Steph accomplishes something unbeknown to anyone...even ranger. Babe story. Babe HEA. Very Morelli UNFRIENDLY. Some angst but lots of fluff to counteract it.

Mi amor (my love)Querida (Dear)Mi cariña (My darling/sweetheart)Si (Yes) Dios (God)Amante (Lover)

WARNING: Language, Sex and Adult themes apply. Possible Violence. Mature Content. I do not own anything, all belongs to Janet Evanovich.

25

SPOV

I usually didn't mind PDA but we were obviously upsetting Carlos's family. Why else would they be staring at us like that? I sat back from Carlos and let my blank mask slip into place. He placed his finger under my chin and tilted my face towards his, staring into my eyes. I saw his fill with hurt and anger before his mask fell into place as well. Now I had made him upset. Great. I made a move to stand.

"Where are you going Babe?" He demanded impassively.

"To get a drink" I replied. He released his hold on me but made a move to stand.

"I'll be back in a second" I gently pushed on his chest, getting him to sit back down. He stared at me for a moment before giving me a nod. I leaned down and kissed his cheek swiftly before standing and moving in what direction I thought the kitchen was in. I found it easily and went straight to the fridge. Opening it, I studied its contents for a couple of minutes. What to drink...alcohol or water? Hmmm...

"So I see you just can't seem to stay away from me" I slowly closed the door and turned to face Pedro. I rolled my eyes and took a step back from him, opening the cupboard to disguise my movements.

"Did you want something Chico" I replied coolly. By luck I found a cup in the cupboard I had opened. Pulling it down, I was aware that he approached me taking deliberate steps. (Boy)

"Not something. Someone." He replied. I studied him for a moment. His wrist was bound by a cast, and he was bruised all over from his encounter with Carlos, two black eyes prominent on his face. Did Carlos not make it clear to him to leave me the fuck alone?

"I'm Carlos' woman" I answered. He smiled and took another step closer bringing him within a foot from me.

"Not for long. He'll dump you soon enough and then you'll be mine" His eyes glinted. Over my dead body punk.

RPOV

Steph had been gone five minutes. She said she'd only be gone a second. Fuck. What was taking her? I can't believe she'd pulled away from me like that, what had upset her? And why the damn blank mask? I stood and quickly made my way to the kitchen. I heard voices before I even reached the door.

"I'm Carlos' woman" Babe stated forcefully.

"Not for long. He'll dump you soon enough and then you'll be mine" Fucking Pedro. I pushed open the door silently and found Pedro had backed Steph into a corner. Neither of them realised I was in the room. He reached his un-broken hand towards her. Before I could act, she grabbed his arm and flipped him before slamming him into the counter. Whoa, nice move Babe.

"You touch me again and I'll cut off your balls. I'm Carlos' woman. Forever. Even if he dumps me. I'll still be his. Got it asshole?" She growled stepping over him, making sure to kick him where it hurt. Suddenly she noticed me standing there. Worry crept over her features before she glanced at the ground, shielding her expression from me.

"Sorry, I just...he was...I felt threatened" She explained hastily, like she thought I would be angry at her for protecting herself.

"Come here Babe" I requested gently. She took a few steps towards me but refused to look up.

"Are you ok Steph? Did he hurt you?" I told him if he even thought about laying a finger to her again I was sending him to military camp. Stupid boy couldn't take a hint. I didn't make idle promises.

"I'm fine" She whispered. I pulled her into my arms and sought her lips with mine, caressing hers softly. She didn't pull away this time. What had been wrong five minutes ago then?

"Babe?" I questioned. Hopefully she knew what I was referring to.

"Your family was staring at us. We were upsetting them" She explained. I sighed. Babe didn't get it. She needed to learn to read people a little better.

"No mi amor. They are fascinated by how differently I act when I'm with you. They've never really seen this side of me before." I clarified. I watched her think it over.

"They aren't angry?" I shook my head no and kissed her quickly before pulling her back towards the living room. We resumed our seat.

"Diego. Pedro is in the kitchen. He may be in some pain" I spoke to my brother in law. He sighed and glanced wearily at Celia. She frowned.

"Go talk to him Diego" Celia instructed. He stood, kissing her on his way out.

"Mama, mama! Michael is eating something from the backyard that he isn't supposed to!" My niece Selene announced to Elena. Elena jumped up and handed her baby to Steph, who was closest, before rushing outside. Steph froze for a second before cradling the baby in her arms. I stared at her in admiration. She looked so natural, comfortable.

"What's his name?" She asked me quietly.

