OK, this is it...I think. I was thinking of adding an epilogue, if there is any demand for it. So let me know.

Thank you all so very much for joining me on this ride, it all started with this one line in my head that I had to write down and look what happened...LOL

Through 'it all', Stayce was by my side and held my hand (and kicked my ass when necessary), thanks to her this turned into my first novel-length fic.

What kept me going from chapter to chapter were your wonderful reviews, PMs and emails, thank you guys a million! I apologize if I didn't get back to you in person, but know that I appreciated your feedback.

Disclaimer: I use all characters for entertainment purposes only, I make no money off of them

Living on a Prayer

Chapter 34

The only compromise I managed was leaving the hospital after five days instead of a week, but I gladly took what I could get. After five days, I thought I'd never get the smell of antiseptics out of my hair.

Ranger helped me out of the bed into the obligatory wheelchair and I was excited to go home after this morning's final check up. He'd brought me clothes on the second day, so I didn't have to wear the awful hospital gown that showcases everyone's ass. I still wasn't allowed to shower, so I'd cleaned up as much as possible in the bathroom and dressed in sweats for the big moment. I'd tamed my hair as good as possible with the supplies Ranger had brought me and went with the ponytail for today.

Ranger smiled when he made sure I was seated comfortably, "You ready?"

"I was ready two days ago," I replied. Ranger looked like he was thinking of rolling his eyes but didn't say anything as he shouldered my duffle and rolled me out of the room.

"My flowers!" I remembered when we were halfway down the corridor. "Go back! I want my flowers, please?"

Ranger had given me a beautiful bouquet of freesias and chrysanthemums and daises and I loved those flowers. I could hear him chuckle as he turned me around and rolled me back into my room, handed me the vase and pushed me back into the hallway again.

I wanted to protest when he took the vase from me and lifted me out of the chair into his car, but I knew I could have hurt myself climbing into the Cayenne. Ranger reached over to buckle my seatbelt and looked at me with a raised eyebrow.

"What?"

"You feeling okay?" he asked. "No argument? That's so not you." I stuck out my tongue as an appropriate reply and he took the opportunity to kiss me. Since he was already leaning over, all I had to do was lift my hands to pull him closer.

We hadn't taken it any further than the bone-melting kisses because we hadn't been alone all week. That was another reason I was looking forward to going home, although the pain in my side reminded me I'd have to wait a little longer for heavy action. Except I didn't know if I wanted any of the heavy action. We'd kissed, we'd touched, but we hadn't actually talked about what was going on. Take-Charge-Stephanie kept reminding me of the NC-17 dream I'd had in Atlantic City and that didn't help either. Knows-What-She-Wants Stephanie still wanted more than casual sex. I'd awakened demons!

The truth was, I'd grown way too comfortable with the way Ranger had come to visit me every day. He only left because I insisted he needed sleep too, otherwise he would have stayed in the hospital with me around the clock. And I liked seeing him every day. We'd spent more time together in the past six weeks than in all the years we'd known each other and I didn't want to go back to the old days of random meetings at Vinnie's.

Ranger tucked a strand of hair behind my ear when he pulled away and he gave me the full-on smile. "Deep thoughts? Or are you sad to say good-bye?"

I snorted, "Yeah, right!" It was perfectly acceptable to just answer his question and not share my thoughts, I figured. He let it go and just closed my door. It was hard to keep anything from Ranger; I'd have to make a decision fast.

He went into his zone while driving and I glanced at him every now and then when I thought he was concentrating on looking ahead at traffic, to study him.

He'd shown me a different side of him after I woke up after surgery. He'd shared his feelings and cared for me like a…well, therein lay the problem. I still didn't know what I was to him and unfortunately, my conscience wouldn't let me go further until I found out. Consciences are a real pain in the ass that way.

I had started thinking about Ranger as a way to distract myself from thinking about Thomalla, because thinking about Thomalla led to thoughts about Teddy and they still freaked me out. The problem was that thinking about my relationship with Ranger did nothing to brighten my mood.

After two days, Ranger had finally told me the entire story of what happened at the house Thomalla claimed to own, and I filed it under 'good to know'. I wasn't ready to deal with it yet. It wasn't the first time I'd been shot, and probably wouldn't be the last, but the events leading up to the shoot-out were a lot more traumatic for me than my flesh wound.

