"What do you mean I must go with my family to Joshua Mankey's? We were just there for a barbeque not too long ago," Kim sighed, falling down onto the bed with a thump. Monique took a deep breath as she let Kim complain. "There is no point for me to go over there. Why would I go when I was so completely and utterly rejected?" Kim didn't cry about the rejection anymore, but she was definitely angry at the brown haired boy. She had no desire to marry someone who could so easily turn her away, and in the long run, she knew it could never work; however, it didn't mean she wanted to see him again. It was just so infuriating how Josh could have done that to her! She didn't need to be reminded of what she lost, no, what he lost that day. Kim smiled at the thought.

"Miss Kimberly, you know your families are close. Just because Master Josh says it's over, doesn't mean it's over. Your parents will still try to get this marriage set up. Just be lucky he is only a few years older than you instead of twice your age," Monique explained. She grabbed Kim's hands and pulled her up into a sitting position before taking a seat on Kim's bed. "He could have been mad that day 'cause you wanted to go climb trees with him. He'd be foolish to still be mad about that."

"Yes," Kim smiled softly. "You may be right."

"Girl, I am right," Monique stated confidently.

"Usually you are," Kim stood up. "And do not rub it in."

"I will rub it in as much as I want," Monique stated confidently. "Now let's get you dressed for the day and I'll put a little bit of extra makeup on you so it actually looked like you slept more than three hours last night."

"I was practicing," Kim explained as Monique dressed her. Last night, Kim climbed up trees and jumped from them. Not too high, but higher than she would normally dare. She remembered how Shego jumped off of the moving swing, tucking herself into a ball and rolling as she hit the ground. She also recalled how Shego jumped from a tree many nights ago and how she landed on her feet by bending her knees. Kim knew she could have gotten hurt, but she was more excited about jumping off of the trees and the rush she felt when she stood up on a branch. Kim was thankful for the modest clothing because it covered up the bruises from when Kim didn't exactly land correctly.

"Ah," Monique nodded as she finished getting Kim ready for the day. "Practicing."

"I really do not want to go today," Kim grumbled. Monique handed her a biscuit since Kim missed breakfast. Kim was grateful for Monique always covering for her so she could get in an extra hour of sleep. She owed Monique everything, and maybe someday, she'd be able to give Monique anything she wanted.

"Don't you want to marry someday?" Monique asked her seriously. Kim looked her in the eyes, but didn't have a response. Everything was so confusing lately that she had no idea what she wanted.

Kim shrugged. "What do you want out of life?"

"It doesn't matter what I want," Monique gave her a sad smiled.

"But it does!" Kim urged. "You're my best friend. It matters to me."

"Miss Kimberly, I believe you forget my purpose is to serve you. There's nothing else I want."

Kim put down her half eaten biscuit. It was true: Kim had a tendency to forget Monique was given to her, as if she was an object. Kim frowned and for the first time, Kim truly wondered why people were categorized by race when Monique was a girl, just like her. She didn't have time to continue the conversation since Monique hurried her down the stairs as the family was getting ready to leave for the Mankey residence.

Kim couldn't stop thinking about what Monique said when she arrived at the Mankey's. She was polite, but distracted and couldn't focus on the lunch conversation. She lamely picked at her food and was thankful for once that she wasn't expected to eat much. She was also thankful her brothers weren't there and stayed at home with Monique. She stifled a laugh at the thought since her brothers were quite the handful. Josh gave her a strange look, but she ignored it. She wanted nothing to do with Joshua Mankey. He didn't want anything to do with her, either. Their mothers and fathers thought otherwise and were obviously trying to set them up. Kim painfully smiled when she needed to, and shoved food in her mouth when she thought someone was going to address her.

"Joshua will be going abroad for a year starting in November," Josh's father stated proudly. "He will be going to Paris for his art."

"Why, isn't that lovely?" Mrs. Possible remarked, then looked at her daughter for a response. Kim smiled without showing her teeth and nodded. The conversation turned to art with Josh speaking extensively on the subject. Kim thought his artwork was good, but it wasn't great. Wade wasn't particularly educated on the subject of art. Despite this, he helped Kim look through books to help educate her further on the arts. She knew the superficial aspects she was told she needed to know. Kim read about technique and what made certain artists great. Compared to art that lived on, Josh's art was rather bland. His works were generally generic portraits or landscapes, not much different from the artists who painted portraits for a living. She knew Josh wasn't pursuing to be an artist who sat on a stool and paint wealthy families; he told her once that he wanted to be remembered by his artwork.

