Disclaimer: The characters you recognize as J.E. are hers, and I am only borrowing them. There are some original characters that are mine, and I claim them as mine.

Spoilers:Anything from books 1-19 might be used, so if you haven't read them all, you might want to wait to read this story.

This is an AU story with a mix of characters in canon as well.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who review as guest as well as those of you who don't allow PMs. I love the reviews and want to tell you that I read and appreciate them all. Thank you all. Special thanks to JenRar for coming along as Beta on this one. I appreciate all your help.

Chapter 2: Gathering Clues

Stephanie's POV:

In no time, Cal was pulling into the garage at Rangeman, and I had the door opened before he came to a complete stop. He reached out and kept me in my seat till he had the SUV in park, and then he let go. I hit the ground running, and instead of waiting for the elevator, I ran up the five flights of stairs and barreled out onto the comm room floor. I was going on instinct, trusting myself to get me to the one place I needed to be. I made it to Ranger's office in record time. I opened the door and went right in, not stopping to see if he might be busy. I needed him, and that was my only thought.

The minute I entered his office, Ranger was in motion, and before I knew it, I was in his arms. I clung to him as I lay my head against his chest and the tears I had been battling broke free. He spoke softly to me, trying to comfort me. I wasn't sure how long I had been standing there wrapped in his arms, when there was a knock on the door. I felt the rumble of Ranger's chest as he said, "Enter."

The door opened to reveal Tank standing there. He hesitated, just enough to tell me he had some information about Bree. I knew from the way Tank continued into the room that Ranger had given him the go-ahead. Tank's voice was low as he spoke. "I got a call from Lester. Angelina is in bad shape. She slipped into a coma."

Ranger nodded. "Micha and Hector are on their way there as we speak."

We were interrupted by a pounding on the door. Ranger lifted an eyebrow and gave a barely perceptible nod to Tank.

Tank opened the door and stepped back as Julie pushed her way into her father's office.

I frowned before asking, "Julie, aren't you supposed to be in class?"

Julie waved her hand. "This is more important. I received a message twenty minutes ago—a picture message."

Without another word, Julie handed her phone to her father. Ranger took the phone and held it so we could both see the picture that was on Julie's phone. I couldn't help the gasp that escaped.

Julie's POV:

I had gotten out of bed just like every other day, with no clue that in a few short hours, my life was going to change drastically. I slipped into my workout gear and took a look around my bedroom one last time to make sure I hadn't forgotten anything. The room was average in size, large enough to fit a queen-sized bed, dresser, and armoire, as well as nightstands on either side of the bed. The room was done in shades of green, which happened to be my favorite color, and was the main reason I had voted on this apartment over the other one my dad had let us look at. The curtains added a forest feel to the room, and I had the sensation of coming home every time I entered the room. I closed the door, not bothering to lock it, knowing that Bella and Mary Alice would respect my privacy.

I headed down the short hallway and passed the den and kitchen on my way toward the front door. The apartment was compact, yet there was plenty of room for the three of us. The kitchen was small, mostly just an efficiency kitchen, but it was perfect for us, as none of us did much cooking. The kitchen and den were separated by a small bar, with four stools on the side of the bar facing toward the kitchen. That's where we usually sat to eat when we were here. The den had a full sofa, as well as a love seat and two chairs combo, with three small side tables and a larger coffee table placed around the area, and there was a forty-two-inch TV screen.

On the other side of the den, there was another short hallway that led to the other two bedrooms. Both were the same size as my own. Mary Alice had claimed the one done in purple, and Bella had opted for the one done in blue. There was a full bathroom connecting their two rooms, and I had a full bathroom all to myself. We had planned for weeks before they graduated from high school that we would move in together. The fact that we would choose an apartment in the Rangeman complex was in our favor. No one could argue that it was unsafe.

I grabbed my gym bag off the hook by the door, as well as my key fob, and headed to the gym. I had gotten into the routine of working out right from the beginning of coming to live with Dad. At first, it was a way to connect with him, but over the years, I'd continued doing it for me. I liked being in the best physical shape I could be. It didn't hurt that I got the opportunity to view some of the finest male specimens known to mankind. It took only a few minutes to reach the gym in the main building. I got into my warm-up routine, and in minutes, I was in full workout mode.

The gym was loaded with every imaginable way a person could work out. Treadmills, StairMasters, climbers, stationary bikes, rowing machines, weights…you name it, and it was here. There were only a few guys when I entered the gym, but by the time I was fully into my routine, there were several more. My heart skipped a beat and I nearly fell off the StairMaster when I noticed that he was in the gym. I bit my lip so I wouldn't let loose the moan I felt at just the sight of him.

Jason Alexander, or Jace as everyone at Rangeman knew him, was a six-foot-four Adonis. He had a lean, yet muscular, build with not an ounce of fat anywhere. His blond hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and on the few occasions I had seen it loose, it fell three to four inches below his shoulder blades and he wore it parted in the middle in front. Jace had the most beautiful green eyes I had ever seen. Not the hazel green that you usually see, but a deep, emerald green. His features were strong and masculine. He was more than just handsome… He was beautiful. Of course, I didn't know any guy that would like to be called beautiful, so I kept my opinion to myself.

