A/N: HP4ever2000: See One for the Money, Chapter Two. It clearly says that Ranger's full name is Ricardo Carlos Manoso. That information is repeated again on the first page of Chapter 1 in the second book, and so on and so on. I am pleased that you like the story!

Sorry for the short chapter. I'm deciding how to build up to the big scenes!

ChapterFive

My natural inclination after an early morning roll in the sack was to fall back to sleep, but Ranger would not hear of it. Like Morelli, he was energized by the sex act and was ready to start his day. I heard him leave the bathroom, get dressed and pad into the kitchen in his socks. Within minutes, I smelled coffee.

Ranger did not normally drink coffee, but he frequently made it for me in the mornings. He usually started his day with some sort of fruit smoothie. Forsaking the shower for now, I joined him in the kitchen, after donning a pair of sleep pants and a tee shirt (from his drawer, actually). He smiled when I walked into the kitchen. I knew he liked it when I wore his shirts, but they were awfully big on me. I leaned into him for the kiss I got every morning. I had to admit that when he was in Florida, despite the fact that it wasn't really that a long a trip, I really missed this morning routine. Can something that has just been happening for a few weeks be called a routine?

"Not that I'm complaining, but why are you back so soon?" I asked, not leaving the warmth of his arms, despite the temptation of the fresh brewed coffee.

I felt the smile before I actually saw it. "I was hoping you missed me," he began. "I'm back early because Elena's mother had to take a trip and wanted to take Elena with her. I only got to talk to her for a couple of hours. She is excited about our relationship and can't wait to meet you. Of course, she was upset I didn't bring you along."

I smiled knowingly. Elena wanted to check me out. I wanted to learn more about her as well, but I really wanted to know about her mom.

"Well, I'm sorry you didn't get to spend much time with her, but I am glad you're back. I've kind of gotten used to having you around." I felt his arms tighten around me before he moved away to finish making his breakfast.

"Any word on the Gilman case?" Ranger was running the blending.

I waited until he was finished. "Joe hasn't heard anything new. I didn't find anything helpful in the computer searches I ran, but was hoping that Tank had more luck on the street."

"Yeah, he usually does, if anyone is talking. Grizzoli's made a few enemies. Can't rule out the possibility that Terry was nabbed to get back at him."

I frowned. There were things that still didn't add up. "Joe says that they were working together on a case. You think maybe she turned against her family." I chewed my bottom lip, thinking and thinking.

Ranger smiled at me. "Nothing that dramatic, I'm sure." He leaned over to kiss me.

"Finish you breakfast and we'll get to work."

We made our way to the control center and went our separate ways. I can't say that I was used to sleeping with the boss, but it was definitely getting easier to deal with. I sat down at the computer and pulled out the first stack of files that contained searches. Most of my job was locating information on the Internet or in databases pertaining to specific people under investigation. The security part of Rangeman was actually big business, bigger than I ever imagined. I was surprised to hear some of our client names as well.

I must have spent a couple of hours at the computer before I felt Ranger's approach. A hand went to the back of my neck.

"Hey, Babe, want to join me upstairs at lunch," he whispered in my ear.

Now there was a tempting offer. "If I do," I whispered back, "I might be late coming back to work. How would that look to the guys?"

"I know the boss. He'll let it slide," he teased.

Yeah, he would, but I would be joked for weeks. "Seriously, Ric, I don't think we should. Now if you want to take me to lunch, I'll be happy to go, but you can't have me for lunch." Wasn't I clever!

Ranger grinned at that. Nothing like throwing down the gauntlet with this guy.

"Oh, I don't know, Babe. I bet I can have you whenever and wherever I want."

I swear that sounded like a challenge. "Back off Batman. I don't think you should be taking me for granted so soon in the relationship." Okay, so my protest was cut off by a mind-blowing kiss. Damn, he might be right on this one. I was left feeling like I would do whatever he wanted.

"Lunch. See you at noon. Pino's okay?" He was so smug.

"Yeah," was all I could muster.

Lunch at Pinos always meant you encountered what looked like half the Trenton police force. I thought Ranger probably already had considered that and wanted to talk to Joe anyway.

Sure enough, Joe was seated toward the rear, apparently alone. Ranger led me over to his booth.

"Morelli," Ranger offered by way of greeting.

"Manoso," was Joe's flip reply and then he saw me. "Hi Steph. How are you?"

"Good Joe. What about you?"

He looked tired, maybe more so than the other day. "I'm hanging in there. Still really worried about Terry." He turned to Ranger. "Have you found out anything?"

Ranger sat back against the booth and put his arm around my shoulders. "Yeah, some interesting rumors have hit the streets. Word is that this disappearance was staged. Any thoughts about that?"

Joe seemed genuinely surprised. "What the hell are you talking about? Staged by whom? How?"

Ranger watched Joe's reaction. "My guess is someone who wants to set you up."

I was honestly surprised by this statement. Set Joe up for what?

"Why, I don't know," Ranger replied. I must have been thinking out loud again.

"Listen Ranger, I don't know what the hell you're talking about, but I do want some answers!" Joe demanded, his lack of patience particularly acute right now.

"That's the nature of the business Morelli, finding answers. Stephanie wants me to help you, so I'm going to do it. Make no mistake about it. I'm only doing this because she's asked me to, not for you, not for Terry. Understand?"

"Yeah, I got Manoso. No love lost here, right?"

Ranger glared at Joe. "Right."

Joe left the booth and I moved to the other side to face Ranger. "What the hell just happened? Why did you act like that?"

Ranger leaned back against the booth and stretched. "He knows more than he's letting on."

"What makes you say that?" I thought I knew Joe better than anyone and I was taking his concern seriously.

"It's a hunch, but I think he's in on this Babe. I want you to stay back and not get any more involved than you are already. Tank's running the show on this one. Let him do his job."

What is it with the men in my life? Can't they go month without telling me what to do?

"Are you asking me to stay out of it as an employee or a girlfriend?" He had to know I wasn't happy about this.

"Both."