I don't know what Ranger thinks about when he's in his zone, but since we didn't talk, I spent the entire drive thinking. What did I want from Ranger? What kind of relationship did I want? Was I ready to move on? And if I was, did I want to move on with Ranger? And assuming I knew what I wanted, I had no way of knowing if it was what Ranger wanted. I had to stifle a grunt of frustration.

"You're taking me to my place, right?" I asked when we were getting close to the exit on 95. I knew that if I didn't say anything, Ranger would take me to Haywood Street. He'd get one of the studio apartments ready and move me in, the better to protect me. But I needed to go home, and I wasn't in danger anymore. I needed to fall onto my bed and know I was safe there.

And, okay, if I wanted to sort anything out I needed some physical distance from Ranger. I didn't trust myself in the same building with him, or at least I didn't trust my hormones.

Ranger cut his eyes to me, "If that's what you want."

"I need to check my mail! I have bills to pay before they cut off my electric and evict me. And I need to feed Rex, Hal promised to bring him home today, remember?" I realized I was rambling and made myself shut up.

Ranger smiled but didn't comment. Instead he just reached over and squeezed my hand. Another one of those gestures that could be interpreted a hundred ways from Sunday. I bit back a sigh.

He parked in my parking lot and grabbed my bag from the backseat. "Hold on a sec," he said, "I'll come around to get you."

"You're not carrying me upstairs!" I protested. "Try and stop me." He winked and got out of the car.

In the two seconds it took him to walk around the car to my side, I had an inner battle with myself. The Scarlett O'Hara in me was swooning over Ranger's chivalry, while the new and independent Stephanie scoffed. Before I could decide either way, Ranger had opened my door and leaned over me to pick me up. At least I had remembered to unbuckle my seatbelt, so that I didn't look like a total invalid. In an effort to at least appear unnerved, I rolled my eyes as I put my hands on Ranger's shoulders so he could pick me up. He ignored me and slid his hand under my knees.

He put me down in front of the back entrance and jogged back to the Cayenne to pick up my bag and the flowers. By the time he got back, I'd gone inside, picked up my mail and called the elevator.

"Dr. Desprez said I was okay to walk," I pointed out. He couldn't argue with that since he'd heard her discharge instructions, so I got to ride up in the elevator on my own two feet and ignored the little voice that was disappointed to not be in Ranger's arms anymore.

Since my keys were in my purse in my duffle, I waited for Ranger to unlock my front door. He didn't try to hold me back so he could inspect the apartment first, and I realized I had gotten so used to it that I hesitated a moment before I followed him. It would take some time for me to get used to being safe I figured. I stopped in the foyer and took a look around. It was easy to see someone had cleaned the entire apartment, it never looked as immaculate as it did now, even after I'd just cleaned it. It even smelled clean. I smiled in appreciation, it was truly a homecoming.

Next, I rushed into the kitchen as fast as my injury would let me to greet Rex. Hal had gotten him a new cage and the Merry Men had taken care of him while I was in the hospital. I tried to coax him out of his soup can but he wouldn't move, probably exhausted from a night on his new wheel.

"I'm sure he's happy to see you," Ranger quipped when he joined me in the kitchen and saw my disappointed face. I'd have to get him a hamster so he would understand the bond Rex and I had.

My answering machine was blinking furiously. "What did you tell my mom again about where I was?" I asked with a glance at the blinking light. I was sure at least half of the messages were from my family.

"You were working with me undercover and couldn't blow your cover by calling home," Ranger said and pressed the play button. I hoped my mom had bought it.

"You have fourteen new messages," the machine announced. I had butterflies in my stomach until I realized there was nothing to be afraid of anymore, they would be messages from friends and family. The bad guys were in jail. Sure enough, the first three calls were from my mom, getting more impatient as they went along. I deleted the messages along with those of phone solicitors and Connie, Vinnie and Valerie asking where the hell I was. Lula knew, but Tank had asked her to keep quiet, so the Burg rumor mill wouldn't start.

