Yo, all.
Tis Kitty here, posting the fanfic Im working on at this very moment because Im bored… and I love the story for some reason.
Hm… Disclaimer: Characters are Janet Evanovich's and Im only borrowing them, and will return them after a little fun. Oh, but the OC are obvious and they are mine.
Basically this is what happens in my world when Stephanie gets fed up and moves, and what comes after.
Ill update soon enough… as soon as I can write a substantial amount, of course. Hoping to update more soon!
Oh, and the Title of the story and Alata is a different language… not a common one either. Lets see if you can figure it out ;
"Hi. My name is Selene Plum and I was wondering if you had any positions empty?" I asked the receptionist at Dom Bail Bonds.
My real name isn't Selene, its Stephanie. But I have recently transferred from a town in New Jersey called Trenton… Okay, maybe not transferred, more like ran away from. My life was just too complicated.
I had a job at Vincent Plum Bail Bonds as a Bond Enforcement Agent, more commonly known as a Bounty Hunter. I had a boyfriend and a tormentor… or mentor; either way. My boyfriends name was Joe Morelli and he is a cop in the homicide division. He wanted to marry me, live behind a white picket fence and have 2.5 children running around and playing with the big Bob dog. But to do that I would've had to quit my job… and I don't want children, or to be tied down to one home for that matter.
Meanwhile there was Ranger, or Ricardo Carlos Mañoso. When I first started working as a Bounty Hunter he was the one that showed me around the job, telling me what to do and how to do it… Then that relationship progressed from Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle Do Trenton to a more, intimate, relationship. First little things, stolen kiss here, little groping there. Until one fabulous, disastrous night when we made love. The next morning he said he didn't do relationships and sent me back to Joe. As much as I would like to say that was the end of it… Oh, who am I kidding? I didn't want it to end. We still stole kisses and such in the alleyway next to the Bonds Office.
As you can see… I had a dilemma. Two men. Both alpha. And both after me. Wondrous, right?
Wrong.
I got sick of it. Although I love Joe, I have admitted as much, he was always trying to change me into something Im not. I can't deal with that. I also love Ranger, but his life doesn't lend itself to relationships and Im pretty sure that his life isn't entirely legal, although he wouldn't do anything majorly morally wrong. That much I know.
I left the letters explaining everything… almost. Besides the fact I was in love with two men, I explained about my job, my family… and everything else. Including my life.
I needed to get away. I packed my stuff and Rex, who is my pet hamster, and got into the fastest bus out of Trenton. I went to Miami where I caught a plane to New Zealand and then caught a ship to Australia… where I am currently in Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia. Which is declared a city though it's more of a large town.
I love it here. People are nice, lots of jobs, beautiful beach. I even own an actual house. I mean an actual house, with actual rooms, with different styles. Yes, I have a picket fence… That's about a metre and a bit off the ground and is a light green. Not white.
Im going into an information overload. New town, new state, heck, even new country! I don't really want to explain everything but the gist of it is I got tired of everything that always happened to me in Trenton and I finally got out. Though I don't want to quit Bounty Hunting so Im getting a job as one here. That way, my years of humiliation in Trenton will come in handy.
"Okay. Dominic Darell is the owner and he's on the second floor. There's the elevator." She pointed towards the metal doors more commonly known as elevator doors… but you see, Im trying to exercise so I decided the opposite way and went towards the stairs.
"Is it okay if I take the stairs instead, Miss…?" I asked her. I had also asked her name, always polite.
"Dianella Verpucci, secretary. And sure, go on up. He's expecting you I think." She smiled a real smile, instead of a professional smile. The professional ones are creepy, bright and cheery but as meaningless as an ice cone in the South Pole.
"Thanks, Miss Verpucci." And I made my way towards the door and started up the stairs. One step, two step, three step… too many step. I finally made it to the end and saw a wooden door… all creepy as if it was going to swallow me whole. I wonder what he is expecting, a professional Bounty Hunter I am not. But I get the job done, and I have never not found my FTA. Well, not that I can remember.
