Lord Zedd had found _some_ way to separate him and Kimberly from the other Power Rangers, take their powers somehow, and throw them somewhere. Of course, they didn't exactly know where that somewhere _was_. And it didn't help that there were the additional difficulties that being alone with the Pink Ranger, Kimberly, were causing for him.

Tender brown eyes, wavy chestnut hair that shone and gleamed with her every movement, soft, clear skin, a body fine-honed by training and practice, a sense of style to shame any model, and her natural gymnastic grace. She seemed to perform every single movement. To Tommy, she was beautiful. He didn't really care that there might be others who might think otherwise. And she had proven to him time and time again how sweet and kind and gentle she could be. Yet how spirited! Why, even Lord Zedd had wanted her for his queen!

And it wasn't _any_ kind of fair that of all the Power Rangers, _he_ was the one that, he thought, was most lacking in looks. And talent.

He analyzed himself, ruthlessly.

[Hmm... long brown hair, (Tommy, you need a trim!) nose that looks like it'd look better on a hawk, brown eyes, straight mouth, muscled body, tall, dammit, admit it, Tommy, you're nothing much out of the ordinary! And what are you good at? Martial arts. But Jason's just about as good as you at that. Short, dark hair, a perfect nose, high cheekbones, more muscle than you, half-slant brown eyes, basically, he's got the looks and body of a young god. Not just that, he thinks Kimberly's pretty, too. The only reason, I think, that he hasn't gone for her is that he's your best friend and he figured out how you feel a long time ago. And being the great guy he is, he's not going to go for the lady his buddy's 'sweet' on!]

[Look at Zach: he's a damn fine dancer and he's good-looking to boot. And he's such a great guy: different from the rest of us in looks and personality, which makes him stand out more: his dark skin, with his dreadlocks. And Billy: smart as anything, and he's no slouch in the looks department, either, even with his glasses! Hell, he's the Cassanova of all of us! Even though it does get sort of hard to figure out what in the world he means!]

Tommy smiled at the thought. Billy, the Blue Ranger, was as smart as they came, and when it counted. He had gotten them out of many a situation either by fast-talking them out, or simply braining their way out of it with his knowledge of computers and all. In fact, when he was six, he'd taken his mother's vacuum cleaner apart-- and put it back together again.

"What's up, Tommy? There's not much reason to be smiling." Kimberly said from beside him, arms wrapped around her legs and her chin resting on her knees.

"I was just thinking that if we had Billy with us, we'd probably be out of here by now."

Kimberly rolled her eyes. "I don't think even Billy could get us out of this one!" she told Tommy.

They looked around them. They were in a small chamber made completely of ice. Kimberly shivered. Tommy half-smiled at her sympathetically. _He_ was wearing a white flannel, a cream T-shirt under that, and white slacks. _She_ was wearing nothing more than denim shorts and a pink short shirt, with a light denim vest over it. Not to mention his 'powers' protected him against most elements, cold being one of them. "Cold?" Tommy asked, compassionately.

Kimberly, teeth starting to chatter, nodded. Tommy moved closer to her, sat down beside her, half-took his flannel off and shared it between them. Kimberly snuggled into his warmth reflexively, then paused and pulled away as Tommy stiffened. "Oh! I'm sorry, Tommy. I'll stop, if you like."

Tommy unstiffened and laughed somewhat self-consciously. "No, it's O.K. I don't mind. We're friends, right?"

"Always." Kimberly said, gratefully. She nestled into his arm, tempting him strongly to put his arm around her shoulders and pull her closer.

Kimberly wished that Tommy would pull her just a _little_ closer. Or maybe more than a little. Here she was, separated from the curious eyes of the other Power Rangers, with no other company than the gentlest, sweetest, and one of the nicest guys she knew, and she couldn't do anything. O.K, so she had a crush on him. Trini had hinted it might be more than that, and that Tommy just _might_ feel the same for her, but somehow, she doubted it. Trini was always a hopeless romantic, for all her fearlessness, anyway.

[Look at him. Long, silky brown hair, well kept and brushed out, those gentle brown eyes of his, that cute hawk-nose, his sweet mouth, that charming smile, that soft voice and--ooooh!--that body of his! Mm-mmm! I bet there isn't a girl in Angel Grove High that doesn't either have a crush on him or Jason. Of course, I haven't got much chance with him. I'm just not pretty enough. My hair isn't straight and smooth and tame blonde, it's the color of red dirt, and it's wavy. I haven't got big blue eyes, I've got brown ones. No full lips, my mouth is tiny. I'm just not good enough for a guy like Tommy. I mean, he's the White Ranger!]

"Tommy?" she said, right in his ear. He jumped a little, startled.

"Hmm?"

"How are we going to get out of here?"

"I... I don't know, Kimberly. If we had something to make a fire, we could melt our way out. If we had our powers... we could teleport out of here..."

Then, suddenly, they could hear Jason's voice, ecoing and resonating all around them. And, amazingly enough, on the wall of ice in front of them, appeared a huge face! "Tommy! Kimberly! Are you two O.K?"

Tommy and Kimberly leapt to their feet, throwing off Tommy's white flannel. "Jason!" Tommy cried.

The Jason-face on the wall in front of them smiled. "You're fine! We were worried! Hey, where _are_ you guys?"

"You tell us!" Kimberly pointed out.

"What is it like in there?"

Kimberly shivered. "Cold."

Jason nodded sympathetically. "From here, it looks like you two are in a room of ice. Must be zero degrees in there."

Tommy smiled his infectious smile. "Not _that_ cold! Where are we? You must have found us to be able to see us!"

Suddenly, Billy's and Trini's face appeared near Jason's. "Well, actually," Billy began, "you seem to be trapped in a pane of a quartz-feldspar compound coated liberally with silver nitrate."

Tommy and Kimberly looked at each other, questioningly, then at Billy. "What's that in English?" Kimberly said, halfway sarcastically.

Trini interposed on Billy's behalf. "You're trapped in a mirror."

Kimberly and Tommy looked at each other once again. "A mirror?"

Jason nodded. Zach appeared beside Trini. "We can teleport into there, but Alpha's still working on a way to get you guys out. We could bring in a blanket or something, if it's _that_ cold..."

Trini giggled. "Oh, I don't know, they looked pretty comfortable to me!"

Kimberly and Tommy stared at their toes and blushed. Tommy protested, "Oh, come on, Trini, it _is_ cold here."

Jason rolled his eyes, and the quirk in the corner of his mouth said, clearly, "whatever you say, buddy."

"Give us a sec, we'll be there in a flash!" Zach said, smiling. The screen went quite blank, and within seconds, the other Power Rangers had appeared in coloured beams of light. Tommy exchanged high-fives with Jason and Zach, and Trini started chatting with Kimberly, as Tommy was placed on the interrogation board by his best friend, Jason.

"Kimberly, how are you?"

"I'm fine, I guess. It's cold here, but that's it."

Trini winked. "With Tommy around, I'm sure you couldn't have been _that_ cold!" she murmured good-naturedly.

"Oh, come on, Trini, he'd have done the same for you."

"Being the gentleman that he is, I don't doubt it! Except that he would have just taken off his flannel and given it to me. Simply put, he won't take any nonsense from me. He wouldn't have sat down beside me and shared his body heat. He wouldn't have let me snuggle into his side, either."

Kimberly blushed. "Was I _that_ bad?"

Trini smiled. "You were flirting like crazy. But that's O.K. when you're sweet on a guy, I guess. I don't think he noticed, anyway. Like I said, he goes soft when he's around you."

Kimberly blushed anew.

"Don't worry about it, Kim. Everything will turn out fine. You'll see."

Kimberly replied, "But what if I'm not good enough for him? I mean, he's the leader of the Power Rangers and all, and he deserves it. I can't match that!"

Trini smiled. "Don't worry about it."

Meanwhile, Tommy was getting much of the same treatment. Only worse, because his tormenters weren't _quite_ as sympathetic as the Yellow Ranger, Trini.

"Tommy, man, you two were like _this_!" Zach teased, holding up two fingers pressed together. "If you two had gotten any closer, it looked like you'd have stuck together for good!"

"Affirmative! Doubtful, but I agree." Billy confirmed, smiling.

"Tommy, you lucky dog, you!" Jason said, smothering laughter and punching his best friend's arm good-naturedly.

Tommy was blushing furiously, but he still managed to get out a denial. "Look, you guys, nothing happened! She was cold, and, well, what could I do?"

Jason and Zach exchanged a look and bent double in helpless giggles. Tommy watched them with a patient look until they had uncrooked enough to answer his question. "You could have done what you would have done with Trini. Handed her your flannel. You didn't need to go cuddling up there with her. Even though it _was_ a nice thing to do. Of course, Trini's no pretty hothouse flower: she wouldn't have felt cold in the first place."

"Look, man," Zach said, putting a hand on Tommy's shoulder. "You've been makin' it pretty obvious that you're sweet on _one_ of the girls, and I bet my dancin' shoes it ain't Trini."

Tommy blushed so hard that he thought his cheeks must be on fire. Zach and Jason exchanged another glance. Then looked at Tommy's expression.

"Aw, man!" Zach whispered to Jason. "Cupid hit this guy hard!"

They both converged, by silent mutual agreement, at Tommy's shoulders. "Look, Tommy, there isn't anything wrong with that! Kim's a perfectly great girl."

"I know that." Tommy mumbled. "What I'm worried about is _me_."

Zach and Jason looked at each other, worried. They _knew_ Tommy didn't have a high self-esteem. They were starting to feel strange in the ice-room, so they teleported back to the command center with promises to come back soon, and watched as Trini did the same. With unspoken agreement, they left their own thoughts alone and went to beard the Sabretooth Tiger in her lair.

They pounced on the Yellow Ranger, Trini, as soon as she left _her_ best friend, Kimberly, alone.

"O.K. So what's the scoop on these two?" Zach asked her, rhetorically.

"I think the lovebird hit them right in the heart." Trini replied. "How is Tommy about all this?"

"Tommy's completely love-struck." Jason replied with no preamble at all. "But he thinks she's too good for him. And you _know_ what a low self-esteem he's got."

Trini shook her head. "Kim thinks _he's_ too good for _her_! And that's not going to be good for the team."

Zach and Jason stared. "So you want to get them over their crushes? It's going to be hard to do that, 'cause we just left them alone again. Without blankets. Which means they're probably huddled together again."

Trini frowned. "What gave you that idea?"

"That's what they were doing before they knew we were watching."

"Exactly. _Before_ they knew we were watching."

"Affirmative! I surmise that they would greatly appreciate it if we could devise a manner in which they could spend some quality time together away from their peers' prying eyes."

"What?" Jason and Zach asked.

Trini rolled her eyes. "What he says is that we should figure out a way so that they could be left alone, in a park or something."

"Alone? No." Jason objected. "Tommy gets a little shy around Kimberly."

"But they won't get anywhere if we're there, Jason. They _do_ respect their privacy, as it is. Maybe we should interfere, you're right, but not privately. Openly."

"Yeah! Maybe we should tell Tommy, right out, how Kim feels about him. She might not like it, but it'll be better for her and the team in general in the long run."

"Right. I agree completely."

"Affirmative!"

"Let's do it, Power Rangers!"

Then, suddenly, Zordon started to speak. "Power Rangers! I have figured out a way to get Kimberly and Tommy out of the mirror. Simply tell Tommy not to reach for the power outside him, but to reach for the goodness inside him. It will restore his powers, as they were not stolen as they believe, simply tucked inside Tommy by the force of being pressed into the mirror. Even though Kimberly's powers _have_ been stolen, Tommy's powers cannot be taken away, as they are anchored inside him by his purity. Hence the 'White Ranger.' The same power will keep him warm in the Mirror Ice."

Zach had a horrifying thought. "Hey, Zordon! What if Tommy were to, say, fall for some girl. Just if. Would he lose his 'purity?' Would he lose his powers? And what about Kim? We can't take Tommy out and leave her there!"

"I do not know, Power Rangers. I do not know. But when the White Ranger activates his powers, I'm sure that he will figure out a way to get Kimberly out of there. That is what makes him a good leader: he thinks for his team, first, himself, later."

They nodded, and quickly teleported back to the ice-room.

Instantly, they were hit by a wave of cold. _Extreme_ cold. Trini and Jason were basically untouched, but Zach shivered instantly, and wrapped arms around himself. Then they thought of Kimberly, especially susceptible to cold, and looked around the room. Sure enough, Kimberly was asleep in Tommy's arms... literally. In fact, they were _both_ snoozing. Kimberly was curled up in Tommy's lap, his flannel draped loosely around both of them, Tommy's back against a wall and Kimberly's head against his chest, pillowed in her hands.

"Aww... how sweet. Jase, I hate to wake them up." Zach whispered.

"Yeah, me too. You think we should leave them alone?"

"Guys, if we do, then they may freeze, remember?"

"Negative. _Kimberly_ may, but Tommy won't." Billy reminded her.

Trini cast an _extremely_ dirty look at Billy.

"Just making an observation, Trini."

"No, really, should we wake 'em?"

"Yeah, I guess we should. Kimberly first?"

"O.K."

Trini went over to Kimberly, and shook her ever so gently. She murmured softly and yawned before opening her eyes. "Huh? Trini? Where am I?"

"Shhh..." Trini said, gently. "You fell asleep. You're in the Mirror, remember?"

"Oh. Right. That was because you guys took so long!"

Trini looked at her strangely. "We were only gone a few minutes..."

"Huh?" Kimberly said. "You've been gone for hours!"

Trini exchanged a look with Jason and Zach, who shrugged. Then Jason smiled. "Before you move any, Kim, look who you were sleeping on."

"Hmm?" She turned her head and looked straight into Tommy's napping face. "Oh!"

The exclamation seemed to wake him up somewhat because he blinked a few times and removed his hands from around her waist to stretch, joints popping a little. Kimberly scrambled up to shake him gently.

