Sparkling Fire and Smokey Sighs (READ DISCLAIMER)

6: To Render Them Redoubted

"You'd be surprised what won't break your ribs after years of impact training," Kim said. "You just need a few years of conditioning."

Ron winced from one of the jet's rear seats. "But my ribs aren't broken! They're just… mildly tenderized."

Rufus whined and patted Ron's side.

Ron winced. "Ah-ah!"

Ron pulled back and Rufus seemed to cringe.

"It's alright, buddy," Ron said, easing back down. "Just a little bruised."

"Very bruised," Kim said. "How were you even moving around after that fight? You'll be lucky if you can move without pain in a week, much less go on missions. So, again, no, you're not coming with us."

Ron sighed. "Fine. But after the mission, we're making a run to Bueno Nacho! Wade checked: 17 intact and open locations in Turkey and all certified halal!"

"Deal," Kim said.

Ron bent down and picked up his back pack. "Look, I brought you a few things. Since the battle suit's out of commission, I guess it's a good thing I did."

Out of the pack, he pulled some black pants, a purple shirt, and a pair of black shoes.

"My mission gear!" Kim said.

"The very latest," Ron said with a bit of fanfare. "Wade made them a bit better."

Kim hesitated. "Wait. Wade 'improved' these? They don't —"

"No muscle enhancement!" Ron said. "Wade said he didn't have time. He said it'd be more like your stealth suit. The parachute-y one?"

Kim sighed, happily took the clothes, and put them on over her still-only-spandex clad body. "Thank you, Ron." She leaned down and gave him a wonderfully warm and comforting kiss.

They broke apart, and Ron started laying out other equipment; her hairdryer grapple, the lipstick laser, mini-rebreathers, and a some snack bars, along with even more equipment.

"Aaand I forgot your backpack," Ron said. "It's okay! You can take mine."

Kim looked at the week-old-naco-smelling thing and crinkled her nose. She wished the thigh pouch on the battle suit could be removed. "Maybe I'll just take what I think I need."

Shego emerged from the cockpit, unslung her own backpack, and pulled out a green and black roll. She gave it a flap, and it unfurled into an identical backpack to her own, which she handed to Kim.

"Here," Shego said.

Kim looked at the gift. "You got me a backpack?"

Shego rolled her eyes. "Well I wasn't going to carry all our supplies myself."

"So you did intend to come with me from the start!"

Shego scowled and shook the pack. "Are you going to take this or what?"

Kim smiled, accepted, and took to a knee to stuff it full of her gear. Her hands were still twitching whenever she moved them.

"It's not like it matters anyway," Shego said. "I think the lair is underwater."

Kim sighed and stopped packing.

Shego shifted her weight. "Look. Maybe… maybe you should just let me handle Dementor while you stay here."

"Not a chance, Shego," Kim said, raising from the floor sans the new backpack. She wobbled, her legs shook, and she had a curious case of vertigo.

"Like you can fight right now," Shego said. "I could take you with all my hands and my legs tied behind my back. Blindfolded."