Chapter 7

June 10, 1973

Chris and Rita spent three days together, they'd meet each day in the park, where they'd talk about their lives and their futures. They couldn't explain why they felt so close and content, but they didn't really care, all that mattered was that they were together. But a crisis of some sort had been reached, and both children could sense it, in the background, moving them apart.

Rita looked over at Chris, who'd been very quiet all morning. She pleaded. "What's wrong Chris?"

Chris wasn't able to reply at first, as if the act of not replying would make the truth go away, but it didn't work. It came out anyway. He began to slowly answer, "my-my dad is coming to get me. He came home early." He couldn't hold the truth back any longer and it gushed out. "He's coming today to pick me up! I'm leaving Rita"

Rita felt as if she'd been plunged into cold water. "When-when will you be cumin back?"

Chris shook his head, "I don't know!"

Rita looked away, tears began to flood her eyes, tears she'd not shed for so long. But now they fell and she couldn't stop them-didn't want to. Her friend was being taken away from her-her Chris.

Chris looked over at her, "it-it's OK Rita. Don't cry, please!" Chris pleaded.

Rita fiercely brushed away her tears. She turned to look at Chris.

Chris wanted to do something to make her feel better. He licked his lips in fear, but suddenly, without warning, he kissed Rita. She looked at him in shock, but a slow smile crossed her face, she reached forward and kissed him back. It was the first kiss for both of them. Chris turned away, his face growing bright red. Rita turned away too, but grinned at Chris, and shook her head at him.

All at once Chris began to giggle and Rita turned to join him. Things would be okay. In ways they were unable to explain, let alone understand, they were connected together, and would be for the rest of their lives, however long that would be.

Chris took Rita's hand and they began to walk around the park. They'd spend their last hours together having fun and regretting nothing, missing nothing.

Later that day, Chris saw his father drive up to his grandmother's home. She stood in back of him. He turned to face her. "I'll miss you grandma, I love you."

Rose smiled at her grandson and replied back, "I'll miss you too Christopher. I will always love you and be here for you. If you ever need me you know where I am, but Christopher, give your mom a chance. She does love you." Chris nodded and picked up his suit case, he walked out.

Benny Lorenzo walked up toward his young son. "How's my boy?" He stared at his ex mother in law and he grunted. "Hello Rose."

"Ben." She replied tightly. Ben shook his head and picked up Chris's suit case and walked back to his car. Chris stood still, he was wondering where Rita was. She said she would be here to see him off. His father called. "Chris we have to go. Come on!"

Chris walked slowly toward the car, still watching for Rita. He stood outside the door, but couldn't see her. He finally got in, but as his father was beginning to drive away he saw her. He continued to watch her from the rear view window until she disappeared.

Rita knew she was to late, she'd missed him. Hot tears once again came to her eyes. She wondered if she'd ever see her friend again.

June 10, 1990

Rita Lee Lance sat uncomfortably in a her bosses office waiting for him to return. She wasn't sure why she was here, but her boss could be rather odd at times. She felt someone walk into the room. She turned and exclaimed, "Chris!"

Chris Lorenzo looked down in surprise at his best friend and sometimes partner Rita Lance. He asked as he sat, "Rita? What's going on Sam? What are we in trouble or something? What did we do? We haven't worked together in about two weeks." She turned to face him.

"I don't know Chris! I got the same message you did. I don't think we're in trouble. "

Chris shook his head, "where the hell is..."

"I'm right here Lorenzo!" Captain Ben Hutchinson barked at Chris from behind. Both Chris and Rita jumped. Hutchinson moved behind his desk.

Rita shook her head, "what's up Skipper? What's wrong?" Hutchinson began to pace. Oh, oh, Chris and Rita thought, we are in trouble!

"So I've decided to do something, and because of it, the brass is stomping all over my ass!" He said, finally sitting down. "But I really don't care, this is my department! What will they do to me? Fire me? I'll send them roses!"

"What precisely are you doing Hutch?" Rita asked.

"I told the brass that we need a new team to handle the crimes of passion and Red ball murders in this, " Hutchinson looked around with a mixture of distaste and amusement, "PLACE! Back in the old turf we'd not need them but here it's different. See we need people to go head to head with the 'Royal Palms' when they play a little bit too rough."

"You mean Silk Stalkings." Chris said with a grin.

"Bunker shots." Rita said also grinning.

