Where You Hang Your Hat: Part XIX
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Strange place, strange bed.
Those were Kim's first thoughts as the morning sun started filtering through the motel windows. It wasn't her new queen size bed with the fancy foam core mattress, nor was it the nice, soft smaller bed of her old room. She had her head buried in a single, too firm, too small pillow. The mattress was a bit on the lumpy side, worse even than the full bed that temporarily equipped Ron's old bedroom, but not unbearably so. Her back was stiff and her muscles ached, partly from how she slept, and partly from the day and night before.
Every time Kim had come to Durango before, it had been with Ron. Oddly enough, her parents had never brought her and her brothers to the tourist town. Maybe it had something to do with the fact the Tweebs considered narrow-gauge steam trains boring compared to rockets. Then again, her father was likely the same way. She sometimes had a mental image of him wearing an engineer's hat, with a model railroad layout taking up a whole room of the house. For some odd reason that seemed like it would be in character with him, but it had never, ever happened. The only time he had ever shown the tiniest bit of interest in trains.
Ron, on the other hand, was apparently a closet railroad nut. The first time they had driven up there as a day trip, he immediately bought himself one of those striped hats, then proceeded to cover it with buttons and pins from railroads Kim had never even heard of before. He even found a complete engineer's outfit for Rufus, complete with bandana.
After buying their tickets, Kim just about had to bodily drag him away from the locomotive. Her interest in the train was spending some quiet time holding hands with him while they watched the rugged mountain scenery.
Ever since, they had fallen into a pattern of arriving, buying train tickets, riding, dinner, then a hotel room for some private time before driving back to Middleton the next morning.
Touring Durango with Joss in tow was a whole other ball of wax. Actually, she was more of the one in the lead. She wanted to go in every single shop in the tourist area, especially western wear stores. She really had a good laugh at some of the stuff being pawned off as cowboy wear, babbling incessantly about how a hat was supposed to be made and why boots were shaped the way they were, or which chaps would actually worked and which ones just plain looked silly.
She even talked Ron into trying some of the stuff on. Kim joined in with her cousin begging him to put the outfit on, once she realized exactly what it was. He came out of the dressing room with the pink shirt, tan chaps, ten gallon hat and a belt buckle that weighed ten pounds if it was an once. Both women just giggled at him.
"What's wrong? I feel muy macho in this getup."
The girls just looked at each other and cracked up. Kim grabbed him by the shoulders and turned him back toward the mirror. "Take a good look, Ronnie. What does that remind you of?"
He was grinning from ear to ear, running his fingers on the brim of the hat. "That your man is a sex-ay cowpoke?"
Joss sat on the edge of a table near the dressing room giggling, looking much more like the little girl Ron had first met five years earlier. "That's it, Kim. Better check that hat fer hidden circuits."
He turned and looked in the mirror one more time. "Oh no! You didn't!"
Kim ran her fingernails down the middle of his back. "I can just imagine what you'd look like if you turned into 'Bad Boy' again. Really, I think you would look spankin in blue skin. It'd really show off that pink shirt."
"Be right back." He grumbled, picking out another shirt and some jeans before going back into the dressing room. "I can't believe the two of you dressed me up like Drakken."
Kim leaned over the edge of the door. "Ron, we're just playing you. We're here to have fun, remember?"
"I'll get you for this, Kimberly Anne. Booyahahahahahahaha!"
"What in tarnation?" Joss cocked her head, looking straight at the dressing room as if she could see right through the louvered door.
"Long story. Short version, Drakken's evil got put into Ron and it not only turned him blue, it turned him into a super-villain some we call Zorpox."
"Oh yeah, I 'member that one now. Bet ya looked like somethin else with that cat-woman suit on."
"Eccccck! Don't remind me." Kim stuck her tongue out.
"I just wish you'd put that badical outfit back on sometimes." Ron quipped, leering at her.
"In your dreams, Bad Boy."
"Why yes, yes you are." He stepped out, adding a more modest Stetson hat to the ensemble. The jeans were cut for boots, but the backside was significantly tighter. The shirt was shiny royal blue, with a white fringe across the chest.
"I just can't believe any kind of hero or villain would run around in a suit with a fake tail like that. All it took was Shego putting her foot down on it and I was on the floor."
"That suit had a tail?"
She shot him another glare. "You looked at my butt enough."
He leered at her again. "Sorry, didn't notice the tail."
"Yer turn." Joss said, nodding at the stall.
"Oh no. I'll wear one of those hats, but there is no way I'm wearing a getup like that." She glanced back at Ron. "And don't you try the Puppy Dog Pout on me, you got that mister?"
"You said it yourself, KP, we're here to have fun."
"My idea of fun is so not wearing something that looks like a rodeo clown. No offense, Joss."
"Spoil sport." Her cousin was already wearing an outfit very similar to Ron's, with stitched scrollwork on the shoulders of her shirt. "Yer gonna look like a pack mule in a herd of palominos dressed like that where we're goin."
