A/N: I've been reading a few Stephanie Plum stories of late and decided to try my hand at it. This story started as a one shot but started to get long, so I decided to make it a short instead.

Disclaimer: The characters of this story are the intellectual property of Janet Evanovich. I do not own them and make nothing for my efforts.

The Break-up

I sat with my legs propped up on the coffee table, a beer clutched in my right hand and the remote in my left. An Islander's game was playing on the television but I wasn't really watching it. I was consumed with thoughts of her and what brought me to sitting on this couch…alone.

I took a long pull on my beer that had long ago gone warm. My dog, Bob, nuzzled my other hand and whimpered. He had been our dog but now he was mine, just mine.

Scratching behind his ears I whispered, "She isn't coming back this time boy."

I had known her all my life or so it seemed. She's always liked trouble and I was one of those "Morelli boys" and she just couldn't resist my charm.

When she was six I convinced her to play "choo-choo" with me in my Dad's garage. She wasn't pleased when she found out she was only going to be the tunnel!

She was just sixteen when I stole her virginity on the floor of the Tasty Pastry. It was not one of my shining moments but I was young and arrogant and didn't think about the pain I caused her. Instead I penned a poem about it on the restroom wall at Mario's and left for the Navy the next day.

When I returned a few years later she returned the pain to me in spades…she ran me down with a Buick! I remember lying on the cold concrete watching her taillights disappear around the corner. She broke my leg in two places and on cold winter nights it still ached.

We hooked up years later when she tracked me down when I skipped out on my bond. I was a police officer falsely accused of murder. As a detective with the Trenton PD there was no way in hell I'd survive in jail. She helped me until I pissed her off and she locked me in a freezer truck, along with two dead bodies and drove me too jail.

She didn't stop there. She took it upon her self to prove my innocence and at great personal expense to herself. We've had an on again, off again relationship ever since.

If were honest with myself that's changed now and it was never going to be the same again. Taking another swallow of my warm beer, I allowed my thoughts drift to that night. The night that I came to some realizations and everything changed.

Flashback:

The crowd in the bar was growing fast. It was a very trendy, extremely popular nightspot in Trenton. It was Friday evening and business was picking up quickly. From my perch on a barstool at the bar, I watched as young couples came in the front door.

I slammed back my shot of tequila and tried to forget my troubles.

I wasn't supposed to be here tonight. Steph and I had a date for pizza and watching the Rangers game. At the last moment she called and cancelled. She said something had come up at work and she couldn't make it but I knew what she was doing. HE called and asked for her "help" and Steph could never refuse him.

I was pissed! She was blowing me off to assist Ranger, again. As the Ramos and Scrog incidents proved, she never told him no. In all honesty it wasn't a big deal, we could eat pizza any time but it was the thought of Steph tossing me aside to run to Ranger's aid that made my blood boil.

My male pride and Italian genes got the best of me and I started screaming at her. I told her exactly what I thought of her job.

It was no secret I didn't like her life as a bounty hunter. It was dangerous and she always seemed to be in trouble. She was constantly being shot at, her cars exploded and buildings burned down whenever she was near. I wanted her to quit, marry me, stay home and raise our kids. I wanted her safe.

Finally unable to take no more, she interrupted me by saying, "If you can't accept me as I am, job included, than I think we have a serious problem Joe. I am NOT going to change who I am for anyone!" It was at this point that her Italian half kicked in and she slammed the phone down in my ear.

In a rage, I put my fist through a wall. After a few minutes I finally managed to pull myself together and having no desire to sit home alone, I came out to drown my sorrows.

As I downed another shot I saw Steph walk in. She was gorgeous tonight. She had managed to tame her wild curls and they fell in ringlets, framing her face. Her make-up was perfect, highlighting her large blue eyes. She was wearing a red, form-fitting V-neck sweater that clung to her in all the right places. A short black leather skirt and a pair of red FMP pumps accentuated her long, luscious legs.

Steph's eyes scanned the crowd and I could tell she was looking for someone. Finally her eyes met mine and she started towards the bar.

I could see the anger flashing in her baby blues as she asked, "What are you doing here Joe?"

"I could ask the same of you."

"I am working," replied Steph, "Just as I told you."

Pointedly looking her up and down, I said, "Doesn't look that way to me."

I could see her body tense and the anger flash across her face, before she recovered and answered, "Not that is your business but it's a distraction."

"Not my business!" I growled, "You're my girlfriend!"

"I can't do this now Joe!"

As she turned away I grabbed her arm and swung her around to face me, before asking, "Than when?"

Before Steph could answer a bartender, who I had not seen before but recognized as one of Ranger's men, interrupted, "Is there a problem miss?" I could see the muscles in his cheek tensing up.

"No," replied Steph, as she yanked her arm from my grasp, "I was just leaving." With that she turned and walked away.

"Keep your hands off her Morelli!" the bartender hissed at me.

"Mind your own fucking business and bring me a beer," I snarled.

"Steph is our business," he answered as he sat the beer down in front of me, "If you hurt her, there is no place on earth you can hide!"

