubtfully, "I don't really think she'll listen to him if she hasn't been willing to do so already. I mean, c'mon, a party isn't gonna change her mind set."

Ron hit his head on the table counter. "Thank-you for your support!"

Yet again Gil rolled his eyes, "Please, don't you think I know about tampering with people's drinks by now?" But as soon as he said this, he clamped a hand over his mouth, eyes wide.

"IT WAS YOU WHO SPIKED MY DRINK AT BRICK'S PARTY!" Ron hollered, colour rising to his cheek, grabbing the attention of a few students around him (but not Kim's).

"Hey, hey, calm down, Ronnie," still smiling evasively, Gil uneasily backed away from Ron's shotgun eyes and held up defensive hands. "I thought it was Kim's cup, not Wally's!"

This did not succeed in calming Ron down. However, Felix seemed to have acquired a knack for calming Ron down and had to reach up for his shoulders, he was now towering high, to bring him back into his seat.

Calming down, Ron groaned, "The pictures circulated for weeks after that."

"Look, this time, I'll get Kim's cup for sure, I promise you that."

"I don't want you to get Kim's cup!" Ron declared fervently. "Just… just keep out of this ok?"

"We'll see," Gil once again rested his cheek in one hand, closing one eye. "But you'll come, right? Seriously though, a party could be a great atmosphere for approaching her. You'll never know, Ronnie."

Ron didn't respond, the fever was rising and he gasped in the rising heat. Could he be sweating? His stomach continued to churn and Ron had to lean forwards, inconspicuously wrapping an arm around his waist.

Felix responded for him, "I think it's a good idea, I'll make sure Ron comes with," he grinned.

"Good boy, remind me to give you a doggie treat," Gil said. Leaning back, he stretched, glancing at the clock on the cafeteria wall. To Ron, he said, "H'mm… Now you take care of yourself til then, y'hear? You'll have a great time, no sweat. Wally and I are gonna gander elsewhere, maybe search out my Bonnie lass, see what she's up to. Catch ya later, Squeeb; you too, Wheeler."

Once Gil and Prince Wally had left to search out Bonnie Rockwaller, Felix turned to Ron who began to notice his friend's troubling expression. Ron's face was contorted with pain or disgust, Felix couldn't tell which, and his eyes were fixated onto the table, but there was something behind those eyes… Thinking it was about the party, Felix tried to cheer Ron up.

"Don't worry, Ron. We can just go and take a look around, if we don't like, we can always head back to my place and play video games. And we won't drink anything Gil hands us, right?" Felix laughed at his own last remark.

"Mmm…" Ron replied, still looking down, his face heightening in flush.

Rufus looked up now too, he had been finishing off Ron's lunch.

Ron let out a frightening gasp when the lunch bell rang, signalling the end of Lunch. With his brewing sickness, the sound of the bell felt ten times louder than it was supposed to be. He lurched forwards and covered his mouth with a hand.

"Ok, you don't look good at all," Felix commented grimly, "Want me to go with you to the school nurse or something? Before the final bell rings?"

"N-no, I'm good."

Ron received a sardonic glare for that obvious lie. Quickly, Ron thought and grimaced.

"Actually, actually yea. Y'know what, I am gonna go… but, hey, you go off to the gymnasium and change into your gym uniform. I'll, um, I'll meet ya there, no big."

Adjusting the joy stick on the arm rest, Felix directed his wheelchair away from the table and swerved easily to Ron's other side. He fixated his bright, round blue eyes onto Ron's soft brown ones, making sure he had Ron's attention. "You sure, Ron? Doesn't look like you can make it-"

Another surge inside and Ron had to wipe his brow with the sleeve of his black sleeved shirt. "I've gotta go now, I'll catch ya in PE class."

Before Felix could protest, before Rufus could even leap onto his shoulder even, Ron dashed out of his chair, the chair toppling backwards to the floor in a clatter. He didn't even notice it in his flurry, but he ran straight past Kim right at the cafeteria doors. She pulled back in the whirlwind that fled past her, blinking in confusion as to what it could have been.

Behind her, Felix and Rufus were also blinking in confusion, watching Ron trail off until they could no longer see him.

"We'll meet up with Ron in the gym," Felix assured Rufus. Ron's little pet naked mole-rat hopped onto the top of the wheelchair seat next to Felix's head. With both of them deep in concern for their friend, Felix shrugged and directed himself towards the gymnasium through the crowds hoping Ron would be able to meet up with them in class.

Meanwhile, Ron took flight from the lunch room, leaving Felix behind in a quick excuse to seek the nurse's assistance. Of course that's not what Ron had in mind, however.

He couldn't stand it anymore! The growing intensity had become so heightened to the point that it was no longer bearable. It felt like hell inside the lunch room with all the heat inside him, he was sweating when everyone else was eager to dress warmly in the October weather. He had to get away… his stomach… O, how it churned in displeasure!

Keeping his head down, his bangs swayed from side to side as he streaked towards the nearest boy's room, not even bothering to see where he was going. He felt so sick… Every day now, every day his fevers and sickness worsened unrelentingly. Ever since that day he and Kim stayed home on Monday with their hands still stuck had he been experiencing flu-like symptoms. Ron just felt as if he was catching a little something that was going around and it'd be gone no-problem.

Yes, problem. It had been weeks! He sobbed, and it never cleared away and inside he would feel like vomiting, with his face a pale almost white in his flush.

This was one such time, but this… it had to be the worst. Because now… he couldn't hold it in. He thought bitterly of the irony of how it was happening after he ate.

Kim. Now as Ron tore down the hallways, not caring who he shoved by, he remembered catching her eye accidentally that morning as he took his seat in their before-school class, Political Science. Her look… it had been like all the other times he caught her eye. There was a moment of brief confusion and then that glare of hers; that cold unforgiving glare. Unforgiving!

Weeks…he thought embittered. It's been freakin' weeks since our hands detached from one another and yet nothing ever changed between us. C'mon, we were supposed to be growing together not apart!

All of this was coming back to him again as he gasped for air, for cool as his temperature rose and his stomach hissed cruelly.

Launching himself into the room, he didn't even care to take notice if anyone else was in there (there wasn't). Immediately he tore into an open stall and heaved himself forwards, retching into the toilet.

He coughed violently, his entire body racking with the effort. Suddenly, he felt so small and weak, ready to just give in. His body finally giving in and his mind a torrent flurry of depressive thoughts of Kim…

He just couldn't take it anymore, he wanted to just grab Kim and tell her to stop being such a- Again Ron's body shuddered and he leaned over the toilet again, spluttering and clutching his thin, unstable stomach. If ever he needed Kim it was now, he wanted her by his side, rubbing his back and soothing him with her sweet words. If not as a… a someone who liked him more than a friend, then just as a friend. As his best friend.

Please, Kim… at least grant me that. Let's just be best friends again if you don't like me like that. I'll be happy with that…

But she wouldn't because she didn't care. If she happened to walk past him as he vaulted himself over the toilet in pain and dismay, she would just glare and continue on her way, hugging Josh's arm tightly. Ron could see all this so clearly in his mind's eye.

Ron let out a sob, as he fell apart. His stomach gave another lurch and again he emptied himself forwards. Everything was just getting worse and worse… tears flowed down Ron's freckled cheeks, the school bell ringing for class sounded above his head, but his senses were dumbed down by his break-down and he decided he just didn't care.

Ron hunched over, his eyes closed, tears spilling down as his teeth chattered, waiting for another upheaval to come as it surely would.

Why couldn't Kim just keep her stupid promise to him? Why couldn't she just listen to him? Was that so hard? To listen to Ron? He didn't know what to feel inside anymore, all of this was so unfair. So stupid.

Well, he thought angrily, yes, it was anger he was feeling, then he would go to that party this Friday. He would go and do everything he could to meet up with Kim. Kim wasn't listening to him at school, not with Mankey hanging around her all the time, then he would attempt at the party. Gil was right; it could be the perfect atmosphere.

Ron's teeth chattered again and he spluttered once again into the toilet. He feebly reached for the handle and flushed the toilet, coughing and gasping as he slid back down to the floor, resting his back against the metallic walls. Closing his eyes, he rested his head back. His breathing was shaky but at least he was at a moment's peace. A moment's…

It couldn't be clear to Ron how long he spent in that washroom, coughing, spluttering and retching into the toilet. His vision was so hazy and his mind so unfocused along with the burning heat he felt with his climbing fever that sometimes he wondered if he had slipped off into a sleep here or there, only to be reawaken by his stomach's upheaval.

But it couldn't have been too long. Not longer than an hour for he was almost positive that the end-of-class bell hadn't rung out. Of course, he wasn't about to bet his life on that, what with coming in and out of consciousness constantly. He blinked rapidly, hoping to clear his blurry eyes.

Once again, Ron heaved into the porcelain but he began to notice it was less.

Good, he thought, It's calming down… going away, I'll be fine.

As if to tell him it wasn't going away without a fight, he spluttered again into the toilet, coughing. It was then he heard the bathroom door swing open, Ron attempted to silence himself, but it wasn't working. His body shuddered and wracked, and he wet coughed repeatedly.

"Whoah, dude, are you alright in here?" came an all too familiar voice.

Ron froze. Except for his stomach muscle which emptied some more, but again, less. Thankfully.

Go away, Ron spat savagely. Get out of here! I don't want you near me. Ron was sitting on his feet, and he shifted himself with a fierce agitation at the sound of the person's voice.

"Hey, go get Mr Barkin!" Josh alerted someone who must have also been with him; the sound of feet running down the hallway slowly diminished. Ron wished those were Josh's feet.

But Josh's feet came closer, much too close for Ron's comfort. Still hunched over and clutching his stomach, Ron narrowed his eyes when he spotted Josh's sneakers approaching underneath the bathroom stall door. Then there was a knock on his cubicle.

"Are you alright?" Josh repeated with concern, Ron could only sneer. "Look, Frank went to fetch Mr Barkin, ok?"

Ron instantly cursed himself when he realised that in his flurry to reach the toilet, he hadn't locked the cubicle door behind him. But it was too late, Josh, with all his concern and sickening good-will, tentatively opened the door right when Ron had been making a mad scrabble to reach the lock.

Ron fell backwards in his stun, one hand still clutching his slowly soothing stomach and the other propping himself up from behind. He recoiled at the sight of his nemesis, his rival.

Josh, too, recoiled in shock to the source of the hacking to be Ron Stoppable. Ron had no idea how much Kim divulged to Josh about what happened between them. All Ron really knew was that Josh knew Ron and Kim were no longer friends, the whole school knew it. How could they not when once the sight of Kim and Ron together was as natural and as common as Mr Alliberg's toupee? Or, for those who weren't attending Middleton High, as common as nachos and cheese, but maybe you had to be Ron to understand that last analogy.

In any case, Ron's mind was still a commotion with not knowing what to do when Josh stood stunned, standing in the cubicle doorway. Or maybe Ron was worried more on what Josh would do. Would he beat him up? Ron couldn't say he wouldn't expect it.

It felt like forever until Josh finally decided on an action. Ron was absolutely perplexed beyond all belief, it was almost as if Josh was speaking another language to Ron, but it was only a hand; a hand which he was offering him, to help him up to his feet. Ron looked down at the hand, his confounded expression quite clear upon his face. He didn't get it. Was this a trick?

Josh attempted a friendly smile, "You ok? Or do I take it you're mute?"

Inwardly, Ron scowled and made a rude-worded retort but hid his ill feelings towards Josh off of his face.

"It's just a hand," Josh smirked after Ron must have stared down at it for too long. "No fortune-telling, please." Again, he offered his hand, placing it closer to Ron.

Looking up at Josh, Ron frowned and studied him. Didn't he hate him too? Not that Ron cared, but he had lied to Josh and sent him death glares on his and Kim's return day to school on Tuesday. And didn't Kim tell him anything? Didn't she ever rant on and on about Ron and what a loser he was?

Finally, Josh reached out and took Ron's hand that had been clamped to his stomach and pulled him up to his feet. Ron wobbled slightly, not only at the fast movement in which he took to his feet, but for the fact that he was still slightly nauseous. To Ron's further bewilderment, Josh helped to steady Ron until he had a firm grip on the cubicle door to stand on his own.

"There," Josh said, "Do you think you're gonna be alright? Mr B's on his way over here, but if you're feeling real badly, maybe I should help you to the nurse."

Ron's expression still hadn't changed. Clinging to the cubicle door, Ron finally spluttered, with a tint of aggression, "Why are you helping me?"

Ron noticed Josh's smile fade slightly, but he fought to keep it on his face. "Frank and I came to clean out some of the pottery supplies," (Ron noticed them lying on the bathroom counter,) "Before the bell rings for next class."

"Yea, ok, sure, but that doesn't explain why you are helping me."

Josh gave a small laugh, "Because you needed help."

"You hate me. So does Kim."

"Hate's a pretty strong word," the artist countered.

"Oh? Ok, so you guys don't like me."

Josh laughed louder, "I'm guessing this means you wouldn't help me if the situation was reversed?"

Ron made no response.

Josh laughed again, which softened and he said more seriously, "Look, I don't know everything that happened between you and Kim, but I do know she's really upset about what happened. You guys have been friends for so long; it's a horrible thing to just throw that away." Seeing Ron's face still masked with suspicion, Josh said, looking into Ron's eyes, "Ron, just because I'm dating her doesn't mean I don't want you two to be friends again."

Ron flinched, again an expression of confusion upon his face.

"Whatever happened can't be worth throwing away your entire fourteen years of friendship. You can't believe what some people would do to have a friendship like you had with Kim." Josh shook his head, "There's no reason I should feel hostility towards you, none that I know of anyway."

"She won't listen to me!" Ron blurted out before thinking.

Again, Josh shrugged. "No-one can force her, but-"

"So- what? 'Be patient'? 'Give it time'? It's been a freakin' month," Ron snarled. Suddenly, he fell a couple of steps backwards and with his sudden surge of rage came his stomach's protest, but he caught a hold of himself.

"I'm not claiming to have the answers, Ron," Josh replied, still smiling.

Ron scowled, turning away form Josh, still feeling hatred towards him for stealing Kim away, for not treating her the way he would. He didn't have to take this from Josh. The boy was so clueless. Josh didn't know what had been blooming between Ron and Kim before their tragic ending the night their hands had been separated.

After standing in silence, Josh only shrugged. "You asked me a question, so I answered. I'm just telling it from my POV, that's all."

Your POV means nothing to me, Ron thought darkly. I don't want you here comforting me with pity, I want Kim here…

"STOPPABLE!" Both boys were rattled out of their minds when the bathroom door tore open and the formidable form of Mister Barkin stood, filling up the entire doorway space in his usual brown suit.

Mr Barkin marched into the bathroom and up to Josh and Ron, followed by a very petrified looking Frank.

"Stoppable," Mr Barkin growled when approaching Ron. He winced before the permanent substitute teacher, "I hear you've been injured."

"I, uh, just a sickness," Ron faked a grin with much embarrassment layered underneath. "I think I'll be fine…"

"Come with me to the Nurse's office, she's sick with the flu, so I'm filling in for her to-day-"

"Nothanks, I'llbeok!" Ron's fake grin broadened as he skittered himself around Barkin and out of the bathroom followed by a hastening Frank. Only Josh was left with Barkin who cringed when the burly teacher gave him an icy glare.

