A/N: HUGE THANK YOU to my reviewers!!! Seriously you guys made my freaking year. I tried to reply to everyone that had an account but to my guest reviewers I really want to say THANKS!!!

We have come to the end of our story. I was going to push it out but I think this chapter wraps it up nicely. And maybe I'll make a part 2? Who knows! But for real y'all, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Chapter 18

Stephanie's POV

The next morning the alarm went off at 0600 and I was nervous, although I wasn't sure why I laid in bed for a moment, gathering my thoughts, when I heard a noise at the doorway. I glanced over and I saw Bobby grinning, a cup of coffee in one hand and a Boston Creme in the other.

"Ready for this?" he asked as he walked over to me and set the two items down on the end table before leaning over and kissing my forehead.

"As I'll ever be." I smiled , retreating to the bathroom before coming back and getting dressed . I picked up the coffee , taking a deep breath in before sipping. As soon as it hit my tounge I let out a deep moan, and I heard Bobby chuckle. I finished up my coffee and the donut, brushed my teeth and we were off.

We made our way down to the conference room on 5. As I walked in I was greeted by everyone again, like they hadn't seen me the night before but at least now I felt a little more socialable than I had been then. I caught a glimpse of someone standing off to the side, grinning widely at me before I took a running leap towards him.

"Trouble!" he laughed as he caught me.

"Hey SP! Do you guys always start your day this early?" He laughed and sat me down, kissing my uninjured cheek.

I giggled "SP?"

He blushed a bit. "You said they all call you different things, so I thought this one could be my special nickname."

"I like it." I grinned at at him. "And yes, these guys go overboard with their early mornings. I, on the other hand, need copious amounts of coffee and donuts to motivave me this early, although don't tell the boss man. I'm supposed to be cutting back on my sugar intake." I could hear Bobby laugh as I said that and I stuck my tounge out at him. " So what are you doing here?"

He shrugged. "No clue. I got a message telling me to be here and at what time, so here I am. I was hoping you could fill me in?"

I was about to answer him when I felt the tingles on the back of my neck start. I cut my eyes towards the door and there was Ranger. The whole room was silent and tense as he walked in and sat down at the head of the table. I patted Trouble on the arm and went back to Bobby, taking my spot next to him.

I could cut the tension in the room with a knife. The three core members and Hector were aware but no one else knew Ranger and I had worked through things , so they were all throwing him daggers. If looks could kill, Ricardo Carlos Manoso would be deader than a doornail.

"A few things this morning." Ranger started in. "One, Stephanie was rescued last night, thanks to Hector and his inside man Ken Maines." He pointed to Trouble and I had to clap for him, causing him to blush. "We are offering Maines a full time position here at Rangeman, starting immediately." More cheering and Troubles' face broke out into a grin. "Now I believe Stephanie wanted to say something as well this morning." All eyes were on me eeep!

I stood and waved to everyone. "Thanks Ranger. And thank you to every single one of you that helped locate and rescue me last night." I could see the men's faces pinch when they saw my wound in daylight but I waved it off. "This? Will heal. I plan on doubling my training efforts to make sure it doesn't happen again, and I'll need all of your help." They all nodded and smiled at me. Okay Steph, here it goes. "Now I know you all have been protecting me for the last few months from Ranger, but I need you to know, I'm okay." They didn't look convinced . "Really listen and hear me guys. Ranger and I have had a discussion, and things are okay. No need to run interference anymore. Besides " I looked down at Bobby sitting next to me and he grabbed my hand "I'm happy, for the first time in a long time." I stole a glance at Ranger expecting the typical blank face they all usually throw up. Instead I saw hint of sadness behind a small smile. I looked away before I started tearing up and glanced back around at the other men in the room. "So , bottom line… no need to shun Ranger anymore. Now he probably has something else he would like to say." I smiled and sat down, immediately laying my head on Bobby's shoulder.

"Thank you babe." He stood to address the men "Yes, Steph and I have talked, things are good, but I am taking a leave of absence from the Trenton office." That caused a stir. He held up his hand to quiet the room and continued. "I'm spending some time with Julie, and getting the Miami office up to the same level as this one. Tank, Lester and Bobby are in charge while I'm gone, but if anything comes up I will be available. I want to thank you all for your support of Stephanie over the last few months, even though it meant me being called to the mats by most of you. " There was a small ripple of laughter throughout the room . "We are a family here at Rangeman. That means we may fight, a lot, but more importantly, we love each other unconditionally. I'm extremely proud of each and every one of you. Thank you and meeting adjourned." He walked out of the room to applause, and didn't look back.

2 months later

Stephanie's POV

Ranger has been gone for two months , and in that time I've kicked my training into high gear, helping out on numerous takedowns and not just distraction set ups. In fact, it's been a whole month and I haven't rolled in garbage! (Someone knock on wood!!) Trouble has been my partner since he started, and I think we balance each other out pretty well. No explosions as of yet, but we'll see how it's going after a few more months.

Bobby and I are going strong, and we stuck to our promise to each other of taking a mini vacation weekend every month. We went back to N.Y. and finished our Central Park and MoMA date the weekend after I was rescued , and he took me to Point Pleasant last weekend where we spent two days relaxing. It was amazing!!

I can see this thing with Bobby going the distance. He's coming to dinner with my family today and if Grandma Mazur doesn't scare him off, I think it could be real deal. I just need to keep her away from his ass! (Although I wouldn't blame her for wanting to pinch it.)

All the guys are extremely supportive of us. Lester has even stopped flirting with me! (well...almost) We still have our Rangeman weekends with all the guys every so often, which makes me happy.

Joe and I have remained friends, he actually asked Bobby and me to go on a double date with him this weekend!! Normally that would creep me a bit out, but I think he's getting serious about this girl and wants me to check her out. And before you ask, yes I researched her to make sure she was legit. She's an elementary school teacher, and Bob loves her as much as Joe does so it seems like a match made in heaven!

The only down side is that I haven't heard from Ranger at all. It seems a bit weird, seeing as he promised we would be friends, but it isn't just me. None of the team has heard from him since he went to Miami, and I can tell Tank is getting concerned. I told him if we don't hear from him in a week I'm flying to Miami myself and tracking him down.

So my life is going pretty perfect right now, but that's usually when the other shoe drops right? Or in my case, a dead body shows up.

It is the 'Burg after all.