Thank you so very much for your reviews, I appreciate them more than you can imagine. Please continue to let me know what you think.

Vielen lieben Dank to Stayce for being there for me, again, and keeping this story interesting. I wouldn't know what to do without you, Babe.

I borrowed the title from Bon Jovi, not from the story.

Disclaimer: The usual, I don't own anything, it's all JE's. Well, the plot is mine, but since I'm stealing the characters, I'm SOL. And I'm just assuming that you've read all the books, but if you haven't there may be spoilers.

Rating: R for adult language and situations. They're all adults and they talk and act like it…read at your own risk.

Living on a Prayer

Chapter 8

It was completely black as pitch in the shed and all I could see was the black silhouette of a figure in the doorway when I blindly swung the hoe down as I screamed my lungs out. I was running on anger, adrenaline and survival instinct. I didn't want to defend myself, I wanted to kill the motherfucker.

Before I could strike though, a hand shot out and caught my wrist in an iron grip. Another hand caught my free arm. I panicked and was about to resort to kicking and biting when I a firm voice say, "Stephanie!". The voice was familiar but I was busy trying to free my hand, so it took me a second before I realized it was Ranger.

I stared up into his face and reached out to touch him, just to make sure it was really him.

Then I slumped against his chest, wailing. He caught me easily and picked me up off the floor. I wrapped my arms around him in a death grip. I was crying uncontrollably, and I'd never been happier to see him, not even when I fell out of the cabinet at Stiva's.

When I put my head on his shoulder, Ranger started stroking my hair and whispered something in Spanish. He rocked my gently in his arms as his body heat seeped into me and gave me back some of my strength. I couldn't understand what he was saying, but it was soft and soothing.

I had no idea how he'd found me, he'd managed to get to me just in time. I don't think I ever doubted he'd come for me, but a little voice kept telling me I wouldn't be rescued this time, I'd either freeze to death in the shed or be found by Teddy.

"Let's get you outta here." Ranger said when I'd calmed down a little and he carried me out of the shed, across the lawn, into the back of his SUV. I wasn't sure I could have walked if I tried, and I was more than happy to let Ranger take over.

I could see how tired he looked when the dome light illuminated his face and wondered if he'd been up since the day before when I talked to him. He draped a blanket over me and gently pushed me down when I struggled to sit up.

"I'll get you to a hospital. No arguments, Babe." He said quietly as he backed up.

"I'm fine." I protested weakly and Ranger shook his head slightly.

"Humor me, then." He said, closed the door and got into the driver's seat.

I was too overwhelmed and happy to feel any pain; I just wanted to know how he'd found me and if Teddy was dead. But somehow I couldn't form the words. I held on to the blanket for warmth, my body felt like an icicle. Ranger started the car and I knew this wasn't a time to ask him questions anyway. The constant hum of the engine lulled me into sleep. I knew I was safe now with Ranger so close by, I could allow my senses to relax.

I woke up when a car door slammed shut and tried to fight my way through the layers of sleep. Moments later, I felt cold air. I panicked. After a minute, my brain connected the dots: Ranger had closed his door, then opened mine.

"Hey." He said when he saw I was awake. I couldn't make out his face because there was a bright light behind him.

"Hey." I replied and tried to get into a sitting position.

Ranger stepped aside and I could see two more men behind him, a gurney between them. I rolled my eyes. Even though Ranger'd said he was taking me to a hospital, I'd hoped it was just an empty threat. I couldn't make out if we were at St Francis, that would just take the cake.

Ranger lifted me out of the car and onto the gurney. I didn't argue. When I looked around, I realized we were at some hospital I didn't recognize, not at St Francis, and I sighed in relief.

"Where are we?" I asked Ranger.

"Bridgeton." He said and brushed some hair off my forehead. "I'll take you back to Trenton as soon as possible. Let's get you checked out first."

