A/N: Uhhh so as you can see, I struggled with dividing this chapter. So I just didn't. But hey, it's later in the day, so you're entitled to a long one. Now there might be some scenes that seem superfluous or like they don't add anything to the story, but they really build to the conviction that each of the characters have towards this new relationship. Anyways. This is freakin' huge, and I'm sorry if you think it should be multiple chapters, I just couldn't figure out a good way to break it up. Thanks for reading and reviewing and being so nice!

Steph checked her watch again. Nearing noon. Hector was supposed to have called by now!

She sighed and figured she'd just have to wait and see what he said. She might even run into him at her apartment. But she had to get a head start on getting ready for the party or else she'd be running around with her head cut off later.

Rangeman was a flurry of activity today. She hadn't even seen Ranger really, save for a brilliant smile he shot her earlier from over the cubicle walls as he went to meet an investor. She was glad she was leaving when she was for a lot of reasons – namely, this afternoon was when the heads of the other branches started coming in.

She knew Ranger's brother Julio ran the Miami office, and then his other brother, César, was a high-up in Rangeman Boston. She was torn between wanting to meet them as soon as possible to wanting to never meet them. She shuddered to think of the stories they must have heard about her. But she was going to be an adult and meet them tonight…when she looked fantastic.

That was sort of adultlike, right?

She slipped out of her cubicle, said bye to the few guys she passed, and then told Tank she was headed out.

She opened the door to the stairwell (part of her whole new 'being healthy thing.' And also she had eaten five sugar cookies that morning so far.) and heard voices a few flights below her.

"Is that her car on the street? The reindeer?" She didn't recognize the voice, but assumed it had to be a guy from another office.

"Yeah, it is." That smooth voice was definitely Ranger's.

The other man laughed heartily.

"It's a bit ridiculous, don't you think?"

"It's Stephanie's, of course it's ridiculous." She felt her heart speed up and sink at that. Is that really what he thought? Everything she did was ridiculous?

"I heard a rumor that she even decorated the fifth floor. You're really at the bottom of the barrel trying to find jobs for her, aren't you?"

"Stephanie doesn't need me to find her a job. She has a job. One that she is very good at."

"Oh yeah? How good at it, hermano?" Steph could hear the innuendo dripping from every word.

Just when she was about to turn around and make a run for the elevator, intent on avoiding any confrontation, she heard an Oof!

"Cut the shit, Julio. Stephanie is a harder worker than you were when I hired you. She worked for her spot at Rangeman, don't you forget that."

"You trying to tell me I didn't work for my spot?"

"I'm trying to tell you that you better treat Stephanie with a hell of a lot more respect than you're showing her now." She could practically hear him smirk. "And that Mama would've disowned me if I refused to hire my baby brother."

Steph felt herself smile at that, and quickly ducked out of the stairwell so that she didn't get caught unintentionally eavesdropping. Skipping to the elevator, she felt like a million bucks. Tonight was going to be perfect, and she was going to impress the hell out of Julio and make Ranger proud, if it was the last thing she did.

It was approaching four PM by the time she had gotten back from her time at the salon. She justified the pampering that definitely could've been completed at her own apartment by the fact that she was meeting Ranger's family. This wasn't just a Rangeman party.

And besides, Hector might still be at her apartment.

She still had some maintenance to do – shaving and plucking and the like – but she felt so relaxed and at ease, she was surprising herself. She wondered briefly if she was crazy; shouldn't she be going crazy at the thought of tonight? But she decided ultimately to not question it and to just enjoy the ride.

She had gotten her hair done alone with a manicure and pedicure, and that had eaten up most of the time. She might have splurged for a shoulder rub with her hair appointment, but she was pretty sure that only added a minute or so. Or twenty.

Her hair was shiny, hanging down her back in elegant, perfect curls. It was pinned away from her face with a tiny roll at the top and she couldn't help but feel like she was a 1940's movie star. She had described her dress to Mr. Alexander before simply relenting and showing him a picture Lula had snapped on her phone. It wasn't the most flattering, but it at least was a good idea of what it looked like.

He had instantly fallen in love with the idea of vintage glam, and had dolled her up appropriately. She hadn't let him indulge in doing her makeup, although he seemed to want to, but he did give her some good ideas for tonight. She wasn't sold on the idea of red lips, but it was tempting.

She got to her apartment and the door was open, but there was also the sound of an electric drill going on. Hector was still busy at work, apparently.

