A/N: The next chapter will be longer wait. Some things have happened and I'm working through it. I hope you enjoy this chapter and I apologize for the delay in advance.

Thank you Katrin for editing this chapter for me.--Adora

CHAPTER SIX: You Give Me Something

"For every piece of me that wants you/another piece backs away/cause you give me something/that makes me scared."

I woke up the next morning alone and snuggled against a pillow. Not alone, I realized when I heard the shower running in the background. Images of a wet and naked Ranger flew into my mind and I groaned into the pillow to try and force them out.

I made a mental list of things I had to do while I stayed in the cozy bed.

Bonds office to check for skips

Dinner with the parents

The talk with Ranger

Maybe I should avoid the last one for a while. The shower turned off and I looked towards the nightstand to figure out the time. 7:02 a.m. Great, it was still night time. My stomach growled and I realized I had skipped dinner last night. I was starving.

"Ella should be coming up soon and I'm sure you're going to like what she brings." I pulled the pillow away from my face and glanced at him, not resisting the temptation to look him up and down.

"Babe." I shook my head and looked at him, his face, not his body this time.

"What," I scowled. Your fault for wearing a damn towel, I thought. The towel dropped. Oh shit.

I shut my eyes tightly, trying to get my hormones back in order. I heard Ranger full out laughing at me.

"Go take a shower and Ella should be here by the time you get out."

Afraid to open my eyes I got off the bed with them still closed with my hands in front of me. I almost screamed when Ranger's hands pulled me forward and placed them on his abs of steel.

"Goodness," I muttered, but didn't dare open my eyes.

I felt him move closer to me and jumped a little when he whispered in my ear: "Watch your steps. You don't want to touch anything accidentally. I'll take it as partial consent." He turned me around, pushed me into the bathroom and closed the door.

During my shower I planned my escape from Rangeman and how to leave without a bodyguard. I would take the tracker and that would be enough. I checked my leg to make sure the cut was okay. It was already scabbing over but I put a new bandage on it anyway.

Knowing my clothes were outside the bathroom I donned Ranger's robe and headed cautiously out. As soon as I stepped out I was surrounded by a tantalizing aroma of what seemed to be pancakes. Forgetting about getting dressed I walked to the food. There was a gorgeous plate across the counter from Ranger adorned with two fluffy pancakes, two thick strips of bacon and a tall glass of orange juice beside a container of maple syrup. There was also a bowl of cut up bananas and strawberries but that was probably more Ranger's doing and not Ella's.

Ignoring the smirk from Ranger and his bland plate I quickly dug into mine, patting my stomach when I finished. He shook his head at me and placed our dishes in the sink.

He was in SWAT gear today and after those delicious pancakes he didn't look nearly as delicious as before-or just less so. He shrugged on his windbreaker that had RANGEMAN on the back.

"Stay here today," he told me. I looked at him as if saying 'yeah right.' He must have noticed because quick as a flash he grabbed a set of keys out the silver dish and put them in his windbreaker pocket.

Great those were my keys.

"Stay here," he demanded this. Hell no. I'm not a dog and I don't listen to commands very well. He stepped closer to me and held the collar of the bathrobe. "Stay here and in my robe. We will talk later."

He dragged me forward and began to kiss me. Trying to make me forget about leaving, I was sure. Fat chance of that happening. I pressed my body against him eliciting a healthy response from him. Slowly I brought my hands up to his hair. I tried to focus on getting my keys from his pocket so I shifted, forcing him to lean me against the counter. The deeper I tried to bring him into the act the more I had to try and keep myself together.

He shifted to my neck and I used my hands to bring him closer, hopefully distracting him from everything. He kissed up the side of my neck and said softly at my ear: "This feels a little like déjà vu."

He moved back but I didn't want him to stop asI hadn't gotten my keys back yet. I changed our positions so that I was leaning him against the counter, of course he allowed me to do this since I'm positive if he didn't want that, he would have been able to stop me.

Encouraged by the fact he was letting me continue this little session I kissed his neck before butterfly kissing his jaw. I moved my hands to his waist and I noticed he hadn't zipped the windbreaker up so that the pocket with my keys were hanging down and slightly to the side by the weight. I moved my left hand to his hair deepening the kiss as he held me around my waist. Slowly I moved my right hand onto the counter where his keys lay and carefully pulled them out of the silver dish, fisting them tightly so they wouldn't jingle. My stretch was taken as an invitation for more and his hands moved to my hair.

