All familiar characters belong to Janet. Any mistakes or story confusion are solely on me.

Thank God I got here in time, is what I was thinking when I burst through the door, but making sure I identified myself first so I wouldn't get shot in the process.

"The police are right behind me," I told the group, easing my way onto what I had been praying wasn't already a crime scene. "You don't have to do this."

Asshat Alkerain is currently bleeding from three noticeable places on his face. After a quick glance - all I was willing to spare the jerk - I'd guess his nose is broken, he's lost at least one eyetooth, and his eyebrow will never be free from the eventual scar that will forever be slicing through it.

Ranger went still when he heard my voice, but I can feel the rage still emanating from his big body all the way to where I'm standing.

"I beg to differ, Babe. I think this my job as your man, and as a man who's living is centered around protecting the lives of innocents, to make sure this asshole leaves this world ... and subsequently everyone alone after he's dead and gone from it."

That was said with a vicious kick to Alkerain's ribs from the steel toe on Ranger's Bates boot.

"Ouch," I couldn't help but say after seeing the force Ranger had put behind it.

I don't feel sorry for the guy on the business end of Batman's boot, but I feel almost too much when it comes to Ranger. So much so, that I want to save him from himself if I can.

This whole mess began a week ago when Alkerain started stalking me, and it came to its conclusion about two hours back when he'd made his move and thought he had me alone and cornered in the back part of my apartment's lot near the Dumpster. I hadn't wanted to fill Ranger in on the little gifts that kept appearing on my car for just this reason. I can take care of myself but Ranger has a hard time controlling himself when he feels I've been threatened or may be in danger.

Handle Alkerain myself is just what I did. The idiot obviously knew nothing about me, one because he thought I'd immediately want him after getting just one look at him, apparently like he did when he stood behind me in the line at the deli one Sunday afternoon. Love and lust at first sight can happen when it comes to someone like Ranger, not a delusional dickhead who looks like he could be a love child of my cousin Vinnie and my aging and balding ex Dickie.

He didn't expect me to be fully ready for him to finally make an appearance. The pile of human hamburger now curled up in a fetal position on the floor of a storage unit, also didn't expect me to laugh at the thought of a date with him and also at his decision to take mine out of my hands. I had my gun in my hand, my stun gun in the other, pepper spray on my belt, and most deadly of all ... a button that is the 'Babe' version of the Bat signal that basically teleports Ranger to wherever I am.

Once I had my stalker tased and trussed-up, I called in my big gun so he wouldn't hear about this from any of the people at the TPD where I was planning to ditch Alkerain. Ranger had arrived with equally pissed off backup ... Tank plus Lester and Hal, who had promptly loaded Alkerain up and took him I guess here to be held until Ranger had gotten his fill of holding me in my parking lot to reassure himself that I was as okay as I'd claimed to be.

The one flaw in my 'I am Wonder Woman' plan was not giving Ranger a chance to end this before it escalated to this kidnapping and a still-possible murder charge. My bout of trying to show Ranger that he and the guys did a really good job training me so I can protect myself when he's in the wind, only increased his fury to a lethal level when he'd learned that I could've been harmed while he was mere minutes away from me.

It's not a mistake I'll make twice, but I have to clean up this mistake before I prevent the next one. I hadn't waited long after Ranger left me in his apartment on seven to follow him and make sure Alkerain made it to the station and not the grave. Arriving here, I found Ranger hadn't disposed of him either way ... yet. Death might still be on table though, given how bad my guy had been shaking with fury when he'd raced to my apartment and pulled me to him right there in the middle of my lot.

"Are you hurt?" He'd asked me.

I hadn't been, but I still buried my face in his chest and hung on just as tightly as if I'd needed the support. "No," I had assured him. "But that idiot's probably feeling some pain. I used everything except my gun on him. Apparently whoever taught him that women are defenseless creatures is as stupid as he is."

