You and I Both…

: Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your reviews! They really mean a LOT for me:) This is the seventeenth chapter for you. Enjoy!

JASON DAVID FRANK! Happy belated birthday! The wonderful man who played Tommy Oliver celebrated his 33rd birthday on the 4th of September. I wish you all the best, Jason! Love you! ;D

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Chapter seventeen: The week after…

Kimberly

Angel Grove High School

- Monday morning

" ,…her grandmother passed away and come on, Kim. I know you would've done the same if you were there,"

Kim pretended as if she didn't hear a word he say. Just like she had stated before, anything to do with Tommy Oliver was not her problem. She couldn't, wouldn't forgive him. Yet.

" , I know that I was late. You must have left by the time I got there. I'm sorry," he touched her shoulder lightly and she jerked her arm off. Not bothering to spare him a glance, she kept pulling out her books from her locker. " I just hoped that you leave before it started raining. So you wouldn't get sick,"

" So it's my fault for getting sick? Is that what you're trying to say?" Kim snapped, banging the door close. That or he wanted her to get the live action sooner?

" No! I mean," Tommy rubbed the back of his neck. Those dark brown eyes gazed deeply into her eyes. "look, I'm sorry,"

Kim sighed. " Tommy, all those words I said when you came to my house? I mean it. I don't want to see you. Not then, not now, not ever. Got it? Good,"

Kim disposed the coke she just had. Going to the mall was certaintly something she could use to help her to relax. Usually it worked. Usually.

It had been four days and the talk between Tommy and her repeated over and over in her mind. She should give herself credits. She had managed to stay cool while her mind screamed at her to stop being silly, forget about the past and lunge into his arms, telling him that she'd forgiven him and everything wasn't matter anymore.

Well, she understood his reason. If she hadn't, at least that 45 minutes phone call with Jason should help. It looked like Tommy'd also had a consultation with Jason. Her friend since she was little told her that he had chewed Tommy's ass off for daring enough to hurt his little sister. And Jason also didn't forget to yell at her for not telling him sooner. He just didn't understand. Kim sighed. She needed time to sort everything out.

" You two need to sit down and talk. I know you, Kim. I know that you've forgiven him but that ego of yours is too stubborn to admit it," Jason said." He had hurt you badly. But it's an accident. We surely didn't expect any of these to happen,"

Sure. Everything was an accident. Kim sincerely felt bad for Marissa. She wouldn't lie that there wasn't a bit of dislike in her heart towards the redhead but she's still her friend and Kim still cared. Especially after her parents got divorce, family meant a lot for her, probably more than some people.

Tommy. Why did she have to fall in love with him? It's like somone had put a spell on her so she couldn't look away, not caring how irritating he was. Jason was better than him. Much better. Okay, scratch him. Thinking about dating her long time bestfriend was weird. It would feel like dating her own brother.

" So, it's official. You like Tommy, don't you, Kim?" Jason asked and she could imagine he was smirking over the phone. " finally. Damn, I owe Zack ten bucks,"

" You what?" Kim couldn't believe her ear. " you guys betting on… geez,"

" You're not answering the question. You like him, right?"

" Shut up,"

Tommy and her. They had been dancing around each other for quite sometimes now. It felt like only yesterday she called him a thug. Well, he still reminded her of a thug, but at least a very good looking thug. Sometimes she just wanted that thug to grab her and kiss her until they're delirious with air deprivation.

" Kimberly,"

" Not you again!" she rolled her eyes. People said you can't run forever. In this case, she had avoided him in school, the Youth Center and even rejected all his phone calls. But she's here, and there he was, Tommy Oliver. If Trini was here, she would say that it was faith.

" Nice to meet you too, Kim," he returned sardonically. Tommy stood about two meters from her place, his hand carrying a green plastic bag. Kim raised her eyebrows when she saw the name on it. Yellow. What the hell he's doing in a girly girl shop?

