So i decided to post this chapter, it doesnt feel right to me but again i cant work out where it's off. Sorry to anyone who read the last chapter before i was able to fix it up (again), for some reason the Doc Manager copy-and-paste section is playing up. Here is hoping that this stays as i set it up.

All mistakes are my own and any reconsiable character is the property of Janet Evanovich and their for not my own. Even if i like to play with them. As always, ENJOY!


Today was a tough day. Today Binkie would go on trial for attacking Stephanie. The lists of charges were long and included assaulting an officer, once the sedative wore off Binkie had not been happy with his new accommodations. Steph was glad that the court room was closed, she didn't want anyone but the judge and jury to see the tape of what had happened. She sat in her office attempting to work or do anything to take her mind off it.

Things in normal life had been tough as well. While things with Ranger were going really well, things with Hector weren't. She was proud of him, he was trying but it was hard for him to break habits, and to stop seeing her as his. Ranger was being so understanding, both of Hector and of her. They spent so much time together, and were slowly delving into her sexual issues. The hardest conversation had been when she had told him, in detail, about the gang attack, and everything that had come after. He'd been outrage and pissed and had had to leave the room more than once, but Steph understood, it was hard to listen to without the extra feelings.

Hector and Steph had even taking Ranger home to meet Mama. Of course they still pretended to be happily married until Mama told then to cut the act and that while they might have fooled her for a little while at the beginning a mother always knows. Mama interrogated Ranger for almost an hour before declaring him as a possible suitor for Steph, making Steph's heart warm. She often wondered if the family loved her for her or for being Hector's bride.

Steph was brought out of her thoughts as Ram walked into her office.

"Heya Steph. Whats up? Is Bobby around?" Ram looked a little nervous

"I'll page him if you need? Can I help?"

"Maybe, but page him anyway. I'd feel better talking to him" Ram was definatly acting weird.

She paged Bobby and then took Ram to one of the patient beds.

"Are you sick? Have you hurt yourself?"

"I cut myself and I think it might need attention."

Steph was puzzled, she looked him over but couldn't see blood.

"Well strip down so the area is on display and I can start cleaning it. How long has it been bleeding?" Ram shifted uncomfortable

"About an hour, I think I'll wait for Bobby."

"Ram! Why have you waited this long! Where did you cut yourself?" Ram mumbled something that Steph couldn't understand, she sighed, men were such babies at times.

"Okay, is it under your shirt or your pants."

"Pants" he replied not looking at her

"Then take them off."

Just then Bobby came into the room.

"What's up Ram? Have you started treatment Steph?"

"He won't show me the site? All he's said is that he had cut himself, the cut has been bleeding for an hour and it is on the lower half of his body!"

Bobby looked at Ram, who blushed and looked away before telling Steph to man the office while he dealt with it. 20 minutes Ram left limping a little and Steph went to help Bobby clean up.

"What was up with Ram?" she asked

Bobby chuckled "Seems he had a mishap while shaving a sensitive area" he replied It was Steph's turn to blush "oohh… is he okay?"

"He'll be fine, though his date tonight might not be happy."

They both laughed and finished disinfection the area.

Steph realised that she was happy, that maybe things weren't perfect but she had good people around her and that made things okay.

Hector brought home news from the trail. Binkie was given a 5 year sentence with possibility for parole in 2 year and on competition of an anger management course. Steph cuddled up to Hector as he told her about the trail and his day, both just happy being together. She knew that no matter what Hector had her back, and she always felt safest in his arms.

The next hiccup happened a few weeks later. Eagle was moving out of his apartment and Ranger had offered it to Steph. She's been complaining about Hector taking up the bathroom when Ranger mentioned the free apartment, two doors down and opposite Hector and her current apartment, saying it was hers if she wanted it. He hadn't expected her reaction, or her fleeing his apartment in tears. Surprisingly it was Bobby she ran to. They closed the door to her office and spoke intently.

Steph was scared. She wondered if Ranger was sick of the baggage that came with her, if he wanted her away from Hector. She was scared to be alone, even if she was so close, and had been alone before, it seemed worse than when she was at collage. She liked being next to Hector, it soothed her. She worried that on her own her demons might find her. She was also scared what Hector might think. Would he think she didn't need or want him anymore? Would be leave her? She needed him, always had and always would; if he left her it would destroy her. She wondered if she was going to have to choose between the loves of her life, and she didn't know how that would end, other than with her soul in pieces. Bobby listened and helped her talk it out. He added his input, always in a gentle and understanding way and marvelled at the woman before him.

Bobby knew her back story, had seen the police report and picture and read the medical file. He understood more than anyone the true extent of the damage inflicted upon Stephanie's body and mind. The fact that she had recovered from that alone was remarkable, the fact she chose to become a nurse, to help others like she was helped, showed how large her heart was, the fact that she was opening her heart and body up again at all was a miracle, beyond what some others in her position could conceive. Her road was hard, juggling her feelings for two men, even though the feeling were different, wasn't easy. Both men were Alphas, and wanted the whole of her, for different reasons but still she wasn't capable of giving the whole of herself to one man.

By the end of the chat Steph felt more grounded. Bobby explained that men tended to be' fixers', she presented a problem, even though it wasn't a problem problem more just an annoyance, and he gave her a solution. It wasn't a hint that he wanted her to move away from her dependence on Hector or that he was annoyed by her living arrangements. She left the office to go and speak to Ranger, to apologies and explain. She found him with Hector in their apartment, talking and drinking, both sporting new bruises.

When Steph rushed out, in tears, Ranger was shocked. He had absolutely no idea what had happened. He sat on the couch and replayed the conversation in his head. She's been saying how Hector always took up the bathroom, ranting about how long he spent on his hair which she thought was silly as it was long straight and silky and hers was always such a disaster. He'd mentioned that Eagle's old apartment was empty and that if she moved into it she'd have her own bathroom. She'd gone silent, burst into tear and ran off.

Even after the third mental replay he couldn't see what had gone wrong. He sighed and got up, grabbing a bottle of water and putting his shoes on. He went down to 4 and knocked on her and Hector's door, hoping to talk to Steph about what had just happened. Hector opened the door and invited Ranger in, saying Steph wasn't home but could he help him. Ranger sighed, he seemed to be coming to Hector a lot for help, something Ranger never did.

Ranger went over the conversation with Hector, neither man could figure out what would cause such a reaction from Steph. Hector asked if Ranger felt uncomfortable with Steph living his him. Ranger told him that he didn't, he understood their relationship and while be might envy Hector at some points, or wish that Steph would come to him about certain things, it didn't really bother him. Just another oddity of their relationship, Ranger sometimes wished that it could be easy, but he would rather put up with this and end up with Steph than end up without her, or with someone else. After an hour of talking and waiting they decided to hit the gym, both had some pent up emotion to take out on the other one.

Ranger was actually surprised how close they had gotten, considering the circumstances, after their sparing session they sat down in Hector's living room with a couple of beers and turned on the TV. The men were chatting happily, watching sports when Steph came back. Glancing over the two of them, her lips thinned and her eyes hardened. Even in the semi dark she had spotted the bruises on their arms, from blocking, and she did not look happy.

"I think the three of us need to have a talk."


SO... what do you think? Review and let me know!