Disclaimer: All belongs to the great one Janet Evanovich.

A/N: My god you people are obsessed about Ranger. I never said this was a Ranger/Steph story… geez…

Thank you to Babe1976 for pointing out my mistake… good girl… I take names very seriously. I almost slapped myself when I saw that! Of course I don't have copies of the books with me when I'm writing and I have to go by memory which I why a lot of the time I skip the details.

Out of curiosity, how old are you people? I myself am 18!

Ch 5: Talk

I must have drifted off to sleep because I was being shaken awake. "Stephanie." I cracked my eyes open to stare at Mary Lou. "Steph, I'm leaving. I have to go home and make lunch before the kids get home and probably clean up the mess they made yesterday. I nodded and sat up. She moved to the door and gave me a little wave. "I'll see you Steph."

I stared at her a moment. "Thank you."

She just nodded and left the room. A couple of seconds later and I could hear the door close. I dropped back down into my pillow and sighed. I lay there for a couple of minutes and then I pushed myself off the bed.

I went into the bathroom and washed my face and since I didn't have any clean clothes or a toothbrush I couldn't do much else. I stepped into the sitting area and turned to the couch when I noticed Ranger sitting there. I also noticed the TV was on, the sound on mute.

I stared at him for a moment.

He looked at me, up and down. "Mary Lou called me."

I nodded and sat beside him, wondering if he was still angry. His voice didn't show any anger and his body seemed relaxed enough. Then he stood up. "If you're ready." More a statement than a question and held his hand out to me.

I didn't take it, but I stood up and walked to the front door. I guess I wasn't having a good day. I can't even smile today.

Ranger was right behind me and I walked to the elevator and out the lobby. Ranger's black Mercedes car was brought up front by a valet even without Ranger having to hand a ticket.

The valet handed Ranger his keys and then opened the door for me, I got in and the valet closed the door. Ranger got in a little after me and pulled out of the driveway.

He was in his zone, so was I. But my zone consisted of me thinking, maybe too much. I wondered about what Mary Lou had said yesterday, about me talking to Ranger. About him being worried.

"Ranger." I said with a quiet voice.

He glanced at me with questioning eyes.

"Can we get a pizza?"

He gave a slight nod and changed directions. We were in front of Pino's in no time and he even managed a great parking spot. He turned the engine off and turned to me, "Comin' in?" I shook my head. I wasn't that ready and I hadn't taken a shower. He nodded. "Be back in a minute."

He left the car and like he said, was back in a minute. Then we sat there quietly waiting for the pizza. I thought about talking to Ranger, but no words came out, maybe after the pizza. I could do anything after Pino's… and a donut.

I thought I saw Ranger give a slight nod and I looked at him curiously.

"We'll get you some donuts." He said. Maybe his ESP isn't completely gone.

A girl walked out of Pino's with a pizza box, we took it and headed over to Tasty Cakes and got me some Boston Crèmes. We were back at the Rangeman building not too much later.

I was sitting on the couch staring at the TV again. I had eaten about half the pizza, 2 Boston Crèmes and Ranger looked slightly happier. I don't think I've ever seen Ranger happy about me eating pizza and donuts. Before he disapproved of my eating habits.

Ranger came and slumped next to me, putting an arm around my shoulder and bringing me into him. I didn't resist. I was feeling better. Pino's really does help. I rested my head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat. It was slow and even. Ranger was completely relaxed.

Maybe this was a good time to talk. Be brave Stephanie, you'll have to talk eventually.

"Ranger?"

"Hmm?" I felt the rumble on his chest.

"Mary Lou said I should talk to you."

Silence, but his beat picked up a little.

"I want to talk." I said quietly. "But what can I say?"

His hand squeezed my shoulder a little. "Anything you need to."

"What's the word for when you don't really care, kind of indifferent?"

"Apathy?"

"Hmm… yes. Apathy." I said, mostly to myself. "That's how it is now. I'm scared too, but mostly I'm apathetic."

His heartbeat was now at a normal human rate and this almost made me laugh. But then his hand was rubbing my back and a very sad "babe" slipped out his lips.

"I don't want to go to a therapist, I don't want to talk to a strange."

"Okay."

He was agreeing? I didn't expect that. "I just want you to listen." I said quietly, not sure if he would accept this.

"Okay," he said again.

"The dreams are the worst." I began.

A/N: does anyone know where Shorty's is? I need to know for another fic I'm working on. I know, bad idea. I shouldn't start on another on until I'm done with these two… but I can't help myself… the other one more for fun!