Author's Note: Hey look! Another chapter! I'm actually fairly happy this one on several counts, and then I'm worried about it on at least two. But I would like to send a special shout-out to Ace Lannigan for his/her latest review because somehow, after I read it I was all hyped to finish the chapter, and I got almost three more notebook pages written that night. Go me! Wahoo! Ok, so I hope you like it. :D

Disclaimer: I own nothing. The all-powerful Disney Corporation owns the characters I'm messing around with. I just hope they don't sue. Oh, and I don't own Abercromie & Fitch, the supposed 'Babies Etc.' if it is a real store, or Cinnabon. Although I wish I did, so I could have some of their stuff anytime I wanted. (Especially if I make myself hungry writing about it like I did!)

Monique came out of one of Middleton Mall's many stores looking disgruntled and chewing on a gummy bear. Kim came a few seconds later, absolutely beaming, happily throwing a dozen or more gummy bears into her mouth. The two had just come out of Abercrombie & Fitch, a store well known for it's attractive workers whether male or female.

Monique put another gummy in her mouth and spoke, "I can't believe you did that. Tell me it didn't happen."

Kim, bouncing on the balls of her feet leading them away from the store said, "It did. I can't believe you didn't take that guy's number."

"Yeah, well I can't believe you told him to give it to me!" She tried to glare angrily at her friend, but ended up smiling. Partly because Kim tried to make a funny face and failed miserably, but mainly because they were passing Cinabon, and the aroma would perk anyone up. Particularly someone who, like Monique enjoys cinnamon rolls with frosting of your choice.

Kim could smell it too, "To make it up to you, I will buy you the biggest Cinnabon there is and for myself only get the wimpy little sticks."

Monique was absolutely beaming when they got to the front of the line. Both girls were surprised when, after ordering they were told it was necessary to wait a few minutes for their order. Nevertheless, Kim paid and stepped to the side allowing other customers to order. Suddenly there was a shriek in the air, and Kim dropped all she was holding, (which strangely was nothing as she had several things stowed in her hoodie pocket) and ran off toward the sound.

As Kim turned a corner she saw a brunette teenager who a large group of teenaged boys were trying to steal from. She was doing a good job of defending herself so far. Kicking and punching whatever came near her, and more than one boy ended up crouched over in pain after advancing on her.

Kim noticed, as she got closer, the attacking men had decided that to get what they wanted they had to get dirty. Deciding that this was her cue she jumped in and put forth her best moves, avenging her sex. Within two minutes the attackers were running away whimpering.

Doubled over panting, the girl she was helping said, "Thanks –pant- a lot –pant- I –pant-wouldn't –pant- have –pant- held them –pant- off –pant- much –pant- longer."

Kim who was regaining her breath as well replied, "No problem, guys like that deserve to get their asses kicked." Just then the girl, having got her breath stood up.

It was Bonnie.

"Possible, " she said in disbelief. Trying to draw herself up in dignity she continued, "Thank you, but I can do fine form here." Still dazed form shock Kim nodded. A minute or two passed before she noticed Bonnie had gone. Quickly she walked back to Monique's bench.

"Still got my sticks right?" Kim asked Monique, whose fingers were full and sticky from her Cinnabon.

"'Course I do. I'm still tackling mine." Kim saw her sticks and practically dive-bombed them. Then, changing her tactic she started eating them extremely slowly. Taking care to dip each bit in the cream-cheese-frosting-like dip and then savoring each bite. It was at least five full minutes before the girls weren't so preoccupied by their food to talk.

Monique, having finished spoke first, "So was the girl grateful that you helped her keep her purse?"

She nearly choked from trying to laugh and swallow at the same time. "No."

"What?"

"Well, she was, until she realized who it was that helped her."

"That makes no sense."

"It was Bonnie."

"Oh, sorry I asked."

"Nah. It's cool." Kim said before finishing off her last Cinnabon stick and then licking her fingers. Strange how the frosting gets everywhere isn't it? "Do you have any suggestions to where we go next?"

Monique shook her head, "No, s'long as you don't try to hook me up with anyone."

"Deal." Making their way over to the trashcan, they threw away the litter they had acquired and began wandering aimlessly again. For about a half-hour the two took lefts and rights and rights and lefts, talking about a little bit about everything and nothing. Suddenly, lots of vibrant and pastel colors found their way into the girls' peripheral vision. "Whoa. We have GOT to go in there. Looks like an awesome new store."

"Uh, Kim. That's a baby clothing et cetera store. See? It's called 'Babies Etc.'" And so it was. They could see the sign clearly now. It was made up of bubble-letters in pastel colors; it looked open and inviting.

"Ok, so let's go check it out."

Monique crabbed her arm, holding her back. "Are you insane? Why would we go in there?"

"To check out the new store in the mall. It's not like we're going to buy anything. Right?" she finished, eyebrows raised.

She caved, crossing her arms and looking reluctant, she let out a small, "Fine."

Once Kim had dragged her inside however, her attitude changed. Almost instantly, they were both all over the place looking at all of the adorable baby accessories that modern man had come out with. Monique was cooing over the rattles and Kim over teething rings (which weren't that far apart) when they heard it. The unmistakable sound of Bonnie.

"What? Expectant mothers so soon?" she almost sang with malicious glee. "And I thought you had morals, principals, values even. But I guess you proved me wrong." She then proceeded to tut at them, looking at the tiny jumpers across the aisle.

"Well I know neither one of us is expecting. But what about you Bonnie? Why're you here?" Monique said triumphantly.

"Baby shower," she replied, not put out in the least. "My aunt's going to have a baby in a couple of weeks so my mom and I decided it would be nice to throw her a shower." She finally decided on a nice gender-absent yellow. "Tootles!" Bonnie sang in a voice that made Monique and Kim cringe, as she headed toward the register at the back of the store.