I was rushed inside and was introduced to a nurse. I zoned out while my vital signs were taken. The nurse helped me up and walked me over to a washroom where she helped me take off my clothes. She cleaned me up and handed me a hospital gown before she got a wheelchair to get me over to x-ray. It hurt to put my body into all kinds of positions, I felt like one big bruise. Finally, I was pushed over to the suture room to be stitched up. The stitching took a while; I hadn't even realized how many cuts I had.

I was wheeled back to the main room and the nurse helped me onto the bed. I was glad there were privacy curtains all around me, I didn't want to keep checking if anyone was watching me. I was told a doctor would see me shortly. I was feeling groggy although I hadn't been given any drugs yet.

Before the doctor got to me, the curtain was pushed aside and Ranger entered. He was frowning, but when he saw me, his face lit up in a half smile.

"How're you feeling?" He asked, pulling up a chair to sit beside my bed.

"I'm okay. Just waiting for the doc so I can get out of here." I said.

Ranger shook his head. "That's not gonna happen. You need to stay here. I hate to say it, but you should have a look in the mirror if you don't believe me."

I looked at him, his blank face was in place. It was going to be hard to argue my point. I sighed.

"Thank you." I said. Ranger looked so confused, I had to chuckle. Then I regretted it because laughing made my entire body hurt.

"Thank you for saving me." I explained. "How did you find me?"

Ranger leaned in to explain, but we were interrupted when the doctor entered. He was an older guy, close to my dad's age. He introduced himself as Dr. Beyer and he didn't look up from his clipboard until after he asked Ranger to leave.

"I'll be right outside." Ranger said as he got up. He kissed me lightly on the forehead and left.

The doctor went back to studying my chart, probably trying to figure out what the hell had happened to me. Ranger must have given them all the necessary information, because no one had asked me a question for the chart.

"Miss…uh…Plum, any dizziness, shortness of breath, headaches?" Dr. Beyer asked, glancing at me. Actually, I had all of the above, but they sounded like symptoms that would keep me in here, so I shook my head.

"I'm fine." I lied.

Dr. Beyer got out a penlight and shone it into my eyes, then he checked the skin around the cuts.

"We'd like to keep you overnight for observation." He said as he wrote something down on his clipboard.

"If I promise to go straight to bed, can I go home? My roommate is a nurse, she will take care of me." I said, trying to look real responsible and sane while I lied my heart out. I was trying to keep my voice down so that Ranger wouldn't hear me.

Dr. Beyer looked up and studied me for a moment. "I guess that would be okay," He said slowly, "But I'd still need you to sign an AMA form for insurance purposes."

I nodded. "No problem!" I was already tossing the blanket back. This had gone so much easier than I'd expected.

"I'm going to give you a prescription for an ointment, you need to apply it to the cuts and scrapes. Take some Advil for any pain. And please follow up with your PCP within a week."

I could tell Dr. Beyer was a busy man and I didn't want to take up any more of his time, I kept nodding and smiling as I scanned the room for my clothes.

The doctor left and I let out a breath. One down, I thought. Surely Ranger couldn't argue with a doctor's decision.

A nurse appeared moments later with a form for me to sign. "Do you know what happened to my clothes?" I asked her when I had signed my name to the release form.

"We burned then." She scoffed, but then she smiled. "Just kidding. We actually just threw them out. You wouldn't be able to wear them any more. If you like, I can bring you some clothes you can wear to go home."

Anything would be better than the gown my ass was hanging out of so I agreed and promised myself not to question the clothes' origin when I remembered an old ER episode.

Ranger came back in, an eyebrow raised. "Why are you out of bed?" He asked.

"I'm going home." I announced. I was still holding on to the bed for support because the room hadn't stopped spinning yet.

Ranger shook his head.

"I just talked to your doctor. You have a concussion," He used the fingers on his left hand to count off my ailments, "You're covered in bruises and you may develop infections from your cuts."

I shook my head. "But nothing's broken. I just need to sleep, I'll be fine."

Ranger looked at me and I could tell he was trying to determine if it was worth the effort. He shook his head exasperated.

"Only you, babe."

