Title: Finding the Strength to be Yourself CH2
Pairing: Steph/OC
Rating: T
…..
CHAPTER 2
Stephanie met her Dad at a diner between Trenton and Newark.
Frank Plum smiled at his 'Pumpkin' as she made her way to him and kissed him on the cheek before sliding into the opposite side of the booth.
"Hi, Dad. Thanks for meeting me. Have you ordered yet?" She began going over the menu.
"Yeah. They have great burgers here."
The waiter walked up popping her gum and placed a glass of water on the table in front of Stephanie as she pulled out her order pad. "What can I get you sweetie?"
"I'll take a bacon cheeseburger loaded and chili cheese fries and a chocolate shake." She might as well pig out now because she would probably be changing her diet big time in the near future.
"So Pumpkin, what is it you were needing to talk to me about."
Steph sipped her water. "Dad my life sucks. I need to take control of it. I left Princeton at 22 and I will be 25 in a few months. This is not where I thought I would be. I actually like tracking down people and I am very good with the searches I run for Rangeman, but I suck at the physical stuff. I have no training for the rest. I want that training. I want to do something that uses my degrees as well as my natural talent for finding people. I know you know people Dad and that you used to do work similar to what Ranger does when you were young and sometimes still consult." Steph smiled as her dad raised an eyebrow at that. "I notice a lot more than what most people give me credit for. I also know that Jersey isn't where I want to be. I will never be taken seriously here no matter how good I get and I just can't take Mom anymore. It is even worse now that Valerie is back in town. Val and I are closer now than we have ever been, but I am never going to be her. Now Mom has Val and the grandkids to focus on. My future is not here, but the tricky part is going to be getting out of here without Ranger tracking me everywhere I go and Mom using Morelli to track me. I need and want to go out and see what I can do on my own, but I need your help in getting in contact with the right people who can give me that chance."
"I am so proud of you sweetheart. I will set things up and you can go out into the world and see what you can do. I'll help you escape Trenton and not be found until you are ready to be found."
"Thanks, Dad. You're the best. I'm going to miss you and Grandma though. Do you think she'll want to take over my apartment? I have six months paid up in advance. I did it last month when I helped Ranger and the Merry Men bring in some big money skips. I worked the distractions that brought them right into their hands. They paid me handsomely for it and I was able to pay my rent up while I had the money." They both leaned back as the waitress brought them their food.
Frank picked up the ketchup to drizzle it over his fries. "Pumpkin, I will miss you enormously, but I will very much enjoy the gift of having your crazy Grandma out of the house and having my bathroom back to myself again." They both laughed and enjoyed the rest of their lunch as they talked about ideas and options.
Afterwards, Stephanie headed to Rangeman. She had been doing searches for them three days a week and using their computers for her own searches as well. It was time to talk with Ranger and turn in her two week notice. She would need all the money she could get to start her new life. Steph parked her latest POS in the garage and headed up to five.
Everyone greeted her warmly as she exited the elevator and made her way to her cubicle. Steph booted up her computer and quickly wrote up a page giving her two week notice and printed it out. The paper went into her desk drawer to be left for Ranger when she left later that day. Stephanie also sent an instant message to Ranger requesting time to talk with him when he had a few minutes.
Her inbox had at least ten searches piled in it and the first one was already running when Ranger IM'ed her back saying he could meet her in his office at three. The next few hours flew by and her cell phone startled her when the alarm went off letting her know it was five till three. Quickly, finishing up what she was working on and sending it to the printer Stephanie headed to Ranger's office.
The door was already open and Ranger waved her in when she stopped in his doorway. Closing the door behind herself Steph went in sitting down in one of the two chairs across from the man who claimed to love her in his own way.
"Babe." Taking that to mean "What do you want to talk about Stephanie?" she took a deep breath and began.
"I was wanting to talk about us, our relationship."
The man sighed. "Babe we don't have a relationship, not the way women want one. I have a dangerous lifestyle and I have to go away at a moment's notice. I enjoy the life I have and I don't have room in my life for a wife and family. It will be a long time before I ever will, if I ever will. I am very attracted to you and I care for you, but I can't offer you more than what we have, although I would like to share your bed when I am able. I think we could be very good together."
"Wow! I think that is about the most I have ever heard you say at once. You know the funny thing is I have never asked you to give me all those things. But Ranger although I am not looking to get married and have the kids and white picket fence, I am also not friends with benefits material. I would like to stay friends, but I ask that you stop pressing for more. I deserve more respect than that."
"I do love you as much as I am able to Babe, but I will respect your wishes. For now. However, I am an opportunist and if the moment ever arises in the future to be in your bed I will take it. Many on the street know you are under my protection and they refer to you as my woman. I would like that to remain. It gives you more protection than you know on the street when you are out chasing skips."
Steph could only nod. That protection wouldn't be needed much longer.
"I'm also telling you that if there ever comes a time when I am in a position to have a relationship I will pursue you."
"Thanks for the heads up." She teased getting a smile in return.
"Babe, so you know I received a call earlier today and I'm going in the wind again. It will be anywhere from 6 to 18 months. I leave first thing in the morning. Are you sure you don't want to spend the night with me just this once and send me off in style?" Batman's sexy smile made an appearance.
Well that would make disappearing easier. "Nice try, Ranger, but no. You be careful and don't get dead."
"I will do my best and I don't want you going crazy when I'm gone. Tank will be in charge while I am in the wind so if you need anything let him know. I sometimes can check in with him, but this mission is a total noncom so don't worry when there are no updates on me."
Steph stood as did Ranger. He stepped around the desk and kissed her one last time. "Are you sure you won't join me tonight?"
"I'm sure. I hope your mission is a success." She hugged him tight wondering if she would ever see the man again, but knew in her heart it was time to move on and make her own way in the world.
On her way out of the office that night she slipped the notice into Tank's inbox before heading home. She felt really drained and just wanted to grab a Pino's meatball sub on the way home, sit down in front of the TV, and veg out for a while before hitting the sack.
SP/SP/SP/SP/SP
Thanks for all the great feedback and for giving this story a chance. I hope to hear more from you. Until Next Time…Holly
