Freedom

Chapter 1

SPOV

Ugh! Another damn car gone. I'm laying on the sidewalk outside the bonds office. Yes, laying. It's 5:30, and the girls, Connie and Lula, had already left the office for the day. Lula dropped me off at my car after we caught our last skip, and when I went to start my car, I smelled gasoline. Not wanting to risk it, I got out of the car, closed the door, started walking towards the building to call for a ride and BOOM! My car explodes, knocking me on my ass. I can't seem to will myself to move. My arms are stretched out above my head and to someone walking up to the scene, I probably look dead. I may as well be when Joe gets here. He's going to be livid. Another damn car! What are the chances!

I'm Stephanie Plum, aka the Bombshell Bounty Hunter. At first I was flattered with the title Bombshell, but when I found out it referred to all my blown up cars, it pissed me off. The only people that still occasionally call me Bombshell and get away with it are Ranger's Merry Men. Ranger of course being Ricardo Carlos Manoso, owner of Rangeman, a security company here in Trenton. I'm in love with Ranger, but please, don't tell him that. The other man in my life, double Ugh!, is Joe Morelli, or detective Joe Morelli with the Trenton PD. Nothing but trouble there. Speaking of which…

Sure enough, I hear the familiar rumble of Joe's POS cop car and a door slamming. Sure, there were other cars arriving, but his is the one I recognize. I hear sirens in the background, getting louder by the second. Great, the calvary is coming. I hear loud footsteps stomp over to me and then Joe's oh, so familiar gravely voice telling me what a fuck up I am. "Jesus Cupcake, what did you get yourself into this time? You're a disgrace to bounty hunters everywhere! When will you just stop embarrassing me, your family and friends? I'm talking to you dammit! Open your eyes and stop ignoring me! Come on, you belong in my house, cooking my dinners, barefoot and pregnant and we're going to put that plan into motion tonight!" What Joe didn't know was Ranger, Tank, Bobby & Lester were standing behind him listening to every word, tight, angry expressions on their faces. Ya, I peeked. I couldn't help but peek when I felt a familiar tingle on my neck.

After a few moments of silence, I felt strong hands, rubbing down my body from my hands, down my arms, my torso, and finally resting on my waist. I knew these hands. I still didn't open my eyes completely, but I smiled. "Babe, are you ok? Are you hurt? Do you have pain anywhere?" I could feel a tear escape my left eye and roll down my cheek. I sniffled before replying, "Yes, I am, the pain I'm in you can't help me with." I will not cry in front of Ranger. "Babe, you know I'd do anything for you."

I sat up. Ranger took my hands and helped me to my feet. I swayed a bit and he put his arm around my waist, looking me in the eye, silently questioning if I was in deed physically ok.

"Goddammit Cupcake, get over here! Manoso, get your arm off my fiancé." Joe was obviously having a tantrum over seeing me so close to Ranger. "Babe?" How can he use one word to mean so many things?

Before I could respond, Big Dog came over, accessed the situation and requested Joe's help, thankfully taking him away from us. "I'll be right back Cupcake, and I'm taking you home! If you leave… I'll find you!" Ouch! The venom in his voice was palpable.

Tank took me over to one of the SUV's and helped me sit at the open back. Ranger had stepped to the side to answer a phone call and Bobby was instantly at my side, checking my blood pressure. "Steph, your heart is racing. You're shaking, what's going on?" If he only knew. "Bobby, please, I can't go home with Joe. If he gets me alone tonight…. Please, Bobby, I'm scared…"

"He's your fiancé, what do you have to be scared of?" His concern was touching as he continued to check me for other injuries, lifting my hair, feeling for lumps. Putting some anticeptic on one of my scrapes, I winced at the sting of the alcohol. "I'm not his fiancé! He won't let me go. I broke it off with him three months ago. I avoid him as best I can, I can't go out anymore by myself or with anyone else. He's threatened me. I'm sorry, I know this isn't your problem. I'll just walk home before he realizes I've left…" I hopped down off of the SUV when I was grabbed by a large, strong hand and pulled into a warm chest and encased in a leather coat. Mmmm…Bulgari. "Not so fast Babe."

