Just wanted to let you know that the last chapter was not an indication that this was going to be a cupcake story. Honestly Morelli will hardly be in it from now on. I just didn't want them to have an angry screaming separation; I didn't want to make Morelli into an ass. This story as you can probably already tell is mostly about Steph and of course Ranger. So sorry if the last chapter gave the wrong impression it was just my interpretation of how they would say goodbye. In all good conscience I couldn't make Steph do that.

On with the story!

After Joe left I just stood there standing in the same spot, after a minute or two the realisation of what had just happened hit me. I had broken up with Supercop Joe Morelli and instead of the incredible heart stabbing pain and constant flowing tears that I had expected. I actually felt a huge surge of relief wash over me, it was as if the weight of the world had been lifted from my shoulders and I was now free. (Ok maybe that was a little dramatic) But I did feel relieved.

I had honestly been expecting screaming and ranting to come from both of us, but instead it had all been ok, sure it hurt to do it, but the guilt I had felt was gone and I felt like doing a happy dance. One faze of my life was over and I couldn't wait to start another.

Realising that I was still in my running clothes and was yet to have a shower I quickly made my way into the bedroom stripped off my smelly clothes and had a nice hot shower.

Once I was done I got dressed and was ready to head into the bonds office to gather some FTA's. I was feeling pumped and ready for action.

Only when I got downstairs did I realise that I didn't have a car. Valerie had borrowed big blue while I was in the hospital and I hadn't taken the trouble to get him back yet. I made my way to the parking lot and was about to dial Lula for a lift when I saw a familiar black SUV parked near the entrance. I smiled and made my way over and tapped on the glass.

The window wound down and Ranger's right hand man Tank smiled at me.

'Steph' he said in a friendly tone.

'Tank' I replied

Tank continued 'Ranger thought you might need a truck since your sister has the Buick'

I couldn't help frowning at the thought of Ranger, I hadn't forgotten the events of last night and even though I woke up this morning feeling better about the whole thing I couldn't help the twinge of pain that came with the memory.

Tank misinterpreted my frown 'Ranger said you might be reluctant to take the truck Steph, but he made it clear that I was not to come back until you had agreed'

I felt bad for Tank and looked over the truck, it was a nice truck and it would help to intimidate and impress my skips, what the hell.

''in that case I will take the truck Tank'

Tank beamed at me and hopped out of the truck and handed me the keys.

'Thanks' I said as I jumped in the driver's seat. I looked over the interior and felt myself smile. Yep all the standard Rangeman gizmo's and gadgets attached. I looked back to Tank to find him still standing there, usually by now another identical truck like this one would have pulled up and whisked him away.

"Do you need a ride?' I asked him wondering why today was different from any other.

Tank looked at me a little guilty 'actually no, but Ranger insisted that I ride with you today, What ever you may have planned'

I frowned 'Why, as far as I know there are no crazies after me this week'

Tank smiled at my lame attempt at a joke 'Boss's orders' was all he said

I sighed with frustration; I hated not knowing what was going on. Even though I trusted Ranger's judgement to protect me I still felt a little peeved that he didn't share the supposed danger with me. I decided I needed to have a chat with Ranger but didn't see the point in taking it out on Tank so I shrugged and motioned for him to get in the truck.

We headed to the bonds office after a brief stop at McDonalds were a got Connie and Lula some hangover food. I pulled up outside the office and got out of the truck, Tank decided to wait in the car as he didn't want to be run down by Lula.

I entered the office and saw two very sick looking individuals. They both had their heads down on their hands and only just managed to look up as I approached their desks. They had killer hangovers. I smiled at the look on Lula's face. She looked ready to kill.

'Tell me you brought some McDonalds with you, otherwise your skinny ass aint gonna be worth saving'

I looked over at Connie who looked hopeful at the suggestion of McDonalds. I turned back to Lula and pulled the bag out from behind my back and placed it on her desk. She and Connie tore into the contents, sighing and moaning as they ate.

Once they had both finished eating I asked Connie if there were any Skips. She motioned to the pile on her desk, I walked over and had a sift through, there were about two or three I could take down today of I took advantage of Tanks help.

