(Note to the Readers, this scene is supposed to have taken place right after the latest Rogue attacks.  <3 I’m just slow at starting things sometimes.  😊 )

The skies were dark on this strange day and yet one might  very well wonder if it was all in the heads of those that had been touched directly by the latest seemingly random attacks.  These attacks touched everyone in Los Angeles deeply, but the focus of one young Right Hand Hound was the loss of her counterpart and one of her closest and best friends.  Tears had waged war with the young woman’s strong outer shell and she was quickly losing the battle.  She found that she couldn’t make herself stay within the confines of the Headquarters as anything and everything reminded her of her…  So the wandering began.  Yet it didn’t take long before she was approached by one that she could trust to see her in her most vulnerable state…  A strong pillar of their community, their way of life…  A Leader of his own family and yet still there for the Hounds he began with…  A wonderful man who had swept in past all the snide remarks, past all the hostile glares, past the shell, the defense of one feisty Hound…  One TM.

He approached the obviously volatile young woman with care and the typical smile that he wore when he looked upon her although there was a haunted sadness that hid within his eyes.  He was certainly not untouched from the day’s events.  He too cared about the hounds and the loss of their left hand was not one that didn’t have it’s ripples.  Not to mention the sadness that he saw in the eyes of the one before him.  “Survived another one, hun…” He spoke out to her, trying to keep his voice light as he approached.

Her gaze leapt up, and focused intently as she was approached and addressed.  Seeing that it was TM, a dear friend, she fought the urge to bristle.  “We did, thank goodness.  That was a sad one though…” Unable to hold his gaze, Hope’s gaze faltered and she focused upon the ground before her. 

“That it was.  War is always tragic, but this one even more so.” Came the reply as the man before her sought to share in her pain and ease her burden if he could manage.  Taking a step toward her, closing the gap just a little as he watched her, willing her not to crumble as if his silent will alone could hold the pieces together.  Hope merely nodded in response, mute as the grief crashed yet another wave over her.  Was she honestly cut out for this life?  Her answer would be a resounding yes and her resolve would settle as she fought for control over her own emotions.    Yet it seemed, TM wasn’t going to be contented in being an observer anymore, and he would catch the young woman off guard, moving forward with rapid grace and pulling her into a tight hug.

The initial touch shot through Hope like an electric change.  She had to quickly fight down an intense fight or flight response and not make the attempt to flip the man over her shoulder or some other absurd response.  This was TM.  Crew Leader, but foremost he was her friend.  He would never hurt her and  she moved instead into his embrace.  In a split moment, her ice princess exterior crumbled like a wall ravaged by time.  In that moment, everything that she had held at bay during the wars came cascading down upon her and she moved into his arms and buried her face against his shoulder.  His embrace would be returned as she slipped her arms carefully around him.  Physical touch such as this was fairly foreign to the young woman and yet in this moment it was right and good.

“Oh TM…”

Her usual strong, sometimes condescending, voice broke with the threat of tears as she conveyed this unspoken heart cry.

The tragic events still ever still trending in everyone’s minds, the wounds so fresh from the latest events. TM had known and spoken to their beloved lost comrade a few times. A dedicated hard working woman who did so much for the people in her city. And when he heard what happened the Don did everything in his power along with the other fine leaders to bring the bloodshed and the cowardly rogue to a swift and decisive end. He had longed to be the one to avenge the loss and deliver justice for the honour of Hood-Rats memory. TM wasn’t a stranger to loss, but the effects of such a loss on Hope was getting to him, even more so when she buried her face into his shoulder. The Don can only take a deep breathe his own mind starting to buzz once more.

The last thing TM wanted was to see such a beautiful woman shed tears. For such a strong admirable woman to be on the verge of shedding them was an impossibility to him.. he had come to believe her own stories about herself, Hope can’t cry...she’s not going to it’s impossible he thinks to himself. The self proclaimed ice princess, the one who had gazed at him so coldly and so angrily upon their first meeting.

Seeing the confusion in her gaze initially  threw him off but his sense of duty towards the magnificent woman so prominent. TM eagerly began to comfort her. His embrace around her tightening up as he holds the back of her head. One of the only times he knew he was right where he was meant to be. Right where he is needed, right there for her now and always.. easing back he brushes he side of her face his eyes deeply gazing into hers. 

”It’s alright sweetheart... I know... and it’s okay.... I’m here for you Hope... you know  I’ll always be here for you... you don’t have to but if you need to just let it go and let it out I’m right here hun. Although it’s not fitting for such a breathe taking face to be brandishing Teara and sorrow... Besides people see those tears they might blame me hun... don’t need the whole word chasing after me “

TM smiles in your direction his gaze meeting yours again before he chuckles trying his best to add a little levity to the situation hoping a little joke would perk her up just a tad. The young don eagerly wishing to elevate Hope’s spirits, never seeing them so low before.

