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Chapter Text

A Nice Surprise
calikocat

Disclaimer: I don't own Riptide or Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

A/N: Gonna dedicate this to GoogamooGirloftheWeek. I'm not quite ready to write a fic for the four old shows we like to gab about (Surfside 6, Hawaiian Eye, Bourbon Street Beat or 77 Sunset Strip). However here's a fic about the other gay detectives on a houseboat. : )

word count: 2729

XXX

June 24th, 1986

Murray flailed around a bit when a familiar cold metal appendage tapped him on his face. He opened his eyes and blearily peered up at the Roboz. “Oh. Morning Roboz.” Roboz turned and offered Murray his glasses with his other clamp. “Thank you.”

Roboz's eyes flashed and once Murray had his glasses on, he saw You're welcome on its screen.

Murray looked at his watch. “Oh wow. It’s pretty early. Guess I have time to get the coffee going before the guys get up.” He carefully moved the equipment and motherboards he'd been working on from the cot he still kept in his old room. Then made his way out of the front bedroom or stateroom, through the galley and headed toward the salon. There he found the coffee pot already fixed and all he had to do was flip the switch to get it going.

From there he made his way to the back stateroom, where Cody and Nick were still sound asleep. He smiled at his...best friends...partners...lovers...his everything really and grabbed some fresh clothes before heading back to the head attached to his old room. He wanted to let them sleep.

By the time he was clean and refreshed the coffee was ready and Murray opened the tiny fridge they'd added to the salon to retrieve the cream. Movement behind him caught his attention, but it was a familiar form so he didn't throw hot coffee on the guy.

Nick grumbled something that sounded like “Good morning” before he rested his head on Murray's shoulder. Murray smiled and poured a cup of coffee and added sugar to it. “Nick, if you want your coffee, you'll have to stop using me to prop yourself up.”

“You never came to bed last night.” Nick's voice was still full of sleep, but he managed to sound pouty.

“I had a lot on my mind. I tried reading but that didn't do the trick. So, I literally worked until I passed out under the motherboard I was putting together.”

“Still having nightmares?” Nick asked him, sounding more awake with every moment, as if the scent of the coffee was grounding him to the here and now.

“Only the one that woke me up after reading.” He admitted. “Once I passed out, I was in the clear. No dreams then.”

Nick kissed his shoulder and moved to accept the coffee Murray had made him. “Next time wake me up Murray. You know I'll always listen when you need me. We both will.”

“You needed the sleep. The last case we wrapped up was pretty intense, and in less than a month you'll be off to your annual training. So, you need to be at your best for that.”

“Actually, I've been thinking about giving up my last tie to the army.” Nick told him as he moved over to the table.

Murray stirred the cream into his coffee before he followed Nick, leaving it out because Cody liked both in his and Murray could hear him moving about. “Nick, are you sure?”

“I'm sure.” Nick sipped at his coffee. “A guy in my unit got outed, and he's being forced out. He's still getting an honorable discharge, but I don't want to reenlist. Not now, not when we're all together.”

Cody staggered into the salon then. “What are we talking about so seriously first thing in the morning?”

“Nick's not going to reenlist in the reserves.”

Cody stared at Murray. Then at Nick. Then he made a beeline for the coffee. He didn't say a word until he had a steaming cup fortified with sugar and cream, then he joined them at the table on Nick's other side. He took a sip of coffee, sighed, and finally spoke. “What brought that on?”

Nick smiled. “Guy in my unit got outed. Just want to cover my bases and keep my benefits with an honorable discharge.”

“You sure?” Cody asked. “Nick, you love being in the reserves.”

“I'm sure, I mean I love the two of you more.”

Murray could swear his heart skipped a beat and he met Cody's eyes, eyes that were misty and happy. “We love you too Nick.”

“Good. So next time you have a nightmare, wake one of us up.” Nick smirked at him.

“Murray.” Cody looked at him, eyes still heavy with emotion. “Did you have another nightmare about my shooting?”

He nodded. “Just a little one. It wasn't too bad. I wasn't reliving my part in it, killing the guy who was shooting at us...just the part about you bleeding.”

“Nick's right, next time wake one of us up. Promise me.”

“Yeah. Yeah okay.”

xxx

It was coming up on lunchtime when someone knocked on the outside door to the salon. Cody was in the galley making lunch, Murray was in the computer room, his former bedroom, tinkering with who knew what and that left Nick to answer the door. He slid open the pocket door and stared at the woman on the other side.

