Sorry this took so long to update and I"m really sorry it's so short. I wanted to get something out to you so you'd not think I forgot about it. We end up back in Trenton in this one... only a few more chapters and this story will be done. I hope you're still enjoying!

~AJ

Mitch and I spent the last few days of our trip on the jet skis or in the Jacuzzi. At night, we retired to his cabin; we both enjoyed falling asleep together and waking with his arms around me. I wasn't sure how I was going to sleep once we made it back home; maybe I'd steal a shirt or two of his. The last night on the yacht, we were docked at the Marina, but neither of us wanted to leave just yet, so we spent the night once again.

"Sweetheart, how about you radio Les and let him know we're crashing here tonight," Mitch hollered from down below.

I grabbed the radio and turned it on, "True Love calling Love Machine, are you there?"

"Hey there, Beautiful. Just the voice I've been waiting for. How are you?" came Lester's voice.

"We're good. We're at the Marina, but will be staying on the yacht one last night," I told him. "What's the news on the home front?" I asked, really wanting to know if Ranger was still around and asking questions.

"Well, bossman wants to know where you are and whom you're with since you have no trackers on you. No one here knows except me and I'm not saying a thing. But, I can't wait to see you guys. I've missed you a lot."

"I've missed you, too, Les. Listen, I need to go. I think Mitch has dinner ready. We'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

"Sure thing. Maybe the three of us can go out to dinner. Catch ya later," he said and I heard him click off.

Turning around, I saw Mitch standing there with a smile on his face and his dimples showing, "What's the smile for, handsome?" I asked.

"He's just like a little kid sometimes, you know that."

"Who? Les?" He nodded. "Yeah, but he's a cute kid."

"You know the real reason he wants to do dinner tomorrow, right?" I shook my head. "He wants to see if we brought him any gifts." I had to laugh at that. In thinking about it, that was totally a Lester thing to do. He would so be waiting to see if we bought him anything.

"I guess it's a good thing we did, then huh?" Standing up, I kissed Mitch and ran my hands down his chest before he pulled me in for a hug. "I'm going to miss this."

"Miss what, the yacht or the alone time?"

"The time with you. Being able to fall asleep and wake up with you. Being with you all day, just doing whatever the hell we want."

"I'm going to miss it, too. We'll find time to get together during the day. It won't be all day, but we'll still see each other every day. We can have dinner together every night and keep up our movie tradition before bed if you want."

I looked up at Mitch, smiled, and nodded, "I'd like that. What do you think the guys are going to say or do when we get back tomorrow?"

"I'm sure I'll get the lecture about hurting you from more than one of them. I'm sure you'll be warned about me from a lot of them. And, I'm sure I'll be called to the mats by at least one person." I knew how that would be and I would be having a discussion with him before that happened.

After dinner, we headed down to Mitch's cabin, curled up in bed, and watched Stand By Me… Mitch's night to pick. I fell asleep somewhere near the end. Hey, it's not my fault! Mitch was running his hand up and down my side and that put me to sleep.

Waking up the next morning, I found a rose on the pillow where Mitch's head should have been. Reaching over, I grabbed the rose, smelled it, and moved from the blankets. Looking around, I realized that this place, the entire yacht, had begun to feel like home to me. I wasn't sure if it was the yacht or if it was Mitch's presence, but whatever it was, I liked the feeling.

After donning one of his shirts, I walked up the stairs and found Mitch standing at the stove, cooking up something yummy. I walked over to him and wrapped my arms around his waist. "Morning," I said as I placed kisses along his shoulder blades.

"Morning, Sweetheart. Sorry I wasn't there when you woke up, but I figured this was the last chance I had at cooking you breakfast, so I wanted to get it started," he told me before turning around and kissing me.

"Looks yummy as usual," I replied as I looked him up and down.

/\/\/\/\/\/\

Arriving back in Trenton was more stressful than I'd realized it would be. When we pulled into my parking lot, I saw the Porsche sitting there next to the side door. "Fuck," I muttered.

Mitch grabbed my hand and squeezed, "It'll be okay. I guess he just finds out before everyone else. At least this way, we get it out in the open before work tomorrow."

I nodded, took a deep breath, and opened the car door. When I stepped from Mitch's vehicle, Ranger emerged from the Porsche and removed his sunglasses. His step faltered when he saw Junior step from the truck.

"Babe," he said as he walked closer to me.

Junior and I stepped towards each other and I saw the look of confusion flash across Ranger's face before he slammed his blank face down.

