Author's Note: It's finally here. My first serious attempt at a multi-chapter story. I hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew. At times, I did feel a little out of my element. So if you think there's something that could be improved, let me know, and I'll try to do just that. In any case, I'd like to thank cpneb for his help in developing the concept for the story. Okay, let's get this show on the road.

Summary: What's a guy to do, when hot chicks are checking you out, but you're in a relationship? And the tiny devil on your shoulder isn't the only one telling you to go for it. Kim&Ron take the scenic route down a bad road.

Disclaimer: I don't own the show or any of the characters (as if anyone didn't already know that). Kim Possible and all related characters belong to Disney.

CHASING THE DAWN

CHAPTER 1: There's A Snake In Every Garden

The sun shone brightly on the grounds of Middleton High. The area teemed with students mingling amongst themselves. The air was saturated with excited chatter and frequent feminine squeals. People were getting reacquainted and swapped stories of the summer past. The story that got the most liptime was the relationship of Middleton's resident teen heroes, Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable. The couple was something of a legend in the school halls. Those who didn't know them well wondered how the most popular girl in school came to hook up with the school goofball. Most of the people that knew them better were simply happy they had finally realized they belong together.

Heads turned all around the school yard as the most talked about couple walked towards the school, hand in hand. A beautiful redhead, wearing black capris and a teal t-shirt, pressed against the side of a goofy looking blonde, wearing a red hockey jersey and tan cargos. She was almost leaning on him with her head resting on his shoulder. The content smiles on their faces spoke volumes of the bond they shared.

"EEEE! Girlfriend!" Monique screamed and rushed to meet her friends.

"Monique," Kim replied happily.

The ebony beauty ran up to Kim wrapping her arms around her. Kim responded in kind, only one-handed. The other one was still intertwined with Ron's.

"So how was your summer?" Monique asked. She was as giddy as a schoolgirl. Heck, she was a schoolgirl.

Kim and Ron glanced at each other and replied in unison: "Magic."

"You have to tell me all about it. By the way, did you know the two of you are the talk of the school," Monique talked in rapid-fire pace.

"Really?" Kim asked.

"Yeah. Don't tell me you haven't noticed the looks you've been getting?"

"Not really. We've been.. preoccupied," Kim finished the sentence with a loving look aimed at her boyfriend, receiving one in return.

"No kidding," Moniqued said wryly.

After a mock-annoyed glance from Kim, and the ring of the bell, the trio started making their way towards the school building for their first homeroom meeting of the semester. Along the way Kim and Ron noticed the looks Monique was talking about. A slew of smiles, whispers, and the occasional glare, lined the way as they passed by.

The group didn't notice the daggers being stared at their backs. They were coming from none other than Bonnie Rockwaller, Queen B - the bane in the existence of anyone not high enough in the food chain. She was standing on the yard, surrounded by her usual gaggle of sycophants. Seeing her least favorite people she broke into a tirade: "That is so ferociously unfair. They disregard the rules and the food chain, and no one calls them on it. What's so special about them? Okay, so they save the world. Big whoop. They're still high school students, and should be treated as such. There's no way I'm going to let this slide."

A couple of her followers voiced their approval, others just nodded in agreement.

Upon reaching their destination Kim and Ron immediately reserved adjacent desks and locked hands. Shortly, Ron noticed something wasn't quite right.

"KP, are those girls checking me out?" Ron whispered in Kim's ear.

"Be serious, Ron." Kim didn't even look up from her notebook.

"I am. I really think they're checking me out."

Kim looked around. A number of girls did, in fact, have their eyes on Ron. That's weird.

"If I say yes, you're not going to go all big-heady again, are you?"

"When have I ever done that?"

Kim raised a sarcastic eyebrow.

"Okay, so there was that one time. Learn to let go, KP."

"Not of you," Kim said and kissed Ron on the cheek. A wide goofy grin grew on his lips.

"Now that's what I'm talking about," he said and gave a high five, so to speak, with his finger to Rufus, who had scurried on his desk.

Kim giggled. That's my guy.

Lunchtime. The school cafeteria was filled with the sounds of chattering students and clattering dishes. A familiar smell hung in the air. The smell originated from something the health inspector had assured, albeit grudgingly, passed as food. Kim, Ron, and Monique, had gathered around a table. Kim and Ron were sitting so close they were practically in each others' laps.

"So what are your plans today?" Monique asked the couple doing an impression of Siamese twins.

"I have a cheersquad meeting today. I think we're getting new uniforms," Kim said excitedly.

"I'm thinking about trying out for the football team," Ron declared. All heads turned to him. Even Rufus looked at him funny.

"You? Football?" Monique asked. She seemed amused.

"Yes. The Mad Dog came to play," Ron said over-enthusiastically.

"Amp down, Ron. You really think you can get on the team?"

"Hey, I save the world almost on a weekly basis. I've got mad skills."

