I was originally going to post this on Ranger's birthday but time got away from me. If you've read my stories before you'll know I love time skips... For a quick timeline 2 months after Ranger leaves Trenton, Steph movies to Philly, Two months after that she completely leaves Trenton behind. Mentioned in this chapter. I hope that clears up any confusion on the timeline. I know they can get a little blurry, so I'll help where I can on it.

Chapter 6

Steph POV:

I woke up with a smile on my face. Stretching, I sighed and sat up, glancing around my dark room. I stood, opening the blinds in the bedroom, giving me a beautiful view of the courtyard as the sun rose.

I walked into the living room and rolled out my yoga mat. Taking a deep breath, I began my morning routine. It was like clockwork, every morning, and the routine of it eased my mind.

After yoga and a hot shower, I blended up a smoothie and fed Rex. Then I laid all my gear out on my small dining room table. Sitting at the table, you could see through the galley kitchen and to the front door. It was a great vantage point, and the rest of the apartment was built around it.

The living room was huge; the space that had been the second bedroom in the other apartments was open to the living room, allowing me to make it my office. It hadn't taken long to fill up the space, decorate it and make it home. It felt more like home than any other place I had ever lived in Trenton. Philly felt more like home than Trenton did.

My life had changed greatly over the past two months, improving with each day. Today I would be putting Trenton permanently behind me. I strapped a Ruger to my calf and pulled the cuff of my jeans over it. I slid my shoulder holster over my Henley, before sliding a leather jacket on.

I slid the Glock into the holster and walked to the door, slipping my feet into a pair of Cat boots. I picked up my purse and utility belt on the way. I engaged the alarm, before walking out the door, and locking it behind me.

I jogged down the stairs, emerging through the front door. I walked around to the parking garage. I beeped open my SUV and slid in tossing my bag and belt into the passenger seat.

I stopped down the road at the cafe for a cup of coffee before I made the hour-long trip to Trenton. Normally, I went through the drive thru, but the cars were wrapped around the building.

I parked, locking the SUV behind me as I walked inside. I approached the counter, and something caught my eye to the left. Even a quick glance didn't keep me from bumping into someone. Hot coffee sloshed onto my shirt.

"I'm so sorry!" he said, grabbing my shoulders to steady me.

"It's my fault, I wasn't watching where I was going," I replied. I looked down; thankfully it wasn't too bad. He handed me napkins so I could soak up the majority of the liquid.

I looked at the man. He was tall, around six foot four. His hair blonde and messy, paired with vibrant emerald-green eyes, a square jaw, fair skin, and high cheekbones. His body was lean and muscular. He looked like a scholar, wearing slacks, loafers, a blue dress shirt and black vest. "Let me apologize by buying you a cup of coffee."

The look he gave me reminded me of the look a sad puppy gives you. Between his eyes and the slight smile on his lips, my walls came down slightly. I smiled softly. "Alright," I agreed.

He smiled, and I followed him to the counter. Ordering my normal, "Name for the order?" the barista asked. He didn't crowd me, which I was thankful for. Lately I found myself avoiding crowds or loud groups of people.

"Stephanie," I replied.

"If you'll join me, Stephanie." He smiled, sweeping his hand out in a grand gesture and leading me towards one of the standing tables. "My name is Blake. I haven't seen you here before, do you come here often?"

I let out a laugh. "Sometimes. I'm not much of a coffee drinker anymore."

"I live on coffee! Late nights and early mornings, kids driving me up the wall." He smiled, wrapping his hands around the cup.

"I would say I understand but I have a pet hamster. The closest things I have to a kid would be my nieces and they live an hour away." I smiled. He chuckled. His smile had a way of disarming me. This was the most info I had revealed to somebody in months.

"They're not mine. I teach high school."

"Ahh, at least you don't have to go home to them then." I laughed. He nodded, taking a sip of his coffee.

"So, what do you do?" he asked.

I hesitated slightly. "I'm in law enforcement."

"Damn, that's cool." He smiled.

I shrugged. "It can be. Most of the time it's boring, and every now and then you get shot at."

My name was called and before I could get up, he was striding to the counter. He came back and handed me my coffee with a flourish. I found myself smiling again at his actions.

"This is probably forward but would you like to go out for a drink sometime?"

I couldn't remember the last time I had been asked out on a date. Since before I married Dickie. "Okay." I smiled.

"Let me give you, my number," he told me. He pulled out a notepad and scribbled his number on it before handing it to me.

"I look forward to your call." He smiled.

"I look forward to grabbing that drink with you," I replied, a smile gracing my lips.

He smiled at me again before walking towards the door. As he opened the door, he tossed a wink back at me. I felt myself smirk. I took my coffee with me as I walked out the door.

As I slid into the SUV, I pulled the paper from my pocket. I entered it into my phone so I wouldn't lose it. The drive to Trenton gave me time to reflect. I had been living in Philly for two months but still working in Trenton as I set my life up in a new city.

Sure, I would miss the city I grew up in, but the few fond memories I had there weren't worth staying for. Not when the bad ones outweighed the good ones. As I drove into the city, I watched for Rangemen tails. Tank hadn't let up and was still following Ranger's orders.

Almost every time I was in the city, I would find black SUVs lurking but not a single one had been able to follow me home. I parked in the bond office parking lot and let out a sigh.