"Hmmm?" he said, somewhat sleepily. "Kim?"

"Yes, Tommy." she said, softly.

"Where are we?"

"We're in the mirror, remember?" she replied, gently. More gently than any of them had ever heard her talk before. Trini and Jason exchanged a glance and rolled their eyes, smiling a bit.

Tommy's eyes snapped open completely, and he jumped up. "Geez! How long have you guys been here! Sorry, I fell asleep..."

Jason grinned at him. "We noticed." he commented wryly. Then, he grabbed Tommy by the arm and led him to a corner of the room. "Look, man, Zordon figured out a way to get you out of here.

"That's great!" Tommy exclaimed. "What is it?"

Jason smiled a slow, cat-and-canary smile. "I'm not telling you--"

"What?!?"

"--until you promise to ask Kimberly to dance at the Valentines prom next Friday."

"What?!?"

"You heard me. Promise you'll ask Kim to dance with you at the prom, and I'll tell you how to get out of here."

"This isn't the time for matchmaking, Jason!" Tommy exclaimed, agitated. "How will I _get_ to the prom, anyway? You've got to have a date, remember? Pair Dance? And... and... what if she says no?"

"She won't, man. She's head-over-heels, y'know what I mean?" Zach interjected. "Besides, you'd rather go around like some lovesick seventh grade Junior High School kid, not knowing how the heck _she_ feels?"

"Well... no..."

"Then go!"

"Whoa, wait a minute, guys. Tell me how to get us out of here _first_, and I'll not just ask Kimberly to the prom, I'll ask her to be my girlfriend. I promise. O.K?"

Jason and Zach thought for a while, then mutually agreed. "O.K."

"Now, how?"

"Your powers never left you. They've just been in you all this while. So all you have to do, according to Zordon, is reach inside yourself and find your 'goodness inside of you.'"

"The _what_? How am I going to do that?"

"I dunno. Maybe," a mischievous gleam came into Jason's eyes, "you could ask Kimberly?"

"Thanks!" Tommy nodded, much to Jason's surprise. "I'll do that."

He walked over to where Trini was trying to convince Kimberly to ask _him_ out. As soon as he drew nearer to them, they instantly shut up.

"Oh, no." he protested. "Don't mind me, ladies. Go on as you were..."

Trini and Kimberly exchanged a glance and were lost in helpless giggles, a puzzled Tommy watching them laugh. As soon as they stopped, Trini hastened to explain. "We were just talking about--"

"--that guy who works at Ernie's asking Trini out. Isn't that the coolest?" Kimberly interrupted smoothly. That was, in fact, only a half-truth, as Richie _hadn't_ asked Trini out, but it would suffice...

Tommy grinned. "Really, Trini? That _is_ cool."

"So, Tommy, what brings you to the girl's side of the mirror?" Kimberly asked quietly. Trini could see what she was hoping, but...

"Well... I was just wondering why _I'm_ the leader of the Power Rangers and not one of the other guys."

"Well... you're strong..." Trini supplied.

"Jason's just as strong, I think."

"You're a good martial artist..."

"And the others aren't?"

"You're smart..."

"Billy?"

"You can solve problems that even Zordon can't."

"Everyone gets lucky sometime!"

"You're cute..." Trini said, wrinkling her nose with a smile. Kim suppressed a momentary twinge of jealousy.

Tommy threw back his head and laughed his irresistible laugh. "I don't think that's in the running, Trini! Besides, I'm not."

Kimberly cocked her head and said, softly, "I know. What it is, I mean."

Tommy cocked his head back. "Really? What?"

"You think of others before you think of yourself. You don't insult people, you're always handing out compliments, and you're the kind of person someone can always count on. When you're needed, you'll always be there . In other words, you're a really sweet guy."

"Really?" Tommy asked, after a few seconds of silence. "You think so?"

Kimberly nodded, and so did Trini. He turned to Zach, Billy and Jason, who were behind them. They, too, nodded silently. "I think Kim said it better than any of us could have."

"Well, then..." Tommy said, taking a deep breath. "I'm going to try to teleport back to the command center. Wish me luck, people."

"Good luck, Tommy."

"Good luck, man."

"Best of luck."

"Felicitations, Tommy."

"Go get 'em, Tommy."

This last was Kimberly, who rested a hand on his shoulder and looked into his brown eyes with her own. He nodded to her, then took a deep breath--

--and teleported out in a beam of white light.

He reappeared in the command center, where Alpha was very relieved to see him. "Tommy! You're back!" the little robot chirruped.

"Yes, Alpha. I'm back."

"Tommy. Are you aware that Kimberly's powers are not anchored to her as yours are? And that they are no longer with her?"

"WHAT?!" Tommy yelled, stricken.

"They have been stolen by an clone, a creation of Zedd's, who looks exactly like her. But the Kimberly in the mirror is the _real_ Kimberly, as far as I can tell."

"But Zordon... if she hasn't got her powers, then isn't she trapped in the mirror?" asked Tommy, somewhat distraught.

"No. Anything in direct full or almost-full contact with a teleporting Power Ranger will teleport with them. If you were to carry her, for example, she would teleport with you. But it would use up a lot of energy. You, of course, have limitless energy, but the other Power Rangers..."

"I read you, Zordon. No problem."

Zordon nodded, and Tommy disappeared once again in a stream of light.

He reappeared in the chamber, which seemed _much_ colder than when he'd left. Kimberly was nodding off from the cold, and despite Trini's best efforts to wake her, kept dozing off. As soon as Trini saw him, she gestured him over, worry evident on her face. "Tommy," she said, "you've been gone for hours!"

"How's Kim?"

"Not good. The cold's getting to her, I think."

Tommy crouched beside Kimberly, and gently touched her face with the back of his hand. He recoiled away. She was ice-cold.

"We've gotta wake her up!" Tommy said, urgently.

"I know. I tried, but... she just won't stay awake!"

Tommy took off his flannel and cradled Kimberly in his arms. He wrapped the flannel around both of them, and carefully warmed her hands with his own. Slowly, slowly, she came to.

"Hmmm? Tommy?" she murmured. She burrowed into him. "Lemme sleep..."

"No, Kim..." but it was too late. She'd already drifted off.

Tommy, frustrated and worried, started to fret. "Guys... what are we going to do?"

Suddenly, Alpha appeared on the wall of ice. "Power Rangers! The _real_ Kimberly has been placed under a spell called the Sleeping Beauty. She will sleep until someone breaks the spell..."

"How?" Tommy asked desperately.

"I am still working on that, Tommy."

Tommy hung his head and clenched his teeth. Zach dropped his hand on Tommy's shoulder. "Damn, I'm sorry, man. But what'd he mean when he said the _real_ Kimberly?"

Tommy raised his head. "Zedd... created a clone of Kim. He took her powers and gave them to the clone."

"Oh, man!" Then, suddenly, Tommy's watch sounded, clear as a bell.

"Tommy, Alpha and I have ascertained that only _you_ can destroy the clone."

"What?! But..."

"Yes, Tommy. Lord Zedd is aware of your... weakness for Kimberly." Zordon spoke. "You must destroy the clone. She looks and acts exactly like Kimberly."

"But..."

"But what, Tommy?"

"I couldn't hit Kim even if my life depended on it! There's no _way_ I could destroy her!"

"You must. The real Kimberly will never regain her powers otherwise."

"I'll... I'll do what I can, Zordon."

"Get Kimberly out of there. Get her to the command center. Alpha will have a bed ready for her."

"We read you, Zordon."

"Good luck, Tommy. May the Power protect you."

"Yeah. Whatever. Tommy out."

Tommy picked up Kimberly easily, and they promptly disappeared in the beam of white light that was Tommy's trademark.

The other Power Rangers exchanged a glance that said as clear as daylight, "Poor guy." before they, too, teleported back to the command center in their signature banners of colored light.

At the command center, Tommy placed Kimberly in the soft pink room Alpha had prepared for her. He lay her in the downy pink mattress, and smoothed her hair under her head in a brief, loving caress. He turned at a brief cough from behind him.

"Tommy... you really care for her, don't you." Trini said, quietly. It wasn't a question.

"Yeah." he replied, briefly.

"What are you going to do about Kimberly's clone, Tommy? You won't be able to destroy her, will you. And Billy and Zach and Jason are working on a way to break Kimberly's Sleeping Beauty spell."

"Just... just leave me alone, Trini."

"O.K... just... good luck, Tommy. Zordon told me to tell you... the clone's in the park. You might want to... you know... talk to her."

"Why me?"

"Because she'll be most receptive to you. The _real_ Kimberly was."

Tommy smiled a little. "Thanks, Trini. I'll give it a shot. Watch over Kim, would you?"

She nodded. Tommy disappeared.

He reappeared in the park. He wandered around, lonely, because normally, if he'd been in the park, he would have been with either Jason, Zach or Kimberly.

And suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder. He threw it off and whirled, battle-ready... and came face-to-face with --

Kimberly?

He dropped out of his battle position as fast as he had dropped in, his mind completely blank. He blinked. Blinked again. Kimberly smiled up at him. "I'm sorry, did I startle you? It's just that you looked so blue that... well, I had to cheer you up."

Tommy's mind cleared, and he smiled a little. This was _exactly_ the type of thing Kimberly would do. In fact, that was how he'd met her. But this was her _clone_! "Did I really look that bad?"

"You looked that bad. Want an ear?"

"Ah... well, yeah. Oh, I'm Tommy. You are...?"

"I... well... I don't really have a name. I've been calling myself Kimberly, after the person I was cloned from, but..."

"I know."

"What?"

"I know. I know you're Kimberly's clone. Come with me for a minute, O.K?"

"Well... O.K... but where are we going?"

"You'll see." he picked her up easily and teleported to the command center.

There, at the command center, the other Rangers were having little success. No matter what they tried, Kimberly's sleep could not be broken. So you could imagine their reaction when Tommy appeared in the command center, carrying the pseudo-Kimberly in his arms.

They were furious. He tried to explain, but the others would not listen... until they realized the pseudo-Kimberly standing at the side, looking at them all with mournful eyes.

"Look, girl, I don't know _why_ he brought you here, but you're gonna get out of here as soon as possible. You're a creation of Lord Zedd, which means you can't be on our side." Zach said, angry and brusque.

With that, Kimberly's clone started to cry.

They exchanged a glance. None of Zedd's other monsters had been capable of _feeling_, before. "That's what I was trying to tell you." Tommy said, frustrated. "She can _feel_. She saw me looking depressed, and she came and tried to cheer me up."

"So what are you telling me. That she's Kim?"

"NO! No, nothing could ever replace Kim... I of all people know that best."

"Wh..." the clone-Kimberly asked, "Who are you people?"

"You guys, you're scaring her." Trini admonished. She trusted Kim's clone. To a certain extent, of course. "I'm Trini. I'm the Yellow Ranger."

Jason and Zach froze. "Why the heck did you do that?!"

Tommy shut them up. "Doesn't matter. She's already in the command center. You know me already, but I'm Tommy, the White Ranger. He's Jason--"

"The Red Ranger." Jason said, grudgingly.

"I'm Zach. I'm the Black Ranger."

"I'm Billy. I'm the Blue Ranger."

"I am Alpha, Kimberly-girl."

The pseudo-Kimberly cocked her head at him. "Wh.. what's going on? I don't understand. You're the Power Rangers? Then... then where's the Pink Ranger?"

Their faces turned grave, but Jason answered the question. "For now, girl, you _are_ the Pink Ranger. The _real_ Kimberly is under a spell cast by Lord Zedd, called the Sleeping Beauty. Lord Zedd took her powers and gave them to you."

A week passed, slow and sure. Tommy trusted the new Kimberly... but simply couldn't feel the same way about her that he did about the real Kim. Where Kim was a beautiful ring of gold, shaped by experience, her clone was clearly not much more than a nugget of rough pyrite. But it didn't mean that she couldn't feel...

"I... I..." Kimberly's clone faltered, "Can I see her? Kimberly?"

Tommy gestured her over to the room, where Kimberly was lying on the bed. The _other_ Kimberly walked in, and looked at herself.

"She's very pretty. Prettier than me. You care for her, don't you." It was not a question.

Tommy laughed. "How can she be prettier than you if you look exactly like her?"

"You're avoiding the question."

Tommy evaded her eyes. "Yes. Yes, I do care for her. A lot. But... well... how did you know?"

"I can see it in your eyes whenever you look at me. You _want_ to hate me, because I have the body and powers that are rightfully hers, but you can't bring yourself to, because you're such a nice guy. Pure and light, that's the power of white." she said, quietly.

Tommy nodded, looking ashamed. "You're right. It's... it's silly."

"No, it's not. I think it's rather sweet. Proves it's not just the face you care for."

"Speaking of which, how _can_ she be prettier than you if you look exactly like her?"

She rolled her eyes. "I've only been alive a week, Tommy. I haven't had any of the experience that makes her, her. I don't have her spirit, just her body. I have her powers.. but well... I'm my own person, but I'll always be in her shadow."

"Why do you say that? I _won't_ destroy you, you know. You're too much of Kim for that. It's not your fault that you have her powers. And her face."

"My _mind_ is mine, but I feel the same way about things that she does. I like the people she does, and I despise the people she did. But everyone can tell that I'm only a copy. But..." she looked down. "Is it really so bad if she never wakes up?"

Tommy turned on her, eyes blazing. "WHAT?!" he roared.

The girl squirmed. "I'm a fast learner, Tommy. Tell me what she was like, and in a few days I could _be_ her. I've already learned most of the martial arts that she knew. How many girls do you know that can do that in a week? And..." she said, looking almost ashamed. "I think I'm in love with you."

Tommy's mouth fell open a crack. He looked at the girl who wore the face of the one he loved. "No." he said, weakly. "Oh, no."

"I'm sorry, Tommy... but I couldn't help it... you're so sweet...gentle..."