Kim made up her mind and continued walking. Angel Grove was not that little. How could she meet him here? Or maybe Jason was behind this one? Because she remembered telling him about this shopping trip. Well, she hadn't bought anything beside a can of coke though, so this wasn't exactly a shopping trip.

She made her way towards the elevator, trying to block his presence from her mind. Damn, it was hard. Kim stopped and turned around. " Why are you following me?"

He seemed to be rather amused. " Who said I was following you? Public place, Kim, remember,"

Kim felt her face went red. Biting her lips, she turned around and went straight to the elevator. Tommy was not too far, just one or two steps behind her.

" Is Trini with you?" he asked when they were waiting for the elevator.

" Do you see her around?" Kim crossed her arms, answering him impatiently. She still wouldn't forgive him. Not now.

" Well, I thought…,"

" I don't wanna know what you're thinking," Kim cut off exactly when the elevator's door glided open smoothly. She stopped midway, lifting her head to look at Tommy hesitantly. " are you taking the elevator?"

" Are you?" he asked back. Kim groaned.

" It depends,"

" Same here,"

Kim narrowed her eyes, looking at his smiling face. Gosh, this guy is so impossible sometimes! No, many times. " Whatever," she walked inside. As expected, he tailing behind.

" What floor?" Tommy asked when the door had closed.

Kim shook her head, smiling bitterly. The way he acted was like nothing had happened. Maybe she should turn from the bitch Kim to the angel Kim, like right now?

No.

Ignoring him, she pushed the 7th floor button and walked back to the corner. She closed her eyes, clearly closing any possibility to engage into a conversation. Take a hint, Tommy…

" So, why are you here, Kim?"

He tried so hard and she loved him dearly for that. He might be acting nice to her just because he's still feeling guilty. Well, he should. Although it kind of contradicted with what she'd said through that bear. Right, the bear.

She couldn't believe it when her mother told her that she had given it to Tommy. That guy had taken Kim's heart and trampled it mercilessly. Not giving his birthday present was the least she could do. She felt her face pink. All those words she said… ' Kiss me!' gosh, she'd told him to kiss her! Of course, technically it's not actually her, but still, it was…

Was this damn thing moving?

" Mind your own business," she said and opened her eyes. Tommy looked hurt. Then her eyes moved downwards and she fought her smile. There's a chocolate smear on his upper lip. Wonder why she didn't notice it earlier. Imagining him walking here and there around the mall with that tickled her endlessly.

The elevator stopped at the third floor and when the door opened, Kim's eyes widening in disbelief. This was so great. A one in a million times chance. Tommy Oliver, Kimberly Hart and Marissa Smith all in this square, isolated moving box.

She stole a quick glance and met his nervous one. Both of them surely didn't see this coming. Marissa, who appeared had already come back from Canada, smiled when she saw them, er… Tommy.

" Tommy," Marissa said, walking inside with a big smile. On the other hand, Kim was more than ready to take off. Tommy, knowing her intention, grabbed her arm and held her in place.

" What are you doing?" she hissed.

" Hi, Kimberly," Marissa greeted Kim. Finally she noticed the short brunette standing beside Tommy. That probably was the case. She couldn't stand any girl near him.

Kimberly, you're being mean. No, as far as she's concerned, she could be as mean as she wanted to be. As long there's no damage was done. Yeah… " Hi, Marissa,"

Marissa once again smiled and turned around to press her floor button. Now that Kim noticed, Tommy hadn't chosen one.

Gosh, what should she do? It's so hard to put a still face when what she wanted to do was screaming like crazy. Was this a sign? A teribble sign that they just weren't meant to be? What should she do? God, please, give me another sign, anything but this!

At that very second, the elevator jerked and oh God, it felt like the scenes that happened in those Hollywood action movies. Somewhere she heard someone screaming for Tommy and at this rate, Kim was too panic to care. Of course, the fact that he grabbed her and pulled her close to him erased all the worries. Well, almost all.

