Summary: Big changes have come to the US Embassy—including a new boss for the DEA. Steve deals with the fallout from his arrest. The agents move to Medellín. Ari and Javi cannot find any time alone, and Javi begins to worry Ari doesn’t want him anymore. Ari makes a monumental decision. A failed raid costs the lives of many and results in the return of a familiar face.
Pairings: Javier Peña x OFC Ariana Morgan—DEA Agent and daughter of Pablo Escobar
Fandom: Narcos
Rating:Explicit 18+ ONLY
Word Count: 6,739
Warnings: language, misogyny, angst, SMUT, PiV sex, unprotected sex, kissing, jealousy, prostitution, violence, death, blood…let me know if I missed anything, and I’ll happily add it here!
A/N: Yay! A new chapter! This one takes us to the end of Season 2 Episode 2. I’m gonna try to speed through some of the plot in the next couple chapters. I want to get to the point I need to be in the main storyline to progress the romance. It’s hard to eliminate certain things though…need them for the story to make sense, so please be patient with me. I’m gonna make the chapters longer to help…it’s all planned out, so it’ll work out eventually. Lol
I included conversations from the episode to help anyone who hasn’t seen it or hasn’t watched it in awhile. Sorry if it feels redundant if you’ve seen the show a million times like me.
As always, feel free to let me know if I need to correct the Spanish translations!
“My title might be ‘ambassador’, but that’s some bullshit politician’s word,” Arthur Crosby, the newly appointed US Ambassador to Colombia addressed the room. He sat at the head of the table. Directly across from him at the other head of the table sat Lou Wysession. On either side of Crosby were Bill Stechner—the new CIA station chief, and Claudia Messina—the new DEA attaché…otherwise known as their new boss. Between Stechner and Wysession sat the two CIA operatives, Owens and Russell. Next to Messina was Edward Jacoby from Centra Spike. Javi was next to Jacoby, Ari sat between Javi and Wysession.
After Escobar escaped from prison, the Colombian government was scrambling to right that wrong. Gaviria went on TV and declared Escobar a narcoterrorist. He also accepted the help offered by US President George Bush. Which meant there were some shake ups at the embassy. Crosby—a tough as nail former Navy guy—had brought everyone in to make sure they were all on the same page.
“I know what it means to be on the front lines,” Crosby continued. “And everybody in this room wants the same thing: to take down Escobar. Now, as a veteran of numerous conflicts, I learned one immutable truth: the only way to succeed is by working together, by communicating, by sharing intelligence, and collaborating.” He gestured to Messina. “Uh, this is Claudia Messina. She is the new DEA attaché. She’ll be taking over all DEA operations in-country. Messina?”
“Thank you, Ambassador,” Messina replied. She turned her head to address the table. “The DEA will be opening field offices in Cali, Cartagena, and Barranquilla. As far as the Medellín team is concerned, they will be housed out of CNP headquarters until further notice.” Javi groaned inwardly. Bunking at headquarters was going to be a pain in the ass.
“But only some personnel changes have been made,” Messina added. Ari shot Javi a worried look. What the hell was she talking about? Before he could think too heavily on it, Crosby was speaking once more.
“Alright, now as far as long-term intelligence is concerned, that’s under the purview of the CIA, the station chief, Bill Stechner. Bill, you have anything you’d like to add?” The surly, balding man sniffed once.
“I’m good,” he replied in a bored tone. Javi’s eyebrows went up. This guy was clearly an asshole.
“Alright,” Crosby continued, “who’s here from Centra Spike?”
“I am, sir, Edward Jacoby,” Jacoby replied, raising his hand slightly.
“Alright,” Crosby acknowledged him, “let’s get Centra Spike back in the air immediately. I want to know every word these assholes say and all information flows through me, and I will disseminate as I see fit.”
“Yes, sir,” Jacoby agreed.
“When Escobar sticks his fucking head out, we’re gonna nail that son of a bitch,” Crosby promised. The meeting wrapped up. Javi and Ari quickly followed Messina out of the embassy. Javi was really concerned what she meant by personnel changes.
“I wanted to talk to you about Steve,” Javi called out as she exited the building. They walked down the steps.
“What about him?” She asked. “Other than the fact that he wasn’t here today.”
“Well, I suggested that he stay home,” Javi covered. “You mentioned making some changes. Just what exactly does that mean?”
“It means I’m making some changes,” she replied vaguely.
“Murphy’s a good agent,” Javi insisted. “He’s done a lot of good work down here.” Messina stopped walking and fished a file out of her bag.
“Yeah,” she said sarcastically, handing a page out of the file to Javi. “Looks like it.” Javi and Ari glanced down at the copy of Steve’s arrest report. Ari blew out a breath of frustration. After Steve had called him the night before, Javi had rushed over to Ari’s to grab her before they went down to the station to get Steve. He had been a mess. Javi handed it back and placed his hands on his hips. He rolled his lips, not sure what to say to his new boss. Steve had fucked up…but he didn’t deserve to be sent home.
“Do you have any idea the strings that were pulled to get that guy to not press charges?” Messina asked angrily.
“Sounds to me like the guy would’ve had a dog sniffing up his ass before he got on the plane,” Javi shot back with just a smidge of sass. “Maybe Steve did him a favor.”
“Watch it,” Ari warned him quietly.
“Was that a thank you?” Messina said in a low voice. She sighed. “Be straight with me, Agent Peña, and I’ll be straight with you. I don’t need a guy like that making my life more difficult. And making the DEA look bad.”
“Ma’am—” Javi began.
“—Messina,” she cut in. “Or boss.” Javi watched her for a moment. It was clear what she was doing. Asserting her dominance, letting everyone know that she was tough and capable…trying to overcompensate for being a woman in a male dominated career. His heart tugged. He knew this was the same shit Ari dealt with every day, and he hated that they had to fight so hard just to prove they were worthy. Still, Messina had no fucking clue what they had been dealing with…how fucked up Colombia was right now.
“We’ve been down here a long time,” he told her, his voice raspy with emotion. “You’ve been down here all of what, two hours?”
“Dammit, Javi,” Ari groaned quietly. Javi swallowed audibly.
“It may not make the front page, but…a lot of the intel we have is because of Steve,” Javi continued. “He’s a good man. He’s going through some shit right now. You know he was at the airport to stop his wife from leaving the country with their kid. He didn’t make it. Add that to watching Escobar build a five star prison and then walking out the back door. We both deserve to see this through…boss.” Messina stared at him a moment and then walked away.
“Wait!” Ari called out. Messina stopped and turned back to Ari. She stepped in front of Javi to address their boss. “I know what you must be thinking about these guys.”
“And what’s that, Agent Morgan?” Messina asked. Javi noticed she wasn’t as short with Ari as she was with him.
“That they’re misogynistic assholes, and you’ll never earn their respect,” Ari answered. “But that couldn’t be further from the truth. I know you feel the need to come on strong…let everyone know you’re tough shit and deserve this job. I get it. I do it too. But you don’t need to do that with us. This team…it’s something special. We all respect the hell out of each other. We have each other’s backs. No matter what. Steve and Javi are the only men I’ve ever worked with that weren’t misogynistic assholes. They don’t give a shit that I’m a woman. They trust me to do the job. Steve is a damn good agent. He fucked up…but we all have at some point, right? He’s sacrificed a lot to be here and fight this war. We all have. Just…have a little faith. And a fuckload of patience.” Messina’s lips twisted as she contemplated Ari’s words. Javi saw the glimmer in her eye and realized she was holding back a smile.
“I remember you,” Messina told Ari. “From the New York office.” Ari’s eyebrows raised.
“I didn’t think you would, boss,” Ari replied in surprise. “We didn’t have a lot of interaction.”
“You were new,” Messina said, “but I remember you. You held a lot of promise then. From what I’ve read in your file, you’ve more than lived up to that.” Messina paused. “I’ll need to speak to Murphy. Once you’re settled in Medellín. Chopper leaves at eight o’clock tomorrow morning.”
“Yes, boss,” they replied. She nodded once and left. Javi just stared at Ari, slightly in awe.
“You good?” She asked when he didn’t move.
“Yeah,” he said gruffly. “Thanks…for that. Appreciate you sticking up for us.” Ari rolled her eyes playfully.
“Like I would do anything else,” she said teasingly. “Let’s head back and let Steve know what’s going on.”
“Good idea,” Javi agreed. “Plus I guess we should pack.” Ari nodded and they made their way home.
Less than half an hour later they were seated on Steve’s couch. The place was a wreck, and so was Steve. Steve cracked open three beers and handed one to each Ari and Javi.
“Have you, uh…had anything to eat in the twenty four hours?” Javi asked him, his face creased in worry.
“This new boss,” Steve said, clearly ignoring Javi, “Messina…what do you know about her?”
“Only what I’ve heard,” Javi answered. “She’s out of New York. Doesn’t put up with any shit. Ari knows better than me. She worked with her a bit in New York.” Steve turned to face Ari.
“I’m not gonna lie, Steve,” Ari told him, “she’s tough. She really doesn’t tolerate anyone’s bullshit. She was a great agent, but she has something to prove, now more than ever. There were plenty of murmurs about her getting this promotion…a lot of the men in the DEA are pissed it went to her. She won’t sit idly by and prove them right.”
“Fuck!” Steve exclaimed. “Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck. Am I out?”
“I don’t know,” Javi answered honestly.
“Well, I ain’t ready to go home yet, Javi. I’ll tell ya that.” Steve threw his bottle cap across the room. “Dammit!” Steve fell into his chair just as Javi and Ari stood.
“Take a shower,” Javi told him. “Sober up.” Ari shook her head at Javi. He wasn’t doing much to help lighten Steve’s mood.
“We spoke to Messina,” Ari said softly. “I don’t know how much good it did, but I feel like she was listening to us. I don’t think you’re going home, Murphy.” Steve offered her a small smile.
“Thanks,” he replied quietly.
“Remember, eight a.m.,” Ari reminded him. Steve nodded.
“Talk to you,” Javi told him as they left. They walked down the stairs to their apartments.
“Wanna grab some dinner after we pack?” Javi asked her.
“Sounds good,” she said with a smile. “Just come over when you’re done.”
Javier sat up, swung his legs over the side of the bed and grabbed a cigarette and his lighter off the nightstand. He put it in his mouth and cupped his hands around the tip as he ignited the lighter. They had packed up what they needed for the transfer to Medellín, eaten dinner, and come back to his place for a very vigorous round of sex. Javi knew it would be next to impossible to find time to be together once they were camped out at headquarters. He couldn’t resist one last taste.
Ari rolled to her side and sat up. She leaned down and grabbed her panties off the floor. She stood up and quickly pulled them on. She spotted her bra a couple feet away put that on as well. She was searching around for her pants when Javi noticed her movements.
“What are you doing, hermosa?” He asked, blowing out a puff of smoke.
“Looking for my damn pants,” she huffed, bent down at the foot of the bed. “Did you really have to toss my clothes all over the room?” Javier chuckled.
“I was in a bit of a hurry.” He heard her snicker quietly from her place on the floor, followed by a triumphant sound. She stood up, jeans and shirt in hand. She tossed the shirt on the foot of the bed while she stepped into her jeans.
“Why are you getting dressed?” Javier asked, taking another drag of his cigarette. She pulled her jeans over her curvy rear, pulling the zipper up and buttoning them.
