"Why are you calling me on the phone Nick?" he could hear her smile "I expected a Skype call from you"

"My computer's stuck, sorry" he apologized "and I couldn't find you"

"What do you mean? I gave you my username" she chuckled.

"Well the computer is stuck anyway…so we're gonna have to talk on the phone, like in the old days" he could hear her walking and looking for something "what are you doing?"

"Putting some clothes on, I was planning to naked chat with you but since you have other plans…"

"Maybe I can fix it" Nick sounded excited.

"Oh! Now you want to fix it!" she chuckled "what are you doing?"

"Nothing really, I'm grabbing a drink with a few guys from the squad later" he rested his head on the couch "what about you?"

"Worked a double shift, I'm beat. Thought I'll go to bed after talking to you" she yawned.

"I don't want to keep you up, you sound tired" Nick said.

"Don't go yet, I miss you"

"I'll see you this weekend, we'll spend naked time then" Nick couldn't wait for that, he was dying to be with her.

"I love the sound of that" she took a deep breath "and I love you"

"I love you too Amanda, can't wait to see you"

He loved her but hated the long distance thing. She stayed in New York two more days and when they weren't at work they spent time together, Nick canceled plans with friends and with his mother so he could spend a few more hours with her. They first met in 1999 and it was 2005. Almost six years until they finally admitted they were in love and made that love.

But the case was closed. Amanda had to return and leave him.

They both knew this wasn't going to be easy, Nick had his career in New York and Amanda had hers in Atlanta. Transferring wasn't simple, especially not to a different state. So they had to make a choice.

The phone company was probably happy with the decision. With their busy schedules they could only fly for a visit once in two weeks, which meant that almost every other weekend either Nick or Amanda made their way to the airport. It wasn't enough, it wasn't easy, but it was worth it.

Nick had a huge smile on his face when he spotted Amanda at the airport. It was his first weekend in Atlanta and he was curios to see where she lived. In a way Nick felt like he knew her very well, but the truth was there were so many things he had no idea about.

"Hey" Amanda greeted him with a smile and a kiss, Nick didn't bother saying anything, he caught her lips and if it wasn't for a little girl who laughed when she walked by them, he could easily not let go.

"Come on, let's get out of here"

Amanda's apartment surprised Nick. There was a nice kitchen, even though he could tell she didn't use it much, a decent size living room and a big bedroom with a king size bed. He liked the bathroom, there was a large bathtub and he made a mental note to soak in it, preferably with Amanda next to him.

"It was Ben's place" she let him know "he used to live here before he graduated and he helped me get it, not bad, ha?"

"Not bad at all" he smiled at her.

He was right about the tub, he enjoyed sitting in the warm water with Amanda in front of him.

"What really happened to your computer?" she asked "Skype is not complicated"

"I don't know, I'm not a computer whiz like you are" he shrugged.

Amanda laughed and raised her leg, playfully pushing her foot against his chest "computer whiz…didn't you want to see my boobs?"

Nick grabbed her foot and moved it to his lips "I did, but I'd rather see them in reality and not on the screen" he let her foot go and moved closer, his lips touched her cheek and he smiled, allowing his fingers move to her breasts.

Amanda tilted her head back and raised her chest, wanting his lips on her, he caught a nipple between his lips and teased it with his teeth, eliciting a soft moan from her lightly parted lips.

Nick kissed her, entwining his tongue with hers, he couldn't get enough of her and he had to fly back to New York in a few hours. Saying goodbye was painful, and Nick wanted to take her with him.

"Let's get out of here" he mumbled, not sure he'd be able to move, to leave. Maybe he could stay here with her. He really meant it, if she'd want him to stay in Atlanta – he will.

But Amanda didn't ask him to do that. She wasn't sure about staying in Atlanta herself, she needed time to figure out what to do.

They slowly got out of the water and he didn't even hand her a towel, just carried her to the bedroom, not caring about the water dripping off of their bodies.

