Thanks to WhiteLadyoftheRing, kemiztri, surfost, conan98002, swiglo3000, Scoutcraft Piratess, RonRules, mattb3671, JPMod, momike, Mobius97, Harufu, The Incredible Werekitty, MtnRon, Jezrianna2.0, happyendingsmaybe, Ace Ian Combat, TexasDad, jasminevr, JeanieBeanie33, Lonestarr, Zaratan, recon228, nmorgendorffer, IncrediRader8, daywalkr82, Dixon-San, Drakken's Woman, qtpie235, SariahSariah, The Halfa Wannabe, The Odd Little Turtle, and Shadow Angus for their reviews. Special thanks to campy for his usual superlative beta-reading and editing assistance. And a nod of the head to everyone who's reading.
I still haven't been able to buy the rights to KP on ebay so, if you saw it on KP on TV, Disney owns it. A certain scientist's name is owned by Paramount.
I.
"Mmm. Ron, this is delicious," Kim said as she savored the chicken piccata he had made for dinner.
Mrs. Stoppable arched her eyebrow, looking at Kim like she was assessing a slow child. "Actually, it's a bit dry and could use some more seasoning. And I'm not sure about this wine pairing."
Kim noticed Ron roll his eyes. "Whatever, Mom. So, how was your flight?"
"It was fine, though it would have been more convenient if I could have flown in earlier today."
"Sorry, Mom, but I told you, I had to be at the restaurant today."
Mrs. Stoppable sniffed. "I thought you were the boss. You could have had someone else fill in for you."
"It doesn't work that way. We're a team and we all do our part."
"Please, Ronnie, you're letting your staff walk all over you. You need to let them know who's in charge."
Kim was becoming annoyed. She'd seen how hard Ron's crew worked for him; that was one of the reasons Corporate had taken notice of him.
"Mrs. Stoppable, Ron's actually a very good manager. His people adore him and work very hard for him. Did you know that …"
"Kim, Ronnie has you," she said with evident distaste, "to adore him. His employees are there to produce."
"Well, uh, his people do produce. Any supervisor would be thrilled by their results," Kim replied, suddenly feeling defensive.
"Oh, I didn't know you were a management expert in addition to being a medical researcher."
"Well, I do have a research associate and I've learned some things about motivating her from Ron," Kim noted. Kim knew she had been a terrible manager; but she was improving, and it was because she'd watched Ron with Ned and the kids at Bueno Nacho.
"Yes, that's nice," Mrs. Stoppable said dismissively. "Did you know I run a department of 150? If you want to be a good manager you need a firm hand. Your job is to be respected, not liked."
Ron was now stewing. "Mom, you don't need to be rude to Kim."
"I'm not being rude, Ronnie. I'm just being honest."
Ron snorted.
"I thought I taught you better than that …"
Kim saw the look on Ron's face. It was going to be a long evening. And an even longer week.
II.
"I'm sorry 'bout dinner, KP," Ron said as he held his girlfriend. "And I'm really sorry about how rude she was to you."
"It's no big, Ron. She's a mother who's still not sure of the girl her son's living with. I'm just tweaked that she kept running you down. You're a great manager. And," she added, patting her stomach, "you made a delicious meal."
Ron smiled. "How about some dessert?"
"Roll over," she ordered. As Ron lay on his stomach, Kim straddled him and began kneading his shoulders. She was surprised by just how tight his muscles were; this was quite unusual.
"So, has she always been this way?"
"Yeah, but more so since Dad died my senior year of high school … a little to the right, please and thank you, ooh … I can't say I spent a lot of my life doing things to make her proud, but even the last couple of years, it's been criticize this, criticize that. You'd think a promotion, a house, and most important, a super-smart, beautiful girlfriend would make her happy."
Kim smiled at the compliment as she continued to rub Ron's shoulders. "Well, at least one woman in this house is wise enough to be proud of Ron Stoppable. I'm still so excited about that program your V.P. nominated you for. You'll be great."
