A/N - This one is a little early this week. It is the TALK. I hope you all enjoy it.

Thanks as always to XxTartLoverxX! I love you my dearest Lou and you help me through everything and I hope I return the favor for you too! Hugs! I can't wait til you start posting your new story. You readers are going to love it!

TartBabeLover and SapphireJ you know what I want ladies! Georgiagirlagain keep rolling with Fiasco!

Thanks to you all for your reviews! They mean the world so keep em coming. I'm sorry I don't respond personally to you, but it is either that or write a chapter. I'm sure you'd prefer another chapter!

SapphireJ you were my 350th review! This is the most reviews I've gotten for my stories and I love you all!

Not mine, JE's. Although, Les is barely hers...still want to keep him...but I can't.

Chapter 26 – The Talk

Labor Day (10 days before the mission)

Lester knew Ranger had called and Steph was having dinner with him on 7 tonight. He didn't like it at all, but he also didn't want to discuss it and ruin their evening after the phone call. So, he waited to broach the subject until they were on their way home.

"So, you're having dinner on 7 tonight with my cousin?" Les asked as he squeezed Stephanie's hand and brought it up to graze his lips across her knuckles.

"Yes, I need to talk to him. If we have any chance of staying friends, then I owe it to him to discuss this with him, Les."

"I know, but I don't like it that you will be on 7," he sighed.

"Why not? This isn't a conversation we can have in a restaurant," Stephanie looked at Les incredulously.

"I can't help it, Steph, I don't like it. I don't trust him alone with you on his turf," Les explained.

"So, does that mean you don't trust me?" Steph pulled her hand from Lester's.

"No, that isn't what I said at all. I said I don't trust him. My cousin didn't let your relationship with Morelli stop him from poaching. It isn't that I don't trust you. I don't want him pushing boundaries with you! It doesn't matter that I know you wouldn't allow it. I know HIM and I know he'll try," Les explained.

Stephanie sighed and threaded her fingers through Lester's once again, "Ranger is one of my best friends. I don't want to lose my friendship with him. However, I promise, if he doesn't respect our relationship, I will walk away. I would choose us, Les."

"I know, Baby," Lester smiled as he kissed her knuckles. "I know you aren't going to like this, but I need to talk to my cousin before you do. I NEED to make sure he understands the boundaries and that I won't tolerate any poaching."

"Seriously? You need to mark your territory?" Stephanie was beginning to approach rhino mode.

"Yes," Lester gripped Stephanie's hand before she could pull it away again. "Look, Baby, I need to do this. Ranger and I are both alpha males. The only way he'll respect our relationship is if I stand up to him from the beginning. I know this is really cave man of me and it is pissing you off, but I need to do this. If I don't, my cousin will keep trying to butt into our relationship. I can't deal with that. I can handle the two of you being friends and you spending time with him if I can do this now without you hating me forever."

"I don't like it, but I guess I can understand it. You're right, it is cave man of you and it does piss me off. However, when you explain it like that, it sounds like a stupid guy thing," she laughed. "If it makes you feel better, I won't hate you for it. As a matter of fact, in a weird way it makes me love you more."

"I love you, too, Baby."

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"This should be interesting. They're all in the same building now. Ranger can't hide anymore," Bobby laughed from his perch in the guest chair in front of Tank's desk.

"Seriously, Brown, you are worse than a woman! But you are right; Ranger can't stay in Denial Land anymore. He gets one look at the two of them together and he's going to have to face the fact that he fucked up," Tank ran his hands over his head.

"I feel bad for him too, Tank, I really do. But like you said, he fucked up. Plus, I can't help but be happy for Les. He really loves her, and he's done more than you know to show her," Bobby replied as they heard a knock at the door.

"Enter," Tank bellowed.

"Where's my cousin? I know he's back and he isn't in his office," Les asked as he entered and closed the door.

"He's up on 7. Everything OK?" Tank asked.

"Yeah, I just need to have a conversation with him before he and Beautiful have a talk, that's all. Thanks for the information," Les turned and left the office.

"Shit, Les is about to go mark his territory," Bobby grinned.