"Nicandro" I replied pulling her closer to my chest. She ran a finger down his cheek and smiled. I couldn't wait till it was my child she was holding. Carefully, I leaned forward and kissed Steph's cheek. Elena re-entered the room pulling a queasy looking Michael behind her. She pushed him towards her husband and removed the baby from Steph's arms.

"Thanks Steph. It was wonderful meeting you but we really have to go, Michael should be taken to the hospital, he was eating mushrooms, silly boy. We'll see you Saturday" Steph smiled and nodded even though the last comment brought a frown to her features. I drew her even closer to me. Maybe it was time we left too. It was a long drive home and Babe had had a stressful day. Hell I had had a stressful day. I couldn't wait to fall asleep with her in my arms.

"We should be going too" I stated strongly. Babe yawned, reiterating my point.

"Alright Carlitos. It was a pleasure having you and Stephanie" Mama smiled happily. I stood up, taking Steph with me and we made our way towards the front door. That went a lot easier than I thought.

"Bye Ric, by Steph!" Everyone called out as we left. Papa stopped us as I grabbed Steph's coat.

"Adiós mi hija" He whispered to babe, kissing her forehead. She didn't look as shocked as I did from hearing him say this. (Goodbye my daughter)

"Thank you. I'll see you soon" Babe smiled a reply.

"Call if you need anything Querida" He cupped her cheek for a second before taking a step back and turning to me.

"Look after her hijo." He ordered before opening the door for us. (Son)

"Adiós papa" I answered. He clasped a hand on my shoulder before shutting the door. I slipped an arm around my woman and led her to the car.

"What's happening Saturday?"Steph questioned.

"Family barbeque" I replied. We made it to the car. As soon as we were both inside, my hands were on her necklace, removing the ring and my lips were on hers. I placed the ring back on her finger as I pulled away. The smile she gave me in response was beautiful.

"Let's go home" I suggested. She gave me a quick kiss before settling down in her seat. Babe was asleep in minutes.

SPOV

I awoke to the feeling of being carried. I groaned and tried to force my eyelids open. Wasn't working out too well.

"Shhhhh Babe. Go back to sleep." Carlos' voice soothed me and I nestled into his chest. He gently lay me down on his soft mattress. I groaned again when I felt him removing my clothes. I just wanted to sleep.

"Settle amante. You'll be uncomfortable if I don't change you." He whispered to me while taking off my shoes. I made a noise of approval to which he chuckled. Very soon I was in nothing but my lacy underwear. Drawing open my heavy eye lids, I found Carlos stripping down to nothing. I swallowed hard, now fully awake. He climbed into bed and pulled me into his arms, my back to his front.

"Sleep" He murmured, kissing my neck. I felt his massive erection pulsing against me.

"But Carlos..." How could he sleep like that? Wasn't he uncomfortable? Hell, he was making me uncomfortable, turning me on like nobody's business then telling me to go to sleep.

"Steph, you're tired, rest. We can talk in the morning" But I didn't want to talk. I ground my backside against him, wiggling my hips. His hands rested tightly on my waist.

"Babe" His voice was strained. I rolled over, ending up straddled on top of him. Perfect. I ground into him again.

"Dios Babe!" Carlos exclaimed.

"Do you trust me Batman?" I whispered. His eyes met mine and he sat up a fraction, brushing my lips with his.

"With my life, with my heart" He answered. I felt tears of happiness well up.

"Let me have my fun?" I asked. His eyes lit up. Guess that was a yes. He relaxed back down on the bed and brought his hands up to the headboard.

"Go for it Babe" He smiled.

I trailed my eyes along his perfectly carved body. So handsome. I began kissing my way down the length of his body, flicking my tongue over each nipple. He groaned when I French kissed his belly button. Moving my kisses down lower, I quickly placed a kiss on his prized possession giving his head a gentle nip.

"God Babe" He moaned.

I continued down one leg, coming back up the other. I kissed my way back up his chest, placing kisses up his neck and along his jaw. His eyes were wide open, watching my every movement and his hands gripped the headboard tightly.

"Roll over onto your stomach?" I asked wondering if that would be painful in his aroused state. He groaned but quickly complied. Amazing. I straddled his butt and ran a hand down between his shoulder blades. His muscles quivered. Bringing both my hands up to his shoulders, I started massaging him gently. He made almost a purring sound and melted into the bed. So Batman likes a massage? I continued, working my way down his back, slowly, and carefully, getting all of his knots out. By the time I had finished he was asleep. Damn. Now he was asleep and I was all hot and bothered. I ever so carefully climbed off of him, making sure not to wake him. I crawled off the bed. I would never get to sleep in a state like this. Walking slowly to his bathroom, I stripped off my ruined panties and turned on the cold water. It was supposed to help right? And there was no way I was going to satisfy myself in Carlos' bathroom...I mean what if he walked in, besides he didn't even have a shower massage.

