Disclaimer: I do not own any characters or places in this story. Thanks to Janet for all the great Plum novels. This is a first attempt and will take me a while to complete. Let me know what you think and if want to read more. Thanks! Also Thanks to Rach, Stephanie and Jenn for all of their help! Couldn't do it with out you!

Chapter 3

I strolled down the 6th floor hallway to Ella's office. I knocked lightly on the door, waiting for a response before entering.

"Stephanie!" Ella exclaimed as she ushered me in the room. "I am so glad that you are here. We have a lot to do."

"Just think of me as Barbie," I joked. "I can't wait to see my new style, what have you picked so far?"

"Well, dear, I'm not going to let you see it all. The main thing I need from you is your measurements and color preferences. I really enjoy getting to shop for a woman. You don't get to have a lot of fun with these men's wardrobes." She smiled warmly. "Let's get started."

Ella took my hand and directed me to a platform for me to stand on. After ten minutes she had measured every part of my body. Hmm... maybe I should have only had once piece of cake last night and a little exercise couldn't hurt, right?

"Now dear, have you given any thought to what you would like to wear to the fundraiser?"

"Um, no, I haven't." Ella directed me over to her desk and handed me a cup of coffee. I thought for a moment while taking a sip of the liquid energy. "I want to look awesome. Breathtaking. Is there something that you suggest?"

"I am sure I can find something that you both will like." Ella looked at me with smiling eyes. "This will be a very good trip for the two of you. I know it's a business trip, but I hope you really get to enjoy it and each other. You both deserve a break."

We finished our coffee while chatting over Ella's task at hand. Not only did she have me to outfit, she also had the rest of the staff traveling with us. An alarm sounded from Ella's computer. She glanced down at the time and said "Well, I had better get lunch started. The day is passing quicker than I had imagined."

We left her office, Ella heading for the kitchen and myself to the elevator. I was supposed to be handing my FTA's off to the Merry Men, but I didn't want them to scare Mooner, so I figured I'd pick him up on my way to talk to Vinnie. I stopped in on five to see if Ranger could spare someone to take me to my car since I had ridden over with him last night. Ranger's door was open so I stuck my head in. "Hey, can you have someone run me to my apartment? I need my car in order to run my errands."

Ranger stood and walked over to the door placing a set of keys in my hand. "Take the Turbo."

"I don't want to take your car. I destroy your cars and I don't want to feel responsible for another one."

"Babe, it's just a car. Take it. Besides, most of the men are out in the field today. We only have two men watching monitors. Tank and I are about to relieve a team on surveillance. You'll have to make do in my car. You love that car."

It was true. I loved that car. I loved the way it smelled. I loved the way it felt when all of its horses were off and running. The car was orgasmic. "Fine. I'll be careful. I'm going to pick Mooner up on my way to the bonds office. I figure if I bring Vinnie a skip, he won't be as mad when I tell him I won't be around for two weeks."

He pressed his lips to mine. "See you at dinner. Have a good day, Babe."

An hour later, I had picked up Mooner and we'd cruised through a McDonald's drive through before heading to the station so he could get re-bonded. Body receipt in hand, I headed to the parking lot. A trip to the station and no run in with Morelli. Today was getting better and better by the hour.

I crossed the street to where I'd left Ranger's Turbo and noticed someone was leaning against it. As I got closer, I realized that person was just the one I was avoiding. A smile crossed his face when he realized it was actually me with the Turbo instead of Ranger. "Hey, Cupcake."

Sighing heavily, "Hey, Joe."

"Why are you in Ranger's Turbo?" He looked at me, eyes narrowing. "He's bad news."

"If I remember correctly, Joe, who I hang out with is no longer your concern."

He dropped his head, staring at his shoe. In the space of a second his expression changed and he angrily grabbed my left hand. "What the hell is this?" he demanded, hand tightening around my wrist, shaking it firmly. Crap. I had forgotten to remove the ring this morning before leaving the apartment. It felt so natural on that I hadn't thought twice about it. "We've been apart two weeks, two freaking weeks and you are married? What the hell?"

I could see his face turning redder by the minute. I had never feared Joe, until that moment. He was holding my hand so tight that it was starting to throb. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a black SUV stop at the curb. The window rolled down and Lester shouted from the window.

"Hey, Bombshell, Boss wanted me to check on you. Said you had been still for a while. Everything okay?"

"It's Manoso isn't it?" Joe spit out at me. "It's always Manoso." He released my wrist and stalked towards the station before I could explain anything.

