***All characters belong to Janet Evanovich with the exception of a few I've added in for fun.

Gotta Move On

***FLASHBACK***

The apartment was too quiet. Gone were the little sounds of Rex scurrying around in his cage and Mrs. Bestler manning the elevator down the hall. It was still, unmoving, and unchanging. I felt myself heave a sigh of disappointment as I bent down to pick up the last bag I had packed. I checked the bathroom for any items I had missed, and made my way to the front door to grab the rest of my belongings.

It was sad to think that I was leaving my life behind. I hated that it had come to this, but I was done. I was done being Joe and Ranger's toy, to use and discard whenever they didn't want me anymore. I was done trying to appease my mother and the rest of the Burg, and I was done trying to be something I wasn't. Perfect.

So I had planned the perfect escape. It took one month of intense planning and subversion to be able to plan this kind of escape under everyone's noses. I started with Mooner, who hooked me up with a forger he knew. I had new ID's made, including a new passport, all under the name of Elizabeth Wright. While initially cringing at the name I would have to get used to, I soon realized that it was perfect, namely because it was nothing like my real name. It would be difficult for Ranger to find me that way.

I then enrolled in some free Spanish night classes. I had to take the trackers off my car and out of my purse before I went each night, but it was well worth it. I needed to know the basics of the language. With classes and new IDs taken care of, the hard part came into play. I needed a place to go, and work to do to get me there.

I finally caved and asked Ranger to let me work at RangeMan full time. He was glad he didn't have to bleed as much money for my safety. I did the searches from 8-5 everyday, and worked my cases for Vinnie at night. I removed the trackers for a day trip and made my way into New York for a day, to set up Elizabeth Wright's new bank accounts, and to deposit my recent earnings. I was behind on sleep, but my bank account was looking healthier by the day. Once I had more than enough saved up for a down payment, I answered an ad in a newspaper in Spain, and set up the transfer of funds to secure a new loft in the heart of Barcelona.

While my approach was well calculated and executed, my emotions were in turmoil. The little sleep I did get was plagued by nightmares of past skips and angry conversations with my friends and family. I just didn't want to disappoint them any more than I already had. It was time for me to go. I just had to get away and move on with my life. They were better off without me anyway.

I quietly removed three letters from my purse and laid them on the counter next to Rex's cage. The 10 total trackers were placed beside them, and one more month's rent was next to that. I knew it would only be a matter of time before someone came looking. They would take care of Rex, and I would be long gone.

***END FLASHBACK***

Who knew that just looking at old pictures could bring back such memories? It had been a long year since I left Trenton, but I had finally gotten used to my new life in Barcelona, Spain. My Spanish was better than ever, and I had finally gotten into shape between walking everywhere and my new job.

I placed the pictures back in the little shoe box, and slipped it back under my bed. The light coming through the windows was warm on my tanned back and comforted me a little as I got up to start cleaning up the loft. I rose to start making the bed, just as I heard the faint sound of my locks tumbling on my front door.

A string of expletives was my first thought, but my new training soon kicked in and I pulled my glock and silencer from under my pillow and slipped to the right of my bedroom door, waiting for whoever was stupid enough to break into my loft, to show themselves. Measured footsteps drifted around the living room, into the kitchen, then towards the bedroom. I fell into a semi-crouched position and tightened my fingers around my gun, carefully controlling my breathing, lying carefully in wait for the intruder.

He passed through the doorway and crept to the other side of the room, obviously looking for something. I stepped out of my hiding spot and raised my weapon, while subtly checking for any obvious weapons. I figured he'd had enough time to look for whatever he came for.

"Are you done?" I asked, making my presence known.

He flipped around and stumbled back when he noticed my weapon. The fear was obvious on his face.

"I was just following orders! Please, don't hurt me!"

His sniveling was repulsive. At least he could send professionals to find his precious information. I was severely disappointed.

"Did you find what he wanted?" I asked with a smirk.

His flash of fear was enough to answer my question. His lack of information was going to get him killed, either way. I figured it was better that I save him the PuzzleMaker's torture. I raised my gun and fired two swift shots into his chest. The PuzzleMaker would just have to send somebody better if he wanted this information. I was going to take him down with it, and there was no way I was letting any of his cronies take it away from me.

I am no longer the weak Stephanie Plum. I am the new Stephanie Plum. My name is Elizabeth Walsh and I am a private investigator and contract killer.