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.

lia200304: No promises :).

WWLAOS: The chapter title probably helped give it away, too.

Thanks to: yzibella, Becca, fanjimmy, outlawarcher, jamesstutz, warprince2000, continental-line, Bluebee, Ace LAnnigan, Fuzzie Muzzie, Bob the dancing flea, Forlong, captainkodak1, wildste, mattb3671, John Steppenwolf, gargoylesama, Triaxx2 and lab1152.

"Hey, Kim," Wade said. "I just called to let you know that it looks like the storm will blow itself out in another twenty-four hours, give or take."

"That's great, Wade," Kim replied somewhat snippily. Her lack of enthusiasm made Wade blink.

"You ok, Kim? You sound a little...I dunno...tweaked?" Wade said hesitantly.

Kim shook her head and managed a smile. "Sorry, Wade. No, I'm fine. I just, uh, started...I mean, it's that time of the month, and I'm feeling a little out of sorts."

Wade's face went red. "Oh, uh, ok," he stammered, and Kim had to hide a smile. Why was it, she wondered, that so many men got flustered by a woman mentioning that she was having her period? She wasn't, of course. That was a week away yet, but it was the first thing that had popped into her head. She didn't like to lie to Wade, but how could she tell him she was upset for interrupting what had promised to be a delightful kiss?

"Anyway," Wade went on, "I'm in touch with the resort. I'll call you when they're ready to send the Sno-Cat for you."

Kim acknowledged the news, then filled Wade in on her and Ron's situation, including the welcome discovery of the lean-to full of firewood. Signing off, Kim turned to Ron, who was setting a pan full of snow on top of the stove. He had a box of elbow macaroni and a jar of beef bouillon cubes, and was obviously about to make their dinner. Kim crossed to him and slipped an arm around his waist. She immediately noticed that he was tense.

"What's the matter, Ron?" she asked quietly.

Ron didn't answer right away. Kim felt him shift his weight a number of times. He was looking up, so she couldn't see the expression on his face, but she did see his jaw muscles clench and unclench repeatedly. Finally he came to some sort of decision and looked down at her.

"Kim, about what was about to happen..." he began.

Kim smiled. "You were about to kiss me. So what? It wouldn't have been the first time, and I'm sure it won't be the last," she said, giving him a reassuring squeeze.

Ron relaxed immediately. "Thanks, K.P. I was afraid I'd really put my foot in it this time."

"Put your foot in it?" she asked, puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"Well, uh, that is," Ron stammered, suddenly looking very nervous. "I mean, I thought maybe I gave you the, you know, the, uh, the...wrong impression? Or something?" he finished hopefully.

Kim understood at once. He was worried that he'd stepped over a line from which there would be no turning back. She could also see, despite his attempts to hide it, that he was...interested in her. Maybe it was just their situation, she reminded herself, remembering the serious flirting they'd done earlier.

'Or maybe he really is 'interested',' Kim mused. Monique had told her once, shortly after the incident with Dr. Bortel's moodulators, that Ron had admitted contemplating taking their relationship to the next level. Maybe Ron was contemplating it again? Anything was possible. More interestingly, and somewhat to her surprise, Kim found the prospect of Ron's interest...interesting.

'So do I tell him that?' she asked herself. Ron was looking at her with a mixture of expectation and apprehension. 'No,' she said to herself, 'You take the cowards way out and change the subject.'

"Nah," she denied aloud. "So, what's for supper tonight?" Kim asked brightly. She might have changed the subject, but she didn't pull away, either. Indeed, she snuggled a bit closer, and was rewarded by Ron's arm sliding around her shoulders.

"Not much," he admitted regretfully. "Pasta for carbs and protein, a couple of bouillon cubes for color and flavor, and a single serve packet of vegetable soup mix for more color and flavor, plus a little texture," he explained, gesturing at his ingredients. Kim nodded, grateful despite the meagerness of the menu. Ron's hobby was cooking, and he was quite good at it. He'd prepared several meals since they'd gotten their fire going. In the hands of anyone else, they would likely have been hot and filling, but not much more. Ron's special touch had added taste into the mix.

"Oh," Ron added. "And one quarter of an energy bar each, for desert."


They ate in silence, listening to the structure of the cabin creak and groan as the wind outside tugged at it. Despite it's smallness and lack of insulation, it was sturdily built, and tight as well. There were no noticeable drafts, at least.

"I can't believe people could live like this," she said, breaking the quiet.

"I think they only use these during the summer, K.P.," Ron responded.

Kim shook her head. "No, I mean in the old days. Who would want to spend the winter in a cabin in the mountains?" she pondered.

"Back in the day," Ron explained after swallowing a mouthful of food, "the walls would have been made of logs about so big around." He gestured with his hands to show what he meant. "That would have provided some insulation."

"I suppose so," Kim allowed doubtfully. "Still, I can't see it being a pleasant experience."