“Because it would be weird if I walked out the door naked.” Javier frowned.
“You’re leaving?” He asked, surprised. What the hell was going on?
“Yeah,” she answered, grabbing her shirt off the bed and struggling to turn it right side out.
“You don’t have to go yet,” Javier said, crushing the cigarette out in the ashtray on the nightstand. “Lay down, relax. We can go for round two in a bit.” He smiled seductively. She shook her head, before pulling her shirt over it.
“Nah,” she muttered through the fabric. Her head popped out the opening and she quickly pushed her arms through the sleeves. “I’m gonna head home. I’m tired.” She straightened out the shirt, smoothing it down over her hips.
“C’mon, baby,” Javier said, reaching out and grabbing her hand, trying to pull her closer to him. “Stay a little longer. I haven’t gotten enough of you tonight.” She pulled her hand away gently.
“No, Javi,” she told him softly. Javier scowled.
“The one time I ask you to stay you say no?” he grunted. She scoffed.
“You’re not asking me to stay, Javier,” she fumed. “You’re asking me to wait here until your dick gets hard again so you can fuck me and then tell me to leave. We have an early morning and a long fucking day tomorrow—and if I stay, I’m going to fall asleep, and I don’t feel like having you wake me up and kick my ass out. I’m exhausted and want to sleep.” Javier felt furious…and guilty. “Don’t look at me like that, Peña. Don’t get all pissy because you’re not getting your way. We decided on a casual thing—you’re not my boyfriend. We don’t spend the night together. You live your life, and I live mine. Sometimes we fuck. End of story. You want to renegotiate the terms of that? Fine. But not tonight. I’m tired, and I’m leaving. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Javi stared in shock, long after he heard the front door close. Did that actually just happen? Ari blew him off. She got her fill and just left. Fuck, he felt a little cheap. For the first time in his life, Javier Peña felt used…fuck, was this how she felt every time he left her? Was she this crushed when she would look up at him with those gorgeous, soft eyes and ask him to stay—only for him to shoot her down? He chewed on his lower lip. He didn’t like feeling like this. And he hated even more that he may make Ari feel this way. Fuck.
Ari walked back into her apartment. She pulled off her pants and shirt and slipped on a tank top. She climbed under the covers and stared at the ceiling. This new method was eating at her. Pretending they meant nothing…it felt so wrong. She needed to tell Javi how she felt. She hated lying to him…though technically it was more like omitting rather than lying. Still, she didn’t like it. Javi deserved the truth. It didn’t matter to her if he didn’t reciprocate her feelings. She was fine with keeping things the way they were for now, but he deserved to know the whole story. Playing games wasn’t her style. She was direct and honest. It was time to be an adult and tell him she loved him. She swallowed the lump in her throat. She just hoped she wouldn’t scare him away before they even got a chance to try.
The three DEA agents made it to Holguín in one piece. Javi was still fuming over the way Ari had walked out on him the night before. They were shown to their room—their one room. The three of them were expected to bunk together.
“Wow,” Steve scoffed as they walked in. It was a decent size room, but it was a mess. There was a metal bunk bed, a single bed, a desk, a few chairs, some rolled up mattresses, and a bunch of junk they’d have to move around.
“Fucking hell,” Ari groaned. Javi glanced around. He’d been right. It would be impossible for the two of them to fuck while they were stuck here. Though, with how pissed he was, he didn’t really want to fuck her anytime soon.
“Dibs!” Ari and Steve shouted at the same time. They both ran to the single bed. They crashed into each other and erupted into laughter.
“Move your ass, Murphy,” Ari grunted through her giggles. “I was here first.”
“Nah uh,” Steve argued. “I definitely beat you!” Ari shoved him playfully.
“Maybe we should just let Javi have it,” Ari offered. Javi stared at her in fascination and barely suppressed anger. He clenched his jaw and looked away. He needed to get his shit together. He couldn’t decide if he wanted to strangle her or hold her down on that bed and fuck her stupid.
“I’m good,” Javi told them. “I don’t mind the bunk bed.”
“Gonna be hard to fuck your girls on a bunk bed, Javi,” Steve teased. Ari made an odd, strangled sound.
“No one, I repeat no one is having sex in here,” Ari warned in a low voice. “The last thing I want is to walk in and see either of your asses plowing into some poor, unsuspecting girl.”
“I’m a married man,” Steve protested. “Give me some fucking credit, Ari.” Ari nodded, and they both turned to Javier.
“What?” He asked in a huff.
“No fucking in here, Peña,” Steve told him.
“Yeah, I heard,” he said gruffly. They both just continued to stare at him. “Oh, for fuck’s sake, I do have some self control.” When he saw the small smirk on Ari’s beautiful mouth that familiar anger boiled up again. He felt the need to lash out, and that self control he just boasted of vanished.
“I’ll just go to the brothel…or her place,” Javi tossed out. “At least then I know I won’t be bothered and we’ll have hours to enjoy each other.” The flash of hurt across Ari’s face sent a spark of satisfaction through Javi, but it was instantly replaced with a hot stab of remorse. She quickly schooled her features, the sign of pain gone in almost an instant.
“Works for me,” she said flippantly. “Though I don’t have the brothel option. Still have yet to find one with men.” She sighed dramatically. “Guess I’ll stick to bars and one night stands.” Javi clenched his fists and turned away from her. He wondered if this was all for Steve’s benefit, or if she really wanted to find random men now.
“So, who’s taking this bed?” Steve asked.
“You can have it,” Ari replied. “You’re way taller than me, so no need for you you try to fit in a bunk bed.” She hopped off the bed and tossed her bag on the floor next to the bunk bed. Javi stretched himself out on the lower bunk. Ari grabbed one of the rolled up mattresses and unfurled it. She hoisted it over her head and tried desperately to get it on the bunk. She jumped and pushed the bulky mattress over her head. Javi suppressed a smile. She looked adorable. Her tiny little body trying so desperately to get the bed put together. By her fourth attempt Steve took pity on her.
“Oh hell, Ari,” he sighed. He took the mattress from her and easily placed it on the bunk. He grabbed the sheets and made the bed up for her. Once he was done he glanced down at her and then back to the bed.
“Ari, can you even get up here?” He asked. This bunk bed wasn’t like a normal one that had an easy way to climb up. Ari glanced around trying to figure out her best course of action. She gripped the sides and tried to pull herself up, but she was just too short. She dropped down and huffed in frustration. Her eyes danced around the room, looking for a solution. She made a small sound of triumph and walked over to an arm chair. She dragged it to the bed and pressed it against the frame. She climbed on top of the chair and stood op the back. It gave her just enough leverage to hoist herself onto the mattress. She grunted and flipped over onto her back.
“Piece of cake,” she panted slightly. Steve shook his head.
“Christ,” he swore quietly. “Get down, you lunatic. I’m taking the top bunk. Don’t need you breaking your fucking neck getting into bed.”
“It’s fine, Steve,” she insisted.
“Nope,” he argued. He reached his hands up towards her and motioned her forward. “C’mon, don’t be stubborn.” She sat up and scooted forward until her legs were dangling over the side. Steve gripped her waist and pulled her down. Javi felt a surge of jealousy at the sight of Steve’s hands on his girl. He quickly extinguished it. Steve wasn’t interested in Ari, and Ari wasn’t hisgirl.
“I’ll just take the bottom bunk,” Ari insisted.
“Javi’s shorter than me too,” Steve sighed. “Just makes sense for me to be up here.” To prove his point he easily vaulted himself into the bed. “See? Easy peasy.”
“Fine,” Ari relented. They spent the next hour clearing up the clutter, making up their beds, and unpacking the what they had brought with them.
“I think this is as good as it’s gonna get,” Steve sighed. Javi glanced around. It wasn’t much, but it would do. They each had a bed, there was a desk, and a couple chairs for them to sit on.
“It’ll work,” Javi replied. “What do we have on for today?”
“Tip line,” Ari answered.
“Fuck,” Steve swore. “I swear, Pinzón is punishing us or something.”
“Nah,” Javi disagreed. “They just don’t want us in their way. Keeping us on the sideline.”
“It’s bullshit,” Steve spat.
“Agreed,” Ari said. “But, we gotta play by their rules if we want to stay.”
“I miss Carrillo,” Javi muttered.
“Me too,” Ari said softly.
“You heard from him at all?” Steve asked.
“Yeah,” Ari answered with a nod. “I still talk to him every week. He’s keeping busy. Juliana loves Spain. He hates it.”
“Maybe he can come back one day,” Steve said after a bit of silence.
“Maybe,” Ari said, a wisp of hopefulness in her voice. The rest of the day was uneventful. They had developed a system with the tip line. If three calls came in for the same location from separate tips, they sent men in. Most of the tips were bullshit—even Pablo’s guys called in to mess with them.
A couple days later they had received their third call for the same location. The DEA rolled out with CNP, excited to finally have something to do…only to find it was yet another dead end. They busted through the the door to find the building abandoned and a scarecrow in the middle of the room. It had George Bush’s face attached to it with a dick drawn next to his mouth. They made it back to headquarters just in time for Messina to arrive.
“Get ready to get your balls snipped,” Javi teased Steve. Ari and Javi waited nervously at their desks, trying to focus on work. Javi was worried. Messina had every reason to send Steve home. He just hoped she would take his and Ari’s words to heart and give Steve another chance. Javi watched Ari. She was shuffling papers around and chewing on her bottom lip. He wanted to tug it out from between her teeth. She always chewed on her lip when she was worried.
His anger at her had dissipated over the last few days. He knew he was being irrational. There was no reason for him to be angry with her. She was just doing exactly what he had asked her to do. Still, he didn’t like her treating their relationship so casually…even though that’s exactly what it was. These feelings and insecurities sat heavy in his gut. This was uncharted territory, and it terrified him. So, Javier did what he did best when he was terrified. He found a distraction—and her name was Gabriela. Two days ago Javi’s anger was at a boiling point. He was pissed to be stuck on the tip line, worried about Steve’s future at the DEA, and sexually frustrated. He had no way to get Ari alone. And what was worse than all that…Ari didn’t seem to be affected at all. She didn’t seem to want to sneak away with him for a few steamy minutes. It was like he was transported back in time before that fateful Christmas when this all began.
Javi found Gabby two nights ago. He had gone to a brothel to relieve some stress, but no one caught his eye. They were too tall, or too thin, or too blond…or they didn’t have beautiful violet eyes. Just when he was about to give up and go back to headquarters he bumped into Gabby. She immediately saw the conflict within him and offered to buy him a drink. They left the brothel and went to the bar next door. Three drinks later they were at Gabby’s apartment with their clothes off. It had been good…fine…adequate. He felt a little less tension, but somehow even more cheap than the night Ari left him.
No woman was the same. Ever since he slept with Ariana, no one could compare. Sleeping with the others started to feel wrong. He shook himself mentally. It wasn’t wrong. They weren’t exclusive, and they never lied about what they did. Still, he couldn’t shake the feeling of betrayal.
Javi caught movement in the corner of his eye. Ari’s head had jerked up towards Messina’s office. Javi glanced over and saw Steve walking towards them. He dropped down into his chair with a sigh. Javi stopped typing to look him in the eye. Steve shrugged and picked up some negatives to get to work. Trujillo walked into the room, finishing up a call on his walkie.
