FADE TO BLACK

Disclaimer: As usual, all character's are the property of JE. Unfortunately she won't even let me borrow Ranger for a day or two. I am making no money yada, yada, yada.

WARNING: This story is VERY Un-Morelli friendly. If you are a Cupcake then you will absolutely hate my story. Joe is a very bad guy in this story. I'm a total Babe and it shows. It's actually extremely unkind to Mrs. Plum too. There will be adult language, violence, and situations so don't even bother reading any more if this will offend you.

Previously:

"I've had about a hundred other goals I'd set for my company and reached each one, but this is the only one I've never been able to attain. I've tried for years to get this account, and you landed it on the first meeting," I explained to her in complete awe. "You've succeeded in helping me reach the biggest goal I've had for my company, and I couldn't be more thankful or proud."

I reached for her neck and gently pulled her down to kiss me. I tried to keep it soft and sweet. I wanted her to feel the love I had for her, not just the lust, but I should have known I never manage to keep to my plans when it comes to Steph. Before I had a chance to let go of her, she took over and deepened the kiss. A few minutes later, we broke apart and were both gasping for breath.

I looked at Steph and realized for the first time that she had changed a lot over the past few months. She was stronger, more confident, less insecure, and I was surprised to realize it made me love her even more than I already did. Before I left, I'd thought I'd never love someone more than I loved Steph at that time, but this new, improved Stephanie was even more amazing, and I couldn't wait to get to know her better.

CHAPTER 35

SPOV

It's been two weeks since Carlos came home, and I couldn't be happier. He was being a complete pain in the ass, but I was so glad he was home, it didn't bother me at all, or at least, not too much. Okay, well, maybe a little. All right, I admit it, he's getting on my last freakin nerve. He's a worse patient than I am! He's constantly whining about not having anything to do, and trying to sneak out of the apartment to go down and do some work.

He's lucky I love him, or I'd have kicked his ass a week ago. Fortunately, he's going to the doctor today and should get cleared for at least office work, because otherwise I would have to resort to drastic measures. I've tried to come up with a few ideas to punish him, but they all end up with us hot, sweaty, and extremely satisfied. The problem was he wasn't cleared for any of the activities I've been dreaming up. If he wasn't cleared for a little more activity at this doctors appointment things could get a ugly. I've spent so much time in the shower over the past two weeks, I think I may have permanently pruned myself.

I've also come to the conclusion that I must have done something horrible in a previous life and am being punished, because before Carlos left on the mission, we couldn't have sex because my doctor hadn't cleared it, and now that he's back, we can't have sex because his doctor won't clear it. Honestly, I am about to kill someone, I'm so frustrated. .

I went to the gym this morning, hoping to work off some steam by sparring with a few of the guys, but none of them would get into the ring with me. Lester finally admitted that until I worked off my "frustrations" a different way, none of them would even consider sparring with me. At first, I was extremely insulted, but after a while, I found it funny that a bunch of highly-trained military men were afraid of a horny girl from the 'Burg.

I was just finishing some paperwork in Carlos' office when I felt that familiar tingle down my spine. I looked up at the door, and a few seconds later, Carlos came wheeling in. Just the sight of him made me happy, and I immediately smiled. Even when he was being a complete pain in my ass, I still loved him more than I thought possible.

"You look really sexy sitting behind my desk," he purred.

All I managed to get out was a groan as I thought of how sexy he always looked. I hoped he was cleared for some activity today, because I didn't think I could take much more without asking Carlos to install a new shower head.

He laughed at the look on my face and changed the subject. "I can't believe, in less than a week, you got through all the paperwork that was on this desk. It had been piling up for almost a year. Actually, I can't even remember the last time I even saw the top of the desk," he told me, smiling.

"Yeah, well, I didn't want you to have to worry about anything when you got back," I explained, standing up from the desk. "You ready to go see the doc?"

"Hell yes!" was his reply.

I just chuckled and headed to the garage with him.

The doctor's visit was quick and painless. Carlos was healing nicely, and was cleared to go back to the office to work. He'd still be in a wheelchair until the cast on his left foot was removed and the one on his right was changed to a walking cast. I could sense the change in Carlos as soon as we left the office.

"Well, at least you can get out of the apartment," I told him as I helped him into the Explorer. Cal and the new guy, Duane, were parked beside us, but Carlos was being his stubborn self and wouldn't accept their help.

"I'm so..."

Before he could finish, I heard gunshots, and we were both falling to the ground between the two trucks. I felt glass shower down on me from the windows of the Explorer, but I wasn't sure which one. As soon as the shooting stopped, I was reaching for Carlos, terrified he'd been hurt. I was surprised to realize I had my gun in my hand. Huh, guess the guys were right when they told me using it would become second nature.

