Sorry it's been so long! RL has been busy. Thanks for sticking with me. And for all the reviews. I'll try to post a couple times this weekend.

Disclaimer: I don't own the ones you know.

Enjoy!


Carlos' POV

Stephanie's family is crazy. That's for sure. I almost choke when her mother asks what my intentions are.

"It's a fair question. I mean what will the 'burg think? You and this thug. You're supposed to have 2.5 children and a white picket fence. A stay at home mom. Not someone who goes off when ever she sees fit. What would your children think if you had any?" she says shuddering. I see Steph clench her fists. She stands up.

"Mother! I can't believe this. I'm not going to be 'burg. In fact, I'm so far from being 'burg that I would do anything against it! And FYI mother who said I want kids?" she says and then she storms into the kitchen. Frank Plum is looking at his wife in disbelief. So is Abe and her Grandma. Her father stands.

"Excuse me while I try and help my daughter," he says furiously. She looks at him with her mouth open in shock. She calls me a thug when I am in the room? It's a wonder Steph's such good person. He crosses the room and goes into the kitchen.

"Ellen! I'm ashamed to call you my daughter. How could treat her like that?" her mother asks, "Come on Abe we'll go to Pino's." She and Abe stand up and hit the road. Ellen looks at me.

"I'm sorry Carlos. I hope I didn't offend you. It's just that I have this image for my daughter and I'm just angry and scared because she won't take it. I want her to be happy. I am happy with this life and I figured she would be too," she admits and then tears start spilling from her eyes. I nod. That still doesn't excuse her behavior. She'll be lucky if Steph and I ever set foot back in here.

"I'm going to go see if Steph is alright," I excuse myself and head to check on Steph. The back door is open. Frank Plum is staring out like an alien has just flown in.

"She's gone," he whispers. "It's dangerous out there." We walk out the door.

"You take a car and I'll go on foot," I instruct. He nods. I start running while calling Steph's name. I go down the same ally that I had been down so many years ago. I don't see anyone so I go forward cautiously. I then hear a scuffle.

"Let me go you son of a bitch," Steph's voice echos. Shit! Of course this would happen.

"Ah ah ah, I don't think so Estefanie. You see I know someone who you're connected to. He should be here soon. So, don't give me trouble," I hear a familiar voice say. I hear a snort. Was she crazy? Did she want to die?

"Me not trouble?" she asks. "Are you crazy? Have you met me? I'm trouble." I have to smile at that.

"Oh look, he's here now," I hear the man say as he comes closer.

"Hello, Ric," the man says coming closer to me. I see he has a hold on Stephanie. She doesn't look scared at all.

"Rick?" I ask thinking back to that night so long ago. Where Steph and I first met.

"Very good hermano," he says with a sadistic laugh.

"We are not brothers. Never were and never will be," I reply in a quiet voice.

"That's where you're wrong hermano. You see you joined and you know what they say, once you're in you're in," then he laughs again. This time Steph brings her elbow back and gets him in the nose. He lets go of her and she lands a kick to his stomach. He stumbles backwards and she then kicks him again.

"You ever come near me again and I swear you will wish I killed you tonight," she threatens and then she makes his head hit the concrete. Ouch. He'll be feeling that in the morning.


Steph's POV

The guy from years ago decides to try and get me again. I swear he's crazy. How did he even know I'd be here? Does he just wait here every night? What a nut. I beat him once what makes him think I wouldn't do it again? Is Ranger in a gang? I'm not sure. Once I knocked out the guy I run over to Ranger. He puts his arms around me.

"I'm sorry. This is all my fault," he whispers in my ear. I shake my head.

"No, it's not. I ran out of the house and came down here. He just happened to be here. I got away without a scratch. I can take care of myself," I tell him as we walked back to my parents house.

"Fine, but I can't help but feel I'm responsible for this," he sighs as he pulls me closer.

"If one of my enemies come after you, we'll be even," I tell him with a wink. He smiles. When we get back I call my dad who is still out looking for me. I'm pissed at my mom. I'm hurt. She wants me to be something I'm not but she keeps pushing.

"Deep thoughts, Babe?" he asks looking over at me. I shrug. We get in his car and he drives to his house.

"A little bit," I reply looking out the window.

We get to his house and we enter his kitchen.

"I figured since we didn't really get to eat, I'd make us something. Sound good?" he asks me getting out cooking supplies.

"Will I have to do anything?" I ask worried I would. He grins at me.

"No." I sit at the bar and watch him move through the kitchen working.

