Stood Up

DJ Dubois

August 2007

Pairings: Kim/Ron, Kim/Rick (my OC) and Ron/Yori. Rufus pals around with just about everyone so he's an equal opportunity shipping mole rat (well except where Camille Leon's cat, Debutante, is concerned).

Notes Part 1: This story is an AU-version of "So the Drama" so there is no "Little Diablo" plot, infamous secret password contest, Kid's poker game or Drakken synthodrone involved.

In other words: a simple date to the Prom. But when a new guy takes Kim, will Ron end up out in the cold? Read on and see….

Notes Part 2: Also a word of thanks to three writers—JPMod, cpneb and Bubbahotek who's own Ron/Yori stuff is awesome. Thanks, folks! Hope this piece measures up to your stuff.

Notes Part 3: Kim Possible and her cohorts belong to Disney. Rick is my character. .

Chapter 1

[Nakasumi Toy Factory—right after Shego's realization about the 'hair dryer']

In the aftermath of the battle, a silence hung over the Tokyo downtown area. The ruckus in the skies above had ended with several loud billboards' explosions, the floats being damaged and some scraped building facades. However, the main objective, saving the toy master had been accomplished.

For Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable, it was just another day in their life. For the previous ten minutes, they had waved to the crowd to acknowledge their fans. As they hopped off the float, they noted that the police were already hauling off Drakken's ninja cronies to jail.

"That's that. Now to find a ride home," she indicated while rubbing her hands together.

"Yeah that," he agreed anxiously. Actually, since they were on this side of the Pacific, he had plans of his own for a certain side trip. "Why don't we…umm…thank Nakasumi-San and head north if you get my drift? We can a plane ride there."

"North?" She frowned and her eyes narrowed. "Ron, we need to get back to Middleton!" She fished in her mind for any excuse to avoid a certain ninja school.

"KP, come on! Oh fine. Don't take my suggestions seriously," he sighed, bowing his head. While he cared about her and she was his BF, she could take a suggestion from him once in a while. "I'm going to return these jeans to the guy who lent them to me and buy another pair before we split. Wonder how much the Ron-Man can get with a good ol' American dollar?"

"Wade, what's the sitch on the ride front?" she asked the genius over her Kimmunicator.

The younger teen shrugged and typed away on his computer. He rubbed the back of his neck. "Hate to say this, Kim, but I've got nothing until tomorrow night coming back from Tokyo. Maybe Ron can hook you up with something from the secret place."

She fumed. "Fine."

"Careful, Kim," Wade advised with a touch of teasing. "You're not jealing, are you?"

"What me?" She scoffed. "Ron's not my BFBF! I could care less what he does up there!"

"Yeah. I thought so," Wade grinned as he typed on the keys.

She curled her lip. "I so don't need this right now!" She looked around for Ron but didn't see him at first. "Where'd Ron go?"

"Looks like he's beaten you to the punch. Check to your left about fifty yards. Have fun in the mountains," Wade advised before signing off.

"Have fun in the mountains, he says." She scowled. "Yeah right." She felt a familiar tugging at her pant leg and saw Rufus trying to get her attention. "Hey, Rufus, where's Ron?"

"Over t'ere!" the mole rat indicated, pointing with his left forepaw toward where his human waited for them by the dark limousine.

"Maybe letting Ron do something pays off once in a while," she admitted to herself while heading over to the car. "Where did you find this?"

"They'll explain inside," her partner declared while getting in and waiting until she followed him.

Once inside the car, the driver lowered the partition between the seats. "Please sit back, Miss Possible and Stoppable-San. We will be at the base of Yamanuchi in 75 minutes. If you would like some of your American orange juice, you can find some in the seat pocket in front of you. Please buckle up." With that, he hit the gas and they drove off into the night.

[Bend in the Road—Base of Yamanuchi Mountain]

As promised, the driver stopped at the bend in the road and dropped the two teenagers off. With that, the car turned around and sped back toward Tokyo.

"Nice guy. Now what, O' Mighty Travel Guide?" she supposed sarcastically.

He grinned and shrugged. "It will be our honor to walk of course. Follow me, KP." He flicked on his flashlight and headed up the path.

"Our honor to walk?" she inquired. "What's up with that?"

"Hey, while you gals were ogling Hirokata, Rufus and I were getting some real exercise and impressing the ladies in the process." He looked toward his left pants' pocket. "Isn't that right, Rufus?"

"Sorta," Rufus hedged.

"This I have to hear," she insisted as they kept going.

"Not much to tell. Yori met me at the airport. We got a ride back here. I had to carry my luggage up the mountain. The end," he reported. "Of course, the women were impressed by the manly feat of endurance."

"Oh yeah, I'll bet," she replied cynically.

"Yok it up, KP. I did impress people here," he insisted while leading them toward a cave in the rock face. "Let me go first."

"I think I can handle this…." She started to step in front of him.

As she did so, two ninja stepped into view, blocking the way.

"Great! A reception committee!" she hissed.

"Guys, guys, can you tell Sensei that Stoppable San and a friend are here please? Thanks," Ron interjected.

