Kim and Ron pulled into the driveway, exhausted after all the excitement of the evening but otherwise quite happy at the evening's events. They were greeted by a likewise ecstatic Possible/Stoppable family. After many hugs, smiles and general congratulations (plus a few apologies from the Tweebs regarding Kim's dress), Kim's birthday cake was brought out.

The requisite off-key rendition of Happy Birthday was sung, after which Mrs. Dr. P said, "Make a wish, Kimmie. Or has it already come true?"

She smiled at her mother and replied, "All of them except one or two, Mom. And I imagine it wouldn't take a brain surgeon to guess what those wishes are." She closed her eyes and made her wish, blowing out the candles with one big breath.

"Kimmie, as your gift from me, I'd be honored if you'd wear my own wedding dress when your big day arrives. But if you decide to choose your own special dress, well, that's totally up to you. And I promise that it will be perfectly fine with me if you do, and that the price won't be any consideration." Mr. Dr. P looked as if he might object, but a quick stern look from her kept him quiet.

"Thanks, Mom! I haven't even started to think about that yet, but it's nice to know I have a choice." She blushed slightly as she suddenly remembered that she had actually given it a quite a bit of thought over the years.

Next it was Ron's turn. "KP, I wanted to get you something really special." He laughed self-consciously. "Well, besides the ring, that is. It's not one of a kind, but it's close enough. And maybe it will help you get some closure after losing so much of your stuff last week. Oh, and by the way, I have to give credit for the idea to your dad."

Ron handed her a medium sized box. Her eyes widened in amazement as she tore the wrapping paper off of her gift. "Oh, wow! A Cuddle Buddy! Not only that, but it's a Super Star Edition Panderoo! They only made twelve of these! How in the world did you find one?"

"Well, I contacted the Cuddle Buddy manufacturers, but they said all of them had been sold years ago. They also doubted that anyone would want to part with theirs, since they're such a hot collector's item. So I had Wade track down the owners on the Cuddle Buddy website, and I managed to find one person willing to part with his."

All eyes were glued on Ron, as they waited with great interest for him to reveal the owner's identity.

"It was ... Martin Smarty! But it wasn't easy. He tried to make a deal with me first, and asked me if I could get him another date with, uh, Shego Wobackoff."

Kim's eyebrows shot up as her mouth fell wide open. "Shego? You're kidding! What did you tell him?"

"Well, heh-heh, I stretched the truth a little and told him that I thought she and Dr. Drakken were kinda dating at the moment, so he said never mind. But then he made me, um, another offer..." Ron's face took on an unmistakable look of embarrassment that revealed that as soon as he told Kim, she would not be happy.

Kim folded her arms and frowned. "What kind of offer, Ron?"

He self-consciously scratched the back of his neck as he replied, "Well, uh, Kim, you're now the new spokesperson for Smarty Mart's new line of extreme skateboards: Artie Smarty Gear."

As everyone laughed, Kim simply put her head in her hand and sighed. "Ron, how many times have I asked you not to volunteer me for things without checking with me first? But in this case ..."

Kim smiled warmly at her new fiancé as she squeezed her new Pandaroo.


By now it was quite late, and soon Mr. and Mrs. Dr. P bid everyone good night. Mr. and Mrs. Stoppable said good night as well, but not before the Tweebs convinced them to let them stay up for one more video game of Space Passage: Revenge of the Corpulons.

The evening was still warm, so Kim and Ron decided to hang out on the patio for a while longer before turning in. "Well, Kim, we both had a little more excitement tonight than we had planned for, ah booyah."

Kim was busy admiring her ring. "Yeah, but it all turned out perfect. Thanks Ron, for making this a really memorable evening." She gave him a gentle, lingering kiss.

Ron thought, "Oh yes, this is nice ..."

He smiled and asked, "So, uh, Kim, now that it's official, maybe we should talk about setting a date?"

Kim smiled back, saying, "There's nothing I'd like to do more, Ron, but do you really think we can? We don't know when the Lorwardians will be coming back, and the world will be counting on us for protection."

