Chapter Twenty-One

Wrapped in Ranger's arms, Stephanie thought she would only close her eyes for a second, but the next thing she knew the clock read almost noon, and she was alone in bed. She heard rustling and rolled over to find Ranger dressed. He was pulling on his watch. His face a blank mask. The warmth was gone from his eyes, and she could feel the distance between them.

It was like they had gone to bed completely attuned and woken up estranged. It confused her.

"Did something happen?" Stephanie hated the hesitancy and uncertainty in her voice.

"No. I have to go to work." Ranger's reply was clipped and all business.

"OK, I'll come down with you. See if there is any word on Morelli. I need to go to the hospital anyway."

Ranger stopped and assessed her for a minute. "No, stay and rest. I'll be back shortly, and give you an update."

Ranger started moving towards the door, and something like panic washed over her.

"Ranger." Her voice cracked. He stopped and turned to face her, waiting silently. "Thank you for what you did. For saving me. I owe you."

She wouldn't have thought it possible, but his expression became even more closed off. He gave a negative shake of his head.

"No. You don't owe me. There is no price for what we give each other. Not ever. Not financial, not emotional." A beat went by like he was making sure she had processed what he said. "I have to get back to work." His voice was clipped and lacked any feeling or warmth. It felt a little like a slap in the face.

He stepped away to leave.

"Wait. I want to know more about this no-emotional thing." Stephanie was looking at him like he might have two heads. Where had the attentive, passionate man she'd been with a couple of hours ago gone? She didn't know this guy. She didn't like him.

"This is how it has to be." His voice was flat. No inflection, no emotion. Stephanie studied him for a second. She was having mental whiplash. Anger surged through her.

"That isn't going to work for me." She snapped. She had meant that explanation wasn't going to work, but now that she thought about it, that stance probably didn't work for her either.

"I know." Ranger said, and then he was gone.

Just like that he walked out. No discussion, no explanation, nothing. She heard the door click softly closed.

Stephanie flopped back on the bed, hot tears welling in her eyes. "Jackass." She said to the empty room.

After a few minutes of staring at the ceiling wondering what the hell had just happened, Stephanie got up and padded into the kitchen. Rex was asleep in his deluxe new hamster den, oblivious to the chaos around him. Stephanie opened up the refrigerator. It was full of vegetables, plain low-fat yogurt and bottled water. Stephanie pulled out a bottle of water and twisted off the cap taking a deep drink. Maybe this guy was psycho. She rummaged around and finally settled on an apple. She blew out a depressed sigh.

Not only was she locked in the apartment, but she also didn't have any clothes. She needed something other than the robe. It was soft and fluffy, but it made her feel too undressed. Too vulnerable. It smelled like him, and gave her the illusion of being wrapped in his arms, and right now that just hurt.

She had no idea what had changed, but it was clear Ranger wanted distance. He wanted her to understand that what had happened, had been purely physical. Good sex, maybe even great sex, but that was all it was. Sex.

She huffed out a breath. Whatever. She'd barely survived this morning. Her life was in shambles, her career was toast, and really her only focus should be on staying alive. His attitude pissed her off, but she was a big girl. He had been very clear. The ball was in her court. It had been her decision to invite him in. She just hoped it wasn't like inviting a vampire into your house. Everybody knew, once you invited them in, you were doomed for eternity.

No, she wasn't one of those women. She was not emotional and clingy. Ok, at least she wouldn't be from here on out. This was the new improved Stephanie that had cheated death. Nothing got to her. Not even heartless mercenaries. She viciously wiped away the lone tear that had popped out and was rolling down her cheek.

She'd only ever been a poor substitute for Morelli, not to mention Morelli had gotten Terry pregnant while he was dating her, and Ranger. Well Ranger was too mercurial for her sanity. One minute they were as close as two people could be, and the next, he was dressed and walking out the door acting like nothing had happened. And maybe for him, nothing had. Just because the earth had moved under her feet, didn't mean he'd felt a damn thing.

OK, so she wasn't a fabulous cook. She didn't have a boyfriend, much less a husband. Ranger clearly didn't want her. And she wasn't a big financial success. In fact, she probably didn't even have a job anymore. Stephanie decided she could live with all those failings as long as she knew that once in a while, she looked really hot, and right now she didn't even have that. Between the bruising, the black eye, and the gunshot wound she was a big zero. Another tear popped out and rolled down her cheek. Stephanie squeezed her eyes shut and took a couple of deep breaths. She would get through this. Who cared about Ranger anyway? She barely knew him, and he clearly didn't know anything about food, and really that was a dealbreaker. The man didn't eat dessert and he drank black coffee. If there was ever an omen, that was it.

