Some of the events treated below are also described in chapters 3 and 4 of my previous story, The Mad Dog Picnic. If you haven't read those chapters yet, parts of this won't make much sense.

Thanks to everyone who's reading, and to the reviewers of chapter eight: cpneb, AtomicFire, dartblade, spectre666, MrDrP, pbow, Pharaoh Rutin Tutin, whitem, Dr. J0nes, Kradeiz, The Enduring Man-Child, and CastaS.

Special thanks to MrDrP, whose beta-reading services are invaluable.

Disclaimer: Disney owns Kim Possible, and most of the characters within this story. Frisbee® is a registered trademark of Wham-O, Inc.

Chapter 9

Outwardly, Bonnie Rockwaller was the picture of repose. At the Lake Middleton swimming beach, she lay on her stomach beside Brick, sunning her back, her bikini top untied to avoid tan lines. On the inside, however, the brunette beauty was aboil with thoughts and emotions.

She wished she hadn't gone out of town for those two weeks. It seemed like so much had happened in Middleton while she was gone, and she was out of the loop. Tara and Liz tossing hotties aside to date low-status boys. Tara growing a spine. It was all so disconcerting. She wasn't sure how to respond.

When Tara had tracked her down after the dance rehearsal, Bonnie was still reeling from her friends' revelations, and the blonde had seemed like a different girl. This knocked the usual dynamic of their friendship off kilter. Bonnie found herself on the defensive, making some lame excuse to explain why she'd run out of rehearsal; Tara pretended to accept it. Bonnie insincerely welcomed a chance to meet this Kevin later, but was hoping that by staying here at the beach she could put it off. Tara had made it clear she was ready to toss their friendship over this chess nerd. That was something Bonnie couldn't allow to happen. Tara was too popular; if the blonde broke from Bonnie's crowd, the rest of her posse might follow.

Ungrateful little snip, Bonnie thought bitterly. She owes me. She wouldn't have her squeaky-clean rep if I hadn't been there for her freshman year.

The tanned cheerleader pondered some more. Of course, like everything else, this is really all K's fault. If she wasn't dating that loser, this wouldn't have happened.

Bonnie resolved to get the blonde back in her orbit before senior year began. T's relationships never last very long. I'll hook her up with a hottie for the squad's beach bash, and she'll thank me for it.

Bonnie began to muse on the big end-of-summer party the cheer squad held every year. They always reserved the beach and it was a blast. But it was more than just a social event; it was crucial to the maintenance of the Food Chain. It reinforced that the cheer squad sat at the top, to be envied by all below. The girls with boyfriends would bring them, and for every unattached girl at least two or three hotties would be invited; Liz and Tara's new friends just would not fit in with the hunks.

For Bonnie, thoughts of the beach bash usually turned to thoughts about the highlight—for the boys and for her, anyway—of every year's party: the squad's informal swimsuit competition. It was a venerable tradition, dating back decades. Each girl would show up with an oversized t-shirt or sports jersey, preferably borrowed from an athlete boyfriend, concealing her suit. At the appointed hour they would remove their cover-ups one by one and show off their suits—and their curves—to the assembled boys. No actual voting took place, but it was almost always clear at the end who had won based on the guys' reactions. Last year it had been Bonnie, and she expected to win it again, given that no cheerleader had a better figure or wore sexier swimsuits than she did. Crystal and Marcella were usually the only other girls daring enough to wear the truly hot suit, but Bonnie could more than match their charms. Rumors involving Kim and skimpy swimwear were still reaching Bonnie's ears, but she wasn't worried. K versus me in a bikini showdown ... yeah, she'll win one of those about the same time Brick here wins a spelling bee.

Glancing over to the sand volleyball court, though, she spotted potential trouble from a new quarter. Whoa, looks like Jess'll be going for it this time around … that new bikini of hers is microscopic, and the guys are lovin' it … Dangerous bod, too. She's filled out a bit up top lately. That girl could be a real threat, boys always seem to like the blondes for some reason. I think a drive to Upperton Galleria for a sizzlin' Euro import is in order.

