Later that evening, the friends gathered in the living room and had some wine. Kelly and Bruce were absolutely inseparable. As they exchanged starry eyed looks on the couch, Bobby couldn't help but say, "Well, would you look at the lovebirds!" It was his harmless little form of revenge. Though the others didn't understand that, they all chuckled and let the lovebirds be. Bruce rolled his eyes at them all, and stared lovingly into Kelly's.
Kathy was sitting and talking to Harlan, who went windsurfing with Grossie, Webster, and Ponch that afternoon.
"I told Ponch to steer this way, but he ignored me and ended up splashing into the water!" Harlan said, laughing.
"I did not ignore you!" said Ponch. With a sly smile, he added, "I just wanted to take a dip in the water, that's all."
Kathy laughed. She could vividly picture Harlan's afternoon, but it ended up reminding her of how she spent hers. She looked over at Bobby, who was sitting alone, ruminating as he drank the last of his wine. Bobby made a quick glance at her, and Kathy quickly looked away. It was awkward, and she was blushing. She remembered the look he gave her as he held her arms so, so strongly.
Bobby walked over to her and invited her to look at the stars with him on the porch. Kathy nodded in agreement. How could she say no?

Bobby was not nervous now. The contemplation and the wine calmed his senses. Kathy, on the other hand, was nervous as ever. They looked at the stars and the dark blue sky together. Bobby gently held Kathy's hand and looked tenderly into her eyes. Kathy was overwhelmed by his affection. The stars began to revolve around him, and his eyes became the center of the universe, and she feared she was caught in a dream. Then she realized she was. Bobby was her partner. They worked together everyday. Of course she thought he was handsome, I mean, he was Robert "Bobby" Torvald Nelson, but she would never let that silly thought develop into anything more than friendship.
"You're my partner," she reminded him softly.
"I know," he said, his smile turning into a solemn, thoughtful expression. There was a pause before he said, "I can't help how I feel about you."
His voice was even more enchanting than usual. Kathy was speechless for a moment.
"We can't have this getting in the way of our work," she said.
Bobby shook his head in the same manner he did before, looking agitated.
"This is our vacation. Let's live in the moment."
He held her arms firmly like he did before and gave her a sweet kiss. As he embraced Kathy, the front door opened. Grossie was coming out to look at the stars. What he saw shocked him. His mouth hung open, and his big, blue eyes were bulging out of his head. Grossie had an unfortunate habit of interrupting lovers. It was something Jon referred to as "Grossie's timing."
Kathy broke out of Bobby's embrace, mortified. She ran to her room. She wanted to be alone and think all of this over.
Grossie shrugged, looking guilty.
"I'm so sorry," he said.
"It's fine, Grossie," Bobby said, frowning.
"I had no idea—"
"It's fine."
Grossie nodded solemnly and left Bobby by himself. He watched the stars for a few minutes and then retreated to his room.

It was an hour until Bruce and Kelly said their goodbyes. They must have kissed each other a million times in that day.
"I have to go back to Europe tomorrow," Kelly said after Bruce drove her back to her hotel.
"I know," he said.
"I'll send you postcards," she promised sweetly.
"Please do. I love you," he said, reaching out his arms for a hug. He looked sad.
"Oh, don't get all mushy," she said, laughing. "I know you love me."
She gave him a kiss.
"I love you, too," she said.
Bruce smiled and watched her as she walked away.

When Bruce entered his guestroom, Bobby was laying down on his bed. Webster was downstairs with Ponch, Harlan, and Grossie. They were having a lot of fun watching an old movie on TV. Bobby told them he was drowsy, though he really just wanted to reflect.
"What's with you today?" Bruce asked, interrupting Bobby's contemplation.
"What do you mean?"
"You've been looking thoughtful all afternoon and night. It almost looks like you have a brain up there."
Bobby smiled halfheartedly.
Bruce continued, "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing," Bobby said.
"You can't tell me it's nothing. Hey, I'm your brother, and besides that, I'm nosy."
Looking into his brother's eyes, he knew it was girl trouble.
"Did something happen between you and Kathy?" Bruce asked in a more serious tone. He had always lightheartedly teased Bobby about Kathy, but now he saw it was no laughing matter.
"Why do you want to know?" Bobby asked, annoyed.
"Kathy looked sort of upset after I called you two lovebirds today."
"It was a stupid thing to say," Bobby said angrily, but making sure not to talk too loud.
Bruce stopped speaking and waited for Bobby to continue. He knew Bobby needed to vent.
"It was a really stupid thing to say. It really embarrassed her," Bobby paused, and then continued, "I love her, but we're partners, so what do I do?"
Bruce never thought about it before. How could he answer that question?
"I just wish I knew exactly how she felt. I wish she could see me as more than a coworker," Bobby said and then stopped talking. He squinted his eyes, being faced with an embarrassing memory. "Grossman saw us together."
"He what?" Bruce turned around, absolutely shocked. He sat down on his bed.
"Yeah," Bobby continued, "and that only upset her more."
Bruce shook his head.
"I wouldn't let our relationship get in the way of our work," Bobby said. "I would never think of doing so." He paused and then chuckled. "One time Ponch told me 'being partners is a lot like being married, only without the flowers.'"
Bruce laughed. Bobby felt really silly for venting to his little brother, but at least someone could know what he was going through.
"So is Kelly going back to Europe?" he asked, changing the topic.
"Yep," Bruce replied with a sigh.
"You think she's the one, don't you?"
Bruce frowned and nodded.
They sat in silence, feeling sympathy for one another. This bonding moment was interrupted by Grossie's laugh, which was rising up the stairs. The brothers could hear that they were chatting about the movie. Webster entered the room, greeting the quiet brothers.
"That was a hilarious film you missed," he said happily. "They just don't make them like that anymore!"
The brothers gladly listened to Webster's replay of the film.

Ponch sat in the living room. He was on the phone with Jon.
"I'm in California now," Jon said. "I'm getting settled into a nice apartment sort of like my old one. It's a little barren, but it'll do for now. I'll be back with the CHP on Monday."
"Why so soon?"
"Why not? I've had over a year of vacation."
Ponch laughed, "Don't I know it! Must be nice living away from the California highway for so long."
"It feels good to be back. Well, I'm tired. I just wanted to call and tell you how I was doing. Talk to you later, bye."
"Bye."
Ponch put down the phone. It felt like Jon had been gone forever.