A/N: Yeah, um, the story was short, but now I'm writing longer, 'cause I'm special.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but Rosario, Melosa, Anthony Green, the bar and my plot. Pretty please don't steal it/them 'cause it'd make me very unhappy... have you ever seen an author cry? I don't advise it : D

I came to in a white, sterile room and recognition hit me like a brick to my head (and it hurt as much, too - or maybe that's just my medicine wearing off. Either way...). Stupid hospitals, I hate them. They smell like urine and pills. And it's not a good combination.

I tried to sit up, but my stomach muscles wouldn't co-operate. I felt my stomach, had a second to think, 'why the hell am I wearing a bandage on my stomach?' then remembered, 'Oh, I got shot'.

I got shot.

I got shot! Oh NOOO, my CAKE! Now I was pissed. Then I remembered my last comment yesterday, 'this time it's arsenal'. Who do I know that does arsenal best?

Ranger.

Oh no.

Oh nonono!

And one more time, with feeling, NO!

I would be killed. By him! Personally. And slowly... no, I'm not that stupid, am I?

Yes. Yes, I am. There is a stupid part inside me. It's the part that made me go into the garage with Morelli. It's the same part that made me pretend to be Superwoman and jump off the roof. And yes, it is indeed the same stupid part that made me marry Dickie, for all the good it did me.

Well, the stupid part reared its ugly head again. It said, 'Ranger wouldn't really kill you, and Tony's gang of merry men (ummm... hairy thugs, more like) will most definitely. Besides,' it continued, 'he likes you enough to make it quick and painless, and he'd take care of Melosa.'

Melosa.

Melosa? Where is she? Oh NOOO!

"Melosa," I croaked, "Melosa, you there?"

"Ya mama, I'm here," a very grown-up looking (meaning her face wasn't joyful, just serious) Melosa stepped into the room, holding Rosario's hand.

"The doctor said you could have died," Melosa said, face set solemn and hard, like she could burst into tears in any moment.

"Do I look dead to you? Don't answer that!" I added. God knows what I looked like, and he and I were on the outs right now. So don't want to know what I look like.

"Awww, come here," I cuddled Melly, "Ow! That's my stomach, you wretched child!" Melosa giggled, and I thought, 'I'm alive. If Melly's giggling, then I'm definitely alive.'

A nurse entered, with a clipboard in a white-knuckled grip. She looked scared shitless, but then, I would know all about that, wouldn't I?

"A man wants to see you," the nurse mumbled.

"What kind of man?"

"A big, strong, manly man," A familiar voice leaked from the doorway. I sighed. Thanks, God, way to lead him to me while I'm still weak.

"Come in, Ranger," I said. I scrunched my eyes up into the classic if-I-can't-see-you-you're-not-there position.

Then enters Ranger, Mr. Bigshot, and after him came silence.

Broken only by Melosa squealing, 'DADDY!" In between Melosa-kisses, Ranger glared at me, but it was hard to keep up, so he finally slid his eyes downward to his daughter, who was now encircling his waist with her stick arms.

I sighed. There goes my normal life.