This is an AU story. I hope you find the characters still themselves even if their world is different.

Thanks to Rach who makes this so much more fun and the writing so much better.

Sally

The Good Wife

Chapter 17

I don't know why I was worried about Dickie and Ranger interacting. Dickie didn't know about my involvement with Ranger, and Ranger was a professional. Besides, Dickie was the one currently screwing his way through the female population of New Jersey, so what did I have to feel guilty about? Still, it's not a situation a girl normally finds herself in. Here I was sitting between my husband who I hadn't slept with in six years and the man I've had sex with more times than days I've known him. Although, it wasn't like I hadn't sat at a dinner table knowing that my husband had screwed every woman in attendance. This role reversal was new to me. I guess I'd figure it out as I go.

Dickie pounced on me as soon as I sat down. He grabbed my hand and wouldn't let go, using it to pull me to him for a kiss. When I figured out what he was planning, I was quick enough to turn my head so he got my cheek instead. What the hell was up with him? Was this about the bomb or was it something else? Did he sense something was going on with me? I was sporting a nearly radioactive afterglow, but what did he care? He still wouldn't let go of my hand. He tried putting his arm around my shoulders, but removed it when I leaned back and pinched it between my back and the chair. I smiled, greeting the other people at the table. They were all familiar, big campaign contributors. Well except Ranger, but he was still pretty familiar, actually very familiar. I blushed remembering just how familiar we were just a few hours ago. Everyone made small talk while we waited for our food. I was finally able to get out of Dickie's grasp when out breakfast arrived.

When I went to pick up my fork I realized I still had the check in my hand from Alexander. I thought about shoving it into my pocket and dealing with it later. There was enough for me to handle right now, sitting between these two. I didn't have time to think about a marriage proposal from a slightly off kilter billionaire gun runner. But being the nosey girl that I am I couldn't help myself. I opened it to find it was a check made out to the Diana Prince Foundation in the amount of one million dollars. I sucked in a big breath, surprised at his generosity. Was this a true donation or was it something else? Ranger saw my reaction and raised an eyebrow in question. I handed him the check. If he was surprised he didn't show it.

Still showing no emotion he asked, "What did your friend Alexander have to say? He looked happy to see you." I wasn't sure if I was reading more into it than was really there, but Ranger didn't look too pleased about my interaction with the older Ramos.

"He just wondered if I had been considering his offer, remember the one I told you about yesterday?" I was trying to sound normal.

Again, his face was neutral, "And you met his sons?" I just nodded. Ranger gave me the check back. I quickly shoved it into my purse and returned to my breakfast, it's a good thing stress doesn't affect my appetite. I was starving.

Surprised that he was taking a break from schmoosing, Dickie turned to me and said, "Stephanie, Mr. Manoso told me the project you are working on together is finally making some headway; things have heated up and there have been some developments. Everything is coming together." I nearly choked on the piece of quiche I was eating. My head whipped to see Ranger almost smiling at me. I looked back to my husband for a clue as to his meaning. Define everything. Who's been coming?

"Um, yeah," I didn't know what else to say.

Dickie didn't let up, "Yes, he said he was quite impressed with your skills and that the two of you worked well together." Well his skills are none too shabby either.

My smile was tight as I commented, "The feeling is mutual."

Dickie clearly wanted to talk about the investigation and must have thought it would be socially appropriate if he did so in code, but the way he was phrasing things made me wonder if that was all he was talking about. I didn't think now would be an appropriate time to ask. He pressed on, "I mentioned my concern about the incident yesterday, but I was reassured that you were well taken care of." Ah, you could say that. "I think this is much more serious than I first thought, obviously after what happened yesterday. I've requested that Mr. Manoso not leave your side until this is resolved." Geeze, if you insist. Twist my arm why don't you?

I looked at Ranger, "Are you okay with this?" I couldn't get a read on him, but pretty sure he was finding the whole conversation and possible double meanings amusing. He just gave a slight nod.

I really needed that drink. I grabbed my mimosa, but it caught on my plate and tipped over. I used my napkin to wipe up the mess, picking up my plate to reach the rest of the spill. Sticking out from underneath my plate was an envelope, a plain white one. Crap. I quickly set the plate back down, not wanting to draw any more attention to myself. I smiled at our tablemates and apologized for being so klutzy. Ranger gave me a knowing look. He had seen the note. He turned to me, laying his arm on the table. While he asked me some pointless question he retrieved the note without anyone else seeing.

He dropped it into my lap. There was no writing on the envelope. I slipped the card out and read, You had no right. I carefully replaced the note and slid it across the table to Ranger. He quickly glanced at the note then pulled out his phone and sent a text.

Leaning over he whispered in my ear, "I want to get you out of here now." I shook my head. This person was not dangerous, this was not the one who tried to blow me up. They just wanted to freak me out. Of which they were doing a bang up job. Shit, poor choice of words.

