I do not own JE's characters. I just like playing with them.
A/N: My muse fluctuates and this story came out of me trying a twist. I wish I could have a do-over like this sometimes, but I guess I will just make it good for Steph and Ranger.
This fic is a little slow moving as is their relationship. Sometimes, the buildup is better. I am trying to show a new Ranger and a new Steph.
Bear with me and my silly sense of humor. The rating is earned for some language.
Thanks for your messages! Please read and review.
Stephanie POV
I woke up early to take another shower and to get some tea to settle my stomach. So sue me, I am worried. All through our weekend away, I could not settle. It was beautiful there and the party atmosphere was contagious, but all I could think about was Carlos is leaving.
Well that and the calls I kept getting from Cat. She had to face the family without me there. I told her to say hello to my homie Emilio and to just talk to the kids. I said that she should tell the girls how close she already is with me and I made her promise not to blow up their cars. As a final piece of advice, I told her to bring up Lester's sister Micaela or his brother Benji.
I wish I could call Diesel. No sooner had I thought it, than he poofed in front of me. He looked me up and down and whistled. I blushed because I was only wearing my bra, panties, thigh high stockings and shoes. My hair was put up into a messy bun and I was leaning against the counter drinking tea.
It was 0300 and we had arrived back in Trenton at 2100 hours and we went straight to bed after Carlos packed. We made love over and over again and it was beautiful and tiring and passionate and a little desperate on my end. I completely love that man.
"Ahem." Diesel stops checking me out.
"What is wrong, Cutie?" I glare at him because I know that he knows.
"Fine, you know I will watch out for him. Stop worrying and be safe. I am getting some bad vibes from Morelli." I give him puppy eyes.
"I can't kill him, not even for you. I like the way you have embraced your life, Sweetie. Keep doing that. Now, I gotta go. Watch your back." He popped away again and I heard Carlos behind me.
"Estefania, que pasa?" He is still a little tired. I take out a bottle of cranberry juice and give it to him along with a spice muffin that I baked. Am I one of those women who cook when they are upset? It could be worse. I could also be one who eats all of the food she cooks.
"I just had a lot of energy, Carlos." He pulls me close to his body. He is wearing an army issued tee shirt and matching khaki cargos and his boots. He looks so fucking sexy. Geez, he already did me so much this weekend, I joked that my lady parts were cowering in fear.
We kissed and I let him hold me. "You broke another rule, Babe. I love the outfit you are almost wearing. What am I going to do with you?" I smile and run my fingers through his hair.
"I thought you could use your last few moments of sleep, Ricky." He bites my bottom lip and we kiss again.
"Let's review the rules again before I leave, Babe." I sigh and kiss his neck. He hands me a piece of paper. He is so funny. I read the rules.
Rule number one. No lying.
Rule number two. No cheating.
Rule number three, no leaving me alone in bed. Wake me up and tell me the situation.
Rule number four, carry your gun and wear your tracker at all times.
Rule number five, no calling other men sexy.
Rule number six, let me give you gifts.
Rule number seven. Always fight fair and do not run away.
Rule number eight. That is my pussy.
I smile and look up from reading the list. "Of course I remember, Carlos." He smiles and kisses me again.
"Listen, mi amor, my lawyer has all of the paperwork in case of emergency. Tank will be contacted and he has SOPs to follow. He is in charge while I am gone. Please take one of the guys with you when you go out until I return. That pendejo Morelli is not happy and I know he will try something. I love you with all of my heart, Stephanie. I will come home to you."
That did it. The tears I had been holding back started rolling down my cheeks. Carlos kissed them away and pulled me back to the bedroom. He grabbed a bright blue sweater dress and helped me into it as well as my boots. I put on my weapons and he helped me into my lined trench coat. He put on his jacket and grabbed his bags. I took a steadying breath and followed him to the roof.
"Promise me you will be careful, Babe." I smile at him.
"Of course, Carlos. Besides I have the kids this week and my sister is coming to town. Cat said if I get bored she can show me how to throw knives and I have meetings this week. I will let Ella do the marketing and the guys will walk Max. I will take someone with me when I leave out, I promise. I love you, Carlos."
