Meet Nevada Cintrone

Chapter 8-Relitivity.

After Nevada and Jim had finished their work at the strip joint and the body had been taken to the morgue they went back to the crime lab and to Greg Saunders who was just finishing up what Catherine had brought to him from the strip joint. Catherine had seen Jim and Nevada walk into the building she went up to them followed by Grissom.

“Oh, this doesn’t look good Nevada.” Said Jim.

“It sure does not Novio.” Said Nevada.

“I’m glad I had a chance to catch you two. Greg is finishing the DNA testing on Cordoba Jr. I didn’t pick up enough from your hand Nevada, I’m sorry.” Said Catherine.

“That is ok Amiga.” Said Nevada.

“Catherine told me that you ran into Cordoba and his son tonight.” Said Grissom.

“Yes and she’s talked out on that subject Gil.” Said Jim for Nevada. Jim had his hand on Nevada’s shoulder protectively.

“I wasn’t going to ask questions Jim, I know she’s upset about it all. I can see that.” Said Grissom.

“Shall we go and see what Greg found?” Asked Catherine. “Your DNA was in the computer banks already you being law enforcement.”

“Ok, let us go and do this quickly. I know it will say yes for some reason.” Said Nevada.

“You two go on and we will be there shortly.” Said Jim.

“Ok.” Said Grissom who with Catherine walked to the DNA lab.

“Honey, you ok?” He asked.

“No, but that is beside this point Novio.” She said. “After 26 years I clam up and do not talk. He knows it is me Jim his eyes told me that.”

“Don’t worry Nevada. I’m with you all the way on this. You know that.” He said.

“I know let us get this thing over.” She said.

“Ok Duchess.” said Jim. He gripped her hand in his and they walked into the DNA lab. Greg looked solemn. Nevada stood at the table with Jim at her side. Grissom and Catherine looked on in back of them.

“Hi Nevada, Captain Brass. The test came back with 6 markers in common. That means family. I’m sorry.” Said Greg who truly was. He knew the story too. Nevada and him were friends and it hurt to have to give her that news. The man was son to the man that had taken her hostage at 14.

Nevada held on well. The aristocrat in her said don’t cry, don’t let on your fears but the young girl that had seen her parents murdered was crying inside her. She felt like running, she felt liking ing but the hand holding hers said hold on to me. Everything is going to work out fine. Just hold on to me. I’m not leaving you.

“This is fact Amigo?” She asked flatly with almost no emotion. Her voice not quivering at all.

“Yes, Nevada. Really I’m so sorry.” Said Greg.

“Very well then. Thank you Amigo. You are a good and trusted friend. I know the test was done right with you at the helm.” She said as stoic as anyone had ever seen including Jim who was beginning to worry about her.

She let go Jim’s hand and walked out of the lab followed by Jim, Catherine and Grissom.

“Nevada could we go down to my office and talk about this?” Asked Grissom gently. “I’m not going to ask a lot of questions but I am going to offer you some ideas as to why this all happened. I have a theory from as much as you told us earlier about your abduction and the murders. With this knowledge…..it all kind of fits.”

“Ok.” She said and they followed Grissom and Catherine down to his office. Catherine and Jim gripped her hands and she gripped theirs tightly. They went into his office and Nevada sat down as did Catherine. Jim stood behind her his hands on the chair she was in.

“Now what is your take Amigo?” She asked.

“I believe that now that we have evidence that Estrada/Cordoba is related to you that he was taking what he believed to be his. I think that he wanted his take of the gold because he was a relative. Now I don’t know how he is related to you. I know very little about your family. But I suspect your father had a half brother and never knew it. The markers suggest that from what I saw.” Said Grissom.

“Could be. I know nothing of my Abuelo’s dealings. So, you could be right Amigo.” She said. “But my father was a good and just man. Had Estrada just come to him and asked for his share, my father would have been pleased to give him as much as he asked for. There was pleanty. 30 million if I remember right. He would have been happy to know he had a brother. Even a half one. There was no reason to take me and Dallas hostage. There was no reason to kill my parents.”

“I know Nevada. This is all confusing me too.” Said Grissom.

