Disclaimer: I do not own anyone, all events are fictional.

A/N: I am trying something I have never done within my stories, I received a request from someone who always supports me, so I am trying to do a flashback for Roman. Please be gentle and try to enjoy it, but as always I appreciate your feedback. Things are still difficult for me, and updates may not be quick, but I promise to do my best. Thank you to all that have sent well wishes my way, they mean so much to me. Special thanks to ApSnowball, Prettycrazytriplehfan, HunterPleasure, Loveme3135, flowersNfreaks, and KingofKingsfan.

Seth peeked inside of Sofia's room, and he smiled as he watched Paul holding Sofia. "Is it okay to come back inside…?"

Paul lifted his head and nodded yes. Sofia began to get up. "I want to go see Roman now…"

Both Paul and Seth stared at one another, neither wanting to break the news to Sofia. Paul decided it was best to test the waters, he had run out of excuses, he only hoped her blood pressure would not spike. "Princess…Um…There is no easy way to say this, so I'm going to just say it…"

Sofia had a look of sheer panic in her eyes. "Just say it…"

Paul held Sofia's hands, and looked very compassionately into her eyes. "Roman is not doing as well as I said…Princess, he is in a coma…The doctors aren't really sure at this point if he will wake up…I'm so sorry…"

Sofia felt numb and her body started to shake. "W-what…y-you said he was okay…Why would you lie about such a thing…?!"

Paul had feared this, she was getting upset just like yesterday, but now she had more strength and she was getting out of bed. "Don't stop me…I need to see him…"

Paul held her shoulders to calm her. "I lied because you weren't doing well…I won't apologize for that…Getting upset is not going to help him or you…"

Sofia stared at Paul with single tear drops falling onto her cheeks. "You don't understand…This is my fault…He doesn't deserve this…He is hurt because of me…Again…!" With that she broke down into sobs.

Seth actually could feel himself getting upset too, he had become so distracted by Addison that he had forgotten that it is a real possibility his friend may not make it. Paul rubbed Sofia's back, but he was feeling more curious about Sofia's upset. Was it that much guilt of what had happened yesterday or was the guilt from something else? "Seth, can you give me a minute with Sofia…?"

As Seth walked outside, Paul held Sofia away from his chest to see her eyes. He needed to see her true emotions. "You have nothing to feel guilty about, Roman was doing his job, and he did it willingly…What else is bothering you…"

"It's just Roman has no one, his parents are dead, and he has no siblings…I'm all he has and I got him shot…" Sofia felt so nervous and upset, she wanted to confide in Paul, but she didn't know if he really wanted to know, or would he hate her.

Paul started wiping away the hot tears from her cheeks, he could feel there was more, but he didn't want to make things worse. "I'm going to say this in case you feel unsure…You can tell me anything…I would never judge you…Just like you don't judge me…"

Sofia bit her bottom lip, and looked vulnerable as she did in Columbia. She trusts Paul with her life, but would he be so forgiving of her foolish act, or would he end them. As she ran her fingers along Paul's chest, she looked up at him with remorse in her eyes. "I love you more than I thought I could love anyone…You have to believe that…"

Paul brushed the loose strains of hair from Sofia's face, and kissed her forehead softly. "I do believe that, and you have my heart…Whatever it is, just tell me…"

Sofia parted her lips, and held onto Paul. "Roman and I…" The door opened and Dr. Sloan cleared his throat. "How is my patient…Ready to be released…?"

Sofia pulled away from Paul. "Yes, I'm ready…"

Paul stared at Sofia, he knew her better than she knew herself. He could see something is torturing her soul, just like that night he held her when she confided what had happened to Dave. Something that Paul rarely feels happened, his heart was aching for her just like that night, and he was determined more than ever to find out the truth.

As Paul stepped outside with his brother, his face was very worried stricken. Of course this did not go unnoticed by Seth. "Is everything okay…?"

Paul sat down, and looked at his brother. "I'm not sure…Sofia is holding something from me…"

Seth sat beside his brother. "Like what…?"