I'd been trying to keep our conversation light to make Ranger feel better, and also a little less homicidal while I was at it, but he had been angrier than I'd seen him be in a long time.

"You did good, Babe. I'm proud of you."

He had fitted his mouth to mine for a gentle yet clearly possessive kiss before he'd pulled back slightly to run his eyes over my face and body in case he'd missed something during his initial body scan. That had warned me just how full of rage he'd been inside. He never misses anything on the first try.

"Are you sure you're alright?" He's asked again, after another silent beat.

I'd looked over to where Tank was trying to give us some privacy by leaning back against the far side of Ranger's truck. He'd appeared emotionless, but getting to know him better, I knew better. He was almost as mad as Ranger was.

Being the company's mascot, take-out distributor, and the Boss' one and only, has a few perks beyond Ranger. Like having a large group of overly-large, overprotective big brother types, always willing and dangerously-capable of defending my honor ... as dubious as that honor may be.

"If I say I'm a wreck," I'd tried out, "will it stop whatever it is you're about to do to Alkerain?"

"No. It will just postpone the inevitable for a time, which is another form of torture all on its own ... waiting to see how and when you die."

"Ranger ..." I'd started to say.

"What would you do if you just found out someone actively planned to harm me?"

Shit. I'd thought at the time ... am still thinking now, that if I showed him that I was able to protect myself, it'd lessen his stress about having to leave me alone at some point, but instead ... I only added to his concern. I forgot to factor in the emotional side of this clearly planned assault. I know if some woman had tried to kidnap him to make him hers, her body would be missing a few limbs after I beat her to death with them.

I'd sighed louder than normal as I conceded to his way of thinking. "I get it. You love me and if someone attacks me, he has to pay. Promise me you'll be careful."

"I'm not the one you need to worry about."

I'd wrapped my arms around him in resignation and squeezed tight. I had then peeked around Ranger's arm to speak to Tank.

"Take care of him," I'd ordered.

"Always," Tank immediately said. "Make sure you take care of yourself."

"I did," I'd replied. "Did you happen to notice the amount of snot and tears my shot of pepper spray caused the jerk before the guys shoved him into a vehicle and took off?"

"We all saw what a mess he was. Good job."

I'd rested my cheek against Ranger's tricep as I'd addressed his best friend. "Thank you. And remember that. I can take care of myself. I don't need you guys doing it for me ... acting as my avenging angels."

"Lucky for you, Steph, we want to step in," was the answer I'd received.

I really liked hearing that on a personal, friendship level, but worry about it all the time for their sakes.

I'd pulled back to include Ranger in what I'd said next. "And I love you for it, but don't do anything destructive on my behalf."

Tank had given me a grin but didn't comment further.

"We're going to take you to Rangeman before we wrap this up. Ella has a sheet cake with not-your-name on it just so you can pretend it's another birthday cake rescue."

"Are you hoping that I'll be so distracted by cake, I won't follow you?" I had felt compelled to ask.

For the first time since I called him to report what had happened, I'd gotten a grin out of him. "Could be. Pack up more clothes while we're already here," he'd ordered next. "I'm not going to feel comfortable letting you out of my sight for at least the next week or two, so whatever you're going to need, get it now. We could just stay here, but why should we both suffer?"

Again, I couldn't argue. I love his apartment. And Rex is already there because I've basically been shacking-up with the boss on and off for weeks now. I'd used the excuse that I needed more clothes at my place just to lure Alkerain somewhere I could nab him without upsetting Ranger or the guys ... or tipping them off either. I'm surprised Ranger let me go since Ella is fanatical about laundry and it usually arrives back almost as quickly as it gets into the hamper. Technically, I had no reason to need clothes. If Ranger's day hadn't been so busy, he would've pushed that very issue so we could have spent that time together instead of me leaving his building and finding trouble again.

We'd had some quality time after I called him to report this incident. Ranger kept me plastered to his side, our two utility belts creating no noticeable barrier between us as he'd walked me up the stairs to my apartment with Tank following close behind.

