Chapter I: Ron's Confusion

Middleton High

The Present

Ron Stoppable paced back and forth in front of his locker bemused by the dream he had the previous night. It was weird as well as pleasant. It was something he never thought of but had been plaguing his mind for months on end. Running his hand through his wild blond hair, he was getting frustrated.

She had been in his dreams for quite some time now. In his dreams, he was the one who was saving her. He was the hero. And he kissed a girl he never even thought to kiss.

All in a dream.

But something inside him wished it to be reality.

"This is way up in the weirdness factor, Rufus," Ron said as he looked at the pocket of his cargo pants where his pink naked mole-rat, Rufus, practically lived. "I mean, sure she's a wonderful girl. Sure she's beautiful and smart and talented and kind and pretty… and not to mention hot. With a capital H I might add.

"OH… MY… GOD…" Ron groaned as he slumped his head on the locker creating a loud bang. "I just thought that my best friend is hot. Now what am I going to do?"

"Why not tell her that you think she's smokin'?" a voice suddenly said making him jump. Turning around, he held his chest, willing his pounding heart to stop. Looking at the speaker, he wouldn't know whether to be relieved or be more nervous for he was looking at the smiling face of Monique.

"Tell whom who's smoking?" he asked lamely. Ron judged by the way she was smiling she exactly knew whom was he talking about.

"So, Ron is a guy after all," the dark-skinned girl teased as she smiled at him lewdly. Monique was the only girl that Kim Possible could confide to and vice versa. But she also could be trusted. He hoped.

"And since when have I not been?" Ron raised an eyebrow in challenge. Monique giggled as she shook her head. She knew Ron wanted to be the hippest guy on campus. On a few occasion he became just that. First with his new hairdo, then with muscles, then with money and on one occasion with truthfulness.

But Ron was the kind of guy who tried hard to fit in. The problem was, he tried too hard. But sometimes, he got the girl without even trying.

"Relax, Ron, or you'll have a heart attack," she smiled. "But maybe your heart is made of sterner stuff since I know what consists of your diet. Is it stern enough to hold a special redhead in it?" Ron blushed a deep crimson as he quickly scanned the area for the said redhead. Seeing that she was not present, he sighed in relief and glared at Monique.

"I'd have you know that my heart can take it," he said with certainty. But it somehow faltered from Monique's scrutinizing gaze. "Okay, so it's on the verge of collapse but that's beside the point."

"The point is you need to get it out of you chest before it shatters," she said with a sigh. "And she doesn't have a clue?"

"Did you just before now?" he returned. "Speaking of which, don't tell her. Please?"

"And why not?" she raised an eyebrow at his request. But with his sincere plea, she might oblige him.

"Because I wanted to tell her myself."

"KIM!" Rufus warned as he saw Kim Possible walking towards them. With a few deep breaths, Ron was able to regain his cheerful expression.

"Hi Ron, Hi Monique," Kim greeted as she opened her locker.

"Hey KP," Ron smiled as he looked at her. "Anything new?" His gaze had somehow become fixed on her. Her straight fiery red hair swayed and he could get lost in her beautiful emerald eyes. Realizing he's daydreaming about her, he blinked and tried to control his emotions.

"Nothing out of the ordinary these days," Kim said as she grabbed her books. "What about you guys? Found something interesting?"

"Oh, I found something interesting alright," Monique looked at Ron knowingly making him blush under her gaze.

"Really? Was is it?" Kim asked making Ron uncomfortable.

"Oh, nothing really. Just something Ron here is indecisive about," by now, Ron was glaring her to shut up.

"Ron," Kim said in a slightly scolding tone. "Whatever it is, you should do something about it."

"Do something about what?" Wade, the computer wiz, asked from the monitor in Kim's locker.

"Ron's indecisiveness," Monique said as she peered into the locker.

"Ron's indecisive?" Wade asked incredulously. "The only time when Ron's like that if he's trying to ask a girl he really likes and respect out." This brought a gleam in Wade and Monique's eyes.

"Really?" Kim turned to her best friend in a curious smile. "So? Are you going to give it up? Who is it? Do I know her?"

"Intimately," Ron mumbled. "Anyway, Wade. Felix asked me to ask you about what he asked you to do. Does that make any sense?" Ron said in attempt to change the subject. In a Yes-there-is-a-God moment, he succeeded.

"Actually I do," Wade said as he glanced at his computer. "If you see him, tell him I'm still checking."

"What did he want?" Kim asked as he eyed the boys suspiciously. Lately, the boys were secretive to the ladies. If they thought she would not noticed, they were dreaming. Nothing they did escaped he attention. Not even having a secret meeting by her locker. Something was up and she was going to find out, one way or the other.