She was heavily made up, hair permed in the latest fashion, ears decked out in diamonds, and wearing a very expensive get-up. He was no clotheshorse like Cody, but even he could recognize that the woman came from money. Nick cleared his throat and tried not to just see her as a walking dollar sign. “Can I help you?”

“My name is Dana Chase, and I'm looking for Murray Bozinsky, this is the Riptide Detective Agency? I saw an ad in the yellow pages.”

“Yes, it is.” He stepped aside so she could enter and closed the door behind her. “I'm Nick Ryder, one of Doctor Bozinsky's colleagues. He's downstairs, let me get him?”

“Of course. Thank you.”

“Right.” He left her there in the salon, ducked passed Cody in the galley, and went to get Murray. Murray was hovering over some computer do-dad. “Hey Murray?”

“Yeah Nick? Is lunch ready?”

“Not yet, but there's a woman here to see you. She's a possible client.”

Murray nodded. “Be up in a second. Did she give you a name?”

“Dana Chase.”

Murray jerked away from the thing he was working on and looked up at Nick, eyes wide. “Did you say Dana Chase?”

“Yeah. Someone you know?”

“Well, if it’s the same woman, she used to be Dana Moore...but that was a long time ago.” He stood from his work table and sighed. “She's not someone I really want to see again Nick.”

Nick frowned. “Murray, she asked for you specifically.”

“I'll see her, but I won't enjoy it.”

Nick led the way back to the salon, to find Dana Chase right where he left her. He moved aside and watched Murray's reaction to her. “Found him.” Nick told her with a friendly smile. Murray for his part looked resigned, as he took in the beautiful woman.

“Dana.”

“Hello Murray.”

“What do you need Dana? Does Collin know you're here?”

“No. He knows I'm out, but he doesn't know I came to see you.”

“Lunch is ready.” Cody appeared with a plate of sandwiches then and a pitcher of ice water. He looked at everyone, taking in the tense atmosphere. “What did I miss?”

Murray sighed. “Cody, Nick. This is Dana Chase, formerly Dana Moore. My ex-girlfriend.”

Nick managed to save the sandwiches and water before Cody dropped them and put them on the table. He couldn't blame Cody though, other than Merna down in New Orleans, they weren't aware of any women in Murray's past. Well...other than the high school crush the guy had that never went anywhere.

“That's a lot to miss.” Cody muttered.

“Cody, why don't you go get some plates and glasses.” Nick gave him a nudge toward the stairs.

“Right...” He disappeared back into the galley, but came back with four plates, glasses and the paper towels. “So, who's hungry?”

They settled around the table. Murray was in the corner between Nick and Cody, their guest and possible client, Dana was in a chair across from them. Cody, ever the good host, had set the table and they each had a sandwich and a glass of ice water. And no one had said a word.

Murray broke the silence, thank God. “Dana. It’s been years...you chose Collin. So why are you here?”

Dana reached in her purse, Cody gave a low whistle, which meant it was expensive, and pulled out an envelope. “My daughter was kidnapped from her summer camp. This is the ransom note.”

She handed the envelope to Cody who opened it up. “If you want to see your daughter again, you'll pay fifty thousand dollars. Don't call the cops, and follow instructions when I call you. Keep your cell phone charged.”

“Daughter? You have a daughter?” Murray asked. “She must be pretty young...you didn't have a daughter six years ago. And she's already in summer camp? What? You couldn't get her into boarding school?”

Dana frowned. “She's too young for a regular summer camp...it’s a day camp, Murray. Glorified day care for five-year-olds. Can we focus on the kidnapping part?”

Nick shared a look with Cody, who looked stunned. Murray, however, was like a dog with a bone. “Well, why hasn't Collin paid the ransom? You did after all marry him for his money.”

“That's complicated.”

“You got a picture of your daughter?” Nick asked her.

“Yes.” She pulled a photo out of her purse. “Her school picture from this last year...her first school picture. She just finished kindergarten.”

Nick looked at the photo of the little girl. Dark brown hair, hazel eyes, and... there was something almost familiar about the shape of her face. He wasn't sure he liked where his thoughts were going, so he handed the photo to Cody.

Cody's eyes seemed to pick up on that familiarity...Murray though. Murray snatched the photo out of Cody's hand. His face turned pale, and his hand started to shake. “Dana. Would you please tell me why your daughter is the spitting image of my sister Melba at age five.”

Oh. Oh no.

Dana looked away, face red, in anger? Frustration? Or just mad that she was finally caught with a huge life shattering secret. “Why do you think Murray?”

“She's mine?”

Her hazel eyes snapped to Murray. “Yes. Biologically she's yours.”

“Is that why Collin hasn't paid the ransom?”

