C7KT2

The characters of "Nash Bridges" are the property of CBS and Paramount Television. Original characters are the property of the author and are not to be 'borrowed' without permission. No profit is made. Copyright 2003 by KT.

A Valentine's Day to Remember

The officers at the SIU were celebrating something other than Valentine’s Day. A tip from a CI had led to a major drug bust at an abandoned warehouse near the docks. Over twenty workers had been arrested and taken in for questioning. By 4 pm, enough evidence had been gathered against Mario Baptiste to charge him with several felonies including drug trafficking.

Harvey was returning to his desk after concluding a meeting with Nash concerning the latest assignment. He and Evan were scheduled to work surveillance this afternoon. The van had been set up near Baptiste’s apartment building with Antwon and Rachel handling the first shift duties. Nash had given each team orders that were simple and to the point: “Bring his ass in!”

When Evan saw Harvey, he quickly rose from his desk and grabbed his jacket.

"Hey Harv, I'm starving. Let's get going so we can stop for a bite to eat before our watch begins.”

"Okay but let me give Casey a call before we leave. She was still asleep when I left this morning so we haven't had a chance to talk today."

"Can't you call her later? We don't have much time--"

"Evan, I’m just asking for a few minutes to talk to my wife, man. This won't take long unless…,” Harvey held the phone out to Evan. "…you would like to explain to your sister how your hunger pangs take precedence over her."

"Uh...no. Tell her I said hello.” Evan gestured towards the parking lot before stuffing his hands in his pockets and sulking away. “I'll be waiting in the truck."

Harvey chuckled as he watched Evan walk away. This brother-in-law thing was getting to be a lot of fun. After dialing the number, he leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes for a few moments. The long hours were starting to take their toll.

"North Beach Station. Detective Leek. How can I help you?"

"Say it again."

"Harvey?" Casey smiled at the sound of his voice.

"Say it again!" He demanded playfully.

"Say what?"

"Your name. I want to hear you say it again."

"Cassandra Leek aka Mrs. Harvey Leek."

"Even after all these months, I still enjoy hearing that. So wife, what's on the agenda for this evening?"

"I'm glad you asked. Grab a pen and take a note. We have dinner reservations at the Shangri La Gardens tonight at 7 sharp. I have a surprise for you."

"Sounds intriguing. Do I get a hint?"

"Nope. You’ll have to wait until tonight but I promise, it’s worth the wait."

"Alright, I'll be there. I have to go, baby. Evan's waiting for me."

"I’ll see you later then. I love you. Oh, and Harvey…be careful.”

“Always.”

**

“Hi hon, it’s me. Listen, Evan and I are on a stakeout so I’ll probably be late getting home tonight. Don’t hold dinner for me and don’t wait up. I don’t know how long this will take. I thought you would be home by now…oh well; I’ll try to call again later. Love you.”

Evan returned from his munchies run with two tall lattes and a sack full of snacks. He sat the sack down on the table and placed the latte in front of Harvey who had not acknowledged his return. The perplexed look on Harvey’s face worried him.

“Did something happen while I was gone, Harv?”

“No…no, he hasn’t shown up yet. I just have this feeling that I’m forgetting something.”

**
Christine walked into the ladies locker room at the North Beach Station just as Casey finished dressing for her dinner date with Harvey. Her partner had transformed from lady in blue to lady in red.

“Wow, you’re gonna knock Harvey’s socks off.” A wicked smile crossed her face when she added, “And if you’re lucky, a few other articles of clothing.”

Casey laughed at the comment and blushed. “That’s the general idea. We’re going to have a nice, quiet dinner before driving up to the mountains where we’ll spend two days at this great little rustic cabin. The resort manager is holding our reservations until 11 tonight so we should make it in plenty of time. This is going to be the most romantic weekend Harvey and I have ever spent together.”

**

“What time is it?” Evan asked as he shifted in his seat for the umpteenth time. He was growing bored with nothing to do but stare at the monitors.

“7:15. Why? Got a hot date?” Harvey asked without looking up from the book he was reading.

“No, Cassidy is spending the weekend with Nick in Carmel. She won’t be back until tomorrow night. So what’ya think? Is this guy ever coming home?”

Harvey folded his arms across his chest and leaned back in the uncomfortable folding chair. “Patience, dear brother-in-law. He can’t stay gone all night.”

“Are you sure about that?” Evan asked, eyes wide with curiosity.

“Well, he has to come home some time.” Harvey’s eyes locked onto Evan’s. “Doesn’t he?”

**

“8:00. Where is he?”

