Special thanks to Boris Yeltsin, ZorpoxTheConqueror, CajunBear73, Eddy13, Sentinel103, campy, JCS1966, Mr. Wizard, VizeerLord, bigherb81, Katsumara, Reader101w, Quathis, Man of Faith, Yamal, TexasDad, Molloy, Sharper the Writer, RonHeartbreaker, and whitem for reviewing and to everyone for reading.

As ever, leave a review and I'll send a reply.

My thanks to campy for proofing this chapter.

KP © Disney

I.

"Man, this place has villain central written all over it," Ron said as he surveyed the impressive collection of Gothic architecture.

"Ronald, this is the most prestigious university in England," observed a surprised James.

"Oh, sure, that's what they want you to believe," he replied. "Swank U by day, evil academy by night."

Kim quirked an eyebrow. "Overreacting much?"

"C'mon, KP. Just look at those turrets! And those gargoyles! You're seriously going to tell me that you can't see Monkey Fist up on that tower going on about being the Supreme Monkey Master or maybe Duff Killigan taking a few drives?"

Kim smirked. "Well, if you put it that way," she said.

"I do," Ron said, his arms folded akimbo.

"Yeah," Rufus agreed, eliciting an affectionate roll of the eyes from Kim.

"Possible villainous alumni aside, Kimmie-cub, what do you think?" James asked.

Kim looked around the quadrangle, taking in the ancient buildings, the immaculate lawn, the great oaks, and sighed. "It's great, Dad. It's exactly what I hoped it would be when I applied."

"There's a 'but' coming, isn't there?" he said knowingly.

Nodding, Kim took Ron's hand, then her father's. "After a trip to space and a trip through time, I don't want to be too far away from my BF or my family."

"Then where do you think you want to go?" James asked.

"Honestly?" Kim shrugged before admitting, "I don't know."

II.

"I still can't believe you forgot to press the send button," a peeved Ron said. "That's the kind of thing I'm supposed to do!"

"Mistakes happen, Stoppable. Get over it. Now get up there and start counting," Steve Barkin snapped as he hooked a thumb at the imposing ziggurat of Vienna sausage cases.

"Mistakes happen? Get over it?" an incredulous Ron parroted. "Hello! This is my future we're talking about."

"Your future?" Barkin snorted. "It's not as if there's much to talk about—I told you: it's downhill from high school. Now stop your yapping and start your climbing."

"Nuh uh," said Ron as he stood his ground. "It's not like you can order me around anymore. I've got a diploma."

"True, but I've got seniority. Now move out."

"Actually, seniority is irrelevant in this situation."

Surprised by the unexpected observation, Ron and Barkin turned to see none other than Martin Smarty standing in the doorway. Barkin snapped to attention while Ron looked confused. "Sir?"

Smarty, smiling, extended his hand to Ron. "Congratulations, Ronald."

"On what?"

"Your promotion."

Barkin twitched.

"You have a problem with that, mister?" Smarty asked with a coolness that Ron hoped never to experience.

"No sir!" a ramrod-straight Barkin replied.

"Good," Smarty said before he returned his attention to Ron. "Son, you've been a great employee. Conscientious, industrious, creative—cohabiting the cats and turtles was brilliant; that's the kind of outside-of-the-box thinking I like in an Assistant Manager."

"Assistant Manager?" Ron asked. "Of what? The pet department?"

Smarty chuckled. "You've got a great sense of humor, too. You're going to be assistant manager of the whole Middleton Smarty Mart!"

"For real?" a disbelieving Ron asked.

"For real!" a clearly proud Martin Smarty answered. And while the CEO anticipated his protégé's reaction—surprise mixed with pleasure—he was not prepared for Steve Barkin's, which was to faint …

III.

"Promise me you won't let your new position go to your head," Kim said as she and Ron strolled through the mall towards Club Banana.

"Moi?" he asked.

"Need I remind you of the Bueno Nacho bathroom cleaning schedule?"

"Have no fear, KP. Ron Stoppable is older, wiser, more savvy in the art of management."

Kim cocked an eyebrow.

"Okay, I promise not to permanently exile Mr. Barkin to the bathroom."

"Thanks," Kim said before adding, "I'm so proud of you."

"You just like the accessorizing," Ron said.

Kim stopped and adjusted the knot of her BF's new Smarty Mart manager's tie. "Well, the hockey jersey was getting clichéd."

"Clichéd? It's the essence of Ron Stoppable! It's my signature look!"

"Ron, you wore it just about every day senior year. It's time for a new signature look," she said as she led him toward Club Banana.

"Are you sure about this, KP?" he asked nervously.

"Trust me. I know what's best for you," she said as she led him by the hand into the store.

IV.

"Turn around," Kim ordered and Ron did as requested. "What do you think, Monique?"

"The boy cleans up nicely," she said approvingly.

"Can we go now?" he whined.

"In a moment," Kim said. "There's just one more thing I want you to try on."

"Kim, I know I just got a promotion, but all of this threadage is going to wipe me out."

"No it won't," she said. "I'm treating. Or more accurately, Bonnie is."

"Wait a minute," Ron said. "You're blowing your bonus on me?"

"It's no big."

"But what about you? I thought you'd want to get some new things."

With a knowing grin, Kim observed, "Something tells me that after the shrink ray incident on Senior Island, I'll have a chance to ring up another big sale to Bonnie. Now into that dressing room, Mr. Stoppable."

"Yes, Ma'am," Ron said in surrender.

A few moments later he emerged wearing the clothes Kim asked him to don, only to find she had changed, too.

"Yes!" a most satisfied Monique exulted. "Team Possible is stylin'!" Ron was wearing a set of mission clothes that matched Kim's.

"So, what do you think?" Ron asked.

Kim wrapped her arms around her BF's neck. "Purple so suits you," she purred.

"Yeah?" Ron replied. "So, not that the Rondo has any problems with the matching duds, but what gives?"

"We're partners, remember?" she said. "I thought it was time we looked it."

"Coolio!" Ron said as he held Kim close. "Kind of like the Fearless Ferret, Wonder Weasel and Ferretgirl!"

Kim smirked fondly. "Not quite how I'd put it, but yes," she said as she brought her lips close to Ron's.

Monique cleared her throat. "I think I'll leave you two lovebirds alone for a moment."

"Thanks, Mo," Kim said without looking at her friend. She moved in for a kiss. And then, of course, the Kimmunicator beeped. Kim groaned, pulled away from Ron, and activated the screen. "What's the stich?" she asked, not hiding her frustration.

"I interrupted you guys again, didn't I?" he said sheepishly. Kim's expression offered Wade all the answer he needed. "Sorry."

Kim sighed. "It's alright. It's not like you plan these things."

"Yeah," Ron added with a laugh, "It's not like you've got us chipped or something."

Kim gulped while Wade choked on the soda he was drinking and looked away from the screen.

Ron looked curiously at Kim for a moment. Then his eyes narrowed. "Okay, Ron Stoppable may not be the most perceptive guy on the block, but I think we need to talk."

Kim took a deep breath. "Fair enough. After we deal with the villain," she said before adding hopefully, "There is a villain, Wade, isn't there?"

"Two, actually. Though they're new to me."

"So how long have I been chipped?" Ron asked, not ready to be put off.

"Not now," said Kim, preferring to have this particular conversation when she was better prepared. "What can you tell us about the bad guys, Wade?"

"This is going to sound strange, but one of them looks like an English butler."

The image of a familiar mutton-chopped valet appeared on screen.

"Bates," Kim said. "And the other?"

TBC …