I felt a hand land on my shoulder and jumped. I turned to see Tank standing there, grinning ear-to-ear. His voice was deep and there was a hint of amusement as he said, "You need to be more aware of your surroundings Julie."

I wrinkled my nose before rolling my eyes and replying, "I can't help it if you took lessons on sneaking up on people."

Tank threw back his head and gave a deep belly laugh. When he stopped laughing, he shook his head at me and said, "I called your name three times with no response. What has your attention so focused, honey?"

I smiled and leaned toward him to whisper, "Like I would tell you."

He placed a hand over his heart like I had mortally wounded him, a shocked look on his face as he replied, "That was harsh."

I climbed off the machine and grabbed my towel to throw around my neck so I could wipe away the sweat from my face, arms, and neck. I was breathing faster and harder than usual due to my workout. I shook my head and said, "I need to get going if I'm going to make it to class on time."

Tank nodded. "All right. Drive safely and keep your eyes open." He paused. "Don't be surprised if you see a Rangeman vehicle following you or one of the guys shadowing you."

I frowned and studied his face to see if I could pick up any signs. He had his blank look on, but there was a hint of something just at the edge. I nodded as I replied, "Don't worry, big guy. I won't try to lose them."

Tank smiled and leaned down to kiss my cheek before whispering, "Thanks, Julie. That will ease my mind, so I'm going to hold you to that."

I headed out of the gym and went back to my apartment. Taking a quick shower, I dressed in the standard college uniform of blue jeans and sneakers. I varied the uniform by wearing a pink rose-colored T-shirt. Brushing my hair back, I secured it in a ponytail before adding a minimum of makeup. I checked to make sure I had everything: back-up gun in ankle holster, check; panic button, check; main gun in purse, check; phone, check; trackers in purse, check; tracker in sneaker, check; tracker in watch, check. I tilted my head side to side and realized I had everything I needed, so I headed to the door to grab my backpack, which was complete with another back-up gun as well as a tracker of its own.

I locked the door on my way out and made my way to the garage, where my car was parked. When I got my license, I'd received a new, black Hyundai Elantra. Well, it hadn't actually been my car at that point. Dad had bought it, and I'd been allowed to drive it. He'd said if I proved I was responsible, the car would be mine when I graduated from high school. That was two years ago, and I'd been thrilled when Dad and Steph told me the car was mine. I climbed into my little car and headed toward Rutgers. The drive would take me between twenty to thirty minutes, depending on traffic.

As soon as I pulled out of the garage, I picked up the black SUV that pulled into traffic behind me. I smiled as I toyed with the thought of giving them a run for their money, but then I remembered what I'd told Tank and decided to behave. Once I reached the college, I pulled into a parking slot and was getting ready to get out of the car, when my phone rang. I connected the call and froze. As quickly as I could, I re-buckled my seat belt and was tearing off like a bat out of hell, heading back to Trenton. I didn't even bother to see if my guards were following.

I made the trip back to Rangeman in record time. When I roared into the garage, I caught Hal unaware, and he stood there staring at me for a second too long and nearly didn't get out of the way in time. When I climbed out of the car, he went to say something, but I made a run for the stairs. I didn't have time to wait for the elevator. I hurried as fast as I could, and when I exited on the fifth floor, I ran to Dad's office and pounded on the door. There was an urgency to my actions I couldn't explain. Tank opened the door, and I made my way inside.

Stephanie frowned as she asked, "Julie, aren't you supposed to be in class?"

I waved my hand in a dismissive gesture as I replied, "This is more important. I received a message twenty minutes ago—a picture message."

I handed the phone to Dad, and when Stephanie looked at the message with him, she gasped.

Unknown POV:

I watched as she pulled into the parking space and smiled as I thought about how I would enjoy the task that had been set for me. I'd been given the task of controlling the wind. I had managed to get in a strategic location so I could grab her, and I had a couple of rooks with me to help. They were in the shadows, waiting for me to give the word, and then they would be there instantly. I was getting ready to move as soon as she stepped out of the car, but she wasn't getting out. I frowned and willed her to do as I wanted. Instead, the car started and she tore out of the parking lot. It was then that I saw the black vehicle shadowing her. I frowned, sure I was the only one sent for this one. My eyes narrowed and I decided I was going to require someone to answer for this. I raised my head and decided just who was going to pay and what the penalty would be.

Jace's POV:

I walked into the gym with Milo, who had been my partner off and on for three years now. Milo was a black man, just over six foot five, with muscles on muscles. He was marginally smaller than Tank…but not by much, and he was a player. He was always trying to get me to party with him, but that wasn't my scene—at least, not anymore. Not since I had taken one look at Ranger's daughter Julie, who was working out just across the gym from me. She had been just seventeen the first time I met her, and I had just been hired to work for Rangeman.

My first assignment had been as her shadow to her senior prom.

