Disclaimer: no money being made, for entertainment only. Any characters you recognize belong to JE. All Spanish translation were done using Babel fish, so if it's really butchered blame them. ;) Also these characters are adults and this story will portray adult language and situations.

Part Two

I have been sitting here for hours. My snacks are all gone and now I have to pee. I must have seen hundreds of people and not a single twinge from the spidey senses. I am trying to come up with a plan B. Planning has never been my forte. Most of the time, I just jump right in.

Just when I am going to call it a day, Ranger's black Porsche slide to a stop behind my new CRV. Well shit. How did he find out I was here? I try to slouch down in my car. Maybe he doesn't know its me…. Ok, not even I believe that one. Now I have to come up with a fib to tell Ranger. I hope his ESP isn't functioning.

He walked up to my car door and rapped on my window. Reluctantly I roll it down.

"Hey Ranger"

"Babe what are you doing"

"Would you believe I got lost ?" I added what I hoped was an innocent smile. All he did was raise that damn eyebrow. I got out of the car and leaned against the driver's side door. Trying to hide all the junk food wrappers and soda cans. His eyes darted behind me then his lips turned up slightly at the corners.

" Had car trouble." He gave an almost head shake. Great, now I am really amusing him.

Ok, better change the subject before I spill my guts. "What brings you to Newark?"

With a nod at my car he simply said "Follow Me". He went back to his car. Taking his nod as a hint I got back in my car and followed him.

I followed him for about two miles. He pulled into a restaurant parking lot. Of course he got a place right next to the door. I had to park three rows back. As I walked up to meet him near the door, I got a whiff of wonderful aromas. The sign said Los Fornos. Just as I approached him, my stomach decided to vocalize its agreement to being fed.

"Hungry?" he asks. That only got him an eye roll. Using his hand at the small of my back he led me inside.

We entered and were promptly shown to a table in the back. I wondered, for the millionth time, how he managed that. Naturally he took the seat with his back to the wall. A waitress approached and set two glasses of water down. God, I really needed to pee now. Before I could ask about the restroom she greeted Ranger.

"Hola recepción a Los Fornos ¿usted tiene gusto de pedir algo beber primero?"

(Welcome to Los Fornos, would you like to order something to drink first?)

She was really beaming at him, and ignoring me completely. I cleared my throat and got ready to ask about the restroom, when Ranger's ESP kicked in. He told me where to find the restrooms. I cursed my bladder all the way to the restroom. I needed to get back to the table before the waitress decided to take my seat. I could not believe she was openly flirting with him. As I mentally called her every name in the book, specifically trashy man stealing slut, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. What was I thinking? Ranger wasn't mine, why does some woman staring and flirting with him bother me so much? A little voice said that it was because I love him. Stupid voiceI decided it was' best to think about this later. Much later. I washed my hands and headed back to the table. It was diner time and I was hungry.

I had only been gone a few minutes, and the waitress was returning with our drinks. She leaned over him to grab the extra silverware, effectively putting her chest in his face. Try much?

I took my seat and Ranger smiled at the death glare I shot her way, and lifted his menu. She walked away after the brush off.

I tried to read my menu, but it was all in Spanish. I gave Ranger a pleading look.

Sensing my dilemma, he asked " Would you like me to just order, or do you have something in mind?"

"Depends. You're not going to try to order me something healthy are you?"

"Babe, I counted six Tastykake wrappers, two snicker bars, and a bag of Doritos. Don't you think you should balance it a bit?"

I flushed bright red, how did he catch all of that? "Ok, maybe something sort of healthy, but it has to taste good, and no sprouts and tofu." He flashed 200 watts at me. If I hadn't been so distracted by the smile, I would have seen the waitress reappear.

¿Aliste para ordenar? (Ready to order?).

Ranger placed our order with barely a glance at the waitress.

"Pollo con arroz amarillo y una ensalada lateral con el rancho que viste para la seZora. Deseo salmones cocidos al vapor con arroz una ensalada sin vestir."

Rangers voice always made my body flush with just one word, but when he spoke Spanish, I started to sweat in places that are not mentionable in public.

He sat back and watched me again.

After a while, I started to fidget under his scrutiny, when I remembered that he never answered my question. "So did you come to Newark just to eat?"

"Got a report about you scaring the locals"

Ranger Humor. Great just what I needed. Reports? From who? I didn't get out except once, and didn't talk to anyone. Who could have recognized me from this area? My thoughts must have shown on my face cause suddenly he started talking again.

"Babe, do you really think you blend in here? How many Caucasians did you see while camped out across from the store? Gotta work on your techniques."

Now, some would take that as a jab, but I can see his point to the question, and maybe a little amusement. His face was blank, but his eyes were dancing. I took a sip of Coke, trying to delay answering his unspoken question. Distraction, my specialty. "So what would you recommend for improving my technique?" He watched my face intently. I squirmed a little bit, his gaze was so intense that it felt as if he is seeing directly into my soul. Apparently finding what he was looking for, he actually answered my question.