-ø-

With a huff, Ron closed his eyes while finally shutting closed his History text book when the end of school bell rang out overhead.

Truthfully, Ron hadn't been ok, but with Barkin temping as school nurse, he would have been ok if his head had been securely tucked under his arms for safe keeping. After escaping from the boy's room, the school bell had sounded out and Ron headed off to History class with a sigh. On his way, he met up with Felix who returned Rufus to him and expectantly inquired as to his health. Ron lied through his teeth that he was alright and of course Felix didn't buy this but luckily they had minimal chatting time as the final bell would ring and, unlike Ron, Felix cared if he made it to class on time.

Now, as Ron's fellow classmates packed up their books around him, Ron did the same slipping his textbook and binder away into his pack which had been with him all along. But unlike most of the other students in his class, Ron's school day was not yet done.

He was going to cheer practice.

That's right. Ron now walked out of the classroom, heading towards the gymnasium with his purple, red and yellow uniform sweats already packed away in his bag.

He had been attending cheer practice ever since the break-up, except for Monday. The Monday after the Friday when he overheard Kim talking to Josh those painful five weeks ago… (his chest tightened). That had been one of the worst times for him and he couldn't bear to show his face at cheer practice, not when none of the cheerleaders where on his side. Over that weekend, Ron had seriously considered quitting as role of mascot. Without Kim on his side, the job lost its lustre and he could no longer stand the critical, scrutinizing glares of the other cheer squad members no matter how much he convinced himself he didn't care what other people thought of him.

Yes, Ron had been all ready to call it quits, but Tuesday changed all that. Well, to be more specific, Tara changed all that. That Tuesday morning while he and Rufus tended to themselves, storing books away in his locker, the innocently beautiful girl with the curly platinum blonde hair had approached him with a kindly face, something Ron wasn't used to seeing anymore.

"Hi, Ron," she had said timidly, holding her own hands in front of her. "I wanted to ask you something, cos I heard about what happened…"

"What?" Ron remembered asking quizzically.

Tara's eyes shifted nervously, "About what happened to you and Kim."

"Oh, that."

"Well, you weren't planning on quitting the cheer squad, were you?"

Ron definitely recalled being taken aback by her inquiry. He felt her to be psychic that she should ask him that when it had been something he had been mulling over all weekend, among other things.

"Sorta," he responded.

"But you can't!" Tara had rebuked, looking more worried than what was necessary. "You shouldn't," she said more placidly. "Besides, don't you need an extra-curricular activity for your college application?"

"Well, yes," Ron shrugged, glancing at Rufus on his shoulder. "But I can go elsewhere, I guess. Like… maybe the chess club…" but he blanched at the idea. The only place he felt like he belonged was on the cheer squad as Middleton High's Mad Dog mascot, but how could when he would he no longer had Kim on his side?

Tara shook her head, "Why, Ron?" More heatedly, "Just because of Kim?"

"Kinda, I mean, c'mon, she doesn't really like me much anymore. And with her and Bonnie and everyone else, I don't really have a place there anymore. What can I do?" He had shrugged.

"You can stay on the team!"

Ron had sighed, beginning to grow irritated, "But I told you, I can't. 'Sides, Kim's the cheer captain, if she wants my butt off court, she can do that."

"Well, I won't let her," Tara said softly.

Ron had tilted his head in confusion, completely baffled. "Huh?"

"And you were wrong when you said no-one on the squad wants you on the team, Ron. I do. We need a mascot! And you're so funny, you're perfect for the job!" she had brandished her arms at him, smiling.

Ron felt his depressive mood begin to lighten at the sight of her kindly smile. The smile had reminded him of Kim's almost…

"You… you really think so?" he asked.

Tara nodded vigorously, "I do! And I won't let Kim kick you off the squad, as long as there's one nay-sayer, she can't do it!" she giggled.

Ron felt himself smiling inside, and he did so. "Cool, maybe I will! 'Sides, you're right when you say I need that extra-curic on my application."

And thus Ron attended practice ever since, improving his Mad Dog routine for the Regionals this coming Monday. At first, Ron had felt like he had made a stupid decision when Kim glared at him the first time he entered the gym in his uniform. Her glare was defiant and absolutely incredulous at his daring. But, thankfully, Tara had been true to her word ever since. She hung out with Ron, and was, well, a very good friend to him.

It wasn't just at practice either. Sure she liked to hang with her friends, Bonnie and Hope during Lunch just as Ron liked to hang with Felix, but she would also interact with him when they met in the hallways and in class and afterwards. At first, Ron wondered if her kindness towards him was some sort of pity (which would have disgusted him) but she wasn't. She genuinely wanted to be his friend and he soon found himself on equal ground with her.

Truly, Ron found himself actually looking forwards to cheer practice now, instead of the regular feeling of dread, and all because of Tara.

But of course, Ron wasn't always active during cheer practice. He was still sick, and he knew he couldn't exert himself. Ron would do what he could when he could but when he felt his temperature begin to rise, or his stomach churn, he'd break on the bench waiting for his spell to calm down. Some days he couldn't practice at all and knew he couldn't before reaching the gymnasium. But Kim took attendance and even if he couldn't practice every time, at least his attendance was accounted for.

After picking up his gym clothes, Ron ambled past the other students pushing him by, all eager to reach the front school doors and escape from the school building. Ron walked against them all towards the gymnasium where he could change into his uniform.

"Ron!" Tara called out from behind. She trotted up to him in her baby-blue sweater and jean pleated skirt. "Have you been working on your routine? You said were working out some things last time."

Ron nodded, "Yup, if you ever see anything outta sync or whatnot lemme know, kay?"

"Sure!"

"How about you? Kim was kinda harping on you last time."

Tara giggled, embarrassed, "Yes! When I went home, I worked on it all day. I think she'll notice my improvement. Do you think we'll win the Regionals next week?"

"Sure, why not?" Ron replied cheerfully.

"I dunno, but Kim's been kinda picking at my dancing lately. I thought I was doing ok, but I'm worried I'm falling behind. Kim knows these things, that's why she's head cheerleader! If she notices any faults… well, I'm worried I'll drag the team down!"

Ron pulled his head back, looking fully at Tara. "C'mon, Kim's just a bit of a perfectionist. I saw you dancing yesterday and it looked great!"

"Y-you did?" She tugged at the turtleneck of sweater, pulling his higher up on her neck.

"Yea, and, whoah, if you practiced yesterday too at home, then you must have really improved 'n stuff. No big, don't sweat it."

A smile spread across Tara's fair complexioned face, "Wow, Ron, thanks! Cool, I think you're right!"

Ron reached the boy's changing and said a brief farewell to Tara. Of course, the boy's changing room was completely empty and the slate blue walls dimly colouring the surroundings reflected Ron's inner mood. Sure, Tara was great to talk to and he appreciated her but… she was no Kim. Not yet.

As Ron changed, he could hear wordless chatter from the girls coming through the walls from the changing room next to his. He strained his ears to try and distinct Kim's voice pattern, but it was useless.

Scooping Rufus back up and into his new yellow pocket, he left his bag on the sofa and walked out of the change room. Some of the girls were already changed, Crystal, Jessica, Bonnie and Hope, who were performing their stretches.

As soon as Bonnie spotted Ron, she sent him a malevolent grin. Although she still rivalled with Kim and was steaming mad at her for 'stealing' Josh from her after Bonnie thought they had broken up for good (Ron included), she still took pleasure in how Kim treated Ron. It seemed to be the only time she would side with Kim, but at least the two were still rivals. At least some sense was left in this crumbling world of Ron's.

As usual, Ron ignored Bonnie and sat himself on the bench. To-day was one of those days where he wouldn't be able to join in, he could tell. Not when he had been vomiting for the first time from his sickness earlier. No, he was just here for his attendance, besides, it was always fun to watch the girls dance. Of course, it had been more enjoyable when Kim actually liked him.

Leaning back, he waited until Kim emerged with the other girls, Tara, Liz and Marcella, all dressed identically in their purple cheer uniforms, bare midriffs and short skirts. Before joining in for the stretches, Tara turned and waved eagerly to Ron and he responded with a simple smile.

Distinctively, he and Kim exchanged a look. Her eyes rested on his, no specific expression recognisable but, as it usually did, it turned downcast and she appeared frustrated with the sight of him. He sighed.

When the girls had finished their stretches, while talking the entire time among themselves like back in the change room (except for Kim who had taken not to talk during her stretches anymore unless a girl spoke directly to her), Kim clapped her hands to rally them all together around her.

"Ok, girls," Kim said, her voice relatively normally, clashing with her expression she had given Ron, "We all know Regionals is this Monday, that leaves two more days after this for practice, plus the weekend-"

"Two?" Hope asked, crossing her arms and looking bemused. "We don't practice on Friday."

Before Kim could answer, Crystal answered, "No duh we're practicing on Friday! It's the Regionals coming up! We need to fit in all the practice we can get!"

"Exactly," Kim confirmed, nodding her head and a couple of the girls groaned, including Hope.

"But what about Gil's party?" Jessica asked.

"Perhaps Kim didn't get an invite," Bonnie smirked, swishing her hip to one side. "Maybe she's jealous and wants to punish us popular girls who did get invites."

Ron found himself smiling as Kim snorted in reply to Bonnie. "We all got invites, Bonnie," she sneered. "But we still need practice if we want to win Regionals, especially you." (Bonnie sneered.) "Practice will only be half an hour so we'll still have lots of time to get ready for the party, ok?"

"I guess," Hope mulled, not looking pleased.

"Hey, if you're on the team you have to be willing to attend practice," she said those last words with extra emphasis, and to Ron, it felt like she was directing those words at him.

I am attending practice, he growled back in his thoughts, scowling. But he knew she was referring to his lack of participating, not that she wanted him to participate.

"Alright girls, lets get ready," Kim said finally and the girls broke up into their usual positions.

Before running to her point, Tara skirted over to Ron on her tip-toes. Hurriedly, she said, "Are you not feeling ok again, Ron?"

Ron shook his head, "I think I'll be sitting this practice out."

"Oh, ok," she glanced back behind her at the girls readying themselves. "I hope you feel better soon!"

Kim looked up from the stereo, not too far down on the bench from where Ron sat. "Tara!" she said suddenly.

Whipping her head around, Tara turned to Kim and called, "Yes?"

"Come here."

"See you soon, Ron!" she hastened away to where Kim stood, looking nettled with her arms crossed and tapping her right foot.

From Ron's standpoint, he could still hear her and Tara's converse.

"Did you work on your routine?"

"Oh, yes! I did all day yesterday. I think you'll notice an improvement."

"Mmkay," Kim replied, and again her eyes darted over to Ron and he recoiled slightly as he looked back into hers. Then she abruptly focused them back onto Tara, "Well, go on, I'll set the track up."

"Kay!" Tara scuttled off to her point, along with the rest of the girls, some of whom were growing impatient.

"To-day maybe?" Bonnie barked.

Kim scowled and pressed on the music and dashed off to her lead point where she waited for the music to begin.

Just as before, the routine was performed easily and skilfully. Ron watched the other girls surrounding Kim begin to dance to the swaying beats of the music and once the vocalist started to sing, Kim lifted her head with a huge smile and began to dance.

Kim lifted her arms with pom-poms into the air while her feet danced diligently; she twirled around while doing a complex routine with her arms, waving the poufy pom-poms from side to side. Kim leapt for a split while Marcella and Crystal behind her did some cartwheels in unison with Sarah and Tara on the other side.

Kim joined the others and their dancing all became one, with their head cheerleader in the middle. The girls twirled, leapt and shimmied in perfect unison, there was no way the girls would loose the Regionals, Ron thought. He would be sure to have his own Mad Dog routine perfected by then, sickness or none. If he won for the mascot division, Kim might take more fondly to him…

Their short skirts swishing on their hips, spun and twirled along with the girls who wore them. Kim broke off from the rest to her head point for her last dance, the girls around her complimenting her rather than distracting the viewer from her dance. Ron watched glowing inside as everything his ex-best friend did was pure perfection.

Eventually the pyramid began to form, Tara, Jessica, Liz and Hope together at the bottom, then the rest and finally Kim back flipped flawlessly onto the top, her hand covered in the pom-pom shooting straight into the air with a triumphant grin across her face right as the music ended.

"That was excellent," Kim exclaimed, looking down at the girls below her; she lighted down so the rest of the girls could break the pyramid. "If you perform like this on Monday, we're bound to win!"

The girls stood around her, nodding and smiling with themselves, except for Bonnie who glared callously at Kim, probably steaming mad that she wasn't in point.

"Right now I want to run you girls through, just to make sure since I can't see everything while performing myself," Kim informed, hands on hips. "The rest of you girls can take seats on the bench or practice on the other side of the gymnasium. Right now I want to test run Tara and Jessica." Kim clapped her hands together and the rest of the girls dispersed for the other side of the gym except for the two girls called upon by Kim.

Kim made her way towards the stereo and started the music. On her way back, Kim's eyes darted from Tara to Ron and she held Ron's eyes for a moment before focusing her attention onto Tara and Jessica who began their paired routine.

Ron was too busy watching the girls dancing with Rufus now on his shoulder as Kim's eyes once again darted on his, noticed him watching the girls.

"Tara!" Kim called, walking forwards and the girls stopped dancing while the music continued.

"Y-yes?" Tara asked and Jessica wiped her brow with her arm.

Kim's voice sounded somewhat constricted and rigid. "You said you practiced?"

Tara frowned, "Yes, I practiced all day yesterday! Didn't you notice any improvement?" he voice fell with disappointment in herself.

"Uh, a bit, but your cartwheel was lopsided," Kim replied brusquely. "And you're out of sync with the music."

"She is?" Jessica asked, stroking her chin with her pom-pom. "Then I must not be doing good either…"

Kim's voice rose in unexplained agitation, "Whatever, look, just practice more, ok, Tara? You don't want to bring us down on Monday, do you? Everyone else seems to have mastered their routine but you."

Tara looked downcast.

Tapping her foot in discomfort, Kim looked fidgety. "Alright," she turned and called to the rest of the girls, "Next group, please. Marcella and Crystal!"

Marcella and Crystal who had been practicing their routine on the other side of the gym jogged towards Kim as Jessica went to join the rest of the girls. Tara, however, was making her way to the bench, towards Ron.

"Aa, Tara?" Kim called and the curly blonde-haired girl twirled around.

"Yes, Kim?"

Kim frowned, plainly nettled. "Where do you think you're going? You should be joining Jessica in the practice. Like, didn't you hear what I just said to you? I was talking to you, not Jessica."

"Sorry, Kim!" Tara squealed and shuffled over to join Jessica, waving a small frantic good-bye to Ron.

Ron held Kim's eyes in confusion. Kim cautiously placed her hands gingerly on her hips as she returned Ron's gaze with what appeared to be uncertainty. She looked uncomfortable or troubled, not angry and sneering as per usual. Ron softened his questioning eyes, he wished she would talk to him instead of sending him looks with her eyes. Kim cast her head towards the two girls now approaching for their test run, but before they reached her, Kim returned her eyes to rest on Ron. It was odd, they flickered to Tara, back to Ron, then in a flash, her eyes switched to frustration and she greeted Crystal and Marcella.

"Ok, girls; let me start the music."

