Yet again, I own nothing. Zip. Zilch. Nadda. Sometimes wish I owned Rick

Isn't it romantic?
Music in the night, a dream that can be heard.

The tinkering sound of a piano playing, "Isn't it Romantic?" greeted Magnum and Julie's ears as they entered the club. "Tom, it's just like a movie!" Julie whispered, her eyes glowing excitedly.

"Yeah, it's a step up from greasy pizzerias and Chinese take-out—Ow!" He winced when she elbowed him in the ribs.

"You try eating fancy when you're on a budget!" she challenged him.

Their squabbling was quickly interrupted by the maitre de. "Magnum, you're not allowed in after six!" he hissed, worriedly scanning the club for Higgins.

"Haku'um, it's ok-"

"They're here with me," Rick finished, appearing at their sides. "Glad you two could make it." His hand had found Julie's, and he now lifted it to his mouth, dropping a kiss on the top.

Isn't it romantic?
Moving shadows write the oldest magic word.

Magnum cleared his throat emphatically, his arm creeping around his sister's waist.

"Tom!" she whispered, embarrassed by her brother's behavior.

"Hey, TC!" Magnum quickly changed the subject.

TC, looking slightly uncomfortable in a dress suit, walked over to them. "Man, Rick, I don't know how you wear these things every day! I feel like I'm in one of them straight-jackets!"

"Oh, TC, you look handsome," Julie said consolingly.

TC might have been blushing, but it was hard to tell. "Uh, thanks, Miss-"

"TC, it's Julie," she interrupted him. "Or Julz, pick your poison."

"Your table's ready," the maitre de announced.

I hear the breezes playing in the trees above
While all the world is saying you were meant for love.

The moment she walked into the club, Julie had felt Rick's eyes on her. And, truth be told, she had chosen her dress hoping he'd notice. She could not help but notice his attention on her during lunch. After all, he had walked across a club to introduce himself to her! But he had backed off when he realized she was "Thomas's little sister."

That didn't stop him from pulling out her chair for her when they reached the table, though. Or his eyes from scanning her when she sat.

And no wonder, she had chosen a dark strapless dress that clung to her curves. Her hair was pinned up, too, emphasizing her neck and shoulders. The girl knew how to put herself to the best advantage.

The ambiance reminded Julie of those old black and white films she loved to watch with Tom and their mother, when they were little. Mom would have love it here, she thought absently. She could tell that Rick must have put a lot of time into making the Kamehameha Club into the spectacular venue it was.

"So, Julie, how do you like my club?" Rick asked as soon as they were all seated. She repeated her earlier thoughts about the club. And she couldn't help but notice Rick's pleased expression at her delight.

Isn't it romantic
Merely to be young on such a night as this?

Rick noticed how she relaxed during the meal, soon dropping the social butterfly. Her smiles dropped in brightness, but looked more natural as the evening wore on.

Soon, she was even treating them to embarrassing stories about Magnum.

"JULIE!" Magnum's face was a new shade of red as Rick and TC went off in peals of laughter at her recollection of Magnum trying to sneak in at two in the morning, only to find that Julie had sabotaged his only route into the house.

"I hope you stay around for a while, girl," TC said admiringly. "You'll keep Thomas on his toes."

"Actually…" Julie looked over at Magnum, who looked just as curious about her future plans. "I was hoping that I could stay with Tom for a while. You know, take a break from school."

"And do what? Freeload off of me?" Magnum asked. "I'm broke, remember?"

"Money's not an issue, Tom; you know that!"

"Uh," TC cleared his throat, "it will be; he never has any cash. He has a tab here the size of the National Debt!"

"Not if we use Dad's money-" Julie broke off and bit her lip nervously.

"Dad's money?" Rick asked skeptically. "Who's your dad, Vanderbilt?"

Magnum sighed as Julie rubbed her temples. Magnum's fists clenched, but he finally said, "Thomas Henry Magnum, grandson of the inventor of the Magnum bullet."

Isn't it romantic?
Every note that's sung is like a lover's kiss.

Magnum was still at the table, but Julie, TC and Rick had known he needed to be alone. Rick announced abruptly that Julie needed to see the view from the back, and quickly ushered them over. Magnum didn't even notice.

"Who would have guessed that Thomas is a millionaire?" TC asked no one in particular, looking out over the ocean. Julie, standing next to him on the balcony, shook her head.

"He's not exactly the walking poster-child for 'little rich kid,'" she said wryly.

"Julie, can I ask you a question?" Rick asked.

"You just did," she pointed out.