He didn't like my answer. "I'll give you time to say your goodbyes, but then we're out of here. I'm not putting you at risk again." Resigned, I nodded. I mean I didn't want to get killed, but I didn't like someone else controlling my life either.

The tables were all being cleared and people were up mingling again. I knew I needed to briefly say hello to my mother-in-law, preferably without her husband. It usually wasn't difficult. She always planted herself near the bar while he made the rounds. While the discarded wives drank themselves into oblivion their husbands worked the room. Not only were there important men to see, but also willing wannabes, single women who tried to attach themselves to a wealthy man in hopes of climbing the societal ladder.

As my eyes scanned the room I saw my father-in-law with a prime example latched onto his arm. Joyce Barnhardt. She was kind of hard to miss, tall with red hair and big boobs which were currently brushing across Charles's arm. Joyce and I went to grade school together. She tortured me at every opportunity from telling everyone I wet my bed when we were in grade school to taking a picture of me half naked in the locker room after gym class in high school and placing a copy in everyone's locker. She was a bitch then and she was a bitch now. She had devoured four husbands and was actively on the prowl for number five. Each time she emerged from divorce she was one rung up the ladder of society and a whole lot richer. I'd seen her with Charles before at a big party they had out at the house. They'd had an affair between husbands three and four.

She'd been sniffing around Dickie that weekend too. It was the one time I put my foot down. I told him he could sleep with every other woman in the tri-state area, but if he slept with Joyce I'd divorce him so fast his head would spin. I was threatening him with one of his golf clubs at the time so he took me pretty seriously. I have no doubt he heeded my warning because if she had slept with him the first thing she would have done is rub it in my face. Hell, if she had it her way, she'd set it up so I walked in on the two of them screwing on my dining room table.

I spotted Marjorie at a table full of Junior League women. I excused myself and made my way to their table. I noticed Hal and Bobby join the gentlemen sitting at the next table. I should have been annoyed with the babysitting, but I was too frightened to complain. Marjorie stood to greet me and was a little wobbly on her feet. I used her overly zealous hug to steady her. We made small talk with her friends. I tried to keep it brief without being rude. I can't imagine the whole room didn't hear the giant sucking sound as they lavished me with compliments. I hate people who like you based on what you are rather than who you are. I graciously accepted their words but was extremely grateful when I saw Ranger approach. Actually he came up behind me so I didn't see him, but I knew he was there just the same. All of the women at the table had stopped talking and had kind of a glassy eyed look.

"Ladies," he smiled and one woman spilled her drink on the lady next to her. He held his hand out to me and helped me out of the chair.

"It was great to see you all. We have a meeting to get to. Enjoy the rest of the party." I could have told them all to go fuck themselves for all the attention they paid me. I just rolled my eyes at Ranger and let him escort me out.

We seemed to gather Rangemen as we proceeded out of the room. My father-in-law didn't look too pleased to see me as we passed, but it was nothing compared to the look on Joyce's face. It was pure hatred. I just gave her a smile and small finger wave. Well, I guess it was a wave, but I just used the one finger. She tossed her hair over her shoulder and turned her attention back to Charles. Ick.

As we passed Dickie he stepped away from his conversation and came over to tell me goodbye. He hugged me again and before I could stop him he kissed me. When he wouldn't let go I raised my foot slightly off the floor and set my four inch heel down on his shoe. He got the picture and released me, a sheepish look on his face. He whispered, "Just be careful. I worry about you." He gave Ranger a nod then disappeared back into the crowd.

I was discretely ushered down the hall and through the kitchen to a waiting SUV. Ranger settled me in the passenger seat before climbing in the driver's side. This wasn't just any SUV, it was a Porsche Cayenne. It wasn't quite as sexy as the Turbo or Boxter, but it was still hot. Of course the driver could have had something to do with it. I expected that Ranger would start talking or asking me questions about the morning, but there was nothing. He seemed to settle into what I had seen as his driving zone, but it was different, he was tense. His jaw was set and he seemed to be gripping the steering wheel a bit harder than necessary. I wanted to ask what was wrong, but didn't think it was wise.

I hadn't paid any attention to where we were going, but soon we pulled into the Rangeman garage. Before I could blink Ranger was at my door helping me out and steered me towards the elevator. He still hadn't said a word. My curiosity was killing me, but I held my tongue, figuring he would talk when he was ready. Even if I asked questions, he probably wouldn't answer them anyway and that would just piss me off. The elevator opened to the fifth floor. Ranger whisked me down the hall and into his office.

