Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here's chapter forty of "Hopeful Hearts." I didn't mean for it to take more than a week to get out. I had a bad case of writer's block. This chapter has lots of Tommy/Kim fluff. More is coming for some of the other couples in the next chapter. Ranger action will also be returning soon. Stay tuned for chapter forty-one.

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Chapter 40: Such a Warm Feeling

Kim stirred in her sleep the next morning. She let out a long yet content sigh as she opened her eyes slowly. She hugged the sheets close to her body and looked up at the sleeping Tommy. She watched his chest rise and lower with each breath he took. She listened to his soft snoring. She tucked a strand of hair behind his ear.

Kim couldn't help smiling at how peaceful her boyfriend looked. She thought he was so handsome. She preferred his peacefulness to his toughness, though she loved the other just as much. She started to run her hand over his chest. She traced every muscle on it and his stomach. She made her way to his side and rubbed it. Suddenly, she felt him jerk his body and grab her hand. She took her head off his chest to see he was awake. Tommy stared at his girlfriend.

"Hey, that tickles," Tommy said.

"I guess I shouldn't touch there, should I?" Kim smirked.

"You got that right," Tommy replied with a nod.

"Too bad. I'm going to tickle you there, anyway!" Kim yelled delightfully.

Kim tickled Tommy's side while growling playfully. Chuckling quietly, Tommy grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips for a kiss. He ran his fingers down her arm.

"How's my little crane this morning?" Tommy wondered.

"I'm feeling wonderful. What about you, my mighty falcon?" Kim asked.

"I'm perfect," Tommy answered proudly. "You gave me a great workout last night."

"So did you with me," Kim whispered sweetly. "I didn't want to stop making love with you."

"Me neither. Unfortunately, we had to stop eventually," Tommy muttered regretfully.

"I know, but I don't care. I really enjoyed it," Kim said.

"Me too," Tommy agreed.

Tommy and Kim shared a tender kiss. He wrapped his arms around her a little more tightly while she laid her head back on his chest. Their breathing was in sync with each other's.

"We may not be laying in front of the fireplace at the cabin like we were yesterday morning, but at least this bed is very comfortable," Tommy said.

"Yeah. It's so soft that I feel I could sink down into it," Kim responded.

"Could I come with you when you do?" Tommy asked with a small snicker.

"Sure. Just don't fall on top of me!" Kim squealed gleefully.

"Hey, you fall on top of me more often than I do on you!" Tommy blurted out in mock annoyance.

"I do not!" Kim yelled.

"It's the truth. Get used to it," Tommy smirked, wiggling his eyebrows.

Kim hissed loudly and slapped Tommy on the chest. She screamed in surprise when he squeezed her side. She removed her head from his chest to give him a mock angry look. Tommy furrowed his brow, smiling widely.

"You're so mean, Tommy!" Kim shouted and let out a soft growl.

"I like being mean. It makes me cool," Tommy replied with a hearty laugh.

"I know what would be cool," Kim said.

"What?" Tommy wondered.

"Dropping an ice cube down your shirt and watching you jump around in trying to reach for it," Kim said with much pride.

"Only if I can drop one down yours first," Tommy commented.

"No, thank you," Kim answered and waved her finger in the air.

"Spoilsport," Tommy mumbled as he looked away.

"I heard that," Kim retorted.

Tommy blew a raspberry at Kim, getting one from her in return. They alternated between each other for a minute before stopping. They kissed three times. Kim returned her head to Tommy's chest. She listened to his heartbeat, letting out a warm sigh.

"Your heart is so strong. I can never get tired of listening to it," Kim whispered.

"It takes a strong heart to fight evil," Tommy said truthfully.

"It also takes great courage. You and the others have shown that every time Master Vile has come after me," Kim mumbled, closing her eyes.

"The guy is tough to beat," Tommy admitted.

"No kidding. The last battle took a huge toll on the zords. They suffered so much damage that it seemed they'd be destroyed just like the Thunderzords," Kim said, gulping in much fear.