"My point exactly, Kim. We don't know when, or even if. It's not fair to us, to you, to delay our wedding day because of what some vengeful aliens might or might not do. Think, KP. If they never show up, we've delayed for nothing. If they were to show up tomorrow, then ... well, we're toast, but we won't be going down without a fight. But I won't go down without knowing when I would have ..." Ron's voice quivered with emotion, "... married the most beautiful girl in the universe."

Kim simply melted deeper into Ron's arms. "Ron, that's the most tragically romantic thing you've ever said to me. But we're not going to lose. Not after they get a full barrage of your Mystical Monkey Power."

She looked deep into Ron's brown eyes: the eyes of her protector, best friend, boyfriend, and now fiancé. He returned Kim's gaze, losing himself in her beautiful green eyes. Their eyes began to close as they fell into another deep embrace, their kiss now more urgent than before.

Kim couldn't help but think, "Oh, Ron, if we were married right now, I'd be enjoying a full course of your Ronshine right about now ..."

A soft blue glow enveloped the young couple as they continued to enjoy the moment.


The next day was a busy one. Both Kim and Ron resigned from their respective jobs at Club Banana and Smarty Mart, apologizing for only giving one day's notice. Both were told that it really wasn't a problem considering the circumstances, and that they were welcome back at any time.

Ron turned to his pet naked mole rat, and began to tear up as he turned in his Smarty Mart vest.

"Well, Rufus, the end of another era ..."

Rufus gave a sad little sigh, but Mr. Barkin simply rolled his eyes and yelled, "Aw, for cripes sake, suck it up, Stoppable!" In a slightly less irritable tone, he continued, "Oh, and uh, good job pulverizing those aliens last week. My C.O. would have been proud." He gave Ron a quick salute.

Bonnie Rockwaller chanced to walk by at that moment, hunting for some school supplies she needed for her one-unit make-up class with Mr. Barkin.

Ron waved as she approached. "Hey, Bon-Bon. I guess you heard the good news?"

She heaved a humongous sigh and rolled her eyes as widely as she could. "Well, duh, like who could possibly miss it since it's all over TV and the Internet? Your MeTube video's gone viral and just passed 301 million hits!"

Then, just like Barkin had just done, she amped down her histrionics a bit, and an actual smile tried to escape from behind her mask of haughtiness.

"Well, I guess congratulations are in order, so, uh, congratulations. And I guess you two aren't such losers after all." Bonnie then smiled, giving Ron a quick peck on the cheek before rushing off to purchase her supplies.


Later that morning, Kim walked out of a high level meeting with Dr. Betty Director, General Sims, and her father, Dr. James Possible.

Dr. P was beaming. "You handled yourself very well in there, Kim. Everyone has full confidence in you as the new liaison between the Space Center, Global Justice and the military. And the Joint Chiefs of Staff, asking for you personally? That's my Kimmie-Cub!"

"Thanks Dad. I really appreciate your support. It's exciting to be involved in such an important project. But could I ask you for one teensy-weensy favor?"

"Sure, Kim. What is it?"

"Please don't call me 'Kimmie-Cub' in front of the top brass?"

Dr. P looked a little chagrined. "Sorry, Kim. It's just that I'm very proud of my little girl."

"And I'll always be your little girl, Dad. You know that. But just think of how you'd feel if Mom called you by your pet name in front of your superiors."

Dr. P suddenly looked like he had swallowed a live worm. "Hmm. Point well taken, Kimmie."

They walked into the commissary where they were to meet Mrs. Dr. P and Ron for lunch. They were already there waiting and waved to them as they walked over to the table.

Ron asked excitedly, "So, how did it go, KP?"

"Just spankin', Ron! Everyone's on the same page and really working hard to meet the goals we've set just as soon as possible. And it helps that everyone is taking this threat seriously. The UN is saying that even countries with long-standing problems with each other are calling for a truce, considering what we're facing now."

Kim noticed her mother frown slightly at the mention of the United Nations. Concerned, Kim asked, "Mom, everything okay?"

Mrs. Dr. P quickly resumed her warm smile and answered, "It's nothing, Kimmie. Please, go on."

Kim did a quick wrap up of the rest of what they had discussed in the meeting and then announced what she had really brought them all together for.

