Beachy

Section 4

Please note: This is copyrighted (©) by me, Tammtamm. Please do not copy it or save it without my permission. Thank you. This story has some connection to the story Missy and Bob, but you won't see that until much later in the story (however, you may see some similarities). Feedback for the story should be sent to stories@iwuvjoey.com. Any similarities between the characters and people in real life are purely coincidental. These are characters from my mind (although some names and characteristics were "borrowed" from Baywatch). This is purely for enjoyment purposes only. Any and all comments should be sent to me at iwuvjoey@iwuvjoey.com unless it's feedback pertaining to the story. Thank you.

They arrived at the Ritz by 7:00am. Philip told them that if they needed anything more, to call him.

"Isn't this place beautiful?" Colleen asked Ski as they entered the apartment.

"This will take some getting use to, Collie. Anyway, I know I'm tired and I know you're tired. Where are the bedrooms?"

"Good question, let's go find them." Colleen smiled at Ski.

"You don't know where the bedrooms are at?" Ski put his hands up in disbelief.

"Of course I do. Follow me." Colleen showed Ski his bedroom. It was as big as his living room.

"Colleen, this is too much." Ski said to her.

"Nothing is too much for you Ski, nothing." Colleen gave him a hug, "I'm going to go take a nap in my room which is just across the way."

"Do you need anything?" Ski asked automatically.

"I'll be fine. We can unpack everything later." Colleen said. Ski walked her to her room. Hers was just as big as his.

"This is a truly nice apartment, Collie. I'll see you in a few hours?"

"Yeah. Try to get some sleep." Colleen said.

"I'll try. You do the same? No business calls. This is suppose to be a good-bye trip to David."

"It's also a new beginning." Colleen said. Ski sighed as he walked back to his room. Colleen went over to the phone and called the front desk to ask that the phone operator hold all calls to the room until noon.

 

Ski had crashed as soon as his head hit the pillow and woke up at 11:30am. The first think he did was check on Colleen before he went to take a shower. Colleen was sleeping peacefully. He wondered how long it took her to fall asleep because he knew that if she thought about David then it must have taken her awhile to fall under.

Ski came on the trip to watch over Colleen and he was worried. She said that the trip is a `new beginning'. A new beginning for what? For her and Ski? He didn't know for sure, but he hoped that he had a chance with her.

Ski finished in the shower, shaved, and changed into chinos and a turtleneck and sweater. The news on the radio said that it was very windy in New York City and a chilly 42 degrees. He went back to check on Colleen. It was nearly 12:30 and she was still asleep. He decided to wake her.

"Collie, you're not planning on sleeping the day away are you?" Ski asked as he shook her. She was so beautiful, the way she slept.

"Hi." she said as she stretched.

"Good afternoon, sleepyhead." Ski smiled.

"What time is it?"

"12:30. Why don't I call room service and order lunch while you take a shower and we'll go sightseeing after lunch?" Ski suggested.

"Ooh, sounds good to me. Could you order me a small garden salad and chicken sandwich and some milk?"

"Yeah, I can. Now go get a shower." Ski said. He kissed her on the forehead and left the room.

 

"That shower woke me right up!" Colleen said as she came down the stairs to the living room.

"You were in there long enough. I called your parents after I ordered lunch to let them know that we arrived safely."

"Cool, now I don't have to do it."

"Maybe you'll call and talk to the twins later?"

"Later. I'm hungry and I'm anxious to see the city. Is lunch here yet?"

"Shouldn't be much longer. You know, I've been viewing the city from up here and we're really high up. Come look at the view." Ski said. He was looking out the bay window.

"Can you see the Statue of Liberty?" She asked him.

"Yeah. Would you come on over here and look at this view? It's absolutely breathtaking!" Ski looked at her.

"Let me finish braiding my hair." Colleen said. She had turned away from him and continued braiding her hair as the tears flowed down her cheeks. David had always wanted to see the Statue of Liberty. He never got to. Ski knew to let her do what she had to do. There was a knock at the door.

"Ah, lunch I hope." Ski said as he answered the door. He was right. After the waiter left, they ate in silence. Ski couldn't stand it and asked her what was bothering her.

"Okay, Collie...what's wrong?" Ski asked.

"I'll be okay...just let me work this out my way. Okay?" Colleen looked at him.

"I'll do anything just to see a genuine smile on your face again, Collie. Just don't shut me out."

"I won't. Now, where shall we go to do some sightseeing? I definitely want to go to FAO SCHWARTZ before we leave New York." Colleen said.

"I don't know...anywhere, everywhere I guess. I'd like to see one of the pubs, that much I do know."

"Okay, we'll have dinner at one and no one will even know who we are. I'll call now and make reservations under your last name. Then, let's go for a walk." Colleen smiled. Ski loved it when she smiled and he sure did miss her smile.

"Sounds good." The phone rang. Ski answered it. It was Colleen's mother.