"I'm fine now, Lester. Thanks for checking." I gave him a small finger wave and let myself into the car. So what if Joe thought we were married. Maybe he would leave me alone for a while.

Before I could maneuver the car out of the parking lot, my cell phone chirped. I looked down at the display and realized it was my mother. I panicked. I quickly hit the button sending her call straight to voice mail. Suddenly I understood how grave my mistake of not correcting Joe would be. I stared down at the phone, and dialed the man of mystery.

"Babe," he answered on the first ring.

"I think I messed up." I said quickly.

"How?"

I recanted the story of what had happened with Morelli. " … and my mother called a minute later. I'm sure it's already circulating through the Burg that 'Stephanie Plum is wearing a wedding ring!'"

"Babe." He said with a hint of a smile in his voice. "I gave you the rings to wear. You are only doing what I asked. Morelli is a big boy. He'll deal with it. Are you still at the station?"

"Yes. In the parking lot. I was about to leave when my mother called and then I thought I had better fill you in."

"Wait there. Tank and I are on our way over with our FTA. After we get him unloaded, I'll be over to see you."

Five minutes later I watched the black SUV pull to a stop. Tank and Ranger got out and quickly unloaded their passenger. After leaving him inside with Tank, Ranger crossed the street to the lot I was parked in. I got out of the car and leaned against it, watching him move towards me. He pulled me into him, hugging away all of my fear that he would be upset. He gently lifted my hand to kiss it. It was then that he noticed the red blotches where Morelli had held it so tight.

"How did this happen?" He asked, calmly kissing the marks.

I couldn't lie to him. He knows when I do. I looked up into his eyes. "Joe grabbed my hand when he noticed the ring. I guess he grabbed it a little too hard."

He pulled me to him again, wrapping me in his arms. I could feel the anger radiating off him. "He won't do it again. I won't allow it." He said through gritted teeth. "Let's finish your errands."

Ranger walked around the car and opened the passenger door for me. I climbed in and relaxed against the seat as he shut my door and made his way into the car. He pulled the car out onto the road and headed towards Hamilton. Ranger took my hand and placed it on his lap while he drove, lacing his fingers through mine. It was then that I realized Ranger still wore the wedding band. My heart skipped a beat. This is only pretend, this is only pretend, I started reminding myself again.

Ranger pulled the car to a stop in front of the bond's office. I got out and stood on the side walk, wearily debating if I wanted to go in or hide myself away in the bakery. Ranger placed his hand at the small of my back, encouraging me into the office and Connie looked up from her computer as we entered.

"Hey, Connie. I have a body receipt for you. Is Vinnie in?" I asked.

"Yeah, he's in his office," she said, nodding to the door.

Ranger leaned into me and whispered, "I'll take care of Vinnie. You relax here with the girls." I nodded nervously, biting my lip as he made his way into Vinnie's inner sanctum, closing the door behind him.

"Where in the hell have you been? We been waiting to hear what happened last night," Lula huffed, coming over to Connie's desk.

"Especially since you didn't come in this morning and no one had heard from you." Connie said, handing me the check for my capture. I took my hand bag from my shoulder and pulled my wallet out to tuck the check in.

"Girlfriend, is that a wedding ring on that boney white finger of yours?" Lula asked excitedly. "Looks to me like something BIG happened last night. You planning on sharing?"

Connie stared at me open mouthed as Lula jumped up and down holding onto my hand. Regaining her voice, Connie asked "When? Where? We need details here Steph. Batman doesn't just up and propose any old way."

Ranger chose that moment to return to the front office.

"Connie, assign all of Steph's skips to RangeMan. One of the men will be around later to collect the paper work. She will be off line til we return to the States."

Lula's eyes boggled around when she caught a glimpse of Rangers wedding band. He turned to me before she could ask anything else and said "Ready to go Babe? We have a lot to get done before we leave."

"Sure." I said, feeling thankful and a little guilty too, for not having to answer Lula and Connie's questions until later.

"You had better call me!" Lula shrieked.

"I will." I called as we walked out the door. Once inside the car, I looked back at the office. Connie and Lula were huddled together talking. I looked over to Ranger.

"You know they are trying to figure out how we managed to get married overnight and where we're escaping to for our honeymoon."

"Babe, let them think what they want. We need to be able to convince people that we are happily married next week. Your friends will understand." He took my hand and kissed it softly. "Where's the next stop?"

"My apartment. I need to get some clothes and travel supplies."

Ranger nodded and merged into traffic.