A/N not mine, I own nothing.
This is a Tart story. Yes, I am a Babe, but Batman doesn't always get the girl. Who better to have an HEA with than his right hand man.
Someone for Her
I, Stephanie Michelle Plum, have officially done it. I broke the Burg. I told my mom where she could shove her pineapple upside down cake, when Morelli and I split for good. I couldn't stand hearing how my life was ruined anymore.
My grandma Mazur cheered me on, my dad just kept shoveling food into his mouth and Val did her best fish impression.
The very first thing I did was make the drive to Rangeman. I needed to see my best friend. Ranger and I had a long talk months ago. He wasn't ready to have a relationship with anyone, but if he ever was it would be with me. I let him know that a part of me would always love him, but I needed to move forward with my life. Whether it was with Morelli or someone else.
The kisses and touches, with the exception of friendly ones, had stopped and we both learned how to just be friends to each other.
Once I got to Rangeman that evening, Ranger was out on a call with Lester. I decided to wait on the control room floor and just hang out with some of the guys who were milling about in the break room.
One of my favorite merry men, Cal, was telling me about his take down today with Junior. While he was in the middle of the story, I felt a rather large set of arms wrap around my waist and lift me up. Surprised the crap out of me.
"Little girl, to what do we owe the pleasure of your visit tonight?"
"I broke the Burg."
He let out a full on belly laugh as he set me down on my feet. I could so get used to being picked up and held in someone's arms. It is something I dream about having in my life, but doubt that will ever happen. Being a single woman seems to be my lot in life.
"Single woman? What do you mean? I know you and the cop broke up two months ago, but hasn't Ranger asked you out?" Tank asked me.
I shook my head no and replied,"We talked, and he isn't at a place in his life where he feels that he can have a relationship. So, we are working on just being friends. No one else seems to want to even look at me at the clubs, and everyone here sees me as their little sister. So, I'm thinking that I will be single for a long time to come."
The guys looked at me like I had grown another head, and Tank pulled me towards his office. When we got there he pulled me inside and shut the door.
"Alright, Big Guy, what's going on?"
He seemed to be struggling with what to say to me.
"Did I do something wrong, Tank?"
"No, Steph, you didn't. I just wanted to talk to you away from the guys."
"So? What do you want to talk to me about?"
He took a deep breath before he started to speak.
"I wanted to get you out of there before anyone else had a chance to ask you on a date."
"Huh? Wait, what?"
"Steph, would you like to go on a date with me?"
"Really? You actually want to take me out on a date? Like in public somewhere?"
"Yes, Steph, I do."
"I'd like that."
"I have off tomorrow night. Why don't we go to dinner at Point Pleasant, and to the pier afterwards?"
"I would love to."
He stood up and walked over to me. As he wrapped his arms around my waist, I looked up into his rich chocolate colored eyes. He lowered his lips to mine. I swore I saw fireworks go off as we kissed. His office door opened.
"Explain!" Ranger barked at us.
I froze for a moment, and Tank spoke up faster than I could.
"Steph and I are going on a date tomorrow night and we just kissed. I believe that was pretty obvious Ranger. Now did you need something, or have you become Vinnie and started bugging my private office."
Ranger looked horrified, Tank just smirked, and I outright laughed at the thought of Ranger being compared to my weasel of a cousin. Ranger shook the bad imagery out of his head.
"Babe, can you come to my office when you're done here? I have a distraction job for Sunday afternoon to discuss with you."
He turned on his heels and walked back to his office.
"I'll pick you up from your apartment tomorrow at 4:30. That way we can walk the boardwalk before dinner. Is that alright with you? " Tank asked me.
"I'd like that."
He pressed a light kiss to my lips.
"I'll see you then."
I nodded, because that kiss stole my breath away. I couldn't speak if I tried. I never felt that way when someone kissed me before. There was a content feeling, along with the heat. It felt like I was right where I belonged.
I made my way to Ranger's office, steeling myself for what was about to happen. I knocked and heard him gruffly say enter.
"You wanted to talk to me about a job?"
He ran a hand through his long hair. He had let it down when he came back to his office.
"Yes, Babe. Aaron Nicholson is our target. He is wanted by the ATF and FBI on various charges. He will be at the convention center on Sunday afternoon for the concert. He goes to these and picks up women who are already there with someone. You are exactly the type of woman he tends to go for. You would be inside with Hal. Will you do it?"
"Of course. What are his charges?"
We spent the next hour going over the plan for Sunday. When we were finished, I got up to leave. He stopped me.
"Why Tank?" He asked me.
"He asked me. Ranger, you can't get upset about this. I told you before, that I deserve to find someone. I can't wait around for a someday that will most likely never happen."
"How do you know it's never going to happen?"
"Ranger, as much as I love you, I know that you would never commit to me while you are under contract. I also know that two months ago you signed another two year contract. The guys talk, Ranger. I was hurt that you didn't tell me yourself, then I realized that no matter how I feel about you, you're Batman, and no one gets to marry Batman."
"Babe."
"No, Ranger. You made your choice, and I need to make mine. Please don't take this out on anyone. I need to find someone who can really love me. Someone who doesn't want to change me, someone who will take me out, not hide me away. This is the first date I've had since I was engaged to Dickie."
"I've taken you out."
"That was all work related. I was paid to do that, to help you complete jobs you were on. You never took me out just to be with me."
He looked at me, his blank face gone. I could see the hurt in his eyes, as it dawned on him that I was right. I felt guilty for putting that look there.
"You're right. I'm sorry."
I nodded my head and walked out of his office. I made my way to my POS car and drove to my apartment in silence.
My spidey senses we on full alert when I got to my front door. I didn't even bother going in. I ran back to my car and called the control room at Rangeman.
Ten agonizing minutes later the men in black showed up. I explained what was going on, and the guys knew not to discount my intuition. They went upstairs while Tank waited with me.
His phone beeped. He looked at the text he had gotten.
"They need us upstairs, Little Girl."
We made our way to my apartment, and what we saw had me frozen in place. It looks like my secret was about to come out.
There was no denying what was in the pictures that were tossed about everywhere, and glued to my walls.
Shit! How was I going to explain this to them. The only person in this room who knew who I really was is in a few of those pictures. I looked over at Lester, his eyes were closed and his head was tipped back.
"I think you need to call Nighthawk, Beautiful."
"Shit!"
A/N Thank You Maggie! You are amazing!
Important note;
This is currently being written as I finish up on The Price to be Paid. Once that story is done, I will post more to this one...also please don't shot me...stick with me, you may like it.
