Welcome, all, to my Kim Possible fan fic, Iron Ron!
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Kim Possible, or anything in connection with either version of Iron Chef. I do, however, own a rockn' new KP windows theme-complete with sounds, cursers, and a screen saver! And I claim exclusive rights to El Tony's South of the Border pizzeria.
And first, a bit of a set up: Kim and Ron are attending Upperton University, and are in their junior year. This story takes place after So the Drama, and it's by me, so naturally they're together. And this is what I hope to be one of a number of short stories. This one will have 2-3 chapters.
Kim Possible sat on her bed in the dorm room she and Monique shared, waiting for Ron to come. Previous fears about how a romance would effect their friendship had proved unfounded, and the two were now closer than ever. Still, brave and devoted as she knew him to be, he could still be a little strange at times, even to her.
"What's our boy into this time?" Monique asked the pretty red head.
"No clue. He just said, or shouted, that he was coming over with 'earth shattering news'. That was five minutes ago."
"Then where is he? It shouldn't take this long to come the 40 feet." Monique observed. Ron and Kim had accepted that things would get out of hand if they shared a room, and had settled for being on the same floor.
Just as Kim reached for her cell phone to check and see if he was still coming, Ron burst into the room smiling and shouting like he had just been made King of All Nacos.
"What's the sitch, Ron?" Kim asked her best friend.
"Ladies, hold your hats. I, Ron Stoppable, have been invited to compete in Iron Chef America in two weeks!"
Kim and Monique just stood there, staring for a moment.
"What?"
"I'm gonna be on TV! And as a chef!" With that, Rufus leapt out of his master's pocket wearing a chefs hat and climbed to Ron's shoulder where he struck a triumphant pose.
"Um, ok." Kim and Monique were uncertain whether they would cheer, or laugh, so they settled for a startled silence until Ron's next announcement.
"Ok, ok. Maybe it's not earth shattering. But it does mean that I and 3 assistants get an all expenses paid week in Las Vegas where we'll do the show and I'll make a few guest appearances for the Food Network."
"Vegas?" Monique asked in an exited tone, while a question came to Kim.
"Why did they invite you?" She asked her the young man standing before her. He blushed slightly, and responded,
"You remember Chef Ronald from home ec? Well, somebody stumbled over the tape I did in the cafeteria, and the Food Network sent some scouts to see just how good I was. Well, all I can say is they sure seemed impressed with the Ronster's mad baking skills."
"Wow, I'm impressed." Kim suddenly realized something else. "You said you and three assistants were going to Vegas…"
"Yeah, I need a team to help me out for the show. You know, I come up with the ideas, but I can't cook it all in an hour on my own. I was hoping you would like to be my side kick for once." He finished with a smile.
"Oh, Ron, I don't know what to say. You know I still have some kitchen issuesand this is a big deal." As she asked him, she remembered how much being good at something meant to Ron, and how many times he had stayed at her house until 10 at night to see Iron Chef before his dad got cable. She began to worry. I can't mess him up again. Not after he quit Bueno Nacho, gave up his new hair style, his shot at jock-dom, every time he was popular, he gave it up because of me. I can't let it happen again.
"It's cool, KP. I'll help you practice. You'll do fine."
"No, Ron, I can't. I'll just hold you back."
"Nonsense. Kim, we're a team. I go with you saving the world, and half the time I just lose my pants or get captured. But I'm not just dead weight. You've said you wouldn't go freak fighting without me, and I'm saying right now, I wouldn't go into this competition without you."
Kim eyes were shining as she walked over to Ron and put her arms around him.
"Then I guess you've got yourself a partner." The two started to kiss when someone decided to remind them that they were not alone.
"Well, Glad that's settled. But that leaves two open spots, and one burning question-Can I be on team Stoppable, too?" Monique smiled as her friends blushed.
Ron smiled. "Well, you'll have to try out, just like anybody else. After all, I know you can eat a naco, but can you make one?"