Hutch smiled sardonically, "you two think you're really cute, don't you? Well I like that in my officers. You run your engines a little to fast, but I like that too, it works. So I've made a decision! I have, against the express wishes of the brass, decided to make you two the new 'Crime of Passion' detail. Or as you put it Lorenzo 'Silk Stalkings'. Can you two deal with this? You better be able to! I'm putting my ass on the line for you, because I think you're the best homicide detectives in the department, and the best homicide team too! The idea of making you two partners makes my hair itch, but you only seem to work well with each other, so I'm doing it. But remember, you've only been on the street five years! Take it easy. Okay!"

Chris and Rita nodded and rose. They were trying desperately to stop grinning, knowing it would only incite Hutch more. He halted them at the door..

"Where the hell are you going? I didn't say you were dismissed! I have to give you something." Hutch went into his desk and retrieved two objects. Chris and Rita gasped. Hutch held two sergeants shields. "You've been promoted to sergeant. Congregations to you both!" Hutch shook their hands and it was clear he was proud of them. He handed each of them their new badge and ID cards. "NOW get the hell out of my office."

"Thanks Hutch. We'll do our best!" Chris said breathlessly.

"Yeah, Skipper. Thank you so much. We won't let you down!" Rita's eyes glowed. They quickly left the office. Hutch smiled as he watched them leave. Yes, he made the right choice.

Once outside Chris turned toward Rita. She jumped into his arms and he began to spin her around. They yelled and laughed with joy. They were finally partners! They'd been best friends for awhile now, but at long last they were partners! Chris placed Rita back on the ground. She stared up at him and he gazed down at her. They made a silent pledge to each other: nobody would ever split them up-never again.

Oct 24, 1993

Chris and Rita strolled slowly down the beach. Chris had never felt closer to Rita then he did at this moment. They had been talking about the case and other things and making up for lost time. But Chris was searching for the words to express what he had gone though-fearing her dead! The pain, disbelief, the loneliness-feeling cheated.

"Sam, you know that thing about is the glass half full or half empty?" Chris asked at last.

"Yeah," Rita answered, "it's called optimism vs. pessimism."

"Yeah, optimism vs. pessimism. See, I think that's how we all spend our lives, we're either looking forward to the best it has to offer or trying to get ready for the worst thing that can happen to us."

"So, which one do you think you do?" Rita asked.

Chris grinned, "ah, well, I used to expect the worst. It's not that I expected it it's just that I always wanted to be ready in case it happened. But, I think I changed, now I'm looking forward to the best it has to offer."

Rita smiled, "well, I would say that's a definite improvement. What changed your mind?"

Chris took a deep breath, "I lived through the worst thing that could happen to me."

"What's that?" She asked.

"I lost you." Chris answered softly.

"Oh, Christopher!" Rita was deeply moved and rewarded Chris with a fierce hug. After a few seconds, to Rita's disappointment, he disengaged himself from her and to her amusement took off her glasses, he went on.

"You have to hear this. I need you to know what happened." Rita watched him intently. "See, I was telling everybody I didn't believe it was you big time denial, but inside, inside my heart, Rita I was so scared!" She slowly stroked his arm and chest. Her mind focused on his words, but her heart, her heart focused on him-on them.

"My whole word blew up and I just. It was like I lost a huge piece of myself!" Her head shot up and she gazed at him. "You're my best friend. I'm closer to you then anybody in this world and I though you were gone. I felt like I was going to die." Chris began to smile. "But now I got you back and I feel like I have gotten a second chance at life myself, and I'm going to take everything it has to offer thanks to you!"

Chris took her hands as she smiled happily at him. She went into his arms and kissed him softly on the cheek. The sound of the surf mingled with Rita's happy laughter. They continued to embrace as they they moved down the beach together.

April 1994

The scream of the ambulance's siren ringed in Rita's ears. Tears fell as she looked down at her badly hurt partner-Chris Lorenzo. He'd been shot by an insane and jealous woman.

"Please don't die Christopher! Don't you leave me! Oh god, please Chris, you CAN'T leave me! Just open your eyes for me Christopher! Just stay with me!" Rita felt like she was dying instead of Chris. Her heart was being ripped apart. She couldn't lose Chris. He was her partner, her best friend, her Soul Mate and so much more. He had to live, she had to tell him how she felt about him. He was her life. I will tell him! I will tell him. The ambulance moved down the dark road.