Addie sat nervously waiting for Charlie at one of the local cafes locations on the strip. She had wanted some place where they would be less likely to encounter an associate or member of the family. She bite her lip lightly and tapped her heel anxiously. What if he changed his mind? Maybe he wasn’t coming? Maybe something bad happened to him on the way? Something was always happening to keep them apart. It was like the stars were crossed where they were concerned.

She looked at the counter for the hundredth time. Her nervous energy screamed to have a cup of coffee if for no other reason to give her hands something to do, something to hold. Proper etiquette required that she wait for him to arrive. For the hundredth time; as well, she brushed and smoothed her dress with her hands again. Damn it what had gotten into her. She was worse than a brand new associate handling a gun for the first time. It wasn’t like this was her first time on a date with a man.

Once more she glanced at the clock in the cafe.

Charlie knew he was running about seven minutes late. It wasn't his fault. At least that's what he told himself. If the taxi hadn't hit that pothole he wouldn't have had to walk the last couple blocks and everything would be fine. At least he still had the flowers.

He stopped to look in a shop window to make sure his hair was still nice and his tie was on straight. Satisfied with the result of his fidgeting, he made his way into the coffee shop that Addie had set them up for and heard the distinct jingle of a bell hanging over the door. It only took a fraction of a second for his trained eyes to spot the woman he knew sitting by herself.

"Sorry I'm late. Cab broke down."

He hesitated before sitting, and held out the bouquet instead.

"These are for you."

He looked to the counter and calmly asked the girl standing there.

"Could we get some water for these please?"

The young girl nodded and brought over a pitcher promptly. It was probably partially due to having nothing else to do that she was so quick to respond. All Charlie knew was that Addie was a tinge redder than she normally was around Billy, she was blushing. He knew he was a bit hot under the collar himself, so he supposed it was alright.

"What kind of coffee can I get you two?" The counter girl called out from across the room as Charlie sat down.

"Black for me. Addie?"

Addie tucked a lock of her hair back behind her ear and told the girl behind the counter, "I will take a Caffe Latte."  One of the reasons she had picked this location was that they served many authentic Italian drinks.  It reminded her of home.  Not that she ever got to drink those kind of drinks often when she did live back in Italy. 

Her fingers gently caressed one of the daisies, "Thank you for these.  That was very thoughtful of you."  The action and the words were meant to provide her time to think what to say to him.  For some odd reason, everything her brain could come up with seemed too forward and inappropriate.  Damn it why had she not rehearsed how this was to go down? 

Finally she looked at him and smiled as she said, "I am really glad you came.  I want to get to know you better."

There that was not forward at all.  Simple, straight-forward and honest.  She dropped her hands lightly down on the table in front of her and clasps them together.

Charlie nodded and the corner of his mouth tugged upward.

"I would like that. I would like to get to know you better as well. I only know that you are the boss' cousin really, and that you're a bad..."

He paused and coughed.

"...a tough cookie."

He nodded to the girl bringing over the coffee and he slipped a couple of dollars out of his wallet for her. He was worried in that moment. Did Addie expect him to have the kind of money Billy had? He was paid well, but nobody had Billy's money. Charlie could never fathom where it all came from, but he knew the guy had it.

"So, uh, how are you liking it in America?"

Addie smirked when he corrected what he was going to say.  She had a pretty good idea what he meant to say and she found it humorous that he would modify himself like that when she heard such talk around the HQ all the time.  Surely he knew that.

"I am liking it well enough.  I think I would like it more if I did not get shot at every other day."  She chuckled and held the cup of latte between her hands.

"There really is a lot of things that are different here.  I don't know if it is just this place like this or if the whole country is like this.  In Sicily there is civility and honor that I just don't see here.  On the other hand, there is so much more opportunity here to live a prosperous life.  The village I am from there is not much there except olive trees and a few dusty old farmers.  Each day is rather like the last and rarely does the unexpected happen there.  In that regards, America is so much more exciting."

Lifting the cup to her lips she blew a bit on her latte.  "Where are you from?"

Charlie nodded at Addie. He found himself leaning in toward her slightly and had to straighten himself upright in his chair before answering her question.

"Columbus Ohio actually."

He drank his coffee then, long and deep. He had gotten so used to eating and drinking quickly in brief moments when he could catch it that he simply couldn't force his hand and his mind to savor it.

"I think I might like a little bit of that kind of life. Hard being a bodyguard every day, not really sure where the next bullet is coming from."

He glanced down at her leg then.

"Speaking of, how's that healing?"

Her eyes followed his indication and she slightly lifted the leg as if to show it to Charlie.  "It is completely healed according to the doctor, but I don't know.  It still hurts sometimes.  I am thinking about going to another doctor actually," she said as she lowered the leg and looked back at him. 

"Have you ever been shot?  Is it normal for it to hurt several months later?"

She took a sip of her latte and nearly sighed with content as the warm milky substance slide down her throat and warmed her from the inside out.  Unlike Charlie, she seemed to be savoring ever moment of her drink. 

