A/N: This is a little left over from my story "Learning about love" that I left out. I was worried that it was a little too OOC for Ranger, but a good friend insisted that I post it.

Thank you everyone who read and reviewed "Learning about love. I tried to send an individual thank you to all of you, and I apologize sincerely if I missed anyone. A special thank you to Kate Manoso for her friendship, advice and support!

Warning: Sexual content and language

Inside Vinnie's Bond Enforcement Agency

My name is Stephanie Plum, and I'm currently sitting inside of Vinnie's Bond Enforcement Agency where I work with my good friends and co-workers, Lula and Connie. They've just realized that I had sex with my mentor, friend, fellow bounty hunter and, as of today, lover; Ricardo Carlos Manoso.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Come on, girlfriend, you've gotta tell us something," Lula insisted.

"Nope."

"Connie, tell this skinny white girl that she has to tell us one thing about sex with Batman."

Connie looked at me. "She's right. You've got to tell us something." I could feel myself starting to sweat, and I knew I wasn't going to stand up under the pressure.

"Anything," Lula said. "You don't have to give details. We want you to, on account of he's so hot, but you can just give us anything."

Feeling myself crumble under the pressure I blurted out, "Five times in the last 24 hours."

Lula just looked at me like I was dim. "Shit, my man can do five times on a good night. Give us something else." I looked over to see Connie looking back and forth between Lula and me with a look of envy on her face. She was fanning herself like crazy.

"Lula, you said anything." I pointed out.

"Yeah, but I meant anything but that. Give us something else." I frantically searched for something to say as they both stared at me.

"Ranger likes to talk during sex." The room went dead quiet and Connie froze mid-fan.

"Huh. He don't make you call him daddy or some shit like that, does he?"

"NO. EEEW."

"Good, 'cause that's some creepy shit, and I don't want no creepy thoughts about Batman in my head pushing out all the hot stuff." I looked over and Connie was once again frantically fanning.

Lula decided to not let it drop. "Don't suppose you want to tell us what he says?"

"Don't suppose I do."

"Well, you're looking mighty relaxed today, so it must be some good conversation." She looked over at Connie and they both started laughing.

"Hey," I said. "You've never told Connie and me anything about Tank. Fair's fair." Okay, the truth is I'm just as nosy as Lula.

"Hell, girl, that talking crap ain't nothing. Hell, when you're a ho almost every John you pick up wants a little conversation."

"Yeah, but what about Tank," Connie asked.

"Well, you can't say anything, on account of he's a little sensitive about it, but when Tank and I are doing the nasty, he always ..."

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

I walked into the apartment to find Ranger leaning against the doorjamb near the kitchen. I stopped just inside, instantly aware of the anger rolling off of him in waves.

Searching my mind to figure out what I'd done now, I came up blank.

"Ah, hey, what's up?" I figured since I had no idea what was going on, ignorance was the way to go.

Ranger did nothing but watch me for a long moment. When he spoke, his voice was very cool and very controlled, but I could tell it was costing him.

"Did you or did you not tell Lula that I like to talk during sex?" Holy shit! Lula and her big mouth. First chance I'm stunning her.

"Um, it might have slipped out."

Ranger's voice was incredulous. "Slipped out? Slipped out? We're not talking about your grandmother farting, Stephanie. We're talking about ... about..." I watched in fascination as I realized I'd done the impossible. I'd rendered Ranger speechless.

"Um, speaking of farting, did you know Tank farts during sex?" Ranger walked over, sat in the closest chair and put his head down on the dining room table. What can I say, I'm cursed. I make all men crazy eventually.

After a few seconds Ranger lifted his head and turned toward me.

"Lula told you that Tank farts during sex?" Ranger appeared to be processing the information.

"She said it's like making love with a marching band, only she doesn't mind 'cause he's hung like a trombone." Once again Ranger lowered his head to the table, but this time he looked like he was fighting a smile.

"Steph?" I could barely hear Ranger since it appeared he was attempting to smother himself.

"Yes, Ranger?"

"Go to the bedroom and lock the door until I leave. I'm not sure I can resist the urge to strangle you right now." I didn't think it would be a good time to point out that Ranger always gets through doors that I lock, so I just started back to the bedroom. I'm not a coward, and I didn't think Ranger would really strangle me, but a nap sounded really good, so I started quickly walking toward the bedroom careful not to get too close to Ranger as I passed.

I was almost there when his voice stopped me.

"Steph."

I turned to find him looking at me, a worried look on his face.

"Yes, Ranger?"

"You didn't tell Lula anything else, did you?"

"Um --"

"Fuck." Ranger started to get up from the chair.

"I might have mentioned that you have incredible stamina." At the look on Ranger's face I ran the rest of the way to the bedroom and locked the door. A few seconds later I heard him leave and the apartment door slam behind him.

After arguing with myself I decided to go down and apologize to Ranger. Maybe if I told Tank I was only joking with Lula about Ranger talking during sex so she'd quit asking questions, he'd believe me. Denial is my very best friend.

When I got to the fifth floor, neither Tank nor Ranger were anywhere in sight. Hal, Bobby, Lester and Cal looked like they were trying very hard to appear busy. I walked over to Hal who kept glancing toward the door to Ranger's office.

"Hey, what's up?" I asked.

Hal looked uncomfortable. "Um, I'm not sure, but I don't think it's good."

"Why? What's going on?"

"I don't know. About 20 minutes ago we heard the boss say to Tank, 'If you tell anyone, you son of a bitch, you're fired.' Then he left and went upstairs. Just a few minutes ago the boss came back and called Tank into his office. Just before the door slammed shut, we all heard Tank yell, 'If you tell anyone, you bastard, I'll kill you.' No one knows what's going on, but none of us want to be involved."

Just then we heard the door to Ranger's office open. Throwing a frantic look at Hal I bolted for the exit and flew down the steps.