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.


Helen POV

I was having a good time at this Applebee's place with my little granddaughters. I had volunteered to take them shopping for their school uniforms and shoes while Valerie went for book bags and school supplies. After she finished her shopping, she would go and have lunch with that nice Wyatt boy and I could have Mary Alice and Angie with me. It was win-win.

Mary Alice had loved Chilton Day School because they had horses. Angie had liked it because her little friends Sera, Mercedes, Reina and Lily went there. It was a really prestigious day school and it was not in the Burg. Good. I want the best for my granddaughters and some of these schools were not up to par.

I was surprised when Ana mentioned it, but it was a stroke of genius. We would keep all of the kids together this way. Valerie was easy to convince especially when I told her that her husband would have to pay half. She had smiled a scary smile at that thought. She kept giggling about some email she got. I am glad that she is more relaxed now.

Both of my granddaughters now had necklaces like mine. Mary Alice's was of course a horse and Angie's was a book. They had squealed when Wyatt dropped them off this morning. He said that he had the morning and afternoon off because he was taking the late shift again. I asked him who would work with Stephanie and he laughed and said that all of the guys begged for his spot and he gave it to that nice Calvin.

He promised that Stephanie was mostly inside the building anyway except for her workout class. I calmed down. I didn't want her to be hurt or something and Carlos is still out of town. She was mainlining muffins according to Wyatt. What had gotten into that girl? Or not. Oh. I will not think those thoughts.

Think about the big plan, Helen! Ana had told me that Rosa was going to offer Stephanie her dress to wear! This was so exciting. Okay, I need to focus on the girls. They were talking about little Joaquin's birthday party. I think I will go to that. It will give me a chance to debut my coconut and rum cake. Hector and Manny said it was off the hook and Mother assured me that it meant great, so I feel really good about taking it to the party.

In fact, after lunch if the girls are not too tired, maybe we can take a ride to Target and shop for a gift for little Joaquin. I have seen the way he clings to Stephanie and she almost carries him around. He is doing most of my work for me. I love that little boy!

"Grandma, we need the restroom." I smiled at Angie. She was so serious sometimes, but she did smile when she played with her puppy.

Okay, no problem. We went to the bathroom and when we came out, there was a shifty looking man blocking our way. Did he work here? What was his deal? He pulled out a gun and I looked at the girls. They touched their necklaces and I touched mine, too.

I just had to stay calm. I stood in front of the girls and pushed them against the wall. I cannot believe this is happening! All I wanted was to bask in the glory of being a good grandmother! My phone rings and I answer it. The gun is still in my face, but it would be rude to ignore the call.

Stephanie POV

Today was an okay day so far. I was currently at Zumba class with Cal and Isa. Cat said that she had a meeting with Hector to upgrade security again, especially since we used the roof so much and that she really did not want to go to the class. I laughed at her and now here I was sweating to the sultry sounds of some Beyoncé song.

All I know is that I want Carlos to be okay. The thought crosses my mind constantly. I am not having doubts about his skills, but I am missing him. It is throwing me off my game. Today, I only put up a token protest when my mother showed me some nice china patterns that would look lovely at a reception, or the wonderful app she found that would help to create a seating chart.

I had just smiled and nodded, but I did not miss the gleam in her eye. Cat was right. We were powerless against these plotting women. I think that I am willing to allow them their schemes because I love Carlos so much. If it was another Dickie situation, I would be protesting and probably drinking right now. Whew, this class is brutal!

When it was over, I went to the locker room with Isa and we talked.

"You act like a robot. What is wrong with you?" I sighed.

"Isa, your brother will not be back until Sunday. It is driving me crazy. That is why I agreed to work out with you today. I needed a distraction to get me through today, tomorrow and Saturday." She hugged me.

"You know he is the best. Stop worrying. Do you think that I should date a Rangeman?" My head snapped up at that thought.

"NO!" She giggled helplessly.

"Good. Me either. That was funny. I actually like this guy that I take Political Science class with. He is studying to be an engineer with his dad's firm. His name is Nick Young." Uh oh.

"Isa, he does not sound Latin." She giggles again.

"He is mixed. Black and Puerto Rican. His full name is Nicolas Antonio Young. Go ahead and run his background. He is so handsome and smart and yummy and he is a gentleman. He is 25 years old and he was in the Reserves. Let me know if you find something else. I want him, Steph." I hugged her and left with a secret mission. Good.

Cal and I drive back to the office to find the guys racing to their cars. Oh, well, there must be an alarm somewhere. Cat comes up to me and hands my gym bag to Ella. I allow her to pull me into the break room and hand me a cup of tea. She is not smiling. Is something wrong with Carlos?

"Chica, there is an alarm for your mother and your nieces. The guys are on the way there now. They called your mom and she told them that you had to get married immediately and that she would meet them as soon as she used the restroom." What?

