AN: I guess we are slowly coming to an end for this little tale. I would guess it'll be only two or three more chapters after this. I finally got hit by inspiration in regards of Steph's future job and have to admit I was surprised why I didn't come up with it sooner. Also...I did actually research the requirements and if anyone wants to do the same... I'm interpreting them slightly... flexible :) Thanks to everyone for your continious patience with this story.

The night had ended around eleven, with Ranger dropping me off at my doorstep.

I had barely closed the door, before I wondered whether staying back here in Savannah was really my smartest idea. It certainly didn't feel like it right now. But then again, thinking about going ? Given I was quite ok at my job, but I could do without the weirdos I went after or the constant panic I might not get enough FTAs to make rent. Working for Ranger was technically getting rid of both issues, but I was also quite certain I wasn't cut out for a life behind a desk all day long. But I couldn't really get in the field since that would make me a liability and I knew that the guys RangeMen went after weren't people with petty crimes.

I really needed to think about that and I needed to think about it soon. But not tonight. Tonight I needed my bed.

I felt something tickling my nose. Swatting away whatever it was, I didn't seem to be successful since the tickling started a moment later once more.

Opening my eyes, I was surprised to see Ranger standing next to my bed.

"Ranger?" I asked sleepily and confused. I caught a glance at the clock on my bedside table and let out a groan. "What are you doing here? Is everything alright?"

"I forgot something," he almost whispered, for which I was grateful. Seeing it was shortly before five and I wasn't even really awake.

"What could you possibly have forgotten?" I asked, wrecking my brain whether something important – like his ID or similar – had slipped into my purse last night.

Instead of an answer I felt his hands pull me up in a sitting position and a moment later his lips touched mine. Well, I certainly was awake now!

It started as a gentle kiss, like testing and moved quickly into almost a fight for dominance.

"That's what I forgot," he said after several minutes of heated kissing. "A goodnight kiss. Well… seeing that it is morning, I guess it's goodnight and good morning rolled into one," he went on.

I couldn't help but smile. This was actually kind of cute, though I figured Ranger would have no desire of being associated with cute.

A moment later I felt his lips once more on mine. It was only short this time though.

"And that's goodbye," he said, letting go of me. "Unless you want to come with me…" he suggested cautiously.

His comment lingered in the air for a moment, before I sighed and shock my head.

"A part of me wants to go and follow you back to Trenton. But… I think I need a bit more time. Not that much more But I still need to make up my mind about what I'll do once I'm back…"

"My offer still stands…" he suggested and I knew he'd say that.

"I'll think about it," I said, biting my lip and I saw he didn't quite believe me. Not that I blamed him.

He nodded briskly, accepting my answer – not that he had much choice – and after another few moments he was gone and I could go back to sleep. Theoretically. But I was wide awake now and didn't see myself falling asleep anytime soon.

So I might as well start with my thinking and laying out plans for what I'd be doing in the future. I knew I was doing okay at being a BEA but I also knew being okay was maybe not enough. And I didn't know whether training would make me better. The training or rather physical stuff wasn't the issue. Seeing that I didn't go after guys that were life threatening, my issues were rather with myself. My spontaneous way would eventually probably get me killed. And if it wasn't that, it would be my curiosity. Though, my curiosity was also what might have helped find one or two of my FTAs.

And all of a sudden an idea hit me. Since I was already wide awake I swung out of bed, grabbed my laptop and powered it up. I needed to do some research on what was required for me new possible job. About ten minutes into googling what I thought could maybe be a great choice jobwise I realized I had almost everything I needed to get licensed.

I would probably need a bit of Ranger in regards of proof or recommendations and for once I actually was glad I stuck with bounty hunting for all these years. Working for Vinnie and ranger would work out great for me now. I knew Ranger wouldn't mind giving me a reference and Vinnie probably needed a bit of persuasion. But at first glance I had everything I really needed already. Except for asset of fingerprints, but I figured these would be no obstacle whatsoever.

The more I thought about my new job the better I liked it. I could still do what I did best – or rather at what I was good at – without having the threat of being shot or being a liability for Ranger. I had less lunatics to go after, which would sooth my mother and ultimately me or anyone who did care for me for that matter. I still could maintain my flexible hours and had no actual schedule to keep. This… would be great. Hopefully. All in all this was a win-win situation and I was almost certain I'd be finding plenty of clients very quickly. Now all I needed was an office – and a sign. Shiny, brass, low-key.

Stephanie Plum, P.I.!

And didn't that already almost sound like some kickass TV show, or what

tbc...