He hugs me until the chopper lands and then he puts a box into my hand, kisses me passionately and runs to the chopper. I watch it fly away and stare at the box. I open it and there is an ankle bracelet that matches my infinity necklace and bracelet. I sit down and unzip my boot and put it on and zip it back up. I know it is another tracker, but it is the thought that counts.
When I return to the apartment, Cat is sitting at the breakfast bar eating a muffin. "Since you are dressed, we will skip the gym today. Do you want to complain about how much you miss him or do you want to be a good friend and listen to how things went for me with meeting Lester's mother, brother, sister and the rest of the cousins? Choose carefully, Chica." I laugh and hug her.
"Go ahead and tell me, Cat." She smiles at me.
"Well, they were already afraid of me and his mother was measuring me for a wedding gown with her eyes. When I said that I do not cook, she almost passed out. Lester told her that I am skilled like him and Ric and she crossed herself. She asked me about children and I said that I was on a pretty dependable birth control regimen." We howled laughing at this.
"His sister was quiet. I think Ric's sisters warned her. I did meet her little Dakota. She married a man named James Coleman. Chica, I was laughing on the inside so much. James was hanging with Emilio and I talked to him. He wished me good luck and said that Lester offered to kill him in his sleep if he fucked Micaela over. I said that was fair and he laughed. Emilio said to tell you hello and your little boyfriend, Woki said he loves you and he misses you and that he is doing what you said." I smiled thinking about Joaquin. I miss that little boy.
"Finally, Benji corners me and makes some comments about was I sure I had the right brother and all of that and I kneed him and poured my drink in his face. The kids were cool. It was all in good fun. Lester fucked my brains out when we got back, though. He said he was falling for me and that I was amazing. I feel the same way about him. Did you know his mother calls him Osito?" What?
"I thought you guys were waiting to have sex, Cat?" She cleared her throat.
"See, right. We were doing oral sex again and I turned into a freak and started begging in Spanish for him to mark me as his and to fuck me so hard that I screamed loud enough for all of the guys to hear and that I wanted to smell like his cum and it made him snap. We actually ripped those sheets. You just think that I am being supportive right now, Chica. I am hiding from Lester. You skipped over the teddy bear nickname, Chica. Keep up." I laugh at her and my phone rings.
"Hello?" There is panting.
"Beautiful, I woke up and my Kitten is gone. I called the control room and they said she is in your apartment. Is she upset or something? Why would she leave the bed without telling me? What did I do wrong?" I stare at the phone and glare at Cat. She shrugs and smiles.
"Les, calm down. Carlos left and Cat came to keep me company so I do not wallow in despair. We are having muffins and girl talk. I will see you at the morning meeting."
"Muffins? I am on my way!" He hung up. I just shook my head and got up to turn the oven back on. Fifteen minutes later, Lester, Bobby, Hector and Tank came in with Wyatt chasing them.
"Heyyy, Little Girl. Are you taking muffins out of the oven? They smell delicious. We would love some." Tank is not shy at all. I set them onto a plate and they attack.
"So, we wanted to tell you that we made a schedule of who gets to be your backup every day and tonight is our xbox night and we are having tacos with cookies that you can bake if you want to bring something." I smiled at Bobby. Hector gave me the raised eyebrow.
"Yes, I know that I owe you a pie, Hector." He makes the sign for two. He is charging me interest!
"Fine, you meanie. I will bring your pies to you after lunch. Now clear out!" Lester has grabbed Cat and is kissing her all over her face. She kisses him, and then pushes him out the door with the guys. When they leave, there are no muffins left. They are ruthless.
"Now, Chica. It is time to be proactive. Let us make a run before the meeting. We can take Hector with us. Hurry up!" What does she have planned?
Ranger POV
It was hard to leave my Babe. I know that she worries, but I am good at what I do. Damn, she was so fucking beautiful standing in our kitchen baking with just her underclothes on and an apron. We had a great time away and we even left our room a few times to see the sights. One thing would lead to another and we would go rushing back.