Stephanie wandered into Ranger's bedroom and opened his closet. It was a really good closet. A girl could get used to a closet like that. She ruthlessly pushed that thought right out of her head. His closet was probably bigger than her entire bedroom. She stepped in and the lights flickered on.

Everything was neatly hung up, ordered by type. Thirteen suits, thirteen shirts, three lightweight cashmere sweaters, thirteen cargo pants all hanging in neat little rows. Everything was black. She snorted. Like that wasn't all kinds of weird. She wondered if he just really liked black, or if there was some other reason his life was devoid of color. Like his black heart couldn't stand the merriment of color she thought bitterly. OK, note to self. This was not handling his rejection with cool aloofness. From here on out, she was going to be just like a cat. Aloof and unreadable.

She ran her fingertips across the clothes. All soft, and expensive. Ranger was a man that liked to live well. He liked the finer things in life, but at the same time he didn't seem too attached to them. Clearly the same applied to women. She forcefully pushed down the irritation that threaten to swamp her.

Stephanie rummaged around until she found a button-down shirt. She hung the robe on the hook, and pulled the shirt on. It draped half-way down her thighs and the sleeves were too long. Stephanie rolled them up to her elbows.

Opening each drawer she found thirteen perfectly folded black t-shirts, work-out clothes, socks, and exactly one pair of black silk boxers. Stephanie's brows furrowed together. Why would a man that went commando have one pair of silk boxers? The mystery of Ranger was growing. What the hell, she pulled them on anyway.

She wandered through the apartment until she got to his office. She hesitated outside the door for a moment. Screw it, invading his personal space was the least of her worries after the way he left.

Stephanie walked in and flipped on the desk lamp. She looked around for a phone. She really needed to call her parents, and she wanted to check on Morelli. The office was as orderly as the closet. Everything had a place. No random sticky notes, capless pens, or paperclips strewn about. Her eyes cut to the laptop sitting on the corner of his desk. It looked like hers. Ranger told her Les picked it up when he got Rex. She debated for a second. Stephanie needed to take a look at the financial data she had uploaded. There was definitely more going on at E.E. Martin than she knew. She just hoped she wasn't unwittingly in the middle of it.

Once she took a look at the data, it was probably time to come clean with Montero, but until she examined it, she had no idea if it was even useful. She'd inappropriately accessed corporate financial data for a company that had burned to the ground. She doubted she'd get in trouble over that, but she might over what was on those reports.

The fact Raymond had been pushing her to enter those vendors made her uneasy. Was he using it as leverage or did he plan to blame it on her? Nothing like learning you were promoted not on talent or even the size of your tits, but because they needed someone to pin a crime on. Yeesh. She wondered how many more blows her self-esteem could take. She was promoted to be a patsy, her sort-of boyfriend knocked up a mob princess, and the mercenary she'd slept with didn't do emotional, whatever the fuck that meant. And that, that was just in the last twenty-four hours.

Stephanie sat down and opened the laptop. It blinked to life asking for a password. She typed it in and logged into her cloud account. The file sat there silent and mocking. Maybe they held answers, and maybe they held doom. Stephanie took a deep breath and double clicked on the file. She opened the first document and started scanning, looking for anything that would help her make sense of the crazy tragedy of the last twenty-four hours. She wasn't sure how long she had been looking through files, when she heard a whisper of a sound.

"What are you doing?" Ranger's voice was casual.

Stephanie resisted the urge to whirl around in surprise. Instead, she paused and just threw him a dismissive glance. Ranger was leaning against the doorframe, his arms folded over his chest, expression guarded.

Stephanie slammed her laptop closed and stood up and faced him. She had a feeling she wasn't doing a good job of keeping the fury burning through her a secret. She saw his expression darken and he unfolded his arms, and took a step towards her. He looked menacing, but Stephanie refused to shrink away from him. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction. He continued to advance until he was barely a step away, forcing her to tilt her head to look up at him.