“Didn’t you say your father believed that Estrada would kill you and your sister if he left you there and went to get the rest of it?” Asked Jim.

“Si.” Said Nevada. “That is why he threw me the lighter with the blade on it. But he had no knowledge of Estrada being a family member.”

“Ok then, he couldn’t allow you to be left alone with him any longer as a father he had to act. He shot Estrada didn’t he? I mean he wounded him.” Asked Jim.

“Si.” She said. “I do not remember if Estrada gave the order to fire on my parents after that. I was too busy getting the ropes untied.”

“Perhaps Estrada didn’t give an order to fire on them. Maybe he never meant to kill your parents.” Said Catherine. “Maybe he just wanted the money and to go on with his life somewhere.”

“I never thought of that. “But right now everything I remember does not fit right. There are some things I can not go into. I am sorry for that mi Amigo. ” She said. She was getting uncomfortable now. Jim felt the tension in her shoulders. He knew something happened. Jim was fearing the worst right now.

“I think this is enough. We have kicked this thing around and all we have is theory and conjecture right now.” Said Jim. “Nevada has had enough for one day.”

“This time I agree with you.” Said Grissom. He knew too something had happened to her and her sister Dallas also. Catherine did too and they all believed it to be rape. But by whom was another story that she would have to tell. And it wouldn’t be tonight.

“Let’s go home Duchess.” Said Jim.

“Si, Porfavor Novio.” She said.

“In order to get the man there is going to have to be more evidence. Didn’t you say the policeman in charge was sending you his documents?” Asked Catherine.

“Si. I will inform all of you once I have it.” Said Nevada.

“Good. I’m sorry Nevada to put you though this but in order to get him and to have justice for you and your parents and sister we have to ask.” Said Grissom gently again. Grissom didn’t like what he was seeing in her. He had seen it many times on living victims. Nevada’s eyes held pain but she was still holding her own. He was afraid for hut sut she had Jim now to comfort her and to help her though it and Grissom knew from Jim’s actions that he loved her. He had never seen Jim in love before but he knew the symptoms or could remember back to them for reference.

“Come on Duchess let’s go.” Said Jim as she rose from the chair.

“Thank you Amigo for your help. God Bless you in your attempts to help my family get justice.” She said.

“Da Nada Nevada.” Said Grissom. “Take care.”

“I shall Amigo. Take care Catherine.” Said Nevada.

“You too I’ll call you later.” Said Catherine. She and Jim left his office.

“Gris, something awful happened to her in Estrada’s grasp.” Said Catherine.

“Yes Catherine it did. How she and her sister survived that is beyond me. The only reason she isn’t dead and her sister with her is because her father did what he did. But I don’t believe Estrada is the one behind the physical harm done to her. I think the man only wanted his share of the fortune. But that is just me.” Said Grissom.

“I’m not so sure, you saw her eyes. How many times have you seen that look in a woman’s eyes? I mean the living and the dead for a rape case?” She asked.

“Too many to count. The only one that knows for sure is Estrada.”

On the way back to Jim’s house Nevada sat quietly in the Mustang as he drove. He reached for her hand and grasped it. She grasped his with almost all that she had.

“Honey, I’m going to hand this case off to Vega. I already called him and explained the situation. We can’t work this case because of your connection to it.” Said Jim.

“I know Novio you always do the right thing. There may be a compromise already into making all this stick and making Cordoba Jr. pay for killing the dancer.” Said Nevada sadly.

“Nevada I……….”

“It is ok Novio. There is nothing that can be done right now on this. I need to push it back for a while and concentrate on the good I have before me. You, mi Corazon are that good.” She said.

“Ok.” he said. “But if you ever want to tell me what happened you can. You know that. I know it’s bad.” he said very gently.

“I shall when I can. I can not find the words in English right now.” Said Nevada.

“Ok Duchess.” He said as he let her hand go and they pulled into his drive way. They got out and went inside.

“Jim.” She said stopping him in the living room.

“Yes Honey?” He asked.

“Muchos Gracias for tonight.” She said and hugged him. Jim put his arms around her. He held her for the good part of 5 minutes. He knew she wanted to cry.