"Where we're going?"
She had to ask. Even though it was still high-summer, she was dressed in one of her favorite outfits, a pale yellow peasant shirt, distinctly non-western jeans and a pair of purple sneakers. Ron griped at her from time to time about the shoes, even though he did like her in that top. The shoes just plain didn't go with anything, but they were comfortable, and to her, that's all that mattered.
Somehow the two convinced her to at least wear a hat, which was fine with her even though it made her look all that much more like a tourist. Fortunately, that was the lifeblood of the little town, so nobody spared her a glance when they went into the country-western themed dance club.
Kim still pulled a face as they found an empty table. For the moment, there was a slow dance going on, so she immediately pulled Ron out there, snuggling close while danced to the music. She didn't care much for the tune itself, something that droned on and on about 'Easy Lovin', but that didn't matter when she had the opportunity to dance with him like that.
It didn't last, however. The music changed and, much to her dismay, the dancers were forming up into lines. It was one of her worst nightmares, but she was caught out there on the floor and was too self-conscious to scurry back to her table. Her idea of dancing to something up-tempo like that usually involved a lot of hip-swinging.
Ron noticed her stumbling along, trying to get into the line-dance. "Come on, KP. It's just like some of the cheer routines you did." He was holding his belt, shuffling his feet like he had been doing it his whole life.
She tried watching the steps. I can do anything she reminded herself, but still just couldn't mimic the movements in time with the rest of the crowd. Joss had appeared at Ron's other side, dancing perfectly in step with him.
The music couldn't end soon enough as far as she was concerned. She hastily retreated to the table, shelling peanuts as the other two took up the next dance.
The whole ordeal looked a little better from that vantage point. Both of them were grinning from ear to ear, moving like they had been born dancing like that. Joss probably had been. It was entirely likely she had been line-dancing since before she learned to walk. Ron, on the other hand, was just a good dancer. It always amazed her that he couldn't even do the simplest cheer routines without tons of practice. Most of his nearly three-year career as the Middleton Mad Dog had been spent doing zany antics. It wasn't until their senior year when Kim started integrating his routine in with the rest of the squad, much to Bonnie's chagrin. He was good enough to make it work, especially since a lot of their cheers had to be simplified a bit because more than half of the old championship squad had graduated a year ahead of them.
The music changed again, once more shifting to a slower tempo. For a moment she considered getting up and joining Ron, but Joss had already moved in and they were having such a good time, she didn't really want to mess it up. He was dancing with her cousin like a proper gentleman, with his free hand around her waist, keeping a respectful distance.
Her eyes narrowed slightly when the younger Possible leaned in closer, putting her head on his shoulder, which was a bit of a stretch considering she was an inch shorter than her. Kim fought down the urge to go cut in, knowing her cousin still had some feelings for him, but Ron looked properly nervous about the sitch and Joss seemed content dancing like that, so she let it be.
She watched carefully as the next dance started. Step, step, shuffle, scoot, step. It really shouldn't be that hard. Concentrating, she moved her feet under the table, tying to envision how it would play out on the dance floor. She was about to go out there and join them when she overheard some of the other nearby patrons.
"Isn't that Kim Possible?" A lady asked.
Kim tried spotting where the speaker was. There was a couple seated at a nearby table, but they weren't looking at her. Instead they were focused on Ron and Joss.
"I didn't know she could dance like that." The gentleman with the lady said.
"Hey, that's that guy she's engaged to, isn't it? Don something?"
"You know, I think it is."
The woman leaned on her arm. "They sure make a cute couple. I wonder who that older girl was that came in with them."
"I dunno. Older sister maybe?"
That was enough for her. Joss did bear a strong family resemblance, but the last thing she wanted was for people to think she had brown hair and distinct freckles…and what was that crack about looking older? If anything, Joss was a little more developed than she was. Their height difference wasn't enough.
She wasn't about to make a scene with the people, but she had to 'put in an appearance' in any case. Building up her resolve, she strode right out onto the floor, just in time for another slow dance. This time she didn't waste any time with a formal dance, she embraced her fiancé, dancing closer than anyone else out there.
Halfway through the number, she laid a kiss on him that left little doubt who the real couple was. Later, as they got ready to leave, she realized just how much fun she actually was having. Unlike her earlier attempts, she danced with as much prowess as the other two had shown.
The sun was dipping below the mountaintops when they finally left. A single lonesome whistle signaled the approaching train. They had missed the day's excursions and it was rapidly getting towards time to drive back to Middleton. That was when Ron suggested they take the one remaining train ride available that day; the dinner train.
"I don't know, Ron. That's a pretty tough drive down out of the mountains in daylight."
"Aw, come on, KP. We came to ride the train. Besides, who says we have to go home tonight?"
"That sounds spankin." Joss proclaimed, her arm hooked in Ron's as they walked toward the depot.