"Focus, Steph. She told them that the guy has a gun and that she is by the bathrooms. She did well. Les promised to call me as soon as they had the situation under control."

I lean forward with my hands holding my head. They were being held up or kidnapped or something at Applebee's? Who does that?

"Did anyone call the police?" She nods.

"Yes. We contacted the police, but they agreed to let the guys handle it first."

My phone rings and I answer it. "Hello?" There is a sigh.

"Stephanie, it's your mother. I am fine and so are the girls. I have to call Frank now. No one got hurt. Well, the guy with the gun got hurt, but we are alright. I have to go." She hung up.

"That was my mother. She said that they are fine and that she is calling my dad now." Cat had just ended her own call.

"Yes. Apparently, the guy talked a lot and Les and Bobby were able to take him out from behind after getting your mom and nieces to duck. No shots were fired, they just whipped his ass." Good.

"They are being turned over to the police now. The guy worked at Applebee's. It does not look good for them. I know that Lester will have a nice long talk with the manager." I smile.

"Oh, okay, then. I have something to do for Isa." Cat grins.

"Did she tell you about her novio?" Dammit, how does she know?

"Chica, she told me when she asked me to come to the class. I said no and she said that she met someone. Now, you go and do the background search on him to see if he is good enough for your hermana en ley." I shoved her.

"I am not married yet, Cat." She shoved me back.

"You will be soon, Chica."

I left to go to my office to check out Nick Young. I hoped he was on the up and up, because Isa had hearts in her eyes when she told me about him.

Valerie POV

I was having a nice time with Wyatt. We decided to play mini golf and then have a late lunch. I figured it would bore him to go school shopping. This was a pretty great guy. Stephanie already liked him. He was Italian and he loved to travel. He was my age and he really liked kids. I got a call from Mother saying that they were alright and that confused me, until she explained what happened.

My babies! She calmed me down and said that the nice Rangeman boys came to her rescue and that she was now taking the girls to Target to look for a birthday gift for little Joaquin. She did not even sound worried. I like Ma this way. I told Wyatt what happened and he hugged me.

"The guys are good, Valerie. They take the panic alarms very seriously and if they pulled all three of them, then I know they showed up like the SWAT team." I nodded into his chest. He has so many muscles!

"I know, but they are my babies, Wyatt." He smiles and hands me my club.

"Stop stalling and trying to get my sympathy, Plum. Winner picks the place for lunch, so take your putt."

He is so fun loving and he listens when I talk. I have to take this slowly, but I really like this guy. I take my putt and it is a hole in one. Ha! He may be better at shooting guns, but I can play some mini golf. He puts his arm around my shoulders and we move on to the next hole.

After lunch, I said goodbye to Wyatt and headed to the Walmart to get school supplies for the girls. I was taking my time and comparing bookbags when my name was called. I looked up and saw Betty Lupelli. She was a few years older than me and I know she is a big gossip. Bring it on, sister.

"Hello there, Valerie Plum! How are you doing? I heard you just got back into town with your daughters. Divorce is never a good thing. I also heard from Shirley that a man tried to hold up your mother and your daughters. Is that true?"

She grins like a shark about to go after krill. I am not afraid to face her, though.

"Hello, Betty. Yes, divorce is a good thing when your husband cheats. I would never stay with a cheater. You could end up with some sort of disease or something. Yes, my daughters are with my mother right now shopping for school. They have been accepted into Chilton Day School. That is why I am getting them new backpacks. I trust the guys at Rangeman. You know my sister works there. How are things with you?"

Take that.

Before she can answer, Wyatt calls me. Excellent. "Hello?"

"Hey, are you still doing alright, Valerie?" He is so sweet to check on me. I blush.

"Yes, I am fine, but I have to go. I was talking to someone just now."

"I also called to invite you to dinner tomorrow night since you start your new job next week." Wow!

"Sure, we can go to dinner tomorrow night, but I pick the place." Betty leans in close. I know what I am doing.

"Of course, Valerie. Text it to me so I can get a reservation." He is so adorable.

"Okay, then. See you." I hang up and stare at Betty.

"So, who was that, Valerie? Do you have a new man already?" She is playing right into my hands.

"No, not yet, but I did meet someone. We are just friends right now. I need time and my kids need time to adjust to our new lives. There is no rush. He assured me that he is interested in me and he loves kids. He is also not from Trenton." She almost pouts. This is fun.

"Well, I will have to let you go. You take care, Valerie."

She pushes her cart away from me already talking on the phone. Whatever. I go back to comparing backpacks. I decide on a plain messenger bag for Angie. Her Ipad will fit inside and I get a sparkly bag for Mary Alice.

I make a stop over by the Halloween costumes because the girls want to be badass princesses. I check out the Mulan costume and the Belle costume and I am accosted by another gossiper. This time it is Angie Morelli. I sigh inwardly.

