Author's Note: The preparations for the game start to get into high gear...not so much action, but still important.

Chapter Six

The Queens move into play

"Forward cross. Recover. Back cross. Recover. Forward cross. Recover."

Hands on his hips, Kevin smoothly transitioned through the basic exercise with the rest of the fencing class. The beginners always started with about twenty minutes of going through these warm up movements before going on to actual foil practice, and he calmly went through them almost mindlessly, having committed the movements to memory, instinctively performing them so that he didn't even have to think about them. Five months had passed since he had started fencing training and Mr. Masterson had already commented on how quickly he had come along. He even suggested Kevin should consider some tournament play, noting he was now the third best student of the beginners group. As a beginner, he was still working on his foil and epee skills, but during the previous month he finally got a crack at trying sabre, and since then he devoted every extra moment of his fencing practice time outside of his mandatory exercise to it. He was already thinking forward to that as the student instructor called a halt to the basic exercise and asked everyone to get their gear ready for epee practice.

As Kevin put his vest on, he heard a noise coming from the door and saw Tara sticking her head in and looking around. She smiled as soon as she saw him and waved for him to come on over. He put his weapon down and slipped out the door into the hallway, blending into her arms as soon as the door closed behind him and kissing her longingly.

A very long moment afterwards, they came up for air and she said, "Wow! I've missed that."

Grinning, he replied, "Hey, it's only been since last night."

She looked steadily into his eyes, "That's still too long.", and then pressed her lips back into his again.

When she finally pulled back again, he smiled and said, "Mmmmmm. I cannot get enough of that. Any special reason for this spontaneous, yet oh so wonderful visit?"

"Besides your badical kisses?", she said, chuckling, "Well, yeah. I'm about to go see Mr. Svetlanoff about my college admissions work."

"Uh-huh.", he said with a searching look on his face, "So have you thought any further about what I've been saying?"

She knew what he meant. It had been a couple of months since Kevin first encouraged her to think about doing something more than doing just two years at Middleton College and nursing school. But he kept asking her again and again after that, and she kept replying she hadn't ruled anything out yet, nor made up her mind, and she still hadn't.

"Yes I have thought about it!", she said exasperatingly for the umpteenth time, "And I am going to look into other schools, as well as some other possible career choices."

Still grinning, Kevin asked, "Like what?"

"Well, I though about being a veterinarian."

"Hey, that's cool!"

"Maybe a physician assistant."

"Sounds good too. But when are you going to decide?"

"Kevin!", she said wide-eyed, "I can't make up my mind that quickly! Give me some time!"

He pulled back and sighed in resignation, an apologetic look on his face.

"I'm sorry, Tara. Really, I not pushing you out of impatience. But we're already seniors. I already have my application in to Dartmouth. I'm expecting acceptance at any day now."

"I know, Kevin, I know.", she replied anxiously, "I already have my applications in, too."

"Where?"

"You know where.", she reprimanded him.

That was true. He knew perfectly well since he helped her fill out most of them. He wanted her to fill one out to apply for Dartmouth too, but she held off on that. She had to think about it first because of how expensive it was. There were also some other schools she applied to on her own which he didn't specifically know about, but the problem was always going to be getting the funds to pay for her education. Her parents didn't make as much as Kevin's parents, and though they didn't want to restrict where she went to college, they favored Middleton College because it was good enough for them and it would be a lot cheaper. Still, she wondered about whether she should apply at all.

"You still haven't applied to Dartmouth, then?", he said, disappointed.

"I'm looking into it, Kevin.", she said to mollify him, "But before I do that, I really need to get some more information on their scholarship programs. I've already applied to a couple of them, but I'm not sure I qualify. There are more I need to look into. I need to know I can get all this paid for."

She shook her head, clearing her mind, "Anyway, that's not why I came here. I wanted to know if there was something more for Dartmouth that you might want me to get for you when I see Mr. Svetlanoff."

"No, not really.", he replied, thinking about it, "Wait a minute. Oh yeah. Ask about their dorms. I keep forgetting to do that for some reason. I should have done that long ago."

"I thought your parents are going to rent you an apartment up there."

"Yeah, but just in case that doesn't work out, I just need to know what they have to offer."

"Okay, I'll ask. I gotta run. See you after cheer practice?"

"It's a date, my queen.", he said with a smile.

She pulled him back in and kissed him one more time then let go.

"Always there for me, my knight.", she said with a laugh, "Okay, see you then."

