The song "Truly, Madly, Deeply" is by Savage Garden. The first time I heard this song, I fell in love with it. And do you know what I do with songs I love? You guessed it-- I turn 'em into fanfics! This one takes place a couple days after "The Green Candle." Do you remember the dance Tommy asked Kim to at the end of part two? Well this is it.
It was Friday night, and in the Oliver residence, young Jesse Oliver stood angrily outside the bathroom door, yelling furiously at its occupant.
"Tommy!" he screamed, "Get out of the bathroom now! You've been in there for half an hour! There are other people in this house, ya know!"
"Use Mom and Dad's bathroom!" Tommy yelled back, "I'm busy!"
The young boy stormed down the hallway, leaving Tommy alone. Inside the bathroom, Tommy was busily combing through his chestnut curls, which just reached the base of his neck. He was dressed in a pair of freshly ironed black slacks and a white dress shirt. After making sure the last curl was in place, Tommy stepped back and gazed at himself in the mirror.
"Okay, my hair's done," he said to himself, glancing down at his watch, "All I have to do is put on my blazer and shoes, and run out the door. Its 6:15 and I'm supposed to pick up Kimberly at 6:30. No sweat. I won't be late this time. I can't be late this time!"
Tommy checked his reflection one final time before leaving the bathroom and walking to his bedroom. Once there, he slipped on his black shoes, and put on his dark green blazer. After adjusting the collar, he sprayed on a touch of cologne, and took a deep breath.
"Well, that's it. I'm ready. Here goes."
Tommy grabbed his wallet and car keys, and headed to the front door.
"Bye, everyone!" called before leaving. Once he stepped outside, he walked over to his forest green Volkswagon, and turned on the engine. He glanced at himself one more time in the rear view mirror before finally pulling onto the street.
I can't believe this is actually happening! he thought as he steered the car along the quiet residential road, I'm actually going to the dance with Kimberly! Everything feels like a dream-- me losing my Green Ranger powers, and Kim coming to the lake to talk to me. I actually built up the courage to take her hand, and kiss her! I never even dreamed I'd get that far! Kim always seemed to be too perfect for me. Who'd have thought she actually liked me as much as I like her? And now, we're going to the dance together! But this is my last chance to be with her before I leave for Spring Break. I only have tonight to convey everything I've been wanting to tell her...
I'll be your dream, I'll be your wish, I'll be your fantasy
I'll be your hope, I'll be your love, be everything that you need
I'll love you more with every breath, truly madly deeply do.
I will be strong I will be faithful
'Cause I'm counting on
A new beginning
A reason for living
A deeper meaning, yeh.
Inside her bedroom, Kimberly Hart sat at her vanity, putting the finishing touches on her makeup. She had started getting ready almost immediately after school ended, determined to make sure she looked absolutely perfect for this evening. She had dreamed about a romantic evening with the handsome and charming new student ever since she first met him. She was attracted to him at first sight, and after months of spending time together, her initial attraction to him grew into a monster crush. He was so strong, considerate, gentle, warm, and chivalrous-- not to mention gorgeous-- that Kimberly couldn't help but fall for him. But she never knew what he felt about her. True, he always went out on a limb to help her out, whether it be carrying her books for her or walking her to school, but that wasn't necessarily a sign of something more than simply a close friendship. Tommy was a giving person, and he was always friendly to everyone. Kimberly finally got the assurance she needed only days ago, when she and Tommy shared a kiss by the lake. The kiss was so gentle, it felt like a warm summer's breeze against her lips. It only lasted a few milliseconds, but it instantly created a lasting memory, and it paved the way for the possibility of a real relationship.
"Okay," Kimberly said, glancing at the clock beside her, "He should be here soon. Am I ready?"
Kimberly stood up, and examined herself in the floor length mirror on her bedroom door. Her pale pink satin tankdress reached just above her knee, and a strand of fresh water pearls hung from her neck. A matching bracelet decorated her right arm, and a pair of pearl earrings hung from her ears. Her fingernails and toenails were painted in a frosty shade of pink to match, and brand new white open-toe heels donned her feet. Her caramel hair was loose, framing her face and just barely touching her shoulders. A touch of blush and pink lip gloss accentuated her natural beauty, and the slightest bit of eyeliner enhanced her big golden-brown eyes. Kim smiled at her reflection. She had never looked better.
"Well, I'm done," she said to herself, lightly spraying her neck with the light floral perfume she always wore, "Now, all I have to do is wait."
She sat at her vanity, tapping her fingers on the oak nervously. Finally, she heard the doorbell. She jumped to her feet and picked up her white beaded purse. After taking a calming breath, she walked down the hallway towards the stairs.
