A/N: And, our last little twist! Hope you guys like it! Also, I feel the nostalgic need to point out that the previous chapter held our last ever flashback! *Sniff, sniff* Gonna miss writing those! Also, I need to point out a mistake; I uploaded the wrong document and the last chapter saw Morelli closing his eyes as the gun was aimed at him. I know several readers picked up on this and I just want to clarify that I had corrected it, but posted the wrong version! It meant to read "He lowered his head." I apologise!

Another big mistake I need to correct, is having not thanked someone last chapter. A huge monster thanks to XxTartLoverxX! Your encouragement and advice about the torture was priceless. Love ya!

Shoutout, as always, to Wraithedarte, Chesi66, MYWINTERFIREFLY, Margaret and JayNel.

Enjoy!

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Steph POV

My brain was all over the place as I left Rangemen. I hated leaving Carlos like that, but I needed to breathe a little, and I think he sensed that because he didn't come after me.

I took the Cayenne; at the party, Ranger had told me I was free to use it, as he preferred me in his safe car rather than my POS car. I drove aimlessly for a little bit, sorting through my thoughts.

My nightmare had been frightful; I was back in that torture chamber and Morelli was doing every last thing imaginable to me and making Ranger, who was tied up in the corner, watch. I tried to stop him but he wouldn't listen. The thing about my nightmare that scared me the most though, was when Batman got out of his restraints and attacked Morelli. In the thick of that situation, I had thought I would relish in seeing Ranger kill him, but my dream had proven otherwise.

There was no love lost between Morelli and me. I didn't care for his life, no doubt about it. I did, however, care for Ranger's soul. With some introspection, I realised that I didn't want that taint on Ranger's soul. I couldn't bear to be the reason the Merry Men killed someone. I didn't want Ranger to kill him.

Which led me to the question; who would deal with Morelli then?

The sound of Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" spurred me back to reality.

"Yo," I answered my phone absently.

"Steph-ster!" Paul crowed. "What's up, sweetness?"

"Same old, Paul-Meister," I grinned. "And with you?"

"Kicking ass and breaking hearts as always," he chuckled.

"Ram phoned you, huh?" I asked. I would wager Ranger had told Ram I was upset and might need Paul as a friend. Why hadn't he sent Les though?

"He said you might need a friend, honey," his voice softened. "You okay? If it's that Ranger character, just say the word, I have some friends in the mafia," he joked.

Like a bolt of lightning, it struck me.

Who else besides the Rangemen wanted Morelli dead and could take care of him instead?

Terry Grizzoli and her family.

"Paul, you're a genius!" I laughed. "Thanks! Listen, call me in a half hour okay?"

"Um, okay…" he trailed off, confused.

"Thanks Paul! Later!" I cut the call and turned the Cayenne around, and sped off to the Grizzoli mansion.

Taking down a skip about two years ago, I had come into contact with Raphael Grizzoli, the head of the family and the boss of their not-so-covert Mafioso. He had triggered my spunky temper and he loved my gutsy attitude and unfaltering determination. After offering me a place in his organisation, he decided that I was an honorary member of the familia. At the time, I wondered what was up with all these people "protecting" me, but now, I was undeniably grateful for it. They let me in at the gate and I was escorted to his office.

"Ahh, Stephaneeee!" he dragged out my name. "What a delight and pleasure, preciosa."

"Hiya, Raphael," I grinned. I noticed Terry next to him and smiled amicably; despite Joe's transgressions, I hardly hated Terry. She might be the sole reason Joe never raped me. "Hey Terry."

"Stephanie," she nodded, smiling hesitantly.

"How can I help you, little one?" he asked me jovially.

"I hear you have a beef with Joseph Morelli, Rapha," I cocked my head, making myself comfortable in the chair opposite him.

"I want him dead," he nodded casually.

"I think I can help you with that…."

I told him the whole story, beginning to end. By the time I was finished, he was fuming and Terry looked sickened.

"That man has now hurt two of mia familia," he snarled. "You just lead me to him, preciosa, Uncle Rapha will take care of the weasel."

"Thank you, Raphael," I said seriously. "This means a lot to me."

"Worry not, dear," he said with surprising tenderness. "Mr Morelli will no longer haunt your life."

"Steph, can I speak to you outside a minute before you leave?" Terry asked uncertainly.

