Sorry about the massive delay... Here's just a short little chapter, there will be more soon

Joe's POV

I dropped Steph off at the office so she could take Lula shopping. The morning had worn me out so I figured I'd just go home and finish some paper work since I had no active cases at the moment. I opened the front door and saw the light blinking on the answering machine. I sighed and figured it was Steph's mum wanted to know about her apartment. Instead I got a shock.

There was a loud gunshot and then a voice came over the message "That's gonna be you or your stupid cop boyfriend at the receiving end of that shot unless you get the files we need"

And that was it for the phone call.

Oh Crap!

It wasn't the part about me getting shot that fazed me seeing as I got those kinds of threats all the time but it was Steph I was worried about. I called in the station so I could take the tape to the lab.

Steph's POV

I tried my best to go shopping, I really did; but I couldn't shake the sick feeling that something wasn't right in my stomach. I ended up spending the afternoon holding Lula's bags while I tried to piece together what was going on.

First Dickie wanted me to open the safe deposit box I wasn't supposed to know about, then my apartment is torched and finally just to top it off, I get shot at.

Great!

"Oi! Steph! Girl what is up with you? Usually shopping would make you happy"

Lula was in the process of buying her third pair of brightly coloured spandex when she decided to delve into my problems.

"Sorry I'm just distracted... you know because of my apartment"

"Yeh girl I understand"

"Listen I think I'm just going to go home"

"Woah didn't your apartment get blown up?"

Oh I just called Joe's home. My stomach all of sudden became warm and fuzzy, to tell you the truth I liked the feeling and I wanted it to stay this way. As long as I could figure out what was going on with this safe deposit box.

"Yeah..."

"Oh damn girl you're done"

"What?"

"You're almost as good as married"

I laughed and smiled at her.

We parted ways when I found my car in the carpark and she left to meet Tank. Only problem was that I found my car with a few additions that I did not sanction. The car was covered in graffiti, in colours that would have matched Lula's new spandex shorts quite nicely. To my great surprise I remained calm. I managed to call Joe with no tears and I told the center security guards who went to get the security cameras.

Joe's POV

The only thing I remember about the journey to the mall was my heart beating so fast that I thought it would stop at any minute. I hit the ground running as soon as I saw her leaning against her car, which looked like it had had better days.

"Stephanie!"

"Joseph!"

I was shocked for a second when I realised that she didn't look too worried about the car.

"Cupcake sweetie, are you ok?"

Steph smiled at me. I realised for a second that she could take care of herself and that she always could.

I walked straight up to her, bent her backwards and kissed her like I hadn't seen her in months.

"Wow!" Steph said as I pulled out of the kiss

"I'm proud of you"

"Huh? What did I do?" Steph looked so cute confused and I couldn't help but smile.

"I love you"

Before Steph could answer Mortein interrupted our perfect little moment.

"Morelli?"

"Oh hey agent Mortein... what are you doing here?"

"Someone thought it would be beneficial if I was here and... now I can see why"