Disclaimer: I don't own KP or any of the characters, and I don't earn anything with this story (except hopefully a few reviews).

AN: This story ignores the events of "So the Drama" and consequently season 4 as well.

I know I'm not 100 percent in character with everyone here, but I hope you'll enjoy anyway. Reviews are of course highly appreciated.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Well, look who's finally awake."

Kim Possible slowly opened her eyes. What had happened? She could remember entering Dr. Drakken's latest lair… she fought with Shego… then nothing. Something or someone must have hit her pretty hard.

"Come on, princess, no need to pretend you're still out."

Speaking of Shego… Kim moaned and finally managed to raise her head. She was chained to the wall of a small prison cell, and the green-skinned villainess stood before her with a triumphant smirk on her face.

"At last," Shego continued. "I thought you'd never wake up. So tell me: Where's your little sidekick? He can't possibly still be wandering around the lair without us noticing."

Kim sighed, having finally fully regained her senses. "He's not here," she mumbled.

"Say what?" Shego sounded honestly surprised.

"I said he's not here!" Kim angrily retorted.

Shego grinned. "Ooooh, trouble in paradise? Did you have a fight with your boyfriend?"

"He's not my boyfriend," Kim snarled. "And we didn't fight, he's just sick is all."

The grin remained firmly in place. "Too bad, princess. But then again, that buffoon couldn't have saved you, anyway."

"He's not a buffoon!" Kim snapped.

"Oooh, getting cranky, are we?" Shego taunted. "Does someone have a secret crush on her best friend? From the way you're always defending him…"

"I don't have a crush on Ron!" Kim interrupted heatedly.

"Really?" Shego snorted disbelievingly. "Well, then you wouldn't mind if someone else grabbed him?" she needled.

Now it was Kim's turn to snort. "Who? You?!"

"Why not?" Shego challenged.

Kim started laughing. "Oh, puh-lease!"

Shego's brow furrowed dangerously. "Are you saying I couldn't snatch him if I wanted to?"

With some effort, Kim stopped laughing. "You're so not his type," she said dismissively.

Now Shego started to become really angry. "I'm every man's type!"

Kim snorted again. "Suuuure."

"I could so grab the buffoon if I wanted!"

"Keep telling yourself that."

Kim's cool answer left Shego seething. Once again, the princess had somehow gained the upper hand, but she wouldn't allow Kim to beat her again. "You'll see!" With that, she turned to leave.

"If you hurt Ron in any way…" Kim threatened.

Shego turned back to her, smiling mischievously. "Don't worry, Kimmie, I won't beat him up. Would be too easy, anyway. And if you're right about him, I won't be able to hurt him in any other way, will I, now? So what do you have to worry about?" Her grin had turned positively devilish by now, and without waiting for a reply, the green-skinned henchwoman left.

Kim swallowed. What had she gotten Ron into? She remembered his first reaction when he'd seen Shego's picture: "Make that 12!" Was there a chance that Ron could fall for Shego? She shuddered. 'No way,' she mentally reassured herself. Plus, Ron was so oblivious when it came to women, he'd probably not even notice if Shego made a pass at him.

Still, she had to get out of her bonds and this cell… She sighed. Why had she insisted on leaving Ron at home? After all, he'd just had a stupid headache! Probably the pills he'd taken had even dealt with that already, and she could really use his help right now. She sighed again. She had been too confident that she'd be able to handle the mission alone… But since the last few missions against Drakken had almost been walks in the park, she had really been sure that this one would be no different… and now she was being held captive. She could only hope Wade would send help soon, as she couldn't get free by herself this time… Hanging her head, she resigned herself to waiting.

-

"You want WHAT?" Drakken exclaimed disbelievingly. He was sure he'd misunderstood what his sidekick had just proposed.

"You heard me," Shego replied.

Drakken waved his hand dismissively. "And why should I exchange Kim Possible for the buffoon?"

"Because she has a knack for escaping! If we hold the sidekick, she won't dare interfere, and the buffoon will never be able to free himself! He's much less of a threat than princess! It'll give us free reign to do whatever we want to!"