I smiled although I didn't feel like it. No need to tell him I didn't plan on sleeping all that much. It was just that hospitals made me feel uncomfortable, especially after meeting Teddy. Who knew how many crazies were in this hospital?

The nurse came back with a pile of clothes and I took them gratefully. Ranger raised an eyebrow after one look at them but didn't say anything. I pointed to the curtain and he left to give me some privacy.

For once I didn't fight the mandatory wheelchair that brought me outside and back to Ranger's car.

Ranger's face was unreadable while he walked beside me. The nurse gave him some last minute instructions and the prescription, then he helped me into the SUV's passenger side and buckled me in.

"This was too easy." I said when he took his seat on the driver's side.

"Babe." He just said. I'd turned to look at him, now I put my hand on his forearm to make him look at me.

"You're going home with me." He said and started the car. I sighed. I should have known, no wonder he didn't argue more. At Rangeman, I'd be under constant supervision, and there weren't any of those dangers that were lurking at the hospital.

My reasons for not going with Ranger earlier seemed ridiculous to me now. I did my own thing, and Ranger had ended up having to rescue me anyway. What I needed was a good plan that would involve Ranger and me. First I needed sleep though. My emotions were too close to the surface, there was no way I could have a reasonable conversation in my state. As much as I wanted to know how Ranger'd found me and what he'd done to Teddy, it would have to wait.

Ranger cut his eyes to me when I shifted in my seat.

"You alright, Babe?" He asked. I was now. Here in the car, I had no worries. I was doing a great job avoiding reality and not facing my guilt. The worries would start once I had the dream again, or once I had to face my real life again.

I nodded. "I'm fine." Okay, so I was not physically fine. I was nauseous and the world wouldn't stop spinning. My head was throbbing and every muscle in my body hurt. But mentally at least, I was okay for the moment.

I didn't think I could fool Ranger, but he went back to his zone without arguing. It did occur to me that I could have saved myself a lot of trouble if I'd followed Ranger's advice from the start. I didn't regret making the decision but I berated myself for stupidly letting myself get caught and needing to be rescued. Again.

I blew out a frustrated breath while Ranger got onto Route 55 to get us back to Trenton. So far, I hadn't even bothered to ask where Ranger'd found me. I looked over my shoulder.

"You were in Shiloh." Ranger said as if he was reading my mind. "Bridgeton was the closest hospital, and it may be one without ties to the Burg. In case you don't want everyone to know right away."

"Thank you." I said, but it didn't seem enough. Ranger'd thought so much further ahead than I had. It didn't even occur to me that I might not want my entire family to know that I was beaten and bloody. I wanted to thank Ranger for thinking ahead, and for thinking for me. I wanted to thank him for being there for me.

Unfortunately, the thought of Ranger caring for me brought on the thought of Joe not being there for me and before I knew it, a loud sob followed.

"You sure you're okay?" Ranger asked and I could feel his eyes on me. I nodded, but I was unable to stop the tears.

I couldn't tell him why I was crying. Whatever I said, it would come out wrong. I didn't' know how to tell him that I was happy he was here, but I was sad Joe wasn't. It's not that I wished Ranger was dead instead, I just missed Joe so much it hurt.

Ranger stopped the car on the breakdown lane and pulled me towards him. I didn't know how many times I'd cried on his shoulder for the last week, I'd lost count. I leaned into Ranger, inhaling his scent and sobbed. I was crying out of grief, self-pity and relief. I cried for Joe, I cried for myself and I cried because I'd survived Teddy.

Ranger held me tight and didn't say a word; he just ran his hand over my hair every now and then.

Finally, my sobs died down to silent tears and hiccups and I pulled back. "I'm sorry." I mumbled.

Ranger produced a tissue and handed it to me. I'd probably left a mess on his shirt, I didn't want to look.

"Feel better?" He asked. I couldn't even look up to meet his eyes, so I just nodded as I blew my nose.

"I'm sorry." I said again.

"Don't be." He said and stroked my hair. "I'm sorry I couldn't get to you sooner."

