So I almost didn't get this chapter out. I was fighting a block the entire way and if I don't get the next chapter out by the end of the week, that's why. I'm going to do my hardest to work through it (that's where I stopped the chapter where I did- and I'm sorry, but I work better this way!) and get another one out soon.

I also thought you deserved a long chapter (that and it worked out to be extra long today)! Don't expect them all to be long, but I am trying to lengthen them overall in my future stories.

I'm not a doctor, I don't pretend to be and I don't think I would survive residency to become one. So any medical mistakes in this chapter is all on me because 1. I've never broken a body in my entire life (knock on wood) and I have no idea how long it takes these breaks to heal. 2. (obviously) I'm not a doctor so I have NO idea whatsoever and 3. I'm just to lazy to look it up. So instead of cringing at my mistakes, please have a hearty chuckle at my expense.

Not mine, but I totally wish it was!

Warning: Smut (okay, who called it? lol.) Adult themes ahead. If you can't handle it, don't read the story. I have now given fair warning.

Ranger's POV

Over the next few months, I was slowly progressing. Unfortunately, not fast enough for the woman sharing my bed every night.

"I don't understand why we can't, Ranger." Stephanie said, one night. "I mean, you're almost completely healed."

"The doctor said…"

"I don't care what he said! I'm horny now."

I smiled. "Babe."

"What? I have needs, Ranger. And if you don't fulfill them soon, I'm going to have to take matters into my own hands."

I hardened at the thought of Stephanie pleasuring herself. It would be fucking beautiful.

Her eyes flicked down. "I see you like that thought too."

"Of course I do. I'm a man."

She rolled her eyes while rolling onto her back. "Men." She huffed. "I swear, that doctor is out to make me suffer too!"

"The only one suffering here is me."

"Hey!" She gently smacked my chest.

I frowned. I knew she hit harder than that. "Babe, it's okay."

Turning onto her side, she said. "What?"

"I'm not going to break if you smack me harder than that."

"I know," she said in a small voice.

I grabbed her hand and kissed it. "You've been a great help, Babe. Remember that you don't need to handle me with kid gloves."

She bent her head. "I know that. I'm just afraid…"

"I'm not going anywhere and you won't break anything. I'm indestructible." I joked, trying to get her to smile.

Her head shot up and I could see the fire in her eyes. "Don't joke. Don't you dare joke about that."

"Babe, I…"

"You're not invincible. You'd like me to think you are, but I know you're not. You have no idea what it's like when doctor after doctor comes in, checks you out and tells you the same thing; that if you woke up, you wouldn't be Ranger. I was scared. More scared than I've ever been in my entire life.

"You pushed me away with all the Batman crap and I let you do it, so that's my fault, but what you don't know is that I didn't fall in love with the persona you show to the world. I fell in love with you. Carlos. So cut the crap, and don't bring that up again."

"I'm so sorry, Babe. I had no idea."

She nodded once, but didn't speak.

"Babe, please don't be mad at me." I said, cuddling her to my chest. "I had no idea that it was so hard for you."

"I'm sorry I snapped." She sighed. "It's not easy. Every day, helping you, it's a constant reminder of how close I came to losing you. To marrying Joe and never letting you know how I felt. It would've sucked."

"You have no idea…" I replied, thinking of the ring tucked away safely in the safe. Now I felt like an ass. Making her help, reminding her…

"Don't think like that." She said, pulling my face towards hers. "I can see it in your eyes. I came here to help you. If you hadn't asked, you'd have to remove me with a crowbar to get me to leave. I love you and I'll always help you. Even if you don't want my help."

I smiled softly. "Good to know."

She brought her lips to mine in a gentle kiss. She tried to take it farther, but I pulled back.

Stephanie shrugged. "Doesn't hurt for a girl to try."

"Babe."

"Looking at your x-rays, everything's healed very nicely." The doctor told me a few weeks after my encounter with Horny Stephanie. She's taken to eating more sweets.

While walking on the treadmill.

"This way, the calories won't have time to settle and I won't grow as big as a house." She'd told me.

I wasn't going to say that even if she was as big as a house, Stephanie would still be a knockout to me. She might get ideas.

"I'm very pleased." He continued.

"Does this mean I can go back to work?" I asked hopefully. I was growing bored sitting in the office all day doing paperwork.

The doctor paused. "I'd rather you didn't."

Say what now?

"I want to give it a couple more weeks. To make sure your bones are fully healed.

"But…"

"Mr. Manoso, I've been doing my job for over thirty-five years. I've seen patients who go to work straight away come back a few days later with worse breaks. From what I hear, you're a bounty hunter. That can be a very strenuous job for the body. I'm just airing on the side of caution here."

I must have looked crestfallen because he sighed.

"Let me make you a deal."

I perked. I'm very good with deals.

"You can go back to work, only if you take it easy. I'm talking about maybe working in the field with a one case instead of your usual load of cases."

"I can do that." I gently eased off the table.

"And try not to get into any fist fights."

"I'll try."

"Take extra men with you as well. No need to go with only one guy where there's a better chance of you getting injured again."

"Fine."

He stuck out his hand. "I really hope I don't see you soon, Mr. Manoso."

I took his hand. "Me either."

He chuckled and I left the office. Hal was waiting for me in the parking garage.

"Let's go." I said, hopping into the passenger side.

He started the truck and we were off.