Drakken seemed to think about it for a moment. "Gnah, be that as it may, Shego, I'd rather finish Kim Possible off now. That way, we won't have to worry about her at all!"

Shego growled lowly. Of all the times to come up with something intelligent, he had to choose now when she wanted to prove something to Kimmie. "But…" She searched her mind for an answer, when inspiration struck her. "But don't you want your arch-enemy to witness your final triumph? What fun is taking over the world when you can't watch the princess in her despair while you're doing it?"

That stopped Drakken, who was about to leave the room, dead in his tracks. He looked at Shego. "You know, Shego… you're right!" An evil smile crept on his face. "It'll be much more rewarding to take over the world with Kim Possible witnessing! That'll show her that she isn't all that!" He broke into his villainous laughter.

Shego merely smiled. Count on Drakken's desire to gloat. 'I'll show you, Kimmie,' she thought. 'Once the buffoon is our prisoner, I'll have him wrapped around my finger in no time! Let's see if you still can do anything when you don't have your sidekick anymore…'

-

In the meantime, Ron Stoppable was at home, wondering how Kim was doing.

"You know Rufus," he said to his naked mole-rat, "I feel really bad about letting Kim go alone on that mission. My headache's already gone; the pills really helped."

Rufus made a reassuring sound. "Don't worry."

"I know Kim can handle it, but I'd feel better if I was with her, you know, having her back." Ron's shoulders slumped. "Well, there's nothing I can do about it now, so I guess I'll just watch TV until she calls."

Rufus hopped to his side. "Uh-huh, uh-huh, TV!"

Just as Ron was about to switch on his TV set, when Wade's face appeared on the screen. "Ron!"

The blond almost fell off his seat. "Whoa, Wade!"

"Sorry, Ron, but this is urgent! I just got a hit on the site; it's a message for you!"

Ron composed himself. "Okay, Wade, go ahead."

Wade's image was replaced by Drakken and Shego. Ron gulped. This did not bode well.

"Hello… eh… Shego, what's his name again?" Drakken started.

Ron sighed. Why could no one ever remember his name?

Before Shego could answer, though, Drakken continued. "Well, anyhow, we just wanted to let you know that we've captured Kim Possible! I'll send you a live feed of the security camera in her prison cell to prove it! Now, if you want her to go free, all you have to do is surrender to us! Oh, and leave that rodent of yours at home! You have five minutes to consider my offer!"

The screen witched back to Wade's image, who seemed very concerned. "Ron, what now?"

There was a moment's pause; finally, Ron gulped heavily before showing his serious face. "There's only one thing I can do, Wade. I'll accept."

"You can't be serious, Ron!" Wade protested. "It's obviously a trap!"

"Perhaps it is," Ron conceded, "but I have to take that risk. Wade, KP's in danger here! What will they do to her if I don't surrender?"

The tech genius sighed. "You're right, Ron, but I really don't like it."

"Did Drakken send that feed?" Ron asked.

Wade nodded. "Yeah, Kim's his prisoner alright. And she won't be able to get out on her own; they got her chained to a wall."

"Right. I'll go then," Ron said in an only slightly shaky voice.

Rufus jumped in front of him. "Uh-uh, don't!"

Ron smiled at his little friend. "I know it's dangerous, Rufus, but I can't leave KP with Drakken and Shego! She's my best friend!"

The little rodent chattered worriedly.

"Look, Rufus, it's not so bad. Kim will take good care of you till I'm back, okay?"

Rufus sighed heavily, then nodded his tiny head in defeat. "Okay."

"Drakken's back," Wade announced.

The screen changed from Wade to Drakken and Shego again.

"So, what's your answer?" the mad scientist demanded.

"I'll do it as long as you promise to set Kim free unharmed," Ron answered in an even voice.

"Deal!" Drakken's grin threatened to split his face. "I'll tell your computer kid where the exchange will take place. See you soon… eh… Kim Possible's sidekick!"

With that, the transmission ended, leaving Ron wondering what he'd gotten himself into this time.