No...  No no no.  She didn't care how safe TM was, nor how alright it would be if she lost it in front of him.  She was not going to cry.  She was strong.  She was sure.  She trusted her leadership and her friends to the end of the Earth and beyond.  She loathed war, as it was war that took everything that had once been precious to her and continued to do so.  Sure, she found more precious things, but after the death of her mother, she had vowed that nothing would become that precious to her again...  Then she met Roman...  And then TM...  Hoodrat...  Insomnia...  Tabs...  So many that she had let in, some lost to her, some still held close to her heart, some with the potential to rip it from her chest.  And even now she still went against her vow, but how could she not when she had chosen to surround herself with such amazing people? At the end of the day, they were what mattered the most to her if she really thought about it.   

The moments seemed to drag out for an eternity and yet Hope didn't want to see the end of this one.  Allowing herself to do the very thing that she didn't think she was able to do, to take strength and comfort with another person.  TMs words washed over her in waves as she battled the storm of her own emotions.  Why...  It was stupid for her to feel this way, but why couldn't she get the faces from her mind?  These hadn't been feared enemies...  Or had they?  At best this left the unshakeable Right Hand Hound on shaky ground as to who was a friend and who was a foe and just how fast that fact could change. But some things remained solid.  Her loyalty to the man before her, her small family...  They were still unshaken...  Right?  Drawing back, her gaze met his as if searching for that answer.  It was soon apparent that she had found something there because the angst and tension seemed to flow from her eyes, her cheeks, and her shoulders as a soft sigh was uttered.  Right.  Not a tear had been shed even if a number had been threatened but she nodded, giving a soft laugh at his words.  "We can't have that, but I must say, the diversion it would cause would be top notch." 

She averted her gaze for a moment before meeting his again, drawing a shaky breath, getting ahold of herself once more.  Biting back the apology that rose to her lips, she only smiled as she met his gaze.  "Thank you TM." The myth still stood.  Did Hope even have tear ducts?  One might lay money on the fact that she could make a convincing argument to the contrary at this point.  Tough things happened, wars, rogues, insanity.   But they were mafiosos...  The cream of the crop and together they would make it even through this.  Together.

In the unique moment shared between them, TM could feel his own insides swell up a bit in addition to the waves of warm bubbly feelings he gets in her presence.  Even more overwhelming with her in his arms. Every second the moment lingers it intensifies a bit more and a bit more, TM thought his heart was going to pop out of his chest, could this be the coke endured heart attack that everyone warned him would happen? No not at all, it was something else something more driving the waves of emotions running through him, but if you were to look at his face look into his eyes you couldn’t tell. There are maybe a handful of people in this life that could make a solid read of his motives by the look in his eyes. The lovely woman in his embrace was one of them. And upon that longing gaze, TM had remembered the first time he had ever seen Hope, the young attractive woman catching his attention the moment she walked into The Hounds Hangout. Most importantly the glare he remembered she gave him even more memorable. A smile coming to his face, he knew then there was something special about her. A hunch that was only reinforced each passing day he got to know her. Although he knew from the start it was best to stay away, The Godfather Chairman made it clear he didn’t want TM corrupting her innocence. From the outside looking in, he didn’t want to corrupt the beautiful woman either. But at the same time he can’t help but think how much her own personality had influenced him, and TM couldn’t say anything but that she had influenced him for the better.

As his mind goes back to the conversation with  Roman About staying away from Hope, his loyalty dictating his actions as in that moment his gaze tried to mislead her. But he knew that it was a futile attempt but he at least had to try. At least  he can say he tried, albeit both her and him knew he didn’t stand a chance. And the attempt to mislead more of a social requirement then an actual want an actual need for the mafioso. A smirk crosses his face as he thinks to himself. It’s  amazing what runs through your mind in a moment like this, TM’s mind much like his heart was going a mile a minute. His thoughts as random as they may be kept returning over and over again only trying to reinforce what his heart was trying to say. But more importantly in a moment such as this what don’t you think about? More importantly what don’t you over think about?  

TM’s bloodline, and the very man himself not unprepared for war, combat and conflict, War was written in his DNA, it was the only time where he could put himself on the line for those he admired respected and cared about.. Even perhaps loved. When the first gunshot rang out he thought about Hope. The usual tan man pale as a ghost the entirety of the ordeal, he wasn’t religious but he found himself praying that she make it out okay. That he didn’t want to lose her as they had lost their friend and as so many others had lost as-well. And each time he did think about her he felt such an intense feeling now so foreign to him could it be Love?... something about the word, the feeing and the dynamic of it making it so unrelated to the cold harsh violent world we live in. TM had long traded such feelings for admiration and commodarie, friendship. But the stone cold gangster couldn’t deny the subtle ripples in the pond. Things had changed between them for him, for the better or worse only time would tell in the long run. Despite the negativity this life can produce sometimes the young Don couldn’t let those feelings wash over him with good faith.. 

