A/N

Been awhile. Hope it's worth the wait. I've decided to spend a little more time (and fun) in Middleton then I first plotted out. What this means is a few more chapters for you fine folks. If you choose to have it. Special thanks to Joe Stoppengheim for making this chapter at least presentable.

"What about this?"

Ron ran his hand through his hair as Kim shoved a DVD case under his nose. He grabbed the DVD studied the summary on the back and then he placed it back on the DVD rack.

"Or we can try to find something entertaining" he told her.

"OK, we've been at Blockbuster for over twenty minutes, why don't you suggest something?"

"Showgirls?"

Kim wrinkled her nose "strike one."

Ron glanced down the row of videos "Back to the Future?"

"How old are you again?"

"Bricks of Fury VII"

Kim contemplated this and nodded sagely, "oh I get it now you are not a fan of films"

Ron leaned closer to her, "do I detect movie snobbery."

"Excuse me for liking films with substance."

"I like films with substance; substances like explosions, genetically enhanced sharks, and serial killers who haunt your dreams."

Kim snatched a DVD from the shelf "what about this? It won an independent movie award."

Ron scanned the title "an English historical piece. Let me guess, main character loves the main girl but she's engaged to another, they wear fancy clothes and go to a ball, they brush against each other in a lonely corridor and then we're supposed to cry."

"There's much more to the story that that."

"Sure let's get it. And when it's done we'll talk about our feelings over hot cocoa."

Kim let out a sigh "I read an article that stated most men enjoy romantic movies as much as women do."

"That's interesting because I read an article that said most men are liars, go figure."

"Alright compromise," she handed him a copy of The Princesses Bride.

A smile came to Ron's face, "oh ho what happened to all the film talk?"

"I don't know what you're talking about. This is an effective fairytale with a satirical edge geared towards adults."

"Suuuuuuure," he teased.

"Alright that's one movie down, two to go."

Ron followed Kim down the Action/Adventure aisle, "y'know the giant rodents in The Princess Bride were actually little people inside rat suits. Remember that fight scene with the giant rat; the actor in that rat got arrested, he had to be bailed out of jail by the filmmakers so the scene could be filmed."

Kim glanced over her shoulders, "why do you know that?"

"Misspent youth, my mind is a catalog of useless knowledge."

"Is there really such a thing as useless knowledge?"

"oH tlhIngan Hol DajatlhlaH 'e' DaneH'a'?"

Kim appeared taken aback, "what in the world was that?"

"I just said, "So you want to speak Klingon?" in Klingon"

Kim nodded, "I stand corrected."

"Of course you do."

Ron stopped abruptly. Kim watched as he picked a movie up and stared at it for a moment or so. After putting the movie down he looked as if he were about to say something but he then immediately seemed to reconsider it.

"Why don't you just say it?"

"Huh?"

"Just say whatever it is you want to say."

"What are you talking about?"

"This isn't the first time I've seen you do this. You even draw in a breath and open your mouth. But then you blink once or twice and nothing comes out. I think you're editing yourself. I thought we were friends?"

"I don't edit myself."

"Yes, you do. You actually cut yourself off allot, and I should know I've been paying extra close attention to you lately."

"Why?"

"Because…." Kim replied.

Ron awaited an answer for a moment "because what?"

"You know what; we probably shouldn't be having this conversation at Blockbuster."

Ron sighed in relief as Kim brushed past him.

"What is it about Blockbuster that makes couples fight in here," remarked a Blockbuster employee as he added new videos to the shelves. "Maybe it's the color scheme."

Ron shook his head, "um you got it wrong dude, we're not a couple. She's not my girlfriend."

Before the teen employee could reply Kim suddenly returned, "are you uncomfortable talking to me, because I thought we were kind of strong on the communication front."

"Wait a sec. Didn't you just say we shouldn't be having this conversation at Blockbuster."

"Tell me what you're thinking," she said

"What?"

"Right now, tell me what you're thinking right now."

Ron paused, "I'm thinking about politics."

"You're a terrible liar."

"I am not."

"Why the long pause then?"

"…………………………………What pause?"

"Alright fine, let's drop it then."

Ron sighed again as she brushed past him for the second time in a matter of minutes. He ran his hands across his face and glanced back at the video clerk, "she's not my girlfriend."

"Are you sure?"

"All right what did I do wrong?" Ron asked as he chased Kim past the westerns .

"Heaven forbid I might want to know what makes Ron Stoppable tick."

"There aren't enough psychiatrists in the world," Ron muttered under his breath.

"Ron if you told me you felt uncomfortable talking about certain things I would understand; if you were shy and reserved, I would understand. But I've noticed that you're a little inconsistent with it all."

Ron leaned silently against a wall as Kim skimmed through the musicals. Then solemnly he said, "it involved vampires."

Kim turned to face him, "hmmm?"

"I saw Bram Stroker's Dracula on the shelf and I started thinking about vampires. See besides garlic the typical weapons against vampires are what? Holy water and the Cross right? So it dawned on me that unless I am in a pizza restaurant or in the woods, as a sort of Jewish guy I have no chance against a vampire. We have no natural weapons against vampires, in fact no other religions do. A vampire shows up in India what are they going to do, throw a statue of Vishnu at him? What I've been wondering is what about the Egyptian Ankh I mean it's got the shape, but does it have the power--

Ron froze as if he had been caught in an embarrassing act. He lifted his head up slowly to glance at Kim who smiled at him appealingly.

He groaned, "see!"

"What?"

