A/N: Thanks for all the reviews, you guys rock!

I dropped the jar of peanut butter and froze, my eyes trained on the gun in the guy's hand. My arms instantly went to my stomach to shield the baby from harm. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the man behind the register slowly slip his hand under the counter. I prayed it was to press the red button that calls the cops like the ones they always have on TV.

"This is a hold up," Gun Guy said.

A hold up? That has got to be the worst line in history. I looked up and saw carrot red hair from under the guy's hood. My eyes widened as recognition hit me. It was Gary Collins, the skip I had that I had thrown up on months ago when I went skip chasing with Lula. The one that got arrested for holding up a convenience store and went FTA. I remembered Lester telling me he had returned to Trenton after Ranger was released from the hospital.

"Against the wall, both of you!"

I was frozen on the spot, my feet refusing to obey my brain; the man behind the register took me by the arm and pulled me to the wall with him. This had to the one of the stupidest situations I'd gotten myself into in months. It proved that it isn't my job that gets me into trouble, it is just me in general. I was being held at gunpoint in a convenience store in the middle of the night whilst trying to buy peanut butter by a kid with carrot red hair and acne. But that was just it, he had a gun, and it was aimed at me, or worse yet, my stomach.

Ranger would come. When he realised I hadn't returned he'd come and help me. Help us. I didn't want Collins to get away; I had to find someway of stalling him until the cops arrived without putting the baby or myself at further risk. I didn't think he'd actually shoot me, but it wasn't worth the risk.

"Hey, I remember you," he said, lowering the gun slightly and heading towards the cash register. He opened it and emptied the contents into a brown bag. "You're that bitch that threw up on me," his cold, empty eyes moved to my huge stomach. "Oh," I could hear the evil smile in his voice. "That's why."

My arms formed a protective cocoon around the baby. I could feel him kick, like he knew he was in danger…like he was aware of his surroundings.

Collins cast a quick glance outside and then back at me. "You put me in jail."

I shook my head. "You put yourself in jail," great idea, Steph. Argue with the guy with the gun. I couldn't help it, fighting back was a natural response for me.

"You were the one that got me arrested. You and that fat black bitch," he spat. I felt anger rise in me. "Do you have any idea what jail is like? They put you in filthy clothes, give you slop and crap to eat, and the cops sit around all day, just waiting to watch you go to the bathroom."

I heard the wail of sirens in the distance. He must have heard them to as he ran to the side of the door with his gun raised to avoid being seen. He had clearly watched way to many bad cop movies. The sirens got louder. I exchanged looks with the register man and then looked around for something I could defend myself with. The only obvious thing was the broken glass from the jar I had dropped, but it was small and too far away for me to reach.

I took deep breaths to try and calm myself down and stop myself from having a panic attack. "You called the cops," Collins was looking like he was starting to panic. He wasn't the only one. "Don't move, or I put a bullet through your stomach."

I paled and resisted the urge to throw up again. If anything happened to the baby I would never forgive myself, so I didn't move a muscle and waited for the cops to arrive. I felt like I had been in the store for hours, but probably it was only a few minutes.

Seconds later I heard Joe's voice. "Come out with your hands up!"

I mentally sighed. I guess they have to say these things, even though they know they won't work. Panic flashed in Collins' eyes from underneath the mask he was wearing. Mine probably looked the same. I resisted the urge to look up and ask, Why me? Just because I was going to become a mother didn't mean I had to turn into my mother. Oh God, what was she going to say when she heard about this. Lily Martinez's daughter doesn't get held at gunpoint in convenience stores, so why did Ellen Plum's daughter have to?

"I have hostages. You try to come in, I'll kill them," he called out through the glass doors. "The pregnant bitch dies first."

"Stephanie!"

I felt a wave of relief rush through me at hearing Ranger's voice. "We're OK," I called back, my voice sounded shaky.

I imagined the scene outside. Cops and Merry Men with guns drawn waiting to move in. Paramedics and fire trucks because since I was involved people automatically expected something to blow up or catch fire. That was what I was hoping for anyway.

