I don't own them she does.

Life for One

Chapter 6

I looked away from the window when I heard footsteps. I saw Morelli walking across the waiting area toward me.

Fuck.

"I need to talk to you about a case I'm working on, when would be a good time for you?"

I saw the exhaustion on his face, a look that was far too familiar to me.

"Anytime, I'm just waiting for Steph to stabilize and then I'll be returning to Boston."

He smirked. "So you really transferred to Boston for good?"

I wanted to ram his face onto the carpeted floor and wipe away his smug expression.

"Yes."

"I need someone with a security background to go over some information I've uncovered on a couple of high profile robberies."

"I thought you were working homicide?"

"A security guard was killed last night at a local Mercedes car dealership."

"What kind of information do you need?"

"We are dealing with a group of highly skilled computer experts who are hacking into the security systems of some businesses in the Newark and Trenton area."

"I haven't heard any information across the board about breech of security at any businesses in the area. Usually I'm sent an alert."

"These are businesses that have inside security on sight or remote security and the buildings aren't advertised or closely watched."

"So they are hacking in from a remote server and cracking the security code, then gaining entry?"

"Or, they break in, plug in a zip drive into the main server and bypass the code all together."

"And this is happening here in Trenton?"

"Three times in the month, I don't think I've ever seen security breeches this complex."

And he had better hope he never did again.

"Most security breeches of this magnitude are international crime rings, they deal in expensive heists, usually involving museum relics, art or jewels. But with the technology and equipment available on the black market anyone with the right amount of cash can get their hands on the right formula and hackers to implement a sting."

"You have anyone who can give me a crash course on computers so I can go undercover?"

I laughed.

"It would take months to teach you enough skill to pass as an accomplished hack."

"I don't need to be a hack I just need to understand computer surveillance and entering codes."

"I can set you up an appointment with a computer specialist at Rangeman."

"That should work."

"I'll let Tank know you'll be stopping by the office."

He continued to stare at me and I could sense a shift in the subject of the conversation about to come.

"I know I came down hard on you in front of Steph. I was frustrated at not being able to get away from the situation I was in at the time in order to get here. I took it out on you and her."

I assumed that was as close to an apology as I was likely to hear.

"She needs support, and pampering, she doesn't need high drama right now."

"Understood, but she doesn't need two men in her life either."

So the cards were finally on the table.

"I'm out of here as soon as she tells me to go."

"From what she told me, she said you could go a couple of hours ago."

"Then I'll go see her and say my goodbyes before I head back to Boston."

I started to walk away and he grabbed me by the arm.

"I'm asking you to back off and give her some space. We have a chance at a life together with this baby. I know that recently she's been confused over her feelings for you. Be a man and leave her alone. You know you will never offer her a stable life style no matter what she decides."

So on top of being an asshole he was now an expert on relationships. I wanted to tell him he had no fucking clue what I was willing to offer her, but I knew it was he who had a far higher stake in her future, not me.

I stepped forward so I was toe to toe with him.

"Just because you're the father of her baby doesn't make you the better man for her. If you care for her at all you'll let her decide."

I walked off and bumped his shoulder knocking him out of my way as I headed to Stephanie's room.

She was lying in the hospital bed with her hands on her abdomen and a worried expression on her face. I instantly saw red, because I had a feeling it was related to Morelli's visit. When she saw me, a small smile formed at the corners of her mouth.

"Hey, I can't believe you're still here."

I walked over and took a seat in the chair beside her bed.

"I wanted to check on you before I left."

"You leaving tonight or in the morning?"

"I rescheduled my flight for tomorrow, but I can stay longer if necessary."

"If you're staying because of me there's no use. Looks like I'm going to be sitting around counting ceiling tiles until this baby is born."

"Whatever it takes Babe."

"Yeah I know, I have to do what's best for the baby."

"Where are you going to stay when you leave the hospital?"

I wanted to offer her my apartment and Ella as her own personal nurse but I knew it wouldn't fly, especially with Morelli.

"I'm staying at my apartment. My mom has offered to bring my meals to me. She wants me to stay at their house but I want to be in my own space. Grandma offered to stay with me."

I smiled as she rolled her eyes.

