This Kiss

The Youth Center was always abuzz with youthful energy, but as the days edged towards Christmas, it was even more alive with mirth. Ernie, the jolly owner of the teen hangout, was busy organizing the decorating committee, composed entirely of volunteers. His yearly goal was to insure that the Juice Bar was the merriest locale besides the North Pole itself.

Gleeful teens participated in the traditional decorating of the restaurant, while the soft music of a youthful chorus filled the establishment with spirit. The chorus consisted of about a dozen middle school kids who were conducted by Aisha Campbell, a high school student who always took time to volunteer with young children as well as animals. The group carried their voices in union, backed by the soft tune of Kimberly Hart's guitar.

Kimberly gently slid her fingers along the chords in the final strum, bringing the famed carol to an end. She then rose from her stool, and together with Aisha, she congratulated the children for their splendid performance.

Both young women, slightly tired from the effort but nonetheless euphoric from the season, left the makeshift stage to join their friends Billy, Adam, Rocky, and Tommy, who were watching the performance nearby.

"That sounded great, you guys," Adam commented with a wide grin.

Aisha smiled in appreciation. "Thanks. The kids have been working really hard."

Just then, Ernie joined the assembled teens, a huge golden star in his grasp. "Here it is, guys!" he exclaimed proudly, holding up the ornament for all to see, "No Christmas tree would be complete without it."

He then handed the star to Tommy, who gazed at it with satisfaction. "Alright," he commented. The then glanced towards the monumental tree, standing tall by the entrance to the Youth Center and glittering with lights and glass ornaments.

All it needed was to be crowned.

As Tommy's dark gaze swept the decked halls of the Youth Center, he spotted a young girl from Aisha and Kimberly's choir. She sat upon a chair by herself, her shoulders slumped despondently.

Tommy felt his holiday cheer ebb at the sight of her. That feeling was instantly replaced with determination to cheer her up. "I'll be back, guys," he said suddenly, leaving the circle of friends.

"Okay," Kim answered, although Tommy had already left. While her friends continued their conversation around her, Kim kept her fawn-hued scrutiny on Tommy. She watched him approach the solitary girl, and lower himself to one knee to meet her at eye level.

"Hey," he said softly, winning the girl's attention, "you're just the person I was looking for."

His comment was met by a startled expression from the girl. He smiled warmly, holding out the star. "Wanna help me put the star on top of the tree?"

She blinked, turning slowly to the monumental tree occupying the entire corner of the hangout. "But I can't reach that high," she whispered.

Tommy's grin broadened. As usual, his warm, heart-melting smile did its magic, and invoked a smile upon her face as well. "I think we can fix that," he said assuredly, rising to his feet, "Let's go."

Holding the golden star in one hand, Tommy grasped her hand in the other, and led her to the large evergreen. Once they reached the base, he released his grip on her hand, and held out the golden ornament. She grasped the star, and then gazed at him questioningly.

"Here you go," he said, hoisting her onto his shoulders suddenly. The solemn girl let a giggle of surprise and joy escape her as the strong young men lifted her higher than she could reach on her own. Her excitement building, she reached out, and lay the star upon the tree.

A serene smile tugged at Kimberly's soft lips as she watched the scene unfold. It was simply incredible to her how Tommy interacted with people. He had such a charismatic appeal... to people of all ages. He came off as being so trustworthy and unassuming, it would be hard not to like him.

Also, unlike some other men, he was just as honest and gentle as he appeared. No facade hid any cruel intentions or questionable motives. As impossible at it appeared, he was just as tender and compassionate as he seemed.

For the first time in her young life, Kimberly felt completely at ease in her romantic relationship. She had dated other guys before, but none were like Tommy Oliver. She had no reason to doubt him, or his devotion to her.

She trusted him implicitly... even with her heart.

I don't want another heartbreak
I don't need another turn to cry
I don't want to learn the hard way
Baby hello, oh no, goodbye
But you got me like a rocket
Shooting straight across the sky...

"Kimberly, what're you thinking about?"

