Disclaimer: These are not my characters. All belong to JE, just playing with them and will return them.

This is a short chapter. I'm sorry. All my first chapters seem to be short, second will be longer.

Chapter One

Warnings for Language.

I felt my body vibrating, I recognized the noise of tires on a road. I woke as my head snapped back against the wheel well. "Motherfucker." I whispered to myself. I didn't want to alert the bad guys I was awake, although the bump on the head hurt like a bitch. I was getting tired of this shit.

I of course I had been kidnapped again. Leave it to me to be kidnapped again. I was getting sick and tired of this shit. I started feeling around the trunk. They had left the tire iron in with me along with my purse.

I searched my purse for my phone as I heard the radio turn on. I dialed Tank's number knowing Ranger was in the wind again. "Yo'." He answered.

"Tank it's Stephanie." I said finally composing myself.

"What can I do for you Steph? Why are you whispering?" He asked.

"Well I've been kidnapped." I said. He paused.

"Want to tell me how that happened?"

"How about we save that for when I get unkidnapped?" I asked rolling my eyes.

"The boss is going to kill me." He said under his breath.

"I'll make sure he doesn't Tank."

"We're pulling your trackers now. Stay on the line with me." He said. "Do you have any weapons?"

"My gun, a tire iron and my stun gun."

"Is your gun loaded?"

"Yes."

I heard the eyebrow raise over the phone. "Believe it or not Tank sometimes I do load it."

Another eyebrow raise. "Okay Ranger loaded it." I could hear the snicker over the line.

"Is it that hard to believe I could load my gun?"

"I know you Bomber."

The car skidded to a stop. "The car just stopped."

I heard two doors open and shut. "Fuck." I whispered. I gripped the tire iron tightly in my hand. They opened the trunk and I launched myself from it. I swung nailing thug one in the side of the head. Number two tried to grab me and I delivered a swift kick to the nuts. He went down as I swung the Iron and hit him in the head.

My heart was beating out of my chest as I reached down to make sure they both still had a pulse. I let out a sigh of relief when I realized they did. I picked up the phone from the trunk. I really didn't want to

"Bomber are you there?" Tank growled.

"I'm fine." I said as I searched them for weapons. Both had two gun and thug one also had a knife. I tossed them into the trunk of the car.

"What the hell happened?"

"A tire Iron." I said. His side of the phone was silent before I heard the rumbling. Then there was laughter, fully belly laughter.

"Shit, you knocked them out with a tire iron?" He asked.

"I kicked one of them in the nuts too, but yeah ultimately." I said. My body was shaking from the adrenaline burn off.

"Cops will be there in seven, we'll be there in five. Don't wack them anymore. Did you disarm them?"

"Yeah. Tank when you get here we need to have a talk after we get away from the police." I said.

"About?"

"We'll talk about it later." I said. He nodded accepting it.

After a while the police let me go. I slid into a SUV with Tank. "What's up?" He asked.

"I'm done with this shit. Its time to change my life Tank. Ranger's not always going to be around to save me. I need to put on my big girl panties and face reality." I said. "I need training. I need to get my life straight. I need to figure out what the hell I want to do."

He broke out into a grin. "About damn time Steph." He said.

I don't think he's ever called me Steph before. "Can you take me to Morelli's? He's one of those things I need to change about my life."

"Dumping him for good?" Tank asked. I nodded.

"The boss will be glad to hear it." He said. It didn't sound like he had meant to say that aloud.

"What do you mean by that?"

He sighed and looked at me. "Steph the man is in love with you. When I say in love with you I mean in love with you. He's just to scared of getting heart broken to go after you. All the back and forth with Morelli, he refuses to do it."

"Tank, Ranger's never made me believe that he wanted me for anything more than a fuckbuddy. I've loved Ranger since I've met him but I didn't admit it to myself until after Scrog. The only reason and I mean the only reason I was with Joe was because I thought Ranger didn't love me in the same way I loved him."

He shook his head. "You two are royaly screwed up." He said. I laughed.

"You've got that right Tank."

He stopped in front of Morelli's. Joyce's car was outside. "You want me to come with?"

I shook my head and got out of the SUV. Putting one foot in front of the other I used my keys to open the door silently. I walked up the stairs avoiding all the places that squeaked. I could hear moaning and groaning from the bedroom and felt myself gag but kept it contained.

I walked and stood in the open door. I needed to bleach my brain after seeing this. Morelli was on his hands and knees while Joyce was behind him wearing a huge strap on and thrusting into his ass. She was doing a reach around type thing stroking his cock at the same time.

"Enjoying getting fucked in the ass Joe?" I asked from the door. Morelli shot out from under Joyce and she pouted and glared at me.

"It's not what is looks like Steph." He said. He started to walk towards me hands up, to pacify me.

I rolled my eyes. "Then what is it Joe, cause it looks like your getting fucked in the ass by Joyce wearing a strap on."

"Well..."

"Your a lying cheating son of a bitch Joe. Just like every other man in your Family."