As fast as it happened, the elevator stopped with a nasty jolt. Kim's heart still was beating fast. Oh boy. She asked for a sign, she got one.

" I thought we're going to crash or what," Kim mumbled, finding her voice squeaky. And they would die like the people in that movie Jason rent. Not a very good ending.

It warmed her that he asked for her condition first. " Are you okay?" Tommy asked. He still had a good grip on her hand. Kim nodded. " Marissa, you okay?"

The girl pressed herself to Tommy's other side, cluthing his white t-shirt tightly. She stammered," Yeah, I think so,"

" Looks like we're stuck," he said.

" Well, it's obvious," Kim responded and pulled her hand from his. The shock from the occurrence hadn't left her completely. " we're in the third floor," she shivered. They were so close. Too close.

" Could be a mechanical problem,"

For the next 5 minutes, Tommy had taken the emergency phone. Kim and Marissa watched as he murmuring yeses, uh huhs and a thank you before putting it back. " They said they would fix this as soon as possible," He too was alert at how awkward it's gonna be, with the two girls who're playing a rather major part in his life now, with two different reasons, stuck in this elevator together with him.

" I really thought we're going to die," Marissa said, hadn't surrendered Tommy's shirt yet.

Kim sighed and dropped herself to the floor. This was so perfect. " Marissa, I heard about your grandmother. I'm sorry," she said softly.

" Thanks," Marissa murmured back. " Er, Kim? That day, I'm sorry. I know you and Tommy had a date but-,"

" It's okay," Kim said with a soft smile. Tommy flashed her a matching one, relief was evident in his brown orbs.

" I'm glad that it's settled," Tommy sat beside Kim, their shoulders almost touching. " thanks for the present,"

' Kiss me!' Kim blushed. " You're welcome,"

" You got that apples?"

The next day after his birthday, a nice bucket of red apples arrived in front of her door. Kim nodded. "Yeah, I did. Thanks,"

" Actually it's my Dad. He insisted on giving it to you. He wanted to visit you but something got in the way," just like you, huh? Kim held her tongue. " I guess your mom must have told him that you're sick. Geez… your mother and my father. I haven't got used to it, you know. Even after all these times,"

Kim sent him a death glare and elbowed his ribs hard. The warning was coming too late because Marissa chimed in.

" Are your parents dating each other?"

Kim wanted to ask how the hell on earth Marissa knew about her mom and his dad being single parents. Must be Tommy. He and his BIG mouth. " They're old friends,"

" Yeah," Tommy mouthed an 'I'm sorry' to Kim.

" That's really cool," Marissa sat across them.

No, it's not. Kim mused. Getting busted by Marissa was the last thing she needed right now. But this might be the time. They couldn't hide it forever. Sooner or later someone would know and it's not like something that both Tommy and she have to be embarrassed about. It's just the gossip that she feared would spread out.

" So I guess you two will be brother and sister then," Marissa's smile was so wide that Kim wondered what'd caused it. Oh, if they're siblings, then the opportunity for her was Wide open. Wide, with a capital W.

Kimberly! What happened with you and that evil mind of yours?

" They haven't talked about taking the next step," Tommy answered tightly.

Marissa nodded. Kim watched as the redhead raise her hand and…

" Tommy, you got a chocolate smear on your lips," Kim said and reached out her hand to wipe it. The friendly yet intimate gesture was surprising all of them. Especially Tommy, she might say. " you're like my three year old nephew," she quickly said to cover the sudden silence.

Tommy shot her a knowing look that came along with his infamous smirk. He certainly knew what that was all about. Kim glanced away.