"Whatever," I mumbled as I took a long pull of my beer and turned away from the bar.

I started searching the crowd again. If Steph was really working, Manoso would be nearby. I may not like or trust the guy but I could admit, if only to myself, that he would not do anything to intentionally endanger Stephanie. It was all the unintentional things that seemed to happen around her that worried me. She was a magnet for trouble. If something bad were to happen at the club tonight, she'd be in the midst of it. She was the reason I was considering buying stock in Maalox.

I hadn't located Manoso yet but when I searched the dance floor I saw Stephanie dancing with some guy. He looked to be in his mid-thirties, around my height, six feet tall, muscular build and blonde hair. Although he was wearing a dark tailored suit something about the man screamed trouble.

As I continued to watch them, I could see the guy's hands all over MY girlfriend. Combined that along with the way he was rubbing against Steph and it took all of my willpower not to stomp over there and make a scene. I knew Steph wouldn't want that and I'd mess up whatever it was she was working on.

So instead I picked up my beer and drank the rest of it in one go. I slammed the mug on the bar, stood up from my barstool and made my way to the door. No way did I want to stay here and witness some other guy coming on to my girl.

I ignored a few women who were trying to get my attention and I kept trying to make my way to the exit. Usually I liked the attention my good looks got me but tonight I wanted out of here and they just slowed me down. I NEEDED out of here.

When I finally reached the door I saw Manoso and I believe his man, Santos, working the door as bouncers. I didn't say anything to him, just tipped my head in acknowledgement and kept walking until I reached my SUV.

With a sigh of frustration I leaned back against my Trailblazer and covered my face with my hands. I took a couple of deep breaths trying to calm myself down but the image of that guy touching Steph was burned on to my corneas. Releasing a deep cleansing breath, I dragged my hands through my hair.

'Why me?' I thought, as I gazed at the twinkling stars, in the night sky above.

Why did I fall in love with a girl who wanted to be a bounty hunter? Why couldn't I fall for a nice quiet girl like my Mom wanted me too? Why me?!

As I contemplated everything, I heard raised voices. Looking around I saw Stephanie and the guy she had been dancing with, a short distance from the entrance of the club. He was yelling at her and threw her against a wall. It looked she hit her head and she slumped against the wall, though she managed to stay on her feet.

Stiffening, I started making my way towards Steph. No one treated her that way and if Manoso wouldn't intervene, I would!

At that moment I saw Manoso pushing through the crowd that was forming around the pair. I could almost feel his rage from here; it seemed to ooze from his every pore. It was as if the crowd around him could sense it and parted like the Red Sea in front of him.

The guy had his arm raised, prepared to backhand Stephanie when Manoso grabbed his arm, stopping him. He growled, "Touch her again and I'll kill you!"

Suddenly I saw a flash of silver in the guy's other hand and before I could call out a warning, in one fluid motion, the man yanked his arm from Manoso's grasp, spun around and stabbed Ranger.

I saw Manoso falter for a split second from the impact of the knife. For just a moment I saw pain flash across his face, before it cleared of all emotion. With a quick glance at his chest, I saw blood staining his black t-shirt.

"No Carlos!!" I heard Steph scream. She didn't cry out for 'Ranger', she used his given name. I made a mental note to ask her about it later, when we had time to talk.

I had pulled out my gun and was readying to take a shot at their attacker. Before I could get a clear shot, Manoso grabbed the guy's knife hand. They fought for a moment before going to the ground, still struggling over the knife.

"Police!" I yelled pushing my way through the crowd, hoping to get a clear shot.

The pair were still fighting over the knife. Ranger was on top and had the man's knife hand pinned to the asphalt. At that moment I saw Stephanie rush to Manoso's aid.

"Cupcake no!" I yelled but she didn't even act like she heard me. Instead she started kicking the guy in the ribs, while screaming obscenities at him.

Closing in, I could see Manoso's men out of the corner of my eye, rushing to the aid of their boss. I grabbed Steph around the waist and pulled her out of the way. She started struggling, kicking and screaming, trying to get away from me.

"I've got you Cupcake," I said, attempting to calm her down but it did no good.

A few moments later, the Rangemen had the bad guy subdued and he lay on the parking lot, cuffed and unconscious. Steph was still struggling against me, trying to free herself from my grasp.

"Carlos!" she cried out again.

"Let her go Morelli!" was snarled in my ear by Santos, "or you'll regret it!"

"Don't threaten me Santos!" I replied but I did release my hold on her, though not because he told me too. I wasn't scared of him and wouldn't be bullied. I let go of Steph because I realized I was upsetting her and making things worse.

Once free she immediately returned to Manoso's side. He sat leaning against the building, holding his injured side. I could see the blood drip from between his fingertips.

Steph was crying and nearly hysterical again, just like after Scrog. She fell apart that time too and well on her way again. She could be threatened, kidnapped or beaten and not have this reaction but if he was bleeding she couldn't handle it.

