Disclaimers: I own nothing, no profit made, no harm and no foul.

Author's Note: This is the follow up to Nothing But Time on My Hands and begins immediately after Ram's ending. This will be a Steph/Ram pairing. No MM have been harmed in the making of this story.

Thanks as always to the bevy of Betas ... you know who you are and have made a huge difference in the making of this story; some of you are directly responsible for helping make it happen.

After Samhain …

the follow up to Nothing But Time on My Hands

Ram's Pairing Chapter 1

Several months ago, I wouldn't have thought I'd be dating someone new. I hadn't expected to date anyone at all. In my estimation, the eligible bachelor pond had been drained. Joe had moved away, Ranger never made use of his famed opportunities, and Woody had found the love of his life. I had determined to buy a cat when my hamster, Rex, died. I don't think it's fair to have predator and prey in the same apartment together.

For years, I'd allowed myself to be blinded by the TDH Ranger. TDH stands for tall, dark and handsome, of course. Ranger appears to have no physical flaws other than some scarring provided by others. Ranger had built his body and life to marble perfection, sadly, the marble encased his heart as well as his body. There was no getting past the walls he'd erected and it was doubtful anyone could ever gain entry.

Ranger and I danced around each other and couldn't seem to break the cycle until he made some rather crude assumptions at the office. That day he shattered whatever hopes I may have had of a different kind of a relationship. It was made clear to me that I was going to have to find happiness myself and not wait for a someday with him.

Someday is like tomorrow. Someday never comes. At least, I don't think it does. Someday isn't a holiday on any calendar I've seen. There are no Someday cards sold in cardshops. There are no special sales in honor of Someday. Someday is like Santa, a nice idea, but doesn't really exist anywhere. Someday lives in the hearts of romantics and sixteen year old girls, I far exceed the age limit to believe in Someday.

What happened with Joe? He finally realized that we would never be good in the long term. We'd been on again and off again more times than I could keep count. There was no big explosion or fight, just a sad realization that oil and water can join for a brief time, but separate quickly. When an offer to move out of town had fallen in his lap, he'd jumped on it as quickly as he could.

In so many ways, Woody would have been the perfect man; a teddy bear in SWAT blacks. When he'd looked for his soulmate, he'd asked me to help. While I helped, I realized he'd been fun, funny and engaging. He accepted me at all levels, he had become my rock. I fell in love and couldn't bring myself to tell him. He and I are of different belief systems, so it made me more than a little afraid to pursue him. I was fine with his beliefs, but he was probably looking for someone closer in background. Conversion wasn't really something I wanted to do for any man.

Shortly after my realization about Ranger, someone who was voiceless and faceless reached across the aisle to me and offered friendship. No strings, no requirements, no expectations; friendship plain and simple was the offer on the table. Actually, in the beginning it was a show of support that became more. Later I found myself more and more relying on this unknown someone who e-mailed me and sent me the odd gift or gift certificate.

I'd wanted to meet this e-mail friend, but the thought of it terrified me. He could've been a serial killer. He could've been an eighteen year old boy who was trying to act mature. For that matter, he could've been several guys combined doing it as a joke or a gag of some kind. To say that meeting 'him' had me on pins and needles is an understatement. I was scarred witless, but I also know that without great risk, there can be no great reward.

Almost as soon as I'd agreed to an actual time to meet him, I found myself thrown into a Cinderella experience. A fancy dress was provided along with appropriate accessories and a car was sent to pick me up and deliver me to meet my Prince Charming. The location was an unknown, just like Cindy not knowing what would be in store at the castle.

I can't remember if I was more nervous on my wedding day. However, this was a challenge and I don't back down from those. The worst thing that could possibly happen would be that I would spend an evening out with someone I'd never see again. The fairy tale would end and my sense of worth would be restored.

In the end, my acquaintance turned out to be someone I wouldn't have expected, but someone I'd secretly hoped for. It was Ram and I couldn't have been happier. We fit together like an old pair of shoes; the favorites you wear when you know you have marathon shopping to do. Around the office, before I knew who my 'friend' was, Ram and I started spending a lot of time together on the range. There was just light banter and gentle teasing, but he didn't let me get away with sloppy work and I found myself trying hard to please him.

In late summer, early fall, we did a distraction posing as a couple, and it turns out I'm the one who got distracted. He played the role of attentive boyfriend incredibly well. There had been kissing, touching and provocative rubbing that night; I was so turned on that I wished the skip wouldn't show and we could continue our 'date'. Lord, that man can kiss. He had my internal temperature up so high, it took three days for me to cool down.

