Disclaimer: Anything recognizable belongs to Janet Evanovich, and the rest is mine. I'm grateful she lets us play.

Warning: Dark fic. Adult language, adult content, violence, smut. This is written for mature audiences only.

Chapter 26

Stephanie's POV

Twenty-Four Hours Later – Sunday Night

I sigh and push my hair out of my eyes as I roll over in my bed, trying to find a more comfortable spot in hopes of finally falling asleep. I watch with bated breath as the red digital numbers on the clock beside me flash from 2:42 to 2:43.

I stare at the ceiling and trace the edges of the walls with my eyes in the same pattern as last night. Since leaving the infirmary yesterday, I've holed myself up in the apartment Ella and Hector, I'm guessing, helped prepare for me. A quick perusal of cupboards and drawers revealed that Hector brought over everything I owned from previous my apartment, even my two safes. The difference is that everything smells clean, and when I looked through the closet, I saw several new items that look very similar if not exact copies of things that used to be in my wardrobe. I'm guessing those are things deemed too contaminated by mold. The thoughtful attention to detail makes me feel loved, but at the same time, I can't help but wonder if I owe someone something.

The Core Team and Alex have all found reasons to visit throughout the day. Ranger stayed for dinner both evenings, but I've been reluctant to have him stay overnight. I wanted my space and independence, well as much as I can in a secure building like this, and it seems ridiculous to ask him to sleep here instead of his comfy apartment on seven. It's almost like he'd be moving out and stepping down, in this case, literally.

I sigh again in exasperation at my insomnia. All told, however, the quiet time in the day has been therapeutic. I needed the comfort of solitude to decompress after the nosiness of medical. I've had time to think through everything that's happened this week, and I've decided that while I have a long way to go, including sleeping at night, apparently, I'm proud of myself.

Trusting the Core Team and Alex, opening myself up to a relationship with Ranger, moving out of my apartment, making my physical and mental health a priority including beginning therapy tomorrow, and taking action against Tank, Vinnie, and Lula are huge steps towards a better future. Frankly, a future I never thought I would have. I'm not sure I even expected to live another year with the path I was on. I don't think I even cared.

I shudder and roll over, wishing again I dared to walk up to seven, but I'm still a big relationship chicken.

The cases against Tank, Vinnie, and Lula were turned over to TPD this afternoon, and an arrest warrant was signed a few hours later. Rangeman is preparing to assist in taking down the three stooges at dawn. I'm not going, and I have no desire to be there.

The reason isn't my health. Apart from how inevitably fatigued that I'm going to feel tomorrow, I'm feeling much better. I can walk without a limp, and I feel stronger overall. I'm not used to doing takedowns as a part of a team, and I don't want to be a liability that could prevent apprehension. Mostly, however, I think it's that I trust Ranger to take care of it, and that's enough. I'll have my day in court to confront them.

I close my eyes and take a deep breath, attempting to be one with the mattress. I slowly let out the air and stop as the hair on the back of my neck prickles.

Click.

I'm not alone.

You're safe. This is Rangeman. It's probably Ranger, missing you as much as you're missing him. Don't be paranoid. I try to calm my immediately anxious mind and body.

I lay completely still with coiled muscles as I strain my ears, listening for the footfalls.

Step. Swish.

Stop.

Step. Swish.

Stop.

My Spidey sense is screaming, "Some is hunting me!"

I roll out of bed soundlessly and pull my loaded 9mm out from between the mattress and the box spring before low crawling to the far corner of the bed. I was relieved to find it in a hidden compartment in the safe Hector brought over and decided it could continue to be a secret. I watch incredulously as a black shadow fills my door frame and fires three times, a muted bang filling the room. The only light is from the muzzle flash, and I blink rapidly to regain my night vision with my earing ringing loudly as the intruder rips back my comforter and discovers the assassinated body pillow.

He swings his weapon around to advance on my position, and with an unwavering aim, I return the same three bullets intended for me. Mine don't miss, and he drops to the ground with a groan and a thud.