Ten minutes later, I was racing to the elevator, with Hal tight on my heels.

"Do you think you should…" I shot him a glare and he stopped. I pushed five for him, and seven for me. Hal got off and nodded once my way.

"Hey boss," Lester said, getting into the elevator with me. "No casts. Good news?"

I sighed. "Yes, Santos."

He looked at me and grinned. "Hot date?"

I raised an eyebrow.

"Your foot's tapping."

I looked down. Damn, it was. I stopped it.

"So?"

"I'm sure Bombshell will love to hear the good news."

"Can it, Santos."

"I'm just saying. God knows she's been walking around this office like a wild woman. I thought she was going to tackle me and rip my clothes off yesterday!"

"Did you get on this elevator just to annoy me?"

"Isn't that my job?"

The doors opened and I jumped out. Lester laughed.

"Get a new hobby, Santos."

"On it, boss!" He saluted me as the doors closed.

If he wasn't my cousin…

Nevermind. I have more important things to do. I opened the door and called in. "Babe?"

There was no answer, but I could hear the shower running.

Perfect.

I quickly made my way to the bathroom, shedding my clothes as I went. I opened the door to the most delicious scene in my entire life.

Stephanie. Naked. In my shower.

I opened the door, putting my hands on the shower stall next to her shoulders, giving her no way to escape.

"Miss me?" I asked, placing opened mouthed kisses on the back of her neck.

"More than you know." She replied. Quickly, she spun in my arms. "No casts."

I shook my head.

"You can go back to work now?"

"I'm starting slow, but at least it's a start."

"Good." She smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Babe… What's wrong?"

She shook her head. "Nothing. Why should anything be wrong?"

"Babe, talk to me."

"There's nothing we need to talk about. I'm happy for you." She kissed me gently and pulled her head back.

"Does this mean…?"

I smiled. "I think you have ESP too, Babe."

She returned my smile and brought my head back down to hers. I grasped her hip with my left hand, leaving the right on the wall.

"No," I gasped, breaking our kiss.

"You know, I hate you right now."

I smiled again. "Just changing the venue, Babe, not the act."

"Good. Because you know what bullets look like?"

Intrigued by what she was going to say next, I said, "yeah?"

"Well, imagine one in your ass. Because that's where I'll put one if you don't get inside me soon."

"Duly noted." I grabbed her hand and pulled her into the bedroom.

"Ranger, I'm all wet! I'll get the sheets all wet too and it'll be gross."

"I don't care about the sheets, Babe." I said, tossing her onto the bed. She tried to get up, but I was immediately on top of her.

"Mmm, you're warm." I said, nuzzling my face in her neck, breathing in her scent.

Stephanie said nothing, but continued to pant.

I smiled and kissed my way down her body, admiring each dip and curve. When I made it to her hips, I gently nudged them further apart, admiring the beauty that was purely Stephanie.

I leaned down, breathed in her scent, and moaned. Spreading her lips more, I gently licked her. Once, twice, harder each time; her hips pushing off the bed.

"Patience, Babe." I said. I wanted to take it slow, to repay her what she did for me in the hospital.

She snorted. "Like I know the meaning of that word."

I kissed her clit and smiled. "Well then I'll teach it to you."

I nibbled and licked at her core until she was on the edge, only to back off. And when she had come down, to start the torturous process all over again.

"God, I hate you right now!" She cursed at me for not letting her come again.

I nuzzled her neatly trimmed curls. "Good things come to those who wait."

"Haven't I waited long enough?" She complained.

I shrugged, knowing it would make her angrier.

"Next time, I'm doing this myself."

I smiled again and went back to work. I licked her core and lapped at her clit, while thrusting my fingers inside her.

"Jesus." She moaned, her back bowing.

And this time, I didn't stop. I continued to thrust my fingers and licking at her clit until she came apart. As she came down, I gently licked her clean of her juices.

She smiled at me. "Mmm, that was well worth the wait."

"Didn't I tell you?" I asked, thrusting myself into her core.

Her hips arched into mine and we groaned at the feeling. I started off slow, working myself gently into her body and giving it time to adjust. Stephanie's nailed scratched down my back, signaling she was ready for more.

I gave a harder thrust and she moaned louder.

I thrusted harder and began to circle her clit with my finger. She moaned louder and her eyes fluttered shut.

"Look at me." I growled. "I want to see you when you come."

Her eyes opened, but were barely focused. It made me smile internally that I could make her forget the world around her.

My thrusts picked up the pace and it wasn't long until she was screaming my name, her muscles clenching and milking me for all I had. I gave a few more thrusts and felt my release, which sent Stephanie off again.

I rolled to my side, bringing her with me, and nuzzling my face in her neck.

"Mmm," she sighed. "That was good."

"Yeah, it was perfect."

"Mm," she giggled a little this time. Sighing once more, she drifted off to sleep.

I woke a few hours later to Stephanie trying to get out of bed.

"What are you doing?" I mumbled.

"Going home." She replied. "Go back to sleep."

"Why?"

Realizing what I was asking, she replied, "You don't need my help anymore. I'll see you soon."

I woke up a little when I heard the sadness in her voice. Did she really think I was going to kick her out now that I was all healed?

"Ranger, let me go." She said when I tightened my grip on her waist.

"No. Stephanie, stay. Move in with me."

She stopped fidgeting and her mouth fell open.