Warnings: Big ass Joe warning. If you care for Joe at all DO. NOT. READ. THIS. I can guarantee you won't like it.

That being said this is an adult fic and deals with adults therefore if you're not 18 you should back click now.

Illusions and Fantasies

by

Das

Chapter 11

Stephanie's POV

I can't believe how strong and good I feel. It's been six weeks since I walked into RangeMan. Six weeks of heaven and hell. Celia and Jane have been both my angels and the devil on my back. They refuse to let me crawl into denial. With the help and support of everyone in the building, I've begun to face what what happened to me these last two years.

I haven't talked to my parents yet. In fact, the only ones I've talked to in Trenton are in this building. Jane has reassured me that baby steps are okay at this point.

"Hey, you look like you're in deep thought. Do you need to talk?" Jane asked as she stepped onto the treadmill next to mine.

Yeah, Stephanie Plum now works out on a regular base. The Merry Men pointed out that it's a good way to work through stress.

Before I could answer, Ranger stepped onto the machine on the other side of me. We aren't back to where we were before I was taken, but we're working on it. I have some serious trust issues, and he was being very understanding. Jane and Celia thought it was time I filled Ranger in on what had happened to me, especially the parts that involved Joe Morelli. I had cried and raged for days when those memories first surfaced.

How could a man that I had trusted and loved have betrayed me? Forced himself on me and degraded me. Even though I knew deep down that Ranger would never hurt me in such a way, my mind had trouble accepting that truth.

"Babe, Celia says we need to talk. Please tell me you're ready." I smiled at him. He had been so patient with me. "Babe, I just want to help. Please tell me."

"You know what, Ranger? I can't tell you that because I refuse to lie to you."*

My heart loved Ranger. No, not Ranger, but Carlos, the man Ranger had shown me these past weeks. I wouldn't lie to him. I wondered if I could go into Denial Land.

I upped the speed on the treadmill. Silly, I was on a stationary treadmill. I couldn't outrun him, and I knew eventually I would have to tell him everything. He had been beyond patient with me. I know that since I'd returned, he had only left the building when he had to, and when he was gone, he had men ready to help me in any way they could.

Sighing, I put the treadmill in cool-down mode. I glanced at Ranger. Yup, I was amusing him. My heart soared a little at his barely-there smile.

"I'm only doing this once. Can we all meet in one of the conference rooms?"

Ranger nodded.

I looked at the wall clock. It was 6:00 in the morning. I know it was earlier than I used to get up, but another side effect of the last two years was that I had trouble sleeping for more than an hour or two at a time. Jane was helping me with that, among other things.

"Is 1:00 okay? I need to talk to Jane first."

Ranger placed a kiss on my forehead. "We'll be there, Babe."

Meeting with Jane

"Stephanie, don't be surprised when you finally get your dream. I can almost guarantee, the biggest surprise will be it won't look anything like the goal you had way back when you first began to dream it. It will be even better than you imagined."

I thought for a minute. "You really think so? You're not just yanking my chain?"

"Stephanie, I just need you to remember that dreams are how we figure out where we want to go, but life is how we get there. So make sure you enjoy the journey. Sometimes the road can be bumpy. Every journey begins with a single step. I think you're ready to take the step."

I smiled at her. "Now it's time for recovery."

Jane smiled at me. "No, Stephanie, now is time for revenge."

I wrung my hands. "I can't believe I thought I loved him. I was thinking about marrying him, and he did this to me."

"Stephanie, remember the pleasure of love lasts but a moment, pain of love lasts a lifetime.* Joe seriously deceived you, but you're strong. You can recover from this and move on, or you can dwell on it and become stagnant. The choice is yours. Are you ready to move on?"

I looked from Jane to the closed conference room door. We were meeting here so I could relax before I met with Ranger and the core team, Bobby, Lester, and Tank.

Chapter Twelve

Bobby's POV

Lester and I watched as Tank and Ranger went another round in the ring. This had been Ranger's form of release since Stephanie's return. We both grimaced as Tank absorbed another round of punishing blows from Ranger.

"Ya know, I didn't understand it when the boss started helping Stephanie, but I think I'm getting smarter. No one is perfect until you fall in love with them.* Remember that first redecorating job she came on?"

I nodded, waiting to see where Lester was going with this.

"Well, you see, I figure the boss had already been in love with Steph by then but didn't know it yet. We choose those we like; with those we love, we have no say in the matter.* The boss he knew he liked her, otherwise he wouldn't have trusted her to help us. He certainly wouldn't have tried to help her. I'm thinking he finally realized he loved her later."