" Imagine, having a brother like Tommy," Marissa said, her eyes boring into him. " a good looking, kindhearted, gentle and a picture of a perfect guy,"

Kim stifled her laugh. Tommy? A perfect guy? Well, maybe, if you see him from the Eiffel Tower." Don't let it get into your head, Oliver. She's just being nice,"

" I especially like to watch you doing that karate moves," Marissa continued showering him with compliments. " you're really great,"

" It's nice to know that there's someone who actually has a right state of mind here," Tommy said and the mirth in his voice didn't gone unnotice by Kim. " thanks, Marissa,"

Sometimes she just wanted to kick him and strangle him until he begged for her mercy. Marissa was another thing. That girl had a major crush at Tommy, which was plainly clear. Kim hated her for that and for being such a tall, beautiful, clever girl and a very nice girl as well. It's just difficult not to like her. Though it's not so nice of her to put her hand on his arm just like she's doing right now…

There's a chime and the elevator door glided open. Oh, thank God!

" Are you okay?" one of the men asked.

Kim lifted herself off the floor, so did Tommy and Marissa. " We're fine," at least after Marissa got her hand off Tommy, Kim was fine. " thank you,"

Pathetic. Kimberly, you're so pathetic.

" I forgot that I have to go home. See you tomorrow," Kim flashed Marissa a tiny smile and gave Tommy a look that had a hidden meaning ' don't you dare to do anything that you'll regret later'.

" Kim," she walked and on purpose stepped on his left foot. " Kim!"

" Bye,"

Scott Residence

- Later in the day

" What's going on?" Kim asked when the front door's swinging open, revealing the slender Asian girl. Trini pulled Kim's hand and dragged her in.

" Kim! Come to Jason's house. ASAP! And tell your mom you're staying the night," Trini said over the phone then added in a rush, " don't forget. Wear pink,"

" Why?"

" K', Kim? Pink. See ya," Trini hang up, leaving a slightly confused Kimberly.

" Oh, you know, Jason decided to throw a private party. Just us and about 8 people from school," Trini linked her arm with Kim's and they walked to Jason's kitchen.

Kim looked around. It was almost empty, there're just a guy from their math class and his girlfriend, sitting in the living room. " Where's everyone?"

" In the backyard," Trini opened the fridge and grabbed two cokes. " Zack has a new game,"

" Really?" Kim lifted herself and sat at the counter. She accepted the cold beverage and opened it. Faintly in the background, she could hear the boys laughing and yelling. " how about Mr. and Mrs. Scott?"

" They're visiting Mr. Scott's brother. They won't be back till the next day," Trini explained.

" Anyway, what's with the-," Kim frowned and turned her head. There's someone running on the hallway and the next thing she knew, Tommy was standing on the doorway. He still had the same white shirt from the afternoon and he was breathing heavily. " what the hell is going on? What game does Zack-, oph!"

Tommy had stridden across the kitchen in three wide steps and without warning grabbed Kim's hand, pulling her down. " Come on,"

" Hey, hey! Let me go!" Kim smacked his arm with her other hand. It felt just like in that island. But this time she wouldn't let it end with her dropped on her knees. Using all her power, she yanked her hand from his grasp. " Are you crazy?"

Tommy looked down at her, seemed like he was thinking. Then he reached down, getting a good grip at Kim's waist and threw her off his shoulder. Kim shrieked.

" Tommy! Put me down! You're out of your mind!" her legs kicking, hoping they would make him stop. Her hands were not idle either. She hit his back repeatedly. " Tommy!"

" Don't move or I can drop you," he warned.

Kim's eyes met Trini's black ones. She saw mirth, satisfaction and glee. Oh… she's dead. Really dead!

Tommy carried her to the backyard where Kim noticed several people that gathering around Jason's pool. Zack was laughing so hard while Billy seemed to be very delighted by the sight of them.

" Yay, go Tommy!" someone shouted.

" Tommy! You ass, put me down! I said, put me-," her feet touched the ground though he kept one hand on her shoulder. " down,"

" There. A girl in pink," Tommy said to Jason. " now you have to make that paper,"

Jason? Paper? "What?" Kim asked, still feeling a little lightheaded.

