Precious Gifts
(Part 2)
by
JoyLepper

****************************************************************************

Chris woke up to the heavenly smell of eggs and bacon. As he stretched out it dawned on him that Rita was gone. He was disappointed. He was looking forward to waking up with her in his arms. "Sammy? Where are you?" he said getting out of the sleeping bag.

"Over here Sam." She was busy cooking. "When I got up this morning I started looking around in the car. Donnie said it had everything you need for a complete camp out. With a stove and everything." he walked over to her and stood behind her and wrapped her in his arms. "Ammm, that feels good." she leaned back against him, closed her eyes and let the feeling of him soak through her whole body.

"Good morning Sunshine, you feel so good in my arms." he whispered into her ear before kissing her on the cheek. "You need any help ?" he asked her while stepping away from her. She wasn't prepared for him to move and she fell back a little.

"Hey, where'd you go?" she said getting her balance again and looking around for him. She grabbed him and wrapped his arms around her again and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"You like that huh?" he smiled with the infamous Lorenzo smile.

"Yeah Sam, you could say that." she smiled right back. The smile on both of their faces started to disappear as he leaned down to gently caress her lips with his. "I like that too." Rita said before deepening the kiss. As the kiss grew more urgent, Chris groaned and pulled her tighter to him. Reaching his arousal threshold, Chris pulled back and smiled at Rita while pushing the hair out of her eyes and behind her ears.

"Sammy?" he said as he leaned in and softly kissed her again.

"Yeah" she had her eyes closed and she was totally lost in the feelings she was having for him.

"Breakfast is burning." he said while continuing to kiss her neck. After realizing what he said, she opened her eyes quick.

"Oh, man..." she jumped out of his arms and picked up the pan and took it off the camp stove. "See what you make me do Christopher? You make me forget what I'm doing." she laughed while she looked at the burnt eggs. "You still hungry Sam?" she questioned him while holding the pan out for him to see.

"Sure. Is there any catsup in there?" he said taking the pan away from her.

"You can't be serious Chris. You're really going to eat that? That's gross" she had her nose curled up.

"What? This is what all of your cooking tastes like." he grinned as he poured catsup all over the eggs.

"Hey!" she said jabbing him in the ribs while he was laughing. "Keep that up and I won't ever cook for you again." she threatened.

"And the downside there is?" he smiled while eating the eggs. "Hey these are pretty good burned." he put his arm around her waist while she was standing up next to him looking down not believing he was actually sitting at the picnic table eating it. "You know I'm just teasing you right Sammy. Please forgive me." looking up at her with the big puppy dog eyes.

"Yeah right. I may forgive Chris, but I don't forget." she smiled wickedly at him as she walked around the table to sit across from him. She sat quietly drinking her coffee when he asked what was wrong.

"Are you all right Rita?" as he was wiping his mouth with a napkin, he reached across the table and took her hand in his. "I was just kidding."

"Oh, no its not that Sam. What are we going to do now?" she looked him straight in eyes.

"I don't know Sammy. Where do we even begin?" he pushed the plate away and took a drink of his coffee.

"How about you telling me what you can remember Chris. What happened?" she said concerned.

"Well, when we got into the hotel room I got her a drink and we were sitting on the couch. She offered me the deal for the drugs. I told her I would take them all now and showed her my badge and got my handcuffs out. Then it gets really fuzzy. I don't know, I think someone hit me from behind." he was looking in the distance trying to search his memories for any clue. "What do you remember Sammy?"

"Well, I remember everything just like you said, but when she offered you the drugs, you said you wanted them now. Then Veronica pleaded with you. She said No Sam please don't."

"Sammy, I was getting ready to handcuff her. That's why she was begging me no." when he looked at her, she had a frown on her face. "What is it Rita?" he reached over to rub her arm.

"Sam, when I got up to the room, you were no where to be seen and Veronica was in the bedroom practically naked, no she was completely naked Sam." she looked up into his eyes almost afraid what he was going to tell her.

Walking over to her side of the picnic table he remarked, "No, don't look at me that way. We were no where near the bedroom and she had on every article of clothing last I remembered." he had his hands in the air and shaking his hands like he was innocent as he sat down next to her.

Rita smiled and jumped into his arms and hugged him like there was no tomorrow. "I told Cap you would never do that. I knew it." she hugged him tighter to her.

"You didn't doubt me did you?" he asked pulling her away from him so he could look into her eyes. The love and respect he found there answered his question.

"Never. I could never doubt you Chris." with his face in her hands and in a very serious tone, she added, "You are the strongest, smartest, kindest, most wonderful man I have ever known." he was looking her straight in the eyes with a very serious expression on his face.

"I love you sunshine." he said leaning into her and kissing her passionately.

"I love you too Chris." she said bringing him into her embrace.

Chris and Rita where out taking a walk in the woods, discussing their next plan of action and walking off breakfast when it started to rain. Luckily they were close to their campsite and car when it started. They started running to the car trying to get out of the rain before they were totally drenched when Chris started frantically searching for the keys.

"Sam are we locked out?" Rita laughed while they were getting drenched by the rain. He was checking all of his pockets frantically when she reached over and started putting her hands into his pockets, trying to help. He was laughing because she had her hands in his back pockets and she was goosing him more than helping him.

"Stop it Sammy, I'm never going to be able to find it if you keep that up." he was batting her hands away and she was laughing. Figuring they were probably in the tent, he grabbed her and made a mad dash for the it. He unzipped the tent and they both fell into it at the same time. Chris landed on top of a laughing wet Rita and when he looked down at her, he had to catch his breath. His desire for her hit him very hard and swift. He sat up and zipped the tent closed and then lay down on top of her taking her into his arms and when she looked up at him, she had a startled, yet very aroused look on her face. They laid there for a couple of minutes just looking into each others eyes, when Chris slowly leaned down and took possession of her lips. It was soft yet demanding at first, but then it turned hard and totally consuming.

"Oh, I want you so much Sammy." he was taking her wet sweatshirt off her while seducing her with his hungry, loving eyes. Before she could respond to his much welcomed confession, he had her engulfed in a wet, deeply erotic kiss. His tongue was charging into her mouth with a force that would not be denied. All Rita could do was lay there and submit to him. That is all she wanted to do. She moaned in pure ecstasy as he cupped her face with both of his hands and his mouth and his kiss did its best to steal her very soul.

He was a man completely out of control as his warm breath and lips covered every inch of her neck, making its way down further. As his hands made their way down to the bottom of her shirt, they wasted no time lifting the wet article of clothing off her body. When he heard her moan his name, "Chris........" his mouth covered hers again, trying desperately to convey the love he felt for her. She was not going to let him have all of the fun. After untucking his shirt and pulling it off him, she reached down and unbuttoned his shorts and pulled down the zipper. It was Chris' turn to moan in agony as she reached down inside of his shorts and wrapped her hand tightly around his arousal.

"Rita....Rita" he uttered as he took off her shorts and wiggled out of his. He lowered himself down on top of her and entered her with the pent up hunger of 5 long years. Trying to be very careful not to hurt her, he thrust himself into her wanting desperately to quench this hot, frantic need for her. Only the need was growing hotter and stronger with each passionate kiss. He thought he was going to explode with desire for her.

She wrapped her legs around him trying desperately to get closer. She never knew a stronger yet gentler touch than his. She kept urging him further, faster and deeper. "Chris, don't stop. Chris, faster." she laid her head back and arched her back up as his mouth devoured her breasts. He suckled on her breasts, making her lose complete touch with reality. "Chris, more, please more." he looked up at her and her eyes were closed and the look of desire on her face, made him cross that arousal threshold.

"Oh Sammy, come to me." he begged her as his mouth covered hers. She reached up and ran her hands through his hair as his rhythm picked up pace and her tongue searched deeper into his mouth looking for fulfillment.

As she reached her peak, she stopped kissing him and lay her head back, closed her eyes and took in the greatest pleasure she had ever felt. She was laying in his arms shaking and screaming his name, "Chris!" she had her arms and legs wrapped tightly around him as he kept up the pace. The sound of her reaching the heights of ecstasy took him right with her.

"Rita do you know what you're doin to me? More Sammy. I need more!" he pleaded and sighed as he reached the pinnacle of desire. He was nuzzling her neck and whispering seductively in her ear as he tried to prolong the hottest, sexual experience of his life. As their breathing calmed down, he rolled over taking her with him, leaving her on top of him. He was about to release himself from her, when she softly spoke.

"Don't leave me yet Sam. Stay in me a little bit longer, please. I Love you and I want to be with you as long as we can." she lifted her head up off his chest and looked in his eyes. He smiled at her and then kissed her on the forehead.