"Are you okay? Did you get hit?" I asked, trying to run my hands across his body to reassure myself, noticing that he had his gun at the ready, too. Wonder where that had come from? Obviously now was not the time to worry about it.

"Babe, I'm fine. Shit, you're bleeding, though."

I looked down at my arm and sure enough, I was bleeding. Carlos pulled his shirt off and began putting pressure on the wound. As usual, my eyes glazed over when I saw his chest bare. I unconsciously licked my lips as my eyes took in his amazingly sculpted chest and abs. When I finally looked at his face, I realized he was a little pale, but there was a slight curve at the corners of his mouth, telling me he had used his ESP to hear everything I was just thinking. What can I say, it takes a lot to stomp down my hormones when I'm around Carlos, and obviously dodging bullets and minor flesh wounds weren't enough.

"Carlos, are you sure you're okay? You don't look too great."

"I'm fine, Babe. I think my heart might have stopped when I saw you bleeding." He reached up and cupped my face. "Are you sure you're not hurt anywhere else?" he asked, searching my face for reassurance.

Before I could reply, I heard Cal yelling.

"Boss, we have a problem. Duane's been hit, and it's bad. We need an ambulance ASAP!" he shouted.

I could hear the panic in his voice, so I knew it must be really bad. These guys never panicked. I reached for my purse that had fallen on the ground beside us, pulled out my cell phone, and called 911. I watched as some medical personnel from inside the doctor's office tried to come outside to help, but were stopped when another volley of shots rang out, shattering the glass of the doctor's office. After I got off the phone with them, I started to stand up to check on Duane, but was stopped when two very strong arms clamped down on me.

"You are not going to stand up and make a target of yourself. I called the guys, and they are on the way. You called for an ambulance and the police. Cal can take care of Duane. We need to stay out of sight until the area is cleared," he told me firmly.

I knew he was right, but I still wanted to help Duane and Cal. Before I had a chance to voice this complaint, I heard sirens and screeching tires telling me the cavalry had arrived. An ambulance had pulled up on the other side of the Explorer, and the EMTs immediately began working on Duane. I noticed Tank had pulled up behind us in an Explorer as well.

I watched Bobby jump out of the Explorer and run to help Carlos into the truck, while Tank covered us, his gun ready.

"No, Bobby, Steph's bleeding. Get her first," he ordered. As usual, he was completely unconcerned about his own safety and completely ridiculous.

I rolled my eyes. "I'm fine, Bobby. Get his ass in the truck, and I'll be right behind you," I said firmly.

Bobby nodded his head and jumped into the truck with Carlos. I was about two steps behind them. As soon as we shut the doors, I heard Carlos barking orders.

"Steph was shot in the arm. Get us to the hospital," he demanded.

Tank nodded, and we headed to the ER once again. Oh joy!

RPOV

Un-freaking-believable. I haven't left the office more than two times since I got back from my mission, and as soon as I do, someone takes a shot at us. I'd had a long talk with Tank about the fact that Stephanie's latest stalker went almost dormant while I was gone. We both thought it was very telling that almost nothing had happened for almost five months, and now that I'm back, it seems like her stalker may be, too.

If this was her stalker, it either means he wants me out of the picture completely, or at the very least, doesn't want us together. Well, he can kiss my Cuban ass if he thinks that's going to happen. I've waited for four very long, frustrating years to have my chance with the woman of my dreams, and if he thinks he can scare me away with a few threats and bullets, he obviously doesn't know much about me. I fight for what's mine, and I will do anything to keep what's mine safe.

When I saw Steph bleeding, it honestly felt like my heart stopped beating. I'd been terrified that she was seriously injured, but I'd been relieved to see that it looked like it was only a minor flesh wound. I'd told Tank to take us to the ER just to be safe. Plus, I wanted to be there when they brought Duane in. I had only met him once, the first time I snuck out of the apartment after I got back. He'd been hired a few months ago, while I was still away. I didn't know him personally, but he was in Junior's unit, and Junior had nothing but good things to say about him.

Once we got into the ER, it wasn't busy, so Steph was immediately seen. I had Bobby go with her so she could get a few stitches, and I waited in the lobby for Duane to be brought in. As we waited, I decided to ask Tank a question that had been bothering me.

"Since when do the guys listen to Steph's orders instead of mine?"

He looked at me strangely and raised an eyebrow, so I explained. "When you guys got to us earlier, I told Bobby to get Steph, and she told him she was fine and to take care of me. So I'm curious, who is in charge?" I asked him. Actually, it had really pissed me off. I expect my men to follow my orders to the letter, especially when they involve Stephanie.

