This story is based upon characters created by Janet Evanovich. I don't own them, I only play with them, and for entertainment purposes only.

A/N

I'm so happy to have gotten such great responses to this story. I appreciate all the feedback, and get excited when I see that I have a new review. This chapter ends in a little bit of a cliffie, but I expect to have the next chapter up very soon, so you shouldn't have to wait long. Thanks, Chica.

The next afternoon found me sitting with Junior in our usual conference room and working my way through a stack of searches. Most of them were for potential clients, but there were quite a few skip searches in the mix to keep the monotony at bay.

I went to the printer to pick up the latest search results and grabbed a cup of coffee from the sideboard. After a fair amount of experimentation, I'd determined that I prefer my coffee with a generous helping of cream and sugar, much to Ranger's dismay. With my coffee doctored and my search results in hand, I made my way back to the table.

So many of the fugitives that Rangeman was tasked with bringing in, could only be described as awful. There were the occasional white collar criminals in the mix, but the vast majority of these skips were murderers, rapists, and people that abused those they claimed to love. These were the types of people that my guys were surrounded by on a regular basis, and the skip I was currently searching for was no exception. Picking up a highlighter, I began reviewing the search results to identify key locations and people that might lead to the skip's capture. The methodical highlighting was doing a pretty good job of distracting me, so I was startled when Junior spoke next.

"You OK, Steph?" he asked.

"What?" I replied, my heart beating quickly after being surprised. Once I'd calmed a bit I realized what he'd said. "Oh, I'm OK. Why do you ask?"

"I was worried that you might be a little upset," he replied, pointing at the pages in front of me.

I looked down to discover that I'd highlighted the entire page. "Guess that won't be too helpful, huh?" I replied with a slight grin. Junior gave a half-hearted chuckle as I recapped the highlighter and gave him my full attention. "Doesn't it bother you?" I asked.

He seemed completely confused with my question, so I elaborated. "The skips," I said. "How can you stand to read all these terrible things that people do? And knowing what they're like, how do you convince yourself to hang out in seedy places, seeking them out?" I shook my head. "It bothers me that so much of this work, is having to deal with the dregs of society." I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly to calm myself.

"I get what you're saying," he began. "The reality for most of us is that there aren't many jobs, outside of the military, where we can use our specific skills for the greater good. I'm sure the world would be a better place if there wasn't a need for jobs like ours, but the truth is that there will always be people who jump bail, and we're the best at bringing them back." He gave me a tentative smile. "So, yes, sometimes we have to spend a bit too much time in the sketchy parts of town or talking with criminals, but at the end of the day if our efforts prevent even one more person from getting hurt, then it's worth it… every time."

"You're right," I said resignedly. "I totally get that the work you do is important, and I'm glad that there are skilled men like yourselves willing to do it. It's just that you are all so amazing that I wish you guys were able to spend more time around good people."

Junior nodded his head in agreement. "I think you've stumbled on why we all love being around you so much. You're a caring and compassionate woman, who never once looked at us and thought we were thugs, like so many other people in town, just because of what we wear or where we have to spend so much time." He gave my shoulder a small squeeze. "Why don't you take a break for a while?" he suggested. "Maybe get something to eat or take a nap? It's amazing how much a difference a little time-out can make in one's overall outlook." He looked at me with such a genuine smile that I couldn't discount the logic of his suggestion.

"That sounds like a good idea," I said. I got up from my chair and started walking away, turning around as I opened the door. "I'll see you later?" I asked.

"Count on it," he replied with a smile.

I closed the conference room door and made my way to the break room to see what my snack options were. Ranger and I had enjoyed a couple of Ella's delicious Reuben sandwiches not quite two hours ago, so I wasn't really hungry. That being said, something sweet would hit the spot nicely.

Unfortunately, Ella's amazing baking skills didn't seem to result in those types of snack foods in the break room. But since I usually get some pretty delicious dessert when she brings dinner up to the apartment, I wasn't about to complain. I ended up grabbing a fruit cup and some vanilla yogurt that I'd found in the fridge and settled at one of the tables to eat.

The break room remained empty the entire time I sat eating my snack, allowing me some much needed alone-time to gather my thoughts. I thought more about the work that Rangeman did, and after talking with Junior about it, I was so proud that the men in my life were willing to put up with such negative attitudes on a regular basis. I couldn't fathom how the community at large would treat them as thugs when they were obviously helping them out by returning the real criminals to jail.

