Disclaimer My name is not Janet Evanovich. And if I were Janet Evanovich, I wouldn't be typing this fic.

I would be spending my time writing out book twelve for all you hungry waiters, and figuring out a way to get Steph out of the Morelli relationship before she becomes a burg housewife. -nods-

Note Thanks to my loyal reviewers on this new story. If yall didn't post those, I wouldn't have the muse to continue!

I spun around ready to apologize profusely but caught my breath as I realized it was only Tank.

Thank God!

"Tank...what are you doing?"

"Thought you'd be here," he said agian with a hint of a shrug. "You didn't say where you were going."

"Sorry. I was going to find the time, but then I passed the ICU..." I didn't need to say more, and we both knew it.

Tank held out his right fist. "You could of asked me. I have a watch."

"Oh." Yeah, I could've. But you didn't look like you should be bothered. You were zenning.

"It's almost midnight. Visiting hours were over since ten."

Uh-oh. Wait, how did me manage that?

In reply to my unanswered question, Tank shrugged. "They know Ranger. They know he would want us here...when he wakes up."

I looked into his eyes. He was going to say 'if he wakes up' but caught himself. I narrowed my eyes ever so slightly and said with determination "He will wake up. And I'll be there when he does."

And then I grabbed a chair and wheeled it over to the side of the bed, and plopped down.

Tank stared for a few beats than he needed to, than pulled out one of his own and sat. And eventually the sound of bleeping monitors cast me into a fitful disturbed sleep.

When I awoke, it was still dark, and the monitors had continued to beep. The only light that we could see by was the faint florescent bar light above the bed, and it casted shadows around the room. I shifted in my seat and turned to see if Tank was still there, but he and his chair had vanished.

I thought that was a little weird, because I would of figured Tank would stay the whole time here if he could've. He seemed clearly rattled at the fact that Ranger was in the hospital, more or less unconcious and suffering. But if he left, he must of had a good reason. I mean, there was still a company to run, even if the boss and namesake was out of the picture for a limited time.

I waited and sat in the uncomfortable hard seat for what seemed like hours until the sun was well up. I was starting to get hungry, but I knew I needed to stay here. Ranger seemed to be doing a bit better. He wasn't tensed like he was last night, but he was still unconcious, and his breath was wispy and almost nonexistant.

I stood suddenly and walked carefully over to the side of the bed. He had moved slightly in his sleep, and his IVs were straining with the new distance. I placed a hand over his and squeezed minimally, assuring him I would stay, until he was better. Than I carefully set his arm back so the IV would reach and supply his blood, trying not to stretch the stitches that were in place.

From behind I heard the door creep open. I had a momentary shock then I realized that it could of been Tank. I turned and gave him a small smile, but stopped.

This person wasn't Tank. It was a woman, with darker skin, black hair, and a slim figure. She looked surprised that I was here, but made her way to the bed where I was standing, and reached out her hand.

"Hello," she said in a pleasant but worried voice with a hint of a Spanish accent. "I'm Ric's sister, Solita. Who are you?"

She obviously wasn't filled in before she came in. I wondered how she got in, because Ranger was still in critical condition, and not allowed visitors. Nevertheless, I grabbed her hand and shook it, and replied "I'm Stephanie. I work with...Ric."

"Oh! I know who you are now. Ranger talks about you all the time."

This brought a raised eyebrow on my part, and Solita gave me a small smile. Since when does Ranger talk about me to family? I decided to stay silent at this new bit of information. Best not to make a moron of myself to the only family member of Ranger's that I have met.

"How is he?" she asked next, and I turned to look at the man behind me with a small, barely perceptible sigh.

"He's doing better than he was last night, but the shots were critical. If one of them were any lower, he'd be dead now."

See, denial only works only so long. I preferred at the moment to be thankful that he wasn't dead, so I admitted to myself a few hours ago that he would of been dead, but by an act of the god of second chances, he will live to see another day. Good theory, right? And I was sure it was the one in play now.

Solita gave a nod and walked over to the other side of the bed where Tank had seemingly placed the other chair when he left in the night. She looked up at the IVs and the blood machines and the heart-bleepers and looked like she was carefully considering something. I watched her for a minute before she caught my gaze and explained herself.

"I'm studying medicine back home. These look like the right things to use in this scenario. But I haven't really been up to this level of my studies yet."

I nodded, saying I understood. But I couldn't know less about medicinal techniques other than I use asprin as directed and you need ice to make physical hurts go away.

Solita continued on, a questioning look on her face, and asked me, "How long have you been here?"

"Since late yesterday."

"You can leave now if you need to do anything. I can stay, and some of my family is flying in today to check up on him."

I didn't expect this. And as much as I wanted to see Ranger's family and stay by his bedside, I really had to feed Rex, check on Morelli, and find something to eat. Also, the prospect of staying in a room one-on-one with his sister didn't really appeal to me. What would we talk about?

"Allright. But I'll be back."

And then I gave one last look to the unconcious Ranger, pushed my chair back to the wall, and was out the door.

No one was at the desk as I left, which was good. As I waltzed into the waiting room, I couldn't help but ask the receptionist a question.

"Is Ricardo Manoso accepting visitors today?"

The lady looked up at me then glanced at a chart on a clipboard next to the computer screen. She gave a nod and replied

"Yes, he is dear. But his visiting hours are from twelve to three only. Come back later."

Hmm. Mabye this sister of his learned some sneaking skills from the man himself, I thought as I passed into the hallway and glanced at the clock. Eight AM.