Disclaimer: Not mine. all characters belong to JE.


**Vince POV**

A sleek black motorcycle stopped just outside the garage. We didn't know what to think. The bike was unfamiliar and the rider was clearly a woman…and what a woman! All the men near the monitors stopped what they were doing and watched the screens. As she got off the bike we couldn't help but notice the woman was petite but with curves in all the right places. She pulled out a phone and appeared to be texting someone. I was so caught up in watching this woman that I didn't even notice Stephanie go running by and go down in the elevator, until suddenly Stephanie was outside hugging the other woman. I kept watching as she used her key fob to open the garage doors to let this woman inside it was clear they knew each other, then I said, "Cal, Hector, Manny, to the garage now!" I knew they would go because they were nearest and could see what I was seeing, and you could never be too careful when it came to Stephanie.

**Steph POV**

I decided to go up the break room on 5 to visit with the guys on duty while I was waiting on Marni to make her way to Rangeman. I wasn't there for long when I got a text from Marni letting me know she was out front but needed help getting in the garage. I had been waiting long enough that I just ran out of the room and went to the elevator, without explaining anything to the guys I was talking to. I should maybe have realized that this would cause them some concern, but was too keyed up to notice. I hurried outside and hugged Marni then helped her into the garage. Only to look up and see we were surrounded by a sea of black, all sporting their patented 'blank faces'.

"Uh…guys? Did I miss something?" I couldn't for the life of me figure what had them so on edge. Behind me Marni took off her helmet and grinned.

"So, these are your Merry Men I've heard so much about? Impressive," Marni was nearly laughing as she said this, and I was blushing scarlet. I am fairly certain I told her they didn't know I called them that! I know I heard a cough and a chuckle or two from the guys too.

"Yeah, well…umm…I did plan to do this inside and with a little less intimidation. But, so much for that," I got sheepish looks from the guys this time. "Ok, guys this is my friend Marni. Marni, these are the guys. They can introduce themselves later seeing as how we'll be living here for a while."

"Hey guys. I hope I won't be too much of a burden on you. I don't know if Stephanie filled you all in on my situation but I really appreciate the help and protection you have offered me. I am aware that it is due to Stephanie," Marni half smiled in self-depreciation at that and continued, "but all the same, thank you!"

Hector was the first to step up and greet her, "Hola. I am Hector, a friend of Stephanie is a friend to me." I was surprised, because I know he doesn't speak much English, that he made such an effort for me. And Marni proved that we have much in common when she smiled hugely at him and shook his hand, appearing unaffected despite his scary look and the tear drop tattoos under his eye. We both know the tattoos are gang-related, signifying a kill, and he is the scariest merry man, even if he is the smallest height-wise, but Marni and I know 'good people' when we meet them. And Hector is 'good people'. He may not know it yet, but that went a long way to making him Marni's favorite of the Rangemen, and he just made a new friend for life.

After that all the guys had to step up and introduce themselves. So, it took a good half-hour to get out of the garage. I think this could be good for the both of us. Maybe I'll arrange for me, Marni, and the Merry Men to go out one night for pizza and beers…hmm, maybe dancing. The more I thought of the possibilities the more excited I got. Only to remember the reason we were hiding out at Rangeman in the first place. It deflated my excitement just a bit. I may need to do some digging into this Marc character and see what can be done about him. I just wish Ranger were here, I bet he would know what to do.

**Marni POV**

I've been impressed with Rangeman since I arrived. I was waiting outside the building thinking it looked just like all the other buildings around it and wasn't all that impressed. I don't know what I was expecting, but from all Steph's talk I expected more somehow. But, from the intimidating crowd of men in black we met in the garage I knew there was more to this company than meets the eye. I was most impressed with Hector though. I knew from Stephanie's stories that she liked Hector but since he didn't speak Spanish, she thought he was indifferent to her. And he still scared her sometimes. But, once he stepped up and introduced himself just to put her at ease I knew. I knew she couldn't be more wrong. She did something to make this hard, tough, former gang member love her. Maybe not in a romantic way, but in the 'jump in front of a bullet' or 'kill for you' kind of way and that is infinitely more lasting and important for me. Those are the kind of friends Stephanie needs behind her.

Steph gave me a tour of the building after we finally made it out of the garage. It was nice inside. Everything was done in neutral tones, which I suppose would appeal to former military men, but it was also classy and luxurious in an understated way. I saw the gym and gun-range, the communications room with monitors, the offices and cubicles, even the break room. Then we made our way to the 4th floor apartment that would be ours while Stephanie explained that the 6th floor was where the infamous Ella lived with her husband Luis, I couldn't wait to meet Ella, and the 7th floor was Ranger's apartment. She apologized for not taking me up there, but felt it wasn't her place to show me his personal space. I convinced her I didn't care, and was glad to respect his space; she should know me better than that.

The apartment was extremely nice, sparsely decorated with dark woods and a black leather couch, but still with the luxurious feel. I think we could be comfortable here at least temporarily, but it's a little too drab and monotone for permanent. The living room was a roomy and open space with a comfy leather couch and a big flat-screen tv on the wall. The kitchen was to the right and the bedrooms were down a hall off to the left. All in all it was an above average apartment.

I was just finishing up checking out our new space when I could tell Steph was plotting, but I couldn't tell if it involved matchmaking or something else. Then she got serious all of a sudden and I realized the time had come. We were going to have to talk about the guys after me. I told her about it already, just not names and details. So, it was confession time. Then we could figure out what to do together.