Disclaimer: I'm pretty sick of thinking up new ways to tell you that I don't own "Kim Possible". I don't think I have to tell you who does. Everyone mentions it in their stories. It's kind of a moot point, by now.
Chapter 1 - Just Another Day
(...the halls of Middleton High...Thursday morning...)
Several students navigate their way through the corridors of the school. Two of them are walking next to each other.
"Ron, were you able to get your algebra homework done last night?", Kim intones.
"Barely." He stops to take a piece of paper from his notebook.
The blonde male runs a bit to catch up to the red-headed young woman, who's holding her books with one arm. "It's like the work is getting harder and harder." The two of them glance at the page that's heavier on scribbled numbers than actual problems.
"Well, Ron, we are seniors, after all. That's kind of the idea."
Ron stuffs the assignment back into his notebook.
"That hardly seems fair", he states with a frown. "You know what would be nice?"
"What?"
"For a...mission to tear us away from our studies, you know?" Ron's eyebrows raise at all the right moments.
Kim stops walking. "Ron. I'm not gonna ask Wade to find us something because you don't want to go to class."
"You act like this is the first time I've asked."
Kim rolls her eyes slightly. She resumes her stride.
"Like it would matter too much. We haven't had anything major for months."
"Wait. How about that time a couple of weeks ago when Falsetto Jones tried to make off with some rare diamond. What was it - the Korman, the Klopman...?"
"The Kolvane."
"Yeah. He was all like, 'Kim Possible! What do you think you're doing here?'", recalled Ron, imitating Jones' helium-afflicted voice fairly well. "By the way, why do they sound so surprised to see us? They know what's coming."
"It's kind of like all the villains have dropped off the face of the Earth."
"We should be so lucky."
Kim turns a corner. Without looking, she bumps into Josh. Her books scatter on the school floor. Just as the two of them bend down to pick the books up, Ron turns the corner. He scowls a bit.
Josh stands up. "We really need to stop meeting like this."
"Couldn't agree more." Kim rises, her books in hand. "So, how have you been?"
"Pretty good. And yourself?"
"Can't complain."
He notices Ron. "Oh, hey, Ron."
Ron replies, with no discernible emotion. "Josh."
"Well, I'll see you later."
"Later, Josh."
Kim walks off, followed by Ron. Josh takes off down the hall. He spots a blonde at the drinking fountain. He puts his hands over her eyes. She gasps slightly.
"Guess who?"
"Josh..." Her tone is playful, yet upset.
"That's right, Tara."
She turns around. "So, what do I win?"
He leans in close to her. "Take a guess." Getting the message, Tara moves her face closer. They are about to kiss...
"Mankey! St. James! Get to class!", Barkin's voice booms.
"I gotta get going."
"So, I'll see you later?"
"Of course."
They rub noses.
"Caveat emptor."
He watches her as she walks off. "Caveat emptor." She blows a kiss.
It may seem silly for the Latin term for 'let the buyer beware' to be considered a term of endearment, but Josh and Tara were like that. It was one of those relationships where "I love you" wasn't quite strong enough. They met in junior year and really hit it off.
Bonnie had been trying to get at Josh for some time, but her bad attitude was too much even for him. Understandably, she was less than pleased about her fellow cheerleader's new beau. In the end, Tara really didn't care what Bonnie thought; her own happiness mattered more.
(...Josh's bedroom...late that afternoon...)
The rest of the day had passed Josh by without incident: go to class, eat lunch, attend the rest of classes, meet up with Tara and head home.
The young man lies on his bed. His world history book is open and he takes notes. From upstairs, he can hear the front door open.
"Josh? Hello?"
He gets up from his bed.
(...the Mankey living room...)
Waiting downstairs is a woman with long brown hair. She tosses off her red blazer and collapses on the couch. For a woman in her early-50s, she still looks quite attractive. Sure, there are the requisite wrinkles, but she could easily pass for someone younger.
Josh rushes to the living room, where he finds the exhausted lady.
"Hey, Mom. How have you been?" He sits next to her.
"Tired. I managed to sell four houses today."
"That sounds good."
"Yeah, but I had to sell them out from under other people's noses."
"How do you mean?"
"I'm a good fifteen years older than the other agents at the company." She tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Those people would love nothing more than to see me fail and take my place."
"I had no idea real estate was so cutthroat."
"Well, Josh, life's full of surprises."
(...outside the Mankey home...)
A car sits across the street from the house. Two burly men in dark suits have their gazes fixed on the minimal movement within.
The passenger-side goon speaks into a cell phone. "Sir, we managed to locate the subject."
The voice on the other end speaks with a quiet menace. "Perfect."
The goon behind the wheel speaks up. "Should we move in?"
"You were told to locate the subject and nothing more. Is that clear?"
The goons reply in unison. "Yes, sir."
"Besides, I'll be sending you some assistance with this job."
A click from the other end. The passenger-side goon hangs up. "Is this...'assistance' he's sending us any good?"
The cell phone rings. He answers it. "You're no doubt wondering if the assistance I'm sending is any good. Let me assure you...she's incredible."