Continuing Eleven

PROLOGUE

" I feel better now," I said to Ranger.

"Babe."

I smiled weakly. "Morelli's gonna be pissed."

Ranger strolled over and slung an arm around my shoulders, pulling me in close to him. "Come on Babe."

He led me over to his black Bronco, the vehicle of choice today, and helped me up into the passenger seat. Then he angled into the driver's seat and took off down the road. I leaned my head back and rested it on the cool leather. I was happy things were finally over with reincarnated bad guys. It wasn't fun to have people you thought were dead chasing after you. Ranger grabbed my hand and squeezed it. Ranger must be exhausted. He spent six hours looking for me and he planned on taking out Stiva. "I'm fine Babe," he said, using his nifty ESP.

We were halfway to Morelli's place when he passed us on the road. Tires squealed and horns honked as he made a huge U-turn in the middle of the street.

"Babe," Ranger said, cutting his eyes to me.

I waved him off. "Just go to his house. We'll talk there."

There was no way I was pulling over to switch cars. Unh-uh. Just because the boys had this power struggle going on doesn't mean I was going to get in the middle of it. Unh-uh. Ranger pulled up into Morelli's driveway and I jumped out.

I saw Joe and Ranger exchange glances and Ranger inclined his head.

"Where did you go?" Morelli asked me as soon as he reached me. "I thought someone kidnapped you!" Then he pulled me tight against him and held me there, stroking my hair softly. What a sweetie.

Ranger made to get back in the car, but I caught his arm.

"I want to go to RangeMan and collect the files on Stiva for the PD. Can you take me?"

Ranger locked eyes with me and gave an imperceptible nod.

"We can all talk inside, I want a shower," I said and headed off toward to house. I wasn't going to worry about a shoot-out between them right now. I really needed a shower. And food. I always needed food.

Once inside, I put my jacket and keys on the counter.

"Walk with me," I said to them and headed up the stairs. I glanced back at Ranger and he looked amused. We all trudged up the stairs and the boys dutifully followed me into the bedroom. All the stuff I had brought to Morelli's was neatly stacked in a corner of the bedroom in suitcases. I opened the largest suitcase and extracted my RangeMan outfit.

"Joe, I went and rammed Big Blue into Stiva."

Joe went from calm to angry Italian in five seconds flat.

"Jesus Steph, can't you listen for once? You were told to stay here!"

He ran a hand through his hair. "You could have been hurt!"

"Do I ever listen when people tell me to do something?" I snapped at Joe, pushing past him to collect all the hair essentials.

Morelli sighed. "No."

"I'm going to take a shower." I locked eyes with Ranger. "I shouldn't be too long. Will you wait?"

Again with the nod, which Joe didn't pick up on and looked confused when I turned and walked into the bathroom.

"Cupcake?" I turned to him.

"I'm glad your okay. Please don't do that again."

I nodded. "I'll try. And I'm sorry about work, but I really have to go in."

He nodded. Then I leaned forward and gave him a long, slow kiss, then slammed the door.

I came downstairs a half and hour later fresh from a shower. I had done my hair half-assed and didn't bother with make-up. What was the point? I was just going to get into another Bombshell situation. As I reached the bottom of the stairs and moved toward the kitchen, I noticed Joe and Ranger were glaring at each other.

"Stop it," I said sharply.

Ranger pulled back. I moved to the kitchen in search of food. I saw bread on the counter and grabbed it, then burrowed through the cabinets for peanut butter. I finally found some in the far reaches of the cupboard and spread it on the bread. I looked up to find Ranger giving me the full-on smile. What was that for?

"What?" I asked, my mouth full of sandwich.

He shook his head. "Nothing Babe."

"Don't 'nothing' me Ranger."

Joe leaned against the counter smirking, clearly enjoying me being snippy with Ranger. Ranger's eyes flew to Joe and hardened, then flew back to me and looked amused.

"I just wondered where my shower gel went. I guess I know now."

I shoved half the sandwich in my mouth so I couldn't talk and turned bright red. Joe's smirk was quickly replaced by a scowl.

"MMmsbsuysaghweuisdaue," I mumbled.

Ranger coughed to cover up a laugh and Joe glared at him. I swallowed quickly and downed a glass of water to get rid of the peanut butter stuck to the roof of my mouth.

"Cupcake," Joe said.

I turned and smiled sweetly at him. "Hmmm?"

He looked at me and let out a sigh. "Tell me later, I'm sure it's some story."

"Unh-huh. Some story," I said and bolted for the door. Unfortunately he caught me by the arm, spun me around, and kissed me… hard. One of those 'shove you up against the wall and fuck you' leading kisses. It was damn good.

"Love you, Cupcake," he said. Oh no! What do I say now?

"I, ummm, bye Joe," and I took off.

I noticed Ranger's eyebrows were raised when he got into the truck with me.

"What!" I yelled, throwing my hands up in the air. I'm sooo not Italian.

"In a minute," Ranger said and pulled the truck out.

In a minute? What kind of answer is that? It isn't, that's what kind.

We drove in the usual silence until we reached RangeMan. Ranger pulled into his normal parking space and turned to look over at me.

"I'm waiting," I said impatiently.

