August

With Johnny Dunn dead Mike told Hunter and McCall everything he knew. Dunn was actually the leader of the gang but appointed Mike as his right hand. He ordered the hit on Romeo Ortiz cause he was a threat, belonging to another gang.

"What about the riots?" McCall wanted to know.

"Dunn was responsible for that. When I told you there was nothing I could do to stop them I wasn't lying. He hadn't told me about his plan and when I found out it was too late."

"Was he also responsible for the death of the kid that carried out the hit on Ortiz?"

"Yeah, he knew it would cause tension between the two neighborhoods. All he had to do was put some oil on the fire, the riots were the result."

"Why were you so helpful to us when we asked you about the Ortiz murder?" Hunter asked.

"That was Dunn's idea, he said he saw an opportunity."

"For what?"

"Getting rid of you. He knew you would go after me, that way he could work on his own plan."

"Did you know what his plan was?"

"Not at first, I thought he just wanted to teach you a lesson over something that happened in the past. Later I realized he was planning to kill you. That night at Ash's place I was the one that knocked you down and drove you to the alley. Dunn was the one who threatened your partner and set fire to the car so he would have plenty of time to kill you before she arrived."

"Why didn't he kill me?"

"He got a phone call and told me he had to take care of something. I was ordered to kill you but I didn't. You were my chance to get out of Dunn's hands. I knew he would track me down and punish me for not killing you so I told Ash where you could find me and hoped you would be there before Dunn did. I knew he would follow you."

"And the rest is history."

Captain Smythe was stunned when he heard the whole story, he couldn't believe Dunn being dirty.

"He always was a smooth talker," Hunter remarked.

"You weren't the first person to fall for that Pete," Charlie reassured him.

Captain Smythe sighed, "And I won't be the last either."

"Good work you two," Charlie praised his officers.

"All in a days work," Hunter replied with a grin and they left the office.

"I'll make sure Mike gets a reduced sentence for helping us out," McCall said as she sat down at her desk and picked up the phone.

"Yeah, in a way he was a victim too," Hunter said.

By the end of the day they headed home. While Hunter parked the car, McCall emptied the mailbox. A fancy envelope caught her attention, 'To Rick and Dee Dee' it read.

"And? Anything that doesn't involve money?" Hunter wanted to know.

"Yeah, this." she handed him the envelope and he opened it.

"It's an invitation to a wedding."

"Mel and Dave's? Let me see." she tried to take the invite from him but he kept it out of reach.

"Oh no, I got it first."

"When is it, tell me."

"Hang on, let me take a look," he read it carefully.

"Well?" McCall was getting impatient with him.

"August 20th in New York and she wants you to be one of her bridesmaids."

"You are kidding," she said in disbelief.

"No, here read for yourself," he handed the invite back to her.

"Wow," was all she could say.

Hunter saw her becoming emotional, "You will make the best and most beautiful bridesmaid there is."

He wrapped his arm around her and together they walked inside.

The two weeks that followed were creeping along slowly.

Both Hunter and McCall had to give evidence during Mike Hernadez's trial. They pointed out Mike's willingness to help and that because of his actions he became a victim too. In the end he got a lighter sentence then expected.

The day of their departure for New York was getting closer. Mel had send McCall some instructions on what to wear. That meant going through her wardrobe to see if she had anything suitable or dragging Hunter with her to do some mean shopping.

Her wardrobe didn't provide all the things she needed so on their next afternoon off it was time to shop.

"McCall do I have to? There are so much better things we could be doing right now." he pleaded with her.

"One lousy afternoon Hunter. That's all it's gonna take, besides you need something new too."

The decision had been made, there was nothing he could do about it but go along.

Spending the afternoon going from shop to shop wasn't as bad as Hunter thought. He was secretly enjoying himself, watching the woman he loved showing several gorgeous outfits in front of him, asking his opinion.

All he needed were a couple of new shirts but by the end of the day he returned home with a complete new outfit and so did McCall.

Satisfied but exhausted they fell on the couch,

"That was some afternoon," he sighed.

"Hmmm. I don't feel like cooking, do you?" she looked at him.

"Not really. All I wanna do is put my feet up."

"I'll order a pizza then," McCall pulled herself off the couch to make the call.

At the end of the week they flew to New York and checked into a small but comfortable hotel. McCall had called Mel as soon as they had settled in. She invited them for lunch later that day,

"Okay, see you then." McCall said and hung up the phone.

"What's up?" Hunter asked.

"Lunch at our usual place," McCall answered.

This comment reminded him that he wasn't the only one with a history in New York now.