"You bet.", he said and watched her walk away.

He shook his head and sighed, saying to himself "God, I miss her as soon as she leaves."

He went back into the gym to resume his epee practice, and it was even better today.


"Come in.", Mr. Barkin said to the timid knock on the door.

The door opened and a very pretty blond girl stuck her head through and looked inside. Steve Barkin looked up from grading papers and saw who it was.

"Ah, Monroe. Come in. Have a seat."

Tara looked at him apprehensively as she slipped past the door and closed it. As she sat down she noticed a little desk nameplate with 'Mr. Svetlanoff' on it. Below it were the words, "The truth will set you free."

"I thought this was the guidance counselor's office.", she said tentatively, "I had an appointment."

"Affirmative.", the school counselor replied matter-of-factly, "But Mr. Svetlanoff had to go down to INS to straighten out some problems with his green card. Something about missing information on his application which he had to correct to keep his job."

Then he lowered his voice after looking around to make sure no one was listening.

Leaning in, he said, "I hear he may be deported, so I'm filling in for the meantime."

"Oh, I see."

Speaking normally again, he said, "You're right on time. Good. I like punctuality in my students. Now what can I do for you?"

"Uh, college applications?"

"Ah yes. Well, let me review your file.", he said, picking up a manila folder in front of him and perusing it.

Tara sat nervously in the plastic chair in front of Mr. Barkin's desk, carefully balancing her books on her lap. After awhile he looked up from the folder and addressed her...

"So, what interests you? Judging from your activities. Yes, you're on the cheer squad, of course. Perhaps you would be interested in the fashion industry. Naturally, you could do very well modeling, although I admit you could use two or three more inches in height for that. Maybe you would care for the culinary arts, or is there a clerical field you might have a yen for."

"Well, actually I was thinking medicine."

"Ah, the healing arts. Excellent choice. The world certainly needs more nurses. But there are a myriad of fields to choose from. You could be a pharmacist, respiratory therapist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, or a physician assistant. And of course there is that much maligned but oh so important field of medical assistant."

"I was thinking about being a physician..."

"Good.", he interrupted, "Inspired choice, Monroe. A physician's assistant is becoming more and more of an essential need in today's world of medicine. Lifestyle's good. So's the money. You can't go wrong there."

"Er, no, Mr Barkin. I meant physician, as in doctor?"

Steve Barkin blinked his eyes a couple of times before answering.

"Let me get this clear. You want to become a doctor?"

"Oh, no, Mr. Barkin! I wanted to ask for my boyfriend. You see, I was thinking about being a physician in terms of how it related to..."

"Your boyfriend?", Barkin interrupted.

"Uh. Yes. Kevin Guberman."

"Ahh, that's right. Kevin Guberman is your 'beau', isn't he?", he replied, looking rather askance at her, "Well, I always wonder about those brainy types. But he's okay in my book. Did a nice job helping to coach the tee-ball league over the summer. If you ask me though, you should get him into some athletics. It'll do him some good."

"Oh, he has, Mr. Barkin. He's taken up your suggestion and started fencing."

"Has he? Good for him! Showing some common sense after all. Now what were you asking about?"

"Well, he plans on going to medical school and I just wanted to get some information for him."

"Hmmm.", the teacher mused, having picked up another folder and looking through it, this one with Kevin's name, "It looks like he's already completed the process. What other information does he need?"

"Mainly, he needs to get information on applying for a dorm room at Dartmouth, where he's going for undergrad."

"Well, I can do that, but you said that you wanted information on medical school."

Tara bit her lip a little bit, "Uh, Mr. Barkin. Can you keep a secret?"

He stared at her, "Monroe, you know what goes on in this room, stays in this room. I do not breach student confidentiality."

"That's great, sir. But actually, I was the one who wanted to know about medical school."

He frowned at her a moment, then his eyes revealed his understanding, "Oh, I see. You want to see what to expect he's going to have to go through so that you know what you'll be going through. So, things are that serious between you two?"

Tara reddened at that, "Well, we've haven't gotten to that point, sir. I mean, I really like Kevin and all, but. I just wanted to know, you know, just in case"

He nodded with complete comprehension and a knowing smile, "I fully understand, Monroe. Smart move. I admire your planning ahead. Well then, let me start. First, I commend him for his very lofty aspirations. They say that the physician's art is the most noble of the professions. Of course, my personal experience had been somewhat checkered on that point..."