Trying to remain in some kind of control I carefully brought the keys down to his pocket and slipped my hand in, but with just my fingertips. With a calculated movement I stretched out my pinky so that it was touching my keys while I slowly dropped his keys. I didn't want to end up grabbing his keys so the pinky touching my keys did wonders. I fisted my keys in my hand and brought my hand out of his pocket.

By now we were nearly out of breath and I knew I had to hurry if I wanted this work. I tightened the hold of my left hand while I brought my right hand back up to the counter and put my keys in the silver dish. I wanted to dance when it didn't make any noise and for the Ranger didn't seem to notice.

Glad to focus my attention just on him for the moment I gladly lost myself in his kisses. When he pulled back for the final time we were both breathing hard.

"We definitely have to talk today." He told me. He lightly touched the opening the bathrobe left but didn't venture any further. I guess we were both waiting till after the talk to do anything more serious. He got up from against the counter and zippes his windbreaker up. I wanted to laugh when he patted his pocket and nodded. "I won't be gone all day. Just a few accounts I need to take care of. After that we'll talk," he paused. "Really talk."

He went back into his bedroom to get his weapons and fix his hair again, which reminded me about mine. I lifted my hand up and groaned, it was already frizzy.

He gave me a final kiss before he left. I smiled at my keys and slowly got ready for the day. By the time I would go to leave Ranger would probably be out of the building and I was home free.

I checked on Rex and fed him. Making sure I did my hamster duties for today. Once I made sure he was alright I headed to the bedroom.

I forgot I didn't have any of my normal clothes here and resigned myself to dress in all Rangeman attire for the time being. I grabbed the articles of clothing and went to the bathroom to do my make-up.

I grabbed my mascara and lifted my eyes to the mirror to put it in. I instantly dropped it. Shit, he had marked my neck. I had hickeys! The Rangeman shirt wasn't going to cover this and I knew Lula and Connie wouldn't let it go either.

I decided not to think about that just yet and continued to put my makeup on. When I came out of the bathroom to get my clothes I heard soft knocking at the door. I quickly opened the door and let Ella in. She was all smiles today.

"Good morning Stephanie. I hope you enjoyed your breakfast." She breezed past me as I closed the door. I turned around to answer her feeling a little self conscious in only Ranger's bathrobe.

"It's a shame Ranger doesn't use that. I'm glad that you do dear," she told me refering to the robe.

"It's a nice robe," I stated, not knowing anything else to say to that.

"Oh," she breathed suddenly.

I turned to look behind me to see what the problem was but there was nothing there. She grabbed my hand and took me through the bedroom to the bathroom, where she began to take out items from underneath the sink.

She was saying things under her breath and I wondered if I had offended her in anyway. It wasn't until she began to dab make-up on my neck that I realized what was wrong. I started to pay attention to what she was muttering.

"…marking a lady, honestly! Just wait till his mama hears about this. I'll give that boy a talking to…"

I wanted to laugh when Ella called Ranger a boy, but figured that would ruin her rant. Besides she was doing wonderful job covering that bite mark.

"There," she finishes placing the brush and make-up back under the counter.

"Wow," I breathed. I couldn't see it at all! "You're wonderful."

"It was nothing dear. Just wait till I talk to him!" She shuffled back into the bedroom ad began to make the bed.

I nooded at the statement, smiling a little at the thought. I helped her tuck the sheets and covers back under as she told me all she was going to tell him. I resisted the temptation to smile, and instead nodded in understanding.

"Don't you worry. I'll make sure he gets exactly what he deserves." She swept out of the room with the laundry basket, quickly started the dishwater, and made her way out with a cheerful goodbye.

Feeling proud of myself today and all I had accomplished I got dressed and grabbed my purse. I grabbed my keys from the dish and headed on down to the garage, hoping I'd make it before someone stopped me.

I knew that once I stepped outside of his apartment I would be monitored and I prepared myself to run when the elevator doors opened to the garage. I didn't see anyone but that didn't mean they weren't there. I ran to the Buick and sprinted to the driver's side.

"What the-?" The key wouldn't go in and I started to panic knowing for sure someone would get me now. I bent down almost on my knees to get the key in. Irritated when it didn't go in again I slammed the door with my palm, thrilled when I heard the lock release.

I got into the car and shut the door, locking myself inside. I glanced toward the elevator and made sure no one was there. They were usually here by now.

I screamed and hit the roof of the car when a hand landed on my shoulder.

"You should be more aware of your surroundings," I heard. I turned and saw Ranger sitting in the backseat. I swear he was not here when I got in. "Didn't think I'd notice your hand in my pocket, Babe? Not that I didn't like the little session this morning."

