Disclaimer: I wanted Ranger and the MM for Christmas, but evidently Santa didn't think I'd been good enough this year. :( (Okay, regular disclaimer same as in previous chapters!)

A/N: I love Christmas but I'm glad it's over and quiet again…for a while at least. One of my New Year's resolutions is to finish this story and 'Subterfuge', and maybe I can even get 'Divine Madness' completed! But then what will I do??

-oOo-oOo-oOo-

Chapter 28 – Stolen Time

Ranger woke as the first rays of sun tried to peek through the clouds. Steph had opened one of the blinds yesterday and they'd forgotten to close it before they went to bed. Easing Steph off his chest and onto her back he quietly got up and went to the window.

It was snowing. Not a lot, there was only a dusting on the ground and where the weak sun touched it was already melting -- but it was enough to remind him that time was passing. It was a reminder he didn't want. He lowered the blinds and twisted the rod to close them, shutting out the sun and the glitter of snowflakes, and he went back to bed.

As soon as he slid beneath the covers Stephanie turned to him, curling back against his chest. His arms settled around her and pulled her close, back where she belonged. He closed his eyes and turned his face into her hair, smiling when her short curls tickled his cheek.

He wanted to take her home so much he ached. But he couldn't, not yet. She wasn't ready and he knew her well enough to know it needed to be her decision, her choice. He intended to make it very clear that she was wanted but he would not pressure her. The people she loved had pushed her for far too long. That was not a mistake he intended to make.

Reluctant to go back to sleep, Ranger just held Steph and let his mind drift. He calculated how much longer he might be able to stay. Already he'd been here longer than he'd planned, time he was stealing from his business to spend with the woman who'd stolen his heart. How was he going to tell her when he had to go? And how could he explain how eagerly he'd be waiting for her return without making her feel rushed? Too many questions, and the only thing that held any appeal was holding Steph.

When Stephanie began to stir he woke her with kisses and the promise of breakfast at the pancake house.

"Mmm… How about brunch a little later instead?" she countered, her voice still husky from sleep.

For a moment Ranger was shocked. When did Stephanie ever not want to eat? He shifted, propping up on his elbow to look into her face. Her cheeks were flushed. Were her eyes too bright? He brushed a kiss across her forehead to check for fever but she didn't seem too warm. "Do you feel okay, Babe? Aren't you hungry?"

"What I want right now isn't on their menu," she whispered – and then her hand closed around him. She grinned when he jumped, then made a sound like a purr as his body responded to her touch. Ranger let her pull him into position over her.

"Just what are you in the mood for?" he asked as she manuvered their bodies where she wanted them. The feel of her skin sliding beneath his had his voice growing husky.

She sighed as he settled his weight carefully onto her and then curled her arms around him. "You. Just you."

Ranger smiled against her lips. "Babe."

Then he gave her what she wanted. Well, he tried.

He started with a slow kiss and the intention to turn the heat up gradually. This morning Steph wasn't willing to follow his lead, though. Even though she was beneath him she took control, deepening the kiss and sucking at his tongue as her fingers explored his body.

When he broke from her mouth to kiss down her neck, her hands slid down his back, nails scraping lightly against his spine. He tried to move lower and her fingers dug into his butt, holding him in place. Her teeth nipped at his neck when he raised his head, and her legs curled up and over his hips to lock him in place.

"Babe," he tried to protest, but she wiggled beneath him and he realized he was already poised at her entrance. She was warm … and so very wet. He gave up with a groan and thrust deep.

Stephanie gave a low groan of pleasure and tightened her grip on his ass.

He pulled back and slid in again, pushing deeper. She moaned and pushed up to meet his thrust. "Is this what you wanted, Babe?" he asked, his voice low and rough.

"Yesss," she answered. Her body undulated in couterpoint with his and her hands urged him to move again.

"Are you in a hurry this morning?" he persisted.

"Yess!"

"You want it faster?" Her body was already answering that but he wanted to make her say it. A smile was lurking behind those dark eyes. He had her number now.

"Yessss!"

He increased the speed of his thrusts slightly. She gave an annoyed growl and tried to ugre him on.

"Tell me what you want, Babe," he coaxed roughly. "What do you want?"

"Faster," she begged. "Faster."

He gave her exactly what she asked for but no more. She was breathing heavily, nearly gasping, and thrusting up against him.

"Harder!" she cried, "More!"

"You want hard and fast?"

"Yes! Please, yes!"

"Put your legs around me," he growled, "and hold on."

