School Days

Celebration

Chapter 24

Kim headed across campus for her Friday morning class. The doctor had cleared her to return to the cheer leading squad. Ron and Wayne were the talk of the campus and she had trouble keeping all the girls off of Ron. So far he had been pretty oblivious over it, and he had not let the bigheartedness come back, at least so far. She also thought back to the phone call she'd received from her mother. That could have gone better. The picture was now all over campus and there had been several comments about where just exactly their hands had been.

Davis had nearly been sanctioned by the NCAA. The late hit stood, but the tape showed later that although he was angry when he got up, the contact between he and the official who was knocked to the ground was considered to be accidental. Wayne was back in the good graces of everyone and there was a lot of talk that he was back in the running for the Heisman. No one seemed to care that it was Ron who was responsible for Wayne being back on the field. Wayne took as much of the glory as he could seemingly to forget that Ron had got him back in the game and took a hit so that he could win the game.

She thought back on the conversation they had while Wayne sat with her on the bench. He seemed to know a lot about things that went on back in Middleton. More than she was comfortable him knowing. He knew of the time that she had stepped in on the operation with her mom, that her brothers ran experiments all the time at home and that they had that rocket fuel from the Space Center. When she mentioned it to her mother, her mother in turn had mentioned her father talking about Wayne a lot. Kim didn't think that her father would mention things like that and she didn't think that Ron would either.

Mrs. Sweeny had called Kim earlier that morning. Apparently, the flu bug that had been going around had hit the cheer squad hard. Glenda was out, and so was Robert's partner. All in all, there were four members of the cheer squad sick. One problem with all of this was that now, Kathy Jayrich was in charge as she was Asst. Captain. That did not bode well with Kim. She knew Kathy did not like her under any uncertain terms and would do anything she could to make it hard on her. The other bad news for Kim was that Robert was her partner again. There was not a lot that could be done about that. The two of them had worked together before and the squad was getting mixed up enough as it is with four members being out of commission.

Kim rubbed her arm where she had gotten her flu shot. She and Ron had taken one of the GJ tubes on campus down to the local headquarters infirmary. Both of them had all but been ordered by Mrs. Possible, Mrs. Stoppable and then Dr. Director in that order that they WOULD be both getting vaccinations. Ron whined all the way but took them both with a smile when Kim told him that if he didn't, she would arrange with her mom for HER to give it to him. The thought of Kim approaching him with any kind of needle, even with her mother's supervision gave him the motivation to get both the shots. Dr. Director also explained the reasoning for them both getting the shots. The reasons were that they were of the age that the flu was most prevalent, that they lived in close quarters with other people their age and that because of their missions, they traveled the world a great deal. The shot for the regular flu had hurt just a bit, but the H1N1 vaccine sprayed up her nose was something new.

“Hey, Kim. Wait up!”

Kim stopped and turned around to see Jonathan Blakely coming toward her. Her thoughts went back to that weekend she wanted to remember and forget at the same time. That was the weekend that for the first time in her life, she had slapped Ron. Jonathan walked up to her.

“Hi Kim, listen Professor Devilin wanted to see you for a few minutes. First he wants to thank you for all the work you have done over the semester and then he wanted to ask you about about something else.”

Kim looked at her watch.

“I REALLY need to get to class right now Jonathan, can he wait until after class?”

Jonathan nodded.

“Yeah, he said he knew about your class and that you could come after that. He'll be waiting for you.”

Kim sighed in relief.

“That's good, thanks I'll see you later.”

Kim turned and headed for class wondering what he might have in mind. She had done a lot of varied research for him. A lot of it had to do with international relations and communications. She shifted her backpack over her shoulder as she walked toward the building where her class was.

Ron was feeling fine and on time as he made his way across campus. He had aced the test the week before, played a good game of the weekend and spent a lot of time doing some serious lip work with the most beautiful badical girl in the world. Of course, his life would have been a little easier if that cameraman had not taken that clip of the two of them. Glen had asked him if Kim was trying to reach his wallet considering her hand was all the way down his back pocket. The question lay open of what his hand had been doing at that same moment.