I stand there wordlessly as seconds later my apartment door opens again. I suspect it's my Rangeman rescuers, but just in case, I conceal myself behind the mattress corner once again with my weapon aimed at the door.

Hector bursts into my line of sight, stopping abruptly at the man on my floor.

"Angelita! Estefania!" he cries out desperately as Lester runs in behind him the next second, stooping to disarm the assailant.

"Don't shoot. I'm armed," I call out loudly, in part because it's hard to tell how loud you are when you can't hear very well, before standing, holding my weapon out to my side. I begin the feel my weak sense of control over the situation wane as I scan the rapidly filling room, suddenly very aware of my lack of pants. Hector takes a step towards me, and I take a step back as I close my hands over the weapon again.

Where's Ranger? Who did I shoot? Did I kill him?

I can't tell if I forgot to breathe or if I'm breathing too much, but the edges of my vision begin to blur. And then the only thing I see is the one person I need to see…Ranger.

"Babe," he says calmly, his hands in front of him.

I want to run, leap into his arms, and ask him to tell me this is all a bad dream. But I'm frozen, my feet anchored in place as the rest of my body begins to tremble.

There's a roar of noise around me, and I feel my mind struggling to focus. I make out the words Martin, crime scene, time of death.

"Babe," Ranger says slightly louder but with the same calm, and I notice he's a step closer.

The noise fades.

"Babe," Ranger repeats with another step forward. "Give me your weapon. I've got you."

I hear his words, I see his lips move, but I can't make my body obey. I'm simply unable to stand down.

Ranger takes another step and another until he's standing to my side within an arms' length of me.

"It's okay, Babe. You did the right thing. The threat is neutralized. I'm going to take your weapon," he says before gently placing his hands firmly over mine. He pauses, I think to see if I'm going to struggle, and when I don't, quickly disarms me and passes the handgun behind him. I follow its journey with rapt attention as it moves from Ranger's hands to Lester's. Lester applies the safety before securing it in the small of his back and taking a step backward.

With what feels like a great effort, I move my attention back to Ranger. "Is he dead? Did I kill him?" I whisper.

Ranger places both hands on my shoulders before looking at me seriously. "Yes, the intruder is dead, and I'm so glad it's not you. You did the right thing. This is not your fault," he states emphatically, his eye locked on mine.

I nod a couple of times, but I'm beginning to feel like this is an out of body experience. "I can't be here. I need pants. I'm cold, but my bed. He shot my bed. I don't have a blanket. It has holes, and I'm cold. I was warm, in my bed, and now I'm standing here with no pants. All these people. I…" I stutter, struggling with to wrap my head around what has happened, as I begin to lose the battle against the impending wave of panic, fear, adrenaline, and shock.

Ranger pulls me to him and wraps his arms around my back. "Shh, Steph. It's okay. You're okay. Lester has your sweatpants. I'm going to help you put them on, and then I'm going to pick you up. You're going to close your eyes and press your face into my chest, and I'm going to carry you up to seven. Do you understand?" he says, the calm but directive cadence of his voice breaking through the chaos in my brain.

I nod woodenly before saying, "Yeesss," my teeth chattering as I do.

"I'm proud of you, Babe," Ranger says, pulling back. "Now I'm going to help you lift your right foot. Good job. Next your left. It's okay. I've got you," he continues in the same steady voice, narrating every action for my benefit before picking me up. I feel my muscles immediately give out, and I know I'm dead weight in his arms even as I grip a fistful of his shirt.

I stare into Ranger's eyes, his face blank, but his eyes have a flame burning in the back of them. "You've got me. I trust you," I whisper, finding immediate grounding and comfort in the security of his body. Ranger walks purposefully but gracefully, and I keep my face buried against his chest the entire journey.

When we enter Ranger's apartment on seven, I'm assaulted first by the smell. I'd know this smell anywhere. It's Ranger and Bulgari and Ella's cooking and leather sofas and home. I burst into tears.

