If you recognize the characters, I do not own them. I am only doing this for my personal enjoyment. No money is changing hands.
It Was a Dark and Stormy Night
Stephanie sat miserably in her latest POS car, a 1996 Dodge Stratus. Even she was unsure what color it was supposed to be. It was rusty, the heater didn't work, and the front driver's door had a mind of its own.
Her rent was due and she was desperate. She really needed to bring in Terry Olkowski. He was FTA for indecent exposure. Who knew how he got into the children's festival wearing only a raincoat? Her skin crawled in revulsion. She was parked down the street from his mother's house. She had received a tip from her Grandma Mazur that he would be there for supper. Grandma had gleaned that tidbit of information from her trip to Cut N Curl that afternoon.
The door opened and Terry stood in the light. He was holding a bag and kissing his mom goodbye. As he walked down the sidewalk, Stephanie slammed her shoulder against the driver's door and forced it open. It creaked loudly and Terry turned around. He spied Stephanie climbing out of the car and started to run. He was holding the bag in one hand and his coat closed with the other. Stephanie yelled, "Bond Enforcement," but the wind whipped her words back to her. She sighed and took off after him.
Terry ran down the street, pulling garbage cans behind him trying to escape. She was getting good at hurdling obstacles and was closing in fast. With a mighty leap Stephanie launched herself at Terry and brought him to the ground. He started to scream in a high pitched voice. Porch lights were coming on and people were peeking out their doorways. She had one knee in the small of his back and was reaching for her handcuffs. Stephanie managed to cuff him and dragged him to his feet. His hair was askew and his coat was open. Thankfully, Terry was wearing clothes. They were both wearing the contents of the bag and Stephanie detected the odor of pickled beets, sauerkraut, and borscht. Great. She was going to be XXXian until she could change.
Dragging him back down to her car, she prepared to stuff him into the back seat when a black and white slid to a stop. Out stepped Robin Russell and her new partner. Robin was smiling but Harry Garibaldi was standing back looking aghast. Stephanie turned around and said, "Hi Robin, I got him." Knowing the drill, Stephanie had the papers ready to prove that she was not assaulting a model citizen. Robin was back peddling and Stephanie knew that there would be a whole new round of betting going on at the station by the time she got there.
She buckled him in her car and ran around to her driver's door. Just then she glimpsed headlights coming in both directions.
A Pontiac stopped and Joe stepped out. He was already flapping his arms and the veins on his neck were visible from 20 feet away. "Cupcake, what the hell are you doing now? I can't stand it anymore. I just received so many calls on my radio, I knew it was you. When will you quit this foolishness. I asked you to marry me. I can provide for you and ... What the hell is that smell? "
Stephanie wrinkled her nose. She looked down at the beet juice staining her t-shirt. Sauerkraut was clinging to her blue jeans and Doc Martens. Putting her hands on her hips she glared at Joe. "I'm doing my job, Joe. If you can't handle it, I suggest you leave. I told you many times and I'm telling you again. I DON'T WANT TO MARRY YOU! I told you last month, and the month before. Get it through your thick skull." She started to march over to him.
Firm arms wrapped themselves around her. She turned as Tank picked her off the ground. "We don't want to see you in jail for assaulting a police officer, Little Girl. It makes for a lot of paperwork." Tank was smiling but his eyes conveyed concern. When he was sure she was calmer he put her down.
Ranger was leaning against the wheel well of the Bronco. His arms were crossed and he had a slight smile on his face. The black cast on his right arm in a soft sling caught her attention. Ignoring Joe now, she struggled to get loose and walked over. Her eyes never left the cast. "What happened, Batman?" came a worried voice. Ranger grimaced. "We were going after Micky Hernandez. He was waiting for us and as I came around a corner he hit me with a lead pipe. I put my arm up to protect my face, and he hit the arm. I'm just on the way back from the hospital. Woody and Vince took him in."
Joe cleared his throat. "Cupcake, remember me?" Stephanie spun around. Her fists were clenched by her sides. Tank stiffened. She was in full rhino mode now. Walking stiffly she marched over to Joe. She put her forefinger on his chest and pushed. "Go, Joe. I have it covered. Get back to the station and you can bet on me too!" With that, she spun and walked to her car and climbed in.
It took two tries before the engine caught, and she pulled out in a big black puff of smoke. All three men grimaced at the sight. Glaring at each other, the three climbed into their vehicles and drove away.
Stephanie came out of the station with her body receipt in hand. At least her rent cheque wouldn't bounce now and if she ate supper at her parents' home, she might be OK for a couple of days. She climbed into her car and drove to her apartment. Climbing the stairs tiredly as the elevator was broken yet again, she let herself into her apartment. Dropping her clothes in a pile on the floor in the bedroom, she stepped into the shower. After scrubbing herself raw, the red stains were finally gone and feeling much better, she stepped out. She wrapped a large towel around herself and another for her hair and walked into the bedroom.
Ranger was sitting on the bed and leaning his head against the backboard. He looked tired and his face had a faint pinch like he was fighting pain. Stephanie stopped. She would never get used to having people just break into her apartment. She had the best locks money could buy. Hector had installed them. She really needed to start using that floor bolt.
Quickly heading for the kitchen, she grabbed two bottles of water and brought them back to the bedroom. Sitting down gingerly, she opened a bottle and handed it to him. The other one she opened to take a large swallow. Silence permeated the room. They sat together on the bed. There were no words spoken. They both valued the companionship they had. It was an easy relationship. She called when she needed help, he came when he needed to ground himself. She could talk his ear off, and he could frustrate her with his one word answers.
Time passed. Stephanie was not sure when, but when she woke up, she was tucked into bed and a strong arm was holding her close to his chest. He was resting his broken arm on a pillow. His hair tie was missing and his long locks were almost intertwined with her curly hair. She shifted slightly and looked at his face. He was still asleep and his features were soft. He looked so much younger and less menacing. "You're staring, Babe," came a soft voice. She snuggled into him and kissed him on his shoulder. "I missed you, Ranger. When did you get back?"
Ranger shifted so he could move the pillow away from his arm. "I had just walked in the door and Tank asked if I wanted to do a take-down before I saw you. Sounded like fun. I should have stayed home."
Stephanie wriggled and protested as Ranger put his arms around her. "I have to pee, Ranger." He immediately let her go and she ran to the bathroom to look after business. After washing her hands, and looking at her hair, she sighed. She went to sleep with wet hair and it was going to take a herculean effort to calm it down. She put on her robe wondering how he had managed to lose the towel and get her dressed into a t shirt and panties without her knowledge. Shrugging that he was Batman, she came out of the bathroom.
Ranger was trying to put on his shoes and she bent down to do up the laces. He stood up and prepared to leave. She wrapped her arms around him and gave him another kiss. It was soft and tender. He grabbed her with his one good arm and brought her closer. Their lips met again and they kissed with an emotion that made them both pant with desire. Ranger stepped back reluctantly and grabbed his coat.
Stephanie stepped back in confusion. Something was going on and her spidey senses were on overload. When Ranger didn't speak, she asked him quietly. "What's wrong Ranger?" Ranger struggled to put on his jacket. "I have a meeting and Tank is picking me up. Are you working at Rangeman today?" She looked at the clock. It was almost 7am. "Yes, I will be there by 9 unless you need me sooner." Ranger nodded. "I will see you then, Babe."
He turned around and quickly unlocked the door, closing it softly behind him.