Note: Please see the foreword for updated Author's Notes

Chapter 1: Good Morning Middleton

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

It took almost a full minute for the annoying noise to rouse her from her sleep. Without bothering to even open her eyes, the lone occupant of the bed reached over and, rather violently given her nature, slammed the alarm clock off. She laid there, her head still buried in her pillow, fighting, pleading, willing herself to get up and start the day.

Several minutes passed where she hadn't so much as moved when finally the bright light that began to invade her room stirred her from her sleep. She groaned, opened one eye, and realized that she was not alone in her room.

"Come on, Kimmie, time to get up. You're already late as it is, and you boyfriend will be here soon to pick you up," her mother said as she continued to open the blinds in her room. This had the desired effect Mrs. Dr. Possible was looking for. Between the words late and boyfriend, her daughter shifted from lethargic to wide-awake in 2 seconds flat. Kim Possible, average teenager and world hero, was ready to face the world. Or at least the day.

"Oh, God, Mom, what time is it?" she asked, suddenly worried that she wouldn't be ready on time.

"It's 7:50. Do you want me to give him a call and let him know you're going to be running late?" her mother asked. By now, Kim had leaped off her bed, dived into her closet, and was throwing various articles of clothing in an attempt to find something to wear. Peaking her head out, she responded, "No, no, I'll make it." Then, grabbing her teal top and black pants, she leaped down the stairs that lead to her room and ran for the bathroom. "I wish I still had enough energy to be that awake after only 4 hours of sleep," her mother thought with a small smile as she closed the door Kim's room and descended the stairs.

Five minutes later, it became apparent that even Kim had only so much energy to spare and she had used it all up getting ready as fast as she could. Showered and changed, she practically had to drag herself down to the kitchen for breakfast, all her energy spent in catching up this morning. She slid into one of the chairs at the kitchen table, sighed, and put her head down on the table. She didn't bother to look up when her mother put a bowl of cereal in front of her, but did when her brothers came crashing into the room. Apparently, they had gotten into an argument over something because they were wrestling each other. To Kim, it was impossible to distinguish where one twin ended and the other began; they were simply a ball of green and red that came crashing into the kitchen knocking over several chairs in the room.

"JIM! TIM!" yelled their mother, "you boys need to stop right now! It is way too early in the morning for that kind of behavior."

"Your mother's right, boys, why don't you sit down and eat something?"

Kim looked up in surprise, noticing for the first time that her father was also at the table reading the paper. "Man, I must really be out of it to miss Dad like that" she thought as she began to eat her cereal. The tweebs, their argument long forgotten, had begun to plot their latest scheme as their father looked over his paper suspiciously. Kim was just happy to have a moment of peace and concentrated on her cereal.

She finished the last of her breakfast, and took her bowl over to the sink to be cleaned. She was just about done when the phone rang, which her mother answered. "Oh, hi…. OK…. OK….OK, I'll let her know," she said and hung up. "Kimmie, that was your ride, he said to tell you that he's going to be running a little late today."

"Thanks Mom." She sighed, a smile playing at her lips. "He must be just as tired as I am after last night," she thought. Having a few minutes to kill, she sat back down in her chair and closed her eyes.

"Rough night last night, Kimmie-cub?" her father asked in his easy, off-handed manner.

"Yeah, it was killer. I didn't get back until 3:30 in the morning."

Her father put down his paper and looked at her with a mix of concern and slight annoyance. "Was this a mission or a date that kept you out so late on a school night?" he asked.

Kim, catching the look in her father's eye, began to feel just the tiniest bit nervous. "Uhh, well, Dad, it was a little of both," was all she managed to get out.

"A little of both?"

"Well, yeah. It started off as a date, but then Wade beeped in and we were off to Peru. Monkey Fist discovered another monkey temple and we were called in to stop him."

"Oh. So, just how long was the date part of last night and how long was the mission part?"

Kim, knowing that this was not going to be a pleasant father-daughter conversation smiled uncomfortably at her father. "Ah, well, it's tough to say really…"

"Now, dear, leave her alone," interrupted her mother. "I'm sure that whatever time the date ended, everyone behaved themselves."

Catching the hint that the last part of that statement was directed at her, Kim quickly agreed with her mother. "Absolutely. The only thing we did on the date part of last night was dinner and a movie."

"That's all we had time for" was what she thought but didn't add.

"Well, then, alright. Still, it would be nice if you would just spend one night at home each week. In your room. Reading quietly."