He got out of the backseat and made me get out. He took the keys out of my hand and grinned. He dangled the keys in front of me showing me what I missed this morning.

"Those aren't my keys!"

"I switched the key chains last night. I thought you might try something."

He guided my by the small of my back to the elevator.

"But the door it unlocked!"

"Because I unlocked it for you when I heard you hit it. Tank told me you were headed down and I figured since you were dressed in true Rangeman attire you can work on a few searched for me."

Now I was glad taht Elaa would remind him of his manners, there's just no winning with Batman.

He led me to my cubicle and I groaned at the sheer size of the search folders.

"It'll keep you busy," he told me and then he was off.

"Thought you had to go to an account today," I grumbled under my breath. He wasn't there to hear me though.

Lunch time came rather fast and I decided to head up to the apartment for a peanut butter and olive sandwich.

Ranger wasn't there when I entered and I was grateful. During the searches I figured out the perfect plan to escape.

I gave Rex some of my lunch and watched him wiggle out of his can to come and eat it.

"Hey Lula, can you come by in about ten minutes?" After I told her to keep this plan to herself and to hurry I hung up. She'd call me when she was close.

"I'm almost there, get ready to run," Lula told me when she called. I had left my purse on my desk, grabbing only my phone and the tracker pen, so that it would look like I was planning on coming back. I tried to act calm as I rode the elevator down and pressed the button for the garage.

It stopped on four and I started to get worried thinking someone caught me. Lester got on and I flashed a smile at him, hoping it covered up my panic.

"Going up," I asked moving so that I covered the button console from his view as much as I could.

"Of course. You staying here today?" The grin on his face told me he knew I was told to.

"That's what I was told." The elevator stopped and we both moved to exit. Quickly I pushed the button for 5 and forced Lester back before I barely made it through the closing doors.

I sprinted out ignoring the bandage that rubbed angrily on my cut. I heard Lula before I saw her and when she skidded around the corner in her firebird I jumped in yelling "Go! Go! Go!" over her music. She put her foot on the gas and we sped off to the bond's office.

We both slumped down on the couch when we got in. We had just gotten out breath back when the batman theme song started ring from the pocket.

"Yo," I greeted. I was met with silence before a resigned, "Babe."

"I have the tracker," I told him.

"And what about the extra person we agreed on?"

"I have Lula."

"Your gun is on your desk in your purse."

"Lula has hers."

I swear I heard him growl before he hung up without another word.

"Girl, I can't believe you wanted to escape from Batman."

"He's going to have someone here within the next ten minutes," Connie informed us.

"Any skips," I asked her. She shook her head.

"Well, what do you want to do," I asked Lula

"Well, you know I'm always up for a trip to the mall. Besides this wedding is getting to me."

I took a good look at her, ignoring the bright pink, but really looked her. She looked good, not anxious or jittery because of the wedding. If this was the wedding getting to her I'd love to see what happens if she gets the necessary cold feet. She was glowing with happiness.

"You look fine to me, but I could go for a shopping trip. Connie, you coming?"

"No, thanks. I just bought a new nail polish. Boysenberry. I plan to try it out today."

We left Connie at the office and we headed straight to the mall, directly to Macy's. We spent hours in almost every store. Lula talked about colors she might want, flowers and how she wanted things to play out. I had never seen her so excited and I was happy for her. I told her about what happened yesterday leaving out a couple parts about Ranger and me. I ignored the ringing of my phone throughout the stores; I figured that since I had the tracker he knew where I was.

Fifteen minutes before six I asked Lula to drop me off at my parent's house for dinner. I asked if she wanted to come but she had to go. I told her I'd ask my mom about helping her plan the wedding. She said she'd call Sally too.

I met my mom and my grandma on the porch and followed them in. I gave my dad a kiss on the cheek while he watched TV until dinner was called. My mom gave me a stern look before going to finish up with dinner. I was glad that Valerie and her family weren't planning to show up tonight. I wasn't ready for that.

"Is it true you were in shootout," My grandma asked. She was setting the silverware on the table and the light made her now red hair shine bright.

"No, I was shot at once, but it wasn't a shoot out."

"Darn, I was hoping I had another story to tell the girls at the beauty parlor. No one else has a pip of a granddaughter like me."

My mom called us to sit down and eat and while I ate I waited for her questions.

"Now Stephanie, what's this I hear about you being shot at? And why you didn't answer your phone? I thought something terrible happened!" And there it was.