"Hola, Hector," she called out, intent on not scaring the Rangeman employee. A bullet wound would really put a damper on tonight's festivities. A small voice reminded her that Hector's weapon of choice was a 12 inch knife he kept on him at all times, but she quieted it down promptly. The last thing she needed was to be terrified of the man doing her a personal favor.

"Estefania!"

He sounded actually excited, which was very different from the quiet, subdued Hector she usually dealt with. The small man poked his head around the corner, spying her in the hallway, and brought her into her apartment by her wrist.

"Whoa, Hector!"

She looked around her apartment, sufficiently impressed and a little bit overwhelmed. She had asked him to put in a basic security system, but better than the ones she had before. Previously, Ranger had dumbed down security systems, knowing that Stephanie's aversion to learning new things would extend to her own personal safety as well. She was determined this time to not let that stand in her way this time. She wanted this to be about safety versus her own inabilities.

However, whatever Hector had set up did not look basic in the least. There was a control panel on the wall, with the cover hanging off of it and enough wires to power the whole building, she felt. Blueprints of her apartment were draped over her table, and she knew enough that he hadn't just drawn those up today. No, those were Rangeman issued. She forced the typical feeling of intrusion out of her mind and reminded herself that it was for her own good. These men protected her daily.

It was all she could do to give them a little peace of mind in the form of a security system.

"Si, si?" Hector pointed to the motion sensors above her windows and doors.

"Si, si!" Stephanie agreed, still working through the awe that her apartment was now more guarded than the Pentagon. At least, that's what it felt like to her. She was sure she'd reconsider once it got broken into again.

"No," Hector smiled a huge smile at her. "See! Mira! See here, and see here," he pointed to the window again.

"Hold up!" Stephanie dug her heels in as Hector attempted to show her another facet of her security system. "I'm having a culture shock right now. Can you speak English?"

"Si."

Stephanie raised her eyebrows at him, drawing a small laugh.

"Yes." It wasn't even heavily accented! She was in shock.

"Since when?"

"Since I learned about 8 years ago." The accent was more prominent than she had originally thought, but she was still in awe. "You really think Ranger would hire someone who only spoke Spanish in a New Jersey security firm?"

"I don't know! Why did you let me ask you to do this with all those weird hand gestures?"

"Muy hilarioso."

"I don't even think that was real Spanish!"

He laughed aloud at that and she realized that when he was actually relaxed, he was a very attractive man. She found herself briefly jealous that he played for the other team.

"I thought Ranger told you, to be honest." He rolled the R on Ranger's name and Steph felt herself get flustered. "Now that you two are getting closer, I thought it was time to come clean. It's still a very big secret that Ranger works hard to keep."

Great, now even his nickname is sexy, she thought hopelessly.

"Oh, you should hear his real name. Rrrrrricardo Carrrrrlos Manoso." Apparently Steph had thought louder than she wanted to, but she couldn't deny Hector. The man's name was almost as sexy as himself.

"Stop that! And no, he didn't tell me."

"Man is very good at keeping secrets," he acknowledged.

"Apparently so are you."

"And you, bonita. This security system will be quite the surprise for Ranger."

"Stop saying his name like that! I can't think when you do that. And this hopefully is a surprise for him, but I'm sure he already knows somehow."

"No, he is very distracted with la fiesta and familia. He does not know I am helping you."

"Speaking of helping, Hector, what is going on? I said basic!"

He ran her through the essentials of the security system, and while she trusted that they certainly did have higher, more intense security systems that they offer, she knew that this was not basic. He assured her that Ranger would not be satisfied with a halfass system (well, he said that part in Spanish, but she got the gist) and then held up two things from her fingers.

"Fobs? For my apartment?"

He pressed a button on the fob and a key sprung out from the side of it, like a key to a car she had driven a few months prior.

"I will lose that, Hector!"

"Por que? Why? You never lose boss's key."

"That's because I guard that thing with my life! That getting out would be a huge security breach."

"Guard this one with your life now, too. Your life is his life. His life is yours. Same thing."

Same thing.

She took a deep breath, staring at herself in the mirror. She could do this.

Hector had left after she had showered and shaved and he had shown her how to use her new fancy security system. It was a bit of a headache, but she had notes for it, and she felt confident that eventually she'd get used to it. And the monthly surcharge for Rangeman. (She knew for a fact it was never as cheap as she was paying, so that helped ease the sting a bit.)