"So, Guys. Anyone up to Bueno Nacho after class?" Kim asked which was received with a loud "Booyah!" from Ron.

"You're on, KP!" Ron smiled, all nervousness and awkwardness vanished. For now, anyway.

"We're off, see you later Ron," Kim smiled as she and Monique left together for their next class. "Ron, could you close my locker for me?"

"Sure thing, KP," he smiled, his hand on the locker door. But as the girls were out of sight, Ron looked at Wade speculatively. "Okay Wade, at the risk of stealing Kim's line, What's the sitch?" he asked the 10 year old genius.

"With Felix?" Wade asked and smirked. "He asked me to look for a part time job for him."

"Meaning no disrespect to either of you, but I think that would be a little… hardish," Ron said as he leaned on Kim's locker door. "Felix's a great guy but how could anyone get past the wheelchair?"

"Still, he needs our help," Wade said. "So if you could find anything, it would be a great help."

"I'll see what I can do," Ron said as he smiled. "What's this about anyway?"

"Something about a gift," Wade smiled knowingly and looked at Ron almost teasingly. "Speaking of which, do I dare guess who the lady you're tying to ask out is?"

"For a smart kid, you sure are nosey," Ron grumbled and gave a low growl. "Fine, take your best shot."

"Well," Wade said thoughtfully with a smile of mischief. "My best shot would be your best friend." Instantly, Ron stiffened and slumped on the locker door.

"Is it that obvious?" he asked and seeing his knowing grin, Ron sighed in defeat. "I need got get her out of my mind."

"Why?" Wade asked. "You like her, why do you want to be apart from her?"

"I need to gather my courage," Ron said. "This is a big thing, Wade. And it could cost me our relationship."

"Or you could gain more," Wade said in understanding.

Ron smiled sullenly as he pondered on Wade's advice.

..

Go City Park

In all the places to steal a super secret invention, Doctor Draken chose Go City. Shego, once the city's protector growled at her boss's antics. His only way to rule the world was to hold it hostage with a giant laser cannon.

Talk about lame.

Shego sighed as she sat on one of the swings and immediately she regretted to agree to Doctor D's scheme.

Not because it was one of his wild, poorly prepared schemes but because it brought her to a place that caused her pain.

A pain she wanted to forget.

Four years ago, a mistake from her part caused the biggest toxic spillage the city had. Though Hazmat had controlled and cleaned the area, they have not found the body of the boy she had befriended.

They had said that the chemical in large amounts was so corrosive that it could eat through human flesh in seconds. And the explosion must have torn his body to shreds.

A gruesome picture for her to imagine. And a sorrowful memory to relive.

At the site of the accident a few days later when Hazmat deemed it safe, Shego returned and looked at the scorch marks the explosion made with despair.

And when she looked at the street now, she could feel his presence even though the street had been repaved. The area where he… disappeared, was sacred to her. A grave marker for an unnamed friend.

And a friend Shego wished she could really have known better.

Intimately.

"Shego, Shego, why did you let that one go?" she asked herself as she slowly rocked herself on the swing. "And he was cute too." She smiled as she tried to remember his face.

She tried, but failed.

A tear escaped her eye as she sighed in her futile attempt to remember the face of a friend. It was so hard to picture him as he was. It had been four years since she saw him last.

But deep inside, she knew she would recognize him when she saw him again. For you see, she did not believe that he perished. Even after a blast that horrendous there must have been a trace of his person.

And somehow, deep within, she felt he was alive. And she felt that he was somewhere nearby.

"SHEGO!" her radio blared. Shego growled in annoyance as she tapped her hidden communicator.

"This is not the time, Doctor D," her annoyance fueled her tone. But as usual, Doctor Drakken was oblivious to her state of being.

"Fine, whatever," said the indifferent Doctor. "I found the lab." He said with great enthusiasm.

"There must be something wrong with my communicator. I just heard you say You found the lab?" she asked incredulously. "Stumbled upon it by accident?"

"Shego! You mock my genius intellect? I who would be ruler of the world? I who shall have the power to do just that?"

"Uh huh, yeah. So, Doc, if you're such a genius, why do we have to steal the inventions of others?" she said haughtily. She was satisfied by the long silence on her communicator. It was fun to irk him and it was something to get back at him for ruining her moment of peace.

"That is not important!" Doctor Drakken said on the verge of anger. "I will not tolerate insubordination!"

"Yeah, yeah," Shego smirked. "When are we going to steal whatever it is?"

"In a month," Doctor Drakken said in Shego's surprise.

"A month? Usually we get it at the first chance possible. What happened?" she said in a scolding tone. There was s light pause before Drakken continued.

