WARNING: I've read an advanced copy of Fearless Fourteen this fic contains a slight spoiler. Be warned!

Ranger Reinstated

By Lisa

"One Ranger is all you'll ever need." Twelve Sharp

I snuggled into Joe's chest inhaling the scent of his freshly laundered t-shirt. It had reached the perfect age, soft to the touch and so comfortable you smiled every time it appeared clean in the drawer. I sighed as Joe trailed his fingertips lightly across my back. I heard an irritating beeping noise, and started to ask Joe what it was when he swore and gently moved out from under me. I slowly opened my eyes and saw him glancing at his pager on the coffee table.

"Shit, I'm not even on call this can't be good."

I rolled over on my back as the post coital bliss of our latest sexual escapade faded. I heard Joe talking on his cell, and felt Bob nudging my hand signaling me that a doggy tinkle was in my near future. I pulled myself off the couch and searched for my shoes. I found one under the TV and the other on the stairway. I shoved my foot in one and my bare toes met a wet glob of Bob saliva.

Great.

From the looks of the teeth, marks imbedded in the leather swoosh on the side; Bob had managed to chew the air out of my Nike Shocks. I shot a dirty look at him and his tail wagged even harder- doggy denial. I walked in the kitchen and grabbed his leash off the hook near the back door. Joe snapped his phone closed and looked at me.

"Gang bang homicide, four dead on the west side. This will be an all nighter."

"Lucky you."

He walked over to me and pulled me in for a quick kiss. "Lock up after you walk him, you staying here tonight?"

My hands wondered of their own free will to his ass and I gave him a squeeze. "I'll be here officer." He smiled and gave me a lingering kiss that promised early morning make up sex. Something to look forward to.

I pulled away and clipped the leash on Bob, we headed out the back door and Joe followed. I finger waved as Bob drug me down the street. Joe climbed in his SUV, and I sighed as he backed out of the driveway. I watched his tail lights disappear in the night.

Bob walked me two and half blocks doing his business like a doggy bandit in the night, leaving illegal deposits in his wake. Twenty minutes later, we were home. I took off his leash and gave him a bacon treat from the doggy cookie jar on the counter. He swallowed it whole and wagged his tail expecting another. Who was I to deprive a dog of his just dessert? I gave him two more treats, shook my head, and pointed at the couch when he whined for another. He trotted in the living room and climbed up on the couch. I turned to lock the back door and nearly jumped out of my skin when the doorknob twisted in my hand. I looked up and my eyes met Ranger's through the glass. I pulled open the door and looked at him in question.

"Babe."

"Ranger what are you doing here?"

"I was in the neighborhood."

"Okay…"

"Can I come in?"

I stepped aside and he walked into the kitchen. Bob jumped off the couch and ran over to him. He nudged his nose into Ranger's hand until he pet him.

"Did Joe get called out on a case?"

"Yeah how did you know?"

"I saw him leave earlier."

I stared at him in disbelief. "What the fuck?"

He stared back at me, his blank mask firmly in place.

"I followed you here earlier from the bonds office."

I felt my heart beating in my throat as I recalled the scene in the alley earlier between Joe and me. I didn't know if I should scream or hurl.

"What were you doing at the bonds office?" I whispered.

"Nothing nearly as exciting as you."

I pulled my eyes away from his and walked into the living room. I felt a rhino moment coming on and I thought it best if I tried to walk it off. Rhino and Ranger didn't mix.

But rhino threw caution to the wind and I turned on him. "What is this really about?"

"You deserve more than an eight minute fuck in an alley."

I felt as if I had the breath knocked out of me. I didn't know if I should be pissed or embarrassed. I decided more rhino was in order.

"You've gave me the impression many times that you would like nothing better than to do the same in that alley. What's the matter did it piss you off that Joe did it first?"

I saw a muscle twitch in his jaw. Direct hit and score. He slowly walked toward me and I backed away not trusting the carnal look in his eyes. He backed me against the wall and trapped me placing both of his hands on the wall above my head.

He looked into my eyes, and I swallowed. I could feel his breath on my face and see the pulse beating in his neck. He was angry, and I was approaching scared.

"Do you ever think about me when he's fucking you?"

The flush started at my neck and spread upward. "I'll take that as a yes."

"Tell me you don't think about that night?"

A lump formed in my throat and it was becoming hard to breathe.

"Mostly I think about the next morning when you walked away."

"I thought it was best for you at the time."

"Are you here to make a point?" I hissed.

He molded his lower body to mine and stroked a fingertip across my nipple. One simple touch set my entire body on fire. It made me angry that I had so little self-control.

"My point is that you've changed."

"How so?" I squeaked out.

"You tell me Stephanie. Every time I make an advance, you cut me off at the knees. Yet you question what it is I want."

"I don't want anything from you."

"I get that impression, I also get that you are becoming a lot more serious with Morelli."

"I'm happy with Joe."

He stared into my eyes until I looked away. I felt his fingertips pull my chin around so I was looking at him once again.

"Babe tell me what you want."

"To be happy."

He eyes glanced around the room. "And being here with him makes you happy?"

I nodded feeling tears gather in the corners of my eyes.

"Be honest with yourself and tell me what you want. Not what Morelli wants, your mom wants, or the burg wants. Tell me what you want."

I felt the lump in my throat expand until it ached as if my heart was breaking. I couldn't cry in front of him, I wouldn't let myself.

"I used to think I wanted you, but I got tired of wanting you to want me the same way."

"I think we want each other in the most important way."

"I've been there and done that and you walked away."

He glanced around the room once again. "I'll never give you this kind of life. I won't produce a row house and a picket fence for you. Never."

"Then what can you give me?"

"Something better. Something I've never given anyone before you."

"And that would be?" I asked.

"Me."

If his body weren't pinning mine to the wall my knees would have buckled. A lone tear escaped and ran down my cheek. He reached up and brushed it away with his thumb.

"Why now, why not before?"

"Because I feel you pulling away, and I promised myself that I would say something before I watch you marry him."

I closed my eyes as the emotion and heartache settled deep in my chest. How many times had I longed for this conversation? Wished for these words to come from his lips. I wanted to slap him and kiss him all at the same time, but all I could see was Joe's face. How would this be fair to him? How could I justify walking away because Ranger was having a moment of clarity? And who knew if he would feel the same way tomorrow? Joe was my constant Ranger was the long shot.

I slowly opened my eyes as he pushed away from me. He stepped away and leaned against the doorway to the kitchen.

"What do you expect me to do Ranger, pack my shit and just walk away from Joe?"

"I expect you to do what you want to do."

"You want me to make a choice?"

"I want you to think ahead five years and ask yourself is this really where you want to be."

"You wait until everything is great between Joe and me and then you drop a bomb like this, how is that fair?"

"I've been known to play dirty."

"I can't do this."

"Or won't." He said.

He walked over to me and leaned in close. He brushed his lips across mine and pulled away.

"When he gets in bed with you in the morning it won't be the same, he's never going to be me."

He placed his hands on each side of my head and I closed my eyes. I felt him lightly kiss my eyes my nose and then my mouth. He teased my lips with his tongue seeking entrance. I slowly opened my mouth and moaned as he brushed his tongue against mine. His mouth claimed mine and we poured every emotion we felt into that kiss.

He pulled away, his breath ragged, and looked at me. "You know where to find me."

He turned and walked out the back door. My knees gave way and I slowly sank to the floor.

I let out a scream and let the tears go.