"I know she and Roman are very close, but I just saw something in her eyes that bothers me…I saw guilt…" Paul stopped himself and waved his hand. "Ah, maybe I'm blowing this out of proportion…"

Seth had felt the same thing, especially since that night he and Roman were getting Nicole out of the mansion. All he could remember was Roman's face when Nicole threatened a secret. "You may not be wrong…I didn't tell you this because I thought at first it was nothing…"

Paul arched his eyebrow as he stared at Seth. "You thought what was nothing…?"

Seth rubbed his hand along his neck, which was a dead giveaway that he was nervous. "Nicole said she knew some kind of secret involving Roman, he acted strangely after that…"

Paul was no idiot, nor was he a saint, he knew Sofia had a past before him, hell she was married before. His gut just kept telling him there was more to it than just sex. "So you think him and Sofia were involved…?"

Seth shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know, but I don't want you thinking that something is going on still…Sofia loves you, and Roman is a stand-up guy…"

Paul had that same look of sternness. "I trust Sofia…Roman is another issue…" Paul raised his hand to silence Seth. "Because I questioned him man to man in my study, and he never said a word…I hope we both are wrong…That is all I'm going to say about it…"

Seth frowned for two reasons, one from being silence like a child, and secondly Roman is his friend. "I trust Roman, there has to be a good explanation…Lets just wait until he can talk for himself…"

Paul was becoming livid inside. He began questioning himself on how he let Roman side talk him that night in his study. "You bet your ass Roman and I are going to talk…"

"You don't even know it is something…You just want to be in control…Just focus on Sofia…" Seth stood up, we all know Seth's loves Paul, but he just wanted to talk to Roman first, instead of automatically thinking he is lying. Paul let Seth walk away, he knew his gut was never wrong and he wasn't going to be blinded by friendships and old childhood stories.

Roman's Room…

As the trio waited to go inside of Roman's room, each had looks of worry, but for very different reasons. Seth was conflicted by Roman's behavior and protecting his brother's best interest. Paul was angry, he hated anyone to lie to him, and he was starting to feel that Roman had indeed did just that, lied to him about his place in Sofia's life. And, Sofia felt the weight of the world on her shoulders. First Roman's condition, second the new ADA threatening Paul, and finally her own wellbeing. Dr. Sloan had released her from his care, but her pressure was still not normal, and she didn't tell Paul. She feels as though she is letting everyone around her down.

The nurse exited the room, and held the door opened for the trio to go inside. They all stared at Roman's motionless body, he was hooked up to several machines and IV Lines, it was truly sad to see the big guy lying as though he was gone already. Sofia was the first to go near Roman, she held his hand tightly, and tears started once again for her. Never did she think Roman would be in such a desperate way fighting for his life.

As Seth watched his friend, he also became choked up. "I have to get some air…I can't watch him like this…"

Paul attempted to stop his brother, but Sofia began to sob more. He placed his hand on her shoulder, and leaned down to whisper in her ear. "Baby, you have to calm down…Be strong for him…"

Dr. Lewis entered the room, and both Paul and Sofia diverted their attention to him. "Glad to see you up and around Sofia…May I have a word with both of you…?"

"Say what you need to say doc…" Paul said rather curtly.

Dr. Lewis stood near Paul and Sofia, so not to disturb Roman. "Not much has changed for him…The surgery went well, but there seems to be some infection which is affecting his system…We have begun Antibiotic treatment, but on a positive note they have helped bring down his fever…We just need to let the med's take their course, and hopefully we will see more signs of improvement…"

Sofia wiped the tears away from her cheeks, and held on tightly to Paul's hand. "Will there be any long term damage…When will he wake up…?"

