I recently joined the Janet Evanovich Fan Fiction group and discovered the writing prompt for December. This is my contribution to that writing prompt.

SPOV

"Come on, Bobby. Please?" I begged as I followed him into his office.

"Does that kind of begging work on Ranger?" he asked.

I pondered his question for a moment. The only time my begging with Ranger worked was when I was on the receiving end of a mind-blowing orgasm. Even then he still only gave in when he was ready. So, I guess it really didn't work. When I wanted other things from Ranger, I usually just annoyed him until he agreed. Though to be honest, unless it involved a safety issue, either mine or one of his men, he usually acquiesced without much of a fight.

"No, but if I begged you the same way I begged Ranger he might just kill you and I like you too much for that to happen."

Bobby arched a brow at my statement. "And you don't think he'll kill me anyway for approving this idea of yours?"

"If he finds out, I'll take full responsibility for the idea and execution of it."

"When he finds out," Bobby corrected. "Because you know he will. I'm still going to be the one he calls to the mats for allowing it to happen. You know how he feels about bringing sweets into the building."

"We wouldn't be bringing them in. We'd be creating them right on site."

My convoluted response stopped Bobby in his tracks, and he frowned. "Semantics, Bomber."

"Okay, how about this…what if after the contest we gather up all the contraband and take it down to the local soup kitchen or homeless shelter. That way the men won't be snacking for days on end and taking in extra calories. It will just be the moment of the contest and then it's over."

Apparently considering my argument he paused. "Well…I suppose that would be okay, but who is gonna judge?"

"You, Ella and Louis can be the judges. The rest of us will break up into teams of two and we can take the next two days to bake. Then have the contest on Wednesday. When it's over we'll get everything out of here before Ranger and Tank get back on Thursday."

Bobby let out a heavy sigh as he rolled his eyes skyward. "I can't believe I'm agreeing to this, because I know this is going to somehow bite me in the ass but go ahead and have your contest."

"Oh, thank you, Bobby!" I leaned in and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "I promise to take full responsibility for anything that goes wrong."

"Yeah, you better," he warned. "Now get out of my office. I have shit to do."

I practically danced out of his office and into the conference room where the guys were waiting for me.

"Well?" Lester asked as all eyes turned to look at me.

"We can have the cookie bake off," I announced. A quick cheer went up around the room even as I held up a hand. "There is a stipulation though."

"And what's that?" Hal asked.

"After the contest is over, all remaining cookies are to be bagged up and take to the homeless shelter for distribution."

They all nodded in agreement with a few murmuring such things as That's fair and Good Idea.

"Okay." Lester slapped his hands together. "Rules are as follows. Teams of two and we have two days to get the baking done. Judging will be held on Wednesday during lunch with Bobby, Louis, and Ella doing the judging. Winner gets the entire betting pot. Oh, and no premade or store bought. All cookies must be made from scratch. Written recipe must accompany the presentation and lastly, I call Bomber as my partner."

"Hey," Ram protested. "Why does she get to be your partner?"

"It's not like she's going to be some secret weapon," Lester said. "Or have you all forgotten that she doesn't cook or bake?"

Nearly everyone in the room looked away, suddenly taking interests in the painting on the walls or the color of the carpet. I should have been insulted, but the reality was, Lester was right. I didn't cook or bake.

"Okay," I slapped down a sheet of paper and a pen. "Teams sign up and place your bets."

After I signed me and Lester up, he wagered a hundred dollars that we'd win, and I couldn't help but look at him like he'd grown a second head. "What are you doing? That's a lot of money to lose."

He grinned. "We're not gonna lose," he said. "I have the best idea for a Christmas cookie."

Twenty minutes later we had ten teams signed up and a thousand dollars in the pot. Lester's smile widened as looked at me. "I'll make a list of everything we need, and we'll go shopping later. Tomorrow we bake."

Knowing I needed to knock off early to start baking with Lester, I got up extra early the next morning. I ate breakfast and lunch at my desk while I worked and clocked out by three. Since we weren't gonna risk messing up the kitchen on Seven and having Ranger find out, I made my way down to Four to Lester's apartment.

"Beautiful," he said as he answered the door. "Are you ready to kick some Christmas cookie ass?"

I couldn't help but grin at his enthusiasm. "Sure, but how about you tell me what you have in mind?"

He motioned for me to follow him over to the galley kitchen where he picked up a cookie cutter. It looked like a gingerbread man but appeared to be more of a twin gingerbread man. "What is that?"

