As a thank you for the huge response to the first chapter, here's a short update;)

Disclaimer: The Plum universe belongs to Janet Evanovich.

I was moving yet the effort wasn't mine. I saw a light, very bright. In the blink of an eye my vision was filled with different faces, mostly unfamiliar. A blur of colors and motion caught my wandering attention amidst the haze. There were hands touching me everywhere, each set focusing on a different task. A jolt cursed through me when one of the hands landed on my right shoulder.

That's when I knew I wasn't dead. The pain was too real and very physical. I wanted to scream, but only managed to let out a choked whimper. A female voice rose above the confusing noise, saying something about surgery.

Can't be sure of what came next, because I knocked out. There were no dreams or images whatsoever, just darkness.

I started to come around as I was being moved. The voices began filtering in sort of babbled. I understood pieces here and there, wanting to speak up. Trying to open my eyes was difficult. My eyelids felt heavy and soon the effort turned exhausting.

When I was finally able to open my eyes again I didn't know how long I'd been out. Staring up at the standard hospital ceiling I was still very confused. From the corner of my eye I spotted someone familiar. Grandma Mazur was seated by my bedside. I must have made a sound, because she stood up. Even while looking down at me she looked frail and tiny. Trying to move was a bad idea. It was a reminder that I was the broken one.

"Sh-shh." Grandma patted my thigh affectionately as a strangled cry left my lips. "Relax." Her reassuring tone was accompanied by a soothing touch, tucking stray strands of hair behind my ears. I nodded as best as I could, closing my eyes again.

Shuffling footsteps and a muffled cough brought me back from the forced sleep. It was Grandma again, reentering the room. Unsure of what I wanted to find or who I was looking for, I darted my eyes around.

"Your mother kept fainting every time she saw you." Grandma Mazur stated by way of greeting. "They gave her something and your father took her home." She waved a hand in the air, telling me it was best this way.

"Ungh…" I was going for a 'what happened?', but apparently couldn't.

"I was on my way out to spend my Social Security Check when that Hottie Ranger called." Grandma chatted me up, taking advantage of the fact that I was staying awake a bit longer this time. I wanted to keep up and join in so I wouldn't doze off. I didn't even realize I'd closed my eyes and soon I no longer heard the chatter.

The room was dark the next time I awoke. The chair by the bedside was vacant, making me think I was alone. I stayed still, contemplating the drastic turn of events. I sighed and in return I heard the rustle of clothing as someone approached. I turned to the window and caught the blurred outline of a man. This time I did scream.

Scrambling away isn't easy when you're bedridden. I only managed to jerk back, mostly leaning on my wounded side. There was a hot flash of pain even as frustration settled in. The man grabbed my left arm and I stopped struggling.

It was Ranger.

Hope the interest continues…