I deleted all the messages, the call backs could wait. Ranger was leaning against the doorjamb, his arms crossed over his chest. "What?" I asked innocently. He just looked at me and I sighed. "Yeah, I know. I'm on my way to bed…"

It was part of the compromise. I got to go home, but I had to spend the bulk of the next week in bed.

Ranger followed me into my bedroom and sat down on the bed. "If you need help, I'll undress you," he suggested with a grin. Since I didn't know if he was kidding or not, I just grabbed my nice flannel jammies and disappeared into the bathroom to change.

I sent a longing glance to the shower; I couldn't wait until I was allowed to shower again. Wet washcloths just didn't do the job right, and I decided then and there to cheat and have a shower the next morning.

Ranger had fluffed up the pillows and turned down the comforter when I came out of the bathroom washed and changed. He literally tucked me in with a smile. His knuckles brushed over my breasts in the process, and I had to wonder whether it was on purpose or accidentally. In any case, I was glad my nipples' reaction was now hidden under the covers.

"Are you gonna stay?" I asked him when he bent down and kissed my forehead. It had come out sounding needy and insecure, not how I had intended it to sound.

"I have to go," he almost whispered, his mouth close to my skin. "But I'll be back later to kiss you awake."

He drew back and smiled as he left the room. I almost thought he'd left, but he returned a couple minutes later with a glass of water, my pills, my gun and the cordless. He was so thoughtful…for a man. A girlfriend would have brought me cake and the TV remote with the phone, I thought, but still, it was sweet.

"Anything else you need?" He asked as he placed the items down on my nightstand. I had a hard time keeping my eyes open, but I contemplated telling him that I needed him to stay and lie down next to me. In the end I just shook my head. "Thank you," I said yawning.

Ranger ran a finger over my cheek and smiled, then he was gone. I think I fell asleep before he closed the front door behind him.

I woke up just as promised, Ranger was lying next to me on top of the covers, his arm around me. He was propped up on his elbow and planted butterfly kisses all over my face; I opened my eyes right as he was kissing my nose.

"Hey," he whispered, placing the last kiss on my mouth. "Hey," I said and snuggled into him and his arm tightened around my hip. I liked waking up next to him; it made me feel warm and protected. It felt like home.

"What time is it?" I asked after allowing myself to wade through the remaining layers of sleep slowly.

"Time to eat," Ranger said and I could feel him smile against my hair. "It's afternoon and you haven't eaten since breakfast. I'm surprised your rumbling stomach didn't wake you." As if on cue, my stomach growled, and we both laughed.

"Is my hunger making me hallucinate or do I smell food?" I pulled my head back to be able to look at Ranger. He was still smiling. "That's why I woke you, it's waiting for you in the dining room." Probably he woke me because it was time to take my meds, but it was nice he had food waiting, too.

I'd gotten back my appetite for real food about two days after the surgery, and since Ranger always got me yummy meals, I was curious to see what he'd brought this time.

He helped me sit up and take my pills and then he lifted me up into a standing position. I was pretty sure I could have managed on my own, but I was enjoying the feeling of Ranger's flexing muscles under my hands too much to protest.

The table was set for two. Ranger had filled wine glasses with water, which gave it an elegant look. There was a big bowl of salad, but since I knew that wasn't what I'd smelled, I wasn't discouraged.

Ranger led me over to my chair and then disappeared into the kitchen. He returned with his hand in an oven mitt, carrying a baking sheet. "You cooked for me?"

Ranger just grinned and put a huge sandwich on each of our plates. "Cuban sandwich," he said winking and went to take the sheet back to the kitchen.

The sandwich smelled heavenly and looked absolutely delicious. Melted cheese oozed out between the grilled slices of bread and pooled with the grease from the meats on the plate. I tried to be polite and wait until Ranger came back, and the moment he sat down I grabbed the sandwich and took a huge bite. Ranger chuckled at my happy eating noises and grabbed the salad bowl to add some greens to our plates.

He wouldn't let me help with the cleanup after dinner and told me just to sit tight and relax. I took my pills right on schedule and they kicked in by the time we settled on the couch with coffee.

Ranger pulled me towards him so that my back was leaning against his chest and then ran his fingers over my arms. I didn't mean to, but full with a good meal and somewhat mellowed out from the painkillers, I fell asleep.