She then took a few moments to check out Jess's boyfriend Steve sans shirt. While he wasn't as beefy as Brick, there was still much to appreciate. Yum, that boy has the best abs in school. But I can't believe he wants to be in drama club. It's ridiculous. Who ever heard of a star athlete trying out for a high school musical?

Kevin looked up to see Tara's dad looming menacingly over him, a scowl on his face. "Hi, Mr. Monroe!" he said nervously.

The big ex-linebacker looked ready to relive his football days as Mark 'The Shark' Monroe, and sack the boy for a huge loss.

"What's going on here?"

Tara turned around. "Hi, Daddy!"

"You think you can just drag my little girl behind a cotton candy stand for some action? My little Buttercup isn't that kind of girl!"

"Um, uh, we were just –" Kevin said.

"I know very well what you were 'just,' young man, and let me tell you –"

"I think what Tara's dad is saying, Kevin," said Jill Monroe, appearing at her husband's side and placing a placating hand on his arm, "is that you should go behind the ring toss booth for that instead. Isn't that where you used to take me, honey? Or was it the pickle works stand? One or the other. Much more privacy there."

"Jill, you're not helping –"

"Come on, Shark, I think I see a couple of your old teammates over there. Time for you to go reminisce about the glory days. Let's go. You kids enjoy the picnic." She dragged him away.

"Bye, Dad! Bye, Mom! Thanks!" Tara called after them.

"Well, that was scary," Kevin said.

"Oh, come on, I told you, Daddy's harmless. Besides, you didn't do anything. I dragged you back here, remember?"

"Yeah, well, I don't think Daddy would have bought that, Buttercup!"

Tara grinned and touched her nose to his. "I don't think my 'good girl' rep is going to last much longer with you around, Mr. Guberman. You are just too cute to resist."

"And yet, every girl in town has managed 'til you," he noted wryly. "So, why don't you show me around? I've never been to one of these shindigs. What is there to do?"

Tara's eyes widened in surprise. "You're kidding! You've never been to Mad Dog Picnic before?"

He shook his head. "Not into sports at all, Tar. This isn't my scene."

"Well, there's lots to do. There's all kinds of food, and plenty of sports and games, and dancing in the Pavilion – Oh, and just wait 'til you see the squad's dance tonight, we're gonna blow the roof off the place," she said excitedly. "C'mon, I want to show you everything. I'm all yours all day, except between one and two I have to teach the junior cheer clinic." She took his hand and they went back out into the growing crowd.

Jason Morgan seethed. All day, people had been giving him funny looks and whispering behind his back about how Tara had dumped him. Now he was hearing about this new guy in her life, some puny little runt. He caught a glimpse of platinum blonde, and saw his ex walking hand in hand with some little kid. She dumped The Big J for that? This is nuts.

He watched the pair as they approached the Pavilion. It looked as though they were going to separate; Tara was apparently going to take over the kiddie cheer camp from Possible. He decided he'd take the opportunity to have a little 'chat' with Pee Wee. The midget obviously needed to learn his place in the Food Chain, and Jason knew some effective methods of education.

He hadn't taken more than a dozen steps when Mr. Barkin suddenly appeared in front of him and clamped a huge hand on his shoulder. "Morgan, exactly the man I was hoping to find. This is your lucky day. I'm about to do you a big favor."

"You are?" Jason asked distractedly, trying to keep his quarry in sight.

"Yes, Morgan, I am. It seems you still owe me six hours of community service from last term. I happen to need volunteers for two hours of Kosher Dilly duty commencing at thirteen hundred hours, that's four minutes from … now. I'm also looking for someone to coach the junior basketball clinic from 1500 to 1600 hours. You, Morgan, are going to volunteer for that duty, and we'll call you even."

"Gee, Mr. B, I really don't have time right now–"

The one-time Army officer cupped a hand to his ear. "What's that you say, Morgan? You don't want any special treatment? You'd rather be declared ineligible for athletics for the first semester, while you make up the full six hours you owe me?"

