Gabi sits in her motel room, aimlessly staring out the window at an empty pool outside her room. She's been in El Paso for almost a week now and she feels absolutely miserable and completely alone. Why did I let that witch run me out of town? How could I let her take away my life? She thinks out loud. Gabi remembers the weeks before her wedding day and how tortured she was feeling about thinking of both Ricardo and Antonio. How could she want both men?
What was wrong with her? With her thoughts racing through her mind, Gabi finally stands up and walks up and down her room, pacing with a fury trying to decide
what to do. Her thoughts of both men enter her mind again. The same images she's had burned in her memory since leaving one week ago. Gabi finally sits on the
bed and slowly the tears come racing down. She misses him so much. So much she can barely hold herself together. Her time away from him made her realize just
how much she really loves him. How much she wants to be a part of his life and never let him go. She never realized she could feel such yearning and desire for
him. She never thought it possible. As Gabi continues to sob, she grabs her wallet and takes out a picture of him. As she stares at this beautiful face, his warm
smile gazing longingly at her, Gabi desperately wants to run back to him. Back in the arms who love her in return. She brings the picture up to her lips and kisses
him lovingly and Gabi says... "How could not realize it before? I'm sorry to have put you through so much. I didn't know. I didn't know how much I really love
you....Ricardo." Gabi continues to stare at Ricardo's picture until she falls asleep with the picture clutched to her heart. She begins to dream, a dream which takes
her back to Sunset Beach. Gabi escapes to the beach and encounters Ricardo walking toward her. Her heart skips a beat as she sees him approach her. No words
are spoken. He simply caresses her face as she caresses his until their hands intertwine together. As the sun sets, Ricardo pulls Gabi down to the sand and gently
begins to make love to her. Gabi feels their bodies meet as one and relishes his touch and his soul. She has never felt happier. This is the same dream she has had
since she left her life behind. The same dream that made her realize just who she really loved.
 

The power of the dream awakens Gabi. She is still shaking from the mere imagination of Ricardo's touch, upset that she is once again facing reality. A reality that
does not include Ricardo. She wishes she could forever stay in the dream where she and Ricardo are together and so in love. As Gabi tries to sleep again in order
to recreate the magical trance she's been under, she says out loud, "That saying was always right, absence does make the heart grow fonder."
 

Chapter Two

Antpnio is sitting at his desk at the mission staring at the phone trying to will it to ring. Spence had called him 30 minutes earlier indicating that he should know
shortly where Gabi was by tracing her credit cards. The last 30 minutes had been pure torture for Antonio. He kept looking at his watch every other minute,
unwilling to calm himself due to the anticipation he was feeling. He finally gets up and start pacing the office, running his fingers through his hair furiously unable to
think straight. Why would Gabi just leave like that? He wanted answers from her. He would not be able to put her or anything behind him until he knew why Gabi
so abrubtly left his Ricardo's life....and his. He rethinks back to Ricardo and Gabi's wedding day and how he was willing to accept Gabi with Ricardo. He had been
ready to deal with their sharing a life together. It would have been difficult but with time he knew he could at least learn to see them together. He would always
love Gabi, that was something he could never rid himself of. Gabi was a part of him and no one, not even his love for Ricardo, could end that. As his mind
continued to race, the phone rings. Antonio knocks trips over a chair in an effort to grab the phone on the first ring. "Hello...Spence?" He says. "Yeah, Father, it's
me. I think I've located Gabi. At least, I know where she's used her her credit card the last week." Antonio listens impatiently. "WELL, WHERE IS SHE!!" He
practically yells over the phone. He realizes that he came off abrubt by Spence's silence on the other end. "I'm sorry Spence, it's just that I am desperate to find
her....for Ricardo...you understand." "Yeah, Father, I get ya. Ricardo has been a mess ever since Gabi left him. If it wasn't for this murder case we're all working
on, he'd be a lot worse. I feel really bad for him." Antonio listens to Spence's words and they cut like a knife. This is his doing. If it hadn't been for that one night
when he and Gabi gave in to their desires, Gabi and Ricardo would be together and his brother would be happy. The guilt washed over him like water over a
bridge. He couldn't stand it. He had destroyed his brother, but he couldn't help what he was feeling, neither could Gabi. "Father , are you still there?" Spence says.
Antonio had been in thought for awhile. He shakes his head as he snaps back into the converstation. "Where is she Spence?" "Well, looks like Gabi has been using
her card extensively at this motel in Blanco, Texas....it's called the rotary. Does that mean something to you? Now that i think about it, isn;t that where Gabi is
from?" Antonio hits his head with his hand. OF COURSE! Gabi went back home. How could he not have thought of this in the first place? He feels such relief to
have found this information. Now he can see her, be near her...and talk to her about what really drove her away. "Spence, thanks I owe you big. Can you give me
the phone number on the printout? I need to talk to her for Ricardo. I'm gonna try and see if I can work things out between them." " A little heavenly intervention
huh?" Spence says and laughs softfly. Antonio winces at this. "Yeah I guess you could say that." Anotnio and Spence both say goodbye and Antonio slumps in his
chair, staring at the number in front of him. A smile slowly creeps up on his face as he thinks of seeing Gabi once again. His heart races so fast he feels like it will
puncture through his chest. He slowly picks up the phone and dials. Now Gabi would not be able to escape him. He has made a decision and he needed Gabi to
know what he wanted to do. "Rotary Inn, Kelly speaking." "Yes, could you give me directions to your location......."
 

Gabi has been roaming around the town of Blanco for the past 2 hours and that was a long time to take to walk throughout this whole town. It was very small.
Only 3000 people inhibited the town. Gabi had always hated town but it was her hometown and it was the only place she could think of that she belonged. As she
walks through the streets, looking through the various windows of all the stores on Main St., she remembers doing the same thing with her father, Lorenzo....before
he hurt her. Gabi shakes her head as she tries to forget the memory of her father. Instead, she replaces him with thoughts of Ricardo. She thinks back to when she
met Ricardo, so long ago. She thinks back to how he made her feel even back then. He was so handsome, debonair, and so sure of himself. The confidence he
possessed was so evident that she had found herself wanting to acquire that same security. Her intentions had been to use him, but instead she had fallen for him.
Without warning, Ricardo Torres had crept into her heart...something she never thought would be possible. Gabi never knew she could love someone more than
herself. She was a selfish girl and she wanted what her sister had. Above all, her love life. How was she to know that Ricardo would change her life forever. How
was she to know that he would feel a love so great for her. It was inconceivable to Gabi that it would happen. But it had. Ricardo had loved her for her and
understood her when no one else had and she thought she owed him her life for that. How wrong she had been. Gabi had misjudged her feelings for him all along.
She did love him. She loved him so much that she didn't know how she would go on without Ricardo in her life. Her time away from him made her reflect back on
what she had had with Ricardo. She reflected back on all the good times they had had together. As Gabi turns the corner to go back to the motel, she opens her
purse and pulls out the ring....her engagement ring. She kisses the ring and debates on putting it back in her purse. She decides to put it on her right hand index
finger for now. That way she would give the impression she was getting married yet she would have a part of Ricardo always touching her. She needed that right
now in order to pull through her depression. Gabi decides to say hello to Kelly before venturing to her cold, solitary room. She walks through the door and notices a
man at the counter talking with Kelly. He has his back to Gabi and she vaguely recognizes his profile from behind. As she realizes who it is, he turns around. Gabi
and Antonio lock eyes. Only their gaze keeps them standing. It's as if a piece of string holds their eyes together. Gabi's knees begin to buckle as Antonio
approaches her....a stern worried look on his face. He begins to say something when Gabi instantly places her fingers on his lips. Gabi can only say, " I knew you
would somehow find me......"
 
 

Chapter 3
 

Antonio and Gabi walk into Gabi's small motel room without saying a word. They escaped Kelly's curious eyes before having to say
anything to her. Gabi knew that th next time she saw Kelly, she would be asking her who Antonio was. She was not ready to that and would have to figure out a
way to dodge her. Gabi sat on the bed and stared at the floor. She didn't know what to say at this point. Antonio was uneasily shifting from one foot to another,
staring at Gabi. Gabi could feel his eyes boaring into her.

"Why are you here, Gabi."
"Antonio, this is just best for all of us, you are going to have to trust me on this. I didn't know what else to do."
"Sorry, I don't that. There is something more to this and you're not telling me. What is it? You know you can tell me anything. After everyhthing we've been through,
you should know that already. Gabi, please Ricardo is miserable since you left. Can't you see how much you've hurt him....and me?"

Gabi turns to look at Antonio after his last comment. She had never meant to hurt him. Never meant to for everything to go this far. Looking at Antonio now and a
small feeling of longing washed over her. She had loved him as more than just a friend She knew that and a part of her would always love him but her heart truly
belonged to Ricardo. As unhappy as she was now, one good thing had come from Carmen forcing her to leave Sunset Beach. She was forced to come to term with
her feelings and she had. She longed to be with Ricardo. Her heart ached at not being able to see him or be with him. It was a feeling she had once felt so strongly
for Antonio. Now, as Antonio stood in front of her, all she felt were feelings of friendship, a very powerful friendship, but friendship nontheless. She knew that he still
felt more and it killed her more now to know this.
 

"Antonio, please accept this. No one forced me out. I decided to leave because it was best. I couldn't hurt Ricardo. I couldn't marry him without him knowing the
truth, I realized it wouldn't have been fair to him. But I also didn't have the guts to tell him about us. I couldn't do it. That's why I left."

Antonio was staring at Gabi with wary eyes. "Forced you out? Why would you think I thought you were being forced out? "

Gabi froze. She had tripped on her words and knowing Antonio he wouldn't give up until she told him about Carmen's ultimatum now. She knew him too well. He
wouldn't give up until he knew the truth. She trys to think quickly.
" I-I....meant that I thought you might have thought I was pushed I don't know Antonio, stop questioning, PLEASE!!"

Antonio grabbed Gabi by the shoulders forcefully and made her stare into his eyes. He had a determined look and she knew that she would not be able to escape
this. He wouldn;t let her. She gave in and decided to let it out. She could trust Antonio, she always would trust him. With a sad look in her eyes, she stared into his
eyes about to stun him with her words.

"Someone else knows our secret....that's why I had to leave..."

Ricardo was walking through his mother’s house waiting for her to finish dressing. She had called him over to talk with him. He really wasn't in the mood to be with
her but she had been insistent. He didn't need another lecture about Gabi but he was curious about what she wanted to talk to him about. He had been throwing
himself into Francesca's murder investigation since his wedding day fiasco. It was the only way to keep him from going absolutely insane. Gabi was in his every
thought. He woke up in the morning and he saw her face. There was not a minute that went by that he didn't think about her. Going to sleep her face would be in his
mind. Then he would dream of her. She was engrained in his heart, mind, and soul. He never thought a woman would be able to penetrate through his manly exterior.
But he had met his match in Gabi Martinez. She was so inside of him that it hurt sometimes to even breathe. Ricardo became frustrated once again. Frustration was a
common emotion for him since the wedding. He got off the couch and started to wander around the house looking very pensive. WHy did she leave? What made
her do that? He couldn't allow himself to beleive her reason for leaving him. There was no way she didn't love him. He could feel her love for him just like she could
feel his love for her. She had lied about that and he was determined to find out why. Something was forcing her to give up on their life together and he was not going
to rest until he knew what it was. He had to find her. Not only to find the truth but just to see her. With every day that passed his love for her grew instead of slowly
diminishing. He didn't think it possible to love her more than he did but every day, it would grow and he would amaze himself at how much power she had over him.
He was putty in her hands. Ricardo found himself in front of his mother's video collection. A small smile crept on his face as he read the various labels on the video
cassette covers. Most of them were of spanish soap operas. He shook his head in mock dissaproval. His mother was a fanatic when it came to them. He had never
understood how people could get hooked on soaps. As he continued to scan the tapes, his fingers fan over the tape of the Yosemite trip they had all taken when
they were teenagers. He had never seen the tape because his mother had videotaped only the scenery of the cabins they stayed in. Neither Antonio, Maria, or
himself had ever seen it even though Carmen had tried countless times to get them to watch it. His curiosity grew as he kept eyeing the tape. Maybe he would sneak
it out and surprise her by watching it. Besides it would be fun to see all of them when they were younger. Ricardo's beeper went off at that moment. It was the
station calling him on a 911. He left a note on the table telling Carmen why he had left. As he starts to walk out, Ricardo eyes the tape one more time and decides to
take it. He smiles mischieviosly as he heads to the police station...
 
 
 
 

Chapter 4

Ricardo reaches his loft a few hours later after being called to the station. He has had a long day is hoping to get a good nights sleep. He hasn't been able to sleep
well since Gabi left. He has become so accustomed to having her in the loft. He had left everything as it had been before she left in the loft. The suitcases they
had packed were still next to the bed with the airline ticket on top. Ricardo walked over to the luggage and picked up the tickets. Gabi had seemed so excited about
going to Hawaii. The look on her face when he told her they were going had flooded him with warmth. Even now as he thought back to that special moment
between them, it made him feel good. Ricardo smiles. He was confident they could straighten out whatever was coming between them. That was the only thing
keeping him going right now. He loved her too much to ever let her go. Ricardo let a sigh and began to undress to get ready for bed. He turned his head to go to
the bathroom when something under his jacket caught his eye. The tape! He forgot that he had taken it from his mother's house. He walks over to the table and
pulls the tape from under his jacket. Ricardo stares at it for the longest moment and suddenly gets a strange feeling in his stomach. He wears a look of
bewilderment wondering why he is feeling strange. He walks over to the VCR and pops the tape in. He awaits to see the vacation his family took to Yosemite
Park so long ago......
 

Gabi didn't know how she was going to tell Antonio that his mother knew about them. But Antonio would not give in until she told him. He knew when she was
lying to him so that would do no good. Maybe telling him the truth was the best thing to do. She didn't know anymore. She was tired of thinking and lying. For once
she needed to tell the truth. With a pained look, Gabi takes a deep breath and begins.

"Do you really want to know? Antonio, it's not what you're going to want to hear. Make sure you're ready."

Antonio is utterly confused. "Dammit! Gabi just tell me who knows!" He screams.

Their eyes locked, Gabi puts on an impassive face and slowly and quietly speaks.

"Your mother. Your mother knows." Gabi says without feeling.
 

Antonio's eyes widen and his mouth slightly drops. His heart instantly sinks as he pulls away from Gabi, stunned at what he has just heard her say. His mind races
with various images of his mother threatning Gabi.

"My mother?" He answers.
 

He couldn't believe it. Gabi couldn't be serious. She must be mistaken.
 

