Thanks to RangerEnVec, LadyDraconis and zoeykitty for taking the time to review my lil story so positively. Knowing someone's enjoying my fic really spurred me on to write more. Glad I made you laugh, hope I can keep it up!

Warning: fairly copious amounts of smut. Teensy spoilers for Visions of Sugar Plums.

Chapter 7

The boys and Chrissy were laughing as we approached. Rico was the first to notice us and his eyes briefly scanned over me, checking my appearance for any clue as to what had transpired. He wouldn't get any as I'd triple checked my appearance. He raised a single eyebrow in question and I reclaimed my margarita from him and smiled at him, leaving him guessing.

We headed over to the chairs, there were just enough for all of us. I noticed a group of women eyeing our men; I looked at Chrissy and gestured to them. She looked over at the women and nodded to me and the other girls. Instead of taking the seats next to our man we sat on our man's laps instead. Despite this, four of the women headed our way. Us girls nodded to each other, Battle Stations.

The women approached, each looking determined. The head bitch came towards me and Rico.

'Looking good.' She said, clearly to Ranger.

'Thanks.' I replied before Ranger could, 'that dress doesn't really suit your colouring though; I have a dress that'd look better on you. Don't worry; I brought it before I lost weight so it'll fit you much better. How about I leave it in a charity shop for you? Then you can pick it up when you do your shopping.' Head bitch's mouth dropped open and she stared at me, clearly trying to think of something biting to say.

'Was there something else you wanted? I'll tell you what, I'll give all my bigger clothes to the charity shop - not that you're fat. Probably you just have big bones right?' Then, completely ignoring her, I turned in Rico's lap and gave him a very sexy kiss. I could tell he liked it from the erection pushing into me. I completely forgot about the stealing bitches and turned my full attention to making Rico as hard as I could.

'Earth to Steph,' laughed Susie. I reluctantly pulled back from Rico's lips.

'Yeah?'

'The skanks left. You get full marks. You're now officially qualified to do boys watch.'

I leered at the boys, 'cool.' The other girls burst out laughing, and I was grinning – glad I hadn't misread the mood. The rest of the evening passed quickly. The boys only had a beer each as they had to drive back, and I stuck to just the one margarita. We joined the main throng of party goers and enjoyed the indy rock music. The girls and I started exchanging meaningless glances and then giggling – this made the boys really curious. But we wouldn't explain, 'what's the matter? Esp. not working?' I had teased Ranger.

The evening had wound down at about two and we all said our goodbyes (with us girls giggling a whole lot). The drive back was, as expected, silent. Rico was in his zone and I was thinking about the evening. We pulled up in my lot and Rico killed the engine. He turned to me, 'so, you gonna explain Baby?'

I looked at him, wide-eyed and innocent, 'explain?'

'The bathroom. Tell me.'

My lips twitched, 'what did you want me to tell you Rico?'

'Did the girls ask you anything...unusual?'

'Maybe.' I couldn't stop the smile that drew across my face. 'Did you want them to ask me something...unusual?'

His eyes darkened and when he spoke his voice was husky. 'Yeah.'

'Susie and I get on really well.'

'Really?' Then he pulled out his cell and speed dialled two. 'Yo. Yeah. Good.' That was it, the whole conversation. We angled out of Rico's Porsche and headed up to my apartment. He gestured for me to sit down on the couch and I did. A minute later and Tank and Susie came in.

'Hey Stephanie.'

'Hey Susie.' I replied. Her eyebrow twitched slightly in question and I nodded. She approached me and sat down on the couch next to me. Then she put her arm around me and drew me closer. I put one hand on her thigh and the other round her waist. She leaned into me and touched her lips firmly to mine. Her mouth parted and I pushed my tongue into her mouth, exploring the roof of her mouth, teasing her tongue with mine. I pulled back a little and nibbled on her lip. Then I kissed her neck and licked it. She was doing the same to me and as she licked my ear I let out an involuntary moan. Then I bit her neck and she moaned as well.

