Silk Shorts..........from The Party's Over..........

Rita roamed around her apartment, crinkling her nose at the fingerprint dust that covered every flat surface. Chris watched her silently, thrilled just to see her alive and well.

"Why did they have to do that?" she murmured, wiping off a picture of her parents with her sleeve.

"Rita, it's a crime scene," he reminded her gently, putting his arms around her from behind.

She sniffled, and a few tears meandered down her cheeks. "Tricia got killed, and here I am feeling violated," she sighed.

"I think you're entitled," Chris pressed a kiss on her ear. "Sam, let's get out of here," he urged.

She shook her head, to clear it, "I need some clean clothes," she said. "The lab didn't take all of THOSE, did they?"

"Just the sexy underwear," he teased, propelling her towards the stairs.

"Oh, you are too funny," she punched his arm lightly.

In the bedroom she fell silent again. There was more fingerprint dust, and the bed had been stripped of the sheets. The closet door was open, and she went over, pulled a bag from the top shelf, and handed it to Chris. He laid it on the stripped bed while she pulled clothing from the closet and drawers.

"Take plenty of stuff-you may be staying with me awhile," he cautioned.

She laughed out loud, "You like sleeping on your couch that much?"

"You mean I can't sleep in the bed with you?" he asked innocently.

"Partners don't do that, remember?" she grinned. But sometimes I wish we could, she added silently as she snapped the suitcase shut.

He took the bag from her and they walked downstairs, his hand in hers. She picked up her duffel bag and purse, and they walked out to Chris' car. "What about my Jeep?" she asked. "I shouldn't leave it here."

"I don't want you going anywhere without me," Chris protested. "Leave it-we'll figure it out in the morning."

"Okay," she gave in. Her stomach growled, reminding her she'd had no dinner. "Chris?" she asked.

"What?" he slammed the trunk shut.

"Can we stop for something to eat? I'm hungry," she smiled.

"I'm a little hungry myself," he grinned. "What's your pleasure, milady?"

"Um, Italian and lots of it," she said decidedly.

They drove to a small Italian place that stayed open late, and ordered fettucine, salad and breadsticks to go. "Add some cannolis for dessert," Rita added.

Chris laughed, and took out his wallet, "Anything else? Like a side order of lasagne or a large pizza with everything?" he teased.

"Um, that sounds GREAT," she pretended to consider it, "but no, this should be fine. Let me pay, Chris."

"No, no! It's on me!" he insisted.

She didn't have the strength to argue as he took the large, savory smelling bag. They drove through the quiet, dark streets, it was now nearly eleven o'clock. "We should call Cap," Rita reminded him as he unlocked the door.

"It's late," Chris said.

"I still want him to know," Rita said, picking up the phone.

Chris took the phone from her, "Then let me tell him-you'll scare him to death."

Fran answered the phone, and it sounded like she'd been crying, "Hello?"

"Mrs. Lipschitz, it's Chris Lorenzo. Is Cap around?"

"Oh, Chris, you poor boy," she wept. "I'll get him."

Harry came on the line. He sounded weary, "Yes, Chris what is it?'

"Uh, Cap...Rita is alive," Chris announced.

"Lorenzo, have you been drinking?" Harry's voice rose.

"No! I went over to her apartment, and she showed up, safe and sound. The vic's a friend of hers, Tricia Vale," Chris added.

Rita took the phone, "Cap it's really me, honest."

Lipschitz felt the weight of the world lift from his shoulders, but his voice was gruff, "Do you know how worried we all were, missy?"

"I know, I'm sorry," she apologized.

"Where are you? It might not be safe for you to stay at your place," Cap cautioned.

"I'm at Christopher's, and I'm not going home until we sort some things out," Rita said, reaching out to stroke Chris' arm.

"You're welcome to stay here with me and Frannie," Harry invited. "It-uh-might look funny if you are staying with your partner."

"He is my best friend, and I'm staying here," Rita shot back.

Hary realized his detective sounded a little frayed, "That's fine, Rita. Whatever you want. See you in the morning?"

"Yeah, Cap. Good night," Rita said.

