AN: Thanks for the reviews guys! I may not be able to update for a couple days. I've got a hectic work schedule, but hopefully I can squeeze one in tomorrow evening when I get home :-) Enjoy!

I don't own them, I just play.

Chapter 9

Ranger and Stephanie left the following morning to head to New York. Ranger drove after they found the trackers from Stephanie's cars in a large bucket of water. She had been unapologetic for whoever had done it.

As they drove, he couldn't help the small smile on his face. "Babe. We have about ten men in a large house with a five year old girl."

"We sure do." Stephanie laughed. "But my men know how to deal with Elise. She's visited often enough." She watched him for a moment or two. "Are you alright with Elise?"

"Yeah." He took her hand in his. "Rachel takes care of Julie so I know I don't have to worry. Mac's ex wife was not a good mother."

"I didn't tell you all about her." She narrowed her eyes at him. "You've been looking my men up."

"Had to know if we should expect any more five year olds."

"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that." Stephanie sighed and leaned back in the seat. "Mac is the only one with a child. The others haven't had a desire to have kids. RJ and Alex least of all."

"I don't like RJ's hands on you." Ranger grumbled.

"He's training me, Ranger."

"I don't like it." He repeated.

Stephanie looked at him, then smiled. "You think he's interested in me? Oh," She started laughing. "Ranger, you don't have to worry about that."

"Got a wife?"

"No." She shook her head. "He has a lover. Alex."

Ranger blinked for a couple minutes. Stephanie was curled in the seat next to him laughing, her hand clutching his. It was good to hear her laugh as hard as she was. He imagined it had been a long time since she had let herself go that far.

"How many meetings do you have today?" He asked finally.

"Mm, a couple this afternoon. My evening is free then tomorrow a few more in the morning and afternoon. We can head home in the evening. I have an apartment in the city we can use."

Ranger nodded and continued driving.

…

Their first stop was the estate. Stephanie walked through inspecting everything with the real estate agent. Ranger kept an eye on Stephanie and their surroundings. He was sure Brett was aware of Tresdale's estates. If he had attacked Stephanie for selling the one in England, he would no doubt react badly to this sale as well. The real estate agent kept glancing warily over at Ranger. He had dressed in a black business suit to match Stephanie to draw as little attention to himself, but he knew he could look intimidating nonetheless.

They stopped in the kitchen. Stephanie looked around and gave a wistful smile then focused back on the agent. He asked, "Are you sure you want to send the money to a charity?"

"Yes. Make them anonymous, but make sure they get sent to good charities. There are a lot of needy kids out there. I can help a little this way."

"You're a good woman, Ms. Plum." He smiled at her. "There aren't enough like you in the world."

"Thank you."

"If you're going to be in town for awhile perhaps we could…" his voice trailed off with silent invitation.

"I'm sorry, but I'm seeing someone." Stephanie looked over at Ranger. He folded his arms over his chest and watched the man's Adam's apple bob nervously.

Later in the evening back at Stephanie's apartment, she was smiling at Ranger. "You scared him."

"He wouldn't have suited you either."

She walked to the bedroom and kicked off her shoes. Changing out of her suit, into yoga pants and a large black shirt she seemed to swim in, she walked back out to the kitchen.

Ranger looked at her and smiled. "My shirt, babe?"

Stephanie looked down at the shirt. RangeMan was sprawled across the chest. She blushed as she walked to the fridge. "I took it with me to Europe. It smelled like you."

Ranger pinned her against the fridge. The kiss was soft at first but deepened. He felt her whole body moan and lean into him. Her arms circled around him, clinging to his back. His hands traveled down her body. His warm hands on her stomach made her quivery, but she pulled back. He braced himself against the fridge, still keeping her trapped in his arms.

"We should eat." She said breathlessly.

"Stephanie…" His voice was ragged. She could feel himself fighting not to take her.

Tears sprung unexpectedly into her eyes. "I can't, Ranger. I can't."

"I'm not Brett." He said.