'Holy Fuck.' Rico groaned.

'Jesus H. Christ.' Gasped Tank.

I think they were liking what Susie and I were doing to each other, and the truth was, so was I.

'I like your dress Steph,' Susie said, as she tugged it off me - leaving me dressed only in a red lacy thong, matching bra and my black FMPs.

'Thanks,' I breathed, as I pulled off her dress. Her underwear was azure blue, her breasts were a size up from mine but they still rode high on her chest. I stroked my hand across her breasts, her bra was made of silk - it felt great. I gently kneaded her breasts and her knee slid between my legs, pushing my legs wider. Her right hand stroked over that spot and I moaned.

'Ric,' Susie said, 'Can you rip off her panties for me?' Rico didn't answer he just got up to kneel closer to me, and then he grasped my panties and literally tore them off me. Susie rubbed her thumb over me in slow circles; Tank moved closer and then glanced questioningly at Rico, who nodded. Guess their Esp. was online. Tank slipped a finger into Susie's panties and into her, she gasped in surprise and pleasure. I guess the latter showed on her face because Tank added a second finger. Then Rico pushed two thick fingers inside me; his fingers were gesturing in a 'come here' motion inside me, massaging my g-spot. I was so wet, God what this man can do to me! I was gasping with pleasure and then Rico leaned in and kissed me, taking my mouth for his own. I moaned into his mouth and felt another spurt of wetness as he teased my tongue with his own. I felt my muscles tightening and then I was spasming around Rico's fingers. I cried out and seconds later I heard Susie do the same.

I was trying to regain my breath when I heard Tank say, 'So you two have had some release and I'll get some later but I hear Ric's been setting some ground rules for you Steph, like you can't touch him until he thinks that its what you really want. So you two are ok, and I'm going to be ok but Ric's going to have to touch himself again and that doesn't seem fair now, does it Steph?' My breath was ragged again but I managed to shake my head no. 'It wouldn't be nice of me to leave my best friend in such a state would it?' I shook my head again. 'Open your eyes Steph, I think you'll like this.' So I opened my eyes and looked straight into the raw desire of Rico's eyes. I swallowed.

Tank unsnapped Rico's jeans and lowered them until all of Rico's magnificent self was exposed. Rico pulled off his top, looking at me all the time. Tank dropped to his knees and took Rico in his mouth. I let out a harsh moan of desire and reached out to hold Rico's hand. I watched as Tank licked my man and pumped him with his left hand whilst his right hand was stroking Rico's balls. Rico groaned. And then Tank was sucking harder, taking more of Rico in him. Rico's hand clenched on mine, as did his other hand on Tanks head.

I looked into Rico's eyes and I saw the exact moment when he came, and seconds later I came too.

I became vaguely aware that Rico was holding me, his warm arms surrounding me. Tank leaned over and kissed me lightly on the lips, 'Night you two.' He said. 'Night,' said Susie, and then they let themselves out.

Rico carried me to bed and then slipped under the sheets with me. He wrapped his arms around me and the last thing I thought of was him.

I woke up at 5 as Rico gently nudged me awake. 'I'm sorry to wake you Baby but I have to go and I didn't want you to wake up and think I'd just left. I've got an emergency call on my cell; the case that I've been working on with the Feds has just had a breakthrough. I've got to go. Call me when you're up ok?' I nodded and Ranger was gone like the wind. I went back to sleep, it had been a wild night.

When I woke up again I had my run and my shower, I dried and got dressed. Then I checked my kitchen side. Sure enough there was five extra roses in the vase. I picked up the card next to it.

'1. I'm 32 years old. 2. My birthday is 3rd November.' Hmm he's two years older than me then. '3. My daughter, Alysha, is 9 years old. 4. I have two younger brothers and a younger sister: Dominic (30yrs old), Jacko (27yrs old - his real name is Miguel Jacques but everyone calls him Jacko) and Serena (27yrs old – her and Jacko are twins). 5. My parents, Carlos and Maria, are still living and all my family live in Miami. R' the rest of the card was full of kisses. I smiled a whole lot and then I speed dialled one.

