A/N: During "The Aftermath" when Zack and Kelly are broken up and she is with Jeff. ONESHOT! I own NOTHING!

"How do I love thee. Let me count the ways." Zack rushed through the lines of what is perhaps one of the most famous love poems of all time. "I love thee to the depths--"

"Mr. Morris!" Ms. Simpson interrupted him. "This is a love poem. Read with feeling!"

"How do I love thee?" Zack began again, locking eyes with Kelly. "Let me count the ways: I love thee to the depth and breadth and height,my soul can reach, when feeling out of sight, for the ends of being and ideal grace. I love thee to the level of everyday's most quiet need, by sun and candle-light." Zack paused, as his breath caught in his throat. An elephant could have stood in the room without being noticed by the students at Bayside. Zack continued, lifting Kelly's chin when she ducked away from him. "I love thee freely, as men strive for right; I love thee purely, as they turn from praise. I love thee with a passion put to use in my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith. I love thee with a love I seemed to lose with my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath, smiles, tears, of all my life!" Zack took a deep breath, and as tears collected in his eyes, he finished, "And, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death."

The class was silent, as Zack's tears tumbled down his cheeks. Ms. Simpson applauded, oblivious to the emotional tension between "Bayside's beloved couple."

"Ms. Simpson, may Zack and I have a moment alone?"

"Yes." Ms. Simpson nodded. Everyone was amazed that she understood Kelly, and relieved. Zack and Kelly needed to talk. The pair left the classroom, and stood in the quiet hall.

"Kelly--" Zack began.

"Zack." she stopped him. "Please don't. I'm with Jeff. I'm happy with him. Can't you leave it alone?"

"No." he refused, working his jaw. "I meant every word of that poem."

"Why, Zack?"

"Why? I can't explain why I can't let go. I meant what I said, and I'll feel that way forever."

"Where do we go from here?" Kelly asked.

"Kelly, you know we belong together, don't you?" Zack pleaded. "I know I'm a jerk, and that I never pay attention like I should, but if I did better, would you take me back?"

"Zack...." Kelly sighed. "I don't know. Jeff has made me really happy." she paused. "Happier than I've been in a long time." she admitted.

"You weren't happy with me?" he asked, shocked. Kelly was his world! Couldn't she see that?

"Jeff never even looks at another girl. I always felt like I was competing for you, even when we were committed to each other."

"Kelly." Zack said softly, kneeling in the hall, "Will you please forgive me?" He held her hands captive, and Kelly felt a spark of the old feelings she had for Zack coming alive again. She squeezed his hands, tears in her eyes.

"What is it that you do to me?" she wondered out loud.

"I love you." he said simply, quietly. At his words, Kelly searched his eyes for a grain of untruth or trickery, but there was only truth. He really did love her. She took a deep breath.

"I love you, too." she finally said. Zack didn't respond. "Zack?" she squeezed his hands again. "What do we do now?"

"Are you going to end things with Jeff?" Zack responded with a logical question.

"This afternoon." she nodded. "This sounds selfish, but do you promise to try and make me happy?"

"Of course." he confirmed in all seriousness. "I never want to lose you again." The two returned, hand in hand, to class and Miss Simpson clapped delightedly.

"Bayside's most beloved couple!" she muttered happily to herself as she wrote something on the board. The students in her class smiled as they realized that Miss Simpson was right after all.