Ron smiled. It was a little embarrassing but it was also very much worth it. Apparently, Mrs. Dr. P had given her daughter a rather stern call to remind her that the two of them were public figures and that the media was also just looking for excuses to publish photos of the two of them. Showing affection for each other was okay, it was just that they needed to be a little more aware of where they were at the time. Kim claimed TMI on the rest of the conversation with her mother. Ron had thought that whatever it was had caused Kim's face to approach the color of her hair.

“Ronnie!”

Ron stopped and turned around. Diane Powers and Brenda Jenkins were waving to him. He waited for them to catch up to him.

“Good morning ladies. I hope you are doing fine this morning.”

Diane curled her arm around one of his arms while Brenda took the other. They both giggled as they tightly clutched his arms.

“We're doing fine! You were great at the game! They should have given you more credit for winning though.”

Ron shook his head.

“That's okay ladies, it was a team effort. Where are you ladies heading?”

Diane shrugged her shoulders.

“Not anywhere special. Care to join us for a snack?”

Ron thought for a moment.

“Well, I don't have anything going on right now. Where are you thinking about?”

Brenda thought for a moment.

“How about the Student Cafe? It's close and quick!”

Ron glanced across campus to the building where the Student Cafe was located.

“Sure, treats on me.”

Brenda and Diane both nodded.

“You're on!”

Ron didn't see the figure following them with his camera at the ready.

Kim knocked on the door to Dr. Devilin's office. A voice called out from inside.

“Come in.”

Kim entered the office and closed the door behind her. Dr. Devilin stood up as she walked up to the desk.

“Kimberly, thank you for coming. Please, have a seat.”

Kim set her bag down on the floor and then sat down in the chair in front of his desk. Devilin sat back and steepled his fingers.

“First Kimberly, I would like to thank you for the work that you have done for me this semester. It was truly outstanding.”

Kim blushed.

“Dr. Devilin, mostly all I did was help organize your work.”

Devilin shook his head.

“Not only that, but the research you did for me made my job that much easier. I will be placing a letter of commendation in your student file as well as a recommendation for you to receive the internship that you should be able to do this summer.”

Kim's heart did a flip flop. The internship? She was not expecting that. The internship would almost guarantee that she would get into the Honor's program. She stammered her reply.

“Dr. Devilin, that...that program is for Juniors or Seniors. I am a freshman.”

Devilin nodded.

“Yes, yes... I am familiar with the program. However, I think in this case the requirements can be relaxed just a bit. Also, I will need to ask you to do something else for me.”

Kim sat forward on her chair.

“What can I do for you?”

Devilin sat back.

“I have a graduate student that is responsible for another research project that I am doing that is related to the work that you have been doing. He is in need of an assistant to help him get the work organized and to help him do some addition work. I believe that you would be the best choice for this position. The work requires someone with a security clearance, which I have no doubt that you have. It will only be for a short time, but I think it will be very beneficial for all of us.”

Kim thought for a minute.

“I don't know Dr. Devilin, I am already taking a heavy load, add in the cheer leading and the world saving and it adds up to a lot of time. Can I think about it and let you know in a day or two?”

Devilin sighed.

“Very well, I have a number of other students that would jump at the chance at this. Although it will require them to get clearance, if you are sure that you can't handle it I will give it to one of the other students.”

Kim bit her lip for a moment, and then nodded.

“Okay, I'll be able to help. I can make some allowances for my classes and everything else.”

Devilin smiled.

“Excellent, allow me to give him a call so that you may meet him.”

Devilin picked up his phone and dialed a number.

“Gerald, would you please come into my office? I have a student here I want you to meet. She has consented to be your assistant.”

Devilin hung up his phone and waited for a few moments. There was a knock at the door and then the door opened. A young man just a few years older than Kim walked into the room. He looked to be about six foot and very fit. He stepped over to the desk as she stood up. Devilin spoke as the man extended his hand to her.

“Gerald, this is Kim Possible. Kim, this is Gerald Proctor.”

Gerald took Kim's hand and gently shook it. As he did, he placed his other hand on top.

“It is a pleasure to meet you Miss Possible. I look forward to working with you.”

Kim tried to smile.

“Thank you, Mr. Proctor. I look forward to working with you.”

Gerald smiled down at her.

“I am sure that we will work well together. Would you care to have lunch so we may discuss the work that you will be doing?”