But now it was just her in her amazingly secure apartment, and all those nerves that she had commended herself for staving away earlier came back in a rush.

She officially loved the dress. It was so different than anything she had ever worn for a distraction; she couldn't help but love it. She hoped it elicited the same reaction out of Ranger.

A tight ruched top with spaghetti straps and a sweetheart neckline gave her cleavage that was actually elegant versus erotic, which was a nice change. The gathering of the fabric made her feel better about all the donuts that she ate that week, too. The skirt, flowing softly from just underneath her belly button looked deceivingly slim, with its layers and layers of silk. It hung gently down her thighs and it wasn't until she would hold it up and separate it that it became clear that it was much larger than appeared. She could hold it out as far as her arms could go and it would still drape distinctly. The dress ended just above her knees, yet somehow looked fancier than a typical cocktail dress. She felt like she was going to Rangeman prom.

Her makeup was done with heavy silver and gray eye makeup, and she forewent the suggestion of red lipstick to opt for a more favorable pale nude shade. Topped with a little gloss and she looked as if she had stepped out of a magazine. (That was the idea, anyway. She had copied instructions straight from Cosmopolitan.)

The dark eyes and hair contrasted nicely with the pale lips and skin. She didn't feel too done up, either. She topped it off with a new pair of strappy slingback heels, and did a little twirl in front of the mirror, watching the skirt flare up and out. She'd have to be careful with that.

She gave herself one last glance in the mirror before grabbing her small clutch and making her way to her newly fortified door. She was meeting Ranger there, as she had to go over things with the event planner ahead of time. He was traveling from Rangeman with all the other heads of the branches in a limo, with plenty of other valeted vehicles for the rest of the men.

The nerves in her stomach were starting to turn into excited butterflies. She couldn't wait for this night to start! Or better yet, to end it with Ranger.

The event planner was a nice woman, but she sure did talk a lot. At first, Steph was delighted that a woman was giving her so many compliments, but after a while it grew tiresome and she wanted to go see everyone that she could hear filing into the nearby room. The party itself didn't start until 8, but she could hear the distinct voice of who she now knew to be Julio, and she itched to go see Ranger.

Finally, her pleas were answered (or maybe her death glares at her assistant were working), and something had "come up" that needed the planner's immediate attention. Thank God.

Cocktail hour was underway and she definitely needed some liquid fortitude to make it through tonight. She checked her makeup one last time in a compact, before taking a deep breath and striding into the room.

Wow. That was the only thought capable of crossing Stephanie's mind. She didn't even know where to focus first. The walls had black drapery hanging down, which, given that it was such a large room, didn't serve to make it appear any smaller. Silver and black accents littered the room, with a silver tree in the back corner with black ornaments on it drawing her attention instantly. The whole place looked wonderful, with a sort of 'head table' set up for the Rangeman core team and heads of the offices, with smaller circular tables orbiting around it. To her immediate left when she walked in was a bar, and once she could convince her legs to move, that's where she would be headed.

If the setting alone wasn't enough to completely blow Stephanie's mind, the idea of so many fine looking men chatting and laughing and being relaxed did it.

There were only about thirty men milling about, but she knew more were on their way. She was unsurprised to see as much black as she did, but pleasantly delighted when a pop of color would catch her eye.

She rolled her eyes and let a grin take over her face as she heard a familiar wolf whistle sent her way. Lester.

His antics seemed to garner everyone's attention because soon, all eyes were on her, and she felt her face getting hot. Finally, Julio stepped out of the way (or was he forcibly moved?) and Ranger's gaze was upon her.

Her mouth went dry and her body went hot when he finally caught her eye. He looked undeniably good, so much so that Stephanie reconsidered having said any gender waitstaff was appropriate. Black button up, black slacks, and a silver skinny tie completely his outfit, but it was the silky hair that was always threatening to get in his eyes that had her licking her lips. She wanted to sprint right over and let her hands run through his hair forever. He hadn't even shaved that day, letting just the barest hints of scruff poke through and make him look dangerous and sexy and totally out of her league.

She met him in the middle of the room, both drawn to each other and unable or unwilling to stop what came natural to them.

"Madre de dios," he breathed once he was standing right in front of her. He fought to keep his hands by his side, instead opting for his eyes to run all over her body, drinking her in, cataloging her every detail. "I don't even know if it's legal for a woman to look like you do right now."

"You gonna arrest me? Use your handcuffs?" She was indelibly proud of herself for being able to retort when all she wanted to do was trace the outline of his body with her tongue.