"It is hard to say what or if there will be long term affects, he needs to regain consciousness to determine those things…I will say this, it is important to stay positive when you are around him, it is possible he can hear you and that will encourage the patient to fight harder towards recovery…Let me know if you have any other questions…"

Sofia sat back down at Roman's side, she was again left feeling numb. As she stared at Roman, she made up her mind that she had to be strong for him as he has always been strong for her. Paul leaned down and massaged Sofia's shoulders. "He is a tough guy, he will beat this…"

Sofia nodded, she refused to cry. "I know…I'm just going to sit here, maybe he can feel us here…"

Paul knew it was pointless to argue, he could see Sofia has dug her heels in. He also needed to get back to the Casino in time for his meeting with Nicole. "Baby, I have a meeting, but I will be right back…I'll leave Seth here for you…"

Paul kissed Sofia good-bye, he felt almost uneasy leaving, not so much for Sofia's wellbeing, but the nagging feeling of what Sofia was about to say to him. "When you wake up Roman, you and I are going to have a talk, and for your sake, it better not be what I think…" Paul thought to himself as he gave one final kiss to Sofia.

Once Paul left the room, Sofia stood up, and leaned over Roman's body. She stroked his forehead tenderly, and held his hand. "I hope you can hear me…You have to get better…You hear me…" A small whimper escaped Sofia's lips. "I'm so sorry Roman…This is all my fault…You don't deserve this…You have been through so much, and most of your pain has been my fault…" Sofia looked up as to talk to God. "Please God, don't let him suffer…He is a good person…Just heal him…Please…"

Roman continued to lay motionless, but he could hear every word that Sofia had said. His mind wanted his eyes and mouth to open, but he felt himself being so weak, as he lay there, his mind went back to a time he cherished. A time when things were so innocent for both he and Sofia. It was eleven years ago, at Sofia's home in Florida, the home she shared with her father Antonio.

Roman's Flashback…

"Come get in with me, the water is great…" Sofia swam around the pool and the moonlight seem to make her look even more intoxicating. She had on a black little bikini that showed off every inch of her curves. I didn't know when it happened, when Sofia blossomed into this sexy woman. We had always been the best of friends. We told each other everything, but lately something else was happening, we were starting to notice each other differently, we were still friends, but the undeniable attraction to one another was overbearing. I found myself thinking more and more about starting a relationship with her, but there was my problem. She is sixteen and I'm close to twenty years old. Her father has noticed our childhood friendship growing into something else, and he is beyond pissed. I know I should end this now before her or I get hurt, but the heart wants what the heart wants, and I want her. If Antonio finds out about this forbidden affair he will surely fire me, or even worse than that, he will want to kill me. God help me, why is she so damn tempting.

Sofia swam to the edge of the pool and gently tugged at my pants. "Come on, Papa is not home, and the water is so warm…I want to play…" And there it was that biting the bottom lip, and those playful devilish eyes just driving me to do what I know is wrong.

I couldn't help myself, she was absolutely perfect, I knew this was so wrong, but God I am going to bust if I can't at least taste her one time.

As I watched her swim back to the middle of the pool, I felt myself automatically stripping down to my boxers. "Oh, you're going to get it now…" I dived in, and within minutes my hands were holding her waist. We locked eyes and I saw it, she really wants it. "You sure your Papa is not here…?"

Sofia wrapped her arms around my neck, and I felt my heart racing. Again that nagging feeling of knowing this is so wrong crept back into my mind. "This is dangerous, your Papa will never go for this…"

I never finished that sentence, as an overwhelming need to kiss her won out. Our lips touched for the first time, what I mean, this was a real kiss, not some childhood chastised kiss on the cheek, this was a full on kiss. I could taste she had just eaten something sweet, it was the taste of strawberries. I couldn't get enough as my tongue swirled around her luscious mouth. And there it was a soft moan escaped her throat, she wanted this just as badly. But then she stopped and pulled away. I looked at her and saw that cute blush on her cheeks. "What's the matter…?" I asked as I kept my arms strongly wrapped around her waist.