"It's okay, Babe. You're safe. You did the right thing, and I'm so proud of you. I love you, Babe," Ranger soothes over and over again, caressing my hair and back as I sob big, racking tears into his black t-shirt.

"I haven't cared, damn it. I haven't cared if anyone lived or died the past year," I sob, and Ranger's hand stills. "I've shot nine people since Farro, and I've been shot at nineteen times. I didn't care if the people I shot lived or died and getting shot at never phased me before tonight. Now, I do care, and I can't stop these damn tears!" I cry, pressing my fist into Ranger's chest.

"I think it's because you've realized you have something to live for," Ranger says quietly, his voice thickly accented, and I lift my head for the first time since Ranger picked me up. Though my vision is blurry from tears, I still see the unfiltered love, concern, and agony over tonight's events in the answering gaze.

"I think I did, too," I say with a quavering voice, and Ranger crushes his lips against mine, his kiss desperate, needy, and I answer it with the same passion.

It's over quickly, but we are both left panting. I rest my ear against Ranger's chest, feeling calmer though still trembling. I feel Ranger's phone buzz in his cargo pocket, and he moves me slightly to retrieve it.

"Babe, I'm going to ask Bobby to check you over, and Hector is going to sit with you. TPD and the ME are here, and I am required to meet with them. If you need anything, and I mean anything, ask Bobby or Hector to send me a text, and I'll return immediately," Ranger states while texting several messages.

"Okay," I say, trying to sound braver than I feel.

"Remember, you did the right thing, and I'm proud of you," Ranger says firmly before kissing the top of my head. "Querida, te quiero."

A second later, there's a knock on the door, and Ranger gently sets me onto the couch to answer it, his gun drawn at his side. Hector enters immediately and sits down beside me. Bobby follows Hector into the room, carrying his medical bag beside him but stops to speak with Ranger before approaching me. I lean against Hector, feeling the absence of Ranger's warmth and strength acutely, and he places an arm around my shoulders. Ranger catches my eyes, seemingly memorizing my face, before abruptly turning and exiting the apartment.

"Angelia, are you okay?" Hector asks quietly.

"I'm okay," I state automatically, and Hector snorts quietly.

"I don't believe you," he responds, "but I get it. I'm here for you."

"I want to be okay," I reply honestly, and he pulls me closer.

"I know, and that's good enough," he says as Bobby returns from Ranger's bedroom with a blanket and a couple of pillows.

"Hey, Steph. I see you're shivering. I'm going to place this pillow on Hector's lap so you can lay down with a couple more pillows placed under your legs and cover you with this blanket before I begin your exam. Sound good?" he says compassionately.

"I'd like that," I say, sliding down and pulling the comforter up to my chin.

Bobby begins by taking my pulse and blood pressure, checking my temperature, and shining a light into my eyes. He asks me if I feel dizzy or nauseous, and I answer honestly yes but not as severely as I did in my apartment on four. I yawn several times, and while I'm finding it difficult to focus on Bobby's questions, I also know I'm still feeling too vigilant to fall asleep.

"Hey, Steph. I finished the exam. I brought a small, portable oxygen tank with me, and I'm going to place a mask over your face. Your body is under stress from the events of tonight, and this will help you to recover," Bobby says, squeezing my hand.

I have a flashback to the examination Bobby gave me in the ambulance after Farro, and it's striking how different things are tonight. I feel cared for in body, mind, and spirit. Tonight is terrible, but I will be okay.

I squeeze Bobby's hand in reply. "Thank you," I whisper, my voice cracking as tears flood my eyes again.

"Don't worry, Bomber," Bobby says before pursing his lips together and taking a quick breath. "I've got you, and I won't let you down. You're going to be okay."

I take a deep breath of the cool, oxygen-rich air and shiver again involuntarily. Hector tucks the blanket in around me tighter, and I rest my forehead against his stomach. I take another deep breath and drift off to an uneasy sleep.