"Mom, Dad: Ron and I have set a date for the wedding, but we wanted to get your approval first. Ron's birthday is right before we leave for college, and that gives us all several months to prepare for the Lorwardians as well as the wedding." She laughed as she realized what she had just implied. "And no, they're not invited! I know it's not a lot of time, but we're both confident that we can make this work."

Mr. and Mrs. Dr. P looked surprised when they realized how soon the date was that they were suggesting.

Mr. Dr. P frowned. "That's only three months away, Kim. That really strikes me as too soon. With everything else going on, is this really the time to be planning for a wedding?"

Ron spoke up. "Mr. Dr. P, I realize that you think this is way too soon, especially considering the Lorwardians. But if we all started making our decisions based on fear, we'd be bon-diggety beaten before the race even began. I used to be afraid of spiders, bugs, losing my pants, and even monkeys. But I'm pretty much over that now. Well, the pants thing still gives me trouble once in a while, but I'm not really afraid of it anymore. And that monkey thing actually turned out pretty well after all, don't you think?"

James nodded in agreement. "Yes, actually I do. Go on, Ronald." He continued listening while Anne just smiled.

"I'm stronger with Kim than without her, and Kim is stronger with me than without me, too. It's the story of our lives. And last week underscored that more than even Mr. Barkin could have done, using his big red pen to correct all the tons of extra homework he's assigned me through the years, and all because of that look he claimed that I gave him back in, um, what grade was that, Kim?"

Kim gently nudged Ron under the table with her foot.

"Uh, sorry, didn't mean to babble. What I mean to say is, we're stronger together than apart, and we'll be stronger as a married couple than just as simply engaged, no matter who or what we end up facing. We hope you'll both agree, but if you don't, we're ready to accept that also. Kim's real important to me, but you'll be my father-in-law and mother-in-law soon, and well, your feelings are important to me too."

Kim and Ron anxiously waited for their answer.

James thought for a moment and then asked, "Could Anne and I talk this over for a few minutes?"

Kim said, "Sure thing, Dad. We'll be right over there." Kim and Ron got up and walked over to another table to await their decision.

James shook his head and asked, "Well dear, what do you think?"

Anne's face was the epitome of warmth. "Well, honey, they've both thought this through fairly well, and their reasons are good. And they don't seem to be in a hurry just for, well ..." What her grin implied immediately made James feel a little uncomfortable.

"Uh, yes, dear, I realize that. But it's still only three months. And there's so much else to prepare for."

Anne nodded. "Yes, there is. But we did it in two months, plus graduated from college and found jobs as well." Anne smiled slyly. "And if I remember, you wanted us to get married just one month after you proposed ..."

James knew when he was beaten. "Okay, then. But do you think that you and Kim can handle most of the wedding details? I'm swamped with all the technical analysis of that Lorwardian spacecraft right now, plus trying to reverse engineer their weapons and interstellar propulsion units."

Anne nodded again. "Of course, dear. That's what mothers and brain surgeons are for." Her slightly sarcastic tone was compensated for by a small kiss on his cheek.

The smiles that met Kim and Ron as they walked back to the table revealed exactly the answer that they had been hoping for.

The countdown had begun.


Now with many important details set, it was once again time for Ron to return to Yamanouchi, while Kim's mission was to convince Shego to return and help Drakken prepare the world's defenses.

Wade had arranged for Ron to fly on a C-5A Galaxy transport that was headed for Japan. Kim would be hopping a Global Justice jet to a resort in Athens, where Shego had just been located.

Ron parachuted out the cargo plane, confident that he would not be losing his pants this time. For today, he had decided to wear a one-piece jumpsuit. He figured that it wouldn't be very fitting for the world-saving victor over the Lorwardians to be dropping his drawers as he parachuted into Yamanouchi.

What he had failed to remember however, was that it's always a good idea to securely fasten your belongings in your backpack before jumping out of the plane. Just before Ron pulled his ripcord, his knapsack began dispensing its contents over the beautiful skies of Japan, and his clothing began gently floating down toward the secret ninja school. As he landed, a pair of his pants drifted into the branches of one of the many cherry trees that dotted the courtyard. An errant pair of his Wonder Weasel boxer shorts also wafted down, enveloping Rufus as he landed. Rufus angrily chittered away as a light tinkle of laughter met Ron's ears.

