Disclaimer: Janet Evanovich owns the characters you recognize from the Plum world. I'm only borrowing them.

I'm a Cupcake but this is Babe-friendly. Thanks for reading!

Chapter 1

It seemed as though I had been watching the clock for hours when in reality it had only been about five minutes. My computer was already shut down, the file I was working on tucked safely in my desk and I was ready to get the hell out of dodge. The blaring red digital display finally blinked to 5:00 and I grabbed my bag then jumped to my feet heading for the door of my office. I was no longer a bond enforcement agent for my cousin Vinnie, now I spent my days at the Rangeman office. Sometimes I worked security jobs with Ranger or one of the other Merry Men but most of the time I sat in front of my computer and ran searches on various bad guys. At least I assumed they were bad guys but you never know with Ranger.

"Babe."

I groaned inwardly. Doesn't he know I'm not available tonight? The rest of the guys already knew I wasn't doing any jobs tonight surely one of them informed the fearless leader. In fact, I was pretty sure I told him myself. Turning to face Ranger, I gave him a smile. "What's up boss man?"

Ranger rolled his eyes and put his arm around my shoulder, trying to lead me to his office. "I need to talk to you."

"I'd really love to but I need to go Ranger," I said unmoving.

"I know Babe, you told me. You and Morelli have plans, everyone in the office knows about your plans. I promise I won't keep you long."

A smile crossed my face as I thought about the plans for tonight. It was our one year anniversary. Well, technically we've been together longer than a year but this is our one year anniversary without any off time. Not even an off weekend and this was a big deal for us, we were finally really getting serious. A couple of months ago, Joe asked me to move in with him. His reasoning was that we were already "living in sin" so we might as well make it official. When the news hit the Burg grapevine my mother ironed for a week. She had said she could tolerate our "sleepovers" but she couldn't handle the fact that her daughter was living with a Morelli without the benefit of marriage. I really don't think it has anything to do with the fact that Joe's a Morelli, though. She's accepted Joe and I honestly think she likes him more than me now. A hand crossed in front of my eyes and I shook myself away from my thoughts and looked at Ranger. He was grinning.

"You're not listening to a word I'm saying are you?" he asked a wide smirk on his face.

Well, at least he wasn't mad. I could always play innocent and say I was listening but knowing Ranger he'd ask me what he just said. I shrugged and folded my arms across my chest. "Nope."

Ranger shook his head. "You're lucky I like you Babe, that's all I have to say. I was saying that since you've been working so hard you should take the next couple of days off."

I narrowed my eyes at Ranger, I didn't think he ever gave anyone time off without them asking for it. "What's going on that you don't want me to know about?"

"Babe, nothing is going on and if something comes up I'll let you know. Just take the time off and enjoy it with Morelli. I'll see you Monday," he kissed my cheek then slipped off into his office.

Thoroughly confused, I looked at the closed door then turned to Cal, who was sitting closest to me. "Did he just tell me to take time off?"

Cal nodded.

"Does he normally do that?"

Cal shook his head.

"Are you going to do more than just pretend you're a bobble head?"

That worked and Cal cracked a smile. "Honey, Ranger just told you to take a couple of days off. You better take advantage of it without questioning because that doesn't happen often. In fact, I don't think he's ever told any of us to take time off unless we asked for it. Which also doesn't happen often so enjoy it while you can." He winked at me. "Go on and have fun with Morelli. Don't worry about things here. We'll hold down the fort until you get back."

I looked from Cal to Ranger's office door. My curiosity was peaked but not enough to keep me from getting home to Joe. Home. I still wasn't used to calling Joe's house "home" but I was beginning to enjoy it. I gave Cal a smile and a finger wave. "See you Monday," I said then went to the elevator and headed home.

When I turned on Slater a sudden bout of nervousness grew in my stomach. I wasn't sure why I was nervous, Joe and I were just planning a simple dinner together but I felt like my stomach was tied in knots. Taking a deep breath I pulled into the driveway behind Joe's blue 4-Runner and smiled at the thought of Joe waiting inside.