Seeing their fellow student, the two guards bowed and waved the duo on through before retreating back into the shadows.

"You see, KP? Gotta have the magic password," he told her before tripping on a plant root and ripping his pants on a sharp rock. "Hey! OW!"

"Oh yeah. Like open pants says me," she cracked. "Quite the sitch, Ron." She smirked. "Come on, Ladies' man."

"Yeah, yeah," he grumbled while hurrying to catch up.

[Twenty minutes later—gates of the school]

Kim and Ron stepped off of the rope bridge over the canyon and through the mists to Yamanuchi's front gates.

"This is it. Boo Yeah!" he cheered.

"Down, Boy. You want to wake everyone up?" she chided, hoping that Sensei might arrange for a quick escape out of here before Ron could find Yori.

The gates opened with a large creak, allowing them to enter the courtyard. As they did so, all seemed quiet on the surface.

"Weird," she remarked.

"We're being watched, KP. Count on it," he advised her as they headed for the central building.

"You are gaining awareness. Excellent, Stoppable San. Welcome back to both you and Kim Possible," Sensei complimented before they exchanged mutual bows of greeting.

"Thanks for the ride here, Sensei," she expressed.

"Just the first stage of the journey. Our jet will bring you back to Colorado within the hour. Meantime, I insist that you both have a cup of tea."

Within the hour, huh? She smiled at those words. Maybe I can pry Ron out of here after all! They followed the aged teacher into the central building and toward his quarters.

"You are both to be congratulated. Those ninjas you defeated are not to be trifled with. Very skilled although a dishonor to us all. Working for the blue-skinned gaijin….." Sensei shuddered.

"Especially the sumo abomination. Domo, Stoppable San, for dealing with his ilk in a manner he deserved."

"Hey, nobody takes my ninja brothers and sisters in vain, I say," Ron replied confidently.

Kim shook her head. As much as she hated to admit it, her senses told her that her best friend seemed more at home here than in Middleton. Cool it, Possible! All the more reason to get him out of here.

"This way," Sensei instructed while swinging the doors open to his private quarters. "Ah she prepared the tea."

"She?" Kim and Ron echoed, reacting in their own ways.

In front of them, Yori had poured several cups of tea. "Greetings, Stoppable San, Kim Possible. Please sit and enjoy."

Ron had to restrain himself, remembering the Japanese customary restraint. "Good to see you too, Yori." He grinned.

"Once again, Stoppable San, you prove your bravery and do our school proud," the female ninja declared.

"Indeed, Yori," Sensei concurred, allowing her to express her pride in the one she was secretly fond of. "One must remember Kim Possible's role in saving Nakasumi-San as well."

"They are a team, Sensei, of course," she accepted the critique at the end.

Kim fought to keep the smirk off of her face. And don't you forget that, Sister!

Yori sighed, being once again reminded that Fortune conspired to keep her from true love. Still, she wouldn't allow her sadness to ruin the mini-celebration or Sensei's congratulations to Ron for a job well done. "I would present him with something however, Sensei, if I may be excused for a minute?"

"Of course," the teacher agreed before explaining, "Stoppable San, you must learn to be more careful with your clothes. A snake that sheds its skin during battle is fated to lose more times than not."

"Hai, Sensei." Ron nodded, taking the advice in glumly. He felt bummed that they wouldn't be able to stay the night so that he and Yori could at least talk before the departure.

"Good luck on that one," Kim interjected.

"And a head of the pack that does not listen to its members will not stay in its role either," Sensei added calmly. "Stoppable San accepts the role you give him, Kim Possible." He took a sip from his cup. "I just offer you words for consideration."

"He's my partner. I listen," she replied just as evenly.

Before the discussion could go any further, Yori hustled back with a small bundle. "For you, Stoppable San."

"For me? Aw, you shouldn't have!" he exclaimed before unwrapping the tissue paper and finding two pairs of beige cargo pants in his size with expert stitching and very subtle patching.

"I reinforced them to suit your American style of fighting, Stoppable San." Her eyes sparkled at him before she added a soft chuckle.

"This is so cool. I really appreciate this!" Ron expressed enthusiastically.

Kim crossed her arms and had to really restrain herself from rolling her eyes. And she does his sewing for him too? Oh gag me now!

"It is a small thing to do for a classmate, Stoppable San," Yori replied, deflecting the praise while enjoying it. "We owe you that and more for your assistance in the past. Of course, that goes for Kim Possible as well."

"Of course," Kim responded, trying not to let her temper get the best of her at that remark. Rather she drank her tea and didn't say much more than that.

[Forty five minutes later]

After finishing their tea, the two guests departed after the usual perfunctory good byes. Sensei had walked them downstairs to the hangar where the jet awaited them.

As the craft streaked from its mountainside nest toward the Pacific to the east, Yori followed its flight from the courtyard. May you be well, Stoppable San, in all things.

From her right, she heard the nightingale singing along with its counterparts from the early morning.

Exercises will start soon and Sensei will be counting on me! She bowed to the birds for their gentle reminder and headed for her quarters to get what sleep she could before the next day's start.