"Yes … I mean no … I mean …" Jason groaned inwardly. "Where do I pick up the pickle suit?"

Tara's stint at the cheer clinic had wrapped up and she'd returned to spending the afternoon with her new boyfriend. She and Kevin danced to one of the combos performing in the Pavilion, played some sideshow games and sampled some of the food. They were currently strolling near one of the several sports fields at the picnic grounds.

"Hey Tara," called Beth Becket, a junior gymnast. "We're choosing up sides for disc. You guys in?"

Tara turned to her BF, who was munching on a kosher pickle. "You want to, Kev?"

"To what?"

"Disc. Ultimate. It's a game, sort of like football, but with no tackling and a Frisbee instead of a ball."

Kevin looked dubious. "Um, I'm no jock, Tar."

"Oh c'mon, anybody can toss a Frisbee. It'll be fun, trust me."

Kevin agreed.

The sport involved passing the plastic disc from teammate to teammate until someone caught it in the end zone for a point. If a pass was intercepted or dropped, the other side took possession. First team to fifteen points would win.

Not surprisingly, given the competitiveness of the young athletes, the just-for-fun game quickly became intense. Kevin was surprised, though, to see that Tara was as gung ho as any of the other players. His beautiful, sweet, 110-percent-girl girlfriend was running tirelessly up and down the field; her white t-shirt soon bore dirt and grass stains from several acrobatic diving catches.

She's really into this. Who knew? I wish I could do something to impress her out here.

He wasn't having much success, though. He tried his best, but so far he'd dropped all but one disc thrown to him, and the one time he did catch it, he immediately cost his team possession with a poor throw. Several times he'd had to stop running and gasp for breath as play continued around him. But he refused to give up.

Late in the game, with his and Tara's side trailing 13-14, he found himself covering Beth in the end zone when he saw one of his teammates, football player Ryan Purvis, trip and fall, leaving Megan Hadley wide open for game point. The disc was in the air, sailing toward her waiting hands. He sprinted over and dove, knocking the disc to the ground just before the lanky volleyball star could grab it.

"Thanks, man," said Ryan, helping him to his feet. "Way to play the clutch 'D'."

"No big," he told the tight end.

Tara jogged over to her BF and Ryan, beaming proudly. "Great job, Kev! Now, let's get that tying point."

She picked up the disc and waved the boys downfield. Kevin trotted down the sideline unmarked—Look at this, they don't even bother to guard me any more—and a few plays later saw the disc coming his way. He managed to catch it about twenty yards from the end zone and immediately heard Ryan shouting "G-man! Go deep!" He flicked his wrist and sailed the flying saucer toward the end zone, where Ryan ran it down and caught it for the tie.

Tara ran over to him and gave him a high five. "Nice toss, G-man!"

The other team went on offense, but soon coughed up the disc when Tara made an interception near midfield. Megan quickly planted herself in front of the cheerleader, waving her long arms to block Tara's attempts to throw. Finally Tara managed to find an opening and send a curving pass Kevin's way. She watched, heart in mouth, as her beau lost his footing, but recovered enough to make a scrambling on hands and knees, sprawling catch for the win.

Kevin's teammates in the end zone reveled in their victory and congratulated the improbable hero. Tara was so proud of him; she ran to him and gave him a congratulatory embrace and kiss.

"Boo-yah!" yelled Ryan, thrusting his arms aloft. "The G-man scores!" Tara pulled back, blushing pink, but then her lips formed a dreamy smile and she covered her boyfriend's mouth with her own once more. The onlookers were stunned at first—Tara had never before been so demonstrative in public—but as the kiss grew more and more passionate, they began to hoot and holler and chant "G-man! G-man!"

"All right, all right, break it up!" roared a furious Steve Barkin. The crowd instantly scattered to the four winds, leaving a very red-faced Tara and Kevin to face the ex-soldier's ire.

"Monroe … and … Guberman? Well, this is … unexpected, not to mention very disappointing," the big man said. "I don't recall ever having had to lecture either of you about the school's policy on Public Displays of Affection before. To summarize, we're against them."