I could feel Sofia's heart racing and I could see the deep desire in her eyes. "Roman…You make me feel so good…" And there it was that sexy giggle and the biting of her bottom lip, did she know she was driving me crazy with desire. "I know that was your first real kiss, but Baby girl that was so damn hot…"

Sofia's eyes sparkled at my words. "Really…I thought you might be disappointed…"

I pulled her closer to my body, and I know she felt my growing erection. "Never…Your lips are perfect…But let me show you how good I thought it was…"

We got lost again into another steamy kiss, she was driving me absolutely mad as her hands wandered down my back. I couldn't help myself, I needed more of her, so I slipped my hand between us, and then slipped my hand in between her legs. To my surprise, she parted her legs, and I gently moved her bikini bottom, and right on cue I slipped one finger into the tightest pussy I have ever felt. It felt amazing as she pushed herself down on my index finger. I was getting harder and harder with each motion my finger made inside of tight wetness. I knew she was a virgin, but I knew I could give her the most special moment she has ever had.

As my finger pushed deeper inside of her virgin walls, we both began to moan. "I want you Sofia…I need to be your first and only…"

Sofia laid her head on my chest, and my heart skipped a beat with the words she uttered. "I want that too…Lets go to my room…"

Well, it wasn't meant to be just yet, because before I could respond, there was an angry yell. I didn't have to turn around and look, I knew exactly who it was.

"YOU ROTTEN BASTARD…GET OFF MY DAUGHTER…SHE IS SIXTEEN FOR GODSAKES...I WILL KILL YOU WITH MY BARE HANDS…EDDIE…JUAN…GET HIM…!"

I felt Sofia tremble within my arms and her cries broke my soul. "PAPA….NO…PLEASE DON'T HURT ROMAN…!"

End of Flash Back….

Sofia studied Roman closely, she could see his eyelids flutter. "Roman…Can you hear me…?"

Roman made the slightest squeeze to Sofia's hand, but his eyes did not open. Sofia looked on so hopeful. "Come on Roman…I felt that…You can hear me…Please just try harder…" Sofia continued to almost will Roman to open his eyes, but as the seconds passed by there was nothing. Sofia leaned her head on Roman's shoulder, and she sobbed oh so softly. "P-please…"

As Sofia cried on his shoulder, she felt the softest touch from Roman's thumb rubbing her hand. "S-o-f-i-a…"

Roman slowly opened his grey eyes, and squeezed Sofia's hand a little tighter. Sofia raised her head, and her facial expression was mixed with joy and amazement. "Roman…"

There was a small cough from Roman, and he gasped slightly. "Baby girl…"

"Thank God, you are awake…" Sofia tried to pull away to get the doctor, but Roman held onto her hand weakly. "W-a-i-t…"

Sofia leaned into Roman, and stroked his forehead. "I need to get the doctor, I'll be right back…"

Roman did not let go of her hand, and his grey eyes were fixed on Sofia. "Wait…I need to tell you…(cough)…You are not to blame, not now or then…(cough)…You hear me baby girl…"

Roman would not let go of her hand, not until she answered him. "Save your strength…"

One thing Roman was, even through the ordeal he has just been through, was determined. "Tell me first…You have to let that go…For me, and for yourself…Promise me… (Cough)…"

Sofia batted her eyes, and small tear drops fell onto Roman's face. "Okay…Just be still and I will get the doctor…"

Seth stood quickly when he saw Sofia step out of Roman's room. "What is it…?"

Sofia hugged Seth tightly. "He is awake…We need the doctor…" Seth was not a religious person, but he was silently thanking the heavens.

There was no need for Seth and Sofia to get the doctor, because he and the nurses were already alerted by the many monitors. As the door shut to Roman's room, Seth looked to Sofia. "Did he say anything…?"

Sofia brushed her raven hair from her face, and looked at Seth wearily. "Yeah he did…"

"Well…Was it about the shooting…Does he know who did it…?"

Sofia sighed. "No, he just wanted to make sure I was okay…"

That peeked Seth's curiosity. "Ah Sofia…" Seth rubbed the back of his neck. "Paul, is worried about you and what may be happening between you and Roman…"

Sofia held her stomach, she loves Paul so much. It hurt her to think that he or Seth didn't believe that. "I love your brother, more than my own life…I hope that answers your question…"

"Don't do that, I didn't mean to imply that you didn't love Paul…It's just…"

Sofia stopped Seth. "Well, I'm glad you know that, because it is true…I love Paul so much…" Sofia sat down, she didn't know how to explain to Seth, and to be honest, she felt Paul deserved to know first. "All I can say is Roman and I are friends, but I have caused a lot of upheaval in his life…(pause)…I need to tell this to Paul first…But please never doubt how much I love your brother…"

Seth nodded, and sat next to Sofia. "I don't want us to have a falling out about this…You know I'm happy that you and my brother are together, I just worry for him…Okay…?"

