A/N: Hi, this is my first posting to Fan Fiction .Net. I just want to tell you that this story may be slow going. I will update as often as possible. I know some do not like to read stories when they take too long so I wanted to be up front about it. Reviews are much appreciated and constructive criticism is accepted.

The characters belong to Janet Evanovich. I am making no money from this. THIS IS A BABE FIC.

Thanks for reading.

Letters from Home

By Yo-Babe

Prologue – Part 1

It was dark in her room, but the dark didn't bother him. He'd been there enough, sitting in the dark watching her sleep, that even though she had enough clothes and shoes spread all over the floor to fill a small boutique, he'd never trip. It was raining outside. The drops running down her window caused a strange pattern in the light shining in from the streetlight in her parking lot. His car was parked down there. His duffle already packed in his trunk. He should be sleeping. He knew he wouldn't get much in the coming days. He felt an ache in his chest and knew his heart was breaking. He'd been waiting, biding his time, for his turn. How ironic was it that now that she was finally free, he was the one who had to honor a commitment? He'd received his orders yesterday; his final mission owed on his contract. After a quick phone call he'd been able to see his lawyer this morning to make sure everything was up to date and properly signed and witnessed. He would leave in the morning. It was a suicide mission. He knew it and so did Tank, Lester and Bobby. They were the only ones he told. They'd been through hell together and they wanted to go with him again. He'd turned them down, told them it was a solo mission. Of course, he'd been given the option of pulling together his own team, but after reading his orders, there was no way he'd lead them to their death. Besides, they were the only ones he trusted to take care of his Babe.

His Babe, just watching her sleep made him feel calm. He'd given his men instructions to keep her safe and to let her fly. Tank would tell her in the morning that he was in the wind. He knew she wouldn't be happy that he'd left without saying goodbye, but he didn't think he could handle it. Just watching her, wanting her so much, he knew goodbye would be too hard. Knowing her and her spidey senses, she'd pick up on something. Maybe she'd figure out that this time he wouldn't be back and he didn't want to see that in her eyes. He leaned down and closing his eyes, gently kissed her on her forehead.

As he turned to leave, her eyes fluttered open and she whispered, "Ranger?"

"Go back to sleep Babe."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong, go back to sleep."

"Ranger, what's going on?" She said as she reached for his hand.

He really didn't want to do this. This was why Tank was supposed to talk to her in the morning.

"I just stopped by to see you before I left. Go back to sleep Babe. I'll see you when I get back." The lie tasted bitter in his mouth but he didn't want to tell her.

Grasping his hand tighter, she tugged and pulled him to sit on the bed. She knew she wouldn't have been able to budge him if he didn't want to move, so she figured he wasn't in a hurry to leave.

She sat up and cupped his face in her palm. Looking into his eyes, she said, "How long will you be gone?"

Ranger leaned his face into her hand. Turning his head, he nuzzled and licked her palm. "Until the job is done."

"When do you leave?"

"Early."

"Stay."