Kim thought for a moment. She had promised to meet Ron for lunch since both of them had practice that afternoon. She shook her head.

“Thanks, but I gonna have to say no. I promised to meet Ron for lunch. We both have practice this afternoon and this will be the only time that I will be able to see him today.”

Gerald nodded as he pulled a card from his shirt pocket.

“That is fine. Just give me a call when you can meet with me. We have a lot of work to cover.”

Kim picked up her bag and turned to Dr. Devilin.

“I will see you later Dr. Devilin, it was nice to meet you Mr. Proctor.”

She turned and left the office.

Glancing at Dr. Devilin, Gerald grimaced.

“Are you sure about this? Having her around could be a problem.”

Devilin nodded.

“We need to finish the project. Having her around will send up a smokescreen to cover what we are really doing. Our benefactor is paying us well to get this done. Besides, having her close may keep her from really realizing what is going on. And besides, I am sure you will not mind having such a lovely young woman working for you?”

Glancing at her watch once again, Kim began to wonder where Ron was. They were supposed to meet fifteen minutes ago for lunch. He was almost always right on time. Looking up across campus, she saw him heading her way. What she also saw made her Kimness start to boil. He had a girl on each arm. Even from a distance she could see that they were quite lovely. As she watched, both girls let go and waved as he started jogging toward her. As he approached he started to wave. He stepped right up to her and enveloped her with his arms. She blocked the hug for a moment.

“Ron, where have you been? We only have a short time for lunch.”

He pulled back for a moment.

“Sorry KP, I lost track of time. Diane Powers and Brenda Jenkins came up to say hello. We went to the Student Union for a little snack. We got to playing some video games and didn't realize the time.”

Her eyes hardened when she noticed something on his cheek. Raising her hand, she wiped some lipstick from it. The color was so not hers. Besides, she had not even had the chance to give him a kiss, although it appeared that someone else had!

She showed him the smudge of lipstick on her finger.

“Care to explain?”

Ron stared back at her for a moment.

“Kim, we were playing some games and Diane kissed me on the cheek. Maybe she was making a move, maybe she wasn't. I don't care. You have been, you are now and always will be the only one for me. Can't you trust me on that?”

Ron's voice dropped to a whisper as he finished his sentence.

Kim's face flushed with shame as she bowed her head.

“I'm sorry Ron. I....I...I don't have an excuse. We still on for lunch?”

Ron lifted a finger under her chin and raised it up until he could look directly into her eyes.

“Of course, come on, let's get something to eat.”

Ron held the door open for Kim as they entered the cafeteria. They made their way through the line and found a place to sit. Ron plopped down next to her.

“So! How has your day been?”

Kim poked at her food.

“Well, I had a meeting with Dr. Devilin. He wants me to do a special project for him.”

Ron scowled over at her.

“Kim, we both talked about taking on too much.”

She snapped her head over at him.

“I am not taking on too much. Besides, he is going to try to get me into that internship this summer.”

Ron put down his fork.

“Kim, I thought we were going to travel a little this summer?”

Kim slapped her fork down.

“RON! I know we talked about it, but that's all it was, talk! This is a great opportunity for me! Can't you think of someone other than yourself?”

Ron leaned back from her in shock at her outburst. Kim put her face in her hands.

“Oh god! I am sorry I snapped at you Ron. There is just a lot going on, several cheerleaders are out sick, and I'll have to partner with Robert again. Kathy has taken over as captain with Glenda out sick. We will work it out. Okay, please? This internship could mean that I could finish my degree in four years instead of five.”

Ron stared over at his girlfriend.

“WELL KP. Just who is thinking about who? I guess you know what's best. I can tell it means a lot to you. More than some other things.”

Kim's eyes narrowed at him.

“Just what does that when?”

Ron turned and stared back at her.

“Kim, what did we promise each other after last time? That we would talk to the other about something like this before we made a decision? Did you ask the professor if you could have a little time before you said yes?”

Kim stared right back.

“I did ask for a little time.”

Ron turned his face and looked down at the table.

“Then what happened.”

Kim deflated.

“Then I told him I would do it after he said he was considering some other students.”

Ron looked down at his watch.