"Maybe later," he growled softly, his eyes still unable to focus on hers.

"We match," Steph pointed out.

"Lula," Ranger noted distractedly. "Dropped it off today."

He barely noticed when his hands moved of his own accord, running up and down Stephanie's arms, sending shivers and goosebumps everywhere.

Suddenly, Tank was by their sides, drinks in hand. He handed a glass of champagne to Stephanie with a look that told her to be careful with her alcohol intake, and gave a small glass of something dark to Ranger.

"To wake you up," Tank murmured to Ranger.

"Oh, I'm up," he said, still staring at Stephanie.

"Jesus Christ, the two of you. Why don't you start introducing Stephanie to the other men? Before they mess this whole place up by drooling everywhere." With that, Tank moved on to talk with more men, and Ranger took Stephanie's arm gently.

"You look sinful, Stephanie."

"Ooh, using the big name. Does that mean you're mad at me?"

"For wearing that dress in front of my men instead of just me? Maybe." He eased the sting with a beautiful smile and she found herself grinning back up at him, wanting him desperately to kiss her.

"The great Stephanie Plum," a voice that Stephanie was learning to hate interrupted them. "A pleasure to meet you, finally."

"And you, Julio." She knew she had somewhat surprised him by knowing who he was without looking, but she finally turned her eyes to him and shook his hand lightly.

He looked remarkably like Ranger but a few inches shorter and stockier. He was clearly older by a few years as well, with his hair threatening to go gray. Next to him was a smaller man, more similar in physique to Ranger, but still shared the same facial features and glossy, shiny hair.

"César, how nice to meet you as well."

His handshake was firmer than his brother's and he looked genuinely excited to meet her.

"It's great to meet you too, Miss Plum. I know Antonia is really looking forward to meeting you as well. She should be here any minute."

She admitted to being grateful for having another woman around, although she had never heard of this Antonia.

"She's the head of Operations in Miami, Babe," Ranger told her.

She was introduced to a lot of new people in a short period of time, although constantly reassured that she wouldn't have to remember anyone's names. Ranger stood by her side continuously, his hand a constant heat on her back. Occasionally she would catch his eye, and the look in it screamed of things he wanted to do to her. Things she wanted him to do to her.

He did leave her for a brief minute to speak with a waiter, and Stephanie was surprised when she saw them readjusting the head table.

"Just wanted to make sure you were up there with me."

"It's for the heads of the branches and other important people, Ranger," she whispered fiercely. "I am neither!"

He looked deep in her eyes, forcing her to see the truth. "You are the most important person here, Stephanie. Don't let anyone tell you differently."

Eventually she met Antonia, who was incredibly striking with her Latina good looks and she must have been at least 5'11" without heels. She was sweet and kind and while a tiny part of her thought she might have some competition for Ranger, she was observant enough to see the looks that Antonia and César were giving each other when they thought the other wasn't looking.

"Are Antonia and César…together?" Stephanie asked Ranger quietly as she busied herself by straightening his tie and brushing her lips against his ear.

Ranger was actually a little taken aback.

"Not that I know of. Why?"

"Well then they want to be," she laughed.

He wasn't convinced, and tried to study them more when the event planner came to Steph, telling her that it was time for dinner. Ranger made the announcement, then made a show of pulling Stephanie to the head table and waiting for her to sit first.

She rolled her eyes, but felt oddly happy with the gesture. She got to spend the whole evening right at his side, which she hadn't thought she'd get to do.

As salads were brought out and served and water was poured, Stephanie eyed Ranger's drink.

"What is that?"

"Babe?"

"It smells like…coffee."

"It's tequila."

"Are you sure?"

"It's Patron XO Café." His voice was thick with an accent and she found herself involuntarily heating up.

"Don't use that accent on me, mister. We're in public."

Ranger laughed a full-bodied laugh at that, surprising the rest of the table.

"Hermano, you drunk?" Julio called from his spot across the table.

"Drunk on love," César teased. That sobered Ranger up but didn't keep the smile off his face.

"Antonia, how long are you in town?"

Stephanie slapped Ranger under the table and he grabbed her hand, linking their fingers. She smiled up at him, her face so happy and hopeful and he knew César wasn't completely wrong. He was so in love with Stephanie.

"No, I think that's a baaaaad idea," she insisted. Dinner was over and now the crowd was boisterous, full of laughter and drinks. Ranger nudged the shot in front of Stephanie a little more.