Relief flooded over her as she realized that she had avoided yet another conversation about her relationship. Things had been a little uneasy in the Possible household since Kim had started dating her new beau. And while her father had gotten somewhat used to having his daughter dating boys after her relationship with Josh, the new one had thrown things for a loop. But they had only been dating for a few weeks, and it was still new for everyone, especially Kim.

She was startled out of her reflection on her current situation when the doorbell rang. Kim knew who it was immediately, and broke out into a smile. She ran past her mother, who had begun to get it, so that she could be the first one to get there. She threw open the door, upping the wattage on her smile, and embraced her boyfriend like she hadn't seen him in over a year.

"Good morning to you too, KP" was all Ron Stoppable managed to say. He couldn't even return the hug as his girlfriend had his arms pinned at his side. But, he was laughing, which was a good thing, because Mondays got to everyone, including Ron. Especially after as late a night as they had last night.

Kim gave him one final squeeze before letting go. When she stepped back, he was finally able to greet her in his favorite manner, with a kiss on her cheek. He would have preferred to kiss her properly, but her mother was standing behind Kim and Ron's discretion got the better of his desire.

Slipping his hand down to grab hers, he entered the Possible household. "Good morning, Mrs. Dr. P" he said with his trademark goofy grin. Kim's mother smiled back, returning the sentiment. "Looks like Mom is getting used to this, at least," Kim thought to herself.

Things were not so relaxed once they were in the kitchen, however. Kim's father, whose overprotectiveness was legendary in Middleton, had radically changed his view on Ron after Kim and Ron broke the news to her parents that they were now more than just best friends. He had gone back to reading his paper, but when Ron entered the kitchen holding hands with Kim, he tensed up.

"Good morning, Dr. Possible," Ron's voice was very low and shy showing every bit the anxiety that he was feeling.

"Ronald" came the terse reply. Kim could feel her boyfriend begin to sweat. She sighed, annoyed once again about her father's sudden change in attitude. The day after they went public with their relationship, she had a long conversation with her father about Ron. She tried to explain to him that he was the same old Ron, that nothing about him had changed, that he was still just as honorable and trustworthy.

But all her arguments had fallen on deaf ears. As far as her father was concerned, he was now the enemy. Ron had betrayed him. Her father had always counted on the fact that no matter what happened, Ron was always at Kim's side to watch out for her. Sure, Kim was usually the one who was saving Ron on missions, but missions weren't what her father was worried about. It was her boyfriends. And now, he was his daughter's boyfriend.

Kim, for her part, resigned herself to the fact that things were not going to return to normal anytime soon and seated herself at the table. Ron, unsure what to do, simply sat next to Kim. She saw that he was still uncomfortable in this situation, and reached over to give him a small squeeze of his hand. He smiled slightly, and despite his unease, began to relax a little.

"Ron, would you like something to eat?" Kim's mom asked him.

"No thanks, I already ate at home."

"That's a change," grumbled her father under his breath. Kim caught what he had said and shot her father a nasty look. Thankfully, Ron had missed the comment but he could sense Kim's mood change suddenly.

"Ah, KP, I think we better get going otherwise we'll be late for school."

"Good idea, Ron," she replied with another glare at her father, but he was hidden behind his paper and couldn't see. They were just about out of the kitchen when he looked up at them.

"Kim, what are you doing after school today?"

"Umm, I have cheerleading practice, then Ron and I are going out to eat afterward."

"Wouldn't it be better if we all had dinner tonight as a family? Your mother can make that chicken dish you like so much."

Kim couldn't believe her ears. Was her father actually inviting Ron to have a civil dinner at their house? She decided to test the waters just to make sure.

"Umm, I don't know Dad. What time would you want us to show up for dinner?"

"Oh, I was thinking that it could just be the family tonight."

"I knew it," she thought bitterly. "Sorry, Dad, but practice is probably going to go real late tonight, so I won't be able to make it."

"Hmmm, that's too bad. I was looking forward to spending some time with my Kimmie-cub."

"Well, we'll just have to schedule it for some other time. Come on, Ron." And with that, she grabbed her boyfriend's arm and pulled him from the room. Which was a good thing, because had she stayed, she would have noticed the scowl on her father's face and the annoyed look that her mother was giving her father.

***

"That was fun," Ron quipped once they were outside. His fear had passed now that he was away from her father, and was being replaced with a slightly angry feeling at how he was now an outcast from the place he considered his home away from home for the past fourteen years.

