SORRY...busy with life plus I didn't really know how to end things. Edited in a hurry, so maybe mistakes.

Last chapter enjoy, thanks for reading and reviewing.

I do not own Takers only my own characters.


Tuesday 03:00 hrs

The phone rang, a little too loudly, breaking the peaceful rest of the night or early morning. Looking at the clock Rose desperately rubbed her eyes to make sure she was seeing correctly, 3:00 am. Who in their right mind would be calling her at three in the morning? Burying down deep the need to grown out her frustration, Rose answered the phone with a decent hello, decent at three am.

Real genuine shock didn't happen every day or at all. It only happened when the worst had occurred, when things were so far out of control that there was nothing to do.

Linda meant well, she always meant well, but at 3 in the morning the part of Rose's brain that processed information was still heavily sedated.

The part about a bank robbery wasn't new, those occurred more often than she would like to admit. Even the shootout wasn't out of the ordinary. What finally caught Rose's attention was the part where Linda was having trouble speaking who exactly was involved. Linda never had trouble telling you the details of a situation, her hesitation now could only mean something serious.

AJ that was a name Rose hadn't heard of since, well since she moved to Switzerland. It was practically why she moved, no not practically, it was the reason. Even now she could see the look of shock on his face when she downright asked him if he was just toying with her.

"What?"

"Where you just using me?"

He never did answer her straight out, he dismissed the question entirely. Trying to play it off as some sort of bad joke, it didn't work.

When Linda finally found the words to tell Rose exactly what happened, how AJ and his crew had robbed a bank, which just happened to be her former employers, one of their many crimes Rose was sure but that wasn't what got them caught. The armored car robbery that's what finally did it.

From what Linda told her it was a combination of bad planning, bad partnerships and just bad luck. A story of money and betrayal, one Rose knew too well and one she never wanted to be a part of again.

When Linda finally asked Rose how she felt about all this, all Rose could respond with was unbiased cynicism. It wasn't until she hung up the phone that Rose truly heard the words, AJ died.

Rose called in to work sick for the next day, trying to process why she was feeling this way. By all accounts she shouldn't feel anything at all. AJ was a part of her life a long time ago, a part Rose had worked hard to erase. Now all she could think was how much she missed him. The oddity of the first time they meet, how much fun they had playing and winning at poker, or when AJ took her out on a boat to the middle of nowhere just to end up getting lost.

Rose hated this feeling, all these emotions that should of died with him. Now that he was gone all Rose could think about, was what she had avoided all those years ago.

...

It was four in the morning when they finally made it back to his place. Rose didn't really like staying the night, she felt as if she were intruding somehow. Not to mention she had the hardest time falling asleep, without the assistance of alcohol that is.

The night had been quite profitable not to mention enjoyable, AJ loved how easily Rose could bluff the old geezers out of all their money. Of course neither of them needed the chump change, their waitress would simple receive a generous tip for her hard work at the end of night.

When AJ and Rose had first played poker it all seemed so playful, of course AJ was trying his best to charm her. Rose throwing up on him didn't help, an act he would bring up just to ruffle her feathers, but AJ genuinely thought Rose had no idea how to play. Her poker face was about a hundred times better than his.

The first time AJ realized how good a player Rose really was, was when they played against the same old faces they had played with their first time. Betrayal was his first reaction and that was immediately wiped away when he saw how much she enjoyed it. It was subtle, like everything about Rose, but the way her eyes shined when she knew she had won was amazing.

AJ knew, he just knew that this was the girl.

It took some time but AJ was able to convince Rose to play at some upscale poker games just for fun, AJ would facilitate the invitations while Rose took care of the rest. After a few games AJ mentioned taking her to Vegas, bragging about how they would be able to clean house. The way he said it thought was almost as if it wasn't his first time "cleaning house". Rose appreciated the confidence he had in her skills but she was forced to decline the offer.

It wasn't until AJ mentioned it to Linda that he discovered the real reason she didn't or rather couldn't go to Vegas. Apparently Linda had had the same thought years ago, Rose was politely asked never to return. AJ couldn't stop staring at Rose with a new scene of wonder. Rose didn't talk to Linda for a week.

...

It wasn't often that Rose talked about herself in a personal way. When forced to she spoke but always in the vaguest of terms.

