It had been two weeks since the distraction was cancelled. Two weeks since Junior headed back to Boston. Two weeks of Junior and Stephanie talking on the phone and video calls every night. They learned so much about each other and she couldn't wait to see him again.

Stephanie was just finishing cleaning up her bathroom when she heard the knock at her door. Walking to the living room, she saw Lester standing on her porch. "Hey, Les," she said as she unlocked the screen door and opened it for him.

"Hi, Beautiful. How are you doing today? Enjoying the day off?" he asked as he dropped a kiss to her forehead.

"I'm cleaning so I'll have a clean house when I get back. Make yourself useful," she said as she handed him an empty water glass.

"Do you want me to drive you? You shouldn't be going alone," Les said as he refilled her water glass and grabbed one for himself.

"NO. Les, I'm going to be on vacation. I don't need my partner going with me. When you go on vacation, do I go with you?"

"No, but not by my choice. You always turn me down."

"Yeah, well. I'm not sure I'd live through a vacation with you."

Lester and Stephanie headed to her bedroom and Les sat on the bed while she finished packing. "Have your toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, hairbrush, bikini, and condoms?"

"Yes, Dad!" Stephanie laughed as she folded her last shirt and placed it in the suitcase. "I'll even leave my location on so you can see where I am."

"Good girl. So, where are you staying?" Les asked as if he didn't have a clue.

"I'm not telling you."

"Okay, well, you know how to reach me if you need help or a rescuer. Let's get you loaded up." Lester zipped up her suitcase and headed to her car to load it for her. Stephanie gave Lester and hug and kiss on the cheek before she climbed into her car and took off.

/\/\/\/\/\/\

Five hours later Stephanie pulled up in front of Rangeman Boston. As she sat there trying to decide if she should call Junior or just go inside the building, she was startled by a knock on her window.

Unlocking the door, she jumped out and into Clinton's arms. Before she could say hello, his lips crashed on hers.

"I've missed you, Sunshine. I'm so glad you are here."

Hearing a throat clearing behind him, Clinton released her and turned around. "Sorry, Stephanie, this is my partner, Snake. Snake, this is Stephanie Plum."

Stephanie and Snake shook hands, "Wow, I finally get to me the Bombshell Bounty Hunter!"

Clinton saw a sad look pass across Stephanie's eyes before she smiled at Snake, "Please, it's Stephanie or Steph." Snake nodded and walked towards the building.

"Sorry, I didn't know he'd take to calling you that. I can talk to the others and tell them not to call you that. That is a Trenton building thing. I don't like that they call you that either, but I respect that you are okay with it."

"Only because it is them and I know them and I know they do it out of love. I prefer Stephanie or Steph from the other offices." Stephanie kissed him again, "So, where should I put my car?"

"I'll open the gate and you can pull in. I still have about thirty minutes till I'm off shift, then we can head to my house if you want." Junior opened the gate and showed her where to park. They then headed upstairs to the command floor. After introductions were made, Stephanie sat in the break room waiting for Junior to get done with his shift. She texted Lester to let him know she'd made it to Boston safely and then she played solitaire on her phone.

"There's my Sunshine," she heard and jumped.

"Holy shit, you can't just do that," Stephanie laughed as she got up. "Trying to give me a heart attack?"

"Oh, but I'd be happy to give you mouth to mouth. Ready to head home?"

Stephanie grabbed her purse and slid her arm around Junior, "Let's go."

Stephanie followed him to his place and parked next to him in the driveway. Junior grabbed her suitcase of her car before she could and walked to the porch. After unlocking the door he let her step inside. She heard the paws clicking on the hardwood before she saw them.

Before she had a chance to say anything, Junior yelled, "Sit!" and both dogs stopped running and sat down in front of Stephanie.

"Wow, very obedient," she said surprised.

"Do me a favor; hold your hands down so they can sniff you. Then if you come through the door without me, Kilo will know you are safe." Stephanie put her hands out in front her and heard Junior say, "Kilo, inspect."

Kilo sniffed Stephanie's hands and clothes. Once he was done inspecting her, he sat down and offered his paw to her. Stephanie looked at Junior who nodded, "He wants you to shake now that he knows you are safe here."

Stephanie smiled, shook Kilo's paw, and then have him and head rub. "Can I pet Sunshine as well?"

"Yes, she's just starting training but she's still a loveable puppy, aren't you?" he said as he ruffled Sunshine's fun. She laid on the floor and flipped over for a belly rub.

After the dogs were taken care of, Clinton showed Stephanie his home. It was a one-story ranch with hardwood throughout. The house looked homely and welcoming.

"My pop owns the house. He and my mother lived here before she died. Once I was born and she died, Pop had to move out. He couldn't stay here with all the memories, but he didn't sell it. He allowed her parents to move in while they were taking care of Rissa and me. I spent a lot of time here, so when they moved out to an apartment where they had less to deal with, I moved in here."

"It's a nice home. I like that you have pictures hanging on the walls. Most of the guys at Rangeman have nothing on their walls; it's like they just sleep in their apartments and not really "live" in them, know what I mean?"

"I do. I love having pictures of my family and friends in my home. I just need one of you or of you and I; hopefully before you leave." Junior took her suitcase and headed down the hallway to the first door, "So, would you like the guest room or... my room?"

She knew where she wanted to be but wasn't sure where he would prefer. "The guest room is fine". Clinton took her suitcase in there and sat it on the bed.

"If this is what you want, that's fine. But, if you'd rather share my bed, it's open for you," he told her as he ran his fingers down her face. "Or we can wait and see where things progress to on their own." Just as she was about to say something, her stomach let out a loud grumble. "Come on, let's get dinner and maybe some relaxing time on the back porch swing."

As they stepped into the kitchen, Kilo and Sunshine started barking when they heard the front door open.