"I…ah… kind of… got made out by the guards," Shego groaned and she rubbed her temples fighting a tremendous headache.

"How exactly?" her voice was slow and deadly.

"I got lost and walked right into the laboratory," he said in a sheepish voice.

"How could you just walk into a highly secured area?" she said with a note of exasperation.

"I took the wrong bus," Doctor Drakken said. "As it happened, I rode the facility's service shuttle."

"Great. Next time they'll be ready for us. Nice move Doc," her ire held no bounds when it came to Doctor Drakken's childish ways.

"It's not my fault! Who knew that the lab had a shuttle service!" just then Shego saw a bus rolled by. It had the markings of the laboratory they were supposed to rob, and it stopped on every bus stop that had one of its employees present.

"It's pretty much obvious to me," Shego said wryly as she watched the bus leave. She noticed that there were also armed guards in the bus.

"Hey! What are you doing?" Shego turned around at the voice but realized that she was alone. It must have come from her communicator.

"Nothing! Nothing! Just taking to myself," she heard doctor Drakken say. Shego groaned at what she realized.

Doctor Drakken was in jail.

"Talking?" Shego heard the guard say. "Wait a minute! Scan him and jam any frequencies coming from him!"

"Wait! You Can't! Shego! Get me out of here!" and then, there was static. Shego turned off her communicator.

"Why me?" she asked herself as she began to stand. But then, a mischievous thought entered her mind. "Why not?" she smiled. "He won't be going anywhere and I could relax for a moment."

And for that moment, she closed her eyes and tried to remember a friend.

.

Middleton

Kim's house

"Hello Ron," Mrs. Dr. Possible said as Ron Stoppable entered the kitchen.

"Hey Mrs. Dr. P," he smiled as he saw the mother of the girl who invaded his dreams. A mirror image of her daughter, Mrs. Dr. Possible made him feel, since he could remember, like he was one of the family.

"Kimmy's not home yet. I think she went to the mall with Monique," she said as she got ready to cook dinner.

"I know," Ron replied. Looking at her, he weighed in a decision that could very well destroy a friendship he had treasured for years. But if his gamble paid off, he would never lose her forever.

"Mrs. P? Can I ask you a scenario question?" he asked.

"Sure. What is it?" Ron took a deep breath to calm himself and spoke in such a serious tone that Mrs. Possible had not heard from him before.

"How do one go about to court his best friend?"

At that stage in time, Ron's world stopped. If Kim's mom would disapprove of him at that early stage, he lost it. But what he saw from Mrs. Possible was something he did not expect; awe and amusement.

"It's about time," she smiled as if Ron had given her the best news of her life.

"Pardon, Mrs. P.?"

"A mother doesn't miss much in the subject of her daughter. Especially when in concerns boys. I noticed the looks you gave Kimmy when you think she was not looking."

"Ah… what kind of looks?" Ron asked nervously. Was he that transparent and obvious even to Kim's mother?

"Not the looks a normal teenager would give a beautiful girl like my Kimmy, that's for sue," Mrs. Possible said in a relieved sigh. "You looked at her with longing and respect. And every time I see you with her, it was like you appreciate her. Not to mention you seemed happy just to be with her."

Ron was speechless. He never realized that he was looking that way at Kim. Perhaps he was too obvious but then again, Mrs. Possible was a very perceptive mother.

Just then, before they could continue their discussion, Mr. Dr. Possible entered the kitchen tired and drained.

"Tough day at work dear?" Mrs. Dr. Possible asked as she gave her husband a kiss. Instantly, Ron wondered how it would be if he and Kim would get mar……… Ron cringed at the thought. He was thinking far ahead and he had more immediate problems to focus on.

Like telling Kim his feelings.

"Quite," Mr. Possible said. "I can't believe what the boys in robotics are doing. They're even crazier than Drew."

"What up, Mr. Dr. P.?" Ron asked. "Are they building a cool, destructive robot?"

"Can't tell you Ron. Everything's hush-hush until the unveiling in a month," Mr. Possible said to the disappointment of Ron. "Oh no! I forgot to give this to our consultant," he took out a sealed envelope and sighed. "He needs to be informed of out progress with the latest shuttle engines."

"I'll deliver it for you, Mr. Dr. P.," Ron offered as he straightened and walked towards the rocket scientist.

"Are you sure you don't mind Ron? He lives in Upperton and has a reputation to be eccentric," Mr. Possible warned.

"No prob. It'll give me a chance to clear my mind anyway," Mr. Possible gave him the envelope and Ron placed it in his bag. Mrs. Possible was giving him a concerned look. She knew what was troubling him and any interference from her part might ruin it. But she couldn't help giving the boy who would become one of her son a piece of advice.

