A/N: This Ranger POV turned out to be a bit longer than I had expected :) But I'm sure you don't mind. Since this Ranger POV is including them meeting once more, some lines of dialugue are repeating with two chapters ago. But I guess that's expected, but I wanted to warn you. I tried re-writting in a way that it didn't sound as repeating. Enjoy!

Checking my phone for the fifth time in as many minutes, it showed the same thing it had displayed the past four times.

Nothing. Absolutely nothing. No missed call or message from a certain unknown number. Not that I had memorized the digits. Why would I?

Four days had passed since I had left my number with an excuse to call me on her kitchen table. And no response. This certainly was new to me; I wasn't used to that behaviour.

Maybe Lester had been right and she had only seduced me to get out of being possibly arrested. But than again, hadn't I been the one doing the seducing?

Or this had nothing to do with the break-in and she simply wasn't interested.

Sure, women came flocking my way, but not all women. Maybe I wasn't Stephanie Plum's type.

Though, if memory served right, she had commented on my looks and my physique and compared me to being an upgrade in regards to her fiancé.

So, maybe I was her type?

Letting out a frustrated moan, I hit the stirring wheel. This was driving me insane and made me feel like I was back in puberty.

All her actions somehow contradicted themselves and yet, I somehow found that arousing on a level that should possibly bother me.

I looked at the display of my phone once more and still didn't see any development in regards to calls or a message. Pocketing my phone, I looked ahead of me and studied the house Catalina and me shared.

By the looks of it she must have just gotten back from that weekend trip of hers – the apparent spa one – and I spent a moment watching her unload one of my Porsches she was driving.

This conversation was going to happen tonight, so that I could close that chapter of my life for once and for all. But I knew I had my work cut out for me and that Catalina wouldn't go down quietly.

What surprised me most was that I wasn't particularly angry as such. Not going to lie though, that entire thing hurt like a bitch, but mainly that was my ego that was hurting. I provide well for her and make sure she has everything she needs and wishes for – and Catalina wishes for a lot some days – so seeing her being 'grateful' but screwing someone else behind my back was hurting.

I waited for Catalina to be done and vanish inside, assuming it would be less drama if she didn't have this conversation in the driveway.

Pulling up outside the house, I parked on the street, checking my pone one last timed and got out. Once inside I threw my keys in a bowl by the door and headed Catalina's way.

"Hey baby," drifted my way within seconds and judging by the direction her voice came from she was in the kitchen.

"Hey," I said, once in the kitchen. "How was your trip?"

"It was good," she nodded almost excited. "Chrishell sends her regards."

I just nodded, not really sure who Chrishell was supposed to be. I know surprisingly few of Catalina's friends. And same could be said the other way around.

Throwing my phone on the counter, I leaned against it a moment later, figuring there was no easy way into this. So, here goes nothing.

"Catalina, we need to talk."

Have these words ever been spoken

With a positive outcome? Probably not, especially when looking at Catalina right now and seeing how she turned towards me from her salad, seeming surprised.

"Talk? About what?"

"Us, the past weekend and about what most likely has been going for a while."

One could now say that I had no prove of her infidelity, but I had run Stephanie Plum again and managed to figure out who her fiancé was. Joseph Morelli and me had a rather strained relationship and for a moment I actually found it ironic how Morelli was the one Catalina stepped out on me with. Our paths crossed due to our jobs and we were at best friendly with each other because we had to. I'd say in truth we barely tolerated each other. He was a cop with opinions and an out-of-date approach to the world in general. I was surprised that he dated Stephanie, seeing that she didn't really fit in his outdated ideology, or maybe he was trying to fir her into it one way or another.

Running his credit cards as well as Catalina's I wasn't very surprised to find a somewhat matching pattern. Both used their cards around the same locations: he paying for hotel and dinner several times, she emptying the shelves of some boutiques. Of course, it could just be a co-incidence, but I knew better and had all the prove I needed.