"Sure," I replied, confused. I checked my watch; I had left Rangeman about 45 minutes ago, and it was time I got back before Carlos began to worry. "Thanks again for everything," I told Raphael. "If there's anything I can do in return…"

"Still won't join my organisation?" he asked with a wink.

"Maybe," I grinned. "If ever I get tired of my current job's benefit package…" Well, if the Rangeman package included Ranger's "package" as a benefit, it wasn't likely!

"I'll hold you to that!" he laughed.

Terry and I left and walked to my car in silence. I wondered idly what she wanted to chat about.

"Stephanie," she started, turning to look at me, her eyes wide and sad and regretful. "I'm not entirely a bad person. I have done things I have regretted and things I am not proud of, but I have never…" she hesitated. "What I am trying to say is, I'm sorry. I cheated with Morelli and that was wrong, but you see," she explained earnestly, "I thought I was in love with him. I would have done anything for him, and he made me believe that he loved me too. It took me far too long to see that I was nothing more than a quick screw to him. But I swear to you, I swear, I had no idea that he was hurting you. Had no idea that he was abusing you. You have to believe me, I have done some bad stuff, but I would never aid and abet that. I would never condone that."

"Terry," I placed a comforting, consoling hand on her arm. I was there once; I had loved Joe, had known him before circumstances made him succumb to the Morelli legacy, and I knew the way he made you feel. "I don't blame you," I told her. "I had a feeling you didn't know what was going on, and I have been in love with Joe. It's an amazing feeling when he makes you feel like you're the only girl in his universe. I don't hold anything against you, believe me." I hesitated. "Listen, I'm sorry that it came to this. That this story had to have this ending. Joe was a good man. He really was. Unfortunately, he couldn't escape the darkness inside him. It took over and eventually all that was in its place was the guy who tried to kill me. Right now, there's just so much of anger and hurt and pain surrounding thoughts of him, for both you and me, but hopefully one day, some day, when we think of him, we can remember him for the guy we fell for, and not the man he became over the last few months." All at once, memories of sweeter times filled my mind. Morelli as a kid, telling me I could be Wonder Woman if I wanted, but only if he could be Superman. Morelli as a teenager, telling Denny Walters to stop harassing me or he would knock his teeth in. Morelli "accidentally" injuring The Dick when he responded to the call about a lawn fire at the Orr residence and heard what I had to tell him.

There had been a man in there that I loved. That man was warped under the distorted, blackened, evil version of him that existed now, but he was different. A long time ago. Maybe I was right; maybe a long time from now, when all has been said and done, I can remember him for who he was, and not who he became.

"Thanks Stephanie," Terry smiled a watery smile, interrupting me from my thoughts. She reached out and gave me a hug.

"Anytime," I smiled. On cue, my phone rang. Paul.

"I gotta take this," I told her with a smile. "I'll see you around?"

"Sure," she returned the smile and left.

"Hey Paul," I answered.

"Are you going to explain your earlier break through to me, or do you expect me to ESP it?" he mock complained. "I'm not a Rangeman, you know."

"No," I laughed. "No you're not."

And for the second time in under an hour, epiphany struck me.

"You're not a Rangman," I mumbled slowly.

Why would Ranger send Paul to me instead of my best friend and one of his most trusted men, Les?

He wouldn't, not unless Les was busy with something he absolutely couldn't leave.

He was busy at Rangeman.

With the only thing more important than comforting me…

…keeping me safe.

Paul wasn't a Rangeman.

Which meant that all the rest of the Rangemen were busy too.

Busy with the same thing…

They were going to kill Morelli.

"Oh, God, Paul, I have to go!" I gasped. I threw the Cayenne into gear and pressed the pedal to the metal; I broke almost every traffic law getting back to Haywood, ignoring the ringing of my cell phone.

What if I was too late for Ranger's soul?

I sprinted down to the holding cells, fobbing myself down with the key fob Ranger gave me that seemed to get me anywhere in the building. I rushed past the room where I saw the Merry Men congregated and ignored their shouts as they called for me, registering my presence. I burst into the room.

"Ranger, NO!" I yelled. He stopped dead and Joe's head snapped back up, looking at me in fear. The rancid, nauseating smell of blood, burnt flesh and vomit assaulted my nostrils and I dry-retched.

