Notes & Disclaimers: Anything you recognize as familiar belongs to Janet Evanovich. I am just borrowing her characters for fun and am not making anything from the story. Also, I don't have a Beta, so any mistakes you see are mine.

WARNING! This story is rated M. It has violence and angst in it. Please use your own discretion at reading because this story is not Morelli friendly. Major angst! Remember that this is fiction, so I have taken some creative liberties. This is not a Cupcake story so don't read if that bothers you.

Previously:

"I called Tank."

"Hmmm." She thought for a minute. "Did you tell him what I told you?"

"No, Babe. You know I would never betray your trust like that."

"I know Carlos. I just needed to ask."

She sat silent for a few more minutes.

"Can I assume that Tank, or someone on your payroll, is beating the shit out of Morelli right about now?"

Leave it to her to cut right to the chase. She never was one to beat around the bush when it came right down to it.

I glanced at my watch. I had called Tank about five minutes ago. Finally, I responded. "Yes, I imagine that's probably what is happening about right now."

To my surprise, Stephanie cuddled up to me, her back to my front, spooning as we had so often in the past. She took my arm and pulled it around her waist and smiled. And she surprised me with the three words. "Good. I'm glad!"

Stephanie was discharged the next evening from the hospital. She was supposed to be discharged during the morning, but the doctor wanted to run a final bag of antibiotics through her IV line before we left. Her bruising was beginning to fade and her surgery site was healing. Bobby was given instructions on her care from the doctor as well as the name and numbers for several therapists in our area. Dr. Savalas had spoken to Stephanie at length about pursuing some counseling due to the ordeal she had been through. She was hesitant but said that she would consider it.

I loaded Stephanie up into the Cayenne and we made our way back to Haywood. I held her hand as I drove and she seemed deep in thought.

"Babe, penny for your thoughts?"

She smiled slightly and squeezed my hand. "I was just thinking Ranger. Does everyone at Rangeman know what Joe….well…ummm.. what he did?"

I squeezed her hand back. "Babe, just Tank, Lester, and Bobby. I'm sure the others may know he hurt you in some way, but they don't know the details. We would never disrespect you by betraying your trust. The others have 'assisted' in detaining Morelli, but they don't know what he did."

"You mean they have helped beat him the past several days without knowing what he did?"

"Babe, all of my men love you. If they had even a suspicion that Morelli hurt you, they'd be more than happy to instill some fear in him. If they knew what he really did, he would already be dead."

Stephanie seemed satisfied with that answer and leaned back into her seat. She was silent for a few more minutes. The only sounds were the lull of the road noise beneath us and the soft music playing on the radio. Stephanie took a deep breath.

"Ranger, do you think I need counseling? Do you think I should go?"

"Babe, I think you have been through a very traumatic ordeal. And I think you are the strongest person that I know. But even strong people need help sometimes. I am here for you no matter what. I'm beside you every step of the way. It may surprise you to know that I've spoken with a therapist on a couple of occasions. And to be honest, it did help."

Stephanie seemed genuinely surprised. "You went to a therapist?"

"Babe, I'm not without emotions. And whether you believe it or not, I'm not a super hero. I've seen some ugly stuff in my life. The military can expose you to some very harsh realities. I've spoken with a military therapist on two separate occasions. And both times it helped. It really did. You may only need to go a few times, or you may find that it takes you some time to get back to your old self. But regardless, remember that you are a strong woman. You can survive this. And one day it'll get easier. The memories won't be this painful forever."

Stephanie nodded her head and squeezed my hand again. When we finally reached the garage, I parked and got out to help Stephanie from the car. Bobby, Tank, and Lester met us in the garage, and smiled welcomingly to Stephanie. I could tell that they wanted to hug her and tug on her curls as they always did when she was around. But they were being respectful of her and kept their distance. Close, but not too close. Damn Morelli! I hated him more and more! Stephanie shouldn't have to be uncomfortable around her friends. Her friends shouldn't have to wonder how close they could get to her without making her feel uncomfortable or threatened. He took away part of her zest for life, her spark, and her trust in people. I wondered silently if she would ever get that back.

