Hey Babes, thanks so much for your kind words and support. Everytime my cell phone dings with an incoming email a big smile turns up the corners of my lips and I can't wait to read what you left for me. Your words fuel my drive to continue this story even though it is getting harder with every chapter. There are so many lose ends to tie up and I want to satisfy you all if that is at all possible.

Special thanks go to Rainbow Severus and WizardsWoman for bouncing ideas with me and proofreading this chapter.

Disclaimer is the same as always: Those characters you recognize from the Plum books belong to JE.


The second chance

Chapter 29

6 weeks later

"Okay, now that that is settled we come to today's assignments." Steph stood at the head of the conference table and looked around the room, meeting the men's eyes. "Boomer, Hancock, you two will do a double shift monitor duty and afterwards clean the fifth floor under Ella's supervision."

"WHAT?" Both men jumped up and looked angrily at her. "Why the fuck are we getting punished?"

"You two are still hungover and in no shape for field work, hence the monitor duty. And the double shift and cleaning duty will hopefully teach you not to get wasted when you have to work the next day. I may not dish out mat time, but that doesn't mean that you can get away with things without repercussions."

The men called Boomer and Hancock scowled at her but took their seats. They were two of the Atlanta guys and had overstepped the mark. It was the first time since the borrowed crew members had arrived that Steph was forced to demonstrate her power and teach them a lesson.

"Hector, Sanchez, Zip and Gomez, instead of your monitor shifts you will go out in the field and canvass Stark and Sloan for information regarding the new guns on the streets. Rumor has it that Alexander Ramos is pissed and we don't want a war in Trenton. Hector, I know this takes you away from installations, but I need you on the street. If there's a problem, come to me and I'll see what I can do."

The four men nodded and Steph couldn't help but realize that Sanchez looked a little uncomfortable at the prospect of being teamed up with Hector. Nothing she could do about that. The other teams were all put together. She couldn't ask Tank to redo that just because of Boomer and Hancock's fuck-up and the resulting change in shifts.

"Alright, the team leaders will now come and get their files and afterwards will meet with their partner for a short briefing. Everybody: Be vigilant and prepared; I want you all safe."

The appointed leaders stood up and went to Tank who handed out the files with their assignments; the rest of the men filed out of the room and went to their corresponding cubicles.

Suddenly, Brett and Bones stood in front of Steph. "Boss?"

"Hm?"

"Do you want us to have a talk with Boomer and Hancock?"

"You mean a talk that involves your fists?" Steph smiled up at them. "No, guys, thank you. You know what I think about mat-time. If you spar with each other as friends that's fine, but I don't want anyone getting beat because he dissed rules. I have other ways to settle that."

"But what if those other ways don't work?"

"Then the person will lose their job with Rangeman. Listen, I know you worry, but don't. I have everything under control, 'kay?"

"Ten-Four, but we have your back when you need us."

Steph watched Brett and Bone's retreating backs and smiled. They both belonged to Rangeman's B-team, but that didn't keep them from looking out for her. Rangeman Trenton had become a close-knit community and the guys from Boston, Atlanta and Miami had a hard time being accepted in the family.

~~~ooOoo~~~

"Come on, Carlos. You can do it." The physical therapist was standing behind Ranger, ready to step in should the need be. "I know you have a bad day, but all the more important it is that you push yourself to achieve something, even if it is just a little bit."

Ranger swore and swayed in place while he tried to keep his balance. Since two weeks he had problems with his equilibrium and now they had lengthened his stubbies for another four inch ensuring that his problems got even worse.

"I can't do this." He pressed through clenched teeth and looked around for his wheelchair.

"Yes, you can. Get your shit together and try." The physical therapist pushed him, knowing it was time for some harsh words rather than compassion.

Painfully, Ranger pushed the walker he was hanging on a step forward, pulled himself together and concentrated not to lose his balance once he moved his legs.

"FUCK!" His outburst could be heard in the whole gym. "I'M FED UP WITH THIS SHIT!"

The harness he wore and the bungee rope he was attached to had absorbed the worst of his fall, but nonetheless he felt humiliated sitting on the floor for the umpteenth time today.

"Stand up and try again; the start looked really good." The therapist encouraged Ranger, picking up the walker and positioning it in front of him.

"No, I'm done. Get me my wheelchair so I can pack up."

"You are not done. Not on my shift."

The two men stared at each other and Ranger had to fight hard not to lose his famous control.

"I said I'm done," he growled, his eyes cold and nailing hard into those of the physical therapist.

"Listen Carlos, we are working together for three months now. In this time we've become quite close and I understand your frustration but, believe me as your friend, you need to stand up and try it again. Stopping this session after a failure is the worst thing we can do. You need a positive experience to help you through this shitty day."

On the floor Ranger took some calming breaths and finally gritted his teeth. In the well-known procedure that they had trained for weeks on end, he sorted out his prostheses and with the help of the walker stood up, albeit tottering.

"Okay, now move the walker a step forward and then concentrate. This isn't about speed or fluency. Take your time and move first your right and then your left leg. Forget about all the people here. It's just you and me and together we can do this."

Ranger pressed his lips together, pushed the walker a step ahead and then focused on his right leg. He lifted his hip and rolled it forward as they had trained thousands of times and saw his prosthetic leg make a step forward. When the footplate touched the floor, he halted for a minute and concentrated on keeping his balance. Once he felt in control, he took a deep breath and repeated the procedure with his left leg. This time he didn't fall. His posture and expression were strained and sweat was running in rivulets down his face, but he looked satisfied. Seeing the weariness on his face, his physical therapist decided to declare their session over and brought Ranger his much longed for wheelchair. In a few hours they would meet again for their afternoon session and his patient was in dire need of a break. He just wanted their two hours to end on a positive note.