There was the time at the dance club when she let me have her against the wall. It was dark and it was crowded, and her dress drove me crazy. She said she was mine and she would not say no. I found out that she meant it when she asked me to broaden her horizons and then she assumed the position. She said she trusted me and she wanted me to take her in every way. Dios! Sure, I took my time with her, but she was reading my mind and acting out all of my fantasies. My partner, Damian Little, or Demon was staring at me.
"What?" He smirked.
"Who was the skirt, Sombra?" I sometimes go by Shadow. Damian was a worse gossip than Babe's Burg.
"That was my Babe, Demon." He smiled a big smile.
"That was some kiss, Sombra." I glared at him, but it did not work.
"Look, I left my Kenya behind, so I know how you feel. I looked at the specs and we should be in and out, man. Stop being all extra lovesick."
I laughed. If only he knew. My Babe was a fucking freak and she loved her some me. I have the claw marks on my back to prove it. I have to stop thinking about her and focus. This was going to be a long week with my away from my heart. I meant it when I told her that I loved her completely. I just hope that she will be safe.
Stephanie POV
We were creeping around Morelli's house, writing words on his lawn with weed killer and we had already put gay pride flags on his porch and on his bumper sticker to his truck. His lawn would say "I miss you Jo-Jo" like he had a stalker. Hector said he was not coming with us, but we came anyway. We were trying to hurry before he woke up.
Cat created a profile for him on a gay dating site and she put dog shit on his porch. I just laughed at her. She said that I had been too soft on him and that I had to keep people talking about him if I wanted him to really snap.
We drove away and it was time for the Tasty Pastry to open so we went inside to talk to Katrina. She said she would love to have a sale on cannoli and we took some churros to the guys. I sent Gram a text that Morelli was gay and to spread the word that he liked to receive and that the reason he got suspended from work was a fight with the chief. She called me and cackled laughing and said she was on it.
I decided to be magnanimous and stopped at my parent's house. We gave Ma and daddy some cannoli and I introduced her to Cat and told her that she was already dating Lester. Then I got to the point of my housecall.
"Hey Ma. Did you ever wonder about Morelli? I mean, he wears those tight jeans and he loves dancing and women say that he is not such a great date. Do you think that he is covering up his real lifestyle?" She crossed herself.
"I never thought about it, Stephanie." She leans forward and I give her what she wants.
"It's just, I mean I had not dated him and he was practically telling people that we were getting married. Who does that? Why did he need a wife so badly? Not to mention that I saw some rainbow flags at his house." She gasps and leans back in her seat. I wink at my dad. He snorts.
"Well, Stephanie, I had not heard anything about that but I guess it makes a kind of sense. I did hear that he lost his job. Did he really arrest you?" I nod at her and she hands me a cup of coffee.
"That is the thanks you get? You were doing a job! I am going to call Angie Morelli. This is ridiculous." I pat her shoulder.
"Ma, I do not need you to tell his mother on him. Just let people know that Rangeman was doing a job and the police chief knew about it. He had no reason to try to arrest me or Cat here. We have a lawyer, though, so we were alright. Well, we have to go to the meeting now. See you later." She hugs me.
"Valerie is going to be here tomorrow, Stephanie. Would you come to dinner?" I look at Cat and she nods.
"Okay, but I am bringing Cat, Lester, and Wyatt." She beams a smile at me.
"That is so wonderful! Those boys need a home cooked meal! They work so hard. I am calling Ella to see if she needs help with anything. See you tomorrow and if you could bring the wine, red, that would be great, Stephanie." She pushes us out the door and we drive back to the building.
In the garage, we are met with Lester and Wyatt. "Girls, I love you and you are skilled and all of that, but you are supposed to have backup when you are out of the building. We followed your trackers, though. Next time, you take one of us." This was from Lester as he confiscated the bakery box. Wyatt just glared at me.
"What?" He grins.
"Your mother called Ella. Am I really invited to dinner at her house tomorrow?" I nod and he hugs me.
