Go: Saturday

by Disherona

Sharona enjoyed the "Xanadu Double Feature" movie night with Randy. She wondered if this was the plan for the evening all along, or if her confession had warranted a change of plans to more mindless entertainment.

Randy found the DVDs he wanted, while Sharona prepared the popcorn. She added grated Parmesan cheese to the hot popcorn and put it in a big bowl. She searched the refrigerator, finding some soft drinks which she poured into two glasses, and then met Randy on the sofa. Randy tried to keep a little distance from Sharona, to keep her from being uncomfortable, but Sharona moved closer to him.

"I thought you didn't want to be touched, because of what happened earlier."

"I just don't like it when I'm upset." she said, apologetically.

Sharona began noticing that they were very different, and hoped that they would be emotionally compatible with one another. Sharona was more cynical and Randy was more trusting genuinely romantic. Sharona was also becoming uncomfortably aware that their blossoming relationship was becoming an ongoing game of Red Light, Green Light, on her part, remembering that she had told Randy that he could only say he loved her when she was ready, and that he wasn't allowed to touch her, even in a non-sexual way, unless she wanted him to. She wanted to change that.

Randy put his arm around Sharona and pushed "PLAY" on the DVD remote.

The first movie was a musical fantasy love story with awesomely crappy 80's graphics, disco and roller skating. It starred starring Olivia Newton-John. Gene Kelly and a Peter Frampton look alike whose name Randy couldn't remember. Randy revealed that he had always had a crush on one of the muses, pointing her out during one of the musical numbers. "Her." He said. "Second on the right." He had no idea what her name was, or what she was the muse of. He just liked the look of her. They both laughed and sang along with the musical numbers while drinking diet Coke and munching microwave popcorn from a bowl.

The second film, Citizen Kane, was larger in scope, darker and had a great story. It kept them both spellbound from beginning to end. Neither spoke, and barely moved a muscle during the whole two hour run time. Sharona had seen bits and pieces of the movie, and knew the basic story, and even the major spoiler of the movie, but for some reason she felt like it was an accomplishment to see the movie play out.

By the end of the second movie, Randy had his arms around Sharona's waist, and Sharona rested her non-broken arm on his forearm.

Afterwards, they shared a bowl of chocolate raspberry gelato in the kitchen, and talked. They kept their conversation light. They talked about the movies they had just seen, and Randy told Sharona that he thought that "Rosebud" was the coolest mystery word ever. They also discussed other movies they liked, and while Sharona enjoyed grittier, more realistic movies like The Godfather saga, Magnolia and Serpico, she also enjoyed edgier musicals; Rent and Chicago came to mind. Randy had a broader appreciation; from the current fast cars, giant robots and explosion-a-thons to classic noir, to 50's and 60's schlock horror pics, classic epics like Ben-Hur and Cleopatra, and especially martial arts films. If it had the capacity to entertain him in any way, he would watch.

They talked until they were both ready to go to bed. By the time they headed for their separate bedrooms, it was after 2 a.m., so on Saturday morning they both slept in.

-RS-

The smell of strong coffee wafting through the house is what woke Sharona from a restful sleep at around 11 o'clock. She combed out and tied back her wild curls and slipped into a halter tankini and shorts. Pouring herself a cup of coffee, she stopped in the living room to watch Randy sitting at a picnic table. He was wearing board shorts; with his sunglasses on and his shirt off. Unaware that he was being watched, he was in his own world as he unselfconsciously played his guitar.

He wasn't bad. As she watched him, he would go through a song, play the melody a couple of times as if he were learning the piece, then stop and start the process again.

Sharona eventually joined him on the deck..

"Hey," Randy greeted her. He removed his sunglasses, putting them on top of his guitar case.

"Hey yourself."

"Did you sleep well?"

"Like a baby" She leaned in to kiss him, before sitting on the bench of the picnic table. There were a few people already enjoying the great weather and the ocean. They watched them as Randy started playing the melody he had been working on again. "It's our last day.' Randy noted, wistfully.

"Our last day in San Diego." Sharona gently corrected him. "Did you book your return ticket yet?" Sharona asked.

"No, I wanted to make sure my flight leaves after yours."

It was just a simple statement, but a telling one. He probably hadn't even thought about what he said, but Sharona did. Randy was a thoughtful man. A man who wanted to spend as much time with her as he could. In Sharona's opinion, it was the most perfect thing he could have said.

"I'll book my flight now," She stood up, and started walking back to the beach house. "Randy, we're going to make this work."

"Do you think so?"

"I hope so." She said before leaning in and kissing him.

-RS-

Sharona returned with a bottle of sunscreen. She sat on a beach towel and squirted some sunscreen into her hand and applied it to her skin. At least as far as she could reach with her cast on.

"Randy, come here. I can't do my back." She laid, face down on a beach towel, her right arm ungracefully splayed out before her. Randy knelt next to her. He applied the sunscreen to her arms and back, taking the opportunity to massage her tense neck and shoulders as well. Sharona seemed to enjoy the impromptu massage, so he continued.

Randy's cell phone played "I Don't Need a Badge" by the Randy Disher Project. He wondered why he brought it with him. Of course it was for work emergencies but also to be there if his mother needed him. She had been sick, off and on, for several months.