"I'm going to miss you" he said, planting kisses all over her lower abdomen "two weeks without you"

"It's gonna suck" she agreed, biting her lip "but…give me something to look forward to…" she arched her back when his tongue traveled lower, she was going to miss him so much.

Nick left Amanda a key to his place when he was in Atlanta, just in case. It ended up being a good call because he got stuck working and couldn't pick her up from the airport. She took a taxi and let Nick know she'd wait for him.

He smiled when he read the text. His coworkers knew he was seeing someone, he wasn't forthcoming with the details but everyone could see he was happy, something he hasn't been for years.

Amanda helped herself with food from the fridge and turned on the TV. The home cooked meal was tasty, it's been so long since she had a really good one. Her skills in that department were very narrow.

Amanda felt comfortable in his apartment, being there didn't feel awkward. She didn't even feel like a guest, she belonged.

The door opened and Nick walked in. He smiled at her but Amanda gave him a questioning look.

"What happened to you?" his clothes were muddy, he had some dry mud on his face and hands too.

"Foot chase gone wrong" he shrugged and walked towards her with a huge smile on his face "can I kiss you?"

Amanda grinned, the dirt didn't bother her and she let him plant a soft kiss on her lips.

"I'm gonna take a quick shower" he let her know and rushed to the bathroom, making out with her when he was muddy didn't feel right to him.

"Can I come in or is this a private party?" she opened the door a few minutes later and smiled looking at his naked form under the water.

She slowly took her clothes off and joined him, the mud was already washed away and Amanda wrapped her arms around him.

"I missed you so much" she looked up at him.

"I couldn't stop thinking about you" Nick smiled.

"Is that why you fell into the mud?" she chuckled, hoping he wasn't really thinking about her in the middle of a chase.

Nick shook his head and she kissed his chest, her hands moving to his butt cheeks, alternating between caressing the skin and squeezing it. She could feel him getting harder and moved her right hand to the front, gently stroking his growing member.

Nick moaned, her touch was so tender, so loving. He leaned against the wall and closed his eyes, letting himself immerse in the experience. Her lips moving all over his collarbone, his chest, how could anyone's lips feel so damn good? Nick let out another moan, the way she was touching him, she wanted to slowly bring him to the peak of pleasure, but she was in no hurry to get him there.

Amanda's movements grew bolder after a while and she could tell he was about to come. She wanted to see his face and thinking about it made her so excited she stroked him faster, her other hand closed around his balls and he groaned, not opening his eyes, knowing he was going to lose control any moment. Amanda put a bit of pressure and that was enough to send him over the edge.

Amanda watched him, not letting go as he softened in her hand.

Nick needed a moment to come down to earth, even though he could feel and hear the water, it was as if he was somewhere else. Amanda's hands on him had an unfamiliar effect on Nick.

"You ok?" Amanda asked and he nodded.

He opened his eyes and kissed her lips, there were no words to describe how he was feeling.

"You want something to eat?" Nick was starving and even though he wanted to take her to bed he had to eat first.

"I already ate" Amanda smiled "it was good"

"My mom made it" Nick turned the microwave on.

"What? And here I was thinking you're this incredible cook" Amanda said dramatically "my dream was crushed"

"I'm not that bad" he turned to her "I can make a few very tasty things with these hands" he raised them a bit.

"I'm gonna need to see a proof" she teased.

Nick nodded and took his food out, Amanda sat next to him "so who were you chasing?"

"A drug dealer" he said "he's gonna get to spend a few years behind bars"

"I'm proud of you" she grinned and he loved that she said it "how'd you even end up in Narcotics?"

"My instructor and I were on a scene and there was a kid there, Pedro, he told me about his brother, who was a dealer. I guess he kinda liked me" Nick shrugged "and I helped the detectives, stayed there ever since"

"I'm not surprised the boy liked you" she smiled "what happened to him?"