"If I had my way Sunshine, I would never leave you." he pulled her closer to him and hugged her tightly to his chest. A couple of hours later, Chris woke up to find Rita on her side, propped up on her elbow watching him sleep. "Hey there beautiful. What are you looking at?" he reached up and pushed the hair out of her eyes.

"The most remarkable man I have ever met. My best friend, my other half and the love of my life." she whispered in his ear as she leaned down to kiss him. When she got back up on her elbow, she noticed he was sporting the biggest smile she had ever seen. Smiling at him she changed the subject and started to tell him of an idea she had. "Chris, I have been thinking. Do you think you could get a hold of Cotton? I think he could help us. We need some way of getting to Cap without being seen. I think Cotton is just the person we need."

"I think I could do that......and not only are you beautiful, you are smart too. Damn smart." he said kissing her forehead and smiling at her.

"You're just now figuring that out?" she joked with him as he took her into his arms again.

****************************************************************************

It took Chris and Rita the rest of the day to find Cotton. He was in Fort Lauderdale working on his next scam. Chris and Rita spotted him in the mall trying to sell ocean front property in Arizona. "Missy, this is the sweetest spot in all of Arizona and it's right on the ocean. You will never find a better deal."

"Oh, I think she could find a better deal. Maam, I suggest you stick to Realtors when wanting to buy land." Chris said to the woman while shaking his head at Cotton. The woman realizing she was almost taken got away as fast as she could.

"Why if it isn't my two favorite felons." Cotton remarked to Chris and Rita.

"What are you talking about Cotton? I'm the only felon here." he looked confused.

"Nope, they put out a warrant for Lance here this morning." he was looking at Rita and she had a worried look on her face.

"Don't worry Sam. We knew it would be only a matter of time before they did this to you, too." he took her into his arms and tried to comfort her.

"I know. I just didn't think it would happen so fast." she said accepting his comfort. Looking at Cotton she started to question him. "Cotton, what have you heard?"

"Well, word on the streets is that you two have been set up and set up good. I don't know any names, but it was definitely by someone in the department. You two have really ticked someone off , haven't you?" he stated a little concerned for his friends.

"Did you hear anything else?" Chris asked hopeful.

"I did hear that it was a man and a woman that have done this. The woman is not in the department, but the man is. I put out the word that I want to know who it is ASAP. I said there was a reward for the information. I knew you two would be willing to fork over a little dough to get this solved." Cotton stated coyly.

"Cotton Dunn you will never change. Here I am in the biggest jam of my life and you are hitting me up for money. How many times have I gotten your sorry butt out of jail huh? How many times has Rita here gotten Beauty out of the pound for you?" he said amused, not angry. He learned a long time ago to not bother getting angry with Cotton. It didn't do any good.

Taking Cotton by the collar of his shirt, Rita pulled him out of the mall. "Cotton you are going to help us find out who is doing this to us, with or without money. Do I make myself clear or I will have Beauty impounded faster than you can say "scrap metal". Understand?" she said with the Lance fire in her eyes. Chris stood back watching her in action. He had a grin on his face when she looked over at him. "Do you think this is funny Mr. Lorenzo? Or do I need to have a private talk with you too?" she said smiling at him. He took her into his arms and replied.

"Oh, No Miss Lance. I'm smart enough to not get on your bad side." he kissed her deeply and remarked again, "Of course, if this is part of the punishment I could find some way to get into trouble." he smiled and she jabbed him in the gut. Cotton stood back with a shocked look on his face.

"When did this happen? When did you fall for the lovely Sgt. Lance, Chris buddy?" referring to their new romantic relationship.

Looking into her eyes, Chris said, "The first moment I laid my eyes on her." She smiled at him and then gave him another kiss. After a couple of minutes, they were pulled out of their own private world as they heard Cotton clearing his throat.

"Hey I'm a romantic and I believe in love as much as the next guy, but don't we have a couple of bad guys to catch." he looked at them and shook his head while smiling. His remarks didn't phase them. "Hey, you would think you two are on your honeymoon, not on the lamb." he pulled them apart as an embarrassed Rita stood there blushing over his remark. Chris stood there looking into her eyes and just grinned. He quietly remarked.

"I wish it was." he kissed a stunned Rita one more time. Clearing his throat trying to get back to the matter at hand, Chris started formulating a plan. "First, lets get back to the camp and put a plan together." Chris was opening the door for Rita and Cotton. "Get in Cotton."

Cotton hesitated because he heard Chris say Camp. "Did you say camp Chris ole buddy?"

"Yep I did. Do you have a problem with that?" he said sternly.

"Chris, pal, I don't do camping. I am strictly a hotel, room service kind of guy." he remarked shaking his head refusing to get into the car.

"Cotton, just think of the tent as the Hilton and the campfire as a fireplace. Now, I suggest you get into the car before we add kidnapping to my list of crimes." he stated shaking his head laughing at a defeated Cotton.

****************************************************************************

A couple of hours later after dinner, they started putting the plan together. "Cotton, I need you to find a way for Rita and I to get to Cap. It has to be as if we are invisible. If Cap gets spotted talking to us, his career is gone too." Chris watched as Cotton shook his head to acknowledge he understood. "Rita, I need you to start making a list of possible suspects, I need a list of women and a list of men. Anyone that you think could be carrying a grudge against us."

"Sam, we have ticked off a lot of people in our life. That could be a pretty long list." she looked into his eyes with an overwhelmed expression.

"I know Sammy. Just try to do the best you can. Right now I suggest we all get some sleep. It is going to be a very long day tomorrow." he put his arm around Rita and then asked her a question. "What are we going to do with Mr. Dunn here. I don't think three of us are going to fit into this tent." he said looking at the tent.

Cotton jumped in with a reply. "Why don't you two take the tent and I will sleep in the car? Hand me the keys Chris and I will go to bed. I'm sure you two want to be alone." he smiled and Rita blushed.

"Sounds good to me." Chris grinned and wiggled his eyebrows up and down at Rita.

"As tempting as that sounds Sam, do you really want to trust Cotton with the car and the keys. I think it would be better if you two took the tent and I slept in the car. That way we could keep an eye on him." she smiled when she saw the disappointment in his eyes. "I know Sam, I feel the same way, and as soon as this is done, I will make it up to you." she said seductively.

"Promise?" he said like a pouting little boy.

"Promise!" she stood on her tiptoe and put her arms around his neck and kissed him slow, hard and deep. He responded by putting his arms around her waist and pulling her tightly to him.

"How am I going to make it though the night without you? I need you." he said with smoldering hot desire in his eyes. He leaned down and whispered in her ear, "I want you so much Rita. I need to feel your body next to mine." as he leaned down to kiss her again.

Cotton grabbed his arm and pulled him off her and was pushing him into the tent. "Man, buddy, you have it bad for her don't you?" Chris mouthed to Rita, "I love you." and she smiled and blew him a kiss good night.

"I love you too. Sweet dreams." she smiled at him and his heart just ached to go to her and show her how much she meant to him. "Good night Cotton." Rita said sarcastically.

"Wow, do you two even know that someone else exists on the planet. Good night Rita. I will take good care of him for you." he nodded his head and laughed as he got into the tent. Chris and Rita were looking at each other and laughing at Cotton's remark, when all of the sudden their smiles disappeared. Chris couldn't resist. He had to kiss her one more time. She felt the same way and they met halfway from the car and the tent. Chris took her into his arms and his mouth sought out hers.

"Oh Rita......." he said as they came up for air. "How am I going to get through the night?" he stated sadly. Rita looked up into his eyes and the lust for him was so overpowering to him, that he lost control. "Sammy....." he started kissing her again. His kisses were slow, deep and wet. His desire for her was evident with each stroke his hands made under her sweatshirt. Before they both knew what was happening, Chris had Rita on top of the picnic table and he was about to unzip her jeans.

Rita encouraged his every move with a move of her own. She had already undone his belt and unzipped his jeans. Her hand made its way into his pants and she was working his manhood in her hands. As Chris cried out in sheer pleasure, she was kissing his neck. His mouth sought out hers. He needed to taste her. His need for her was unstoppable and endless. He was kissing her fast and hard.

"More Sam, please Chris more..." she whispered in his ear. It was her turn to moan as his hands made their way up under her sweatshirt to her breast. His hands massaged her breast making her nipples harden under his attack. This sent a powerful sensation throughout Rita's whole body. Meanwhile, her handling of Chris was harder and faster and he was loosing control fast.