"Uh, yes sir."

Realizing he has strayed, he continued, "Yes, back on subject. Your boyfriend, Mr. Guberman would need four solid years and a degree from a reputable university, which obviously Dartmouth will more than qualify as being, with a high grade point average, an absolute minimum being a three point five out of four, but preferably even higher than that."

"Well, I don't think that's a problem. He has a four point GPA now."

"And he'll need to take the MCAT."

"The what?"

"Medical College Admission Test. Most medical schools still require it, although I don't believe Johns Hopkins does any more. It seems the medical schools are shying away from that these days."

"I'll remember to tell him."

"Good. Of course, it matters as to which college he graduates from. Now don't mistake me, Middleton College is a fine venue for higher learning, but sometimes a more prestigious university can help him in getting accepted to the medical school of his choice."

"Well, he does plan on going to Johns Hopkins."

"I see. Then he definitely should go to someplace like Dartmouth."

"Yes, sir. And then what?"

"Well as I understand it, medical school is four years, following which you have to have postgraduate work for specialty training which could be anywhere from three to eight years."

Tara blinked, "That long?"

"Well you wouldn't want them ripping your kidneys out until they were fully trained for it, wouldn't you say?"

"Uh, yeah.", she replied, going a little green around the edges, "So is that it?"

"Yes, that's about it. More than enough if you ask me."

"Uh, how do they pay for it?"

"For medical school? Well, if your parents can't pay the tuition, you're looking at getting loans or scholarships. And that's pretty much it because medical school is too intense a field of study to have a side job."

She looked at him, a little surprised. She hadn't expected that.

"Is that right? You can't have a job and go to medical school?"

"That's the way it is with most medical schools. They don't allow it. Now if you were married, your, ummm, spouse could support you, if that was something he or she was willing to do.", and he looked at her knowingly with sly eyes, "If you get my drift."

She glanced back at him warily, getting a little red around the gills again, "Well, like I said, that's getting a little ahead of ourselves. So, what does it cost to go to medical school?"

"Hmmm. From what I understand, it can run anywhere from a hundred to two hundred for the entire four years."

Tara's eyes went bug-eyed as she replied breathlessly "thousand!"

"Affirmative, Monroe. Definitely not a career choice for the faint hearted, I assure you. Of course, I don't see that as being much of a problem for Mr. Guberman with his parents, but somebody who doesn't have that kind of support will end up with an education loan that could top a quarter million in some cases by the time they finish."

She froze, shell shocked for a few moments before she could respond.

"Um, I really appreciate all that, Mr. Barkin. Well, I guess that answers my question. Could you just get me some info and an application for the Dartmouth dorms, then?"

"Affirmative, Monroe. But what about you?"

"Huh?"

"Your plans?"

"Plans? For Kevin and me?", she asked, blushing.

"Your plans?", he replied in an annoyed tone, "For college? That is why you're here, aren't you?"

"Oh! Right! Well, I'd been thinking of going into nursing the last couple of years."

He picked up her folder again and started rifling through the papers.

"Hmmm. Yes, it says here you were looking at Middleton College and then the nursing schools. You would have to take one or two years at Middleton for the pre-requisites before entering nursing school, depending on whether you wanted to go the LVN or RN route."

"Yes, sir."

"Well, you certainly have the grades to get you into Middleton College. If you maintain that through your college years, you should be able to make it just fine into nursing school. So, Monroe, exactly by what assistance can I be of service to you?"

"Well, I was thinking of attending another college instead of Middleton."

"I see. It's rather late in the process, unless you plan on starting in the spring. I suppose we could also get you some applications to other universities and colleges. Did you have some in mind?"

"Actually I've already applied, sir."

She reached down into her papers and pulled out a sheet, then handed it to him.

He perused it for a minute.

"Yes, University of Colorado at Boulder, Nebraska, Iowa. Oh yes, Texas A&M, now there's a school with a fine military tradition. Yes, these are all good choices."

"I'd really like to look more into their scholarship programs."

"I see. And you have some ivy league schools here, too, including Dartmouth, I see."

Tara smiled, still a little red faced, "Well, I just want to look at all my options, you know."

Mr. Barkin smiled back at her, "I understand. It's no problem. I can see why you have an interest in the scholarship programs. Some of these schools certainly think highly of their tuition rates, don't they?"

"Yes, sir.", she replied in a serious tone, "My parents don't make quite that much, and I need all the help I can get in that department."

