Present Day

Deckard couldn't believe Kate was here. How could fate be this strange? He'd been working on this plan to rescue his kids for two months; she had not been on the detail they were hijacking from, so what changed?

"Decks?"

He looked up at his sister, Hattie, who was chewing on her bottom lip. He knew she did that when she was nervous.

"Yea?"

"Who is she? Why did Owen call her Rio Girl?"

"Because she's the Rio Girl," Owen said, coming into the room as well at that moment. Hattie turned her head to look at him. "The FBI woman he almost got killed in her own field office because he was chasing a mole and then said to meet in Rio if they ever wanted to hook up."

"Ohhh," Hattie said, smacking her forehead lightly. "Her?!"

"Seems you don't need me for this conversation," Deckard retorted, shooting his brother a look. He didn't like the crass way he'd put it.

"She is very cute," Hattie said, grinning as she punched Deckard's arm. He pressed his lips together into a tight smile in return, shaking his head.

"Where are the twins?" he asked, noticing they weren't there and feeling alarmed.

"Entertaining Kate," Owen answered. Deckard relaxed instantly. It seemed they were quite taken with her in the short time they'd known her. That had to say something, right? Weren't kids and dogs good judges of character? Not that he needed proof that she was of good character, but it was nice all the same.

"I can't believe your ex up and died and instead of letting you have them, she let the foster care system have them," Hattie growled.

"They were probably..." Deckard started.

"Do NOT say safer in foster care," she cut him off. "We all know that's not typically the case."

Deckard ground his jaw. He knew she was right, and he worried about what they might have experienced in the different homes. He'd learned they had been in three so far. He hadn't gotten to checking up on the foster parents just yet; it was in progress, and if he found anything bad, well...they'd have hell to pay.

"Where's Miss Piggy at?" a voice called, and Deckard groaned while Hattie giggled and Owen looked mildly amused.

"That was you, arsehole!" Deckard called back.

"Ahh, right," Hobbs said, appearing in the doorway now. "You were my Mini Me." He grinned like an idiot, and Deckard felt that familiar pull to punch him in the face. Or throat. Or...

"Nice to see you," Hattie said, going to hug Hobbs. "Thanks for being here."

"Don't mention it," Hobbs replied, hugging her back (Deckard didn't like how it lingered; he cracked his knuckles in a warning but it fell on deaf ears). "Although, it hasn't been long enough apart. What's it been...four months?" He pulled back and eyed up Owen warily; they weren't exactly on friendly terms since the last time they'd met.

"I wasn't exactly thrilled to call you either," Deckard retorted. "It was Hat's idea."

"Of course it was," Hobbs said with a big grin. "She knows I'm better."

"Hey, now," Hattie said, stepping in between them both before Deckard put a boot up Hobbs's ass. "Settle down."

"Who's this, Dad?" Marc asked, coming into view. Beth was hanging back behind him with Kate, who was studying Hobbs warily.

"Talk about a mini me!" Hobbs exclaimed, seeing him. "A mini you, Shaw?! That's almost terrifying."

"Hey," Deckard growled.

"Don't tell me that crazy ass broad from Moscow is their momma."

"Hobbs," Hattie said now, gripping his arm. Hobbs stopped, looking slightly confused.

"They have a momma, don't they?"

"Not anymore," Deckard answered quietly, and Hobbs made an apologetic face.

"I'm sorry," he said, looking at the kids. "I was just messing with your old man..."

"It's alright," Marc said with a shrug. "She wasn't a good mum anyway."

"Marc," Beth chastised.

"She wasn't!" Marc insisted, looking at his sister. "Don't deny it." Beth hung her head, not saying anything else. Deckard met Kate's eyes, and he knew she had more questions about all of that. He was fully planning on telling her everything when they had a chance.

"Who's this then?" Hobbs asked, seeing her now finally.

"Kate Macer," she introduced herself, reaching to shake his hand.

"Luke Hobbs," he countered. "Who're you with?"

"FBI."

