Javier saves you from some vicious thugs and you both fall hard for each other.

But you know that you can't get too close to him. Or else, something bad might happen to him.

Violence, strong language and innuendo.

................

Your ears are still ringing from all the gunfire that took place only moments ago. A handsome man with dark hair and eyes is walking towards you.

He kneels down next to you and you burst into tears as you throw yourself into his strong arms and just allow him to hold you.

...............

You're exhausted but can't seem to sleep. You toss the thin blanket aside and get to your feet, heading to the kitchen to get a glass of water.

You hear Javier open his bedroom door and a moment later, is standing in the entrance to his small kitchen. You turn. He doesn't have a shirt on and you can just barely make out his skin in the dim light coming from the outside window.

"Can't sleep?"

"No. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you." Javi walks over to you, gently trailing his fingers down your right arm. A shiver rises from within and you set your glass on the counter.

"You didn't wake me," Javier says softly. "I was already awake."

"Because of me." Javi pulls you into his arms and you cling to them.

"I can't help it. All I want to do is protect you." You take a step back and turn, heading back into the living room.

You settle yourself down on the couch, as Javier hovers over you.

"Go back to bed, Javi. I'll be okay." He leans closer, giving you a gentle kiss on the forehead before retreating back into his bedroom.

................

"I have to do something!" You hear Javier's voice as you slowly walk towards the office.

You stop just outside the door. You don't mean to eavesdrop, but you can't help it.

"Javier, this isn't in the job description," Steve Murphy, Javier's partner is saying.

"I'm not doing this as part of my damn job!" Javier explodes and you cringe. You hate seeing him so upset. You want to rush into the office, gather Javier in your arms and just soothe him.

You hear the chair squeak as Javi stands up and starts pacing around the office. You peer around the corner. He looks so torn. It's killing you inside.

You lean against the wall and briefly close your eyes. Oh, if only you could just stay with Javi forever. That would be wonderful.

Yet your heart is telling you that isn't going to happen.

...............

Javi takes you out to dinner. You love it when he does. You refuse to let him talk about work and what an improvement! Javier is like a different man when he's discussing stuff other than work.

You reach for his hand and Javi smiles tenderly at you. You lean over, kissing him and allowing the feel of those little mustache hairs tickle you.

"Y/N, I want you to stay with me." Your stomach drops. Oh, Javi. Why did you have to ask me that?

"I...can't." Javier's expression turns stony and you feel like somebody has punched you right in the gut.

"Oh, Javi. I want to. But it's not safe for you if I stay."

"My life is put on the damn line every single day! Why should that matter to me?"

"Please don't be angry. Please." Javi tosses back the rest of the whiskey in his glass and moves to stand. You think he's...leaving. But no. He's holding out his hand to you.

You understand now. He wants to dance with you. You stand as well and take Javier's hand, allowing him to lead you over to the dance floor.

When his arms are securely around you, you rest your head on his shoulder and close your eyes, just allowing yourself to get lost in the music.

You start to feel terribly sleepy and all you want to do is sleep forever. At least if you were sleeping, then you wouldn't have to feel guilty for causing Javier pain.

"We could make it work, mi amor. Please let me try." Javier's lips graze your ear.

"Let's not talk about it now. Please. Just enjoy the moment with me, okay?"

Javier looks pissed off for a moment, but then his handsome face relaxes into a soft smile. He kisses you.

"All right, chica."

..................

You've been arguing with Javi for the last two hours. He insists that you're better off if you stay with him.

You disagree. You won't have his life put in danger because of you. You'd never be able to live with yourself if something bad were to happen to him.

Javier is a stubborn man. Extremely stubborn. He refuses to give up on this damn, pointless argument.

"Y/N, you couldn't be safer than if you were with me." You rub your temples. Javier doesn't seem to understand.

"Javi, there are bad people who are looking for me. I won't put you in the middle of that shit."

Javier suddenly grabs you by the waist and kisses you passionately. You push him away, furious that he won't listen to you.

"I have to leave here, Javier. All I want from you is help to leave this place."

Javier's face goes slack. He knows he isn't going to win on this one. His shoulders slump in defeat and his eyes start to water.

You go to him and wrap your arms around him as he buries his face in the crook of your neck. Neither of you speak as you just stand there, drawing comfort from one another.

...............

You're about to board the plane that'll take you to America. You hold your bag close to your body. You're trying really hard not to cry.

Javier holds you in his arms and that sets off a flood of tears as you bury your face into his shirt. You feel Javier rubbing your back.

You finally pull away from him, wiping your eyes and nose on your coat sleeve. Javier kisses you. You can see the tears welling up in his eyes.

"I'll never forget you." Javi kisses you again as your flight is announced on the speaker.

"I'll never forget you, either, Javi." You clutch the bag again and turn away from Javier.

You can feel the heat of his gaze burning into your backside and you turn around once more before joining the long line of other passengers who are boarding the plane.

You get on the plane and find your seat. You know this is the best thing to do.

Even if it hurts like hell.