Madeline had everything planned – something somewhat surprising for her given that she typically did things on the go and whatever happened happened. Not this time, no, she wanted this to go well, and so that had required some advance thought. After finishing the day at the Boutique and swinging by the Meatball Shop to check on things over there, she headed back to the small apartment she kept in Philly. Her bags were already packed although there were a few last-minute items that she needed to throw in before she was ready to go.

Alex picked her up as promised and they headed to the airport; she’d arranged a private flight for them so that they could start their vacation right from the start. Nikolas tagged along of course, as he always did, but the man was used to giving Madeline her privacy. He’d wanted to bring more men then she’d approved – hell if it were up to her he would have taken time off as well, but Nikolas would never have agreed to such a thing. He’d taken a bullet for her once already, and she had little doubt the man would do it again without hesitation.

The plane ride was smooth, filled with chatter about recent events over glasses of iced tea. Madeline always drank less when she was with Alex; partly because he didn’t drink himself, but it was deeper than that as well. They squeezed in a few hours of sleep as well, given that the flight was nearly seven hours long. When they landed on the island, the sun was rising, sending a scattering of light across the island. It was nothing like Madeline had ever seen before; although she had traveled across the United States over the past few years, she’d never left the country before. Cuba was a gorgeous Caribbean Island with trees and plants, unlike ones she’d ever seen before.

It was Fall, and the weather in New York and Philadelphia was getting chilly, but here it was warm. Madeline was pleased to be able to return to her summer dresses, the one she’d chosen for their arrival was a pale yellow with a floral design. Her hair was loose and flowing, and she wore a wide-brimmed hat to keep the sun off her face.

She had arranged for a driver to meet them at the airport; Nikolas rode shotgun with her and Alex in the back. The drive to the home she had rented wasn’t too long, but long enough that they wouldn’t be bothered by noise from the airport. Nikolas had sent a few men ahead to ensure it’s safety and, most importantly, it’s privacy. Madeline wanted Alex to be able to get away from all the stress he’d been facing at home lately and the best way to do that was to ensure there would be no one here looking for him. No interviews, no new fans, just the two of them enjoying life.

The Villa she rented was right on the beach, but only a fifteen-minute drive away from the heart of Havana. The home was two stories, and the outside walls were painted a pale pink, which amused her. All the houses here were so colorful, nothing like the bland brick that was seen everywhere in New York City. As they pulled into the gated entrance and climbed out of the car, Madeline glanced at Alex with a grin. “It’s so beautiful here; more than I even imagined it would be.”

The first floor of the home held a spacious living area, dining room, and kitchen. On the back of the house was a sizeable porch with a table and chairs. Madeline went out onto the porch and took in the view – the beach was spread before them and not too far off was the ocean, the waves calm and lazy this morning. It was perfect.

Looking back for Alex, she was beaming as she spoke. “I think this was just what you needed – a few days in paradise.”

Alexander left instructions with Roxie to forward all business related emergencies to Tara. With his suitcases filled with shorts and loose informal shirts, he beamed at the thought of being free from the confines of suits for once in his life. Picking up Madeline from her Philly apartment in his Studebaker roadster, he arrived at the parking space for the private flight she had chartered for them after a quick pitstop along an isolated section of the road. 

They left the car with hair dishevelled and clothes askew, trying to straighten both as they ascended the stairs into the flight. Upon spotting Nikolas, Alexander let his suitcases fall to the sides as he rushed to hug the man happily. For nearly a week the two of them had spent trading tales while Alexander recovered at Madeline's apartment in the past and he had become rather fond of the big burly man. After trading some pleasantries, the bodyguard disappeared to the pilot's cabin leaving them to their wicked ways.

Between sheepish smiles and pitchers of iced tea, they bantered back and forth as they got reacquainted with each other's lives. Alexander noticed her barely drinking at all and beamed with pride as the two of them lay in bed. The conversation finally veered to NOMA and the troubles it had caused him, but he decided not to dwell on it too much. Instead, he got into the spirit of the vacation and found a much better way to spend some time in bed.