"It is lovely," Kim replied slowly. She tuned out a majority of the conversation that followed as her eyes wandered around the room to look at various pieces of artwork. The one on the far wall was Josh's work. It was something he created when he was somewhere in Europe. It was a simple portrait of a girl. It was realistic, but his art had no distinct style. It was generic and nothing special. It was framed in a frame the color of gold, a frame too extravagant for such a simple picture. She overheard Josh say how he admired Leonardo da Vinci; that was really all she picked up.

"Enlighten us on what you know about art, Miss Kimberly," Josh smiled, but Kim knew he was condescending. He wanted her to make a fool of herself, to show that she was not marriage material. He wanted her to be a fool and show how she wasn't listening to a word he was saying.

"There is so much to know," Kim played along. "What would you like me to elaborate on?" She chose her words carefully so as not to disappoint her parents. She had no qualms about what Josh thought of her.

"What do you think of da Vinci's work?" Josh was testing her.

Although Kim just thought of her parents, she completely forgot about them in the moment when Josh gave her the most arrogant smirk he could muster. "His work on the human body is admirable. His work within the science of anatomy was spectacular. I will say dissecting around thirty human bodies is a tad morbid, but we learned so much from them. He was remembered primarily as an artist, but produced more scientific-like work in my humble opinion."

Josh's eyes went wide. His eyes bore into Kim as if she said something she shouldn't have. Talking about autopsies at the table was probably not something she should have talked about. "Kimberly," her father said in a gruff voice. Kim slowly looked to her left and swallowed thickly; her parents were right there.

"That is it!" Josh said in a low voice. He stood up abruptly and caused the chair to scratch against the expensive wood floor. "I cannot marry her. I will not marry her!" Josh glared at her. Kim felt herself about to cry. It wasn't like she cared what he said, but she kind of did. She hated his reaction which showed her how undesirable she was as marriage material. Kim felt at that moment she would never marry.

Time slowed. Kim started to plan how she'd follow Shego to New York and then they could live together, unmarried, in an apartment in one of those tall buildings she read about in a book about the city. Nobody in the Northern states knew she existed, so she'd be able to be herself with minimal judgement because the expectations there were vastly different, or so she read.

"Kimberly must not be feeling well," Ann stated. "Perhaps we should take her home."

"No," Kim swallowed. "I…I just need some air. Excuse me." Kim stood and rushed out of the Mankey home. She held up her skirts so she could travel faster. She ran as fast as her hoopskirt would allow. She heard her father calling after her with evident anger in his tone. She continued to run, not looking back. She knew he wouldn't stop her because he wasn't about to make a fool of himself and run. Kim was thankful her father stuck to the stereotypical wealthy plantation owner; he wasn't physically fit like her. Kim noticed she had toned muscles recently. Her stomach was firmer and she liked the muscles in her arms and legs when she flexed them. Her legs easily carried her towards the stables where she could hide out for the rest of eternity.

Or at least until it got dark. She'd figure out how to get back home once she wasn't mortified.

Kim lightly panted when she reached the stables where the horses were kept. The horses were currently out grazing in the fields and enjoying the day. There were a total of six of them- two white, four chestnut- and they all seemed happy to have the freedom of roaming around wherever they wanted. Kim didn't notice a fence keeping them in, so she wondered what kept them from running away. After that running and the ridiculous amount of layers she was forced to wear, Kim knew she was a sweaty mess. She made her way towards the barn, which she discovered was empty.

Kim put her forearm over her head as the heat had gotten to her. Kim didn't think twice about taking off her skirts, stripping all the way down to her chemise. She took in a deep breath when she loosened the corset enough for her to slip it over her head while keeping it laced up so she could put it back on later. She took off her shoes before collapsing against a pile of hay. She closed her eyes and sighed contentedly as she cleared the negative thoughts out of her head. For now, she didn't need to think about the confrontation with her parents.

It wasn't long before Kim heard hooves hitting the earth in a gallop, which were getting closer and closer to the stables. Kim didn't think much of it since she assumed it was a horse returning from its casual grazing. It wasn't until she heard a voice and a man tell the horse that it did a great job. She was frozen in her spot when she saw the man lead the horse over to the water trough just outside the stables. "Gotta turn the hay for you guys, Rufus. I'll come out and join you in a bit." For cover, Kim grabbed her under petticoat, being sure to hide a majority of her body. She knew hiding wasn't going to help because there simply wasn't a place to hide. Kim just awaited the inevitable.

