Chapter 2 - Bleeding Love – Pt. 1

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or the songs used in this story. Song used is Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis. Cupcakes beware very unkind to Morelli.

Steph's POV

After the confessions Ranger and I had made to each other that night; we decided that we were done denying our feelings for each other. We realized that it wasn't going to be easy for either of us. He had been resigned to being alone, and I typically tried to self-destruct my relationships by allowing my Hungarian-Italian temper to get the best of me.

We were taking things slow, starting with dating. I mean actual dates, not pizza and beer while watching a hockey game. I couldn't remember Joe ever taking me out on a real date, unless you counted his cousin's wedding, and we all remember how that night ended in a disaster. Even though we were going slowly, the people around Ranger and me were starting to suspect that we were a couple. How could they not? We now spent every available moment together.

Ranger and I have been enjoying really getting to know each other. I loved learning about his family, and he's told me what he can about his military career. I knew that he was still under contract for the next two months and that he could be called away at any moment. It worried me that he could be gone again so soon after getting him back, but now that I knew he loved me, maybe I'd deal with it better next time. The feelings of depression had all but disappeared now that I had him in my life permanently.

Ranger's POV

I was the luckiest man on the planet. I, Carlos Manoso, had the love of my Babe. I always wanted to tell Steph that we could have this someday, but I was just too afraid that she would pick the Cop over me and had even convinced myself that would be for the best. I never dreamed that I'd get this opportunity with Stephanie, and now that I had it, I would do everything in my power to make her the happiest woman on the planet. I would give her anything. If she wanted it, I'd make her my wife and the mother of my children.

Stephanie and I had just decided to finally let everyone in on the news of our relationship. We were telling her parents over dinner tonight. I fully intended to speak to her father and ask for his blessing on my plan to propose to Steph. I wanted to let him know up front that as soon as Steph was ready, I wanted to marry her. I wanted him to know that I'd spent too much time trying to keep her away from me, and I didn't have the strength to do that any longer. I wantd her with me always.

We were planning to go to Haywood after dinner and let the Merry Men know that we are officially together. I was sure that they already knew or suspected for a while, but Steph wanted to tell them in person. Earlier today we called my parents to let them know. They were thrilled that I was finally sharing my life with someone. They expected us at dinner as soon as our schedule allowed.

I'd never trusted myself to be in a relationship. I'd always felt the danger was too great. I had closed myself off from love for so long that this whole thing had me scared for the first time in a long time. Scared or not, I wouldn't trade this for anything. I had felt frozen and unable to love for so long, but everything changed the day that Steph walked into that diner.

Closed off from love
I didn't need the pain
Once or twice was enough
And it was all in vain
Time starts to pass
Before you know it you're frozen

But something happened
For the very first time with you
My heart melted to the ground
Found something true
And everyone's lookin 'round
Thinking I'm going crazy

We arrived at the Plum house, and I was not surprised by the reception we received. I spent the first few minutes dodging Grandma Mazur's attempts to feel me up - that woman is a sex fiend. Steph giggled as I endeavored to avoid Grandma's advances. I looked at my Babe, raising an eyebrow and pleading "Babe" before she came to my rescue and told her granny to leave me alone. Steph informed Grandma Mazur that from now on she was the only person who got to feel me up. Her mother dropped the glass she was setting on the table, obviously shocked by Steph's words.

"Stephanie Michelle Plum! You take that back. What will Joseph think?" Mrs. Plum stated in an irate voice as she glared at her daughter.

"Mom, I don't care what Joe thinks. We broke up, and now I 'm dating Carlos. We're happy, isn't that all that matters?"

"He's not one of us. What will everyone think when they find out that you're dating him?"

But I don't care what they say
I'm in love with you
They try to pull me away
But they don't know the truth
My heart's crippled by the vein
That I keep on closing
You cut me open and I

Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love
I keep bleeding
I keep, keep bleeding love
Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love
You cut me open

"I don't care what they think, Mother. I'm not living my life to please the Burg anymore. We love each other and he makes me happier than I've ever been."

As I watched Steph defend our love to her mother, I fell in love with her all over again. I was more determined than ever to speak to her father. Mr. Plum's ESP must've been working today because he came up to me and placed a hand on my shoulder, then asked me to accompany him to the back yard. I glanced at Steph and gave her a smile as I followed Frank out the back door.