After an eternity they landed and the moment his eyes fell on the beautiful landscape as the warm winds kissed his skin, he knew he had made the right decision. The contrast between the chilly concrete jungle of Philadelphia and the sunny beaches of Cuba was absolutely unfathomable. A driver escorted them in a convertible to their villa and he raised an eyebrow in amusement at the pink exterior.

They entered the house with hands held together as they familiarised themselves with what was to be their home for the next few days. Walking out to the porch he glanced at the horizon with a smile, before turning to the beautiful woman beside him. "Not exactly." He responded, resting his arms on her hips as he stepped in close. "For paradise would have been pointless without you looking so shitty in that terrible dress." Referencing so many of their past encounters he tucked his finger under her chin and tilted it upwards with a mischievous grin before leaning in for a tender kiss.

Drawing back he nibbled on her ear as he whispered.  "It might look better on the floor." With a playful wink, he carried her giggling self inside realizing they would have to delay their visit to Havana but it would be worth it. 

The beautiful thing about a vacation is that you could spend the morning in bed and no one would care. There would be no phone calls, no rushing to get to a business meeting, no one waiting for you with updates on this situation or that. They had nowhere to go, and no one was waiting on them, so the fact that they lay a tangled mess of sheets and limbs late into the day was refreshing. Curled up against him, her fingers lazily traced the outline of his tattoo; there was a smile on her face that never seemed to leave. Not when he was around at least. 

Kissing his ear softly, she whispered: "My dress is not terrible." Another kiss and she continued "Although you were right, it does look better on the floor."

Stretching out, Madeline yawned before sitting up, glancing around the room they'd claimed as their own for the duration of their trip. "As much as I'm tempted to spend all day in this bed, I also want to explore Havana. I've heard of the most amazing little shops and restaurants. And dance clubs! I heard their dancing is like nothing we have in America. And their music is different too, of course, maybe something you'd enjoy exploring."  Not that work was going to be a part of this trip, not if she could help it; but Madeline knew that for Alex, music was more than just his job, it was his passion. 

Madeline had lit up at the thought of learning all about the local culture - she wanted to know all about Cuba, even if they were only here for a few short days. She glanced over at him with a smirk as she continued: "And then later tonight we can go swimming again; something tells me the water here will be much warmer than those in Philly." 

She blushed lightly as she realized how excited she was coming across, another unusual behavior for her. She explained by saying only "I've never actually been outside the country before." 

Laying in bed he watched her lithe naked form walk away from him and disappear into the bathroom. Reluctantly he sat up and pushed his legs off to a side. Pushing away the covers he stood barefoot in the room as he searched for his cigarettes. A part of him wondered if this might be a good time to consider switching to cigars. He was in Cuba after all, with money to blow. 

Letting the thought simmer in the back of his mind, he placed the cigarette on his lips and lit the tip with his lighter, carefully shielding the flame from the wind blowing in through a nearby window. Stepping into a pair of boxers and shorts, he zipped them up as he took a long drag and felt the familiar burn at the back of his throat before letting the smoke cascade out of his nose. 

Sliding his feet into a pair of floaters, he placed a thin cotton shirt on his shoulders and a trilby on his head before stepping out to the porch. Leaning against the wooden frame he watched the dying light of the sun setting in the distance as he pulled the cigarette close for another drag and let his mind wander to a land full of fantasies.

He wondered what it would be like living in a place such as this, away from all of the stress that had consumed his days so much, away from the glitz and the glamour he had desperately longed for as a child, away from responsibilities. It wasn't like he couldn't afford it. Some creative financial management coupled with selling his half of the Troubadour's Records enterprise might just prove to be enough to let him live out his days here in peace.

The thought intrigued him but before he could consider it further he glanced Madeline reemerging in his peripheral vision. Stretching out his arm towards her he waited for the soft caress of her skin against his even as his eyes stayed glued to the shimmering sea before them. The two of them stood holding onto each other tenderly till he finished his cigarette, before retreating towards the exterior as he put on the shirt.

When they reached the car he jumped into the rear and lay down against the soft leather seats, tilting his head over the rear door of the convertible. It had been too long since he had enjoyed a leisurely drive without having to do the driving himself. Smirking at Madeline he teased.  "Come on then my little chauffeur. Tarry no longer, the night beckons us."

