Disclaimer: In case you're not already aware, characters don't belong to me, and like everyone else I do this for fun and not money. This is my first foray into actually writing fanfic, but reviews both positive and negative will always be appreciated. Rating just to be on the safe side, cause my muse might decide to up the violence and/or sex in later chapters.

It's gotta be at least 120 degrees in this car. I was sweating in places I didn't even know I could sweat. My mother used to say, "Horses sweat, men perspire, women glow." I was waaaay past glowing. Definitely not ladylike. But I'm stuck in this inferno that is my current POS car (sans air conditioning of course) staking out Jimmy DeMarco's girlfriend's apartment. He was in there. I knew it. He knew I knew it. And I was bound and determined to bring him in on my own. The problem is I couldn't continue the stake out 24 hours a day. And somehow, he always seemed to know when I was watching. I knew he had slipped out under my radar at least once. I heard from Sally Sweet that he was spotted last night at Whipped, a new club that Sally and his band are playing at.

Just then I saw a flicker of movement in the second floor window. DeMarco's girlfriend had left for work about an hour ago. There wasn't supposed to be anyone else in the apartment. This was my chance. I had been sitting in this ridiculously hot car for more than 6 hours. This was my fifth day with the file. He was only worth $700. While the cash would have been nice, this wasn't about the money anymore. I needed to get this guy. I needed to feel like I was in control of something, anything again.

I guess I should back up a minute here and explain how I ended up in this place. I'm Stephanie Plum. Trenton's own Bombshell Bounty Hunter. Known for rolling in garbage, blowing up many vehicles and a few small buildings, not to mention generally being the butt of jokes and source of some unsanctioned gambling down at Trenton PD. I have a sometimes boyfriend who I embarrass on a near daily basis. I know this because he typically shows up at the scene of the disaster waving his arms and yelling about his embarrassment. To tell the truth it makes it kind of hard to feel all that bad for him.

I also have a mother who I shame into tippling and compulsive ironing. In comparison, those activities induce far more guilt in me than the yelling and arm waving. I came to terms a long time ago with the fact that I would never be the kind of daughter my mother hoped I would be, I just wish she could come to terms with it too.

Oh and let's not forget, I have myself a Ranger. Not just any ranger, The Ranger. And I had it on good authority that one was all you'd ever need. Okay maybe to say I have Ranger would be an overstatement. Maybe a gross over statement. But I'd like to have some Ranger. Mmmmm. Whoa, I digress. I guess you could say I had Ranger for one unbelievable night. The rest of the time, I barely had a supporting role in the screen play of his life. After that one night, Ranger made it clear in no uncertain terms that there could never be a relationship between us. And I was already way to attached to Ranger to try the casual sex route. I just didn't even want to think about what would happen if things didn't work out. And for a long time, we'd been able to exist in our own weird relationship (yes, it was a relationship of sorts, even if Ranger didn't want to admit it) surviving on a foundation of friendship and more than a few stolen kisses and innuendos.

But over time, I found myself working more with Ranger and spending more time outside of work with him. Slowly, as much as in my head I knew it was stupid, even though I knew I was setting myself up for heartbreak, I started to let the smallest sliver of hope work its way into my heart, that maybe, just maybe Ranger was changing his mind about us. Changing his stance on relationships and ready to give us a chance. I know, it was incredibly stupid of me, and it all lead up to one of the worst nights in my life.

Ranger and I had been having dinner together at least once a week, either in his apartment or mine, sometimes before a distraction job, but sometimes he would just call and ask if I had plans or if he could bring over Pino's. Joe and I had been off for a few months now, and he had been gone on an undercover assignment for 6 weeks. Lula and I had just finished a shopping spree of epic proportions at Victoria's Secret. Not that anyone would see the little purple satin, black lace overlay bra and panty set that I bought, but let's just chalk it up to wishful thinking. Lula was seeing a mechanic she met at Al's garage when she went into to see about some new wheels after the firebird went up in smoke. Between her insurance check and his friends and family discount, she was able to get a sweet deal on a 2003 Mustang coup. The rims didn't match and it was missing the passenger side rearview mirror, but compared to the the '82 Chevy Nova with primer for paint and no A/C I was currently driving, the mustang was a peach.

