"Do I get another kiss, cutie?" She teased, offering her cheek. She got a kick out of being 'in the know,' so to speak. As Tommy approached Mark and Kyle, he felt a tightening in his stomach. Mark greeted him with polite indifference. He only had eyes for Kimberly. Kyle looked genuinely puzzled. Apparently they hadn't been able to figure out that Tommy and Kim were with Jan and Thomas.

"Congratulations, Kyle; I hope you and Stephanie will be very happy," Tommy said graciously. He felt for his cousin in spite of everything. Kyle did look a bit uncomfortable; he had to be aware of the rumors floating around--fueled without caution by his own sister. Tommy was all too cognizant of what it felt like to know that the family was whispering and laughing behind his back.

"I'm sorry, you look familiar, but I just can't remember who you are," Kyle said, finally admitting defeat. He had tried so hard for his mother's sake to remember who everyone was.

"That's okay; you haven't seen me in six years," Tommy began.

"Don't tell me you dweebs don't recognize Aunt Jan's Tommy," Becca interjected with evil delight. The looks of surprise that crossed both her brothers' faces were priceless.

"I'm really glad you were able to come," Kyle comment when he could find his voice. To Tommy it sounded as if he was genuinely pleased to see him.

"And who is this lovely creature?" Mark purred oily, taking Kim's hand and kissing it.

"This is my girlfriend Kimberly," Tommy answered tightly. He recognized the covetous glint in Mark's eye.

"It is a pleasure to be introduced to you at last," Mark said, dawdling over her hand.

"Thank you, Mr. Morgan," Kim said icily, drawing her hand away. Her tone did not go unnoticed by Becca, Kyle and Tommy; however, Mark seemed oblivious to it.

"Back off, Mark; you're holding up the line," Becca hissed.

"We must get together later," Mark suggested. "I could tell you such stories from when Tommy and we were kids--they're quite a riot."

"I've heard the stories already," Kim snapped; she was on edge like during a battle when she knew the monster was there somewhere waiting to strike but she couldn't see it. "I didn't find them very amusing."

"Come on, Kim; I'll introduce you to some of my other aunts and uncles," Tommy said, concerned about her defensive tone. When they were out of earshot he asked, "What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry, Tommy; I didn't mean to be rude," Kim apologized. She glanced back over her shoulder and noticed that Mark was still staring at her. She shivered. "I didn't like Mark when I saw his picture. I didn't like him after you told me what he did to you, and I definitely don't like him after meeting him in person. I have the feeling that I'm going to be spending the entire evening trying to keep him from hitting on me."

"Don't worry; I won't let Mark bother you," Tommy assured her.

"I know. I just don't want to cause a scene or anything like that." The two made the rounds, going from table to table. Kim met so many of Tommy's relatives that she couldn't keep them all straight.

"Tommy, can we take a break and go sit down?" Kim asked plaintively as they finished up with another table of greetings. "My feet are killing me, and I'm dying of thirst from making all this small talk."

"Sure. Why don't you go sit down, and I'll go get you a Coke or something."

"Thanks."

About the time Tommy made his way through the throng of people to the bar, the receiving line broke up. It meant that they would be starting dinner soon.

"Tommy, do you have a minute?" It was Kyle.

"What's up?"

Kyle led Tommy away from the crowded bar. "I'm really glad you showed up; I've been wanting to talk to you." Kyle took a deep breath, as if he wasn't sure he could continue. "I'm sure you've heard the rumors going around about me and Stephanie...."

"Kyle, you don't have to confirm or deny those things. Just ignore them," Tommy advised. Why would his cousin be coming to him about that?

"They're true, you know," Kyle rushed on. "Every couple has their problems. Stephanie turned to an ex-boyfriend for comfort just as I turned to an ex-girlfriend, but Stephanie and I have been lovers for a long time before we got engaged. We're pretty sure the baby's mine, but...."

"Kyle, why are you telling me this?" Tommy asked. This was way beyond simply getting one's girlfriend pregnant.

"I know the relatives are talking. I've heard the whispers and the snickers and the disapproving clucks and all that, and it made me think of you."

"Me?"

"It made me realize how you must have felt when everyone was laughing at you at Aunt Eleanor's party."

"Yeah, it's not a lot of fun having your whole family laughing at you," Tommy remarked, trying to figure out what his cousin was driving at. Why bring up Aunt Eleanor's birthday now?

"I guess what I'm trying to say is, I'm sorry for what Mark and I did to you that day."

Tommy was too astonished to speak for a moment; an apology was the last thing he expected.

"Things weren't supposed to get out of hand," Kyle continued. "It was just supposed to be a harmless prank, but once Mark got going--with the puppet strings and all--I just followed along, like I always did. You'd think being the older brother I'd have known better or told him no, but somehow, he always managed to con me into being his partner in crime. I never meant for things to drive you away from the family. I know an apology now can't undo all that was done, but I hope you'll accept it just the same."

"No problem," Tommy said, accepting Kyle's offered hand. "I had pretty much decided that it was time to let things go, that it was a waste to be angry and hurt over something that happened eleven years ago."

"If you could do that, you're a much better person than I."

"Not really, Kim had to talk some sense into me," Tommy admitted. "Actually, Steph's the one who figured out what was bugging me, too."

While Tommy was talking with Kyle, Kim was waiting at the table for him. She was by herself as Tommy's folks were off mingling, and the other guests hadn't been seated yet. As soon as the receiving line broke up, Becca made a beeline for Kim, and she had Laurie in tow.

"Tommy sure has stirred things up around here," Becca said, getting right to it. "Boy, are the relatives surprised--especially Mom."

"Actually, I think she's rather annoyed," Laurie ventured. "She was so sure Tommy was some kind of gang member or something."

"Yeah, Mom hates to be wrong--and have everyone know it," Becca agreed.

"I don't want to be rude or insulting, but if your mother hadn't started talking Tommy down before she had all the facts, she wouldn't be wrong," Kim said tartly. "I know Jan must have tried to tell her that she was way off base."

"Mom wouldn't listen to anything Aunt Jan told her," Becca said dismissively. "Hell, if Jan told her one thing, Mom would tell someone else the exact opposite."

"So that's how the hoodlum rumors got started," Laurie murmured.

"Why would your mother do something like that?" Kim wondered. "She's always been in competition with Aunt Jan over something, I guess," Becca sighed.

"So she'd cut down Tommy to spite Jan?" Laurie asked.

"And make Kyle and Mark look good."

"That's so stupid!" Laurie snorted.

"You'll get no argument from me on that," Kim agreed.

"Me either, but enough about my mother. Tell me more about my yummy cousin," Becca urged with a giggle.

"Like what?" Kim asked.

"How long have you been dating?" Laurie queried.

"Since he moved to Angel Grove."

"How'd you meet him."

"At a martial arts exhibition."

"You're into karate, too?"

"Not really. I'm a gymnast. Tommy was competing against one of my good friends."

"I wasn't talking about that lame stuff," Becca interjected. "I mean the juicy stuff--like is he good in bed?"

"Rae!" Laurie gasped. She was blushing almost as hotly as Kim was; really, her cousin could be so crude at times.

"I don't know," Kim answered honestly.

"You mean you guys haven't slept together?" Becca was incredulous.

"Does Tommy strike you as the sort of guy who'd jump into bed at the drop of a hat?" Kim challenged.

"He strikes me as being more of a gentleman than Kyle or Mark," Laurie replied, getting in a dig.

"Kyle didn't sleep around much; Mark's the one who can't keep his cock in his pants," Becca shot back. "Well, if you haven't done it with him yet, is he at least a good kisser?"

"Most definitely."

"Have you even considered sleeping with him?"

"Rae, you're being really rude," Laurie interjected. "Why should you care whether or not they've slept together?"

"Can I help it if I have sex on the brain?"

"You've had too much to drink already," Laurie grumbled. "Some people prefer not to discuss their sex lives with people they've just met."

"It's all right, Laurie. Becca just caught me off guard, and to answer her question, we've only just started thinking about it. We thought we had all the time in the world to wait until the time was right, but with me having to move to Paris...."

"You get to live in Paris? Out of sight!" Becca squealed. "I'd kill for the chance to go to Paris--even if only for a vacation, but to live there... you're one lucky woman."

"I wish I felt that way about it," Kim said glumly.

"How could you not?"

"It means leaving Tommy--not to mention all my other friends." Jan and Thomas returned to the table at that point, as well as several other relations. Becca and Laurie got up to return to their own assigned places as the waiters were preparing to bring out the dinner.

"Girl, we are going to have to figure out a way to get you and Tommy together," Becca whispered under the cover of a parting hug. "You can't go to Paris without knowing what sex is like."

"Don't worry about it, Becca; I'm sure Tommy and I will do just fine on our own."

"What was that all about?" Tommy wondered as he rejoined Kim at the table. He had reservations about the grin Becca had just flashed him.

"Oh, Becca was pumping me for information on you," Kim answered. She didn't feel like telling Tommy the specifics. "I noticed you and Kyle talking over by the bar; what was that all about?"

"Would you believe he apologized for what happened at Aunt Eleanor's birthday party?"

"See, I told you that your cousins had grown up."

"Well, maybe Kyle has, but I don't think Mark has."

Dinner was an overwhelming affair. There were plates for this and glasses for that and too much silverware to figure out what to do with. The meal was served in courses with elaborate presentation. Although, Kim and Tommy had to agree that they had tasted better cooking at Ernie's. The portions were small, and while it was still too much for Kimberly, one of Tommy's uncles seated at their table complained that he didn't have enough. By the time the final plate was whisked away, everyone was relieved to have the meal over. As if on cue, people began to wander about, resuming conversations they had started before the meal. To add to the confusion, the staff began moving the tables to clear off the dance floor.

