It had been a week since they last breathed each other in. Since he was able to put his eyes on her as his hands traced her fair skin. To stroke her loving mannerisms with his own. He wasn't one for many words. He let his actions tell the story. Define what he was, or wasn't. Or what he felt. Or didn't. But after being away from her for so long, he was almost on his knees crawling towards her door. But he wouldn't say it. Or show it. His calm approach hid most of his emotions. Except for one.

A smile was reminiscent of a night in the clinic, when he first realized he was smitten with her. When she showed herself to be more than simply a caring and kind soul. That was needed in this life, to some degree. And if you were smart, you'd hide it to the nth. It was her penchant for the wilder side of it that really struck a chord. That played on his heart strings like a fallen angel playing a saxophone. She had more to her than met the eye, and he hoped that was still the case as he approached.

He'd been away. He'd loved and lost. In a battle that stretched the Purgatory Gym and a bar that was soon to change owners. He'd lost the fight to keep his dream alive of one day being a champion fighter. But in the process, he'd found much more. He'd found Adontoro. That piece he was missing for so long. And although his outward shine that seemed to burst through his squinted blues on most occasions and did well to cover it, he was a fool just waiting to happen.

He'd been lucky, then unlucky again in the thing people called the sacred dance. Or maybe it was just the way he remembered it being told, from an old flame who owned a bookstore. Where he first heard the mention of the God's. Where he first got that light bulb smash across the forehead of an awakening moment. Where he knew, just knew, that one day he'd live to rival the love they had for humanity. But never did he ever think, it would be other than his own reflection he'd fall for.

His father told him once that a man should do everything in his power, body soul and mind, to love himself. And if he could muster that act during his sojourn here, he'd have made it. He'd have understood what it meant to truly be human. And at the end of it all, he'd rise to the heavens on a flaming chariot. But Adonis couldn't help but see folly in that idea now. And it was the only bit of wisdom of his pop's to date he had ever questioned, especially the past few days.

His time away in a safe house on the outskirts of Philly had him thinking, a lot. Fishing, a little. Drinking, almost none. And maybe this was why he was a fool. He'd seen his own face in that pane of glass in his Dockside retreat more times than not to know it wasn't the eyes that stared back at you that made a difference, and how affectionate they looked, but those that looked down the end of your nose as you stuck it out into the real world that mattered. How well you gave it, rather than were able to take it, that called you man or animal.

He'd been broken. And mended. Torn to pieces, shoulder and chest ligaments to heart chakra. And still he stood tall. Maybe it was because he was off the liquor. But when a women points a gun at you just after telling you to trust her, then pops a slug into your chest to save your life, how can that not be amore? He'd had time to think. To see her face flash in and out of his minds eye. He couldn't falter any longer. She'd confessed it. They'd shared that passionate, tender moment on the back of her all-in push of the chips. It was now his turn.

Adonis fixed his tie as he tapped his knuckles on the door. His breath was good, checked it as he stepped lively out of the car. His attire, impeccable. The white suit had him looking like he was a bad decision away from a lovers contract. The red rose in the breast pocket, right where she'd plugged a bullet. Another jacket though, and one that needed stitching, but the same heart behind it that was now picking up its pace. And depending on her reaction, one that might also need its own form of tailoring.

He was fool. How could he be anything else. How could he not see it, with what he was about to do, that there was only one way back from this if he was accepted as is. And although it wouldn't be as heavy as a custody battle if things went sour, it would come close. It was a binding contract. An unwritten oath in flesh and bone. Foolhardy and love-struck, was Giuseppe Antonio Doto.

With arms outstretched, palms open skywards and forward, he got down on bended knee to profess his undying, unquenchable love. As the side door to the clinic opened, and at a time he hoped patients had gone home and she was well into winding down, Joe Adonis presented Ilairia Santoro... with a Doberman puppy.

It had been another long day. Ridiculously long. Before the sun came up, there was frantic knocking on the clinic's back door. Ilaria bolted out of bed and went downstairs to find Mr. Perelli excitedly pointing to a taxi in the alley. Sure enough, Mrs. Perelli was ready to have her fourth child. The baby was born at 10:17 am; a boy. 

By noon, Ilaria had seen three more patients. After a lunch of cheese, olives, and a bit of bread, she went to her office to do some paperwork. Well, that's what she meant to do. Instead, she ended up with her chin in her hand, gazing out the window at the bustling Pier. Where was he? What had happened that he had to go away for so many days, and with no idea where he was? William had come to check on her a handful of times, and each visit came with assurances that Joe was fine and would be home soon. She appreciated his thoughtfulness, but it didn't help her sleep at night. 

