Sleepless in Trenton.

A/n not mine, yada yada

Without Ms. C & K, this story would be choppy and not flow. So kudos ladies and to a few who also helped read ahead as well.

On the ride home back to her place, Stephanie couldn't help but shiver at the violence and how it had escalated from a few dozen letters to all this damage, all because of drugs and the re-election. Stephanie did feel safer knowing her bullet proof windows would be installed in the morning, she felt even MORE safe by having her own personal superhero, Carlos Manoso in the car next to her.

How could folks be so stupid as to think they could accomplish something by this, her mind was going a mile a minute, even with the built-in safe, you still had to have the code, either that or dynamite to blast it out of there. Fools, that's what all of them, were.

OK Enough!

Turning to her companion, she asked him softly, 'will you be all right sleeping in the guest bedroom? I really don't want to tempt fate here, knowing how powerful our intimacy is growing; I could easily throw my morals out the window for you, for us Carlos.'

He gave her the briefest of glances, before his eyes were back on the road, telling her, 'Babe, I thought we agreed, it was forever for us, and however long that is, I am in this for the rest of my life. Whatever time we need beforehand, will just make us stronger in each other's lives.' He held her hand tightly as he spoke to her.

They made themselves at home, each taking a shower and getting ready for bed. Carlos was always prepared; he had his duffel in his car with clothes and a work outfit as well as his laptop that was stashed in the SUV. They sat down on the couch to talk about what happened tonight and how to prepare for what was to come.

The gangs were a problem. Carlos had the answer and they were already working for him: Hector Sanchez and Manuel Ramos, aka Manny. They were already out on the streets getting info from their informants, whatever they could find out, Rangeman could further investigate with Zip and Zero helping them out.

Hector would be at the fundraiser and since he could blend in without anyone noticing him, it was good having all their bases covered.

Hector grew up in the underbelly of New York City, relying on himself and his instincts to live. He believed in taking care of problem first, then asking questions later. While working for Rangeman had its perks. He wasn't bound by the moral rules and regulations of these army men.

That was why it was Hector and Hank that were Stephanie's bodyguards along with himself. He handpicked these two for their special skills. Hank was a damn good man that could also blend in, you knew he was there watching, but when you looked there was no sign of him at all. They had been partners for a year now on the job. In fact, Hector was Hanks best man at his wedding to Amy last year. Stephanie felt better hearing about some of his men, personal stuff she intuitively knew no one else had access to.

Talk of the fundraising ball coming up led to a round of teasing each other with their apparel, he asked the color of her dress, so his tie could match; she told him since Jennifer was wearing a beautiful halter dress in her favorite color of blue, Stephanie was going with a silver dress, and was hoped to pull it off.

She had an indoor gym set up in her spare bedroom, treadmill and stepper. A punching bag hung down from the beam, so she could do her kicks, she also had a few weights, so plans were made for them to meet up at five, and work out while waiting for the men to show up with her windows.

Carlos had brought his laptop and cell phone to conduct the morning meeting from her living room; she also had work she brought home; the files that were turned upside down and inside out while trying to look for money.

She made an unhealthy snack of buttered popcorn while they talked; Carlos never noticed he was doing his fair share of eating it, anything to be close to his woman.

Another way he had changed, he loosened up in his eating habits, as well as his work habits. It was hard to let go of something that had been ingrained for so long in his life, but he still remembered what his daddy told him 'you have found the right woman when you can't imagine your life without her in it'.

While back at Rangeman, Tank had driven Mayor Juniak home along with Lester and Cal, picking up no signs of a tail. When asked if he and Elaine would consider a safe house, Joe looked at Tank and said 'we have your security system already; we will be alright for one more night until your windows are installed.' Instead of talking about that, he told them about Stephanie and what she was like growing up, how he and Elaine helped raise her along with her daddy and grandma.

And that Stephanie always waited for her true love, she never dated, worked tirelessly for the kids of Trenton, her salary was donated back to those causes; she had been his Chief of Staff since graduating college as a matter of fact.

Pulling up to Juniak's house, Tank shook his hand and told him two men would be in the area, doing what they did best, security work. And he would see him in the morning.

Joe crushed Elaine to him when he entered the door and told his wife all about the destruction, but how relieved he was to have their home become even safer.

Rangeman was on the job.

Knowing each other was but a wall apart, each found sleep hard to come by. Stephanie imagined his arms around her, kissing her senseless, holding her to him.

Carlos was thinking of having his babe in his arms, wrapped securely by his side, right where she belonged.

Sleep was impossible.

Stephanie got up to take a cold shower (she had lost track of how many she HAD taken since meeting her Cuban man.

Carlos heard the shower come on, and imagined himself with his love, the water cascading over them together, stroking himself while doing so.

After that, both were able to sleep.

In the morning over coffee, each remembered how last night went, and each would not change a damn thing.

It was better to be closer, than even a few blocks away. They had already started their 'someday', so it seemed.