"I sure hope Ranger's wearing his rubber boots. I'll give Ella a call and tell her to have the mop ready," Tank couldn't help but laugh at the visual as Bobby doubled over and tears were pouring from his eyes.

###############################

Lester took the stairs to 7, and knocked on his cousin's door. He hoped this didn't end on the mats, but he didn't care if it did. This conversation needed to happen.

"Santos."

"Primo."

Ranger opened the door wider and gestured for Lester to enter. "Why are you here? I was expecting my Babe. Did you tell her she couldn't come for dinner?" Ranger snidely asked.

"No, my Beautiful will be here for dinner. I would never tell her she can't spend time with you. However, you and I need to discuss boundaries," Les emphasized as he walked into the apartment

"Oh really? And what boundaries are you talking about? Are you saying I can't be friends with Babe anymore?" Ranger had a look and stance to his bearing that made many lesser men piss their pants.

Lester wasn't one of those men and he wasn't intimidated, "No, dumb fuck, I'd never tell Beautiful that she can't be friends with you. You are one of her best friends. You mean a lot to her. I'm just here to let you know that poaching will NOT be tolerated," he advised.

"You're OK with us being friends?" Ranger was incredulous.

"Seriously, Carlos, did you get a brain injury on your last mission that we are unaware of? This is me, your cousin, Lester. You know, Lester Santos? I'm not Morelli. I'd NEVER tell Steph who she can and can't be friends with. I have no problems with your friendship as long as you respect the boundaries and my relationship with Stephanie. Can you do that?" Lester asked.

"You are such a smart ass!" Carlos couldn't help but smile at his cousin. "Yes, I can do that. But just know this, you fuck this up and hurt her Les, cousin or not, Tia Carmen won't have a body to bury and I'll swoop in and take your place faster than you can blink," Carlos said menacingly.

Lester held his hands up in a gesture of surrender, "I won't fuck this up, Carlos, but I understand and will heed the warning."

They both turned their heads toward the door when they heard a tentative knock that could only be Stephanie.

"Remember what I said, Carlos. Boundaries," Les reminded his cousin as Ranger went to answer the door.

Stephanie looked around the apartment after Ranger let her in, "I don't see any blood, so that's good. You two done talking? I asked Ella for Pineapple Upside Down Cake tonight, so I'm ready for dinner."

Lester walked over to Stephanie and took her hands in his before pulling her into an embrace. They whispered their love into each other's ears then broke away and touched their foreheads together. Les grasped her hands in his as a last show of support and walked towards the door.

"Have a nice dinner. I'll see you at home later, Baby," Les smiled and wiggled his eyebrows at her as he walked out of the apartment.

"Did you two beat your clubs, write on the cave wall and work shit out?" Stephanie asked Ranger once Lester was gone.

"Babe," Ranger couldn't help but grin at her response.

"You realize that, Babe, as an answer isn't going to work for this conversation tonight, right?"

"Yeah, Steph, I know. Ella left dinner already, sit down and I'll get our plates from the warming oven," Ranger replied.

He returned with the plates, opened the wine and poured them both a glass. Stephanie took the dome off her plate and moaned at the aroma of the garlic and rosemary roasted chicken, rice pilaf and broccoli with a creamy cheese sauce. Ranger looked at her a bit pained.

"Sorry, can't help it," she shrugged as she noticed Ranger's broccoli had no cheese sauce. The man really needs to learn to eat the good stuff. "Ella really is a goddess. You should try the cheese sauce," Stephanie moaned as she dug in.

"Babe, you know better than that," Ranger grinned. "How have you been? We haven't really been able to talk since I got back from my mission. It was my last one actually."

"Really? That's great, Ranger. I'm glad you won't be going off in the wind anymore. I always worry about you when you're away," Stephanie smiled. "Things are good, really good actually. I'm really enjoying working here full time."

"Tank told me you trained. I'm proud of you, Babe, but what made you decide to start?" Ranger asked as he took a bite of his chicken and then took a sip of his wine.