"Good evening, everyone. I trust everyone had a pleasant meal."

Kim shivered as she felt Mark's hand on the back of her chair. He was performing his duties as host to perfection. His smile was gracious and warm, but that warmth never reached his eyes. Around the table, everyone else assured him that everything was fine.

"I mustn't linger too long," Mark continued. "I must see to everyone's comfort; however, I did want to stop long enough to ask Kimberly to save a dance for me."

Kim cringed and looked at Tommy as if pleading for help. He looked as pained as she did, but he shook his head as if to say there was no getting out of it.

"I suppose one dance couldn't hurt," she agreed reluctantly.

"I look forward to it," Mark said, then took his leave.

"Don't you like to dance, Kimberly?" one of the aunts queried, noticing her hesitation.

"I love to dance, ma'am."

"Then you should enjoy dancing with Mark; he is a superb dancer," the woman next to her added. Kim couldn't remember if she was family or friend.

"So I've heard," she murmured.

"Then what's wrong, dear?"

"It's just that he makes my skin crawl," Kim answered, and Tommy's relatives were too shocked to respond. Jan nearly spit out her drink, and Thomas and Tommy had difficult times trying to hide their smiles.

Tommy remained at the table until the first dance was finished, but when the wedding party took the floor, he couldn't wait any longer and excused himself to find the restroom. The way back was treacherous with the maze of tables and the dim lighting. As he wound his way through, he could hear snippets of conversations about family gatherings of the past. He was happy to note that Aunt Eleanor's party wasn't the only topic of discussion, and he kept having to remind himself that he wasn't that little kid who got humiliated any longer. They weren't laughing at him so much as they were laughing at the memory.

With the tables rearranged, the floor was pretty congested, so Tommy wasn't surprised when he tripped, but he was amazed to discover that it had been done deliberately.

"Aunt Elsa?" he queried as he picked himself up from stumbling over her cane.

"Had to get your attention somehow, boy; too damned noisy in here," Elsa groused. Tommy could only smile. He could almost hear his grandfather in her tone. For someone in her nineties, she was looking awful spry, and her eyes were as clear and sharp as always.

"It's good to see you again," Tommy said, kissing her cheek.

"I should know you, boy...."

"I'm Tommy Oliver," Tommy supplied helpfully.

"If you'd have given me a little time I would have got it," Elsa snapped. She slipped her glasses on to get a better look. "Damnation, but you turned out good."

Tommy blushed at that.

"Ah, if I was forty years younger...."

"You'd be old enough to be his mother and would still be related to him."

"Oh, go suck a lemon, George," Elsa blasted her nephew. She shared a conspiratorial smile with Tommy. "That's the nice thing about being old; you can say whatever you like and get away with it.

"Been watching you most of the night," Elsa continued before Tommy could make his excuses and slip away. "Mostly trying to figure out who in the sam hill you were; should have known you were Jan's boy. Always the gentleman, you were, and still are near as I can tell."

"Thanks, Aunt Elsa."

"That's the problem; there aren't enough gentlemen around. Even in my day... oh, there are plenty of good lookin' fellas, but a pretty face only gets you so far. Never fall for a pretty face; I made that mistake once. Oh, he was a handsome one all right; such gorgeous blue eyes and a smile that would turn your knees to butter. He could turn a phrase to make a girl's heart flutter. I was thinking we were going to get married, but it turns out he was a slick-talkin' two-timin' rat. Was running around with another woman, but I found him out. Dropped him like a hot potato, I did; that soured me on men for good."

In the background, the music changed, and Tommy shot a quick glance back at his table. Mark had gone to collect Kimberly for the promised dance. Tommy really wanted to get back over there.

"That Mark is a slick one," Elsa remarked, noting Tommy's glance. "Reminds me of my ex-beau. You have to keep an eye on him. That your little girl he's dancing with?"

"Yes, that's Kimberly," Tommy said with pride.

"Pretty girl. Spirited, too. I think Walt would have liked her."

"Do you really think so?"

"I like her, even though I haven't met her. I've heard the talk. Lotta damn near had a coronary when Kim said that Mark made her skin crawl."

"That got around awful quickly," Tommy remarked.

"Shocking statements usually do, Tommy-boy. Anyone who can see through Mark and is brave enough to say so ranks pretty high in my book. And Walt an' I usually saw eye to eye on things, but then we were close, even for twins."

"I didn't know you and Grandpa were twins."

"Couldn't tell it once the wrinkles and the gray settled in," Elsa laughed. "Walt always liked you, Tommy-boy; I think he'd like the way you turned out."

"Thanks, Aunt Elsa; it really means a lot to me to hear you say that."

"I'm not given to idle flattery; I'm usually the one being flattered until I want to vomit."

The two were interrupted by a sudden buzz that rippled through the guests around them; Tommy's eyes were instantly drawn to the dance floor. His gaze hardened as he watched Kim slap Mark's hands away. His reaction did not go unnoticed by Elsa.

"Don't you let that slimeball mess with your little girl," Elsa advised. She was as aware as Tommy of the mutterings of the family who were wondering why Kim didn't like Mark ("such a nice, polite boy") and what Tommy would do about it ("he wouldn't fight back when Mark turned him into a puppet"). "He lays another hand on her, you deck him. Lay him out but good."

"Don't worry, Aunt Elsa," Tommy said coldly. "Mark might be able to get away with making a laughingstock out of me, but I won't let him touch Kim. However, I will have the decency to take it outside."

"What are you talking about, Tommy-boy? What's this about a laughingstock... oh, you mean Ellie's party. Oh my lands... you mean you still don't know... ?"

"Know what, Aunt Elsa?"

"Sit down, Tommy-boy."

His aunt's demeanor was so serious all of a sudden that Tommy felt compelled to obey. "You were with Walt when he died, weren't you." Tommy's throat felt a little tight talking about his grandfather's death. "Yes, he asked me to sit with him."

"Did he say much at the end?"

"We talked about my hair and stuff and he babbled about a lot of other things; it didn't make much sense to me. I'm not even sure if I can remember any of it."

"Think, Tommy. It's important. Did Walt try to apologize to you?"

Her comment struck Tommy like a thunderbolt, and bits and pieces started coming back to him. "He did. It was so weird. He kept saying he was sorry, that he hadn't known and that he felt really badly about it all. I had no idea what he was talking about; I think he wanted to say more, but I don't think he had the energy. It seemed very important to him that I forgive him for some reason."

"And did you?"

"Of course. I told him that everything was all right and he didn't need to worry about it any longer. Then he asked... he asked...." Tommy had to pause a moment to collect himself. "He asked if I still loved him. I told him it was a silly question because he was my best friend. He seemed to settle down after that and passed away shortly thereafter."

"And you never knew what that was about," Elsa concluded, shaking her head. "You forgave him simply because you loved him. That was very generous of you."

"I had been a little mad at him," Tommy confessed. Kim had been the only other person he had admitted that to. "It hurt when he laughed at me, but he was still Grandpa; I couldn't stay mad at him, especially when I found out he was sick."

"Walt and I had a long talk not too long before he died; he told me that he wasn't afraid to die. He had a long, full life and no regrets but one: laughing at you at Ellie's party. He always hoped he'd get the chance to apologize, but he was afraid that you were avoiding him because of what happened. That's why he asked for you."

"Did Grandpa know that what they were doing wasn't part of the act?" Tommy asked anxiously. Kim had given him a little hope by suggesting that he hadn't, and he was a little afraid to find out the truth.

"No, he didn't, Tommy-boy. None of us did, and we should have," Elsa answered with a heavy sigh. "Walt didn't find out the truth until much later. He and Ellie were having a talk shortly before she died--reminiscing and that sort of stuff, and of course the party came up. Walt was going on about what a riot your, Mark, and Kyle's act was, and Ellie said, "Not really. I don't think it was an act." She told Walt how she heard someone crying in the back bedrooms and lamenting 'why didn't anyone stop them? Why did they all have to laugh?' Later, when it was time for cake, you couldn't be found. She sent Katie back to see if anyone was still in the room, and Katie reported that you were fast asleep on the bed and it looked as though you had been crying."

"I hadn't realized anyone had heard me."

"Ellie had, and when she told Walt, he got to thinking. Some of the stuff those boys did was pretty cruel, and at times it looked like you were trying to fight back, but since you never really did, he figured it was part of the act. He couldn't believe you'd let your cousins do that without a fight."

"How could I? It was two against one; I suppose I could have tried, but by the time I figured out how, they had me trussed up," Tommy explained.

"Walt finally realized that, and it hurt him to know that he had let you down. You weren't the laughingstock, Tommy-boy. You were just a victim; it was the rest of us who were the fools. Mark and Kyle hoodwinked us into believing that it was all a game; we saw the cruelty but we did nothing or were too cowed to say anything about it--cowed by a 10 year old no less. That really got Walt hot under the collar. That boy made fools of us all. And Kyle was no better than he should be, letting himself be led around by his baby brother...."

"Kyle and I had a talk earlier, Aunt Elsa. He apologized for what he put me through."

"He did? When did he find a spine?" Elsa snorted. "So, did you forgive Kyle?"

"Yes, I did. Shouldn't I have?"

"I wouldn't have."

"If he was man enough to admit he was wrong, I could be man enough to forgive him."

"I don't think it was manhood that got him to say he was sorry; I bet it was fatherhood," Elsa grumbled. "He's getting a taste of his own medicine from the family and doesn't like it. Oh well, at least he's getting out from under Mark's thumb. As for Mark, he's totally hopeless. Wasted meat, just like his father. Personally, I think they should fix him so he can't make anymore like him."