I knocked on the door and a respectable 'Come in.' sounded from within it. Cripes, Im really doing this. I opened the door and stuck my head in, peering around the room.
"Miss. Plum, I presume. Please come in."
Holy. Shit.
Yum, was the only way to describe Dominic Darell. Light brown hair combed back behind his head and perfect emerald green eyes. He wore what I guessed was a designer suit in black and white, and looked quite at home in the smallish room. He had an office desk, full of office stationary and papers, a small leather couch to the side of the room, and two black leather office chairs in front of his desk. Sort of like you would see for the principals office during High School.
I stood there in shock and saw him smirk a little, making him look, if possible, even more scrumptious then before. Damn, another Batman.
His eyes widened in shock for a millisecond then he chuckled, "Batman. I like it."
"Damn, I said that out loud, didn't I? Unless you have ESP…" I gasped a little, "You don't know a man… no you wouldn't, don't worry. Im sorry, Im being totally unprofessional and probably sounding like a dumb blond. Ste – Selene Plum." I extended my hand for a handshake, hoping he didn't notice my small hiccup when saying my name. I have been away from one month, can't have people knowing its me when I haven't even had a chance to live this life.
"Call me Dom, please." He shook my hand over his desk and motioned me to sit in one of the leather office chairs. I did so and waited as he went over my resume that I had sent ahead of the appointment. "So you have worked in Trenton for Vincent Plum Bail Bonds? I have called him, and discussed everything and he said that you were incompetent," at that comment I cringed, hopefully unnoticeably, "but, he said you have never missed one FTA in the two years you had worked for him. I would like to offer you a trial run."
I think my eyes were as round as saucers. Trial run, better then I had expected.
Your probably wondering how he called Vinnie; my cousin and late boss. Well you see I had to tell someone, Im from the Burg so I can't keep secrets, so naturally I told the one person who could be a reference for me. My old boss, my cousin, good ol' Vincent.
"That… would be wonderful. Thank you." I gasped out. I then walked to the door in a daze after he had said he would Dianella to get the paperwork for me. He followed me and grabbed my hand before I could open the door.
"I'll enjoy working with you, Miss. Plum."
"Please, if Im working for you, call me Selene." I looked up into his wonderfully bright green eyes and he lent down to give me a kiss on the hand.
"Selene. Have a wonderful day."
Normally this would be creepy. Some guy kissing my hand without really knowing him, but with Dom it was charming. Flattering. Wow.
I smiled and walked out of the office, feeling proud of some sort. I walked down the stairs, still smiling. I couldn't get the damned smile off my face now. I smiled all the way to Dianella's desk.
"Erm… Miss Verpucci, Dom said I could get the paperwork from down here?" I questioned, and I actually remembered her name! One brownie point for me.
"Please, we're going to see enough of each other so call me Dani, everyone else does." She smiled the real smile again when she saw me, but eyes kept travelling on to my smile as well, "I see Dom was… nice?"
"Hm, yes, quite," I smiled wider as did she. Wow, a smile-a-thon.
"Well, he must like you, we have had a lot of people trying to be a bounty hunter around here, some of them very qualified for the job, but he turned them down. You must be special." She grinned and handed me some paperwork and a pen, "I think you'll like it here, it's a nice office, and normally the FTA's aren't all that hard to handle, plus," she leant towards me and put her hand to her mouth in a mock secret telling motion, "the boss is gorgeous."
She grinned and leant away. I laughed and nodded, but what she had said had hit home for me. The old secretary at Trenton, as well as my sometimes partner-in-crime and I would always have a discussion over who was hot and who was not… and Ranger would normally always be a topic. What can I say? The man is hott with two t's. But then again, so is Dom. It would be a very tough pick.