"Babe," he said, as he gently cupped Steph's face with his free hand. When he didn't get her attention he continued, "Babe look at me."

I saw her meet his eyes and he told her, "I am alive, I'll be fine."

She didn't reply, instead she threw herself at him, her arms wrapped around his neck. He pulled her closer, carefully avoiding the stab wound, as he whispered in her ear.

I stood watching them. I couldn't hear what he was telling her but Steph seemed to gradually calm down. I was positive I wouldn't like it. It made my Italian blood boil to see her being held by another man, to see her consoled by another man.

That was what I didn't understand, she hadn't reacted this way when Stiva ran me down and broke my leg. She was worried for me, maybe even scared for me but she hadn't fallen apart at the sight of me lying injured in the roadway. What did this say about our relationship?

The sound of sirens in the distance broke me from my musings. Finally I looked away from Manoso holding Steph and turned my attention to the crowd.

"Nothing more to see here," I yelled at the crowd, "Time to move on." Some of the bystanders heeded my command but some wanted to stick around to see what would happen next.

A few moments later, my fellow officers in blue arrived on the scene and took control of crowd. They started questioning the spectators, attempting to locate willing witnesses. They also cleared a path for the paramedics.

As the EMT 's approached, pushing a stretcher loaded with equipment, Steph released her hold on Manoso's neck but sat by his side and clutching his hand tightly. Her distress over his injury was obvious.

As I dealt with the crowd, I heard Steph say something. As I glanced back in their direction, I noticed the paramedics had cut off Manoso's t-shirt and one was taping a bandage over the wound, as the other put an oxygen mask over Manoso's face. I saw the tears in Steph's eyes and I wanted to look away. I really didn't want to see her cry over him...again, but it was like driving down the road and witnessing a traffic accident. I couldn't help but rubberneck.

"Hey Joe," I heard someone yell, "We could use some help over here."

"Coming," I answered.

As I was turning to assist the other officers, I heard Stephanie cry and whimper. A quick look and I saw Manoso run a comforting hand through Steph's curls, as he whispered to her again. Steph flinched with pain at the gesture and when he pulled his hand away I could see blood.

'Shit!' I thought, 'I forgot she hit her head!'

Without even thinking about it I walked over and knelt down next to her and asked, "Are you ok Cupcake?"

"Babe," added Manoso, even I could here the question in his tone of voice.

"I hit my head," she answered us both, "but I am fine."

"You're not fine," I argued. "Can you take a look at her?" I asked one of the EMT's.

"We can take a look at her in a moment," answered one of the paramedics, as he placed a heart monitor pad on Manoso's chest.

"No!" protested Steph, "They take care of Carlos. I am fine."

There was that name again. I tried to ignore it and persuade Steph to allow the paramedics to treat her, "Cupcake, you're bleeding, you could have a concussion, let one of them look at you."

Removing the oxygen mask, Ranger said, "Babe, let them take a look at you." When Steph looked like she was still going to resist he added, "Please."

The other EMT reached across and put the mask on Manoso's face, with a reprimand to leave it in place. Afterwards he started inserting an IV into Manoso's arm.

Scowling at the needle, Manoso said, "Don't need that."

Pulling his arm away from the paramedic, he continued, "Don't want it."

Blowing out a breath Steph bargained, "You allow them to treat you without argument and I'll let them look at my head."

With a curt nod of agreement, Manoso allowed the paramedic take his arm and insert the IV and tape it down.

"Thanks Cupcake," I whispered in Steph's ear, "I am just worried about you."

Before Steph could answer, someone shouted for me, "Joe, we need you over here!"

"Just a sec," I answered. Touching Steph's arm to get her attention, I added, "I'll try and get to the hospital later, Cupcake."

Although Steph answered me, "OK Joe," it bothered me that she never bothered to look away from Manoso.

Standing up I heard the paramedic ask Santos, "Help us get him on the stretcher."

"Don't move Santos," I heard him order, as he started to get up.

The EMT pushed him back down and said, "If you move too much you run the risk of making your wound worse."

Glancing at Santos I could see he wasn't sure what to do; listen to the paramedic or Manoso, who could hurt him or fire him. I heard Stephanie say, "Please Ranger, listen to the paramedic." The stress of the moment was evident in her voice.

"Damn your pride Manoso," I snarled, as I turned around to help the paramedics, making the decision for Santos, "Think about Steph."

At that he quit struggling to get up and allowed us to help him, though I could tell he didn't care for me touching him and that almost made it worth it. Picking up Manoso's legs, I efficiently helped the paramedics settle him on the gurney and turned to leave without a comment.

"Thanks Joe," I heard Steph say behind me. I just nodded and kept walking. I had a lot of work in front of me if I wanted to get to the hospital.

A short time later I noticed Steph climb into the back of the ambulance with Manoso. The doors slammed shut. As it pulled out of the parking lot, the emergency lights were flashing and the siren was blaring. I watched for a moment as it pulled away and disappeared into the distance, taking Stephanie further away from me, in more ways than one. Shaking my head I returned to work…

End Flashback

TBC