"How's your social science project going?" Beth asked, leaning against the wall.

The coolness of the wall in her room threatened to seep through her sweater.

"Yeah, dad's helping me. We're cutting pictures for the cover."

A mix of relief and satisfaction, even pride, settled as Beth considered the two of them sitting at the dining room table working on Jane's project. The image of Dean sitting on the couch, distracted by one game or another, or the news, couldn't help but slip in her mind. Still, he was helping.

"I can't wait to see it," Beth said, her heart aching.

"When are you coming back?"

Her back cold, she moved from the wall. "Tomorrow," She said softly.

"When I open my eyes?"

Beth laughed. "Almost. What did you have for dinner?" She couldn't resist asking.

"Pasta and chicken."

"I helped!" Beth heard Danny call out in the background.

It was better than what she expected and she couldn't help but feel surprised. Dean taking care of dinner and helping Jane with her project? Was he trying to make up for what he'd done? If he thought that was enough – not now. At least the fact he had been able to take care of the kids after working for the past week helped her feel less guilty about leaving for the long weekend.

Her stomach grumbled at the mention of the meal. What was the last piece of food that she ate? It may have been the sandwich she'd had for lunch. Eating had been the last priority in her mind but now that she could stop and breathe she was more than ready for dinner. Something nudged at her. Not that she particularly wanted to think about it, but was Rio hungry too?

"Mommy, we're playing Candyland. See you tomorrow!"

"Good night sweetheart," Beth said, ending the call.

Not too many options laid before her. A few restaurants were at walking distance from the port, she'd noticed one of her excursions leaving the boat. Either Ruby or Annie could keep her company, though she wasn't too keen on hearing the proposal that was made to Ruby talked up in more detail.

While she'd sat restlessly with Josiah it wasn't that she hadn't thought about it at all. As she'd watch him disappear, after the police car drive away. What did she need the risk for? Was it worth it? With her injured foot she knew she still got off easy. As she'd watched the building earlier that day she'd had a combination of thoughts of what am I doing here along combined with do I know what I'm doing?

The truth was complicated. The quiet lengthy wait put her nerves on edge but also in a way that – hell, she wanted more of. It wasn't something she could lie to herself about. Talking to the officers, making the delivery, navigating negotiations. She liked it. She liked it. When she had to think on her feet, find a way to get out of something.

Maybe she'd just head to the dining room. It'd be simple enough. Should she just –

Searching through her last messages, she quickly found Rio's number. She leaned against her desk, hesitating before typing her message.

Are you hungry?

Her finger hovered over the send button. The other letters were nearly pressed, with what else she really wanted to ask. Was he all right, did he need help? Any of those combinations weren't going to get her anything. Earlier when he'd needed her help, he'd let her know. Dinner, on the other hand, wasn't something new. In fact each night they'd eaten together. Her thumb pressed send before she settled the phone on the desk and headed to the bathroom.

The warm water soothed the tension in her shoulders' muscles. Beth let the stream caress her skin and rubbed her face, enjoying the moment to herself. She'd brought her own shampoo, not sure what if anything the boat would have and preferring the comfort of familiar products. The rooms came equipped, she'd seen quickly, and she had used the room's shampoo the last two times she'd showered, enjoying the gentle pomegranate scent.

The kids should be getting ready for bed. Hopefully Emma was going to sleep better tonight. The first few nights she'd given Dean a hard time, sneaking out of her bedroom a few times. It wouldn't surprise Beth if she just wanted to have a little more time with her dad.

Who knew what Rio was up to or how long he'd be. For all she knew, he was busy and wouldn't even see her text. If he wouldn't answer she'd have to get something, she decided. Who knows when he'd be back. Once she'd gotten dressed she blow dried her hair and rubbed some lotion on her hands. The quiet of the room rang loudly in her ears. Finally she checked her phone. No reply. Grabbing her cane and her purse she left her room.

The corridor was emptier than usual and Beth wondered if most of the passengers were gone. She didn't mind too much that she wasn't invited to a party today – having a low key night was just fine by her. Finding the door to the dining room regretfully closed, she pulled out her phone after exchanging a look with a couple who was looking at the door sadly.

Before heading to one of the restaurants nearby she should make sure they'd still be open. Maybe even a place that delivers.

"Oh, sorry," She said, bumping into a tall body, too busy walking and typing "restaurant" into the search engine.

"Alanna, how are you?"

"Nathan," Beth smiled, her heart skipping at the sound of the name. "Good." She glanced behind her at the dining room and tilted the screen of her phone towards Nathan. "It looks like I missed dinner. I was just trying to find another place that was open nearby. Do you have anything you can recommend?"

Or any place that was clean, she thought as her stomach complained again. She was becoming less and less picky.