"Yes Antonio. Carmen somehow got a hold of the tape. She made a picture from the tape and confronted me with it right before my wedding with your brother.
She threatened me Antonio. She threatened to tell Ricardo and expose you. I thought I could defy her but I realized she will never end her vendetta against me.
She hates me. She really hates me Antonio. I couldnt do it. I couldn't jeopardize your life or Ricardo's. So I ran. I became more of a coward and decided to take
the easy way out. I can't take it anymore Antonio. I have accepted this as my punishment. I need to hurt. I need to dwell on this, not you or Ricardo. I take
responsibility and will live my life without either of you in it. That is my punishment and I accept it. I deserve it."

Antonio is shocked at what he is hearing. Tears have begun to flow down his flushed cheeks. Gabi's words have cut deeper than anything he has ever heard in his
life. She sacrificed her life for Ricardo and for him. His mother. He couldn't beleive his mother was capable of such hatred. That was what hurt him so much.
Antonio could not think of a time when he had been more heartbroken. He loses himself in his sorrow and breaks down. Sobbing into his hands, falling to the floor.
Gabi, shocked at his reaction, instinctively runs to him. She drops to the floor and holds him, the tears now flowing from eyes as well. They hold each other torn to
pieces by what has just been said. Antonio clutches Gabi so tightly she feels he is going to suck the life out of her. As they both calm each other, Antonio's
vulnerability breaks through. He runs his hands up and down Gabi's back as she slowly carreses the nape of his neck. He begins to caress her legs and slowly lifts
his head to hers. Gabi and Antonio stare into each others eyes and Antonio can't help but kiss her. At first tenderly, but as Gabi responds to his kisses, his passion
intensifies and his kisses become more powerful as he and Gabi slowly recline to the floor......
 

Chapter 5

Carmen is alone in her home, eating a dinner she had prepared for her and Ricardo. She was reliving all of the happenings of the past
two weeks, satisfied she had done the right thing for both of her sons. In mid thought, Carmen receives a sharp premonition. It's so strongly felt by her, she
literally gasps.
 

"OH NO!! Ricardo....Antonio....que esta pasando? What is going to happen with my sons? I feel they are going to be hurt, so terribly hurt. Why am I feeling
this?"
 

Carmen immediately jumps from the table and calls Ricardo. No answer. She stares into space as another very strong image enters her mind. Carmen races
into her shop and immediately scans for the "tape". Panic strikes her as she realizes it is missing.
 

"Dios Mio! No, por favor Dios, no dejes que mi hijo lo vea. Please don't allow my son to view such a thing!!!"
 

Carmen grabs her bag and bolts out of the shop so quickly that she knocks down the beads hanging from the doorway. She is in desperate need to stop what
is about to happen......

Antonio and Gabi begin to lose each other in their arms. Antonio relishes every touch. He takes in the smell of her, the feel of her soft supple skin. His mind is
lost in the overwhelming sensation that only Gabi Martinez is able to make him feel. His hands begin to explore as he passionately kisses her neck, her cheeks,
her sensuous mouth. He knows nothing else in this world other than the moment he is living. He thinks of nothing else except for wanting to desperately make
love to the woman he loves, the woman who also loves him in return. Antonio's hands find their way to Gabi's blouse as he slowly unbuttons it.

Gabi is also lost in her own little world with this man she loves. Her eyes closed, she takes in everything about him. Her fingers run through his hair and she
gently plants kisses all over his neck and face. She can almost feel the sand beneath her. As her eyes slightly open, she can see the sun setting as the warmth of
the late summer night glows over them. She feels his hands unbuttoning her blouse and their is nothing more she wants but to make love to him. She yearns for
his touch, so much so she brings her hands to his and helps with the removal of her blouse. Gabi is completely in a trance by this man as she sees his face. So
beautiful in her mind. She gently calls out to him.
 

"Ricardo..... Ricardo, I love you so much. Please make love to me."
 

The movement stops. Gabi is still in a trance reliving her dream, but Antonio's heart rips open. He lifts his head and notices Gabi, eyes closed, trying to find his
face with her hands so she can bring him closer. Antonio shys away with a look of complete pain. He observes her for a few more seconds as she is lost in
another world.....a world that does not seem to include him. His heart breaks again as she once again says Ricardo's name.

"Gabi, Gabi, look at me." Antonio says, with a cracked voice.
 

Gabi steps out of her dream and opens her eyes and realizes that she is back in her motel room. She is not on the beach overlooking the ocean. The sun is not
setting and looming over her.....and the man in front of her is not Ricardo....it is Antonio. Gabi is now fully snapped back into reality and quickly sits up. She
realizes what she just did. She became lost in her dream sequence, the same dream which had allowed her to rediscover the love she has for Ricardo. She
didn't know what to say. Antonio's face is masked with a look she never wants to see. She has just destroyed him. Antonio is dying inside. They both sit there,
not able to speak, not sure what to say until Antonio gathers the courage somehow to say what he had planned to say to Gabi upon finding her. He had
decided to tell her before coming to Blanco. This was the only chance he would have and he had to take it.
 

"I'm leaving the priesthood," he says, his voice fading. "Gabi, I want to leave the priesthood for you."......
 

Ricardo is standing over the TV. His stomach is in turmoil. In front of him, he sees the images of two people silouetted together....making love. His mouth
opens as he uncontrollably begins to breathe hard. His arms raise as he approaches the screen where the images project before him. His hands touches the
screen onto her face. The beautiful face which had captured his heart. Ricardo drops to his knees and looks at the other figure on the screen. His brother. His
beloved brother. The pride and joy of his youth. The phone rings and snaps him back. Tears start to form as he stands upright and steps back from the screen.
The phone contnues to ring and he wonders who it could be. Standing there, in his loft, watching the woman who he loves and the brother who he adores,
make love, propels him into despair. Ricardo's mind begins to flash back to every single moment Gabi and Antonio were together. His attention waffles. He
thinks back to a moment when he caught them together, when they were always so quick to make an excuse, then he switches back to the images on the
screen. For several minutes he does this until he realizes, and accepts what is happening before him. The phone stops ringing. Antonio and Gabi made love.
Ricardo begins to sob never taking his eyes off the screen. He attempts to sit on the bed for he feels his legs giving from under him. Watching the screen
intently, fully engrossed in the movie, he slips off the edge of the bed and slams to the floor. Ricardo clutches the bedspread, forcefully with both hands, his eyes
still focused. And then his body begins to writhe in sobs. He is unable to control the flow of tears or is he unable to control what he is watching. Ricardo buries
his head in the bed, crying as a newborn baby would......
 
 

Chapter Six
 

Maria and Benji were walking along the pier when Benji commented on wanting to see his Uncle Ricardo.  The loft was only a few minutes away so she decided to go see him.  Besides, Maria had been terribly worried about him since the wedding.  Ricardo was  trying to show that he was taking Gabi’s absence in stride, but Maria knew deep inside that he was falling apart.  Only the investigation into Francesca’s murder was keeping his mind off Gabi.  Maria was grateful for that.  As Maria and Benji approach the door, Maria looks into the window of the door and notices Ricardo slumped on the floor, holding a pillow to his face.  From her view of  him, she can tell that he is crying.  He seems to be watching something on the television set, but she is too far to see what it is.  Benji tugs on Maria’s shirt trying to get her attention but Maria is transfixed on her brother.  Something is wrong.  Terribly wrong.  Maria gets a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach as she continues to observe her brother’s actions.  Her attention is suddenly diverted as she sees Carmen rushing up the stairs to the loft.
 

“Mija, your brother, I think he has the tape.  How I don’t know, but he has the tape.  We have to stop him from watc……..----“
 

Carmen realizes she has given herself away as she sees Maria’s face cloud over in anguish.  Does her daughter know about Antonio and Gabi?  My GOD!! Carmen thinks how can this all be happening.  Maria is stunned.  Her mother knew.  She knew all along.  She quickly gathers herself together and takes control of the situation.
 

“Mama, I don’t know exactly what you know, but I’m going to take a guess and assume you know about Antonio and Gabi.  Do you?”
 

Carmen is silent at first.  Looking intently at her daughter.  Carmen realizes that Maria knows as well. God help them all, Carmen thinks.  “Yes, I know Antonio betrayed his brother with that woman.  I know.”
 

Maria looks up at the sky and shuts her eyes.  She can’t believe this is happening.  Benji is confused and scared.  He senses something is not right and begs his mother to take him home.  Maria looks down on her little boy and then over to the figment of her brother, who is crying like a little boy, her heart breaks.  She regains her composure and takes a deep breath.
 
 

“Dios mio, look at him Maria!  I have to see my son!  Let me by!” Carmen says.
 

Maria grabs her mother by the shoulders and gently tries to explain what needs to be done.
 

“Mama, I want you to listen for once.  I am going to go in there.  I want you take your grandson to your home and watch him until I get there.”  Carmen begins to protest but Maria cuts her off immediately.  “ MAMA!!  PLEASE!  You are not the person he will be able to handle right now.  I know you did what you thought was best.  I still don’t fully understand how you managed to get that tape but by you going in there, you will only make things worse.  Mama, I love you and I want you to trust me on this.  Let me comfort him as I know how.  Let me console his broken heart.  As much as he loves you, he won’t be able to handle you right now.  He’s ready to go over the edge, can’t you see that?  Look at him!  Will you be able to pull him through this?  Please Mama.  Take Benji home and I’ll be by when I can.  Please understand.”  Maria is doused in tears as she finishes.
 

Carmen can only stare at her daughter, awestruck at what she has just said.  The words sink in very gradually as Carmen realizes her daughter is right.  She wants desperately to comfort her heartbroken son but she is not the right person at this moment.  Once he finds out what she has done, she will lose her son forever.  The die has been cast and nothing could change that.  For the first time, Carmen feels remorse and regret.  What has she done?  She has helped in hurting her own son.  The realization of the situation finally hits her.  She looks over at her boy.  Through the mist of her tears, she blows him a kiss and asks for his forgiveness.  “Perdoname, hijo, perdoname”.  She then cups Maria’s face in her hands and kisses her on the forehead.  Finally, before she grabs her grandson, she gives Maria the sign of the cross.  Maria and Carmen gently look at each other before Carmen and Benji walk down the stairs.  Maria watches them leave before placing her hand on the knob.  She breathes out twice before entering.  As she enters the loft, she gets a clear picture of what is on the screen.  It is of Gabi and Antonio making love.  She gasps at the video on the screen and slowly goes over to turn it off.  She presses the stop button and turns to look at her brother.  The look on his face overwhelms her in sadness.  He is curled up like a little boy, clutching a pillow to his cheek.  His face is completely tear stained and his eyes are bloodshot red.  He is still staring blankly at the empty screen where the video was playing only a second before.  He is distraught and oblivious to her presence.  Maria bends down next to him, directly in front of him, trying to catch his eyes with hers.  She touches his cheek and he finally acknowledges her.  Maria has never seen her big brother look so lost before.  He stares into her eyes trying desperately to find an answer to all of this madness.  She reads him well.  He is confused, bewildered, and above all, destroyed.
 

“Why?  Maria, why?  You knew, didn’t you?  I-I…..how could he do this to me?  Maria, please tell me why?” Ricardo’s voice is nothing but a murmur, so soft and so innocent in nature.
 

“I’m sorry.  I’m so sorry Ricardo.  Let me hold you, let me help you.  I owe you that.  Let out your pain, and then I can help you try to make sense of all of this.  Ric---“
 

He didn’t let her finish.  He quickly went to hug her, startling Maria by his actions.  He needed his sister to hold him.  He couldn’t resolve this now, he just needed his sister to hold him.  So Maria did.  She held her brother tightly……
 
 

Antonio waited for Gabi to respond to what he had just said.  He knew what he wanted to hear.  He wanted to hear her say that she was happy that he had come to that decision.  That now she could accept him and not run from him.  He needed to hear that or else his world be turned upside down.  Nothing mattered to him more at that moment than for Gabi to accept him.  He was willing to lose his brother.  As much as that pained him, he could not live without her.  Gabi was his life, she was such a part of his soul, he couldn’t imagine ever being rid of her.  He hoped that his eyes relayed all that he was thinking because he could not get the words out.  He was scared to death.  He had no idea where his life would be if Gabi did not let him into her life as more than what they had been up until now.  He waited for her to say something.
 

“Gabi, please tell me this ok.  Tell me you want me as much now as you wanted me in the cave in.  I don’t know how I’ll be able to accept not having Ricardo in my life, but I know that I can’t deny what you do to me anymore.  I love you, Gabriella.  I love you with all my heart and soul.  I love being a priest, but I love you more.  I am willing to sacrifice everything for you.  All you have to say is yes and I’m yours.  There will be no regrets on my part.  I can no longer be a priest, much as I love it.  My vows are not strong anymore.  I love God and I know he understands.  I recognize that.  My only mistake was not being honest from the beginning.  Not to you, not to Ricardo, and not to myself.  Tell me you want this and we can be together, please, give me this gift.”  Antonio is drained and desperately awaits her answer.
 

He gets one.  But Gabi communicates it without words.  Throughout the entire time he was declaring his love and intentions to her, she could not look at him.  She was looking and touching a ring on her right hand index finger, crying all the while.  His heart stops again as he comes to terms with what is transpiring.  He chokes back his tears and forces himself to gently grab her chin so she can look at him.  Her eyes see his finally and one fresh tear falls onto her cheek.  Antonio gently wipes it away with his finger and leans in to kiss her.  Gabi pulls back slowly and looks away.  That’s when it he knows he’s lost her.
 
 

“Antonio…..Antonio”, Gabi chokes on her tears.  “You are my best friend and I will always love you.  I don’t regret what we shared, it will always be close to my heart.  You have been so understanding and compassionate, all the things I never really knew existed.  You have helped in making me realize I can be good.  That I am worthy to be a human being.  You and Ricardo saved me.  But one can’t control one’s heart.  I loved you more than as just my friend and I don’t regret having showed you.  But I was confused.  I didn’t know what I really wanted and for that I am SO sorry.  Please forgive me.”  Gabi makes his look at her. “ Antonio, please forgive me”.
 

Antonio needs a clear cut answer.  The past few months he and Gabi have done nothing but beat around the bush on their feelings.  He wanted to definitive answer once and for all.  He deserved that.
 

“Gabi, who do you want? Once and for all, who do you really love with all of your heart?”  Antonio holds his breath.
 

Gabi looks into his eyes, once again fully engrossed in tears.  She has never been more sure in her life about what she has wanted.  There was no turning back anymore and God knows, she didn’t want to turn back.  Very quietly and confidently, she gave him her answer.
 

“I want Ricardo.”
 

Antonio’s soul dropped, as he continued to look into her lovely face.  He knew she meant it, she was finally sure of what she wanted and with who.  He admired her for that as much as he was dying inside.  Without speaking, Antonio and Gabi gravitated towards each other and they held one another in each other’s arms.  They had been through so much together and now closure could begin…….
 