"She means well."

"Yes she does, I just can't imagine dealing with her and trying to stay relaxed at the same time."

"Just focus on what's important Babe."

She looked at me and I saw raw emotion in her eyes that spoke volumes. I wanted to take away the challenges ahead of her, make her life what it was before. But she didn't need to be rescued this time. Stephanie Plum met life head on, and this would be no different. I could walk out the door right now, and she would miss me, but she would make it, she always did. She didn't need me or Morelli to take care of the baby or herself, she was capable of doing it all by herself. It was that beautiful strength that caused me to fall in love with her right from the beginning.

I stood up and sat on the edge of the bed beside her. I took her hand in mine.

"Babe tell me to stay and I will."

She looked at me with tears in her eyes, and I knew she was battling an internal struggle.

"You have to go, I have what I need. I want you to get back to your life."

"You realize that you can call me night or day and I'll be here?"

I saw a tear slide down the side of her face and I leaned in and brushed it away with my lips.

She turned her head and captured my mouth with hers. I kissed her soft and slow savoring each second of contact. I finally pulled away and looked into her eyes.

"Take care of yourself and the baby."

"I miss you already, you know." she said.

I brushed my fingertip across her abdomen and felt a small kick I looked up at her and smiled. I stood up preparing to leave.

She grabbed my hand, squeezed it in hers, and slowly let it go.

I backed out of the room finding each step harder than the last.

I walked into the gym at Rangeman the next morning and saw Mia and Coyote running on the treadmills. I nodded my head in their direction and grabbed a pair of boxing gloves. I walked over to the bag determined to work out the tension of the past few days. I worked out for about twenty minutes and pulled the gloves off. I saw Mia approach me. She was wearing a sports bra and a pair of spandex bike shorts, her body was about as good as a woman's body could get. I could remember a day I would have had her in my bed without hesitation, those days were a fleeting memory.

"Mia."

"Mr. Manoso I received a call from a bail bondsman from Boston. He is offering twice the percentage on apprehensions than when I left. He is strapped for Bounty hunters. He has a deal to offer you if you'll reconsider your stand on fugitive apprehension at the Boston office."

"I took a lot of time and resources to install you and your men here in Trenton at your request, it's been a little over six months are you telling me you want to pull out of Trenton already?"

"No not at all, I just thought you might reconsider reopening the apprehension division at the Boston office purely for profit."

"I'll talk to Travis about it."

"I thought Travis was taking over the Atlanta office?"

"He may eventually, but its taking both him and me to run the Boston branch with the increase in corporate accounts"

"Well maybe you would consider a temporary contract for fugitive apprehension, I'm sure Manny Price would appreciate any man power you could give him."

"What's in it for you Mia?"

I saw a glint of anger flash across her eyes. "Nothing."

"If we reopen the Boston apprehension division how do you propose we handle Trenton and Boston both, because I'm not going to consider pulling out of Trenton since we have established business with Vinnie again."

"A couple of us would be willing to go back to Boston. Bear and Spike like Trenton."

"Like I said I'll discuss the issue with Travis."

She gave me a half smile and walked out of the gym.

I walked over to the weight bench in the corner and heard Coyote's voice.

"You are one cold fucker."

I looked at him. He was about 6' 2" and solid muscle I estimated he weighed 225 lbs. He had a tattoo of barbwire around his right bicep and an earring in his right eyebrow. I noticed a scar over his right cheek that started above the corner of his mouth and ended near his right ear. He had the look of a man who could kick ass and a lot of it.

"Explain."

"I've worked with Mia for two years, I've tried every trick in the book to get one look out of her close to the one she gives you every time she comes with in three feet of you. And you blow her off every time. You're either pussy whipped or gay."

I laughed. "You have me confused with Hector."

He laughed. "Hector no shit?"

I grabbed a barbell and did some curls.

"I would hate to see her get hurt." He said.

I ignored his insinuation and decided to change the subject.

"Are you as interested in going back to Boston as she is?"

"More so, I hate this shit hole town."

"It's better than no job."

"I came here as a favor to Mia, if she hadn't asked I wouldn't be here."

I smiled. "Sounds like a case of pussy whip."

He smiled.

