Chapter 13: The Decision and the Fist Mission

A week passed as Ron was located back to Middleton hospital. He was on the road to recovery but still was required to stay for medical treatment and supervision. During his stay Ron got visits from everyone; Monique, The Mayrils, Felix, the cheer squad, even Bonnie dropped by even though she claimed she was forced to go. But the people who visited Ron the most were Joan and Kim.

Ron was chillin' out, watching some T.V. enjoying his time away from school.

A nurse knocked on the door and opened it. "You have visitors Ron."

"Cool."

Joan and Kim walked into the room.

"Hey J.C., K.P. coming back to sign my cast again?"

"Ron, we're here to talk." Kim replied.

Ron could already knew what about.

"Uh-oh chloroform's kicking in." Ron said as he fell back pretending to sleep.

"Ron." The girls said sternly.

Ron sighed, he wasn't ready for this, he'd never be ready for this. He'd been dreading this moment for the longest time, technically he was ready for it but emotionally he was ill prepared. He looked at Kim with a look that made her understand. Kim stepped out and closed the door behind her.

"Joan sit down."

Joan walked over to the chair that was beside Ron, resting he hands near his arm. She was terrified of what was to come; she didn't want to hear it but knew she had to.

"Joan?"

"Yes Ron."

Ron swallowed the lump in his throat.

"I'm not going to sugar coat anything. I'm going to tell you the truth because you deserve nothing less."

Joan knew where this was going but said nothing.

"Please don't think it's because I just wanted to sleep with you, it's not because of that. I just realized what my heart is telling me and I can't deny it."

Joan continued to look at Ron, not revealing the destruction happening inside.

"I mean, look at me, I'm a jerk. I run off on missions leaving you hanging, I have to keep secrets from you and worst of all I put you in danger, I almost couldn't save you. I never want to do that again, ever. I don't want to have to do any of this to you anymore. You deserve better."

Even though Ron was being honest he felt like the lowest form of scum imaginable. It felt like everything that had been done, everything that had been said just a few days ago was a lie.

"You don't have anything to worry about Joan, you will find someone even better then me, you're too much of an amazing person to be alone for long. But more then anything else I want you to know, that no matter what happens I'll always be there for you."

Joan nodded as she fought her tears with all her strength. Ron looked into her eyes, those eyes that had captured him the first time he saw her and he could easily tell what she wanted and he knew he owed her at least that.

Ron sat up and moved close to her as she moved to him. Their lips met for one last kiss, one that would leave one last good memory. As the embrace broke Joan slowly stood up and went to leave but felt Ron holding her hand.

"Remember, no matter what." Ron reminded strongly.

Joan nodded believe every word. Ron felt the sting of guilt, how he wished he could make her happy. Joan walked out the door and into the hallway.

"Joan?" Kim asked lightly.

Joan turned to face Kim.

"Don't ever lose him Kim; guys like Ron don't come around every day."

Kim nodded sympathizing for Joan's feelings.

"If you ever hurt him, you'll answer to me."

Kim knew what Joan needed; Kim pulled Joan in for a hug. The embrace allowed Joan to release some pent up depression.

"I hope this doesn't change our friendship." Kim said hoping.

"No, it won't." Joan confirmed.

Kim's contagious smile brought one to Joan's face. Joan turned to start the walk home but turned back to Kim.

"And don't think that I won't be there to catch him." Joan added.

Of all things Kim knew this above all else. She continued to watch Joan until she disappeared from sight, then she went into the room.

"Ron?"

"Hey K.P."

Kim walked over and took the same seat Joan had. She had a question on her mind, maybe it wasn't the most appropriate but she needed an answer.

"So why'd you pick me?"

Ron looked deep into her emerald eyes.

"Because I realized that the feeling I got with Joan, that feeling that made me feel like nothing could stop me was no different then the feeling I get when I'm with you. I just forgot that I had it all along."

"Oh, Ron." Kim said softly as she moved closer to him.

Ron met her half way, their lips meeting for the first real kiss. A kiss that would no doubt set the trend for a great time to come.

"Ow! Ow! Ow!" Ron whined breaking it.

"Oh sorry!" Kim apologized after realizing she was leaning too hard on his wrist.

There was a pause then they both started laughing before their lips met again.

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"Are you sure about this?" Ron asked as he stood with Kim outside the school.

It had been a couple of weeks and Ron was out of the hospital and ready for his return to Middleton high.

"I mean, I know I'm not 'top of the food chain' material."

Kim grasped Ron's hand tightly and looked him straight in the eye.

"Ron, I know I've said it a thousand times before, but for the first time I really don't care what people think."

With new confidence Ron and Kim walked into the school still hand and hand. As they walked through the hall every single set of eyes locked on to them. The new couple noticed but didn't care; they actually wanted it to be known as they kept going. Finally nearly the entire school had noticed except for one person. Bonnie was strutting through halls when she stopped entirely has she saw Kim and Ron.

"It finally happened, she dating that loser. Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable are dating?" Bonnie laughed mockingly expecting support.

There was a pause before the halls erupted in cheers of approval. Kim and Ron looked at their locked hands then at each other.

"Are we the only ones who didn't see this coming?" Kim asked.

"I guess." Ron shrugged.

"Trust me!" Monique said putting her arms around both their shoulders. "You are the only ones! In fact, had you done it four months earlier I would have won the pool."

"There was a bet?" Kim and Ron said in unison.

"Oh yeah, in fact there were so many takers that we're going to have to look at the chart to see who had this specific day."

Ron looked down at Rufus.

"You had a bet in this to didn't you?" Ron accused.

"Yep!"

"Even the mole rat could tell, when you think about it, that's pretty bad." Kim grieved.

They reached Kim's locker continuing the talk as she opened the door.

"I wonder how many other relationships get this much publicity?" Ron asked. "Well, not including celebrities."

"I don't know." Kim purred. "There are some benefits."

Seeing the look in her eyes Ron knew where she was going.

"Oh, I see what you're saying." Ron moved in with her.

As their lips met Wade flashed on the locker monitor.

"Kim, the Señors are WHOA HELLO!" Wade spat out his soda all across the monitor screen.

"Oh, hi Wade, what's the sitch?" Kim asked like nothing happened.

"Okay deja vue." Wade said crawling back up onto his chair and wiped the screen clear. "Let me guess moodulators again right? I can do a scan and find…"

"No Wade. This is the real thing." Kim said.

"You guys... are a couple… together?"

"Bon diggity." Ron answered.

"Man, I was off by one day." Wade complained.

"What?"

"I must have made a miscalculation, I was sure you would do it tomorrow."

"You had a place in the pool too?"

"Duh! I was the one who started it, and now I've got to pull up the internet chart to see who won."

"This is global?"

"What? You think just Middleton High knew you two were going to end up together?"

The two couldn't argue with that logic.

"Anyway, what about the Señors?" Kim asked returning to the topic.

"Oh, right. They are setting up a lottery fraud that will bring a market crash in their favor."

"We're on it Wade." Kim said before he signed out.

"Ready for our first?" Ron asked.

"What do you mean our first?"

"Well, when you think about it, this is our first mission as… you know."

Kim smirked.

"So not the drama. What could happen?"

The End.

Or the beginning…?

Author Note:

And so ends Changes. But don't fret my faithful readers it isn't over as my last bit suggests. I have a sequel planned out and everything. Joan's not out of the picture yet and Ron's not out of the woods either… at least in my eyes. If you want me to post "The Pieces that Remain" you are going to have send me a review telling me whether or not you want it.