One night AJ had shown up at Rose's apartment, her apartment was small much smaller than AJ would of imagined. Simple, furnished with only practical necessities, if no kitchen table counts as practical. It had been a grueling day and Linda had been kind enough to call in a replacement. AJ, with Linda's assistance, had showed up with Rose's favorite food and a much needed tub of ice cream.

A smile spread across AJ's face when he saw Rose in her Christmas pajamas. Her hair pulled up into a messy bun and fuzzy socks. Immediately noticing AJ's grin, Rose looked down of course. Why not add to her already crappy day. When AJ lifted up the tub of ice cream to Rose, all was forgiven.

It didn't take long for them to wind up on the couch, where Rose had all her meals. With takeout boxes in their laps, watching a movie of AJ's choosing. Rose loved action movies and rarely watched anything that wasn't going to be blowing up in the first 15 minutes. So AJ took advantage and decided they would watch Mall Cop.

Rose didn't complain after all AJ had been kind enough to provide dinner the least she could do was let him pick the movie. She had no idea why she owned the movie, it was quite terrible but there was just something about it and as much as Rose wanted to rationalize it she couldn't. Her crappy taste in movies was just one of many quirks AJ loved to tease her about.

A TV tray was placed in front of them magically holding up their drinks along with all the condiments they needed. According to Rose no dinner was complete without some sort of spice. The variety of hot sauces Rose had impressed and slightly horrified AJ. When AJ made a comment about buying her a table, Rose refused.

"I don't need it, I'll break my neck having to turn over so much."

"A small coffee table then, the TV tray looks like it's on its last leg."

Rose stared long and hard at the TV tray trying to rationalize this, she couldn't.

"No"

Rose didn't explain her reasoning or give any indication one way or the other. It was odd, Rose always explained herself when it came to lack of house ware. AJ took note, he could find some way to loop the conversation all the way around to house appliances. But AJ was just as tired as Rose was today, the direct approach wasn't always a failure.

"Family heirloom?"

Rose never talked about her family, beside Linda. As far as AJ was concerned he wasn't about to go snooping into her past if she didn't want to but that was before.

Before he even realized how much he liked her, before either one of them realized how much they cared.

Rose didn't look at him, AJ expected that, she simply stared at the TV as if no question had been asked, as if they weren't in the middle of a conversation at all.

Rose and AJ weren't seating very close to each other. Neither touching, a respectable distance that Rose insisted upon after AJ had dropped melted cheese in her hair.

Rose sighed placed her take out box on the already overflowing TV tray, leaned back on the couch she placing her head on AJ's shoulder.

"Yes"

One word and that was all AJ needed.

AJ stayed the night.

...

There wasn't much, in terms of endearment Rose was highly sensitive of such matters. When it looked like they were starting to really become a thing, not boyfriend/girlfriend Rose refused such terms, Linda decided that Rose couldn't simple call him a friend. Especially not in front of her mother.

How Linda had managed to convince not only Rose but AJ as well to dinning with her mother only proved her talents. Well AJ wasn't much of a struggle, he ate anything and considering Linda had Rose in her pocket when it came to Rosario, it really wasn't so surprising. It only seemed that way to Rose.

Friend to broad a term, boyfriend Rose's most hated term for reasons unknown, man friend too inappropriate for Linda's mother. Companion, partner, sweetheart, suitor; nothing felt right.

In the end it wasn't Rose or Linda that chose any designation, it was Rosario.

Dinner had gone well, AJ was polite and courteous, not that it surprised Rose AJ was always those things. However at times Rose would notice that extra pull in his smile or the look of indifference in his eyes, where she knew he would rather be anywhere else. But in that moment sitting down at Rosario's kitchen table having a home cooked meal, there was nothing forced about it, it all felt like the most natural thing in the world.

As they said their goodbyes Rosario mentioned how much she enjoyed having all of them for dinner.

"Next time you come for dinner don't forget your enamorado."

AJ left the house filled to the brim with Rosario's cooking and Rose left with her head swimming with the word "shit".

As AJ finally pulled up to Rose's apartment, Rose decided that the night was over. Taking the left over's, which they would end up eating tomorrow, she hurried out of the car and towards the door. AJ found it hilarious, he walked with her to her door or in this case meet her there. Struggling with boxes of leftovers, her purse and a jacket AJ caught up. With all the distractions he captured her face in his hands bent down and kissed her.

It was a miracle Rose hadn't dropped anything by the time they pulled apart. Rose never noticed when he opened the door or how, she still couldn't find her keys. All she remembered was how he smiled at her before he walked away.