Ranger's POV

Turning away from Stephanie, I lock my blank face into place as I take the stairs two at a time down to five. Trenton is about to be reminded of why I am someone to be feared.

I meet Lester at my office. "Report," I bark curtly, logging into my computer as he begins talking.

"Duty received a report of six shots fired at 0245, two different weapons. Hector was the first on the scene, myself second. I identified the intruder as Daniel Martin, and although unconscious, I detained him while Hector determined Stephanie's location. I observed three center shot bullet wounds on his torso, and when I stood, three bullet holes in the pillow on Stephanie's bed.

"Bobby evaluated Martin at the scene and determined he was dead. The ME is onsite to remove the deceased after TPD processes the scene. Hector accessed the door code history. Keith Jones, who worked in the IT department, changed Martin's access permissions on his fob seconds before he entered the space. Jones was apprehended preparing to leave the building and is currently being held in Conference Room 1. I didn't place him in the holding cell to avoid drawing unnecessary attention from TPD. There are two guards on him.

"When I did a pat-down of Martin, I discovered a burner phone. I used his thumbprint at the scene to unlock it and change the passcode. You'll want to read these messages," Lester states, handing me the phone.

0137, unknown number:Execute elimination immediately. Pay as discussed.

0141, reply: Roger. Rdvz 0400.

"Hector immediately uploaded the phone data into his computer. I received this digital report," Lester continues, exchanging the phone for a tablet.

I recognize the software as an upgrade I approved since my return, but I'm not yet familiar with the report format generated by the system. It's a platform that essentially automates hacking into burner phones by tracing the wi-fi systems and cell tower data the phones use to provide a detailed location and user information. I skim the report twice before I see it.

"Tank sent the order," I spit out incredulously. "What does surveillance say? Is he still at his home?"

"Affirmative," Lester states, fire flashing in his eyes.

"Assemble the takedown team, add Binky and Zero as additional team members. You're the lead. I will stay here to handle the scene and make sure Stephanie is doing okay. I'll bring the Chief up to date on these findings and give you the order to roll out. I'll be on channel four and will passively monitor channel three. As a reminder, everyone will be in full battle rattle. Assume that Tank is armed, dangerous and that his residence may be booby-trapped. Proceed with caution," I order gravely before using my computer to email copies of the phone logs and location data to Chief Feldman.

He calls my direct line less than a minute later.

"Ranger, I'm on my way to your office now, ETA is 3 minutes," Chief Feldman barks. "I hear you have a second suspect held with a citizen's arrest?"

"Yes, Chief. I have evidence that Keith Jones acted as an accomplice to Daniel Martin. I have further evidence. We need to move on his arrest now. I'm expecting him to move away from his residence within the next fifteen minutes," I state urgently.

"I'll put in some calls and meet you in your office," Chief Feldman replies before disconnecting the call.

He strides in, escorted by Woody, five minutes later.

"I have the Mercer County Sheriff's Emergency Response Team as well as our SWAT team being briefed. They will rendezvous with your team at the pre-arranged parking lot within the next fifteen minutes, possibly sooner. They can review the plan and execute the takedown, within the next twenty to twenty-five minutes. We could move sooner, but given the danger the target poses, I'd rather do this right than fast," Chief states.

"Roger," I respond before conveying the information to Lester over my headset. I hate any time delay, but I have to agree with the Chief. Having specialized response teams on hand will be important in preventing anyone else from being a casualty today.

"Roger. Surveillance reports no movement. We are heading to the rendezvous point now," Lester states. I affirm his report before leading the Chief to four and walking him through the crime scene and evidence gathered. We arrive as the ME is preparing to remove the body.

With detached professionalism, I show Chief Feldman the fobs we use and explain how Martin gained access to Steph's apartment. I show him where we found Steph taking cover and point out the weapon she used as well as the weapon Martin used, which are already bagged for evidence. Hector verified Steph's weapon was properly licensed and registered first, but TPD doesn't need to know that.