“Yes.”

Murray carefully put the photo on the table beside his plate. “What's her name?”

“Cordelia.”

xxx

Murray practically crawled over the top of Cody to get away from the situation. Cody didn't say a word, just scooted out of the way and helped him out of the booth so he could run and hide.

There was a roaring in his ears as he left the salon and hid in the computer room. The Roboz wheeled itself closer, Murray? on its screen.

“Not now Roboz.” He sat on the cot and put his head between his knees to try and keep the world from spinning.

Cordelia. He had a daughter. A five-year-old daughter, who was the spitting image of his little sister. My god.

It made everything hurt more. Dana choosing Collin over him had hurt the first time. Collin Chase was a real-estate genius and had money to spare, not to mention his stint as a male model. Murray Bozinsky was...well Murray knew he couldn't hold a candle to the guy. He wasn't good with money, or else he'd have it to spare. Though he'd gotten better in the last couple of years. Enough to have investments so they could breathe easier.

Cold metal tapped him on the back of the neck and Murray sat up. The Roboz still had Murray? on his screen, but in his free clamp he had a tissue. The Roboz, his greatest creation...at least until he found out he had a daughter.

Cordelia.

Murray accepted the tissue. “Thank you Roboz.”

Roboz tapped his empty clamp on Murray's knee. You're Welcome.

xxx

Cody had put the sandwiches in the fridge long ago, while Nick had gotten Dana checked into a nearby hotel. Murray was holed up in the computer room and hadn't come out since Nick had escorted Dana off the boat. They were taking the case of course, there was no way they'd turn the woman away. But this was now a family matter. This was about a daughter that Murray hadn't known about.

A daughter.

Murray had a little girl out there, kidnapped, scared, and all alone. Cody couldn't imagine what his friend was feeling. What he was going through. On a good day he didn't know what was on the guy's mind, but on a day like this? Cody sighed and moved out of the galley, passed the small bedroom on the port side, or he started too.

Instead, he opened the pocket door that hid the one bed stateroom. It wasn't the smallest bedroom on board, that one had bunk beds in it right next to the room the three of them shared. He stood there for a moment, looking at the unoccupied room and imagined what it would be like to have Murray's daughter on board.

Cordelia.

The photo of her indeed looked like a five-year-old Melba. He wondered if Murray could get her on the weekends or something. She'd probably like this room better than the bunkroom. They could get princess themed sheets and a comforter. Little girls liked that kind of stuff, right?

“Cody?”

Cody nearly jumped out of his skin. “Hey Murray. You okay? Well, I know you're not okay, but...”

“I'll be fine. Thanks, for getting me away from Dana, or rather keeping her from following me.”

“Anytime buddy. Whatever you need.”

Murray nodded, though he was still frowning. “Why are you staring into an empty bedroom?”

He glanced back into the room. “Just thought about redecorating it. You know, in case we had a guest.”

“What sort of guest?”

“Oh, you know? A guest that came over most weekends. Maybe a month during the summer?”

Murray blinked at him and then a slow smile took over his face. “Like a little girl?”

“Yeah. I was thinking we could get some pink and princess themed things for the room? What do you think?”

Murray hugged him. The movement sort of shoved him up against the doorway, but Cody didn't mind. The wiry man was stronger than anyone ever gave him credit for, and his arms around Cody were like a vice. “Thank you.”

Cody hugged him back. “Hey, we haven't even done anything yet.”

“For taking the case Cody.”

“Well, it’s a family thing, so you get the family and friends discount.”

Murray pulled back from the hug, and kissed him. Cody accepted the kiss, and held Murray's face, wiping away a few stray tears.

A door opened and closed and they pulled away from each other, listening, then relaxing when Nick called out. “I got Dana settled in at the hotel...where are you guys?”

“In the hall Nick.” Cody answered.

Nick came down the stairs and stepped into the galley and stared at them. “You guys starting something without me? I thought we were taking this case?”

“Just talking about redecorating one of the bedrooms with a princess theme.”

Nick grinned. “Guys, I'm not sure a four-poster canopy bed will fit in our room. Not to mention people would talk about us more than they already do.”

Cody rolled his eyes, and Murray just looked confused. “We meant this room Nick...because...I might fight for partial custody of Cordelia. I mean surely a judge would rule in my favor...Collin won't even pay the ransom.”

Nick walked from the galley to the hall and kissed Murray's forehead when he reached them. “I know. Now. Where do you guys want to start?”