Sofia sat a little closer to Seth, and smiled. "I know…No hard feelings…We wouldn't be family if we couldn't speak our minds."

Paul's Casino Office…

Paul looked up from his desk as Joanie walked in holding Nicole by the collar of her jacket. "Sit your ass down…!" Joanie huffed as she now slammed Nicole into the chair.

Paul walked from behind his desk, and stared at Nicole. "Did she give you a hard time…?"

Nicole was red in the face and ready to claw at Paul, but she thought better of it as she watched the huge frame of Joanie. "All you had to do was ask me to come, you didn't have to send this jacked up bitch to get me…"

Paul jumped into Joanie's path because the 5'10 Joanie was ready to give Nicole a whipping she would never forget. "Easy there…I need information from her first…"

"Pssh…I would love to see her try and do something…I will sue you if you touch me again…!"

"What did you just say bitch…?" Before Paul could react, Joanie had shoved him aside, and slung her hand towards Nicole. She didn't connect, but Nicole did fall from the chair and landed on her ass.

Paul was a strong man, but going up against Joanie was like holding one of his men, such as Glenn. "Come on…Just knock it off…!"

"Why don't you let me just get rid of her phony fake ass…!" Joanie huffed as she struggled with Paul.

Even though Paul was frustrated, he did give a smirk with Joanie's last comments. "I got this…" He now stood in front of Joanie, and leaned down towards Nicole. "Now…You will answer my question or I will let Joanie go, and trust me, you don't want that…"

Nicole grimaced as she tried to stand, but all her senses were not lost because she made sure to hike her skirt up to give Paul a good view of her red thong. "What do you want…?"

Paul sighed heavily. "Where were you yesterday…?"

Nicole stood up and got extremely close into Paul's face. "Why…?"

"You know why…I think you had something to do with that shooting…I just need to know if you pulled the trigger, or did you spread your legs to get them to do your dirty work…"

Nicole wrapped her arms around Paul's neck, and pulled him into a kiss. Paul was now done with Nicole's games, he stood with his hands by his sides. Once Nicole tried to deepen the kiss, Paul caught her off guard, and held her arm and pulled a gun from behind his back, as he brought the gun around so quickly, Nicole did not notice until Paul had the gun square at her throat. "GET OFF ME BITCH…I WARNED YOU…"

Foolish Nicole backed away and held her hands out just inviting Paul to shoot her. "Bastard…You are just whipped…And Sofia is nothing...She will never be the woman I am…"

Paul aimed right at Nicole's heart, and cocked the trigger. He spit to the floor getting Nicole's filthy taste from his mouth. "YOU ARE SO RIGHT…SOFIA IS NOTHING LIKE YOU…BECAUSE YOU ARE A FLITHY CUNT WHO I WOULD LOVE TO JUST KILL RIGHT NOW…!"

Joanie watched and was just waiting for Paul to do it, but she was going to be disappointed because Nicole spoke again. "You pull that trigger and Sofia will for certain lose your baby…She loves me Paul and will be crushed if you kill me…Your baby means that little to you…!"