"Hello Mrs. Morelli. How are you today?" She grins at me and checks out the costumes.

"I am doing great, Valerie. I just heard from my son that he had a good date. I don't know if you have heard, but he prefers the company of men these days and he met a nice young man named Andrew. It seems like a good match and Joey is looking forward to this weekend. They are going to the Amish country. That means almost a commitment! I feel so good, I told Lorraine that I would pick up costumes for her kids. So tell me, did you do a burning bed on the cheating scum before you left him?" Wow.

"That is great about your son, Mrs. Morelli. No, I just took most of our money so he could not spend it on the freaking nanny!" She pats my shoulder.

"Good girl. Sometimes the pocketbook is where it hurts. You keep your head up and do not let anybody tell you it was your fault. Take it from someone who knows. Also, I met a nice gentleman named Christopher Reed. He was so polite and funny at dinner last night. We ended up having a triple date with your mother and that nice Ana Manoso. That food was delicious and I have to try to bake that tres leche cake! My grandbabies will love it."

I looked at Mrs. Morelli. She did look more lively. She looked like we look when we have a crush on someone. Good for her.

"That is great, Mrs. Morelli. That cake sounds delicious. If it works out, I would like to trade you for the recipe." She waves her arm at me.

"Your mother has it too. She is going to try to add chocolate to it. She is so silly. So I have a date tomorrow night to go dancing. Come with me to look at dresses." She pulls me with her and we look at dresses. None of these are going to work.

"Mrs. Morelli. How about we pay for our things and you come with me to Sak's. They have some good discounts and the girls there will love you." She lights up smiling at me and we rush to the checkout counter.

Lester POV

I had barely finished putting my SWAT gear into my locker when Cat attacked me with a kiss.

I love kissing her, so I did not complain. I pull back and look at her eyes which are almost the same as mine, but they are darker.

"Hey there, Kitten. Did you miss me?"

She pulls at my clothes. I look around and I was the last one here because Miss Helen wanted a list of all of the guys who responded to her alert. She wants to bake us cookies. I love her. I had told the guys that I would give her their names and they dealt with the cops and the creep.

"Come on and take me in the shower, Lester." Yes, Ma'am. I follow her to the shower stalls and we take one and I shove her against the wall.

"What's wrong, Kitten?" She kisses all over my neck.

"I was worried a little bit. So do not bring it up with Steph. Come on, Lester, give it to me." She whines and growls as I take her slowly. She always wants to rush me.

"Kitten, let me take my time with you. You are so amazing, baby. There was nothing to worry about. We had our jackets and vests on and Miss Helen told us where she was when we called her." She tightens on me and I bite her neck.

"The guy was someone who worked there and thought she and the girls would be easy marks. Needless to say, he is fired and I told the manager that he needs to do better screening in the future. He begged for Rangeman and I put him on the schedule. He is having ribs delivered for us tonight. Now give it to me, Kitten."

She moans and scratches at my back. "Your mother is planning our wedding, Lester." I smile at her.

"Let her do it if that keeps her busy. We will plan our life together, Kitten. Now kiss me, baby. Are you ready?" She is panting and she looks so beautiful with the water and steam all around us. Damn, she is all mine, too.

Later, we dress and she manages to look like nothing happened. I, on the other hand, need a V8 or something. Shower sex is tiring.

"Come along, Osito and let's get you something to eat." I glare at her and tickle her.

"Do not call me that around the guys! I told you that as a secret, Catalina." She winks at me.

"Maybe later, you can punish me, Lester." She struts out of the room and I follow. I am her obedient servant.

Ranger POV

This is the worst location ever. We are very close to a weed plantation and we have been advised to set it on fire. I have a bad feeling about this. Demon nods at me and we storm into the house and take down the four guys that were in there. It takes us no time to subdue them and put them into our van. We go room to room checking for any other residents or weapons and we load up more guns and ammo.

I was about to give Demon the signal when I heard a giggle. What the hell? I open the closet again and there is nothing there. The giggle is louder, so I find the latch and open a secret hidden part of the closet.

There is a lot of money in there and a little girl. Madre de Dios! Who left a little kid in here?! I motion to Demon and he just stares at me. What am I going to do with a three year old little girl? I know I look all kinds of scary.

"Is it over?" She asks me in accented English. I start packing the money and I try to stay as far away from her as possible. She is adorable.

"Is what over, Dulce?" She smiles and hands me stacks of money.

"I was playing hide and seek with Tio Pablo. Did I win? If I win, I get to have my own gun. He promised." We keep packing money and I hand it to Demon. He adds it to the pile of things we have to load into the van.

"Will you buy me a gun with some of this money? Can I get some new books, too? I can read Dr. Suess." She is pulling on my pants and staring at me with those eyes.

