DISCLAIMER: I don't own these characters and this is just for fun!

And again, A Special Thanks to Jackie for editing!

808 at 10

Chapter 2

I pulled into my driveway and took a deep breath. I still didn't know what I was going to tell Stephanie. It's not like I cheated on her with Violet because I didn't. But, I did have an affair for years with a married woman and it seemed like it was about to become public knowledge. Shit. I took another deep breath and decided to wait until I heard from Vy to tell Stephanie anything. I knew I would have to come clean, but the last thing I wanted to do was hurt my Cupcake. After all we'd been thru, I couldn't bear the thought of losing her again.

I walked into the house and was greeted by a very enthusiastic, Bob and then an equally enthusiastic Stephanie.

"Hi Cupcake." I said softly when we broke from a bone-melting kiss.

"Hi Joe." She said. "Come on! The game is on!" She exclaimed, practically jumping up and down with excitement. I smiled and felt good for the first time since that damn subpoena. Steph looked adorable in her Ranger's jersey and my sweatpants. She had her beautiful curls pulled up in a little ponytail and wasn't wearing any makeup.

We sat on the couch, shared our pizza with Bob and Rex and watched the Rangers kick ass! It feels great. It feels right. It feels like home. But I could still feel the weight of my secret at the back of my mind no matter how hard I tried to shut it out.

My cell rang and the caller ID told me it was Violet. "I have to take this." I mumbled and walked back to the kitchen hoping I didn't sound as guilty as I felt. I walked out on the back porch to get some privacy and felt a bit of relief when Steph's cell rang. Maybe it will keep her occupied so she doesn't get too curious about what I'm up to. Shit. I hate this.

"Joe," Violet began and then there was a long pause and I knew it was bad. "There's a video."

"What?" I practically screamed, "A video of what, Vy?"

"A video of us, Joe. I spoke to my lawyer and he says that John has a video of you and I…having sex in the hotel." Violet said and I could tell she was crying.

"Who? Wha? How?" I stumbled on my words trying to get my mind around the hell that was quickly becoming my life right now. I took a deep breath and was finally able to continue. "Violet, how could there be a video? Noone even knew we were together and we were careful. Careful! And a video…I mean someone would have had to know where we were going and set it up before we even got there. What is this, Vy? How did this happen?"

"I don't know." She said quietly, "I'm so sorry, Joe."

I gathered my composure and said, "Violet, I hate to ask, but this isn't making any sense to me…Did you tape us, Vy? Did you set me up or something?"

"No!" she shouted, "Why in the HELL would I do that, Joe?"

"I don't know, Vy. Maybe to get me back in your life or to hurt me for leaving you in the first place."

"Things aren't always about you, Joe." She replied coldly, "This isn't exactly good for me in case you didn't know it." I heard a soft sob and felt like a jerk.

"I'm sorry, Vy. I just don't get it. Why now? Where did this thing come from? Did John suspect something back then?"

"Honestly Joe, John didn't care if I was nailing someone else back then. He had the secretary pool and the new young lawyers at his office to have sex with. I was his power trophy wife and nothing more. My lawyer says that someone approached John last week and said they had dirt on me and would sell it for a good price."

My head was spinning and I had no idea what to think of that. Had someone been following Violet around? Why?

"Joe, there's more." Violet said.

Oh God. "More?"

"Someone put the tape on the internet, Joe. Everyone is going to know. Everyone, Joe." She managed to get out before the sobs overtook her again.

I sat on my back porch for a few minutes after disconnecting from Violet. Why was this happening? I was trying, dammit! I was trying to be a better man so why in God's name was it all falling down around me? And what was I going to tell Stephanie?

I gathered my courage and walked back into the house. I have to tell Stephanie about Violet and it wasn't going to be easy. As I stepped thru the door, I saw Steph's face and knew that I was already too late. Her beautiful blue eyes were pooled with tears and her face was a mask of shock, hurt and anger. Shit.

"Cupcake," I began, but she cut me off.

"Who is she, Joe? Who is this woman you're fucking in some video that's all over Trenton?" she chocked out between sobs.

