Chapter II: Kim's Decision

Middleton Possible Residence Twilight

Kim sighed as she entered her home. She couldn't believe that Monique would insinuate that she had a crush with Ron. Actually, what was hard to believe was that she figured it out. She was careful not to show it but was she being too careful? Did she slip up in some point?

Or was it that Monique was just a tease?

"Hey, Kimmy," her mother smiled as Kim entered the kitchen. "How was your day?"

"Confusing, mom," Kim sighed as she sat by the dining table.

"How so?" Mrs. Possible looked at her daughter with a knowing smile.

"I think Ron's keeping secrets from me," Mrs. Possible paused as she looked at her daughter with interest.

"Secrets? What kind?" she asked.

"I think it's a boy thing," Kim said with a frown. "He, Wade and Felix were talking and then when we girls arrive, they quickly change the subject."

"Is that all?"

"Is that all?" Kim looked at her mother as if she was crazy. "He's planning something. I could just feel it."

"Honey, this is Ron we're talking about. Do you actually think he would keep something from you?" Kim was suspicious of her mother's smile. She knew something Kim did not and it confused her even more.

"What are you hiding, mom?" Kim asked. But her mom merely smiled. "He confided with you?" again, Mrs. Possible was silent.

"Hi Kimmy cub!" Mr. Possible said as he entered the kitchen. "Looks like you two are having a serious discussion."

"Hey dad, have you ever kept secrets from mom?" Kim asked her father.

"There are no secrets in marriage, honey," Mr. Possible said to the relief of Kim.

"See? So why does Ron keep secrets from me?" her parents looked at each other with mixed emotions. Mrs. Possible was thrilled but Mr. Possible was worried.

"Er. Right," Mr. Possible was confused. Why would Kim term her friendship with Ron as marriage? Was it simply because she merely hadn't realized the continuity of their conversation?

Or was there something his daughter was not telling him?

"Maybe Ronald's just trying to surprise you," Mr. Possible said in an effort to calm his daughter. "Just be patient, Kimmy cub."

"I wonder what surprise that would be," Kim huffed as she went off to her room.

"Honey, is it my imagination or did Kim insinuate that their relationship is like being married?" Mr. Dr. Possible said to his beloved.

"I think Kim will look lovely in a white gown," Mrs. Dr. Possible smiled as she dreamed. "Actually, I'm thinking on lending her my own wedding gown."

"Isn't it a bit early for that?" Mr. Possible said in worry. "And what if they… you know…"

"With the way Ron was talking to me earlier? I don't think so dear. They may have a friendship like marriage, but not the way you are thinking," Mrs. Possible said as she kissed her husband affectionately. "Let's just wait and see." Suddenly, Mr. Possible stilled and paled. "What's wrong, dear?"

"Ron," he said with fear in his voice. "I forgot to tell him something."

"And what is that?"

"I forgot to tell him about Credible Manor's anti-personnel system."

"Oh dear," Mrs. Possible shared her husband's fear.

.

Credible Manor

At Credible Manor, Ron Stoppable knew exactly what the Manor's anti-personnel system was.

And he was learning it first hand and the hard way.

Despite the darkened room, Ron could see only glimpses of the room as the laser cannon fired. And it helped to know where he was going as the cannon fired in succession. Ron being Ron, he dodged the cannons easily although a little clumsily. But with careful examination, it seemed that he was calculating the intervals of the laser shots and his distance to the objects around him.

And this aroused the interest of the Master of the Manor as he listened to what the boy was doing.

"Rufus! I'll distract it. Find safety and guide me there," he ordered his companion and with a salute, the naked mole rat sniffed his way towards safety. Ron misjudged the distance of a table that was in his way and went down sprawling. Before a laser bolt struck him, he was able to roll away in the nick of time.

As he rolled, he felt a tray that had fallen from the table he tripped. Grabbing the tray, he immediately tossed it Frisbee style towards the laser cannon and struck the sensor that controlled it.

Though still armed, the cannon cannot find its target. Sighing in relief, Ron Stoppable stood up and steadied himself.

"This much work for delivering a package?" Ron asked as he tried to find his way towards the door.