"Damn straight."

"Well at least you're not afraid to admit it."

His expression turned serious. "She has a heart of gold, she helped me out of a very tough time when I needed help the most. But she's a loner, a love em and leave em kind of woman."

"Sounds like every mans dream to me. No ties, no expectations."

"She deserves more than that."

"Not much you can do if she's not interested."

"Yeah you're right, but just remember I keep my eyes open, you hurt her you pay."

"I have no interest. And besides I think she can fight her own battles."

He looked at me with a cold stare.

"She plays a good game, just remember that."

I studied Travis as he paced back and forth across the office. I had been back in Boston for three weeks and our schedule had been relentless.

He stopped and looked at me.

"What the hell are we going to do? We have more accounts than we can manage. And Mia and Coyote are starting up the apprehension business again."

I watched as he flopped in the chair across from me and ran his fingers through his hair.

"You want to tell me what's really bothering you?"

He gave me an inquisitive stare.

"What the fuck, are you ignoring me? I just told you about all the shit that's…"

I held up my hand.

"I know you Travis you never crack under pressure, be straight with me."

He sighed and rested his head on the back of the chair staring at the ceiling.

"I've never went this long without a mission. I'm stir crazy, this office shit is going to be the death of me."

I knew exactly what he was feeling. After being out in the jungle surviving on instinct and adrenaline, being behind a desk was like shifting a speeding car into neutral.

"Have you contacted DC lately?"

"Fuckers sent two green horns to Brazil last week. Supposedly Dom Santiago has resurfaced and he is running guns through Tijuana."

"He's a demented fucker, you should be glad they bypassed you."

"Sounds like words from a man who's lost his edge."

"You get screwed in the ass by the United States Government a couple of times and see how much edge you have."

"Ranger we're mercenaries, we live on instinct and the scent of blood for survival, so they hung you out to dry a couple of times by not giving you the correct intel. So what? Shit, it happens to all of us."

"When you get drugged to the point that they consider shock therapy to reverse the effects, you discover you can sit behind a desk a lot easier than risking your life in some third world shit hole country bringing down fuck wads that have trained armies to take over for them as soon as you blow them away."

"Damn I had no idea."

"Nobody does and that's the way I want it. I'm done."

"What about your contract?"

"I never renewed."

"How long have you been cut lose?"

"Almost 10 months."

"Damn, I never thought I'd see the day man. You're the best of the best, I bet they shit and fell back in it when you refused to sign."

I smiled. "It was actually kind of comical. I think they figured I'd die before I quit."

"Brother you surprised the hell out of me."

"Surprised myself too, I went in with the intentions of signing for another four years, but I couldn't do it."

"Was this before or after the bounty hunter chick got pregnant?"

"Before."

"So were you making plans for a future with her?"

I looked across the desk at him.

"I'd like to think I was."

"It's not too late maybe it won't work out for her and this other guy."

"He would never let me be apart of his kids life. What ever chance Steph and I had is gone."

I heard the sound of a phone ringing as I struggled to wake up. I grabbed my cell off the nightstand and flipped it open.

"Yo."

"Ranger its Travis I just got a call from Boston General. Mia and Coyote were involved in a shoot out tonight trying to apprehend a skip. Mia was hit, and Coyote was treated and released for a flesh wound."

"How bad is she?"

"She's in surgery, she was hit in the gut, there's some colon damage and they are repairing it now. She lost a shit load of blood, and they are transfusing her."

"I'm on my way."

I walked into the surgical waiting area and located Travis and Coyote.

"How is she?"

"She's on her way from surgery to a room. They were able to stabilize her she's holding her own."

"She still losing blood?"

"Not right now, the surgeon said she's a fighter."

Coyote smiled. "Always has been."

"Have you contacted her family?"

"She doesn't have any family except for a younger sister that lives with her. Her mother passed away a few years ago and she never knew her dad."

"Have you talked to her sister?"

"I'm going over there in the morning. I want to tell her in person."

"How old is she?"

"Fourteen, Mia has practically raised her since she was a baby."

"Is she okay to stay alone, or does she need to be moved to a secured Rangeman apartment?"

"She has been staying with a friend from her school since Mia left Boston. Cassie refused to move to Trenton." Coyote said.

