Another earlier upload! I've been really inspired to write more lately so needless to say there are a lot of stories I've been working on. Anyways, this chapter kind of touches on how Michael and Amanda felt after Ending C as things obviously wouldn't be perfect yet and there would be a lot of issues they still needed to try to fix.

Michael couldn't stop the grin forming on his face as he drove away from the cliff where he'd finally put an end to his criminal career. He started to blast some '80's music as he drove back to the highway, his mood better than it'd been in a while. Devin was gone, Trevor didn't want to kill him anymore, he had millions of dollars, and he could finally start reconnecting with his family.

"Fuckin' A," he muttered to himself excitedly as he grabbed his phone from his pocket and pulled up his contacts list. Michael turned down the radio slightly as he called his wife, who answered almost immediately

"Hey, baby," he greeted, trying to keep his tone nonchalant.

"Michael! Did you find them yet?" Amanda asked, her voice a mixture of relief and hopefulness.

"Uh...yeah, yeah... they aren't gonna bother us anymore." Michael was still having trouble processing the information himself.

He heard her sigh in relief on the other end. "Thank God. I miss you, asshole."

Michael smiled slightly. Even if she didn't act like it, he knew she got worried sick about him. Though he didn't want her to be so stressed out, it was nice to know she cared. "Listen, I'm a few hours out of town and I'll get back really late but you and the kids can go home now."

"Okay," she said, excitement clear in her voice. "I better start packing then. I love you, Michael."

He smirked, excited to have another shot at their relationship. Things would be different this time. "I love you too, babe. I'll see you later, okay?"

It had been a week since Michael had gotten home and things were getting back to normal. Well, as normal as their family could be anyways. Amanda, however, was worried about her husband. Ever since he returned, he'd been quiet. Not the seething, angry silence that was common before they'd gotten back together but also not the caring, slightly less bitter man he'd turned into. Just...quiet. It worried her because she'd seen it before, years ago when she'd been too blind to see how hurt and depressed he was. That distant sounding voice and the faraway look in his eyes were just the beginning.

Of course, she couldn't pretend to be unaffected by everything that had happened. Nightmares about the night when hitmen held guns to her and Tracey's heads and Michael was nearly murdered in front of her had been tormenting her for weeks. When she had told Michael about the bad dreams, his only response had been a bitter, "Welcome to the club." Even in the pitch black of their room, the dark circles under his own eyes had been evident before he'd rolled over and fallen back asleep, leaving her alone with her dark thoughts.

Now, it was hot as hell out and her concern about her husband had only been amplified. When she'd gone outside, it was as if she'd gone back in time a few months. Michael was passed out on one of the lounge chairs by the pool, a half empty bottle of whiskey beside him. It scared her so much because it reminded her of the drunk, depressed man he'd been. She bit her lip softly, torn between letting him rest or waking him up.

In the end, her worry won out. "Babe," she said as she gave his shoulder a slight shake.

Michael's only response was a soft groan. "Five more minutes."

"Michael...wake up," she said louder, shaking his shoulder again.

Though he stirred slightly, he was obviously still stuck in the dream he was having. "If you're another guy here to kill me, fuck off for a few days," he slurred angrily, dead to the world.

Shocked by his answer, she staggered back a couple steps. Was there really that many guys that had wanted him dead...? Just as she had been considering leaving him alone, she spotted the hose out of the corner of her eye and smirked, an idea forming in her mind. A hilarious, brilliant one that proved that maybe she had a bit of a death wish.

With a sigh of frustration, Amanda dragged the hose closer to the pool and turned it to the highest setting. It was stupid... probably one of the dumbest ideas she'd ever had, she realized, but she raised the hose and turned it on.

"What in the hell?!" Michael sprang awake immediately, his hand moving to his waist as if he was reaching for a gun that wasn't there. As soon as he realized that it was only her, he fell back against the chair with a sigh, completely drenched. She bit her tongue, trying to stifle a laugh from the expression of pure what-the-fuck on his face. Amanda felt a bit bad about it but that look alone made it completely worth it, no matter how pissed he probably was.

He glared at her for a moment, then let out another defeated, long suffering sigh as he wrung out the bottom of his polo shirt. "Amanda…" he growled as he ran a hand through his dripping wet hair, frowning when it stood up in little spikes.

This time she couldn't stop the giggle that escaped her. "That's a sexy look you've got going on there," she laughed, even as her hand twitched to smooth it back. Judging by the look on his face, he didn't agree one bit. "Oh, come on, Michael. Don't you remember what it's like to have fun?" she teased with a coy smile, drawling out the last word.