Mel and Dave were already waiting for them at a table as they walked in. They greeted each other with a hug, kisses and handshakes before sitting down.

"You guys look so happy," McCall remarked.

"Does it show?" Dave joked, his reward was an elbow shoved in his side by Mel. "Ouch!"

This whole scene made Hunter choke in his coffee,

"What?" McCall wanted to know.

"Nothing, I just got a deja-vu."

She rolled her eyes, "Guys."

"You are coming to my girls night out tonight?" Mel asked her.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world. Just tell me when and where and I'll be there."

"My place at eight."

"Are you having a stud night Dave?" Hunter asked.

"Not that I know of. My Captain wants me at the station tonight for a meeting we were supposed to have had yesterday. I think I'll invite the guys for a drink afterwards. You can join us, I'll let you know when and where."

"Sounds good."

Dave left the table to go to the bathroom, Mel turned to Hunter, "He's gonna get his stud night only he doesn't know it yet. The meeting is a cover up, It's at the station at eight thirty."

"And he doesn't suspect a thing?"

"I think he does but he'll never let it show."

"My lips are sealed," Hunter promised.

After lunch McCall took Hunter to where she had lived during the time she had stayed in New York and to some of her favorite places. Enjoying some ice cream on a bench overlooking the harbor McCall turned to him,

"Do you think Dave's colleagues hired a stripper?"

"I don't know. I hope so. I mean it's part of a stud night right?" he was expecting a punch or a dirty look from her but nothing happened.

"Would you like to have one at yours?"

"Well, not just any stripper can come to my party."

"Oh?"

"She has to be tall, blond, nice round shapes and in a police uniform."

"I could have known," McCall said shaking her head.

"Wait a second, what about a stripper at your party?"

"I don't want one."

"Hold on, not even a tall, dark and handsome one?" Hunter looked at her with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

"Well it might be tradition but there's just one real stripper for me."

"Oh and who might that be?"

"You." and she quickly kissed him on the lips.

"But I'm not allowed at your party," he pouted.

"Than you'll just have to perform some other time Big Guy."

"You name the time and place Honey," he wrapped his arm around her, she leaned against him and they enjoyed the view for a while before going back to the hotel.

After a quick dinner, a shower and a change of clothes they each went to their party.

Hunter arrived at the station house at eight thirty sharp, right on time to see the surprised look on Dave's face as he entered the squad room to find a party in his honor instead of a meeting.

Dave introduced him to his colleagues as his LA connection.

The men had a great time, blond stripper included, until the party ended at around midnight.

"We'll see you tomorrow and make sure you get to the church on time," one of them said to Dave.

"I'll be there, don't worry. Thanks guys."

McCall was a little late arriving at Mel's party. She knew most of the girls there already from the time she had lived in New York. They all wanted to know how she was and what was going on in her life.

After catching up they left to paint the town red.

A couple of bars later they ended up in a male strip club. The girls had planned this and hired the best looking guy to perform for them. It was a big success.

Tired and a little tipsy McCall stumbled into the hotel room at around two in the morning waking a sleeping Hunter in the process.

"Had a good time huh," he remarked looking sleepy.

"Yeah," she giggled. "How was your party?"

"Good, they hired a knock out stripper and had plenty of food and drink."

"So did we," she crawled into bed next to him after undressing first.

He wanted to tell her more but noticed she had fallen asleep, he placed a gentle kiss on her cheek instead before going back to sleep himself.

The next morning, wedding day.

McCall took her time getting ready, making it impossible for Hunter to take a shower and do his stuff.

"C'mon McCall, you must be done by now. I want to at least take a shower before we go."

"I'll be out in a minute."

"You said that fifteen minutes ago!"

The door swung open and so did Hunter's mouth,

"What? Something not right?"

"It's perfect, you look absolutely perfect."

"I want to be, for Mel."

"Believe me, you are." he put his hands on her shoulders and looked her straight in the eye as he said that.

"Thank you," she replied softly.

"Now I'm gonna take my shower and get ready."

They arrived at the church early, Hunter went to find a seat while McCall went looking for Mel.

From where he was sitting Hunter had a good view at the altar and the rest of the church. It wasn't very big but beautifully decorated with various woodcarvings and murals. Just the place he'd like to get married in some day.

Gradually the guests started to arrive and filled up the benches.

McCall had found Mel and was introduced to her sister Sharon who would be the other bridesmaid. Mel looked absolutely stunning in her creme colored sleeveless dress. It had a tight body, a wide skirt trailing behind her and a veil attached to a silver tiara.

Both McCall and Sharon were wearing a creme outfit.

"You look absolutely stunning Mel," McCall told her.

