At the Hinkley home, Ralph and Pam were getting everything ready for Kevin's arrival with whatever surprise he had in store for the evening. Kevin called from his home in Washington State earlier in the week, stating with great excitement, that he had a big announcement and wanted everyone to be there when he revealed what it was.
When questioned Kevin would only laugh in excitement, reassuring his dad that it was nothing to worry about that it is was a good surprise.
Pam stepped from the kitchen into the dinning room glancing at her watch then the clock on the wall frowning. "She's going to be late," she said to Ralph as he followed her into the dining room.
"I know honey, but Aidan said she'd try to get here as soon as possible," he said placing the plates he had on the table before turning to his wife.
Pam frowned nodding "True, but Tony knew that she promised Kevin that she'd be here for this surprise. But, here they go out on a scenario again…"
Ralph wrapped his arm around Pam's shoulder. "At least we know she's got the suit on and isn't flying in a plane," he said with a smile, trying to make her smile as well. "She's looking forward to this news that Kevin has like all of us. I think it'd take something along the lines of her crashing into a train or landing a spaceship with an electric monster to stop her."
Pam nodded, and opened her mouth to say something when the two heard the doorbell ring. "Showtime," Ralph chuckled giving his wife, who also laughed, a kiss then walked over to the door. Looking through the peephole, he saw Kevin and a woman, both bearing gifts and opened the door for them.
"Hey Dad," said Kevin as he entered with the woman and gave Ralph a hug.
"Hey Kevin," said Ralph, returning the hug. As Kevin went on to hug Pam, Ralph looked at the woman who had been standing next to Kevin. She was tall, probably an inch or two taller than Aidan, and had raven black hair and green eyes. She was wearing a blue tunic shirt, denim pants and a star ruby necklace.
Seeing Ralph glance at the woman, Kevin smiled and slapped his head against his forehead, realizing his mistake. "Sorry, I forgot you guys haven't met. Dad, Pam this is Nicol Jazer."
The three exchanged pleasantries before going to the living room and sitting down. Kevin looked around, frowning when he realized Aidan was not there. "So, where's Aidan? I want her to be here for the surprise."
Ralph cleared his throat slightly, realizing he was going to have to say this without revealing Aidan wore the suit. "Uh, she's working on a special project and just got finished," he said. "She should be here soon."
Kevin, picked up on the hint, that Aidan was on a suit scenario with Tony, and nodded. "Oh, well this can wait a few minutes," he turned to Nicol. "She does a lot of special requests for jewelry and such."
"I see," said Nicol smiling. "Well, we can wait to tell them about our surprise for a few minutes."
Pam looked at Kevin's girlfriend and smiled. There was something about the woman that put her at ease, though she didn't know if it was the woman's smile, her eyes or her dress sense. "So, how did the two of you meet?" she asked the young couple.
"It was quite by accident actually," said Kevin. "I went over to the Space Needle one day just to enjoy a day from dispatching, and bumped into Nicol there."
"Yes, quite literally - he accidentally knocked me over as he rushed over to get to the elevator to go up the needle," said Nicol, chuckling at the memory. "But, that broke the ice and he invited me to dinner."
Ralph chuckled. "Well, good to see that the Space Needle could also double as Cupid's arrow," he said. "How long have you been dating?"
"About five and a half months. We met about two weeks after I got home from our last visit," said Kevin smiling. "And we've been together ever since."
Pam smiled as she looked at the necklace Nicol was wearing. It gave off a faint, slightly golden star. "That's a lovely necklace Nicol. Where did you get it?"
"Oh, thank you." The young women said touching the pendent "It's a star ruby, and I got it from some a good friend of mine," she said, and then picked up the small box she brought handing it to Ralph. "Also, Kevin told me about your birthday Mr. Hinkley, and while he already got you a present, I wanted to get you one too."
"Already trying to sweet talk your way to my heart," said Ralph chuckling, only to get a playful swat on the head from Pam. "Well, she is… my birthday was two weeks ago you know."
"Just so long as you don't keep on about it," said Pam playfully glaring at her husband, "She's just dating Kevin you know." The comment earned a nervous laugh from the young couple.
Ralph smiled opening the box. Inside was a watch. Ralph removed the watch from its box looking at it more closely; the band was dark leather connecting to the main part of the watch, which was silver with a black dial for its face, in place of the 12 was a small ruby that seemed to glow. "Oh wow, this is nice, thank you Nicol" said Ralph as he put it on. After he did, he felt a slight twinge in his head and grabbed the bridge of his nose.
Pam frowned at the movement. "Ralph, you OK honey?" she asked, concerned.
"Yeah, just a slight headache," Ralph replied blinking and shaking his head, clearing it before looking over at his son "It's been a pretty busy day getting things ready for your visit Kevin."
The younger couple chuckled. "Just take it easy Dad, things will get better," said Kevin, and Nicol only smiled. "So, since she's not here yet, why don't you tell us how Aidan's doing?"
Nicol nodded. "Yes, Kevin told me about her being mugged a few months ago. How is she feeling?"
Ralph sighed leaning forward onto his knees rubbing his hands together. "Well, she's been doing better on all accounts. She still gets jumpy around men sometimes, but at least she doesn't try to throw punches on instinct anymore," he said. "But, it was a scary time for all of us, given what her two attackers did to her, Kevin and me."
"I heard they got their comeuppance, courtesy of Aidan," said Nicol. Seeing the two older Hinkleys pale slightly, she continued. "Through her testimony. What, did you think that I meant she did worse?"
Ralph and Pam chuckled slightly nervous. "No… that's what we thought. It was one he… heck of a trial though.," said Ralph. "One of her two attackers didn't want to plea out, but he was still found guilty. Aidan had to give her testimony during both phases, and it was pretty stressful for her. She did well considering she hadn't seen him since the assault."
Kevin chuckled. "Yeah, her testimony was awesome. The guy was squirming in his seat from start to finish. I don't think he thought Aidan would remember her assault it that much detail, but her memory is razor sharp," he said.
Nicol chuckled, and fidgeted with her necklace. The star in it faintly glowed gold again, and then faded. "So, how are things at your jobs Mr. and Mrs. Hinkley?"
"Well, it's been busy at the courthouse, but fortunately it's more for marriages and the like," said Pam, only to notice a slight sideways look Kevin and Nicol gave each other. "But, I'd much rather deal with those than…"
Pam was interrupted when they all heard someone cry out followed by a crash. Guessing who made the noise, Ralph looked at Pam and got up. "Excuse me," he apologized as he headed out to the back yard.
"What was that?" Nicol asked, slightly worried.
Kevin, noticing the look in Ralph's eye as he left, took over. "Oh, that's probably the kids next door. Dad said they had a trampoline and one probably fell off or something," he said.
"Then why is your dad going outside?"
"Well Nicol," Pam quickly joined in helping Kevin to cover for Ralph and Aidan, "This is the second time the neighbor's kids have caused problems with the trampoline, and the last time, they were throwing rocks at our house," she said with a nervous smile. "Ralph's probably going outside to scold them."
The two nodded, and Pam changed the subject. "So, what do you do Nicol…"