"You distract Drakken almost on a weekly basis. Football could actually be dangerous," Kim said, her tone changing from light scorn to concern.

"Hey, I resent that. Sometimes I distract Dementor. And I defeated Monkey Fist on several separate occasions. A-Booyah." Ron puffed up his chest proudly.

Kim's expression softened. "You're right. You should try out. Besides, it would be nice to cheer for my boyfriend."

The two teens locked eyes.

"Say that again."

"What?"

"The b-word."

"Boyfriend. You're my spankin' boyfriend," Kim said softly and slowly, her nose almost touching Ron's.

"I always knew you were into kinky stuff," Moniqued remarked. Both Kim and Ron blushed deep red.

"Monique!" Kim cried out. Ron rubbed the back of his neck, grinning like a fool.

"I know a guy who can hook you up with some hand cuffs."

Kim's jaw unhinged and she went non-verbal. Ron tried desperately to hold back a laugh.

"Chillax, girl. I'm just messin' with ya. You two looked like you were about to have cartoon hearts flying around you."

Finally, Ron couldn't hold back anymore and burst into laughter. Monique soon followed. Kim shot them an annoyed look which didn't last long before turning into a smile. She was happy. If this day was anything to go by, they were going to have a great year.

The rest of the day was fairly uneventful. Kim did notice more looks coming Ron's way. She didn't know if she should feel flattered or threatened. She didn't mention any of this to Ron, since he seemed oblivious to the fact.

The next day Ron tried out for a position as the new quarterback. After some serious begging, Mr. Barkin, the jack of all trades of Middleton High's faculty, relented and let him take a shot at it. In the first trial play they ran Ron bounced around the field like someone had dumped a bucket full of spiders on his head. After a few more similar displays Mr. Barkin decided to try something different.

"Stoppable. In the next play, I want you to hang back. When you receive the ball run like the wind."

"Sure thing, Mr. Barkin"

"All right, people! Let's hustle!"

The players took their positions. Ron hung in the back like he was told. The play was called and the ball passed to the quarterback. He got into position and threw the ball. Ron caught it. His eyes went wide when saw a wall of snarling beefcakes bearing down on him like a stampeding herd. No part of the field was left unstepped, as the panicked teen zig-zagged around it.

"Stoppable! Run to other end of the field!" Mr. Barkin shouted pointing to the end in question.

Ron did as ordered and weaved through a maze of sweaty muscle, narrowly averting a number of bone-crunching tackles and neck-snapping clotheslines. Finally he reached the end zone and collapsed with exhaustion.

"That was awesome, Stoppable!" Mr. Barkin bellowed his approval.

"Does that mean I'm the new quarterback?" Ron managed through heavy exhales and inhales.

"No."

Ron deflated.

"It means you're the new running back. Congratulations, Stoppable."

"I am The Man! Who's your daddy?" Ron threw himself in a victory dance with youthful abandon. He collapsed again shortly.

Kim was at her locker, fresh from the shower. She was returning from her first cheer practice of the year. Everyone appeared to be in top form, which meant they would be able to start developing a new routine right away. It was like nothing had changed. Unfortunately that also meant Bonnie was still a pain in the-

"Hey, gorgeous," Ron interrupted Kim's train of thought, keeping it G-rated.

"Hi, sweetie. How did the try outs go?"

"Guess who's the new running back for the Middleton Mad Dogs?" Ron was beaming with pride.

Kim shrieked with joy and draped herself on Ron.

"I'm so proud of you," Kim said kissing him all over his face.

"Um, Kim.. PDA."

"PDA, SchmeeDA. I'm proud of my boyfriend, and I'm not afraid to show it."

The final kiss landed on Ron's lips and lingered. He surrendered to the warm softness. Bring it on, Barkin. Bring it on. Neither of them noticed the muffled exclamation echoing in the hall.

"HE MADE THE TEAM?!"

Bonnie's outcry echoed in the empty gymnasium. She was thunderstruck. Never in a million years would she have believed the loser could actually make the football team, or any team for that matter. The likelihood of such an event was surely as low as it was for Kim hooking up with Shego.

"As the towel boy?" Bonnie asked mockingly.

"Actually, he's the new running back," Tara replied nervously. She was a little taken aback by Bonnie's reaction.

"That's just great. Now the loser's on the team. Will this nightmare never end?" Bonnie growled in frustration and started pacing back and forth.

"I really wish you wouldn't call him a loser. He's a really nice guy. And he saved our lives. Twice."

"Okay, I'll give him that. But he's still dangling at bottom of the food chain."

"Well, he is on the football team now. And he's dating a cheerleader. Doesn't sound like he's at the bottom anymore."

That stopped Bonnie in her tracks. A malicious grin formed on her lips.

"You know what? I think you just might be right."

The predatory look on Bonnie's face made Tara nervous. She had seen it before, and it always meant someone was going to get hurt.

