A/N: This story practically wrote itself. I prefer somewhat AU-ish stories for Kick, but this one idea was stuck in my brain.

Kim Crawford was fine. Fine! She had friends. Many of them. In different circles. She had good grades. She had relatively reasonable parents. She even had a best friend. Who happened to be a boy. A very attractive, stubborn, and kind of annoying her right now boy.

So she may have crushed on him. No biggie. He probably liked, liked, her too. But he was not taking any steps to do anything about it. Probably thought it would ruin friendship. It's cool. Kim can live with that. You can take horse to the water, but you can't make this stubborn horse say anything about his amazing best friend. What? Kim was well adjusted.

Kim tried to get him to confess. She did. She even said something once. Fate conveniently threw a temporary amnesia in the way and now Kim rather not try and confess again.

So, this left her with the part where she hated her friend and crush. Jack had literally scared off every date and guy who was interested in Kim. Between Jack's black belt, serious muscles and very heroic attitude, no guy felt comfortable enough to approach. Those who did were treated to Jack's version of the shovel talk, which often included demonstration of his karate skills. Those who survived, were then shown just how close Kim and Jack were.

The only guys left after this were either stupid, cough Randy and Frank cough, or someone not from around here.

And that brought Kim to her current problem. Fall Dance was approaching and she had no date. Don't get her wrong; Jack probably would come with her if he knew she needed a date. But Kim wanted a real date. The kind where you anticipate the end of it, because, oh my god, will he kiss me? That excluded Jack entirely.

Kim sat morose at the nail salon waiting for her turn, when in came Milton. "Kim! How are you doing? Mani-pedi?"

Kim really shouldn't have been surprised. It's Milton. He probably cared about his cuticles more than she did about her own. "What's up, Milton?"

"Not much. Just my usual maintenance appointment," Milton settled next to Kim. "So, have you got a date for the Fall Dance.?"

"Milton. Unless something drastically changed or we traveled to a parallel universe, which laws of physics don't disallow, then no. I don't have a date."

"Kim, you... that sounded almost... sexy."

"Milton, let it go. Its never going to happen. Never mind our kiss," Kim laughed at Milton's expression.

"Well, you can't be that bad off, since you still have sense of humor."

"Sense of humor is all I got right now," Kim was kind of getting upset again.

"So, no change on Jack front?"

"Nope. And no dates either."

"Kim, have you tried..."

"You name it, I tried. Jealousy - no go. Good friends, same thing. Confession - amnesia. Asked him to a dance... Well you know how that one went. Challenged him in karate or gaming - big fight and nothing. Nothing. And other guys..."

"I know. I've seen it," Milton was sympathetic.

"Maybe I should try dating someone from Swarthmore?" Kim wondered. "They are too full of themselves to notice any of Jack's weirdness."

"Riiight. And if you want to start the war between the Swarthmore and Seaford High, then go ahead."

"You're right. I don't want to date some pretentious idiot."

"Kim, maybe we are looking at it the wrong way. You are good friends. You are always around each other. Hugging, sparring, piggyback riding. Maybe you should distance yourself. Just less physical contact. Be the same in every other way, just less contact."

"What does it get me?"

"This way guys don't get the wrong idea about you two. And perhaps Jack will realize that he misses all the closeness and will make a move."

"Ha! Nothing will get him to make a move. Forget about that. I am friend zoned," Kim was laughing bitterly. "But maybe this whole physical distance will convince some of the guys that I am not with Jack."

"He needs to see you like for the first time again. Or you would be in a dangerous situation and he would come to realize that his happiness depends on you. Or there a guy that he can't ignore or intimidate…" Milton was on a roll.

"Milton, first, Jack saw me in pretty dresses and cheerleading uniform. So, no, the makeover won't work here. Second, I can take care of myself in most situations and I don't like being a damsel in distress. Third, unless there is an evil twin to Jack, I don't think there is a guy that fits your description. Fourth, and most importantly, stop watching telenovelas with Jerry. They clearly skewed your world perception. I think that covers it. And besides, I don't want to try anything anymore. I just want a date for a dance, who is not a total jerk or a troll."

With that Kim went to do her nails and Milton was left waiting and thinking. Kim helped him get together with Julie. And when Ty and Rudy interfered, Kim was there to help again. He needed to be a good friend and help her now.

Kim was on her way to school when Jack pulled up to her, "Kim, need a lift?"

"Sure. What's up?

"Same old, same old. So, who are you going with to the Fall Dance?" Jack asked casually.

"Well, I haven't decided yet," Kim wasn't lying. She wasn't sure she was even going there at all.

"Oh... Just how many guys asked you? Do I know them?" Oh...oh... Jack thought she got tons of options. That was sweet.

Seeing Jack's scowling expression, Kim practically rolled her eyes.