"Ranger, Steph was just saying…" Bobby tried to relay the conversation we just had but was cut off. "I know, I heard it all. Babe, everyone knows you're engaged, what's going on?" Ranger sighed as he said I was engaged. Ranger never sighs.

"I'm not! I swear to you! He's told everyone we are and said if I contradict him, I'd live to regret it. I don't know what to do. These last couple of months he would smack me around, always where no one could see the bruises. He threatened that if I told anyone, he would make me disappear. He's got me trapped. He's a cop for crying out loud! He of all people can get around the law. I haven't been in his bed in over five months! You've got to believe me!" I was crying so hard, I barely got out what I whispered next. "I've been so lonely not being able to tell someone the truth."

"Babe, would you come back to Rangeman with us, would you let us protect you while we figure out how to handle Morelli?" His eyes were pleading with me. How can I resist such an invitation? "Yes, I would like that." I looked up at Ranger's face and even though he wasn't smiling, the look in his eyes told me he was happy with my agreement.

I got into the back seat of the SUV and could hear Joe yelling in the background "Steph, where the hell do you think you're going…Manoso, you're going to regret this!" When I looked back, he was running towards us as Tank peeled onto the street and towards Haywood.

"Ranger, Joe is right, he can make you regret helping me. He can make life difficult for you! Are you sure about this?" I hate the thought of bringing drama into his life more than I already have. "Stephanie, there is nothing more important to me than you, and I'd do anything to keep you safe. Let's talk more about this at home." I know he wouldn't let anything bad happen to me, and I certainly knew he wasn't afraid of the likes of Joe Morelli. Hmmm, Ranger said he was taking me home. I like the sound of that. For however long he'd let me stay.

The drive to Rangeman was quick. Then again, when you fall asleep, everything goes by quickly. My door was being opened and Ranger asked if I needed help getting to the elevator. "No, I'm ok. Just a little stiff is all." I wobbled slightly as we walked towards the elevator, Ranger at my side, an arm around my waist for support.

"Stephanie, we need to talk about Morelli" Ranger said with a serious tone. "I know you tend to keep things to yourself and I assume when you spoke of what's been going on, you weren't telling us everything." He was right of course. I had been vague, only giving them a gist of what had happened over the last three months.

"Ranger, I will tell you everything, but it's embarrassing. Do you want to talk about it now, or later?" Later, later, please say later. "Since you will most likely need some protection for a while, let's have this talk in the conference room with the core team, is that alright with you?" Ranger asked, hoping she would go along with his plan. "Ya, I guess. I was just hoping to keep this as quiet as possible, but you're right, the guys need to know." And with that said, I stood up and went to the window, staring out at nothing in particular. "Babe, you know the guys are your friends. They've missed you over these last months. They won't betray your trust, they want to see you safe, as do I." Ranger stood behind me and wrapped me in his arms, I wrapped mine around his. I could feel his support. If only I could freeze this moment.

Ranger's phone rang and broke the silence we were enjoying just the two of us. "Yo…We're going to eat dinner first. We'll be there in an hour…Gather the core team…" And he hung up. Will he ever learn to properly end a phone call? "Babe, why don't you freshen up before dinner."

In the safety of Ranger's bathroom, I was trying to calm myself for what was coming. I felt weak. I had let a man control me and get under my skin. Joe had everyone believing his lies for these last few months and I had to watch as my friends became more isolated from me. Come on Steph, you can do this… now if only I could believe that. I emerged from Ranger's bathroom and joined Ranger at the dining room table as we quietly ate dinner. After loading the dishes in the dishwasher, I was ready. We quietly rode down to the 5th floor. I was greeted by several Merry Men as we passed by their cubicles and the monitor bay. I gave them all a week smile or a slight hug. They were all so welcoming to me, it warmed my heart. Not having seen them for so long, I wasn't sure what to expect. "I hope I'm not going to be disappointed. I hate when that happens."

Upon entering the conference room, I noticed we were the first to arrive. Ranger guided me to the seat to the right of his. "Babe, when the guys get here, we'll start. You have a few minutes to calm yourself, can I get you a bottle of water?" "Yes, please. And Ranger, thank you. I feel safe here. I don't know how I'm going to repay you for this." A smile took over his previously serious expression. "No price, Babe. Ever. I mean that."