"Oh, no. This can't be happening." He sat down with a thump in Kimberly's bedside chair and cupped his face in his hands.

The pseudo-Kimberly touched his shoulder gently. "I know I can never really replace the real Kimberly... but it doesn't mean I can't try..."

"You don't understand. Kim was... unique. No one could ever be like her." Tommy murmured.

"You forget, Tommy, I _am_ Kimberly. Just... different. Please, Tommy, give me a chance."

"No, no, it's not like that. Look, if Kim there is a diamond, you're one too... but she's been carved by seventeen years of life... seventeen years of pain and sorrow, as well as joy. You... you've only been alive a week. You're a rough diamond, and even though a little more comes out each day, it'll take a long time for you to finally be shaped. And when you are... it won't be the same as the original. You said that yourself."

"Are..." Kimberly's voice broke. She tried again. "Are you saying... you don't love me?" she squeaked out.

Tommy bit his lip. She was Kimberly, all right, but there was something lacking. The glow that he loved just wasn't there. The _real_ Kimberly would never have sat him down and talked like this, she would have grabbed him, danced around with him, and kissed him hard on the lips. That was Kimberly's way. To live life the way it was meant to be lived. He simply didn't--couldn't-- feel the same way about _this_ Kimberly that he did about the real one. Other one. Whatever. No matter how much he wished he could.

He didn't need to answer: she could read the pain in his eyes. With a cry she stood up and ran to the room Alpha had assigned to her. The other Power Rangers stared after her, then turned to each other. Then to the room that she had come out of. Tommy was standing in the doorway, horror, grief, pain and utter and complete bafflement flitting across his face. "Oh dear." Trini said, quickly figuring out the situation.

Tommy was still in the doorway, looking upset. "O.K, Tommy, what did you say to her when she confessed that she was in love with you?" Trini sighed. The other Power Rangers turned to look at her. Then at Tommy.

"Huh?" Tommy said, still somewhat shocky.

"Look, Tommy, what did you say."

"Well... I didn't say anything... much. I just told her the truth."

"Which wasn't what she wanted to hear, I'm sure. I take it, you told her that she and Kim were diamonds, but Kim's a carved one and she's one in the rough?"

"What.... yes! That's exactly what I said. But... why me? I'm no better than any of the other guys... no smarter... no stronger... I'm not good-looking..."

Trini smiled slightly. "Quite the contrary, Tommy, you are a _very_ good-looking guy. And what sets you apart from the other guys has little or nothing to do with that. I suppose you'd never believe me if I told you."

"Told me what?"

"Why you're a girl-magnet."

"But I'm not--"

"You don't _think_ you are. I can name ten girls offhand who are sweet on you. And I'm sure there are more than that. It's because of the way you carry yourself. You're a natural-born leader, and you show it, even if you don't know it. You are one of the sweetest guys I know. And any girl who looks at you knows you're faithful until death."

"But-- what am I going to do about that Kimberly?"

"Considerate, too. Well, Tommy, you'll have to handle it yourself. I can't help you there. No one could. That's something that you have to take care of yourself."

"But... she probably hates me now!"

"And you're probably right." Trini agreed, much to Tommy's dismay. "But go see her anyway. She knows it's not your fault, you know. And it isn't."

Only Jason heard his best buddy's muttered "Yeah, right." as Tommy headed for the second Kimberly's room.

"Kim?" he said, softly. "Kim, you in here?"

His only answer was a muffled sob from the bed. He padded in, silently, and sat on the edge of the bed.

"Go away." was the brusque reply.

"Look, Kim--"

"Don't call me that!" she shrieked. "I'm not her! I can never be her! You said so yourself!"

But Tommy read between the lines. What she was saying was that she could never be as _good_ as her. "Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean--"

"You didn't mean what?" she sobbed.

"I didn't mean to hurt you..." he said, eyes wide with pain. "You can never be Kim, you're right... but it doesn't mean you aren't your own person... Why would you _want_ to be Kim? She's different... you could never be happy living the way she did."

"B--because you love h--her."

There _is_ that. "I'm sorry... really I am... I don't want to see you upset..."

Tommy stood up and sat down closer to her. Gently, he picked her up and gathered her in his arms, letting her cry against his chest rather than the unfeeling pillows. He really wasn't sure what to do, so he did what his heart told him to. When she had spent her tears out, he touched her face with a rough, gentle hand, tilted up her chin, and wiped a stray tear away with the thumb of his other hand. "Now," he said, softly, "I really _am_ sorry... if I had a choice on who I loved, you know what I would do."

"Yes... I do... you would do that just so I wouldn't be hurt?"

"Yes!" said Tommy, surprised. "Of course!"

From the door, Trini shook her head, smiling slightly. And he _wondered_ why women adored him?

Later in the day, at the park, Tommy, Jason and Zach were playing basketball with Kurtis and the others. Trini and Billy were watching from the sidelines, but Kimberly was nowhere to be seen... Kurtis noticed, and at their break, asked his elder cousin Zach about it.

"Well... uh... she's got some... uh... problems on her hands."

"Oh. You mean Tommy?" For the other Power Rangers hadn't been the only ones to notice Tommy's infatuation. And they hadn't been the only ones to notice Kimberly's softening towards Tommy, either.

"Neh." Zach said, firmly. "It ain't Tommy."

Then, suddenly, the _other_ Kimberly came skipping into the park. Not like the real Kimberly would have done, literally skipping, but somberly walking. "I see what you mean. Something's _got_ to be wrong for Kim to look so down!" Kurtis commented.

"Uh, actually, Kurtis, that's not Kim." Jason blurted. Then he thought fast. "That's her twin sister, uh, Katrina, that's it!" Tommy raised an eyebrow at him, and Jason shrugged. Then Tommy smiled slightly, rolled his eyes, and went to meet her. She smiled at him, warmly. _Very_ warmly. The other guys noticed, and traded grins. Tommy walked the girl to the others, having explained to her how she was now _Katrina_ and not _Kimberly_ any more. He introduced her, having to bear with nudges from almost all the guys.

"I don't believe it. Tommy's got all the luck." one of the boys complained, smiling. "First, he charms Kimberly, now Kimberly's twin sister, and he doesn't even know he's doing it!"

"Did you ever think, Rocky, that that may be what the ladies think is so alluring?" Billy commented, smiling.

"Hey, Tommy and Jason both are natural-born girl attractors." another boy, tall, half-Korean and handsome himself, exclaimed good-naturedly, shrugging. "It's not their fault. Except Jason knows it. If Tommy does, he sure doesn't act like it!" They slanted glances at where Tommy and 'Katrina' were playing Frisbee, and even though she didn't have half as much of Kimberly's natural grace and style, and none of her hyperactive glow, she was still a pretty woman. Tommy was laughing, and Katrina was smiling a crooked smile that was, nonetheless, attractive. "I just think that they should be glad none of us are the jealous type."

"You should talk, Adam! You're not exactly chopped liver yourself!" Aisha teased.

They all nodded enthusiastically. And Tommy had to bear with more nudges when he and Katrina sat down to rest.

Back at the command center, the alarm started to go off. "Ay ya yay ya yay!" Alpha exclaimed. "Lord Zedd has unleashed a living time bomb in the shape of a one of the Power Rangers. I cannot figure out who it is!"

Outside in the park, Katrina stumbled as something hit her and sunk in. She missed the Frisbee. Tommy, concerned, asked her, "What's wrong?"

The dizziness had passed, so she just shook her head and went on playing.

"He has tired of toying with the Power Rangers and now wishes to be rid of them, permanently." Zordon explained. "Call in Tommy and the others. This is a _real_ emergency."

Suddenly, the sounds of the call came in through Tommy's wristwatch. And Tommy sighed. "I read you, Zordon."

"Tommy. You and all the other Power Rangers report to the command center immediately."

Tommy looked at Katrina. "Let's go."

"Uh... how?"

"Whoa, whoa, she's a Ranger, too?" Rocky interposed.

"I'll explain later. Sorry, gotta go. Look, Katrina, just touch that button-- no, not that one, _that_ one-- and think of where you want to go."

"Like this?" she asked. She promptly disappeared. Tommy rolled his eyes and teleported himself out.

"I _hate_ it when they do that!" Aisha exclaimed.

At the command center, all the Power Rangers wore grave faces. The news was _not_ good. It was _anything_ but good.

"Power Rangers. Even without her powers, you need Kimberly. She alone can defeat the monster that Zedd has created."

"But-- how will she do that without her powers? And how are we gonna wake her up?" asked Zach.

"I think I may have figured out a way." Billy said, thoughtfully. "The spell she's under--Sleeping Beauty-- is part of our folklore. It would follow that if one of us kissed her, then perhaps the spell's effect will be broken."

All heads turned to Tommy. "But--"

"You've gotta be the one, Tommy!" Zach said.

"You're the only one she won't slap silly if she finds one of us a few inches from her face." Jason stated.

"But--"

"Go ahead, Tommy. Even if it doesn't work, it couldn't do any harm..." Trini added.

Tommy cast a baleful look at her. "But... I won't kiss her without her consent!"

"Look, Tommy, time's running short." Katrina expostulated. "If it's permission you need, then as her clone, I give you permission. Now go!"

Tommy strode silently to Kimberly's bedside, and sat on the edge of the bed, next to Kimberly's arm. "C'mon, buddy, this is no time to be getting cold feet!" Jason exclaimed. "You've got to do it!"

Tommy leaned down and touched his lips to her forehead. As expected, it didn't work. "You might try kissing her _lips_, Tommy." Katrina commented somewhat acidly.

"But--"

"Tommy... you've got to." she said, her eyes, Kim's eyes, begging. He couldn't resist. "Not for her... not for me... for _you_."

He took a deep breath, and let it out in a "whoosh." Once again, he bent over Kimberly. Once again, he slowly leaned closer and closer to her... studying the quiet beauty of her unadorned features... the ripples of her hair... ever so gently, he cupped one hand against her cheek and touched his mouth to hers... their lips pressed together in a gentle kiss.

He held it for a short time, then sat up and stared into her face. No sign that she was going to wake up. No fluttering eyelids, no twitch of lips, no yawns or stretching. Nothing. Tommy turned to the other Rangers, discouraged, for he had been hoping that it would work. Without saying anything, he shook his head.

The other Rangers looked at him. Then behind him. They seemed to be finding something very funny indeed.

Then, suddenly, a soft voice sounded from behind him. "Tommy?"

"What is it, Katrina."

"Uh... Tommy... my name's Kimberly. Not Katrina."

Tommy whirled, and all the other occupants of the room could swear that they had never seen a human face looking more like a stunned ox in their entire lives.

"Kim!" he exclaimed, joyfully. "It... you're awake!"

"I'm awake." she agreed, sitting up in the pillows. "What's all the fuss about?"

"We were so worried about you! You've been asleep for over a week now!" Trini cried.

"Well, I'm back. But--" she said, anguish in her eyes, "my powers!"

Tommy looked into her golden-brown eyes and said, quietly, "You're going to meet someone who will give you quite a shock, Kim. So prepare yourself."

And he gestured towards Katrina.

"Hi." Katrina said, wiggling her fingers at Kim.

Kimberly looked at herself. Then the clone. _Then_ she fainted.

A few minutes later, having recovered from the shock of seeing herself, Kimberly was finally told the truth about her powers. And about Katrina.

"Look, I'm sorry..." Katrina apologized for the hundredth time.

"There's nothing to be sorry about! There was nothing you could do." Kimberly said, patting her clone on the back.

"But... but..." she murmured, "But there's something I could have done about Tommy."

Unfortunately, Kim had keen ears. "What about Tommy?" she asked sharply.

"Nothing... nothing..." Katrina stammered.

Kim narrowed her eyes at the clone. Then stalked off to find Tommy.

"O.K. Tommy, what is it between you and Katrina?" she asked, somewhat miffed.

"Huh?"

"What is it between you and Katrina?" she repeated.

"Nothing! Absolutely nothing. We're friends." he replied, puzzled. "Why?"

Kimberly told him what Katrina had said.

"Oh. Ohhh." Tommy said, understanding. "Well..." he tried to stall.

"Well what, Tommy?" she said in a tone that brooked no reluctance.

Tommy told her. About Katrina's feelings for him. How he was the only one who could destroy her. And how Kimberly could only get her powers back if Katrina was destroyed.

Kimberly looked at him. Then she looked down. "I... I guess..." she said, tears in her eyes, "I guess I'm not a Power Ranger any more, huh."

Tommy looked at her in shock. "Kim! Don't say that! You'll always be--"

Kimberly cut him off. "Don't say anything, Tommy. Just don't. You didn't hang around when you lost your powers. You were only a Power Ranger in spirit. Why am I different?"

"You're a part of the team, Kim! One of us. Katrina isn't. Even Aisha, Adam and Rocky are more Power Rangers than she is ! And they don't even have _powers_! She's a great girl, sure, but... the other Rangers still don't trust her much, not like you! You can't go! We need you..." he said, quietly. And somehow, the quietness made him all the more convincing. " Who'm I kidding. _I_ need you..." he said, under his breath.

She looked at him through haunted eyes. "No. No, Tommy. I can't stay. Won't. Not under the same roof as the girl who took everything I cared for."

Tommy frowned. "Now Kim, that isn't fair--"

"Isn't it?" she said, looking at him from hooded eyes.

Tommy had nothing to say. Or rather, he _could_ say nothing.

With that, Kim left the room and had Alpha teleport her home, and left Tommy sitting with his face in his hands.

"Tommy... something bothering you, buddy? You don't have a date for tomorrow's Valentines dance?"

"Yeah... something like that."

"Kim hasn't asked you yet? You haven't asked her? How come? You've got to do it, you know. Let her know how you feel."

Tommy looked downcast. "Kim... she's not in such a good mood..."

"Why?" Adam asked, gesturing for Tommy to sit beside him on the soft grass.