"I thought you were okay with me and Chrishell doing the weekend?" she asked, sounding shocked.

"If that's what would have happened, yes. But it wasn't Chrishell you went away with, was it?"

"I don't know what you are talking about," she said, sounding almost offended.

"Good thing that I do. I know about the affair, about him, about his girlfriend."

There was silence for a long moment and I wasn't sure whether she was thinking about her next steps or how I could have possibly found out.

"For what it's worth, he doesn't mean anything and you are the only one I have loved. He was just entertainment. I was bored I guess," she admitted in a way that actually shocked me. Yes, 'he doesn't mean anything' was the oldest excuse there is, but to also add boredom. Being bored from what exactly?

She must have seen the question written all over my face, since she answered what I hadn't even asked.

"You are never around. You work 24/7 and if you are not in the office, you work out. I barely see you and sometimes wonder whether I should just apply working for your company to actually spent time with you."

I let that sit for a second, wondering if I had heard properly.

"Is that your excuse? That I work too much? It has never bothered you before and you work just as much," I said calmly despite me feeling anything but. This was just a lazy excuse and she believed she could get me to agree.

What surprised me, was how she didn't answer my question, didn't try finding new excuses, but changed directions and shrugged. "We are both busy people."

"Apparently one of us isn't busy enough," I remarked and saw her look straight at me with a certain anger in her eyes. Good that she was angry as that should maybe be me.

"What do you want me to say? That I'm sorry? Want me to fall to my knees, crying and pleading with you?" she replied almost petulant.

"I guess saying sorry is what a normal person would do," I stated irritated.

"Look," she started and somehow that did not sound like an apology was coming my way. "It isn't like you are emotionally very involved in this. You like looking at me, like presenting me as a bit of arm candy to your clients or boys. And I get it, I'm hot. You don't do so bad yourself. We are both hot and our relationship follows nature's law. Hot people attract other hot people."

"Thank you, I guess," I said, interrupting her little speech. "But I seem to be missing the point you are trying to make. Just because we are both hot means you can just screw anyone who walks past?"

"We are meant to be together," she said, pointing between her and me. "So, what if I had a slip up? Things happen. No harm done…"

"No harm done?" I asked confused. Who the hell had I been dating for the past few years? "I'm sorry, did I somehow miss something along the way? When was it ever okay to cheat on your partner?"

"We have a good thing going. We are one of these power couples," she explained and I was trying to make sense of what she was saying. First, I work too much and she never sees me and now we were a power couple?

"How good could our thing be if you feel the need to step out on me?"

"Look," she said, sounding like she was barely stopping herself from sighing. "I won't see him again if that's what you want."

"I'm sorry?" I asked, not sure I had correctly. Seemed to be the theme of this conversation. Me wondering whether I was hearing the things I heard. "If I want to?"

"You don't have to," she replied. "We could be one of these 21st century couples, that break the mould of conventionalism and are open to different relationship-types than the classical monogamous ones. Like the people on TV."

Instead of an answer I just looked her irritated and slightly flabbergasted. Was she for real? Before I could reply, she went on.

"I mean… we are both successful business-owners who could change things up…"

"Successful business-owners?" I asked surprised.

"Yes," she said, seeming confused for a change. "I mean both of us make good money…"

"I hate breaking it to you, but the only reason you make good money, is because you don't pay for anything. You use cars that are paid for by my company, live in a house that is paid by my company and in general don't spend a lot of money on everyday life. That's why you make good money. Maybe you should look at your financials of your enterprise every once in a while. Or maybe… me paying for everything is you real 21st century couple idea. I pay the bills and he gets the sex."

"It's not like I'm not sleeping with you either," she said, and interesting how that seemed to be her most vital issue.

"How comforting," I replied sarcastically. And then there was silence for a long moment, without her even trying to make another argument and dig her own grave even deeper. "But I agree, we certainly can be like these couples on TV."

I reached for my phone, letting her last words sink in and then looked at her. The triumphing smile she was displaying was not my imagination.