"Hey, let's not count our nachos before they hatch, KP. Nobody's in anything yet."
"I think somebody's been listening to his mother too much today," she said, dropping down by his side and giving him a kiss. "I think you're going to get in. You know what I see when I look at you?"
"What?"
"Potential Boy!"
"Really?" Ron asked with a grin.
"Oh yes. And I'm a scientist. I know these things …"
III.
Kim hadn't been kidding when she told Ron they would have a killer kitchen in their new condo. She had made sure that theirs was outfitted with top-of-the-line appliances. They were luxuries, but ones she could afford and Ron would actually know how to enjoy. What surprised her was how much pleasure he derived from trying to teach her how to cook. Kim knew she would never be able to cook like Ron did, but he didn't seem to care. The kitchen may have been his domain, but it was one he loved sharing with her. Ron's enthusiasm was infectious and she now liked trying to make simple meals, even if they were barely edible. She had actually taken off the afternoon to prepare dinner for Ron and his mother.
They were getting ready to sit down when Ron looked at his mother and simply said, "Be nice. She worked hard at this."
Barbara Jo Stoppable stared at her son, looking offended, as if his comment was completely unwarranted.
Kim, looking nervous but proud, brought the meal out to the table. It was a simple stew, which she served in bowls. She set one in front of Mrs. Stoppable, then another in front of Ron.
"Mmm. Smells good, KP," Ron said enthusiastically.
"It should, Ron. I had a great teacher," she replied, smiling at him. "I hope you both like it!"
After Kim sat down, Ron tucked into his stew. Kim had somehow managed to mess up the recipe he had given her. The flavors were off, the meat overcooked, and the gravy had a slightly acidic edge to it. But it was a tremendous improvement from Kim's initial efforts in the kitchen and it did have a surprisingly pleasing aroma. And Ron loved her for trying. "This is okay, KP. You're getting there," Ron said nodding. He had learned early on that she didn't want effusive praise, but an honest reaction. She insisted it was the only way she'd improve.
Mrs. Stoppable was trying not to make a face as she ate her meal. "Reuben's wife Marcia is an excellent cook."
Ron could see the hurt look on Kim's face. "Hey, Mom, Kim's cooking is just fine. And Marcia doesn't invent cool stuff like Kim does. She sits around watching soap operas all day," he said testily.
"Ronnie," Mrs. Stoppable said. "She does not sit around watching soap operas all day. She volunteers her time in the community …"
Ron snorted.
"… and can afford to because of Reuben." Mrs. Stoppable looked at Kim. "Marcia doesn't have to work. Reuben's a very successful attorney."
"He's a creep …" Ron said bitterly.
"Ronnie! Don't talk about family that way! You should be proud of Reuben. You could do worse than be like him."
Ron gagged. "He defends white-collar criminals who defraud old ladies of their pension money!"
"That's just your opinion, Ronnie. Besides, everybody deserves a good lawyer. And Reuben does lots of good with his money. He recently made a very large gift to the new Jewish Community Center …"
"Yeah, well guilt's a wonderful motivator but he's wasting his time. Somebody ought to tell Reubo that God's not going to be bought off," Ron said; Kim had to stifle a giggle. She knew she should be appalled, but she was proud of Ron for holding his own with his viperous mother.
"… You should get involved in yours." Mrs. Stoppable said, ignoring her son's remark. She then paused, before glowering at Kim. "Of course, that doesn't seem to be a priority for you right now."
"Mom!"
"Don't 'mom' me, Ronnie. There's no reason you couldn't go find a nice Jewish girl instead of some, some shiksa," she said, spitting out the word.
Ron's jaw dropped. And Kim looked like she'd just been slapped across the face; she knew that Mrs. Stoppable had just called her something very unpleasant.
"Excuse me," Kim said softly before leaving the table, trying not to cry.
"I can't believe you said that!" Ron exclaimed. "You are a total jerk!"
"Ronnie, you will not talk to me that way!"