That's when Ranger reached over and hauled me into his lap, kissing the living daylights out of me. Not in the same way as Joe, but more of an 'I need this right now' kiss. Not one leading to a wall. When his tongue entered my mouth, I think I lost consciousness. It only returned when I heard the truck horn blare loud and strong.

"Holy hell," I said, flying towards Ranger's chest.

Ranger was chuckling. "Great, the guys'll get a kick out of this."

I rolled my eyes.

"Saw that Babe." I did it again and he laughed.

We got out of the truck and took the elevator to the fifth floor. As soon as the doors opened, we were bombarded by applause and whistles. Every RangeMan employee in the control room was on their feet in a standing ovation. Smartasses.

I felt myself blush. Who knew the RangeMen have a sense of humor?

"Stop it guys," I whined. Ranger chuckled next to me then took off to his office.

"Come on Bombshell," Tank said, slinging an arm around my shoulder and directing me back to my desk. He plopped me down and eyed my overflowing in-tray with a shudder. Tank didn't do desk work, that much I knew.

"Have fun with that," he said and was gone. Not long after, I found Lester standing next to me.

"So Beautiful, the guys and I are going out tonight. You wanna come?"

I was being invited out with the guys?!? Cool man!

"Sure Les, who's coming?"

"Me, Tank, Bobby, and Hal."

"Thanks for the invite."

"Anytime Sexy, we'll pick you up at Morelli's at eight."

Sexy? Lester just called me sexy! Excuse me whilst I swoon.

I nodded and he left.

I came into work to get the files on Stiva together, which only took about an hour. I could give them to Morelli later. Once I finished that, I dug into the mound of files. I had significantly reduced the stack when six arrived. I gathered my keys, purse, and gun and took the elevator to the garage when it finally hit me that I didn't have a car. Uh! Mental head slap!

Rummaging in my purse, I pulled out my cell phone and speed dialed Joe.

"Cupcake," he said, answering.

"Hi Joe. I, ummm, can I get a ride to your place?" I asked.

"Sure thing, be there in a flash."

And he disconnected. That wasn't too nice now was it?

I was getting impatient when his truck finally pulled up in front of RangeMan. About time!

"Hey Cupcake," Joe said when I slide in. I leaned over and kissed him… a lot. Okay, so this was me making up for the car thing with Ranger. So what? The man could kiss!

"I think I might have to break a few laws to get us home," he said when I finally pulled back. I noticed the windows were partially fogged over. Whoops, got a little carried away there.

I glanced at the clock. "Sorry Joe, but I'm going out with the team tonight at eight."

He looked at me. "The team?"

"The RangeMan team. I think they're taking me out to make me feel better about today."

"Is Ranger going to be there?" he asked with his blank cop face on.

"No. But it shouldn't matter either way."

Joe shook his head. "I guess I'll have to eat Pino's alone," he chided.

"Sorry Joe," I said. Then I flashed him a mischievous grin.

"But I'll make it up to you later."

Morelli sent me his wolf grin. "Deal."

Continuing Eleven

Chapter 1

I awoke with a pounding headache and my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth. Great. But at least I was comfortable. Wait, huh?!? I pried my eyes open and quickly shut them again. Damn the light. Slowly, I tried again. Ahhh, better. I looked around and realized I was in a bedroom. More specifically, on a bed. A very large, comfortable bed with nice sheets. There was only one window, a large one to the left, and the room was furnished in a tasteful contemporary modern mix. I pushed the covers off and got up to stretch. God I was sore. I need to get out more. I should exercise. Puh! Who was I kidding?

I looked down to find myself wearing a big black T-shirt, which looked awfully familiar. I smelled it and found it wasn't Ranger's, but it was familiar. Okay, this was edging on creepy now. I walked out of the bedroom to find myself in a medium-sized apartment with a very familiar layout. Okay, not good. I went to the kitchen in search of food and found a pile of my clothes and a note on the counter.

Morning Sexy,

Rough night. Sleep in, eat my food, use my shower,

get dressed and come to work. There's Advil in the

bathroom cabinet for your head.

Les

I think my knees gave away. Shit, there was that word 'sexy' again. I have a boyfriend! Other men should NOT be calling me sexy. Yikes! O shit, did I sleep with Lester? Shit, shit, shit. Okay Steph, don't hyperventilate. In… out… in… now go take a shower and get dressed like the man said.

I showered and changed into my RangeMan uniform, doing the best I could with my hair without all the essentials. Then I grabbed a Coke and powered donuts for breakfast. Lester Santos is a man after my own heart. I really needed to make sure nothing happened. Like NOW. I grabbed my purse and walked to the elevator. I hit the button and it opened to Ranger and Tank deep in conversation. Tank caught the sight of me out of the corner of his eye and started laughing. Ranger just stared… he seemed shocked to see me standing there. Guys all the boys sleep on this floor. Wow, what a situation.

"How's the head Bombshell?" boomed Tank.

"Not so loud," I whined. He just laughed more. The bastard.

"Where were you, Babe?" Ranger asked. Yikes! Panic! Flee! Danger! Danger!

"Ummmm…" He fixed me with a stare and I caved.

"I think Lester's. At least that's who signed the note."

Tank's grin widened when he saw Ranger's jaw clench. Smug, smug man. I have NO FREAKIN' idea why he thought that was funny. I thought it was a wee bit scary.

