Disclaimer: As usual, all character's are the property of JE. Unfortunately she won't even let me borrow Ranger for a day or two. I am making no money yada, yada, yada.

WARNING: This story is VERY Un-Morelli friendly. If you are a Joe fan then you will not in any way enjoy this even a little. Joe is a very bad in my story. It is a total Babe story. It's actually extremely unkind to Mrs. Plum too. There will be adult language, violence, and situations so don't even bother reading any more if this will offend you.

PREVIOUSLY:

"Beautiful, even bald you the hottest woman I know. If Ranger doesn't like your new look, I'll be happy to show you how a real man treats a woman."

"SANTOS!" Ranger barked

"Out! NOW!" Ranger pointed at the door.

Lester gave me a smile and a wink before he headed out the door behind Bobby. Ranger came over and climbed on the bed, careful not to catch any of the numerous tubes running into my body, and wrapped his arms around me.

"Babe, I always think you're beautiful. Yes I love your curls, but not as much as I love you. Your curls will grow back. As long as you're going to be ok I'm happy. You can gain a 100lbs and go bald and I will still think your beautiful and love you." I looked up at him waiting for him to add the conditions, but he didn't. I wanted to talk about this more, but I could feel the pain medicines kicking in and I was having a hard time keeping my eyes open.

"Go to sleep babe. I'll be here when you wake up." He assured me, so I drifted to sleep feeling safe, content, and loved.

CHAPTER 11

SPOV

The next week went by at a snail's pace. Ranger assured me that part of my benefits package at RangeMan was short term disability, and since he had never taken my name off the payroll after the break-ins, I didn't have to worry about my bills. He even had the guys watch Rex in the communications room. He said the guys were talking about making him their mascot, which made me giggle.

All the tests I'd taken said I was recovering nicely. By day seven, I was ready to snap. Ranger had kept his word and stayed with me the entire time, until last night. I had forced him to go sleep at RangeMan. I was cranky and annoyed, and I didn't want to take it out on him. Plus, I needed some time to process all that had happened.

I was still feeling guilty about Joe. Logically, I knew he was responsible for his own actions, but part of me felt like I pushed him to it. Something weird was going on with my parents, too. My Dad had been to see me, but my mother hadn't. I guess she still hadn't forgiven me for not going back to Joe.

I had told Ranger I would call him when the doctor came to talk to me. I didn't want him here for the conversation, in case I had to sign myself out. If Ranger were here, he'd never let me get away with it. For most of the week, the guys Ranger had guarding me had all been friends. Today, there were two guys I didn't recognize, but it didn't really matter, because I was busting out of this joint today.

"I'm going home today! I don't care if I have to sign myself out. I am not staying here another day," I told the doctor as soon as he walked in.

He smiled at me. "You'll be happy to know I agree. I would like to perform one more test, and as long as the results are the same as before, you should be out of here by late afternoon or early evening. Is that acceptable?"

"Yes. Thank GOD! I can't take another day here."

He just smiled and shook his head. "They should be up here in about an hour to take you for your CAT scan, and as soon as I get the results, I'll let you know."

"Thanks. I appreciate everything you've done."

"Just doing my job. I'll have a list of instructions made up for you in anticipation of your discharge. You shouldn't be alone for at least another two weeks. Brain injuries are tricky. You should have someone close by, just in case."

I nodded my head and he walked out the door. Finally, I was getting out of here. I picked up the phone and called Ranger.

"Yo!"

"Yo back," I said.

"Hey, Babe, I'm on my way over now. Has the doctor been to see you yet?"

"Yep, he wants me to have one more test, but as long as it comes back okay, I can finally blow this popsicle stand."

"That's great! I'll be there in twenty minutes."

Then there was silence. The man still hadn't learned to say goodbye, but that was the least of my worries. I was more than a little confused about what was going on with Ranger. He had pretty much ignored his business all week to stay with me. He had been sweet and talkative. He had told me about his family and what he was like as a kid. I really didn't know what to think.

I had never questioned him about the things he said when I first woke up. I didn't want to ruin how great things were between us by saying something stupid, and I was a little scared that once I got out of the hospital, things would go back to the way they were.

I was brought out of my musings by the shrill sound of my mother's voice.

"She is my daughter and I will be going into see her!" she told the Merry Men at the door.

"Y-Yes, ma'am," was the only reply she got.

I felt my whole body tense up. It hurt that she hadn't been to visit, but I didn't want to face her alone, and Ranger wouldn't be here for at least another fifteen minutes. Crap. I took a deep breath as she pushed her way into my room.

"Well, Stephanie Michelle Plum, what do you have to say for yourself?"

"About what, Mom?"