"I like it here. The guys from Boston want to switch places with me, but I told them hell no. Brian said that unless I was doing a bad job or I wanted to leave, he could not make me move. Heh heh." I take his arm and we go to the stairs.
"Come along, Superstar. Let's get to the meeting."
Joe Morelli POV
I decided to go out and get some donuts before my meeting with my union rep. It was some guy named Aaron Reineke. Whatever. I was still a little tired because I was up all night thinking about my career. Maybe I should transfer to Philly or up to New York. This town is getting on my nerves and Manoso has the department eating out of the palm of his hand. I was never going to get my proper respect out of these bitches as long as he was around.
I stepped out of the door and slipped and fell all the way down the porch steps. What the fuck? And what is that smell? Who the hell put dog shit on my porch? I go and get the hose and the bleach and I clean up the mess.
I take off my shoes and troop back into the house to change clothes. I am throwing this outfit away. I think some got into my hair. After another shower and a long time fixing my hair with gel of all things, I leave and drive my truck to the bakery. There is another sale and there is a long line. Edna makes a beeline for me when she sees me. This woman is a fucking stalker.
"Hey there, Jo Jo!" She changed what she calls me? I nod at her and she frowns.
"You know, you should have told me what was going on, Jo Jo. I could have helped. I know a lot of young men that are going through the same thing as you are." She pats my arm.
Wow. She understands. "Thank you, Edna. It is hard getting people to understand. I was just thinking that I should transfer to another city and that maybe things will be easier there." She smiles at me.
"Jo Jo, if that will make you happy, well then you have my support. I want you to know that there are quite a few young men such as yourself that you can turn to. I can give you a few numbers to call. I am sure that they would love to talk to you." Wow. She found me a support group? Edna is alright. I take the paper after she writes some names down and it is almost my turn in line.
Edna tells Katrina that my cannoli should be free today because I have enough to worry about. I smile. Katrina agrees and says that there was no use rubbing it in. Whatever that meant. Things are looking up for me.
In the car on the way to the meeting, I call Steve Marshall, who is the first name on the list. He answers singing a song and I have to wait for a pause in the lyrics to get his attention.
"Hello, this is Joe and Miss Edna gave me this number. Are you Steve?"
"Hey, there, Jo Jo. Edna is a doll for being so supportive. This is Steve. So how long have you known?" Wow, he knows about the Chief taking bribes?
"I have suspected ever since Manoso came to town, but I really just got confirmation the other night when I was in the office with him and the Chief, you know? That feeling just hit me and I have to trust my instincts." He hummed.
"Well, Ranger is a force to be reckoned with. I am so heartbroken that he is with that Stephanie Plum."
"Me too. She does not belong with him." He chuckles.
"Ain't that the truth! Well, Jo Jo, we should meet up for some coffee or something. I like how you think. So do you want to try to give or to receive? Probably receive, huh? I heard women talking about your size. Do not worry! We can work around that." I was distracted by parking. What was he mumbling about?
"Sure whatever you say, Steve. I am willing to try new things and who does not like to receive?" He laughed and we set up a time to meet at Starbucks later today. He seemed nice and it sounds like he has a date for me.
My union rep was a dick. He was obviously on the Chief's side. He pointed out all of the incidents in my file and that I was getting a reputation for having a short temper and that the car blowing up plus the night club bust made it seem like I had a vendetta against Rangeman.
He said that the cops have a good relationship with Rangeman and I could endanger it. Finally, the little brown nosing asswipe suggested that I take anger management classes and that I make a statement of apology to the Chief for accusing him of being a crooked cop. Well he was really not on my side.
I signed some paperwork and asked him about transfer papers. He handed me a packet and told me to seriously consider things and that I had a week to apologize to Manoso, because he was out of town for a week. Things just got better for me.
I shook his sweaty hand and went back to the florist. I placed another order for Cupcake and wrote the card. I said that I have had time to think and that she did not belong with Manoso and that she should give me a chance. I had them to deliver roses to her and I signed Jo Jo. I liked it. It was catchy.