"Oh, Sammy...do you have any idea what you are doing to me?" because of her stroking and pumping of his manhood, he was hard as a rock and ready for her. "Now, Rita. I want you right now." he started to unzip her jeans and was about to take them off her when they heard Cotton's voice.

"Hey you two, this is a family campground. Get a room will ya? Like I said, you two might as well be on your honeymoon." he shook his head and laughed as he slipped back into the tent. Chris laid his head down on Rita's chest as he tried to bring he body back under control. Even though they both knew that they couldn't make love tonight, Rita didn't withdrawal her hand from his manhood. She softly and slowly caressed him. The feel of her stroking him was more than he could handle. "Sammy...." he said closing his eyes and enjoyed the intimate massage. Bring his head back up to look in her eyes, he began to speak. "Sammy, promise me that we will be on our honeymoon one day. Promise me that you will be my wife and that you will never leave me." he said with so much love in his eyes.

With tears in her eyes and a smile on her face, she withdrew her hand from him and framed his face with her hands. "I promise Chris. I love you so much. You are my other half and you complete me. I am yours forever. If the truth be known, I always have been." she smiled and then kissed him gently. She reached down and zipped his pant back up while he zipped hers back up. He pulled her up off the picnic table and walked her over to the car.

"Good night my love." he said softly and lovingly.

"Good night Chris. I love you." she reached up and gave him one final kiss.

"I love you, too." he hugged her and then let her go and opened the car door for her. "Sleep well Sammy." he kissed her on the forehead and then headed for the tent, preparing himself for a long lonely night.

****************************************************************************

The next morning both Chris and Cotton woke up in a bad mood. Chris couldn't believe that he spent all of his life sleeping without Rita Lee Lance by his side, but now he didn't get one wink of sleep without her. It didn't help that Cotton complained all night about having to sleep on the ground.

Since he couldn't sleep, he got up early and started to fix breakfast for Rita and Cotton. As the coffee started to kick in, he started to feel better and soon he was his old self, whistling and humming. He turned on the radio and started singing with Aretha. He was dancing around and singing into the spoon he was using to cook with. "R-E-S-P-E-C-T, that is what it means to me. R-E-S-P-E-C-T" Rita heard him stirring outside and got up. She opened the door quietly so she could watch him. She was trying very hard not to laugh as she watched him perform. When the song ended she couldn't hold it in anymore.

"Whoa!!!!", she whistled and clapped her hands. Chris turned around slowly, embarrassed that he got caught acting silly. "That my friend, was quite a concert." she said smiling at him and hugging him.

Not wanting her to get the last word and trying to get himself out of the embarrassing situation he remarked, "then that will be $45 for the front row tickets please." he pulled her to him and kissed her gently on the lips.

"I don't have $45 Sam. Will you take an IOU?" she loved how they always joked and kidded each other.

"Nope, no can do Sgt. Lance. All services have to paid for up front." she was jabbing him in the ribs so he reconsidered. "I'll tell you what, I will take another kiss from you and then we will call it even. What cha think?" he said smiling at her and holding her tightly in his arms.

"I think you have yourself a deal." she reached up and put her arms around his neck and slowly pulled him down to her. She started kissing him with a sweet little kiss, but he took over and soon the kiss was hot, deep and completely engulfing.

By the time Cotton slipped out of the tent, Chris and Rita were dancing to the music on the radio and they were kissing in between smiles and laughs. Cotton rubbed his eyes, "Awe man, don't you two ever stop?" Cotton was in a very bad mood and only coffee could help alleviate it.

Pulling away from Chris and grinning at him, Rita addressed Cotton, "looks like someone got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning." she stepped away from Chris and started to pour herself a cup of coffee. "Sam want another cup of coffee?" she asked Chris happily.

"Yeah, thanks Sammy. Breakfast is almost ready. Everyone have a seat." he brought over the eggs and bacon and the three of them went over their day again. "Cotton, where do you need to be dropped off today?" he said wiping his mouth with a napkin.

After his cup of Java, Cotton was back to his sweet, good nature self. "Drop me back at the mall so I can pick up Beauty. I will meet you and Rita back here at noon." After cleaning up the dishes, they were on their way. Rita stayed behind to start the list Chris asked for as Chris took Cotton back to town. When Chris got back to the camp, Rita was gone. He looked for a note, but found nothing. He started to panic, what if someone found them here. They could have grabbed her. He started to yell for her as he walked the paths around the campground.

When he got back to their campsite, she was still missing. He sat down at the picnic table and lowered his head into his hands. What was he going to do?

"Whatcha doin Sam?" Rita said walking up behind him and startling him. He spun around and reached for her and hugged her so tight. When he saw that she was safe and in his arms, he let his emotions get the better of him. "Where have you been Rita?" he said angrily. He was looking into a pair of confused green eyes. "You should have left me a note. I didn't know where you were." he had her by the arms now and his grip was cutting off her circulation. Big mistake.

Rita looked down at his hands on her arms and then back up at him and gave him a warning look. He had 1 minute to let her go or he would find out exactly what she learned at her last self defense class. Seeing the look in her eyes, he let go and calmed down. When he let go, she immediately turned to leave. She was very angry at him. She didn't have to tell anyone where she went. Halfway down the path, she heard Chris calling to her.

"Wait up Sam, please." he was pleading with her. He knew he really did it this time. Rita just kept walking and ignoring his pleas. "I'm sorry Sammy. Please stop." This heart filled plea got through to her. She stopped in her tracks and slowly turned around and looked at him.

"I don't have to ask permission from anyone about where and when I can go somewhere. Do you understand that?" her voice was filled with anger, but when she saw the hurt in his eyes, she calmed down.

"I'm sorry Sunshine. I didn't mean to get angry or say such a stupid thing, it was just I was so scared. I thought they found us and they had you. I know you don't need to tell me where you are every single second, but I think these are special circumstances. We need to be able to know where each one of us is at every minute now. There's a lot at stake." he had her in his arms and he was kissing her forehead.

"I'm sorry Chris, you're right. I don't know what came over me. I think I got an Eric flashback and it kind of scared me. He always wanted to know where I was going and with whom., and I over reacted, please forgive me. Next time I will leave a note, I promise." she hugged him.

"No, I'm the one that over reacted. I'm the one who needs to apologize. It won't happen again." he closed his eyes and let the feel of her in his arms wash all over him. Thinking back on what she said, he questioned her. "Sammy, why did Eric want to know where you were all of the time?" he was curious.

"He thought for sure I was seeing someone behind his back. He was so jealous. I can't tell you how many fights we got into over this." she took his hand in hers and they started to walk back toward the camp.

"Who did he think you were seeing?" he couldn't imagine Eric not trusting her. She was the most stand up person he had ever known.

With a smile, she stopped and waited for him to look at her. "You." This revelation completely surprised him.

"What? I never gave him any reason to be jealous did I Sam?" he was thinking back and he was never anything but a gentleman where Rita was concerned.

"He always told me that you were in-love with me. I didn't believe him of course. You had Jillian. I was sure you were in-love with her." She couldn't look him in the face when she mentioned Jillian's name. Jillian was a constant source of pain for her. She would ache inside when Chris would tell her how much he loved Jillian.

"He was right Sammy. I was and am in-love with you." he stated a little guilty. If he had spoken up sooner, Rita wouldn't have had such a miserable few months then.

"What? Chris, you were always telling me how much you loved Jillian. How could you love her and me at the same time?" they had reached the picnic table again and they sat down next to each other. Chris was trying to think of a way to tell her what he was feeling back then. Reaching for her hands, he tried to explain.

"Rita, you don't know how many times I would make love to Jillian and wish that it was you. I know that wasn't fair to Jillian, but I couldn't help what I was feeling. Jillian was a way to try and forget seeing you with Eric. Don't get me wrong, my feelings for Jillian were real and I did love her, but I wasn't in-love with her." With a questioning look she inquired further.

"Sam, why didn't you tell me? We both hurt so bad this last year and it was so unnecessary. Think of all the time lost." she was sad thinking that she could have been with him all along and instead she spent the most painful year of her life needlessly.

Taking her chin into his hand, he made her look at him. "Sunshine, you are and have always been the most important thing in my life. I couldn't risk losing you. I wouldn't survive losing you. I wish you could know how many times I wanted to tell you. How many nights I dreamt of holding you in my arms. There is nothing we can do about the past, but we can make sure the future is different. I promise you that I will always be here for you, no matter what." he took her into his arms and held her while he gently carrassed her lips with his.