"Just wait until my man get's a load of me in this here little number," Lula said as we walked to the car. "It's a shame he'll only see it for a matter of seconds before it comes off."

"Probably more information than I needed," I muttered.

We were just getting in the Mustang, leaving the mall parking lot, when my phone started to ring. But not just any ring, the ringtone was The Rolling Stones, "I Can't Get No Satisfaction". As I flipped the phone open, I shot Lula a look that said, "We're going to talk about you messing with my ringtones," while she tried to look innocent.

"Yo."

"Babe"

"What can I do for you Ranger?"

After a beat of silence, Ranger replied, "Loaded question, Babe." I could hear the smile in his voice, and by smile I mean barely noticeable upturn of the corner of his mouth.

Wonder what else is loaded, Batman. Shit, I have got to get these Hungarian hormones under control.

"Babe!"

"Crap, I said that last part out loud, didn't I?"

"Yeah, Playing with fire, better be careful. As amusing as this conversation has been, I was calling to see if you wanted to have dinner tonight?"

"Sure, your place or mine?"

"I have to finish up a client appointment, and then why don't I grab some Chinese takeout and stop by?"

"Sounds like a plan, Batman," I said with a giggle.

"Babe," and then he disconnected. I'd seen a few changes in Ranger over the last few weeks. Phone manners weren't on that list. And really, is he going for the world record of how many times you can work the word "Babe" into a conversation and mean something different each time.

I turned and caught Lula staring at me with a goofy grin on her face.

"Somethin' tells me I might be changing that ringtone come tomorrow morning. You might to get to put that pretty little set to good use after all."

"It's not like that between us, Lula, and you know it. He probably just wants to talk about a job." I said, secretly smiling on the inside. I was really enjoying the increase in Ranger attention, but trying not to read too much into it.

"White girl, the only 'job' that man wants to talk to you about has nothing to do with work." Lula said with a snort.

I'm not that lucky.

Lula burst out laughing and by the look on her face she could tell I hadn't meant to say that out loud either.

An hour and a half later, I was showered, shaved and exfoliated within an inch of my life. I was wearing a cute new light purple track suit that was casual enough to look like something I just threw on, but hugged my curves in a way that I was hoping was still sure to get a reaction. And okay, if you must know I was wearing the purple and black lace panty set.

I heard the locks tumble just as I was coming out of the bedroom. I saw Ranger walk in carrying a brown paper bag. I could smell the chow mien and orange chicken and my mouth started watering.

"Babe, you're looking at me like you might maul me to get to this food."

"Yeah, well let's not push our luck. I'll get the plates and meet you in the living room."

I brought the plates to the coffee table and Ranger was pulling the last of the red and white cartons out of the paper bag. Chow mien and orange chicken for me, lemon chicken and steamed vegetables for the health nut.

Ranger was watching me struggle with the chopsticks.

"Shit!" I just dropped the same piece of chicken for the third time.

"Here, try this," Ranger said as he gently placed his hand over mine, sending sparks straight to the promise land, and somewhere else too, somewhere I wasn't ready to acknowledge just yet. He placed his thumb and fingers over top of mine and expertly showed me how to open and close the chopsticks without dropping my food. Then he gently removed the chopsticks from my hand, took them in his own and brought a piece of chicken to my lips. Never breaking eye contact, I slowly opened my mouth and took the chicken. When I was done I licked my lips to catch a stray drop of sauce. Ranger's eyes centered on my bottom lip and his eyes visibly darkened.

"Is there anything you're not good at, Ranger?"

The look that flashed across his face was full of more emotion than I had ever seen Ranger express in the years I had known him. That emotion was so clear to me, and for the first time ever, it was like I could read Ranger's thoughts. I knew exactly what he was thinking when that look of pain and regret swept over him. When I asked Ranger if there was anything he wasn't good at, he was thinking that he wasn't good at relationships. The pain and regret I saw in his eyes told me what my heart had wanted to know for so long, for the first time I knew that Ranger wanted me just the same way I wanted him. Whatever obstacles existed or whatever barriers he put up, Ranger felt the pain of this limbo we were in just like I did. And he wished things could be different.

