A/N not mine, I own nothing except the plot.
Hard Knock Life
Mary Lou and I had a great time finding a dress and shoes for my date tonight.
On my way home I paid a visit to my Godfather and gave him my resume; to say he was shocked is putting it mildly. He had been wanting to talk to my about the job anyway, but was worried that I wouldn't take it.
We set up a time for me to come to his office on Monday to discuss my salary and benefits. I would officially start on January 2nd. That would give Vinnie time to find a replacement.
My day is going so well, that I'm afraid that something was going to happen, nothing good ever happens to me. I have the feeling that my date was either going to be a dud, or wasn't going to show at all. Neither would surprise me.
I hop into the shower and begin to shave and primp myself. I decide that if my date doesn't show, I'm going out on my own.
Just as I slip into my red dress and black pumps, there is a knock at my door. I take a deep breath and answer it. Sadly, I'm not surprised to find Bobby on the other side.
"Let me guess, my date isn't showing up."
He shakes his head no.
"Figures. Well, I'm all dressed up. I'm still going out. I'm treating myself to dinner and a movie. Do me a favor Bobby, no more dates. I can't take any more rejection."
"Steph..."
"No, Bobby, I think being single and giving up on my dreams of a family is the best thing I can do.
"By the way, I got the job with my godfather. I start January 2nd. I knew things were going to well today. Thank you Bobby. You are welcome here any time."
"Will you be okay?"
"Yes, it's for the best. Please tell whoever this mystery man was that I'm sorry that I am not good enough for even one date and I hope that he finds what he's looking for."
I walk Bobby to the door. As I shut it behind him I slid down the door with my back to it and hang my head. I quietly cry and have my own pity party.
Twenty minutes later I fix my make up and head out the door. I decide to go to Marcello's and hope they have a table for one available tonight.
They seat me in the back corner; where I can see the entire restaurant. I watch as men and women come in, some holding hands and other's with their partners hand on their lower back.
I wish that could be me. Just as I finish my dinner and pay my bill, I glance up and see Ranger coming in with the woman I saw him with yesterday.
As I leave I have to pass by their table. I want to break down and cry for what could have been. He stops me as I go by.
"Stephanie, nice to see you out. Are you here with someone?"
"No, Ranger, I'm not. My date stood me up. So, I decided to go out on my own."
"Well, that's his loss. Steph, I'd like you to meet my date, Therese. Therese, this is Stephanie Plum."
"It's nice to meet you. I really should be going, I'm going to see a movie. Then home.
"I think I'm going to enjoy the single life. No pressure from a boyfriend or a man who only wants one thing and only when I'm not available. This will definitely be a novelty for me. Have a good night Ranger.
"Therese, it was nice meeting you. I hope you get more than one night out of him."
She started to laugh.
"I'm sure I will. We've been together for five years today," she informed me.
Ranger's damn blank face slammed down.
"Interesting, I've worked with him for the last 4 and he's never mentioned you. Even during the times he was fucking me, did he mention that he had a girlfriend.
"Nice, real nice. I'm glad I pulled myself out of the toy box."
I turned and walked away. Strike two for today, now I only need one more to round it out. Maybe a run in with Morelli or my Mother. Hmmmm, even a stalker making themselves know tonight.
I hit the redbox and rent a movie to take home. I was ready to be home.
I get into my pajamas and pour myself a glass of wine. I settle on the couch and start the movie.
It's 1:30 in the morning when I finish my third movie and fourth glass of wine. I begin to shut everything down. I make sure my door is locked and my phone is charging on my nightstand; within easy reach. I have a feeling that I may need it nearby. I already have Bobby's number pulled up, just in case I need to call for help. I have such an uneasy feeling that I even load my gun and place it under my pillow and I leave my bathroom light on.
I settle into bed, but the feeling won't leave me. I can't sleep. It's almost three in the morning when I hear it. Someone is picking the locks on my door. I press a button on my phone and grab my gun. I see someone trying to stay in the shadows as they pass through the hallway.
"Whoever the hell you are, you need to leave now. I've called for help and I have a gun. I will use it if you force me."
I can hear someone quietly curse im the other end of my phone. I know Bobby is on his way.
"Your gun isn't even loaded, Babe."
I fire a warning shot.
"Wanna bet on that Ranger?"
"Stephanie, I just want to talk to you."
"At three in the morning. I don't think so. Get the hell out. I've said everything I've had to say to you. Then I found out about Therese, well let's just say you are no better than Morelli. I hope she was smart enough to dump your ass.
