Disclaimer: not mine not making any money, just playing with the characters. All the characters originally belong to JE.
Disclaimer 2: this story was inspired by fan fiction author Rena. Her 'Good Enough' series took me through Dark Ages of JE's 13-16 books.
This is my first attempt at fan fic and also my very first attempt to write a story in English, so please be gentle.
Events in this story take place sometime after Twelve Sharp. What happened in SP 13 through 16 never happened in my SP universe.
Enjoy reading and please review. Huge 'Thank you' to all my readers and reviewers. I do appreciate all of you.
Now complete.
ONE
My name is Stephanie Plum and I'm a Bombshell bounty hunter from the Burg. Well, maybe I'm not all that good at this bounty hunting business after all as I often end up rolling in garbage and my cars tend to go to the car heaven far too often, but still I always get my guy in the end. Well, maybe someday I'll get better at this.
Sometimes I also work with Ranger and for his RangeMan, Inc. security company (among other things). Overall Ranger is my boss and mentor. He is also my friend and a once lover. He's also my personal Batman, only with his responsibilities most probably stretching far beyond one Gotham city. I sometimes think that Ranger is responsible like for the whole world let alone Gotham. And to complete this picture, I'd also add to Ranger's file that he is possibly the sexiest man living, and I'm in love with him. But… oh, well, let's just not go there for now.
As for today, Ranger had asked me to do this distraction job for him, and as it was already around 10 p.m., I was expecting him to appear any minute now.
Ranger specifically requested that I pull on some really sexy look for tonight's job, so I have clearly outdone myself following his orders. There are certain times when a woman just knows she looks good, and tonight was one of these times for myself.
I've took one final glance at my reflection in a full size mirror, taking in my whole shape in this strapless navy blue mini dress, which clang to my body as tight as a second skin. Oh, God how glad I was that Ranger forced me to go jogging with him every morning for the past two weeks and all my belly fat was gone or else my belly would be bulging and ruining my perfect sexy look big time. I readjusted one reclusive hair lock and I smiled back at my reflection happy with the final results.
Then I've heard the locks on my door tumble and when I turned around I saw Ranger starring at me, rapt.
'Yo', said Ranger. His voice was husky. And there was this an almost smile on his face which turned into a full-on smile after his small inspection on me. And that full-on smile almost knocked me off my feet right there and right then.
'Looking good tonight, Babe,' he concluded.
'You don't look too bad yourself, Ranger.' Yeah. That was clearly an understatement.
Tonight Ranger was dressed in his usual only black outfit, but he traded his SWAT/Batman look for that of Bruce Wayne's for the night. A black and apparently very high quality suit fitted him so damn well, and he was looking so yummy and gorgeous, that a couple of short seconds of inspecting him made my hormones kick in hard. Damn, those stupid hormones, but I'd love to jump Ranger right here and right now, and do to him all those crazy and sexual things, which still haunt me after our one and only night together. I was about to check myself for drooling, when Ranger chuckled and gave me one of his rare full 100 watts smiles.
'If it was my call, Babe, we'd end in your bed instead of going anywhere', he said still smiling, but his eyes were already misted with passion.
Damn, Ranger's ESP.
This got another chuckle from Ranger, and for a moment I've wondered, if I've said that aloud.
'You're like an open book to me, Babe,' he grinned at me, and then got more serious. 'We've got a job to do. You're ready to roll?'
'Sure, just let me grab my purse and we can be off', and I twirled to go get my stuff, but Ranger was faster. He closed the gap between us in a twinkle, caught me in mid-turn and pulled me into himself.
'Not so fast', he mumbled passionately, and the next moment I was already melting into his hot kiss and embrace.
My knees betrayed me that very instant and only Ranger's tight yet gentle grip on my shoulders and back held me in an upright position and securely pressed into his hard chest. His one hand then reached up and started caressing the nape of my neck, while another slowly traveled up my leg under the dress and stroked my bare skin underneath. The heat emanating from his body, and these hot strokes all along my bare skin as well as his strong leg pressed between mine were too much for me to handle right now, so when a moan of pure pleasure rose up in my throat to erupt right into his, there was no chance I could stop it. Just a hot kiss of this Wizard, and some knowing caressing, and I was readily climbing to a Ranger induced orgasm. And when my body erupted with this uncontrollable wave of sexual relief, he embraced me even tighter, taking in my moans and trembles with his whole body now so tight to mine that we were almost one.
My head was a little bit spinning, my knees were still quite weak, and I have not yet got my wind back, when he had rather reluctantly pulled his mouth off of mine like an inch away and looked me straight into the eye. I looked back into his and a whirlwind of passion running there has almost drowned me.
'Even though I'd love to enjoy you some more, Beautiful, and I could think f many ways of ruining you to other men, we've still got a job to do,' he whispered to me, and quite unwillingly I've nodded my agreement.
'I need to fix a wire on you,' he went on still burning me with his gaze right into the very depths of my soul. His hands were bit shaky, so I was sure he wasn't as unmoved as he tried to appear.
While he was fixing the damn wire to my underwear, I had to do my best to keep my hands off of him. And that was hard. Real hard. With Ranger my own body played tricks on me. Though that did not really bother me at the time, as no sane woman could stand a chance of keeping her mind clear with Batman at such a close proximity. So I settled for a sigh and an eye roll.
'Babe.' OK, so he's back to one liners.
TWO
It was already past 11 p.m. as we sat in the semi darkness of Ranger's Porsche Turbo parked right outside this fancy new night club. While we drove to this place I've took time to carefully read a file on Thomas Gramp, and Ranger has just finished filling me on the rest of the details of the operation.
Gramp was a big shot drug dealer here in Trenton, who went FTA a couple of days ago on some minor charges and RangeMan has been hired to take Gramp in. You'd say the usual FTA stuff, eh? Wrong. While some undisclosed hirer wanted Gramp taken in, Trenton PD had their own plans on Gramp and preferred to let him walk free until some more serious charges could be stuck on him. And that to me smelled of Joe trouble all over the place.
