Disclaimer Not mine, not making any money. Boo Hoo. I could really use some Christmas money! Written for Letha's Birthday Challenge on PP. Big hugs and a grateful thanks to Jenny and Stayce for stepping in to beta for me. You ladies are life savers!

Better Than Birthday Cake - pt 1

I was tired and sore from a long and fruitless day of skip-chasing, and all I wanted was a long hot soak in my bathtub followed by a much longer nap. Unfortunately that was a treat I knew wouldn't be forthcoming anytime soon, since today was my sister Valerie's birthday. I had been summoned by my mother to appear at my parents house promptly at six bearing gifts. Don't get me wrong; I love my sister. I just cant stand spending very much quality time with her and her crazy family. Her incessant referrals to her Snuggly Uggums and Cuddle Umpkins, especially at the dinner table, made me want to puke. Boy, was I looking forward to that. Not!

I needed to stop at the mall to pick up Val's gift, then rush home to clean up before I showed up at the house I'd grown up in for the first 20-some odd years of my life. My torn jeans wouldn't be welcomed there, nor would the noodles I hadn't managed to find and remove from my hair and the spaghetti sauce staining my jacket. Too bad I hadn't gotten to eat that meal instead of wearing it, since Nicky Zambrano decided it looked better on me than his plate. Stupid skip.

I pulled in to the Quakerbridge Mall parking lot, scanning for a parking space closer than the outer forty. I saw one opening up just six rows away from the door and immediately whipped my POS around to take the spot being vacated by Mrs. Slotnik. She drove away waving at me as I zipped into the space, narrowly missing being cut off by none other than Joyce Barnhardt in her brand new SUV. Joyce laid on her horn, yelling at me that she'd seen it first. I locked up my car and flipped her off as I hurriedly walked towards the mall entrance. I didn't have time to argue.

I made it inside to Bed, Bath & Beyond where Carol Zabo had gathered several things together as potential gifts for me to check out before buying. Carol was a former skip of mine who'd just started working there, and had happily offered to play personal shopper for me when I'd called. I was grateful she'd been willing to help, since I had no clue what to get Val. After all, being a married Burg wife wasn't something I have very much experience or aptitude with. Thank you Joyce!

I chose a nice set of bath salts and lotions, as well as a fluffy pastel pink robe, since I knew Val didn't have one, and waited while Carol gift-wrapped them for me. She did a much better job than I ever could have done, adding curly pink ribbons to the packages and even a sappy card. I paid for my purchases and left the store, thanking her for the help and the beautiful job she'd done with the gifts. I debated on whether I had time to stop at Macy's for a clean set of clothes, but decided I didn't. Not if I wanted to get a shower and take a short nap. It was going on four o'clock already, which meant time was running out.

I hurried out to the parking lot, pulling my keys from my purse and almost dropped my packages in shock when I stopped dead in front of my car. My tires were all flat. Damn! Why now? I slid down the side of my car, tears welling up in my eyes before slipping out and making their way down my face. I knew Id never make it in time now. I was going to have to withstand another tongue-lashing from my mother on why I needed to quit my job, get back together with Joe and get married like a proper Burg woman. As if that was gonna happen! Just one more thing on my list of not- to-do's.

My pity party for one was interrupted by a pair of black boots stopping in front of me and a soft "Babe" that had me wiping my face with the backs of my hands before looking up into concerned warm brown eyes. Crap! The icing on the cake of my crappy day was Ranger seeing me like this; it was bad enough that I'd already paraded through the mall with half the 'Burg there! I groaned, lowering my gaze and squinting my eyes shut before the tears I could feel threatening to spill could eke their way out.

The next thing I knew he was squatting in front of me and tucking a wayward curl behind my ear. He wiped an escaped tear from my cheek with the pad of his thumb before gently lifting my chin with a forefinger.

"Having a bad day, Babe?" he asked in a soft voice, not a trace of amusement in sight. He must've realized I couldn't take it right now. I swallowed and looked directly into his face, seeing nothing but concern and affection.

"Would you give me a ride to my apartment?" I asked, my voice a little wobbly. I cleared my throat and continued, trying hard to not sound so pitiful. "I need to get cleaned up and get to my parents by six, and I can't be late today." That didn't sound so bad.

"Sure, Babe. I'll have Al come pick up your car and fix the tires." He said with a slight tilt of his lips, as if giving me reassurance. "Anything special going on today?" he asked, picking up my packages before gracefully rising to his feet as he put a supporting hand on my elbow to help me stand. Thank God, because I'm not sure I had the energy to get up on my own.