Just then a taxi drove up to the camp and Rita and Chris started to get concerned until they saw Cotton get out of the taxi. "My gosh, don't you two ever do anything else?" he teased them because he caught them kissing again. The truth was he was very happy for them. He always thought they belonged together.

"Hey, if you had a woman like Rita, wouldn't you being doing this too?" he looked down at her and she was again jabbing him in the stomach. Trying to change the topic to save his hide, Chris questioned Cotton with a smile. "Cotton, what is this? Why a Cab?"

"You said you needed to be invisible. Who is more invisible than a cab driver?" Cotton was smiling at Chris and Rita and nodding his head at them.

"You have a good point. OK, let's get down to business. Here is my proposed plan. Cotton you will need to wait outside of the station and when Cap gets say...three blocks away from the station, you need to accidentally hit him with your car. Make sure you don't hurt him. Then tell him you will call him a cab so he can get home. There enters Rita and me. We will take Cap home and that will give us enough time to talk to him. Got it?" he asked Cotton as he walked over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"What? You want me to hurt Beauty. I can't do that Chris. We are talking about Beauty here." Cotton was shaking his head no.

"You have to Cotton. I will get her fixed OK? We don't have a choice here." he was looking at Cotton with his puppy dog eyes begging him to say yes.

Cotton not used to the Chris Lorenzo puppy dog eyes was shocked. "Chris, buddy, don't look at me like that. How can I say no to you if you look at me like that?" he looked over at Rita and questioned her. "Does he do that to you? Man, he must get everything he wants." Rita was amused to see Cotton's reaction to his famous look. She always wondered if it worked on guys as well as girls. Her question was answered.

"Welcome to my world Cotton. You might as well give in. There is no defense to those eyes. Trust me I know." she looked at Chris and smiled and he winked at her.

"OK, if we are all agreed, we start the plan tomorrow first thing. Is that OK with everyone?" Chris looked at Rita and at Cotton and smiled as they nodded their heads in agreement.

"If it is all the same to you Chris, I'm going to go home tonight. I'm going to spend my last night with Beauty all in one piece." Cotton had a sad look on his face and Chris really felt bad.

"I want to thank you Cotton right now for all of your help. You have been a true friend and I won't forget this." Chris walked up to Cotton and placed his hand on Cotton's shoulder.

"Let's just say we are even now OK?" Cotton shook Chris' hand and then got into the Cab and went home.

Chris walked up to Rita and wrapped her in his arms. "Sammy, what do you say we go out on the town tonight? Who knows what will happen tomorrow and....." Chris was interrupted by Rita placing her hand on his mouth to silence him.

"Everything is going to be fine Chris. Remember, we are unbeatable when we work together. OK?" the look of pure love in her eyes made his heart swell with emotion.

"Yeah, its you and me against the world, right?" he smiled at her and then leaned into her for a kiss. After a couple of minutes, Rita pulled back with a smile and a sparkle in her eyes.

"Ah Sam, didn't I just hear you ask me out on a date tonight?" she was teasing him and he loved every second of it.

"Yes you did Miss Lance. It will be our first date." he kissed her on her neck and he could feel her body respond to his sensual torture.

"We have gone out before Sam." she was trying to keep up her end of the conversation, but he was making it very difficult to keep a clear thought.

"Not like this we haven't." he stopped his loving attack on her and kissed her on the forehead.

"What does that mean?" she questioned him with a smile.

"We haven't gone out before with you knowing I'm in-love with you. Aah...I plan on showing you all night what that is like." he kissed her one final time on the lips and let go of her. "Sammy there is a bag for you in the tent. Get changed and we, my finest friend ever, will be on our way." he was sporting his huge Lorenzo smile.

"What did you do now Sam? You are constantly surprising me." she was trying to entice him into another kiss, but he resisted.

"Come on Gal. Go get dressed. We have some partying to do tonight." he watched as she smiled and walked into the tent and then zipped it closed. This gave him the chance to change into the clothes he bought for himself tonight. He made a quick run into the mall after he dropped Cotton off this morning. He knew that tonight might possibly be the only night they ever have together and he wanted to make it special. He waited patiently for her, wearing a pair of docker pants and a button down shirt. When she came out of the tent, he smiled and whistled at her.

"Chris it's beautiful." she walked over to him and hugged him and kissed him.

"Its not as beautiful as you are." he took her hand in his and kissed it.

"So, what do you think?" Rita stepped away from him and modeled her new dress. It was a tight fitting, mini skirt length, floral yellow dress with buttons all the way down the front.

"I think you are the purtiest thing I have ever seen." he smiled and then kissed her.

"Do you think it is OK without hose Chris. It doesn't look bad does it?" she was looking down at her new dress and she was smiling at it. It wasn't the dress that made her smile, it was the thought that Chris picked it out and bought it for her.

"I think it's purrfect!" he grabbed her hand led her over to the BMW and opened the door for her.

Three hours later, they were on their way home from a wonderful first date. Chris took her to dinner and a movie. They sat through the movie looking at each other more than the movie. The tension was so strong between them, that the air was completely charged. After Chris helped Rita into the car and got in himself, Rita moved to the middle of the seat so she could sit right next to him. On the drive home, she laid her head on his shoulder and she wrapped both her arms around his free arm, that he had laid on her leg.

The radio was playing a soft, romantic ballad as they started to lose themselves in each other. Rita started to hum the tune on the radio, "Oh, my love, my darling, I've hungered for your touch a long lonely time." As the words touched her heart, she started kissing Chris' neck softly as his free hand was caressing her knee. The song continued and so did Chris' hand, wandering further up Rita's leg. The fire he was igniting in her was making her whole body tighten with desire. She moved her hot moist kisses from his neck up to his ear and as her tongue made its way into his ear, his hand moved ever so slowly up her inside thigh, and they both moaned from pleasure that was coursing through their bodies.

Chris closed his eyes briefly, taking in the feel of Rita with her hand inside his shirt, caressing his chest and the feeling of her mouth exploring his ear and neck. He was already past his arousal threshold and he was just trying to hold on to enough sense to drive. He spotted a deserted area on the beach as he was driving them to dinner tonight and he made plans to stop with her there tonight so they could watch the waves in the moonlight. He pulled into the spot he had picked out earlier and put the car into park. He then reached down and pulled the lever and moved the front seat back as far as it would go. During this time, Rita had his shirt already unbuttoned and she was kissing his chest. He moaned as her mouth captured his nipple and she was making circles with her tongue around it, making his nipples harden from this contact. "Sammy you make me so crazy." he said with his head laid back enjoying her loving moves.

She was torturing him and he couldn't bear it anymore. He reached down and framed her face with his hands and he brought her face up to his. "I want you, like I have never wanted anything else before in my life." his mouth captured hers with the force of a man completely in love. His tongue forced her mouth open to his and he took complete charge of the kiss. Rita's moan of desire only excited him more. She reached up and place her hands into his hair. She was trying desperately to keep up with him. As his mouth made the journey down her neck, one hand was unbuttoning her dress, while the other one held the back of her head up so he could continue his passionate assault on her lips. He made quick work of all the buttons and now she laid in his arms with her dress wide open, showing him every inch of her body. "Oh, Sammy, you have a beautiful body. I love your body." he was caressing her breasts with one hand, while the other arm laid her body down on his lap. She laid there looking up at him with so much desire and lust in her eyes. He was like a crazy man that was out of control. His hands were everywhere at once.

Rita lifted her arms above her head and she was gripping the edge of the seat. She arched her back trying to get closer to his hands that were now underneath her bra teasing her nipples to hardened peaks. She sounded like she was in agony as one of his hands started to wonder down her stomach. With one hand still under her bra caressing her hardened breast, the other hand had made its way down her stomach. His hand wasted no time as it slipped in her panties and as his fingers reached her inner core, they both moaned with the pure rush of pleasure it brought.

After he removed her panties, she moaned, "Chris...." as he continued his massage of the place she would only let him enter. With her face buried in her arm trying to hold on to the peak of pleasure he was creating, she decided it was his turn to experience the most erotic sexual experience of her life. She was determined it was going to be that for him too. "all right Lorenzo, you are in for it now." she was past the point of arousal. He had never seen this side of Rita before and he was a little shocked and highly charged from it. In one fast move, she straddled his lap and her hands undid his belt and before he knew it, she was taking the full length of him into her.

"Oh Ri...." before he could get her full name out, she had his mouth captured in the hottest, deepest and wettest kiss of his life. Her tongue was in charge now and it was not taking no for an answer. Chris' arms went around her body in an attempt to hang on while she set the rhythm at an acheingly slow pace. When he could no longer stand the sweet torture her slow, deep thrusts were making, his hands reached down and grabbed hold of her soft behind and he helped her quicken the pace. "Rita, faster...." she honored his wishes and with his help, they soared to the sweetest moment of their lives together.

