School of Life
Chapter four
The Kreme of the Crop
Ron drummed his fingers on his legs as he sat deep in thought. Kim sat across from him biting her lip. She had spoken for him before talking to him by telling Glenda she was sure Ron would jump at the chance to be the new mascot. She waited in silence as she sat there watching him. Ron continued to drum his fingers on his legs. They were sitting in their favorite booth at the "Dawghouse". His favorite meal lay before him courtesy of Kim. She had dragged him "okay she mentioned that she was buying and had to all but run to catch up with him" to their favorite eating place. One of his jersey's was already on display on the wall along with one of her pompoms.
Ron raised his hand for a moment with one finger extended.
"Now, let me get this straight. The mascot got hurt and can't do his thing anymore and he was the only backup you had."
Kim nodded as he raised another finger.
"I have a tough semester ahead of me in order to prepare for my main institute classes."
She quietly nodded again as he raised a third finger.
"I will need to join the squad and work overtime to get up to speed with the routines."
Kim bowed her head as Ron raised a fourth finger.
"We will be leaving for the Olympics in two days."
Kim nodded and sighed as his thumb stuck out was he lifted his last finger on that hand. She bowed her head and got ready to agree to the next of his long list of things.
"And I am a totally awesome man and you worship the very ground that I walk on."
Kim was about to nod and agree when he words got through to her brain. She looked up to see him grinning at her with his "gotcha" grin. She reached out and tried to swat at him.
"Youuuuuuu."
He laughed as he dodged her hand.
"No problem Kim, really! I think it would be badical if the team wants me. Do I need to start before we leave?"
Kim grinned as she sat back.
"No Ron, Glenda knows that there is no way that you would be able to learn much of anything before we leave."
Kim bowed her head and looked up at him with demure eyes.
"And Ron? You are really badical! I appreciate this."
Ron bent over the table and their lips met but for a moment of pure bliss. He sat back with a grin on his face.
"You sure that you don't want me on the squad just so you can get your hands on me?"
A wadded up napkin bounced off his forehead as he tried to dodge the incoming missile. Kim giggled as she picked up her BBQ chicken sandwich.
"ME! I am not the one you need to be worried about. You just may have to watch out for some of the girls fighting to get their hands on you!"
Ron shrugged his shoulders.
"Hey there is plenty of Ron man to go around."
Ron caught the ice in her eyes.
"But all of belongs to Kim Possible."
Kim smiled just before she took a bite of her sandwich. Mumbling through her mouthful, she leaned toward him.
"Juff emember fhaff."
Ron considered just how to start eating his burger and then paused. Kim swallowed her bite.
"Something wrong."
Ron shook his head.
"No, not really. I just remembered what Saturday is."
Kim thought for a moment.
"There's nothing that I can think of."
A big grin crossed his face.
"Ahhhh com'on KP. Don't you remember? Cap invited us down to North Carolina. I wanted to run in that race."
Kim put her burger down on her plate so hard in nearly fell apart.
"Ronald Stoppable, there is no way, and I repeat, no way I am letting you enter that race."
Ron started with his version of the puppy dog pout with a dose of Ron-shine added. Kim sat back in her seat, crossed her arms and scowled at him as she shook her head.
"Nope, nope and nope. As in N-O, Ron. Nope, nope and no."
Kim placed her arm through Cap's arm as he presented to her. Her friend turned to her and smiled.
"Take it easy Kim and let Ron have some fun. Besides, it's all for a good cause. The two of you being here helps even though you aren't running."
Kim shook her head as she looked over at the older GJ agent who was one of their best friends and had come to their help when they really needed, whether they knew it or not.
"It's okay Cap. It's just not my thing. Although I think Ron will be in his element. Did I show you that video of the time he ate an entire can of potato chips at one time."
Cap laughed.
"Yeah, I have seen that one. I was reviewing some of the materials on "The Ron Factor" one day. I think he will do well today."
Kim looked up at the sign over the street. In big bright red letter read. "The 2010 Krispy Kreme Challenge."
