Ok, firstly thankyou to everyone for the reviews. Due to protest over cliff hangers I am going post more often, it just means that the chapters will be shorter.

I really didn't mean to stop where I did last time it's just that I get an idea and have to go with it. Sorry if that sucks, will try really hard not to have anymore hanging chapters.

Anyway on with the story and I hope you enjoy. The adventure is about to begin!

I opened the door to find myself face to face with a very different looking Ranger.

'Babe'

To say I was shocked was an understatement not only did look Ranger incredibly different, he had cut all his hair off almost a number one shaved job, he had a blue pair of jeans and a white shirt on and he was going with the I haven't shaved for a few days look, as you can probably imagine, he looked really, really good.

But I was having so many different feelings towards seeing him right now that I didn't trust myself to speak just yet.

I mentally shook myself and looked up to meet Ranger's eyes. He was smiling at me.

'Can I come in?' he asked

I took a step back and motioned for him to enter. He made his way over to the couch and sat down, just as I was about to follow him my cell phone rang.

It was Lula.

'Hey' I answered

Lula must have had the music pumping in her car as she was yelling into the phone 'I'm down stairs girl, where are you?'

'Still in my apartment, I will be down in a minute' I hung up and turned to find Ranger standing right behind me. I jumped and cursed under my breath, why couldn't Ranger make a sound when he moved.

He had smiled at my cursing and grabbled hold of both my hands.

I was still a little pissed at him sneaking up on me and I was having a hard time thinking when he had hold of any part of me.

I pulled my hands away from him and placed some distance between us.

I could feel all the frustration from the last few weeks of missing him build up inside me and I didn't want him to see how much it had affected me, but then when I thought about it I was sick of pretending I didn't have any feelings for Ranger. The whole time I had been with Joe I had been trying to deny the feelings that I had been developing for my mentor, out of guilt and fear, but now what did I really have to fear.

I could walk up and kiss him if I wanted to; I mean why not he does it to me.

I turned back to face Ranger and noticed he was looking at me with a slightly concerned expression.

"How is the shoulder?' he asked softly

'Fine'

'Tank said you are back at work'

'Yep'

Ranger was watching me closely now, it was unlike me to have only one word answers and he seemed a little concerned 'Babe, you ok?'

I knew Lula was waiting downstairs and I knew I had to go, so acting purely on impulse I walked straight up to Ranger placed my hands on either side of his face and gave him the most passionate kiss I could muster. He responded immediately and tried to gain control of the kiss, but as soon as I felt myself giving in and losing my grasp on myself I pulled back turned on my heel and walked out if the apartment and jumped in Lula's firebird, without looking back.

I knew if I looked back I wouldn't have had the courage to leave and for once I had been the first one.

And it felt empowering.

Now I know that by kissing Ranger I am giving him completely mixed signals, one minute I am asking for space and the next I am kissing him. But in the last few weeks without Joe or Ranger around I have been in control of my life. No one has been there to make a fuss about my injury or to curse at me for getting shot yet again, No one has been there to try and tell me what to do or to make fun of me.

When Ranger entered my apartment tonight looking so different, I know this is corny but it was like a sign. I realised that I was so tired of things the way they were. I was tired of fighting my feelings for him; I had always denied them or pushed them aside out of guilt over Morelli and fear. I had never really explored or pursued them and tonight for the first time since I met him I felt free to do so. I am not saying that the guilt won't play a factor; it just doesn't control me anymore.

I didn't need space, time or words anymore, I just needed to take action and tonight I had done so.

I felt empowered, confident and free, what better place to celebrate than the new club.

Lula must have noticed something was different because she kept casting me funny glances. She didn't say anything however, she just smiled and we drove in a comfortable silence all the way to Connies