"Fed? Whoa," Hobbs said, glancing at Deckard. "You really like to get involved with the people trying to catch you, don't you?" He crossed his arms once the handshake was finished. Kate mimicked him.

"She's knows I was framed," Deckard said through gritted teeth. Why he felt the need to defend himself was beyond him.

"Right," Hobbs agreed. "Nice to meet you, Kate."

"Likewise," she replied.

"So what's the plan here," Hobbs said. "Still the same?"

"Yea," Deckard agreed.

"You're not leaving us, are you?" Marc asked, looking nervous.

"No," Deckard promised. "Hobbs here is our overgrown, tiny t-shirt wearing, sidekick."

"You're the sidekick," Hobbs reminded him.

"I think this is where we part ways now," Owen said, giving Hobbs an annoyed look. "Call me if you need me, Decks."

"You can't break up the team!" Hattie exclaimed, looking at him with an upset expression. Deckard saw Owen's eyes flicker over at Kate briefly before looking back.

"You've got enough without me," he stated. He met Deckard's eyes, then, and it suddenly hit Deckard that his brother was having an issue with Kate. It looked like the type of issue that involved his brother having feelings for Kate, but how could that be? He'd just met her...

"Don't be ridiculous," Hattie said. "Decks? Make him stay!"

"He can do what he wants," Deckard replied. If Owen wanted Kate, he could go be far away from her and it wouldn't hurt Deckard's feelings one bit.

"Right, see? He's good without me," Owen said, nodding. He hugged the kids briefly before leaving. "Be smart. Be safe."

"We will," Beth replied. Marc nodded. Owen looked at Kate again, and Deckard paid more attention this time and saw that she was also sporting some sort of recognition for him as she looked back.

"Ciao," Owen said to them all, and then he was gone. Deckard waited for Kate to look at him, seeing she appeared almost sheepish. He wanted to know why, but he'd have to find out later, though. There was work to do.

"Explain to me who's after them again?" Hobbs asked, moving to the side with him.

"They witnessed a murder by some cartel," Deckard replied. "Their testimonies will be very damaging in court. My children have a very high bounty on their heads right now, and I don't trust the FBI to keep them safe."

"Interesting that you trust me," Hobbs mused.

"Barely." Deckard's tone was sarcastic. Hobbs just smiled.

"I'm actually surprised you're partnering me up with your sister," he commented.

"Touch her and you'll lose all your fingers," Deckard warned, making Hobbs scoff.

"Who says I'm gonna touch her first?"

"Touch her at all, period, and you're dead," Deckard snapped.

"Oi!" Hattie hollered, making them both look at her. She threw out her hands and made a face. "Idiots." She shook her head and smacked her finger on the face of her watch. "Let's go!"

Deckard shot Hobbs a warning glare as he moved past him. Marc and Beth were standing there looking lost when he approached. He rested his hands on their shoulders, looking at them both back and forth.

"You'll be alright," he promised. "Aunt Hat and Hobbs are gonna take you somewhere safe."

"What about you?" Beth asked, sounding afraid.

"Kate and I will be a decoy," he replied. "Just in case." He smiled at his daughter. "We'll meet up with you at the safe house once we know the coast is definitely clear."

"Okay."

"Can't believe Owen bailed," Hattie muttered. Deckard glanced at Kate, noticing she was staring at the floor.

"He's annoying in the car anyway," Deckard advised. "Always fiddling with the temperature and changing the radio too much." Beth hugged him, then, and Marc joined in a moment later.

"Please don't be too long," Beth said, her eyes a bit wet.

"I won't be."

Hattie let out a very strange snort at this moment, and Deckard turned to see her next to Hobbs, who was grinning about something and nudging her. Neither of them were looking in his direction.

"Make sure those two keep their hands to themselves," he said to his children, and they nodded solemnly. He smiled again, trying not to worry about them. Then he stepped back, and Hattie moved in to usher them to the waiting SUV. Hobbs gave a salute as he left behind her.

Now alone, Deckard looked at Kate. He couldn't help but notice she looked nervous.

"You good?" he asked.