I heard the chopsticks fall and a second later his hand slid against my cheek, pulling me towards him. Our lips met and next thing I knew he had pulled me into his lap and I was straddling him. The kiss grew in intensity and my heart was beating rapidly in my chest. Ranger slid the zipper down on my hooded sweatshirt and pushed the material off my shoulders, revealing today's earlier purchase.

"God, Babe," Ranger said, his voice deep and breathless.

It was a powerful feeling having this effect on a man as controlled as Ranger. It was like a drug, and right now I wanted more. I practically attacked Ranger. I ripped his shirt open and buttons went flying. I was placing open mouthed kisses down his neck while my fingertips skimmed down his chest. Ranger picked me up and carried me to the bedroom, lowering us onto the bed. Ranger was kissing my neck as he slid a muscular thigh in between my legs, pressed firmly against my center. I moaned and turned my head to give him better access. My body was on fire and he was driving me crazy. I was overwhelmed with what I was feeling for this man. And I can only blame what happened next on the fact that my brain was completely not functioning.

"Oh God, I love you, Ranger"

And then time stopped. Ranger's body tensed and stilled above me. I couldn't believe that had just come out of my mouth. I don't even know where those words came from. Well okay, I've known for a while how I really felt about Ranger, but I never, never said the words out loud. Why now of all times. I knew the moment I said it, I had made a terrible mistake. I somehow found the courage to turn and look at Ranger. His face was blank, completely devoid of emotion. No trace of the man who just moments before had given me the first true glimpse at his heart.

I felt like the air had been sucked right out of my lungs. I couldn't speak. I couldn't move. I would later wonder if I had thought of something witty to say, some flippant comment, or maybe just followed it with "you know, in my own way" and then laughed like it meant nothing, maybe things would have been different. But I was in shock and I couldn't even begin to react. Ranger slowly got up and sat on the edge of the bed with his back to me.

"This was a mistake, Babe. I can't do this."

With that, he got up and walked out the door. Seconds later I heard the front door close. The finality of that sound was haunting. I can honestly say the pain in my chest was so tight that I thought I could be having a heart attack. Tears silently started making their way down my cheeks, and I took my first breath in what felt like hours but was probably only a couple of minutes. I just sobbed silently in bed until sleep overtook me.

I awoke the next morning feeling like I had sand in my eyes and cotton in my mouth, remnants of my crying jag last night. Part of me wanted to lie in bed forever, but another part of me just couldn't take being surrounded by the scene of the crime. I was still wearing my bra and track pants, and as I made my way to the bathroom I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I didn't look half as bad as I felt, but that's only to say I still looked vaguely alive, and yet I felt completely dead inside.

I brushed my teeth and pulled my hair into a ponytail, changed into some comfy sweats, and made my way to the coffee pot. After putting the coffee on, I glanced towards the living room and saw that last night's Chinese takeout was still sitting right where we had left it. I immediately felt tears prick the back of my eyes, but I blinked them away and swallowed the lump in my throat.

I tried to tell myself nothing had really changed, even though somehow I knew everything had changed. As I cleared away last night's mess, I finally just came to realize that I was going to have to acknowledge that this hurt. And it was probably going to hurt for a long time. And I would survive it.

As I turned to scan the room to make sure I had removed every reminder of the previous night, I suddenly took in the room as though I was seeing it for the first time. My shabby second hand couch, mismatched coffee and end tables, TV that flickered every few seconds sitting on top of a makeshift stand made of milk crates and ply wood. No pictures on the wall, no mementos or anything really that would tell you about the kind of person who lived there.

No wonder Ranger doesn't want you. With that thought I sunk down onto the couch like a ton of bricks. It hurt to think that, and somewhere I still knew that thought wasn't entirely true, but maybe there was something to it. Ranger was successful, driven, and ambitious. I lived in an apartment decorated in hobo chic (okay, the chic part might have been a stretch) and I drive a beat up old clunker that doesn't even have A/C. Screw what Ranger wanted, I didn't want to live like this.