"Isn't that a little harsh?" Tommy queried.

"I don't see how you can say that after all he's done to you," Elsa remarked with a shake of her head.

"It does no good to keep hating Mark; it won't change what happened. I've wasted enough time letting what happened eat at me. Holding a grudge takes a lot of effort and doesn't do anyone any good, and Mark isn't worth it."

"Walt most definitely would have been proud of you, Tommy-boy" Elsa confirmed. Just then, the music changed--another slow song. Tommy looked out to the dance floor and saw that Mark was still dancing with Kim, and she was trying to find a way to get away from him without raising a fuss.

"Aunt Elsa, would you like to dance?" Tommy asked, hitting upon an idea. Elsa's eyebrows shot up. "Me, dance? Ha! I haven't danced in ages. Are you sure? You'll be lucky if I don't squash your toes."

"Actually, you'll be lucky if I don't squash yours. I dance only marginally better than I did when I was seven," Tommy confessed.

"Then why in the world would you want to subject both of us to...." Then the real reason dawned on Elsa. She smiled hugely. "Ah ha. Coming to your lady's rescue without causing a scene. If you cut in and Mark doesn't give way, it makes him look bad. Sneaky and subtle, I like it."

Elsa left her cane at the table, and Tommy helped her out to the dance floor. The two of them together raised much commentary--as much for the fact that seeing Elsa dance was so unusual as it was that they were so clumsy.

"Your little girl will have a bit of a break soon," Elsa informed Tommy. "They'll play a few more slow songs, and then they'll start in on the Big Band music--to satisfy all us old fogies and let us get our dancing in before we're up past our bedtimes. Mark will be too busy to pester Kim for a while; he may be scum, but he's still the best dancer in the family. He won't be wanting for partners.

"But you watch out for him, you hear? He's taken a fancy to your little girl, and he doesn't like to be told no. Of course, if he makes too much of a nuisance of himself, he'll wind up making a bigger fool out of himself than he made of you. You can explain away and justify him torturing his seven year old cousin as a youthful prank, but unless you're completely stupid, there's no way you can explain away sexual harassment--which is what it'll become since your little girl has already told him no."

"I have no intention of letting it get that far," Tommy assured his aunt. "Mark is nothing, if not persistent. Now, stop turning me in circles and let's get a little closer to where your little girl is. You are going to introduce me to her sometime tonight, aren't you, Tommy-boy?"

"Of course I am," Tommy said, and did his best to maneuver the pair of them closer to where Mark was dancing with Kimberly without trampling too many of the other dancers. As they drew closer, they were able to catch snippets of Mark and Kimberly's conversation.

"Ouch," Marked winced. "You move with such grace, I expected you to be a superb dancer, yet that's the third time you've stepped on my toes."

"Well, I expected you to behave like a gentleman," Kim snapped back. "Besides, how can I concentrate on dancing when you keep distracting me."

"And how am I distracting you?" Mark asked, his smile brightening.

"If you wouldn't put your hands where they don't belong, I wouldn't be so distracted as to purposely step on your feet," Kim quipped, mashing his left foot severely with her heel, forcing Mark to bite back a painful exclamation.

"Swing by your folks' table long enough for me to shout at your father," Elsa directed. Tommy did as she bid, and when she was in earshot, Elsa hollered (to the amusement of everyone at the table), "Thomas William, get off your butt and dance with me and spare your son."

"You're the best, Aunt Elsa," Tommy said appreciatively, and just about that time, he felt a tap on his shoulder.

"May I?" his father offered.

"'Bout time," Elsa snorted.

"Thanks, Dad," Tommy added as he bowed out.

"It's only fair to warn you that I don't dance any better than my son," Thomas said.

"That's okay; you're only a convenient excuse to free Tommy up to dance with his little girl," Elsa responded, to which Thomas raised an inquiring eyebrow.

Tommy quickly slipped by another couple in order to approach Mark from behind. "May I cut in?" Tommy requested with a polite tap on the shoulder. He had the feeling that Mark was going to ignore him, but Kim saw him, and her expression brightened hopefully.

"Please do," Kim invited. For a moment, it appeared that Mark wasn't going to let her go, but grudgingly he did so--almost as if he belatedly realized that it would make him seem boorish not to step aside. Tommy caught Kimberly around the waist and quickly moved her away while Mark was busy fuming.

"Don't just stand there, boy," Elsa snapped as she and Thomas stumbled closer to Mark. "Get yourself another partner. Have either you or Kyle asked your mother to dance yet?"

"Not yet, Aunt Elsa, but I will," Mark agreed reluctantly. He wandered off but not before flashing Tommy a dark scowl.

For his part, Tommy only had eyes for Kimberly and paid his cousin little attention once he was out of sight.

"Thanks for the save," Kim sighed, hugging Tommy gratefully. "I don't know who gave me more pain: you with your stepping on my feet or Mark and his wandering hands. I bet I have bruises on my bottom from all the times he pinched me."

"If you'd like, when we're back at the hotel, I'll rub your bottom and make if feel better," Tommy offered mischievously. Kim shot him a look filled with surprise and amusement. However, Tommy's mood quickly sobered. "All joking aside, did Mark really hurt you?"

"Annoyed me is more like it. I think he only managed to land one or two pinches; although that wasn't from lack of trying."

"I'm sorry I didn't get here sooner, but Aunt Elsa needed to talk to me."

"I saw you two together. What was up?"

Tommy's response was to scoop Kim in his arms, swing her around, and kiss her. "What was that for?" she gasped breathlessly when he set her down again.

"For being right. Aunt Elsa told me Grandpa didn't know that it wasn't an act; he learned the truth later, after Aunt Eleanor told him a few things and they put two and two together. Remember when I told you Grandpa was telling me stuff there at the end and I couldn't recall what it was? He was apologizing to me for laughing and for not realizing that I needed help."

"That's great, Tommy."

"Aunt Elsa really wants to meet you; she told me that she thinks that Grandpa would have approved of you."

"Something tells me that I'm going to like your Aunt Elsa."

At the conclusion of the song they were dancing to, Tommy and Kim retired to the table with his parents and Aunt Elsa. Tommy noted that his mother appeared to be a bit overwhelmed, as did Lotta and the other relatives at the table; he would have to ask her what that was all about later. While they were all talking, the DJ wrapped up the ballads and began playing the Big Band music.

"This is more my speed," Elsa sighed as Glenn Miller's "In the Mood" came up. "Too bad I wasn't forty years younger; I'd show you young folks a thing or two on the dance floor."

"I don't really know anything about Big Band music," Kim confessed.

"You don't know what you're missing," Elsa said.

"Yo, Kim, why are you sitting this one out?" Becca called out as she and Laurie drifted over. "This is just the warm up for better stuff later on."

"I think I need a little more of a breather," Kim demurred.

"Aw, I think you just want a break from people stepping on your toes," Becca giggled with an impish grin at Tommy. "Come on; Laurie and I will teach you."

"Tommy?" Kim asked, extending the invitation.

"I think maybe I should sit this one out," Tommy declined. "You and the girls have fun." Kim scampered off, and Tommy watched as the three of them tried to work out the steps. Becca grabbed Laurie for her partner and started swinging her around, demonstrating a few steps. "Becca's good," he murmured to his aunt. "I'm glad I stayed here; I'd have only made a mess of things."

"Come on, Kim; give it a try," Becca urged. Kim was about to demur again when she saw Mark's approach from over Becca's shoulder.

"Perhaps I should show Kim the steps," Mark offered gallantly.

"Thank you, but I already have a partner," and so saying, Kim grabbed Laurie and dragged her off to another spot on the dance floor. Laurie was too astonished to protest. Kim grabbed Laurie's hands, placed one on her waist and took the other one up. "How'd that step go again?"

"Come on, Mark; let's show 'em how it's done," Becca suggested upon seeing the expression on her brother's face. She had a pretty good idea as to why Kim latched onto Laurie for a partner. "You know how much Aunt Elsa and the other aunts like to watch the two of us dance. 'Best dancers in the family.'"

"Oh, all right," Mark groused, torn between wanting to be partnered with Kim again and stoking his ego with family accolades. He, too, had heard rumblings among the family present. However, he was not about to let anyone or anything--much less his family's opinions--come between him and his pursuit of Kimberly. It was time to remind them about his talents and show Kimberly just how elegant he could be. He held out his hand to Becca graciously, and with great panache, escorted her to the center of the floor.

"Show off," Laurie harumphed as the two swept past. The crowd parted to allow the two room to dance; the guests knew that they were in for a treat.

"I hope you didn't mind me snatching you up for the dance," Kim told Laurie.

"Not at all," Laurie answered. Actually, she was pleased that Kim asked her to dance.

"I dance with my female cousins at weddings all the time; I wasn't sure if you'd think it was odd or something."

"Happens all the time here, too; especially after everyone's well juiced," Laurie assured her. "I take it you don't particularly care for Mark."

"Let's just say we didn't hit it off well."

"I don't blame you. I mean, who does he think he is? Just because he can dance like Fred Astaire doesn't make him a gentleman."

"Tommy may dance more like Fred Flintstone, but at least he is a gentleman," Kim added.

Laurie smiled at her comment. "Enough about my cousin. Let's see if I can show you how to do that cross over."

By the end of the song, Kim and Laurie were laughing so hard they could hardly dance. "Now I know how poor Tommy felt when I was trying to teach him how to dance," Kim gasped, chuckling, as she got tangled in Laurie's arms again. Impulsively, Laurie dipped her, and Kim let out a shriek of laughter. They were having so much fun that they didn't notice that the song was over and Mark was headed in their direction.