As AJ made his way into the car, Rose could hear the last words she ever expected "Lover, I like it".

"Shit"

...

It wasn't much of a stretch to believe that Rose never noticed the oddities about AJ and his friends. Besides Jake and Lilly that ran/owned the club, all of his other associates where always sketchy about what they did for a living, besides invest in night clubs and participate in fundraiser for charity. Rose had tried to talk to them about investment banking and all the lucrative activities that were available. Working at a bank had its inside knowledge.

But each and every time they would all just divert the conversation. It was all rather suspicious, but as far as Rose was concerned they all seemed to be good decent people.

It was only after her family came to visit that she really noticed how much she didn't know.

The short visit wasn't planned, but labeling it a surprise was an understatement. When she first saw them she nearly choked on her drink, that as probably the first and only time scotch had ever come out of her nose. AJ previous smile was replaced with one of concern, there weren't many things that could surprise Rose. especially to the point of losing her cool.

Without a word Rose took of down stairs, hoping two steps at a time and rammed right into them. Bone breaking hugs, which she was fully capable of delivering. When they finally pulled apart AJ was standing right behind her ready for whatever. Judging by all the hugs and smiles Rose was very familiar with these two men. The only time Rose ever gave a hug was to Rosario and on occasion Linda, although it was usually Linda handing out hugs.

They were older gentlemen and from the looks of their suites pretty well of. AJ had trouble keeping up with their conversation too busy trying to size them up.

"What are you doing here?"

"We happened to be in L.A. and thought we would stop by. Haven't seen you since you took off for Indonesia."

"I thought you were you Laos?"

"Or was it Cambodia?"

"Malaysia, then Indonesia and Cambodia. Never made it to Laos."

As they continued to talk about such basic knowledge, things you would think you know about someone only to find out you hardly know them at all.

Standing in the middle of the club their conversation hadn't slowed down in the slightest, it seemed as if they were catching up for years of separation, and as far as AJ knew that was the case. The blond with the tattoos finally noticed AJ or decided it was time to bring it up.

"So Rosie are you going to introduce us to your friend?"

Rose hadn't even noticed AJ standing behind her, with wide eyes and an apologetic smile Rose introduced them.

"Danny Rusty this is AJ, AJ these are my uncles Danny and Rusty."

"Technically I'm your godfather."

"Any technically I'm not really your uncle."

Rose rolled her eyes at their corrections, "Your the next best thing."

Uncle Danny and Uncle Rusty played along lightening the situation but AJ could tell they were picking him apart. Dissecting him with their eyes, what they were looking for exactly AJ wasn't sure. Testing out if he was good enough for Rose, if he was going to hurt her or just trying to figure out where to bury the body. Rose and AJ were never obvious about how close they really were but from the looks these uncles were giving him they didn't have to say a word. AJ had noticed how Rusty had deliberately used the word "friend" not quite ready to call some strange more than that.

AJ had invited them upstairs to their private room with the rest of the guys, it would of been suspicious to take them to a completely different room. Danny and Rusty introduced themselves to everybody taking a seat and jumping in to the conversation like they had been there all night. As if they weren't all complete strangers.

Rose sat beside AJ as if it were any normal day, and yet she was deliberately avoiding any physical contact. AJ had accidently grazed her hand while grabbing his drink causing Rose to jerk away. AJ didn't make anything out of it and neither did anyone else if they noticed. But AJ could tell they did and everyone was perfectly comfortable ignoring it.

By the end of the night everyone appeared to be good friends. Danny and Rusty said their goodbyes as Rose walked them outside, AJ had offered to go with her but Rose had refused.

Finally getting out of the club Danny and Rusty didn't feel the need to drag out their warning.

Danny was the first to speak. "You don't have to keep your boyfriend a secret from us."

"It's not like we're going to kidnap the guy"

They all shared a look, a story that didn't need repeating but one that was a constant reminder to Rose.

"At least it only happened once."

"I was 13 and he was my science partner"

"You were 15 and he was hoping to be more than just your science partner."

Rusty had a knack to getting Rose to talk about everything she didn't want to.

"You blindfolded the guy and tied him to a chair, we were lucky he was so scared he didn't call the police."

Danny just gave her this look of sympathy and a feign look of innocence, it always worked.

"We only wanted to help."

Danny was always quick to disarm a situation, giving Rose a hug and a kiss in her hair. Rose deflated but she knew there was more.