"Why did you spend the night at Lester's?"

I looked to Tank for help.

"We all went out last night," Tank supplied. "Bombshell got a bit drunk." A bit? O please.

Ranger raised his eyebrow at Tank and I leaned my head against the wall for support. O last night… the events are a little, okay okay A LOT, blurry.

"Yo Beautiful," Lester said right to Joe's face. Les got a kick out of this, but Joe didn't.

"One minute Les!" I yelled from the living room. Joe opened the door a little more, his version of an invitation in. Les, Tank, Bobby, and Hal all strolled in looking straight off the cover of GQ.

"Bombshell's taking on a whole other meaning tonight for you, Beautiful," Lester said when he saw me. Joe scowled, but I couldn't help but smile. Nothing like gorgeous ex-army men telling you that you look hot to raise your spirits.

"Daaaamn Bombshell," Tank said on a whistle. I blushed.

"Wow Steph." That was Bobby.

"Ergh." Hal. Poor guy still hadn't gotten over me pulling a fast one on him with that stun gun.

"So where are we going guys?"

"Shorty's Steph."

Morelli cut in. "I don't think that place is safe for her so late."

The boys looked at him like he was dumber than a rock. Hell, they looked like they thought rocks were smarter. My only response was to roll my eyes.

"Okay fine," Morelli said, throwing his hands in the air. "I'll see you later."

I gave him a peck on the lips and flounced out with the boys.

Ding! The elevator doors opened and my head was clanging with the noise.

"Does anyone know where Lester is?" I asked Tank and Ranger.

Ranger's blank face went down. "He's on a job."

"Oh, well I'll be at my desk." Guess I was going to have to wait until later to ask him about last night.

"Babe, wait."

"Huh?" Nice answer Steph.

"Meeting at two. We have a new client. I want you on the case."

I nodded. "Gottcha Ranger." I resisted the temptation to salute.

He smiled. "You're actually listening to me?"

Huh? What? Confused!

My confusion must've shown.

"About being a smartass Babe." Oh right.

"Don't get used to it. I'm considering this a special case." This earned me a flash of his pearly whites.

"I'm a special case, Babe? I think you're flirting again."

"No, you just have the power to fire me. Don't expect this past six or before eight."

Again, the smile. "And Babe, Morelli's come by about three times now looking for you. Call him. Tell him to stay away from the building unless it's official. Employees and clients only."

I thunked myself on the head.

"Shit, I didn't go home last night."

Ranger was smiling again. Damn the man.

"Oh fuck," I said with one last thunk.

"Babe, be careful, we don't need any more screws loose."

"Aren't you just a bundle of giggles?" I asked sarcastically.

I was in deep shit with Morelli. So I rocketed off to my desk, where I found a big 8x10 glossy of me dancing on the bar. The boys thought me getting drunk was funny. O yeah, laugh it up! I sighed and let my head fall onto the keyboard.

I grimaced as the smooth amber liquid scorched down my throat. The boys roared. I was definitely nearing drunk. "Freak-a-Leak" came on and I pulled Lester out onto the dancefloor. Out of all the MerryMen, Lester was the best dancer. When the song was over, we moved back to our table where a bottle of Jose Cuervo and five shot glasses were waiting for us.

"Alright Steph, ask a question, take a shot. All questions are game," said Bobby.

"You first Bomber," said Hal.

Les poured the drink for me as I contemplated my question. Better to start easy. "Are any of you married?"

Hal raised his hand. "Just me. Two years, my wife Aly is pregnant with our first." And he got a huge goofy grin on his face. Awwww, I licked the salt off the rim, downed the shot, and ate a lime.

Bobby went next. "Why'd you become a Bounty Hunter Steph?"

I sighed. "Money. I got laid off and was broke. I bribed Vinnie into it."

Bobby drank his shot. Next up was Tank.

"What did you used to do?"

"Lingerie buyer."

That really got the boys going.

Next up Lester. "Why do you stay with Morelli?"

I thought about it. "Because he's safe."

Lester nodded. "Fair enough. Bottom's up!" And he downed the shot.

Hal was up. "What the hell is up with you and the Boss?"

"Good question. You should probably ask him cuz I have no fuckin idea." O yeah, I was drunk.

Hal shrugged and took the shot. Six shots later I was dancing on the bar. Eight shots later, Lester was taking a body shot off me. Ten shots later I was dancing on the dance floor with Lester, Tank, Bobby, and Hal all at the same time. And that's where my mind goes blank.

I reluctantly picked up the phone and dialed Morelli.

"Talk." Well that was a bad sign.

"Hi." Gee Steph, aren't you witty?

"Stephanie."

"Joe, I'm sorry about last night. I think I blacked out so I stayed in a , um, spare room."

Joe sighed heavily on the other end. "Your head hurt?"

"Like a bitch."

"Good!"

"So I had fun! Sue me!"

"Steph calm down! Stop yelling at me, I'm not the one who went out and got drunk last night!"

"O please Joe."

"And what's with me not being able to come see you at work."

"Company rules, no one comes in unless they are clients or employees."

"So you were never there until you were officially employed by RangeMan?"

Damn technicality.

"Well, erm, you could say I was a client." Or an illegal trespasser, but I didn't feel the need to mention that.

"Bullshit Steph!"

