When I was a little girl I would create entire universes in my head. With adulthood, my imagination dwindled and my mind became one of facts and figures (I teach upper level math!! – imagine that). However, Janet Evanovich and Fanfiction have allowed my imagination fly again!!! I don't own anything and am not making any money off of them. Thanks again for all of the wonderful reviews, hints and tidbits. Coming up after this is "The Capture", "The Getaway", "An Old Friend"

"Babe, get some rest, we can talk when you wake up." My eyelids were getting heavy so I wasn't going to argue but something was bothering me. In my fog, I remembered Lester. "Don't blame Les, it was too quick, nothing he could do." With that my eyelids couldn't take it anymore and I went off to dream land.

Chapter 21

"The Picture"

I blinked my eyes in the darkness and saw Ranger getting undressed. He turned his head sensing that I was awake. "Babe, I didn't mean to wake you. I had a take-down and had to go out. Bobby has been looking in on you. He said that the pain meds would probably keep you out for awhile. Are you in pain? Do you need another Percocet?" He is so good to me. When I get better, I am going to have to think of some way to say thank-you. "Just some Tylenol and a glass of water would be nice. The Percs make my head feel like I have cotton stuffed in there." Ranger finished undressing, slipped on a pair of black silk boxers and went to the kitchen.

Even though my side hurt like a bitch and my head felt like it belonged to someone else, the sight of Rangers sculpted chest and lean hips had my mouth watering. My Cuban sex god came back to the bedroom with a glass of water and two Tylenol. Ranger gave me a dazzling smile. He must have ESPed the Cuban sex god part. I tried to roll my eyes as I took the glass of water and two tablets, but it hurt too much. "Thanks," I said as I downed the pain medicine.

I snuggled back down into the wonderful sheets as Ranger lay down with me spooning me to his front. The digital clock said 11:58. I really needed to go to sleep but my mind wouldn't shut down. Ranger knew that my mind wasn't shutting down. "Want to talk about it?" "Aren't you tired Ranger?" "Babe." Guess that mean don't be stupid Stephanie I never get tired. Or maybe it meant, I am never too tired to listen to you. That made me think a little about Joe and how different my relationship with Ranger is than mine with Joe. Joe and I were more like buddies and we never gave each other support. However, Ranger was always supporting me and I supported him however I could.

"Deep thoughts Babe?" "Just thinking about how you always support me. Thanks." Ranger just crinkled his eyes and kissed me by my ear. "That's what I'm here for. Now, do you feel up to talking about what happened today?" "Ranger, the only thing I didn't tell Joe is what the attacker said. He said, 'I know what you are up to. Stop. Or the next time won't just be a warning.' I don't know Ranger but something is off. First of all, it sounded like Stivia but the build of his body wasn't right. Second, the words sounded contrived, like that was not what he really meant. I don't think the break-ins have anything to do with you, I think for some reason that this is about me."

"You think you have another stalker. Babe the break-in started with my company." "Ranger, I know, but have you had a single break-in since I started back working for you and living with you?" Ranger shook his head and I saw when understanding came to his eyes. "That is also when your mysterious encounter's started taking place." "Exactly." My spidey sense told me that something was still missing but this felt right. I felt Ranger's tension in his body when he realized something else that I had already figured out. He nearly growled his next statement, "That means that your stalker works in my building." I nodded my head. I wasn't all that worried though; Ranger had told me before that the only people besides him and me that could enter the 7th floor apartment were Ella and Tank.

Rangers pulled me tight, "Let's get some rest, tomorrow is going to be a long day." I snuggled in towards Rangers warmth. I was getting sleepy now that my mind wasn't racing ninety miles a minute. "Babe, I…" he hesitated. "What is it Ranger?" my voice squeaking with worry.

Oh God, he wants to send me to a safe house, I just know it. I don't think that I could bear being away from him right now. We just got together and I wanted to be with him as much as possible. "Relax Babe; I'm not going to send you to a safe house right now. And I don't want to be separated from you anymore than you do. What I wanted ask though is that you stay in the apartment tomorrow unless me or one of the core team is with you. Please." Well, since he was being so nice and I was hurt, I guess it wouldn't hurt me to stay in or have a bodyguard if I go out of the building. I nodded my consent. I felt Rangers sigh of relief. He knew I would stick to my promise. "Night Ranger." Ranger hugged me to him and I barely heard his "Night Babe" response as I drifted off to sleep.

