A/N: after a long wait, I'm back!! I want to thank everyone for the reviews!

RsB: haha, I'm glad you said you liked it. And sorry, I love Ranger, but I'm more of a Morelli fan! Hopefully you'll still like it! Thanks!

Odinsma: you can thank spell check for the proof reading! Haha. Thanks for the review!

Darking Queen: hey, of course it's cool, I wrote it! Hahaha just kidding! Well, here's the next chapter, I hope you think this one is cool, too! Thanks!!

Chapter 3

"Hey, cupcake, how are you?" Morelli asked as soon as I picked up.

"This was the call you got this morning, wasn't it?" I asked, my voice sounded like a zombie who has allergies. Val leaned over and gave me another hug. After her, mom did the same. Grandma Mazur was scribbling something on a tablet of paper- I didn't want to know.

"Yeah, it was. How are you? I'm guessing you're sitting at your parents' house right now with very unattractive, puffy red eyes and eating a chocolate cake," he asked, trying to cheer me up with his jokes. Um... no, not working.

"I couldn't be better," I replied, heavy on the sarcasm- at least it didn't make me cry. "And I have very attractive eyes."

I dug my fork into the cake and broke off a big chocolately chunk to stuff in my mouth. Delicious as always, but I didn't feel it as I chewed and swallowed. In fact, I felt like I was going to be sick- Anna was gone. I'll never see her and Phil give each other those secret, knowing smiles of love like that always did during class in college. They were so happy, like made-for-one-another happy, perfect. Much unlike how Dickey and I turned out, but, we aren't getting into that mistake today.

"Hang in there. I called to tell you to be home in an hour and a half, I've got a surprise for you- a nice surprise." Home. The home we were sharing, weird. I almost shuddered, almost. And what's this about a surprise? What? New dog food for Bob? Perhaps a shrink for him. Hey, a girl can dream. Oh- wait!

"Where's Lia?!" I asked frantically. Worry about my only godchild raced through my mind. Without her, who would I neglect my Catholic duties to?

"Well, there goes my surprise. They just found her in the captain's quarters hiding under the bed. She's in an ambulance right now. I'm going to bring her over to the house. Be there," he told me, rushed, before hanging up. They probably found another one of my best-friends dead. I'd better call everyone, just in case.

My mother and Valerie each cut a big slice of chocolate cake and took seats across from me. Grandma Mazur still scribbled something onto the paper. Just as I picked up my phone to check up on my other friends, the special ring tone for Ranger sounded- Secret Agent Man.

"Babe," he said, but you could hear the concern in his voice.

"Just about to call and check up on my other friends," I replied to the unspoken question. Ranger and I had gotten on this plane of non-talking communication during my last tragic escapade with the gangs.

He grunted and hung up. I think he's disappointed I didn't just blow up a car another car. I'm his form of entertainment, he says. That makes ME feel special. Yeah, right.

After calling everyone in my phonebook, I dove into my chocolate cake. Even the second piece- everyone knows emotional calories and fats don't count.

Grandma Mazur stood behind me and lowered the paper in front of my face. One side was a picture of me and her holding Uzis and gunning down a bunch of stick figures she cleverly labeled 'murderers.' On the back was a detailed plan of how we were going to kill those killers. I must admit, it was pretty well thought out.

"Sounds perfect," I replied, handing her back the 'plans.'

"We'll start tomorrow. If you're working, I'll just have Mabel take me to the weapon store to get a new gun. I'd like to get me one of those tasers, too," Grandma Mazur stood there in her white, with flowers on the collar, sweat suit contemplating the best gun to buy, probably to add to her collection. Mom's going to kill me; she's already crossed herself twice in one minute.

Kill? Die? Anna. I let out a strangled sob. Everyone had left only a minute before to pick the kids up from a sleepover (the reason they weren't at home) so I was left alone in my parent's kitchen with a half, ok- three quarter, eaten chocolate cake and my sad attempt at crying.

I felt horrible, how could I not be crying? Am I that emotionless? Have all my near death experiences made me immune to it?

I glanced at the clock; I had about an hour left before I had to go home. Maybe I should go to the docks and pick Lia up for myself. Is that god-motherly? I decided it was. Leaving a note on the counter for my mom, I got into Big Blue- hopefully the insurance check will come soon so I can get a new car- and drove down to the yacht club docks.

It took me longer to get there than I would have liked, but then again, a minute seemed too long. As soon as I got there, I attempted to park the monstrous Big Blue next to Morelli's old Crown Vic cop car (now with a new dent) and rushed over to the crowd.

Looking at the faces didn't recognize any, except two- Morelli leaving the ambulance with Lia in tow. I said a short prayer of gratitude when I noticed she didn't have a scratch on her.

"Aunt Steph!" Lia cried as soon as she saw me, it took us awhile to think of a name for Lia to call me and decided 'aunt' was the least confusing. At the mention of my name, Morelli's head shot up and scanned the crowd for me. He didn't have to look very far; I had already run up to them and was giving Lia a hug.

We stood there for awhile hugging. I was getting a little tired, but I know this girl needed it. I could feel her shaking and hear her sniffles. I looked over to Morelli; suddenly my vision was blurred by my tears. Finally my eyes weren't dried wells, but why now? Please, not in front of all these people and Morelli. I needed to be strong for Lia, right? Too late, the tears cascaded down my face and I pulled Lia into an even tighter hug, if that was possible. I felt my ribs crushing.

"Come on, Lia. I bet you'd like some food and a nice nap," Morelli separated us gently. Just as gently, he pushed us towards the cars.

He sighed when we reached them, "Did you have to try to park by my car again, cupcake? The car has enough dents," he tried smiling but gave up when he looked at our faces. He opened the Crown Vic door and helped Lia in. I looked in the back seat and noticed her bags were already here.

I stared numbly at the yacht, trying to reenact what I thought could have happened. "How-"

"Not now," Morelli softly, yet strongly, interrupted and gave me a hug. "Are you alright to drive?" he asked, pulling me back a little so he could see my face. I think I nodded before jumping into Big Blue and following him away from the crime scene and into safety-zone.

Ta-da!! Introduced to Lia. Y'all like? I really really hope so!!!! Please REVIEW! You know you wanna! Haha. Till next chapter!!!