"Babe…" Immediately, he moved to me, hugging me close into his chest to avoid me seeing the carnage around me. Tearless sobs tore through me and I gasped against him. He tightened his arms around me and at the back of my mind, I realised that I was being propelled out of the room. I tried to get myself under control, clutching at Ranger's shirt to do so.

"Ranger," I whimpered, trying to get my breathing under control.

"Shh, Babe, shh…" he chafed his hands up and down my back. "It's okay, Querida, it's okay…you're safe. I'm so sorry you had to see that, Babe, I'm so, so sorry."

"Ranger…" I gulped, trying to gain some semblance of control over my fluctuating emotions. "Ranger, you can't kill him."

"Babe…"

"No, listen to me! I'm sorry, I know that you want to, but I can't let you. I can't let you have that stain on your soul on my behalf."

"He hurt you, Babe," he said, his voice simmering with rage. "I can't let him live."

"He won't." I cupped his face with my hands, willing him to listen to me. "I went to see Raphael Grizzoli."

"You WHAT?!" Ranger asked incredulously. "Without any back-up?"

"Ranger, calm down and listen to me. He wants Morelli dead too. Now more than ever since he tried to kill me too. This way, he's taken care of without any of the blame or the darkness imprinting itself on to any of the Rangemen's souls, yours included. I cannot let you guys do this for me," I stressed.

Ranger was silent for a moment. He searched my eyes, and whatever he saw there seemed to make his decision for him. He leaned down and kissed me, slow and passionate and loving.

"Babe, I have thought about ending Morelli's life and the ways in which I could do it the moment you told me he laid a single finger on you."

"I know," I interrupted desperately, "but Ranger…"

"Babe." I stopped my babbling and looked up at him. His eyes were soft and molten with love. "I became a different man the moment I met you. I won't start our new life together with an act the old me would have done, not now there's another option. Just let me talk to Raphael a minute?"

My heart burst with elation and love. This man was nothing short of incredible.

"Be careful," I murmured, leaning on my toes to kiss the underside of his jaws.

"Always," he kept me in place next to him, kissing me for all I was worth. I kept my eyes down when he released me, praying I never had to see the destruction in that room again. I hated that a small part of me was pleased that he was getting his just desserts; after all, hadn't I not 20 minutes ago decided I needed to forgive and remember his good stints? I guess in a way, I saw all of this as redemption; like somehow, him dying now was killing the bad part of him, since the good in him had been obliterated a few towns back. My head pounded with the tumble of different emotions that were swirling inside me. I needed air. Distantly, I felt familiar arms encase me- Les.

"Lester?" I asked in a small voice, only now realising that I had squeezed my eyes shut.

"I'm right here, Beautiful, right here," he reassured me quietly. "I got you." He led me to the stairs and I still felt too scared to open my eyes. Sensing my fear like the best friend he was, he scooped me up into his arms and carried me up the stairs. I buried my face in his chest. Cuddled and safe, I allowed myself to tentatively open my eyes. I kept my eyes trained on Les and when I saw the blood on his shirt, concern assaulted me.

"Are you okay?" I asked softly, fingering the bloody material.

"Just fine, Beautiful," he smiled down at me, looking more tranquil than he had in weeks. It hit me, only now, just how much all of this had affected him, and the Merry Men.

When we got to seven, I fobbed us in and hopped down from Lester's arms, walking to the kitchen, my best friend in tow.

"Water?" I asked.

"Please," he nodded. "And Beautiful, I forgot to congratulate you!" he beamed at me with undisguised pride.

"On?" I asked, puzzled.

"You picked the handcuffs when Morelli held you captive!" he glowed. "And you did it 43 minutes!"

"Les, that's a long time," I giggled, chuffed at his show of pride in me.

"Beautiful, do you know how long it takes Ranger?" he asked me seriously.

"Uh-huh," I nodded. "Negative eighteen seconds, since the bad guys generally handcuff themselves and present themselves to him."

"Close," he grinned. "It takes him 28 minutes."

"Whoa, really?" I jumped up and down, clapping my hands in childish excitement. "I'm close to Ranger's time! Go me!" I grinned widely at Lester, and he smiled affectionately back at me. "How long does it take other people?" I asked in curiosity.

"On average?" he leaned against me, his arm on my shoulder. "About 48 minutes."

"Yes!" I giggled.

