Baby, It's Cold Outside

I.

James Possible leaned back on the couch wearily. What a day. Besides leaning on the wrong button and almost launching ten of the Space Center's twelve new rockets, the space plane was showing more glitches than even gremlins could wish for. He sighed, channel surfing to relax. "Nope,nope, Club Banana shopping channel? Kimmie must not have seen this yet or I'd be paying them more than I am. Sports channel is off the air due to a players strike over deodorant? I don't want to know. Wait a minute, wait...the Old Wonders Movie Channel, and Anne loved this one. Never could figure out where the music came from tho...I'll just tape it for her. Hope that emergency doesn't take her all night." James leaned back as the opening music began, his eyes blinking slowly.

James wrapped his arms around his shivering body. "Damn, how did I get out here in the snow without a coat? And where am I anyway?"

II.

Looking around, James could see snowy slopes, dotted with tall pine trees, a small Alpen chalet with smoke coming from the chimney. Obviously, someone was home. Hopefully someone who could direct him where to go, or at least let him warm up. Stepping up to rear door, James knocked firmly but, hopefully, politely. No answer. Repeated and louder knocks gained no response, but what kind of home owner would leave a fire blazing when they left? Especially with it getting dark.

James trudged through the knee high snow, his loafer clad feet finally whimpering to silence at their wet frozen state, to the front door. Stepping up to the entrance, he knocked again, with the same results. He could hear somebody speaking, but couldn't make out he words. He stepped to the picture window. A slight grin began as he looked in. A slender, blond young man had his back to the window, and, judging by the feminine hands caressing his neck and hair, much more important things on his mind than someone knocking at the door. He tapped on the window. No response. He tapped again, this time adding an "Hello?" No response.

The figure caressing the blond man pulled back slightly.

"Kimmie-cub? KIM?"

No response.

James began to pound on the window, yelling his daughter's name. "When I get inside little Missie better have a good reason...where's that music coming from?"

Kim stepped back, the heat in her eyes would have thawed James frozen feet if he had been the recipient instead of...RONALD!

Ron's voice sang, "I really can't stay."

Kim's lips opened to song. "Baby, it's cold outside."

"I've got to go way"

"Baby, it's cold outside."

"The evening has been"

"I've been hoping you'd drop in."

"So very nice "

"I'll hold your hand, they're just like ice"

James kicked the wall, "NO! No hand warming!"

My mother will start to worry

Hey beautiful, what's your hurry
And father will be pacing the floor

Listen to that fireplace roar
So really, I'd better scurry

Beautiful, please don't hurry
Well, maybe just a half a drink more

Put some music on while I pour

"Pour? Pour what? That better not be..."

The neighbors might think

Baby, it's bad out there
Say, what's in this drink

No cabs to be had out there
I wish I knew how

Your eyes are like starlight now)
To break this spell

I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell

I oughtta say no, no, no ma'am

You mind if I move in closer
At least I'm gonna say that I tried

And what's the sense in hurting my pride
I really can't stay

Oh baby, don't hold out
Oh, but it's cold outside

"Ronald, it is not that cold out here!"

I simply must go

It's cold outside
The answer is no

Baby, it's cold outside

The welcome has been

So lucky that you dropped in
So nice and warm

Look out the window at that storm

"Storm? What storm? A few flakes, nothing!"

III.

James beat his hands against his sides, trying in vain to get the blood flowing. After the last notes, Ronald and Kim, (his Kimmie-cub!) had slowly disappeared onto the couch, out of his sight. For some reason the window scene had faded in front of him, until all he was seeing was frosted glass. In answer to his repeated imprecations, poundings and pleadings, there had been...no response.

He glowered at the blank glass, eyes widening as the room, softly lit, slowly reappeared. A low growl sounded as he saw the blond hair of Ronald bending down repeatedly, interspersed withs song again. "Where is that music coming from

I've got to get home

Baby, you'll freeze out there
Say, lend me a comb

It's up to your knees out there
You've really been grand

I thrill when you touch my hand
Oh, but don't you see

How can you do this thing to me

"We'll see about things tomorrow, young lady."

There's bound to be talk tomorrow

Well, think of my lifelong sorrow
At least there will be plenty implied

If you caught pneumonia and died
I really can't stay

Get over that hold out
Oh, but baby it's cold outside

IV.

Anne Possible smiled down at her sleeping spouse. Her smile grew as she saw the old movie being taped. "That is so sweet. Jimmy could never 'get' the old musicals, but he taped it for me. I haven't seen this one in years." As she leaned over to kiss him, she noticed that James hands were twitching. "Must be some dream." Before she could complete her intended greeting, James eyes snapped open, his head turned frantically in the direction of the kitchen, where Kim's laugh had just rung out. He bolted from the couch.

Anne blinked, "What in the world..."

Kim was sitting on her BFBF's lap, idly running her fingers through his hair, when James burst into the kitchen.

"Ronald Stoppable!"

Ron automatically bolted upright, dumping Kim onto her tender tush.

"Mr. Mr. P.?"

"Daddy!"

"I'll deal with you later, young lady. Go to your room. And as for you, Ronald, I don't care how cold it is outside you're going home. I'll talk to your parents about this, believe me."

The two teens stared at each other.

"But..."

"Daddy?"

"I don't care if the snow is over your head, home, now!"

"Snow? But..Daddy, it's July!"

AN: Just a little plot bunny that bit my tail and wouldn't let go. All for a song and an ending line. To quote a famous scene, "Oh, what a world, what a world." Hmm, I wonder if anyone will recognize that line. (G) And apologies, I just rechecked it and all my fine editing was undone. Forgot that lines no longer work, so changed it.