"You know what? I had fun last night. I told you where I was going and who I was going with. I didn't have to do that, but I did. You can forget that courtesy in the future if this is how you are going to act!"

I was standing up in my cubby now, yelling my full head off at the phone. I bet a looked really strange.

"Steph, Jesus, come on."

"What, are you planning on hiring someone to follow me around?"

"Why is it that Ranger always comes between us?"

"Ranger? You're making this about Ranger? HE. WASN'T. EVEN. THERE. Is that clear enough for you?"

"Babe," came Ranger's voice from the entrance to my cubicle. He came up behind me so we were touching ever-so gently.

I took a deep calming breath and started to talk again.

"I'm sorry I upset you, Joe, but I will not be telling you every moment of my life."

"Cupcake…" Cupcake, okay that was better.

"Cupcake I was worried about you. But we have to share our lives otherwise this won't work."

My voice went cold. "You share about Gilman and we'll talk."

"You know I can't. And you share about Ranger and we'll talk!" he screamed into the phone.

"Fuck you!"

"Yeah, well fuck you back."

"Damn you Morelli," I yelled and slammed the phone down. Wow, that was intense.

I looked over to find everyone staring at me. I would've yelled but I didn't have any more yell left in me.

Letting my body fall back, I leaned into Ranger.

"And you say your life doesn't lend itself to relationships," I said, rolling my eyes.

I felt him smile into my hair.

"Come on Babe, we've got a meeting."

Ranger led me down the hallway to a large conference room. We went inside and I took a seat in one of the numerous black leather chairs seated around a nicely polished oak table.

"This is probably a bad time to mention who we're dealing with," he said. I rolled my eyes.

"How could it get worse." Ranger grimaced a little and slid a file over to me.

I opened it, read the first page, and had to stop myself from bounding over the table and strangling him. After all, it wasn't his fault.

"Glad you realize that Babe," he smirked. Damn, must've said that out loud.

He came around the table. Turning the chair to face him, he crouched down and looked into my eyes while tucking a stray curl behind my ear.

"I really need your help on this one Babe."

"Terry Gilman? Why?"

He shrugged. "She's on vice. I could always ask for Morelli as a liaison."

I smacked him on the arm. "That'd go over well. So he's on this case too?"

Ranger nodded. Ugh!

"Why do you need me?"

He threw a picture down in front of me.

"We need you to go undercover to pick up some Intel on this guy. It's all pre-arranged through RangeMan and approved by the PD."

I nodded. "Joe won't be happy."

"Babe, you can always say no. You know that."

I shook my head. "No, I trust you. Besides, it's my job. He'll just have to get over it."

"Proud of you, Babe," he said and flashed me a smile.

Continuing Eleven

Chapter 2

"Can you give me a ride to Vinnie's?" I asked sweetly as we were pushing out the door and back into the hallway.

"Let's go Babe," he said and pushed me into the elevator and headed for the garage.

The ride to the office was silent as usual, Ranger being in his zone and all. I almost rolled my eyes.

Except we went right past the office. I wondered if Ranger was so far into his zone that he didn't realize where he was going.

"Umm, Ranger?"

"I know Babe," he said and made a right into the drive-thru of McDonalds. I smiled.

"Have a mentioned I have a pounding headache?"

Ranger chuckled. "Yes." He ordered a large coke and fries and paid for me.

"Thanks!" I squealed and ate a fry. I think I moaned it tasted so good. In fact, I'm pretty sure I did because when I opened my eyes, Ranger was staring at me, his eyes dark. Yikes! I was staring right back at him and suddenly the headache didn't matter. Thoughts of Ranger pulling me onto his lap filled my mind. I think his ESP was on high alert because he put the bag on the ground and pulled me to him, kissing me hard. I threw my arms around his neck and began running my fingers through his hair. And that's when the car behind us laid on the horn. What is it with us kissing and car horns?

Ranger moved back over into his seat chuckling.

"There's always something," I said softly.

Ranger pulled out of the parking lot and we were in front of Vinnie's in a matter of minutes.

He turned off the engine and looked at me.

"Babe, what exactly happened last night?"

I sighed. "I got really really drunk. I don't remember anything after the last ten shots."

"Ten?" Ranger looked really amused now. Hmmm…

"The guys have pictures," I groaned. "They think me drunk is pretty damn funny."

Ranger was laughing as he got out and opened my door for me. The he held open the door to Vinnie's so I didn't have to break my rhythm of fry-coke, fry-coke. We got into the office and he turned to me and started laughing again. What the hell?

"Uh, what's up?" I asked.

He shook his head and went back out to the truck.

I turned to Connie and Lula and they shrugged. "I didn't know he could laugh," Connie said.

"Damn white girl, you got wasted last night huh?" Lula said.

I just sighed and ate more while I waited for Mr. Giggles to come back.

Ranger came back in a minute later carrying a folder.

"Take a look."

I opened the folder and there were several shots from last night, like the one on my desk.

"They gave these to you?"

Ranger nodded and tried to hold back another laugh.

"Babe, two glasses of wine and you're gone." I threw the folder back at him and he ducked while still laughing.

"Wish I could have been there."

I thought about that. "Why weren't you there?"

He shrugged. "I don't go out much with the guys anymore. Basically they get drunk and pick up women. I didn't know you were going with them."

