Have you ever woken up trying to remember where you were and how you had got there? That's what kind of happened to me but when I woke up I knew where I was and wished I could forget how I got here. My name is Stephanie Plum when I woke up this morning I was in my own bed at my own apartment.

A week ago I was working, I still had a little credit limit left on my Macy's card and I had my choice between two very hot guys. Today I was still a day from going back to work, my Macy's card is maxed and there is not a male insight outside of rex.

You would think the worst days of my life would have been when gang bangers where after me, but those days where looking better to me now. I'll admit I thought I was going to be raped and killed just before my ass was saved by Sally, a school bus driver in a dress, but luck was against me and I lived to really screw up my life.

After Joe and Ranger had arrived and looked over the carnage Sally had created with a bus and an Uzi. They both had shook hands with Sally and were both staring at me. I felt a drip of sweat run down my back. I reached back to wipe it off. When I pulled my hand back in front of me I notice what I thought was sweat was actually blood.

Joe and Ranger both saw the blood at the same time I did. "Shit!" they said in unison. Before I could react both men had one hand on one of my arms and the other was used to lift my shirt.

"She's going to need to go to the hospital." Joe said to Ranger.

"Do you want to go with her or shall I?" Ranger asked Joe.

"You go with her in the ambulance. I need to be here until this mess is straighten out." Joe said.

"Alright I'll call you when she's done if you haven't made it to the hospital by then." Ranger replied.

"Hey, I'm right here." I yelled I was pissed. "You two don't get to decide what I do. I'm an adult I can make my own decisions."

They both looked at me as if to say 'yeah right'.

"I don't need to go to the hospital. I feel perfectly fine." I said as I grew faint and blackness came into view.

I woke up face down in the emergency room. It took me a minute to remember why I was there. I started to raise my head.

"Babe, try not to move until the doctor comes back to check his handy work." Ranger said.

"Did I get stitches?"

"No"

"I thought I would need stitches."

"So did I but the doctor used a new product on your back. It's like super glue. He glued your back together."

"Why did you let him do that to me?"

"It's alright babe. It is a great product. The healing time will be quicker and you will have less scaring."

"Where is Joe?" I pouted.

"He's still trying to sort out the mess Sally made."

"I want to go home." God I sounded like a baby.

"Where would that be?"

"I don't know" I said. I wanted to cry.

"Your things are still at the apartment." Ranger said. "You can go there until you're sure of what you want to do."

"How much longer before I can go?"

"The doctor should be back any minute to check you and release you."

An hour and a half later I was finally riding the elevator up to Ranger's apartment. I still had not heard from Joe. I know Ranger had talked to him when I was out but that didn't count. I needed to hear his voice. I was a little confused about whether we were on or off.

I walked into Ranger's apartment headed for the couch and laid down. It felt weird mentally to be lying on my back but the doctor said it was not a problem.

Ranger closed the door and placed his keys in the tray next to the door. He walked over to the couch and bent down on his heels to look me in the face.

"Are you alright babe? You look like you're in pain. Do you need a pill?" Ranger said with real concern in his voice.

"I'm ok physically. It's just weird laying on my back knowing it was a mess just a couple of hours ago."

"I think now that the Junkman is history. We need to talk."

Shit! Was he going to yell at me now, because I used his apartment with out his permission? I really did not feel like being yelled at.

"I'm not angry with you babe." Ranger's ESP kicking in.

"What do you want to talk about?"

"Us"

"What us? There is no us. You told me that you didn't do relationships and to go back to Morelli remember?" My voice got louder as I spoke.

"You sure did run back to him quick. You didn't hesitate one second." Ranger's voice was hard.

He pushed away from the couch, stood up and faced the window. I sat up too quickly and my back complained.

"Damn" I said and put my hand to my back.

Ranger turn to me quickly, "Are you okay, babe?" he said with concern back in his voice.

"Yeah, I fine. Don't worry I won't let a little thing like having my back sliced open from keeping me from getting my things and leaving." I started to rise but Ranger pushed me back softly to the couch and sat beside me.

"Look, I'm not trying to get you to leave. I just need to clear the air."