Steph locked her ankles at the back of his waist. He slid his arms beneath her and curled his fingers over her shoulders, bracing her, and began to thrust hard and fast, plunging deep into her wet heat. In moments he felt her tightening around him and then she was coming, over and over, arching herself against him and crying out. He didn't last much longer.

-oOo-

An hour later they were nearly ready to leave the apartment. They'd discussed plans for the day in their shared shower and decided to get a coffee and a quick sandwich on Mass Street then head out of town toward Kansas City – or rather Olathe, which Kansas City seemed to have swallowed. Bear had told them about a theater complex there that was surrounded by places to shop and eat.

They took Mass Street south past South Park to23rd Street, which turned into 10 Highway when it reached the eastern edge of town. The flat stretch of divided highway made the half-hour trip go quickly, and soon Steph was looking around as Ranger navigated the maze of four-to-eight-lane highways complete with construction that converged near their planned destination. Even Ranger seemed glad to have the assistance of the GPS unit in the SUV.

Near the theater was a large shopping center with multiple restuaraunts and stores. They decided to park in a central spot and walk. Ranger was happy to follow Stephanie through whichever stores caught her eye. By the time they were hungry most of the lunch-time crowds had thinned from the restuaraunts and they chose the Texas Roadhouse for steaks. Afterward, they walked to the theater complex – it had thrity screens – and chose a movie to watch.

On the way back to Lawrence after the movie they stopped just off the highway at a diner that seemed to be popular with truckers. A stout man at a neighboring table was finishing a large slice of pie when they seated themselves, and as he got up to leave he smiled at them, told them the pies were all made from scratch and said he highly recommened the cherry. .

Stephanie couldn't decide between cherry pie and something called an apple crumble, so they ordered one of each and shared. It was hard to say which of them was more surprised when Ranger ate his share of both desserts with pleasure.

They got back to Lawrence in time to stop in at the coffeehouse to listen to the last set of guitar music by the couple that lived over the furniture store. Stephanie was happy to see that Ranger did enjoy it.

The day had been fun but tiring, and they went to bed shortly after returning to Stephanie's apartment. They did lie awake talking for a while, until Stephanie got distracted by the way Ranger's skin stretched taunt across his chest…and it was a while after that they slept.

-oOo-

Wednesday morning the ring of Ranger's cell phone woke them, and Stephanie had the sinking feeling that their little idyll was about to end.

She was close.

"That was Tank," Ranger said as he dropped his phone back beside the bed. "He just had a call that a high-bond skip has been seen in Kansas City over the last few days."

"One of Vinnie's?" Steph asked, her forehead wrinkling slightly in confusion.

"No – someone the Feds want."

"Who called Tank? How would they even know to call RangeMan?"

Ranger chuckled and brushed a stray curl out of her eyelashes. "Over the years we've developed a wide network of eyes and ears. And it probably got passed through several levels before it got to Tank."

Stephanie turned to face him and sighed. "I guess you need to get back to work then." She gave him a small smile before he could say anything. "I've loved having you here, you know that, but I also know you can't leave your business hanging indefinately."

"No, I can't," he agreed softly, glad she was meeting his eyes and wasn't upset. "It has been interesting to spend this time with you here, seeing you in an entirely different setting. Being here has been good for you, I think. But I know you probably aren't ready to leave it."

She shook her head.

Ranger hesitated only slightly before asking the next question. "Do you think you will come back to Trenton someday? Or does it hold too many bad memories now?"

Stephanie's face softened and her hand reached up to cup his jaw. "The good memories outnumber the bad, Ranger. I'm not quite ready to face the 'Burg yet, but I will come back."

Ranger turned his head and pressed a kiss into her palm, nearly sighing with relief. "I'm glad. You know that I'll be waiting for you, don't you, Babe? However long it takes."

She looked a little stunned – hadn't she guessed by now? Her lips trembled slightly as she tried to smile at him. Then she said, softly, "I love you, Ranger."

His smile rivaled the sun. "I love you, too, Stephanie. I'm in love with you. And I'll be waiting… no matter how long it takes."

The tears that spilled down her cheeks weren't entirely unexpected but he still felt like an ass for making her cry. He should have told her how he felt a long time ago, maybe then she'd have come to him instead of running away when things got to be too much. He'd wasted so much time. But no more.

He pulled her close and held her until the tears passed, then he kept holding her because he loved the feel of her in his arms. Only when she laughingly pulled away to answer Nature's call did he reluctantly let her go.

They cooked breakfast together in her tiny kitchenette, and talked as they ate.

"So what's going to happen with this wanted person?" she asked.

