Author's Note: Katbybee and I were lamenting the trouble she's had in her new apartment, where the water heater just won't work properly, and I told her, "This really needs to go in a story!" And so we started dreaming up a tale where Mike Stoker was in the same situation. And, well... you can read the rest of the story below. After writing that one together, we decided we needed to make it a series. Keep an eye out for weekly updates! Still to come: Roy and Jo, Hank and Emily, Bob and Edy McConnikee, and Charlie and Teresa Petrosian. Those are all written, and we may add more, if it seems like there's reader interest.

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The Shower Story

Mike Stoker wished, not for the first time, that he had just stayed in his old apartment. It was getting a bit rundown, true. And it was a longer commute to work than his new one, but there were definite downsides to living in a brand-new apartment building.

The truth was, he'd agreed to the move because his old landlady had passed away and the place just didn't feel like home anymore. He had invested a lot of his off time helping her around the old place and he missed her.

His friend Ray Mayo had gotten an apartment in a new development not far from the station and had recommended him to the management. Ray worked with Charlie at the garage and knew Mike was restless and ready for a move.

He stared ruefully at the keys in his hand. They'd finally gotten him his mailbox key, so that was one thing off his list. But… this bit of no hot water. Again. That was getting old real quick. The problem was he couldn't predict when it would happen. He'd taken to showering at the station after shift, but that didn't help when he was off shift.

He had a dental appointment and no hot water. He needed a shower. And there was definitely no hot water this morning. He'd run it for ten minutes just to be sure. And damnit… he wasn't in the Army any more… so he wasn't going to take a cold shower if he didn't have to.

Suddenly he brightened. Ray was out of town on vacation and Mike was taking care of his cat for him. Lucky for Ray, his floor seemed to always have hot water. He'd just grab clean clothes and a towel and take a shower at his place… and feed the cat at the same time. Problem solved!

Mike took the elevator down two floors and headed for Ray's apartment. It still felt odd living in an apartment where the hallways were all indoors. Sort of like living in an office building. But it was a security building, and Mike liked it in general, so he figured he'd get used to it.

He unlocked the apartment and took his stuff into the bathroom. He soon had the bathroom steamed up and was happily enjoying Ray's hot water.

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Beth Mayo unlocked the door to her brother's apartment. She had gotten in late last night and hadn't had a chance to get any groceries. He was out of town and knew she would be needing a place to stay during her layover for a couple of days. She preferred his apartment to the crowded airline hotel. Besides, she always fed his cat Gus when he was out of town.

She set the groceries on the counter but heard water running in the bathroom… the shower in fact. Ray hadn't told her he would be back early from his trip, so she was confused. She headed for the bathroom door, intent on finding out what was happening.

Mike had heard the front door open, and knew Ray was still in Philadelphia, so he hurried out of the shower, leaving it running. He threw open the bathroom door, and with only a towel wrapped around his waist, stared right into the startled eyes of the most beautiful girl he had ever seen…

For her part, several things went through her mind at once, but the main one that stuck was, What is this sexy guy doing in my brother's bathroom?!

Mike did the first thing that came to mind. He slammed the door in her face. He also yelled for her to go away.

"This is my brother's apartment," she answered. "You go away."

There came a long silence from the bathroom, then finally, "Well he told me to feed his cat Gus, and I didn't have any hot water, so… wait, he never told me he had a sister!"

"He never told me he had someone watching the cat!"

"I always watch Gus when he goes away." His voice was muffled by the door.

"He said I could stay here on my layover. You know… I think he set this up!"

Mike came out of the bathroom fully dressed and with his hair combed. He gestured to the bathroom. "I doubt he set that up," indicating the bathroom door. He smiled sheepishly. "Sorry."

"No, of course not that. But my brother… he's a bit of a yenta. He's been trying to convince me to meet his friend and I told him I didn't want any more blind dates." She puffed out a sigh.

Mike blushed. "Well, you aren't gonna get any less blind than that!"

In spite of herself, Beth giggled. "You sure got my attention…. I'm sorry… I don't even know your name."

"I'm Mike Stoker, and… I hate to break this up, but I'm gonna be late for my appointment."

Before he could go, she reached to grab his arm. "I'm Beth. And… maybe… we could have lunch after your appointment?"

He tipped his head and his green eyes sparkled. "I'd like that. Providing my dentist doesn't pull any nasty surprises, that is. I'll knock on your door?"

"Sure." She blushed as she smiled up at him. He was just a couple inches taller than she was. "I'm looking forward to it." Then she let go of his arm and stepped out of his way.

He left the apartment and was in the elevator when he realized he had forgotten to feed Gus.

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Six months later

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."

Mike gladly did so, and there were cheers and applause from their friends and family. He was tempted to dip Beth, but she had threatened him beforehand if he pulled any shenanigans during the wedding.

When the kiss seemed to keep going on and on, Ray — standing closest to Mike as his best man — cleared his throat loudly. Then Chet shouted, "You've got the rest of your lives for that, Mikey!" The congregation laughed and whistled.

Mike reluctantly came up for air, grinning like an idiot.

Fortunately, the couple had had the foresight to have taken most of their wedding photos before the ceremony, so there was not a long wait for photos between the ceremony and the reception, which was taking place in the adjacent church hall.

When the time came for Ray to give the toast, he stood up and tapped his champagne glass with a spoon. Soon, everyone had settled down and was listening.

"About a year ago, I got to thinking that my pal Mike and my sister Beth would make a great match," Ray started off. "I kept trying to set them up, and they kept resisting." He shrugged. "So what does a good brother and a great friend do? That's right — a little bit of harmless deception." He turned to Mike and shook his head. "Of course, I did expect you to be fully clothed when you met Beth, pal. You were only supposed to feed the cat!"

Mike blushed and shook his head. He was never going to live the shower story down as long as he lived, and he knew it.

Then Ray turned to his sister. "When you told me it was love at first sight, I had no idea exactly how much you had seen, Sis." He winked at her, then turned to his laughing audience. "What do you know, though? Big brother was right all along. Here we are, celebrating the beginning of their life together." He raised his glass. "To Mike and Beth Stoker! May your marriage be full of joy, and when struggles come, may you strengthen one another and get through them together."

"Here, here!" Cap called. All around the hall, their guests clinked their champagne glasses and cheered.

Mike turned to Beth and touched his glass to hers. Softly he said, "Here, here," and he smiled.

Next up: Roy and JoAnne