"Explains why she wanted to come back to Boston."

"She would never tell you that, she's too proud." Coyote said.

I looked at Travis. "Before you offer her sister any accommodations let me talk to Mia."

The nurse pulled the blood pressure cuff off Mia's arm and she winced as the nurse bumped the tube sticking out of her nose.

"Sorry Hun, didn't mean to touch your NG that tube sure isn't fun."

I stifled a laugh as Mia gave her a look that would wilt a flower.

"When will it come out?"

"Couple of days, your colon needs to rest and heal and that tube allows that to happen."

Mia groaned and rested her head back against the pillow closing her eyes.

"Push the call button when you need more pain medicine."

"Believe me I will."

The nurse scurried out of the room.

"Some women will do anything to get my attention."

She opened her eyes and glared at me.

"You can leave anytime, I never invited you."

"It was a joke Mia."

She raised her eyebrows. "You need to work on your sense of humor it sucks."

I laughed.

"Tell me about your sister."

"She's a good kid, stubborn as hell but a good kid."

"Would you like for her to be offered a Rangeman apartment until you are released to go home?"

"Why would you do that?"

"Because I'm a nice guy."

"I would appreciate that, she loves Coyote if she could be put in an apartment close to him that would be great. Let Coyote suggest it to her or she won't buy it."

I smiled.

"I'll take care of it."

"I knew you were a nice guy, I just hate that I had to get shot to bring it out of you."

I heard my cell phone chirp and pulled it off my belt.

"Yo."

I heard Tank's voice. "Yo man, just wanted to let you know Steph had her baby about an hour ago."

"Is the baby okay?."

"Yes they are both fine, you want me to tell her anything?"

"No, I'll call her later."

"You planning a trip to Trenton this week?"

I looked at Mia.

"No I have some stuff going on here I'm not sure when I'll have time to make the trip."

I heard silence on the other end.

"Okay man talk to you later."

I flipped the phone closed and put it back on my hip.

"So has she had the baby yet?"

I looked at her.

"Yeah about an hour ago."

"Ranger you know you want to be there. I'm fine, go see her."

"I know all I need to know, she's fine and so is the baby."

"So not to be nosy, but why did you let her get away? From what I hear you have had a thing for her for a while."

"I don't do commitments."

"Do you regret that you didn't make an exception to your rule?"

I contemplated ignoring the question. But the sincere expression on her face made me want to spill my guts. Or maybe it was the vision of Morelli sitting in bed next to Steph holding their baby.

"Everyday."

I slipped into her apartment with a stuffed Pooh bear under my arm. I heard a shrill cry of a newborn baby. She walked out of the bathroom carrying the baby and looked in me in shock.

"Babe you look a little crazed."

Her eyes had dark circles underneath them, her hair was standing on end and she was wearing her pajamas.

"He's been crying for two hours he has colic and he starts crying every evening about this time."

I followed her in the living room and placed the bear on the couch. She looked at it and smiled.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

I walked over to her and took the baby from her. He looked exactly like her. He had a full head of dark curly hair, and his eyes were blue. The only thing he and Morelli shared was a dark complexion. I cradled him in the crook of my arm and rubbed his stomach. He looked up at me and continued to cry.

"Steph you have a hot water bottle?"

"No why?"

"Just an old wives trick."

"And you know this how?"

"Grandma Rosa has used it on my nephews."

"I have one of those hot packs you heat in the microwave."

"It's worth a try."

She went to the kitchen while I paced back and forth with the baby on my shoulder. She came back a few minutes later and handed me the hot pack.

"You think it's too warm for him?"

I rolled the pack around in my hand.

"I think it's perfect."

I held him in the crook of my arm and gently placed the hot pack on his tiny stomach. He didn't immediately stop crying but in a few minutes had quieted down to an occasional snub. Stephanie looked at me in amazement.

"So the badass mercenary knows how to charm babies too."

"I'm multi-talented."

"You're a God send."

I had rescued her from some of the sickest criminals in Trenton, but I had never seen more relief on her face than I did in that moment. I walked over, sat down in a rocking chair near the couch, and looked up at her.

"How long has it been since you slept?"