At Starbucks, I sat and drank my coffee and ate the cannoli I brought in with me. If they had a problem with it, then tough shit. Ten minutes later, a guy comes in and he has blonde hair and a muscular build. He is 6'2" and he is smiling a huge smile.
"Hello, are you Jo Jo?" He waves at me, He has the same kind of jeans as I do. I like him already. I nod and he sits down with his muffin and coffee.
"I am so glad that you showed up and did not get cold feet, Jo Jo." I grin. I am not afraid to meet new people.
"It is good to meet you, Steve. Now I missed some of what you were saying on the phone because I was parking. Do you really think you have someone that would be interested in dating me?" He giggles. And drinks his coffee.
"I think that Andy will just love you. Yes, you are exactly Andy's type. I will never understand having an Italian fetish, but that is Andy for you." I smile. Wow. I am her type. I could juggle her and Cupcake. It would be the week of me!
We sit and talk about my blind date tonight with Andy and I ask if Steve thinks I should bring flowers. He tsks. "No, honey. Take some condoms and lube, okay!" Wow, he knew this Andy better than me, so I just smiled and nodded.
"Thanks for the hookup, Steve." He waves me off.
"Listen, Jo Jo. I want to ask you about your friend Stephanie Plum. Do you think she would like to go shoe shopping with me?" Now there is an idea. If I send Steve shopping with Cupcake, he could talk me up. Great.
"Yes, just call her at work. Tell her about me, okay?" He smiles.
"Are you sure, Jo Jo?" I nod.
"Yes, you can even tell her about my date tonight with Andy. I want her to know." He laughs and winks at me. We shake hands and he gives me a once over and says he likes my hair and we leave. That was so nice. Now, what would I wear tonight on my date? I need to stop at Pleasure Treasures for some lube.
Stephanie POV
I got a call from Jack in the lobby that I had a flower delivery and did I want to read the note and that I also had a visitor. I took Wyatt with me and we went to the lobby. There was a guy that was very handsome and he was flirting with Jack. Jack was smiling, but shaking his head.
"Listen that is just not my scene, Steve. Here is Stephanie. Thanks for agreeing to the search." Steve smiled.
"Honey, next time, I am bringing me a weapon just so you can get rough with me. You are a star. Hey there Sweet Thing! You are so adorable, and those boots are gonna get you some. Turn around for me." I spin around and he makes approving sounds.
"MmmHmm. You need a little more booty, girlfriend. These men must make you drop and give them twenty all the time." I giggle and nod. He is adorable, too.
"So I am here to invite you shoe shopping. My new friend Jo Jo suggested that you would like it. Also, he wanted me to tell you that he is in the life now. He said it was okay for you to know and that he has a date with my homie Andy tonight. He is bringing the condoms and the lube. He did not even seem skittish like most first timers. I am proud of him for taking this step."
I just blink at him, and then I howl laughing and fall on the floor. I literally roll around and when I calm down, Cat is talking to Steve.
"Yes, we will go with you after work. What is with these flowers, Chica? Is he after Ric?" I read the card and fall on the floor again. Oh, I love my grandmother!
Steve just shakes his head. "It seems that Jo Jo has a little crush on your man, Sweet Thing. You better put that on lockdown. Jo Jo has a nice ass." I giggle some more. Wyatt and Jack are laughing, too.
"Steve, honey. My man loves only me and he proves it all the time. I know you see my jewelry." He elbows me playfully.
"Bitch and you are almost limping today and so is Miss Alley Cat. I want a Rangeman, too, damn!"
I giggle and we exchange numbers. He asks can Jack come to our shopping trip and Jack says he has a girlfriend. Steve just air kisses him and leaves. Oh, I am buying Gram a new thong for this one. She got Joe to go on a blind date with a man!
I had to get this on video. I texted Steve and he said they were going to freaking Applebee's because the game was on tonight and that they would leave from there. I had a deal to make with my homie Hector. I was going to be his house elf one day if this kept up.