Grabbing my bag, I slid out of my cherry red Pathfinder and smiled as I walked to the door. I opened the door and braced myself for Bob's over exuberant greeting however, there was no Bob-greeting. In fact, the house was oddly quiet. I set my bag on the sideboard and briefly considered getting my stun gun, my 38 was in my bag but as usual, wasn't loaded. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up and I smiled knowing I was safe. I turned around and my smile was replaced by what I was sure was a dumb look of confusion. Joe was standing at the foot of the stairs with a suitcase in each hand. Panic gripped my heart and I racked my brain trying to figure out what I could have done that would make Joe kick me out.

He must have seen the panic in my eyes because I saw a smirk creep onto his face. He dropped the bags on the floor and quickly closed the distance between us catching my lips in a searing kiss. When he finally pulled back, I was clinging to his shoulders like my life depended on it. Joe smiled, the smile that makes his eyes twinkle, the smile I knew was reserved for me. "Happy Anniversary Cupcake."

"Happy Anniversary to you too Joe." I sighed as I wrapped my arms around Joe's waist and rested my head against his chest. "I love you." I felt Joe take a deep breath and looked at him. A variety of emotions crossed his face and I knew he was trying to maintain control. Grinning, I leaned back in his arms and let my hands run over his chest. "Why don't we take this upstairs and celebrate the right way."

To my surprise, Joe shook his head. "We don't have time." He chuckled and ran his thumb over my forehead. "You're so cute when you're confused and your eyebrows squish together. As much as I'd love to take you upstairs I'd rather we get on the road. We have a long trip ahead of us."

As soon as my mouth opened to question where we were going, Joe's finger covered my lips. I playfully batted my eyelashes at him and darted my tongue out to lick his finger.

Joe suppressed a moan and tried to look stern. "You're killing me here, Cupcake. Please, just let me surprise you. I've had this planned for weeks and we need to get on the road. And no I'm not going to tell you where we're going."

I looked from Joe to the suitcases then back at Joe. "Are you going to blindfold me? Because when we start driving I'll know where we're going."

That earned me a smirk from Joe. "Correction, Cupcake. You'll know what direction we're going. The final destination will still be a mystery." He turned around and picked up the suitcases.

"What about Bob and Rex? What about work? Does anyone know we're leaving?" I looked around the house then at the suitcases. "Did you pack for me?"

"Bob is at Mooch's house. Rex is with your parents. I took some of my vacation days and I know Ranger gave you time off. Everyone knows we're leaving, they just don't know where. And yes I packed for you." Joe rattled off the answers to my questions then gave me a pleading look. "I told you, I've been planning this for weeks. Please Steph, just let me do this for you."

I threw my arms around Joe's neck and pressed my lips against his putting as much love into the kiss as I could. "You are amazing," I whispered against his lips then smiled at him. "What are we waiting for?"

Joe motioned towards my bag. "Give me your keys and I'll move the cars around. Get what you need from your bag, I'm taking my cell phone and everyone knows to call me if anything comes up so if you don't want to take yours you don't have too. But, I'm not planning on letting anything or anyone interrupt our vacation. My phone is already on vibrate and I plan on leaving it in our room when we go anywhere."

Nodding, I handed Joe my keys then started digging in my bag while he went outside. Once he was outside, I stopped and ran up the stairs. I hurried into the spare bedroom and stuck my head in the closet digging around for the things I hid there after my shopping trip the other day. I found Joe's present tucked in the pink striped bag that contained another part of his present we both would enjoy then grabbed a small clutch purse from one of the hooks and ran back down the stairs. I threw the two items in my bag as I removed my gun, stun gun, and cell phone. I had some basic make-up in the bag and bit my lip wondering if Joe packed everything I would need. When Joe walked back in the door, I looked at him. "Did you pack my make-up?" I asked taking a step towards the stairs.

