Hector's POV

After leaving the boss' office I got to thinking about what he had asked, it would be great to work with my Angelita. I always worry about her. I know that some of the team thinks that it might not be the best idea, that I am a loose cannon or dangerous. And I am, but I would never do anything to hurt my Angelita. She sees past my tattoos and really sees me. She is one of the best women I know. I just hope that we can show her what its like to have somebody supporting her and encouraging her. Lord knows she doesn't get that often, with her devil mother and the cop. I think I need to have a conversation with some of the team. I know they all love her, but I think we should discuss somethings about Steph.

So I make my way back to the fifth floor to Tanks office and knock.

" Hola Tank I want to speak to you about Steph. And I think maybe some of the others should be included."

" Let me call the others." With that he makes the calls and the guys come in.

" I think its muy buena Steph will be working here. But I think there are somethings we should talk about. Angelita is a very stubborn, independent woman who has been put down for a long time. When we are training her we should keep that in mind. Also we should try and encourage her to spread her wings as we work with her. We have all at one point heard the things the cop and her mother say to her, it has to affect her more than she lets on. I know the boss loves and respects her but he is also part of the problem." Man the way they are looking at me you would think I never spoke before. I can tell they are thinking about what I've said when Lester speaks up.

" I love bomber man and your right she has been beaten down. And as much as I love my cousin, Ranger has played his part. He thinks we don't know about him pushing her away and saying stupid stuff."

Tank gets a look and then says " Lula told me that they slept together one time and then when he was done he sent her back to the cop. Little girl was crushed. You know how her and Lula are, they talk about stuff and then Lula comes to me cause shes upset the her skinny white girl is hurt. Hes told Steph stuff like I love you in my own way or my love comes with a condom not a ring. At first I thought Steph was just playing with Ranger but the more Lula tells me the more I see its of his own doing."

Lester is pissed at this. " What is primo estupido thinking. I'm sure in his mind he's protecting her. But man she really loves him. This explains so much for how she acts."

" I think that maybe bossman shouldn't have anything to do with her working here." With all the confused looks Bobby goes on to explain " What I mean is she needs a solid support system to build her up and with him being envolved it could have negative effects. I think he should focus more on counter acting all the negative things he's said to her and getting his head outta his ass. Each of us should train her in our specialty and work with her on trusting her Spidey senses."

Cal cuts in with " You know it might actually be better if we came to her with the job offer instead of Ranger. I think she'll see his offer as pity or something. I overheard him tell her she was a line item on entertainment in the budget. And with all the bets being placed on her at the cop shop she might not trust it."

Damn that was wrong for him to say that. That man is so screwed up.

" So how do we bring this to the boss, and let him know that we only have Angelitas best interest at heart. That she is like our hermana menor. And that he needs to shit or get off the pot as far as his feelings go."

Tank stands up " I'll go talk to him now"

Tank's POV

I figured I'd be the best one to talk to Ranger about our concerns. I've known Ranger since we were kids. I still can't believe some of the things Lula has told me. I love my little girl, she's like the little sister I never had. I wont let her be hurt again by anybody. Even if that somebody is my best friend.

Well here goes nothing.

When I walked into his office you could tell he was trying to figure out what to do about Steph.

" Carlos we need to have a talk my friend. The team and I were talking and we feel you should let us handle Steph working here."

That sure got his attention. You could see the anger risin in him even through the blank face as he barks "Explain"

" Look man she's like all of our little sister. We feel she'd be more receptive if it was coming from us. And besides I think it's time you got your head out of your ass and tried to build something with her. You can't really do that if your having to be her boss. And that brings me to the other subject. We know some of the things you've said and done to that woman and it aint right. I wont let you keep pushing and pulling her around. Either you love her and be with her and only her or you let her go to the cop and stay away. No more poaching. Shes a good woman don't fuck it up."

Man is he livid. But we wont have him hurting her anymore. We wont have anyone hurting her. One of us should probably go talk to her mother and explain to her how to treat a loved one. I wasn't prepared for what he told me next.

" Do you know why Morelli came to see me? He came to tell me that she loved me more than him and he was tired of it. Basically that he was standing down and that I should go after her. I love her but I've said some fucked up things to her. I know she loves me but I don't know if she can forgive me. I could get her hurt just by being me. I couldn't live if something happened to her."

I really can't believe this guy. " That's a cop out and you know it. You are no more danger to her than she is to her self. I think your just afraid of putting your heart out there and getting it hurt. But man she's worth the risk. She would never hurt you. Shit she helped you save your daughter without even knowing her. And she refused to take you in when you were FTA. Look man don't worry about her working here we got that. You just figure out how your gonna get her in your life and keep her there, and I don't mean like she is now. I mean as a partner, you know significant other type."

As he's processing all that I've said I'm hoping he agrees and doesn't ask me to the mats. I don't like being in pain and that man can sure bring the pain on the mats. Finally he answers " Okay man I'll trust you guys but I want a report on even the smallest thing. Understand."

I nod my head and walk out the door. Well that was easier than I thought.