"Ski, you and Colleen have to come home. The twins are missing." she said.

"What? Are you sure?" Ski asked. He had a concerned look at his face.

"What's going on?" Colleen asked.

"Mrs. Dougherty, we'll be home as soon as we can." Ski quickly hung up the phone.

"Collie, the twins are missing. We have to go home." he explained.

"Oh my god! How? Why?"

"I don't know. Call up Johanneson and make the arrangements. I'm going to call home and find out, then start packing." Ski said as he handed Colleen the cellular phone.

"Hello?"

"Mr. D, it's me, Michael. Colleen is making arrangements for us to leave ASAP. What exactly is going on?" Ski asked. Colleen went into the other room to call Philip. She called him on his private line.

"Johanneson." he answered the phone.

"Hi, Philip. It's Colleen Dougherty. I need a private plane immediately for Los Angeles. Ski and I have to get home right away."

"What's wrong?"

"The twins are missing. That's all I know. Can you get me that plane?" Colleen asked. She had walked into her room and begun packing what little she unpacked.

"Don't worry. The company jet will be waiting for you. I'll send a car to pick you up within the hour. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

"Yeah, please cancel my meetings and send my regrets to everyone. I'll call you from LA as soon as I can." Colleen promised.

"Good luck, Coll." Philip hung up the phone.

"Colleen! Colleen!" Ski yelled.

"I'm in the bathroom." she yelled back.

"How soon before we can get home?"

"As soon as the car shows up. What did my father say?"

"Your mom and Jenn and Jenn's mom had taken the kids to the park. One minute the kids were playing in the sandbox, the next they were gone."

"You mean taken."

"It looks that way. I'll go finish packing."

"I'll call the front desk and check us out."

 

Within the hour they were on their way to the airport. They had already heard a nationwide newscast asking for the return of the twins.

"I don't get it, who would take the twins?" Colleen asked Ski.

"I don't know, but we'll find out. Meanwhile, try not to think about them or David. Your parents need you and your strength right now and whatever you need, you'll get from me. Understand?" Ski asked.

"Thank you, Ski. Thank you so much. I'm going to try to get some sleep. What are you going to do?"

"I'm going to call Mitch and see what he knows. Get all the sleep you can, because I have a feeling that once we land, we'll be too busy to sleep." Ski said. Colleen closed her eyes after sprawling out on the couch. Ski dialed the number for headquarters.

"Hey, Shawnee. It's Ski. I need to talk to Mitch."

"I'll patch you through to him. He's on his way to the Dougherty's."

"Thanks." After a brief silence, he heard Mitch's voice.

"Mitch Buchanon."

"Mitch. Ski. I guess you heard what happened."

"Yeah. I'm coordinating the beach search. Where are you?"

"About to get on a plane to come home."

"Good. The police think that there's a connection between the boat explosion and the kidnapping of the twins."

"What! Seriously?"

"Yes. The police also think that the next target is Collie." Mitch said, "but don't say anything to Collie."

"She's asleep." Ski said as he looked over at Colleen sprawled out on the couch.

"We'll talk more when you land. Call me and the Doughertys as soon as you do."

"You bet. Thanks, Mitch." Ski hung up the phone and looked again at Colleen. "Oh, boy, Colleen. What mess did Dean leave and just what did you inherit from David?" he questioned.

 

"Daddy, hi. We just landed." Colleen spoke into the phone.

"Listen to me. I can't stay on the phone long. Detective Anders is waiting for you and Ski at the gate. Get in his car with him. Someone will get your car later."

"Okay, but why?" Colleen asked.

"Everything will be explained when you get here. Just do what I told you. Promise?" her father asked.

"Yeah, daddy. We'll be there in a little bit." Colleen wasn't about to question her father any further.

"Good. I'll see you both when you get here. I have to hang up now." Mr. Dougherty said and hung up the phone.

"This entire thing is weird, Ski." Colleen said after she hung up the phone.

"What do you mean?"

"Det. Anders is picking us up here at the airport and daddy couldn't talk long on the phone."

"Everything is just a precaution."

"Precaution to what? The twins are already missing!" Colleen raised her voice.

"Calm down. I shouldn't be telling you this and if you tell your father you know anything, I'll deny it. Look, the police believe you're the next target, Collie. That's why we're getting police protection and that's why your father couldn't stay on the phone long." Ski said bluntly.

"How? Why?" Colleen said. She couldn't believe it.

"You're now a very rich and powerful woman, Colleen. Your picture has been plastered all over the newspapers all over the place and on news broadcasts as well. Whether you know it or not, you're famous."

"That's ridiculous. No one knows about Dave's fortune or how he left it all to me."

"You want proof?" Ski was interrupted by the captain.

"Miss Dougherty, you may depart now. Detective Anders is waiting outside the plane for you and Mr. Romanowski."

"Thank you, Captain Souder, and have a safe flight back to New York." Colleen said. Ski had already grabbed their luggage and was exiting the plane.