Only a couple of suggestions here and there for these two girls, their performance was down pat, but Kim lightly suggested they work on it looking less mechanical and more flowing. 'Put more heart into it,' Kim had suggested. Clapping her hands, Kim called over Bonnie and Liz.

"I think you'll find my performance to be perfect," Bonnie announced smugly to Kim and stretched her arms before the music started.

Ron could tell Kim didn't want to admit it, but Bonnie's performance was done well. But Kim couldn't resist the nerve to nitpick at something.

"Maybe try to make your dance look more like cheerleading rather than a street slapper waving in guys," Kim retorted to her rival contemptuously.

Liz giggled and Bonnie growled deviously. She flipped her hair with her pom-poms, "You're just jealous that I have something to shake!" And she stomped off across the gymnasium to gossip with Hope and Tara. Not that Hope had long to gossip, up next was her routine with Kim.

When Kim started the music, together the two began to dance, Kim keeping her eyes open to carefully watched Hope beside her. Like the practice run, Kim was once again beautifully flawless as Ron looked on. When they had finished Kim concluded that Hope was on top of everything and she had done stunningly well.

Kim rallied the girls once again and declared that they practice again altogether. Starting the music, the girls delved into their dancing once again.

At first, Ron was slightly baffled to hear the now unfamiliar beep beep beep-beep of the Kimmunicator coming from Kim's school bag that was cascaded aside among the other bags of the cheerleaders. It had been so long since he had heard those series of beeps, he recollected, in fact, with all that had been going on, Ron had forgotten about missions altogether. He had an inclination to reach into Kim's bag and pull it out when he halted himself. There was no way he could go into Kim's bag without permission now.

The Kimmunicator continued to beep and Ron grew nervous. The impulse to answer Wade was growing inside him, but he wouldn't… Kim wouldn't be happy with him if he did so. He thought about calling out to Kim who was dancing about the gymnasium, practicing the routine, probably deep in concentration. With the music blaring, she probably couldn't hear it.

Ron began to stand up, but no, Kim would also not take kindly if he interrupted the practice in session. He sat back down, shifting uneasily with his confliction.

Eventually, Ron couldn't take it anymore. Nervously, he walked forwards, but still kept his distance between him and the dancing cheerleaders.

"Hey, KP…" Ron said, softly at first. This was the first time he was attempting verbal contact with her since they tore apart all those weeks ago. His voice, for some reason, felt very rusty, like he hadn't used it in decades.

Waiting for her response, it never came. She didn't even hear him. His voice hadn't been loud enough over the booming music coming from the stereo behind him. Again he called, this time, louder and cupping his hands around his mouth for voice direction. Still Kim took no notice of Ron's calls. With frowned brows, Ron dwelled if maybe she was choosing not to hear him. But no, although she was capable of such an act, the music really was much too raucous.

With no other option, Ron headed towards the stereo and promptly shut it off. Before he could call out to Kim again, countless groans issued from the cheerleaders.

"Aww!"

"Hey!"

"Ron!"

"What do you think you're doing!" Kim blurted out, hands holding her pom-poms resting on her hips, a sharp, critical look in her apathetic eyes. "You can so not just break up our routine like that! It was finally going right, why do you always have to ruin everything!"

Ron shrunk back from her flare, but he caught Tara's worried expression as she stood off in the distance behind Kim. Clearing, his throat, Ron readied to speak, but the Kimmunicator beeped again and this time Kim heard it.

"Ugh, and there's the Kimmunicator! Thanks a lot, Ron," Kim snarled, dropping her pom-poms.

Dishevelled, Ron slumped his shoulders in bitter defeat as Kim marched off to answer the Kimmunicator. Everything he said could only spark anger directed at him in Kim. What good would a stupid party do?

The girls dispersed to chat among themselves as Kim went to answer Wade and Ron headed back to his spot on the bench, feeling the need to sit down again, the standing up had given him a short dizzy spell. (Bonnie gave Ron a completely odium look, she was sure pleased in how Kim was treating him the way Bonnie thought Kim should have treated him years ago.)

Ron smiled as Tara came to sit beside him, smiling. "Are you feeling any better?" Tara squeaked, her round blue eyes dazzling.

"A bit, heh, better than before anyway!" he replied, Rufus scampering onto his shoulder. "Thanks for asking, Tara," and he truly meant that. It was great to have a friend on his side when so many of the cheerleaders hated the sight of him and thought they were better off without a mascot.

"You're welcome!" Tara smiled back, "Did you receive an invite to Gil's party?"

"Yes, I did actually," Ron replied, "I dunno if I'm gonna go though. I mean, I thought I was but now, eh, maybe I'm not so sure."

"Say that you will! I'm going to go, it'd be great to see you there. You're so funny, you could really liven it up!"

Ron laughed with embarrassment, "Um… thanks? But we'll see. Hey… maybe I will."

Out of the corner of his eyes he spotted Kim standing with one knee resting on the bench, the Kimmunicator in hand. Although Kim was too far away for Ron to hear, and her voice was lowered, she appeared perturbed, almost as if she was having some heated discussion with her computer buddy.

Maybe he could approach her at the party… maybe she'll be in a better mood. Maybe. Ron was dearly beginning to hate that word.

"That'd be badical!" Tara chimed, clasping her hands together. "I'm going to be getting a new outfit and everything! Bonnie and Hope and I are probably gonna go to the mall to-day after school. Um… d-do you wanna come with? We could pick out something for you too!"

But Ron was barely listening to Tara. He was straining his ears to pick up Kim's conversation with Wade. For some reason, every time he saw Kim incensed or unsettled, he felt as if she was thinking or talking about him… He could hear her voice, but he was having a difficult time trying to make out any words.

Finally, Kim pressed the button on the Kimmunicator, turning it off, still looking disgruntled and defeated. She stood with her weight to one side and her arms folded as if in contemplation, she bit her lower lip. Then her eyes came to rest on him again and, much to Ron's surprise, she headed in his direction.

"Well..?" Tara asked tentatively, reaching out a hand towards Ron.

But Kim had approached and began to speak, smoothing out some non-existing wrinkles in her cheerleading skirt.

"We're going on a mission," she said abruptly; not a question, not a demand… just a statement. "Drakken's building some thing or other in the Australian outback and we need to stop him, like, now. Get changed into your mission outfit, an airplane will be ready to pick us up in ten."

Without waiting for any response from Ron, Kim strode off towards the rest of the cheerleaders, clapping her hands together for their attention.

He and Tara exchanged looks.

"Some other time then..?" Tara asked meekly.

"Um, kay," Ron replied, not really responding to her question for he hadn't actually heard her proposal in the first place.

Standing up, he grabbed his school pack from the boy's change room and raced for his locker where an extra set of his mission outfit was still kept (he and Kim always kept an extra set at school) . Behind him before he left the gym, he could hear Kim's loud and clear voice announcing that they would pick up practice again to-morrow. Nothing she said really sunk in as Ron pushed open the gymnasium doors and tore down the nearly deserted hallways towards his locker.

He was in absolute shock. Kim actually bringing him on a mission? Thinking hard, Ron realised it would be their first mission since, well, since the Villain's Ball. Could it be that she was finally going to listen to him? To accept him again? His heart was pounding so furiously, he felt it might explode out of his chest!

Hurriedly, Ron swivelled the dial on his metallic locker and banged the door open, rummaging through the mess for his mission clothes, Rufus had to cling with his claws to Ron's purple sweater as to not fall right off. After finding everything (the last glove was hiding in an old binder), he locked his locker, uneasily for he was holding all his clothing, and trotted off as fast as he could, swerving into the nearest boy's room.

How many weeks had passed since the Villain's Ball mission? It only hit Ron now, but Kim must have gone on other mission since… So… what was finally changing her mind? Something had to make her want to bring him along on this mission.

The bathroom was empty and Ron locked himself into the wheelchair stall, stripping out of his Mad Dog uniform sweats and began to pull on his mission clothes, storing his sweat suit into his school bag.

Who cared about the stupid party this Friday—he might be able to talk to her on the plane, on the mission, wherever! Maybe she'd talk to him first…

As Ron finished, pulling on his gloves, he picked up his backpack, swinging it over his shoulder, pausing for a moment, grinning. Perhaps things would be ok after all. He wondered if maybe she hadn't read the card right away… maybe she read it recently and it changed her mind… Ron was beginning to like the word 'maybe'.

With Rufus tucked safely inside his pocket, Ron stored his backpack in his locker and fled back to the gymnasium to meet up with Kim. He really wanted to make haste like she had told him to, to impress her, of course.

Actually, Ron nearly collided with Kim as she was making her way out of the gymnasium already in her mission clothes.

"Are they here?" she asked, sounding as if she was asking herself and not Ron; he frowned.

She ran down the hallways not waiting for Ron to answer or to catch up. Sighing, he swerved around and ran after her towards the front doors. As he neared the doors, he could see an airplane parked in front of the school, waiting to pick Kim up. He heard Kim give a small grunt at the fact that the airplane was already there and Ron sped up with the slight worry that Kim might actually leave him behind.

Thankfully, he caught up with her in time before Kim boarded the plane. He wondered if Kim really would have left him behind..? No. He refused to think that. She must be changing her inner opinion of him if she was bringing him on this mission!

Boarding the plane, the pilot was already speaking to Kim: "-If you haven't had fixed our last turbo engine before we hit the ocean!"

"No big, I'm sure anyone on board could have slipped through the port window and fixed the engine while the plane was spiralling downwards to our deaths! I'm just glad Ro-" she stopped in mid-sentence while Ron stopped in front of a row of seats about to take his seat.

"It was no big," Kim continued, her voice low and distant. Kim didn't notice the pilot's inquisitive look as she turned away, brooding.

To Ron's amazement, Kim came to sit beside him and buckled her seatbelt, preparing for take-off.

Once they were in the air, Kim pulled out the Kimmunicator in one hand and began to click away at it, her chin resting on her fist.

Ron wasn't sure if he should talk with Kim, half of him was still waiting for her to speak first. Turning to the window, Ron watched a few birds and clouds go by but he rapidly lost interest in this so-called 'scenery'.

Fidgeting, Ron placed his feet on the seat in front of him, sinking into his seat and looking once again at Kim who still seemed solely interested in whatever the Kimmunicator had to offer her. After much more time passing (hours?), he became impatient for Kim's converse and impulsively decided to talk with her.

"So," Ron spoke, attempting an old trademark Ron smile. "Got any details on the mission?"

A pause. "I told you already," Kim didn't look up from the Kimmunicator that she was tapping away at, browsing some information or website or other.

Ron frowned, but kept his smile, "Just thought you might have gotten any more down-lo on the mission, is all," he shrugged light heartedly.

A grunt was her response. At this Ron couldn't help but peer at her inquisitively. He wanted to inquire about her sudden wanting to bring him on the missions but wasn't sure how to go about it.

"Y'know," he said casually, "It's great to be on a mission with you again," he turned to face her.

This time she gave no response, but… her brow knotted ever so slightly, Ron noticed. As if she was troubled; Ron bit his lower lip. Wasn't there anything he could say that would spark a sense of firm ground between them? Maybe Ron should talk to her now about That Night—it wasn't exactly his favourite topic, however.

"I haven't talked to you in awhile, how've you been 'n stuff lately?"

Kim immediately grew rigid and she set her eyes staring hard straight ahead, no longer focusing on the Kimmunicator.

Ron decided to try again, "Have ya been up to much?"

Abruptly, Kim shivered violently, arching her back. "Just stop," she snapped. "Just… don't!" she seemed to wail that last word like she was in pain. Suddenly she swirled her head to look at Ron, her eyes actually appearing frightened. Ron was so taken aback, he recoiled in confusion. Barely a split second later, Kim's frightened look changed to frustration, her eyebrows narrowing at him.

Turning her head away from him sharply, she shivered again and buried herself back into the Kimmunicator, but it was obvious that her mind was not focusing on the small, hand-held super computer.

Lifting his head slightly and continuing to observe Kim, Ron didn't know what to say or do. What had he done wrong? What had she found fault in? He was just attempting to talk with her and she found it so disturbing…

Disenchanted, Ron turned his head back to the window and fixated his eyes not on the clouds passing by, but his own reflection staring back at him.

She still thought him a horrible person just because she misheard his thoughts and found the package in his pocket which he hadn't really been planning to use anyway. How could she count that against him versus all that he'd done for her? All that they'd done together?

Because what she thought she heard my thoughts. And thoughts don't lie. Like when she thought she loved Mankey. Now it was Ron's turn to shudder. When would this all end? When! It was one horrendous nightmare! One that Ron was determined to escape… —He glanced at Kim—with her holding his hand. In this he was most adamant.

-ø-

They had been walking some time now since they left the airport and travelled in a small rambling jeep into the outback. The Australian sun above them was positively blazing and scorching them unmercifully, Ron panted as he followed Kim who was looking down at the map on the Kimmunicator. Both of them were so hot that they could only walk by shuffling their feet in small increments. Ron's shoes constantly kicked up yellow dirt clouds which thickened against his pants, dulling the grey that it normally was. Lucky Rufus had sought shelter inside his pant pocket.

"Kim… why would Drakken be all the way out here?" he asked with his tongue dry in his mouth. He ran his tongue against his lips as he had done countless times already. "Where are we going?"

"Up there," Kim replied mechanically. She stopped, pocketing the Kimmunicator and pointed to a large dome-shaped building atop an enormous, overbearing rock face. She shielded her eyes with her gloved hand against the violent sun rays to stare up at the building Drakken had created, Ron doing the same.

"How we gonna get up there?" he asked sceptically, panting heavily.

Kim gave no answer other than strutting forwards towards the mountain.

Gasping from the heat, Ron walked after her, not bothering to run. His muscles were already weakening with every step as his body poured out the sweat. Again and again, he ran his tongue over is dry lips.

From behind, Ron noticed that Kim was indeed feeling much the same way as him. Although she walked more upright than Ron, he noticed her dragging her feet more and teetering from side to side at times. Not only that, but with her blazing red hair now dazzling in front of him, she must be attracting a lot of heat; Ron was thankful he was a blonde.

If they were this bad off now, how in the world could they battle Shego and the various Henchmen? They wouldn't have the strength!

Gasping, Ron caught up with Kim when she paused at the base of a winding slope trailing all around the rock and up to the very top where Drakken's lair resided. He leaned against the rock, panting heavily and wiping more sweat off his brow. He wondered if his fever would return… he hoped not because already his vision began to swim and off in the distance he would see water mirages caused by the cruel sunlight.

Something slapped on his glove. He knew something did for it was cool against his burning hot gloves which were dark and attracting heat, much like his black mission shirt which was the worst at bringing on the heat. What hit him was… water?

It wasn't raining. Looking up, he noticed for the first time that Kim was drinking from a bottle of water that she must have withdrawn from the hip pouch attached to her belt. Ron had no water with him. He watched Kim with growing envy as she leaned back her head and gulped down the water, little trickles missing her mouth and strolling down her chin… Ron felt himself tighten and felt a whine in his throat.

He tilted his head to one side as he continued to watch Kim finish her glorious drink. Ron wasn't sure what he was expecting, but he felt himself wilt with hurt and shock as Kim merely pocketed the water bottle in her pouch and began the trudge up the slope.

Leaning back against the rock for support, Ron stared after Kim, silent. He couldn't… he… Now that, to Ron, was just plain heartless. He didn't know the degrees, but it was absolutely sweltering in heat and Ron was severely dehydrated from their walk in the Australian sun. Ron still panted for water as Kim didn't so much as glance over her shoulder to see if he was following, she kept on trekking the steep swirling climb up the mountain.