"Jack. We've been over this. I can take care of myself. What about you? Still to much of a dude to go to dances?"

"I don't know. Maybe if all you guys are there, I might show up."

"Well, thanks for the ride. See ya."

With that Kim jumped out of the car and quickly joined her cheerleading friends, exchanging hugs and air kisses.

All day went like this. Kim was friendly and funny, but something felt off. It wasn't until Jack saw Kim hug Milton and exchange fist bumps with Jerry that Jack caught on. She has not touched him at all.

Once Jack figured it out, he tried to initiate the contact himself. It turned out that Kim could read his mind and was wily and stealthy in avoiding touching him. Something was wrong.

Was it him? What happened? Did he smell? No, he showered this morning. He even used the new cologne. Was it the new cologne? It had to be. She didn't like it... That must be it. Well, he'd just shower at the dojo.

Later, at practice, guys all looked at him weirdly when he jumped into shower before they even began stretching. Milton and Kim were chatting about manicures of all things. They were sitting on mats, legs spread, creating a diamond shape with their limbs, holding hands and pulling each other for better stretch. They were friendly and cozy. So, clearly Kim had no problems touching others. Just him. Well, he got rid of the smell of cologne, so they should be good.

"Hey Kim. Wanna spar?" She never turned down the opportunity.

"Oh... I... I thought... I could spar with Milton as usual. And you with Jerry. Right, Milton?" Kim was making big eyes at Milton, who just jumped up and said, "yeah, the usual."

"Are you sure, Kim? Unless you don't wanna spar because you are going to lose..."

"That's it!" Kim jumped and executed an interesting combination of the handstand kick. Jack was prepared, but Kim was really fast and kind of angry and managed to land a pretty hard kick/punch combination that knocked Jack off his balance. Before he could correct it, she kicked again and he went down.

There was a collective gasp and then silence. Kim looked a little shocked, then apologetic, then smug, "are you alright? Yes? Then, can I go back to sparring with Milton?"

She didn't wait for answer and didn't offer him hand to help him up. So she was mad a little. But why? What did he do?

Jack was distracted all practice and couldn't help but notice all the secretive whispering and furtive glances between Kim and Milton. What was going on? Did Milton need help with another girl? Why not ask his help? Or Jerry's? OK, maybe not Jerry.

Still contemplating his best friend and what the matter with her was, Jack and guys were waiting for Kim to emerge form the locker room.

Milton, impatiently paced around, "What could possibly take this long?"

"You have no sisters to share bathrooms with. It always takes this long. Although, it Kim's case, the results are worth it," Jerry laughed, but stopped abruptly catching Jack's dark expression. "I mean, she is a cute girl. No, not cute. You know, normal. Average. Barely above average…"

Just then Kim exited the locker room with her hair and clothes perfect. "What is above average?" She smiled at everyone.

"Nothing!" all three boys shouted in unison.

"OK. That wasn't weird at all," Kim shook her head and then looked at them like nothing was amiss and said, "So, Phil's?"

"Yeah, Phil's sounds good," Milton offered and took place by Kim's side. The four of them went to the falafel shop.

The group chatted and joked as usual, with Jack only answering when asked directly. Milton and Kim carried the bulk of conversation. Jack perked up when Milton mentioned the Fall Dance. "So, the Fall Dance is approaching and I decided that I would attend it," Milton sounded weirdly formal, which usually happened when he was nervous.

"Oh! Who is it, Milton? You were holding out on us," Kim laughed and bumped her shoulder against Milton's. Jack felt acutely that she wasn't sitting by his side as usual.

"Well, you see, I know this girl. She is smart, funny and pretty. And I think we'll be perfect, but she has this friend. He's kind of always around and I can't get close to her."

"Do they have history together? He is into her?" Kim asked curious.

"No, no history as far as I can tell. And he maybe into her. I mean, I told you she is great, but he hasn't made a move. And she wants to go to the dance," Milton was talking throwing sideways glances at Kim, who now looked miffed.

"Really?! The girl you like has a friend, who hasn't decided whether he wants to be with her or not? How interesting..." Kim's tone implied anything but.

"Look Milton. Maybe she thinks of you as a friend only," Jack's voice was gentle. "I mean does she like the same things as you do? Like studying and school…"

"Well, just the other day she told me about how rules of physics do not disallow existence of the alternate universes," Milton said and edged away from Kim, who was staring daggers at him.

Jack didn't like it one bit. Why was Kim upset? Did she not want Milton to start dating again after his break-up with Julie? Did she just want him to safeguard his heart or was there something else going on? Jack shook his head in disbelief. Impossible. Kim did not like Milton like that, right?

"She sure sounds brainy. Did you try to plant a kiss on her? See if you have the spark?" Jerry offered helpfully.

