A Happy New Year
By Linda Schwartz

@copyright Dec 1999

"Hey Peter, I thought you'd be on your way home. You don't want to ring in the New Year stuck in this dump." Kermit said as he leaned against his office doorway, coat in hand and ever present sunglasses in place.

"I'm almost finished with the McHenry report. Strenlich has been riding me on this for days." Peter paused as he dotted the last 'I' on the report. "Okay done," Peter said as he shut the folder that held the completed paperwork. He looked up to see Kermit was no longer standing by his office having disappeared down the back stairs just moments before Peter had finished the report. 'That was quick. He must be on his way to meet the gang,' he thought. Peter walked over to the chief's desk and left the folder there and quickly grabbed his coat.

Peter had been invited to a few New Year parties, but the one at Delancy's was where he wanted to be. The place was more crowded than usual and Peter made his way to the bar as best he could.

Terry brought out a glass of beer. "Here ya go Pete, first one's on the house. Happy New Year, buddy."

"Thanks, Terry," he took a sip and glanced around the room.

"Hi, partner, what took you so long?" Jody had spotted Peter and came over to say hello.

"I had to finish a certain report before a certain chief had my head on a platter."

"Ahem," the chief cleared his throat as he joined them at the bar. "You were saying, Detective Caine?"

"Ah, nothing chief," Peter looked sheepishly.

Strenlich took the drinks that Terry handed him and headed back to the table he was sharing with Kelly. Amusement showing on his face as once again he managed to be there just at the right time to see Peter stick his foot in his mouth. He liked it when he managed to get the best of his detectives, embarrassing them without having to say very much.

"Hey, Kermit, I see you made it. You moved pretty fast. Almost as fast as my father." Peter spotted him with Captain Simms and waved his friend over to the bar.

"Wouldn't miss ringing in the new millennium. I couldn't keep a certain lady waiting."

"Understood," Peter said without going into details and quickly changed the subject. "Your not worried about the Y2K thing?"

"Nah, that's just a lot of hype, Peter."

"So, we're safe at the precinct?" Karen teased

"Oh, yeah," he smiled at her and squeezed her hand. Kermit guided her to a table and held the chair as she sat down.

"An ex-mercenary who's also a gentleman? Your full of surprises Kermit."

"There's a lot you don't know about me, Karen," he said cryptically.

"Well, I'd like to change that. I want to know more about the man I'm interested in." She kissed him.

"Shouldn't we save that till midnight?"

"I'm rehearsing. How did I do?"

"Great, babe, great," He kissed her back.

"I wonder where Mary Margaret is?" Jody looked around the bar for her friend and co-worker.

"She got an emergency call just before I left the precinct." Sergeant Broderick mentioned. "Her mother is sick so she flew home to take care of her."

"I hope it's nothing serious," Jody took a sip of her drink.

"I hope so, too," Kelly and the Chief joined the others at one of the large tables.

Terry had turned up the volume on the large screen TV. It was playing the Times Square New Year's eve party. He had it on all day. They were showing New Year's eve celebrations from around the world. Australia, Germany, France, England and Sweden, each country was being shown as they entered the new millennium. Now in less than ten minutes it would be the US and Canada's turn.

"Peter, where is your father?" Kermit asked him.

"I do not know." Peter replied in his father's style of speech.

"I stopped by earlier but he wasn't at his loft. I was hoping he'd be here to ring in the New Year."

"I am here."

Peter turned and looked into the face of his beloved father.

"Pop? I thought...." Peter stammered.

"That I would miss spending this special night with my son?" Caine asked, with a smile on his face.

"Well, I wasn't sure you'd show up tonight, but I'm glad you did." Peter smiled back at his father. "I remember all the Chinese New Years celebrations we'd have at the temple. They were so special to me."

"To me as well, my son."

Father and son turned their attention to the TV as the crowd began the countdown.

8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

They saw the shiny ball drop and the flashing 2000 come up in Times Square. Auld Lang Syne was being played. Fireworks lit up the night sky and even in their fair city they could her revelers passing through the streets shouting and honking their car horns.

Kermit and Karen Simms kissed again. As did the Chief and Kelly.

Jody came over and gave Peter a happy New Year kiss, which took Peter by surprise. He returned the kiss. When they broke the kiss Peter spotted his father standing off to the side, watching him with amusement in his eyes.

Peter slowly walked to his father. "Happy New Year, Pop." He grasped his father's shoulders.

"Happy New Year, my son." He caressed Peter's cheek.

They pulled each other in a fierce embrace, each feeling so happy they were starting another New Year together.

The Beginning