They are Janet Evanovich's masterpiece. This story is just for my amusement. Enjoy.

Distance

Ranger was in his driving zone. I was in a zone, but it was more like the Twilight Zone. I was trying to figure out what happened in the parking lot. Why had I been so upset? Why did I feel so sick? Now I was in a car alone with Ranger, who was driving me home. Was it just a little over a week ago I'd sat in this same car praying that he would just drop me in the parking lot. Now here we were again. Worse than that my resolve was cracking, I missed my friend. Ranger knew we had a strong sexual attraction to each other. He'd used that knowledge to take what he wanted and then walk away again. I couldn't be angry at him I didn't try to stop it when he touched me. I just fell back into the same old routine he took what he wanted and was gone.

I closed my eyes. Leaned back in the seat and tried to get centered. I was going to need my all my defenses if I was going to avoid talking to Ranger and get him out the door quickly. The Turbo was humming through the streets Ranger was expertly steering his way to my condo. I was concentrating on my breathing. Thank goodness for my yoga class. I'd learned how to control my breathing to help me relax. It'd helped me a lot over these last few months. The car started to slow down I could hear the blinker ticking and I knew we were almost to my place.

"Do you know if Lester was coming home?"

"In a little while; he was trying to get some more intel about the Blades. He had a contact he was looking for on Stark tonight."

"Oh. He didn't tell me."

"Does he usually tell you everything?" Ranger asked.

"No. Not everything. We watch basketball games together, and of course we run together in the mornings. We call when we are home for the night. At first I thought it was ridiculous. It felt like he was keeping tabs on me. Now it's comforting knowing he's watching out for me. I never had a brother."

"A brother? That's got to be a new one for Les. Most women want Les for a lot of other reasons," Ranger said.

"I've noticed," I said, rolling my eyes. "He seems to enjoy those reasons."

We pulled into the parking lot. I got out of the Porsche and met Ranger on the sidewalk. He placed a gentle hand on my lower back and walked me to the door. I unlocked the door and let him step inside to scare away the shadows. In what I thought was a strategic move I remained in the foyer. Foolishly I thought he would return to me here say goodnight and walk out the door.

"It's clear," Ranger said. He was walking back up the hallway and stopping in the living room. He raised his eyebrow at me. "Going somewhere?"

"No." I leaned against the wall and crossed my arms.

Ranger stood there staring at me. I held my ground looking over Ranger's shoulder at the wall. It felt like we stood like that forever, it was probably only two or three minutes.

"Ranger, we should talk."

"We should."

I walked into the living room and took a seat on the couch. Ranger moved a chair so that we were sitting face to face. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes trying to find a place to start.

"What happened tonight?"

"I think I had a panic attack."

"Has this happened before?"

"Yes."

"Did they start with the nightmares?"

"No. I had the first one the night Joe and I broke up."

"We were fighting. I'd come home with a bruises on my arms. It was more than he could take. On top of that Joe was under a lot of stress at work. It wasn't like one of our typical fights. We didn't yell. Joe was eerily calm. It was like he was disappointed, or just fed up with me. The more he talked to me, the more it felt like it was end of the world. Then he told me it was over. He said he knew I didn't love him, because I didn't even love myself."

Through this whole story Ranger hadn't moved. His eyes stayed locked on me. He was taking in every word every expression of my face.

"I always thought I hid it so well. But Joe, he knew. We've known each other since we were kids. He could see I wasn't the same. I was tired of chasing criminals, being the joke, the center of the gossip, always being the topic of conversation in the Burg.

I started sweating and I thought I was having a heart attack. I kept trying to run away, but Joe wouldn't let me leave the house. After I calmed down I asked him to give me space. To stay away from me, give me a chance to get my head on straight. Joe agreed, but I think he hated it. Then from time to time when I was facing a difficult skip I'd feel like I did that night. Vinnie would get mad because I let skips go. I couldn't bring myself to deal with them. I was struggling to hold myself together."

