Thanks to all readers and to the reviewers of chapter four: ZK Chromedragozoid, MrDrP, Commander Argus, dartblade, DuffKilliganFan, CastaS, Matri, cpneb, daywalkr82, spectre666, Dr. J0nes, and Zaratan.
Disclaimer: Disney owns Kim Possible.
Chapter 5
Though nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the columned, white house on Mining Camp Road looked like something out of the Old South. For the blonde girl strolling toward the welcoming front entrance between two boys, the home, though built to a suburban scale, always called to mind the make-believe plantation whose name the family's daughter bore. She often wondered if this architectural evocation of the Peculiar Institution ever bothered their friends Monique or Crystal; thankfully, it didn't seem to.
They reached the door; Jess gestured toward the doorbell. "You're on, Kevin, it's your big night." He took a deep breath and rang the bell.
"Coming!" the teens heard from within as the chimes sounded. The door swung open and the lady of the house, a more mature, slimmer, hazel-eyed version of her bubbly daughter, greeted the trio. "Hi, Jessica, don't you look lovely tonight. What an adorable top. Steven, it's good to see you, too. And you must be Kevin. Please, come in."
"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Monroe."
"I'm Jill. It's a pleasure to meet you, Kevin. Tara tells us you're quite the honor student."
Kevin blushed and shrugged modestly.
A booming voice was heard from the rear of the house: "Is Tara's date here?" Mr. Monroe came into the foyer and greeted his daughter's friends. Then he introduced himself to Kevin. Jess had to suppress a giggle, Tara's father and date made such an odd couple. Both wore blue polo shirts and chinos, but that's where the similarity ended.
Mr. Monroe, a Mad Dog linebacker back in the day, was a big blond bear of a man. He looked like an older Brick Flagg, somewhat chunkier around the middle, and his deeply tanned arms were thick as the tree trunks he tossed around for a living. His shirt and trousers were well worn from hard outdoor work; faded white letters spelled out "Tri-City Tree Service" over the left chest and "Mark" was embroidered in gold thread over the right.
Tara's date cut a much less imposing figure, giving over a hundred pounds and nearly ten inches of height to the older man. His thin, pale arms had no visible musculature, and his shirt was clean and fresh and had "Johns Hopkins School of Medicine" lettered over the left chest.
Kevin shook hands with his date's dad, trying not to wince at the strength of the man's grip.
"So you're Kevin. Tara's told us a lot about you. Planning to be a doctor someday, I hear?"
"That's right, sir. My mom and dad are both doctors."
Tara's dad maintained his grip on Kevin's hand. "Well, that's great. Takes a lot of smarts to be a doctor." He leaned in closer to the boy and added menacingly, "Just remember: you're not one yet. So no playing at it with my little girl, got it?"
"N–no sir, I mean, yes sir."
Tara's mom smacked her husband on the arm. "Mark Monroe, you behave yourself. Kevin here seems like a fine young man from everything Tara says, and what I've seen so far."
She turned back to the brown-haired boy, who was flexing his throbbing right hand and hoping surgery was still a feasible career aspiration. "So Kevin, your folks own the farm house over on Aspen View, don't they?" the petite real estate agent asked.
"That's right, Mrs. Monroe."
"Oh, the old Adams place," Tara's dad commented. "I knew your last name sounded familiar. Your folks were one of my first clients after I started my business. I took out two big old Norway maples from the back yard."
"I remember that!" Kevin said. "I was like three or something. I sat by the window in the family room all day with my toy trucks, watching the work. We put a storage shed where those trees … Whoa!"
His train of thought completely jumped the tracks when he caught sight of his date slowly descending the staircase, her dress swishing around her gorgeous legs with each step.
She reached the bottom and performed a little pirouette in front of him. "Do I look okay?" she asked.
Kevin didn't respond until Steve poked him in the ribs, jolting him from his daze. "You—look—spectacular," he said breathlessly.
That was an understatement. Tara's dress was red, well fitting without being tight anywhere, and short enough to display several inches of shapely thigh. But the most eye-catching feature was the keyhole neckline that offered a tantalizing glimpse of cleavage.
She flashed him the widest, brightest smile he'd ever seen close up. "You look pretty good yourself, Cap'n K."
Jess looked up at the grandfather clock in the foyer. "The movie starts at seven, right? We should probably get moving."
