Disclaimer: I own nothing. Everything Recognizable belongs to the lovely Janet Evanovich. Story title comes from Carrie Underwood's song 'Dirty Laundry', Chapter title comes from Miranda Lambert's song 'Making Plans'.

I was sitting on Mary Lou's couch with dozen's of apartment guides and the local renting ads spread out around me. I'd gone through and marked the ones that seemed the most promising and crossed out any that were within two miles of Morelli's house, Ranger's apartment and Stark Street. Then I had to decide what type of apartment I wanted to live in. I knew that I definitely wanted an updated bathroom, and preferably an open floor plan. More modern and spacious, with lots of light and maybe a private balcony that was very hard to reach, so no psychos could get in.

And as much as I hated the thought I was gonna have to talk to Rangeman to get a security system installed. If I was lucky I'd have enough money left over after I put down a deposit and bought new furniture I'd be able to swing the cheapest security system they offered. If not, I could always go with a cheaper company. Then again that might be a better idea anyway, knowing Ranger he'd insist on giving me the system at a severe discount or for free. I couldn't accept that offer, I meant what I said when I told him no more favors. Ranger had always kept his word with me, it was about time I did the same for him.

That sent me on a different train of thought right away. Ranger was always coming to my rescue, and he'd saved my ass multiple times over the years. Maybe it was time I learned how to save my own ass. Which meant I would have to get some serious training set up. Another thing I knew I couldn't ask Ranger for. I was tired of causing him to bleed money for me; for my safety, replacing cars, and manpower on me. I wanted to prove to myself and everyone else that I could do this on my own. That I could stand on my own two feet and survive.

Scratch that I knew I could stand on my own, but I wanted to fly on my own. I wanted to show the world that Stephanie Plum didn't need a man to be successful. Maybe someday I'd be ready for a relationship again, but right now I wanted to rediscover myself a bit. I'd have a long road ahead full of difficult decisions, but it was necessary. I needed to take control of my life again.

I was broken out of my thoughts by the sound of the front door opening and closing. Mary Lou came around the corner and raised an eyebrow at me.

"Is it too early for wine?" She asked while setting down her purse and kicking off her heels. I grinned at her and shook my head. I knew the feeling, but I was pretty sure that one-thirty in the afternoon was too early for recreational wine. When I said as much she sighed and laid her her on my shoulder.

I went back to highlighting and marking out apartments. Mary Lou would pitch in every now and then about what she thought would be a good match for me. It was nice to sit with her and just talk about normal things. She told me about her kids, and the problems they'd been starting in school. I snorted and reminded her of some of the crazy things we had done at that age. She snorted, "Well at least I never jumped off my parents garage because I thought I could fly!"

I laughed along with her. It was true that that was one of my more ridiculous ideas. Which sent a thread of doubt through me. Could I really do what I planned. I'm sure I could find another job, but I didn't want to. I actually liked bounty hunting when I wasn't rolling around in garbage, or being kidnapped or having my cars blown up. The truth was I was too easy to push around, which meant that my skips and other criminals would push until I pushed back.

"Hey, Mary Lou, do you know of any good self defense classes at the Y?" I asked sheepishly. I knew she had taken a very basic defense class at her husband's insistence. I figured it couldn't hurt to start out with the basics and then work my way up. I was also gonna talk to Sunny about getting a gun range membership and possibly taking a gun safety class. I knew that my plan would probably set me back on my bank account for a while, but the extra training should help me be more efficient and bring in more skips.

She sighed and pulled out a card for the YMCA, "This was the guy that trained my group. He offers several classes from beginners to masters. Give him a call and set up a time to attend one of those classes." She smiled and patted my hand before wandering into the kitchen to lay out what she would make for dinner.

I glanced at the card and had to bite my tongue to keep from laughing. Of course Lester would be the one to teach self defense, there was no way this wouldn't get back to Ranger. I couldn't let that stop me though. Figuring it wasn't too late in the day I went ahead and gave him a call. I was expecting to reach his voicemail so I was more than a little surprised when he answered.

"Santos."