 
 

Chapter 7
 

Carmen drank her cup of coffee in silence as Benji munched on cereal.  She had called Ben the night before telling that Benji had fallen asleep and asked if it would be ok to have him sleep over.  Ben had agreed.  He asked where Maria was.  All Carmen managed to say was that she was helping Ricardo with something.  Ben sensed something was wrong but he didn’t press her.  Carmen was staring blankly  at the wall, not having slept a wink the night before.  The images of her son on the floor, devastated, had made it impossible for her to sleep.  She paced and watched Benji sleep the majority of the night.  What had she done?  She had hurt her son as well.  By keeping that tape, she had assisted in torturing him.  She couldn’t bear that.  Watching Benji eat his breakfast, she thought back to when Ricardo was his age, how genuinely sweet and warm, he had been.  The same qualities he possessed as a child remained as he became a man.  There was only one trait he no longer possessed and Carmen had helped in destroying that in him. His trust was gone.  The unconditional trust he had always offered had been robbed by Antonio, Gabi, and herself.  For taking that away, she would never forgive herself.  Carmen quickly got up from the table, and walked over to the window to stare out onto the beach.  She had been wrong and there was nothing she could do to remedy that…….
 
 
 

Maria had fallen asleep at the loft.  She had held and comforted Ricardo all night long.  He had not asked any questions really.  He just kept repeating “why” the entire time and Maria had not known what to say.  He finally fell asleep out of pure emotional exhaustion.  She had not wanted to leave him so she sat by her brother all night and eventually fell asleep herself.  Now the next morning, as Maria drank coffee, she reread the note Ricardo had left her.  He had awakened way before her and notified her that he was going to the station.  That was all he had said.  She knew Ricardo would try to continue working to further bury himself from having to think and above all, feel anything.  She began to tidy up a little before going to pick up Benji and wondered what would happen now.  How would Ricardo handle the knowing what Antonio and Gabi had done?  Little did she know that Ricardo already had plans on what he was going to do…..
 
 
 

Ricardo reached the station and immediately went to find Spence.  His face was impassive and he walked with determintion, focused on his destination.  He was numb right now.  He felt nothing.  He couldn’t allow himself to feel anything.  If he did, he would crack and he couldn’t go through that again.  But he needed to know where Gabi was.  He had to see her and confront her.  His brother he didn’t even want to think about.  The pain and hurt was slowly turning into pure anger.  Seeing Antonio now, would only propel him into doing something he would later regret.  He had to stay away from him for now.  Right now, he needed to see Gabi.  Only her.  As he turned the corner, lost in thought, he bumped right into Spence.  That startled him.  He had been so pensive that running into Spence brought him out the fog he had been in.
 
 

“Ricardo, you alright?  I’m sorry, I didn’t see you coming around.” Spence said, looking a little worried at his bosses condition.  Ricardo looked awful.  Spence could see he had not slept well.  He had huge bags under his eyes and his hair was unruly and unbrushed.  His shirt was untucked and one side of his collar was turned up.  Spence could sense he had had a bad night.
 
 

“That’s ok Spence.” Ricardo sighed and lifted his fingers to the bridge of his nose.  He had a terrible headache.  “Listen, I need you to use whatever resources you and this department has to find out where Gabi is.  I don’t care what you’re working on, make this your top priority.”  Ricardo was breathing hard as he finished.  He was looking all over the place, he couldn’t seem to focus on one given spot.
 
 

Spence was observing him with worry and without saying anything, grabbed his boss and sat him down on a chair.  He then went to retrieve a cup of water and made Ricardo drink it before allowing him to continue on. “Look, drink this and calm down a bit.  I’m not gonna try to pry but, you look awful, man.  Take it easy, catch your breath and I’ll tell you what I already know.”
 
 

At this last comment, Ricardo stares intently at Spence.  “ You know something about Gabi’s whereabouts.”  Spence began to become uncomfortable at the way Ricardo was looking at him.  “ Spence!! Do you know where she is?  Tell me dammit!!”
 
 

“Yeah, Antonio asked me to do a favor for him.  It was information you’d have found eventually so I gave it to him.  I checked into her credit cards and-----.”
 
 

Spence was unable to finish.  As soon as Ricardo heard him say that Antonio had gotten a jump on Gabi’s wherabouts, Ricardo flew into a fury and literally jumped out of his seat and grabbed Spence by the collar, pushing him up against the wall.  The ruckus was so loud, that other officers came running to see what the commotion was.  “TELL ME, WHERE IS SHE!!  WHERE IS SHE!!!!.”
 

Spence was frightened.  He had never seen Ricardo act violently like this before.  The look on his face was of shear terror madness.  Ricardo’s eyes were bulging and his mouth was creased in a thin line and his nostrils were flaring, ready to explode at any given minute.  Spence noticed that people were coming around ready to intervene and he motioned them away with a look sternness.  He grabbed Ricardo’s hands, trying to get them of his collar.  He merely looked at Ricardo to try and calm him down.  Ricardo caught himself and began to relax.  He dropped his head as his breathing began to regulate once again.  He let go of Spence and sat back down on the chair, his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands.
 
 

“Ok it’s over, go back to what you were doing.” Spence tells everyone.  He kneels beside his boss and friend and puts his hands on Ricardo’s shoulders.  “Like I said, I’m not gonna pry, but you need to regain your composure before you find her.  You hear me?  You’re on edge man.  This isn’t you, will you promise to go home, take shower, change your clothes, and think about what you’re gonna do and say before you try and find her?  Will you promise me that?”
 
 

Ricardo, almost at the point of falling apart again, looks at Spence.  He is truly sorry for what he just did.  He had never been so angry before in his life.  He was ashamed for having done what he did.  “I promise.”  He begins to tear again and Spence simply pats him on the shoulder.  “Spence, I’m sorry man, I didn’t mean to do….I-I I don’t
Know what got into me just now, I’m sorry…..”  Ricardo’s cracked voice fades as he is unable to continue.
 
 

“Don’t’ worry about it….listen….I’ve got the printout at my desk. Take it and go find her.  Just remember, be rational and things will work out better……”
 
 

Sitting in a restaurant having breakfast, Antonio continues to try and convince Gabi to return to Sunset Beach.  He has been unsuccessful in trying to get her to go back.
 
 

“Gabi, what are you going to here?  Huh?  You’re life is in Sunset Beach, your life is with Ricardo.  Don’t throw that away.  It would be stupid to do so.”
 
 

“I can’t.  I’ve told you a thousand times, your mother will not allow that.  I can’t go through this again.  She’ll tell him, she’ll ruin your life.”
 
 

“I’ve already told you I’m leaving the priesthood.  I haven’t changed my mind about that.”  And he hadn’t. Even though Gabi had made it clear that she was in love with Ricardo, Antonio could not go back to being a priest.  It was not in him anymore.  He was making the right decision by leaving.  He had contemplated for a moment after Gabi’s rejection on returning but then he realized it would not be right.  Antonio was not meant to be a priest and that was ok.  He would not be a failure for quitting.  He had other things he could do.  Right now, his main motivation was to get Gabi back to Sunset Beach.  Looking at her, sitting across from him, he felt an overwhelming love for her.  It was going to take a long time to get over feeling this way for her.  He had to accept the fact that he might never be able to stop loving her but he had to try.  He had to try for his brother’s sake, as well as his own.  He looks away from her as he contemplates these these thoughts.
 
 

“Antonio?” Gabi looks at him, a little uncomfortably.
 
 

He looks back at her and smiles.  She really is a wonderful woman. He grabs her hands with his and sighs before he begins. “Listen, my mother has nothing on you anymore.  I will deal with her.  I have a lot of things I have inside that I need to say to her.  I’m angry at her for what she did to you.  She had no right to blackmail you.  That was wrong.  But I can’t be completely angry with her either.  I betrayed her in a way too.  I betrayed her son and I have to resolve things with her as well.  Gabi, trust me.  My mother is of no threat to you now.  The only thing standing in the way of your happiness with my brother is the truth.  We can’t lie to him anymore.  We have to tell him.  Otherwise, we’ll be lying our whole lives and how can we do anything right from here on in if we don’t start by remedying what we’ve done.  You know I’m right.  Come back with me and let’s finally begin to make things right.  No more lying.  Let’s get our lives back.”  Antonio surprises himself by the words he has spoken.  He REALLY does want to regain a life of honesty and trust again.  His brother might disown him but at least he can live with himself knowing he is no longer running from the truth.  He had to take the chance.  He only hoped Gabi would take the leap with him too.
 
 

Gabi wanted to.  But she was so afraid of losing even more.  She felt she still had Ricardo’s love, even if it had to be from afar.  If she told him the truth, she would lose that.  She couldn’t bear the thought of him no longer loving her.  That seemed a fate worse than death.  She couldn’t risk it.  She didn’t want to risk it.   She missed him so much but she couldn’t take that chance.  Antonio sensed her apprehension and looked down on her hands.  They were so soft and delicate.  Then he noticed the ring again.  With a small smile on his face and without looking at her, he gently removed the ring from her right hand index finger and placed it on her left hand index finger.  He then looked up at her.  “Will you Gabriella Martinez, take Ricardo Torres to be your lawfully wedded husband.  To have and to hold, to trust and to honor, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?”
 
 

Gabi began to cry as Antonio’s words finally hit home.  If Antonio had faith in her, then she should have faith in herself.  She hoped Ricardo would have the same faith in her as well.  With tears in her eyes, feeling a new sense of hope, Gabi answered Antonio’s question.  She knew what she had to do.  It was what she always had had to do.
 
 

Gabi’s answer was “Yes”………
 
 

Chapter 8
 

Maria returned to the Ricardo’s loft later that afternoon, wanting to see if her brother was back home and resting.  That was what he really needed to do at this point.  She felt hopeless at not being able to help him more.  As the day had progressed, Maria kept feeling worse for having not told Ricardo.  But then she would go back to telling herself that if she had said anything, then she would have betrayed Antonio.  For a split second, she became terribly upset with Antonio.  He caused this.  Then Maria would let those feelings immediately go.  She couldn’t think that way.  Her brothers were going to need her a great deal once they faced each other.  She was frightened to think what might possibly happen.  Whenever a mental picture entered her mind of the two of them facing off, Maria got a sick feeling in her stomach and she would try and shake it off.  She approached his door and noticed it was open.  Inside, she saw her mother sitting on the edge of the bed, with what apparently looked like a photograph she was holding in her hands.  Maria walked over to her mother curiously to see what she was holding.  She knelt beside her mother and gently put her hand on Carmen’s shoulder.
 
 

“Mama?…….Mama are you ok?”  Maria was looking at her mother worriedly.  Carmen was obviously concentrating very hard on the picture.  Maria looked over and saw a picture of Antonio and Ricardo when they were  8 and 12 years old.  Both were in their baseball uniforms and had their arms around each others shoulders.  They smiled innocently without a care in the world.  By looking at the picture, you would get the impression that they were true brothers in every sense of the word.  They had been…..they were still.
 
 

“I remember that day, Maria.  It was picture day and Ricardo was upset because he had pitched that earlier on and given up a homerun.  He thought that was the end of his baseball career.”  Carmen laughed gently, but was on the verge of tears, remembering the day perfectly. “I remember Ricardo waiting on the curb by the baseball field with his chin in his hands.  Antonio then walked up to him and sat right next to him, not saying a word, just sitting by his brother.  Antonio then pulled out a coin and started playing with it. Making it disappear and reappear.  Ricardo looked over and smiled.  Antonio always knew how to get his brother back in spirit.  The two shared such a bond.  A connection that was always unbreakable….until now.”  At this point, Carmen let her tears flow and Maria simply held her other hand and soothed while her mother continued. “I went to them after having observed such a tender moment and they were talking like they always would.  Ricardo then pulled Antonio up and he asked me to take a picture of him and his brother.  So I did.  The day was perfect and our their lives were simply sweet and innocent.  So, yes, it was a good day.  A day I never forgot.”
 
 

Maria is touched by this story.  Her family is so close.  What Carmen had just relived was one of many such wonderful memories that Ricardo and Antonio had shared.  To think that they would never create memories like that again, devastated her.  She looked up at her mother again, just now realizing that Ricardo was not there.
 
 

“Mama?  Did you see Ricardo or did you just walk in?”  Maria had a puzzled look on her face.
 
 

“Do you know someone in Texas?” Carmen asked out of the blue. It was a question she seemed to know the answer to already.
 
 

“Texas?”  Maria had a look of confusion on her face.  Why would her mother ask about Texas?  Maria looked at her mother and she tried to understand what she was getting at.  She was completely confused and didn’t know what her mother wanted to tell her.  Carmen looked at her daughter and simply told her what she already had figured out.
 
 

“Ricardo went to find Gabi…….”
 
 
 

Night was falling as Gabi and Antonio touched down in LAX Airport.  After their conversation over breakfast, they had decided to head back to Sunset Beach as quickly as possible.  Whereas Gabi was scared to death of facing Ricardo before, now she couldn’t wait to see him.  The anticipation was so great that she ended up getting sick on the airplane caused by all the turbulance.  Antonio was just as nervous if not more than Gabi.  Confronting Ricardo was going to be the hardest thing he ever had to do.  He and Gabi hardly spoke during the 3 hour flight.  Both were lost in their own thoughts of what was to happen.  Each had gone over hundreds of different scenarios, good and bad.  As the plane reached the gate, Gabi and Antonio and looked at one another and smiled nervously.  Antonio held up his left hand and Gabi her right as they linked them together to reassure each other.  This was right.  It felt right.  The doors opened and Gabi and Antonio got up from their seats, hand and hand they walked onto their next destination…..Ricardo’s loft……
 
 
 
 

Ricardo sat at one of the airport bars, drinking a beer and thinking about everything that had happened in the last day.  It was only 24 hours since he had discovered what had transpired between Gabi and his brother.  When he found out that Gabi had returned to her hometown of Blanco, Texas, he was ready to confront her and tear her apart with his insults.  He wanted her to hurt just as badly as she had hurt him.  His anger had grown to include disgust.  As he had entered the airport, ready to board his plane to El Paso, he was about to once again take charge of his life and destroy Gabi Martinez as she had destroyed him.  Then after making her feel like she had no self worth, he would humiliate his brother.  His beloved, trusted brother.  It was a plan he had devised after the encounter with his mother.  He had never felt such cold bitterness in his life.  As Ricardo attempted to board the plane, something happened that made him think twice about what he wanted to do.  He noticed a man waiting with flowers at the terminal opposite him.  People were unboarding and this man waited in anticipation as a woman approached him.  The man literally jumped at the sight of her and ran to meet her.  As they reached each other, they hugged.  A hug so full of love, that it brought Ricardo back to his real self.  He was touched by their avowal of love.  He looked on and his heart sank once again.  What was he doing?  How could he ever even think of pulling something like this off.  He realized, he was still in love with her.  He hated her but loved her all at the same time.  Ricardo’s eyes misted over and he stepped away from the terminal.  He could not do it.  So he sat at the bar and ordered a beer, contemplating once again what he was going to do.  Deep down, he was frightened to see her and his brother.  He was also ashamed for what he had wanted to do to them.  He was still full of rage and bitterness, but he had to find another way to channel it.  He paid his check and began to walk out towards the doors.  He needed to go home.  He was exhausted and all he wanted to do was sleep…….
 
