Tis the Season

By: Ber

A/N: Just a short for fun for Trish. I dont own them.

It's that time of year again. You know that one, the one where you have to give something up until Easter and only eat fish on Fridays. I, Stephanie Michelle Plum, may not make it to church every Sunday, or any Sunday, but Lent falls right into that guilt thing I still carry around with me.

"Bomber, whatcha giving up for lent?" Lester Santos asked leaning over my cubicle wall. I rolled my eyes. Figures hed be the one to ask.

"I hadn't really thought about it yet, Les," I replied trying not to sigh. I knew what I was going to give up, half the world was going to be happy, and the burg was going to be pissed.

"Really, beautiful? Because you look like you know," he was pushing me. I blew out a sigh.

"Yes, I picked it already, but if I'm telling you, then you had better call a meeting because I don't want to have to repeat it. Call Ella too because I'm going to need her." I stared at him.

"This must really be something." He was laughing as he walked away. I could hear him telling the guys to be in the conference room in ten.

"You ok bombshell?" I looked up and saw Tank standing there.

"Oh yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking about my sacrifice for Lent." I couldn't help it, I sighed again.

"What'd you give up? I can't remember the last time I participated in Lent." The big guy looked a little sad at this.

"Well, I could give you my sacrifice but Lester is getting everyone together to hear it in ten," I said standing up and preparing to face this. I think Ranger would understand why I was doing this, but the others I'm not so sure.

Walking into the conference room

There was no space left in the room. I couldn't believe everybody was here. Lester was going to die. I had thought he would just get the regular gang together but it looked like even the contract workers were here. My eyes met Ranger's and the corners of his mouth twitched.

"Babe, the floors all yours," he said trying not to smirk while the room quieted down.

"Thanks for coming, this is so that I only have to repeat it once and maybe you guys can help me keep my pledge this year," I looked at them. They were all overly interested. I heard Ranger choke back a laugh.

"Well, bomber what is it?" Lester asked.

"For lent this year I have decided to give up, Ranger." I grinned as the room exploded in chaos. No one knew whether to laugh or cry.

"You gave WHAT up for Lent, Babe?" Ranger whispered in my ear at the same time Bobby yelled it from across the room. Some of the guys were still not able to breathe right.

"You heard me," I said with a grin. I watched as the men in the conference room parted like the red sea.

"We support you, beautiful," Lester's side of the room said.

"I give you a week, bombshell," Tank said with a smirk. Although I noticed that, his side had a good number less than Lesters did. Ranger just stared at me with a dark look.

"Guys, I appreciate the support but the truth is..." I looked at Ella and gained some strength.

"I am giving up weekly dinners at my parent's house for Lent." There, it was out. I heard collective gasps. This was in reality worse than giving up Ranger.

"Yes, I'll feed you Stephanie. This might be the best thing you could do for yourself," Ella said quietly beside me. I smiled at her; she nodded her head and smiled. I watched as she walked out of the room. The hair on the back of my neck started to sting right before I felt Ranger's warm breath on my neck.

"Babe, that wasnt funny."

"I thought it was Batman," I giggled.

"I would prefer it if you gave up Morelli for Lent."

"I would consider it, if he were still mine to give up. For such a smart man, with so many connections, I can't believe you haven't heard Morelli and Joyce are getting married," I said with a satisfied smirk.

"Poor bastard," was all Ranger said before kissing me senseless.

Guess it was a good thing I wasn't giving him up after all.