Of course the man, or rather young man, was Ron Stoppable who was the Mankey's stable boy Kim met at the barbeque. She didn't make a sound as he began to turn over the hay and cleaning up the stables. When he saw Kim sitting in a pile of hay and some of her clothes thrown to the side, Ron let out a scream and dropped his rake. Ron backed up and proceeded to trip over a bucket of horse feed. Ron's arms flailed as he desperately tried to find something to grip so he wouldn't fall, but failed and comically fell on the hard floor of the stable. "Ow," he moaned as he rubbed his lower back. "I didn't see anything!" Ron exclaimed as he struggled to get onto his feet. He had an arm covering his eyes as he stood, but proceeded to step on the rake he dropped and fell again, this time flat on his back. Kim had to stifle a laugh because the scene before her was just so ridiculous. "What is happening?" Ron cried out. His eyes were still tightly shut and Kim realized he was more embarrassed than her despite her being practically naked.

"Master Stoppable, I assure you it is okay if you open your eyes. I am covered up," Kim assured him. Still on the ground, Ron opened up one eye and visibly relaxed.

"I told you when we met to call me Ron," Ron reminded her sheepishly as his right hand started to rub the back of his neck. "Sorry, I didn't mean to bust in on you like this. I didn't expect to come back to a pretty girl, er…" he trailed nervously.

"No," Kim giggled. "This is entirely my fault and I apologize," Kim insisted.

"How come you're here? Not that I don't want you here," Ron added hastily. "I just, I mean, um, it's just unexpected, is all."

Kim let out a sigh. "I'd rather not speak about it, if that is all right with you. I just could not sit in there with the Mankeys and my parents anymore."

"Say no more," Ron stood up successfully this time. "I'll saddle up another horse while you change. But maybe don't put that thing on," Ron pointed to the hoop. "It'll probably get in the way." Kim nodded. Before she could say anything, Ron was off with a saddle and equipment in hand to go ready another horse. Kim quickly dressed herself and put on the rest of her layers accordingly. She should have been more embarrassed and she should have felt ashamed, but she found she was neither of those things. It was strange how she felt as calm as she did and how comfortable she felt around a stable boy. Perhaps it was due to the fact that he was a stable boy and didn't hold the same expectations for women as people of her class did.

Kim slipped on her shoes and made her way outside where Ron was waiting for her with two horses saddled. Kim frowned when she noticed there wasn't a side saddle on either of the horses, which she pointed out to Ron. His face heated up when he explained that the missus didn't ride horses, but merely admired them, so the Mankey's never purchased women's riding gear. Secretly, Kim was excited at the opportunity to ride like a man. She couldn't wait! However, she acted appalled at the idea Ron was suggesting, but ultimately decided to get onto the horse. She could have easily pushed herself up onto the white horse he saddled up for her. Instead, she allowed Ron to bring over a stepping stool to aid her.

"So, just swing one leg over?" Kim asked him.

"Yup!" Ron wasn't disgusted with the idea of her legs straddled over the back of the horse. Kim hesitated before sitting astride on the horse. When she was on, she grinned down at Ron. "Now, this is the gentlest horse you'll ever meet. Her name is Snowfall. I know, I know, not a creative name, but I didn't name her." Kim giggled as she grabbed the reins with one hand while patting the horse with the other.

"Hi, Snowfall," Kim murmured.

"And this here horse," Ron said as he got up onto his horse with ease. "Is Rufus. This is my horse from South Carolina. Had him for six years now. Not a purebred like the rest of 'em here, but he's great." Rufus stood tall and proud as if he understood what Ron just said. The horse was speckled with brown and white hair with a brown mane and tail. He swished it happily as Ron led him deeper into the large property. Kim easily followed since she learned how to control a horse years ago; it was the only barely adventurous thing she was allowed to do and talk about it. She never went on a trail and longed to do so, but she wasn't about to complain. Her feet were both comfortably in the stirrups and Kim realized riding astride wasn't much different than sidesaddle in her opinion. She just had to get the balancing down first. She held onto the saddle as she had the horse walk after Ron and Rufus.

Ron turned around to look at her. "Wow, Miss Kimberly, you're a natural!" he exclaimed.

"I have ridden before, just not in this way," Kim remarked.

"Well, you're doin' just fine," Ron smiled. "You want to try going a little faster?"

