Author's Notes: Not too many comments on the last chapter... it was kinda a
slow one I guess. I think this one is a bit more interesting. Thanks to
those of you who did comment. I'm glad you liked it.
Steve: you are right... that is quite a coincidence!
Cynthia: Glad the Brigsby is a jerk theme comes through good... though he may still have an important part to play... who knows (OK, I do, but...)
Thanks again for reading, and as always, I'd really appreciate some reviews! Nothin' better than checking your e-mail to find it full of review notices (well, some things are better, but it is up there!)
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The gentleman at the front desk was wearing an impressive uniform of the type only seen in the grandest of hotels. He tried to, but could not hide his surprise when he saw a teenager dressed in a small t-shirt the revealed her midsection and loose cargo pants walked into the lobby. It was rare to see someone dressed in that manner in a hotel that demanded men wear a coat and tie in most public rooms.
"Pardon me, young lady," he called out, "but we do not allow public access to the beach through the hotel. You'll need to go down to the public entrance." He pointed towards a door immediately behind her.
Kim was annoyed, but hid it well. She needed his help; there was no point in trying to get back at him for the comment, even though she dearly wanted too. "Actually, sir, I'm here to see a guest," Kim replied, walking up to the desk. "A Mr. Ron Stoppable."
"Ahh, give me a moment," the man replied, typing furiously on his computer. It took him ten seconds to find the information. "Mr. Ronald Stoppable is here; can I get him on the phone for you?"
"Actually, if you just give me the room number, I'll just head up," Kim said.
I'm sorry," the attendant apologized, "but we need the guest's permission to release the room number."
"Alright, can you tell him that Kim Possible is here to see him? That should do it."
"No problem, ma'am," the attendant said, picking up the phone. "Mr. Stoppable?" Yes, hello, this is the front desk. There is a Miss Kim Possible here, and she has made a request to see you. Shall I give her your room number?" He paused for a moment. "Thank you, I'll let her know." The attendant replaced the phone in its ornate cradle and turned back towards Kim. "He seems quite excited. He'll meet you down here, but it could be a few minutes, he's on the 36th floor."
"That's alright."
It was only three minutes before Ron emerged from the elevator, wearing his favorite red hockey jersey, though without the black turtleneck he normally put underneath it. It was far to warm in LA for that.
"Kim!" he yelped, running towards her. He put out his hand to shake and was surprised when she embraced him with a hug. It was quick, but a hug nonetheless. Ron didn't get them that often, and he obviously enjoyed it. "Have I really been gone long enough to deserve this?"
"It's been a week, Ron," Kim replied, taking a step back to try and avoid looking like she was to intimate with Ron.
"Wow... really? Doesn't seem like it. Must be jet lag."
Kim frowned "Ron, it's only three hours, not three days."
"I feel like I haven't slept for three days," Ron replied.
"You're tired? What's new?"
"Really, Kim. This is a tough job," he said with a yawn. "Maybe four hours a night. You wouldn't believe all the reading! Hey, there's a Bueno Nacho only a few blocks from here. You want to go grab some food? "
"Sure, Ron. A person can only go so long without seeing you chow down three Grande Chimeritos in five minutes."
"Life must be boring without Ron-Shine around," Ron said jokingly, elbowing Kim.
******
"I truly can't believe it. Despite the media attention, they still want to keep him," Monkey Fist said to himself. "It seems Ron Stoppable is destined to be in my way."
He leapt upward, grabbing the ceiling with one hand and swinging himself towards a desk on the side of the room. "As much as I hate to do this, I feel it may be necessary to try a slightly different approach this time."
He paged quickly through a book on the table, his eyes keenly searching for the phone number he wanted.
"Here it is," he muttered, grabbing the telephone receiver with his right foot and putting it to his head. With his left foot he quickly dialed the number. "Yes, I would like to place an order for Firebird Funnel Webs... one dozen should do nicely." He quicly related his mailing address to the operator, then replaced the receiver.
Monkey Fist's mouth began to spread into a grin, then a full fledged smile. He began to chuckle quietly, but the sound quickly grew into maniacal laughter.