~~~ooOoo~~~

"Alright, any questions?" Steph looked at Zero, Woody, Binkie and Hal who were sitting on the guest chairs and couch in her office. "No? Fine, then go and get us some contracts. Good luck."

She watched them file out of the room and slouched back once the door shut behind them. Bringing the four of them into client relations was the best idea ever. They had all completed their sensitivity training with success and were fruitful with both new and existing clients, especially Hal. Who would have thought? His unobtrusive, pleasant demeanor appealed their female clientele and it so happened that new female clients asked especially for him after he was most warmly recommended by business friends. It was obvious to her that all four guys were taken up in their new assignment. Her cell phone ringing brought her out of her thoughts and she smiled at the Batman theme filling the room.

"Hey Batman, what's shaking?"

For the longest moment there was nothing to hear before Ranger's weary voice sounded through the line. "Babe."

Frowning, Steph pulled the phone from her ear and looked at the screen as though that would give her a clue what was going on.

"Are you alright, Carlos? You don't sound good."

"Having a shit day, Babe."

"Tell me, why is it shitty?"

"Don't want to."

"But talking helps putting things in perspective."

On the other end she could hear a low growl. "I don't need perspective. When I say it's a shit day that has to be enough for you."

"Okay, okay, don't get your panties in a bunch," Steph said, furrowing her brow.

"Sorry, Babe."

Ranger's voice sounded miserable and she wanted to do nothing more than take him in her arms.

"It's okay, Carlos. I can take it."

"But you shouldn't have to. This is all so fucked up. My fucking life is fucked up."

Alright, so it was one of those days. Steph kept silent. Obviously he didn't want to talk about it and she wouldn't make the mistake of pushing him when he was in a mood.

"Tell me about your day, Babe. I need some distraction."

"That I can do. Rangeman is running at peak performance. Security, Bond Enforcement, they are all blooming. We have daily job interviews and are slowly stocking up on staff. Today at the morning meeting I had to put Boomer and Hancock from Atlanta in their place. They both got really drunk last night. Lester and Bobby had to spring them from Domino's and settle their bill. This morning they still had such a hangover that it was clear they couldn't go out in the field today. Tank was pissed. He had already made the schedules and paired up the teams. So it became clear that a lesson needed to be taught. They are both on a double monitor shift and afterwards have to clean the fifth floor under Ella's supervision. That will hopefully teach them not to get shitfaced when they have to work the next day."

"You should have let Tank settle this on the mats."

"No. There is no such thing as mat time anymore. You know that."

"Stephanie, your Barbie approach won't help these hardened men to learn their lesson."

"Excuse me? This Barbie approach as you call it has worked just fine so far. The guys take me serious without me asking Tank to beat them to a bloody pulp."

"It might seem that way, but I know them better than you. They enjoy the freedom that comes with you being their boss, but the moment the going gets rough all hell will break loose and your girlie ways will bite you in the ass. Then it will be up to Tank to get the men back under control."

Steph looked at the dark mahogany of her desk and took a deep breath. "Carlos, are you spoiling for a fight? I've had a great day so far and won't let you clash with me."

The silence that was greeting her on her cell was ear-deafening.

Just as she wanted to ask Ranger whether he was still there, the landline rang making Steph check the number in the display.

"Listen, Carlos, please hold the line. There's a call on the landline that I have to take." Grabbing the receiver with her free hand she held it to her ear. "What's up, Cal?"

"Angel, Lester and I are on Stark Street. Hector and Sanchez were involved in a gang fight with lethal consequences. Hector got arrested for murder and attacked Morelli after he was already cuffed. Les is mediating with the cops. You need to come to the station; it looks bad for Hector."

"Are our guys okay?"

"Sanchez has a gunshot wound to the shoulder and is getting packed up for transport to St. Francis. Hector is quite banged up and has some knife wounds, but nothing too serious from what I could see. He's in the second ambulance and gets patched up so the cops can take him to the station."

