What is up my readers? Happy Star Wars day!

Finals are over (and I think I knocked it out of the park!) and now I'm relaxing just a little bit more (as much as a woman with a mountain of books from the library can relax...) until I start up again in June. Hopefully I'll get the next chapter up soon. Its seems to be flowing a bit easier now...

I can't believe how much Ranger is taking over this story! Oh well. Really, who's complaining? ;)

Not mine, although I wish that Ranger was.

"Okay, okay, I give!" Lester said, tapping out on the floor. I grinned and let him out of the hold. "Man, what the hell is in you today? Did you eat your Wheaties this morning?"

"Maybe you should be more aware of your surroundings."

"Dude, if I was any more aware, I'd know exactly what was going on in that locker room." He shivered. "And that's not something I want to know."

I had to agree. There were some aspects of this company that I didn't want to know about. I got up and gave Lester a hand as well. He threw me a bottle of water from the cooler by the mat. I took a long sip and looked at him.

"What." I said.

"Tank said you're seeing Jeanne again."

"You guys are worse than old ladies at the salon. What of it?"

He shrugged. "Just wondering what you see in her?"

"Stringless sex."

"Sure, yeah I see that. But doesn't she make your skin crawl?"

I didn't respond to that. I turned and walked towards the treadmills.

"What about that hot girl from the bar? Bet she'd be willing to get down with you." He grinned lecherously.

I raised an eyebrow. "What hot girl?"

"The one you saved from sudden head trauma? You don't remember her?"

I shrugged and turned back towards the treadmill. Lester jumped on next to me. "Come on, how could you forget? She was the one that was falling over the bar and gallantly saved her! That's not something that normally happens to you. You could use that as an in, if you get my drift."

I sped up and started to run. Too bad I couldn't run away from Lester.

The truth was, I remembered every detail of her. I remembered the sway of her hips as she walked over, how her curls bounced with each step and the lights made the different hues of brown come out. I remembered how her blue eyes twinkled as she nodded and raised her cups to Pino, showing that she was getting her refill.

I especially remembered how her hips felt in my hands. How her curves had instantly molded themselves to my hands. The small gasp she admitted when I pulled her back into me.

But I wasn't going to tell Lester that. He would never let me live it down and do everything in his power to get us together. And I didn't want to do that to her. I could tell that she was a woman who wanted to be in a relationship. That wasn't something I could offer her or anyone, at least right now.

Maybe not ever.

But that didn't stop my mind from replaying those twenty seconds every night.

"All I'm saying is that you could have any woman that you want. I just don't understand why you pick her."

I stopped the treadmill and Lester stopped his. But before I could respond, Tank entered the gym.

"Morelli's here to see you."

I nodded and stopped the treadmill. Lester did the same and I tossed him a towel and escaped.

Joe Morelli is a good cop and our liaison to the Trenton Police Department. He was an inch taller than me, but all lean muscle to my bulk. Currently, he was running his fingers through dark brown hair as his dark brown eyes found mine.

"Morelli." I said.

"Ranger." He replied, shaking my hand.

We went into my office and he took a seat in one of the club chairs. "What can I do for you?"

"We have a couple of cases that we need extra manpower to look into." He pulled a few folders out of a briefcase.

"One of these comes from the local FBI. Drug trafficker is doing more than make drugs disappear. He's making people disappear."

I opened the folder and nodded him to continue. He ran through the entire case as he knew of it and allowed me to look. "I'll get a few guys on this right away."

"We also have a couple of murder cases we need input on. They were your former FTA's and any hidey holes would be helpful."

"I'll get Tank and pull the folders for you."

"Good." He paused. "I think that's it. The rest is just the normal shit."

I nodded again. "How's your girl?"

He grinned. "Good. She's good. Trying to get a new job."

"Step up?"

"She thinks so. Personally, I think she's better off where she is, but you know women. They want to do what they want to do." He shrugged.

This is where Joe and I differ. Mostly I think he's a good guy. But I think if a woman wants to advance herself, she should be given the option to. Joe would like to see his girlfriend chained to an oven, pregnant and more kids running around the house. Let her spread her wings and she'll be a happier woman.

We made small chat for a little while longer and then he was gone.

Only to be replaced by Jeanne Ellen.

"Your boyfriend just leave? If I was a better woman, I'd be jealous."

"What do you want, Jeanne?"

She sat on the edge of the desk. "I missed you this morning." She pouted.

I glanced at her. "No you didn't."

She smiled. "You're right. I didn't. I was out capturing your skip. Here's the receipt." She handed it to me.

"I'll pass it along." I went back to work, but she didn't leave. "Yes?"

She shrugged. "Continue your business."

"Don't you have any work of your own to do?"

Jeanne batted her eyes. "Just watching you, baby."

I glared at her. She was laughing. "You have a sick sense of humor."

"Come on. I'm just teasing. I know where we stand, Ranger. And I'm glad for it. Who needs all that extra relationship crap? It's just unnecessary baggage and I like to travel light."

I had to agree with her there. Who needed all that?

But at the same time, I couldn't help but wonder, if the right baggage came along, would it be worth it?

Stephanie's POV

Life continued on.

I went to work, came home, had a date with Joe, went to bed (sometimes alone, sometimes not) and woke up to do it all over again.

Still no word about the job.

But I wasn't worried. I'd just shake off the nerves and continue on.

Grandma was finally resting at home comfortably, and I was planning another visit. She was right; once we got back to basics, Joe and I were doing better than ever.

But I couldn't stop thinking about the comment he made. Did he really not want me to get that job? I bit my lip. What if I did? Would he be supportive?

"Penny for your thoughts." Sally said.

"Just thinking about my life. If I get this job…"

"When. When you get this job."

"Right. I'm just wondering how much it's going to change."

"Don't worry, sugar, I'll still talk to you." He winked.

I rolled my eyes. "Thanks."

"It won't change much, you'll see."

I just hope so. I left early to go see Grandma, but when I got there, she was asleep. I told my mother I'd come back later and left. I didn't want to sit down to another lecture about how I should just marry Joe already.

Besides, I had a lot to think about.

When I got home, I assumed the position (flat on my back on my bed). Some of my problems were solved when I got into this position.

Most of the time, I ended up taking a nap.

I was already half asleep when I heard my phone ring. I didn't recognize the tone, so I rolled over and went back to sleep.

They left a message.

Too bad I didn't answer the phone.

"Hi, Stephanie Plum, my name is Michael Burns. I work for the Trenton City District Attorney's office. I was wondering if you would be willing to speak to me about a matter. Please call me back at 609-555-2246. Thank you for your time."

What the heck?

Dun dun dun! Now we're getting somewhere! Leave the love!