Chapter Nineteen

They pulled into the underground garage at RangeMan and Les got out and went around to get Stephanie.

"I've got her." Ranger growled.

Les put up his hands and backed away smiling, shaking his head.

Ranger helped Stephanie out of the SUV and carried her to the elevator, where he gently set her on her feet. Ranger kept his arm wrapped around her.

Les knew Ranger didn't want to put her down, but he recognized Stephanie's need for some level of control and independence. She wasn't helpless, and she could stand on her own two feet literally and metaphorically. Les figured if it was him, he'd just let someone carry his exhausted ass. Les never really understood that about strong women. Always needing to prove their independence. Everyone already knew women were ten times stronger than men in the ways that really counted anyway.

"Let's go to four first. I want Bobby to check her head wound." Ranger instructed Les.

They got off the elevator and made their way to the medical bay. Ranger's hand resting on Stephanie's low back. Bobby was there, and gave them a grim look when they walked in.

"How's Morelli." Stephanie asked the minute she spotted Bobby.

Bobby's eyes cut to Ranger and Ranger gave him a nod. In Ranger's experience, bad news wasn't like fine wine. It never got better with age.

Ranger could feel Stephanie stiffen, and he knew she was bracing for the worst.

Ranger could see Bobby filing through, looking for the right words. Trying to find a way to break the news.

"Just tell her." Ranger sounded weary even to himself.

"He's in surgery. The bullet is lodged near his heart. It nicked an artery, and he lost a lot of blood. The doctors are doing everything they can, but it doesn't look good. I'm sorry." Bobby told her.

Stephanie's knees buckled and Ranger caught her before she hit the floor. Ranger hauled her up against him. "I've got you." He murmured against the top of her head. He held her for a minute until she was steady. She pulled back from him slightly.

"I thought he was dead." Stephanie whispered. Ranger knew Morelli would have already been dead if Bobby hadn't been there.

"This is all my fault. I should have listened." Stephanie was shaking her head. Tears were welling in her eyes.

"Look at me. This is not your fault. Morelli is a cop. If anyone knew the risks, it was him. You can't blame yourself for this." Ranger had her face cupped in his hands, willing her to listen. He knew she felt guilty.

"At least there is a chance, right?" Stephanie turned to Bobby. Her voice sounded small. She needed Morelli to be OK. He couldn't' die because of her. She might not want to marry him, but that didn't mean she didn't love him, because she did. She didn't want to be the reason his mother had to bury her son, or Morelli's child never got to know his father.

"Yes, there's always a chance." Bobby confirmed. Ranger knew Bobby well enough to know, Bobby thought it was a very slim one. Ranger really hoped Morelli pulled through, mainly because he didn't want Stephanie to blame herself. He didn't want her to carry that guilt around. He knew a thing or two about guilt, and how that could eat at a person.

Bobby looked at Ranger. "Are you injured?"

"Just some scrapes and bruises." Ranger answered.

"How much water did you swallow?"

Ranger shrugged. "A fair amount." Like half the Delaware, but Ranger figured he'd keep that to himself. He'd already puked up most of it.

"OK, let's get you a round of antibiotics and then you can shower. Put antibiotic cream on any cuts or scrapes. There's no telling what's in that water."

Ranger nodded and reluctantly let go of Stephanie. Bobby swabbed his arm with alcohol and gave him a shot.

Bobby looked between Ranger and Les. "Why don't you two step out and I'll take a look at Stephanie." His tone didn't broker any dissent.

Ranger and Les left the medical bay, closing the door behind them. Both hovered near the door. Ranger rubbed the back of his neck. It was barely eight in the morning and he felt like he'd run a marathon. He could already feel the stiffness settling into his sore muscles. Ranger ignored the churning and twisting in his gut, pretending it was just all that nasty water he'd swallowed, but Ranger knew better.

He looked over and Les was assessing him. Giving him that knowing look.

"What?" Ranger snapped.

"You know you're in love with her, right?"

Ranger gave Les a disdainful look. Ranger was most definitely not in love. He barely even knew her. That was just Santos being stupid he assured himself.

"Since when?" Ranger scoffed.

"Since pretty much always." Les just raised his eyebrows at Ranger challenging him to disagree.