'Yo.'

'Yo yourself.'

'Babe. Hang on, let me go somewhere my private.' I heard laughter in the background as he said this.

'Who's laughing?'

'The Feds – they've been in all the meetings when you've called me and made me so unbelievably horny that I wanted to fuck your brains out.'

'Oh.' I said, breathless as hell.

Rico laughed softly, 'Yeah. So,' he paused, sounding almost nervous, 'are you ok with what happened last night? Tank and I – we don't do anything like that often but back in the Rangers when we'd be on long campaigns for months it was the only way to get release. Neither of us is gay, or bi, it's just helping out a friend. Babe?' I realised that I'd been quiet for too long.

'I enjoyed myself Rico. I came just watching you and Tank – you think I have a problem with that? However much you enjoyed seeing me with Susie, that's how much I enjoyed seeing you with Tank. Relax, it was fun.'

'You're really ok with it?' he sounded a bit surprised.

'Yeah. May surprise you Rico but I was a bit adventurous in my college days.'

'With Johnny from Shelloc's?'

'Sometimes.'

'I'm jealous.'

'Cute.'

'I am not cute Babe, take that back.'

'Nuh uh. Make me.'

'You're getting yourself in real trouble young lady.'

'Guess you're gonna have to punish me for bad behaviour.'

'Guess I am. Guess I'm going to have to tie you down to your bed and then I'm going to – Tank fuck off, I'm talking dirty to Steph.'

I heard Tank laugh in the background, followed by 'Sorry to disturb you man but Dom's on the other line.'

'Damn.' Rico sighed.

Something clicked in my brain. 'Dom? As in Dominic? As in your brother?'

'Yeah Babe.'

'OMG! Was it your brother on the phone when you were uh...you know...um...doing things with my ear?'

Rico laughed softly, 'Yeah. Don't worry I haven't said anything to him. He's curious as hell but I asked him to keep out of it until we're a bit further down the line in our relationship.' Rico paused a second, 'I told Alysha that I was seeing you. She already knows all about you. Is that ok?'

'Of course! Wait a minute, define 'all about you'?'

'She finds the exploding cars particularly amusing.'

Sigh. 'Everyone does.'

'Talking of cars, there's a new black Mazda MX-5 for you in your parking lot. The keys are in your cookie jar.'

'Rico, you really don't have to-'

'I know that babe, but I like to.'

'Um, Ric?'

'Yeah babe?'

'How exactly do you get your cars? What I mean is...'

'Are they legal?'

'Yeah.'

'Yeah Baby, they're legal. I just let the street think otherwise. Encourages people to be more co-operative.'

'Really? OMG that means that you must have spent loads of money on me! Think of all the cars I've wrecked!'

'It doesn't matter Babe. As I said before, security is a thriving business. While we're talking about business, I've had Nick and Danny looked in to and I'm considering hiring them to work for Rangeman. That ok with you?'

'Yeah! I was going to ask you about hiring Danny anyway, Vinnie was just a short term fix. But Nick just does computer stuff, how can he help?'

'Babe.' Rico laughed softly, 'Nick can hack into pentagon security in under ten minutes. That's damn impressive, not to mention useful. There's very little information that Nick couldn't get for me if I need it. Besides, Nick can improve my systems as well.'

'Huh. He kept that quiet.'

'Not something you spread around.' He had a point. 'Do you want to do something tonight?' Rico asked.

'Sure. How about we just watch movies at mine?'

'Sounds good.'

'8ish? Do you mind if Nick and Danny come round too? It's just I haven't seen them a lot these past few days and-'

'Relax Babe. That'd be fun. I'd better go, Dom's still on the line.'