"Then you shouldn't talk to Kim that way!" he yelled. "It's one thing for you to beat up on me. You think I'm a failure? Fine. Take your best shot. But Kim has NEVER done anything to you …"
"Wake up, Ronnie. Oh, she may be pretty and smart, but you don't really think you have a future with her, do you? Look at her. The expensive clothes. This condo. That job. She'll get bored with you soon enough, just like she did that husband of hers. You don't really think she was blameless, do you? Mark my words, she's going to dump you for someone more successful. Women like that always do. Then you'll wish you listened to me."
Ron was furious. "I am going up to Kim," he said, spitting out the words. "When, if, she decides to talk with you again, you will apologize. Or you will leave."
"Are you threatening me, Ronnie?" she asked, her eyes flaring.
"I am not threatening you, Mom. But I will tell you this. You don't want me choosing between the two of you …" Ron then got up from his seat and went to his and Kim's bedroom.
He found her curled up on the bed, sobbing. He sat down next to her and began to stroke her hair. "KP, I am so sorry about that …"
Kim didn't respond, but instead continued to cry.
"… I never knew she could be that out of control."
"I tried Ron, I've tried to look extra nice for her," she said, trying to contain her tears. "I tried to make a special dinner. I even sat there and listened to her talk you down, because I knew you wouldn't want us fighting. I'm sorry I'm not Jewish, but I have my religion, too."
"I know, KP. And you know I'm fine with that," he reassured her, caressing her cheek. "Ya know, you could be a Jewish Mother Teresa and Mom would still be a jerk."
"Why does she dislike me so much … why is she …"
"I don't know, KP," he said, his body now curled up with hers. He held her for a few moments before he said, "Maybe she sees you as a put-down. A hot, brainy woman loves me, then maybe Mom's wrong about me; and she doesn't like to be wrong. But to be honest, I don't think it's you. I think she would have been happier if I'd never been born."
"Ron!" Kim exclaimed, shocked by the idea. She rolled over so she could look at him.
"I think it's true, Kim. I didn't fit into her preconceived notion of what her son should be. I was different as a kid, I wasn't the brightest bulb in the lamp …" he saw Kim was about to protest and cut her off with a grin, "I didn't say I was stupid and I didn't diss myself; but let's be honest – are you going to put me in charge of your lab?" Kim giggled. "Yeah, I didn't think so. And I wasn't particularly good looking," he continued. She kissed him. "Okay, so you've got weird tastes in men. Though I can live with that." He nuzzled her, then finished, a serious tone in his voice. "But I think that's why she let me drift. Dad's excuse was that he was hapless. But Mom? She just didn't care."
Kim began to caress Ron's face. She thought she now understood why he was so aimless for so long. She and her parents may have had their differences over the years, but she always knew they loved her and they always provided her with the confidence and support to succeed. Ron apparently never had that.
"Well, I'm happy you were born, Ron," she said softly as she hugged him tight. They lay there for a few more minutes.
"I'd better go back downstairs," he said quietly, a frown on his face.
"I'm coming with."
"You don't have to, KP. No reason for you to be abused."
"You can't ditch me that easily, Nacho Boy." Kim smiled at Ron, then kissed his nose. "Remember? We're in this together."
IV.
When they went to bed that night, Kim and Ron felt especially close and threw caution to the wind, not caring that Ron's mother was there. They enjoyed an especially athletic, high-volume session of love making. The next morning they wandered down to the kitchen in their robes, their hair disheveled, their faces the picture of contentment. They found a fully dressed Barbara Jo Stoppable in the kitchen reading the paper and drinking coffee.
"I see you're finally up," she said coolly.
"Don't know that we ever really went to sleep, Mom," Ron replied, no longer caring what she thought. As far as he was concerned, she'd crossed a line the previous night. She was the one who was going to have to cross back over it if their relationship was ever going to improve.
She sniffed. "I've called a cab. I'll be flying back this morning."
Kim looked at Ron. He looked at his mother. "I see."