Charlie let his eyes linger on Addie's leg a little longer than he should have. He nodded to shake himself from it, and to answer her question both.

"Twice now, but none of them went through, only grazes really. Gotten real lucky in that department."

He finished his coffee then and glanced around the room. Still no signs of anyone suspicious. A man in the corner reading the paper. The shop attendant was wiping down something that was already clean.

"If you want, i could maybe take you to a nurse I know. I met her when I was working for Aurora back in Philadelphia, so she knows the family already."

He was certain Addie would want to see a real doctor, but he didn't know any of those. he wanted to help though, so this was the best shot he had at helping, and at getting to see her again like this.

Addie laughed.  "I would go see a witch doctor if he had something to help with the pain I sometimes feel."

Leaning forward she rested her chin on the back of her hand as she propped her elbow up on the table.  Her eyes took in his facial features and the grey hair around the temples that made him look so distinguished.  For a moment their eyes locked.  The action made Addie gasp slightly and look down.  She could feel herself blushing hard and she quickly picked up her cup to take a drink to try and hide it.

"So Columbus, Ohio... Is it like Vegas?

A thought suddenly occurred to her.  She realized why he was always looking around.  "I am so sorry!  I wasn't even thinking when I picked this place to meet.  Would you like to go some place more secluded so you don't feel like you have to constantly be alert?" 

Addie knew that it did not matter that she had her own security hanging around outside.  A man like Charlie was trained to always be alert when out in public like this.  She should have been more considerate.  "If you don't think it to forward of me; I would offer a nice homemade, Italian dinner at my place."

Charlie found himself nodding before he thought about what his answer was going to be.

"I would actually really love that. I haven't had a home made meal since... well since before Sicily. Billy used to make dinner every Sunday night, and even me and Oscar were allowed to come eat."

His face fell a bit then.

"Don't tell the boss I called him by his first name huh? I didn't mean to, he just..."

Charlie sat up straight again.

"He used to be more open with the guys, now he's full on Don all the time. Used to feel different back then is all. He probably doesn't even notice."

Charlie shook his head then.

"Enough about me though, let's talk about the pain you've got. I know a great nurse down at the hospital, she can help you out. We can go next time I have a day off, or I can just give you her name. Do you want to hash out the details over that dinner?"

He found himself glancing toward the door then.

Addie could tell how much Billy meant to Charlie and how sad he was that their relationship had changed with time.  Maybe there was something she could do about that.  After all Billy really was working to much lately and it was not good for anyone.  Maybe Aurora and her could do something together.

"I would like that," she smiled and stood up.  Taking the flowers, she left the pitcher.  Instead she used a few paper napkins that were soaked in the water to wrap around the end of the stems.  That would help hold them over until they got back to her place.  Looking at Charlie when she was done she asked, "Ready?"

He nodded and escorted her out of the shop.

"There is my car," she said pointing down the block towards the mint green 1931 Duesenberg.  There were two black Sedan parked behind it.  Members of Addie's security detail started to climb inside the cars in anticipation of leaving.  "Do you mind driving?" she smiled and offered him the keys.  He smiled back at her and nodded as he took the keys.  Walking her to the passenger side of the Duesenberg he opened her door for her and helped her to get in.  Once she was secure, he told Perin -- Addie's head of security -- that they would be going back to Addie's apartment.  Perin nodded and informed the rest of the men.  It was not uncommon for Perin to take orders from Charlie.  The two men often worked together when coordinating security for the Don and Addie.  As security to the don, Perin would usually defer to Charlie unless such an order would put HIS charge in danger.

It was a short drive from the Strip back to Summerlin where Addie's apartment was located, but the two took the opportunity to share more about their childhoods and upbringings. They also talked about things like their favorite foods and favorite colors.  Before either knew it, they had arrived.  The parking attendance opened Addie's door and assisted her in getting out as Charlie walked around the car to escort her inside.  He gave the attendant the keys and thanked him.  He also thanked the door man and the elevator attendant as they went about their service jobs to the residences of the building.  Addie had chosen to reside in the best apartment building in the area.  

When they had arrived at her apartment door, Perin took up his position outside and Charlie locked the door after they both were inside.  Perhaps such a move would have been creepy in a different scenario, but Addie had grown quite custom to it as a part of the routine that was put in place to ensure her safety.  A locked door of course could give you a few extra moments in an attack.

Addie made her way into the kitchen and went over to the cabinet to pull down a vase for the flowers.  As she did she called over her should to Charlie, "Please make yourself at home.  Do you prefer fish, chicken, or beef?" 

Charlie stood, unsure of where to put his feet up so to speak, and also in awe of the apartment. There was something about how nice it was that he did not fully expect. He expected nice, but Billy's Apartment in Detroit was nice, this was something else.

Everything here was brand new and state of the art, he could see it just by looking, and look he did. He had always stood outside, never inside. It felt odd, but it also made his stomach jump. For once the only reason he would be worried about security was if there was a knock, or something louder, at the door, or a ring of the phone.

"Um, whatever is easiest for you is fine, I'm not picky."

