Disclaimer: I do not own Kim Possible or Doctor Who. Disney owns Kim Possible, and Doctor Who is owned by the BBC.

Here is the fifth chapter! Some proper interaction between the Doctor and Kim + Ron, outside of the class environment! Enjoy!

Time Sitch

A Kim Possible/Doctor Who crossover

Chapter 5

Lunch period had arrived for students at Middleton High, and everyone rushed out of their classes to have lunch, go outside, or to complete some sort of task. Kim and Ron walked over to their lockers to put their stuff away.

"What do you think of the new history teacher?" Ron asked.

"He seems pretty cool. Don't forget he's only the 'substitute' teacher", Kim said.

"I know, Kim, but considering how long most of our school's teachers are out for, he's probably sticking around for a while", Ron said.

"True", Kim acknowledged. "He seems to be already engaging the students…" she said, deliberately looking at Ron.

"He's doing more than helping us 'engage', Kim. He's making history awesome!" Ron declared. "He made that summary of the Romans this morning so interesting."

"I'm not gonna lie, his presentation on Roman history was a fascinating introduction to the subject", Kim said. "He seems to know so much, and we've only covered the surface. He must be a specialist in that era of history."

"I have a funny feeling he just enjoys and knows so much about history in general", Ron said. "Imagine how much he must have studied to get so much information in his head."

"Well, I guess he's not called 'The Doctor' for nothing", Kim said.

"Speaking of his 'name'", Ron said, "Why would he introduce himself as that to the class?"

"I'm not sure", Kim replied. "I guess it's a formal title we need to address him by, like we call Barkin 'Mr Barkin'."

"But we still say Barkin's surname. Most doctors would also be referred to by their second name, like 'Doctor Smith'. So why is this teacher just called 'the Doctor'?"

Before Kim could answer, a certain irritating voice called out over to the two teenagers. "Are you both seriously sad enough to talk about this new substitute teacher?"

It was Bonnie Rockwaller, the girl who had shown complete disinterest in the lesson the Doctor had taught that morning. She considered herself to be top of the 'food chain' at Middleton High, and always made sure no one would try to tip her off that perch. But Kim just saw her as a brat full of bad attitude.

They had been rivals since at least middle school, when Kim had first joined the cheerleading squad, and had quickly outranked Bonnie to become the leader. Bonnie was always the first one to throw insults or snidely comments towards the other person. But Kim did have her moments when she could give a good comeback, and therefore leave Bonnie having to tread carefully so as not to look like a fool to the rest of the school.

Bonnie strutted over to them. "He's just another dispensable substitute teacher. He'll become ill through food poisoning or some other odd thing, just like the rest. So I wouldn't get too attached to your new chum", she retorted, in particular towards Ron.

"Hey, don't dis the new guy", Ron answered back.

"Oh sorry Ron, I didn't realise you had a man crush on him", Bonnie said mockingly.

"The Doctor deserves a lot more respect than you ever do, Bonnie", Kim said. "Don't you have 'gossip' to stir up and the 'food chain' to take of?"

Bonnie turned her back towards them, as she flicked her hair around. "Come back to me when you start sitting with the cool people on the senior table", she said, as she walked away to the cafeteria.

Ron could see the anger starting to brew from Kim. He put a hand on her shoulder and said, "Let it go, Kim. You know you're just as popular as Bonnie, if not more so."

He wasn't lying. Bonnie may have been the face of 'popularity' at Middleton High; but Kim was just as favoured in the school by almost everyone (minus Bonnie herself). After all, Kim was the leader of the cheerleading squad, top of the class in most subjects, and a general all-round nice person to people. She occasionally fell into the trend of the food-chain herself, but hadn't been blinded anywhere near to the same extent as Bonnie. Ron as her best friend was proof of that.

"I don't understand how someone can go around acting like that", Kim said.

"Bonnie will remain a mystery", Ron said. "I wouldn't worry too much about it, Kim."

At that moment, Monique came over to Kim and Ron. Monique noted the grumpy look on Kim's face. "Bonnie again?"

"Yep", Kim replied.

"Come on, let's get some lunch. This girl here will help you forget all about your troubles", Monique stated, implying herself.

The three of them began walking down the corridor to the cafeteria hall. Most of the people who had gone for lunch were already sitting at tables eating their food. Although 'food' was a strong word for something that looked like a greyish slop to most students.

