Kim Possible and all related characters and indicia are owned by the Disney Corporation. This work of fan fiction is written for pleasure, not profit.

John Steppenwolf: Yeah, you've read it before. It got taken down by the Powers that Be because I was a bad girl :)

Triaxx2: There's a fine line between bravery and stupidity :)

gargoylesama: Looking forward to them.

"Hello, Ron," Mrs. Dr. Possible greeted him warmly. "I'm afraid Kim isn't here right now."

"I was counting on that, Mrs. Dr. P," Ron answered with a conspiratorial grin.

Mrs. Dr. Possible shared a look with her husband, and then fixed Ron with a gently questioning gaze.

"Well," he explained, "I'm kind of at my wits end about what to Kim for her birthday, and was hoping she might have dropped a few hints around you guys about anything in particular she had in mind."

Mr. Dr. Possible chuckled. "Oh, she's been dropping hints all right, Ronald. I've been hit with the 'puppy-dog pout' so often lately that I think I'm developing an immunity to it." His expression soured. "Unfortunately, what she wants most is something I'm not at all comfortable about giving her."

"Ah, yes, the whole 'romantic dinner with Josh' thing," he said sagely. Mr. and Mrs. Dr. Possible assumed the same expression, one that questioned and accused at the same time. Ron, fighting panic and embarrassment, gestured at the kitchen door.

"I, ah, couldn't help but overhear that part," he said, smiling weakly. Mr. Dr. Possible just grunted and folded his arms across his chest. Mrs. Dr. Possible seemed more accepting of Ron's excuse, as the warm smile returned to her face. She shook her head.

"I'm sorry, Ron, but apart from the party and the dinner with Josh afterward, Kim hasn't really said anything about presents."

Ron's face fell. Mrs. Dr. Possible smiled sympathetically and laid a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, you'll think of something."

Ron would never decide why he did what he did next. Even with the perspective of many years, he could never pinpoint the trigger. It wasn't anything the Possibles had said. It was more like his myriad and admittedly confused thoughts about the whole affair reached a critical mass, and in a flash of inspiration coalesced into a crystal clear course of action.

"Let her have the dinner," he said firmly. The Possibles blinked in surprise, but before they could speak Ron went on, relentlessly, "You can trust Kim." He fixed Mr. Dr. Possible with a confidant, steady gaze - far more confident than he actually felt, for part of his brain was convinced this was nothing less than a suicidal rush onto thin ice. He had visions of himself being banned from the Possible home forever, but he plunged on none-the-less. "If she says there won't be any..." he gathered his resolve and said the word..."sex, there won't be any." Soothingly, "You can trust her."

Mrs. Dr. Possible was staring at him open mouthed. Mr. Dr. Possible was scowling fiercely. "It's not Kim I don't trust," he said frostily.

Ron took a deep breath. If you had asked him just thirty seconds ago if he would EVER go to bat for Josh Mankey he would have collapsed in a fit of hysterical laughter, and even now he felt a surreal detachment, like he was listening to someone else talk.

"Josh Mankey is a perfect gentleman," he assured them. "He won't go any farther than Kim lets him, and he will take 'no' for an answer."

There was a long moment of silence.

"Ron, I thought you didn't like Josh," Mrs. Dr. Possible said softly.

"I don't," Ron confirmed , "But my loathing the very sight of him doesn't change the fact that he is a perfect gentleman." Ron saw that Mr. Dr. Possible was no longer scowling. Instead, he had a sort of confused look on his face, like a man completely flummoxed by the sudden, unexpected turn the conversation had taken. For her part, Mrs. Dr. Possible looked confused as well, though for what reason, Ron couldn't guess.

While he had them off balance he pressed his attack. "Tell her she can have her dinner, but that there are two conditions: first, they come right back here after they finish eating; and second, that you choose the restaurant." Ron took out his wallet and produced a business card. "This restaurant."

Mr. Dr. Possible took the card numbly. "The Ile-de-France? Ronald, that's one of the priciest places in Middleton."

"I know," Ron rejoined. "But that isn't important. What matters is that my folks know the owner, and the owner knows me. It's where I learned to cook," he added modestly. "Anyway, the owner will let me hang around in the kitchen, where I can keep an eye on things." He hesitated, "Well, I don't mean spy. I'm not going to give you detailed report on what happens. I'll just let you know when they leave the restaurant."

Mr. Dr. Possible nodded thoughtfully. "If we know when they leave we can judge for ourselves whether they made any unauthorized side trips," he mused to himself.

"But, Dear, it seems a little underhanded, doesn't it?" Mrs. Dr. Possible objected.

Mr. Dr. Possible nodded. "It is," he admitted, "And I suppose it isn't fair to Kim, but if I have that much reassurance...she can have her dinner date," he finished decisively.

"Oh, Honey, thank you!" Mrs. Dr. Possible exclaimed, giving him an exuberant hug and a grateful kiss.

"Thank you, Ronald," Mr. Dr. Possible said, a slight blush coloring his cheeks.

"My pleasure Mr. Dr. P," Ron said, bowing graciously. Excusing himself, he hurried from the Possible home. Ducking into the side yard he found a secluded spot in some bushes and threw up.