AN: Okay, so originally, it was just a quick one-shot, but I'm trying to do the writing prompts more for the groups I'm in, and since Bruce reappeared for another prompt, I just figured I'd add it to this one. So I will be leaving the one open ended for one-shots that have Bruce included in them :-) Enjoy!
Ranger rolled over in bed and came face-to-face with a furry butt with a tail twitching back and forth wildly. Raising an eyebrow he lifted his head to see what had caught the attention of the sneaky little black cat, who he was sure had been left out of the room the previous night.
Bruce was eyeing a scarf that dangled precariously off the edge of the nightstand. Ranger smirked at the sight of the silk fabric. Stephanie had certainly enjoyed being tied up with it, and of course the only fair thing to do afterward was to allow himself to be tied up. That had been an experience all on its own.
In fact, a repeat performance this morning might be in order, he thought, propping himself up on an elbow. As he reached for the scarf, it slipped off the edge of the nightstand and Bruce launched himself at it, tangling up in it as they landed on the ground. He rolled, attempting to get away from the clutches of the evil scarf, but it simply held fast by tangling itself around his legs.
Ranger chuckled when Bruce let out an indignant meow. Reaching down he grabbed the scarf wrapped kitten. Bruce meowed in protest. As Ranger untangled him a black furry face gave him an annoyed look. "Am I interrupting something?"
Bruce cocked his head at him then flopped on his side on Ranger's stomach and started purring. Glancing next to his sleeping lover, he smiled and played with Bruce for a few minutes.
Bruce was trying to wrap his tiny mouth around one of Ranger's knuckles when he heard a small laugh right next to him. "Batman, if your skips see you like this they won't be all that intimidated by you."
"Which is exactly why Bruce stays in the apartment." He told her leaning over to kiss her, the kitten forgotten momentarily.
"Mmm, good morning," She said breathlessly.
"Morning, Babe."
"I'm surprised you're in bed and not getting ready to go save the world."
"After last night's activities, my body still couldn't move at five this morning." He gave a soft laugh. "You wore me out, Ms. Control."
"I haven't got a clue what you're talking about." Stephanie gave him a wide eyed innocent look. "It couldn't have been me."
Rolling to his side, he pulled her close to him. "Oh, it was definitely you, Babe. If convincing is in order, a repeat performance will happen tonight."
Bruce crawled up Ranger's side and gave meowed his displeasure at being ignored. When Ranger didn't respond, he got onto his shoulder and sniffed his ear. Stephanie burst into giggles when he started licking his ear. Ranger grabbed Bruce and growled, "This is why you don't get to sleep with us, buddy. You like licking me way too much."
As he turned and deposited the little feline on the ground, Stephanie said, "Maybe you should be happy it was just your ear he was licking and not other places." She looked pointedly at his groin, which had grown to an upright soldier the moment he touched her.
"Babe!"
Stephanie couldn't hold back the laugh as he pounced on her, with every intention of punishing her for that statement. His mouth caught hers and they began exploring the familiar deliciousness of one another.
Ranger's cell phone shrieked next to them. They ignored it, but when the calls came back to back, they both knew the moment had passed and Ranger pulled back. He rested his forehead on hers. "Sorry, Babe. I'll make it up to you."
She smiled. "No worries, Carlos." A glance at the clock made her grimace, "But I should probably get moving myself. I've got skips due today and Vinnie will shit bricks if he loses money." As they moved to get ready for the day, she said, "Maybe I should let the bonds laps just to see if he will shit bricks. Could be entertaining."
"Babe."
/\/\/\/\/\
Stephanie walked into the bond's office. Lula was having a moment of a work-conscience and was filing away while Connie did her nails at the desk. Lula looked up at her, "Shit, white girl, you're glowing like the sun. Can't Batman keep his hands off you?"
"Would you want him to keep his hands to himself?" Connie countered.
"Hm, good point. But I got me my Tankie, and he's my sexy teddy bear." Lula replied.
Teddy bear? Stephanie shook her head, making a mental note to forget whatever she had just heard come out of Lula's mouth. Tank would appreciate being known as a teddy bear as much as Ranger would appreciate people knowing he could lay in bed playing with a kitten. There wouldn't be a third world country small enough to hide either Lula or Stephanie if they wanted to hide after that.
"Here's a few body receipts." Stephanie said handing them to Connie. "Vinnie will be happy to know he's not out the bonds and can keep himself duck happy."
"Thanks, Steph." Connie wrote out a check and handed it to her. "How much longer are you going to stay working here since you're with Ranger?"
"However long I want," She answered, "Why?"
"People are wondering if he's going to be like Joe and try to get you to be a stay at home wife." Lula said, "Those Burgers don't know nothin' about Batman if they're comparin' him to Super Cop."
Stephanie rolled her eyes. "I would drive Ranger insane if I ever turned into a stay at home wife. He knows it and I know it."
"You never told us what he thought of little Batman." Lula said.
"He's fine with it." She said evasively not wanting to give away that Ranger actually liked the kitten. "And his name is Bruce now."
"Why the name change?"
"Personality complex," She muttered. "I'm going to take off for the day. I'll see you guys later."
/\/\/\/\/\
It was after nine o'clock and Ranger still hadn't come home. Stephanie didn't worry, knowing that some time his job kept him out later than he'd like. Plus, Hal told her on the way in that he had a takedown tonight, and Ranger had confirmed it by leaving a message on her voicemail.
So for now, she sat on the couch, running a laser pointer back and forth along the carpet watching Bruce run as fast as his little legs would let him. He was full of energy and it made her laugh to watch his determination to get the tiny red dot.
Finally, he lay down panting and Steph took pity on him. "Okay, buddy, I think we're finished for now." She moved to put the laser pointer away and suddenly he was on his feet ready to go after it again.
"No." She pointed at him. "I'm being strong because Carlos says I'm a pushover with you." Which was technically true. She had left the door a crack open last night. It wasn't her fault he had managed to push it the rest of the way so he could get into the room with them.
Determined to stick to her guns, she left the pointer on the end table by the couch and went to the kitchen to get a small snack. While she was scouring the fridge, her Ranger Radar triggered and the tingle on the back of her neck made her smile.
"Hey, Babe," He walked into the kitchen to greet her. "We didn't get finished until about thirty minutes ago."
"Everything go good?" She asked pulling out a small bowl of homemade pudding.
"Yeah, just longer than any of us wanted." Ranger replied grabbing two spoons. "Between last night and today, I'm exhausted. Thank God it's Saturday tomorrow."
"Want to stay in?" Stephanie asked.
"We'll see." He answered and they ate the rest of the pudding in silence. They looked over as Bruce wandered in with the laser pointer dangling from his mouth and trailing between his legs.
"Babe, I really don't think Bruce understands he's a cat, not a dog." Ranger said exasperated.
"He's trying to make me cave. I told him I was being strong."
"Are you?"
"Mm-hmm." She licked the last bit of pudding off the spoon and watched Ranger's eyes darken. Deciding to tease him a bit she said, "I think I'm going to shower and turn in."
"Do you need help in the shower?" His wolf grin came out. "I'm really good in the shower."
"Sure, but with as exhausted as you say you are, I hope this isn't going to be disappointing." She sauntered out of the kitchen.
A shriek of laughter burst out of her as Ranger threw her over his shoulder. "I'll show you exhausted, Babe."
Following behind them Bruce came with the laser pointer, determined to keep playing.