"Thank God for that emergency teleportation system. Only a brilliant mind could've come up with that," Tommy said.

"That's what Billy has. He's always trying new inventions," Kim said, licking her lips.

"That's what he loves to do. It keeps him busy," Tommy murmured and shifted his position somewhat.

Kim stroked Tommy's chest with great gentleness. She traced circles into the lower part of it. She moved her hand upward to repeat her action in the upper part.

"Let's not forget some of his inventions have gone haywire," Tommy said and scratched his head.

"I remember his mind swapping device. It was really crazy when our brains got switched. I couldn't handle his intelligence at all. He couldn't take being a girl," Kim commented, a light laugh coming out of her mouth.

"I don't think any guy could take that," Tommy said honestly.

"You want to switch brains with me?" Kim giggled.

"No way. I'd look so weird wearing pink!" Tommy yelled, shaking his head.

"Oh, come on! You'd look cute wearing pink!" Kim shouted.

"Unh-unh. No siree," Tommy declared.

Kim brought her hand to Tommy's side to give it a hard squeeze. Tommy swatted it aside and tweaked her nose. He ran his finger up and down it. Kim wiggled it, pretending to sneeze.

"God bless you," Tommy said.

"Thank you," Kim said.

"Anyway, I'm glad Billy is with the team," Tommy whispered. "We'd be so lost without him."

"I can't imagine him using his intelligence to serve evil," Kim mumbled, her body trembling somewhat.

"A smart villain is much worse than a powerful one. Master Vile is one of the most intelligent villains we've ever faced," Tommy said, his voice quieting to a whisper on the last few words.

"He'll put whatever plan he has into effect in his efforts to get me," Kim said, her breathing coming out in shudders.

"From the bottom of my heart, I will fight to the end to protect you, Kim," Tommy declared, tightening his arms around his girlfriend.

"I know you will," Kim said and removed her head from her boyfriend's chest.

Tommy and Kim shared a series of soft kisses before engaging in a passionate one. Their heart rates quickened as fire built up within their veins. Kim climbed on top of Tommy, getting her legs on either side of him. She kissed his jaw before nuzzling it. She traveled to his ear to nibble on it. Tommy let out a throaty groan. He felt her lips on his again. He brought his hands to her hair, maintaining a tight grip on it.

Kim moaned in excitement at feeling Tommy slip his tongue into her mouth. She slid her hands up and down his sides. She grabbed his butt, squeezing it hard. Tommy groaned into her mouth. He sat up, keeping his grip on her hair. Kim moved her hands to his cock, grabbing it. Tommy tore away from her lips, growling intensely. He stared into her eyes while she stroked his cock in a very slow motion.

"You're killing me," Tommy said, his voice showing huskiness.

"I'm glad I am," Kim whispered seductively.

Kim captured Tommy's lips in a possessive kiss. She felt his hands caress her breasts. Her nipples hardened at his touch. Tommy planted gentle kisses along her neck. He alternated between licking and sucking on it. Kim screamed in much ecstasy while leaning her head back. The world faded around them as they proceeded to make love.

00000

Tommy and Kim bathed in the afterglow of their lovemaking sometime later. He lay on his back while she snuggled against him. He played with a strand of her hair before rubbing her back in a gentle matter. He felt her slide her hand over his stomach and closed his eyes. Their breathing and heartbeats seemed to mingle together.

"That was such a great round of lovemaking," Tommy whispered, his voice filled with warmth and love.

"It just keeps getting better and better," Kim murmured and propped her head up with her elbow.

"Do you think we'll qualify for the Olympics in the category of sex?" Tommy joked and opened his eyes.

"If we keep going the way we are, we will!" Kim squeaked happily and stretched her legs.

"Then let's go for it," Tommy snickered.

