Hello everyone and thank you for everyone who read and reviews the last chapter. I know it has been a while. I'm still writing, slowly, but I am going through some health challenges at the moment and struggling just to go to work every day. But the doctor started a new treatment this week, so fingers crossed I might pick up some energy and life…

Dust Up

On Saturday night, Carlos and I were going out on a double date with Tricia and Bobby, although Carlos had expressly forbidden me from calling it a double date, grumbling he was far too old to be doing such a thing. I had to laugh, but capitulated, telling him it was just dinner and dancing with friends. I had asked Mary Lou if she and Lenny wanted to join us, but it was Lenny's father's birthday, and they were taking their kids over for dinner instead. We were heading back up to Newark to the salsa club we had visited on one of our first dates. But this time, we were introducing Tricia and Bobby to our favourite Japanese restaurant for dinner. Bobby said he had eaten Japanese food several times before, but Tricia had not tried it and was quite excited.

As I was finishing my hair and makeup, I saw Carlos come into the bathroom behind me. I glanced up and smiled at him in the mirror. He watched me for several minutes as I applied my lipstick and mascara, always the final touches, and then finished styling my hair. I looked up again to see his face serious and reflective, and he surprised me when he said, "You're so beautiful, Steph. You are such a lovely woman."

I looked at him, shyly surprised at his words. I sometimes felt like Carlos was way out of my league, with his sculpted body and demi-god features, so his admiration of me caught me off guard. I smiled at him, still a little shy, and said, "You are beautiful too, Carlos. Handsome and gentle and strong. I love you."

He gave me one of his lip-tipped smiles and drew me in to kiss me softly, "I love you too, Babe." He released me to step over to the mirror to brush his hair and tie it back with one of his trademark leather ties. I watched him as he had watched me, in the mirror. I had asked him once about the braided leather ties he used in his hair, and he told me that his grandmother, who he had lived with in Miami, had made them. Leatherwork was her profession when she was young, and she still made exquisite accessories for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren for gifts. I thought it was a beautiful tradition, and admired Carlos for honouring his Abuela by wearing her gifts.

Carlos drew me out of the bathroom as he left, and we picked up our coats to head out to pick up Bobby and Tricia. It was now late November and fall was deepening quickly into winter. I was wearing a flirty short-sleeved, mid-thigh dress for dancing but had paired it with tights and a bolero jacket for warmth. I was also wearing mid-heeled short boots, instead of FMPs. Carlos too was wearing a long-sleeve shirt, and warm trousers instead of his usual cargo pants. We both had long wool jackets and scarfs in concession to the icy wind outside.

Three hours later, after another delicious dinner, where Carlos had tempted me to try more sashimi, I moved seductively against Carlos to a Rhumba beat. The club was warm with the bodies moving to the Latin beats and I had removed my bolero to dance. Carlos twirled me expertly underarm and moved into a Cuban roll. He was a strong dance lead and I followed him easily. As the music shifted into a Samba we moved effortlessly into the new rhythm. Tricia shot me a quick smile when she caught my eye as we danced beside each other. Bobby moved well, but he had nothing on Carlos' Latino moves. I promised myself Tricia would get a dance with Carlos later in the evening.

Another three hours later, I slid into bed beside Carlos' warm body, already relaxed and partly satiated from the shower we had shared. Carlos drew me into his arms and held me, before bending his head to kiss me passionately. I returned the kiss and allowed my hands to roam across his chest and down his abdomen, before grasping him firmly and permitting myself a devilish twinkle in my eye as he drew back slightly in surprise. "I think it's time for another dance, Carlos," I murmured seductively, and his grin turned wicked as he rolled me onto my back and slid his own hands down my body…

We were relaxing on Sunday after a later-than-normal breakfast, brunch really, watching a wildlife show on the Discovery channel, when Carlos' phone rang. Carlos glanced at it, before answering, "Yo." I could hear the faint sounds of Hector's Spanish coming through, rapid and sounding slightly urgent. I muted the television and was startled when my own cell phone rang in my bag on the kitchen counter.

I stood up quickly and went to answer, seeing the number was local, but one I did not know. "Hello?" I answered cautiously.

