Disclaimer : I do not own any of the characters.

Another Week

I walked into my kitchen, placed my keys on the counter and tapped on Rex's cage. I had a really bad week, another car got blown up, I got kidnapped and Ranger had to come to my rescue again.

My names Stephanie Plum, I'm 5'7" with brown curly hair that I'm currently wearing short and blue eyes. I've just got home for the hospital after a night in observation. I was bruised and scraped but nothing that I haven't experienced before. I took a couple of Tastykakes and lay on the couch. It felt like a sappy movie kind of night. After settling on The Notebook, I ate my Tastykakes and drifted off to sleep.

I was roused from sleep by a gentle hand on my cheek and the softest "Stephanie" that I could barely hear. Even with my mind hazed from sleep I could place the voice. I leaned into the hand slightly and opened my eyes to Ranger. He was in casual blacks with his gun belt was already removed. "What time is it?" I said, trying to get my bearings.

"Nearly 6 pm. I got the call when you got discharged and thought I'd drop by."

I looked up into Ranger's eyes and saw something that wasn't quite right. Ranger's eyes barely show anything, they'll twinkle when he's happy or laughing, but then they'll turn nearly black when he's pissed. There was a softness and almost worry in his eyes threw me off guard. Though his face was still stoic, as always, I felt like I needed to reassure him of my safety.

I raised my hand to his cheek and stroked it softly. "I'm fine. You saved me again. I only have a couple of bumps and bruises."

Ranger closed his eyes, rested his forehead on mine and took a slow deep breath. I realized that it wasn't worry I saw in his eyes, it was fear. I'd seen it once before when I came tumbling out of Con's cupboard when he thought I was dead. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and rubbed his back lightly.

This was the closest that I've seen Ranger nearly loose his iron clad control. If he had of been any other man I 'm sure he would have been shaking. The words, "It's over now Carlos. I'm alive and safe. I will always come back to you."; seemed to have poured out of my mouth.

It took a beat or two for him to calm down. Finally he pulled away and looked me in the eye. "You scared me Babe." He kissed my forehead softly. "You've got to stop doing that."

I could see that his façade was up again, I could tell nothing from his expression anymore. "I've got to keep you on your toes.", I said trying to keep the tone light. I didn't want to let him know how scared I had truly been. Ok, so truth be told, only the thought of Ranger coming to save me really kept me going, but he didn't need to know that.

"You nearly gave me a heart attack." He pulled away, lifted my legs and sat on the couch. I laid my feet on his lap and smiled when he looked over with a raised eye brow. "Also, don't call me Carlos in front of my men."

"I never call you Carlos; it just seemed to fit better with the situation." That was the truth, I called him Ranger, Rangman, Boss, and even Batman but this was the first time that Carlos ever slipped through my lips.

"Babe you can call me what ever you like. Just stick with Ranger in front of the guys." The corners of his lips curled slightly and he rested his head on the wall and closed his eyes. Just that little motion made me realize how exhausted he looked.

"Do you have work tonight? If you don't maybe you should sleep here so I don't have to worry about you driving." I watched him as he turned to me.

"What would Morelli think?" I stayed quiet to the question, too long for Ranger's liking "Babe?"

Joe and I had permanently broken it off earlier this week. I had given back my keys and said goodbye to Bob. I wanted to say go to hell to with that man, but the wound was still fresh. It had been mutually, we talked it over. No matter how much we loved each other neither of us were willing to change to fit the other's ideal.

I felt something drip down my face and when I reached up to touch it I felt the wetness of my tear. Great, I was crying in front of Ranger again. I felt his hand rubbing up and down my leg. He just stayed quiet knowing that I needed to gather myself again.

"We're broken up permanently. We've agreed that we aren't what each other needs, nor will we ever be." I angrily wipe away my tears. I hated looking so weak in front of Ranger. "Sorry, I'm still a little raw."

"I think we both need to go to bed early. Come on." He moved my legs again and stood, holding a hand out to me. His eyes had soften, they reminded me of ever time he said he loved me.

I took his hand and stood. "Only sleeping right.", I said.

"I don't feel like making love to a woman grieving her previous relationship. Tonight I am a friend, not a lover." He laid his arm around my shoulder. "We'll deal with the rest in the morning."

I followed Ranger into my bed room and slid into bed. I cuddled into his arms, seeking the comfort of protection and the scent that was distinctly Ranger