Disclaimer: Do not own the characters - or I would be decidedly richer.

Authors Note: Birthday gift for Casey_Wolfe

Rome and Brian's garage was a roaring success. It was perfect - Tej got the cars in, they tuned them up and then raced them subsequently fleecing them out of more cash. It was not the FBI but Brian was content. He had a good life and that was more than he could say after the last few years.

He picked up the mail and curiously sorted through it. He was shoving the letters into three piles; one his; one Rome's and the other pile was concerning the business.

Rome asked, "What we got?"

Brian frowned seeing a letter from someone he didn't recognise. It was written in a flowing cursive script that looked like it belonged in a Harry Potter movie. "Huh?"

Rome rolled his eyes pointing at the pile. "Letters?"

Brain chucked Rome's pile at him for the cheek of it, "From adoring fans. The bills are over there ..."

He trailed off as he was caught up in the mystery letter. He held it up to the light to see whether it was dangerous. Brian was not a stupid blonde and was more than aware of the enemies that he had made. All he could see was the letter and what looked like a charm on a necklace. He saw no other way to assuage his curiosity than to open the letter.

Dear Corazon

You are probably wondering why I am addressing the man who got me arrested as my heart, but it is clear to me that you are my Corazon.

Brian frowned the only person this could be was Carter Verone, but there was no way that he would be sending anything more than a death threat, right? Almost as if Verone was reading his mind the next line read.

Relax, I don't want to kill you ... you're too gorgeous to kill.

Brian was going to be honest and say that he was not wholly reassured. He had been caught between a rock and a hard place. He had needed to go under in Carter's organisation or face jail himself. He had known that by doing so he was putting himself at risk of retribution so he had done the smart thing. Unbeknownst to the police, he had arranged a meeting with Carter's lawyers and gave them all the technicalities they would need to see that Carter would see a jail cell for only six months and only in a minimum security setting. It wasn't freedom but it was about the best deal he could hope for in the circumstances.

He could not please everyone but that was the only way that he could see everyone being happy. He had delivered Carter; the FBI and DEA had their arrest and then the press had maligned the justice system by explaining in detail how tragic it was that such a dangerous criminal had gotten off on technicalities - and demanding changes to the laws.

I know that you are the one who ensured I endured a stay in jail but I hold no grudge. You did what you had to do and I can respect that.

Brian was relieved to hear that the hot criminal did not want to kill him. He had to wander at the necklace.

In fact, I find you charming and hope that you find a bone of self-preservation in your body so that I can convince you to go on a date with me. I hope that the St Christopher will keep you safe ... I figure it more prudent and aware than that of Jalopnik as the patron saint of Drivers.

Brian wondered what it was that always made him attracted to the most inappropriate men. He had found Carter gorgeous at the time but put it to the back of his mind at the time. Could he do it? Could he date Carter? It was crazy to be even contemplating it - but he was. He wanted Carter and potentially could see this developing into something special. He would of course be cautious as this could all just be a convoluted plot to kill him. Still his instincts told him no; told him that this was the real deal.

I hope to see a reply.

Ever yours,

Carter

Brian put the letter down and thought, well damn. It looked like he had a letter to write that would be able to get through a prison screening.

This was only the beginning.

Rome came into the office - a place he usually avoided as he detested paperwork. "What's got you smiling?' You ain't got any in weeks."

Brian loved Rome like a brother, really he did, but he wasn't blind to his faults. He was a horn-dog and didn't understand when no one else was. "I'm not you and it's a gift."

Rome looked at the gift it was a well-made St Christopher. He couldn't understand who would gift him one but it was a sweet gift. "Who is sending you gifts?"

"Carter Verone."

Rome wasn't listening wholly as he was focussed on food. Still when his brain caught up he spat his coke across the floor, "The guy you put in prison is sending you gifts?"

Brian shrugged, "He seems to not be holding a grudge."

Rome could tell that there was way more to this than even he knew. "He helped set us up."

Brian rolled his eyes, "He won't mind. He is a silent partner and the garage makes enough money that he will look the other way."

Rome though was like a dog with a bone - he knew there was something weird and he wanted to know. "Why doesn't he hold a grudge?"

Brian smirked, "He is in on a cushy deal, and he will be left alone afterwards."

Rome laughed. This was why he adored Brian - he may be a sneaky, pretty little shit but if he liked you then he would try and do right by you. He should have realised after the little scene in the club at the Pearl that there was something between them. He knew that trying to talk sense in his friend was pointless so he would do his best to be supportive and make sure that his friend kept his pretty face.

In fact Rome could see a seriously funny side to all this. "Well no more Race Bunnies for you brother."

Brian scrunched his face up in confusion. "Why not?" It was not like he actually took up all the offers. Even so he was human and a man with needs.

Rome snorted, "You said that Carter has declared his 'intentions' and you're not exactly saying no ..."

Brian rolled his eyes in frustration, "There wasn't a question in that sentence."

Rome didn't rise to the bait as he actually had a very serious point he wanted to make. "He isn't the type to play well with others ... He was possessive with Fuentes and he didn't love her."

Brian understood what his friend was trying to say. He did understand really. The sad thing was that even still - he wouldn't stop.

He needed to see where this went, even if it was going to be the start of the strangest courtship ever.

Authors Note 2: So who wants more?