A lighter chapter to help everyone along, yeah there's even sections with NO TEARS - I hope you enjoy it - thanks for your latest batch of wonderful comments. :0)

Steph sank onto the small padded stool in her old bedroom as her Mom fussed about, producing bed linen which she put on the bed and two green towels which she threw at her daughter "Stephanie, go grab a bath. It will help, Honey." She said "Just don't make the water too hot, ok?" she added as she turned her attention back to the bed which was also covered in things that hadn't quite made their way into the loft

On autopilot Steph left for the bathroom, too tired to argue - the events of the last few hours having caught up with her. She nodded, mumbling words of thanks as she went.

Half an hour she was clean, dry and snuggled into her old bed. Ellen whispered good night as she gently stroked her hair then turned and left.

Steph was deep in the land of dreams before her bedroom door shut the world out.

Ellen wandered across the hall way to her own bedroom where Frank was busy getting ready for bed.

"All sorted, Love?" he asked as the last of his clothes hit his beside chair.

"No, not really, but she's too tired to do anything about it tonight." She replied, sadly. Like her daughter, Ellen had been looking forward to Lula's wedding, especially the reading that Tank had chosen and Steph had been practising . Her eyes skimmed the deep green dress that hung on the back of the wardrobe door, the one she'd been intending to wear to tonight's party that never happened.

"Oh no!" she exclaimed. "The party! No-one told the organisers! What if people turned up expecting to see Lula and Tank ..."

"It's ok, Ellen." Frank said, interrupting her thoughts and stroking her arm "I spoke with the manager, Greg, and he had a copy of the guest list so agreed to call everyone and let them know the situation. I also let Rangeman know what I'd done so that they didn't need to worry about it."

Ellen nodded in silence as she tried to calm her nerves. She sighed. Where would she be without Frank, she mused. Even after all these years and despite appearances, they were a good team. She smiled shakily then started to get ready for bed.

She just wished Steph had someone like that in her life. Now that Joe and Robin were an official item, she worried that her daughter's chances for a good and happy marriage were gone. But then there was her Boss, Ranger, Ellen thought. He seemed rather keen, perhaps he would step up to the plate and give her whatever the hell it was she wanted..." as her thoughts turned to more positive ones she drifted off to a dreamless sleep with Frank wrapped round her.

o0o0o0o0o

Ranger stood in his shower, his head resting on the cold tiles and his back turned towards the water that pummelled him. He sighed. What a fucking mess! Right now, following a great party, he should have been making love to Stephanie. Showing her how much he cared.

Instead he was alone and scared, just like his best friend two floors below.

He sighed again as his thoughts turned to that one night, long ago, when he'd used his body to show Stephanie how much he loved her. He'd sent her straight back to Morelli the next morning because he knew that at the time it had been the right thing to do. His heart ached just as much now as it had done back then. She'd ruined him for all other women that night and now he was going to let her go.

He was about to send the woman who'd brought light, laughter and unconditional love into his life away again only this time the thought of living without her filled him with dread.

He sighed again as he thought about life alone. Like last time, though, it would be for the best he rationalised as he shut his heart off along with the water.

o0o0o0o0o

Tank lay on his bed, looking up at the ceiling, sleep evading him even though he was sooo tired. Lula's ring was impaled up to the first knuckle of his little finger and he twirled it round with his other hand, random thoughts spinning round and round in his brain like a tornado.

He sighed and looked at his alarm clock. 3.50am.

He turned his head to stare at the ceiling again.

What is it with me and ceilings, he thought as hysterics threatened to overwhelm him. He took several deep breaths and concentrated back to the ring on his finger.

"Wherever you are Baby, I hope you're having a drink for me." He whispered as he got up and threw on some gym gear and headed down to three.

Seven hours and no sleep later Tank was at his desk sorting out funeral arrangements when Steph popped her head round his door.

"Wasn't sure you'd be here today. Have you got some time for me, Big Fella?" she asked then entered before he had a chance to reply.

Tank was on the phone so motioned for her to sit down so she chose a Corbusier Basculant chair that Ella and Louis had given him as an engagement present and made herself comfortable.

Tank put the phone down and looked over at the woman who'd taken Lula to her place of death, but he felt no anger at her involvement. He knew how stubborn his fiancée was and doubted that even if Steph had tried to stop her she would have managed it.

"Gave us a bit of a scare there, Bomber." Tank said looking intently across the desk as he referred to Himinez.

"Sorry, I know I should have been more aware of my surroundings, but for some reason my mind was not with the programme, you know?" Steph returned Tank's stare then coughed with embarrassment and turned to look at the pen Tank was wielding.

"I'm so very sorr..." Steph started.

"Don't Stephanie." Tank said forcefully, interrupting her. "You were not responsible for Lula's death. You were both just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"Bullshit!" Steph spat back softly. "It's totally my fault!" her voice becoming more insistent. "If I hadn't taken that file, taken her with me, made her ring the doorbell... Well, let's just say we wouldn't be having this conversation. How can you possibly say it wasn't my fault, Tank, when we both know that it was." Her final words were wrung from her soul as tears slid down her face displaying the anger and guilt she felt washed over her.

Tank was round her side of the desk immediately and knelt before her, taking her face in his hands and holding her with his stare.

"Look Steph, I don't blame you for what happened. Please understand that! Real life can be hard and this is about as tough as it gets. I loved Lula and I don't know how I'm going to cope without her, but I do know that she would expect my friends to do their best to be there for me. I need you to be there for me, not blaming yourself for the twisted hand we've been dealt."

