A/N: Thank You! So this Chapter is really sappy be warned, hehe. Sometimes I have to unleash my inner romantic. You know what to do to keep me happy!

Betrayal

Chapter 29

Stephs PoV

October 31, 2011 2022 hours

Bodie, WA

„Babe, stop.

Damn I knew it.

I knew he wouldn´t accept "running" away. Nevertheless, I have to try. I looked him in the eyes and let him see my pain and the desperation. Insufferable man why doesn´t he understand that I need to see him safe.

With two long strides, he was in front of me gathering my face in his hands. His black eyes boring into in my blue ones. We didn't need words. I know what he will say. I know that I will not survive going up against Tank, Leland, Jack, Sam, Bryan, Russell, and Nicolas. I just want to take down Tank and Leland and buy them enough time to escape. Just enough time for the newest political scandal to hit the news, thus insuring their safety indefinitely.

Why won´t he understand that his life is so much more valuable than mine.

"Steph" Sanders said quietly. "It´s him."

I nodded, "I thought so." a tear escaped.

"Tell me, Babe."

I took a deep breath.

"A few years back, I was almost finished with my training. Lewis and I were sparring and he was frustrated. He said, "There is this boy he´s just fresh in basic, wickedly intelligent, a natural in combat be it hand to hand or firearms, resourceful, innovative, determined, and responsible, a born leader. However, he is so full of himself, cocky, arrogant even, respects no other opinion than his own, and has a real problem with authority. I have no idea what to do with him anymore. He accepts every penalty stoically but it don´t change his ways. He has the potential to become the best Ranger the Army ever had but if I don´t get him to listen I will have to send him packing."

I said to Lewis, "Do with him what you did with me. Break him, pick him apart and then put him back together not his body but his mind."

A year later Lewis called me and said, "You remember the boy I told you about. He was just named the youngest squad leader in the history of the Rangers. It´s a shame the Army don´t accept women into the Rangers. What would I give to bring you two together? The two of you would be unstoppable. You could unhinge the world."

"He talked about me, didn´t he?" Ranger stated more than he asked.

I nodded.

"So I have to thank you for the staged assassination of my team in training?" he growled

I swallowed around the lump in my throat and nodded again. He can´t do more than kill me, right.

"Thank you" with that he kissed me softly on the lips. "You made me into the man I am today."

I snorted. Yeah right.

"Babe, do you trust me?"

"Yes"

"Do you trust in me?"

"Of course"

"Then why are you still so dead set on protecting me, now that I know the truth?"

I have to tell him. I have nothing left to lose. Here it goes.

"Because I cannot imagine a world without you in it." He blinked once, twice and then he whispered,

"Oh, Babe" His lips crashed down on mine. His tongue ghosted over my lower lip, asking for entrance, which I happily granted. Our tongues danced the eternal dance, taking and giving. Our bodies pressed so close I was no longer sure where mine ended and his began.

Sadly, there is still a deadly danger waiting out there, so we ended the kiss.

"Babe, why in the name of Dante´s nine circles of hell, would you think it´s any different for me?"

"HUH" Eloquence thy name is Stephanie.

Shaking his head with an amused smile Ranger said.

"For such an intelligent woman you are really stupid sometimes. We are in this together. You and me. I know why you did what you did and although I don´t like it that much I understand and I forgive you. I thank you for saving my life, my daughter, my family, my friends and my company. I love you Stephanie Plum. We are in this together. What do you think? Are we unstoppable together?"

What to say except.

"I love you, too."

"I know but that´s not what I asked. Will you Stephanie Nyx Plum unhinge the world with me?"

There was only one thing a girl could say.

"YES"

"Well then, let´s show those fuckers it´s a bad idea to mess with us." There was this unholy gleam in his eyes. Sonovagun it´s going to be good.

"Yeah, let´s"

Ranger took my hand in his and we turned.

"Guy´s…" I started

"The plan…" Ranger continued.

"Has changed!" we finished together.