Ron looks up at the caution tape and the multiple "closed for repairs" signs across the doors of Bueno Nacho. A dramatic wail leaves his lips as he launches himself at the doors, grasping desperately at the handles.
"BUENO NACHOOOO! What did they do to you?"
Kim leans down next to him and pats him on the shoulder reassuringly.
"Awwh Ron, you know, they had to close it down for repairs after what happened with the Diablo dolls."
"I know." He sighs and lifts himself up from the ground. "It just gives me flashbacks to going back and seeing it in the future when Shego took over. All those Nacos, uneaten."
His stomach grumbles as a reply, in sync with Rufus's sad sigh and nod in agreement.
"Come on guys, don't worry. It'll be open in a few weeks, and you can all eat the Nacos you want."
"All those Nacos…" Ron's voice trails off as a dreamy look takes over his eyes.
"But, unfortunately right now, English class waits for no one."
Kim takes Ron's hand in hers as they head to Kim's car to drive back to class. With a click of her keys, and seat belts locked in, they drive off towards Middleton High. The memory of a broken down Bueno Nacho still lingered on Ron's mind, however, as they step out of the car and walk down the hallways.
"Do you think Mr. Barkin would understand if I mentioned I lost a family member?"
"Do you consider the restaurant family?"
"I mean, this shop has treated me better than cousin Shaun ever did."
"Unfortunately, I don't think a corporation counts as a family member, but hey, there's always Rufus. He's practically a bona fide actor."
She gestures to the naked mole rat on Ron's shoulder. Rufus slicks back his non-existent fur, as he winks at the two of them before whipping out a pair of sunglasses to put on his face.
"Thanks buddy, but it's just not the same."
"Awwh Ron, tell you what, how about we go on a date this week?"
"A date?"
Ron pauses in his steps to look at Kim, who he slowly realizes is his brand-new girlfriend. He grabs her shoulders and begins shaking her in excitement.
"Oh my god Kim, we can go on dates now!"
"Yes, yes we can! Now-" She takes Ron's hands off her and looks at him affectionately.
"Maybe we can go somewhere special this weekend. I know this new restaurant that just opened up somewhere."
"KP, let me take over the date planning duties. I can handle this."
"Are you sure? I wanted to help you cause you're heartbroken over Bueno Nacho."
"Thinking about what to do would help distract my mind! Besides-" A shy expression takes over his face. "It's the least I can do for you."
"Awwh Ron."
She gives him a quick peck on the lips before they each head to their English class where Mr. Barkin was surely planning their demise. However, darker things were lurking elsewhere in Middleton.
:::
Gemini clicks through the TV channels, bored and empty of ideas to upstage his younger sister. After the last time he tried to overtake her by kidnapping the one blonde kid, it backfired on him when the real target turned out to be the naked mole rat. By then, however, his sister has moved on from observing the actions of the trio of Kim and Ron and Rufus to helping people around the world. Her current objective, according to his team, was to help people to speak their minds and ask for support.
Ironic when she never asked him if he needed support, but when did he and his sister last care for each other anyway?
Suddenly, the image of a run down restaurant and the babblings of the reporter on the TV screen caught his eye.
"Behind me are the rundown remains of Bueno Nacho, all around the world. A mess left behind by the Diablos Dr. Drakken used to cause chaos, but with Bueno Nacho's new CEO, the company is hoping to return to back to normal. Isn't that right, ?"
The reporter points her microphone to the small mustachioed man next to her.
"Yes, but we are hoping with our construction crew and staff, everything will be back to normal by next month! There may even be a new surprise item for our customers!"
"Oh, what sort of surprise?"
"We are planning to release a new secret sauce! It will blow everyone away!"
Mr. Gomez whips out a small bright red sauce packet with the words "EXTRA SPICY IF YOU DARE!" written across it.
"It's a special recipe I developed, which I keep close with me always."
He briefly taps his breast pocket before continuing with fervent excitement.
"It's so spicy, it makes your tongue numb and you won't be able to speak for weeks!"
The reporter and laughs at this before a solemn expression takes over his face.
"I'm serious though, this will burn your tongue. Anyone who wishes to try this sauce will have to sign a consent form. However, for those of you who do, there is a 100 dollars reward for the first 10 able to handle this sauce without passing out!"
Gemini watches all of this as a grin slowly grows on his face. Pepe sits in his lap half asleep, content under Gemini's hands petting him. Not for long, however, as Gemini stands up in excitement, as his mind begins to tinker with a new evil plan.
"Yes, yes! This may just work! All I need to do is get that sauce, and my sister and her nobodies of Global Justice-"
Pepe begins shaking and trembling with fear as he looks around.
"Don't worry Pepe, they're not here. Shhh, my sweet angel. But, yes, if I get that man, all I need is the recipe and soon my sister will be helpless and unable to speak against me! Then maybe Mom will finally see how I should be the favorite child, unlike Miss Valedictorian wah wah."
Mr. Gomez picks up Pepe and then pets him gently before walking into the darkness of his lair, ready with orders for henchmen.
:::
Meanwhile, in the Stoppables' residence, a familiar redhead looks on as her boyfriend tries on a variety of outfits.
"Ron, it's so not the drama. You don't have to worry about dressing up nice. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen you worry this much."
"KP, but this is for our first date. I have to make it perfect."
A flurry of clothes comes out of his closet, with Kim dodging each piece of clothing with precision. Rufus stands behind her, covering his eyes out of fear of being covered by a stray t-shirt.
"Ron, it'll be alright, don't worry." She moves to reassure him more, when her Kimmunicator buzzes, interrupting her thoughts.
Kim pulls it out to see Wade typing frantically on his computer. "What's the sitch Wade?"
"Kim, Ron, you'll not believe what just happened!"
Ron peeks his head out of his closet. "Did Bueno Nacho finally return my calls on how to upgrade the Naco?"
Wade sighs. "No, but you're not too far from it, Ron."
An image of Mr. Gomez with his mouth gagged with cloth and frantic eyes shows up on the screen, with Gemini off in the corner grinning maniacally.
"Gemini is back and he just kidnapped Bueno Nacho's new CEO Mr. Gomez."
Ron immediately stands up and grabs the Kimmunicator to look more closely at the image. "It's one thing to kidnap me, but to kidnap the CEO of Bueno Nacho? That's going too far! We have to stop him."
Kim takes back the device from Ron. "But, what does Gemini want with Bueno Nacho?"
Wade's fingers fly on his keyboard. "From my research, it looks to be connected to the new sauce that Bueno Nacho plans to release next month."
Ron immediately grabs Kim's shoulders, shaking her in excitement. "KP, it's the new EXTRA SPICY sauce! The one that makes your tongue numb and unlocks new senses unknown to man."
Kim couldn't help but smile at her boyfriend's excitement. "So, we have to stop him from getting this sauce?"
"I'll send you the coordinates to his new lair location and get you a ride."
"Thanks Wade."
She puts away her Kimmunicator to turn to see Ron nearly bouncing in excitement.
"KP, this may be the first mission where we get to help ememthe/em/em Bueno Nacho! How cool is that? Do you think they'll name another new menu item after me after all this is over?"
"Easy there pretty boy, we still have to take a ride to the lair first."
Ron pauses as he processes what she just said, his cheeks slowly turning pink. "Did you just call me a pretty boy?"
Kim grins as she takes his hand in hers as they head off to the airport for their mission. "The prettiest."