Posted as a response to a challenge on rqfic. ;) It contains some Twelve Sharp spoilers, but they're only brief mentions. Still, read at your own risk.

The last few months have been somewhat more then hectic, and I've just started writing the "Precious Girl" series once more. And several more chapters should be up soon. Many thanks to those that have been reviewing. Comment greedy authors irritate me, if you like it? Or really despise it? You'll comment. If not? Not a problem.

As usual, my darlings, as fair warning, I am not an American, so my spelling is likely at times to be off. However, I'm making every attempt at "Americanising" this story for the sake of continuity. I'm also going along with Janet's time policy, where Steph seems to be perpetually the same age. ;)

The Stephanie Plum Novel series belongs to Janet Evanovich. I make no claim to own her characters, or any of the locations mentioned within her books. I am using them for a bit of fun, and will promptly return all but Ranger. I'm keeping him ;)

I can be contacted at via email at or via my livejournal, which is probably the best way. ;)

Alrielira

Contains some Twelve sharp spoilers

On so many levels. By Alrielira

"Well, this is awkward"

"Babe." Came the reply. Clearly amused.

"What, clearly you've never seen a bad assed bounty hunter with their child. It's perfectly natural to want to be near them in the middle of the night…He's my son; it's my job to protect him. It is… Don't you look at me like that? Are you laughing at me Manoso?"

"Nope." An enigmatic smile and a quite chuckle, and he moved, taking her hand within his.

"I think you are." He countered quietly, as mischievous smile meeting hers.

"I just think it's touching." She murmured. "That you're so attached to him. Perfectly understandable, but still touching. Ten years ago, couldn't have pictured you staying up all night with a kid, and here you are, on the second one with me…"

Ranger brushed a brief kiss to his wife's forehead and chuckled quietly.

"I guess…I guess I never understood it the first time around. With Julie…what it means and all that."

Stephanie smiled faintly and nodded in understanding. Ranger, even after all the years they'd been together, would never be an especially eloquent man where it came to his feelings. He wasn't one for poetry, or overt public displays of affection.

(Don't think about the alleyway near the Bonds Office.)

He wasn't one for idle chatter, or for letting his guard down or trusting people. Part of that was nature, his nature, his training and life experiences had only added to his wariness.

He could be moody, and gruff, and he still ordered her around at times, without even realizing it. But he'd let her into his life, and it wasn't roses and wine. It was real. And it was everything she needed.

(And her light was everything he needed.)

They'd both made sacrifices, he'd let her into his life, which, meant allowing security to be lessened to an extent. He'd bought a house, because there had been no tangible "Bat cave". He'd cut back his hours at work, as best he could, and he made an effort, to not bring work home with him. He loved his children.

("He called me Stephanie."

A quiet little sigh, came from her companion and he patted her hand gently.

"And he never called you Stephanie before? It is your name."


"I know." She sighed quietly. "It's just…he –never- called me Stephanie. It was always… but even that reminded me of too many things. I just hope he'll come to the wedding…For old time's sake, you know? I feel so guilty, that what I've done…."

"No." Tank sighed softly. "Steph no, it's not your fault. Things happen, and they're not pleasant, but it's not your fault, and I don't want you beating yourself up about this. Now go, go, have a bath, everyone will be here in a few hours, and you have time for a nap as well. I'm going to go see to the garden, to make sure everything is as it is."

"Tank?" She stopped him, just as he turned to leave. "Do you think I'm tainted?"

The tall man smiled softly, and brushed a fond, chaste kiss to her forehead. "No more then anyone else Steph. No more then anyone else.")

She'd gotten better trained. Learnt to spot a tail, so their house was more secluded. She'd learnt to eat a little better, and she'd learnt to talk less, and listen more.

Their life? Wasn't a fairy tale. It had dramas and fights over the phone bill, and who was going to cook dinner. But they loved each other, and they were happy. They were both alpha personalities, they wanted things done their way. And some of their greatest fights had been about compromise.

(But the make up sex was really good)

He had his secrets still. But she had hers. And as long as neither of them ever strayed, they didn't mind so much. And neither one would ever stray. Her life? May never have been what she expected, years before, when she was living with Morelli. Or even afterwards, when she was back in her own apartment, it was different, and challenging, and rewarding, in all the ways that a good marriage is.

"It's still awkward." He muttered again, laying the babe back in his cot.

"Babe." She replied, stealing a kiss, and tugging his hand back towards their bedroom. "I so don't want to hear you saying that while we're in our bedroom…It's just wrong. On so many levels."