Stephanie's hotel room, just after dawn

Stephanie cracked her eyes open. Seeing that it was just starting to get light out, she mentally checked herself over. Let's see, I don't have to pee. I don't have a headache or hangover. Nothing seems to hurt. I do seem rather on the warm side, wonder if I am sick? Suddenly realizing she wasn't in the bed alone, she inhaled in panic. Recognizing Ranger's unique scent, which was a combination of Bulgari and the warm male scent of his skin, she relaxed. The memory of Ranger kissing her and whispering Forever into her ear made her smile. Cautiously turning over in bed, she took a moment to observe Ranger. This was the first time she had ever had a chance to watch him while he slept. Normally, even if he appeared to be resting, he was always attuned to everything around him. Now though, he was completely relaxed and unaware. Dang, women would kill to have his eye lashes. Reaching out to touch his shoulder, she leaned in closer. Gently caressing his warm skin, she lightly kissed him. "Wake up Ranger."

Ranger slowly opened his eyes. When the first thing he saw was his Babe's beautiful blue eyes a smile to rival the brightness of the noon sun crossed his face. "Morning Babe" he said as he brought his hand up to tuck a curl behind her ear. "I love you." As a smile to rival his lit up her face, he moved in to kiss her. Minutes passed as they were lost in each other. When a knock sounded, Ranger broke off the kiss and groaned. "Who the hell is it?"

Tank laughed "Man, we need to hit the road and get back to Trenton. You and Bomber will have plenty of time to get busy once you get back." He picked the lock and opened the door. Stephanie shrieked and dove under the bed covers. A muffled voice sounded from under them "Tank damnit, I am naked under here. Get out so I can jump Ranger…I mean get dressed." Tank walked into the room like he was planning to get comfortable but changed his mind when Ranger grabbed his gun. "Okay, but you have twenty minutes before I come back. Boss, normally I wouldn't push but Vince called again and said that the cops are going to be putting out a warrant for you. We need to get this taken care of."

Hearing that, Stephanie popped out from under the covers like a prairie dog. "What do you mean a warrant for Ranger's arrest? What the hell has gotten into the Trenton PD? Have they lost their collective minds?" As Tank stood there stunned, Ranger pulled the sheet up over Stephanie's breasts. "Babe, I really don't want to have to shoot Tank. Next time, try and stay covered up." She blushed but still glared at Tank.

"Um Bomber, I…um…" shaking his head like a wet dog and blinking furiously, Tank continued "This woman accused Ranger of beating her up so now the Trenton PD is going to arrest him. Vince said that Zero and Manny found a witness that saw Ms Cohen leave after Ranger and she was completely fine. So I don't know what the hell is going on and Vince doesn't have a clue either."

Steph pulled the sheet out from the end of the bed and wrapped it around herself like a sarong as she got out of bed. "Tank, call the airport and get us the first flight out of Memphis that gets us to New Jersey as soon as possible. Call Rangeman and have them meet the plane. Have Vince call Ranger's lawyer to meet us at Trenton PD. And I hate to ask but could you drive the car back to Trenton. I borrowed it from Dougie and Mooner and need to get it back to them. I also can't take Rex on the plane with me."

Ranger opened his mouth as if to say something then just nodded at Tank. "Okay Bomber. How much time do you need to get ready?"

Stephanie replied "Give us twenty minutes. Oh and Tank? If you ever come in a locked room where Ranger and I are without an invitation? Expect the resulting pain to be much worse than last night."

Tank paled, nodded his head and left, closing the door behind him.

As Stephanie moved towards the bathroom, Ranger reached out and gently grabbed her hand. When Stephanie turned to look at him, she paled. "Oh God Ranger. I am so sorry. I didn't mean to give orders to Tank. Please don't send me to Somalia."

"Babe." Ranger tugged her down next to him and kissed her senseless. "I am not mad, I'm proud of you. You knew what needed to be done and acted in a decisive manner." Stephanie stammered for a minute because she was still in a daze from his kiss. "Can you pack my stuff up while I take a fast shower?" Ranger smiled and gave her another fast kiss.

Twenty minutes later, Tank knocked on the door. Stephanie opened it and stood on tip-toe to press a kiss against Tank's cheek. "Sorry for yelling at you Tank but you surprised me." Tank tweaked Stephanie's nose. "No problem Bomber. Just be careful of that knee. It needs to be registered as a dangerous weapon."

Ranger snorted "Tank, let's get this show on the road. The sooner we get this cleared up the sooner Steph and I can go offline for a while."

Back in Trenton

Joe knocked on the door to Marty's office. As he opened it and stuck his head in, he said "Yo Marty, got a minute. We need to talk about the Cohen case." Marty, who was on the phone, motioned Joe in.

He hung up the phone. "What do we need to talk about Joe? Seems like a pretty cut and dried case to me. Manoso is a known thug and the bruises seem pretty convincing to me. I know you don't like Manoso so what is the deal?"

Joe looked at Marty as if he were a slug that had crawled out from under a rock. "First Marty, Ranger is not a thug. He wouldn't beat up a woman. Second, I thought you had a witness that saw Ranger leave the scene and Ms Cohen follow shortly afterward with no signs of bruises or violence. So I ask again, what gives?

Marty grabbed a file folder from a stack that was teetering precariously at the edge of his desk and slammed it down. "The so-called witness admitted that Manoso's men paid her to come down and tell her story so there goes your witness. And you know that Manoso is a thug. How many years did you spend trying to bring him down Morelli?"

Joe gave Marty a Steph-worthy eye roll. "Yeah, maybe I used to have a hard on for bringing Manoso down. But I realized he was one of the good guys. He does things that we can't do and makes the streets safer for all of us. He is too honorable to have his men lie for him. And they are too honorable to do it anyway. So I say again, what the fuck is wrong with you?"

Marty stood up and screamed at Joe. "Get the fuck out. If you interfere with this case, I will report you to the captain and the mayor."

"Gobel, this isn't over. I will find out what is going on. You had better hope that your hands are squeaky clean or I will have your badge." Joe slammed the door on the way out. As he was leaving the building, he said to the desk Sergeant "If anyone needs me, I am headed to Rangeman. Have them call me on my cell."