Disclaimer: The characters you recognize as J.E. are hers, and I am only borrowing them. There are several original characters that are mine, and I claim them as mine.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who review as guest as well as those of you who don't allow PMs. I love the reviews and want to tell you that I read and appreciate them all. Thank you all.

Spoilers: Anything from the books 1-12 might be used for the most part, but I won't rule out anything from all 19 of the books. Please note that the time-line for the books has been altered to fit the story, and people and incidents might have been added.

I would like to give a special thanks to Jenn from BCRU. She has been doing quotes from book 9, and the quote in the first chapter here is what gave me the idea for this story. Hope you enjoy. Thank you also to Dreemseeker for all your input as Beta. Thank you to the ladies at BCRU for answering my questions as well.

Chapter 14: Reassurances

Tank's POV:

Sitting in Ranger's apartment, I couldn't help letting my gaze stray to Little Girl as we ate the subs and pizza we'd had delivered. I noticed Santos and Brown were doing the same thing I was. When those elevator doors opened and I saw her lying on the floor of the elevator with Ranger on top of her trying to stem the flow of blood gushing out of her arm, I wanted to do physical damage to someone.

Brett called me and told me there might be someone hurt on the elevator and clued me into what happened. I was pissed these bastards brought this to our house. Leaving the floor and heading downstairs had taken all the discipline I'd accumulated in my years in the Rangers. My heart wanted to stay there until I knew Stephanie was going to be all right. Instead, I made my way downstairs to walk Brett through the routine of dealing with the police and piecing together what the hell had happened.

When I reached the lobby, I understood the storm of emotion that Brett was trying to keep from showing. He was mad as hell and at the same time, anxious. Probably because this was his first day on the job and he was worried he might have fucked up.

My glance went to the door and the sight that met my gaze was not what I was expecting. Blood smeared the glass from where it was obvious the poor bastard had his hands up above his head against the glass, all the way down. There was a single hole in the glass on the door where the bullet broke through.

Brett turned in my direction and moved over to my side. He stood at attention and at one point I thought he was going to salute me. He nodded slightly before saying, "Sir."

I looked over the scene before telling him, "Walk me through it."

His hands clenched, and he squared his shoulders, as if preparing himself for what was to come. "I noticed the figure approaching and was tracking him. He stopped and pulled his gun. I drew my weapon and took cover, then realized the boss and Miss Plum were his targets. He took aim and fired. Before I could act, it sounded like all hell was breaking lose outside and the shooter was plastered to the door as bullets riddled his body in rapid fire succession."

Brett shook his head and his gaze met mine. "There was a line of them across the street that opened fire with a range of weapons, but each held thirty round magazines and some were in holsters with multiple magazines. They emptied their weapons into the guy. Then a guy in a janitor suit swept up the spent casings and in seconds they were in their vehicles and moving out. They'd no more than pulled out and a new group of vehicles took their place.

He looked at me hesitantly for a moment and then lowered his voice. "Is there anything you'd like me to forget when I talk to the police."

I turned and fixed him with a steely stare. When he started fidgeting, I told him, "I'm not asking you to tell the police, or for that matter, not to tell them anything but the truth. I wouldn't volunteer any information though."

Our gazes locked and after several seconds, he nodded. "Understood. Tell them the truth and answer their questions."

I stayed with him while the police asked their questions. It'd been Morelli that knocked on the door. We went over and I pushed the door open so we could go out and join him. He was looking at the blood smeared door and the body that the medical examiner was kneeling beside.

I took a look at the dead man, and had to work hard to hide the surprise at the condition of the body. Whoever the man had been, he was unrecognizable due to the numerous rounds he'd taken to his body, including the head. Since he'd been shot in the back, the exit wounds were on the front side of his body and to say he looked like a piece of hamburger would be putting it mildly. He was missing a lot.

Morelli asked, "Any idea who it might be?"

I shook my head. There was no eye patch and we knew Tibet was sporting an eye patch. Although I might suspect Manchouser, I had no way of knowing, so I stayed quiet. Morelli motioned inside the building and asked, "Mind if we step inside a minute?"

"Fine by me." I told him, as I moved to lead the way into the lobby.

Morelli was looking around and his eyes zeroed in on a spot of splattered blood on the floor by the elevator. His eyes drilled into mine, "Who got hit?"

I met his gaze as I told him, "Stephanie took a hit to her left arm. It's a flesh wound but nicked an artery and she lost a lot of blood. She's upstairs getting worked on."

His hands clenched and I could see the struggle to keep his cop face in place. After several seconds he motioned to the door. "Who was on duty at the desk?"

I nodded to Brett. "Our new man here."

