"Everyone ready to start." The man's voice boomed across the room.

Stephanie was on the front row so she jerked her head up quickly. She was about to say she was ready when she recognized the man at the front of the room.

When she rose, he noticed her as well. So for the next few seconds, Stephanie and Tank stood frozen and silent as they stared at one another.

Steph In The Right Direction

Chapter Eleven

A full minute passed before someone clearing their throat brought Steph and Tank out of their frozen state.

Tank immediately stepped to the front of the class as calm and as cool as ever. Steph, on the other hand, blushed furiously then quickly found a crowded corner to hide in.

Tank lead the group through a common routine which Steph had performed many times before. She kicked, jabbed, squatted and thrust until she had worked up a solid stream of sweat.

Forty-five minutes later, Tank announced the end of the session and everyone scurried from the room.

Steph was shoving a towel back into her gym bag when she noticed a tall shadow settling above her.

"Nice moves Plum."

Steph whirled around and again came face to chest with Tank. "Thanks. I've been practicing."

"It's obvious."

Steph shrugged as the two settled into an extremely uncomfortable silence. She rocked back and forth on her heels as Tank looked her up and down as if memorizing her ever feature.

Finally he spoke, "There's something different about you."

This earned him a smile. "Yes, actually a lot has changed since the last time I saw you."

Tank nodded his head. "Do you like smoothies?"

"Excuse me?" Steph replied somewhat confused.

"Smoothies, you know fruit and ice blended up. Do you like the them?"

"I suppose so."

"Good. We can have a smoothie while you tell me about all these changes." Tank said as he grabbed her arm and practically dragged her out of the workout room.

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"So you own this place?" Steph asked between sips of the cool drink.

"Yup. A third of it at least. Lester Santos and Bobby Brown own the other two-thirds." explained Tank.

Stephanie took another long sip then glanced around. "It really is a terrific gym."

"Thanks. It's slowly coming together. We just added the juice bar about 3 months ago and we break ground in two weeks for the pool."

"Cool, a pool. How awesome."

"Yeah it should bring in a lot of business."

"Looks like I signed up at the right time."

"Looks like it. So how did you find us?" Tank asked.

"Pure luck actually. I pass this place everyday between my apartment and the office." explained Stephanie.

"Oh yeah. I remember Ranger mentioning something about you moving into a new apartment. How do you like it?"

"The neighborhood is great and the apartment building is so much nicer than my last place."

"So besides the apartment, what else has changed?" Tank asked.

Stephanie shifted uncomfortably. "Can I ask you a question first?"

"Shoot." Tank shrugged.

"Why are you suddenly so interested in me? I don't mean to be rude, but you've hardly ever given me the time of day before." Steph questioned.

Tank took another drink then slide back in his chair. "Hmmm. Two reasons I guess. One is because you shocked me by showing up in my class today and not many people can shock me. And second is because I have always been interested, we've just never been in a situation where I could explore it before."

"But we've worked together a couple of times and you hardly ever said a word to me."

"Yeah, but that's work. When I'm doing stuff for Rangeman I'm all business. When I'm here, it's just me. I don't have to worry about being shot in the back when I'm in the gym." he explained.

"Well, that makes sense I guess. I suppose I just assumed all you guys were like Ranger. You know, serious all the time. Always thinking of work."

"Ranger has his moments as well, he just doesn't show them very often. He's a pretty guarded guy, but you know that."

"Yeah. I do." Stephanie said as her mind began to drift to thoughts of Ranger. She wondered how far she could press Tank. How much would he tell her?

Giving it a shot, she asked, "So how long have you known Ranger?"

Tank lifted an eyebrow then asked, "I thought we were going to talk about you and your changes?"

Stephanie grinned, "How about a little give and take."

Tank matched her grin then nodded. "Sure, might be fun."

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Stephanie hummed a tune as she dropped her keys on the counter and feed Rex a grape. As she made her way toward the bathroom she flipped through the mail, finding nothing of interest.

While the tub filled she dug out a pair of soft flannel PJ's from the closet.

"It was a good day." She said to herself as she slide into the warm water causing steam to rise from her bare shoulders.

As she closed her eyes her thoughts drifted back to her conversation with Tank. They had spent nearly an hour and half talking before his pager had gone off and he had to leave. She had told him about the events of her summer and explained her plan to better herself. He seemed genuinely impressed in the amount of ambition she displayed and even offered to help with weights and some extra training.

In return, he had openly answered her questions about Ranger. She had listened intently as he talked about growing up in Miami with Ranger. Their fathers had been best friends as well as pilots in the Air Force.