"Well... Adam, Katrina's not Kimberly's twin."

Adam nodded. "We sort of figured it out."

"She's her clone. Kim's lost her powers, and Katrina has them."

Adam sat bolt upright. "What?! But... how did that happen?"

"Zedd happened. He made her. Took Kim's powers, gave them to her. We think he was trying to make his own little puppet. But he gave it a brain. And that 'it' turned out to be Kat."

"So... Kim's not a Ranger any more. And she feels like she's a drag on the group. And Katrina's sweet on you, and you feel nothing for her." Adam added.

"Yeah." Tommy sighed. "Exactly."

Adam patted him on the back. "I'm sorry, Tommy. "

"Yeah. Not just that, the guys made me promise that I would ask Kim to dance at the prom on Friday-- no, tomorrow. That was _before_ we knew her powers were gone."

Adam shrugged. "Do it anyway. It'll make her feel better."

"I... I know what she's going through. It hurts. A lot. You know that you can't ever fit in with the people you know best again, because you're different from them."

"What? You lost your powers?"

"And who do you think the Green Ranger was? Besides, I can't go to the prom without a date!"

"So ask Trini if she'll escort you."

"She's already _got_ an escort, I think. Don't take my word for it, but I think that guy who works in Ernie's is the lucky fellow. Richie, yeah, that's his name. Besides... _Trini_?"

"Oh."

[Is it just my imagination,] Tommy thought, [Or does Adam sound disappointed?]

"Well, I was thinking of staying home and catching up with my reading anyway--"

"You're not _going_? C'mon, Adam, you've got to go! This is the _prom_, for goodness sakes!"

"Yeah... but it's so _embarrassing_ not to have a date, you know!"

"Well, tell me who you want to go with and I'll see what I can do."

Adam blushed. "No... no, it's O.K. I didn't really want to go anyway."

"Uh-huh. Look, Adam, _I'm_ going, and _I_ don't have a date, either."

"You forget, you _have_ to have a date to get into the prom floor! No, you don't have a date _now_, but I can name five girls off the top of my mind who are going to ask you to be their date for the dance as soon as you walk into the school on t'morrow. The only reason you haven't been pounced on yet is that you keep a wide berth from most of the other girls. No one's going to ask me..."

Tommy frowned. Adam was more like him then he'd ever guessed. "That's what you think, buddy. I'm sure someone will ask you."

Adam snorted. "With you and Zach and Jason and Rocky and Billy around? I don't think so."

"Oh, c'mon, Adam, I'm sure there's got to be at least _one_ girl who knows that what you are inside is worth ten faces like Jason's."

Adam laughed somewhat bitterly. "I get too nervous around girls. That's not going to work. I go tongue-tied."

"What about Kim and Trini and Aisha?"

"What about them?"

"They're girls, too."

"Well... yeah, but... that's different. They're _friends_. Besides, Aisha's planning to ask Zach to go with her, Kim... well... Kim's _your_ girl, and like you said, Trini's already got a date."

"But seriously, would you ever think of going to the prom with any of them?"

"Well... maybe... why?"

Tommy's eyes flicked to the tree nearby where he saw a flash of yellow that could only be two things: a canary that got out of its cage...

Or Trini eavesdropping on them. Which proved that Trini really _did_ like him.

"Because I think that Trini really likes you. You're her type of guy: you're about as Oriental as she is, so her parents can't really object, smart, quiet, and a good martial artist." And he heard a slight grumble of annoyance from the tree. The sound that someone makes when they trip on a twig and barely manages to balance themselves. Unless canaries could grumble, then he was _sure_ it was Trini.

"You think so?" Adam said, eagerly. _Too_ eagerly.

Tommy snorted. "Is there something that you're not telling us, Adam? Like how you feel about Trini, maybe?"

"Well... no--"

"--and the pigs are sure flying in tight formation over Angel Grove today, right, Trini?" Tommy said, grinning, looking intently at the tree. With a grumble and a grin, Trini dropped out of the tree and landed, like her proverbial animal, the Sabretooth Tiger, on her feet.

"T-Trini?" Adam stammered. "I... I didn't know you were there..."

Tommy chuckled. "Well, it would have been bloody unlikely for you to have said anything _useful_ if you _had_ known... You can come out now, Aisha."

In a flash of lemon-yellow, Aisha too dropped out of another tree. "You didn't need to tell him I was planning to ask Zach, you know." she said, grumbling. "He didn't exactly need to know..."

"As if you weren't planning to tell me yourself!" Tommy commented. "So, Adam, what do you say?"

"Huh?"

Trini came forward. "What that silly boy means is for you to answer my question."

"What question?" Adam said, confused.

"Would you like to be my escort for the Valentines dance?" Trini asked in a somewhat small voice, suddenly shy. "Please?" she added.

Adam stared at her with wide-open eyes. "Etoo... this is sudden..."

"Anoo... I know... would you?"

"Trini... do you speak Mandarin?"

"Yes... a little..."

"Wo ai ni, Trini."

Trini's head snapped up. Those were words she'd dreamed of for many a night... but never thought she would hear... "Does that mean yes?"

"Of course!" he laughed. He then picked her up and swung her around, her squealing happily. Tommy walked away, happy for them... wistful as he was... he teleported to the command center. Then he sat down hard on a chair and tried to stifle tears.

[Dammit, you idiot, if you miss Kim that bad, then go see her!]

[But if you do that, she might not want to see you... I think she might have been happier... if you hadn't woken her up at all...]

Alpha tottered into the room and saw his eyes moist and red. "Tommy! What is wrong?"

"Nothing, Alpha. I'll be O.K."

"Are you positive about that, Tommy?" Billy asked, worriedly poking his head into the room. "You don't look so good."

"I'm sure I'll be fine, Billy. Thanks anyway. Hey, what does 'wo aye nee' mean anyway, Billy?"

Billy blinked. "I believe that is Mandarin Chinese for 'I love you.' Wherever did you hear such a thing?"

"Oh... Trini and Adam."

"Oh. That's good. It's about time, too."

Jason popped his head in. "Look, buddy, if you miss Kim that much, then go see her. See how she's feeling."

"She doesn't want sympathy. I _know_. I lost my powers too, remember? She doesn't want pity or sympathy, she wants to be alone. That's why _I_ ran away when I lost my powers, anyway."

"Yeah... yeah, we know. Kim was having a fit trying to find you. You might have told us you were going..."

"That's in the past. What matters now is Kim."

Suddenly Katrina was in the doorway, her eyes liquid and melting and full of tears. "Tommy..."

[Oh damn. I can't handle this.]

"Tommy... I've done something... that isn't so good."

"What, Kat." Tommy asked tiredly.

"Tommy... promise you won't be mad?"

"I can't promise what I might not deliver." Tommy said shortly. "I'll try, but no guarantee."

"I... I went to Lord Zedd... there was a message in my room... it said I only have two more days to live.. I went to him to prolong my life... in return I gave him Kim..."

"WHAT?!?!" Tommy bellowed, surging to his feet in a single fluid movement.

"Ay ya yay ya yay!" Alpha said, horrified. "Then _you_ are the living time bomb that appeared a few days ago! Zedd must have activated some chemical imbalance inside you!

Katrina flinched away. "There was a note in my room... telling me that I have two more days to live... I told him I'd give him Kim... if he prolonged my life... I told him how to get Kim... and he told me not to trust anyone... he sent me away..."

She looked up at Tommy, whose eyes were as hard and as cold as steel. "I can't even feel sorry for you, Kat. How can you, a Power Ranger, SELL ONE OF YOUR OWN FOR YOUR OWN BENEFIT?! That was in the code that we swore when we were made Power Rangers!"

"But... I wasn't made a Power Ranger..."

"Bloody _Hell_!" Tommy spat. "Where's Kim?"

"I think... she's at her house right now... hurry... before Lord Zedd gets her..."

The siren blared, but Tommy was already gone."Power Rangers!" Zordon commanded when all of them arrived in the command center. "Kimberly is about to be taken and killed by Lord Zedd, to ensure his place in the heart of the Rangers through one of you."

All eyes flicked to Katrina, who looked as guilty as anything she had ever been capable of. "Where's Tommy?" Trini asked, looking around.

"He has already taken charge of the situation."

There were knowing glances all around. They would have smiled had the situation not been so grave. "Beware. Zedd has sent a decoy to Kimberly in the form of Tommy to lure her to his Dimension of Doom, and if that is not possible, kill her. Only you Power Rangers will be able to tell which is the real Tommy-- and strike well, for your powers can and will harm Tommy as well as the decoy. May the Power protect you all."

"It's morphin' time!" Jason yelled.

"Mastodon!"

"Pterodactyl!'

"Triceratops!"

"Sabretooth Tiger!"

"Tyrannosaurus!"

They found themselves, suited and armed, in front of Kimberly's house. There, they could hear the sounds of two men fighting, and a woman trying her best to get the hell out of their way without hurting either of them. They burst inside--

And were struck dumb by the sight of two Tommys, dressed identically, fighting identically with the same moves, and both claiming in the same voice that _they_ were the _real_ Tommy. And no one could differentiate anything between them.

Then they noticed something. "Katrina... doesn't Tommy usually take the defense?If he can?" Kimberly whispered to the Pink Ranger.

"I don't know." Pink Ranger whispered back. "I haven't known him for that long."

Kimberly cast her a look half of contempt and half of sympathy. "Well, I think he does. And if I know him, he'd rather take the defense unless he has to. So I'm going to aim for the one on offence, and when he's down, hit him with all you've got. Tell the others. Got it?"

"But..." Katrina faltered, "what if it's the wrong Tommy? You'll die... and so will he."

"I don't _care_ if I die! I'm not important. My life doesn't matter. If he rubs me out, then Zordon'll find someone else to be the Pink Ranger. You, probably." Kimberly gritted out. "And there're the other Power Rangers. If it's the wrong Tommy, there's still Jason to lead the Power Rangers and get rid of the fake Tommy."

Katrina stared at her, aghast. "You... don't... care?"

"See, that's where we're different. I'm willing to die for my cause. Tommy is. All the other Rangers are. It's just you that won't. You'll die because of that bastard Lord Zedd, who made you to destroy us. And he's doing a damn fine job of it, too.""

"I... I'm sorry, Kimberly..." Katrina whispered, "I led _him_ here... to kill you... so Tommy would turn to me..."

She looked up and there was no accusation on Kimberly's face. Only sympathy and understanding. "I know." she said, quietly. Just before she launched a flying kick at the Tommy who was stridently trying to beat his other into a bloody pulp. It connected solidly with his head, and combined with the hardness of Kimberly's high-heeled pink boots, the effect was devastating. He went crashing to the ground. But then he did something that proved without a doubt that he was _not_ the real Tommy. He sprang to his feet, red blood dripping down the side of his face, and backhanded Kimberly into the wall, snarling. There was the sickening _snap_ of a backbone breaking, and a scream... then... silence. A silence as oppressive as the clamor had been earlier. Tommy cried out and ran to her, as the other Tommy was readying a single knife, which he threw with deadly accuracy at his noble counterpart...

The world slowed to an instant as the knife screamed through the air. There was a single cry of "Nooooo!!" A flash of pink in the path of the knife... a lone scream... a shriek of rage... Trini drew her Power Daggers, and with the reflexes of a cat, a single yellow dagger that glittered with a yellow light like fire flew from her hand and the false Tommy shattered into a million fragments of golden glimmer. And it was over.

Tommy cradled Kimberly in his arms, she barely conscious, Tommy's shirt patched with blood of which at least some was his own... "Kim... Kim..." he murmured, his eyes misty and wet with grief and fatigue, for the battle had taken more than it showed out of the indomitable leader of the Power Rangers.

Almost indomitable.

"Tommy? Tommy..." she murmured. "It... it hurts..."

"I know, Kim, I know... You'll be O.K. I promise." he turned to the other Rangers. "Guys we need an ambulan..." he trailed off when he saw Katrina lying on the floor, her costume shimmering away, little by little by little...

Ever so gently, he stood up... careful not to jar the woman he held in his arms... even so, Kimberly let out a low moan...

Quietly, fluidly, he went to Katrina's side. She, too, opened her eyes slowly... "Tommy?" she murmured, as if from far away.

"I'm here, Kat. I'm here."

"I did good, right, Tommy?"

A solitary tear trickled down his face as his eyes moistened again. "You did good, Kat."

"Tommy?" her voice grew weaker. "Tommy, do I have a soul?"

This was too much for Tommy. Kimberly and Katrina were both dying before his very eyes... and with all his supernatural abilities, he was powerless to stop it. Tears started trailing along his cheeks in earnest, and the other Rangers were weeping quite profusely as well... "I'm... I'm sure you do, Kat."

"Thank you, Tommy. Thank you for always... I love you..."

And with that, she disappeared in a wash of golden dust. Kimberly gave a cry as she felt her powers rushing back to her... and went limp quietly in Tommy's arms.

Tommy looked down at the extra weight to his arms, gasped in alarm, and teleported back to the command center as fast as he could.

The other Power Rangers exchanged identical looks of absolute grief and horror. They, too, teleported back to the command center.

Tommy lay Kim, as gently as he could, on the bed, and stormed outside to yell at Zordon. "Look, Zordon, isn't there _anything_ you can do?!" he shouted, half-mad with grief.

"Tommy, she has broken her spinal cord. I do not know--"

"All this power you gave us, and we can't do anything to stop one of our own from dying?! _Nothing_?!"

"There is... something..." Zordon said, slowly. "Your powers... they come from the Ladies of the Six Powers... you may appeal to them..."

"How do I get there?"

"You may contact them by sending out tendrils of your power. Six."

"Six." Tommy said, somewhat sardonically. "I should have guessed." But he closed his eyes and sent out six questing cords of power, strong as steel, thin as thread.

And he was supremely surprised when he received an answer. There was an answering thread of power, which seemed to give him the notion of blood... yet he knew that it wasn't evil... no, indeed, it was the supreme good...