"First, don't park directly across from your target. Secondly, you should try to look like you belong, or at least have a purpose. Instead of hiding in your car, you could have gone from store to store browsing. Anything but sitting in your car across from your target for four hours." Too obvious, but like I said planning isn't my thing. I didn't even plan on coming to Newark today"Proud of you for being able to stay there that long though." He gave me a look that said he still wants an answer to his first question. I studiously examined our surroundings.

Los Fornos was lit for the dinner crowd. The above lights were dim, and each table had a candle. The plates were festive bright colors. There was a Spanish ballad playing. Well, it sounded like a ballad. All songs sound sexy in Spanish. To be honest, for all I know it could have been a song about a banana. The place had a romantic overtone, but I didn't feel out of place in my jeans and T-shirt. The booths had tall walls with painted glass partitions. Very little noise is carried from booth to booth. Must be why Ranger felt comfortable talking here.

I glanced back to Ranger, and he had been watching me the whole time. I was about to question him when our dinners arrived. Ranger ordered me this wonderful chicken and rice dish. He also ordered me a mixed greens salad. I actually took a few bites of the salad, just to appease him after the junk food he saw. Ranger had some type of fish dish. Both of our dishes looked extremely healthy. It actually tasted good, I think I let out a small moan.

We ate in companionable silence. I never feel the need to fill it with small talk when I am with Ranger. I tried not to think about my feelings for him. I hadn't been alone with him this long since the day I visited when he was released from the hospital. I had missed him, but was not sure how to handle my newly discovered feelings.

Add to that Joe had been out of town since before Valentines Day, which really notched up my tension and confusion. For Dessert, the waitress brought both of us Flan. My eyebrows shot up to my hairline at this. I never would have thought Ranger would sully the temple with sugar.

Seeing the shock on my face, and probably the fact that I was frozen in place, Ranger sighed then said "Remember my body is not always a temple, and I like Flan. Gotta live a bit sometimes." Ok that didn't help my shocked state, but his phone buzzing did.

In the dim lighting of the restaurant, neither one of them noticed the eyes watching their exchange during dinner. A phone a call was placed...

Ranger answered with his customary YO. Watching his face intently I saw the look on his face change, he gave the order to set up a meeting early tomorrow and disconnected.

"Everything ok?" I ask. He just nodded and continued eating. I followed suit. I never waste good dessert, and something told me that I was going to need the sugar.

Ranger just kept glancing at me and it made me nervous. Finally I cracked.

"What?" I almost yelled.

"I was hoping you would tell me that" Huh… maybe someone needs to remind him I don't have ESP. Just when I was about to let a snarky comment fly, he continued.

"What are you doing here, and don't lie to me. I don't like it or deserve it."

Well shit. That really stung. How do I explain that I was about to invade his personal life?

"You really want the truth?" after his nod, I decided to spill it. He was right, he didn't deserve me not telling him the truth. He always supports me and is there when I need him. I just hope he doesn't ship me to a third world country.

"I was trying to see your grandmother. I figured that if this area was a Cuban version of the burg, then everyone would use a local store. I picked what looked like the busiest and was going to see what she was like."

"Why"

For only using one word, that was a really loaded question. I couldn't tell him the truth about why. I wasn't not even sure, myself. That little voice tried to butt in, but I pushed it out of my mind. "I don't know why, I just was curious I guess".

"When you can answer the question, I will think about introducing you to her. Until then, leave it be."

"OK, I will not try to find your grandmother. Sorry?" I really was sorry, and not that he caught me. He watched me a bit more, probably trying to make sure I was serious. Once he seen that I was being truthful, he shot another question my way.

"What's going on with you and Morelli?" And the hits keep coming.

"I am not sure, he has been really weird since you were shot. Then, he left town on assignment, so things are in limbo." He gave me a nod. He probably knew most of that. I finished the last of my Flan, and we left. He walked me to my car and kissed my temple as a good-bye.

My body drove home on auto pilot, since my brain was busy. Why do both of the men in my life go weird at the same time? First Morelli, now Ranger. I mean he was actually talking a bit. And what's with the questions? He seemed really interested in both of the major ones he hit me with tonight. Then, he only kissed my temple. Not to long ago, he would have kissed me till my brain shut down and I was gasping for air

I walked into my apartment, greeted Rex, gave him some hamster nuggets, peanuts, and raisins. He flew out of his can stuffed his cheeks and went back, wagging his butt behind him. I hit the shower. After washing off the car cramps, I crawled into bed. It wasn't too late but, somehow, I was exhausted.

One day I am going to have to figure out my life. Probably it can wait till after I have slept for a few days.