Guess Ranger hadn't been kidding when he warned me and said I'm having two men on me any time I leave Rangeman now.

I had thrown another armload of jeans, T-shirts, and underwear, into a grocery bag that I'd tossed on my chair after a looooong-ago 'I need chips' run, and then I'd pointed the guys back towards my front door less than five minutes after we'd first passed through it.

Once Ranger had driven us to the Rangeman building, he had turned to Tank who was folded almost in half in the back seat.

"I'll take Stephanie upstairs and then we'll head out," he'd told his second-in-command, and left the truck idling and Tank to transfer himself to the seat I'd vacated.

It's such common knowledge now that Ranger expects me beside him at all times, that Tank had purposely made himself uncomfortable and crammed himself into the back of the black cab just to avoid Ranger causing him more serious pain. One reason I always get the co-pilot's seat is because I'm involved in a lot of disasters that tend to concern the Boss who then wants his two eyes on me. And two, because the guys have all witnessed Ranger physically tossing Bobby or Lester out of the passenger's seat just to put my butt into it after another close call. They all joke good-naturedly afterwards that love will do that to a guy. They won't buy you a box of chocolates, but they will throw guys out of your way like they're confetti.

Ranger had peeled off my coat and dropped it, my utility belt, and my shoulder and grocery bags, onto his sideboard in the front hall. He then purposely moved me towards the kitchen. I sat down at the counter with a stupid half-grin on my face.

"Ella really gets me," I had told Ranger at the time, after I'd looked my fill of a 9x13 vanilla sheet cake that was topped with icing roses and a "Happy Birthday Emi" message piped on.

My favorite part of my 'gift' was that Ella had left only a fork beside the cake. She knew I didn't need a plate or a knife. I have permission to be as destructive - and eat as much - as I want. No manners required.

"I'm relieved to know that you still look at me the same way you're eyeballing that cake," Ranger had teased, making me relax a little.

I'd shrugged. "What can I say ... you're both delicious. I can't help myself. You're less calories though and decidedly more satisfying. I don't suppose you'll let me prove that by staying with me and letting the cake become tomorrow's breakfast?" I'd asked him hopefully.

"I'll be back soon, Babe," he had said against my lips. "Hold that thought until I get back."

He had given me a goodbye kiss just to remind me of how delicious he is ... and then he was gone.

I was still remembering just how good the kiss was when I'd jammed the fork into one corner of Ella's cake, making sure I got the entire yellow rose, and shoved it into my mouth as I hit a button on my cell.

I was already pondering a second chunk when Ella had answered.

"I got your present," I had told her. "Thank you. Your cake has definitely put me in a better mood."

"I'm so glad that you're enjoying it. Louis and I were so worried when we heard what had happened. We didn't relax until Ranger told me he was bringing you home and I could get started on cheering you up."

"Consider your work done then. I perked right up when The Boss told me there was cake waiting." I had to blink back moisture at that point. Having people genuinely worrying about you takes some getting used to. "I really appreciate this and you for thinking of me."

"It was the least I could do to show you how happy we are that you're alright. Would you like some company? I know Ranger had to go out. I can drop off the food for the men and come up and visit until Ranger comes home."

"I don't want to mess up your routine," I had told her, when I really had an ulterior motive all along. "I wanted to ask Bobby something so I was going to go track him down after I said 'Thank you' to you. I promise I won't be up here all alone, dwelling on what could've happened today."

"Good, because not one of us here will stand for that. Call me if you change your mind or would like something else."

"I will. Thank you."

"Louis tells me Bobby has taken over Tank's office while he's out. And don't eat that entire cake tonight. I'm bringing up chocolate French toast for you for breakfast in the morning."

"I love you!" I'd told her with genuine affection.

I had felt her smile through the line before we disconnected. I allowed myself to go in for one more frosting flower and had been in the process of swallowing the cake that came with it as I grabbed my shoulder bag on my way out the door. I really love cake, but Ranger will always come before it.