“Vieron a La Quica comprando un inodoro,”(They saw La Quica buying a toilet.) Trujillo told them.
“I got ‘La Quica’ and ‘toilet’,” Steve muttered, his eyes squinting to examine the negatives. Javi suppressed an eye roll at his partner. The son of a bitch still couldn’t speak Spanish after all these years.
“Y adivinen cuál compró,”(Not just any toilet) Trujillo continued. “El mismo que tenía Pablo en La Catedral. Un Kohler.”(The same one that Pablo had at La Catedral. A Kohler.)
“Alright, well, now, that I got,” Steve said, sitting back.
“We can’t take that to Pinzón,” Javi replied. “He’ll laugh us out of the office.” He turned to Trujillo. “Necesitamos más.” (We need more.)
“Pero ¿qué más, Peña?”(But what else, Peña?) Trujillo asked.
“¿Adónde lo vieron?” (Where did they see him?) Javi asked.
“Yendo hacia las lomas por la vereda San Isidro,”(Going toward the hills on San Isidro Road.) Trujillo answered.
“Maybe we can get Centra Spike to do a flyover, see what they can come up with,” Javi offered.
“Be a lot better than the fucking tip line,” Steve muttered around the cigarette he was lighting.
“I’ll run it by Jacoby,” Ari said, standing up.
“Nah, I got it,” Javi said, stubbing out his cigarette.
“It’s fine, Javi, I can handle it,” she insisted.
“I said, I got it,” he grunted. “I’ll be right back.”
“What’s his problem?” He heard Ari ask Steve as he walked away. You, he thought. You’re my problem, hermosa. I can’t get you out of my head, and you don’t seem to give a fuck about me anymore. Javi stormed into Centra Spike’s office.
“We have intel,” he told Jacoby.
“Yeah?” The eager young agent perked up.
“A toilet,” Javi said.
“A toilet?” Jacoby asked incredulously.
“It’s a long story,” Javi said vaguely.
“Give me the Cliff’s Notes,” Jacoby pried.
“Look, just do me a favor,” Javi said firmly, “and ask them to sweep over that specific area. We’re looking for any chatter from Escobar’s sicarios. Anything at all. You recognize a voice, you come get me.” Jacoby nodded and Javi left. He turned the corner and was grabbed and pulled through a door. The door clicked shut and his eyes took a moment to adjust to the dim light. He was in a supply closet. He looked down into the warm eyes of Ari.
“What are you doing?” He asked.
“Making time,” Ari whispered before she pulled his mouth down to hers. He sunk into the kiss—allowed himself to get lost for just a few moments—before he pulled back slightly.
“Hermosa,” he whispered. “Are you crazy? This place is crawling with people. We could get caught.”
“I locked the door,” she replied, running her hands under the hem of his shirt and up his bare chest. “I’ve missed you, baby. It’s been too long since you’ve been inside me.”
“Fucking hell,” Javi groaned. He cupped her face with one of his large hands and kissed her deeply.
“We can’t do this here,” he whispered against her lips.
“Then where?” She begged.
“Fuck, I don’t know,” he sighed. He pressed his forehead against hers and squeezed his eyes shut. “I didn’t think you wanted this.”
“Wanted what?” Ari asked.
“This, us,” Javi replied quietly. “You’ve barely shown any interest since we’ve been here…I just thought…” he shrugged, trying to play off the pain he was feeling.
“Oh…Javi,” she whispered sadly. “Of course I want this.” She reached up to caress his cheek. “How could you think any different? You’re like an addiction. I crave you. There’s been something on my mind this week.” She paused and looked into his eyes, searching for something. He saw hers harden slightly in resolve before softening again.
“I need to tell you something, Javier,” she said in a soft, yet determined voice. She looked into his eyes and spoke words that both thrilled and terrified him.
“I love you.” He stared at her, completely dumbfounded. She loved him? How was that even possible? He was nothing and she was everything. He didn’t deserve her love. Hell, he didn’t even know if he wanted it.
“I don’t expect you to say it back,” she told him gently. “It doesn’t matter if you don’t feel the same way. We’ve always been honest with each other, and this is something I can’t keep from you anymore. But I don’t want you to worry. Nothing has to change.” She caressed his jaw and rubbed her thumb along his plush bottom lip. “I just couldn’t go another day without telling you. I love you.”
“Shit,” he rasped. He turned them around quickly and pressed her up against the door. “Keep quiet for me, querida.” He kissed her again and practically ripped her pants down her thighs. His hand cupped her roughly through her panties.
“Jesus, baby, you’re already soaked,” he groaned.
“I told you,” she rasped, “I crave you…I need you, Javi.” He spun her around, pressed her chest against the door, and pulled her panties down. He fumbled with his belt and zipper for a minute before gripping his dick and lining himself up. He slammed home in one thrust. Ari moaned softly. Javi bit into her shoulder to keep himself from shouting in ecstasy. She felt like heaven. She was the perfect woman…and she loved him. His heart swelled with pure, unfiltered joy. He didn’t deserve it, but dammit, he decided he liked how it felt to be loved by her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her back closer to his chest. He nuzzled his face into the side of her neck and began to thrust. He squeezed her tighter, wanting to melt into her. He had never felt this much emotion before. He was elated…aggravated…confused…unworthy. But all he could concentrate on in the moment was how fucking good she felt in his arms. He rocked into her a few more times before pushing her up against the door and pounding into her like he hated her. He unwrapped his arms and gripped her hip and shoulder.
“Fuck,” she grunted. “Right there.” Javi angled his hips and thrust up. He wasn’t going to last long. She felt too amazing.
“Please tell me you’re almost there, hermosa,” he pleaded in a husky voice.
“Yes, so close,” she moaned.
“Shh,” he warned. “Gotta keep it down.” He moved his hand from her hip to rub her clit.
“Shit,” Ari gasped. She turned her face into her arm that was supporting her against the door. She bit down on her sleeve to keep from screaming as her orgasm crested. Her pussy clamped around him, and he buried his face in her neck as he spurted violently inside her. They practically collapsed against the door.
“Fuck,” he groaned when they finally surfaced from their haze. “That was incredible.”
“Mmm, yes it was,” Ari smiled drunkenly. They fixed their clothing and Ari turned around. She kissed him sweetly.
“Thanks, Javi,” she whispered. “I’ll go out first.” She looked at him for a long, silent moment. “I love you.” With that whispered declaration she opened the door and looked out before disappearing. Javi stood there for a moment just staring at the door. Did that actually just happen? He still couldn’t believe that she loved him. He kept expecting to wake up and everything had just been a dream. He shook himself and left the closet. He needed to be accessible in case Jacoby found anything.
A couple hours later Jacoby had something for them. He played the tape. It was a call between Velasco and a woman.
“That is definitely Velasco,” Jacoby told them. “No ID on the girl.”
“So what’s the deal with the other call?” Steve asked him. Jacoby played the next call, but it was garbled and impossible to understand.
“The quality’s too poor for voice recognition,” Jacoby replied. Javi rubbed his forehead with the heel of his hand. He was frustrated. He stood up and moved to the table where Messina, Trujillo, Steve, and Ari were looking at aerials.
“Alright,” Steve sighed, “these were taken about two hours ago.” He began pointing out buildings in the photos. “What’s here is fincas, fincas. Everything else is just smaller houses here, here, and here, and the outskirts.”
“You can probably eliminate the smaller ones,” Javi told them, “just not Escobar’s style.”
“He’d be in one with more than one access point,” Ari added. “Needs alternate escape routes.” Javi nodded in agreement, but didn’t say anything. Ari tried to catch his eye, but he’d been avoiding her since her confession in the supply closet. She swallowed her fear that she had ruined things.
“Which of the fincas have road access both east and west?” Messina asked.
“This one here,” Javi pointed out. “It’s rough terrain down the back of the mountain, but it’s drivable.”
“It’s gotta be the one,” Steve said excitedly. “We’d have a good chance if we came at him from both sides.” Messina pondered over the photos and information for a moment.
“This is good,” she said finally.
“Great,” Javi replied. “What about Pinzón? We’re gonna need vehicles. We’re gonna need men.” Messina tossed her pen on the desk.
“Leave Pinzón to me,” she said. She stalked off to find the colonel.
“Think he’ll go for it?” Steve asked.
“No way,” Ari snorted. They went back to their desks to keep themselves busy until Messina came back. Fifteen minutes later Messina strode passed them on the upper level.
“What did he say?” Javi called out to her.
“He said no,” she replied without breaking stride and disappeared into her office.
“Told ya,” Ari said with a shake of her head.
“Oh, she’s not gonna last,” Steve smirked. “She gives up pretty fuckin’ easy.” Javi leaned back and lit a cigarette.
“Fuck,” Javi sighed. “Are we ever gonna catch a break?”
“Yes,” Ari answered, even though he didn’t seem to direct the question towards her. He still didn’t look at her, even after she spoke. She decided not to say anything more and leave Javi to his thoughts. He’d speak to her when he was ready.
Within an hour Messina was back.
“Gear up,” she told them.
“What?” Steve asked.
“We’re moving out,” she answered. “Raiding the finca.”
“Holy shit,” Steve whispered. “How’d you manage it?”
“Just a few well placed calls, and the colonel had a change of heart,” Messina said with a smirk. Ari chuckled softly. They quickly suited up—guns, badges, cuffs, tac vests. They jumped in the trucks along with CNP.
“This isn’t exactly the way I’d do this,” Ari muttered.
“Hmm?” Messina asked.
“You need to use stealth with Escobar,” Ari told her. “Go in quiet, don’t let him know you’re coming. Pinzón is just full tilt, guns blazing. Escobar has lookouts everywhere. He’ll be gone before we hit the property.”
“Fuck,” Steve grunted. Sure enough, half an hour later, they were standing in the courtyard of the abandoned finca.
“Peña! Morgan! Messina!” Steve shouted to them. They walked over to him to see a crated toilet—the same toilet Trujillo’s contact had told them about. Javi ground his teeth and walked over to Pinzón.
“He was here,” he said with quiet anger, right in the colonel’s face. He stormed off, his annoyance clear. Steve followed him. Ari took two steps then turned to face Messina and Pinzón.
“You wanna catch Escobar, you have to think like Escobar,” she warned. “This cowboy macho bullshit won’t work.” With that she turned and followed her partners out.
Needless to say, Escobar was not happy about him and his family having to flee their safe house in the middle of the night. He was pissed, and he wanted revenge. The next day he ordered a massive attack on CNP. Cops were gunned down all over Medellín. The city was a bloodbath. The DEA agents stepped out of headquarters and into total chaos. They were bringing all the injured cops back to headquarters for medical treatment. Men were screaming, blood and broken bodies everywhere. Javi stood in shock next to Ari. He turned and saw tears in her eyes.
“Look at what he’s done,” she whispered. “My father…my blood…he took all these lives…caused all this pain…what the fuck?” Javi didn’t say anything. This wasn’t a new concept to either of them. They had seen Escobar’s cruelty firsthand before. It was really hitting Ari today for some reason, and it tore Javi to shreds to see her in pain. He squeezed her hand briefly, letting her know he was still there, still by her side, still saw who she really was, no matter who was her blood.
“Peña!” Steve shouted to their left. They looked over to see him and Messina helping to work on some of the injured. Ari and Javi shook off their emotions and got to work. These guys needed a steady hand and a focused mind.