In the moment he felt her arms squeeze back around him he can’t help but smile thinking that the woman had shared apart of her humility, her compassion with him. Something he was grateful for for. He knew better then to have these feelings towards her, but he couldn’t help it. Her leaning on him at the Babylon, one of the best moments of his life and also such a missed opertunity. All the mobster could think about after the party was he should have put his arm around her.  His eyes still locked with hers he can’t help but smile... He wants to say all this.. perhaps even more, But TM knows better then most that love and the life do not mix. All he can manage to say back in the moment is a modest.

“you are most welcome hun “

If she was being completely honest with herself, Hope would state very firmly and with no uncertainty, she had no clue what the heck she was feeling.  Hope had known nothing but this life.  Sure, her bloodline didn't go back generations and generations... Heck, her mother and aunt had been first generation mobsters...  She and her cousin, also Sairia named, would be the second generation, and her children after her third and so on...  But the blood of the mafia still ran fairly fresh in her veins.  Nothing could be considered second nature, born in her...  Sure this had been all the life she had known from birth, but even so, she had fought it with every fiber of her being until her mother had been taken before her time.  But now...  After she had seen what the life had to offer and the comradery and loyalty that came with being a part of a powerful crime family, the life had grown on her.  People were people no matter what circle you ran with.  You had your spectacular, you had your scum, and you had everything in between.  It wasn't all the roses and wonderful things that had enamored her aunt and excited her mother, but Hope had found her own little niche with people who honestly cared about her, and who in turn she could say the same.

 Many moments ticked by that Hope stood with TM, all she could say for sure that she felt in this moment was the warmth and friendship that was gladly offered by TM and even more gladly accepted by her.  She couldn't say that she could even pretend to know what love was outside of the love that her mother and she shared, and perhaps even the try at love that had begun and ended before it truly had time to blossom and take shape.  Even less did she know how to portray such emotions if they did surface...  One of the many conversations that her mother had...  Never gotten to.  In any case, none of that really even made it into her mind, ravaged as it were.  There was something about scars that made their own armor...  No matter the tough façade that Hope put on, her armor was untried and untested...  Would she survive the horrors that came along with this life?  Only time would tell, but with people like TM at her side, the odds were highly in her favor.

In all honesty, this moment with TM, once her mind could fathom it and understand it, would be quite the pivotal one.  Hope knew there were people in this world that cared for others, but never did she know the depth that could be felt toward another person outside your blood.  Sure she was quickly learning that chosen family could be perhaps as close as that which destiny had planted you with, but there was still so much in this that Hope had yet to explore.  Now was not, however, the time for intellectual exploration.  Instead, she simply clung to the very one who allowed it and reciprocated.  She knew he felt pain just like she did.  Yet to her disdain and chagrin, her responses were much more explosive and outward.  But with TM's help and firm hand, guiding her and his warm voice calming her and bringing a smile to her lips, Hope was once again gaining control over herself.  She drew back from his shoulder at long last and gazed into his eyes.  There, shining in her own, was nothing less than gratitude that she had tried to vocalize and couldn't find the proper words to do so.  But from the look in his eyes, the words didn't have to be perfected.  He knew exactly what it was that her heart cried.  A soft sniff was given, but she nodded at his words.  She would not allow this to become awkward, but words failed the young woman.  She had never been one of many words, but now none came to her...  At least none that were fitting.  Instead she took a moment to pull her composure together as he told her she was welcome.  With those simple words, her concerns about showing such strong emotion in his presence were banished.  He cared about her...  This much was clear.  And she was finding more and more that she cared for him.  

Young Hope could stand in a firefight, battling it out with the enemy, yet simple words with a former family member shook her solid staunch fortitude.  Feelings terrified Hope...  Fighting and protecting what was hers came naturally to Hope.  She could do that...  But feelings and emotions?  They were best shoved to the back of the mind to be dealt with at a later time that never came...  But was it possible that this time could soon be at hand?  Oh Hope certainly hoped not.  In any case, her mind was quickly becoming otherwise occupied even in the presence of this, one of those closest to her.  The grief slowly flowed from her, but so did her attention span. 