"Okay, but we're heading home first thing in the morning." She grimaced slightly. They hadn't brought any luggage except for the 'emergency' packs in the car, which contained sets of mission clothes. Since she hadn't bought any of the 'costumes' she really only had that and the clothes she had on. A day spent walking the shops, then dancing had left her wanting a fresh change as it was, let alone having to sleep in day-old clothes and undergarments.
The train ride itself wasn't as spectacular as one of the day excursions. The sun set more quickly in the shadow of the rugged mountains and it was difficult to see even with the full moon shining overhead. Fortunately, that wasn't the point of the ride. The three of them were treated to a four-course dinner that tasted wonderful to her and Joss, and was judged to be slightly above par by Ron, who had turned into something of a food critic after studying the culinary arts for three years.
Kim even had one of the dark Irish beers she had grown fond of, chiding Ron for still being just a few hours shy of enjoying one himself. He did try a sip of it, turning his nose up just as he did for almost any kind of brew. He just didn't get the point.
It was already rather late when the train finally pulled back into town. Still, being a tourist place, the shops were still open, so they wandered around for a bit, just looking at the same trinkets over and over again before starting their search for a room. It really was too late to attempt heading back to Middleton by that point since there was always the danger whoever was driving would nod off. Kim wasn't going to dare driving, though she had only had the one pint.
Then it hit them. They were there during the peak tourist season. They went by motel after motel, all with No Vacancy signs lit. Up till that point she was actually looking forward to finding a room and getting a little frisky with Ron.
Finally they found a place, but the only room they had left was a double. All thoughts of a little 'goodnight kiss' fun went right out the window with the prospect of Joss sleeping just five feet away from them.
Her cousin seemed to sense what she was thinking. "I kin always leave tha two a you alone for a bit, if ya know what I mean." She whispered as they surveyed the small but clean room.
Kim held up her hand, shaking her head. "I am so not letting you wander around a place like this alone at night."
"Suit yerself." Not waiting to be asked, she plopped down on the nearest bed, claiming the one by the window.
The sleeping arrangements decided, they all climbed into the beds. Joss borrowed the jersey Ron had been wearing earlier in the day, while Kim just slipped off her jeans before getting under the covers.
Waking up the following morning, she sighed. Two nights in a row, and she hadn't been able to be with Ron. Of course, they had a little tumble the morning before, but it was rare over the last few months they hadn't had what they referred to privately as their 'good night kiss.' It seemed so strange waking up on Ron's birthday without having had a private celebration.
She checked her watch. It was just a little past six. Joss had her back to them and was contentedly snoring, apparently sound asleep. Amazingly, Ron was on his back, softly snoring himself. The air-conditioning was set on high, so the room was fairly cold and usually he would have been snuggled up against her, especially considering the lumpy bed was even smaller than the one they shared at her parent's house.
As quietly as she could, she scooted up next to him. He was sleeping in the navy turtleneck he wore under the jersey and his boxers and he was so warm. She nestled her head on his shoulder, shaking him gently.
It took a few minutes to fully wake him. Ron was a deep sleeper and most def not a morning person. In a few weeks she was going to have to start training him to get up at a reasonable hour again once their classes started, but for the time being both of them were enjoying the chance to sleep in on a regular basis. She had never done that before, preferring to keep the same schedule during most summer days, but ever since they had permanently started sleeping together, she found it was very relaxing staying put until eight, or even later.
Kim wrapped her arm around his chest, hooking her leg over his, gently kissing his neck since they both would have a good dose of morning breath. It only took him a couple minutes to realize where they were, and that they weren't alone.
Silently he pointed across the bed with his free arm.
"She's sound asleep." Kim whispered in his ear, nibbling on his lobe.
"KP, isn't this a little, uh, weird?"
"Shhhhh. I got to open my present on my birthday. Gotta return the favor, you know."
"Whoa. It's not like you're all that quiet, you know."
"I can be quiet when I have to." The hand on his chest slipped down, pulling the covers up over their shoulders before disappearing under those same blankets.
"Oh, that's nice." He breathed.
She started kissing his neck again, but stopped. The room was silent and she knew they weren't making any noise other than whispers that only the other could hear. Then it occurred to her.
Joss wasn't snoring any more.
Slowly Kim looked back over her shoulder. Joss had rolled over, partially facing them. One turquoise eye was open, staring at them across the gulf between the two beds.
She rolled onto her back, covering her blushing face with both her hands, fully realizing what she had been about to do with her impressionable cousin only a few feet away.
A huge grin broke out on Joss' face. "Don't stop on my 'count." She said out loud, rolling back over, pulling the covers up over her.
"Oh God, oh God, oh God." Kim moaned through her hands. Ron sat up in the bed, chuckling slightly. He leaned over, pulling her hands down and gave her a great big hug. "Who's up for breakfast?" He said aloud.
Joss threw off her covers. "Now yer talkin." She padded towards the bathroom to change back into her clothes. Stopping at the door, she leaned back into the room. "…but if you two caint start yer day without that little…wake up call, jes lemme know and I'll take me a shower." She shot them the biggest grin she was capable of and shut the door.
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