But his relief was short lived for he heard another whining sound. Swallowing loudly, he looked up to the ceiling and found two laser cannons on either side of the room charged and aimed straight at him.

"Major bummer," Ron said as the cannons fired. He was dodging frantically for the successions of volleys were twice as fast that the single cannon. Alternating blasts form the cannons made the successions making the speed of the blasts four times faster that before.

And Ron was hustling to get to safety without making himself into Swiss cheese. The only up side he could think of that with the light of the blasts illuminating the room in fast flashes, he could see where he was going.

"RON!" a squeekish voice said as a doorway twenty meters away lighted. Rufus was waving him over.

"Way to go Rufus!" Ron said as he made his way towards the doorway, which is harder than it sounded. Ron had to dodge laser fire while navigate his way towards the doorway. What was worse was that his eyes were getting tired with all the flashes. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and let his other senses guide him.

He ran towards the doorway while his eyes were still closed as he dodged obstacles and laser fire alike. It was as if he could picture his surroundings by their sound and his feeling.

However, he misjudged a table once again and tripped making him fall face first and slide on the marble floor. With the help of friction he stopped when he was through the doorway.

"Ouch," Ron groaned as he rolled over, his back on the floor but his eyes were still closed.

"Open you eyes," Rufus said worriedly as he nudged his master.

"In a moment, Rufus," Ron said as he tried to gather his wits. But the naked mole rat nudged him again and he groaned. "Okay, okay. I'm opening them." But when he did, he saw a man pointing a rapier at him, its tip was almost to his nose.

"I think I'll keep my eyes closed for a while longer, old buddy," Ron said and with a sigh did what he had suggested.

.

Possible Home Dinner time

The phone rang as Kim helped with the dishes. Being the closest, she wiped her hands on a rag and answered the phone.

"Possible residence," she said cordially but there seemed to be no one in the other line. She hated crank calls but she felt this was not one of them. "Hello?" she tried again.

"Good evening, my lady," said a charming voice making Kim blush. "I am sorry for the pause. Could I speak with Dr. Possible on the phone, please?" the voice was respectful, polite and charming. It reminded her of those perfect English gentlemen the movies always showed.

"Ah… which one?" she asked mentally berating herself for the stupid reply.

"Which one?" the caller was confused but then his voice changed into understanding. "Pardon me. I meant the rocket scientist and please don't tell me you have more than one rocket scientists in the family," the caller teased making her chuckle.

"That would be my dad," Kim smiled. "I'll go get him."

"Thank you, my lady," he said. Kim turned around to find her father by the table reading the newspaper. "Daaad, phone."

"Who is it, Kimmy cub?" Mr. Dr. Possible asked.

"I don't know but he sounded charming and like a gentleman," she said. Mr. Possible reacted at once, almost ripping the paper when his daughter told him who was on the phone.

"I see," he stood and went towards the phone. Before he picked up the receiver, he took a deep breath to calm himself and sighed.

"Hello?" he said as he placed the receiver on his ear.

"Nervous Possible?" the once charming voice was devoid of humor as if he was irritated with him.

"Not for my sake," Mr. Possible said. "I know you're miffed since you called me."

"Miffed, is an understatement, Possible," the caller said. "You have no idea how irritated I am right now."

"Not much?" Mr. Possible hoped and something the caller did astonished him.

The caller laughed.

"Next time, Possible, warn your messenger about me," the caller said in good spirit. Mr. Possible sighed in relief as he watched his daughter wash the dishes.

"How is he?" he asked.

"His pulse rate is high, no doubt because of my menacing presence."

"What about his… companion?"

The caller chuckled and sighed. Mr. Possible had known the man for almost four years and hasn't heard him laugh. It lifted his heart to hear him laugh.

"I think the little guy's giving the big guy's some smelling salts," Mr. Possible smiled and shook his head.

"I'll call his folks and tell him he'd be a little late getting home."

"You do that," the caller said with a tone of gratitude.

"Thanks Vincent," Mr. Possible said.

"No, Possible. Thank you," the caller hung up leaving Mr. Dr. Possible pondering on what he meant.

. .

Credible Manor Kitchen

Dinner Time

Ron watched the man replace the handset of the phone and smirked.