A hot shower could do wonders, especially after a night of travel and the time spent getting reacquainted with Alex. She felt like a new person when she emerged from the shower clean and fresh, although it took some time for her to get ready for the evening. Given the heat, she had decided to wear only light makeup, enough to highlight her emerald green eyes. She combed out her hair and added some product but otherwise chose to let it air dry, which she was sure it would do in no time. Finally, she slipped into a dark green dress and a pair of tan heels; a perfect combination for a casual night on the town. 

When she emerged from the bathroom, she saw Alex standing by the window, appearing to be deep in thought as he smoked a cigarette. Not deep enough that he didn't notice her, however, and he reached out for her. She folded herself into him, her head resting on his shoulder as she too took in the view. She'd retire to a place just like this one day, with the ocean just outside. One day.

Once they were outside, he jumped into the back seat and lay down, causing her to chuckle.  "Ok, but if I'm driving, I can't promise I won't get us lost. I have a...rough idea of which way to go. I think." 

Ok, she really had no real idea, but that was half the fun, right? They were on an island; it couldn't be that hard. She shrugged and climbed into the driver's seat, heading out of the driveway and onto the roads. 

About twenty or so minutes later they pulled into town. They'd gotten there safely, although not without their fair share of wrong turns along the way. Still, the ride was full of laughter and good-hearted teasing so she didn't really mind and besides, now she'd know for next time? Assuming she remembered her mistakes and didn't merely repeat them. 

Parking along what appeared to be a main street, Madeline climbed out and looked around. The streets were bustling with people, and the colorful theme of buildings continued. It seemed the sort of town where walking would get them further faster than driving would, much like most big cities. Her eyes took in all the little shops that lined the sidewalks before she walked over to Alex, slipping her hand into his as she asked: 

"So where do you want to start? Food? Music? Shopping? There seem to be endless possibilities." 

"After all that time spent in bed, I admit I have worked up a bit of an appetite. " Alexander said as he squeezed her hand while dragging her through the crowds towards a nearby roadside vendor selling exotic delicacies. They stood and watched the ageing veteran work his magic on the rickety stove, laughing carelessly and trading tales with him in their broken Spanish. 

"Gracias Senor. " Alexander said as he palmed the man a few of the pesos he had snagged from Nikolas till the rest of his dollars were exchanged. Accepting the steaming plate of Moros y Cristianos he sat on the steps of an old library with Madeline beside him as the two of them dug into the dish. Something about the simplistic joy of discovering new cuisine and the prospect of enriching his knowledge of other cultures had always intrigued him. Even as a teenager working behind the bars of Arizona, he would take every chance he got to interact with foreigners in the hopes that he would learn something new, something fascinating. Now that he had the opportunity to do it to his heart's content and the means to support his endeavour, he planned on making full use of it. 

The streets were bustling with activity, and while the people instead of rushing to wherever they were headed seemed more focused on the journey rather than the destination, enjoying every moment of their travels. As they watched kids frolick around them resisting the urge to get caught up in the fervour seemed impossible to Alexander. When a roving band of men playing a Cuban Tres and happily singing to the tune passed by, the levee was broken and Alexander could no longer restrain himself. Pulling a giggling Madeline to her feet along with him, he faced her with a smile and placed an arm around her waist.

The singer, happy to have spotted an enthusiastic young couple enjoying his music, stopped and gave them his full attention while Alexander led the two of them as best as he could, trying to replicate the rhumba he had seen some of the locals perform. The song echoed around them as the voice of the young singer cascaded into Alexander's ears.

Mama yo quiero saber Mom I want to know
De donde son los cantantes Where are the singers from
Que los encuentro muy galantes I find them very gallant
Y los quiero conocer And I want to meet them
Con sus trovas fascinantes With their fascinating trovas
Que me las quiero aprender I want to learn about them

Alexander twirled Madeline around, chuckling foolishly as he almost stumbled and lost the rhythm. He couldn't quite remember the last time he had simply let the music consume him without feeling the need to put on a performance for his fans or his patrons. Yet, here, in a foreign land, amidst strangers and their unfamiliar words he found liberation. Having picked up on the chorus, he joined in on the fun. Pulling Madeline closer he leaned in for a quick kiss before pulling away and letting the words escape his throat as he stared into her eyes and laughed sheepishly.