"Sorry Mr. Barkin," Tara said contritely. "I got carried away. Kevin won the game for us. Did you see that catch he made? He was awesome!"

"Whoa, rewind, Tara! You're the awesome one! You made, like, four or five unbelievable catches, and your throws –"

"Ahem," Mr. Barkin interrupted. "If I could break up this mutual admiration society for a moment and get back to the matter at hand … Guberman, I take it you are no longer seeking your mystery chess player?"

"Not any more, Mr. B. I found her." He took Tara's hand, and she flashed a smile at him before turning back to the educator.

The big man arched an eyebrow. "Oh really? Monroe, are you an aficionado of the ancient game of battle strategy and tactics?"

"Huh?"

"Tara's a great chess player, Mr. B," Kevin said. "She's ready for the varsity right now, and she's still improving."

"Is that so?" the school disciplinarian said. "Well, Monroe, perhaps you and I ought to face each other across the board one day. A match in Room Twelve after the first day of school could easily be arranged, if you two repeat the performance I just saw on this field. Guberman, you'd be there too, so you could take on the winner. Am I clear?"

The couple nodded. "Yessir, Mr. B."

"Dismissed."

The two teens breathed a sigh of relief and left the field grateful for their reprieve, and resolved to do better in the future. At stealth, if nothing else.

It was almost time for the program to begin. The Pavilion was filling up fast. Kevin and Steve had secured prime viewing space for themselves and were seated at each end of a block, holding some more for friends. Soon Brick Flagg, Kyle Monson, and Arnie Custer, Liz' new friend, came to join them.

Steve looked over at Kevin, then stood up and accosted Kyle. "Monson, I hear you've been hitting on my girl again. I thought I told you to quit that."

"I'm cutting back slowly, Farley," Kyle replied with a smirk. "I'm down to just days that end in 'Y' now."

Steve and Kyle stood toe-to-toe glaring at each other. Kevin stood up, ready to have his pal's back should he need it. The teammates then broke into laughter. Kevin looked confused.

Steve turned to his friend with a wide grin on his face. "Jess and Kyle are old buds since grade school, they kid around like that all the time. It's not serious."

Arnie, who was polishing his eyeglasses preparatory to the cheer squad's dance, paused. "I don't know, Farley, I'd be watching my back if I were you," he mock-warned, "I think Monson wouldn't mind re-enacting the Kim and Ron Story, with you in the Eric role."

Kyle put a finger to his lips in a 'shhhh' gesture. Everyone laughed.

Brick scratched his blond head. "Hey, whatever happened to that Eric guy, anyway? He really had the funk."

"Yeah, he did—but nobody's got it goin' on like this guy here has!" Kyle exclaimed, pointing to Kevin. "It's the man of the hour! The G-man!"

What now? Kevin wondered.

"This man is a Living Legend!" Kyle continued, throwing his arm around the chess captain's shoulders. "His name will be whispered in awed, hushed tones in the halls of Middleton High for years to come!"

"What are you talking about, Monson?" Brick asked.

"Haven't you guys heard?" Arnie asked. "Everybody's been talking about it."

Brick and Steve shook their heads. "No, we just came in from the ball field." Steve said.

Arnie explained. "Kevin's out on field two playing disc with Ryan Purvis and Tara and some others, and after he makes a spectacular diving catch to win the game, Tara runs up to him and plants a colossal liplock on him right there in front of everybody. Then he grabs her hand right in front of Barkin, while he's in the process of reaming them out for PDA, and they just stare him down and walk away smiling with nothing but a warning. It was history-making!"

"Okay, that's not exactly how it went down …" Kevin said, recalling his awkward, stumbling final catch.

"Dude, you got a PDA from Tara Monroe?" Brick asked.

Kevin nodded.

"That's awesome!" the recent alumnus enthused.

Kevin couldn't disagree, but still wondered what exactly all the fuss was. "I'm still not getting it …"

"Kevin," Kyle explained, "Tara's been one of the most popular girls at Middleton High since the first day she showed up, must have dated twenty, twenty-five guys in three years, and in all that time no one's ever heard of her planting one on a guy in public like that. You must have some powerful mojo, my man!"