She dropped her head and leaned it against his chest. "I know you're not." She was trembling. "I just…I feel…" Shaking her head, she broke out of his hold and hustled off to the bathroom. She locked the door. Leaning on the counter, she took several shuddering breaths to calm herself down. Every inch of her still wanted Ranger. He still wanted her as well, she felt it and knew it from asking, but she felt dirty because of Brett.

When she came back to the kitchen, Ranger was cooking dinner. Steamed rice and vegetables. It smelled good. She grabbed plates and set the table for them. Ranger filled the plates and held out a chair for Stephanie. She sat in it and looked up at him. He leaned down and kissed her. "Someday, babe."

…

Ranger and Stephanie arrived back at the mansion to find a very unusual sight. Elise had all the men sitting at a play set for tea. Ten men being dominated by a five year old girl. When they looked up at the two of them, they looked relieved to see someone else.

"What do you have for us?" Tank asked.

Ranger shook his head. "Nothing. Everything was smooth. No sightings, no nothing. Continue your tea party."

Stephanie laughed at the look of despair on the men's faces. Somehow she couldn't see any of them saying no to her.

Elise came to Ranger and tugged on his hand. "You come play too."

"I have some work to do. Sorry."

She looked up at him with big brown eyes and pouted. "Please? Uncle Ranger?"

Ranger fought not to give in, but he felt himself breaking. There was something about her that reminded him of Stephanie. Elise had wrapped around her arms around one of his legs and was giving him the most imploring look a five year old could.

"Please?" She tried again.

With a look of help sent to Stephanie, who raised her eyebrows and shook her head, he let Elise lead him to the table. She snickered as she quietly exited the room.

Stephanie took herself to the gym to work out a bit. Things had been tense with Ranger since she pulled away. She knew he wouldn't force himself on her and that he would wait until she was ready, but she didn't know when that would be. She wanted him, she wanted him badly. The feeling that Brett had left with her, dirty and violated, made her hesitant to get more physical with Ranger.

She kept herself down in the gym for a couple hours. Brett was winning. She knew that. By making her unwilling to give herself to the man she really loved more than anything, Brett was still holding power over her. It pissed her off and made her work harder. Everything about Ranger would make her forget what Brett did to her. She knew that. Just kissing him as intensely as she had in her apartment told her that. He could erase everything. She wanted to let him have her.

Finally calming herself down, she walked out of the gym. As she passed by her office she glanced in and saw Ranger sitting at his desk working away. Elise sat on one of his legs using an occupied part of the desk to color diligently. She paused and watched him for a moment. He looked comfortable, she thought, watching him. Whenever Elise leaned too far to one side, his arm snaked out and repositioned her to keep her from falling.

Ranger glanced up and saw Stephanie watching him. She smiled and ducked out of sight. He had managed to convince Elise to let the men go about their business. The compromise had been that she could come color in the office. It had seemed too easy when he agreed. It had been he realized when she walked in and crawled into his lap. Every time he tried to put her on the ground beside his desk, she got right back into his lap. He found it really difficult to say no to her.

His phone rang. "Yo."

He listened for several minutes then disconnected. "Elise, I have to go talk to Aunt Steph."

Elise got off his lap. "Ok, Uncle Ranger." She sat down on the floor with her coloring book and studiously continued to color.

Ranger left the room and found Stephanie stepping out of the shower. A towel was wrapped around her. "Babe, I got a call. I have to go for a couple weeks."

"Of course." She nodded. "Of course. You'll be careful?"

He strode forward until she was in his arms. "He won't touch me again. I'll be back soon." Ranger kissed her as deeply as he had in the apartment, but didn't push anything physical.

Stephanie sighed as she watched him pack a bag. She knew he would leave a few men with her, but it was nice having him in the room always watching her. Trying to protect her. It was good, she decided. He needed to do his job and she needed to do hers. She would see him when he returned.

She tried to blink back the tears that kept threatening and avoided eye contact with Ranger until she was calmed down. He gave her one last kiss and left to go talk to his men before leaving with a couple of them.