Rocco was enjoying a nice quiet night to himself. He had taken the entire visit with Gavin off work this time.

He wanted to try and fill this otherwise bad time in his life with good memories. So, when he looked back, at least he could say it wasn't so bad. Today was a day full of activity. They got up early, went out to breakfast, and then spent the morning getting Gavin some new clothes. He was growing fast and had already outgrown everything Rocco had here for him. Gavin had a lot of fun trying on clothes and was showing off to all the ladies that worked there.

After that, they packed a picnic lunch to take to the beach. Gavin's swimming has gotten even better since last weekend. Among all her other talents, Dani was apparently a great swimming teacher.

Gavin had a blast putting his newfound talents to the test in the "big water," as he called the beach.

By the time they got home, they were both starved and exhausted, Rocco ordered a pizza, and they watched movies until Gavin passed out.

It was a different routine, and it was weird. But he was happier here than he had been with Alyssa for a very long time.

Gavin seemed to be doing okay with everything too. He had been so full of worry, but the boy was adjusting. He didn't cry or make a fuss when Rocco picked him up or dropped him off.

He was always excited to go home because he'd miss Dani all weekend. He went on and on about her and all the beautiful things she was doing with him. It seemed she had the same goal as Rocco with Gavin. Keep him busy and happy and build other memories. She understood exactly what his son needed. It was so unfair; she was perfect not just for Gavin but for him, so why was the universe so against them?

Hearing her name a hundred times a day didn't help Rocco's goal to try and get over her. His feelings had deepened without her. He missed her all the time. He was always picturing her. Every outing, every activity, and meal, he wished she was there laughing and living with them. If he was being honest, never getting a chance with Dani hurt more than his marriage ending.

His phone went off, signaling a text message.

"This late?" He questioned out loud as he unlocked it to read the message, it was from Alyssa, and there was a photo of Dani dancing with some guy and a message, that said, having fun at the club! XX Lys. His body tensed at the idea of Dani with anyone, especially in that tiny dress she had on. As his jaw clenched he stalled, remembering to think logically.

What in the world would Alyssa send him this for? He peered closer and saw Dani looked really drunk, and his concern started growing. What was Alyssa up to?

"Damn it, why did she stay?" he asked, but he knew, for Gavin, she stayed for Gavin. Truthfully he was glad she did because he was broken without her. He'd have shattered if she'd have left town and him forever.

He couldn't let Alyssa hurt her. He needed to get up to that club and make sure she was okay. Even if that meant he was playing right into Alyssa's hand.

He'd only spoken to Jeanie a few times, but they'd bonded, and she'd shared a lot of information with him about this apartment. He hoped it wouldn't upset her to wake her so late but what other choice did he have? He knocked on the door. After a minute, she answered and looked like she had just woken up.

"I'm so sorry I woke you. I have an emergency, and I have to leave. Can you watch Gavin? He's sleeping." His voice probably sounded urgent because she seemed to wake up quickly, her eyes becoming more alert.

"Of course! Go! I got him." She ushered him on.

"Thank you." Rocco said as he raced out to his car.

Luckily traffic was almost nonexistent this late, and he got there fast.

He was about to head inside when he spotted Dani in the parking lot. She was dressed in a shiny tiny dress that he assumed Alyssa suggested she wear. She looked incredible and he nearly stopped to gawk at her curvy figure in that tiny dressy but she was so wobbly and obviously incapacitated. She was leaning against a car, and some guy was hurrying towards her. So Rocco hastened his own steps in that direction.

"You need a ride honey?" The creep was asking and getting closer to her. Rocco almost punched him.

"No, a cab," she was mumbling.

"She's got one," Rocco said, putting himself between the creep and her. "Back off."

The guy started to open his mouth to say something but apparently thought better when he saw Rocco's angry eyes. He turned and stumbled away.

"Rocco?" Dani could hardly even hold her head up. He gently placed his hand under her chin to see her eyes.

They weren't just bloodshot. Her pupils were very dilated. Her cheeks were flushed, and she was off balance.

Drugged... the hell?

He could kill Alyssa, but he needed to focus on helping Dani right now.

"Are you okay?" Rocco asked softly. "Can you hear me, Dani? Talk to me, please."

"I... where is? Where am I?" She looked so confused. She started to fall into him, and he caught her in his arms. "Becks...I was supposed to get in the cab."

"Forget the cab; come on."

"Rocco, are you real?" She pulled back enough to peer into his eyes.

"I'm real, Sweetheart," he whispered. "It's okay. You're going to be okay."

"No, I can't be okay." She admitted, and her eyes started to tear up.

"Shh, you will be, Dani." He held her face gently in his hands. His eyes meet hers. His heart is aching for her sadness.

