A/N: I was just realizing that I forgot a pretty significant warning for this chapter... technically major character death. Technically. Because... is it really going to be like that? Especially that early on and in such an 'easy' way?

The next morning was somehow not any better than the one before. Just less of a hangover.

I woke up in my bed all alone after having debated with myself the night before whether to stay with Joe or not and finally making up my mind to get back to my place. I left Joe to his vacation-planning and for a short moment wondered whether I should maybe really just join him. That way, I would at least make it out of Trenton and New Jersey on something that wasn't FTA related. But one look at my account and I knew Mexico was out of question. I couldn't even afford New Mexico or even the Mexican restaurant down the street from me let alone Mexico itself.

So instead of Mexico I made it home and went to bed just to wake up even less motivated for anything than the previous morning. But then again, it was Sunday and that wasn't supposed to be a productive day to begin with. Tomorrow was always another day worth trying.

I was way back on my way to la-la-land when I heard cluttering coming from my kitchen which had me wide awake again within seconds.

I knew I wasn't having a current stalker I needed to be aware and worried about and it was a very well-known fact that my apartment wasn't necessarily the hardest place to break into. Over the years all sort of people had managed to proof that my lock was not really a big challenge to most of them. Right on top of that list of people to prove that fact over and over again was Ranger who seemed to see it as some form of hobby to break into my apartment. Not that I complained much in all fairness. Visits from Ranger always had a certain and very happy side note. Yes, he'd spent the first few minutes telling me I'd need to be more aware of my surroundings and that my door still didn't pose much of a challenge to anyone. But other than that things always got better from there on.

So, maybe this was just Ranger being back from his mysterious mission now. Though, if it was, he'd gotten sloppy since Ranger usually didn't make much noise. As in, no noise whatsoever. So on my way to my kitchen I grabbed something that could double as a weapon in case I should literally walk into trouble.

Trouble wasn't in the end what I'd walk into, but Cal and Bones – two of the Merry Men and very unusual guest in my apartment to be honest. As a matter of fact, any Merry Men other than Ranger was unusual to break into my place. And technically Ranger wasn't a Merry Man, he was Batman – but that was a different story.

"Good morning?" I asked more or less.

"Steph," both more or less said simultaneously, looking like I had just scared the crap out of them.

"Is 'breaking into Stephanie Plum's apartment' an item on RangeMan's curriculum or has Ranger just passed the torch onto you?"

Instead of answering Cal and Bones exchanged glances between each other and I was almost certain something was going on. That idea formed even firmer when my eyes caught what was in their hands.

"You brought me breakfast," I noted, nodding towards the coffee-to gos in Cal's hand as well as the bag that smelt divine in Bones'.

"Looks like it," Cal smiled, though it seemed strained. That didn't bode well.

"Not that I complain about your visit, especially seeing that you brought breakfast, but what gives?" I said, walking past them into my kitchen and getting some plates, cutlery and a few coffee mugs that I placed a moment later on the kitchen table. The coffee from the to-go cups I poured into the actual mugs and sifting through the food bag I placed everything on plates and sat down.

"What makes you think there is a particular reason we are here?" Bones asked, looking more than just uncomfortable, but took a seat next to me nevertheless.

"How often have you two been here in my apartment? Work-related things or 'save Stephanie'-circumstances don't count."

When there was no answer from either I just nodded. "And that is your answer as to how I think there is a reason behind this. Not that I complain too much, seeing as this breakfast is amazing. So what happened? It can't be another stalker since I haven't managed to piss off anyone recently. My car was still where I parked it Friday, so you delivering a car isn't it either. That only leaves RangeMan business, or Ranger. But Ranger is out of the country so… I guess RangeMan would be a safe bet," I concluded, seeing both man resemble what might have come close to a smile before it vanished again.

"We… um… we are here to actually pick you up. And Ranger once said if we ever need to show up at your place early we better come prepared."

