*** PART FOUR ***

To say Jace was in a tizzy by the time he landed in Italy would have been an understatement. And unbeknownst to him, he was in for another shocker upon arriving at the vineyard.

Nahla and Gino had spent a quiet day lounging by the pool.

"You're starting to turn a little red around the edges, you better put on some more sun block." Gino suggested.

"Gee thanks, dad." Nahla replied with a grin, but did as he said. Although she would have loved to get a tan, her pale skin didn't like to cooperate. And she didn't want to chance a case of sun poisoning. "Would you mind doing my back?"

"Sure," he replied, sitting beside her on the chaise as she stretched out on her stomach. The soothing motions of his hands on her skin would have lulled her to sleep had it not awakened something else inside her.

"There, all done." He said after a few moments, snapping the lid closed.

"Thanks. You need some on your back since you're here?" Nahla asked, a little abashed that her fingers nearly itched with the desire to touch him.

He turned away from her, presenting his back as he held the bottle over his shoulder. Nahla took her time smoothing the lotion over the broad planes of his upper back. Skimming her fingers lower, she went so far as to dip her fingertips just inside his waistband. But before he could utter a protest, she had already moved back up.

Gino wasn't sure what kind of game she was playing. Her soft touch was affecting him more than he wanted to admit, but how could he admonish her for the way she applied suntan lotion? At least not without embarrassing her, or potentially hurting her.

Without his realizing it, Nahla had moved from sitting behind him to sitting in front of him. A pair of lotion-coated hands caressing his chest shook him out of his reverie.

"Thanks, but I think I can ."

"Let me ." she said quietly, her green eyes almost luminescent with emotion.

"No." Gino said, his hands encircling her wrists.

"Why not?" she asked, leaning in to brush her lips against his.

Knowing he had no right, but seemingly unable to stop himself, Gino captured her mouth in a searing hot kiss. Nahla hands moved up so that her fingers could thread themselves in his hair as she nibbled at his full lower lip. Groaning his approval, Gino laid back so that she was stretched out full length atop him.

The couple was so engrossed with one another, sharing kiss after kiss, hands roaming at will, that they weren't aware of their audience.

"Mind if I interrupt?"

Breaking apart. Nahla rolled off of Gino to sit up with her back to the stranger. "About time you got here ." Gino murmured too low for anyone to hear.

About the same time, Nahla turned around to look at the stranger. "Hey Jace," she said casually before turning back around to pick up a towel.

Two seconds later, her head whipped back around, "JACE!" She exclaimed.

Jace's eyes narrowed. "I thought you had amnesia?"

"I did! I did! I . I saw you and it was like someone turned on the light. I remember! Gino, I remember!!" She said excitedly, looking at her cousin, then suddenly recalled what had just occurred not five minutes before. "Oh heavens," she muttered before turning back to Jace. "I can explain ."

"Oh can you?" Jace scoffed. "You want to explain to me how a little over a week ago, my girlfriend tells me she's been sent temporarily to Six, only to find out she's really in Italy. Not only that, but she's now suffering from amnesia. So I fly halfway around the world, worried out of my mind, to be with her. When I arrive, I find her making out with a complete stranger and what's the first thing she says? My name!"

"Jace, please. You have to believe me!" Nahla pleaded, moving to stand in front of him.

"No, I don't, because right now I can barely stand the sight of you. I don't take lightly to being played the fool." And with that he turned and stalked off. When Nahla would have gone after him, a hand on her arm stopped her.

"Let him go," Gino whispered.

"I have to go to him, I have to make him understand." She replied, frantically struggling to free herself from his grasp.

"Don't fight me, bella. He's not going to listen to anyone until he's had a chance to calm down. Why don't you go into the house, clean up and then meet me in the kitchen."

Reluctantly agreeing, Nahla wrapped a towel about herself and turned towards the house. "Gino," she said, looking back at him. "About earlier."

"We'll talk about it later," he said, stepping past her and walking away.