"Yea."

He nodded, and he led the way to the other SUV. There were mannequins in the backseat to mimic the twins. He hoped if anyone was watching, they'd choose to follow him. He cracked his knuckles as he walked; it would feel really good to pound on someone right now.

"Decks," Kate said, making him turn to look at her before she got into the passenger side.

"Yea?" he prompted when she trailed off. She shook her head.

"Never mind," she replied. She gave a small smile and climbed into her seat. Deckard felt that pit in his stomach get a bit bigger, but he decided to just let it go.

Neither of them spoke as he drove. Deckard kept mulling over things to say, but he couldn't seem to get them out. He was afraid to ask her about Owen. He didn't want to know if there was a history there. He didn't want to have to face the fact his brother knew Kate as intimately as he did. It made him want to throw up.

But…he couldn't help himself. He had to know.

"Kate," he started, looking over at her. She looked back, and the words were on his lips when someone suddenly slammed into them and sent them flying. Deckard covered his head with his arms as they flipped and rolled, Kate's screams and glass shattering the last he heard before he blacked out.

Two Years Earlier

Rio

Deckard tapped his fingers on the railing, watching the beach below. Then he looked at his watch. His heart was beating fast and his brain was overthinking.

Maybe she's not coming.

He exhaled roughly, turning to go back into his hotel room. The idea of Kate not showing up was making him feel angst inside. He must have been a fool to think she'd wait around for him. Why would she? She had her whole life ahead of her. Finding a decent guy, who wasn't being targeted, and settling down to have a family would be the ideal situation for her...not spending a week once a year with a former SAS major/MI6 black ops soldier turned mercenary who was wanted dead by a lot of people.

He knocked off an empty water bottle from the counter on his way by with his hand, frustrated. Why couldn't his life just be simple? Why did everyone just decide he had to die? Why couldn't he have the normal life everyone else got? Why was he suddenly deemed the bad guy after they made him to be the killer he'd turned out to be?

He thought about his two kids and felt angst there as well. He didn't know where they were. He'd lost contact a while ago, which was good to keep them safe anyway, but he missed them. When was he going to get the chance to be their father? Kelsey had made it very clear she wanted nothing to do with him after their little fling, and that apparently meant he wasn't allowed to see his children either.

Deckard was feeling aggravated, now, when knocking sounded on his door. He turned his head to look at it.

"Room service," a voice called. He rolled his eyes. He didn't have time for that. He strode over to the door with the intention of barking at the lady to leave, pulling it open and getting ready to do just that when:

"Hi," Kate said, her head tilted. Her one hand was leaning above her head against the door frame. She was in a thin robe. "Someone said you were looking for a good time?"

Deckard said nothing as he snagged her wrist by her side and yanked her into him. Her mouth found his instantly, and he felt so much relief inside that she was there and still wanted him. He shut the door with her back, pressing her into it and tangling his hands in her hair after securing the lock.

"Sorry I'm late," she murmured during a pause in their make out fest.

"I wouldn't have blamed you if you hadn't come," he replied. They kissed more...longer, deeper. She groaned. He broke for air, mouth grazing hers.

"Fifty one weeks took long enough to go by," she advised, arching into him slightly as he held her wrists against the door on either side of her head.

"It was hell," he agreed.

"Let's not leave this room for the entire week," she suggested.

"Done."

He swiftly pulled her into him, pivoting them until he was backing her up towards his bed. Her hands were busy undoing his shirt as he kept kissing her. Once the back of her legs hit the mattress, they pulled apart and looked at each other. Without a sound or looking away, she undid her robe and let it drop to the floor.

There was no stopping his groan of desire. "Bloody hell." She smiled, sinking down on to her back and pulling him with her.

He was definitely not letting her out of his sight now.

...