They stood facing each other for a moment, neither bending or speaking, just staring and assessing. Ranger grasped her shoulders and his eyes raked down over her body lingering on her bare legs. Stephanie was really glad she'd sprung for that pedicure and her feet looked girly and not like a couple of hooves. How screwed up was that.

"You're wearing my clothes." His voice was uncharacteristically rough. His hands felt like they were burning her through the thin material of the shirt.

Stephanie figured that was more a statement than a question, and she didn't need to answer. She was a little afraid her voice would come out as a squeak or a croak. Her mouth had gone dry at his closeness. She could feel her pulse pounding in her throat, and she hated herself for being so affected by his nearness. Even after he'd callously dismissed her, her traitorous body still wanted him.

His gaze dropped, and her nipples hardened and strained against her shirt under his heated stare. She saw the slight flare to his nostrils. The only indication he wasn't quite as immune to her presence as he'd like her to believe.

His hands reached out and grasped the lapels of her shirt, his knuckles rested lightly on her breasts. An act of intimate possession more than of sexual aggression. After a pause he took the collar between two fingers and rubbed the material together thoughtfully. A muscle ticked in his jaw.

"In case you failed to notice, I don't' have a lot of other clothes options." Stephanie tried to pull back, but he held her firm.

"Let me go." She hissed.

Ranger's eyes locked with hers and his hand slid down her arm until it reached her wrist. He encircled her wrist with his long, warm fingers pressing his thumb against her pulse point.

She saw his lip twitch up, with just a hint of a smile.

"Is that what you want?" His voice was low and seductive, and Stephanie realized she was in way over her head.

Stephanie tilted her chin up defiantly, not trusting her voice wouldn't betray her and beg him to kiss her. She nodded her head yes.

His thumb moved slowly back and forth over her wrist. Her pulse was pounding wildly. She knew he could feel it. She saw his gaze drop to her mouth.

"Liar." He whispered.

"I didn't say anything."

"You did, just not in words." Ranger's voice was like silk slithering around her, tempting her to do stupid things.

Ranger stepped back, abruptly releasing her. He looked like he wasn't sure what had just happened any more than Stephanie was. It seemed like he might want to punch himself in the face. More power to you buddy, save me the trouble she thought. Her gaze narrowed and she just glared at him. OK, so much for being a cat.

"If there is something you know about what's going on at E.E. Martin, you need to tell me." Ranger was back to being all business.

"Why?" Stephanie was genuinely curious why she needed to tell him anything.

"The two men they fished out of the river. The two sent to kill you." Ranger said for emphasis, like that was necessary. It wasn't like Stephanie was going to forget that fact anytime soon.

"They didn't work for Novak. They worked for Vito Grizolli."

Stephanie felt all the blood drain from her face, and her stomach lurch. Vito was Terry's uncle, and Terry was pregnant with Morelli's baby. Yet, Vito's men had shot him.

"How is Morelli?" Her voice barely above a whisper.

"He made it out of surgery." Relief flooded through her, but the look Ranger gave her indicated Morelli wasn't out of the woods yet.

"I want to see him."

"Ranger shook his head. "I'm not sure that's such a good idea."

Anger and frustration pulsed through her. Stephanie had had enough of this controlling macho bullshit. She had nearly died this morning, and now she was locked in Ranger's apartment wearing Ranger's clothes. A guy that didn't do emotional, whatever that meant. The reminder of this morning wrapped all around her, grating on her nerves. She was done with what other people wanted. Ranger had taken himself out of the running when he abruptly got up and walked out on her this morning, with not so much as a backward glance. Ranger didn't get the right to tell her what to do.

"You know, I don't care if you think it is a good idea or not. I need to see him. And I need a phone, I need to call my family. Let them know I'm OK." Stephanie's voice was adamant and tinged just slightly with hysteria. "I'm leaving. And you're blocking the door."

"Give it a rest." Ranger said. "It's not safe. You're not going anywhere." He suddenly sounded exhausted, but that was the dead last thing he should have said. It was a little like waving a red flag in front of a pissed off bull.

"What are you going to do? Handcuff me to the bed." Stephane spat at him.

"While that idea has merit, I don't need handcuffs to enslave a woman." He leveled a stare at her that held enough heat to make her knees weak.

Stephanie's mouth popped open and hung there for a second. She snapped her mouth closed. It wasn't like she could really argue that point.