"So what's wrong with him?"

Danny and Rusty kept quiet giving each over hesitant looks.

Rusty of course the most direct "You really like this guy"

It wasn't much of a question it was a statement. Rose puffed out a sigh, it was amazing how easily she could revert to a 10 year old around them. Rusty laughed, Danny just stared at her figuring out if it was something they should tell her. They didn't have any evidence against the guy, but a liar knows a liar on sight.

"How bad?" Rose wished she didn't have to ask but she wasn't going to waist the opinions of family or professionals.

Danny was the one to answer "He really likes you."

That wasn't something Rose expected to hear.

"That doesn't mean we like the guy and that also doesn't mean we trust him."

Rose eyed them expectantly.

"It just means we're going to let you handle this."

Again that wasn't what Rose was expecting.

"We'll keep an eye out for you Rosie, but if there's going to be any retaliation we'll leave that to you."

Danny gave her another hug as Rusty got in the car. "This is why you're the uncle, Rusty."

Rusty just smiled, he knew it too. They said their goodbyes and promised to keep in touch. And Rose knew that it wouldn't happen. This was the first time she had seen them in five years. If the worst should happen and Rose called for help they would be there no questions asked. Of course Rose avoided anything that had to do with that former life. She loved them dearly but she had worked hard to forget the past and anything that came along with it. The money and the people.

Danny and Rusty were the only exception and that's how Rose knew something was wrong, they would only ever make contact if the situation called for it. A new man in Rose's life was eventful but it wasn't enough. There were rules of course and Rose didn't care for them, as its always been Rose would take care of herself. A visit from family was what Rose considered as an omen of hard times.

...

Rose's family visit had caused more of an uproar within the group, than it did to Rose herself. A visit from Danny and Rusty tended to do that for most people. They had never meet the two men but the sense of familiarity was obvious.

John had been the first to mention something was off about them and Gordon was the one to confirm it. He had never meet the men but he had heard their names before.

"Danny Ocean is a serious guy, so is his right hand man Rusty Ryan."

They were all rather curious how two "serious" guys were connected to Rose but one thing they knew for sure was that this couldn't go on any longer. It wasn't there decision to make, this was between AJ and Rose. Yet AJ knew that his relationship with Rose was facing an expiration date, no matter what ties Rose had with Danny and Rusty she wasn't one of them and she never would be. She was far too straight and narrow to ever accept their line of work.

Danny and Rusty from what they could tell were family and family was always an acceptation. AJ would need to make a decision and the gangs already growing need from him to end things was not helping.

"We could take advantage of the situation"

Gordon wasn't heartless he genuinely liked Rose and he would of been all for their relationship to end naturally.

The suggestion that he could somehow use Rose to their benefit was appalling. As they continued to discuss their options AJ didn't say a word, he simply excused himself and left to go find Rose.

...

The drive back to AJ's apartment was short and silent. Neither one of them knew just what to say. Each stuck in their own head with thoughts of what to expect next.

When AJ had asked Rose to stay the night he half expected her to make some poor excuse or flat out refuse like she usually did but this time she agreed as if it was the most natural thing.

As they made it inside AJ was having a hard time concentrating. All that talk about Rose, how they could use her or what to do with her. As if they had any control or right to do anything. All AJ could think about right then and there was how beautiful she looked.

AJ had put off making any decisions on the matter and after two weeks the gang had become insistent on it.

A decision was the last thing AJ wanted to make, all he wanted to do was kiss her. Push her up against the kitchen counter bruising her in the most intimate way possible and not think about how it wouldn't last. However he never got the chance Rose tackled him forcing them to tumble onto the couch.

The force with which she kissed him alerted AJ, Rose was aggressive at times but this was something different. As if she was trying to hold on to something she had already lost.

Maybe that's what it was, it was over and neither one could admit it.

...

He provoked/She mesmerized

He kissed/She itched

She bite/He rose

He licked/She shivered

She consumed/He groaned

He filled/She moaned

...

They hadn't spoken in days, no surprise visits, no clubs, no poker games, nothing. When they did finally see each other again it's a surprise. Not just for them but for everyone involved. AJ and his lady "friend" and Rose and her business client. They exchange polite greetings and went on their way. Neither one looking back.

A month went by when Linda finally asked if they had broken up. Rose didn't respond with a yes or no only a simple "broke what?". Linda doesn't bring it up again.

