Author's Note: Okay, here's the next chapter. I hope you enjoy. If not, that's okay because it can only go up from here! I hope everyone has a safe and relaxing holiday!

Not mine. Pure fun. Don't like it, don't read it.


"Wake up, Joe." I said, holding a cup of coffee under his nose.

He took a sip of the coffee. "Mmmm."

"You need to leave. I got to go to work."

"Still working for Ranger?"

"Yeah." I crossed my arms. "So?"

"Nothing. Just wondering."

"Oh." Since Joe and I were officially not a couple anymore, he became more mellow about the working relationship that Ranger and I have.

Joe picked up his shoes and slid them on. "Thanks for letting me crash."

"You really weren't in any position to drive last night."

There was an awkward pause. "I guess I'll go then." He said.

"Okay, bye."

We stood there for another moment before he actually left my apartment. I still had mixed feelings about his date. Why did he feel it was necessary to tell me? I didn't really care anymore what he did. We had called it quits about three months ago and I was perfectly fine about him moving on. I guess he needed closure. Maybe. I don't know. I shook off the thoughts for a later time.

After the break with Joe, I decided to go back to work for Ranger. It gave me something to do when the skips were far and few between with some spending money. I had upgraded all of my furniture and Rex is living comfortably I his new castle dome. I even got enough to upgrade my wardrobe to add some Jimmy Choo's.

"Hey Beautiful," Lester said as he came out of the elevator.

"Hi Lester, just off a shift?"

"Yeah," he sighed tiredly.

"Maybe you'll think twice about talking back to Ranger."

"I just state the truth."

I blushed slightly. "He is not wrapped around my little finger."

"Beautiful, if you have seen the look on his face…"

"You know what? Go get me some coffee."

"What? I'm off! Go get your own."

"I believe," I looked at my watch, "that you are still my errand bitch for another twelve minutes. Tick tock." He groaned and headed back upstairs. "There better not be a loogie in there!" I yelled.

"Torturing Santos again, Babe?" Ranger asked as he put a hand on the back of my neck.

"Yeah, I love this." I smiled up at him. "Big skip?"

"Yeah, just dropping off Tank, then I've got some business. Call Tank or the guys if you have any problems."

"No skips to pick up. I'll be on lockdown getting those searches done."

"Proud of you, Babe." He kissed my hair. "See you later."

I watched him get into his Porsche and was brought out of my daydream when Tank called to me. "Going up?" He asked with a smile.

I blushed again. "Yeah."

The day went by extremely slow. By the time the shift ended, I was ready to poke my eyeballs out. At five, I was ready to turn off my computer and head home. When the elevator reached the ground floor, I almost ran into someone.

"Sorry… Hey Jeanne Ellen."

"Hi Stephanie. Is Ranger still up there?"

"Yeah, he should be in his office." I stepped out of the elevator as she stepped in.

"Thanks," she said as the door closes.

I wondered what Jeanne was doing here. Maybe it was personal. Rumor has it, they used to have a relationship. Maybe it was professional and she needed to sharpen up her skills. I shook my head. He wasn't my boyfriend, so why did I care?

I just did.

No there was a reason, I just couldn't think of it.

Or I knew it and wanted to live in denial and didn't want to face it.

I was once again engrossed in my thoughts. When I began paying attention again, I finally noticed all the fire trucks.

"What's going on?" I asked Mr. Woleski.

"You're apartment caught fire again."

Oh my God, Rex!

"I got him," he said. "Mrs. Bestler shot the door in and got him."

Mrs. Bester? She played elevator and walked up and down the halls.

I stood there, watching the destruction until I saw the black SUV.

"You okay, Bomber?" Bobby asked.

"Yeah, just dandy."

"Man, looks like it got everything."

I just nodded. "Looks like I'm going to need someplace to stay."

"I'll call Ranger, make sure we have an apartment."

I looked around. "Where is Ranger?"

"What? I'm not good enough?" He joked.

"Bobby, you know I love you, but Ranger usually shows up. I was just curious."

"I was in the area and he had a business meeting."

I nodded. "With Jeanne."

"How did you know?"

"I saw her go up."

He nodded as he dialed. They talked for a moment and then he handed the phone to me. "He wants to talk to you."

I took the phone. "Hello?"

"Hey Babe, you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Rex?"

Aww, that's so sweet that he remembered my emotional attachment to Rex. "Mrs. Bestler saved him."

"The elevator attendant?" He said, chuckling.

"Stop. She gives the building character."

"I hear you need a place to stay."

"Yeah. I won't stay at my parents. Valerie, Albert and the kids are there. They are getting their house painted."

"Morelli's?"

"He's got a date. I wouldn't want to cramp his style."

"You could stay on four?"

"Okay." I said. "I'll be back with Bobby."

"Try not to blow up the car."

"Har har. Very funny."

"Babe." And then he hung up.

I turned to Bobby. "Take me back to Rangeman."

We grabbed what could be salvaged and headed off. Bobby led me to the open fourth floor apartment and carried my things in. When he left, I headed towards the kitchen. Ella had been in here. The refrigerator was stocked with all my comfort food and extra cartons of Ben and Jerry's from the guys. Boy do they know how to warm a girl's heart. Ella was a godsend.

After eating my fill of ice cream, I went to bed. Sleep did not come so easily. I thought about Jeanne and Ranger again. I wondered what she was doing here. Ranger always offered me his place. Maybe they were up on seven. I didn't want to think of them together let alone together in his apartment.

And there it was. Plain and simple.

I was jealous. And I was jealous because I was in love with him.

Crap.