"I know," Kim apologized. He had taken the lead once they were out of the kitchen and was now standing in her driveway. She walked over to him, took his hand, and kissed him lightly on the cheek.

He began to smile once again which made her feel good. "This is the Ron I know," she thought, "with his goofy grin, and cute brown eyes. Not the nervous wreck he becomes every time he's around Dad."

She was brought out of her thoughts when he asked her, "What was that for?"

"For being such a good sport in there. Ron, I'm really sorry about the way my Dad is treating you lately. Don't worry, he'll come around. Eventually."

"I know," Ron sighed. "It's just that I've gone from being a part of the family to public enemy number one."

She kissed him once again, this time on the lips, and turned, saying, "Come on. We're going to be late."

Ron couldn't help but smile. From his point of view, life was rather sweet, despite Kim's Dad's new outlook on life. He had everything that he could ever want. He was dating the most beautiful girl in school. He was a senior now, and unlike previous school years, he was enjoying a small amount of popularity. "Probably because I'm now Kim's boyfriend," he thought with a smile. He was much more capable on missions, thanks to a month spent last summer honing his skills at Yamanuchi. And he had a car.

Ron had turned seventeen while he was in Japan, and when he came home he found his birthday present waiting for him in his driveway. It was old, and had a number of miles, but it still ran well and, other than Kim, was his pride and joy. And, considering that many of the students at Middleton High didn't have cars (even the seniors), he was the object of a lot of envy.

But Ron was oblivious to that fact as he opened the passenger side door for Kim to get in. He felt the spring return to his step as he moved to the other side of the car and got in. A few minutes later, they were driving towards Middleton High.

"So, what times does practice get out tonight?" Ron asked.

"Around 5pm. Your's?"

"About the same time." After Ron's trip to Japan, several coaches had taken notice of his newfound skills and the baseball coach convinced him to try out. As it turns out, Mystical Monkey Power is good for more than just martial arts skill. Like hitting a small, white ball over 300 ft. It took the coach only 30 minutes to realize his potential and made him the starting right fielder for the Middleton Mad Dogs.

"I wish you hadn't quit the squad. I miss you at practice."

"I know, but coach was really excited after I tried out and I thought I'd give at least one sport a try while I was in high school. Besides, there was a freshman who really wanted to take over the Middleton Mad Dog for me after graduation and I figured I'd let him get started early."

"And the only reason I ever did it in the first place was to be closer to you." was the unspoken thought that Ron added.

"Still…" Kim sighed.

Ron laughed.  "KP, we have every class together, lunch together, and we're going on a date tonight. I think we can survive a two and a half hour break in the middle of the day."

This made her smile. He was right, of course. She could survive without her Ron for a few hours. But she had another reason for wanting her boyfriend around at cheerleading practice. "It wouldn't be that bad if it wasn't for the fact that the time I spend away from you is time I have to spend with Bonnie."

"Ugh. Just remember, no matter how bad she gets, you're the captain of the varsity cheer squad. The squad chose you, just like they've done every year since sixth grade, to lead them. They trust you, and believe in you." He reached over and started to gently rub her shoulder, getting the desired effect. "Look, at least Bonnie doesn't have an innate ability to control green energy."

Kim chuckled. "If she did, I'm sure all she'd do is complain how it clashed with her nails." Now it was Ron's turn to laugh, and his laughter infected Kim until the two of them were almost doubled over. Ron had to pull over to the side of the road to keep from driving off into a ditch.

Finally able to control himself, Ron looked over at his girlfriend who was still fighting to stop and get some air in her lungs. As he was watching her, her face flush and gasping for air, he once again thanked whatever force out there had smiled upon him and brought the two of them together.

Kim had regained control and was now sitting back looking over at Ron. The smile that she was sporting for him went from pure fun to something more suggestive. Ron, taking the hint, leaned in a kissed her, long and slow the way he liked. They continued for a few minutes before parting. "Now that's the right way to start the morning," Ron whispered to her.

She giggled and kissed him again, lightly this time. "Come on, we've gotta get going or we're really gonna be late."

Her boyfriend started the car once again, and got back on the road. Kim, for her part, was content to simply lean back and gaze out the window for the rest of the ride to Middleton High. Pretty soon, she recognized the telltale signs and realized that she was at school. A part of her was melancholy because she wouldn't have Ron all to herself until later that day. But, still, despite the incident at home, this day had started off on a rather good note.

Unfortunately for the both of them, their day was about to take a decidedly downward turn.