"I saw it, these are experienced eyes Kim. I know the, "what the heck is he talking about" look when I see it."

"Well….OK, admittedly it was unusual--

"See!"

"--but who cares? I don't want you to feel like you need to watch what you say around me."

"KP, I just don't blurt out what's on my mind for good reasons."

"Like what?"

Ron avoided her gaze, "I prefer to keep some things secret."

Kim smiled brightly, "well, now you're challenging me aren't you? I am going to make it my mission to cause you to lapse, and open yourself open"

"Number one, I am looking at your eyes and you're getting a little too excited about this, it is a tad scary. Number two, you would be wasting your time and energy."

"We'll see about that," she replied.

Was she grinning?

"And what is that supposed to mean?"

"It means I'll get you to talk somehow."

"Ha, from now on I am like Fort Knox, baby."

"Oh? What if in exchange for your secrets, I'll offer to go out with you."

Ron tripped on an invisible bump in the carpet and knocked a few movies off the shelves.

Kim let out a playful laugh, "I am just kidding, but I think I've proven my point."

Ron glanced up at her briefly as he snatched DVD's off the ground, "you are assuming of course, that I want to go out with you."

She shrugged, "I suppose I am."

Kim watched quietly as Ron replaced the movies. When he was done they walked along the aisle of new releases in amiable yet awkward silence. Eventually they both came to the same conclusion that it was time to change the subject.

"How about Jaws?" He blurted out, failing in an attempt to sound causal and relaxed.

"I have no problem with Jaws," she replied quickly. "I wouldn't mind seeing it again."

Ron awoke with a start.

There was a pounding in his head. It was a familiar feeling that was usually attributed to a lack of sleep.

He laid there for awhile in the softness of the; he glanced around….the softness of the carpet; unable to figure out where he was. The air smelled of potpourri, chocolate bars and pizza sauce. Surreal wisps of memory sifted through his consciousness

Popcorn….movies…..laughter…..giant rats…..inconceivable!….someone's head resting lightly on his shoulder.

As Ron lay on the ground he heard a pounding from the front door and realized what had awoken him. It grew louder as he picked himself up off the floor. Still caught in the fogs of sleep, he stumbled towards the front door and pulled it open.

Ron focused his eyes and managed to mutter, "ya.'"

He yawned and noticed that the stranger before him seemed to be taken aback by his appearance.

The stranger bit his lip and put out his hand, "My name is Ken Chaney, I was wondering if Kim was home. I am a classmate of hers."

Classmate? Kim?

Ron stepped out of the house and stood beside Ken. He turned towards the doorway and looked it over.

"This isn't my house," he proclaimed.

Ron then felt a quick stab of anxiety. He asked Ken to excuse him before rushing back into the house. He sprinted into the living room and found Kim asleep on the couch. He thought about it for a while and it wasn't hard for him to visualize that they had both fallen asleep and he had rolled onto the carpet.

He tapped her lightly on the shoulder, "hey, KP."

Her eyes fluttered open, "Ron?"

"Yeah, I'm surprised to find that I am still here too. Its morning, we must have fallen asleep in front of the television."

"Oh," Kim shifted on the couch and stretched her body out. "That's alright we're going to Middleton today anyway so--"

"Listen KP, do you know which one of us fell asleep first?"

She stared curiously at him, "what does it matter?"

"It'll be less awkward if I fell asleep first."

"Why?"

"You're not answering the question Kim."

"I think I fell asleep first," she replied.

Ron moaned, "I should have gone home, I'm sorry."

"Sorry for?"

"For um," he paused as he ran his hand across the back of his neck. "Encroaching on your….personal boundaries?"

"Boundaries? I invited you over to watch movies at my house."

"Yes but you didn't invite me to saw logs on you carpet," Ron countered. "See when I go to sleep my policy on pants becomes flexible."

"Are you saying you undress in your sleep?"

"It's rare but it happens. I've also been known to on occasion sleep walk, sleep eat, and sleep microwave."

"Is that all?"

"And according to some credible sources sometimes my body moves about in urgent fashion………. and I may or may not grope the nearest object."

Kim's eyebrow arched high up into her forehead, "...what?"

"I am just saying that if anything weird happened it wasn't me; it was years of emotional trauma affecting my sleeping habits."

"What kind of trauma?"

"The traumatic kind, you know how it is."

"Actually I don't know how it is."

"The bottom line here is that I'm sorry.'

"OK," Kim sat up on the couch. "Maybe you should try and consider the fact that I trust you enough to fall asleep beside you."

"I can see that," Ron nodded. "Or alternatively, maybe you're just being polite and you're masking your vast disappointment in me abusing your trust."

Kim yawned, "you're a tad pessimistic aren't you?"

"I am what I is."

Ron once again heard light knocking coming from the front door. "Oh I forgot; someone at the front door is here to see you. He says he's a classmate of yours."

"Really?" Kim picked herself off couch; pulling her drapes back she peeked out the window.

Ron came up behind her and they both discreetly stared out the window.

"Who is he?" he asked.

"I am not sure. He seems familiar."

Ron glared at the Ken who was wearing a dark gray blazer with khakis "Poster boy for Business Casual monthly. How do you not know this guy?"

"I think I do remember him vaguely."

"Geez check out his watch. Having him just stand there is bringing the property value up."

"I think I remember something about Monique commenting on his shoes; something about them being fabulous."

"I can't compete with that," Ron sighed.

Kim turned to him.

"I wasn't talking about you; I was talking about in general" Ron told her matter--of--factly.