Yet another flaw in one of my brilliant plans was immediately getting surrounded by a group of concerned men as soon as I'd stepped out of the elevator and onto the control room floor.

"What are you doing down here?" "Ranger said you were okay, but we wanted to make sure." "How are you feeling?" "I hope Ranger already killed the fucker," I heard said almost all at once, each from a different Merry Man.

"I'm fine. I got the bad guy pretty good before the good guys arrived to take him off my hands. Clearly I've learned a lot from hanging out here."

That comment had earned me a round of high fives instead of the worried stares I'd walked into.

"That's our girl!" Ram had exclaimed.

Woody had said nodding. "We taught her well."

"Is Bobby still in the Tank-cave?" I'd asked them.

"Yeah," Vince was the one who'd answered. "Ranger put him in charge until they get back, and no one's allowed in Ranger's office except you."

"Thanks," I had told them, heading in that direction.

I'd knocked on the cracked-open door as I let myself in. "Do you have a minute?"

"For you ... I have ten."

"Better pencil me in for a solid hour, because you're taking me to wherever Ranger is."

"No."

"Yes. He's not killing someone because of me."

"Steph, it's not that simple with guys like us."

"And it's not that simple for the woman who loves Ranger - and all of you - and doesn't want him or you guys to suffer more than you already do. You understand that, right? You more than anyone understands how he tortures himself over situations like these. That's why I was hoping to prevent one. I don't want another sleepless night on my conscience because Ranger has another death on his. He deserves some peace. Just drive me there and I'll handle the rest."

"You gonna take the beating he's going to give me for doing what you're asking?"

"I can't, since Ranger would never hurt me, but I can promise to drape myself over you so you won't get hurt because of me either. I'd tell you to just wait outside so he doesn't know you're the one who helped me, but we both know he'll check the camera feed as soon as we're back."

He'd sighed and I knew I had him. He had grabbed his keys and followed me out. I had placed a call to Eddie and then Juniak on the way, explaining what had been going on with Alkerain and his weird fixation on me, what I'd done about it, and how Ranger was watching the jerk for them. The entire ride I'd spent praying I'd get there in time to prevent Alkerain's death just so my guy won't be charged for it or do emotional-penance because of it.

When Bobby and I did arrive at this storage unit, we could see that the cat was seriously toying with the mouse, but the rodent is still able to be saved ... which led to me informing Ranger and the guys that the police are right behind me. Even if I hadn't gotten here in time, my telling my cop buddies that Alkerain stalked me and was likely planning to abduct and assault me before I'd disabused him of that notion by peppering him and shooting electricity into him, would soften their stance on whatever they walked in on.

The TPD guys Ranger and I are still friends with, don't believe in vigilantism, but they understand the urge when it involves someone they also care about.

"What are you doing here, Babe?" Ranger asked me now, after my not-so-graceful entrance. "And who am I going to have to kill now that made your appearance here possible? Cal or Bobby?"

"No RangeGuy is going to be harmed in my decision to follow you. You don't have to exact revenge, that's what the criminal justice system is for. Plus, I'd already exacted my own revenge, and I see that you managed to get a little in yourself. You can hand the idiot over to Eddie when he gets here and then come home with me. I need you more than you need to be here."

"That system you mentioned, lets assholes like this back out on the streets every other minute, Steph. He's not going to harass or hurt you again."

It's not likely I'll ever seen the asshole, I thought. And not only because Ranger hadn't been letting up on him as we were talking, a toe-nudge here and boot-stomp to a limb there. I know he'll also assign a guy indefinitely to Alkerain until the day he dies by natural or other causes.

"Okay," I began, "how about this. You let Juniak and Eddie take him in now, and on the off chance he gets bonded out or set free after his court date ... then you can kill him. I'll even make popcorn for everyone for the event."

"You're a bloodthirsty woman, Steph," Lester said. "I like it."