Lester spoke first. "Beautiful, it's good to have you back. We've missed you."

Stephanie smiled genuinely. A slight spark lit in her eyes. "Thanks Lester. I'm glad to be home."

Tank spoke up next. "Little girl, if you need anything let us know. And if Ranger won't let you have donuts, just buzz me and I'll sneak some in to ya."

"Thanks Tank. I'll remember that."

Bobby helped me with Steph's bag and we all got on the elevator. Tank hit the button for five and when the doors opened, he started to leave the elevator along with Bobby and Lester. Stephanie called out to them and lightly touched Tanks arm. "Hey guys?"

All three men stopped and turned to look at Stephanie. Bobby spoke for the group. "Yea Bombshell?"

Stephanie seemed not quite sure of what she wanted to say. She looked at me, and held my hand, and then glanced down to the floor hesitantly.

"Well, um…I just wanted to say thanks. For everything. I know you took up for me the past several days with Joe. And you helped take care of me when…well, when I was hurt. I just wanted to say thank you. You all mean a lot to me. And to Ranger. You mean a lot to both of us."

Now let me tell you. I've seen all three of the men in front of me survive some very harrowing stuff. Tank survived being shot and wounded, and still marched four days through the desert before getting medical attention. Bobby has seen enough death and dying in his military career to make most people never sleep again. And I've seen Lester go two weeks in a god forsaken jungle with only rainwater and bugs to survive on. These men are tough. Tougher than most. But Stephanie's words, my Babe's words, softened them to jelly. I swear I saw a tear in Tank's eyes. And Lester shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot. Bobby ran his hand through his hair, and finally spoke.

"Stephanie, thanks isn't necessary. We love you. You're a part of our family. And around here, we take care of our own. No matter what, Steph, you're one of us. You're one of the strongest people we know. And you'll get through this. But if you do need someone, we're here for you. Whatever you need, we're here for you."

Tank and Lester nodded, and met Stephanie's eyes with a smile, and finally walked down the hallway. I fobbed our way up to the apartment, and Stephanie was still silent.

The doors opened and I gathered up her things and put one hand to the small of her back, leading her to the apartment doors. I took her things to the bedroom closet and when I returned I found her sitting on the couch, deep in thought.

"You ok Babe?"

"Mmmm hmmm."

I went to the fridge and got some water, and took a bottle to Stephanie. I sat beside her, and she leaned into my side.

"Ranger, do you think the guys were serious? Do you think they think of me as family?"

"Of course they do Babe. All of my men love you. Half of them think of you as their little sister, and the other half want to marry you!"

This got a smile from her. "Seriously, Carlos! I'm talking about what Bobby said. Do you think he meant it? I mean, I've always loved your men. I think of them as my brothers. But I never knew they felt the same way. Oh, they have always helped take care of me when I was in a bind. But I kinda always thought that they just did it because you paid them. And because you told them to. I never really thought they actually cared about me. I figured they all thought I was just another mess they had to help clean up."

I turned Stephanie so that I could see her face. I held her shoulders gently. "Babe, listen to me. Bobby told you the absolute truth. You are one of the strongest people I have ever met. And every one of the men loves and cares about you. I bet you don't know this, but most of the time, I don't actually tell them to take care of you. They just do it. Rarely do I ever have to pull up your trackers, because they always know where you are. I never have to ask for volunteers for Bombshell duty when you're picking up skips. Most of the time, they fight over who gets to do it. In fact, they've been known to spar over the privilege. Yes, I said privilege. Sure they joke with you about it. But the truth is that you bring light into all of our lives. Sometimes when we were out late catching a skip, no matter who was driving, the SUV would seem to find it's way to your apartment to check in on you. Somehow knowing that your car was in the lot and your nightlight was on, giving the window a soft glow…well it always seemed to re-center all of us. "

Tears were streaming down Stephanie's face, and I gently brushed them away. "Carlos, that's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. I guess I didn't realize how much all the negative things Joe has said to me over the years have affected me. He always told me that I was a failure and that I was a big accident waiting to happen. After the …well….after the attack I guess I started thinking that maybe he was right. And that maybe I was a big accident and I started thinking that maybe nothing good could ever come from me. Trouble seems to follow me around. But hearing Bobby's words, and hearing that they see me as strong, well it just made me think, ya know? I guess hearing it reinforced in my mind that I'm doing the right thing. That I'm strong enough to go through with pressing charges. Regardless of what everyone else thinks. Does that make sense to you?"

