A/N: I know, I know! Such an early update. I'm excited because I received a job offer today, and I'm nervous because I'm hoping to get one from a different company that I would really like to work for (I have until Friday to make my decision & maybe get that other offer). I figured this would help take my mind off of it...andddd because of the good news I will also post on Wednesday. Double the goods for my awesome readers! If you could send good vibes my way, I'd appreciate it!

Thanks for the wonderful response to this story so far! I love hearing what you all think so keep the reviews coming. This chapter is a little shorter and you'll get some insight into the man of mystery, but... he's a man of very little words and so is this chapter. Also yes, that isn't exactly how the song goes, but check it out for yourself...I picked pieces that made me think of Ranger. Please let me know what you think! Enjoy!

An Evening I Will Not Forget / Furthest Thing by Dermont Kennedy

"When love was found
I kept my hope just like I hoped to...
But I still get to see your face, right?
And that's like nothing they can take, right?

somewhere between I want it and I got it…

somewhere between a mistress and commitment…

and I hate that you think I don't belong to ya…

I can't help it, I can't help it

I was young, and I was selfish...

The furthest thing from perfect"

Defining Moments

Chapter 3: Land called De-ni-al

Ranger's POV

"Update," I command quietly as I pass through the control room. I know I shouldn't be spying like this, but I can't help it. I have a compulsion to know. Thankfully by owning a security company, I have the resources to keep tabs on her. I know she would hate to have such an invasion of privacy. I only keep the small camera outside of her apartment because of all the unwelcome visitors she has. It's better to know who it was, and it could help me if she gets kidnapped again. She would definitely not approve of me using it in this way. I need help.

"Like clockwork, the Cop is going up," Manny informs me, only looking up from the monitor in front of him to gauge my reaction. My blank face is firmly in place. It bothers me. Stephanie has said they've broken up, and yes, they haven't had any "sleepovers" since then but he continues to visit her. I unclench the fist I didn't know I had made. Dammit. I need to get a grip. I'm just waiting for the inevitable make-up that will happen between the two. It doesn't make me happy to think about, but it would be for the best.

"Bossman…" Manny is studying me, "Why don't you just talk to her? This isn't exactly…healthy." He's quiet now, knowing he may have overstepped. I give a nod before going to find Tank. I find him in his office, staring intently at the screen in front of him. Paperwork, his favorite. The thought makes the corner of my mouth tip up. Tank's eyes peer at mine from above the computer.

"Find something funny, Range Man?" he questions, probably correctly assuming my smile is at his unhappiness at paperwork.

"Not at all," I reply letting a real smirk through, "Do we have everything laid out for tonight?" He raises an eyebrow.

"I don't know. Do we have Steph lined up for tonight?" he questions, knowing I've been avoiding her for the past few weeks. If I lived up to my word, I would be filling her bed considering her status with Morelli. I've backed off though. I thought one night with her would satisfy all of my needs, but it only made me want her more. Now, after seeing all she would do for me…Dios…it does something to me. It's just not safe to get any more involved with her. She can't protect herself.

"I'm going to talk to her this morning," I reply, confident she will accept. She always does. Tank grunts. I narrow my eyes at my second in command.

"Do you have something to say?" I inquire. I have an idea of what he will say. He's said it many times before.

"Pull your head out of your ass. Just talk to her man, make her yours for real." His eyes and tone of voice pin me where I am. "And you should know…her tracker was awfully close to yours last night during your… 'meeting.'" I should order him to the mats for talking to me like that, but I can't. Not when a part of me thinks he's right. But what does he mean her tracker was close to mine last night? Last night I was visiting…oh. It must have been a coincidence because I never saw her. I drop it from my mind.

"Too dangerous. I have too many enemies." My tone closes this conversation, and I walk out. It's true and Scrog, while a not a direct enemy, just proved it. I head to my office to go over the details for the distraction tonight. The guy we're after tonight isn't dangerous. He's just wanted for embezzling millions from the investment firm he worked with. I had a feeling Steph would easily get this mark. He's recently divorced and has been visiting the local happy hour bars for a while. The only hang up is that he tends to associate with shadier, scarier crowds and they go out with him.

I lean back in my leather office chair, tilting my head back I close my eyes and sigh. When did I let my life become so complicated with emotions? Some scumbag off the street easily recognized two of the most important people in my life—a life I tried to keep separate. Separate from the mercenary inside me and from the fucked up missions I've been on. There are things that I can never tell Stephanie in a million years and there are other things that I fear telling her because I couldn't bear to see the look of disgust in her eyes. She's my person of solace. The one light in this dark world. It's surprising how optimistic and innocent she is after everything she has gone through. I don't want to be the one to tarnish her.