"Mr. Manoso, what exactly are your intentions with my baby girl?'

"Sir, please call me Carlos. I want Steph in whatever way she'll have me. I plan to ask her to marry me soon, but only when she's ready. If I've learned anything over the years about Steph, it's that she needs to do things on her terms not anyone else's."

With a grin spreading across his face, he held out his hand to me. "You have my blessing. Take care of her, son."

I shook his outstretched hand. "I will, sir," I vowed, and it was a promise that I'd have no trouble keeping.

We headed back into the house and Steph walked up to me, searching my face for signs of distress. I flashed a 200-watt smile at her as I wrapped my arms around her waist. I leaned down, grazing my lips on her neck as I whispered loud enough for her family to hear.

"I love you."

"I love you, Carlos." Steph happily returned.

We had a surprisingly peaceful dinner. I was concerned about Mrs. Plum's reaction because it was obvious that she had issues with our relationship, though she didn't voice anymore objections during dinner.

We left the Plum house sometime later and headed over to Rangeman. I placed a call to Tank, telling him to have everyone in conference room one in fifteen minutes for a quick meeting. I never call late night meetings, except for emergency situations, which typically involved Steph.

Tank voiced his concern "What's wrong with Bombshell?"

"Nothing's wrong, man, just need to tell you guys something."

Steph and I walked hand in hand into the conference room, taking in the concerned eyes of Tank, Lester, Bobby, and Hector. I tugged on Steph's arm, pulling her hard enough to make her spin around to face me and delivered a bone-melting kiss to her lips. I heard the sharp intake of breath, which quickly turned to wolf whistles and chuckles from the men.

Tank cleared his throat "Bout damn time, man."

Stephanie blushed a beautiful shade of red as she glanced at the men. I chuckled at her and pulled her back to my chest, wrapping my arms around her and kissing the top of her head.

I looked at my friends. "I suspect that you all have figured out by now that Steph and I are officially together."

The conference room erupted in yells of congratulations, thank Gods, and finally. But all noise halted when the phone rang in the conference room.

Tank went over and answered it. "Rangeman," he said, then, "Yes, can you hold?" Tank turned to face me. "Ranger, it's for you. It's the Boston office."

I answered the phone with my usual greeting. "Yo."

"Hey Ranger, I'm sorry to bother you, but we've got an FTA that we could use your help picking up."

"What are the charges and the bond amount?"

"1.5 million bond, charged with multiple counts of murder, aggravated assault, the list's a mile long."

"I'll drive up in the morning. Have everything ready for me when I get there. I want to pick him up quick and get back. I have something important here that needs my attention."

I glanced at Steph and she gave me a small smile. I could tell by her eyes that she did not like the idea of me going out of town.

I walked back to Steph and wrapped my arms around her. I told the group what was happening and then leaned down to whisper in Steph's ear. "Babe, don't worry. It's standard operating procedure for me to assist on FTAs with bonds over a million dollars. I'll make sure it's a quick pick-up and be home as soon as possible."

Steph looked at me and said "I know Carlos, it just seems that no matter how many times you save the world, it always manages to get back in jeopardy again. Sometimes I just want it to stay saved! You know, for a little bit?"

Steph relaxed a little, and I asked her to accompany me up to seven. She agreed and we went up hand in hand.

I sat down on the couch and pulled her into my lap. I turned her chin to where I could see her sapphire eyes. "Babe, will you do me a favor please?"

"Anything, Carlos you know that."

"Will you stay here on seven while I'm gone? I like the idea of you living here with me. I know that you may not be ready to consider living together, but I would like to discuss it more when I get back from Boston. I also want you to consider something else. This office has grown so much in the past year I'm really hoping that you'll consider coming to work here at Rangeman full time. You have your business degree and I'm hoping that you'll help me out with the business aspect of the company. You'd be a great help to me and the guys. I know that the clients would love you."

"I'll think about it, Carlos."

I gently placed my lips to hers and asked her if she would like to stay the night with me. I just wanted to hold her and wake up with her by my side in the morning. Steph agreed and we headed into the bedroom to get ready for bed. She grabbed one of my black t-shirts and I grabbed my silk boxers. We settled into bed with Steph snuggling into my chest. We talked a little and then drifted off to sleep.

A/N: This story's rating will change next chapter.