Disclaimer: The characters you recognize as J.E. are hers. Any other character is mine.
I had the idea for a community story over the past weekend during the ban and started this story on the Team Ranger page on facebook. However, someone deleted the post. So I'm giving the story a try here.
Chapter 1: A Community Affair
I couldn't believe I was sitting here watching another POS car burn. The fire trucks and cop cars were pulling in a full 2 minutes after the car exploded. What! Had they taken to following me around just waiting for the next disaster? I turned and looked at Lula. She wasn't looking too good right now. I guess that's because when my car went up it took her brand new Firebird right along with it. If she'd just agreed to ride in my car, hers would be safe back at the bonds office, but no. She said my car didn't portray the right look for her. I could see her point. Even I didn't want to be caught driving the POS.
I glanced over as I saw three big, black SUV's pull into the lot and I knew Ranger was in one of those vehicles. The tingling on the back of my neck had already started. My eyes were drawn to the second of the black vehicles just as he stepped out of the driver's side door. I was secretly glad he was here. After all, this was the 10th car that had been sent to car heaven in the past two weeks. Someone out there didn't want me driving around Trenton and I was afraid one of these days they were going to get their wish. I stood to make my way over to him when I noticed another POS car pull into the lot.
About the time I reached Ranger, Joe got out of the latest POS to join the circus. He stalked over and took hold of my arms. His hold bruised slightly from pressure he was exerting. I could see the muscle working in his jaw and knew he was making a supreme effort not to start ranting. I met his gaze and waited till he got his temper under control, not wanting to push him over the edge. He was doing his best to accept that we were no longer a couple, and our on-again/off-again relationship was permanently off.
After several seconds he lowered his head till his lips were near my ear. "You scared the shit out of me Cupcake."
"I think someone's out to get me."
Joe smiled sadly, "No shit Sherlock."
"I'm okay Joe. Thanks for coming."
He took a deep breath and raised his head. He turned his head, looking around at the scene around us and said, "I had to make sure you were okay. We might not be able to fix us so we can make a go of it, but I still love you Cupcake. I think I always will."
I stayed quiet, not wanting to give him any false hope. Suddenly he let me go, but before he left he swore under his breath, "I'm going to get this bastard Cupcake. This bullshit has gone on long enough."
With that he stalked over to his car and slid in the driver's seat before turning to Ranger and saying, "You're looking in the right direction but you have the wrong party and the wrong motive. I can end this and I damn well intend to end it now!"
Ranger wrapped his arm around me as we watched Morelli peel out of the parking lot. Ranger helped me into the back of the SUV he was driving. Tank had already helped Lula into the back. I looked at her when I got in and asked, "You okay?"
She looked at me and smiled weakly, "I'm okay."
We headed back to Haywood and up to the breakroom on 5. Tank handed Lula a bag from McDonald's and she tore into it as if her life depended on it…who knows, maybe it did. I turned to see Ranger looking at me with a slight smile. Seems I had a McDonald's bag of my own. I frowned, when did they stop at McD's? I couldn't have been that out of it could I? I accepted the bag and dug into my Big Mac, fries, and chocolate shake.
Tank and Ranger sat at the table with us and we started discussing the situation. Tank asked the question I knew we were all wondering, "What do you think Morelli's going to do?"