Author's Note and Outtake:

First, I'm sooo sorry I haven't begun posting for the sequel yet. I'm in my last semester of college and have a full-time job, so I've had a lot on my plate. I promise though, THE SEQUEL IS COMING SOON. I have most of the story outline, and once I have the first couple of chapters written, I will begin posting.

In the meantime, I had a burst of inspiration and created this outtake. When I went back through the story, the scene where Maria punches Bernardo made me wonder what if Tony was the one to show her how to do that. Hope you enjoy this outtake, and please leave a review with any outtakes or scenes in the sequel you would like to see.

(Maria POV)

Maria could believe how quickly her relationship with Tony had blossomed in just 3 weeks. Maria spent every spare minute she could with him, and when she wasn't, she was thinking of him. It was difficult to sneak away often without Bernardo and Anita notices. Luckily, Bernardo's boxing and Anita's seamstress business kept them distracted. Currently, Maria was on her way to the far side of Central Park. Tony had suggested a picnic, and since neither Sharks nor Jets ever made it to that area, they figured it was safe.

Maria spotted Tony laying out a blanket on the ground by the pond. She suddenly got an idea to sneak up on Tony. She walked slowly towards him while his back was turned. She quickly wrapped her hands around his eyes, but before she could even say boo, Tony pulled her hands and spun which caused her to fall into his lap.

Tony smiled as he leaned forward and whispered, "Boo." He placed a chaste kiss on her lips and lifted her into an upright position.

Still bewildered at Tony's fast movement, she asked, "How did you know it was me?"

"I heard your footsteps coming. I knew it was you when her heard your heels clicking on the sidewalk." Tony began pulling out the sandwiches and bottles of Pop he had brought.

"Still, that was incredible. And that move you did… even Bernardo isn't that fast with his fists. I wish I could do that."

Tony grinned at her complement. "Thanks, but I bet you could hold your own. Having him for a brother probably means you're the only girl in this whole neighborhood who knock out someone."

Maria frowned. "No… I can't. Bernardo wouldn't teach me. He said it wasn't what mujeres do. The men should handle the fighting."

"Well, that's stupid. You should be able to defend yourself just like anyone else, girl or not. I knew a few girls in my neighborhood who the boys knew never to mess with. My buddy Baby John learned that the hard way, and now has a scar on his chin for it. ", Tony and Maria chuckled at the memory. Tony looked down at their finished lunch and quickly began putting things away. He picked up the picnic basket and grabbed Maria's hand. He walked down to the water edge and headed straight towards beneath the bridge. Once cleared of anyone seeing them, he turned towards Maria.

"Tony, what are you doing?!". She wore an expression that was a mixture of unsureness and slight fear.

"It's okay. I promise…I'm gonna teach you how to fight. I just wanna make sure not one sees, or they'll think I'm trying to hurt you."

"Tony, I don't know…"

Tony reached and caressed her cheek. "I'm not going to let you go out into this city with no way for you to protect yourself, especially since I can't be with you every minute of the day. I want you to be able to handle yourself. I know you can do it."

Tony's sweet words of encouragement were all it took to convince her. The two spent the next hour going over how to throw a punch, block, and how to anticipate an opponent's next move. Maria was ecstatic that she now knew how to fight just like her brother, and Tony was beaming with pride over Maria's newfound confidence.