As their hearts started to calm down to a normal pace, Rita was still sitting on Chris' lap and they were still joined together. Rita pulled back and looked at Chris and with a smile on her face she spoke, "Definitely a well oiled piston, Sam." the smile on his face from her comment was something that her heart would always remember.

****************************************************************************

The next morning at the station, Cap was going crazy with worry about Chris and Rita. It's like they disappeared off the face of the planet. He was also still waiting for Rudy to produce the warrant to tap Rita's phone. He started to pick up the phone to call his department again when Gracie knocked on his door. He motioned her to come in and she handed him the warrant that Rudy was supposed to provide. "Thanks Gracie. It sure took them long enough." he was disgusted with the wait.

"I don't know why it took so long to get here Captain. I saw Sandy typing it out last week." Gracie shrugged her shoulders and closed the door behind her.

"Gracie get back in here." He was so shocked by what she said he had to make sure he heard it right. After Gracie came back into his office he motioned her to sit down. "Gracie what did you just say?"

"I was having lunch with Sandy last week when Rudy made her stop what she was doing to type out a phone tap request for this week. I remember Sandy was so mad. Why did he have to have it so soon if it was for next week. I thought it was strange to, but you know Rudy?" She was shocked when Cap stood up and walked around his desk and hugged her.

"Gracie you are the best. Thank you for this information. You know what, take the rest of the day off Gracie. You've earned it!" Gracie smiled and headed for the door.

"Thank you Captain. I'm glad I helped." she closed the door and Cap sat back down smiling.

Now his biggest problem was finding Chris and Rita. This was definitely a break in the case. Figuring that he would try to find Chris and Rita at one of their old haunts, Cap headed out of the station house. When he was three blocks away, he saw Cotton Dunn waving to him. Cotton's car kept getting closer and closer until it was evident that Cotton was going to hit him. "Cotton, NOOOOOOOO!" as Cap screamed, he heard a terrible crash. (imagine CRASH!) "What in the Sam Hill are you doing Dunn? Look what you did to my car?" he was just about to jump poor Cotton when, Cotton started to apologize.

"I'm so sorry Captain Lipschitz. I was so excited to see you that I didn't realize how close I was. Here let me call you a cab. Then I will call a tow truck." Cotton was dialing Chris' number when Cap took the phone from him and cleared the line.

"Never mind Cotton. I will have Frannie come and get me. I can't believe you some times Cotton." Cap was really ticked while dialing his home number. Harry was just about to say hello to Frannie when Cotton grabbed the phone back and hung up on Frannie.

"No, you can't. You have to let me call you a cab. I insist." Cotton was getting nervous. What was he going to do. "Trust me Harry, you WANT me to call you this cab." he was trying to be subtle, but Cap was not picking up on it.

"What the hell are you talking about Dunn?" Cap was just about to his breaking point with Cotton today. He needed to find Chris and Rita and he didn't have time to waste with Cotton Dunn. "Give me that phone Dunn." Cap said with a serious face.

"Nope, sorry Harry. I promised these cab drivers I know, that I would make sure to call them when I ran into you. Trust me Harry. Let me get you a ride home." Cotton was looking him in the eyes begging him to understand.

Harry didn't know what Cotton was up to, but he had that feeling in his stomach again, so that meant he better find out. "OK Cotton, lets meet these cab drivers of yours, and you better have insurance to pay for my car!" Harry sat down on the curb waiting for the cab to arrive.

"Here they come Captain. I'm sorry to have caused you so much trouble." Cotton got in his car and sped away.

"Wait Cotton........What about my c......" Cotton had left without taking care of his car. He opened the taxi door and got in. He was so preoccupied with Cotton, he didn't notice his drivers. "That no good......I want to go to 127 Citurswood Lane." he said to the driver without looking up at them. He was looking out the window trying to see Cotton.

"Going home for a little afternoon delight Cap?" Chris teased. When Cap heard his voice his head whipped around and his mouth dropped open. After recovering from the shock, he sat back in the seat and proceeded to tease Chris.

"Some of us have more important things to think about Lorenzo, like saving your no good a.....behind." he smiled at Chris as Chris looked in the rearview mirror at him.

"I missed you too, Cap." he smiled at Cap.

"Lance you OK?" Cap questioned her. He was very worried about her because she too disappeared out of thin air a couple of days ago.

"I'm fine now that I'm with Chris Cap." she reached over and grabbed Chris hand and they smiled at each other. Cap sat in the back seat and shook his head and grinned.

"Well, I'll be darned, I knew that this day would come. I just didn't think it would come so soon." he was looking out the window now.

"What day Cap?" Rita withdrew her hand from Chris' and turned around to face him.

"The day you two finally figured out you belonged together. Frannie and I knew it 2 years ago. She is going to be so excited." he was smiling at Rita and he noticed the glow in her eyes as she smiled back. "Anyway, we can talk about that later. I have been looking everywhere for you two. I have some very interesting news for you."

"What Cap?" Rita replied.

"The warrant to have your phone tapped, was typed up a week ago Rita. Does that sound strange to you?" Harry was watching her face and when she added up the dates, the light came on in her head.

"Cap, how is that possible. This just happened 3 days ago?" Rita was so close to figuring it out, but Chris already had it figured out.

"That SOB. I can't believe he would do this. Why?" Chris was so angry. The thought that Rudy could set him up like this was unimaginable. "I always knew he didn't like me, but I had no idea he hated me so much."

"Who Chris?" just then it hit her too. "Why Chris, why would Rudy do this to us and who is the woman helping him?" she was facing forward now and just as they pulled up to Cap's house, Chris asked Cap a question.

"Cap, Rudy must have somebody by the rear if he was able to get us assigned to this detail. Who could he be blackmailing? Will you do a little snooping around for us? In the meantime, don't get your car fixed. Use us to get around and that way we can share our information." Chris' face changed with a look of guilt. "I'm sorry to get you involved into this Cap. We didn't know who else we could go to that we could trust. If I get you fired too, I will never forgive myself." Chris said disappointed and hurt. Rita heard the hurt in his voice and reached for his hand.

"Sam, this is not your fault. This is Rudy's fault. Please forget about it. We love you and there is no job more important then you." she smiled and squeezed his hand and then leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.

"She's right Lorenzo. This is not your fault. You and Lance are like my own kids and I will never abandon you. Is that understood Son?" to make sure Chris understood his point, he placed his hand on Chris' shoulder and squeezed it. "Now, let me go in and let Frannie know you two are all right. She has been out of her mind with worry. Meet me here in two hours and you can give me a ride back to the station." Cap got out of the car and was just about to shut the door when Chris teased him again.

"Hey, don't do anything I wouldn't do Cap." Chris laughed and Cap remarked.

"I happened to see some pictures of what you do on your lunch hour Lorenzo, so I wouldn't talk if I were you." Cap looked at him sternly while Chris sat nervously in his seat. Rita couldn't help but laugh at Chris' reaction. "That's two points for Cap." she remarked to Chris.

"Hey, it takes two to tango Sam." Chris laughed back. Cap shook his head as he closed the door. These two were going to have lovely children one day he thought to himself. Meanwhile, Chris called Cotton and told him what they had so far. A light came on in Cotton's head and he was off to find Atticus.

**************************************************************************

Cotton was out on the town trying to track down his brother. When he found Atticus, he was trying to sell oysters in the trunk of his Buick. "Hey didn't you learn anything from the shrimp incident Atticus?" he said shaking his head.

"Hey bro, what brings you around to this neck of the woods. Are you slumming?" Atticus laughed.

"I really don't know why you would need to live in a place like this. You are a Dunn man. Don't you have any respect for the Dunn name?" he was looking at Atticus' Buick and he was a little impressed. "Nice car."

"I'm sure you didn't come out here to insult me and look at my wheels, what do you want Cotton?" Atticus asked with a hint of worry in his voice.

"Its Chris and Rita man. They need our help." Atticus interrupted him.

"Ohhh, how is the lovely Sgt. Lance anyway. Does she still have the hots for me. You know she wanted me, but I could never get involved with at cop." he said with his chest puffed out.

"Atticus the only thing Rita ever wanted about you was your absence." he chuckled. "Anyway, she has a man in her life now and something tells me you will never be able to get rid of him." Cotton grinned to himself as he thought about the two love birds.

"OK, what did you need me to do? I owe Chris buddy. He helped me out a couple of times when I got into trouble with Beauty." he was going back into his memory.