The next day the Upperton U's cafeteria became the scene of an impromptu cooking contest, as anyone who could cook, who wanted to be on TV, or who just wanted a free trip to Vegas, tried to win the favor of the school's new most popular student. Wade had helped Ron spread the news, and it seemed that more than 80 hopefuls had brought in a sample of 'their' work. Ron, Rufus and Kim walked around the room, checking the flavor, presentation, and motivation behind the numerous hopefuls.
"Hmmm, not bad." Kim pronounced of a Mexican pizza. "Too bad you forgot to throw away the El Tony's box."
"Wow, that's different." Ron stared at what appeared to be a cooked chicken with a small hat on, "But that's not what I meant by creative presentation."
The two inspectors regrouped to discuss what they had found.
"I never knew there were so many people who'd do anything just to get on TV."
"Well, KP, some of them just want to go to Vegas."
"Did we find anyone who can cook?" Kim was curious to see if anyone had taken the contest seriously.
"Sure. There was the guy with the soufflé, wonder how he kept it from falling all the way from his room. And the girl who's dad owns Café Tropico-she seems good. Monique also did a respectable job. A few others came from a culinary institute in Lowerton-I should pick one of them. Rufus is judging the ten finalists now."
Suddenly, the doors to the hall flung open, as one fashionably late contestant arrived.
"Nobody's ending this little cook-out 'till you've seen what I've brought!"
"Bonnie?" Kim was shocked, while Ron jut took a deep breath and said, "Well, couldn't hurt too much just to see what she's got."
The brunette spoke up again, "I've brought Roasted salmon with Sea urchin row and mango ice cream which I'm sure you'll know was home made."
Ron tasted the dishes, and his face paled. "She right. It's almost perfect."
Bonnie was grinning, and Kim felt compelled to ask, "Why? Why do you want to help us?"
"Well, K, its like this. I can't help but feel bad about how I've treated you and Stoppable. That, and, I just so happened to take culinary classes in France."
"Um, ok." Kim wasn't sure what to believe, but Bonnie had brought something impressive. There had to be a reason, but what ?
"Well, I never was one for cooking or anything, but I was in Bordeaux and the instructor was such a hottie." Bonnie finished with a somewhat dreamy smile. "Besides, I couldn't let you two get all the attention." It all made sense. Same old Bonnie, couldn't just let someone else have their time in the spotlight without her.
As the conversation ended, Ron picked up a microphone to make an announcement.
"Thank you, everyone, for competing. We had some ,um, interesting entries, but I was able to find 5 finalists who will spend the next week training with me before I make my final decision about the team. There's still plenty of food - dig in!"
With that, the assembled crowd cheered as they tore threw countless pizzas, spaghetti, tacos, and assorted dishes. Ron announced the names of the 5 finalists. "Andrew Valleo and Mary Thomson from Lowerton Culinary Institute, Cathy Lewis from Middleton High, and Larry Davis and Bonnie Rotwiler of Upperton U! Congratulations, finalists."
Ron walked over to Kim and a rather disappointed Monique.
"Glad that's over. Sorry you weren't picked Monique, but Rufus was the final judge."
She perked up somewhat
"That's ok, I'll still go with you to Vegas. Just think, while all of you are slaving over ovens, I'll be at the buffet."
Ron scowled at Monique for a second, then with a smile, asked, "Who's up for BN?"
"No such luck, Super Chef. I thought we were going to spent today practicing so I don't look like a fool in front of your other assistants." Kim was determined, and to cinch the deal, she threw in the puppy dog pout.
"No, not the face. Not the irresistible puppy dog pout!"
"Please?"
"Ah, no rest for the weary. Well I guess we had better get started." Ron sighed in submission. To make it up to him, Kim gave him a quick kiss.
"You'll have to do better then that, Miss. Possible." Ron announced.
They were just about to attempt improving when Monique decided that they might appreciate being reminded that they had something of an audience. The dark girl tapped them on the shoulders.
"You're not exactly alone, you know." Kim and Ron quickly turned a rather bright hade of red, and turned to leave.
Monique called after them, "Don't forget to practice cooking, too!"
That concludes chapter 1. There will be at least one, maybe two more.
Special Reader Poll- Who should be on Team Ron? Please tell me in your review - I'll try to incorporate any favorites, but I'm already working on the next chapter. And remember -
REVIEW!