Cap escorted Kim over to the side of the street where the race would begin. There were a lot of people getting ready for the race. Cap nodded to the sign.
"Yeah, the money raised here today will go to the Children's Hospital of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It's a really wonderful facility. They take care of a lot of kids. I hear that you and Ron have been asked to go over there after the race."
Kim nodded as she watched Ron stretch and get limbered up for the race. She was about to ask Cap another question when a familiar figure walked by.
"You not running amateur?"
Kim turned to see the smirking face of Will Du. He was dressed in running gear. She forced a smile at Will.
"No Will, I'm not running today. I think Ron is best suited for this type of thing. I take it that you are?"
Will snorted.
"If that buffoon thinks he can do it, I know that I can and faster than he can. Now, I'll show you what a real agent can do."
Will stormed past her toward the rest of the runners. Kim was about to retort when she noticed Dr. Director walking up in a running suit. Kim didn't think she had ever since the woman in civilian clothes.
"Dr. Director, are you running?"
Betty laughed.
"Oh no Kim. I wouldn't subject myself to this."
Betty turned to Cap.
"Nice to see you Kel."
Cap tipped the ends of his fingers to the brim of the hat that he wore.
"Hi Bets, what Du face doing here."
Betty snorted. Only one agent in the GJ family would call Du that. And he was the only one that Will would not say a word to when he did.
"Oh he saw somehow that Kim and Ron would be here today and he found out that Ron was running. He just had to be here to show that Agent number one is capable of doing anything."
She smiled as she looked at Kim as she finished her sentence. Cap snorted.
"OH Agent number dumb there will show everyone one thing. That's how to hurl in three languages."
Kim forced a smile down as Dr. Director joined she and Cap watching the runners get ready.
"It's funny that a race run started by students of N.C. State University and starting on the campus is going to benefit a hospital near the campus of one of their biggest rivals."
Cap chuckled.
"Yeah, they are rivals, but the kids are more important. I hear that there could be as many as 6,600 runners today."
Kim shuddered as she wrapped her arms around her.
"Remind me again what the runners do. I have trouble thinking about it."
Cap laughed.
"Sure! The race starts here on the campus. The runners run to the Krispy Kreme store that is about 2.4 miles away. When they get there, they have to eat a dozen doughnuts. Then, they have to turn back around and run back here to where the race starts. They have to do it all in an hour. Hurling is optional."
Kim squeezed her eyes shut.
"Ewwww. I am trying to get that thought picture out of my mind."
Cap laughed.
"Well, would you rather see the start, eating or the finish."
Kim didn't think for a second.
"The eating. The start is okay but I'll pass literally on the finish."
Cap laughed again.
"Okay, we'll head over to the store and get ready for them to run up and eat. Do you want to join us Bets?"
Betty nodded.
"Why not. It's a nice day and the company will be pleasant. I accept."
Cap pulled his keys from his pocket.
"Just be thankful Kim."
Kim looked over at him as the three of them started to jog away from the start back to his Jeep parked a couple of blocks away.
"Be thankful for what?"
Kim nearly lost her stride when Cap answered.
"Be thankful you are not on the street cleanup crew on the way back from the Krispy Kreme store. Do the math. There are 6,600 runners. They will be eating a dozen doughnuts each. That's 79,200 doughnuts. If only twenty percent of the runners don't make it back to the finish line with all one dozen doughnuts in their stomach. That means they were deposited somewhere along the way."
Kim shuddered at the thought.
Kim, Betty and Cap sat in some chairs that he had provided. She had been given a spot inside the perimeter since she was Kim Possible and that her partner and boyfriend was running in the race. She raised her binoculars and glanced down the road to watch for Ron. Cap glanced at his watch.
"They should be coming into view any time now."
A group of runners came into view and made their way to the stack of boxes holding a dozen of the sweet sugary piece of heaven. The runners grabbed a bottle of water, tore open their boxes and began to eat. Kim turned her attention back to the road to look for Ron. He came running around another group of runners and made his way up the road and into the eating area. He waved at her as he picked up his bottle of water and his box of doughnuts. Du showed up about thirty seconds later and grabbed his items.