"Social services found him a good home and I've seen him a few times, he's doing great, going to school, working hard"

Amanda planted a kiss on his cheek, interrupting his chewing "you're a good guy Nick"

"Thank you" he swallowed the food "how about you? Homicide is not the easiest place to get in to"

Amanda gave him a light smile, she knew a lot of people were thinking the same thing, wondering who she slept with to get the job, but that was in no way true "there was this serial case and a professor from college was asked to help, he knew I was at the APD and asked me to join the team. Long story short we caught the guy and they offered me to stay"

"I'm not surprised, when I was in Atlanta I thought you're good at the job" Nick was done eating, he had something else to ask her about Atlanta.

"Amanda" he looked serious "I know about Kim"

She gave him a shocked look, how did he know?

Nick knew what she was thinking "your partner told my captain and she mentioned it, I just…I'm so sorry" he placed his palm over her hand.

"It wasn't exactly a big surprise" she let out a puff of air "overdose…we cremated her body and mom spread the ashes on our lawn"

"Amanda" Nick turned his entire body to her "I'm sorry" he repeated, it wasn't just for the loss of her sister, it was for the fact he wasn't there.

"It's ok" she smiled slightly, hoping they could change the subject.

"What about your mom?"

"I don't know, we're not speaking, she kept on blaming me for Kim's death and I just couldn't take it"

"I wish I could be there for you" he touched her cheek.

"You had your issues, it's fine"

"I'm sorry about that too" he was referring to his marriage "it was all a mistake"

"I know, you told me you got married because she was pregnant" Amanda shrugged "you don't owe me any explanations, it's fine"

Nick thought it wasn't fine, he didn't tell her everything, feeling ashamed of himself "I love you" he said.

"I know" Amanda gave him a quick kiss "and I love you too"

They made love and Amanda rested her head on his shoulder, playing with his chest hair. It was almost midnight and they both felt like time was slipping away. They only had Saturday and most of Sunday left, it wasn't enough.

Nick looked at her, she belonged with him, in his arms, by his side. He felt so content to be with her. It was perfect.

He wondered if she had any relationships before they got together, even though he got married he never felt anything. Did she feel something for anybody but him?

"You've been with anyone since we've met?" he took the plunge, needing to know.

"You want to know right now?" Amanda gave him a questioning look, they were naked in his bed. But he nodded so she replied "there was Thomas and there was Greg"

"Did you love them?" he felt a sting on jealousy.

"No" she shook her head, she never loved anyone but Nick.

"You love me?" he asked.

"Yes, you know I do"

Nick got on top of her and Amanda smiled when he looked into her eyes "did they make you feel good?"

Amanda knew what he was asking and she bit her lip, it wasn't a lie "not like you do"

Nick loved her answer and expressed his gratitude with a tender kiss. But Amanda had to find out something for herself, she was curios and he didn't want to give her a lot of details on the matter. Amanda turned them around and gave him a serious look, he tried to reach her hair but she caught his hand.

"What was her name?"

Nick knew he couldn't keep the information to himself forever "Amanda" he whispered.

"Yes?" she asked, thinking he was trying to change the subject.

"That's her name"

"Amanda?" she squinted, not sure if he was serious but Nick nodded "so you like that name then?" she moved closer but didn't let him kiss her.

"I'd love you even if your name was…Alberta"

Amanda let out a short laugh "I like that name" she kissed him, sucking on his lower lip a little "if I have a daughter, I'm gonna call her Alberta"

Amanda sat up a bit and Nick followed her, caressing her back "no" he shook his head.

"No?" her fingers ran through his hair.

"As the future father of your children I am not letting you call any of them Alberta" Nick meant it and she could see it in his eyes.

Amanda wasn't sure how to react, she felt a tingle in her stomach, she couldn't think of a snarky comeback. She kept on staring into his brown eyes, not sure what to think. This was way too soon, but the thought of having a baby with Nick…it made her feel warm.

Amanda smiled at him and caught his lips with hers, he tangled his fingers in her hair and held her close as the kiss heated. He wasn't feeling uncomfortable about what he said, he felt sure of it. He was going to spend the rest of his life with her.