"Get out of my way." Stephanie yelled and gave him a hard shove. Pushing Ranger was like pushing a brick wall. It did nothing to move him, and that just pissed her off more. He just stood there looking at her. Stephanie gave Ranger another shove.

This time Ranger shoved back, spinning her around and pinning her against the wall with his body. She felt his hard muscular leg push between her thighs and it took all her willpower not to start rubbing against him. She just barely managed not to climb up his body.

"I've had a long, somewhat terrifying day. I'm low on patience. Don't push me." His voice was low and close to her ear. Stephanie was pretty sure she was crazy, when she shivered as his breath brushed the shell of her ear. His lips skimming just above her neck.

He was effortlessly leaning into her, holding her immobile with his weight. He was so close she could smell that light scent she would forever associate with him wafting over her nose, and causing heat to start to build. How was it that hours later he still smelled wonderful? She could feel the warmth of his body. He rested his cheek against the side of her head. His hands were flat against the wall caging her with his arms.

The problem was Stephanie was supposed to be mad, instead she was entirely aware of his hard body pressing against her, and instead of being mad she could feel the simmering desire starting to stir. She shifted, giving in and rubbing against him. She tried not to make the same mistake more than twice, but she had a feeling he might be her favorite mistake. One that she was going to keep making. Besides, looking like an idiot made you humble, really it was all for her personal growth. At least that is what she would tell herself.

She heard his ragged intake of breath, and felt him harden against her belly. "I've got the weight and muscle. But I'm starting to think you have the power." He seemed surprised by his reaction, caught off guard with the level of desire and need between them.

Stephanie was finding it impossible to be mad at him. The nearness of him, his weary vulnerability. His confusion over whatever this was between them.

"Are you clinically insane or just incredibly annoying?" Her voice sounded breathy instead of irritated.

Ranger's hand brushed her hair back, and Ranger leaned in to her and kissed her at the base of her neck. Stephanie felt her pulse flutter, as his lips pressed to the pulse point.

"Probably both." He responded.

"Arrogant bastard." She whispered against him as she nuzzled into his neck.

He groaned. "Not fair." A moment passed, and he kissed her on the side of her head. "The things you do. The things you make me want."

Ranger stepped back, heaving out a frustrated breath. His eyes were blazing with desire. Stephanie could see the muscle in his jaw tick as he worked to regain control.

Ranger pulled out his cell phone and handed it to her. Just then Stephanie's stomach let out a loud growl that startled them both. Ranger flashed her a full-on smile, and Stephanie was pretty sure her heart stopped.

"You need some food. Call your parents, and I'll have Ella bring something up." His eyes took a leisurely stroll up and down her body, causing fire to streak through her veins.

"As much as I really like you in my clothes, I'll have Ella bring you something to wear. We'll eat, and then you are going to tell me what you know." His tone made it very clear that wasn't up for debate.

Ranger turned and stalked out.

"And we are going to the hospital." Stephanie yelled after him. She was pretty sure she heard him mutter something like that damn woman is going to be the death of me, but she couldn't be sure.

Stephanie looked at the phone in her hand, took a deep breath, and dialed her parents.

Her grandma Mazur answered.

"Did you happen to hear anything about me this morning or about Joe?" She asked cautiously.

"Just how you were locked in a car that plunged off the bridge and some man dressed in black jumped in to save you. Mabel heard Joseph was shot by some jealous boyfriend and he's in the hospital."

Stephanie rolled her eyes. The Burg was good at making up stories to fill in the blanks. "Does Mom know?"

"Yeah. She ironed sheets for three hours, mumbling about how she wished you were more like your sister with all the kids and a lawyer for a husband, and how she didn't understand why you were fooling around on Joseph with your boss. Working late at night, alone with him."

"I'm not fooling around with my boss." Stephanie bit her tongue. What was the point. "Is she handling it OK?"

"She had a couple nips of booze after breakfast, and some red wine when we sat down to eat lunch and now, she's pretty much in a nice stupor."

"Ok. Well, tell her I'm fine." Stephanie rang off. She wasn't in the mood for much more quality family time. No, now she had to go in and face Ranger.

When she got to the kitchen, Ranger was at the dining room table. He had two plates and two bottles of water. In the middle was a big grilled chicken salad. It didn't even have cheese, croutons, or globs of dressing on it.

He dished out some on her plate and she sat down and gave it a dubious look. He raised his eyebrow at her and she picked up her fork and took a bite.

