A/N: Thanks for all of the wonderful reviews. I haven't had my computer for a few days, so I'll try and respond soon. Here is the next installment, sorry it's shorter, but I've been cutting the chapters where it feels right, not based on any word count. Let me know what you think! Enjoy! :)

Tornado by Lea Michele

"Bring it on, bring it on
I'm ready
Fear can steal my every tear
Keep them as a souvenir
Bring it on, bring it on
I'm ready"

Defining Moments

Chapter 6: Busted

Steph's POV

"Stephanie Plum?" he asks in a tone that leaves no doubt that he knows exactly who I am.

I shift uneasily on my feet and move my pocketbook to the other arm. Usually, people coming to kill me don't say my name in a question. Usually, they go for surprise attacks. He would have tried something by now.

"And you are?" I question having a feeling that he's not here to kill me. He seems too…professional. This may explain the dark blue sedan outside. Shit Stephanie! Be more aware of your fucking surroundings. I did see it, but the tinted windows didn't allow me to see inside the vehicle. The man puts his hand in the inside of his suit pocket and produces a black booklet. He flips it open and reveals a badge. Shit, I'm not sure if this is better or worse than I expected.

"My name is Special Agent Quinn Rivers," he replies easily, "I think you should come with me so we can talk." I gulp.

"Am I in trouble? Do I need a lawyer?" I question crossing my arms and jutting out my jaw defiantly. A smirk settles on his face.

"Considering you just did some breaking and entering…" he drawls tailing off and leaving the rest to my imagination.

"I did not!" I exclaim indignantly even though that's exactly what I did.

"Ian happens to be a friend and the door was unlocked!" The lie comes easily to me, but I'm not sure this Quinn guy will believe me. He quirks an eyebrow, unamused.

"Right, okay. I can just call Ian for you," he suggests making a move towards his phone. I debate briefly. I really don't think this Fed would call the guy he's investigating, but if he does what's the worst that could happen? Ian gets mad and comes for me? Perfect, then I could get him in easier. He holds the phone out and makes eye contact with me. I nod my head.

"Go ahead." He narrows his eyes at me. His eyes are a beautiful sky blue that offset his tan nicely. My eyes scan his body again. He's also in shape and not bad to look at. His suit fits his frame quite nicely. I'm not used to seeing men so dressed up. I shake my head. It has been a while since I've had sex, but I don't really need another man complication in my life. I also don't really do casual sex and, at this point, that's all it would be.

He sighs and closes the phone. "Just please come with me and we can discuss this in a more private area." I study him intently. He must not really want to arrest me, but then why would he know my name and where I would be? He has some questions to answer, that's for sure.

"Okay, lead the way." I follow him back to his sedan and he opens the passenger side door for me.

XXXX

I have my hands underneath my chin and my gaze set on the man sitting across from me. His face is blank as he studies me the same. His hair is a silky brown that is neither long nor short, his skin is a golden tan shade that means he's either Italian or just tans nicely, and his eyes are the color of the sky. His lashes seem fake as they are thick and long while curling up beautifully. I'm sure many women envy those. Neither of us speak as we continue our silent stare off.

"So what can I get ya today?" an older woman in a red and white checkered waitress outfit asks holding a notepad and pen in her hand. This startles us out of our little staring match. I look up and smile at the woman whose name-tag reads 'Cheryl.' I then glance back down at the menu.

"I'll take the bacon cheeseburger cooked medium well with a side of fries and a coke please," I respond before handing her my menu. She nods her head. I also saw a piece of Coconut Cake in the display case that would be tasty for dessert. I look back over at Special Agent Quinn and wonder just why he wants to talk to me. He's still studying me, and I can feel him being slightly surprised at my meal choice. If he thought I was a salad kinda girl, he was way off.

"I'll have the Caesar Salad and the Cuban sandwich with water to drink," he replies before also handing his menu to her. Hmm...not exactly rabbit food, but still kinda healthy. He's no RangeMan, but I guess the government doesn't have the same strict food regulations.

"Alrighty, I'll go put this in and bring out your drinks." She walks away and we both turn our heads back to the other. I look at him in a silent challenge to go ahead and say what he wants to say. He sighs and runs his fingers through his hair.

"Look Ms. Plum th-," he starts before I put a hand up to cut him off. I absolutely detest being called Ms. Plum in any capacity. It just makes me feel too old. I'm in denial about getting older-so sue me, who isn't?

"Stephanie or Steph please," I reply before motioning for him to continue. He nods which makes his shiny brown hair sway with the movement of his head. He seems encouraged by me letting him call me by my first name.

