Thanks so much for all the comments and reviews! I'm so glad everyone seems to be enjoying the story.

None of these characters belong to me, and I make no profit

Rating for mild language and violence

"What's he talking about, what do you guys have planned?" Steph said.

He took a long drink but didn't say anything for a minute, just stared at her. "Unpleasant activities is a code, babe. Means there's a mission."

She stood perfectly still for a moment. "Oh. Okay." She turned to leave, hoping he didn't catch the tears forming in her eyes, and walked upstairs.


18 days to go…

Ranger watched her as she left the room. He knew she was upset, but he didn't say anything. What was there to say, really. Sorry babe, this is why I don't want a family. Hope I come back…

Tank arrived a few minutes later, letting himself into the kitchen through the garage.

"Hey man. Washington called. Head out in the morning, two man crew, shouldn't take more than a week, two tops."

Ranger just nodded, still staring at the doorway where Steph had exited.

"Bad timing, huh?" Tank asked.

"It's fine timing. It doesn't matter. You wanna go?"

"Nah, I'll stay here and watch your girls. Take Lester."

"Let's head to the office then. We've got some contracts coming up I need to go over with you. Call Lester and have him meet us there. I need to talk to Steph."

Tank nodded and wandered into the living room. Ranger climbed the stairs and smiled as he heard Julie start squealing. Tank never passed up an opportunity to tickle her, even if she was asleep.

He headed to up their bedroom, expecting to find Steph in bed and crying. At least, that's how Rachel had always reacted during the short time they were married. But he didn't find Steph there. He should have known better. She was tougher than that. Or at least, had too much pride to let him see her crying.

He found her in his office, going through the files she had on her current skips.

She barely glanced up when he entered the room.

"When are you leaving?"

"In the morning."

She just nodded, but didn't ask any other questions. That worried him. Steph always had questions.

"I'm headed to the office with Tank to take care of a few things. Should be home around seven if you want to have dinner then."

"Sure, sounds fine." She turned her attention back to her files.

He was at a bit of a loss. "Babe, I'm sorry about this…"

She looked up quickly. "Don't be. This is your life, you don't have to apologize for it."

He studied her for a moment, but then nodded and went back downstairs. He found Julie and Tank in the kitchen, with Julie chattering about some friend who had emailed her about some boy…

Tank looked a little relieved when Ranger entered the kitchen.

"Tank and I have to go the office for a while, Julie. Steph's upstairs, and I'll be home for dinner, okay?"

"Okay. Uncle Tank, can you come to dinner too? Pleeeaassee?"

"I don't know, Julie. Who's cooking?"

Ranger and Julie both laughed. "Amaya cooked," he answered. "Steph just has to warm it up."

Tank nodded. "Sure, then I'll come. I just don't want to have to eat Bombshell's cooking."

Steph chose that moment to walk into the kitchen. "Hey! You've never even tried my cooking." She was smiling, even if Ranger could tell that it was a little strained.

Tank looked like he was trying hard not to laugh. "Bombshell, I've seen what you do to cars. I'm surprised Ranger even lets you in a house with a gas stove. He'd be dumb to let you actually use it."

Steph glared, but it did no good to stifle anyone's laughter, and soon she was joining in herself. Ranger stood back and watched Steph and Julie giggle together. He gave them each a quick kiss and followed Tank out to the garage. Maybe this mission was bad timing after all.

Steph was just pulling Amaya's lasagna out of the oven when she heard the guys pull into the garage. Amaya had been trying to learn Italian cooking. It made for an odd table, covered in lasagna, extra red sauce, frijoles, papas nuevas rellenas… And there was flan for dessert. Steph smiled at the sight. A mixing of cultures.

Ranger came into the kitchen, with Tank, Lester, and Bobby trailing behind. He walked over to Steph, wrapped her in a hug and gestured his head back toward the guys. "They followed me home. Can we keep 'em?"

She cracked up laughing. "Yes," she said, as she leaned up on her tiptoes to give him a quick kiss. She leaned over his shoulder. "Hi, guys."

A chorus of "hi bombshell" and "yo, bomber" greeted her.

She turned back to Ranger as Julie frantically started talking to all three guys at once, all of whom were trying very hard to look interested.