"What air needs to be cleared?"

"I'll admit I was a little hurt that you flew back to Morelli. Even though I thought and still do that you are better off with him than me. I half expected to you to fight me on that, but you didn't. You never do what anyone tells you to do, except for when I told you to go back to Morelli."

I couldn't believe my ears. Ranger felt hurt. Who would have thought that batman could get hurt feelings.

"What would happen if I did do relationships?" Ranger said.

Was he asking me? Holy shit! I'm totally freaked.

Ranger gave a little laugh, "That's what I thought." He said and gave his head a shake and put his arm around me and pulled me close. "Babe, you know I love you, but its not the marry me and kids kind of love. It's the, I'll always be there for you not matter what as a friend kind of love."

"Do you always sleep with your friends?" I asked and Ranger raised an eyebrow at me. I guess I really don't want to know. "What's with all the kissing then?"

"Sorry, babe I've been acting a little childish. I was mad that you had gone to Morelli so quickly I thought I would confuse you. Get you to wonder if you had made a good choice."

"You're an ass hole" I said and jabbed my elbow into his ribs.

"I know, but I'm here for you if you need me. I promise to lay off trying to confuse you and just be your friend."

"Now you're trying to shove me back to Joe, because you don't want me." I said and felt like crying again.

"Listen babe; don't think this is about me not wanting you. It's more like you not wanting me."

"How can you say that?"

"Easy you don't know the real me. What you really want is the batman image that you created for me, but that's not real. In reality I'm not the man you want."

"So since you think Morelli is better for me you think I should go with him?"

"Look Stephanie I'm done trying to tell you what to do. If you don't want to be with Morelli that's okay with me, I'm just letting you know that I'll be here for you as your friend."

"You're saying you will support my decision."

"Yes, but I think you and Morelli need to talk before you make that decision. I need a shower. Just relax. I'll help you take a shower when I'm done."

Usually the thought of Ranger and a shower got to me, but I just keep thinking he just wants me as a friend. He's just been playing with me. I was getting mad, but then I started to think about it. I guest I was willing to play back with Ranger so I couldn't put all the blame on him.

What would happen if I did do relationships? I thought about my reaction to Ranger, Panic. I guess the thought of more than friends really did scare the hell out of me. Ranger and I as friends, I think I could live with that.

I thought about Joe. He could do a relationship. In fact before all this mess with the slayers, Joe was doing a pretty go job. I was the one that was getting edgy. I was the one wanting my apartment back.

Joe was good to me. Sure he doesn't like my job, but he loves me. I love him too. I just can't say it. Damn Dickie! I blame him for my reaction to the L word.

I must have drift off, because the next thing I knew. Ranger was shaking me awake. "I'll help you put the plastic bandage on your back."

I must still be in shock since Ranger's shower gel didn't even get to me. After the shower I got dressed and went back and sat on the couch next to Ranger. He was reading his mail.

"Do you feel better?" he asked.

"I feel hungry."

Ranger smiled. "That's always a good sign" he said.

The doorbell rang and Ranger went to answer it. I heard Joe's voice in the hall and then saw Ranger leading Joe down the hall to me.

"She should be as good as new in about a week. She has some pain pills if she needs them. I'll let you two talk." Ranger said then bent down and brushed a kiss on my forehead. "Call me if you need me."

"Where are you going?"

"Home" Ranger said and left. I guess he was right. How could I have a relationship with someone when I don't even know their address?

Joe came over to the couch and sat were Ranger had been and pulled me close. "How are you feeling, cupcake?" Joe said and gave me a squeeze.

"I'm doing alright, Joe. But I think we should talk."

"God, Stephanie I don't know if I can handle that right now."

"Joe I need to know if you feel like we are still together or not"

"Why?"

"Because I need to know if you want me to move back in or not"

Joe looked relieved. What did he think I was going to say? Oh shit! I think he thought I was going to tell him I was going to stay with Ranger.

"Joe there is only friendship between Ranger and my self. We care for each other but as friends."

"Steph, I know I said I trusted you but I have to ask. Did you and Ranger sleep together, while you were here?" Joe said this while he looked around the apartment like he was looking for clues.