"Just one, Babe. If you don't like it, you never have to see it again."

"Who are you and what have you done with my Ranger?"

"Your Ranger, huh?" The alcohol was loosening Ranger's lips, making him more prone to smile, laugh, and say what was on his mind. He wasn't anywhere near drunk, but he was feeling good. He was enjoying the night in so many different and unexpected ways, he never wanted it to end.

"Sounds like she's getting a bit more possessive, Bossman." Lester joined them at the bar with César and Julio. Lester and César had always been much closer than Ranger had been with any of them, with their close ages and flirtatious nature.

"Si, senorita, he is our Carlos until you make an honest man out of him," Julio pointed out with a grin. While the man still could be brash enough to make Stephanie cringe, she was starting to like him. He was just protecting his big brother as best as he knew how.

"Carlos, huh?" She looked at him from under her eyelashes. Ranger made no move to refute his brothers or the name that tumbled off her lips; instead, he was looking at her like she was his next meal.

He knocked on the bar and held up 3 more fingers for the bartender, who promptly delivered three more shot glasses. He poured the Patron XO in them, motioning for his family to take them. Lester held his out first, intent on this being a toast.

"To Ranger."

Steph met his shot in the air. "To Carlos."

Ranger next. "To Stephanie."

Then César. "To Rangeman."

Finally, Julio. "To family."

Ranger didn't take his eyes off Stephanie as the liquid flowed down his throat. His lips tilted upwards as she squinched her own shut while throwing the alcohol back, and then as they eased open upon her realization that the liqueur was smooth and not at all as harsh as she had anticipated.

"Not bad," she conceded with a big smile. "But that doesn't mean that I should do more than one."

Ranger stared at her with a soft look in his eyes, before he disregarded his surroundings completely and leaned down to plant a soft kiss on her lips.

"Careful," Lester told the others, "Sometimes they'll just start making out for hours right in front of you."

Ranger pulled back, staring down at Stephanie, who had a goofy look on her face. She vaguely heard Lester lead the others away from the two of them.

"One is enough," he agreed.

"Just like one Ranger is all I'll ever need?" She could practically hear the alcohol working its way through her system, releasing inhibitions.

"Just like that," he murmured before leaning into her again, kissing her slowly and deeply. When he finally pulled back, he was pleased to notice that her breath was labored and her eyes unfocused. He might not share the physical symptoms, but he was just as affected.

"It's getting late," Steph verbalized. What she wanted to say was, 'come back to my apartment right now and let me do wonderful things to you,' but what came out was, "I guess it's time for today's gift."

"Babe?" Ranger had honestly thought that the party had been today's gift. Hell, her wearing that dress was a gift unto itself. He had no idea that there was something else. He found himself ashamed that he was hoping against all hopes that she would slip a condom with a bow on it into his hands.

Without saying a word, she dangled a fob in front of him. He took it from her gently, questioningly.

"Is this for Rangeman?" Was she giving him back his own key fob? Because that wasn't a gift that he was willing to accept. Yet, when he looked back up at her, she was biting her lip, looking like a sultry goddess, and shaking her head. No. Not for Rangeman.

"It's for my apartment," she said softly. She tugged his hands into hers, the fob tightly ensconced in their fingers. She pulled him closer, as he allowed himself to get tugged, and spoke in a light whisper. "The passcode is the day we met, followed by three stars. I know you have to go back to Rangeman with everyone, but maybe you could come by after?"

His mind was spinning. Key fobs. Passcodes. Coming by after. What was going on?

She pressed a kiss to his cheek before moving her mouth to his ear.

"I'll see you later, Carlos," she whispered with a sharp nibble on his lobe. And then she was gone.

It was a little past midnight when she heard the door being unlocked. After she heard it open and the swift press of the passcode, she stepped out the hallway, meeting his eyes across the room.

"Rangeman?"

It wasn't a question, despite being phrased like one, yet she answered anyway. "Yes." He knew who was responsible for this system.

"Babe." Like a prayer from his lips, her name fell into the room that was softly lit with candles and smelled like apples and spice.

"Ranger." She was still wearing the dress, and that would forever be his undoing.

He toed his shoes off, still looking deeply into her eyes.

"We're gonna do this," he acknowledged. There was no going back after tonight. There was no way they could ever go back to what they were.

"And it's gonna be good?" She asked, breathless.

"No," he shook his head, stalking towards her slowly, studying his prey. "It's going to be fucking amazing."