"I hope you enjoy your life out here, Ronnie. If you ever want to come home," she said this in a way that made it clear that Kim was not welcome, "you can."
"Thanks," he said as he wrapped his arm around Kim's waist. "But I already am home."
V.
Ron knew what the Possibles were doing, and he was grateful. As angry as he was with his mother, the realization that they had experienced a profound and possibly irreparable rupture in their relationship was painful. Based on the way Ann and James were doting on him, it was obvious to Ron that Kim had told her parents about the disastrous visit by Mrs. Stoppable. Now, the four of them were sitting around the Possible dining room table, enjoying one of the more surreal meals Ann liked to prepare: brain lobe meatloaf. Kim had explained the tradition, and Ron had gotten the message. You're not just my boyfriend, you're also family.
After the meal, James took Ron for a walk around the neighborhood, and the two indulged in a rare treat: La Gloria Cubana cigars.
"Ann hates it when I smoke these things," James said with a grin.
"Something tells me that Kim wouldn't exactly approve, either," Ron replied as he took a draw on his cigar.
"Yes, but the funny thing is, I'm working with highly explosive fuels and radioactive components most of the week …"
"… and I'm selling food that can kill through cholesterol!" Ron added with a chuckle.
They walked in silence for a while, smoking their cigars.
"Ron," James said.
"Yeah?" Ron asked.
"I don't know what your intentions are regarding my daughter, but should the time come that you decide you want to marry her, I want you to know that Ann and I would be pleased to have you as our son."
Ron stopped and looked at Kim's father. We'd be pleased to have you as our son. Not son-in-law, but son. Ron's eyes began to water. He was choking up, but managed to say, "Thanks. That means a lot to me, James. And, and I won't let you down."
"I know," he responded. James slapped him on the shoulder. "C'mon, let's go back," he said, before adding with a randy grin. "I think there are a couple of hot ladies waiting for us back at the ranch!"
VI.
Kim, feeling defeated, slumped into the chair. It had been a tough week. First there had been Ron's mother. Kim was still hurt by Mrs. Stoppable's antipathy towards her and angry over her disrespect for Ron. Then there was the project. She had come to the unwanted but indisputable conclusion that it indeed would not work.
She sighed as she thought about all of the effort and expense that had been invested in the research. She had never actually failed professionally. Now she had. And in just a couple of weeks she was supposed to speak at that conference in Honolulu. Exciting young researcher. Hah. Kim felt like a fraud, despite her many achievements.
Ron could see she was troubled. He sat down on the floor, took off Kim's shoes and began to rub her feet. She smiled.
"It'll be okay, KP."
"You're sweet. But maybe I bit off more than I could chew with this one."
"Hey, isn't the important thing that you tried? Even if it didn't work out, just coming up with the idea to try what you tried to do was pretty cool. So this didn't work out. You'll come up with other badical ideas."
"Thanks, Ron. You know, I always thought I could do anything. But maybe I can't."
"Hey, if you can do anything, that means you can fail, doesn't it?"
Kim looked at Ron, then shook her head and smiled. "I guess you're right …"
"Besides," he added. "I think the time has come for you to take on a real challenge, one worthy of your bon-diggity brain."
Kim raised her eyebrow. "Oh, and what might that be?" she asked.
"Helping me with my physics class," he replied with a grin.
"You really mean that?" She knew what it meant for Ron to turn to her; he'd just set aside a bit of his ego to ask her help, and that was a tremendous gift as far as she was concerned.
"Yeah, I do."
"Spankin'!" Kim enthused. "Let's get started right now!"
"Oh, okay," Ron said, beginning to regret his decision, fearing that Kim was going to tackle this with her single-minded drive and enlist him in her own version of physics class boot camp.
She knew what he was thinking. "And I think we should start with a little review of … fusion!"
Ron's grin grew as he saw the expression on his girlfriend's face. "Oh yeah! The Ronman's ready to study!"
VII.
