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Chapter 2

Lampshading

Writen in response to Neo The Saiyan Angel's Slash Haven challenge "When Lampshading and Cliché Goes Over 9000"

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Ron was still puzzled by the term. Lampshade hanging? Why did that ring a bell?

"Hey Kim," he yelled without thinking, "Is Lampshade hanging a gay reference?"

The blonde sidekick stopped abruptly as he realized how that might have come out. "I mean, I was just wondering because I was reading this article on us and it said that the way I keep losing my pants is a clear case of lampshade hanging, and I just wondered if that was some kind of gay thing, 'cause, ya know, I wouldn't know 'cause I am totally not gay."

" No one's saying you're gay Ron," Kim replied as she entered the room holding a stack of mail, a pair of old-fashioned green sunglasses pushed back on her head. "Lampshade Hanging is a writers' trick of making something ridiculous fit in a story by having a character or the narrative call direct attention to it so the reader has to accept that it's there."

"Ah…" Ron nodded, feeling much more educated.

"Besides," she added, "This is a Disney Show; at best they'd make some kind of subtle reference about a profession or hobby that might be stereotypically attributed to those involved in alternative lifestyles."

"Ah ha…" Ron nodded again, feeling much more secure in his masculinity.

"By the way," the redhead continued as she sorted through the large pile of periodicals and junk mail, pulling aside a copy of PLAYBOY. "Just why do you have your magazines delivered to MY house instead of yours?"

"Oh, uh..." Ron looked around evasively. "I... er... spend so much time here that I must have got confused when I filled out the forms."

"Riiiight..." Kim deadpanned. "Well, here are your copies of INTERIOR DESIGNER MONTHLY and LIZA MINNELLI FAN QUARTERLY."

"BOO-Yah!" Ron chortled, grabbing both treasured tomes in his surprisingly well manicured hands. "Monkey Fi... I mean SOMEONE said there was a great article on French Polishing in this ish! I'll be up in my treehouse if you need me!"

Kim watched Ron dash off and sighed. That boy was in such denial! Could he really think she didn't know he was getting LIZA-Q to study for his act for the talent show? Or had he somehow already forgotten how she'd walked in on him last month as he was practicing his impersonation in full costume?

"Oh well," she sighed, disappointed in both Ron and the fact that her copy of Nude Body Builder hadn't arrived. "I'm sure he'll figure it out eventually..."

"After all," She thought, as she made her way back up to her room, pushing her green specs back in front of her eyes and taking her first look at May's Playmate of the Month, "That boy's no more gay than I am."

fin

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Author's Note: Hmmm... I see to have written a companion piece to my own "AND THE BAD NEWS IS..." How does it turn out? To learn, you'll have to read THAT story too! LEGAL SCHTUFF:Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable are the creations of Mark McCorkle and Bob Schooley, and those names are all trademarks of the Disney media organizations. Liza Minnelli is the creation of Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli and is the property of herself. Although use in this context is probably considered fair under parody law, just in case: this work was not created for profit, no money changed hands etc, and this story should be considered to take place during a timeframe in which all sexually active parties are over 18 years of age..