XXX

Chapter Text

A Nice Surprise
calikocat

word count: 2282

XXX

They made good time and got to the day camp outside Sunnydale before the kids went home for the day. It was a small place, set outside a group of midsize towns, Sunnydale, Sageview, Brickmore and a few others. Small and swanky, for rich kids.

They showed their IDs at the front gate and they were let inside, Dana had called ahead so the staff were aware they were coming. Cody parked the Jimmy in the visitor's lot and a woman came out of the nearest building to meet them.

“You must be the Riptide Detective Agency. I'm Tori Brighton, owner and manager of Sunnyside Day Camp. I'm just beside myself, we've never had a real kidnapping before.”

They shared a look and Nick asked. “A real kidnapping? As opposed to a fake kidnapping?”

“I mean like custody disputes, but nothing like this has ever happened.” She was wringing her hands now.

“Can you tell us what happened?” Cody asked her.

“It was just after nap time so the children weren't really awake yet. After lunch the youngest kids get a nap time, then after nap time they have a recess to wake them up. So, Cordelia Chase's group was on the playground.”

“And this guy just came into the camp and grabbed her?” Murray asked.

“He was dressed as maintenance; he had the right uniform and everything.”

“So, he looked like he belonged.” Nick said. “He didn't look out of place at all?”

“Exactly.” Tori nodded. “There was nothing out of the ordinary about him.”

“We'd like to talk to some of the kids, did any of them see anything?” Cody asked.

“Cordelia's best friend, Harmony Kendall, saw the whole thing.”

“Why don't you guys talk to her, and Tori here can show me where the locker room is.” Nick said.

Tori blinked, confused. “Locker room?”

He stared at her. “Where the staff change, where they keep spare uniforms and such.”

“Oh. Of course. I'll have my aid show you to the classroom where Harmony is.”

xxx

Harmony Kendall was a little blond girl, who was coloring a printout of Snow White in the classroom. She was sitting at a table by herself and didn't even look up when he and Cody sat at the little table with her.

Murray wondered if Cordelia liked to color. He was lost in thought and let Cody take the lead in questioning her. “Harmony?”

She glanced up at them. “Yes?”

“My name is Cody Allen, and I'm a Private Detective. We're here to ask you about what happened to Cordelia Chase.”

“Jack O'Toole's dad took her.”

“Who's Jack O'Toole?” Murray asked her.

“Jack O'Toole is mean. He pushed me off the swings at school. So, Cordelia kicked him in his tummy.”

“She's very brave huh?” Murray said, smiling just a little. “You must be very good friends.”

Harmony shrugged. “Daddy says Cordelia's daddy has more money than us, so I have to be friends with her.”

That wiped the smile right off Murray's face, and Cody just shook his head. “So, Jack O'Toole's dad took Cordelia?”

“He works here, he cleans up the puke.”

“Harmony, do you know his name?”

She looked up again, frowning and thinking. “I don't read good yet...but I can write good.” Harmony pulled out a blank piece of paper and wrote down the letters. “B. R. A. N. D. O. N.” She looked at her work and nodded. “That's on the tag on his shirt.” She handed the paper to Cody. “Are you gonna find Cordelia?”

“We'll do our best.” Cody told her.

xxx

“Can you believe this place?” Nick asked. “The guy literally works here and they didn't even realize it.”

“You think that's bad, the girl we talked to? She knew who he was, besides his 'puke cleaning' capacity.” Cody told him. “The guy's kid goes to school with them.”

Murray was using his portable keyboard to interface with the Roboz in the back of the Jimmy. “I've got a lead on the guy. We're looking for Brandon O'Toole. Widowed, and get this, he lost custody of his son Jack.”

“Does it say why?” Nick asked.

“Brandon's got a record. Drunk and disorderly, he gets into a lot of barfights. Courts deemed him unfit to raise a child...Oh man.”

“What is it?” Cody asked.

“He used to work maintenance at Collin Chase's place of business...until he showed up drunk and Collin fired him for...urinating in his office.”

“So, it definitely wasn't a random kidnapping.” Nick said. “He went after Cordelia because she's Collin's daughter...or he thought she was.”

“You got an address Murray?” Cody asked.

“Yep. We're going to Sunnydale.”

xxx

“Anybody else get the creeps from this town?” Cody asked as he slowed the Jimmy down to a crawl.

“It looks like a slice of Americana...but yeah.” Nick nodded. “There's something about Sunnydale that doesn't feel right.”

“It’s like there's something hidden just out of sight.” Murray said. “Like when you're a kid and you just know there's something under the bed waiting for you. Even though logically you know there's no monster there you can't get rid of the feeling.”

Cody and Nick shared a look and Nick said. “So basically, it feels like we just drove into the opening scene of a horror movie.”