I picked up the files and said goodbye to the girls on my way out the door.

Lula hadn't even noticed Tank sitting outside, the hangover must have been really bad.

I jumped in the truck and passed Tank the files while I headed to the first guys house. I pulled up on the Kerb two houses down and got out of the truck. Tank got out with me but blocked my path to the skips house.

I looked up at him questioningly

He smiled and shook his head 'I don't mind you making use of me and going after a few tough skips, but haven't you forgotten something'

I knew what he was talking about I didn't have my gun with me 'I figured you would take care of that side of things' I reached into my bag and pulled out my cuffs and pepper spray 'I have these' I held them out for Tank to look at.

He just smiled, opened the truck door and pulled a small hand gun out from under the passenger's seat. He held it out to me.

I pretended to pout and took the gun and placed in the waist at the back of my jeans.

'Happy' I pouted at him

Tank smiled again 'Much better'

We made our way to the skips front door, his name was Tom Nicholls. He was wanted for armed robbery and indecent assault on an elderly lady while riding on a public bus. The armed robbery had involved a sawn off shot gun. I was guessing the possibility of resistance was pretty definite.

Feeling more confident with Tank next to me I marched up and knocked on the front door.

The door opened and a young woman probably about twenty with dark brown hair and more piercings than I could count stood staring at us with her hands on her hips.

I decided to introduce myself 'Hi I am Stephanie Plum and this big guy here with me is Tank, we are looking for Tom Nicholls is he around'

The woman looked at me then at Tank and narrowed her eyes "what you want him for?'

I went for the usual spiel 'He missed his caught date and we are here to escort him to the police station so he can reschedule'

The girl's eyes widened and she moved to slam the door on us, but Tank was already moving and placed his foot in the way, while barging inside the house with his gun drawn. I followed suit but decided to keep my gun hidden for the moment.

Once the woman realised the door wasn't going to cut it she made to bolt out the back door but Tank grabbed her mid stride and hauled her up so that her feet were off the ground.

He wasn't quite fast enough to stop her screaming "Mum, Intruders' at the top of her lungs.

Tank told her to shut up or he was going to shove his gun down her throat, in response she spat in his face. I was guessing she had a death wish.

Tank placed her back on the ground and smacked his gun to the back of her head which caused her to slump to the ground unconscious.

He glanced my way 'She will be out for a bit, lets check out the rest of the house'

I nodded but before we could move a gun shot zipped straight passed my head, The bullet missed but not by much.

Next thing I knew a large weight tackled me to the ground as I heard another shot go off. It didn't take me long to figure out who had tackled me as he was up in a flash moving in the direction the shots came from. But not before telling me to stay put and to stay down.

Tank moved out the door and into the next room, I heard a few more gun shots and some grunting, as usual my curiosity got the better of me and I slowly crept along the floor until I got to the door. I pulled my gun out from my jeans and slowly moved around the corner. I needn't have bothered as lying on the ground in front Tank was my skip Tom Nicholls lying on the left hand side of him were two more thugs out cold. I was about to move towards Tank but and help him with the bodies when I saw a flicker of something in the corner of my eye.

I turned in the direction and saw a fifty something year old woman levelling a gun through the doorway at Tanks head. Without thinking and knowing that I didn't have enough time to warn him, I pulled out my gun aimed at the woman and fired.

She fell to the ground in a motionless heap.

I dropped the gun and moved towards Tank, not wanting to contemplate why she wasn't moving.

Tank looked at me in surprise and nodded at me in appreciation, but quickly recovered and took action. He cuffed the other two men making sure they were secure then moved towards the woman's body. I followed a couple metres behind not wanting to know the verdict, but unable to look away on getting closer to the body I saw a bloody mark right between her eyes, this didn't look good.

Tank leaned down and put his hand to her neck to check the pulse. He stood up slowly and turned to face me. He had his blank face on.

I felt my hands start to shake and the room was suddenly a lot colder, I looked Tank in the eyes trying to read something, anything from him about the woman's condition.

He held my gaze but his eyes didn't give anything away.

I finally regained by ability to speak 'is she….is she….alive' I asked barely above a whisper.

