After checking into their hotel in Brazil, Gina took a nap, while Crockett went to buy a car. He used the money Noriega gave him to buy it and got all the required paperwork. He got a jaguar. Then he went to the local gun shop and got two guns and two clips each, with amo. The guy at the counter didn't have him sign any paperwork and when Crockett checked the guns, the serial numbers were missing. He didn't care that they weren't legal, as technically he was a civilian and shouldn't have a gun anyway. One gun he had in a ankle holster and the other in the arm holster he had purchased. In Rio, money bought you anything.

To Gina Sonny explained, "muggings and gang violence happen a lot in Rio. Groups of ex cops form militias and they battle the drug lords, but they extort protection money from residents and businesses on their turf."

"Sonny, it's okay, I understand. I feel safer with one of us having a gun, especially since we keep running into people who know Burnett."

It was late afternoon, so they took a trip to Sugar Loaf Mountain (Pao de Acucar) which was 45 minutes away and then rode a cable car up. The view of the city and the mouth of Guanabara Bay gave all the tourists plenty of photo opportunities. The drive back was also very scenic and showed both the poverty and the beauty of Rio. In the evening Crockett and Gina went to one of the many bars to drink Caipirinha- the local drink of Brazil.

Once they returned to their hotel room, Sonny made a call to Lt. Castillo in the USA. "Marty….good, glad they returned the Ferrari to you. Listen, I have some information you may want to pass on to the DEA. Gaviria and Noriega are transporting large quantities of product via plane. They refuel on Norman's Cay in the Bahamas. The island is owned by Carlos Lehder." They talked a few more minutes and then hung up.

Sonny turned to Gina, "he just tried to convince me to come back. I told him I'd think about it."

Changing the subject Gina said, "tomorrow let's drive up to Christ the Redeemer statue on Corcovado Mountain. Then later stop at the Botanical gardens."

"Darlin, that sounds like a plan. We'll be regular tourists."

He turned on the radio and it was playing Skid Row's I'll Remember You. Gina said, "I like that even all the way out here, they still play american music."

["…We've had our share of hard times, But that's the price we paid, And through it all we kept the promise that we made, I swear you'll never be lonely. Woke up to the sound of pouring rain, Washed away a dream of you, But nothing else could ever take you away, 'Cause you'll always be my dream come true, Oh my darling, I love you…"]

Crockett traced Gina's jaw line with a finger and watched the desire burn in her eyes. Her breath quickened. He knew exactly what to do to get her all hot and bothered. Sometimes it irked her that he had so much control and she couldn't do that to him. All thoughts left her mind, when Crockett nuzzled her neck. She shivered in delighted surprise. He kissed her neck, slowly traveling up to her lips. When he finally let her kiss him deeply, she groaned. She opened her eyes and found him watching her intently. She couldn't help herself and pressed her body against his. His eyes closed so she couldn't read them. He bit her neck gently and she dug her nails into his back. Gina kissed his neck and slid her hands under his clothing and traced his chest muscles. Crockett couldn't hide his reaction to her touch. When he opened his eyes again Gina saw in them that he felt the same as she did. His scent was intoxicating, she hadn't really noticed how much she loved it until now. He touched her until she was begging him for more. They looked into each others eyes and she saw his desire and his slim hold on control. Then the passion took them. They were one; fusion of mind, body and soul. Gina clung to him. Hot electric energy pulsed through them. Their bodies demanded release. They forgot about everything and just were; for each other. Crockett let a groan of pleasure escape his lips, as Gina's hips drove him mad with desire. They lost time. Eventually they both were satisfied. Gina fell asleep in his arms. He watched her sleep, marvelling at the fact that she was the only one who'd ever made him loose control. It made him love and cherish her even more. That night he slept with his arms and legs entangled in hers. He didn't want to ever let her go.

The next day they went up to Corcovado Mountain to look at the Christ the Redeemer statue. The view was spectacular. On the way back, they stopped at the botanical gardens (Jardin Botanico). There were many sculptures among various tropical plants and palm trees. They liked getting out of the sun and heat of the day, walking through the garden. The fountains that were all over, also allowed for a little good hearted splashing, that dried instantly. In one section of the garden was a butterfly house. There were so many of them, that they even landed on the people. Crockett took pictures of Gina with a dozen butterflies on her. She looked like an angel in a fairy tale. Before leaving they had a snack at the garden's cafe.

On the drive back to the hotel, a black motorcycle came on the highway. There was something familiar about it to Crockett, but he didn't know what until, it pulled up along side the jaguar. "I'll be damned!" Sonny said.

"What's wrong?" Gina asked, above the wind noise of the convertible.

"That woman on the motorcycle, she was in Florida. We raced down the highway. It happened when you were sleeping…. It just can't be." Sonny said as he nodded at the woman. And just like before they raced down the highway. Even though she wasn't riding a Ninja this time, the bike still out distanced the Jaguar. He knew 100% it was her, when she signalled for every move and checked her blind spots. Her riding style was what was familiar to him.

"Sometimes the world is very small," Sonny said.

The woman waited for him to catch up and then waived good-bye. Then she raced away. Crockett slowed down and they took an exit that brought them down a road to the beach. He parked and Gina put a blanket down on the sand. Crockett went to the beach side tavern and got them drinks. Gina walked in the surf, enjoying the salty breeze. She was in paradise with the man she had always loved. Life at that moment, couldn't be any more perfect. They stayed at the beach until sunset, having lunch at the tavern where he had got them drinks.