"Hi Bomber." Tank came up and gave me a big hug. "You're looking good." He said while not quite letting go yet. "Thanks big guy. You're looking pretty good too. Lula fills me in occasionally on you. I'm glad you two are happy together." His face broke out in a huge grin. "Thanks girl, I am happy."

"Hey Beautiful! Let me get a good look at you." Lester said while his eyes scanned me from head to toe. "Nope, no singe marks. That was one hell of an explosion tonight! It's been a while since one of your ride's blew up." I hit him on the arm. "Thanks a lot Les, you had to remind me of that!"

Bobby came in next with Hal and pulled me out of Lester's hug. "Steph, how are you feeling?" After a brief hug, he held me at arm's length, looking me over from head to toe. "A little stiff, I'll be alright though. Thanks for checking me out tonight Bobby." "No problem Steph, that's what I'm here for…anytime."

I looked over at Hal and nodded in his direction. "Hi Hal. I haven't seen you for a while, how have you been?" "Great Bombshell, it's good to see you again. It's been too long." I looked down at my feet. I didn't know how to respond to that.

TPOV

"Men, take your seats, let's get this meeting started." Ranger's voice broke through the awkward moment. We all took our seats at one end of the huge table. "Report!" Hal started. "Morelli left the scene and went straight to Steph's apartment. We followed a safe distance behind, not being detected. He re-emerged from her apartment a few minutes later and then went home. He was there for about 10 minutes before returning to her apartment. He spent 30 minutes in the building, went to a nearby bar, "The Watering Hole" where he was scene very cozy with a blonde. He's still there." Hal was careful not to make eye contact with Stephanie during his report, just looking at Ranger on the occasions he took his eyes off the report.

"Babe, we need to all hear from the top what's been going on between you and Morelli." Ranger said looking at Steph, encouraging her with a gentle tone. We all looked at her with anticipation, expecting her to tell us they were just fighting, in another one of their 'off-again' stages. What we didn't anticipate was the tears that started silently streaming down her face. She was looking at the glass conference table and we could see her wringing her hands together in a frustrated manner. Ranger reached over to her and lifted her chin to face him. "Take your time Babe, and remember what I said. These men are your friends as well as Rangeman employees. They're here to help you, not only because I asked them to, but also because they care about you." Stephanie was trying to blink the tears away and looked slowly around the table at all of us. We were nodding and giving her an encouraging smile of support.

SPOV

"Well…let me go back a ways. I've dated Joe for the last couple of years because…well, because I've always known him. He was safe. After my loveless marriage to Dickie that I was pushed into by my mother, I needed someone safe. What I didn't realize until a few months back was that he was safe because I didn't love him and knew that because I didn't, he could never break my heart. My Mom, whenever we were on one of our off-again stages would relentlessly harp on me that Joe was my last chance at happiness. I didn't want to believe her, but after you've heard something for so long…" I paused, not looking up, trying to find where to go from there. "I was never going to be what he wanted. He wants a housewife, a mother to his children, all the things I never wanted…with him. I told him that I loved him as a friend and could never love him more or be what he wanted. I told him it wasn't fair to keep him from finding someone that could fulfill his dreams." I took a deep breath, closed my eyes and jumped in feet first. "That was the first time he really hit me. I never saw it coming. Joe told me I was stupid and couldn't see what a perfect life I had in front of me. He told me I needed to grow up. When I started to yell at him, he lifted me off the ground and held me against the wall with his hand against my throat. I was having a hard time breathing. He told me I was going to be his wife and the mother to his children and to get used to the idea." I could feel the tears running down my cheeks again and quickly wiped them, not wanting the guys to think I was weak. "I was scared. I hadn't seen that side of Joe before. When he let me go, he backhanded me and when I fell to the ground, he kicked me in the gut, knocking the air out of me. When I woke up the next morning, I was on his couch. I gathered my things, intending to never return. Before I could go, he threatened that if I valued my life, I wouldn't speak a work of this to anyone, that he could make my death look like an accident, or worse, pin it on you." I was interrupted "Babe…" I looked up at Ranger and pleaded with him. "Please, let me finish." He nodded his head and I continued. "That was over three months ago. I tried so hard to avoid him whenever I went out. I would spot him watching me at takedowns, he would always approach me and touch me at the station when I took an FTA in, and if I ever went out personally, when I'd get home, I could tell he had been in my apartment, so I stopped going out. If I contradicted him or disagreed with him, he'd hit me. Whenever I go to my parent's house for dinner, he was always there. I even changed up the days I'd go, but he was always there. My Mom always invited him. I'm…I'm…" I paused for a moment, trying to think of the right word. "I'm trapped."