Ranger really wanted to tell Les that was stupid. There was no way he was in love with that woman. Ranger didn't do relationships. Vinita's cultured voice whispered through his head, taunting him. "It's called love Carlos. You might think you are immune to it, but it gets us all in the end."

"I'm going to brush my teeth." Ranger snapped and stormed off. He was just a little afraid, Les might be right.

Ranger had seen a lot of bad things in his day, and he had been in some tough spots over the years. He'd seen his buddies killed right next to him. Men blown to pieces, missing limbs, you name it. But exactly nothing had prepared him for watching Stephanie plunge over the railing of that bridge. His heart had literally stopped. He had been terrified she was either dead, or he wouldn't get to her in time.

Pure instinct had taken over, and he'd acted blindly without planning or consideration for his own safety. Ranger was really afraid Les might be onto something, but even if that was true, Stephanie could never know. His life didn't lend itself to relationships, and a woman like Stephanie Plum would never be OK with just a causal, occasional thing. He needed to be careful, both for his sake and hers. She deserved a whole lot more than him. Maybe not the philandering cop, but a nice guy. She needed to find a guy that could give her what she needed. Marriage, kids, and all that. All the things Ranger couldn't give her and didn't want for himself. He realized he might be trying to convince himself of the last part.

Ranger stared in the mirror. He really didn't know what it was about her that caused him to abandon all reason, but whatever it was, it needed to stop. She was a threat to his well-ordered life. One he had spent years building. He'd finish out this assignment, and then he'd put this whole mess behind him. That's what he told his reflection, even though the little voice in his head was laughing at him. Good luck with that one Manoso.

Maybe he'd tell Montero to give the assignment to someone else. That was the better choice, the more practical decision. RangeMan didn't need the money. He wasn't even sure anymore if he could maintain the level of objectivity that might be needed.

Yeah, and who was he kidding. He'd seen the way Montero had looked at her. It was pretty clear the Marshal would have a hard time keeping his objectivity around her too. Ranger figured Montero might have a hard time keeping his hands off of her while he was at it. Irritation rolled through him. Ranger was a little afraid that emotion was jealousy. He ruthlessly stamped that thought down. Stephanie needed a guy like Montero. He was a good guy. He probably wanted marriage, kids, a white picket fence. He would be the better choice. So why did that thought make him a little sick to his stomach?

Stephanie was sitting on the exam table. Bobby had just finished her neuro exam and was poking and prodding the cut on her head. She knew he was trying to be gentle but, she pretty much wanted to scream. Or punch him. At the moment either would work. Stephanie was a little afraid she was fast approaching her limit.

"You probably have a mild concussion."

"Omigod, do I have brain damage?" Stephanie thought that might explain her reaction to Ranger, including her first thought after a near death experience was to kiss him. She hadn't cared that they were both drenched in toxic river water. She'd needed to taste him, feel him. Reassure herself they were both OK. What she needed to do was keep her distance. A man like that could make a woman crazy, and she already had way too many of those genes anyway.

Bobby laughed. "No more than you had before."

"That's not funny." Stephanie smiled at him. He really did have kind eyes. "OK, so maybe it's a little funny."

"After you shower, we are going to need to clean and redress the wound on your arm and the cuts on your feet. You have a few new bruises, but that's about it." Stephanie could tell Bobby was as surprised by that news as she was. She kind of felt like she'd been hit by a truck, and then ran over again.

"I'm going to give you some more pain meds. Do you want a sedative?"

"No."

"You need to get some rest." Bobby warned. "You'll crash and probably sleep for a while. That's normal."

Bobby pulled off the bandages on her feet and examined them. "These actually look pretty good. Just be sure to treat them before you go to sleep."

He helped her pull on a pair of socks. "RangeMan has a couple of therapists that we use. I can get you their numbers if you want." Bobby's voice was casual, like he was asking if she wanted the red lollipop or the green one.

"I'm OK."

"I know you are. Sometimes talking to someone that isn't family helps." Bobby shrugged. "Let me know if you change your mind."

"I will."

"Are you ready for Ranger, or do you need some time." Bobby was studying her, and Stephanie found it hard not to squirm. She figured Bobby was a guy that saw a lot.

Her reply was automatic. "Ranger."

