This is an AU piece using all of the plum characters which are owned by JE, sadly that includes Ranger and the Merry Men as well. Characters will be OCC.
New Beginnings
"Val, when did you get into town?" I exclaimed as I walked into the front door of my parents' house, surprised to see my sister, her husband and their two daughters.
"Hey Steph," Val said, giving me a hug. "We just got in a little bit ago. We wanted to surprise you all."
"Surprise us how?"
"We're home for good."
"You're kidding me!"
"Nope. I got a transfer to St. Francis and Jack has a new job with a security company here in Trenton.
My sister and her husband Jack had been living in Boston for the last 6 years. Jack is a detective and Val is an ER nurse.
"Oh, wow, that's terrific. It'll be great to be able to see you more often." I told her affectionately.
Having Val home would be nice. We used to fight all the time, but she was my best friend. I'd been heartbroken when she moved away.
Before I had a chance to say any more I was attacked by two beautiful little girls.
"Aunt Steph! Aunt Steph!"
"Hey girls. I've missed you so much." I told them, bending down to give Angie and Mary Alice hugs and kisses. Angie was now 10 and Mary Alice was 8. "You guys have grown so much since I last saw you."
A loud voice came wafting from the kitchen. My mom. "Dinner is ready! Everyone come to the table."
As we started toward the dining room my father stopped me.
"Are you all right kiddo?"
"Yeah, dad. I'm fine. I think I'm going to like my new job, and tomorrow I'm meeting with a couple of guys that handle the larger skips for Vinnie. They're going to help me out."
"That's good. I have a feeling you're going to be good at this."
"Thanks Daddy. We'd better get in there before we get in trouble for ruining Mom's dinner."
Walking to the table my mind went back to my duck-loving pervert cousin Vinnie. Eeuw! I sat down still lost in thought.
This morning I woke up determined to get a job and Vinnie was going to be the one who gave me said job. He owned a bail bonds company and he was in need of a skip tracer also known as a Bounty Hunter. Connie was his office manager and we had gone to high school together and were pretty good friends. Lula also worked at Vinnie's doing filing and going after the occasional FTA (Failure to Appear...for court that is.) when Vinnie was in a bind.
I got myself ready in record time and flew down to Vinnie's office. When I got there I saw two of the most gorgeous guys I have ever seen leaving the office and getting into a black Bronco. I jumped out of my car and ran into the office.
"Connie, who were the two guys I just saw leaving here?"
"Well hello to you too. They are a couple of the guys that pick up skips for Vinnie. Ranger and Tank. They both work for Rangeman. Ranger is the owner along with his brother, Lester. So what brings you by here?"
"I need a job. Vinnie still looking for another Bounty Hunter?"
"Yeah. He is looking for someone to pick up low to mid range bonds. They aren't enough for Ranger to take on and too much for Lula to handle. Why, you want to try it out?"
"I'm thinking about it. How hard can it be ?"
"Most of the time it's not too bad, but maybe with someone to help you out and show you the ropes it would be ok."
"Oh and who do you think I could get to help me? It's not like people advertise that sort of thing."
"No but I bet Ranger's guys would help you out. If not I could talk to Hal; he works for Ranger. Besides they are training Lula to do some of the low bonds. Tank wants her to be fit in case she runs into any trouble."
At this point in the conversation I heard a door open and saw Vinnie come out of his office.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
"I need a job and you are just the man that is going to give me one."
"I don't think so."
"Look Vinnie, I know you need a bounty hunter. Why not me?"
He started to laugh. "What the hell do you know about skip tracing? If I hired you nothing would ever get done. I need someone who can do this job right."
"Vinnie if you don't give me this job I will make sure that Lucille knows all about you and your farm animals. Not to mention Joyce."
"Fine." He sounded defeated. "Connie give her some of the low bond files." He stomped back into his office.
"Ok, so I guess I am going to do this. How in the hell do I even get started?"
"You are going to need some supplies..."
I interrupted Connie to ask what kind of supplies.
"Well. First you are going to need a gun, cuffs, stun gun and maybe some pepper spray. If you look in the back you will find all that you need except for the gun."
"Connie and I were still talking when Lula came bouncing into the office. I had met Lula a few times before.
"Hey girl, what brings you by here?"
"A job. Vinnie just hired me."
"Lula, Steph is going to start doing low to mid range bonds." Connie told her. "Steph I have two really easy ones for you to get started with. The only supplies you will need for this one is some food." She told me with a mischievous grin. I looked at her like she was crazy. "Here take a look." Connie handed me two files.
I took them and looked inside each file. File number one was Walter Dunphy AKA Mooner. And in number two was Dougie Kruper. I knew them both and they were harmless guys who just got into trouble.
"Are you serious?" I asked Connie while laughing
"As a heart attack. They are both regulars and if you take them some food they will come along with you anywhere. Once you get them, take them to the station and bring me the back the receipt."
"Okay then, I'm outta here. I'll be back as soon as I am finished."
TBC