We officially met on Halloween night, my favorite holiday. I love everything about Halloween, the crisp air, the costumes, the freedom to be someone else for the night, not to mention the candy. Turns out this year I got eye-candy for Halloween. There is something about a chiseled jaw, a cleft chin and eyes that are full of mischief that makes my heart go pitter patter. The fact that he has a strong body that rivals any of the fitness models is just a bonus.

Because Ram is a witch like Woody is, it gave me a little bit of pause. Woody hadn't told me out right I'd need to convert, but he told me how important his religion was to him. Ram told me out of the gate that he kept his religion mostly in his heart and wasn't traditional in some of the ways he observed his faith. He'd proven his non-traditional bent on Halloween; he took me to dinner, wined me, dined me and went home. For him it was a way to honor everything about me without the pressure of engaging in sex.

xx

Sunday afternoon, Ram called. He wanted to catch a bite to eat. When I asked if he wanted to do take out and see a DVD, he declined.

"I'd rather be with you in a public place," he said quietly.

"Why? I mean I know my apartment isn't all that great, but we could go to your place," I said.

"That's not what I mean. I'm trying to take my time with you. I don't want to push a physical relationship on either of us."

"Oh."

"I think we're too old for chaperons, but I'm trying to stay out of the direct line of temptation. Please?"

I've never been able to resist a man who uses please, so I acquiesced. We went to a little Greek place, had salads and split an entrée. We completed the evening by taking a walk in the park. He escorted me back to my apartment, but initially declined to come inside.

"Not even for a few minutes?" I asked wondering how long it might take to talk him out of his pants.

He shook his head slowly. "I was serious the other night. I want to be sure you know you're with me and not Ranger. I know you think you are ready for something new, but I need some time."

"I know you're not Ranger; you talk. You can even use complete sentences," I said with a smile.

"I don't want you to think I'm taking advantage of the situation."

Great. He's a gentleman and I'm going to be left high and dry.

"Will you let me kiss you good night?" I asked.

"I'd like that."

I maneuvered him so his back was against the wall with his legs spread. I walked between them and began to kiss him. I started at his cheek and moved my lips down his jawline until I reached his lips leaving tiny kisses in my wake. I kissed one corner of his mouth and then the next. I was taking my time and enjoying it. I wasn't going to be the only one who was frustrated when it was over.

He stopped me from intentionally missing my target and took control of the kiss. His tongue had a very slow but steady rhythm. That rhythm traveled from lips to hips. I wasn't aware of undulating at the same tempo, I was just doing that which came naturally. All I was conscious of was the heat from his body and the textures under my fingers and the taste of his lips.

Someone moaned; I think it was me.

He heard the moan and was treated it like a bell in a boxing ring; he immediately disengaged.

"Evan…" what else I was going to say, I wasn't quite sure.

"Good night, Steph. I'll see you at work tomorrow."

To say I was disappointed was an understatement. Maybe he was following the three date rule. You know, no sex until you've had at least three dates. If he was counting the way I was, the distraction counted as one, Halloween counted as two, and tonight should have been three. Maybe he started counting from the other night, which meant the next time together would be three. I mentally and emotionally, I could live with that; I wasn't sure how well my body was going to do with it though.

xx

Before I went to work on Monday, I made sure I spent a little extra time on my hair and makeup. I even added a touch of perfume, not that anyone else would appreciate it. There wasn't a lot I could do about my work clothes; the uniform was the uniform. I had the joy of wearing basic black everything, at least the stuff that was visible. I did wear extra lacy undies and a matching bra though; they made me feel like a girl.

I checked my e-mail first thing to make sure I hadn't missed anything important over the weekend. It didn't appear that there was anything out of the ordinary; just standard reports and searches. Before I knew it, my computer beeped at me to remind me it was time to go to the range. For the first time in I don't know how long I was excited to spend time there. I hadn't dreaded it the last couple of months, but I hadn't been excited to go either.

I was about to leave my desk and head downstairs when Ranger called my extension.

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

"Can you come into my office, I want to go over something with you," he said.

At least it wasn't the dreaded 'we need to talk' I'd heard so much in my life.

"Sure. Do you want me to come now or after I'm done at the range?" I really wanted to see him after I'd seen Ram.

"Now."

Once again, there was no 'good bye' or any kind of a sign-off. Then again, Ranger never was known for his phone manners.

I walked to Ranger's office and knocked on the door frame, he was grunting into the phone. He indicated that I should enter and sit at the chair in front of his desk.

"Do you want me to close the door?" I asked getting out of my chair.

He shook his head as Ram walked into the room.

"Hey," I said quietly.

Ram gave me a small nod and a tiny smile as he took the neighboring chair.

"Close the door, Ram," Ranger said quietly after he hung up the phone.