"Ranger, what are you doing here?" I asked as Mitch grabbed my hand. He knew I needed support and he was offering it.

"I came to see if you were back yet." Looking at Junior and then me, he asked, "Can we go somewhere and talk?"

"You can come up and talk," I told him as I turned back to Junior's truck. I was about to reach for my bag, but it was swiped out from under me. When I looked up, I saw the dimples I'd grown to love over the past few weeks. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, Sweetheart," he said as he we walked to the apartment doors. Ranger followed behind us and I swore I heard him growling under his breath. Nah, that couldn't be right.

Reaching my door, Junior took my keys and unlocked the door before opening it for me. "I'll put your bags in your bedroom," he told me as he walked through.

Ranger sat down at the kitchen table and waited for me to join him. When I sat down, he looked towards my bedroom, "Is he staying?" I nodded. "I've been asking around about you."

"I know," I replied. "What I don't know is why?"

Ranger looked at me for a few moments before he responded, "I care about you and I was worried when you weren't here."

"You care about me?" I asked and he nodded. "I'm sorry, but I find that difficult to believe especially since when I said three words to you, you couldn't get out of Jersey fast enough."

"Steph, about that… "

"No, I don't want or need excuses. What I needed and wanted at that time was you. I needed you to stick around so we could talk after I was off the pain killers. But no, you ran as soon as those three words slipped from my lips. If you really cared about me, you'd have stuck around and discussed it."

Mitch walked into the kitchen when my voice began getting louder, "You okay, Sweetheart?" he asked as he stood behind me rubbing my shoulders.

"I think it would be best if I left. Will you be at Rangeman tomorrow?"

"I will be for a little bit. I need to talk to some of the guys. Why?"

"Can you see me before you take off?" I nodded and watched as he left my apartment.

"Well, that went better than I thought," I sighed.

"Eh, I think he's waiting until he gets me alone. I'm sure as soon as my ass steps foot in the building, I'll be called to the mats." Just as Mitch finished his sentence, his phone vibrated. Looking at the text, he laughed, "Well, I'm not even in the building yet and have been called. I think it's safe to assume he knows"

"What?" I asked as he turned the phone to me. Mats 0600 was all it said. "Son of a bitch couldn't even tell you to your face. What a crock!"

I was tempted to go to Rangeman right then, but decided to let my head cool before I approached Ranger. I wanted to do this without yelling, I mean let's face it, I'm the only one that yells, he just sits there and smirks.

"So, what do you want to do today?" Mitch asked as he nuzzled my neck.

"Mmm, well, if you keep that up, I'll tell you exactly what we're going to do, but I have a feeling you better stop."

"Why?" he asked as he kissed the juncture of my neck and shoulder sending shivers throughout my entire body.

"Well, did you remember to stop and pick up a new box of condoms?" And there was the cold water that was needed.

"Fuck. I knew we were supposed to do something before coming here." We'd gone through the entire box on the yacht and hadn't stopped for more. Oops. "We need anything from the store?" he asked with a smile.

"Well, we need food for lunch, so I guess a stop at the store is in order." I don't know who was more eager, but I have a feeling it was him since I was being pulled through my apartment faster than if there was a dead body there.

/\/\/\/\/\/\

Mitch and I sat at Pino's waiting for Les to join us. I was anxious to find out if word had spread through Rangeman yet. Mitch reached over and took my hand, "Calm down, Sweetheart. You're shaking the table."

"Sorry, just ready for Les to get here. I've missed him." Just as I was about to look at the clock again, the door opened and Les sauntered through and over to our table.

Bumping fists with Mitch, Les looked at me and waited for a hug, "I've missed you, Beautiful. You look good," he said as he sat down. "So, how was the trip?"

"It was amazing. We had such a great time and really got to know one another." Looking at Les, I smiled, "You were right when you told me to just listen to him. I know about everything."

Les looked at me for a few seconds and finally asked, "Are we still okay?"

"Les, nothing Mitch told me changed my view of either of you. As I told him, I actually understand why it happened. I also told him that if he ever needed to turn to you again, I would understand."

"Oh no," stammered Les, "we're done with that. We just lean on each other when we need to talk or beat the shit out of something."

"I know; he explained that to me." Too bad, it would be nice to watch them.

"Sweetheart, I told you if you want a threesome, I'll arrange it."

"What? NO!" I swear my face just turned brighter red than the table cloth.