"I got a few hours last night and I caught cat naps all day while he napped."

"Why don't you take a nap, I'll take care of him just tell me where the diapers are and the formula."

"I'd rather take a shower, I'm okay on sleep for right now."

"So go take a shower."

"You sure you don't mind?"

"Not at all."

She smiled and started to walk away.

"Steph?"

She turned and looked at me.

"What's his name?"

"Anthony Lucas. We call him Luke."

I nodded and she went to take a shower. I looked down at the sleeping baby in my arms and thought about the life I would have if he was mine.

I heard the locks tumble on the door and I placed the baby in the bassinette beside the couch and pulled my gun from my waistband. Morelli appeared in the living room.

"What the hell are you doing?"

I put my gun back in my waistband and looked at him.

"I'm watching the baby while Stephanie takes a shower."

"She knew I would be here in a couple of hours. She could have waited."

Stephanie appeared in the living room.

"Joe he was able to stop Luke from crying, he cried for two hours straight. I needed a shower to unwind."

Joe walked over to the bassinette and picked up the sleeping baby. I wanted to swat him on the back of the head as the baby started to cry once again. I looked at Stephanie and she was on the verge of tears.

"Joe why did you pick him up, he was so peaceful."

"You know my time with him is limited Cupcake I have to hold him when I can."

"But he has colic, and he sleeps so little in the evening as it is."

I walked over to Stephanie.

"I'm going to go Babe I'll be in Trenton for a couple of days I'll stop by again."

"Thank you for the bear and for watching him for me. I really appreciate it."

She followed me to the door. I turned and traced a finger down the side of her face.

"Try the hot pack again and maybe he'll settle down."

"I will."

"Take care of yourself and call me is you need anything."

I walked in my old office and smiled at the picture of Tank behind the desk.

"What's up man?"

He stood up, walked around the desk, and shook my hand.

"How's Boston?"

"Busy."

"Same here, business is great but it sucks for the social life."

I laughed.

"You need me to cover for you so you and Lula can go get a burger."

He smiled. "Smartass."

"So catch me up on shit."

"You seen Morelli since you've been in town?"

"Unfortunately yes."

"Did you talk about his undercover job?"

"No."

"Morelli is questioning why none of our accounts have been hacked into."

"Is there any evidence that anyone has tried?"

"None, if I didn't know any better I would think that we were being framed."

"Rangeman?"

"Yes, all the businesses involved used to be our accounts at one time."

"What's being lifted?"

"Mostly, art, war memorabilia, and expensive cars."

"What kind of war memorabilia?"

"I don't know, why?"

"Have someone in research find out if Eddie Abruzzi has any living relatives, and if so where."

I slipped inside her apartment. I had been visiting every evening about the time the colic kicked in and he was at his worst. I could hear him crying in the hallway. She was laying on the bed trying to comfort him. She had the hot pack on his tummy but his face was beet red and he sounded like a smashed cat. She looked up at me with a look of relief as I stepped in her bedroom. I walked over, picked him up, and started rubbing his stomach.

"Has he had his medicine?"

"Yes, I've done everything."

I put him on my shoulder and held the hot pack against his back. I started whispering to him, and within a few minutes, he was asleep.

I placed him in the crib beside her bed and looked at her.

"You had a nap today?"

She smiled. "Yes and a shower, it's been a productive day."

I grabbed her hand and pulled her off the bed. She clicked on a night light near the door and we went in the living room.

I slouched in a chair as she plopped on the couch. I could tell by the expression on her face that something was bothering her.

"Babe talk to me."

She looked at me and I could see that her eyes were glazed with tears.

"I had a huge fight with Joe last night after you left. He doesn't understand about you helping me with Luke. He comes over and tries to hold him and comfort him and he gets mad because Luke continually cries. I told him that it's not his fault and Luke will get used to him but he demands that you stop coming to see him."

"What do you want Babe?"

She looked up at me.

"I want what's best for Luke."

"What do think is best for him?"

"I think peace is best for him, I don't want him to be confused over who his father is, but I want you to be a part of my life."

"So what are you trying to say?"

"That what I want can't be the top priority in my life anymore. Luke is the most important thing in my life and I want him to be healthy and happy."