******
"Ok, Kim," Ron mumbled, his mouth full of a burrito, "what brings you out here?"
"Well, you're national news Ron."
"Really!" Ron exclaimed, nearly shooting a large, wet wad of partially digested Chimerito at Kim. "That is so cool!"
"Not really, Ron. Most people think your being here is a scandal."
"A scandal," Ron asked, "I know some people think it's kinda weird they said I was a secret service agent, but scandal?"
"Ron, that would qualify as a scandal."
"Oh."
"Seriously, though, Ron. I thought it might be good for me to be here, now that things are getting all freakish."
"I see what is going on. You don't think I can take care of myself. You're here to save me," Ron said quietly, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I can take care of myself, Kim."
"I know you can, Ron," Kim said, focusing all her effort on keeping a serious face. The words she had just said were absurd, but she didn't want to hurt her friends feelings. "But I figured it couldn't hurt for me to be here. Plus, I wanted to be with my best friend on my 18th birthday."
"Awww," Rufus purred from where he was sitting on the table, munching on his own small box of nachos.
"Take it from me," Ron said, swallowing a handful of nachos, "the one eight isn't as big as everyone says it is."
"No, your eighteenth birthday wasn't big," Kim replied, remembering the day six weeks earlier. "I intend to do something more to celebrate than have an early dinner in Bueno Nacho."
"Newsflash, KP, we're having an early dinner in Bueno Nacho on your birthday. And don't knock the Nacho."
"You know, your right, this really isn't to exciting."
"Actually KP, I have something that might spice things up. I'm going to get another Chimerito, you want one?"
"Your idea to spice up my birthday is a Chimerito?"
"Yes... I mean no, KP," Ron said with a laugh. "Two separate thoughts. I have something for you when we get back to the hotel."
"You mean you remembered my Birthday?"
"How could I forget? After what you did to me last year when I forgot, that is."
"I was a little angry."
"I hadn't guessed," Ron said sarcastically. "Where did you and Monique get that Monkey costume anyway?'
"Smarty Mart," Kim said with a wink.
"Aisle fifteen," Rufus pitched in.
"You taught Rufus what aisles have what in Smarty Mart?" Kim asked, disgust seeping into her voice.
"No, we just go there a lot. He picked it up after a while," Ron said proudly. Rufus stood and smiled at Kim. "Keep an eye on Rufus for me, will ya?" Ron asked, getting up and walking towards the counter before Kim could answer.
"He is a little crazy, isn't he?" Kim moaned.
"Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh," Rufus replied enthusiastically.
"You're right... it is who he is, and we like who he is. If he were level headed, he just wouldn't be Ron."
Ron was back in a few minutes. Se sat down in the booth and slid his food tray onto the table with one smooth motion.
"Cool moves, Ron," Kim mumbled sarcastically.
"You ain't seen nothin' yet. By the way, you never answered me, so I got you a Chimerito too," Ron said as he handed her a plate off his tray. Kim groaned.
"Ron, you know that I normally don't even eat a Grande-size, let alone two of them!"
"Ok, ok," Ron said, sounding momentarily disappointed, then cheerfully adding, "I guess more for me."
Kim just rolled her eyes and listened to the symphony of chewing as her best friend and his naked mole rat indulged themselves.
******
The young woman walked casually towards the back of the plane, glad she had gotten a seat near the rear of the aircraft. Irritated with the disembarking passengers blocking her way, she pushed through, waving her carryon bag in front of her.
Her push through the throng of people drew some harsh words from those she brushed aside, and eventually caught the attention of a flight attendant, who stopped her at the rear galley.
"Ma'am, just where do you think you are going? The lavatories are closed, you need to use the terminal restrooms."
"I'm not looking for a lavatory," the woman replied, shoving the attendant to one side. "I'm looking for the exit."
"Ma'am, the boarding gate is at the front of the plane," the stunned flight attendant said, her heart racing as she wondered just who this strangely dressed woman was.
"Yeah, well... I don't really feel like waiting for the chubs to move out... I'm in a bit of a hurry." The woman lifted the door handle almost effortlessly, pushing the 737's rear door outwards and jumping the 12 feet to the ground. She landed gracefully, then sprinted off into the humid Baltimore night.