Having military fathers took a toll on both boys and naturally they had done what all teenagers do best, rebelled. They stole cars, started fights and basically became great big pain-in-the-asses for their parents.

Tank explained how it wasn't until they were both shipped off to military school that they finally grew up. Not long after explaining their departure from home had Tank's face begun to look solemn. Stephanie knew there was more to the story, but didn't push the issue.

Just as Tank was about to tell Stephanie about the time he shot Ranger in the butt his pager had gone off. They exchanged greetings and Steph promised to stop by the gym the next day to begin some weight training. Just before he was out of sight, Tank had turned back and said something to Steph that had shook her to her bones.

"Hey Steph."

"Yeah."

"Don't give up on him yet, ok?"

Stephanie gulped hard for some air, then shook her head and squeaked out, "Ok."

Soaking in the tub, Stephanie swore to find out what Tank had meant and made a silent promise to herself to ask him about it tomorrow at the gym. Did he know she had feelings for Ranger? Had she made it that obvious?

Chapter Twelve

Tank swore under his breath when the pager went off. When he glanced at the readout he let that same word cross his lips. "Shit. Sorry Steph, I've got to run."

"That's ok, I should get going anyway."

"Want to start that weight training tomorrow?"

"Sure, same place same time?"

"Sounds like a plan Plum. See you then."

Tank turned and headed toward the door but an afterthought stopped him in his tracks.

"Hey Steph?"

"Yeah?"

"Don't give up on him yet, ok?"

After a few seconds she finally answered him. "Ok."

Tank may not have been as book smart as Bobby or as street smart as Ranger, but he wasn't stupid either. Tank knew what the flushed cheeks and the undeniable interest meant whenever Ranger's name was mentioned.

But unfortunately he also knew how pig-headed his best friend could be. Even after three years, Ranger mentioned her name nearly everyday. Most of the time it revolved around something humorous she had done that day, but every now and then Ranger would let an emotion slip. Tank had seen those same emotions from Ranger when he had met Amanda. Tank knew how that relationship had turned out and he feared that Ranger was heading for the same disaster once again.

He shoved the thought out of his mind as he pulled into the Rangeman parking garage. Bobby and Lester pulled into the lot within seconds of Tank.

The three men spent a few minutes performing the intricate gestures of a secret handshake then piled into the elevator.

Ranger slammed the phone into the cradle as the three friends entered the control room.

"Hey big guy. Don't take it out on the phone."

"Shut the fuck up Lester." Ranger growled as he eyed the men.

"What's up Ric?" Tank asked trying to diffuse the situation.

"Just got word about a bus wreck." Ranger spat.

"How does this affect us?" questioned Bobby.

"The bus was transporting inmates from the County Jail to the State Maximum Security prison. No one was hurt and they rounded up most of the prisoners but four have managed to escape."

Ranger tossed some fax paper across the table which contained pictures of the four inmates.

"These don't look like very nice guys." joked Lester.

"No shit Santos. Two were in for 1st Degree Murder, one was in for three counts of rape and torture and the third was your run of the mill pedophile."

"Shit." Bobby and Tank said in unison.

"Exactly. I just got a call from Juniak. He's asked for our help, they've disappeared in a rough section of town where they will have no problems finding help. The police are looking, but you guys know after those budget cuts they are spread pretty thin. We don't have a lot on our plates right now so I told them we would help out." explained Ranger.

The three other men nodded in agreement.

"Bobby and Les, you guys head to South Street and meet with any of your contacts that might have heard or seen anything. Tank and I will head towards Clayton Street and see what's going on down there. Keep your phones on and watch your backs. If you see anything, call and we will all meet up and go in together."

The four men grabbed the copies of the mug shots and headed for the garage. Bobby and Les grabbed the Expedition while Tank and Ranger slid into the F-150.

They had just pulled onto the street when Tank said, "You'll never guess who I'm giving private lessons to tomorrow at the gym."

Ranger shot Tank a smug grin the said, "Probably just another one of those slutty, gym groupies that's always drooling over you guys."

"Hmmm. Don't know if Stephanie Plum is all that slutty, but I'll let you know for sure after our training tomorrow." smiled Tank.

When Ranger heard her name he flinched and caused the steering wheel to jerk sharply to the left. He over-corrected and before he could prevent it, the F-150 plowed into a nearby fire hydrant. The vehicle slammed to a stop and a large gush of water quickly enveloped the truck's cab.

To be continued…