The queue by now had thinned down, so it wouldn't take long for Kim, Ron and Monique to collect their meal. But just as they entered the hall, they saw two gentlemen standing near the food displays…

"This is the cafeteria, where meals by the school are provided here to fill people up with protein, fibre, and other essential goodness to keep up a working man's energy levels", Steve Barkin said to the Doctor, who was standing next to him studying the food. "Most staff members usually bring their own lunches, but as a teacher, there is a special selection prepared if at any point you decide to come here to eat."

"It's a good thing, because I forgot to bring my packed lunch box today", said the Doctor passingly.

If truth be told, the Doctor had deliberately gone to the cafeteria for lunch. He didn't want to be stuck in a stuffy staff room where only polite conversations would take place. He wanted to wander around in case he overheard something useful to do with the scientific research centre business, or to figure out why the TARDIS brought him here in the first place. Very unlikely to get that sort of information from the kids here, but stranger things had happened. Like two certain teenagers openly going on capers to catch villains.

Besides, the Doctor had already done some investigating in the staff room, and nothing noteworthy had been found there. Apart from endless supply of coffee (no tea though, which the Doctor was very disappointed about).

The Doctor took a look at the display of food set aside for the staff, for those who so wished to eat here. And in all fairness, it was all pretty decent stuff. A wide range of products - from roast chicken, to lasagne, and good fish meat - were on offer here. Not quite as 'up-there' as the posh restaurant he had been to one time in New Byzantium, the capital city of the planet Tairngire (he wasn't sure if it had been the time he took Ace there or not); but the Doctor was also not expecting Middleton High to be top of the food league.

One thing that did catch his attention was the grey, gooey, substance sitting in a large pot to the side of the rest of the food. From what the Doctor had observed when he had first walked into the hall, most of the students had been given that muck automatically (apart from the seniors). They obviously had no choice about the matter. Some of the teachers had fallen foul to this apparently; which was odd considering the Doctor had just been offered the better quality food. So why didn't the other teachers go for that option?

'Guess there's only one way to find out what's so bad about it', thought the Doctor. He turned to Barkin, and pointed at the pot full of the unpromising, greyish stuff. "I think I might just go for that", he said.

Barkin's eyes widened at the Doctor saying that. A worried expression rapidly grew on his face. "Err, Doctor", he said, "Are you… erm… definitely sure on that? I understand if the options are… overwhelming."

The Doctor knew he was trying to direct him back to the edible food. And he understood why. Barkin didn't want to lose another teacher because of their own curiosity over the grey-looking mush. But the Doctor had put himself in way more perilous positions before. A bit of weird, bubbling grey muck wouldn't stop him from checking it out.

"I'm very sure about my choice", the Doctor said, giving him a reassuring smile. "Don't you worry about me."

The worried look on Barkin's face quickly disappeared back to his usual, serious stare. "Very well. Enjoy your 'meal' ", he said, emphasising the last word, implying that the Doctor should still change his mind. With that, Barkin walked out from the cafeteria through the double doors.

The Doctor indicated to the substance in the pot, with the dinner lady behind the counter not questioning his choice. She collected up a large pile with the ladle she held, and plopped the food onto the plate on the Doctor's tray. As the Doctor left for an empty table, he took a cup of water, in the event he might have trouble eating the stuff in front of him.

"He has not just taken the student option, has he?!" Monique said to Kim and Ron in disbelief.

"The man's gone mad", Ron exclaimed. "He's a goner!"

Rufus had peaked out from underneath Ron's shirt, and had just seen the Doctor with the strange, grey substance on his tray. "Oh no", he bemoaned, as he shook his head in his hands, with despair.

"Come on guys", said Kim. "We eat this stuff everyday. I'm sure the Doctor will be fine."

"Kim, think about all the teachers that have ever tried to eat that stuff", Ron said. "Within the hour, they're running to the toilets, and are not seen again for at least the next month."

"Or never again if you're a substitute teacher", Monique pointed out.

"Even worse!" said Ron, who didn't like the idea of the Doctor falling to illness already.

"That stuff does certainly lack in… taste qualities. And it's strange how we never get ill of it but the teachers do", Kim pondered.

"Well, that Doctor has made one heck of a strange choice, that's all I know", Monique stated.

"There is certainly something slightly unusual about the Doctor", Kim said.

"Come on KP, isn't he allowed to be unique?" Ron asked.