*Memory*

"If it isn't Atticus Dunn as I live and breathe." Chris laughed as he walked up to the jail cell bars to find an older man in a bad polyester suit sitting on the bench in the cell.

"Chris old buddy. What took you so long to get here? I need your help man." he reached through the bars and grabbed a hold of Chris' tie.

"Atticus lay off the tie. I just got this." Chris batted his hand away and checked his tie to see if it had any stains or wrinkles.

"What's the big deal Chris? Its just a tie?" Atticus was looking around the cell and he was getting real nervous.

"Rita gave me this tie. Its my birthday today and she is the only one who remembered." Chris had a spark in his eye as he looked at the tie. You would have thought it was worth a million dollars. Chris nodded to the jailer and said it was OK to let Atticus out. "This is positively the last time I bail you out. Is this understood?" Chris had his arm draped across Atticus' shoulder. "What did you do this time anyway?" Chris was actually amused by Atticus and Cotton Dunn. He knew they were no good thieves, but he couldn't help but like them. He knew deep down that Atticus and Cotton were good at heart.

"I aah.....sort of.......tried to pick pocket the Mayor." Chris laughed so hard he was holding his stomach. "Anyway, thanks Chris buddy, I won't forget this. By the way, Happy Birthday." Chris could tell his wish was sincere.

"Thanks Atticus." Chris put his arm back around the shoulder of the older man and they walked out to the parking lot and Atticus was getting into his Buick.

"Well, Chris old buddy. Thanks again and Nice tie." he smiled at the young police officer and saw the pride he had in the tie. "Chris old buddy, why don't you just jump the lovely Sgt. Lance and get it over with?" he knew Chris was in-love with Rita.

"Atticus!!!" Chris just grinned at the older man and shook his head. He had to admit to himself that he has asked himself the same question. "Rita and I are just best friends. You know that." he closed Atticus' door for him and stepped away from the car and watch Atticus pull back out of the parking space.

"Why don't you just admit it, you have the major hots for your best friend. Life is short young buddy and you should never put off tomorrow, what you can do today. You may never get the chance again. Tell her!!!" Atticus waved good-bye and as Chris walked back into the building, he was looking at his new tie.

"If only I could tell you Sammy. I wish I could tell you." he didn't realize that he was actually talking out loud as he sat down at his desk.

"Tell me what Chris?" Rita heard what he said and walked over and sat on Chris' desk and looked down at him

He looked up panicked, "Rita, I didn't notice you there. I forget now what I was going to say." he acted flabbergasted and picked up a file folder on his desk hoping she would drop the whole thing.

"Sam that is the first sign that you are getting old when you start forgetting things. Maybe I should take you to dinner tonight. Otherwise you might forget to eat." she laughed as she thought about what she just said.

"Are you asking me out on a date Sammy?" Chris raised his eyebrows up and down at her and she had to laugh again.

"Since its your birthday, sure I'll let you make believe its a date. You know that is the second way you know you are getting old Sam?" she grinned down at him and placed her hand on his cheek.

"What is the second way you know you are old, Miss Lance?" he placed his hand over hers and their eyes locked and the smiles on their faces disappeared. The look in Chris' eyes brought a warmth through her whole body that she could not explain. Rita took her hand away and Chris just smiled at her.

As she started walking over to her desk she replied, "When you start living in a fantasy world." she was smiling at him now.

*Back to Present*

"I need you to go undercover for me Atticus. I need you to be a deliver guy." Cotton had something up his sleeve. Cotton ordered a bouquet of flowers (planted a bug in them) for Rudy signed from "Yours Forever." His plan was to stake Rudy's office out and when he got the flowers, he would call the woman he was setting up Chris and Rita with. It worked like a charm. Atticus and Cotton sat in Beauty and listen to the phone call.

"Hey Baby, thanks for the flowers." Rudy said seductively.

"What are you talking about? Are you seeing someone else behind my back? I thought you would know better than to do that. Look what I'm doing to the last man that did that to me." the woman stated angrily.

"You didn't send them to me? It was signed "Yours Forever" and since you are the only one I'm seeing, I assumed it was from you. I would never cheat on you like Lorenzo did. I Love you Jillian."

Jillian calmed down and started to question Rudy. "Why isn't our plan working yet? Rita was supposed to leave Chris over Veronica. She was supposed to think he did sleep with her."

"I don't know, those two have a connection like none I have ever seen before." Rudy was about to continue when she busted in.

"You don't have to tell me about their connection. Miss Rita Lee Lance has been a thorn in my side for over a year." Jillian was getting psychotic.

"Calm down Baby. We will get them. Hey, we got them fired didn't we? Why don't we finish this thing and get on with our lives." Rudy said leaning back in his chair.

"We have to find them first before we can do anything." she said mad. As Rudy was about to say something his secretary Sandy walked in and handed him a note.

"Yeah! We got them Jillian. They were spotted in a taxi cab not two blocks from Captain Lipchitz house. We got them right where we want them baby!" he was standing up beside his desk now and the complete evilness of him shown in his eyes.

"Oh, Rudy. That's great. OK lets put "Operation Sink Lorenzo & Lance" into effect. I will meet you at the rendezvous in 20 minutes." she slammed down the phone and started out the door.

As Rudy put down the phone he picked up a flower out of the bouquet and put it in his lapel. "Its going to be a great day!"

***************************************************************************

"Chris buddy....Chris" Cotton was so excited he couldn't talk.

"Slow down Cotton, what's wrong?" Chris was trying to calm Cotton down. He wrapped his arm around his old friend and tried to help him.

"Oh, Chris, you have really ticked off one mean, psychotic woman. She wants you and Lance dead." Cotton felt bad about what he had to tell his friend next. He knew that even though he wasn't in love with Jillian, he cared deeply for her and to think that she would betray him like this was still going to hurt. After explaining what he and Atticus did with the flowers, Cotton started to fill in Chris about the phone call.

After hearing what Cotton told him, Chris had to get up and walk away. He needed sometime alone to let what he was just told sink in. When Rita got back from going to the store, Cotton filled her in on everything that had just happened. Rita decided to go looking for Chris. Ten minutes later she found him sitting down by a pond. "Sam?" Rita said lightly as not to startle him.

"Hey Sammy." Chris tried to smile but his heart was not in it. When she sat down next to him, she reached over and pulled up his chin so he would have to look at her. What she saw there broke her heart. He was not crying, but the pain was evident in his eyes.

"Oh Chris, I'm so sorry." she put her arms around his neck and hugged him. "I know how much it hurts when a friend betrays you."

"I don't get it Sammy. We may not have ended the very best, but we at one time loved each other. I shared things with her that I didn't with most women. I respected her and I would have always been there for her if she ever needed me. Why would she do this to me?" she couldn't stand all of the despair she heard in his voice.

"I don't know Sam. I just don't know." she leaned back to look in his eyes and she was surprised to see questions in them. "What Sam?"

"Rita, promise me that no matter what happens between us, that I will always have you as a friend." he didn't know what he was saying. He knew in his heart that they would be together always, but for some reason he just needed to hear her say she would always be his best friend.

Taking his face into her hands, she forced him to look into her tear filled eyes, "I promise you that no matter what, I will always be your lover, partner, soul mate and best friend." she couldn't hold back the tears anymore. Chris reached up and wiped the tears off her cheek while trying to hold back his water filled eyes. "I Love you Chris."

Chris leaned forward and right before their lips touched he whispered, "thank you Sam. I love you too." Chris needed Rita right at that moment like no other moment. He not only needed to hear her words, he needed to feel her actions. The warm, loving kiss she was giving him turned into a hot, needful kiss from Chris. "I need you Rita." he had his hands running through her hair and she was moaning from the pure pleasure his mouth was giving her neck.

"I need you too Chris and I will always be here for you." she couldn't refuse him. They needed to touch right now. He needed the reassurance that only a lover could give. Chris quickly unbuttoned the top three buttons of her blouse and just as his mouth was tasting the skin between her breasts, Cotton showed up again.

"Chris.....Oh sorry buddy." Cotton turned around quickly as to let the two startled lovers recoup their composure. "I really hate to interrupt, but I think we have a problem." he turned back around and he was completely touched by the scene in front of him. While Chris was buttoning Rita's blouse, she wiping the tears off her cheeks and smiling at him. Chris' whole face lit up from the smile she was giving him. Cotton was witnessing true love for the first time in his life. He couldn't help but smile and nod his head.

"I know, we're at it again." Chris said with a hint of laughter in his voice.