So he thought I was just traumatized by the last 24 hours. Ranger's opinion of me was a lot nicer than my own. What I was experiencing was yet another breakdown. I longed for my bed, I just wanted to hide beneath the covers and never come out again. I'd tried facing reality, it didn't work. As much as I'd thought I wanted to know the truth about Joe's death, it hadn't changed anything. Now I knew who was responsible, but it didn't bring Joe back.

I let out a shaky sigh and slumped down in the car seat. Ranger took one last look at me, put the car in gear and maneuvered us back into the flow of traffic.

We drove the rest of the way in silence. Ranger parked the SUV in the Rangeman garage on Haywood. I'd given up hope he'd change his mind and drive me to my apartment when he'd driven right by my exit on the highway. I sighed again heavily as Ranger killed the engine. He put his hand on my forearm to get my attention.

"Let's talk about it tomorrow, Babe. For now, you should get some rest." He said and I nodded. Sleep sounded good. With any luck, it would even be dreamless.

I got out of the car and followed Ranger to the elevators. I could feel him watching me, but he didn't say anything. Ranger always knew when to give me space.

He hit the call button on the elevator and we got in when it arrived. Ranger pressed the 7 button and waved his key fob in front of the reader.

"No room on the 4th floor?" I asked flatly.

"There is. But not for you, not tonight." Ranger said.

I was torn between wanting to be alone and not leaving Ranger's side. Probably staying in Ranger's apartment was the only compromise.

Ranger gently nudged me out of the elevator on the 7th floor by putting his hand in the small of my back. I had gone numb. The latest breakdown was proof enough that I couldn't handle reality just now.

When Ranger opened the door, I slid past him and went straight for his bathroom. I locked the door and turned on the shower. I didn't care about the orders not to shower for 24 hours, to hell with what the nurse said! I was going to escape into denial land, starting with a long, hot shower that would wash away all remnants of Teddy's touch!

Grabbing a large fluffy towel, I stepped out of the shower into the fogged-up bathroom. My skin was pruney, I must have stayed under the shower for over a half hour. It worked, too, I felt much better.

Ranger didn't have any of the stuff I needed to pamper myself, but body and I my hair were clean and I smelled heavenly. I sat down on the toilet and wrapped the towel tighter around me.

The last couple days, bathrooms had been bad to me. Teddy'd snagged me out of the one at the hotel and the one at my prison had been very Spartan. But this was Ranger's bathroom, in Ranger's apartment, and I felt completely safe. I didn't want to leave it; I didn't want to know what was behind the door.

I realized I was going down the road into denial again, but I didn't care. Thinking about the safety of bathrooms was way more comfortable than thinking about reality.

Finally I told myself to get a grip, straightened my shoulders and exchanged the towel for Ranger's robe that was hanging on a hook by the door.

I half-expected Ranger to wait for me in his bedroom, but it was empty when I left the bathroom. A glance at the bedside alarm clock told me it was 3 am, and I felt like it, too. I was exhausted and every bone in my body hurt.

I stopped and listened for any sounds on the other side of the bedroom door, but couldn't hear anything. A bedside table lamp was giving off a soft light, otherwise the room was dark. I turned off the bathroom light behind me and walked over to the bed. I was dead tired and wanted to sleep for a year. What I didn't know was whether I wanted to sleep in Ranger's bed.

My exhaustion won over, after only a moment's hesitation, I switched off the light, crawled under the soft covers and made myself comfortable. I tried to find happy thoughts, but none would come.

Whenever I closed my eyes, I would either see Joe's face or Teddy's. Joe's face brought on sadness, Teddy's made me angry. I lay awake for the longest time, tossing and turning and crying until I finally fell asleep.

I woke up with a start. It was totally dark in the room and I didn't know where I was. Panic set in and I was about to jump up when I recognized a scent. Ranger's shower gel, Bulgari. I was in Ranger's apartment, I was safe.

I sank back into the pillows and decided it must have been a dream that woke me, because there was no sound in the room apart from my breathing.

The alarm clock's display read 5:00; I'd slept for less than an hour. Still exhausted, I tried to just turn and fall back asleep, but now my head was throbbing and the wound in my leg felt like it was on fire.

