A/N: This chapter is is mostly fluff with a little bit of action. A little more info on both Spike's and Anisa's lives before they knew each other.

Spoilers for I'd do Anything. That episode takes place on a Saturday night. Here it will happen on a Sunday night so it can fit into my story. Also there is a little embellishment for the purpose of my story line. I ask your indulgence.

Warning: this chapter contains some allusions to intimacy. There is nothing too graphic (gotta keep this PG), but I wanted to warn you in case you are bothered by that.

"Phrases in double quotes and italics" are directly from an episode.

'Phrases in single quotes and italics' are thoughts

'Phrases in single quotes, italics and in bold' are text messages.

Hope you can keep all that straight.

Disclaimer: Although I love Flashpoint, I sadly own nothing related to hit.

Sorry for the unusually long A/N - hope you enjoy

Knowing Where You Need To Be

Chapter 5

The sun was peeking in through the shades as Spike rolled over. He soon realized that Anisa was not in the bed, but he could smell coffee brewing in the kitchen. Stretching, he rolled out of bed and padded into kitchen where he was greeted with a warm smile.

"Good morning, Sparky," he teased wrapping his arms around her waist.

Anisa rolled her eyes at him. "Don't call me that unless you want me to go all CB on your ass," she threatened playfully.

"Hmm ...that might be fun," said Spike playfully nuzzling her neck. Anisa giggled and wriggled free.

"Breakfast is ready. Have a seat."

"You going home tonight for the Scarlatti Sunday dinner?" Anisa asked knowing that Sunday dinners in his home were family time.

"Yeah," he sighed slowly turning the coffee mug in his hand. She hated to see the torment on his face. Reaching across the table, she placed her hand over his.

"It'll be good to see your family since you have been babysitting me all week. I am sure you parents are missing you ...even your dad," offered Anisa hoping to ease the pain etched on his face. He tilted his head to the side and shrugged not convinced that her words were true.

"Hey, you know you have a key to this place. If gets to be too much, you can always come here...even if I'm not here. You are always welcome. Feel free to bring some more stuff over if you want." Anisa felt a little strange saying these words because she had never really wanted anyone in her apartment for more than a night since Sean died. But having Spike there felt different...more like home.

"We'll see," said Spike attempting to sound more upbeat than he was feeling.

"Mike, you know he loves you. Otherwise he wouldn't worry about you," Anisa said trying to reassure him of his father's true feelings.

"Maybe he does, but not the way he used to," Spike said getting up from the table and carrying the breakfast dishes into the kitchen and starting to clean up.

It broke Anisa's heart to see him in pain. She couldn't imagine how it would feel to have a parent that wouldn't speak to or even acknowledge you. She walked into the kitchen and wrapped arms around his waist and rested her cheek on his shoulder.

He turned to face her and putting his arms around her said, "Babe, it's OK. I'm OK. I'm kinda used to it by now... it's been 2 years." As she looked up into his face, Spike gently put his lips on hers. As the kiss deepened, they drew each other closer feeling the electricity flow between them in what could be described as desperation or need. Spike let his had drift down her back until it reached the hem of her shirt. He slid his hand under her shirt slowly moving it up her back until it came in contact with bare skin. As his hand meandered up her back, she leaned closer into him letting a small moan escape her mouth. The kiss deepened as their desire rose to the surface. Anisa slid her hands up Spikes chest and and around his neck causing a slight pain in her ribs. Spike felt the tiniest flinch as she moved her hands up to his neck. Knowing that she was still in pain he pulled away and said breathlessly, "'Nis, we gotta stop. Your are still in pain and don't try to deny it."

Anisa slowly dropped her arms to her side and stepped away from him. Steadying her breath, she said, "I'm going to take a shower." Turning from him, she stomped off. Spike turned back to face the sink and leaned against the counter trying desperately to regain his own control.

The drive to the airport was quiet, both Anisa and Spike lost in their own thoughts about what the next few days would be like being so far away from one another. Spike reached over and took her hand in his.

"You OK?"

Giving him a gentle smile she responded, "Yeah."

Thinking that she may be second guessing the trip, he said reassuringly, "This a great opportunity, Babe."

"I know. It's just that... now that the time has come, I realize how much I am going to miss you. I have become rather attached to you over the last couple of weeks," she said with a smile.