"It's a conjoined twin gingerbread man cookie cutter. I picked it up at the Mutter Museum in Philly last year when I went for a visit. I've been dying to use it."

"So, we're going to make conjoined twin gingerbread men?" I asked.

"No, we're going to make conjoined twin gingerbread and snickerdoodle men." Lester said. "One side will be gingerbread and the other will be snickerdoodle."

"You know you'll be making a black and white twin cookie, right?"

"So?" He asked.

"So, it's kinda weird and could possibly be offensive to some people," I replied. "Not that I mind. I think it's kinda cool, but others might take issue with it."

"We'll just call them best friend cookies." He raised his hands palms up. "Who's gonna be offended at the idea of best friends?"

Okay, so I had to admit, his idea did sound like a it could be a lot of fun. However, it was also going to be a lot of work to make. "I suppose that would be okay."

Lester's smile widened. "Then let's get started."

With Christmas music playing on his stereo, Les and I worked side by side for the next hour, mixing the dough for the gingerbread portion of the cookies, rolling it out and cutting it. We made one solid gingerbread cookie, which he placed in the oven to bake as a test.

I had just finished mixing the wet ingredients for the sugar cookie portion when he pulled the gingerbread cookie out of the oven. Just as he was removing the pan from the rack, the oven door, which he hadn't opened all the way, decided to close on his arm. He let out a yell, back up, and bumped into me. Being the disaster magnet I am, I lost my balance, fell forward against the counter and with one hand tipped the bowl of wet ingredients against my front while the other caught the measuring cup holding the flour and sent it sailing into the air. Within seconds I looked like a wet, egg covered ghost. "Shit! Les!"

"Fuck. Oh, Steph. Oh, man. I'm so sorry," he said even as he ran his burned arm under the cool tap.

"I knew this was a bad idea," I mumbled as I looked at him.

As he pulled back, his gaze drifted over me, and his panicked look turned into a grin. Before long, he'd shifted into a full-blown laugh. "You look like a curly haired ghost."

"Don't just stand there looking at me. Stop laughing and do something," I said.

"Okay, okay," he said as he worked to reign in his giggles. "Well, your pants don't look too bad, but your shirt is a mess and your hair…well…I think you're gonna need to wash it."

"Thank you Captain Obvious," I deadpanned. Despite my wanting to throttle him, I'm trying hard not to laugh myself. The situation is kinda funny.

"You should probably go upstairs and get cleaned up," he replied.

The thought of traipsing through the stairwell or stepping on the elevator looking like this had me cringing. Knowing there are cameras everywhere and somebody is always watching, I know I'll quickly become the butt of everyone's next joke. The last thing I need are pictures of 'Bomber the Ghost of Christmas messes' making their way through the building. "I can't leave this apartment looking the way I do. The guys in the control room will have a field day."

"Okay, Rangemen always have a backup plan. Just let me think." Les rubbed his chin with his thumb and first finger. "How about you use my bathroom? You can wash your hair either in the sink or the tub. Towels are in the cabinet behind the door. Shampoo is in the shower. I'll go find a clean shirt for you to wear."

I let out a sigh as I considered his alternative. Getting any level of naked or wet in Lester's apartment also wasn't a good idea, but I guess it was better than walking through the building looking like the hot mess I am right now. "Fine." Thank God Ranger would be in Miami until Thursday.

RPOV

I'm more than thrilled to have these last two weeks finally over. After spending four days in Boston, then the next four in Miami completing yearly evaluations, I'm looking forward to getting home to Haywood. While I'm not excited about the prospect of returning to the cold that Trenton offers, it's were Babe and the men who are as close to me as family, reside.

"I bet Steph will be thrilled to have you home early," Tank said from the passenger seat.

We weren't due to return until Thursday afternoon, but between the two of us, we pushed hard and worked through the weekend to finish early. Christmas is now less than a week away and it will be the first one with Steph and I as an official couple. So, I'm eager to get home and experience all the holiday festivities with her that I would normally work to avoid.

"I know I'm happy to be home. She wanted to go ice skating at Penn's Landing with me and do the Christmas light's tour at Longwood Gardens. Now I'll be able to keep the reservations I made back in November."

Tank arched a brow. "You haven't been on ice skates since your peewee ice hockey days."

I sneered. "So? You don't think I remember how to skate?"

He smirked. "I think you're gonna rent one of those heated cabins they offer, ply Steph with drinks and watch others ice skate and because she'll be with you, she'll be just as happy as if you actually stepped foot on the ice."