Tara was right. The moment she realized Ron had risen through the ranks Bonnie's devious mind went into overdrive. This wasn't about the food chain anymore. This was her chance of putting Kim Possible in her place. Which she could accomplish by snatching Ron for herself. But she knew that the direct approach wouldn't work. So she would have to break them apart first. She'd have their relationship break down like the FFNet mailbot.

Ron weaved through the crowded school hall. He was returning from class, which to his displeasure wasn't one he shared with Kim. He was eager to reunite with the redhead, post-haste. Out of the blue, his way was cut off by the curvaceous form of Bonnie Rockwaller.

"Hey, Stoppable. Can I have a word with you?" Bonnie asked as she stepped in front of Ron.

"Um.. Sure, Bonnie."

She pulled him aside, for whatever little privacy that could be had in a crowded school hall.

"So, have you set your sights on anyone yet?"

"What you talkin' 'bout, Rockwaller?"

"You have noticed all the girls checking you out, haven't you?" Bonnie asked, ignoring the lame joke.

Ron could be dense at times but he wasn't blind. Though he had failed to notice Tara and Yori crushing on him, this was too obvious for even Ron to miss. Girls were smiling at him, openly, and giving him looks as he passed by. Not just any looks. They were giving him the come-and-get-it-big-boy looks. But since he wasn't wise to ways of women (who among us really are?), he had no clue as to the reasons behind them. Most of them still didn't think much of him, but were curious as to why the globe-trotting captain of the cheersquad had chosen him. And Bonnie knew this.

"Kinda."

"So aren't you going to do anything about it?"

"What do you mean? I'm with Kim."

"High school is about experiences, Ron. You've been given an opportunity to have them. If you don't use it, you might never get the chance again."

"Dramatic, much?"

"Think about it, Ron. You never had dates before and you ended up with your friend. How do you know there's no one better for you?"

"I ended up with Kim because I love her. Always have."

"Love is good and all, but you don't really know if she's the one without knowing what else life has to offer. Like, if you always have your pizza with the same toppings, how do you know there aren't better ones if you don't give them a try?"

The conversation was making Ron more uncomfortable by the minute, so he decided to bail. "I guess.. I really have to go."

"Think about what I said, Stoppable. You're looking at the chance of a lifetime."

Damn, I'm good. Bonnie smiled in pure malicious delight. From the look on the boy's face she knew she'd been successful in planting the seeds of doubt. Now all she had to do was to let them grow and do their work.

Ron walked away unsettled. What was that about? She couldn't have been serious. Could she? Finally he decided it was just Bonnie up to her old tricks again. He met up with Kim and gave her an extra dose of Ronshine, earning both of them an hour of detention. Neither of them minded.

The next day Ron had already forgotten his exchange with Bonnie. That was until..

"Hey, Ron," came a greeting from a dark-haired beauty.

"Hi, Marcella," Ron said, trying to sound nonchalant.

"You looked good on the field today," she said in a little-more-than-friendly voice.

"Thanks." His tone was slightly suspicious. Since when did Marcella act friendly towards him?

"You wanna do something later? Like catch a movie?" The cheerleader twirled a lock of hair around her finger.

"Sorry. I have plans with Kim."

"Well, here's my number, in case you change your mind." She handed Ron a piece of paper, containing her digits.

"Thanks.. I guess." At this point Ron was completely at sea.

"Later." She turned, and walked away, adding extra swing to her hips.

When he could tear his eyes away from Marcella's shapely behind, Ron looked at Rufus. "Was she just hitting on me?" Rufus nodded.

As if this wasn't enough to mess with the young man's mind, the conversation with Bonnie now made sense to him. And this wasn't the last time Ron would be hit on. Every time he would politely decline, and every time Bonnie's words would echo in his head:

High School is about experiences...
...how do you know there aren't better ones if you don't give them a try?

In the following days and weeks the conversation started gaining an increasingly strong foothold on his thoughts. He tried to fight it, but to no avail. Being on the football team didn't help matters any, for it made him the center of attention he once thought he wanted. Every smile, every compliment, every come on directed at him, added to his inner turmoil. The truths he once held self-evident, were now targeted by questions. Questions demanding answers, gnawing away at his brain, not giving his tormented mind a moments peace.

Was Bonnie right?
Would I be a fool to let an opportunity like this slip away?
Could there really be someone else out there for me?
Someone better? Someone better for me?
How could there be?
I love Kim. Always have. And she loves me.
I've never loved anyone else. But then that's the problem, isn't it?
How can I be sure my love for Kim isn't just desperation? Desperation of not finding anyone else?
It can't be. It just can't...

Ron relished the nights of troubled sleep, the only escape he had from the Doubt Choir performing unrequested encores in his head.

Next time on Chasing the Dawn: "Ron, we need to talk."

What will become of Kim and Ron? Can Ron overcome his fears? Will Kimi Räikkönen dominate the Formula Ones this season? Can I stop talking like this? Tune in, as the story continues in chapter 2: Crossroads.