Kim watched as Ron settled into his seat on the airplane. The devoted Smarty Mart Shopper, who as their relationship deepened became more confident in suggesting she pass on her high-priced designer clothes and name-brand products in favor of more utilitarian, less-expensive options, was smitten. She suspected Ron would never go back to coach again.
"So, can you bear First Class?" Kim asked with a grin.
"I'm all about First Class, KP," Ron answered as he settled into his seat. He smiled as he accepted the glass of fresh orange juice from the flight attendant. "This is badical."
"I'm glad you're here," she said, reaching over to his free hand.
"Wouldn't be anywhere else, KP."
Kim looked at Ron, taking in his features, his deep brown eyes, his off-kilter grin, and the large ears that she found so strangely, yet compellingly, irresistible.
"What?" he asked.
Kim reddened, causing Ron's grin to grow larger. He loved that Kim, who could be so uninhibited with him when they were being intimate, could still blush.
"I was just thinking about how much I wanted to play tonsil hockey with you," she admitted sheepishly.
"Boo-yah! The Ronman scores!" he enthused. "Ya know, we could always join the Mile High Club!"
"And scare the other passengers?"
"Make 'em jealous, KP." Ron replied with a growl.
Kim shook her head. "I think I'll keep the goods for myself, please and thank you." She then smiled warmly. "Thanks for coming, Ron. It really means a lot to me."
"Hey, my pleasure, KP …"
"No, Ron, seriously." Kim thought back to how she had originally been 'too busy' to join Ron at his Bueno Nacho meeting in Denver. She knew she'd been difficult at times in the aftermath of the failure of her project. Yet Ron had been encouraging her to spend time working on other endeavors, still bringing her special meals so she could run with new ideas, even though it meant less time for them as a couple. "You've been great, being there for me these last few weeks."
"And I'll be there as many more as you want, Kim," he said with a grin.
Ron's comment got Kim thinking. How many more weeks do I want? I want them all! she realized. She knew she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. She hoped he felt the same way as she responded, "Then you'd better keep your calendar open for a long time."
Ron smiled at her cryptically, then said, "Good. I've been planning on it."
VIII.
Ron surveyed the room. A room full of guys with IQs of 200 and higher, yet he was the one dating Kim Possible. Who's the real genius in the room? I am! I am da man! he thought with great pride. He walked towards Kim with their drinks. She was talking with some colleagues, about something he was sure he would never understand. But he was now confident enough in their relationship that he didn't care. Besides, it wasn't as if Kim could take apart and reassemble a fryolator.
He slid beside her and handed her drink.
"Thanks," she said, flashing him an electric smile. "Let me introduce …"
Ron nodded as Kim told him the names and affiliations of the medical researchers and scientists with whom she was speaking.
"So, Ron," one man asked, "what's your specialty?"
"Uh, nachotechnology," he joked, suddenly feeling foolish, until Kim squeezed his arm.
"Ron runs the Bueno Nacho in Middleton. He's one of the company's top restaurant managers, aren't you?"
"Uh, yeah …"
"Ron's modest. He's caught the attention of senior management. I'm so proud of him!"
Ron looked at Kim and saw the look of admiration on her face. It made him feel like a million bucks.
"So, Ron," a female researcher asked, "have you studied queuing theory?"
Ron stared blankly at his interlocutor.
"You know, how lines work …"
"Oh, yeah, I get it. Like whether we should have one long snaky-like line or a whole bunch of them at the counter!"
Kim grinned. Once again, Ron, with a little prodding, was showing he was smarter than he gave himself credit for.
"Exactly …" the woman said, before trailing off. She, and all the other researchers, including Kim, were staring at the door.
"Okay, KP," Ron said, leaning over and whispering. "What's going on? Who is that?"
"Ron! That's Hikaru Sulu, only the world's foremost authority on cybertronics! He's, he's my idol!"
"Uh, okay. So what's the deal with the posse?"
"His work is so sensitive that he travels with a protective detail."