 
 

Antonio and Gabi reached Surf Central and were glad no one was around.  They had no energy to talk to anyone besides Ricardo.  Antonio dropped their bags on the floor as Gabi sat down.  She thought back to the last time she was in the house.  It had been the day of her wedding, when she had told Ricardo she had never loved him.  Gabi winced at the recollection of that terrible moment in her life.  She heard the ocean water and immediately longed to take a walk.  She needed a little fresh air.
 
 

“Antonio, will you take a walk with me on the beach?  I really need to get some air.  If only to calm my nerves a little.”
 
 

Antonio was as much in need to procrastinate as Gabi was.  A walk on the beach was probably just what they needed right then.  Without saying a word, Antonio smiled and took Gabi’s hand and led her to the door as they began their trek to the beach boardwalk……
 
 
 

Ricardo walked along the boardwalk staring at the beach to his left.  The wind was slightly blowing and mussing his hair.  He hadn’t wanted to go home after leaving the airport.  He wasn’t sure if Maria or his mother would be there.  He could not handle his mother right now.  She had kept a terrible secret from him and forgiveness was not in his nature at that point.  He wasn’t sure if he would ever be able to let that go.  It didn’t matter right now.  He needed to think and the beach was always a salvation for him.  It had been that way since he was a kid.  He turned the corner to walk on the beach and immediately his heart began to race.  His palms became sweaty and his entire body was shaking.  Directly in front of him were Gabi and Antonio, hands linked and looking just as shocked to see him.  They were all at a loss for words.  Gabi’s heart pounded so hard her chest began to throb in pain.  Antonio had a look of fear on his face.  All three stood there, staring at each other intently, waiting for someone to say a word…….
 

Chapter 9

The sounds of the crowds walking on the boardwalk. The sounds of the people walking along the edges of the beach. The sounds of
the ocean waves crashing against the pier. All of these sounds and all others that came across in Sunset Beach met deaf ears to three people who were standing
at the edge of the boardwalk. Gabi and Antonio quickly dropped their hands to their sides. Ricardo noticed they had been holding hands. His face had grown
pale at seeing them as had Gabi and Antonio's. All Ricardo was able to muster to say was a mere hello.
 

"Hi." He said with a frog in his throat. He was looking right at Gabi. He couldn't take his eyes off of her. He took in everything about her. In his memory, he
burned her image in his mind. It was a moment he would probably never forget. All of a sudden, his knees became weak, his whole body became cold. His
mind raced with so many thoughts that he felt it was going to explode. He could not think straight. All the things he had wanted to say had vanished from his
mind. Looking at this woman who was before him, all of his will and strength disappeared. He didn't even see Antonio standing there anymore. All he saw was
Gabi and the effect she was having on him overwhelmed him. He couldn't handle it. Pressure was coming from every angle and his breathing started to turn into
a small attack of hyperventilation. He slowly backed away trying desperately to find the pavement to the boardwalk. He couldn;t do this. He couldn't confront
her just yet. He would melt in her hands if he dare tried now.
 

"No...no...I can't do this." His voiced cracked as he was barely able to get the words out.
 

Antonio stepped forward to try and get a hold of his brother. He looked as if he was ready to pass out. The look on his face was one of a man who had just
lost everything. Antonio hadn't realized seeing Gabi again would take such a toll on him. He had no idea his brother knew of their betrayal. Gabi wanted
desperately to hold Ricardo in her arms. The look on his face was a such fear. His vulnerability shined through and it scared her to see him look so frightened.
He seemed to be frightened of her. She had no idea that seeing her again would have this effect on him. Then again, like Antonio, she didn't know that Ricardo
knew about them. Gathering all the courage she had, she stepped forward to him and gently spoke her words.
 

"I need to talk to you. We need to talk to you, Ricardo. It's very important that we do." As Gabi finishedm the tears once again started to flow.
 

NO! Ricardo could not listen. He would not allow them to tell him that they wanted to be together. It seemed obvious to him that that was what they planned
on doing. They had already broken his heart and here they wanted to shatter more of it. His face clouded over in shear anguish and he stepped back further.
"No! I don't want to hear it!" He shook his head back and forth and Gabi and Antonio were didn't know what to think. His reaction was something they did
not expect at that point. "Just leave me alone for now. Please I beg of you. Don't tell me anymore. I can't take this now, not this." He stretched his arms out as
if trying to keep them at a distance. He found his footing and began to run across the boardwalk.
 

"Ricardo!! Ricardo!!" Both Antonio and Gabi screamed in unison. Gabi began to run after him but Antonio grabbed her from behind and held her back. She
tried desperately to escape from his hold but was unsuccessful. "Antonio let me go, I need to go after him!! Please let me go!!" Gabi lost her resolve and broke
down in his arms, literally convulsing in tears.
 

Antonio held her and shut his eyes in as a wave of shame rushed over him again. Ricardo must have discovered what had happened. The was the only
explanation he could give for his reaction to seeing them. Her immediately thought of what to next. He had to act quickly. Parting from Gabi, he held her at
arms length as tears streaming from her eyes, her face racked in pain. "Gabi, Listen to me....go back to Surf Central, do you hear me! Go back and stay there.
Don't follow me and don't try to find Ricardo. This is between him and I for now. Do you hear me!" Antonio's adrenaline was pumping on overdrive right now.
 

Gabi shook her head. She didn't have time to say a word for Antonio took off and started running in the direction Ricardo had taken off. "ANTONIO!!!
NO!!!" She sank to the sand, wailing in her arms, feeling more lost than ever before. "Oh God!! Please protect them, please don't allow anything to happen to
them. Keep them safe, please God keep them safe!." Gabi grabbed her stomach and continued to cry, not even the waves of the ocean could soothe her pain
and anguish.
 

Antonio had been running for about 5 minutes trying to locate where his brother might have gone to. He was breathing hard and looked around anxiously for a
sign of him. Antonio was about 10 yards from under the pier. He began to walk towards the pier when he heard what sounded like sobbing. He listened
intently and followed the sound. He came directly under the pier next to one of the pillars helping it stand. There, leaned up against the pillar, sitting with his
knees pulled up and his head leaned up against his arms, was his brother. He was crying like he had never seen him before. The sight of him in that condition,
scared Antonio. His brother had always been strong and seeing him like made him extremely uncomfortable. He knelt down by Ricardo and gently placed one
hand on his shoulder. Ricardo then looked up with a tear stained face and briefly glanced at his brother before turning to look at the ocean. Antonio couldn't
take his eyes of of him. He wanted to say something, tell him he was sorry for all the pain he had caused him, but he didn't know where to begin, his mind was
blank. Antonio wasn't even sure if Ricardo knew everything.
 

"Just tell me one thing." Ricardo spoke out of the blue. Antonio waited held his breath and waited for him to continue. "Do you love her?" Ricardo could not
look at him. His face remained staring at the water in front of him.
 

He knew. His brother knew he had betrayed him. Antonio looked down on the sand and took a deep breath before answering. He didn't want any more lies.
From this moment on, he would tell nothing but the truth. "Yes, I love her." He waited for his reaction. But he didn't get one.
 

Ricardo continued to stare out at the ocean but this time his eyes shut for a brief moment. The moon then appeared from over the pier and shined on both of
them. Antonio could see his brother's face clearly and the look on his face crushed him. It was on of disappointment clouded over in a mask of pain.
 

Antonio continued. "But she loves you and not m----."
 

Antonio stopped dead in his tracks, he didnt even get a chance to finish. At the mention of Gabi loving him, Ricardo's face quickly turned to Antonio and a rage
of fury washed over his face. Ricardo shot up like a lightning bolt and grabbed Antonio by his collar and slammed him up against the pillar. It happened so
quickly, Antonio was so shocked and disoriented by Ricardo's sudden outburst that when he finally realized what was happening, Ricardo had his hand over
his neck, beginning to squeeze tighter. Antonio knew that look, Ricardo wanted to hurt him badly. He had the face of a madman. "How dare you tell me she
loves me. You son of a bitch! I could kill you right now!" Ricardo seethed with anger.
 

For the first time in his life, Antonio was scared to death of this brother......

Chapter 10

Gabi walked aimlessly through the alley which lead to Surf Central. She was in total thought about what could possibly be happening
with Ricardo and Antonio at that moment. She couldn't stop thinking something terrible was going to happen. She was upset with herself for not having
followed Antonio after he had taken off after Ricardo. She had managed to pull herself together after the episode and by that time she had no idea in which
direction either of them had run off to. Gabi was so distraught, with her thoughts, she was not paying attention to where she was walking. She ran right into
Michael and Casey as they were coming home from the beach. Gabi didn't even relaize who they were until Casey grabbed her by her shoulders to face him.
 

"Gabi, are you alright? My God, when did you get back? Does Ricardo know you're here?" Casey stopped. He could see that Gabi was not really there. Her
mind was someplace else. Her eyes were slightly puffy from what he assumed was caused by having been crying. She was obviously upset about something.
Casey and Gabi exchanged worried glances and sensed something was terribly wrong. "Gabi, Gabi, look at me. What's wrong? Can Michael and I help you?
Tell us what is making you so upset?"
 

Michael chimed in. "Gabi, is it Ricardo? Antonio? Is something wrong with them?"
 

At the mention of Ricardo and Antonio's names, Gabi snapped out of her fog and became fully alert. Her eyes widened as she grabbed both Casey and
Michael. She was terrified and Michael and Casey sensed her fear. "CASEY, MICHAEL, you have to find Antonio and Ricardo!! My God!" Gabi placed her
hands over her head and lifted her head to the stars. She was barely able to speak. She was getting hysterical with fear. "Please find them. I'm so worried about
what they will do to each other. Please! I can't explain now but please find them. They ran off toward the pier." Gabi grabbed Casey's hands and calmed
herself enough to get the next few words out.
 

With extreme emotion, Gabi managed to pour a little of heart to them. "They are brothers. Brothers shouldn't want to hurt each other. Casey, they are going to
get hurt because of me. Please, Please stop it from happening!" Gabi was clutching to Casey's jacket, desperately searching for him to listen to her.
 

Casey and Michael didn't hesitate. They didn't know what was going on exactly but they were afraid for Ricardo and Antonio just by viewing Gabi's desperate
plea for help. Michael took Gabi inside and watched her go to her room. He met Casey outside, both of them extremely worried.
 

"Casey, what the hell was that all about?" Michael asked confused.
 

Casey was deep in thought with his hands to his hips. He turned to Michael. "I don't Michael. All I know is that something is going down with those Rick and
Antonio and we have to try and stop it. I have a bad feeling about the whole thing." Casey finished thinking about his good friend and hoping he was ok.
 

Michael and Casey began their descent towards the pier, unaware that it was already too late.......
 

Antonio was looking directly into his brother's eyes, which were shooting daggers at him. Ricardo's grip on his neck was getting tighter and he was now starting
to gasp for air. He brought his hands to his neck trying desperately to pry Ricardo's hands from his neck. "Riiicardooo! Let me go! Don't do this! AW
AWWWWWW!!"
 

Ricardo looked into his brothers's eyes, who were pleading t be freed from his grasp. Ricardo let him go and roughly pushed against the pillar again. Antonio
dropped to the sand, slumped over, grasping his neck and coughing and trying to catch his breath. Ricardo simply stood over him and glared. Antonio looked
up at him with meek eyes. Very slowly, and delicately, he brought himself up with help from the pillar. He was still holding his neck with one hand and breathing
a little hard. The brothers stared each other down as if ready to do battle. Antonio began to feel rage building up inside of him but he tried desperately to
suppress it.
 

"Let me explain---"
 

"Explain!!" Ricardo screamed. "You want to explain! Okay, okay, you do that, T! You explain how you slept with the woman that you knew I loved! You
explain that to me, try to get me to understand how that would happen! COME ON! Explain it to me! Come on!!" Ricardo was screaming loudly and
becoming sarcastic in his tone. He was working himself up to the point where he was ready to lunge toward Antonio again, but he kept himself at a distance.
 

Antonio didn't know what to say all he could muster was an apology. An apology which he felt throughout his entire body. "I'm sorry Ricardo." He couldn't
look at him. If he did he would burst into tears and he couldn't allow himself to do that.
 

"No, no, I want more. You tell me, why, dammit! Ah! I get it! You two wanted to make a fool out of me didn't you. What was it huh?! Some game to you?
Oh! Let's so how far we can take this before Ricardo finally finds out. He's too much of an ass to ever figure it out." Ricardo starts laughing sarcastically as he
walks back and forth and side to side using his entire body to express his emotions. He finally stands still and looks down, with his hands on his over his head,
now becoming overcome with emotion, but trying to hide it from Antonio. "When I think of all the times you two were together, doing whatever you were
doing, and me...." He laughs again this time at himself for being stupid. "Here I am thinking that you were discussing me and my relationship with her. All the
while you were going behind my back, having sex with my fiancee." Ricardo begins to get angry again as he remembers who his brother is. He steps in front of
him and eyes him down. "And your a priest! What kind of a man are you? I don't even know who you are? Your dispicable!! You have no loyalty to God and
you have no loyalty to your own family!!!" Ricardo looks him up and down in disgust. "Your a disgrace of a human being. You disgust me. I hope you rot in
hell!" Ricardo finishes, looking menacingly at his brother.
 

Antonio let him unload without interrupting. The entire time his brother was berating him he merely looked him in the eye, taking it all in. He deserved what
Ricardo was dishing out, but he could not control the anger that was building inside of him. He was slowly disassociating himself as Ricardo's brother and
becoming the man in love with Gabi. He knew he had no right to feel this way, but he could not control himself.
 

Ricardo smiled chillingly at his Ricardo. "Did you two have fun making that tape? Where were you exactly, huh T?"
 

Antonio's attitude was changing, he was becoming more and more irritated, but he answered his brother's question. "It happened during the explosion. We
thought we were going to die. We really thought we were going to die. I loved her before that happened Ricardo. You have to believe that I struggled with this.
We both did----"
 

"SHUT UP! SHUT UP! What are you gonna tell me? You both struggled with your feelings? Oh really? You were right when you said you didn;t deserve to
live. I should have left you there. You piece of---" Ricardo couldn't finish, his anger all of a sudden shifted to Gabi. "She's no better than you? Did she seduce
you? She seduced me when we first had sex! Tell me bro, did she throw herslef on you and tell you you were going to die therefore, you should sleep together,
huh!"
 

Antonio was now fully ready to explode. He could yell insults at him but he would not allow Ricardo to trash Gabi. That he would not accept. "Watch it, don't
say anything else about her you'll regret. She loves you man!" Antonio was livid.
 