"May I cut in?" Mark interjected, tapping Kim on the shoulder. She spun around, startled.

"Oh, pooh, Mark; you've already danced with Kim twice during the ballads; it's my turn," Becca hiccuped, stepping in to sweep Kim away. "You can dance with Laurie."

"I don't dance with dykes," Mark snorted, glaring at Laurie witheringly. For her part, Laurie blushed deep red, too angry to speak.

"Then dance with Maggie; she was next on your dance card any way," Becca called back nonchalantly.

"How incredibly rude!" Kim huffed, angry at Mark on Laurie's behalf. "That was a horrible thing for him to say to his cousin."

"Even if it was true?" Becca wondered.

"That's neither here nor there," Kim shot back, not reacting to Becca's statement. She wasn't quite sure if Becca was being sincere or simply trying to shock her. Anyway, Laurie's sexual preference was none of her business, and it had nothing to do with whether Laurie was a nice person or not. Kim found herself liking Laurie much better than any of Tommy's Aunt Jean's brood. "He didn't need to be so mean to her."

"Being mean is the least of Mark's dirty deeds," Becca rambled on as she directed Kim around the dance floor.

Kim found herself following Becca's lead easily. She really was an accomplished dancer, and she and Mark made an impressive couple on the floor.

"Are you on birth control?" Becca asked suddenly, taking Kimberly completely by surprise.

"Excuse me?" Kim gulped.

"If you are, does your mom know about it?"

"Of course she does," Kim said indignantly, too astonished to even tell Becca that it was none of her business.

"You're lucky."

Not really, Kim mused. The only reason she was on birth control was to regulate her menstrual cycle; she'd been fine until she became a Power Ranger. The doctors couldn't find anything wrong, and Zordon never mentioned any side effects, but she was willing to bet that having the power coin was what caused the change in her system. Not that she could explain that to Becca even if she was so inclined.

"I was dating Jeremy, a guy on the Varsity basketball team," Becca continued. She had such a distant expression on her face that Kim wondered if she even realized that she was talking to her. "We were pretty tight, and Jer wanted to do it with me. I told him I wasn't on the pill or anything; he asked if I could get on it."

"Didn't he offer to wear a condom?" Kim asked.

"Are you kidding?" Becca snorted. Then she resumed her story. "I was only fifteen at the time, and I knew there was no way my mom was going to let me get on birth control, and the doctors at Planned Parenthood won't give you the pill without parental permission. I didn't know what to do. I really wanted to sleep with Jer; I thought I'd lose him if I didn't. So I went to Mark for help."

"Why?"

"I knew he could forge Mom's signature. I knew he'd exact a pretty hefty payment, but I was desperate. He agreed and said he'd name his terms later. Later turned out to be about two months down the road. Jer and I hadn't slept together yet; we were waiting to make certain the pill was working. Mark told me he owed a guy for 'services rendered,' which he didn't elaborate on. The guy was wanting to pop the cherry of a good looking girl, and Mark offered him me."

"You didn't really do it?" Kim gasped, appalled.

"I had no choice. If I refused, Mark would have told Mom I was on the pill. Anyway, the guy turned out to be a computer geek; he'd never have gotten to sleep with any girl let alone one like me. As it turns out, he wasn't too bad in the sack; I found out from him how much I liked sex. The bad thing was, the guy bragged about it, and Jer found out. He dumped me in nothing flat. I guess he was only after my cherry, too. I tried to explain, but no one would believe that my brother prostituted me, so I got the rep of being an easy lay."

"That's... that's...." Kim sputtered, unable to find an adjective strong enough. "You should have let him tell your mother, and then you could have told her how he tried to blackmail you."

"Mom wouldn't have believed me. You don't get it. Mark can do no wrong in her eyes; I haven't figured out why or how, but he has her wrapped around his little finger."

Becca's tone was so bitter and so despondent that it gave Kim the chills. "Come, Kimberly, let an expert show you how it's done." The next thing Kimberly knew, she had been wrenched from Becca and Mark was twirling her around the floor.

"If you don't stop spinning me, I'm going to throw up on you," she gasped. Although, she was seriously tempted to do so without having her stomach churned up. She found herself suddenly pressed close to Mark's body.

"Why won't you give me a chance, Beautiful?" he murmured into her ear.

"Why won't you leave me alone?" Kim insisted. She struggled to free herself from his grip. "I'm not interested in giving you a chance. I am here with Tommy."

"Tommy, bah! He's nothing. Let me show you what a real man can do for you."

"A real man would respect my wishes to be left alone," Kim continued, "now, let me go."

"Just dance with me; I'm sure that once you get to know me, you'll regret having wasted so much time running from me."

"You haven't heard a word I've said, have you?" Kim fumed. Mark continued to smile down at her dreamily, and Kim could do nothing but let him sweep her around the dance floor. However, as soon as the music stopped, Kim disentangled herself. When she spoke again, she did so loudly enough for everyone in the immediate vicinity to hear. "Don't bother asking me to dance any more, Mark. I'm not in the least bit interested in you, and I don't want to have anything to do with you. Is that clear? Now, leave me alone." With that, she stalked off.

Mark stared after Kim, at first glaring angrily at her. Then his equanimity returned. "She's just playing hard to get," he murmured, smiling pleasantly to the others around him. "It's just a matter of time; she'll come to her senses."

A few people agreed with his assessment, but even more seemed disturbed by his disregard for Kim's dismissal.

When Kim returned to the table, she tried to pretend that nothing was wrong, but Tommy had not missed her and Mark's last exchange. He was determined to protect Kim from his cousin, so when Becca and Laurie came to collect Kim when the DJ started the rock and roll with "Celebration," Tommy got up and went out on the floor with them.

"Tommy, if you'd really rather not dance, I'll understand," Kim told him.

"I know, but I want to be out here with you," Tommy assured her.

"Thank you," Kim said, kissing him with appreciation, and Tommy beamed at her. To his credit, Tommy tried his best, but his dancing was still pretty awful. Kim, Laurie and Becca all tried to help him out, and the four of them were enjoying themselves--as long as Mark stayed away. The four stayed in a group off to one side, but Mark would occasionally drift over and butt in. They were determined to have fun in spite of Mark making a nuisance of himself. The first time, he sidled up behind Kim and pulled her back until his hips met her bottom. She brushed him off by nailing his toes with her heel. On another attempt, he plucked her hand from Tommy's as Tommy was twirling Kim around. That time, Kim bumped him away with a sharp swing of the hips. Becca and Laurie also helped shoo Mark away.

"Jan, why don't you tell that boy of yours to sit down," George sniggered as he wandered past the table. "He's making a fool of himself out there."

"Doesn't he know he can't compete with Mark on the dance floor," Lotta interjected. "He should just sit down and let poor Kimberly enjoy dancing with a more suitable partner."

"Tommy's not out there to compete with Mark for Kimberly; he's out there to keep Mark from pawing Kimberly," Jan snapped at her cousin.

"Oh really, Jan; I think you're overreacting," Lotta said. "Mark wouldn't do a thing like that. He's such a nice boy...."

"Are you blind or just stupid?" Jan exploded, at the end of all her patience with her family. Lotta had the audacity to look surprised at Jan's outburst.

"Mark has been pestering Kimberly all night long," Elsa spoke up. "We've all seen it. Hell, we all heard Kim tell him off. It'd serve Mark right if Tommy punched his lights out."

"Or if Kim did," Thomas added.

"This has gone on long enough. Mark isn't being cute. He isn't being charming. He is harassing Kimberly, and it's high time someone made him stop," Jan said as she stood up.

"What are you going to do?" Thomas wondered.

"I'm going to tell Jean to control her son, and if she can't or won't discipline him, I will!"

"Oh really, Jan; Mark isn't a child you can throw over your knee and spank," George remarked.

"I've thrown bigger and stronger patients over my knees than Mark," Jan shot in parting.

Thomas watched his wife purposefully storm through the throng in search of her sister. "Aunt Elsa, tell me something. Why is there so much bad blood between Jan and Jean; is it really just a matter of sibling rivalry?"

"You mean to tell me Jan is still letting Jean get under her skin? I thought she'd outgrown that," Elsa remarked.

"I've only noticed the flare ups when it comes to Tommy."

"Just a mother protecting her young, then; Jan's just reacting to Jean's attempts to make her sons look better by making Tommy look bad," Elsa concluded. She sighed. "There was a bit of rivalry between the two when they were young. Jan had always been Walt's favorite; she was more like him than any of the boys. She never had any problems with the boys or Jessica, but something about Jean made her feel threatened. Jean was the baby, such a pretty child, and Walt doted on her practically to the exclusion of the others. It didn't help matters that Elizabeth died while the kids were so young; I wonder if maybe Jan blamed Jean for taking her mother away or something like that. Anyhow, for a long time Jan resented that Jean seemed to have intruded on the special bond with her father. Walt realized this and had a talk with Jan to reassure her that she was still special to him.

"Jean was 'daddy's little girl,' but Jan was his 'bright girl.' He was so proud of her academic accomplishments. Jean used to resent hearing about Jan's grades and why couldn't she do as well. The fact that he was so proud of Jan's grades was the reason that Jan got so bent out of shape when Walt told her he couldn't send her to college. It wasn't fair that the boys got to go when none of them really wanted to."

"She had a point," Thomas pointed out.

"I don't dispute that. Walt was furious when Jan went to join the Army, both to get her schooling and to chase after you...."

"Ha! I always suspected...."

