A/N: I of course do not own any of these characters. They belong to Janet Evanovich, all of them. All the usuals, I make no money, mean no harm blah blah blah blah. I have a couple of chapters of this sitting around, hopefully I'll get them up over the next couple of days. It's not too long, just something I needed to move out of my brain so I could work on something else that I like better. I really just wanted the practice of uploading something … never done it before. Please be kind and don't make me cry. If you want to criticize, use nice words and maybe send me chocolate.

Nobody has Beta'd so all the mistakes, those I own.

Chapter One

One generation plants the trees, the next gets the shade.

~Chinese Proverb

There was an uneasy feeling as I stared into the familiar aquamarine blue eyes. Such a feeling should not be ignored. It is a prediction. It is a foretelling of danger. It is a biological warning sign that declares: PROCEED WITH CAUTION!

She was sitting in a chair on the other side of my desk - wiggling and twisting, unable to quiet herself for even a couple of minutes. She has that personality type, one of those people who must move and be busy. Her body demands that she must go before her mind has settled on a destination. I should offer her training, help her to learn control.

I would say no. I have neither the skills nor the inclination to tackle the task that had been asked of me.

Her sister was in the second chair. With the wide oval shape and the thick lashes, the eyes in that face are also genetically Plum. The irises however are of a lighter hue. The sister's eyes are blue diamonds – sharp and piercing. I had seen her before. She was a fellow captive at the occasional Plum family Friday night dinners. She tends to hold herself separate from the chaos, her eyes scanning the table – often reflecting horror.

I know her to be more of an observer than a participant; she is overlooked in favor of more flamboyant family members. I suspect that is a situation she cultivates. Unlike many, attention is not her primary goal. At least the sister is able to sit without squirming.

"No."

"Ranger, you promised."

My gaze moved from the two sisters to where Steph was standing. She rolled her own Plum shaped eyes in exasperation. They are a family of eye rollers and it is a mannerism that Steph has perfected. "They're just two little girls. We made a DEAL Ranger. A DEAL. I would do the nasty Distraction job for you and you would arrange for the care of the girls – so Val and I could have a day together."

"Ella was going to watch them. I didn't know Ella would get the flu."

"Look!" Steph held up a bulging sack. "Books, crayons, video games! Just let them hang out here. I'll come back and pick them up later. They're not babies, they can practically watch themselves. You'll hardly know they're around."

Steph strode around my desk and leaned down, kissing me. "Be brave, Batman" she whispered softly into my lips.

"Ewwww" Mary Alice made a gagging sound.

The older sister sighed loudly and dramatically, conveying her displeasure with the situation. She performed a 'Burg death glare toward Steph, laying blame for the situation on her Aunt's conscience. Angie then uncrossed her ankles and removed them from where they had been tucked under the chair in a ladylike fashion. Pushing herself up, she walked over to the couch in the corner of my office.

"This certainly has the makings of a very long day" there was an angry mutter. I admired her controlled use of volume. She was barely loud enough to make sure we could hear, but quiet enough that it would be difficult to accuse her of being impolite. Removing a second backpack from her shoulder, she unzipped it and rummaged until she found a large book. Setting herself down on my couch she began reading. We had all been found lacking and dismissed.

"Babe." I was up out of my chair and across the room. I grabbed Steph's arm and drug her out into the hallway.

"You don't even like your sister." I hissed into her ear.

She gasped. "What do you mean? Of course I like my sister Ranger!"

"You complain about her." I kept my voice low so the girls in my office wouldn't hear me.

"I can hear you!" Mary Alice called out from her spot by my desk.

Steph rolled her eyes and looked at me. "We're sisters - of course I complain. Just until tonight Ranger. We need you. Mom's out of town, Grandma's not allowed to babysit them anymore, Albert's Mother would only take the baby, Mary Lou can barely handle her own kids. I want to spend a day with my sister and Val deserves this. It hasn't been easy for her you know, all the changes."

I closed my eyes and leaned back into the hallway wall, reaching out and entrapping Steph close, between my legs. She shifted her body in my arms, lightly kissing my neck with her lips - her best power move. "Please Ranger?"

I groaned.

"Thank you" Then she pushed herself off of my chest and walked away, stopping a moment to greet the various men in the Control Room. Quickly she was at the elevators and gone. She left before I could change my mind.

Tank silently came to my side, stopping to look through my office door and then back to me. Even to me his face was unreadable - masking whatever thoughts he might have about this ridiculous situation. He nodded at me and then went into his own office, closing the door behind him.

I silently repeated Angie's quiet words to myself. "This certainly has the makings of a very long day." Then I squared my shoulders and re-entered the office. They're only two little girls, right?