I woke up when Ranger carried me from the couch to the bedroom. "Sorry," I mumbled, "You sedated me with good food."

"Not how I usually achieve that state," Ranger chuckled and I could feel his body vibrate with the silent laughter. When he put me down on my bed, I held on to his neck and pulled him down with me.

"Do you have to leave again?"

"Not right this second," he replied and settled down next to me. He pulled me into his arms and I sighed contently. I decided not to ruin it by asking myself or Ranger how long he could stay, I just wanted to enjoy his warmth. He knew the danger was over just as much as I did, and still he stayed.

I woke up alone this time, but Ranger had left a note on the nightstand that he would call later. According to the alarm clock, it was almost 5, so I'd slept away the better part of the day. Dr. Desprez would be so proud. I stuffed the pillows behind my back and picked up the phone, figuring I might as well get all the calls taken care of, starting with my family.

My mom was unusually nice, making me wonder just what exactly Ranger had told her about my absence, but she still wouldn't let me go until I'd promised her I'd come visit the next day. I called Val next and was happy to learn that she had recovered from the traumatic events well, Baby Lisa was her usual self, and Albert was still overly attentive. All was well in the Plum family, it seemed. Next, I called Mary Lou to basically apologize for not calling in so long. I didn't mean to lie to her, but I ended up telling her a much abbreviated version of the events, omitting the getting shot part.

Rather than calling both Lula and Connie, I decided I'd stop by the office in the morning. I hadn't been there in way too long anyway; I still needed to talk to Vinnie to make sure I still had a job. Somehow that had taken the back burner when my car was attacked and I was kidnapped. Go figure.

Ranger called around seven, when I had just started a couch picnic with Oreos and milk and was watching a movie. The food fairy had stocked my fridge and pantry. Ranger had a surveillance and possible take down that night, but he said he'd come by later if he could manage. I knew he was just calling to check up on me, but I was hoping he'd wanted to hear my voice as much as I wanted to hear his. Then I told myself to get real. Still, a part of me kept hoping he'd spend the night with me. Another part of me was scared shitless of that possibility though, because it…I wanted the whole relationship issue cleared up first.

I took my meds before I went to bed, just as I'd been ordered, but I still woke up in the middle of the night. It wasn't the pain that woke me up; it was another nightmare, although I couldn't remember the details, as I lay panting and sweating in my bed. Eventually I managed to fall asleep again and the next morning, I felt a lot better than the day before.

I figured doctor's orders were negotiable, so I took a shower. It felt like I had weeks of dirt and hospital grime to wash off, and it only hurt a little when I lifted my arms to wash my hair.

Rex came out of his soup can when I dropped some carrots into his food dish and I told him the PG 13 version of why I hadn't been around for a while. Rex could only handle so much violence. Ranger had said that he'd be by at some point, so I left him a note on my front door when I took off, feeling pretty proud of myself that I didn't even wonder where he'd spent the night.

I had to look around for my car, since I hadn't been the one who parked it. When I found it, I remembered what had happened the last time I'd driven it. Along with a smashed window, Teddy's goons had left Joe's finger in it. I shuddered involuntarily. The Mini had since been repaired and detailed; at least I couldn't see any damage or stains.

I told myself I was perfectly safe in the car now, the bad guys had been caught. Still, when I sat down gingerly and cranked the engine over, I let out a breath of relief when the engine caught and I didn't explode. Force of habit, I guess.

I stopped and got a dozen donuts and three coffees, and then parked the Mini behind the bonds office, although I kept telling myself out front would have been just as safe. I decided to go easy on myself and take some time to adjust to peace and safety, then I shook my head because I was actually having this conversation out loud with myself.

Lula looked like she was going to hug me, but she thought better of it and just took the coffees and donuts to put them on Connie's desk. Connie had a huge grin on her face. "Back in one piece! Good as new?"

"I will be," I confirmed and helped myself to a coffee and a donut before I sat down on the couch.

"I saw that grimace," Lula said, "You're not quite there yet. And don't be pretending neither, it's us. We know what's going on."