"Don't flatter yourself too much, Thomas; I still think she could have done better," Elsa snapped. "Anyway, Jean couldn't have been happier. She thought that their falling out would make her 'daddy's little girl' again. What she didn't understand was that even though Walt was furious with Jan, he was also impressed. Jan knew what she wanted and went for it; it was the sort of thing he would have done had he been in her shoes. Instead of driving them apart, I think in the long run it brought Walt and Jan closer together. I don't think Jean ever got over it."

"I'm glad I only had one brother and that we got along really well," Thomas sighed. "Sibling rivalry is a pain in the butt."

"It has its place, but it's high time Jean let it go and grow up. She's impressing no one by trying to force feed her 'wonderful' children on us."

The two paused their conversation long enough to glance over to where Jan was conversing with her sister. For her part, Jean appeared mystified at her sister's anger.

"She just doesn't see it, does she," Thomas murmured. "She has no idea that her son isn't the paragon of virtue see believes him."

"Sad, isn't it," Elsa clucked.

"Speaking of sad, why doesn't the DJ play something slow; at least Tommy can dance to that," Thomas murmured wincing as he returned his attention to the dance floor.

"Actually, I think he's starting to get the hang of it. He seems to be enjoying himself a little more now," Elsa remarked, "but you're right. The poor boy does need a break." Elsa fished a pen out of her purse and grabbed a napkin to scribble on. "Any suggestions for the DJ?"

"You got me there. Maybe the DJ should call for a set just for the ladies and keep both Mark and Tommy off the dance floor."

"I noticed that Kim has a feel for the music--when she's allowed to concentrate on it instead of dodging partners. Good idea, Thomas. Let's let Kimberly have a little fun." Elsa quickly scribbled out her note and latched on to a passing relative to have him deliver it to the DJ. Then, she favored Thomas with a smile. "Maybe Jan didn't do so badly in marrying you after all."

"All right, all you young studs, take a seat. This set is for ladies only!" the DJ called out.

"Yes!" Becca cheered. She pushed Tommy toward the tables. "Get out of here, Lefty and let the ladies show you how it's done."

Tommy glanced back at Kimberly, who rescued him from Becca's less than tender mercies. She walked with him to the table.

"It's all right, Tommy; Mark won't be out on the floor, and you could use a break," Kim said. She squeezed his arm and gave him peck on the cheek. "I know what you were trying to do for me, and I really appreciate it. I just hope your family doesn't razz you too much."

"I can deal with it. Enjoy yourself; I know I will. I love watching you dance," Tommy murmured, causing Kim's cheeks to color faintly. Before Kim could say anything, Becca grabbed Kim's arm and tugged her out onto the dancefloor as "Ladies Night" struck up.

"Thank God," Tommy groaned as he collapsed into the seat next to his father.

"No, thank Aunt Elsa," Thomas replied. "She put in the request to the DJ."

"Where is she?"

"Gone to bedevil the Tidy Bowl Man, I imagine."

"Oh. Where's Mom?"

"Giving your Aunt Jean a piece of her mind about Mark's behavior," Thomas said with a wry smile. "She threatened to turn Mark over her knee."

"Mom didn't need to get mixed up in all this; Kim and I are handling Mark."

"She's your mother, and this is her family. She's involved whether you like it or not."

"By the way, earlier when I came back to the table everyone looked rather stunned. I've never seen Lotta at a loss for words like that; what happened?"

"Nothing earth shattering. Elsa simply asked if we thought you would mind helping her out with some chores around her house."

"Sure, no problem."

"You don't get it. As long as I can remember, the only person from the family Elsa has allowed anywhere near her house was your grandfather. Since he died, she hasn't asked anyone in the family to help her out, and she discourages visits.

"Maybe she's afraid people are only willing to do things for her or go to see her because of Grandpa's inheritance. She said something earlier along those lines."

"I can think of more than a few people here who'd kiss up to her simply for the money," Thomas concurred. "At any rate, she asked for you and Kimberly. I don't know what you did, but you sure impressed Aunt Elsa."

Tommy didn't know either, but at the moment he wasn't too concerned about Aunt Elsa. His attention turned to a twirling blue-clad figure on the dance floor. For the first time during the evening, Kim appeared to be having fun. Her eyes were shimmering, her smile was bright, and she was dancing. Tommy sighed heavily and leaned forward to prop his arm up on the table and drop his chin into his hands. His eyes followed Kim's every movement--the toss of her head, the shimmy of her shoulders, and the sway of her hips. There was a hint of sexiness in the way she danced. She wasn't zoning, but she was feeling the music. Every so often she would glance his way and flash him a brilliant smile, and it seemed for all the world that she was dancing for him alone. He sighed heavily as Kim hitched up her skirt to do the Bump with Laurie. Man, but her legs were gorgeous. Tommy realized that he had spent the entire evening worrying more about Mark than enjoying Kim's company. Watching her dance reminded him just how incredible she looked. A warm glow spread throughout his body; what he wouldn't give to be down in his basement with her right now. She'd dance for him, then involve him in the dance, and from there, who knows.

As for Kimberly, she was intoxicated with the sound and the feel of the music and her body's response to it. She was grateful to be out on the floor as if she was by herself; it was like a heaviness had been lifted from her shoulders. All thoughts of the evenings' troubles slipped away as she lost herself in the beat. Part of her knew that she couldn't lose herself too completely; she couldn't let herself zone or get too suggestive with her movements, but otherwise she was free to dance as she pleased. And it pleased her to dance for Tommy. She caught his admiring gaze as he watched her from the table. His worried look was gone; his face was all but shining, and it thrilled her to know that it was because of her dancing.

"Girl, you sure have some awesome moves," Becca murmured, disrupting Kim's near trance. The music changed, causing Kim to fully resurface.

"They're nothing, really. Just what the music is telling me to do," she answered as she caught her breath.

"Are you sure it's the music inspiring you or is it the fact that Tommy is over there practically drooling over you," Becca teased.

"Hm, you might say Tommy had more than a little something to do with it," Kim confirmed.

"Then go, girl, go." Becca clapped and wolf whistled as Kim spun off to Van Halen's "Beautiful Girls."

"Are you sure you should encourage her?" Laurie whispered. "Tommy isn't the only one watching her intently."

Becca followed Laurie's gaze to where Mark hovered near the DJ's table. His eyes followed Kimberly as she sashayed across the floor in a flirty strut. He was very interested as he coolly sipped his drink.

"Someone punch that s.o.b. in the nose," Becca grumbled. She looked back over at Kim. "Don't say anything about Mark to her. It'll spoil her and Tommy's fun. Just look at them, Laurie."

Laurie looked and caught a flash of the almost predatory grin which stole across Kim's face as she strutted off towards Tommy. "God, she looks like she could eat him alive, and I bet if she had the opportunity, she would. Hell, if I wasn't related to him I know I would."

"Becca...." Laurie began warningly.

"She wants him, Laurie; can't you see that? And he wants her just as badly. There has to be a way to give the two of them a chance to get together."

"Didn't Kim ask you not to interfere?"

Becca blithely ignored her cousin and spun off to join Kim.

Becca wasn't the only person in the ballroom to note the passion in Kimberly's dancing. Mark leaned over and tugged on the DJ's sleeve.

"Just look at her, will you. God, she's hot. Look at the way she's moving; that sweet little body of hers is just begging for someone to fuck it," Mark all but drooled.

"She's already told you no, Mark," his friend cautioned him. Mark waved him off. "How many more songs in this set?"

"Two. Madonna's 'Express Yourself' is up next; I haven't decided on the fourth song."

"How about something that just reeks of sex? What about Prince's 'Cream'? I want to see just how far she'll go."

"Don't go for second best, baby

put your love to the test.

you know, you know you've got to

make him express how he feels

and maybe then you'll know your love is real."

"I can't believe you just said that," Jan gasped at her sister in exasperation. "What do you mean that if Kimberly wasn't interested in Mark she shouldn't invite his attention?"

"Well, look at the way she's dancing."

Jan had to admit that Jean had a point; some of Kimberly's movements bordered on the suggestive. However, Rebecca was matching Kimberly with some wild movements of her own, and a couple of the other girls were certainly going at it rather strongly. Jan didn't see anything wrong with what they were doing; as the song said, they were just expressing themselves. "I don't know; she isn't any worse than Rebecca."

"Are you suggesting Becca is a whore?" Jean bristled.

"No. Are you suggesting Kimberly is?"

"What do you call a young woman who spends the evening teasing a young man with her body then refusing him?"

"Is that what you think Kimberly has been doing to Mark?" Jan gasped. Then she laughed harshly. "You pathetic, deluded woman! Dancing out there now is the first thing Kimberly has done all evening that I would remotely call teasing. How do you explain Mark having his hands all over her bottom during the slow dances? Or grinding his hips into her during one of the other songs. Kimberly isn't even paying any attention to Mark; if she's trying to seduce anyone, it's Tommy. Open your eyes and see what your son is doing!"

"Mark has done nothing wrong," Jean insisted, but her voice was beginning to waver.

"Kimberly flat out told him no, and he isn't listening. I told you once; I'll tell you again. If Mark doesn't leave Kimberly alone and Tommy decides to do something about it, it won't be Tommy's fault." Jan could see that Jean was trying to tune her out, so she tried another tactic. "All right, then. I'll assume for the moment that Mark is the gentleman you think him to be. If Kimberly was Mark's girl and Tommy was making a pest out of himself, you'd expect Mark--as a gentleman--to defend his girlfriend, wouldn't you?"

"Of course, but...."

"Then let my son defend his."

Jean opened her mouth to argue, but there was nothing she could say to refute Jan's logic.

As "Express Yourself" faded away, Kim and Laurie were paired up mirroring each other's moves. Becca had sort of wandered off to flirt with someone who wasn't related to her ("At last, an available man!" had been her battle cry.)

