Disclaimer: I do not make any money from this story. Most of the characters are JE. Allie Jo is my creation.

Chapter 9

LPOV

I have to admit it, Allie Jo is good. I have never seen Ranger in shock before. I should talk to Ranger and the rest of the core team about Allie Jo staying on at Rangeman after we deal with this Valentine situation. She has potential to be really good at this job. Allie Jo is a woman with many talents. Stephanie actually looked like my real sister, Carmen, by the time Allie Jo was done with her. When Stephanie introduced herself as Rosa Santos, the look on Ranger's face was priceless. Ranger's blank face was unable to make an appearance due to the smile on his face. Ranger and Abuela Rosa were close while he was living in Miami. I know he appreciated Stephanie honoring our Abuela by using her name. Allie Jo and Stephanie even had someone at Rangeman create a fake identification for Stephanie. Those girls have really thought this through.

As we sat at our table eating our pizza, we began placing bets on who would believe that Allie Jo was Stephanie. I was up two hundred dollars when Morelli came into Pino's. Woody bet five hundred dollars that Morelli would figure it out in five minutes; I bet it would take ten. While we were placing our bets, Stephanie was telling Allie Jo that about how Morelli calls her cupcake even though she has repeatedly asked him not to.

"I'll bet you a dozen Boston Crèmes that I can make it where he'll never call you Cupcake again." Allie Jo says.

"You're on." Stephanie grins.

Allie Jo gets up and walks by Joe, pretending not to notice him sitting at the bar and order a drink.

"Hey, Cupcake. I see you hear with those thugs." Morelli snickers.

Allie Jo turns around and punches Morelli in the face. "Do not call me Cupcake!"

"Stephanie, you just assaulted a police officer. I could arrest you for this." He yells.

"No, you won't, Joe." Allie says with a grin.

"And just why won't I!" Joe barks.

"Because if you arrest me, I'll be force to talk to your new girlfriend about how you continue to use your pet name for me. Do you think that she'll be that understanding? I certainly wouldn't understand." Allie Jo snaps.

Morelli opens his mouth to say something when Pino brings Joe his order. While Joe pays Allie Jo walks back to our where we are erupting in laughter.

"I don't think the word, Cupcake, will be an issue any longer." Allie Jo says as she sits down.

Stephanie tries to speak, but can't hardly talk for laughing. "I….wish…I….had….a…..video…..camera."

Woody, whose face is as red as his hair, says "Don't worry, Bomber. I used my cell phone to video the entire thing. I'll email you a copy."

Earlier today the core team decided it would be safer for Allie Jo to stay at Haywood for the time being. We're pretty sure that Valentine is aware that Ranger has moved Stephanie in to protect her. Woody brought Allie Jo things to Haywood earlier this afternoon and left them in my apartment. I'm planning on staying in Cal's apartment using the pull out couch in his living room. The thought of Allie Jo sleeping in my bed brings a smile to my face. I shake my head. I have to stop thinking like that. We haven't even had out first date yet.

In order to keep up appearances Stephanie rode back to Haywood with me and Allie Jo rode with Ranger. Trenton is used to seeing Stephanie in Ranger's cars. We didn't want to raise any red flags in case Valentine is watching.

We were almost back to Rangeman when Stephanie asks, "You really like her, don't you?"

"I'm not hiding it very well, am I?"

"Even your blank face can't cover it up. I've never seen you like this, Lester. I'm happy for you." She tells me.

"Allie Jo has only arrived in Trenton yesterday, and well…. I don't know how to explain it. I haven't felt this alive since before I joined the Rangers. In the twenty four hours I've known Allie Jo, it's like all is right with the world again."

Stephanie smiles as I turn into the Rangeman underground garage.

RPOV

Usually when I drive I get into my "zone" as my Babe calls it. Not tonight, I have a few things to discuss with Allie Jo. "I haven't spoken with the core team but I would like for you to consider working for Rangeman for at least a three month trial period. Three months is out standard probation time. If the last twenty four hours are any indication, we could use you at Rangeman." I decide to leave out that I'm hoping if she stays on at Rangeman that I can talk Babe into working full time.

Allie Jo thinks for a moment before she answers. "I think that I would like that, but what exactly would the job entail?"

"Basically, we do private security and skip tracing. Everyone at Rangeman has a partner, occasionally we will rotate partners. I would leave Woody out of your rotation, and probably Lester. Since Woody is your cousin, I don't want him to be distracted by worrying your family would kill him if something happened to you."

Allie laughs, "Why Lester?"

"I think that it's pretty clear why Lester shouldn't be your partner." I tell her. "He's first concern would be your safety above his. Then I would have to answer to my family."

"I think you're over estimating Lester's interest in me." Allie Jo says. "Ranger, may I speak freely?"

I nod. I normally don't allow my employees to speak freely to me, but I have a feeling she would do it anyway, even if I said no.

"You need to tell her." She says.

I glance over at Allie Jo. "I'm not sure what you're talking about. I need to tell who what?"

"You know very well what I'm talking about. You need to tell Steph how you feel about her."

"This is none of your business." I shoot her a glare hoping to shut her up, unfortunately she shares a quality with Babe that keeps her going.

"That's where you're wrong, Ranger. I only met Stephanie yesterday and I fell as close to her as my best friend back home. She loves you. It's obvious to everyone when she looks at you. I thought that she would give herself away tonight at Pino's while you were looking for her. It's also obvious that you feel the same way. All of the guys at Rangeman talk about how you would give up your life to protect her." Allie Jo expresses.

"My life doesn't lend itself to relationships. I have a lot of enemies that would come after her just to get to me." I counter.

"Ranger, that's complete bull and you know it!" Allie Jo snaps.

We drive the rest of the way to Haywood in silence.