It hurt my heart that people could be so foolish as to not see how amazing, courageous, and thoughtful these men are. Even after I forgot them all, they never wavered in their willingness to do whatever they could to protect and support me. Heck, my own family couldn't even manage that.

Once all this is over and I can leave the building without risking my life or the lives of anyone willing to protect me, I'll do something nice for the guys. Maybe I'll throw them a party, or take them out somewhere where we could all let loose for a while. Everyone's been working so hard to keep me safe and figure out who was trying to hurt me, that I am quite certain they haven't taken any time off to enjoy themselves since I left the hospital.

As I sat at the table in the break room, thinking over my plans, my eyelids began drooping and I realized that I was getting pretty tired. Junior's suggestion for a nap sounded like a great idea, so I cleared away my dirty dishes and headed to the elevator. When I was getting close to Ranger's office, I could tell that he was speaking with someone, and judging by his tone of voice, he was excited. I stepped into his office as he was finishing a phone call.

"Perfect," He said. "My crew will meet you in fifteen minutes. And Morelli… thanks."

I approached his desk, anxious to hear what was happening. "What's going on?" I asked.

Ranger picked up the phone again and held up his index finger, letting me know to wait a minute. "Have the core team meet in the lobby in five, we're moving out." He quickly hung up the phone and turned his attention to me. "Morelli picked up Perrington this morning and he sang like a bird. They've got a location on Mendez and TPD is going to let us join them for the apprehension." Ranger stood up and met me on the other side of his desk, wrapping his arms around me in a quick hug. "This is almost over, Babe." He pulled away from me and kissed my forehead before heading to the door. "I'll be back soon."

"Wait!" I cried out when I realized that he was leaving me. "I'm going with you." I demanded.

"No," he replied. His expression was rigid as though I were a soldier of his that he could boss around with just his say so. I could feel my face getting hot as I tried to reel in my emotions before I said something I couldn't take back.

"You can't force me to stay here," I said as calmly as I could.

"Yes, I can," he replied. The fury building inside me must have shown on my face because he walked back to me and placed his hands on my shoulders. "Please, Babe, don't fight me on this. It's too dangerous right now for you to be out of the building." He pulled me into his arms and held me close as he buried his face in my hair. After a moment he pulled back from me and cupped my face with his hands. "When Mendez has been taken into custody, I will personally take you anywhere you want to go."

My anger at his refusal waned a little when I saw how truly worried he was for my safety. "Ranger, I know you only want to protect me," I acknowledged. "But I need to be there. I need to see that man arrested." As much as I could tell Ranger hated telling me "no", I could see that I hadn't persuaded him to change his mind. It felt like a cheap shot to say what I was about to say, but desperate times called for desperate measures… "He took so much from me, Ranger. He tried to have me killed, multiple times! The result of which has left me with brain damage that may or may not be permanent." I closed my eyes and took a breath to center myself. "Please don't ask me to let you handle it without me, Ranger… I need this."

Ranger dropped his hands from my face and turned around. He began pacing the room and running his hand across his face while mumbling to himself. After what seemed like eternity, he turned to face me.

"OK," he said. "Against my better judgement I'm going to allow you to come along." I gave him a big smile and started to thank him when he interrupted me. "…If you stay in the car the entire time, and one of my men stays with you."

I opened my mouth to complain but one look from him was enough for me to shut it and swallow my reply. I nodded instead. "I agree to those terms," I said quietly. It may have been a small concession, but it felt like I'd won a major battle. "Thank you, Ranger."

My arms were wrapped around Ranger's back and I hugged him for all I was worth. He returned my hug but quickly pulled away. "Come on," he said. "We need to leave in less than five minutes." With his hand at the small of my back, he led me from the office to the elevator and pressed the 'down' button. The short ride was made in absolute silence. Ranger was probably thinking about how the arrest was going to go, and I was just trying not to draw any attention to myself that would have him changing his mind and leaving me at Rangeman.

When we arrived in the parking garage, Ranger pulled me into a small storage area which housed a mini arsenal. Several of the others were getting suited up and we had to squeeze to get past them. Ranger dug through a pile of vests until he found what he was looking for and threw a bullet-proof-vest over my head, strapping it around me. Then he pulled on a vest of his own and added a couple ammunition clips for his gun into a small pouch on his utility belt. He also grabbed a set of handcuffs, and much to my amazement, something that looked like a tube of lipstick. I was more than a little confused but Ranger explained that it was for me to keep in my pocket as it contained a small tracking device.

"Don't I need a gun?" I asked.

"Do you know how to shoot it?" Ranger asked in reply.