"No, Joe we didn't. However I did become intimate with his shower gel." Ok I know Ranger and I slept in the same bed that one night when I was here but that's not what Joe was asking. I also know that Ranger and I did sleep together once but it was not here so technically I was not lying.

I may not be the brightest girl but I knew it would not help our relationship if I did admit to sleeping with Ranger. I know if Joe has slept with Terri in the past two years I would rather not know.

"Stephanie you know I love you. I want us to be together. I think I should be asking you if we are still together or not. You left me remember."

"I know. I didn't want you to get hurt because of me. Joe you know how I feel about you." I'm such a loser. I should tell him I love him, but I just can't.

"I know" he said and kissed me softy on the mouth. I kissed back and then the kiss intensified. All thoughts left my head. All I knew is that I wanted Joe and I wanted him now. Joe pulled away from me.

"What?" I said confused.

"I think we should take this home." Joe said. "Let's go now. We can your things later."

I looked at Rex's cage. He would be alright for the night.

Joe stood up and pulled me up to him and kissed my cheek and whispered in my ear. "Don't worry Cupcake we'll take him with us."

I hugged him. It felt good to be in his arms. "Could we stop for pizza before we go home" I said.

I woke up the next morning feeling pretty good even though my body was sore, I felt wonderful. A Morelli organism will do that. Best medicine in the world. Unfortunately a Morelli note can send you crashing.

I was alone when I awoke which was not unusual. I just assumed Joe had gone to work. Regrettably I was right about Joe being at work. When I went down to the kitchen to get some coffee, I saw the note.

Cupcake,

I'll be gone a few days on assignment. I talked to Val and she said she'd be out of your apartment this week. You'll need to talk to Dillon about getting someone to sublet it until your lease is up. I wish I was there to help you pack. I called Ranger. He said that he and his guys would help you move. I'll call you when I can.

Love,

Joe

I could not believe my eyes. What made Joe think I was giving up my apartment? Damn he could piss me off. If he thinks I'm giving up my apartment he has another thing coming. What makes him think he can plan my life while I'm sleeping? Hell! He called Ranger. Well I can fix that. I picked up the phone and dialed.

"Yo" Ranger said.

"Yo, you're self." I replied.

"What's up, babe?"

"Nothing, I just wanted to know when I can come by and get my things."

"Didn't Morelli tell you? Tank and I are bring them by tomorrow when we help you move."

This really made me mad. "No he didn't. And you don't have to worry about moving me any where."

"Ok, what ever you say. Where would you like your things delivered?"

"My apartment, but you don't have to deliver them."

"Already in the works, babe, I'll call you later." And he was gone.

I found a few boxes in the garage, so I went around Joe's house and started packing up my things. I don't know why I was doing this. Part of me wanted to live with Joe, but a bigger part of me didn't like to be told what to do.

The next day Ranger showed up at my apartment with my things and let me know that he was going to out of town for a while. I was standing in my apartment surround by my boxes and Val's mess wondering if maybe I over reacted. Maybe I should just move in with Joe, when the phone rang.

"Lo" I said.

"Cupcake, how is the move going?"

"It's not" I said.

"Why not I thought Ranger was going to help you?"

"He had to leave town." My voice sounded a little tight.

"Yeah, but not until later today" Joe said.

"When did we decide I was giving up my apartment?" I yelled into the phone.

"Look, Cupcake, I don't have time to get into this now. We'll talk about this next week."

"Next week! I thought you would be back tomorrow." I said with a pout.

"It can't be helped. I've got to go."

"This is the kind of thing that makes me want to keep my apartment."

"Steph, I love you. Bye."

That was two days ago. My apartment is clean, my things are put away and I'm all alone except for Rex. I got up put coffee on and went into the shower. When I got out I poured a cup of coffee and took out the leftover spice cake my mother had given me to take home last night.

I was taking my second bite when the phone rang.

"Lo" I said.

"Steph, have you heard about Joe?" Mary Lou said with excitement in her voice.

"No" I tried to sound like I didn't care.

"He's in trouble again for shooting somebody, but this time it was another cop."

"Oh shit!"