For the first time, I looked up and what I saw were faces of men that were trying hard to maintain control. They were failing miserably. Anger emanated off of them and I had an overwhelming urge to run. I got up and started for the door only to run into a wall of delicious smelling muscle. "Babe, where are you going?" "I'm so sorry Ranger, I see how upset you all are, I'm so sorry…I'll just get my things and leave." Just let me leave. "Babe, we're not mad at you. We had no idea you were living your own personal hell. Please, let us help you."

After I sat back down at the table, Bobby was the first to speak up. "Steph, was that the only time he abused you like that?" Ah, hell! "I was hoping like hell you wouldn't ask that. It was the first time. There have been a few other times since. Once, he thought I was too 'friendly' with an FTA. Another time, I was at the bonds office at the same time as you, Ranger. I didn't leave early enough, and he thought we were having a secret trist." God, I only wish! Bobby kept prodding "Steph, did he ever violate you against your will?" Oh, please, if only the earth would just swallow me up whole. "Joe came over to my apartment frequently. One night, he brought over pizza and beer. After just one beer, I was feeling funny and everything got blurry. The next thing I know it was the next morning and I was naked in my bed." I couldn't continue, I was full on crying. Ranger intervened and called for a break. All the men left the room, I felt Ranger lift me and put me on his lap. "It's ok Babe, everything is going to be alright." He had his hand under the back of my shirt, rubbing little circles with his thumb. "I had no idea, Babe. Please, forgive me." I sat up quickly. "WHAT? What did you do?" "I let you down. I wasn't there when you needed me. I didn't protect you. You name it, I let you down. I can't believe what you've been through. "Ranger, you're my best friend, you could never let me down! You didn't know what was happening." If only I had told him what was going on from the beginning.

"Stephanie, I heard you were engaged and my pride was hurt. I knew I had lost my chance with you because of my own stupidity. It was me that told you to go back to him and I knew when I heard that you were engaged that I'd never love again." This time it was Ranger that looked defeated. I couldn't believe what he had just told me. "Ranger, I need to tell you something, but you have to promise me that you won't push me away. Promise me we'll still be friends." It was time to come clean, but I was scared of losing his friendship in the process. "I promise, Babe. Anything you have to say could never make me push you away." Time to lay it on the line.

I closed my eyes and in what was probably a really pathetic voice, I told him "I'm in love with you. Hopelessly so. Always have been." I could feel my face being cradled by two strong hands that I knew would never be used to harm me. "Stephanie Michelle Plum, I am in love with you as well. I can't imagine my life without you and when I thought I lost you, a big part of me died." I leaned in and kissed him with all the love, all the feeling that I could muster. Feeling the kiss deepen and him reciprocating was heaven.

"Babe, we need to continue the meeting. Can we talk about us more later upstairs in our apartment?" I was hoping she'd catch on to the words I'd used. "Sure." I opened the door to the conference room and let the men back in. "Wait! Our apartment?" "I was hoping, if that's alright with you, to make it our apartment, our home." I couldn't even answer. I was smiling so big my face hurt.

"Boss, whatever you did, it worked." Lester was trying to be charming. "Beautiful, you look happier." That's funny, I've never felt happier. Lester started laughing. "Oops, I said that out loud, didn't I?" Les came and gave me a hug. "I'm glad to hear it Steph."