I pulled Cat with me and we called Connie, Lula and Mary Lou. The girls loved our revenge and Mary Lou said she was spreading the word about my flowers that basically said I needed to leave Ranger alone and let Morelli have a chance with him. Whoo! This was so much fun.
Hector agreed for a cake on Mondays, he still wanted his pie on Fridays and he wanted to come shoe shopping. He gave comms to Hal and Brett and they said they would hang at Applebee's and get the date on video. After that, I went back to work.
Joe Morelli POV
I was almost finished getting ready when my phone rang. I was surprised that Ma took this long to call me with me being on suspension and all.
"Hello, Ma." She sniffed.
"Joey, I heard." I sighed.
"Ma, things will be alright. I have been thinking for a while about making some changes and this just gives me the opportunity to do that. I know that means I won't be around to see you as much, but I have to live my life. I think I will be happier by doing this." She sniffs again. She is so emotional.
"Okay, Joey. If that makes you happy, I will support you. Have a nice time on your date tonight and maybe think about bringing this Andy over to meet me if things go well." Wasn't that great? No nagging. Wow.
"Okay, Ma. I will let you know. I gotta go now." I left the house and drove to the restaurant. We agreed to meet at the bar, so I sat there and ordered appetizers and a beer and watched the game.
A guy sat next to me and placed his order and he got a beer, too. Andy was late. Where was she? The guy spoke to me.
"Hello. Have you been waiting long?" Even he can tell that I have been stood up. I smile. Fuck it. The food is good and the game is on.
"Just long enough to feel stood up. I am Jo Jo." I really like this new nickname. He holds out his hand.
"I am Drew. So, let's just order and watch the game. You seem like a fun guy."
We talk sports for a while and I have three more beers. We talked about everything. He totally understood my problem with Manoso. He said that all the good ones were usually taken. He told me that it was good that I was moving on from my crush. He did not know about the flowers.
After dinner, I was a little wobbly. Drew told me that I should not drive and that he took a cab here. I let him drive me home and he helped me into the house and up to my room. Things were so spinny that I know I flopped down on the bed. I vaguely remember him saying that he was leaving and that he would call me. Cool.
In the morning, I woke up feeling like death warmed over. I rolled over and saw a note. It must be from Drew. It read: "Jo Jo I had a great time with you and I like your eyes. Next time, I won't let you drink so much so we can explore the condoms and that lube you bought. Just FYI, I do not have sex on the first date, but I appreciate the compliment. I left you some Tylenol on the bedside table with some water. I will call you later. I love your flags outside. Kisses, Andrew."
I read the note two more times. Andrew? Oh my god. Did I go on a date with Drew who was really Andy? What flags? Did he kiss me? What was going on? I took the Tylenol and went back to bed. I cannot possibly face today. My phone rang making me whimper. Damn, my head hurts.
"Hello?" I voice I always wanted to hear greets me.
"Good morning, Jo Jo, this is Stephanie. Am I calling at a bad time?" Why is Cupcake calling me?
"No, how are you today, Cupcake?" She sighs.
"I should have known when you insisted on calling me Cupcake that there was more to it than a reference to that time at the bakery. Look, I just wanted to call and say that since you went on a date last night with Andy, you can stop trying to get Carlos away from me. I love him and I will fight you for him." What?!
"I am not after your boyfriend, Cupcake!" She sighs.
"There is no need to get all huffy. You told me that he did not belong with me. You sent me threatening flowers. Just leave us alone, Jo Jo. We are happy and he does not like men sexually. I am glad that you came out, but not every man wants you. Nice flags, by the way. Okay. Bye." She hung up before I could deny anything.
I storm into the bathroom and stare at my reflection in the mirror. Did I look gay? Steve had said he liked my hair. Was he gay? How can you tell? I am going to kill whoever put gay flags up at my house. I did not even notice them. I know that if Cupcake believes this shit, then so does my mother. No wonder she was acting all strange and not nagging me yesterday. I hate my life right now. So much for the week of me.
A/N: I am not against gays, just Morelli and whatever embarrasses him is funny to me. Thanks for reading and I welcome all feedback.