"Night, Lance. And, I'm glad you're okay," her boss added.

"Thanks," Rita smiled. See ya!" She hung up.

"So what did Cap have to say?" Chris spread their meal out on the counter,

while she rummaged in the cupboards for dishes and silverware.

"Just that he was glad I was okay," she folded a few paper towels as napkins. She didn't add that Cap didn't want her staying with her partner.

"Is that all? You seemed a little testy with him." Chris was curious.

"He offered to let me stay with him and Fran, and I said no," she replied, wandering over to the stereo and turning on their favorite soft rock station.

Sensing the subject was closed, Chris asked,"Want some wine?" He pulled a bottle and two glassses from the rack.

"Sure," she smiled at him.

They discussed the case as they ate, puzzling over whether the intended target was Rita. The food disappeared quickly, and but it was after midnight when they finished.

Together, they stacked the dishes in the dishwasher, and Rita wiped off the counter. Rita emptied her duffel bag, and started to do her laundry.

Chris kept looking at her and breaking into a huge grin.

"WIll you stop?" she giggled finally. "You're making me nervous."

He came over and gathered her into a tight hug, "I'm just so glad you're all right," he beamed. He breathed deeply, taking in the scent of her perfume. She felt so soft, so warm...so real...

Rita revelled in the comfort of his arms. No matter what happened in her life, Chris was her safe haven. Cap just didn't understand-no one did. "I love you," she whispered into his shoulder.

"Love you, too," Chris whispered back. They stood like that for a long time, just holding each other. The mood was broken by the buzz of the dryer.

"Well, it's late," Rita cleared her throat. "We should get some sleep."

"Yeah, I'll put clean sheets on the bed," he said, moving towards the bedroom.

"I can do that," she protested. "It's been a long day, so sleep."

He could hardly argue with that, he thought, as he brushed his teeth and washed his face. He could hear Rita moving around the bedroom, putting on the sheets and muttering to herself about his pile of dirty laundry by the bed. Then, the sound of her tread on the stairs. He pulled on a pair of shorts and a ratty old tshirt to sleep in. When he emerged for the bathroom, the bedroom was neat, the dirty laundry nowhere in sight, the covers turned back invitingly. For a brief moment, he wondered what it would be like if he could be there with her...

"Chri-is?" Rita was waving her hand in front of his face.

"What?" he asked, coming out of his reverie.

"I said I'll take my shower tonight, to make things easier in the morning, okay?" she said.

"Oh, sure, that's fine," he stammered.

"You okay?" she asked.

"I'm fine, just sleeping with my eyes open," he joked.

"You're good at that," she laughed softly, kissing him lightly. "Night."

"Good night, Sammy," he returned her kiss, with a hug for good measure.

He settled on the couch, blanket drawn up over him. He was tired, but couldn't sleep. He could hear her in the shower, and her footsteps as she moved around the upper loft. Finally, she clicked the light off.

Rita was asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow, but then she started to dream...Chris was touching her, kissing her, in this bed. "We shouldn't," she murmured in her sleep, but it felt so good...

Chris heard her, but couldn't make out what she was saying. He crept up the stairs, worried.

She had flung the covers back, and she was barely covered by the sheet. She was wearing a long gray sweatshirt, one of her favorites. Rita seemed peaceful now, her breathing even and her brunette curls spilled out on his pillow.

Chris took a hard swallow, watched her for a moment, and went back downstairs.

Rita was floating, lost in the feeling of his lips on her skin. She felt a coolness as he slipped off her nightshirt...this wasn't wrong, it couldn't be ...Her soul was winging from her body...he loved her, he'd never hurt her for the world...she moaned as the intensity built...

Chris woke, confused. What was he doing here on the couch? Just then he heard a faint moan coming from the loft. Rita! Something was wrong! He bolted for the stairs.

She was asleep, breathing easily. He leaned over and pulled the covers up, sighing in relief. Maybe she was just having a bad dream. Reluctantly, he went back to the couch.

The dream was darker now. A faceless someone was in the room with them, and was pointing a gun..."Chris, NO!" she screamed. Rita laid her body on top of his, and felt the hot steel rip through her back, into her chest...