"Are you going back out tonight?"

"No. The guys are just staying for dinner. Lester will pick me up at 5 tomorrow."

"Thank you. Julie will want all the time with you she can get."

She thought she caught a flash of something in Ranger's expression as she said that, disappointment almost, but it was gone.

"Should I call Rachel about getting her back home if you're not back?" she asked.

"I won't be gone that long. Should just be a week. But if I'm not back for any reason, call Tank. He'll be keeping an eye on you both."

She nodded and untangled herself to find more plates and silverware for the guys.

Dinner was a raucous affair, with all the guys cracking jokes and paying special attention to Julie. Steph knew what they were doing, and appreciated it. But they were treating Julie like she was fragile, and Steph knew she wasn't. She was a tough kid. It was only a week. They'd both be fine.

After the guys left, Ranger took Julie into the living room to explain while Steph cleaned up.

Julie plopped down on the couch. "Wanna play a game, daddy?"

"Sure, Julie. But first I need to talk to you about something." Staring into her big eyes, he took a deep breath and started. "You know how I do work for the government right?"

She nodded.

"And remember how I told you that part of the reason that you live with your mom is that I have to leave on assignment with no warning."

Her eyes got a little larger. "Are you leaving, daddy?"

"Yeah, Baby, I am. For about a week."

She sat quietly for a moment. He could see the sheen of tears in her eyes, but she didn't cry. "Do I have to go home?"

"No, Julie. You can stay here with Stephanie and Uncle Tank. I'll be back in a week, and we'll still have some time together before you go back to Miami."

She launched herself across the couch and into Ranger's arms. He caught her easily and held her tightly. Her little arms wound their way around his neck, pulling him even closer. He could feel the tension in her body as she tried not to cry.

He sat there holding her, cursing himself in his head, until she relaxed and leaned back a bit.

"You'll come back before I have to go home?"

"Yeah, queirda."

"You promise?"

He hesitated before he answered. It was foolish to make promises in his line of work. But he'd never been able to deny Julie anything. "I promise."

She nodded and sat back on the couch beside him. "You still wanna play a game?"

"Sure," he said, pressing a kiss onto the top of her head. "Why don't you go find one."

She jumped up and headed for the hallway closet. Steph was standing in the doorway, watching them.

Julie walked up to Steph and wrapped her arms around Steph's waist.

"Just you and me for a while, huh?" she asked.

Steph smiled. "Yeah, for a while. How much trouble do you think we can get into before he gets back?"

Julie leaned back and grinned up at Steph. Steph threw her a wink before Julie skipped off to the closet to find a game.

"Babe," Ranger said from his place on the couch.

"What? I have to occupy her somehow."

He stood and walked over to her. He leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips. "I'm sure you'll think of something."

They pulled apart as Julie came back in the living room, carrying a stack of board games. "Daddy, can we stay up all night and eat junk food and play games?"

"Your dad needs some sleep before he goes, Julie."

Ranger squeezed Steph around the waist. "I can sleep in the car tomorrow. I'll stay up and play games with you, but you can't make me eat junk food."

"That's okay. Me and Steph will eat your share of the junk food."

17 days to go…

The next morning he got up quietly, trying not to wake anyone. They had all finally crashed around 3am. He slipped into Julie's room and kissed her on the forehead before heading down the stairs. Steph was standing in the kitchen waiting for him.

"Babe, you didn't have to get up."

"I know. But I wanted to see you off." She leaned up on her tiptoes and kissed him.

As she pulled back, he grabbed her by the hips and held her to him. He knew his expression was blank, and not for the first time, he was glad she couldn't read his thoughts.

He kissed her again, but ended it quickly, knowing if he didn't, he'd never be able to leave.

Lester slipped into the kitchen through the garage door and nodded at Ranger.

"Hey Bomber," he said, "didn't expect to see you up."

She walked over and gave him a hug. "Be safe, okay?"

"Sure thing, Beautiful." Lester swatted her on the ass as she walked back to Ranger.

Steph grinned, but Ranger shot Lester a dirty look. He would deal with that in the car. They had a nice long drive to discuss it.