"Are you OK?" Kim asked

"I don't usually wake up this early I'm a little sleep deprived."

She turned back to the window, "anyway, I've got to at least run some water across my face and swig some mouthwash. Distract him until I get back."

"Can do."

Kim darted to the bathroom and Ron shuffled back to the front door.

"KP will be with you in sec."

"KP?" Ken clucked.

Ken glanced past Ron into the house. Ron briefly wondered if he should invite Ken inside. But it wasn't his house and he had been told to distract.

Distract him? How?

"Um," Ron peered down at Ken's footwear. "Those are some fabulous shoes"

"Fabulous?" Ken's semi sneer transformed into a smile.

"Yeah um" Ron averted his gaze. "They're quite fashionable."

"Yeah fashionable, right" Ken smiled. "You would know a bit about fashion wouldn't you?"

Ron was confused but he decided to roll with it.

"Sure. I love the way your um, collar, is wrapped around your neck. That's very in this year."

Before Ken could say another word Kim sidled up beside Ron, "hello."

Ron took this as his cue to ease himself out of the conversation and back into the house. He then made a beeline to the kitchen. He weighed the pros and cons and decided that he wanted to surprise Kim with a surprise breakfast. He popped open the fridge and began to scrounge around.

A few minutes later Kim entered the kitchen and found Ron flipping pancakes

"You're cooking breakfast?"

"Surprise," he said. "I can make a little more if Ken is going to stay over."

"No he's gone; he just wanted to partner up with me on this team project."

"Oh."

"I declined his offer," she said quickly. "I don't need any partners. I am going to run solo on this one."

"Ah, isn't it a team project?"

Kim waved her hand in the air dismissively, "yeah, but I can work better without the team aspect."

Ron felt the urge to point out the very obvious but thought better of it.

"So, should we clear the air about the sleepover?" She said.

"Sleepover?" his voice replied with a little higher pitch than normal. "Is that what we're calling it?"

"Why not?"

"Well for one thing we happen to be adults"

"Two mature adults watching The Princess Bride and Jaws. I wouldn't worry too much about it. We had fun so that's what counts."

"I guess that's true."

Right eyebrow cocked, Kim stared at Ron for a moment or so, "I see you've made yourself comfortable in here. I know you can make a fine lunch, but what about breakfast?"

He flipped a single pancake onto a plate and offered it to her, "you tell me. Careful though, girls and small animals have been known to swoon after tasting my pancakes."

Kim popped a piece it into her mouth.

"It's really good," she exclaimed with her eyes brightening.

"Yeah well, when I was eight, my mom got me a Granny Crocket Quickie-Bake Mixer and Oven set, the rest is history."

"I get something new out of you every day. Can I help?"

"Sure."

"Uh, I should warn you I am not much of cook."

"You can work on the eggs; you can't really screw up on eggs."

"I know who did it!" he moaned.

Kim turned to see Ron in a reclined position on the passenger's seat clutching his stomach with both hands.

"It was Miss Possible in the kitchen with the hemlock."

Kim rolled her eyes, "ah, a Clue joke, too bad there weren't any poisons in that game."

"Well there were some in my eggs this morning."

"Walked right into that one," Kim sighed.

"Yes you did."

"I said from the start I wasn't much of a cook."

"I thought you were being coy."

"Why would you think that?"

"I have poor judgment," Ron grumbled. "Oh man, my stomach just fell past my lower intestine"

Kim turned the key of the ignition, "we could continue to discuss my lack of cooking skills, or we can get on our way."

"Why can't we do both?"

Ron then fished his vibrating cell phone from his pocket. He flipped it open and spent the next few minutes staring at the screen with a perplexed look upon his face.

"OK this can't be right."

"What is it?" Kim asked.

"I've asked your brothers about how to behave around your parents and I'm getting some pretty weird info. I'm starting to think I've been wasting my time."

"When did you and my brothers become instant messaging buddies?"

Ron noted the slight agitation on Kim's face, "don't get the wrong idea they contacted me first. Yesterday I got this."

He pushed a few buttons on the phone then held it out for her to see. Kim glanced over to see a picture of herself, as a child, smiling up at the camera as she was being potty rained in the nude.

Kim drew in a sharp breath, "I'm going to kill them."

"Now Kim, double fratricide is not the answer here; besides this picture is adorable. "

"Why didn't you ask me? About me parents I mean."

Ron shrugged, "I didn't want to bother you about it, and you don't really talk about your family that much."

"Hey it's not like I am purposefully keeping secrets, like some people."

Ron made note of the irritation in her voice, "touche."

"So what did they say?"

"Your bros have advised me to wear tons of man jewelry, pretend I come from a long line of circus folk, and pinch your rear end in front of your father every hour on the hour.

"I'm going to kill them. It's going to be slow and drawn out, but I'm going to kill them," Kim muttered as she kept her eyes on the road ahead.

After a few minutes of silence Ron cleared his throat and said, "well I was thinking maybe I should ….you know…..buy a bottle of wine or something?"

"What?"

Ron gulped nervously, "your parents like wine right?"

Kim glanced at him with a smile, "are you going to propose tonight?"

He shook his head rapidly side to side, "it just seems like um the grownup thing to do."

"A bottle of wine, you want to bring a bottle of wine to my parents as a tribute?"

"I think it's kind of classy OK. I am trying to show some class….what is wrong with bringing them a bottle of wine?"

"I didn't say anything was wrong," Kim chuckled. "It's just that, no one's ever…I mean I've had people over to meet them, but no one has ever suggested, are you serious?"

