And speaking of Erica, she doesn't need a mother. But even more than that, she doesn't need another person in her life that doesn't believe in her father. So thanks Stephanie, for putting a stop to this before either of us got too emotionally involved."

Ranger didn't give her time to respond. He merely turned and walked straight out the door.

Steph In The Right Direction

Chapter Twenty-Two

When the thud from the slamming door finally went silent Stephanie let her body relax. "Good job Steph." She said to herself, convinced that she had done the right thing.

Then she took a seat on the couch to wait for Ranger's return. She knew he would come back and straighten out this whole mess. So she waited, and waited until she couldn't keep her eyes open any longer.

She woke up the next morning on the couch with the foggy memories of the previous night flashing across her mind. When she was finally alert she went to check her cell phone for the message that Ranger had surely left her. But when she called the service the only message was from her mother.

So Stephanie got dressed like any other day and headed out to work. She hung around the office a little longer than usual, but she told herself that it wasn't to wait for Ranger. And even that night, as she waited by the telephone for him to call, Stephanie was only partially worried.

Three Weeks Later

Stephanie was a total mess. She hadn't been out of her apartment in four days, she hadn't bathed in two and she couldn't remember the last time she had eaten.

With her answering machine full of unanswered messages, Stephanie remained crying on the couch under a heap of used tissue. She didn't even jump when someone started banging on her door.

"Open up Stephanie Plum. I know you're in there." growled Tank.

"Stephanie, either open it or we break it down. You know we mean it." added Lester.

Determined to ignore them, she pulled a blanket over her head and tried to hide from the world.

Being the loyal, pain in the asses they were Lester, Tank and Bobby were soon busy taking the hinges off the door. When they finished they each bounded into the apartment. While Bobby propped the unhinged door on the frame, Lester headed straight for the bathroom and Tank went right for the heap on the couch. He grabbed her in one swoop and tossed her across his shoulder.

After a few Tank sized steps, he tossed her into the tub full of cold water which Lester had just finished running. Stephanie shrieked from the pain of the sudden freezing temperatures and tried to jump from the tub. Bobby soon appeared and gave her head a big shove, pushing her back under the water. When they were satisfied they had her complete attention, Tank scooped her up once more and returned her to the couch. Lester followed, tossing a blanket onto her lap.

The three men took seats directly in front of her.

"Now that we have your attention. We've got a few things to say to you." stated Tank.

"Don't waste your breath. You have nothing to say that I want to hear." Stephanie groaned.

"That may be the case, but we have plenty we need to say to you and you're going to listen." growled Tank, his anger obvious.

"Well, I'm a grown woman and I don't have to sit here and be yelled at in my own home." Stephanie said as she began to rise from the couch.

Bobby and Lester quickly moved in beside her, each placing a hand on her shoulder and nudging her back on the couch.

"Stephanie you can fight us all you want, but you are going to listen to what we have to say one way or another." Tank said.

Not having the energy to fight, Stephanie shook her head with resolve. "Go ahead then."

"First of all, I never pegged you as a bitch. But you've seemed to have proven me wrong." Tank started, definitely getting Stephanie's attention.

"This entire time we have been warning Ranger to be careful with you. We were so afraid that he was going to do something stupid and hurt you. We had no idea that it would be completely reversed. I don't even think he hurt as much with Amanda as he is hurting right now. You have no idea what you've done to him." Tank explained.

"To him? What about me? He's the one that just up and left and hasn't called me. He's the one that walked out on me!"

"Do you really blame him? You accused him of using you! Do you have any idea how much courage it took for him to finally admit his feelings for you. Then when he does, what do you do? You totally stomp on his heart. You know what I think Stephanie? I think you haven't changed at all. I think you are still just that scared little brat that kept running back to Morelli. You want something safe, but the minute Ranger offers you something real you make excuses and run."

Stephanie listened to everything Tank was saying. Was he right? Was she just really scared? And what if her fear had finally lost Ranger once and for all. Suddenly the realization of the recent events hit her full force. She nearly didn't make it to the bathroom in time.

And when she finally emerged from the bathroom, with an empty stomach, Tank, Lester and Bobby were still there waiting on her.

"Now that we've made you see the errors of your ways, what are you going to do about it?" asked Bobby.

Stephanie sniffed then blew her nose in a tissue. When she finally found the strength she asked, "How do I get him back?"

To be continued…