"You don't need it, Cupcake. You're beautiful without it, but yes I packed it for you." Joe wrapped his arms around me and kissed my neck. "We need to go."

"But…"

Joe picked up my bag and narrowed his eyes at the weight. "What have you got in here?" he asked seeing the things I took out.

I quickly grabbed my bag from him before he started looking inside. "Nothing you need to worry about yet," I said with a wink. "Didn't you say we needed to get going?"

Smiling, Joe shook his head. "Yeah," he put his hand on the small of my back, leading me out the door. While Joe locked up the house, I climbed into the passenger seat of the 4-Runner. I watched him walk across the front of the SUV then he winked at me as he angled into the driver's seat. "I figured we'd drive for an hour or so then stop and get some dinner. Unless you're hungry now then we can eat before we get out of town."

"No, that's fine," I said as I watched Joe start the car, the muscles in his arm flexing as he turned the key in the ignition. "Wait!" I put my hand on his arm before he could shift out of park. "If we're going to be on the road a long time I want to get my book."

Joe chuckled. "Cupcake, you do realize in about an hour or so it'll be too dark for you to read in the car."

"Oh yeah," I rolled my eyes at my temporary brain freeze.

"There's a bag in the back seat. It has your book and a flashlight in it." Joe looked over at me and gave me a wink before backing out of the driveway.

I shifted in my seat so I could watch Joe drive. The radio was on the soft rock station and Rod Stewart's "Tonight's the Night" was playing. I grinned as I turned the volume up a little. "You know, if you would have thought about it you would have had this playing at the Tasty Pastry."

The corners of Joe's lips curled up and he glanced over at me then took my hand in his. "I was young and stupid. I didn't do that right." His face grew serious. "I'm sorry for the way I treated you back then Steph."

Shaking my head, I brought Joe's hand to my lips and kissed the back of his knuckles. "Don't apologize Joe. That day at the Tasty Pastry is part of our history, its part of us as a couple."

Once again, a smirk eased up at the corners of Joe's mouth. "Kinda like you hitting me with your dad's Buick."

It was my turn to frown. "And I'm sorry for that. When I think about what I could have done to you," I shook my head. "I'm sorry Joe."

Joe smiled and squeezed my hand. "You don't have anything to be sorry for. I deserved it. Besides, it's part of our history right? I love you, Cupcake."

"I love you too, Joe." I kept Joe's hand in mine and leaned back against the headrest as I watched him drive. We merged onto the turnpike at Bordentown heading south. "So we're going south? How long is this road trip going to take?"

"You're getting better at your questioning Miss Plum but it's not going to work," Joe grinned at me. "Yes we're going south but I'm not telling you how long it will take."

I turned back to face the front and folded my arms across my chest. I was pouting. Joe knows I'm too curious for my own good and it was killing me not knowing where we were going. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Joe grinning. "You're not funny Morelli."

"Maybe not but you love me anyway." When we had been driving for about an hour, he checked his mirror and changed lanes. "Are you getting hungry? I saw a sign for a steak house coming up and we've got a lot to celebrate. I've got some good news too."

That had my interest peaked. "What? What news?" I once again turned in my seat and looked at Joe. His smile was stretched from ear to ear.

"I'm not telling you until we get out of the car. I don't know how you're going to react and I don't want to risk getting in a wreck," Joe looked at me and winked as he exited the interstate and pulled into the parking lot of a Texas Roadhouse.

"I'm going into curiosity overload Mr. Morelli."

Joe's laughter filled the truck. He leaned over and kissed me before hopping out of the truck. Frowning, I watched as Joe hurried around and opened the door for me. "Better make that Sergeant Morelli," he grinned.

My eyes widened as I jumped into Joe's arms. "Oh Joe! I'm so proud of you. I knew you could do it."

Laughing, Joe held me while I kissed all over his face. He carefully unwrapped my legs from his waist and lowered them to the ground. "See why I wanted to wait until we got out of the car?" He gave me a soft kiss then put his hand on my back, leading me into the restaurant.