Tank looked petrified at the suggestion of shopping. I figured I would have to sweeten the deal for him a little. "And afterwards we can stop at Pino's and have pizza, on Ranger."

He looked slightly confused until he actually took a look at the card that I held in my hand. I saw the moment he realized that it was a Rangeman card.

"You sure about that? I mean Ranger may not be too happy about this."

"Hey he said to 'replace anything I need" to 'Have fun' and 'no worries'. Hell, he practically gave me permission." I said Smiling.

Tanks face broke out into a huge smile "You know Bomber I like the way you think"

As Tank continued to smile at me he pulled out his cell phone. I gave him a curious look as he hit the speed dial.

"Hey Santos get the guys together and meet me and Steph at the mall... No man listen, the Boss gave her a credit card to go shopping with. I simply thought that we could help you know "carry bags" for her... Yeah but what would you say about Pino's afterwards. Of course...ok see ya in about 15."

I was continuing to give Tank a curious look throughout the entire conversation which he had chosen to ignore up until this point.

"I just thought that the guys and I could help you make the most of that plastic there. After all there is no spending limit!"

"No,no,no limit?" I managed to squeak out.

"Nope. No limit."

"Look out Macy's here I come!"

I ended up having a great time shopping with the guys but now that I am back at the apartment the full impact of the day was settling in and I was exausted. I walked into the bedroom and dropped my bags onto the bed. I stood there staring at the big empty bed wondering how I was going to be able to sleep in it without Ranger. I decided that I would worry about that when the time came and I decided to go and take a shower and try to relax and clear my mind.

I had managed to get stripped down to my bra and panties when the phone rang. I briefly considered letting voice mail pick it up but something told me that it was Ric calling. Wait a minute. Did I just think of him as Ric? hmmm I wonder where that came from. Something else to think about later, right now it just feels right.

"Hello Ric."

"Babe, is that you?"

"Course it is. You expecting any other woman to be answering your phone when you arent home." I teased him good naturedly.

"Nope none that I can think of." He gave a small chuckle. "How did you know it was me? And what made you decide to call me Ric?"

"I don't know HOW I knew I just did. Is it alright that I call you Ric? It just felt right when I heard the phone ringing and I knew that it was you to call you Ric. More personal than Ranger I guess."

"Of course it is alright for you to call me Ric. You can call me whatever you want. Anyways I just wanted to know if you got the envelope that I left with Tank. I am sorry that I couldn't be there when you got out of the station. I really had to get on down here. Believe me if I could have stayed I would have."

"I know Ric and I understand. Yes I got the envelope. Tank and the guys have been very helpful in replacing my things." I couldn't help but smile at the thought of the way the guys were when we were at the mall. It seemed as if everytime I turned around one of them had something that they thought I should get.

I could hear Ric groan on the other end. "Do I want to know how much they "helped" you?"

"Probably not. Best not think about it too much until the bill shows up."

"I will just make Tank pay the bill, then he will think twice about helping you shop again." He laughed. He suddenly turned serious "Babe, how are you really doing?"

I sighed. "I am not really sure Ric. I mean I killed one of the best friends I had in the world. I am kind of confused as to how I am supposed to feel. I mean going out with the guys helped me keep my mind off of things for awhile, but now that I am at the apartment it is quiet and all I have are my thoughts. As of right now the very last thing I want to do is think."

"I can't really say that I understand what you are feeling because I haven't ever been put into that position but I want you to know that you can talk to me or one of the guys anytime you need to, alright."

"Alright Ric, and thanks. Ric, I really miss you already." He was silent and at first I thought that he had hung up. "Ric? You still there?"

"Oh yeah sorry Babe. I was just thinking. Would you like to come down here with me? I mean there won't be much for you to do as far as helping set up shop down here but there is tons to do in the city."

"Well, umm."

"You don't have to if you don't want to. It was just a thought." He said rather quickly.

"Oh no! It isn't that at all. I just dont want to be in the way is all. Are you sure you won't mind me being there?"

"Babe. It's the next best thing to me being next to you in my bed."

"Well since you put it that way how can I say no!" I said smiling.

"Great I already called the pilot and had him get the plane ready. You can leave within the hour."

I sat there stunned. "Babe are YOU there?" I heard him chucking on the other end of the phone. All I could do was make a small grunting noise. Of course that made him laugh all out.

"Snap out of it Babe you need to go pack."

That brought me out of my stunned silence. "Oh shit! OK well umm yeah I gotta go I will see you when I get there. BYE!"

I swore I could hear him really laughing as I slammed down the phone. No time to think about that now I have to pack for a trip to New Orleans.