... ... ... 1001 REASONS ... ... ...

"Antonio..."

His name as a rare treat from her lips now sounding so sweetly demanding could make him the same moment stand upright... in that exact obscene sense... but well, obviously caused him to plainly stop in his tracks. And once he finally acknowledged a call to come up closer, yet bewildered, he complied to be gently pushed by her hand to land at the edge of her desk.

"What are you up to?"

A cute wonder of his and a possibility to briefly appear in charge of that man sensibly injected her with delight.

"What is that?" instead of answering she wisely pointed to his injured temple worrying her since he returned from the detention. Though, not to interfere with this trifling woman's caring, she waited long enough 'till they interrogated the suspect, then reconciled issues with Voight, and so, with the first spare minute happily and literally she caught him off-guard.

"Small associated nuisance. Not a bother," he responded truly, not trying a bit to look tough, nonetheless, enjoying the fact of her concern and her measured closeness.

"Let ME decide..." Her careful look inspected the hurt area of his face, prudentially and concurrently banishing all inappropriate thoughts.

"Are you sure you're qualified?" he, yep, kindly mocked, as she lingered, contemplating what to do, while still merely eyeing him.

"Shut up!" she laughed to his pleasure before finally applying the treatment.

That's when he really needed to tough out - at her soft touch and tendance. The last and also the first time he was granted such tactile blessing during their "marry me for undercover" experience. The memories of that night (nearly a month ago?) with those few sweetest highlights of her playing his lovely spouse tickled. To the level he was afraid some physical hindrance could grow between them now. Totally awkward, but mostly regarding to the other people in the room.

Well, he didn't know that at the end of the day he'd have to go through this delicate torture again just with no one else to be embarrassed around, since Erin would politely belt off, leaving them for the privacy. The perfect chance for a kiss it could be, as in fucking romantic movies. But he didn't dare to steal it that wilier way...

What he soon indeed regretted. But for only honorable reason. If back then it led them to get together prior to some jerk coming up to the city, who weeks later would make an attempt on her life, kidnapping her in the street with an advanced intention to rape and to bury... Gosh, if he simply kissed her any day earlier, she wouldn't have to walk home alone, and that awful incident would have never taken place.

So, when somewhere in the middle of their casual relationship as a couple he voiced that kind of 'I'm to blame' attitude towards the past, she blatantly objected, declaring that she wouldn't wish it to happen differently. If it were not her and the squad at hand and on tail, some other girl wouldn't be so lucky at all, with the number of victims in the row to keep on increasing. That's how she explained. Hence, to kiss that insanely considerate woman he desired and already didn't have to prolong for a second...

By all odds, this her original sincere provident concern, even for an unknown person, not talking about his kids what also clearly won his favor, contributed to a hundred of causes to never doubt the nature of his feelings to engulf him so fast, inevitably and seriously. But what he liked even more, he never anticipated in what form her care would be presented. She could be that determined, accepting no eluding, when patching his face or involved with anything needed accurate and prompt attention. That was hot to observe.

Or she could be teaching... no, amicably helping out to understand how to do something to everyone's benefit. That inspired and verified his respect for her. When, for example, counseling how to behave with Eva, as a female and once a teenager and a daughter too.

Or when heedfully checking if her assistance wanted. That with another arrow hit straight into his strong heart, awakening inexpressible emotions to chain him to her forever. As in the situation when his sister Gabby called him to say that their dad was in hospital...

That occurred on their second joined day-off to break their immodest intimate occupation. And she could have stayed home as if unattached, even if affected, still, while he dressed up, she asked, not for appearance's sake, but devoutly, though, slightly insecure, whether he needed her with him there. That moment he realized - hell, yes! Period.

Of course, not in such circumstances Antonio imagined that, but, anyway, was proud to introduce his girl to his sister. Sort of clumsiness fell only with Sylvie Brett showing up, but Gabby handled it as directly departed with the partner to be back to their duties as paramedics. Well, he knew that at some point his ex-wife would emerge in flesh, but for his today's love interest to cluelessly cross paths with his former date in the face of Sylvie he didn't plan at all. And so, believing they're over the hump, getting his mate acquainted with Ramon Dawson, half-conscious after the surgery, he assumed would go without a hitch... Ha, hell no!

"Son, your taste in women is getting better and better! Brunette, blonde, red... Surpassed his father..." too much eagerness for the one stabbed and left to die. "A lucky guy... me - to meet you. And Antonio to have you. But what YOU saw in him? Your hotness and his morals don't match!"

"On the contrary, sir. We're the perfect blend, equally possessing those and complementing each other in other things. So, there are three the luckiest in the room," she informed readily in easygoing manner to surprise both men.

"Damn, I love her! Hm... if it doesn't work out with you two, like with the blonde, I'm divorced too and more experienced. For that matter, he has my genes and upbringing, so, I'm even a better version..."

"No way! Total bullshit!" Antonio snapped up in a flash losing his temper, as that crap did sting to the quick, with reference to his mother along now to his woman.

"Don't talk like that with your dying father!"

"You're not dying. So, stop this circus!" he would blow up giving out more of unpleasant truth or simply rushing out, if not for her arms holding him in soothing embrace.

"My offer stands," ignoring the son, Ramon mildly notified the girl, who, before visiting the patient, was curtly filled in on the frictions between those.

"Unfortunately, so far I can't judge the credibility of what you lay as facts. And though, also unaware of what shall be, but Antonio... he's unique," she talked softly while sticking to her man even closer and mostly looking at him, to allay him, to reassure him, to gratify. "That's beyond dispute and unchangeable. So, I firmly and beforehand refuse."

Shit. That had its effect, as gazing strictly into her eyes and sponging her words, he eased up. She's the anсhor. Or rather safe heaven and hot paradise put together.

"I see... so clearly," his father uttered, meantime, beholding the scene and gaining full faith. "Ain't I disgraced and scratched off the guess list?"

"What list?" not wanting yet to be distracted from one another, the lovers inquired synchronically.

"I guess, to your weeding soon, kids!" Ramon, could be a little envious but still joyful, as if foretold a few months ahead...