Anyway I was to go in and do my best with my fingers crossed not to cross ways with TPD's operation. Ranger has once again successfully ESPed me.
'If TPD brings Thomas in on what they already have on him, it would only turn to be some rather minor drug dealing charges as they cannot prove anything big, and he'd be back out soon. But if we take him in and turn him over to higher authorities behind this RangeMan's operation, then some real big stuff and charges could stick on him. And that could also help to take Thomas as well as some other big drug dealers in the state out for good.'
Ranger's reasoning was to my liking, but I still was reluctant to cross paths with Joe on this case. Anyway, I nodded my agreement.
'I understand, Ranger. But this does not make things any easier.'
We looked intently at each other's eyes for a moment – he clearly trying to reassure me, and me seeking to borrow some of his strength and calmness.
'You ready, Babe?'
'Yeah,' I replied, trying my best to keep the nervousness I've been feeling out of my voice, but I've clearly failed.
'I'll be there watching out for you,' Ranger tried to ensure me and gently squeezed my fingers with his. 'Tank and Lester will be there watching out for you too. Remember, your task is to catch Thomas's attention and, if possible, to get him outside alone. We don't want it to get messy, and it sure might get, if we come on him with his thugs at hand. Thomas is really dangerous so be very careful, Babe.'
'Okey dokey, I will,' I cracked a weak smile at him and got out of the car before the rest of my courage has not left me for good.
When I entered the club, I did my best to appear relaxed and fully enjoying myself. But this already came at certain price and I was aware that I'll be paying full for trying to keep the appearances in a form of my own full mental exhaustion afterwards.
Luckily, I was able to spot Gramp shortly after I came in, so I could direct my efforts most fruitfully. It only took me two passes of the bar and some 20 minutes of sexy wiggle-waggles on the dance floor close to the Gramp's table, before he decided to try his luck with me.
'Hey, sexy,' he said approaching me on a dance floor. 'Dance with me'.
That did not sound like a question at all, but rather like some sort of an order or a mere statement of what was going to happen next, as, even before I could answer anything, I've found myself tightly between his meaty hands and he was already pushing himself all over me doing all these strange movements with his whole body, which presumably were to be considered sexy dancing.
It's just a job, Stephanie. I told myself. So get a grip. I forced myself to slip back into my sexy persona, though deep down I felt a wave of nausea building up.
'Well, honey,' I sweetly chirped at him smiling, 'shouldn't we first make some introductions? Your boys sure would not mind that,' I've added and meaningfully looked down to where his crotch was grinding against me, and where I could already feel his erection rising.
Gulp. I had trouble controlling the rising feeling of disgust when Gramp once again opted for action and forced a wet kiss on my mouth.
'You're so sweet sexy. And you're so mine for tonight,' was his only reply.
I tried to play an ice queen at this point and pull off of him, but he tightened his grip on me and checked my protests.
'Oh, so you wanna play a bad girl, eh?' he said right into my right ear, and then licked my neck.
I literary shuddered with disgust, but luckily Thomas apparently misunderstood my bodily reaction and took it for approval. Or maybe he did not even care much, which was most probably true.
'Nothing brightens my night better than some old good spanking,' he whispered into my ear and licked it.
Once again I did my best to play a role of someone interested in that.
'Sure, macho. But maybe we should get somewhere private first?'
As he's pulled me with him towards the exit, I saw Tank for the first time. And the sight of him helped me to cool off enough to notice that though Ramp was cleraly interested in me, his thugs were to follow us. And I needed him to walk out with me alone. Ranger needed him alone and unprotected. So I just stopped dead in my tracks.
'What the hell's wrong with you, woman,' Thomas came on me.
But I just wriggled off his grip and motioned towards his two thugs, who were following us.
'Hey, man,' I said with all the strength in my voice I could possibly muster at the moment. 'I ain't gonna go for a group fun. So if you're planning some action here, you better get rid of those two assholes.'
Gramp was clearly assessing, if he should do as I ask, and if I was worth it. His gaze traveled up and down my body. Then it got fixed on my breasts, which were now so much more exposed to his looks than they were before his hands had a go on my dress. He wetted his lips. 'Let me see,' he said to me and his left thumb came up to my décolletage and found its way between my breasts pushing the dress even more down until it was held in place on on me by the threat.
I was on the very verge of screaming. And I thought for myself, that if I had a gun on me, I just might use it on this excuse of a human being.
Finally he seemed to have reached some decision. He slightly loosened his grip on me and for a moment turned to his thugs giving them a sign to get lost for a while.
'Happy now?' he raised an eyebrow to me, and the next moment I was almost flying as he started dragging me full force towards the emergency exit.
I was scared. Shitless scared at this moment. And I have caught myself thinking, just what if Ranger did not have this exit covered or if he and his men won't be there fast enough?
As soon as we were out of the building, I have found myself plastered into an alley wall, and Thomas was forcing himself on on me. I had to protest and to push him away unable to hold away my disgust and fear anymore, but this only got him angry. The next moment he slapped me hard on my face and my head hit wall with a force.
Then pain and red mist engulfed me. And then the darkness came.
THREE
I was floating in a red mist of pain, which swirled through my eyes making me feel sick. There was this voice coming from a far far away calling to me.
'Babe. Babe, can you hear me. Please, open your eyes for me.'
That voice was tender but persistent and it broke through the thickness of pain and mist I've been in, forcing me to reach out. I was slowly getting there and getting more aware of myself, as the pain in which I've been feeling started to get sharper. My head rang with pain. My position was rather uncomfortable, I was feeling cold and numb, but gentle strokes on my cheeks were soothing, and encouraging. So I tried to push myself in the direction of that voice and those gentle hands I've been feeling on me.
