A COLD DAY IN HELL

Normally Bill looked forward to Friday evenings, but not today. To top off a really bad day he knew that his crew was planning a surprise birthday party for him tonight. After finding out that one of his biggest cases had been mishandled and three of his detectives were under investigation, as well as himself, Bill wasn't in a mood for a party. He scowls at the thought as he returns to his office and slumps down in his chair to sulk. After a day like today he really needed his normal Friday night routine of dinner and a movie at Pepper's house while he did his laundry. It may not seem very exciting, but it was relaxing and Pepper was his best friend. He could talk to her when he had a problem and when he didn't feel like talking she always understood. She knew him better than he knew himself sometimes.

They have been working together for two years now and were very close... as friends. Although Pepper was very attractive she had always made it clear they were only friends. And after a few attempts to get her to really date him he had conceded. It's not like Bill had any shortage of women to go out with when he wanted to; they just didn't measure up to her. It was a strange relationship they had. One where they could joke around like friends, take her out to a movie and dinner, confide his deepest secrets to her without embarrassment. Not to mention they made a great team when it came to police work.

Now, as Bill sit's at his desk pouting there is a soft knock on his door. When he looks up he sees Pepper leaning against the door frame smiling at him. "What?"

"You look like a little kid pouting because you have to go to school."

"I am. You know how much I hate these things, Pepp. Why can't we just cancel it?"

"Cancel what?"

"You know what. My birthday party."

"Cancel your birthday party? Which you're not supposed to know about, by the way."

"Please, Pepp?"

"Why?"

"I hate birthday parties... and I've had a really bad day."

Pepper laughs as she comes in and closes the door before perching herself on the edge of his desk to get the scoop on his private meeting with the boss. "Stop pouting and tell me what happened in Clayton's office."

"I can't. There's a big investigation into one of our cases."

"Who's involved?"

"Me and three of the guys. I can't tell you any more than that."

"Which guys?"

"I can't tell you."

"What did they do?"

"Pepper, I can't say."

"Which case?"

"Mendez."

"What did they do, Bill?"

"Pepper! Don't you listen to me at all? I just told you I can't say anything about it. I wasn't even supposed to tell you which case!"

"You know you can trust me, Bill. When have I ever told a secret?"

"When you told me about my birthday party. Look, I know I can trust you, but this is an order from above. I don't want to fail the lie detector test question about discussing the case."

"Oh, all right, I won't push anymore, but you better tell me all about it as soon as you can, buddy."

"Knowing you, you'll have it all figured out by then."

"Who me?"

Bill grabs her toe, exposed from her sandal, and tweaks it playfully. Pepper laughs and jerks her foot back as Bill teases her out of this interrogation. "Yes you! Now, come on. Let me buy you lunch so I can convince you to cancel this stupid party tonight."

Pepper smiles as she agrees. She knows Bill well and has long since realized that his stomach rules his world. They leave together, more relaxed after their talk.

******

Pepper is rushing around her house making sure everything is as it should be before Bill's normal arrival time. The party is for his thirty-fifth birthday and the whole division is at her house for the surprise party. Bill hates parties so she told him she had canceled it. Now that he relaxed after she conned him into thinking he was just coming over for his usual Friday night, she could really surprise him. She has everyone hiding out back around the pool waiting for him to arrive. As the time grows close Pepper orders everyone to their hiding places with plenty of ammunition and then goes to look out the front window. There is only her car out front, because everyone else parked around the block so Bill wouldn't realize they were here.

Just then Bill's car pulls into the driveway behind hers and he just sits there staring at her house. She wonders if he knows about the party, but then he sighs heavily and gets out. He sees her in the window and smiles as he approaches with his laundry bag. He lets himself in and she is there to greet him at the door as usual. He hesitantly steps in, looking around as if half expecting a party to be there anyway.

"What?"

"No people? Did you really cancel my party?"

"Yes, want a beer?"

"Sure, and thanks, Pepp."

"And while you're out there, can you light the grill? I thought I might put you to work tonight on a couple of steaks."

"Ok."

Bill heads for the back patio to start the grill, completely unaware that he has just been set up. On the way he grabs his beer and pops it open to take a long drink as he steps out onto the patio. He is several feet out when he is suddenly bombarded by water balloons as everyone stands up to yell, "Surprise!" Bill tries to find cover, but it's too late and he is soaked. He makes a dash for the kitchen door, but when he spins around Pepper is standing there with a water balloon also. Bill stops suddenly and points to her as she raises it to throw. In slow motion she steps towards him as he backs away.

"Pepper! Don't you dare!"

She ignores him and throws the balloon just as he ducks away too slowly; and the balloon hit's him on the back of the neck, exploding and soaking his head. Everyone laughs and cheers as Bill stands there dripping and scowling at them. After a few moments he finally breaks into a grin and shakes water from his head as they all approach to wish him a happy birthday. Pepper is the last one to come by and she can see the evil glint in his eyes as she steps up to kiss his cheek. She tries to control the laughter in her voice as she whispers, "Sorry."

Bill slides his arm around her waist, suddenly swinging her up into his arms as he heads for the pool. She screams in surprise as he holds her over the edge and threatens to drop her in. "You're gonna' be sorry, all right."

