Kim Possible

Crushed

Prologue

"Can we visit Kim while we're here?"

"Only for a little while, and only if she's none too busy."

Joss Possible sighed. It had been so long since she had last seen her cousin. She had even missed all the excitement at her graduation! Still, it was nice to get to go into the city of a change. Looking out the car window, Joss stared at the falling snow. It was warm enough that it didn't stay, but it reminded her that Christmas had just passed. Another Christmas that she had been stuck at the ranch. "Why couldn't we have gone to cousin Kim's for Christmas instead of having Aunt June and cousin Larry over?" Joss asked her father.

"We went to your Uncle James' last Christmas, sweetheart." Slim Possible replied.

"So? Kim wasn't there! Just her nerdy brothers... I mean..." Joss tried to correct, covering her mouth.

Slim tipped his hat back with a thumb, casting her a sideways glance. "Now I know you don't share their technical interests, but that don't mean their not still family."

Joss looked back out the window, resting her cheek on a fist. "Still not as cool as Kim..." she whispered.

It took nearly an hour of driving from Diverse City's perimeter to get to the shopping centers and Joss was already bored to death. Or at least pretended to be. Slim could see her wide eyed expression in the reflection of the window as all the people and towers passed by.

"I imagine it won't be too much longer before you can come visit your cousin Kim on your own." Slim said.

Joss continued watching the various cars drive by. Her parents had been teasing at the possibility of her own car for awhile now in an attempt to cheer her up. It wasn't her own wheels that she was waiting for though... "Dad, look!" Joss perked up, pointing to four men running out of a department store wearing masks. The lead man was carrying what could only be a bag of cash.

"Those varmints!" Slim shouted. "And right after Christmas!" Joss quickly undid her seat belt, and opened the door, stepping out before Slim could stop her. The car hadn't even stopped rolling yet and the door slammed shut behind her. "Joss, get back here!"

The lead robber pointed at her. "Get the kid!" Slim stepped out of the car, shouting at Joss to get back into the car. Suddenly, a purple and black blur came out of nowhere and before the lead robber could react, he was lifted off of his feet and tossed into a pillar, falling unconscious.

Kim Possible landed in a crouch, readying herself for the next attack. "These regular criminals are getting a little dull after so many super villains." she commented, blocking the man's strikes with one hand as she secured the money bag dropped by the first thief.

The second robber ran for Joss, pointing a pistol. For a moment, Joss panicked. "In the car, kid!" he said, grabbing her arm. "Out of the way, cowboy!" he growled at Slim.

Joss ducked as her eye caught a form slide across the hood of her dad's car and plant a foot in the man's gut, knocking him down. "Boo-Yah!" came a familiar voice. "Rufus, how's it going with number four?" The mole rat gave a thumbs up as he stood on the last man's head who sat bound against a pillar. "Hey." Ron said, turning to Joss, who looked up at him wide eyed. "You okay?" he asked, reaching out a hand.

"Uhm... yeah. I..." Joss stammered, taking his hand, allowing him to lift her to her feet.

"Ron! That one secure?" Kim asked, stepping up beside him. "Joss? Uncle Slim?" Kim smiled.

"Kim?!" Joss asked, then turned back to Ron. "Ron? Ron Stoppable? I... uh, didn't recognize you guys..."

"Must be the new duds." Ron grinned, then raised an eyebrow when Joss didn't let go of his hand. "You sure you're okay?"

When Joss continued staring at Ron, Kim spoke up. "What brings you guys to Diverse City, Uncle Slim?"

Slim tipped his hat with a thumb. "Just in to pick up some parts for a new robotics project I'm workin' on." he explained with his thick cowboy accent seeping through. "Joss wanted to come along in the chance we ran into you."

Kim smiled, leaning down slightly to hug her younger cousin. "That's sweet. You guys should drop by tonight."

"Will you be there?" Joss asked Ron, still unblinking.

"Boo and Yah." Ron said with a smile, folding his arms over his chest as Rufus crawled up on his shoulder.

Kim put a hand on Ron's other shoulder and smiled. "Partner, Monkey Master, and personal chef, all rolled into one."

"Don't forget b-..." Ron added as the owner of the store ran out of the doors, interrupting him.

"Kim Possible! Thank you for your help!" the man shouted.

"No big!" Kim said, waving it away. "Ron and I just happened to be going by on our way from stopping Gemini and WWEE from getting his cybernetic mitt on another doomsday device anyway."

"When are people going to stop making those?" Ron asked. "I mean, come on! They only wind up getting stolen anyway." Rufus nodded his agreement.

Slim waved from the car as he climbed back in. "We'll see ya later, Kimberly!"

Joss waved from the car window as she belted herself back in. "Bye, Ron..."

Kim and Ron returned the wave with a smile as Slim and Joss prepared to drive away. "Cute kid." Ron commented.

"Yes, well... if there's anything I can do for you, Kim Possible!" the owner of the department store stated, catching their attention again.

"Just call us or beep us when you need to reach us, my good man." Ron said before Kim could answer.

As the owner walked back into his store, Kim smiled at Ron. "I'm proud of you, Ron. No reward, even when offered?"

"I'm a new man, Kim." Ron grinned. But as Slim drove away, the wind began to glide around Ron's legs. "I'm not wearing my pants anymore, am I?"

Kim shook her head while blushing. "Come on. Let's see if the owner's offer is still valid. Though it's nice to see you're not completely new." she said with a wink.

Joss kept her face pressed up against the window. That wasn't the Ron Stoppable that she remembered from the showdown at the Crooked D. He seemed taller, stronger, more sure of himself... handsome. She sighed, sinking into her chair, not even aware of the whimsical grin on her face.