"Um, hi. Lester Santos, this is Stephanie Plum. My friend Mary Lou gave me your card for self defense classes at the Y. I was wondering if you had an open spot for one more. In just the beginners class." I held my breath and waited for his response. It was silent for a moment then.

"Sure thing, Beautiful. I'll schedule you for my next class Wednesday night at six pm. Don't be late." I could hear the laugh in his voice, but before I could call him on it he'd hung up.

Didn't he know basic phone manners. Sheesh, it was like an endemic with those Rangeman guys. Putting my phone down I returned to the apartment guides. I'd narrowed it down to three choices. All were in my price range and in separate parts of town. They each had private balconies and look like they would be a good fit for me. I wrote down their addresses and made a plan to go see them tomorrow. Maybe I'd get lucky and one of the apartments would be the one.

Mary Lou waved on her way out to pick up the kids and I figured now was as good a time as any to go over Dominic's case file more thoroughly. At eighteen he'd been arrested for armed robbery, but I was sure he had a Juvie track record too. He'd served a minimum two year sentence then had been released early for good behavior and overpopulation issues. At twenty he'd received his first domestic assault charge, but the charges had been dropped. Glancing through the rest of the file I noticed a pattern.

All of the DA's came from the same woman, Angelia Calvetti. I highlighted her name and knew I'd be talking to her soon. I was just doing research for now though. I didn't want to put Mary Lou and her family in any more danger than necessary. Once I was in my own apartment I would hit the streets, but until then I would gather information and hit some of the lower bonds. Huhn, maybe Ranger had rubbed off on me some. I shut off that train of thought right away, thoughts of Ranger rubbing anywhere near me would be breaking the strict friends only wall I'd put in place.

Shaking my head I got up and began cleaning up my mess in the living room. I walked into the kitchen to grab a can of pop and debated internally about cooking. I knew I couldn't cook to save my life and it made me kinda sad. Maybe I'd look into some basic cooking classes while I was at it. I might not have any plans on becoming a wife any time soon, but I should know how to cook. An added bonus was that if I was able to feed myself I might be able to avoid more than the required Friday evening dinner with my family. Pleased with my self I made a mental not to check into it on Wednesday before my class with Lester.

My phone's ringing broke me out of my thought process. I let out a huff of air once I read the caller ID. Morelli was calling. I thought about not answering but figured what the hell. It wasn't like he knew where I was anyway, and if he started yelling I could always hang up.

"What in the hell do you want Morelli?" I answered my voice sharp.

"What in the hell do I want? I want to know why your crazy ass destroyed all of my clothes! I had to call in to work today! Do you know how that makes me look? Really Stephanie? I knew you were bat shit crazy but this is extreme! Even for you!" Morelli was yelling.

I smiled and chuckled into the phone, "Oh honey, you haven't seen bat shit crazy yet." Then I hung up. I was through talking to the idiot. He deserved everything I did and more. I briefly thought about calling Eddie to let him know what had really happened but figured he'd hear about it soon enough from my mother's gossip. Shrugging I leaned against the counter, Morelli should've known better.

Mary Lou came into the kitchen with her three kids behind her. I sat back and watched as she handled her household like a well oiled machine. She sat the kids at the table to do homework while she started on dinner. Once they were done she sent them up to wash up and poured herself a glass of wine. Taking a sip she raised her eyebrows at me. I took that as my clue to start setting the table. I ignored her chuckles as I looked through her cabinets locating dishes, silverware, and glassware.

I then retreated to the breakfast area and waited on food to be done. When Mary Lou announced dinner was ready we all sat down to a delicious meal of Pasta Prima-vera, bread sticks, a side salad and dessert of chocolate cake. After dinner Mary Lou sent the kids through their bedtime routines, and I let her know I was going to bed early. I had a busy day tomorrow and knew I'd need all the rest I could get. I was a little embarrassed to admit it to myself but Mary Lou's couch was more comfortable than my old bed. Snuggling into the pillows I let myself be lulled to sleep with plans of a brighter future running through my head.

A/N: Thanks to everyone who has reviewed. I really appreciate the feedback and support y'all. All mistakes are my own. On that not I'd be willing to bring on a Beta if someone could explain exactly what a beta does. As always thank you so much for the support and as long as the story has interest I will continue to write it.