Stephanie and company do not belong to me, unfortunately. They belong to the lovely Janet Evanovich. Enjoy! All reviews are absolutely welcome, but please be gentle, this is my first!

I leaned my head against the shower wall as I let the water roll down my body. The long day just began three hours ago, and I just wanted to wash it all away. Between Ranger, Joe and my FTAs I had no idea what was going on with my life. Some days I felt like a walking disaster, others I didn't, but today I thought a walking disaster might actually be a good thing. I stuck my fingers in my hair and tried to scrub the hardened ketchup out. I looked like the Weinermobile. Ketchup, mustard and hot dog juice covered me. Earlier I had chased Marcus Lawton down Stark Street when I was shoved down and the hot dog cart was pushed on top of me spilling all its innards on me. Lula, visiting Jackie, came out of the building across the street seeing my struggles and the sight of her made Lawton trip over the uneven sidewalk. As I quickly recovered and caught up to him it was just in time to cuff him and load him into Big Blue. As usual, I was in between cars. And of course, when I delivered Lawton, I was the laughing stock of the police station that day, Morelli included, of course.

"Aaaaggghhhh!!!" I screamed aloud to myself, "I hate felons and I hate ketchup and I hate mustard and I hate hotdogs and I hate Morelli!"

The only one around to hear me was Rex, but I did feel a little better. It really irked me when Morelli sided with the rest of Trenton's finest and laughed at me. More often than not, he really made me feel like a little kid. At least Ranger hid his emotions when I was amusingly stupid.

I stuck my head under the water as a tear accidentally popped out and instantly thought of one of my favorite song lyrics, "Strange how laughter looks like crying with no sound, raindrops taste like tears without the pain" by Queensryche. I chuckled lightly to myself at the frankness of the lyric. Maybe my day would get better, after all it was only eleven, and I had gotten up early this morning! If I hurried, I could make it to my mom's house for leftover pineapple upside down cake. She sent a few pieces home with me last night, but I ate them last night and this morning. Hey, I was hungry and my stomach growled and a girl's gotta answer the growl! I turned off the shower and dried.

"Cupcake!" the familiar voice called from the other room, "How's it going?"

Ugh, I did a mental head slap as I rolled my eyes to no one but myself in the mirror. I decided answering him was not what Wonder Woman would do, so I opted out. I wrapped a towel around my hair and a robe around my body and huffed by Morelli into my bedroom and slammed the door shut. I pulled on my jeans and knock-off Uggs and a brown V-Neck sweater that Valerie had given me for Christmas. I grabbed the towel and robe and traipsed back into the bathroom. Damn, why couldn't he get the hint and leave? I closed the door and blow-dried my hair, pulling it up into a ponytail. I tried to fix it a little but it looked like overcooked macaroni and gave up. I swiped on the mascara extra thick to hide behind. After my morning, I was feeling a little extra vulnerable. I twirled in front of the mirror. Not my best, but I could have done worse, especially after my entry into the Weinermobile look alike contest earlier.

I opened the bathroom door and Morelli was still there. I did my best Burg eye roll at him.

"Get out, Joe," I said flatly to him.

"Hey Steph! Nice seeing you too." Joe said smirking at me. His lips curved up and I felt my face go flush as my blood boiled more and more. He grabbed my arm, "Cupcake, why are you so mad?"

My knees went weak at his ignorance and my eyes widened, "Morelli, if you don't let me go, I'm going…I'm going to…" and I jerked my arm away from him. As I grabbed my purse and keys off the kitchen counter, I opened the door and held it for him.

"Cupcake," he said more sincerely this time, "what is wrong?" I could see his eyes melting. His cop face no where to be found.

I breathed in slowly determined to avoid the tears of anger welling behind my eyes. I was irate and he had no idea why! "The nerve of you to laugh at me this morning," my fists clenched, "I am supposed to be your girlfriend and I know I'm not good at it but dammit Joe, you make me feel stupid ALL THE TIME!" My voice raised. The more I spoke, the angrier I got. "When was the last time you stuck up for me with Carl, Big Dog and those guys? You got no balls, Joe!" I snapped my mouth shut. That was a big insult, and I was afraid I had gone too far.

Joe's shoulders slumped as he walked wordlessly to the elevator. I knew I should apologize, but I also hoped he knew I was right.