“Da Nada, Nevada.” Said Jim softly and gently. He hated her feeling like this but he also knew she trusted him because the tears were coming. “It’s ok Baby, just let it go if you can.”

“Si, this is the only place I have felt safe in 26 years. In your arms.” She said letting go finally.

“Somehow I knew that. You are not alone anymore. Nevada I………” She stopped him again.

“Not now Novio. A happier time for that porfavor?” She said.

“Well, ok.” Said Jim. “I can understand that but wouldn’t me saying it make you feel better?”

“I do not want anything associated with us to be part of what happened to me back then. Can you comprende?” She asked.

“Yes Nevada I see your point.” Said Jim as he let her go. “You want me to fill the tub and you soak a bit?” He was changing the subject since she wasn’t going to allow him to say it.

“That would be welcomed.” She said. “Where is the wine you and I had the other night?” She asked.

“No wine for you tonight or is it morning?” He looked at his watch. “Yeah ok so it’s morning. No drinking get me?” He asked scolding a little trying to smile for her.

“Ok I can understand your reluctance to let me drink and I thank you for that. You are not going to let me do something, Estupido.” She said.

“You got that right.” Said Jim. “Because I…….” She looked at him. “Ok stop that look right now.”

“I know Mi Novio.” She said.

“Then God Bless it let me say it!” He said. “Jesus, what if something happens I can’t tell you!”

“Nothing will Jim.” Said Nevada. “I trust in God that much.”

Jim grumbled off into the bathroom and started the water cussing a little with her name attached. He was talking to himself as he got the water ready for her.

“Damn is she trying to drive me nuts? Is she nuts? Why can’t she just let me say it? God Bless it! She is so………..” Nevada came into the bathroom.

“Cantankerous? Willful? Then I am my father’s daughter. Mother used to say the same things about him.” She said.

“Well, damn it Nevada I have things to say to you that you need to hear. I need to say them.” He said.

“Porfavor, Jim I know. You do not have to say the words. I am afraid it will break the spell we have on each other.” She said.

“Oh bull shit, Nevada. Don’t pull that with me. Get in, the water it’s ready. I put that vanilla stuff you like so much in it. Now would someone that didn’t ah……….do that for you?” He said as she looked at him.

“I know you do Novio. As do I.” She said.

“Thank you God! She finally admits it!” Said Jim with a little sarcasm attached.

“I think that is knowledge by now James Brass.” She said handing back the sarcasm just as well as he had given it. “Something that need not be said but known from the heart.”

“I’m sorry Nevada I’m just frustrated right now. This is worse than not having you. God you are going to make me grayer!” He said.

“As you will me. But know this. I know and you know let us leave it at that and for a happier time please” She said stroking his face. “I beg you.”

“No need for that. Ok Duchess hit the bathwater. I’m going in the bedroom.” He said.

“If that is what you wish. I do not really want to be alone right now.” She said. “Privacy is gone. You know something happened to me and it does not alter what you feel for me. You do not see me any less than what you have seen in me. That much I know and am so grateful for.”

“Why would I feel differently? What ever happened, happened long before I met you. I couldn’t stop it nor can I erase it. I would if I could but anyway. Nevada, Honey know this it hasn’t effect the way I feel about you. When you are ready you will tell me. If not I’m going to understand more than you know. Now get your clothes off and get in the tub before I take them off for you and you know I can. Relax a little and I will get in with you, ok?” He said.

“Good Novio. I know I can depend upon you to Relax me.” She said.

“Ok so……..Get going.” he said turning on the jets.

A half hour later she was very relaxed and he had to admit he was too. The tension of the day seemed to melt away in that tub.

“You had enough of this? I know I’m pruning up pretty good I think I’m done.” He said chuckling.

“I think I am done also. Shut the jets off and let us just go to bed.” She said.

“Sounds like a winner.” He said shutting off the jets.

They dried off and went into the bedroom and got into bed and a cuddle. Two minutes later he looked down and she was asleep on his chest nestled with her arm around his waist. He kissed her forehead and pulled her in a little tighter.

