Chapter 17: We're Gonna Rock it Tonight Pt. 2 (Tony and Maria POV)

**This chapter contains violence and language. I promise, though… NO ONE DIES!

(Tony POV)

There weren't many times in his life Tony could say he was happy. Happiness didn't exist until Maria came into his life. Just lying on the roof of Doc's with her head on his chest as they watch the night sky, as they were now, was more than Tony ever thought was possible for him. He didn't want to leave this moment for even a second.

"Three", said Maria breaking the still silence.

"Three, what?"

She turned to him and smiled. "Three children. I want them spaced out at least three years apart, and I want them to have your eyes and nose."

Tony chuckled, "Okay. Three children who have my eyes and nose, but who have your dark hair and smile."

It had become the nightly tradition of dreaming about their future together. It would change constantly, but the idea of a future together never had. They both wanted a family where there was love and support. Tony wanted to take over Doc's one day so he could continue what Doc and Valentina had done for him. Maria wanted to raise a family a give her children the chance to go to college. She wanted her children to become great people who could make a difference to the world. Though marriage was definitely implied, Tony never brought it up; mostly because he was afraid to reveal he was planning to ask her in the near future. He, also, didn't want to reveal that he already had a ring that Valentina was keeping safe.

Tony leaned close to her and said, "No matter what they look like, they will be amazing because they're us." He closed the distance between them and kissed her soundly. They wrapped their arms around each other tighter as if nothing else matter. Maria's hands moved to Tony's hair while his hands roamed down her side. They were so focused on each other that they didn't even hear the roof top door bang open.

"GET YOUR HANDS OFF, AMERICAN!"

Maria and Tony jumped apart from each other. Bernardo and the Sharks surrounded them in an instant. Before Tony could move, two Sharks grabbed Maria and pulled her away. Maria tried to pull away, but they just held tighter. Tony tried to reach for her, but he was shoved to the ground.

"Come on, American! You and me," Bernardo was already in his boxer's stance, bouncing on his feet ready to strike.

Tony got to his feet. "Let her go, Bernardo!"

"There's only one thing you Americans want from a Puerto Rican girl… and I'll be damned if I let that happen to my sister!"

Tony lowered his tone to try and reason. "It's like that, Nardo! Let's talk, okay. Leave her out of this!"

Bernardo swung two fists at him. Luckily, Tony dodged.

"STOP IT, NARDO!", screamed Maria as two of the Sharks continued to hold her back.

Bernardo swung again, missing Tony by an inch.

"COME ON YA FILTHY POLACK. LET'S GO!", Bernardo screamed.

Tony could feel the angry consume him. He started to see red… he made a move towards Bernardo…then he heard Maria scream, "TONY, NO!". Suddenly, all the angry was gone. The clenched fist he had raised was instantly lowered. He took a deep breath as he continued looking at Maria. He turned towards Bernardo and declared, "No. I'm not gonna fight you."

"Why not, American?", Bernardo retorted.

"Porque la amo, Bernardo".

The Sharks were stunned by Tony's statement; especially since he had said it perfectly in their language. But that didn't sway Bernardo. Tony felt the impact of the punch in his jaw. It was so powerful it knocked him to the ground. Before he could get up, he felt a swift kick in his gut. It hurt so much he thought his lungs had given out. His hearing was fuzzing, but he could make out the sound of shouting and people running through the roof top door. Bernardo landed kick after kick to Tony. Tony had begun to see stars and just prayed it was over soon. Bernardo landed one final kick to Tony's face. Pain exploded from his face and ran through the rest of his body. Bernardo made one final statement before he left Tony lying on the ground, covered in blood. "Stay away from Maria. Or

I'll kill you." Suddenly, Tony was sucked into darkness.

(Maria POV)

"¡Detente, déjame ir!". Maria continued to shout as the Sharks dragged her from the rooftop. The last thing she saw was Bernardo hitting Tony like a thug. She pulled as hard as she could, but the Sharks wouldn't let her go. They dragged her through the boxing gym. Once inside, the released her and closed the door behind them.

"Let me go, Loco! Out of my way!", she demanded

Loco shook his head. "Not till Bernardo arrives. Those are our orders."

"To hell with your orders, let me out of here!". The Sharks were shocked to hear little Maria speak like that, but all Maria cared about was getting to Tony. They had the gall to leave him like that, even after he refused to fight. Before she could say another word, Bernardo came in. His fist was bloody, and he looked ready to tear into anyone he looked at him. Maria wasn't afraid of him. She walked right up to him and shoved him. "Where's Tony? What did you do to him?!"

"He's been taken care of. He won't bother you again. I expect you to listen, now," his tone was low, but his voice held fear and intimidation. "You are never going near him again. No trips to Doc, nothing. One of the Sharks will walk you to and from works. Nothing else! You are to never be out of sight again. Do you understand me?!".

"No", she declared, unmoved by his fear tactics.

"I've made myself clear…", Bernardo said.

"You won't keep me from him. I love him, Bernardo. I won't let you take him away." Maria stood her ground without an ounce of fear.

"You listen here, Maria! You are to go to work and church. That is all! You will do as you are told. And once Chino is finished with school, you two will marry and you will put that boy away from your mind. That is the plan, that is your future! I will not have my sister stepping out with some American like some street walking Puta!"

The Sharks gasped at what Bernardo had just said to his sister. Maria didn't react the same way. Before Bernardo could block, Maria balled up her fist and punched him square in the face. The impact made him stumble back. Once he recovered, he ordered Loco and another Shark to escort her home. He told them to instruct Anita to keep her there until he arrived.

Maria felt like her heart had shattered into millions of pieces as she was escorted home. Her love had been beaten and left lying on the ground to suffer, and her brother betrayed her and called her the worse thing she ever heard. All hope was gone for Maria. Nothing could save her and Tony from this.

Maria walked through the apartment and laid on her bed, not even caring about what Loco told Anita. The thought of Tony lying on the ground bleeding with no one to help filled her with terror. She waited for Anita to come to her. Anita knew how much they loved each other. She could call Valentina to get to Tony. If Tony was okay, nothing else mattered.

When Anita did walk in, she looked over at Maria with sorrow in her eyes. She hugged Maria tight, as if she would float away.

"Anita, please. Please, call Valentina. They left Tony on the roof… if something happens to him…", Maria couldn't get the rest of the words out.

"I already have. She's with him now."

"She is?", Maria pulled back.

"Si, she is.", Anita stepped away from Maria and looked around the room. "It's no longer safe for you both. Once this gets out… war will begin. You two can never be."

Maria hung her head in defeat as tears streamed down her face. "I love him, Anita. I can't live without him. Please… please, I can't…"

"And you won't.", Anita declared.

"What?"

Anita turned back to Maria. "You two can never be… here. But away from here… from these gangs… you can."

"You mean run away?"

"Si", Anita nodded. "Valentina will help you both. If you hurry, we can get you packed. I'll watch for Bernardo's Sharks, and you go down the fire escape."

Anita jumped into action, grabbing a suitcase, and filling it with Maria's things. Maria stood shocked, "But where would we go? How do we leave? I can't leave you here…"

"Maria… do you love him?"

"Si, with my whole heart."

Anita smiled. "Then you need to go with him. I will handle things here. Just go and be happy."

Maria wrapped her arms around Anita as more tears came down her face. "Te amo mi hermana."

Anita chuckled as tears streamed down her face. "I love you, too".