A/N: This is my first attempt at fanfic, so please review and let me know what you think. My story is complete and chapters will be posted regularly. This story will contain violence, language and smut. If you don't like these things, please don't read the story and PM me with shitty messages. You have been warned, and oops, I already swore.

A special shout out to all the talented and fabulous ladies who have assisted me in the long process of writing, and the preparation to post this story.

Financebabe (Jennifer) I only hope that when I grow up I'm half as talented as you are. I am in awe of every chapter that you post.Amkp (Angie) you make me want to write better smut, although I'll never be as good as you. Rangersbabe10 (Ashley) you kept me going even when I was stuck for weeks on the same chapter. I don't know how you write so fast. ObedientWriter (Katie) and Emilie Martel (Em) Thanks so much for your feedback on the few chapters I sent you. I'm anxious to see what you think about the rest of my story. Grissom245 (Angie La-La) Even though you don't read JE, you were faithful in reading and giving me your thoughts. You are a wonderful niece and I'm so proud of you for being on a full scholarship to the University of Colorado. Hope I didn't embarrass you with that comment, but I want people to know how smart you are. Cassn (Cassidy) you are the best BFF and neighbor a girl could ever have. You have been more of a sister to me than my own flesh and blood, and I love being a 2nd mom to your three wonderful boys.

Disclaimer - Not mine; wish they were. If I was JE, Ranger and Stephanie would have been together since book one. All mistakes are mine and mine alone.

Chapter One

Ranger and Stephanie were drinking coffee, while listening to soft jazz and reading the newspaper in the 7th floor penthouse of RangeMan. This had become their Sunday morning ritual ever since being married six months ago. It was a cold, rainy March day outside and Stephanie was content to be snuggled up with Ranger on the soft leather couch with her back to his front. They were officially offline until noon. That too had become a routine after being married. Offline, every weekend, from 6:00 pm on Saturday night until noon on Sunday. Of course, if something major came up, they were always available, but for the most part; Tank saw to it that they were bothered as little as possible. Sometimes, they went out for dinner, to go dancing, or the theater, but usually they stayed home. Ella would prepare the most wonderful dinners and they would drink wine, talk, and make love for hours. There was nothing better than being with the person you had loved for years. Once the two had overcame their fears and stubbornness to admit their feelings and love for each other, things had progressed quickly, and last fall they were married in a quiet ceremony at Point Pleasant.

"Hey, Babe, what do you know about Atlanta?"

Atlanta, Stephanie thought. There were only a few things she knew for sure. RangeMan has an office there, which she had never been to, the weather was unbearably hot in the summer, the people were really friendly, and it had some of the South's best fried foods. Mmmm, fried foods.

"Fried foods? That stuff will kill you, Babe."

Shit, could she ever keep anything to herself? She had absolutely no secrets from this man.

"Why do you ask about Atlanta? I thought that office was running better since you reorganized it last summer."

"Nothing's wrong with RangeMan. I got a call last week from an old army ranger's wife for some help."

"Old army ranger's wife? Why didn't he call himself?" A small twinge of jealousy rearing its ugly head. Sometimes Stephanie couldn't help it. She knew that Carlos loved her, and was completely committed, but she also know he was one of the sexist men on the planet.

"Calm down, Babe, and let me tell you the entire story. I promise you won't be jealous when I'm finished."

"Okay," she said and snuggled further into his smooth, mocha latte chest. Mmmm, mocha latte chest, arms, legs. What that mocha latte body of his could do to her with just a look...

"Earth to Babe."

"Sorry, sidetracked. Go ahead."

"When Tank, Bobby, Lester and I started basic training, there was another soldier that was in our platoon that was also going to go into ranger training. His name was Brian Fields, and he was from a small town west of Atlanta. Field's was quiet when you met him, but once you got to know him, he had one of the most sarcastic senses of humor I had ever heard; especially when he was pissed. We would be on some god awful assignment, doing ridiculous army bullshit and he would have us in stitches talking about the insanity of it all. He was a great friend, a fantastic ranger, and would be one of my core team today if things had turned out differently."

"Please don't tell me he turned into an enemy. You didn't have to kill him, did you?"

