Intrigue

A/N: Just a little something I thought of today.

It's Tuesday and there is a little extra pep in his step today. He doesn't have to ask himself why as he knows exactly what has him in such a good mood. He'll be able to take Carl to karate class and even sit in and watch today. He is sure his son will appreciate it as he isn't always able to observe the class. Being a working single dad can be challenging. That's why he is more than thankful for his parents and Shane. They pitch in and help him with Carl and Judith whenever needed.

Lori decided she didn't want to be married any more. Just like that….out of the blue….she just woke up one morning and basically told him how things would be. He was so shocked he couldn't argue. That was over two years ago and he has reached a point where the hurt doesn't hurt like before. He has accepted it and the two of them have an amicable relationship. She lives in Virginia and the kids visit her on most holidays and she has them during the summer months while Rick maintains full custody. It's what she wanted and he stopped questioning it long ago.

The work day flows without a hitch and soon he is in his police cruiser, traveling to his parents' house to retrieve Carl. His parents picked both kids up from school and will watch Judy while he and Carl attend his karate class. They have a nice system worked out as Judy attends gymnastics class on Mondays and Wednesdays while Carl has karate on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Rick tries to be there to observe them in class at least once a week. Tomorrow will be Judith's day.

Thirty minutes later, he is seated in the studio where classes are held, watching his son proudly. He also can't help stealing glances at the instructor. Not only is she beautiful, but she has the most amazing body he has ever seen. Of course, the karate uniform doesn't outline her curves but her gymnastics leotard does. That's another thing that fascinates him about her. Not only is she the karate instructor but she also conducts gymnastics classes, so he loves getting a double dose of her each week. He only admires her from afar. He'd never have the nerve to approach her other than to discuss his kids' progress in her classes.

He couldn't help finding out more about her. He's a parent. It's his job to know all there is to know about who would be spending time with his children. With Shane's help, he learned that she was a divorced parent and moved to King County a little over a year ago. She is the athletics director at the local elementary school and started the karate and gymnastics classes last year. What he loved most of all is that she saw a need for the classes in the community and took the initiative. Enrollment seemed to be slow at first, but picked up steadily as word spread among the kids. She has had to branch classes off into separate age groups and most recently there has been some interest shown for adult classes. He'll be the first to sign up as soon as she makes the adult classes available.

He watches attentively as she gives instructions and observes each student's stance to ensure they are holding the position correctly. He smiles as she smiles at Carl and gently places two fingers at his elbow as an indication to lift his arm higher. Her son, Andre, is also in the class and is about two years younger than Carl.

Before he knows it, the class has ended and a slight tremor of disappointment rolls through his body. The kids move off to grab their socks and shoes while some parents converse with the instructor. Rick waits patiently and steps to her quietly.

"Great class tonight. Carl seems to get better every time."

She smiles up at him. "Mr. Grimes, right?"

"Please call me Rick."

"Ok. Ummm….Carl is doing an awesome job. I haven't signed us up for any tournaments yet but it's on my to-do list and he'll be one of my stand outs. Do you think he'd be interested?"

"I'm sure he would but what does that entail?" Rick inquires.

"I have some information in my office. I could get it for you if you have time," she offers.

"Sure." He waits patiently as Carl joins him, the youngster tired and ready to go.

She returns momentarily and hands him a folder. "You can take this with you and just let me know what you think after you've looked it over. I'll need the parents' input if you don't mind."

"I don't mind at all. Thanks."

"Well, have a good night. I'll see you two on Thursday."

Rick nods. "Actually I'll see you again tomorrow. Judith has gymnastics class."

"Great. She'll be so excited. She loves it when her Daddy can watch her in action."

He laughs. "Yeah. That sounds about right. Well, I know you have another class so I'll let you get back to work. Have a good night."

She watches as they exit the building, her curiosity about the deputy sheriff at an all-time high. She wants so badly to find out more about him, but doesn't feel comfortable asking any of her friends. They'd see right through her as she never enquires about anybody. Maybe she'll get up the nerve to ask him herself. Maybe.

The next day, he is seated in the area reserved for parents once again, observing Judith as she learns a basic cartwheel. The studio has been transformed into one very large room to accommodate the gymnastics equipment. His eyes keep roving to her as she is wearing a black, pink and purple leotard with footless black leggings. Her dark locs are pulled up into a high ponytail and she looks as beautiful as ever as she instructs her students.

The intrigue he feels only serves to foster his nervousness and he feels he will never be able to approach her as just a man interested in a woman instead of a parent checking on his kids' progress in her classes. He watches as he always does once the class ends. Judith approaches him and lets him know she is ready.

He gives his daughter a nod as he takes her hand in his and turns toward the exit.