I kept waking up with Ranger looking down at me. This was getting to be a pattern. Ranger smirked down at me. "I just got back from my run and I saw Bobby. He said that if you felt up to it, you could come to the gym and learn a few self defense moves, as long as you don't overdo it." "Do I get coffee first?" Ranger chuckled and just leaned down to kiss me on the forehead. "Coffee is already made. Get dressed and I'll make you a cup." With that I drug myself out of bed and got dressed to face the day.

As I drank my coffee, I thought about my day's activities. I knew that I would have to talk to my mom sometime today. I am sure that I had a million messages on my voicemail. I needed to play catch up with Lulu, Connie and Mary Lou. I also wanted to call Joe and see if they came up with anything yesterday that Ranger's team hadn't at the scene of my attack. The likelihood of that was slim to none but…better safe than sorry. Then I wanted to sort through my pictures and determine which ones I wanted framed and hung and which ones I would put in an album. I could probably get Ella to go to the arts and craft store to get me the things that I needed. Then I had a thought. I wonder if Ranger has any pictures that he wants hung.

Ranger was watching me smiling as I went through my internal dialogue. I could tell he was trying to read my mind. I batted my eyelashes, "So, how much of that did you catch?" Ranger laughed out loud, "Most of it. You're going to make phone calls to family and friends, something about me, Joe and the investigation, and then pictures." "Seriously, Ranger, how do you know what I am thinking?" Ranger looked like he was considering not telling me and then he saw the pleading look on my face. He took a deep breath, "How do you know when I am in a room? It's like that. I can read most people really well, but with you, I catch pieces of what's going on in your mind. I really don't know."

This made me think of something. "Have you been able to do this from the first time you met me?" "Yes and no. It just got stronger after you know, that night together. It was almost like we bonded on an entirely different level. It scared the hell out of me." I nodded. It was like that for me. I had always had a sense of when Ranger had entered a room. However, after our night together is when the hair on the back of my neck would stand up and a tingle would run through my spine. I told this to Ranger even though I think he had already figured it out.

Ranger and I left after that and went to the gym. In the gym, Tank worked with me on some defensive moves even though I couldn't do too much with my wound. I watched as Ranger and Lester spared. It was beautiful to watch all those muscles ripple with each kick, thrust or punch. I was about ready to rip off Ranger's clothes by the time he was finished. Sigh, what a beautiful sight he was. Ranger took a towel off the bench and leaned close to me "Back at you Babe" he whispered in my ear. I got warm all over and a zing went to my doodah. Images of sweaty Ranger naked popped into my head. Maybe if Ranger and I were careful…..Bobby walked by then and shook his head. "I can see the look on your faces and the answer is no. Ranger, man, let the girl rest for the day. Make sure that her wound stays intact." I could see that I had just lost my only foe in my efforts to get a Ranger induced orgasm today. Ranger wasn't going to do anything to risk my health. Stupid cut, stupid attacker.

Ranger took my hand and led me back to the elevators and up to our apartment for our showers and breakfast. I think today we're having fruit smoothies. Ranger was sort of anal about his eating schedule. Yes, he actually has a schedule of temple days and what foods he allows, etc. I was a little freaked at his level of OCD at first. Then he explained that that was how he made sure he got all the proper nutrients. I agreed to try it and (I wouldn't dare tell Ranger this part) I could already see the difference in my skin tone, energy level and even….the fit of my jeans. Most of his food I really did enjoy and Ella made sure to bring me a brownie, piece of cake or cookie with dinner. So, I still got my sweets.

Ranger and I got our showers, drank our smoothies, and he was off to work on the 5th floor. "Call me if you need me and don't get too crazy," with that he left me to my own devices. I began making my calls for the day. First I called my mom, who wanted to know about the incident at my apartment yesterday. Of course I got the usual; Faye Barton's daughter doesn't have people attack her in her parking lot. And of course, is it true that you are living with Ranger? I had to answer all of those questions and more from Connie, Lula, and MaryLou.

I was spent by the time Ella showed up with lunch and to help me sort through the pictures. Ranger followed her through the door shortly after and leaned down to give me a quick peck on the cheek. "Rough morning, Babe?" I rolled my eyes at him, "Not too bad. You?" I asked as I leaned in a lay my head on his chest. He ran his hands through my riotous curls kissed my forehead and said, "Well, I didn't come up with any leads. So, not so great." He gave me a wolf grin and whispered, "You could make it better." I batted my eyelids at him and said coyly, "How could I do that?" He kissed his way up my neck and nibbled my ear, "I was thinking after lunch that you could be my dessert." I swatted at him and said in a low voice, "Ella's here to help me with the pictures."

