A/N: Thank you all for not yelling at me but rathr at Ranger. Yes, he can be a bit of tool sometimes. Not sure you'll like her reaction in this, since it is straying away from the usual things you'd read. But I figured, shock can do a lot to you...

Also, to the guest review who complained about too many cliffhangers and also to let you know if there's a HEA otherwise to stop wasting your time...Well, first I wouldn't consider two cliffhangers in 35 chapters as 'too many', but okay. In regards of the HEA, well... no one forces you to read my story. You can also wait until it's finished and skip right to the last chapter to see if it would have been worthy of your time...

was having the weirdest dream and maybe it was time to get myself checked out medically. Maybe that time finally had come.

In my dream, I was at the annual TPD Fundraiser and somehow ended up running into Ranger at the end. That was were my dream ended and also, what left me confused. I had read about people dreaming about work and the likes, but not me. For all these months that I had been taking over as CEO for RangeMan I had never – not even in the beginning when I figured I was in way over my head – dreamed about work. So, me dreaming about the Fundraiser was new and also should maybe raise a flag or two. Or so I thought, until I opened my eyes. And found myself on a couch god knows where, surrounded by a bunch of Merry Men, looking at me concerned. They all looked like in my dream – which in all fairness was not hard, since they had worn suits in my dream and one suit looked to me almost like the other.

"What happened?" I asked confused and looked into uncertain faces. No one spoke and no one looked like they wanted to speak. They all just looked at each other before looking back at me and then turning their gazes back to each other. Okay, something was up. While the Merry Men – with the exception of Lester and Cal on a good day – were all not the most talkative people that didn't like to waste precious energy on the merits of small talk this seemed strange even by their standards.

"You fainted," Slick eventually pushed forward with a reply. What was odd about this, was… that none of them seemed to be too concerned with that fact. It seemed like they were almost more concerned with something else that might maybe have been connected to my fainting.

For whatever reason I decided in that moment to look down my body and realized that for some odd reason I was wearing the same dress as in my dream. "Are… are we at the fundraiser?" I asked, not sure whether I wanted this question answered, because, that could mean…. Something I wasn't sure I wanted to think about. When I felt the familiar tingle at the back of my neck, I pulled myself up from my laying position and looked behind me, just to see the man I had seen last in my dream – or what I assumed was my dream – leaning semi-casually against the frame of a closed door behind him. Even I could see he was not as composed and casual as he liked to display.

I starred at Ranger for what felt like hours. Time stopped and no one was saying just a word. You could hear a pin drop and eventually all I felt I could do, was bring my hands to my face and cover my nose and mouth in what I assume was a shocked gesture. I starred at him, eyes wide and unable to form just a thought, let alone a word. Eventually, I turned around and faced the Merry Men who all somehow looked at Ranger as well, though less shocked than me, but I figured they had a bit more time with me being unconscious. Unless….

"Did any of you know?" I asked, sounding accusing even to my own ears. In all fairness, I don't know what I would have done if any of them had said yes now, but I figure it wouldn't have been very good and gracile.

Luckily all of them shock their head, while taking turns looking at me for the answer and at Ranger again. I guess that took at least that problem of my plate.

There was another long silence that fell over the room until I decided I needed space and no real companionship. So I got up and walked to doors that looked like they opened up to the outside and allowed me to actually get some fresh air. A whole bunch of Merry Men – as well as what I could figure was Ranger – set in motion to follow me.

"Just…. Don't. I need a few moments, and some fresh air and… I don't know," I said, making all of them stop momentarily. I made a few more steps towards the wide doors and was grateful for the first hit of fresh air. I stepped outside onto the terrace and noticed movement behind me, turning around I saw Cal as well as Ranger moving towards me.

"No," I almost shouted at Ranger and saw him surprised for a moment. "You give me this time and distance," I almost ordered and saw a lot of the Merry Men looking curiously at their former boss. "Cal," I went on, "for all I care you can stand in the door and assure yourself I don't drown myself in the fountain, but you alone."

I saw Ranger's expression and knew what was about to happen. "And that is an order. Disobey it and you all can look for new jobs come tomorrow," I said with force and was met with a lot of surprise and shock. I had never ordered any of them to do anything and this was a side none of them – and not even me – had ever seen before. But right now, it seemed like the only option that felt right and gave me the space I needed.

I was surprised when I saw everyone except Cal move towards Ranger and almost built a wall between him and me. It looked like he'd have to fight his way through each and everyone of them to get to me. Interesting. If I ever had doubts about these men's loyalties I certainly knew now where I stood.

I made a few steps further outside, embracing the cool air hitting my overheated skin and taking a few deep breaths to clear my head. I found a few steps that lead down from the terrace and into a small garden where there was a bench that overlooked literally nothing, but I felt like I needed to sit. And then I started to laugh uncontrollably before I started to cry. Not being sure whether I was on the verge of loosing my mind, I decided I didn't care and just let my emotions take over. Maybe it was long overdue.

I laughed about the irony that for the longest time I had wished for nothing else than for him to just walk through the door and be back, making this all seem like a bad dream and now that he actually did I felt like crying. Why or for what I couldn't answer. I just didn't know. All I knew was that I felt tears coming and I was too tired to actually stop them or care.

I let out a deep sigh and stared for an endless amount of time at trees in the distance that swayed in the soft wind.

I must have sat on that bench for the longest of time just staring in the distance and barely noticed someone sitting down next to me. I was about to go into meltdown, figuring Ranger had reminded his men into who the actual boss was. Surprised I realized it wasn't Ranger, but Tank.

