Authors note: Here's the last and final chapter! It's quite… very long…If you want to kill me wait till you get to the end.

I don't know if it's necessary but, since you can never be too sure: warning: a little bad language, but nothing you wouldn't use if you dropped something heavy on your toe.;)

And a big Thank you to all my reviewers! A story is not a story without someone reading it. It is now three thirty in the morning, I should be up in 4 hours, but I wanted to get this out of the system before turning in. Finally I can go to sleep. Good night ye all! :zones off into dreamland:

Don't own them, not making any profit, characters belong to Janet Evanovich, lyrics are Seasons In The Sun by Terry Jacks

It never rains, it pours

Chapter 4: Seasons in the sun

I swept the towel closer to my body as I stepped out of the bathroom. I didn't know why I had written that to Ranger, and to tell you the truth, I was shit scared he'd take that as an invitation. But no Ranger awaited me when I opened the bathroom door. Somewhere deep inside I was a little disappointed Ranger hadn't shown up. I scurried off to the bedroom and put on an old t-shirt and baggy pants before heading into the kitchen to make a sandwich. Before I got into the kitchen I decided this was a Ghostbusters day and popped the DVD into the player and hit play. I listened to the theme as I made my peanutbutter and olive sandwich. "Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!" I sang with the theme and settled down on the couch. Fifteen minutes into the movie I heard my computer ding 'You got mail.' I headed to my bedroom where the laptop was lying on my bed. Before I even clicked 'open mailbox' my nipples contracted. You have 1 new mail from Ricardo Mañoso. I was scared he'd answer something dirty to my ramblings and almost considered deleting the mail before opening it. But my curiosity beat me and I clicked open.

It's not a good idea, besides, last time Tank worked with you he broke his leg. And stop thinking Babe, you're starting to make me nervous.

Ghostbusters again?

At 19.32 Stephanie Plum wrote:

Later, I'm taking a shower, have to get rid of the garbage Lynch threw at me. How about you tell Tank to come with me next time, and he can throw Lynch out the window for me?Then Vinnie can't blame me… Okay I know, it's a bad idea, but I can dream, can't I? Now I'm getting into the shower, and I don't want any visitors! Including you… I want only me, myself and I in the shower. And I'm going now. And I'm going to press send before I say anything that I will regret later.

At 16.08 Ricardo Mañoso wrote:

We need to talk.

I felt my cheeks go hot. He knew I was thinking about him in the shower? And Ghostbusters? Could he really read minds? Could he read my mind? Gosh. I felt myself go hotter in other bodyparts than my cheeks. I mentally fanned myself then I smiled. I was making him nervous. Yay, one point for Wonder Woman! I clicked 'reply' and wrote.

Damn ESP, you do it over internet too?! You can't hear over internet, can you? If so I'm going to move to Alaska. This is almost embarrassing.

And before I could regret I clicked send. I closed the laptop's lid and returned to Ghostbusters. When Ghostbusters ended I was finished. I yawned and got up from the couch and dragged myself through the bathroom procedure and into my room. I popped down on my bed and had almost zoned off into dreamland when I suddenly felt the urge to check my mail. I opened the laptop and logged in. 'You got mail'. I had butterflies in my stomach as I clicked open.

Babe

That's it. Just one word. No dot, no questionmark, no exclamationmark, just one word. I laughed, only you Ranger, only you. I clicked reply and wrote.

Allright! I'll be in the office at nine o'clock tomorrow. Be there or be squared!

Then I hit send and put the laptop away and fell happily into dreamland.

Way too soon I was startled awake by the screeching sounds of the alarm. I swung out my arm and hit the alarm and hid my face into my pillow. Next time I came around I glanced over at the watch. I groaned and decided to hide under the sheets then I startled glanced over at the watch again. Holy crap! 8.20 am. I was going to be late. I jumped out of my bed and rusged through the shower. I pulled my hair up in a pony tail and pulled on my uniform, jeans and t-shirt. I rushed into the kitchen and opened the fridge. Empty. I made a mental note to shop food then I opened the cupboards threw a handful of frost flakes into my mouth and dropped a flake into Rex's cage.