"Like these couples that break up," I went on, seeing her smile disappear a moment later. I pushed myself of the counter and walked slowly past her and out of the kitchen. "You have until tomorrow to move your stuff. After that the locks get replaced and whatever is left of your stuff gets donated to charity." And then I left. Good thing I had a few properties to stay at for the night.

Xxx

A week had passed and I still hadn't heard from her and slowly my ego really took a hit. First my ex cheats on me and now Stephanie Plum was not getting in touch. Lester seemed to admire her more and more each day that passed without a sign and I started getting more and more frustrated. Had I been wrong about her? I somehow couldn't get myself to believe so, but well… Or maybe I didn't want to. There was something about her that fascinated me on a whole new and never experienced level.

Maybe I had come on too strong. Maybe my excuse of a hoodie that was supposedly my favourite one, had backfired and Stephanie's attention required a different approach. Maybe something a little playful, but also straight-forward. Something that didn't leave a lot of room for interpretation, but also didn't seem like an order.

I was going through possibilities and didn't get anywhere until I was faced with an incident at one of our accounts. A lingerie store, which had seen a break-in that was successfully stopped by my men, but required a follow-up from the CEO. I was faced with the launch of a new collection of theirs while speaking to the owner and just like that an idea formed in my head.

Getting home that night, I dug up the sports bra which she had left behind and used that to get her size. Back at the store the next morning, I browsed through the inventory, a sales girl hot on my heels, eager for a sale. Seeing as I was browsing the new and really expensive collection, it was to be expected. I tried to decide on what would suit her best, having nothing to go by in regards to taste or preference. Her sports bra didn't offer much insight and her ripped panties didn't help an awful lot either.

I decided on keeping it classy, choosing black lace that looked already sinful on the hanger and would most likely look even better on her. Just for the heck of it I got the matching panties as well and probably just made that sales girl's month.

Within an hour of my purchase, I was back at the place I had been just a week ago. There was still no sign of her around – I had knocked after all – but noticed that a few clothes were thrown over various pieces of furniture. The lingerie store used simple, yet elegant and non-descriptive packaging, all black and classic, that wouldn't tell you right away where it came from – unless you of course were familiar with the store. I had brought another card with me, writing my hopefully humorous message neatly on to it and propped the card up against the shopping bag, hoping for the best.

If she still wasn't going to reach out after this I'd give up and take the hint.

Hours ticked by and nothing happened. Not that it really surprised me if I was being honest. Maybe I had been grasping straws or something and finally crossed into stalker territory. When Lester found out about my latest stunt and the fact that I was still not hearing from her he might have fallen in love with her for real, right before he fell from the chair laughing his ass off. I would have probably strangled him if one of my men hadn't come in and informed us that they had eyes on a guy we had been after for a quite a while but hadn't managed to spot or even get close to.

Ten minutes after the report several of my men and me were on our way, hoping to make the capture. The bond was about to expire in the next few days and something told me today could be our best shot at getting him.

Despite the fact that we had been told about his whereabouts a while back, he was still around when we made the arrest. Some days you just had to get lucky. He put up one hell of a fight, which wasn't surprising, seeing what he got initially arrested for and meaning he'd probably go away for quite a while. I wasn't even sure how someone could set him on bail, let alone anyone dumb enough to actually post bail, but this world was getting stranger by the day.

It took three of us to tackle him first of all into one of the SUVs and three again to get him through the doors of TPD.

"Maybe you should have just asked her out for drinks. You know, like normal people do. Instead, you go and break into her place twice," Lester remarked out of the blue when we walked through the doors of the precinct.

"What are you talking about?" I asked annoyed, being fully aware what he was referring to. Or rather to whom.

"Stephanie Plum," Lester just said, a snicker following his answer. I wanted to roll my eyes, taking a deep breath and knowing better than taking the bait. My calm breathing was interrupted when all of us heard loud yelling. In all fairness, it wasn't quite as unusual, seeing that this was the TPD and not everyone being here was here voluntarily and had opinions. Loud opinions. Vince, Junior and Hank had gone off to get our FTA booked in, while Lester, Tank, Bones and me went to investigate the shouting.

