Just warning anyone who hasn't read my stories before. I hate slow drawn out stories, soooo usually my stories are a bit more faster in pace. Time to throw some angst in here. Feelings are getting hurt today...

Chapter Three

Steph POV:

I woke up at seven thirty to head to the gym. My kickboxing class started at eight thirty. I poured myself a cup of coffee and fed Rex before picking up my duffel bag and walking out the door.

To calm my nerves and hype myself up I turned on some Metallica to jam out to. Pulling into the lot, I finished off the rest of the coffee in the thermos and tossed it into the passenger's seat. I took a deep breath to calm myself before sliding out of Big Blue.

Walking into the gym, it wasn't any different than when I had been here a few days ago. Just different people working the desk and more people on the machines. I found my way to the room for the group session. A few people had already gathered for the class. The instructor stood at the front of the room.

When we started I couldn't believe how easy it was. I was enjoying it and I couldn't believe I hadn't discovered it sooner. I had settled into the rhythm, my body growing used to what I was demanding from it when the class ended.

I smiled with a groan, stretching to touch my toes. I did a few stretches we had been instructed to do. I found myself smiling as I walked out of the class, my duffel slung over my shoulder.

I didn't ever think I would enjoy spending time in the gym. Maybe I just wasn't doing the right exercises. There was a bounce in my step as I made my way out. I would be back tomorrow for my class yoga session.

I got home and stripped off my clothes, tossing them in the clothes hamper in my bedroom. Stepping under the warm shower spray was glorious. I sighed letting the water run over my shoulders.

Once the water started running cold, I rushed to finish my washing routine, cursing the building's water heaters. I dried my hair with a towel and pulled on a pair of panties and a bra, walking back into the bathroom to blow dry my curls.

Maybe it was time for a change, I thought to myself running my fingers through my hair. When I could, maybe I would get an appointment with Mr. Alexander, for now I pulled it back into a ponytail, and rifled through my drawers for a t-shirt and jeans.

I slipped on a pair of Cat boots and stood, strapping my new gun and holster to my thigh. I picked up my messenger bag and walked out the door, locking it behind me. I paused as I withdrew the key. I needed to get new locks and secure my apartment better. I couldn't keep living here knowing that anyone could be inside when I came home.

Once I got a few skips picked up I would buy new locks and have Dillon install them. I took the stairs, hopefully the start of a new habit and walked outside. I scanned the parking lot as I approached Big Blue.

I unlocked the door and slid in, tossing my bag in the passenger's seat. The short trip to the bond's office went by quicker than normal. I parked in a spot in the front and slid out.

Walking inside, Connie was at her desk painting her nails a black in contrast to her normal red. Hmmm, either somebody was dead, or she was going to kill someone. Either one was a viable option for her.

Lula sat on the couch, a kaleidoscope of bright purple shades. A violet Spandex tube top, lavender sequins, fake purple Louboutins, and fake purple Gucci bag. Her nails were longer than her fingers, and her makeup was purple, along with her hair.

"White Girl!" She grinned. "Been waitin' for ya!"

"You've been here for ten minutes." Connie said. I laughed softly.

She rolled her eyes. "What's been up wit you? Ain't seen you in a few days."

I sat next to Lula on the couch. Both of them were watching me. "I'm making some changes." I started.

"What kind of changes?" Lula asked.

"Life changes." I smiled and she rolled her eyes. "I started by breaking up with Joe."

"What?" Connie gasped.

I rolled my eyes. "It wasn't much of a relationship anyway. All he did was put me down and try to change me. He doesn't embrace me. He doesn't love me as I am. He loves what I could be. We were pushed together to please our families, not out of love."

"You don't love him?" Connie asked.

I shrugged. "I love him, but I know if we stayed together, we wouldn't be happy. I don't want to get married and I don't want kids. I know whoever he marries, he's going to want that from them. He complains about my job, and never helps me get any better about it. He wants me to quit and become a housewife. I burn water when I try to boil it." I finished with an eye roll.

"How did he take it?" Lula asked.

"He was surprised but I walked out before he could argue." I shrugged.

Just as I decided to bring Ranger up, he appeared. Walking out of Vinnie's office. Ranger came to a stop in front of Connie's desk. She handed over the files. "Batman you hear that? Steph done broke up with Super cop."

His eyes flicked up to me and for a second, I had a little hope. Maybe, just maybe he would change his mind. "I'm sure you'll get it worked out with Morelli," he said. "Whatever spat you two got into, you'll resolve or forget about it in a few weeks."

I felt my heart stutter, waiting for him to finish ripping it out of my chest and stomping on it. I stood; my resolve hardened. This had to be done. There was no doubt I would always have feelings for Ranger, but I now knew he didn't reciprocate them.

Standing in front of him, his eyes met mine. I saw something flicker in them, but it was gone before I could distinguish it.

"Fuck you!" I said, jabbing him in the chest.

"Steph…."

"Fuck. You. Ranger." I snarled. "I want you to stay the fuck away from me. I don't ever want to be in the same room as you again. I don't want to ever breathe the same air as you again. I don't want or need your help. I might be thankful for everything you've done for me before now, but I don't want you around anymore. I don't need you playing mind game with me or fucking with my heart. I'll find all of the tracking devices you have on me and leave them here. I better not find any replacements. Stay away from me."

I stepped away; Ranger's blank face was gone. He now wore a face of surprise and bewilderment. "Connie, do I have any files?" I asked.