"Not big on sugar and carbs I see." She gave him a mocking smile.

"The body is a temple, babe." He shrugged and forked up more salad. He actually looked like he kind of liked it. She was beginning to think he really might be crazy.

"What's for dessert?" Stephanie asked hopefully.

"Fruit."

Stephanie briefly thought maybe she had died, and this was hell.

"Swell." She said.

She saw the ghost of a smile play across his lips. Her heart clenched a little.

"Tell me what you know about E.E. Martin." Ranger's voice was neutral. She could tell he was working to make it sound like a request and not a demand.

"Tell me why you lied to me about who you were." Stephanie retorted.

She would have sworn she saw a little grimace cross his face.

"I have a contract to apprehend Sly Novak. Brian Fry was laundering money for Novak, at least that is what he claimed. He wanted out, but he died before he provided any proof." Ranger shrugged. "You took his place. I thought either you were in on it, or you I might be able to get information out of you."

"And the date was all just a set-up."

"Yes."

Stephanie pushed away from the table so fast she almost knocked the chair over. She gave him the death glare and then turned away before he could see the tears in her eyes.

"And sleeping with me. Was that just to soften me up?" Her voice was dripping with sarcasm and something else. She was a little afraid it was pain.

"No, that was all real. I am attracted to you, that was not a game." Ranger blew out a frustrated breath. "It was pretty clear, pretty fast you weren't in on it, and I didn't want you to get hurt. Yes, it started out as a set-up, but Steph it didn't end up that way."

She wanted to believe him, but how could she. Stephanie was surprised she didn't hate him, as much as she had every reason to and every right to. What he said made her angry, but on some screwed-up level she understood it. Why he had done it anyway. It wasn't like she hadn't done something similar to Dan to get the financial reports. She turned back around to face him.

Ranger was watching her like one might watch a coiled rattlesnake.

"Look, I know you aren't completely evil. Part of you cares what happens to me, in your own sick, twisted way." Stephanie gave him a challenging look. The man had jumped off a bridge to save her.

"I like you." Ranger conceded.

She cocked an eyebrow up. "You like me?" Because that shower had felt like a whole lot more.

"I know, it's hard to believe, I can't really believe it myself." Ranger smiled at her.

Stephanie rolled her eyes at him.

"But." She prompted.

Ranger shook his head. "My life doesn't lend itself to relationships." His voice trailed off, like he was trying to find the right words to explain. "I have some issues to resolve." He finally said.

No kidding Stephanie thought, starting with the fact he didn't eat dessert and he drank black coffee.

"So, what do you want?" Stephanie gestured between them. Almost dying made you bold. Made you realize games were a waste of time.

Ranger gave her a wolf grin. "What I want to do with you is no secret. And I want to do it bad."

Stephanie felt herself blush. "Romantic much?"

Ranger shrugged. "I don't do anything stupid. Or at least I try not to."

"Like?"

"Marriage, pregnancy, and anything nonconsensual." Ranger stated.

"So, marriage is stupid?" Stephanie gave him a dubious look.

"Maybe not, I just don't think I'd be very good at it." Ranger held her gaze.

"Have you ever tried it?"

"Yes. Long time ago."

"Any kids?"

Ranger stared at her for a full minute before answering. "I have a daughter. She's nine. Lives with her mother in Florida."

"Do you ever see her?"

"When I'm in the area."

Who was this man? She was having a hard time merging this new knowledge with her image of him. So many facets. Business owner, mercenary, father. Let's not forget jackass she reminded herself.

Oh boy. Stephanie blew out a breath. She wasn't sure why it felt like something was squeezing her heart and she could barely breathe. So what if the sex god didn't want to get married. She wasn't big on marriage either. Right. Except she'd always thought it should at least be a possibility. It was like she was ruled out before anything ever started, because he'd had a bad go of it. That just didn't seem fair. But then life rarely was.

"I'm an opportunist. I'll be in your bed anytime you want me, but I can't offer you more right now." His tone held a finality to it that felt like a dagger straight through her heart.

Stephanie nodded her head. Really what was there to say. He was offering mind-blowing sex and nothing more. Maybe she'd take him up on that, maybe she wouldn't. Stephanie wasn't a girl that did casual sex. Or at least she hadn't been. Even with all her new found freedom that came with a few near-death experiences, she wasn't sure that was ever going to change. She needed an emotional connection. Maybe. Really what had that gotten her except an ugly pink baby doll and a poem on the bathroom wall. Maybe Ranger was on to something.