Grinning back at her, Spike gave her hand a squeeze. He pulled up to the drop-off location at the airport. Anisa placed her hand on the door handle, but was stopped by Spike.

"Hey, hang on a second, I have something for you." He reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out a small pouch and handed it to her. Anisa looked confused as she took the pouch and slowly opened it. Carefully pulling out a medal she looked at Spike quizzically.

"It's a St. Christopher medal, the patron saint of travelers," he explained with a grin. "My mother gave it to me the first time I traveled out of Toronto."

"Mike, this is yours, I can't take it. Your mom gave it to you," she said handing it back to him.

"Anisa, I'm not traveling. Besides, my mom would want you to have it. She believes it keeps you safe." Anisa looked at him, raising one of her eyebrows. "Yeah, I know I am not very religious, but I figure, I don't want to take any chances." He reached over and kissed her. "I want you coming back to me and I will do whatever it takes." He gave her a little smile revealing his dimples.

Anisa reached up and touched his cheek, kissing him sweetly. "I love you," she said placing the medal around her neck. She kissed it and tucked it insider her shirt. They got out of the car and Spike unloaded her bags handing her the laptop bag.

"OK, you got everything?" he asked trying to hide his nervousness. She nodded. "Now promise me that you will ask someone to help you put your suitcase in the overhead compartment."

"I promise," she said holding up her right hand. Spike took her into his arms and kissed her.

"I am going to miss you," whispered Spike when they separated. "Please take care of yourself and stay in touch."

"I will, I promise. I'll text you when I land. Have fun with you family tonight, OK?" She said making Spike sigh and close his eyes to mask the strain in his face. "I am going to miss you, too, honey," she added.

Spike tried to the enjoy the dinner with his family. His sister, Maria and her family had joined them. It was lighthearted as it usually was when the grand kids were around. Dominic Scarlatti smiled as his grand children giggled throughout the dinner telling stories about their week.

"So, Joey, you have a big day this week don't you?" asked Michelina Scarlatti, Spike's mom, to the young boy.

"Yeah, Nonna,*" answered the boy. "It's my birthday, I'm gonna be 7! Will you make me one of your cakes? Please! Please! Please!" he begged as he wrapped his arms around his grandmother's waist.

Spike smiled at the wholesomeness of the scene and remembered the cakes his mother used to bake for him on his birthday. His sister noticed the smile on her brother's face and gave his hand a squeeze.

"Hey Mikey, we are gonna be celebrating Joey's birthday here next Sunday. You going to be able to join us?" his sister asked.

"Of course, Ria. I wouldn't miss a chance to eat birthday cake."

Mrs. Scarlatti cocked her head to the side and said, "You should bring Anisa... so she can meet the family." Before he could answer, his sister jumped in.

"Yeah, Mikey we are all dying to meet the mystery woman," she said winking. Spike stood up clearing the table and to hide the grin that was growing on his face.

"No mystery," he said trying to deflect a bit. "I will ask her if she can make it." Spike's parents ushered the children into the other room while Spike and Ria cleaned the kitchen.

"So, little bro, tell me about this Anisa girl. I want to know everything about the girl who has so obviously stolen my baby brother's heart."

"Obviously?" questioned Spike.

Ria chuckled, "Yeah...OBVIOUSLY! I didn't say it was a bad thing. You are looking less stressed and are definitely getting more sleep because the circles are gone from your eyes."

"Maybe I got a new mattress and am sleeping better," he retorted handing her a pot to dry.

"I would believe that if my sources didn't inform that you have not been using your own bed very much lately," she persisted.

Spike started to redden and turned to face his sister. "First of all, I don't think I want to know who your source is; Second, I am a grown man and it really isn't any of your business where I am sleeping." The last statement was said with a little more bite than he had intended.

Ria realized that she had inadvertently touched nerve for her little brother. Putting an arm around his shoulder, she said, "Mike, I'm sorry. I was just having a little fun. You are right it is none of my business. Can I say that I am happy that you have found someone to spend time with that isn't made of nuts and bolts?"

Realizing that he may have overreacted, Spike said with a smile, "Haha, I suppose that is true. Sorry about that."

"So are you going to tell me anything about her?"

Knowing that his mother was Ria's source, he said, "I am sure that your 'source' has told you something about her. What else do you want to know?"