"Sure. Yeah, it's too bad we close so early. I can take you to a place if you want?"

"Oh, no, that's OK." Beth waved her hand. "You're probably working."

"I have some time off." Nathan smiled.

It beat eating alone – even if it meant she'd have to have her Alanna persona on.

"Is it OK if it's a place nearby?"

"You bet. How about Mexican? Great place a ten minute walk from here. Sure that's OK?" Nathan looked at Beth's cane.

Beth waved him off. "Of course."

With that they were on their way strolling down the street towards the restaurant.

"Where's the boyfriend?" Nathan asked.

"Working," Beth said, adjusting her tone to a casual one.

Nathan nodded.

The food was good and the restaurant was welcoming, decorated with bright pictures. Nathan and Beth made easy conversation, finding a spot by the bar. It was easy to laugh with Nathan and it felt easier to be Alanna with him than anything else. No message appeared on her phone. She couldn't help but think about Rio and hope that he was OK.

"I hope no one's needed this cane since I got hurt."

Nathan waved his hand. "Don't worry about it. It's a safe bet we have at least five of them. You'll never believe what people leave behind."

"What happens to you after we get back? Do you go on to another one?"

Nathan nodded. "I wish. These are special runs. But I have enough work with other places."

Beth smiled. When Nathan spoke she sometimes got the feeling there was another layer to what he meant. In that way he reminded her of Rio. On the other hand it was easy to talk to him. There wasn't an agenda. For neither of them.

"There's the man of the hour," Nathan turned his head from the door. Rio appeared waving to the man behind the bar before nodding to Beth and Nathan. How on earth did he find them?

"There you are sweetheart," Beth felt Rio's lips on her cheek and his arm slip around her waist. The lighting was limited but up close Rio's bruises appeared redder. From his stance it didn't seem like anything out of the ordinary had taken place an hour ago. For him it probably wasn't.

"Hi, man. You hungry?" Nathan asked.

Nathan didn't seem affected by what Rio looked like which made Beth wonder if he'd seen him like this before. Or worse.

"Nah, I'm good, thanks," Rio said, nodding at the bartender and ordering a drink.

"Want anything, sweetheart?" He asked before glancing over to Nathan.

Beth shook her head, Nathan following suit.

"I texted you," Beth tilted her head up and Rio caressed her cheek. Not letting herself get distracted, Beth studied his face, having the opportunity to see him as close as she could since their argument earlier today – if you wouldn't count the car conversation. Which she didn't, as he'd have his back to her.

"Sorry, baby," Rio said and kissed her lightly on her lips. On instinct Beth's shoulders tightened and she smiled at him. It wasn't going to get easier would it? At least she was close to the end of it. Rio pulled away and Beth resisted the urge to pull him back to her.

"Want a bite?"

Certain that Rio was going to say no, she was surprised when he nodded and took a large bite of her taco.

"Will we see you here next month?" Nathan asked Rio.

"I don't know. The holidays coming up."

Nathan tapped his forehead. "That's right. Too bad. We're heading to Chicago this New Year's. Shame to miss it. I'm sure your girlfriend would love it."

Grateful for the dimmed lights hiding her flushed cheeks, Beth smiled.

"We got our own plans for New Year's," Rio said. Beth glanced up at him and he winked at her. "Don't we, baby?"

Beth smiled, grabbing Rio's hand and feeling the rough skin of his palm with her fingers. Rio arched an eyebrow at her and Beth wanted to marvel at the response.

"There's your take out order," a woman dropped a bag in front of Beth, who thanked her.

"You gonna be hungry later?" Rio eyed the food.

"It was for you."

Rio smiled and kissed Beth's forehead.

"I wasn't sure when you'd be back," Beth said, not sure what to make of Rio's expression.

Nathan excused himself pretty quickly after Rio's arrival, Rio quickly taking over his seat.

"Thanks for having dinner with me," Beth said, feeling Rio taking her hand and bring it to his lap.

"My pleasure," Nathan smiled. "Careful with that foot OK? You should try to stay off it."

Beth nodded, distracted by the pleasant shiver running through her spine as Rio caressed the back of her palm and took a drink.

"Should we go somewhere?" Beth asked Rio once Nathan had walked out. The place was nearly deserted by now, but music was playing that was drowning out peoples' conversations and the other guests were sitting farther away by the window.

"It's OK, we can talk here," Rio leaned forward and touched her lower thigh, right above the knee. The gesture was intimate, but more than that it seemed instinctive, and Beth's gaze drew from his hand to his face. Rio held her eyes and kept his hand in place, before leaning back.

"So you're gonna work with her. That's cool," He held his chin up, his eyes locked on hers.

