Moving On {Mike Warren}

Almost There

AN: I know it has been SO long since I have updated but there's some good news! I will be updating this story for the next two days since it is COMPLETED! I know this will make it pretty short BUT there is a sequel planned :) I hope you enjoy the next part! Let me know what you think by voting or commenting! Much love!

Bex was pacing the length of Mike's living room while she was on the phone with Luka. Her free hand was either moving in circular motions as if she was using the motion to explain or covering her mouth as she listened intently.

"Is everything okay?" Mike asked Charlie as he walked in on the scene after his hot shower. The small amount of scruff he had was shaven off and he was dressed in a clean t-shirt and jeans. His eyes shined with worry as he watched Bex walk back and forth.

"That agent that's under is causing some more problems. It's probably because the sale date is a few days away. But let's leave her be. I could use some help with the sauce." Charlie replied causing Mike to turn his focus on her.

"You're making sauce?"

Charlie smiled. "Sure am. Now c'mon she doesn't need an audience."

At that moment Bex stopped in her tracks, hand clenched in a fist and her grip on her phone tightened. "I thought you trusted me Luka!" She exclaimed, pissed that it seemed like she could be taken from the big sale.

There was a moment of silence before Bex heard shuffling on the other end. "Bex?" Izzy's voice broke through the silence, stunning the agent, causing the silence to continue. "I'm only assuming you're still there," Izzy continued, "My brother just misses you. Don't listen to anything he's said. Meet him for dinner tomorrow night instead. He'll be at the small Italian restaurant we like to escape to a lot at seven. He looks forward to seeing you and I can't wait for you to be around more. I'm glad to hear your friend is doing better. Bye, Bex."

"Bye, Izzy, and thanks." Bex said, smiling despite the other woman not being able to see it. Thank god for Isabella Capello. Bex made a silent promise that when this was all over she would do her best to do something for the girl.

After pocketing her phone, Bex made her way into the kitchen. Sliding up to the bar, next to Mike, she leaned over to see all of the ingredients Charlie had laid out to add to the pot full of marinara sauce. Mike tapped her shoulder and shook his head when she looked back at him. "If she catches you, you're done for." He whispered.

At that Bex straightened up and pulled out the bar stool to sit down. "How ya feeling?" She asked Mike.

"Better, thank you." He said but his eyes expressed the depth of those words. He meant those words with every atom in his being. "How are you? I came out in the middle of that phone call. Everything still okay?"

Bex sighed, placing her head in her hands. "I am going to be so glad when this op is over. Declan is going to be the death of me but Izzy is once again the life saver. I've got a date tomorrow night with Luka."

"Do I need to get a tac team together or will you just need me listening in?" Mike asked, already getting back into operative mode.

Bex looked up and shook her head. "Oh, no. I just got you back. I want you to rest up until I really need you."

Before Mike could reply, Charlie finally spoke up. "Enough work talk. It's time for Bex to hear the story of the sauce."

Charlie's sauce ruined all other marinara sauces for Bex. She was glad that the restaurant gave them some to dip their breadsticks in before ordering since she was planning on getting a marinara pasta dish. For most of the conversation with Luka, she was doing damage control. Thankfully Mike had been introduced as a friend so she didn't have to come up with a complete lie. She even used his detox symptoms to explain the virus she had given him in her story.

She shot up a thank you to the universe when Luka finally began to show signs of calming down. After the waiter took their orders, Luka reached across the table and took Bex's hand. "I'm sorry." He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "This life makes you paranoid so my mind went to the worst conclusions and the lies that Declan was spewing wasn't helping. I am grateful for Izzy because I'm afraid I would lose one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me."

Bex smiled and leaned across the table to give him a kiss. "I'm glad you've given me a second chance. Let's get through this week then maybe you and I can go away for a little while? I've always wanted to see Italy."

Luka smiled. "Then it is settled. After the sale you and I will go enjoy the Italian countryside and not worry about the business."

After dinner they walked for awhile. Luka was explaining how the deal was going to go down the next day. Bex would be presented as a good luck charm, the buyers would present the money then the Capello's would take the case and hand over the guns. It was an easy deal, one that Bex had stopped many times before.

When she was dropped back off at her car, she wished Luka a good night and made her way back to Mike's. Bex relayed all information that she found out and the two came up with a plan. "Are you sure you'll be okay to run this?" Bex asked for what felt like the millionth time.

Mike could do nothing but laugh and shake his head. He wasn't used to hearing that question so genuine each time. "Yes, Bex. I can handle this. You can count on me. I promise."

Bex sighed and nodded her head. "Sorry," she smiled sheepishly, "I think I'm projecting. It's the pre-end game jitters. This is gonna work, right?"

Mike reached over and grabbed her hands, giving them a reassuring squeeze. "Everything is going to be okay. We're gonna get 'em Bex. Then we can celebrate with those jelly croissants, hmm?"

Bex laughed and nodded. "Yeah, that sounds good. You deserve a batch anyway." She then looked down at the plan they had written out. " 'Looks to be right' and you swarm the place." She confirmed.

Mike nodded. "And I get to take you away in cuffs."

"I think you're too excited about that part." Bex teased causing them both to laugh. "I better get going then. I'll see you tomorrow." She said after their laughter died down.

Mike nodded and stood before helping Bex up. He walked her to the door. The two shared a hug that was probably seen as too long between two friends but it felt right to them. They pulled back just enough to see each other's faces. "Be safe," Bex whispered.

Mike smiled. "You too."

There was a pull happening between them but it was as if both realized what was going on at the same time and pulled away from each other completely. They both tried to hide the blushes that were tinting their faces pink from each other as Bex slipped out the door. This definitely was a development they thought they weren't expecting.