Wow, Ranger didn't go pick up women on a regular basis? Why does that surprise me? Well duh, because he's gorgeous.

"Connie, do you have anything for me?"

She rifled around in all the piles on her desk.

"Steph, I've got one for you. Ranger, here's three and Vinnie needs to talk to you."

I attempted to raise an eyebrow. "Three Ranger? Trying to take all my money?"

Ranger chuckled. "I'll be right back Babe," he said and pushed into Vinnie's inner sanctum.

As soon as the door closed, the girls were all over me with questions. Surprise surprise.

"Okay white girl, what happened to you last night?"

I sighed and shoved another fry in my mouth.

"I went out with a few of Ranger's men and, obviously, got drunk."

"There's more to that story," Connie said eyeing me.

"I woke up in Lester's bed."

"Lester?" they asked at the same time.

"One of Ranger's guys. I'd say third in command at RangeMan."

"Who's second? That hunk of love Tank?" asked Lula.

"Yup. The Big Guy."

"Okay back to the point Steph, what happened?" Connie squealed.

"I hope and think nothing, but I woke up in his shirt."

"Shiiit girl!" Lula exclaimed. Tell me about it.

"Morelli and I got into a fight today at RangeMan, well, over the phone."

"About this?"

"Yup. He blamed Ranger like he always does. And I'm sure if I hadn't hung up on him my job would've come up eventually."

"Why'd he blame Ranger. It sounded like he wasn't even there."

I leaned back in the chair I had sat down in. "That's the thing, he wasn't. He didn't even know we were going out. But you know Joe, he tends to fly off the handle. He's Italian."

Lula spoke up. "Maybe you should dump Officer Hottie and get with Batman?"

"Batman and I won't work. Drop it," I said, rather snippy I might add.

Connie's eyes flashed to me. "Looks like she hit a nerve."

"Nope, no nerve." DENIAL! It was my happy place.

"Then why are you all crabby about it?"

"Because Ranger and I work together. We aren't anything more." God I was SO full of shit.

"O please Steph. We see the way he looks at you and you know what? I think you return that look," Connie said.

"Yeah girl! You and Morelli have been side-steppin' down the same road since you were sixteen." Well actually six, but that made me sound bad.

"And look where it's gotten you," Connie said. "You always fight. It isn't just because you are Italian. You do care about each other, I just don't think you love each other the way you should for the type of relationship you're going for."

"What and you think Ranger does?" I said incredulously. "Trust me, he doesn't."

"How do you know?" Connie said.

"I just do, now will you please drop it?"

"We're just trying to be your friends. You worrin' about Morelli all the time makes us worried."

"Lester asked me why I stay with Morelli too."

"And what did you say?"

I took a deep breath. "Because he's safe."

Connie locked eyes with me. "When have you ever wanted safe Steph? When have you done what you were told when you felt differently? Just because it's safe doesn't make it right."

And for once I realized she was right. I was content to be with Morelli because I was afraid of anything unconventional. Problem is, I've never wanted conventional, so I'd never be happy with it. Now I had to figure out what to do. All this just made my head hurt worse.

"Shit!" Connie yelled, holding a small piece of black plastic.

"What?" Lula and I yelled at the same time. I thought it was a bomb, that shows you how sad my life is.

"Vinnie bugged the office again!"

I paled. I swear all the blood left my face. I was sitting in here talking about Ranger and he was right in there listening to all of it. Shit shit shit and a mental head slap.

The girls must've picked up on the awkwardness because they actually shut up. I sat in silence shoving fries and sipping Coke while contemplating what to say to Ranger. I didn't have long because Ranger came out a moment later, file in hand.

I stuck the straw in my mouth and sipped my coke.

"Babe."

"Ranger?" I said sweetly.

He shook his head and handed me the file.

"Put this with the other folders on your desk. I want a RangeMan search done for all of these. Advanced search actually. I don't want to miss a thing. This relates to the new case."

I perused the file a bit. It was seriously loaded. Gun-running, attempted murder, drugs. You name it, this guy had done it.

"What does Vinnie have to do with this?"

Ranger sat in the chair beside me.

"Vinnie wrote bond on this guy, he took off. I'll go after him because it'll look suspicious if I don't."

I was slightly confused, but I hadn't read anything on the case, but it looked ugly.

"Babe, you've got the team on you." ESP can be helpful.

"What can I tell Morelli about this?"

Ranger looked at me over his sunglasses.

"He's working on the same case, but he isn't working with RangeMan. You can't talk about it until it's been approved."

"By?"

"Gilman."

"Fuck. So basically I can't."

Ranger smiled. "You can tell him you're working on it."

"Great, get him all mad and leave him hanging. That's wise… not."

I went over and flopped down on the couch. It was better for thinking. Ranger grabbed the three other files off the desk and began reading them over. God, he's hot. Mocha-latte skin is yummy.

He finished reading, came over, and sat down next to me, putting his hand on my thigh. He was really close. Shit, down hormones.

"We're meeting at nine tomorrow morning with Gilman. I don't want you taking the files home since this is a confidential case."

Our eyes locked and I understood. I'd have to stay up all night prepping for the meeting in the morning.

I took out my cell phone and dialed Joe.

"Who's dead," he asked when he answered.