"No, we don't," Connie said, frowning at Lula"You've only been telling me bits and pieces and I know Steph was shot, but I don't know how, where or by who." I snorted. It must have been killing her not to know the details. I looked at Lula in surprise, it wasn't like her to keep secrets. She shrugged, "Told ya everything I knew. My man Tank wasn't exactly sharing details with me." Now they both looked at me with their eyebrows raised. I figured I owed them the whole story.

"My car is good as new already, RangeMan took care of all the …repairs." I knew they'd get the meaning. Both of them nodded. "What did Tank tell you?" I asked Lula. I wanted to tell them, but there was no need to go over what they already knew and relive it.

"I know what was in the papers, about the hearing I mean," Connie supplied. Good God, I should have known I'd made the papers. My mom had probably been ironing the whole week. There hadn't been any reporters at the courthouse, so I figured someone told the papers afterwards and probably they had recycled an old picture of me.

"So you know Joe's killer and my stalker is behind bars for good," I said. Connie's eyes grew wide. "He killed Morelli????"

I realized I needed to start pretty much from the beginning. I helped myself to a second donut and told them everything I knew about Teddy and Thomalla.

Connie frowned. "That name doesn't ring a bell."

"He's not from here," Lula filled in, "He transferred from Newark." Connie scoffed as if that explained everything.

I told them about Thomalla schmoozing me, playing the grief-stricken partner when he was the one who had Morelli killed because he'd found him out.

When I got to the point of Thomalla kidnapping me for knowing the evidence, Connie interrupted, "How'd he know you found it?"

I took a sip from my coffee, "He was with me when I found it. He'd told me it was the evidence needed to clear Morelli's name, so we'd both looked for it." Connie grimaced and motioned for me to continue.

"I don't know if Thomalla had been meaning to split anyway or if he just needed me out of the way, but he kidnapped me and had me drive to his house, only it was the same house Teddy held me captive in after he kidnapped me in Atlantic City…"

"Awful lot of kidnapping going on in your life," Lula mumbled. Maybe she was trying to tell me I hadn't exactly filled the two of them in about the last few weeks. I nodded, "Teddy followed me to Atlantic City after I ran out on Ranger who was trying to keep me from killing Teddy after I'd found out he'd killed Joe."

"Awful lot of killing going on, too." I glared at Lula but she was smiling, so I snorted. I could always trust Lula to find something to make fun of.

"Why would you run away from Ranger?" Connie wanted to know. "Twice," Lula added. I rolled my eyes and waved them off, "It doesn't matter, the point is, Thomalla and Teddy both took me to the same house. It was creepy."

"Because you didn't want Ranger to keep you safe," Connie summed it up, shaking her head. I couldn't get into this debate because I had no idea why I thought I'd be better off without Ranger. "This last time wasn't my fault though," I said, "Ranger was still needed at the courthouse and Thomalla offered to take me home." Neither Connie nor Lula looked like that made up for the times it had been my fault, so I moved on. I glossed over the talk I'd had with Thomalla and the abuse; I'd filed that away to be dealt with later.

"Thank God you still had Ranger's key with the GPS thingy," Lula said. "Ranger mobilized a team and followed her," she explained to Connie, as if she was happy to get it off her chest.

"Then what?" Connie asked, leaning forward, "Standoff at the OK Coral?"

"Something like that, yeah." I agreed. "Thomalla locked me in a closet, so I couldn't see anything, but some guy arrived before Ranger, an accomplice."

"Who?" I rolled my eyes. At the rate Connie was asking questions, this would take hours.

"Martin Ashton," Lula explained. "He worked with Gardner at the hospital as an orderly." I smiled. Lula was getting impatient. Connie selected another donut and for a moment I thought she was going to ask where Ashton was from or what hospital, but she stayed quiet.

"Ranger had asked the Merry Men to stay behind after he had established contact with Thomalla, he was negotiating with him for me." I thought that sounded neutral enough, I didn't want to share that I felt Ranger had offered himself to Thomalla so he would let me go. I shuddered at the memory of sneaking out of the closet.

Connie's eyes grew wide when I got to the part about coming up on Thomalla, Lula was fidgeting beside me, trying to get me to the part she didn't know.

"So I'm running at Thomalla with my only weapon, a coat hanger I found in the closet, and I'm screaming at the top of my lungs to distract the bastard." Ranger had called that stupid and brave. I wasn't sure about the brave part.

