Disclaimer: Not mine, I make no money. They belong to JE and will be returned unharmed.

Warning: Adult language. I haven't read past 12, but let's just say spoilers for all books anyway. This is NOT about R/S they may make small appearances but this is Tank's Story.

Chapter 2. Tank's POV

I sat in the front seat of a Rangeman SUV staring out the front window. I hated Witsec jobs; I knew Bobby and Lester felt the same way. Our job was to track down criminals, not baby sit them to keep them from being killed by other criminals. We never got much information on these jobs, it was better that way.

Ranger pulled the SUV into the garage of the safe house, while the SUV behind us parked in front of the door waiting to take Ranger back to the office. We entered through the garage door after exchanging the correct codes with the Marshals on site.

Ranger broke off from the group to approach the woman standing nervously staring at us. As Ranger introduced each of us we gave her a small wave so she could tell us apart. When Ranger was finished speaking I raised my hand and gave the signal to Bobby and Lester to check the house.

"Well if I'd known ya'll were going to be THIS boring I'd have asked the feds to bring me a vibrator… you know just to have SOMETHING to keep myself entertained with."

I couldn't believe my ears. Lula had never been shy about sex, but I never figured this little white girl would ever say something like that. Lester started laughing so hard I thought for a moment he was going to wet himself.

"Santos!"

Fortunately Lester shut up, and he and Bobby headed up the stairs to check the security in place. I crossed my arms over my chest making sure to keep my blank face firmly in place.

"You kiss your Momma with that mouth?"

"I used to" She said as she turned sharply and walked out of the kitchen and flopped on the couch.

'Damn it!' I thought to myself. This girl was in the program, there would be no more kissing her Momma, or anyone else she used to know. I really wish I would have kept my mouth shut, I couldn't put my finger on it, but something about this girl really pushed my buttons. I heard the soft click of the door signaling that Ranger had left, along with the Marshals. It was up to me to fix this, and somehow I didn't think Bobby and Lester would be much help.

I walked slowly to the living room and sat in a chair that allowed me to look at Angie lying on the couch. Now I know what Steph was talking about when she said that silence could be loud. The uncomfortable silence in that room was deafening. I cleared my throat, and did my best to keep my voice quiet when I finally spoke.

"I shouldn't have said that, and I'm sorry."

Angie turned her head to look at me and struggled to sit up on the couch. Once she was sitting she was looking everywhere but at me.

"It's ok. Sometimes I forget too. I uh I'm really tired, so if Its cool with you I'm going to go upstairs and try to catch some sleep."

I nodded and started to stand up. "Go ahead, just let one of us know if you need something. The marshals stocked some basics in the middle room on the right."

"Thanks." She took off up the stairs with a speed that surprised me, but I let it go, not wanting to say anything else stupid for the night.

I moved towards the living room window to check the blinds and curtains when I heard a door slam. Shortly after the sound stopped echoing through the quiet house Bobby and Lester rejoined me down stairs.

"Dude… She's crying." Lester told me as he sat on the arm of the couch.

"Aww Shit!" Bobby said. "I hate when girls cry."

"Well hell, don't look at me… someone go fix it." The three of us shared a look, and suddenly there we were playing Rock Paper Scissors like a bunch of Ten year olds. Bobby's scissors beat my paper, but lost to Lester's rock.

"Fuck me. Best two out of three?" I asked hopefully, but the other two were already headed to the garage to bring in out bags. I felt my shoulders slump of their own volition as I slowly walked up the stairs. I moved silently down the hall and stood outside Angie's bedroom door. Sure enough Lester was right, I could hear muffled crying coming from inside. I knocked lightly on the door and got no response. I opened the door as quietly as I could and poked my head inside.

"Angie? Is everything ok?"

I saw her struggle to wipe away the tears as she sat up and managed a raspy "Yeah." In reply.

"Can I come in?" I asked as I moved just inside the door.

"I guess." She swung her legs over the end of the bed and sat there looking at me, tear tracks staining her face.

"I'm really sorry if what I said earlier made you cry." Damn it! Why couldn't Lester have lost? He was good with women. He'd say something smart assed and she'd smile and it would be all over.

Angie shook her head and swung her legs staring down to the floor. "No, I'm the one who should apologize."

I opened my mouth to say she had nothing to apologize for, but before I could say something she continued.

"You know for what I said earlier. I shouldn't have been such a smart ass." I edged my way over to a wingback chair that sat not far from the bed. I lowered myself into it trying not to disturb her, it seemed to me she didn't really expect me to say anything, she just wanted to talk.

"All I can say in my defense is I'm a little edgy, that may be a reason, but it is not an excuse. I just didn't want to be stuck here for a long time with more people who wouldn't talk to me."

I was in shock; her escorts didn't talk to her? That wasn't cool. From what I could gather from the slim information we were given about the case she had been in protective custody for at least a month.

She continued to talk quietly "I should probably get some sleep. I got on my first flight about 6 this morning."

I didn't say anything else as I stood up and patted her lightly on the shoulder trying to comfort her. I walked out into the hall and closed the door behind me as the sounds of her getting ready for bed followed me. I headed down stairs to convince Bobby and Lester I hadn't permanently scarred our guest.

Meanwhile back in Texas the shrill ringing of the phone in the middle of the night woke a very bad man.

"Hello?"

"Mr. Dominic? The girl you are looking for is in New Jersey. She's being guarded by a private company named Rangeman."

"Very good."

"About the reward Sir?"

"You'll get paid when I get the girl."

The soft click of the phone being put back in the cradle echoed through the bedroom as Mr. Dominic smiled to himself pulling the blankets back up for his first solid night's sleep since this all began.