The register man's name tag read Brian. He looked at Gary. "Please, put the gun down. We can talk about this," he took a step forward and Collins fired a shot. Everything seemed to go in slow motion and I wrapped my arms tighter around my stomach, trying to do anything to protect my unborn son. The bullet hit me in the arm and I cried out in pain. I stared at him in shock, afraid to even breathe. My arm was throbbing and dark red blood dripped through my shirt and onto the ground.

"Cupcake!"

"I'm OK," my eyes looked over at Brian. I used my hand to cover the fresh wound and try to stop the bleeding. Our eyes met and I gave him a small nod, letting him know that I was all right. I just prayed the baby was.

"Is there a first aid kit here?" I asked softly, trying to keep the tears in check. Brian pointed towards the desk.

He looked at Collins, who shook his head. "If she or her baby dies you could be put in jail for life," he said, leaving out the fact it was just a flesh wound and my life probably wasn't in any immediate danger. "It's just behind the desk."

Collins eventually said, "Hurry."

Brian dashed to get the kit, obviously looking for a weapon as he went. I guessed there was nothing at the desk, not even a penknife or a bottle of alcohol he could throw, as all he came back with was a green case. What ever happened to the huge, loaded shotgun that's always under the counter in the movies?

The first aid kit had nothing we could use either, so I let Brian wrap a bandage around my arm and gave him a small smile. I looked up at Collins, who was looking out the window, trying to hide from the cops, even though they obviously knew he was there. "If anything happens to my son," I spat at him, my voice cold and hard. "I'll kill you," or worse, I'd set Ranger on him.

I winced as a stabbing pain shot through my stomach. My heart started to pound harder in my chest than it already was and I tried to tell myself it was just nerves or fear. I mean, I still had ten days until was the baby was due, it was too early. I took another deep breath and willed myself to calm down. I heard yelling and I guessed Morelli and Ranger were barking orders at their men and Collins, but I didn't take anything in. Oh God, why do these things always happen to me? What had I done to deserve this. What had my son done to deserve this?

A few more minutes went by and another sharp pain stabbed my abdomen. I sunk to the floor, hoping I didn't let on. The last thing I needed was Collins knowing I was in pain. I hoped Ranger got in before it was too late.

Hold on sweetie, I thought, looking at my stomach. Please hold on, just a little longer.

"I have to go to the bathroom," I said once the pain had momentarily subsided.

Brian nodded. "It's at the back."

Collins cast a glance in the direction and kept his eyes on me, nodding slightly. I got off of the floor and shuffled over to the door. He had the gun trained on me as I walked, ready to kill us if I tired anything, which I wouldn't, I could hardly walk my legs were shaking so badly. There was no window, only a toilet, a sink and a mirror, things you'd expect to find in a bathroom. I didn't really need to use the bathroom; I just had to get away for as long as I could. I couldn't believe I could possibly have to deliver my baby boy here of all places. I wanted to give birth in the hospital, I wanted an epidural, I wanted a doctor, and I wanted Ranger.

Tears were falling down my cheeks, and not from the contractions. My son didn't deserve to be born into this, it wasn't fair, he was only a baby, and it wasn't his fault his mother was a complete idiot and forgot her gun. Again. I swore that when this was all over I would take my gun wherever I went. I looked at the white bandaged around my arm that hurt like a bitch. Blood was seeping through slowly and I wondered what the risk of infection was.

Then it hit me as another contraction ripped through my body. I was going to be a mommy! Oh my God, after six and a half months of knowing that I was carrying another life it had finally hit me that I was going to have a baby. Someone who was completely dependent on me for his survival – who had been for the last nine months. And I wasn't about to let him down now, when he needed me the most.

I took another deep breath and wiped the tears from my eyes. I had a quick look for a weapon but found nothing of use; there wasn't even a bar of soap or anything to break the mirror with. My bag was sitting in the car, although all that was in it was gum, hair spray, and a hair brush, nothing I could cause any real harm with. I reached under my shirt and palmed the silver heart shaped locket that I always wore, hoping to draw strength from it.