Kim giggled before pinching Tommy's cheek. She kissed the same spot and rubbed it in. She placed her head on his chest. She sighed in warmness at hearing his heartbeat. She felt his arm go around her shoulder.

"I don't think we'll ever get enough of each other," Tommy admitted.

"Nope," Kim answered. "We're so irresistible to each other that we can't stay apart."

"Simply irresistible. So fine," Tommy sang while waving his finger as if it were a baton.

"There's no telling where the money went," Kim added and moved her head back and forth.

"Simply irresistible, she's all mine. There's no other way to go," Tommy finished.

Tommy and Kim laughed heartily and hit the sheets with their hands. Their laughter got so hard that they ran out of breath. They managed to catch it very quickly.

"Simply Irresistible is one of my favorite songs," Tommy said. "I get an itch to sing it whenever someone mentions irresistible."

"Robert Palmer does a great job of singing it. His voice has a melody that no other singer has," Kim said, a smile crossing her lips.

"It's also deep. He reminds me of Rick Astley," Tommy commented.

"When I heard Never Gonna Give You Up for the first time, I didn't think that was Rick's real voice at all. It sounded too deep for a young man like him. I was surprised when Mom told me it really was his," Kim replied, squealing in glee.

"Singers are well known for surprising their fans," Tommy said.

"You got that right," Kim agreed, flicking Tommy's chin.

Kim jumped when Tommy pinched her butt. She narrowed her eyes at him, presenting a fist to his face.

"Don't touch my butt again or else, you little pervert," Kim growled in playfulness and flared her nostrils.

"Or what? You going to punch me in the chin like last night?" Tommy smirked as he sat up to hover over Kim.

"No," Kim answered.

Kim pretended to punch Tommy in between the eyes. Tommy groaned and fell on his back. He spread his arms apart, losing consciousness. Kim leaned close to him, screaming in fright when he woke up and pulled her down on top of him. She ruffled his hair before smacking him in the cheek with a piece of it.

"You're a real piece of work, Tommy," Kim mumbled and shook her head.

"I'm glad I am. Then again, you're just as good I am," Tommy said sweetly.

"Why, thank you," Kim responded with a wink.

The lovebirds hugged each other. They pressed their foreheads together for a long moment before pulling back. They stroked each other's cheeks with the backs of their hands.

"I'm so happy I'm with you right now, my crane. There's nowhere else on Earth I'd rather be," Tommy whispered, his voice filled with much love and warmth.

"No matter where you are, you are always with me in my heart, my falcon," Kim commented and choked back a sob. "I can't thank you enough for all the times you saved my life."

"It's what men do. They protect their women from dangerous threats," Tommy said, hugging Kim.

"Women do the same for their men. They can be just as tough and tenacious," Kim pointed out, letting out a quiet sniffle.

"Of course. I like strong and independent women. You're one of them. In fact, you're the strongest and most independent woman I know. You can take care of yourself and aren't afraid to speak your mind. You won't let anyone knock you down. If you do fall down, you just get right back up," Tommy said proudly.

"Thanks," Kim said, a small smile crossing her lips. "You don't know how much I love you. I feel so fortunate to have you as my boyfriend."

"I feel just as fortunate to have you as my girlfriend," Tommy responded in a loving tone.

Tommy and Kim kissed once more. They started soft at first, but it became passionate rapidly. They hugged each other more tightly, their tongues wrestling for control. Their ecstatic moans seemed to blend together in an endless chorus. The falcon flipped the crane over on her back. He settled in between her legs. He lavished her neck with gentle kisses before returning to her lips. He grabbed at her head as if to keep himself from going over the edge.

Tommy ran his hands all over Kim's body as she slipped her arms around his neck. He moved between nibbling and sucking on her neck. Kim moaned in pleasure and kissed his shoulder. She nuzzled her face against his throat. She put her hands on his cheeks. She pressed a fierce kiss against his lips. Her tongue entered his mouth, causing him to let out an excited groan. They got lost in the pleasures of lovemaking again.