Morelli turned to him and shook his head, "Better get used to this if you're going to hang around Stephanie. What happened?"

Brett shook his head before lifting a shoulder. "I was tracking the dead guy as he approached. Suddenly, he stopped and pulled an AK-47 out and took a shot. I was getting ready to act when his body started jerking in place as he was hit by several rounds of ammo."

Morelli's eyes narrowed, "Did you see who did the shooting?"

Brett shook his head. "No."

Morelli moved his head from the left to right as if working out the kinks and asked, "Do you know who might have done the shooting."

Brett shook his head and responded. "I don't know who shot him."

Morelli looked around for a moment and then said, "Thanks for your time. If you think of anything useful, give me a call. Your boss knows how to get in touch with me."

Brett nodded. "I'll do that."

Morelli turned to me, "Let Ranger know I'd like a statement from him and Stephanie."

"I'll tell him, but you'll need to wait till Stephanie is feeling up to it." Was my answer.

"Understood."

We stood there silently until Morelli was gone and then Brett turned to me with narrowed eyes, "He didn't ask very many questions. It's like he already knew who did the shooting."

I turned to Brett and said, "We don't pay you to speculate on how the police handle an investigation. Are you able to finish out your shift?"

He straightened almost to attention and replied, "Yes, sir."

"At ease. Make sure you write up what happened as you saw it and what you told the police."

Brett nodded, "Yes, sir." As I started to go I heard, "Sir, is Miss Plum going to be okay?"

I turned back to him somberly and said, "I hope so. Probably. But nothing's guaranteed."

He swallowed hard. "Yes, sir."

I was suddenly aware the room was too quiet. I turned to look at the guys and saw they were all looking at me. I glared and softly demanded, "What?"

Lester's eyes got wide and I knew he was just busting to make a comment. Fortunately for him he kept his fucking mouth shut.

Brown on the other hand was trying to hide a smile as he said, "Gotta be more aware of your surroundings, big guy."

The only thing saving him from a belt in the mouth was the soft laughter coming from Stephanie. I turned back to see her smiling at us and forgot all about Brown's antics. I smiled and said, "Glad to see you awake, Little Girl. How're you doing?"

She grimaced. "I'm feeling a bit better now that I've eaten. I didn't think flesh wounds hurt this bad."

Bobby was in motion and checking the bandage to make sure it hadn't started bleeding again. He opened his bag and held up a bottle of pills. "I can give you a couple of these if you'd like, Bomber."

She hesitated. "I don't want to be out of it. Do you have something that would take the edge off, yet still let me stay in control?"

He looked around in his bag and came up with another bottle. She nodded and he shook two out for her. She used the pop still in her cup and swallowed them down. Once she'd taken them she sat back against the love seat and smiled. "Thanks, Bobby. Any idea of what happened to Manchouser?"

My eyes narrowed. "Is that who you saw at the door?"

She nodded somberly, "Yes. That's a face I'll never forget."

"You won't be seeing him around again then. He took several rounds."

She grimaced. "I should be sorry. I mean he was a human being and he lost his life, but..."

Ranger rested his hand on her knee and rubbed her leg slowly. She turned to him and the love in their eyes was beautiful to see, I felt the warmth from it clear across the room. He spoke softly so only she could hear. I knew by the widening of her eyes, he'd asked her a question. Understanding dawned on her and she nodded. He winked at her and her cheeks heated.

I turned to see Santos and Brown were similarly affected by seeing the two of them together. I stood, knowing it was time to let them be alone. They didn't need an audience any longer and we'd gotten the reassurance we needed that she was truly going to be okay.

Rene's POV:

I led Connie to our apartment and then sat her on the sofa to rest while I fixed us a meal. Being the owner of a restaurant bar and grill, I had several specialty dishes I had mastered. I looked in the fridge to see what ingredients we had on hand. I quickly gathered what I needed and made an Italian beef and mushroom sandwich with a medley of cheeses blended into a sauce that tied the whole thing together. I added a romaine and spinach salad with a special peanut sauce dressing as a side dish. I carried the sandwiches and salads as well as drinks and utensils into the living room where I'd left Connie, and set everything up on the coffee table.

I was pleased when she'd taken her first bite and her eyes closed as she chewed with a look of enjoyment on her face. Once her mouth was empty she looked over at me and asked, "Where did you learn how to make these? It's the best sandwich I've ever tasted."

I grinned. "I own several restaurant bars. This is one of our main dishes."

Her eyes widened. "Just how many is several?"

I winked at her. "Seven right now. I'm looking for number eight."

She looked suddenly scared and set her sandwich down. I put my own dish down and knelt down in front of her, taking her hands in mine I asked, "What's wrong, Connie?"