“Sleep well Duchess. I love you.” He whispered.

He settled down and went off to sleep himself.

The next morning she was up before him in the kitchen making breakfast. She had gone looking in the clothes hamper for something to slip on and had found one of his white dress shirts.

When Jim had woken up to the smell of Mexican sausage and eggs cooking he looked over to the other side of the bed. “Yep she’s up messing around in the kitchen.” He chuckled. He got out of bed and threw on some clothes seeing that the hamper had been gone though. “I can almost guess what she has on. The white dress shirt I wore yesterday. I really have to have a talk with her about cooking in my Ralph Lauren’s. I wont scold her too badly though. Maybe just a smack on her butt.” He went out into the kitchen.

“Good Morning Beautiful.” He said gently into her ear grasping her from the back making her jump a little.

“Oh Dios Mio Novio…….you are going to give me more gray hair! Good morning to you also.” She said almost in a yelp.

“I didn’t mean to scare you. Never scare you but take you off guard……..always.” He said gently into her ear. He was giving her a nuzzle with the backwards embrace too and a little messing around with his hands uneatheath the shirt.

“Oh I really do not mind too much Mi Novio. But, with all this affection you are lavishing on me will cause your breakfast to be burned.” She said a little on the breathless side from being startled and now a little aroused.

He reached for the burner and turned it off sliding the skillet over to another eye that wasn’t hot.

“Multi tasking are you Novio?” She asked.

“Yep.” he said. She turned around and embraced him and kissed him. “I have to do that with you around. I don’t mind at all.”

“I do not mind you doing it.” She said as he squeezed her again.

“How did you sleep?” He asked.

“Ok I guess, it was better with you beside me. The dreams I have had do not form as well with you at my side.” She said.

“I guess I’m a nightmare catcher.” He said.

“That you are. Oh mi Novio you are much more than that you are a life saver.” She said hugging him.

“Cherry or mint?” he asked chuckling a little.

“What?” She asked quizzically. “Ah, the candy……….mint because you have much bite. But I enjoy being bitten.” she winked at him.

“That’s good to know. Baby, I’m sorry I got bent out of shape last night about all that.” He said.

“It is ok Jim. I am beginning to understand the need for the telling. But know this I already know it without you saying it.” She said.

“Yeah it’s pretty evident. I have been thinking on something.” He said letting her go so she could dole out the food.

“What is that Mi Novio?” She asked.

“Well, we have two places. Yours and mine. It’s turning into a problem. Or at least for me it is.” He said.

“And you wish for me to give up my apartment?” She asked.

“If you wanted too. Now you could come and live here. I would love that more than you know. This place isn’t a home with out you in it.” He said.

“What would I do with my things?” She asked. “That is if I accepted the offer you have so graciously given?”

“Humm well, that living room suit of mine has seen better days about 5 years ago. The bed was never that good. So that much we can get rid of, of mine and I would do that gladly. You don’t have that much furniture but it’s classic stuff and far better than mine. I suspect it’s Ethan Allen.” He said.

“Si it is and you do not have a dining room suit just a breakfast table.” She said. “But the thing is we are not married. I have never lived with a man outside of marriage. I never believed it to be right. But I am being a prude I suppose. I am sleeping with you already.”

“Well, ah……….yeah we are kind of living together in an off hand way already. But the living together might change too you know. I have been giving all this some thought as of late. Hell, we……….well you know I’m not going to say it because you don’t want me to right now…….but we do and usually that leads to other things not just nooky Duchess. I had never thought along these lines before but with you in the mix I’ve been thinking about things I haven’t thought about in years. Doing them too I might add, and feeling about 20 years younger than I am. But you bring out the best in me and the beast. So what do you say Duchess? Would you like to live here a little while and see what happens. That way we go home together and leave together.” He said.

“My, that is a proposition if I ever heard one Novio!” She said giggling. She was blushing a little too. As to why, he wasn’t sure but it was cute he thought.

“Or………..we could find a house that isn’t just mine or yours but ours. How would that sound?” He asked.

