BABE

a/n thanks ms. D, once again!

a/n2 not ours yada yada

Stephanie turned when she heard noises and looked into the eyes of the most beautiful man she had ever seen. Yes, she had seen a picture of him, but that didn't do him the justice he deserved. Being a bit timid at seeing all these 'Large men', had her being quite shy and scared for a moment.

Then remembering what Ella and her had talked about in her sessions. She got the courage and said "hi, I'm Stephanie." Turning to the other men she said "Lets see if I get this right 'your Lester.'" holding out her hand so he could shake it. All he could say was 'beautiful' with a smile on his face.

Then going to Bobby, she did the same thing, he in turn asked if he could hug her. Nodding her head shyly, he gave her a gentle hug, while wanting to kill the man that did this to her.

Introducing herself to Tank, she asked him what he had. Her curiosity getting the better of her. He told her it was the security system, so that she could start to feel safe again.

She finally turned to the man that through pictures, she had felt the closest to, a connection. Holding out her hand to shake his, they both felt a tingle when he took her hand in his. Neither could say anything as they couldn't take their eyes off each other, lost in each other. Finally finding his voice, he introduced himself. 'I'm Carlos Manoso' he said quietly.

Frank and Joe glanced at each other, a conspiratorial grin on their faces. Each were thinking the same thing, if Stephanie was going to heal and learn to trust again, seems Carlos Manoso was going to be that man to help her.

They were invited to sit down to talk, so Stephanie could get more comfortable with them. After all she would be spending a lot of time with these men, as they would be guarding and protecting the family, especially her. Carlos, still couldn't take is eyes off of Stephanie. She was still a teenager technically, but after what had happened to her. She had grown up quickly. "So" Stephanie asked, "what do you do?"

Ella had gone into the house to get the lemonade that she had made and was watching from the window, her interactions with the men. She was very happy with the way the men had made her feel comfortable and safe. She knew that it would be a very long time before she trusted men again. This was the beginning that Stephanie needed. Ella was mentally clapping for joy when she saw how Stephanie had reacted to Carlos. Here was the man that could get her through this.

When Stephanie asked what they did? Carlos was the one to answer her. "We just started a company, a security company." The men answered all the questions she had, as much as they could. They didn't want to go into to much detail about certain things that might scare or upset her. Stephanie in turn, told them that she wanted to be a researcher and was graduating school early, so she could go to college. After a little while of just talking and getting to know each other. Dinner was ready.

Sitting down to eat was a new experience for these men. It seems Stephanie "LOVED" her food. "Babe" Carlos had said with a grin on his face. Stephanie looked up at him confused and asked him why he called her that. He replied that "it just fits you." Thinking about it for a few seconds, she just nodded her head and was wondering what this feeling was that she had been having for Carlos. They found that they couldn't keep their eyes off of each other, all through dinner.

A few weeks had passed. Tank had gotten everything installed and after a few glitches, it was working perfectly. Meeting with Frank and Joe to go over everything that had been done. Before the meeting Carlos asked if he could talk to Frank alone, after the meeting. Frank knew what Carlos wanted to talk about and was prepared to give his blessing. With a few stipulations.

Carlos and Stephanie had been spending a lot of time together, talking, playing games and taking long walks where they were getting to know each other more. On some of these walks, it found them holding hands and talking about Stephanie's fears she had about Morelli and what he had done to her. Carlos had learned not to use his blank military face, when dealing with Stephanie, but still had to school his face so he wouldn't scare her.

On one of these long walks, after his talk with Frank, had Carlos asking if they could sit down somewhere, so they could talk. He was nervous and was hoping he had been reading her right on what she wanted. "Babe" he started, 'You have become my best friend, I have feelings for you, that I have never had for anyone else.' 'I'm falling in love with you. I will back off if it's what you want and we will be taking this very slowly, no pressure whatsoever, but I want and need you in my life after this is all over. Something to look forward to.' Hoping he wasn't scaring her with what he just told he.

Stephanie just sat there listening to what Carlos was saying, her heart going a mile a minute thinking "does he really want what I think he wants? "Does he know that I am falling in love with him also?" "Carlos" Stephanie said. "I'm scared, but I do know that I have been having feelings for you also, I just don't know what to do with them right now. After what Morelli did to me, it will take me a very long time before I can even think of being involved with someone. Would it hurt to much if we just stayed' "best friends?" She added shyly, with a blush forming on her cheeks.

Carlos took a deep breath and said "perfect" while giving her a soft kiss on her forehead. 'Now' Carlos had said ' lets go up and get something to eat.' They continued to hold hands while walking back to the house.

As the trial grew nearer, It was becoming clear that Stephanie was getting more and more nervous. Carlos had found a way to keep her mind off of it, by telling her, his dreams for the future and all he wanted to accomplish. They laughed and Stephanie cried, all the while Carlos was holding his "Babe" and wanting to kill Morelli, over and over again.