Lucky had been away in Sicily. Marie had sent on a mission to help her father, whose family was at war with another, it had been a long and bloody fight. After helping her father regain control Lucky was severely wounded by the police in Sicily, after jumping in front of shots meant for father,  and had to go underground, faking that he was killed. Very few people knew that he was actually still alive. Lucky had been told that Marie was told that he was dead so that anyone who overheard the conversation couldn't prove otherwise, this is why he carried a letter from her father explaining everything to her. 

He had recovered on his way back to the state's he still had a limp and his arm was still in a sling from where he had been hit. After getting into LA late at night he headed to the HeadQuarters and straight to Marie's office finding it empty. He can tell she is still staying sleeping there so he grabs the bottle of whiskey he had stashed there and sits down pouring himself a drink. 

Marie was floating on clouds as she walked back into the LCF HQ.  Everyone had already gone home for the night and that was okay with Marie.  She would call Dub from her office and let him know that she would be leaving town for a day or two and make sure he was settled enough to run things while she was gone.  She knew he would be, but she felt obligated to at least inquire.  

It had been a near perfect day.  Double Eagle had won his race and Roman had taken her out to celebrate afterwards.  He had even given her a long stem red rose when they had said good night.  Now she was going to go pack her bags and get a few hours of sleep before their plane to New York was to leave in the morning.  She could not wait to spend a few days alone with Roman in New York.  Her mind was thinking of some of the "fun" they might have while they were there.  The sort of fun that was making her cheeks turn red just thinking about them as she opened the door to her office. 

As she walked in she was stopped short by who was in her office. Her jaw dropped opened and her eyes widen in utter surprised.  

"Lucky...." she said in almost a whisper.

Lucky set his glass down as he heard the door start to open. He placed a hand on the desk to help him stand and turns towards the door. 

when the door opened and Marie walked in he saw her stop and heard her whisper his name. He limped over to her pulling the letter out of his Jacket pocket and handing it to her. 

"Yes I am alive" he said before embracing her in a hug. He pulled her in tight not caring that his shoulder screamed in pain. 

Marie stood stunned as he pulled her into an embrace, the rose in her hand dropping to the ground.  "How?"  When he released her she still looked like dazed and confused.  "They told me you were dead.  My father told me you were dead."

Lucky pointed to the letter she know held in her hand.  "You father sent this letter to explain everything."  

Marie looked at the letter that was in her hand.  It had not even registered until he pointed it out to her that she held it.  She opened the letter from her father and began to read it.  In the letter her father explained that they had faked Lucky's death to get him out of the county and that he had told her that he was died because they were concerned that someone near to Marie was spying on her and sending information on her comings and goings back to the Pisa family in Sicily -- a long time rival of her father.  He also explained how Lucky had been shot taking a bullet that had been meant for him and how much he like the boy.  

She looked up at Lucky looking a little less dazed now as her mind was finally starting to get past the initial shock.  

Lucky stood there while she read the letter. He had no idea what it said, it was given to him just before they smuggled him out of the country, all he knew for sure was that it explained why she had been told he was dead. 

He was in a daze, all he had thought about since he was shot was her, and now to see her in front of him he was flooded with emotions. He had fallen for her early on but with the recent death of Luca, the timing was bad then came the night where she called him into her office and asked him to help her father. She trusted him and knew her father needed the help so he left that night, not telling her how he felt. He knew she had feelings for him as well, she never said it but it was in the little things she did or said, and after being shot it hit him how quickly things can change and he didn't want to wait to tell her... no show her how he felt. 

After she finished with the letter she looked up at him and he leaned in and kissed her. 

She kissed him for the briefest of moments when suddenly her eyes flashed open wide and she pulled back.  Taking a step back she shook her head no, but words were still failing her.  It was all happening so fast.  Her mind was struggling to keep up.  He was alive.  He had saved her father.  Her father liked him.  He kissed her.  HE KISSED HER.

""Whoa!  Stop!  Just Stop!"  She turned around and took another step away.  Putting a hand on her desk she steadied herself.  "I need a moment."  She laid the letter on the desk and just stared at it.  