A voice came quietly, "Miss Plum?"

"This is Stephanie Plum."

"Miss Plum, this is Rodney from M&M Liquor in Lamberton. You gave me your card and asked me to call if that man came in?"

"Oh, yes Rodney! And please call me Stephanie. Have you seen him?"

"He's just left the store, Stephanie. He came in to buy whiskey and cigarettes like usual. The same brand; Eclipse. I'm sorry, I couldn't call you while he was in here, but he would have heard me."

"That's fine, Rodney. Thank you for calling. I know we have a patrol in the area, maybe they can find him and follow him now." Possibly, they might even be doing so already, since I knew it was Hector and Manny's turn for patrol. Still, it was great that my lead had been a good one. I thanked Rodney again, and turned to Carlos with a grin, as he had also finished his conversation.

He gave me a wry smile, "One of your informants?" he asked.

I nodded, "Rodney, from M&M Liquor. He said Alonzo just left his store."

Carlos nodded as well, "Hector and Manny spotted him walking toward the liquor store. Waited outside and now following him. I'm going to call Bobby and go pick him up; we'll go and help with the pickup." I agreed happily, and watched as Carlos rang Bobby's cell. He frowned when he received no answer. He left a message, and then ducked into the bedroom and bathroom, emerging a few minutes later dressed to go out, and armed for the field. He tried Bobby's number again and frowned anew when he still got no answer.

"I could come along for backup?" I suggested cautiously. Carlos thought for a few minutes and his shoulders slumped almost imperceptibly in resignation.

"Ok," he conceded. "Get dressed. Fully dressed," he shot me a warning look and I nodded in understanding. I was wearing jeans, t-shirt, and fuzzy slippers for comfort, so I went into the bedroom and quickly added a warm, dark sweater, and pulled on some socks and boots. I went to Carlos' gun safe and opened it to retrieve my own weapon and ammunition. Then, I walked quickly into the kitchen to pick up my bag and the stun gun I kept on the charger in the kitchen beside Rex's tank.

I moved back out to the living room and saw Carlos already standing by the door with our coats in his hand. I shrugged mine on as he locked the apartment and we moved quickly to the stairs to go out to his truck. It was a bleak day, grey, windy, and only about 52 degrees. Despite the sweater and coat, I shivered slightly in the brisk wind as we hurried into the truck and headed off toward Lamberton. Carlos had me driving as he was back on his cell, getting an update from Hector. He directed me to a side street with a row of attached houses, paint peeling from bricks and many windows boarded over.

We drove down and parked around the corner of an alleyway, behind Hector's dark blue car. Carlos made a hand signal, and Hector and Manny emerged from the car and quickly slid into the back seat of Carlos' truck. Both looked a little surprised to see me and I heard Hector ask, "¿No, Bobby?".

Carlos explained Bobby's absence as he hadn't answered the phone, "No contesté el teléfono. Steph está aquí para ayudar." He changed the subject to ask for Hector's suggestions for the pickup, "¿Cuáles son tus pensamientos?"

Like Carlos, Hector slowed his speech so I could follow, "Está en el número 7. Manny entró y exploró. Está en la planta baja a la derecha. No había salida trasera, pero podía salir por una ventana lateral. El frente está tapiado."

I had understood when Hector said Manny had found in in number 7 on the ground floor. But the last couple of sentences I didn't fully understand. Seeing my confusion, Carlos translated, "he said there's no back exit, but he could go out a window on the side. Front windows are boarded up." I nodded. Carlos went on, "Ok, Steph, you and Manny will be outside; Manny I want you behind the windows; Steph, stay toward the front. Hector and I will go in." He repeated it in Spanish for Hector, and we all nodded.

As we got out of the truck, Carlos asked me, "Do you have the capture paperwork?"

"Yes, in my bag."

He gave me a small smile, "Good girl."

We moved out and took our positions, quietly and carefully pulling our weapons. I was once more feeling the chilly wind, but the adrenaline was now coursing through me, and I was able to stand still and wait. I guessed the walls were pretty thin, since I could hear clearly as Carlos knocked on the door and called out, "Bond enforcement, we're here for Mateo Alonzo!"