"Wise man," I smiled. "But why pick me up? You need me to run a few searches or things like that?"

I never really complained when RangeMan knocked on my door with the prospect of a little extra work and therefore a nice safety net in regards of making next month's rent. So far I had dodged the bullet of agreeing to working for RangeMan full time, mainly because I knew how many endless and unnecessary discussion that acceptance would hold for me. Joe sure as hell wouldn't congratulate me on that new job and I somehow suspected Vinnie, my mother and pretty much the entire Burg would have opinions as well.

"How about we … um… fill you in about it on the way over?" Bones offered with a charming smile I had never seen him display before. As a matter of fact most of the Merry Man didn't smile. Not because they didn't enjoy their job or life in general. No, for them it just worked better if people looked at them with a certain amount of fear. They didn't want to be feared, except by a certain demographic maybe, but the street cred and reputation was sort of something they needed for a job well done. I suspected I was one of very few people in the greater area of Trenton – if not in the world – to have had the privilege of actually having seen sort of all sides the Merry Man had.

"I guess I get dressed then. Just give me a few moments," I said, taking the last bite of breakfast and grabbing the mug to take with me into the bathroom.

Judging from the clatter coming from my kitchen while I tried making myself presentable within a very short moment of time, Bones and Cal had decided on doing the dishes I had used for breakfast to keep themselves busy.

I was just walking back out of my bedroom, changed into actual clothes and looking halfway decent when I saw Bones and Cal on my couch, looking like they were in some sort if argument.

"…have to tell her," Bones almost hissed aggressively in a low voice. SO low I almost didn't catch it.

"And how do you propose we do this? This isn't exactly easy," Cal replied, equally aggressive in the same low voice.

"Well, I guess you could just use words," I suggested, seeing Cal and Bones both jump in their seats. It was odd how satisfying it was to see these two Merry Man so completely off guard and not aware of anything. That alone told me something very very odd was going on. As if breakfast and their earlier behavior hadn't already been enough of a clue.

Instead of saying anything there was silence, which generally wasn't very uncommon with any of the men working at RangeMan. They weren't mostly men of plenty of words. Don't get me wrong, they talk, boy could they, but often enough, if they weren't around me a lot they were more or less of the more quiet nature.

"Stephanie," Cal finally said, walking around the couch and reaching for my hand – which was a very very out of character move for him if I was honest. I couldn't remember whenever Cal or any of the other Merry Men had ever actually initiated physical contact, other than a hug before. He guided me towards the couch and made a motion that was probably meant as invitation to sit down. So I did. Right next to Bones, with Cal taking seat on my couch table opposite of me.

"You kind of starting to freak me out here, guys," I said, laughing uneasily. This whole situation seemed very awkward for whatever reason.

"I… We. Are not entirely sure how to do this to be honest. A few years ago it was established that if a situation like this ever would arise, it would be best if Bobby, Tank or Lester would do this, seeing how close you guys are, but… with them gone on official business and not really certain when they'll be back it … we…. The remaining guys at RangeMan decided Bones and I should do this. Junior, Hal and Binky technically volunteered to some degree to do this as well, but… well…"

"Do what?" I asked carefully. "And what situation are you talking about?"

At my seemingly normal question Cal and Bones looked at each other again, communicating in that odd ESP way that everyone at RangeMan seemed to be able to do.

"A situation in regards of Ranger," Bones finally said and I could feel my blood drain out of my face and any other body part really.

"What situation?" I asked carefully, drawing out each word almost endlessly. "What…. What is going on with Ranger? Did something happened?"

"There really is no easy way to do this and I'll probably forever be sorry that it will be Bones and me instead of someone else who could… deliver this better, easier and be more familiar for you. But…."

"For Christ sake, spit it out Cal. What is… what is going on with Ranger?" I almost begged.

"He… Stephanie… Ranger is dead."

And just like that my whole world turned upside down and I only remember the world itself somehow turning and I losing consciousness a moment later.