Synopsis for "To Know A Man"

Featured characters: Tom, Cassy, Harry and Frannie

Guest stars: Not sure yet.

Warnings: Language, violence. . .all that good stuff. This story will be posted in parts as it is written, because I can't seem to do it any other way. Sorry.

Storyline: When Harry is the apparent target of an assassination attempt, will his remembrances be the keys to saving his life?

Time period: Right now. . .right here in the middle of the 8th season.

To Know a Man

By Terri D. Thomas

Part 1

"You guys are the greatest!" Harry's New Jersey accent had become more noticeable since completing his third glass of champagne. He reached out to pull his wife into a tight hug with his right arm and made the same move on Tom Ryan, sitting at his left.

Shocked, Tom laughed and tried to pull away at the same time, not want to upset his captain, but not willing to become any more affectionate than they had already been. Harry won the battle as he planted a kiss on the top of Frannie's head and then followed it with one of the top of Tom's.

"Harry, ugh!" Tom grimaced and pushed away a second time.

Harry, realizing that he may have gone overboard in the employee warmth department, straightened up in his chair, suddenly serious, "Uh. . .oh. . .sorry Tom." Then laughter erupted from his lips, "But you guys are the greatest. I never guessed that you'd do anything special for me for my birthday."

Cassy, upon seeing Tom's reaction at his captain's display of affection, couldn't help the fit of giggling that burst from her lips, "We're just glad you like it, Skipper." She and Tom had spent weeks trying to find the perfect gift for their captain and friend. It had taken some financial help from everyone at the department, and special financial assistance from Frannie, but they had pulled it off. Harry now held two tickets for a week-long trip to Alaska in his hands. By the end of the month, Frannie and he would be jetting off to Vancouver to begin their journey.

"I just can't believe that you two were able to do this. No one has ever done anything like this for me before," Harry looked at Cassy affectionately, then remembered Frannie sitting next to him, "Well, no one except for my Frannie."

Frannie smiled lovingly at her husband, pulling his face close and pecking a quick kiss on his nose. "You deserve it."

"We had a lot of help, Harry. Everyone pitched in. Even the Mayor." Tom looked around the room. A few people were mulling about. It was hard to believe that the party had been in full swing just a couple of hours before.

"The Mayor was involved in this?" Harry asked with an air of suspicion.

Cassy grinned, "Yep. Said that he would love to get you out of town for a week."

"Oh thanks guys." Harry responded, slightly miffed.

Frannie pulled her husband close. "They're joking with you Harry."

Tom downed the last of his second glass of champagne. "The trip has already been cleared with the Commissioner. All your meetings have been rescheduled. Frannie is free to kidnap you and take you to the great white north."

Harry's grin returned, even broader than before. "You guys are the greatest," he repeated, pouring himself another glass of champagne. Finishing the glass quickly, he took a moment to allow his eyes to refocus. "Guess I should lay off this. Don't think my system's use to all this celebrating." The older man's eyes were becoming less clear, his words becoming slightly slurred.

"How about a strong cup of coffee before we leave?" Cassy suggested. She had agreed to be the designated driver for the evening, but didn't relish taking a drunk captain home.

"Could we get a little more birthday cake, too?" Harry pleaded.

"Hey, it's your birthday. What ever you want, it's yours. Just name it." Tom motioned for the waiter to return to the table. He glanced at his watch again. It was almost 1:30 in the morning. Shaking his head, he knew that none of them were going to be worth anything in the morning, especially their slightly intoxicated commander.

Within thirty minutes, the cake and strong coffee had been downed. Harry sat back in his chair and stretched, his eyes skimming the otherwise empty room, "Where'd everyone go?"

"To bed, Harry," Frannie smiled. "Which is where we should be right now."

Harry nodded, glancing at his wife, then catching the look in her eyes, "Yeah. . .right. . .to bed. We need our sleep." He stood up quickly, "Gotta go." The room started to tilt and he grabbed on to the edge of the table, "Whoa."

Frannie and Tom grabbed Harry quickly and steadied his balance. "You okay, Skipper?" Tom said as he slowly released a supporting arm from Harry's shoulder.

Harry nodded, the grin returning to his face. He reached out quickly and pulled Tom into another hug, "Have I told you that you're the greatest."

Tom grimaced again and pushed away. "Yeah, I think you've mentioned it."

"Come on, Harry. Let's get you home," Frannie shook her head, laughing at her husband's behavior. Harry rarely allowed himself to lose control. It was refreshing to see him so carefree.

Cassy grabbed her purse. "I'll go have the valet pull the car around to the front."

Tom nodded his agreement and watched his partner head for the exit. Tom stayed next to Harry, just in case support was needed again. But it was evident that Harry didn't need his help. Frannie had her arm firmly wrapped around her husband's waist, holding him close. Harry, had his arm similarly wrapped around her shoulder. As they walked away, Tom smiled, knowing he was looking at love personified.

He followed the couple closely, taking one last look at the banners and balloons which decorated the room. They had pulled it off. They had surprised Harry with the perfect surprise party. Harry never suspected a thing. It wasn't a "landmark" birthday, so why should he? That's why Tom and Cassy wanted to make it special. They had missed his 50^th, and his 55^th was still a couple of years away. The timing was right to make this one special.

Harry and Frannie had joined Cassy outside, waiting for the car to be pulled to the hotel entrance. "Happy Birthday, Harry," he smiled and then joined his friends on the sidewalk.

Frannie led Harry to Cassy. Cassy smiled up at her captain, "So we really surprised you?"

The fresh air and strong coffee had cleared his thoughts. He nodded,

"It was wonderful, Cassy. I never suspected a thing." Harry brought the blond detective into an affectionate hug. "You and Tom really didn't have do this for me," he whispered into his detective's ear.

She pulled away, "Yes we did, Harry. You've always been here for us. We just wanted to do something special for you."

"Well, thank you. I mean that."

Frannie patted her husband on the back, "I just can't believe that we are finally going to go on this trip. You've been talking about fishing in Alaska for years."

Harry nodded, a child-like grin reappearing, "I've always wanted to go there. My father talked about it all the time when we were growing up."

Tom approached the group, "Why was your Dad there?"

"Fishing trip. One of the best times he ever had." Harry turned to his detectives, holding Frannie at his side, "You like to fish, right Tom?"

Tom nodded, "Haven't had the chance to do it much lately. My boss keeps me too busy."

Harry gave him a quick scowl. "Well, if you would solve your cases in a more timely manner, you might find you have free time on your hands."

Cassy laughed at the exchange between the two. Harry couldn't hold the scowl for long. The grin reappeared on his face.

Hearing a car engine approach, Tom turned to watch as the valet pulled the car next to the group. Cassy took a step forward in front of Harry to stand between the curb and her partner. "You're still driving?" Tom asked.

She nodded, "Yeah. I told you I wouldn't be drinking."

"Great, I'm feeling a little tired."

"Me too. I think work will be a little tough tomorrow," Cassy grumbled.

"Maybe our boss will take it easy on us," Tom turned to look at Harry. He tilted his head in confusion at the look on Harry's face. His happy, carefree smile had been replaced by a frown and narrowing eyes. "Harry?" His captain had turned to look into the darkness across the street.

Then the expression on the captain's face turned to one of shock and fear. Before Tom could respond, Harry screamed, "GET DOWN!" and threw his body at Tom and Cassy, pulling his wife down with him. An explosion filled the air around them and then was replaced by deafening silence.

End Part 1

To Part 2

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