"Okay girlfriend, show me your nail polish." A white male of about 5 foot 7 pushed through the glass doors of the reception area, but stopped immediately as he saw me at the desk, "My, is this new meat? Hi, Im Jaquin, but everyone calls me Jackie." He walked the few more steps towards the desk and extended a perfectly manicured my way.
"Hi Jackie, Im Selene Plum… the new bounty hunter here."
"Lovely, I hope to be your partner," He grinned then stopped abruptly… as a matter of fact it seemed almost everything stopped, or was suddenly silent, then a tingle ran down my spine and I turned towards the elevator. Sure enough Dom was walking towards us, though he was looking at me.
He stopped a few centimetres away from me but reached a hand behind me. I jumped and he smiled, then pulled his hand back to reveal the papers I had just signed, I sighed in relief as he walked back towards the elevator.
"Damn, that man is fine." Jackie said. Yep, that about summed it up, I could still feel his breath against my neck. I shivered slightly and turned back to Dani, who was staring at me as if I was the new type of chocolate, it was slightly disturbing.
"I don't think Dom has ever come as close to anyone as he did just now," she said with a slightly awed expression (read above comment about chocolate). "It seems he's… comfortable with you. Have you slept with him?"
At this question I jumped, "I have hardly known him an hour! How could I have slept with him already?" Although I have thought about it.
Jackie grinned, "High five to that." I was momentarily confused before I realised I had said the last comment out loud. I grinned sheepishly and gave him a high five.
Dani pouted and asked, "What about me?" And Jackie and I looked at each other and grinned, giving Dani a high five as well… and then we all laughed.
Something tells me this is the beginning of a wonderful friendship.
And then Super-Bitch stormed through the glass doors… Well she did have a Super man shirt on. I hate those things… One day Im going to get a plain shirt and write on it, "That right. This is not a Super man shirt. Fear it.' And see how people react.
"I want my FTA's." She demanded and Dani scuttled off and came back with the papers. But before she could hand them over I halted her.
"Say please," I said, looking directly at Bitchy, but she just stared at me. "Dani?" Dani looked at me, "Do we have designated FTA's, or is it first in best dressed kinda thing?"
"First in."
"Well then… I guess Ill be having those FTA's… since I was here first." Heh, hope that'll teach her.
Dani looked torn, evil or nice? Super-bitch or Newbie? Tough decision… not. She handed them to me with a small smirk on her face, "Sorry Clair, but its true, she was here first."
"Where is Dom? Get me Dom, now." Clair asked. Dani was about to get the phone but again, I stopped her.
"You know where his office is, or you at least have his number. You get him." No wonder she is such a bitch, she's used to having everyone else do everything for her.
She hmphed and brought her phone out, dialling 1 for speed dial and it picked up after two rings. "Dom? It's Clair. Dani won't give me my files," she was using a sickly sweet voice and was pouting at the phone for emphasis. She's worse then Joyce!
There was muffled talking from the other end and Clair let a triumphant smirk cross her face, "He's coming down to talk to you."
The elevator binged and Dom stepped out, shaking his head. He looked up and surveyed the spectacle, his eyes locked with mine and a small smile appeared… kind of like Ranger's 'Im thinking about smiling' smile.
Ranger has this half smile thing where he only smiles the tiniest bit, but you definitely know it's there… meanwhile Joe will smile out rightly when he thinks it's funny or worth smiling for. I don't know which one is better. Again.
"What's happening here?" Dom asked.
Jackie fluttered his tinted eyelashes and answered him, "Nothing wrong, Dom. It's just that Clair came in here, demanding… I mean, wanting her files but Lee here already got them. Just a misunderstanding. First in, best dressed, they always say." Wow, I have a nickname already… but my name isn't spelt Seleene… oh well. Its fine anyway.
"Dianella, is this true?" Dom looked at Dani, intimidating her just a little.
"Yes, that's the gist of it." Dani sat there, but you could see her goose bumps. I do not want to be on the receiving end of that glare… Oops, spoke to soon.