"No, I was just thinking how I hope some beautiful woman turns around to look at me the way Rita looks at you Chris."

"Cotton I think that is the sweetest thing I have ever heard you say." Rita walked up to him and hugged him. "Thank you for helping us Cotton. I knew you had a heart in there somewhere." she smiled at him and he cleared his throat and started to get back to the problem at hand.

"You were saying something about a problem?" Chris asked while they walked back to camp.

"Yeah, you and Rita were made." Cotton blurted out.

"What? When? How?" Rita was starting to feel the hair on the back of her neck stand up. She always got that feeling when something big was about to go down.

"When Rudy was talking to Jillian on the phone, he got a tip that you and Chris were driving a taxi a couple of blocks away from the Captain's house." Chris was standing by Rita and he had her in his arms.

"Chris...................." Rita had a terrifying thought and Chris knew actually what is was, he had the same one.

"We are on our way Sammy." he grabbed her hand and they jumped in the Donnie's BMW and headed toward the Liptschz house.

"Chris if anything happens to them......" Rita was holding his hand as they made a mad rush back to town. "I wanted Harry to walk me down the aisle." she was looking out the window now and she was brushing away tears of fear.

"Sammy..." he was looking at her and was trying her best to not let him see her tears. He didn't like her shutting him out of her pain, so he called to her again, this time more sternly. "Rita Lee Lance, look at me." he squeezed her hand to encourage her. When she turned to look at him, his heartache at the pain he saw. "Nobody is going to hurt Cap and Frannie. I promise you that. And when I do convince you to walk down that isle, believe me, Cap is going to be right by your side." he smiled and that made her smile.

As they pulled up to the Lipschtiz house, they both got a really bad feeling about what they were going to find. "Sam, why don't you wait in the car for me?" Chris knew she wouldn't, but he had to give it a try. The look he received didn't surprise him. He just shrugged his shoulders and replied, " I had to give it a shot?" he smiled trying to lighten things up a little.

With guns drawn, Chris went in the back door and Rita went in the front. By the time they met in the living room they assessed that Cap and Frannie were not there. It didn't look like there had been any fowl play, but Frannie's car was still in the drive and they were no where to be found.

"Chris.." Rita pointed to a piece of paper on the dining room table. He walked over to it and started reading it. When his eyes met hers after reading the note she saw water in his eyes. "What's it say?" he could hear the fear in her voice.

"It says, we have your precious Captain and his wife. If you want to see them alive again, meet us at the docks in one hour." Chris and Rita both ran for the door. One hour didn't give them much time to formulate a plan and they supposed that's why Jillian and Rudy set it.

"Sammy, call Cotton, tell him to call the station and tell them everything we know so far, but don't tell them about Cap and Frannie." Chris was looking behind them as he was backing up the car to turn the car towards the docks.

"But Chris, you don't want any back-up?" Rita questioned him.

"Rita we can't risk it. We don't know what they have in store for us at the docks. They have been one step ahead of us the whole way. They would know the first thing we would do is call for back up." he tried to rationalize.

"What are we going to do when we get there Chris?" Rita was trying to put together any kind of plan possible.

"I think we will just have to wing it." as Chris pulled up to the docks and shut off the engine, he turned to Rita with a serious look and let his heart speak for him. He needed to tell her some things just in case..... "Sammy, I need to tell you thank you." he reached for her hand and she had puzzling look on his face.

"Thank you for what Chris?" Rita watched his face as he tried to put together the words he thought would be the last ones she would hear from him.

"Sunshine, I never knew love like this before. I never knew that it could fill you up so completely that it would seep out every open pore of your heart. No matter what happens today, promise me that you will hold on to that love and never let it go. I'm so sorry for wasting so much time and for all of the needless years of pain I put you through." the look in his eyes drew her closer to him. Rita scooted over to sit next to him and with all of the love she had for him she reached up and took his face in her hands and replied.

"Chris, I don't regret the pain, the tears or the heartache anymore. In fact, I wouldn't change any of it if I could. It was just something I had to go through to get me to you." She slowly leaned into him and they let there hearts communicate through their kiss.

His gentle lips touch against her moist lips screamed, "I love you with all of my heart and I always will." and as she opened her mouth to deepen the kiss, her moan as his tongue took possession of the kiss said, "Love me for the rest of your life and I will make you the happiest man on this planet." Their hearts were creating a bond that NO man on earth could put asunder.

Meanwhile two people across the docks were watching with binoculars. "Oh man I can't believe this. They make me so sick." Jillian was passed angry on her way to psychotic. "All that girl ever had to do was break a nail and Chris would go running." Jillian was taken back into a memory. The last memory of her and Chris. This was the moment they broke up.

*memory*

Jillian and Chris were at the park walking hand in hand, when Jillian asked Chris why he was so quiet. "What's the matter Chris?" Jillian asked concerned by his silence.

"Nothing." Chris didn't want to talk to Jillian about what had him so worried. It was Rita, she had went to see Eric and he had cleaned out his apartment. He left her with a pathetic note. Basically he dumped her. He couldn't understand anyone willing letting Rita go.

"Come on Chris, I can tell you are worried about something, maybe I can help." she smiled at him hoping to cheer him up a little.

"Well...." against Chris' better judgment, he started to tell Jillian about Rita and how hurt she was and how helpless he felt to ease that pain. He knew instantly he made the wrong decision when he saw her face.

"Chris, who is your girlfriend here? Is it Me or is it Rita? She is always coming and running to you with all her problems. I'm sick of being put behind Rita in your life." She had the almost insane look in her eyes again.

"Listen Jillian, Sam is my best friend and partner and she is a very important piece of me. How can you be so cruel. She is really hurting right now. You know what Jillian, sometimes I don't believe I even know you." He shook his head at her and dropped her hand and walked away.

Jillian ran up to him and grabbed his arm and started yelling at him. "Me? How can this be my fault. I just want to know that I matter to you Chris, that my feelings mean half as much to you as Rita's" she was starting to calm down now and she could see the hurt in Chris' eyes. Reaching up to cup her face he replied.

"You are important to me Jillian. You know that." He looked in her eyes and what he saw there scared him a little. Her eyes were cold.

"OK, put your money where your mouth is Chris. I'm going to take that job at Boston Mercy Hospital. If you love me Chris, you would go with me. Will you go with me?" she said with her cold, dead eyes.

Chris and Rita talked about this last night and he didn't sleep all night trying to decide what to do. His every thought came down to one thing, Rita. How could he leave her behind? He couldn't. The thought of her being so far away from him made his heart ache beyond belief. "You know I'm happy for you Jillian, but I can't leave. I have 10 years of my life invested in this police force. I just can't get up and walk away." he hoped she would understand.

"Cut out the crap Chris. We both know why you won't leave here. Its her again. Its Rita. Why don't you just admit that you are in-love with her. Why do you keep denying it?" she was looking straight into his eyes and he got a chill. "I see the way you look at her Chris. You light up from within when she walks into the room. You're always either with her or thinking about her. You can't deny it, that's why we are having this conversation right now. Why can't you see it?" Jillian started to walk away and she left a startled Chris. She was right. He couldn't deny it any longer. He had been unfair to Jillian and he hoped that he could somehow still be friends with her. After all, he did love her, he just wasn't in love with her. Running trying to catch up to her he held Jillian back and tried to apologize.

"Jillian, I'm so sorry. I never meant to hurt you. I do care about you and for you Jillian and your feelings do matter to me. I really am very proud of you and happy for you with this new job promotion. You deserve it." he smiled at her and tried to get her to smile back. "Do you think there is anyway we can get past this and be friends again Jillian?" he didn't know what that statement did to her. It was like she just snapped. With a fake grin she looked up at him and smiled, "I will try Chris. It will just take some time. I think I will take that job in Boston and that will give us both sometime to settle things. Bye Chris and tell Rita she is very lucky." with that said she reached up and kissed him one last time.

"Good-bye Jillian and if you ever need anything, you know where to find me." he had a sincere smile on his face for her and all she wanted to do was to slap it off his face, but no, she would get her revenge.

With an evil smile she replied, "I most certainly do. Bye Chris." with that said she walked out of Chris' life forever. So he thought. As she got in the car, she watched Chris. He was sitting on the park bench and he was smiling. That was like a knife in her heart. She could tell what he was thinking about, or should she say who he was thinking about. Just then she saw him rush to his car and she followed him. Yep, it went straight to Rita's house and when he knocked on her door, the smile that he was sporting was more than she could handle. "Enjoy it while it lasts Christopher." she watched him open the door and enter and then she left.