As time went on Rose had a hard time thinking about AJ, guilt she refuse to call it that but it was something. Rose wasn't enough of a coward to not know that they needed a proper goodbye, for all it was worth. Rose wasn't about to just walk into the club or his apartment, lest she see something she didn't want to. Neutral territory was best.

Rose called and left a message setting the when and where.

White Point was as good a spot as any. No pant suit today, no dress or makeup either, a simple pair of jeans and a faded stripped shirt. She waited until the sun set, she had arrived much early then schedule, she half expected him not to show. And then he did.

As clean cut and smooth as ever, he walked towards her not bother with the sand that would in the end be everywhere or the safety raged rocks. Standing side by side, they spoke in junction. Pleasantries at first and then silence came over them.

"Where you just using me?"

He laughed and she expected as much. What kind of liar wouldn't?

"Let's not talk about our extra curricula activities."

It was hard to read her facial expression in the dark, even harder during the day but the thin smile on her lips was worth the gab.

So they talked about how this was for the best, how despite it all they had something and how in the end they would miss each other. How they did miss each other.

Rose didn't bring up the woman she saw the last time they meet, AJ didn't ask anything about her work. Neutral territory and in the end it was Rose that said goodbye. A kiss long and hard and exhilarating, one that couldn't stop there.

It was a good thing it was dark or they would both be leaving with a citation for indecent exposure and not just the jagged bruises that would one day heal. Come day brake they were both back to their everyday lives. AJ and his club, Rose and her new job.

...

Rose didn't mention her new job let alone the fact that she would be leaving the country. Of course as soon as Rose was on her plane Linda marched right up to that club slapped AJ in the face, yelling obscenities (a rare occasion were she used her Spanish fluently) that could only be half understood and dropped the boom of Rose's goodbye. A clean slate couldn't start until the old was wiped clean.

Surprise and acceptance all at once.

Linda continued to accuse AJ of anything she could think of, who else was she going to blame. The new job, which Rose didn't need she was set for life. Blood money from her parents murder, which she didn't touch. The family business which was too close to AJ's own.

Linda ranted revealing information that Rose always kept buried away, perhaps she should of just given it away, like she did with all that money. Well half, Danny was her godfather and as delicate as the situation was knew better, saving away a good sum before Rose could hand it out to the homeless that lined the streets.

Linda left, never returning to that night club. Neither one of them did. AJ left early for the night thinking back to all those odd moments with Rose. Her barley furnished apartment, family heirloom TV tray, her violence, the ease with which she fit into their group, even her line of work.

That night AJ went looking for Rose and found an empty apartment. All of Rose's belongings were still inside, the little she owned anyway. A clean slate. On the way out AJ took the old TV tray home, he needed something to but his food on.

...

It had been a two months since Rose got the news of AJ's death and still the thoughts and memories associated with him plagued her. All the things she had forced away coming back in full force. She wanted it to stop, she needed it to. Forgetting him the first time was hard enough and now for a second time was more than she could bare.

On her day off she made an impromptu decision got on a trail and traveling to Venice. Rose had hoped that the train ride could help her sort out her thoughts. It didn't. When she arrived with nothing but her purse she spent the day walking looking at the shop and the sites, a real tourist. Making her way towards the coast she was reminded of their first date.

AJ's secrecy, how the boat was big enough for ten and how everything had gone horribly. Combined they had the worst luck. Engine trouble, sea sickness, missing food and if not for the life jackets one dead body. Rose smiled at the memory.

The happy times were easier to bare then the secrets and mistrust. With one came another. Walking along the boardwalk Rose was grinning overwhelmed just thinking about all the happy memories. And then it hit her perhaps she didn't need forget them maybe all she needed was a proper goodbye.

Towards the coast Rose was surrounded by people a popular tourist attraction this time of year. Rose walked along hoping for some peace and quiet. The sun began to set and the tourist made their way to the ever expanding hotels, Rose contemplated the thought of a soft warm bed was enticing. Much easier than the train ride home would be.

Lost in thought Rose was brought abruptly back to reality by a familiar question.

"Where are you going?"

Rose could hardly see straight, but she felt a hand intertwine with her own, she felt the tremor in it and she felt; anger, sadness, joy all at once. It was hard to tell which emotion finally allowed her tears to show and as they fell down her cheeks. She felt his warm, very alive, lips kissing them away.

"Nowhere"

They checked into the closest hotel, hanging a "do not disturb" sign on the door.