 

"Michael Romanowski, where's Colleen?" Detective Anders asked.

"I'm right here." Colleen said as she came out of the plane.

"Colleen, Michael, I'm really sorry to shorten your trip, but Colleen's parents thought it would be best for you to be back here under the circumstances." Detective Anders explained.

"No need for explanations right now, Detective. Colleen and I just want to get over to her parents' house and see if we can help." Ski said as he put the luggage in the trunk of the car.

"I'm not leaving without my car." Colleen told the detective.

"If you give Officer North the keys, he can drive it back to your parents." Detective nodded over to where Officer North was standing.

"Officer North, do you mind?" Colleen asked. Officer North looked rather young. 'Must be a rookie' Colleen said to herself.

"Not at all, ma'am." Officer North said. Colleen and Ski laughed.

"Please, if you're going to be my shadow, call me Colleen or Miss Dougherty, I prefer Colleen." she explained.

"Your shadow?" the officer questioned.

"I know that I may be the next target and that the twins are just a ploy. One thing Detective Anders doesn't know about me is that I may be a blonde but my brain and temper are that of a redhead."

"Everyone, let's get in and drive Officer North over to the car?" Detective Anders said. Everyone complied.

 

An hour later they all pulled up in front of Colleen's parents' house. Mr. Dougherty immediately came out of the house.

"Daddy! Has there been any word?" Colleen asked as they embraced.

"No. Nothing. Your mother and I are about to go on nationwide TV live to plea. A lot of people are joining in on the search."

"That's good. I want to go to the park. I want to see where they were gone from." Colleen said.

"Colleen, that's not a good idea. Besides the police department was already over that area with a fine tooth comb." Detective Anders said.

"Did anyone bother to check their hiding spots? Just because they're not even in kindergarten yet doesn't mean they aren't clever." Colleen said.

"We've tried everyone. Jenny even went over to the house and checked there. Nothing." her father insisted.

"This isn't happening. I'm going to go talk to momma." Colleen ran into the house.

"She was doing fine until the kidnapping." Ski told Mr. Dougherty.

"I know, Ski. Now another crisis has zoomed in and I'm afraid she can't take anymore. We'd all better go inside."

"What about Colleen's car?" Officer North asked.

"It'll be fine there." Ski said and followed Mr. Dougherty and Detective Anders into the house. Officer North stayed outside on the porch.

 

"C'mon Colleen, have a sandwich or something. It's past two already." Jenny Jones asked Colleen.

"I'm not hungry right now, but thanks." Colleen said as she stared out the window. There had been no note or phone call about any ransom for the twins and they were all worried. Mitch and Detective Anders came in a short time later.

"We found the twins. They were asleep behind the waterfall in the park. They're at the hospital being checked out." Mitch said as he burst through the door.

"Are you sure?" Colleen asked.

"Oh, yeah! They recognized me right away before falling back to sleep. They called me Uncle Itch." Mitch smiled.

"I'll take you all over." Detective Anders said.

"I'll stay here and field phone calls. Mom, dad, you go ahead and take Jenny and her parents with you." Colleen ran over and hugged her parents.

"They're going to want to see you, Colleen." her mother said.

"I'll see them when they come home. Please, I just canceled a trip that I very much needed. I need to clear up some things with Philip over the phone and the sooner that it gets done, the better. Excuse me." Colleen said as she practically ran out of the living room.

"Ski, Mitch, will you stay with her until we get back?" Mr. Dougherty asked.

"Definitely, although, I think we'll give her a little space." Mitch assured her parents.

"There's still a possibility that she's a possible kidnap victim." Detective Anders said.

"What do you mean? The twins wandered off and were found safe and sound. There hasn't been any threats or anything towards Colleen or anyone else in her family and you still think she's at risk?" Ski said.

"Yes I do."

"I think you are blowing everything out of proportion." Ski was getting angry.

"I don't think we are."

"Look, Detective, Colleen needed to get away from the area for a few days and as soon as she gets settled in New York, she gets a phone call that the twins are missing. What next? I'm sorry. But this all smells like a ploy to me and as soon as possible I want to get Colleen out of here." Ski said and left the room. Colleen's parents were surprised at his reaction.

"Let's go get the twins." Mr. Dougherty said to the detective. He and Mrs. Dougherty walked out of the house behind the detective. Mitch went after Colleen and Ski.

"You guys, something's fishy around here." he said as soon as he found them.

"Tell me about it. I just found this on my father's computer." Colleen said as she waved the guys over behind her father's desk.

"This is David's will on file. It hasn't been read yet because I wanted to wait until after Ski and I came back from the east coast." Colleen showed the document to them.

"He doesn't even mention his parents or Dean. Just that a house in Florida will be purchased for them when they decide to retire and for Dean, the promise of a job at the local pub and that's it." Ski said as he read the Will to himself.