As we approached the reception area and the voiced grew louder, I realized something. I knew that voice. And a second later that knowledge was confirmed when I also spotted the person it belonged to. Stephanie Plum.

Vince, Junior and Hank had gone off to get our FTA booked in, while Lester, Tank, Bones and me went to investigate the shouting.

She was face-to-face with Morelli – or rather in his face – and seemed less than happy. It didn't take long to hear what she wasn't happy about. Not that it was a big surprise.

She was talking about him being delusional and that she certainly wouldn't go and get married now, after everything that happened. For a moment I wondered why he still thought they would get married until I assumed that maybe she hadn't just spent the last week avoiding only me but somehow him as well. It didn't take long for her presence to draw a small crowd, people looking curiously and interested at what was going on, not that either of them seemed to be really aware of it.

My men next to me seemed confused at first and then thoroughly enjoyed seeing Morelli put through the wringer. We all didn't hold much sympathy for him, seeing how he was constantly annoying us with wild speculations and accusations and seemed to think we somehow played a bigger role in the city's crime statistics. While some of us had rather questionable pasts and might still have a few contacts to the underground and underbelly of the city it definitely wasn't a revenue string of ours. At best, most of these contacts helped with cases.

Morelli was an ass and an arrogant bastard who usually seemed to take on a lot more than what he could chew and seeing him actually get put in his place and called out for his lies by a woman was thoroughly entertaining. If only my men knew who they were watching. Lester would probably die of excitement anytime soon since I figured it wouldn't take long for the Stephanie and me to…connect.

Turns out, connecting we did. In the most literal way. I hardly noticed her steps until she walked right into me.

"So, we meet again," I said, smiling her way and noticing how Lester, Bones and Tank looked confused. I had hoped to see her soon after I had dropped off my latest gift, but I hadn't expected it to be that soon.

Before she could reply to my remark it was Morelli, who asked in an odd voice whether we knew each other. Followed by how and then an accusation that wasn't wrong. I was somehow surprised how quickly he had made the connection without any of us saying anything, but than again, he was a detective. I didn't like the guy, but it wasn't like I did think he was a bad cop.

What surprised me was the accusation in his voice, especially seeing as he was one to talk. I'm not saying I'm proud of what we did since technically it put Stephanie and me in the same corner as Morelli and Catalina, but I'd like to think they had it coming.

The accusations were followed by some weird display of pride that he had slept with my girl, which made me wonder whether it had been premeditated, but realized that Stephanie had just mentioned it in front of everyone and he probably knew the moment everyone else knew.

What followed was a murderous Stephanie Plum, who was probably only held back from killing Morelli by my strong hold on her, Lester, Tank and Bones finally making the connection – took them long enough – and Morelli stepping even lower than I had ever expected. While I knew that Stephanie didn't lead a life of accomplishments and big achievements, I found it particularly arrogant of Morelli to play that point to his advantage and make himself seem inferior. What an ass.

It was hard to tell on whose side everyone around us was, seeing that everyone seemed to enjoy the show just a little too much and not caring what was actually being said by whom. As long as it was entertaining that seemed to be all that mattered.

When I mentioned the entertainment factor to Stephanie, it seemed like that was the first time she herself actually realized that this was a little bit public and a second later she retreated, walking out the door we had just entered through impressively quick. I knew I had to act now, otherwise she'd escape and God knows whether I'd actually ever see her again. So, I ran after her and caught up with her outside, where she just stood for a second, looking up into the sky and taking in the soft drizzle that came down on her.

"Stephanie," I said, seeing her turn around a second and looking a mix between apologetic and like a mess. The mess was probably accounted for by the drizzle.

