Thanks to duckman, mattb3671, Zaratan, AtomicFire, and GAP!
Disclaimer: This story is based upon characters created by Bob Schooley and Mark McCorkle for Disney. If you recognize the characters, they aren't mine. I will never make any money from this.
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Ron and Kim got dressed and went down for breakfast. Ron managed to convince her that he was just recovering from a strange nightmare. As they rode the elevator down, Ron was thankful that Kim was wearing something rather modest, her favorite tank top and pants set.
Ron was dressed as a knight of the Kreslan Republic, in a tunic and pant set with a plastic energy sword handle hanging from his belt.
Breakfast was a buffet, complete with scrambled eggs and sausage warmed in chafing dishes.
Kim had some cereal and fruit while Ron piled his plate high with sausage, eggs, and cheese cubes for Rufus.
As Rufus scarfed his cheese, Ron told Kim, "You really should get more protein today, Kimbo. These conventions can take a lot outa ya! There's lots to do - some of it late at night!"
"You make it sound like a mission," Kim said between bites of a melon slice.
"Kinda, yeah!" Ron said half-surprised. "Lot's of 'Passers' all partying at all hours. Some of them a tad too obsessed, others a tad too drunk." When he saw worry on Kim's face, he added, "It's cool, though. Convention has its own security. They're the guys in red shirts."
Kim now raised an eyebrow, "You mean the ones that die before the commercial?"
Ron chuckled, "That's only on the show, KP. Besides, few other fans will wear those shirts because of that lame rep. These are mostly cops or bouncers in the 'real' lives. They can handle troublemakers."
"Okay, I guess I should get some eggs."
As Kim stood up, Rufus stood up with his forepaws in the air, "Cheeese!"
"And some more cheese for Rufus," she said sweetly.
During this brief moment alone, Ron allowed himself to consider his sitch as he ate. He was enjoying being here with Kim. Why shouldn't he spend time with his best friend at a convention?
Because Zita would be jealous. Both as a wife and a friend who enjoyed science fiction more than Kim did.
Ron looked again at his wedding ring. How did he end up with Kim? Sure, they tried dating in high school, but it ultimately affected how they worked together on missions. So after one awkwardly bad mission they mutually decided to 'see other people'.
But to look around him, Ron could only guess that his memory was incorrect. Apparently they never had broken up. They were obviously married now.
Kim then returned, "Look who I found, Ron."
"Heidy-ho, Ron!" said Ned as Kim sat down. "Haven't seen you at the BN in a while."
"Hey, Ned!" Ron smiled. "We've been in Upperton, schooling and grubbing at the BN there." Ron was struck with doubt as he said that, realizing that he wasn't sure that was correct. He had thought that Kim was attending Harvard while he and Zita went to Upperton U. He'd misremembered his marriage, for heaven sake! Luckily, Kim didn't contradict him. So maybe it was right.
"I guess you're allowed," Ned joked. "Nice costume, Ron."
"Thank you, citizen," Ron responded in his best 'wise teacher' tone.
Ned seemed to appreciate the in-character response, "You entering the costume cabaret?"
Ron thought a moment, "I haven't decided."
"Well, I better get some food. See you later." Ned then went to feed himself.
"You should enter that show, Ron," Kim told him as they waited in line to see Jack Crawford, who had played Commander Kane when they were in Kindergarten.
"I don't know, KP..."
"Didn't you win that talent show when you were 'just stalling'?"
Ron made a sheepish smile, "Well..."
"Is there really any difference between a martial master and a Kelsan knight?"
"Kreslan Knight," Ron corrected.
"Whatever," Kim stressed a second. "My point is that you are not very different from this part you'd be playing and you've got the talent to pull it off."
"I dunno..." Ron fidgeted his hands around the maser he was carrying for the actor to sign.
"Tell me it wouldn't be fun." She challenged.
"Oh, embarrassing myself in front of a thousand people would be real fun," Ron said sarcastically.
"Then it's settled," Kim said with a clever smile.
Ron stood quietly in line a moment before he realized Kim had played him. Just as he started to protest, some guy dressed as a Quingar warrior was waving his homemade 'lorpa' around, nearly hitting someone in line.
Several people mumbled protests as they ducked away. There weren't any red shirts in sight. The few security workers watching the line had left in a hurry just a moment before.
Kim wasted no time. She stepped up to the warrior and grabbed his weapon.
He held onto it like the warrior he was dressed as. He glared at Kim fiercely.
Kim simply turned and threw him over her shoulder weapon and all.
The 'Quingar' finally let go of his lorpa as the floor knocked the wind out of him.
Seeing that the crowd was watching, Kim lifted weapon overhead in victory.
The crowd applauded politely and honestly.
A guard in a red shirt then appeared and accepted the crude weapon from Kim, thanking her for her help.
"Smooth as usual, KP," Ron said as Kim rejoined him in line.
"No big," she smiled.
£
Ron and Zita got dressed and went down for breakfast. Ron managed to convince her that he was just recovering from a strange nightmare. As they rode the elevator down, Ron wished that Zita were wearing something more modest than a Rianan slave girl costume.
Ron was dressed as a knight of the Kreslan Republic, in a tunic and pant set with a plastic energy sword handle hanging from his belt.