"So I guess locks are your thing now, Beautiful," he smirked. "Ranger's going to be so jealous, picking cuffs is about the only thing that takes him any time."

"Thank you for teaching me, Les," I hugged him warmly. "Teaching me everything you did. Picking those cuffs gave me something to do, kept me from going crazy, and it's thanks to you that I had something I could do to try and help myself. Even the self-defence, it gives me the feeling like I can do something myself, and I'll never be able to thank you enough for that."

"You don't need to thank me, Beautiful." He told me warmly. Just take care of yourself, always have back-up and never leave us again."

"I promise," I told him, tears in my eyes.

"Te quiero, hermanita," he told me with a soft smile. (I love you, little sister.)

"Love you, Les," I hugged him, wiping off my tears with my sleeves. "You're my brother too."

As I pulled back, I suddenly remembered.

"Oh, shit!" I cursed. "Paul!"

"What?" Les asked, confused. I had hung up on him and in the state I was in, the poor guy probably thought the worst! I picked up my cell to call him when the intercom beeped.

"Bombshell? There's a Paul Dereks here to see you."

"Send him up," I groaned. I had really blown it this time. Quickly, I explained what happened to Les, who promptly burst out laughing. I scowled at him as a knock sounded on the door. I opened it and Paul stepped in, immediately drawing me into a protective hug. I hugged him back, glad to see him after all this time. It really had been a while and I had missed him.

"Shit, Steph," he let out a ragged breath. "Don't you scare me like that again. I don't think my nerves could take it."

"I'm sorry," I told him honestly. "It's been a crazy day."

"Nothing too dangerous, I hope?" he scrunched his forehead in something akin to concern and reprimand.

"Never," I refuted.

Then, of course, Lester had to poke at the fire. He chuckled.

"I cannot believe you went to visit a mafia boss."

"YOU DID WHAT?!"

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Ranger POV

I stood in front of the head Grizzoli and stayed standing in front of his massive oak desk. Best to maintain authority from the beginning of the meeting.

"Raphael," I nodded coolly.

"Ranger," he nodded back. "I understand you have custody of a…possession of mine."

"What do you intend on doing to him?" I asked bluntly. I didn't have time for this.

"You care about him living or dying?" he couldn't disguise the shock in his voice or on his face. "I would think you of all people would want him dead after the stunt he pulled with your woman."

"I do," I told him blackly. "I just want to make sure he suffers appropriately before he dies."

"Ah, that sounds a bit more familiar," he chuckled. "Worry not, Mr Manoso, I have friends in high places. He will meet with…trained professionals, before I have my cousin at the NYPD give him as a…gift, if you will, to some of the inmates for good behaviour and drug pushing. It will be a long haul before he finally see the face of Satan."

"I trust that there will be no tracing back to any of us?"

"My cousin at the NYPD is arranging a car bombing as we speak. Then, he'll report that a Detective Joe Morelli died a fiery death within the vehicle, after which time my brother-in-law working in a morgue in NYC will arrange for a charred beyond recognition cadaver the same height, build and weight of Morelli to be sent to Trenton General," he explained. I chuckled inwardly. A car bombing? Very poetic. I had to tactfully point that out to Stephanie one day.

"Thank you," I shook his hand.

"Look after her," he warned me. "She's special."

"That she is indeed."

S&R#S&R#S&R#

"Babe, I have two questions for you."

We were lying in bed, spooned close as we could get, and for the first time in my life, I really talked to a woman.

We spoke about small things, like our favourites, our most embarrassing moments, our happiest memory; it didn't matter to me that it was a little detail. I wanted to know everything there was to know about my Babe. I soaked up the information like a sponge, and it seemed that it went both ways. We also talked about bigger things; more serious things; things that could only be shared and spoken about under the protective cloak of darkness the night provided, in the intimate space that we shared as a couple. We spoke about our doubts, fears, ambitions, dreams, losses…we spoke about our childhoods, and the kind of decisions that brought us to this point. The people that had changed our lives and the things we might have done differently, if ever given the chance. We had gotten to know each other on a deeper level, one I hadn't even known existed. Now, as we were both drifting off to sleep, wrapped around each other as much as Babe's injuries would allow, two questions popped up in my brain.

"Shoot," she mumbled sleepily, trying to keep her eyes open.

"Why do you always rub the back of your neck before you see me?"

