Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters except for the evil Alan.

Steph's POV

Hours later I sat in the waiting room as Carlos was in the ER. Bobby was next to me, comforting me while I cried and prayed for Carlos to make it out okay. This was all my fault. If I had him come with me to get my Tums or had him get them for me, we wouldn't be in this mess. I sobbed again and a fresh wave of tears came on. All Bobby did was hold me as I cried, not saying a word, but it felt like I could soak up his strength. Carlos had to make it. There was no other option. Tank came over holding two cups of coffee. I sat up and took it. I saw the steam rising out as I looked into the dark liquid. It was such a warm comforting liquid, and the only thing I saw when I looked in it was Carlos' eyes as I had held him. The only comfort I could get right now was to know that, without a shadow of a doubt, he would make it.

"It's gonna be okay, Steph. He'll make it," Tank said, trying to help. I only nodded. How long would this take? I'd been waiting here for what felt like forever. I took a sip and felt the hotness run down my throat and spread the warmth throughout my body. We all sat not talking, just waiting for the word that our friend, and my lover would be okay. Minutes ticked by ever so slowly, people came in and out, yet we didn't hear a word. Then the double doors swung open and a man in sickly green scrubs came out, gloves on, and with blood on his shirt. He strode over to us with purpose. Tank grabbed my free hand and squeezed it. I bit my lip as I awaited the news.

"I take it you are Mr. Manoso's friends?" he questioned. We all nodded.

"How is he?" Bobby was the first to ask.

"We removed the bullet, which proved to be more difficult than we expected," he said pausing. I sobbed.

"But lucky for him the bullet missed any major organs and we were able to stop the bleeding. He is currently in the ICU. You may go see him but only one at a time," the doctor told us.

"Steph can," Tank offered. I nodded, not wanting to speak.

"Room 403. You can have a nurse show you where to go," he said with a kind smile.

"Thanks," I croaked, my voice scratchy from crying. He nodded and walked off.

"Come on Steph, let's go see your man," Bobby suggested as we got up. A nurse showed me to the room and I sat, holding his hand.

"Thank God you're alright. I could have lost you. I love you so much Carlos," I whispered, leaning closer to him. I must have fallen asleep because when I woke up I was on the bed lying next to Carlos. I froze so I wouldn't wake him.

"Babe?" I heard him mumble.

"Carlos, you're up!" I said with a smile. I slowly got off the bed so I could sit facing him.

"Yeah babe, I'm up. I'll be fine. They moved me to a regular room while you were sleeping and I had Bobby put you next to me," he said chuckling.

"How long have I been out?" I asked.

"A couple of hours," he said, "I love you."

"Good, because I love you too," I responded leaning up and giving him a kiss.

"Well that's good to know. When you got...kidnapped I was so worried and scared I would never find you. I realized then that I loved you because I knew I couldn't live without you," he explained.

"I knew when I thought you were dying. Of course I loved you before that, I guess I was just afraid to admit it," I told him. He nodded.

~*~*~*~*~

Three months later Carlos was all healed and Alan was safely behind bars. We had been living together in his apartment the whole time since he got shot. I was working part time for RangeMan as well as Vinnie. We had gone through a lot and we both really loved each other. We were taking it slow though, neither of us was quite ready for marriage yet...even with a baby on the way. Yep, a baby, in fact that's why I was feeling so bad that day at his family's house. Of course Carlos wanted to get married with the baby on the way but it didn't feel like the right time. We were living one day at a time with the occasionally ponder about the future. Nope, denial is, after all my middle name.(Who needs to think about marriage when they don't need to? Not me that's for damn sure. Of course I wouldn't mind being married to Carlos.) I would think about it when I had to. My mother of course wasn't happy, but I think she was getting used to it, I even heard a rumor that she had unplugged the phone. Now that is saying something. I was currently snuggled up to my honey, my head on his chest. I knew he was awake, and I knew he knew I was awake. I heard him inhale.

"I love you," I whispered as I traced the scar.

"I love you too, babe. Forever and for always," he returned and he even sealed it with a kiss.

"Forever and for always." I agreed.

This was the forever and always that would last longer than a ring ever could.

A/N: What'd you think? I have one more chapter after this and then it's done. I almost made this the last chapter but decided to do an Epilogue. Should be up later. Thanks for reading. =)