TM could see it, Hope was in her own little world again, he knew this type of interaction was like completely taking a fish out of water. But he couldn’t help but admire her courage to step onto that ledge with him. Any moment one faces something that is completely u expected and unique can be a frightening proposition. TM didn’t know if she was trying to escape the reality of the moment, or if she was trying to escape her own grief still. He knew so much about the beautiful woman but yet so much of her eluded him, but he found himself wanting to discover more and more about her each time there paths have crossed before. And he had tried, the unique relationship both of them shared one he can easily say could never mirror any relationship he had with any other. She was unique in her thoughts and in her actions, in the way she carried herself all these and more qualities TM adored.

Hope had always been there for him, a kind word, a smile, a friendly gesture, he knew it was the  subtle things you remember about a person you adore. His gaze couldn’t hide it, as their eyes met again and he found himself drawn more and more into the stars that are her eyes... The tightness in his chest growing with each passing moment, again he is taken back to the Babylon... The shortness of breathe when she leaned on him. But even at this moment confliction within the mobster. His loyalties to his duties, his own family...and her... There wasn’t anything in this world he wouldn’t do for her, TM knew he would come running no matter how far or how treacherous the road was. After all it wasn’t so long ago she saved his life at the stash house... The old school rules and morals made him hers, he owed her everything. And in turn wished to give Hope her hearts desire, as that was what he believed such a magnificent woman deserved. She was defiantly and vastly becoming the part of his world he enjoyed the most. As much as he tried to keep away from her he couldn’t, he was drawn to her personality like a moth to the flame, but the flame within him that was burning from her a small ember in the beginning now vastly morphing into an uncontrollable wild fire. 

The silence between them, making a few mere seconds seem like forever. Time had no meaning when he was with her, nothing mattered to him when he was with her.. The moment she would say his name, or even look at him with those eyes, moments he would look forward too, and times alone he found himself longing to see her again. The conflict within him beginning to reach the boiling point  as he is reminded of his godfathers warning... “Stay The fuck away from her... I don’t need you fucking her up” in so many words but the message the same and most definatly loud and clear. However the yurning, the need to just free himself of the turmoil dwelling within him.. The courage to do as he felt, and what he felt was right was clashing with the warning. The two sides of the man squaring off, the loyal soldier, and the young man yurning for companionship a woman to call his own. Not in his life had he defied an order, or the wishes of his superiors but the more he felt the echos ripple from his heart the more brazen the mafioso felt. Finally reaching  a point where it was unbearable, the young don takes things past the point of no return. TM brushes Hopes face gently again as they both smile, surprising her again as he leans in pressing his lips to hers as he kisses Hope for the first time.

Hope tried not to let it show that she was uncomfortable in this situation. TM was here and he wouldn’t let anything bad happen to her, not that there was any immediate danger anyway.  It was TM for goodness sake.  The current danger had passed…  And yet it felt as if a piece of her had been torn from her.  An irreplaceable piece of her heart had been ripped from her and for what...  To make a point?  She honestly had no clue.  But here they stood...  They were still alive and their families would go on.  But not without it's scars.  But they owed it to the memory of the fallen to go on as best they could with their memory burning within them.  She smiled and finally allowed her gaze to break from his, dropping to the ground as her thoughts moved rampant as well.  She thought back as well to the times at the Babylon.  Well, time singular… A lot of it was a blur as her intoxication level had been fairly through the roof.  But she remembered being content, warm, and happy.  Those were all good feelings, casting an overall good mood over that set of moments…  Even if she had gotten her rear on that dang stage. 

Hope found herself oblivious to the internal struggle that went on in her dear friend, yet she wasn’t completely blind to the fact that there was a struggle.  She furrowed her brows as she searched his face silently trying to glean just from sight if there was something she could see that would be vexing him.  And yet she was coming up empty handed…  She could see the cold detached look in his eyes, and frankly it unnerved her...  Not that she'd say that out loud anytime soon.  He was not cold toward her...  Ever.  And thus it was that her eyes held an instant, if not tentative and shrouded, concern. She had no clue the confliction that waged war within him.  But just when she was about to put voice to her concerns, TM was moving…  He was moving toward her.  For the briefest moment, Hope tensed up, uncertain as to what he was doing…  But it took her next to no time to remind herself that he could never mean her any harm, and the tension flowed from her form once more as his hand slid gently against her cheek.  That smile that she found appeared so easily drifted to her lips as their eyes met, his hand warm against the side of her face.  A gesture of gentle comfort, and it was eagerly received.