Murray thought about that for a second. “Well, yes, I suppose. If horror movies were real life.”

“Good thing they're not.” Cody muttered. “So where are we going Murray?”

“Close to the industrial part of town there's a trailer park, he lives there.” Murray said. “That's his last known address anyway.”

The trailer park had seen better days was Nick's first thought. Most of the trailers looked like they'd been built in the fifties, and the years since had been hard on them. Here in the trailer park, there was no suburban lie. No white picket fences or two car garages.

“This is depressing.” Cody muttered as he pulled into the empty spot beside a silver capsule of a trailer. Or at least, it used to be silver, now it was a dull grey.

“I agree.” Murray said. “I mean a little work and most of these trailers wouldn't be half bad. Especially say that little two-level trailer over there. I mean imagine the ingenuity of building a trailer with a cute little loft like that for the kids.”

That made Nick smile, just a little, Murray had kids on the brain. “Let's see if O'Toole is home.”

Nick led the charge, gun in hand, and Cody went around back. Murray stayed behind him, as he still wasn't comfortable carrying a gun. Though he did have a collapsible baton on him. And a taser. He got the front door unlocked with no trouble and in they went.

The living-room and kitchen had an open floor plan, and besides the mess there wasn't much to see. A sound from down the hall had Nick tensing up, Murray holding his breath behind him.

“Clear!” Cody called out. “No one's back here.”

“Clear.” Nick parroted back to him.

Cody appeared from the hall. “Looks like the guy’s closet exploded, but that's it. No sign of O'Toole.”

“It could be worse.” Nick told them.

“How?” Murray asked.

“There could be roaches.” Nick put his gun away. “Look at this place, stuff everywhere, but at least there's no half-eaten food out.”

“True.”

They started searching the trailer for clues, but didn't have much luck. “Anything?” Nick called out.

“All his bills are paid on time at least...though all he has is electric and water. He doesn't even have cable.” Cody answered.

“He doesn't have a computer...or even a credit card.” Murray muttered. “Everyone has credit cards except this guy.”

Nick tensed when he heard a car pull up and went to the living-room window and peeked outside. “Company?” Cody asked.

“Yep. Older guy, fifties, and a kid, five or six. Probably O'Toole's kid.” They backed off from the door, Nick and Cody had their guns in hand when the front door opened.

The guy was weathered from working in the desert sun, hair starting to go grey. He looked unimpressed with them and their weapons. “What's my idiot son-in-law got himself into?”

Murray approached him while they put their guns away. “We're licensed private detectives from Los Angeles.”

The man examined Murray's id. “Murray Bozinsky. Looks legit. So, what did Brandon do?”

“He kidnapped a little girl named Cordelia Chase.” Cody told him. “He's already asked for a ransom.”

The guy sighed. “Don't surprise me none, he always was an idiot. You won't find him here in town.”

“Do you have any idea where we might find him?” Nick asked.

“There's a dive bar in L.A. called Brine's Keep. Its right next to a hotel where he's got a girlfriend stashed. You'll probably find him there.”

“Thank you, sir.” Murray said. “Do you happen to know the girlfriend's name?”

“Melanie Overstreet.” Then he turned and walked out of the trailer.

“Anybody else find that guy really creepy? Cody asked. “I mean he never even gave his name.”

“I suppose...but at least he gave us a lead.” Murray said. “Even if it means we have to go all the way back to LA.”

xxx

“This isn't exactly procedure.” Lieutenant Joanna Parisi told him as she handed over a folder. “I don't suppose you can tell me what this is about?”

Murray hesitated for just a second...but Joanna was a friend and they might need her help with O'Toole. “This morning, we were hired...by an old girlfriend of mine. Her daughter has been kidnapped.”

She frowned and sat on the corner of her desk. “Murray, kidnappings are generally a federal matter.”

“I know...but Dana came to us. To me. Her husband won't pay the ransom.”

“What are you holding back Murray?”

“Her daughter, Cordelia...is mine.”

“Oh Murray.”

“It’s a heck of a way to find out you're a father. An old flame just walking into your life, saying hey I have a kid, she's been taken and by the way she's yours too.”

Joanna put a hand on his shoulder. “Whatever you need, just ask.”

“Thanks Joanna.”

“Where are Nick and Cody?”

“They're at a bar and hotel that our suspect hangs out at. They'll call me here if they find anything.”

“Alright, well everything we have on Melanie Overstreet is in that file. She has a rap sheet for solicitation...but nothing in the last couple of years.”

“So, a former lady of the night.”