"Oooo-kaaaay," Ron replied. "So, you want to meet him?"
"Well, duh, yes," Kim said, still looking at the new arrival the way a teenager would view a rock star. "Like, who wouldn't?"
Ron looked around and noted that all of the conference participants were rooted to their places.
"Well, why don't you go introduce yourself?" Ron asked, only to be greeted with a stare more appropriately directed at a slow toddler. That irked him, so he broke away from Kim and walked over to the revered guest. Kim cringed, fearing that Ron was going to humiliate himself – and everyone else present, herself included.
Much to her surprise, she saw Ron bow to Sulu, who responded in kind. She then saw the two of them converse, before Ron bowed again and turned towards Kim. He beckoned her. Sheepishly, she approached.
"Dr. Sulu Hikaru, may I introduce Dr. Kimberly Ann Possible." Sulu smiled at Ron's knowledge of the proper usage of Japanese names.
Before Kim could bow, the aged man bowed before her. "It is a great pleasure and honor to meet you, Dr. Possible."
Kim looked at Ron, smiled in wonder, then returned her gaze to Dr. Sulu. "The pleasure and honor are mine, Doctor; I've been so inspired by what you have done."
"And I have great hope for the future, based on your research." The old man said. "I am pleased that Mr. Stoppable sought me out; you are most fortunate to have a colleague like him."
"Yes, I am," she replied, suddenly wanting to head upstairs with Ron to bed. He could do the darndest things to excite her.
"Now, allow me to introduce my … colleagues. This is Hirotaka; this is Keiko. And this is Yori." Yori smiled at Kim.
"It is my pleasure to meet you, Dr. Possible," Yori said politely, before turning her lingering gaze to Ron. Kim noticed that and, much to her surprise, began to feel very uncomfortable.
IX.
Kim didn't like the way this Yori woman was looking at Ron. He's mine, she thought. Without thinking, Kim moved closer to Ron, pressing up against him.
She found herself preoccupied with Yori, wanting to assess this … threat. Kim knew that was an insane way to look at Yori, as Kim trusted Ron implicitly and knew how he felt about her. But something about the way the Japanese woman had looked at Ron disturbed Kim.
Kim saw before her a beautiful woman, wearing deceptively conservative clothes that subtly accented every curve of what seemed to be a perfect body. Kim marveled at Yori's smooth skin, suddenly self-conscious about the small laugh lines that already permanently framed her mouth. And while she knew she was in good shape, Kim knew she'd put on a few extra pounds in recent months; she felt positively dumpy in comparison to the svelte Yori. Then there was Yori's voice. Kim's voice was classic Middle America, redolent of suburbia and clean living. Yori's, however, was sultry and exotic, exuding Eastern sensuality and mysterious possibility. And now Yori and Sulu were discussing shiitake mushrooms and other fine points of Japanese cuisine with Ron. Kim suddenly felt inadequate.
"Yo, KP …"
"Huh?" she responded, jolted from her thoughts.
"The doc wants to know if we'll join him for dinner tomorrow night. You up for that?"
"Oh, yeah, sure. That would be great!" Kim answered, wanting to take Ron away from this predator as soon as possible.
"Excellent," the scientist said. "Let us meet in the lobby tomorrow evening at 8:00."
X.
Kim and Ron lay in the bed cuddling. They were often affectionate, even in public, but all evening she had been especially so. The word that came to mind for Ron was 'clingy.' He didn't mind that, but he was mildly surprised, wondering if Kim was becoming anxious about the big address she was supposed to give the next day.
"Got some advice for you, KP."
"Mmmm. What's that?"
"I heard that if you're giving a speech you should look at the audience and imagine them naked. It's supposed to relax you. Though I don't think you should do that with me. You'd be distracted," he said, folding his arms behind his head and grinning smugly.
"Oh really?" she said. "You have quite a high opinion of yourself, Ron."
"Hey, what can I say? I am irresistible." He countered before chuckling.