He chuckled and said, "Okay, Monroe. Let me get the right papers and applications together for you and Kevin. Come back next week and I'm sure Mr. Svetlanoff can help you get them filled out."

Tara relaxed, saying, "Thanks, Mr. Barkin."

The phone rang and Barkin immediately answered it.

"Barkin, here... ...yes... ...he did... ...he didn't... ...okay, I copy, loud and clear."

He hung up and turned back to her.

"I guess I'll be the one helping you with the forms next week."

"Deported, huh?"

Steve Barkin picked up the name plate and looked at it.

"Ten four. Apparently he forgot to take his own advice."

"What was that?"

"He shouldn't have used an alias when they have an interpol record and fingerprints."


"Who's the best?"

"We are! We are!"

"How do you spell it?"

"M - I - D - D - L - E - T - O - N! Middleton! Middleton! We're number one!"

"Hit it!"

And just at that moment, the girls formed the pyramid as Bonnie did the handspring and landed on top with a flourish. This was about the twentieth time they went through it and the team was starting to show their frustration, with the exception of the co-captain on the top of the pyramid who was running it. After the yelling and cheering finished the routine, Bonnie jumped down as the rest of the girls disassembled.

"Okay, girls. That's adequate.", she said, "We need to get it better, but we're out of time today."

Kim frowned at her, "Better? Bonnie, they hit the routine dead on."

A miffed expression on her face, "We can always improve, 'K', especially when it's one of my routines. Besides, Tara needs to hold her end of the pyramid up better. She's slipping."

"I am not!", retorted Tara hotly, "I'm holding my end up just fine! You try and hold the base of the pyramid, and we'll see how much you shake!"

"Not my job, 'T'. Yours is to support. Mine is to shine. If you can't do the job..."

"Do the job? Listen here, you!"

"Stop it!", said Kim, getting between the two of them and facing Bonnie, "Bonnie, you're getting it wrong. Tara's doing just fine."

"But you're not on top where you can feel it shaking, Kim."

"That might only be the extra weight being put on the top, 'B'!"

Wide eyed, Bonnie gasped, "I knew it! You really did harsh about that on that mountain in Austria!"

Irritated, Kim retorted, "Not that time! But now I wish I had!"

"Well, it doesn't matter! It's still my routine and I'm still the one on the top of the pyramid!"

"Only because I let you, Bonnie! Don't make me change my mind!"

Bonnie looked at her with a disgusted frown then turned away with a snort, "Whatever! I should have realized it's all I can expect from you two. You can't even get decent BF's!"

"Bonnie!", Kim and Tara yelled at her, but the girl had already started walking away and didn't respond. The other girls grumbled as they walked away as well, depressed that practice had ended with another sniping session between Bonnie and Tara, and finally glad it was over. They left the gym quickly, leaving Kim and Tara standing there with smoldering eyes.

Tara growled angrily in disgust, wringing her hands "Ohh! I swear, one of these days!"

"Uh-huh.", replied Kim, "Now you know how I've felt for the last four years."

Tara looked at her thoughtfully, "Yeah, you're right. Sorry, Kim. I should have seen through her sooner."

Kim smiled sourly back at her, "No big. You see her for what she is now."

"If only she wasn't so hyped up on the 'food chain'!"

"That isn't going to change, girl. I can tell you that."

"Yeah.", muttered Tara, "Got that right."

Kim sighed, "Well, nothing more we can do about it now."

"Hmmm.", Tara replied, finally turning around and picking up her gear, "We might as well go get changed."

Kim turned to her and smiled, saying, "Off to meet your BF?"

Tara grinned saucily, "You bet! I think we're headed for some fast Mexican food then a little time under the stars."

"Bueno Nacho?"

"Yeah!"

"Hey, great. Ron and I'll be there tonight. Wanna meet up?"

"Sure! What time?"

"Say Sevenish?"

"You got it, Possible. See you then.", She said eagerly as they headed for the showers.

After she bathed and changed, Tara headed for the boy's gym and arrived there just as the fencing class was being dismissed. The students filed out and Kevin soon exited carrying his gear. He came up smiling as soon as he saw her and gave her a quick kiss.

"Have a good practice?"

"Sure did, ", he said, "I even scored a hit on the instructor!"

"Cool! Getting to be quite the swashbuckler there, huh, Guberman?"