Kimberly startled, and turned towards the source of the voice. She noticed that she was leaning against the railing of the steps, staring at Tommy plainly. She felt the embarrassment rise when she noticed her best friend's puzzled expression.

"Oh, nothing," Kim lied, trying her best to smile innocently. In fact, she was amazed that she was so disconnected from reality. She didn't even realize Adam, Rocky, and Billy had left them to get sodas!

Aisha frowned at Kimberly's response. It wasn't rare that Kimberly daydreamt, but on this occasion, she was somewhere in outer space! With a shrug, Aisha decided to cast her own gaze in the direction Kimberly's was formerly in, to see what was so captivating by the entrance to the restaurant.

Aisha's full lips pulled into an amused smirk when she surveyed Tommy by the tree, talking to Becky, a girl from their chorus group. Tommy was clearly trying his best to bring the girl out of the solemn mood that had trapped her during the holiday season.

"Oh, come on, Girl!" Aisha sighed, trying to prevent a giggle, "We've got decorating to do!"

Aisha grabbed Kimberly by the wrist, and dragged her friend towards a large cardboard box of holly, wreaths, and other decorations.

"Just grab something," Aisha advised, pulling out an evergreen wreath with flowers and wheat stalks woven into it, "You've got a natural eye for interior decorating. You should be overseeing this entire project!"

Kim giggled slightly, sticking her arm into the wealth of holiday decorations. Aisha walked away, joining Adam and asking him for advice on where to place the wreath. Kim's lips pursed when her fingers finally enclosed on something interesting, and she pulled it out.

An expression of surprised amusement washed over her countenance when she saw the mistletoe hanging from her fingers.

Well, I don't see any mistletoe hanging around here, she realized, scanning the room quickly, It's certainly a great way to spice up a holiday party...

Her entire thought pattern stopped when her gaze fell upon Tommy again. Now, he had moved towards Rocky and Billy, who were standing on ladders near the juice bar. He was instructing them on how to attach the large "Happy Holidays" banner on the ceiling, to insure the sign was straight and centered.

His back was turned to her, so he didn't notice her observation. Therefore, he didn't see a mischievous smile perk her lips as she strolled towards the entrance of the Youth Center, and stopped beneath the arch just flanking the magical Christmas tree.

It's the way you love me
It's a feeling like this--
It's centripetal motion
It's perpetual bliss.
It's that pivotal moment
It's... Impossible
This Kiss, This Kiss...
Unstoppable
This Kiss, This Kiss

"Billy," Tommy said, squinting his chocolate eyes, "bring your end... half an inch down."

The genius nodded, and carried out Tommy's instruction. He then shrugged his eyebrows in an "is this good" gesture.

"There we go," Tommy said, a satisfied smile spreading onto his bronze face. He then began stepping back slowly, observing the sign from a greater distance to insure its position was perfect.

While he moved, suddenly, the archway that served as the entrance to the Youth Center came into his field of vision. He turned his gaze when he saw a continual movement, and watched as Kimberly kept jumping vertically, trying in vain to connect a small decoration to a hook at the height of the arch.

Faintly, Tommy wondered why she didn't get a chair. With her petite stature, there was no way she'd be able to reach the hook.

His eyes widened when he realized what she was attempting to hang.

His smile returned. "Guys," he said, already moving in her direction, "I'll be right back."

Billy and Rocky were too busy fastening the banner with thumbtacks to notice Tommy's departure.

Once Tommy reached the vicinity of the archway, he straightened himself out, and slowly strode to Kim's side. "Need some help?" he asked over her shoulder.

Since her back was initially toward him, he didn't see the smile of anticipation on her face. She quickly bit her lip to mask her excitement, and turned around to face him, beaming at him innocently and handing him the green plant. "Yeah," she said cheerily.

Kim watched as Tommy easily reached the hook she was attempting to reach, and fastened the mistletoe securely to the apex of the arch. "Thanks," she said, once he began lowering his arms from the ceiling.

An innocent smile still spread on her lips, she closed her eyes in expectation of the traditional kiss under the mistletoe.