I pulled her to me and kissed her temple. "Yes, Babe. It makes perfect sense. And I'm glad that you're finally hearing and hopefully believing what the rest of us have known for quite some time. I know what a special, strong, and unbelievable person you are. I've never doubted you. Not once. And Bobby is right. We're all here for you. Whatever you need, you'll have. But Babe, will you promise me something?"

"Of course I will Carlos. You know I'd do anything for you."

"Babe, I need you to promise me that you will tell me what you need. Let me know if you need time alone. Tell me if you need something that I'm not doing or seeing. The next several months are going to be hard on you, and I want to be your rock. Please let me. And help me help you. I'm not a super hero, even though you think I am. I'm only a man that is desperately and hopelessly in love with you. And I plan on spending the remainder of my life trying to deserve you."

Stephanie took my hand and pulled it closer to her lips. She kissed my palm. It wasn't a sexual kiss, but more of a kiss of devotion. A kiss of promise. "Carlos, you have always been my rock. I know that pressing charges on Joe is going to be hard. It'll be hard on all of us. But it's something that I have to do. I know that you'd rather go downstairs and kill him. But thank you for supporting me in this. I promise that I will tell you what I need. But please remember that I'm not a porcelain doll. Healing is going to be hard. But I'll get through it if you promise to be with me every step of the way. I can do it, if you'll be there."

"Babe, there's no where else I want to be. I love you. Always and forever."

"I love you too Batman. Come on, let's go to bed."

I pulled her up from the sofa and we walked together into the bedroom. I handed her one of my t-shirts and my silk boxers, and she went into the bathroom to get ready for bed.

"Babe, I'll be right here if you need help, ok?"

"Thanks Carlos. I think I can manage. I won't be long."

"Do you need me to get Bobby to bring you something for pain? You haven't had anything since early this morning at the hospital. You need to be able to sleep."

"No, I think I'm ok. Maybe just some Advil or Tylenol. The pain pills make me feel funny."

I nodded, and went to the living room to get the bottle of water she had been drinking earlier. I returned to the bedroom, with water and Advil in hand, and undressed. I pulled on another pair of silk boxers, and sat on the edge of the bed. Stephanie finished up in the bathroom, and I handed her the medicine. She took a couple of pills, and I helped her into bed. Her incision from the kidney surgery was healing, but she was still sore. And while her bruising was starting to fade, her face still was swollen in places and her eye was still bloodshot and blue. I kissed her lightly on the lips and went around the bed to slide in beside her. As I did, she gently moved and snuggled up to me, lying her head on my chest. I placed my arm gently around her back, and lightly ran my fingers up her arms. "Comfortable Babe?"

"Umm hmm. Thank you."

"For what?"

"For taking care of me. And for not being scared to touch me and hold me."

I sat silent, not sure what to say. Did she think I no longer wanted her because of what happened? Surely not!

"Babe, what do you mean? Of course I want to hold you."

"I know Carlos. I just meant, thank you for trying to keep things as normal as possible. I know I'm still jumpy because of what happened. But I need you to know that it has nothing to do with you. And before you ask, I know you well enough to know that what Joe did to me doesn't change how you feel about me. It's just that I was afraid when we got home you would treat me with kid gloves. I was scared you wouldn't touch me and wouldn't hold me. For fear that I would go all crazy on you. But it's nice to be held. I need to feel you holding me. I love you."

I pulled her to me gently and kissed her curls. "Babe, you are my life and my future. Nothing will ever change that. I promise. Take all the time you need to feel better, and to heal. And I promise that I'll be here holding you every step of the way. Now sleep Babe. You need the rest."

And with that, Stephanie closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep while I said a silent prayer of thanks to God. I thanked him for bringing her through the past week of trials; and I thanked him for allowing me to be the man who would live every day of his life trying to deserve her.