“I do not believe we have to take it that far. I like this house of yours. If you want me in so much then how can I refuse you. Ok, but my uncle is not going to be happy about all this. We will have to go to Texas so you can meet what is left of my family. But after the fact.” She said.

“You still do what your uncle wants?” He asked.

“That is why I left Texas. I am 40 years old and not a child but unfortunately he still treats me as such. I know he loves me. I know he wishes to protect me but, I have to do that for myself now.” She said. “He still sends me an allowance. I am not sure why though.”

“Could he have gotten the rest of the gold out of Spain? I mean since you went to a private school and still had lessons in things like horse back riding and fencing or did that stop when you moved to the states?” He asked.

“No it did not stop. Oh Novio I had n tho thought about that. Perhaps he did get the rest of it out, exchange the gold bars into money and place it in banks.” She said.

“He probably did seeing you still get an allowance.” Said Jim.

“I will say that my father and my uncle were great friends. They were like brothers but he was my mother’s oldest brother.” She said. “Aunt Maeve, she was different. She was good to us but hardly a mother. I suppose she didn’t know what to do with us. Uncle Patrick however; took on the father role well. He was well suited for fatherhood. But very strict and very protective of both of us.”

“I understand that fully Nevada. I have a daughter remember? I would do anything I had to do to protect her if she would just allow it.” Said Jim.

“How long since you seen Ellie?” Asked Nevada.

“Going on three years. Not a word.” He said.

“I am sorry.” She said taking his hand. “Here is your breakfast.” She put the plate down in front of him and a mug of coffee. Then she backward embraced him as he sat in a chair. “I am sorry she has not contacted you. God forbid that when she does something terrible hasn’t happened to bring it to light.” She rubbed his head and kissed it lightly then she sat in a chair beside him and started eating her breakfast.

“Gracias Nevada.” He said. “For the breakfast and for……..everything.”

“You bring my domestic side out Novio. You also bring my maternal side to light too. I have very little of that.” She said.

“I wouldn’t say that. You take care of me quite well. Better than I care for myself.” He said. “So you want to move in here with me or not?” He asked.

“Si, but we will have to do this in stages. I have a contract with the apartment complex. I will have to buy it out. It will take a few months.” She said.

“How much?” He asked.

“About 5,000.” She said.

“Is that all? Hell, I have that in a savings account. Tell you what how about us just paying that off and………..”

“Letting me repay you?” She asked.

“Well, I wasn’t going to ask for the money back Duchess. But if that will make you feel better then ok but we use that money for something that we want later on. So is it a done deal?” He asked.

She smiled slyly and put her hand out. He took it and shook it.

“Done Deal.” she said. “I get 2,500 a month for my allowance. I also wish to pay half of everything. Mortgage, utilities, groceries and the like. Why I have nothing left is it took most of what I saved to move here. Moving is expensive. Especially if you have to pay others to do it.”

“If you want to go halvsies that’s ok with me. We can move you ourselves. I know several someone’s that would help us.” Said Jim. “You don’t have that much to move if memory serves. What, did you live at home in Dallas?”

“Si, partly this is what I had when I left Texas.” She said. “Could we not move Esmerelda first? It would be hard on her to have men moving around her.”

“Sure. I love her too Duchess. I have never had a bird. Been given one often enough but……….”

“Given the bird? Oh you mean the finger?” She asked giggling.

“Yes Duchess.” He said almost spewing the food he had in his mouth out. Chuckling was hard with egg and sausage in his mouth.

“Jim, what does this mean for us?” She asked.

“It means Nevada, we are making a commitment to each other. It’s a first step Honey. I’m glad that you accepted. Really glad. I was getting tired of having two places and you not here half the time. It’s just so………..lonesome here with out you. You liven not just my life but where I live. It was an existence before you came into my life. Now I feel as if……..I’m finally living.” He said.

“As do I Novio. As do I.” She said as they looked at each other.

“You done?” He asked.

“Are you?” She asked.

“Yep. I sure am.” She took the plates and put them in the sink.

“Then come with me into our bedroom. So that we might………” She didn’t have to say anything else. He was up and had her hand and leading her into the bedroom.

