Rick's Rain

Authors Introduction

One day after watching the episode "A Rainy Night" for the umpteenth time an idea came into being. What if they had actually figured out what they felt for each other that evening and how would that event affect the rest of the story. Therefore, Rick's rain was born.

Chapter 1

Why did I come here? I know she's inside, Claudia told me so. Well it's too late to back out now. I guess I'll knock.

There's no answer; maybe they didn't hear me. "Come on its pouring out here!" I'll be lucky if I don't catch a death or cold standing in the rain like this.

Finally, someone is coming to the door. It's her! Why is my heart pounding? She looks like a drowned rat but then again so do I. All is forgotten when I notice her beautiful green eyes.

She takes my arm and we stroll back out into the rain, this time under an umbrella. We hardly say a word. The silence is awkward, what should I say? I don't know. My mind is blank. All I think about are her eyes, how wonderful it feels to have her holding my arm. It just feels right.

"I enjoy walking . . . at night," she says breaking the silence. Hoping perhaps the idle banter will help us both come to grips with what we are feeling. Together, but still alone, neither of us willing to admit to each other what it is between us. Is it love? I don't know, I think I have experienced love before, or was it just an infatuation. All I know is that I have never felt this way before. It's wonderful and frightening at the same time.

We continue walking and chatting however, it's late and it's raining. Where can we go? We can't stay out in the rain all night.

"My place isn't far from here, but I'm afraid I have nothing to offer," I say hoping that she will make a better suggestion.

"That sounds wonderful, and I have just the thing right here," she says while holding up a small tin of tea. Amazing, is this woman prepared for everything!

We walked towards my cottage holding hands. This woman, my superior officer, and the person I see day-in and day-out who guides me to and through trouble, wants to be with me. I feel like I'm flying, what has come over me. After the fights, we have had and how much of jerk I have been, I'm surprised that she would even look at me let alone talk to me. Nevertheless, here she is holding MY hand and smiling at me as we are walking to my place to have tea!

"Rick", she says, "Rick", a little louder, "isn't that your place there?"

I was so lost in my thoughts that I almost passed by my own house. We walk up to the door, by now my hands are shaking from the cold and the unfamiliar feelings and emotions. I fumble with the key trying put it in the lock and drop it. We both bend down to get it. We bump heads and fall onto our rumps. With a startled look, we laugh at each other. I grab the key and then we help each other up, pulling each other close.

I wrapped my arm around her waist for support. I could smell her perfume and the faint odor of wine on her breath. I look down at her and her up at me and our eyes lock. I could feel myself falling into the deep pools of emerald green staring back at me. Then our lips touch, ever so gently, neither one of us knew that this was going to happen, neither one of us wanting to rush for fear we may break the spell. We melt into each other, holding each other, breathing each other in. After several moments, we reluctantly pull apart. We weren't feeling the cold but we knew we ought to go inside.

While I went searching for clean towels and a change of clothes, Lisa prepared the tea. I changed into some sweats and brought Lisa my terry cloth robe. She gave a questioning look,

"Your clothes are soaked" I said, "Go take them off and put this on so I can dry them" she still had a look of suspicion so I added "don't worry I will be a perfect gentleman". She smiled at that, took the robe and skipped (yes, skipped) to the bathroom to change.

I took the teapot, two cups along with some sugar cookies I had found in the cupboard to the living room on a tray. Even though I don't have much, I can at least be an accommodating host. Lisa was in the bathroom for a long time it seemed so I went and tapped on the door.

"I'll be out in just a minute," she yells and just as I turn from the door, I am hit in the back of the head with a pile of wet clothes. "Oh, I'm sorry" she says with a giggle, "I didn't see you there"

"Yeah, right" I reply and grin. She laughs again.

"You have a wonderful smile" she say's "I wish I could see it more often"; "Well we'll just have to work on that won't we". Now I'm smiling from ear to ear.

I pick up the clothes from the floor and put them in the dryer. Meanwhile Lisa makes herself comfortable on the couch. I fetch a blanket from the linen closet and toss it to her. She snuggles up in the blanket and robe as I hand her a cup of hot tea.

"This is what I really needed," she says with sigh "a good laugh, good tea and good company". I hope she is referring to me with the latter part of the statement.

We sit in silence for several moments sipping our tea, contemplating what happened in the doorway, neither one of us knowing what to say. I had to break the silence.

"Lisa," I said ", I want you to know that you are very special to me. I want to know more about you. I feel a connection with you that I can't explain".

She looked like she was expecting more but I honestly didn't know what else to say, I just didn't have the guts to say it. My heart was telling me too but my brain was still stuck in first gear, stuck with Minmei.

After a long sip of tea, she said, "I feel the same way; you are special to me too. I just wish we didn't have so many fights".

"I'm sorry about that," I said apologetically, "I guess we just know how to push each others buttons don't we".

She nodded her head in agreement with a slight smile and giggle and said, "Maybe we need to learn to push different buttons" followed with a wink. I wasn't sure what to make of that, we had a moment there at the door but I was surprised by it and I was assuming that the alcohol was having some effect on her then but not now.

So, I took a chance, leaning toward her I asked, "What buttons would that be Ms. Hayes".

She leaned forward, took my hand, "one thing at a time Rick Hunter", and gave my hand squeeze.

She saddled closer to me and laid her head on my shoulder, her soft, long hair falling over my chest.

"I just want to sit here and enjoy," she said, interlacing her fingers with mine. We sat back on the couch. I put my arm around her and she snuggled against me and deeper into the blanket. It was nice to have her next to me it felt like she belonged there.

We talked for hours, reminiscing about life, families, the future; we lost track of time, laughing, crying, sipping tea, and munching on cookies. I told her things that I had never told anyone, my heart wanted to share with her. I believe she did the same. I learned more about her, and myself; then I would have ever imagined.

We had both lost so much in our lives because of war; we were both hurting so much. This night was a good start on the healing. It was obvious that we needed each other. Why hadn't I ever realized that before? She was human and had needs, wants and desires. She had a hard exterior, primed with military tradition and protocol, but she was vulnerable. Her heart was wounded and so was mine. Are we meant to be together? What about Minmie? She still occupies a special place in my heart. Why? I don't know. I haven't seen or heard from her in over a year. She is too busy with her career I guess.

I notice that Lisa has stopped talking and moved her head to my lap, looking up at me. She is so beautiful; why did I not see it before?

"What are you thinking about" she says with an inquisitive tone.

"Oh, nothing" I sigh.

"Now I know better then that" she say's with a grin.

"Well, if you must know, I was thinking just how beautiful you are" I say in a matter of fact tone. She immediately blushes, only enhancing her beauty.

"What's a matter?" I say. "Hasn't anyone ever said that to you before?"

"They have" she say's distantly and turning her head to look out into the room, "but it has been a very long time".

I brush her hair back revealing her ear and delicate jaw line. I spy a tear rolling down her face and reach down to wipe it away. She turns her head back towards smiles and me.

"You really think I'm beautiful?" she asks.

"Yes, I do" I reply.

She rises up and wraps her arms around my neck as if to say thank you. As we sit there, holding each other, I feel my neck getting wet with tears and I hold her a little tighter. She starts to sob, all the pain and anguish from her life is pouring out though her tears. I rock her gently, as you would a child, just letting her weep.