Note- These characters mostly belong to Janet Evanovich and many thanks to her for letting us play with them however we choose.

This story is the sequel to "Lost and Found". I'm still a novice writer so be kind. My stories tend to be dark and mature but have real meaning. I also like to throw in a little angst that we love so much in the original books. Nothing like a good chuckle now and then.

Thank you to my beta Mandyh, you are fantastic! Thanks to Mandyh and BeautifulBabeForever for letting me bounce ideas off them and putting up with all of my emails.

Lost was slightly revised from the Nash chapters to the end. So go back and re-read. The story begins now in September rather than October to help the timeline too. More Nash, yum and boohoos.

Lost in the Wind

Chapter 1

I slowly woke up with my face plastered to my pillow and slapped the alarm off. Great, I've been slobbering again in my sleep. I wiped my hand across my mouth and swiped at my pillow, got up, and padded to the bathroom. For the last couple of weeks, my sleep patterns had definitely been wacky. I was either sleeping like the dead or tossing all night long.

I walked into the kitchen to put some coffee on and looked at the empty counter. My little buddy Rex wasn't there any more and it was one of the hardest parts of my mornings these days. There was nobody there to say good morning to and that matters a lot. I turned and looked at the fridge, then at the calendar. Oh crap! I just remembered today was my birthday.

A little over a month ago I had woken up one morning thinking about my birthday and seriously pondering the state of my life and where that journey led me is still painful today. It wasn't that it was all bad. It was just the most difficult one that I had ever endured. The kidnappings, shootings, and car bombs just didn't seem so bad when I thought about the incredible loss and then the reward I had gained.

Joe had cheated on me, I had landed in the bat cave and crashed and burned in three days worse than any one of my cars. I had fled to Virginia and discovered a wonderful man and found new things in myself, and then it all disintegrated right in front of my eyes.

Rex didn't make it either.

I carried my coffee to the bathroom and showered. When I got out, a sudden wave of nausea hit me and I slammed the lid up on the toilet and vomited. Jeez, I needed to go on Ranger's diet for a while. Mine wasn't agreeing with me lately.

I dressed and went to the parking lot, hopped into the best used car I ever had, my new 2009 Lexus GS 300, and headed to Rangeman. I finger waved to the camera as usual and headed to the control room. I said good morning to my co-workers on the way to my new office. On the door was a sign that said "Bombshell." I smiled.

Because of the events of the last month I had ended up a full and legal partner of Rangeman and it seemed to be working out well so far. It was all because of John Nash and his mother Justine Nash.

John had been killed while visiting Trenton with me when a drug- crazed kid had fired bullets in a diner and one of those bullets had ricocheted and hit him in the temple. His death was instantaneous and so painful for the people left behind. We had a too short and wonderfully beautiful romance and I missed him terribly. He had been one of the finest and most giving men that I had ever known, period.

I was gifted a legacy from Nash by his mother in the form of a large check. Ranger had accepted my partnership proposal and we were currently trying to repair our personal relationship one day at a time.

I snuggled into my new leather office chair and began working on some boring supply contracts. Tank popped his head in and reminded me of a meeting at 1100 hours. "Okay buddy."

I arrived at the conference room on level 4 about five minutes early. Ranger winked at me and motioned for me to come sit next to him. The meeting was about a distraction job for tomorrow tonight.

Tank, Lester, Bobby, and I were in attendance. Ranger said, "We have a contract for an FTA (failure to appear in court) by the name of Dirk Hancock." I heard snorts. Ranger eyed everyone in the room. "Don't underestimate this man. He's dangerous and he has a high bond. He's an ex-porn king type, he likes his drugs and very young women. He's accused of causing two female deaths and maybe the death of a drug dealer."

"He went FTA yesterday and we are going to apprehend him in one of his favorite places tomorrow night. He likes to gamble and he likes horses. We are going to Monmouth Park Racetrack. Stephanie is going to be dressed to get his attention and lure him to us." I rolled my eyes and snorted at Ranger. I said, "Or maybe I could just dress like a horse and you can dress like the horse's ass." He raised his eyebrows at me. "Dismissed," he said. The guys kind of tippy toed out of the room.

"Babe, what's the problem?"

"What's the problem? Oh, I don't know, once a slut always a slut!"

He sighed, "Are you okay, you look a little green."

Then I grabbed my stomach and barfed all over his boots. I heard him calling Bobby and Ella for help. Bobby came in and Ella brought a cool washcloth and towels and began cleaning the mess. I groaned, I put the washcloth to my head and wiped my mouth.

