Disclaimer: Everything familiar belongs to Ms. Evanovich and the creators of Criminal Minds.

Warning: Adult situations, adult language

Chapter 46: Sunday, August 28th, 0500-0800

Ranger's House

Ranger's POV

My poor Babe. It seems that watching the video of Julie's assault opened so many wounds that she closed off years ago. I don't know how she will pull through this. After we got in the car from Karen's office last night, she was asleep before we were out of the driveway. She barely stirred when we arrived home. I carried her into our bedroom, undressing her before pulling off my t-shirt to put on her to sleep in before tucking her into bed. I placed a kiss on her forehead, telling her I loved her. I went downstairs to get an update on what happened. It seems that Terry reached out and took our bait. The BAU set up the adoption to take place on Tuesday. It seems that Terry will be coming down herself, with her lawyer, who we can only hope is the Dick.

The team left around 2200 hours, and I climbed into bed next to Stephanie at 2300, pulling her against me, as she seemed to snuggle into me. Dios, I love this woman.

I woke up at my usual 0500 and decided to wake up my Babe. I know she said no sex, but I can't control myself anymore around her. She needs some happy, and I will give it to her. No, I won't make love to her without her consent, but I do plan on giving her an orgasm this morning. I would love for her to reciprocate, but I won't force myself on her.

I start kissing her neck as I awake to us lying on our sides, spooning each other. I bring my hand around her and gently start to touch her breasts. She wakes up, with a breathless, "Carlos."

"Good morning, Babe."

"What are you doing?" She asks me.

I pause my kissing to answer her, "If I have to explain to you what I'm doing, then I'm doing something wrong." I answer, before bringing my mouth down her back, trailing kisses in my wake. I hear her moan. "Do you want me to stop?"

"No, I don't want you to, be we agreed to no sex." She reminds me.

"Querida, let me love you. Let me give you the release you need and deserve, please, Babe." I know I'm playing dirty with the 'please.' I know she can't resist me when I say please. I watch her battle with herself before responding.

"Okay, but if I ask you to stop, you promise me that you will?"

"Yes, Babe, I will never force myself on you." I continue to kiss her, turning our bodies, so I'm on top of hers. I worship her beautiful breasts, kissing and fondling each nipple until it's a sharp peak. I kiss down her stomach, which I hope one day will grow round with our child. I bring my kisses further down to her promise land. Before I kiss her sweet center, I pause to look at her for consent. Her gaze meets mine, and she nods her head, allowing me to continue. I tease her fold with my tongue, licking the juices that are already flowing from her body. Dios, she's so sweet. I love the way she tastes. Not to mention listening to the sounds she makes. I tease her clit, feeling her hips start to buck. I gently hold them to the bed before taking on my feast. I bring my tongue inside her, fucking her with it, as she moans and cries in appreciation. I bring my hand to her center, placing two fingers inside her wet folds. I slowly move them inside her, bringing her slow torture before placing a third finger inside. She's so tight, squeezing my fingers.

"Oh, God, Carlos, I'm so close. Please, please let me cum." She says her voice husky with arousal.

"Your wish is my command, mi amor," I tell her before sucking and nipping her clit. I feel her walls getting even tighter than before, as I feel her orgasm course through her body. I continue to pump my fingers into her until she comes down from her high. Once she catches her breath, I gently kiss her lips.

"Thank you, Carlos."

"Thank you for what?"

"For knowing exactly what I needed. Thank you for always respecting my wishes, for respecting boundaries. Thank you for not expecting anything in return today, because I don't think I can, even though I really want to, Carlos."

"You're welcome, Babe. Remember, no price." I tell her. "Are you ready for our run?" I ask her. She nods her head and jumps out of bed, quickly running into the bathroom. She emerges five minutes later, going directly into the closet to change into her running shorts and sports bra. The pain in my groin grows exponentially, and I have to try to distract myself, so I don't lose control. I head into the bathroom when she's done. By the time I finish answering nature's call, take a quick cold shower, and dressing, she's ready to start our 'official' workout.