Casey checked her watch as she sat alone at the bar. A feeling of sadness swept over her as she glanced around the room. Couples were holding hands and whispering to each other over a shared dessert or stealing a kiss during a slow dance. Sighing heavily, she took out her phone and dialed Harvey’s number, then Evan’s but both were out of calling range. She decided to retrieve the messages from their home answering machine. Hopefully, there would be a message from Harvey explaining his whereabouts. She listened to three messages before his voice came on the line. Casey rolled her eyes and shook her head in disbelief as she listened to his message. She slammed the phone shut, threw some money on the bar and stormed out of the restaurant. She was going on a manhunt!

**

By nine-thirty, Mario Bastille had been arrested and transported to the SIU for booking. Harvey and Evan set about packing up the equipment in the truck. It had been a long, hectic day and both men were looking forward to the weekend.

Evan sprawled onto a folding chair and began winding the video cable. “I hope that Cassidy got the flowers I sent her.”

“Oh yeah? What’s the occasion?” Harvey continued to switch off monitors as he spoke and didn’t see the horrified look on Evan’s face.

“You’re kidding, right? Tell me you didn’t forget that today is Valentine’s Day.”

Harvey felt ill as he slowly sat down on the chair. Even could see the panic in his eyes.

“Oh my god, Harv. You forgot Valentine’s Day? Aw man, what are you going to do?”

“Our first Valentine’s Day as a married couple and I forgot. Even worse, I think Casey had made plans for tonight.”

Harvey reached into his coat pocket and pulled out the note. His spirits fell even lower as he read the words aloud: “Dinner with Casey. Shangri La Gardens. 7 sharp!” He crumbled the note and tossed it aside.

“I’m dead! I completely forgot about dinner. Is standing your wife up on Valentine’s Day grounds for divorce?”

Evan found a telephone book and began riffling through the pages. “Don’t panic. Between the two of us, we’ll figure something out. There has to be a listing for an all-night florist.”

“Good idea. You find the florist while I call Casey.” Harvey dialed the number and waited for an answer. “By the way, if she kicks me out of the house tonight, can I crash at your place?”

“What are brother-in-laws for?” Evan replied, continuing the frantic search through the yellow pages.

“No answer.” Harvey flipped the phone shut and turned to Evan. “Did you find anything?”

With a shake of his head, Evan closed the telephone book. “Nothing. Sorry Harv.”

Harvey propped his head up on his hand and pondered his situation. “How can I possibly tell my wife that I blew her off so that I could work? She’s gonna hurt me for this, Ev.”

The two men froze when they heard a knock on the truck’s rear door. They exchanged tense looks before Evan pushed open the door and glanced back at Harvey. “Oh, hi sis. We were just talking about you.”

“Really? Well, I was just in the neighborhood and thought I’d drop by.” Evan helped her into the truck and she glanced around at all the recording equipment and monitors. “Nice little place you guys have here. No wonder you like spending so much time here.”

Casey moved a chair closer to Harvey and sat down. “Evan, would you give us a minute alone, please?”

“Maybe I should stay. You know, act as referee.” The sharp looks he received from both Casey and Harvey told him to leave…NOW! “I think I’ll just wait in the car. Good luck, Harv.”

A tense silence fell between the couple for several moments before Harvey finally broke the silence.

“Baby, I’m sorry. I can’t even think of a good excuse. I got caught up in my work and forgot about our plans.” He tilted his head and gave her a sad look. “Am I sleeping in the doghouse with King tonight?”

“Here.” Casey offered him a slight smile as she handed him an envelope. The wistful sadness in his voice tugged at her heartstrings. She could never stay mad at him especially when he gave her looks like that.

Harvey opened the envelope and took out a handmade card. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Daddy. Love from your son, Jerry Leek.” Harvey chuckled at the formal way Jerry had signed the card.

“There’s one more.” Casey told him and handed him another envelope.

“Is this from you?” Harvey asked as he opened the envelope.

“My gift was dinner and a weekend getaway to the mountains. Unfortunately we lose our reservation in about an hour. I wanted to give this to you when we were in a more romantic setting but you might as well read it now.”

Harvey looked perplexed as he took the card from the envelope and read it aloud.

“Happy Valentine’s Day to the world’s greatest Dad.” Opening the card, Harvey’s eyes grew wide as he read: “Happy Valentine’s Day, Daddy. I can’t wait to meet you. See you in about seven months. I love you- Baby Leek.”

Emotion was shining in his eyes when he looked up and asked in a whispered voice. “We’re having a baby?”

Casey answered him with a simple nod of her head and a smile.

“YES!! I’M GOING TO BE AN UNCLE!”

Evan’s very public proclamation to the citizens of San Francisco caused Casey and Harvey to burst into laughter. It came as no surprise to either of them that he had been eavesdropping at the door.

“I’ll take care of him while you call the resort. Tell them to hold our reservation because we are on our way.” Harvey leaned over to give her a kiss before leaving. “This is the best Valentine’s gift I have ever received. Thanks ‘Mom’.”

“Thank you, ‘Daddy’. Happy Valentine’s Day.”

END