Kim watched in pride and some disgust as he picked up four doughnuts at one time, smashed them flat into a giant doughnut sandwich and began to take giant bites. He washed the bite down with a slug of water. Within three bites he had devoured his first four. He repeated the process of smashing down four doughnuts, and eating the stack in three bites two more times. He finished off his bottle of water and with a wave started back on the run toward the N.C. State campus. Du appeared to be copying Ron and the other runners and finished off his a few seconds after Ron. Kim shook her head as Ron ran off with a smile. She had no doubt that he would make it back with no problem. He had eaten more and done more on their missions, if you forgot about the fair and the spinning ride. Du was questionable.
"You ready to head back to the finish to pick up Ron?"
Kim turned to see Cap standing there. She shrugged.
"I thought we would hang around here for a few more minutes, then head back."
Cap nodded and walked off to talk to some of the people working with the run. Betty leaned over to Kim.
"The next summer party the GJ district has I nominate Ron to represent us in the eating contest. We will win hands down."
The two women laughed as the runners continued to run into the area, eat and run back out.
Kim pushed Ron back as he ran up to her.
"Whoa there runner guy. No hug or kiss until you shower. How was the run?"
Ron gave Kim his arm as they joined Cap on the walk back to his car. She slipped her arm through his but still keep his distance. He smiled.
"It was okay. I was near the front of the pack. I caught up with a couple of the runners when they decided to make a deposit along the side of the road in some of the trashcans left out for them. I had no problem making it all the way?"
Kim looked around.
"Where's Du?"
Ron giggled and looked over to Dr. Director.
"Mr. I am Agent Number One was last seen checking the interior of a corner trashcan. I think he wanted to inspect the inside for a bomb or something."
Dr. Director rolled her eyes.
"I guess I'll hang around here a few more minutes before I go looking for him. Good luck at the Olympics you two. Cap, come by my office on Thursday. Got a little job for you."
Cap snapped a mock salute.
"Okay Dr. Director, any hints."
Betty looked at the older agent with a twinkle in her eye.
"Bring your thermal underwear."
Cap rolled his eyes.
"Great!"
He glanced over to Kim and Ron.
"Okay Ron, lets get you back to your hotel so you and get a shower and change. Then I'll take you over to the Children's Hospital to meet the kids.
Ron grinned.
"Booooyahhhhh. Maybe the Ronster can impress the kids with my badical balloon animal skills."
Cap and Kim both rolled their eyes as they turned to head back to Cap's Jeep. Ron watched as the two walked away.
"What? I do great at balloon animals."
Be be be Beep"
Kim picked up her kimmunicator from the bed and press the button that caused Wade's face to appear on the screen.
"What's the sitch Wade?"
Wade typed on his keypad.
"Uh, is Ron around?"
Kim nodded.
"Yes he is. He is sitting here while I pack. Why?"
Wade kept typing.
"Well, we have gotten a request on the site. A major sports magazine want one of you to pose for their magazine."
Kim's hand tightened on the kimmunicator until the material it was made of creaked in protest. Kim's voice turned to ice and was hard as steel.
"Wade! I have mentioned this before. I am not some object for someone to oggle.?
Wade started to say something but Kim interrupted him.
"No Wade. I am not going to put some outfit on that has about as much cloth as a handkerchief and thin as a Kleenex."
Wade opened his mouth.
"Uh Kim."
Kim paced back and forth across the room.
"When we people learn that I am me! I am a person and not some SL..."
Wade's voice screamed through the speaker.
"KIM!"
Kim stopped pacing and screamed at Wade.
"WHAT?"
Wade settled down behind his keyboard.
"The offer is not for you. It's for Ron."
Kim looked as the screen, a blush crossing her face. Her voice squeaked out.
"Oh"
Wade continued.