Tank dropped his blank face and his expression became concerned 'No Steph she's not'

I felt the blood rush to my head and my heart was thundering in my chest. I had just killed someone, shit I had just killed someone. I felt my whole body begin to shake.

I looked at the body again my eyes resting on the bullet hole between the eyes. All of a sudden I felt the bile rise in my throat.

I quickly turned away from Tank and emptied the contents of my stomach onto the carpet next to me.

I heard Tank curse under his breath; he came over and gently lifted me to my feet. I looked up at him; he was looking at me in concern "Are you ok' he asked

I nodded slowly

'Listen Steph, I need to make a phone call and get this place cleaned up, can you go into the next room and cuff the girl, I will be in there in a minute'

I nodded again and quickly left the room, deliberately avoiding looking at the body again.

The girl was still unconscious so I put my cuffs on her and sat down on the couch watching her in case she moved.

Tank came in and checked on me, while making his phone calls.

I don't know how much time passed but I heard sirens in the background and all of a sudden cops and paramedics were all coming through the door. It was all happening around me I didn't really register what was going on.

I felt a warm hand touch me lightly on the shoulder and I looked up to meet to very familiar brown eyes. He placed his hand on my arm pulled me up into a tight hug. I clung to him desperate to get warm again.

We left the building and made our way to the black truck Tank and I had pulled up in. I hoped in the passenger seat and hugged my knees up to my chest and closed my eyes.

Ranger got in the drivers seat and pulled away from the curb, every now and then I could feel his gaze on me but I couldn't bring myself to return the favour.

All I could think of was the body lying on the floor with a bullet hole between the eyes. A bullet that I had fired ending that woman's life. I knew I had taken a life before and I knew in my line of work I was lucky not to have taken more. What was really bothering me was the way I had acted without thinking. I could have shot her in the arm the leg the shoulder, anywhere that wouldn't kill her. But I had gone for the head and killed her. What kind of person did that make me? Would that be my first reaction now, would I always go for the kill? What happened to the Stephanie Plum that was scared of her gun? If she was gone, who the hell was I now?

Ranger stopped the car and I opened my eyes, we were in the Rangeman underground car park.

Ranger got out of the car and I silently followed suit, lacing his hand on the small of my back he guided me to the elevator and up to the seventh floor apartment. We entered the apartment in silence. Ranger guided me into the bedroom and sat me down on the bed. He squatted in front of me and looked up into my face. I looked at him for a moment but felt unable to hold his gaze. I lowered my gaze and turned my attention to my hands. Ranger placed his hands on mine and spoke for the first time since picking me up.

'Babe' he said softly 'Look at me'

I slowly lifted my eyes and looked at him, once he saw he had my attention he continued

'You didn't do anything wrong "Babe, you saved Tank's life'

I knew what he was trying to do, he thought I felt guilty, which I did of course, but I was also scared, scared of what I did.

'I know' I managed to whisper

He looked a little relieved but frowned when he saw that my hands had started to shake again. I tried to pull them away from his but he held them firm and started to rub them as if trying to keep them warm. This action would usually have my hormones racing but right now I felt as cold as stone.

Ranger noticed me shiver and swore softly, he pushed the covers back on the bed, lay me down on the sheets and pulled the covers up tightly around me.

I closed my eyes and snuggled up taking some comfort in the warmth. Ranger leaned down and kissed me on the top of my head

'Get some rest Babe' he said and moved away from the bed.

Just he got to the door I opened my eyes and called out to him.

'Ranger'

He turned around to face me 'Yeah Babe'

'Stay' I asked hesitantly

He nodded and made his way over to the other side of the bed took of his guns and whatever else he had on him besides his clothes and slid in next to me. I felt warm arms come around me and fell into a dreamless sleep.

Quick note, I know that Steph has killed someone before and I know she didn't loose her mind over it. But she has been going through a lot of changes in this story and she isn't really sure where she is headed. More than anything she is scared and uncertain. Don't worry she wont stay like this, she was just feeling a little vulnerable and needed support. Of course the person to give that to her had to be Ranger! (smiles)

Anyway let me know what you think, if you don't like the direction the story is taking let me know. I can handle critism.