First and foremost, let's get the warnings out of the way. I am usually a Babe, but for this story, I am not. If that wasn't clear enough, this is NOT going to be a Babe story. I love Ranger, but story would not leave me alone. Ranger is an a-hole in this story, but he's going to be less of one as the story goes on. I hope that you won't not read because of this. Also, I want to state that this will not at any time be anything close to a Cupcake story. I'm not exactly Supercop's biggest fan, but I try really hard not too bash him. However, there is at least one sentence of veiled bashing later on in the story.

Second, I occasionally have a mouth like a sailor and can cuss a blue streak. I make every effort not to swear in my writing, but sometimes it does happen to get in. When it does, it is not and will not ever be excessive by most people's standards. So, if seeing the f-word even once offends you, you are SOL with this story.

Third, the characters you recognize are Janet's. I wanted to borrow Ranger on a permanent basis, but she said no. I think my boyfriend appreciates that. :) Now, on with the show...

This started out as a challege response over on PP. The prologue was inspired by a song called "Anything But Love" by a group called Apocalyptica. They're a metal band from Finland. They play Metallica on their cellos. If you want to check them out, they're on MySpace.

Prologue

"Exactly how did that happen?" Lester asked me. I stared blankly back at him. He pointed to my neck. "Looks like the boss got a little carried away last night."

I blushed and my hand flew to my neck to cover the bite mark. I went about getting my pop tart ready with one hand. Apparently, the concealer I had used hadn't been enough. "Shut it, Les. I am so not in the mood today."

"You need to put your foot down and stop this shit, Steph. If he's not going to give you what you want, you need to leave his ass alone and make him leave you alone."

Ranger and I had been…whatever it is we are for a few months now. We still weren't in a relationship, but I tried to tell myself that I could deal with it. I let him take me to bed whenever he wanted and let him get away with not being there the next morning and not calling me for a few days afterward. Lester was right, I needed to put my foot down and stop this; it was slowly ruining my respect and admiration for Ranger and I really didn't want that to happen.

Lester knew the situation better than anyone did because he and I had been partnered together since I started doing fieldwork about a month after I came back to Rangeman. I had a sneaking suspicion that he was falling for me, but I refused to acknowledge it. Denial was number three on my best friends list (right behind Ben at number one and Jerry at number two) and I wasn't about to abandon her now.

"Steph," Lester said seriously, looking me square in the eye. "You deserve better than this. He can give you anything in the world. Except for the one thing you want most. All you want is for him to love you and he can't do that. Maybe he's too scared, or maybe he's just incapable of loving someone other than himself. I don't know what his reason is, but I do know that he's not going to change. Ever. You know that as well as I do." Ouch. Talk about knife through the heart. I know it was true and Lester wasn't saying it to be mean, but it still. Ouch.

"You know what, Les? I think I'm not going to go to work today. Suddenly, I don't feel so well."

It felt like his eyes were going to burn holes in my head. "Fine. But when he comes to check on you, and we both know he will, don't let him take advantage of you." He bent to hug me. "You can find someone to really love you if you just open your eyes a little wider, Steph." With a fleeting kiss on my cheek, he was gone.

I knew I was being a chicken and avoiding Ranger, but I wasn't ready to face him. And right now, I wasn't sure I could spend all day with Lester either. I had a lot of thinking to do.

After Lester left, I settled on my couch and watched crappy morning talk shows. (Who the hell gave Tony Danza a talk show??) Denial and I went skipping through the daisy fields in my mind for a couple hours. Then she fell in a hole and sprained her ankle, so I had to go on alone.

I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I had to stop this thing with Ranger. He said that a relationship with him would only hurt me in the end. He gave me nothing in the way of real affection and he still hurt me. He really was capable of giving me everything the in world except love. I determined that if he came to check on me, I would put a stop to this screwed up situation.

I had moved to my bedroom to take a nap when Ranger broke into my apartment. I woke up to the feel of his lips on mine. For a few moments, I let myself enjoy the feeling. But then Lester's words and my decision came back to me.

I attempted to push Ranger away and pulled my lips from his. "Stop, Ranger."

Briefly, a shocked look crossed his face. He quickly erased it. "Babe?"

I sat up and moved away from him. "This has to stop. I cannot do this anymore. You're hurting me with nothing."

"I don't think I understand, Steph."

"You give me nothing of real substance, and it's hurting me, killing me. I've realized you have the resources to give me everything in the world except the one thing I want most, love."

"It's not that I don't want to, Babe…"

"It's ok, Ranger. You don't have to explain. I understand. And I need you to understand that I can't be anything but your friend and employee anymore."

He gave me a solemn look. "I wish things could be different. I want you to be happy with whoever you choose to be with." In that moment, in the intensity of his eyes, I knew that he knew that Lester had feelings for me. Ranger smiled sadly. "Santos has been in love with you for a long time. He'll be good for you if you let him."

Despite the fact that I tried to stop them, tears began to trickle down my face. Ranger leaned over and kissed them away, and then he stood. "Goodbye, Stephanie." I watched him go and it was all I could do not to follow him. It might have been the way I needed things to be, but right then, I wished I didn't.

I lay on my bed, letting my tears seep out of my eyes and take bits of my hurt with them. About an hour after Ranger left, I got a text message from Lester that read: I'm proud of you. You will be ok." I hoped he was right again.

I'd appreciate reviews. But please, if you don't like it, don't just say "it sucks." Give me a valid reason why you think so and explain yourself intelligently. I'm always willing to listen to suggestions.