Hi. Remember me?

This is a prime example of what I mean when I say 'no matter how long it takes me, I'll finish it'. Because I will. RL got a little more... real this past month with school starting and working five days a week plus volunteering and trying to find time to look for my sanity, my muse kind of shook her head at the shambles of my life and stated she needed a vacation. And completely took all my writing skills and ideas with her. Now my schedule is finally thinning out (three days instead of five working) plus one class ends next week, so I'll definitely have more time to devote to the story. But have no fear. I will be doing this until I feel I've told the whole story. And we're not there yet.

So please enjoy the next chapter (and if you're religious at all, light a candle for me that it doesn't take another month for 10...)

Not mine, but oh how I wish I could play with Ranger...


I left her in the conference room and headed to the small room next door where Tank was waiting.

"What do you think?" I asked.

We turned to look at Stephanie through the glass. Most of the conference rooms were normal rooms, but the one I had the guys put her in had a special two-way mirror. For the special interrogations.

For the super special, we took to the basement.

Tank shrugged his shoulders. "She seems scared but I don't think she's lying."

I didn't think that either, but it was nice to have it confirmed.

"I had Lester checking up on her. Stephanie Michelle Plum, aged 29. You can see her physical stats for yourself. Her credit's okay, in a little bit of debt, but who isn't." Tank cut his eyes to me. "Except you."

"I pay off what I buy."

"You're a freak. No one can do that."

I just shrugged.

"No gambling debt, no hookers or alcohol or drug problems. Good job, wanted a promotion into the investigations division, but didn't get it. Doesn't seem to hold any grudges or people don't seem to have any against her, no pending court cases. No big purchases out of normal and no big withdrawals or deposits." His eyes cut to mine again. "She's Morelli's girl."

I stiffened a little. That's Morelli's woman? The one he wanted to keep caged? Something didn't make sense. She seemed too free-spirited for him.

"They've been together for two years, so don't even go there."

"Go where?"

"Ranger."

I ticked up an eyebrow.

"You forget that I can see you too."

I didn't respond. There was nothing to say. "She's got a boyfriend."

"And you've got Jeanne."

"That's different. We're not in a relationship. We both know it's just for sex."

Tank didn't respond. I think I just sunk myself in deeper.

"There's nothing going on." I added.

"Are you sure that's the answer you want to stick with?"

I changed the subject. I have no idea what I wanted to do. Sure, there was chemistry, but Tank was right. She had a man and I don't poach from someone else's territory when it's a serious relationship. "What do you think our next move is?"

"She'll need protection."

"Have Lester put a GPS on her car. Maybe one in her purse."

"Already on it. What about manpower?"

"Two- man shifts. Protect her at her apartment and while she's out. If she's at work, they shouldn't make a move. Too many people."

He nodded his agreement. He had already said he believed she had, but wanted my unbiased opinion. "You know she won't give this up."

I nodded. She was stuck in the middle of this. She'll want to work it out. "I know."

"Right now, her best defense is that only a few people know who she is. The more she digs, the more exposure she gets, the more chances that someone will come out and kill her."

"I agree." I crossed my arms. "I need to get back in there."

"Try not to think with your dick."

I glared at Tank, and left. He was the only one that could get away with that.

Reentering the room, I gave Stephanie a small smile. I still couldn't believe that Morelli had nabbed this woman and was trying to keep her down. She was a rare bird and needed to fly. She smiled back and focused again on me


Stephanie's POV

"Give us five minutes and then you can go." The voice said.

"Was the hood really necessary?!" I yelled, but I knew they were gone. Stupid men.

But I waited the five minutes. Just in case.

"Here's what we're going to do." Ranger said, sitting down next to me. "You're going to leave all your information with us and we're going to turn it over to the police."

"But…"

"No buts. This is too dangerous for you. Its time for you to let the professionals take over."

I felt my hackles rise. No way was I letting another man think he knows what's best for me. "No way. No fucking way."

Ranger sat back, surprised. "Excuse me?"

"You cannot be seriously sitting there, telling me what to do."

"Look, Babe…"

"I am not your Babe. My name is Stephanie and I am my own woman!" I was screeching by the end.

Ranger smirked. "I'm not saying you can't be your own woman…"

"You are just like Joe."

The smirk went away. "Don't compare me to him."

"Well he thought he was being a good boyfriend by taking my job away from me! He thought he could control me, but no more!"

"He took your job away?"

"The one I applied for. I'm not stupid. I know you ran a check on me."

If I didn't know any better, I'd say he looked proud.

"You've got good instincts. You've got real balls on you, Stephanie Plum."

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.

He searched my face, then sighed. "Okay, we're going to try something. You're going to give us your information…"

"Hey!"

"But you're going to come here and work on it. Like I said, you've got great instincts and I think that they can be useful. But if you keep poking around like you are, you'll end up dead. What good does that do me?"

"So what are you proposing?"

"You work here. We'll send anything we get off to the police. The police and any of my men I can spare are going to follow the leads."

"Fine, but on one condition."

He lifted his head.

"I get to be there when they nab the son of a bitch."

He grinned. "Deal."

I held out my hand. We shook.

And then he put a bag over my head. Bastard.

When my phone began to ring, I ripped it off my head and grabbed for it. Not recognizing the number, I paused.

"Hello?"

"Yes, it was necessary. I don't like everyone knowing my business."

The especially if you get caught and tortured for the information was left out, but hung in the silence.

"I get it. But next time, give a girl a little warning."

He paused. "I'll have to file that away for next time." He responded huskily.

Oh boy. There goes the hot flashes.

"So how will I know where to go?"

"I'll send someone for you."

"When?"

"Soon."

I sighed. "Don't be cutting me out of this or when I find you, I'll start by cutting off your favorite part and working my way down the list."

He paused again. "Feisty. I like that Babe." And he was gone.

"I'm not your Babe!" I screeched into my phone.

The family cutting across from my car stopped and stared. I gave them a finger wave and they scurried along. I sighed and leaned my head on the steering wheel. I was in deep shit. If what he said was true, there was a large price on my head and I was in trouble. How did this happen? All I wanted was the truth and I could end up dead for it. I wanted to blame Joe, but I knew this was all on me. I wanted to be the big badass investigator who doesn't need a pat on the head and a 'good job there' to be satisfied with life. I needed more. And I apparently had found it.

What had I gotten myself into?

And the more troubling question, why didn't I want to get myself out of it?