Just calm down, calm down, she chanted in her mind, Relax! If I'm nervous, then I'll surely make Tommy nervous! But, what if I do something wrong? What if I spill some punch on myself, or trip while walking... I'd just die of embarrass--
Her stream of thought was immediately interrupted when her eyes fell on her date for the evening. He was immaculately dressed, and his hair was neatly and fashionably styled. He looked like he just stepped out of a magazine ad, with his soft, natural good looks highlighted by his attire. Kim smiled warmly as she approached him.
Tommy's gaze never wavered from the angellic figure that descended the stairs with such grace it seemed she was gliding. Her satin dress's light hue enhanced the healthy tan of her velvety skin, and the touch of makeup made her already beautiful face glow. The mass of soft hair framing her face shone in the light of the room like the moon reflects the light of the Sun. When Mrs. Hart opened the door for him, he was so nervous he could barely speak. But it wasn't nerves that took his breath away this moment. It was sheer admiration for the young woman before him. Once she reached the bottom of the stairs, she smiled warmly at him. That smile, so sweet and genuine, melted whatever fears he had been feeling all night.
"You... you look great," he finally managed to say.
Kim smiled and blushed slightly at the compliment. "So do you."
"Take care of her, Tommy," Caroline Hart said from beside the door. Tommy managed to turn his eyes from Kim for a moment to awknowledge Caroline's statement.
"I will, Mrs. Hart. Have a good evening."
"Bye, Mom," Kim said, waving to her mother as the couple walked towards the door.
"Have a good time," said Caroline with a smile. She winked playfully at her daughter, who smiled in reply.
I know I will, Kimberly thought as Tommy opened the car door for her, Any time with Tommy Oliver is time well spent. Especially since he's leaving soon...
I want to stand with you on a mountain,
I want to bathe with you in the sea
I want to lay like this forever,
Until the sky falls down on me.
The Spring Semi-Formal was pure heaven for both of them. After some brief conversation with their fellow Power Rangers, Kimberly immediately pulled Tommy to the dance floor. The DJ played the song "Kiss From a Rose" by Seal, which was an enthralling and poetic love song. At first, Tommy was slightly nervous about dancing so close to Kim, but the scent of her light lilac perfume, along with the sweet emotion of the music and Kimberly's warm touch, soon evaporated all apprehension. Once they stepped on the dance floor, they didn't get off for over half an hour. They just continued to sway to the various tunes.
"Wow," said Trini, who was standing beside the punch bowl with her friends, "they look like they've been dating forever!"
"Well, they should have, if you ask me," said Zack, "It was so blatantly obvious Kim liked Tommy and vice versa. What took them so long to do something about it?!"
"It doesn't matter how long it took them," said Jason, "so long as they finally came together. That's what counts."
"Of course, we still have to consider how Tommy will react to his loss of the Green Ranger powers in the long run," Billy commented in a low voice, "Its still rather fresh, but eventually the depression will kick in. Zordon once told me that depression is a key consequence of losing the Power, whether forcibly or by choice. Something about the drop in adrenaline and other bodily chemicals."
"Its going to be a tough time for all of us," sighed Trini, "but hopefully their love for each other will help them through it. And our bond of friendship will certainly remain strong-- powers or no powers."
As the night wore on, Kimberly and Tommy remained dancing, with the exception of a few breaks for punch, during which they were mercilessly teased by their friends. But they never missed a slow song. It was the perfect excuse to hold each other close, and let the music pull them away from reality, into the perfect world filled of light and love that the music so poetically described. After a few hours of mostly dancing, the party was over. It was time to go home.
And when the stars are shining brightly in the velvet sky.
I'll make a wish and send it to heaven
Then make you want to cry
The tears of joy for all the pleasure in the certainty
That we've surrounded by the comfort and protection of
The highest powers
In lonely hours,
The tears devour you
"So," said Kimberly quietly, as Tommy drove from the school, "you said you were going away for Spring Break, right?"
"Huh?" said Tommy, snapping out of the reverie he had drifted into.
"When you gave your Power Coin to Jason the other day, you said you'd miss us during Spring Break," Kim reminded him, "So I take it you're going away."
"Yeah. I'm going to visit my uncle."
"How long will you be gone?"
"Probably the whole week. I need to get away, after all that's happened recently."
"I guess that's understandable," she said, turning to Tommy, "You know I'll miss you while you're away. This night was so wonderful... its a shame it has to end so soon."
A grin crossed Tommy's pensive face. "I doesn't have to."
"Huh?" said Kimberly.
"It doesn't have to," Tommy repeated, "That is, if you don't want to go home just yet."
"What do you have in mind?" Kim inquired.