"My mom wants to meet you" Nick let her know, they were sitting on his couch, watching a program on TV. Nick couldn't deny something was going on and told his mother about Amanda.

"She wants to meet me?" Amanda asked, it's been almost two months, wasn't this too soon?

"Yeah" he nodded "she promised to make something good for dinner"

"Eh…" she always felt uncomfortable with families, but she loved Nick, and she loved his mom's cooking, maybe it won't be too bad.

"Amanda?" Nick noticed she was lost in thoughts "it's ok if you don't feel like it…" he didn't want to pressure her.

"No" she shook her head "it's fine, if there's good food involved I'm in"

Nick gave her a quick kiss "so we'll have dinner with her tomorrow"

"I hope she's not like my mom" she joked but Nick gave her a worried look.

"She's not" he said "she's nice and she's gonna love you"

"You think?"

"Yeah, my mom's gonna love you. She's a good person and she knows I love you"

"You two are close, ha?" Amanda looked at him.

"You could say that. I really appreciate her, she tried to give me a normal childhood, because my dad wasn't a very loving guy" Nick knew Amanda didn't have it easy growing up, at least he had his mother, unlike her.

Amanda waited for him to continue, he hasn't told her much about his family, he spoke about his mother sometimes, never mentioned a dad.

"He was…violent" Nick wasn't sure how to say it, knowing Amanda's father was far from being an example for good parenting "his hobby was hitting her, she always told me to go to my room so I wouldn't see, but I had ears and he didn't spare me…when he left we moved here and things were finally normal"

"Have you seen him again?" she asked softly.

"A few times" he shrugged "he came by, I don't really know what he wanted from us"

"We're just lucky, aren't we?" she chuckled, thinking they both had messed up families.

"We are" he moved closer and brushed up against her lips "because we are going to make it right"

Amanda kissed him, letting her tongue explore his mouth. She wanted to be closer to him and pulled his head to hers. Nick wrapped his arms around her and carefully stood up, not letting go of her lips. They got to the bedroom and quickly discarded of their clothes.

"You're perfect" he whispered as she stood completely bare in front of him.

"You're kinda hot yourself" she gave him a daring look. No matter how many times she felt him, it was never enough.

Nick caught her in his arms and lowered her on to the bed, smiling at her. His lips were on hers again and he slowly moved to her neck. He loved taking things slow with her, exploring her body, making her come before he even entered her. But right now he couldn't wait, had to burry himself inside her. She spread her legs and they looked into the other's eyes as he plunged into her depths.

Nick caught her wrists, pinning her down and slowly moved inside her "say something" he whispered.

"You want me to…" his thrust forced her to gasp "talk dirty to you?"

"No" he shook his head.

"Want me to keep it clean?" she moaned again.

He nodded and smiled, he loved it when she cursed, asked him to fuck her, but right now he needed something else.

"I love you" she complied and he rewarded her with a thrust.

"Say something else" he moved with more force, eliciting another moan, her eyes rolled back and Amanda felt like she was losing control.

"I need you Nick" her voice cracked when she felt him again and again "I can't breathe without you"

His glare was focused on her, the shut eyes, the hitched breath, what she was saying. He loved her so much.

Nick's thrusts got faster and deeper, he still kept her in place and focused on her face.

"Don't stop loving me" she panted, not far from climax.

"Never" he said.

Amanda's fingers clenched into fists and she tried to look at him when she felt the orgasm take over her. Nick tried to hold on, watch her. But it was too late and he pumped into her until he was completely empty.

"I'm never gonna stop loving you" he let her hands go but not pulling out of her. He was never going to stop loving her.

Nick opened the door and they walked into the living room "mom?" they were a little early.

"Nicky?" Cesaria emerged from the other room "you're already here?"

"Hey mom" he gave her a kiss "come meet Amanda"

Cesaria smiled at him, when Nick first mentioned her name she was a little surprised but Nick just said it's a common name.