"No," I responded.

"Then you're more dangerous to yourself with one than without." Ranger said. "Come on."

Sufficiently armed and protected, we made our way to the small congregation in front of one of the SUVs. Without saying a word, Tank, Bobby, and Lester stopped talking at our approach and gave us their undivided attention. Ranger explained that Joe had called him to invite Rangeman to be a part of Eduardo Mendez's apprehension. Apparently Dr. Perrington had initially tried to plead his innocence, but once they'd informed him of a material witness to his involvement (me), he quickly gave up Mendez in the hopes that the charges against him would be dropped.

Ranger went on to explain that we were heading to the police station where the five of us would join Joe, and officers Gazzara and Costanza, before heading to the house were Mendez was staying. "Lester," he said. "You will be staying in the SUV with Stephanie." Lester looked as though he was going to complain but Ranger wasn't finished talking yet. "Under no circumstances is Stephanie to get out of the vehicle. It is your responsibility to ensure her safety, first and foremost."

Lester took in the expression on Ranger's face and nodded his head in acknowledgment. He looked at me and a flash of worry crossed his face, which was quickly replaced by a small smile when he noticed me watching. After relaying a few more instructions to the guys, we were all loading into the vehicle and heading to the station.

As soon as Tank pulled into the parking lot at the police station, Ranger hopped out of the seat beside me and met Joe beside a dark blue Crown Victoria. They talked for just a moment before Joe turned his head in our direction and scowled. He turned his head back to Ranger and seemed to be arguing with him. Luckily, after only a minute or so, Joe stopped flailing his arms around and ran his hand through his hair. The two men nodded at one another before heading back to their respective vehicles. Sandwiched once again between Ranger and Bobby, we followed Joe's car out of the lot and south onto HWY 206.

I wanted to ask Ranger what he and Joe were arguing about, but since I figured there was a strong possibility that Joe had the same initial reaction to my coming along that Ranger had, I thought it best not to inquire.

"Where are we heading?" Tank asked from behind the wheel. He'd been following behind Joe, but I'd bet he was uncomfortable not knowing our destination.

"Mendez has been hiding out in a mostly unoccupied neighborhood just north of the Hamilton Marshes," Ranger replied. "According to Perrington, the houses on either side of Mendez are empty, but there have been signs of squatters in the house directly across the street."

"What's our play?" Bobby asked.

"We'll pull up a few houses down from, and across the street from Mendez," Ranger began. "Tank, you and Gazzara will take the back, Morelli and Costanza will approach from the East, through the garage, and Bobby and I will enter through the front door. We'll go in silent, guys, and take him alive."

"What about the other guys?" I asked tentatively. "We know he has at least one other guy helping him that is unaccounted for, there could be more." I started to get worried that there weren't enough people on this team to take them all down.

Ranger stilled my hands and then gently squeezed my thigh. "Perrington said that Mendez was there with only one other person, but we'll be diligent and keep our eyes open for others."

I nodded and placed my hand in Ranger's before leaning into him completely. My guys may have been the ones going into a dangerous situation, but I couldn't help the bad feeling that was spreading within me. I was scared. Before I'd had a chance to think on things too much, we pulled to a stop in what must have been a nice middle class neighborhood, once upon a time. Though the houses were in various states of disrepair, and an enormous amount of trash could be found littering the street and yards nearby, it really wouldn't take much effort to make the neighborhood redeemable again.

There was a short burst of static and then Joe's voice could be heard coming from a walkie-talkie that Tank had clipped to his belt. "Everyone clear on their positions?"

Tank picked up his walkie and responded. "Affirmative. Give us a beep when you're in position and we'll go on three."

"Copy that," Came Joe's reply.

Before Tank had even re-clipped his walkie, he, Lester, and Bobby were out of the vehicle, leaving me alone with Ranger. The nervous feeling was back and I gripped Ranger's hand even tighter.

"Please be careful," I whispered. "I love you."

Ranger pried his fingers from my own and held my face in between them. He planted a chaste kiss on my lips and looked deeply into my eyes. "I love you, too, Babe." In the next moment, his door was open and he was getting out of the SUV. "Stay in the car," he said before closing the door.

I didn't have a chance to feel alone before Lester was climbing into the driver's seat. He must have seen the worry on my face because he tried to reassure me. "Everything's going to be fine, Beautiful. This is what we do!" He shot me a wink and then we were both looking out the driver's side of the car, watching as the six of them made their way around the house.

A/N

Any ideas on what will happen next?