"LOVES ME!! LOVES ME!!" Ricardo was now at his boiling point. "Let me tell you something, T? Gabi is a whore, ok? She is nothing but a lying,
deceitful----" Ricardo was cut off.
 

Antonio had had enough. He was beyond any anger he had ever felt. Ricardo's insults toward Gabi plus the fact that she loved Ricardo as oppose to him
catapulted his emotions. He lunged toward his brother and the two fell to the sand, punches flying everywhere. Antonio hit Ricardo square on the nose and
blood started flying everywhere. Ricardo managed to get a grip of Antonio's neck and pushed him off of him. Antonio flew onto his back. Ricardo got up and
charged his brother like a bull and landed a punch to his stomach and then across his face, busting Antonio's cheek and lip. They both struggled standing until
Antonio managed to lift Ricardo with his back turned out. Antonio, ready to body slam him, lost his balance and lost his grip. Ricardo came crashing down on
the edge of the pillar, hitting his head. Antonio screamed for him to get up but there was no movement. Catching his breath, he stood still, all of a sudden a
wave of fear hit him. He immediately lost his anger and ran towards his brother. He knelt down beside him, frantic at what had just happened. Ricardo was not
moving and his eyes were shut. Antonio began to panic. He placed his hand under his head and he felt something warm and sticky. He lifted his hand to his fave
and saw that it was covered with blood. A wave of fear struck him as he stared at his blood soaked hand. Casey and Michael came running up and saw
Antonio leaning next to his unmoving brother. Antonio looked over at them with a lost look on his face. "Help my brother." That was all Antonio was able to
get out.....
 

Chapter 11

Casey roughly pushed Antonio out of the way so he could tend to Ricardo.  Michael knelt beside him as well to check his pulse.  Antonio had gotten to his feet and was staring in a panic at his brother.  The hand he had used to check on Ricardo’s head was still covered with blood.  His brother’s blood.  He quickly wiped his hands on his shirt, trying desperately to erase the stains from his hands.  If he could have, Antonio would have erased all of this from ever have happening.  He waited anxiously and nervously to hear something about Ricardo’s condition.  Michael had taken off his tank top and ripped it in half.  Casey took the piece of cloth and very gently placed it around Ricardo’s head.  Antonio couldn’t take it any longer.
 
 

“Casey! Michael!  Is he alright?  Is my brother going to be alright?”  Antonio was racked in worry.  He couldn’t stand still.  If anything happened to his brother, he would never forgive himself.  God help him then.
 
 

Michael looked over at Antonio as he continued helping Casey tie the temporary bandage.  “He should ok.  His head came down hard on the edge of this pillar.  It’s pure wood and metal.  He has a deep cut and my guess a concussion.  But his pulse is fine and he’s breathing normally.  He should come to soon.”  Michael could see that Antonio was a mess.  He was stunned at what Casey and him had stumbled upon. The Torres brothers had actually fought violently.  Antonio and Ricardo had always been close.  He wondered what could have happened to make them want to literally tear each other apart.  Someone could have been killed.  He got up to ease Antonio’s pain.  Antonio looked over at Michael with worry all over his face.  “He’ll be ok.”  Michael said and put his shoulder over his arm to try to relax him.
 
 
 

As Casey finished tying the mock bandage, Ricardo started coming too.  He moved his head from side to side slowly until he was able to focus on someone kneeling over him.  It was Casey.  “Wha…..What..happened?”  Ricardo was trying to focus on other than Casey but the more he moved his head the more he became dizzy.
 
 

“You hit your head hard on this pillar.  You have a bad cut in your head and your gonna need stitches.  My guess is you also have a bad concussion.  We need to get you to the hospital to get you checked out.  Can you get up….try slowly?”  Casey helped Ricardo slowly sit upright.  As Ricardo sat up, his head began to spin.  He then began to focus on the beach and the two other people next to him.  One was Michael and the other was ……Antonio.   Antonio.  He looked at his brother and remembered everything again.  His finding out, the confrontation between Gabi and Antonio, and ultimately his fight with him.  Ricardo continued to stare at his brother weakly and then turned his attention toward Casey. “Well, if I need to visit the doctor, then lets go.”  He tried getting up but was to weak to lift himself.  Casey put his arm around him and helped him.  Once on his feet, Ricardo once again looked at Antonio.  The two of them had so much to say but couldn’t get the words out.  Antonio was overwhelmingly relieved that Ricardo was ok.  His bottom lip began to tremble as he let the tears flow.  Without even thinking he ran towards his brother and put his arms around him.  He was so happy his brother was ok.  Ricardo looked straight on without really any emotion showing.  He let his brother hug him, but he did not hug him in return.  Antonio didn’t want to let go but Ricardo gently unlatched himself from Antonio and began to walk off with Casey.  Antonio merely looked on as his brother descended away from view.  As his tears fought to be released, he was sorry for everything that had happened.  He almost killed his brother.  The thought of that possibly happening propelled him onto his knees as he let his emotions flow……..
 
 
 
 

Gabi was pacing anxiously at Surf Central.  She was not going to be able to sleep until she knew that Ricardo was alright.  Why had he reacted so oddly when he had seen her?  He couldn’t know?  There was no way that Carmen would have told him.  She couldn’t have after she had left Sunset Beach.  Gabi was going crazy with all of these thoughts running through her head.  Trying to calm herself, she sat down and swayed back and forth staring looking at nothing in particular.  She checked her watch again and time seemed to be moving like a snail.  Her eyes then caught sight of her engagement ring.  She smiled sadly as she looked lovingly at the ring.  It represented so much to her.  This ring signified the love they had for each other.  She remembered back to when he proposed to her.  How loving and sweet he had been.  If only she could change what had happened but she couldn’t.  She couldn’t change the fact that she had betrayed him.  Betrayed the love she felt so strongly for him.  Her love for Ricardo was so powerful that she agonized over losing it.  She couldn’t bear not loving him.  Regardless of what happened, Gabi would love Ricardo forever.  He would always be the love of her life.  As she kissed the ring on her finger, the door opened. She quickly got up and saw Antonio enter.  Her mouth dropped open and her heart sank as she looked at him.  Antonio was covered in blood.  His face was bruised all over from his cheeks to his chin.  He had blood coming down his lip and nose.  She immediately ran to him and put her arms around him.  Antonio winced at her touch. His side was bruised from where Ricardo had punched him.  He pulled back from Gabi a bit as he began to explain.
 
 

“Antonio! What happened?  My God, your face!  Your shirt is covered in blood!”  Gabi  cupped his face in her hands and tried to get him to meet her eyes.  He couldn’t and looked down at the floor.  Where was Ricardo, was her next thought. “Where’s Ricardo?  Did he do this to you?”  Gabi’s whole body began to tremble as she prepared herself for what Antonio was about to say.
 
 

“He knows Gabi.  Ricardo knows we made love.  He saw the tape.  He knows everything.”  Antonio couldn’t bear to hurt Gabi.  He could not bear to see Gabi’s reaction.  She backed away from him and brought her hands to her face.  She continued to back away never taking her eyes off of him.  It killed him that there was nothing he could do to take away the pain she was now feeling.  He understood it.  He was going through the same thing.
 
 

Gabi didn’t want to believe it.  She had imagined Ricardo finding out a thousand times but for it to now actually happen was torture for her.  She felt the life being sucked out of her.  Ricardo knew.  She was terrified now.  She had lost him.  He would never forgive her.  How could he forgive her for this? “OH MY GOD!!  He hates me!  He hates you!”  Gabi is now fully consumed in tears and she grabs the edge of the couch to steady her balance for she feels she is about to fall to the ground.  Antonio lets her sob.  There is really nothing he can do.  He is in pain too and as far as he is concerned, the pain they were going through was the punishment they deserved.  Although he wished he could do something to alleviate Gabi’s pain.  Gabi once again turned around to face him.  She began to calm herself before asking where Ricardo was.  “Where is he?”
 
 

Antonio didn’t want to tell her.  She would bolt directly to the hospital once she found out that Ricardo had almost been seriously hurt due to their fight.  But he had no choice.  He had to tell her.  He cleared his throat. “ He’s in the hospital.”  Antonio fell silent once he saw Gabi’s face drop.  “We had a fight and I pushed him. His head was cut.  He was bleeding a lot and Casey took him to the hospital.  It was my fault Gabi.”  Antonio’s voice begins to crack with emotion.  “I struck him first.  I was so angry.  I pushed him and my brother could have been killed because of me.” At this point Antonio is consumed in tears. “I’m sorry Gabi, I didn’t know what I was doing…..my anger took o----“
 
 

Gabi did not stay to hear more.  She ran past Antonio and through the front door.  Antonio called after her. “GABI!!”  He ran after her as he knew where she was going.  Gabi was headed to the hospital……
 
 

Ricardo was seated on one of the hospital beds in the emergency room, waiting for Tyus to release him.  He had been given thirty stitches to the back of his head and he had a huge white bandage over being held with tape.  His head was severely tender and as he brought his hand to touch where the wound was, he winced in pain.  He was still weak from the blow.  But nothing compared to how weak his soul was.  Inside Ricardo was a mess.  As much as he despised his brother right now, he was feeling awful for having gotten into a fight with him.  They had both been so angry with one another.  Angry enough to hurt each other drastically.  He had never felt that way before and he hoped he never would again.  Ricardo thought back to the pier when he and Antonio were exchanging words.  Once Ricardo had channeled his anger at Gabi, Antonio was quick to defend her.  What’s more, he had provoked him into becoming angry enough to fight him. Ricardo realized that Antonio was in love with Gabi.  Otherwise, he would not have defended her so gallantly.  This brought back the rage in him.  If Antonio loved Gabi, then Gabi must also be in love with Antonio.  She had to feel the same way about his brother.  The words she said after their supposed wedding then struck him  What she had said was true.  She never loved him.  Ricardo jumped off the bed abruptly and began to pace the room, his mind racing once again.  Why? Why? He thought.  How could they do this to him!  He could never forgive this.  Ricardo grabbed the edge of the bed and squeezed so tight his knuckles turned white.  How could he forgive this kind of betrayal.  He couldn’t.  No man was that forgiving.  He had to forget both of them.  That was the only way he was going to gain any peace of mind back.  His hatred returned again as the image of the two of them making love entered his mind.  He grabbed his head and moderately yelled in pain.  He had grazed his head wound.  His eyes shut in pain, holding his head, he felt someone’s arms grabbing his hands from his head.  As he opened his eyes to see who was grabbing him, his heart jumped and he weakened at an instant.  Gabi stood there looking at him, ready to speak…..
 

Chapter 12

Antonio walked through the hallways of South Bay General,  walking with quick long steps.  He turned into every room to try and catch a glimpse of Gabi and Ricardo.  He was afraid that Ricardo might want to possibly hurt Gabi and he could not allow that to happen.  Deep down, Antonio knew he Ricardo would never do that, but his nature had become to protect Gabi at any cost and he was bound and determined to continue that path regardless of how Gabi felt about him.  He spotted Casey and quickened his steps until he reached him.  Casey was just getting off the phone when he saw Antonio approaching him.
 
 

“Casey, where is Ricardo?  I’ve looked all over this hospital and I can’t find him.”  Anxiety was striking Antonio and it was apparent to Casey by his body language.
 
 
 

“He’s in one of the emergency rooms.”  Antonio started for the ER and Casey grabbed him immediately and made Antonio face him. “Look, take it easy.  I don’t know what the hell is going on but you and Rick need to probably take a little R and R from each other.  You guys could have killed each other out there.  Do you realize that?  Whatever has got you two so pissed off is not worth getting killed over.  If your gonna go in there, straighten yourself out beforehand and go see him.  I don’t want security to have to break you two up up.”  Casey was only half joking.  “I called Maria and told her about what happened.”  Antonio shot Casey a look of disdain.
 
 

“What did you do that for?!!  Casey, I don’t want my sister involved in this.!”  Antonio was livid for what Casey had done.
 
 

“She is the only one you two knuckleheads seem to really listen to.  Yeah, I butted in and I’m not sorry I did.  Listen I gotta head out.  Promise me you’ll wait before you go see Ricardo.”
 
 

Casey was genuinely worried about him causing another episode with Ricardo.  He smiled lightheartedly at his friend.  He would be forever grateful to ho Casey for having been so understanding of a situation he knew nothing about.  “I promise, thanks again.  I owe you one.”  Casey walked off and Antonio headed for the emergency room.  He was getting strange looks from just about everyone he encountered.  He was still wearing the shirt he had fought Ricardo in.  The blood on it was now dry and caked.  He had not washed his face and the blood was still caked on his face.  He looked like he had been in a rumble.  In actuality, he had been.  He walked through the ER rooms, poking his head in every room.  At the end of the hall, he finally spotted Ricardo and next to him was Gabi.  She was close to him trying to hold his face in her hands.  Antonio needed not to be there, but he could not move.  He needed to hear what was going to be said.  He stood by the door so they would not see him and Antonio listened intently on what was said…..
 

Chapter 12

Antonio walked through the hallways of South Bay General, walking with quick long steps. He turned into every room to try and
catch a glimpse of Gabi and Ricardo. He was afraid that Ricardo might want to possibly hurt Gabi and he could not allow that to happen. Deep down, Antonio
knew Ricardo would never do that, but his nature had become to protect Gabi at any cost and he was bound and determined to continue that path regardless
of how Gabi felt about him. He spotted Casey and quickened his steps until he reached him. Casey was just getting off the phone when he saw Antonio
approaching him.
 

"Casey, where is Ricardo? I've looked all over this hospital and I can't find him." Anxiety was striking Antonio and it was apparent to Casey by his body
language.
 

"He's in one of the emergency rooms." Antonio started for the ER and Casey grabbed him immediately and made Antonio face him. "Look, take it easy. I don't
know what the hell is going on but you and Rick need to probably take a little R and R from each other. You guys could have killed each other out there. Do
you realize that? Whatever has got you two so pissed off is not worth getting killed over. If your gonna go in there, straighten yourself out beforehand and then
go see him. I don't want security to have to break you two up." Casey was only half joking. "I called Maria and told her about what happened." Antonio shot
Casey a look of disdain.
 

"What did you do that for?!! Casey, I don't want my sister involved in this.!" Antonio was livid for what Casey had done.
 

"She is the only one you two knuckleheads seem to really listen to. Yeah, I butted in and I'm not sorry I did." Casey then softened on him. "Listen I gotta head
out. Promise me you'll wait before you go see Ricardo."
 

Casey was genuinely worried about him causing another episode with Ricardo. He smiled lightheartedly at his friend. He would be forever grateful to Casey for
having been so understanding of a situation he knew nothing about. "I promise, thanks again. I owe you one." Casey walked off and Antonio headed for the
emergency room. He was getting strange looks from just about everyone he encountered. He was still wearing the shirt he had fought Ricardo in. The blood on
it was now dry and caked. He had not washed his face and the blood was still caked on. He looked like he had been in a rumble. If the truth be told, he had
been. He walked through the ER rooms, poking his head in every one. At the end of the hall, he finally spotted Ricardo and next to him was Gabi. She was
close to him trying to hold his face in her hands. Antonio did not need to be there, but he could not move. He needed to hear what was going to be said. He
stood by the door so they would not see him and Antonio listened intently on Gabi and Ricardo….
 