"Tank's going to send me background information and see what he can work out for surveillence, find out if there's anyone in the area that can narrow down a location for us. Then we'll see."

After breakfast Ranger retrieved his laptop from the SUV while Stephanie got some laundry started. He sat at the little table to read through the information Tank sent. Steph made hot peppermint tea and put a mug of it beside him, and he smiled up at her in thanks. She took her mug and turned the TV on low, finding a classic '80s movie to watch as she waited for her laundry to dry.

He was on the phone when she came back in with a basket of clean clothes. She didn't think it was Tank on the other end, either.

After that call Ranger put the computer aside and watched TV with her until it was nearly two. While she changed clothes for work Ranger sat on the twin bed and talked to her, asking if she'd mind if he came back up to the apartment to do some computer searches during her shift.

"Of course I don't mind," she said. "I don't expect you to hang out in the bar just because I'm working – although I have to admit, Monday night was fun! Do what you need to do." She went into the bathroom to apply a bit of makeup and when she came back out she had a thoughtful look on her face.

"If your, um, person is from Kansas City, Bear might be able to tell you about certain areas of the city. And I think Owl is from there."

"Good ideas, Babe. I'll see what pops in the searches."

He went downstairs with her to talk to Bear and lend a hand with set-up, and chatted long enough with Owl to discover Stephanie was right. Owl was born and raised in KC and knew a great deal about the city.

When the bar opened and started getting busy he went back upstairs to work. He found a number of things he wanted to print and ended up taking his laptop downstairs and asking to use Bear's office printer. He talked to Owl a bit, managing to get a general idea where some of his fugitive's favorite places were located without Owl realizing he was being pumped for information.

But Bear realized something was going on.

Ranger was back down in the bar at last call and started helping with the closing chores. Bear caught him in the back room and didn't waste any time asking what was going on. Ranger explained briefly, knowing that with Bear's background he could be a valuable source of information.

Thursday passed all too fast. For the most part Ranger spent the time before the bar opened with Stephanie much as they had been. He got the occasional text from Tank updating him, and Stephanie knew there would be more information waiting when he opened his laptop. But he waited until after the bar was open and busy before he went back to 'work' too – downstairs this time. Bear let him use his office so he could print without having to run up and down stairs.

Of course, working downstairs meant Bear could be nosy. But that was balanced out by the benefit of more time spent with his Babe.

By Friday evening RangeMan had contacts in Kansas City tailing the fugitive and scouting the best locations for a take-down. Ranger was at the bar talking to Bear. When Steph came up to put in drink orders he pulled her a little closer to speak privately.

"Is everything okay?" she asked, studying his face.

He smiled at her in reassurance. "Things are proceeding well so far. Surveillence has the guy in sight, and in a couple days we should know where best to pin him down. Babe, would you be interested in doing a distraction for me?"

She stiffened. "You're not doing this alone, are you? The guys in KC, can you trust them to be your backup?"

"I can help," offered Bear. He'd been openly evesdropping. "And what's a 'distraction'?"

Steph went to deliver the drinks and left Ranger to explain that. She'd help, she knew she would, but before she got back to the bar the door opened and she had to do a double-take. Lester, in 'civilian' clothes, bounded into the bar followed closely by the huge form of Tank. Lester spotted her and swept her off her feet before she even managed to get her mouth closed.

"Beautiful, we've missed you so much!! It's great to see you! And wow, you look good."

Tank pried her out of Lester's arms and gave her a hug, too, his white smile flashing. "Hey, Bombshell. Lula sends her love."

Stephanie looked over her shoulder to see Ranger grinning. He'd known they were coming and hadn't told her? She gave him a narrow-eyed look and he laughed.

They joined Ranger at the bar, where Tank and Lester greeted Bear as 'Navarre'. Somehow she wasn't surprised they all knew each other. Funny how she'd pegged Bear as military the day she'd interviewed but what were the chances? Small world.

They guys took over Ranger's end of the bar and Steph got bits and pieces as she passed. Evidently Woody and Hal would arrive tomorrow. They would all spend a day or two familiarizing themselves with the fugitive's stomping grounds and schedule, and hopefully be ready to take him down by Monday. They had no problem including Bear in their plans, and Stephanie formally agreed to be their bait.

Bear was looking forward to seeing the Jersey Devil in action for himself. He'd seen her in deal with unruly patrons at the bar; he'd read the newspaper articles, and he'd even managed to get Ranger to tell him about some of her jobs with him. It had impressed him but also made him even more curious. He went back to his grill reluctantly, already thinking about who he could get to work at the bar they night they'd be gone.

-oOo-oOo-oOo-

TBC…