Oh, this is not happening to me. Maybe I am high from burning the weed. I ask Demon to pinch me and he smacks the back of my head. The fucker.

He bends down to her level and smiles. She smiles back and smacks him across the face.

"Use your words or next time, you get a time out." I laughed at the situation. She was a little Jefaza already in her little cargo shorts and brown and blonde hair.

"What is your name, Dulce?" She smiles at me.

"You can call me Dulce. You are a stranger and I do not know you." She is smart.

"How old are you?" She picks up her backpack. She had put some money into it. She was resourceful. It was only a few thousand. I would let her keep it.

"I am going to be four on November the 3rd. I do not like pink and I like guns. Where is my Tio?" I sigh. I am going to send the General a stink bomb.

"Your Tio has to go to jail, Dulce. We will have to take you home to your parents." She shakes her head and reaches for one of my guns. I back away from her.

"Nope. My parents are in heaven. Did my Tio steal something or hurt somebody?" She looks at me with those light brown eyes and I cannot answer her. I am hopeless at this.

"Your Tio did some bad things. Do you have an abuela or somebody we can call for you, Dulce?" She shakes her head.

"Nope. I will just go with you. I like your guns. What is your name?" Demon laughs at me.

"I am Ric." She holds out her little hand and I shake it.

"I am Francesca, but please just call me Chessie or Dulce is nice. Do you have kids already?" I shake my head no.

She smiles. "Good. I can run fast and I am good at hiding. I can go to the bathroom by myself and I speak Spanish and English. My birthday is soon and I wanted a mama and papa. Are you married? Can you just take me to your house?" Her little ponytail flops to the side as she looks at me.

I think my brain is melting. I carry her out of the house and drive a half a mile away. We stunned the men and left them in the back of the van.

I set Chessie on the seat and sat on the passenger side with her and tried to ignore her questions. She was killing me. She climbed into my lap and messed with my hair. She kept trying to take my guns and then she took a grenade and I had to throw it. She clapped and begged me to do another one.

"Please, Dulce. You must not touch these things. I will get you a water gun. My guns are dangerous." She sighs.

"I am a big girl, Pretty Ricky! Will you really get me a water gun?"

I smile and nod at her.

"Please just call me Ric or Ricky, Chessie." She nods and giggles.

Demon gets into the van and we drive off. I cannot believe it. We would have left her here. I want to punch Pablo in the face again just for that. He could have mentioned her. Who takes a kid to a drug deal?

"Ricky?" I look at her since Demon is driving.

"Yes, Dulce?" She smiles.

"Are you taking me home with you? I know my colors and I can dance."

She keeps giving me her little resume and it just scares me. Babe is the one that is a kid magnet. I look at Demon and he nods at me. I sigh and pray that Babe will not kill me.

"Sure, Dulce, but you have to be good and do what I say until we get there. Do you promise?"

She nods and leans against me and goes to sleep. She is cute and I can understand how Woki wormed his way into Babe's heart. What were we going to do with this little girl while we did our last takedown?

Stephanie POV

Isa was thrilled when I told her that she could continue to date Nicolas Young. She said I was her favorite almost sister in law. She is cute. She even promised to wait until after I get engaged to introduce him to the familia. Her words, not mine. I was happy to help her and it kept my mind off of Carlos.

I sent a text to Katrina to sell twisted pretzels in Morelli's honor and I gave her the recipe. She said that she would do them in November because she wanted to practice the recipe and that she could not stop selling churros. She said that was my best idea ever.

Tank got a super secret call from Carlos and he told me that he was doing fine and that he was right on schedule and then he asked me if I would mind if Luis fixed a kid's room in the apartment in the second bedroom. I shook my head no and hugged him. Carlos was alright!

After that, the guys and Luis converged on the room and they were looking at camo print sheets online. It was funny watching them all pitch in like that. The kids will not be over again for at least a few weeks. There is Woki's birthday in a week and the Halloween Ball. Maybe they just need a distraction, too.

I decided to send another gift to bad Steve. Today's gift is subscriptions to all of the questionable magazines I could think of. He would get Jugs, Big Asses Galore, XXL, Playgirl and a host of other fun titles. He would not be able to stop them because they were gift subscriptions. I also sent him some lube. It was a large bottle. Heh heh.

Well, I mentally cross another day off of my Carlos calendar and sit and watch Heathers with Cat while we eat fat free chocolate gelato. Cat said that she loved this movie because of the explosions. I love it because Winona Ryder killed her evil friends. I always wondered what would happen if Burg bitches started "committing suicide". I guess it is a good thing that I am not into murder.

The guys left when the movie was over. They had made a lot of headway. Luis promised to finish the painting tomorrow. That was nice. The kids were going to love that bed, though. There was a desk underneath and the bed was a bunk bed. It was adorable. I looked at the name stenciled on the wall. Who was Chessie?