A/N: I use them for fun, not for profit.

Chapter 10

Ranger woke up with Stephanie Plum on his mind. She'd been occupying his thoughts on a regular basis, and he knew something was going to have to be done about it. He didn't need or want the distraction. RangeMan was his primary focus, but Stephanie Plum was running a close second.

He lay in bed for a moment remembering his recent Babe-assisted capture of Kenny Martin. He hadn't needed any assistance, but he wanted to get Stephanie and Terry Gilman in the same place at the same time and he'd been successful. He pushed the covers off and made his way from his bed to his shower, remembering his reaction when Stephanie had approached his vehicle that night.

He did a double-take as he saw Stephanie walking toward him in front of Leoni's Funeral Home; because he'd seen her naked and he knew what she was advertising wasn't all hers. After a slow perusal he decided it looked real enough. The dress was low-cut, tight and short, and he wondered where he was going to place the wire. He considered it so seriously he had to shift to ease the tightness of his cargos. She pulled open the door and slid in next to him.

"Nice dress you're almost wearing," he said, "You ever think about changing professions?"

Her reply was immediate and sincere. "Constantly. I'm thinking about it now."

He hid the laugh that wanted to erupt and set about placing a wire so he could hear what was said. She was carrying defense spray and he didn't think she would be in any real danger in the funeral home, but he wanted to eavesdrop while she was inside.

"Remember, Babe. You just have to get him outside," Ranger told her. "I'll take care of the rest."

He listened as she made contact with Kenny Martin, and he knew when he heard the scratchy interference over the mic; she couldn't find her defense spray. He laughed out loud when she sprayed Kenny Martin with hairspray, but his expression sobered when another female voice came over the wire. It had to be Terry Gilman, but Stephanie gave no indication she knew Terry personally.

When the back door to the funeral home opened and Stephanie escorted Kenny Martin out, Ranger was waiting. He cuffed Martin and started to lead him to the car when the presence of a woman in the doorway caught his eye. He recognized Terry Gilman, and from the look on her face she recognized Stephanie. It was plain Terry wasn't a fan of Stephanie Plum.

Stephanie, on the other hand, seemed oblivious to Terry's dislike. She was busily unwiring herself, her hand moving between her breasts and disappearing beneath the low neckline of her dress. As she pulled out the tiny mic with the adhesive tape still attached, she glanced up to see Kenny Martin and Ranger staring at her. Self-consciously, she smoothed her dress down over her hips and flushed slightly, realizing she'd probably shown both men more than she'd intended.

The slam of the funeral parlor's back door drew all their attention. Terry Gilman walked down the steps and stood quietly watching the scene unfold. Her arms were crossed beneath her breasts and her face was unsmiling. Stephanie looked at her and then looked away, again with no apparent recognition. Ranger had his answer. He didn't know if Stephanie wanted Morelli in her bed, but he was sure she didn't know Morelli was in Terry's bed. He gave Kenny a shove and they began to walk around the building.

"I'll take him in," Ranger told Stephanie as she followed him and Martin as they walked toward the front of the building and their vehicles. "Stop by the bonds office tomorrow and get your share from Connie."

"It's your skip," Stephanie told him. "I didn't do that much."

"You helped and you'll get paid," he told her as he walked Martin toward his SUV.

The next morning he dropped his body receipt on Connie's desk. "Make the check out to Stephanie," he told her, "for the entire amount. It should have been her capture."

"Can do," Connie said, not meeting Ranger's gaze. He knew she was grateful he was helping Stephanie and he thought she acted a little guilty over hiding the Kenny Martin file from Stephanie. He knew her intentions had been good. "How'd it go?" she asked Ranger.

"Exactly like you didn't want it to," he told her. "Stephanie helped me get him out of Leoni's and she ran into Terry Gilman. I don't think she recognized Terry, but Terry knew who Stephanie was."

"Oh sheesh," Connie's eyes opened wide. "Terry didn't say anything to Stephanie, about Joe, I mean?"

"No." Ranger was done with conversation and he turned abruptly and left the office. His ride back to RangeMan was interrupted by the ringing of his phone. It was Stephanie.

"Ranger, I can't take all of this," she told him.

"It's yours, Babe."

"I saw the papers," she said. "The check Connie made out to me is for the whole amount and I'm not sure why, because I know I didn't earn it."

"It's yours, Babe," he repeated. "He should have been your skip from the beginning. Ask Connie why she gave it to me." He disconnected and threw his phone toward the dash where it bounced off and skittered to the floor. He cursed softly as it landed out of his reach. He'd set Connie up to tell Stephanie about Morelli and he didn't feel good about putting her in that situation, but Stephanie needed to know, and he wasn't the one to tell her.

Reluctantly he drew his mind back to the present and began lathering his hair and body. He started to make a mental list of things that needed to be attended to that day, but he didn't keep his focus and let his thoughts slip back to Stephanie.

He waited daily for the call to come from Stephanie, telling him what an ass Morelli was, but the call never came. His next visit to the bonds office was met with a withering stare from Connie, but she remained mute. He didn't know if Stephanie had the full picture or not, but he was backing off. It wasn't any of his business.

