***** This is my first project and the first several chapters were self edited, there are a lot of mistakes, believe me I cringe when I re-read. I've left the chapters as is because I want to see for myself how my writing has changed of course later on I had the help of a wonderful editor Susan Peters. I just ask that you see past the mistakes and give the story a chance.*****

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The worst THREAT ever.

I do not own the characters, they belong to JE.

I researched a few of the restaurant menu options and locations, but added my own items.

All the medical information has been researched a little, all mistakes are mine. Medical information is not to be used as a guideline of any sorts, it is all make believe and has not been confirmed by any medical authority. There is a little smut, music, lyrics and artist profiles have been copied from Wikipedia and not 100% sure of the accuracy, but using it for my story purposes.

All government and military information copied from Wikipedia and some items I have made up myself.

All translations done using google translate.

This is my first story, constructive criticism is appreciated, pure fantasy and my own story.

ALL MISTAKES ARE MINE.

Stephanie is telling the story.

Stephanie is in a low point in her life, Joe is in the picture somewhat, is Ranger in or out? This story takes place after Top Secret Twenty One, after Ranger sends Stephanie back home to Morelli yet again.

WHAT IN THE WORLD

-1-

Laying in my hospital bed waiting for my surgery, my thoughts drifted to all the things that have happened in my life. I'd managed to survive so much and nothing scared me as much as this latest threat. I'd gone through kidnappings, being shot, rolling in garbage, and seeing the man I love get shot and so much more.

I know that it was not fair that I did not let anyone in my room but I just needed this time to reflect on what has happened and what led me to this point. Things I promised Grandma Mazur.

Losing my Grandma Mazur was tough, she was so full of life, so vibrant and one of my best friends. She had always supported me from the time I was old enough to run away from home and hide out at her house.

She died in her sleep, we thought she was just tired since she and her friends had gone on a trip across the country by bus and spent time in every single State in the United States. I have all the post cards from every City and every Town they visited.

Grandma was such a lively person. She had been back about 1 week and she just looked tired. I kept telling her I would take her to the doctor, but she said it was nothing. She had a busy trip cross-country and was just tired; "after all, I am an old woman." She said.

**flashback

I had taken Grandma Mazur out to lunch a few days later and she showed me all her pictures and told me all the stories of the fun she had with her friends. She made me laugh to the point I was in tears.

As if she knew that something was going to happen, she held my hands and said; "My sweet baby girl, do not let anything hold you back, live your life. Do not think about pleasing anyone or what makes anyone else happy, you be happy for you my sweet angel. You are unique and have a huge heart, don't let your mother and the burg take that spirit away from you."

She reached up and wiped a tear from my cheek.

"Promise me that you will think about the decision that you have to make and make it based on what you want for you and the rest of your life. Don't let anyone tell you what is best for you, please promise me you will think hard, and come to terms with your feelings for the man that you love. I wish I could tell you who to choose but it is up to you. You and your heart know what is best for you."

Grandma took a deep breath before continuing to speak.

"I love you baby girl and you have always been my favorite, we have had a great time together you and I, keep doing what is your passion and life."

We had made plans to go for breakfast a few days later then I would drop her off at the beauty parlor for her weekly hair and gossip session.

It was the day of our breakfast date, I arrived at the house to pick her up and my mom said she had called for her a few times but got busy and forgot about her needing to wake up. I went upstairs, knocked on the door but she didn't answer.

Walking in her room quietly she was sound asleep, so I thought I would just let her rest. As I was staring at her I felt something was off, I walked over to her, sat on her bed and held her hand asking her to wake up, she didn't move. I looked closer, felt for a pulse and nothing. Surly when you get this age your pulse is slower. I put my ear to her mouth to hear breathing heard nothing, felt for a pulse again and she was cold, lifeless.

MOTHER CALL 911 NOW…I screamed, my father came running up the stairs and stormed into Grandmas room, "pumpkin what's wrong."

"Daddy, Grandma isn't breathing, I cannot feel a pulse." My mother came in, "for God sakes Helen, call 911 now." She ran into their room and made the call.