"If I were a parent, I'd love it if my kid's friend brought me a bottle of wine."

"I don't know, my mom would probably be alright with it, but my dad might feel like you're trying to bribe him."

Ron blew out a breath, "OK this is good, I am going to most definitely need this kind of info if I am to dialog with your folks."

"Dialog?" Kim clucked as she tapped lightly on the steering wheel.

"Yes, I need Intel KP."

"Alright if you must know about them; in the simplest terms my dad is a rocket scientist and my mom is a brain surgeon."

Kim heard a tut and sigh before she turned to see Ron tapping his head against the windowsill.

"It's no big really," she exclaimed.

"No big? From being around you I knew they were probably accomplished but….are you sure your last name is Possible and not Huxtable?"

"So my parents are accomplished professionals, so what?"

Ron lowered his head, "if it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all."

Kim flashed him a smile, "just be yourself, you'll be fine."

Ron scoffed loudly and brought his attention to the landscape beyond the window.

"Ok I can deal for the evening," he said a moment later. "But I gotta know how you've dealt with it all these years."

"What do you mean?"

Ron ran his hands together "OK, before I went to high school, I discovered three things. My father was a highly regarded actuary, my grandfather was a highly regarded accountant and I was bad at math. So I spent the summer before high school trying to brush up on my algebra. Second worst summer of my life."

"What happened?"

"After the second worst summer of my life, a summer of which I beat myself up for not figuring out what X equals. I got to high school and I discovered I didn't care; not until my junior year anyway."

Kim ran her right hand through her hair, "well my parents never put any pressure on me."

"My folks didn't either; I put it on myself. And if I put pressure on myself then you must….."

"So!" Kim blurted out suddenly. "I've noticed you haven't deleted that picture yet."

"Which picture? The one where you're being potty trained or the one where you're wearing the Tina Turner wig."

"Both!" Kim snapped.

Ron put his hands up to surrender, "fine, your brothers were right about one thing though, you are scary when you're angry."

"I am here to see my mother, Anne Possible"

"Having no idea what to do I ended up screaming "Oh vey, somebody stole my yamika, I have to go now." I got off the floor and spent a few seconds patting my head furiously before running out of the room."

Kim turned away from the hospital receptionist and faced Ron, "that sounds like a Bris Mila, your family will never forget."

"A memory among memories KP. A few hours later my evil cousin Sean puts diablo sauce in my fruit punch. So I am standing there in the middle of the room looking like a cherry lollipop. And instead of heading to the bathroom like a rational person, I make a beeline for the pool. I swan dive in head first and I land on my Uncle-in-law, you know the one who speaks Yiddish with a Southern drawl--

Ron stopped himself when he noticed that Kim and the receptionist were staring at him.

"Um uh," he stammered. "And that's the end of the story"

"Well then, Kim you'll find your mother in room 213," the receptionist told them.

"Thank you."

"When are you going to stop?" Ron asked when they were out of earshot of the receptionist

"Stop what?" Kim asked.

"Making me tell you weird things."

"I agree that it was a strange story, but for the record I am not making you do anything," she said as they stepped into an empty elevator.

"No more embarrassing secrets. I am now a lock box. I've got a strong will Kim, as strong as an iceberg."

"How strong is an iceberg exactly?"

"Hey you don't see the Titanic strolling by anymore do you?"

They stepped out of the elevator.

"Ron, if I were to go out of my way to pry into your life. And I am not. It would only be because you are an interesting person in a messed up type of way," she said with an imperceptible smile.

"Boy you could play tennis with a backhand like that."

"And I meant every word of it. Oh before we meet up with my mom, I want to thank you for agreeing to volunteer."

He shrugged, "no problem, I kind of like the sound of being a sunshine spreader, 213 right?"

Rubbing his hands nervously Ron followed Kim into room 213 and they found themselves staring at a wrinkled, withered, and naked body.

"Hi," the old woman said nakedly.

She walked away from them and bent down to pick up a small piece of cloth on the ground.

"The worst part is that I won't be able to unremember this," Ron whispered to Kim.

Kim made an attempt to shield her eyes with her palm but she quickly brought her hands down from fear of being rude.

"Just don't stare directly at," she told Ron.

"It's making my reflux act up, but I….I can't turn away."

It took a moment for them both to realize that Anne Possible had appeared from the room's bathroom.

"Kim, you're here."

Turning her head away from the horrific scene Kim finally noticed her mother, "mom, hey."

She nudged Ron with her elbow, "mom, this is Ron."

Ron pulled his gaze away from the old woman and began to shake his head vigorously, "thank you, oh thank you, I'm finally free."

Anne approached them with a smile, "so this is the Ron I've heard so much about"

"I am very pleased to meet you Mrs….Doctor…Possible."

"Oh please, don't call me Mrs. Possible, it makes me feel old. Call me Anne."

Ron ran his right hand across the back of his neck, "sure thing Ann--Mrs….Dr….P."

Kim sighed, "this might be as informal as he can get right now. Uh mom, are we intruding on something."

She gestured towards the elderly woman who was now practicing calisthenics in the corner.

"Oh don't mind Mattie, she's a nudist."

"That is not the image of nudists that I've had since late childhood."

"Oh Ronald, I am sure you've seen your fair share of naked women before."

Ron snorted, "you'd be surprised Mrs. Dr. P."

He froze.

"Did I just say that out loud?"