Yeah, I thought. Maybe someday we'd meet someone like Stephanie. We both knew that was what we were hoping for... to meet that girl that was the one. Of course, I think destiny somehow had a hand in making sure Stephanie and Carlos met. At least, I hope so. It would be wrong for there to be two people so perfect for each other and to never have them meet. Soul mates, as my grandma called them, should be together.

Ranger's POV

Getting in the ring had always been a way for me to think and work off steam. Tank was close enough to me to know that, and he was big enough to handle most of what I threw at him.

Celia had been really close-mouthed about what she had found out during her exam of Stephanie. Jane preached client/patient confidentiality. So even though I had my own thoughts of what had happened, until Stephanie chose to fill me in, I was in the dark. That was somewhere I hated to be when Steph was involved.

Even Bobby had only given me a brief overview of what he'd found. I understood they felt the need to protect Steph, and they needed her trust, but this is the woman that I've finally admitted to myself that I love. I knew I needed to clue the lady in on the fact that I've decided I want a life with her. Fuck, I want more than a life. I want forever.

Love is like heaven, but it can hurt like hell.* Ever since Stephanie had disappeared, I'd been trying to work out how I would tell her if I ever had the chance. I'd come to the conclusion that I would just have to man up. I would invite her up to seven, have Ella cook a fabulous dinner with all her favorites, then I'd spill my guts and hope for the best. Of course, I hoped that the candles, wine, and soft music would help. If not, I was willing to beg.

Conference Room 1300

Stephanie's POV

Jane and I had finished our talk and opened the door, which let the guys know it was safe to enter. They entered and sat at the table, looking at the folders in front of each seat.

"Uh, before you open those folders and start reading, I just want to tell you that I trust each and every one of you."

There were nods and grunts. I could tell they were all uncomfortable about what they were about to learn. I knew they had seen worse on missions, but this was different. This was personal. One of their own had been hurt, and I knew they would retaliate, with force.

I could hear Ranger's teeth grind as he turned pages. Tank swore. The cup Lester had been drinking coffee out of shattered, just as Ranger stood. His chair flew back and smashed into the wall a minute before his fist.

Jane's POV

Celia and I watched Stephanie's reaction. She flew to Ranger's side, which was a good sign. After what she'd been through, it wouldn't have surprised me if the outburst caused her to cower and pull back. I liked the healthy reaction of her going to the one she loved, feeling his pain through her own.

Ranger pulled her into his embrace. "Babe, I'm sorry..."

Stephanie pulled back, her hands on his face. "No, don't...this was not your fault."

"I'll kill him."

Stephanie, Celia, and I looked at the other men in the room. We wouldn't want to be Joe Morelli right now.

Stephanie met each of their eyes before moving on. "This happened to me. I know you all want to protect me but I have to be involved in this."

"Babe," Ranger let out a healthy sigh. "How do you want to handle this?"

Stephanie's POV

The guys all had difficulty reading the file in front of them. Tank, Bobby and Lester looked at Ranger and me, waiting. They would certainly avenge my kidnapping and everything. It wasn't in them to let this go unpunished. Joe Morelli was going down, and hard, if they had anything to say about it. They all were really good at hiding bodies.

I'd watched as they'd all grimaced and swallowed hard while reading about what I had been through and the part Morelli had played. I knew they were thinking of the act he had put on as my grieving boyfriend.

I looked to Celia and Jane, getting their silent support. "Uh, first I need to let everyone know I'm back. I figure I'll call Val after I go see my parents. That should get the 'Burg grapevine going."

Tank groaned, and I turned to him.

"Lula is going to kill me if she finds out you're back through the grapevine."

I was stunned. "You haven't told her?"

Knowing they were a couple, I had just assumed that he had shared the news with her.

Tank shook his head. "I couldn't. We all knew it wouldn't be safe for you. If I'd told Lula, she would have told Connie. I couldn't, wouldn't, take the chance."

"But Reynolds..."

I had wondered what had happened with Reynolds, but had been so busy recovering I hadn't given him a lot of thought. Well, that, and I had used my friend denial, and just kept pushing him to the back of my mind with all the other crap I knew I would have to deal with someday. It looked like someday was here.

"Babe, it wasn't in Reynolds' best interest to share the fact that you were back in town. For the time being, Reynolds is contained."

I swallowed. Ranger sat and pulled me down on his lap. Over the last few weeks, we had talked briefly, and I had become much more physically comfortable. In fact, I had come to crave his closeness. We shared most meals. Of course, we were seldom alone; either Jane, Celia, or one or more of the Merry Men were usually with us.

