Disclaimer: Own nothing, know nothing, just write something.

Ok first of all I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who sent those awesome reviews. Its great opening your email and being able to smile at the things people say about what you have written. There is no greater motivator than feedback.

Now there is a lot more to come to this story so don't let this chapter make you think that it is coming to a close. This chapter is an important part of the setup for Steph's adventure. She is getting into something that will change a lot of things for her. Anyway thanks again and let me know what you think. Hope I don't disappoint.

After I left the closet I made my way to the bathroom, relieved myself and tried to slow down the racing beat of my heart. Once I felt like it was moderately back to normal I headed back to where I had left Josh, hoping that Connie and Lula were there and ready to go home. I was starting to feel really tired.

I searched through the crowd for Connie and Lula but found no sign of them or their admirers. I was about to go outside and call Ranger for a lift when I felt a hand rest on my shoulder. I turned and found myself face to face with Josh and a very attractive brunette woman.

Josh smiled at me "I have been looking for you, your friends said to tell you that they have gone home for the night. I will give you a ride home'

Damn Connie and Lula, I guess they got lucky and they probably thought I had as well.

I thought about it for a moment but shook my head 'That's ok, I have a friend that can give me a lift'

Josh looked at me a little confused then a realisation seemed to dawn on him as he suddenly smiled. "Sorry Steph how rude of me' he turned to the brunette next to him 'This is my friend Alisa she and I have been friends for a few years, Alisa this is Stephanie'

I held out my hand and gently shook Alisa's hand she returned the shake and smiled at me 'You are all he has been talking about since I ran into him, you must have made quite an impression'

I couldn't help the blush that crept into my cheeks. I looked at Josh and found he looked equally as embarrassed. We all stood their in silence for a few moments and I took it as my opportunity to leave.

'It was nice to meet you Alisa but I am really tired and should really head home, thankyou for having some fun with me tonight Josh I really enjoyed it' I leaned up and kissed him on the cheek " I might see you around'

I gave Alisa one last smile and pulled out my cell phone and number one on my speed dial.

'Yo' he answered

'Hey, you remember that lift you offered'

'Yeah Babe' I could hear the smile in his voice.

'Are you able to help me out Connie and Lula have left me high and dry'

'Meet me out front' he said and then disconnected.

I turned back to find Josh and Alisa still standing there.

'We will walk you out we are about to head off ourselves' Josh stated. I just smiled nodded and led the way outside hoping that it wouldn't interfere with Ranger's undercover operation.

We made it out the front and stood a little to the left of the door away from the majority of the crowd. Josh pulled a card out of his wallet and placed it in my hand.

'If you want to do this again sometime or just go for a coffee give me a call' He gave another of his cheeky smiles then leaned in and gave me a light kiss on the lips 'Think about it' he whispered

Just at that moment I felt the hairs on the back of my neck rise.

'Steph' he stated with an edge to his voice

I turned away from Josh to face Ranger he had his blank face in place.

I felt a little guilty.

'Hi' I stated not sure if I could use his name or not 'Josh, Alisa this is a friend of mine…'

'Ricardo' Alisa finished for me

I looked first at Ranger he smiled and walked up and shook Josh's hand then walked over and gave Alisa a very friendly kiss on the cheek while draping his arm around her shoulders.

I had to hold back the shock that came over me. What the hell was going on! Then it hit me, this could be part of Ranger's undercover operation.

I forced myself to smile 'You know each other' I asked with a genuinely surprised voice.

Alisa gave a friendly laugh 'I was about to ask the same question'

We both turned to Ranger/Ricardo and waited.

Ranger gave me a light smile that didn't reach his eyes 'I met Steph a few years ago and we have been friends ever since' he turned his gaze on Alisa 'Alisa and I met about a month ago through the job I have been doing on the club'

I felt myself relax a little, it was part of the job, however my relief was short lived as Alisa dropped the bomb.

'Yes I went upstairs one day to visit Josh and see how the construction of the club was going and I met Ricardo, we hit it off right away and have been seeing each other ever since' she reached up and gave Ranger a tender kiss on the lips, which he seemed to return.

Watching them I felt my heart freeze in my chest and a cold shiver ran up my spine and arms, but amazingly enough I managed to keep my face void the emotions that were plummeting through my body.

I forced my second smile for the night 'That's Great, what a small world' to my amazement I actually sounded happy for them, I was a really good liar these days.

Ranger turned his gaze back to me 'I was just heading home when you called me' he removed his hand from around Alisa 'Are you ready' he asked.

I was at indecision at what to do. What did Ranger want me to say. Was I supposed to say no and let him stay on the job or was I supposed to take him up on the offer and go home as planned. I looked up at him trying to get some hint of what he wanted me to say.

His eyes met mine, then flickered towards Josh beside me then back to mine again. I bit my bottom lip and tried to determine what the hell that was supposed to mean. Not wanting to jeopardise whatever Ranger was working on I smiled and shook my head.

'That's ok Ricardo, I don't want to impose on your time together' I turned back to Josh 'Josh is that offer still open to give me a lift'

Josh's face lit up and he smiled 'Sure is'

I turned to Alisa we exchanged the nice to meet you's and as Josh was saying goodnight to his old friend I turned to mine. He didn't look a happy chappy.

'Night' was all I could say while the words its just a job, its just a jo,b echoed through my mind

'Will you be alright' he asked in a low voice

I nodded

'Be safe' he said and kissed me lightly on the top of my head.

'Always' I whispered and turned and left with Josh as a warm feeling swept over me.

It turned out Josh drove a red SUV almost identical to the one Morelli used to drive. I felt a pang at the thought of Joe, but pushed it down to be dealt with another tine. At the moment I was numb and I wanted to continue feeling numb until I got home and was safely wrapped in my bed.

Josh drove in silence that was only broken by me giving him occasional directions. When we reached my parking lot he turned the motor off and I felt a wave of panic run through me, what was he expecting.

My feelings must have been clear on my face as Josh tapped me lightly on the arm and smiled 'Relax Steph I am just going to walk you up. I don't expect anything from you, not this early'

I forced myself to relax a little and nodded 'Thanks'

We made our way up to my door I thanked Josh again and he kissed me again. While is was nice, I couldn't put my heart into it, all i could see were images of Ranger and Alisa flashing through my mind.

I broke the kiss said goodnight and entered my apartment promising to call Josh for Coffee when I got the chance. I would have promised almost anything to be alone right now.

Once safely inside my apartment I said hi to Rex who was hiding in his soup can, then went straight to bed stripping off to my bra and panties. I jumped into bed and pulled the cover up tightly around me just as the first tears started to fall.

Why was I crying, well here's the thing.

I knew I had no hold on Ranger or his activities just he had no hold on me. I knew I had sent him away asking for some space and I know that I had been kissing him and then turning around and kissing Josh.

But!

Seeing him kiss someone else tonight for the first time since I had known him had sent a sharp pain through my heart. Even though I knew it was most likely part of the job, I couldn't help but wonder how I would cope if it wasn't. The worst part was that I was being a big hypocrite, as the entire tine I had known Ranger I had been on and off with Joe. So what right did I have to have these feelings?

It wasn't his fault, he had done nothing that I hadn't done myself, I had no one to blame for my pain but myself.

And that thought made me cry even harder, why was life so bloody complicated why was everything so screwed up and was I so terrified to have feelings for the one man who always stood by me and always kept me safe.

I drifted off into a deep sleep with a familiar tingling at the base of my neck.