“Well, I gotta go. Class starts in a bit. I guess you made the right decision. I'll call you tonight.”

He got up and started to pick up his tray. Kim reached out and put her hand on his.

“I'll...I'll take care of your tray.”

Kim watched as he jogged off. She sighed as she thought of what he had said. Kim stacked all the plates on her tray and placed it on Ron's. Picking both up, she carried the load to the wash window and placed the tray on the moving carrier that took everything into the washing area. She shifted her bag over her shoulder and headed for the door.

A snowball flew past Ron's head as he made his way across campus. His classes were over for the day and he had some time to kill before practice. He knew Kim would be in class right up to time for her to go to cheer practice. He would already be at practice, which he was not looking forward to. The next game would be important. They already had the conference sewn up, but any other wins could only help.

“Yo, Ron!”

Ron turned to see Wayne waving as he ran up.

“Heading for practice early?”

Ron shook his head as Wayne feel into step beside him.

“Naw, not yet. Still got a little time to kill. Thought I'd drop by the gym and see Kim working out with the cheerleaders.”

Wayne nodded.

“I hear Robert is gonna be her partner again.”

Ron glanced over to Wayne and decided to keep Kim's opinions to himself.

“Yeah, so many of the others are out sick they had be teamed up the best they could.”

Wayne stopped for a moment.

“Hey, we do have a little time, let's drop by a friend's room for a little bit. I hear you are big on the Zombie Mayhem games. I think he has the new one.”

Ron's eyes brightened up.

“Hey yeah, sure!”

Wayne grinned.

“Cool! I think some of my friends are there now, maybe you can tell all of us what it's like to fight all those crazy dudes.”

Kim drained the bottle of water that she had in her hand. She wished it was Kathy's neck she was squeezing. Kathy made sure Kim had the worst position and the hardest ones to complete. Then she introduced a new routine that had Robert putting his hands where Kim did not want them to be. All in all, it was been one of the worst practices ever. Kathy only knew how to tell someone to do something while Glenda always said “let's do it this way” and was one of the first to lead doing it. A number of the other team members were getting a little tired of Kathy's attitude.

“Okay everybody, back on the floor. We have more work to do. I want to do the new tower. Kim, Holly, Ashley, and Lauren, I want you on the bottom. Kristin and Brittany, I want you in the middle. You will catch me as I vault to the top.”

Kim stopped for a moment.

“Uh, Kathy. You have never practiced that before. Are you....”

Kathy glared at her.

“Quiet Kimmie, just because you think you are all that you aren't. I am doing the vault. Now everyone, get in position.”

Kim turned and rolled her eyes at her friends. One stifled a giggle as they started the routine. Kim, Holly, Ashley and Lauren slid into position on their hands and knees at the bottom. Kristin and Brittany jumped up on their backs and got ready for Kathy. Kathy ran from the rear and got a boost from Robert and Danny. She just about made it up onto the shoulders of Kristin and Brittany when she didn't get high enough and so she plowed right into the back of Brittany. The tower collapsed as Brittany fell forward and Kathy landed on Ashley and Lauren. There were several moans and groans as they all picked themselves up off of the floor. Kathy grimaced as she rolled to her feet.

“Owwwwww, my ankle!”

Kim and Robert knelt at her side. Kim took Kathy's ankle in her hands as she snarled, “Get your hands off of me Kim, it's nothing!”

Kim started back at her.

“Oh, nothing huh? Between the two of us just who do you think has seen more injuries? This ankle is already swelling and turning a nice shade of dark blue.”

Kim looked over at Robert.

“We need to get her to the infirmary right now.”

Robert nodded over to a couple of coaches running over.

“They'll take care of her.”

Kim and the other watched as the two coaches got Kathy up on a stretcher and carried her out of the gym. Robert walked up to Kim with all the others behind him.

“Kim, we talked a little while the coaches were working on Kathy. We would like you to take over as head cheerleader.”

Kim shook her head.

“I can't do that! I'm just a freshman! Holly? Lauren? Either of you have more seniority.”

Holly nodded.

“We know Kim. But there is more to the job than that. It's skill and leadership also. You have more than any of us put together. Please? We need you.”