"I'll send Bobby to St. Francis. You stay with Sanchez; let Les follow Hector to the cop shop. A team with Manny as leader will take over the investigation at the scene. I'll call the lawyers, grab Tank and come to the station."

"Roger that." Steph heard Cal hang up and pulled the cell phone back to her ear.

"Carlos, we have a situation here. I'm sorry I have to cut this short. Try to rest some and think of something positive and I will call you when I'm back, okay?"

"What situation?"

Blowing out a deep breath, Steph weighed her options and decided to lay out what she knew. "Sanchez and Hector got into the middle of a gang fight. Sanchez has a gunshot wound to the shoulder and Hector is banged up and arrested for murder. I don't have more details. Cal and Les are on the scene and as soon as we hang up I will call the lawyers and then Tank and I will drive to the station."

"Fuck! How could that happen? I myself will call the lawyers and then have Tank call me when you are on your way."

"No, Carlos. Per contract I am Rangeman's CEO, not you. It is my job to take care of the situation and look after the men and I'm going to do that. I don't know why you suddenly don't trust me anymore, or if it is just because you are in a pissy mood today, but right now it doesn't matter. I have a job to do; my men need me. I will call you as soon as I know more, promise." Steph waited for a reaction, but she didn't get one. When nothing but silence stretched between them, she sighed. "I call you later. Bye Darling. I love you."

As soon as Steph had hung up, she dialed the law firm representing Rangeman and talked to the senior partner, then she hurried over to Tank so he could call Manny and organize a crime scene team for him before they left.

~~~ooOoo~~~

When Tank and Steph stepped into the station, it was packed with cops, petty criminals and hos waiting to be dealt with. Robin had front desk duty and they walked over to her when none other than Joe Morelli came down the hall leading to the detention cells.

"Look who's gracing us with her presence, the Rangeman whore that slept her way to the top," Morelli sneered. "Took you long enough... This time nothing will help the thug working for you. He killed a man and then proceeded to attack me. I can't wait to testify in front of a judge."

Steph mustered him from head to toe, her eyes cold and uncaring. "Cautious detective, you are speaking with the CEO of the leading security company on the east coast and one of the major supporters of the Trenton Police Department. You want to watch your tone. We can't have you accused of defamation, can we? Once I've seen my employee and made sure he is alright, I will talk to Chief Juniak about Rangeman's involvement in the investigation of the case. You remember Chief Juniak, my godfather, dad's poker buddy at the Legion, your superior?"

Tank watched as Morelli's face turned beet red and the vein at his neck bulged. "Yep, Little Girl, I would say he remembers."

"You've become nothing but a whore, Plum," Morelli spit out. "I wonder why they all have the hots for you. After all I know you are the most boring woman I've ever had in bed. But I guess for filling up your holes in a foursome you are good enough."

Suddenly Carl Costanza and Big Dog flanked Morelli and took him by the arms. "Enough, Joe. You don't want to say something you will regret."

Ten minutes later Steph, Tank and the attorneys had talked to the Captain of the homicide department and were shown into an interrogation room where they waited for Hector. It was a preferential treatment, but Rangeman had done enough good for the TPD to warrant that. The moment Hector was brought in still in cuffs, Steph jumped out of her chair and rushed to him.

"Take those off," she demanded from the young cop, pointing at the handcuffs.

"Ma'am, I'm not sure-"

"Take them off or the two of us will walk right back to the Captain and I won't make it pleasant for you."

The door opened and the Captain himself stepped into the room.

"Is there a problem, Miss Plum?"

"I want the cuffs off my employee. He poses no threat to us and I promise he won't try to run or lose his temper."

When the chief nodded, Steph looked pointedly at the young cop in front of her and watched as he finally released Hector from his confines.

"Thank you, Captain."

"I will leave you alone now," the man in his sixties said and walked out of the room.

"Hector," Steph whispered and cupped his face with her hands, gently stroking the bruises already blooming and placing a soft kiss on each as if they had a magical healing power. "I have been so worried. Are you okay? You don't look okay."

"That Morelli," he pressed through clenched teeth. "I will kill him."

"No, you won't. You will do everything to stay in control because I need you at Rangeman but most of all I need you as my friend." Stephanie wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him close.

Slowly, Hector's arms came around Steph's back and he pulled her tight against his chest till he felt her sag into him. "Mi Angelita. I will stay with you, but he is a … cabrón … a perdedor. He needs to be taught a lesson." (An asshole… a loser)

"Okay, but we will be smart about it. Now let's sit down so you can tell us what happened."


So Ranger has a shit day, struggles with his prostheses and in addition gets told off by Steph. Writing that felt tough, but Steph has to stand up for herself if she wants to be taken seriously. She doesn't have to fear anything with the standard crew of Rangeman Trenton, those men are her friends and confidants, but all the newbies and the guys from Boston, Atlanta and Miami have to learn not to question her commands and role as CEO. We'll have to see how that works out. Now let us blow the 730 review mark to smithereens :)