Tommy needed no more prompting. Slowly, he leaned toward her, in order to collect the Christmas present he wanted most of all...

"Oh, mistletoe!" came a voice, startling both teens from their romantic moment. Skull, the lanky member of the Angel Grove Junior Police Force, managed to squeeze between the couple, and planted a kiss on Kimberly's cheek.

Blinking in amazement at Skull's rudeness, she wiped away the kiss.

Skull then arched his neck backwards to glance at Tommy. "I love this time of year!" he exclaimed, releasing his trademark giggle.

"Yeah, right," Tommy muttered, gently pushing Skull from between them. He then glanced up, and frowned when he noticed Bulk standing beside Kimberly, with the clear intention of collecting a holiday kiss as well.

One glance at Tommy's impatient expression changed the young man's mind, and he quietly slipped away.

In unison, both Kimberly and Tommy release sighs of disappointment for the perfect moment lost. Still frustrated and annoyed at the interruption, Kim wiped her cheek again with a grimace.

Cinderella said to Snow White
How does love get so off course?
All I wanted was a white knight
With a good heart, soft touch, fast horse.
Ride me off into the sunset
Baby, I'm forever yours

After another set of choir songs, Aisha and Kimberly dismissed the collection of kids. With an expression of worry on her face, Aisha approached Becky, who was lingering behind with a forlorn expression marring her young face.

"Becky, why didn't you sing?" she asked gently, lying her hand on the girl's shoulder.

"What does it matter," she sighed bitterly, stepping away from Aisha's grip, "No one will be here to hear me sing."

With that revelation, Becky quickly left the Youth Center.

Kimberly glanced at Aisha, who shook her head and sighed. She was clearly at a loss on how she could help this young girl. "I'll go talk to her," Kimberly elected, grabbing her leather jacket and hurrying out of the Youth Center.

From his vantage point atop a ladder, Tommy noticed Kimberly's urgent departure. Curiosity taking over, he descended the ladder while still holding the wreath he was about to hang, and quickly made his way to Aisha, who had returned to the music stand she was positioned at and glanced over the selection of carols.

"Hey, Aisha!" he called, gaining her attention. Aisha glanced first at the wreath Tommy was holding, and then eyed him expectantly.

"What's up?" she inquired.

"Where'd Kim go?" he asked, casting another glance towards the arch, domed with the mistletoe.

"She went to check on Becky," Aisha answered, returning her attention to the sheets of music, "She'll be right back."

"Thanks," Tommy said, slowly returning to the ladder. He stopped short when an idea came to him, causing him to turn his gaze back to the entrance... and the mistletoe hanging, practically calling to him.

With a quick look around to see if anyone was watching him, Tommy casually strolled towards the arch. He pretended to fix his attention on the tree, but he slowly eased beneath the arch, lying the wreath against the wall.

Nervously shoving his hands in his pockets, Tommy glanced around the room innocently, while turning around every now and then to see if Kimberly was returning.

It's the way you love me
It's a feeling like this--
It's centripetal motion
It's perpetual bliss.
It's that pivotal moment
It's... Unthinkable
This Kiss, This Kiss...
Unsinkable
This Kiss, This Kiss

Kimberly stepped past the warmth of the Youth Center, and shivered slightly in the outdoor breezes. It was still rather warm, considering Angel Grove is in southern California, yet this day the breezes were strong enough to cause a chill.

Clutching her leather jacket, Kimberly spotted Becky, slumped on a bench once again lost in a silent reverie of emotional pain. Gathering her determination to break through the girl's forlorn shell, Kimberly approached her, and took a seat next to her.

"It's Christmas!" Kimberly pointed out, draping her jacket over Becky's bare shoulders, "You're supposed to be happy!"

"I'm sorry, Kimberly," Becky sighed, "I don't mean to ruin it for everyone... it's just that..." Becky exhaled again, and rose her chin to lock eyes with Kimberly, "...all I want is for my Dad to come and hear me sing, but he already told me he can't come because he has to work."