"Stephanie, the reason I want to talk to you is that, well frankly, the Bureau has been eyeing you." My eyes widen in shock. The FBI has been keeping an eye on me? What have I done now? I don't think I've broken laws that warrant the attention of the friggin' FBI. I can already hear my mother's voice saying 'why me?'

"Wh-wha what do you mean 'eyeing me'?" I question still reeling at what he might be saying. I know one thing. Having the FBI watching you is never good. God, maybe this has something to do with the whole Scrogg incident or hell Stiva's funeral home. Okay, so there's a whole host of possible reasons they could be eyeing me. I just always thought it was the Trenton PD's jurisdiction.

"We've noticed your work. It's been exceptional really and looks like you could be a real asset to the team if you were trained more and actually used your gun," he replies seriously. I try to see if he's joking. I narrow my eyes.

"Okay 'Special Agent Quinn,'" I say in my most sarcastic voice with air quotes around Special Agent, "Who at the station put you up to this? I really don't think it's funny." It has to be one of the guys, maybe Carl or Big Dog. They're always making bets on me anyways. I could see them putting someone up to this joke. They probably think this is sooo funny.

Instead of admitting to the joke, his eyes soften and he reaches out to grab my hand.

"I'm serious. This Bianchi case is big, bigger than you think. My superiors told me to come talk to you and see if you'd agree to sign on. We knew you'd be the one handling the FTA file and it gave me the perfect excuse to recruit you. You're a special case, and we've already done a full background check on you plus you've been given stellar recommendations," he says quietly while looking straight in my eyes. My mouth opens slightly. He doesn't appear to be joking in the slightest. After all this time, the Cops making bets on me, Joe berating me, and my mother basically telling me I'm a failure and now the FBI wants me? Stellar recommendations, huh? Now, who would recommend me?

"Recommendations?" I ask skeptically. I know there's no way in hell Joe would recommend me when he'd rather I quit and become a housewife. Maybe someone else at the station? It's hard to believe when they all seem to think I'm a joke. Ranger comes to mind, but I don't see why he'd recommend me either.

"I'm sorry. I'm not allowed to tell you my sources," he responds just as Cheryl returns with our drinks. I narrow my eyes at him.

"So, what's the catch?" I ask after slurping on some of the Coke. He looks serious and his eyes turn a darker shade of blue before he responds.

"First, you would have to come to the Newark field office to be properly trained and tested. Second, you would have to have a partner any time you go into the field. Third, you'd have to be willing to work on any case the FBI hands you," he explains intently. I nod and try digesting the information.

I just decided the other day that I would become the new and improved Stephanie Plum, and now this opportunity is thrown in my lap. How could I turn it down? I'd get training not related to Ranger and a steady income. I'd also still get to solve interesting cases and take down bad guys. It'd be similar to what I do now but with more importance. Quinn is silent as I mull over what he's told me. The only thing is what if I don't like my partner? I've never been very good at working with RangeMan, but I guess that was because they ordered me around. If I had a partner, we'd be equals. Cheryl brings our food as I continue my contemplation.

"Would I have to move to Newark?" I question putting some ketchup on my burger. I also squirt some on the plate so I can dip my fries in.

"Not necessarily, but you would have to travel quite a bit with the new job," he replies before cutting into his salad and taking a bite, "Like I said this is a special case. We want you to get some training, but first priority is solving the case. Then you'll go through the extensive training at Quantico." I let everything he said sink in. I take a bite of my juicy burger and can't help but moan. It's been a while since I've had a good burger. I savor the taste. I grab a couple of fries, coat them in ketchup, and shove them into my mouth happily. I look up to see a surprised Quinn looking a mixture of impressed and pained. I furrow my brows.

"Are you okay?" I question after swallowing the food and daintily wiping my mouth with the napkin.

"Are you always this…this vocal when eating?" he questions shifting in his seat. I feel a blush creeping up my neck and painting my cheeks. I shrug.

"So I enjoy my food, is that a crime?" I ask defensively before taking another bite. Mmm, this burger is just so good. He moves awkwardly in his seat again.

"Are you free the rest of the afternoon?" he inquires as he polishes off the last of his salad before turning his attention to the Cuban sandwich. Why does everything have to remind me of he who must not be named? Is it so hard to ask that I forget about him? I sigh.

"Yeah, I didn't really have other plans other than researching more about the Bianchi family," I respond pausing to lick my finger where some of the burger juice and ketchup trailed down.

"Great!" Quinn says enthused, "We can get the paperwork started and maybe some testing." Oh boy. I wasn't expecting to start today. I guess better now than later.