'Talk to me some more', I thought for myself, and the voice came back urging me to come out of this darkness. I forced my heavy eyelids to crack open just a tiny bit. The bright light hit my eyes hard as I've forced my reluctant eyelids open, so I hurriedly once again shut them tight close.
'Come on, Babe,' the same voice nudged me again, but there was a tiny shadow of relief in it already. 'Please, open your eyes for me'.
I never could say 'no' to my Batman, so this time I also did as he have asked me to do. Once more I've cracked my eyes open, and once more I've been blinded by the sudden light. This time round I've forced my eyes to stay open and soon they were focused enough to take in my surroundings. The light which blinded me was coming off of the lamp over the emergency exit to the club, and its light came down on me and on Ranger, who has been leaning over me, hiding Ranger's face in many dark shadows. I tried to shift my position, so I could see Ranger's face better, but my body wasn't cooperating.
'Ranger', I've tried to mutter out, but what eventually came out of my mouth sounded more like 'Rrraaanghee'.
That still got a weak smile out of Ranger.
'EMT is on the way, Babe,' he was softly whispering to me.
A thought of going to a hospital set me on to try moving once more. I wanted to protest, to jump and run away from the very possibility of any encounter with doctors and going to hospital, but only some incomprehensible gibberish came out of my mouth, and all my attempts to sit up let alone get away were too weak as I could not get my body to cooperate.
'Shh, Babe. Everything's gonna be OK. I'll take care of you and won't leave you even for a minute. You have been hit hard on your head, so you really need to get some medical check-up', Ranger went on. 'And that's not open for a discussion', he added sternly, putting my rising protests off.
Damn his ESP.
How could I possibly thwart Batman, I thought, and finally gave in to his soothing voice and caresses. My eyelids were heavy as if filled with lead, and I was willing to close my eyes, but Ranger's intent and darkened with concern look and voice kept me focused and awake.
Then the ambulance came with sirens on and lights flashing, and a pair of paramedics rushed over to where I was lying safely in Ranger's arms. Ranger let them get close and inspect me, but he obeyed my non-verbal plea and stayed close, so that I could see him.
'Not going anywhere, Babe,' he reassured me once more, when EMT guys were all over me checking for harm.
I was already on a stretcher and being prepared for transportation to the hospital, when I've noticed Joe's SUV pull in. Joe jumped out of his car in a hurry and jogged towards me.
'Damn, Cupcake. But you sure will be the cause of my death,' he stammered, and leaned down to inspect my damage.
I was tired and hurt like hell, so did not even try to react in any way to his words. Mentally I did a small dismissive eye roll which went totally unnoticed by him.
Joe was already steaming and was starting to recount all the faults of me being a bounty hunter.
'Why me?' he went on unhappily. 'Of cause, this is just what I needed tonight. Why can't I have a normal girlfriend, who has a regular 9 to 5 job? Why did I have to end up with the one who has her cars blown up on a regular basis, and who constantly ends up…'
But one of the paramedics interrupted him at that moment. 'We'll now be taking Ms Plum to the hospital. Only one of you could come with us.' He said shifting his gaze back and forward from Joe to Ranger.
'I'm coming with her. She's my girlfriend,' Joe erupted and was about to follow me into the ambulance.
For some unknown to me reason, a wave of panic washed over me at the very thought of Ranger leaving my side. I did not want Ranger away even if for a short time. So I looked at him with a silent plea 'Batman, don't leave me now.' Ranger clearly got the message, as there was this slight change in his expression before he said authoritatively, 'I am coming with her, Joe.'
Some silent communication passed between these two men in my life at this point, and Ranger obviously has won, as Joe sighed heavily and just stammered, 'I'll follow you in my SUV,' before rushing away to where his SUV was parked, and not even looking at me anymore before rushed departure.
I might have passed away or fell asleep on my way to the hospital, as I opened my eyes into the bright light the next moment.
"Whaa…'
'Lay still, Babe. You're in the hospital. Doctors here are gonna help you,' I've heard Ranger say.
Ranger. He's here. I was already relaxing a bit into his soothing tone.
'I hate hospitals', I've managed to lament and that got me a ghost of a smile from him.
'Don't worry, Babe. I won't let anyone hurt you. Joe's calling your family, so they'll be here soon too,' he continued in this soft voice. Then he looked away from me for a split second and nodded to someone I could not see. 'I'm gonna leave you for a while now to sort out some documents, and then I'll be right back.'
'Nooo…' I started to protest. I did not want to lose him even if for a second.
And apparently that sorted it out.
'OK, Babe. I'll stay with you, just calm down. I'm only going to ask Tank to fill the blanks.'
And surely Tank was here. Ranger silently talked to him for a moment, and then his attention was fully back on me.
I could now single out Joe's voice. Apparently he was still on the phone with my mom. 'Yes, Mrs. Plum, we're at St Francis… We're not sure yet, doctors still need to run some tests, but the outlook so far is good.'
Then a doctor came and started inspection of my damage.
'I'm Doctor Watson, Ms Plum, and I'm gonna take a good care of you now,' he introduced while checking my skull and flashing light to my eyes.
'You'll need some stitches Ms Plum, but first we have to do a CAT test,' he kept on talking.
'Uh-um,' I stammered. 'When can I go home?'
The doctor smiled back at me, and tried to reassure me, 'If the test turn out OK, then we'll let you go tomorrow. But you'll have to stay the night as you possibly have concussion.'
Spending the night at the hospital did not sound any good to me, but obviously I had no options here. So I only soothed myself with the fact that Ranger still kept to my side and wasn't about to leave me, even though medics clearly had tried to get rid of him. Good that they did dot succeed. I need Batman to stay with me tonight.