"You know what?" Kim said, leaning forward and smiling encouragingly, "I bet your dad works just as hard as he does because he loves you, and wants you to be happy."

"But, doesn't he know that what makes me happy is spending time with him?" Becky asked quietly, her frustration evident.

"Not unless you tell him," Kim pointed out.

Becky remained silent for a few moments, thinking about Kim's words. Finally, a small smile crept upon her face. "Okay, I'm gonna be extra sure to let him know exactly how I feel."

"Good," Kim said, pulling her into a warm hug. Kim then hopped off the bench, and walked with Becky back towards the Youth Center. Once they passed through the doors, Becky's grin widened suddenly, and she pulled off Kim's jacket.

"Here you go," Becky said, still grinning knowingly, "I'll see you later."

Kim accepted the jacket, and followed Becky with her eyes as the girl walked quickly into the Youth Center.

It was then that she noticed a silhouette standing in the arch... a silhouette she had memorized to the point that it was as familiar as her own name.

Biting her lower lip, Kim hugged her leather jacket closer to her body, finally understanding why Becky had left her.

Where Tommy's and her intentions so transparent to everyone?

Frankly, she didn't really care. All that was on her mind was not to keep her white knight waiting.

Taking a deep breath to calm her pounding heart, Kim slowly strode through the arch, stopping beside Tommy and tapping his shoulder slightly. He grinned widely when he saw her, and then his dark eyes rolled upwards, fixating on the mistletoe.

"Ah," he remarked, as if he didn't notice it earlier. Kimberly bit back a small giggle as their lips inched closer together.

They each savored the anticipation, feeling the space between them narrowing. Finally, as their lips just brushed together with the delicacy of a butterfly's wing...

...a familiar six-tone signal sliced through the haze of their minds.

"Oh, man," Tommy sighed, as the couple pulled apart again. Kim rolled her eyes and slumped her shoulders in disappointment as Tommy discreetly beckoned the other Power Rangers, so they could congregate outside.

With an inward sigh, Kimberly followed the group outside, wondering why Zordon couldn't have waited ten seconds to summon them!

You can kiss me in the moonlight
On the rooftop under the sky
You can kiss me with the windows open
While the rain comes pouring inside
Kiss me in sweet slow motion
Let's let every thing slide
You've got me floating, You've got me flying

After their adventure saving Santa Claus and his elves from Rita and Zedd's plot to ruin Christmas, the Ranger teens returned to the Youth Center, with Tommy carrying an enormous sack of special presents intended for the kids there.

Then, after distributing the gifts to the throngs of kids, the team disbanded, each going in his own direction. Kimberly scanned the crowds of kids, and smiled when she found the person she was looking for. With a squeal of delight to grasp her attention, Kimberly wrapped her arms around Becky tightly.

"Kimberly!" the girl shrieked, "I thought you forgot about me!"

"I'd never do that," she said, bending over a bit and resting both hands on Becky's shoulders, "and there's someone else here who didn't forget either."

Becky gazed at Kim curiously, and gasped in excitement when she saw her father standing beside her. With a well of enthusiasm, Becky jumped into her father's arms, and began animatedly talking to him about her projects in the choir.

Kimberly saw the exchange with a satisfied smile, and backed away slowly to give the pair room. Inwardly, she was grateful that she bumped into Becky's father when the teens returned to the Youth Center, so she could make sure he found his daughter.

Faintly, she regretted the fact that, unlike Becky, she wouldn't be able to spend Christmas with her family. Her mother was in Paris still, and this would be the first Christmas without her.

Kim continued backing up blindly, her gaze still fixed on Becky as she separated from her father to sit on "Santa's" lap. It was in fact Bulk, volunteering for the community. Kim could tell from the excitement and glee on Becky's face that she didn't want anything else for Christmas. She got what she wanted most of all.

A contented sigh escaped Kim, which was quickly replaced with a gasp of surprise when she collided with a form behind her. She blinked in surprise, unaware that she was still moving, and allowed broad arms to turn her around.

Kim's eyes widened in astonishment. Her surprise melted into that warm feeling of comfort that always overwhelmed her senses when she was with Tommy.