Left alone by the pool, Nahla found it hard not to break down right then and there. It should be a happy moment because she had her memory back. But in finding her memory, she had potentially lost both Jace and Gino. Resigning herself to the fact that she would get this mess straightened out, she went into the house to shower and change.

Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, Nahla sat on the edge of her bed. Gino was probably waiting on her, but she was in no hurry to have a discussion with him over that afternoon's events. A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.


The housekeeper stood out in the hall, obviously distressed about something. She was talking rapidly in a mixture of Italian and English, making it difficult for Nahla to understand what she was saying. The small woman finally gave up and just took Nahla's hand, hoping to lead her.

Nahla followed, not knowing what else to do. She was led outside and around the corner of the house. There on the side lawn, Jace and Gino were circling each other, both of them looking like they'd already been the recipient of a couple of punches. Before she could intercede, they went at it again, throwing punches left and right.

Actually, the longer the scuttle went on, it became apparent that Jace was throwing all the punches and Gino was merely defending himself. Why wasn't he throwing any punches of his own? Gino saw Nahla out of the corner of his eye and the momentary distraction gave Jace to opportunity to catch Gino in the jaw with a swift uppercut. Gino went down like a load of bricks, down for the count.

"Gino!" Nahla cried out, rushing to kneel in the grass at his side.

"Well isn't this touching," Jace sneered.

"You had no call to get into a fight with him!"

"The hell I didn't! Not only did he put the moves on you, he did so while he knew about me even if you didn't remember!"

"Did it occur to you that maybe I put the moves on him?!"

"You forget Nahla, I know you. You don't make first moves."

"Hello?!? I had amnesia. Isn't it possible I might have done things I normally wouldn't because I wasn't myself???"

"Possible, but highly unlikely."

"Well here's a newsflash *doctor*! I was putting the moves on him days ago and not once did he take advantage of me like you seem to think he did. So why don't you go clean yourself up, cool off and we'll talk later about where to go from here."

"I don't think so."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, I don't know that I want to go somewhere from here."

Nahla slowly came to her feet. She had expected they would suffer some major fallout from this, but that they would work through it, somehow. "What are you saying."

"I'm saying that I need some time to think. I don't know that I trust you anymore, and if I can't trust you ."

Although her mind understood what he was saying, her heart definitely didn't want to listen. "I understand," Nahla whispered.

Not knowing what else was left to be said, Jace went into the house, ironically leaving Nahla outside alone with Gino and the housekeeper, who stood nearby wringing her hands with worry.

Sighing, Nahla tapped Gino lightly on the cheek to try and awaken him. When that didn't work, she sent the housekeeper inside for smelling salts. That did the trick. "Hey champ," Nahla said.

"Where's Jace?" Gino asked after a moment.

"Inside somewhere."

"He didn't hurt you, did he bella?"

Nahla's eyes filled with unshed tears, but she didn't allow them to fall. "He didn't lay a hand on me if that's what you mean."

"I think you know it's not," Gino whispered, wishing he could comfort her in some way. But after what had occurred that afternoon, he wasn't sure she would see it as anything other than a friendly hug.

"Let's go inside, put some ice on that jaw before it swells too badly," Nahla said, changing the topic.

After seeing that he was taken care of, Nahla returned to her room. Feeling a headache coming on, she took a long hot bath to try and relax. Even though it was still early by the time she emerged from the bathroom, Nahla decided to make it an early night. As she removed her jewelry, her fingers played with the two pendants that had been gifts from Jace.

Unable to contain her grief any further, she buried her face in the pillow and sobbed. This trip had turned out to be a disaster. And it was all her fault. All she wanted now was to go home. Sitting up, Nahla wiped her eyes. That was it. She was going home.

Unmindful of the time difference, Nahla called the only person she could, her sister. "Hey Sher."

"Nahla! You got your memory back?? How?? When??"

"Listen Sher, I can explain all that when I get back. But I need your help. I want to come home now, but I can't bother Jace or Gino. Can you arrange transport back to Section for me?"