"Ron. Whenever you feel that you're ready to face your concerns, I just want you to know that you have my vote."

"Thanks Mrs. Dr. P.," he smiled genuinely, his spirit's lifting. "That meant a lot to me."

With a quick kiss to her cheek, he left for Upperton.

. .

Middleton Mall

Kim Possible couldn't decide on what she wanted. Would she want something cool and hip or would she want something that's right for her.

"Come on, girl. It's a simple choice between the two," Monique said as she tapped her foot impatiently.

"I can't decide," Kim said as she slumped her shoulders. "What do you think?"

"Well…" her friend said thoughtfully. "Cool and hip would be out until the new trend but something right for you would make you feel complete. But still, it's your choice."

"It is isn't it?" Kim sighed. "Is it really this hard to choose? I never had a problem before."

"Well, maybe you're trying to impress someone you like and maybe you wanted someone to realize that you're a woman available and not just someone's best friend." Kim frowned at her friend's words.

"What are you talking about? I'm not buying a dress to impress Ron," Kim said in a rush. "And why did the subject change to boys? I wanted your opinion on these clothes!" she gestured at the rack at Club Banana but Monique wasn't paying attention. She distinctly heard her friend mention impress Ron in her rant.

"You are actually thinking of impressing your best friend?" Monique teased. "You go, girl."

"Like he would notice anyway," Kim mumbled but was caught by Monique.

"Kim. Ron is a boy. He'd notice," she assured her.

"This is Ron we're talking about," Kim sighed.

"Exactly," Monique smiled. "You never could tell with him. So? How long have you been crushing on Ron? Tell me all the juicy details." Suddenly, and much to Kim's relief, her Kimmunicator sounded.

"Really, Monique. I am not crushing on Ron. What's the sitch, Wade?" she asked at a bemused genius.

"You have a crush on Ron?" he asked.

"Later Wade," Kim was fighting a blush that threatened to surface.

"Anyway, guess who got caught trying to enter the Go City cybernetics lab?"

"Anyone I know?" she smiled.

"Doctor Drakken," Wade said as he punched a few keys on his keyboard. "He actually stumbled into the facility by mistake and is now being detained."

"What about Shego?" Kim asked. If Drakken was near, so was Shego.

"Still at large," Wade said. "Strange that she didn't break him out."

"Not yet, anyway. Keep me posted." Turning off her Kimmunicator, she was about to pocket it when it sounded again. "Yeah Wade?"

"Can I tell Ron?" he asked.

"Sure you can tell…" immediately she was suspicious. "Tell Ron what?"

"That you have a crush on him," he smiled.

"I do not have a crush with Ron!" she growled. Sighing her frustration, Kim turned off her Kimmunicator and found herself looking at a smug Monique. "I need to get home, see you tomorrow."

"Sure, Kim," Monique said as she watched her friend walk out of the shop. "And good luck."

.

Upperton Credible Manor Twilight

Ron stopped as the manor gate as he looked at the dark manor in awe. It was bigger than Timothy North's, the actor who played the Fearless Ferret, place.

"Major creepiness, Rufus," Ron said as the naked mole rat shivered in his pocket. "I wish this is not the place but this is the address Mr. Dr. P. gave me." Opening the gate, he braved himself, which took quite a while to do, and walked towards the front door.

"This has freak zone written all over the place. Remind me why I volunteered for this?"

"Impress Kim Dad?" the naked more rat said. Ron sighed, knowing full well that his pet was right. Taking a deep breath, he knocked but there was no answer.

"I don't think he could hear us, Rufus," master and pet both gulped at the same time before Ron opened the door. Creaking at the hinges, the door opened just a bit and Ron peered inside.

And saw nothing.

It was too dark to see. No light, not even from the street lamp outside, which in eventuality did not reach the manor. It was like a void of darkness that ate up any light it touched.

"Hello! I have a package here from Mr. Doctor Possible! Can anyone receive?" Ron called out as he slowly entered the house. As soon as he touched the shadow, the door immediately closed and locked itself.

"Okay. Major Weirdness," Ron said as he swallowed his nervousness. "Anyone home?"

Just then, something whirled from the ceiling and shone a bright light at him. "I don't like the sound of that," he said as he squinted at the light. And what he heard next made him nervous.

The familiar whine of a laser cannon charge came from the light.

"This is not good," Ron said dejectedly.

And then, the cannon fired.

/End of 1/

A/n: Is the chapter too long? Anyway, to those who reviewed, thanks.

Next: When Ron entered the manor, he did not expect an opportunity that could change his life forever.

Chapter II: Kim's Decision