"I don't mean in a really weird way, Ron", Kim said. "If anything, he's the good sort of quirky. He had so much energy when he was teaching this morning."

"And he has a friendly side to him", said Monique. "I've never met a teacher as down-to-earth with the students. Maybe occasionally patronising, but not to make us feel like idiots."

"I do feel like he's hiding something, however", Kim said.

"Like what?" Monique asked.

"I'm not sure. And I'm not saying his friendly and excited outlook on life is done deliberately for show", Kim answered. "But I have a feeling it's more emphasised to hide something he doesn't want other people to know."

"Maybe he's suffered a great tragedy recently", Ron suggested. "Or maybe he has a dark past, and had a life of crime a long time ago. Or perhaps he still is a super villain committing evil deeds…!"

"First suggestion was reasonable. The other two, particularly the last one, were just stupid", Kim said.

Ron frowned, and then replied to Kim, "Well why don't you go over and ask him yourself?" He pointed in the direction of the table the Doctor was sitting at now. He was currently studying the food, clearly a little suspicious of the contents of it.

"Come on, Ron. That's too personal a question. And he's a teacher; think of the stick we might get from the likes of Bonnie", Kim said.

"The opinions of Bonnie never worry me", Ron declared.

"And I'd like to know more about this Doctor. Who doesn't want to find out more about a mysterious dude?" said Monique to Kim teasingly.

"So it's settled", said Ron, "As soon as we've got our food, we're going over." Without another word, Kim was dragged by the arm, by Ron, to the cafeteria counter. They collected their meal, and then went over to the table the Doctor sat at, with Monique following behind them.

As they arrived at the table, the Doctor had his full concentration on analysing the food. And by 'analysing', it looked like all the Doctor was doing was waving a mechanical stick with a blue light-up tip at the gooey gunk.

The three teenagers sat down on the opposite side of the table, watching the Doctor continuing to wave his 'magic wand' at the food. After a few seconds, the buzzing from the electronic object stopped, and the Doctor took a look at it as if he was reading data given to him. Which perhaps was the case, as he said a moment later, "A strange mixture of chemicals. Perhaps covers up the out-of-date meat that's mixed into this thing. Now let's see what it tastes like."

The Doctor picked up the fork from the tray, and took a small sample of the greyish substance. He placed the food into his mouth, and began eating it. It didn't take long before a face of disgust appeared on the Doctor's face, but he resisted the urge to spit out the food again. He swallowed the food down quickly, and then took a gulp of water from the cup sitting next to him, to get rid of the awful taste left in his mouth.

"Ok, that is disgusting. I can't see how anyone could eat this", the Doctor said. He then looked up properly to see Kim, Ron and Monique all staring in his direction.

"Oh, hi", greeted the Doctor. He then pushed the tray forward a little bit. "Anyone want extra greyish meat stuff that probably came from animals grown in tightly-packed spaced warehouses?" the Doctor offered. "Not a big fan of it myself."

There was silence for a second, before Ron perked up. "Sure, I'll take it."

The Doctor pushed the tray further towards Ron's direction, and the blond-haired boy took hold of it. He then grabbed the plate on it, and poured the food onto his own pile on his plate.

"And there was Ron complaining about the cafeteria food a minute ago", Monique commented.

"As long as it's food, and edible, Ron will take anything", Kim said.

"Edible is a strong word", the Doctor said.

"You going to be ok?" Kim asked.

"From what?" the Doctor queried, and then realised what she was referring to. "Oh! The little bite I had just now from that muck? I'll be fine. I have a particularly strong digestive and immune system. Which is a good thing considering the amount of bacteria and viruses in that stuff." He then asked the three teens, "How many times do you guys have this within a school week?"

Kim replied, "Everyday."

"And no reports of student absences because of food poisoning or some other related illness?" the Doctor continued.

"Nope", Ron replied in between mouthfuls of food.

"Huh. I guess you guys must have strong immune and digestive systems too. How old are the teachers who have reported ill because of eating this stuff?"

The trio shrugged, and Monique answered, "It varies. Not really sure to be honest."

"Well, perhaps Mr Barkin just needs to hire teachers capable of looking after their own bodies", the Doctor commented. "Maybe 'eating-suspiciously-unhealthy-looking-food' should be part of teacher training." He then sat up, and decided to change the subject of the conversation. "So, what do you three do? You must have lives outside of school. Jobs, chores, pets, hobbies, anything vaguely interesting", the Doctor said with a smile.

