A/N: This is the first story I've ever published on FanFic so I'm still figuring out the ins and outs of how it works. Problem number one was that I wouldn't let me load the whole chapter last night. So I guess this is chapter one contd. Number two is that I forgot to post a disclaimer. Anyway stick with me, I think I have a good story line plotted!

Disclaimer: I'm a huge fan and Janet Evanovich all the characters in this story are of her creation. I am only using them for entertainment and hopefully her flattery. (if she were to ever read FanFic)

Distance

The water in the shower started to run cold so I turned it off and climbed out, and wrapped myself in my big fluffy robe. Brushed my teeth, and dried my hair. Looking in the mirror while I waited for my curls to dry I realized how much my reflection had changed over this last few months. My face appeared thinner. Since I was running with Lester in the mornings so I wasn't surprised that I'd lost a little weight. It was the dark circles under my eyes that shocked me. I guess I hadn't realized they had grown so deep. I wonder if that is what Ranger was looking at tonight before he left. He had to be searching for something to have looked at me so intently.

Stop! No thoughts of Ranger! Remember your rules no daydreaming, no wishful thinking, no wasting time for things that can't happen. You are Stephanie Plum, grown-up, independent, you are not weak, you do not need a man to complete you. I wonder how many months I have to repeat this to myself before it become true. Seriously when did my life turn into an episode of Dr. Phil.

The sound of my phone ringing brought me out of my thoughts.

"Hello, Lester."

"Beautiful, how did it go tonight?"

"The meeting was great. I think Rangeman is going to get the contract. Plus, Michael Ludano is an Italian god. I was the envy of every woman in the restaurant tonight for sure," I said, rather dreamily.

"An Italian god? I thought this was a business dinner. Did you keep your hands to yourself? You didn't put the moves on him did you?" Lester the Jester was in full force tonight. I can actually see him on the other end of the phone wagging his eyebrows up and down and grinning while he teased me.

"Ugh! Les! Give me some credit will you. I was professional. Plus Ranger was sitting right there, watching, listening to every word. Acting so possessive."

"Yeah, he can be an ass, I'm sorry Beautiful."

"It's not your fault Les. Don't say you're sorry. I'm fine, a man like Ludano would never be interested in my anyway."

"You sell yourself short Stephanie. You're the woman EVERY man is interested in meeting."

"Thanks. You're sweet."

"Anytime, Beautiful, Anytime," Lester said in a reassuring tone.

"Are you in for the night?" I asked.

"Yep. Are we running in the morning?"

"Ugh! Yeah, see you then. Goodnight Les."

"Goodnight, Steph."

Climbing into bed I set the alarm on the nightstand, punched the pillow a couple times, and flopped onto my back. Silently pleading with Mr. Sandman that tonight I would fall asleep quickly. Of course like everything else in the world of Stephanie Plum nothing is ever easy. As I lay there my mind drifted back to my thoughts from the shower earlier.

The pizza was gone and we were each drinking our third beer. The Bulls were showing the Knicks how it's done. My head was resting on Lester's shoulder, and he was twisting one of my curls around his finger.

"Lester I'm pretty sure I'm going to take the job, but don't tell Tank yet. There are a few things I need to think about first."

"What do you need to think about?" Lester asked sounding concerned.

"Lester can I ask you something, serious?"

"You can ask me anything, you know that."

"Well… umm… have you ever killed anyone?" His eyebrows shot up so high I thought they would disappear into his hair. "I'm sorry I didn't mean…"

"Beautiful? What's going on in your head?"

"Alpha and Cone. I mean, well, I don't want to carry a gun. I killed them, my hand, it pulled the trigger. I shot Alpha five times in the heart. Their dead because I…"

Lester took my hand in his and kissed it. Then he turned his body to face me, took a deep breath, and looked me square in the eye.

"This is why you fight everyone on carrying isn't it?"

Looking down at my hands folded in my lap, I just nodded my head yes.

"There is no shame in defending your life. You did not kill either of them in malice; Alpha was going to kill you. There was no other way save yourself, so you did what had to be done. Cone was a threat, you needed to kill him to live. You should not feel guilty about that. Have you ever tried to talk to anyone about this?"

"Joe and I talked about it, he said the same thing. I shouldn't feel guilty.

"Beautiful…"

"I guess what I'm trying to say is; I know Ranger is going to make me carry a gun when I start working there full time. Can you help me get over my issues?"

"Absolutely, if you'll work with your gun then you can learn how to handle it. That will help you develop a respect for it. I know that sounds a little nuts, but really, a gun is just a tool. It can provide you with power and safety. But it can also be very scary if you don't know how to use it properly."

"Thanks."

"Well I'm going to call it a night. I'll call you tomorrow. Lock the door, and the floor bolt."

I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him with a big smack on the lips. "Goodnight Les."

The next two weeks went by pretty quickly, I gave Vinnie my notice. I helped Lula learn the process of catching skips. Lester helped me buy a new gun, which Ranger paid for. We spent time in the range, and Les told me I was improving each time. Mostly I spent time thinking about how I was going to protect my heart against Ranger.

I finally decided that I need to create some distance between us. I would have to create both emotional and physical distance. Sure we would be working together, so moving across the country was out of the question. But the little things weren't. There would be no touching, no kissing, no secret meetings in his office or private lunches up on seven. I would be his employee and friend, but that's where I would draw the line.

I'm already working on chapter two. I'm hoping to have it posted tomorrow… Thanks so much for the reviews. I hope y'all are having as much fun as I am.