I stepped under the cold water and bit down hard on my lip to stifle my scream, tasting blood. It was fucking cold! Now I get it, it's like a shock tactic, take your mind off of what you were think about. I was shivering but stood under the spray for a few minutes until I completely calmed down. I turned the water off and wrapped a towel around me, making my way to Carlos's wardrobe. I'd much rather sleep in his clothes. Dressing in his shirt and boxers, I emerged to find him right where I left him. I put a knee down on the bed and he groaned and rolled over. If I got into bed I would wake him. He had had less sleep than me, not to mention he had been on a mission with probably no sleep at all. I carefully tugged a pillow off of the bed and curled up on the floor next to his side. Sleep slowly overcame me, regardless of the fact that I was still chilled to the bone.

RPOV

I woke suddenly. Something wasn't right. My hand shot out and I found the space on the bed next to me cold and unslept in. Shit! Where's Steph? Last thing I remember...shit, I fell asleep while she was giving me a massage. What had happened to her since then?! I glanced at my watch. It had only been an hour or so since I had fallen asleep. I jumped out of bed and almost tripped over something lying on the floor. Shit. Babe?

I kneeled down next to her and brushed some hair from her face. Her skin was cold. Why the fuck was she on the floor? I lifted her in my arms and felt the shivers running through her body. Gently, I laid her down and ran my arms up and down hers, trying to warm her up.

"Steph. Wake up. Wake up" I demanded. She snuggled deeper into the bed. "Babe, please. Please wake up" I watched as her eyes fluttered open. Thank fuck she was okay. I pulled her up into my arms and kissed her for all I was worth.

"Don't ever do that to me again Babe." I growled. She pulled back from me like I had burned her. Tears filled her eyes and she struggle free from my hold.

"S-sorry. I'm sorry" She sounded so confused as she scooted further away from me, putting the bed between us as she stood up. Tears were falling down her cheeks. No. Babe. Come back. Fuck, I hadn't meant to make her cry. On retrospect, that probably wasn't the best way to wake her up. She probably didn't have any idea what I was talking about. I didn't think before I pounced, collecting her in my arms to prevent her from escaping any further from me. I pinned her underneath me, arms above her head.

"Steph." I had thought she was dead, her breathing and heart beat the only things giving away that she wasn't.

"I won't touch you again Ranger. I'm sorry" She spat, struggling against me. What? Why was she calling me Ranger? Oh, shit, no Babe. No, not that. Of course I wanted her to touch me. She could do whatever the fuck she wanted to me. I brushed a soft kiss against her lips and her struggling ceased.

"You had me so worried. You're so cold, I thought...I woke up and the bed was cold and you weren't anywhere to be seen. I didn't know what had happened to you. And then I found you lying on the floor, cold as ice. It scared me to death. Why weren't you in bed with me amante?" Why had she been on the floor? Her tears slowed but her chest was still heaving and she was still shaking. I released my weight from her and crushed her to my chest as I stood and crawled back into bed, wrapping the covers around us both tightly. I kissed her jaw lightly. Speak to me Babe. Explain it to me.

"I...you fell asleep, so I took a shower...and then when I went to get back into bed I almost woke you. You've been sleeping less than I have. I didn't want to wake you" She whispered, her eyes closed.

"So you thought that freezing to death would be a preferable option than to waking me?" She shook her head no. "Babe, it's not that cold in here. Why are you so cold?" Her shivering started to ease a little. I pulled her even closer, wanting her warm NOW.

"I took a cold shower" What? She. Took. A. Cold. Shower? Shit.

"Babe that water would have been freezing. It's not even 20 F outside. It's the coldest spring we've had in a while." Shit, I had left my Babe completely unsatisfied. I ran my thumb over her bottom lip. It was swollen and split. How'd she manage that?

"I bit down on it too hard" She answered tucking her head under my chin. Her skin was warming up nicely and she was getting sleepy once again.

"Steph" I spoke quietly.

"Mmmmm" She replied, pulling back opening her eyes to look at me.

"What's my name?" I whispered. She blinked and studied my eyes for a minute before it dawned on her. It had hurt when she had called me Ranger, like I had lost intimate contact with her...like I'd lost her.

"Carlos. Carlos, Carlos, Carlos" She repeated giving me a gentle kiss at each word.

"Don't forget it Babe" I instructed warmly as I tucked her back into my arms. We'd talk about this more later.

"I'm sorry" She whispered as she fell asleep. I stayed awake for hours, holding her, caressing her, reassuring myself that she was safe in my arms. I would never be able to fall asleep without her there again.

Im on holidays now for a few weeks! But i would appreciate reviews!