"Why didn't you come to me Babe?"

"A lot of reasons, mostly I didn't see how it was your problem. You have so many more important things to worry about than me. Besides you were already helping me by keeping on at Rangeman part time I didn't want to be any more of a burden."

"I see. So you had a problem, and you didn't come to me? Instead you risked your life chasing after criminals when you weren't fully capable. For the record you have never been a burden to me, ever. There's no price between us ever."

"Right, no price." Except my heart, over and over again.

I just nodded my head. There were tears stinging my eyes I was determined not to cry. I tried to control my tears by looking at my hands folded in my lap. It wasn't working but I was determined to hide my tears as best I could.

"Why are you going out with Ludano?" Ranger asked.

"What?" Did he just ask me what I think he did?

"Why are you going out with Ludano?" Ranger asked, shifting forward in his chair, resting his forearms on his knees.

"John was nice and easy to talk to. He seemed like someone it'd be nice to get to know better."

"I see."

"Is this going to be a problem? With work I mean. Would you rather I not go?" I asked.

"I'm concerned, you don't know him."

"I know plenty. I did the background check when he approached Rangeman about opening an account. So I know quite a bit about him both professionally and personally."

"Those background checks are just facts. They don't tell you about him, who he is, what he stands for."

"No. You are right they don't. But that's the idea of a date, to get to know the other person. I'm sure you are familiar with the concept of a date right?"

"I've gone on a couple."

"I'm sure," I said in my most sarcastic tone, rolling my eyes.

"What's that mean?"

"Nothing."

"No tell me, what's going on with you? You've been acting weird for months."

Now my blood was boiling. I was furious. I was acting different because of him. First he was trying to make me doubt my decision to go out with John. Now he was accusing me of being weird. I was about ten seconds from going into full Rhino mode. 10…9…8…

"What's going on with me? Are you kidding?"

"Tell me Ranger, do you tell every woman stupid enough to fuck you that you love them or is it just me?"

Ranger went deathly still. For the first time since that night all those months ago his eyes gave him away. He was furious. For a brief second I thought about running. Then I changed my mind. I leaned forward mimicking Ranger's pose.

"What are you talking about Stephanie?" Ranger said in a low controlled tone.

I stared at him for a several long minutes I was sure he'd remembered. I leaned forward just inches from his face. He knew instantly what I was talking about. His eyes were locked onto me. His jaw was clenching and unclenching. It was the only movement, even his breathing seemed to be under his tight control.

"Te amo. Te amo. Te amo. Siempre. Mi mujer, mi amor, "I said. "Let me translate for you; maybe your Spanish is rusty. I love you. I love you. I love you. Forever. My woman, my love. Is that what you meant to say? Or did you mean to say; thanks for the fuck. I'll be leaving at dawn without a word, and I won't be calling you the next day. Oh and I'm leaving town." I was mad now. My hands were waving wildly, and I was right in Ranger's face.

I don't know for sure what I expected from Ranger. I'd never really challenged him before. We'd had small disagreements over the years, but I'd never stood up to him. Part of me was scared he'd walk out the door and I'd never see him again. Part of me didn't care anymore. We sat looking at each other for a minute. Then suddenly like a tiger, Ranger grabbed me by both arms and kissed me.

It was a demanding kiss. Ranger's fingers tangled into the hair at the nape of my neck pulling me into him. He pressed my other hand against his chest, never letting go of me. His mouth pressed to mine with such force I couldn't break free if I tried. As I tried to pull back for air his tongue dove into the depths of my mouth. Stroking, touching, seeking acceptance. When he was done he released my mouth, but his hand remained in my hair holding me not letting me move away.

"Babe." This time I have no idea what Babe means. My brain was scrambled from the kiss.

I just sat there panting. Wondering what just happened. "What was that?" I asked between gasps for air.

Short chapter, more to come. If you read this please leave me a review. I'm starting to think no one is reading; anymore. Thanks SSE.