Disclaimer: I own none of the characters. =(

Reassurance

We all need a little reassurance sometimes. I'd get it from him most of all. The way he'd utter those four words. "Proud of you Babe." The way he smiled at me. He made me feel good. I was hoping for more reassurance. Would I get some? Well I was about to see. People thought he loved me. Sometimes I thought he loved me. I loved him so much. I just hoped my heart wouldn't shatter. He didn't tell me what to do. He didn't yell. He liked me for me. He didn't want to change me. I had the death grip on my steering wheel as I headed over to Haywood. Would he laugh in my face? Or would he give me the 'my loves comes with a condom not a ring' speech? I loved him. I didn't need a ring.

I wasn't ready to get married again although if he asked I knew I would say yes. I wasn't too happy about the thought of babies but the thought that he wanted babies with me had me ready for them. Would he want to? I might be able to deal with no ring for a little while as long as it wasn't forever. I wanted him forever and forever to me meant a ring. I don't need a picket fence or even a a chain link fence. Hell I don't even need any kind of fence. I was in front of Haywood I waved to the guys and they opened the gate. I smiled weekly. I parked my car besides the seemingly endless line of black cars. I wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans. It was now or never. I took a deep breath. I just wanted to make sure he was there. I pulled out my cell phone and dialed five's number.

"Steph?" I heard Bobby's voice asked.

"Yeah. Is Ranger in the building?" I asked. I held my breath waiting for the answer.

"On seven," was his curt reply.

"Okay. Thanks Bobby. Bye," I then clicked the end button. I took another deep breath and got out of the car. I went to the elevator and pushed for seven. I went up. I knew the guys were watching me. I breathed a sigh of relief when I reached the seventh floor. I took another breath and went to the door. I knocked. The door opened and Ranger stood there. The corners of his mouth tipped up. I had a feeling they wouldn't be tipping up once I said my piece. Or maybe they would and he did love me. He opened the door and moved out of the way. I walked in and started pacing.

"Babe?" he asked and I heard a hint of concern in his voice.

"Ranger…um Carlos…I have something to tell you. Please don't talk until I finish," I said. I stopped pacing and looked at him. I could tell he was confused. He nodded.

"Carlos, I love you. I know you said you're life doesn't lend itself to relationships and that your love comes with a condom not a ring. Morelli and I will never be right for each other. We realized that. He wanted a 'burg wife to cook, clean, and have kids. Be the stay at home mom and be boring and safe. I don't want that. I don't even know if I want kids. I know if you want kids I want kids or if you want to get married I want to get married. I didn't stay a bounty hunter for the money. I stayed because I was free I didn't have to work from nine to five and wear panty hose. I stayed because I could fly. You helped me fly. I love you and I want what you want. I know you'll let me be who I am and not change me. I'm here because I want to know how you feel," I said not looking a Ranger but back to pacing. I was wondering what was going through his mind right then. I didn't want to look up afraid of what I might see.

"Babe," was all he said. It held a lot of emotion. I had to look up. But his face was devoid of emotion.

"Well?" I asked expectantly.

"I can't. I love you Stephanie but I don't want to get hurt. Again. You hurt me a lot. I sent you back to the cop so you couldn't do it again. I can't help but feel it will happen again soon," he said looking at me. I felt my heart break. I guess this was how it felt every time I went back to Morelli. I nodded swallowing the lump in my throat. I had come here for reassurance. I guess I had gotten it in a way.

"Okay. I understand," I said trying to keep my voice from cracking. I started for the door. Maybe he would come after me. Or maybe I'd just be alone forever? I walked down the hall to the elevator. I hoped I wouldn't get stopped on five. Of course I did. It wasn't what I expected though because the RangeMan men were standing there clapping.

"Proud of you," they all said. I started crying.

"Finally some one told their true feelings," I heard Lester mutter and I grinned.

"Who's next in line for her?" I heard another voice asked. I laughed. I was too happy to be mad. They were reassuring me.

"That ass. Want me to kick him? I mean I would suggest I kick his ass but he is one," I heard another guy say. I smiled they were all my friends and they all loved me. They cared for me. They were reassurance of how much I was loved.

"He's stupid. Who wouldn't want to be with you?" another of the men piped up.

"Maybe we should all knock some sense into him?" Tank suggested with a grin. I grinned. I loved these guys.

"Thanks for all the offers guys that means a lot. That alone is enough," I said with a smile, "I love all of you." I didn't need Ranger all I needed was a friend. I didn't need Morelli. Maybe Ranger would figure out after a while I wasn't going anywhere with Morelli or anyone else. Then he would finally come to me. I could only hope. So I stepped onto five were Ella made food and we all laughed and talked leaving Batman upstairs.

A/N: I hoped you liked the story. Sorry about any mistakes I take full responsibility because I edited it myself. And I wrote it really late. I wrote it for a friend. =) Thanks for reading please review.