Lad " I''m sorry," I said my voice cracking As I strained to get enough breathe into my now tight lungs.

"I believe you ," I said looking down, refusing to met his eyes. ( Leon)

" What?" I said shocked, sure I hadn't heard her right. Was it this easy? Had she just murmured the words I thought it would take months to hear?

"Look at me," I whispered, pulling her even closer by tugging on the towel.

"Come on Lad, look at me," I said coaxing her down into my lap

"Baby, whats' wrong?" I asked my stomach in knots as I felt her began to shake.

" I should have never doubted you ," She said beginning to sob.

"I'm the one who left in the first place, me ." Even after all that has gone on it still hurt me to see her in so much pain. These last years had been hell for me , and I couldn't imagine what it had been like for her. Especially with the ninos running around. Both of them just as crazy as she was. Wrapping my arms around her I held her close trying to block out all the pain. "Hey, is gonna be ok, " I said rocking her slowly back, and forth rubbing her back. I know it had been a long time since she'd cried. Hell there had been no one there for her! (Lad) As I wrapped myself around him sobbing I felt like I was being reborn. Shedding my old self, that scared little chicita with too much weight on her shoulders. The one who'd' hardened her heart to the only man she' s ever loved. Moving closer to him inhaling his scent I let myself relax for the first time since they'd been here. This was my Leon , and he was finally here to take care of me. I don't know when it happened exactly, but the next thing I knew I was in bed with Leon beside me. (L) I lay in bed looking up at the ceiling as I listened to V breathe. Though I was tired I didn't want to go to sleep. I was to busy enjoying having him by my side. Through the years we had been through some rough times. The fights over the sluts that hung all over him, the disagreements about what he was doing. I'd known this heist was a bad idea from the start. The one break up we'd had was over what he was doing. I don't' think it was possible for me to love this man anymore than I already did. Thinking I had lost him that day. When the team came home without me had almost killed me . ( leon)

I woke up the next day reaching over, and finding comforting the small frame next to me. I was relieved to find her still there. I was sure she'd get up, and leave sometime during the night. Just maybe she was finally finished with running. I groaned out loud as the phone began to ring, and Lad began to stir. Who the hell was calling at ... 8 in the morning. I smiled as he lifted her head, hair in her face as she reached for the phone.

"Hello?" she said her voice husky from sleep. The way it used to be when I woke her up before I went to work in the mornings.

"You got it?"She asked suddenly perking up as she sat up . Brushing her hair back from her face she grabbed a pen, and pad of paper off the night stand scribbling furiously.

"Uh, yea, I got it, thanks so much pequeno, besos," she said hanging up the phone as she turned to me a grin plastered on her face.

"What?" I asked knowing the look.

"He's alive," She said jumping on me, and making me laugh.

"What?" I asked confused, just gladto have her body pressed against mine once again.

"Jesse, he's alive, Leon!"

"Oh my god!"



(Lad)

I smiled at the joy I saw I saw in Leon's eyes. Glad I could help chase away the shadows I saw looming there now. My friend Jose had come through, Jesse was alive, and recovering in the LA hospital. As far as I knew he wasn't under any police watch, so whatever this .. O'connor had done was working.

" I need to tell the others!" he said hopping up . I smiled as I watched him rush out the door only to re appear moments later.

"We need to tell them," he said holding out his hand to me.

Looking down I relalized that under the cover I had nothing else on . My towel long since unraveled.

"Hand me a shirt at least, " I said not wanting him to see what having two kids had done to my once stick thin body. The stretch marks that marred my thighs, and the five pounds of pudge at the bottom half of my mostly toned body

"Here," he said digging in my drawer, and tossing me a shirt. Slipping it on , I lowered myself out of bed,.

"Let's go chico," I said slightly behind him his hand holding mine.

"Guys get up!" Leon said rushing into Doms room.

"What?" Letty asked jumping up.

"I got a call he's alive, in La general, and under no police guards. " I said smiling at the look of wonder that spread across their faces making me feel ten feet tall. I was so glad that I could help them.

"Well I need to get going," I said realizing how late it was getting .

"You guys tell the rest of the team , I'm headed off to get the kids, and get to work in a few," I said heading for the shower.

The water was beading down my back when I heard the door crack open .

" Unless you have to pee, I'm in here," I said shaking my head. It was gonna be hell all of us in my tiny house. I turned with my mouth open as the curtain slide open, and a naked Leon stepped in. "Why were you hiding from me this morning?" he asked his lithe body forcing me to take a step back ,and allow him entrance into the shower.

"Hi- Hiding?" I askes stuttuered as I struggled not to drool.

"Yea , What's wrong?" he asked stepping behind me to massage my tense neck.

"Well you know things aren't the same Le,"I said blusing. " I"ve had kids, I'm not, I don't ," I looked away embarassed un able to continue.

"Lad, do you think it matters?" he asked gently turning me to face him.

" I love you , not you're body, and you're beautiful besides, " he said melting me as he kissed the light stretch marks along my hips, leaning me back against the wall he continued his exploration. Stroking my stomach, and leaning his head against it as the mist of the shower ran over us.

" I wish I had been there ," he said kissing my stomach gently .

"To see them grown in there, and to feel them move, I wish I had been here Lad." "These marks, they're just a sign of my kids Lad, all three of them."

"Its ok, you didn't know," I said bending over to kiss his forehead. No longer ashamed of my imperfect form.