I sighed before telling her, "I'm fine and I'm sorry for not answering your phone call. I fell asleep." I avoided telling her more about the gun shots that were involved. I figured I would never make it out of here alive if I did. From the look she gave me she knew what I was playing out so I diverted the conversation somewhere else.

"My friend Lula is getting married and she needs help, I promised her I'd ask if you might want to help her."

Grandma Mazur asked who she was marrying and when I told her about Tank she fanned herself. "I would sure like to get me one of those. How much do you think they would cost?" I studiously avoided the question along with my dad's muttering, focusing on my mother who had yet to answer.

She gave me another look, and I knew this one meant that it should be me getting married.

"Of course I'll help, you just let me know when and where and I'll have everything settled before you know it."

Thankfully the conversation was over as well as dinner I picked up my leftovers and managed a quick goodbye before heading out the door.

There was a black SUV waiting on the curb and I stopped debating whether to turn around and go back inside or face whoever was behind the steering wheel. My choice was made for me when Lester hopped out and made me get in.

"What are you doing here," I asked him.

"Other than the fact that you don't have a car to get home in?" I waved the question away as if it didn't matter and he smiled briefly before turning serious. "Someone blew up the SUV you and Bobby took yesterday. I was assigned to take you to your apartment and make sure it's secure."

"Great, yet another crazy wanting to make my life hell." You'd think I'd already filled my status quos for crazies, but nope, they just keep on coming. Lester laughed and started to drive me back to my apartment. I debated hitting him.

"I'd rather you didn't. You already ran out of me once, and I still have to get you back for that."

I smiled sheepishly at him having already forgotten about that little incident. "Sorry, I just needed to get out."

"Don't tell me that, tell Ranger."

"Well, Ranger's a little controlling." Not to mention willing to bend rules. "I don't want to talk about him right now." He raised an eyebrow but kept his gaze on the road.

"What I really want to know about," I started sliding my gaze over to him, "is why the sudden interest in making Connie hate you."

There was silence for a few moments and he smiled softly. "It's fun to get her wiled up like that," he chuckled, "not to mention pretty darn easy too."

"Yeah, well I hope she shoots you in the foot one of these days. Only you would want to make someone with Family connections mad."

"We all got connections," he told me. "Besides, I'm fine with getting shot at, except this time it won't be from a gun if it comes from her."

I wanted to ask him what the hell he meant by that but we were already in the parking lot of my apartment building. He headed up with me going inside first and making sure everything was okay.

When he came out he was shaking his head. "The place is fine but damn, what do you know, having that little rat there does make a difference." He told me to be safe and lock my doors before he left.

After I placed my leftovers in the fridge I could understand what Lester was talking about. The apartment was dead silent since there was no Rex spinning in his wheel.

I pressed the button on my answering machine that said I had a new voicemail.

"Steph, I need you to come by the station when you are able to. You need to sign a statement, nothing major." Eddie.

I decided I'd do it tomorrow. Right now all I wanted to do was hunker down and watch some TV, then later when I felt some courage I'd go back to Rangeman to talk, no, to get Rex.

In need of comfort I changed into a large shirt and shorts and put Ghostbusters on. Before the previews were even over my apartment phone rang.

"Yo" Damn, it was Ranger. I wasn't supposed to answer his calls.

"You yourself, do you need something?"

"We still need to talk."

"I'll come by later." Maybe. Maybe not.

"I'll be there in ten." I was met with a dial tone and cursed. I didn't want to do this now. I straightened up my living room and went to change into something that I felt good in. Halfway through changing I freaked. I left the large shirt on, pulled on my jeans and sneakers and ran out of my apartment. There was no way I was going to be here when he came.

I ran down the stairs not wanting to catch him if he was on the elevator and ran outside.

That's right, I reminded myself, and the Buick is still at Rangeman while I'm in the middle of my parking lot looking like a complete idiot.

Ranger's truck pulled in and I froze, wanting to run but not being able to. He got out of the truck and walk towards me. He was holding Rex's cage under one arm.

"Trying to leave on me?"

"Uh..I just needed to go to the store," I lied. I nodded, yeah, the store was a good excuse.

"You're lying."

"Am not!" I placed my hands on my hips and stomped my left foot on the ground, cursing myself for that action when the cut burned.

"Babe." And the next thing I knew my world was turned upside down as I was draped over his shoulder. When I started to hit him he only laughed at me. Not being able to press the button on the elevator he turned around and made me do it. I wanted to press the wrong floor just to irritate him but he might've dropped me if I did.

I contented myself with switching my gaze from the outline of his ass in his cargo and Rex's beady eyes looking at me from his cage.

Ready or not, here came the talk.