Kismet
By Jaye Reid
Written: 01.04.2000
Disclaimer: Water Rats is the creation of Hal. McElroy, and controlled by the people at Southern Star. I don't own them, I just borrow them and play for awhile.
Authors notes: There is something about sitting on the beach and writing ratfic. Thanks to Saz for being a sounding board!
~*~*~*~
A rainbow of yacht sails decorated the Harbour. Bobbing around, their masters attempting to control them. The water greeny grey in colour, reflecting the image of the sky. Waves, white topped and hurriedly pushed by the swirling wind, washed the sand.
It was a perfect day for sailing, albeit overcast and cold.
She remembered his comment that morning.
The day that changed everything.
Perfect day for sailing he had said. She remembered laughing at him. Telling him it was a better day for staying in bed. She had anticipated his larrikin grin. Expected his cheeky comment. Perhaps that was why she said it. Perhaps…
But as if by the usual twist of fate, that always seemed to befall moments like these, a mobile phone rang and what could have been turned once again into what never would.
Even the night before he left. She knew she could have easily stayed. She was off duty, had a few drinks. It wouldn't have taken much to convince Mick. She didn't have to go. She *could* have stayed. All he had to do was say it. *Stay with me.* His eyes said it. Why hadn't he?
Again, opportunity missed.
But this time it had been different. There was nothing to lose this time. No partnership to undermine. But their friendship? Would it have survived? It would only have been one night. One solitary night. Somehow, in a split second as she stood in front of him, she decided that one night would not be enough.
It would never have been enough.
And as the sky threatened rain, Rachel Goldstein sighed and told herself she had made the right choice, before retreating inside from her vantage point on the balcony.
The End.