"You're off the hook, kid," he said as he walked towards him. While he walked he was touching the counter of the kitchen where Ron had ended up after his grueling dash through the gauntlet.

Ron looked at the man who he assumed owns the murderous house. He was a tall man and looked so young. If compared to Shego, he would be half a head taller. Ron suddenly frowned, how did Shego get into his thoughts?

The man had wavy brown hair and wore designer sunglasses that complimented his handsome features. His movements seemed calculated as he moved around the kitchen and Ron thought that it was too calculated. Before he could ponder more, the man spoke.

"Do you know that you are lucky to have survived my defenses?" he asked as he sat on a stool by the counter.

"Ah, gratefully lucky?" Ron said nervously. The man chuckled and shook his head.

"It looks like I need to adjust the sensors to target smaller moving objects," the man smiled as he heard Rufus shudder.

"You're subtly freaky," Ron said much to the man's amusement.

"I like you," he said. "What's your name?"

"Ron. Ron Stoppable. And this is Rufus, my naked mole rat," he held up the naked rodent for him to see but he did not turn his head.

"Folks have allergies?" he asked as he seemed disinterested. But the tone of his voice told him otherwise.

"My dad. But I wouldn't have chosen anything else for he is my best bud," Ron said making Rufus hug his master.

"Very touching," the man said. "And what about Kimberly Ann Possible?" Ron froze when he heard his best friend's name.

"What about Kim?" he asked nervously.

" "Oh Please God! Let me live so I can tell Kim my deepest feelings" unquote," he smiled in leer.

"I never said that," he said worriedly.

"You mumbled it," the man said.

"Well you pointing a sword at me and I thought I would never see her again!" Ron cried out embarrassingly.

"She sounds like a very wonderful young lady," the man teased making Ron blush.

"She's the best," Ron agreed. "By the way, sir? Why does your hall have laser cannons?"

"Kept you in your feet, didn't it?" he smiled. "It keeps the intruders at bay. I must tell you, you were good back there kid."

"A fluke," Ron sighed. "I was scared stiff!"

"Not stiff enough to perform such moves. Are you training?"

"Nuh uh," Ron shook his head. "I always acted a distraction while Kim saves the day."

"You really like her, don't you?" the man asked. Ron nodded solemnly and he looked at him.

"I just wish I'm not such a klutz so she could depend on me."

"I think she already depends on you," the man said with a smile.

"But I want her to know that I'm strong enough to support her. The thing is, I'm not."

"Don't sell yourself short, Mr. Stoppable. I feel your potential to be more," the man said.

"Well," Ron posed proudly. "I knew I was destined to be great."

"First thing to do is to drop that attitude," the man nearly growled. "Being great does not give you the right to brag. And greatness is not measured by what you have become but what you have achieved."

"Sorry," Ron's shoulders slumped as he was humbled by the man's speech.

"So are you interested?" the man asked.

"Interested in what?" the teen asked.

"Are you interested in being Kimberly Ann Possible's savior when she falls?" Ron was silent for a while as he digested this question. What was the man really offering? Could it affect his relationship with Kim that drastically?

He needed time to think. And he told his host that he did.

"I understand," the man smiled in genuine amusement. "I shall call you a cab so you can go home and sleep on your decision." As the man went towards the kitchen phone, Ron realized he didn't know the person.

"Excuse me, sir? Who are you?"

"My name's Vincent Credible," he said as he dialed the phone. Ron noticed that Vincent was not looking at the phone but feeling the numbers. "Hi. It's me. I need a ride for my friend."

.

Go City Museum

Midnight

Shego scratched the roof window creating a portal large enough for her to enter. She was intrigued at what she had read in the papers.

King Solomon's exhibit was being displayed and Shego wanted to see them. Unfortunately, she wanted to have them as well. King Solomon's exhibit features the largest collection of jewels the world had ever seen. It's not just because of the quantity of jewels but because they were large. The smallest was as large as a grape.

They said that diamonds were a lady's best friends but Shego figured that emeralds and rubies wee fair companions as well.

She slowly entered the museum using her cat-like grace. Noiselessly, she sneaked toward the exhibit. As she turned at a corner, she was mystified as to why she hadn't seen any guards.