"Well, the whole fiasco with Joe helped me make the decision, actually. He cheated on me and the Burg, including my mother, was on HIS side. My mother told me I couldn't keep a man because I wouldn't grow up, settle down and start popping out babies," she sighed, took a sip of her wine and looked over at Ranger who was wearing his blank face. Stephanie just shook her head and continued, "It all just got to me, and it broke my spirit. Les found me laying on my couch feeling sorry for myself. He got me to see that Joe cheating wasn't my fault no matter what my mother said. I decided I need to make some positive changes in my life and start to take control of it back. So, I asked for training and the guys all helped."

"I'm sorry I wasn't here for you, Babe. Maybe if I was, things would be different now," Ranger ran his hand through his hair before putting his hand over Steph's and looked into her eyes.

Stephanie took a deep breath and responded, "Maybe, maybe not, Ranger. If you had been here, I don't know if I'd have grown as much as I have." She caught the look of sadness that crossed his face before the blank look fell again. "I'm not saying that to mean that you would have held me back, so much as I would have leaned on you like I always have. Yes, I had the guys supporting me, but it was different than it would have been with you. They wouldn't let me quit, even though I wanted to several times. If you had been here, I'd have been able to find a way to get out of it, we both know that. Les and the guys didn't let me. They laid out milestones and then Les would reward me in different ways every time I reached them."

"I just bet he did," Ranger snorted as he took another bite of chicken.

"Don't be an ass! That isn't fair at all! I'm trying to explain this to you, and Les never ONCE put a move on me the entire time! He was my friend, one of my BEST friends, and he encouraged me by making sure I understood how well I was doing every step of the way. Les took me places, Ranger. It was more than you and Joe ever did!" Stephanie was beginning to approach Rhino Mode.

"I'm sorry, Babe, you're right on both counts. I never did take you anywhere and I regret that. Also, I wasn't here, you're right; I don't know how it was. Please, continue," Ranger replied, humbled by her words.

Steph took a deep breath to calm down and finished her meal before she continued, "I think I need some of that Pineapple Upside Down cake Ella made now."

Ranger smiled at her and got up to get her cake. He set the plate in front of her and smiled, "There's another piece if you need it."

"Ella knows me well," Stephanie smiled and dug in, moaning her pleasure at the taste of Ella's masterpiece. She noticed Ranger's reaction and just didn't care anymore. He could deal with it.

Once Stephanie finished her cake, she turned to Ranger, "I have a question for you, Ranger, and I'd like an honest answer."

"Of course, Babe, as long as it isn't classified, you know I'll answer you honestly," he prepared himself for her question and was shocked once she asked it.

"So, you helped Anna and Tony by investing in their restaurant. It has been in business for a few years. Why didn't you ever take me there?"

#############################

Lester headed back downstairs to his apartment on 4 after his discussion with Ranger. He trusted Stephanie and he really hoped his cousin would keep his word. However, it didn't keep him from being nervous.

He noticed Bobby's door was open, so he tapped on the door, poked his in and saw Tank and Bobby watching a game on TV. "Come on in, Les. The Yanks and the Red Sox are playing," Bobby called out.

Les grabbed a beer and joined his friends in the living room. "Was there any bloodshed upstairs?" Tank inquired.

Laughing, Lester shook his head, "No, just a warning for now. However, if he doesn't heed it, there will be."

##############################

Shit, Ranger thought to himself, ran his hand through his hair and took a moment before he answered, "I wanted to. Dios, Babe, I wanted to so many times. Every time I was about to ask you to go there with me, something would happen. You'd go back to Morelli or I'd end up being called up for a mission. You know, I've only eaten there twice and both times by myself and I sat in the kitchen at the chef's table. I couldn't stand to eat in the restaurant itself because of the ambiance, and I just wanted you there with me. How many times has my cousin taken you there?"

"Once so far, for our first date, he told me he hadn't brought me there on one of our rewards because we weren't a couple and he didn't want to make me feel uncomfortable because let's face it, the ambiance in that restaurant oozes sex." Stephanie noticed how uncomfortable Ranger was at this discussion, but forged on anyway, "Les said he wanted to take me there for our first date so I knew he was serious. You could have taken me there numerous times instead of us having dinner here on 7. You know how much I love Ella's cooking, but if you'd taken me there just once, Ranger, Morelli would have been history."

