AN: Wow, you guys are still reading this! Thanks for the support. This chapter is a bit short, and I am scrambling for ideas for chapter 15. If there's any direction you want to see me head in, leave it in the reviews! I will try to incorporate your suggestions! Frankly, I think Ranger and Steph are getting a bit too cozy! Time to shake things up:)

Chapter 14

Dinner was over, as was the crisis that triggered the security issue I guess. Ranger was being very vague about what the problem was and I didn't think I'd get anywhere with him during my parents visit.

My family loved the house and Ranger's suggestion that we have a big engagement party next month. My mother did manage to ask about my ring.

"I'm working on it," was all Ric had said.

My father and Ranger disappeared shortly before my family was expected to leave. I saw them talking by the pool, but thought it best not to interrupt. I'd find out more later.

"I thought the dinner went pretty well," I offered as Ric and I cleaned up the kitchen.

"Yeah, it did, but why don't you go ahead and ask what you really want to know." He was smiling at me.

"Why don't you just tell me? We both know I'm going to find out one way or another."

"Okay, Babe. I don't really have a choice anyway. The problem is that Martinez has found the house. He deliberately tripped the security. He was testing our response time. Steph, you have to be careful, more careful than usual. I don't want you going anywhere without one of my men with you."

Been there, done that. Hated it. Okay, so the guys were all gorgeous in their own way, but I detested the concept of a babysitter for Stephanie.

"Look, I know we've had this discussion before, but it bears repeating. Why is it you assume that everyone will come gunning for me? Why not your mother or your sister?"

Ranger, and he was in Ranger mode right now, seemed to be thinking this over. Finally he spoke, "I suppose I never made it clear to you before. When you go under protection, so do they. It's just different. There's like a code of sorts. My mother and the rest of my family are not in the business, Babe. They have that in their favor. I don't doubt for a minute that there's some crazy somewhere who would consider them fair game, but generally speaking they are off limits. You, on the other hand, are a prime target for anyone who wanted to get to me."

I thought about this and guess it did make sense. It didn't make it any easier to accept the fact that I would have a shadow tomorrow though.

"All right. I'll give in this time," I smiled up at him. "Now are you going to tell me what you and my dad talked about?"

"Guy stuff, Babe. Don't think you'd really be interested. Have to say that your dad is a pretty cool guy."

I had a hard time seeing my taxi-driving, TV-watching dad as a pretty cool guy, but if Ranger was endorsing him, he must be.

"I've always liked him," I offered.

We climbed the stairs to our room. I loved the nights like this where it was just us. We usually had a full house of Rangeman employees camped out in the den or living room. It appeared that tonight there were no guests at all.

"Kind of quiet, don't you think?"

Ric smiled down at me. "I asked them to leave us alone so we could celebrate telling your family." He pushed back my curls from my face. "I just wanted some time alone with you."

I grimaced. He wasn't fooling me. "When you leave for Florida?"

That earned me a smile. "You don't disappoint Babe. Tomorrow afternoon. I want to settle some things in the morning regarding Martinez. If I could, I would reschedule. I hate leaving you alone with that asshole out there, but I need to finish with Gina. I want this all behind us."

I understood, really I did, but that understanding wasn't making me any happier. "Of course, I understand. Is there anyway I can help?"

"How about sending me off with a smile?"

The next day came far too fast and I didn't feel like getting up. It was Saturday and I was planning on sleeping in until I remembered that Ric was headed back to Florida today. I guess my brain engaged my other senses because I suddenly heard him packing.

"How long will you be gone?" I asked, yawning and stretching at the same time.

I saw his hungry gaze land on my rising tank top. "You don't have time for that so just answer the question," I laughed.

"No more than three days, I hope. I'll call you from the house when I get there."

"What house would that be?" Okay, so I was fishing, but who wouldn't in my place.

"The house I bought for Gina and Elena. I usually stay there when I am in town. Works for everyone."

Doesn't work for me. Jealousy is irritating, I thought. I knew I could trust Ric. Hell, I could even trust Ranger. Funny, but there were times when I thought of him as two separate people. I could see him as Ric and know the instant that he went into Ranger mode. Also funny was the fact that I loved both persona almost equally.

"Babe, call Tank if you need anything. I will call tonight. Security around the house has been tightened, so please don't forget to set the alarm. Lester and Hal will be spending the night in the guest rooms. Don't give them a hard time, please." He smiled at that one. Lester seemed to inspire me to greater lengths. I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to outwit him, but remembering last night, I thought it best to play the good girl.

"I'll behave." This earned me a kiss and hug as Batman left our bedroom.

Confinement of any kind just doesn't sit well with me. Here I was in a huge house, where the bedroom alone was nearly the size of my old apartment, yet I was feeling the walls closing in. I considered calling Mary Lou, but decided that I needed more time to think things over before bringing Dr. ML back into the picture. Finally, I called Lula. Maybe we could do lunch or even donuts.