"About what? About ruining poor Joseph's life. About ruining my life. You are the most selfish child I have ever seen. Having you was the biggest mistake of my life. I should have stopped with Valerie," she told me.

I didn't reply, because really, what was there to say after that, but she continued on. It seemed that she was building up steam, and I could feel the tears threatening to stream down my face.

"You should be ashamed of what you have put the Morelli family through. Joseph is being charged with attempted murder because of you. That thug that beat him up should be the one going to jail. You have ruined our family's reputation by working the job you work and spending time with thugs and prostitutes. You should have married Joseph and settled down by now, but no, you had to run around making a fool of yourself and our family, chasing criminals. It's no wonder Joseph snapped and hit you. Not only have you ruined Joseph Morelli's life, but mine, too. Thanks to you, your father says he's going to divorce me. I will be the laughingstock of the 'Burg, and it's ALL YOUR FAULT!" she screamed at me.

"What are you talking about? Daddy is leaving you?" I asked, trying to understand why she hated me so much.

"That's what he says. He wouldn't even let me come to the hospital this week, saying that I didn't have any right to be here. I didn't have a right to see my own selfish daughter. I had to sneak out of my own home when he got called in for a shift at the cab company. Do you know how humiliated I am?"

That answered one of my questions. At least now I knew why she hadn't been to see me. I wanted to get angry and yell back at her, but I couldn't. I couldn't find the anger, because everything she said just broke my heart more. I guess I could understand her blaming me if Dad wanted to leave her over what had happened to me, but I just couldn't comprehend her blaming me for what had happened to Joe. She blamed me for ruining Joe's life because he tried to kill me. How warped was that logic? I would not give her the pleasure of seeing me break, though.

"Well, you've told me what you wanted to say. I promised I wouldn't come back to the house, and I intend to keep that promise. It will be like I was never born. As of right now, you only have one child, which is what you wanted. I would appreciate it if you left now, Helen."

"Oh, I'm not going anywhere…."

The door to my hospital room slammed open, revealing my very angry father and an even angrier Ranger right behind him. My father headed straight towards my mother, and Ranger came over to me.

"Enough, Helen! I told you, you are not welcome here! GET OUT!" his voice boomed. My mother visibly paled when she saw the anger obviously radiating from my father.

"Frank, I have every right…"

"You have no right." His voice was suddenly low and menacing. "You will leave this hospital and not show your face here again. I kept you away from Steph because she deserves a better mother than you. You worry so much about what the "Burg" thinks, Helen? What is the 'Burg going to think when they hear what you've said to your daughter this time? The only person in our family that should be ashamed is you. Now get out before I throw you out."

By this time, my mother looked terrified. If my dad ever spoke to me like that, I'd probably have pee'd myself. If I wasn't so hurt by what she said, I might actually find this funny. Fortunately, she didn't say anything else, she just turned and headed out the door.

As soon as the door shut, I dissolved into tears. I couldn't hold it in anymore. Ranger, who was already by my side, wrapped me in his arms and whispered to me in Spanish. After I had calmed down, my dad came and hugged me.

"I'm so sorry she said those things to you, Pumpkin. I couldn't be more proud of the woman you have become. I don't know what your mother's problem is, but it is her problem, not yours."

He leaned over and kissed my forehead before turning towards Ranger. "Can you take her somewhere away from all of this? Somewhere she can recover in peace."

"Yes, sir. I have a few ideas," he told my dad.

Huh? He did? He hadn't said anything to me yet.

"Good. Let me know when you decide to go so Edna and I can stop and see her." Ranger just nodded. "I love you, Pumpkin," he told me before he left the room.

I really didn't know what to say, and really didn't want to talk about it. As usual, Ranger understood. He just held me in silence until they came to take me for my test.

RPOV

I climbed into my Turbo, anxious to get back to the hospital. Steph had forced me to go home for the night, saying she felt guilty about the amount of time I was spending with her when I needed to be working. I tried to make her understand that RangeMan was fine, but she wouldn't hear it. I finally agreed, because I could tell she was tired and frustrated, and I didn't want to add to her stress. I also knew she probably wanted some time alone to process everything that had happened to her, but I missed her.

On my way back to the hospital, Steph called to tell me what the doctor had told her. After we hung up, I called her father to tell him she was probably going to be released today. I had given him a cell phone earlier in the week so he could contact Steph or me without his wife eavesdropping. He had forbidden Helen from visiting Stephanie, because we both agreed she didn't need the extra stress. He said he was on his way to see her anyway and would see me there.

Even though Steph had made me leave last night, I didn't really get any work done. I spent a lot of last night and today thinking about what I could do to make her recovery easier. She wouldn't be able to travel for a while, but once she was cleared, maybe we could take a trip. After everything that had happened in the past week, I thought she might need a break. I could run RangeMan from any of the offices. Maybe we could go to Miami while she recovered. Or if she didn't want to go that far from her friends and family, maybe Boston was a viable option.