Lucky's head was spinning, when he decided to kiss her he was not sure of her reaction but kissing him back was on the bottom of the list, and that is what she did even if only for a moment. 

Once she pulled away his head was spinning, his shoulder and leg screamed at him and he didn't care. He watched as she went to the desk and he turned and limped back the desk, he hated that he couldn't walk without limping he hated the weakness it portrayed

He stood their next to the desk and looked at her "I Love You" he said to her sincerely and honestly. "I have loved you from the beginning and it is time I told you."

Marie shook her head again.  "Lucky, I thought you were dead.... I had no reason to think you were ever coming back."  She remembered the rose and she looked to find it.  When she did she went and picked it up looking at it. Then looking at him.  "I'm sorry."  She looked at the rose and said it again, "I'm sorry."

He watched as she reached for the rose. It hadn't even dawned on him that the rose was from someone, the truth was he hadn't noticed it until now. 

"Sorry for what?" he said to her

She looked at him. "I am seeing someone.  In fact we are suppose to be flying to New York in the mornings for a day or two."

He looks at her lovingly

"again sorry for what?" he said. 

"you have done nothing wrong. Like you said you thought I was dead. If anything I am the one in the wrong." he told her. 

It is obvious that she was expecting some other type of reaction from him.  "I know I have not done anything wrong... and well you did not do anything wrong either.  Nobody has done anything wrong.  Still...."  She laid the rose on the desk and looked at him.  "How can you not be mad?"
 

"After I was shot I was laying there and all I could think about was you, and how I had to stay alive long enough to get back to you. I regreted not telling you how I felt. I cant get mad at you when I didnt tell you how I felt. You didnt know." he tells her. 

Lucky painfully moves into a chair not being able to stand anymore. 

"I mean you father knew how I felt before you did"

"He knows?" She looks back at the letter. 

For the most part Marie was estranged from her parents.  She had wanted something more in her life than just being the wife of a mobster.  So she ran off to the United States one night looking for new opportunities in a new world.  Her parents had never forgave her for doing that.  In fact the whole time she had been married to Luca, they had not spoken to her once.  It was only after he had died did any communication open up between them.  That was then when she learned of the war that was raging between her family and the Pisa family.  The reason she had asked Lucky to go to Sicily.

Her father knew how Lucky felt about her and he still liked him?  Hell was officially freezing over.

After a moment she asked, "How are my parents doing?"  

Lucky smiles at the attempt to change the subject

"Your parents are good. Your father is a strong man and a good leader and loves you very much. And yes he knows. I told him after I was shot. Apparently, I am the only American he likes." he says to her

Marie snorts.  That was very likely the truth.  

Looking at Lucky she sighed.  Moving to sit next to him she took his hand.  "I truly am very happy that you are alive.  Whatever else, know that.  I am also very thankful that you saved my father's life.  Regardless of my current relationship with him, he is still my father and I love him very much.  You were also there for me when I was at my lowest after Luca died.  These are things that will not be easily repaid."

Lucky stands up and hugs Marie again, holding her tightly. 

"Enjoy your trip to you NY. If you need anything let me know," he tells her before finishing his drink. 

"I am here for you always," he says before turning towards the door. 

Marie watched him as he left.  She knew she needed time to think and to process everything she had just found out.  She knew he would be hurt if she did not try to stop him from leaving, but to call out to him now would be even more cruel.  The last thing she wanted to do was cause him any more pain so she choose what she thought would hurt him the least which was to sit in silence as he left her office.  When he had gone she reached behind her to pick up the rose.  Holding it she looked at it.  Whatever she ended up choosing to do about this situation.  Somebody was going to get hurt -- someone she care very deeply about. 

I almost ran into this guy walking around, looking like he just left Don Marie's. I could not exactly place his name, but I am sure I would know him if  I heard his name. I tried to act like I was not completely crazy, and knew where I was going and surely was paying attention.So I decided to say hello and see where that went, and maybe he would not notice me trying to place him. I could not place what had just happened, and figured it was not any of my business either.