Sonny smiled, "your tan is getting so dark, you could almost pass as a local."

Gina laughed, "and you look like a California surfer. Your blond hair, blue eyes and dark tan. You should learn to surf while we are here."

"Darlin' I'll swim, I'll sail, but trying to stand on water, no thanks." Sonny said, removing his sunglasses to wink at her.

They walked hand in hand down the beach, while the sun's red globe sunk into the ocean. Crockett would forever remember how the ocean breeze played with Gina's hair and dress. The feel of her arm around his and her laughter when the waves splashed their legs. By the time the got back to the car, their clothing was dry. A few minutes down the road and they arrived at their hotel. At the reception desk, the attendant advised of a music festival being held on the beach, just a short walk from the hotel. They decided to check it out. Gina took a blanket to sit on and Crockett carried a cooler of beer. There was a huge bon-fire, lighting up the beach and a few smaller fires further down. There were people playing guitar and singing, dancing, playing soccer, swimming and drinking. As the night set in the dancing became more tribal as hand drums and bongos joined the music. Gina joined in the dancing for a little while. She returned to his side breathless.

"Are you glad you came with me? Even after everything to do with Burnett?" Sonny asked her.

She leaned back resting between his arms and legs. Without turning her head, she answered. "Of course I am. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Whether we are in a mansion surrounded by guns or on a beach of white sand, where ever you are, is where I want to be." Then she shifted her body so she could look at him. "I love you, always have and always will. You live in here," she touched her heart.

"And you are in my heart forever too," Sonny lovingly inclined his head to kiss her lightly.

Gunshots cut through the musical sounds. Everyone went silent, trying to locate how close it was to them. They were use to this, militia fighting with drug dealers or police. Or the gangs against each other, or against police. Machine gun fire rattled off in the distance. Shouts and screams were heard. Crockett looked around them and saw the musicians pack up and hurry away. The partiers all began leaving, the fires were being put out. Everyone found the gun play too close for comfort.

"Seems that no matter where you go, violence is always present." Gina sighed, standing up and shaking out the blanket.

Crockett recognized the sound of a shot gun going off and rifles being used. He could hear the pops of a hand gun and then the machine gun fire. Further down the beach, where one of the fires burned forgotten, he could see some young children run out of the trees and head towards them. They were screaming in terror.

"They're shooting kids," Gina said in shock.

Crockett checked his gun in the shoulder holster and then gave Gina the one on his ankle. Neither of them could run away from the danger, if children were being harmed. She dropped the blanket and followed Crockett to the tree line. One of the older children threw sand on the fire, extinguishing it's flame, plunging the beach into darkness. Quietly Crockett and Gina moved forward, staying low to the ground, hoping their white clothing would blend in with the sand. He signalled her to wait. Then he disappeared through the trees beside a tavern. Gina signalled the children to run further down the beach. She didn't wait to see if they had obeyed. Crockett returned and waived her to follow him, pointing up the beach. They moved quickly and quietly, guns ready, safety's off. They could see the muzzle flash from guns. It looked like two gangs fighting it out in the street. Gina saw two more children making a run to escape. One was shot in the leg and fell down. The other kept running. Gina couldn't sit there, not doing anything. Protecting children is why she became a police woman in the first place. Without waiting for Crockett, she leaped into action. She ran out into the street and picked up the wounded child. They made it to the corner of a building, before someone started shooting at her.

"Damn it woman!" Sonny swore. It wasn't a gang war they were interfering in. From where he was positioned, it was a drug deal gone wrong. That was even more dangerous.

Gina asked the child in spanish if he was okay. He confirmed he was. Crockett provided cover, while Gina helped the child to the bushes and then to the beach. Then she went back to Crockett. He shook his head at her and she shrugged her shoulders.

[Rush's Distant Early Warning song plays: "…The world weighs on my shoulders, But what am I to do? You sometimes drive me crazy, But I worry about you…."]

"It was a child. You would have done the same if you were as close to him as I was. There's no more children in their line of fire. Let's get out of here." Gina whispered to Sonny.

"We'll talk about this back at the hotel. You make your way back first, I will cover you." Sonny said in her ear.

They moved quickly back the way they had come. No one shot in their direction. Once they were able to, they ran to the hotel. Before going near it, Crockett put the guns away. Gina grabbed the blanket she had left on the beach and they went back to their room. Both of them still had adrenaline rushing through their veins.

"What were you thinking? Are you trying to get yourself killed?" Sonny demanded angrily.

"No and I was thinking about those poor children. I became a cop, to protect children. I couldn't just stand there and let them be gunned down," Gina protested.

He knew she was right, but he didn't like that she was so ready to give up her life. "Did you want to be shot, so you could go out in a blaze of glory?" Sonny realized he'd gone too far when he saw her face. "I'm sorry Gina, I didn't mean that."

Gina's face was white and then she confessed, "it would make my death easier on you. Easier to understand."

"No Gina. I'm sorry, truly. I know you were just protecting those kids. You were a great police woman and no one can take that away from you. Your instincts were right."

"When I'm gone Sonny, you should go back home. Even if you don't go back to vice, maybe just be a cop close to where your son lives. Protect the streets he lives by." Gina suggested, knowing he still had it in him.

"Maybe. I don't want to think about you being gone." Sonny took her into his arms, kissed her and just stood there holding her.

"Or maybe work for ATF or DEA. They need honest men, more than any other division."

Sonny nodded, "I'll think about it for you, when the time comes. But not right now."