Ranger gave Steph another quick hug. He gently used his thumbs to brush away the couple stray tears he knew she was trying to hold in. "Call Tank if you need anything."

She nodded and he left, climbing into the SUV beside Lester.

"Sorry, man," Lester said as he backed out of the garage and headed for the gate. "I just couldn't resist."

"Learn how."

Lester grinned at Ranger's tone. "Not many women in this world as good as Steph."

"Yeah."

14 days to go…

"Assault? Are you sure this guy was supposed to go to me?"

Vinnie stuck his little rat head out the doorway of his office. "Yes it's for you. It's in your bond category. I don't pay you to whine, so get to work."

Steph just shot Vinnie the finger without even looking up. She grinned when she heard Vinnie huff and slam his office door shut.

"You can always get Ranger to help, can't you? Now that you two are all in love and shit," Lula said.

Ranger had been gone for 4 days. It hadn't been all bad. Amaya had still been around to clean and cook, and generally just hang out. Tank had been checking on them religiously. Between Amaya, Tank, and her mom, Steph had plenty of help keeping an eye on Julie.

Steph rolled her eyes at Lula. "Ranger's out of town. And we're not 'in love and shit.' You better not be telling people that."

"Ranger's gone? Well, I'm sure my man Tank will be willing to help out."

Steph smiled. "He's been great. He has Julie at the office right now. I'll try to get this guy on my own before I call Tank. I can only bring myself to put the guy through so much."

"He don't mind. He said he even has fun with Julie."

All three girls gave an 'ahhh' at the same time.

"There's just something about a big strong man with a little kid that melts your heart, isn't there?" Lula said.

"Yeah," Connie and Steph agreed on a sigh.

Steph shook herself and looked back down at the file. Sam Matheson. He was 32 years old and unemployed. He had an address on Stark Street, was FTA from an assault charge, and had a string of solicitation charges in his record. He had been arrested for beating some guy senseless in a bar. He had shaggy blond hair, was 6 foot four, and over 200 lbs.

Steph looked back up at Connie. "You're sure?"

She nodded again. "I know Tank will take him if I call…"

"No, don't do that," Steph interrupted. "I'll give it a shot. I'll call somebody over there if I need backup."

Steph drove to the Stark Street address listed on Matheson's bond agreement. There was no number listed, and no family. Vinnie shouldn't have even bonded this guy out. Dumb bastard.

Steph sat for a minute, looking at the building. She sighed, and carefully made sure she had all her weapons ready and had cuffs. She got out and headed toward the building.

She covered her nose with her shirt the second she walked into the dilapidated lobby.

"My god, what is that smell?" she mumbled aloud.

She jumped a foot when a voice answered her. It was a small man huddled in a corner.

"It's just the building. You get used to it. You here for some excitement sweetie?"

Steph tried to smile. She was pretty sure the smell was coming from him. "I'm a bond enforcement agent. I'm looking for Sam Matheson. Does he live here?"

The old man shrank back into his corner, shaking his head from side to side. "You don't want nothin' to do with him, missy. That's a bad man, that one. No soul." He pointed to his own eyes. "Nothin' in his eyes, that one."

Steph swallowed hard, but went ahead toward the stairs. She had Tank on speed dial if she needed him.

The stairs creaked under each step, and Steph had to walk carefully to avoid the rotting trash littering the entire path upward. She found apartment 2B, took a deep breath, and pounded forcefully on the door.

"Mr. Matheson?" she yelled through the door.

A very large man opened the door and stared at her. Steph gulped. The old man was right, he had lifeless eyes.

He grinned. "Hi baby. You here for some fun?"

"Mr. Matheson, I represent your bond company. You missed your court date. I need to take you back to the station to reschedule." Couldn't hurt to try that line, at least.

His smile faded. "I don't think so, bitch. Get out of here before I decide to put you to better use."

"If you'll just come with me to the station, we can have you bonded right back out…"

Matheson just slammed the door shut and locked it from the inside.

Steph pounded on the door for a minute, before she heard a familiar thud and sizzle noise from outside.

"Shit!" She took off down the steps, not bothering to avoid the rancid trash this time.

She stepped outside just in time to watch her car explode into a ball of flames.