Six women appeared before him; one woman had black hair and black eyes, with rich brown skin and wore a long dress all of yellow; she stood meek and gentle, and her eyes shone with tenderness. The second, a redhead with green eyes, wore a skirt-not-a-skirt and a simple shirt, all in rich blue; she looked proud, but not proud enough not to admit when she was wrong. The third, blonde with sunny blue eyes, wore an outfit that may have been much like his own-- until he looked close and saw that the rich red leggings and jacket-like outer layer was made up of tiny linked chains, in which she looked as graceful as the wind. The fourth wore what looked like a trail or a hiking outfit of a pretty shade of peach-pink. She had waist-length black hair and sky-blue eyes. The fifth looked like a hunter, with breeches and a short tunic of black velvety material, and close-cropped auburn hair, with amber-gold eyes. And the last looked like... well, a little like him. In fact, a lot like him. Rather than stunningly beautiful as the other five women were, she was handsome, with a strong face and long brown hair and brown eyes. He had only to look into her eyes to see that they shone with an intelligence that the other five couldn't match.

"I am Haramis shena keSelenay. The Mother." the first said, curtseying deeply.

"I am Kadiya shena keNyara. The Maiden." the redhead said, giving a slight bow.

"I am Anigel shena keMiribel. The Warrior." the blonde woman said, inclining her head slightly and giving him a once-over.

"My name is Elspeth shena keResczia. The Guide." the trail-girl said.

"Tarma shena keTalesedri. The Hunter." the gruff-looking woman in black told him.

"My name is Nyara shena keTsia. I am the Guardian." the last woman told him. "Your request goes with me."

She paced around him slightly, looking at him all over. "So. You are my Color's representative. Good, good. What do you need of us?"

"I need to ask a favor of the Ladies of the Power." Tommy said, thinking formally.

"We are they. State your name to all, and what you require." Nyara spoke for them all.

"I am Tommy Oliver, the White Ranger, my lady. I would like to ask if it is possible to save the life of my... friend and colleague, Kimberly Hart."

"It is possible." Nyara replied. A smile twinkled in her brown eyes. "But she is more than a friend and colleague to you, is she not, Tommy White Ranger?"

Tommy blushed, and Haramis stepped forward. "She is, we have noticed. You care for her more than anyone else in the universe, ne?" she said. She had a pleasant, husky voice. "Just as one of my representatives and one of Tarma's do for each other."

"Well... yes, yes, I do."

"I have judged your heart and found it pure, Tommy White Ranger, Guardian of the Power Rangers." Nyara intoned. "It is possible to save Kimberly Pink Ranger... but it will come at great price to yourself. You may die from it. So may she. What price are you willing to pay?"

"I don't care! If you can save her, it doesn't matter if I die. Make me a cripple, if that's what it takes!"

"What about your powers, brave little brother? Would you be willing to lose those? Would you give your powers back to me and lose your chance to ever be a Power Ranger once again if I demanded it, my price for saving her life?"

"_Anything_!" Tommy said, defiantly. "Anything. What good are my powers if she's not there to share the joy of them with me? She's... she's worth more to me than anything. Take my body, my powers, my _life_ if that's what it takes to bring her back."

"Do you feel that strongly, then?"

"Yes." He scrubbed at the tears that started coursing down his cheeks again.

"It is-- well." came the surprising answer. "And what price your obedience?"

"Price? _Price_? I put no price on obedience, Lady. I serve you and all you stand for, as I always have. Just let Kim live... maybe find someone to love... even if it isn't me... and most of all, be free. That's worth anything you might ask of me."

The Guardian regarded him thoughtfully for an eternity and an instant, measuring, weighing.

Then-- she laughed--

And as Tommy stared in numb shock, she held out her hands, palms outwards, one palm facing Tommy, the other facing Kimberly. Bolts of blinding white light, like a laser bolt of silver magnified many times over, leaped from her hands to Tommy, and the woman lying so still on the bed.

Or, possibly, to the shimmering shieldlike coating of golden dust that lay just over Kimberly.

Tommy did not have much chance to see which, for the dagger of light hit him full in the chest, and suddenly he couldn't hear, couldn't see, couldn't breathe. He felt as if a giant hand had picked him up and was squeezing the life out of him. He was blind, deaf, dumb, and made of nothing but the excruciating pain--

[Only let Kim live-- only let her live-- and it's worth any price, any pain--]

Then he was on his hands and knees, panting with an agony that had left him in the blink of an eye-- half-sprawled on the cold floor of the command center.

While beside him, on the bed, there lay a dazed, shocked-- and completely healed-- Kim. Only the tattered wreckage of her clothes and the blood pooled on the bed showed that it had not all been some kind of nightmare.

As Tommy stared, still too numb to move, he could hear the melodious voice of the Guardian Nyara singing in his mind.

:It is well that you have opened your heart, my Sword. My Ranger was meant to be without taint, not without feeling! Remember this always: her life is chained to yours, so take care of her! To have something, sometimes you must be willing to lose it. Love must live free, little brother. Love must live free.:

The other Power Rangers blinked, trying to force what they had just seen into some semblance of sense. They had arrived just to see Nyara point her hands at Tommy and Kimberly, with the other women standing impassive behind them, seen the white bolts shoot out, Tommy scream, disappear, and suddenly reappear next to Kim's bed.

[One moment Kim's dying; there's no chance she's gonna survive, then Tommy 'ports her away, calls on something divine and--]

Kim stirred groggily on the bed; Tommy struggled to get to his feet again. And they all stared. Kim's wounds were completely healed. They were staring at flesh that, a minute ago, had been lacerated, bleeding and broken and was now whole.

"What... happened... Trini?" Kimberly asked weakly. "Where's... where's Tommy?"

Tommy got slowly to his feet,wavering like a drunk, and staggered over to her. He looked completely drained, and his face was lined with pain and exhaustion. His cheeks were hollow, and his hair had come out of its tie and straggled around his face, wet with sweat.

[For that matter, Kim looks the same, if not worse-- what am I thinking? Anything is better than being a heartbeat away from death!] Trini thought pensively.

Tommy sat down heavily on the bed, scrubbing away the remaining tears with the back of his hand. He reached out gently with the same hand and smoothed back Kimberly's disordered hair carefully. The hand he used was shaking, and with the other hand he was bracing himself upright, though the joints of _that_ hand were trying their best to buckle. "It's all right." he sighed, his voice sounding raw and worn to a thread. "I did something-- and it worked. Don't ask what. By the Powers, I'm tired!"

He collapsed into something vaguely like a crouch before them, head hanging; he leaned on both hands, braced against his knees, breathing heavily as if he had just run an endurance race that he could not run all the way yet knowing he had to keep going.

Kimberly tried to move, to get to her feet, and fell right back into the pillows. She held out her hand and watched, fascinated and somewhat confused, as it shook so hard she wouldn't have been able to hold a glass of water without losing half of it.

"I feel awful-- but--" she said, looking down at the shredded remains of her shirt with utter bewilderment. "--I'm alive!"

Tommy gave her a tired smile. "Yes. You're alive."

"Could you tell us what you just did?" The other Power Rangers, baffled, asked.

"I... I called on the Ladies of the Six Powers... and they answered."

"You called on the Ladies to save Kimberly's life," Alpha chirruped, "And you're still around to tell of it?!"

"Well... yes..."

"Do you know how _rare_ that is, Tommy?" Alpha said, his tinny voice incredulous. "That you're still alive and so is Kimberly? Normally, they demand a life in exchange for another."

"Well..."

Suddenly, in a flash of yellow, Haramis appeared. She sighed. The others stared. "I am Haramis, the Mother, and the Guardian sent me to clear things up for you, since you seem to be confused.The reason we spared both of you is that you were more than willing to give up anything, _especially your powers and life_, to save hers. You offered everything you had: your powers, your self, your mind, your heart, your very soul. To save her. It is very rare in this day that one has such selfless devotion to another. So we tied you together permanently; from this day forth, all that happens to you, happens to him, Kimberly. Good luck; you'll need it."

"What?"

Haramis rolled her eyes. She gestured lightly, and a slight wind gusted through the room. Tommy's shirt drifted open, and there, on his chest, was a beautiful tattoo of a pink firebird twined with a graceful white tiger. It seemed to twitch as he moved to look at it, and it seemed to stir with every motion. Experimentally, he rippled a muscle of his chest, and the firebird flew around the tiger. It _was_ moving!

"It is Nyara's last gift. And yes, it _is_ alive.You both will always wear that tattoo as a reminder of your sacrifice. Kimberly, look."

Kimberly looked down. She, too, had an identical tattoo, except it was in the general vicinity of her stomach. Then she gave a tiny yelp as she realized that her blouse was hanging on the very knife-edge of 'decent.'

Everyone cast glances at Tommy, who had obviously noticed that fact, too, and was blushing furiously. "I, personally, don't think it's fair that Nyara did not replenish the power that she took from you, Tommy, so I will do that now. Remember, White Ranger, if you ever have need of the services of the Ladies... just call. You have won our respect, and that is a hard thing to earn. Best of luck, Tommy. Remember, all of you, not just Tommy: love must run free." With that, she disappeared.

"What a strange thing to say!" Trini said, wonderingly.

"Hey... I feel a lot better!" Tommy said, springing to his feet easily.

"Me too. I think I'd better get home and-- my powers!" Kim said. "They're... they're back? That means--"

Tommy bowed his head and his eyes misted. He dashed away what was starting to form into tears with the back of his hand. "I... I could only save one of you... so I chose the one who was my friend and not just my colleague. But... it didn't make it any easier..."

"Thanks, Tommy." Kimberly said. Her eyes said more than that. "Look, people, I'm going home to change, then I'll see you guys at the park, O.K?"

"Uh... O.K..." they said, somewhat surprised at her fast recovery. They all teleported out of the room... except for Tommy.

He called out for a single name in his head.

[Nyara?]

Tommy was quite surprised when she actually answered, though.

:Nya, Nya. We're friends, even if I am your Color's keeper.:

[Nyar-- Nya, I 'm confused. I thought that you, being the Guardian, might understand...?]

:What are you confused about, Tommy?:

[Well... about Kim. She was beautiful before... and spirited... and I loved her. I still do. But now it's worse because now she believes she owes me her life--]

:She does.: Nyara commented somewhat acidly.

[--and now I won't be able to get an honest answer out of her! If I'd asked her out before this all happened, I would have gotten the answer I deserved. Now... what?]

:Now she loves you more than she already did, because she knows you love her back. She's not stupid, Tommy. Offering to sacrifice your body, mind and soul so that she could live is not something you do for an ordinary friend. She knows that. Or, she will, with a little help from Elspeth, anyway. We normally don't meddle with the affairs of our Rangers, but there has never been possible romance between two Rangers, before.:

[She... loves me?]

:Only a very hard-hearted woman could not love you, Tommy. Just in various degrees. Trini loves you as brother--:

[Oh. So Kim feels for me as a brother, too, then?]

:Wait, let me finish. And Kim, well, loves you as more than that. It is just ingrained into her upbringing that women are simply not the ones who make the first move. She will ask you to escort her to the dance. She will ask you to dance with her, and you will be as close together as water to the surface of a glass. And you _will_ ask her out.:

[I will?]

:You will. You're being foolish and a coward, Tommy. That's not like you. But then again, the wantings of the heart are strange enough to warrant that, neh?:

[Yeah... yeah, I guess so. Are you sure I should?]

:I think you should. It's your decision. And you did make a promise to your friends. So now go change, silly boy, and I want Kimberly to be your girlfriend by the end of that Valentines dance, you got me?:

[I got you. Thanks, my Lady Nyara.]

:The pleasure was mine, Tommy White Ranger. Ah, yes. I nearly forgot. Tomorrow is Valentines day, is it not? I have the perfect gift for Kimberly. You will find it on the bed as you open your eyes.Don't open it, though, or the magic will be broken! It's for Kim to open.:

With that, Tommy opened his eyes and realized that only two or three seconds had passed. Slowly, he looked at the bed. There was a small pink box of some opaque stone there, and it was carved with the image of a flying firebird, so realistic he expected it to flame and fly. Slowly, he studied it. Then he teleported out of there and back into his home, where he quickly changed, and teleported to the park.

Kimberly had had an equally otherworldly experience, with her own Color's keeper, Elspeth the Guide. Who had materiallized in front of her and only her alarms not going off and only the manner and bearing of her 'guest' kept Kimberly from attacking the Lady.

"Who are you. What are you doing in my house?"

"My name is Elspeth, Kimberly. Of the six Ladies of Power, I am the Guide. And I am here to advise you."

"In what? I don't think I need any help, but thanks anyway."

"Quite the contrary, sister, I believe you need a lot of help. You don't know what happened, how Tommy pledged his life to save yours, do you."

"No, not really."

"What Kadiya was saying was that he offered his powers, his body, his heart and his soul so you could be saved. Do you know what kind of _love_ that takes, Kimberly?!"

Kimberly stiffened.

"I didn't think so. Anyone else, I doubt he would have done it. He would have offered something else. Something that didn't matter as much. But you... he loves you, you know that?"

"I want to believe you... really I do..." Kimberly whispered. "But..."

"But what, little sister?"

"But I don't have proof! What if I make an idiot of myself? I don't know if you're lying or not!"

"I am a Lady of the Power. I cannot lie." she said with immense dignity. "But you're right. You don't have proof. Is this enough?"

The Guide projected a picture into Kimberly's brain.

Begin Flashback!

{"I am Tommy Oliver, the White Ranger, my lady. I would like to ask if it is possible to save the life of my... friend and colleague, Kimberly Hart."

"It is possible." Nyara replied. A smile twinkled in her brown eyes. "But she is more than a friend and colleague to you, is she not, Tommy White Ranger?"