'Oh yeah, sorry.'

'Don't apologise Baby, I like talking to you. Have a lousy day Baby.'

'You too.'

'Take care.' Click. I don't care what he says; he's cute.

Chapter 8

I was feeling righteous after speaking to Ranger, so I ate an apple for breakfast. Ok, ok so I added a couple of tastycakes as well but calories don't count after you've just eaten fruit, everyone knows this. Except maybe Rico. Maybe I won't mention my breakfast.

I picked up my FTA files and randomly chose one to go after. Lets see, Kitty Cat, age 23, $7000 for me if I bring her in. Hmm, charged with assault, says here that she attacked her victim with metal claws. Claws? What the hell?

I looked at her photo and my eyes widened. Kitty Cat indeed. The girl appeared to be dressed as Catwoman, black leather, whiskers and claws included. I closed my eyes and sighed. Only I would get a skip like this.

Forty minutes later I was fully prepared for the task at hand. I don't know why I had brought what I brought. It's what my instincts were telling me to do and I'm beginning to learn to listen to my instincts.

I left my things in the car and walked up to Kitty Cats door. I rang the bell and hoped a normal looking person was going to answer. The door swung open but no one was there. Something brushed against my leg. Huh?

I looked down. Kitty Cat was nuzzling my leg. I knew it. I just knew it. Dressed in full Catwoman gear, purring and kneeling on all fours. Only me.

I awkwardly patted her on her head and she purred at me. I went to my car but she didn't follow. I got my shopping bag out of my Mazda and poured the cat food into the food bowl. Then I carried it back to Kitty Cat. I let her smell it but when she went to eat it I moved back to my car. She followed. When she was settled into my car I locked it and explained about the rebooking process. Kitty meowed at me and carried on eating her cat food.

I sighed. At least she'd probably go to a mental institute rather than jail. Let's face it, she was about as wacko as they come.

An hour later and I was developing a nervous twitch under my eye. A girl can only stand so many cop jokes.

My phone rang. Na na na na na na na na na na Batman! Batman!

'Lo?'

'Cat food?' He wasn't even trying to hide his amusement.

'Felix.'

'I would've gone with Meow Chow.'

'What can I say? Only the best for my FTA's.'

Rico chuckled, 'Later Baby.' Click.

I stopped round my parents for lunch. My mother had received 6 calls about the cat thing. Grandma Mazur thought it was Kitty's parents fault for calling her such a stupid name. I explained that she'd probably changed her name by depoll.

Angie asked what depoll was and Grandma Mazur explained the legal process of changing your name. Unfortunately, it also got Grandma thinking and by the time I was leaving Grandma was contemplating changing her name to 'Still A Hottie'. As I was walking out the door Mom was pointing out to Grandma that if she did this then her first name would then be 'Still'.

Sometimes my gene pool scares me.

I met up with Mary Lou for some major shopping. I blushed as I brought vast amounts of lacy underwear; I kept remembering what had happened to the last pair I'd been wearing. Of course my blushes prompted interrogation and I explained in hushed whispers what had happened. It wasn't my fault we were on the escalator when I was talking about Tank and Ranger - together. And it definitely wasn't my fault that she fainted.

Her fall was broken by a group of midgets - ahem - little people, including Randy Briggs. Suddenly I was having flashbacks of hoards of angry elves chasing me last Christmas. Looking at Randy I could see he was thinking the same thing. He opened his mouth to say something and then closed it again, shaking his head and muttering something about a 'dumbass loser'. I considered getting mad but the truth is Randy's probably right.

Mary Lou began to come around. When she'd recovered, we excused ourselves and ran off.

'Did that just happen? Did I just faint into a bunch of munchkins?' She asked.

'Little people, they prefer to be called little people. And believe me, you don't want to piss off little people. They can be freaking terrifying.'

'I hear you.'