"You don't think his parents and Dean new about the change in the Will, do you?" Mitch asked.

"You knew about David's wealth, didn't you Mitch?" Colleen asked.

"Yes, and I also knew that he changed his will about a month prior to the accident." Mitch replied.

"That's about the time he had the big argument with his parents." Ski said.

"Argument? What argument? Would someone please fill me in?" Colleen asked.

"His parents didn't want him to marry you and they wanted him to quit being a lifeguard and work full time as the head of Patrick's Pubs and not just go in on his days off from the beach." Ski hesitated at first to tell Colleen, but he knew he had to. She had to know.

"So his so called parents never really liked me, huh? Well, I suspected something to that effect when they never showed up to visit me the entire time I was in the hospital."

"So The McCollum's could be co-conspirators with Dean then, huh?" Ski said.

"Look's that way." Mitch said.

"Yeah, but would the police believe us if we told them what we know and what we suspect?" Colleen asked. She had begun thinking of how she could get the McCollums to incriminate themselves.

"I don't know, Collie. Why?" Ski asked.

"Then we'll have to come up with a way to get them to incriminate themselves." Colleen said and got up to leave the room.

"Where are you going?"

"I gotta think, therefore, I gotta get out of here. Distract Officer North while I make my getaway?" Collie asked.

"Better take my vehicle then." Mitch threw her the keys, "I know how to find you when I need the car back." he grinned.

"Thanks, guys. And I also know that you both know where I'm going. I'll meet you both back at Mitch's house in a few hours. Okay?"

Ski didn't even have time to object, Collie left quickly.

"Wait a minute. What just went on here?" Ski asked Mitch.

"We have to go distract Officer North. C'mon, I've got a plan." Mitch said. They went out to where Officer North was.

"Excuse me, Officer North?" Mitch asked.

"Yes."

"Detective Anders would like you to go to the hospital for back-up. Don't worry, Colleen is taking a bath right now. Ski and I can take care of her."

"If that's what Detective Anders wants. Thank you." Officer North got into his patrol car and headed over to the hospital. Mitch and Ski saw Colleen leave right after the patrol car was out of sight.

"C'mon, let's lock up the house and get over to your house before anyone gets back." Ski said.

"We have to leave a note first." Mitch replied.

 

"Mr. and Mrs. Dougherty, Colleen, Ski, and myself have gone out for awhile. Colleen needed air and didn't want a police escort. She's safe in our hands. We'll call to check in in a bit. Please don't worry." Mitch wrote down and stuck to the mirror in the hallway.

 

"You think they'll buy that?" Ski asked.

"Yeah, at least for a little while. I just hope Colleen doesn't stay at the apartment for too long. Hopefully, she'll park the truck in the garage." Mitch replied.

"Where's Kevin?"

"He's with Shawnee and Billy at headquarters. And Ganna's taking him to the movies tonight." Mitch said as they jumped into Colleen's car. Ski drove.

"What do we do first?"

"Think of how to expose the McCollums. See if they're suspects or victims."

"We're not detectives, Mitch."

"You're right, we're not, but we have to do this for David's memory and for Colleen's sanity. I want her back on the beach as soon as she's mentally and physically capable of doing so. I don't want her to have to worry about the McCollums coming after her and the fortune they never received." Mitch explained as Ski drove the way to Colleen and David's apartment. Mitch looked at Ski.

"I just want to make sure she got there okay." Ski said.

"I can tell in your face that something else went on the other day. The day of the rescue. You want to talk about it?"

"No, I'm fine. Honest, Mitch. I'm just looking out for her. You know how it is and you can't tell me that if you were driving you wouldn't be doing the same thing I'm doing." Ski told him.

"You're right. You're right. Let's drive by her house then get over to my house. We've got some serious brain storming to do." Mitch said. He sat back and looked out the window as Ski drove over to the apartment.

"Mitch. Mitch. Can you tell if she's in there?" Ski asked as he slowed the car.

"Huh? Oh, I haven't seen her. I can't tell." Mitch said as he looked at the apartment. Then he saw movement. "Wait, she's on the deck. Look's like she's on her phone." Just then the car phone rang.

"Hello?" Mitch said as he answered it.

"Hi, I was hoping it was you or Ski. Where are you guys?" Colleen was upset.

"Close, why?"

"Someone was in my apartment, and I don't mean Kevin. I don't think he wouldn’t leave a mess as bad as this." Colleen was really shaken.

"What's going on?" Ski said. He had stopped the car. Mitch put his hand over his mouth.

"Pull into her place. Someone trashed the apartment." Mitch told him. To Colleen he asked, "Are you okay?"

"Shaken, but not stirred." she joked.

"Okay. We're pulling in now." Mitch said.

"Good. I'll hang up then." Colleen said. She walked around the house and out to where they parked the car.

"What's happened." Ski asked as he came around and hugged her.