Steve: you are right... that is quite a coincidence!
Cynthia: Glad the Brigsby is a jerk theme comes through good... though he may still have an important part to play... who knows (OK, I do, but...)
Thanks again for reading, and as always, I'd really appreciate some reviews! Nothin' better than checking your e-mail to find it full of review notices (well, some things are better, but it is up there!)
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The gentleman at the front desk was wearing an impressive uniform of the type only seen in the grandest of hotels. He tried to, but could not hide his surprise when he saw a teenager dressed in a small t-shirt the revealed her midsection and loose cargo pants walked into the lobby. It was rare to see someone dressed in that manner in a hotel that demanded men wear a coat and tie in most public rooms.
"Pardon me, young lady," he called out, "but we do not allow public access to the beach through the hotel. You'll need to go down to the public entrance." He pointed towards a door immediately behind her.
Kim was annoyed, but hid it well. She needed his help; there was no point in trying to get back at him for the comment, even though she dearly wanted too. "Actually, sir, I'm here to see a guest," Kim replied, walking up to the desk. "A Mr. Ron Stoppable."
"Ahh, give me a moment," the man replied, typing furiously on his computer. It took him ten seconds to find the information. "Mr. Ronald Stoppable is here; can I get him on the phone for you?"
"Actually, if you just give me the room number, I'll just head up," Kim said.
I'm sorry," the attendant apologized, "but we need the guest's permission to release the room number."
"Alright, can you tell him that Kim Possible is here to see him? That should do it."
"No problem, ma'am," the attendant said, picking up the phone. "Mr. Stoppable?" Yes, hello, this is the front desk. There is a Miss Kim Possible here, and she has made a request to see you. Shall I give her your room number?" He paused for a moment. "Thank you, I'll let her know." The attendant replaced the phone in its ornate cradle and turned back towards Kim. "He seems quite excited. He'll meet you down here, but it could be a few minutes, he's on the 36th floor."
"That's alright."
It was only three minutes before Ron emerged from the elevator, wearing his favorite red hockey jersey, though without the black turtleneck he normally put underneath it. It was far to warm in LA for that.
"Kim!" he yelped, running towards her. He put out his hand to shake and was surprised when she embraced him with a hug. It was quick, but a hug nonetheless. Ron didn't get them that often, and he obviously enjoyed it. "Have I really been gone long enough to deserve this?"
"It's been a week, Ron," Kim replied, taking a step back to try and avoid looking like she was to intimate with Ron.
"Wow... really? Doesn't seem like it. Must be jet lag."
Kim frowned "Ron, it's only three hours, not three days."
"I feel like I haven't slept for three days," Ron replied.
"You're tired? What's new?"
"Really, Kim. This is a tough job," he said with a yawn. "Maybe four hours a night. You wouldn't believe all the reading! Hey, there's a Bueno Nacho only a few blocks from here. You want to go grab some food? "
"Sure, Ron. A person can only go so long without seeing you chow down three Grande Chimeritos in five minutes."
"Life must be boring without Ron-Shine around," Ron said jokingly, elbowing Kim.
******
"I truly can't believe it. Despite the media attention, they still want to keep him," Monkey Fist said to himself. "It seems Ron Stoppable is destined to be in my way."
He leapt upward, grabbing the ceiling with one hand and swinging himself towards a desk on the side of the room. "As much as I hate to do this, I feel it may be necessary to try a slightly different approach this time."
He paged quickly through a book on the table, his eyes keenly searching for the phone number he wanted.
"Here it is," he muttered, grabbing the telephone receiver with his right foot and putting it to his head. With his left foot he quickly dialed the number. "Yes, I would like to place an order for Firebird Funnel Webs... one dozen should do nicely." He quicly related his mailing address to the operator, then replaced the receiver.
Monkey Fist's mouth began to spread into a grin, then a full fledged smile. He began to chuckle quietly, but the sound quickly grew into maniacal laughter.
******
"Ok, Kim," Ron mumbled, his mouth full of a burrito, "what brings you out here?"