Kim had mentally prepared to ask the Doctor questions, despite being forced to this table against her will by Monique and Ron. So it caught her a little off-guard when he started asking questions first instead.

"I work at the Club Banana store in Middleton, the trendiest place to shop for the top branded clothes", said Monique, without giving Kim the chance to reverse the questioning towards the Doctor.

"Ooo, fancy", the Doctor said.

"Don't forget to mention that it's owned by the same company as Smarty Mart", Ron interjected.

"Do not say that name in the same conversation as Club Banana", rebutted Monique.

"What's a Smarty Mart?" the Doctor asked.

"You don't know what Smarty Mart is?" Ron exclaimed.

"Haven't heard of them. Worked quite a lot in Britain" the Doctor replied.

"Basically, it's a chain of stores that sells everything you want, and there are lots of great deals", Ron explained.

"They sell cheap stuff", Monique interrupted.

"Well duh, that's the point. Take Kim's mission pants for example; the only difference between the ones in Smarty Mart and the ones in Club Banana are the astronomical prices in the latter store, and the different logos", Ron said.

"Which totally makes the pants in Club Banana so much better!" Monique stated.

Before Ron and Monique could get into a full blown argument about the two stores, the Doctor quickly asked Kim, "And what do you do, Kim? Besides saving the world of course."

"Oh, not much... Just normal girls stuff… School work, family and social life…" Kim began saying hesitantly.

"But mostly saving the world", Ron said.

"Like with the scientific research centre thing yesterday? I quickly saw it in the news", the Doctor said.

"Yeah… no big… we managed to stop Dr Drakken stealing the device he was going for…" Kim said hazily, not wanting to go much further with talking about herself and her missions. She really wanted to change the subject and start asking the Doctor the important questions.

"He did steal a mysterious black cube from the science research centre, however", Ron added. That was more information than Kim wanted being revealed.

"A mysterious black cube? How interesting", the Doctor suddenly said, leaning forwards as if listening to secrets being whispered. "Do you know what this 'mysterious' object is?"

"Not really", Ron answered. "But we are meeting with a scientist after school today - at the scientific research centre - who says she can explain to us what it is."

"I do love a bit of science myself", the Doctor said. "Would it be possible if I could come along for the ride? I may be of some help…"

"But I thought you were a history teacher?" Ron queried.

"I am", the Doctor replied. "But I've got degrees in other subjects." He then lifted up a wallet, which looked like to be an official list of the Doctor's qualifications, running from top to bottom. Many of them were PhDs.

"That's impressive!" Monique exclaimed.

"Thanks for the offer, Doctor, but I'm sure Ron and I will be fine just talking to the scientist ourselves…" Kim started saying.

"Kim, this dude has got multiple PhDs in many areas of science itself! Why wouldn't you want him tagging along?" muttered Ron to Kim.

Monique quickly said to the Doctor, "I think what Kim meant is that it would be beneficial to have someone who understood the complexities of the science behind this black cube."

"I would be delighted to help", said the Doctor in a deliberate overly happy tone. "Meet you outside the school?"

"Yep, at 3:30pm", Ron said.

"Great. Anyway, got to rush off. Preparing lessons and all that. Enjoy your meals… oh wait, poor choice of words. More like 'good luck' with the taste of the food. Anyway, see you two after school", the Doctor said towards Kim and Ron. He then quickly strode off, and out through the double doors into the corridor.

When the Doctor had disappeared, Kim said to Ron and Monique sarcastically, "Well you guys were real helpful."

"You're welcome, KP. I knew you would appreciate the added member of someone who knew his stuff about science", Ron said, to deliberately irritate Kim even more.

"But I didn't get the chance to ask the Doctor questions about him! I thought that was the purpose of us going over to talk to him", Kim moaned.

"We know, but this means you get more time to find out about his past and who he really is", Monique stated. "And you don't have to ask him in front of hundreds of students."

Kim just made a 'humpf' sound, and began slowly eating her food. She had gone from respecting the Doctor, to thinking he was a little strange. Taking your own teacher on an assignment? That was not only weird, but just wrong in her opinion. And in all honesty, she was reluctant to take anyone - other than Ron - on her missions, for their own safety.

Once they'd met this scientist, she would have to tell the Doctor that this was a job for Team Possible. It would be too dangerous in the long term for the Doctor to carry on coming along with them.