Sitting there wondering how my life had gotten to this point, I started to realize something. These last few years, I had been waiting. Waiting to see where I was going end up. Wondering if Joe was my future, his burg house on Slater Street with Bob the dog, and Pino's and hockey games. A life that would involve picking out curtains and attending PTA meetings. Or would Ranger finally make room in his life for our someday? Would my life be all Rangeman black and the 7th floor apartment? Merry men and body guards and stun guns and handcuffs?

Somehow, in all this time, it never occurred to me that I might not end up with either one of them. I never focused on creating a home for myself, because I always assumed that my home would be with one of them. When you walked into Joe's house you got a sense of the carefree bachelor who lived there. Even the 7th floor apartment spoke to Ranger's tastes; high end and sleek, functional with clean lines, and yet not revealing any of the parts you really wanted to know. Yep, that's Batman alright.

Well, it's time I face the fact that chances are not looking good for riding off into the sunset with either Joe or Ranger. I had to come to terms with the fact that Ranger wasn't going to change his mind. And once those floodgates had opened on my feelings for Ranger, well, it just made what I feel for Joe pale in comparison. There was no going back now, and I knew that.

But I didn't want to go back. And I didn't want to stand still either. I wanted to start moving forward. I wanted to have a place that I felt at home in. One that didn't get broken into all the time or firebombed. And it might be nice to actually pick out a car because I like it, and not because it's the cheapest one on the lot and I won't care when it goes to car heaven. And I really am tired of rolling in garbage. I want to get better at my job, but right now I'm not sure what my first step should be. And it's not like I can go ask Ranger. Even thinking about it made my chest clench painfully.

Well, whatever I decide to do, I need money. And only one way to make that happen. I hurried and showered, ready to get on with the day. After three coats of mascara for courage, I deemed myself ready to face the general public. I stopped by the Tasty Pastry and picked up some donuts to hopefully avoid or delay the inquisition that I knew was inevitable.

I pulled into the bonds office and parked in the back. I figured that way if I saw Ranger coming I could make a quick exit out the back and avoid an uncomfortable exchange. I walked in and saw Connie idly painting her nails, Lula's back to me, and low and behold it actually looked like she was doing some filing.

"White girl, you bes' not be holdin' out those details you…" As Lula turned and saw the look on my face she trailed off midsentence. "I can't say I'm an expert on the subject, but I don' suppose that's what a girl looks like after a night of Batman lovin'."

A weak laugh came out as I tried to hold it together. I had no idea what to say. I wasn't very good at hiding my emotions, but I need to think of a distraction quick.

Just then the front door opened and Tank and Lester walked in. They had strange looks on their faces and I wasn't sure if it was just the odd tension in the room or something else.

"Hey Beautiful, how's it going?" Lester walked up and put an arm around my shoulders.

"Hey Les," I said, and plastered what I hopped was a natural looking smile on my face. "Not often I run into you here," I commented.

Lester cleared his throat and looked uncomfortable, "Well, Beautiful, the Boss is in the wind, so we'll be picking up the files for a while."

I looked from Tank to Lester and back again. These mercenary guys are always hiding behind that blank mask when you're dying to know what their thinking. But not this time. Now, when it might have been easier not to know, it was written all over Tank's face. He knew something had happened last night. And he looked concerned. At that moment I got the distinct impression that last night had everything to do with Ranger leaving. It was no coincidence.

He can't even stand to be in the same state, probably even country as you.

Suddenly the room was way too crowded.

"I gotta go." I blurted out. "I forgot… I forgot to feed Rex this morning." With that I dashed out the back door and barely made it to the car before the tears started to fall. As I struggled to get the key in the ignition, the door was opened and Tank kneeled down and grabbed my hand. God, I was so embarrassed. Two of the most mortifying moments of my life in a twelve hour span . Can't a girl catch a break?

"Bomber, I don't know what's going on. I just want you know, Ranger isn't your only friend at Rangeman. If you need anything, anything at all, promise me you'll call." Tank sounded almost like he was pleading. I never thought I would hear anything that sounded like pleading come from Tank.

I reached over and hugged Tank, still struggling not to start blubbering all over him. "Thanks Tank. I will."

Then I turned, started the car as calmly as I could and headed towards my apartment. I was going to go back to bed.

I'd try being strong again tomorrow.