Author's Note:

It's my birthday weekend and the one thing I asked for this year has been given to me. I get the whole day with no kid, no husband and nothing required of me to do! Hurray! Since my family has been so kind (my husband is a Morelli and Ranger rolled together type), I have decided to catch up on some writing. Building is a different tale to tell, but I had this thought... Thanks to Kate Manoso, who is exploring the Merry Men approach... and decided to try it out for size.

Happy Labor Day! Leslie

CHOICES

It finally happened. Wonder Woman met Mac truck. I found myself sprawled on the my bed, right leg weighted down by a cast from the knee down. God, I hated being immobile. This just sucked big time. As I was slowly gaining more consciousness, I realized that I wasn't alone. It wasn't Ranger, who as far as I knew was back in Miami. I don't think it was Tank either. There was no huge shadow taking over the room.

"Hey, Bomer, how's the leg feeling?" Ranger's medic Bobby asked.

That explains the cast. I didn't think I remembered the hospital. "What happened?" What else didn't I remember.

"It's okay, Steph. You broke your leg when you where taken out by the truck. Do you remember your skip?"

My skip? Oh yeah, Lula and I had decided to give Zach Griffins one more try. Wanted for car theft (it was his father's car), he skipped out on his bail by failing to show up for his court date. Lula and I had him cornered once at the mall, but he was pretty fast. I vaguely remember that she saw him come into the Cluck in a Bucket (the new place, the original had to be torn down). Luckily he didn't see us at first. I went up to him, started my spiel about the getting him rebonded out and that's when all hell broke loose.

Zach had decided that he really didn't want his chicken anyway. Lula made a grab for the box of chicken that he flung our way as he was racing toward the exit. I nearly slipped on the spilled pop on the floor, but managed to somehow save myself that disgrace. Before I realized I was doing it, I was in pursuit on foot. I chased Zach nearly a mile down the street, with gawkers stopping where they were to watch.

Luckily, since I started back on the Rangeman payroll, I managed to improve my workouts, increasing my endurance. Since both Ranger and Joe was sort of out of the picture in the bedroom department, I used the runs on the threadmill to release some pent-up energy. Between the treadmill and the tasty pastry offerings, I thought I was holding up pretty well.

Zach turned at a busy intersection and crossed against the light. I was so close to him I figured if I could just get a little closer, I would make a leap and take him down. I never really saw the F150 that tagged me from behind, but I remember that I felt it.

Bobby had been watching my face as I remembered the accident.

"Damn, I was so close too," I sighed and laid back against the pillows.

"Yeah, Griffins got away. The driver of the truck feels really bad. He called 911. Ram heard the call go out and had a feeling you were involved. I found you on the street. The paramedics realized that your leg was broken, so I went with you to the hospital."

"I don't remember any visit to the hospital," I frowned.

He was smiling. "That's because I covered my own ass and asked that they sedate you. I really didn't want to have to call for backup just to get you to the hospital. Damn, I would never live that down." He was still smiling about that.

I suppose I couldn't be but so annoyed, considering that I didn't remember much that happened. "Where's Lula?" And what happened to my chicken?

"She was here earlier. You've been out for a while. Damn good chase you gave, Steph. The guys are really impressed. All those evenings on the treadmill have really paid off." That last comment was said with a wink.

Yeah, well, whatever it takes. "I suppose Ranger knows about my latest escapade, and Joe?"

The guys had relegated our relationship to various forms of entertainment. While I could understand from a business perspective that I had to be classified as something on Ranger's books, Joe's total change in attitude was something I really couldn't understand.

"Yeah, they both know and they both are glad that it's me assigned to watch you and not them."

I didn't know if Bobby was kidding or serious, but somehow the choice of words hurt.

"Fine," I snapped at him. "Just fine."

Joe and Ranger had developed an unnatural alliance where I was concerned. I wasn't living with either one of them, but I wasn't exactly living without them either. Half the time, I stayed at the Rangeman apartments, the other half at my apartment. I very seldom found myself at Joe's anymore. I found out recently that he actually went on a date. Ranger was pretty much all business, but there were a few afternoons where he spent time with me and made me wonder where it was all headed. I know they both love me, and I know I love them, but I was starting to wonder if any of this was healthy.

During my mental wonderings, Bobby had left the room. He was returning now with my cell phone in hand. "Don't worry Mrs. Plum, she's doing well. I'm on duty to make sure that she doesn't fall or further hurt herself. Yes, she is. Here's your daughter." He handed my cell over.

"Hi Mom," I answered automatically, waiting for the lecture.

"Stephanie, I just needed to hear for myself that you're all right. Joseph called last night and explained that you were hit by a truck and suffered a broken leg. Your grandmother wanted to come over and sit with you, but Joseph said that Ranger had taken caren of getting you a nurse. That's awlfully nice of him. I supposed you know that he will want something in return. Honestly, Stephanie, how do you get yourself into these messes."

I think I kind of zoned out after that 'something in return' comment. I was thinking of how if Ranger wanted sex in return for having Bobby take care of me, I could seriously consider it right now.

My mother was winding down.

"Mom, I'm fine now. I just can't get around. Joe's right. Grandma doesn't need to worry. Bobby will take care of me and as soon as I'm mobile, I'll come over for dinner." I hung up after promising to call soon to update her on the progress of my leg. Looking at the blue cast on my leg (and whose idea was the blue?), I started wondering myself exactly how long I was laid up for.

"Bobby," I shouted. He came from the living room. "How long do I have to wear this thing?"

Bobby smiled. He had a really nice smile. "You're in it for six weeks, Steph. Luckily, I was a simple break. You hit your head on the way down, leaving a scrap on your face, but you don't have a concussion."

I thought about my injuries. "You showed up at the scene alone?" That wasn't standard procedure.

"No, Lester was with me. Lula told him about the skip. He went after him once you were loaded into the ambulance. Man, if he caught the guy, Griffins won't look too good once he gets to booking."

I frowned over that one. "What do you mean?"

"Lester was royally pissed that you were injured. He ran out of the truck before I could even come to a stop. He muscled his way through the crowd, found Lula with you and then checked over your injuries himself. I've never seen him so mad. He asked Lula what happened. She explained that she had followed you by car and saw the truck hit you. Luckily, it wasn't going fast, just kind of starting through the intersection, but it was enough to send you flying into the street. You were actually lucky that you weren't hit again."

Damn, I thought, I'm glad I don't remember that. Sounds pretty painful.

Bobby placed a tray on the bed. "I brought you some food. You've been out a while, but from what I've heard about your sleeping habits, not an unusually long time. Eat something before you go under again," he commanded.

I glanced at the tray. Okay, it was reasonable. There was the usual bagel and fruit, but there was also a couple of donuts and coffee. I grabbed a donut. "What time is it anyway?"

Bobby checked his watch. "It's about two o'clock."

Okay, so I'm having breakfast at two. I should be getting lunch at six and dinner at eleven. Who am I kidding. I'm going back to sleep. This was turning out to be a really miserable day anyway.