He then poked his head into the kitchen.

"I'm all thumbs when it comes to cooking anything but boiling water, but if I can help, just let me know."

When Charlie poked his head into the kitchen he saw Addie put something into her mouth before chasing it down with a glass of water.

"No, please come in and have a seat at the kitchen table.  I would not dream of asking a guest in my home to help make a meal, but I would truly enjoy the company.  Would you like a drink.  I have some of Billy's favorite whiskey or a couple of different varieties of red and white wine."

She removed the napkins from the flower stems and put them into the vase.  Filling the vase with water she began talking about what she was thinking for dinner.  "How about I make us some Silcilian Penne with Swordfish and tomatoes?"  She walked the flowers over to the table and sat it down in the middle.

Walking back to the cabinet she began to pull out pans and skillets and glasses for the drinks.

Charlie nodded toward the sink.

"Water is perfectly fine for me if it's good enough for you."

He stepped into the room properly then before slowly making his way to the cabinet to reach some of the higher up items Addie was bound to have trouble reaching. As he did so, he almost bumped into her, were it not for his training and his reflexes he would have. Immediately he felt himself start to go red.

"S...Sorry, was just trying to help."

Addie smiled as she looked up into his eyes.  She reached out to cover his hand softly as she took hold of the cutting board he had retrieved for her.  She held it for a time as they shared the moment in time and space together.  Slowly she leaned towards him and lifted herself onto her toes reaching towards Charlie's mouth with her lips.

Slowly she closed her eyes and tilted her head slightly as the distance closed.  Gently she pressed her lips against his and felt him at first tense and then pressed his lips harder against hers in response. After a lingering kiss Addie lowered herself back down to the floor and opened her eyes to look up at Charlie.

Breathlessly she said, "I thought that maybe this would clear the tension a bit for both of us."

Charlie's mouth, still with the taste of the woman's lips, quirked up at the corner.

"It certianly did Mis... Addie."

He relinquished control of the cutting board then and made his way to the counter along with her. He slid his hand into hers and held the knife using her hands, whispering to her.

"Would you like to teach me how to cook then? I am a very quick learner I promise you that."

He could feel her soft skin gripping the smooth knife handle, and he could feel her pulse quicken with every second that they stood together chopping the tomatoes.

"Or would you rather I leave you for this and just work on the pasta? I told you I could boil water."

The nearest of Charlie was intoxicating as he whispered softly into her ear. She felt the warmth of his breath and her knees grew weak.  Her breath quickened into short excited pants.  Dropping the knife she closed her eyes and leaned back against him for support.  "I am thinking that if you want dinner you better go boil the water.  Otherwise we might just skip straight to dessert.  

She had wanted to take it slow with Charlie.  She did not want it to be like it had been with the others.  She wanted this to be real, not a game.  Yet she was finding it difficult to even have a coherent thought.  She wanted to slow down and catch her breath, but at the same time she did not want him to stop.  

Finally she leaned forward onto her hands standing on her own two feet, "You were wanting a home cooked meal."  She made the statement, as if to remind both of them why they had come here to her apartment. 
 

Charlie nodded.

"I still do, but I also want more. Addie, please, tell me this isn't supposed to be like something else."

He stepped back from her and began to fill the pot with water from the tap.

"I don't want what you have with other men. I want something more. I am too old and too tired from my job to just try something for a night or two."

He finally peeled his eyes away from the sink and placed the pot on the stove.

"Please understand, it's nothing to do with you. I think you are a breath of fresh air in my life. I just don't know that if we were ever together I would be alright with not making it something real, and not just something fun."

He turned the stove on and made sure the burner was lit.

"If you don't want that, I understand and I will just be a very good friend to you and your cousin's bodyguard. But if you want more, then I think we both owe it to each other to say so."

He stood there then with his hands behind his back, a proper stance, and yet also the one he was most comfortable in.

Addie continue to cut up the tomatoes and then started on the garlic.  

"Charlie I do want more with you.  I don't want it to be like it was with them."  She stopped and turned to face him.  "I want something real with you, but I have never been in that kind of a relationship before.  I am... not certain how to be." 

She chuckled nervously as she moved to set the skillet on the stove next to the pot of boiling water.  Turning on the burner she reached for the olive oil that sat on the counter next to the stove.  Coating the pan she waited until it began to shimmer.

"I have absolutely no idea what I am doing.  I feel like I am stumbling all over myself and my words."  Shaking her head and laughing softly at herself she turned her head to look at him.  "Are you willing to have some patience with me as I try and figure this all out?"

For the first time in a long while Charlie let out a single chuckle.

"I am the bodyguard for Billy Mastrosimone. Patience is my middle name."

He then went rummaging through cabinets before he found the salt and brought it to Addie.

"If you want my opinion though. Friends and dating. That's what we aim for. Everything beyond that is what we want, but if we try for it, it's not going to be any good. Sex, anniversaries, gifts, kids, houses, all that crap only clogs up the gears. If we work well together Addie, then everything else will fall into place."