"Oh you're irresistible, all right …" she said, before she launched a tickle attack that soon evolved into something else.
Later, with Ron gently snoring, Kim lay on her side, looking at him, studying his peaceful features. She gingerly touched his ear, then his cheek. Finally, she draped her arm over him and fell into a fitful sleep, unable to banish from the thoughts the unwanted image of Yori looking at Ron.
XI.
"KP, you're going to be great. Trust me." Ron hadn't seen Kim seem so tentative, so unsure, in quite some time. And such hesitancy had always involved relationship issues. Since he knew he and Kim were rock solid, he could only assume that Kim was on edge about the speech.
Kim looked at Ron, and thought of saying something. But the tender look in his eyes, the skewed grin, the reassuring hands on her shoulders made her feel foolish. He loves me. Why am I even worrying about this? It's so ferociously stupid, she thought. She gave him a peck on the lips. "Thanks, Ron. And I do."
"Huh?"
"I trust you," she said, smiling.
Ron wondered what that was supposed to mean.
XII.
The ballroom was filling up. Kim, standing at the podium, reviewed her notes, then checked to make sure everything was in order on her laptop. She looked out at the chairs and noticed Ron. He'd been one of the first ones there. She saw him reading something and smiled. Having him in the auditorium was reassuring.
"Kimberly A. Possible, MD. PhD."
Okay, I understand that, Ron thought.
"Middleton Institute for Cybertronic Medical Research."
Booyah. I'm getting this!
"Insterstitial Phase Harmonics, Brain Waves and the Implications for Nanotronic Solutions."
Okay, I'm lost. Ron admitted to himself. He didn't care, however. This was Kim's big moment and he was excited for her. He thought she looked great up there at the podium, with her hair pulled back and wearing a very stylish, yet professional, suit. He realized he was having very randy thoughts about her and was glad she was looking down at her notes, otherwise she would have seen him leering. Uh oh …
Kim looked up and caught the expression on Ron's face. A huge grin broke out across her face as she guessed what he was thinking. She winked and he blushed. She relaxed, setting aside her earlier worries. There was no doubt that Ron had the hots for her.
The room was almost full now, with just a couple of open seats here and there. The door at the rear swung open and Dr. Sulu and what Ron called his posse entered. Kim noticed Hirotaka and Keiko take up seats at the rear of the room while Sulu and Yori looked for seats. They found two – right next to Ron.
Kim groaned inwardly as the eminent physician and his associate slid in by her boyfriend, with Yori taking the seat next to Ron. Chill, Possible. It's you, not Miss Japan, that Ron's undressing with his eyes.
Kim took a deep breath and began speaking. "Good morning …"
Well, that's all I'm going to understand, Ron thought. Still, he kept looking directly at Kim throughout, enjoying watching her talk. He was lost in his daydream of undoing Kim's barrette and running his fingers through her hair and didn't notice Yori beginning to brush up against his arm.
Kim, however, noticed, and stumbled in her speech. But she quickly realized that Ron appeared to be oblivious to Yori, and so was able to steady herself. Still, she felt like she was watching a sleek panther on the prowl with her Ron as its prey.
Kim concluded her remarks and took questions from the floor. It was a less than pleasant experience. Some of her inquisitors were openly hostile; she noticed that all of those were late middle-aged men. When she was done, she left the podium and found Ron waiting for her. He gave her a big hug and a kiss. "You were badical, KP."
"Thanks, Ron," she said half-heartedly. "I guess I was okay," thinking about the Q & A session. And Yori.
XIII.
Kim and Ron were freshening up before dinner. She smiled as he came up from behind and began to kiss her neck.
"Mmmm," she purred as she felt arms wrap around her.
"Man, you are so beautiful," he whispered into her ear.
"You really think so?" she asked, hoping he couldn't hear the doubt in her voice.
"Oh yeah. Definitely the most beautiful, brainiest, bon-diggity babe on the whole island."
Then why don't I feel that way? Kim wondered.
TBC …