A couple days later they sat at their desks kind of staring off into space. It had been a rough week. So many men had lost their lives. They had no idea what the future held at this point. Colonel Pinzón had resigned, disgraced and ashamed of what had occurred under his leadership.
“Morgan!” Messina called out. All three of them looked up at their boss. “Can I see you in my office?” Ari sighed and got up.
“What’s that about?” Steve asked.
“No idea,” Ari shrugged and followed after Messina. They were gone several minutes before either of them spoke.
“Should we be worried?” Steve looked at Javi.
“I don’t think so,” he said, rubbing his bottom lip.
“You’re worried,” Steve said nervously.
“Huh?” Javi asked, surprised.
“You always do that when you’re worried,” Steve nodded towards Javi’s thumb on his lip.
“Shit,” Javi swore and moved his hand.
“He also does this thing where he twitches his fist,” Ari added, making them both jump. They hadn’t realized she returned. She was smiling.
“Good news or bad?” Steve asked.
“Great,” Ari beamed. She sat down and looked at both of them. Then told them the best news they’d heard in over a year.
Summary: Ari and Javi deal with the aftermath of ‘that night’. The DEA agents go out to La Catedral and meet the new man in charge of the hunt for Escobar. Eduardo and Ari come to an agreement. Ari finally decides how to proceed with Javier.
Pairings: Javier Peña x OFC Ariana Morgan—DEA Agent and daughter of Pablo Escobar
Fandom: Narcos
Rating:Explicit 18+ ONLY
Word Count: 8,650
Warnings: language, angst, talk of sex work, smidge of slut shaming (male), jealousy, kissing, SMUT, PiV sex, unprotected sex, strained father/daughter relationship…let me know if I missed anything, and I’ll happily add it here!
A/N: Ahh! This chapter took me forever and a day! I’m sorry for the long wait, but I hope you enjoy. This takes us through the first 2 episodes of Season 2.
I included conversations from the episode to help anyone who hasn’t seen it or hasn’t watched it in awhile. Sorry if it feels redundant if you’ve seen the show a million times like me.
As always, feel free to let me know if I need to correct the Spanish translations!
The next day Steve and Javier arrived at work before Ari. They didn’t realize it at first, assuming she was off somewhere else in the embassy. When she rushed in about an hour after them, it dawned on them that she had been late to work.
Ari.
Ari had been late to work.
“Jesus, Ari,” Steve said in shock. “You alright? We’ve never beaten you here before.” She placed her gun and badge in her drawer and sat down at her desk.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” she assured him. “Overslept.” She had been so exhausted she had slept through her alarm. While she normally would have hurried to get ready once she realized she was late, her actions were sluggish that morning. She had dreaded the thought of seeing Javier. She dragged out her morning, psyching herself up to face the man who was slowly, unknowingly, breaking her heart. Finally she pulled her head out of her ass and left for work. She wasn’t some weak little girl who hid from her problems.
She now sat at her desk and avoided eye contact with Javier. She just couldn’t look at him right now. She was still too raw from the night before. She willed the day to pass quickly and uneventfully. She could feel Javier watching her closely.
“Don’t get too comfortable, Ari,” Steve told her. “We’re heading to Medellín today. Gonna go through La Catedral.” She groaned.
“I was just there,” she complained.
“Sorry,” Steve said. “But maybe we can get something good.” Ari sighed.
“Alright, when do we leave?” She asked.
“Less than an hour,” Javi answered. She nodded without looking at him.
“Ok,” she responded. The drive to the airport and flight to Medellín was quieter than normal. Steve sensed something was really off with Ari. He kept asking if she was ok.
“I’m fine, Steve,” she assured him for the tenth time. “I’m just tired. Yesterday was a long fucking day.” Steve nodded, understanding completely.
“Alright, Ari,” he responded. “Sorry I’m being a pain in the ass, but I worry about you.”
“Thanks, Stevie,” she said with a smile. “But I promise, I’m fine.”
“Did anything happen last night?” He asked her, wondering if something transpired in the prison she had not shared with them.
“What do you mean?” She countered.
“Did…did any of his men hurt you?” He asked gently. Javier’s gaze snapped to them.
“No,” Ari answered quickly. “Escobar made it very clear that me and Eduardo were safe. He didn’t want to run any unnecessary risks.”
“How was—uh, how was it dealing with Escobar?” Steve asked gently.
“I don’t know,” Ari said with a shrug. “Not something I want to examine or talk about right now.” Steve nodded with understanding and quickly changed the subject.
“What about with Sandoval?” Steve pressed. “Anything happen with him?” Ari scoffed.
“He was a perfect gentleman,” she responded. “He did ask me out again though.” Javi clenched his fists. Steve laughed.
“Oh yeah?” He said with a smile. “I told you he was into you, Ari. I was right.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” she muttered. “Even idiots get lucky sometimes, Murphy.” He laughed again.
“What’d you say?” He asked her, watching Javi from the corner of his eye. Ari considered her answer carefully.
“I told him I’d think about it,” she replied. She had no intention of telling either man that she had turned Eduardo down. Maybe it would be good for Javier to know she had other options.
“Really?” Steve asked, shocked. Javier looked absolutely murderous. “You wanna go on a date with Sandoval?”
“Maybe,” Ari shrugged. “He impressed me last night at the prison. That man has more balls than I thought a politician would when faced with Escobar.” Javi scoffed. Ari had to stop herself from smirking. She knew that comment would bother Javi. After the way that asshole had tossed her out of his place last night, she wanted to get under his skin a bit today.
They drove up to the prison to a flurry of activity. The Colombian military and police were all over the place. A man held his hand up signaling them to stop.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Steve murmured as the man walked directly in front of the Jeep.
“Jesus Christ,” Javi said under his breath, taking in the scene before them.
“Agent Murphy, Agent Peña, Agent Morgan, DEA,” Steve told the man, Ibarra, once he reached the window. They all held up their badges.
“Entiendo,”(I understand) Ibarra said, “per hay que preguntar al coronel Pinzón. Esperen un momento.” (but I have to ask Colonel Pinzón. Wait one moment.) He walked over to the Colonel. Steve turned to Javi.
“Name Pinzón mean anything to you?” He asked his partner.
“No, don’t know him,” Javi answered. They saw the colonel waving his hand towards them, indicating he did not want them inside.
“You see this?” Steve scoffed.
“Well,” Javi said, “looks like we’re not invited to the dance.” Ibarra jogged back over to them.
“Les pedimos que esperen un momento,” (Wait here for a moment) he said politely, “Los dejaremos ingresar cuando el lugar sea seguro.” (We’ll let you in once the area is secured.)
“Yeah,” Steve said in a low voice as Ibarra walked away, “you mean when nothings left inside.” He slammed his hand against the dash in anger.
“What the hell,” Ari grumbled. “I should have just stayed in fucking bed today.” Steve huffed out a small laugh. They pulled over to the side and sat in the Jeep impatiently waiting to be allowed access to the prison. Steve tried to fill the uncomfortable silence. He sensed something was off with his partners, and he did not want to get in the middle of it.
“Fucking finally,” Ari sighed when they waved them in a while later. They were led into the building and told they were free to look around.
Further away Pablo was in the kitchen of his hideout discussing business with a few of his men.
“Nos va a tocar mover todo,”(We’re going to have to move everything) he told them as he approached the table.
“¿Cómo así que ‘todo’, don Pablo?”(What do you mean ‘everything’?) La Quica asked him.
“Todo,” (Everything) Pablo answered. “Los laboratorios” (The labs)—he sat down between Velasco and La Quica— “las oficinas, las caletas, los depositós. Vamos a mover todo.”(the offices, the hideouts, the deposits…we’re moving everything.)
“Patrón, ¿los laboratorios también?” (Boss, even the labs?) Velasco questioned. “Están bien vigilados. No hay ningún problema.” (They’re well guarded. There’s no problem.)
“Hermano,”(Brother)La Quica cut in, “¿ustedes no saben lo que está pasando en la Catedral? Están los policías revisando los mapas y documentos que ustedes dejaron ahí. No podemos confiarnos, malparidos.” (don’t you know what’s going on at La Catedral? The cops are going through all of the maps and documents you idiots left behind. Now we can’t trust anyone, you bastards.)
“¿A quién le estás diciendo malparido, hijo de puta?” (Who are you calling a bastard you son of a bitch) Velasco spat at him, sitting forward threateningly.
“Vamos…a mover…todo,”(We’re…moving…everything)Pablo interjected in a soft, dangerous voice. He looked towards Velasco. “¿Cierto?”(Right?)
“Sí, señor,”(Yes, sir) Velasco said sheepishly.
“Sí, Don Pablo,” Quica replied. Pablo got quiet for several minutes.
“¿Mi hija salió bien?” (My daughter made it out alright?) Pablo finally asked his men.
“Sí, patrón,”(Yes, boss) Velasco assured him. “Ella y Sandoval regresaron a Bogotá,”(Her and Sandoval made it back to Bogotá) Escobar just hummed quietly in acknowledgment. Now that he knew she was safe, he felt calmer. He hated leaving her last night. He had been terrified something would happen to her, but he knew she could handle herself. She was tough, smart, and a survivor. Sandoval’s warning rang in his head. He still couldn’t believe his daughter was sleeping with Peña.
His men told him all about the handsome young agent who loved to fuck their whores. It enraged Pablo to think of a man like that touching his precious daughter.
“Tenemos que hacer algo con su pareja,”(We need to do something about her partner) he said after a moment. “No me gusta la idea de que ese hombre toque a mi hija.” (I don’t like the idea of that man touching my daughter)
“Patrón,”(Boss) La Quica warned, “él es DEA … no podemos tocarlo.” (he’s DEA…we can’t touch him)
“Quizás,”(Maybe)Pablo said softly, clearly thinking through multiple strategies. “Veremos a dónde nos lleva el camino.” (We’ll see where the road takes us.) There was no way he would allow this to continue. He had to protect Ariana.
Javi, Ari, and Steve picked through what was leftover after the Colombian were done in La Catedral—which wasn’t much at all. Ari was digging through some papers scattered on the floor while Steve rummaged through shelves. Javi was flipping through some kind of book.
“This and Mein Kampf,” Javi called over to them. “Two classics of twentieth century literature.” Ari’s brow furrowed as she wondered what the hell he was looking at. She walked over quietly and peered over his shoulder. Her eyes widened. It looked like her father had been putting together some sort of autobiography.
“Yeah,” Steve said loudly, “what do you think the rent’s like? I’m thinking about moving in.” Javi chuckled quietly and glanced behind him. He noticed Ari.
“Hey,” he said quietly. Ari nodded once. She could feel him trying to catch her gaze, but she refused to look into his eyes.
“Hey, Javi!” Steve called out again. “You think the, uh…” he held up an open nudie magazine, “the Hague would want a couple of these?”
“How are you not wearing rubber gloves touching that shit man?” Javi said, a look of disgust on his face. Steve dropped the magazine and Javi laughed. Ari turned to Steve.
“Do not even think about coming near me until you wash your fucking hands, Murphy,” she warned him. Javi walked passed her and she quickly turned her attention to the book he had been rifling through. She could feel his eyes boring through her back, but she refused to turn to him.
“We should take this stuff to our office,” Javi said, holding up recording equipment. “It’s better than any of the shit we got.”