"Please, Steph, please. Just ditch the guilt. OK?"

Steph nodded then wiped the tears from her cheeks. "I'm so sorry, Tank" she started, putting her hand over his mouth so that she could continue. "I know I'm being really selfish, but it's just that I'm going to miss her too, you know?" Several moments later she took a large breath, squared her shoulders and looked him in the eye.

"I'll look after you, Big Guy. For Lula." She reached for his face with both hands, pulling him to her as she kissed his forehead. "We'll do this together, OK?"

They sat in silence for a few minutes, both absorbing each other's strength.

"OK, Tank. What have you planned for her send off?" Steph said finally, breaking the silence.

"Well, as you asked..."

o0o0o0o0o

Robin looked up at Joe "Are you really sure?" she asked, a big grin all over her face.

"Yeah, I guess I am" Morelli replied. A silly love struck puppy look exuding from his eyes as he kissed her nose.

"OK then, let's do it."

Robin pushed the door to the jewellers open and the pair stepped inside.

"We'd like to have a look at engagement rings" Joe nervously asked the young man who stood pretending to be absorbed in reconfiguring a watch display.

"Of course, what did you have in mind?" he took the pair over to the ring section of the store and scooted behind the counter to grab some keys.

"Something a little different" Robin replied then explained what she didn't want.

The assistant listened carefully then unlocked and opened a cabinet before pulling out a tray with the most unusual yet beautiful rings on it. One in particular caught Robin's eye.

It was made using two different pieces that had been joined at the back and made into a continuous length which tapered towards the two ends. One half was platinum and kissed the other piece, made of yellow gold, just before it bent at a 60 degree angle away from the main shank, creating a sharp V. Nestled into this space, one of its sharp ends pointing towards the apex, was a modest leaf shaped diamond in a rub over setting.

Robin looked at it then at Joe. "Please can I try that one?" she asked, breathlessly. The young man carefully took it off its stand and passed it to her. She tried it on and it fitted perfectly. As she turned her hand to admire it the stone came to life and sparkled under the shop's lights, spreading shards of color round the room. It may not have been the flashiest or most expensive ring, but it was perfect.

"Oh, Joe! It's perfect!" Robin gushed.

Joe smiled, took her hand in his sliding it off, much to Robin's surprise. He then sank down on one knee.

"Robin Marie Russell, would you please do me the very great honour of becoming my wife?" he asked softly, looking up at her with liquid chocolate brown eyes.

"Yes! Oh, yes, Joe!" she replied as he slipped the ring back onto her finger. He kissed the ring on her hand then stood up and kissed her soundly.

"Well, that was easy" Joe said grinning and wrapping his arms rounds Robin's waist. "Does it have matching his and hers wedding rings?"

"Certainly, Sir" replied the young man, turning to open another cabinet.

o0o0o0o0o

Steph didn't bump into Ranger though she knew he was in the building. It was almost as if he was avoiding her. As usual, his actions confused her.

She had been sure he had feelings for her and when she'd bumped into Lester he'd intimated that she was not wrong, but yet, there was an atmosphere about the 5th floor that she couldn't put her finger on. She left not long after her chat with Tank with a sinking feeling in her heart and headed over to the Bonds Office, passing delivery men carrying large floral displays, baskets of fruit and other wicker encased sympathy gifts as she left the parking lot.

Even if the rest of the world was falling apart she argued, she didn't have the luxury of continuing with her pity party and she knew that if roles were reversed she'd expect Lula to keep going too.

For the first time in ages she was able to park her POS outside the office. At some point in the last 24 hours the parking fairies had not only left her car outside her parent's house but they seemed to have given it positive parking karma. She must remember to thank Ranger, the next time she managed to catch up with him, she thought darkly.

She opened the door to find Connie sitting on the floor, trying to make sense of a pile of files and stacks of paper.

"Hey, Connie" Steph said, trying to keep the tone light and happy "Vinnie in?" Spotting that his door was open and he was missing.

"Steph! Nah, the pervert's out filing paperwork with TPD." Connie said as she jumped up and gave her a big hug. "I was so worried about you. Are you OK? How's Tank taking it?" she asked, worry etched all over her face.

"He's a big guy and right now he hurts all over, but he's tough and he'll survive." Steph said by way of an explanation.

Connie nodded "And you?" she repeated.

"I'll be fine. I'll miss her though" she added, tears starting to well up. She decided to change the subject. "What on earth are you doing?" she asked, pointing at the piles of paper strewn all over the floor.

Connie sighed "I don't think filing was Lula's strong point." She said as a knowing look flitted across her face then she started to giggle.

Connie's laugh was infectious and moments later Steph was sniggering too. They both knew how rubbish Lula'd been at filing, but Connie explained that it wasn't until she'd started to clear the backlog left on her desk the previous day to keep her mind off what had happened that she'd realised just what a mess she'd left.

Connie put on her best Lula impression "I can file yo' ass off white girl, just watch ol' Lula go!" she said, before giggling some more.

Steph grinned and took up a typical Lula in Rhino mode pose "but them nasties out there need me more." She added, one hand on hip, the other waving about to make the point.

The women fell about laughing and spent the rest of the afternoon sorting out the paperwork, drinking coffee and swapping crazy anecdotes about their fallen friend.

The afternoon was just what Steph needed she realised as she pulled away from the building a couple of hours later. She also realised that like Tank, she could and would go on with her life – Lula would have expected nothing less.

R & R guys, you know it makes sense!

See . for Robin's ring