"So, what's the deal with you and Morelli?" Stephanie asked changing the subject.

"I have a working relationship with Morelli. I think he's a good cop, and he thinks I'm a loose cannon. Since we both carry guns, I try not to do things that would upset the balance in an insulting way."

Stephanie gave Ranger the look that said he might have a point. She really wanted to ask him if he was a loose cannon, but that might veer too far into emotional attachment territory.

"If I take you to see Morelli, will you tell me what you know. I think this thing is way bigger than just Novak."

"Are we negotiating?" Stephanie asked. She gave him a mocking smile.

"If that is what you want to call it." Ranger held her gaze.

"Fine." Stephanie said exasperated. "But I want to negotiate about other things."

"Go on." Ranger said warily.

"What does not right now mean? Not now or not ever?"

"Maybe someday." Ranger hedged.

"Someday? A year? Five?"

"Probably never."

"Never." Stephanie repeated back to him. She wasn't sure, but it felt like that ache in her chest might be her heart cracking.

"Babe, I'm a bad bet. You need to find a good guy. One that can give you what you want."

"Yeah, got it." Well, at least he was honest. She'd wasted four years on Morelli, and he'd been in love with Terry the whole time. She supposed she should be grateful.

Ranger motioned for her to sit back down at the table. He probably expected her to eat more of that hideous salad. She contemplated asking if he had any peanut butter, but even if he did, it would be that stuff that didn't have sugar or salt and largely tasted like paste. This day just got better and better.

"You want to tell me about E.E. Martin?" Ranger asked cautiously.

Stephanie sat down and forked up another mouthful of salad, chewing thoughtfully before answering.

"I don't know what's going on, I just have suspicions. Raymond wanted me to set-up vendors that I had never heard of. When I went to check them out, they didn't seem to exist. I went to one of the locations. It was a vacant warehouse, and I saw two mob looking guys shredding files."

Ranger nodded for her to go on.

"It seemed like there was a lot more money going out to vendors than deliveries. I started looking at the financials, and scheduled time to meet with Raymond. I had questions." Stephanie's voice trailed off. "But when I got there Raymond was dead. I copied all the financial files from E.E. Martin. That's what I was going through just now."

"You copied all the financials?" Ranger was trying to remain neutral. "How?"

Stephanie scrunched up her nose. "I might have sweet talked the IT guy into it."

Ranger's eyebrows went up, but her didn't ask anything else. He just shook his head and said, "Babe, you never disappoint."

Stephanie was pretty sure he got the gist of how she'd managed to sweet talk the IT guy into giving her all of E.E. Martin's financials.

"Would you be OK if Silvio went through the files. Something must lead back to Vito, otherwise, he wouldn't have tried to kill you."

"That's fine. I'll give him access or make a copy for him."

"We are going to have to give those files to Montero."

"I know." Stephanie nodded. "Here is what I don't understand. Why would Vito go after Morelli? Me I get, but Terry is pregnant with Morelli's baby."

Stephanie could see the shock cross Ranger's face. She wondered if he was surprised Terry was pregnant or surprised, she knew.

Ranger handed her a bag of clothes.

"Get dressed and we'll go to the hospital, if that's what you really want."

Ranger watched her go. He reached up and pinched the bridge of his nose willing the throbbing behind his eyeball to ease back from jackhammer to the head to baseball bat level.

She'd taken the news about as well as could be expected. So why did he feel a little sick to his stomach. A little panicky. What was it about her that made him want things that didn't make sense? Want things he had given up on long ago. Why did his life plan, not seem like a very good plan anymore.

Ranger knew she was mad and a little hurt about the fake name and the not so accidental date. But it was her reaction to his stance on relationships that bugged him, and he really didn't know why. She didn't bother to try and talk him out of his notion that he didn't do relationships. She'd pressed around the edges and then accepted the answer. She'd just changed the subject like she was totally fine with that. Not the sex and no relationship part, but the no relationship at all part. Somehow that just felt unacceptable to him.

He wasn't really sure why that bothered him. She knew her boundaries and it was easier this way. Right?

A/N: You will notice some snippets of dialogue that may feel familiar, but not quite right. I've taken snippets of dialogue from canon and modified it to fit the story. I hope it helps thread a feel of authenticity to the characters.