Disclaimer: The characters belong to J.E.

This is a sequel to Missing Panties and Winning Bets. When I wrote that scene I thought that was it. Thanks to all those who reviewed, the characters demanded more play time. Who am I to deny them, especially Ranger. I hope I did this one justice. Please let me know what you think.

Ranger's POV:

I stood facing the door to my 7th floor apartment, loaded for bear. It had been a long 5 weeks and I'd just flown into Newark airport less then an hour ago. I'd been on a mission that had taken way too long to complete because of bad Intel and we'd barely made it out of that hellhole in one piece. I'd gotten the job done and made it back to the states and been debriefed before getting on a plane to bring me back home. I couldn't remember being this glad to get home before. Why then was I loaded for bear? Fifteen minutes before landing I'd pulled up the GPS to locate Babe only to find she was parked at Morelli's. I made it out of the airport in record time and a drive that would normally take an hour took me no more then 20 minutes. I don't remember the drive, because during that time I was planning the murder of a Trenton cop by the name of Joe Morelli. I'd thought of numerous ways to kill the bastard and dispose of the body. Too bad I couldn't really act on it, because my killing him would hurt the single most important person in my life. My name is Ricardo Carlos Manoso, Aka Ranger, Aka Batman. I'm standing here waiting for the elevator to bring Babe up to our apartment so I can get the physical evidence I need. I can't kill the cop but I can sure as shit beat the fuck out of him. I'd checked the video feed when Babe got out of her car and my hands had clenched. I could be wrong but it was doubtful. The elevator dinged signaling Babe's arrival so I stood waiting for her to come in the door. The door opened, she walked in and…I knew. My eyes narrowed and I crossed my arms over my chest. I made my way over to where Babe stopped, she seemed a little confused. I took her in my arms and held her close trying to keep a tight rein on the rage I felt inside. I dipped one hand beneath the waist of her jeans going down….bare skin was all I found and I now had all the proof I needed to take my rage out on officer Morelli. I wasted no time heading for the door, knowing I would get one more piece of proof before I murdered Morelli. No damnit, I already decided not to murder him, I'd just beat the hell out of him.

When I reached 5 I stalked out onto the control room floor and said, "Report." My voice was deadly calm but this didn't fool my men. No one spoke. As I looked to each man in turn he winced but they all stayed quiet. My gaze landed on Diaz and I said, "Report."

"The hospital clinic and Morelli's."

I had what I needed and was on my way. Vaguely I felt something pulling at the waist of my pants but I paid it no attention because it wasn't slowing me down in the least. I made it to the Turbo and was vaguely aware that Babe was getting in the car too. I paused long enough for her to get belted and made my way to Morelli's in record time. I got out and headed for his door giving the door a loud knock. When the blonde opened the door I was a little puzzled. She said something to Babe and I heard Babe reply but the words were out of focus. Okay, deep breath, focus. I put a tighter rein on the rage I was feeling and made myself listen to them.

"…..I tried to tell him."

What did she mean she tried to tell him? Who did she try to tell? Because she sure as shitting didn't tell me anything. The blonde laughed and I finally put a name to her. It was Terry Gilman. She and Morelli hit the sheets whenever he and Babe were on a break. She opened the door and I stepped inside. I frowned when I saw Morelli lying on the couch with an ice pack on his head. Then I heard Babe ask, "What happened?"

Terry sighed, "We were going upstairs and he told me he had the weirdest dream this afternoon. He dreamt I told him I was pregnant with twins and he fainted." She shrugged, "I told him it wasn't a dream it really happened. He fainted again and fell backwards down the stairs."

All the anger drained out of me. I silently laughed at the thought of Morelli fainting because he was going to be a father. Babe's gaze met mine and I saw her relax. "I tried to tell you but you wouldn't listen. I met them at the doctor's office and when I got done I came out to find Morelli on the floor. I helped bring them home and Terry and I talked for a bit."

"The panties?"

"I was distracted at the doctor's office and must have forgotten them."

I nodded and we headed out. When we got back to Rangeman I put my arm around Babe's waist and we made our way up to 5 and onto the control room floor. All eyes were on us and I noticed Diaz look pointedly at his watch. I frowned and stopped walking as a thought occurred to me. "Why were you distracted at the doctor's office?"

Babe smiled and met my gaze before telling me, "Because I had an ultrasound and found out I'm having twins."

Suddenly the room spun and everything went dark. When I came to I was laying in my bed and Babe was sitting beside me with a worried look on her face. I reached out my hand and caught both of her hands in mine.

"Please don't be mad Batman."

I gently pulled her down on the bed beside me and said, "I'm not mad Babe. How are you doing?"

"Scared. I don't want to lose you."

I closed my mouth over hers and gave her a gentle kiss, "You won't lose me Babe. Check my right hand pocket."

Her gentle hands reached in and pulled out the box. She gave me a nervous look.

"Open it Babe,"

She opened it and gasped, her eyes darting to mine, "It's beautiful. But why?"

"I bought that ring quite a while ago and I've been carrying it around ever since. When this last mission went hinky, that ring is what brought me through. I wanted to come back and put that ring on your finger where it belongs. I love you Stephanie Michelle Plum. Will you marry me?"

Tears fell from her eyes and there was such a look of joy on her face. "I love you Batman. You don't have to marry me….."

"I want to marry you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

She wrapped her arms around me and said, "Yes. I'll marry you Batman."

We sealed it with a passionate kiss that was rapidly turning into something more.