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.
Forlong: I didn't rewrite it, I'm reposting it after it was taken down (along with all my other stories) for reasons unknown. I suspect a rules violation, but I really don't know for sure.John Steppenwol, Triaxx2: Thanks!
Ron slid his tray onto the table, and himself into the booth, as Kim took a seat opposite him. It was strange, he thought, how a change in their relationship could completely alter his perception of everything she did. The mundane act of putting down her tray and sitting down was suddenly fascinating to him, and he stared like his was seeing it for the first time. Every little move she made seemed to scream 'grace and agility'.
Then she knocked over her soda. The panicky grab she made for it worked, just, and Ron laughed. Kim looked up, her eyes flashing, but the flash died almost instantly. It must have been the expression on his face, Ron decided.
"What?" Kim asked, blushing shyly. She affected a disapproving frown. "Haven't you ever seen someone knock over a glass before?" she challenged, but there was no heat in her voice.
"Not really," Ron said, smiling his trademark goofy smile. Kim lowered her eyes and turned away slightly.
"It's kind of weird, having you look at me like that."
"What do you mean?" Ron asked, not quite able to keep a touch of anxiety out of his voice.
Kim raised her head. "Well, you're staring at me like, well, like...I mean," she floundered. "You know," she final said, blushing furiously. "I like it," she added with a reassuring smile, "But it's so different from what I'm used to that it seems strange."
Ron sagged with relief. Then he straightened, a wicked grin on his face. "Hmmm. Maybe if I do it a lot you'll get used to it faster," he reasoned, mock thoughtfully. With that, he gave her a gooey eyed look that was so over-the-top that Kim burst out laughing.
"Stop!" she pleaded, hiding her face behind her hands, occasionally peeking out and cringing at Ron's expression. Ron relented with a grin, and Kim relaxed. She hadn't been tense before, exactly, but she seemed more at ease now.
Ron's stomach rumbled suddenly, and his thoughts turned to the half dozen tacos on his tray. He picked one up and was guiding it toward his mouth when Kim stiffened. The hair on the back of Ron's neck went rigid at the same time. He looked up and had to stifle a groan.
"Hello, Kim," Josh Mankey said pleasantly. Mankey's gaze shifted to Ron. "Stoppable," he added coolly. Beside him, pretty platinum blonde Tara King was smiling an embarrassed, awkward smile.
"Hello, Josh," Kim said. She sounded pleasant enough, but Ron could sense the stiffness underneath Kim's words. "Hi, Tara," she added, much more warmly, and Ron saw Tara relax a bit.
"We just came in and saw you, and Josh wanted to come over and say hi," she explained apologetically, giving Ron the distinct impression that Josh's motive wasn't that innocent. "Hi, Ron."
"Tara," Ron smiled. "I like the outfit," he added, noting the short but tasteful red dress she was wearing. Tara smiled gratefully, and better yet, Mankey scowled.
"'S'up, Josh?" Ron said with deliberately forced cheer.
"Oh, you know. I'm just out on a date. With my girlfriend." Josh hurtled the barbs with obvious relish, and Tara cringed. "I don't settle for second best," he added, shooting a look at Kim. Tara looked like she wanted to die. Ron felt a surge of sympathy for her. Tara was a nice girl, and it wasn't her fault Josh was being a jerk. But Ron's sympathy was a small thing compared to the anger that flared up in him. It was one thing for Josh to insult him: Ron could care less what Mankey thought of him. But for him to imply that Kim was damaged goods...well, that wasn't something Ron was going to sit back and take. He started to rise, and saw an evil grin crease Josh's face, when an iron hand on his arm stopped him.
Kim shot Ron a look that commanded him to sit down. As Ron settled back into his seat, Kim gave Tara a brief reassuring glance, then impaled Josh with a fiery glare.
"Neither do I, Josh." Kim words smoldered. "That's why I'm here with Ron, instead of you."
Josh's eyes bulged, and even Tara looked surprised.
"You mean you're...you're on a...with him?" Josh demanded incredulously.
"That's right, I'm on a date with Ron," Kim mocked. "Way to pick that up, Captain Obvious." Kim turned to Tara. "I know you're just taking Josh for a test drive," she said kindly, "But I can tell you right now that you should take him back to the dealership." She turned back to Josh with a poisonous glare. "He's a lemon," she finished sweetly.
Josh went white. His mouth moved, but no words came out. Finally he bent forward. "You're wasting your time, Stoppable," Mankey hissed, his eyes fixed hatefully on Kim. "She's so uptight, you'll never get past first base!" With that, he whirled and stormed out of the restaurant.
"I am so sorry," Tara began, a mortified look on her face.
"Don't worry about it," Kim said with a dismissive wave. "I know it wasn't your fault." Tara smiled gratefully, and went off in search of Josh.
Kim turned back to Ron, who was staring at her open mouthed.
"Well, that was interesting," she commented, reaching for a burrito.
"I can't believe Mankey did that," Ron finally exclaimed in disbelief.
"Josh doesn't like to hear the word 'no', I guess."
"What do you mean?" Ron asked, puzzled.
Kim smiled grimly. "Remember how I said Josh and I grew apart?" Ron nodded. "Well, it was more like he tried to get more familiar than I was comfortable with. I mean, I liked him, but not that much," she explained, gesturing at her breasts.
"He tried..."
"For second base," Kim confirmed. "I wouldn't let him."
Ron stared, dumbfounded. He looked uncomfortable, so Kim decided to lighten the tone. Or at least change the focus.
"You, on the other hand," she teased, her eyes smoldering with a different sort of heat, "might not get to second on the first date, but there are always more dates." Ron suddenly looked like he was having trouble breathing.
"More bases, too," Kim added with an impish smile.