“Oh and Duchess while we are at this………..no more stealing my Ralph Lauren shirts to cook in.” He said unbuttoning the shirt she wore.

“Why Novio? Do you not understand that when I wear them it is you I want to have close to me without having you there physically? This smells of you. It’s like having you on me but not if that is the rigordsords.” She said.

“Ok so I had no idea you were marking yourself with me, sheesh is that right? You enjoy having me around all the time and when I’m not the shirt has an essence?” He asked.

“Oh Si, Novio. Now please stop talking.” She said. “I will not need the shirt for now. I will have my man where I want him.”

Jim cocked his eyebrow at her and closed the bedroom door. But lots of giggling and chuckling could be heard over the sounds of some toppling over of things and a few things breaking.

A couple hours later Jim and Nevada were on the couch dressed, after they gotten a shower.

“Novio I will have to go and get some clothes iam tam to stay here.” Said Nevada.

“Why don’t you throw some stuff in a suitcase and just bring it over. We can go and get Esmerelda too.” Said Jim.

“Ok but first………I must tell you what happened to me. Since you are the man in my life and you care for me I should not be ashamed of it like I have been.” She began.

“Only if you want too Honey, I know something like that is painful and personal.” He said.

“Si, and I have not told anyone the whole story. Dallas is the only one that knows the truth of it fully. My family knows only what I could remember at the time but I have in the last few days remembered a few things I am confused about. You are good to help quell confusion.” She said.

“Ok. Then tell me and I swear I’ll try and help.” He said putting his arm around her.

“When we were taken from school it was in the middle of the day at lunch time. A man came and told both me and my sister that our parents had been injured in a an accident. That man was Estrada he a baa badge and we went with him because he was an authority figure. The vehicle we were taken in was a police van. I was so stupid to trust him but at the time I had no bad feelings until we got in the van. There were two men in there. As we drove off they chloroformed us. I fought and Dallas fought. But it was too late. We lost consciousness.” She said.

“Go on Duchess.” Jim said taking her hand.

“When I woke up all I remember was feeling terrible pain…….down there and Estrada yelling at one of the men called Felix. In fact he was hitting him and calling him an idiot. He almost killed him. That is when I woke up and Estrada came over. I had always believed that he had done the raping but I do not believe so now that I think on it. It was not lust I saw in his eyes it was concern. I believe the man called Felix did the damage and not Estrada. When he got a hold on me that is when I scratched him. After I scratched him he looked at me…….Jim, his eyes are like mine he wears contacts now. I have seen these images in my dreams lately. But bringing all this back is going to do that and it had to come to light at some point.” She said.

“I’m sorry Nevada. I’m sorry it happened to you. Was it only well……once?” He asked he was hoping so but it didn‘t look good.

“No, Felix came to where we being held and took his vengeance. He was going to hurt Dallas the same way but I stopped that by offering an exchange. Me for her. He took it and Estrada found out and beat the hell out of him. He told Felix that he was to keep his filthy hands off of the merchandise. That sending us back deflowered was going to cause more problems. That he had never planned for us to be harmed. He just………he just wanted what was his and we did not belong to him for that.” She said.

“Look, Honey this isn’t doing you any good telling this again. If you need to stop……..”

“No Novio, I am passed all this. I worked all this out a long time ago. But since Dr. Grissom gave me his comments and I have had time to think on them plus some of it coming back.….I know what I am saying is the truth and not, how you say, sugar coating it. 26 years is long enough to wonder why and the how of it all. It is enough time to come to terms with it. I know it happened to me it just doesn’t have the meaning it once did. It can not hurt me any longer. Do you remember when I though I was with child and said I did not think it possible?” She asked.

“Yeah, I do remember that. Is that why? Because of what happened?” He asked.

“Si. Because I was so young when it happened and the violence involved…..the doctor I was taken too said I would never be able to have children. I guess he was right.” Said Nevada.

“That was over 20 years ago. If you still wanted……….”