"Like you don't fuck Manoso behind my back."

"I've never slept with Ranger while I was in an on stage with you." I said. "But it appears you haven't given me the same curtosy."

My neck twisted as my head recoiled to the side from his slap. "I'm real fucking tired of your mouth Cupcake." He snarled at me.

"Go fuck Joyce." I growled kicking him in the nuts. He fell to the ground groaning and whimpering. I turned on my heel and walked out. Tank was waiting for me on the porch. He walked me to the SUV and buckled me into the passenger's seat.

He got into the drivers and pulled away taking me to my building. He parked and turned on the dome lights. He put a finger under my chin and tipped my chin up. "He'll pay for this." He said. I shook my head.

"Leave it be. He'll pay it just won't be right now." I said.

"Steph, will you come work and stay at Rangeman. You said you were done with this shit. I'm assuming he's done this before. I'm also assuming you want training. There's an open apartment on four we can move you and the rodent into." He said.

I bit my lip. "Has he done this before Steph?" Tank pushed.

"Yes." I said softly.

"When?"

"He didn't start to physically abuse me until Ranger went into the wind this time. He's always been... Mentally and emotionally but he saw Ranger kissing me outside the bonds office before he left. Normally he doesn't hit me in the face. Mainly my torso sometimes my arms. He would only do it when he was drinking." I said.

"I know how independent you are and I'm not going to take away your choices. I may not be your best friend Steph but I know you. I know if you aren't given choices you'll run. I know that not just from being around you and Ranger but because I'm just like you.

"You can let Bobby take a look at you and move into Rangeman. When I say move into Rangeman I mean on the forth floor, all your stuff, the rodent, and you. You would be working and living there. Option two you stay here and risk Morelli coming after you. I would have to post a man inside and outside your apartment along with two in the lot. Option three you come and stay in my guest bedroom. I have a large house. It will allow you your own space away from work. I have a gym and we could work on your self defense and also allow me not to worry that my best friend's woman is being stalked by a cop. You would be able to still be independent and it would allow me to look out for you like I promised Ranger. Option four is to move into the penthouse and I know you don't want to do that."

I studied him for a minute. "There isn't an apartment open on four is there?" I asked.

He smiled. "No, but I can have one cleared tonight. Ram is talking about moving in with his girlfriend. If it makes you more comfortable you can move into an apartment on four after Ram moves out."

I sat there for a minute. "If I move in with you how will the cat's feel about Rex?"

"They won't care about the rat."

"He's not a rat, Tank." I said.

He chuckled. "Alright Steph." He said.

I rolled my eyes. "Ranger... He isn't going to think it's weird I'm moving in with you?"

Tank shrugged. "I'll brief him the next time he calls to check in. Should be a few days from now. He'll be glad it got you away from Morelli. He also knows I won't make a move on you."

"Alright." I said. He smiled and dialed a number. "Bobby grab Les, Ram, Cal and Hal. Get over to Steph's apartment. I'm here and she's fine. She needs to be checked over again and bring over a shitload of boxes."

He hung up before they could ask any questions. I shook my head. "No phone manners."

A few hours later the guys brought everything up to the room Tank gave me. Bobby checked me over with Tank watching. "She's fine, a few bumps and bruises." He said standing. Tank nodded.

"So what the hell happened?" Tank asked.

"One of them was my skip and the other other was his best friend. They're idiots." I said rolling my eyes.

"How did they grab you?"

"They snatched me from the mall." I said. Tank shook his head.

"Bobby get the guys and get out. We'll be in tomorrow morning."

I woke up in a strange bed. It was king sized and super soft. The sheets were blue and white. The walls white and gray. Rex's aquarium sat on the desk across the room. I sat up, and stretched. I was wearing one of Ranger's shirts and a pair of sleep shorts. I crawled from bed and put on a bra. I could smell food being cooked in the kitchen and found myself walking down a set of stairs to a living room. I saw Tank in the kitchen. He wore a set of basketball shorts and a grey t-shirt.

"Morning Bomber." He said.

"Morning. Coffee?" I asked. He poured me a cup and put in my normal requirements for coffee before setting it on the bar. I sat down and drank half of it.

"Thank you."

"I recall Ranger telling me you don't operate unless you've had a cup of coffee." He said. I smiled.

"When do you expect to hear from him?" I asked.

"Soon."

"How soon?" I asked. Tank looked at me.

"Two days." He said. I nodded.

"Can I talk to him?" I asked. He locked eye with me.

"If your around when he calls. He won't be able to stay on the phone for long."

"Thank you." I said. He smiled.

"Don't always expect me to be this nice." He said. I rolled my eyes. One of his cats rubbed against my leg. She was orange and white.

"Applepuff?" I asked picking her up.

He nodded smiling. "I'm surprised you remember that."

"I try and remember when someone important tells me something." I said. He smiled softly and put a plate in front of me. It had hash browns, eggs, sausage, and toast. He then slid a bowl with biscuits and gravy in it.