"You'll see," he said mysteriously.
I want to stand with you on a mountain,
I want to bathe with you in the sea
I want to lay like this forever,
Until the sky falls down on me.
"Here we are," said Tommy, putting his car in park. He stepped out of the car and walked around the front to open the passenger side. He offered Kimberly his hand, and escorted her a few yards from the car. There was a metal fence, cutting off the road from a rather jagged cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. This night, the waves kissed the cliffs gently, with few large waves. The sea sang a delicate song as the waters rolled back and forth along the shore. The silver moonlight gave the scene an ethereal appearance, which complimented the magical feel of the entire evening.
"Wow," Kim said quietly, "I've never seen Angel's Bluff at night. Its breathtaking..."
"Isn't it?" said Tommy, stepping forward and climbing over the metal fence, "Come on."
"What are you doing?" Kim asked in alarm.
"Getting a better view."
"But its so steep--"
"Trust me, Kimberly," he said, holding out his hand to her, "I won't let you fall."
Kimberly sighed and took Tommy's hand. She let him escort her to a rather large boulder, and they both climbed up on it, and sat side by side, looking out at the ocean.
"This is just too beautiful to describe," Kim whispered, wrapping her arms around her legs and resting her chin against her knees. She closed her eyes, allowing the sweet rapture of the ocean's music, coupled with the gentle night breeze to overwhelm her senses. While Kimberly experienced the moment with her eyes closed, Tommy took the opportunity to gaze upon her. She didn't notice his scrutiny, and a blissful smile crossed her face as she enjoyed the simple beauty of nature. As Tommy watched her, his mind pondered what he was going to say to her. The moment was perfect.
Oh can you see it baby,
You don't have to close your eyes,
'Cause it's standing right before you
All that you need will surely come.
"Kimberly?" Tommy said quietly, getting his companion's undivided attention, "There's something I... I want to get out into the open."
"What is it?" she asked. She grew worried when she saw the uncomfortable expression on his face.
"Well," he stammered, "uh, as you know, I'm not one to talk a whole lot about my feelings. That's probably not a very healthy habit... to keep everything bottled up inside. But now, I... I feel like I can tell you anything."
Kimberly smiled. "Well you can. Tommy, I'm here for you, no matter what. You may not be a ranger anymore, but you're still special to the rangers. And to me."
Kimberly felt the color in her cheeks rise, and she glanced down nervously. Tommy smiled, and took her hand between his. His touch was so gentle that it was barely there.
"Kim, this past week has been a real rollercoaster ride of emotions. Losing the Green Ranger powers really has had an effect on me. Its weakened me physically, as well as psychologically. I know Jason will take care of the Power for me-- and it couldn't be in better hands-- but still, being a ranger quickly became a part of my identity. Its tough saying goodbye to it."
"I'm so sorry we couldn't get that candle," Kim said, her eyes starting to glass over, "If only we could have beaten Cyclops a few minutes faster, or--"
"Its in the past," he interrupted, "and there's no use in wondering 'what if'. Kim, the reason why I'm even mentioning this is because I wanted to let you know something-- that this has been the best week of my life."
Kimberly blinked in confusion. "But, you lost so much!"
"True," he said with his famous lop-sided grin, "but I've gained alot too. Kim, if I didn't lose my powers, then you wouldn't have come visit me at the lake. And I probably never would have built the courage to kiss you. If my powers is the price I have to pay to be close to you, then I'll pay it willingly."
Kimberly blushed crimson, and her hand clasped Tommy's tighter. "From the moment I saw you, I knew you were special," she whispered, "I just didn't know what you thought about me."
"Well, now you know."
I'll be your dream, I'll be your wish I'll be your fantasy
I'll be your hope, I'll be your love, be everything that you need
I'll love you more with every breath, truly madly deeply do.
Tommy lifted Kim's chin with his hand, and once again, their faces inched closer together. This time, however, there wasn't any of the shyness or uncertainty that was in their first kiss. Rather, it was a kiss of pure emotion-- of two souls meeting for the briefest of moments. Slowly, and grudgingly, they pulled away from each other, and gazed meaningly into each other's eyes. All that needed to be said was said through that gaze, and the kiss. Then, Kimberly lay her forehead against Tommy's chest. Tommy wrapped his arm around Kim's shoulder, and they continued to listen to the enchanting song of the ocean. They sat in silence for half an hour, just enjoying each other's presence. They wanted to make a memory, because they knew they would be separated. Still, they knew that their budding relationship would blossom, no matter the obstacles facing them. They just fit so well together.
I want to stand with you on a mountain,
I want to bathe with you in the sea
I want to lay like this forever,
Until the sky falls down on me.
The End