"I hope they finish this set soon," Kim remarked, trying to catch her breath. She was beginning to work up a sweat, and she knew if she danced so enthusiastically for too much longer, she was going to get a cramp in her side.

"You can always sit down and take a breather," Laurie suggested.

"I'll wait until they open the dance floor up to everybody again," Kim demurred, and both knew the reason without going into detail. While they were applauding at the song's end, Kim turned to flash Tommy a smile. It set her heart aflutter to see his eyes shining as they were. Then the next song started, and Kim gave a horrified gasp when she recognized the moan that started the song. Tommy must have caught the terror which briefly touched her eyes because he looked concerned. "Cream" was a major zoning song if ever one was written, and it was already working its wicked spell on her. Still, Kim had to keep control. Her hands wanted to caress her body; she fought the urge by starting a head roll, bringing her hands to her head. As Prince screeched out of the moans and into the synthesizer opening, Kim flung her hands up and out, tossed her head back, arching her back in the process, and stepped off, saucily pulling her leg up before stepping out.

"This is it.

It's time for you to go to the wire.

You will hit.

'Cause you've got the burning desire.

It's your time

You've got the horn so why don't you blow it. You're so fine.

You're filthy cute and baby you know it. Cream...."

In spite of Kim's best efforts, she wasn't able to keep all the Zone out of her dancing. She could feel the devilish smile that touched her lips when she got too caught up in the music, and her hips just would not be denied as they thrust to the driving beat. A time or two she glance up at Tommy and saw his eyes grow wide and saw him swallow with some difficulty. Oh, how she wanted him out there on the floor with her as she swivelled into a deep pli»; she wanted to feel his body against her as she sensuously slithered down to the floor and back up again. Becca had returned, and she and Laurie were trying to mimic some of Kim's moves; that was going to help keep her from getting to lost in the music and blunt the edge of some of her sexier moves.

Tommy was startled to see the look of fear that flashed in Kim's eyes as the fourth song began; he didn't recognize it at first. It wasn't one they had played in the basement, but as soon as he heard the moans, he understood. It was a zoning song. Tommy was at once excited and concerned. More than anything, he wanted to see Kim zone again, but not in front of his entire family. She was trying to control it, though. He could tell by the way some of her moves seemed to be cut off abruptly. Even so, it was easy to see that she was getting hot--in more ways than one. He found his throat suddenly dry as he caught a glimpse of what he'd call a filthy cute smile. He had been thinking of taking off his suit coat, but not any longer. He hoped it would be enough to cover the bulge in his pants. As Becca and Laurie moved around Kim, drawing her attention away from Tommy, it still didn't blunt the edge of his arousal. There was something very exciting in watching the three of them dance together--which Tommy found a bit perplexing, but couldn't help himself nonetheless. If Kim kept things up much longer, Tommy was going to have to leave the room; only, he didn't dare leave the table in the state he was in.

As the coda began fading away, Kim drifted nearer to the table. Tommy applauded enthusiastically, which seemed to snap Kim out of her semi-trance.

"Oh man, I need a break," she panted, leaning against the table's edge. "Come on and sit down," Tommy offered.

"All right, all you guys; how about joining the ladies on the floor," the DJ called out. Kim watched to make sure one person in particular found his way to the floor and was gratified to see that a partner had snatched him up.

"Actually, I think I want to head outside for a little bit. I need a cool breeze and some fresh air," she answered Tommy. The reception hall was filled with a fairly thick haze of smoke from Tommy's less-than-health-conscious relatives and family friends. "Would you mind getting me something to drink and meeting me out on the terrace?"

"No problem." Kim left him with a smile, and Tommy tried to compose himself enough to stand up. "Would anyone else like something from the bar?"

"You just worry about Kimberly, Tommy-boy," Elsa said, waving him off.

Tommy worked his way through a press of people at the bar. En route, he received what could be called congratulatory back slaps from the more inebriated of his relatives. He had a good idea what they were all about, and it nearly made him blush. The bartender was pouring out two straight orange juices when Tommy felt a tug at his sleeve. It was Laurie.

"Tommy, come quick. I just saw Mark leaving the dance floor, and I think he was headed for the terrace...."

Laurie didn't need to say any more. The drinks were forgotten as Tommy tried to hurry through the crowd to reach the terrace doors. Laurie's words and Tommy's actions piqued the interest of those who had been monitoring the by-play between the trio all evening.

Out on the terrace, Kim leaned against the wrought-iron railing and gazed distractedly out over the courtyard. It was landscaped beautifully with lots of trees and flowers. The paths were well lit, and benches were sprinkled throughout. The courtyard led to the pool, and beyond the pool were the private bungalows. The night air was cooler than she had expected; her body temperature quickly dropped and soon she was shivering. She wished she had brought her shawl. Then, she felt a light touch in the middle of her back.

"Mm, so, Tommy, what did you think about...." Kim turned as she spoke and found herself facing Mark. "What are you... ?"

Before she knew what was happening, Mark grabbed her by her arms and pulled her to him, crushing her mouth against his. She struggled to break his grip, but she couldn't get any leverage. Mark continued kissing her, trying to force his tongue into her mouth. Determined to be free, Kim brought her knee up hard. That forced Mark to let her go, and while he was doubled over, wincing in pain, Kim grabbed his arm and flipped him. Mark landed in a thorny bush.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Kim demanded, her temper exploding. "Even Bulk and Skull combined aren't as thick headed as you. I told you to leave me alone! How difficult is it to understand that? I don't want you dancing with me or touching me or kissing me or doing anything near me--have you got that?" Fuming, Kim marched past Mark to return to the safety of the ballroom; however, he reached out and caught her arm as she walked past. "Let go; you're hurting me!"

"You're going to pay for that, bitch," Mark rumbled threateningly. "Nobody tells me no."

Mark drew back his free hand as if to hit her, only the blow was stopped. Mark glanced back with a dark scowl to find Tommy staying his arm. "Butt out, Oliver. This is between me and Kimberly."

"The lady said no, Mark; let her go."

Mark suddenly relinquished his hold on Kim, and she staggered backwards and fell, landing hard on the cold stones.

"Are you threatening me, Tommy?" Mark sneered.

"I'm telling you to leave Kimberly alone." Tommy's voice remained level; there was no trace of anger in it, but the expression in his eyes was very serious. He still had hold of Mark's arm; Mark tried to move it, but Tommy held it firmly. The more Mark struggled to break Tommy's grip the angrier he became.

"Or what? What are you going to do to me?" Mark challenged. "Are you man enough to fight for your woman? Come on, let's see what you're made of."

"I won't fight you, Mark."

"Chicken shit," Mark spat. "Black belt in karate--ha! Too much of a wuss to fight me."

"Karate is the art of self defense; it's not meant for beating the snot of creeps like you--even if you do deserve to have the snot kicked out of you," Kim shot as she picked herself up. She rubbed her arms where Mark had grabbed her; they felt bruised.

"Don't egg him on, Kim," Tommy said.

"I dare you; take your best shot. Then Kim will find out who's the real man here."

"Being able to beat someone up doesn't make you a man; it only makes you a bully," Kim responded.

"Does the little bitch fight all your battles for you?" Mark snickered. Tommy's expression never wavered, but he pulled Mark closer, keeping his arm pinned all the while.

"I'd like nothing better than to wipe the floor with you," Tommy said darkly. He loathed admitting that to anyone else, but it was the truth. "However, I won't for one simple reason."

"What's that?"

"It's what you want me to do." With that, Tommy flung Mark away from him. It was his turn to fall to the stone walk. "I'm not seven years old anymore. I won't let you push me around, and I won't let you goad me into sinking to your level. I have nothing to prove to you; so if you're waiting for me to throw a punch, you're going to be very disappointed." Having said his peace, Tommy dismissed Mark and turned his attention to Kimberly. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine; he just... Tommy, look out!" Tommy spun around at Kim's warning and met Mark's charge. He reacted instinctively, blocking Mark's punch and deflecting his advance. When Mark came at him a second time, Tommy met him with a firm defensive stance and a no nonsense ki-yai. Mark went down hard, face first. For a moment, all that could be heard was Mark's groaning, and Tommy realized that things were awfully quiet in the ballroom. He turned back to see that there was a considerable audience peeking out of the doorway and windows.

"Are you okay?" Kim asked as she drew up next to him. "Yeah."

"What about Mark?" she wondered, looking down to where he lay moaning on the ground.

"I didn't do much, just a simple flip; he had some pretty good momentum coming at me. That's what did it."

While the two were talking, Kyle emerged from the ballroom. He approached Mark and rolled him over. There was blood all over his face, and his nose was swollen.

"My nose," Mark groaned.

"Probably broken," Kyle commented.

"I said I wouldn't throw a punch, but I never said I wouldn't defend myself," Tommy told Mark, who was glaring daggers at him.

"Joe, Trent, get him out of here," Kyle said, calling for two of Mark's buddies to come and collect him. The two emerged from the gathered onlookers and helped Mark to his feet. "And Mark, don't bother coming back. You've caused enough trouble tonight."

"Me? He busted my nose!" Mark yelped.

"No, Tommy didn't break your nose; hitting the terrace broke your nose," Kyle corrected. "A black belt in the martial arts knows how much force is needed to take an opponent out; you charged at Tommy like a bull, and he swatted you away like a fly. If you'd have given up after the first time Tommy brushed you off, you wouldn't have wound up on your face."

"It's all her fault," Mark growled, glaring at Kimberly.