There was more yelling and I chose that moment to exit the bathroom. Another contraction hit and I realised that they were way to close together. I had to get to a hospital and fast. I tried to remember what they had said at those birthing classes I had attended, but my mind went blank. When this was over I wasn't going to eat peanut butter ever again. Well, maybe.

I ducked behind a shelf and looked at the scene in front of me. I registered Joe and Ranger's voices, but my heart was beating so hard I couldn't hear what they were saying. Gary Collins was obviously losing his cool and control of the situation. He had taken the mask off, beads of sweat dripped down his forehead.

I crouched down and picked up the biggest glass bottle I could find without Collins seeing me. I only had minutes until the next contraction painfully hit, so I moved between the small isles, trying to be as quite as I could. I could see blue and red light flashing from the cop cars and could feel the baby kicking. It was the strangest feeling. Being kicked from the inside, but I loved it. I loved him and I wasn't about to bring him into my mess. He deserved so much better.

In a way I guessed I was lucky. Most women often spend hours in labour with their first child. With the contractions as close together as they were now, I didn't think it would be too long before the baby made his appearance and entered the world. I just hoped Ranger would be there when he did.

Brian must have obviously seen me as he called Collins name, momentarily distracting him as I got as close to him as I dared. My hands were shaking; his gun was aimed between Brian's eyes and I took the chance to hit him over his head with the bottle as hard as I could. Lots of things than happened all at once. The bottle came into contact with Collins, he fired the gun, glass flew everywhere, and then he passed out, bleeding on the floor. Another searing pain stabbed through me and I collapsed onto my knees, clutching my stomach. I was almost afraid to look at Brian, but the bullet had hit his shoulder, he had lost his colour, but gave me a thumbs up and called out for the cops. There was more yelling and Ranger ran through the doors, gun raised. He took one look at my expression; dropped onto one knee, tossed his weapon aside and cupped my face in his hands.

"Babe," he breathed and kissed my hair.

I buried my head in his neck and wrapped an arm around his neck, never wanting to let go again.

"Steph," said Morelli, his gun trained on Collins still body and I was kind of hoping he would shoot him. Except cops hardly ever shoot anyone in real life.

"Go and help Brian," I said, looking at him slumped against the wall.

Joe nodded, obviously trusting Ranger to look after me and lead the paramedics in to help the man who had put his life on the line for the baby's and mine.

I looked back to Ranger, his dark brown eyes filled with concern and worry. "I have to get to the hospital," I cried, salty tears falling from my eyes. "The baby's coming."

I cried out in pain and gripped the front of his shirt as another contraction hit me in full force. He pulled me close to him and rubbed my back. "Breath Babe, I've got you," he whispered, stroking my hair. "I've got you."

Once the pain had subsided he scooped me up off of the floor and carried me towards the ambulance. I vaguely registered Lester, Bobby and Tank dragging an unconscious Gary Collins towards an SUV, obvious not caring if his head hit the rocks on the ground. He deserved it for the pain he had caused.

The ride to the hospital was a blur. I remember being asked questions, having various exams performed and explaining what had happened. Ranger stayed by my side, never once letting go of my hand. A medic worked on the wound on my arm, cleaning it and applying a fresh bandage.

"Is the baby going to be alright?" I whispered, my voice filled with panic.

One of hospital staff answered. "The baby's going to be fine, Ms Plum. Just try to relax."

Easy for you to say, I thought. Ranger squeezed my hand and kissed my sweaty forehead. "We're almost there."

He looked into my eyes and I could see the fear in them. I wondered if he was there for Julie's birth. I couldn't remember if I had ever asked. "Babe, I am so sorry."

But he didn't get any further than that as I cried out in pain as another contraction hit. I dug my nails into Ranger's hand, my knuckles turning white. He didn't even flinch, which was good, because if this kept up I'd break his hand. But it was his fault I was pregnant in the first place. It was his fault I was in pain and it was his fault I probably wouldn't get my epidural. He could have gone to get me peanut butter himself, but he had let me go by myself. The Merry Men don't call me Bombshell for nothing, he should have known that something was going to go wrong.

I felt it get very wet down there and liquid drip down my legs. "...I think my water just broke."

TBC