Beefcake for Charity

A/N: I was working on Happy Birthday Babe, when this popped into my head and wouldn't go away. It was going to be a one-shot but as per usual it wanted to be more...Let me know what you think.

"Did you hear what I said?" The voice across the table asked me. "Huh?" I shook my head realizing I was watching the activity outside the small conference room door. I couldn't tear my eyes away from all the gorgeous, built men in black going about their everyday business while I was holed up in this room in yet another meeting today.

"Ms. Plum?"the voice interrupted my thoughts again. "Is everything alright?"

"Hmm? Yes, I'm sorry," I said tearing my eyes away and refocusing on the middle aged woman in a drab business suit seated across from me.

Once she saw she had my attention again she shoved a folder in front of me. "As you can see it is a worthy cause. The foundation does a great deal for this community and it is through the generosity of donors such as Rangeman that we are able to help so many kids."

I nodded. "Thank you Mrs. Stevens," I said standing and offering my hand. "I will speak with management and give you a call next week. Would that be alright?"

She smiled and shook my hand. "I look forward to it," she said as I opened the door and asked Binkie to show her out.

As he led her away I noticed the way the black cargoes clung to his tight buns. Thank God Ranger is due back tonight. My Hungarian hormones were on overdrive. Earlier I found myself ogling Lester as he worked out in the gym.

Ranger has been in Miami taking care of a big client who requested that he personally handle the renegotiation. I'd be willing to bet my secret stash of Tastykakes that this client is a rich woman who wants to spend time with Corporate Ranger. That's what I call him when he is dressed in his very expensive Armani suits, hair pulled back in a leather tie. Corporate Ranger is irresistibly yummy. But she might as well not bother-Ranger and I have been seeing each other for a couple of months now. For once I am confident I am seeing a man who won't cheat. Carlos is too honorable to -plus it took us so long to get here, neither of us is willing to mess it up.

About six months ago my niece Mary Alice asked me why if Mr. Ranger and I did the same job why my cars always blew up and his didn't. I started to tell her it wasn't my fault, I just had crappy luck but the words wouldn't come out. How could I tell this child with those big innocent eyes looking up at me that I hadn't contributed to my luck? If I told her what my first thought was I wouldn't be any better than my mother. Don't get me wrong, I love my mother but I knew I did not want to be Helen Plum.

Truth is, everyone encouraged me to get training; to accept help in getting better at my job. I didn't listen. I'm stubborn. My pride got in the way. I needed to prove I was just as good as Saint Valerie. By accepting help I felt like I wasn't good enough as I am. I had just enough luck on my side to kid myself into believing I was succeeding. It wasn't until Mary Alice's question that made me examine what I was doing and what kind of example I was setting for my nieces that I really saw my life clearly.

My family and Joe Morelli; my on again off again boyfriend at the time just wanted me to quit my job and find a mundane, safe one like at the local button factory. I would die of boredom doing the same thing day in and day out. Morelli only wanted me doing that until we got married and I popped out a couple kids and then he wanted me to stay home and cook and clean for him - while he kept his dangerous and often exciting job as a detective.

He enjoys puzzles as much as I do and when we worked together things were good but when he pushed me to be something I'm not, things went to hell in a hurry.

Through it all I had my friendship with Ranger. I say friendship but it has always been so much more. He has always supported me and encouraged me to fly, to be the best I can be and to trust myself. He has always been there to protect me when I needed it. To hear him say, "Proud of you, Babe," is priceless and I don't know where I'd be today without him.

Through him I gained a family of support in the guys. His men. His team; the men of his company. Rangemen. To the outside world they are a scary bunch of bad-ass, ex military and bangers but to me they are my Merry Men. While they look scary I know them as my friends, my protectors, my family.

So after my conversation with Mary Alice, I stopped in at Rangeman to talk to Tank. Tank lives up to his name at six foot five about 300 pounds of solid chocolate muscle! He is a man of few words but when he speaks you want to listen.

I came to Tank because I knew he would give it to me straight and would tell me if what I had in mind would work. I knew Ranger would create a spot for me at Rangeman, he had in the past but I am nobody's charity case.

I knocked on Tank's office door.

"Enter!" he barked.

He swiped a large hand over his face in frustration before looking up at me. "Hey Little Girl, you okay? Is somebody after you?" he asked closing the file folder in front of him and motioning for me to take a seat.

"I'm fine Tank, I just have something I need to talk to you about," I said plopping down.

"Wouldn't you rather talk to Ranger?" he asked.

I shook my head no and took a deep breath trying to steel up my courage.

"Whatever it is, it can't be that bad," he said quietly.

I looked up into his dark eyes, concern showing on his face. I sighed, dropping my gaze to examine my peeling manicure. "I was wondering if you thought there was something I could do here besides searches- if I could be a productive member of the team?" I blurted out. He was quiet. When I lifted my eyes to his face again I saw the corners of his mouth curving upward.

"Yes," he said, "Care to explain?"

"I know Ranger has asked me to work here full-time but I don't want him inventing a place for me. I'm not looking for charity," I stated.

"I see," he said, "And the reason you're coming to me instead of him?"

"I thought you'd be honest with me."

"And you think Ranger wouldn't?"

"No it's not that, I know he'd help me..." my voice trailed off and Tank deduced the rest.

"Little Girl," he began, "I think there are a number of areas in Rangeman that could use your particular skills and attributes. Are you done at Vinnie's?"

I nodded then asked what areas.

"Well, you have a business degree right?" I nodded.

"We could use help streamlining the office," he said patting the large stack of folders on his desk. "You are good with people. We could use those skills in client relations and sales. Your instincts are right up there with Rangers and you have a knack for putting puzzle pieces together and seeing connections and details that most people would overlook. So yeah Little Girl, I think you could be a valuable member of Rangeman. You know you'll have to train and carry though, right?" he asked raising an eyebrow.

I knew it would be a condition but I was tired of feeling like a joke. I wanted to be good at something not entertainment.

"When would you like to start?" he asked.

"Tomorrow?"

"Sounds good. Have you mentioned this to Ranger?" he asked

"No, I wanted to talk to you first. I didn't want to be a burden to the guys anymore. I want to contribute."

"You're not a burden Little Girl, but I am glad you'll be getting training. What about the cop? He'll hate you working here more than he did for Vinnie."

"When I leave here, I am going to meet him for lunch and talk to him. There is no future for us as anything more than friends," I replied.

"What makes this different than all the times before?" he asked

"It's been coming for a long time. I was just to scared to be without a safety net. I realized what I didn't want and now I am looking forward to finding out what I do want."

Tank nodded. "Okay," he said, "I'll get the paperwork together and call Vinnie. Rangeman will pick up your skips while he finds a new BEA. Welcome aboard Stephanie."
He smiled and extended his hand. I placed my hand in his and it was lost when he closed his fingers around it and pulled me into a hug.

"Proud of you," he said.

Those three words filled me with happiness and told me I was doing the right thing. I smiled to myself and hugged him tight.