“Si, I know Novio. I do in fact want a child, but that is for a later time and all. Plus there was my aunt who was shamed by all this. She told me. Nevada do not get your hopes up for a husband. Men do not want the leavings of another man. Why did let let him touch you? Why did you allow your innocents to be taken? I told her to protect my sister and I would do that all over again for her because Novio, I love her. She has been mine since her beginning to protect. Although she protects herself much better than I could have ever done. So that is why I never married or was never asked. Or what I believed to be the case. Men usually get enough of me and leave. I know why, it is because I intimidate them. My guess there. They make promises and do not keep any of them. For the last 8 years I have remained without the comfort of a man because of all of this. I got tired of them leaving me and breaking my heart. That is far worse than what I endured as a young girl.” She said.

Jim looked at her and finally understood why she didn’t want him to say the three little words right now. She wanted him to be sure. But he was sure. He didn’t want to break her heart, he wanted to heal it and give her what her aunt told her she would never have. In this day and age virginity at marriage was a commodity. Something for the young to experience. He didn’t care about any of that. He only cared about the beautiful woman sitting with him. She was brave beyond his belief in her. Enduring all that and coming out the fine woman she was and is…….but had that made her into what he saw? He figured so. The understanding of her came in loving her and love her he did. More so than any other time or any other woman in his life. The only comparison was his daughter Ellie and that was different.

“Well, at least I understand now why you don’t want me to say……..those words but I have news for you Nevada Cintrone I’m not leaving. I’m not going to break your heart if I can help it and I’m yours for as long as you want me. My heart, my soul and my house belong to you Duchess. After all the shit I have lived though…..all the pain, all the unbearable loneliness I could never do that to someone else. Least of all you. Believe me or not that’s your choice my dear. But I am so stuck on you I stink with it. By the way you do too so think on that.” He said very carefully but lovingly.

She looked at him for a moment. She knew he was telling her what was in his heart. Her Aunt had been dead wrong. Even though it was coming very late in the game for her, or so she thought. Jim loved her and she it. it. But she was still afraid. Years of the same pain and unbearable loneliness stood against her at the moment. But with one fell swoop that wall was being knocked down. By the strong arms that held her the night before.

She hugged him. That’s all she could do. Her mouth wouldn’t move to say anything but she was crying. Some sad tears but laced with happy tears. She pulled back finally looking at him again.

“Novio you are quite a man to be telling me all this. You have bravery but that is what I love about you. You want me as a partner. You want me, for me. That is a tall order seeing no one has wanted to take me on for the long run.” She said.

“If you say so but it doesn’t take much to handle you. If that’s the word even. We are alike maybe too much so but that’s what I love so much about you. I can just about guess what you are going to do before you do it because………I would do the same thing. I’m just older and don’t go around doing all that I feel anymore. Does tend to get you into trouble.” He said smiling at her.

“Si, and maybe you will keep me from it.” She said.

“I sure hope so. You could have killed Junior last night.” Said Jim.

“Si, but did he not deserve a little dose of what he gave that poor woman? Did he not deserve a little for insulting us?” She said as she spit and used her heel on it.

“Well yes he did Duchess but I hope he doesn’t start yelling police brutality.” Said Jim. “I’m sure if he did we would already be called and up there you getting a tongue lashing from Rory Atwater.”

“I am sure. Let us go and get Esmerelda and some of my things now.” She said.

“Ok Duchess.” he said taking her hand and kissing it. He had noticed that she hadn’t returned her mother’s ring to her right hand. He smiled a little. Then he traced the ring on her hand with his fingers.

“I forgot to put that back. I am sorry Novio.” She said.

“Don’t worry about it for now. If we run into Senior you are going to have to look the part Lt. Brass.” he said cocking his eye at her. She smiled at him. “It’s simple but says a lot. I saw a picture of your family on the internet. Your father was a handsome man and your mother.….she was a beautiful woman. But the two of them made something even more beautiful. You Nevada. If I don’t mind this here, she isn’t ok?” He said.

“Ok Novio. But I am not your wife.” She said.

“Well maybe not right now Duchess.…………..it’s too soon for that but who knows. You might make me a Duke at some point later on.” He said almost shyly but with conviction.

“I might at that Novio. I just might at that.” She said.