"No one. Listen Joe, I won't be home tonight. I just got assigned to a huge case and I have a meeting in the morning. I don't even know what the case is about."

Shit I had a lot of work to do.

"Why don't you just bring it home. We could eat and maybe talk a little bit about what happened today."

"I can't bring it home. It's a conflict of interest."

Ranger smiled at my choice of words. Soooo not what I meant.

"You want to explain that?"

"You know the case you're working on?"

It took him a minute to process. "Fuck. Steph, no."

"Don't do this Joe."

"This is too dangerous. You can't do this."

"Excuse me? Don't tell me what I can and cannot do. Apparently some people think I can do it."

He shifted subjects, must've known I was getting mad. Whatever gave him that idea? Eye roll.

"Why can't you bring it home? We're working on the same case."

"Gilman is my liaison." "So where are you staying."

"A RangeMan apartment."

Then I looked over to Ranger to make sure it was okay. I never actually asked. He was smiling.

"Fine Cupcake, but I'm talking to the Lieutenant in the morning."

"You are NOT getting RangeMan off this."

"Cupcake, this is big."

"And I'm a big girl."

"So when are you coming home?"

"To your house you mean? I don't know, maybe tomorrow night."

"Fine. You need your clothes."

"I'll be over to get them in a bit."

I hung up and hit my head against the wall.

"Babe," Ranger said, pulling me to him.

"What the hell am I doing?" I asked no one in particular. Why am I still with Morelli? Because the sex is good? Sure.

I rolled my eyes at myself. A relationship with Morelli is just too damn complicated.

"Can you take me to Morelli's to get my stuff? That is, if there's a place for me to stay at RangeMan."

We locked eyes.

"There's always a place for you at RangeMan, it's your choice where you stay."

"What's available?"

"Fourth floor will take a day."

I shrugged. "I don't want to kick one of the boys out, so I'll just stay here," I said and jingled my keys.

He gave me the 1000 watt smile and I realized we had this entire conversation in front of Connie and Lula. I looked over and they both looked baffled.

"I think that's the most I've heard you say," Connie said.

Ranger looked amused.

"Come on Babe," he said and pulled me up and led me out the door.

We rode to Morelli's in silence. When we got there, I noted Joe's truck was in the driveway along with a shiny new black one. Hmmm…

Ranger and I got out and I unlocked the door. Bob the dog came bounding at me, his orange shaggy fur flying everywhere. Morelli followed, his gun drawn. When he saw who it was he lowered it, nodded to Ranger and said hi to me.

"Joe?" came a female voice from the kitchen. And out walked Terry Gilman, gun drawn, looking extremely well-dressed in a black skirt suit. The skirt was extremely short.

Even after she saw me, the gun remained aimed. "Stephanie," she said, a bitter tone to her voice.

I wasn't playing jealous girlfriend anymore. I was done.

"Do you mind putting down the gun?"

I glanced at Ranger who had his hand resting on the back of the waistband of his SWAT pants, where I knew his gun was. At least one of them.

She just glared at me.

"Besides, we all work together here."

"Excuse me? We do not work together. WE work together," she said pointing to her and Joe.

Joe shifted his weight. "Well actually, you all work together," he said and handed her a sheet of paper.

Can anyone say awkward? Because this was.

"Jesus Joe, I have to go. You should've given this to me earlier."

"I just got it. It was faxed."

She went over to Joe, pecked him on the cheek and flounced out. Bitch.

"Cupcake, it was about a case." It probably was, but what Connie and Lula said today was right and I had made up my mind.

"Sure Joe."

And I walked upstairs, dumped my hair products in the largest suitcase and pulled it to the stairs.

"Babe," Ranger said when he saw me. Then he took the stairs two at a time and easily lifted the bag and took it down the stairs.

"A bag Cupcake? That's almost all your stuff."

"If you could take the rest to my apartment, I'd appreciate it."

"Wait? What?" Morelli yelled.

I turned around to face him. "We both know this is never going to work. Everything's a fight with us, everything is so complicated. We aren't devoted to each other, and don't even try to deny it, because I won't." Whatever he had been about to say stopped. He let his shoulders slump and just looked at me.

"It shouldn't just be about sex. I should be able to tell you I love you and I can't. I can't because I don't. Not how I should. It took me a while to realize exactly what was going on, but I did. There shouldn't be people in our lives that we care about as much as we do."

Our eyes locked and a silent moment passed between us. Finally it was out.

"You should only care about the person you love and I realized today, rather dumbly, that I was with the wrong person."

He sighed and pulled me into a hug.

"We gave it a nice shot. We both should have done this earlier."

I nodded. "Yeah. Probably. But we're both stupid."

He shook his head. "No Cupcake, we were both scared to move on." He kissed the top of my head. "I want you to be happy."

"You too Joe." I pulled back and looked around. No Ranger.

"He took your suitcase out of the car as soon as you told me to move all your other stuff to your apartment."

I looked out the window and sure enough, he was waiting by the truck.

"Be careful Cupcake. I'm not happy about this, but I'm glad one of us finally got up the guts," he said and laughed.

"Still friends?"

He hugged me again. "Forever."

Continuing Eleven

Chapter 3

After a couple minutes of standing there, I pulled back.

"I gotta go. That meeting's coming up fast and I have no idea what I'm talking about."