"Hi" Amanda smiled, feeling very self conscious "I'm Amanda Rollins"

She extended her hand but the other woman shook her head and pulled her into a hug "if you're the woman who's responsible for the smile on my son's face you deserve more than a hand shake"

Nick smiled at the sight and Amanda's expression, she was clearly taken aback, but his mother was an affectionate person and he knew she'd love Amanda.

"Tell me about yourself querida" Cesaria led them to the dining table. Nick already told her some facts and made her promise not to ask about her family, he said it was complicated.

"I'm a detective in Atlanta" Amanda sat down and Nick sat right next to her.

"Nick told me, what do you do in your spare time?"

"I don't really have much of that" Amanda smiled shyly.

"Just like Nicky. Why don't I bring the food" Cesaria walked to the kitchen.

"I'll help you out mom" Nick tenderly squeezed Amanda's shoulder and followed his mother to the kitchen.

Amanda noticed there were photographs spread out in the living room, the one that caught her eye was probably taken when he was five, he was dressed in a black tuxedo, had a small bow tie. His hair was combed and he had a huge smile on his face. She thought he looked adorable.

"I know you like my arroz con pollo" Cesaria returned "so I made that and a few salads"

Nick placed a few bowls on the table.

"It is good" Amanda nodded and was about to grab a bowl when she noticed Cesaria giving Nick a stern look.

"Let me" he said and put a few spoons of food on her plate.

"You're the guest querida, let Nicky take care of you" his mother smiled.

Nick thought he'd love to take care of Amanda for the rest of his life, but he wasn't going to say anything.

"How did you two meet?"

Nick and Amanda exchanged a look, not sure what to say, the truth felt too complicated.

"Work" Nick finally said.

"Yeah, I was here for work" Amanda nodded and took a small bite "it is so good"

"Do you like cooking Amanda?"

"I'm not very good" she sounded apologetic.

"Next time you're here you should come over and I will give you a few lessons, arroz con pollo is really simple"

Amanda wasn't sure what to say and Nick decided to jump in "maybe, but she's not here a lot" he poured himself a glass of water.

Amanda offered to help with the dishes when they were done but Cesaria gave her another stern look and Nick cleared the table, leaving them alone.

"You know" Cesaria lowered her voice "I haven't seen Nick so happy for a very long time, and now...he can't wipe the smile off his face. I really want to thank you for making my son happy"

"He's making me happy" she answered honsetly and glanced at him as he was cleaning up.

They didnt stay long after that, Cesaria told her a few stories about Nick and Amanda promised herself to laugh at him a little when they'll be back at his place.

"Told you she'd love you" Nick gave her a quick kiss when they left..

"Your mom's great" she smiled and opened the car's door "and you were so cute"

"Were?"

"I saw the picture of you in that tux, how old were you? Five?"

"Oh" Nick knew what she was talking about "I was five, we were going to a wedding"

"You looked so handsome, and that adorable smile" she grinned at him.

"You mean this one?" he tried to imitate it and Amanda laughed.

It's been a few months and not much has changed. They were seeing each other once in two weeks, talking on the phone and Amanda helped him with the computer so they could see each other on the screen, it wasn't the real thing but he loved seeing her face, her body.

It wasn't ideal but they were doing the best with what they had.

"You're gonna have a drink with us tonight or are you going to fly to your girlfriend Amaro?" Kramer asked Nick.

"Sure, I'll join you" he said "I'm not going anywhere" Amanda had to work and her friend, Alice, was in Atlanta for a visit, so Nick knew she won't have much time to talk to him. He tried to call her earlier but she didn't pick up.

His phone buzzed and he hoped it was her, but he didn't recognize the number or the voice on the other line.

"Amaro" Nick answered.

"Nick?" a woman asked.

"Yes"

"This is Alice, I don't know if you remember me…"

"Amanda's friend, what's going on?" Nick wondered why she was calling him. He liked her when they met, she seemed to really care about Amanda. But her tone was tense.

"Listen, Nick. Amanda's been arrested"

"WHAT?" he got up from the chair, eliciting a few questioning looks from his coworkers "what are you talking about?"

"They arrested her for the murder of Carl Patton"