"I swear my life is a mess and I have no idea how to fix it," she said, looking even more apologetic. "As a child I …hated Morelli. He was mean and stupid and a bully. And yet, as a grown up I end up dating him and engaged to him, just to realize he is still mean, stupid and a bully. Some things never change! And now I dragged you in there right with me. I'm… I'm sorry for that."

I wasn't entirely sure what she was talking about and more importantly why she was apologizing. So, I asked and was surprised to find that she was worried I would hold it against her that she mentioned Morelli had been screwing my ex. It wasn't like I cared a lot and my ego slowly seemed to recover from the past few days, despite the fact that nothing new had happened. But maybe things were about to look up. I told her that I didn't care about what she had said in front of everyone in regards to my private business and that Morelli and me went way back – but not in the best of ways.

The drizzle picked up and I decided on providing shelter for the two of us, getting out of my windbreaker and holding it above the two of us. There was no need to get wetter than what she already was while having a conversation after a week. I didn't need her to get more excused to run once more.

And then our conversation took an interesting turn. Her comment about FTAs being some kind of security system led me to believe she definitely knew more about me than I had assumed. But how? As far as I knew she didn't even know my name, so how could she know I was in security?

She tried playing the mystery card, seeming entertained by her idea more than anything and I couldn't help letting my mind drift shortly to ways of how to get that particularly piece of information out of her. Oh, the many, many, very joyous ways. She must have taken my silence or stare the wrong way since I didn't need to actually come up with any ways. She cooperated without getting creative. Bummer.

"Your hoodie," she replied, confusing me. How could she possibly have figured out who I though my hoodie?

What she told me left me almost speechless and very impressed. I know a lot of guys in the forces, Special ops and the likes who would never have been able to make that connection. It was impressive work and yet she seemed less than proud, but rather embarrassed. Why?

What followed was a playful back and forth between the two of us in regards to who should have called who in the first place. When the conversation went serious once more and I asked what she would have done if I had called her in fact, or even just left a message, she surprised me once again. Seemed to be a common theme with her.

She started with her answer, then all of a sudden stopped before telling me that she didn't want to be the rebound girl and neither did she want me to be her rebound guy. Cute that she thought she'd be my rebound.

"Actually, I'd love to be your rebound guy," I said, grinning. "If that's all you let me be." Hell at this point I'd take anything she threw my way. And if rebound was the only possibility, I'd take it and work my way into her life from there.

"I won't," she said almost firmly. There was a short silence after that, with me noticing Stephanie seeing something behind me and a few seconds later I knew what. A female cop I had seen a few times around was walking past us. She was good-looking, with long, flowy hair and a uniform that gave off just how fit she was. She nodded at Stephanie and smiled my way, making it more than obvious she was interested. Of course. As I said, I have a certain effect on women. Well, most of them. Stephanie didn't seem to be one of them. And all of a sudden, an idea formed.

"Hey Rachel," I called out after the cop, not entirely sure whether her name was Rachel. It seemed to be, since she turned around a second later.

"You interested in drinks by any chance?" I asked and saw Stephanie look at me confused. Rachel on the other hand seemed more than ecstatic.

"What are you doing?" Stephanie asked in a low voice and I looked at her smiling.

"Making her my rebound so I can take you to dinner," I explained, finding my plan actually excellent. Was I really going to make Rachel my rebound? Most likely not. She was a little too eager for my taste.

"Are you serious?"

"With dinner? Very. Her as my rebound? Not so much. But if that's what it takes…"

"You're really serious," she stated a second later, realizing I really was. I was willing to go to extreme lengths it seemed. Out of the corner of my eye I realized that Rachel had moved on and away from us, probably getting the clue that there was someone who held my attention more than she ever could.

"Yes," I said, relieved that she finally seemed to not think that she probably was just some conquest. But I know just the realization wasn't enough, so I went on, agreeing with her assessment. "And… Look, I get it. All what you said with you getting out of an engagement and me out of this relationship. But… I don't feel like that. I know I should be heartbroken and pissed and getting drunk, but that's not how I am. I don't get very attached to people and for the longest wasn't even certain I could feel more than desire or lust for someone. That's what Catalina was to me, someone I lusted after but wasn't in love with."