"The apartment is trashed. All the framed pictures are broken. The tapestry that David and I had done is ruined. I've called the police and Billy. They're on their way over. I can't believe this. This can't be happening." Colleen said and finally allowed herself to begin sobbing.

"I'm going to look inside. Stay here." Mitch instructed them. Mitch disappeared into the house.

"I can't do this anymore, Ski. I can't try to pretend that my entire world is not falling apart. I just can't!" Colleen said in-between sobs.

"It's okay, sweetie. Everything will be okay." Ski said as he stroked her hair.

Billy pulled up with Kevin.

"Colleen, I'm so sorry." Billy said.

"Where you here at all today?" Ski asked. Kevin had gone into the apartment.

"Around eight am, before my shift started."

"And the place was fine?"

"Everything was fine. I checked the messages and turned out the hallway light." Billy explained.

"Who could do this? Who?" Colleen said as she looked at the apartment.

"Let's go sit down. The police should be here soon." Ski said. They all sat down on the porch. Mitch and Kevin came out.

"You've got renter's insurance right?" Mitch asked.

"Yeah, but that doesn't help get back all the pictures and the other items that were so special to me and to David that were destroyed." Mitch sat down next to her.

"I understand, but it's a start. Do you have a list of every little item?"

"David made me keep one. It's in the safe, I'll go get it." Colleen said and went into the house.

"They had a safe?" Ski questioned.

"David wasn't stupid." Mitch replied. Sergeant Geoffries pulled up on his sand buggy. He was out of uniform.

"Shawnee told me what happened. Where's Colleen?" he asked.

"Inside. The apartment is a mess." Kevin said.

"I'd better go see what's keeping her." Ski said and excused himself from everyone.

"A unit is on the way. Nobody touch anything." Geoffries said.

 

"Colleen, where are you?" Ski asked. Colleen didn't reply. Ski went upstairs into the bedroom, he found her sitting on the floor of the walk in closet. She was looking at something. "Coll? What are you doing? Did you find the list?" he asked. She nodded her head. Ski walked over to her and saw that she was looking at a note and a box.

"What ya got?" Ski asked.

"It's from David. I guess he forgot to give it to me." she finally whispered. She knew what was in the box. A diamond engagement ring. She didn't want to read the note or open the box.

"Aren't you going to open them?" he asked.

"No. I can't." Colleen threw the box and the note back into the safe and locked it all back up. "Let's get back downstairs." She quickly got up and left the room.

 

"I'm the one who called you, officer." Colleen was telling the police officer as Ski came out of the house. "It doesn't look like anything was taken, however, anything that was worth anything has been badly damaged or destroyed as well as items that had much sentimental value. Here's a folder with a list of everything." Colleen handed the folder over to the officers.

"When did this happen?"

"Between 8:00am and forty-five minutes ago." Colleen said.

"In broad daylight. Boy, someone must be brave." one of the officers commented.

"Did anyone call Detective Anders?" Mitch asked.

"What do you want him for?" the other officer asked.

"Because my name happens to be Colleen Dougherty. Currently, there is an investigation on my missing niece and nephew who were just found in the park and the fact that my deceased fiancé left me a very wealthy fortune. This could be some connection." Colleen said.

"Very well. Morgan, better go call in and get a hold of him." the officer in charge directed. Officer Morgan walked back to the patrol car. "We'll wait until the Detective gets here before we go inside. Is that alright with you?"

"Thank you."

"Billy, why don't you and Kevin go over to the snack bar and get some sodas for everyone. I don't want anyone going into the kitchen to touch anything." Colleen said. She handed Kevin thirty dollars. "And, Kev, if you want some ice cream, you may get it." she said.

"Thank you. C'mon Billy." Kevin said after he hugged her.

"Buckle up, pal." Mitch said as Billy and Kevin pulled away.

"Officer Sully, is it?" Colleen said to the one in charge

"Yes, ma'am"

"You can go ahead and look around if you'd like, but you'll have a lot of climbing around to do. It's totally trashed in there." Colleen told him. "And I doubt if you and Officer Morgan will find any fingerprints other than mine, Ski's, Mitch's, Kevin's, and Billy's."

"Detective Anders wants us to wait until he and forensics get here. We've already taken everyone's statements. There's no need for you to remain." Officer Morgan replied.

"Excuse me, but this is my apartment and I'm not leaving until I'm satisfied that you have everything." Colleen told the officer. Officer Geoffries stepped in.

"Collie, take it easy. They're just doing their job." he said.

"I'm sorry Ken, but it's getting to the point where I don't even feel safe anywhere I go anymore. I'm going down to the beach. Excuse me." Colleen said and sped past everyone.

"Colleen, wait. I need the keys to my truck." Mitch yelled. She turned and threw them to him. "Thanks." he said as he caught them. Ski went to go after her.

"Whoa, boy. Where do you think you're going?" Ken Geoffries asked.

"To keep an eye on her." Ski replied.