“It would seem so. There are no leads on where O'Toole has Cordelia stashed away?”

He shook his head as he opened the folder. “She wasn't in his home, a trailer in a trailer park in Sunnydale.”

“Sunnydale?”

Murray looked back up at her. “Joanna?”

“Sorry, I've just heard a lot of bad things about Sunnydale.”

“Such as?”

“Shoddy police work for one. People just disappearing for another. So, if Dana and Cordelia live in Sunnydale, I can see why she came to you instead of going to the Sunnydale Police.”

He handed the file back to her. “Thanks Joanna.”

“You're welcome. Call me if you need backup.”

xxx

Murray parked his bike behind the Jimmy before putting down the kickstand and turning off the engine. It didn't fit his typical image, but he'd become attached to the Harley and it wasn't too bad for following suspects. Sure, it was loud, but when he was wearing his motorcycle leathers and helmet no one really gave him a second glance. Really it was a boss option for doing undercover work.

He noticed the Jimmy was empty, which meant Nick and Cody were still inside the bar keeping tabs on Brandon O'Toole. Murray looked up as tinny music suddenly filled the empty street from a juke box on its last legs. No telling when the poor machine had last been serviced. The idle thought crossed his mind that he could probably fix it.

Then all idle thoughts left his head when he saw his lovers walk out of Brine's Keep with a drunk supported between them. Brandon O'Toole.

“Over here guys.”

They nodded in acknowledgment and made their way across the street to him. “Hey Murray.” Cody greeted him. “We're just going to put O'Toole here in his truck with the windows cracked so he can sleep it off.”

Murray raised his brows. “We're not going to question him?”

“Nope.” Nick let Cody support O'Toole's weight while he walked over to a nearby pick-up, keys in his hand. “We know where Cordelia is.”

Murray made his way to a nearby phone booth to drop a call to Joanna, letting her know where to pick up O'Toole. By the time he was done they were in the Jimmy ready to go. “Murray?”

“Just telling Joanna where to find him...even if Cordelia is safe, he deserves to go to jail for taking her.” Neither of them argued and he sighed. “I'll follow you.”

XXX

Chapter Text

A Nice Surprise
calikocat

word count: 2284

XXX

They only had to drive around the corner to the hotel where O'Toole's girlfriend was staying. It was a dirty and rundown place, and the only indication it was still in business was the neon sign outside that said 'hotel'.

Most of the lights outside were out, and barely any light could be seen from the rooms. As if they all had blackout curtains. It was the sort of place people desperate for shelter would make a home out of if they couldn't afford even a basic apartment.

Again, he parked his bike behind the Jimmy and followed the guys to room number 5. They had their guns ready and Murray had the flashlight, and the lock picks. Though the lock was so flimsy that a credit card would have worked. He stepped back and Nick took point, knocking. “Melanie, open up!” There was no answer so he opened the door and dim light flooded their immediate area.

Murray peered around Nick and his eyes almost lasered in on the little girl sleeping on the furthest bed. She seemed to be alone and the guys entered the room. Nick checked the bathroom while Cody looked in the closet. Murray kept his senses about him and checked under both beds.

“Clear.” Cody whispered.

“Clear.” Nick said.

“Clear.” Murray added, then he just knelt beside the bed where Cordelia was sleeping. The dim light came from a bedside lamp and made her look like an angel...except for the dried tear tracks on her face. And the bit of dirt. And the bruise on her left cheek. “I might need to shoot O'Toole.”

“He'll be hurting enough from his hangover in the morning Murray.” Cody told him. “Trust me he'll wish he was dead.”

“Look at her Cody. She's beautiful.”

Cody leaned down to kiss the top of his head. “Yeah, she is Murray.”

“Cops are here.” Nick told them. “Looks like Joanne left the sirens off. I'll go talk to her, see if we can just take Cordelia back to the Riptide for the night.”

“And maybe put an APB out on Melanie Overstreet. There wasn't a thing in the closet, looks like she took off.”

“Well wouldn't you if your loser boyfriend kidnapped a kid?”

Cody laughed. “Well for one I don't have loser boyfriends...and if one of you kidnapped a kid, I'm sure there would be a good reason for it.”

“Cute Cody, real cute.”

They left Murray alone after that, alone with his daughter. She looked so much like Melba, and Dana of course. Suddenly her eyes opened, revealing a beautiful hazel color...nothing like his brown eyes. But the intelligence in them, the sharpness, that was a Bozinsky trait.

“Hey there Cordelia. My name is Murray Bozinsky. Doctor Murray Bozinsky. Your mother Dana hired us to find you.”