But it seemed he wasn’t done…

His face leaned in next, and Hope felt her pulse speed up exponentially.  Excitement as well as that stirring nervousness and uncertainty as to the situation surged through her.  But she forced herself to keep her breathing even and try to calm her wildly beating heart and yet she couldn’t seem to stop the longing to see what happened next, to see this through to the end.  All of this was unknown water, and yet it was being explored with TM, which made it safe…  Well safer.  This was no firefight, but it held it's own brand of mayhem and excitement.  The insanity that was wreaked upon her heart was almost unbearable and yet she couldn't bring herself to request him to cease.  She felt his form lean in toward her own and it seemed that TM was absolutely full of surprises today as his lips pressed to her own.  In a manner that Hope was entirely unaccustomed to, her mind came to a screeching halt.  She couldn’t think, couldn’t react, didn’t know what to do.  Her mind reeled with the attempt to make a decision on how to respond.  She quickly ruled out and squashed the immediate response to slap him and put some distance between them.  He wasn’t hurting her, quite the opposite.  So launching him over her shoulder was also out of the question…  Yelling at him wouldn’t work as her mouth was slightly occupied…  So honestly, without the certainty on how to respond, Hope would react with a surprise of her own…  Returning the kiss.  It seemed TM wasn’t the only one with such feelings toward the other.  

The thoughts and concerns, the fears and anguishes all came flooding forth in that moment as the kiss was returned.  The feelings for the Mafioso before her that had been roughly pushed down and hidden behind excuses and reasoning as to why they couldn't ever be together all came flooding to the front.  Hope quickly became as lost in this situation as she would allow herself when enjoying causing mayhem and confusion.  The kiss, the security, the hope.  Even his scent fueled the moment.  She had never consciously noticed it before, but it added to the intoxication and she would likely laugh later, but in this moment, it was the most wonderful smell she could imagine.  Then again, it could just be her confused brain talking.  

Hope would gladly have stood at the brink of the unknown with TM, but now, unadmitted to herself, she would cross that line and walk right in with him as well.  But then again...  Actions always did speak louder than words and their actions were shouting.

The thoughts that run through ones mind at such a moment, a defining moment in ones life. Where he or she decides to take that plunge into the unknown. To follow that little whisper echoing from inside there heart to take the steps forward. To dive deeply into the darkness, with no regret in whatever outcome you face. Just the fact that you put your heart on the line for something you believed in strongly, is reward enough despite the risk of peril. It’s one thing to jump for the sake of duty, for the sake of loyalty for the sake of friendship... But to do so out of of the emotions of ones heart is a situation most avoid, for when you open yourself to another you trust them with your vulnerabilities. The act of the pursuit of romance and deep companionship requiring a courage and dedication most didn’t have. Especially in this crazy world, where your life or theirs could end at any abrupt and oh so bloody moment. The loss of the one or ones you hold dear another scar to bear, another chip in the foundations of your soul. Another thing trying to hold you down as you try to keep your head above water, it is in this that most find their faces dip beneath the waves. Giving into the strifes and struggles of ones heart and the weight of a hostile bustling world.

TM had seen the costly effects of such mistakes, time and time again. In the beginning he swore never to make the mistakes of those he witnessed, for what he witnessed was surely enough to deter him from walking down the same path as so many others had. But the more and more time he spent with the beautiful woman in-front of him, the more he found himself yurning for the sweet and soft feelings of true companionship. But knowing just before the moment of impact as it were, that Hope_ was all he ever wanted, the only thing in his life that he was missing. All the worries of potential rejection, or the ramifications of his actions not mattering to him in that moment. All he wished was to finally taste her sweet lips, and so he did, with full expectation of being pushed away forcefully or worse, Hope_ wasn’t a helpless gal not by far and he knew the moment his lips touched hers it could very well be the last thing he did. He blinks not hearing the gun go off nor feel the hot lead slug dig into his chest. But if he had, if he were to be the victim of the stunning woman’s wrath, he at-least knew he would be happy knowing he died kissing the lips of the lady he adored more then any other in this world. Feeling his heart swell and inevitably over flow with affection when he felt her kiss him back. Pulling her into another close embrace as the kiss lingers for a few moments. TM never wanted it to end, if he could live in this magnificent moment with her forever he would have gladly. All the perks of the life, the life in general. When his lips touched hers he knew he would be more then happy to trade it all, just to keep her heart. His head easing back arms still wrapped around her, his eyes on hers. He could only take a deep deep breathe and smile down at her. Joy filling him as he can only mutter her beautiful name, and the only Hope the hardened Don really ever believed in.

“Hope....”

If someone would have asked Hope if she would ever dream that someone would come along that would matter the world to her…  Correction, matter more than the world to her…  Someone who’s very existence would become the very thing that kept her going and kept her right.  That she would find someone who’s world was destined to be entwined with hers and remain so tightly tied that to pull away would be detrimentally damaging to them both…  Someone she would depend on desperately.  Someone she would truly depend on at all even, she would likely have laughed in their faces…  Hard.  And yet here she stood.  This was the funny thing about love, if love was the proper word for it.  Despite it’s trite sound, it was not a rational decision.  At least not at first.  Sure, enduring love would become as such, but it didn’t hold that form to begin with.  Love was a funny thing…  Not typically something you chose to jump into, and yet once you discovered it, you’d likely happily jump again.