"Right," Steve said. The three couples stepped out into the front yard.
"Whose Lexus?" Mr. Monroe asked, noticing the car out front.
Kevin held up the key. "It's my dad's."
"Aah–ha. And how long have you had your license?"
"A year and six weeks, Mr. Monroe. I'm legal to drive with more than one passenger now."
"Uh huh." Tara's dad clamped a calloused hand on the boy's shoulder. "Well, you just be sure to be real careful with my little girl tonight. I want her home safe and happy by eleven sharp, understand?"
Kevin swallowed. "Yessir."
"Good. 'Cause if not, you'll be getting an up-close and personal demonstration of my industrial chipper."
"All right, Daddy," Tara said, her voice full of exasperation. "That's enough of that." She removed his arm from Kevin's shoulder and bade him lean over for a kiss on the cheek, and then she kissed her mother as well. Then the two young gentlemen courteously opened the car doors for their ladies and, after everyone was secure, they headed for Middleton College.
Upon reaching the lecture hall where the film was to be screened and buying some popcorn, the young couples decided to separate. Tara and Kevin took seats near the center, while Jess and Steve chose a secluded corner way in the back, because … ummm … Jess was farsighted? Yeah, that's it.
At seven, a senior film studies major came out to speak about Citizen Kane for a few minutes, and then the lights went down and the film began.
Kevin was several minutes into a vigorous back-and-forth argument with himself about whether he dared put his arm around Tara when she ended it by snuggling up close to him and giving him a 'why isn't that arm around me yet?' look. So they sat through the cinematic landmark like that, quietly munching popcorn and enjoying the closeness.
When the lights came back up, they reluctantly left their seats and went to find their friends.
They found Jess and Steve embroiled in an animated discussion of Orson Welles' use of innovative filmmaking techniques such as low-angle shots and deep focus—well, okay, they were making out.
"Jess," Tara said, without effect. "Sundstrum!" a little louder. Jess moaned; the lip-lock continued.
Shaking her head bemusedly, Tara grabbed the sandaled foot that was attached to the leg that was dangling over the armrest of the seat next to Steve's and gave it a yank. "Guys! Time to go."
Jess pulled away from Steve and sighed. "Ahhhh … college is fuuuun …"
Tara looked at Kevin and rolled her eyes. "Yeah, it's badical, Jess. Now how 'bout we try out a real college pizza place and get a bite to eat, 'kay?"
The two couples left the hall and returned to the car.
Summertime at a college hangout meant slow nights at Oscar's Pizza on East Street, so the four teens had no trouble getting a table. While the boys were at the counter putting in their orders, cheerleaders Liz Leyden and Crystal Whately, who lived nearby, came in with their dates. Upon spotting the two familiar blondes, they headed over to them and took an adjacent table.
" Tara!" Crystal exclaimed. "We heard you broke up with Jason. Are you seeing someone new already?" She looked around the restaurant for any familiar faces.
"D'oy, Crys," Liz said with a laugh, " Tara's never without a BF for very long. Who is it, T? Is it Billy Rowe? Kyle Monson? Oooh! Are you here with a college man?"
Tara shook her head. "No, no and no."
"Yo Farley!" Crystal's date, Craig Dalton, called as Steve approached the group.
Steve exchanged high-fives with the lacrosse captain and Liz's date, hockey star Jeremy Wendell. "Hey, you guys, what's shakin'?" He took his seat next to Jess.
Toting a tray of drinks, Kevin approached the table and sat down with Tara.
Tara took hold of his arm with both hands. "Everyone," she addressed the newcomers, "this is my date, Kevin. Kevin, meet Liz, Jeremy, Crystal, and Craig."
Kevin offered a wave to the athletes and cheerleaders, all of whom had surprised expressions on their faces. "Hey, how's it goin', guys?"
Crystal and Liz looked at one another, then both turned to Tara and said, "Girls' room!" They stood up and dragged the curvy blonde away.
"Okay, you girls go chat," said Jess. "I'll entertain these hotties all by – ack!" Tara snaked out a hand and pulled her along with them.
The four girls crowded into the small rest room.
"Okay, Tara, what's going on? Who's the little kid?" Crystal asked.
Tara narrowed her azure eyes at the café-au-lait-skinned cheerleader. "Kevin is not a little kid," she said crossly. "He's the same age we are. He's only been going to school with us since ninth grade. He's captain of the school's chess team."