“Fuckin’ Pinzón’s guys have taken everything that’s useful,” Steve grumbled. “There’s nothing.” Javi sat down behind a desk and was looking around the floor.
“Look,” he said, “I think I found something that might help us.”
“Oh yeah?” Steve asked. “What’s that?” He and Ari walked over, anxious to see something useful. Javi ducked under the desk and they both leaned forward in anticipation. Javi popped up wearing an ushanka—a black fuzzy hat. Steve laughed and held up his camera to take a picture.
“Wait,” Javi said, holding up a magazine with Escobar on the cover wearing the same hat. Javi held it next to his face and tried to look stern and serious. He couldn’t hold it, and his face broke into a breathtaking smile as he laughed. Steve snapped a picture, and Ari’s heart clenched. She wanted to join their laughter, but it hurt too damn much. She loved this man with everything she had. It terrified her how much she loved him. She had never allowed herself to be this vulnerable with anyone other than her mother.
They continued to scrounge around the prison, grabbing whatever they thought would be useful—which wasn’t much. They carried their meager findings out to the car. Ari noticed Javi eyeing her.
“You took it?” He asked quietly, nodding towards Escobar’s memoir. Ari nodded.
“I…” she trailed off. “I want to look at it.” She shrugged and wouldn’t meet his eyes. She felt his warm hand squeeze her shoulder.
“I get it,” he said gently. “Nothing to be ashamed of, hermosa.” Ari just nodded again and shoved the book under her jacket in the backseat.
“Let’s get the hell outta here,” Steve grumbled as he climbed into the driver’s seat. They were flying back to Bogotá as soon as possible. There was a lot they needed to wrap up before coming back out to Medellín. Rumors about new bosses and relocating were circling the embassy. The three of them wanted to be prepared in case they had to relocate to Medellín.
Ari had some serious thinking to do.
Ari sighed and stared at the phone. They had been back in Bogotá for two days. She had been agonizing about what to do. She knew something needed to change. Now that she knew she was in love with Javi, things couldn’t just continue they way they had previously. She felt her face heat when she remembered how he had thrown her out of his place a few nights ago. She had never been more embarrassed or hurt.
“Just pick up the phone,” she murmured to herself. “Stop being a chicken shit.” She needed to make this call, but she couldn’t find the courage to do it. “Fuck it.” She picked up the phone and dialed quickly. She chewed on her lip nervously. She heard it click and sucked in a breath.
“Sandoval,” Eduardo said on the other end.
“Hi, it’s Ari,” she said softly. There was a moment of stunned silence.
“Ari,” Eduardo said, a smile in his voice. “I’m surprised to hear from you.”
“In a good way or a bad way?” She asked with a laugh.
“Good,” he assured her, “very good.”
“Whew, well that’s a relief,” she teased.
“And why am I so lucky to be getting a call from you today?” He asked.
“Well, um,” Ari said nervously, “I was wondering if…if your offer for dinner still stands?”
“Really?” He asked, in shock.
“Yes,” she said.
“Definitely,” he beamed. “Yes, I would love to take you to dinner. Are you free tonight?” Ari smiled. It felt nice to have a man so eager to see her…and not just for sex.
“Yeah, I’m free tonight,” she answered.
“Perfect,” he sighed. “I’ll pick you up at seven.”
“Looking forward to it,” she said.
“Me too,” he replied. “See you soon.” She hung up the phone and smiled. Guilt niggled at her brain. She pushed it away angrily. She had no reason to feel bad for going to dinner with Eduardo. Javier and her were not exclusive. Hell, they weren’t even dating. She’d never gone out for a romantic dinner with him. He’d never picked her up from her apartment and taken her out to a movie. They fucked. That was it. Sure, she was in love with him, but where was that getting her? Kicked out of his apartment in the middle of the night. Fuck him. She had to do this. She needed to spend time with a man that actually wanted to be with her. She needed to see what her other options were.
She glanced at the clock. She had a couple hours until Eduardo would arrive. She wanted to shower and dry her hair. She peeled herself off the couch and made her way to her bathroom to get ready.
“You did not!” Eduardo laughed. Ari had somehow been convinced to tell Eduardo the story about her partner shooting her.
“I did,” she admitted almost sheepishly. “Look, it was what needed to be done, alright?”
“Oh, I believe you,” he said, his laughter slowly dying out. “I’m just continually amazed by your…tenacity.”
“I’m taking that as a compliment,” she said with a chuckle.
“Good.” Eduardo smiled. “Because it was meant to be one.” She returned his smile and took a sip of her wine. They were sitting at a slightly upscale restaurant. Ari was glad she had decided to wear a dress tonight. Surprisingly, she was having a really good time. Eduardo was charming and intelligent and attentive. Conversation flowed easily and he made her laugh. Her stomach twisted as Javi’s face came to mind. Shit. She wasn’t going to think about him tonight. She was out on a date with a lovely man. A man that actually wanted to date her. Javier needed to stay firmly out of her head.
“So, how do you like working in Colombia?” Eduardo asked.
“It’s been good,” Ari told him. “It’s a beautiful country. My partners are dedicated and loyal. Not much more I could ask for in this line of work.”
“Your partners,” he began, “they’re interesting men, to say the least.”
“You could say that,” Ari chuckled lightly.
“Murphy,” Eduardo said, “is he still not speaking Spanish?”
“He’s getting better,” Ari assured him. “His pronunciation is shit, but it’s an improvement from when he first started.”
“And Peña,” he continued, “that man has quite the reputation.”
“Mmm,” Ari hummed in a noncommittal tone. She looked down at the table. She didn’t want to talk about Javi.
“Ariana,” he said quietly. She dragged her eyes to his face. “It’s alright. I know…I know there’s something between the two of you. It’s ok.”
“Ed—” Ari began, her chest tight in terror.
“Please, don’t try to deny it,” Eduardo cut in. “I am not judging you. I just want you to know that I know…and it’s ok.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, tears of anger—at herself—pooling in her eyes.
“You have no reason to apologize,” he said, gently taking her hand in his on top of the table.
“Yes I do,” she sniffed quietly. “I feel like I’m leading you on…”
“I am the one that pursued you, Ari,” he smiled. “I have had a hunch about Peña for awhile, and I still pursued you. Please, do not feel guilty for finally accepting my invitation to dinner.”
“Eduardo,” Ari began quietly, “you are an amazing guy…handsome, smart, charming…you’re literally the entire package.”
“But?” Eduardo said with a sad smile.
“I’m in love with him,” Ari said simply.
“He doesn’t deserve you,” Eduardo said softly.
“Probably,” Ari reluctantly agreed, “but it doesn’t change how I feel about him. Trying to pretend I don’t love him and move on isn’t fair to you or me.”
“Agreed,” Eduardo said. “So, let’s not stress about this. Let’s enjoy the rest of our dinner—as friends—and if you ever feel differently…and I’m still available, give me a call.”
“You really are a great fucking guy, you know that?” Ari said with a watery smile.
“Unfortunately for me, nice guys finish last, Ari,” he said sadly.
“You deserve someone way better than me, Eduardo,” Ari said solemnly. “Trust me on this.”
“I’m beginning to believe there is no one better than you, Ariana,” he replied quietly.
“Agree to disagree on that one,” Ari chuckled. They finished up their meal—with Ari insistent on paying her half. The conversation still flowed, and Ari believed they could still maintain a friendly working relationship.
“Thank you for a wonderful evening,” Ari said with a warm smile. They were standing outside the main door to her apartment building. She didn’t want him to walk her to her door just in case anyone was around. The last thing she needed to do was explain this night to Steve or Connie—or god forbid, Javi.
“It was my pleasure, Ari,” he said happily. “I always enjoy your company…even platonically.” His eyes glanced down to her mouth. She had put on dark red lipstick that really enhanced the shape and fullness of her mouth. “Can I make one last suggestion, before I let you go for good?”
“What?” Ari asked almost breathlessly. She had a feeling she knew where this was headed, and she was nervous.
“Can I kiss you?” He asked. Ari bit her lower lip as she contemplated her answer. She was curious…it had been a long time since she’d kissed anyone besides Javier. Would it feel the same with someone else? No one had ever made her feel the way Javi did…but it wouldn’t hurt to test it out, right? Just once?
“Yes,” she said with a nod after a moment. Eduardo stepped closer and cupped her face gently in his hands. He tilted his head and pressed his lips to hers. It was good. It was a solid, good kiss. Just the right amount of pressure, and when he lightly slipped his tongue between her lips—A+. The man was a good kisser…but it didn’t do anything for her. Her heart plummeted. While very pleasant, it didn’t light a fire in her.
She thought about how Javi would have handled this. Well, first off, he wouldn’t have asked to kiss her. He would have just done it. Ari appreciated Eduardo’s need for her consent, but she craved the way Javi took charge. Javi’s kisses sent her into a frenzy. She just couldn’t get enough of him. She sighed inwardly. Oh well. Eduardo pulled back and looked into her eyes as his thumb stroked her jaw.
“No spark?” He asked in disappointment.
“No,” Ari said. He sighed and pulled back, dropping his hands form her face.
“Me either,” Eduardo said with a shrug. “Odd…I would have sworn it would have been good between us. Maybe we do just make better friends.”
“It would appear that way,” Ari offered.
“Alright then,” Eduardo said with a definitive nod. “Now we know. This night has been enlightening.” He held out his hand to her.
“I think we can still hug,” Ari laughed. Eduardo chuckled and bent down slightly to give her a brief hug.
“Goodnight,” he said once they broke apart.
“Goodnight,” she replied. He saw her into the building before gettin back into his car. Ari smiled to herself as she walked to her door, digging her keys out of her purse. Javi’s door opened just as she approached hers.
“Ari,” he said, surprised to see her.
“Javi,” she said, avoiding his eyes.
“You look…” he trailed off as his eyes raked her from head to toe. His gaze was smoldering. Ari shifted slightly, heat pooling in her belly at his obvious interest. Her dress was black and molded to her body like a second skin. His eyes lingered on her round ass, barely covered by the fabric.
“Where, uh,” Javi cleared his throat, “where’d you go all dressed up?”
“I had a date,” she blurted out before she could stop herself.
“A date?” The horror in Javi’s voice almost made her smile. Take that, you asshole.
“Mmm hmm,” she murmured. “Well, have a good night.” She unlocked her door and went inside. She leaned against the door after closing it and smirked to herself. She hoped Javi would agonize over her date. Suddenly, a frown furrowed her brow. He was probably on his way to a brothel…he wouldn’t give a shit what she had been up to tonight. No, he was gonna go fuck away his troubles. She shook herself and refused to give in to the agonizing pain. She was going to have a drink and look through Escobar’s memoir.
She told herself it was for investigative purposes…but she knew the truth. She wanted to know more about who he was—the man, not the kingpin. Despite everything, she was curious about the man who had sired her.
Tomorrow she could begin to sort through her feelings for Javier.
Javi sat at the bar staring off into nothing. He sipped his whiskey as his thoughts strayed once more to Ari. She had looked gorgeous tonight. That dress…oh, dear god, that dress. It hugged her every curve. Her delicious tits swelled just above the neckline, and her ass looked ripe and ready to be fucked. He shifted on the bar stool, the sudden tightness in his pants uncomfortable. She had been on a date. Fuck.
