Disclaimer: if it belonged to me... hmm... think of all the evil thingsI could do.Oh wellI don't own it, it all belongs to Janet Evanovich.

A/N: Bad news people... my computer at home is officially dying so I'm restraining my use of it. Fortunately I am going to my friends house for regular computer use, butthen unfortunately we start on anime and I don't type very much. Good news is... I have the next three... fourchapters done.

Read, enjoy, review and you'll get the next installment.

Schools over people! - May 18

Chapter 7: Apartment

It's been two months since I talked to Ranger and he told me to talk to someone, meaning a therapist. To which I complied like an obedient little girl. So that's where I am right now. In the therapist's office answering all the questions he has for me.

"Stephanie are you paying attention?"

"Uh huh? Yes" I said turning to him and zoning back in.

He grimaced. "Ok, I guess we are done for today. One last question though? What are you going to do?"

"Uh huh?" I thought for a moment about what he was talking about and then I remembered. "I don't know."

"Well, good luck."

"Thanks." I gave him a small smile and got up to leave.

Outside Ranger was waiting for me, like every other day. Every Tuesday he brings me here and he waits for me. Then he takes me where ever I want to go.

Ranger stood up and nodded to Dr. Bales behind me. When I was within reach he put an arm around my shoulder and walked me out.

"Where to?" He asked.

I thought about this, so many places I could go. My parent's, the office, Morelli's, Tasty Pastry… etc. But I knew where I needed to go. I sighed. "Apartment."

He gave a nod.

Twenty minutes later he was opening the door to my apartment. I stepped through and looked around. This is my first time back since Val had occupied it. Val had left it clean and neat. Nothing changed. I sighed. I guess I should start packing, but where to start? I looked around and already felt tired. The hand appeared at the base of my neck.

"Babe."

Here's the situation, after Val moved out I began paying the rent again but my savings weren't that great and I ran out of money. And since I haven't been taking jobs and been living off of Ranger for the last… oh three months, my bank account hasn't been replenished. Now I have one week to vacate the premises.

I turned to Ranger, I didn't want to do this. I didn't want to pack up my life, make it fit into boxes and throw away what I can't fit into boxes. Sure I didn't stay here much anymore but I still loved this place.

"You don't have to do this. I can have the boys pack up for you, put it into storage until you decide."

I nodded. I looked around for the last time, silently said good-bye and exited the apartment for the last time.

We took the elevator down to the lobby. Exited the back door and got back into Ranger's truck.

Time for cheering up. I could get some donuts but I want something new.

Hehehe… I know what.

"Ranger?" I said with a sweet voice. He raised an eyebrow my way. "Would you like to go see a movie?"

"In a movie theatre?"

"Yea, it'll be fun. Please Ranger?"

"Can't you take Tank or someone else?"

"No." I said flatly. "I want to go with you."

He gave a sigh and nodded.

When he pulled into the parking lot of the movie theatre I was already for a chick flick. I felt like a chick flick and I wanted to see Ranger squirm. But by the time we were buying our tickets I decided on The Incredible.

We watched, I fell a sleep, he woke me up and we walked out in the middle. It wasn't like it was a bad movie, in fact I was enjoying it. But I couldn't keep my eyes open. I hadn't gotten enough sleep last night and the movie was paying for it.

When I tried to tell Ranger I could finish watching he just told me we could watch it later. He said we….

Ifelt myself being lifted out of my seat and I groaned. I struggled and Ranger put me down on my feet, but still holding me up until I got used to having my feet on the ground.

He left his hand on the small of my back and guided me to the elevator. We took it directly to the seventh floor all in silence.

In the apartment I went directly to the bed and fell in, not bothering to take off my jeans or shoes. Ranger did that for me. He flipped me over. Took off my boots and then slid my jeans off of me. He pulled the sheets back and tucked me in. It took me only a few minutes to fall a sleep again.

I woke up startled, sweating and breathing hard. I looked around but didn't see anything.The room had gotten darker since the time I had gone to sleep.

Ranger was standing in the doorway now.

Even if I thought about it, I probably couldn't think of one night where Ranger wasn't there when I woke up. He's always there. Should make things easier to decide, it was staring me right in the face, but it wasn't that easy.

The question always came back to what about Morelli?