A/N: nothing much new to report except THANK YOU for your continued support!! Seriously guys, I so so SO appreciate it!!

Chapter 9

Bobby's POV

I knew the alarm on my phone was about to start blaring , but since I was already awake I went ahead and turned it off, then rolled back over to look at my companion. Stephanie would call herself ordinary, plain, maybe even common…she was anything BUT those things. Her brown hair, while she called it a mess, I called it radiant . When I looked into her eyes they reminded me of a bright blue lake… She had a drive to become a better BEA, a love for all of us at Rangeman, and a spunk that wouldn't die no matter how many cars were bombed because of her, or how many crazies were after her. I figured after Ranger pushed her away she would have run screaming for the hills, and she did for a few days until we begged her to come back, which thankfully she agreed to.

I saw the message on my phone from Les L:Don't do anything I wouldn't do! And had to suppress a chuckle. The man was worse than a teenage boy. He had hit on Stephanie more times than anyone in the company in the 2 years she has worked with us, and although she seemed genuinely affectionate towards him, it didn't turn into anything further than that. If it had, I would have never made this move. I had missed the second message from him at first glance but saw it now L: had a H to H with R. Will fill you in when you get back. So Ranger and he had sat down and talked – I hope that wasn't bad for me. I took another look at the body laying next to me and heard her stomach talking. I had to laugh, it was time to get her up and moving for dinner.

I pressed my lips to her temple and whispered in her ear "Bomber. Time to get up." She made a slight moan and didn't move. I ran my fingers along the curve of her back above her tailbone, which caused her to shiver but still not move . I could feel myself getting turned on, but knew there wasn't time . "Stephanie, dinner." I whispered as a last resort, and her eyes opened, blinking at me owlishly before a smile appeared on her face.

"I could eat. Give me 10." She said and slowly made her way to the bathroom. I heard the water turn on as she jumped in for a quick shower, and I changed. Sure to her word 10 minutes later she emerged, wrapped in a white fluffy robe that must have been hanging in the bathroom. "I brought along a dress… should I change into that?" She asked after seeing my outfit. I nodded and switched spots with her, retreating to the bathroom while she got changed. A few minutes later I heard her call to me, so I stepped back into the bedroom and saw her back towards the bathroom. "Can you zip me please?" I had to control the desire that had hit me like a shot. She was wearing a gorgeous knee length black velvet dress with cold shoulders, lace sleeves and a collared neck. I had to attempt to hide what the sight of her was doing to me before going out to her. I took a deep breath and stepped forward.

"You look beautiful Stephanie. Truly stunning." She turned, looking up at me, unsure.

"Really ? It's not too… out of the box for me?" she was pulling the dress down , fidgeting with the hem out of nervousness.

"Steph." I gently took her by the upper arms and guided her in front of the floor length mirror that was in the bathroom. "Look at yourself. Stop letting the voices of your mother, or anyone else from the Burg get to you. You're gorgeous, inside and out." I wrapped my arms around her , so we were standing in a semi prom photo pose. "Les would be shitting himself if he saw you right now. His brain would probably explode from trying to come up with a lewd comment or 12."

That made her laugh out loud. "Let's send him a picture!!" so I pulled the phone out of my pocket where I had stored it and we got a mirror photo of the two of us. She turned towards me, her hands adjusting my tie before leaning in and kissing me. "You don't look half bad yourself there Doc." She said winking at me. "Where to now?"

Stephanie's POV

"Here." Bobby handed me another envelope, which I took and opened.

"Waitress?? You're taking me to a Broadway show?" I squealed and jumped into his arms. "Oh my god I LOVE MUSICALS!!! And this one is so powerful, I've heard really good things about it! Wait … do the guys know you're going to a musical?"

Bobby ducked his head and flushed a slight red "No, some of them knew about the concert tomorrow. That was all."

I shook my head in amazement. "I can't tell you thank you enough Bobby. Seriously, this has already been an amazing time." My eyes tried to blink back the unshed tears that were threatening to fall. Bobby sensed it and pulled me close, kissing the tip of my nose making me giggle.

"Why don't you finish getting ready, and we'll head out?" I quickly swiped on mascara, and lipstick, and pulled my hair up into a semi twist since it was still wet. Blow-drying would take forever, so I made the compromise. When I was all set we took another photo to send off to the men, and headed out.

We had fondue at the cutest restaurant. It was upstairs in a suspect looking building, but ended up being amazing. The atmosphere was romantic , and the waiters were attentive. We got done in time to rush over to the theatre and sat down to two and a half hours of the most heart wrenching story I had ever seen in my life. It was beautiful, and by the end I was leaning my head on Bobby's shoulder sobbing big ugly tears. It was cathartic, to watch someone on stage portray such emotions and just be along for their ride .

After the show we went to Serendipity for frozen hot chocolate, and then walked around Rockefeller Center. It wasn't ice skating season, but there were roller skaters taking their turn around the area. We sat and watched them for awhile, and then walked hand in hand back to the hotel. By the time we got back it was close to midnight, and we were both wiped. Bobby helped me out of my dress, and I changed into my night clothes, as he took a shower and then came out of the bathroom in boxers. I felt like a school girl, excited and nervous for my first time. Although it definitely wasn't , Bobby made me feel at ease so much it felt like it. He locked the door turned off the lights and slipped under the covers. We lay side by side facing each other and although I couldn't see him in the dark, I could feel his hand on my hip, fingers brushing over the bare patches of skin that were showing. "I've had the most incredible day." I scooted close to him, snuggling against his chest. "Not once have I been worried about a car blowing up, or being covered in garbage. " I heard him chuckle.

"Tomorrow will be even better." He kissed me gently and we fell asleep quickly.

Lester's POV

I heard my phone ding was I was sitting at dinner with some of the guys so I clicked to open the message and groaned loudly. The men at the table with me crowded around to see what the issue was, and I heard them all make guttural noises when they saw the picture. Stephanie, looking unbelievably gorgeous with Bobby standing right behind her. The men all wanted to message Bobby with good natured ribbing comments , but I waved them off. I was not letting these Neanderthals ruin my best friends date. They both deserved this, more than any two people I had ever had the pleasure of knowing .

I did send my own message to Bobby after I got back to Rangeman. L: Steph looks gorgeous. You don't look too bad yourself I suppose. Be safe, have fun and kiss beautiful for me! ;)

He responded a few hours later B: You had your shot. Hands off fiend, she's mine. I laughed loudly at that. I was looking forward to them getting back so I could give him a hard time in person, but I was really glad they got a chance to spend this time together. I heard another ping and checked my phone B: any update on Bowman? L: Nope, he's disappeared. Keep your head on a swivel B, he's lurking somewhere.

A/N2: if you've never heard of the musical Waitress , Google it or YouTube the music. Its magic.