"Well," Les said, "you won't be watching anything unless you're involved." Fuck me… once again I think aloud. "I'm just teasing you, Steph. Honestly, Junior and I haven't in a long time and I don't see it happening again in the future. We've both realized what we want… and from the looks of it, he's gotten his dream."

Mitch smiled and kissed my cheek, "Yeah, I have. Speaking of that, any rumors around the office?"

Les shook his head and took a drink of water, "Why would there be? No one knows she was with you or that she's back."

"Ranger does," I told him and proceeded to fill him in on our return to Trenton.

"Oh shit. He was there waiting for you? How'd he know you'd be returning today?" Les questioned.

"I have no clue. The only thing I can come up with is he's been sitting in my parking lot for a little each day just waiting and hoping for my return. He just got lucky today."

"So, he's already called you to the mats?" he asked Mitch.

"Yeah, but not face to face. Did it over a text message as he left Steph's. Did he return to the office?"

Les shook his head, "No one's seen him today. He called Tank and told him he had personal business to take care of and he'd be back later tonight. I didn't think anything of it. Didn't realize he'd already run into you."

"Oh," I said while changing the subject," I almost forgot. This is for you," I told Les while handing him a bag.

Lester opened the bag and pulled out two shirts. One said it's an unfair LIFE, so many GIRL, so little TIME. The other shirt said I like girls for their hearts… their big, bouncy, jiggly hearts. Lester let out a big booming laugh when he read the shirts. "Beautiful, these are great!" he said wile putting on the second shirt.

After we were done eating, Les headed back to Rangeman while Mitch drove me home. Walking into my apartment, I saw my answering machine was blinking at warp speed. I really didn't want to listen to the messages; I knew what they were. My mother already knew I was back in town and was probably demanding my presence for dinner. She probably also knew that I was seen with a man and will have my wedding planned by the time I get there. Nope, not listening.

Mitch laid on my couch and motioned for me to join him. Crawling on top of him, he covered us with a blanket and began running his fingers through my hair, "I don't want to leave tonight," he whispered.

"Then stay," I countered.

"I'd love to, but I have early shift tomorrow along with mats at 0600. I don't want to wake you when I get up."

Lifting my head, I looked into his beautiful eyes, "Trust me, I won't wake up much. Just enough for a kiss goodbye and then I'll drift off back to my dreams." Kissing his lips I added, "If you want to go home tonight, I won't stop you, but you are more than welcome to stay here."

I bet you can't guess where he slept! When I woke up the next morning, there was a note on his pillow: Sweetheart, I'm sorry I wasn't here when you woke up. I'll miss watching you face the morning. You are so adorable when you first wake up and stretch; the sounds you make drive me wild. There is a bag on the kitchen table for you and fresh coffee has been made. Call me when you wake. Love, Mitch.

Aww, how sweet was that? Reaching over to my table, I grabbed my phone and dialed. "Morning, Sweetheart," came the sweetest voice ever.

"Thank you."

"Did you enjoy the donuts?" he asked with a laugh.

"I'm not even out of bed yet," I told him. "I woke up, saw your note, and had to call you. That was very sweet."

"Wow, I get a call before donuts and coffee? I'm honored." I could heard someone in the background asking him who was on the phone, "None of your business," was his response.

"Who was that?"

"Cal, being nosey as ever."

"Hey, how'd the mats go? Are you hurt?"

"Nothing that won't heal. I'll be fine," he told me.

"How bad? Am I going to be shocked when I get there later?" I really wanted to know what to expect before I saw him… I hated when the guys were hurt, but now that Mitch and I were together, I really didn't want him to be hurt.

"A few bruises on my face, my ribs are sore, but nothing broken. I'm limping a little, but that will heal soon." Whispering, I heard him say, "Please, don't make a fuss over it. I promise it looks worse than it feels and I'll be fine."

"Okay, but you have to promise to let me take care of you after work." I was trying to figure out a way to get us back to the yacht and use the Jacuzzi. I knew that would help ease his muscles.

"I promise. Now, when are you coming here?"

"Anxious to tell the guys?" I joked.

"More like anxious to kiss you. This is the first time in two weeks that we've not been around each other. This is harder than I thought it would be," he admitted.

Looking at the clock, I saw it was just after nine. "Give me an hour to shower and dress, then I'll be there. I'll call you when I'm pulling in, okay?"

"Sounds great, Sweetheart. I'll see you then. Drive safe."

We hung up, I headed to the kitchen for my breakfast and then took a shower. Once I was dressed, I grabbed my gun, keys, and phone before heading out the door to face the firing squad of Rangeman. Please, let me live.