I'm both irritated and impressed that my next in command knows me so well. Still, for my Babe, I'd risk making a fool of myself and put on a pair of skates. I figure it's kinda like riding a bike. Once you know you never really forget. "You wanna bet on it?"

Tank grinned. "I'll take that bet. A hundred bucks says you punk out and never step foot on the ice."

"Done," I replied.

"I'm not taking Steph's word for it either. She loves you so much she'll lie through her teeth to protect your image. I want video proof."

"I'm not having a video of me ice skating floating around the building," I countered.

"Fine. Then she can face time me directly so I can see," he said.

"Fine." I replied as I fobbed open the gate, then pulled in and parked in one of the empty spots. We'd made the decision to fly home early without notifying anyone at the Trenton office. No doubt whoever is on monitors just had a shock and is now in the process of notifying Bobby we're back.

Much to my surprise, we made it into the building and all the way to the control room floor without anyone meeting us along the way. All eyes turn toward us as we step off the elevator onto Five and I can feel the tension ratchet up in the room.

Tank stiffened, so I know what I'm feeling isn't just me being paranoid as he obviously felt it too. I glance at him then around the room at the multiple sets of wide eyes now staring back at us. A moment later Bobby appeared in the doorway to his office, a look of dread on his face. "You're back early."

"We are," I replied as we walked toward him. "Why does everyone not look happy to see us."

"What are you talking about?" Bobby asked. "We're all just surprised to see you back so soon."

"Uh huh," I replied as I glanced toward Steph's office. The door was open, but her light was off. It was only four o'clock. "Where's Steph?"

"Um…" Bobby stuttered.

"Um?" I repeated as the fine hair on my neck stood up. What's happened to Babe that he doesn't want to tell me. "That is not an answer, Brown. Now where is my girlfriend?"

He let out a heavy sigh. "She's on Four in Lester's apartment."

What the fuck? "And just what is she doing down there?"

He opened his mouth, then closed it again and let out another sigh. "I warned her that you'd somehow find out."

On that statement, my mind reeled with possibilities, none of which were good, and I turned to head for Four. I wasn't sure what Lester was up do, but knowing it has something to do with Steph, it couldn't be good. When it came to women, he was a dog and I know for a fact he'd had his eyes on Steph for quite a while.

Without waiting, I lifted my hand to pound on the door. A moment later it swung open. "Bobby, I told you, you'll have to wait…" I watch as Lester's smile faltered. "Cuz…you're back early."

"Where's Steph?"

"Um…"

I'm really getting tired of hearing that word. "Bobby said she was down here. What is she doing in your apartment? Where is she?"

"Les, I really like that shampoo and conditioner you use," Steph said as she emerged from his bathroom, toweling dry her wet hair. She looked freshly showered as was wearing one of Lester's shirts and a pair of yoga pants with her bare feet showing. She turned and her eyes went wide as she spotted me. It's not happiness I see, but shock and then concern and my tension ratchets up another notch. "Ranger…you're home early."

I've known for quite a long time that my cousin has been in love with Stephanie, but to find her here, after showering in his bathroom had my heart slamming against my chest. Fear, rage, and my possessive instincts all boiled over. "What the fuck is going on here, Stephanie?"

She winced at my use of her full name, but I was too far beyond angry to care.

"Cuz-" Les started only for me to cut him off.

"I didn't ask you, Santos. So, if you want to live to see tomorrow just shut your mouth." Despite my warning my cousin didn't recoil like many of the other men would have done. Considering my level of anger right now, I'm not sure if that makes him brave or stupid.

"Ranger," Steph gasped as she moved toward me. "Don't blame Lester. This was all my fault."

"No, Beautiful," Les argued. "It was my fault. I'm the one who talked you into it."

"No, Les, it was my idea and I'm the one who convinced Bobby to say yes."

My brow knit as I listened to them argue, and confusion only added to my growing anger. "What in the hell does Bobby have to do with this?"

Les and Steph exchanged a baffled look. "He approved it."

What? I drew in a deep breath and held it. "Babe, my temper is hanging by a thread here. So, I really need you to explain why you're showering in Lester's apartment and why you're wearing his shirt."

In an instant, awareness lit in her eyes and a smile claimed her beautiful lips. Just what in the hell was so funny?

"We talked Bobby into letting us have a Christmas cookie bake off," she began. "Bobby, Ella and Louis are going to be the judges and the rest of us broke off into teams of two."

"Cookies?" I asked as I glanced between them.