Javi gulped down the rest of his drink and signaled the bartender for another. He clenched his fists as he thought about Ari out with another man. He hoped since she had come home alone—and relatively early—that the date hadn’t led to sex. He felt bile rise in his throat. He couldn’t stand the thought of someone else touching Ari…kissing her…pushing into her tight, hot little body and making her scream in pleasure. He knew he had fucked up. Kicking her out the other night had affected her much deeper than she was letting on.
It bothered him more than he liked to admit that she still wouldn’t look at him. She had not made eye contact with him once since that awful fucking night. He wished she was angry. He could handle her being pissed…but this? This he could not take. She was obviously hurt at the way he had treated her, but it was the way she almost seemed to fear him, that’s what really tore him to shreds. He wanted to fix this, but he knew he couldn’t. He would just fuck it up again. He decided to give her some space to work through what she needed to. Part of him hoped she would come to her senses and realize she deserved better than him….but really, he just wanted to see her smile again.
The next few days passed quietly. They were summoned back to the Holguín, and reluctantly flew back out to Medellín. They needed to meet Colonel Pinzón officially. They would be spending a lot more time in Medellín, and they needed to make nice with the new man in charge. Fuck, he missed Carrillo.
The awkwardness between Ari and Javier did not bleed over into their work, but she still could barely look at him. She was polite and kind as always, but she did not tease him or laugh or show any sign of enjoying her time with him. It was killing him, but still he did not push. By the time a week had passed, Javier assumed Ari had decided she was done with their arrangement. He felt his heart constrict at the realization that he would never hold her again…but he couldn’t blame her. She deserved so much more than what he offered her.
He couldn’t help but watch her as they sat in the office of Colonel Pinzón. She was so damn beautiful. She looked tired. He felt guilt gnaw at his stomach.
“As a courtesy to your government,” Colonel Pinzón drilled on, “I’m allowing you to participate in this manhunt. But…I set the limits and all decisions rest with me.” The four of them stood up and followed Pinzón out of his office. “If this condition is unacceptable, take it up with the president.”
“Of course, Colonel,” Javi said quickly, following the colonel through the building. “I hope we didn’t get off on the wrong foot.”
“Not at all,” Pinzón assured him. “Every operation needs a well defined hierarchy.” They pushed through a door and walked up a small flight of stairs. A female CNP officer stood at attention and saluted the Colonel. Javi looked back as he passed and checked her out. He noticed Ari behind him shaking her head, a slight look of disgust on her face. She had caught him checking out another woman. He quickly looked forward and swallowed down his feelings of guilt and remorse. He felt like no matter what he did, he was a disappointment to Ari. They made their way into a large room buzzy with energy. They went down another short flight of stairs into a wide open space.
“I hope this will be an adequate space for you to do your work,” Pinzón said, gesturing the the open area.
“What, you’re talking about this?” Steve asked in disbelief. “This—”
“—This is more than adequate,” Javi cut Steve off. “Gracias, coronel.” He didn’t want to piss the Colonel off and get them kicked out.
“Welcome,” Pinzón said as he walked away. The three DEA agents stood in the center of the room almost dumbfounded. There was one desk, covered in paperwork, more towards the middle of the room. Along the back side was a bunch of stacked up furniture and mountains of paper work. Javi picked up a paper off the desk and glanced at it.
“Oh, wow, this is from 1962,” he said flippantly. He tossed it onto the pile of paperwork along the wall. Steve lit up a cigarette and Ari sighed heavily.
“Might as well get started,” she said in a voice heavy with exhaustion. They rolled up their sleeves and got to work.
Over an hour later and they had made some headway. They managed to get the desk cleared and set up. Javi was currently sitting at it typing away. Ari was clearing off the desk behind him. She turned when she heard a loud scraping sound. Steve was pushing a big metal desk into the center of the room.
“Found another one?” She called out to him.
“Yeah,” Steve groaned. “It was sitting in an empty office. One of the guys said we could take it.”
“Good,” she murmured. “I’ll have this one cleared soon.”
“You can take this one, Ari,” Steve insisted. “I’ll take care of all that.” He gestured to the mess she was sorting through.
“I got it, Steve,” she said. “You did all the hard work bringing that mammoth desk in here…you reap the rewards.” They both chuckled quietly. Steve pushed the desk right in front of Javi’s. He sighed as he finally got the piece of furniture into place.
“Seriously?” Javi grunted, a cigarette hanging from his plush lips. “Directly in front of me? I don’t spend enough time looking at your face?” Steve dropped two big file boxes on top of the desks, effectively blocking Javi’s view of him. Ari shook her head and laughed quietly. They were like children sometimes.
“That’s better,” Javi grumbled.
“Hay una muchacha en la línea tres,”(There’s a girl on line three) Trujillo called out from behind Steve. His desk was situated in the same room as them, along the wall opposite the mess Ari was cleaning up. “Quiere hablar con un americano.” (She wants to talk to an American) Steve sat down heavily at his desk, ignoring Trujillo. Ari smirked. She knew Steve understood him. His Spanish was improving—mostly thanks to her tutoring him—but he refused to let any of the Colombians know. They had decided that it worked to their advantage. The Colombians tended to talk more freely in front of him since they didn’t think he could understand them.
“Nothing?” Trujillo sighed. “You picked up on the ‘American’ part, right?” Steve continued to ignore him. “Murphy! ¿Qué pasa, compadre?”
“Chúpamela, por favor,”(Suck my dick, please) Steve called out, flicking him off. Trujillo smiled and Javi walked over to answer the call.
“La DEA, agente Peña,” Javi breathed into the phone. He listened for a moment. “¿Ah, sí? ¿A cuál?” (Oh, yeah? Which one?) His brow furrowed lightly as the girl on the other end spoke. “Sí, hay una recompensa. ¿Cuál es tu información, señorita? ¿De quién está hablando?”(Yes, there’s a reward. What’s your information, miss? Who are you talking about?) Suddenly Javi sat up straighter. He looked to Steve and Ari and snapped his fingers. Ari hated when he did that, but the next words out of his mouth chased away any irritation. “¿La Quica? ¿Usted conoce a La Quica?”(You know La Quica?) Steve and Ari rushed over to Javi’s side. “Usted trabaja ahí? ¿Hace cuánto fue eso? Bueno, lo investigamos.” (Do you work there? How long ago was this? Alright, we’ll look into it.) Javi hung up the phone.
“You think it’s legit?” Steve asked.
“Let’s find out,” Javi said excitedly.
“Where is he?” Ari asked.
“Don’t know right now,” Javi answered. “The girl said he came by a brothel earlier and left. Said he’d be back in a few hours. We need to hurry.”
“Another brothel?” Ari sighed. “Seriously, do these guys do anything other than fuck?”
“Sell cocaine and kill people,” Steve offered unhelpfully. Ari snorted quietly as the three of them rushed to Pinzón’s office.
“How credible is your source?” Pinzón asked them. Steve was sitting in front of his desk while Ari and Javi stood.
“It was an unsolicited phone call,” Javi told him. “She asked to speak to an American. We would need a couple of cars and a few men.” Javi made his way around the second chair. He glanced at Ari who nodded for him to take it. He sat down and watched the colonel.
“Well, my men are either busy here or outside in the street,” Pinzón replied. “And I’m not relocating men to chase down bullshit tips.”
“If this turns out not to be bullshit, La Quica could give us Pablo,” Steve urged.
“So go,” Pinzón said. “Go ahead. Since when do you need an excuse to go to a whorehouse?” He turned his head to look pointedly at Javi. Anger flared in Javi’s chest. He quickly bit back the nasty remark he wanted to spout off and looked down into his lap. He took a breath and shook his head slightly. His body heated with shame. He hated having his escapades constantly thrown in his face…especially in front of Ari. She knew the type of man he was, but he hated how often she was reminded. He lifted his head and met the colonel’s eyes.
“Valdría la pena investigarlo, coronel,”(It would be worth investigating, Colonel) Javi said quietly. “No estamos pidiendo mucho.” (We’re not asking for a lot.) Pinzón smirked and looked around at the three of them.
“One vehicle, three men,” he conceded.
“Gracias,” Javi said. The three of them practically bolted out of the office.
Within minutes they had Trujillo and two other men ready to go. They were looking over aerial photos, trying to figure out their plan of attack.
“Alleys run along the house here,” Javi said, marking on the photo, “here. We’ll keep the other car waiting around back.”
“¿Seguro no es una trampa?”(You sure it’s not a trap?) Trujillo asked him.
“No estoy seguro de nada,”(I’m not sure of anything) Javi responded quietly. Their sat phone started to ring and Steve grabbed it.
“Murphy,” he grunted. He listened for a moment and then whispered, “I’m just in the middle of something. Let me call you right back.” He paused and a look of worry passed over his face. “You’re where?” He held his hand up to Javi and walked to the side to take the call.
“What’s that about?” Trujillo asked.
“No idea,” Javi shrugged. They continued to plan when suddenly Steve’s voice reached them.
“Connie, please,” he pleaded. “We can talk about this. Do not get on that plane. Wait, ok?” Javi and Ari’s eyes shot to Steve. He hung up the phone and walked back over to them.
“She’s at the airport,” Steve said, slightly panicked.
“Go,” Javi urged him.
“I’m sorry,” Steve apologized. “I gotta go. Guys, sorry.”
“It’s fine, Steve,” Ari assured him. He rushed out, leaving La Quica to them.
“Alright,” Javi said. “Let’s get this fucker.”
Less than an hour after they received their approval from Pinzón, they were driving to the brothel. Trujillo was in the back with Ari and Javi, while the other two men were in the front.
“Aquí a la derecha,”(Right there, to the right.) Javi told the driver. “Es la próxima derecha.”(It’s the next right.)
“Cómo nos conocemos la zona, ¿no, Peñita?”(Know the area well, don’t you, Peña?) Trujillo teased. Javi clenched his fist in aggravation.
“Sí, sí, sí,” he said, exasperated. “Just fuckin’ drive.” He felt Ari lightly grip his clenched fist, offering a small reassurance. He stared down at her small hand and swallowed audibly. It felt like forever since she had touched him.
“Ignore them,” she whispered. He nodded once, and she removed her hand. They focused back on the road. Javi pulled his gun out from his waistband and cocked it as the car pulled up in the alley.
“Ahí está el taxi,”(There’s the taxi.) Javi told them. “Estaciona a la izquierda, ahí.”(Park on the left, there.) There were a ton of cars parked along each side of the road. They squeezed between two.
“Ari, you wait here,” Javi told her as he tucked the gun back in his belt.
“What?” She exclaimed, her brow furrowed in annoyance.
“I don’t want to take the chance that they recognize you before we get too close,” he explained.
“Oh, alright,” she sighed. She sat back against the seat in exasperation. He could see on her face how much she hated that she couldn’t go with him.
“You’ll be chasing them down soon enough,” he said with a grin. He turned to the other men. “Muy bien. Esperen aquí.” (Alright. Wait for me here.) He got out of the car and casually strode up the street. He got about halfway to the cab when the driver darted out and ran into the brothel.
“Ari! Trujillo!” Javi shouted.
“¡Dé la vuelta!” (Go around!) Trujillo shouted to the other two men. Ari and Trujillo burst from the car and took off after Javi. The other two followed orders and circled the van around the building. Ari and Trujillo followed Javi into the brothel. The door was barred, costing them precious time. They finally got in, guns drawn and swept through the brothel. The girls were all peeking out of their rooms, terrified. One woman with a blue fringed shirt caught Javi’s gaze and moved her eyes upwards, pointing out where the men had gone. Javi briefly wondered if she had been the one to call it in.