Suddenly I felt like we'd been naughty school children and we were in the principal's office. I'd had to sign a new contract with Rangeman a couple of months ago and didn't see any clauses about fraternization, so I really hoped that this wasn't about the fact I might be dating Ram.

"I don't want the two of you working on the range together anymore," Ranger said.

"Why? I'm finally comfortable and doing well there," I said. "We've been working really hard."

"Exactly. You no longer need to be on the range every day for two hours. There are better ways for you to utilize your time, unless you want to start shooting competitively."

"Do you want to compete?" Ram asked. I knew he wanted me to do it. I knew he wanted to coach me; it would look good for both of us.

"No. I'm just glad I no longer hate my weapon."

"That was the purpose of having you spend so much time there, mission accomplished. Now you will be using that same time on the mats with Caesar learning hand-to-hand combat and self defense techniques."

"I can teach her. I've already done some work with her; there's no reason to stop. Besides, I trained Caesar," Ram said tightly.

"Are you dating Caesar?" Ranger asked looking directly at me.

"No."

"Are you dating Ram?"

I looked at Ram before I answered, "Maybe. I don't know. I'm not the only one who's making that decision."

Ranger raised an eyebrow and looked at Ram. "Do you plan to date her?"

"Yes," Ram said with no hesitation.

"Then you can't teach her or coach her anymore, unless you are the only one here."

"Why?" I asked. I felt like I was being punished. No. I knew I was being punished.

Before Ranger could answer, Ram beat him to the punch. "He doesn't think you'll listen to me. He thinks I'll distract you."

"But …" I started to say.

Ram interrupted me, "He's probably right. You should work with someone who has no bias and won't let you get away with anything."

"But you never …" I said.

"No I never let you get away with anything, but it might change now. He's looking out for your best interest and the company."

I glowered, I had just lost my chance to spend alone time with Ram and Ranger was my obstacle.

"Who is going to make sure I keep my firearms skills sharp?" I asked trying not to pout.

"Zip will work with you once a week, more if it's deemed necessary," Ranger said.

Ram looked like he didn't agree with Ranger's choices, but he said nothing.

"Is there anything else?" Ram asked.

"No, you can go. Stephanie, I need for you to stay for a minute."

After Ram left the room, Ranger closed the door.

"Babe," he said softly, "are you sure about this?"

"No," I said.

"Then why?"

"I'm never sure of anything in my life, you know that. I told you that I was ready for something with someone. I don't think you'll ever be ready and I don't want to wait any more."

He looked at me like I'd just taken a knife to him.

"If I could ever be ready for someone, it would be you," he said. "I wish things could be different."

"So did I. Ranger, someday is a great dream, but I want something that's real. Ram is real, you are a dream. An incredibly sexy and wonderful dream," I said smiling at him, "but you're just a dream."

"I won't stop you from dating him, but I won't have you working together. Couples tend to have distractions when they work together."

"You don't have any couples that work here, Ranger. The only gay man I know of is Hector."

"Don't be so sure there aren't couples here, or that Hector is necessarily gay."

"Who else …" I wanted to know who.

"It doesn't really matter, Stephanie. No couples work together."

"But we worked together, a lot."

"We were never really a couple, Babe. We both know that. If we were, there's no way you'd be considering dating Ram."

He was probably right.

"I'm having a utility closet next to the gym converted for your use. I think it would be better for you if you didn't use my apartment to shower up in any more."

"Afraid you might tempt me?" He was always tempting in one way or another.

"No. I don't want the temptation. I'm trying to give you a chance at something with Ram."

"In that case, no poaching," I said rising from my chair. Part of me didn't want to say it, part of me knew it was better to be up front about it. Morelli had tolerated it, just. Ram wasn't Morelli and was Ranger's equal in size, strength and ability. If Ram and Ranger went at it, things could be bad all the way around.

Ranger stood next to me.

"I'll try to remember," he said as he tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. He closed his eyes and said, "I wish things were different. If only…"

"I know about 'if only'. Thanks for understanding, Ranger," I said kissing him on the cheek.

I opened the door and saw Ram loitering outside it.

"Everything OK?" he asked.

"Yeah. It's just going to be a little strained for a while. I'm going to miss not being able to see you every day," I said quietly.

"Who says you won't see me? We just won't be alone here is all."

He was right, of course I'd still see him. Neither of us had lost our jobs. Neither of us was being transferred to a different office. It was just that now things were different. Seeing Ram at the office was going to be somewhat akin to standing in front of a candy store, I'd be looking, mouth watering, and not tasting or touching. It would be hard, but if he could do it I could do it too.

He headed back to the range and I headed back to the cubicle farm.

Thanks as always for reading and reviewing...Alf