"We can keep an eye on her from the patio. C'mon." Mitch said. They all went around back to the patio. Colleen's cellular phone rang. Ski answered it.

"Hello?"

"Ski? It's Mrs. Dougherty. Detective Anders said that Collie's apartment was broken into. How bad is it?"

"Pretty bad, Mrs. D. Collie's really upset. Some officers are here now and more are on the way. How are the twins?"

"Fine. They're playing with the dogs and pa. Have Collie call me when she's ready to talk and tell her that her room will be waiting for her if she wants to stay here with us."

"I will, Mrs. D. Don't worry. Give Jessie and Joey hugs from all of us. Bye." Ski said.

"Everything okay with the Doughertys?" Mitch asked.

"Yeah. Everything's fine. Guess where I found Colleen when I went into the apartment earlier?" Ski said.

"Where'd you find her?" Ken asked.

"She was in the walk-in closet in their bedroom. She was sitting on the floor staring at a sealed letter and a small box. She couldn't bring herself to open them."

"The engagement ring and the letter explaining everything he hadn't told her about his life." Mitch said out loud.

"I would imagine." Ski said he thought about what she told him when they were standing out by her car when he first got out of it. "She's on the edge. She told me she can't pretend that her world isn't falling apart, that she couldn't take it anymore."

"She'll be okay, eventually, Ski. You know that."

"I'm not so sure anymore, Mitch. Everytime she starts to get back on track, something happens that pulls her back into this depression. I don't know what to do to help her anymore. I really don't." Ski said shaking his head.

"Just keep on doing what you've been doing. You've been friends for a long time. She needs the stability you give her and the strength you give her.

They heard Billy and Kevin pull up.

 

"Dad! Dad! Guess what!" Kevin said as he ran onto the patio.

"What is it?"

"We just saw Dean McCollum at the mini-mart getting gas." Billy said.

"Are you sure?" Ski asked, "Are you absolutely sure?"

"Positive. When I said hello he said hello back and asked me how I was doing." Kevin asked. Ski jumped out of his chair and ran for the car.

"Ski! Wait! Don't jump to any conclusions." Mitch ran after him. He was too late. Ski peeled out of the driveway. "Kevin, Billy, Stay here. Don't say anything to Collie about this. I'll be back as soon as I can." Mitch instructed.

"Where's Colleen?" Billy shouted to Mitch as Mitch got into the truck.

"Walking the beach." Mitch took off after Ski.

"Well, kid. I guess it's just you and me. Pull up a chair and enjoy the weather." Billy said as he opened a soda and sat down on the steps leading to the beach.

"Does love always hurt so much?" Kevin asked. He was looking at Colleen just staring at the ocean.

"Sometimes. You should really talk to your dad about this. He could answer better than I can."

"I know, but sometimes dads aren't the best people to talk to. Especially right now, with everything that's going on. And my mom thinks everything's just hunky dory."

"I know everything is overwhelming to you right now concerning this mess with Colleen, but hang in there." Billy looked at Kevin.

"You're going to be a good father. I'm going to go down to the water."

"Okay, fishman."

"Can't help it. Love the water." Kevin smiled and ran off down the beach. Detective Anders came up behind Billy along with Ken Geoffries.

"Billy? Where's everyone?" Ken asked.

"I think Morgan and Sully are inside. Colleen's on the beach and Mitch and Ski went to the mini-mart." Billy turned to look at the officers.

"Okay, I'll go talk to Colleen. Geoffries, could you show forensics into the apartment?" Detective Anders asked.

"Sure thing." Ken Geoffries went back to the front of the apartment and Detective Anders walked down to where Colleen was sitting.

 

An hour later.

"Damn. We almost had him." Ski said as he slammed the door shut when he and Mitch returned from going after Dean.

"Had who?" Colleen asked. She had just come off the beach.

"No one." Ski said and walked out onto the patio. He noticed that Detective Anders and the Forensics team had arrived. Colleen followed him.

"Collie, while you were down on the beach, you're mom called. She wants you to call her back. She said that your room is waiting for you." Ski said while looking out at the ocean.

"Thanks, but I'm staying here. My mom is coming over and she's bringing the dogs." She put a hand on his shoulder.

"I can't talk you into staying with your parents or me, can I?" Ski quietly asked.

"No. Look at me, Ski." Colleen said. Ski turned around to face her. "We're not running from anyone or anything. There's going to be a guard at my front door and one inside with me at all times for the next few weeks. It is my understanding that Dean McCollum escaped from the hospital. No doubt he had help from his parents."

"How'd you know?" Ski was surprised.

"Kevin told me he saw Dean at the mini-mart and that you and Mitch went after him without police support. That was really stupid by the way. So I talked with Detective Anders and called my parents and decided that I wanted bodyguards so to speak so I got them. They should be arriving shortly and when I'm not with them, I'm with you, Mitch, or my father. This is what I agreed to." Colleen told him.

"Thank goodness." Ski hugged her.