It was a challenge; she knew that as soon as she said it. Now all that was left was for him to take the bait. As much as she loved him, he was never the greatest at taking a hint. She crossed her arms, an eyebrow raised as if to say I'm waiting.

"Not really…" Michael grumbled under his breath. Then, his expression turned thoughtful. "You do know I'm going to have to get you for that, right?" He stood up as a smirk worked its way across his face.

That's when Amanda knew she'd better run. Her husband gave chase and she barely had time to wonder how he got so fucking fast before she felt his powerful arms wrap around her. She laughed slightly as he lifted her up bridal style. "Okay…you got me. Now, can you put me back down?" she asked with a pout as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

Michael shook his head with a grin, causing droplets of water to fall on her. "Uh-uh. Nope," he said, starting to carry her towards the pool.

"Then what are you going to do?" she tilted her head, hoping the slight seductiveness of her voice would distract him from the plan he no doubt had.

"I'm…" he started with a mischievous glint in his blue eyes, pausing for a moment as he stepped over the hose she had dropped. "Going to have fun."

"What are you talking a-" she started before realizing where he had taken her. He stood at the edge of the pool, holding her above the water. Amanda looked up at him in panic, her eyes silently pleading with him not to drop her. "Babe, no-"

He quelled her protests with a kiss, the taste of whiskey lingering on his tongue as she begrudgingly allowed him to explore her own. He pulled away, that stupidly attractive smirk still stuck on his face. "I'm sorry, baby," was his only response before he let go, causing her to fall into the pool with a splash.

The temperature of the water hit her before anything else and she wondered if it was even possible for it to be this cold on a disgustingly hot day like this. As she surfaced, coughing, she heard Michael laughing his ass off and god he was lucky that she was glad she made him that happy, even though she wouldn't dare tell him that. She furiously wiped the water away from her eyes, sighing as her fingers came away black with mascara.

"I think the panda look suits you," he commented smugly.

"Oh, shut up, Michael. You just wait," Amanda spluttered, glaring up at him. She tried to climb out before slipping and falling back into the water.

Michael held a hand to his mouth, though it didn't really help in suppressing his laughter. "I'm so scared. Fuckin' terrified, Mandy," he promised, flashing a movie-star grin. There it was again. That cocky confidence that had drawn her to him so many years ago. It wasn't really something she could resist, despite her many, many attempts to. Even if she had, he had become too good at it.

"Asshole…" she muttered under her breath, trying in vain to brush away the chocolate brown locks of hair plastered to her face.

"Sorry...what was that?" Michael asked, confidence dripping from his voice, something that made her decide that her revenge was due.

"I said, 'I love you so much, honey.' Damn...it didn't sound like that? Now...darling," she rested her arms on the edge of the pool, forcing an exaggerated smile through gritted teeth. "Will you please help me out?"

"Ah, fine...let's call it a draw," he leaned down and offered her one of his hands.

"Maybe chivalry isn't dead, you just need to ask for it," Amanda remarked. With a satisfied smirk, she took his hand and pulled, sending him forward into the pool.

"I… really should have seen that coming," Michael admitted, making a face as he spat out some water.

She gazed up at him with a teasing smile. "Yeah...you really should have, you dick."

"Oh, screw you, too," he said in a playful tone and splashed her in the face.

Amanda gasped at the chill. "You son of a…" she muttered and jumped on top of him, sending both of them underwater. Despite her husband's struggles, she managed to hold him under until they both had to surface, gasping for air.

"Jesus, 'Manda…" Michael rasped breathlessly, "you trying to drown me or-"

"Shut up, you idiot," she interrupted as she grabbed the collar of his shirt and kissed him.

Michael was surprised at first before pulling her closer, kissing back with equal fervor. Time seemed to pause for a moment as they kissed each other lovingly in the pool of their overpriced mansion.

She was pretty sure he only pulled away to catch his breath. Still, he kept his eyes shut, their foreheads pressed together. She stared at him, admiring how innocent and happy he looked. The dark circles under his eyes disappeared for a moment and so did her overwhelming need to make everything normal again.

He opened them, almost making her jump in surprise. Those blue eyes that stared into her own now were so different than how he looked at her just months ago, filled with genuine lust and longing rather than poorly concealed rage. It reminded her of how he looked at her when they first met, a time when she was barely old enough to drink and was already hopelessly in love with a charming, reckless thief.

