The only thing more perfect than waking up from a nap on a beach in Fiji, is finding a beautiful woman standing over you with a cold beer in her hand, smiling.

I smiled back. "I think I died and went to heaven."

Diana sat on the lounge chair next to me and took a sip of her beer. She stared out at the ocean and seemed troubled. "I know. It's going to be hard to go back. It's just so peaceful here. It's like the past never existed and there is only this perfect moment."

Diana squeezed my hand and my heart skipped a beat. "Elvis, you're getting a little red. Maybe we should head back inside."

"I live in California not the Alaska."

"The sun is stronger here and you have the rays bouncing off the water, too."

It had been the most amazing three days of my life and I didn't want this to end either, but the Elvis Cole Detective agency and my cranky, old cat were both back in L.A. waiting for me. I kissed her hand. "Is this your attempt to get me in bed?"

She blushed shyly like a school girl and smiled.

"Let's go Romeo." She tugged at me, but I didn't want to leave the beach.

When I got inside I looked at myself in the mirror. "Damn, I do look like a lobster."

Diana walked up behind me. "A cute, but slightly overcooked one."

"Uhm, cute?"

"Yeah, cute or should I say sexy?"

I shrugged. "Either works for me."

I kissed her neck and walked her slowly to the bed.

We had been together for weeks but we hadn't made love. She didn't seem ready and I wasn't going to push the matter. She was Diana Pike, my best friend Joe Pike's daughter. I enjoyed being with her too much to ruin what we had.

The fact that Pike had a daughter had surprised us both but then life is like that sometimes. One day you're single and the next day you wake up and you find out you have a child and a you're a grandfather.

Diana wasn't one who trusted easily and I was in no hurry. She had been hurt at an early age, being rejected by the ones who were supposed to love her the most. It seemed her life mirrored her father's. I understood what she was going through. Maybe, not being able to trust is what has kept me single for so long.

Diana wrapped her arms around me, she frowned when I winced.

"Do your ribs still hurt? I'm so sorry. Are you sure you don't want to get them x-rayed? "

"Nope, just a little tender. No punctured lung, I think."

Diana pulled away from me. "If your lung was punctured you'd be coughing up blood by now."

Good to know.

I learned the hard way not to sneak up on a Pike. My attempt at joining her in the shower unannounced ended up getting me punched in the side. If I wasn't quick that would have been a kidney shot, then I'd be peeing blood instead. It was a good thing she caught herself before she did any real damage. I guess paranoia was a necessary part of her job description.

"Maybe this trip was a bad idea."

She frowned and I realized I didn't like to see her sad. I didn't like being the cause of that frown.

"Diana, I'm fine. I hope you aren't regretting coming here with me." I pulled her close and ignored the pain in my ribs when she hugged me back.

"I'm not, but I'm afraid you are. I don't think things are going as you had planned."

"Me plan? I've spent my life flying by the seat of my pants. I'm on a tropical Island relaxing with a beautiful woman I'm crazy about. How could I not be happy?"

I couldn't believe that last part slipped out, but it was true. Seeing her face the first thing in the morning and the last thing at night was something I could get used.

I kissed her, it turned hard and deep. We fell back onto the bed and I said, "Ouch. I think I'm going to need something for this sunburn."

Diana started to laugh until tears rolled down her cheeks. I couldn't help but join her.

"I'll get you some cream from the store. I suppose we better start thinking about food. I don't know about you but I'm getting hungry."

I was hungry for her but somehow I didn't think that was going to happen at the moment.

"We could have a beachside dinner again."

Diana nodded her head, no. "Rains coming, I can smell it."

"Okay," I said. Super sense of smell must be another Pike attribute.

"You want a beer?"

"I'll go get you some ointment. I'll have one when I get back."

"Seriously, I'm fine."

"I could use the walk."

"Do you want me to come with?"

I turned around with my beer Diana was gone.

I sat down on the couch and watched the sky turn from blue to onyx, dark and angry. Offshore lighting flashed like 4th of July fireworks.

"Rain." I said. I should know better than to doubt Pike's daughter. I hoped she wasn't taking a stroll on the beach in this weather.

There was a loud clap of thunder then the room went dark.

Anything else?

I tried to remember where I had seen the candles and waited for the backup generator to kick in.

Nothing.

I heard the door open.

"Over here," I shouted in the dark not wanting repeat of the shower incident.

"I can see you. The whole place is dark and they are working on the generator so it looks like no hot food for dinner. They said sandwiches if they can't get it running soon."

"Do you think they need a hand?"

"Don't leave." She grabbed my arm; there was desperation to her voice.

"We can sit here and watch the lightening."

We sat down together on the couch and watched nature's fireworks. She put her head on my shoulder and I pulled her close.

"I'm sorry I live in a different world not many can understand."

"I'm familiar with that world. You don't owe me any explanations."

She sighed and held me tighter.

Diana's phone buzzed on the table. I could feel her fight the urge to answer it but she did.

"Hello, Eric? Calm down what's wrong. Is it Micah? What do you mean he's missing?"

That got me to my feet and by her side in a hear beat. I put my hands on her shoulders and felt her tremble.

"How long? 4 days? That's not like him. I'm not in the states but I'll get the first flight I can. You call me if you hear from him."

There was a buzz and the power came back on. I saw the fear on her face, in her eyes as she closed the phone.

"Micah is missing, no one has heard from him in 4 days, maybe longer. I have to go. I have to go home." She started pacing around like a stunned animal picking up bits and pieces of her life.

"You can stay if you like."

"No way. We're going home to find Micah."

Diana turned and kissed me. "Thank you, Elvis. I…I don't know what to do. My boy is missing."

"You happen to be standing next to The World's Greatest Detective, remember."

She gave a small smile. "Yeah, that's right, World's Greatest."

I took her shoulders and looked her in the eyes. "Your father is Joe Pike. He can find anyone. There is none better."

Diana nodded and got on her cell phone to the airline.

Someone was going to have to tell Pike his grandson was missing, but first we had to pack and book a flight home.