A/N – "Thoughts" , Gordo only knows Ryan from how Miranda describes him, he as never actually seen what he looks like. This comes into play later in the chapter.

Chapter 3 – Escalation

It was mid-afternoon and Gordo was sitting on the Tudgemans' living room floor playing with the twins. Larry had asked him over but he was running late. So while Amy was preparing dinner, Gordo offered to keep an eye on the 8-month-old twins.

Gordo watched Nick, who was sitting next to him, playing with his toys. Suddenly, he felt something pull on his sleeve. Looking over, he watched in amusement as Sasha pulled herself up and climbed into his lap. Hugging a little blue bunny, she leaned back against his chest and just sat there sucking her thumb.

He couldn't help but smile at the little girl and gently stroke her hair.

A flash of light blinded him temporarily but he quickly blinked away the spots and looked up. "Miranda will love this picture," a smiling Amy told him while holding a camera.

Just then Larry walked in. "My Queen," he said to Amy before kissing her.

Nick scrambled to his feet and toddled over to him. He held his arms up to Larry, who reached down and picked him up. "Sorry about making you wait David."

Scooping Sasha up in his arms, he stood up. "No problem. I don't have to check in until tomorrow anyway. So what's up?" he said following Larry into the kitchen.

After putting the kids in a playpen in the kitchen, so Amy could keep an eye on them, they walked into Larry's office.

"Thunder just signed a deal to create a new animated movie," Larry said as he sat down behind his desk.

Thunder Graphics was a company Larry and a partner formed after they created a new graphic software program in college. They had mainly focused on video game animation but they were now looking for bigger opportunities.

"Congratulations but what exactly do you need from me?" Gordo asked as he sat in a chair in front of the desk.

Larry leaned forward against the desk and grinned. "I need someone with experience to help us. Someone who knows how to direct, who I can trust, and who is smart enough to know what the hell is actually going on."

Gordo arched an eyebrow. "You got anyone in mind?"

"The job is yours if you want it."

Gordo grinned, "You've got yourself a director." After going over the details of the job, Gordo said goodbye to everyone and headed home. Pulling into the parking lot, he noticed that Miranda's car wasn't there. "Must still be at the shop."

Getting out, he walked towards the main doors. Just as he reached the door, he heard someone behind him.

"Excuse me."

Turning around, Gordo watched a tall, muscular man holding a bouquet of flowers walk over to him. He wasn't sure what he wanted and made a quick mental image of what he looked like. "Tall, muscular build, blonde hair, expensive clothes."

"Do you live here?" the man asked him.

Gordo titled his head slightly, "Depends."

The man chuckled, "I was told Miranda Sanchez lived here."

Now Gordo's interest was peeked.

"I tried ringing the bell but no one answered," he continued.

"She's at work."

"I need to be somewhere. Could you please give these to her when she comes home?"

Gordo nodded "Sure." He took the flowers. "Who should I say gave them to her?"

"Ryan Bronson." the man said as he began walking back to his car.

It took all of Gordo's self control to not launch himself at him. "Sure," he said through gritted teeth.

After watching him drive away, Gordo walked up to his apartment to wait for Miranda to come home.

About an hour later, Miranda walked into the apartment. She spotted the flowers on the coffee table and Gordo sitting on the couch watching her.

"Who sent flowers?"

"Let's just say I ran into an old friend of yours."

"Who would send… Oh god." "That jackass would pull something like this."

Gordo studied her face. "Something you want to tell me?"

She dropped her bag on the floor and then sat down next to him. "Ryan came by the shop yesterday."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Miranda dropped her chin into her cupped hands. "I was hoping he would just leave and I could forget he even showed up. But I guess that's too much to ask for."

Gordo moved closer and started to gently rub her back. "I want to know the next time that jerk shows up, ok?"

Miranda looked up at him, "Gordo, I swear there's nothing going on."

"I know. I trust you. Its him I don't trust."

"I'm going to go change. I'll be back in a few." Miranda got up, grabbed her bag and headed towards the bedroom.

Gordo got up and grabbed the flowers. Walking into the kitchen, he threw the flowers away. "I don't care how much bigger he is than me, if he messes with Miranda again, I'll deck him."