He demurely took a stance and executed a fancy bow with a hand flourish. She laughed, but then noticed something new. Kevin actually looked strong. Before he was always kind of a small guy, geeky though cute, with no musculature, not anymore. It was the way he took that bow. She saw some definition coming through his arms and legs. She found it quite... ...pleasing.

"All the more able to defend my queen's honor.", he said in a fake English accent.

She was silent a moment, just looking at him, then she shook her head and chuckled, "You nut! As if I needed that! But I do appreciate the thought."

He stood back up and smiled, "I know, I know. But I can dream."

She laughed and gathered him to her, "Of course you can dream! As long as there's only one subject on your mind, then."

He kissed her again, "You can count on that."

"Good.", she replied, smiling, "I got the dorm information coming from Mr. Barkin by the way. I should have it next week."

"Mr. Barkin? What happened to Mr. Svetlanoff?"

"Deported."

"Huh?"

"Long story. I'll tell you later. By the way, we're meeting Kim and Ron at Bueno Nacho tonight."

"We are? Cool! I was going to ask Steve, but he said something about having to go somewhere."

"Yeah. Jess told me they're going to visit her aunt tonight."

"That's right. I remember now. Okay, I'll go home and change and I'll pick you up at your place. Dad's letting me borrow the car tonight."

"Sounds good."

Later that night, Kevin had showered and changed, picked Tara up and headed out for Bueno Nacho. Once they got there, they looked around and found Kim and Ron at their usual booth. They waved 'hi' and got their food orders, then went and joined them.

"Good to see you, guys!", said Ron, "How's it shaking with the ol' chess club there, Guberman?"

"Oh, pretty good, Ron. Got my girl here up to second board and we're looking to score a three-peat in the Tri-City championship."

"I hear that, my man! Pretty brainy stuffy there for a cheerleader. That's cool!"

She looked at him with a slight frown, "What do you mean pretty brainy stuff for a cheerleader?"

Ron's face paled a little, "Oh! Not that cheerleaders aren't brainy. They can be brainy just like nerds are brainy, like the chess team..."

Kevin looked at him funny.

Ron's eyes got a little wider as he backtracked, "Uh, not that the chess team are nerds! They're just, ummm, brainy! Uh, and cheerleaders don't have to be brainy at all! Not that you aren't brainy, Tara! Uh, don't have to be brainy like, uh..."

At this point even Kim was looking at him funny.

"Uh, like, like Bonnie?"

"You mean Bonnie is Brainy?"

"No! That's not what I mean! I mean, uh, I mean. Oh, you know what I mean!"

The three of them broke down laughing.

Kim slightly nodded, "Sure, uh-huh."

Ron pouted slightly as the others laughed.

Tara added with a smirk, "Good 'save' there, Stoppable."

Kim continued to giggle, "Nice try, BF."

Ron sighed in relief as Rufus stuck his head of the burrito he was devouring and smiled at his human and said, "Yeah! Good One!". Ron wasn't sure if he meant the burrito or the conversation.

Kevin chuckled and said, "It's okay, Ron. We all get foot and mouth disease every now and then."

"Some more than others.", added Kim.

"Kim!"

Kim laughed harder, then turned to Ron and kissed him on the cheek, but was still smirking as she said, "Relax, BF. I know your heart's in the right place."

Ron kept pouting, "Well, okay."

Still chuckling, she said, "Don't worry. I don't hold it against you, mostly."

"It's okay, Ron.", Tara said, "And I thank you for the compliment, even if it wasn't worded quite right."

"But you know what? I think it's great.", Kim said, "It's about time some of these people understood that just because we're cheerleaders doesn't mean we don't have brains in our heads."

"Word, Kim.", said Tara firmly, "I love nothing better than to paste some of those chauvinist types all over the chess board."

"And she's done it, too.", added Kevin.

"Yep.", said Ron, "I know what you mean. It's just like when my lady here takes down some bad guys. They always underestimate her."

"Ron!", exclaimed Kim, "You know some of those villains aren't all that dense."

"I know, Kim. But I don't think they've ever understood your full potential."

She smiled at him, "Well, maybe."

"Trust me, Kim. I'm absolutely sure of this."

Kim rolled her eyes at her BF expounding on yet another subject with an opinion which was decidedly biased. But since it was in her favor, she just grinned.

