A/N I'm not totally confident with this chapter lol but I kind of have an idea where I want to take this to make it into a long story. Next chapter will be focused on them alone and then the next couple of chapters will be drama. But enjoy!

Antonio Dawson was sitting at his desk, working on his next case when he heard a familiar voice coming through the gate. He looked up and he smiled when he seen his sister, Gabriela Dawson. It was a few days later since he went to Sylvie's house and although they haven't seen each other, they were texting back and forth. He was just afraid if he saw her then he would keep thinking about her in that dress…or well out of it. And that confused the hell out of him. He knew when he said that it was best that they stayed as friends, he meant it, but that wasn't what his mind or heart, for that matter, wanted.

Antonio stood up from his desk and gave her a kiss. "Hey sis. What are you doing here?"

"Do I need a reason to visit my brother?" She asked and he shook his head. He watched as she looked over at the precinct and then back at him. "Where is everyone?"

"They all went for lunch. Come on, let's go to the breakroom because I have a feeling this isn't just a visit to see your brother."

"You know me so well." She grinned and she allowed Antonio to lead her into the breakroom and she sat down. "So what's up?" She asked.

"What do you mean by that?" He asked, arching his eyebrows at her. "You came to see me. So what's up?"

If she knew anything about her brother, she knew that he was a private person. And with the smiles from Sylvie the past couple of days, she knew something was up. She just didn't know what. And she was getting tired of asking Sylvie and her always saying 'nothing, can't I just be happy?' So she was going to get the truth out of one of them. "What's going on with you and Sylvie?"

Antonio shook his head with an amused expression on his face. "What makes you think that something is going on between us?"

"So there isn't?" She asked, her hope fading away.

"No, not at all." He said, his expression turning serious. "The other night when you and Sylvie were having a girl's night out, I did stop by her place. And we did talk. But nothing happened."

"So, you talked to her? What did you say?" She asked curiously.

"You're so nosy." He laughed and he shook his head. "That I think we're better off as friends."

Gabby looked at him when he said that and then she hit his arm. "Why did you say that? Listen Antonio, I understand everything going on with Laura and the kids is stressing you out. But don't you think having Sylvie in your life will make you happy?"

Antonio sighed and he ran his hands through his hair. "I'm protecting Sylvie, Gabby. She doesn't have kids, so how can I expect her to want to date a guy that has two and an ex-wife?"

"Because she always knew you had kids. It wasn't something that you kept from her. If she's okay with it, then, why aren't you? Let me ask you something. Are you still in love with Laura?"

Antonio stared at her when she asked the question and he shook his head. "No, of course not. The only relationship that I have with Laura right now is that she's the mother of my children. That's it."

Gabby figured as much but she just wanted to ask. She stood up and she walked over to him. "Don't you think you deserve to be happy?"

"It just isn't the right time. Between my job and fighting for my kids, I will never have time for Sylvie."

"Then you make time. If Matt and I can make it work, then so can you and Sylvie." She said as she picked up her purse. "I have to pick up Louie from daycare. But please Tonio, think about what I said."

Antonio nodded his head and he smiled at her. "Give Louie a kiss from me. One of these days I'll stop by and visit him."

"I'm going to hold you to that. He wants to see his uncle." She kissed his cheek and then she walked out of the room.

Sylvie text Antonio to say what he was doing tonight to see if they could hang together, but after a few hours of no response she decided that either he was busy or he was back avoiding her for some reason. As much as she loved the dress she wore the other night and loved the way he was looking at her in it, and especially loved what he whispered in her ear, she thought that it was a big mistake. It just made things even more complicated than it had to be. She decided to change into her pajamas and watch movies to distract her mind.

Antonio saw the text from Sylvie and he smiled. He was going to text her to tell her that he will stop by after work but figured that it would be better if he surprised her. All day he was thinking about what Gabby told him and although he was confused, he just wanted to be around Sylvie right now.

He figured if he didn't tell her that he was stopping by, he could always chicken out without her realizing it. He didn't remember ever being this nervous around Laura but then again that was a long time ago and he probably forgot.

After a few hours and his shift was over, he thought about going home and changing but knew once he went inside his apartment, he would just make up any excuse not to go see her. He drove his truck over to Sylvie's apartment and after a few minutes, he parked his truck. He took a deep breath and he got out. He walked up to her apartment and then he knocked on the door.

Sylvie was in the middle of a romance movie when she heard a knock at her door. She turned off the movie and placed her bowl of popcorn down on the table and got up. She walked over to the door wondering who it was. As soon as she saw Antonio standing there she wished that she would have peeked out so that she could have changed into something better. Something that didn't make it look like she was a lazy bum.

"Nice outfit." Antonio smirked at her and he stepped inside her apartment. "I'm sorry I would have text you back but I was in the middle of a case. So I just thought it was an open invitation to come over when I was done with work."

Sylvie was mortified with what she was wearing but she was glad that he did stop by. She closed the door behind him and walked back over to the couch. "Not often that I can get to relax so I thought since you didn't answer my text back, you didn't want to see me."

Antonio shook his head and he sat down on the couch. He smiled when she sat down next to him. "I can come back tomorrow—or well the next day you have off if you want me to."

After hearing his comment, she shook her head. "No. I invited you over."

Antonio looked over at her junk food on the table and he smiled. Laura never ate like Sylvie did and for some reason it made him happy. Just for the simple fact they were completely different. He turned his head back to her. "So, I kind of got the impression that our talk confused you. Only because when I left, I was also confused."

Sylvie looked over at him and she tilted her head. "Confused? Why?"

"Because although I said it would be best if we stayed friends, when I walked out of here, it didn't feel that way."

"Oh?" Sylvie asked. She didn't know where he was going with this and she wanted him to elaborate.

"You just messed up my head with that dress." At that comment, they both laughed.

"I'm sorry. I won't wear it again." She promised.

He reached over and he grabbed her hand. "No, you know what I said that night to you." He said as he tangled their fingers together. His expression turned serious. "I just-this is all new to me. These feelings. The last woman I felt this way about was my ex -wife and that was years ago. I just don't feel right involving you in my life when my life is nothing but chaos right now."

Sylvie took a deep breath as she placed her free hand on his face. "But don't you think that would better if I was the only person who made you sane? Kind of like your haven?"

Antonio smiled at her words and he nodded his head. "I know, but it isn't fair to you. You don't have any kids so how can I expect you to want to be with me when I have kids?"

"Kids or not, it doesn't matter to me. Same with your ex-wife. I just never felt connected to anyone the way I feel connected to you."

Antonio nodded his head and he smiled at her. "Let's just take it slow, okay? I really want this to work between us."

"I do too. More than you know." Sylvie smiled as she took her hand off his face, staring into his eyes.

Antonio smiled at her and he nodded his head. "So, how about we order some food and just enjoy each other for tonight?"

Sylvie smiled and she leaned against him. "Yes, I would love that."