As with every chapter before and to follow, Kim Possible and all related characters (other than those of my own creation for the purpose of this story) are the property of The Walt Disney Company. Everything else is all mine.

Ron pushed himself back from the dinner table with a deep sigh of contentment, which was followed by an enormous belch.

"Ronald! Was that really necessary?" scolded Mrs. Stoppable.

"Sorry, Mom."

Another enormous belch was heard from inside one of the pizza boxes on the table. Ron lifted the lid to reveal a very stuffed Rufus laying flat on his back with a rather content look on his face.

"Hey, good buddy. If I can't do it, neither can you. Okay?"

Rufus lazily waved his foreleg in acknowledgement.

"That's a nice outfit, Ron. Did Kim pick it out for you?"

"Actually, Kim and Monique picked it out, along with two others so I could "mix and match", as they put it. I guess Kim is tired of seeing me in the same Smarty Mart shirt and pants day after day. She asked me to "surprise" her by wearing one tonight."

Ron looked at his watch. "Well, looks like Rufus and I had better hit the road. Thanks for the pizza, Mom."

"You're welcome, Ron," replied Mrs. Stoppable. "Would you two please take your pizza boxes and trash out with you and put them in the trash can?"

"Can do, Mom. Grab a box, Rufus."

Rufus rolled himself out of the pizza box, crawled around to the edge of the top lid and flipped the lid over so it was closed. He pushed the box off the table onto a chair, then pushed it off the chair down to the floor. Dragging the box behind him, Rufus followed Ron out the garage door to the trash can.

Ron already had his car idling when Rufus jumped in on the passenger side. "Buckle up, good buddy." Backing it down the driveway, Ron pointed the car down the street to the Possible home and eased down on the gas pedal.

"Now remember, Rufus. You will be staying at the Possibles with the twins. I know. Jim and Tim can get pretty wild, but Kim struck a deal with them and they are pledged to be on their very best behavior. I want you to be on your best behavior, too, okay?"

"Okay", Rufus acknowledged.

"I know you'd rather come with Kim and me. To be honest, I wish you could come, too. But since she and I are officially dating, things are different. She wants our dates to be just us two, and I must admit I'm beginning to see her point. Kim and I are not just "best buds" anymore. We're a lot more than that now."

"So, it's not you or anything you've done, good buddy. I just want you to know that, okay?"

"Okay", replied Rufus.

"You know, in a way it's your own fault. After all, it was you who shoved me and Kim together at the Prom Dance", concluded Ron with a big grin.

"Well, here we are. Now, remember: best behavior. Got it?"

"Got it!" affirmed Rufus.

Ron pulled the car beside the curb and parked. Rufus hopped out of the passenger window and bounded up the sidewalk to the front porch, with Ron following closely behind. Once Ron was on the porch, Rufus wormed his way up Ron's pant leg, up the side of his shirt, down the sleeve and out, settling himself in the palm of Ron's right hand.

"You know, Rufus, we really need to get you a pedicure. Normally that would tickle, but this time it was just a wee bit painful. Good thing Mom begged off on you giving her a back scratch."

"Go ahead. Push the doorbell button."