A/N: And now, for a little action. Enjoy!

Kim stands at her locker, rummaging around for her favorite purple pen. It's her editing pen, and they're getting their first drafts of their English essays back today.

"Hey, you," Jared's low, sexy voice sends shivers down her spine, and Kim has to breathe for a second before facing him.

"Hey, Jared, how are you?" He grins, and Kim notices he's a lot closer than he would be usually.

"Better, now that you're here. Hey, listen, I was wondering if you maybe wanted to go down to the pier today? After school? The weather is finally clearing up," he says. Kim feels a flush travel up her neck, all the way across her cheeks and up to her ears.

"The pier?" She asks, voice breaking a little. The pier is a date place. Jared wants to take her to a date place. At her weird reaction, Jared steps back, looking crestfallen.

"Or not, it doesn't matter, never mind—"

"No! I was just surprised, I'd love to go," she says, loving the way Jared lights up.

"Awesome! You wanna go after school? There's this great diner, best milkshake you've ever had," he promises, beaming at her.

"Totally, I'll meet you in the parking lot after school." Plans made, Jared walks with her to calculus, telling her about Emily's recovery. She's doing well, and has been able to take the bandages off her face finally. Kim wants to meet her; she sounds like she means a lot to Jared.

After school, Kim waits in the parking lot for Jared to show. Suddenly, there are two huge hands obstructing her view. Kim jumps, but relaxes when she hears Jared low rumble of a laugh.

"Guess who?"

"Hey, Jared."

He takes her hand, and Kim has to focus all her energy on not swooning. Jared Cameron is holding her hand.

His truck is a beat up old Chevy, but Jared promises her it runs like a dream. She hops up into the passenger side, admiring the look of concentration that takes over Jared's face as he drives.

"You can turn the radio on if you want," he says, turning on to the main road. Kim smiles, and fiddles with the old stereo, looking for her mom's radio show. She finds it, grinning when she hears her mother's voice. The show's been getting really popular, which is great for Donna, but Kim misses her mom a little.

"Oh, I love this show," Jared says, laughing when Donna cracks a joke.

"That's my mom," Kim tells him, unable to keep the pride out of her voice. Jared looks at her suddenly, eyes wide.

"No way! That's awesome! It must be so cool to have her as your mom," he says, turning into the pier's parking lot.

"It's pretty awesome. She gets to meet rock legends all the time, so that pretty cool. Eric thinks it's lame, though." Kim's not sure why, but it's easy to tell Jared anything that comes to mind, even her private opinions on her family. Jared snorts.

"Eric's in middle school, he thinks everything's lame." Kim laughs, elated when Jared takes her hand again. They walk along the beach, enjoying the crisp March breeze. As promised, Jared takes her to get milkshakes, and Kim has to agree, they're the best.

Jared talks about his family, how it's just him, his mom, and his older sister, Karey. She's got a kid, Parker, around Eric's age. He doesn't talk about his dad, but Kim can tell it's a sore spot. At least he knows who his father is, Kim and Eric have no clue, though they know they have different fathers.

They sit in the sand for a while, quiet after a heavy conversation. Kim feels lighter, somehow. She knows her problems are still there, talking about them doesn't make them go away, but at least she feels better.

Jared's an exceptional listener, knowing exactly when she needs a sympathetic ear, and when she needs advice.

"Hey, listen. A buddy of mine, Sam Uley is hosting a bonfire next weekend. His fiancée, Emily, is moving in with him, so it's a pretty big deal. I thought it would be cool if you came down to meet them," he invites, looping an arm around her shoulders. Kim leans into him without even thinking, breathing in his earthy scent. Truthfully, she's a little nervous. She's met Paul already, and they got along just fine, but Sam and Emily are apparently really important to Jared.

"Sure, I'll be there," she agrees. It's a pretty big step, she thinks, if Jared wants her to meet the rest of his friends. A few months ago, Kim would've thought that would include the football team too, but Jared doesn't even talk to those guys anymore. After rumors begin to circulate about Jared and Paul joining a cult Sam runs, Jared's popularity has flown out the window. Still, Kim doesn't care. She has Laura, Jared, and now Paul. It's a pretty solid social circle. And besides, there's no way Sam's running a cult, not if Jared trusts him.

"Cool, I'll pick you up around seven maybe? Friday night?" he asks, pulling Kim a little closer.

"Sounds good to me," she agrees. They sit like that for a while, just enjoying each other, before Kim figures she ought to head home. She's got dinner to make.

Jared drives her back, and walks her to the door. They linger there, on the porch, just smiling at each other.

"So, this is me," Kim says, blushing a little. Jared flushes too, but it's harder to see on his skin.

"Kim," he starts, voice serious. Kim nods, letting her smile fall a little. "Can I kiss you?"

For several moments, maybe hours, or possible several sunlit days, Kim stands there, completely shocked. Jared Cameron wants to kiss her! Her, Kimberly Conweller, a little nobody from calculus class. Oh, she can't even believe this is happening, and she can't even imagine what Laura will say, and—

"Kim?" Jared looks anxious, and Kim realizes she's just left him hanging.

"Yeah, totally, I'd like that," she admits. Jared laughs, taking hold of her waist and pulling her in. Before she even knows what's happening, Jared presses his mouth to hers, and Kim melts.

It's the best kiss she's ever had, warmth spreading through her from the tip of nose down to her toes.

Hesitantly, she brings her hands up to rest on his shoulders, reveling in his heat. All too soon, Jared pulls away, eyes glassy.

"Um, wow, that was, that was amazing," he says, voice hoarse.

"Yeah," Kim whispers. Her voice is failing her right now, and she can't actually get her brain to form full sentences.

"So, Friday?" he affirms, still holding on to her. Secretly, Kim thinks she'd topple over without his support.

"Um, yeah, totally." Slowly, her brain is coming back to life, reminding her she should probably go in, that Eric is probably watching this whole exchange and getting ready to mock her about it. None of that actually matters, not when Jared's looking at her like she's the sun, the moon, and the stars.

"Cool," he says, and before she can react, he ducks in again, pressing a quick little peck to her lips before heading for his truck. Kim watches him drive away before she heads inside, feeling happier than she's ever felt before.

A/N: Finally! The moment we've all been waiting for! Let me know what you thought, and I'll catch you guys next time.