"Thanks, you don't look so bad yourself."

There was a knock on the door and Mel's brother Tim entered, he was going to give her away. Their father had passed away two years earlier so now this was his job.

Mel's mom was beaming, her youngest was the first one to get married.

Dave was waiting at the altar, his best friend Rob standing next to him as his best man. He looked handsome in his dark blue suit and was obviously nervous.

Behind the doors everyone took their places,

"You look great sis," Tim whispered.

She squeezed his arm.

The music started, the doors opened and slowly they started to walk down the aisle.

As they walked passed McCall made eye contact with Hunter and smiled. He knew she was enjoying every minute of it. When they reached the altar McCall and Sharon stepped aside and sat down on the front row bench.

All through the ceremony they had their brief moments of eye contact and it didn't go unnoticed,

"Is he your husband?" Sharon whispered to her.

"No, not yet."

She looked at McCall questioningly.

"We haven't decided on a date yet."

"Ahh."

After exchanging vows, rings and the kiss the guests followed them out of the church where a car was waiting to take the newly weds to their party. Before she got in Mel threw her bouquet and McCall was the one to catch it.

"You better set that date now." Sharon said to her passing by.

"Maybe we should," a familiar voice said behind her.

She turned around and looked into Hunters blue eyes.

"Yeah, maybe," she said softly and looked down at her feet.

He lifted her chin up, "When you're ready."

They looked at each other for what seemed like an eternity until Hunter broke the silence,

"Come on, we've got a party to go to."

The party was at a location just outside the city. Like the happy couple had asked in their invitation everyone had changed into something casual.

A band was playing hits form the 60s, 70s and 80s, the dance floor had filled with people and among them were Mel and Dave.

McCall sat down at a table while Hunter got them something to drink. Looking around the room she noticed some old colleagues and before she knew it they were at her table wanting to know how she was. Hunter returned with their drinks and joined them.

After a while he decided he wanted her to himself for a while and created the perfect moment.

The band had just returned from a break and started to play a slow song.

"If you don't mind I'd like to steal my partner away for a dance," he announced and reached out his hand to her.

Without hesitating she took it,

"Sorry guys, It's been fun catching up but I promised him a dance."

Seconds later they were on the dance floor moving slowly to the music, enjoying the close moment.

Mel was watching them from where she was sitting. Dave noticed she was watching something and followed her gaze,

"They do make a perfect couple, don't they." he said.

"I was thinking the same thing," she answered softly and looked at him.

"I hope they can find the same happiness as we did."

"They will."

It was early in the morning when they returned to the hotel room. McCall dropped herself on the bed,

"I haven't had this much fun in a long time,"

Hunter joined her on the bed, propped up on one elbow,

"Me neither, I'm glad you had fun."

"The look on Dave's face when his mates did that song with the blow up doll was priceless." the thought brought a smile to her face.

"I sure hope she finds a good home." Hunter said trying to sound serious.

"Maybe she could move in with us," the wide grin plastered over his face said it all.

McCall rolled on her side and gave him a push that made him fall on his back,

"And I could stay in the spare room right?" she remarked sarcastically.

"What a good idea, I hadn't thought of that."

"Men!" she rolled her eyes. "I'm gonna take a quick shower."

She hopped off the bed into the bathroom. When she returned Hunter was sound asleep still dressed in his party clothes. She watched him for a while, seeing his chest rise and fall in a steady rhythm, his relaxed face. She decided to wake him so he could change and crawl back in.

"Since we have another day here, why don't we go sightseeing like tourists do." Hunter suggested during breakfast the next morning.

"You mean Empire State Building, Lady Liberty, the works?" McCall looked at him in surprise.

"Yeah and take one of those tourist trips by bus."

"Do they have those trips here?"

"To be honest I don't know but we can find out."

"And see Times Square and Broadway," McCall went on.

"I'd guess we better leave now, we only have one day remember," Hunter said with a smile.

"What are we waiting for then!" McCall jumped up from her chair.

"I would like to get dressed first and I think you should too,"

McCall looked at what she was wearing, a robe, and giggled,

"You are right, stupid me."

She disappeared into the bathroom.

Later when they got down to the lobby the desk clerk stopped them,

"Miss McCall, I have a message for you."

He handed her a card, she opened it. 'Thank you for being a wonderful bridesmaid. Mel.'

Then she handed the card to Hunter who was curious to find out who had send it.

"That's sweet of her," he said as they walked out of the hotel.

"I hope they are having a great time on their honeymoon."

"Wouldn't you spending two weeks in the Caribbean?"

"I'd have a great time anywhere as long as you are there with me," she looked at him for a second and took his hand.