Furrowing his brows, not from anger, from absolute hurt, he forced his legs to press on after Kim, only able to go at his own pace. It upset him further that not only did she refuse to truly acknowledge him, but she refused to even help him. He needed water just like she and Kim didn't care in the least. Didn't care…

Closing his eyes tight to hold back the tears that wanted to break free, Ron pushed on up the slope and after Kim.

After what could only be hours, Kim with Ron following were nearing the top of their climb, becoming closer and closer to Dr Drakken's latest lair and who knew what awaited them there.

Sweating, Ron's leg muscles burned with every uphill climb. The higher the winding dirt road went, the steeper it became and now it was almost impossible to walk on. Now, it didn't feel like they were walking a trail leading upwards anymore, now it felt like they were forced to climb with their hands and feet. Ron felt himself constantly reaching for the ground in front of him in case he should slip and fall all the way back down and around the cliff to his probable death. The climb was frightening for Ron, especially whenever one of his feet slipped on a rock underneath him and he fell back an inch or so before he clasped the ground in front of him with his gloved hands.

And he did all this with the flaring sun searing down on the two. He was sweating so profusely and his temperature was in the danger zone, although he had really no clue of knowing.

He wondered how Kim was doing but didn't have the gull to ask her. She was still ahead of him, never had she looked back at him. Every time he lifted his head to look at her back, he silently begged her to stop and offer him some of her water. She had taken breaks many times when she could while the ground was still fairly level. Ron waited with her as she drank and never did she share. It made him feel so inferior. It made him feel like crying.

Looking up, he found himself on an angle to Kim, himself closer to the edge of the trail and was thus able to see some of Kim's face. He squinted against the white sunlight and thought he saw her expression pained and her teeth gritted. He could barely see her face what with how the sun was blaring off of her firey red hair and burning brightly into his eyes. Wincing at the glare, Ron brought up a heavy-in-sweat gloved hand to his forehead in help to shield his eyes from the sun. Hissing, he squinted at Kim and then his eyes wandered past her…

Ron was rooted to the spot in terror, his heart pounded louder than he was gasping from the heat… Two henchmen and they were… Quickly, he glanced at Kim again, she was looking down! She wouldn't see it… not until it would be too late… Again his heart surged inside of him. But she might hear it… No! Clenching his teeth, Ron gathered every drop and essence of energy he had left inside and used this to bound forwards, kicking up dust that he breathed into his lungs making his way as speedily as he could manage towards Kim…

Kim's fingers were digging into the orangey-dirt ground, clinging and pulling herself forwards. She could barely see as it was, everything was so bright and absolutely burning, good thing she put on suntan lotion during the airplane ride. She gritted her teeth, her arm muscles aching from heaving herself upwards, wary of how her shoes could slip underneath her and loose all gripping on the dirt trail… It was when she attempted a leap forwards that she felt something collide into her from the side.

"Argh!" she grunted as the weight slammed into her and was pushing her back, back… into one of the small crevices in the rock wall beside her. She squirmed and tried to shift herself, but the weight was leaning hard into her, pressing her back into the rock behind and her hands… her hands were being pinned…

What the..?

Kim opened one eye and against the golden white sunlight engulfing everything, she was able to make out a black form that the rays went around and it was…

Ron.

In a moment's fear, she felt her stomach plummet, her mouth dry and adrenaline surge within her. She even panted in fear as she looked up at Ron, she couldn't really see his face, the sunlight was too bright and his entire form was like one ominous, overbearing shadow, completely blackened. But she could feel him pressing much too hard against her, it began to dismay Kim.

Thoughts of who he was, what had slipped out of his pocket that night he had broken their friendship and what he had been after her for came flooding back to her mind and Kim began to curse herself stupidly for agreeing with Wade's 'logic' in inviting Ron on the mission. This was Kim's first mission against one of the Villains since the night of the Villain's Ball when they had all been arrested and of course needed time to break out of prison as usual. Wade had insisted that she bring along her sidekick. Wade declared that even if she didn't want him as a friend, she needed him as a sidekick. Reluctantly, (and spitefully), Kim caved in. But now she began to dearly regret her decision, they weren't even friends any more, why in hell did she bring him along!

She squirmed more, and began to wriggle in panic, but every time she squirmed, he pressed himself closer to her and fought hard to keep her immobile.

How stupid was she? This was the perfect opportunity for him to… to…

Oh my goodness… she could have started to cry when it really hit her. She couldn't believe Ron was doing this, doing this to her. He would be able to get away with it and there was nowhere for Kim to run to, no-one to hear her screams…

"Let go!" she shrieked as loudly as she could, not that anyone could hear her.

Of course Ron didn't let go, he continued to apply his strength to pin her to the rock, "Stay still!" his voice sounded alarumed. Well of course she wouldn't agree to this!

Still Kim fought against Ron. She wasn't going to let him get away with this! She'd fight him with everything she had. And Ron apparently was fighting Kim back with everything he had. Horror dawned on Kim when she realised that his everything might be stronger than her everything… Well, he was male, wasn't he? Plus if need be, he could always call upon his inner Mystical Monkey Power for extra strength.

She let out a sob and attempted a feeble kick at him then more determinedly, she launched forwards, aiming her gnashing teeth for his bare arm. Although her teeth missed Ron's skin, she was successful in frightening him. He pulled back from her teeth with a cry.

"Stop that! Just stay still, ok?"

"No! Let go of me!" Kim's vexation turned to sobs once more and she felt her body failing, ready to just sink down to the ground and just give up. She had little energy as it was with the sun slowly absorbing her energy, there wasn't any way she could fight Ron off even if he probably had little energy himself. She let out another sob which she turned again to outrage. She was so conflicted between the two emotions.

Again she struggled against his grasp, "Let go of me you… you… you rapist!"

Instantly, the strength pinning Kim to the rock wall eased up. His grip on her immediately became lax. Still she couldn't see his face but she wondered if the insult she dealt him was infuriating him. Great, if he had, he sure wasn't going to show her any mercy…

If he could pin her again!

Kim took advantage of Ron's weak grip and pushed against him shouting, "I HATE you, get OFF!"

Kim frowned as Ron let out a gasping shout at being pushed back and then… it looked like an eclipse had blown in a torrent across Kim's vision, something had sped across the sun behind Ron; a large something.

When it did speed past, for that instant that the sun had been blocked, that fleeting second, Ron's back was arched backwards and he let out a horrific yell that caused Kim to cringe in consternation for him despite his attack on her. She looked up at him, panic stricken and downright frightened, her eyes wide and her teeth gritted. When she saw it happen, it felt like slow motion, but in reality it happened in mere seconds. Something else flew into the air and against the sun, some of it splattered on Kim's glove sharply, on the back of her hand. Looking down with numb shock, she slapped her other hand to her mouth when she realised what hit her was his blood.

Ron wheeled backwards, turning around in his fall and he landed on the dirt ground. He almost fell, slipping down the rocky slope, but Ron gripped with all his remaining strength on the dirt ground to lodge himself. As soon as he unblocked Kim from the crevice, Kim poked her head out and realised what had happened.

A boulder had rolled by. She could see it rolling down the dirt path and then right off the cliff as it missed the turn. It had rolled by right at the instant when Kim had pushed Ron away from her. Kim stared down at Ron hunched over, the back of his mission sweater torn, blood on his back, his skin… oh, his skin… The boulder must have skinned his back as it rolled past when she had pushed him.

Forgetting herself, Kim stretched out an arm towards Ron. He wasn't looking at her. Ron was on his knees, holding himself as he rocked back and forth in the pain, sobbing. But quickly Kim's expression changed when he lifted his head to her, his eyes were pitiful and Kim almost fell for them. Why was she feeling sorry for Ron? The boulder had saved her.

"You disgust me!" Kim snarled, kicking dirt and dust into Ron's face and eyes, he recoiled and she backed away from him, her body shaking in after thought at the near incident. "Find your own way home!" she screamed, her voice filled with emotion. Turning, Kim ran forwards, her feet slipping underneath her occasionally as she fled full-force despite the heat, adamant in putting as much distance as she could between her and Ron.

As she continued on, she heard Ron's crying. She curled her lip in disgust at the sound. Kim found that she no longer cared whether or not she had just left Ron to his death out in the Australian outback with no water or food, no way of travelling home along with his new brutal injury. Not when he had… Again she shivered and memories of her and him of long ago flooded back into her mind. Kim longed for those days… But in her heart she knew they would never return. He had become a completely different person… how willingly he was to greedily take pleasure by force from his own once best friend…

Kim was glad she hadn't stuck around any longer; he wouldn't be able to see the tears brimming in her eyes…

-ø-

Even in the safety of his own bed, Ron was still unsure how he had made it all the way home on his own… his own… He had Rufus, but no Kim. Ron shifted his eyes to Rufus who was sleeping soundlessly enveloped by his blue pillow. Ron turned his eyes back onto nothingness, looking at various items in his room, dimly lit by the dark sky streaming through the blinds of his window.

Well, he did know how he managed to make it home. But it was so unbelievable now that he reflected with all the pain of his torn and bloody back not to mention the unforgiving heat beating him down to the point where giving up would have been a heavenly blessing.

Ron had sat there, rocking back and forth, the pain of his ripped flesh so fresh, the dirt in the air stung it horrendously and he sobbed continuously, always rocking back and forth, hissing from all the pain and the heat.

It felt like everything was going wrong that day for Ron, Murphey sure had a vendetta out for him, but what Ron did to deserve such torture was unknown to him.

He would die out there, Ron was sure. If not from the consuming pain, then from his own dejected spirit. She hated him. What he had done to her could only be caused by hatred. His eyes still stung and he clawed at them furiously with his dirt-covered gloved hands to try and clear out the dirt and dust Kim had kicked into them.

Somehow, Ron's will to live, and for Rufus now in front of him squeaking with upset for his owner, pressed Ron into action. Slowly, very slowly for each movement stung his back like a searing sunburn, Ron steadily made his way down the path, down the mountain and across the outback.

Ron wouldn't have made it, not with the sun sucking what little reserve he had inside and with how dehydrated he was. There was no way Ron Stoppable would live to return to civilization. Truly, it would have been smarter for him to continue his hike up the mountain. At least Drakken and Shego had water up there.

Yes, Ron's life would have ended if it weren't for the helicopter flying overhead. Rufus whistled Ron's attention to the above aircraft, his senses were shutting down at the time and he had barely heard it himself.

Stunned, Ron looked up, jaw dropped in unison with Rufus'. O, Ron was thankful for the whirling blades of the helicopter as it landed, blowing a cool breeze onto his weakening body, onto his dying and parched skin. But it stirred up dust and Ron and Rufus both were left to squint and cover their eyes from the copter, they couldn't see who was piloting the mechanical air beast.

When a voice called to him, Ron lifted his head from his shielding arms, squinting and still he couldn't see the pilot.

There was no pilot.

"Ron!" the voice from no-where called out. "Come aboard, I'll take you back home!"

"… Wade?" Ron asked, perplexed.

"Yea, remember the pilot-less chopper drone from before?" Wade chuckled. "Well, when I said it was a life or death emergency, the aeronautic firm loaned it to me again. I'm piloting it here in my room."

Ron took a step away from the chopper, remembering the frightening ride in it years ago. Both he and Kim had been clasping to each other in terror as Wade piloted the helicopter from continents away.

"It was the fastest way of getting to you, believe it or not," Wade continued, still no image of him. "I just piloted it here from Cali."

"… That was… fast."

"Climb aboard, I told them to load the chopper with water. Heh, I believe you'd be needing that."

Ron panted and ran his tongue over his bone-dry mouth. Eagerly, he climbed aboard, forgetting his fright of the machine in desperate need for the water that awaited him on board. From there, Wade had flown him all the way to his front door. (Well, first Ron hadbegged Wadeto stop off at the Bueno Nacho drive-through on their way to Ron's house.)

Giving a little cough, Ron snuggled deeper into the covers, pulling them up higher, up to his nose, eyes drooping. His back was curved, hunched and unbelievably sore from his injury. It stung violently again and he clenched his teeth, hissing and gripping the sheets tightly.

It wasn't just his back being skinned by the thundering boulder that had bled him that day. Ron had seen Drakken's henchmen push the tumbling boulder down before Kim had seen it, he had meant to protect Kim, not do her any harm! Never! And he would certainly never… Ron buried his head into his pillow, biting his lower lip.

How could she think him even capable of such an act? Let alone capable of doing something like that to her. Didn't she hear the boulder approaching? He had just meant to hide her in the crevice and slip himself in as well since there had been barely enough room for the both of them. Ron hadn't meant to…

That sickening feeling inside of Ron churned inside of him and he fought to keep it down. Ron remembered what had happened that lunch and how sick he had been. The ceaseless sun on that mission and the wretched heat hadn't helped his condition, but still he braved it all for Kim's sake, to help her on a mission. Ron would do anything to help Kim on a mission, even if it was at his own expense.

Coughing again, Ron sniffled, rubbing his cold nose with the comforter.

Why was all of this happening to him? It wasn't fair! Not fair at all. But he would brave it all if he would end up with Kim in the end…

His stomach churned again and he shifted under the sheets uncomfortably. Ron hoped he wasn't about to be sick again, he wasn't sure if he had the strength to carry himself to the bathroom down the hall. That and his back was absolutely splitting with pain now that he was lying down and feeling nothing else other than the pain.

How he wished Kim was at his side, cuddling with him and soothing him like she had when he had been ill on the sofa at the Villain's Ball. If Kim were here with him, everything would be alright… she'd be here and chase away his ill feeling, shoo away the pain of his back and then consume him with her warmth…

Ron's eyes flickered and he realised how alone he really was. Sure, he had Rufus but Rufus wasn't the same. Ron wanted Kim, that person who had always been there for him, to stick up for him and be his bravery.

Between his stomach and his back, Ron would be up for a rough night, not to mention there was school the following day. He wondered if Kim had made it home by now and he took a gander at his teddy bear clock. Late. How had the mission gone? What had happened? He hadn't had even bothered to inquire Wade how Kim had faired on the mission. Ron wondered all these things and he would surely slay himself if something had happened to Kim when he hadn't been there to help her.

Not that she would want his help. She'd probably mistake it for something else. As usual.

For some obscure reason, Ron reached out for his red cordless telephone and pressed his speed dial. He didn't care about how late it was or the fact that Kim probably wouldn't respond, he wanted to show that he cared anyway. Even if she didn't see it that way.

Ringing… ringing…

"Hello?" came a yawning voice on the other end; he hoped he hadn't awoken her.

"Hey, Kim," Ron spoke softly (it was the only way he could speak with his drear and pain). "How'd the mission go?"

Silence on the other end.

"Hey, did I wake you?" he continued.

Then the click and a dead-tone. She had hung up on him. Ron sighed and shut off his phone, hugging it close to him for some reason he himself did not know.

He didn't care that nothing he did worked, nothing he did Kim saw it as him attempting to show his true affections for her because he'd keep at it and eventually… eventually she had to see these actions for what he truly meant for them to mean.

To-morrow (or rather later that day) would be school which, to Ron, was just another day to continue his arduous journey to win Kim back.