"The police are just about finished with my apartment. We took two pictures of everything so that the insurance company could have a set of pics as proof of all the damage. An investigator is on the way. Oh, Billy went to get a grill so we're having dinner outside tonight."

"You're okay with the bodyguards and everyone hovering over you and everything?"

"No, but I have to live with it for now." Colleen said.

"Remember what you said to me when I first got here earlier this afternoon?"

"About what?"

"That you can't try to pretend that your entire world is not falling apart. That you couldn't take it anymore?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Because right now you seem to be fine and you're getting through this mess okay so far. Your world isn't falling apart too bad." Ski said. She had turned around and leaned on the railing. Ski put his arms around her and held her in an embrace. "I won't let your world fall any further apart. You can get as down as you want about everything, but I'm going to pick up the pieces and help you rebuild your life. Understand?" he whispered into her ear. She nodded for him to show that she understood. They heard the dogs running over to them from behind them.

"Mickey, Minnie, come to momma." Colleen said and knelt down to greet the dogs.

"Minnie's been wining for you since you left for New York." Mrs. Dougherty said as she came into view.

"Ski, could you help Mitch unload my car?" Mrs. Dougherty asked.

"Sure thing, Mrs. D. Excuse me." Ski said to both Colleen and her mother and went to help Mitch.

"Thanks for coming mom and for bringing the dogs." Colleen gave her mother a hug.

"Your welcome. Now, what was that between you and Ski?" her mother asked.

"A hug mother." Colleen said and went back to playing with the dogs.

"He loves you, you know."

"I know mom. I know. He and I already discussed his feelings a few days ago."

"What about your feelings for him?" her mother sat down on one of the chairs.

"Please mom. David is barely buried 24 hours and you want me to think of my feelings for another man?"

"David's been gone for two months. He wouldn't want you to be alone and sad." she said.

"I need to grieve for him and for what we almost had mom. I can't think of romance right now." Colleen defended herself.

"Okay, okay. I'll back off. I just want to see you happy again, little one."

"You will ma. I promise. C'mon, let's go assess the damage to the apartment and see what we can get done tonight." Colleen said. "Kevin? Kevin?" Colleen yelled out toward the beach. Kevin turned toward her.

"Yeah?"

"Keep an eye on Mickey and Minnie for me?" she asked.

"Okay." Kevin said and called the dogs. They went running to him.

"Where do you want the grill?" Billy asked.

"Over in the far corner please. Oh, were you able to get some chairs?"

"Yeah, Ganna and Shawnee are bringing some over from HQ. And Dougie, Roe, MJ, and Matt went grocery shopping and I've got to go feed the baby." Billy said.

"You brought Billy, Jr? I still haven't seen him yet." Colleen said.

"Mitch is making goo-goo eyes at him." Billy said.

"Well then we'd better go save him." Colleen said. All three of them went into the apartment.

"Colleen Dougherty?" a guy in a gray suit asked.

"Yes?"

"I'm Ashton Pressman, with State Farm. I'm here to assess your damages. I've already gotten the preliminary police report from Detective Anders."

"Did I hear someone say my name?" Detective Anders walked into the living room.

"As I was saying. You've kept terrific records of everything. Have you had a chance to go through the rooms to determine what was irreparable?"

"Everything is marked on the list for you and we have a set of pictures for you." Colleen said. Detective Anders handed him the list and the pictures.

"Colleen, I'm truly sorry about this. Whoever did this is sick."

"Thank you Mr. Pressman. You'll let me know about a settlement?" Colleen asked as she walked him to the door.

"Certainly. I'll be in touch." Mr. Pressman said and quickly left.

"I'd better get down to the station and file my report. Officer North will be here shortly and someone will be here to relieve him in the morning. If you have any questions, you know how to reach me."

"Thanks, Detective Anders."

"Please call me Max. I have a feeling we'll be working with each other for some time."

"Okay, thanks...Max." Colleen said. She watched him and the other officers leave.

"Let the clean-up begin!" Billy announced.

"On who? The house or the baby." Mrs. Dougherty teased. They all looked toward the baby. He was covered in brownies.

"Oh, no. Now I know where the brownies went!" Billy cried.

"I'll clean up the baby." Colleen volunteered.

"The diaper bag is in the hallway." Billy said as he ran into the kitchen to get something to clean up the baby's chair.

"Come to aunt Colleen, B.J." Colleen said as she picked up the baby. "Boy, is Shawnee gonna laugh about this one." Colleen giggled to her mother.

"Remind me to tell you about your father when you and Ben were little." Mrs. Dougherty said and headed in the direction of the kitchen. Colleen took the baby up to the main bathroom to clean and change.

 

"This place is looking better already." Colleen said a few hours later. Dougie, Roe, Matt, MJ, Shawnee, and Ganna had shown up shortly after Colleen went to change the baby and begun cleaning up the apartment.