"Rita, sweetheart, it's okay, I'm here, shhh," Chris comforted her, holding her tightly to his chest. He could feel her heart pounding as he held her shaking body.

She stared at him, confused, "Chris..what?" She looked around the bedroom, and realized it was just a dream. "Oh, God," she sobbed.

"Oh, baby, it's okay," he crooned, stoking her wet cheeks. "I'll never let anything happen to you."

"I know that," she sniffled into his chest. "Seemed so real..."

"It was just a bad dream, Sammy. Not surprising, considering what you've been through today. You gonna be okay?" Chris held her face up to his.

She looked into his tender blue eyes. He'll be here for me forever, she realized.

"I'm fine," she whispered. "Thanks."

"If you want me, I'll just be downstairs," he pressed a kiss on her temple.

"NO!" she pleaded, green eyes still flooded with tears. "Stay here," she patted the bed beside her.

"Rita, we shouldn't," Chris began.

"I know," her voice was low. "But I need you to hold me. I'm scared," she admitted.

Chris felt a lump in his throat, "Okay, but this is your idea," he said warily, getting under the covers. "Move over."

Rita smiled sweetly, "I'm in perfect control of MY hormones, Chris," she couldn't help teasing, as she snuggled in his arms.

His only response was a soft snore.

She looked up to find he was soundly asleep. She allowed herself one tiny liberty when she kissed him goodnight, sneaking a tiny taste of his lip with her tongue. With a sigh, she thought, "Sure you're in control, Rita."

But soon she was asleep too, this time in a dreamland where there were only happy endings. Her world was perfect, she realized as she woke up the next morning, securely wrapped in Chris' arms............Lorry

Chris was still holding on to Ritas hand, he had to continue holding her to be sure she was really there. "God Rita I don't know what I would have done without you."

He continued to silently thank God. Chris could not believe how close to tears his admission would bring him, that was when it hit... he had almost lost her. He hugged Rita fiercely. "Chris? I am okay, you can't get rid of me yet" she smiles.

"It really means a lot to me to see how the thought of me..." Chris stops her. "shh" is all he says. "I am really lucky to have you Sam thats all" Rita tells him.

Chris realizing that they have things they have got to do snaps into cop mode. "Rita grab your bags you're coming with me."

"What? Where?"

"Well you can't stay here, its a crime scene. You will stay at my place" after he says this he adds under his breath "Where I can watch over you", he doesn't want to push any of Ritas buttons right now!

Rita reluctantly agrees to do just as Chris suggested...or ordered.

Chris starts to drive to his place. On the way he gives cap a call. "WHAT?" "What do you want Lorenzo? I need my sleep!"

"Hey cap I am coming by, I have something you'll have to see to believe!" With that Chris hangs up before cap can protest. Rita just looks at him and gives him a slight smile.

"I know you are tired Rita, I promise to make it as short a stop as possible."

"Thanks" is her only response. She is tired and just a little confused.

They pull up to caps house and knock on the door. Cap opens the door and sees Rita standing with Chris. "RITA?!"

"Yeah cap its me" she smiles and hugs him. "How?" is all cap can get out right now. "All in due time cap" Chris says "Right now she needs to get some sleep". Frannie is now approaching, wondering why Harry had yelled Ritas name.

"RITA!!" She yells in Frannie style upon seeing Rita at the door. "How are you doll? Are you okay? What happened?" she rattles on with millions of questions.

Harry puts his arm around her and says "Later, all that matters is that she's still here with us". They all hug and say their goodbyes. On his way in Harry says "I expect to see you two in my office first thing in the morning".

"Got it" Chris and Rita say simultaneously. They soon arrive at Chris'. Rita pours herself a glass of wine, while chris prepares her bed and grabs himself a pillow and blanket for his night on the couch. "Okay Sammy, its all ready" Chris tells her.

"Hmm, yeah okay" Rita replies.

"Are you okay Rita" Chris asks. "Yeah, We can discuss everything in the morning,

Good night Sam", with that Rita is up the stairs

The next morning they walk in the office causing quite a confusion. Ritas appearance there had a few people walking into walls. They knew no one knew she was alive except her, Chris and Cap.