Stephanie was pretty sure Bobby wasn't just talking about letting Ranger back in the room. She was pretty sure, she wasn't either. Was she ready for Ranger? There was really only one way to find out.

She felt him before she saw him. The little tingle on the back of her neck alerting her to his presence.

Ranger's gaze lazily raked over her body lingering briefly on her bare legs. She saw the darkening of his eyes and the echo of heat reflected back at her. Ranger's perusal sent a little quake of desire and apprehension through her. She swallowed with an audible click. Bobby turned away and pretended to be busy, not wanting to intrude on what was clearly an intimate moment.

Stephanie had a feeling she was looking at Ranger the same way he was looking at her. Her gaze traveled over his broad shoulders where the t-shirt stretched tight. Her vision was filled with his wide chest, his flat, hard stomach. She could see just the whisper of an outline of his abs where his wet t-shirt clung to him. A thick belt emphasized the narrowness of his waist, and how his body tapered to a perfect V.

She was pretty sure she licked her lips, and she might have even moaned a little. The hotter the man the faster you should run. That was the rule. She should be sprinting out of here, heading for safety. Instead, she willed him to come closer.

Stephanie wasn't really sure she was ready for Ranger. It was entirely possible; she was way out of her depth. Maybe this hadn't been such a good idea. She would have given anything to know what he was thinking, but his face was a blank mask. With a lot of men, she often thought she spent more time wondering about what they were thinking, than they actually spent thinking. With Ranger she was pretty sure that wasn't true. Even though he kept his expression neutral, she had a feeling Ranger took in everything, and was always three chess moves ahead of everyone else.

She really wanted to ask him why he had jumped in to save her. Was he just naturally heroic or was it more? He'd lied to her about his name. Maybe he had even targeted her, but she had a hard time believing everything else had been an act. She could have convinced herself it was all just wishful thinking, if it weren't for the fact Ranger had almost died saving her.

Ranger held out his hand. "Ready for a shower?" That deep, rich voice vibrated straight to her core. Desire liquid, scary, and hot pulsed through her. Why was it that sounded like and invitation to join him in the shower? She realized she was just staring at him slack jawed. He meant she could go get cleaned up, that was it. That was all. She might have believed that except for the look in his eyes.

"Yes." She didn't even recognize her own voice. It sounded husky and brimming with desire. It sounded like sex. The rational part of her brain was definitely not the one driving the bus.

Stephanie took his hand and he helped her down. His hand settled on her low back as he guided her to the elevator. She could feel the heat pulsing through her where his hand rested. She reminded herself she was supposed to be mad at him. It didn't help.

Ranger waived a fob over the elevator sensor and punched seven. Apparently, security within security for that floor.

"What's on seven? Area 51?" She joked.

"My apartment." Ranger replied and Stephanie felt her mouth go dry.

"Oh." Nobody would ever accuse her of not being a witty conversationalist.

The doors popped open and they stepped out. Ranger punched in another code on an electronic keypad by the door, and she heard the lock disengage. It felt a little like a maximum-security prison. She realized she probably couldn't get off the seventh floor without an escort. Then again, it was entirely possible she might never want to leave Ranger's apartment. She gave herself a mental shake. Thoughts like that were dangerous.

There was only one thing she was sure about it, and that was she was here now, and she would be here until the Novak situation was over. She and Ranger had to coexist. She didn't want to be at war with him, and right now she was really too tired to hate him.

Ranger's apartment seemed a lot like Ranger. Where the beach house was comfortable and had a laid-back feel, his apartment was magnificent and Zen. It looked like it had been professionally decorated, and could grace the pages of a magazine. His apartment was done in comforting earth tones. Cream, gray, and tan with sleek lines and dark furniture. It was masculine without being overwhelming. It had beautiful artwork and fresh cut flowers, but nothing personal. As she took in the space, she noticed there were no pictures, no mementos, no books or clutter. It felt like he stayed in the apartment, but didn't live there.

She wondered if either the beach house or the apartment suited him. Maybe neither, maybe both. She realized how very little she actually knew about him. Talk about the cart before the horse, she'd done a fine job of that. She knew how he liked to be touched, but she had no idea what his favorite color was.

"Do you live here fulltime?"

"No."