"You whaaaat?" Lula shrieked. "Yep, and as it turns out, I was just in time, too. Ranger was about to enter, so Thomalla would've shot him. Instead," I lifted my sweatshirt, "Ashton came from behind and shot me."

Lula looked at my bandage with an expression resembling awe. "So you took the bullet with Ranger's name on it?"

I snorted. "Not quite that poetic, but basically. I passed out from it so Ranger had to tell me the rest when I woke up in the hospital." Connie sucked in some air. "I knew you weren't working undercover for Ranger!"

Lula noticed my curious look. "That's what Ranger's been tellin' everybody. Tank said he didn't want all of Trenton to know you was in the hospital." She looked at Connie pointedly and Connie busied herself with her coffee. We all knew Connie was a major wheel in the Burg's gossip mill. Ranger's story must have been really good if my mother had bought it after the newspaper story. "What happened to Thomalla and Ashton?" Connie changed the subject.

"Everything must've happened at once," I said, "Ranger broke down the door when Ashton shot me, so Ranger took him out first."

"Is he…?" Connie gestured. I just nodded. "Oh," Lula said. I still didn't know if I was supposed to feel bad for Ashton. If he hadn't shot me first, he might still be alive, so it was his choice in a way.

I looked at Lula, "That's when Tank and Cal barged in and tackled Thomalla to the ground before he could cause any more damage." Lula smiled proudly.

"So he's still alive?" Connie asked. "So far, yes. But he'll stay in prison without bail. From what I understand, being a cop in prison can make you wish you were dead though." Connie nodded knowingly at that.

"So basically, you saved Ranger's life?" Connie summed up. "It wouldn't have been in danger without me," I pointed out, "I did what I had to do." I meant it. If I had to do it over again, I'd do it the exact same way. I took a deep breath. "And now I have to save my job. Is Vinnie in?"

Connie shook her head and looked at her watch. "He's at the courthouse right now, should be back in a half hour or so." I cracked my knuckles. Vinnie had told Connie he was going to hire Joyce Barnhard full time and basically fire me.

I didn't know if I wanted to stay a bounty hunter forever, but I wanted it to be my call. "Did he hire Joyce Barnyard yet?" Lula scoffed next to me and finished her donut.

"No," Connie said, "There really haven't been any cases of her caliber. Lula's been helping out, so Vinnie never even noticed." I squeezed Lula's hand and smiled at her gratefully. She shrugged, "You would of done the same for me."

"So you think I still have a job?" Connie laughed humorlessly. "Let me put it this way," she said, "Either you still have your job, or Vinnie'll find himself without an office manager and a file clerk."

"Fuckin' A" Lula confirmed. I felt tears sting in my eyes. True friendship chokes me up. "You guys…" I said and pretended to look for something in my pocketbook.

Just then, the front door opened and Vinnie sauntered in. "Steph's back," Connie announced as if he couldn't see me sitting almost in front of him. I got up slowly. "I need to talk to y…"

"Yeah, yeah," he interrupted me; "I got the whole spiel every day last week. If you still want the job, it's yours." With that, he disappeared into his office and slammed and locked the door. I sat back down deflated. I'd expected a big fight over my job; instead, Connie and Lula had taken care of me. Between these two and Ranger, I had the best friends in the whole world.

"Thanks you guys," I choked out, fishing a tissue out of my pocket this time. "You would've done the same for us," Connie repeated Lula's words and Lula agreed. "Yeah. Who else would bring the donuts?" and then she jokingly punched my arm.

I was still trying to come up with something appropriate to say when Lula elbowed me. "Here comes the man of the hour now," she said and I looked up just as Ranger opened the door, dressed in a skintight black t-shirt, as if the near-freezing outside temperatures didn't apply to him, and black cargo pants. If "Guns & Ammo" had cover guys, he'd be it. He took off his mirrored sunglasses and I heard Lula suck in some air. I had to wet my suddenly dry lips.

Ranger went over to Connie's desk and handed her some paperwork. "The contract, just like discussed," he said. "I'll make sure Vinnie knows," Connie replied, but Ranger was already turning away from her towards me. He nodded at Lula and then he bent down to me. I could see Connie fanning herself and realized she was staring at Ranger's ass.