“Prove it.”

He pulled out the school photo Dana had given him. “Dana gave us this picture of you.” Murray showed her the picture.

Cordelia sat up and looked at it, then at him. “Daddy didn't give them money?”

“Well. No. Collin Chase didn't pay the bad man money. I'm sorry.”

She didn't seem surprised. Instead, she rolled her eyes. “He's gonna 'make it up to me'.” Her tone was very matter of fact. “That's what he always says when he messes up.”

“Messes up?”

“He didn't go to my birthday party.”

“Oh. When is your birthday?”

“February second. I'm six now.”

“Well, I owe you a birthday present...actually I owe you about six birthday presents.”

“Why?”

He panicked for a second. “Well, I don't know if your mother wants me to talk about that...but we used to be friends. Actually, we used to date...before she married Collin.”

“Oh.” Cordelia sighed. “Does that mean you're my real daddy?”

Murray's heart leapt into his throat. “What...what makes you ask that?”

“I heard them talking a long time ago...about my real daddy. You're him?”

“Well...yes.”

Cordelia held her arms out and Murray stood, then carefully picked her up. “Let’s get you out of here. We'll call your mother and go from there.”

He carried Cordelia out of the hotel room. Joanne was standing with the guys next to a patrol car. “I'll want statements from you three in the morning. For now, get this young lady to bed.”

“Thanks Joanne.”

xxx

Cordelia was tucked away in bed, and she looked like she belonged there in the small bedroom. Murray was entranced and was almost afraid to look away.

“So, are we going to sleep at this end of the boat?” Nick asked. “Because I don't think we can all fit on the cot in the computer room.”

“We can each take a couch in the salon.” Cody said. “And Murray can take the cot.”

He looked away from his sleeping daughter. “What are you guys talking about? Why wouldn't you sleep in our bed?”

“Because you'll be here, watching over Cordelia.” Nick told him.

“That's ridiculous. The danger's past, O'Toole is in jail, and I doubt the Overstreet woman will be back in L.A. any time soon. I just wanted to watch her a little longer.”

Cody took his hand. “Set up the baby monitor Murray. Then we'll know if she wakes up. Come to bed, you didn't sleep well last night.”

“Yeah, okay.”

“I'll make sure we're locked up, meet you in bedroom.” Nick kissed his cheek, then Cody's before walking off.

“Come on Murray.”

Murray nodded and pulled his hand from Cody's so he could set up the Roboz to look after Cordelia. Then he grabbed a receiver to take back to their room with him. If she woke, if she needed him the Roboz would let him know.

He let Cody help him out of his clothes and into his pajamas. Murray kissed him, enjoying the texture of Cody's mustache as he always did. However, Cody pulled away and kissed his forehead. “Not tonight, Murray. That's not what any of us need tonight.”

And Cody was right. They curled up on the bed and he tucked his face into Cody's throat and sighed. It had been a long day, and the moment he was settled, he could feel sleep creeping up over him. The last thing he was aware of before everything went black, was Nick climbing into bed behind him, his arm wrapping around Murray's waist.

xxx

Murray woke to the smell of food and deduced that either Nick or Cody was fixing breakfast. The next thing he was aware of was a beeping from the receiver, the Roboz was letting him know Cordelia was awake.

He stumbled out of the main stateroom, passed the bunkroom, through the salon to the Galley. Nick stopped him with a quick kiss. “I think she just woke up. Cody went to pick up some milk, he'll be back soon.”

“Thanks Nick.” Then he went into the bedroom where Cordelia and the Roboz were. She was sitting up in bed staring at the Roboz. The Roboz waved one clamp at him. Hello Murray. “Hello Roboz. Morning Cordelia, how did you sleep?”

“I had weird dreams.” She frowned. “I got kidnapped. That wasn't a dream.”

“No. No, it wasn't.”

“Huh. Is that a real robot?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Is it expensive?”

Murray moved to sit on the chair by the bed. “Well, he's one of kind, because I made him. So, yes, I guess he could be considered very expensive.”

She was still frowning. “So... he’s my big brother?”

“What?”

“You made him...you're like his dad.”

“Well, in a way I guess...but he's younger than you.”

“So, he's my little brother.”

“Whichever you're more comfortable with.” He told her.

“Big brother.” Cordelia looked at the Roboz then. “Hello Roboz.” Roboz raised a clamp. Hello Cordelia. That made her smile. “You can call me Cordy.” Hello Cordy.

“Well, now that we're all acquainted, are you hungry? Cody's gone to get milk...and Nick is fixing breakfast.”