It was awkward feeling like I did and having to watch her with her date. The kid was the captain of the football team and thought his shit didn't stink. I watched from the sidelines as the jerk proceeded to flirt with anything female, and when Julie called him on it, he struck her. Before I could get my hands on the creep, Julie introduced his family jewels to the back of his throat and grabbed hold of the top of his head by his hair, telling him that if he ever touched her again, she'd make him disappear. Milo and I stepped out of the shadows and flanked her on either side. Bozo paled, swallowed hard, turned tail, and ran.

I glanced down at Julie and saw that she was fighting tears. Turning to Milo, I motioned for him to watch the perimeter. Once Julie and I were alone, I leaned down and asked, "What's the matter?"

Julie looked up at me, shook her head, and said, "I want to go home."

The music filtered out from the gymnasium, and the song was pure romance. I held out my hand to her, and she looked at me with confusion. I winked and said, "I'll take you home, love, but first, we'll dance the last song of the night."

Julie blushed, but she took my hand and followed my lead as we danced.

When the song ended, I leaned down and kissed her cheek before whispering, "Better?"

She nodded.

I kept hold of her hand as we headed for the SUV, collecting Milo on the way.

Over the next three years, I'd kept an eye on her to make sure she wasn't hurt by some other creep. It was difficult keeping my distance, but at twenty-five, I was eight years older than she was, and I was determined to give her the chance to live and make her own decisions before I made my intentions known. She was now twenty to my twenty-eight, and it was getting harder by the day not to make my move.

When Julie left the gym, Tank stopped beside where I was lifting weights and said, "I want you and Milo on Julie. Anything happens to her, and you'll answer to me."

I nodded and collected Milo on my way out. We lost no time in showering and getting fully dressed for the day. We had just reached the garage and climbed into the SUV when she came down and climbed into her little car. She barreled out of the garage, and we were right behind her. When she pulled into the parking space at Rutgers, I found another spot not far away. Before we could get out, she was roaring out of the lot, and I was hot on her heels. When she entered the Rangeman garage, I was right behind her.

Milo swore when she nearly took out Hal. When she headed for the stairs, we weren't far behind her.

Lester's POV:

Vince and I had done everything we could at the reservation. I had gone through Angelina's home, picking up a few things that I placed in a bag. We stopped by the hospital to check on her, but there had been no change in her condition. Although she was still in a coma, I felt a pull drawing me in. I sat down in the chair next to the bed and leaned forward, resting my clasped hands on the bed. I bowed my head and closed my eyes.

I grew warm as I sat there. Suddenly, there was a kaleidoscope of colors all running together. I tried to make sense of everything that was playing through my head. First were the scenes from the past where we had fought the evil ones, and then the castle being sucked into the ground, and then scenes that made no sense because there was no frame of time to tell me whether they were from the past or what would come in the future. Finally, there was a scene that made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. My eyes opened, and I lifted my head to look at Vince.

Vince nodded. His eyes were narrowed and focused on some distant vision only he was privy to. After a couple minutes, he turned and our eyes locked. We each saw what the other had seen. Shit!

Just as I was ready to step away from the bed, I felt a hand clasp mine and looked down to see Angelina holding my hand firmly in hers. I sat back down and drew her hand up to rest along with mine at my forehead. Lights exploded, and what came next was either a vision or I had finally gone off the deep end. Since I had reason to believe I was still sane, the only other explanation had to be that it was a vision.

I saw myself sitting in a tepee along with several other men. Each was dressed in Chieftain garb. One of them eyed me closely. I lifted an eyebrow, and he motioned me forward. His voice was familiar as he said, "Come. See what has to be."

Clouds surrounded me, and it was as if I was in a fog. When the fog lifted, what I saw brought a smile to my face. The woman in front of me was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen. I felt as if my heart was being squeezed, and I wanted more than anything to wrap my arms around the vision and hold her to me forever. I was amazed that I could feel so much for someone I had never met before. Before I could make good on taking hold of her, the vision cleared and I was once again sitting beside the bed of Angelina. As I opened my eyes, I swore she sighed and tightened her grip on my hand. I took a quick look but saw no change in her. I released her hand and stood to go.

I looked over at Vince. "Let's go. We need to hurry and find her."

Vince nodded, and we headed out into the heat of the day. When we exited the hospital, Micha and Hector were leaning against a black SUV much like our own.

Micha stood and lifted his head. "Did you find anything to help us locate Bree?"

I shook my head. "No, but I have a feeling she is somewhere familiar."

Bree's POV:

I opened my eyes and looked around. I frowned as nothing looked familiar. I wondered how long I had been here. What's more, I wondered how long I would remain here. I slipped out of bed and pulled on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, stuffing my phone into my pocket before padding through the house and out the front door. I turned and gasped at the sight that met my eyes. I fished my phone out of my pocket and pressed the camera button. I sent the picture to the three people I knew I would need to alert. They would take care of letting the rest know.

My head turned toward the west, and I felt a connection. They would need to get here soon. A sound had me turning again, and I glared at the person standing before me. The bastard had the nerve to smile as he headed in my direction.