De donde seran, ay mama Where will they be from, ay mama
Seran de La Habana? Will they be from Havana?
Seran de Santiago... They will be from Santiago ...
Tierra soberana? Sovereign land?
Son de la loma They are from the hill
Y cantan en llano And they sing in plain
Ya veras You will see
Tu veras You will see

Madeline was in awe of the town they’d found themselves in; the simplistic joy that seemed contagious, spread amongst locals and tourists both. Alex had led them to some steps where they dug into a plate of delicious smelling food. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was until the scent of it had filled her nose, causing a rumble in her stomach.

They ate quietly, watching the people move around them. Madeline had always loved people watching; you could learn so much from someone just by watching their behavior. There was the group of children that played, kicking a soccer ball between them, sometimes shouting to each other. They were intensely focused, and Madeline could imagine several of them had dreams of becoming a professional soccer player later in life. Maybe one of them would achieve the goal, traveling the world to represent Cuba with his fellow teammates.

Madeline was shaken from her thoughts when Alex pulled her to her feet, the music getting louder at the band grew closer to their location. She couldn’t help but laugh as they started to dance, that same simplistic joy settling over her as she spun and twirled. Alex joined along in the singing and Madeline was reminded how beautiful his voice was, even when he didn’t quite know the words or speak the language.

As the song came to an end, Madeline clapped for the group of men who had been singing. Her face was bright, a genuine smile gracing her lips. Turning back towards Alex, she slipped her hand into his and gave it a squeeze. “You never told me you were such an excellent dancer.”

Walking down the steps, Madeline glanced around in an attempt to decide which direction to wonder next. Of course, she wanted to do some shopping while she was here, and maybe even explore some of the local jewelry shops for ideas to take back to the boutique. Closing her eyes, she spun herself in a circle a few times before stopping suddenly. An odd method, sure, but why not be a little random? They were on vacation after all.

"Let's go this way."

Giving the young Cubanos a hug, he bid them adieu as he watched them depart and the merry chaos returning to the streets. Feeling Madeline's fingers slipping into his he turned towards her and smiled mischievously before responding. "Spend enough time in bars and you pick up a thing or two. Don't look so surprised Miss Madeline, there is far too much you still haven't unearthed. Perhaps if you are lucky I'll let another excellent secret or two slip out. Now where to next?"

As he tried to calm his breath, he watched the gears grinding away in her head, but before long she seemed to snap herself out of the usual calculation that governed her decisions on a daily basis. Pointing in a random direction, she tugged him along with her. Nudging their way past the crowd they entered a busier commercial section of the city. Vendors eager to sell their wares, hounded them at every turn as they perused and sampled the goods on display.

Finally, their feet exhausted and their pockets lighter, they searched for a path back to their car. Bantering back and forth they laughed carefreely at some of the questionable purchases they had conducted. Having finally been convinced to trade his trusty Camels in for a traditional Cuban cigar, Alexander was particularly enthused about trying one out soon as they returned, especially since he had managed to convince the shopkeeper to sell a rare classic despite the man's claims that it had been reserved.

They arrived at a confusing crossroad and Madeline meandered off to a side to ask for directions as he leaned against a pole in wait. With eyes closed, his mind was filled with the brief recollections of the shop and the musky aroma that had filled it, but a sharp pain ignited in his jaw as he felt the bone crack. A fist had appeared seemingly out of nowhere on a direct collision course with his face. The pain overwhelmed him and he felt his consciousness beginning to fade. The bags in his hands slipped out, his legs turned to jelly and he came crashing down to the pavement.

Time slipped away as they moved around the town, shopping, eating, socializing. For the first time in a long time, Madeline's thoughts weren't consumed with New York or crime or work or her history; she was merely living in the moment and enjoying her time spent with Alexander. They wandered for what seemed like hours until they were both exhausted and ready to head back to their temporary home. Not surprisingly, they got lost, and Madeline went to ask for directions, leaving Alex to hold all the bags. 