They ate their meals and shared more gossip about the school, the upcoming cheer practices for the basketball playoffs, and discussed their college plans. Of them all, only Kevin's plans were solidly in place, and discussion went into speculation of what the other three would do. Even there, Kim and Ron were pretty sure they would be trying to go together to Middleton College. She was thinking of criminal justice as a major, and Ron was thinking of some sort of business degree. However, Tara's plans were the least fixed. Kim and Ron made some suggestions which Tara thanked them for and would think about. Eventually Kim got up, excusing herself to go to the ladies room and Tara quickly piped up, wanting to join her.

They left Ron and Kevin munching on chips watching Rufus finish off the cheese sauce.

"I always wanted to ask about your pet.", said Kevin after a few moments, "Is it true you keep him in your pocket?"

"Oh yeah!", replied Ron with smile, "Wouldn't have my little buddy anywhere else."

"Even on the missions?"

"That's right.", said Ron. smiling, "In fact, he's usually a big help."

"Really?"

"That's a fact!", Ron said smugly.

Rufus crossed his paws and looked up at Kevin and chirped, "Yep! Uh-huh! Uh-huh!", then promptly went back to finishing his meal.

"Cool. But, uh, you know, there's something else I always wanted to ask you."

"Shoot, man."

"Well. I mean, does it bother you that it's always Kim who succeeds in the missions? That you're only there to..."

"To distract?"

"Well, yeah. Not meaning anything bad you know."

"No, it's cool, Kevin.", Ron replied thoughtfully, "I know where you're coming from, G-man. Look, I've been helping Kim out now for like six years with her website and the missions, and it's always her badical cheerleading skills and her amazing Kung Fu moves that get the job done. I help as best I can. Sure, she's always the one who usually captures the villains or saves the world, but Rufus and I do help out every now and then, and I'm cool with that."

"So it doesn't bother you that she's stronger, quicker, faster?"

Ron thought about that, realizing that would be the general perception people would have. Both he and Kim knew differently of course, ever since he saved her at Killigan's castle in Scotland three months earlier, but he had no problem now with it. Kim knew what his capabilities were, and he didn't need to prove it to anyone else.

He slowly shook his head, smiling, "Not one bit, Kevin. You see, I understand that Kim was born with some very special gifts. It doesn't matter that she's a girl who does hero work. Those gifts are going to make her what she is, and if it's faster, stronger, quicker than I am, so what? Just because it is that way doesn't make me any less of a guy, especially in her eyes. And to be honest, that's the only place where that matters to me."

Kevin listened closely, his attention solidly engaged.

Ron added, "So, you're having some concerns about that with Tara?"

Kevin's eyebrows lifted slightly, surprised Ron saw that. Maybe it was more obvious than he thought.

"Well, y-yes and no.", he sputtered slightly before recovering, "I mean, it really doesn't matter to me either. And I know I'll probably never quite make it to her level. It's just, well, I am such a wimp. I mean I've seen you on TV when one of Kim's missions gets reported, and you have all of those cool running away skills."

Ron rolled his eyes, replying, "Oh yeah. That's coverage I could do without."

Kevin went on, "But I've seen you in the weight room too, and you're really doing good in there."

"Hey, I've seen you there, too, with Steve. And I've seen you in the fencing class, too. So, what's the prob, man? You got to give it some time, okay? Besides you got more brains than the other three of us here put together."

Kevin guffawed, "So not! You have not seen what Tara can do! She's a heck of a lot smarter than you think when she applies herself, maybe smarter than me!"

"Really?"

"Is the Pope Catholic?"

"Uh, who?"

Kevin looked at him funny, "You don't know who the Pope is?

"Oh! Right! That guy! The one who rides around in that Popemobile. Isn't he, like, the leader of Popeland, or something?"

Kevin smiled and said, "You mean the Vatican?"

Ron replied, a little embarrassed, "Right! Ha-ha! Just slipped my mind there for a moment! Okay, so Tara is a real brain, huh?"

"She's golden in that department, man, just like her looks."

"Well, there you go, dude. She was smart enough to pick you for a BF. So you know what? The two best looking, and smartest, cheerleaders in the school have picked us as their BF's. What are you complaining about?"

They both laughed as Kevin replied, "You know. You are so right!"

"So, don't worry! Be happy!"

"Ooohh, hate that song."

"Me, too. But I like the words."

"Got me there."


Kim was finishing applying some eyeliner as Tara came out of the stall, washed up, and stood beside her as she looked her own makeup over.

"Kim.", she said as she looked closely at her blush, "Does Ron ever have a problem with you being the one in charge on your missions? Like he doesn't have a problem with the fact you're the one always saving the world and all of that?"