"You are not welcome here or anywhere in my life."
Ranger began to speak, but Tank tackled him and Bobby sedated him. It happened so fast that I barely saw it.
"Steph, I've called 9-1-1. They should be here shortly. You need to press charges or he's going to think he can keep doing this," Tank tells me.
"Yes, I'm pressing charges and I want a restraining order as well. If he won't leave me alone like I've asked him to, then we'll make sure that the law does.
"I was hoping to at least maintain a friendship with him, but now I think even that's impossible."
Carl and Eddie show up to arrest him and take my statement. They both ask me multiple times if I was sure that I wanted to press charges. I answered the same way each time.
"Do you want me to stay on your couch tonight, Steph?" Bobby asked.
"Nah, he'll stay in holding at least until morning. I should be alright."
"Little Girl, no matter what you say I'm staying here until the restraining order is in place and I put new lock and a floor bolt on your door.
"Bobby, have Hector bring my bedroll and about a weeks worth of clothes. I'll be offline until this is settled."
I watch with my mouth hanging open as Bobby nods and leaves.
"Tank, you don't have to stay. He's your best friend and your boss."
"Yes I do. He may be my friend, but he is not my boss. I own just as much of the company as he does. I run it more than he does. That's not something we need to get into right now.
"I need to do this for you. If I hadn't chickened out tonight. None of this would have happened."
"You...you were...God! Yeah, you really can go now. I'm sure you got your jollies by making a fool out of me.
"I hope you enjoyed your laugh and the consequences they caused me to endure. I am so glad that I can provide entertainment for everyone. "
"Steph, it's not like that I..."
"You what, Tank? You realized that I'm not good enough for anyone to be seen in public with? Trust me, it's been drilled into my head every day of my life. I may have to reconsider my friendship with Bobby now too. He was the one who set this all up. It's like the entire universe is saying fuck you Plum. I'm done, I'm throwing in the towel. I don't need or want anyone in my life. I'm better off on my own."
I sat on the floor, hard. I drew my knees up to my chest and began to cry. I felt his big arms wrap around me.
"Shhh, Steph. Please don't cry. I wanted to go out with you tonight so much. I just didn't think I was good enough for you. I've done so much in my life, that I didn't think I could be what you need in life. I'm not sure if I could make you happy.
"I'm afraid you would leave me once you really got to know me."
I slowly stop crying and begin to hiccup. He keeps holding me and gently soothing me.
"Tank, you don't understand what's been going on in my life. Your rejection tonight was the final straw.
"My family didn't want me because I wasn't a boy and I'm a constant embarrassment. All three of the men I've been with has cheated on me or used me for their own agenda. Tonight when Bobby showed up and told me that you weren't coming, well it only proved that I'm not good enough for anyone. Then the show down with Ranger and his girlfriend of five years. Let's just say, I'll never have what I'm looking for.
"I'll never have someone to love me for me or a family of my own. I've told people for years that I didn't want any of that, but honestly I do. I just know, deep inside, I'll never have it. No one will ever love me in that forever kind of way. I'm not lovable. I'm not enough. So, I just give up.
"Why hope for something I can never have, when all that happens is me getting hurt in the end?"
"Oh, Baby, don't talk like that. I am a fool for backing out at the last minute. I'd like another chance to take you on a date, if you'll let me."
"Tank, I don't want a pity date. You only feel guilty about tonight. I promise I'll be fine alone."
"Not a pity date. I've been wanting to ask you out since we first met. I only dated Lula because I thought I should try to get you out of my system. I never thought I stood a chance with you.
"Whenever I see you, you bring a light into my dark world. So, please, give me another chance. Tonight we can go to Point Pleasant for dinner and walk the beach after. Just talk and get to know each other better."
"You really want to take me out?"
"Yes, Steph, I do."
Just then his phone chirps, he checks it and goes to the door. Hector hand him his things and I begin to yawn. I look out the window and realize that the sun is starting to rise and I have yet to sleep.
"Tank, we are grown adults. I think we can share my bed and get a few hours sleep. I can't let you sleep on the floor and definitely not on my couch. You wouldn't fit."
"You sure?"
I nod and hold my hand out to him. We walk into my bedroom and he strips down to his boxers. I pull back the blankets and we get in. I lay on my side and he spoons up behind me and pulls me close. As I start to drift off he kisses my temple and whispers something that I can't quite make out. I hope that he does want to really take me out and it's not some game he's trying to play with me.