I slipped out of the SUV and walked to the front door. I met Connie's eyes as I walked in. "Today the day?" she asked softly. I nodded.

Lula sat on the couch, eyes flickering between the two of us. Connie motioned for me to sit. "Let's start the paperwork."

She had the forms ready, sitting in her desk drawer. She set them in front of me and I looked them over. As I reached for the pen her hand stopped mine. "You deserve this, Steph. I hope you find what makes you happy." Her voice was soft and full of emotion.

"Thank you, Connie," I replied, my voice just as soft as hers.

I signed my name and I was officially no longer associated with Plum Bail Bonds. Lula hadn't said much to me over these past couple weeks. She had blown up on me after I told her I moved out of the city, accusing me of abandoning her.

The door opened and I turned to see who had come in. The first thing I noticed was the black uniform. Tank stood in the doorway. I stood with a sigh. "Thank you, Connie." She smiled and nodded, tears pooling in her eyes.

"Stephanie, can I talk to you?" Tank asked.

I looked up at him, mistrust evident in my body language and face. "Why?"

"Stephanie…"

"Tank," I said, folding my arms over my chest.

"I just want to sit and talk."

"This is it," I told him. "If we talk, I want you to back off on everything."

He pursed his lips but nodded. "Fine," he grunted.

"Let's walk, then," I said. I walked past him and through the door. He followed, catching up quickly with his long stride.

"Anywhere in particular we're heading?" he asked.

"The diner up the street," I answered sharply. He took the hint that I didn't want to talk about anything while we were walking. I opened the dinner door before he could and walked to the back. I nodded to the waitress, and she walked over to my normal booth.

A couple times a week I ate here with Jay. At this point they all knew me. "Hey, hon," she said, smiling at me. "Whatcha want this morning?"

"I'll take a water," I answered.

"And you?" She asked Tank.

"I'll take a coffee, black and strong," he answered. She nodded and walked to the counter to get our drinks.

"So, let's talk," I prompted.

He ran a hand over his head. "I have no fucking clue where to start. Ranger made a mess of this before he left."

The mention of his name made my body tense. I had avoided thinking of him since he had left. He didn't even have the courtesy to tell me he was leaving, so I didn't want my thoughts or time taken up by anything concerning him.

"Ranger is a complicated man. He hasn't ever had it easy, Stephanie. I'm not going to make excuses for him, but I have to follow his orders. He is my boss and partner." He sighed. Donna, the waitress, approached with the coffee and water and left just as quickly.

"I don't care, Tank. Ranger has no respect for me, if he did, he wouldn't have left me like he did that morning."

"He was doing what he thought was best."

"Tank, I'm over it. I want Ranger out of my life. I was a plaything for him. I know he'll probably be upset when he gets back that he can't pick me up out of the toy box and play with me, but he'll get over it. There's some other naive woman that would gladly let him play with her when he wants."

I took a sip of my water as he regarded me. "He's an asshole," Tank said. I nodded.

"I want no connections to Rangeman. I don't want to see a single black uniform or black SUV anywhere near me."

He nodded. "Alright."

"I'm serious, Tank. You saw what I did to the last couple of men I found following me. Besides, this has to be costing Rangeman an arm and a leg, and it's supposed to last the whole time he was gone. It's a waste of money. What he has you doing, I could sue him and the company. Criminal charges, Tank. I haven't because I'm not that big of a bitch."

"I know," he grumbled.

I reached into the inside pocket of my jacket. "Give this to him when he gets back."

I slid an envelope over the table to him. He looked at it for a few moments before picking it up. "Fine."

"Thank you," I said. I dropped a twenty on the table and stood.

"Let me walk you back to the bonds office?"

"I've got other business to take care of," I told him as we walked out the door. "And I better not find any trackers on my car when I get back. And I will be checking."

He nodded. "There won't be."

"Good."

I walked in the opposite direction of the bond's office. I made sure Tank couldn't see me anymore before I headed towards Sunny's. I walked in; Jay was sitting behind the counter. He smiled at me when he looked up.

"Long time no see."

"I saw you two days ago." I rolled my eyes, "And we talked on the phone last night."

He chuckled, "So today's the big day?"

"Yeah." I nodded solemnly walking around the counter.

"You're starting a new chapter of your life, but you don't look that happy."

"I had to deal with Tank this morning. I think he'll back off now but who knows." I shrugged.

"Let me know if he doesn't."

I nodded.

"So, when are you going back to Philly?"

"I'm just going to drop by and see my parents before heading back. If I go early enough, I won't have to stay for dinner."

He laughed. "Always have a game plan."

"Always be prepared," I quoted back.

"I won't keep you then."

"We'll have to have lunch sometime this week," I said. He nodded.

"I wouldn't mind coming up to Philly. You should know the best place to get a Philly Cheesesteak by now. You've been living there for two months."

"I've got a couple more to scope out. I could use some help."

He grinned and patted me on the shoulder. "Sounds like fun. Let me know when."

"Got it."

He walked me to the door and looked outside at the parking lot. "Where is your car?"

"At the bond office. I walked." He nodded.

"I'll see you later, Steph. Be safe."

"I will. See you later, Jay."

What's that? Another OC/Possible Love Intrest... Remember this says Babe HEA in the summary, it's just a long road to get there.