"What, for showing up as Tommy's guest? You're the one who spent the entire evening harassing her. You're the one who couldn't take no for an answer. I saw the whole thing, Mark, and so did a lot of other people. You're not going to be able to slither your way out of this one; you are entirely to blame, and personally, I think you got off too lightly." Kyle gestured for Joe and Trent to haul Mark off.

"Look what that son of yours did to my Mark!" Jean cried. "I knew he was nothing but a no good bully!"

"Give it up, Jean," Jan said tiredly. "We both saw what happened. Hell, most of the people in this room saw what happened. Mark went after Kimberly; she had every right to defend herself--and so did Tommy."

"But... but...."

"There's no way you can spin this one in Mark's favor; he was in the wrong from the start. And don't try to tell me that Kimberly was leading him on," Jan snapped when Jean tried to interject further protests. "No means no. Just because you didn't have the nerve to stand up for yourself when Kurt got you to sleep with him doesn't mean Kimberly had to do the same." That was hitting below the belt, but Jan didn't care--until she saw her sister's face. A variety of emotions played across Jean's features from blackest anger to horror and shame then finally defeat, and Jan realized that she had finally hit upon the truth. "What was going on here tonight--something like that was what happened between you and Kurt, wasn't it? You weren't sleeping around with him; he raped you, didn't he?" Jean looked so stricken that Jan didn't know what to say or do. "God, Jean, why didn't you tell somebody the truth?"

"I couldn't," Jean said huskily. "He told me I had asked for it... said I was leading him on by flirting with him...."

"Like you accused Kimberly of doing, but you weren't leading him on, were you?"

"I didn't think I was...."

"You did tell him no, didn't you?"

"At first, but he became so insistent, and I was scared he would hurt me if I didn't do what he wanted."

"And you were going to let Mark do the same thing to Kimberly?"

"Mark wouldn't have done anything like that...." Jean protested weakly.

"Like father, like son. Come on, Jean," Jan said quietly, putting her arm around her sister's trembling shoulders. "Let's go find someplace quiet and talk."

"All right, people; the show's over," Kyle announced, shooing the on-lookers off. The revelers returned to the ballroom, and Kyle remained on the terrace with Tommy and Kimberly watching as Mark's friends all but dragged him off to his room.

"We're sorry, Kyle," Tommy said when Mark was out of earshot. "Kim and I didn't mean for this to disturb the wedding."

"You're not the one who needs to apologize," Kyle answered. "I should be apologizing to you for my slimeball brother's behavior."

"Look, Mark's gone, and he won't be bothering either one of us anymore tonight," Kim said, taking Tommy's arm. "Why don't we just let it go and go back to the reception."

"Sounds good to me," Tommy agreed.

"And me," added Kyle.

There was a sort of a hush as Tommy and Kim re-entered the ballroom; it spread before them like a ripple in a pond. However, the other guests quickly resumed their conversations. Tommy cast a quick glance over at his father and aunt. Elsa smiled broadly at him, which made Tommy feel a lot better. Tommy looked down at Kim as she suddenly stopped walking. She had her eyes closed and was gently swaying to the music. He struggled to identify the song; it seemed familiar. Kim must have played it for him in the basement. Then, it came to him: "Do You Love Me" from the _Dirty Dancing_ soundtrack.

"Do you want to dance?" Tommy asked.

"Mm hm," Kim purred. Then she opened her eyes and smile up at him. "You don't have to now, you know."

"I know, but I want to. If nothing else, I'll just stand there and let you dance around me." Laughing, Kim led him out onto the dance floor. There was fun music, and there was zoning music, and Kim was having the time of her life. As for Tommy, he wasn't doing much but being a prop, but he was enjoying every minute of it. When they finally played a slow song, he was thrilled to put his arms around Kim and hold her tight, sneaking in a kiss here and there. Unfortunately, the DJ didn't play a set of four slow songs. Tommy wasn't too disappointed, though, because the next song up was Van Halen's "Runaround."

"Are you going to be all right?" Tommy asked with a touch of concern. Kim just laughed at him.

"I'll be good," she promised with a giggle, "but just try and keep up with me."

"No thanks; I'd rather watch," Tommy said, bowing out, and Kim spun off with a mean swivel of the hips. Tommy returned to the table sighing deeply, his eyes practically glued to the action on the dance floor.

"You're hopeless, Tommy," his father chuckled, seeing the expression on his son's face. Tommy grinned sheepishly and shrugged. More softly Thomas added, "Enjoy it while you can."

"Have you seen Jan?" Aunt Elsa queried as she returned to the table.

"Not since she went to go have that talk with Jean."

"Well, the two of them had better resurface soon," Elsa grumbled. "They want to do the bouquet and garter toss, but they don't want to start without Jean. I want them to get it over with so I can go home and get some sleep. It's past my bedtime."

"I'm sure they'll turn up soon."

Almost as if on cue, Jan wandered back to the table. Thomas eyed the drink she held in her hand wonderingly, especially when she tossed it back in a burning gulp.

"Jan, is something wrong?" Thomas queried. He hadn't seen her drink like that since her Service days. His query even piqued Tommy's attention, and he reluctantly turned away from Kim's writhing figure.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid," Jan sputtered. "I'd throttle her for being so stupid if it wasn't for the fact that this mess is tragic enough already."

"Jean?"

"Yes, Jean," Jan snapped. "She let that no good son of a bitch ruin her life... didn't tell anyone the truth all because she was afraid of Daddy. Just because you and I did it before we got married and Dad didn't get angry, she thought if she told him the same thing... but Dad hadn't known we did it--until she told him... and look what happened...."

"Uh, Jan," Thomas interjected delicately, nodding minutely in Tommy's direction. "He's a grown man, Thomas, or so you've been telling me," Jan countered tightly. "I'm sure he's figured out that his parents have a sex life."

Tommy did his best not to blush; he supposed he could have always returned to the dance floor with Kimberly, but he was curious to find out what had his mother so rattled that she was talking so freely. As long as he could remember, she hadn't drunk much more than an occasional glass of wine--and that only when they went out to dinner.

"What's wrong, Jan?" Elsa queried. "What happened to Jean?"

"That's for Jean to tell. I can say this: she needs help--counseling. It's going to be a long time before she's going to be able to face up to what happened on her own. I may have to drag her kicking and screaming to the counselor, but I'll see to it that she gets the help she needs."

"All right, all you lovely single young ladies; it's time to throw the bouquet," the DJ announced, having assumed the master of ceremonies duties in Mark's absence.

"About time," Elsa mumbled.

Most of the unmarried young ladies gathered out on the dance floor. In the thick of things were Becca, Laurie, and Kimberly.

"I really should go sit down," Laurie demurred.

"Nonsense," Becca insisted. "So what if you're not interested in latching onto a husband? I am! If you catch it, slip it to me on the sly and no one else will know."

"I hope you don't mind if I keep it for myself, if I catch it," Kim said.

"I wondered if you might. I thought I was going to have to slip it to you on the sly."

"Actually, Becca, you might have to fight me for it."

Becca laughed at that.

"All right, Stephanie; give it a good toss," the DJ encouraged. "Remember, no peeking. Ready? On three... one... here's the wind up... two... and here's the pitch... three!"

The tiny bundle of flowers sailed high into the air. The women seemed to jump all at once. Then they tightly gathered around one young lady in an excited huddle.

"All right, girls, who was the lucky lady?" the DJ called out. The huddle broke to reveal Kimberly clutching the bundle of flowers to her chest.

"I really caught it," Kim murmured to Becca in disbelief. It had been a clean catch, almost as if it had been tossed directly to her.

"Oh, my cousin is in for it now," Becca crowed. Kim turned to wave the bouquet at Tommy, smiling somewhat in triumph; when she saw the ribbing Tommy was taking from his father, she blushed for him.

"Gentlemen, it's your turn now," the DJ called out. As the women cleared the floor, the men surged forward with seemingly more anticipation. However, as Kim, Laurie, and Becca approached the Oliver's table, Tommy seemed disinclined to join the throng.

"Come on, Tommy; get your butt out there," Becca commanded.

"I don't really need to; after all, Kim caught the bouquet," he said. "Don't give me that; the two of you need all the help you can get," she informed him and proceeded to yank him out of his chair and all but dragged him onto the floor.

"Poor Tommy," Kim giggled.

"Becca, please," Tommy sighed resignedly as he was pushed out to the group of single young men. To add to the indignity of his situation, Becca remained on the floor with him. "You can let go of me now."

"Nothin' doing. The minute I let go of you, you're liable to slip out of here," she said.

Tommy rolled his eyes; for not having seen him in six years, his cousin had him pegged. "All right. If I give you my word that I'll stay, will you let go? If I have to be out here, I'd like you to leave me with a little dignity."

"I don't see why you're so reluctant to try for the garter; after all, whoever catches the silly thing gets to dance with the lady who caught the bouquet." Becca observed that Tommy appeared to have forgotten that particular protocol. Having planted that tidbit of information in the forefront of his mind, Becca released her hold on Tommy, but she didn't retreat very far. "The Stripper" started playing as Kyle removed Stephanie's garter. Many of the waiting participants cut loose with cat calls and wolf whistles.

"All right, Kyle; let 'er rip!" the DJ cheered, and Kyle snapped the garter out over the throng like he was shooting a rubber band.

Tommy wasn't really trying to go after the garter, but Becca had her eye on the trajectory. At just the right moment, she gave Tommy a good bump and sent him stumbling forward.

"Becca!" he hissed, and the next thing he knew, the blue and white lace garter was in his hands, and he was being mobbed with congratulatory backslaps.

"Okay, gents, who has it?" the DJ called out.

"Tommy has!" Becca shouted back. A roar of laughter rippled through wedding guests.