"I'm not into blood sports, I'm just a woman who loves you guys and hates to see any one of you upset or in pain." I moved so I blocked Ranger's view of Alkerain and filled his field of vision with my face instead.

"Can't we try letting the court handle him while we take care of each other?" I asked Batman.

I felt the guys all flinch and try to stop themselves from reaching to stop me when they realized I was about to wrap my arms around Ranger. I get why they're worried. Normally, it would be suicidal to touch the Boss when he's this angry. It's the equivalent of pulling a trigger, but I don't hesitate to hold him whenever he or I need it.

I seem to have the opposite effect on him than the rest of the population. I can soothe the beast with the right words or touch whereas everyone else just makes him more dangerous.

"What do you say?" I asked, placing a teasing kiss at the corner of his lips and working my way to the fullest part of them. "Deal?"

Like earlier with Bobby, I saw the moment Ranger decided to let me have my way. Not for a moment do I believe he would've let the guy who could have hurt me go, but he tries to humor me whenever he can. We both know Alkerain's dead if he ever even says my name out loud, could still be dead if my faith in the State of New Jersey is misplaced and he isn't punished under supposedly tougher stalking laws, but at least for the moment ... all I have to worry about is a 'What if?' scenario of a freed a-hole. I don't have to figure out how to minimize the emotional damage a dead one would have caused us.

I prevented another black mark from finding a permanent place on his soul. And that's enough for me.

"Steph?!" Eddie called from outside of the small building supposedly used for storing Rangeman 'goods'.

Come to find out that it's also a pretty handy building to stick people you want to interrogate or terrify at length.

"In here!" I answered.

"Are we gonna get shot if we come in?!" That was Juniak this time.

"Not yet," Ranger replied. "The answer could change if you take too long to move your asses and do your job."

Not taking any chances, both men crept in cautiously, took in the situation, but didn't ask anyone questions except for me.

"You're okay?" Eddie asked, acting as one of my oldest friends before morphing back into one of Trenton's finest.

"Yeah. You know me, I have more lives than a cat and a cockroach combined. Ranger was keeping my attacker on ice while we waited for you to come collect him. I'm pressing every charge I can against him."

Juniak scanned Alkerain's rapidly-swelling face. "Seems like he needs ice instead of being kept on some."

"He tripped and fell on my fist a few times," Ranger offered.

"He grab your gun barrel too and 'accidentally' put a hole in his hand?"

Ranger shrugged. "He should learn to keep them off what doesn't belong to him."

I know eyebrow-cuts and nose-breaks bleed like crazy, so I hadn't even noticed a gunshot wound among all the blood shed in here until it was pointed out.

"If you can make sure he gets locked up nice and tight and stays there with no chance of making bail, it'll be better for everyone," I told Juniak. "Ranger and I didn't cause this. Alkerain is the one who was hell bent to disrupt our life."

Eddie slipped cuffs and leg shackles on the douchebag even though he's not in any condition to put up a fight or run anywhere. He isn't any happier than Ranger is with my stalker.

"I'll see what I can do," Juniak answered.

"Do better than that," Ranger ordered, "or I finish this myself."

He sighed. "You make my job more difficult by the second," Juniak admitted.

"And your city safer," my guy pointed out.

They can't debate that one, so he concentrated on getting Alkerain on his feet and moving out the door.

"I'll need a statement from you," Eddie reminded me.

"You'll get one. An official recount of what went down will have to wait until after breakfast, though. Ella is so happy that I'm alive, I'm getting French toast in the morning to chase tonight's cake."

"Lucky you," my cop buddy said.

"Yep, getting stalked and almost attacked is suuuuper lucky," I deadpanned.

He risked a Ranger-reaction and gave me a quick hug using only one arm but no other body contact. He drew back and pointed a finger at me.

"All kidding aside, you need to stay alright," he ordered.

"I am." I looked up at Ranger and smiled. "Honestly, I've never felt better."