" Okay, Bro. Promise is a promise," Jason shook Tommy's extended hand firmly. Then he turned to the petite girl who was glaring at him. " hey… hi, Kim,"

" Don't 'hi, Kim' me, Jase! You, you two are…," her eyes moved from Jason and Tommy. Then they finally landed on Zack. " you all are jerks," with that she swirled around and dashed inside.

" Ouch! That hurts," Kim heard someone saying, followed by continuous laughters.

" Boys," she mumbled.

- 10.30 p.m.

" Yeah, 'wear pink, Kim,' I should've known there's something up to your sleeves!" Kimberly said between gritted teeth. " I can't believe you set me up!"

" It's a pure coincidence, Honey," Zack tried to calm her down. " we're playing Truth or Dare and Jason dared Tommy to find a girl in pink, or else, Tommy would have to make the 6000 words History paper alone. You showed up here in that color so he chose you,"

Kim shot him a like-I-will-believe-that-crap look. " Yeah, right,"

" I take it that you two haven't kissed and made up yet, huh?" the dancer asked, moving to stand in front of her. " Tommy's right when he said your head is harder than a frozen pipe,"

" Zack! Which side you're on?" Kim pouted.

" Noone. The thing is, you like him," he quickly continued when she opened her mouth to protest. " you know you do. It's alright. He's better than that Winthrop guy after all. And… he had apologized, you've known the situation, why can't you just let it go? You'll have a peace of mind,"

" You set me up, right? That 4000 words essai is bullshit," Kim challenged him.

" 6000," he corrected. Kim nudged his arm. " okay, okay. We're hoping we could make a nice friendly atmosphere between you two,"

" As if,"

Kim wandered around Jason's backyard. The Scott had a really beautiful garden with a medium sized swimming pool. She sat on the swing and looked at the small present Zack'd given her.

" Accept this. It's from Tommy,"

" Tommy?" Kim asked in surprise. What? He's not so manly enough to face her?

" Knowing him, he probably wouldn't give this to you even until next month," Zack chuckled. " he's too nervous,"

" Coward," Kim muttered but accepting the small package.

Kim slowly tore up the paper and her eyes misted up when she found a similar talking bear like she had given him inside. Instead of white, the bear was soft pink with the sweetest smile on its face. She smiled when she saw a note that said 'pinch my nose'.

Kim smiled at his choice. There're some different types of bear. Hug me, pull my ear, kiss me and pinch my nose. Following the instruction, Kim gently pinched its petite nose.

' Hi, Kimberly. I know, copycat. I admit that I stole this idea from your present. You can charge me if you want. I hope you don't mind. And you have to not mind because I'm telling you, this was the last pinch-my-nose talking bear and I had to literally fight this over from a forty five year old woman. Ha! Yes, I was that cruel. Thanks to you. Kim laughed. So this was that thing he bought in Yellow. Poor Tommy.

Anyway, I guess you have already had a good idea what I'm going to say, but I'll say it anyway. Look, Kim, I'm sorry. I know that I had hurt you. Trust me, I had no intention to do so. Whatever you saw, or thought, that's not true. I wouldn't be that heartless, I wouldn't do something to hurt you.

I'm angry with myself. You know, for making you upset. Honestly, I'm not good with words, I just hope you understand what I'm trying to say. The thing is, I'm sorry and I hope we can be friends again. I promise it won't happen again. Just let me prove it to you that I'm improving. Yes, you know what I mean, my Swiss cheese memory. My gift and my curse. I won't be late for our next date.

Date? Did he really say 'date'?

I know I'm wasting a lot of space but I guess that's all. I'll continue when we're standing face to face. Okay, Hart? You had call me jerk countless time, threw my head with an apple, making me late until I had to face Mr. Kent's wrath… forgiving me is something that you have to do. Yup. You have to.

P.S.: If you want to hear my stunning, sexy voice all over again, just pinch my nose!

Kim closed her eyes, breathing in the warm air of California. She felt better. Much better. This was so sweet of him. She felt special. Really special.