"You mean there really is a chess team?" Liz said, incredulous. "I thought it was just some joke of Bonnie's."
"Yes, Liz," Tara said, turning to the redhead. "Turns out there are actually kids at school who are into things that don't get them points on our stupid 'Food Chain'! Go figure!"
Jess, from behind, gently laid her hands on Tara's shoulders. "Whoa, amp down, T. Liz and Crys are just surprised, that's all."
"So when did this happen?" Crystal asked.
"Well, I met him online last week, and in person for the first time on Wednesday, and he asked me out the next day. He's a really sweet guy, smart and fun to talk to, and I like him."
"Does Bonnie know about this?"
"No, Crys, I haven't talked to her since she went to her dad's. Her cell plan doesn't cover his area. Besides, it's better if I tell her this in person anyway. She's supposed to be back by Wednesday for the Picnic practice."
"What do you think she'll say?" Liz asked.
"If she's my friend, she should be happy I found a nice guy. If not, whatever. The Food Chain doesn't work anymore—if it ever did. Kim figured that out, and so have I."
Liz' face took on a pensive expression.
Back in the dining area, Kevin was getting some odd looks from the other two boys.
Jeremy was the first to speak up. "So what, is Tara like, babysitting you or something?"
Kevin sputtered and coughed as the drink he was sipping on went down the wrong way.
"They're on a date, Jer," Steve said testily. "Didn't you hear?"
" Tara … dating him!? But he's a little runt! Is he even as tall as her?"
"We're about the same height, I'm maybe a little taller," Kevin said. "If that matters."
Jeremy snorted. "You're like half the size of her last boyfriend!"
"And he's worth two of him, and three of you, Wendell!" Steve shot back.
Craig laughed. "Got you good, dude!"
Jeremy scowled at the other three, who stared back. The testosterone was so thick you could cut it with a pizza wheel. Then the girls returned, forcing the tension under the surface.
"So," Liz said, taking her seat, "did someone order us some food yet? I'm starving."
"I'll go up," said Jeremy. "The usual Oscar's Special?"
Craig, Liz and Crystal looked back and forth amongst themselves, then all three nodded 'yes' and Jeremy headed to the counter.
Moments later, a number was called and Kevin got up to go collect his group's order.
As he turned to take the pepperoni, sausage and mushroom pizza back to his friends, Jeremy finished placing his order and turned to head back as well.
The two collided. Kevin's tray tipped, sending the cheesy, saucy pie sliding toward Jeremy. Before he could right it, one slice got away and fell right on Jeremy's foot.
"You little shrimp! You did that on purpose!" the big hockey player snarled.
"Sorry man, it was an accident," Kevin said.
"Yeah, right," Jeremy said. "You messed up my new sneaks."
Steve and Liz got up from their seats and went over to help clean up as everyone else watched.
"C'mon Jer," Steve said. "It's nobody's fault. Just forget it."
Jeremy headed back to the table, shooting angry looks at Kevin.
As they sat all down again, a newsbreak began on the TV mounted high in the corner. Tricia Labowski began speaking, and then action footage began to run.
"Hey look," Tara said, pointing to the set. "Kim and Ron are on TV! Looks like they just finished a mission."
On screen, the teens watched clips of Kim roundhousing some goon, and a tall, mustachioed man with a blond mullet being loaded into a police van, and then Kim talking to reporters. They could see the newscam continually trying to zoom in on her and her alone while she kept trying to pull Ron into the shot.
"I don't believe this," Jess said. "Look at how they're ignoring Ron!"
Jeremy scoffed. "Chump probably dropped his pants again. What a loser."
The whole group stared at him.
Liz wheeled on her date irately. "How can you say that? Ron saved our whole squad from that muck mutant at Wannaweep by himself, and he saves the world with Kim all the time. He's a real hero. What did you ever do that you get to call him names? Skate around and make slap tricks with your hat shot, or whatever? Like that matters!"
"Stoppable's just a clown," Jeremy insisted. "He needs to hang with the other froobs and stay away from cool people. Same with half-pint here." He gestured toward Kevin.
Everyone at the table was shocked, and stared at Jeremy, or at Kevin, or back and forth between the two.
Kevin swallowed his bite of pizza and looked evenly at Jeremy, and then at his date.
"What do you say, Tara?"