"I don't know what... what... I did wrong. I never lied to you. But you said I was just like her... you said... you were so cold." She was sobbing in-between words as she spoke, and he felt every single one. Every sob was like a stab to his heart. How could he cause her to feel like this? He'd never forgive himself for this. What was he thinking going along with Lexi's plan?

"You hate me. For staying. I know you do." Tears rained over her beautiful face. "I can't stand you hating me."

"No, no, baby." He leaned closer to her. "I could never hate you."

"But you said... "

"I lied, Dani." He started to feel tears well in his eyes too. She took a sharp breath and looked up at him.

Damn it, he knew he shouldn't do this. But fuck. It's not like she'd remember this anyway.

"I didn't mean a word of what I said in that office." He was close, so close he could almost taste her tears. "I said those things because I wanted you to hate me. I wanted you to leave."

"But why?"

He brushed some of the tears from her cheeks with the pads of his thumbs.

"Because I love you." The air seemed to be still between them. Time was on edge as they stood in that empty parking lot mere inches away from each other. She was staring at him in awe. The words had stunned and probably confused her in her drug-induced state.

"You what?" she asked, her voice barely a husky whisper.

"I love you," he said again with more conviction. "I was trying to save you."

"Save me, but," she shook her head slowly.

"I couldn't let Lys drag you into all this and hurt you. I had to protect you." Yet she'd hurt her anyway, no worse he did.

"I— I didn't need you to do that. I need... I -"He could see her eyes rolling back into her head and acting quickly before she passed out.

He scooped her into his arms, and she slumped against his shoulder as she passed out. He carried her to his car and placed her into the backseat as carefully as he could.

Her eyes were opening and shutting like she was struggling to stay awake.

"You can close your eyes. You're safe now." He promised her in a soft voice. He knew he shouldn't, but he kissed her forehead softly.

"Rocco," she was mumbling.

"Shh, it's okay, Valentine," he said soothingly. "Sleep it off."

The cab she'd been waiting for pulled in just as Rocco started the car and pulled out.

Rocco didn't waste much time deciding what to do. He drove straight back to his apartment. Dani was sleeping soundly in the back. She looked peaceful, considering. The night was still and quiet when he arrived. Still, he looked around to make sure no one was watching. In the back of his mind, he knew this could all be a setup.

All that mattered right now was that the two people he loved most in this world were safe. He didn't want them anywhere but with him.

He picked her up and carried her inside bridal style. Her head was buried into his chest.

Jeanie stood up in shock as he walked inside with her.

"Is she okay?" she asked. "What happened?"

"I think she was slipped something." He laid her down on the couch. "But her breaths have been steady, and she seems to be sleeping it off."

"Should we call someone?" Like the police?" she asked wide-eyed.

"Not yet. I need to figure that part out; it's complicated," he said slowly.

This could be Alyssa's plan; maybe she wanted to embarrass Dani with a drug scandal. She'd like to discredit her in case she testifies... either way, he had to talk to Dante before calling any authorities in.

"I realize this sounds sketchy," Rocco added.

"It does," Jeanie said. "But I see the way you look at her. I trust you have her best intentions at heart."

"I do," Rocco promised.

"What do you want me to do?"

"Help her get changed." Rocco sighed gratefully. "I doubt she's very comfortable right now."

"I have some stuff she can wear," Jeanie agreed. "I'll be right back."

**

Alyssa was about to order another martini when she realized she'd lost sight of Dani. It had been twenty minutes since she sent the text to Rocco, he'd be there any moment.

Rebecca approached the VIP couches and sat down all too casually.

"Where is Dani?" Alyssa hissed.

"How should I know?"

"You were just with her," Alyssa craned her neck.

"I got distracted. It happens."

"What did you do, Rebecca!?" Alyssa felt her entire body tense as her supposed BFF avoided eye contact.

"I sent her home in a cab," Rebecca confessed.

"What?!" Alyssa exploded.

"Someone drugged her, Lys! She could have been hurt." Rebecca gave her a knowing look that annoyed Alyssa even more.

"I drugged her, and I only gave her enough to loosen her way up," Alyssa huffed. "I had my eye on her."

"Obviously not if you lost her," Rebecca snapped. "How could you drug her? That's horrifying!"

"I was simply setting up a little scenario for Rocco to rescue her from," Alyssa spoke slowly as if she were talking to Gavin. "Now what? He shows up, and she's not even here?"

"This is too much even for you," Rebecca muttered. "You better go because if Rocco shows up here, I'm telling him what you did." 

"Eddy is picking me up for a party; Rocco can wander the club aimlessly then. I'll think of something else, but Becks," Alyssa leaned close. "Fuck with my plans again, and you'll regret it."