"Ma said that she was nice and seemed to care a great deal for you, but she only met her once. She wouldn't even tell me what she looked like."

"That's probably a good thing since Ma didn't meet her when she was looking her best." Spike smiled as he described her to his sister, "she is pretty, she has strawberry blonde hair and freckles, which she hates, dark blue eyes."

"She sounds cute. What is she like?"

"She's strong, smart, funny... but more importantly, she thinks I am funny," Spike said with a chuckle.

"You are funny... looking ...just kidding," Ria was cracking herself up. "So, what does she do?"

Spike sighed and handed her another pan to dry, "She is a police officer. A detective actually."

"Oh," she said quietly know that might be a point of irritation for their father. "Does dad know?" she asked softly.

"I have no idea what he knows. You know he still doesn't talk to me, not a word," his answer laced with sadness. She nodded in understanding. "Can ask you a question and you promise to give me an honest answer?" he continued.

"Sure, Mike."

He turned and leaned against the counter and stared at his fingers as he picked at his nails. "Do you think I am selfish for staying in my job?"

Ria looked at her brother seeing the tortured look that overtook his handsome features. She tilted his chin up a little so he was looking her in the eye. Then speaking in Italian,"Sono così orgoglioso di te.** Mike, what you do is selfless, you risk your life everyday to save others...people you don't even know." She wrapped her arms around her brother and hugged him with all her might.

"Thanks, sis, but if you keep squeezing me like that, you're gonna crack a rib," he joked.

"Sorry. I just don't know how to make you understand that we love you and that we are ALL proud of you...even Pa. Mike, he is just scared. He is scared what will happened to mom when he dies and if something were to happen to you. You were always his pride and joy and he is so afraid that you will be hurt. Fear is an emotion he is not used to and does not know how to handle. Unfortunately, he is taking it out on you. I've tried to talk to him about it and he shuts me down."

Spike said, "Yeah, maybe. I just miss how close we used to be, you know?"

"I know." Ria knew there was nothing she could do about that so she decided to change the subject. "I am glad you have someone who makes you happy, though, and I can't wait to meet her," she offered with a smile.

Spike smiled down at his sister who was a couple inches shorter than he. He embraced her saying, "Thanks, Ri."

Maria's husband Joe walked into the kitchen and saw the siblings in an embrace, "Back off, Mikey...she is my wife and your sister, and you hugging her is kinda creepy."

Ria pulled away from Spike and lightly smacked Joe in the chest saying, "Shut up." Joe was a big guy, about 6 foot 2 inches tall and thick. Over the years, Spike had started to get a strange vibe from him on occasion, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Spike looked at his phone feeling it vibrate in his pocket.

"You ready to go Ria," Joe asked.

"Yeah," she responded. Then smiling at her brother she said, "See you next week, Mike."

"Yep. See you guys. I gotta head to work anyway." The text had been from Greg and had instructed him to report to work.

Spike explained that he had to head to work and said good bye to his parents. During the drive he let his sister's words sink in an he felt comforted that at least she was proud of him. His phone rang so he answered it via bluetooth.

"Scarlatti."

In a false sounding deep voice he heard, "McConnell," and then a giggle.

"Hey you," he said, the smile evident in his voice.

"Hi" she responded. "What ya doing?"

"Headed in to work. Sarge just called and me to report to work. I guess there is something going down. Should be a long night. How was the flight? Are you settled in?"

"Flight was fine, and I just finished my room service dinner of cheeseburger and fries for a mere $25. What a bargain..." she added sarcastically.

"What no guacamole? That is a rip off," he joked. He heard her laugh on the other end of the phone.

"How was dinner with the family?" Anisa asked.

"Good. My sister, Maria, and her family were there which is always great. Next weekend they are celebrating little Joey's 7th birthday and they all want you to come. No pressure, but I would like you to be there."

Anisa, sighed trying to hide her anxiety about meeting his family. "I'd love to."

"Awesome... don't be nervous. They don't bite."

"I'm not nervous," Anisa insisted.

"I can hear the anxiety in your voice."

"Ahh... I hate that you know me so well," she muttered with frustration.

"I hope to know you even better when you get back," he replied wiggling his eyebrows even though she couldn't see him.

"Ha ha... well two can play that game," she joked cheerfully.

"I just pulled into the parking lot," said Spike with a tinge of sadness in his voice.