"Selene?" He gave me the same glare, but it had nothing on Joe's… or even Ranger's. I think Dom was being soft on me because it's my first day… Naw.
"Yep. That's exactly what happened." He nodded and turned toward Clair.
"Misunderstanding. Im sure we'll have more tomorrow… unless Selene gets here first." He then walked towards the elevator and just as the door was closing he gave me a slight wink. He gives a great wink. Reminds me of the time… no, Im going to stop thinking about them. I will stop thinking about them.
Poor little Clair looked so lost. She had a deflated look on her face and was pouting as if her life depended on it. (See that? I just changed the subject because Im not going to think about them!… oops.) But suddenly her gaze hardened and she looked directly at me and spat, "Stay away from him. He's mine. And stay away from here. It's my work place. And give me my files."
I blinked at her and stated calmly, "Im now working here. So it's my workplace too. These files were given to me, therefore they are my files. And Dom isn't something that can be owned. And I didn't tell him to be attracted to me," this last part I didn't even think true, but I couldn't phrase it any better to get the point across. "And lastly he can't be owned, Dom is a person and people can't be bought… at least not legally."
She was still glaring at me as she walked… no, stalked out the door. Yep, definitely stalked.
"Woot!" Jackie gave a wolf whistle and grabbed my hand, spinning me in a circle, "Girly, you got her good! If I weren't gay, I would kiss you. In fact," he gave me a loud smacking kiss on my cheek, "I love you the most in this world until further notice."
I grinned at him, "I did get her, right? Wow… I can't remember the last time I did that. Its… exhilarating, isn't it?" He nodded his black head that was at this very moment posed in a faux-hawk. It's an awesome style, and goes well with his punk clothes.
Dani smiled at me gratefully, "I've never been able to do it. Im just a doormat. But, can you teach me? Just help me a little for when she orders me around?" She looked at me for help. Wow, a new life… lets try something new. Helping somebody else sounds like a good, new start.
"Ill do anything I can. Promise," we did one of them complicated hand shakes… yes, I got my next door neighbour to sit down with me and teach me it.
"Thanks Chicky."
"Chicky?" I gave her a confused look that said clearly, what the world are you on? And can I have some? …okay maybe not the last, but you get the gist.
"Yes. My new nickname for you. Get used to it." She stared determinably at me. No shoving this rock, no siree.
"Okay then, Sugar." We grinned at each other and at the new nicknames before my cell phone rang. I had to replace my old one when I moved… I purposefully dropped my other one into the ocean when I was crossing over in the boat. I forgot I could be traced through it.
"Hello. Selene Plum speaking."
"Stephanie! Please come back. Lula is about to knock down the door, trying to get information from me! Please! We're stocking up on FTA's… we have a FTA mash!" Wow, Vinnie sounds desperate.
"Sorry, Vinnie. But I can't. Things are too complicated. Maybe I'll see you soon. Tell Lula that I told you not to tell. I think she'll understand. And try not to look like a ferret when you say it. Better yet. Put her on the phone," I looked at my two new friends and motioned I was going to the bathroom for privacy. They both nodded and continued talking with each other.
I walked into the white ceramic bathroom and sat on the counter near the water basin as I waited for Lula to get on the phone, "Steph? That you? Where are you, girl? We miss you. Your parents miss you. Joe miss you. Heck, even Batman miss you. Why the hell would we miss you if you were here?" Batman was also more commonly known as Ranger… he just always has black, fancy and always, always expensive cars, of dubious origin. He comes and goes like smoke and Im pretty sure he has ESP.
"Calm down, Lula. I don't want you to pass out from lack of air," she refuses to admit she faints, so Connie (The secretary at Vinnie's work) and I use the term passing out from lack of air, solves problems easier. "It's me. I can't tell you where I am, only that I won't be coming back for a long time. Are you seriously missing me that much? Well, I miss you all too. Especially you, I don't have enough colour in my wardrobe! And I doubt you know that Ranger is missing me, he hardly shows any emotion." That's it Steph… or Lee… whoever the hell I am. That's going to be confusing.