Lying on the bed with Grandma I was crying, hugging her, and telling her not to leave me. I needed her, she still had so much life left in her, and it wasn't time for her to go yet.

With sirens and flashing lights outside and so much commotion, downstairs I couldn't let go of Grandma. Suddenly I was lifted off the bed and carried downstairs. To say I was hysterical is an understatement.

Ranger sat down on the couch and held me as I was crying. I tried to speak but nothing seemed to come out of my mouth, finally the sobbing calmed.

"Babe, tell me what happened," I told him what took place and kept saying, "I know she's dead, I just know it." Bobby came downstairs and sat on the coffee table, held my hand and I looked at him, I just knew.

"She's gone isn't she?" "Yeah Steph, they're waiting for the doctor right now, Eddie is here wants to know if you are up to telling him what happened."

"OK Bobby, I'm ok."

Eddie came over and was so sad as he asked what happened and I told him everything. He said he was going to finish his report and if he needed anything further, he would let me know.

Joe came walking in and came over to me, "cupcake what's going on?

Manoso, thanks for taking care of her, I've got it from here."

Eddie took him aside and told him what happened and to leave me alone that Ranger had it under control. Joe left saying he would check back with me later.

The doctor finally got here and went straight upstairs, declared her dead and told my parents that an autopsy was going to be required; my mom said fine and they brought her down on the stretcher covered. I ran over and hugged her one last time and I gave her a kiss.

"Grandma, I promise I will do what's right. I love you." Then she was gone.

The next few days were all a blur, I went to work but only physically, I was not into it at all, I really couldn't function. I helped my parents with the funeral arrangements, although there was not much to do, Grandma had already done everything way ahead of time.

A few days later, we were saying good-bye to the most vibrant woman I have ever known in my life. My Grandmother, the woman that was one of my best friends and biggest supporter in my life was gone. My world was suddenly very empty.

Stivas, now called The Gathering was jammed with visitors, they actually had to use all three rooms, and it was of course open casket, Grandma wouldn't have it any other way.

Ranger and all the Merry men were there, they all came in and went to pay their respects to her with a single bright colored flower and a picture of each of them that they placed in her casket. She loved them all so much even though she always pinched and groped. They all came over to my parents and then to me, hugging me.

I made Ranger sit with me, I needed his strength, and I didn't care what anyone thought about that. I know that Joe didn't like it but I really did not care at this point.

After everything was over, we went to the VFW hall, yes, Grandma had made those arrangements too, and we had something to eat. Her friends all came to me and said

"We'll be watching over you sweetheart, we promised Edna."

"Thank you, I appreciate it." Moreover, they did watch over me, no one dared make any negative comments about "their baby girl" as they now called me.

After the luncheon Ranger took me to his apartment and said to stay as long as I needed, he didn't want me to be alone. My mother was not pleased that Ranger was with me the entire time and that I didn't give Joe much attention.

**end of flashback

It was two weeks later when more bad news came; Ranger was going on yet another mission. He didn't know how long and of course could not share the details. It could be weeks or months, just depends. He was leaving soon and he wanted to take me out to dinner tomorrow.

"Stay here as long as you need babe, Tank and the guys are here for you."

It was time for Ranger to leave and I was really, really sad.

My name is Stephanie Michelle Plum and in October I will be 30 years old and I received an early birthday gift, the worst gift imaginable. I was told I had stage 4 ovarian cancer WTF does that mean? Well it means that I have cancer that has spread from the ovary to distant sites in the body such as the liver and lungs. Well that is what the doctor said anyway.

Let me go back and explain what happened and how I landed here, ready for surgery.

It was time for my routine yearly physical, bloodwork, and my GYN examination. I was late with my period and thought I was pregnant so I decided to find a doctor in Newark so the "burg" would not have anything to gossip about. I was determined that there would be NO Stephanie comments.

There was a doctor who was able to fit me in and I went on my way, nervous and scared about whether I was pregnant or not. I knew that if I was pregnant it was Rangers; I had not been with Joe physically for some time now.