"I'm late, have a nice day." Rex looked out from his can and looked at me. His whiskers twitched then he disappeared back into his can. His way of saying; have a nice day you too and I zoomed out of my apartment grabbing my purse and carkeys on my way out. The time was 8.58 when I turned the key and Big Blue came alive with a big growl. I sped to the office and was halfway out my car when it suddenly hit me. I had forgotten to put on makeup! I was thinking of driving back to my apartment when I heard a soft chuckle and I turned my head to find Ranger leaning his arms on the roof of Big Blue, looking down at me.

"Babe." He was giving me his 100 watt smile and I almost melted right there and right then. He looked delicious with his hair pulled back and the sleeves of his knitted sweater pulled up to his elbows. He shook his head slowly from side to side. Wow, he could shake his head! Then he pulled me out of my car and into his arms. He planted a kiss on my forehead and then turned me and escorted me to his Mercedes. Wait! What? He opened the door on the passenger side and looked at me. I made my version of his almost-not-shaking-my-head and glared at him.

"You're not gonna lock me up somewhere are you?" I asked suspiciously.

"Babe." He looked mildly exasperated. "We need to talk."

"Then we talk here." I wasn't going to give away on this one. I would not get into his car, period. He sighed.

"You're not easy."

"Neither are you!" I replied. This earned me another 100 watt smile and I felt myself soften.

"Alright, we'll talk here." He said and closed the door and took a step closer to me. He opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted by his cellphone. He looked at the display and answered with a "Talk." and ended it with a "Be there in ten." God, he needed to learn how to have a conversation. I didn't actually know why we needed to talk, since mostly I was the one doing the talking and he was silent. Okay, the need for a talk might have something to do with me wearing a gun. He had probably teamed up with Morelli on this one. Ranger looked at me for a long time then he kissed me softly on my lips.

"You're not getting away with this one, we still need to talk." With that he got into his car and drove off to save the world. Yeesh, I who had looked forward to this conversation. I walked into the office and found both Connie and Lula panting at the window.

"I tell you girls, that man is H-O-T-T." Lula said and fanned herself.

"Any new skips?" I asked and handed Connie the bodyreceipt for Lynch as she sat down behind her desk. She took the receipt and handed me a new file.

"Sally Sweet again. You got Lunch yesterday?"

I nodded and did a high five with Lula. The handshake-complicated-thingy I never got the hang of.

"Way to go girl! I'm sorry I couldn't join you in kicking his sorry ass." Lula said and smiled. Tank had asked her out yesterday and she had almost been going up in the air so excited she was.

"Don't worry, you can join me next time kicking his ass." I replied and opened Sally's file. I didn't tell them it was my ass that had been kicked. Through a garbage can. But hey, I had at least brought him in in the end. I flipped through the pages of the file when my cellphone rang in my purse.

"Yello" I answered.

"Hello Cupcake."

Goodbye to you, my trusted friend.
We've known each other since we were nine or ten.
Together we climbed hills or trees.
Learned of love and ABC's,
skinned our hearts and skinned our knees.

Morelli's dark voice on the other end connected immediately with other parts than my ear and I felt myself go all warm and fuzzy.

"Dinner tonight?" He asked and I almost moaned. I was really jealous of Robin that got to hear his voice every day on work, then I mentally shook my head. Hey, I got to hear his voice every day, too!

"Hello?" Morelli laughed in the other end.

"Oy… yeah, my mother asked us to come for dinner tonight."

"That wasn't exactly what I had in mind." I could hear he was a little disappointed and decided to cheer him up.

"How about we have dinner at my parent's and then a private dessert at your place?" I could feel him smile at the other end.

"Works for me. Shall I pick you up at your apartment?" I nodded without thinking and he laughed softly. "Cupcake, I can't see you nodding through the telephone." What the? He did the ESP thing too?! I snapped out of my stupor.

"Yes, you can pick me up a quarter to six."

"Okay, see you then. Love you." Oh shit.