I come out of my musings and decide it's time to head to the bonds office. She should be there now or arriving soon. I double check that I have my two guns and a knife before heading down to the garage. I pick out Stephanie's favorite, the Porsche 911 Turbo. Not ideal for apprehending skips, but good if I want to take her for a ride and get her excited. I'm not planning on doing that but I know she'll drool over the car anyways.

When I arrive at the bonds office, I notice her car is nowhere to be found. She should be here; it's not like her to not show up unless… the Cop has something to do with it. I sigh. I need to go in anyways. I exit the car and beep it locked. I feel the slight tingle. So she is here, but then where is her car? According to our records, she's driving a 1995 Honda Passport and has had it for three weeks now. Has she had another car disaster I'm unaware of? I enter the office quietly, hoping to hear any news the girls might be talking about. They don't know it, but I've been able to listen to many of their conversations. They really should be more aware of their surroundings.

"Word has it Super Cop is still coming around," I hear Lula state. My heart beat increases, but I slow my breath. I want to hear this; I've been dying to know. Stephanie's response reassures me, "What? No..." But her trailing off worries me and then it's like a sucker punch to my gut. "Oh wait yeah he was there." Lula's next question makes me tense even more.

"So what, he just stopped by for a quickie?" Stephanie's head turns back and her eyes meet mine. She looks like a deer caught in headlights. Does this mean she's guilty of still sleeping with the Cop?

"Ladies," I say smoothly, not giving away anything. No one needs to know what's going through my mind. Lula looks stupefied for a moment. Stephanie and I still have our eyes locked. Only when Lula continues her interrogation does Stephanie break eye contact with me.

I close my eyes briefly and work on controlling this anger surging within me. Goddammit, why does she have such an effect on me?

She weakly denies that the Cop and her are still an item. I can see the frustration within her building. My curiosity is peaked. If her and the cop are really off, then this would be the longest period of time for them. I always told her that if he was out of her bed long enough then I would make a move and ruin her for all other men. I just don't think it's something she really wants. I know she'll go back to Morelli eventually. Connie makes another accusation and Stephanie explodes.

"I don't know! Maybe because he keeps coming by with flowers in hopes of changing my mind," she replies exasperated by this line of questioning. Interesting…maybe she really does mean it this time.

She gets her files, and I ask her to wait for me outside. Her only response is a stiff nod. I wonder why she's so tense this morning. Maybe it has something to do with the lack of a car in the parking lot. I notice she's wearing athletic clothing so did she… walk over here? Difficult to believe when she is such a staunch hater of anything remotely considered exercise.

I have a few words with Vinnie before nodding to Lula and Connie and meeting Steph outside. She's leaning against the wall and her posture hasn't changed. She still looks tense and angry. I sweep her into the alley or what I've come to think of as our spot. I nestle my thigh between her warm legs and my hands skim her ribcage. I suck in a breath when I realize she's wearing her holster. I don't know why, but knowing she's wearing a gun makes her more attractive to me. She confirms it. Hmm…so interesting. I pull her closer and my mouth closes over hers. My tongue mingles with her, and I can't get enough of her taste. She's my addiction. When we pull apart my breathing is slightly heavier and she looks dazed. I invite her to do the distraction tonight. She even lets out a laugh. I decide not to question it. I wrap one of her loose curls around my finger. She throws me off a bit by asking about Jeanne Ellen. Maybe she did see us last night? I still think it's too crazy to believe. I would have seen her if she'd seen or tailed me. I see a mix of emotions in her eyes, and I swear she's disappointed. I just don't know what she's disappointed with.

"Careful Babe," I say looking into her eyes, "I won't be able to stay away if Morelli's gone too long." I don't know where that came from…well, I do but I didn't mean to say it out loud. I see confusion and sadness in her eyes, and I wonder what she's thinking. I know she always thinks I can read her mind but usually she just wears her emotions on her face. This time while I see her emotions I have no idea what they mean or what she's thinking.

"Careful Ranger," Stephanie replies coolly, "If Joe's gone long enough, I might find someone who does mind poaching." My eyes widen and my heart clenches at the thought. I never even considered her finding someone else; I've only been worried about Morelli. I never thought about her ditching the both of us and finding someone new entirely.

She pushes away from me and says she has stuff to do. I offer her a ride, but she declines. So she did walk here. Something has definitely gotten into her. She's acting so different than normal, and I'm curious to know why. She pauses for a moment probably to see if I will leave first. There's no way in hell I'm leaving before she does. She pushes her shoulders back so she's standing taller and starts off. She's running. I shake my head slightly in disbelief. What has gotten into my Babe?