"Oh, Stoppable-san. I never tire of you and your American-style entrances."

"Yori! How's my favorite Ninja girl?" He looked up in the tree where his pants had landed. "Uh, hey, sorry about that. Got to remember to tie my backpack better next time."

Yori giggled lightly. "This is of course not a problem, Stoppable-san. As Kim would say, 'No big.' Please, come, Sensei is anxious to see you."

A small crowd had gathered, whispering quietly as they realized that Ron Stoppable, the Mystical Monkey Master, had returned. Ron was met by looks of deferential honor, and each of the school's students stopped and bowed deeply as he and Yori walked by.

Ron was getting a little uncomfortable with all the attention. "Uh, Yori, what's with all the fawning and bowing and stuff?"

"Stoppable-san, you have become world-hero in your victory over Warmonga and Warhok. You are held in much honor here, even more than when you recovered the Lotus Blade."

"Well, Yori, it's totally badical that you've all rolled out the red carpet for me, but I'm not quite a complete Monkey Master yet. In fact, that's why I'm back here, to complete my training."

"Of course, Stoppable-san, but that does not minimize your heroic deeds, or those of Kim-chan. You both are now legends, and it is now our honor to assist you in any way possible."

Legends. Kim. Fiancee. Ron would have to spill, and soon, if Yori didn't know already.

Sensei met them at the entrance of the Great Hall.

"Ron Stoppable, Yamanouchi welcomes you. You honor us with your presence. Come, there is much to discuss."

Ron entered the hall with Sensei, as Yori turned away to attend to her other duties.

"Stoppable-san, you have learned much in your recent battle with Warmonga and Warhok. Now you must develop the concentration necessary to consciously activate and control it."

"Yeah, thanks, Sensei. The other day, my power just activated itself, and I was afraid I would hurt Kim. That really scared me."

"That is not quite true, Stoppable-san. I have been in contact with your friend, Wade, and have reviewed his tape." Sensei smiled. "He is a most interesting person, especially with his apparent ability to record your every moment."

"Uh, Sensei, he isn't taping the times when me and Kim are, um, kissing or anything, is he? I know he's peeked at Kim's diary occasionally, but that just strikes me as wrongsick."

Sensei laughed warmly. "No, Stoppable-san. He has not become ... how do you say, a Peeping Tom. He is a person of honor, with your best interests at heart as well as Kim-chan's at the core of his motivations."

"Well that's a relief. So, when do we start?"

"It has already begun, young Stoppable-san. As you become ready for the next step on your journey, we will continue."

"So, the speed of my progress is up to me? Ooh, I'm not sure how much I like the sound of that. Especially since ..."

"Since you and Kim-chan are to be wed soon?"

Ron was stunned. "Oh, man! Does the entire world know the details of everything Kim and I do?"

Sensei lifted a hand to gently quiet him. "Be calm, Stoppable-san. I have a subscription to Humans Magazine as well, booyah."

Sensei resumed his serious tone. "First you must learn that there is a delicate balance that must be struck between self-confidence and overconfidence, and to take both adulation and rejection in stride. Equilibrium must be maintained no matter what external forces may influence you."

Ron thought of Kim, and of the world that might need them again. A wicked smile appeared on his face, as he steeled himself for the challenge. "Okay, Sensei. Bring it on ..."


The remainder of the day continued for Ron as it started, with the students at Yamanouchi maintaining an abject, deferential attitude toward him, with much servile bowing and obsequious attention. Ron took it all in stride, remembering all too well how his swelled pride had nearly resulted in disaster only the week before.

The next day dawned bright and warm. But the attitude today of the students at Yamanouchi was anything but warm, compared to the day before. Ron wasn't able to coax even a smile or acknowledgement from anyone, let alone the honor and attention he had received the day before. Even Yori was distant.

"Whoa, Rufus! Did I forget to wear my deodorant today or what? This is just too weird. Not only that, but Sensei is too busy to even see me or explain what's going on."