She shook her head. "You obviously have money. I'm just a working girl."

I placed a finger over her lips and gave her a stern look. "Don't go there. I'm not a snob. Neither is my family. I'm thirty-five years old, if I'd wanted a spoiled princess wife, I'd have married one."

There was a look of pain in her eyes as she said, "But don't you see? You were drugged…"

I let her get no further. I covered her mouth with mine and let the passion I felt inside for her speak for me. We were both breathing hard when the kiss ended. "Trust me when I say I married you because I fell in love with you. Nothing else would have made me act in such a manner. Yes, Tibet drugged my drink. It may have loosened the inhibitions, but not the person I am. I love you, Connie. I'm very happy you are my wife. I'm just sorry I have no memory of our night together or the wedding."

I placed my hand over where our child grew. "I must admit to you that I have dated someone since."

When she went to protest, I placed my mouth once again over hers. When the kiss ended, I said, "Let me finish. I dated this woman at my father's request. She held no interest for me and nothing would have come from it. I just wanted you to know so you wouldn't be hurt if someone else mentions it."

Her eyes teared up. She nodded and said, "All right, Rene. I'll trust what you say. You're happy then? About the marriage and the baby?"

I smiled. "Happier than I've ever been. My mother and cousins are going to love you. It might take a bit longer, but my father will come to love you as well. I'll call them in the morning and invite my mother to the party. My father won't stand a chance."

She smiled shyly, endearing her even more in my heart. I teased her into trying more of the food I'd made and she managed to eat a good bit more before declaring she was full. I discarded the leftovers and set the dishes to soak, that done I rejoined my bride. She was sleeping on the sofa and I smiled with all the emotion I was feeling inside clear for anyone that was looking. I moved forward and lifted my wife into my arms and carried her through to the bedroom.

Second Unknown POV:

I had no more than gotten home and my landline started ringing. I rushed to unlock the door so I could answer it and just managed to lift the receiver to my ear in time. "Hello?"

I recognized the voice on the other end immediately. "I need you to come home to Trenton. There have been some developments, and I need you where I can ensure your safety."

"But, papa, my work is here."

"Tell them you need a vacation, or that a family member is sick—just come home, now. It's the only way I can ensure your safety. I can't lose you as well as the rest. It would destroy me."

I sighed. All right. I'll come home. I'll be there sometime tomorrow."

"Good. See you then."

I heard the dial tone and sighed as I replaced the receiver. I moved over to the window and looked out. I felt a tear fall onto my cheek as I looked absently at the scene outside the window. I came here twelve years ago hoping to give my grandfather revenge. I wasn't able to do so because I had the misfortune to fall in love with the enemy. It was love at first sight on my part. We had dated for several months and then he told me who he was and what his position was in the family. I told him it wouldn't work and forced myself to stop seeing him.

There hadn't been a day that passed that I didn't regret that decision. But we came from opposite sides of a war that took place eighteen years ago, and I couldn't hurt my grandfather like that. I was the only one left from this side of the family. My mother had already betrayed him and I couldn't do the same.

I'll never forget that day. I was just five years old and she left me with an old man I didn't even know. I stood there shaking at the venom in her voice as she told her father she hated him for making her marry that bastard—meaning my father. I stood there listening to her spew her hatred as she gloated how she'd made a deal with his old friend Drago Bianchi to break up his son's relationship with a Rosolli. And how did he like it that she'd spoiled his chances of having a merger with the Rosolli family. She'd continued to tell him everything she'd done to achieve that.

I squeezed myself as far as I could into that corner. I was scared. Scared because she said she was going to leave me with him and scared she might change her mind and continue to torment me. I smelled urine and knew I'd wet myself again. No matter how much it enraged her, when she was like this I couldn't help it. Oh God! What would I do if the old man locked me away like she always did?

Her face was like in my nightmares. She looked so angry, like when she would hit my father. Like that night when the police came with the ambulance that took him away. I didn't understand why they covered his face. Didn't they know he wouldn't be able to breathe? I cowered in the corner then too—as I listened to her tell the police she didn't know what happened. He was like that when she came home.

I closed my eyes and fought to put the memories back in the closet of my mind where they belonged. It'd been twenty-five years since I'd seen my mother. I knew she couldn't hurt me anymore, she'd been killed by a hit and run driver when I was eight.

I pulled out my cell phone and called my boss. It was bittersweet to hear his voice. I told him the lie that my grandfather was ill and needed me. He assured me I could have as much time as I needed. It wasn't till I disconnected the call that I felt the wetness on my cheeks. I wiped the tears away and went to pack a few things. I wasn't sure how long I would be gone. Or for that matter, if I was even coming back.