Tommy blushed, and Haramis stepped forward. "She is, we have noticed. You care for her more than anyone else in the universe, ne?" she said. She had a pleasant, husky voice. "Just as one of my representatives and one of Tarma's do for each other."

"Well... yes, yes, I do."

"I have judged your heart and found it pure, Tommy White Ranger, Guardian of the Power Rangers." Nyara intoned. "It is possible to save Kimberly Pink Ranger... but it will come at great price to yourself. You may die from it. So may she. What price are you willing to pay?"

"I don't care! If you can save her, it doesn't matter if I die. Make me a cripple, if that's what it takes!"

"What about your powers, little brother? Would you be willing to lose those? Would you give your powers back to me and lose your chance to ever be a Power Ranger once again if I demanded it, my price for saving her life?"

"Anything!" Tommy said, defiantly. "Anything. What good are my powers if she's not there to share the joy of them with me? She's... she's worth more to me than anything. Take my body, my powers, my life if that's what it takes to bring her back."

"Do you feel that strongly, then?"

"Yes." He scrubbed at the tears that started coursing down his cheeks again.

"It is-- well." came the surprising answer. "And what price your obedience?"

"Price? Price? I put no price on obedience, Lady. I serve you and all you stand for, as I always have. Just let Kim live... maybe find someone to love... even if it isn't me... and most of all, be free. That's worth anything you might ask of me."

The Guardian regarded him thoughtfully for an eternity and an instant, measuring, weighing.

Then-- she laughed--

And as Tommy stared in numb shock, she held out her hands, palms outwards, one palm facing Tommy, the other facing Kimberly. Bolts of blinding white light, like a laser bolt of silver magnified many times over, leaped from her hands to Tommy, and the woman lying so still on the bed.}

End Flashback.

"Oh." Kimberly said. "Oh."

"Oh, indeed, Pink Ranger. Do you choose to believe me now?"

"Yes... oh, yes... oh, thank you!" she threw her arms around her neck and hugged the taller woman. "You've made me so happy!"

"I did no such thing." she said, quietly. "You did it for yourself. You just needed to know about it. I am the Guide, not the Creator. And Tommy is a very lovable fellow. Even if he _didn't_ want to go, he'd say 'yes' to avoid hurting anyone's feelings."

"But... but now... asking him to be my escort for the Valentines dance seems like so little..."

"It is.. but it is enough... for now. Tell him how you feel. Nyara, the Guardian, has tried to convince him... he'll have it from no lips but yours. So go, join your friends, Kimberly. Talk to Tommy. Ah, yes, give him this. For your Valentines present." She took out a tiny little box carved of some beautiful rich white stone, and exquisitely stylized with a white tiger which looked so realistic it seemed to move. "And good luck!"

"Thank you... for everything!"

"You have only yourself to thank!" she said as she faded out. Kimberly looked once more at the cute pink tiny Tee that she wore, which came only up to the barest three inches below her breasts and which displayed the firebird-tiger tattoo perfectly, even though the tattoo _had_ seemed to shrink a little to accomodate for the Tee shirt...

She teleported out, as happy as a lark.

Kimberly blushed. "Trini... you... and Adam?"

Trini smiled shyly. "Yes... it happened while you were... out of it... I would have told you... but you weren't anywhere, so..."

"Speaking of anywhere, shouldn't Tommy be with you?" Adam pointed out.

"Well... no... we're not a couple..."

"Seriously though, Kimberly, you shouldn't lead him on like that. The poor guy is going to go out of his mind." Adam commented, soberly. Then he noticed someone walking up the path. "Oh my... is that Aisha? And _Zach_?"

"Yes, well, you _did_ tell Tommy that Aisha was going to ask Zach to be her dance partner... guess she took it a step further." Trini replied. Indeed, Zach and Aisha were walking hand-in hand pressed together down the soft, romantic path.

"Has everyone paired off?" Kim asked, amused.

"Not everyone. Rocky said he wouldn't, Billy hasn't, I don't think Jason has, and... well... Tommy..."

"Don't look now-- but there's Billy with Laura."

Indeed, there was Billy sitting on a bench with Laura on one arm, most likely chatting about a subject so dry it made Kim thirsty just thinking about it.

"Billy? That's hard to believe!"

"Believe it. Oh, there's Jason, I think he's alone... no, scratch that. He's smiling and walking with Jessica Cassenan."

"Rocky?"

"Well... you know what they say... promises are made to be broken... he's pushing a pretty lady over there on the swings. I think it's Princilla."

Kimberly shook her head, smiling. Even if the smile did have a touch of wistfulness to it. "Now all we need is Tommy to show up with a girl on his arm, and everyone will be completely matched up."

"What about you, Kim? Oh, there's Tommy--"

Kimberly's heart lurched for an instant until she saw him for herself. He did _not_ have a pretty girl hanging over one arm, he was by himself, and he looked bewildered, until he saw them. He loped up to them gracefully, and said, slowly, "I think I need to get my teleporter fixed. I tried to get to the basketball courts... and I arrived here."

Kimberly nodded. "Me, too."

"Well, I'm here because I want to be." Trini said, bumping Adam's leg gently with her hip and cuddling into his side tenderly. He looked at her and teasingly put an arm around her.

"Me too." Zach said. He grinned at Aisha, who grinned back.

"Same here."Jason said. He had brought his date in to talk with his friends. "And I bet Billy would say the same."

Tommy shook his head, smiling. "Looks like I'm the only one without a date! Ah, well."

"_Jesus Christ!_" Adam exclaimed. "Kimberly, where did that tattoo come from?!"

"Um... it's a long story, Adam. I'll explain later. Well... Tommy, you don't have a partner?"

Tommy squirmed slightly, embarrassed. "No."

"Though not for many a girl's lack of trying. He" Adam said, adroitly, "was pounced on by half the school-- the female half --as soon as he walked into class. I think that Power Ranger White Tiger business must have rubbed off at least a little on you, because you just seemed to disappear until the school bell rang! I can't see how you managed to lose all-- Oops." he said, glancing over at Jason's date. "He, uh, likes the White Ranger a lot. Thinks he's cool and all."

"Not _that_ cool." Tommy said, his mouth quirking.

"Oh, the White Ranger." Kimberly sighed dramatically, without cracking a smile. The other Rangers mouths curved in mirth, and they stifled their laughter as best they could. But every so often, a titter would escape from someone's lips. "I bet he's really cute."

Tommy looked at her sidewise, unable to discern whether she was joking or not.

Jessica nodded. "Me, too. With a voice like that... why, he sounds almost like Tommy! You know," she told him, "if I hadn't gotten Jason here first, I would have gone for you."

The other Rangers looked slightly alarmed. Jessica had come too close for comfort for their tastes. But then, in the nick of time, Jessica pleaded that she had to go and get changed for the dance. Billy's and Rocky's companions excused themselves in similar manners. They said their adieus to their respective dates, and went off.

"Phew. That was close." Tommy said. "Your lady's a smart one, isn't she, Jason."

"Top honor-roll student, second only to Billy and Laura." Jason said, proudly.

"I guess that _is_ something to be proud of." Tommy laughed. "I can't even come close. She asked _you_, though, and not Billy or some other super-smart guy? I can't imagine."

"Same here. She's smarter than I am. I still can't believe she chose me." Jason admitted. "Seriously, man, you need to get a girlfriend. You're too much of a loner as it is! Being with a girl will do you good." His eyes flicked to Kimberly.

"And what do you call us?" Aisha, Kimberly and Trini demanded in chorus.

"Ladies." Tommy chuckled.

The other Rangers, Rocky and Adam rolled their eyes. "You're too much of a ladies' man as it is, Tommy. You don't need to suck up!" Rocky commented teasingly.

"I'm not!" Tommy protested. "I don't suck up to people!"

"He doesn't because he doesn't need to." Trini remarked offhand. "All his teachers are female and every woman who sees him loves him on sight."

Tommy blushed. Trini, Aisha and Kimberly looked into each others' eyes, nodded--

And jumped on him, throwing him down; Trini went for his shoulders, Kimberly for his waist, and Aisha for his knees. Only the intervention of his brain screaming that they were _ladies_ and they were his friends kept him from dropping into fighting position and causing them some serious damage.

He lay on the ground on his back, Kim sitting on his chest, Trini holding his hands above his head and Aisha sitting on his legs. "Hey!" he complained. "What was that for?"

The girls giggled as the others stared in amusement and astonishment. "Well, Rocky said every girl in the school pounced on you--"

"--and now, every girl has!"

They giggled again. Tommy rolled his eyes, smiling. "Lord, save me from feminine humour!" he pleaded, casting his eyes up to the sky. "Won't you guys let me up?"

"You could get up if you wanted." Kim shrugged, smiling.

"Yes, and he'd dump all of you on your pretty little butts, is what he's too polite to say." Zach added. "And Kim would have pretty far to fall."

"I don't think he could." Aisha challenged. "You can't get up with two people holdin' you down and one sitting on you. Prove it. "

"You sure?" Tommy said, cocking an eyebrow. Aisha nodded. "O.K!"

He surged to his feet, throwing off Aisha, Kimberly and Trini in a single fluid motion. Trini had enough sense to let go of his hands, and Aisha bounced off his knees, but Kim had no such opportunity. When he flowed to his feet, she fell, clutching for a handhold--

--and was caught by a pair of strong arms. "Now, I'm not _that_ mean!" Tommy commented, holding her soft as thistledown and grinning at her.

[Tommy, you idiot, you're showing off! You are! You are! And for Kimberly, too! Don't you have any shame?]

[No, I don't. Yes, I _am_ showing off. Shut up.] he told the nagging little mind-voice of his conscience.

He smiled at Kim gently. "You see?" Zach complained. "And no wonder the rest of us never have any chances with the girls!"

Zach was quickly pinned down by five brown stares and one blue."Uh--"

"Wow... Tommy, I didn't know you were that strong!" Aisha said, eyes wide, after turning her stare--glare-- away from Zach.

"Yeah... well, neither did I, and I'm your sparring partner!" Jason said, blinking rapidly. "I'm glad you were never mad at me!"

"Well, why should I have been?" Tommy said, blinking.

"Good point." Jason said. "Well, what about that spell that made us fight each other? You could have done me some serious harm."

"I didn't want to _hurt_ you, I think. I just didn't like you much. Then."

"Uh, you know, Tommy, you can put her down now."

"Put _who_-- oh." he lowered Kim to her feet. "Sorry, Kim. I didn't realize..." he apologized, flustered.

"Gee, Kim, I knew you'd lost weight, but I didn't know you'd lost _that_ much!" Trini laughed. "Hey, who are you losing it for?"

This time, Kimberly didn't deign to turn away the question. She took a chance-- and answered it.

"For the prom. For the person who I hoped would be my date."

Tommy gave a wistful little smile. "And who's that, Kim?"

She drew close to him, wrapped her arms gently around his neck and kissed him softly on the lips, greatly daring. To her great delight, he didn't pull away. Not that he wanted to, of course. Tommy was in proverbial heaven."Haven't figured it out yet?" she queried, as soon as she had brushed her soft kiss away from him.

The others stared at her gape-mouthed... then with smiles, for she'd never before admitted out loud in front of all of them how she felt. Tommy looked like someone had hit him with a board, he was so surprised. "Well," he said, recovering. "This is... sudden... After that, I guess my next question should be easy! Kim, would you be my date for the dance?"

Kimberly turned away, and took two steps away from him. Tommy, who had been _sure_ for one time in his life, was suddenly unsure all over again. "Kim?" he asked, worriedly. "What's wrong?"

He, of course, couldn't see her smile prettily and wink at the others. She turned around. "I couldn't make it _too_ easy for you! Of _course_ I'll be your date for the dance. But only if you'll be mine!"

"Oh, you!" he exclaimed in reply. But his exasperation was more joy than anything else.

Tommy gave her a smile that seemed to envelop her with its warmth and block everyone else out. Fast as lightning, he reached out, picked her up, and swung her around. "I'd love to go with you, Kim. What was it you said, Adam? Wo aye nee?"

"That's 'wo ai ni', Tommy!" Adam laughed. "Still, like with gifts, it's the thought that counts."

"I don't get it." Kim said, after Tommy had set her down. "What does 'wo aye nee' mean?"

"That's 'wo ai ni'!" Trini giggled. "It's Mandarin. Directly translated, it means 'you are mine and I am yours forever.' Indirectly, 'I love you.'"

Kim looked at Tommy, with an expression of wonder on her face. She had been _hoping_ that Tommy would ask her to the dance, yes, but she hadn't dared to hope for anything as deep or as profound as a confession of love! Then at Trini. Then back at Tommy, who was looking at her with a completely 'poker face' expression on his face. Which she had learned long ago meant that he was extremely on edge. He, too, was probably wondering if their relationship would ever go past being simply 'friends,' just knowing each other better than friends normally did. And Tommy, who was as much unlike the White Ranger as could be, was normally shy and reserving as any boy could be. Not including his karate, of course. For him to ask her out was a feat none of them thought he _could_ do. To admit his love, well...

She sprang at him with a shriek of joy, and practically strangled him with an embrace.

He was caught by surprise, and so was unprepared for the Hurricane Kimberly that came rushing at him. He thought at first that she was angry... until she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him as hard as she could. Then, he could do nothing but hug her back, closing his eyes, and neither had been so happy in their lives. She could feel the easy restrained strength in his body, and he could feel the lithe muscles of hers.

For a few minutes, they were conscious of nothing but each other. They had let each other go and simply gazed into the others eyes... until they remembered their friends.

"Finally!" Aisha commented, somewhat acidly. "I thought they were going to stay that way forever!"

"Oh, I don't know." Trini purred good-naturedly. "They looked pretty happy to me." She was in Adam's arms, his front to her back, his arms around her, and her hair tickling his nose. She, too, was so content that if she'd been a cat, the rumble of a purr would be heard throughout the park.