"Well, you're national news Ron."
"Really!" Ron exclaimed, nearly shooting a large, wet wad of partially digested Chimerito at Kim. "That is so cool!"
"Not really, Ron. Most people think your being here is a scandal."
"A scandal," Ron asked, "I know some people think it's kinda weird they said I was a secret service agent, but scandal?"
"Ron, that would qualify as a scandal."
"Oh."
"Seriously, though, Ron. I thought it might be good for me to be here, now that things are getting all freakish."
"I see what is going on. You don't think I can take care of myself. You're here to save me," Ron said quietly, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I can take care of myself, Kim."
"I know you can, Ron," Kim said, focusing all her effort on keeping a serious face. The words she had just said were absurd, but she didn't want to hurt her friends feelings. "But I figured it couldn't hurt for me to be here. Plus, I wanted to be with my best friend on my 18th birthday."
"Awww," Rufus purred from where he was sitting on the table, munching on his own small box of nachos.
"Take it from me," Ron said, swallowing a handful of nachos, "the one eight isn't as big as everyone says it is."
"No, your eighteenth birthday wasn't big," Kim replied, remembering the day six weeks earlier. "I intend to do something more to celebrate than have an early dinner in Bueno Nacho."
"Newsflash, KP, we're having an early dinner in Bueno Nacho on your birthday. And don't knock the Nacho."
"You know, your right, this really isn't to exciting."
"Actually KP, I have something that might spice things up. I'm going to get another Chimerito, you want one?"
"Your idea to spice up my birthday is a Chimerito?"
"Yes... I mean no, KP," Ron said with a laugh. "Two separate thoughts. I have something for you when we get back to the hotel."
"You mean you remembered my Birthday?"
"How could I forget? After what you did to me last year when I forgot, that is."
"I was a little angry."
"I hadn't guessed," Ron said sarcastically. "Where did you and Monique get that Monkey costume anyway?'
"Smarty Mart," Kim said with a wink.
"Aisle fifteen," Rufus pitched in.
"You taught Rufus what aisles have what in Smarty Mart?" Kim asked, disgust seeping into her voice.
"No, we just go there a lot. He picked it up after a while," Ron said proudly. Rufus stood and smiled at Kim. "Keep an eye on Rufus for me, will ya?" Ron asked, getting up and walking towards the counter before Kim could answer.
"He is a little crazy, isn't he?" Kim moaned.
"Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh," Rufus replied enthusiastically.
"You're right... it is who he is, and we like who he is. If he were level headed, he just wouldn't be Ron."
Ron was back in a few minutes. Se sat down in the booth and slid his food tray onto the table with one smooth motion.
"Cool moves, Ron," Kim mumbled sarcastically.
"You ain't seen nothin' yet. By the way, you never answered me, so I got you a Chimerito too," Ron said as he handed her a plate off his tray. Kim groaned.
"Ron, you know that I normally don't even eat a Grande-size, let alone two of them!"
"Ok, ok," Ron said, sounding momentarily disappointed, then cheerfully adding, "I guess more for me."
Kim just rolled her eyes and listened to the symphony of chewing as her best friend and his naked mole rat indulged themselves.
******
The young woman walked casually towards the back of the plane, glad she had gotten a seat near the rear of the aircraft. Irritated with the disembarking passengers blocking her way, she pushed through, waving her carryon bag in front of her.
Her push through the throng of people drew some harsh words from those she brushed aside, and eventually caught the attention of a flight attendant, who stopped her at the rear galley.
"Ma'am, just where do you think you are going? The lavatories are closed, you need to use the terminal restrooms."
"I'm not looking for a lavatory," the woman replied, shoving the attendant to one side. "I'm looking for the exit."
"Ma'am, the boarding gate is at the front of the plane," the stunned flight attendant said, her heart racing as she wondered just who this strangely dressed woman was.
"Yeah, well... I don't really feel like waiting for the chubs to move out... I'm in a bit of a hurry." The woman lifted the door handle almost effortlessly, pushing the 737's rear door outwards and jumping the 12 feet to the ground. She landed gracefully, then sprinted off into the humid Baltimore night.