"Ok, sweetheart. I … miss you," she said truthfully. "I just wanted to hear your voice before I went to sleep."

Spike smiled to himself wishing he were with her. "I love you, 'Nis. Text me in the morning before the conference starts, OK?"

"I will. I love you, too, Mike. Stay safe."

Spike was seated at the briefing table along with the rest of his team when Detective Merry Danner entered the briefing room. She explained that her team had been investigating credit card skimming operation and that they had just gotten word that a huge deal was going down that night. As he listened to her, Spike's mind wandered a bit.

He started thinking about what it would have been like if this briefing were happening a couple of years ago. He and Lou would be joking about how Detective Danner was not bad looking and trying to guess how old she was. Then they would be joking about whose turn it was to hit on her even though they knew it would be fruitless. They used to banter back and forth like that whenever they met an attractive woman. A melancholy smile grew on his face. He missed Lou, but not the 'hitting on girls' part. He was jarred back to the present when he heard Ed's booming voice barking out a tac plan. He and Sam got to dress in street clothes and be the team's eyes and ears in the club. 'This could be fun' he thought.

Everything was going as planned. Sam and Spike were positioned at the bar watching the door to the VIP room. The confidential informant had locked the door as planned. Then a guy comes out nowhere and talks to her. Now they were not sure if the door is locked. It was decide that Team One would breach the room as planned. It turned out that the door was not locked and the suspect escaped into the club and then disappeared into the crowd.

They managed to get the computer and take one of the 'big fish' into custody. Spike went into the VIP room to assist with retrieving information from the laptop. The lawyer had started a scrub of the hard drive before Greg had slammed the laptop closed. Greg asked him if he could retrieved the information. Spike said that he probably could but it would take time.

At this point Danner spoke up and said, "We can," and held out her hand for the laptop. "Our investigation, our evidence." Greg nodded at Spike to give her the laptop. He did as he was beckoned and handed her the laptop.

Spike got out of his civies and into his uniform then joined his team. After listening to the update on the subjects he realized that he might be able to locate them if he could have access to the computer and with the proper warrants.

"He's good, right?" Danner asked Greg skeptically.

"The best," was his simple answer.

Spike and Detective Danner entered the command truck and he started triangulating to find the location of the computer guy. As Spike tapped at the keys and the lines bounced around on the map, Detective Danner stood behind him amazed at his computer savvy. It was all coming together. For the next step, Danner had to enter her password so Spike could access the appropriate data. She looked at him and smiled and waited for him to look away. Realizing what she was waiting for, Spike grinned and turned away. After she had typed her password in, Spike moved back in front of the computer and Danner stepped behind him again. Leaning in closer to follow his progress, Detective Danner placed her hand and his shoulder. Spike felt the heat from her hand and didn't know what to think about it so he just kept typing on the keys and his eyes forward.

They exited the truck and Danner said, "You were right, he is good." A faint smile played across her lips. Spike relayed the information he had gained to the team and they headed to the diner that he had pinpointed.

The evening continued to unfold not according to plan. It was well into the morning hours by the time they had corned the two suspects at small airport for private jets. The good news was that it all ended peacefully with the subjects being taken into custody unharmed. Before the team headed back to the barn, Detective Danner offered her thanks to Team One.

In the truck on the way back to headquarters, Spike checked his phone. He had felt it buzz during the standoff at the airport. He saw 2 texts from Anisa.

'Morning, Mike, hope all went well last night.'

'Going into the seminar. You good?'

He could tell that she was worried because he had not answered the first text.

'I'm good - sorry. Took longer to wrap up than we thought. Call when you can.'

By the time Team One finished debriefing, and he got home, Spike could feel the fatigue taking over. He entered the kitchen and saw his parents eating lunch. His mother got up to make him a plate, but he told her not to bother because he was too tired. His father simply looked at him, and then looked down at his plate. At least he did not get up and leave the room like he usually did... Spike took that as a good sign.

He went up to his room and fell into bed and was about to turn off his phone when it buzzed in this hand.

He answered it, "Hi there."

"Hey," Anisa said smiling.

"Sorry, I couldn't return your first text, but things did not go exactly as planned. I didn't mean to worry you."

"I wasn't worried," she lied.

"If you say so," he said with disbelief.

"OK, maybe a little worried. I hate to admit that, you know."