Stephanie and I are now running six miles in the morning. We both enjoy the morning beach run as a time to get our day started and have some alone time, especially since the BAU moved their base of operations to my home. We are both used to being around a lot of people, but it's hard when it's a house and not an apartment in my business building. If it weren't for our mole, we'd be at Miami HQ. When we return to our starting point, Steph sits down on the sand to stretch her muscles. Then, she takes off her shoes and socks. Before I know it, she's running into the ocean. She turns her head to look at me, laughing, imploring me to follow her. I quickly remove my shoes, socks, gun, and knife before following her into the warm water. I quickly reach her treading just beyond the breakpoint. I wrap my arms around her, kissing her perfect lips. She returns my kiss with equal fervor. Her legs wrap around my waist, and we hold on to each other, making out like a couple of high school kids. Finally, she rests her forehead against mine, and we look in each other's eyes.

"Dr. Karen wants me to talk about my family today. I don't know if I can. I don't want her to think bad of them. They love me and are looking out for my well-being."

"Babe, while I know that your parents may love you, they don't treat you the way you deserve to be treated. You need to be upfront and honest with Dr. Purpura if you want to get over your fears if you want to heal from the rapes. Babe, I want our someday, and I know that I haven't treated you right in the past. It is my biggest regret. I don't regret giving up Julie. Even with the horrible way Rachel and Ron treated her, I wasn't ready to be her father fourteen years ago, let alone five years ago. It's because you came into my life that I am ready and able to be the father that my daughter needs me to be now. I never meant to hurt you with my words, and I'm so incredibly sorry that I have. Please forgive me, Babe."

I don't know what made me confess to Stephanie right now. Maybe it was the morning wake-up, maybe it was her emotional breakdown last night. But whatever it was, I knew I was holding my breath waiting for her to respond. I don't want her leaving me on September 4th. I want to claim her as mine. I want to shout from the rooftops in Miami, Trenton, and Boston that the Bombshell Bounty Hunter, Stephanie Michelle Plum, is my woman in every way possible. I hope that bringing Tommy to live with us will further push her into my life permanently. My inner dialogue is broken by her words.

"Ranger, your words hurt me, more than I'd like to admit, but I'm sure that I was partially to blame. I kept sending you mixed signals. I would flirt with you, allow you to poach, lead you on only to get into the bed of another man, and to allow that man into my bed. I get that you were only protecting yourself, but Ranger, I don't know if I am capable of having a normal relationship. I don't know if I can give my heart to someone, of trusting someone one hundred percent. While I trust you more than anyone I know with my life, I don't know if I can trust you with my heart."

"Babe, I understand. But please Babe, give me a chance to show you and tell you how much I love you, how much I want only you, Stephanie. Please don't leave in eight days." I beg.

I hear Stephanie sigh, before responding. "No promises, Ranger. But I hope that maybe talking with Dr. Karen will help me to see things more clearly. I know one thing for certain; I don't want to be alone for the rest of my life, and I don't want to be a fuck buddy. I want to be in an honest to God relationship. I don't need a ring or a piece of paper. But I need everyone to know that I'm in a committed relationship. Please don't push me, Carlos."

"Why were you calling me Ranger?"

"Ranger is the man I met four years ago in that diner. Ranger is the man who keeps pushing me away. But Carlos, he's the man I met last week, the one who I caught glimpses of before, the one who's trying to pull me into his life. When you act like Ranger, you're Ranger. I respect both of you equally, but I'm not sure if I can trust my heart with you both forever."

I give my Babe one final kiss before leading her back to shore. We return to the house, quickly showering separately before joining Julie for breakfast. Stephanie will meet with Dr. Purpura first. When her session is over, Julie's session will start. The media room is all set up, now that the threat of thunderstorms has moved in. I swear, the weather can change faster here in Miami than I can shower, which is saying something. The BAU arrives at 0745. Maggie set up a breakfast buffet for them. I'll wait with Steph for Dr. Karen to arrive before joining the team. Finally, Dr. Karen arrives. I lead her and Stephanie to the media room, giving Stephanie a gentle, reassuring kiss before leaving them behind.

I take a moment to send a little prayer up to God. "Please God, let that wonderful woman choose me, let her stay here with me by my side for the rest of my life. I know I'm not worthy, but I love Stephanie more than anyone other than my daughter. Give her the courage to fight for what she wants. Amen."

I head out to the Command Center and enter the house just as the skies open up, drenching everything left outside.