He sighed. "I still think you working on this is a bad idea. Especially with Terry as your liaison with the PD."

"Joe, I'll be fine. Really."

He nodded. "I know. Be safe Cupcake. Bring over Pino's someday and we'll watch the game."

"I will Joe, thanks."

I walked out the door and over to Ranger with a smile on my face. Who would've thought I'd be smiling after breaking up with a man I had been engaged to? Not me. But I was. I was actually proud of myself... and very glad Joe didn't blow up like I thought he would.

Ranger was leaning against the car looking... grim?

"Make up?" he asked.

I shook my head. "Nope, we broke up, for good."

He looked at me like I was dumb. "You're smiling."

"Aren't you Captain Obvious?" I said, getting into the truck. "We better go, I've got a ton of work to do."

"Babe," he said shaking his head. But he went around the truck and got into the drivers seat and drove back to Haywood.

We rode to the fifth floor in silence and Ranger followed me into my cubicle. I overdramatically sighed when I saw the huge, no gigantic, stack on files on my desk. Forget the in-tray, they just started piling them up.

"Do you have an office in your apartment?" I asked.

He raised an eyebrow. "Yes."

"Good, because I'm not sitting here all day in this chair."

He laughed and pulled me close to him, kissing me on the top of my head. God that felt good. I really didn't want to move, so I just stayed there. I wondered how long Ranger would hold me.

"Boss, we've got a problem," came Bobby's voice a minute later. Damn him.

Ranger pulled away and looked at the file Bobby had handed him.

"Okay, you and Lester go secure the area."

I sat down at my desk and let them do their business. I opened the file on top, leaned back, put my feet on the desk, and began to read. Now if i had a Coke on one side and Cheez Doodles on the other, I'd be good. Of course then the files would be orange, but it'd be worth it. Damn, this file was interesting. It was like reading a freakin' James Patterson novel.

"Babe--"

"Ahhhhh!" I yelled and flew up off the chair.

Ranger and Tank were standing there laughing at me. Okay, Tank was laughing, Ranger was smiling. Might as well be laughing. They did that a lot.

"Babe, I've got to go for about an hour. Read over the files. If you finish, do the searches. When I get back, we'll go up to the apartment and talk about what you want to do and how to handle the meeting."

"What I want to do?" I said and attempted to raise an eyebrow.

"Yeah Babe, what you want to do."

"That was a question. I heard what you said."

"That was him not answering it," Tank cut in chuckling.

I rolled my eyes.

"Yes sir."

Tank laughed harder and Ranger shot him an evil glare, which he didn't see because he was doubled over. I must be the most funny person in the world to Tank.

"Babe, i thought I was a special case?"

"I was being a smartass to Mr. Uncontrollable Laughter over there."

That earned me a Ranger smile that almost made me melt. Hell, who was I kidding, I felt myself sit back down in the chair because I couldn't stand anymore.

"Okay, well good luck. Be careful."

Okay, that was awkward. I'd never told him to be careful before.

"I'll be fine Babe," he said and kissed me on the cheek before walking out.

Three hours later I had made it through all the files and was halfway done with the searches. Ranger still wasn't back. Ugh! I looked at the clock and it was almost seven. O well, I'm packing up shop. I shut down my computer and grabbed all the files before heading to the elevator. I used my key fob to get up to the seventh floor and into the apartment. My suitcase was sitting next to the door with a sticky note on it.

Babe,

I have drawers you know.

Hmmm, guess that was an invitation. So I dragged the suitcase into his bedroom and searched until I found three drawers in the armoire that weren't already occupied. I carefully folded all my clothes and put them in the drawers, then used an unused cabinet in the bathroom for my necessities. Then I stuck the now empty suitcase into the closet.

And now there was nothing to do except work. That was depressing.

Orrrr... I could take a shower. Hmmm...

Yeah, I have no self-control. So I took a shower with that amazing shower gel. Yum!

When I was done, I left my hair down and curly and put on a black wife beater and black panties. I thought I looked cute. I grabbed a blanket from the bed and curled up on the couch to read some more. I had started taking notes halfway through because I was getting confused with all the people involved. I noticed all the PD's files were in here too. I wondered if they had RangeMan files... probably not. That's why they had to work with us.

10:45 and no Ranger. Not a sign. No call either. I was honestly starting to get worried. He said one hour. It's been a lot more than that.

Just then my stomach growled. Okay, internal debate. Wake Ella up this late or traipse downstairs and eat some of the healthy food? Hmmm...

I grabbed my keys and headed downstairs. I'm too nice to wake Ella up, what can I say.

I selected a chicken sandwich and some fruit. Really, it wasn't bad. If I imagined it as a slice of chocolate cake.

I was clad only in my short black robe and jammies standing in front of the open fridge debating another apple when the hairs on the back of my neck prickled.

I turned and saw Ranger leaning against the door to the room.

"Yo," I said.

"Yo yourself," he said back.

He looked down at my robe and raised and eyebrow.

"I need to be comfy to read all that crap. Then I got hungry, I kinda forgot about dinner."

Ranger nodded. "So how far are you?"

"I've read, I've searched, I've taken 20 pages of notes."

He smiled. "Good, now about tomorrow..."

"Noooo! Don't remind me," I whined.

