Summary:

Set after season 1 finale (Showdown). Axel decides to apologize to Lioness for his behavior and dismantling of the team.

Few days have passed since Paine was escorted to the prison. Team spent most of the time cleaning up after the battle. For Axel it was mostly time for some intense thinking. He realized how selfish he acted and now was very disappointed with himself. Team always had his back whether it was finding out the truth about his father or other problems and he threw it away just like that. He let his emotions control him. Fortunately, he was able to realize how much team matters to him and how important friendship really is. Of course he still is determined to find out what happened to his father, but he's not going to sacrifice other important people in his life for that. Especially Lioness.

She is different from the other guys. Yes, she is a beautiful girl, but what's even more amazing about her, she was always able to get to him, being kind of his moral compass. Being blinded by his hate for Paine and revenge, he did not realize that he fell in love with her. Finally he was able to admit it to himself. Now, the harder part was to tell her how he felt. What if she doesn't feel the same way? He thought. Anyway, he decided to go talk to her and once again apologize for his actions.

Lioness heard the knock on the door.

"Who is it ?" she asked.

"It's me Axel, can I come in ?" he said with a shaky voice.

"Yes, go ahead Ax"

He came in and sat on the armchair.

"What's the matter?" she continued.

"I was thinking for the past few days and I think I realized some things" he started avoiding eye contact.

She corrected her position on the bed

"What exactly?"

"Well first I wanted to once again apologize to you for how I acted and this whole situation with Paine. I was so blinded with revenge and I did not realize how important the team really is to me. How important you are to me" He continued.

She got up, came up to him and grabbed his shoulder. He looked up.

"Axel, we are friends, you know I will always be there for you" Maybe more than just friends she thought but did not want to press.

"I know and I'm really grateful for that, but that's not the only thing I realized" he said and took a deep breath.

"What else?" she asked, not to get her hopes up too much.

"I realized that whatever bothered me, whatever kind of pain I endured, you were able to lift me up and help me. You are special to me, Li. On top of that you are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen." he confessed with a smile.

"What exactly are you trying to say?" she asked, smiling.

"I love you Li. It took me a long time to figure that out, but I know now, and I wanted you to know that. If you don't feel the same way I under- " she cut him off with the kiss.

It lasted for a few minutes until they ran out of air.

"I love you too , Axel. I've had a crush on you since the beginning. You have no idea how happy I am now that you feel the same way" she confessed with tears in her eyes.

Wide smile appeared on his face.

"Uhh, I'm relieved. I wasn't ready for another heartbreak" he laughed.

"I still have to find out what happened to my father, but I promise you that I will never be blinded with that vision again. You mean a world to me Li" he hugged her.

"You have to remember that we are stronger together, we will find out the truth about your father" she said and gave him a soft kiss.

"I know, I love you" he said smiling and picked her up.

"I love you too, Ax" she responded.

"So, Miss Leone, are you ready for the first date?" he asked.

"You have no idea how long I waited for that question, Mr Manning" she smiled.

END