"Why? I kind of like that worry about me," he said, a smile tracing across his lips.

"I just don't want to be one more burden for you. One more thing you need to take care of or 'worry' about."

"But I like taking care of you," he said, the smile growing as he thought about her.

"That's not what I mean...anyway, let's change the subject. Were you able to get the subjects into custody?"

"Yeah, but it did not go smoothly. I'll give you all of the details when you get home. How is the seminar?"

"Mike, it is fantastic. Really fascinating stuff. I really want to sit down and chat with these guys from the BAU and pick their brains," she said excitedly. Spike smiled at her enthusiasm as he propped his head up against the headboard of his bed.

"Hey, how are your ribs? Did you..."

"Yes, I asked someone to help me lift my suitcase into the overhead bin. My ribs are feeling fine. Will you quit worrying about me?"

"Ha ha – never," Spike said with a chuckle.

"They are reassembling in the conference room, I have to go back in. Get some rest."

"Copy that. Talk to you later."

"OK," said Anisa quietly as she hung up the phone and returned to the auditorium.

Spike hung up and laid his head on his pillow closing his eyes. He slept soundly for several hours that day. Since their shift had run over, Team One was not expected back at work until 8AM on Tuesday morning.

Driving to work on Tuesday morning, Spike's thoughts wandered back to the conversation he and Anisa had the previous night when she had called back later that day. She had told him about some of the case studies that were presented during Day 1 of the seminar. Spike smiled as he remembered the exuberance in her voice when discussing the cases. Apparently, Anisa had asked a number of questions that had garnered notice from the BAU team. When the seminar we was over and the audience was dispersing, the tall brunette member of the BAU team caught up with Anisa. After introducing herself as Emily Prentiss, she asked Anisa where she was from. Prentiss recognized Anisa's name, saying that she had seen the recommendation and file that her professor had sent to get her into the seminar. Before they could chat further, Prentiss had been pulled away but had promised to catch up with her tomorrow. Spike was thrilled for her.

The day dragged on until mid afternoon when Team One was called to a tall building to prevent a suicide attempt. These calls always made Spike nervous because the life of the subject was largely in the negotiator's hands. It was up to the negotiator to connect with the subject quickly and give them a reason to live. Spike worked diligently in the truck trying to get information on the building and feeding it to his team so they could reach the subject. He was also simultaneously trying to get information on the subject which was harder to come by since they had no idea who he was. Ed, Jules and Wordy were interviewing people around the building to see who might know the subject. Greg and Sam were on their way to the 21st floor hoping that by the time they got there they would have a name with which to address the subject.

"Boss, we got a name," came Jules' voice over the headset. "Randy Jonas, but that is all we know."

Greg replied, "Spike..."

"I'm on it, Boss," he responded knowing that Greg needed information on this guy. As Spike uncovered information about the subject he fed it to Greg. Randy was a 27 year old man who was working for an investment firm on the 21st floor of the building. He was newly engaged and had just bought a house. He had learned that his fiancee had been diagnosed with breast cancer that morning. When he arrived at work and went to tell his boss about the situation, his boss fired him before he had a chance because his boss thought that he had been skimming money off of customers' transactions.

Greg was talking to the subject trying to help him understand that he had a lot to live for and that he was looking at a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Spike was glad that Greg was the one out there talking to Jonas because nobody could connect with a subject better.

"Hey, Boss, I think I found something you could use. I was hunting around and saw what Jonas' boss was looking at, but when I dug down a couple more layers, I found something interesting. Somebody was definitely skimming funds, but it wasn't Randy Jonas. Whoever it was knew what they were doing...they managed to make it look like Jonas was the one doing the skimming."

"Spike, can you determine who the actual skimmer was?"

"Working on it, Boss," Spike answered tapping furiously on the keyboard. Spike could hear that Greg was beginning to make progress with the subject. After what seemed like an hour, but was actually about 2 minutes, Spike's voice was heard over the headsets. "Boss, I got the name of the person responsible for skimming the accounts...Raymond Johnstone. It is no coincidence that their names start with the same letters. That is how he was able to make it look like Randy was skimming the funds."

"Good job, Spike," said Greg and then began speaking to Randy Jonas once again.

Wordy had a thought, "Hey, Spike you got a picture of this guy Johnstone?"

"Yep, sending it to your PDAs."