Damn. I hate it when she cries. Even worse when it's my fault. I tried to take her in my arms, but she pulled away from me still waiting for an answer. I sighed and said, "Let's sit down, Steph. It's kind of a long story."

We sat at the little table in my kitchen and I explained to Stephanie about my affair with Violet. She sat quietly listening to me and I wished I knew what she was thinking. Finally I said, "And I broke it off when you came back into my life. I told her that I thought you were my future. And I know I was right, Cupcake." I reached across the table and took her hand. Her eyes met mine. "I love you, Stephanie and that shit was all in the past. It was all a mistake and I wish more than anything that it had stayed in the past."

Steph finally broke eye contact and I waited, barely able to breath, to see how she would react to this revelation from my past. When she finally looked up, her face was masked, showing no emotion and when she spoke, her voice was cold, "Joe, you had an affair with a married woman for YEARS. You have no respect for marriage and I don't see how I can commit myself to someone like that." With that, she slipped off her engagement ring and set it on the table. My heart was heavy in my chest and my mind was replaying what she said over and over.

"Stephanie!" I said, hoping the desperation I was feeling wasn't obvious, "Cupcake, I love you. I respect you and I would NEVER cheat on you." She got up from the table and headed for the door as I spoke. "Steph, please" Shit, I was practically begging now, "I'm not the same person I was then. I know I fucked up, but it's in the past." She turned and faced me with that horrible look – cold and hard.

"I can't do this, Joe. I…I need time to think." And she turned and walked out the door.

I spent a sleepless night in our bed alone wishing things had gone differently, that I'd made better choices in my life and wondering where my Cupcake had gone. 5 AM came early and I pulled myself together to head into work. I had 2 cups of coffee and felt almost human. I put Bob out, fed him and have him a hug goodbye. "She'll be back, boy." I reassured him….or maybe I was trying to reassure myself.

I got to my office and some joker had covered my title "Detective" with a new one "Porn Star". Great! I normally can take the joking around from the other cops, but my night without Stephanie had put me in a shitty mood. I tore down the sign, walked into my office and shut the door. Maybe if I concentrate on work, the day will go by quickly and I can go find Stephanie. I need her to forgive me. I need to know that we're going to be okay. Shit. I thought we were past all this.

My cell phone rang and the caller ID said it was my mother. Shit again. I could ignore her for a little while, but if I don't answer her she'll eventually track me down and the embarrassment will be even worse.

"Hi Ma!" I said trying to sound happy and praying she hadn't heard.

"Joseph Anthony Morelli!" she shouted. God hates me. "Did you make some sort of sex tape? With a married woman? I thought I raised you better than that, but clearly I'm mistaken. Just like your father." She spit out and started to cry. Shoot me now. My third crying woman in less than 24 hours.

"Ma," I began gently, "I didn't make any tape, but I was involved with someone I shouldn't have been years ago. I'm not proud of it."

"Does Stephanie know? Oh dear, she MUST have heard." More crying.

"I told her everything, Ma. I wasn't with Steph when this happened, but of course she's not happy about it."

"Joseph, Joseph, Joseph! Where did I go wrong?"

There was a knock on my office door and I took the opportunity to end the call. "Come in." I said trying to calm my shattered nerves. Carl Costanza gave me a smirk and a raised eyebrow as he entered. "What's new, Joe?" he asked.

"What do you need, Carl?" I said not bothering to keep the irritation out of my voice. I was in no mood for his crap right now.

"Sorry, Joe." He said with concern in his voice. "I ran into Steph earlier."

I sighed. "Yeah? Is she okay?" I asked.

"She wasn't wearing her ring."

"Yeah." I said again, feeling glum, "She's upset and needs some time." At least I hope that's all it is.

"I'm sure it will blow over." Carl replied looking me in the eyes. "You two really have a good thing together. Let me know if there's anything I can do." He said and got up to leave.

"I will, Carl. Thanks." I said.

The day dragged by as I tried to catch up on my paperwork. I decided to hide out in my office since every time I left it, the room I entered would get quiet the minute I walked in. Great! I was the hot topic in Trenton yet again. I should be used to it by now.

I finally finished up my expense reports around 5:45 and headed out. I had called Stephanie a few times during the day, but she didn't answer or return my calls. Shit!