We went to Macys to check out the sale, both of us on the watch for potentially mad little people. I bought a lot of clothes; mostly non-existent dresses but I brought a few nice skirts and a few tops as well. Not to mention the five pairs of shoes. By the end of my retail therapy I'd spent a good deal of my Catwoman money. But to be fair it had been a fairly disastrous day. Definitely a donut-for-breakfast day, not a stupid apple day.

I was back in my apartment for six. I had an hour and a half of training with bro and then I had a shower and got ready for my evening. When I walked back into my sitting room there was Nick, Danny and Rico. Collapsed on my floor laughing. And I had no idea why.

'Um...Guys?'

I could see that they were trying to compose themselves but they really weren't having much luck. They'd all finish laughing and then one of them would snicker and set them all off again. Jeez.

I looked around the room, checking for anything that could account for the laughter. Nothing. I reached a conclusion. Unfortunately I accidentally voiced it.

'Men are weird.' This made them laugh harder. I rolled my eyes, shrugged my shoulders and phoned the Chinese place for food.

Half an hour later we were watching Die Hard and I was stuffed from all the Chinese food I'd snarfed. The men had point blank refused to explain their laughter but I could be really tenacious when I wanted to be. I'd find out. Even if it killed me.

'Here Babe.' Rico said, passing me a fortune cookie. I cracked it open and stared at it.

'Huh.'

'What does it say?' Rico asked, curious.

'It is time for the mystery to end; a journey that will last the rest of your life begins. You have found what you search for, do not let it go.'

'Good advice.' Rico said with his almost smile. Then he cracked his fortune cookie open.

'Huh.'

'What does it say?' I asked, almost drowning in curiosity – Rico doesn't tend to say 'huh'.

He hesitated and then read, 'Revealing who you are is hard, but it is necessary for the one you love. A life without love is not a life lived. Your chance is nigh, do not let it go.'

I looked at him and waited for him to meet my eyes before I said, 'good advice.' Then I snuggled into him and concentrated on watching Bruce Willis beating the hell out of the bad guys. Rico draped his arm around me, and settled in, focusing on the film.

The credits rolled up and Danny and Nick were sitting on the other couch, nestled together. Looking comfortable and relaxed. Rico was holding me and I felt so safe and warm. I couldn't help but smile. This was a pretty damn perfect moment, surrounded by people I love.

Oh Shit. Love. Scary word. I was starting to panic, then I heard Rico's gentle laugh.

'Relax Baby, it's not the end of the world to love me.'

'But.' I couldn't think of anything to follow that. I'm such a dope. And the truth was, I was still panicking.

Rico ran his hand through my hair, and moved himself so that I was positioned between his legs. Then, before I could blink my top was off me. What? Before I could protest Rico's strong hands were gently massaging my muscles, easing the tension from me. My heart rate began to slow back to normal and my panic eased a little, only a little though.

Then Rico began to whisper to me, loud enough that Danny and Nick could probably hear, but quiet enough that it felt intimate. 'Tu es mi vida, mi corazon, mi alma.' (Translation: you are my life, my heart, my soul) 'You're everything I want. I have watched you and wanted you for so long. I know you're scared, I am too. Relationships are hard Babe, but so far it's been so easy. It feels so right to be with you Baby, so perfect. I know that sometimes it won't be and sometimes we'll make mistakes, but I swear that I won't hurt you Baby. You know why?' he asked, his voice husky and a little...nervous?

I shook my head; my heart rate was through the roof.

'Because I love you. Not only do I love you but also I'm in love with you. Te amo Baby.'

And suddenly I knew he was right: it was easy being with him, and I knew why. I'm in love with him. And as I realised this it was like 'Wow', cue the hallelujah chorus and parting clouds and beams of light.

I twisted in his arms so I could meet his eyes. 'I'm in love with you Rico. I love you.' As I said this, the most amazing smile spread across his face, one I hadn't seen before. It was so loving and warm and special. I love you it said. And I looked in his eyes and knew it was true.