"Babe," Ranger chuckled.

"Fine, fine, but let's go back upstairs, I'm cold and you look beat."

He pulled me to him and wrapped an arm around my waist burying his face in my hair.

"You took a shower."

"Ummhmmm..." Okay, it's sad I know, but that was all I could manage. Not my fault. If you had the sexiest man in the world nuzzling your hair you'd loose all speech too.

"So what happened?" I asked when he pulled away...slightly.

"The guy we went after wasn't there when he was supposed to be. We had to wait and there ended up being a slight altercation."

"Altercation?"

"He got off a couple shots and a few of his guys came out of nowhere with knives. Somebody must've tipped him off."

Ranger unlocked the door and threw his keys into the side dish.

"I'm going to take a shower," he said and pulled his shirt over his head.

Gulp. Was it just me or was it getting really hot in here? It felt hot. I took off my robe and moved into the bedroom to stow it in a drawer. Of course, Ranger was in there (shirtless) getting his clothes.

"Babe," he said, looking over at me.

"Hmmm..?" I said, determined to avoid looking at him.

"So what happened today with Morelli?"

I locked eyes with him. So much for that not looking thing. Jesus, the man was like a train wreck, you couldn't help but stare.

"I grew up and realized I was being an idiot."

"You were being an idiot Babe?"

"Yes. Me."

"How so?"

Awkward. Awkward.

"I wanted something different and I was too afraid to go after it."

"Different?"

"Not the Burg."

He nodded.

"Let's go, I'm not going to be able to stay awake much longer," I said, turning away and walking out into the living room.

It'd be slutty for me to move right from Morelli to Ranger in one day.

I went back over to the couch and waited for Ranger to come back out, listening to the patter of rain on the roof.

I got up and walked to the kitchen and started some coffee.

"Okay, so this case is complicated," I started. "I've never been involved like this. I mean this guy has a great deal going on. Guns for drugs. Both illegal and they've been getting away with it for years."

Ranger nodded. "Alvarez is sneaky. The PD was never able to pin anything on him until now. Problem is, the only way to get him is while he's dealing."

'So basically, they have to break the law to set it up. Not that they can't do that, but they'd rather you did it. That way you loose the people instead of them,' i said pouring myself a cup.

'Want one?" i asked.

He nodded so i poured another.

"Tomorrow Gilman is going to come in like she's in charge, but she isn't. This became our case the moment they turned it over. We're just working with them so we don't get arrested." He paused and smiled. "Because you don't like that."

I had told him and the guys that our first job together. i didn't like getting shot or getting arested. Lester said i didn't know how to have fun. Whatever Les.

Ranger came over to me and put his arms around me. He leaned his head forward and kissed my jawline. Instinctively, I leaned into the kiss and he took it as an invitation. He began kissing down my neck and onto my throat, gently turning me around to face him.

"I heard what you said to Morelli."

I pulled back. "What? How?"

He smiled. "Babe, I was right outside the door through most of it. I have good hearing."

"Stupid military training."

He smiled. "So who were you talking about Babe?"

"Hmm...?" He was distracting me so much i didn't remember the question. Him and that damn shower gel.

"The person you realized you should be with."

I looked him in the eye and said "No one that i can be with."

"Why Babe?" he asked.

"Because last time we had that shot I went off and told him I couldn't handle it and he sent me back to this other guy."

"He was stupid," Ranger said kissing my neck again.

"How do you know? Maybe he did the right thing, no matter how much it hurt."

"Do you really think that?"

"I don't know. He doesn't really talk much. i have no idea how he feels about me."

Ranger had pushed me up against the counter now.

"How do you feel about him?"

Shit! Next question please.

"I like him a lot."

"Is that it?"

I looked down. "Yup."

"Liar," Ranger said and finally kissed me on the mouth.

"Maybe a little," I conceded.

"A little?"

I looked up at him. He was so gorgeous. He'd always believed in me, always supported me, and I was in love with him. There was no denying it anymore, I'd done that long enough.

"Ranger, I love you."

Our eyes locked. His eyes were beautiful. Very dark brown.

"Good Babe," he said and kissed me.

I pulled back. "But i still don't know how you feel about me."

Ranger sat me on the counter so we were eyelevel.

"Babe, I... When you were missing, I was a mess. And before that, I killed a man for you. Because he hurt you. And I made a deal with you thinking that would be the only way we'd be together. I lusted for you. i thought that was it..."

"But?"

"But..."

"Babe…BABE!" I jumped up off the couch with a start. Ranger was hovering over me, fresh from his shower. God, I'd been dreaming. About telling Ranger I loved him. I loved him? Shit.

I was staring past him recounting the whole dream. Jesus, I was a fuckin' mess. When I was dreaming of getting into a relationship with Ranger… he doesn't do relationships.

I put my head in my hands and pulled me legs up.

"Babe?"

I looked up at his face, which was filled with concern.

"I'm… fine, just weird dream is all," I said and got up.

I went over to the table where all the files were spread out and put them into a pile. "These are the searches. Go through them, I'm going to the gym, come get me when you're done."

"Gym?" Ranger looked shocked.

"Yeah, gym. I've gotta do something to stay awake," I lied. Actually, I just needed to get away from him. Who knew dreams were true? I did love him. And I was in a whole shitload of trouble.