I decided to go by the Plums' house to see if she was coming for dinner. Maybe she'd come home with me after and we could straighten this whole thing out. I hated the idea of going home to an empty house. I hated even more the idea of another night without Stephanie so I was more than willing to face her family.

I cruised by our house first, but she wasn't there so I headed to the Plums. Steph's car wasn't out front, but Mrs. Plum was in the doorway. I took a deep breath. Time to face the music.

"Hello, Mrs. Plum." I said feeling like the idiot she probably believes me to be. Why did I insist on living to the low expectations of me?

"Joseph." She said without a smile. Uh oh. "Stephanie is not here."

I felt like a five-year-old who needed to confess to breaking her window or something. What is it about mothers that they can make you feel like that?

"I was hoping…" I said lamely.

"Well, it's dinner time so come in and take your place at the table." She said sternly as she headed for the dinning room.

Steph's dad, Frank walked up, took one look at me and shook his head with a smile on his face. I didn't quite catch what he said, but I think it was, "Come to face the firing squad, huh?" The guy cracked me up, but I couldn't even muster up a smile at that one.

I sat down at the table and realized the reality of Frank's comment. He wouldn't say a thing, but I would have to face Mrs. Plum and Grandma Mazur's questions. I decided to try to concentrate on my food. Works for Frank! But then, Frank isn't up shit creek without a paddle.

"So Joseph," Grandma Mazur began.

Here it comes.

"I saw your porno on the internet. Boy! That's even better than they have at the Treasure Trove!" I started to choke on my meatloaf as Mrs. Plum crossed herself. Frank stopped eating long enough to get up and give me a blow between the shoulder blades to dislodge my dinner from my throat.

"Thanks." I managed to say.

Grandma continued, "You should see it, Helen! The boy has skills. I'll tell you, Joe, Stephanie is one lucky girl to have a stud like you. I mean, my husband was okay, but…"

"SHUT-UP, MOTHER!" shouted Mrs. Plum. I looked down at my plate wondering why had I thought I could handle this. "Now Joseph, where is Stephanie?"

I looked up to meet her eyes. "She…She wasn't here last night?" I asked.

"No."

Oh God…she wouldn't. "I….I don't know where she is and she isn't returning my calls." I said. My mind was racing and I had a pretty good idea where Stephanie had gone. I could feel my blood pressure rising and I tried hard to keep myself under control. As it was, all I wanted to do was hit something. I counted to 10, then 20, then 50 and finally felt like I had myself together enough to continue.

"Mrs. Plum," I began, "I know I made some very bad choices years ago. I got involved with a married woman. I didn't think about anything but myself. But that all ended when Stephanie came back into my life. I'm better than that. I know it and Stephanie," I paused for a moment trying to control my emotions, "Stephanie means the world to me."

Mrs. Plum looked like she was trying to figure out if I was sincere. She must have decided I was because the next thing she said was, "Well, dinner is getting cold. " and we all ate in silence for the rest of the meal.

When we were done, I thanked Mrs. Plum, asking her to ask Stephanie to please call me if she turned up and said my goodbyes. As I was walking out the door, Grandma Mazur grabbed my arm.

"Hey!" she asked, "You got anymore pornos on the net? That was some of the best I've ever seen!"

I gave her a small smile and said, "No, that video represents the beginning and end of my porn career, I'm afraid."

She sighed, "Oh well. And don't worry, Joe, Stephanie will come back to you. You two belong together. Besides, after seeing how good you are on the video, the girl would be a damn fool to let you get away."

I chuckled to myself as I walked to the car. Steph's family was always an adventure!

Now what? Home to my empty house? I tried Steph again and left my 30th message. Dammit, Steph! Are you with HIM again? I decided I couldn't face the night in my empty house sober so I stopped for a 12 pack and headed for home.

I greeted Bob and put him out for a minute. Then I poured half a bottle of beer in his bowl, downed the rest myself and started on beer #2. I was feeling a little better by the time I picked up beer #6 when there was a knock at the door.

Hmmmm….Now who could that be? I thought in my drunken haze. With my luck lately, it's probably a serial killer.