Kim put her head into her hands. This was so getting out of hand but she couldn't just turn down the cheerleaders. Being a cheerleader was as much of her personality as anything else. She sighed and looked up at all of them.

“Okay, but I will need a LOT of help. Danny, Lauren, I'll need you as my assistants.”

The two of them nodded. Kim looked at the expectant faces as they looked back at her. She clapped her hands together.

“Okay, let's get back to practice. We have a lot of work to do.”

“Jump, dodge, pick up the sword, slice the zombie.”

Working the game controller, Ron had his character slicing through several Zombies. Wayne sat back as he watched Ron.

“Hey man, tell us what Kim is like?”

Ron concentrated on the screen.

“What do you mean?”

Wayne chuckled.

“Come on man. You have traveled the world with her. I have seen her in the suit of hers. She has more curves than a back-country mountain road.”

Ron stopped the game and turned to the room.

“Hey guys, I may have been around Kim a lot but somethings a guy just doesn't talk about. I mean sure, we have spent a lot of time together traveling as you know. But sometimes we have to wait for a ride to pick us up. We just set up camp and try and get some sleep.”

Wayne smiled.

“Together?”

Ron shrugged his shoulders.

“Sometimes. I mean we were stuck up in the arctic awhile back and had to spend the night together.”

One of the other guys laughed.

“You have slept with Kim Possible?”

Ron nodded.

“Yeah, I mean no, not like you think.”

The guys laughed as Ron blushed. One of the other guys spoke up.

“I heard somewhere that her mom let her scrub in on an operation one time.”

Ron thought for a minute.

“I don't remember anything like that.”

The same guy spoke up again.

“I also heard that her brother do dangerous experiments at their house and they have blown stuff up before.”

Ron started to pick his things up.

“Dude, I think you are asking questions that aren't your business. Wayne, we need to get to practice.”

The other student stood up and reached out to shake Ron's hand.

“Ron. Listen. Sorry. I was out of line. My little sister hears this stuff and pesters me about it.”

Ron shook his head and laughed as he shook the students hand.

“No problem dude.

The student picked up a clipboard with some papers on it.

“Listen man. Could you autograph something for me? Just use the bottom page there.”

Ron took the clipboard and pen.

“Sure dude, be glad too.”

Ron signed the page and handed the clipboard and pen back as he looked over at Wayne.

“Let's head for practice before the coach kills us.”

Ron and Wayne headed out of the room and out of the building. The student with the clipboard smiled as he looked at the clipboard. He took the papers off the top of the sheet Ron signed and looked at it.

“Now ain't that pretty.”

He pulled out his wallet and handed money to the other students in the room, then picked his camera and recorder out from under one of the beds and left the room. Turning as he left, he spoke to the students still in the room.

“Tell Wayne I'll get him his money later.”

Groaning, Kim headed for her room. She hoped Glenda left that sub sandwich from The Sub shop in the fridge as she was too tired to fight with the cafeteria. Besides, she had some crow to eat when Ron called. She couldn't change what had happened but maybe they could work something out.

“Miss Possible? Kim?”

She stopped and turned to the voice to see Gerald jogging toward her.

“Miss Possible, I have been trying to get in touch with you. I tried your cellphone but you didn't answer. I tried your room but your roommate said that your were at cheer practice. I figured I would try to catch up with you in person. Something has come up and I really need your help with something right now.”

Kim sighed and put her face into her hands.

“Mr. Proctor, I really need to get some studying done, I have not had anything to eat, I have barely talked to Ron all day and we had a fight earlier. I REALLY need to talk to him.”

Gerald shrugged his shoulders.

“I am really sorry about all that Miss Possible. I can get you something eat at the office and hopefully you can call your boyfriend later. The thing is that the research we are doing is in a secure facility. You will not be able to take your cellphone into the research area. This should only take a couple of hours. I really need your help tonight. If not, I guess I'll have to give an excuse to Dr. Devilin that his research will be delayed.”

Kim nodded.

“Okay, but only for a couple of hours. Let me call Ron first.”

Kim pulled out her phone and flipped it open. The second the light came on it began to beep. She looked at the screen and groaned at the low battery indication. She had forgotten to charge her phone the night before. Glancing at her watch, she groaned again. Ron was in an after practice meeting with the team and coaches. She punched the button on the Kimmunicator. Wade's face popped up onto the screen.

