Disclaimer: These characters belong to Janet Evanovich and I am only borrowing them. Sadly making no money off this either. This is a babe fic and will get angsty. No deaths involved and Joe is a good guy, just not for Steph. Spoiler through LMT.

I have to admit, I was bitten by this plot bunny and decided I had to write the story. I hope you enjoy it.

Overheard

It's been four months since Joe and I had our final fight. Well you couldn't really call it a fight, since we didn't do our usual tempers flaring, hand waving shouting match. We sat down one night over Pino's meatball subs and hashed out our relationship once and for all. We agreed that we are at different points in what we each want out of life. Simply because we were not on the same page didn't mean we couldn't be friends. It just meant that we had to move on from wanting a relationship with each other.

The Burg seems to think that this is just another one of our time outs, but Joe and I know better. Nobody is taking us seriously though since the betting pool down at the station is up to five grand on when we will get back together. I gave Eddie a tip that he should put money down on never. He was reluctant but I managed to convince him. He smarted off to me that it would be impossible to collect because how would they know since never is such a nebulous thing. I told him that when Joe got married, he could say that never had finally happened. Eddie looked shocked and then suspicious, thinking that Joe had been stepping out on me. I assured him that Joe hadn't stepped out on me and that was not why we broke up. I explained that Joe was ready to settle down to a wife and family, something I was nowhere near ready for. He needs an anchor in his life, someone to come home to and I couldn't do it. I still needed to fly and the only way I could do that was to be a bounty hunter. Eddie shook his head and gave me a hug. He told me if I needed someone to talk to, he was there for me. No baby sitting was required as repayment.

In the meantime, the FTA business was slow; slower than molasses running uphill in January in Green Bay as a matter of fact. Money was getting very tight and I was spending more evenings dining at my parents to ease the crunch. It was a hardship since every night I had to listen to my mother lecture me about giving up bounty hunting so Joe would take me back and marry me. It was getting to the point that I wanted to duck into the kitchen and help myself to her stash of liquor. Unfortunately, dinner at the parents was also a necessity if I wanted to be able to pay the rent.

A couple of weeks ago, Ranger offered to let me come back part time to Rangeman. Without hesitation, I accepted. My reasons for leaving before seemed trivial in light of my poorness.

It was going great. I worked there three days a week doing searches and was able to also utilize that time to research the few skips I did have. Then there was the added bonus of Ella. She kept the break room at Rangeman stocked with sandwiches and snacks. She even baked me cookies or cake once a week. I had to make sure I got there first though or the guys would leave nothing on the plate-not even crumbs.

This day started like any other. I hit the snooze button only once and managed to not break my neck as I stumbled to the shower. I had gone out with the girls last night. We had a great time dancing and laughing. I didn't drink, since I can't handle alcohol and had to work this morning. It was very late when I got home so I kicked my FMP's off and stripped before falling into bed. Note to self, kick shoes off in living room and not bedroom, this lessens the chance of tripping and breaking the neck on the way to the bathroom.

After a quick shower, I sprayed my hair with a marvelous detangling spray that Mr. Alexander had recommended. I was able to comb through it without getting caught up in any snarls. Grabbing a hair scrunchie, I threw it up into a ponytail. Dressing in my usual work attire of black cargos, black vans and a stretchy T shirt that Ella had yet to embroider Rangeman on, I took once quick glance in the mirror and was satisfied.

On my way out the door, I took a moment to fill Rex's water bottle with fresh water and dropped some grapes and a few hamster nuggets into his cage. "Momma will be home for dinner baby. You have a good day and don't get into trouble."

When I got to my desk, I dumped my purse in a lower desk drawer but not before taking my gun out and putting it in my top desk drawer. I remembered to set my cell to vibrate since Lula had taken to texting me at odd moments. The guys gave me shit about hearing I'm bringing Sexy Back every time she sent me a message. Somehow, that song seems oddly appropriate for Lula.

"Hey Steph, it's lunchtime, want to hit Shorty's with us?" Lester chuckled as I jumped, startled by his voice.

"Lester, don't say it, I know I have to be more aware of my surroundings."

"So, are you joining us?"

"Sure Les let me finish this up for Ranger. Meet you in the garage in five?"

"See you in five beautiful."

I gathered up the search results and the notes I had made and paper clipped them together. I grabbed my gun and stuck it in my purse and walked over to Ranger's office. I tapped on the door and when I didn't get a response, I cautiously pushed open the door. Ranger wasn't at his desk so I placed the search results in his inbox and closed the door behind me on the way out.