Finding Our Way
Disclaimer: They're not mine. I'm Just playing. Anything you recognize belongs to Janet Evanovich.
A/N: This story is dedicated to Margaret Aka Whymelucylu, I miss your stories and your thoughts on our little piece of the fanfiction world.
Chapter 1
Steph POV
Another day, another car on it's way to car heaven. I'm sitting on the curb watching the fire department put out the fire. I hear a high performance engine and look up to see Ranger heading for me, with a look of relief on his face.
"Hey Babe, you ok?"
"I'm fine, my skip threw a Molotov cocktail at me, missed and hit my car instead. I tagged him with my stun gun while he was laughing."
Ranger gave me a blinding smile, "Proud of you Babe."
"Thanks." I shook my head, as we both heard squealing tires. "I'm glad someone is."
Sure enough, I see Joe get out of his POS car, and head over to us, his face red. I didn't even know why he bothered to come, I'd broken up with him 3 weeks ago, after walking in on him and Terri Gilman.
Flashback:
Joe had been leaving me messages for days, and I'd been avoiding his calls and him. I had realized that I just couldn't be what he wanted. Just the thought of being a Burg wife, gave me nightmares. I also knew that I was in love with Ranger. I knew I'd have to talk to Joe, but I was trying to figure out a way to break things off without hurting him more than I had to.
Finally I decided that the only way was just to come out and tell him, that while I loved him, I wasn't in love with him. I drove over to his house, seeing his car in the driveway, I sighed and let myself in the front door.
Bob rushed me, somehow I managed to stay on my feet. Scratching his ears, I asked him where Joe was. Bob being Bob, just jumped up and licked my face. I laughed and decided to check upstairs for him.
As I went up the stairs, I heard Joe groan, and my spidey senses started screaming at me. I paused at the top of the stairs listening carefully. I heard more moaning, this time a female moan. My body stiffened, and I opened the bedroom door to see Joe screwing Terri's brains out doggy style.
I was no longer concerned with hurting Joe's feelings. I walked into the room, as both of them turned their heads to look at me. If I hadn't been so pissed off, I would have laughed at the look on both their faces.
I looked at Joe, and said in a very icy tone, "Good-bye Joe."
He looked panicked, "Cupcake I can explain!"
I laughed, "No you really can't, we're done! Don't ever call me again!" And with that I walked out of the bedroom, and out of Joe's house for the last time.
I was actually relieved, Joe and I were over. I was pissed that while I had been trying to figure out a way not to hurt him, he'd been screwing Terri and God knows how many others, while calling me and leaving messages about how much his boys missed me and wanted to see me.
I drove away from Joe's house, and drove to Rangeman. I knew Joe, would go to my apartment. I didn't want to deal with him, so I asked Ranger if I could stay in one of the empty apartments on 4. He told me that I was always welcome, and asked what had happened. I just shook my head, and told him I didn't want to talk about it, but I wasn't in any danger.
I knew he wanted to press, but instead he gave me a hug, and asked me if I needed help bringing my things over. I told him I could handle it and thanked him again.
"No price, Babe."
I smiled and drove back to my place to pack a couple of bags and pick up Rex.
Flashback over:
Joe was stomping over to us, with his arms already waving around. This time I wasn't even interested in pretending, that I cared that he was upset.
Before he could even open his mouth, I said, "Save it Joe, I don't care what you have to say. You lost the right to comment on any part of my life, the second I walked in to find you with your dick in someone else. So just keep your mouth shut!"
I felt more than saw Ranger's head snap around to look at me. When I did look at him I could see the anger on his face. I put my hand on his arm and shook my head. I didn't want him to beat the crap out of Joe.
Joe looked at me stunned, and before he could speak, I shook my head. "Go away Joe, I mean it! You won't like what I have to say if you don't!" And with that I turned my back to him, walking over to Eddie.
"Can I go Eddie?"
"Sure Steph, are you sure you're okay?" He asked while sending a glare to Joe.
"I'm fine, I just want to go home."
"Go ahead we got everything we need, and don't worry Morelli, has no standing here." He gave me a hug, and I thanked him walking back over to Ranger who had yet to stop glaring at Joe.
I knew that if we didn't leave now things were going to get worse, so I put my hand on his arm again and asked him to take me home.
He glanced at me and nodded. He wrapped him around my shoulder, walking me past Joe, who surprisingly had yet to say a word.
Ranger gently helped me into his car, after he closed the door, I looked out the window at Joe. He was staring at me, with a sad look on his face. I sent him another warning glare, as Ranger got in the car.
As Ranger drove us back to Rangeman, I got lost in my thoughts. I knew I was in love with Ranger, but I also knew if I told him, I'd most likely never see him again. That thought had tears coming of my eyes. Ranger reached over gently turning my face toward his.
"He's not worth your tears Babe."
"I know, Joe's not why I'm crying." Oh shit! Crap, why'd I have to say that! Please, please Ranger let it go. Of course he didn't.
"Babe?"
I shook my head, "It's nothing," hoping that he would leave it alone.
He looked at me searchingly, before squeezing my hand. He continued to drive, and I blew out a relieved breath. I knew it was just a temporary reprieve, Ranger wasn't going to let up until he knew what was wrong.
Ranger POV
When Stephanie had come to Rangeman 3 weeks ago, I'd known something was wrong. She'd been adamant that she wasn't in danger, but she wanted to avoid her apartment. I knew she wasn't going to tell me why until she was ready. I was thrilled to have her stay at Rangeman, her apartment wasn't the safest place.
Hearing her tell off Morelli, and finding out he'd cheated on her sent my anger into the red zone. I wanted to beat the hell out of the cop. Steph must have sensed it, because she put her hand on my arm and asked me to take her home. Hearing her call Rangeman home, made my heart lift. The only thing better would be her calling my apartment home.
I loved her, I was through denying it. Through qualifying it. I needed my Babe, like I need air. I knew I needed to tell her.
While I was driving us back to Rangeman, I glanced over at Babe, and saw tears running down her face. My fury at Morelli grew seeing them. I took a deep breath, putting it away for the moment and gently turned her face to mine at a red light.
"He's not worth your tears Babe."
"I know, Joe's not why I'm crying."
I looked at her, trying to figure out why she was crying.
But she just shook her head, and said "It's nothing."
I knew it was something, Stephanie didn't cry over nothing. I could see that she didn't want to talk, her face reflected her panic. I decided to let it go until I could get her in my apartment. Then I was going to find out what was wrong.
Thoughts? Feel free to let me know, I love hearing what you all think. More to come soon!