"Damn skippy, 'course you ain't got enough colour! And what you mean, can't tell me. There ain't nothing you can't tell me." She then rambled on about all the things I had told her… but then she had slipped out to someone that continued down the line, "Mind you, then slimy old Harry Parker found out… What was my point again? Oh right, you can tell me anything, girl, if it's that important it's kept secret… On second though, don't tell Lula. It'll be better that way. Just tell me, where you are have they got hot guys?" Ah, this is the Lula I know and love.
"Yeah, here's breeding gorgeous guys. And the man Im working for? Woah, hot flash." No lie. He's worth the hot flash. He's so hot I was fanning myself just thinking about being underneath him… Oh boy, don't go there!
"Damn skippy. Why didn't you take me, girl? I want to get away too!"
"Sorry, Lula. But this is…" And I was dreading saying this to her, "Permanent."
It seemed like the word rung through the phone. It wasn't supposed to be that dramatic.
There was a knock at the bathroom door and at the same time Lula screamed, "WHAT!"
"I have to—"
"You're just leaving us here—"
"Go, Lula. Ill—"
"To deal without you! Why I oughtta—"
"Talk to you later!"
"But of course that would be illegal, maybe I could—"
"Bye Lula."
"Bye, girl."
Wow… bipolar much!
I opened the bathroom door and Jackie burst through it.
"Girly, there's only one main player in this business here in H B. And he is H-O-T-T. Definitely worth the second T. And he is out there right now. Go!" He shoved me out before I even had time to react I bumped into a black chest… a finely chiselled black chest.
I gave a hmph upon impact but other then that I was speechless. Those were the same molten chocolate eyes as Ranger. Same slight smile as Ranger. Same silken hair as Ranger. Same mocha latte coloured skin as Ranger. But it wasn't Ranger, "Hunh?" Eloquent, aren't I?
"You're the new bounty hunter." He looked me up and down, not sexually but like he was sizing me up. But it still gave me shivers. Reminds me so much of Ranger. "Hm. Antonio Carlos Mañoso," he stated. My heart skipped a beat. Mañoso; Ranger's last name. Carlos; Ranger's middle name. I don't think I went to Australia… I think I spiralled into a different world altogether.
I stuttered my reply, "Se-elen-ne." I hate stuttering. He gave me a curious look, turned and was gone like smoke through the glass door. So much like Ranger.
"Damn Chicky, you stuttered. Something got your tongue." Dani's smile was cheeky but I was slightly messed up in the brain from the encounter with Ranger's relative… I think it was his cousin, what else could he be? Wow.
"Sorry. Im going to go… Im a bit messed at the moment. Im sorry, but I'll look through these files tonight," I gestured towards the files that were still in my hand, "And I'll be back tomorrow, 'kay?" I turned and walked out the door… like Clair and 'Antonio' had done… except mine was more of a stumble then a stalk or smoke exit. Wow… so many s's… and there's another one… and there was another s… and another two. I think my mind is just decided to go into lock down mode and quit thinking.
I drove home to 31 Saunders Street in Pt. Vernon, about three blocks from the beach. I closed the gates for my car and went inside to collapse on the couch and fall straight to sleep after locking the door back up.
I woke the next time when I heard a click in my house. The click of my front door sounded and my door creaked when it opened. Shit, shit, shit.
I inconspicuously clicked the safety off my gun that I now had hidden under a pillow on my couch… as well as the one under my bed pillow and the one in my cookie jar. Hey, all the tough guys do it.
I heard light footsteps and a stifled giggle. That doesn't sound like a mass murderer to me. Just as the steps were over my head I aimed my gun at the person and quickly slitted my clogged eyes open. The person was Clair. She had broken into my apartment, carrying what looked like honey and whipped cream. She had a stricken look upon her face as I had the gun poised at her neck, ready to shoot. Too bad I would be up for murder charges if I shot her. Maybe if I just shoot her foot, she'll be too embarrassed about being hit, plus, she's breaking and entering. I have the right, left?