Something sank in her chest which only annoyed her. Unlike him, but he'd misread her expression. "No, no, that's not what I told her. I told her I didn't want someone new."

This would be easier if his face wasn't inscrutable, giving no clue to what he was thinking. She'd mostly gotten used to it but her eyes searched for a response. Something, before she turned her cards over. He only put his hands in his pockets and waited.

"It's not like I got the job offer from you, but this is what I want," Beth motioned to her and Rio. "That's what I told her."

"Thought that you were having a great time," he said, still keeping his distance, indicating her and Karin.

"What makes you think I wouldn't want to work with you?"

That I wouldn't choose you. She did, didn't she? She made her choice. She wanted to stay with him. The whole energy around her felt like a storm and she hoped he couldn't sense it. Or at least, not acutely as she felt it.

"Bet she made you a sweet deal." She could almost see a smile on his face. It was almost enough to distract her from his bruised face.

"I want to be with you," Annoyance won out as she slipped on her words. If she were honest, though, it didn't take her but a moment to find them. Or for them to make themselves welcome in her mouth. Despite her common sense, her rational need for self-preservation, she wanted to say it again. It felt like stepping into a warm bath. Worse, like she was home. "I want to work with you."

Even if it would be difficult. She already wished she could eat the words back up. Words she'd usually choose so carefully. This choice closed to the door to anything else. If she worked with him – anything else that had started in the last couple of days would come to a halt. That's beside him mentioning he had started something with someone else – but maybe, if she was in a ludicrous enough state of mind to even consider it – maybe she'd be open to it one day. Well, if things with Dean would in fact—

A wave of panic shook her as she took back the errant thought, buried it. What was she thinking, doing anything with Rio wouldn't work, she thought as he continued to stare at her with a blank expression. Each and every part of it would be messy, couldn't even be added up. Still if it was some one time thing and getting out of the business forever or doing this, staying in this business with him, of course there'd be no choice. She'd want to work for him. For now, until she got settled. Until she'd figure out how to get on her feet and make her own name herself.

"You're sure about?" He asked sharply. "You could make more money with her. For that family of yours."

"She wants me to move. I can't move my family right now."

Beyond the fact that her husband – or Dean – he wouldn't be able to do that and she didn't want to take him away from their kids. But the choice wasn't just for his sake.

"My life's in Detroit."

Karin's offer had made her consider an option she'd never seriously entertained. If business led her in another direction perhaps that would be a leaf that she'd consider turning down the line. But right now this was what she needed. "This is what my family needs. And maybe I could make more money with you."

Naturally Rio would know how much Karin had offered, but even if there was a change from what she'd earned before, the potential of it, the excitement of it – there wasn't walking away from that.

Rio's expression finally relaxed. What was he going to do, admit it in words? That stubborn man didn't have to for Beth to know. He was happy to hear her say this.

"You should've stayed in the car."

"You know I won't stay in the car," she said, meaning behind it everything she wanted to mean. Maybe, maybe if she knew what was going on, if she was trusted like a partner. But even then- "You always have to prove yourself, right?"

If that carried risks, it carried risks. He wasn't the only one with the right to take them.

"He had to stay with you. You don't give my boys directions."

Beth recalled Josiah's face when he got up, after the police car had passed by.

"I wasn't going to have him stay."

"Not your call."

"What, he's in trouble for it?"

Rio looked away and put his hands in his jacket's pockets.

"I told him to do it."

"Add it to your tab then?"

"I looked out for him."

"He ain't your kid."

This she wasn't going to apologize for. "No, and he doesn't need to be my kid. What would you have done if the police had stopped him?"

"Figured it out."

"Well, you didn't have to. And he didn't have to talk to the police."

Rio didn't have a response, so she know what she said resonated with him at least. The worry etched on Josiah's face – she had to respond to it. And it had gotten Rio the helped he needed. Beth sipped on her drink as she waited for him to speak. The silence had an awkwardness to it. Like, if she had to compare it to something and had nothing else to, it was like two teenagers trying to figure out what to say. Like standing at the cusp of something.

"Listen, I don't make that call." He said, straightening his back.

"I doubt you don't."

His features slackened, like he thought she was taunting him, like her future wasn't going to change on a vastly different course otherwise.

"Wouldn't say it if it wasn't," he said in a clipped tone.

"But you have a say?"

"Yeah."

"Then make it work," she said.

"Which friend?" He jutted his chin again.

"What?"

"Which friend you choosing?"

"They come with me or I don't come at all."

Rio didn't reply, blinking at her slowly. His features were sagging. He was exhausted and she recognized it because she felt it herself. She clasped her hands to stop from touching him, the impulse feeling foreign and uncomfortable.