With a sigh, I threw back the covers and went to the bathroom in search of any kind of painkiller. I'd never noticed Ranger didn't have a medicine cabinet. The entire wall over the sinks was mirrored, but there were no hidden cabinets. There was room under the sinks, but there weren't any drugs there either.

The throbbing made it hard to think now and I was limping because my leg hurt so bad. I needed something.

I gave up on the bathroom and continued my search in the kitchen. Nothing. I sighed frustrated and grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge.

When I closed the fridge door, I heard a rustle of fabric from the direction of the living room and I froze in place until I reminded myself, again, that I was at Ranger's and safe.

"You okay, Babe?" Ranger asked. I still couldn't see him but I figured he'd been sleeping on the couch.

"Uh-huh. Just trying to find some Advil."

Ranger joined me in the kitchen and flicked on the overhead light. When his eyes met mine, he frowned.

"You sure you're okay?"

I nodded but lowered my gaze to the water bottle in my hand. "Just very tired. And I have this splitting headache." I said. That was such a fib. I felt like shit.

"You should let me take you back to the hospital." Ranger said as he reached up and opened a cabinet. He took a bottle of Advil out and I had to shake my head to get the image of Teddy out of it, Ranger's gesture was so similar.

"Something wrong?" Ranger asked. He sure didn't miss much.

He shook out two pills and handed them to me. I could feel his eyes on me the entire time. I sighed when I'd downed the pills and chased them with a sip of water.

Ranger took the bottle from my hands and put it on the counter, then he pulled me close.

"Do you want to talk about it?" He asked softly. I shook my head into his chest. No, I didn't want to talk about it, about anything. I wanted to forget it had ever happened.

We stood like that for a long time, Ranger held me close and I was slumped against him. We didn't move, and we didn't talk. At first I thought I'd start the crying thing again, but for the moment, I was all cried out.

I took a deep breath and lifted my head up. I'd had my hands linked behind Ranger's back, now I put them flat on his skin-tight t-shirt.

All of a sudden, I knew what I wanted, knew how to forget it all, at least for the moment. He felt so strong, and I wanted to sap some of that strength. I needed him to share his warmth, his strength, and his faith in me. I wanted him.

The Advil would take care of the aches and pains, and Ranger would take care of the tumultuous emotions. Whatever it took, I wanted to forget. Ranger would take me into a world were nothing mattered but lust.

I stood on tippy toes and brought my lips to his.

I felt Ranger's surprise but he didn't pull back. I tightened my hands around him and deepened the kiss. My tongue snaked through Ranger's lips and he opened his mouth immediately. I molded my body to his and could feel his tight muscles through the fabric of his sweatpants when I put my bare leg between his.

I tugged his t-shirt out of his pants and let my hands wander underneath it; I wanted to feel his bare skin. His muscled rippled under my touch.

I felt rather than heard Ranger groan before he reached back, took my hands in his and pulled them away from his back. He held on to them and placed them on his chest, his eyes locking with mine.

"Not like this, Babe." He said softly, "No Babe. Not like this." He stepped back from me and held me at arms length.

Did I hear him right? He was rejecting me? I wanted to lose myself in him. I wanted Ranger to make me forget. I'd never needed him more than right this second and he was pushing me back?

I jerked out of his grip and turned, running blindly through the apartment back to the bedroom.

"Babe" Ranger called, but I didn't stop. What was there to say? I couldn't look at him after he'd rejected me.

I reached the bedroom, and slammed the door shut behind me, then I fell onto the bed and curled up into a ball. I pulled the covers over my head and let the tears come.

My head buried in a pillow, I was sobbing painful, wracking sobs that made my throat hurt and my whole body shiver.

Ranger didn't want me. Joe was dead. I was cut and bruised. Every part of me hurt, my body, my mind, my heart, even my ego.

I just wanted the pain to stop.

A/N: A little shorter this time, but it felt like a natural stop. Let me know how you feel about it.

TBC