Kim and Anne exchanged glances

Ron put his hands up to his shoulders, surrendering, "just to be clear I was implying that I have not seen allot of naked women….I've only seen one…excluding my mother…which was awkward because I was twelve…and I should have stopped talking twenty one words ago."

He clapped his hands together then pointed toward the door, "OK, I am going to leave."

He turned to walk away and Kim snatched him by the sleeve, "Ron, it's so not the drama."

She pulled him back into the room, "he's just nervous mom. But he'll be alright to volunteer."

"Oh that's fantastic news! Some of our regular volunteers had to cancel today."

Ron smiled, "I can't not help."

"Will you be staying with the kids or the seniors?"

It may have been his imagination but through the corner of his eyes Ron caught sight of Mattie winking at him.

"Kids, the kids. We'll take the kids!" Ron cried out.

After saying their farewells to Mattie, Kim and Ron found themselves heading towards the children's wing.

"So what are you thinking now?" she inquired.

"Right now?"

"Yes."

An exaggerated wolfish grin came to Ron's face as he watched Anne Possible walk ahead of them.

"One word, RAWR."

Kim clicked her tongue and punched Ron playfully on his shoulder.

He laughed, "What, you asked what I was thinking right?"

Kim reached into the vending machine and pulled out a bag of BBQ chips. "I shouldn't be eating these." Kim opened the bag and popped a few chips into her mouth, as she reflected on the day's events. As she dipped her hand into the bag a second time a shadow fell over the vending machine.

"Ron seems nice."

Kim turned to her mother, "we're not dating."

Anne rolled her eyes, "you are a grown woman. You are allowed to see whoever you wish."

"We're just good friends."

"Fine, but I will say this. He isn't like any of the other boys you've introduced me too."

Kim fingered her hair and smiled thoughtfully. "That's an understatement mom. But I am pretty sure that he's holding back on me a bit. I can understand why he'd be a bit apprehensive about some stuff. We haven't really known each other that long really, though sometimes I feel like we've been friends longer than we have."

"Well dear, relationships take time."

"This isn't a relationship mom."

"A friendship is a relationship honey." Anne stepped forward and pulled Kim into a tight embrace. "You seem like you're doing well, I know I haven't heard you say "so the drama" for a few years now."

"Really? Well things have been good lately, on all fronts actually."

Anne gave her daughter and extra squeeze, "we haven't talked face to face for awhile; you know you could call home more often."

"Mom you know I've been really busy lately."

"Not busy enough to make a new friend."

"Well you got me there, so you like him right?"

Anne stepped back and placed her hand beneath her chin, "well his nervousness does remind me of someone I met in college."

"Who?"

"It doesn't matter," Anne replied with a sly grin. "Why don't we go check up on him?"

"Ah you're right. Knowing Ron he is probably getting a bit overwhelmed right about now."

They entered the hospital playroom to discover about a dozen children seated in a circle in the middle of the room.

"Where's Ro--"

Kim was interrupted by the sound of someone bursting out of the closet and rolling into room. The costumed person broke out of the roll onto his feet standing proudly before the children.

"I think that's--" Anne began.

"It is I, the fierce fighter of freakish foes. These crime-ridden streets will bow to the will of the Fearless Ferret."

A small boy jumped to his feet, "you'll never catch me Fearless Ferret MWAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Ron jumped in the boy's path and pretended to karate chop the child. The boy cried out in mock horror and fell to the ground.

"Don't kill me! Don't kill me, man!"

Ron knelt over the boy "I'm not going to kill you. I want you to tell all your friends about me."

"What are you?" The boy cried.

"I'm the Fearless Ferret! I stalk the night to foil fiendish foes" Ron growled.

The seated children broke out into cheers and applause

"He's really getting into this," Kim commented as Ron pointed melodramatically into the air.

"Children, I am off to ferret-out crime wherever it may hide. But first lets all do the ferret dance."

A chorus of "na-na-na-na-na-na" filled the room as Ron led the kids in the famous dance. Ron danced his way around the room until he found himself face to face with Kim and her mother.

He swiftly pulled the fearless ferret mask off and held it sheepishly in his hands, "I uh…the kids showed me the costumes, I saw this….and I decided to put it on. You only live once right?"

Kim grinned then she placed two fingers over her face forming a mock mask, "na-na-na-na-na."

"It's been awhile but when in Rome..." Anne said as she followed her daughter's lead.

Ron chuckled softly at the sight of the two women moving around in ridiculous fashion as a pack of children danced around them.

"Are you alright?" the elder red head asked.

Ron's opened his eyes and sat up. He quickly discovered that he was on a hospital bed. "I feel like someone has been stamping on my head."

"Here drink this."

Anne offered Ron a paper cup; he accepted it graciously before gulping down its contents.

"You've slipped up on a toy car during the dance. You took a bad spill and bumped your head."

With a groan Ron reached for the bump on his head, "yeah that sounds like something I would do. Where's Kim?"

"She went to the cafeteria to get you some snacks."

He found movement difficult so he lay back down, "I feel a little woozy."

Anne smiled down at him, "that's a perfectly normal reaction. You'll be fine after some rest."

Ron moaned; his head felt cloudy and he was just a bit more than slightly confused.

"Hey Mrs. Dr. P., earlier you said you've heard about me...good things?"

"Well I've heard two different versions of things, one from Kim and the other from Jim and Tim. Rest assured they are both positive."

"That's good to know," Ron replied.

"Do you mind if I ask you a personal question Ron?"

"Shoot Doctor P."

"Do you like Kim?"

"Like Kim? Yes we have lots of fun together, like-like Kim…………no."