"Of course, but why all the secrecy? Did something else happen?"

"I'll tell you everything when I get back, just get someone here ASAP, please?" Nahla asked.

Sherry heard the tears in her sister's voice but held her questions. "Ok Nahla. Let me make a couple of phone calls and I'll call you right back."

"Ok, but call me on my cell."

"You bet, talk to ya in a few."


Stumbling into the kitchen the next morning, Jace didn't notice the other figure in the room until after he'd poured his cup of coffee. "Where's your other half?" he asked once he noticed Gino sitting at the kitchen table.

"Don't be an ass, Jace. I haven't seen Nahla this morning; I'm assuming she's still asleep. I wouldn't be surprised if she cried herself to sleep last night because of you."

"Because of me? Care to explain?

"It's simple, she loves you."

"And you know that how?"

"We had a little chat after I came to. She told me how you said that things were over .she was trying her best not to cry in front of me but it was obvious she was upset."

"I didn't say things were over, just that I needed time to think. And why the hell am I talking with you about this?!"

"Because I'm not your enemy. What I did yesterday was very foolish, and I hope that one day you'll at least forgive her. But yesterday I wasn't completely in control of my emotions, with it being an anniversary of sorts."

"Go on ." Jace muttered after a quiet minute passed.

"Four years ago yesterday, my fiancé died. Her name was Katrina. Nahla reminds me a lot of her, in looks and personality. Sometimes too much." Gino explained.

"And that led you to kiss my girlfriend?"

"Yes .. no. I don't know. But you can take my word it'll never happen again."

"Signore Jamison?"

Jace turned to find the housekeeper standing behind him. "Yes?"

"Signorina Nahla, she ask me give this to you ." She replied, handing Jace a small package and note.

Taking both, he quickly opened the note and scanned its' contents. Gino couldn't ascertain what the note said for Jace's face held no signs of emotion. That couldn't be good.

"What did she say?"

Jace didn't answer him, but proceeded to open the package. In his hand he held the silver chain and two pendants he had given Nahla all those months ago. Closing his eyes for a brief moment, he stood and left the room without saying a word.

Completely baffled, Gino picked up the note that Jace had left on the table.

Jace-

These two pendants symbolized the love and trust you once put in my care. No matter the cause, my actions have cause you to take back both. I believe it only fair to return these to you, in hopes that one day I may earn them back. If not, know that they now symbolize my love and trust, something you have and will always have.

Nahla

Leaving the note on the table where he found it, Gino walked quickly to the room Jace was staying in. "Jace?" He called out.

"What?"

"Are you going back?"

"Of course. There's no reason for me to stay here. The housekeeper told me Nahla left early this morning, I'm assuming back to Section."

"Can I give you a lift to the airport?"

"That won't be necessary, I have a rental."

Not knowing what else was left to be said, Gino bowed out gracefully. "Have a safe trip." Jace said nothing in return. Shutting himself off in his office, Gino quickly dialed Sherry's number.

"Hello?" A very groggy voice answered.

"Sherry, it's Gino."

"Gino! It's 4 in the morning, what in the world is going on over there?!" Sherry murmured.

"I'm sorry for waking you up, but I need to speak with you."

"It can't wait??"

"I'm afraid not, it's about Nahla and Jace."

"What about them?? I knew something was wrong, but she wouldn't talk to me."

"Maybe I shouldn't either then."

"Talk, Gino!" Sherry said firmly as she sat up and turned on the bedside lamp, grateful that Michael had slept in his own apartment that night.


Gino quickly outlined what had transpired.

"Oh Gino, you didn't ."

"Yea, I'm afraid I did. But that's not the worst part ." and he went on to explain about Jace's words and Nahla's return of the necklace. "I wish I could be there to help you pick up the pieces, but I think it'll be better if I keep my distance for awhile."

Sherry sighed. As much as she hated to say it, she agreed with him. "It's ok, I'll try and take care of damage control. Thanks for giving me a heads up."

"Sure. Call me if you need anything."

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