Once Chief Feldman is satisfied that the scene is being processed to the highest standards of professionalism, he gives his blessing to the ME. We both remove our sterile glove and boot covers before heading up to five. I observe him inspect both how we are detaining Jones and the condition of the suspect himself. I review the evidence against Jones, including the computer logs showing he changed the access codes, a burner phone, and surveillance video showing him attempting to leave through an emergency exit before being detained with the Chief.

He accepts all of it into evidence before ordering Jones be taken into custody and charged. I have never worked this closely with Chief Feldman before, but his competence and attention to detail impress me. This is a working relationship that I want to continue to improve.

"I'll escort you to our control room now. We will be able to watch the live feed bodycams my personnel wear and listen in on comms," I state before turning and heading towards the door of the conference room.

"Before we do Ranger, I want to commend you on the solid operation you have here," Chief Feldman starts, and I turn to look back at him. "It's a difficult thing to let someone else into your house and show your cards while doing it. I appreciate how tough the situation you find yourself in is right now and know that I certainly don't hold it against you. If anything, the integrity you've shown today is only serving to mend the broken bridge between our two entities. That Stephanie Plum is quite the apprehension agent and an asset to our community, I don't care what the busybodies of Trenton and their snot-nosed progeny say. I take it personally that she is being targeted. We will do the best we can on our end to see this through."

"Thank you, Chief," I say evenly, maintaining my blank face although I am surprised by this conversation, and hold out my hand to shake his.

I hear Lester report that the teams are about to roll out over my headset. I see Eddie and Big Dog approach from the hallway, and the Chief steps forward to converse with them. I see a scowl form on Chief Feldman's otherwise impassive face.

"You tell him that I order that son of a bitch to remove himself from the building and return to TPD immediately or he'll find himself unemployed by sunrise!" the Chief explodes, and Eddie and Big Dog quickly turn and exit through the stairwell.

"Morelli," Chief Feldman states, shaking his head as he looks at me. "With the documented bad blood between him and Ms. Plum, not to mention against Rangeman, that last thing we need is him mucking up the crime scene and creating an opening for the defense. This is a solid case, and I intend to keep it that way."

I feel my expression become harden, but I say nothing.

"After we watch the takedown, the last thing my team needs is statements from yourself, Lester, Hector, and Stephanie," Chief Feldman says as we enter the control room.

"Roger," I respond, my attention immediately focusing on the monitors.

"Sir, the Rangeman team and SWAT team are working together on entry and apprehension. The SERT team is forming a secondary perimeter and is standing by with their EOD team. They are taking a covert approach to the residence with a coordinated entry planned through all doors and windows to block escape," Cal reports, never taking his eyes off the screens.

Lester's voice comes through the overhead speaker. "On my mark, execute," he says in a muted tone. The seconds tick by like heartbeats. "Execute."

I watch, a part of me wanting to be on the scene, as two dozen heavily armed men materialize out of the trees, bushes, and over the fence and use force to break down the doors and shatter windows. Squad cars block any exit from the driveway and officers train their weapons on the front of the house.

Radio silence.

No shots are fired.

Minutes tick agonizingly by.

"He's gone," Lester finally reports grimly.

"Fuck," I mutter under my breath, as disappointed as I can tell Lester is that Tank has disappeared, eluding capture tonight.

A/N: Hello! I've survived my first four weeks of law school, and as a treat, finished editing this chapter. Thank you so much for your patience and for continuing to follow this story. I do solemnly swear that I will finish this story. I do not promise a posting schedule. Learning to balance school, homework, and family is a fairly all-consuming task right now, but I see finding time to do things I love, such as creative writing, an important part of continuing to be a well-balanced me.

Many continued thanks to misty23y. She is a great beta and a great friend. I'm appreciative of her gentle reminders and pushes to keep plugging away whenever and with whatever time I have. She is one of the many reasons I value this community.