Hope didn’t know about this life, or honestly it’s cautions, it’s dangers, or even the extent of it’s joys.  She had seen the light in her mother’s eyes, the joy this life gave her.  Kenzi had loved this life…  And Hope had loved Kenzi.  Never did she think that she could ever hold that depth of feeling for another living being and yet as different as the feeling was, she could feel a similar strength bubbling within her chest just at his mere presence.  And as his form came close to her own, that soft and pleasant bubbling turned into a torrent that she had never known.  Her heart beat wildly even as she sought to contain it, and he hadn’t even done anything yet!  He didn’t wait long, perhaps he knew the flurry of her heart and didn’t wish it to explode…  Yet if that was the knowledge and the hope, he never would have pressed his lips to her own.  And if she held the same knowledge…

She never would have returned the action.

But that was the funny thing about being new in this life without the guiding light of seasoned veteran mafiosos in your bloodline.  You were fresh, you were new…  Your mind could hold ideas of grandeur about what could be and what might be, and what would be…  This was a key aspect of the young woman that TM now held in his arms.  She had novel ideas, and the idea of love, while foreign and strange to her, wasn’t anywhere near forbidden.  It truly would be a grand adventure…  Yet as TM’s lips pressed to her own, she couldn’t deny the fact that her mind whirled with acts of violence and a tad bit of fear.  The fear was irrational and quickly squashed.  This was TM after all, he would never hurt her.  His actions were not hostile and not in the least unpleasant.  They weren’t dangerous and she couldn’t deny the longing for the moment never to end.  Mayhem touched her mind, but it wasn’t in the typical sense of the word.  Mayhem was being wrought upon her heart and blood pressure.  But mayhem could be experienced in excitement and thrill as well as the angry aspect. 

Her small form fit in his arms just perfectly as he drew her in close when it became clear that she would not deny him, nor push him back by force.  As they remained close for a brief moment, her chest rising and falling as her reeling mind sought to catch up to the moment, she stared directly forward at the shadows that danced upon his chest from her proximity.  Allowing her gaze to climb, she soon locked eyes upon him.  Were he to look into her eyes, he could see emotions that were nigh unknown and unheard of to be seen in the eyes before him.  He would see uncertainty, he could see excitement, he could see anxiety, he could see trust.  Sure, this was a landing and before her she had no idea what to expect, and yet in a wordless manner, it was clear that she was prepared to take the jump…  But only if he took her at her side. 

Her name drifted from his lips and brought a small smile to her face.  “TM.”  She returned the favor, her voice a little more tense than his.  But with a near playful quirk of the brow, Hope would push up on her toes, to press her lips gently against his again, seeking another…  Whatever the heck wonder that was.

The joy that he felt in the moment she returned his kiss was unlike any rush he had ever felt in his life. Not even the finest cocaine had ever given him such a jolt as her lips on his did. Not even all the times he had so openly spoken in front of a crowd to hear their cheers or chants electrified him as much as this moment. A moment he was giving himself completely for, all of him poured into what the two of them were sharing. Two sealed tombs of ice beginning to melt and reveal a still beating and warm heart, she warmed his heart and consumed his thoughts. And for a brief moment he thought he might wake up from this dream as he had so many times on his own. But it was real, she was real, himself holding her so close to him just to feel just to make sure she was there and this scene of utter beautiful perfection was not some sweet mirage. 

There was nothing more subtle yet so perfect about the way he felt at home with her in his embrace, his eyes never parting from hers how could they, the sparkle so memorizing. Even blinking would make the man fear he might miss something...  To miss anything to miss a single second of this shared perfection would be a crime. His breathe heavy and drawing more deeper breathes with each passing second, his own insides overwhelmed with just the sheer emotion moving over him, his affection his love... Something he knew just by how it felt, and just by how strange it was he knew it was true, the epiphany of perfect innocent deep love. The kind that you knew that despite how much drawn from it the well would never cease to produce, the reservoir of emotions and caring would never dry and waste away.  

It didn’t matter to him anymore, the social stigmas of such a relationship, nor the consequences for his actions. He knew that if he were to die, to die for the woman in his arms he could only smile. Again his mind trails back to the Godfather, but even the guilt of breaking the rule by far overshadowed by just the spectacle of their kiss, even more so the thought pushed out of his mind when she leaned up and kissed him again. His heart stopped, he could literally feel it stop when she leaned up and pressed her lips against his. The young don felt the beats return at a violent pace, any lesser man would have probably buckled and collapsed just from the sheer monumental significance of this moment. Pulling Hope_ against him tighter as he kisses her back slow and as affectionately as he possibly could, if not trying to express every feeling he had for her in one instant. But the moment she kissed him, the moment she caught him off guard like he did her, was the moment he felt electrified and truly for the first time that he was alive, and right where he needed to be in this world. He knew he needed her. 