"Tank, why don't you bring Lula to dinner tonight? I'll wait until tomorrow to see my parents. It's been this long. One more night won't make a difference."

We all spent the next few hours going over plans and coming up with the perfect revenge to exact on Joe Morelli.

Later that night on seven

Lula's POV

I don't know what is up with my man Tank, but he's been all jumpy like a cat in a room full of rocking chair ever since he picked me up for dinner tonight. I knew something was up when he told me we were having dinner at Ranger's seventh floor apartment. Since we've been together, we've had dinner with Ranger and the rest of the guys frequently, but never on the seventh floor.

I watched as Tank rapped softly on the door, as if he was afraid it would explode or something.

Then my heart jumped and I screeched and lurched forward. I know my heart was fluttering. I felt thrilled, hurt, excited, dizzy, and faint, all at the same time.

"White girl..."

I felt Tank pulling my arms off of Stephanie, and I fought without realizing it to not let go.

"Honey, loosen up. She needs to breathe. Ranger will ship you to a third world country if you kill her with your hug."

Without really letting her go, I looked at her. She looked good, healthy, but too damn skinny. Then I looked around the room. I felt myself jump into rhino mode.

"How long you been back?"

I glared at Tank and the other men in the room as I asked Stephanie the question that had suddenly popped into my head. We had all had dinner at least once a week, and none of them had mentioned Stephanie being back.

"Lula, if you let me go so I can breathe, we can talk."

I cast an accusing look at my man. "You knew she was back."

We were a couple. He was supposed to be working on sharing with me. I knew he couldn't tell me about everything, but this was Stephanie!

Chapter 13

Stephanie's POV

"Lula, I'm going to visit my parents tomorrow."

Lula looked from me to the men surrounding us. We watched as what I'd said sunk in. My parents didn't know I was back. When I went to their house, the entire 'Burg would know. Tank grabbed Lula, guided her to the couch, and helped her sit. She had gone as pale as a black woman could, and was visibly shaking.

I waited for it all to sink in, and for Lula to meet my eyes. When they did, I did the single nod the guys were always doing.

"Yeah, Lula, after tomorrow, everyone will know I'm back and still alive."

Tank pulled Lula closer to him, if that was possible, and spoke softly into her ear.

"Honey, you're here so we can fill you in on what has happened to Stephanie and you can help us with the revenge."

Bobby handed Tank a folder. "Tank, maybe you and Lula should use Ranger's office."

Tank nodded as he stood, taking Lula with him. They both disappeared into the office. No one moved as we waited for the door to close.

I felt Ranger's arms go around me and gently pull me into his warm, comforting embrace. "You okay, Babe?"

I knew Lula's emotions were nothing compared to what I would face when my parents found out I was back, and that I had, in fact, been in town and not told them. That fact alone would hurt them. I was still going over in my mind what I would tell them.

Jane and Celia had reassured me they didn't need to know everything; just the bare facts that I had been kidnapped and held for two years. I wouldn't reveal where I'd been, or any of what had happened to me during those two years. I had escaped and made my way back to Trenton. I had gone to RangeMan because I was afraid my kidnapper was still after me, and I knew RangeMan had the resources to help me.

I would not reveal the fact that Joe had been involved. We wanted Joe to believe I didn't know he was involved; we wanted him to come to us. If he didn't, then we would go with plan B. Only the people in the apartment right now would ever know everything I had been through, and that I now remembered most of it.

I had cried, raged, and thrown things as Jane helped me through it. The mental and physical pain of remembering that last encounter with Joe, when he had raped me anally, still hurt. Remembering his cruel words also hurt. Sure, he'd thought I was drugged out of my mind and would never know, but still... He had told me he loved me and wanted me to be his wife, but the things he said to me as he'd raped me were so horrible.

"Babe, what wrong?"

I flinched, even though I knew it was Ranger who was wiping the tear from my face as I came back to reality and away from my thoughts.

Ranger's POV

I felt Stephanie tense, and I knew she had drifted back. I didn't want to startle her, but I had to bring her back. Jane insisted that eventually the pain would lessen, but right now I knew most of her memories were painful and raw.

I held her to me as I wiped the tear making its way slowly down her pain-etched face. Damn, I wanted to kill Morelli just for putting that look on her beautiful face. Then I wanted to kick my own ass for ever sending her back to him. What had I been thinking? Yeah, I had thought he was a good cop, and he could give her what I couldn't; a house in the 'Burg and two point five kids. All the things I knew most women born in the 'Burg wanted were things I had assumed Stephanie would one day want.

