Title: Collide

Author: Solarbaby

Disclaimer: I don't own Power Rangers. That honor belongs to Disney.

Words: 562

Spoilers: None.

Summary: He fell in love the first moment he saw her.

Notes: This is based on Ars Amatoria's Ranger Romance Themes coupling RJ with Clare. They were originally started with the idea of writing drabbles of only one hundred words but each one written so far (about five of them) are over 500. Also, this takes place before Jungle Fury, so I guess it would be about the beginning of Operation Overdrive though it may not be referenced. Be nice please.

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Beautiful

"This was love at first sight, love everlasting: a feeling unknown, unhoped for, unexpected-- in so far as it could be a matter of conscious awareness; it took entire possession of him, and he understood, with joyous amazement, that this was for life."

-Thomas Mann

RJ had never believed in love at first sight. He had always figured that it was a silly notion, thought up be little girls or someone who was just a little too naïve. Believing that you could just look at someone and decide then and there that this was the person for you was just too unbelievable.

Until he saw her, that was.

Maybe it wasn't exactly love at first sight, but there was definitely something there. When he first caught a glimpse of her, his froze in his spot. The woman was sitting beside Fran at the counter, her blonde hair tumbling over her shoulders. She seemed to be fascinated by whatever it was that Fran was saying, probably talking about one of her books seeing as she was currently swinging the large volume around as if making a point.

Fran glanced up at him and waved him over. He took a shaky breath and approached the two girls. "Hello, Fran and friend of Fran's."

"Hi, RJ. Have you met Clare? Well, I guess not seeing as you don't know her name. But you do now, since I just said it. I guess you might--."

"Whoa, Fran. Remember to breath." RJ reminded her gently, cutting her off mid-rant.

A sheepish look crossed her face. "Right breathing." She took a deep breath and grinned. "Breathing's good."

"Alright then." He turned his attention back to the woman, Clare. "Let me introduce myself. The name's RJ. I'm the owner of this fair establishment." RJ gave her a large, over the top bow along with a grin.

She blushed, adverting her eyes, and gave a bashful smile. "I'm Clare."

Her voice had sent shivers down his spine. "It's a pleasure to meet you Clare." RJ handed the two their menus. "So what'll ya have?"

"Usual for me." Fran hadn't even looked at the menu. She glanced at her friend. "What about you?"

"I don't really know." Clare was frowning at the menu. She didn't recognize anything on it. Pizza was the only word she was sure she knew and that was because she'd seen it on some of the boxes Chip had brought into Rootcore. She'd never tried any of it though. It had smelt kind of funny with weird little fish on it. "I've never had…" She trailed off and blanched, like she had been giving away to much information.

"You've never had pizza!" Fran's eyes had almost doubled in size. "But that's un-American! It's the most amazing food ever! With the cheese and the toppings and--."

"Fran. Fran!" RJ stopped her before she could get to deep into another rant. "You know what, Clare? How about I bring you a slice of the house special? On the house."

Clare shook her head. "No, I couldn't…"

"I insist." RJ took the menus, waving off her protests that she should at least pay for it. He was pleased to see a smile appear, making Clare's whole face light up.

Like he said, he didn't believe in love at first sight. But what he felt came pretty damn close.