Only easing back from the kiss when he is about to pass out from lack of breathe, resting his forehead on hers he smiles against her lips, taking the opportunity to brush her face again softly with the tips of his fingers still drawing those deep breathes. The great linguist has nothing to say, no words that could even describe how much joy, how much the monumental situation  surged through him, even replaying again and again in his mind, a moment he knew he would relive for as long as he had breathe, and for as long as he loved and adored the woman in his embrace. TM knew, this humble beginning, was just the spark, he thought if he could nurture the small flame of passion it wouldn’t take long before it was a raging wildfire. But more importantly he knew that she was his everything and would be his from that moment on. Even if the words couldn’t come to him out of the unjustified fear that the moment would abruptly end. There he stood staring into her eyes wondering where the world would take them next, knowing wherever and whatever he’s face it with her hand in hand.

There was something of a panic response rising in Hope… At least this was the closest understanding she had of it.  Her heart raced, she couldn’t breathe, she couldn’t think…  At least about anything but the man before her.  As he kissed her and she returned the act, she couldn’t help but wonder about this.  She had no clue what she was doing…  Did TM?  Did he care that she didn’t?   Surely he didn’t…  Or would he still be here with her if he did?  Goodness she had to kick that thought from her mind.  She was thinking in circles and only working herself up more and more, and she was fairly certain that she could only take not breathing so long. 

Whether it was the grief, or the desperation, Hope found herself nestling in close against TM as they shared the kiss.  Either way, she felt something click in her mind and her heart.  TM was warm…  TM was safe.  She was safe with TM.  It was a feeling that she had felt with others…  Her mother, Roman, and yet it was incredibly different at the same time.  Entirely different in fact.  Sure the feeling of safety and security was similar, but it was for an entirely different reason, even if she hadn’t discovered what that reason was yet. 

She had no idea what this meant, the implications, the rules that were being strained and perhaps broken.  She had no clue what Roman may have said to TM.  She was only just beginning to see how TM felt for her…  And even though she could see it, she had no idea what it meant.  Never in her life had she felt so…  Unsure.  And yet even with the uncertainty, it was alright because TM was there to lead her every step of the way…  Except for the steps that she managed to lead in any case.  He would show her the way, or they would discover it together.  Hope would return the kiss, mirroring his movements as she pressed up onto her toes to press her lips to his.  One thing was for sure, Hope was a quick study.  As TM pulled her close, Hope would close the distance as much as was humanly possible becoming demure and gentled as she never was for another man.  She was quickly realizing that she would do just about anything for this man before her…  And it was terrifying and exhilarating all at the same time.  They kissed for many moments before she broke away, panting softly, her eyes rising to meet his as she trembled all over.

His silence was almost too much for the young woman.  Her mind was reeling with words and yet she couldn’t manage to form any coherent ones for many seconds.  But finally she would find her tongue even as his fingertips moved along her soft skin.  “TM…  I…”  She began, but she was lost as to how to express it, just as he was.  Something within her warmed considerably, but her mind was at a loss as to how to respond.  “I don’t know how…”  She whispered as her forehead rested against his.  Never did she feel so uncertain, and yet it was just fine.  Right?

Safety, warmth and an over all sense of well being could only be described as the emotions flowing through TM, part of him still thinking he is about to wake from a dream. Many a time his ambitions visualized under the gize of slumber, only to drift away when he opened his eyes. This was not one of those cases, not one of those moments, for truly it would be a moment of regret and great despair if it were reality. However the only reality was the one before him, and the situation that was beginning to unfold. The unknown, the unforeseen usually not as frightening as the prospect as it was opening his heart to the woman in front of him, but in this case both were one and the same. And while they were drifted off in their own little world, it wouldn't be long before the real world would start to bring them back down. He didn't want to go back, but yet he couldnt say a word, he could only feel he could only sense the depth of the moment, and found his own soul feeding from it. Each passing moment with her he began to understand more and more of the unknown reaches of his own person. Not in a long time did he felt such personal growth, such a will to change the mentality of before, all for the beautiful, kind, yet ice cold when shes on a contract Hope_.

TM could only smile as he witnessed her try and find the words to say that he could not, what he had been so afraid to say to another person. But words stemming from a cold heart only now beginning to warm up, she was just as lost as he was. And if he were to try and put it into words, he was certain he could never give such things shared between them in this moment justice. As much as her soft voice delighted him, he could tell she was just like he was. His own silence making him feel that now she was one more step ahead of him on that ledge, he could see the pressure in her eyes, as he wouldn't dare gaze away from them. Lost in their sparkle, the true definition of hypnotized. Taking some of the burden, he speaks gently.