I ran these scenarios through my mind while I was taking the elevator up to Steph's floor. As soon as the doors opened, I knew something was wrong. I had two of my new guys on duty, because all of my other men were busy. I also thought it would be a way to ease them into what is affectionately known around the office as "Bombshell Duty," without putting my Babe at risk. The look on both their faces told me they'd screwed up. About that time, I heard the shrill voice of Helen Plum. I noticed Frank was headed towards the room just ahead of me, and from what I could see, he was pissed. I was just as pissed, because I had informed my men that Mrs. Plum was not to be allowed into see Stephanie. As Frank slammed into the room, I gave my men a look, letting them know I would deal with them later.

I let Frank deal with his wife, and I headed straight towards Steph. The tears were already streaming down her face, and it was all I could do not to rip Helen Plum apart with my bare hands. As soon as Frank had gotten Mrs. Plum out the door, Steph burst into tears. My heart broke for her, and I held her closely as she cried. I noticed that she seemed to calm down when I spoke Spanish, so I began telling her how I felt about her. I said things I had never had the nerve to say in English, and she began to relax.

I looked up at Frank and saw him smiling broadly at me. I knew by the look on his face, he had understood everything I'd said to her. I should have known it was a possibility, because most Ranger's had training in several different languages. It was a waste of time getting embarrassed, and since I'd honestly meant every word I said, I just smiled back at him. He leaned down and focused on Steph, trying to make her understand that her mother was wrong and that she was an amazing woman. What he said next surprised me.

"Can you take her somewhere away from all of this? Somewhere she can recover in peace."

It seemed as though Frank and I were on the same page. "Yes, sir. I have a few ideas," I told him.

I noticed that Steph seemed a little put out that she hadn't been consulted. I would have to remedy that as soon as she felt up to it.

"Good. Let me know when you decide to go, so Edna and I can stop and see her." I just nodded.

After he left, I wrapped my arms around my Babe and held her, trying to comfort her as much as I could. Because I knew she didn't want to talk about it right now, I just held her tight and let her process everything at her own pace. Eventually, they came to take her to get her CAT scan.

As soon as she was gone, I went outside to speak to the newbies. I hadn't decided if I should fire them, or just make their lives hell. The were both fresh out of the military, but if they couldn't handle the simple assignment of keeping a bitchy sixty-some-year-old lady out of a room, I'm not sure they could be trusted for anything more serious. When I walked out of the room, I ran into Lester, Bobby, and Tank.

"Hey, Boss, we just got off shift and stopped by to get our daily Bombshell fix," Tank told me.

"She just went down for her CAT scan. If it looks okay, they are letting her go."

The newbies were fidgeting beside me, and Tank, Lester, and Bobby all noticed.

"Do you guys have to piss or something? 'Cause the last time I saw someone fidget like that, I was in second grade. The teacher wouldn't let Tommy Moore go to the bathroom, and he ended up pissing himself," Lester asked, knowing something was up.

I slowly turned to face them.

"What were my orders?" I barked at them. They both stood at attention.

"Sir, to keep Bombshell safe, sir," Shorty replied.

Before I could take him to task for calling Steph anything but Ms. Plum, Tank stepped in standing nose to nose with Shorty.

"What did you call her? You haven't earned the right to call her Bomber, Bombshell, or anything else! You will refer to her as Ms. Plum or Ma'am. Do you understand?" Tank asked.

Sometimes it was fun to mess with the new guys. I realize that as their boss, I shouldn't indulge in such childish tactics, but it was still fun.

"Sir, yes, sir," they both replied in unison.

I really didn't have time for this, and I didn't want my Babe to see us picking on them, in case I did decide to fire them.

"You were given specific instructions. I gave you a list of people that were permitted to see Ms. Plum, and a specific list of who was not allowed in the room. Her mother was on the list banning her from this room, but for some reason, she was in there when I arrived."

I noticed Lester, Bobby, and Tank all stiffen at this news. The newbies noticed, too, and realized they were in more than just a little trouble.

"Would you care to explain how a sixty-year-old housewife managed to get past two highly-trained US Marines?" I demanded.

"Sir, we weren't sure how to stop her," Smoke replied awkardly.

I just stared at him like he was an idiot because he obviously was. I honestly didn't even know how to reply. I felt Bobby tap my shoulder, and looked to the elevators where they were wheeling Stephanie back to her room.

"You are both suspended without pay until further notice," I told them before Steph was in hearing range. "Dismissed."

They both headed towards the elevators. I turned and looked at Tank.

"We'll take care of them, Boss."

