Chapter One

Danny Blue had never really had family that he could rely on. His family had been in and out of the nick all his life and hadn't really felt a connection with them. When he met Mickey, Albert, Ash and Stacie he had finally found people he could call 'family'. Whatever he needed, they gave it to him. His life was hitting a peak. The one thing that had always bothered him about the group was Stacie. He adored her from the moment he laid eyes on her but she was always so guarded. Danny knew that she had been badly hurt before and knew it would take something or someone special to get her to open up.

Their last con had gone well. They had convinced a businessman that they would be selling him the majority share in the BBC and that he would be able to commission any show that he wanted. They sold him the share for £500, 000 although, after expenses, it was a lot less.

"So what are we gonna do next?" Danny asked Mickey, as the sat in the lounge of their latest hotel suite.

"I don't know. Albert's searching for our next mark." Mickey replied, shrugging his shoulders.

Danny stood up. "Well, I think I'm gonna go to Eddie's Bar, get a drink. You wanna come?"

Mickey looked up at Danny. "No thanks, I've got some things to take care of up here."

"Alright. See you later."

As Danny reached the reception of the hotel, he saw Stacie coming toward him.

"Alright Stace."

"Hey Danny. Where you going?" she asked.

"For a drink and maybe something to eat. Why don't you come with me?" He suggested, flashing her his cutest smile.

"Uh, I don't know Danny. I'm pretty tired."

"Oh come on Stace. I don't want to be some pathetic loser eating and drinking on his own."

Stacie let out a small laugh. "Where's everyone else?"

"Ash is seeing a guy about a thing, Albert's finding our next mark and Mickey's busy upstairs." Danny sighed. "Please Stacie. Come with me." He pouted his bottom lip at her.

"Alright. Where are we going?" she said, inter-locking her arm with his.

"Anywhere you want." Danny replied. "My treat."

Stacie thought for a minute, thinking of somewhere she had never eaten before. "How about Don Marcos? I've always wanted to eat there."

"Then you shall." Danny replied with a smile.

When Danny and Stacie reached the restaurant, they were fully booked.

"I've got an idea." Danny said. "Wait here a minute."

A few minutes later a man casually dressed appeared, tapping Stacie on the shoulder.

"Are you Katie Reese? I've seen all your movies. Can I have your autograph?"

The Maitre D' looked at them both.

"Of course you can. Do you have a pen?" Stacie replied.

The man looked at the maitre d' who handed him one. "Thanks."

Stacie grabbed a napkin and proceeded to squiggle a signature.

As she did, Danny came up behind her. "Is this man bothering you Kate?"

"No it's fine." Stacie turned to the man. "There you are."

"Thanks. My wife's gonna be thrilled."

As the man walked off the Maitre D looked at Stacie and then down at his book.

"It appears we have one slot open now if you still want it?" he offered.

"If there's a table near the back, we'd appreciated it." Danny replied. "I don't want the paparazzi bothering Miss Reese tonight."

The Maitre D' smiled. "No problem. This way."

Stacie and Danny followed the Maitre D' to the back of the restaurant where he handed them a menu each. "Enjoy your evening, Miss Reese." He said as he turned to walk away.

Stacie smiled at Danny who had a grin spread wide across his face. "Very good, Danny boy."

"Thank you. It amazing what someone will do for £20." Danny whispered as he opened his menu.

Stacie and Danny spent their whole meal chatting about everything- what he liked, what she liked, what they would spend there share of the money on and basically whatever else had been going on.

As they headed out of the restaurant, Stacie turned to Danny. "I can't believe you actually paid for that meal."

"Yeah, well, we hardly go out together, just the two of us. I thought I'd make it a proper evening. No funny business."

Stacie was touched by Danny's sincerity. "Thanks Danny. That's really sweet."

Danny, for once, didn't reply with a cheeky remark. Instead he just looked at his shoes and smiled.

Stacie stared at Danny for a while. She couldn't believe that this was the same guy that had hit on her within 5 minutes of meeting her. She moved closer to Danny and touched his cheek, making him look up at her. They held eye contact for a few minutes before Danny moved away.

"Where to next? It's still only 10.30. How about a club or something?"

Stacie looked at her watch. "Ok. But if you get up on the podium and dance again, I'm leaving." She said with a smile.

Danny let out a small laugh. "I won't. I promise."

Stacie took Danny's arm and they headed off to the club.