"Is there a reason for that?"

Ron put up two fingers, "two reasons. One I like the platonic thing. I really enjoy spending time with her. There are times I get the feeling that I've known her allot longer than I've known her. Problem is I can get too comfortable that's when my filtering system gets out of whack."

"Filtering system?"

"Mrs. P, you may be surprised to hear this, but I am far from….your average Joe….or your average rich pretty boy Joe. If I told Kim everything well…."

Ron inhaled and blurted out the sound of an explosion "……total flame-out"

"Hmmm, what was the second reason?" Anne asked.

Ron placed his right hand high in the air "this is Kim's radar."

He placed his left hand far below the right one "this is me…..flying under it. But it's all good."

"You are a cautious young man."

"I live my life like an antelope Mrs. P. I'm always looking around, checking the water for crocs, worrying where the next lion is coming from."

"I see."

Ron closed his eyes but they flickered open a second later "Mrs. Dr. P. Did I just tell you a whole bunch of stuff that I probably would have wanted to keep a secret?"

Anne coughed nervously into her fist, "I don't think so."

"Good, oh and Mrs. P., never make a bet with the Cobra commander, he'll cheat every time.

Ron then closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Kim was beginning to unpack when Ron, who had been lying down on her bed, suddenly bolted upright, "oh my God!, We treated Al gore like Jor-el and now we're paying for it!"

"What was that?"

Ron blinked rapidly before bringing his attention to Kim, "did you just say something?"

"No, you said something, something about Al Gore."

Ron gave her a look of confusion, "who's Al Gore, but more importantly where am I?"

"Wait a minute are we just going to gloss over the fact that you just woke up screaming?"

"KP, if you're going to question the logic in everything I do, our friendship won't ever progress."

"Fine whatever, FYI you're in my old room."

"I'm in your house? When did I get here?"

"You don't remember? We got here about a half hour ago. That bump must have really done a number on you."

"Oh." Ron scanned the immediate area, "so this where the magic happened eh?"

"Define magic," Kim said as she absentmindedly held her book bag upside down over her bed.

She gasped suddenly as a plush doll fell out of her bag. There came a moment's hesitation before Kim swiftly shoveled everything back into her book bag.

"Did you see it?" Kim asked.

Ron answered quickly, "I didn't see anything."

"Good."

"Wait a minute, are we talking about the teddy bear or your underwear? Because I saw both, and I am not sure which one of them you're embarrassed about."

Kim lowered her head as she massaged the base of her forehead with her thumb and forefinger.

"It was the doll?"

Kim remained silent as she drew in a breath.

Ron chortled, "hey Kim, you mind if I crack a window? the irony in here is getting a little overwhelming."

"This is not irony."

"Hey I understand irony alright. Irony is the shark hunter getting eaten in Jaws. Irony is what is happening right here."

"It's not ironic it's a coincidence. We both happen to have things we would like to keep from each other."

Ron ran his hands under his chin, "I think you owe me one. Especially since breakfast when you introduced me to your friend Sal--"

"Oh no please..."

"You remember sal right--salmonella"

"Gah. I don't know what's worse the guilt or the joke," Kim reached into the bag and pulled out the rather strange looking doll.

"This is panderoo," she gave it a little squeeze before placing it at the head of her bed. "He's a cuddle buddy."

"Can I ask what is the deal with panderoo?"

Kim licked her lips and glanced down at the doll, "you can."

"OK I can…But I'd rather talk about those" he pointed to the mass of trophies and medals lining the walls of the room. "What I want to know is why didn't you take them with you when you moved out?"

Kim shrugged, "I figured their place was here in this room, in this house."

Ron walked along the line of honors, "regional spelling bee first prize, certificate of merit, first honors, first honors, first honors, volunteer service award, certificate for academic excellence, perfect attendance, the Stephen A. Barowsky Prize in recognition of exceptional leadership qualities,The Bucknell Prizes for Exceptional Women….."

Ron glanced over his shoulder "you think you have any more room for achievement in your life."

"Is there something wrong with me having these?"

"No, I am genuinely amazed and impressed by all this. Makes me kind of wish I had ambition. However when did you have any fun?"

"Getting all these were fun."

Ron shook his head, "no, I don't mean "hey I won, this is fun." I mean "I don't care; I am just in the moment" fun."

'Um, well during high school Monique and I…."

Ron picked up on her hesitation "how about "I don't care if I win" fun."

He waited as Kim quietly scanned her trophies. Eventually when she had reached a far corner of her room she picked up a golden cylinder.

"I won this one three years ago. I had a great time thinking up unique cheer movers for the competition. Winning this cheer stick was just a bonus I guess."

"But you put that one all the way across the room."

As Kim was about to reply to Ron's comment her bedroom door opened, and her mother stepped into the room.

"Honey, dad's home and dinner will be ready in a few."

"Thanks mom."

Once Anne had walked out of the room, Ron let out a deep sigh.

"Problem?"

"Uh your brothers, your mom and your dad. It's not every day that I walk into a place knowing for sure that I have the lowest IQ in the room."

To Ron's surprise Kim took him by the hand, "don't worry about it. Trust me it's really not that bad."

Ron had only taken a half step into the dining room area when James Possible materialized before him.

"So this is the Ronald I have heard about."

Ron gulped, in a weak voice, "good things I hope."

They engaged in an unusually long handshake before James took his place at the head of the dinner table.

"What was that all about?" Kim whispered.

"I think that went will. It's a good thing that I've been experimenting with a ten pump heavy handshake.