"Out." I said in the best authorative voice I could. Her eyes flashed panic and she all but ran out the door… I would say she scuttled out the door. But it was all too graceful for it to be a scuttle.
I left out a resigned sigh and flipped over onto my stomach, reached for the coffee table in front of me and grabbed the TV remote, flicking it onto an old black and white movie. Good enough for people in jail, good enough for me. I fell back asleep while attempting to understand their British accents.
The next time I woke to loud chirping from the birds resting outside my window at the back of the house, I groaned and rolled off the blue corner lounge and grunted off too my bedroom to do all the beauty stuff. Booooring.
I weaved my way through the not-so-trafficy traffic, honestly there is like no traffic here. It's beautiful. I made it onto the main road… other then Main Road… funny, Main Road isnt the main road, Boat Harbour Drive is. Strange, isnt it?
I parked the car, adjusted the breaks and ran into the office door… then opened it and walked in. Stupid glass door, it shouldn't be see-through, now should it? Okay, maybe I was a blond in a past life.
"Hey, chicky. How are you? Read over the yesterdays files yet?" Dani asked me and I slapped my head, 'no I hadn't read over the files' it said, I knew I forgot something. "Hm, well, after you read those I can tell you the scoop on them. Hervey Bay's small enough for almost everyone to know everyone, and for everyone to know's everyone else's secrets. Lovely, isnt it?" She swivelled around on her wheelie chair to face me, and let out a little squeak at the state of my face. I looked horrible, even with mass amounts of make-up. Damnit.
"I had a visit to my house in the middle of the night. Im entitled to looking like a zombie," she looked at me still but nodded her hair a little, then turned all attention to what I had said, 'visit', she looked at me expectantly and I sighed, "Clair was going to prank me. Tried to, I should say. She ended up on the wrong side of my loaded gun, though I didn't shoot her," then I muttered, "Stupid murder charges."
Dani laughed a little, then I heard the door open and Dani ducked under the desk faster then you can say 'Boston Cremes'. Man I wish I could have one, I mentally licked my lips, but when I felt my lips moisten I figured out it wasn't mentally and I was having bad cravings. And I need sugar. Now. I turned around and walked smack-bang into a black wall, also known as, "Antonio Carlos Mañoso." Sooo not who I wanted to see at this very moment!
He nodded his head, gave an almost-there smile, and gave me a little push backwards so I wasn't plastered onto him, by accident I swear! He stared at me, taking in my blood shot eyes, black bags under them, dark sunglasses on top of my head, deshelved hair into a messy bun, barely matching clothes and he just shook his head, chucked my chin and said, "Not enough sleep, alata?"
I nodded my head, gave a dainty blush, and then did a double take. Dainty? Blush? Nuh-uh, not me. I don't do dainty, it's not in my vocabulary. I cleared my throat, "Yeah. A sort of welcoming from Clair." He gave a full smile and I almost had to hide my eyes, bright and white teeth. I glared at him, though I don't exactly know why, and shoved myself passed him and flew out the door. I don't suppose I could do a rewind, could I?
My cell phone rang as soon as I was on the road, "Yo."
"Um, Lee? It's Dani. I need you to come back. You don't know your way around, and Dom says Antonio volunteered. Please be nice. See you soon." And she hung up. Oops, now I really regret the whole glare-and-shove thing before. Why me?
I did a U-turn, I love this country, and drove back to the office, going as slow as the speed limit would allow. Can I slow time down? Maybe if I concentrate really hard, I can stop time altogether… nope, didn't work. Hey, it worked for that guy on Heroes! Maybe I need to be Chinese to work it… was he Chinese, or Japanese… maybe I should just say Asian.