-ø-

A few streets down, Kim was awake lying on her bed, completing some last minute homework. She had just finished her phone call to Josh when the phone had rung. Kim hadn't told Josh what happened with Ron on the mission, she couldn't do that. She just needed him to talk to, to comfort her even if he didn't know what was bothering her. Of course, her not telling him what was really going on nettled Josh and the two spewed into an exasperating mini-argument, which wasn't all that uncommon for Kim and Josh. When the phone rang, she thought it might be Josh calling back to apologise, she didn't even look at the caller ID. So when she was expecting to hear Josh's voice and instead heard Ron's, she was verily stunned into silence.

Kim couldn't believe he had the nerve to phone her, to speak to her after what he attempted to do. She couldn't speak to him, she couldn't even shout at him. Why? Why would he dare phone her after his attack! Did he honestly think she was going to be all sunshine and flowers with him after he had just tried to… Oh, she still couldn't say it!

How could Ron be capable of such an act! He never used to be like that… she remembered him when they were little, how timid and yet very delighted he always was. How he'd hide behind her in fright from the smallest things. She missed the Ron who she had grown up with and had been that easy-going, vivacious person, the type of person who hurting someone never crossed into his mind. Even when he was angry, Ron would always brood to himself never act out against anyone unless they were hurting her. It didn't make sense to her how that Ron could have almost done what he had attempted that day. It completely baffled her… and hurt her beyond all measures.

She hadn't cared that she left Ron injured with no food or water or any kind of transportation at the time. She had left him to exile, left him for dead, not that she had killed him. But he deserved her abandonment, for being the cruel jerk that he really was. Never should Kim have brought Ron along with her and she wouldn't have if it hadn't been for Wade arguing against her.

Kim had gone on to infiltrate Drakken's Lair, battle Shego and destroy the blue-skinned villain's evil lair. Not that it had been easy without a sidekick. In fact, everything had all been a fluke; she had been so close to capture with no-one to rescue her but at least she had succeeded nonetheless…

When Kim was asking Wade to hook her up with a ride home, her computer buddy had then inquired as to Ron's whereabouts. Caving in, Kim told Wade the story and instead of receiving the expected sympathy, Wade had gone all out on her.

"He almost raped me!" Kim declared.

"You left him for dead!" Wade countered and with much a grudge, he set up a ride home for Kim and then went about asking favours for Ron, wherever he was then. Until that phone call she had only just received, she never would have known if Ron had returned to Middleton or arriving at school.

And for some inexplicable reason, Kim found herself nagging to know.

Leaning back, Kim closed her finished homework, placing it on the floor beside her bed and slipped herself under the warming sheets of her comforter. From her bedside desk, she pulled over the little plush that she had kept sitting there for weeks now.

Kim poked the nose of the little Rabphin, placing it in front of her, looking back at it with its black beady eyes neither critical nor sympathetic. Kim had given the muffin Ron had baked for her to Monique, she hadn't wanted to accept it, but the Rabphin… she couldn't just toss it or give it away. Yes, she might have mailed it to Joss, but that's not what Kim meant when she said she couldn't be rid of the plush. She clung to it and often brought it close to her as she delved into thoughts of That Night that seemed so long ago. That Night when her and Ron's friendship and been torn to pieces.

The Rabphin was her guilty pleasure, it made her feel as if Ron was there with her, comforting her like how he would have done when she knew she shouldn't even be thinking of Ron in such a manner. For it was he who brought it upon her like this and she hated him even more.

Yes, she hated him.

Not disliked; not diffident. Hated.

Hated how he ruined her inside. Although she still hated him, she felt lost without him and constantly drifted back to when they had been on the sofa… on her bed… the dock… and even just hanging out, the two of them on missions and being best friends.

Kim and Ron had been inseparable since Preschool, the longest they had been separated was ten days when Ron had attended Camp Wannaweep. Now… now being without him for four full weeks plus some days… Kim felt a blank, empty void inside of her.

She felt like a wandering ghost on Earth, not her usual self. Kim felt like she just barely existed, she didn't feel like she was living at all. Even her parents noticed a difference in her at home. Ron had been apart of her and now that part of her wasn't just gone, but destroyed.

When she felt low and depressed about what had happened, she would phone Josh or scope him out around school, being in his company made Kim convince herself that she did not need Ron. That she had Josh and he was her new beginning, he was there to comfort her and be her strength should Kim desire she could no longer handle the pain on her own any longer.

But being with Josh was never the same, no matter how strongly Kim forced herself to think differently. When he kissed her, it was never the same; it also felt that it was lacking something. When she kissed him back, there was no glowing feeling inside her of like when she had kissed Ron, when he had placed his lips tenderly against her own. The only time she really initiated a kiss was if Ron was watching, to show him that she didn't need him, that she could be happy without him. To show to herself that she didn't need him. Only there was no happiness. Just bland indifference.

Kim let out a moan and buried her head into her pillow. How dare Ron to this to her! She had thought that sentence a thousand times over in her mind and not once had she been able to surmise a suitable answer. Perhaps there wasn't even an answer…

Lifting her head, she rolled over onto her side, the Rabphin continuing to sit as still and immobile as she left it. She touched its nose, sighing. Reaching, up, she pulled down her plush Pandaroo and hugged it close, staring at the Rabphin and everything it represented to her.

She hated sleeping at night. Not only did it bring back memories and dwelling fests like these, but she looked to that empty spot beside her and longed for Ron to fill that spot like when their hands had been attached. She wanted him beside her, to snuggle close to, to talk with. Why couldn't Ron be that Ron anymore? Why did he do this to her just for his own pleasure?

After awhile, she had enough of these thoughts that chased after her night after night and leaned forwards, turning off her bedroom light.

Darkness. And it made no difference, still she laid awake, her eyes adjusting and fixating once more on the Rabphin. She picked it up and was about to place it on her bedside table like all the times before when she had a sudden change of mind. Instead, she drew the Rabphin close to her along with her Pandaroo and cuddled them both as she drifted off. She cuddled the Rabphin, but longed for the person who gave it to her, the one of long ago…

This longing for the old Ron and the recent memory of his attack on her that day returned to mind and she fell again into silent tears.

-ø-

It was peculiar, Ron mused, that Kim Possible wasn't even in class yet. The final bell for the first class of the day, Mathematics, had rung almost half an hour ago. While the teacher dictated the notes, Ron again turned around in his seat, the chair scraping slightly on the ground, as he surveyed his classmates to make sure his eyes weren't playing tricks on him. They weren't.

This greatly unsettled Ron. Frowning, he turned around and hunched over, staring blankly at the notes he had copied. Flicking his pen between his middle and pointer finger, Ron contemplated this news grimly then applied pen to paper to catch up in writing out the notes being written on the overhead projector. While his wrist moved automatically, swiftly, his mind delved elsewhere.

Could Kim's absence possibly relate to yesterday's disastrous mission? If it did, it couldn't have been due to an injury, at least nothing severe. After all, she was able to pick up her phone and speak (even if she only said 'hullo'). Kim hadn't even been sick yesterday nor had she shown any signs of a cold or flu.

So… what if her absence had to do with him regarding yesterday! But what? Did she run away? Was she traumatized? Ron double blinked hard, staring back down at his paper, but he hadn't had done anything wrong! Kim just misinterpreted his actions… Was that enough to cause Kim to stay home from school? Had his misapprehended actions perturbed her that much?

Ron's eyes dropped in the low-lighted classroom when that specific memory came to him. The sweat running down his forehead, his weakened body straining with everything he had to impetuously pin Kim still as he heard the distant rumbling of the boulder approach them; him agonized that she would flee out onto the trail only to realise too late her mistake… Then that word she called him… it still stung, stung just as severely as his back. He doubted he'd be able to join cheer practice again later that day too.

That morning when Ron had climbed out of bed and checked his back in the bathroom mirror, he and Rufus both gasped at the sight of his mangled flesh on his back, both of them hissed and winced, but Ron more of the pain rather than the sight of his back unlike Rufus. His back had been all red and raw that morning. There were patches still where he could see blood under the skin. It was like a massive rug burn of the worst kinds. Only it had been rock, not soft carpet to tear his skin. After all, the boulder had taken off layers of his skin. At least his back had ceased bleeding, but Ron predicted it could reopen at any time if he wasn't careful.

Ron had wished to stay home. When first walking that morning, he felt like a hunchback the way he ambled around, hunched over from the stiffness and pain. But he knew if he skipped school, the school office would send an automated message to his home regarding his absence and then his parents would find out… Well, they wouldn't be too happy.

Ron sighed, his mind going back to Kim's mysterious absence. Suddenly, a horror hit him.

What if she had stayed home! What if she told her parents her misjudgement! The abhorrence! Maybe her parents let her stay home… maybe they were going to call the police on him! Ron fidgeted in his seat. It would be his word against Kim Possible's! And she would never listen to him, the truth… not when she felt she had evidence versus his word.

A dawning realisation settled over Ron. No matter what he said to her, she would never listen. Not when she had 'evidence': the found package and the most damning of all—his own supposed disarranged thoughts.

Looking back down at his small writings, Ron continued the dictation now with a thick worry cloud over his head. Worry for himself, worry for Kim… He bit his lower lip, the adrenaline soaring inside him at the possible thought that he could find himself in trouble for something when he had only been trying to help…

A noise! Most of the class looked up right away along with Ron while some students preferred to finish their notes.

It was the doorknob! Someone on the other side was turning the knob… Ron's anxieties flooded back to him in a sickening rush. What if it was the police coming to get him! Ron slid in his seat eager to hide. Would he be forced to become a fugitive, have plastic surgery and a name change!

It was…

Kim!

Ron felt a wave of relief swarm over him when Kim turned out not to be the Middleton police. Just as he was swooning down in his seat in utmost relief, he sat bolt up right when it dawned on him what Kim was wearing.

"I'm sorry I'm late," Kim said weakly, rubbing her arm as if she had an injury, and she probably did the way the sleeve of her mission sweater was torn.

Ron could only sit in his seat stunned like all the rest of the students to see Kim's appearance. The other sleeve of her mission sweater was absolutely gone all the way to her neck, her bra strap visible. Kim's pants were also torn, they could almost be mistaken for caprices if they weren't torn off haphazardly. Her entire outfit was laden with dirt and grunge, including her hair which was desperately crying for a brush, not to mention soap and shampoo. Kim looked absolutely bedraggled, like she had just been pulled through the mud for miles. Her eyes were heavy and she slumped in her stance.

Miss Whisp did not look pleased.

"I… there was this rocker mullet freak in New Jersey and I had to go stop him," Kim explained, her voice worn. She lifted her arm feebly, the other one clinging to her knapsack on her back "I thought I could make it to school in time…"

Miss Whisp sighed heavily, "Go take your seat, Kimberly-Anne. Make sure you collect the notes from a classmate; this material will be on the test next week."

"Yes, Miss Whisp," Kim responded dejectedly.

Kim trudged down another aisle from where Ron sat. He watched her, his mouth slightly open as she took an available seat near the back of the class, one of the only available seats. She didn't even look at him this time.

Turning his head back to the front of the class, Ron was mind blown at what he just witnessed. No, it wasn't Kim's rag-tag appearance. It was that she went freak-fighting without him. Even though Ron hadn't said much on his helicopter ride home yesterday (mainly because he had slept and drank most of the time, that and he was in fresh pain) he had, however, had a little chat with Wade.

Wade had told Ron that their mission yesterday was Kim's first villain mission since practically all of the villains had been captured the night of the Villain's Ball. It was then that Wade explained that it was he who insisted Kim ought to bring Ron along on the mission. Kim hadn't decided it for herself. She never wanted him with her, which explained her attitude towards him on their airplane ride to Australia.

Ron lowered his head, consuming himself in his note-taking, flushing. He heard Kim rattling in her bag behind him, probably taking out her binder and textbook.

The Party then…he though miserably. I have to go to the party… He felt as if it was his last chance.

-ø-

Kim was lucky that Mr Barkin hadn't been teaching Math class, she knew this as she blew strands of her dirt-laden hair from her face, walking wearily down the school corridors. She knew if he had been, that would have been a strike against her, it would have been her first strike for the month of October. Three strikes and it would have meant detention. Was it really her fault that the freaks she fought didn't care that she had school?

It was Lunch now and it was painful to her pride but she had suffered through not only Mathematics but Latin, English Composition and Psychology class in her disgusting rag-tag state. There had been no time to rush into a bathroom to change into her fresh clothes in her bag or even to wash-up. Kim was unduly aware of students shuffling away from her. It only soured her mood further.

Sighing, Kim pushed the girls washroom door open carelessly, rolling her eyes. Thankfully, the bathroom was empty. Kim dropped her bag on the counter and looked at herself in the mirror, pulling on a matted lock of hair; she stuck her tongue out.

Turning on the faucet, Kim pulled off her torn gloves and threw them into the trash. The mission… she thought as she cleaned herself at the sink, had not faired well.

In fact, she had failed.

Stupid Motor Ed, the thought grudgingly, stupid mullets… She had needed a distraction on her mission. There had been only one of her and for all her fighting skills, all her intelligence and bold determination, she had still failed. Kim had fought like a wildcat, spent all of her energy chasing after her foes and dodging the burning rubber of the mammoth eighteen-wheelers. At some points, Kim had been frightened she would be hit by one of the monumental beasts, the drivers all bent on smashing her delicate skeletal frame to pieces with their trucks.

Kim only had herself and it wasn't enough to stop Motor Ed from steeling the highly valuable car parts (Kim never understood what they were; only that Motor Ed was stealing them and that equalled bad). While she had been busy saving her own life, dodging, fleeing and jumping around the fearsome trucks, Motor Ed had fled with all the parts, leaving her in the dust. Literally.

Lifting her head after cleaning off the dirt from her face, Kim peered at her reflection. She would have failed yesterday too if it weren't for Henchman Number Four accidentally pressing the Self-Destruct button (he thought it was a distress call button).

She hated to admit it, she absolutely hated it—but Kim wasn't stupid. Wade was right, Kim did need a distraction. She did need that extra person to aid her and be there for her loyally, fighting at her side.

She didn't have that person anymore.

How many more missions would she fail? Would this go on until she found a new sidekick?

The thought struck her… A new sidekick..?

Shaking her head, Kim checked her watch and hurried over to the wheelchair stall where she could have room to change into her clothes. She'd be throwing these mission clothes away, it was a good thing she kept extra sets at home.

Changing into her pink top with the dark pink stripe and the near creamy white cotton pants, Kim checked her watch again as she emerged from the bathroom all freshened up with her backpack now on her back. There was still plenty time left of Lunch, Kim decided to head to her locker first and exchange her morning textbooks and binders for her after Lunch ones: Chemistry and History class.

It wasn't too much of a surprise when Josh approached her, placing a hand on her shoulder. He usually greeted her this way.

"Hey, where've you been?" he kissed her briefly on the cheek.

She bristled under his touch, feeling uncomfortable. Kim sidled away from him, making him drop his arm around her. "Had to clean up in the washroom," Kim said, "Didn't hear any rumours of a hobo mucking around school, have you?"

Josh grinned and teased, "No, but I did hear one about a zombie being on the loose."

Kim blushed, rolling her eyes. "Just like that Zombie Rampant movie that came out last summer, right?" Kim recalled going to see that movie with Ron in the summer. Even though zombies weren't exactly her thing, she had enjoyed watching the movie with him back then. They had laughed and screamed joyfully, throwing popcorn in the air as they jumped out of their seat in terror, always coming close together in giddy laughter. She missed those times.

