Joe was a manly man. He didn't go in for overly-macho but he liked to think he was, well, an all-American guy with a healthy like for food, football and beautiful women.

Roxie, in simple jeans and a shirt made his jaw forget how to operate. When she really went all out, she turned heads at whiplash-speed. He'd been sucker-punched, beaten-up and generally put through the ringer on this last mission.

All of it was worth it to come home to that kiss. His knees went a little weak as he looked at her.

"Glad to be back. I missed you, too. Sorry I didn't call but things got a little crazy. You're not mad?" he asked.