CHAPTER #3

Crockett and Tubbs worked under cover getting deeper into Mr. Gaviria's operation. The few times they were in the office and saw Gina, she was always super happy in love. Months went by and Gina began to live with Mark. Their relationship was becoming much more serious. One night she got home to his house before him. Wanting to do something romantic, she made him diner. She was in the process of setting the table when he arrived home. He slammed the front door and that warned her he was not in a good mood.

"I've made diner, come into the dining room Mark," she called to him.

Mark stumbled in and that's when Gina smelled the booze on him. He was extremely drunk. He cornered her, grabbing her wrists and roughly pushing her against the wall. Mark's kisses were slobbery and gross.

"Mark stop. Stop you're hurting my wrists... Damn it Mark, you're drunk!" Gina said her anger rising proportionately to her fear. She tried to push him away.

When she wouldn't let him kiss her, he slapped her across the face. "Your mine, act like it."

He backhanded her on the same side of her face as he had just slapped. Gina's face throbbed and she knew that was going to leave a big bruise. She used her police training and managed to trip him. He fell on the floor swearing at her, but unable to get up. She turned off the stove, grabbed her purse and ran out of the house. Once in her car, she drove to her place, tears almost blinding her. So Mark wasn't perfect, he was a mean drunk. Her heart ached more than her face and wrist. She put an ice pack on her face, hoping it wouldn't be swollen in the morning.

When she woke up the next day, her wrists were sore, but not showing bruises. Gina's right eye was turning purple. She used heavy make up to cover the bruise and wore big sunglasses. That was the best she could do to hide the bruising. Gina was angry at herself for letting a drunk Mark get close enough to her to inflict harm. She knew better than that. Working with prostitutes, she'd seen how badly abuse could get.

At work she had papers to file, so she was able to avoid everyone for most of the day. She was distracted and bumped into Tubbs. The files all fell on to the floor. "Damn it," Gina swore at him.

"Sorry Gina, let me help you," Tubbs offered.

She snapped at him, "just leave it."

He stood up and gave her an odd look. Then Tubbs went to his desk across from Crockett's. "Stay out of Gina's way. She's in a bad mood today," he cautioned.

Trudy needed to talk to Gina and as she walked by, touched Gina's left wrist to get her attention. Crockett's sharp eyes caught Gina's flinch. It was subtle, but he knew it had hurt her. Something was wrong with her and he had a feeling he knew what it was. When Gina lashed out with nasty words at her partner, it confirmed his suspicions. He got up and asked to speak to Gina in the de-briefing room. He stood in her way until she moved where he wanted. Her body language showed she was angry and ready to fight.

"Gina take off your sun glasses." Sonny told her.

She knew arguing with him was futile and quietly did as he asked. The make up couldn't hide the swelling. Crockett knew someone had hit her. "Are your wrists bruised too?" He asked.

"Yes." She looked him in the eyes and saw his pitty. She didn't want it. "Just leave it alone Sonny."

"Did it happen when you were working?"

She didn't answer and that told him everything he needed to know. Yet still he asked, "who?"

"It's not important and doesn't matter." Gina couldn't look at him any more, she felt so ashamed.

"Gina talk to me," Sonny urged.

"No. You can't help this time." With that Gina left him standing alone in the room.

Crockett talked to Trudy, but no one knew what had happened. He let it go for now, but he had a feeling it was Mark who had done the damage. He couldn't do anything about it, without harming his cover. He didn't like it, but he had to accept it.

Mark woke up on the floor of his kitchen. He had a terrible hang-over. He saw the forgotten diner that Gina had made for him. He knew he had done something wrong, he just couldn't remember. He called her home number and left multiple messages. He sent flowers and a card to her work. Still no word from her. Mark couldn't remember what happened. Finally when it was ten at night, he went to her place. He saw a light on and knew she was home.

He knocked on her door, "Gina it's Mark. I came to apologize and explain."

"Go away Mark," she yelled.

"Please Gina, I'm so sorry. I blacked out, I can't remember anything. I delivered the Porsche to Damien and he gave me a drink. That's the last thing I remember." This was met with silence. He tried again. "Thank you for making diner, I had it for lunch today. It was delicious."

Gina decided to give him a chance to at least explain. When she opened the door and Mark saw what he'd done to her face, he went down to his knees.

"Oh God. Gina I never meant to hurt you. I was given whisky at Damien's car delivery. I normally don't drink it, because when I do I black out and get violent. He wouldn't take no for an answer. Forgive me my love." Mark pleaded.

She made him get up and told him she forgave him this one time. He promised to never drink hard liquor again. Then he swept her up into his arms and carried her to her bedroom. He made love to her and did everything she asked.