“What's up Kim?”

She ran her hand through her hair.

“Wade, I have to do something for one of my professors and I can't get in touch with Ron because he is in a team meeting. Could you pass on a message to him for me?”

Wade nodded.

“Sure, what do you want to tell him.”

She rubbed her forehead. This had been a rotten day and it showed no hope of getting any better. She needed some time with him and could only hope that he would talk to her.

“Just tell him that I want to talk to him as soon as I can and to call me late. Tell him I...”

Wade held up his hand.

“I got it Kim. I'll let him know with all the extras.”

Kim tried to smile.

“Thanks Wade, you rock.”

Kim turned to Gerald.

“Okay, let's go.”

Ron dropped down on his bed. The coach had run them harder compared to any of the practices that they had previously had before. Then, the coach met with the main players to plan some of the plays for the coming game. All of that had taken at least an hour longer. Kim must be wondering where he was. Dialing her phone, he laid back against her pillow. Her phone did not even ring but went straight to her voice mail.

“Hi this is Kim, I can't answer right now so leave a message. Ron, if this is you, know that you are only the one for me.”

Ron snapped his phone shut before he heard the beep. It was not like Kim not to have her phone on, especially when she was expecting a call from him. He pulled out his Kimmunicator and called Wade. Wade's face appeared on the screen.

“Hey, Ron. I was getting ready to call you. Kim called me and said something had come up and she was going to be out of touch for a little while. She asked me to pass on the message that she really wanted to talk to you and to call her later no matter the time. She also asked me to pass on the standard message.”

Ron smiled. Wade still had a little trouble dealing with Kim and Ron when they showed affection either verbally or physically.

“Did she say what it was all about?”

Wade shook his head.

“Nope, but I'm glad I got you. DNAmy is up to her old tricks again. She is trying to morph all the pigeons and squirrels in New York into animals that will steal all the Cuddlebuddies for her collection.”

Ron sat up.

“Okay Wade, don't bother with Kim. I am sure that she is doing something really important to not be able to call. I'll take it. Download everything into the Sloth while I change.”

Kim walked quickly back to her dorm. The short need that Gerald had mentioned had turned into a several hour jog. It was now past midnight and she still needed to call Ron and get her work done for the next day. She hit the button on the Kimmunicator and Wade's face appeared. She started talking before he answered.

“Wade, were you able to get up with Ron?”

Wade nodded.

“Yeah, I did, but the site got a hit. DNAmy was causing trouble in New York. Ron took on the mission.”

Kim stopped in her tracks.

“He took her on by himself. He shouldn't do that. You should have called me. He doesn't need to go on a mission alone like that.”

Wade stared back at the screen a second.

“Uhhhh, Kim? You take missions by yourself all the time when he can't go.”

Kim started to jog toward her room.

“I know Wade but this is Ron we are talking about. Get me a ride to my dorm, I'll...”

Wade shook his head.

“There's no need Kim. He has already taken her down. She was trying to mix the pigeons and the squirrels in New York and use them the steal all the Cuddlebuddies. Ron was trying to fight them off when he ran into a truck full of shelled peanuts. All the Squirgeons stopped, dropped all the Cuddlebuddies and started to eat. They ate so much that they couldn't fly and animal control just picked them up. All the Cuddlebuddies were returned and DNAmy is in jail. I, Uhhhh need to go. Maybe you need to call Ron. Wade out.”

Kim watched as the screen went blank. She was thankful that he didn't see her face flush with the shame she was feeling. She knew that she had a lot to talk about with Ron and she only hoped that he would even talk to her. She would have to wait to get back to her room and call Ron after she plugged in her phone. She didn't want to bother Wade again to patch her through to him. She resumed her jog toward her room hoping that he would answer.

Ron trudged up the stairs to his room. The mission had been pretty easy, but still it had taken a lot out of him. He noticed one of the other football players coming down the steps with his girlfriend. She noticed Ron coming up.

“Oh Ron, I saw Kim earlier tonight. She was with one of the grad students. He was really good looking. If I wasn't already taken I sure would like to hang around a man like that.”