"What for?"

"I imagine it's what grown up men do."

That pretty much killed Kim's line of questioning.

The dinner started off well. The Possibles chatted amongst themselves as Ron took in the

the family scene. He felt strangely at home until.

"You're a little quiet over there Ronald."

Ron jumped at the remark, "no! I was just savoring this fine meal. This is really delicious Mrs. Dr. P."

"Thank you Ron. Would you like some more pasta?"

Ron laughed nervously, "oh, Mrs. P. are you trying seduce me?"

"Pardon?" James inquired.

"He's joking dad, it's a line from The Graduate," Kim said quickly.

"Oh, of course, The Graduate that's a very fine movie…..one of Hoffman's best. Huh I should have caught that reference."

"It's not your fault Mr. Dr.P it's clear that I should stop being funny but I've yet to find what the alternative is."

Silence

"I will have more pasta thank you Mrs. P."

"You're trying a tad too hard Ron, relax," Kim told him through hushed whispers. "Just be yourself."

Ron rolled his eyes "I'd rather be locked in the mirror room of a fun house with a snake haired woman then do that."

"Why not? Just be honest with them, I'm sure they'll like you."

"I am sure of that too, and by sure I mean highly doubt."

"I like you, they'll like you."

Ron opened his mouth to reply but words currently escaped him.

"What are you two whispering about over there?" Anne asked playfully.

"Nothing," Kim said quickly.

James poured himself a glass of iced tea "Ron, are you an Upperton U student as well?"

"No, I go to Q"

"Q?" Anne asked.

Kim answered before Ron could, "City University of Upperton…C.U.U. Ron's the only one who calls it that."

"Oh that's a fine school."

James nodded, "so what are you studying?"

"I, uh, would love to answer that but I guess I am starting to reevaluate my academic life. I am not so sure I am happy with the way things are going right now."

Kim eyed Ron curiously, "Really? When did this happen?"

His eyes in turn went from her face to his plate, "it happened recently. I've been thinking about it for literally a few days now. I know some people might say it's a little late in the game to think about switching majors, but y'know."

Anne handed Ron a bowl of mashed potatoes, "well Ron, life is about the journey not the destination."

On the other side of the table Jim exhaled loudly through his nose

"This is boring, it's going too smoothly," he muttered under his breath.

"Chill dude, have some faith," Tim said through the side of his mouth.

"Can you pass the pepper Mr. Dr. P.?"

James put down his knife and fork, swallowed his mouthful, turned to Ron and slowly said "shut your loser mouth. You're a parasite on the underbelly of society and God help you if you touch my beautiful daughter, you worthless waste of space."

"I had no intention of touching her sir" Ron gasped.

James glanced up from his meal, "excuse me?"

"Intention of touching who?" Anne asked.

A quick scan of the table revealed to Ron that every eye at the table was now staring at him. Waiting for him to explain what had occurred.

"Did you just say something Mr. Dr. P.?" Ron asked.

James wiped his mouth with a napkin before slowly shaking his head.

"Oh my uh my bad. I was thinking out loud."

"What's the matter?" Kim asked.

"I am on the edge KP. I am hallucinating and I have no idea what is going to happen next," Ron whispered back.

"So Ronald."

"Huh?" Ron squeaked

"Oookay…..What are you looking for out of life Ron?"

"Dad? What's with the third degree?"

"It's small talk Kimmie-cub, I am trying to get to know your boyfriend."

Ron almost fell out of his chair.

"He's not my boyfriend, he's my friend," Kim stated.

"Well from what I hear from the boys, you're practically engaged. Besides why would you bring a friend to meet you parents?"

"MOM!"

Ron placed his hand in the air, "check please"

"It's just a misunderstanding dear; there is no need to get heated. Your brother's misinterpreted your relationship. I can see where that could happen."

"What?" Kim exclaimed.

"From what I saw," Jim began

Something mystic told Ron that he would be better off answering James' question than allowing Jim to continue talking. However that didn't leave him with enough time to think up a suitable answer.

"I am not sure what I want," he blurted out. "I mean yeah some financial success would be cool, help out with the bills. Get my folks a nicer house. I guess I want what most people want, world peace, a career that makes me happy, a girl to call my own….I want a dream lover. So I don't have to dream alone."

"Wait wait, I know that one. Don't tell me." The room became silent as James mulled over Ron's reference. Then with a smile of confidence, "Bobby Darin, Dream lover. I love that song."

"Lovely song," Anne added. "I used to play that very song for Kim when she was little. She would dance to it in the nude, shaking her cute little tush in the air."

A tinge of red appeared on Kim's cheek, "no, no, no, no, no, we are not going down that road."

Anne's face lit up "I know I should bring out the photo album."

"No!" Kim cried.

"You're right I should save that for the party tomorrow. I am sure Nana would love that."

"Mom!'

"I would love to see the photo album Mrs. Dr. P."

"Ron! Not Helping!"

"What about the home videos?"

"Dad!"

Ron grinned mischievously, "I have feeling Kim was absolutely adorable as a little baby."

"As cute as a button, let me go get the album we'll give Ron a sneak peek."

"Mother, no!"

As Ron, Anne and Kim engaged in a three way chat. Jim let out disappointed sigh "OK, Kim's embarrassed that's fine, but how different is this from every Thanksgiving."

"I guess it's time to take this up a notch" Tim said. "So Ron what do you think about the upcoming election?"

Ron froze, Kim glowered at her brother.

"That is a good question" James remarked.