From the CAT I was taken to 'presidential' hospital room, which I was sure was solely Ranger's idea. I was glad I did not have to share the room with other patients, but on the other hand that only meant that visitors were already streaming in. And dealing with my family right now was the biggest of my problems. So I felt really grateful to Ranger, when he managed to convince my whole family to go home after relatively short period of them tormenting me with lots of 'why' and 'where', and 'how', etc. Of cause, their going home only meant that the issue has been postponed. But postponed was definitely so much better than now. I hurt, my head rang like silver bells, and I desperately needed some peace and rest.
When I woke up, my head was still heavy with lead. But the pain has already eased a little bit, so it wasn't too bad. What has awakened me though was my completely parched dry throat, and I was in a desperate need of a sip of water. I tried to look around, and spotted Ranger who'd already noticed that I'm awake and was getting up from his chair to get closer to me. There was tiredness written all over his face, but he still looked at me tenderly and gave me one of his famous half smiles. Damn, but even now I could not help but notice how damn handsome he was.
Crumpled on a chair further away in what seemed to be a rather uncomfortable position, Joe was sound asleep. Otherwise than silent beeps emanating off of medical machines attached to me my hospital room was all quiet and dim.
Ranger closed the gap between us and passed me a glass of water with a straw in it.
'Here, take a sip,' he whispered. 'Seems like you need this.'
I gratefully obliged and after a few sips sighed with relief. Water was a soothing balm for my parched throat.
'What time is it?' I asked.
'It's still night, Babe. You should go back to sleep,' he removed the glass from my hand, when I was done drinking.
Sure. Would you read me a good night tale?
'Babe,' Ranger chuckled, and I found myself thinking if I'd said that aloud. Must have been one of his successful ESPs.
I did not get my tale, but Ranger held my hand, and sure enough I soon was back to the land of dreams, where there was Ranger, me, and…
'Ms. Plum, Ms. Plum. We need you to open your eyes.' The voice was unfamiliar. Huh uh. Not going to happen. From the glow behind my eyelids I could tell it was morning, but no way was I ready to get up yet. If you don't know it yet, I'm not a morning person.
'Five more minutes', I've whined, trying to make whomever that was to go away.
'Cupcake, you need to let doctors inspect you, if you're planning to go home any time soon.'
Home. That sounded way better than staying in the hospital, so I gave in and cracked my eyes.
The doctor leaned over my and shined a light in my eyes. He made me lean forward and pulled back the bandage on my head to poke on the stitches.
'Everything looks good, so I think you'll be released home soon.'
Good. That was good. I did not want to stay in the hospital any longer. Hospitals always give me creeps. They're full of sick people, you know!
'Mr Manoso, I would like you to come with me to finish some papers now, if you don't mind', he addressed Ranger and they both walked out of the room.
I was left alone with Joe.
'Hum, Cupcake, Ranger sent Tank to get you some clean cloths, so when he comes back we most probably will be able to go home.'
Joe gently brushed my cheek with the back of his hand and planted soft kiss on my lips.
'Good. I don't want to stay here any longer.'
'So, um, Steph would you care to tell me whole story about yesterday? Ranger refused to say anything on the matter, but I'd really want to know what the hell you were doing messing with Gramp,' he sounded really pissed, but tried hard not to raise his voice.
'Did I get my man?' I asked cautiously.
'Sure, if you call THAT getting your man,' he made a gesture indicating my bandaged skull.
'Um, I just helped RangeMan to take him. I wasn't expecting it to turn ugly or something,' I retorted dismissively, trying as much as possible to avoid the subject. Unfortunately Joe wasn't helping me along.
'You should have known better than to mess with someone like Gramp,' Joe almost shouted at me.
I inched my hand up a fraction trying to stop him.
'Joe, please, can we not talk about this. Please.'
Reluctantly he gave in, but his frustration was obvious by the way he messed his hair.
'Sure, Cupcake. But we'll have to talk about this sometime later.'
If later was like never that was totally fine by me.
Ranger was back with two plastic bags in his hand.
'Tank brought you some clothes, and here's also your stuff from last night. Unfortunately, I think that your dress might be totally ruined,' he told me passing the bags to me. 'And they're already letting you go home, Babe.'
'Thanks, Ranger. Now if someone would help me up, I'd love to get myself ready to get the hell out of here.'
Joe helped me to get up, and insisted on walking me to the bathroom so I could change.
'Babe,' said Ranger and he was out in a flash.
Hm, so Bombshell duty has been passed on Joe or what?
Though I still felt a little bit shaky and slow, I refused Joe's help and insisted that I dress alone.
I decided to skip shower. Taking one at Joe's was more tempting than this in the hospital's room. But I carefully washed my face over the sink and then scrutinized my reflection in the mirror.
Gosh, but I looked real scary. There was this huge and swollen bruise on my right cheek. Bandage turban also did add to the unflattering look. As there wasn't much I could do about either, I chose not to fatigue myself with looking at my one hell of a horror movie worth face, and gathering my hair into a messy ponytail for a time being, turned my attention to plastic bags Ranger brought me.
In one of them, with St. Francis written all over it, I've found my last night's dress, and sure enough it was really messed up. For a moment I've contemplated just throwing it away, but an afterthought of Ranger's look when he saw me in it stopped me, and I put the dress back into the bag, thinking that it might yet be worth trying salvaging.
Quit it, Steph. I told myself. There is no point of thinking about Ranger, this road won't take you anywhere.
In the other bag there was my stuff from seventh – underwear, soft yoga pants, T-shirt, jacket, Ranger's SEALs hat and a pair of running shoes. Every piece of clothing had Ranger's name embroidered somewhere on it, but I was happy to have some real clothing that I wasn't going to be picky. I did, however, made a mental note not to let Joe see my bra and panties. If Ella put small RangeMan logo on outerwear,she wasn't so modest with the underwear and Ranger was written all over these two items of closing. So much for Bob and boys missing me, but I wasn't up for a row with Joe over this.
I dressed as fast as I could, and put on the SEALs hat. Then I looked back to the mirror. Still not a pretty picture, but it will have to do. Ranger's SEALs hat always made me feel like a badass, and this time was no exception. I smiled inwardly thinking that maybe this badass feeling will ease my awareness of my not so pretty looks after all.