Rufus shrugged in dismay, also perplexed by the great change in everyone's attitude.

Then Ron remembered Sensei's words, that he must take both adulation and rejection in stride. He decided that he would remain patient and polite, no matter which way the wind might be blowing regarding the attitudes of Yamanouchi's students.


Yori was troubled. This in itself was unusual for her, but when it involved Ron, she felt she needed the wisest counsel available.

"Honorable Master Sensei, may I have a word with you?"

"Honorable Master Sensei? Such a formal honorific for you to be using, Yori. But of course, please be seated."

Sensei slowly poured them both some tea.

"And what concerns you today? Perhaps it is the way that we are treating Stoppable-san at the moment?"

"Yes, Master Sensei. I am ... uncomfortable in maintaining this attitude. I feel that it does not accord to him the honor to which he is due. Nor does it harmonize with my own sense of honor."

Sensei's eyebrows raised slightly in surprise.

"Yori, much will depend on Stoppable-san's complete control of the Mystical Monkey Power. Much more than even you realize at this time. And with much power comes much responsibility, as well as great temptation. Stoppable-san must gain full control of all his abilities if he is to succeed. If not, it is conceivable that he could not only fail, but even become an agent of evil, as Monkey Fist and Fukushima became."

"That is impossible, Sensei!" Yori quickly stood up, uncharacteristic anger roiling up from within her. "Ron would never give in to the seduction of power! You dishonor him by ..."

"Yori! Do not forget your place." Sensei's command, tinged with anger in response to her outburst, cut her to the quick.

Yori stood there, mouth agape, embarrassed by her loss of control.

"My apologies, Master Sensei." She calmly sat back down.

Sensei sighed as he regained his own sense of emotional equilibrium. "Yori, I truly sense your concern for young Stoppable-san. And I also sense that your feelings for him, buried for so long, are still quite strong to have such a reaction to what you feel is unfair treatment. Perhaps those feelings have been heightened by the recent announcement of the engagement between Stoppable-san and Kim-chan."

Yori's now calm exterior belied her deeper feelings as she realized the truth contained in Sensei's words. It was one thing to be able to dispassionately accept Kim as Ron's destiny, but quite another when faced with its reality.

"Yori, you are my best and most trusted student here. But you are also that rare individual that can now either greatly assist him, or undermine him completely."

Sensei continued in a tone more serious than she had ever heard from him before. "If you are to aid in his training, I will need you to maintain the self-control and discipline that you have so excelled at through your many years here at Yamanouchi. This world, and many others, may very well depend on it."

Yori was deeply humbled by his statement. She felt remorse at her outburst, and surprise at how easily Sensei had read her feelings, as well as fear over this new revelation on how critical a part she would play in Ron's training. She immediately began to center herself, gaining back her own emotional control as she calmed her mind and spirit.

"Yes, Master Sensei. Please forgive my reaching conclusions not based on all facts. It would be my great honor to assist in Stoppable-san's training."

She rose and bowed deeply to Sensei. Without a further word, she turned and left.

As she walked back into the courtyard, the late afternoon sun shone on the newly blossoming cherry trees. It had been a very cold winter and a cool spring, and it was unusual for them to be blooming so late. But with Stoppable-san's arrival, the weather had changed, and the warm early summer sun had coaxed the blooms to life. It had also coaxed to life memories, long dormant.

Ron spotted Yori as she entered the courtyard. He smiled as he walked up to her. "Hey, Yori. How are you doin' today?"

The smallest of smiles escaped her lips as she bowed ever so slightly. Without a word, she slowly turned and left toward her quarters. Ron didn't notice the small tear that had formed in the corner of her eye.

"Whoa. I guess I'll never figure these people out, Rufus. But I hoped that at least Yori would talk to me. I guess I just have to learn not to take any of it personally."

Rufus thought to himself, "It's all part of our training, my friend. And I hope we'll both be ready before time runs out ..."


Well, the date is set! And everything else seems to be proceeding according to plan. But appearances can be deceiving ... And will Yori's years of training be enough to overcome her wistfulness over Kim and Ron's engagement? And how will Kim respond to the bombshell that Shego is about to drop on her? Update soon.