"It was between me and Cal, but he was worried you'd actually really fire his ass, so let me be the chosen one. Though it was visible that he really wanted to disregard ordered and make sure you're okay," he smiled softly.

"Did he send you?"

"Ranger?" Tank asked without much ado.

I just nodded and he shook his head, surprising me. "I'm certain though, he would have come down here himself if he wasn't still facing a standoff with half the guys. Quiet a picture when I entered the room."

"I don't think I can handle being around him right this moment," I explained, mumbling up into the sky. "Which is odd, seeing that for the longest time it was the only thing I really wished for and now, instead of being happy all I feel is anger, rage and furry."

"Understandable," Tank offered and I nodded, surprised that he seemed to get it. Get something that I myself didn't get.

"Did you know?" I asked a heartbeat later and wasn't sure which answer I'd prefer from him.

I didn't need to debate long about that since I saw him nod and a second later saying "Yes, I did."

That was all. No further explanation, no excuse, nothing. Just a simple answer to my simple question.

I didn't say anything after his answer, didn't feel the need to say anything or ask further. And Tank did something unusual for him, he went on with an explanation and a conversation.

"He showed up at the office about a week ago, shocked the hell out of me and the very few guys that I had taken with me to the garage to investigate the arrival of an unknown car. While I didn't faint at the sight of him, I think I was staring at him for the longest time as well, not sure whether what I saw was real and having issues wrapping my mind around it. I think it is his story to tell, but… he didn't want anyone to know before you knew. He didn't want for you to come back to an office, where everyone knew he was not dead and yet you were the last to know. He wanted to tell you himself and in person. And if I could have given him an exact date of your return, I'm certain he would have flown out to LA right away, making sure you knew as soon as possible."

"Instead a fundraiser was the best idea he could come up with?" I almost pleaded.

Tank held up his hands in defence. "Look, I'm not saying this was his best choice or smartest idea, far from it actually. But… I guess he didn't play this through entirely. Or that he had planned on Lester's reaction. Who by the way had been hot on my heels when we made it to the backrooms and was ripping Ranger still a new one in front of every man present when I came to find you."

"To a certain degree I find it amusing that everyone is in my corner for once and Ranger finds himself fending for himself," I said, not able to hide the small smile gracing my lips.

"No worries, we got your back," Tank said and then winked at me which made me smile even more.

"How… how childish would it be if we just took the side entrance and vanish from here, leaving Ranger back there none the wiser for the moment?" I asked Tank and heard him chuckle for a moment.

"I think that is something the old Stephanie Plum would do, but not Stephanie Plum, CEO of RangeMan, who tackles issues and hard topics head on first. You have come a long way, Little Girl, and I am so glad I was allowed to witness the transition. This is just another issue you learn to tackle instead of running away from over the past few months."

"I also learned to sleep a night over problems and make a decision the next day," I countered and saw him smile.

"Then tell him exactly that. Tell him you need time and set up a meeting for all I care But… don't fall back into an old pattern and walk away, leaving the situation unattended."

"When have you become so talkative?" I asked, wondering when I ever had a conversation with such length with Tank. He just chuckled and got up.

"I'll check that everyone is still alive and leave you to find your courage." And then he walked back towards the steps and past Cal, patting his shoulder almost proudly.

I took a few deep breaths and decided that Tank had been right. Running didn't solve anything and would only prolong the inevitable. I almost needed to laugh, thinking how I handled every issue regardless how tough and unpleasant head on and without much fuss, and yet here I was, almost willing to running scared.

One last deep breath and I walked back towards the stairs and up to Cal still standing in the door. I stopped in front of him, let out a long sigh and more or less could see in his expression what I was thinking. What a mess.

One last deep breath and I walked past him, patting his shoulder the way Tank had done moments earlier. I kept walking towards the Merry Men still standing tall in front of Ranger and reminding me of a human wall. When I approached Zero and Manny stepped aside and created a space for me right in front of Ranger.

"I… I can't deal with this tonight. My mind is all over the place and I'm not certain I could even form a coherent sentence or take fully in whatever you will tell me. So… I ask of you to give me a night to… overcome the surprise, if not to say shock and meet me tomorrow at RangeMan. I'll have Ella prepare some lunch and you can tell me your story in one of the conference rooms. And then we'll sort this whole mess out and we take it from there," I said and could see in his expression that he hadn't expected any of this. Neither me asking for more time, nor that I still didn't look ecstatic and was covering him in kisses and hugs and happy tears, or that I suggested a conference room. He would most likely have preferred seven. So would I, in all fairness. But somehow I felt like I needed to be among people and have people around me who had an eye on me in case I'd do something stupid.

I was almost certain he'd protest, but there must have been something in my expression that told him I was serious and arguing wouldn't get him anywhere. Looks like Ranger needed to get used to the new Stephanie Plum as well.

I turned towards Cal who had by now managed to close the doors to the outside and stood a few steps behind me.

"I think I had enough excitement for tonight and just want to go home," I said and saw Ramos and Zero nod at me.

"I get the car," Ramos said and to me it almost seemed like his steps towards the door and outside of this room seemed slightly more hurried than normal. Not that I could blame him.

"I'll find Tank and let him know you call it a night," Cal offered and shortly after I heard Lester address me. "And I'll accompany you back. I'm certain Tank and the others can manage by themselves."

I saw him nod at everyone around us and a moment later everyone started moving except for Ranger – whose reflection I saw in one of the glass panels of a book case. For a moment he looked like I felt all these months ago, when I had been delivered the news of his passing: all alone and helpless.