Meanwhile, Jules was speaking with Jonas' boss, Max Kiplin, who was distraught by the situation. Her PDA beeped and she showed the picture to Kiplin.

"Yeah, that is Ray Johnstone, he works with Randy. He actually works for Randy, why?"

"Do you know where he is? He was the one who was skimming the funds, not Jonas," Jules answered.

"Oh God," muttered Kiplin as the realization of what he had done sunk in. "Last time I saw him was over by the statue in the center of the square," offered Kiplin.

"I'm on it," came Ed's voice as he raced in the direction of the fountain.

"Tell Randy I am sorry. He can have his job back. PLEASE! I made a terrible mistake" begged Kiplin to Jules.

Jules spoke into her headset, "You get that, Boss?"

"Yeah, I'll let him know" was Greg's reply.

"I have Raymond Johnstone in custody," Ed informed his team as he pushed the man through the crowd.

Spike could hear him saying, "I didn't do anything...you have no proof." Spike just smiled to himself.

Once Randy learned that he had his job back and that his reputation would be cleared, Greg was able to convince him to come inside. They all breathed a sigh of relief when Greg and Sam exited the building with Randy Jonas safe and sound.

On the way back to the barn, Greg rode with Spike.

"So, do I want to know how you were able to delve into those financial files and determine that Johnstone was the skimmer?" asked Greg.

"Probably not," answered Spike with a smirk.

"Are we going to be able to make the charges against Johnstone stick?" Greg asked with a combination of concern and chiding in his voice.

"Boss, I'm a by-the-book kind of guy. Besides, I left a breadcrumb trail so that the prosecutors can get the proper warrants and discover all of the information themselves."

Smiling and shaking his head, Greg said, "Of course you did."

By the time they debriefed it was 7:00 and some of the team were going to The Goose for a drink.

"You coming, Spike?" asked Sam.

"Um, sure," he responded pulling out his phone and seeing that Anisa had called. "I'll meet you there. Got a call I have to make." He put the phone to his ear to listen to the voice message. Apparently she was having dinner with the BAU team and would text when she got back to her room. He was a little disappointed but also very happy for her because she had been so enthralled by the BAU team. He also had a message from Detective Danner asking him to come by her office one day this week to provide specific information to their tech people regarding the data recovered on Sunday night. He would call her back tomorrow.

Spike stayed for two beers then headed home. Climbing into bed, he checked his phone but there was no message from Anisa. It was 11:15 and he was exhausted so he laid his head and waited for the text message.

He was awakened by his alarm sounding at 5:45AM. 'Damn I must have been really tired,' he thought. He picked up his phone and saw two texts from Anisa.

12:05: 'Hey, honey. You awake?'

12:10: 'Sorry so late. Call me on your way to work tomorrow.'

Spike showered and headed to work. He called Anisa as soon as he was in his car.

She picked up on the first ring, "Hey, Mike!"

"Morning. Fun night last night?"

"Oh my gosh, it was amazing. I wish you were here so you could meet these guys. I felt like I was amidst royalty." She was talking so fast that Mike didn't even try to get a word in edgewise. "I mean these people invented profiling. Such ground breaking police work. I was in awe."

"So you had just an OK time," he interjected sardonicly.

She giggled, "Was I gushing?"

"A little bit," he said with a chuckle.

"I just couldn't believe they wanted to have dinner with me. I still can't"

"Really? You said that Prentiss read you file, right?"

"Well, yeah, but..."

He interrupted, "Do you think that maybe they might want to meet the first and only woman to be a member of the Special Forces?"

"Huh? They meet all kinds of officers all the time,"

"True. I'm just saying that you shouldn't sell yourself short. You have some pretty amazing accomplishments and credentials under your belt, too."

"I think you are a little biased,"

"I am a lot biased. Did they ask you about your military training?"

"Um.. yeah I think so."

"Ok. I am just saying that maybe they were interested in you a little, too."

"Whatever," she said trying to change the subject. "What time are you off tonight?"

"If all goes according to plan, I should be out the door by 5:30. What time is your flight arriving?"

"7:00."

"Great, I should have plenty of time to get there to pick you up."

"Mmm," she muttered with a smile growing on her face. "Looking forward to it."

"Me too. I'll see you tonight. Love you."

"Love you too. Stay safe, Mike."

