All characters except Steve aren't mine there are Janet's.

He's so gonna get it

Two days later:

I was sitting in my room at The Palace, getting ready for the Gala. I loved the dress, I wore. It was midnight- blue, long and made mermaid- style. I looked slim. My hair was as straight as I could make it, falling across my shoulders. The only thing that didn't fit in the beautiful picture were my sad eyes. Ranger and me weren't even talking to each other, now. We didn't even LOOK at each other.

We found out, that Antonio probably in a town near Rome, tonight we would discuss everything with the family and tomorrow we would make our move. I promised myself, that I would make holidays after that. I needed a little distance from Trenton, my parents, Ranger….

There was a knock at the door, it was Steve: "Are you ready?"

"I will be downstairs in five minutes!"

Steve's POV

I went down into the hall and groaned. Wonderful, Batman himself. Just as always I felt a jealous pitch in my heart, knowing, that this man had my kitty's heart, and I felt angry knowing, that he was handling the thin glass it was made of like it was stone. He was going to break it, and he was going to break her.

He turned around and looked at me, like I was a little bug and he knew, that he would soon kill me with poison.

"Good evening Batman, you forgot your cape."

His eyes narrowed.

"No, your lordship, I don't need a cape to keep my powers upright, but you're looking kind of small without your crown."

"Oh, why so angry? Can't take a little teasing?"

"I think you tease Stephanie enough for us two."

Okay, I will stay calm. "What shall this mean exactly?"

"Come on, everyone knows, that you're just playing with her. But I have to agree, that she is a nice toy. She has learned much from Morreli and from myself of course." He smiled.

I was going to kill him.

"You're such an ass, Manoso. And so blind. You're the last one, who deserves Steph's love. And if I had been here more early, Iwouldn't have let it become like this."

Ranger looked at me, as if I just told him, that I need his help to protect the earth from aliens. Oh my god, he really didn't know. I was ready to tell him my full opinion of him when I heard steps on the stairs.

Ranger's POV

I watched Steph, no MY BABE, come down the stairs. She was looking like an angel and every dream any man ever had. The colour of the dress pointed out her eyes and the dress looked as if it had been painted on her skin. This wonderful skin, that I knew tasted sweet and felt soft. I knew how uneasy she is of her body, I knew what she thought most of the time, I knew that her most sensitive spot is under her right ear and that she loves to be kissed on her neck.

And yet I knew nothing about her.

I hadn't known, that she missed to danced. Hell, I hadn't even known, that she COULD dance.

When I saw her dancing with Steve for the first time I was…..jealous, angry, and….all I wanted was to grab her out of his arms and pull her close to me.

They had looked so perfect. Bodies fitting perfectly together. And she had looked so relaxed and happy. As if she could forget all problems. As if she would turn around the next moment, spread her wings and fly to heaven to thank the angels for this dance.

And now Steve told me that she loved me.

This can't be, I would have noticed it.

She was just angry because she thought, that she isn't the sun of my life anymore. And she isn't.

No, she isn't.

Steph's POV

We took the limo to the gala.

It took place in an old villa, that was decorated with candles and flowers all of the place. Everyone was looking elegant.

Steve took my arm and led me to a private table at the end of the huge room. Ranger and Vinnie followed us. We sat down and I looked at my watch. We would meet Toni Malconio in about five minutes. When I looked up I found Ranger watching me thoughtfully. He seemed to search my face for something. Our eyes looked and for a moment it seemed like everything was O.K. again. Than Steve leaned to me to tell me that my cousin Crudelia had arrived. Suddenly Ranger's blank face was back and his eyes were cold again. I stood up and went to my cousin only wanting to escape the coldness of Ranger's normally so soft eyes.

Steve's POV:

I had told Steph, that she didn't have to talk with Malconio, too. I wanted to keep her as far from the family as I could. I didn't think, that they would do anything to her, but you never knew. So, I was happy that she was chatting with her cousin, when I saw Malconio walking towards our table.

I shook his hand and introduced Batman and the weasel. I told him why we had to find Antonio Mortanelli and he told us that we could find him in his aunt's house, where we already thought, he could be.

Malconio wanted to have information about his daughter's fiancée. He wanted to know if the boy is clean. I told him that I would find everything out and meet him the day after tomorrow if everything went right.

He agreed, we said our good-byes and he and his goons left.

I looked at the others. Ranger was looking after Malconio, but I saw his eyes drift to Steph. Maybe there's a light shining in his brain.

"O.K., now, let's make a plan, how everything will go tomorrow." I looked at Steph and winked her to come. She kissed her Crudelia on her cheek and sat down next to me.

"Everything O.K.?"

"Yes."

Ranger leaned forward and began to talk.

"O.K. we will try to get to the house as soon as possible so that we can look around and watch the activities inside., Stephanie and I are going to watch the front, Vinnie and Steve the back. When we think that it's right we are going to break in as quiet as possible. After that we find him try to cuff him, you can shoot if you want, but he has to live and be able to talk so only legs, feet and arms are allowed….."

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