"Do you do this a lot?" I ask my chin resting on my hand.

"When I was a kid I did. I would get in trouble a lot and my dad wanted to send me to boot camp, but my mother and grandmother convinced him that I would do more good in a kitchen. So, I learned," he explains with a reminiscent grin. I nod.

"My mother always tried to teach me how to cook. That didn't go over well. I can't cook at all. Unless you want me to make coffee or cereal. Oh, and I'm also very good at reheating things," I tell him with a grin. He shakes his head in disbelief.

"That's sad. I'll have to teach you sometime," he tells me with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

"Do you know how to make pineapple upside down cake?" I ask and I think I might have started to drool. He chuckles.

"I could probably make it if you gave me a recipe," he tells me leaning over the counter and giving me a kiss. It's heated and full of passion. We are about to go farther when the buzzer on the oven goes off. He pulls back and smiles. And then, proceeds to cook.


Carlos' POV

I cook a meal for Steph and I. It's called Pollo Asado en Cazuela. Roasted chicken with sauce. She licks her lips as I place a plate in front of her. I see her look up at me and she shivers. I smile and sit down next to her. She moans with each bite. I've never seen anyone as passionate about food as her.

"This is so good," she says closing her eyes. She has a small smile on her lips.

"I'm glad you like it," I tell her smiling myself. "I'll teach you how to make it sometime." She nods like it's a good idea.

"You can try. I'm not very good in the kitchen like I told you before. Total disaster," she tells me eating some more.

"We'll see." Afterwards we take a walk on the beach walking hand in hand. She is barefoot.


Steph's POV

Carlos makes really good dinner. Once we finish we go walking on the beach. I leave my shoes at his house. We sit down at the edge of the water far enough up we won't get hit unless we stick our toes out there. Grey blue eyes flash in my head again. I close my eyes and rest my head on my knees. I just wish I could forget. I'm sitting with my back against his chest and he has his arms wrapped around me. I look up and watch the water.

"It's beautiful and peaceful," I murmur staring into the darkening blue abyss that is the ocean.

"Mhmm." I lean my head back and tilt it up so I can look into his dark brown eyes. He smiles and leans down and gives me a kiss. He stands up and picks me up in one fluid motion.

We are back to his house in no time. His hand is at the bottom of my shirt tugging it up as I do the same to his. His eyes are full of raw desire. I shudder. He's such a good lover. I'd never get tired of this.


Carlos' POV

In the morning I wake early and go for a jog leaving Steph sleeping in bed. I cut my ten mile run down to a five mile one. I head back to my house. When I walk in I smell the coffee and walk into the kitchen. Stephanie is humming to herself as she gets some poptarts out of the toaster. I lean against the door frame watching as she pours herself coffee and sits with a smile on a bar stool. She sees me when she takes a bite. She smiles at me and I smile back.

"Want one?" she asks her mouth full. I shake my head no. I don't even have poptarts in my house. She must have gotten them from her house.

"I'm going to grab a quick shower be down in a few," I tell her leaning over the counter and kissing her on the lips. A moan escapes her lips as the kiss deepens. I pull back and grin. Her face is flushed and her eyes a dark blue. She smiles and then I jog up the stairs. I take a shower and once I finish I go downstairs to find a note on the counter. Went to my house for clothes and a shower. ~ Steph. I smile and drink a cup of coffee. Afterward I walk over to Steph's. She opens the door with a comb in her hand. I lean in and kiss her. I walk inside and she continues to comb her hair. I follow her upstairs.

"So what brings you here Batman?" she asks with a teasing smile.

"Just came to check on you Wonder Woman," I reply. She grins at me. It seems like she's been in my life a long time. Not just a...holy hell. It's only been a week.

"I have to get to work soon. I have to get briefed on some distraction I'm doing tonight," she tells me. I nod and my phone chirps. I walk away as she enters the bathroom.

"Talk."

"Manoso we need you for a mission. You'll leave at 0800. You'll be briefed on the flight," the general tells me.

"Okay." I end the call. Steph is looking at me curiously. I can't tell her much.

"I have to leave tomorrow morning," I tell her. She nods.

"I understand. I might have to be gone sometimes too. One reason I don't usually do relationships," she explains to me.

"Same here. I'm going to go to work. I'll pick you up for lunch?" I ask. She nods.

"Okay. I think you know where my office building is," she says with a smile. I kiss her and nod.

"See ya Babe."

"Later Carlos." I walk down the stairs and out the door. I don't want to leave but I have to.