As soon as we were inside he threw the door shut and I found myself pressed up against it. His hands were on either side of my head braced against the door. His lower body was pressed against mine from chest to knee. I could feel the tension pouring off of him in waves. His eyes were dark and locked on mine. Before I could say anything his lips came crashing down on mine. The kiss was passionate, rough, angry even. His hands moved from the door, one to the back of my neck and the other low on my back, both holding me tightly to him. I melted into him and I felt some of the tension drain from his body. His lips and the kiss softened. Finally he pulled away, resting his forehead against mine, eyes closed. I could tell he was fighting for control.

I couldn't wait any longer. "Are you okay?" I asked him tentatively. He didn't answer. I slid my hands up to cup his face, waiting until he opened his eyes. He looked conflicted, but at the same time, kind of at a loss.

"I don't know what I am," his voice was hard. I didn't know what to say to that so I just waited. I could tell he was angry, but it wasn't directed at me. Taking my hand he led me over to the couch where he sat and then pulled me into his lap. I leaned my head against his shoulder and waited for him to continue.

His jaw was set and his voice still harsh, "I'm not doing my job. I'm failing you." I tried to protest but he wouldn't let me. "I'm supposed to be keeping you safe. Somehow they slipped you another note and I was too distracted, trying to keep myself from tearing your husband limb from limb."

I was confused, "What, why?"

His voice was a growl, "I don't like him touching you, kissing you." He was running his hand possessively up and down my leg.

I sighed, "Believe me; I wasn't crazy about it either."

"I saw what you did with those wicked shoes." His hand traveled down to my foot and caressed it.

I took his chin in my hand and turn him to me, "Is that what all of this is about, your silence, the tension in the car?"

He nodded, "I've never been a jealous man, but when I saw his hands on you, it made me crazy. And the way he looks at you, he still loves you. He's worried. Wouldn't shut up about how special you are and how it would kill him if anything ever happened to you. I was torn between wanting to beat the shit out of him for the way he's treated you and encouraging him to keep being an ass so you wouldn't want to go back to him."

Now I was shocked. "Why would you think I would go back to him?"

He shrugged, "Maybe all of this made him see the error of his ways. Crises have a way of making people realize what's important; help them to make big changes."

I rolled my eyes, "The only thing that could make Dickie change his behavior would be losing his favorite appendage." Ranger tensed a bit at the thought. "And even if by miracle of miracles he never slept with another woman again, I still wouldn't want him. We can't go back. The damage is done, most of it I can't forgive and I sure as hell haven't forgotten."

He closed his eyes, taking in my words. Who would have thought this gorgeous, successful, superhero of a man would have insecurities? I leaned in and brushed my lips back and forth softly across his. He sighed and I deepened the kiss. It was gentle at first, reassuring. As he took control it became more about passion and promise. I was just wondering how fast I could get us both naked and if the room was sound proof when the intercom buzzed on Ranger's desk phone.

"Boss, two officers from TPD are in Conference Room 2 and Lieutenant Morelli is in the lobby wanting to see you and Mrs. Orr." The disembodied voice didn't sound like he wanted to interrupt us any more than we enjoyed the interruption.

"Escort Morelli to Conference Room 2, tell them we'll be there in five." Ranger barked orders back to the voice.

"Yes Sir," it answered and disconnected.

I tensed, "Do we have to do this now?" I really tried to keep the whine out of my voice. I was only partially successful. I really didn't want to deal with them right now. What I really wanted was Ranger to take me upstairs and finish what we'd started. The new note had me on edge and I wanted to slip into denial land for just a little while. Besides I just spent the morning playing the role of Governor's wife, normally it was easy, but this morning it took a lot out of me. I wasn't sure if it was the threats or having to pretend in front of Ranger. It was something to think about later, much later.

"Babe," was his only answer as he stood, taking me with him, ending my musings. He pointed me in the direction of his private bathroom where I touched up my make-up and collected myself. I tamped down my Hungarian hormones and tried to prepare for the meeting. It seems they were dormant so long they were trying to make up for lost time. Could I handle this? Was this thing with Ranger a good idea? Could I keep my feelings for him private? Could he?

Convinced I wasn't going to find anymore answers to my questions in the bathroom, I made my way back to Ranger's main office. He was back in his business zone, so I slipped into mine. You can do this Steph, for the past six years you've pretended to be in love with your husband in public. Hiding your feelings for Ranger shouldn't be that hard. Happy with my pep talk I let him guide me down the hall to the conference room with his hand at the small of my back. His hand slid to my hip and he gave it a reassuring squeeze. He knew I wasn't up for this, "Go get 'em tiger," he whispered in my ear. I gave him a smile as he opened the door and ushered me into the room.

I smiled at the TPD officers, Carl Costanza and Eddie Garazza. I'd known them since grade school. Their familiar faces put me at ease I felt myself relax a little. But before Ranger and I could even take our seats the other party in the room made his presence known.

Joe Morelli was angry, "What the hell do you two think you are doing? You're not fooling anyone. I know what's going on and it's going to stop right now!"

Crap.