"The election, now that is complex issue." Ron took a sip of iced tea and then he turned to Kim, "can you please pass the salt."

She handed him the salt, he sprinkled some on his food and proceeded to continue eating silently with his head lowered.

James turned to Anne who shrugged cheerfully; he turned to Kim who was staring daggers at Tim, before returning to Ron.

"Well?"

Ron meekly looked up from his food "Hmmmm?"

"The election, I'd like to hear your opinions on it" the Possible elder inquired.

"My parents raised me not to express any opinions outside of the home."

This brought out snickers out of Tim and Jim.

"Boys!"Anne turned to Ron, "if you prefer not to answer Ron that's fine."

Ron looked to Kim for help but she nudged him softly in the ribs.

He sighed, "here's the thing Mr. Dr. P., I can try to guess what you want to hear. And if I was dating Kim I would probably take that chance. I am sure most guys you've been introduced to have gone that route. But religion and politics are usually dicey subjects at best, and I am a terrible guesser. I am not looking forward to a sleepless night wondering if the Possible's think I am a jerk."

"Huh?" James replied. "Well that was an honest answer I guess."

"But if you need some opinions sir, it's my opinion that Goodfellas is the best movie of all time, rocket science is cool, Clementine's are an underrated fruit, three is a magic number, and your wife's pasta is undeniably drool-worthy."

Silence.

James shrugged, "that's good enough for me"

"Ron's right this was a great dinner mom," Kim said.

"I'm sure he's just being polite."

Ron popped a forkful of pasta into his mouth. "No this isn't politeness Mrs. P. I really needed something to counteract the breakfast Kim cooked this morning."

James forcefully cleared his throat, "so Kim made you breakfast huh?"

The obvious implications of the statement forced Ron to execute a spit take. Bits of lasagna were launched over the dinner table into the air. Tim and Jim ducked out of their chairs to dodge the scattering pieces.

"Dear!"

"He brought it up. I was just asking a question."

Beneath the table Jim grinned, "that was a classic moment right there."

Tim nodded, "Told ya, now I can't wait for the party tomorrow."

"It's not like that," Ron gasped. "I just happened to be there in the morning and I...uh...nothing's happened!"

Jim peeked up from under the table, "YET"

"Boys!"

"It isn't like that," Kim proclaimed. "But that's not that point. The point is if Ron and I were a couple and we did decide to engage in an act of intimacy--

Ron placed his face in his palms, "oh it just keeps getting better."

"--as consensual adults why would you have a problem with that dad?"

"I would have a problem with it being brought up at dinner time."

"Why? If Ron were my boyfriend at this point in my life shouldn't it be assumed that we are having sexual relations?"

Ron butted in, "But we're not together so it's not an issue, though it's not like I am completely against it. It's just we're not together--"

"I thought he was your boyfriend until a few minutes ago" James answered Kim. "And I rather not assume anything at all."

"--No one heard that last part right--"

"Kim I am sure you're father agrees that you are free to pursue relationships at your leisure. We only want what makes you happy."

"--Because I was just joking wakka wakka--"

"As long as what keeps her happy stays away from the dinner table."

"--I am going to stop talking now--"

"You're the one who was jumping to conclusions dad. It wasn't really fair to Ron."

"We're just really good friends," Ron summarized. "And that's the way it is."

Kim turned to him, "right"

As expected shortly afterward the room descended into an awkward silence.

"Well I guess we've had out fun, for now," Tim muttered.

"Hey Ron, did you hear about the upcoming Captain Constellation movie? You mentioned you like that show, right."

Ron looked over at Jim, "I did?"

"Among other things, Tim and I didn't ask about."

"The movie sounds pretty good, but I doubt it will be good as the original series. That show was genius."

James stopped stabbing at his food, "I was just saying that to Anne the other night. If you dig deeper you'll notice that the episode City on the edge of Time is a rather Shakespearean exploration of time travel."

"It's my opinion Mr. P., that the show was a great mix of science, wonder, philosophy, humor AND drama. Plus the catch phrases were great."

"ROCKETS ARE GO!" They shouted in unison.

"Kim doesn't care for the show," James told him.

Ron shook his head sadly, "that's a shame. She might like the stand alone TV specials."

"Already tried that, she…

Tim took the opportunity to mouth "you're welcome" to a now less agitated Kim.

"Everything went along fine. A couple of times you sounded like a nine year old, but I found it amusing."

Ron stepped off the Possible porch "I am glad you thought it was funny. A couple of times there I was eying the table cloth and wondering if I could hang myself with it."

"It was fine. My mom is sweet on you and my dad doesn't hate you."

"Really?"

"He said and I quote "he has a fine handshake" and "at least he's not boring" so take those for what their worth."

"It's worth allot actually. I thought things had come off far worse after your brothers thanked me for the entertainment."

Ron surveyed the neighborhood, "I can't believe this. I only live a few houses down from here.'

"Really? I'll walk you over then."

"I don't think that's a good idea--

"I insist," Kim declared.

"She insists," Ron muttered to himself in an old man Jewish accent. "So, let's go."

Kim took him by the right arm as they walked away from the Possible homestead. "By the way, I think cherries are underrated fruits."

"You're out of your mind KP, everyone loves cherries. Heck this one time when I was at summer camp, which F.Y.I, turned out to be the center of all things evil on the earth I….Ah wait a minute!"

A/N So there you go folks. Read and review. Next stop Hannah and the Stoppable's!

Let me know what you thought about the Possibles, the dinner, and any or all other character details.