Ron stared as the couple continued on past him down the stair. He was too tired to be angry. The game was tomorrow and he needed his sleep. She would have to wait until after the game. They had a lot to talk about then.

Kim dressed quickly as the morning sun came through the window. Ron had left a message on her phone saying that they would need to talk after the game. Her heart had sank after hearing the message. He didn't say “I love you” or anything. She knew he was going to be moody and it would take some face to fact talking to get through this. But, right now, both of them needed to get ready for the game.

She made her way to the stadium and into the cheer leader locker room. Most of the others were already there and the rest came in soon after she did. She was finishing getting dressed when Kristin stepped over to her.

“Oh Kim, I just wanted to tell you how lucky you are! Gerald Proctor is one of the best looking grad students on campus. Everyone is talking about the two of you now. You are one lucky girl.”

Kristin giggled as she walked away. Kim leaned against her locker. Great! If the word was all over campus then Ron had to have heard. She promised to talk to him, then didn't saying she had something important to do. That was after their argument over her taking on the new assignment. Now, he knew that Gerald was part of the new assignment. This was so not fair! She had no idea of how to approach him now. No wonder he didn't want to talk to her last night. She felt someone touch her shoulder. Opening her eyes, she found it was Lauren leaning over her.

“Kim? You okay?”

Kim nodded.

“Yeah, is everybody here?”

Lauren nodded. Kim stood up.

“Okay, Let's get everyone on the field.”

Ron stumbled on to the bench. The Braylor defense had been the toughest yet. Even with he and Wayne on the field they could not get very far. They still made progress though and the Bulldogs were ahead by three points. Wayne dropped down on the seat next to him.

“You are doing a great job Ron. Just hang in there.”

Ron sat back.

“Thanks Wayne, I just want this game to be over.”

Wayne put his hand on Ron's shoulder.

“Dude, I've been hearing things about you and Kim. Is there anything I can do?”

Ron shook his head.

“Nope. We will work it out.”

Wayne sighed.

“Dude, I didn't want to bring this up but I heard some of the Braylor players saying things about her.”

Ron's face hardened as he sat up.

“Just what were they saying?”

Wayne grimaced.

“That she was easy, that she had to be to date someone like you.”

Ron growled. Wayne leaned over to him.

“Listen Ron, show them that you deserve to be with her. Make a touchdown and put it in their faces.”

The crowd cheered as the Bulldog defense had intercepted. McClintock turned around and yelled.

“First team offense on the field.”

Ron stood up and placed his helmet on. Snapping the strap under his chin, he strode onto the field. Wayne walked behind Ron smiling.

Kim lead the crowd in a cheer after the interception. As they turned to watch the offense go onto the field she saw something that really concerned her. It was the way Ron was walking on the field. Normally he ran onto the field. Now he was almost marching. She knew his body language better than he did. Something was wrong and he was either really upset or getting really big-headed. She didn't know which possible option concerned her the most.

Ron settled down in his stance. It would be a hand off to him with a left sweep. He tensed his muscles and pulled a small amount of his MMP. No one would know and nothing was going to keep him from the end zone. He would show them. The ball snapped and Daniel slapped the ball into his hands. Ron turned up the field and cut through a hole in the line. The Braylor safety came straight at him. Ron settled himself and increased his speed as he lowered his shoulders. He and the safety collided. The safety was thrown into the air backward and flipped head over heals onto the ground. The back came at Ron and received a stiff arm to the chest that knocked the air from his lungs. He fell back gasping. The other back cut across the field and received a forearm to the chest that cracked two ribs. Ron sped up and continued down the field. As he neared the end zone he began a little dancing footwork. He danced across the goal line. He finished his run by spiking the ball and turning to the approaching players.

“IN YOUR FACE BRAYLOR!”

Whistles blew and flags flew into the air. As Ron calmed down he noticed the official signaling a personal foul and calling his number.

“Unsportsmanlike conduct, excessive celebration, number 7, 15 yards, the player is ejected from the game.”

Kim stood with the cheer leaders, tears in her eyes.

“Why Ron, why?”

That's it for this chapter. Things seem to be heating up for our two. Different forces seem to be converging. Stay tuned!
Please leave a review. I would appreciate it.

This is the Captain

Roger and out,

Right hand salute.