"Well," Ron said, "Maybe we could come back after graduation and find out what it's like up here in the summertime." Kim cocked an eyebrow at him.

"You know," Ron explained enthusiastically, "Rent a cabin, spend a week or two, do a little hiking, rock climbing, maybe a little fishing. Oh! I think there's a white water rafting place not too far away. That'd be fun, and..." he stopped when he noticed the look on Kim's face. "What?" he asked, suddenly wary.

"A two week vacation in the mountains," Kim said in an odd tone of voice. "Hiking, white water rafting, even fishing. Just you...and me. So tell me Ron, what else would we be doing? You know," she added, her voice innocent but her eyes suddenly smoldering, "to pass the time?" Ron suddenly felt warm, despite the persistent chill in the cabin. He tugged at his collar and swallowed nervously.

"Uhhh...playing cards?" he offered. Kim said nothing, just leaned toward him. Ron drew back, but only slightly. Kim's lips were slightly parted, and her head was slowly tilting to one side like she was lining up to kiss him. Ron felt his blood begin to race as he responded in kind, his eyes closing as she drew nearer. He felt her nose slide next to his. She hesitated. He opened his eyes.

"Psych!" Kim giggled, drawing back.

Ron blinked.

"Oh you little tease," he chided, shaking his finger at her. As Kim's giggling intensified Ron added, "I'm gonna get you for that," and lunged at her. Seconds later they were wrestling on the bed.

Ron wasn't really angry. He'd recognized what Kim had done for the good natured teasing that it was. Nor was he really fighting with her. It was strictly play-wrestling. Kim could have fought him off easily, even he'd really been trying. She didn't though. Instead, after a few minutes of laughter-wracked 'struggling' she allowed him to 'pin' her to the bed.

Kim looked up from where she lay beneath him. "Looks like you've got me right where you want me," she said softly. "What's next?"

Ron shivered as his mind recognized the invitation implicit in those words. He almost leaned down to... But he hesitated. The invitation that might be implicit in those words, he cautioned himself. If he tried something and it wasn't what Kim had in mind...

Kim seemed to notice his dilemma. "I'm just kidding, Ron," she said.

"Please don't, not anymore," Ron pleaded.

Kim place her hands on his chest and gave a gentle push. Ron rolled off her and sat up on the edge of the bed. Kim pushed herself up to sit beside him.

"I'm sorry, Ron, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. It's just that, well..." her voice trailed off and she made helpless gesture with her hands. Ron put his arm around her shoulders.

"I know, K.P.," Ron assured her.

"Do you?" she asked hopefully.

"Yeah. We've never spent this much time alone together. I mean really alone. Oh sure, maybe on some of our missions, but then we always had other things to think about. Now we've got nothing to do but wait. Add to that the fact that I'm a guy and you're a girl, and maybe it's only natural that certain ideas occur to us."

"Sounds good to me," Kim agreed. she laid her head on Ron's shoulder. "So why didn't these ideas ever occur to us before?" she wondered.

Ron sighed. "Who knows? I've thought about dating you," he admitted, "but even at the height of puberty I never really thought about...you know...with you."

Kim took his free hand and squeezed it. "That's probably for the best. When you were at the height of puberty I was so wrapped up in myself that I probably would have turned you down," she admitted.

"You did turn me down, K.P.," Ron chuckled. Kim gave him a sharp look. "My cousin Reuben's wedding, remember?"

Kim blushed. "Oh, yeah," she mumbled. "Sorry about that."

Ron chuckled again. "Don't sweat it, K.P. That was a long time ago, and we've both grown up a lot since then," he said, tightening his arm around her shoulders.

Kim smiled. "Thanks for sticking with me in spite of my faults. Thanks for being my best friend," she added, her voice catching ever so slightly. "I sometimes wonder why you put up with me."

Ron pulled her into a hug. "Easy," he answered. "I'm sure you already know this," he said, "but in case you don't...I love you. That's why I put up with you."

Kim looked up at him with shining eyes. "I knew it," she said, "but it's nicer to hear you say it." She laid a hand on his cheek, ignoring the two days worth of stubble there. "And so, even though I'm sure you already know that I feel the same way, let me return the favor." Kim paused for a long moment, as the two of them stared into each others eyes. "I love you," she whispered. Then she began to cry. Ron suspected they were happy tears. In fact, he was sure of it. So he said nothing. He just sat there, holding her in his arms, rocking her gently. When her tears had run their course he kept on holding her, until she drifted off to sleep. Carefully, so as not to wake her, Ron laid her down, removed her boots and got her under the blankets. After tidying up after the meal, Ron pulled off his own boots and slid under the covers himself. He lay there a long while, just thinking. As he was drifting near sleep himself he felt Kim roll over and snuggle up to him.

Ron fell asleep with a smile on his face.