I grabbed my things and headed out. Joe was already waiting for me. His eyes narrowed when he saw what I was wearing, but he did not say anything about it.
'Got to stop by the front desk and sign some things, but otherwise we're good to go.' He reached out and took bag in one hand, and held me by hand with another. We walked out of the room together.
FOUR
The ride to Joe's house was quiet. Joe's mood has improved considerably since we left the hospital. I wasn't sure what caused such a change, but, well, I was in no mood to ask either.
Bob tore towards me as soon as Joe opened the door, but Joe caught him by the collar just in time to prevent him jump on me.
'Not so fast Bob,' Joe reprimanded the dog. 'We need to be gentle to Cupcake, and you jumping her is not an option.'
Bob happily wagged his tail at us, still looking at me and probably contemplating his doggish thoughts whether he should submit.
'You want something to eat, Cupcake? I could order pizza.'
'Sure,' I said. Food sounded good. 'Do this, and I'm going upstairs to take a shower.'
'Need help getting up there?' Morelli rarely missed opportunity to share a shower, so him offering only to take me there, but not actually share one, was telling me loads of how awful I looked. Not that I felt I could be up for some shower or bed action right now.
'Nah, I'm good.'
He used the opportunity to seize me gently in his grip and plant a soft kiss on my mouth.
'I'm glad you're OK, Steph. You really got me worried this time.'
He was still mad with me for getting involved with whole Gramp thing and getting hurt, but it was a peace offering and I took it as such.
'Thanks, Joe.' I kissed him back, then gently pulled away and started up the stairs.
I dropped my bag on bedroom bed and kicked off my shoes. I was half way though undressing when Joe came in to check on me.
'Cupcake.'
I turned to him, and observed his face turn all angry.
'What the hell is this?' he started with slightly raised voice.
'What are you talking about?' I tried to play surprise, but I already had a clue that my RangeMan underwear have done their evil job.
'Why the fuck Ranger is written all over your bra and panties?' he was already yelling at me.
I tried to retort in a soothing tone, 'Well, it's part of my RangeMan uniform…'
'What?'
'Well, it's Ella. She is his housekeeper and she also does Ranger's uniforms, and she always puts company's name on every piece. I guess when Tank got me a change of clothing from Ranger's apartment…'
Slam! Wrong way to drop this bomb Stephanie, I thought with a wince, but the genie was already out of the bottle.
Morelli was furious. 'You keep your clothes at Ranger's apartment? What else am I going to learn today? That you share a bed with him too?' Morelli demanded.
'There is no women's locker room at RangeMan, so I use Ranger's apartment to shower and change. It's not a big deal, Joe.'
But that clearly did not go well with him.
'I can almost deal with the fact that you're a lousy bounty hunter, who's become a laughing stock of the Burg. But I ain't taking this shit about you working for Ranger anymore!' he shouted angrily. 'You are gonna choose right now and tight here, if you want to keep on being someone everyone laughs at, or you quit this bounty hunting nonsense and start acting like a regular person.'
He was angry. So angry, that I could see that he had trouble controlling himself. His hands were on my shoulders and shaking me. My head rang with his shouts and from this shaking, and I felt frustrated and angry myself.
'I ain't gonna quit being bounty hunter, Joe. I liked my job. I might not be very ood at it, but I'm getting better and I always get my guy.' I tried to calm him down with my low tone, but it did not work.
'You're not getting better, Steph. You're getting yourself killed down this road. And last night is a good proof to my words.' He was shouting again. Oh, good. We're heading for yet another of them famous in the whole Burg Plum vs. Morelli fights.
'Don't be cruel, Joe. I helped, I was part of a team yesterday.'
'If Ranger wanted Gramp down, he could've taken him in any time without you. Also that might have probably turned out better than it actually did with you in all this,' he kept on shouting. 'So you're an idiot, if you think you are really that important for Ranger's operations. Stop kidding yourself that you're given anything more than petty jobs from Ranger, cause he knows you need the money.'
'No, Ranger wouldn't do that. Ranger trusts me to do the job,' I yelled back already crying.
Joe shook me hard. 'Ranger wants you in his bed, and that is all, you fool!'
'Stop it Joe. You're wrong. Ranger's my friend.'
'Don't be naïve, Cupcake,' Joe's voice changed, turned cajoling. 'If you really think you're any good at bounty hunting and this stuff, you must have your head checked at the very least.'
That was mean. And his words hurt me like hell. We often fight with Joe, but never before our fight were so ugly.
I could not breath. I was starting hyperventilating. My eyes were filled with tears. And right now I hated Joe so much I thought I could kill him on the spot. I wanted to get the hell out of here.
'Let go of me, Joe! I don't want to listen to you no more. Leave me alone!'
But he wasn't about to give in. 'Oh, no, Cupcake. You're not going anywhere until we're finished talking.'
He forced me onto the bed. 'When we're done, you are going to make some changes in your life, Steph.'
He took his hand off of me and stood hovering over me. It was clear that he was trying to suppress his anger and calm down.
'First of, you're gonna quit bounty hunting and all your business with Ranger. You're gonna find yourself a nice job with regular hours. Then you're moving in with me for good. And from there we will see. But this bounty hunting and Ranger stuff ain't gonna fly no more for you.'
He was ruffling through his hair with both hands when I watched him in an utter disbelief of what I was hearing. My mouth gaped open, and I think even my v\crying stopped from the shock of his words.
'You cannot possibly mean all this, Joe,' I stammered with difficulty.
I think my heart sunk while I waited him respond.
'Oh, but I do mean all of this Cupcake. I sure do. And you have to choose how it will go on from this very point.'
I was beat. The man I loved was asking me to stop being who I was, and I could not help but start crying again.