"Uh… you too!" And I hung up. What was it with me and the big L word? Why couldn't I just tell him how much I loved him?
Goodbye my friend, it's hard to die,
when all the birds are singing in the sky,
Now that the spring is in the air.
Pretty girls are everywhere.
Think of me and I'll be there.

"I recon you don't need my help in bringing Sally in, do you?" Lula said somewhat disappointed. "I don't want to kick his ass. He's a nice guy."

"Don't worry, Lula. As soon as we have another FTA I'm sure Steph will let you tag along."

Connie said reassuringly.

"Yeah." I said. " But no kicking asses and no shooting."

"You and your rules." Lula pouted with her mouth and put her hands on her hips.
We had joy, we had fun, we had seasons in the sun.
But the hills that we climbed
were just seasons out of time.

I had no problems with getting Sally, he told me he had been waiting for me and wanted to see me. He hadn't found anyone to take his place driving his little dudes to and from school and he needed my help to find one. That was mostly the reason he had skipped court. After we had sorted that out I was done for the day. I called the office but Connie reported no new FTA's so I decided I go home and clean my apartment. I had a peanutbutter and olive sandwich and a beer I found in the fridge for lunch. I spent the rest of the day cleaning my apartment and doing laundry and by five o'clock I was really satisfied with myself. My apartment had a fresh scent and looked really tidy. My mom should be proud of me. I hit the shower and was doing my hair and makeup when I heard the locks tumble. Morelli came in and when he looked me over a smile spread across his face. Oh boy!

"Ready?" He asked and I nodded. He took my purse and held my jacket for me.

"Thanks" I said and he grabbed me and kissed me. Our tongues touched and he deepened the kiss. When we finally broke apart his eyes were really dark and I was out of air.

"Wow." I said and he led me out to the elevator, locking my door.

"You just wait for the dessert tonight." He said. At this I couldn't keep myself from smiling and my stomach was all jittery, but in a good way, and warm. We headed over to my parents and arrived exactly at six o'clock. Grandma Mazur was waiting for us at the door.

"You're right on time!" She said and moved to the side to let us in. "Valerie and Albert are here with the kids too." No shit, we could hear the cacophony even before we set our feet on the sidewalk. This was going to be a disaster. I could hear Joe take a deep breath and he grabbed my arm.

"It better be a good dessert!" He whispered loudly over the noise.

"Don't worry, I'll make it worth it." I flirted with him and dragged him with me into the diningroom. Grandma Mazur had sat down opposite Albert who was sitting with Valerie and Lisa on one side and a singing Angie on the other. Mary Alice refused to sit at the table and Lisa refused everything, telling it to everybody loud and clearly. My father was, as usual, already sitting with his fork and knife ready, waiting for the dinner to be served. Morelli and I took our places and the dinner was pronounced open. Plates and dishes were sent around and everybody dug in. My father served himself pot roast then handed it to Morelli and blinked at him. I almost rolled my eyes, my mother had warned me not to get close to the Morellis when I was young, and now she wanted me to marry one. Obviously my father was of the same thoughts, but he had never told me not to do anything. He had just comforted me and driven me to the hospital after I had tried to fly. He had always supported me, but in his own way.
Goodbye, Papa, please pray for me,
I was the black sheep of the family.
You tried to teach me right from wrong.
Too much wine and too much song,
wonder how I got along.

Angie was holding her hands over her ears humming to herself and Mary Alice was galloping and whinnying around the table. Lisa was setting a record as an alarm bell and Valerie, my mother and Albert were trying to have a conversation over the noise. I glanced at Morelli. He looked like he was considering shooting himself, but only the thought of the promised dessert at his house kept him alive. He noticed I was looking at him and turned to me with a strained smile. He bent closer to whisper something in my ear but was interrupted by my father.

"Shut up!" my father bellowed and everybody became quiet. Even Lisa stopped crying and put her thumb in her mouth. Mary Alice stopped in mid-gallop and Angie put her hands over her mouth. My mother stared at my father and it was so silent you could almost have heard a pin drop. My father turned back to his plate and continued to shovel in food as if nothing had happened. Grandma Mazur opened her mouth to say something, but my mother gave her such a look grandma snapped her mouth shut. Yikes, my mother looked scary.
Goodbye, Papa, it's hard to die
when all the birds are singing in the sky,
Now that the spring is in the air.
Little children everywhere.
When you see them I'll be there.