Paul stood for several seconds, he lowered his hand that was holding the gun. He couldn't take the chance of Sofia getting so upset that they would lose their son. He walked slowly behind Nicole, and moved her hair from her neck using the end of the gun, his voice went extremely low and eerie. "Your days are numbered Nicole…Once my son is born I will kill you…It is not a threat anymore, it is fact…I know you had something to do with what happened, and that signed your death warrant…"

Nicole swallowed hard, she could tell by Paul's words he was deadly serious. Her heart was beating a mile a minute. "I swear to you I had nothing to do with that…"

Paul ran the tip of the gun along Nicole's spine. "Liar…Tell me the truth and I will kill you in a way that they still can have an open casket at your funeral…"

Joanie smiled wickedly as she watched Nicole start to sweat. "Make sure you don't piss yourself…Wouldn't want to ruin your fancy shoes…"

Nicole was trying to keep it together. "Shut up…Paul I swear I had nothing to do it…But…"

Paul pressed the gun a little further into Nicole's back. "But what…You have five seconds to tell me…"

"Alright…Maybe the brothers had something to do with it…Or a member from one of those LA Gangs…"

Paul laughed coldly. "The twins…The LA Gangs…Nice try…Those gang members would wait until Sofia stepped foot on their turf to make an example of her…And, please those twins couldn't shoot their way out of a wet paper bag…" He knew who she met, but he wanted her to say it, he wanted her to say the names of Dean and Damon.

"Nooooo…I mean Dean and Damon…You know Dean is sick of taking orders from you, he never liked you…" Nicole was making sure to cast doubt on Dean because she still needed to get the gun used in Dave shooting.

"Did Dean tell you this or are you making up bullshit…?"

"No, Dean didn't tell me, but he has been acting strangely…And, he makes no secret that he hates you…"

Paul stepped back from Nicole. "I still don't believe you, but I am satisfied that you understand that I am not fucking around with you…And you will stay away from that new ADA…Because if you don't, my son's life will not save yours…" Paul said those last words while wagging the gun in front of her face.

Nicole sighed from relief, but she couldn't help but leaving Paul with something to think about. "Maybe you should stop looking at me like the enemy and start looking at who is really a threat to you and Sofia…"

Paul rolled his eyes. "I don't want to hear any more of your fucking lies…Just get out…!"

Nicole wasn't moving, but Joanie started to escort her out. Nicole pulled her arm back. "You should really be worried about Roman…If you only knew what he was hiding you would drop Sofia so fast…!"

Joanie grabbed Nicole by the roots of her hair. "He said to shut the fuck up…No one believes what you are saying…Sofia and my cousin are solid…!"

Nicole tried once more to get a loose from Joanie, but this time Joanie was ready. Just as Nicole pulled back, Joanie held her tighter and slapped her across the face like she was Joanie cell block bitch. "We are not joking with you…LEAVE…!"

Nicole held her jaw as she stared a deadly stare at Paul. "You will regret that Paul…I promise you…"

As Nicole walked briskly out of Paul's office, Joanie slammed the door behind her. "Why didn't you finish her…?"

Paul sat roughly in his chair. "I have my reasons, and the baby is the biggest one…"

"What…?"

"Joanie, there is way more to this then you and I both know…If I kill her and my suspicions are right, Sofia will never get over that…"

Joanie looked confused. "What are you talking about…?"

Paul sighed as he loosened his ponytail. "You wouldn't believe it even if I told you…"

"Try me…You need someone to talk to…"

Paul sat in deep thought, he hadn't even shared his concerns with Seth yet. "I had a conversation with Eddie, and he said Sofia and Nicole mother's both were involved with Antonio…What if there is more to that story…"

Joanie's mouth fell opened, she knew what Paul was getting at. "You don't think…?"

"I'm not sure, and I can't kill Nicole until I know for sure…Because once it is done, I can't take it back…"

"Shit Paul, that is a much fucked up situation…You need to question Eddie again…Nicole is not going to stop…"

Paul huffed. "Don't you think I know that…But if I'm right, how do I explain it to Sofia without her hating me, or worse, losing our child…I have to hold off killing that bitch until I know all the facts…"

Joanie felt a chill run down her back. "If you are right, then what…You are stuck with Nicole sticking around forever…?"

"I don't know, but I need to know the truth before I strike…I just have had this nagging feeling ever since I spoke with Eddie…" Paul sat for a very long time after Joanie left his office. He had to talk to Eddie again, but did he want to have his suspicions confirmed?

TBC…Thank you for reading…Please follow or favorite, and leave your opinions/thoughts in a review, this provides encouragement to continue and update…