"Zombie movie?" Josh asked sceptically as if the thought of seeing a zombie movie was immature or embarrassing. "Like, what, are you kidding me?"

"Aa? Um, yea," Kim replied, lowering her gaze, blushing again. "Yea, just joking."

Josh shook his head slowly, "Mission gone wrong?"

"Very," Kim nodded, packing her Chemistry text into her bag. She paused, wondering… could she… could she ask Josh to be her new sidekick..? She couldn't really see him running around, jumping and fleeing like Ron had but… Maybe she should, she mulled. But then:

"Why don't you just say 'no'?" Josh asked, leaning against the locker next to hers.

Kim froze and gave Josh an incredulous look. "What do you mean 'no'?"

Josh shrugged, nonchalant. "Well, you have school. So why not just say 'no, I have school, maybe after' or something like that. I mean, you do have a life, right?"

Kim frowned at him, turning from her locker. "Well yea, and missions are apart of my life. I can't just say no. People need my help, the world needs my help." She didn't comprehend why Josh wasn't on the same wavelength as her.

"Okay, okay, chill," he replied looking disconcerted. "I don't always get why you have to flee at the first call but just don't run yourself ragged like to-day."

"To-day was kinda normal…" Except for failing at the mission. It would have been normal… if I had a sidekick… If I had-

"But it interferes with your life," again Josh shook his head. "Like making you late for school-"

"I already told you, it is apart of my life. Ron always-" she stopped short suddenly realising who she had just mentioned. Kim felt frustrated with herself and flustered, "I… Don't you support my missions?" Kim abruptly demanded.

Josh was silent for a moment. His eyes shifted and fell onto the photograph still hanging in Kim's locker. The one she had neglected to take down after all those weeks.

"That's a nice photo," Josh said, nodding at the photograph of Kim and Ron playing in the ocean water at the beach during summer vacation. Kim looked to it now as if she had never noticed it before. "You guys look so happy..."

Growling softly, Kim tore the photograph off the locker door and crammed to the side of her computer, Josh recoiled at her unexpected actions.

"You never answered my question," Kim countered brazenly, changing the subject.

Josh gave her a look as if he didn't at all like her attitude.

Giving her a quelling look, he sighed and shrugged, "I do. But not if you end up getting the short end of things like to-day, y'know?" To Kim, it didn't really sound like he was behind her on this. "You're hip-hopping all over the world at any time of the day even during school hours just because someone can't help themselves. If you can't say 'no' then how about 'wait'. You can't just bend over backwards to other people because they say so."

"You don't get it!" Kim snorted, closing her locker and slinging her bag over her shoulder. "It's what I do: helping people-"

"Do you even get paid?"

Kim groaned, "Not usually, but they help me in return by giving me lifts when I have other missions to go on. Look," she wanted to mention Ron's name. She wanted to tell Josh that Ron, although complained about missions for his own well-being, was still always behind her, always willing to run with her around the world or wherever whenever she called his name. Ron never asked questions, he had always been there. It came to Kim then that missions hadn't just been apart of her life, but it had been apart of their lives. Kim faltered in her thoughts, suddenly appearing deflated.

"Let's not argue, Kim," Josh said as they walked together towards the cafeteria, "You have your thing and I have my thing."

And your thing is so dull, Kim wanted to say but resisted.

Yes, Josh had gorgeous art and he was extremely talented and Kim enjoyed viewing his art and even watching him paint, but only to a degree. She couldn't sit and watch Josh paint a whole painting through, it just… it became so boring. Sitting with Josh in the cafeteria and listening to him drone on and on about artsy things with his artsy friends dulled Kim. It gave her the fierce urge to smash her head on the desk and melt into a puddle on the floor. She would have preferred listening to Josh talk about video games rather than art. Art conversation, to Kim, was too complex to follow. At least with video games she understood the terms: 'blow brains' and 'double kick then punch'.

Josh never engaged with her when he was talking with his friends. When Josh was having a conversation with his friends, she felt like she was only an obedient little child, having to sit with her parents during some conference that felt like hours.

Sometimes Kim couldn't stand it anymore and she butted into his converse with his friends, making a stupid joke or even giving her own input. But Josh and his friends just gave her blank stares, making her feel increasingly stupid.

Often now, Kim took to zoning out, thinking of other things like cheer practice or homework. Yes, she even did homework at Lunch time she was so bored out of her mind. Lunch had no longer become a fun break from classes. In fact, she felt as if she still was in class.

So she sat now, after going through the lunch line with Josh, carrying their trays over to Josh's familiar friends at one of the round tables.

Too bad I put all my morning stuff away.

Kim sat next to Josh and immediately he and his friends delved into a chat about some gallery opening or other. Sighing audibly and yet no-one heard her, Kim poked at her mashed potatoes.

Where was Monique? Kim searched the cafeteria for her friend. Sometimes Kim managed to worm herself away from Josh and search out Monique.

But in the beginning, the first few weeks after the schism with Ron, all she had done was cling to Josh. Following him around like his shadow. She had been so hurt back then, so emotionally weak and distraught that she had required comfort and if Ron couldn't, nay, wouldn't … no… was incapable of giving it to her, then it would be Josh, even if he wasn't really giving it to her now.

Josh was good comfort yes, but as Kim always thought, there was always something lacking.

Instead of Monique who wasn't in the cafeteria (probably in the Sewing classroom finishing off one of her dress projects), it was Ron whom Kim's eye befell.

He was hunched over in his seat beside Felix as usual. Kim had wondered if he had the gut to come to school, or the strength. A part of her was curious as to how his back was fairing, but a part of her was also downright repulsed when she looked at him and what he attempted to do to her yesterday.

She shivered. Josh may be a bit on the dull side, but at least he would never harm her. Josh would never take advantage of her like Ron had. Kim was downright disgusted at who Ron really was and couldn't believe that from some point in their life, their friendship had just been some tool Ron was using to eventually gain from her. Disgusting. Just so incredible to Kim that that little timid and yet exuberantly happy boy she had grown up with, that boy who had never been apart from her for more than ten days at the most, had become some jerk. It felt surreal and implausible. But she had proof: his own thoughts.

Sighing in defeat on not finding Monique, Kim heaved a moan and grievously returned her attention to Josh and his pals.

-ø-

In some way or another, Ron had managed to keep down his teetering stomach. He ate nothing at Lunch, somehow worried that it might prod his stomach in another merciless round of upheavals like the day before. With his scorching back, Ron couldn't imagine the pain if he had to hunch over the toilet again, vomiting. Thankfully, Ron's stomach had calmed down, but he wasn't spared entirely. His back ached wretchedly, that and the fever was constant with him all day, his vision constantly blurring.

So obviously Ron was grateful that they had no Physical Education class that day. Maybe he'd ask his Mother or Father for a note excusing him from PE the next day, he wasn't sure how he'd be able to manage through gym class to-morrow; it wasn't just Ron, but his illness really was increasing dramatically.

Especially lately, it felt as if Ron's sickness had taken a sudden leap and was perhaps worsening day by day.

But still Ron told himself it was just something going around, something that would go away eventually. He'd be fine, he'd been sick before. Rarely, but fevers weren't all that uncommon.

It was after school and Ron, as usual now, ambled at his own slow pace to his locker, cramming away his things and bringing out his Mad Dog sweats. Like yesterday, Ron had no inclination to join the girls. He'd stay on the sidelines and watch, only going for his attendance, even though he wouldn't really be participating. How could he with his back constantly flaring pain? Constantly, Ron would hiss and grit his teeth throughout the day.

"See ya, to-morrow!" Felix called, passing Ron by in the other direction towards the front doors. "Don't forget the party!"

"Right," Ron nodded, waving good-bye as his friend wheeled away.

Ron had almost forgotten about Gil's party through-out the day ad he mulled it over now in his mind as he made his sweet time towards the gymnasium. Regardless of his previous thoughts that morning, he was now seriously was doubting about going. He couldn't really see what would be so good about it anymore. Ron felt himself conflicted between his inner burning flame to attempt contact with Kim at the party and his shying demeanour to just grant her what she obvious wanted, which was for him to leave her be.

Maybe he should just give her up. Maybe Kim never was for him. Ron remembered that in the past, he would always do what Kim wanted him to. Kim had been gallivanting around Josh and back then, Ron had always done 'the best friend thing' and although making his own self upset, he would have done anything to make Kim, even if that meant hooking the two up, content.

So why didn't he feel like that now?

'Cos, even if it was just for a bit, I got to reveal some of what I feel for her, that's why. It's like being forced to eat a nacho and then when you finally get a bite of the big ol' juicy naco then it gets taken away from you and you're forced to the nachos again. You've had that taste of naco and it's just not the same without it. That was the best analogy Ron could come up with, but it was very accurate.

If Kim didn't want him in her life anymore, shouldn't he honour that? Shouldn't he just let her go and leave her be? Ron might have… if it weren't for the fact that Kim thought he was something he wasn't.

That's right, isn't it? He asked himself. Kim's thinkin' I'm this dude I'm not… and so what she said to me way back when our hands were stuck… must all be true, like, still even. Cos I never changed. I get that, I get that she likes who I am, but she's just so… like, blind to know that I'm still that guy. So I won't leave her alone. She'd want me to continue to prove to her I really am that guy. Or… or like she's gonna be cheated, yea, that's right. I'm doing her a favour, even if she doesn't realise it yet.

So yes. Yes, yes and no. No, Ron was not yet prepared to count Kim out of his life. Yes, Ron would continue to persist after Kim, to prove to her that he never intended to harm her. Not ever. Yes, Ron would attend the party.

I am so there!

"Hi, Ron!" Tara piped up from behind Ron, startling him and Rufus on his shoulder. The boy and mole-rat were fast becoming accustomed to silence.

"Oh hey, Tara," Ron replied kindly. "What's going down?"

"Nothing much, I was working on my routine again last night. I'm worried I'm gonna sprain something."

"Don't do that, I think your routine's just fine as it is," Ron said, "You're stressing too much about it."

"But Kim said-"

"Kim just likes to nitpick, is all, I told you that before. You're fine, you'll do badical at the Regionals."

Tara seemed to glow, "Thank-you, Ron! You're doing good with your Mad Dog routine too!"

Ron chuckled, "How'd you know? I haven't done anything in a long time!"

"Oh, well," Tara blushed madly, "From what I've seen you do before, that's how I know! It's so natural for you. You're so funny, you're perfect for the mascot!"

Ron rarely blushed, so he flustered. Kim had never commented on his Mad Dog routine, only if he had been in the way or interfering with the girl's practice. That's one reason Ron liked being in Tara's company, she complimented him. Instead of nagging or complaining at the things he did. Ron wasn't used to being around someone like that, it felt a little 'awkweird', as he might put it. But it felt good, even if it, at times, was a touch uncomfortable. He never really knew how to respond, not being used to it.

"Uh, thanks," Ron replied shiftily.

Together they reached the empty gymnasium and Ron departed to change into his sweat suit. It took him awhile, his back was so stiff and constantly a pain that he could only move cautiously as he stripped out of his usual red and black turtle neck shirt and into his purple Mad Dog uniform.

Outside, none of the other girls had arrived yet. It felt like everyone was taking their time to reach the gym. When Tara emerged from the changing room, still no-one had arrived.

Tara walked up to Ron, dumping her light-blue backpack onto the bench near him and sat beside him.

"Won't you join in to-day?" she asked, her eyes so bright and innocent to him. "You haven't participated in a long time. You keep saying I don't need to practice so much, but what about you?"

"I can't really join in the practice again to-day," Ron admitted, taking his now familiar seat on the bench.

"Why not?" Tara inquired, sitting beside him on the bench.

"Um, an injury," Ron mumbled, looking away. But he turned around again, puffing himself up, "But it's no big. I'll be fine by Regionals." Ron wasn't actually so sure about that last statement.

"What happened?"

Ron flushed, "A boulder kinda shreddified my back, it still hurts," he shrugged, the movement irritated his back further.

Tara gasped softly, covering her mouth with a fair-skinned hand. "Here," she stood up and began to rummage inside her backpack. "I have some lotion that could help ease the pain."

"Lotion?" Ron asked, Rufus on his shoulder tilting his head to one side in equal confusion.

"Yes," Tara insisted, "It might sting your back a little at first, but trust me that it'll feel better! I use it when I feel sore after cheerleading. Even the other girls use it!"

"Oh, so it's some of that girly stuff? Ew, I 'unno about that…"

Tara giggled, pulling out the lotion and showing it to him, "No, no! It's just normal lotion," she laughed again, full of delight. "It won't turn you into a girl!"

"I'm marking you on that," Ron glowered lightly.

Suddenly Ron felt himself bristle with shock as he felt the back of his sweater being pulled up. "Wh-what are you doing?" he panicked.

Tara flinched, blinking at him softly as he tried to look at her over his shoulder. "I was just going to apply the lotion to your back, that's all. Is… something wrong with that..? I thought-"

"Oh, no, that's ok. I was just, um, yea go ahead."

"Ok…"

Ron again felt the back of his sweater being lifted up and pulled over his head, but he kept it on his arms. All of Tara's movements were delicate and… so much different than Kim's. With Tara, there seemed to be this sense of extreme caution. With Kim, everything she did she was always assure of, never hesitating. Tara… felt so gentle in the pulling of his sweater of his head. It gave him a brief shiver.

Ron tried to turn his neck to watch Tara squirt the lotion onto her palm but it was too much of a strain on his neck so Ron set his sight forwards waiting for her touch…

He heard her gasp softly. "Oh, Ron!"

"What?" he asked thickly.

"You're back, it… it looks so horrible! Gosh, this must be horrible to bear!"

"Well… Kinda." She didn't see the 'no duh' look he gave her.

"I'll make it better…" she said, her voice drifting off into concentration.

"…"

Teeth chattering, the lotion was cold against his skin and again Ron shivered. But this was in discomfort, he didn't like the feel of the cold lotion on his skin. Tara was rubbing the lotion smoothly, carefully, over one of his sore spots when immediately Ron arched his back involuntarily shouting out.

"I'm sorry!" Tara moaned from behind, "I said it would hurt some. But it'll get better."

Ron bit his lower lip, fussing and shifting himself, feeling skittish. He had an urge to leap away. He gasped in pain as she waved her palm over one of the extremely sensitive parts of his injury. It stung like nothing else Ron had experienced before and he whined in his throat, a tear surfacing in the corner of his eye.

"It's ok," Tara soothed and Ron sedated slightly. Yet there was still a slight feeling of discomfort and Ron slowly wondered if it really was caused by the lotion even if it stung his back so. Maybe it was the person spreading the lotion…

In an attempt to distract his mind, Ron sniffed the air, "What's that smell?"

"Banana," Tara replied, "Banana cream lotion!"

"Does it taste like banana cream?" Ron pondered aloud.

Tara placed a clean palm to her cheek and declared, "I don't know!"

Shifting himself, Ron took the bottle from Tara and squeezed some onto the tip of his finger and licked it off, Tara squealed happily when he did this.

"Well!" she demanded.

"It does actually!"

Rufus leaned forwards on Ron's shoulder and sniffed the ointment. "Gimme! Gimme!" the mole-rat intoned eagerly.