She heard the commotion before she saw it, the sound of the bags crashing to the ground. Spinning around, she reached for her gun before realizing she hadn't brought it with her, a decision she immediately regretted when she saw the men that were quickly surrounding them. She barely took a step towards Alex when her path was blocked. 

"I don't like to hit women."

A burly, angry looking man was standing in front of her, clearly implying that he preferred she come quietly. Two other men were already putting a knocked out Alex into a car, even grabbing their bags and tossing them in next to him. Her first instinct was to try and knock this man down, maybe make a run for it. But Madeline had never been a fighter and she knew she would never be able to get out of here without a gun; even if she did manage to escape she would be leaving Alex behind, which was out of the question. 

With a reluctant sigh, she allowed the man to guide her to the car. The big man sat between her and Alex, meaning she couldn't check on him. The car pulled away quickly, a second one following behind. 

"Where are we going? Why did you take us? Do you have any idea what a bad idea this was?"

Madeline peppered the man with questions, but he kept his gaze stern and didn't even bother to look at her. They drove for about twenty minutes before the car pulled up to a large gated estate. The driveway ended at the front of a beautiful mansion, where more men were waiting for their arrival. One of them pulled Madeline from the car, a little rougher than she would have liked, which caused her to struggle against his grip and send a nasty glare his way.

"I demand to know why we were brought here." 

Silence again as the men dragged she and Alex into the home. Whatever awaited them, Madeline knew it couldn't be good. 

Cold water splashed against his face and his eyes snapped open in response. A blinding flash of light assaulted his senses as he tried to orient himself to the unfamiliar surroundings. His jaw flared up again and Alexander hissed in agony as he slowly but surely regained consciousness. A bulky brute in a well-tailored suit offered him a towel and he accepted it with a gracious note before using it to dab away at his damp beard, careful not to aggravate the pain further.

The ghost of a smile appeared on his face as he developed a new sense of sympathy for the usual drunks he had once chased away from bars in the wee hours of the morning for he felt much the same as they perhaps had. Tossing the towel into his lap he blinked away his confusion and tried to regain his bearings. 

Two gorillas cloaked in suits stood in front of him flanking an elegant, middle-aged woman. Her features suggested a Latin descent and her poise betrayed a natural sense of authority. She remained stoic as she gazed at him patiently with dark eyes filled with restrained malice. Turning his head to his side he saw Madeline seated beside him with concern in her eyes and an annoyed expression on her face but largely unharmed. It seemed she had fared much better than him and he was relieved somewhat.

They had found themselves in a pickle and it seemed like the best course of action would be a diplomatic one at least until they figured out who their assailants were or what they wanted.

Leaning back into his chair he calmed his breathing he quietly contemplated how best to approach the situation before sighing and responding politely in his broken Spannish. "You have a hermosa casa señora. But your associates could work on their sentido de hospitality."

A sigh of relief escaped her lips as Alexander awoke. She could see the confusion on his face, and she tried to smile reassuringly when his eyes found hers. Madeline was unharmed, but she was tied to the chair she was sitting in - a clear sign that she hadn't just been quietly compliant with their captives. 

The woman that was standing in front of them had refused to tell Madeline what she wanted; in fact, she hadn't said much of anything to Madeline. It wasn't until they searched through the bags that she and Alex had been carrying that they finally came to wake him up and address the two of them.

"Your Spanish is horrible," The woman said, in a clear yet accented English. "You two took something that didn't belong to you. Had us chasing you over half the town. For that alone, I should kill you."

Madeline couldn't help but chuckle - the way the woman held herself, the authority she quietly possessed - it reminded her of herself, honestly. Which tipped her off to just what kind of people they were; of course, that wasn't exactly in their favor, but Madeline knew how to work her own kind. 

"You could," She responded, a soft smile on her face. "Or you could take a minute to learn a little bit about us. About why it would be much more beneficial for you to befriend us. If we took something of yours, I promise it was completely unintentional. However, if I'm reading the situation right, it could work out to benefit us both. Especially if you've ever thought about expanding your....operations."