Then, Kim looked at her watch. "Oh my gosh! I need to get ready for the prom!"

Trini looked at her watch and disentangled herself from Adam's arms. "Me too."

"Same here. Look, boys, you guys aren't going to see us until the dance, so see you later!"

Tommy gave Kim a quick kiss on the lips, Trini did the same for Adam, and Aisha waved and smiled fetchingly at Zach. Then they teleported out.

The boys then converged on Tommy, all doing the verbal and physical equivalent of a pat on the back, and Tommy trying his best to convince them that it had all been _Kim's_ doing...

That night, at the prom, Kim, Aisha and Trini walked into the gym of Angel Grove High. Aisha wore a fancy embroidered-bodice dress, puffy sleeves, and it was loose all the way to her feet. It emphasized her gentle curves and made her look even more fetching then she already did. She wore a tan eyeshadow, and brick-red lipstick, as well as a light touch of concealer that blended perfectly with her complexion. Trini wore a high-neck yellow Chinese dress which came to her mid-thigh with two slits coming up to her hips and tan embroidery stylizing a Sabretooth Tiger. Under that, she had chestnut leggings and high heels of brown leather. She wore a light tan blusher, a touch of tannish-gold eyeshadow, and a lipstick that was more white-and-cream than pink. Kimberly was wearing a floor-length pale-pink off-the-shoulder dress of a heavy stretchy material which hugged her body until her hips, then hung loose and swung to her ankles, giving tantalizing flashes of leg every so often through a slit through the side. Her shade of eyeshadow was so much lighter than Trini's, it was paler than the finest citrine. Her blusher was a faint pink, and her lipstick was a coral-pink.

They all looked marvelous. All heads turned their way as soon as they walked in. They saw the men, all as formal as anyone could wish, Jason with a deep maroon tuxedo, complete with a gold tie, Rocky in red with a surcoat instead of an overshirt, Billy in a tuxedo a little lighter than navy-blue with a white undershirt and a tan tie, Zach in traditional regalia of black-- except with a rainbow-colored shirt and black tie, Adam in a silk full-body Korean mens' outfit of black with silver embroidery and lastly, Tommy in white pants with a black undershirt and a translucent buttoned overshirt of white, embroidered with gold thread. He had braided his hair away and tied it with a gold hair-tie.

Between the men and the girls, in appearances no one could match them. Tommy, once again, looked as if someone had hit him with a lead pipe. Jason noticed this, slapped his buddy over the shoulder and said so. "Man, if this was Cluedo, you'd have been killed by now."

"I say it was Kimberly in the Prom Room with the Dress, I don't know about you guys!" Zach laughed.

"Kim..." Tommy squeaked out. "You look... beautiful."

Kimberly blushed and looked at her toes. "No, I just look O.K. Nothing special."

"No, really." Tommy said, earnestly. "You look amazing."

"Yeah." Zach piped up. "And he's not just sayin' that because he's sweet on you. _You_, of all people should know that Tommy never lies!"

Kimberly cuffed him gently, blushing. "And what about _me_, you bad boy!" Aisha scolded playfully. "I _am_ your date!"

"Oh. You." Zach said, teasingly. "You look O.K."

Aisha pouted prettily. "Only O.K?"

"Look here, Isha, I'm bein' generous as it is!" Zach said, somehow managing to keep a straight face. How, no one could guess.

"Now see here, you--" Aisha said, her eyes narrowing.

"I was just kidding, Isha." Zach said, worriedly.

Aisha grinned brightly. "I know."

Tommy turned to Adam, and found him being smothered by kisses, and giving equally in return. It was only when Aisha giggled softly and cheerfully and told Adam that it was a _dance_, not a kiss-fest, did Adam and Trini stop smooching.

After a few fast dances, in which Trini and Kimberly noted to their delight (and no little relief) that their dates were marvelous dancers, unlike many of the boys they'd met. And unlike Billy and Rocky, who simply couldn't dance and had to be taught by Jason, Zach, Tommy and Adam. Who weren't very succesful at all. But they tried, and kept on trying. Zach, it went without saying, was a marvelous dancer, able to do anything and everything from snap to break-dancing. After all, he _was_ Angel Grove's champion dancer.

Strummin' my pain with his fingers.

Singin' my life with his words.

Killin' me softly with his song

Killin' me softly, with his song.

Tellin' my whole life,

With his words, killin' me softly.

With his song!

Tan-nan ta na!

I heard he sang a good song.

I heard he had the style.

And so I came to see him

And let him sing for a while.

And there he was, this young bu-oy,

Stranger to my eyes

Strummin' my pain with his fingers

One time, time.

Singin' my life with his words.

Two time, two time.

Killin' me softly with his song

Killin' me softly, with his song.

Tellin' my whole life, with words,

Killin' me softly...

With his song...

But their dancing reverie was interrupted by Jason's date, Jessica, who wore a black dress which made her look pretty but sallow. She went up to Tommy and whispered in his ear. Tommy's eyes widened, and he looked at Adam. Jessica then whispered something in Adam's ear. Tommy and Adam exchanged a glance. They both nodded in Jessica's direction. She beckoned to them, and Tommy was quick to apologize. "Look, uh, guys, Adam and I've got to go. We'll be back in a sec, but--"

"Don't tell me you're going off with Jason's date!" Kimberly cried.

Tommy blinked at her. Obviously, he hadn't expected a jealous onslaught from one who was unofficially 'his girl.' "Huh? Wha? He--Of course not!" he protested. "We just need... to go off for a while."

Jessica's eyes fluttered with surprise. "Waitta minute! Aren't you going to tell--"

"No." Adam said firmly. "Nuh-uh. Definately not. Look, ainan, I'm sorry, but we really have to go. We'll be back in a few minutes, but, well, you know how it is... "

"Fine. Then go." Trini said. "Airen." she said, bitterly, almost mockingly.

"Kim?" Tommy said, pleadingly. "Please, don't be mad..."

She smiled disarmingly, and he was relieved. But not by her words, which cut as disarmingly as her smile. "Why should I be mad? You're just ditching me. Go ahead. Go, go. I insist."

Tommy and Adam puffed a part-exasperated and part worried breath in unison and turned their backs and followed Jessica. The last words Kimberly and Trini heard was Jessica asking, "Jealous girlfriends?"

Tommy and Adam sighed identical sighs and nodded. "You _could_ say that." Jessica shook her head in sympathy and smiled, clucking her tongue gently. They were swallowed up by the rest of the prom crowd.

Trini and Kimberly turned away, bitter expressions on their faces. The other men turned to them, worried. Not to mention that both of the girls had very volatile personalities! _They_ knew where Tommy and Adam had gone. All they needed to do was convince them that nothing was the matter... and wait for Tommy and Adam to unveil their surprise.

"The next song is The Sun, The Moon and The Stars by Color Me Badd!"

Kimberly looked up. And so did Trini. "This is my favourite song." Kimberly sighed.

"Mine, too." Trini agreed. "I told that to Adam."

Kimberly nodded. "That's good."

"And remember, ladies and gentlemen, you _do_ have to dance to this! All men or ladies without a partner will be thrown out of the gym! This is a Sway dance, so get swayin, people!" the DJ announced.

Kimberly sighed. "Jason?"

"Yeah. You'll have to walk me through this, I'm not really sure how to do this anymore."

"That's O.K." Kimberly smiled a sad smile at him. "Who do you suppose Tommy's dancing with?" she murmured. Step, step, backstep, sway. Step, step, twirl, other way. The rhythm was hypnotic.

When I was lost,

I couldn't see

All the beauty and wonder

And all that could be

I was alone

Dreaming of you

I could not imagine

This dream coming true!

So much joy around me

In all that I touch.

You make me feel

Everything so much!

I will love you for the earth at my feet

I will love you for the sun in the sky

I will love you for the falling rain.

Whoa, whoa wooo

I will love you for the heart that could break

I will love you for the dreams that we share

I will love you for the falling rain.

Whoa! Haaah.

Facing the wind

Tears from my eyes

Baby, Where have you been when I was, hoping.

Waiting for you,

To pull back the dawn

To take me by the hand

And leave me through.

This whole world was a stranger to me.

Now you have opened my heart to everything!

I will love you for the earth at my feet

I will love you for the sun in the sky

I will love you for the falling rain.

Whoa, whoa wooo

I will love you for the heart that could break

I will love you for the dreams that we share

I will love you for the falling rain.

Oh whoa oh, whoa oh.

I'm in love with you.

Baby...

Oh... yeah... baby.

I ...WILL ...LOVE ...YOU!

I will love you for the earth at my feet.

I will love you for the sun in the sky!

I will love you for the falling rain,

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

I will love you for the heart that could break

I will love you for the dreams that we share!

I will love you for the earth at my feet

I will love you for the sun in the sky

I will love you for the heart that could break

I could love you for the dreams that we share.

I will love you for the falling rain!

Whoa, who.

Whoa.

"Oh, Tommy's not dancing with anyone. Neither's Adam. You didn't notice?" Jason murmured from somewhere above her left ear.

"Didn't notice what?"

"They're the ones singing." Jason replied.

"What?!" Kimberly said, somewhat shocked. In fact, she was so surprised that she let go of his hands and stopped dancing. She turned, and saw that Trini had done the same. Indeed, Tommy and Adam _were_ up on stage. It was _their_ voices they were hearing, _not_ Color Me Badd's. And they sounded simply marvelous.

"They were practicing this for days." Rocky informed them as he danced past with his date. "And they were working pretty _damn_ hard."

To their relief, the song came to an end soon, and Tommy and Adam stepped down from the stage amidst tremendous applause. As fast as they could, they hurried to their partners. "Look, we're really, really sorry." they apologized profusely. "We weren't sure how you would take it, so we decided to surprise you. We apologize if you felt abandoned or something."

"We did." Kim said, mournfully, elbowing Trini to keep her from denying it.

Tommy took her into his arms. "I'm sorry, Kim. Is there anything I could do to make it up to you?"

"Yeah, me too." Adam said, looking apologetic. "She-she ni, ainan. For being so patient with this poor idiot."

"Well," Kim said, cocking her head at them. "You could get our lipsticks from my bag, I suppose. It would make us feel better."

"You only had to ask, milady." Tommy said, chilvarously bowing. He and Adam went off to get their lady-loves their facial-enhancers.

Kim and Trini stifled giggles. Aisha noticed, and looked at them strangely. "What's so funny, guys?"

"Those two are going to be looking for quite a while!" Kim giggled. "I didn't _bring_ a bag! I suppose he didn't notice. Or maybe he thought I had left it somewhere."

"You forget," Aisha reprimanded. "Tommy's got the Power, and he'll use it. It's no biggie. Your boyfee-rend's a smart fellow, Kim, no matter what he says. He'll just teleport to your house and Trini's when he realizes it, and pluck the lipstick off the dressers."

"Ooh. You're right. Oh, well. It serves them right for not telling us about the song! And he's _not_ my boyfriend." Kimberly protested.

"Ah, but you wish otherwise, don't you?"

And just then, Bulk and Skull came swaggering up with another cockamamie story about saving the Power Rangers once again. And little did they know they had saved them --one of them-- again, even if only from further embarrasment. "Good grief." Trini whispered. "They only saved us _once_, for goodness sakes."

"Yeah, and we still owe 'em." Jason reminded them. "Without them, we'd be wandering around brainless and the world would be Lord Zedd's."

"True." Trini sighed.

They looked back over at Bulk and Skull. Who had just had major holes poked through their made-up story. And who were being booed at by a crowd who were unravelling from around them and going back to their dancing.

Trini and Kimberly sighed, and by unspoken agreement, went up to Bulk and Skull together.

"Bulk! Skull!" they chimed. "We were looking for you."

"Yeah." Bulk said, downcast. "You and all the rest of that lynching mob!"

"No, really. We believe you. We think that you must have saved the Power Rangers _once_, otherwise you'd have nothing to base your story on."

"Really? You believe us?"

"Uh-huh. That takes guts." Kimberly said, turning a thumbs-up on them.

"And strength!" Trini chimed.

"We're intelligent!" Skull remarked brightly.

"And strong!" Bulk added.

"And brave!" Skull mentioned.

"And steadfast!" Bulk replied.

Trini and Kimberly exchanged a glance, and their shoulders heaved with a mutual sigh.

"And loyal!"

"And honest!"

It was easy to see the thought flitting through the heads of the two Power Rangers.

[Yeah, right.]

But Bulk and Skull didn't notice, and kept on extolling their virtues which they most certainly did not have.

"And virtuous!"

"And handsome!" said Bulk, winking and nudging Trini.

"And available!" said Skull, leaning in towards Kimberly.

"Wanna go out?" asked Bulk and Skull together, leaning in towards what they thought were sure lady-kills.

Kimberly and Trini looked towards each other, duly horrified expressions on their faces. They both thought up the same excuse at the same time, but the excuse was, unlike most other excuses, true. Or _mostly_ true.

"I have a boyfriend." they both said at the same time.

"Oh." Skull said, looking disappointed. "Too bad."

"Wait a minute." Bulk whispered in a very audible murmur to his compadre. "They might be bluffin'."

He raised his voice."Well, show us your boyfriends, and we'll beat 'em up! There ain't nobody we can't beat in this school!"

"Yeah! Nobody!" Skull repeated.

"Are you sure about that? You can't beat Tommy, or Jason, or Rocky or Adam or Zach."

"Except for those _stupid_ martial artists. And you girls are smart enough not to go out with _them_, right?" Bulk asked, mightily, entirely sure of himself. "And I bet we could beat them up if we tried. I promise you that, Kimberly, Trini."

"_We_ promise you that."

"Show us your boyfriends, girls!" Bulk growled.

"Ah, Bulk?" Trini said, quietly. She pointed behind them.