Ron laughed and poured two blobs on two fingers, one he licked off for himself and the other he gave to Rufus.

Tara laughed in mirth, taking the bottle from him and taking some for herself. "It does!"

Sharing the bottle of lotion between them, Ron and Tara laughed excitedly as they ate away at the banana cream lotion.

Giggling, Ron and Tara looked up when they heard someone traipsing their way after pushing through the gymnasium doors. Turning their heads, they spotted Kim with her backpack on and her duffle cheerleading bag in hand as she strode towards the girls change room.

Finding nothing special with Kim, Tara ignored her, giggling again, and licked some banana flavoured lotion off her finger. She took some more from the bottle, as Kim watched walking by, snagging Ron's attention from Kim. He chuckled and scooped some lotion from the bottle like she had and licked it off his fingers. Together they laughed delightedly, ignoring Kim's presence.

But when Kim was almost directly across of Ron and Tara on the bench, Ron couldn't help but look up at her. As she was walking, she watched Ron eating the lotion with Tara and sneered in disgust at the both of them. Kim looked downright repulsed and she drew back, never stopping in her walk to the girl's change room.

Ron shrunk back from her domineering gaze, his euphoric laughter dying inside of him. Soberly, he wiped his hands off on his yellow pants and drew silent, looking down.

Tara watched Ron's shrinking reaction then looked back up at Kim who was looking away now, but the grim disgusted look still rode upon her face. She was now walking in great strides into the girl's change room.

When Kim was gone, Tara turned to Ron, his expression hadn't changed. She peered at him with inquiry, but he didn't look up. Licking off the last bit of lotion off her fingers, Tara stood up.

"I'll be right back, ok?"

Ron nodded and watched her retreat into the girl's change room.

When Tara burst into the change room, her expression was much different than when she had just been with Ron. In fact… was it anger?

"Kim!" Tara called, walking up to Kim who was taking her cheerleading clothes out of her backpack.

Kim turned around looking slightly put off, "What?" she asked almost grudgingly, returning to her clothing.

Tara paused, suddenly wondering if it was such a good idea to approach Kim. Nervously, she took a step back but then remembered Ron outside. Impudently, Tara took a step forwards, her hands locked together in front of her and blurted out: "Why are you so mean to Ron!"

Kim froze. Her back was to the blonde-haired girl as she waited for an answer. Nothing came, so Tara pressed on.

"I always see you looking at him! And you always send him all these really mean looks and Ron gets so upset about it! I don't like that you're making him so sad."

"Him sad!" Kim burst, whipping around startling Tara badly, she stepped back. "There you are—swooning all over him and you don't know a thing about him!"

"Yes, I do," Tara retorted.

"Oh?" Kim pressed, "Like what?"

"H-he's funny, kind… very sweet…"

"HAH!" Kim barked a laugh, spooking Tara further. "Do you know how blatantly generic those words are?" she sneered, leaning forwards, hands on her hips. "Those words can be used to describe just about anybody! You… ah…You hardly even know him! And yet here you are defending him in front of me when you don't even know what happened between us! You're so infatuated with what you see of him that you won't even consider for a moment that he has faults!"

Tara cringed from Kim, blushing, but refused to back down for Ron's sake. "I know Ron has faults!" she cried back tersely, "But I don't care! Because… because I like his pros more and you just can't see that because all you care about is your popularity! I know what people say about him, Bonnie's my friend, but I happen not to care about what they say! I like Ron for who he is and I'm not afraid to show it!"

Kim's mouth was left open, she stood stunned, incredulous. "This has nothing to do with my popularity!" she screamed this unnecessarily, tears almost forming. How dare Tara think this had to do with popularity! How dare she assume! "How could you think this has to do with something as petty has being popular!"

Again Tara pulled away, her blue eyes wide with fright. "Then tell me what it's about."

"I can't," Kim replied, "And it's none of your business anyway! Did it ever occur to you that maybe I have a right to glare at Ron? Why is it that you jump to the conclusion that I'm at fault? Have you ever considered that it could be Ron?"

"If Ron was at fault then it would have been an accident!" Tara insisted.

Kim snorted, "Is that how you see him? That he can do no wrong lest it be an accident? Well you better wake up soon, Tara or you'll be sorry! In fact, you better stay away from him. I don't to see you hanging around him anymore."

Tara stared hard at Kim, nonplussed, she said softly: "Is that a threat?"

"What?" Kim recoiled.

"You can't tell me who I want to hang out with!" Tara replied heatedly, "Just because you think Ron is a loser doesn't mean everyone else has to! You're the one who's blind! You can't see what a wonderful person he is!"

Kim threw back her head and laughed callously, " 'Wonderful person'!" she mocked. "I must be getting old if we're now calling liars, users, and rapists 'wonderful'!"

"Th-those are lies!" Tara blustered, stumbling backwards. "Ron would never do such things!"

"Huh," Kim rolled her eyes. "Yea, well I thought so too. But guess what? I was wrong."

But Tara continued to shake her head, "You're wrong! But I don't care what you think—you never deserved Ron in the first place!"

It was Kim's turn to recoil, wide-eyed and stunned at that last sentence.

"You never treated him fairly! You always just bossed him around; you never listened to whatever he had to say!"

"Never listened!" Kim gave another callous laugh but this one sounded more nervous. "I'll tell you something, Tara," she hissed. "I did listen to him, I did treat him fair; I understood him. I was opening up to him, and it was he who turned his back, not me. I told him these things and still he didn't care. You…" Kim felt tears gathering in her eyes when placid memories of her and Ron came back. The dock, in the tree… how… with everything she had told him, how could he have done this? He knew that in the past she hadn't always treated him right as Tara was now saying. But Kim told Ron she was aware of that then, that she was changing and wanted him.

Looking up at Tara, Kim's eyes shimmered desperately, her mind still submerged in her recollection and the pain it caused her. But Tara's eyes still read disbelief.

"He was never happy with you…" Tara shook her head slowly from side to side as she backed away towards the door. "You don't have to like him and you can keep your lies of him, but don't you dare continue to make him unhappy by glaring at him all the time! Just… just let him be happy for once by leaving him alone!"

Tara turned and fled from the girl's change room, leaving Kim to stand bewildered and alone.

Returning to Ron on the bench, he sat still, holding the bottle of lotion in his hands; Rufus sitting on his knee. He looked up when Tara reached him and she smiled kindly down at him. Ron hadn't heard everything being said in the girl's change room, but he certainly had heard Kim's voice raising passionately and could only guess they had been talking about him.

"You ok?" Ron questioned. Tara looked troubled, distressed but she looked into his eyes and regained her composure.

"I'm fine, Ron," she replied. "Here, let me rub some more of the lotion on."

"Thanks."

"Does it still hurt?"

"It kinda stings some a bit."

Tara took the bottle from Ron's hands and squeezed some of the lotion onto her palm and rubbed it onto Ron's torn back tenderly. He flinched, hissed and fussed again as she did so, the chemicals in the lotion stinging him where he was still sore, but Tara laughed affectionately, easing him to a calm state.

While she was still applying the lotion peacefully, Liz, Crystal and Marcella walked in, they waved to Tara eagerly and she smiled back at them. When the three girls entered the changing room, Kim walked out, her pom-poms in her hands. She did turn to look at Tara applying the lotion on Ron's back but resisted the sneer.

Watching Tara apply the lotion fleetingly reminded Kim of her tending to Ron when he had been injured, when she had accidentally slammed him into the door and again during PE class after he had been mulled by the dogeballs. She had felt a sense of intimacy back then, something she had felt should only have been between her and Ron. But here Tara sat applying the lotion to his back. Kim wondered fiercely if there was any of the same sense of intimacy going on between them…

Kim watched Tara layer the lotion to Ron's bare back… rubbing it on… something growled inside Kim. She wasn't sure what it was, but it didn't feel like her usual hatred towards Ron. Instead of the negative feeling inside towards Ron, it felt as if the negative feeling was instead being directed towards Tara.

Kim had been nitpicking at her a lot lately, over little things, things that she normally wouldn't have picked at. Sometimes she picked at things that didn't exist. Kim wasn't sure why she did this, but she felt the urge to, especially whenever she saw Tara hanging around Ron.

Kim hated that Tara did.

She hated Ron and she hated Tara following Ron around like a love-sick puppy. Truly disgusting. Utterly repulsive. The two were horrible together. Them sitting there, eating lotion and acting like a couple of idiots. With their stupidity united, Kim thought, they could probably blow up the planet by accident.

Dumb ditzy blondes, Kim scowled as she continued with her stretches, bending her arm behind her back and curling her leg behind her so her fingers touched her toes.

"Tara!" Kim barked from where she stood, flexing her limbs, "Come do your stretches. This is cheer practice not a slumber party."

"I'm coming," Tara replied, for the first time a bit resentfully, not even bothering to look up at Kim. This only frustrated Kim further. She didn't like it when she was loosing control over things… people…

"Tara," Kim called out with exasperation, "I'm telling you now as head cheerleader to do your stretches. You can't participate if you don't do your stretches!"

"I said I will!" Tara cried back, still staring hard at Ron's back.

Kim didn't know what they were saying from her distance but Ron turned around and said something to Tara. Kim craned her neck in a failed attempt to overhear. Looking uncomfortable, the curly-blonde nodded and popped the cap back on the lotion bottle, handing it to Ron. Ron pulled his sweatshirt back on and composed himself, sitting and watching Tara walk over to Kim, joining with the stretches.

The two girls didn't speak to each other, even when Marcella, Liz and Crystal joined them in their uniforms and started chatting. Kim didn't speak at all, no, she was looking at Ron. But for the first time, he wasn't returning her look, this made a sense of indignation burn inside her. As if to say: how dare you not look at me when I'm glaring at you!

She followed his line of eyesight and found the source to be Tara. That was when a flare of something shot and blazed inside of Kim. She narrowed her eyes with a burning hatred kindling inside towards that dim-witted blonde girl. Ron shouldn't be looking at Tara. He should be looking at Kim. Kim felt an urge to stalk up to Ron, smack him on the cheek and say: 'Look at me, I'm hating you here!'

Kim was momentarily distracted when the rest of the girls, Jessica, Bonnie and Hope walked into the gym in their clothes.

Bonnie stopped when she was in front of Kim had crossed her arms in her pink, off-the-shoulder sweater and tight jeans. "I hope you won't be keeping us long to-day, K. Some of us have social lives to live. I plan on going to the mall after practice to buy a new outfit for Gil's party to-morrow. I unlike some don't plan on wearing the same bland outfits day after day."

"Ohh," Kim drawled venom, crossing her arms, "Then why don't you do something about it for a change?" (Bonnie snorted.) "It depends on how long it takes you to saunter yourself over to the change room, depends on if you can actually complete the routine."

Bonnie stormed after Jessica and Hope to change into their cheer uniforms, leaving Kim to smile smugly to herself.

-ø-

Practice went well, there were still some spots to work on, but mainly they had it all down pat and were no longer lagging to the song. All the girls were determined to do their best on the day of the Regionals which would be held at Upperton High that year. Again Kim broke the girls up into their pairs and judged their performances, exchanging retorts with Bonnie as usual when it was her rivals turn to dance. Kim hated to admit it, but like herself, Bonnie had a knack for dancing about. She felt as if Ron would make a cruel comical addition about Bonnie if she said this to him, but reminded herself that she hated him.

Ron had watched the girls practice and felt as if they were all doing a good job. He couldn't imagine any of the other schools doing better than theirs, but then there was all that technical stuff to think about. Not that Ron was regarding that, he was mainly thinking about their dancing. Yes, he really was a lucky guy…

After practice, Ron stood up, picking up his bag to change back into his clothes. It really was useless to change into his sweat suit, but it was part of participating for some stupid reason. Tara had been right, his back was feeling much better now that the lotion had taken effect. It was actually bearable now. He hung around to thank Tara, not sure if he'd catch her before she left if he went to change first.

Tara was coming out of the girls change room with Jessica and Marcella who waved goodbye as Tara stopped in front of Ron.

"Hey, wanted to thank ya for the lotion," he nodded at her. "My back is, like, way much better than before, it really worked!"

"And it tasted good," Tara giggled.

"That too!"

"Hey, um, Ron… can I ask you something?"

Ron had turned to change in the boys room but paused. "H'm? What?"

"Um… ah…Would you like to come to the mall with me?" Tara blurted out anxiously, her backpack slung over her shoulder.

"What?" Ron asked, standing up to face her.

"Well, I'm going to the mall to buy a new outfit for Friday's party. I was… kinda wondering if you'd like to come with me? We can get you a new outfit too!" she smiled warmly at him, calming him down.

He thought on this and how he was feeling (his fever and back), but… to be with a friend, it was something Ron wanted to do. Even with Rufus Ron felt himself to be constantly alone, even with Felix. It was because he was missing his times with Kim but… could Tara be slowly filling that void? It was up to him to decide now. She was asking him and the answer…

Ron glanced around at Kim, sitting on the bench, tying her shoelace. Instinctively she looked up and saw Ron. Even though she held back the cruel glares that Ron had expected to see, she still didn't look happy to see his face. That gave Ron his answer. Sucking in his breath, he turned around to Tara.

"Yea, that'd be badical!" Tara looked delighted. "But, er… can it just be us? Or like… everyone in the world and not Bonnie? I kinda overheard what she said."

Tara laughed gleefully, clapping her hands together. "Oh, sure! You two don't really get along do you?"

"Heh, well, that's a bit of an understatement."

"Ok, we won't hang with her. We can go off on our own."

"Sure, um, lemme go change first, kay?"

"Go ahead, I'll wait here!" Tara sat down on the bench elegantly, her curls bouncing.

Ron left for the change room while Tara sat prettily for his return.

After finishing with her shoelace, Kim walked by Tara, shooting her a glare that she usually reserved for Ron, Tara met her eyes determinedly, saying nothing. Growling, Kim hastened out of the gymnasium. She wasn't sure why, but she felt as if she had just been defeated.

Tara should stick her nose out of business that isn't hers! Kim thought fiercely. Thoughts began to swirl inside Kim's mind again, thoughts Kim usually thought about at night in her bed, staring at the Rabphin. Not now… don't feel like this now, Possible. She thought miserably.

Eager for comfort, Kim looked to the only place where she found it these days. Kim jogged towards the art room, hopping Josh would still be there as he usual was, either working on some project or helping out. Too bad his comfort always lacked, too bad it was a poor substitute. But Kim took it nonetheless, after all, she had nothing left.

-ø-

The drink was cooling to Ron, such a great refreshment for the fever that had been shadowing him all day. Though it hadn't actually been long, to Ron it felt like he and Tara had been walking around the mall all day, browsing in countless stores. So by the time he and Tara took a break for a drink in the mall food court, Ron was exhaustively grateful. Even if it was a smoothie.

Presently, Ron sat across from Tara, stirring the straw absent-mindedly. His fever had been horrible to him and he was afraid that he had been a little short with Tara in the last store when she was picking out clothing. Ron had been worried that he had hurt Tara's feelings with his snippy reply, but, to Ron's great astonishment, he hadn't. If he had snapped at Kim in such a manor… well, she wouldn't have taken it from him.

"What do you think, Ron?" Tara asked while in American Seal, holding up a light blue top with darker blue graffiti spray on it.