I love Joe. And my heart was bursting with all these feelings, but the alternative I was given was even more terrifying. I started hyperventilating and had to force myself to take in even the smallest breaths.
I can't. I can't do that Joe. Oh, I'm sorry but don't ask me of this Joe. I was desperately thinking. But the hard look on Joe's face told me that he was through, and I either had to give in, or…
Jesus, but I did not want it to be like this.
'I'm going Joe,' I said and attempted to rise off of the bed. 'You ask me to choose between being myself and not being myself anymore. And I can't. I can't stop being who I am, even for you.'
Taxi. I need to call for a taxi.
My hair was still wet from the shower I had earlier. My eyes were all red and puffy, but at least I have managed to stop crying by now, though once in a while an occasional sob would still find its way out. I felt pretty drunk by now, both because of the excess emotions from my fight with Joe, and from those shots of vodka I've gulped down as soon as I've set foot into my apartment. Three small olives I had on top of these shots clearly were not even close to ease the feeling of hunger, which I've tried hard to ignore.
I cuddled into my bed with a blanket over my head and lay still for a while, until uneasy sleep crept in and I have slipped into the realm of heavy dreams.
I woke with a start and sat bold upright in one go. It was already evening and dimness was creeping all over the place. Then my ears caught a silent rumble of my apartment doors being opened. And sure enough there was Ranger letting himself in. Though the apartment was already dim, I could not mistake that stature for another.
Great, as if I want to deal with him right now.
I brushed my tangled hair off of my face and felt my puffy eyes with fingertips. Yikes. Wonder Woman from hell, I grimaced for myself.
Ranger closed the gap between us and carefully positioned himself next to me on the edge of my bed.
'You OK, Babe?' he asked me.
I nodded. 'Yeah. Kinda.' Or at least I will some time, I added to myself.
He was looking intently into my face and I felt this urge to hide from his glance.
'I did not really expect to find you here. So, what happened?'
Sure. The mystery man of few words now found out that he could talk after all.
I threw an eye-roll in his direction, but he just kept staring at me not even shifting his glance an inch off of my face.
'We had this huge fight with Morelli earlier. And we're done for good.'
'Babe', he said and clasped me into his tight grip.
I gulped down a lump in my throat, and shifted my whole body even closer to Ranger, then buried my face into his warm chest. We sat motionless like this for a while, and I was immensely enjoying the warmth and safety of Ranger's embrace.
'Thank you,' I whispered into his chest so softly that I wasn't sure he could hear me.
He did. He squeezed my shoulders bit harder.
'Any time Babe. I'm here for you.'
'I know,' I sighed and pulled away from him. 'That helped like a lot, Ranger. I wasn't even aware I needed you so badly.'
He looked into my eyes and kept my gaze fixed into his dark eyes for one long moment as if checking if I was really OK now.
My stomach chose this very moment to remind of itself and gurgled loudly.
'Babe, you never disappoint,' Ranger grinned back at me. 'I think we should feed that angry animal or he my might turn on me.'
That got a chuckle out of me, and suddenly the whole grimness of today has lifted off of my mind if only for a second.
'Yeah, I would not mind to get a proper sugar fix.' Hey, I did not get ANY today. So go figure, but at this moment a mention of food only brought visions of cakes and pies into my tired mind.
'Well, we'll see about that,' Ranger replied. 'Should I get something for you, or would you be willing to go to my apartment and let Ella get something for you?'
I did not really want to leave my apartment and risk anyone seeing me in such a dreadful condition, but Ella was tempting.
'Aw, isn't it a bit late to bother Ella?' I doubted and bit on my lower lip in anticipation.
Ranger grinned back at me. 'Get yourself ready and let me worry about that.' And he stood up in one smooth motion taking me out of bed with him.
Show-off. And I showed my tongue at him.
'You don't want to mess with me right now, Babe. But remember, I've warned you about consequences of showing your tongue at me once.'
FIVE
I am in love with Ella, I thought with my mouth full of wonderful waffles Ella concocted for me, and I was moaning a little bit with pleasure of savoring every mouthful I took.
Ranger was looking at my mouth transfixed, his fork frozen midway to his mouth.
'Whaa,' I mumbled. 'Can't a girl have a small pleasure of really enjoying herself?' I teased him playfully.
'Oh, I could help you with that, Babe,' he teased me back with a full on smile spreading on his face. 'But I'm not so sure you're up for a challenge right now, he continued in his sexy low voice. But that was just a tease. I knew him just too well.
When we settled in for a night, Ranger held me tight in his hands. My head was comfortably snuggled onto his chest.
'Sleep, Babe. I won't let anyone or anything hurt you,' and he kissed me on my forehead.
'I know,' I replied in a whisper. And soon after I slipped into a dream, snuggled warmly in a safe Ranger's embrace.
I was floating among softest of clouds, surrounded my engulfing warmth and scent of heaven at hand. In my sleep I shifted closer to this source of sheer pleasure and rubbed my face deep into it. The heaven then shook.
'Babe,' I heard a voice right in my ear. 'You don't know what you are doing to me. And I am not a man of steel.'
What? I opened my eyes I found myself snuggled into Ranger. He was watching me with a rather happy grin on his face. Bulgari and Ranger. So that's where my visions of heaven came from.
'Did I woke you up?' I asked hoarsely from sleep.
'No man living could have slept with you wiggling in all these small sexy ways as you just did,' he answered and planted a quick peck on the top of my nose. I looked him over, and sure enough there was a bulge under the blanket.
'Uh-um, sorry.'
'Don't be,' he replied in a hurry, and the next moment I've found myself pressed under his full weight and drowning in a passionate storm of kisses that followed. All thoughts have vanished from my mind and there was only heat and rising desire left. My body moved of it's own volition, trying to get closer to his.
'Dios, Babe,' he whispered with a voice husky with passion. 'You could kill a man.'
My hormones were unleashed, and I was desperate for some real action.
'I want you Ranger,' I whispered.