"Let's finish this meeting." Ranger got us back on task. "Babe, is there anything else you think we should know before we start planning what to do about Morelli?" All eyes, once again, were on me. "No, not that I can think of. I'm embarrassed to say this, but I'm truly scared of Joe. I'm exhausted from dodging him all the time. I don't sleep. I can't eat. I haven't truly relaxed months. My next step was to run away, change my name and start a new life where he can't find me." I was once again scooped up and placed on Ranger's lap. "Babe, promise me that you won't run. Let us help you." I can't imagine not having this man in my life. No, I would not let Joe take this away from me. I will stay and fight for the future I want.

Ranger took over the meeting. "Steph, obviously Morelli is going to figure out where you are. To be safe, I'd like it if you always had someone of the core team with you when you need to leave the building. He's going to be unpredictable and like you said, he's a cop and can skirt around the law like no one else." He was looking to me for a reaction. I surprise him when I said, "What? That's the best you've got? I want to add something to that. I am happy to have one of you fine looking man with me when I leave the building because I'd like to return here, in one piece. I'm ready for some backup. There's something I need to do for me though. I want to spread it through the 'burg grapevine that Joe and I are not engaged. I can't stand the thought of being connected to him, even fictitiously for one more second!" Ranger tightened his hold on me. "Proud of you, babe." "Oh, and one more thing…you're not going to like this one, but…can Ella make me some pineapple upside down cake? I know, I know, 'that stuff will kill you', but I don't think I'll be seeing my Mom for a while once she hears about me and Joe, and I'll miss my favorite cake." That request made laughter erupt in the room. "What? Can't a girl have her cake and eat it too?" When I felt Ranger shaking from laughing so hard, it made me happy to hear him say, "You never disappoint, babe." And with that contented feeling, I turned around to straddle his lap, not caring what his men thought, nuzzled my face in his neck, and felt myself relaxing.

TPOV

We all sat in shock after seeing Steph straddle Ranger in the middle of a meeting to give him a hug. And when we heard her sleeping, we knew this was the first time she had felt safe enough to do so in a while. We helped Ranger get up and position himself on the sofa, putting a blanket over him. I had never seen my best friend so openly admitting his love for Steph, and was pleased to see they were finally on the same wave length. I took over the meeting and we continued discussing several scenarios and how to handle them. We all loved this woman, in our own way and would stop at nothing to protect her. After an hour, Ranger called the meeting to a close and carried Steph upstairs to his apartment. I noticed Hal had been particularly quiet when Steph was talking initially, so I asked him to stay for a few minutes.

"Hal, you're not normally this quiet, what's going on? Do you not want to be on Bomber duty?" "No, that's not it, not at all." He started pacing and then spoke "my sister was abused by her husband. We didn't know because, like Morelli, her husband threatened her with death. None of us knew until a nurse at the hospital that I went to school with contacted me and told me she had treated her and asked if I knew. Of course I didn't know! Like Steph, my sister started pulling away, seeing us less, not going out in public. We thought she was happy because that's what he told us. I felt like a fool then and I feel like a damn fool now!" His voice was rising with his words. "I swear if I'm there when he tries to take her or hurt her again, I hope Ranger doesn't hold me responsible for my actions, I will not be able to control myself!" Bobby and Lester had rejoined us when they heard the volume coming from the conference room, even though the door had been closed. Bobby spoke first "we all love her, man, we'll do what we can to protect her." Lester, looking deep in thought spoke next. "I'll go up and talk to my cousin. I think we need all of Rangeman to know what's going on, to some degree, even though it's us that she'll be going out with. They need to know to keep Joe out of the building, and we might need two men on her at times. I'll let you all know what he thinks."

RPOV

The next afternoon, after watching my Babe sleep since the meeting last night, I had a feeling of peace. I knew we were headed into a battle, us against Morelli, but knowing she could sleep with me by her side peacefully made me feel good. I haven't had positive thoughts like this in far too long. I would not willingly let her go, no matter the cost. Lester had been up to my apartment the night before and I agreed, the whole building needed to know about the situation as well as be reminded of their confidentiality agreement that was part of their employment contract. Tank had called later to let me know about his conversation with Hal. I decided to hold off on letting him go out with her. He needed some time to reign in his emotions so he wouldn't be distracted.