And when she wore her infrared goggles she found that the laser sensors were turned off. The museum seemed deserted and if her extensive training as a thief and former superhero was to be trusted, it was anything but deserted.

Upon careful examination of the display cases, she confirmed what she had suspected.

Someone got to the jewels before her. And somehow, she felt the thief was still inside the museum.

Shego was annoyed with this thief. It was a matter of ego that fueled her irk. She had prepared to steal the jewels only to find out someone stole it before she did.

Her pride was hurt.

"Come out! I know you're still here!" Shego said into the shadows as she posed for battle, she was still wearing her infrared goggles when she slowly scanned the room. So far, nothing.

But then, the shadows spoke.

"Good Evening, my lady. Pray tell, what is a lovely lady like yourself doing in a place like this at this ungodly hour," Shego was taken back at the sound of the voice. It was pleasant and kind, not the type you would expect from a jewel thief. An evil laugh, maybe but politeness?

"Do you know how many times I've heard that line?" Shego growled but inwardly, she was amused. She could somehow feel that his words were spoken without malice. But there was also a sense of mirth when he answered her.

"Really?" she could hear the laughter in his tone but due to the acoustics of the room she could not tell where the voice was coming from. "I would imagine that you get that a lot."

"Yeah. Every wacko in town are always trying to get a piece of me," which was true. When she was still fighting crime, every criminal in Go city always wanted her out of the way and sometimes even dead. Hormone filled teens thought she was a goddess but one teen treated her like she was normal.

And he died in saving her life.

"And how many exactly of those… wackoes did you go out with?" he asked.

"None. What's it to you?" Shego was starting to get unnerved. But what happened next chilled her bones.

"How many have you danced with?" the thief's hot breath touched her ear and Shego suddenly turned with hands glowing to claw him.

But there wasn't anyone there.

"I rarely dance," she said as she tried to find him.

"Then may I have a dance?" he asked. Shego could feel his breath on her other ear and she quickly turned only to find nothing.

"Only if you're nice to me," she said. The thief chuckled and only then that Shego knew that she had lost the battle.

"Then I shall try to be nice to you," the thief said jovially. "Until next time, my lady." Shego stood in the middle of the room for a few moments and then sighed. She didn't want to admit it but the man had unnerved her senses. He also brought her emotions to confusion.

She was angry for him stealing the jewels before her.

She was amused at his demeanor.

She was vexed that she could not see him.

And she felt a tickle when he breathed on her ear.

Rarely did anyone intrigue her and this was one of those rare times.

Growling at her confusion, Shego left the museum before the cops came.

Vowing to meet the thief face to face.

. .

Possible Residence

Kim's Room

Midnight

Kim Possible turned on her bed for the umpteen time since she lied down. Her thoughts were still on what Monique had implied that afternoon.

She liked Ron.

And not the kind of like, like.

She liked Ron. That like is a fine line before the other L word.

And strangely, she didn't mind if it went there.

When she really thought about it, He was always there when she was down or when she needed a distraction, mission wise or personal.

He was always there when she needed someone to cheer her up.

He was always there for her.

Somewhat reliable and always trustworthy, Ron was a better man than some that she knew.

But was she feeling just that, a feeling? Ron grew on her. Hell, she liked him when she met him. They have been the best of friends for as long as she could remember. But if she wanted their relationship to go to the next level, would she feel weird? If, and she stressed if, she was in lo… in lo… she had affections towards her best friend, would it change the way she looked at him? Could their friendship be ruined or would it blossom even more.

Kim sighed as she came to a decision.

She decided to risk it but it would be his move.

And if Ronald Stoppable felt the same way she did, she decided to give him a chance.

/End of 2/

A/n: At the rate I'm going I'll be able to finish a chapter in about 1 ½ weeks. Is anyone out of character? I hope not.

Next: Shego was still vexed that a mysterious thief beat her in taking King Solomon's Jewels but was intrigued by his persona. Ron's could not decide to accept Mr. Credible's offer until a failed mission changed his mind and strengthened his determination. Kim still was mystified on what the boys were hiding and why Ron seemed nervous when he looked at her. But a failed mission almost cost her their lives and probably their friendship.

Chapter III: Shego's Pride