Well that certainly cleared things up. Stephanie rolled her eyes as her fingers trailed along the back of the couch.

"Where do you call home?" Stephanie was remembering what Morelli had said. That Ranger's address was a vacant lot.

"It depends."

It was pretty clear Ranger wasn't in the sharing mood.

"On?" Stephanie pressed.

"Work, mostly."

Ok, it was clear she wasn't going to get any answers. Stephanie continued moving through the space. The main living area of the apartment was open concept. A bar separated the kitchen from the living room and dining area. It was a lot like her apartment, only way nicer. Stephanie squinted her eyes. There was a large aquarium on the counter, complete with a hamster wheel, den, play area and water bottle. It was a deluxe looking set-up.

"You have a hamster?" Somehow Ranger and a pet didn't really seem to go together in her mind. She thought about it. Yeah, she couldn't even picture Ranger with a fish.

"No. I had Santos get the rodent and your laptop from your apartment last night. I was concerned Novak's guys might break in, trash the place." The implication of his statement was clear.

Stephanie hadn't even thought about that. What if they had broken in. They could have killed Rex. She felt her stomach lurch at the thought. She let out a little grateful sigh.

"You had him get Rex?" Thank you." Stephanie meant it. Rex might just be a hamster, but she was still attached to him.

"Rex is a hamster not just a rodent." She felt a little like he'd just called her baby ugly.

She saw the corner of Ranger's mouth twitch up like he was thinking about smiling. She had a feeling he already knew that. She watched him give Rex a baby carrot, and couldn't quite suppress a small smile. Rex was definitely living the high life. She had a fleeting thought that Rex might never want to leave Ranger's apartment either.

"Les called you Ric. Why?" Stephanie tried to keep her voice neutral. She figured if he didn't want to talk about where he lived, they could at least establish his actual name. They were way past the point of being coy.

Ranger looked at her a beat. "Ricardo Carlos Manoso. I don't go by Ricardo because that is my dad's name. It gets confusing." He shrugged. "Most people call me Ranger, some call me Manoso, a few call me Carlos. Only Les calls me Ric. We grew up together. He's, my cousin."

OK, they were getting somewhere. That's the most she'd learned about him since they had met.

"You own RangeMan?"

"Yes. Majority partner."

"It's a security company?"

"Yes. Corporate, personal, some government contracts, and the occasional high-end bond." Ranger was watching her.

"So, that part at least was true."

Ranger inclined his head. She guessed that meant yes.

Ranger was studying her with that completely unreadable expression. It felt like he was measuring her heartrate and looking inside her mind. It made her feel vulnerable, like he could read everything about her, but he was a closed book.

"A lot of things were true that night." A beat went by, and Stephanie held her breath. She really wanted to scream, like what.

A full minute went by and neither spoke they just stared at each other. Stephanie could hear herself breathe.

"I know we need to talk, but bath, food, and bed first." Ranger finally said.

Her eyebrows went up. She wanted to demand answers, but he was right about one thing. She really wanted to get the river water off of her, and she was tired. She wasn't sure she was in the right frame of mind for a conversation anyway. Somehow talking was the dead last thing she wanted to do right now.

"Is that an invitation?" Stephanie meant for her voice to be light, mocking even. Instead, it came out all breathy. It definitely sounded like an invitation, even to her own ears.

Ranger locked eyes with her. "Is that what you want it to be?" Came his low, soft reply. His eyes were dilated almost black. Stephanie thought she might actually combust from the heat. The room suddenly felt ten degrees warmer. She could feel her pulse pounding in her throat.

OK, note to self. Not ready for Ranger. All she could do was stare at him. She couldn't get her mouth to form any words.

No, she told herself. That was the right answer. Just two little letters, just form the word and say no.

"Yes." She heard herself say.

Good judgment told her to stand clear of him, but then what would be the fun in that? If today had taught her anything, it was life was uncertain. She had promised herself if she got a do-over, she wouldn't worry so much about the rules or what other people thought. It seemed like a damn fine time to try that new philosophy out.

"Babe." If the growl in his voice was any indication, it sounded like Ranger was just fine with helping her turn over a new leaf. A little shiver of anticipation went through her.

A/N: A little shorter chapter than usual, and a little longer between updates, too many everyday things that interfered with the creative process the last few days.