"God...I missed this so fuckin' much," Michael whispered as his hands slid under the water and rested on her waist, breaking her out of her stupor.

"Me too…" Amanda murmured as she rested her hands on his shoulders, feeling the strength and muscle in the arms that held her as if he was the only thing keeping her afloat. Her eyes roamed over his body appreciatively. They'd been together for over twenty years but she found herself in awe of how handsome he was, especially since she hadn't taken the time to notice in a while. It was still a bit jarring to realize that they were here, actually getting along. She was unable to snap out of her daze until she noticed that Michael was moving closer to her.

He swam towards her slowly, backing her up until he had her pinned against the wall of the pool. His hand tangled itself in her hair, pulling her head back to expose her neck. Amanda's breath caught in her throat as she felt his lips latch onto her neck. She mentally cursed as her hips started to grind against her husband's, as if on their own accord. The chuckle that escaped him as his lips traced over her pulse point told her he had definitely noticed.

Blushing furiously, she dug her nails into his shoulders and roughly pulled him closer. Her hands moved up the back of his head, her fingers intertwining in his wet black hair. She inhaled deeply, the scent of him filling her as he started gently kissing her jaw. Whiskey, chlorine, and the faintest hint of cigar smoke. His lips finished their passionate journey back up to hers and met each other in a deep kiss.

The hand that wasn't in her hair traveled down her back and held her steady as she moved against his hips, only stopping to give her ass a quick squeeze. This time she couldn't stop the moan escaped her as she kissed him, wrapping a leg around his waist to hold him tight. His hand slid up the front of her tank top, wandering up her stomach and chest. Michael drew away slightly, panting. "Have I told you…" he breathed out as he bit down on her neck, savoring in her sharp intake of breath, "...how much I love you?"

"Not as much as I want…" she managed to gasp out.

"Oh, don't act like I didn't notice the sexy act earlier," he smirked against her skin. His fingers continued to travel further, only hesitantly pausing once they reached the waistband of her yoga pants. He looked back up at her, his bright blue eyes asking a silent question.

Amanda only murmured her answer before she leaned in and pressed their lips together. Michael grinned against the kiss, pushing her flat against the wall of the pool. She tugged at his lower lip with her teeth, her hands still buried in his hair. His hand went under the waistband of her pants, about to travel further when-

"Get a room!" Jimmy's voice boomed through the dining room and out to the pool, causing the couple to jump and look around wildly.

"Damn it, kid," Michael growled under his breath, hanging his head.

"He sure knows when to pick his moments, doesn't he?" Amanda muttered disappointedly and half-heartedly splashing her husband in the face.

He scoffed as he climbed out of the pool. "Yes, he does…" he agreed, grabbing her hand and pulling her out.

She sat in his lap on one of the poolside chairs, fingers idly running through his still-damp hair. The Los Santos sunset was a beautiful thing, the city outlined by a sky of light blues and pinks. Both of them stared wordlessly at it, perfectly content with the silence. Michael's eyes gazed into hers lovingly when he reached up to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear. She moved to straddle him, arms wrapping around his neck as she pressed a gentle kiss to his lips.

"Michael…" Amanda murmured hesitantly after she pulled away, "I need to ask you something."

"Shoot," he said, his breath warm against her lips.

She bit her lip slightly, an unsure look on her face. "Are...are you serious about this, Michael? About us?"

"Yeah, of course," he answered shakily. The mask of confidence finally dropped, revealing an exhausted expression. "What makes you ask that?"

"You've been very quiet lately, darling...you sounded so happy the other day when you called me on the phone."

Michael let out a deep sigh. "I know...I was. I've just been so tired after everything that's happened these past few months."

"Good...I just don't want it to turn into what happened last time. I can't watch you deteriorate right in front of me again," she said with a helpless look in her eyes.

"It won't. I promise you, Amanda. I was a shitty husband and father…I can see that now. I just…" he scratched at the stubble on his jaw thoughtfully. "I can't stop thinking about how many close calls there were this time around. I mean, shit, you and the kids almost died because of me." She opened her mouth to say that it wasn't his fault, to lie and say that it didn't affect her before he cut her off. "Don't pretend that's not what those nightmares you've been having are about."

"It's going to take some time for those to go away, right?" Amanda asked with a sad smile on her face.

"Yeah, it is, we're pretty fucked up, babe," he admitted with a bitter chuckle.

She let out a genuine laugh, "Are we gonna be okay, Michael?"

He smirked as he leaned in for a kiss. "I think we're gonna be just fine."