Earlier that morning Chris and Rita talked about last night and put as many pieces of the puzzle as the could. Rita had apologized for being kind of short with him last night, "I was still in shock".

"I know Sammy, I know" Chris replied , and that was that. Now they were about to enter caps office and explain everything......................................Thats it, Cheryl

Rita suddenly woke up. Someone was in the room with her. It took a few moments to remember that she was at Chris' place, in his bed, and that he had been convinced she was dead, up until a few hours ago.

"Oh God I don't know what I'd do without you", she heard him sigh.

"Sam?", she whispered and reached for him. He sat down next to her, clinging to her hand.

"Sorry I woke you. I had this nightmare, had to see if you were really here.

Oh Rita."

"Come here", Rita said and pulled him into a hug. "I'm here, and I'm not

going anywhere."

"I love you, Rita."

"And I love you."

"But I'm not in love with you."

"I'm not in love with you either."

"I'm closer to you than I am to anyone else." He held her tight, felt her small hands touch his neck and shoulders, and swallowed hard. Big boys don't cry, right? "You're a part of me...", he continued, whispering because he couldn't trust his voice. "A damn important part. Would you... please... Let me hold you for the rest of the night?"

Rita gave him a quick, friendly kiss on the lips. "That would mean a lot to me, partner. Come on, get underneath the covers, it's cold out there."

"You have no idea." He stretched out next to her, pulling her close. She closed her eyes and placed her head on his chest. The soft sound of his heartbeat along with his familiar scent soon made her drowsy.

"Rita?", he murmured

."Mmm?"

"Thanks. You're the best friend anyone could have."

"Thanks, Chris. You know, you're not so bad yourself. This feels kinda good."

"I told you that, years ago, I'm so good in bed that..."

"Don't push your luck."

"Like I would...", he smiled and kissed her hair. "G'night, Sam."

"Hmmmm. G'night. Sweet dreams."

..(kilohan)A

Chris was lost in his memories as he stood by the table holding a picture of them together..and a battle raged within him ,as Caps words came back to him now."Tomorrow forensics will have the print match,and that'll be it. You'll have to accept it."

Oh God,he agonized ......I can't do this!.....I don't want to do this!

Yet here he stood,in her empty apartment,finally making himself face the truth. Rita was gone.He had lost the only thing in his life that made it worth living.

The numbness he had been protecting himself with all day in hopes that they were wrong was wearing off with each hour she was missing...and an unbearable pain was seeping in its' place..He had warded it off as long as he could,focusing his emotions on finding whoever could have done this.It was easier to allow the rage , rather then the grief.

He smiled tenderly at her picture.God had a brand new angel with him now,he thought.,,,his angel.And all he had left was the memories....memories that hurt like hell to remember.He couldn't do this,he thought...he couldn't go on with out her.He was dying inside already and after awhile it would happen for real.....and he would welcome it just to be with her again.That was all that mattered .

He should have told her ...he never told her how much she really meant to him.,that she was A PART of him.,the part that made it possible for him to exist at all. She was gone now,and she would never know ......"I would have died for her....he thought,shutting his eyes against the thought of his Sammy going through any pain....

Suddenly he heard a key turning in the door. His first thought was that the person who had killed her was coming back now for something else. Well...he was going to get something alright. Chris turned around,already aiming his gun at the bastard.....and every cherished memory of his best friends life rushed at him in that one instant , as he waited for the chance to pull the trigger....His face set in stone,a fury he had never felt before deep within his broken heart.

The door opened,and the light came on. He was frozen with shock for an instant,and so was she,as she entered,seeing her best friend holding a gun to her.

"Hello" she said it with a question.

"Rita!" He cried out,running to her and scooping her up into his arms,hugging her so feircely that he was close to taking the very life he was celebrating .Rita was alive...Rita was alive...the words kept playing like a tune inside his head.

He put her down,the thought occurring to him finally that RITA WAS ALIVE! Everyone believed she was dead...what the hell was going on here!