When she asked what had changed, I couldn't help but laugh. More at myself than at her question. I would consider myself a rather smooth guy who was always in control. Usually anyway. But something about her made me loose my footing. And I was about to lose it once more, seeing as I could have just given any general and suave answer, but decided for a change to actually see if I could make her loose her footing.

"I couldn't get you out of my head. As weird as it sounds, but… that's what it is. You broke into my place, we spent this night together and the next morning you are gone, with my hoodie. And when I broke into your place, giving you my number, you didn't call back. You are everything I never encountered before. Not wanting to sound arrogant, but I'm used to women throwing themselves at me and not running the other direction. Even now, when dinner is offered you are still fighting me tooth and nail."

Instead of making her loose her footing, she surprised me once more when she replied in a such a raw and honest way that it was almost taking my breath away.

"I'm… I'm not playing hard to get," she said, biting her lower lip carefully. "It's just… all of that isn't me. I don't break the law or have one-night-stands or have hot guys giving me their number and …overwhelm me that way. I don't want you to have this image of me of a risk-taker and fearless woman when that is probably the furthest from the truth. I think you might be intrigued by an image I wouldn't be able to uphold. You must be so incredibly confused with my behaviour."

Everyone else would have probably tried to play the femme fatale card, seeming seductive and mysterious, like a wild child and wild card, someone who did reckless things all the time and enjoyed it. Not so Stephanie Plum. She seemed more worried that I might have gotten the wrong idea and a wrong picture of who she was in my head. Given, our contact so far had seemed rather seductive, mysterious and like a wild child, but that wasn't what kept me fascinated. There was something about her that seemed…real and grounded, yet open and gentle.

"It actually turns me on in a way I can't explain. You don't just fall into line and throw yourself at me. No, you play hard to get without even meaning to. You do your thing and still have such an innocence about it, caring for things and people. I think I had never anyone except for my family worry that they might have overstepped a line in regards to private issues or that they might come across as odd for investigating who I could be. You know that you weren't stalking me, don't you?"

"Usually when you look up a guy on the internet you are the crazy one. So…"

"Have dinner with me?" I asked once more, hoping I'd finally be able to wear her down to at least agree to dinner. She looked at me for a very long moment, studying me carefully. I was preparing myself mentally for another setback and her decline, when she surprised me once more.

"If I promise to agree, will you promise to wait two weeks for that to happen? And if you are still interested to take me to dinner after that I'd gladly come."

My relief made me laugh out loud for a second. Only she'd subject dinner to conditions. But if two weeks was all it took, I could be a very patient man. And count every single second until then. One-million-two-hundred-nine-thousand-six-hundred if you cared to know. "I can give you two weeks if that's what it takes," I replied smoothly, noticing Bones pulling up behind her, tossing me the keys to my Porsche and getting into a fleet-SUV a moment later.

I walked towards my Porsche, having placed my windbreaker around her shoulders a second earlier. I was about to get inside, feeling like I needed to say something as a farewell for now and decided on picking up on something she had said earlier in regards to my hoodie.

"Oh, and there is something special about that hoodie," I said, opening the driver's door a second later.

"Which is?" she asked confused.

"You wore it," I replied, winked at her and got inside the car, driving off a second later. Who said I couldn't be smooth after all?

At the first red light which made me stop, I opened the calendar app on my phone and typed in "Dinner Invitation" for a day that was exactly 14 days from now. I certainly wouldn't really need the reminder since there was no chance in hell I would forget about it, but one could never be too certain. This was going to happen. In two weeks from now. I knew it had to be something spectacular, feeling like I almost needed to prove my worth to be in her life. I don't know what I was going to do, but I knew I had two weeks' time to come up with it! Stephanie Plum was not going to get away this time.