"Ranger?"

Her soft voice pulled me back from my musing. It was the concern I saw in her eyes that caused my heart to jump. How had I ever thought I could live without this woman in my life?

I brushed my lips gently across hers. "It's okay, Babe. Just thinking."

She ran a finger across my brow. "Not happy thoughts."

"No, Babe, not happy thoughts."

We both stopped and turned when we heard the office door fly open and crash into the wall.

We could hear Lula yelling, and Tank trying to calm her.

Tank followed Lula into the room, and we all watched as she grabbed her bag and started digging through it. Tank tried to get her bag from her.

"Lula, honey, will you just listen to me?"

"I'm going to find him and blow his balls off."

"Honey, if you'll just listen to me..."

Lula dropped her bag and turned. We could all see the pain and anger on her face. She placed her hands on her hips. "I will not let that sorry excuse for a man get away with hurting my best friend."

Tears were flowing down her face, and she was trying valiantly to wipe them away and keep her composure, even though she was going into rhino mode... if she wasn't already there.

I released Stephanie, then she walked from me to Lula and wrapped her arms around the big woman.

I cast a look at Lester, Bobby, and Tank, and it helped that we all shared the same pained expression. We hated it when women were all emotional. I had worked for years to become the bad-ass I was. Shit, the government had trained me to be an assassin and a lethal weapon. Yet right now, my balls were heading north, and I felt helpless watching the women I cared about and loved offer comfort to each other.

What was it about women's tears that made a strong man feel weak and helpless?

"Carlos, why don't one of you bring us some water? Oh, and someone should call Ella and ask her to bring dinner down," Celia spoke up.

She looked at Stephanie for confirmation. Stephanie nodded as she continued to talk to Lula in a low whisper that I couldn't make out.

I turned and headed into the kitchen. I noticed that Tank was picking up the phone, no doubt calling Ella about dinner. When had we started taking orders from the women in our lives, especially without a second thought? I let out a silent sigh. Battle was so much easier than dealing with women.

I came out of the kitchen with my hands full of bottles of water, and stopped suddenly. Lula, Steph, Jane, and Celia were all seated on the couch, talking quietly, while Bobby, Lester, and Tank were leaning against the wall talking with each other.

Time to merge the troops, I thought. I handed each lady a bottle of water. Before I could say anything, the doorbell sounded. Talk about being saved by the bell!

Chapter 14

Stephanie's POV

Ella's wonderful dinner was eaten in silence, as we all thought of the conversation we would be having after. They all thought we had planning to do, but I knew otherwise.

One by one, we got up, scraped our plates into the sink, rinsed them, and put them into the dishwasher. As we finished, we went and sat in the living room; when everyone was there, I knew it was time to start.

"Okay, first…" I sighed and looked to Jane and Celia for support. "Tonight is not about planning. I know you all thought it was, but…" I fought to keep my emotions in check. "Dammit, tomorrow I'm going to face my parents. Tonight, I just felt the need for all of your support."

They all spoke at once. I held up a hand. "Can we just sit and watch a movie, please?"

Ranger pulled me into his embrace. "Babe."

We spent the night watching movies and making small talk. I fell asleep in Ranger's embrace; my last thought was that bvlgari and Ranger was the best scent ever.

Ranger's POV

At first, I wasn't sure how to react when Stephanie announced that tonight we wouldn't be doing any planning. What the fuck? Then I looked at Jane and Celia. That was all it took for me to pull Steph to me and settle us on the couch. If this was what Steph needed to get centered for the encounter with her parents, then I would provide it.

After two movies, I felt Steph relax and drift off into sleep. When I was sure she was out, I stood and carried her into our bedroom. Careful, so as not to wake her, I changed her into one of my shirts. I had long learned that they comforted her. Once I had her redressed, I tucked her in, then leaving the door open a crack, I returned to our guests.

Jane was the first to say something when I walked back into the room. "Ranger, it's very important that Stephanie have some say into what happens to Morelli. I'm not suggesting you let her plan it alone, but make sure that you consider her input."

After everyone was gone, I made my way to the bedroom. I sat on the chair next to Steph's side of the bed and watched her sleep. Watching her sleep had always helped calm me; it was strange how it helped me find my center. Steph would call it my zone. I know she would have found it funny that she was my zone... Her crazy mixed up life helped me find my calm and peace. Yeah, totally crazy, maybe, but the total truth was watching Stephanie face the hurdles life threw at her with such bravery and courage helped me go on some days.

