Author's Note: I had no intention of writing this story, but Chicago Firestarter wanted a Kelly story, and challenged me to write one for her. After much nagging by her and another, I finally decided to publish it. So, many thanks to Chicago Firestarter for the suggestion, and for liking it as much as you do. And to the other, you've always been my biggest cheerleader and supporter, and I can't thank you enough for that. ~Iz.

Fire on the Pier

Chapter 1

Parker slid the compression tester into the cylinder and turned the key. She read the reading and wrote it down on the notepad she had sitting nearby. She unplugged the tester and slid it into the next cylinder, repeating the process. She wrote down the number and unplugged it again. She reached over on the deck and picked up her bottle of water.

Kelly made his way down the pier, stopping when he saw a fireboat sitting dockside with the engine cover lifted. He was curious why it was out on the pier. He walked closer, noting that there was someone working on it. Curiousity aroused, he made his way over to see what was going on. He saw someone bending over the engine testing the cylinders. Obviously, they were testing for compression, which meant they were testing the motor. He saw the hand reaching for the paper and pen. He reached for it to help. He placed the notepad in the hand. She jumped when she felt the notepad being placed in her hand.

"Sorry," Kelly apologized. "Just tryin' to help."

She turned around to see who the voice belonged to. When she saw him, she almost fell over. Handsome, dark hair flecked with gray, and gorgeous blue eyes. She had a feeling he knew how handsome he was. "Thank you," she finally said after finding her voice.

"Not a problem," he said, smiling. "I'm Kelly."

"Parker."

"So, what's up with the engine?" he asked.

"Won't start."

"You need some help?"

"You know anything about boats?"

"A thing or two."

She hesitated. She didn't know this guy, and he was offereing to help. He could be a total ax murderer, and he was offering to help with the was perfectly capable of fixing the engine herself, but there was something about him that intrigued her and she wanted him to hang around. "Ok, grab the spark plugs."

Kelly smiled. He had the chance to work on a fireboat. He had never fixed one before since CFD employed their own mechanics. This was a dream come true. He wondered how she had gotten hold of this boat. "So, how did you come across this beauty?"

"Belongs to a friend. He bought it at an auction."

"So, this friend, he more than a friend?"

She picked up her rag and wiped her wrench. "You're fishing."

He laughed. "So?"

She reached for the spark plug and wires. "So?"

"You dating anyone special?"

"You offering?"

"We could grab a beer. Maybe some dinner. That is, if you don't have plans?"

"She wanted to, but didn't want to appear too eager or desperate. She was sure with his looks, he dated quite a bit, and she didn't want to be a notch on his belt.

"We'll see."

They worked side by side on the engine for the rest of the morning and most of the afternoon. With new spark plugs and an oil change, the engine should have been running and it wasn't.

Parker set down her wrench and sighed in frustration as she reached for her water bottle. "This only means one thing, and I was hoping I wouldn't have to do it."

"Tear the engine apart," Kelly said as he reached inside her cooler for a new bottle of water.

"She nodded. "But not today. I've had enough for today."

She pulled her tools out of the engine compartment and closed the hood. She carefully cleaned each one before setting them in her tool box.

Kelly peeked inside the toolbox. Every one of her tools were clean and neatly arranged. He was impressed. This was a woman who took care of her tools. He also noted that they were all Craftsman. He smiled. She only worked with the best tools. She was obviously serious about repairs.

Parker took off her work cap and shook her hair loose. She reached into her pocked and pulled out an elastic, wrapping her hair in a quick braid.

"It's been a long day," Kelly agreed.

"If I kept you from something today, I'm sorry," she apologized.

"No, don't worry about it. I was only going fishing anyway, and I can do that tomorrow," he said, waving her apology away.

"Catch a lot," she said smiling.

"So, about dinner?"

"What about dinner?"

"You're really making me work for this aren't you?"

"I'm sorry, I can't," she said as she picked up her tookbox.

"What do you mean, you can't?"

"I mean, I can't. I have plans tonight. I'm sorry, Kelly."

"Yeah, sure. Ok, see you around."

"Kelly?"

He turned.

"Thanks for the help."

"Anytime," he said as he walked down the pier.

He shook his head as he walked. He was confused. They had worked side by side most of the day, and he thought she was nice. It would have been nicer to share a cold beer and dinner with her, but she didn't seem interested. He wondered how a we'll see turned into a flat out no. And why didn't she tell him she had plans when he had first suggested a beer and dinner? 'Women,' he thought. 'Can't live with 'em. Can't live without 'em.'