"Well, there's an omen if ever I saw one," the DJ replied. "Let's get the lucky couple out here for their dance."

"I'll get you for this," Tommy muttered to Becca, who flashed him a self-satisfied grin. Before Tommy could comment further, Kimberly was at his side, bouquet in hand.

"Kill Becca later; dance with me now," she whispered, and Tommy was only too glad to oblige. She snuggled in close as Tommy wrapped his arms around her.

"Have I told you how beautiful you look?" Tommy murmured as his fingers lightly danced along her bare back.

"Hm, not since we left the hotel," Kim replied. "You look absolutely spectacular, especially when you're out here dancing."

"I like dancing for you. I like the way you look at me when I dance," Kim admitted. "It makes me feel... this is going to sound corny, but it really makes me feel like a woman and not a teenager."

"You are a woman, Kim, and a beautiful, sexy one at that," Tommy answered. The two continued to gently rock across the floor in blissful silence.

"They make a nice couple," Elsa commented. "You can be proud of that boy of yours, Jan; he turned out really good."

"Thanks, Aunt Elsa."

Becca and Laurie, who had stayed by the table when Kim and Tommy started dancing and who hadn't heard Elsa's earlier comments, were speechless. They had never heard Aunt Elsa give her approval for anyone in the family.

"Well, I'd better get these old bones home," Elsa declared. "So, where have Lotta and her husband gotten to? I rode in with them--only because I couldn't find a blasted cab and the doctor won't let me drive any longer."

"I think Lotta and Ben left about 45 minutes ago," Laurie answered.

"That's just nifty," Elsa snorted. "Didn't even say a bloody word to me!"

"I heard Lotta talking with Mom--before the brouhaha with Mark. She wasn't feeling well; she said that she'd send Ben back for you," Becca supplied helpfully.

"Which means I'm stranded. Ben wouldn't remember his own head if it wasn't attached to the rest of him."

"We can drop you off at home, Elsa," Thomas offered. "I think I've had enough celebrating for one night."

"Here, here," Jan concurred.

"I appreciate the offer, but Tommy and Kimberly have just begun to have some fun at this little party; it wouldn't be fair to them to cut things short."

"Tommy and Kimberly can stay here and enjoy the reception," Thomas said. "We'll stop on the way back to our hotel to pick them up."

"I don't want to be a bother...." Elsa began, but it was obvious that she was going to accept the ride home.

"She's been a bother as long as I've known her," Thomas whispered conspiratorially to Becca as he retrieved the coat from the back of his chair. His words set Becca to giggling.

"Shall I tell Tommy you're leaving?" Jan asked.

"Don't interrupt the kids," Elsa advised with a wistful look out at the dance floor. "I doubt you could pry them apart with a crow bar. Becca can tell them where we've gone. Tommy can say his good-byes tomorrow at lunch."

Jan and Thomas exchanged glances; no one had said anything about doing lunch on Sunday, but if that's what Aunt Elsa had in mind....

"No problem, Elsa; can you recommend a good place to eat around here...?"

"Well, I'll be," Laurie gasped when the adults were gone. "I can't believe what I just heard."

"Tell me about it," Becca agreed. "Aunt Elsa actually accepting a favor from somebody, inviting them to lunch AND admitting to liking someone in this family? Be on the look out for the apocalypse." The wine bottle on the table still had a bit of wine left in it. Becca grabbed two of the glasses, wiped them out, and poured a glass each for her and Laurie."

"Haven't you reached your limit yet?" Laurie wondered.

"Not even close. Here's to Tommy, the knight in white armor who returned to the family in time to defeat the evil villain Mark."

"Too bad he didn't return soon enough to keep you out of trouble," Laurie muttered, but she drank to the toast. The two watched Tommy and Kim as they wrapped up their dance.

"Aren't they a cute couple?" Becca remarked. She set her wine glass down thoughtfully. "You know, Aunt Jan and Uncle Thomas will be gone for quite a while. Let's see, Aunt Elsa lives 30 minutes from here; she'll no doubt yak with them for a while--say 15 minutes at least, and thirty minutes to get back... they'll have a good 75 to 90 minutes without parental guidance... hm...."

"Becca... ?" Laurie began warningly.

The DJ put on "Walk This Way" by Aerosmith; Tommy was leaving the dance floor, Kim was motioning for the girls to join her.

"You go on," Becca said, "I'll catch up as soon as I fill Tommy in on his folks' whereabouts." Becca sat back, propped her feet up on another chair, and polished off her glass of wine. She poured herself another as Tommy returned to the table. "You want any?"

"I'm not much of a drinker," Tommy answered. He had tried a little of the wine with dinner and hadn't found it to his liking. "Where are my folks?"

"Taking Aunt Elsa home."

Tommy shot her an inquisitive look.

"My sentiments exactly," Becca agreed. "By the way, thanks for what you did earlier--with Mark, I mean. That was too cool."

"No, it wasn't. It was sad that it had to be done at all," Tommy said soberly.

"You're not sorry you stood up to him, are you?" Becca asked incredulously.

"No," Tommy answered, and he was slightly discomfited by the twinge of satisfaction he felt and the sense that he really wished he would have done more. Tommy knew that brief moment of humiliation wasn't going to straighten Mark out, and it didn't undo everything Mark had done.

"Good, 'cause I'm not sorry you did either. Maybe now other people will have enough backbone to stand up to him. I know if he causes me any problems at home, I'm just going to punch him in the nose." She looked at Tommy to see how he would react; when she didn't see disapproval, she added, "I may even throw one in on your behalf, just on principle."

"That's not necessary," Tommy demurred, but he couldn't help but appreciate the thought. Becca just laughed at him. Then, she leaned over and pecked him on the cheek.

"You're a good man, Tommy; too bad there aren't more like you," she sighed. "Tell you what, I'll leave you to ogle Kim in peace, but first, here's a little something for you." She pressed something into his palm. When Tommy opened his fist to see what it was, Becca covered his hand with her own. "Not yet. Put it in your pocket for now; you'll know when the time is right. Just remember, I need it back before Prince Charming--if I find one, that is--turns back into a pumpkin. Oh, and don't say anything to my mother either."

Perplexed and bemused, Tommy did as his cousin requested and slipped the something into his pocket. Becca blew him a kiss and sauntered her way out onto the dance floor where Kim and Laurie were performing a rather interesting dance combination. It bordered dangerously on the suggestive. The DJ was playing a very sexy set of songs. From Aerosmith, he launched into "Gimme All Your Lovin'." Tommy settled back to watch Kim; she was looser than she had been but still not quite zoning, and it was easy to see she was loving every minute of it. Tommy's hormones were simmering. He was grateful that his parents were gone; he had felt more than a little self-conscious just watching Kimberly while they were sitting at the table with him (not that it was enough to keep him from doing it). He wouldn't have to worry about his father's knowing grins or his mother's keen eyes detecting the more obvious signs of his appreciation. Tommy sighed with intense longing as "Black and Blue" started up. God, but he loved watching her strut! He loved everything about her dancing. She was hot--again--and so was he. There was no mistaking the fiery flash in her eyes and her smile which teetered on the edge of mischievous and hungry. Oh, how he wanted to be back in their hotel room. He knew he wouldn't be able to keep his hands off her.

The music changed once again, and to Tommy's delight it was the song he was waiting all evening to hear. It was a song Kimberly had been waiting all evening to dance to. It was with complete abandon that she threw herself into "Devil with the Blue Dress On." On the dance floor, Becca and Laurie backed away, taken unaware by Kim's sudden explosion of movement. It was as if all restraint had fled and she had immersed herself completely in the music. Other dancers made room for her.

"Fi fi, fie fie, fo fo fum
Lookin' mighty nice, here she comes."

It wasn't the Zone, but it was close. Kim knew what she was doing; she just didn't care. It was as if she had kept all her energy, all her passion for the music--for Tommy--bottled up all evening. It was time to let it go, and she was enjoying every minute of it. At the end of the interlude following "Good Golly, Miss Molly" and before the lyrics for "Devil" resumed, Kim was in a spin; there were a couple of drum beats, and Kim came out of her spin, planted, and froze, her gazed locked on Tommy. She stood there for a few moments, trying to catch her breath. Her heart was pounding a mile a minute, and it was less from her exertions than it was from her desires. Before she even realized what she was doing, she had started towards Tommy, strutting--no, stalking him was more like it. She had to feel his arms around her again. She had to feel his body pressed close to hers, if only for a moment, if only in an innocent hug. She had to feel his lips burning against hers.

As Kim drew closer to him, Tommy slowly climbed to his feet. He could almost feel her heat from across the dance floor. He was moving towards her as surely as she was moving towards him. By the song's end, he had met up with Kim. Around them, the other dancers were applauding Kim's performance. The two stood toe to toe, gazing at each other with breathless anticipation.

"Go on and kiss her already," Becca teased, giving Tommy a little shove in the back. He hadn't really needed the push. He was already moving to meet Kim. Their mouths met with a passionate ferocity. Tommy held Kim firmly, lifting her up, his one arm about her waist, and his other up about her shoulders. He cradled the back of her head with his hand. He wasn't sure whether he was devouring her mouth or she was devouring his. The applause, the music, the murmur of voices around them--everything faded as they lost themselves in their embrace.

"All right, all right, you two lovebirds," Becca teased. She started pushing the startled twosome across the floor. "You'd better take it outside and cool off before your little show becomes x-rated. There are still minors present, you know." She gave the pair a final push that had them stumbling out the terrace door. They turned back to give her a pair of sheepish grins, and she tossed Kim's purse and shawl at them. Before either of them could say anything, she waved them off and disappeared back into the ballroom.