Author's Note: Last night taught me what FFN's really about. It's about the love and support of each other and I appreciate all your response to the last A/Ns shout out.

Disclaimer: "Honestly, it's not mine!"

Stephanie's POV

I could hear a crowd of both law enforcement and gossip mongers outside and I sighed deeply. It's times like these that make me wonder why I even bother to stay in Trenton. Sure, everyone knows me and I know them and I know the area but that's a double edged sword. I always feel like a goldfish in a bowl or if I'm walking through a minefield, always being watched and not knowing when the next explosion of scathing criticism will come. Well, more like a scathing cattle prod now that I've dropped Morelli and my mother like a hot potato…

"You can slip out the back if you want. I'll meet you back at Haywood." Carlos offered seriously. Aww…he's so sweet.

"That's what Old Stephanie would do. I said that I was done hiding and I meant it. Get Willie's shoulders."

He did so and we resumed our drag/carry system out into the sunny early morning. Both of them were starting to come to on the grass and I unholstered my pistols, pointing them at their kneeling forms steadily.

"If you move or speak, I'll blow your heads off and I ain't talking about the ones holding your busted teeth in. Flat on the ground."

Jackson dropped immediately but Willie gave me a blistering, one eyed glare. He'd use both but unfortunately (not), one was swollen shut, looking vaguely like a blueberry crueler. Mmm…blueberry crueler. Today was a Tastykakes day for sure…

"Look, Wet Willie, you called me a cunt and your pet gorilla tried to fillet me and my mother just snarled that she wish that she'd kept her diaphragm in so I wouldn't be here and I have to pee. I'm not in the mood for your shit or anyone else's. Get down now."

To drive my point home, I fired a warning shot, grazing precariously close to his neck. Willie dropped like a stone and I turned away, scoping out the scene as Carlos loaded them into the Turbo. I saw money changing hands between Big Dog and Eddie and the red mist returned with a vengeance. Holstering my weapons, I marched over to them and gripped Eddie's wrist like a vice, much to his wide eyed shock. He tried to tug his arm away but my nails dug in, making him hiss in pain. Good.

"Give it here or the arm comes off."

"Look, Steph, it's just…"

"…a bunch of selfish, tactless fuckers betting on my life again. Look at that hole in the door. That hole could've easily been in me and your gravy train would be six feet under. Give me the money or Shirley will be a widow."

"Do what she says." Carlos urged with a voice that made the Artic seem like Aruba.

To my surprise, not only did Eddie hand over his winnings but 9 other officers did too, the earnings in excess of 550 dollars. The 550 dollars found a nice, comfy home in my Body by Victoria and I gave a venomous glare to all of them until they squirmed like toddlers.

"Spread the word. No more Bombshell Bets or you'll end up with fried balls like Morelli. Got it? Good. What's the damage, Carlos?"

"Needs a new passenger side window but it didn't blow up. I'd say that's a huge improvement from your usual car based mayhem."

"Bite me, Ranger!"

"After work, Babe. Come on."

/

Ranger's POV

"Proud of you, Babe. It's hot watching you standing up for yourself."

"Lucky for you, I plan on doing it a lot more often. The Burg's gonna have to find a new doormat. Be a peach and take them to receiving? I'm gonna pee and then I'm taking you to lunch. I'm good for it, now."

"Babe.", I chuckled as she playfully adjusted her bra.

My eyes slid down to her luscious ass as she departed and I had to look away before I touched her. I was a lucky bastard…

"Hello, Ranger." an unpleasantly familiar voice greeted on my way back to Steph.

There are few people in this world, male or female, that I have more disdain for than Joyce Barnhardt. She was nothing more than a predator, a manipulative shrew that ate men for lunch. She had stolen Babe's husband from her and insisted on screwing that sick little weasel Vinnie. She made no secret her lust for me and her hatred of Steph and I wanted nothing to do with her.

"Hello, Joyce." I replied with the bare amount of politeness.

She was in some vinyl and lace bustier contraption and her skirt barely covered her ass. She flipped her obviously dyed red hair back and gave me a smile that turned my stomach and shriveled my balls. How any sane man could find her appealing was beyond my comprehension…

"So, I heard a sad rumor about you and Stephanie. Apparently, you two are together. That's not true, is it, baby?" she cooed as her press on nails walked up my arm. Great, now I'd have to bleach it….

"It's very true and it's not changing any time soon. Get your hands off of me.", I replied with flat frost that guaranteed distance.

Unfortunately, all that sex with Mr. Ed and Vinnie and god knows what else numbed her to simple fear and she slithered closer.

"Stephanie doesn't know what to do with men. I mean, come on. I took Orr, I took Morelli…"

Excuse me?

"…and I'll get my hands on you. It's only a matter of…"

Her head was yanked back and all feeling returned to my groin as Steph dug her nails into Joyce's scalp, making her yelp in pain.

"Stay away from my man, slut! You took The Dick, you took Morelli, which in retrospect was a favor but you will not sink your claws, teeth, or your animal diseased pussy into my Carlos or I'll snap you like a twig!"

"Babe, let her go."

"Not until she promises to stay away from you!"

"I'll do no such...owww! Okay, okay, Jesus! I'll leave him alone!"

Steph shoved her away and she fell on her ass due to the black hooker boots she had on. Steph's cheeks were hot pink with rage and her big blue eyes were a sharp shade of cobalt and she never looked more fuckable in my eyes. Forget food, I wanted her for lunch.

"Babe, I called Tank to give us a lift home. Why don't you go and wait for him?"

Babe gave Joyce a last cool look and she was her normal self again, smiling brilliantly with no sadness in sight. Huh. I guess she was right about violence being therapeutic.

"I need a donut." She simply declared before walking out, presumably to go get a donut.

For once, I'm not going to protest it. She took down a gorilla, stood up to the Cops, and almost yanked Joyce's head off to defend my honor and what's left of my virtue... all before noon. I really am a lucky bastard to have her in my life.

Coming to a decision, I followed after her, pulling out my wallet.

She had earned a whole case of donuts.