Breakfast was a buffet, complete with scrambled eggs and sausage warmed in chafing dishes.
Zita and Ron had some sausage and eggs. Ron piled his plate extra high and got some cheese cubes for Rufus.
As they sat down, Ron couldn't help but notice how flattering her outfit was. It looked a little loose in places, too.
"I shoulda gotten the green makeup, too," Zita said, seemingly in response to his gaze.
"No way," Ron blurted without thinking.
"Too 'Shego'?" She asked playfully.
Ron made a face, "Ahheh. Don't even go there, Zee! I'm eating!"
She giggled. "Sorry, Hon'. I thought she was actually pretty."
"Pretty evil!" Ron snapped between bites.
"You like it when I get evil," she said huskily.
Ron almost choked, "That's different." At least he hoped it was.
"C'mon, Ron," Zita gestured with her fork. "You've never thought about Shego that way?"
"Not after I met 'er," Ron said frankly.
"So that's one less woman I need to worry about stealing you," she grinned. Then she push back her chair, "I'm gonna get some hash browns."
As Zita stood up, Rufus stood up with his forepaws in the air, "Cheeese!"
"And some more cheese for Rufus," she said sweetly.
During this brief moment alone, Ron allowed himself to consider his sitch as he ate. He was enjoying being here with Zita. Why shouldn't he spend time with a friend at a convention?
Because Kim would be jealous.
Ron looked again at his wedding ring. How did he end up with Zita? Sure, they dated in high school, but that really hadn't gotten past the 'hanging out and having fun' stage. Then he and KP started dating after that Diablo/Eric sitch, ultimately leading into marriage.
But to look around him, Ron could only guess that his memory was incorrect. Apparently, he and Kim never had married. Maybe they'd never even dated. He was obviously married to Zita now.
Zita then returned, "Look who I found, Ron."
"Heidy-ho, Ron!" said Ned as Zita sat down. "Haven't seen you at the BN in a while."
"Hey, Ned!" Ron smiled. "We've been in Upperton, schooling and grubbing at the BN there." Ron was struck with doubt as he said that, realizing that he wasn't sure that was correct. He'd misremembered his marriage, for heaven sake! Luckily, Zita didn't contradict him. So maybe it was right.
"I guess you're allowed," Ned joked. "Nice costume, Ron."
"Thank you, citizen," Ron responded in his best 'wise teacher' tone.
Ned seemed to appreciate the in-character response, "You entering the costume cabaret?"
Ron thought a moment, "I haven't decided."
"Well, I better get some food. See you later." Ned then went to feed himself.
"You should do the cabaret, Ron," Zita told him as they waited in line to see Jack Crawford, who had played Commander Kane when they were in Kindergarten.
"I don't know, Zee..."
"You've got the Dojo Mojo and you know it."
Ron made a sheepish smile, "Well..."
"Who does a Kreslan knight better than you?"
"Mark Ford?" Ron offered.
"You could match him any day," Zita smiled. "Good thing for him you didn't audition for his part."
"No way."
"It would be fun," She cooed.
"Oh, embarrassing myself in front of a thousand people would be real fun," Ron said sarcastically.
"All settled then," Zita said with a clever smile.
Ron stood quietly in line a moment before he realized Zita had played him. Just as he started to protest, some guy dressed as a Quingar warrior was waving his homemade 'lorpa' around, nearly hitting someone in line.
Several people mumbled protests as they ducked away. There weren't any red shirts in sight. The few security workers watching the line had left in a hurry just a moment before.
Ron realized it was up to him. He handed Zita his maser and stepped up to the warrior, who smelled like he had drunk too much Cormulan ale, grabbing his weapon.
He held onto it like the warrior he was dressed as. He glared at Ron fiercely.
Ron made mock Kung Fu noises as he and the 'Quingar' struggled for the weapon. After a moment, Ron dropped onto his back, pulling the man back with him and throwing his opponent over himself, weapon and all.
The 'Quingar' finally let go of his lorpa as the floor knocked the wind out of him.
Ron then stood, tapped the homemade weapon on the floor and announced, "It is my honor to defeat you."
The crowd applauded politely and honestly.
A guard in a red shirt then appeared and accepted the crude weapon from Ron, thanking him for his help.
"Spankin'," Zita said as Ron rejoined her in line.
"No big," he smiled.
-
GAP pointed out that this started "a little too similar". I'll admit that. On one hand, I was thinking of some readers who might have to get weaned into the concept. (I was apparently off on that guess).
On the other hand, I was being lazy.
Similarities will increase and decrease as the story allows.
I am actually working (with many periods of hiatus) on a story with the same concept, but original characters and a longer span between the point of divergence and the point of transfer than we see here. I see it as novel length, so it will feature more characterization particularly with the central 'same-different' person.
This story is a short story featuring the KP characters. So it is simpler and begins with more similarities than differences. Also, I did pick Zita partly because there is room for extrapolation. Within limits, she can be whom I want. She seemed rather "Kimmish", anyway. On that note, readers should be aware that - since the main plot was not set with these characters in mind, at least one person will be breaking character.
I'm exercising. Actually, more like warming up. After all, I hope to do a masterwork along these lines one day.
So I am REAL happy to see that so many people like the idea.