He deepened his kisses, and his hands made wonders with my body. I wanted him in me badly, but he'd checked all my attempts.
'Not yet, Babe. Not yet.'
I buried my fingers in his soft hair, and I almost felt him purr with pleasure of this caress. From our one night together I knew oh so well how much Ranger loved to be touched, and how much he loved his hair to be touched. For a man of steel he had a very smooth and sensitive skin which I so much loved touching in return.
He was kissing every inch of my body, concentrating on my lips, neck, nipples, and… the very point of my winded passion; he caressed me in all the right places until I was not a master of my own body anymore. Then I came into his hands, his name escaping my mouth with long moans. He watched me come, still not letting me get the full of him.
'I want you, Ranger,' I called him out, trying to pull him into me once more.
'It's OK, Babe. It's OK my sweet angel.' He did not gave in. He made sure I'd come, but refused me the chance to make him come in return.
And though he was telling me he was OK, his still pronounced manhood told quite another story.
'But…' I tried to protest, but he shut me off kissing hard on my mouth.
'I got what I needed.' He rolled on his side taking his pleasant weight off of me, and taking me with him still held strong between his arms.
I knew he was still roused, but Ranger was fully in control, and would not let me make him act on his desires. Morelli would've never stopped me this if we'd come this far.
Morelli. Shit.
Well, technically we were on yet another and this time seemingly permanent off phase of our long lived on and off relationship with Joe, but still the very thought of him made me tense. I was sure I've registered the very moment when Ranger sensed me tense, and he backed away even if for a barely notable fraction. A small sigh escaped him, and I caught myself thinking, that maybe Ranger was a human after all, and that the next time I might get an eye roll from him.
'Sorry Ranger.'
'It's OK, Babe. Today is not some day yet.'
He once has threatened me that some day he would claim me as his own and that then I'd be ruined for all other men for good. I have laughed at the notion back then, but after our one and only night together some time ago, I wasn't so sure that was a joke after all.
The sexual tension between us now has been broken, but the silence, which followed, was cozy.
I did not want to dwell about my messed up life or the two men in my life right now, so I just chose to ignore these thoughts for the moment. But I knew I'd have to go there sometime.
Ranger's alarm clock then started to beep, and I turned to check out what time it was.
5.30 a.m. Oh, boy. And I was fully awake for some time now. That was clearly unthinkable. I am so not a morning person, that me being awake this early caught me by surprise.
'I need to get moving, Babe. Should I ask Ella to bring you breakfast sometime later?' he asked already positioning himself to climb off of bed.
'Sure', but make sure it's no earlier than 8 o'clock. I think I might get back to sleep.'
He glanced at me as if about to say something, but just nodded instead.
A man of mystery was all softie this morning, I thought carefully and grinned at myself watching Ranger go to get dressed for a gym.
'Join me in the conference room at 9, Babe. There's a job I think you might want to join in,' he said reemerging from bathroom.
'Sure,' I said, and then hurtful words Joe said about my bounty hunting skills and me working for Ranger crept on me and I winced.
'What is it?' he asked looking intently at me.
'Um, nothing. No, really,' I tried to reassure him with little success.
'Babe.'
OK, so he's back to one words, a thought flashed through my mind. I can do this too.
'Joe.'
'Hum.' This time he raised his eyebrow at me. 'Explain.'
'Well, it's just what Joe told me yesterday when we were fighting. He ridiculed my bounty hunting skills.'
'Babe, everyone does that. But you still always get your man, so you should not be upset all that much over this.'
I bit my nail uncertainly. 'He also said that you only give me jobs out of pity, and that you'd have done better without me the other night with Gramp.'
Ranger sat on the bed at my side and took my one hand into his.
'Babe,' he said looking straight into my eyes. 'You might not be the best bounty hunter, mostly even the very opposite of the best. But you have a set of very strong instincts, which you sometimes choose to ignore, but which always work fine for you when you listen to them. And I value that in you. I think that you are a good addition to my team, and my men share my opinion on this. So don't you ever think that I do not appreciate you. Never. You hear me?'
I saw in his eyes that what he was telling was true, so I nodded in acknowledgement.
He leaned downed and smacked me on my lips, and then rose to leave.
'See you later on fifth,' I waved him.
I watched him walk away, and felt content for the time being. The ghosts of yesterday's fears backed off. I was once again Wonder Woman, and I felt I could fly again.
SIX
When I entered the conference room, Ranger, Lester, Hal and some two other unknown to me guys were already there. Seeing these two strangers, I was very self conscious that I looked like crap what with my head still bandaged and face all bruised.
'Take a seat, Stephanie. We'll begin as soon as Tank joins us,' Ranger acknowledged me.
Hal nodded at me as a greeting, and Lester approached me. 'How are you doing Bombshell?' he asked me in lowered voice, presumably so that the two strangers would not hear him.
'Thanks, Lester. I'm really OK.' And I smiled at him tenderly, then took a seat and observed those other two men, wondering whom they might be.
One of those two men was middle age, with his hair cropped closely and some of the gray already showing on his temples. There was something about his stance and suit, which screamed law enforcement to me. FBI, CIA? I've wondered which of the guesses was right.
The other was much younger and probably close to my age. Well built and rather handsome. His overall appearance and suit would have fitted a wealthy banker, but I was guessing it was not the case.
Tank joined the party and as everyone got seated, Ranger turned to these strangers and said that the meeting could begin.
'I think we should make some introductions here as some of you haven't met yet,' he went on. 'Stevens, Andrews,' he addressed the men and waved in my direction in my direction. 'This is Stephanie Plum. She's a bounty hunter here in Trenton, and she'll be joining us on the operation. Stephanie, this is Timothy Stevens,' he introduced the elder man, 'and he is a FBI agent. And Dan Andrews here is with the DEA.'
With the short introduction over, Ranger then turned to filling on the details of the upcoming operation.
