A/N: This is just a short one to let you know I haven't forgotten about this story. I hope to be able to write more shortly, but with Finals coming up, I don't know if I'll be able to or not.

Ranger's Bargain Chapter 11

Leaning back in his black leather chair, Ranger looks around at his office while planning his conversation with John. In his office he has a mahogany desk with a bunch of papers stacked up neatly along the sides. In one corner of his desk he has a picture of Stephanie taken after a distraction. She's wearing a barely there dark blue dress that accentuates her curves. In the other corner he has a picture of Tank, Bobby, Lester, and him from when they were in the Rangers together. My Babe would love that picture. I'm not in black or army camouflage. At the opposite end of the room from Ranger is a large oval table that is sometimes used for conferences. A couple of landscape paintings hang along the wall to help put people at ease. In Ric's experience, it's easier to get information from people when they feel comfortable.

Dialing the number given to Stephanie, he waits for the phone to be picked up on the other end, "Talk."

"John."

"Ric? How did you get this number?" John asks leaning back in his chair with a puzzled frown pulling at his mouth. Putting his feet on the oak desk in front of him, he looks out the window at the Florida Beach, while he awaits Ric's answer.

"You gave it to my girlfriend."

"You have a girlfriend? Who?" John questions. I can't believe he has a girlfriend. He's always been so private, afraid to let anyone in, really.

"Stephanie Plum."

"You know Stephanie? I thought she was dating the cop. When did she become your girlfriend?"

"Well, she's not yet, but I'm working on it, and she trusts me with her safety."

"Wait she knows you want to date her and isn't your girlfriend?" John asks in disbelief.

"Yes."

"How'd you manage that one?"

"You don't need to know."

"Must have been something good to get her that mad at you."

"I made a mistake. Is that what you wanted to hear?"

"Wait she's witnessed you making a mistake? Then I definitely want her on my team."

"Is that why you've been trying to contact her? You want her on your team?"

"Yes."

"Why didn't you call me and ask or warn me that you were planning on doing this?"

"I didn't know you knew Stephanie."

"You're kidding, right?"

"No."

"You looked into her and didn't know I was associated with her?" Ric asks incredulously.

"No." John responds starting to sound worried.

"I think you need to fire anybody who looked into Stephanie and didn't realize I was associated with her."

"Why?"

"Everybody knows I'm associated with her. Why else would Stolle have had his guys follow her when I was FTA?"

"I didn't know Stolle had her followed."

"Jeez. You really need to get a better information network. What do YOU know about Stephanie? You, obviously, want to hire her for some reason."

"Well, after looking over the information I was given, it looks like I have information from the newspaper and bounty hunter magazine."

"I don't know how you people protect the United States if that's all the information you have on her. I guess it no longer surprises me that things like 9-11 can happen."

"RIC" John exclaims, "You know that wasn't our fault."

Click.

"Damn him." John yells, startling his secretary in the outer office.

His secretary presses the button that calls his office, "Did you need something, John?"

"What? No, no I'm fine. Just a little upset at a call I received."

"Ok, well let me know if you need anything."

John takes a deep breath trying to calm himself. After about 2 minutes, he finally believes himself calm enough and calls Ric back.

"Yo."

"Why did you hang up?"

"I didn't see any point to continuing the conversation and your last comment didn't deserve a response."

"Grrr." Click. Well, at least I hung up on him, this time.

At the other end of the line, Ric smiles when he hears the dial tone.