He glanced up and saw La Quica and the driver climbing onto the roof. The three of them quickly tucked their guns in their waistbands and hurried up after the two men. They followed them down and out onto the next street. The van caught up to them and one of the men jumped out to join them. Javi stopped them as the reached the entrance to an open market. He signaled for them all to split up.
They moved through the market quickly and quietly. Javi made it to the center and glanced around, eyeing the other three—all empty handed. Someone grabbed his shoulder and he turned quickly, his heart racing. It was a female vendor.
“No busque más, este es el mejor sitio para comer,”(Stop looking, this is the best place to eat.) she said with a smile. Javi was sweaty and panting, and completely frustrated. He stepped away from the woman and looked around once more. How the hell had they gotten away again?
“Fuck,” he whispered, angrily. “Fuck!” Ari and Trujillo made their way over to him.
“We were so fucking close,” Ari swore quietly.
“Next time,” Trujillo said. “Let’s get outta here.” He turned and walked out, taking the other man with him. Once they were gone, Javi turned to Ari. She was watching him closely. Javi felt self conscious all of a sudden. Having Ari’s full attention on him after more than a week of no interaction was unsettling. She seemed to be considering something. Finally she spoke up.
“Want to come over tonight?” She asked him. Javier was taken aback. He had not expected to be welcomed back to her bed.
“Uh, sure,” Javi said cautiously.
“Great,” she said with a smile. She glanced behind her to make sure the others were gone. Then she stood up on her tip toes and gently grabbed the back of Javi’s neck to bring his lips down to hers in a devastating kiss. He moaned into her mouth. Fuck, he had missed her. She broke away and smiled at him once more.
“Let’s go,” she murmured. He watched her as she walked back to the van that had just pulled up to the entrance. She slid into the back seat, waiting patiently for Javier. She glanced over and saw him still standing there in shock. She grinned and waved him over. He shook himself and quickly got into the van. He was surprised by her actions. He had assumed they were over. He didn’t know how he got this fucking lucky, but he wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth. It had been over a week since he’d been inside her, and that was a goddamn lifetime. He shifted to alleviate the growing bulge in his jeans.
He couldn’t wait to get back to Bogotá. They needed to go to the Holguín and file a report, then it was back to the embassy. From there he would grab Ari, take her back to his apartment, and fuck her until the sun came up.
A couple hours later they were finally on their way back to the apartment. Ari couldn’t stop smirking every time she looked at Javi. He was practically salivating. Good to know he craved her just as much as she craved him. This power play was going to her a head a bit. She always felt so untethered and unsure around Javi…it felt nice to be the one holding all the cards this time.
She had done a lot of thinking over the week—Especially after her date with Eduardo. She had come to the conclusion that she just couldn’t quit Javier Peña. But if she was going to make this work, she needed to do it on her terms. Well, his terms, but her way. They would fuck, yes, but she would never ask to stay at his place or for him to stay at hers ever again. And she decided, she wouldn’t limit herself to him for her sexual needs. If he was busy fucking someone else, and she had an itch to scratch, she’d find someone for the night—only if it felt right and they understood it was a one night thing. She knew it would never be as good, but she couldn’t wait around for Javier forever. Even if she never slept with anyone else, she wanted Javi to assume she was. Javier was it for her—she knew it in her heart, she would never love another man as much as she loved him. So, she would play the long game. She knew Javi had feelings for her…she just had to give him time and help showhim.
She was going to give Javier exactly what he wanted. And based off what she had witnessed previously…he would not like getting exactly what he wanted. Was it manipulative? Yes…but she didn’t care. She wouldn’t go down without a fight. They pulled into the parking garage at the apartment, and Javi practically flew out of the Jeep in his hurry to get to her. She laughed as he grabbed her and hauled her against his chest.
“Eager, are we?” She teased.
“You’re damn right I am,” he groaned. “I haven’t had sex in over a week, baby.” Ari pushed back slightly so she could look into his eyes.
“What?” She asked, shocked.
“What?” He parroted, already dazed being so close to her intoxicating scent.
“You haven’t had sex in over a week?” She asked.
“Yeah,” he answered, chasing her mouth, trying desperately to capture her lips.
“When was the last time you had sex?” She pushed.
“The night Escobar escaped prison,” he murmured, his large hand grasping the hair and the back of her head.
“You haven’t slept with anyone this week?” The shock in her voice must have registered in his foggy brain. He stopped trying to kiss her and looked into her eyes.
“No one since you,” he clarified. Ari swallowed thickly, not sure what to think of his little revelation. She decided to push it aside for later. She couldn’t read too much into it. Her heart was already at risk of being shattered…she didn’t need to add stupid hope to the mix.
“You poor baby,” she cooed. “I guess I should take good care of you tonight, then.”
“Please,” he groaned and finally kissed her. He pressed her up against the car and devoured her mouth.
“Let’s get inside,” Ari whispered against his lips when they finally came up for air. Javi grabbed her hand and practically dragged her to his apartment. Once they were inside he pressed her up against the closed door and kissed her deeply. She moaned as she rubbed her tongue against his. He broke contact just long enough to pull her shirt over her head. His fingers fumbled with her bra hook, desperate to get to her bare skin. He groaned as his hands finally cupped her breasts, his thumbs rubbing circles over her tight nipples.
He bent down and sucked one into his mouth. He bit down lightly. Ari gasped and clutched the back of his head. He released her nipple and licked it gently, soothing the slight burn.
“Fuck, Javi,” she moaned softly. She gripped the front of his shirt and pulled, ripping the buttons off. She pushed it over his shoulders and down his arms. Javi let the ruined shirt float to the floor. Ari quickly worked the button of his jeans and pulled down the zipper. She sank down to her knees and tried to pull his pants down.
“I don’t think so, hermosa,” Javi said in a gravelly voice. He grabbed her forearms and pulled her back up to standing.
“What?” Ari asked in surprise.
“It’s been too damn long,” Javi explained. “If my cock goes anywhere near your mouth, I won’t last long. I don’t wanna come down your throat, Ari. I wanna come deep inside your perfect pussy.” Ari moaned and kissed him again. Javi grabbed her ass and hoisted her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist. They continued to kiss as he walked them into his bedroom. Javi dropped her down in the center of the bed and practically collapsed on top of her. She giggled when they landed.
“Fuck, I missed that,” Javi murmured.
“What?” Ari asked with a smile.
“Your laugh,” he said quietly. Ari sobered up immediately. She caressed the side of his face.
“I just needed some time,” she whispered.
“I know, baby,” he replied softly. “I’m sorry. I don’t fucking deserve you.”
“Probably,” Ari smiled, “but this is where I want to be tonight…so let’s put this week behind us, and enjoy it, alright?”
“Anything you want, hermosa,” Javi agreed. He slid down her body—pausing to lick her nipples on the way down—and pulled her jeans and panties off. Ari sat up and pulled his pants down. Javi kicked them off and pushed her back onto the bed. He lay on top of her and kissed her deeply. When he started to move down her body, Ari pushed him up slightly and flipped him onto his back. She straddled him, her hands splayed across his chest.
“What’re you doing, baby?” He asked her with a smirk.
“I wanna ride you,” she answered.
“Let me taste you,” Javi whined.
“Later,” she murmured and grasped his hard cock in her hand. “I need you inside me.” She lined him up and pushed down, sheathing him in one go. She hissed at the stretch. The last week had felt like an eternity. It was incredible to feel him filling her once again.
“You feel so fucking good,” Javi groaned. His big hands grasped her hips tight. “Ride me, baby.” Ari pushed up and slid back down. They moaned in unison. It always felt so right, so perfect, every time they joined together like this. Ari’s small hands spread out on his broad chest. She used it as leverage to pump herself up and down on him. After a few minutes they both became frantic, desperately seeking release. His hands gripped her hips tighter—lifting her and then slamming her back down. His hips thrust up against her, causing his pelvic bone to rub against her clit. She was so close.
“Fuck, fuck,” Ari panted. Javi released one of her hips to circle her clit with his thumb. That was all it took to hurtle Ari over the edge. She threw her head back and screamed as her orgasm crashed into her. Her pussy clamped tight around Javi and he shouted out her name as he came inside her. She collapsed against his chest. They were covered in sweat and out of breath.
“That was fast,” Ari laughed.
“Huh?” Javi said, still dazed.
“That was fast,” she repeated. “I don’t think we’ve ever finished that quickly.”
“Sorry,hermosa,” he sighed. “I was too damn pent up. I’ll last longer on round two.”
“I’m not upset, Javi,” she laughed. “I came too, in case you didn’t notice.”
“Oh, I fucking noticed,” he growled. “Your pussy clamped around my dick so tight, I couldn’t stop myself from coming.” Ari laughed softly against his chest. Javi’s arms came up around her and held her tight to his body. She sighed happily.
“Fuck, I needed that,” Javi said.
“Me too,” she agreed. “This has been a long ass week.”
“Yeah,” Javi said. There was something in his voice, and she couldn’t figure out what it was. He shifted underneath her nervously. “You, uh…have you seen that guy again?”
“What guy?” Ari asked, propping her chin on her hand so she look Javi in the eye. He brushed a piece of hair behind her ear, and gently cupped her face. He really needed to stop with all the sweetness. It was messing with her resolve.
“The guy you went on a date with the other night,” Javi clarified.
“Oh, him,” Ari said. She chewed her lip. Javi’s thumb plucked it out from between her teeth. “No, I haven’t seen him again.”
“Are you going to?” He asked. She could see he was trying to be casual, but there was a fire in his eyes he could not hide.
“Probably not,” Ari answered honestly.
“Why?” Javi asked. She shrugged slightly.
“Doesn’t feel right to lead him on,” she replied. “The chemistry just wasn’t there. No need to waste our time.”
“No chemistry, huh?” Javi smirked.
“None,” she said, and returned his smile.
“Well, that’s not a problem for us, now is it?” Javi said.
“No, it’s not,” Ari agreed. He rubbed his thumb along her lower lip. “What’re you thinking?”
“I’m thinking when I catch my breath,” Javi told her, “I’m gonna lick my cum outta your pussy until you scream.”
“Mmm,” Ari moaned. “I like the sound of that.”
An hour later, Javi had made good on his promise, as well as fucked her hard into the mattress. He was enjoying his postcoital cigarette as Ari got dressed. He watched her silently, wondering what she was doing. Once she was fully dressed she sauntered over to his side of the bed. She leaned over and kissed him.
“Thanks for tonight,” she whispered against his lips. She stood up and turned to leave. “See you tomorrow!” She called out. He heard the front door shut. What the fuck? Did she seriously just walk out? He didn’t want her to go—not yet, at least. He was hoping they could go another round—or two—before they called it quits for the night. Ari had never been the one to initiate the leaving. He frowned and stubbed out his cigarette. This was exactly how he wanted it to be. No drama, just sex. So, why was he upset? Before he could think too deeply on it, his phone rang.
“Peña,” he answered.
“Hey, Jav,” Steve said on the other end of the line, “I, uh, I need your help.”
I will be updating stitched together in the next couple of days! Just letting y’all know. No way is on the back burner for now until I get that burst of energy yknow.