There was no reply, then we could hear running footsteps. I heard the sound of a door splintering as it was kicked in and more running footsteps. The window over Manny's crouched form was wrenched up and a head started to emerge. I met Manny's eyes and we braced for the confrontation, until the form was abruptly yanked back, and Carlos' voice rang out commandingly, "Mateo Alonzo, you're in violation of your bond agreement and we are authorised to bring you back in. I'd advise you to come quietly," he added menacingly.

Manny moved back up to join me, and we moved quickly around to the front again. Alonzo came out of the house, still struggling against his captors despite their obvious bulk and menace, and I could see the slightly crazed look in his eyes. I wondered if he was high on something since I could not imagine him ever escaping from Carlos and Hector. He was scrawny, dishevelled, shabbily dressed, and had probably never set foot in a gym.

We moved to accompany them as they half-dragged him up the street to the corner of the alleyway where our cars were parked. When Alonzo spotted me, he went crazed, shouting "Puta!" and other insults in Spanish. He wrenched his arm out of Hector's grip and tried to charge toward me, managing to stumble as Carlos' grip didn't falter. However, it was enough for Alonzo to catch me with his shoulder, and I stumbled back myself against the corner of a building. I felt dazed as the corner caught me across the chest and cheek and would have fallen if Manny hadn't managed to catch me and brace me as I wobbled.

"Are you ok, Steph?" Manny asked me quietly, as I cradled my cheek and rubbed my chest.

"I'll be ok," I confirmed. The scrape stung my cheek, and I would have bruises, but otherwise, I would be fine. Manny slung his arm around my waist and pulled me back behind the other three men, as we continued toward the cars.

It was too much for Carlos and Hector and we could clearly see Alonzo having several 'trips' as he was dragged to Carlos' truck and shackled into the backseat. Hector growled, "Me sentaré atrás." Carlos nodded in acknowledgement and came back to me, as Hector climbed in beside Alonzo and glared at him in clear threat.

Manny released me as Carlos stepped up to pull me gently into his arms and examine my face. He stroked my cheek very gently and said, "I'm sorry Babe. I'm sorry he got near you."

I smiled at him understandingly, "It's fine Carlos. Just a small scrape and bruise. I'll be fine." I sighed then, "Although I'm not looking forward to my mother's reaction when she sees me." Carlos and I were scheduled for our monthly dinner at my parents' house tonight.

"Manny can drive you home and then come to the cop shop to pick up Hector," Carlos suggested. Manny nodded in agreement. I dug in my purse and handed him the capture paperwork. He took it, said something to Hector, and Hector handed out his keys. Carlos turned back to me, "Put some ice on it; ten minutes on and ten off. It'll reduce the swelling and bruising. I'll head home when we're done and bring you some Ben and Jerry's."

I smiled at him with gratitude, "Deal." I reached up to brush my lips over his lightly and he released me. I saw his expression harden again as he walked back to the driver's seat.

He paused as he opened the door, looked down at the pavement and said clearly for us all to hear, "Es una pena que estos caminos sean tan difíciles. Estará lleno de baches." I smiled at him claiming the road was so rough. Although not smooth, there were no open potholes.

Manny grinned at me; both of us knew Alonzo was going to arrive at the cop shop a bit banged up. "Shame he resisted arrest so much too," Manny said cheekily.

I couldn't help but chuckle.

Dinner at my parents was as tense as expected. Mom and grandma had been waiting on the front porch as always, and mom's lips pursed as she saw my bruised cheek. Luckily, the ice had kept the swelling to a minimum and I hadn't ended up with a black eye.

During dinner, grandma had pressed for details about the reasons for my bruises, seeming excited and thrilled at the idea of participating in the pickup; even though my participation had been pretty limited. I tried to downplay both my involvement and the incident, but I saw my dad shoot a scowl toward Carlos when I explained how the skip had stumbled into me and pushed me against the building.