'Stevens would you like to carry on?' asked Ranger.
Stevens rose from his seat and began. 'We've been trying for over a year now to find something stick on Rodriguez's organization, but so far nothing worked as the guy is slick as an eel.'
Dan chose this moment to step in. 'At the end of the month, however, he's orchestrating a massive trade of illegal guns, and at that point, if we play it well, we might get this guy and put whole organization down.'
I listened to the details and slowly the scope of operation unfolded for me.
FBI and DEA offices have been aware of Rodriguez's organization's dealings with drugs and illegal arms, but they were unable to get anything substantial to prove the whole thing so far. A major operation of putting the organization down has been planned and the authorities turned to RangeMan for assistance in carrying it out. RangeMan came into the picture as a supposed massive buyer of illegal arms. The transaction was planned to take place a month from now and, if everything went as planned, the FBI and DEA hoped they would get all the proof and catch Rodriguez red-handed at that point.
I wasn't sure yet what role in this whole operation would be denoted for me, but I trusted that Ranger knew what he was doing asking me to be part of it. The very thought of him trusting me to be into this was very uplifting. Sure Morelli had to be wrong on Ranger coping with me only out of pity.
When the meeting was over and everyone rose to leave, Ranger asked me to stay.
'Ranger, this whole thing seems huge. Are you sure you want me in it?' I enquired when everyone else retired.
'Babe of cause I want you in it. I wouldn't have ask you otherwise.'
He closed the gap between us and took hold of my both hands.
'We'll need someone to be running searches during this whole thing, and I thought you could cover it well. Also there might be necessary to pull off some distraction job, and you're real good at that,' he told me looking intently. 'So are you in?'
'Uh-um. Sure, count me in then.' I smiled at him relieved. 'Well, I'd better go to my cubicle now.'
'Don't over exhaust yourself Babe. Head injuries are pretty serious stuff.'
'I'm OK Ranger. Don't worry.'
My day wasn't turning as productive as I thought it would be as the Merry Men were constantly dropping by my cubicle in ones and twos to check in on me. Not that I was complaining that a whole fleet of hot RangeMan men showed me they cared for me.
And most of them also brought me some offerings of drinks – coffee, soda; you name it! - and food. So a girl should be real thick to complain.
There was a catch, however. Almost everyone insisted that I'd get a bite or take a sip of what they've brought to me, and sure enough I soon was full to the top.
I turned to answer to Ram's greeting and my bladder chose that time to kick in. hard. Like I needed a bathroom like NOW.
There was no women's restroom on this floor and that meant that I had to make a trip to the seventh. But the very moment I got up, I was pretty sure that even the mad dash would not take me there dry. And as wetting myself in from of the whole bunch of Merry Men was not an option, my heated brain concocted a brilliant plan of making a trip to men's restroom, which was so much closer. I just prayed that there wouldn't be anyone in there at the moment.
I made a dash for it and burst into the restroom with a force of a mad woman. But apparently God was in playful mood today.
'WHAT A FUCK!' Ram yelled at me as I ran past him with his pants still unzipped and his whole package on display to lock myself in the closest unoccupied stall.
'Emergency! Sorry!' I yelled him back, but he might not have heard me, as I've heard him stumble loudly out of the restroom, and heard other men burst in loud laughs before the door to the restroom shut close behind him.
So there goes my plan for a fast in-and-out down a flush. If Ram shot out of here with his pants still unzipped, as I thought he actually did judging from all these laughs, there were no chance the whole thing would stay quiet now. Oh, damn my luck.
The only thing on my mind was escape, but that wasn't likely to happen. I washed my hands, grinning madly at my reflection in a mirror, and mentally prepared myself for the inevitable.
I still had a tiny hope to sneak out of the restroom drawing as little attention to my person as possible though, so I opened the door for an inch to make a quick sneak-peek, and uproar of laughs and applause greeted me there. Oh, shit. That was even worse than I could've imagined.
'Babe, come out,' I heard a voice so familiar to call me out just as I was to duck back in.
Damn, but I surely did not expect HIM to be here too.
Ranger opened the door and held it for me.
'No use hiding now that the milk has been spilt.'
There was this 1000 watts smile of his face, so my spirits soured. Could it be that all will work out for me after all?
'I just needed to go to a bathroom big time…' I ranted explaining myself in a hurry.
But the guys, Ranger included, just smiled and grinned back at me. Could it be they are not mad with me?
'Babe, stop apologizing. A couple of hours earlier you've wondered if you're can be an asset to the team. Now look what we have here – you've disarmed a trained man like Ram in one blow, and not even touching him.'
Everyone laughed once more, and it was obvious that they were enjoying the whole situation. Only Ram did not seem very happy, but even he grinned a bit. Well, the other guys might be picking on Ram for this unlucky situation, so I could understand his grimness.
'But for the future I'd advise you to make sure the restroom is completely unoccupied, before storming in, if you're going to use this one ever again. A sign stating 'Caution Bombshell' would work too.'
Huh-huh, very funny. I gave him an eye-roll.
'Yeah, and I'm not ever bringing her any drinks. Ever. Or else she might explode on me the next time,' jested Lester and all of the gathered guys seemed to agree with the statement as they kept nodding and chuckle.
'Oh, but we could use this trick on some FTA, don't you think?' Sam had a better idea.
I narrowed my eyes and looked at him. Oh boy, you better watch out Sam.
'Babe,' Ranger smiled at me one more time and went away.
The rest of the guys also started dispersing, though I still could pick up pieces of their laughter and conversations. 'Oh, tell till we tell the guys whom missed the whole thing. They'll die of envy' or 'Les, how come you have run away from a girl?'
Sure, count on Bombshell to create a perfect situation for a yet another office legend to be born. This officially was the second one. The first one was, when I've talked Hal to give me his stun-gun, then successfully stun-gunned him, and escaped his custody.
OK, Stephanie, now back to work.