I nodded my agreement just as Steph got to the door.

"Hey, Bomber, Ella had us bring you a bag of goodies and some clean clothes," Bobby said.

"Beautiful! I heard a rumor you might be breaking out. Is it true?" Lester asked.

"Yep, as long as this test comes back okay, I'll be out of here today," she smiled.

I noticed the smile didn't reach her eyes, but after what had happened with her mother today, I wasn't surprised. Yeah, I'm firing those two idiots. I looked up at Tank, and he nodded in agreement.

Now I just needed to talk to her about where she wanted to go to recover. I had spoken to her doctor yesterday, and he said that she shouldn't travel for a few more weeks, so that only gave me two options. We could stay on seven, or I could take her to Point Pleasant. I had a house there, but I rarely used it. I bought it shortly before I met Steph, but after I met her, I wanted to be close by in case she needed me.

I laughed to myself. I have been in love with this woman for years, and it's taken me until now to admit it. I really am a fool. I watched my three best friends fuss over the woman I loved, and felt a sort of peace that I never thought I'd find.

TPOV

As soon as I saw Bombshell's smile, or rather attempt at a smile, I knew the two newbies were going to be fired. One look at Ranger confirmed my suspicions. Honestly, I was okay with that. They knew how important Bombshell duty was, and if they couldn't keep her safe from her mother, they really weren't cut out for our type of work. We all headed back into the hospital room behind Stephanie.

Bobby and Lester were telling Steph about the latest Vinnie gossip as they helped her back into her bed. After a few minutes, I turned around and looked at my boss and friend. What I saw actually startled me. Ranger looked happy and content. It wasn't necessarily the emotions that surprised me, although they were surprising, too, as much as it was the fact that he was showing them to everyone. The blank face he had spent years perfecting was nowhere to be found.

This made what I was going to have to tell him even harder. I looked back at Steph and saw she was listening to Lester tell some ridiculous story about his latest date. When I looked back at Ranger, he noticed me looking at him, and we both walked outside the room.

"I want those two idiots fired!" he told me.

"I agree! How bad was her mother?"

"I didn't hear all of it, but what I did hear was really bad. She cried for almost an hour after."

If I hadn't already agreed the two newbies should be fired, I would have agreed after hearing this. Protecting Bomber meant you protected her emotionally, physically, and mentally, and they had failed miserably. The fact that Bomber cried in front of Ranger was even more telling than actually hearing the words her mother said.

Steph always wanted to be strong in front of Ranger and the rest of us. She knew it was hard for us to see her cry, but more than anything, she never wanted anyone to see her as weak. The fact that the two men I had scheduled to keep her safe had failed made me angrier than I could express. Unfortunately, I needed to deal with the most pressing problem first... telling Ranger that Morelli was out on bail.

"Morelli made bail today. We have someone following him, and practically everyone has volunteered to work off the clock, keeping track of him to make sure he stays away from Bomber. His preliminary hearing is in just over three weeks."

I watched closely as his blank face slammed into place. Morelli had been released from the hospital a few days ago, but it had taken three days to arrange his bail. It seemed no bail agent in the area was willing to risk pissing off Ranger. Although we worked primarily for Vinnie, we have been contracted out to pretty much every bail agent in the area for their biggest skips, and evidently a cop wanted for the attempted murder of Ranger's woman wasn't worth the risk of ruining that relationship.

"A startup agency out of Newark agreed to post his bail. As soon as I found out, I volunteered our services if he skipped, and they readily agreed. At least this way, if he skips, we will be the ones looking for him. There isn't one man on our payroll that won't know how important it is, especially after I fire those two fuckups," I told him.

"I knew he would make bail, but it still pisses me off to no end. Part of me wants to hunt him down now and put a bullet between his eyes. You should have let me kill him when I had the chance."

"Rangeman, you know it would kill Bomber if you went to jail. She needs you now more than ever. I would love to kill him myself, but it won't change anything. We need to focus on Bomber and her recovery. Where are you going to take her if they let her leave today?"

"I need to talk to her about that. At least for today, we'll just go back to seven. We can decide from there. Let's get back inside before Lester says or does something I might have to kill him for."

I laughed at this, knowing that he was only partially kidding. He might not kill Lester, but shipping him to Zimbabwe wasn't out of the question. Lester is the only person that has the balls to push Ranger's buttons on a daily basis. I guess he figures he's safe since they're cousins. Sometimes I think he's an idiot. I don't think family ties would save him when it came to Bomber. Shaking my head at the thought, I followed Ranger back into the room.

"Just what were you two girls out there gossiping about?" Lester asked.

Stephanie giggled, and Ranger just glared. Yep, Lester is an idiot.

TBC...

Thanks Connie & Jenny for all your help. :D