Carlos took over smoothly to explain that he and Hector had taken him to the police station and that he had had 'several rough stumbles' due to his intoxication and resisting arrest. I saw my grandma smirk at that, and my dad's scowl cleared somewhat as he understood that Carlos had made Alonzo pay for his disrespect.

Mom, though, was still clearly unhappy. She cleared the dinner dishes with her own scowl, and as she walked into the kitchen to retrieve dessert, I could clearly hear the mumbles about "Stella Mancini's daughter works at the button factory."

I sighed slightly and Carlos pressed my thigh in sympathy under the table.

As we drove back home after the dinner, I tried to relax. Carlos and I were discussing his upcoming trip to Miami for his monthly session, and some things that Silvio had been talking about to him yesterday. Carlos said thoughtfully, "I might get you to come with me next month, Babe."

I glanced over at him, slightly surprised, "What for?" I asked.

"Silvio has been asking for you to come back to help him with the more advanced computer training he is planning for the men who need it. He says you're a much better teacher than he is, and he wants to work with you on it. Now that we have a few men lined up in Trenton, we can afford for both of us to be away for a few days."

I thought about that for a minute, "I guess I could help out, but I'm not really all that advanced with the computers. I don't know that much about the programs Silvio uses."

Carlos soothed me, "He knows that Steph. I think he wants you there to help him plan the classes and help him break down the topics. He said he also admired how you related to the men in the different groups and wants some tips."

I nodded at that. Silvio was a friendly and kind guy, but he tended to get bogged down in details sometimes. "I'd be happy to help," I agreed.

"I'll get Silvio to call you and you can start planning it," Carlos confirmed. He went on, "Marco will be happy to see you too. He and I have been talking more since you were there. I think opening up to us has helped him as well. He's started dating again; something he hasn't done since we opened Rangeman Miami." I smiled at that. It was nice to think that Marco might find someone special. Carlos added, "Tank misses you too. He always asks more about you than about me or Trenton," he finished dryly.

I chuckled. Tank and I talked on the phone a fair bit since he was the involved in some of the administrative work in Miami and our roles overlapped a bit. "Tank surprises me," I told Carlos.

"How come?"

"He is so efficient and good at the security logistics and planning, but he seems like he is the type to just want to be out chasing bad guys and kicking butt. Doesn't he want to be out in the field?"

Carlos smiled, "Tank is a natural planner and strategist, it was his role in the Navy Seals. And he has really good understanding of the security issues and industry. So, his role is really ideal for him. But he does like to be out in the field. Before Lester joined us in Miami, Tank was my partner in skip chasing. He's good at it. Intimidating."

"I can imagine.," I agreed wryly.

"I think Tank is going to request to transfer to Trenton when we're ready to open," Carlos mused.

That did surprise me, "Really? What make you think so?"

"He's mentioned it a few times since he decided to invest. Tank's never liked Miami that much. He says it's too big and glitzy. And too humid. Tank hated growing up in Louisiana; he prefers seasons and snow. Lester may even decide to follow him, although I think Marco will kill us if both decide to relocate along with me."

I shook my head at that, "Yeah, he might too. If Tank is serious, you should start looking for a replacement for him to train up to be ready. It might soften the blow for Marco."

Carlos looked thoughtful, "That's a pretty good idea. I'll talk to Tank about it when I'm down there." He looked over at me, with his soft smile that seemed to be just for me. "Proud of you, Babe."

Translations form Google.

"No contesté el teléfono. Steph está aquí para ayudar." "¿Cuáles son tus pensamientos?"
Didn't answer the phone. Steph is here to help. What are your thoughts?

"Está en el número 7. Manny entró y exploró. Está en la planta baja a la derecha. No había salida trasera, pero podía salir por una ventana lateral. El frente está tapiado."
He's in number 7. Manny went in and scouted. He's on the ground floor on the right. No back exit, but he could go out a window on the side. Front is boarded up.

"Me sentaré atrás."
I'll sit in the back.

"Es una pena que estos caminos sean tan difíciles. Estará lleno de baches."
It's a shame these roads are so rough. It will be bumpy.

Please read and review! Your reviews motivate me to keep writing. Bringing back another familiar face next chapter, hopefully someone you weren't expecting!