*end of memory*

"I've seen enough. Go below and get the Liptschzs'." Rudy was a little startled by her voice. He never heard her sound so cold before. "What are you waiting for go NOW!" he went below and got the Lipschitzs'.

"Rudy, do you really think you can get away with this?" Harry was trying to reason with him. But it is hard to reason with someone pointing a gun at you. As Rudy started to push Frannie up the stairs, Harry gave Rudy a warning that went straight down to his bones. "You touch her again Rudy, God help you, because I will kill you." Harry was looking straight into Rudy's eyes and he spooked him.

"I'm OK Heshy. Please don't get them angrier." she was getting scared for him. Frannie knew how protective Harry was for her and there is nothing he wouldn't do for her include die.

"Rudy and I understand each other now. Right Rudy?" the authority in Harry's voice was so intimating. Rudy reached up to give Frannie another push, but he thought twice about it as he looked at Harry. The dark undercurrents in his eyes, told Rudy he meant business.

"Come on Mrs. Liptschz. Pick up the pace." Rudy was now behind Harry and they were coming up on the deck. Harry went to stand by Frannie and he put his arms around her. "OK here they are. What are we going to do with them?" Rudy was still pointing the gun at Frannie and Harry while he was talking to Jillian.

"We are going hunting and we need the proper bait." she looked at Frannie and Harry and she watched as Harry put Frannie behind him.

"Come on Jillian. You already have me. Just let Frannie go. What good does Frannie do here?" While Harry was saying this, Frannie was jabbing him in the ribs.

"I'm not going anywhere without you Heshy." she was now about in tears. Harry just held her hand tighter and tried to talk some reasoning in with Jillian.

"No way. Christopher loves her. He probably loves her more than his own mother. I intend on destroying everything and everyone he loves." Harry noticed the psychotic look in her eyes and was about to say something when he heard Chris shout.

"Jillian, what are you doing? Come on. If you did this to get my attention, you have it." he was standing on the docks right next to the boat. She didn't notice that Chris and Rita got out of the car. She started searching for Rita. She was no where to be found.

"Stay right there Chris or I will shoot your beloved Captain and his wife. I know that you love them like they were your own parents. You told me so yourself." she looked over at them with disgust and had to laugh when she saw the look of pain on Chris' face.

"You didn't know that you would get them killed because you loved them did you? But this is all your fault. They are going to die and so is your precious Rita." Chris looked from Jillian to Cap and Frannie. The look on his face said it all to them. Frannie loved them like her own children too and she was not going to let anyone hurt them because of her.

"She's right Christopher. I do think of you as my son. I have since the first moment I met you. Please know that if this evening ends up with us dead (she was hugging Cap), that we loved you and Rita with all of our hearts and we don't regret a minute of it." the love that radiated from her eyes had Chris' heart aching even more.

"Oh wasn't that touching." Jillian said sarcastically. The sound of her mocking voice had Chris more angry than ever. With eyes full of water he turned his glance on Jillian.

"This is enough Jillian. This is between you and me. If you want me, fine I'm yours. Just leave Harry and Frannie out of it." he put his gun down on the dock and started walking towards her. He had stalled as long as he could. He hoped that Rita had enough time to get into place. "All I ask is that you don't push Frannie and Cap into the water. They don't know how to swim." Harry and Frannie stood there with a stunned puzzled look on their faces. Chris knew that both Frannie and Harry were lifeguards when they were teenagers. They were both excellent swimmers. What was he up to.

"Oh, they don't that is too bad. Rudy push them overboard." She was staring at Rudy who was quiet the whole time.

"This wasn't part of the plan Jillian. We were just going to make Lance and Lorenzo suffer for a little while. We weren't going to kill cops." Rudy was starting to realize just how crazy Jillian was. Unfortunately, he found out a little too late. The next thing everyone heard was a gun shot and the next thing they knew, Rudy was holding his chest and looking at Jillian with surprise.

"That's right Rudy. You killing cops was not in the plans because I planned on killing you first." she added with hatred in her voice as she pushed him overboard. Chris, Harry and Frannie just stood there in shock. "What's the matter Chris? Didn't you think this sweet innocent girl could do that?" the smile on her face made him sick to his stomach.

"I don't know who you are. You are not the Jillian that I loved." Chris said with contempt in his voice. The sound of his contempt pushed her to her brink.

"That's right. You killed that Jillian the day you left me for Rita." Jillian was walking towards Cap and Frannie and she had the gun cocked. "Now to take care of your parents here." she said it with hatred. As she started for them, Rita jumped up on the deck of the boat and screamed.

"Stop right there Jillian. Put the gun down." Rita's hands were shaking as she saw Jillian spin around and point the gun at Chris.

"Oh, I think you are the one that will be putting the gun down, little Miss I get everything I ever want." the look of dislike in Jillian's eyes as she stared at Rita sent a chill all the way down Rita's body.

"Come on Jillian. We can be reasonable about this. What can I do to help ease the pain that you are in. Tell me and I will do it." Chris and Rita thought her pleas to Jillian were getting through because Jillian put the gun down to her side and closed her eyes and sighed. Just as Chris was taking a step toward her to get the gun, she lifted her arm unexpectedly and raised it on Rita and fired.

"I want you to die Rita." was the last words out of Jillian's mouth. Rita got a shot off right after Jillian's gun went off. All Chris could do was stand there and watch both woman that he loved go down.

"R-I-T-A!" was all Chris could say as he ran to her side. Cap was on top of Jillian and he took the gun out of her hand. Frannie looked at Harry and he shook his head no to tell her that Jillian was dead. "Rita, baby.....talk to me." Chris had tears in his eyes as he held her close to him. He could see the blood poring out of her shoulder. He put his hand over her wound and tried to stop the bleeding.

With pain in her voice she spoke, "Chris........" he leaned down so he could hear her better.

"Yeah Sunshine." she could see the fear in his eyes. So reached up with her good arm and wiped the tears that were falling on his face.

"Chris....are there any other girlfriends out there that will be coming after me that I should know about?" she grinned up at him and the overwhelming feeling that she was going to be all right had him grab her tighter to him as he laughed.

"Sammy, I know you will be OK if you are making fun of me." he reached down and kissed her on the forehead. "I love you Sammy. Marry me!" he said as he caressed her cheek looking deeply into her eyes.

Cap and Frannie stood watching them and they were crying too. Their kids were going to be OK. When Cap heard his question he couldn't help but tease Chris. "Boy, you don't waste anytime do you Lorenzo?" his eyes danced with happiness as he hugged his Frannie to him. Rita looked up and saw three sets of eyes looking at her. They were waiting for her answer.

"Cap, what are you doing a month from today?" she looked at Chris and smiled and then winced in pain. He held her tighter and kissed her.

"They are almost here, Sammy. Hang on." the look of concern in Chris' face upset Rita. She knew she was going to be OK.

"I'm going to be fine Sam. Now get that worried look off your face and tell Cap what he is doing next month." Chris smiled down at her and leaned down and kissed her again. All the sudden they heard the ambulance sirens in the background.

"I love you Sammy." Chris whispered in her ear. "I need you always." he kissed her forehead and smiled at her as they put her in the ambulance and he got in beside her.

"You take good care of our daughter Lorenzo." Cap yelled as they were shutting the door.

"Always Cap." he took Rita's hand and the ambulance pulled away leaving Harry and Frannie holding on to each other.

"Oh Harry, I am so happy for them. I have waited so long for them to come to their senses." Harry looked down at his wife and smiled as he hugged her. "How long do you think it will be before we have grandchildren Heshy?" she was starting to get that look in her eyes already. Harry looked stunned at the woman in his arms and then shook his head. "What Heshy?" she started to get worried about him. He could catch a cold out here in this wind. "Do you feel OK darling?"

With one fluid action he took his wife into his arms and kissed her with the passion of the very first kiss. When he pulled away the look of complete surprise and hunger in her eyes amused him. "Come on Grandma, lets go home." he put his arm around her and she smiled up at him and replied.

"You are going to make the world's sexiest Grandpa Heshy." and with one smoldering look from her eyes, she turned the tables on him and she laughed. (scene fades to black)

****************************************************************************

OK, what do you think? I want all comments good and bad.

Credits: Thanks again to Veronica for the use of her Snow Queen. Thanks "D" again for your continued support and friendship. You are the best! And Kris, for her time and space posting my stories.

You know how the rest goes....USA owns the rights to Chris, Rita, Jillian, Rudy, Cap & Frannie. I just borrowed them for some innocent fun. Thanks for the great characters!

Back to Fan Fiction

Back to Silk Stalkings Index