Les nodded and took over now. "Cookies," He repeated. "Steph and I were in the kitchen making our cookies for the contest when I pulled a tray out of the oven. I accidentally burned my arm, and, in my reaction, I stepped back into Steph, causing her to fall forward."

"My hands came down and I managed to flip the cup of flour up and the bowl of liquid ingredients all over me," Steph added.

Lester grinned. "Her hair was covered in flour and her shirt was soaked with an egg goo. It was actually pretty funny."

Steph rolled her eyes, but her smile didn't falter. "Knowing the guys would quickly make me into the butt of their next joke, I didn't want to walk through the building looking like a ghost. So, Les offered me one of his t-shirts and I washed my hair in his bathroom sink."

"No shower?" I asked just to make sure I'd heard her correctly.

Her smile slipped. "Shower? Why would you think-" Awareness lit in her eyes as she let the rest of her sentence trail off. Her grin returned as she slid up to me and began rubbing her hands along my still tense arms as she leaned in close to me. "Was Batman jealous?" she whispered against my ear.

"Babe," was all I could manage as a reply. How could I possibly explain to her that damn near this exact scenario was one of the many re-occurring nightmares I experienced. I'd suspected Lester had feelings for Stephanie for quite a while. Most of the guys do, but most see her as a little sister or a friend. However, while he hasn't come right out and said it, my cousin has eluded, that his feelings for Steph are more of the romantic nature.

She paused and her smile slipped a second time as she stared at me. "You honestly thought Lester and I? That we? Oh ick!" She did a full body shudder.

"Gee thanks a lot," Les mumbled as he turned back to the oven to remove the next batch of cookies.

"No offense," Steph replied, "But I consider you one of my best friends."

"You always said Ranger was your best friend and you have those kinds of feelings for him," Lester observed.

"Well, yeah, but that's different."

"How so?" Lester asked.

"I'm in love with Ranger," she replied as she looked back and directed her next sentence at me. "You have nothing to worry about here."

"Apparently, you have something to worry about though," I countered.

She glanced over at the counter where the cookies sat. "About that."

"Yeah, about that," I repeated. "Start talking, Steph and I better like your answer."

"Or what?" she challenged placing her hands on her hips.

"Or you and I will be making a quick trip to Seven so I can exact your punishment for disobeying a standing order about no sweets in the building."

Once she'd explained everything, I walked over and eyed the ridiculous looking cookies. They were just cheesy enough for the two of them to win this stupid little contest. Besides, a bit of friendly competition was good for morale and since it was the holiday and they had agreed to get rid of the extra cookies, I couldn't find a reason to not let the contest continue. "Fine, you can have your competition tomorrow," I said as I pulled her against me. "However-"

"However," she repeated, her voice just a bit hesitant as she looked up at me.

"You're still in trouble for not getting my clearance first. When this competition is over, you and I need to discuss your punishment."

"O-okay," she managed to murmur even as her eyes dilated with desire.

I remained with them on Four until Steph and Lester finished the cookies. The next day they held their competition and after much debate, Steph and Lester's cookies won, with Hal and Woody's, green dyed peanut butter, chocolate chip cookies with marshmallow frosting coming in a close second. Afterwards, as promised the entire lot of cookies were packaged up and delivered to the homeless shelter.

Later that night on Seven, Steph lay naked and snuggled next to me in bed. "So, Batman, since you're back early, does that mean we get some alone time the next couple of days?"

"It does."

"What do you want to do?"

I reached down to give her now nicely pinkened ass a gentle squeeze. "Do you still want to go ice skating at Penn's Landing?"

She let out a hiss against the pain. "Um…considering the situation, it might be best to skip ice skating for the foreseeable future. It's gonna be difficult enough to sit in my office chair tomorrow. If I land on my ass while skating, that won't feel good at all."

Excellent. Considering my bet with Tank didn't include Stephanie cancelling our plans, I was off the hook. "So, have you learned your lesson about going behind my back and disobeying my standing orders for the office?"

She pursed her lips as she looked thoughtfully up at me. "I don't know. I might need to be taught a few more lessons before I completely understand."

Damn if that suggestion didn't have me hardening in an instant. Just when I didn't think my woman could surprise me anymore, she does. Despite wanting to come up with some pithy reply, the best I managed was a strangled Babe as I rolled her onto her back and slid home.

My husband and I recent participated in a cookie bake off (no betting. Just bragging rights) and we made Lester and Steph's cookies using that exact cookie cutter that came in a raffle basket I won a few years back. We took first in presentation and third in taste. I used a picture of them as the image for this story.