Ricardo and Gabi merely stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity. Neither was sure of what to say to each other. Looking at Gabi, his anger once
again left him. All he wanted to do was sweep her into his arms and pretend that none of this had happened. This couldn't have happened. Gabi was so angelic
and pure to him. She would never do this to him. He wanted desperately to believe that. Gabi was just as affected by his presence. She ached for him and
wanted to hold him in her arms and tell him everything was going to be ok. But she couldn't do that. She barely managed to ask him how he was feeling.
 

"Are you ok?" She was trying to keep herself together. She was going to need all her strength in order to deal with all of this.
 

Ricardo came out of his fog and realized that nothing had changed. It did happen and nothing could change that. "I'm ok. Just a few stitches and a mild
concussion. I'm just waiting for the doctor to say I can go." He couldn't look at her. He was beginning to get angry again and if he looked her way he would
lose his resolve and he did not want that to happen. He wanted to stay angry. "The hell with the doctor, I feel fine…………………I'm leaving." He began to
walk to the door when Gabi stepped in front of him and placed her hands on his chest. Ricardo quickly jumped back, surprised, and shocking her in the
process. Their touch electrified throughout both of their entire bodies, both of their hearts were pounding so loudly then each thought the other could hear them
pumping.
 

Gabi tried keep her composure in tact. She would have to if she was going to make it through this. "Ricardo, we need to talk. I need to tell you things, please.
You can't leave." Gabi quickly stopped, the lump in her throat was preventing her continuing.
 

Ricardo stared coldly at her. "You want to talk to me Gabi? What the hell are you gonna say to me? Huh!" His voice was raising slightly. "What can you
possibly say to me that's going to change anything? What! There is nothing you can say. YOU SLEPT WITH MY BROTHER! My God! You two slept
together. Why! Why Gabi? What did I ever do to you to make you want to this to me? What did I do to either one of you to make both of you stoop to this
level! Please tell me. You want to explain, then explain! Was it a game to you? Let's see how we can humiliate Ricardo?! Well, let me be the first in
congratulating you personally. You succeeded in doing just that. I -can't---" Ricardo stopped there. He was drained emotionally. He didn't know what else to
say. All he could do was look at Gabi, with pain all over his face, hoping she would somehow be able to make some of the torturous feelings he was having go
away. He looked down at the ground unable to go on.
 

Gabi could only look on as she slowly started to fall apart. She was watching Ricardo disintegrate before her and it killed her to have to watch. If she told him
the entire truth she would lose him forever. There was no way he could ever possibly forgive her. But Gabi had to tell him. She owed him that much. She had to
for once tell him the truth. If only to gain her self dignity and respect back. With all the strength she could muster, she began. Her life was at stake with the man
she loved. But it was a chance she had to take.
 

"From the moment I saw you, you did something to me. You made me feel things that I never knew existed, that I never knew I was capable of feeling. I came
to Sunset Beach full of hate and bitterness. I wanted to take your love away from Paula. I wanted to hurt her in the worst way possible way………….by
stealing you from her. I managed to break you two up and then the impossible happened. After all I had done to hurt you, after everything I had put you
through, you forgave me…and ultimately began to love me. ME! I couldn't believe that anyone could offer so much forgiveness but you did. You gave me your
love and I was amazed at how much I grew to need you." Gabi stopped for a moment as she looked away for a brief moment and wiped the spill of tears from
her face. "I didn't know what I had done to deserve you. I fell in love with you and I still couldn't understand why you would want me." Gabi stops again as she
looks directly at Ricardo. "Then Antonio reentered your life he and came into mine. He and I established a friendship that was so dear to my heart. We also
had a connection. We shared one strong common bond…..our love for you. It was what we based our friendship on. Then, without warning, those feelings
began to change….for both of us."
 

Hearing this last comment, Ricardo backed away and sat on the edge of the bed. He shut his eyes tight and placed his face in his hands. He wasn't sure he
wanted to hear what Gabi had to say next. It would be torture. But he had to. If he was ever going to gain any piece of mind again, he had to hear the entire
truth. Gabi walked over to him, her heart overflowing and she placed her hands on his shoulders. Then she continued, "We fought our feelings Ricardo. We
both did. We knew it was wrong and tried so hard to set them aside. Antonio was conflicted the entire time. I didn't understand it myself. I knew I loved you
but I knew I loved him too." Gabi stops again as she tries desperately to regain her composure. " Then the cave in made us deal with our emotions and we
committed the unthinkable." Ricardo clutches the sheets on the bed as he continues to look to the floor. Gabi can see his knuckles turning white. He's squeezing
with all his might and still staring directly at the floor. "We were both lost. We had betrayed you and Antonio was lost. He wanted to tell you immediately but I
convinced him not to. I couldn't tell you Ricardo. I was so scared to think of what would happen. I became selfish. I didn't want to lose the love you had for
me. That frightened me more than anything." Gabi clears her throat again before going into the discovery of the tape. "We thought we could hide our secret but
then the tape surfaced…….Francesca had planted a camera in the office and filmed everything." Gabi stopped there when Ricardo looked at her stunned.
 

"Francesca?" His face clouds over again. " My God!"
 

Gabi pushes forward still racked in emotion. "We went through hell to get the tape but we managed to find it for it to be destroyed……but then it fell into the
wrong hands." Gabi wasn't sure how she was going to tell Ricardo that his mother had gotten hold of it and tried to blackmail her. She didn't have to. Ricardo
continued to look at her and said it himself.
 

"My mother………………..my mother had it, didn't she?" He didn't know what to think anymore. He was about lose his will.
 

"I found out the day of our wedding that she knew. She made a picture from the tape to show me she had proof. There was nothing I could do. She threatened
to show you Ricardo. She threatened to expose Antonio. I didn't know what else to do. So I buckled under pressure and decided it was best that I leave."
Gabi was again in tears, hoping Ricardo would catch her eyes. "I didn't want to leave you, but I felt I had no choice. I couldn't allow her to tell you. I was afraid
Ricardo. I ran. I ran hoping to keep you safe from the truth by my disappearing. I should have known I wouldn't be able to."
 

Ricardo was devastated that his own mother could do something like that. He didn't know her anymore. If there was one thing he knew for sure, he knew that
he would never be able to look at her in the same way. Antonio and Gabi had lied to him. His mother had contributed to their lies and he could not forgive that.
He once again met Gabi's eyes, anguishing over his mother. He had a question of his own and he needed an answer.
 

"Why did you come back? You and Antonio could have run off and would never have had to deal with me. Why did you come back Gabi?" He was pleading
for an answer.
 

Gabi knew the next words she said would determine her life. She was going to put her heart on the line. Ricardo would choose to accept her reasons or
devastate her forever. She took a deep breath and spoke. "I left Sunset Beach leaving everything I had grown to love. My friends, my job, and the people I
loved. I never knew how much I really had gained until I lost it. But there was only one thing that I missed more than anything else I had left behind. Your love.
" Gabi held his eyes with hers. " From the moment I set foot in that town, I missed you. So much I didn't know how I was going to be able to make it through.
Oh Ricardo! I rediscovered the love I had for you, the love that was always there. I was always so afraid to fully take hold of it when I had it. But when I left
you, I wanted it back so desperately. I realized just how much you meant to me." Gabi's tears were flowing freely now. She grabbed Ricardo's hand and he
watched as she brought it to top of her chest and gently placed it there. Her touch had him on fire. "If there is one thing I pray you believe, it's this…..this heart
of mine will forever be yours. No one will ever own it but you . I hope you can believe that. You are and will always be the love of my life. I love you Ricardo.
I love you so much---" Gabi couldn't go on. She dropped his hand and turned her back to him, sobbing uncontrollably.
 

Ricardo stood and watched her cry. He wanted so much to just hold her but something prevented him from doing it. He had to ask her something else and as
scared as he was of asking, he needed it answered by her. Gabi sensed him looking at her and turned to face him. She tried to pull herself together and waited.
"Gabi…………. do you love him?" Ricardo had to know. He needed to know.
 

Gabi continued with her truth. No more lies she thought. "Yes…..Yes…I love him. But as my friend. The friendship we have is special to me, and I can't deny
that I care for him. Where I love you with a passion, I love Antonio as my friend. That is the truth Ricardo, please believe me that." Gabi hoped she had gotten
through. She begged God to at least give her that.
 

And Ricardo did. He still knew Gabi. He knew she was telling the truth. He could tell this was difficult for her but deep down, he felt her love for him. He
always had. The connection they shared was unbreakable and probably always would be. Gabi leaned in towards him and braced herself. She needed to know
something too. She held her breath as somehow she got the words out.
 

"I've hurt you in the worst possible way and I know I have no right to ask you this but I must. You are the most important person in my life. I know that now as
well as I know my name……." Gabi took another breath, "I ask if you could possibly ever forgive me? Oh Ricardo, could you ever give me the chance to win
back what we had?" She was drained. Gabi had nothing left in her to say. It was up to Ricardo now and he knew it.
 

Ricardo knew it as well. He leaned up against the wall, placing his forehead gently against it. He loved her and she loved him. He knew that now. It wasn't a
matter of her convincing him anymore. They were deeply in love and know one or anything would ever change that. But he could not bring himself to forgive.
He wasn't sure he ever would. He closed his eyes as his heart ached more and more. "Gabi, I will always love you. I don't know if I will ever be able to get
over that. What I feel for you is more powerful than anything I have ever felt before and I cherish it." He was trying to swallow the huge lump he had in his
throat. It was making it difficult to speak. He knew what he was about to say would devastate her. "I can't forgive you. I can't forgive my brother. What you
two did has ruined me, can't you see that? I don't know if have the strength to ever forgive what you did. I trusted you and Antonio and you two shattered that
trust. I love you Gabi but I can't trust you. I don't think I could ever trust either of you again." Ricardo couldn't take it anymore. He was consumed in a feeling
of torture he had never experienced. He had succeeded in destroying Gabi, just as he had imagined he would.
 

Outside the door, Antonio had his head cocked back and he had tears all over his face. He had heard everything. The emotional confrontation had taken its toll
on him as well. His brother's last remarks had done him in. He had lost his brother's trust. Regardless of whether he forgave him or not, he would never have
his trust again. He and Gabi had taken that from him and the pain of it shattered Antonio to pieces. He couldn't take it, he bolted from the door, wishing there
was someplace he could go to rid himself of all the pain he had caused. But there wasn't. He broke down in the front of the hospital, praying to God to help
him.
 

Gabi stood there stung by Ricardo's words. She had lost him. He would never forgive her but worst yet, he could never trust her. She felt her knees buckling
and took one last look at him. She had one more thing to say……." I love you" she said convulsed in tears, "DON'T YOU EVER FORGET THAT". Then
Gabi ran. She ran out of the room. Not sure where she was going. Ricardo at hearing her last words lost all control of his strength. He slumped to the floor and
stayed there suffering. "I love you Gabi….I always will." Clutching his head, he also sobbed at losing the love of his life……
 

Gabi ran through the doors of the hospital not knowing where she was going. She was crying uncontrollably. This feeling was worse than anything she had ever
felt. The she saw him. Antonio came from out of the corner and was just as destroyed as she was. They stared at each other for a brief second then he ran to
her and put his arms around her. Gabi fell into his arms losing all senses in her legs. "He loves me Antonio, he still loves me after all we did to him, OH GOD!
What have I done, I've lost him Antonio. I've lost him!" Gabi held Antonio hard, she needed his support now.

"I'm sorry Gabi, I'm so sorry…..i'm sorry!" He had nothing else to say. They were suffering and it was just. They held each other trying to comfort the pain in
any way they could……..
 

Chapter 13

Maria was sitting with her mother, drinking iced tea in the warm July afternoon.  She had been coming by every day to see her mother.  It had been a week since everything had fallen apart in her family.  Carmen had stayed away from both Ricardo and Antonio in order to give them time alone.  Antonio had visited his mother two days prior and the two of them tried to understand what the other had done, but ultimately, feelings had changed between them.  Antonio needed time away from his mother and Carmen would give it to him.  Where she had caused so much pain to her older son, her youngest son had also caused her pain.  They needed space and each was willing to grant it.  Ricardo couldn’t even look at his mother.  His feelings for her had not changed.  Maria knew it would take a very very long time for him to resolve his feelings of being betrayed by his mother as well.  Carmen knew this and accepted it.  She had no choice.  She had been praying and would continue to pray that Ricardo might one day forgive her.  The chances were slim, but she held on to hope and to God.  Maria seemed to be the only member of the family that everyone was talking to.  She had spoken to Ricardo every day since the incidents and he didn’t blame her for anything.  In fact he understood her.  She was grateful to have him in her life.  She was the only connection Ricardo had at this point.  He was cutting himself off completely.  Maria had encouraged him to do so.  Everyone needed their space and they would need it for a long time to come.
 
 
 

So Maria sat there at her mother’s, drinking her iced tea, just having told Carmen what Ricardo had told her that morning.  Carmen was once again staring off into space.  This had been a common emotion for her to have in the week that had past.  Maria set her glass down and went over to her mother.  She got down on her knees and placed her hands on her mothers hands.  She looked up and Carmen ,lovingly and gently, then caressed her face.  “Don’t worry Mama.  Ricardo will be back.  He needs time to heal and he can’t do it here.  We’ll see him again, not for awhile, but we will see him again.  You just keep your faith.  He loves you in his own way.”  Maria kept her eyes on her mother as Carmen turned to face her.  Carmen’s tears broke Maria’s heart and she immediately hugged her mother.  As much as Carmen deserved to suffer, Maria could not stand to see her cry.  She loved her family and the pain would have to continue for now……
 
 
 

Antonio was at the mission, clearing his desk and all of his belongings from the office he had occupied for a long time.  He had been thinking long and hard in the last week and knew still that he was making the right decision to leave the priesthood.  It was not the place for him any longer.  He stopped packing for a moment as his thoughts took over.  He reflected on the past week.  He had seen Gabi everyday since the confrontation he and Gabi had had with Ricardo.  She was an emotional wreck.  She had gotten her job back at the station and that was the only thing that kept her mind off of everything that had happened.  Even the job couldn’t erase the bad events but at least they lessened the pain if only for a brief while.  Thankfully, Ricardo had taken time off.  He had disappeared somewhere, not telling anyone where he had gone off to.  The only person he had told was Maria and Antonio didn’t even ask.  His brother needed time away from everyone and he was going to give him that.  Antonio had spent the last week clearing his things from the mission and saying his goodbyes.  People were still shocked at him wanting to leave the priesthood but they wished him the best.  He would meet Gabi for dinner after they were both done with work and head to a location outside of Sunset Beach.  Instead of eating, they would mostly spend their time talking the night away. It would always end with both of them crying into each others arms over what they had lost in Ricardo.
 