"I thought you'd have figured that one out by now, Batman," she pushed the words out, her words starting to sound garbled slightly. "I can feel you whenever you come into a room. I get a tingle at the base of my neck whenever you're near, and I rub it because it's there, and then I look around to find you."

I couldn't speak for a moment; my Babe could sense my presence when I was near her, without me giving any physical indication I was near? I was astounded and humbled and happy beyond belief. I guess it was just like how I always knew when she needed my help and when she was in trouble.

"Wassanextone?" she muttered, sleep thick in her tone.

"Right, sorry Babe. What did Raphael want in return for doing this for us?" I asked suspiciously. I still couldn't trust him completely.

"Nothin," she yawned. "Wanted me to come work for him. Told him Rangeman's benefits included you, not leaving…package…benefits…" a deep breath told me Babe had fallen asleep. I laughed, my body shaking her tiny frame a little. I would guess she told him that she wouldn't work for him because she liked the Rangeman benefits package, and in her mind, thought about those benefits including me.

"As soon as you're better, Babe," I murmured to her sleeping form. "I'll show you what the premium benefits include, exclusively for the boss's woman."

S&R#S&R#S&R#

I growled in frustration; this client meeting was taking forever. I had expected to be back at the office by ten, but it was already ten before one and these people were still at it.

"I reassure you, our system is much more responsive than any normal one. I can personally vouch for my men being available and punctual at all times," I soothed, burning with anger on the inside.

"Okay," he finally nodded. "Where do we sign?"

Twenty minutes later I stepped out of the building with a private sigh of relief. I switched my phone on to call Babe and ask her if she felt like going for lunch.

Before I could hit speed dial, a text came through:

Hey Batman! Reed called this morning and cashed in that rain check for coffee, so I know you're in a meeting, but I just wanted to let you know that we switched the plans and we're going to lunch instead. I didn't want you to worry! Hope the meeting went well. I love you. See you at home :) Babe

I was half happy and half paranoid at the text. Deciding to take action immediately, since I had never gotten the chance to affirm my status with Steph in front of Mr Ansel, I called Hector.

"I need a location on Stephanie now," I barked.

"Why?" he demanded, sounding alert and panicked. "What's wrong, angelita okay?"

"She's okay," I reassured him, feeling guilty. He breathed out in relief. "She's having lunch with Reed," I growled.

"She's at Denny's," he replied, slightly amused. I swore him inwardly and hung up, shooting off in the Turbo.

I made myself look casual when I walked over towards them.

"Ranger!" Steph's eyes lit up as she smiled at me. "What a surprise!"

"Babe," I pulled up a chair next to her. "Mind if I join?"

"Never. Ranger, you remember my friend, Reed Ansel?" she gestured towards him. I ignored it and leaned over to catch her lips in a passionate kiss. I nibbled her bottom lip and she gasped into her mouth, seemingly coming back into awareness.

"Nice to meet you," I said flatly, glancing at him. His eyes were laughing as though he were mocking me.

"Jealous much?" he asked with a smirk. I growled under my breath, until Babe began to laugh uncontrollably.

I raised an eyebrow at her; how the hell did she find this funny? Her shoulders shook and she grasped my hand.

"I'm sorry," she giggled. "Don't be mad, it's just, you're so cute when you're jealous!"

"I am not cute," I muttered, starting to pull my hand from her. She held on tighter and got her laughter under control.

"You're adorable," she told me, eyes shining as she smiled at me. "Especially now, since Reed is gay and this entire lunch was about setting him up with Hector, who he thinks is brooding and mysterious and sexy and…"

"Stop!" I held up a hand, grimacing. I could do without the talk about one of my men being sexy.

"Still want to join?" Reed asked me with a grin. Despite myself, I half smiled and shook my head.

"I'll see you at home, Babe," I told her, giving her a lighter, much less dramatic kiss.

"Damn," she complained, "I should make you jealous more often."

"I don't get jealous, Babe," I told her with a smirk. "I eliminate the competition."

"There's never any competition, Carlos," she shook her head, smiling softly, lovingly. "No one could ever come close to my Carlos."

Her Carlos.

I loved the sound of that.

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A/N: So there! There will be one more mention of Mr Morelli and then we're on the train to a Babe HEA! Stick with me; you have so far! It's all happy from here on out!

Review please! -JazM