I do not own any of the JE characters. I wish I owned Ranger to do with what I please…but I sadly do not. I make no money off of this.

Chapter 1

Stephanie Plum, bounty hunter extraordinaire. Or at least that's what Steph thought as she looked into the mirror. She was dressed all in black, from her cargos to her tight-fitting tee. Black boots were laced up tight to her mid shin. A bad-ass utility belt; equipped with stun gun, pepper spray, cuffs, gun, and her pouch-o-tools hung low on her hips. Pulling her hair into a ponytail, Steph felt ready. That's right…the Bombshell Bounty Hunter was back, ready to go into action. Stephanie grinned and twirled in front of the mirror. She looked awesome.

About six months ago, Steph had had an epiphany. She had realized that she needed to turn her life around, to get into shape, and be more self-sufficient. It had been an awkward time to have an epiphany of such magnitude. After all, she had been chained to a wall by a crazed stalker, and had been held captive for three days before Ranger came to the rescue. And that was the problem. Steph didn't want to have Ranger always come to her rescue. She wanted to be independent. So, she had asked him to help her train. He had set her up on a severe workout schedule and diet. And now, the results were noticeable. From her healthier diet, Stephanie's skin had looked healthier. She always had a glow about her. Tasty cakes and donuts were still a must have, but she rationed herself to just one or two a week. Steph could now run 5 miles without being really winded, and she could shoot a gun well, hold her own in hand-to-hand, and outrun a skip. She had finally become a bounty hunter. And it was about time.

Pulling her gaze away from the mirror, Steph heard a slight sound coming from her kitchen. Someone had broken into her apartment again. Damn those cheap locks! Stephanie drew out her gun and slowly approached the doorway to her bedroom. She looked out and blew a sigh of relief. It was only Ranger.

"Dammit Ranger, don't you ever just knock?" Ranger grinned as he sauntered up to her.

"Just checking to see how aware you are of your surroundings. I'm glad to see you have your gun out, and it's loaded." Stephanie grinned and kissed his lips softly.

"What brings you to my neck of the woods?" Ranger motioned to the table.

"Breakfast." He had made eggs and bacon, with a bowl of fruit for each. Stephanie smiled and poured herself a mug of coffee and refilled Ranger's. They sat down at the table together. Steph watched him eat. He was so handsome, so perfect. She loved him so much, but was still unsure of how he felt about her.

"Ranger…" He looked up, his dark eyes searching her face.

"Yeah Babe?" Steph blushed.

"Never mind." Ranger looked at her curiously for a moment, but then decided not to push her.

"What are your plans for today now that you're starting up skip tracing again?" Steph grinned.

"First, I'm going to get a little bit of well deserved revenge. Then I'm going to stop by the office and see if Connie has anything for me." Ranger's eyes darkened at the first part.

"Babe, Morelli was an asshole…don't dwell on him. You have other things now. Other people who care about you." Steph looked up quickly. Ranger locked eyes with her. "People like me." Steph swallowed and tried to mask her unease. She wanted Ranger. Ever since finding Joe and Joyce doing the deed on Joe's living room floor three months ago, she had been nervous about relationships. Joe had hurt her. Thankfully, Ranger had been there to offer stability, guidance, and compassion. Steph put her hand on Ranger's.

"And for that I am grateful. But Joe really needs to be taught a lesson." Ranger grinned. After he had found out about Joe's little escapades with Joyce, Ranger had taken some Merry Men with him and beat the living hell out of him. It had been priceless.

"What did you have in mind?" Steph grinned.

"Nothing that concerns you, Batman." She looked at her watch. "I have to get going." They cleaned the table and walked to the parking lot. Ranger put his arm around her waist.

"Babe, you're thinking again. I could smell the burning. What's bothering you?" Steph turned to face him.

"I don't know…I came to this realization a while ago while you were making me do push ups. I love you Ranger. I want to be with you, but not just sexually. But I don't know if you feel the same way. And it makes me wary of being around you." Ranger's eyes widened.

"Babe…I don't know what to say." Steph felt her blood begin to boil.

"I love you too would be nice. Or even, I'm sorry Steph, I don't feel the same way would be okay too. Just as long as I had an answer." She opened the door to her black CTS. "I have to go. We'll talk later. Bye Ranger." She slammed the door shut and sped out of the parking lot, leaving a stunned Ranger standing near his truck.

Steph took a deep breath in. She loved her new courage and attitude. Ranger was probably still standing in her parking lot. As least he would know how she felt. Steph drove to Vincent Plum's office and parked behind Lula's red firebird. Lula and Connie looked up as she walked in. Lula grinned.

"Well, look at this bad-ass white girl. That outfit is the shit!" Connie smiled at Steph.

"Welcome back. We missed you here. Working with Joyce has been an absolute nightmare." Steph looked towards Vinnie's closed door.

"Where is the little whore anyway?" Connie pointed a perfectly manicured fingernail towards the parking lot.

"She just pulled in." Steph rolled her eyes. Joyce flounced in, a sneer plastered onto her face.

"Well well, if it isn't Stephanie Plum. Back from the dead. What happened to you?" Steph smiled sweetly at Joyce.

"I've been training and planning to do something. THIS!" She punched Joyce square in the jaw, knocking the other woman down. Steph jumped on top of her and began to pummel her with her fists. Joyce screamed.

"Get this stupid bitch off of me!" Connie shook her head.

"No can do sweetheart." Lula cheered Steph on.

"Yeah, kick her nasty ass!" Steph was shaking Joyce when strong arms wrapped themselves around Steph's waist and hauled her off Joyce. Steph turned around to see Joe Morelli. Connie stun gunned Joyce and looked up at Joe.

"Get out of here Joe. We told you not to come around here." Steph saw Ranger standing in the doorway, watching with a smile. She wondered how long he'd been there. Steph looked over at Connie.

"He's been here?" Lula snorted.

"Huh…yeah, he's been around. Looking for you. We told him to keep his cop ass away." Morelli glared at Lula.

"I have a right to talk to you. You're my girlfriend." Steph's eyes narrowed.

"Your girlfriend? Was I your girlfriend when you decided to fuck this nasty bitch? Was I your girlfriend when you didn't look for me when I was kidnapped?" She stepped towards him. "No Joe…I am not your girlfriend. Stay the fuck away from me. Or I will kill you." She kneed him square in the crotch and smiled as he sank to the floor. Connie clapped.

"Damn girl. You finally grew yourself a pair." Steph smiled and took her skips off of Connie's desk.

"Yeah. It was about time. I'll see you later." She nodded to Ranger and walked out towards her car. Ranger caught up to her.

"Let me buy you lunch." Steph sighed.

"Fine. Where to?" Ranger held open the door of his truck for her.

"Pino's. You need it."

TBC.

this one was kind of boring. I'll have more chapters up soon though.