A First Of Many

A/N thanks to all the reviewers, even those not signing your names, I thank you ever so much for letting me know of your interest. Special thanks go to c&k that wanted to remain nameless, you know who you are.

And here we go…

Considering Carlos had never planned for a date before in his entire life (Rachel never counted), he had covered his bases pretty good he thought with a smile on his face.

Coming back to work, he ran into Tank waiting for him at the stairwell. 'Well, did we get the contract for the mayor? Are you going to keep me waiting?'

Seeing the smile on his bosses face, Tank stood there stunned, since when did he smile? Like never is when.

He heard that authoritative tone that was in his dreams saying ' call the core team in plus Hank, Woody, Hector. Conference room in ten.'

When Carlos took the stairs to his penthouse up on the seventh floor he ran into his aunt, Ella.

Ella and her husband Luis, ran the whole building, maintence and men; where Ella fed and clothed them, her husband maintained the building and the fleet of cars as well.

Having family close by was part of his plan. When he had the option of Miami or Trenton, he asked Ella where she would prefer to live.

He was surprised by Trenton but when she said New York City was close by, he got clued into a woman's mind, that life did exist outside these walls.

Ella inquired about his dinner plans and what time she should bring up his meal, she was stunned to her nephew tell her, 'Ella, I have a date tonight, as a matter of fact, I already prepared everything.' And gave her a hug on his way into change clothes for the meeting.

A date! Ella was ecstatic to know Carlos had someone to share his time with for the first time in she didn't know when. She only could pray it went well; she knew he wouldn't say a word about it to her; Carlos was such a private man.

Carlos strolled into the conference room; seeing all his men he wanted in front of him, sitting around the big table.

The new hires were already undergoing their background checks before being called; they would handle the day-to-day security business for the time being. He decided to have Hal and Lester oversee the business for the foreseeable future. He made a group of four; Manny, Junior, Zip and Zero for client calls and installations as well.

The rest of the men stayed, as those that weren't needed left. Then Carlos the planner took over the meeting, informing every one of their new duties effective within the next two days;

Hank and Himself along with Hector would provide security for Stephanie. While Bobby, Woody, and Ram had the Mayor Juniack's safety in mind. Cal was to be the liaison between both teams.

The fundraiser was also discussed and those men who were married he asked to go with their wives as usual to the party. Rangeman always supplied the tuxes and formal wear for the ladies. And were handsomely compensated as well.

Tank stayed silent, wondering what his role in all this would be, without even asking, Carlos looked at him and said 'as usual you are in charge of the whole operation as you see fit. Change up the teams if you need to, whatever you want to happen, make it happen,'

Then Carlos did something no one has ever remembered him doing or saying "any questions? Does anyone have any ideas to help this situation with the threats, if you do see Tank or myself, please.'

Carlos then stunned everyone by telling them about how he found out he and his men could make a difference in the kid's lives in Trenton.

Everyone had been thinking of that as well, the men all wanted to give back their time or expertise in something helpful.

Each man there had done things in the name of the military that changed him, now it was time to 'pay it forward' so to speak.

Carlos never asked his men for the viewpoints, or opened up the floor for comments, what had changed with him?

Stephanie changed him. He saw her at work, stopping to talk to each employee, asking questions, remembering their names.

Carlos decided that was the best way to be for him and his men as well. He always saw things in black or white, 'his way or no way' and realized that wasn't how life went after all.

After telling the men about how the mayor's office needed volunteers to teach self-defense and maybe some tutoring after school as well, the interest perked up.

Then when Carlos said the chief in staff to Mayor Juniack was in charge of it, Ms. Stephanie Plum, things clicked in Tanks mind.

Everyone would be attending the conference at the Mayor's office in a few days time, once the new hires were in place and things were up and running smoothly.

She was the reason for the smile, ever since he came back from the diner, and the meeting, Carlos had been smiling, if you didn't know him the way tank knew him for years, you would miss it.

But, it was there all right.

He wanted more, he wanted Stephanie plum.

Leaving the meeting, he went to his office, sank down in his chair and hit speed dial one on his cell phone, already she was number one, who would have thought a innocent breakfast meeting could change his life so much?

"Hello Carlos', Stephanie answered the phone, she too had programmed his name into her cell phone. Eager to hear his voice again, she leaned back in her chair and waited to hear what he had to say.

If Carlos could see her now, he would see the smile on her face matched his exactly.

Making plans to pick her up early, he told her to dress comfortable for an evening outside. It was a night to be remembered by both of them, the start of their true romance.

After Carlos's call, Stephanie made one of her own, to her own number one cheerleader, her daddy.

She told him all about meeting this man she was so intrigued by at breakfast.

She told him they had a date for that very evening, and she also said his job was owner of Rangeman security, in Trenton.

Frank was worried about her job this time, and her safety, he knew of the threats given out by the gangs, he saw the hate filled mail coming into her office to the mayor, he knew it all. He also heard the smile in Stephanie's voice when mentioning her young man, how respectable he was, how nicely he treated her.

Joe Juniack and himself had already run searches on Carlos Manoso and his company, and they liked what they read. He would rest easier when the threats were 'eliminated' but knowing her security detail, put his mind at ease as well.

Hearing her husband's cell phone ringing, Helen plum knew it was Stephanie, she had the ring tone of wonder woman theme song so he knew when it was his daughter calling.

Her lips pinched together, she tried to overhear what was being said, but her mother Edna stopped her, saying loudly 'Helen is something wrong?' letting frank know his wife was trying to overhear his conversation.

Helen stepped away from frank's door to his den and answered her mother' 'its Stephanie on the phone, why does she always call her father and you, and not me? I deserve her respect, she needs to quit that foolish job she has and settle down and get married. Good grief mother, I was married and had two daughters by her age.'

Edna replied ' and look how well that turned out for you, one doesn't talk to you at all, the other one moved across the country from your harping mouth and ways. Nice to know you did such a good job there, for mother of the year.' And walked away, leaving Helen with her mouth hanging open.

Frank knew Helen heard Stephanie's call; but it was also the first time he had heard his daughter so damn happy. Sure, Stephanie loved her job and working in the community, but this was the first time she was down right giddy with happiness.

Seems like it was the first of many times for our couple, dontcha think?