"Yes!" Kim said all too eagerly.

"Press your legs against her side gently. She'll start to trot," Ron instructed. Kim nodded and did as she was told, and Snowfall began to trot. Kim found herself bouncing more than she liked. She saw how Ron was riding Rufus; he rose and sat back down in the seat in a steady rhythm. Kim mimicked Ron's riding style and found that she was more in control this way. She wanted to burst out laughing she was so happy, but held it in by occasionally pressing her lips together so she didn't make a fool of herself. She followed Ron around for a while until she begged to go faster. Ron was skeptical at first, but she insisted and reminded him she had ridden horses may times before side saddling. Being reminded of this, he agreed when Kim assured him she cantered before. When Kim wanted the horse to gallop into a full run, Ron told her to get used to cantering first and that he didn't want to be responsible if she cracked her skull open when she fell off the horse.

"If I can balance standing on a tree branch, then surely I can handle sitting down on a horse as it runs," Kim said as she caught up to him as they rode side by side.

"Balance on a branch?" Ron asked with a tilt of his head and a confused look on his face.

Kim went to speak, but couldn't find her voice. What had she been thinking when she said something like that? Usually, Kim was very careful and hadn't had a slip-up yet. She had no idea why her slip-up happened when she was hanging out with the stable boy at Josh Mankey's home.

"Miss Kimberly?" Ron reached over and grabbed the reins of the horse Kim was riding, effectively slowing both horses down until they came to a stop. The horses didn't seem to mind as they grazed on the grass.

"I climb trees," Kim murmured since the damage was already done. "And sometimes I stand up on the branches."

Ron was silent for a good two minutes before he grinned. "I think that's kinda good that you aren't like the other ladies around these parts. Maybe that's why I find it so easy to talk to you."

"Well, you are one of the few people to pick up on the fact that I am not like the other women. Everyone believes my act."

"Then I guess you're a pretty good actress. If I didn't see you eating potato salad instead of napping that day, I wouldn't have known." Ron provided a goofy smile which made Kim's frown flip.

"This is why I like to see Miss Sheila Gordon. She understands me, you know? She just gets it," Kim admitted.

"I guess you two made up."

"Yes we did," Kim nodded. "What I envy about her is she is not afraid to be who she is while I am terrified to show the world who I really am."

"Well, you showed me so that's something," Ron pointed out.

"I guess I did," Kim smiled. "Call me Kim. Kimberly is such a mouthful. When we are alone, that is."

"All right, Kim," Ron agreed. "Let's head back to the stables. These guys are probably thirsty. Huh, Rufus?" Ron patted the mane of the horse which responded with a grunt. They cantered back to the stables and Kim enjoyed the slight breeze the speed created.

And then her stomach dropped.

Kim's heart was somehow in her throat.

She wanted to vomit.

Standing by the stables was her father and Joshua Mankey's father. She could tell Ron felt the same way she did because he stopped Rufus abruptly just like Kim pulled slightly on the reigns to stop Snowfall. She heard Ron murmur something and hop off of Rufus as he approached Josh's father. Kim didn't watch when Ron's ear was pulled towards deep inside the horse stables.

Kim couldn't take her eyes off of her father. The look on his face was downright horrifying as he looked at his daughter straddling a horse like a man as he held the skeleton of the hoopskirt at his side in one hand. This meant he knew she undressed inside the stable. Her father said nothing, but Kim knew she should get off of the white horse. Biting her lower lip, Kim swung her left leg over the horse and bunched up her dress before she slid off of it and expertly landing on her feet. Even though her father was enraged, Kim forced herself to drag her feet over towards him. She knew she was going to be punished. "Do not say a word," James Possible growled when Kim went to open her mouth. "We are going home without a peep from you. You will get in the carriage and say nothing to your mother. When we arrive home, you go straight up to your room and I will make sure Monique is not up there with you. After supper, I will have figured out what to do with you." Kim merely nodded and looked down at the ground as she followed her father back towards the main house with tears occasionally blurring her vision. Kim was caught and she knew things were going to be very different.


Finally got this chapter up! Poor Kim. And poor Ron. What will happen to them?

I decided to up the rating to T since it was suggested I do so for the brief nudity in a previous chapter. This way, I also have more freedom as the story progresses and Kim matures.

What do you like/dislike about Kim and Shego's relationship? How about Kim and Ron? I love hearing your thoughts in a review or PM!