Sorry about the long wait; my five year old forbade me to write on vacation! I'll try to have another chapter up before the weekend. Thanks again for the wonderful reviews, and please keep them coming, they make my day!

This chapter is a response to Liz's Jerry Springer Challenge on RE. :)

The meeting was interesting. We met with the restaurant manager, the bar manager, and the talent manager. The first two were perfectly nice; the third guy had my spidey sense on overload before I even shook his hand. He was supposedly in charge of booking bands and DJ's and such, but he didn't seem to know much about music. As soon as Lester came to escort them out, Ranger and Tank turned to me.

"What do you think Babe?"

"Well, the talent guy isn't what he says he is, but other than that it was fine. I do have a question though. Why aren't we meeting with the owner too?"

Tank frowned. "What do you mean he isn't what he says? Silvio did the backgrounds on these guys and everything was fine."

"I don't know about his background I just know he has no idea how to deal with booking. He didn't even know that most bands have riders. That's not something you can just explain by him being new at his job."

I watched as Rangers expression changed to recognition and Tanks to confusion. He looked back and forth between us, realizing I'm sure that Ranger understood. I took pity on him and explained. "A rider is a list of things that the venue is supposed to provide for the band on top of what they're being paid to perform. You know, like what kind of food and drink to have in the back room. Some more famous bands ask for ridiculous things, but the bands around here probably just want to have the right kind of beer."

"Oh, like that Van Halen thing with the M & Ms."

I nodded. Rangers mouth was tipped up into that almost smile. "The owner is coming in from New York City next week. We do security for a few of his clubs there, that's why he called us for this. He thinks something is amiss with his management team and asked me to meet with them. During the first meeting something was bothering me about them, but I couldn't put my finger on it. Good catch with the booker, Babe."

I shrugged. "I knew before he even opened his moth that something was hinky, it just took me a while to figure out what it was."

Tank held the conference room door open and motioned us through. "We'd better take off if we want to get to Pino's first. Gazarra said they'd be there at noon."

We took the Cayenne to Pino's and of course, Ranger found a spot right in front. I sighed and moved to open my door. A warm mocha hand covered mine. "Whats wrong Babe? You don't have to do this if you're not ready."

"Ranger," I smiled and leaned to kiss him softly. "I'm fine, really, I just realized we might be a little over dressed for Pino's."

I slipped out of the car and smoothed my skirt. Tank had already gone inside and was sitting at a table in the back. For once his back was to the door; I paused and tried to raise an eyebrow at him. I think he got the point because he laughed and motioned for me to sit next to Ranger.

"I'm pretty sure he'd rather sit next to you, Bomber. Besides, I can see in the mirror behind you." He smirked when I rolled my eyes.

The front door opened and Joe and Eddie came in. Looks like we got here just in time. I zoned out while the waitress drooled over Tank and glared at me when Ranger ignored her. I was shooting looks at Eddie every now and then, but he was studiously ignoring them. Guess I was on my own. After the waitress left I sighed and offered a weak smile to Ranger and Tank. Here goes nothing.

I made my way towards their table and stopped a few feet short. "Hey Eddie, Joe. Mind if I join you for a minute?"

Eddie nodded and stood to let me slide in. Joe just sat there, glaring over my shoulder, oh boy. I chatted with Eddie for a few minutes, catching up on the family gossip. He excused himself to the restroom and I figured it was time to stop procrastinating. "Joe, I think we need to talk. There're some things that need to be straightened out between us. Do you think we can do that without screaming at each other?"

He sighed and lifted his head for the first time since I sat down. "Sure, why not. I have to ask though, whats with the outfit? Manoso to good for jeans?"

It was my turn to sigh. "Actually, we just got out of a meeting. But that's not what I want to talk about. I'm sorry I was so bitchy with you the other night, but you almost blew a job. I wasn't just having a girls' night, I was working."

He snorted. "I'd hardly call acting like a tramp working. If you think for a second I'll tolerate you pretending to be Santos' playmate when were married you're sadly mistaken." I watched the color rise in his face as he went on, so much for not causing a scene.

"First of all Joe, we'll never be married. I told you, were over. I can't take all the fighting and cheatin'-"

"Oh like you weren't sleeping with that spic!"

I sighed, shaking my head at him. "First, don't ever speak like that about someone I care about. And second, I never slept with Ranger while we were together. Let me ask you something. Why did you cheat?"

He dropped his head into his hands and gave a defeated sigh. "I was sick and tired of people at the station asking what it was like being with Manoso's mistress. I figured if you were so obvious about being with Manoso behind my back, what the hell. I should have known after the dick's betrayal that you'd never do that to someone else. I guess I just believed what I wanted to to ease my own guilt."

I gave him a weak smile and sighed. "I don't think it would have made much of a difference either way. I had already decided to end it; I was tired of the back and forth. We just aren't looking for the same thing Joe."

He nodded as Eddie came back to the table. "I know you're right, Steph. Its just going to take some time to get used to. I'm sorry about the other night too; I should have listed to Eddie and Carl and just gone home. So let me ask you something now. Are you and Manoso really together?"

I nodded, not quite able to contain the goofy smile. "Yeah, we are, but were trying to keep it fairly quiet at least until this job is over."

He mumbled something and returned his gaze to his plate. Eddie slung an arm around my shoulder and gave me a cheeky smile. "Are you worried Williams will lose interest if he thinks you're lovers?"

I slugged him playfully and laughed. "Stuff it, Eddie. And yes, it is a concern. He already knows I work for Ranger, and that doesn't seem to worry him, but who knows. He followed me home last night-"

Joe's head snapped up some time during the conversation and he cut me off. "Someone please tell me you're not talking about Harlan Williams?"

Ranger and Tank were making their way towards us at this point and I saw Ranger tense. His gaze was focused on the door and Tank was mumbling into his phone. I glanced over my shoulder and about choked. Williams had just stepped in the door. I turned back and placed my hand over Joe's on the table. "Please Joe, don't ruin this. I know you don't believe I'm capable of doing my job, but for once please don't make it harder."

I nudged Eddie out of the booth as Ranger and Tank came up next to him. I made a face at Joe, hoping he'd know to play along. "I'm serious Morelli, back off. Ive already told Eddie if this keeps up I'm going to the captain."

He gave me an arrogant smile and shrugged. "Whatever, you'll back, you always are."

Eddie leaned across the table and knocked him upside the head as Ranger grabbed my arm to stop me from lunging at Joe. "You're a pig Joe!"

Ranger put a hand on the small of my back and nudged me towards the door, and right past Williams. "Babe, you're on Rangeman's time. I don't think getting arrested for assaulting an officer would do anything to further our relationship with the department." I could hear the amusement in his voice and shot him a dirty look.

I glanced up as we headed out the door and noticed Williams watching me. Tank slung an enormous arm over my shoulder and added. "Really Bombshell, you get cuffed and well never make it to the office."

I sighed. Well, at least that talk was over. I think Joe and I might actually be able to be friends in the long run. I noticed as I slid into the front seat of the Cayenne that Tank had disappeared.

"Lester came and got him, Babe. I told you, I'm yours for the rest of the weekend."

"But what about Williams?"

Ranger snorted. Yes, actually snorted! "Babe, he doesn't stand a chance of following us, and if he's as smart as they say, he wont even try. He'll pick you up again at home or the office."

I nodded. I could feel the tension leave my body. "Okay, where to Batman?"

He shot me a wolf grin and turned towards the turnpike. "The bat cave of course..."

Word count 1640 without authors note.