"Oh, hey," he said, a mischievous grin on his face as he pointed his index finger upwards. Kimberly glanced up, and this time was genuinely surprised to see those same dark green mistletoe leaves dangling above.

Kim's lips tugged into a grin of her own, as she reached up with her hand and took hold of Tommy's jacket, pulling him down towards her. In response, he placed his gentle hands on her shoulders, and moved down to meet her.

This time, there was no interruption. Slowly, with each savoring the moment, their lips pressed together in a tender, yet powerful, kiss... expressing their love for each other, and their happiness at just being together.

Their lips lingered together, the entire world around them melting from their consciousness. They were the only people in the world.

It's the way you love me
It's a feeling like this--
It's centripetal motion
It's perpetual bliss.
It's that pivotal moment
It's... Subliminal
This Kiss, This Kiss...
It's Criminal
This Kiss, This Kiss

After an indefinite length of time, when the thirst for oxygen drew them back into reality, their lips separated. However, their bodies remained close, and both wore blissful, serene smiles.

"Merry Christmas, Tommy," Kim whispered sweetly, her eyes locked with his.

"Merry Christmas, Kimberly," he echoed, his arms remaining protectively around her.

With a contented sigh, Kimberly nestled herself against his body, closing her eyes dreamily. "I don't know what could make this day any better," she commented into his chest.

"Kimberly?" called a strikingly familiar voice, causing Kimberly's eyes to shutter open in amazement. She pulled away from Tommy's embrace immediately, gazing around the busy establishment for the source of the call.

She shrieked in excitement, her face lighting up with energy, when her gaze fell upon her mother.

With another squeal of delight, Kimberly tightly embraced her mother, whom she hadn't seen since she moved to Paris just after her wedding to Pierre, a French painter. Caroline returned the hug with all the strength in her body as she bathed her daughter in maternal affection.

Tommy grinned at Kimberly's excitement, and he backed away from the small family back towards the Christmas tree. Silently, he was grateful that Kimberly would be able to spend Christmas with her mother.

"What're you doing here?" Kimberly exclaimed, still overcome with surprise.

"We took a last minute flight in from France," Caroline explained, brushing Kim's bangs from her face, "I just couldn't leave my baby all alone on Christmas."

"Oh!" Kim squealed again, wrapping her arms around her mother in another gleeful embrace.

Tommy watched them for a few moments more, his warm smile remaining as he felt Kimberly's radiant enthusiasm even at a distance. He continued to linger at the tree, watching as the congregated throngs served beverages and sweets, while Aisha prepared the choir to sing a few more songs.

Absently, Tommy glanced over at the mistletoe, which hung at the arch just a few feet from his position.

He jerked in surprise when he felt a hand enclose his. Turning around, his eyes widened when they locked with Kim's shining fawn colored orbs.

"Hi," she said, still beaming from the excitement, "You look a little down."

Tommy smiled. "On Christmas? Never." He then slid his free hand down her petal-soft cheek. "Besides, I'm glad to see you happy."

"That's sweet," she cooed, tightening her grasp on his hand, "but I'm not quite happy yet."

"Huh?" Tommy uttered, as he let the petite young woman pull him along. The pair came to a stop beneath the arch, with the mistletoe hanging above their heads.

"Kim, what are you doing?" he asked, casting an uncomfortable glance behind them, "Where's your mother?"

"She's talking to the Campbells," Kim answered, "They came to see Aisha's debut at conducting." Another devilish grin tugged at her rosy lips. "We have time."

Tommy inclined his head to the mistletoe, and then glanced back at Kim. "Kim," he said gently, "It's okay. Spend time with your mother."

"Hey, Christmas is only once a year," she pointed out, gazing up at him with an almost predatory grin, "I might as well take advantage of it!"

Tommy chuckled slightly, wrapping his arms around Kim once again. "So... where were we?"

"About here," Kim replied in a whisper, clasping her hands behind his neck to draw him lower.

It's the way you love me, Baby,
It's the way you love me, Darling...