 

“Penny for your thoughts.”
 
 

Antonio had been a such a daze he hadn’t heard him come in.  He quickly turned around and standing before him was his brother.  They both stood in the office, staring at each other.  Neither knew really what to say.  Neither really knew if there was anything left to say.  Ricardo broke the uncomfortable silence and walked over to him.
 
 

“Looks like your packing.  Going somewhere?” Ricardo seemed genuinely interested in what Antonio was doing.
 
 

Antonio attempted a smile. “Yeah……….I quit.”  His eyes were everywhere.  He couldn’t seem to focus on Ricardo at all.
 
 

“I know.  Maria told me you were leaving the priesthood.”  Ricardo kept trying to make eye contact as well but he found he found it just as difficult as Antonio did. “ That’s big news……..what are you gonna do now?”
 
 

“I have some ideas.  Maybe I should finally use my degree.  Afterall, I went to UCLA.  That should serve for something now.  I don’t know.” He laughed nervously as he attempted to a half hearted joke.  He cleared his throat before starting again. “ I rented a room above Shockwave.  Hank and Joan had a vacancy so I figured I’d hang out there until I figure out my next move.”
 
 

Ricardo’s eyes raised  up slightly at hearing this piece of news and he cracked a small smile. “Paula lived there.”  He became serious again before continuing.  “You’ll like it, it’s a cute apartment.”
 
 

The tension was thick between them.  They kept shifting from one foot to another every so often glancing nervously at each other.  Ricardo had come to see his brother to tell him something.  He didn’t even know why he was there, but he felt he had to see him.  Antonio caught on and decided to probe his brother.  Otherwise they would beat around the bush, and he couldn’t take the uncomfortable glances and silence anymore. “Rick……….why did you come to see me?”  He was scared at what Ricardo might tell him, but he did well in guarding how he was feeling.
 
 

Ricardo looked down at the floor again, continuing to shift from one foot to another before finally looking at Antonio straight in the eyes.  “I’m leaving Sunset Beach for awhile.”  Antonio looked at him with complete surprise.  “The chief asked if I would be
interested in participating in a sixth month program in Miami.  There’s about 20 officers with specialties from across the country who will be joining too. She asked  me so, I thought why not……it’ll look good on my resume.” He chuckled lightly and then looked over at his brother uneasily.
 
 

Antonio didn’t know what to say to him.  He just kept looking at him trying to get the right words out.  He felt a rush of love for his brother.  He didn’t want him to go.  He wanted to try and make things right still but deep down he knew that was impossible.
“Ricardo…….I…….why are you…..don’t …..let’s talk about this.” Antonio felt a pang of anguish and it showed.
 
 

“There’s nothing to talk about.” Ricardo said softly.  As much as Ricardo wanted to forgive his brother, he couldn’t and merely looking at him brought back feelings of hurt again. He didn’t even really know why he was there, but he had somehow ended up at the mission……to talk to Antonio. “Don’t you get it?”  Ricardo started to choke up a little. “I can’t be here.  I can’t be around you. And I can’t be around Gabi.” He stopped for a second after saying her name. He missed her terribly but he quickly regained his composure.  “There’s a lot I need to work out.  Hell, I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to work all these things through but…….. I have to try……alone.”  He was overcome with emotion but hid it excellently from Antonio.
 
 

“What about Gabi?  Ricardo……..you love her, she---“
 
 

“Yeah well you love her too!!” Ricardo spouted this out without even thinking.  He stopped and took a deep breath before continuing.  He looked at his Antonio again.”It doesn’t matter what kinds of feelings I have.  It doesn’t change the fact ………it just doesn’t matter right now.”
 
 

He was upset and Antonio didn’t want to instigate his brother anymore.  He had already put him through enough already. “Ok I understand.”  It was all Antonio was able to say to say out loud.
 
 

There was so much Antonio still wanted to say to him.  He wanted to apologize for the fight they had had.  He wanted to apologize for lying to him.  Most of all he wanted to apologize for Gabi.  He had ruined his friendship with his brother and there was nothing he could do to remedy it. What he had to do was allow Ricardo the time to heal.  All of the Torreses needed to heal.  The wounds were still fresh and open and they would not be closed any time soon.  He hoped Ricardo could read his thoughts because all he managed to say through misty eyes was, “Take care of yourself.”
 
 

Ricardo gave his brother a forced smile before walking to the door to leave.
 
 

“Ricardo?”  Antonio spoke softly, his voice cracking at this point. “Do you think…….do you think time heals?”  This was a question he had wanted to ask from the moment Ricardo had discovered his betrayal.  He hadn’t had the guts to ask until now.
 
 

Ricardo opened the door and looked back gently at his brother.  He didn’t know the answer to that question, but had a good response nonetheless.  “God……..I hope so.”
He took one last look at Antonio before leaving the mission…….
 
 
 

The Conclusion to “A Love Rediscovered” later on today
 

Chapter 14

Maria and Carmen were running around the loft, arguing lightly over whether a plant belonged over the bed or on top of the television.  Maria wanted it over the bed but Carmen the plant added a classier touch over the TV set.  Carmen finally won out and Maria graciously accepted defeat.  Smiling happily as Carmen placed the plant over the television.  Maria was happy to see her mother so full of life again on this beautiful March afternoon.  She and her mother had been fixing up the loft where Ricardo had once lived.  It had been 8 months since he had left for Miami.  He kept in contact with Maria almost on a daily basis and had decided that upon returning to Sunset Beach, he would be buying a house.  He had asked Maria if she would be interested in taking the loft.  It was an offer which she accepted immediately.  Maria spun around it looking at it from every angle.  The loft definitely had a feminine feel to it now.  She stopped for a second and her smile slowly turned a little sad.  She missed seeing her brother.  She wished he would come home soon.  She picked up a picture of him, which was lying on the kitchen table and smiled.  Carmen came over and caught a glimpse of  the picture.  Her cheerful mood dampened at seeing Ricardo’s picture and she suddenly became sad.
She had not spoken to her son since that fateful day.  Even thinking of it now sent chills up her spine.  Ricardo had not forgiven yet.  And not a night went by that she did not pray for him and for God to help her regain her son’s love again.  She could only hope.
Maria saw her mother looking at the picture pensively and wrapped her arms around her mother from behind.
 
 

“He doesn’t tell you when he’s coming home, does he mija?” Carmen asked Maria this same question almost everyday since Ricardo had decided to stay past the six months he had originally planned.
 
 

“No Mama.  He doesn’t.  He’s done such a good job in Miami that they asked him to stay around for a little while longer.  He’s not sure when he’ll be back.”  Maria knew Ricardo still needed more time resolved everything.  His staying the additional two months was by no way an accident.  Ricardo had requested to prolong his stay.  “I don’t know when he’ll be back.”
 
 

Carmen turned to face her daughter and sadly asked if Ricardo had asked for her. “Does he ask for me?  Does he ever ask about any of us?”  Carmen was hoping for a yes, almost begging for it, but she knew what Maria’s answer would be.
 
 

“He doesn’t ask for anyone Mama.”  Maria hated to have to be so blunt but it was sometimes a necessity with her mother if she was to get through to her when needed.  Maria was the only contact Ricardo had to anyone in Sunset Beach.  He had requested that she not discuss his mother, Gabi, or Antonio.  He didn’t want to know anything about them for now.  Maria respected his wishes and only spoke of what was going on in her life.  She had helped in getting him back on track.  Everytime she spoke to him, he sounded a little better………he sounded more like the Ricardo she had loved and admired.  He was healing and that was all Maria could ask for.
 
 

She looked into her mother’s saddened eyes and smiled at her.  Then hugged her tightly.  Her mother had made tragic mistakes.  But Carmen was her mother and she loved her dearly.
 
 

“Do I get one of those hugs too?”  A voice came from the doorway of the loft.
 
 

Maria and Carmen both looked over and were shocked at who was standing there.  Wearing khaki pants and a blue button up shirt, stood Ricardo, wearing his trademark Cheshire cat smile.  Maria quickly sprang to attention and ran to hug her brother.  He caught her in his arms and laughed.  They hugged for what seemed like a minute before pulling apart.
 
 

“I can’t believe you’re here!” Maria was beaming at her brother.  She mockingly hit him on the shoulder and pretended to get upset. “ Don’t you know to use a phone to tell people your coming home!”
 
 

Ricardo couldn’t help but laugh.  Seeing his sister brought a flood of warmth to his body.  He couldn’t stop smiling at her and just looked at her for the longest time before speaking. “ I honestly didn’t know I was coming until yesterday.  I finished up a case and decided I wanted to come back home……so here I am……..Don’t tell me your not happy to see me sis?” Ricardo placed a mock look of hurt on his face, all the while trying to hide his smile.
 
 

Maria simply smiled back. “Of course I’m glad your home, it’s so good to see you.  You look great Ricardo.” And he did.  Her brother looked like a million bucks.  The time away really seemed to have done him well.
 
 

“I just came from the airport and----“ Ricardo stopped when he then noticed his mother again.  His smile slowly faded as he saw her approach him.  He could tell she was doing her best to hold back her emotions toward him.  “Hello Mama,” he said politely.  He was starting become a little uncomfortable but didn’t want to make the situation even more so.
 
 

Carmen could only look at her son and smile.  Tears of joy were hiding yet but ready to spring to action upon command.  Her son was home.  She could tell he was uncomfortable being around her but she could not help but try to get close to him.  She calmed herself and held back.  She merely welcomed her son home.  “Welcome home mijo.  How are you?”  She was trying hard to control herself.
 
 

Ricardo could see she was holding back for his sake and this made him feel a little less uneasy. “I’m fine Mama, thanks for asking.”  He realized he was being extremely cordial to her.  The politeness he was projecting was a two people just having met.  He was still on guard and couldn’t help but be that way with her. “I like your hair.” He wanted to try to make it a little less uncomfortable for Maria, who was nervously looking back and forth from their mother to him.
 
 

Carmen lit up at his comment to her hair by bringing both her hands to where her hair ended. “Oh!  You like it.” She was smiling lovingly at him. “Maria convinced me to cut it and I’m glad I did.”  She gave him a grateful smile. “Thank you for noticing mijo.”  He was not anywhere to being comfortable with her but at least he was talking to her and that was a good start.
 
 

Ricardo’s gaze shifted from his mother to Maria as they shared an awkward few seconds until he noticed the changes in the loft.  He gladly changed the subject. “SOOO!  What have you done to this place?  I hardly even recognize it.”  And he honestly meant it.  His once decorated bachelor pad had been converted into a haven of flowers, light bright colors all over, and paintings all over the place.  He eyed his old place with surprised delight.  He looked over at Maria.  “You’ve really done a good job Maria.  I especially like those pots and pans hanging from the kitchen ceiling.”  He eyed them a little curiously.
 
 

Maria was pleased that he liked what she had done.  “Well those were actually picked by Antonio and Gabi and we had------“ Maria stopped dead in her tracks.  Luckily she had her back turned to Ricardo.  She shut her eyes in disbelief and brought her hand to her face.  She turned around to see Ricardo staring at the floor, then back at her.  She couldn’t believe she had bees so stupid as to mention their names.  What was she thinking?  “Ricardo…..I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring them up…..I don’t what I was think----“
 
 

Ricardo interrupted her by placing his hands on her shoulders.  “Maria, it’s ok.  I won’t crack if you mention their names…….ok?”  He was smiling at her softly as if to tell her it really was ok.  He sighed at that point.  “Besides…”  He stepped away and walked toward the pots and pans, looking at them intently, “Gabi always had good taste.”  Thinking of her sent a chill up his spine.  He turned toward Maria, wanting to know something. He looked down at the floor as he asked. “How is Antonio anyway?” Ricardo looked up at Maria sheepishly, really wanting to know what his brother was up to.
 
 

Maria couldn’t help but slightly place a grin on her face.  “Well,” she began to laugh a little, “You might not believe this but he’s a teacher now.”  She couldn’t help but let her laughter out more as she saw the look of surprise wash over Ricardo’s face.  She noticed Carmen coming over to try and engage herself in the conversation of her children as well.
“I heard there was an opening for a teacher at Sunset Beach High School and told him about it.  He decided to go for it.  Since he has a degree in history, he was offered the job after several interviews.  He’s teaching world civilization to 9th graders and loving every minute of it.”
 
 

Ricardo wasn’t really surprised.  As a kid Antonio had many times talked about teaching.  He smiled to himself as he realized he finally set out to do it.
 
 

“He’s also assistant coach for the baseball team.” Maria continued, “He’s at the field right now for practice.   He talks about it all the time.  He’s nervous about their the boy’s first game coming up.”  Maria stopped when she noticed Ricardo was slightly day dreaming.  He was thinking about Antonio and the baseball memories they had shared.  They had had so much fun together playing ball.
 
 

“Earth to Ricardo??”
 
 

Ricardo shook his head and fixated his gaze on Maria again. “Sorry, I guess I got lost in a train of thought.
 
 

Maria understood.  She was happy that Ricardo was at least smiling so much and as it apparently looked, thinking about Antonio. “That’s ok, you probably have a lot on you mind, thinking of some people you might want to see.” She looked him in the eye as if trying to send a message via airwaves.
 
 

Ricardo smiled back.” Yeah…..I do have some things I need to take care.” He tickled her the top of her with his finger and grinned.”  You mind if I crash here for a little while, until I find a place I want to invest my hard earned money in that is?” His mischievious grins were contagious. He hugged his sister one more time before leaving.  Softly in her ear, he whispered, “Thanks”.  As they pulled apart, she mouthed the words,  “Your welcome.”  He then looked over at his mother.  He couldn’t bring himself to hug her…..he was still working on getting past what she had done to him.  He had worked through a lot but he just wasn’t there yet.  He did manage to lightly brush her shoulder before he walked out.  As he reached the door, he turned back one time and winked at both of them.
 

Maria was happy that her brother was back.  “He’s healing Mama.  That’s all we can ask for now.”  She leaned her head against her mothers.
 
 

“Yes, he is….my Ricardo is going to be alright.”  And Carmen truly believed it.
 
 
 

Ricardo walked through the fields of SBHS, feeling nostalgia at every corner.  He remembered being a student and having played football and baseball, dating cheerleaders…….he had lived the life of a happy teenager.  He felt good.  He hadn’t felt this good in a very long time.  The time in Miami had helped in coming to terms with most of what had transpired between Antonio, Gabi, and himself.  He was still dealing with a lot still but the majority of the pain and suffering had passed and he had gotten his life back in order.  As he approached the baseball diamond, he saw his brother picking up the equipment and placing it in the proper bags. Antonio was frustrated because the boys had once again neglected to put the gear away, causing him to have to do all the dirty work.  “If I’ve told those kids once, I’ve told them a thousand times, put the gear away after practice!”  Antonio was livid.
 