"The magazine wants to do an article on Ron and have him pose for a number of photos in his suit at some of the venues. The pictures will be used in an article about a selected number of men participating in the Olympics. They wanted Ron because he really people are really asking a lot of questions about him now and they think generate a lot of interest. Plus there are quite a few Ron Stoppable fan clubs popping up everywhere."
Ron grinned an pumped his arm in the air.
"They want me. Badical!"
He quickly dropped his arm.
"Uh, I'll have to say no Wade."
Kim whirled around.
"RON? Why?"
Ron bowed his head.
"They don't seem to want you in the article. We decided that we would not take on any photo shoots or interviews unless we both were included. Besides, it sounds like they want me to pose in my suit because..."
Kim stepped over and got down on her knees in front of him. She took his hands in her. She spoke quietly to him.
"Ron, I know what we said. But, that was then. Everyone was just was ignoring you then. This is different. You are getting the recognition you deserve. I want you to do this. Besides you will be wearing your suit. That's more than our mission clothes "
An evil grin crossed her face.
"Besides, I will be first in line to buy a copy."
Ron sighed a looked at her.
"I hear what you are saying Kim, and it's pretty badical that you are thinking like that. But...but I can't help but think that we are being a little two faced here. I mean that it's not alright for someone to look at you and look only at your body, but it's alright for them to do the same to me? What are we saying if we okay this."
Kim bowed her head.
"You are right Ron. I go off like I did as if someone wanted me to pose, yet I think it's okay for you."
Ron nodded. Kim took a breath and continued.
"But, this time they are covering you AS you. Then they will take the pictures."
She paused for a moment.
"Maybe, next time if an offer comes in for me just like this, I will accept. I guess I need to grow up a little and come down off my own soapbox and not be so uptight about things. Deal?"
Ron nodded. Kim gave him a quick kiss then turned back to the Kimmunicator.
"Tell them yes Wade, and that we will see them at the Olympics. By the way, has this been cleared by the network?"
Wade nodded on the screen.
"Yep, when the magazine contacted the network on some suggestions of people to cover, Ron was one of the people that they wanted covered. I'll let them know. If I don't talk to you before, have a good flight to Vancouver. Wade out."
Kim and Ron looked at each other for a few moments then started to giggle. Kim stood up as she pulled him to his feet. She gazed into his eyes for a moment then pulled his face to hers. She gently brushes his lips with hers before whispering "I'm proud of you."
"We're almost ready to land KP."
Kim opened her eyes as she raised her head from his shoulder. Blinking her eyes, she looked around as a number of the passengers around them put their things in the bags they had carried on board. Her eyes started to pop as the plane started to descend. She stretched her arms to loosen up her shoulders. As she lowered them her right arm came down over Ron's shoulder and down to his waist. She leaned over him slightly and looked out the small window of their plane. The sun shown brightly on the snow covered countryside. Vancouver was spread you below them.
They had boarded their flight in New York that morning facing the nearly five hour flight direct to their destination. There were a few reporters and camera crews that followed them from school to the airport. They really didn't get in the way, but enough to be annoying. The network had sent them a number of outfits similar to those that the athletes would be wearing. Right now all of that was packed in their luggage. They had on normal street clothes for right now. They didn't want to stand out anymore than they already did. Being one of the "hot" couples of the world had it's drawbacks.
Settling back into her seat, Kim started to put her magazine that was in her lap in her backpack that was under the seat in front of her. Ron put his MP3 player and headset into his bag and sat back looking out the window. After putting her backpack back under the seat in front of her Kim settled back down in her seat and took his hand. He turned to face her.
"Excited KP?"
Kim raised his hand to her lips and kissed it.
"Yeah, I am. How about you?"
Ron nodded.
"Yeah, I am too. This is gonna be something a little different. But as long as we are doing this together I can deal with it."
Kim smiled as she laid her head back on the headrest. Ron reached up with his other and on put it on top of hers.
"Do you know where we will be staying?"
Kim shrugged.