"Ranger, don't be an ass," he told me as he gave me an eye roll that would have made Steph proud. Unfortunately, it just succeeded in pissing me off more. "Of course you're in charge. Everyone knows that. But we know we can trust Steph now, too. She isn't that girl who flies off the handle without thinking. If she said she was okay, then Bobby knew she was, and you are the one who can't walk by yourself. If Bobby had followed your orders, it would have just taken more time. Don't make more out of this than it is. If you think about it, you know they were right. It was only her arm. Both of her legs were fine, but your's weren't. Besides, you haven't been cleared for duty yet, so technically, she is still in charge."

I knew he was right, but it just annoyed the hell out of me. When had I become such a big baby?

I didn't have much time to think about it, because the ER doors flew open and Duane was rushed past us. I got a good look at him before the doors shut, and knew immediately that it was bad. I looked over at Tank and realized he was thinking the same thing. Fuck! I hissed in my head. If he died, Stephanie would blame herself. Plus, I had always hated losing one of the men in my command, so if he didn't survive, it would hit us both hard.

After calling the office and telling the guys to start looking at the usual suspects, I waited until Cal got to the hospital to get a report on Duane's condition. After Cal filled me in, I decided to go back and check on Steph. She was looking pretty annoyed with the situation until she saw me, and then her face lit up with a smile.

"How's Duane?" she asked.

I wasn't sure how to answer, but she knew as soon as she saw my face. "Is he going to make it?" she asked softly.

"Don't know. They're taking him to surgery now."

"Shit. This is all my fault." And there it was. She felt responsible, just as I'd known she would. She continued, "It has to be that stupid stalker. I don't understand! He's been completely silent for months. Why now? Oh God, what if Duane doesn't make it? It's all my fault!"

I could see the tears start running down her face, and it broke my heart. I pulled her onto my lap and held her, whispering to her in Spanish. As she started to relax, I turned her a little so she was facing me.

"Babe, this isn't your fault. It isn't my fault. The only one to blame is the asshole that pulled the trigger. We don't know if it's your stalker or not, but if it is, we'll deal with it."

After they stitched Steph up, we went out to the lobby and waited for news on Duane. Junior came in with Duane's parents about two hours after we arrived. A little while later, the doctor came out, and I knew by the look on his face that Duane hadn't made it. He explained that the damaged was too extensive, and there was nothing they could do to save him. While we all sat stunned, he turned and headed back inside.

Steph and I spent the next few hours speaking with Duane's family and helping them take care of any arrangements that needed to be made. By the time we got home, it was almost 11:00 pm, and we both were exhausted. I was hurting everywhere, because I hadn't taken any of my meds since we left earlier in the afternoon. I couldn't believe how fucked up this day had gotten.

"I'm going to call Ella for a snack and then take a quick shower," Steph told me as she walked into the apartment. "Do you want help washing up?"

"Maybe after we eat," I told her with a sigh. I hated not being able to shower. "You go ahead and shower, and I'll call Ella." She just nodded her head and went to the bathroom.

After eating a little bit, we headed into the bedroom. Steph quickly helped me get cleaned up and put me in bed before she changed into my t-shirt and joined me. As soon as she crawled in bed I pulled her to me needing her close so I could reassure myself that she was alright. We laid in silence until I finally heard her breathing even out and I eventually followed her into sleep.

Stalker POV

Now that Ranger is back, I decided I needed to step up my plan. I took out the newbie for two reasons. First, he was convenient. Second, I knew it would get to Ranger. For some reason he feels a sense of loyalty and attachment to his men and I knew taking one of them out when he knew I was gunning for him would really get to him. He put my plan on hold for almost six months and I was annoyed and frustrated. I thought I would take advantage of the situation when it presented itself.

Ranger knew all about taking advantage of things. He took advantage of my baby sister, and she was dead because of it. After all I had done to protect her, it wasn't enough. I was glad I'd waited all these years to get even. At first, I'd planned to just seduce and get him to go home with me so I could finish him off quickly, but this was much more satisfying. The look on his face when he saw the blood on the bitch's arm was priceless. I was going to enjoy every second of torturing her while he watched. Knowing how much he would suffer as he watched her slowly die at my hands was more than worth the wait.

I also planned to use the newbie's death as a way to rattle his bitch. . If I could get Stephanie to break away from the Rangeman pack by threatening Ranger with the same fate of the newbie then maybe I wouldn't have to waste any more valuable time. It definitely couldn't hurt to at least try.

TBC...

Connie your help and creative thinking have been invaluable in keeping this story alive over the past few months. Thank you for all your hard work.

Jenny you've made this story more than I ever imagined it could be and I thank you for all the time and hard work you've put into it.