"I was going to start on the bedroom, but the troops are starting to get hungry." Mrs. Dougherty said as she came out of the bathroom. Colleen had just finished putting the linen closet back together.

"It's okay, mom. I'll handle the bedroom myself. Let's get dinner started." Colleen ran downstairs and into the living room.

"Okay, who brought the TV over?" she asked as soon as she noticed it. Her father came out of the kitchen.

"I did. Your mom called a little while ago and told me how your old one was broken so I brought this one from your bedroom over as a loner."

"Thanks, Daddy. Where's everyone else?"

"Kitchen and patio. We've begun dinner. Is that okay?" Ganna asked as she came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands.

"Yes, it is."

"Good. Now, go on out onto the patio and enjoy the breeze. You're supposed to be taking it easy. Remember?" her father said.

"Could I have a gingerale?"

"Sodas are out on the patio in a cooler. Oh, I just sent Mitch to get some fruit for desert and you're going to have to restock your refrigerator. Everything in it was pretty warm and whatever I couldn't save, I threw out." Ganna replied.

"Okay, thanks again." Colleen said and went out onto the patio. Ski was standing on the opposite end of the patio, away from everyone else. She went over to him after grabbing a soda. "Hey, you okay?" she asked.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" he whispered.

"You're the one over here by yourself." she told him.

"True." was all he replied.

"Penny for your thoughts?" she tried to get a smile out of him. She succeeded.

"Just watching the waves break on shore. I love this time of day, just after the sun sets..."

"The colors of the sky before the day goes completely away and the darkness of the night takes over." Colleen interrupted. She had been watching the sky also.

"Whoa! This is too real." Ski said and shook his head.

"What do you mean?" Colleen asked. Kevin interrupted them.

"Colleen? Can I play Nintendo?" he asked.

"Only if no one else is watching the TV." she said. Then she lost her train of thought.

"Hey Ski? Did you want to play grillmeister?" Mitch shouted over to them.

"Nah, you go ahead, Grillmeister Mitch." Ski laughed. "C'mon, Coll...let's take a walk." Ski said and grabbed her hand. She didn't pull away, instead she walked with him down to the water. Mickey and Minnie were hot on their heels.

"What's the matter Ski?"

"My feelings for you are the problem, Colleen Marie. Just when I think I've got a handle on them, you do something or say something that makes me love you even more and then my feelings are out of control again. You know what I did earlier today?" he asked. Colleen shook her head no. 

 (Meanwhile, back on the patio)

"Ski's been awfully quiet tonight, Mitch. Is he alright?" Roe asked as she and Doug brought out some hamburgers and hot dogs to be cooked. They had seen Ski and Colleen walk down to the water.

"Nothing time won't heal and the love of a woman won't heal." Mitch replied. He continued to look at them for a few minutes before going back to the grill.

"Billy and Kevin had told us that they saw Dean at the mini-mart. I didn't think or anything. I got into the car and sped down there like a mad man because my anger for that man is beyond belief. Lucky for me, Mitch came after me and stopped me from searching the docks."

"Why did you do it? Why did you go after him and don't tell me it was out of anger. Just how deep are your feelings for me?" Colleen wanted to know.

"I've never loved someone or something as much as I love you. I'd do anything and everything for you. If I could bring Dave back to see you happy again, I'd do it in a heartbeat." Ski spoke. Colleen silenced him with her finger.

"Ski...I don't know what to say...I can't make you any promises. Hell, I can't make myself any promises right now. Like I said the other day, I can't promise you that I'm ever going to return those feelings. But, I'm willing to give you and me a try for both you and me and for David. I know that David would want me to be happy and would want me to carry on with life." Colleen told him. She was still watching the water.

"If most of our friends and your parents weren't watching us, I'd kiss you right now." Ski could only reply. Colleen burst out laughing. "What? What'd I say?" he questioned.

"My mom cornered me today and basically told me to go for it." Colleen answered. Ski began laughing also.

 

"I wonder what they're laughing at?" Matt said as he, Billy, and Shawnee were talking about the rescues of the day.

"Who cares, as long as they're laughing." Shawnee said as she hugged Billy.

"I hope Colleen comes back to work soon. I miss the practical jokes she'd pull on me and everyone else." Dougie said.

"Hopefully, she'll be back at work within the month." Mitch said as he flipped a burger.

"That's wonderful." Shawnee said.

"She'll have to do desk work until she's back up to speed, but, I'll look forward to having her back." Mitch said.

 

"I love your mother. She's so up front about everything." Ski said when they finally stopped laughing. They were laughing so hard that they both fell to the ground. The dogs were trying to lick their faces.

"Don't let my mother hear you say that. She'll have us married by the end of the week." Colleen said. Ski looked at her and she looked at him.

"We'd better get back." he said after he cleared his throat.

"Yeah, Mickey... Minne... come." Colleen called the dogs. Ski helped her up and walked ahead of her back to the patio.

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