Colombia. It was new, scary. And despite spending all day unpacking, my nerves had not calmed. I decided that there was only one thing to do: get myself some pizza, new yarn, my trusted knitting needles, and some new records. It was time for me to relax the only way I knew, knitting while upbeat music plays from the record player, I had placed in my new living room. Sadly, I couldn’t jump into my relaxation as I did need to go out to get said pizza, yarn, and records. I didn’t mind that much though because I did want to explore Bogota.
I grabbed my purse and hopped into my car. The used car I had gotten wasn’t the nicest, but I could afford it and it was better than trying to get public transportation in a foreign country. My first stop was the record store. I picked up one of my favorite records, Rumors by Fleetwood Mac. It wasn’t always my favorite but years of listening to it at home had made me adore it. With my record safely away in the trunk, I drove over to the craft store. There was only a handful in the city, so I was planning on taking full advantage of its proximity to my new apartment.
The store was relatively small, clearly a family run business. The sign above the door read in large cursive letters “Palacio de Artesania”. I entered and found that it was larger than I expected, although still small. The bell above the door rang and I saw what looked like the owner of the store come up to greet me.
“Buenos dias! Puedo alludarte?” The sweet old lady who approached me asked.
“Soy bien ahora,” I responded, hoping my Spanish was okay. It had been a while since I spoke. She nodded and walked over to the other side of the room, where the register was. I spotted a younger looking woman at the register. She was reading a tabloid magazine as she chewed some gum, clearly uninterested in the job she was supposed to be doing. Although in her defense, the place was pretty empty. I spotted two other people, a woman carrying a baby and a man wearing a leather jacket. I paid little attention to either, although my eyes did linger a little too long on the man. He quickly looked towards me and I smiled awkwardly before wandering down another aisle.
I could feel my cheeks flush as I realized I had been caught staring. I couldn’t control it, he just felt out of place. He was dashingly handsome and intimidating, not the type you would expect to be looking at embroidery threads. I shook my head to get myself back to the goal of this mission. New yarn. I wandered the store for a moment before finding the knitting and crochet section. While the selection was small, they did have high quality materials and after a mental check of what colors I needed, I grabbed a couple of skeins and went to check out.
I must have not been looking where I was going because I bumped into the man from before as I turned a corner. The yarn I had been carrying in my arms fell to the ground and I quickly rushed to pick up the mess. He bent down to help me collect the yarn, handing a few to me.
“Gracias señor.” I said, giving him a nod.
“Your accent is terrible.” He said in response.
“Oof, well I’m a little rusty.”
“It’s okay, you’re still cute.” I felt my face heat up at the unexpected complement.
“Javier Peña.” He held out his hand.
“Y/N L/N.” I said shaking his hand. “What brings you here? Not to be rude but I don’t expect an American wearing a leather jacket and tight ass jeans to be in a craft store in Columbia.”
“You like my jeans?”
“Never said that.”
“It was implied.”
“Answer the question.”
“I just like crafting. Embroidery is my favorite, but I’m running out of things to embroider on. As for the Columbia thing, I work at the embassy.”
“Really? I just got a job there! I’m the new receptionist for someone named Messina. What was her first name… Claudia!”
Javier looked like a deer in headlights. He stared at me for a moment before his posture changed and he seemed more closed off.
“Look, whatever you do, you can’t tell people that you saw me here. Or anything I told you for that matter. I have a… reputation to uphold.” He spit out.
“Oh, you are one of those types. No worries, I won’t say a thing. Can’t let them know you’re a big softie.”
“I am not a softie.”
“Sure…” I started walking towards the register. “I’ll see you at work, I guess. I start tomorrow.”
“Good luck. You’ll need it.”
With that he seemed to sneak away to another aisle and left me alone. I quickly paid for my yarn and made my way out, nodding at him as I left. I drove to the nearest pizza place, grabbed a cheese pizza, and made my way back home. It was dark by the time I arrived, the day had gone by quickly between the unpacking and the shopping. I grabbed a piece of pizza, started playing my new record, and began preparing to knit. An hour later the pizza was gone, a new record was playing, and the beginnings of a sweater had been knit.
Now it was around midnight, so I put away the record and headed to bed. My mind kept wandering back to Javier. He seemed like an interesting man. And he was even more handsome up close. But he clearly had some problems with expressing himself and I didn’t want to get put into that mess. Still, he made the prospect of my first day a lot more interesting. I would have a friend.
Summary: Javier graduated from high school in 74’, it’s 1989. On a sort of whim he decides to go to his class reunion.
Word Count: 1500ish
Warnings: handful of swears, mentions of smoking, fluffy feelings, kissing like teenagers
A/N: my first dance with Javier Peña, Javi P folx be gentle and really hope you enjoy it!
Javier stubs out his cigarette and immediately pops a piece of nicotine-laced gum with a sigh. He decides to sit in his car a couple of minutes more, wondering why he’s doing this at all.
“Fuck, let’s go, Pena, get this clown show over with”, he mutters to himself and opens the car door and hauls himself out.
Heading in, he wonders if he is dressed too casually, looking down at his plaid shirt and dark jeans as he seeing suits and dresses. He lets go another sigh as he reaches the balloon-adorned school entrance, a large welcome banner in black and gold over the double doors reading-
“Welcome back Class of 1974! Home of the Mighty Longhorns! Once a Longhorn, Always a Longhorn!”
Bowie blares from the gym as soon as he pulls the door open, he gives a half-smile as Rebel Rebel brings him back to senior year with Raf and Dante. Alright… maybe it won’t be complete torture he thinks. He ambles in, the gym is covered in streamers and balloons. Black &white photos from the yearbook have been blown up into jumbo-sized posters. And the closest one puts him face to face with you. His high school sweetheart, until you weren’t.
It’s not that Javier hadn’t thought about you being at the reunion… he had. A lot. Then he put it out of his mind. Decided not to go. Then changed his mind at the last minute, and here he is looking at your larger than life-size photo- from the senior play. And this shot captured you perfectly. Expressive, powerful, captivating.
“She said she was coming,” comes a voice behind him.
Javier turns.
“Javi! Welcome back,” Goria’s smile widens, and she opens her arms for a hug. Gloria, everyone’s little sister. All 4 feet 11 inches of her. He wild curls, now piled high giving her 3 inches at least, thanks to aqua net. Javier obliges.
“Hey, Gloria.” He says then nods to the poster, “Did you talk to her?”
“Yeah, when I was hunting everyone down. She’s flying in from Vermont.”
“Vermont? What took her there?”
“Ask her yourself,” and it’s Gloria’s turn to nod over his shoulder, but not the shoulder where the picture of you in Our Town, but his other shoulder indicating the gymnasium doors.
Javier turns and you are looking around as you place your “Hello my name is…” sticker on your top, those sweet eyes scanned the gym, with a smile like everything in their path could bring pleasure. And then they landed on him and he was awash with the warmth of them. They crinkle like they always did, he doesn’t remember a time when your smile didn’t reach your eyes. So open and genuine.
Gloria pulls him out of his revelry with a pointed pat on his chest.
“Go get her, tiger.”
He looks down, she’d slapped a name tag on him. He huffs a laugh and she smiles up at him.
But he doesn’t have to go get you, you walk over and envelope Gloria in a hug, with a squeal of her name. Then you look over her head at Javier-
“Javi, hi.”
Gloria, that sweetheart, mumbles something about letting you catch two up and seems to melt into the background. Javier hand goes out and then he puts it on his hip.
“Hey,” he tries for casual.
You just smile, like you are drinking him in. He wants it to never stop, but it goes one better, you close the distance and hug him. He stands corrected, he never wants this to stop.
“Can we move away from Emily/me towering over us?” You say, pointing at the poster.
“Sure,” Javier chuckles.
“Drink?”
“Yeah.”
You take his hand so naturally and pull him toward the refreshments table.
You both grab a plastic cup and ladle some kind of sherbert punch into them.
You do the cursory catchup. You have a small but working farm in Vermont, you still act locally. He’s DEA. (“I know, Javi, ive seen the news!”) You are divorced, one kid. He’s been in Columbia (“Javi, I know! Everyone does! What about your personal life….”)
Suddenly, Abba’s Waterloo causing a rush to the dances floor. Gloria waving you both in.
Javier gives her a stern look that she laughs at it and turns to dance with two girlfriends. The three look back one more time at the pair of you, giggling- like 15 years hadn’t passed at all. You feel your cheeks heat, so you angle your face away in case it shows and miss his regretful mutter.
“Still don’t dance?” You find your voice.
“I dance… just not- we danced.”
“If you could call that dancing,” you say with a laugh, giving his shoulder a bump.
Then comes the look. The Javier Peña Smolder™️. You can’t not fluster under it. You decide he’s just continuing the gentle teasing.
“Stop,” you laugh but you can’t help the linger of your hand on his arm, it was supposed to be a light-hearted push but…
Javier is relieved you don’t seem to notice his Adam’s apple bob as he swallows or his ears reddening at your touch.
He takes another sip wishing it was spiked.
“Hey, um I need some air-”
“Oh, okay” your face falls.
“Wanna go sit on the bleachers?”
“Oh,” you smile, “sure.”
It’s Javier’s turn to pull you by the hand to the side door that takes you to the athletic field and the bleachers; they are no longer wooded, replaced with aluminum. Javier’s face falls a little, then he sees them. The smaller bleachers, they hadn’t replaced them. Not yet, anyway. He pulls you along, his strides are purposeful, long and swift, you jog to catch up. You smile and can’t help the soft wetness of your eyes realizing what he’s doing.
Javier stops and looks at the underside of the fifth tier, there it is he runs a finger over it. Feels it’s permanence. A heart with your initials coupled with his.
“Hey babydoll,” he whispers, pulling you close, “I still can call you that?”
“Yeah,” you lean into him. His mouth is millimeters away, his breath fanning your face.
“I’ve missed you.”
“Me too.”
You look up to meet his eyes and they are right one you, soft, black in the low light, those puppy eyebrows, and his pillowy lips parted waiting, a deadly combination to you always has been. His eyes dart down momentarily to your soft lips as you wet them with your tongue.
And that’s it, you are 17 again and kissing under the bleachers, his wide hands making sure you are completely pressed against him, when he is sure, one goes up to your hair. He holds you there, as he feasts on your lips, chin and neck, your deep v neck is pulled to the side so he can have your shoulder and clavicle.
“Shit, Javi,” you breath, barely audible. You in turn, make a meal of his neck, Adam’s apple, chin. He groans at your returned assault.
Soon both breathless, you slow and stop- foreheads resting on each other.
The door opens, your eyes meet, again it’s like your 17, are you about to be caught by Mr. Henley, Drill Sargent turned gym teacher?
But no, someone’s merely propped open the door.
“Must be getting warm in there,” you say.
“Warm out here.”
Javier presses your pelvis to his, and you can feel him. A half smile playing roguishly.
“Javi, what am I gonna do with you?”
“I can think of a few things?”
You laugh, and your eyebrows quirk, “me too. But um, one dance before?”
Javier smiles and rests his chin on the top of your head, “how can I say no to you, babydoll?”
Fully embracing the nights sorcery that has turned time, if only for the night, your hands tuck into each others pockets, just as you did roaming the halls of the home of the Mighty Longhorns, you return to the gymnasium, as The Hollies start playing-
