Feisty Harley Cooper and fiery Gus Aitoro were thrown together by the Springfield P.D. to investigate the Santos family. Scratchy sparring gave way to love as Harley allowed herself to trust again after several failed relationships. Both families opposed the union, pulling out all the stops to split them up. When Harley’s ex (Gus’s brother) Phillip sued for custody of his and Harley’s son, a breakup seemed unavoidable, but true love won out. Life was good until Harley was seriously wounded in a hostage situation. When the partners were separated after Gus was accused of firing the shot, irate Harley quit the force, but stuck with Gus. They got engaged and the feuding families try to make the best of it...for awhile.

Next the lovers unofficially worked together on a drug-trafficking investigation. Gus learned his Aunt Alex was involved and unwillingly lied to protect her. One lie led to another and Gus watched the Coopers suffer as a result of his family’s crimes. Gus wanted to come clean to Harley before their wedding day, but he was too late. When she found out that Gus put his duplicitous family ahead of her, the wedding was off.

Heartbroken Gus tried to get Harley to give him a second chance, but she wouldn’t hear of it. Then Phillip Spaulding was killed and Harley was accused of murder. Gus stepped in as her lawyer and fought tirelessly for her freedom. Their love for each other was evident throughout the trial, but when Harley saw the toll the fight was taking on Gus - and realized that they were fighting a losing battle - she did everything she could to push him away so he could start a new life as she faced a future behind bars.