Marissa? Well, Tommy didn't argue with a forty year old lady for her, that's something.

Kim put the bear carefully on the swing and she got up, walking closer to the pool. Dropping the bear to the pool accidentally was so not cool. She couldn't stop the smile that had been half creeping over her face. She squatted and touched the water with her fingers.

" Kimberly?" Kim's heart nearly leaped to her throat when a voice called out for her. Tommy's.

" Hey," she answered, not bothering to turn around. Because if she did so, he would be able to see the big grin that plastered on her face.

" You got the bear?" he asked.

" Yup. Thanks," he chose pink, how cute was that? He remembered that pink was her favorite color. That's a plus for Tommy Oliver.

" So, you forgive me?"

Kim waited for fifteen seconds before answering. " Maybe,"

" Good,"

" I said maybe," Kim said again. Her fingers felt cold inside the water.

" Kim?"

" What?"

" Be my girlfriend,"

" What!" Kim's left hand that held the pool edge slipped and the gravity worked. She tumbled and fell forwards. Right into the pool.

" Kim!"

Once she resurfaced, she had a hard time to collect her thoughts. Did he really say what she thought she just heard just now? He asked her, to be his girlfriend? Tommy?

" Kim, are you okay?" Tommy crouched and reached out his hand. " come on, I'll pull you out,"

Kim swallowed hard, moving closer to the pool edge and Tommy's waiting hand. Her heart was beating so hard that she thought she could hear it. She looked up at Tommy's brown eyes. " You jerk! Look what you've done!"

" What have I done?" he asked back defensively. " come on, it's late. You don't want to get sick again, do you?"

" You becareful or you'll join me here," Kim threatened menacingly. Tommy grabbed her left arm. " wait! What you're saying. Did you mean that?"

Tommy's smile was coy. " Maybe,"

" Haha, very funny," Kim replied dryly. Then his eyes turned serious although the smile didn't disappear from his feature.

" I meant that and I still do,"

Holy Mary Mother of God… He really asked her to be his girlfriend! God! Kim, breathe, relax. Don't overreact. Just breathe…

" Kim?" he asked worrily. " come on, let's talk about it later. We don't want you to catch a cold tomorrow now, do we?"

" I just need time. Because once I get out of this pool, my status will change," she said shyly, having enough courage to look at his eyes that widened perceptibly.

Tommy grabbed Kim's arms with a firm but gentle grip and pulled her out of the water and straight into his embrace, catching her off guard. " Yes, you're my girlfriend,"

She's his girlfriend, he's her boyfriend. Someone, please pinch her hard. She's not dreaming, right?

" Tommy, you're all wet," Kim eased from his warm hug. He gave her his patented puppy dog look.

" Can't you say something more romantic than ' Tommy, you're all wet,'?" he chided her with a smile. "pathetic,"

" I can, but I don't want to,"

" So you're my girlfriend now," he declared happily, his hand rubbing a small circle on her back. " do you know why I chose that pinch my nose bear and not the other else? Like the 'kiss me' one?" he asked with a leer.

" No," Although she had a good idea why.

" Because I don't want you to kiss that bear. You can kiss me instead,"

" Kiss you?" he's her boyfriend, of course she could kiss him. Anytime she wanted to. God, this was too good to be true.

" Yup," then he pulled her closer and his lips descended on hers. Unlike the first kiss they shared months ago, this one was gentle and passionate all at once. And it surely didn't end up with a punch on his chiseled jaw. Tommy pecked a last kiss at her cheek and hugged her close. " this is nice,"

" Nice? That's your best romantic line?" Kim teased and giggled. " pathetic,"

" Very funny, Kim,"

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: Yes! At last, after sixteen chapters of fighting, teasing and flirting. Tommy and Kimberly, finally an item. I hope I can post the next one soon. Thank you for reading and please don't forget to leave your reviews. NO FLAME!

- Yuuri ;)