Kevin sank into his seat. "So everyone here knows about this?"

Arnie nodded in affirmation. "You're famous, G-man."

"Oh, man," Kevin moaned, "Tara's dad is here. I am so doomed. It's a one-way trip through the wood chipper for me."

"Well, look on the bright side, G-man," Kyle said. "You'll still be a legend, just not a living one any more."

The lights dimmed and a piercing whistle blew, and the Mad Dog Band's percussion section launched into the drum riff that signaled the start of "Work It Out." The five girls ran onto the stage waving their pompoms, quickly formed their line and began to dance, a redhead on each end, blondes next to them and one brunette in the center.

Five toned, crop-topped, miniskirted bodies moved to the music with grace and precision and a raw, visceral energy. The sensuality was palpable, but clean and wholesome at the same time. Any time it even hinted at going over the line, those beaming, multi-megawatt cheerleader smiles kept it on the right side.

The crowd was enthralled, especially the five boys seated front row center. Four of them watched with eyes riveted on one girl (almost) exclusively. (It would have been asking too much of any boy not to at least glance at the other four beauties a few times.) Kyle Monson was free to look at all five as much as he wanted. Brick and Steve, on either side of him, could just barely hear him repeating over the pounding beat, "(X) is the luckiest guy on the planet," over and over, with the name varying depending on whose girlfriend had his attention at the moment.

Soon after the Mad Dog joined the girls, to the delight of the younger kids, the performance ended to a tumultuous ovation. The cheerleaders remained on stage for the presentation of awards to student athletes and boosters. Jess watched with pride as Steve came up to collect the baseball MVP award.

Tara, standing stage left with Bonnie and Kim, noticed that the brunette seemed to be back to her cocky, confident old self, not like she'd acted when they'd had their private talk earlier. Then Connie and Lonnie Rockwaller came out to present the Booster of the Year award, which was named for their grandfather, and Bonnie seemed to deflate a bit. That's when Ron went into action, commandeering the mike from Mr. Barkin and bringing Bonnie center stage to accept plaudits for her choreography. Why is Ron helping Bonnie? She looked to Kim; Ron's best friend/girlfriend just gave her a slight shrug, she was confused as well. From the looks Connie and Lonnie are giving him, I bet it has something to do with them. Nice going, Mad Dog! Connie seemed about to reach out and snatch the mike away at one point, but Tara caught her eye and shot her a glare that turned her insides to liquid, and she pulled her hand back.

Kim named Bonnie co-captain of the squad, and Bonnie presented the Booster of the Year award to Brick's dad for his support of Middleton High athletics. The program was over. All the cheerleaders except Bonnie left the stage and the crowd began to stream out through the open front and sides of the Pavilion to watch the fireworks show.

Brock Flagg called down to his son. "Brickster, c'mon up here. They're going to take some pictures for the paper."

The big QB climbed up onto the stage as Liz, Tara and Jess came out of a side door to join the rest of the boys.

"Wow, you guys, that was one hot dance!" Kyle enthused. Kevin, Steve and Arnie nodded in agreement.

"We're going out to watch the fireworks show, you guys," Liz said, and she and Arnie headed out of the Pavilion. The two blonde cheerleaders stood beaming at their boyfriends, who grinned back. They couldn't do much else with Mr. B staring down from the stage, where the news photographer was still setting up. Feeling like a fifth wheel, Kyle wandered off.

Tara noticed that her BF appeared lost in space. "Kevin, why are you looking at me like that?"

Kevin blinked and shook his head vigorously to clear it. "Sorry, Tara. You just look so fantastic in your uniform. I was thinking back to the first time I ever saw you, at that pep rally the first week of school freshman year. I never even thought about girls before that, but the second you ran out in that uniform I started feeling things I'd never felt before. From that day, I had the hugest crush on you. If somebody told me then you'd ever be … wow. It's like a fantasy come to life."

Touched, Tara moved closer to him, smiling seductively.