The call that did come from Steph wasn't what he'd been expecting. She needed his help and once again he'd gone to her rescue. He'd banished, albeit temporarily, her shadow, Joyce Barnhart. He still wasn't sure what had made him say it, but he'd liked the quick flush of her cheeks, and her air of disconcertment.

"Told her I was gonna spend the next twelve hours ruining you for all other men, and so she might as well go home."

His thoughts were jerked back into the present with an awareness he couldn't deny. As he rinsed the last of the aromatic lather from his body he was struck with the truth. He'd made the statement in jest, but he wanted to make that statement true. He didn't want to be attracted to her. He didn't want to wake up with her on his mind. He didn't want to worry about how Morelli's infidelities would damage her, and he didn't know why the hell he was even wasting time thinking about her. He couldn't slot her into the realm of a casual fuck. He didn't know why and it angered him. With a soft curse, one of his hands closed around his cock and the other slammed hard against the marble wall of the shower.

Later, he dressed and went to five to start his day. It had been two weeks since his three day 'business trip', and his bank had alerted him of a large deposit into his account. He called Holly Reynolds to make an arrangement to see her later in the day. He wanted to reduce the dependence of RangeMan on his own personal fortune and he had the money to do it. He felt almost cheerful for the first time since he'd backed out of Steph's private life.

Holly's secretary put his call through without hesitation, and they exchanged pleasantries before he got to the point of his call.

"I was wondering if we could meet over dinner, tonight?" he asked her. "I think the time has come to rename all the Major Security offices to RangeMan and I'd like you to review our financials to see if you are in agreement."

There was hesitation on her end of the line, then, "Carlos, I can meet with you late in the day, but as for dinner, I have plans. I'm going to your father's benefit. I assumed you'd be going, too." Now the silence was on his end of the line. He rubbed his brow and slowly pulled open the top desk drawer. The envelope was there. He pulled back the flap and saw the tickets his mother had sent to him via Ella, and he saw the date.

"Carlos?" Holly asked. "Are you still there?"

"Yes," he said. "I'd forgotten. My mother sent me tickets and she does expect me there." The benefit was an annual event, to raise scholarship money for minority students. It was a cause close to both his parents' hearts and his attendance was definitely expected, and not only to attend, but to contribute. His mother had sent two tickets and marked the envelope 'Carlos and Guest'. He groaned audibly.

"Look, Carlos," Holly told him. "Send me the information you were going to talk to me about. I'll look it over today and maybe we can make time to talk tonight. There is a social hour before dinner and an auction after. I know you're anxious to get going on this."

"I am," he affirmed. "Thanks, Holly. I'll plan on seeing you tonight. I'm glad I called," he told her, amusement sounding in his voice. "I always appreciate your expertise, but the reminder you inadvertently gave me is probably the best thing you'll do for me today. I'm definitely expected to make an appearance tonight and it had completely slipped my mind."

He disconnected and sat back wondering about the 'and guest'. It was a blatant attempt on his mother's part to meet the mysterious Stephanie she thought he was involved with. That wasn't going to happen. His decision was instantaneous and his smile broke out almost as quickly. He picked up his phone and called the control desk.

When Vince answered he said, "Find Tank and send him in here, now." He logged into his account and found the information Holly would need. He sent it to her and looked up to see Tank standing in his doorway, scowling. Tank was in a bad mood, apparently, and it wasn't likely to improve after his discussion with Ranger.

It was mid-morning before he was able to leave the office and make his way to Plum Bail Bonds. There was a skip to pick up. He was an obnoxious old fart and Ranger decided to bring him in himself rather than subject his crew to the demented codger. Tank was already displeased with him and Ranger didn't want to exacerbate Tank's irritability. Norvil Thompson's bond wasn't much, but Ranger knew he could bring him in with relatively little trouble. Last time Tank had gone after him, the guy dropped his pants, grabbed his dick, aimed and scored a direct hit on an unsuspecting Tank. Ranger felt good about bringing him in and saving his team from the aggravation.

When he walked into the bonds office he knew immediately. There was just something about the loose-limbed way she was standing, the totally relaxed line of her body. She'd been fucked and fucked good. He tamped down the slow burn that threatened to infuse dark red under his jaw and purposefully let his face show a hint of false amusement. He looked Stephanie in the eyes for a moment and said, "Morelli?"

She blushed and acted irritated, but he thought she was pleased with the attention, too. He felt a sudden and overpowering need to wipe that look of satisfaction from another man off her face. Norvil Thompson was just the man to help change her expression.

"Wanna help me with an apprehension, Babe?"

Two hours later he was starting to feel a little sorry for her. He'd learned of the fire that destroyed her apartment and he'd concluded that Stephanie had no idea of Morelli's extracurricular activities. And he felt a little bad about the direct hits she'd took from Thompson's wind-milling arm. She was breaded with flour and raw egg and although she looked far from edible, she looked like she was ready to be deep fried.