I saw the flicker of disappointment. He recovered quickly. "I have some pictures that you might want to add." "Really, that would be great Ranger." Ranger has pictures?? I have never seen any pictures. He smirked, "I too kept my pictures hidden from prying eyes." Huh. Who would Ranger hide his pictures from? I guess Ella and maybe Tank, but why? A girlfriend would make more sense. That thought had the old green eyed monster roaring. Best not go down that road. "You," he said with his air of mystery. "Me," I asked confused. "Yeah, Babe," tucking a curl behind my ear. "I think you'll understand when you see them."

Ranger retrieved a file folder from his filing cabinet and I started flipping through them as we ate lunch. WOW. That is all I could really come up with. They were pictures of us. Lots and lots of pictures of us. Every moment that I had ever been to RangeMan was captured in some form or fashion. Some were of just me, but most were of us together. There were pictures of us in embraces, kissing, holding each other in the elevator, at the gun range and one of Ranger carrying me bride style to the elevator after I had been hurt. There was even a picture of us squaring off after a dispute about me staying in the building. My favorite pictures though were of when we were just gazing into each other eyes. I never knew. I never knew that our love could be seen so plainly in our eyes for the whole world to see.

I finally looked up at Ranger staring at me with watery eyes. He caressed my cheek and we silently communicated our love as we did in the pictures. Ella leaned over to look at some of the pictures. "Dear the love was always plain to everyone here in the building." I felt small for not realizing it sooner. I also felt a bit guilty over Joe. Had he seen this look that Ranger and I shared? He probably had since he had made that comment about 'I don't like the way he looks at you'. No wonder Joe had been so jealous of Ranger. Ranger squeezed my hand. I am sure that he caught some of my guilt, thus more guilt at maybe hurting Ranger.

"Babe, not your fault. I never told you how I felt, not plainly at least." I shook my head, "But, I should have. If I had ever seen these pictures, I would have." "Water under the bridge, Stephanie. We can't go back in time and change things. We can only move forward." I guess in a way that was Ranger's own kind of denial. I just nodded my head because I was still a little dumbfounded.

Ranger had a stake-out to go to, so he gave me a toe-curling kiss and left for work. Ella and I had fun going through the pictures and making lists of frame and mat sizes. We agreed to mat and frame them tomorrow. She said that Luis would come and hang them for me. I was about to put the unused pictures up when my eye caught a picture that I hadn't paid much attention to. It was a picture of the core team after one of my distractions. It was the same picture that had hung on Lester's wall and had been in several of the core teams albums. In fact, I am pretty sure that I had seen this same picture in all of the men's homes that we had visited. There was something different about my picture. I just couldn't put my finger on it.

"Dear, do you want that picture framed also," Ella asked as I studied the picture. I looked up at her a little startled. My spidey sense was humming. "No, Ella. I think that that will be all for today. I am actually going to lay down for a nap." Ella smiled, "Of course dear. I will have dinner ready around six." I nodded, "That will be great. Thank you for all of your help today."

When Ella was gone, I began to pace. What was different about my picture? I could feel the answer there in my head, but what? Finally, I lay down on the bed in my thinking position. I drifted off for a bit until my eyes bugged back open. Holy Cow. There was another person in that picture. My picture was cropped. Where did I get my picture? Think Stephanie. Most of my pictures were given to me by one of the Merry Men. Which one gave me this picture? Think, think, think. I need a donut.

I raided the kitchen. No donut. Ah, hah! There were some TastyCakes stashed downstairs in my desk drawer. I grabbed my key fob and made my way to the 5th floor. I waved to the guys at the monitors and made my way to my desk. I opened the desk drawer to find my brain food. Yes!!! There were two still in there. I sat at my desk and devoured both while my brain worked on the clues. I scanned my desk looking in my inbox. That's when it hit me. No, Merry Man actually gave me that picture. It was just lying in my inbox one morning. I never even asked who gave me the picture.

I needed to talk to Ranger. Whoever was in that picture was the person we were looking for. I knew it just as surely as I knew my own name. It looked like we were going to have to clue in the other Merry Men to solve this puzzle. Ranger would be back in a shortly, that would be soon enough to tell him what I had found. I hoped that my spidey sense was right. If it was, then I had just figured out who was breaking Ranger's system and was trying to terrorize me. The million dollar question though is why?