Author's Note: I wrote this story when Riptide was on the air. Back then, there were no such things as computers and word processors, or cell phones. I wrote everything out by hand and typed them on a typewriter. (And hidden from my parents, of course!) I've pulled the story out and I'm updating it for modern times. I am keeping everyone the same age as they were when the series aired. I hope Y'all enjoy!
When Nick Met Kerry
Chapter 1
Nick sipped his beer and glanced around at the crowd. He knew practically everyone in the place because they were all in his National Guard unit, and they were all together for their two-week summer training at Fort Ord. As he glanced around, he noticed the one someone he had been looking forward to seeing was not there. He turned back to the bar and ordered another beer.
Fifteen minutes later, someone slid on to the bar stool next to him. He really wasn't in the mood for company, so he shifted and turned toward the TV.
"So, Soldier, you're just going to ignore me and not say hello? I'm hurt," came the voice from the woman who had just sat down next to him.
When he heard the voice, Nick froze. He had just been thinking about her again, and there she was. He turned back to face her. "Hi, Kerry. Good to see you."
He stood up and gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. He knew he shouldn't. The last time he had seen her, she had announced she had gotten married.
"Nick, always a pleasure to see you."
Nick noticed she didn't seem in a hurry to break the hug, but he knew that it would be awkward to stand there hugging her for a long period of time.
"So, can I buy you a beer? Did you eat? We could grab some dinner."
"That sounds wonderful. How did you know I was hungry?"
"Kerry, you're always hungry. I've never seen anyone go through the chow line three times and still not gain an ounce."
She laughed. "Fast metabolism, Nicholas."
"I'll bet. Come on, let's get out of here."
"So, how have you been? How's your job with SFPD? Did you make Inspector yet?" Nick asked as they studied the menus of the steak house where everyone ate at least once during reserve duty.
"Good. Job's done, and I didn't make Inspector. I resigned."
He looked at her like she had suddenly grown two heads. "Why, Kerry? You love your job. You should have made Inspector by now."
"Politics. My career wound up in the toilet when I divorced Nathan."
He shook his head. "You divorced Nathan? When in the hell did this happen? I thought you two were happy?"
She took a sip of her beer, then sighed. "We were. Until I found out a few things. None of them pretty."
She looked down at the table so she wouldn't have to face him. Without thinking, he reached across the table and took her hand. She smiled weakly. His hands had such strength in them. She wondered if he was trying to transfer some of his strength to her.
"Drugs? Hookers?" he asked.
She lifted her head and took a sip of beer. "Porn. Hookers. Not sure about the drugs. I didn't want to know."
Nick wasn't surprised by her admission. He knew it had to be pretty bad for her to walk away from her job and her husband. She loved being a cop, and she was good at it. She had been the only female MP in his unit in Vietnam. Everyone loved her, including himself. She was tough as nails, but she wasn't afraid to be feminine when she had to be.
"I'm so sorry, Kerry. I know this is probably rough on you. You know I'll stand behind you no matter what."
"Thank you, Nick. That really means a lot."
She didn't want to talk about herself, so she changed the subject. "So, how are Cody and Boz? And the Roboz?'
Nick laughed. Before she had gotten married, she had made a trip to King Harbor for a weekend visit. She had finally gotten to meet Murray, and she had fallen in love with his invention, the Roboz.
"They're fine. They send their love. Roboz can't, of course."
"Of course."
"And how's business?"
"It's good. I'm sure you've heard that Lieutenant Quinlan got killed."
She nodded. "I did. But for what it's worth, Joanna Parisi is a good cop."
"She is. Murray has a crush on her."
She smiled. "Murray needs a good girl to settle down with and make little Boz's."
Nick smiled. Murray would be happy with a devoted wife and a passel of kids.
"Yeah, he does," he agreed.
Their steaks arrived, and they busied themselves with eating and discussing their dinners. Coffee and dessert had been served when Nick brought the conversation back to her.
"So, you resigned from the force. What are you going to do now?"
She set down her coffee cup.
"I'm moving. I'm leaving San Francisco."
He set his cup in the saucer, trying hard for it to not spill. His hands were shaking. Every time someone shocked, him, his hands stated to shake.
"You're what? Kerry, San Francisco is your home. You've lived there all of your life."
"I have. It's time for a change. I want to see the sunshine more. I want to learn how to surf. I want to play beach volleyball. I'm moving to Southern California."
"LAPD?" he asked.
"King Harbor. Meet your newest Sergeant, Detective Ryder."