I looked at my father and wondered whether he wanted to have a grandson. I knew he loved Angie, Mary Alice and Lisa, but did he want to have a grandson to play baseball with? To take to the games and talk about cars with? Did he hope I would give him a grandson?
We had joy, we had fun, we had seasons in the sun.
But the wine and the song,
like the seasons, have all gone.

When the disaster was over my mother filled a bag with the leftovers and almost pushed us out of the house. What was the matter with them? But before I got into the car my mother made something that really surprised me. Without a word she came down the porch and hugged me. Then she headed back to the door without saying anything.

oooooooo00000000oooooooo00000000oooooooo00000000oooooooo00000000oooooooo

I knew I always complained about her job. Telling her they're hiring at the buttonfactory, but honestly, I don't want to have to worry every time the telephone rings it will be a police officer asking me if I am Stephanie Plum's mother. Yet I adore her. She is my daughter and I am proud of her. I am proud she is so strong, and walking her own way, not letting anybody push her down, not even me! And I know Frank is proud of her too, though he don't tell anyone, but I know what he is telling his friends, when he is out "driving cab", about her and her latest calamities.
Goodbye, Michelle, my little one.
You gave me love and helped me find the sun.
And every time that I was down
you would always come around
and get my feet back on the ground.

oooooooo00000000oooooooo00000000oooooooo00000000oooooooo00000000oooooooo

"That went well." I said when we were in the car, the silence ringing in our ears. Lisa had a very strong opinion, and a very strong voice to voice her opinion with. I didn't want to be around when she became a teenager. Poor Albert, he didn't know what he had gotten himself into. Morelli just sighed and we waved to my mother and grandma Mazur as we drove off. We were halfway to his house when his cellphone chirped. He slammed the brakes and let out a set of curses both in English and Italian. He parked the SUV and answered. After a short conversation he put down the cell and started banging his head on the steering wheel.

"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck Quei bastardi!" He banged his head with every word. I put my hand out and caught his head before he could hit the wheel another time.

"I'm sorry Steph…" He really looked sorry. I put my finger on his lips.

"I know, Joe, I know. Don't worry, I'll be fine." Yeah sure, I had really been looking forward to this evening with Joe. He kissed my finger then my mouth, then he pulled the car into traffic and too soon we were at my parking lot. He looked like a kit that had been promised candy and then the candy had been taken away. He was so sweet.

"How long will it take?" I asked, hoping against hope.

"I don't know." He leaned over the console and kissed me breathless. Again there was that feeling in my stomach and I must say I really enjoyed it. "Don't wait up."

"Take care." I replied as I got out of the car. He pulled me in and kissed me one last time and with a "Sleep tight." He drove away.

Goodbye, Michelle, it's hard to die
when all the bird are singing in the sky,
Now that the spring is in the air.
With the flowers ev'rywhere.
I whish that we could both be there.

I rode the elevator to my apartment and let myself in, did the routine check for hiding maniacs and psychos and when I found none I flopped down on my bed. Thinking of Morelli made me all hot and my stomach fluttered like it was housing a whole colony of butterflies. After some minutes in my thinking position I finally got it.

I let out a happy squeal and reached for my purse which I had dropped on the floor. I found my cellphone and dialled his number.

"Did you forget anything?" His voice low. I could hear people talking in the background and I heard Eddies voice yelling 'Say hi to Steph!'

"I just … wanted to tell you…" I began but my voice trailed off.

"Cupcake?" He asked sounding a little worried. I took a deep breath. It's now or never.

"I just wanted to tell you… I love you!"

"I love you too." I could hear the happiness in his voice. I had finally said it. I love him. I heard another voice yelling in the background telling Morelli to cut out all the romantics and start working.

"Well… that was all I wanted to tell you." I said.

"I'm glad you did." His voice sounded so warm and lovely. "I'll come over if we finish this tonight, but don't wait up. Love you."