The old man had followed Steph out and was clapping his hands in approval. "Wow! Haven't seen anything like that since the war. Way to go, missy."

Steph looked up to see Sam Matheson hanging out his window laughing, directly above her car.

"I can put together a Molotov Cocktail in less than a minute, bitch. Next time I won't aim for your car."

He disappeared back into the window. A minute later, she could hear the fire escape on the back of the building groaning as he exited. She didn't bother to chase him. Tank could have him. That guy was creepy.

She called Tank to let him know she was okay, and sat down on the sidewalk to wait for the fire department. She could already hear the wailing sirens coming closer. The old man sat down beside her. Somehow, the heat and stink of the fire had just about drowned out the scent of the old man. Just about.

"My Mini," she said, thunking her head into her hands. "I loved that car. It was a beautiful car. I had that car for almost six months. It was a record."

The old man just nodded like he knew what she was talking about and patted her leg.

"Damn shame. Of course if you had bought American…"

Steph just sighed. She cringed as the first cops arrived on the scene. The fire truck was just a step behind, followed closely by an ambulance. The first cops took one look at her and whipped out their phones. Great.

They took her statement, and before they were done, more cops had arrived. Eddie came over, helped her to her feet, and patted her on the back.

"What was it, Steph, almost six months?"

"Yeah," she said, scuffing her toe along the pavement. She sighed. "Who won?"

"I did. Almost $400."

"You know that if it was anyone else, I'd demand a cut, right?"

"Let's just say you have a 'get-out-of-babysitting-free-card for a while."

"Damn straight."

Joe chose that moment to walk up to her. "You okay, Cupcake?" he said, looking her up and down.

"Yeah, fine. I was inside looking for a skip when it blew."

"Skip got away?"

"Yeah."

Joe gave her a hug. "I can't stay, but I wanted to make sure you're all right."

She nodded. "Yep. Dandy. Peachy. Looking forward to car shopping."

She didn't have to wait long till Tank pulled up, Julie with him. Julie jumped out of the truck and was looking around in awe.

"Wow Steph, this is so cool! Do you blow up cars a lot?"

"Why do you think we call her Bombshell, kid?" Tank said.

Julie grinned. "Wait till I tell my friends." She immediately whipped out her cell phone and started snapping pictures.

Steph sighed and sank back down onto the curb. Tank yanked on her arm to get her back up. "Come on, little girl. I'll take you to Pino's and buy you pizza."

Steph threw her arms as far around his big frame as she could get them. "Thanks, Tank."

Anna Marquez sat on the park bench and smoothed a hand down the front of her dress again. She pulled her long dark hair up off her neck, trying to escape the heat. She glanced at her watch again. She had come early, too anxious to wait at home.

Shannon, the social worker, would be bringing Inez in about twenty minutes. Anna's heart was pounding and her hands were shaking. She had tried to take Shannon's warning to heart, that this could go badly. That her expectations would not be met. But Anna couldn't help the hope that was blossoming in her chest.

She looked up in time to see a grey station wagon with the license plate of a New Jersey state employees pull up and park beside a beat-up blue truck. She recognized Shannon as she got out of the driver's side. She was about Anna's age, with dark blond hair teased high. She was wearing a cheap businesses suit that was a little too tight around the middle. Anna's head swiveled to the passenger side of the car, and her eyes filled with tears.

A young girl climbed out of the car, and looked directly at Anna. Their eyes met and locked. Anna lifted a hand to her mouth and tried to stop her tears from falling. The girl slowly followed Shannon toward the park bench where Anna was seated.

Anna stood, trying to control her emotions and remember all the advice Shannon had gone over with her the day before.

She held out her hand to the girl, and forced her voice to be steady. "Hello. I'm Anna."

The little girl shook her hand. "I'm Inez."

Anna smiled and forced herself to drop Inez's hand, even when every instinct in her was screaming for her to grab the little girl and hold her tight.

But Inez's eyes were wary, and Anna knew she had to take Shannon's advice and move slowly.

"Would you like to sit down?" Anna said to Inez. She barely noticed Shannon stepping away to give them some privacy.

"Sure," Inez said shrugging. They sat in silence for a moment, before Inez turned to her. "So you're my mom, huh?"