Tara set down her beverage and put her arms around him. "I say call me 'froob.' I'd hang with you and Ron any day."
Jess reached across the table and took Kevin's hand. "Me too."
Steve put an arm around his girlfriend and his other hand atop hers and Kevin's.
Crystal nodded. "Yeah, same here." She looked at her date, who, after a moment, also nodded.
"Stoppable's okay," Craig said, "and I'll take these guys' word on Kevin. You're way outta line, Jer."
Liz just stared sadly at her date, then stood up and walked around to the far side of the other table. "You guys got room for another froob?" she asked. She pulled an empty chair over and sat down.
Kevin gestured to the pizza. "Help yourself to a slice, Liz."
"Bye, Jeremy," she said. "Hope you find some people cool enough for you somewhere."
Jeremy stood up and leaned with both hands on the table, glowering angrily at the group. "So that's it? Fine, I don't need this. But somebody owes me nine eighty-five for the pizza."
Craig reached into his pocket and came out with some bills, and tossed a ten Jeremy's way. He pocketed the ten dollars, and after shooting one last, sulfurous glare in Kevin's direction, turned and walked out.
"Wow," said Tara. "I can't believe he would say that stuff."
"Yeah, Jeremy takes the Food Chain kinda seriously," Liz said.
"Are you gonna be okay, Liz?" Jess asked.
"Yeah," the redhead said. "I feel pretty good. After what Tara said in the girls' room, I figured out I was really only with Jeremy for the status. T's right, I should look for a nice guy. In fact, there's this guy Arnie at our church who I'm pretty sure likes me. Maybe I'll start up a conversation with him tomorrow."
"Yo go, girl," said Crystal. "You better watch it, guys," she added, pointing to Steve and then to Craig. "Being the big hottie or the sports star doesn't cut it any more. We have options now. You treat us right or you could be next out the door."
"Fair enough, Crys," Craig said with a grin. "Just remember, that street's two-way. We guys can ignore the Food Chain, too."
As the seven teens laughed and chatted and enjoyed their pizza, Tara couldn't help worrying. Bonnie takes the Food Chain more seriously than anyone. How's she going to take this?
Things became quiet in the car after they dropped Jess and Steve off and headed for Tara's house. Kevin was concerned about getting Tara home on time—he had no desire to incur Mr. Monroe's wrath. But he could also tell that Tara had something on her mind. He assumed it had to do with the incident at Oscar's, which was troubling him as well.
He pulled up in front of the Monroe home just as he'd done a few nights ago. As before, he went around to Tara's side and opened her door for her. He thought her smile looked a little forced tonight, but she took his hand and they slowly walked up the path to the front door.
At the door, she turned to face him. "I had a really nice time tonight," she said.
"I'm glad. I did too. But it seems like something's bothering you, ever since the pizza place."
Tara raised an eyebrow. "Was I that obvious?"
"So are you going to tell me about it?"
She sighed. "It's Bonnie. She's been my friend for a long, long time. After what happened with Jeremy back there, I worry about what she'll say about us."
"Yeah, I'd understand if you didn't want to risk your friendship by dating me …"
"I didn't say that, Kevin," she protested. "I'm just a little nervous. I'm not used to defying Bonnie, she's … got a very strong personality. But I do want to see you again. If you want to, that is."
Kevin's eyes grew wide. " Tara, you've got to be kidding. Of course I do. I mean, I had a crush on you before, but now that I know you, I'm realizing what an amazing person you are."
Tara favored him with another dazzling smile that he didn't just see but felt in every cell of his body.
He looked into those big, blue eyes and reached out to place his hands on her waist. They slowly closed the distance between themselves. Her eyelids slowly closed and her head tilted just a tad. Their lips met in a soft kiss. Tara's arms went around his neck and held him tight, and he wished the moment would last forever.
But of course, it couldn't. All too soon they parted.
"Mmmm, that was good," Tara said. "You sure you haven't done this before?"
Kevin was able to manage a shake of his head in reply.
She smiled again. "Well, you're a natural."
He nodded. "Yeah," he whispered.
"I should go inside. Talk to you tomorrow," she said.
"Good night," Kevin said.
"Good night," Tara said, and she went into the house.
Closing the door, she leaned against it for a moment, smiling to herself, then she part-walked, part-skipped, part-danced and part-floated her way up the stairs to bed.
to be continued …