Kate lay on her stomach under the sheets, watching Deckard make coffee. Her cheek rested on her arm, and she smiled to herself as she thought about the look on his face when he'd seen her at the door yesterday afternoon. She'd been late because her flight got delayed and then she had issues with her room until that got sorted out. Then she'd needed to make sure he was even here, which she'd found out by flashing his photo to the ladies doing room service; one had nodded so emphatically and grinned so widely that Kate had felt a touch embarrassed. That lady had been extremely helpful in telling her which room he was in, and then she had to go get prepped. By the time it was all said and done, she'd worried that he might have left.

So when he'd answered the door, she'd felt a lot of relief, which was also clearly reflected on his face too.

"Thanks," she said, moving to sit up now, leaning against the headboard and accepting the mug he handed to her. She cradled it carefully as he settled in next to her. The sun was starting to come up for the day, and they both watched it quietly for a moment. Kate didn't like to think about how they had one day less with each other remaining.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked him finally, and he pursed his lips to the right and sucked his teeth.

"How much is out of my control and how much I hate it," he replied eventually. He looked at her, and she knew what he meant.

"Hm," she said in her throat. She didn't know what else to say.

"You?" he asked.

"I feel like the world is passing me by," she said slowly. "I feel like I am missing out on something, but I'm not sure what, exactly, or if it's even something important I'm not experiencing."

It was his turn to "hm" back at her. She tucked her hair behind her ear and looked down at her coffee. She knew what it was. Reggie was dating and getting serious with someone while she was left single and pining for a man she only got to spend one week with once a year. She was missing having the ability to date and grow deeper with someone and, dare she say it, have a family. She'd long ago accepted that having a family was most likely not in the cards for her.

She felt his fingers along her cheek now, and she turned her face to glance at him.

"We don't have to do this," he said quietly.

"But I want to," she replied. "I don't know how many times I have to say it, but I want you, Decks. No matter what."

He gave a half smile, stroking his thumb along her jaw line now. "You know I want you, too, right?"

"But you can't have me," she said with a small sigh. "I know."

"Look," he started, setting his coffee down on the bedside table on his side and moving to take hers and set it on her bedside table. He moved back so he was in front of her, one hand propping himself up on the mattress next to her right leg and his other cupping her face. "Do we want to waste this week focusing on what we can't have?" He searched her eyes, and she wanted to argue, but she also didn't want to get into it.

"No," she replied softly.

"It'll change someday, Kate," he advised. "I know it."

She swallowed. Someday just felt so far away, but she believed him. She trusted him. She reached to grasp his hand on her face with hers, and he kissed her shortly after. When he pulled back, she was instantly moving back into him to kiss him again. She brought him down with her, going further and further until there was no such thing as time in their minds and their coffee turned cold.

...

Deckard hated to leave her. They were standing outside the hotel room—his duffel bag by his feet and her suitcase next to her leg. The week had gone too quickly, and Deckard was having second thoughts about doing this again. It was clearly hurting her, and it was hurting him.

"Kate," he said, making her focus her gaze on him. "If it's too much..."

"I'll be here next year," she said firmly, and he closed his mouth. They looked at each other. He longed to just tell her to come with him, that they'd just disappear together and have a life, but he couldn't walk away from bringing down Eteon, not when it needed to be stopped. And if anything happened to Kate while he was hunting them, he'd never forgive himself.

"I'm sorry we can't talk during the wait," he added.

"Precaution…I know," she said. "If I can't make it here, though, I'll leave you a message at the front desk of this hotel under the name Bree Wild."

"Okay," he agreed. "I'll do the same from Frank Stone."

"Deal."

She moved to hug him tightly, and he held her back close, his one hand cradling the back of her head. She honestly made him feel like he was home, and he needed that...more than he liked to admit.

"I love you," she said in his ear.

"I love you back," he replied. They let go, and she touched his face before kissing him one last time, softly...slowly.

"See you next year," she promised. He nodded, and then she was walking away, towing her suitcase behind her to the waiting cab. He watched her go, wishing things were a lot different.

Because, contrary to what many people would think, he wanted a normal life too.

If anyone is enjoying this, please let me know! I'd love to get some feedback from someone other than people wanting to do something for me for a price. I just realized saying the words is probably what gets them to leave the review if it's filtered somehow...