For a moment, I thought he was going to kiss me, but he leaned down past my face, put his hand on the back of my neck and whispered into my ear, "I was hoping you'd let me help with the first shower." His lips were touching my earlobe and my skin started tingling.

Lula cleared her throat next to me, although I was fairly sure she hadn't heard what Ranger said. Before I could think of an appropriate response, Ranger said, "I need to see you outside," and straightened back up. Connie looked as if she might faint.

I told Connie I'd be back to work the outstanding FTA's as soon as my doctor cleared me, since I knew Ranger wouldn't let me go skip-tracing sooner anyway, and she told me to take my time. I told Lula to call me and left the office.

Ranger was waiting for me outside, just left of the door, so he couldn't be seen from inside. He gave me the almost smile when he saw me. "So you're feeling better then?" He asked, reaching for my hand. He pulled me close to him and nuzzled my neck.

"How did you know I took a shower? Was I looking that grungy before?" I was talking because I was nervous. I wanted to step closer and feel his warmth, no matter who may be smushing their noses against the office window to see us, but I was keeping some distance because I still didn't know how to read his signals.

Ranger smiled against my skin, "Babe, you used new shower stuff. I smelled in when I entered the office." His breath was tickling my skin, "This one is sweet…" his tongue dared out and touched my pulse point. I wrapped my arms around his neck to keep my balance. "Is…is that what you wanted to tell me?"

"No. Just didn't want every word overheard by Connie and Lula," he said. He pulled back and cupped my face. "I don't know if I should be happy you feel better or mad that you disobeyed the doctor's orders." The almost-smile on his lips belied his words and I smiled back. "You're happy for me," I replied and he chuckled.

"I think I'm happy for me, too." He was still smiling when he kissed me, his soft lips barely touching mine. "I'm sorry I didn't make it over last night, we ran into some problems."

I was surprised Ranger was apologizing and waved it off as I took a step back. "I fell asleep watching TV anyway."

"What are you doing tonight? Can I interest you in dinner?" He asked, "My place?" I raised my eyebrows. Ranger had never just asked me over. I realized that might very well be one of the signs I'd waited for. "Are you cooking again?"

He pulled me closer. "Are you hungry now?" He ran a finger over my jaw line and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, then he let his hand linger on my shoulder. His eyes met mine and the heat I felt pooling in my stomach told me exactly what he'd meant by that question.

"I…I told my parents I'd stop by to catch up," I said, trying to think of how quickly I could get out of there. If I expected to escape my mother anytime today, I'd have to talk real fast and be convincing. I sighed in frustration.

Ranger chuckled again, "Take your time. I have a few things to wrap up. Just let yourself in, I'll be waiting for you." He leaned in and kissed me right below my earlobe. "You always smell like flowers. Today it's vanilla. That's how I knew right away."

I was still trying to remember how to breathe and come up with a comeback that would make Ranger feel half as hot and bothered as he'd make me feel when he brushed his lips over my mouth and took off.

Okay, I thought, mentally cracking my knuckles and running through my 'to do' list. I'd told Connie and Lula the whole story, I had made sure I still had a job and I had a date with Ranger. Pretty good for a morning's work.

Thinking about being alone with Ranger in his apartment made my heart skip a beat. I'd been in his apartment before, in his bed even. But this was a first date, it didn't matter how long I'd known him, it would be a first date. I had to prep. Ranger didn't say whether he preferred my new scent to my old scent and now I didn't know if I should re-shower. And what should I wear? The jeans and sweatshirt I was wearing now wouldn't do, but I couldn't dress up too sexy, too…obvious either, could I?

And before I could focus on the date, I still had to see my parents. Grandma Mazur would probably see right through my fibs, she knew me too well. I'd have to tell her the true story at some point, too. Just as long as mom believed my story, she'd cut me off from dessert forever if she knew the truth.

For right now, I just had to make sure the bandage didn't show and I didn't wince when I moved.

Yes, I tried to convince myself, I can do this!!

The End

A/N: Are you still curious what happened? Let me know if you're interested in an epilogue and I get to writin'...