Bill quickly throws her in like a sack of potatoes. Everyone is laughing as Joe sneaks up behind Bill as he gloats to push him into the pool also. By the time he and Pepper get out of the water the party is under way. They go into the pool house where she hands him a towel and a clean pair of swim trunks he keeps there. As he towels dry she also tosses him a pair of his shorts and he simply scowls at her and snatches them out of the air. She laughs and turns her back to begin getting out of her wet clothing. She is wearing her swim suit under her tee shirt, but Bill's breath still catches in his throat as she pulls the wet shirt off. She turns to see him watching her, naive to the image she presents.

"What?"

"I was just wondering if there were any more surprises in store for me today?"

"I think you've had enough surprises for one day. You are an old man now and we can't risk giving you a heart attack."

"I'll show you old, lady! I'll throw you back in the pool if you don't watch it!"

He grabs her arm and pulls her up against his chest as he threatens this. Pepper laughs and struggles half-heartedly as he tickles her. Again Bill feels his pulse race as her body presses against him and his focus suddenly changes. He tightens his hold on her as he huskily growls, "So, what about my birthday kiss?"

Pepper stops struggling and twists in his arms to look up at him as she teasingly plays along. "Oh, all right, here..."

She gives him a light kiss on the lips which ends before he can respond. They are both stunned by the instant excitement crackling in the air between them at this intimate contact. Pepper stiffens as his hands suddenly come up to frame her face. Their eyes meet and time seems to stand still as his mouth slowly drops to claim hers again. This time the flames leap to life as he takes her in a searching kiss she can't ignore. She tries, but after a moment she sighs and returns his caresses. For several moments they stand motionless, just kissing, before her hands glide slowly up his chest. They curl around his neck and he moans softly against her lips as he pulls back slightly. This breathless sound finally penetrates the haze in her brain as she realizes what she is doing. Bill is nibbling on her lower lip as her eyes fly open in shock. She pushes him away from her.

He looks as shocked as she does when she hoarsely whispers, "No! Stop!"

He releases her as she continues to push against him and she stumbles back a few steps. He notices the flush on her cheeks and her parted lips, still glistening from his kisses, but most of all he sees the confusion in her eyes as she tries to control her heavy breathing.

"I'd be willing to have a birthday party every day if you'd kiss me like that again."

She is angry with herself for allowing him to get to her and decides to take the offensive as she turns her embarrassment into anger. "Don't count on it, mister! It'll be a cold day in hell before I let you touch me again!"

Bill is stunned at her sudden angry outburst and just stares after her as she storms out of the pool house. Where did that come from? He stands there for a long time wondering if he simply imagined her response to his kisses. He can't deny his own reaction, but he may have misinterpreted her simple birthday kiss as more. She has always been very clear how she felt about a relationship between them. It worries him that he came so close to revealing his true feelings for her. Normally he is very careful just to be a friend, as he has been for over two years now.

Pepper has never suspected that he's been in love with her since the day they met. Bill swore he wouldn't tell her until she showed some sign that his love wouldn't be rejected. He doesn't know what happened to her before she came to work with his crew, but she is very leery of relationships. She hasn't even had a serious date in the past two years. She seems content to just have Bill as a friend with no emotional attachments and he's gladly gone along with her on this in the hope that someday she would get over the past and turn to him. When she was ready to live again he would be here waiting for her. For tonight, he decides to give her some space so she can calm down. Bill doesn't want to do anything that may jeopardize their friendship.

The remainder of the evening goes well and the party lasts late into the night. Pepper is upset and tired after an evening spent trying to avoid Bill without interfering with the party. She finally goes inside and helps herself to a cup of coffee in a quiet corner while the party rages on outside. She needs some time alone to examine her emotions and decide how to handle this near disaster. After a while Bill notices she is missing and goes to look for her. He finds her sitting in the kitchen, lost in thought as he cautiously pokes his head around the corner. "Is it safe to come in?"

"Yea, I guess." She holds up her hand to usher him in and he sits down across from her.

There is a long silence before Bill timidly brings up the topic that stands between them like a brick wall. "You still mad at me?"

"That depends... are you gonna' behave yourself?"

"Yea, but only until they have a cold day in hell. Then you better watch out, lady."

Their eyes meet with secret meaning and Pepper laughs to hide her nervousness. She saw the serious glint in his eyes and it scares her so she tries to ignore it. "Good, you just remember that, bud."

"You look tired. Why don't you sneak off to bed and I'll make sure these hoodlums don't steal you blind before they leave."

"I'll be all right. I just needed to sit down for a few quiet minutes."

"It's getting late. I'll have them out of here before long."

She just smiles as he stands up. Suddenly Bill leans over and kisses her on the cheek as he softly adds, "Thanks for the party, Pepp. It's been a great birthday."

He leaves before she can reply and she just smiles and sips her coffee. Bill is true to his word and within an hour he has directed everyone to find another place to hang out if they want to continue the party. Everyone gets the message and instead of moving to another location they all decide to head for home. Bill is the last to leave and by the time they are all gone Pepper is sound asleep on the couch. He cleans up some of the mess for her and then covers her up with a blanket before letting himself out silently.