"Jeez, I'm really so sorry."

Bobby said, "How long have you been sick Steph?"

"Like this? About a couple of days I guess."

He looked at me and said, "I'm going to take a small blood sample. That okay?" I nodded.

Ranger had me lying down on the sofa in his office because I was still reluctant to visit his apartment on seven. A month ago, I had been living on seven with him and then I yanked the tiger's tail and I got hurt up there. I had forgiven him already, but some of the memories and feelings were still pretty raw. I had been snarky and baiting him lately for no real reason.

I dozed for a little while and then Bobby came back in. He said, "Let me help you to your office Steph." Ranger raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything.

When we got to my office, Bobby shut the door.

"I have some news for you Steph.'

Ranger's POV

The past couple of months had been harder than just about any battle I had been in. I brought Stephanie home to be mine after all these years like a fucking possession and tried to bend her to my will like I do my men and almost lost her forever.

I have never lost my shit stateside. Stephanie has always brought out surprising things and uncomfortable feelings in me. The anger I had felt in one passionate moment had shocked both of us.

Before I could lock it down and end it, I had hurt and humiliated my Babe and scared her away from me.

It was too painful to think about the weeks that followed. But I will never forget the phone conversation that shattered my fortitude and changed me forever:

"Good morning Babe, .I'm checking in to see if you're okay."

"I'm fine and you don't need to keep checking on me. I told you that I'm not your responsibility anymore. I think now I want you to stop calling me."

"Why?"

"I'm in a relationship now and I feel safe and I'm feeling better about myself every day."

"I found someone who would never hurt me or take what I wasn't willing to give. He cooks for me, takes me shopping, takes me on dates and opens doors for me, and he's not asking for anything in return. He just wants to make me happy. He's a fucking big departure from yours and Morelli's giant egos, and he's got a bigger package than the both of you."

There was silence on the line.

"Steph, I'm an ass and my ego and past has hurt you, which was always something I had tried to protect you from. I'm asking you to forgive me for what I did. My life is not the same without you in it. I love you so much Babe."

"Goodbye Ranger."

By some strange twist of destiny, that relationship had ended violently and tragically for the both of them just days later. A good man died and Stephanie is back here with me as my legal partner in Rangeman.

She has forgiven me because that is the kind of person that she is. She never likes seeing any one suffer and even treats her skips with compassion.

My Babe has changed in good ways since she came back and I'm proud of her. She has learned parts of my business with amazing speed and understanding. She takes her new position very seriously and has earned not just love from all of my men, but also genuine respect.

Stephanie has a confidence now that she never possessed before. I would like nothing more than to show her how much I love her, put a ring on her finger, and spend the rest of my life making her happy and giving her whatever her heart desires.

However, the heart that loved me before as much I did her did not come back with her. She holds me at arms length.

I needed to give her time and atone for my awful mistake.

I was worried about her today. She had been ill the last couple of days and Bobby had taken some blood from her and was in her office right now.

When I got close to the door I heard her yelling at Bobby:

"OMIGOD! This can't be happening. Oh shit, oh shit! No, no, no, no you're wrong! I am not!"

"Are too," Bobby said

" Dammit. Please, please don't tell Ranger!"

I opened the door. "Don't tell me what?"

Both looked up at me like deer in headlights. Bobby swallowed and started to leave.

"Just a minute Brown. Report right now!"

Stephanie came out of her chair and glared at me.

"You leave Bobby alone and you check your ego and that macho shit at the door before you come into my office!"

"We were having a private conversation and it's none of your damn business Manoso!"

I took a deep breath. "You are my business Babe. I'm worried about you."

"I just have a stomach bug and I'll be fine."

Then she grabbed her bag and walked past me out the door.

I looked at Bobby. "On the mats at 0800 Brown."

Then I turned and went up to my apartment.

Stephanie's POV

Damn Bobby and his stupid blood test! Damn Ranger and his stupid ESP!

I had left the office after the discussion with Bobby and the confrontation with Ranger. I was now in my car headed out of the city, running away again.

Wasn't this the issue I was trying to deal with a month ago? I wanted to grow up and be more responsible and fulfilled. I was filled all right, but not exactly with what I had in mind. I pulled off and turned the car around. Damn! I had a business to run and people depending on me now. Think about what you're doing Steph. Okay, regardless of the situation, my job was secure now and I had my friends and family to back me up. Shit! Suck it up Steph; you laid in two beds now deal with it!

TBC