"I hear they have a place for us in the Olympic Village. They wanted us to be near the athletes and the venues."
They felt the tires of the plane bump against the ground and felt the slight push forward as the plane slowed quickly. Only a few minutes passed until the seat belt sign went off with a two tone chime. They were near the front so it was not long until they were able to step out of their seats with their backpacks and join the other travelers in the aisle to leave the plane. After walking up the Jetway they entered the concourse and started to follow the signs for customs and baggage.
Kim dug into her bag and pulled our her well-worn passport as well as her NEXUS card. Ron pulled his from the pocket of his pants. Since they were not on a mission, they didn't use their GJ id's, which would have gotten them straight through any security point. But they had decided before hand that using the id's while not on a mission would be asking for special treatment. So, they would go through the lines just like everyone else.
Kim handed the custom's agent her Nexus card and Passport. The woman's eyes grew big just for a moment when she realized who was standing in front of her.
"Well, nice to have you visiting with us Miss Possible. I heard that you would be here at the games."
Kim smiled.
"Thank you. Ron and I are looking forward to it."
The woman nodded as she handed Kim back her papers and waved of the next person in line. Kim met Ron as he made his way through the custom's point. They linked arms and headed for the baggage claims area. Several of the fellow travelers were already there waiting. Also waiting were a number of news reporters with their cameramen. All of them charged toward Kim and Ron as they made their way to the baggage area.
"Miss Possible, Miss Possible. What do you think of the Vancouver area? Will you be working on any missions while you are here in Canada? What events will you be covering? Do you have any favorites? Will you be meeting anyone while here in Canada? Do you have any favorite athletes that you would like to meet?"
Kim and Ron stop for a moment as the barrage of questions continued. They waited for a moment until Kim raised her hand.
"Ron and I have only been here for less than an hour, but everything has been nice so far. Other than that we will not be answering any questions. We want to get our luggage and get to our rooms so that we can unpack and rest. We had a long flight and both of us need some sleep. There will be a news conference at the Olympic village at a later date. Check with the Olympic officials. Now, if you don't mind we would like to get through and get to the Village."
The reporters started yelling questions when janitor came through with a mop and large bucket. The bucket upended and flooded the floor under the reporters soaking their feet. Several of them slipped and fell as Kim and Ron watched. The janitor moved around the group and bumped into Km and Ron forcing them into a closet. Kim pushed him away and threw a punch. The punch was blocked when a gravely voice came to her ears.
"Now that's not a nice way to greet a friend."
Kim's eyes grew wide as she recognized the voice.
"JOE?"
Ron grinned.
"BADICAL! IT'S JOE!"
Joe, smiled back at them.
"The Canadian Global Justice unit welcomes you to Canada. Your luggage has already been picked up and is waiting for you outside. Sorry, I wish I could have been faster and met you before the reporters got to you. But there was a stopped up toilet in the Mens' rest room near the Food Court. Now if you will follow me."
Joe led them out a back door and down a service hall to another set of doors. As they went out, the cold air hit them. Joe opened the back door to a car sitting there waiting for them.
"The driver knows where you are to go and your luggage is already on the way there. I hope you enjoy your stay in Canada."
Before either of them could say thank you the Canadian agent disappeared and the car pulled out. They looked at each other and laughed. Settling back in the seat of the car, Kim snuggled up against Ron and enjoyed the view outside as the car made it's way through traffic.
Just a few notes here. The Krispy Kreme challenge is a real race run each year. Although I have never been to one I have heard a lot about it. I thought it fit Ron just right. Cap was there to lead them through and yes I drive a Jeep.
The NEXUS card is something used by people that cross the U.S. Canadian border a lot. It is for people who are not problems for security and have been checked out before. It helps to speed the process of going through customs.
I thought Joe was an interesting addition to the story line as he is a Canadian spy and has worked with Kim and Ron before. It just seems right that the Canadian government would want him around when they came in.
I hope that you are enjoying the story. Please leave a review. I would appreciate it.
This is the Captain
Roger and out
Right hand salute.