He was about to pick up his phone but his hands were covered with lotion. Sharona reached for the phone, looking at the phone screen, "It's Natalie."

He didn't want to break the physical contact with Sharona, so he said, "Uh, flip it open…" indicating the cell phone.

She put it on speaker and laid it near Randy, so he could talk while continued to massage Sharona's back. Randy cleared his throat. "Hello?"

"Hi Randy, It's Natalie. I know you're off duty, but Lt. Kelly won't sign off on our expenses."

"Why not?" Randy asked.

"He doesn't think that polishing Mr. Monk's shoes is a legitimate expense, not to mention the dry cleaning on my cocktail dress.'

"Is it?"'

"Of course it is."

Sharona gave a pleasant little moan, enjoying the back rub that she was getting.

"What was that?" Natalie asked.

"Nat, I've got my hands full right now," Randy explained, and Sharona snickered. "I'll take care of it when I get back."

"Randy, we kind of need it now. It's your job, why is Lt. Kelly doing it?"

"Because he's doing me a favor, Natalie." While thinking, 'And I'm doing him a favor by taking over his graveyard shift so he can have a weekend away with his family.'

"Can't you do me a favor and come in for a few minutes and take care of this? It won't take long. You just have to approve the expenses and sign it. Then we sign it, and then "boof!", you're done."

"Boof?" Randy asked. "Listen, Natalie. I'm out of town, and driving in will take to long. I'll take care of it on Sunday, okay?"

"Wait, you're never out of town."

Sharona let out another little "Mmmmmm."

"Where are you?" Natalie asked.

"San Diego." Randy answered, curtly.

"What are you doing in San Diego?" Natalie was getting curious.

"I'm minding my own business. Listen, Natalie. I'll be at work on Sunday night. I'll take care of it for you. Okay?"

Before Randy could say goodbye, Natalie quickly added, "Wait. Mr. Monk wants to talk to you."

Sharona laughed, and Randy resisted the urge to smack her bottom to warn her, but had a fair idea that it would only encourage her.

"Natalie, don't put him-. Oh, hey Monk. What's up?"

"Randy, you've got to come back!" Monk sounded as frantic as Randy had ever heard him sound. "Lieutenant Kelly is a nuisance and he is creating havoc at the crime scene. You need to straighten him out."

"Why don't you have the Captain straighten him out."

"The Captain's not here. He went home sick. Randy, It's an emergency!"

'Yeah, right' He's probably using a sick day to spend time with TK', Randy thought as he said, "I'm sorry, Monk, but I'm out of town until Sunday night, so I'll see you on Sunday."

"But the case will be solved by then!"

"Hopefully." Randy said, truthfully. "Hey, Monk. Put Nat back on."

"Hello?" Natalie answered.

"Natalie, what is Lt. Kelly doing to create havoc? I'll have a talk with him."

"Lazy eye."

"Pardon?"

"He has a lazy eye." Natalie explained. "It's throwing Mr. Monk off his game."

It was then that Randy remembered Kelly did have a slightly lazy right eye. It wasn't readily noticeable unless you were aware of it, but neither were unmatched socks or uneven coffee pots. Somehow, Monk noticed them every single time. Randy sighed, then put on his friendly phone voice. "Listen, I'll take care of everything when I get back. All right."

"Thanks, Randy. You're the best."

"Okay. Bye."

"Natalie's right, Lieutenant." Sharona sighed with pleasure, pulling her sunglasses down over her eyes. "You are the best, and I'm glad you're mine."

-RS-

After finishing Sharona's back, Randy made use of some of the ocean toys that came with the house. Randy's inner Southern California boy came out when he found a boogie board. He ran to the surf, and rode in the waves until he was worn out, while Sharona watched from a beach chair. It looked like Randy was a little out of practice in the beginning, but fearless. Over time, he remembered the skill, like riding a bike.

Sharona was a little jealous that she wasn't able to splash around in the surf or play volleyball like the others who had come out to the beach. Even so, the beach house, the view, and being with Randy more than made up for the pain and inconvenience of not being able to do everything she really wanted to do. She certainly wasn't bored. Randy saw to that.

When Randy was done playing on the beach, he grabbed large colorful beach towel and a couple of cold bottled waters from the ice cooler, and came back to where Sharona was lounging. She had positioned a beach umbrella to shade her so that she wouldn't burn. He touched one of the water bottles to Sharona's thigh, which startled her awake. "Randy!" Sharona shrieked, but she was smiling. She took the bottle he handed her, and a kiss, as well.

She thanked him and sipped ice cold water. "I think I've had enough sun. What's next?"

"I was going to suggest building a sand castle, but I think I've had too much sun." Randy started. "I didn't think that was possible to have too much sun. I spent entire summers shirtless when I was a kid. I just turned brown."

"I'd have to put on that stupid cast protector to make a sand castles." She complained, not thrilled with the idea.

"I have an idea." Randy said, taking her by the hand and leading her into the house.

To Be Continued…

A/N Sorry to cut it short - there will probably be only one more chapter before this story is finished. Adrian and Natalie may make a cameo in the last installment.

Please read and review.