"Val's birthday. If I'm late I'll ruin everything." I said as I gratefully clung to his arm when my vision started to cloud with black spots. Oops. Guess I shouldn't have missed lunch today, but time was running out on my skips, and my rent was due. I stood still for a moment waiting for my head to clear, leaning heavily against Ranger's side until my equilibrium returned. He frowned as he noticed I didn't move away very quickly, and raised a questioning eyebrow.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, guess I got up too fast. I'm okay now, thanks." I answered. I noticed the frown deepening and hastily turned towards the black SUV I noticed parked nearby. I hoped his ESP was on the blink today, because I really didn't want to have to explain why I'd missed eating. I hated him knowing I needed the money that bad.

He kept his hand on my elbow as we made our way over to the Cayenne, stopping at the passenger door and opening it to allow me to get seated. He handed me my packages after I'd buckled myself in, then paused as if to say something. He shook his head as if clearing the thought, then closed the door and rounded the front of the car to open his own door. He climbed in and buckled up, putting the key in the ignition but stopped before turning it. He turned and looked at me, his eyes boring into mine as if seeking an answer to an unasked question.

"When's the last time you ate?" He continued to stare into my eyes, which caused me to start fidgeting. Damn ESP!

"Er...um...I kinda got distracted today chasing skips." I started, then let out a stilted laugh. "I guess I forgot to eat lunch." I cringed when his face hardened and then stilled. I hoped he wouldn't push it, but naturally, luck had deserted me as usual, and he made as if to continue. Stupid Stephanie decided it was time to lend a helping hand, and immediately took over my mouth.

"It's okay. That's why I cant be late. Mom's making a special dinner for Val's birthday, and I wanted to make sure I had plenty of room. You know, the birthday cake and all..." I interrupted breathlessly. I'm sooo going down for this!

He didn't respond, simply turning the key and bringing the SUV's powerful engine to life, his face set in hard lines. I felt a shiver run up my spine as I contemplated the look on his face. I wasn't sure what that meant for me, since he'd never given me that look before. The few times I'd seen it directed at others, it didn't bode well. I envisioned him shipping me off to Somalia or someplace equally desolate, and hoped he'd at least let me pack first.

In no time at all we were pulling up to the parking lot of my apartment building where he managed to secure a space right next to the front door. How he managed to consistently do this has always baffled me. Stupid parking karma! I always ended up parking next to the dumpster on the far side of the lot!

I expected him to simply wait until I got out with my packages, but to my surprise he turned off the key and opened his door. I sat there shocked as he made his way around to my door and opened it, taking the gifts and my purse from my lap and unbuckling the safety belt. I had been opening and closing my mouth like a fish but snapped it shut when he took my elbow in a firm grip and assisted me from my seat. He took his hand away only long enough to close the door and beep the vehicle locked before returning his hand to my elbow and steering me towards the elevator. Huh?

"Ranger?" I squeaked out, my confusion plainly evident. He usually made me climb the stairs when going to my apartment; add to that he was actually accompanying me into the elevator. He didn't answer, only pushing the button for the second floor which made the sense of foreboding that had been tickling the back of my mind ratchet up another notch. Maybe he wasn't gonna let me pack after all!

We moved from the elevator to the door of my apartment in silence, tension evident in every muscle of the Man-in-Black's body. I managed to move along stiffly beside him, pausing to drag my keys out of my purse just as we reached my door. He released my elbow and held out his hand for the keys, transferring my packages into my arms and drawing a gun from behind his back as he put the key in the lock, swinging the door open. I knew better than to enter until he deemed it safe, so I stood outside the doorway, fidgeting as he finished checking every room inside for intruders. Just my luck. Everything was clear, and he motioned me inside.

I dropped my packages and purse on the kitchen counter, then turned to face him, trepidation running through me like a cold front.

He turned from locking the door and stood leaning against the wall next to the doorway, arms crossed over his bulging chest muscles and eyes boring in to mine. Eek!

"Um, thanks for the ride. I really appreciate you coming to my rescue again, but I'm okay now. I've got to hurry and get ready so I'm not late..." My voice trailed off as I noticed something flash in his eyes before the blank look returned, confusing me even further. He merely shrugged his shoulders and moved into the kitchen, opening the refrigerator and grabbing a bottle of water before closing it with a decisive snap. When he spoke his voice seemed impossibly tight, as if holding in a great deal of anger.

"Go get your shower. I'll take you as soon as you're ready."

Shit!

TBC?