Not my characters, they belong to Janet Evanovich, but as long as Ranger can come out and play I can live with that.

This beginning of this story has been parked on my hard drive for a while but with the insight and encouragement of a friend, (Thank You, Shandiss!) I now believe it has somewhere to go. I hope you enjoy the ride if you decide to come along.

The Right To Remain Silent

by

SueB

Chapter 1

"Babe."

"Hmmm." I was getting used to waking up like this. Ranger's voice husky in my ear, his warm breath tickling my neck, cradled in the strong safety of his arms.

I smiled and stretched without opening my eyes, "Good morning."

Wait. Something was different. I wasn't wrapped in Ranger's arms. I turned and looked. He was sitting on the bed fully dressed. Light streamed in the window

"Wow, it's late! Did I oversleep?" I moved to throw back the covers.

"No, Babe. I didn't wake you."

"You didn't? Why not?"

I checked him out. Instead of running shorts or his usual work uniform of black cargoes and collared shirt, Ranger had on perfectly tailored grey slacks paired with a lighter grey dress shirt and pewter-colored tie. A black sport coat lay at the foot of the bed. He'd tied his long dark hair at the nape of his neck. Not a strand out of place. Dressed or undressed Ranger was better than male model material. He cleaned up especially well. He was beautiful.....devastatingly so. My mouth went from dry to drool.

"Whew! Look at you!" I teased when I could talk. "Photo shoot today?"

"Not exactly."

"A meeting then."

"Sort of."

He wasn't being particularly forthcoming. Big surprise. It was Ranger. Recently, he had told me a lot about his business, but by definition, security means secrets. I learned from what he shared and didn't pester him about what he couldn't.

I said, "Okay," but I was starting to get a bad feeling.

"You're going away."

I had known this could happen. We talked about it before I moved in, not only the responsibilities of RangeMan, but also his commitments with the government. Commitments that sometimes required he leave with less than an hour's notice and be gone for months......or longer. Then, as good as he was, there was the ever present possibility that he wouldn't come back.

At the time I convinced him I understood and could handle the uncertainties. The work he did made him the man he was -- the man I loved. I told him I'd rather live with him, even given those realities, than live without him. Had I convinced myself? This was my first test and I was struggling. I knew it showed on my face, according to Ranger, everything did.

"No," he said. "Nothing like that."

I shivered as he tucked a curl behind my ear, cupped a large warm hand around my cheek and grazed his thumb across my lower lip. He tilted my head so he could look into my eyes.

"I'm going down to the garage and open the door. When I do that, I am going to be arrested."

His words jarred me out of the sweet reverie created by his touch.

"What!! No!" I protested. "Arrested! Why? For what?"

But, I was afraid I knew.

"It's Abruzzi, isn't it?" I asked quietly.

A while ago Ranger had killed Eddie Abruzzi to keep me safe. To my knowledge he'd never admitted it to anyone, not even Tank, but the story had become an urban legend that almost everyone in Trenton believed.

"Steph!" Ranger grabbed my hands. "It's all right. There's been pressure to bring me in on this. Everything's arranged. It's a formality. I agreed to it. It will happen quietly. I'll be arraigned. I'll make bail. Vinnie will bond me out." He squeezed my fingers. "Look at me."

I did. His eyes captured mine; his rich voice resonated in my ears.

"It doesn't matter what you hear........there...is...no....evidence."

I nodded. Believing him.

"I'll be cleared and Trenton PD can put the case to bed for good as a suicide."

He didn't say he hadn't done it.

"I should be home by dinner."

I trusted him, but my eyes filled with tears as I had a horrible thought.

"Oh! Tell me it's not Joe? He won't be the one to......," I couldn't finish.

"No," he said. "I have to give Morelli credit. The brass wanted him to do it. Guess they thought it might be amusing. He told them no. Said he wouldn't -- rather adamantly as I understand. Got written up. Reprimand in his file. He's taking a couple of days off," Ranger paused, "involuntarily. Unpaid vacation."

I felt bad. "Poor Joe."

"I hate to say it," Ranger remarked with a rueful smile, "rolls reversed, I think I would have relished the opportunity."

He checked his watch. It was utilitarian, black, Swiss. The one he always wore. He frowned, considered, then took it off and laid it on the table beside the bed.

"I have to go," he murmured leaning forward to touch his lips to mine.

This time I did throw the covers off. I was naked. My face flushed remembering last night and the reasons I was naked. It didn't help that Ranger's eyes went impossibly dark as he gazed at me.

"I'll get dressed."

He stopped me. "No, Babe. Stay here."

I looked at him questioningly.

"Don't want you to see it," he said simply.

This time I couldn't stop the tears. Ranger gathered me in his arms and kissed me breathless. I curled my fingers into the front of his fine shirt and wrinkled it beyond repair.

"This is so not fair," I said, "You're all GQ and I'm naked."

I felt the laughter in his chest rather than heard it.

"Babe! I like you naked."

TBC