Humor replaced his guilt when he discovered she was having dinner with the Morelli family that evening. In her present state he knew just what kind of impression she'd make on Joe's mother, and that made him wonder for a moment how his mother would react if he presented Stephanie in present form to her. As he pulled away from Morelli's curb he saw her standing looking bedraggled and lost and he couldn't hold back the two hundred watt smile.

"You make your own bed, Babe," he murmured as he pulled into traffic.

The sun was setting on what had, for once, been a decent day in Trenton. Tank looked across the car at his boss. Ranger was a chameleon. There was no other word or explanation for it. He knew of no other person who adapted so easily to the demanding roles his life required. They weren't multiple personalities, Tank knew, but rather they were facets of one very complex person. It was a person Tank knew well, probably better than anyone, including his family.

Tank was appropriately dressed for the event he was attending under duress. He didn't buy, for one minute, Ranger's claim the evening would be beneficial to RangeMan's business. He didn't think they were likely to pick up any clients at the upcoming soiree, but he knew Ranger had an obligation to be there and, as always, Tank was his wingman. Ranger had morphed seamlessly into Carlos, the respectful son. The difference between himself and Ranger was simple. Carlos was born to the life and he wasn't. He shifted uncomfortably in the seat feeling his tie constrict his neck. He sighed audibly. It was going to be a long night.

Tank had spent time with Ranger's family before and they always made him welcome. Tonight was no exception, but he knew Claudia Mañoso had been expecting her son to bring a woman with him, and Tank didn't know why the hell he hadn't. He was approached by Claudia and her youngest daughter Ana as soon as they had seen him enter the room. The family was here in full force and he remembered Ranger telling him this was an important cause his family supported.

"Pierre," Claudia said. "It's so nice to see you again." He winced at her use of his first name, but Claudia had informed him at their first meeting she wouldn't be calling him Tank. He figured it was a 'mother' thing.

"I'm happy to be here," he lied to her. He pulled a heavy cream envelope out of the inside pocket of his suit jacket. "Ranger, er, Carlos told me how important this scholarship fundraiser is to your family and I'd like to make a contribution." He handed the envelope to Claudia who accepted it eagerly. She turned her head searching the crowd.

"Where is Carlos?" Claudia asked. Tank tilted his head and her eyes followed. Ranger had abandoned him almost the minute they walked through the door. He was deep in conversation with a woman at a table in the far corner and they were oblivious to everyone else. The woman looked familiar, but he was sure they'd never met.

"That boy!" Claudia exclaimed. "Discussing business. In many ways he is so like his father." She turned to her daughter, "Ana, go get your brother and Holly. If they must discuss business they can at least do it at the table I've reserved for him." Ana smiled at Tank and turned to do her mother's bidding.

Holly. Tank realized the woman was Holly Reynolds, the RangeMan accountant. They'd never met, but he knew Ranger depended upon her financial expertise. His defection from Tank's side made more sense now. He knew Ranger was in the process of renaming Major Securities. The woman walking across the floor with Ranger still held an air of familiarity. He'd seen her before or she reminded him of someone, he wasn't sure which.

Ranger introduced Tank to Holly and the three of them sat at the table Claudia had indicated. The fourth spot at the table was filled by Ana who again smiled shyly at Tank. Ana was the scholarly Mañoso. He knew she was working on a PhD in something 'arty' at a university nearby. He'd listened to Ranger's stories of family for years, much as Ranger had listened to stories of his, but he couldn't recall the details of Ana's life. He knew he had one thing in common with Ana and he used it as a conversation starter. The two of them talked animatedly through-out the meal.

After the meal the women excused themselves and made their way to the ladies' room before the program started. Tank turned to Ranger, "I just figured it out. Holly looks like Stephanie Plum. Maybe they're related.

He saw Ranger's mouth tighten for a moment before he answered. "I don't think they're related, but they do resemble. I wasn't aware you'd met Stephanie."

"I haven't" Tank said. "I've seen her coming into the bonds office as I was leaving, though. And I've seen her at Cluck In A Bucket with Lula, Vinnie's file clerk. You know who I mean?"

"I know who you mean," Ranger responded dryly. "I noticed the resemblance between Holly and Steph the last time we had a dinner meeting. Holly is somewhat older than Steph, I think."

Tank looked up to see the two women approaching their table. "That's true," he said, "but she's still one damn fine looking woman." Ranger made no comment.

Ricardo Mañoso, Ranger's father, stood and tapped a spoon on his crystal water glass. He was acting as emcee for the program.

"Ladies and gentlemen, if I might have your attention. The auction will be beginning shortly, but first I want to thank our latest contributor, RangeMan Security. With the generous donation from their vice-president of operations, Pierre Boudreau, we've topped the one hundred thousand mark…a mark we plan to double at tonight's auction."

Tank looked around the table. Holly Reynolds was staring at Ricardo Mañoso with a strange intensity. Ranger was staring at him with eyes wide open and Ana was softly giggling. She reached out and touched Tank's arm. "Daddy's just given you a promotion, I think." Tank looked back at her and shared her grin. Tight collar or not, he was starting to enjoy the night.