Disclaimer: I own not one iota of these characters or the Stephanie Plum Universe, lucky Janet!

Previous Chapter 2

I don't roll in the garbage dumpster but I decide to walk slowly by it as I get to my latest p.o.s. of a car. As I'm driving towards Haywood I just take those deep calming breaths and go over my plan again distract and defer. I just chant to myself as I fob myself into the parking garage 'I can do it' after I get into the elevator I realize that I'm trying NOT to do 'it'. Ok back to calming breaths as I walk off the elevator and get to his door. As it opens Ranger looks me up and down, tilts one eye brow and just says "Babe".

Chapter 3

I just look up at him give him a little grin. "Hi ya Ranger."

He just shakes his head and states, "Come in, Ella has already been here and has set out dinner."

"Oh Ella dinner, yum" I just lick my lips in anticipation.

Ranger just smirks and asks "Would you like some wine?

"Um no, I'll have a soda." I can't be impaired and keep my plan of distract & defer on tonight.

Eyebrow raised "Sure, go into the dining room and I'll be right in with our drinks"

As I walk into the room my mouth just hangs open, and for just a moment I am regretting my outfit. The table that is normally in there has been removed and there is just a table for two that has been set, there are flowers in the center piece with candle on either side of the flowers.

Ranger walks in behind me and just lifts my chin with his index finger to close my mouth. "Babe you'll catch flies if you keep that open long enough, unless there is something else you were hoping to catch"

I blink twice and say quickly "You bet there is Batman, the only thing that I want is Ella's fabulous cooking." As I sat down at the gorgeous table I asked "So what's the job?"

"Steph how about we just enjoy dinner and then we will discuss business?"

I warily agree "Sounds like a plan."

Ranger places the caprese salad on the table. I'm astounded that he's going to eat a salad that doesn't consist of rabbit food. I moan as I take the perfect bite of tomato, mozzarella, basil, E.V.O.O. (extra virgin olive oil) and balsamic vinegar.

"What do you have planned for your birthday?" Ranger asks as he shifts in his seat.

"Well the girls are taking me out for the night for a little dinner and dancing on Saturday night." I giggle.

He just laughs "That sounds like it could be dangerous for Trenton, is it just going to be you, Lula and Connie?"

"No, Mary-Lou is making Lenny stay with the boys so she's gonna hang with us all night. She hasn't had a night out in a while so this should fun to watch her let loose." Mary-Lou Stankovic has been my best friend since we were in the bassinets in the hospital when we were born. She married Lenny right after high school a year later they extended their family with their first of three sons.

"That sounds like an invitation Babe, are you asking me to attend?" he asks as he just gives his 200 watt smile.

I don't know how to respond, he's not being his usual man of mystery with me he is being very attentive. This has me a bit wary of how to continue "Well, I know you just got back but I don't want to keep you from your Rangeman duties." Rangeman is his security company, he lets me work here from time to time when there isn't much work from my cousin.

He just looked a little disappointed; wow he isn't even trying to shield himself behind his blank face. What is this twilight world that I've seem to find myself in? I try to cover quickly "But if you want to come I'm sure the rest of the Merry Men would come so you don't have to hang with just a bunch of girls." The Merry Men are what I affectionately have named the men that work for him. I have my favorites: Tank, Lester, Bobby, Cal, Hal, Manny, Ram, Zip and Hector. But all the guys that work for Ranger are honorable men and have helped me time and time again. I can't help feel like they are all my big brothers.

He smiles again "Ok Babe, I'll have Tank spread the word, where are you going?"

"Well the night has a bit of a Latin Theme so dinner is at El Diablo and dancing is at the new salsa club Iguana."

"Babe if you don't mind I have a suggestion there is a dinner/club that's a bit out of Trenton that I would love to take you to so that we can celebrate your birthday. Would you mind if I take you and everyone there instead? Of coarse I'll take care of all the planning and transportation." I'm blown away again thankfully Ranger brings out the next course which is sausage alfredo with linguine. I look over and he is having the same as me.

I can't help my lost expression "What happened to the body being a temple?"

"I figured that if Ella was cooking and it is one of your favorite meals I would enjoy it with you. So what do you say to my idea?" this man has no idea of what he's doing to me, sitting there with flowing conversation, inquiring about me and eating my favorite meal with me.

I must have still have looked lost because he follows it up with a "Please."

He just hit me with the please how else am I suppose to respond to that? "Well if you're sure you don't mind taking care of the plans and it's still in the same theme I'm sure the girls won't mind. Do you think the Merry Men will be interested?"

"Babe my men love you and will be thrilled that you would spend part of your birthday with them."

"Oh I love the guys of coarse I would spend it with them, I feel bad abut not inviting them in the first place." I look down a little sheepishly.

"Babe you don't have to feel bad, you were planning a girl's night out I am sure they never felt slighted."

I figure since he's not himself tonight I would change the subject on him "So Batman how was the 'wind' this last time? Did you save the world instead of Gotham?"

"Well, I can't get into details but it was a very successful mission. I got everything done, dotted all my I's and crossed all my t's."

We sit in silence, well as much silence as there can be while I enjoy Ella's cooking. Ranger gets up and clears our plates and asks if I'm ready for dessert, boy am I. So I just nod. I need some fortification and sugar sounds like the best solution to keeping my hormones in check while Ranger is being so unguarded. He sits a large slice of triple chocolate cake for me and a small sliver of a slice down for him and just looks at me. "Babe I think you and I need to talk."

Oh thank God, we can talk about the job, maybe I will be able to gather my wits about me "Ok so what are the details about the job?"

"No Stephanie, this discussion is about you and me."

Shit, maybe this outfit wasn't such a great idea if he's about to tell me he's no longer interested. He hasn't tried to kiss me since I got here and he hasn't been his usual self. I'm just confused so I look down and whisper, "ok."

tbc