"I think I've gone to heaven." I said.

"No, your living in a house with a boy from Louisiana."

I smiled and dug in. He took the seat next to me and ate. He pushed away from the counter and checked his watch. "You've got an hour to shower and get dressed before we need to leave and get to the office." He said.

I nodded and walked to the sink to start the dishes when Tank called my name. "There's a dishwasher Steph. Besides you need to get dressed."

"Then I'll load the dishwasher. I refuse to let you take care of me Tank."

He crossed his arms but he was smiling. "Alright Steph."

"While we're on the topic of not letting you baby me, when you have time would you mind teaching me to cook?" I asked loading the dishwasher.

"I have no problem helping you in any way you need it Steph." He said. "Are you planning on cooking for Ric?"

I shot him a look. "Why do you assume I want to learn to cook for him?"

He grinned and walked out of the room. I rolled my eyes and went up the stairs to my room to get ready for the day. Once I was dressed in Rangeman black Tank and I got into his Hummer.

We were silent on the way there, which was a feat for me. When we arrived at Rangeman Tank parked and we rode the elevator up to the fifth floor. He called Les, Bobby, Hector and Ram into his office.

"Gentlemen, Stephanie Plum has decided to accept our help and become a Rangeman employee." He said.

They were grinning. "So does this mean your finally going to start going out with Ranger?" Bobby asked. Him and Les were looking at me with hopeful gazes.

"I'm off men." I said. I cleared my throat before continuing. "Ranger told me he loved me. But his love came with a condom not a ring."

"What?" Tank growled. I nodded.

"Ranger isn't an option and hasn't been an option."

"Estefania how do you feel about the boss?" Hector asked in perfect English, with a heavy accent. While I had suspected Hector spoke English It wasn't confirmed until now.

"It doesn't matter." I said. "I'm permanently off men. No men for Stephanie. Keep it in your pants Santos."

He sat in his chair waggling his eyebrows until I said that. He feigned hurt by putting a hand to his chest. "You wound me beautiful. We could be great together." He said.

I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

Tank jumped in. "You'll have to do a physical and pass the test."

"I don't want any special treatment. I want to go through all of the same test as the rest of the men had too." I said. "I want to be held to the same standard."

"Tank when is our next round of testing?" Bobby asked.

"We have three recruits starting tommorow with you. Bomber is that too soon?"

"No, that's a good of a time as any to get started." I said. "What do I need to do?"

Bobby grinned. "Workout clothes. You'll be signing a contract worker contract to work here while training. We have different requirements for men and women. I'll brief you on those. You have twelve weeks to get whipped into shape to past the test. Same as the men that are here to test. We can talk more about it, if you decide you really want to do this."

"I want to do this Bobby. I'll do this if it kills me." I said. He grinned.

"That's the dedication we like to see at Rangeman!" Lester said. I laughed and Bobby slapped him on the back. Tank smiled and shook his head.

"I work with a bunch of man children." He said. "Come on Bomber let's get you set up at your cubicle."

I nodded. Tank walked me to my cubicle. "I noticed all the paperwork in your office. Is it always like that?"

"Only when Ranger is gone." He said.

"What is all of it?"

"Boring shit. Payroll, client complaints, request for updates, contracts, request for time off, shift reports."

"Do you want some help?" I asked him. "I do have a business degree."

"You know Ranger and I were talking about hiring an office manager."

I frowned. "We could bring you on as a office manager while you train and then whenever you pass your test and exams you could get clearance for field duty."

"Why would you do that?"

"I can't handle all of this paperwork by myself Bomber. I could really use the help." He said. I nodded biting my lip.

"Alright but only if you promise to let me do field work if I pass my test."

"I promise. Let me get the contract drawn up."

"Thank you Tank." I said.

"Your welcome bomber."

Ranger POV:

I sat at a table in the safehouse. A map of the compound was spread out before me. But I didn't care. I had gotten a bad feeling today about something, not about the mission but something that had happened at home.

I wanted to call Tank, I itched to call Tank but I was trying to with hold myself. This was the last mission on my contract and I was watching my ass to make sure they didn't try and take care of the lose ends, including me and all of the men they had sent with me.

I took the picture of my babe from my pocket. A few months ago she had gotten ahold of my phone while we were on surveillance. In the picture she was smiling and I was smirking in the background. That day she had caught all of her skips in the morning and didn't have anything to do with the rest of her day so she volunteered to go on a surveillance shift with me.

I smiled to myself. There was a knock on the door and I tucked the picture back away, hoping she was okay. "Enter." I called.

Sorry this chapter was so short. Although it was written after the first chapter of married life was published it, It was the hardest chapter to write. I'm never able to write long first chapters. *Sigh.

This chapter has probably been rewritten at least a dozen times And been completely scrapped just as many. I'll probably rewrite it again before publishing. I'm already working on the next one, should be longer and with a longer POV from Ranger. This was more just to get a feel of how the story would go.