"I'll take a pay cut. Hell, I'll get no pay a few weeks if that's what you need. Consider it collateral."

"Said no to a big shot job without knowing that this option gonna work," Rio shook his head. "Foolish. Gotta wait until you got a sure thing."

Beth inched forward. "Whatever I'm doing, I'm staying in Detroit. Whatever it is you're doing, if you want me to stay, you'll make it work." It may have been a risk but if she didn't have the two women she love by her side she wasn't ever going to be in it. Even if Ruby had said no, even so – now that she saw Rio had his hands in legitimate business, that opened the door. One step at a time.

Rio observed her quietly. Beth waited, meeting his gaze.

"I gotta do some things so – you get a night off tonight," he said with a small smile.

Tonight? Disappointment snapped at her ribs and spread to her stomach. It was the last night and she'd thought, or hoped that maybe –

Bandaid. It had to be like this right? It would be nice to spend a little time with him but wasn't it better like this?

"OK," she said.

"Before you ask, it's nothing you can help with," he gave her that look she was getting used to, a don't start with me look but she saw a spark of teasing behind it.

"I still have Karin's number," she teased him back.

Rio's expression grew more serious and he got up. Too soon then? Beth grabbed her take out order and walked after him, his steps slow for her to catch up. "Maybe I wanted a day off," she said.

"Yeah, right."

"Rio!"

Rio and Beth looked back. A worker held a couple of bags in his hand. Rio nodded at the man and passed him a few bills as he took the bags.

"I thought you ate already." Beth said. But then he hadn't told Nathan he'd eaten, only that he was good.

"Can't pass up this place. Best burritos in the midwest. Or tacos." Rio raised one of the bags.

And other dishes too, Beth thought, looking them over. He must've brought some food for his guys though she didn't imagine he'd take care of errands like that.

"Where are you heading?" She asked once they'd stepped out into the cool air.

"I'll walk you back."

Not that she minded spending a few more minutes with him but she still said, "I can get back on my own." She didn't want his pity.

"I'll walk you back," he repeated.

So he insisted and they walked back side by side. Chatting about the town, about Antonio expecting a baby, about the boat. Everything but what laid under the surface. What tomorrow would bring. What Beth still waited for – what she'd said yes for when she'd agreed to come.

"I'll see ya," he said, having walked her all the way to her room.

"How late will this thing be?" Beth asked, opening her door and stepping in her room, not ready for him to leave quite yet. But more than that, she didn't just want to know where he was going and what he was going to do. She wanted to be a part of it. Wasn't that really a part of what made her say yes to this trip in the first place?

"Late," Rio said noncommittedly. "Have a good night, yeah?"

"Yeah," Beth said to herself, long after the door closed behind him.

Her attention was half on the news, half on her phone. A little past 10 PM. Yawning she glanced out her window. The journalist was speaking slower, more muffled, and her voice wrapped Beth like a blanket. It was only an illusion, only felt that way because Beth was about to fall sleep. Likely soon, now that she'd eaten and she was able to relax after the long day – last few long days she's had. It had only been a few days but Detroit felt like it was in a distant land. She imagined her kids' faces, could hear Kenny's and Jane's voices asking her questions, Emma wanting to hear stories, Danny offering to help her cook.

As she'd sat with Nathan she knew she made the right choice not to take food back to her room. Rio and her crossed paths again, they got to talk one more time. He'd be busy tonight. Maybe she'd check in on Ruby. Hear about this proposal from her – even if, possibly, it wouldn't change her mind. It would be a relief not to play someone else though, even if in less than a day it'd be over. Her eyes drew heavier and heavier...

She scooched back so her back was against the bed frame and rubbed her eyes. Was this how she was going to spend her last night before getting back to Detroit, falling asleep in front of the TV? That's it, she thought, as she got up from her bed. She'd leave her room to have a night cap. How could she not celebrate a little? One drink and if she found herself yawning at the bar her bed would be right here waiting for her. She pushed herself to the edge of her bed, setting her feet on the carpet.

Her fingers ran through her outfits, taking the opportunity to put her clothes away in preparation for tomorrow. A green, long dress drew her attention and she changed, fixing her makeup. Falling asleep now she'd likely toss and turn thinking about what the final decision would be with her and the girls being back in. At least this way she could kick back a little, like Annie would say. She'd be making her proud. Just because Rio was busy for the night didn't mean she should stay cooped up in her room.

The door to her cabin stood quietly at the end of the narrow corridor across from her. Was she sure she was going to leave? She set her hand on the desk to her side. Straightening her shoulders she grabbed her purse. If she was miserable she knew the way back. She earned a celebratory drink on her last night. Crossing the room she opened the door, locked it behind her, and made her way down the hallway.