I don't know how long I'd been sitting watching her when she spoke. "Ranger, come to bed. Please."

I stood, kissed her forehead, and headed into the bathroom. After taking care of business, I walked back into the bedroom and slipped into the bed. Stephanie immediately moved into what had become our sleeping position, with her back to my front, her head on my biceps, and my arm around her waist. Once she was settled, she let out a small sigh, and I knew she was once again out.

It was D-Day, or the day Stephanie was finally going to her parent's house. I walked into the apartment and stopped. I could hear Stephanie in the bedroom, cussing up a storm. I knew she was nervous about this visit; she hadn't talked to her parents since before she was kidnapped, and she thought that they didn't know she was back. Jane had convinced her it was okay to heal some before facing them, which I thought was a wise decision.

A week after Stephanie got back, I had a private talk with Jane. I had a daughter, and knew how I would feel if anyone was keeping knowledge of her from me; to put it simply, no one would ever find the body. I knew Frank was ex-Army, so I talked with Jane and let her know I planned on letting Frank know that his daughter was back. I also planned to tell him it was in her best interest not to make that fact public, although it would be once she showed up on her parents' doorstep.

Frank and I'd had a long talk, and he had agreed with me. In fact, he had surprised me when his only request was that he wanted to see Stephanie with his own eyes, so he could really see that she was back; not that he doubted me, he explained.

Frank stood, looking at the feed from the security camera in the gym, and a smile came to his face. I could see tears forming in his eyes, which he bravely kept from falling.

"My baby, she's back, and she looks good."

I watched with Frank as Stephanie worked with Lester on some defensive moves. Yeah, she looked good. I felt my body tighten, and swallowed. That was not the reaction I wanted to have with her father standing next to me.

Frank spoke without looking at me. "You care for her? Before she was kidnapped…I saw you looking at her. Oh, I knew you didn't know I was watching. That look you were giving her, that was love."

He had seen me looking at Steph. When? How, without my knowing it? Then I pulled it together. Shit, I knew how I looked at Stephanie when I didn't think others were looking; like a man dying of thirst looks at a chilled bottle of cold water.

I know I tensed some when his hand settled on my shoulder.

"No worry, son, I know you love my daughter." He squeezed my shoulder just enough at the pressure point to get my attention. "Make sure you don't hurt her."

I nodded, and his hand slipped from my shoulder. We stood there in silence, watching Steph. His words shocked me when he next spoke, just before he turned and walked from the room.

"I want to see the file, and yes, I know you have one, before she comes home. I want to know everything that bastard did to my little girl. I want to know why I'm killing him."

"Ranger…Ranger…" I looked into Stephanie's worried eyes. "Ranger, where were you?"

I started to slip behind my blank face, and remembered what Jane and Celia had told me about keeping Stephanie informed. I took Steph's hand in mine, and led her to the couch.

"Babe, before we leave for your parents' house, we need to talk."

Stephanie's POV

I glanced from Ranger's face to his lips. For a fraction of a second, his blank face had made an appearance. I haven't seen a lot of that blank face since I got back. If anything, Ranger went out of his way to make sure I saw and understood his emotions and feelings. He has been answering questions, talking about himself, and doing his best to including me fully into his life. So hearing the dreaded 'we need to talk' just after seeing his blank face, even if it had only been present for mere seconds, had my stomach knotting up and me clenching my hands in nervousness.

Jane and Celia had been working with me, but I wasn't sure how much I could handle right now. What if what he wanted to tell me was bad? Maybe he had decided I was too much trouble.

"Babe, it's okay." Ranger was massaging my back and whispering into my ear. "Relax."

After several minutes, I leaned back. Looking deeply into Ranger's eyes, all I could see was love and concern. How could I even for a minute think this man would do anything to hurt me? With that realization, I did something I'd never done before. I put my arms around him and embraced him, then kissed his neck, nuzzling him. Wow, did he smell good.

"Babe," he said with his voice full of emotion.

"Okay, I'm ready." I didn't move from where I was leaning against his chest. His arms were warm and cocooning me to him. I felt safe here, and knew I could face anything.

"Babe, I wanted to let you know I've talked to your father. He knows you're back…"

I pulled away and looked up at Ranger, trying to decide if I felt betrayed, angry, or something else. He had talked to my dad without informing me. I felt tears start to form. My dad had always been there for me. When I fell of the roof, he had comforted me; he had even given me a Wonder Woman doll. He'd never told me I couldn't do something.