After completing all the forms, I waited in a room full of expectant mothers. Great I thought, just what I did not need. Finally, the nurse called my name and I was told to go to the bathroom and give them my urine sample. I did and went into the exam room. Dr. Flynn came in, introduced herself, and told me to change and she would be right back.

Dr. Flynn came back in, began her exam, and was finally finished. I sat up and waited for her to drop the bomb. "Well Stephanie, you are not pregnant but I am a little concerned about your bloodwork."

"Have you had any pain during your last period?" I said, "Yes off and on over the last couple of months since I've been late."

I asked if the pregnancy test was negative why I was 2 months late.

"Well Stephanie that is what I am concerned about, your bloodwork is a little off and could potentially have cancer of the ovaries or it could be some cysts."

"This is not my area of experience so I suggest you see an oncologist for better results." She gave me a list of providers and said to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.

One of the doctors was in the same building so I took the elevator to the sixth floor and I scheduled an appointment with the doctor for the next day.

Before heading home I decided to stop at Pinos to order food and while I was waiting I ran into Joe Morelli, Trenton's hot detective who I have known since I was six and my on and off again boyfriend for the last 3 ½ years. We are currently off and we finally, well I did anyway decide to call it quits for good.

The constant berating, taking me for granted, no dates, no romance just sex and most importantly the cheating had taken its toll on me. I had done some digging and investigating on my own and finally realized that his "away assignments" was only 40% truth, the rest, he was banging Terri Gillman. Yep, he sure was and I caught them in his bed, she was riding him as if she was a jockey at the Kentucky derby.

Does Joe think that I'm stupid and would believe him when he said, "cupcake it's not what you think" That was 3 ½ months ago.

He would show up with each car that blew up, he would come with his POS cop car. He would start yelling arms flying all over the place and would want me to go back home with him and forget about this stupid job that I'm not good at.

He would call to say that Bob and the boys missed me, which was common for Joe and he would get mad every time I said "NO."

Here I am not in the best of moods and he whispers in my ear, "Bob and the boys miss you."

"Joe leave me alone go find Terri the boys love her." He got so mad, he grabbed my arms pulled me to him and said "it's you I want and you I am going to have."

Right then some of the Merry Men came in for dinner and Woody and Hal came over, Hal grabbed Morelli away and Woody put his arm around me and asked if I was ok and what was going on. I explained and Hal escorted Joe out and Joe punched first then Hal punched Joe in the nose and it was bleeding, Joe walked out and left tires screeching.

Hal came over to me and said, "Are you ok sweet pea?" I said "yes," kissed them both on the cheek, and walked over to the table to say hi to the other guys, picked up my order and walked out the door waving good bye to my Merry Men.

Woody's POV

Man I could not believe what I saw as we walked into Pinos. Asswipe Morelli had bombshell held against him by her arms and it was not a romantic hold. I knew they were off permanently as I have been seeing Robin Russell and she has been filling me in on all the details.

Morelli was glaring at Steph and he was not happy, Hal and I walked over to them and put a stop to it. Steph looked upset and sad, no rhino mode, no sparkle in her eyes.

Hals POV

We all walked in and saw the idiot cop holding Stephanie with both arms and he was pissed, what a fucking ass. Woody and I walked over to them, I grabbed the cop, and pulled him away, he glared at her, as if he wanted to strangle her.

I walked him out and luckily, he threw the first punch, I punched him in the nose and heard a crack and blood started flowing. I threw him outside, we heard tires screeching, and I laughed. Steph came over to our table and chatted for a little bit.

I was concerned about her, she looked upset but not in her usual mode. She looked sad and drained emotionally and not over Morelli, they brought her order out and she said goodbye and that she would see us on Thursday and she walked out.

Merry Men POV

Here we go again, that asshole cop was at it again being a prick towards Stephanie, pulling his domineering shifty attitude again. Woody and Hal took care of things and we took a table.

Stephanie came over to say hello. Man what happened, we just saw her 3 days ago, she looks so sad, emotionally broken and just not her normal self.

_chapter 2 on it's way.

A/N Thank you so much Rainbow, for your help, you are very sweet to take your own time, I appreciate it.