She handed them over without a word. I walked out the office without a look back. Sliding into Big Blue, I sighed, my hands gripping the steering wheel, knuckles white. I pulled out of the bond's office parking lot, conflicted on where to go next.

I drove five minutes to Sunny's, walking inside. Jay raised an eyebrow as I leaned against the counter. "I think I have a death wish." I groaned.

"Why?" he asked.

I let my head drop to the counter and I recounted everything that happened at the bond's office. "Man, I want to meet this asshole," Jay remarked.

I smiled and rolled my eyes. "That's all you have to say?"

"I think you did the right thing. He's treated you like shit with no consideration for your feelings. I'm surprised you didn't do it before."

"Didn't have the guts to do it before." I snorted. He smiled.

"Now you do. You just have to stay strong and don't give in."

"While we're on this subject, do you happen to know someone or something that can scan for tracking devices?"

Jay raised an eyebrow and looked at me, "So let me get this straight. He's been tracking you also?"

I nodded. He sighed, reaching into one of the cabinets under the counter and pulling out a device. "Come on," he said motioning for me to follow him.

I stood next to him as he began to run it over the bumpers. It peeped within a few seconds. He slid under the front of the car and tossed a small black box out. I picked it up, turning it over in my hands. It was a small black compact box with a small antenna. You would have to look for it to find it. I heard it beep again and then Jay working something against metal.

He tossed out another smaller one, a disk this time. "Jay?"

"Yeah?"

"What kinds of devices does that pick up on?" I asked

"Just about all spy devices. Anything that transmits a signal."

I paused, wondering how many of these devices and similar were in my apartment. I suppressed a shiver. "Where can I get one of those?" I asked softly.

"You can borrow this one," he said, sliding out to look at me. "What do you need to screen?"

"My apartment."

He sighed and sat on the hood of big blue. "I hate that you have to deal with this," he said.

I shrugged. "I hate to say that I'm used to it, but that's why I'm trying to move on from this."

He nodded. "Let me know if you need anything else."

"Thank you." I smiled softly.

He showed me how to work the machine, making sure we scanned every inch of the car. We found nine trackers. We sat on the hood of Big Blue.

"How're you feeling?" he asked.

"Betrayed, angry, upset, take your pick. I'm spinning the emotional roulette wheel right now. There's no doubt more in my apartment, which just makes it worse." I sighed.

"Emotional roulette wheel?" he asked.

I rolled my eyes. "That's what you focused on?"

"Well, no, but it kind of surprised me," he said. "Want to tell me exactly who this guy is now?"

"Let's go inside," I suggested. He nodded, offering me a hand to get off the hood. I tentatively took it. I gathered up the bugs and the reader. Jay rested a guiding hand on the small of my back as he opened the door for me, letting me enter first. Neither of us saw the black Turbo creep past on the street, the man driving it watching our interaction.

Ranger POV:

I stood stunned, and almost immobile, in the bonds office when Steph turned and marched out, telling me to fuck off in the process. I didn't bother sparing a glance to either Connie or Lula. I walked out to the Turbo, sliding in.

My fist clenched around the wheel before I pulled out. Pulling into the intersection, I sat at the red light. What had sent Steph off like that? When I said something about her and Morelli getting back together, she was pissed but there was something else. Something else was going on.

A horn honked behind me, and I realized the light was green. I pulled through and pulled my phone out of my pocket. Dialing the control room, Hal answered.

"Pull up Stephanie's trackers," I told him.

I heard clicking in the background as he pulled them up. "She's at Sunny's Gun Shop, Boss."

"Let me know when it changes," I said, hanging up. Pulling into an empty parking lot, I parked and ran a hand over my face.

She wanted me to leave her alone, but I couldn't. I had a feeling she was cooking up something, something she wanted to keep hidden from everyone. I was at a fork in the road. Obey her wishes and let her do what she needed to do or find out what she was doing?

Steph had never stood up to me like she had today. Was it because of the deal? That was the only thing that had changed. Was she pissed about me telling her we couldn't have a relationship? There was something more it seemed.

When I saw her, she was dressed for bounty hunting. She was wearing a new thigh holster and a new gun. I hadn't ever seen her open carry a gun and I had never seen her with anything but her .38. Now she was carrying a Glock.

My mind made up, I pulled out of the lot and pointed the Turbo towards Sunny's. Maybe this would give me some insight as to what was going on with her. It only took me a few minutes to get to her location.

I slowed as I drove past, not inconspicuous at all and if Steph looked, she would see me. I watched as she smiled at a man, he walked with her to the door. His hand was on the small of her back as he opened the door for her.

I felt my chest tighten and rubbed my hand over it. It hadn't taken her long to find a new man. Apparently, she didn't need my help anymore because she found someone else to dote on her.

I shook the thoughts from my head. Steph wasn't like that. She didn't center her life around men, and she didn't need men to help her. But I couldn't help the fact that I didn't like another man helping her with something.

I drove back to Rangeman, stewing. I dropped the files on Hal's desk; he would get them where they needed to be. I walked into my office, shutting the door, maybe a little too hard.

I didn't have long to stew. My phone rang. The number was one I recognized and always dreaded getting a call from. This time I welcomed it, I needed to blow off steam.

"General," I answered. "How can I help you?"

"Major Manoso, we've got a job for you."

Time apart is said to make the heart grow fonder...