Just then, Tommy and Adam came striding up behind Bulk and Skull. In a minute, Trini and Kimberly insinuated herself past the skinny and fat pair and planted _very_ enthusiastic kisses on the lips of their sweethearts. They detached themselves from their respective darlings slowly and mellowly, savoring every second of the kisses they shared.

"Man!" Tommy said, wide-eyed. "If that's the welcome-back I'm going to get every time I leave, I'm gonna have to start leaving more often!"

Adam echoed his sentiments. "You better believe it!"

"What were you saying, Bulk?" Kimberly asked sweetly, her arms still draped closely around Tommy's neck and her body still pressed against his.

"Uh, I think I hear my mother calling. How 'bout you, Skull?"

"Yeah. I'm coming, Mama!" Skull called, rushing off and gaining some very strange stares in the process, with Bulk at his heels.

Not the least of which were Tommy's and Adam's. "What was that all about?" Tommy asked her, puzzled. "I got your lipstick, and Adam's got Trini's--"

"She's going to need it." Kim giggled. "I think she left most of it on Adam!"

"Speak for yourself, Kimberly!" Trini grinned. "I think I can most distinctly see shades of pink that aren't a blush on Tommy--"

Tommy coloured.

"--And now shades of pink that _are_ a blush!" Zach finished for Trini, the entire group of the Rangers and Ranger-adoptees having moseyed over. "How come--"

She never finished the sentence, because the DJ suddenly called out, "O.K. all you Angel Grove High couples out dere! I wanna see every one of ya High Schooler bits with a partner, ya hear me? This ain't no Sway song! Open Arms, by Mariah Carey!"

The song started, and Kim sighed happily. She loved this song, and would have been happy just to enjoy it--

Lyin' beside you

Here in the dark

Feeling your heart beat with mi-ine.

Softly, you whisper.

You're so sincere.

How could our love be so blind?

--But it made her think of Tommy, and love. Which were, in _her_ eyes, two things that went together perfectly. She needn't have worried. With a confident, (maybe this is an exaggeration?) mischeivous smile, Tommy offered his hand to her, and murmured, "Uh... May I have this dance?"

Kimberly smiled and put her hand in his, quickly burying her cheek in his shoulder, holding him in a very-close but not strangling grip around his neck. She could easily feel the play of barely-concealed hard muscles that hid under his handsome exterior, like a paper screen hiding a stone barrier. She also felt him stiffen up, a little, at her close contact-- then, as she had hoped he would, he relaxed. He wrapped his arms around her waist, leaned down closer to her, bending his cheek to rest on hers. She could taste the rich sweetness of his aura, and feel the hot kiss of his breath against hers.

We stand all together

We drifted apart

And here you are by my si-ii-ide!

So now I come to you

With open arms!

Nothing to hide

Believe what I say!

So here I am

With open arms!

Hoping you'll see,

What your love means to me

Open arms.

Living without you

Living alone

Doesn't the house seem so cold?

Wanting to ho-old you

Wanting you near

How much I wanted you-- home.

But now that you've come back

Turned night into day

I need you to stay!

So now I come to you

With open arms!

Nothing to hide

Believe what I say!

So here I am

With open arms!

Hoping you'll see

What your love means to me

Open arms.

They,-- Adam and Trini; Tommy and Kimberly--much to the delight of the other Angel Grove High Schoolers, stayed in their impromptu embrace for long after the music had ended. In fact, they were in a complete joyful stupor, eyes closed and soft smiles on their faces. When they finally came to realization of the applause, the foursome opened their eyes and released the dance position... but not their sweethearts' hands.

Mrs. Appleby was among the most enthusiastic applauders. "You know," she murmured to the student next to her, who was dressed in a maroon tuxedo and a gold tie. "If I hadn't seen those four, I would say that true love at eighteen wasn't possible. Now I suppose that I should know better."

"I couldn't agree more, Mrs. Appleby." replied Jason. "I couldn't agree more."

All around there were female sighs about how lucky Trini and Kimberly were.

"Humph." said Bulk from behind Jason. "What do those musclebound idiots got that I haven't?" he asked the world in general.

The girls around him looked at him in disgust. "They're cute." one sighed.

"They're not idiots. They're really smart, both of them." Jessica said, artfully.

"That martial arts thing is _sooo_ darling." another girl breathed, eyes wide and hopeful.

"Yeah." Bulk said. "So what have they got that I don't?" he said, spreading his hands and grinning. The girls cast him looks of twisted lips, and other assorted expressions of disdain and loathing.

"Maybe the discipline not to eavesdrop on other peoples' conversations!" Mrs. Appleby replied sharply. "You are going to detention, Farcus!"

"Uh... yeah, Mrs. Appleby. I'm goin'..."

"--he said as he stood there scowling at Tommy." Mrs. Appleby finished. "Will you go willingly, Farcus, or will I have to drag you by the ear?"

Bulk left in a hurry. Jason laughed, but looked back at the two couples with eyes that were more than a little wistful. Zach, beside him, noticed. "What is it, man?"

"I dunno, Zach. It's weird, I've felt this way before... I...I don't think I like it."

"Nah, can't be love... Can it?"

"No, it's not love." Jason laughed. "It's like... it's like they have something special, and I'm happy for them, but at the same time..."

"Oh, man, you're jealous?"

"No, not that either. I've _been_ jealous. I know what that's like. Man, it's like I want them to keep what they've got, but I... I think I want to have something special like that with special someone, too. Look, you've got Isha, Billy's got Laura, Rocky's got Princilla, Adam's got Trini and Tommy's got Kimberly, but who have _I_ got? Isn't there that special someone for me?"

"I think the word you're looking for, Jason, is longing." came Tommy's not-quite-bass but not-quite-tenor voice. "I can relate to that."

"Me, too." hinted Kimberly's sweet alto, right in his ear. "Look, Jason, you'll know when you find the right girl for you. You'll _always_ know. Trust me on this one. Ask Adam. Ask Trini. Might not have been love at first sight,--in fact, he was either biting my head off or trying to kill me for the first week or so-- but I knew when I found the right guy."

She nudged Tommy lightly, and Tommy shook his head. He had been under Rita's spell at the time, and had fought with them--and nearly killed them--several times. Only their destroying the Sword of Darkness had kept the world from utter domination by Rita.

"And I knew when I found the right girl." added Tommy, their voices still hardly louder than a breath. "You'll know. Just be patient."

"I've never been good at that." sighed Jason. "But I'll try. I just wish... you know, I envy you guys. That's not right. We're Power Rangers."

Tommy blinked. "Quite the opposite. We're Power Rangers, yes, but we're people too. I think a little healthy selfishness never hurt anyone. I mean, if it hadn't been for mine, Kim wouldn't be alive."

:He is right, Red Ranger. I am the Blue Lady. I am not your Color's keeper, but I understand. It is only healthy to feel that way. You are human, as I am not, and even me and mine feel that way occasionally, so don't be upset. I can doubly relate to that.: said a rich musical voice in his head.

[Who are you?]

:It's O.K. Don't be upset. Tommy can vouch for me, if he's gotta.:

[I repeat, who are you? What are you doing in my head?]

:The same that Nyara's doing in Tommy's, and Elspeth in Kimberly's. Keeping you from doing something stupid. If it wasn't for the White Lady and the Pink Lady, those two would have never admitted anything to each other. Look, a little envy and a little jealousy never hurt anyone. Specially if it makes someone happy. Like I said, look at them. Certainly not one of the Power Rangers should be envious and jealous. Yeah. Right. Whatever. You're not supposed to be perfect, you're supposed to be people, dumbbutt! Stop trying to be Mother Teresa, and start _living_!:

Jason's thoughts colored with a mental blush, which thankfully did not show on his face. [Uh... O.K.]

:Stupid me. Now I've embarrassed you. I'm sorry. It's just that you're so naïve that it's not even funny! Say, Kimberly and Zach and Trini and Rocky and Aisha and Billy could face down the facts of life without blushing. They know they're not supposed to be perfect. I bet Adam and Tommy could, too. With quite a bit of difficulty. They're boys, and Kimberly and Trini will bring them out of that. But you...: she shook her mental head. :You are _sheltered_, boy. You're lucky I don't have Tarma's ability to reduce someone to a quivering heap with insults, or you would be dust by now!:

[Who are you to talk?] Jason spat mentally. [You're not human, you don't understand.]

:You're right. I'm not.: The softness hid a strain of underlying steel. :But I was. I used to be a Power Ranger. Long ago, I was the Blue Ranger. We were _all_ Power Rangers at one time, all us Ladies. Hence came Hunter Tarma shena keTalesedri, Warrior Anigel shena keMiribel, Mother Haramis shena keSelenay, Guardian Nyara shena keTsia, Guide Elspeth shena keResczia and myself, the Maiden. We didn't come from the same place, the same world, or even the same time. Oh, my, Jason, perhaps you should come out of your trance, because Kimberly is staring at you kinda funny.:

Jason snapped out of it, and Kimberly looked relieved. "What is it, Jason?" Tommy asked, looking somewhat concerned.

"The Maiden." Jason said shortly.

"Ah. The Blue Lady?"

"Yeah... how'd you know?"

"I met her, briefly. Very briefly."

"Ah." Jason said.

Zach came up behind him and slapped him sharply on the shoulder. "Hey, man, you missed The Incident!"

"Huh? What happened?"

"Well, there are five new couples, if that tells you anything..."

"Hmm..." Jason thought. "That would be... Trini and Adam, Kim and Tommy, Rocky and Princilla, Billy and Laura, but I can't imagine--"

He looked at Zach. Zach looked back at him. And grinned. Jason's jaw dropped in an amazed smile. "No!"

"Uh-huh. I've got a girlfriend, man."

"That's great! Angela?"

"Nope!"

"Angelica?"

"Third time's the charm!"

"Aisha? You really have this thing with girls whose names start with A, don't ya!"

"Yep! Now it's _your_ turn, my friend."

Jason backed away teasingly. "Nuh-_uh_! I haven't found the right girl for me yet, Zach."

Zach shook his head mournfully. "Well, better find a partner for the last dance. You don't want to go the whole prom without a single slow-dance. I mean, even Bulk and Skull have got partners, man!"

Jason's jaw dropped with surprise a second time. "Wha?"

"Yep. Some punk-girls took a liking to 'em. I dunno who I feel sorrier for."

Kimberly grinned behind them. "Well, I feel sorrier for the girls. You know how many times Skull's asked me out?"

"Nope. And I don't wanna know."

"Eight, counting today."

Tommy looked at her strangely. "You've been keeping count?"

She swatted him lightly on the arm, grinning. "C'mon, you silly goose, before the dance finishes." She grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the dance floor.

But Tommy held her back. "Don't worry, Kim, this is a long song. A reaallyy long song. Jason's not got a partner."

"Don't worry about me, man." Jason said, giving them a smile that was, even for him, melancholy.

"You've got to dance at least _one_ slow dance, even if it's just because all the other Rangers are." Kim said, adamantly, changing her mind and deciding that maybe dancing could wait for at least a while. "Tommy, can't you do something?" She turned to her boyfriend. "Aren't there any girls who are free?"

Tommy closed his eyes. At first Jason thought it was with exasperation, but a few seconds later, Tommy opened his eyes and said, quietly, "Just wait a second, Jason, and your dance partner will be here."

Jason looked at him bug-eyed. "What did you do, call a tiger-spirit for me to dance with?"

Tommy smiled. "Not quite." was all he said. With that, he swept Kimberly off onto the dance floor, leaving Jason puzzled.

When someone rested a hand on his shoulder, and Jason said, without turning, "Zach, why aren't you on the dance floor? Isha rejected ya?" he got the shock of his life.

"Because," replied a soft voice like music behind him. "I'm not Zach."

He turned, and there, behind him, was a beautiful girl no older then he, wearing a cerulean velvet dress, ankle-length, which shone with opaque blue light with her every movement. He was _sure_ he'd never seen her before... but for some reason, she seemed familiar. He seemed to _know_ that wavy waist-long red hair, and those glittering green eyes... "Want to dance?" she asked, grinning at him mischeivously.

"Uh... sure." he said, rather too awestruck to ask who she was. Not to mention lost in those _gorgeous_ eyes of emerald...

He led her out on the dance floor, where she pressed her body against his; not so close that he felt uncomfortable, but not so far that he felt alienated. And they swayed to the music. Gently, he touched her, realizing much to his surprise that he had never danced before. He'd somehow managed to charm his way through junior high and most of high school without 'suffering' through a single dance. He'd simply not thought about it before.

And now that he _was_ dancing, he decided that it had nothing to do with 'suffering.' In fact, it was rather nice.

For all those times you stood for me

For all the truth that you made me see

For all the joy you brought to my life

For every wrong that you made right

For every dream you made come true

For all the love I found in you

I'll be forever thankful, baby

You're the one who helps me up

And never lets me fall

You're the one who saw me through

Through it all

You were my strength when I was weak

You were my voice when I couldn't speak

You were my eyes when I couldn't see

You saw the best there was in me

Lifting me up when I couldn't reach

You gave me faith 'cause you believed!

I'm everything I am

Because you loved me.

Ooooh.

You gave me wings to make me fly

You touched my hand; I could touch the sky

I lost my faith; you gave it back to me

You said no star was out of reach

You stood by me throughout the cold

I had your love, I had it all

I'm grateful for each day, you gave me

Maybe I don't know that much

But I know this much is true

I was blessed because I was

Loved by you!

You were my strength when I was weak

You were my voice when I couldn't speak

You were my eyes when I couldn't see

You saw the best there was in me

Lifting me up when I couldn't reach

You gave me faith 'cause you believed!

I'm everything I am

Because you loved me.

Ohh. You were always there for me

The tender wind that carried me

You're the light in the dark,

Shining your love into my life!

You've been my inspirition

For all the lies you said were true.

My world is a better place

Because of you!

You were my strength when I was weak

You were my voice when I couldn't speak

You were my eyes when I couldn't see

You saw the best there was in me

Lifting me up when I couldn't reach