Kim looked up pensively and answered, "You know. There was a time that was true. But recently, that's no longer been a problem."

"Really? What happened?"

"Is this about Kevin?"

"Well, yeah.", she said tentatively, "It's just that, you know, he's not that athletic, and I'm stronger and have more stamina."

"Well, duh!", said Kim supportively, "After all you're one of the strongest cheerleaders on the squad!"

"Yeah.", Tara said with a resigned tone, "I keep telling him it's not a problem, and I don't care about that, but I know he's still a little bothered about the fact that I can do a lot more than he can physically."

"He's going to have to find a way to accept that."

"I know. But, well, I hope he'll come around."

Kim studied her as she looked in the mirror again, applying a little more blush to her cheeks.

"You really like him, don't you?"

Tara looked back at her, and Kim could see the glow in her eyes, "Yeah, Kim. I really do. I really do."

Kim smiled broadly and said, "Listen, I'm going to tell you something. But just keep it under your hat for now. You know how Ron is always goofing around and messing up, being kind of a dweeb?"

"Of course!", Tara replied warmly, "How many years has he been the mascot and proven it? Uh, no offense."

Kim giggled.

"None taken, but you know. About his really being that bad at it?"

Tara's eyebrows knitted together as she studied Kim's expression, "Wait a minute. Are you telling me it's all an act?"

"No, not exactly. Let's just say he's not near the incompetent he seems."

"And his sticking his foot in his mouth?"

"Uh, no.", Kim answered with a grimace, "That, he doesn't fake."

"But he's still a lot more capable than he lets on?"

"That's right."

"In what way?"

"Well, for example, just before Christmas, there was this mission we had where we had to recover all these stolen golf clubs."

"I heard about that on the news."

"Well, halfway through the mission, I was disabled, literally taken out of the fight, and Ron had to take up the slack."

"What do you mean?"

"I ended up getting paralyzed by several neuronal destabilizers and..."

"Paralyzed by what?"

Kim blinked, "Uh, never mind. Just remember I was temporarily paralyzed."

'Okay."

"Well, Ron actually saved me, and he kicked the butts of like fifty goons to do it."

"What!", Tara gasped, gaping at her.

"Your Ron?"

"Uh-huh."

"Ron Stoppable? The guy who can't do anything?"

"Uh-huh."

"I don't believe it!"

"Hey, if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have either! But what I mean is I always wanted him to step up to the plate and become more responsible, and he did it, just for me."

"You're serious!"

"Hey, Pixie Girl's promise!", Kim said, her fingers crossed appropriately.

Tara's face change with awe as it sank in.

"So Ron Stoppable is now just as much as a butt kicking, super hot shot kung fu artist as you are?"

"Yeah, that's my guy."

"And he doesn't act it?"

Kim smiled hugely, "Uh-uh. Like I said, he grew up pretty good, despite the stuff he pulls sometimes. But that's just his being a little goofy. It's kind of, you know, part of his charm. The main thing is I know he'll always be there for me. He'll never let me down. And I think I feel as strongly about him as you do for Kevin."

"Yeah.", replied Tara, smiling.

"My point is that Kevin is more mature than Ron."

"Well, in some ways.", she said hesitantly.

"What I'm saying is that he'll come around too.", Kim replied confidently, " Ron couldn't care less now if everyone around him thinks he's a dweeb. He only cares that I don't think it. So what if you're stronger than Kevin physically? He'll understand that it's not anything that puts him down, especially if you accept him. I'm just saying that all you need to do is give him time. He'll be okay."

"Hmmm.", Tara said with a smile, "I think you're right."

They looked at each other, both wondering why they hadn't talked like this a long time ago, and Tara started thinking she would have been better off if she had been closer to her a lot earlier.

"Thanks, Kim.", Tara said gratefully, "I really appreciate you helping me with that. It's really nice to get good support like that from a friend."

Kim nodded, "You're really welcome, Tara. And as opposed to not getting good help from someone who's supposed to be a friend, huh?"

Tara frowned, knowing they both were talking about Bonnie, and muttered, "So true."

"Well, I'll promise you I won't be that way."

"Thanks.", Tara softly said in appreciation, "Ready?"

"Yeah, let's go make sure our BF's haven't been stolen."

"As if!", she said with a chuckle, "Nobody would dare with the two strongest cheerleaders around!"