"God, Babe, no, nothing like that. Field's family owned a small trucking operation near Atlanta. His father and worthless brother, Chuck, ran it, but it was never in Field's heart. He always wanted to be in the military, and so right after he graduated high school, he joined the army. A few years in, he met a fiery redhead, named Samantha, and they got married. She was beautiful, smart and gave him a run for his money in the humor department. Two years later, his father suddenly died of a heart attack, and Field's had to take an emergency leave. But, he never came back. His father had left the family business to him, and his brother skipped town with some stripper because he was pissed that he didn't inherit the family business. He was the only one left to handle the business and take care of his mother. The army granted him a special discharge and he moved back home. We kept in contact, but that was the last time any of us had actually seen him until 3 years ago..."

Stephanie shifted uncomfortably in her seat as she looked up and saw the pained, faraway look on Ranger's face. Urging him to continue, she kissed him lightly on the cheek with a look of love and support.

"Anyway, three years ago, Bobby got a call from a doctor at Emory Hospital in Atlanta, telling him that Field's was there and undergoing experimental surgery for stomach cancer. Since Bobby had been the company medic and was already about half way through the Physician Assistant classes, Field's wanted him there. He knew Bobby would be straight up with him, and he felt he could trust his opinion as both a longtime friend and medical professional. The surgery went well, but a few days later there were complications. Besides the surgery, there were experimental drugs too. Field's slipped into a coma for a week due to a reaction. Once he came out, it looked like things might be okay, but eventually the drugs devoured his internal organs and he died two months later. Bobby was there the whole time for Field's. Samantha was devastated; he was the love of her life, and she was a widow at age 28."

"Oh, God, that's so heartbreaking," Stephanie choked as tears welled up in her eyes and spilled down her cheeks. She couldn't image the pain Samantha went through. She couldn't imagine losing Ranger. Although they had only been married a short time, she had loved him for years. Stephanie felt so horrible for this woman and she didn't even know her.

Ranger hugged her tighter to him, and said, "I told you, there would be no jealousy."

Looking up at him through teary eyes, she said, "What does she need? Whatever it is, you have to help her."

"Well, once Field's was gone, Sam, that's her nickname, was the one that took over the family business. She only had a small amount of experience, but she was tough as nails, and dug right in. She knew that he wouldn't want her to wallow around in grief. She was determined to succeed, and from what Bobby's told me, she has actually grown the business about 15% since taking over."

"So, Bobby's still speaks to her on a regular basis?"

"Yeah, he sees her about 4-5 times a year when he goes to the Atlanta office. We have all seen her at least once over the last three years. Field's was one of us, and Sam needed to be taken care of. But, she's strong willed and had her mind set to make it on her own. She reminds me a lot of you."

"Why is that?" questioned Stephanie.

"Because she keeps going even when the odds are against her. Field's death was a tremendous blow, but she never gave up. She has grit and determination; just like you. Did I tell you that she is also very attractive?"

"Tell me again about the non-jealousy thing?" Stephanie laughed.

"No worries, Babe, you know I only have eyes for you," he smiled. "Besides, I wouldn't want to step on Bobby's toes."

"Wait? I didn't know he has a girlfriend."

"He doesn't. Sam doesn't know how he feels about her. Sound familiar?"

"Oh, my gosh, we have to help them get together! They can't make the same mistakes we did." Stephanie paused, "But, that can be a difficult thing; especially if she's still lost over her husband."

"Well, you will get a chance to see for yourself on Wednesday. We're going to Atlanta to meet with her; you, me and Bobby. She's been having some security issues with her business. Equipment has been damaged, files stolen and her building vandalized. Bobby is going to perform the DOT physicals for her truck drivers. She wants to meet with me to go over the options that RangeMan can provide, and of course, she wants to meet my charming new bride."

"Hold on. She knows about me? I didn't even know about her until just now. You've never mentioned her before."

"Bobby keeps her up to date on all of us; me, Tank and Lester. So of course she knows all about the Bombshell Bounty Hunter." He chuckled.

"Oh, great! She's going to think I'm a magnet for disaster."

"Babe."

"Don't Babe me. I hate it when people have preconceived notions about me. Did Bobby tell her it wasn't my fault?"

"Which time?"

"All of them?" Stephanie looked at Ranger and they both broke out laughing. "Okay, so maybe some of the time it was my fault. Either way, I'm in. I can't wait to meet the woman who stole Bobby's heart."