Jess stuck out a hand to hold her back. "Not yet, guys … any second now …"

Kevin turned toward the taller girl, confused. "Huh? Any second … what?"

Just then, the first small rocket of the fireworks show burst in the night sky beyond the open rear of the Pavilion. Jess immediately threw her arms around Steve's neck and pressed her lithe body against him. His hands tenderly caressed her bare lower back beneath the cropped cheer top, and their lips came together in a loving kiss. Kevin's jaw dropped. He looked up at the stage and saw Mr. Barkin simply turn and walk away, his mouth a thin, hard line.

He turned back to Tara. "Okay, what's going on? Why aren't they getting detention right now?"

"The fireworks started, meaning the school's authority over the Picnic is over. It's an insurance thing, I heard. The city fire department's in charge now, Mr. B's PDA rules don't apply any more."

Kevin grinned. "Oh really? And where's your dad now?"

"I saw Mom and him heading out to the lawn to watch the show as we were leaving the stage."

Kevin put his hands around her tiny waist and closed the remaining small distance between them.

"So, you want to go watch the fireworks with me?"

Tara draped her arms over his shoulders and gazed into his gray-blue eyes. "I think you know what I want, G-man," she murmured.

"I think I do at that," the boy said, and he brought his lips to hers.

Up on stage, the photographer was fussing with his camera. Bonnie watched the proceedings in the nearly empty Pavilion, shaking her head in disbelief. A few people were milling about, pointing and whispering about the two amorous couples near the stage. Further away, she noticed Kyle Monson talking animatedly with a tall, thin girl, who was laughing at something the future QB had just said.

This chess nerd's turned Tara from Polly Prim-and-Proper to Queen of the PDA. I can't believe she's swapping spit with that little squirt, while a prime piece of beefcake like Kyle is over there flirting with … who is that? Megan Hadley? That string bean! This is so flawed. It's no good for the squad's standing. Kyle belongs with one of us!

After a few more shots, the photographer left. Tara and her boyfriend finally came up for air. 'Bout time. Even Jess and Steve didn't last that long.

Kevin glanced up and met the teal eyes of the stone-faced brunette. "Congratulations on getting co-captain, Bonnie," he said. Bonnie said nothing. Who gave you permission to speak to me, loser?

Tara turned her head. "Bonnie, c'mon down here and meet Kevin."

Brick jumped down from the stage, reached back up toward Bonnie, and lowered her to the floor in his powerful arms.

"So, this is the new BF you're so into," the new cheer co-captain said. "This week."

"Bonnie, this is Kevin. Kevin, Bonnie."

"Kevin Guberman," the boy said, offering a hand to the curvaceous brunette.

"Like, thrilled," Bonnie said flatly. She turned back to her blonde friend. "That was quite the CPR demo you put on there, T. Never saw that kind of thing from you before."

Tara slipped her arm around her boyfriend's waist and rested her head on his shoulder. "I never had a BF who could kiss like Kevin before."

Brick nudged Bonnie with an elbow. "The G-man's really got it goin' on, huh, Bon?"

Bonnie was really struggling to hold her tongue. G-man? They gave this loser a nickname, like he's cool or something? That's it, chess boy, you're way over the line. She wanted to lash out, to flat-out order Tara to drop this froob and find an acceptable BF, but knew that would backfire. She had to tread carefully. She pasted a phony smile on her face.

"Let's get together sometime soon and dish, T. Nice meeting you … Kevin. Come on, Brick sweetie, let's go watch the fireworks." She led him away.

Kevin turned back to Tara. "I am sooo feelin' the love," he deadpanned.

Tara, who'd been watching Bonnie walk away, fixed her azure eyes on his once more. "She'll come around. And if she doesn't … you still got me. That enough for you, G-man?"

"Way more than enough," he whispered, pulling her in for another long, loving kiss as a panoply of dazzling pyrotechnics cascaded down from the night sky.

to be continued …

The Ultimate game scene is dedicated to Slow White of Boston, silver medal-winning mixed club team at the 2007 UPA Club Nationals.