“Can I go pee first?”

Murray smiled. “Of course. I'll show you where the bathroom is.” He offered her his hand. “Come on.”

She reached for his hand, and it was so small compared to his, that his heart ended up in his throat. He had a daughter, and she was absolutely adorable.

xxx

Cody got back with the milk in time for breakfast. He and Nick sat on one side of the booth in the galley, while Cordelia and Murray sat on the other side. The poor kid almost ate her weight in eggs and made him wonder if O'Toole had even fed her. The creep.

He'd grabbed some clothes for Cordelia while he'd been getting the milk, so after a bath she had something clean to change into. She looked like an entirely different kid in her jeans and pink T-shirt. And Cody learned something new about Murray. He knew how to braid hair.

“Where'd that skill come from Murray?”

Murray tied off the braid. “I do have a little sister Cody. I was always doing Melba's hair for her when we were kids.”

“I have an aunt?” Cordelia asked.

“Yes, you do. Doctor Melba Bonzinsky.”

Nick came in from the deck then, he'd gone outside to make a call on the cordless phone. “I got a hold of Dana. She'll be here in an hour or so.”

Murray's mood instantly dropped. “Already?”

“Can I come back?” Cordelia asked.

Murray took her hands in his. “You can come back here whenever you want.”

And Cordelia's smile lit up the room.

xxx

Nick tensed when he saw Dana Chase walking toward the Riptide. “This isn't gonna be fun.”

Cody leaned against the railing beside him. “Nope.”

“What are they doing in there?”

“Drawing. Not sure where the crayons came from.” Cody nudged him.

“So, I might have picked up some crayons when we took this case.”

“Uh-huh.”

“You bought her clothes.”

“Well, she needed something to wear.”

They stopped talking as Dana reached their slip. “Is she alright?”

“A bruise on her cheek where O'Toole hit her.” Nick answered. “And I'm not sure they fed her. We're out of eggs now.”

Dana looked puzzled. “She'll never eat eggs at home, no matter how the cook makes them.”

“Dana...Cordelia knows that Murray is her dad.” Cody said.

“You told her?” Her tone was accusatory.

“No, the kid is one smart cookie. She put it together herself.” Nick said. “The point is, she wants to come back. So, you and Murray need to figure out a custody agreement.”

“Then he'll owe me six years back child support.”

“I can afford it.” Murray told her, Cordelia was with him, holding his hand.

“Can I stay longer Mommy?” Cordelia asked. “I have a robot for a brother. His name is Roboz.” She held up a drawing of the Roboz. “This is what he looks like.” Nick smiled; it was actually a pretty good sketch.

Dana made a face. “Well...we do have to talk to the police today.”

“She'd have a room here.” Murray told her. “All to herself.”

“You really want partial custody Murray?”

“I do.”

She sighed. “Give me a week, then we'll get together with our lawyers. Work something out.”

Murray knelt down to Cordelia's level. “How does that sound?”

She was pouting, but nodded. “Can I spend the summer?”

Dana spoke up. “We'll see...now come on Cordelia. There's a Lieutenant Parissi that wants to talk to you.”

xxx

August 1st, 1986

“You got everything?” Murray asked her.

Cordelia grinned, backpack on her back and suitcase beside her. “Yep.”

“Okay. We'll pick you up this weekend.”

She hugged him tight. “Thanks Dad. This was the best summer.”

“You're welcome.”

A horn honked, Dana waiting in her car. Cordelia pulled back and handed them each a drawing. “I made these.” Murray's picture was of him and the Roboz. Cody's was of him on the Ebbtide. And Nick's him and the Mimi.

Cody was almost teary-eyed. “Thank you, princess.”

“Yeah, these are perfect. Thank you, Cordy.”

Murray kissed the top of her head. “Thank you, sweetheart.”

Dana honked the horn again and Cordelia picked up her suitcase. “See you this weekend!” She lugged the suitcase to the car and put it in the backseat. They watched as she got in the car and waved as Dana drove away.

“I'm gonna miss that kid.” Nick said.

“I know we got used to having her around 24/7.” Cody told them. “But we'll see her again this weekend.”

“Yeah.” Murray smiled as they watched the car turn the corner.

xxx

“What did you do over the summer?” Harmony asked her.

“I was on a boat.”

“Oh wow. A cruise?”

Cordelia frowned. “No, it was a houseboat. We just hung out...and did a lot of drawing.” Harmony lost interest after that, and Cordelia wondered why the memories of her summer vacation were so fuzzy.

She'd been on a boat all summer. And there was an orange robot...but everything else was just so fuzzy.

XXX