"Fuck. Are you serious?" Ranger sighed and he never sighed.

"Yeah, Ranger, I am," Stephanie took a deep breath. Now was the time for the big girl panties to be worn and the Queen of Denial to say in her corner. "I love you, Ranger, and I thought I was in love with you for a long time. I know at the very least that I have always loved you more than Joe, so yeah, if I'd have had a hint you were interested in more than just a casual fuck, Morelli would have been out of the picture." Stephanie got up from the table, grabbed her wine glass, the bottle of wine and headed for the living room. Once she settled herself on the couch with Ranger beside her, she continued, "You said in your office before you went to Boston that you loved me and that you wanted a relationship with me. I gave you an opportunity while you were in Boston to show me that you could and would communicate with me. You didn't do it. Les did. Lester Santos showed me his heart and I couldn't help but give him mine."

"Babe, I'm sorry," Ranger reached over and took her hand in his. "I let all the crap going on in Boston take precedence over you, and I shouldn't have."

Stephanie took a deep breath and looked into his eyes, "No you shouldn't have, but I'm sorry, Ranger, I don't think it would have made a difference if you had. I told you that day you left for Boston that I love you and I do, but that it might not be enough. I had begun to realize that I'd been falling in love with Les for months and didn't know it. I don't want to hurt you, but I need you to understand and accept that I am with Lester now and I'm in this for the long haul. No poaching. I want us to continue to be friends, best friends, because you are important to me. I don't want to live my life without you in it, Ranger, but if you push me by poaching, I'll choose Les. You need to understand that."

"I understand, Steph. It does hurt, but I understand. The biggest mistake I've made in my life was telling you to repair your relationship with Morelli without making sure you understood that there was the possibility of a relationship between us. I'll always regret that, Babe. I don't want to lose your friendship either. I couldn't stand it if I lost you completely," Ranger had let the hurt, regret and love show on his face.

Stephanie smiled and squeezed Ranger's hand, "Wow, look at us! We've had a whole conversation about FEELINGS and neither of us burst into flames or anything!"

Ranger laughed, "You're right, Babe. It's probably something we should have done a long time ago." For a moment, he let himself think about how things could have been in they had.

"Don't go there, Ranger. Thinking about what might have been isn't going to help, just look toward the future, and remember this when you find someone. You will someday you know," Stephanie smiled at her friend.

"I doubt it, Babe. There will never be anyone like you," Ranger sighed.

"Geez, I hope not! You sure don't need two women in your life who blow shit up! That would be hell on your wallet!" Stephanie smiled and Ranger just shook his head.

Stephanie got serious again, "We're going to be OK, right?" She needed the confirmation.

"Yeah, Babe, we're going to be OK. But seriously, if Santos fucks this up, nothing will stop me from sweeping you off your feet," Ranger smiled and caressed her cheek.

"I know, but please, don't pin your hopes on that. He isn't going to fuck up."

"Honestly, I never thought I'd see the day where my cousin would be with the same woman this long. After what happened with Adriana and Maritza, it nearly destroyed Les and Tony, and they both swore they'd never settle down," Ranger saw the shock in Stephanie's eyes. She doesn't know. He hasn't told her. Interesting.

Stephanie tried to cover her surprise at the revelation, "Yeah, but Tony found Anna and changed his mind. Do you honestly think Les can't change also? He hasn't been a player in long time, Ranger."

"I know, Babe. I didn't mean anything other than I never thought I'd see it. That's all," Ranger replied with a sly smile.

Steph looked at her watch, "It's getting late. Good night, Ranger."

He walked her to the door, gave her a kiss on the cheek, "Good night, Babe."

A/N 2 - Well, we are getting close to the mission. Who are Adriana and Maritza? Why would the make Tony and Les become playboys? Had any of you picked up on the clues that this was going to come up from the last few chapters? Will Steph be angry Les hasn't told her about this? Please review and let me know what you thought of the Talk and how it went and what is coming up!