"Always do. Bye"

"Bye"

Spike then returned the call from Detective Danner and agreed to meet her at her office at 9:00 after he had cleared it with the Sarge. After returning to the barn around noon, a hot call came through for a tense situation with two hostage takers and a roomful of hostages. As time slipped away while Team One was gathering intel and developing a tactical plan of entry, it looked as though it might go well into the night. By late afternoon Spike knew that he wouldn't be able to make it to the airport to pick Anisa up so he quickly sent her a text.

'In a situation. Can't make it to airport. Can you get a cab home? Sorry. C U home.'

He knew she was in the air and wouldn't be able to read it until she landed and hoped she wouldn't be upset. He immediately refocused to the hostage situation.

Anisa's plane landed and taxied to the gate. She pulled her suitcase down from the overhead bin because her ribs didn't hurt and then proceeded to the gate. When she entered the airport her eyes were drawn to the television monitors that were placed throughout the airport. They were reporting a breaking story of an incident with hostages at a local establishment. She felt her phone vibrate in her pocket as messages registered. Pulling it out she saw a message from Ryan and one from Spike. She opened Spike's and reading it knew that Team One was involved in the hostage situation on the television. She said a silent prayer for his safety and that of his team. As she slowly walked toward the airport exit, she texted him response.

'NP- C U later. Love you'

After several tense hours, the incident was resolved with one casualty. One of the hostage takers turned his gun on Greg, so Sam took the shot. The other taker immediately dropped his weapon and surrendered. It was 11:00PM by the time Team One was finished with SIU and debriefing. Every muscle in Spike's body ached. He had been a point person with his gun trained on taker number two for 3 hours straight while Greg was negotiating. He was tempted to call Anisa to let her know that he was on his way home, but he didn't want to wake her if she were sleeping. He figured that she had seen the news and knew that he and his team were alright.

Spike slid the key into the lock of her apartment and slowly opened the door. He heard the soft sound of the television coming from the living room and removing his shoes, he quietly followed the sound. When he entered the living room, he saw her lying on her side on the sofa sleeping peacefully. He clicked off the TV and gazed at her inch by inch taking in her restful beauty. Looking at her bare feet, he thought they looked so small. Smiling he wondered if she had to buy her shoes in the children's department. His gaze then moved up her legs to her hips and then the indentation at her waist where the bottom of her shirt had shifted allowing a sliver of skin to appear above the waistband of her pants. He took a deep breath and slowly released it. His eyes continued their pilgrimage along her ribs and he hoped that the pain was gone and that they were healed. He then noticed the swell of her small but proportionate breasts and he inhaled again. His eyes followed the curve of her neck up to her jawline then to her lips. The scars on her face were almost completely healed and her face was framed by her wavy red-blonde hair. She looked almost ….angelic. Unable to hold back any longer, he knelt down beside her. He moved a strand of hair from her face and gently brought his lips to hers. Anisa's eyes fluttered open and in a split second focused on his face.

Smiling and sleepy she said, "Hey you."

"Hey you," he repeated, a broad smile creeping across his face revealing his dimples.

Reaching up to his face, Anisa placed her index finger into one of those deep crevices. "I have missed these," she murmured as she drew his face closer to hers and kissed him deeply.

As the kiss deepened, Spike slid his arms around her pulling her up into a seated position never releasing her lips from his. He was now kneeling between her legs in front of her. Anisa slid her arms around his neck running one of her hands through his hair as she drew his body closer to hers. The kiss was not gentle but hungry and passionate. Her heart was pounding as he moved his lips along her jawline to her neck and then her earlobe. Meanwhile, his hand found the hem of her shirt and slid underneath. Spike could feel her sharp intake of breath has his hand touched the bare skin of her back. He began to kiss along her neck as his thumbs ran along her ribcage reminding him about her fracture ribs.

"How are your ribs?" he uttered breathlessly.

"Fine," she moaned pulling his mouth to hers and wrapping her legs around his waist. Spike slipped his hands under her hips and stood lifting her up. Never breaking the kiss he carried her into the bedroom kicking the door closed behind him.

*Nonna - grandma

**Sono così orgoglioso di te – I am so proud of you.

A/N: Hope you are still liking it. Would love your input on the story (but no pressure) and if you have ideas or suggestions I would love to hear them...you never know, I may use them. Stay tuned for more fluff and a little action.