Thank you all for the reviews, favorites, and alerts to this story. When I started it, I wasn't sure how it was going to be received, but I must say, I'm happy about it! This is the final chapter... I planned on finishing it when they returned to Trenton, and I've done that. I hope you'll be happy with the ending (it's a shorter chapter by far) and will continue to read my other stories. Thank you for giving me a chance... it means a lot to me!

~AJ

When I pulled in my parking space, I saw the elevator door open and Junior stepped off looking hot as ever. I don't think I'll ever get over how hot the guys are when dressed in all black.

Junior opened my door and helped out, planting a kiss on my lips as soon as I was in his arms. Not three seconds later, I heard the stair door slam against the wall and footfalls of boots on the cement floor. I closed my eyes as I laid my head on his chest and sighed. I knew what was coming.

"What the hell?" "When did you two hook-up?" "Aww, damn it. Lost my chance."

I could feel Junior's body shaking with laughter. I looked up at him and he smiled, "I guess they know now."

Turning around, I leaned back against his hard, warm body and faced my Merry Men, "Hey guys." They all stood there staring at us and not talking. I was beginning to feel a little uncomfortable under their stares when Zip finally spoke.

"It's about damn time," he said while clapping his hands.

Huh? Time for what? I looked up at Junior and he shrugged. "Time for what?" I asked Zip.

"Time that the two of you finally hooked your asses up. It's been so painfully obvious to most of us for a few months now, but neither of you would act on it. What finally happened to open your eyes?"

"I took her sailing," Junior said. "Two glorious weeks of no one but her and I. We talked and, well, here we are."

"We're glad for you," Tank offered. "Just don't hurt her." Everyone came over and welcomed me back from my vacation and congratulated Junior and I. After the last person left, I turned around and wrapped my arms around his waist.

"I guess there was really nothing to be worried about, huh?"

"Just one person and you still need to talk to him. Want me there?"

"No," I said shaking my head, "I need to do this on my own."

Junior and I walked up to the fifth floor and I saw Ranger standing in his office doorway. Giving Junior a quick kiss, I headed down the hall and stopped in front of Ranger, "Ready to talk?"

His answer was moving aside so I could enter. He shut the door and sat in his chair waiting for me to begin.

"How was your trip?" I asked him… hey, I can be civil.

"Fine. Yours?"

"It was great. I'm not going to lie to you. I wasn't planning on anything happening, but things did and I enjoy being around Junior."

"Where does that leave us?"

"There is no us. You made that perfectly clear when you walked out on me so many months ago. No phone calls, no texts, no e-mails, not a damn thing. What the hell was I supposed to do?" I saw the look of defeat in his eyes and it hurt. "I'm sorry that I ran you off; I never meant to."

"You didn't run me off, Babe. Not really. I ran myself off. I heard those words fall from your lips, and while they were words I really wanted to hear, I knew it wouldn't be good if I stayed. My life is not my own. I have no control over when or where I go most of the time. While I wanted to be the one that made you happy and gave you everything you ever wanted, I knew I couldn't be it."

"I know that now, too," I told him. "In the months you've been gone, I've realized some things. While I love you, it isn't enough. I need someone who will love me back just as much as I love him." Ranger started to say something, but I stopped him, "Let me finish. I know you love me, but there is more than love. I need a commitment. Not the marriage type, but the type that says I mean more than a job or more than drinks with the guys. I need to know where I stand in someone's life. For far too long, I've been the doormat and I'm done with that. I've changed and I know what I want from life, from a partner, from myself."

"Junior, he helped with you that?"

"Yes, in more ways than I can ever thank him for. He was there when you left; he held me while I cried. Told me that it wasn't my fault that you were gone. He told me you also resigned your contract; that hurt hearing it from him and not you."

"I know. I should have told you and I've kicked myself in the ass every day for not telling you. I'm sorry."

"Apology accepted. Junior and I went sailing for a few weeks and it was amazing. Being so free, not looking over my shoulder all the time, not worrying about if he was going to be called away, not worrying about if what I was saying was going to scare him. We really opened up and talked with each other. I found out more about him in two weeks then I ever found out about you in three years. What does that say, Ranger?"

Ranger scrubbed his hands over his face and sighed; oh shit, I broke him! "There was so much I wanted to tell you, but couldn't. I couldn't risk losing you, but yet, I did anyway."

"You've lost me as a love interest, but not as a friend. You are still one of my best friends. I hope to always be friends with you."

Ranger stood up and walked over to me. Pulling me up from the couch, he hugged me tight, "You're my best friend, Babe. I can't lose you from my life. I know Junior will make you happy and be able to be all that you need. But if he ever hurts you…"

"He won't," I promised Ranger.

"I wish you two all the happiness in the world," he told me as he pressed a quick kiss to my lips. "I'm going to miss being able to do that, but I know it won't go over well."

"No, it won't. Not with Junior and not with me. No more poaching, okay?"

"Got it. Now, get out of here, I have a ton of work to catch up on."

I smiled at Ranger and headed to the door. Looking back, I nodded, "Welcome home, Ranger."

Junior and I were just starting out and I wasn't sure where we'd end up. I hoped we'd have the perfect life together. But only time will tell. We plan on spending as much time together as we can and continue getting to know each other better than anyone else could. Then maybe, just maybe, in a few years my name will change. Who can tell? I can't, but I also can't wait to find out.