Both girls appeared to be fuming, that is until they reached the blanket section at the very back of the store. Each girl was busy finding her favorite pattern and design. Monique had found hers, which resembled something that would make someone think of a distant African tribe. As she was taunting Kim she kept running her fingers subconsciously over it as she put it on the stand next to her.

"C'mon girl, what? Are you trying to tear the whole store apart? It's barely opened, give it a break," a teasing Monique said, smiling.

"I'm just looking!" Kim playfully sniped back, a smile on her lips. She had almost reached the bottom of the bin-like crate she was searching through. She was actually almost afraid she wouldn't find one she liked. Just as she was thinking this, her fingers touched a soft material that comforted her of this fear, somehow. She pulled the unseen blanket up and gasped. It was beautiful.

The blanket was white and it was fairly large for a baby, but not big enough to completely fill a bed. There was a look to it that suggested it was crocheted, despite the soft fluffy cotton it was made of and the silk like border that it possessed. Neatly spaced squares throughout the blanket were what made it seem magic though. In pastel colors, there were baby animals of all types peacefully sleeping. From elephants and lions to cats and dogs to ducks and bunnies. They all looked so peaceful that Kim would have liked to curl up in it at that moment, despite the fact that it wouldn't have covered all of her, and fall asleep. Instead of doing that though, she did as close as she dared. Put her face up to it and closed her eyes, feeling its fuzziness and warmth.

Monique came up to her, sensing she had found something satisfactory. "Like it?"

Kim opened her eyes at once and said, "Yes, and I want to buy it."

"Buy it?" she said, taking a protective hold on her own blanket. "What're we going to do with a baby blanket?"

Thinking a moment Kim replied, "We don't have to use them right now. I can put mine in my hope chest."

"You have a hope chest?" Monique seemed incredulous.

"Well not exactly, but something like it. C'mon Monique, let's go buy out future baby's blankets!"

Shaking her head Monique followed Kim to the back of the line to buy their blankets. Even though the line was relatively long, it went by quickly much to their relief. Because according to the loudspeaker the mall was going to be closing up shortly, so everyone was supposed to get out. Apparently, time really flies when you're looking at adorable baby items, eating Cinnabon's masterpieces, and fighting off very rude males. The two were last in line, so when it was their turn to pay Kim pushed the blankets onto the counter quickly, fumbling with her purse and wallet. Her thoughts were more focused on how they were going to find a way back to her house in the dark as opposed to the clerk who was at the register.

That is, until a familiar voice spoke up. "Wow KP, this is the most adorable blanket I've ever seen!"

Kim nearly dropped her wallet and became clumsier as she blushed, ashamed of the thoughts that had suddenly popped into her head. Trying to look up and not blush at the same time only made her blush more, and she could feel the heat radiating from her cheeks. She decided she at least had to answer him and almost forgot what he had said. "Yeah, I really like it too." She managed to choke out. She could sense him smile as he punched in buttons on the register and thought it was safe to look up.

While his head was bent, Kim saw him in a red shirt with khaki bottoms looking very professional smiling at the register. Watching Ron smile gave her goose bumps, made her heart speed up, and blush, all at once, consequently Kim hoped that Monique wasn't watching them too closely. Another thought suddenly flashed in Kim's head, and she had a hard time focusing on anything else. After a second or so, Kim realized Ron was talking to her and she attempted to draw herself away from the idea of him topless. It was a hard task.

"So who is this for Kim?" he thought they were a gift.

"My mom's friend from work, she's going to have a shower." She said the first thing that popped into her head.

His head nodded knowingly, and as Monique spoke, Kim noticed Ron's cheeks had a slight pink tinge to them too. "So when did you start working here Ron?"

"Since today. Well, today's the first real day. I've had orientation and stuff, but this is the Grand Opening." Just then, there was a chime interrupting his speech. "Yes! Closing time!" Ron came out from behind the counter and brought a vacuum out with him. Plugging in the cord he asked them, "So how did you girls get here?"

"Walked."

He nodded again and replied, "Well you're not going to walk home. I'll drop you off." Both the girls being grateful, they watched him close up, vacuuming and fixing toys, punching out his clock, and finally pulling the grate down, locking the store. Wordlessly they followed him out to his car and silently he drove Monique home. The silence broken only by Monique thanking Ron and telling Kim that she'd call her later. The ride was equally silent until Ron pulled into the Possible's driveway and turned the car off. He went around and opened the car door for her, helping her out and walking her to her door.

Kim was about to say goodnight and thank you when he spoke up. "I'm really glad you like that outfit Kim. It looks good on you."

Her face split into a grin as she replied, "Well thanks for giving it to me, I don't think I've ever been comfier." As she looked up she wrapped her arms around his neck, starting to play with his hair and he slid his arms around her waist. They both just stood there staring at each other smiling, until Ron took the initiative to give her a good night kiss. A few minutes later Kim was walking up to her room thinking she was the luckiest girl on Earth, and Ron was walking out to his car thinking how much he enjoyed the taste of Cinnabon.


Author's Note: You like it? You love it? You want some more of it? breaks down giggling Ok, so if you liked it tell me in a review. If you don't, feel free to flame me, but please give a REASON as to why my stuff sucks et cetera. And yes, that is actually how etc. is spelled out. Anyway, if you ARE going to review, I'd like to know whether or not you know where this story is going. Because I'd like you to be as clueless as my (Disney's) characters. And I would like to know how you thought the 'kissing' scene went. I think 'bleh' just because I've read some really well written ones, and I'm not sure whether or not I should try to step mine up or let your brain do all the imagining. Ok, I'm done. Go review. (PLEASE) Or not.

Abster1