Rick shook his head at her humor, but pursued. "Why doesn't he talk about you and your parents? In 'Nam, he never talked about having a family or anything. The way you two are, I thought he'd mention you at least."

A heavy sigh escaped Julie. "It's… complicated."

"Try us."

TC turned to face her, crossing his arms over his chest. Rick forwent the imposing posture, but put his hands in his pockets and tilted his head towards her.

"Dad didn't want a daughter; he's made that clear every day of my whole life. When I was born, Dad had already started lecturing Tom on 'manly duties' and what was expected of him in life. Tom was always protective of me, since Dad didn't care two straws." At that, Rick's face and fists tightened, but he only nodded curtly for her to continue. "When Tom turned eighteen, Dad enrolled him into Harvard, wanting Tom to make him proud. Tom didn't go; he enlisted for Vietnam and didn't come back."

"You haven't seen him since before 'Nam?" TC asked incredulously.

"No, I visited him while he was there, and he visited me at college a few times. But he hasn't spoken to Dad since he left home."

"You still didn't answer why he doesn't talk about you," Rick finally said.

Julie's face turned suspiciously red.

"What?" Rick asked flatly. Something told him he didn't want to know.

Hesitating, Julie finally answered. "Tom thinks his friends aren't good enough for me."

Rick felt the hidden implication like a kick in the gut. What was he thinking, anyway? That she would somehow be swept off her feet by him? She was Thomas's little sister, and probably would only think of him with brotherly regard, if anything at all. Besides, he was probably about ten years older than her, at minimum.

Sweet symbols in the moonlight,
Do you mean that I will fall in love perchance?
Isn't it romance?

I knew Julie didn't mean to bring up such a painful subject, but if she had it meant she was desperate to stay here. That worried me. I decided to play it cool, pretend I didn't notice, and hopefully get to the bottom of this.

"Hey, guys!" Magnum finally joined them, using forced cheeriness. "What's going on?"

Julie gave both TC and Rick panicked looks. If Magnum knew what she had told them, he'd be both embarrassed and angry.

"I was just telling Julie how great our beach is!" Rick lied. "Maybe you two can come over tomorrow and swim or something!"

TC gave Rick an incredulous look.

Two invitations, in one day, from Rick to use the club? I wish I had invited Julie to visit earlier!

"What do you think, Julz?" Magnum asked casually.

"Sure!" Julie looked surprised at the invitation. As soon as Magnum's back was turned, she mouthed, "Thank you," to Rick.

He nodded and winked at her.

Julie felt a fluttery sensation in her abdomen, but ignored it. She could have a harmless crush on Rick, right?

The drive back to the house was mostly silent. Julie looked thoughtfully out the window, while Magnum kept glancing over at her.

How does one ask one's sister if she likes his friend? I knew without a doubt now that Rick liked Julie; he might even be falling in love with her.

"So, what did you think of Rick and TC?"

Yep, subtlety is my middle name.

"Oh, they were nice," Julie replied absently.

"Nice? Is that all?" Magnum glanced over again. "C'mon, Julz, spill!"

"Tom, you are such a gossip!" Julie turned to him, looking annoyed.

"Well, they're my best friends! I want to know if you liked them!"

"And I answered your question! I like them! They seem great! I'm glad that they were in Vietnam with you! Ok!"

Something was definitely up. Why was she so defensive?

Magnum suddenly grinned.

Maybe Rick's cause wasn't a lost one, after all.

Robin's Nest

Magnum turned in immediately after they got back. He gave her the bed and pretended to fall asleep on the couch. As soon as he was sure that Julie was sound asleep, he snuck back into the bedroom.

It's not a good idea to go through someone's belongings when you know them as well as I knew Julz. If she had something to hide, she probably made sure it was where I couldn't get to it. But I had to try.

Her suitcase lay open on the floor. Magnum searched the pockets, through her clothes, and fingered the paneling. Nothing.

Then he saw her purse on the dresser.

It's also not a good idea to go through a woman's purse. It's sacred, an honor only held for their friends, boyfriends, or thieves. None of which I qualified for.

Magnum rifled through. The only thing he found was that she had indeed flown into Honolulu early that morning, and she had almost $1000 in cash.

My conclusions? She needed to leave, and she needed to leave fast. And she didn't want a trail behind her.

Oh, Julz, what kind of trouble had you gotten yourself into now?

Dum-dum-dum-DA! Ok, Isn't It Romantic belongs to Ella Fitzgerald. . . I think. Don't quote me. Anyway, REVIEW!