“Hope..you dont have to say a word sweetheart, not a single word for right now. Its a lot to process, and Im sure by now you know how I feel..We have time, all the time in the world hun. And whatever ramifications arise from what happened here, Ill be more then glad to face them knowing I was right, this moment was right.”

TM could tell his word were putting the young woman at ease, if not his charming smile alone. Whatever this was, and as deep as it lay. The young Don didn't wish to take things in the fast lane, no Hope_ was a lady, she deserved time to gather her thoughts in the aftermath of such an unforeseen series of events. TM, was certain, they the both of them together could stand the test of time, The feelings that just surged through him built his confidence in that belief with every passing second. He wanted to know, if she would take the risks with him, to break one of the vows he made quite a while ago. To deal with the ramifications, and retribution of a Gofather, the more he looked into Hope_'s eyes the more he knew, he was ready, willing to sacrifice for the budding feelings shared between them both. TM takes a deep breathe, his eyes uncertain of what the ultimate future would hold........

Hope wished she could stay lost in this moment for all eternity.  Not in the sorrow that had brought it about, but the beautiful touching and meeting of their very souls that had ensued between two most unlikely people.  The strong, sure, battle hardened TM, and the untested, inwardly uncertain, sharp-tongued Hope...  It was doubted that anyone would have guessed that the tragic events would have such an outcome in bringing them together in a moment of pure desperation.  And yet was that all it was?  A moment when a shattered heart, and that which sought to comfort and repair despite his own pain beat as one?  And how long would this moment last?  Was it enduring? Or would it fade as the last war had faded and would eventually fade from their minds?  

Well that was an answer best left for the future, and yet if one really paid attention, the given answers were not very likely.  Hope had let down her guard...  She had let another being in, to see her uncertainties, her vulnerabilities, and she found that she was not shunned for it.  Emotion was not weakness...  At least the act of having the emotion wasn't.  Letting it drive you was another matter altogether, and letting the wrong person see it...  But TM was not the wrong person, not by a long shot.  TM was exactly the person to see the interior behind the ice.  The woman behind the sharp words and sharper bullets.  This was becoming quite clear, despite how Hope wished she could just shove it back in a deep dark closet.  Many things she could contain, but this wasn't one of them.  The anger...  The grief...  The despair.  It was all too much for one body to contain and process alone.  Sometimes you just needed someone to lean upon.  

And it seemed, at least for tonight, TM was that someone.

Her gaze rose to meet TM's after she had tried so hard to verbally portray what ran rampant through her uncertain heart.  But she failed to find the words, and yet with the smile upon his face, Hope felt that he understood perfectly.  But he didn't leave the silence long...  No no!  He spoke out, easing her fears further still, now turning his focus deep within her.  He understood that she didn't have the words, the knowledge, or the understanding in what was being held out before her, much like a tantalizing carrot to a bunny.  

A confusion lit in her eyes and a defiant brow arched as he spoke of possible ramifications.  But she kept the questioning to herself.  She had no clue what ramifications he spoke of...  And yet to be honest, she hadn't spoken to her Crew Leader about any of this.  Then again, she hadn't yet allowed herself to explore those budding feelings that arose and confused her so greatly.  Even if the mere thought of them made her heart hammer in her chest and make her feel sillier and giddier than a schoolgirl with her first crush.  Oh wait...  That was exactly what miss Hope was...  But it was ridiculous that her mind and his should go to such thoughts at a time such as this, and yet so right at the same time.

Quite the mindblowing thing it was.

As their eyes met and locked, unspoken communication passed between them, and a small smile lifted the corners of her lips and finally she gave a small, wordless nod.  In this moment, Hope would go to the ends of the earth with and for TM...  Just as she knew that he would for her without either of them saying a word.  She didn't know how she knew, but she knew. 

Yet as they shared this moment, she allowed her gaze to finally break from his and she cringed as she saw the sky darkening.  "Oh TM...  I have to get back to the Headquarters...  I told Roman all I needed was an hour...  He'll be needing me...  And we don't want him sending out the search party..."  She casted her gaze over her shoulder, suddenly uncertain just how far she had walked in her grief-stricken state.  But TM nodded in agreement as the sun began to sink down below the horizon.  He offered her a ride and since she had walked all this way, she gratefully accepted.  Wordlessly they got into TM's car and drove to the Hound's Headquarters where he would drop off the lovely Right Hand Hound.  Standing at the edge of the driveway as TM drove away, Hope watched his car disappear down the next street before wandering back inside with more questions and more hope in her heart than she had started with.  They would make it through this.  All of them.  Together.  

(And end scene!  <3)