Anna smiled. "Yes, I am." She studied Inez. She could see her own features in the girl. She had same petite frame, same pronounced cheekbones, and same glossy black hair, though Inez's skin tone was several shades lighter than Anna's. The only evidence of her partially Anglo heritage was her eyes – they were startlingly dark blue.

"You're a very beautiful girl, Inez."

"Thanks. Guess I get most of it from you," Inez said, studying Anna herself. "My mom, uh, my adoptive mom, I guess, told me why you gave me up."

Anna nodded. Shannon had warned her about this as well.

"Did they ever find the man who raped you?" Inez asked.

"No, the police never found him."

"How old were you?"

"I was fifteen."

"That's not much older than me," Inez said.

Anna shook her head. "No. You're twelve, right?"

"Yeah. I start middle school next month."

"Are you good in school?"

"I'm good with English. Not so good with math. My mom…uh…"

Anna smiled. "It's okay."

Inez looked away for a minute, and then back at Anna. "Mom has to help me with math a lot. But last year I had A's in all my other classes."

"That's great."

A minute passed, and Anna wrung her hands in her lap. She couldn't think of anything else to say. She wasn't used to kids, and certainly wasn't used to this. She looked back at Inez. "This is kind of awkward, isn't it?"

Inez shrugged. "That's okay. I wanted to meet you. I wanted to know what you're like."

Anna took a deep breath. "Well, I'm a nurse, at St. Francis hospital."

"Are you married?"

"No."

"Do you have a boyfriend?" Inez said.

Anna shook her head. "No. I went on a couple dates with a very nice man this month. But nothing serious."

"Was he cute?" Inez asked with a grin.

Anna laughed. "Very cute."

The lapsed back into silence, but it was a little less awkward this time.

"Can I ask you something?" Inez said. "You don't have to answer if you don't want to."

Anna nodded.

"Do you regret giving me up for adoption?"

Anna looked away for a minute, thinking. She turned back to Inez. "That's a hard question to answer. I was very young, and very angry when I had you. I wouldn't have been a good parent. And Shannon tells me that your family, your parents, are very nice."

Inez nodded. "They're cool, I guess."

"So on the one hand, I don't regret it at all. Because I know they've given you a much better life than I ever could have. But on the other hand…" she trailed off. She reached out and gently touched Inez's hair. "On the other hand, I hate that I haven't seen you or watched you grow up."

Inez smiled. "We can see each other now. My mom said that it'd be okay if we hung out."

Anna had to blink back tears. "I'd like that, very much."

Shannon walked back over. "It's time to go, Inez."

Anna and Inez both stood. Inez reached over and gave her a hug. "Bye," she said.

Anna was too choked up to speak, but she hugged Inez as tight as she dared, and then watched her follow Shannon to the car. She waved one last time, and then sat back down on the park bench.

She didn't know how long she sat, but she wanted to savor this moment, to remember it. She pulled the picture back out of her wallet and studied it. Those blue eyes. Anna had always assumed that the blue eyes Inez had a birth would quickly change to brown. She was glad they hadn't, even if the eye color was a visual reminder of the man who had attacked her.

Anna quickly shook off those thoughts. She had Inez now, and that was all that mattered. She stood and walked back to her car. She checked her phone. She had left it in the car, not wanting any interruptions. She had missed one call.

She listened to the message, and smiled.

"Hi Anna," Joe's voice said. "I got off early, and wondered if you wanted to get together tonight. Maybe we can grab dinner. Call me."

Anna quickly called him back. Joe had already left for the Navy when Anna started school at Trenton Central High. But the legend of Joe Morelli had still been talked about through the halls. Oh the scandals, between Joe and Terri Gillman and Stephanie Plum.

Anna smiled as waited for Joe to pick up. Those three were still a source of scandal. That was how she had met Joe, actually. He had come in to the ER to watch Stephanie get stitched up. Or course, that had been after they broke up, but he was still protective of Stephanie.

"Morelli," Joe answered.

"Hi Joe, it's Anna. I would love to get together tonight."

She pulled out of the lot, headed for home, never even noticing the beat-up blue truck pulling out behind her.

Please, please, please review! Tell me what you think so far? Any guesses or comments on Anna?