Ron felt himself beginning to feel dizzy and events from yesterday, mainly the boulder incident came back to him. His stomach was 'fine' at the time, it was just his fever. Ron felt himself waver slightly and he backed up as to be able to lean against a table with folded clothing.

"Yea, um, kay," he replied shortly, furrowing his brow. With an increasing fever, Ron felt eager to leave the store. He became fidgety and agitated. Tara clearly saw this, but had no notion it was because of a fever.

"Oh…" she replied, gently putting down the top as if against her will. She looked at the top longingly; she obvious valued Ron's opinion more than her own. How unlike Kim.

"Tara, don't," Ron said, more nettled than he had intended. Tara turned to face him, wide-eyed and curious, looking slightly hurt. "Look, it's fine. I just," he leaned more against the table, constantly darting his eyes away from her, "Try it on."

"But if you don't like it-"

"I never said I didn't!"

She was dragging on the conversation far more than Ron's fever liked. It only frustrated him further. Ron always had the patience of an angel, Kim had said and that statement was very much true. Hardly anything agitated him, let alone angered him. If he did become angry, he didn't yell or shout or rant like Kim; Ron would silence himself and brood, sometimes for days or until whatever it was became sorted out. So seeing Ron suddenly show signs of aggression frightened Tara, especially after Kim's information but Ron didn't know that.

Yet at least for Tara, she would be put at ease. Ron realised his outburst frightened his new friend and instantly he regretted his unusual burst.

"I'm sorry," he said instantly and looking it. His voice still held some slight discomfort. He wanted to get out of the store, he wanted to go somewhere to cool him down.

"It's ok, Ron…" Tara forgave, but still appeared spooked so Ron decided to elaborate.

"My fever…" he began, "I have a fever, Tara. I'm feeling a bit crummy. I didn't mean to, like, bark at you there or nothin'. I'm just-"

"A fever?"

"Yea, I've been getting them lots lately. So… yea, the top, it really is good on you."

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"About the top?"

"About your fever."

What? Ron had thought at the time. No yelling? No 'so what? A fever shouldn't justify your outburst! Next time just tell me instead of going all-out war on me'? Perplexed, Ron stuttered while thinking up an answer.

"Cos, uh… cos, like," he rubbed the back of his heated neck awkwardly. "Cos… you never asked?"

Tara peered at him calmly, inquisitively. "But how am I supposed to know if you don't tell me?"

O, this was much too much for Ron's brain! For his entire life of being with Kim and now being with someone… who was not like Kim baffled him. He didn't know what to say or do and it was full of surprises, especially surprising questions—which meant answers… which was something Ron wasn't very experienced at.

"Cos…" he struggled to think of an answer, but he never had conversations like this with Kim, she never asked these questions, so he failed miserably. "I dunno. Usually you just know?"

" 'Usually'?"

"Oh! Um…" Ron hadn't been aware of that. He had been referring to Tara as if she were Kim.

Thankfully Tara was kind enough to save Ron from any further struggles. "I wish I had known sooner," she wailed, and made towards the front doors of the store, Ron following, slowly, confusedly. "If I had known, we wouldn't have continued on! We should have left as soon as you weren't feeling well."

"Yea?"

"Of course! Do you think a cool drink would help? We could stop for a drink in the food court, would that help?"

Ron shrugged, "I suppose."

"How about a smoothie?"

Out in the mall hallways, Ron froze in his amble after Tara heading towards the food court. " Smoothies?"

Stopping, Tara turned around to face Ron. "Yes? Is that ok? Are you allergic?"

Ron almost smiled. He remembered being here at the mall, a little over a month ago. He and Kim had been breaking on one of the benches. She had insisted on smoothies and was scooping up mouthfuls with her spoon and trying to shove it done his throat playfully. A feeling inside of Ron surged as he longed for those times with Kim again, even the times that happened after the smoothies, the running around the mall, avoiding the security guards. Something like that would never happen with Tara

He looked at her now, standing in front of him with those soft, tender eyes; different from Kim's. Ron couldn't even remember what he felt when he had looked into Kim's eyes all those weeks ago. All he ever saw now was dislike, criticise… Eyes that didn't care for him anymore, eyes that were blinded by her own stubbornness.

"No, I'm not," he replied, catching up with her. "A smoothie would be great, thanks."

Leaning forwards and sipping the sweet, cooling drink from the straw, Ron continued to muse things over. He looked down at Tara's shopping bags resting by her seat. It was strange that he had had a hand in picking out many of her outfits. Yes, it was weird to be asked so many questions when Tara was browsing, asking for his opinion. Kim rarely wanted his opinion and mainly talked aloud to which Ron would agree and nod while allowing his mind to drift. But… it was fun, to actually engage and feel as if what he had to say was being appreciated. He liked it.

The cream-white door to the changing room opened and Tara stepped out donning the glittering teal shirt and black jeans also deckled in sparkles. She twirled before Ron, looking at herself in the mirror. "What do you think Ron?"

It had been in the first store they went into that day, Kim's favourite: Club Banana. He half expected to see her browsing the new arrivals as she always did. Kim would always rather spend more money on the new in-clothing than the bargain racks unlike Ron. It hadn't only been the first store, but the first time she had asked for his opinion, Ron recoiled, appearing baffled.

"Nice," Ron replied with a normal response that he supplied Kim with when she occasionally asked his opinion. It never mattered what he said because Kim would always decide for herself whether or not to purchase the clothing in question.

"Just nice..?" Tara asked, looking defeated. She stood in front of the mirror, evaluating herself. Her expression had been exuberant when she stepped out of the change room, thrilled with her wear. Now with Ron's response dwelling in her mind, she appeared deflated and began to second-guess herself.

Was nice the wrong answer? Ron questioned himself. Kim never found fault in that answer before, mainly because she never really listened.

"Well," he began, trying to put Tara at ease. The clothing really did look nice on her, but apparently saying the word 'nice' wasn't acceptable in direct speech. "I like it. You look good in that colour, y'know, with your eye colour 'n everything. I don't know much, but I know you look good in it."

Tara lightened at this. "I'm glad you think so! I'm going to try on some other clothes, be right back!" She dashed into the change room, leaving Ron with Rufus on his shoulder to sit in one of the armchairs.

When Tara emerged, she wore a yellow top with a pleated jean skirt. "How about this one, Ron?"

Ron had been leaning back in his seat at the time, with lazy eyes and thinking about a nap. To be asked his opinion two times in a row woke him. He looked at the yellow top. Well, the top wasn't bad or anything. But because the top was yellow, on Tara it just made her seem pale. It didn't make her stand out unlike the teal shirt.

"Uh," Ron said, wondering or not to tell her the truth.

"Do you like it?" she pressed.

"The skirt's all gravy," Ron settled.

"And the top?"

"The top?"

"Yes, Ron, the shirt, what do you think?" Never once did she loose her patience with him, still she appeared eager for his reply.

"Oh, um, well… y'know, the other one was better. If you only get one, get the other. Uh, right."

"… You don't like this one, do you?"

Ron swallowed hard, exchanging an anxious look with Rufus on his shoulder. He didn't need to say anything, his actions spoke to Tara. But instead of looking defeated like his 'nice' comment beforehand, Tara actually smiled at Ron. Another confusion for the gears in his brain.

"It's ok, Ron! Y'know, that's why I'm asking for your opinion. Because I want it," she giggled, "Even the truth."

Ron frowned, "But, like…"

"Seriously! If you don't like it, tell me! What other reason would I have for asking you then if you just kept saying 'nice' all the time?" Again she giggled.

Ron attempted a feeble smile, still confused. "Hehe, yea, of course. So, like, I should tell you next time if the clothing tanks?"

"Yup!"

"Do you dig the yellow one?"

"Sorta, I like the light pink stars on it but…"

"Not really your colour?"

Tara laughed again, "I'm glad you told me!"

"No wait, I didn't mean-"

Tara tsked him, "Don't worry so much, Ron!" She trotted back into the change room, back in her clothing and purchased the glittery pair of clothing with (what was probably) her Father's credit card, giving Ron a smile as she did so.

There weren't only bags at Tara's feet, but two beside his feet as well, one from Club Banana and another from Blue Bay. As Ron continued to recollect with his time with Tara, slowly draining his smoothie, he also found himself amazed that not only did she truly and actually value his opinion, even if she disagreed, unlike Kim, Tara didn't just drag him around to clothing stores that she wanted to go in, but actually went to the guys side and let him browse around. Rather than being forced to stand around lazily as she browsed the girls side only.

She had helped to pick out some clothing for him to wear at to-morrow's party using her girl know-how in fashion to pick out clothing that not only looked good on Ron, but clothing that Ron liked.

"I don't really wear jeans all that much," Ron responded to Tara as she held up a pair of baggy jeans. "Y'know, they don't really have pockets big enough."

Tara's eyes flew open. "B-big enough?"

Ron nodded, shrugging, "No pockets big enough for Rufus. He doesn't really fit into one of them side ones or anything like that."

"Oh, Rufus!" Tara smiled meekly, looking at the small rodent nodding on Ron's shoulder. "Well, I'm sure we'll find something for you."

Again Ron shrugged, "I can always wear something I have at home."

But Tara insistently shook her head. "Nonsense, Ron!" was her merry reply. "We'll find some, like over here- see?" Tara strode forwards and held up a pair of black cotton pants that was massive with pockets. "Do you think Rufus could fit in any of these?"

Ron took the pants from her and held them in front of him. "They're pretty fly," he said. Rufus leapt off of his shoulder and slipped into one of the pockets, nestling inside. He poked his little rodent face out of the pocket and chattered happily.

Tara giggled, "It looks like Rufus agrees with me! They'd look good on you, Ron. Black goes with everything, you know."

"I like these better," Ron said openly and picked up a pair of baggy, dark jeans that actually had two large pockets on either side of the pant leg.

"Me too," Tara nodded. "Why don't you try them on?"

It wasn't the first puzzled look he had given her that day.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Like, ok," he looked back at the jeans, confusion still on his face. "And you'll wait? Out here?"

It was Tara's turn to look confused. "Of course. Where would I go?"

Ron laughed evasively, "I dunno; hang on, lemme look around s'more."

"Sure—oh hey, how about this shirt, Ron!"

Conflicting, he thought. The shopping part with Tara was easier, and he enjoyed actually feeling as if he were apart of the outing rather than just tag along luggage. But it also took a lot of brain-power and constantly Ron found himself more confused than what was usual for him. It took up a lot of energy to shop with Tara, not being used to kindness and equality. In some ways, Ron preferred to shop with Kim, he was comfortable with the familiarity, but he found he was more content when with Tara.

Ron had purchased more than he thought (he had thought he would purchase nothing). That pair of jeans from Club Banana plus a long-sleeved shirt, then a hooded sweater from Blue Bay. Ron still preferred to purchase his clothing from Smarty-Mart, it was much cheaper and the merchandise at Smarty-Mart and Club Banana were practically the same, but he didn't mind splurging here and there. And hey, he deserved it what with how rotten Ron had been feeling lately.

Looking up, Ron watched Tara taking the last sip of her smoothie in front of him. Ron was… so glad that he had a new friend like Tara. It made everything begin to feel worthwhile. He enjoyed that she never snipped at him, never made any shots or brought him down. She… valued him.

"Are you feeling any better?" Tara asked, dabbing her lips with a napkin.

Ron nodded, swallowing his smoothie. "Yup, it did help. Never thought I'd admit it though," and he laughed while Tara looked at him with question. "That was real cool of you to stop shopping at let me get a drink."

"No duh! It would be cruel if I didn't!"

Ron double blinked. "Cruel, hah?"

Tara nodded. "To make you suffer just so I can shop? What kind of friend would I be?"

"I dunno."

"Not a very good one." Tara watched Ron fall silent. "Um…" she decided to venture, "Ron do you want to talk about something?"

Immediately Ron looked up, frightened, "What?"

"I don't know… maybe about… Kim..?"

"I've nothing to say."

"Oh."

"Why? Did Kim say anything?"

"She…" Tara stumbled. She looked away from Ron worriedly and played around with her spoon in her empty smoothie cup. "She said you two weren't friends anymore-"

"Heh, everyone knows that."

Tara looked at Ron again, smiling weakly. "But whatever they say, I don't believe it."

"What if it's true?"

Tara faltered, "Then… then I don't care. Because… because I'm your friend, Ron. And I know you'd never do anything wrong on purpose, I know what a nice person you are. I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt."

Ron smiled. So Kim did say stuff to Tara. Wonder what exactly? But it doesn't matter… he looked into Tara's shinning eyes, her welcoming eyes. Cos Tara likes me and is willing to hear me out. As friends should. Unlike other people who don't. Which, I suppose, doesn't make them friends. That's right…

"Hey, uh, you wanna hang out at Lunch to-morrow?" Ron asked boldly.

"Pardon?"

"Well, unless you're hanging with Bonnie and stuff…"

"No, I'd like that!" Tara nodded, "We could… we could go to Bueno Nacho at Lunch time, it's not a far drive."

"Bon diggity!" Ron perked up, grinning. "I haven't actually been there in awhile, I'm afraid they might come and repo me."

Tara laughed, leaning back in her seat. Clasping her hands together, she said, "Aah, you're so funny!"

Ron hadn't felt as if he'd done anything funny or light-heartened in weeks. A month, actually, he recalled grimly. Even with Felix. Sure, his mind was allowed to drift when he hanged with Felix, playing video games and chilling with one another. But he was never his old, regular, joking self. Suddenly, from that moment, Ron wondered if he'd actually be able to be that person again.

"What do you wanna do after this?" Ron asked.

"Whatever you like," Tara shrugged.

Looking up to the side, Ron contemplated. It was still strange to be asked what he wanted to do, but he went with it anyway. "Maybe the Electronics store-"

"Electronics?" Tara asked.

Ron sat in his seat blinking back at Tara. "Actually, no, um-"

"It's ok, Ron, we can go there if you want," she said but didn't sound like she wanted to go.

"Not if you don't wanna."

"No, it's ok, if you want to-"

"But if you don't want to-"

They stopped, peering at each other puzzled, each waiting for the other to give in. It didn't seem like either of them would.

Ron flushed, fidgeting in his seat, "Naw, better not, not with my fever."

"You're right," Tara said. Ron couldn't help but think she sounded a tad relieved.

"Maybe I should just go home," Ron murmured more to himself.

"Only if you want to," Tara said, standing up, her empty smoothie cup in her hand. "I think it might be best. You should rest for the party to-morrow. Y-You plan on going, don't you?"

"I guess," Ron replied grimly.

"I look forward to seeing you there."

"That's cool," he smiled faintly. "Cool someone will be."

"Ron…" Tara walked around the table and stood next to Ron as he stood up, his bags in one hand and his own empty smoothie cup in the other. "You should know that… just because some people don't like you anymore doesn't mean that we all don't. Y-you should be thankful for what you have, not cry over what you can't have. And… might not ever have."

Ron blinked hard as she said this, watching her retreating back as she dumped the smoothie cup into the trash can. She stood waiting for him beside the trash can. So fresh, so inviting to Ron, the way she stood there, it wasn't just like she was waiting for him to catch up with her, but waiting for him to finally leave his sorrows and woes behind, to join her in a fresh new beginning… because she was his only new beginning. And she was the only opening to this new beginning that he had to accept lest he be left in a swirling world of depression for the rest of his life.

The only person willing to bring him out of it.

The only person who cared enough to revive him…

The only…