Disclaimer: Janet owns all the recognizable characters.
A New Threat
Stephanie sighed. "I've got another stalker, don't I?"
Hal, Tank and Ranger were squeezed into her tiny kitchen. They were all looking at Rex in his cage. He was looking non the worse for wear, but glued on his head between his eyes was a tiny target. There was no note.
Stephanie silently left the kitchen. She walked to her bedroom and started to pack.
She and Ranger had an agreement. If she felt that Rex was in danger, she and Rex would move to Rangeman for protection.
Trenton Police had been notified. Thank goodness Carl and Big Dog responded. They had given her a hug and promised to do their best. She knew without a doubt that there would be a new round of betting at the station upon their arrival. She was the best entertainment this side of New York.
She knew that Morelli would not be doing his Italian thing and trying to get her to change her job. They had parted ways very permanently a year ago. He had taken a transfer to Atlanta and had met a cute little pit boss. They were getting married in a month and Stephanie had her invitation tacked on her fridge.
Stephanie pondered who might be after her. This was a message for her. Someone had broken into her apartment and had left the message.
Unfortunately, this meant that she would be in close contact with Ranger once again. They were in a cooling off period. He had been 'in the wind' and had just returned. Normally, they would have celebrated his return in style, but Stephanie had found out that he had been in town over a week before ever contacting her.
Tonight was the first time she had seen him in over six months.
She had made some changes while he had been away. She was now a fully dressed and full time member of Rangeman. She no longer did only searches. She had a partner and took regular shifts on monitors, alarm responses, surveillance and take downs. She had survived her Probationary Period and had passed the final test. She carried two guns at all times. Hector was teaching her knife skills and when she passed his test, she would add a knife.
~~~o0o~~~
She remembered the day Ranger had returned from his mission oh so long ago. Stephanie and her fellow Probies had just returned from their final test. They were in Conference Room C celebrating the end of their probation. Tank had assigned the partners. She and Maurice would be teaming together for three months and then a new rotation would be drawn up.
Tank let her know that he had met Ranger as he had just landed on the roof. She had raced up to 7. She did not have a key and had knocked on the door. He had opened the door still dusty and dirty from his mission. Their homecoming had been joyous and eventful. Nobody saw them for two days. Stephanie remembered that she had trouble walking down the stairs. She could feel the ear to ear grin on her face. Life was good. That had been a happier time.
They had settled into a period of co-habitation. Ranger had asked her to move in with him and she had accepted. She had moved with Rex the next day. Life had been good.
Ranger had taken back the reins of power from Tank.
He had shown her his documentation. He was finished with his contract. He was a free man.
Then came the phone call. She remembered it vividly.
Ranger took the call at supper one night. It was a very one sided conversation. Ranger had explained he was done. Stephanie wanted him to hang up then and there. What he heard next changed his demeanor immediately. He agreed on the spot and hung up. He looked at her apologetically and went into the bedroom. She could hear the closet door open and clothes rustling. He came out with a small duffle and no weapons.
Tears sprang to her eyes unbidden. She tried to be brave. Ranger walked her to the couch and pulled her onto his lap. He rubbed her back and hugged her to him. No words were spoken. Ranger stood up. He looked down at her.
"I have to do this, Babe." "I do love you, but you know what I do. Tank will look after you."
Stephanie sat on the sofa in shock. As he put his hand on the doorknob, she managed to get out, "Don't get shot!" Ranger smiled. Even under duress she had used their favorite term. "Don't get crazy, Babe." He opened the door and quietly slipped out, closing the door behind him.
She heard the helicopter land on the roof and then with a shudder of the building, all was quiet. She sat on the couch. Her world had crashed down around her ears once again. She went into the bedroom, changed into one of his t-shirts that smelled so much like him and curled up in the fetal position on the bed. Her pillow was wet with tears.
She heard the lock turn and the apartment door open and quiet footsteps stop at the bedroom door. She pretended to be asleep. Finally, she heard the door quietly click closed and she was alone once again.
Stephanie fell asleep with her new plan in place. She would pack up and move back to her apartment. She and Rex would once again be buddies. She would continue to work at Rangeman as she had given up bounty hunting some time ago and was under a two year contract at Rangeman, but she needed to make some new arrangements.
Morning came. Her bags were packed and Rex was in his aquarium by the door. Stephanie picked up the first load and pressed the elevator button. It came to the floor and she walked in. She knew that she would be seen on the elevator monitor. It was very early. She hoped it would be someone other than Tank who came to investigate.
The elevator stopped at the garage. She stepped out and headed for her car. She had the first load already in the trunk when the stairway door opened and Bobby walked out. Stephanie knew he had been the one checking on her last night. He had a very unique cologne.
Stephanie slammed the trunk lid closed and walked back to the elevator. Bobby walked into the elevator with her. It appeared that she was having company going back upstairs. No words were spoken as they travelled back to seven.
Bobby touched her arm as they exited the elevator. She spun around, catching him by surprise and swept his feet out from under him. Never saying another word, she came back out with another load.
Bobby had picked himself up and followed her again. It was silent all the way to the basement once again. This time Stephanie put her load in the back seat, closing the door and heading back upstairs.
By now, Tank had joined the procession. No words were spoken. They both watched as she picked up her purse and Rex.
They followed her to her car again. She placed Rex carefully on the front seat and belted him in. She closed the door and headed for the drivers' side. Looking at them over the roof of the car Stephanie said. "I have a shift tomorrow. I will be there."
She climbed into her car and fobbed open the garage door. She drove out and left them standing there.