People tend to think women are naturals when it comes to the business of being in love; as if it were something they were born with. This couldn't be any further from the truth. The feeling was blissful, but encompassing. Only when she was with a patient could she put thoughts of him aside. Every other waking moment, she worried, daydreamed, then worried more. The first night he was gone was utterly sleepless. The next night, she left the clinic after dark and went to the Dockside Inn, where she sneaked up to his room and lay in his bed, finally able to sleep where at least she could somewhat sense his presence. She barely knew what to do. The only thing she was sure of was that Joe Adonis had changed her life completely; and despite their tendency to find trouble, the change was easily for the better.

The fourth day, Ilaria received a very peculiar phone call - from her father. The chat was somewhat awkward, but he seemed more personable than he usually was. He had a terrible cough, and Ilaria made him promise to visit Dr. DiMassi at the base hospital. It was brief, but he said that it was good to hear her voice. After she hung up, she sat at her desk for a long time, wondering what had inspired him to call. 

Evening finally arrived. Ilaria had locked up a half hour before the knock came at the back door. She was still in her white dress, but her hair was down and looked as if she'd run her fingers through it several times. She unlocked the door, not even thinking to ask who it was. Once opened, she didn't immediately see anyone, then something caught her eye. As her gaze fell toward the ground, her heart leapt into her throat. 

"Joe!! You're ba-- wait, why are you...?"

She was staring at the dazzling white suit with the deep red rose pinned to the breast when she realized he was kneeling. Before she could finish her question, he revealed a tiny, dark brown and tan wiggly little mass of fur. Before she knew it, the puppy was in her arms and licking her until she was giggling. 

"What in the world! Joe, he's absolutely precious!" 

Her eyes shined with a newfound energy. She looked from the puppy back to Joe. Her heart was racing with excitement. 

Joe smiled wider than he had in a little while as he stood up. Sure, shed shot him into half a weeks worth of absence. But she did it for the same reasons he was here with the gift now in her arms. He leaned in and gave her a kiss. She tasted like he remembered. Like Guaio. If it weren't for the licking at his chin from the puppy, he would've let his lips express more of his affection, but he couldn't help but chuckle as he looked down at the excited doberman, who was possibly experiencing both their collective energies and relating it back to them.

"Look at this little guy!" Joe said as he couldn't help but get caught up in the puppies playful energy.

The little one let out a bark. A soft, but determined bark. It seemed he wanted to join in their interaction, by adding some words of his own. At least that was Joe's interpretation. He was young, but you could already tell he had a sense about him. This breed was smart in general, and just the right kind needed for protecting whatever it was they needed.

"I think he needs a name, no?" Joe said, now looking at Ilaria.

The days gone were now just that, in the past. He'd nearly sent her a million letters while he was away. And Ray nearly shot him because of it. He was just happy to be back. Seeing her expression of excitement made his day. Things wouldn't last like this, of course. Adontoro had a knack for getting into some kind of trouble.

Ilaria laughed happily as the puppy let out a determined bark. 

"Oh, he means business! Brave little one. What about Leonardo? Brave as a lion?" 

She'd never been allowed a pet as a child, though she'd always wished for one. Now, she felt just as excited as a little girl. She raised the puppy up to look at him, then leaned over and kissed Joe sweetly. 

A fool, always, but Joe and Ilaria had to cherish these moments as they were becoming a needle in a haystack. A soft memory against the harsh reality of the world they were both in. And given her time with Race Street, she'd not only proven herself a loyal member of the extended family, but a capable one at that.

Save Joe from dying? Check. Save Joe from himself? Check. Shoot Joe to save Joe? Check?

Beyond Joe's self-conceited existence though, she was just what the Purgatory outfit needed. Smart. Able to handle herself under pressure. Able to dispose of bodies, which certainly could come in handy given the ones continuously floating to the top of the Delaware. And her ability to mix the perfect sleep enhancer? Le Strega was exactly what the team was missing. And she'd finally taken the oath.

Joe nodded his approval after the kiss. The puppy was less about his appreciation for her and their relationship and more about where she'd grown as an individual, in this life as a whole. Getting one's button was a big deal. He wanted to make it special.

"Leo the lion it is."

A brave little token of the step she'd taken. From here on out, who knew where things would go. Where they would go. Where her path would take her. Leo though, looked destined to write his own chapter too. His long yawn reminiscent of the king of the jungle. Leo, was Joe's gift to Ilaria. But maybe, it was in and of itself, a gift to them both.

Joe took in a satisfied breath and exhaled as he swiped his hand across Ilaria's face, tucking a few strands of her unusually downtrodden hair behind her ear.

"Welcome home."