"Well we kissed once… It was not exactly in a romantic setting. So I don't know what she thinks of the kiss," Milton looked even less comfortable now and Kim was outright glaring at him. What was going on here?

"Well, Kim kissed you. Ask her how your technique stacks up. Kim, you kissed other guys, tell Milton how his smoothing was," Jerry offered again. Whether it was helpful remained to be seen.

"Just how many guys did you kiss?" Jack blurted.

"What? Jerry knows about our kiss?" Milton looked incredulous at Kim.

"What? I am confused. I thought you didn't remember kissing Kim because you were possessed?" Jerry looked really lost.

"Possessed? We kissed a second time and you didn't tell me?" Milton was reaching limits on incredulity.

"You kissed Milton two times? When was the first time?" Jack looked thunderous.

"Shut up!" Kim finally exclaimed. "First, it's not none of your business how many guys I kissed, Jack. Second, yes, Milton. We kissed when you were possessed and I did not tell you because what would it achieve. Third, Jerry and Jack, Milton and I kissed when he just started dating Julie. It was to help him overcome the mental block. Are we all on the same page now? Good!" Kim finished in a huff.

Guys sat there quietly absorbing all of this information.

Then Jerry got this sour expression on his face, "It's not fair. Jack gets to be all touchy-feely with you and Milton gets to kiss you twice. I am not feeling the love here Kim."

"If you continue, I will end you Jerry," Kim hissed through her clenched teeth, just as Jack punched him in the shoulder. Hard.

"So you don't get all up in each others business?" Jerry scoffed and Kim tried lunging at him. This time Jack punched him to his side hard enough for Jerry to topple off the seat. "All right, all right. I'll drop it," Jerry sat back down.

The foursome was silent for a long stretch.

"For what it's worth, Kim, I hope the second kiss was as good as the first. I liked our first kiss. I hope you did too." Milton was gentlemanly.

Kim simply smiled at him and said, "You are good friend Milton."

It was all too much for Jack. He got up and with hasty bye ran out of the falafel shop.

The moment Jack left the falafel shop, Kim turned to Milton and the two proceeded to have an entire conversation involving brows, eyes, and other facial twitches. It was fascinating to watch, except Jerry was confused and left out.

"Ah… What is going on guys?" he asked unsure.

"Nothing!" the other two barked at the same time without even looking away from each other.

"OK. That was not weird at all. You know, I'll just go and leave you two to your mime conversation," Jerry did not think Milton could get any weirder, but that Kim was involved was even stranger. He wondered if Jack knew what was going on.

Jerry was ready to go and find his brunet friend when he spied him from the windows of the dojo. Jack was working out. Like, I am training to go to war with the Black Dragons, working out. In this mood Jack was dangerous. Jerry wasn't stupid. He may be slow, but he knew what that expression on Jack's face meant; its better that he takes it out on the dojo dummies and not any actual living people.

Once Jerry was gone, Kim finally felt free to unload on Milton, "What is your problem Milton? Why are you interfering? I told you I don't want to start anything with Jack and yet here you are talking about some girl being friend-zoned by her best bud. You are not as subtle as you think. And the alternate universe bit? You are lucky they never heard me say anything like that before."

"I'll have you know, Kim, that is precisely my problem. You and Jack are practically radiating UST like gamma radiation. Nobody can stand it. And I am not interfering. For all you know neither Jack nor Jerry figured it out. You heard what Jack's suggestion was. That analogy to your situation completely flew over his head."

"UST? Milton, why are you talking like girls from the cheer squad?" Kim raised a skeptical brow, but her expression was that of being impressed.

"Thanks Kim. No need to be so disbelieving. I am current on the vernacular of youth," Milton huffed and Kim just closed her eyes.

"I take that back. Now you sound like you again."

"Why is it so surprising? You can talk about physics and I can talk about UST. No need to stereotype, sister." Milton had his sassy look on and Kim just burst out laughing at the incongruity of it all.

Milton joined her. Once they calmed down a bit Kim was concerned, "do you think Jack would do anything to you?"

"For kissing you? Apparently he already saw one kiss. Should it matter that there was another one, equally unromantic?"

"Well it was romantic... For the spirit that possessed you..."

"But did Jack think it was romantic?"

"He did not mind at the time... Now, I am not sure. He bolted out of here so quick. I am just worried that he might be disappointed that we kept a secret from him and others."

"If he is and confronts me, I hope I will be able to talk to him and explain the whole thing."

"Well, let me know if he is being difficult. Not sure it would help if I talk to him, but it might."

At the end of their meal Kim repeated, "Milton, I was serious earlier. Do not interfere. You may mean well, but I'd rather not resort to any machinations and manipulations. If Jack makes a move, it would be because he wanted to. On his own. Promise?"

Milton's face showed his struggle with the situation, but eventually he said, "I promise that I won't do anything to interfere in whatever it is Jack and you have going on."