She was just as curious. Chris had always been happy to see her before,but now he was delerious,and only a second before he had held a gun to her...and what was with the crime scene tape on her door for anyway?

They spent the next several minutes filling each other in. She was shocked to find out what had happened......Trisha was dead.......killed.inside her apartment....and everyone she knew was thinking it was her?....She swallowed the fear this somehow brought to her,and grieved for Trisha instead. Trisha was dead...not her..... another one to add to the list......

Chris insisted that she gather her things and she spend the night at his apartment.She could hear the urgency in his tone when he told her not to call Diane.He made it clear to her then that he had just went through the worst day of his life thinking he had lost her...and he was not going to let her leave his sight,not now............

A clump of dirt fell and splattered,and then another,and another.It made a thunderous sound as it hit,vibrating right through her.She opened her eyes.Everyone she knew was standing around her,some of them crying.She asked why they were all so sad,but nobody spoke to her....though it seemed as if they were looking right at her.Then she saw Chris,and he was just staring ahead,not even looking at her,.....ignoring her? What was wrong with everyone?...why were they all acting like this? Another clump of dirt fell again,and she begged them to stop .......but instead they came faster,filling in around her where she layed in a bathtub....a bathtub! .....Daddy!!!!!....she screamed,realizing she was next to him.,and he was the one dead......dead...........she was being buried....they thought she was dead......No! I'm not dead! She screamed for them to hear her,but no one did..........Chris!!!!!!" She watched as he walked away from her,as tears fell from his eyes".No wait." she screamed.."Don't go...I'm not dead.....I'm not dead....I'm not dead.!!!!!!!!!!

Later,at his apartment,while Rita was asleep in his bed,Chris stood at his window,staring out into the darkness. In the past twenty four hours,he had learned alot about himself,and now he needed to think about what it all meant.If he didn't ,he would never get any sleep.His thoughts were interupted by a shrill scream that pierced into his soul.Only seconds later he was there with Rita ,rocking her in his arms as she huddled herself close to him.

"I'm not dead" she cried to him..."I'm not dead."Her cries were frantic and heartbreaking.

"Shh,Sammy...it's okay.It's only a bad dream...shhh ....I promise...your alright.Your alive and well...and I thank God for that...Shhh..."

He let her cry,and he listened to her as she sobbed her nightmare to him.She had just about cried herself to sleep ,and he began to gently lay her back down on the bed.

"Chris,please don't go...hold me." she begged ,sleepily.

"Alright,Sammy....shh...I'm right here,honey.Go back to sleep." He leaned back against the headboard,and brought her with him, running his fingers through her hair. She fell asleep for real then,still shaking with sobs.He held her as she lay on his chest , securely wrapped in his arms,exactly where she belonged,Chris thought,as he protectivly watched over her the remainder of that night.

Then next morning, Chris called Cap and Franny very early,and delighted them with the wonderful news. The previous nights terrors were forgotten now,but still Chris watched over Rita constantly .......whether it was to reassure himself or her,he did not know.

Rita was welcomed back by everyone,glad that for once,a mistake had been made,and the dark somber mood of the entire police department was replaced with one of joy..They had dealt with a cops death before,but never had they had the chance to celebrate that cops return to life.

Things would go on as they always had before,cases would be solved and justice served.Only one person would have a lasting impact of the entire experience.Chris told Rita what loosing her had been like for him,an experience that in the future she would suffer through herself...only it would be for real then.

However,at the time,Chris had no idea of that...he only knew that he had been given a second chance at life himself. He told Rita what she meant to him,and it opened up a flood gate of emotions,which even he wasn't really aware of,until one day,sometime later,he was once again confronted with almost loosing her.It was then that everything became clear to him,that he finally understood the feelings that had started that night as he stood by a window,and stared out into the darkness.He was in love with her.He loved her more then life itself..He had learned an important lesson when he almost lost her a second time.Life was fragile,and offered no guarentees to anyone.Chris and Rita both finally admitted thier love for each other,and married. They looked forward to thier future ,which soon would bless them with a baby.........

Fate had other plans however.........and even in the end,Chris' last words to Rita were of his love for her. .....Lisa

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