Disclaimer: I do not own anything. JE is does. I am just playing.

A.N. Please bear with me, I know it seems like I am jumping ahead here, leaving you with many questions as to why, but it will all be revealed in the next few chapters. I don't think this story is going to be super long. Thank you. Oh and thank you again for the lovely reviews, follows and favorites! I means the world to me!


Chapter Three

Present day.

Across town- 0430 hrs

A group consisting of three men, two of which were heavily armed, and a woman, were sitting inside an abandoned warehouse on Stark. It was the final meeting before they set their plan into motion.

At this point they were watching the live feed being broadcast from Plum's apartment. It can clearly be seen that Manoso can't seem to keep away from the disaster that is Stephanie Plum.

"Let's take them tonight. They won't be expecting it. Hell they won't be expecting us."

All three men chuckled darkly at what their female leader said. It was true, no one would expect any of them to not only be working together, but to bring down the infamous Bombshell Bounty Hunter and Carlos "Ranger" Manoso.

With nods of their heads, they checked their weapons, secured the building and left.

It was time.

RPOV

He looked out her bedroom window and noticed the sky was beginning to lighten from the inky black that used to resemble his soul to a smoke filled grey that has allowed the light to shine through. He knew he had to leave. He knew he should leave.

As he was standing to do just that, a noise alerted him that they were no longer alone.

It was time.

SPOV

As she laid there, regulating her breathing to keep up with her charade that she was sleeping, she knew he was getting ready to leave, again. She could practically feel him change from her Carlos, into the street's Ranger. She was contemplating just opening her eyes, to let him know that she knew he was there. Let him see that she was alright. That everything was going to be o.k. They would be o.k.

Before she got the chance, a noise alerted her that their time was up. They were not alone anymore.

It was time.

0530 hrs

The apartment door was thrown open with abandon. It crashed loudly against Stephanie's foyer wall. Three men and a woman entered her apartment, knowing both Stephanie and Ranger were there. They walked through the sparsely furnished living room and entered the bedroom, again throwing the door open with abandon. The female and one of the males entered, while the other two males remained just outside the bedroom door in the shadows.

Stephanie shot up in bed and reaching under her pillow at the same time, withdrew her weapon. At the same moment, Ranger pulled both his from his boot and his back simultaneously and pointed them at the intruders.

The moment wasn't lost on anyone. Shock clearly written on both Stephanie's and Ranger's faces and smirks full of smug disdain on the intruders' as the names "Joe?" and "Melanie?" were said simultaneously.