 

“Do you always talk to yourself on the diamond?”
 
 

Antonio swung around to see Ricardo standing 5 feet in front o him.  He was so surprised at seeing him that he dropped the bat he was holding and hit his foot.  Antonio winced in pain as he tried not to kick and scream.  He quickly forgot the pain in his foot and concentrated on Ricardo.  He was actually here, standing in front of him.  “I can’t believe you’re here.” And he couldn’t.  Antonio wasn’t sure if he would ever see his brother again.
 
 

Ricardo was starting to become nervous.  It had taken a lot of strength to come out and see him.  But he had too.  He had wanted too. “Yeah, I’m here.  I just got back in today.  A few hours ago in fact.”  He was shifting nervously from one foot to the other. “I went to see Maria at the loft and….a…….mama was there.”  He remembered back to the loft and the strange encounter he had had with Carmen. “Maria mentioned you were out here….so I thought….what the hell?  I’ll see what a real life school teacher and baseball coach look like.”  Ricardo cracked a small smile that quickly faded.
 
 

Antonio smiled at his words. He was looking from the ground to the fence to everywhere.  His gaze then finally fell upon Ricardo. “Yeah…..I took a job last semester.  It’s been fun.  They needed an assistant baseball coach too.  So since I had a lot of time on my hands, I decided to do it.”  Antonio stopped nervously.  He didn’t want to make the mistake of thinking they were back to normal.  They weren’t.  Ricardo was extremely uneasy and so was he.  Although he was very happy to see his brother.  Every time he looked at him, he was flooded with warm feelings for him.  He was trying to remain cool but his emotions were starting to build.
 
 
 

Ricardo was feeling the same way.  Seeing his brother was difficult. There was still a part of him couldn’t fully get pass what had happened.  But he had healed enough to at least see his brother and talk to him a little.  “I’m glad you’re doing something you love again.  It’s important that you find that.”  He wasn’t sure what else to say.  He wanted to ask about…..no.  He couldn’t.  He couldn’t take that step just yet.
 
 
 

Antonio sensed his wanting to ask about Gabi.  He tried to make it easy for him to ask.  “Have you been by to the station?”
 
 

“No….no not yet.  I was planning on heading there soon.  I need to report back to the chief.”  He stopped thinking about what he was going to say next. “You still hang out with any people from the station?”  Ricardo held his breath as he looked at his brother, slightly scared at what he might say.
 
 

“Yeah….a few.  Spence and I go for beers.  Oscar and I play racquetball almost every week and …….” Antonio plugged on, “ Gabi hangs out with some of the teachers I hang out with.  So I see her too.”
 
 

At the mention on Gabi’s name, firecrackers went off inside Ricardo.  He hadn’t expected such a rush of emotion upon hearing her name.  He was a little upset with himself that she still had the same effect on him.  But he couldn’t help himself to learn more. “Is she still working at the station,” he asked softly, without looking at Antonio.
 
 

“Yeah…she is, but only part time.  She’s a fulltime student at UCLA. She’s on her second semester.  She seems to be really enjoying it.”  Antonio didn’t know how much detail he should give.  He didn’t want to push too hard.  He had to ease into everything slowly.  His brother was still fragile, he could see that clearly. He didn’t want to push to the point of pushing him away again.
 
 
 

“That’s great,” Ricardo didn’t know what else to say.  He suddenly became uncomfortable and wanted to leave.  Maybe he wasn’t really ready to face his brother yet.  He quickly made an effort to back out of their brief conversation. “ Well….uh…I better get going.  I just wanted to see what was going on with you.  Quite honestly, I’m not sure why I even bothered.  Sorry to bug---“
 
 
 

“I’m glad you came by.”  Antonio took a deep breath and sighed.  “I know this was hard for you, but I’m glad you came to see me.  It means a lot to me.  Maybe this is our first step.”  He saw Ricardo look right  him a little coldly after making this comment.
 
 

“I don’t know Antonio.”  Ricardo stated matter of factly.
 
 

Ricardo started walking away and Antonio felt helpless until something flashed through his mind.  He quickly called out to Ricardo.  “Ricardo!! Wait!” Ricardo stopped but did not look at him. Antonio had to get one thing straight.  He needed some sense of hope from his brother.
 
 

“Remember how you and I used to play catch?” Ricardo looked over at him like he was crazy for bringing something like that up now.  Antonio ignored his facial expression and went on. “We used to play into the night.  We would literally throw a baseball around while it was pitch black.  Most people would have thought we were crazy.  We couldn’t see two inches in front of our faces and we’d still play.  We played under crazy conditions because we knew exactly where that ball was going to be thrown.  All we had to do was place our gloved five inches to the left of our face and that ball would hit smack down the palm of our glove. I trusted you to throw that ball in the exact same place every time and you trusted me to do the same.  We had it down to a science.  We never once missed our target.  I knew you would never hurt me by throwing that baseball anywhere but in my glove.  That kind of trust is rare.  But we had it. In the dark, we knew the ball would never miss.”  Antonio had a huge lump in his throat as he was getting ready to let his tears flow.
 
 

The meaning was clear to Ricardo and he started to get the same lump in his throat.  Antonio’s analogy hit home and he didn’t know what to say.  He wanted to trust his brother.….but he still needed more time.  Ricardo cleared his throat before he spoke.  “You missed once.”
 
 

Antonio shut his eyes.  Yes, he did miss once.  He had hit Ricardo with the worst  crushing blow any person could ever had been hit with.  In this case, the ball was represented by Antonio’s betrayal.  “Yeah I did miss once.”  Antonio was now letting his tears flow.  “I can’t change that but I can try and make sure that ball never hits you again.
Antonio desperately hoped for his brother’s forgiveness and trust.  He managed to say one last thing, “Do you think we’ll ever be able to play catch in the dark again?”  Antonio was practically begging as his voice was packed full of emotion.
 
 

Ricardo looked his way and stared right into his.  All he managed to say before walking off was, “I hope so Antonio.  I hope we can play catch in the dark again one day”……
 
 

Antonio was walking back to the equipment room to store everything away for the night. He was thinking about the conversation he had just had with Ricardo.
They were both saddened at not being able to feel more comfortable around each other. That was apparent to both of them. But Antonio couldn't help but feel
full of optimism that one day, he and Ricardo would be able to get the relationship they once shared back. It would always be different but at least he hoped
they could communicate effectively again. He opened the equipment room door with his key and began to place all the bags inside. His thoughts switched over
to Gabi. For a moment he had to stop and think. He and Gabi had formed an even stronger bond when Ricardo had left. It had been difficult at first when she
discovered he had left for Miami. Gabi went through a depression over having lost Ricardo and Antonio had been there to support her through it all. It was
hard for him to have to see her in so much pain because he loved her so much. But as time went on, she regained her strength and took charge of her life again.
She became the Gabi that he remembered and she had decided to go back to school. He was proud of her. Now here they were, both getting their life back
together and happier than they had been in a long time. He still thought of her as more than a friend but his feelings were slowly but surely converting to the kind
of love she had for him. He took comfort in knowing that they had once loved each other as more than just friends and no one could take that away from him.
He shut the door to the equipment room with a sad smile on his face. He turned to go the coache's office when all of a sudden the door flew open and hit him
square on the head. He fell back to the floor, not knowing what had hit him, completely in a daze.
 

"OH MY GOD!! I am so sorry! I didn't think anyone was here any more. Here let me help you get up."
 

Antonio looked at her with a look of confusion and bewilderment. He was still dizzy from the shock of being hit. He let her slowly help him up and then he got a
better look at her, focusing on her face. He was mesmerized by her beauty. He quickly realized he was staring impolitely and shook his head a few times to be
able speak with sense. She had a worried look on her face. "That's ok. It was my own fault for not paying attention more closely." Antonio couldn't help but
smile at her. There was something about her that instantly drew her to him. He hadn't seen her before and was wondering what she was doing there. "Pardon
me for asking, but ahhhhh……are you new here? I think I would remember you if I had met you before." Antonio asked, his curiousity peaked.
 

The woman gave him an embarrassed smile which unexpectedly sent a small rush through him. "No I don't think we have. I was just hired to be the girl's varsity
softball coach. In fact I was just finishing filling out the paperwork." She also couldn't help but smile at him. " My name is Karen…..Karen Gurich." Karen stuck
her hand out.
 

Antonio immediately shook it. "I'm Antonio Torres, I am the assistant coach to the boys varsity team." He was looking slightly mischievous as he gave her his
trademark boyish smile." Let me be the first in welcoming you to Sunset Beach, Mrs. Gurich."

Karen laughed a little. "Actually, it's Ms. Gurich, but please just call me Karen." She was smiling fully now and flirting a little.
 

Antonio's smile was from ear to ear now. "Well, I guess we'll be sharing buses to away games. That should be fun."
 

"Yes it should be…….Well….Antonio I must go, but it was very nice meeting you. I guess we'll be seeing a lot of each other…..bye for now." Karen walked
off still eyeing him as she turned the corner. Antonio turned to follow and stood there watching her walk to her car, still beaming at her. "Oh yes……you'll
definitely be seeing me."
 

Gabi was in the evidence room of SBPD doing some inventory. She was whistling one of her favorite songs while writing on her clipboard. She loved the fact
that she was still able to work part time at the station while being a fulltime student. She was in her second semester at UCLA and totally loving it. She was
about 10 years older than the average freshman but Gabi was frequently getting asked out by the 18-year olds in her class. She would always be very careful
to not hurt their feelings, smile and say no very politely. She was finally getting her life back in order after everything that had happened and things were
definitely looking up.
 

"Let's see…sounds like your whistling a Luis Miguel song." A voice came from behind her.
 

Gabi was startled and dropped her clipboard. She went to retrieve it at the same time he bent down to get it for her. She looked up and there, right in front of
her, was Ricardo. She instantly felt a cold rush of air run through her entire body and her hands started shaking. She could not believe he was right there. She
could barely take her eyes off of him. She realized she was staring and quickly stood up, with her arms folded across her. Ricardo picked up the clipboard and
handed it to her. "Hi Gabi….."
 

She was still in shock. She reached over and grabbed the clipboard from his hands. As she did, her hands brushed against his fingers and she felt an electric
charge zoom through her body. "Ricardo? Hi……" She cleared her throat. "Sorry for being so clumsy, it's………I wasn't expecting any one to come in." She
didn't want to say much for she felt her voice quivering.
 

The same effect Ricardo was having on Gabi was mutual. After he handed her the clipboard, Ricardo had to put his hands in his pockets. They were shaking
uncontrollably and he could barely look at her without feeling flushed with nervousness. He wasn't sure what to say. He was trying very hard to stay cool and
collected. That had been his plan before deciding to come look for her. But his plan was slowly being thrown out the window.
 

"When did you get back?" She had to say something to break the uncomfortable silence that was looming in the air.
 

"Today. It was unexpected. I finished up a case and decided it was time to come back home, " He was shifting from one foot to other not really able to focus
on her out of fear of what emotions might be stirred up. "Plus the chief wanted me back. I guess they want to give me a promotion."
 

Gabi's face lit up at his news. "Ricardo, that's fantastic! Congratulations….,"She realized she was getting too excited and brought her excitement down a notch.
"I'm happy for you."
 

They both stood there, now unable to stop really looking at each other. The feelings they thought they might be able to suppress came rushing back in full force.
It was as if time had stopped when Ricardo had left and automatically resumed when he came back. The feelings were still there if not stronger now, and they
both felt it. The love penetrated through their entire being and it was difficult to not let the emotions overflow. So much time had passed, yet the love was still
there. They wanted to throw their arms around each other and feel the familiar sense of each other's touch. But something still prevented Ricardo from being
able to do that and Gabi sensed it, so she did nothing. She merely stood there, relishing at being able to take part in a conversation with the man she loved. The
man she would love forever.
 

"Ricardo…." "Gabi…"
 

They both spoke at the same time and laughed a little and smiled sadly at one another. Ricardo looked down at the floor and breathed a heavy sigh. He then
looked back up at her, lightly chuckling to himself, "How did things get so screwed up?" He was asking her the question but he was also asking himself.
 

Gabi couldn't control her emotions any longer, she let out a tear that had been forming and looked up at him. " I don't know….things just got out of hand…..we
all hit rock bottom and now it's just a matter of climbing up the ladder again." She was holding her arms across her body again, looking up at the ceiling. She
gazed over at him and saw him thinking with a smile on his face. "What are you thinking?"
 

Ricardo chuckled lightly again. "I'm thinking you're probably right. We've all hurt each other Gabi, we've been through hell and back." He stopped as a lump
starting forming in his throat. " But now I truly believe that time can heal most wounds……I really have to believe that." He was getting emotional and didn't
know if he was going to make it.
 

Gabi leaned closer to him. The closer she came, the more love for him washed over for her. She lifted his chin with her hand to look at her. He was looking at
her vulnerably, his eyes slightly red from the tears wanting to break through. "Are you healing Ricardo?" Her voice cracked as she became mesmerized by his
gaze on her.
 

He was overwhelmed. He loved this woman with all of his heart. "I'm not quite there yet….but …..yeah……..I'm healing Gabi." He slowly wrapped his arms
around her and they both silently cried in each other's arms. It was still too soon to do anything about what they were still feeling for each other. He still needed
time to deal with everything that had happened and Gabi reminded herself of that But as Ricardo held her, she grew almost euphoric and slipped into a dream
she had been having for months now. In her dream, she was once again walking down the aisle. She could see Ricardo waiting at the altar, with a loving smile
on his face, waiting for her. She saw Carmen sitting in the front row, defeated, but noticeably smiling at her new daughter-in-law to be. She saw Maria, one of
her bridesmaids, looking over at her beaming from ear to ear waiting to take her bouquet. And she saw Antonio, standing right next to his beloved brother,
looking happy for her and Ricardo. Then she reached Ricardo and he placed her hands in his. He stared deeply into her eyes and she melted, just as she
always did when he looked at her. She felt love from every angle of the church especially from her angelic mother, who was floating above them smiling down
upon her happy daughter.
 

Gabi dazily came out of her fog as Ricardo gently released her from his arms and stared into her eyes. He pulled away and began walking to the door, never
once taking his eyes off of her. It was too soon but it was a start. Perhaps she and Ricardo would never reunite, she accepted that and took it in. Little did Gabi
know that one year from now, her dream would come true. She would once again stand at the altar and they would say their vows again, this time the words
packed with emotion. A year after that she would give birth to their first child…..a boy. Gabi would feel happy again. Happy because she was spending her life
with the man she loved…..Ricardo Torres.
 

But Gabi and Ricardo did not know that was their fate then. For now, time was still a factor and they were ok with that. As Ricardo opened the door of the
evidence room, he looked at Gabi one more time. They locked eyes and smiled softly at each other before he walked out the door. Hope and love was with
both of them. A love that would always bind them together.
 

THE END