Usual disclaimers apply, I don't own them but I sure would like to own Ranger

Chapter 11- Stalker Strikes Again

Ranger's POV

I was unbelievably angry. Not at Stephanie, it wasn't her fault that she attracted all these psychos, I was angry at myself for being unable to keep the stalker from coming near her. I was at the bond's office with her whenever he put that message on her car! He was close, I could feel it, but looking around I knew that I wouldn't be able to find him. He had managed to evade us for nearly three weeks now. I was even gladder that I had asked Stephanie to move in with me, I would know that she is safe now instead of living in that completely unprotected apartment.

I could see Stephanie sitting over on the curb with Lula and Connie. All I wanted to do was sweep her into my arms and carry her off to Haywood, locking us up so that she would never be in harm's way again. But, I knew she would never go for that. She wouldn't stay locked up for an hour, let alone until we caught this guy.

Tank and some of the guys arrived shortly after I made the call. I had asked them to handle this without the involvement of the police; I didn't want any of the cops near Stephanie until everything about Morelli had died down.

Woody was examining the writing, while Ram was checking to make sure there were no explosives on the car. I sent Lester out to look around, and I stood with Tank observing what Woody and Ram were doing to the car. We were both silent, and I was thankful for that. I was too tense to talk, about anything but the situation at hand.

I hadn't looked too closely at the writing on Steph's windshield, not wanting to get myself upset over something that it may not even be, but I had to admit to myself from here it looked like some sort of blood. I shivered at the thought, actually getting a quick glance from Tank.

"Hey Boss," Lester said coming up beside me, "I swept the area, no sign of this guy. My guess is nobody saw him do this because Steph was parked up the street from the main window. Unless you were standing right next to the window you would have never seen him."

I nodded at him and he strode over to help Woody and Ram with the car. "What do you want us to do with the car once they are done Boss?" Tank asked.

"Take it back to Rangeman and have whatever the stuff on the windshield is analyzed. If it is blood I want to know whose. Any chance of getting any video from the surrounding stores?"

"I'll check it out if Lester didn't already do it," Tank replied before heading over to talk to Lester.

I glanced over at Stephanie again to see her glaring the direction of Joyce. Even in the midst of this stalker attempt on Steph I couldn't help but suppress a smile and the look on Joyce's face when I kissed Stephanie. I would gladly do it with the whole Burg watching if it meant that the rumors and ridicule on Steph would stop.

My mind flashed back to the other night at her parents' house. I had really hoped that Mrs. Plum would learn to respect her daughter. I guess I was truly wrong. I knew how important a mother's approval was to a daughter.

I was drawn out of my thoughts by Ram and Woody approaching me. "Hey Rangeman, no bombs located on Bomber's car, the writing looks like blood, but I won't be able to tell what kind until we get it in."

"Good. Get it to Rangeman and begin working on that immediately. I want someone going through Steph's past skips, you know the drill. Meeting at 1900 hours."

"Yes Boss," and with that they began packing up Steph's car. Although I was not happy about the car, I had wanted to give her a new one, and this gave me the perfect opportunity. What can I say, I'm an opportunist.

I glanced over at the curb as the guys packed up the car. Lula and Connie had left, leaving Steph on the curb. I went over and sat on the curb next to her, needing to be close to her, and protect her.

Stephanie's POV

In just a few minutes Tank and several of the Merry Men had appeared in front of the bonds office. Lula and Connie had come outside and joined me on the curb, all three of us sending death glares towards Joyce Barnhart as she made her way to her car, which naturally, was stalker message free.

I was really hoping that the cops wouldn't show up. I don't think I could take it to see them passing money around on me.

I was relieved when all that the guys did was cart my car off to be examined for bombs and any evidence that could lead them to the stalker. I really hate having stalkers, Ranger is probably going to want to lock me up somewhere, and it just may lead to our first argument as a couple.

When the guys were finished and my car was being carted away, Ranger came over and sat on the newly vacated curb, Lula and Connie had disappeared inside after all the excitement had ended.

I noticed the second he sat down just how tense he was. I put my hand on his neck and gave him a light kiss on the cheek, and he seemed to relax under my touch. I was amazed that I actually had the power to soothe batman.

"Babe, let's go back to Haywood," Ranger said, and I groaned inwardly. I really didn't want to have a fight with him this early in the relationship. I nodded my head, though, not wanting to have this outside. He grabbed my hand and led me towards the truck nodding at his men as we went by. I gave them smiles and they responded with almost smiles, because of course the Merry Men never actually smile.

Ranger was in his zone the whole ride back to Haywood, but held one of my hands on this thigh the whole ride. When we arrived in the garage, Ranger held my hand all the way to the elevator, where he pulled me so that my back was to his front. I leaned into him, allowing his chin to rest upon my head.

The doors to the 7th floor dinged open and we walked into the apartment, his hand still encased in mine. I wasn't surprised that Ranger led me towards the couch, sitting down first, and then pulling me into his lap, in the sitting version of the elevator.

I kept quiet waiting for the speech about keeping me locked up, and I began to formulate in my brain what snapping comebacks I could come up with.

"Babe," Ranger began sighing with the nickname, "I so badly want to lock you up and protect you from this newest stalker…"I tensed as each word was said, knowing that I really did not want to be locked up, but yet I didn't want to have my first fight with Ranger.

"…but I know that you will never stand for that, and I know that you are a grown woman. If you feel the need to put yourself into hiding, ever, not just with this stalker, than I will gladly go away with you. As it stands right now it's completely your choice—"

I turned my head sharply to look at him, confused by what had just come out of his mouth, "HUH???"

A small smile graced Ranger's lips as he took in my eloquent question. "No, Babe, I'm not going to lock you up somewhere. I do want to be the one with you until we catch this guy, and unless I can absolutely not be there, I will assign someone else."

I was speechless, so speechless all I could do was stare with my mouth hanging open. Ranger was not going to lock me up, he was giving me the option of going away with him, but he wasn't going to force me.

I captured his lips in a burning kiss before pulling back, "Have I told you today how much I love you?"

Ranger smiled a full blown smile as he captured my lips again, "Not in the last five minutes, so it's good to be reminded."

Even though Ranger looked relaxed now that we were safely inside, I could still feel some tension in him. I pulled back slowly to stare into his eyes. I put my hands on either side of his face, "What is bothering you Carlos? And I mean besides the obvious."

Ranger sighed, yes sighed, "He got to your car while I was right there! If he can do that…I don't know I guess I'm just afraid I can't protect you."

"Carlos don't ever say that! I have never felt as safe as I do when I'm with you, ever! I would trust you with my life, you always protect me. He is just trying to get into your head. He wants you to feel insecure, because that is when you make mistakes," I tried to reassure him.

Ranger smiled up at me, and I knew that my words had hit home. I knew he would still carry some worry around with him, but I hoped that this would help him keep a level head.

I cuddled into Ranger's chest enjoying the masculinity of him, and the protection that came with it. He quickly wrapped his arms around me, as though my presence also in some way protected him. Before I knew, I could feel his presence drifting me off to sleep.

TBC…Read and Review! I finally know where I want to go with this story! Any suggestions still welcome