"Love you." I replied and we hung up.
We had joy, we had fun, we had seasons in the sun.
But the stars we could reach
were just starfishs on the beach

oooooooo00000000oooooooo00000000oooooooo00000000oooooooo00000000oooooooo

On the telephone:

Conversation between Joe and Connie at 10.11

"Connie, has Stephanie been in yet?"
"No, not yet, why?"
"She's not answering her cell or the apartment telephone."
"I'll tell her to call you when she comes to pick up the new FTA files."

Conversation between Lula and Tank at 10.39

"Tank, Stephanie hasn't showed up, she isn't in the Rangeman building is she?"
"Has someone checked Joe's bed?"
"Joe's the one looking for her."

Conversation between Joe and Ranger at 10.40

"You have any idea where Steph is?"
"No, why?"
"She's not answering her cell, and she's not in her apartment."
"Where are you?"
"I'm in her apartment, looks like she went to work, but she hasn't showed up yet."
"The car?"
"Gone"

Conversation between Tank and Ranger at 10.51

"Lula called and asked where Bombshell is."
"Morelli checked Steph's apartment. No sign of struggle."
"The car?"
"Gone. Get Santos and Brown out on the field immediately. Have them check every mall and shop around Hamilton. And have Zero check the bugs."

Conversation between Zero and Tank at 10.57

"Talk."
"Find any bugs we have on Stephanie and call."

Conversation between Zero and Tank at 11.08

"Nothing on the bugs."
"Nothing?"
"Nothing. I can trace them all the way until yesterday night to 23.59. At 00.00 they disappear."

Conversation between Tank and Ranger at 11.09

"Zero on the bugs."
"Explain."
"He could trace them until 23.59 yesterday night, at 00.00 they disappeared."
"Get the rest of the men out on the field. Someone check Starkstreet and the Burg."

Conversation between Joe and Ranger at 11.12

"You put bugs on her?"
"Yes, but we can only trace them until yesterday night. At 00.00 they disappear."
:silence:
"What the heck does that mean?"
:silence:
"I don't know."

Conversation between Grandma Mazur and Lula at 11.30

"Plum's residence. Edna speaking."
"Hi Edna, it's Lula, is Stephanie there?"
"No, she left yesterday with Joe. I guess she's still in his bed. I'd be if it were me."
"If she shows up tell her to call the office."
"Okay, but if you need a sidekick I could tag along. I wouldn't mind helping society, dragging skips back to the system you know."
"I know. If I ever need a sidekick you're the number uno on my sidekicks list."
"Thanks. I'll tell Steph to call you if she shows up. But I still think you should look in Joe's bed."

Conversation between Ranger and Joe at 14.33

"Anything?"
"Nothing."
"I have my men searching the neighbourhood."
"I've had her description out on the radio, every patrol is keeping their eyes up."

Conversation between Joe and Ranger 15.23

"Nothing."
"Nothing."
"Not even her car?"
"Nobody has seen it since yesterday."
"I'm asking her neighbours."
"Which floor are you on?"
"Third."
"I'll come up."
"In 3C."

Conversation between Ranger and Tank at 16.37

"Talk."
"No news."
"God, where Is she?"

Conversation between Helen/Ellen and Joe 17.04

"Joseph, I can't reach Stephanie, she isn't answering her telephone. If you don't have anything planned you two can come for dinner at six tonight. Pineapple upside-down cake for dessert!"
"Mrs Plum, Steph has been gone the whole day, nobody's been able to reach her."
"What do you mean, gone? Oh god, oh god! Frank!"

Conversation between Joe and Ranger at 22.53

"Where. the. Fuck. is. she?!"
"I. don't. Fucking. know!"

THE wonderful, longed for, magnificent, everlasting and final END!

Okay, now you can kill me.

One last explanation: Everywhere around the earth people mysteriously disappear. They walk out the door never to be seen again. Some of them are found, some alive and some dead. Some are never found. Imagine if it would happen to you. If your daughter, son, mother, father, spouse, best friend, or anyone you know suddenly disappeared. Without a trace. How would you feel?

This story is dedicated to those never found.