There had been times when just the thought of what my dad would say would change my mind about something I was going to do. I had enough respect for him that I had never wanted to do something that in my heart I knew he wouldn't approve of.

Taking a deep breath, I looked up at Ranger. In many ways, Ranger reminded me of Dad. Both were strong men, silent, caring, loving. Men to be respected and honored. Men I knew I could trust without a doubt.

If Ranger had spoken with my dad, I knew he had done it because it was what he thought was best for me. I slowly let myself relax back into Ranger's embrace.

"Okay, Ranger, I'm ready to listen."

I listened, and all the while, Ranger's hands were moving over me, comforting and soothing. When he finished, I felt better, knowing I had at least one person already on my side in the Plum house. I was still worried about how my mother would react.

Chapter 15

Visit to the Plum House

Stephanie's POV

I reached for Ranger's hand as we pulled up in front of my parent's house. I don't know how they did it, but the 'Burg radar must have been working. Both Mom and Grandma were waiting on the front porch. I swallowed nervously. Maybe Dad told them I was coming. I mean, how else could they have known?

Ranger squeezed my hand. "Babe, your Dad wouldn't have said anything. He knew you didn't want him to."

I did my best to raise an eyebrow. Before I could say anything, a car pulled up behind us, and Valerie and her troop piled out and headed for the door.

I frowned at Ranger. "You didn't…"

He pulled me across the console and onto his lap. Once I was cocooned in his arms and feeling safe, he spoke. "Babe, you know you can trust me. I swear I had no idea your sister would be here. I didn't…"

I put a finger to his lips. "I trust you." Looking out the tinted windows, I watched as everyone hugged and kissed, then they all walked into the house and closed the door. Hmm, maybe they hadn't been waiting for me after all.

"Babe, you don't have to go in if you're not ready."

I felt Ranger stiffen before I could answer. I followed his gaze to the rearview mirror, where I could see a Trenton squad car pulling up behind us. Shit, just what I didn't need.

We both watched as an officer I didn't know exited the car with his hand over his weapon and made his way to Ranger's window. Once at the vehicle, he tapped the glass and Ranger lowered the window.

"Yes, Officer, can I help you?"

"License and registration."

The officer kept a watchful eye on me as I crawled back to my seat, opened the glove box, and pulled out the folder I knew Ranger kept the registration in. It was the same in all RangeMan vehicles. Standard Operating Procedure.

I handed the registration to Ranger, who handed to the officer, along with his license.

Looking from the license to Ranger, the officer spoke. "Mr. Manoso, do you have business in the area? We received more than one call about a suspicious vehicle loitering in the area."

Obviously the officer had not linked me to the Plum's missing daughter.

Ranger nodded to my parent's house. "Just about to go visiting, officer."

At this, the officer stepped back and took a more defensive posture. "Sir, do you mind if I ask your business with the Plums?"

I watched as Ranger's face went from blank to 'I'm going to kill someone.' Damn, I'd seen grown men wet themselves went confronted with that face. Ranger didn't let anyone question his business.

The officer gulped and looked a little less sure of himself. "Sir, it's just that the fiancée of one of our officers was the Plum's kidnapped daughter, and we have all kind of taken it upon ourselves to look out for them…"

I could see the question in Ranger's eyes as he looked at me; I gave him a bare nod. At the moment, I just wanted to get this over with, and if telling Officer Nosy who I was would get him out of our business sooner, then I was okay with that.

Ranger interrupted the officer. "This," he gestured to me, "is their missing daughter. We were just about to go inside."

After some muttered apologies for delaying our reunion, he walked back to his squad car and pulled away.

Ranger reached and squeezed my hand. "Ready, Babe?"

"Yeah, let's get this over with before I chicken out."

Ranger laughed and stepped from the car. He came around and opened my door. "Babe, you are many things, but a chicken is not one of them. You are one of the bravest people I know."

He pulled me into his embrace and brushed a kiss across my temple. Then he took my hand as we walked to the door, where he lifted a hand and knocked.

I let out the breath I hadn't realized I was holding when my father opened the door and pulled me into his embrace.

"Pumpkin, welcome home."

I felt tears form. Damn, it felt good to be home after all this time. Until this moment, I hadn't really realized how much I had missed my dad and his always silent support.

"Daddy." I held him tight, only letting go when I heard my mom's voice from the kitchen. She and Val were talking, then I heard the phone ring. I heard it crash to the floor a second before Mom appeared in the doorway.