"And that's not possible with me in the picture?"

"For Luke's sake I'm going to try to make things work with Joe. If I don't try then I'm not giving Luke a chance to know his father, and I can't live with myself if I don't give him every opportunity to have a life with both of his parents."

"Are you in love with Joe?"

She looked away from me.

"Answer the question Stephanie."

She turned back to me and I could see the tears on her face.

"No, I'm in love with you."

"Then your happiness isn't important?"

"Luke is what is important, I can't live my life for me anymore, I have his well being to consider. Joe would never stand for you being in Luke's life, he would fight me for custody and make our lives miserable."

"Every part of me wants to convince you otherwise, but I'm proud of you for putting him first, I would expect nothing different from you."

We both stood up and I walked over to her. I fisted my hands in her hair and looked into her eyes.

"You will be fine, all I want is for you to be happy."

She smiled. "Luke is my happiness."

I leaned in and brushed my lips across hers.

I pulled away and whispered.

"You know where to find me."

Once again, I walked out of her life.

A Year Later

I tried one more time to open my eyes but they weren't cooperating. I felt like my head had been smashed with a hammer. My stomach was on fire and I could feel someone in bed beside of me. I finally managed to open one eye and I looked over and saw Mia asleep with her face turned toward mine.

Shit.

Exactly what I had been avoiding for a year had finally happened, and I had no recall what so ever. I rubbed my face with my hands and sat up on the edge of the bed. The room was spinning and I couldn't remember the last time I felt this bad. I slowly made my way in the bathroom and turned on the shower. I stood under the flow of water trying to erase the fog in my mind and remember what had happened the night before.

At least I knew what triggered the desire to get shit faced.

I got a phone call from Tank around noon yesterday with the news that Morelli and Stephanie had eloped. I thought I had accepted the fact that she was with him now.

I guess I was wrong.

I wanted to be a better man and be happy for them, but I knew in the pit of my stomach that it was wrong. I knew it was a matter of time before Stephanie would be saddled into a life of a burg housewife and she would be miserable, or maybe I just wanted to believe that because the Steph that I knew wanted so much more than that.

I turned off the water and grabbed a towel off the hook on the wall. I thought about Mia and how fucked up it was to have slept with her. We had become good friends but I still kept her at arms length. She was an attractive woman and we had a lot in common, but that didn't make it right to use her. I looked in the mirror, and saw that I looked as bad as I felt. Eyes were red and bloodshot and I had dark circles under my eyes from spending way too much time working trying to avoid the loneliness in my life. I wrapped the towel around my waist and walked into the closet, I found a pair of running shorts and pulled them on. I finished up in the bathroom and walked back in the bedroom. The bed was empty. I went into the living room and I saw her slipping out the front door. I ran over, pulled her back in the apartment, and shut the door.

"We need to talk."

She looked up at me with a blank expression.

"Nothing to discuss."

"Mia I don't remember last night, you're going to have to fill in the blanks."

She sighed and leaned against the front door.

"Nothing happened, I made sure you got home and into bed. I was tired and I laid down beside you because you were so drunk I was afraid you might vomit in your sleep and aspirate. I must have fell asleep because the next thing I knew I heard you in the shower."

"Mia you didn't have any clothes on when I woke up."

She looked away from me and I placed my fingers on her chin and pulled her face back around to look at me.

"You woke up in the middle of the night and said you wanted to make love to me, we came pretty close and then you called me Babe and I couldn't do it."

I saw the hurt in her eyes and I felt like an ass.

"I'm sorry I never wanted to hurt you."

"It's my fault, I crossed a line last night, I should have slept on the couch or put you to bed and gone home, but I just wanted something more."

"Mia…"

She put her fingertips on my mouth.

"Don't explain, I know the drill. I know you're in love with her. I understand why, she's a great person, but what I don't understand is how long are you going to hold on to her."

"I don't know, but I do know that I respect you too much to lie to you and tell you what you want to hear just so I can have a physical relationship with you. You deserve more."

"I've told you that I don't want a commitment from you."

"And I explained that I don't want to get involved with you because we work well together and I don't want that relationship to change."

She pushed away from the door.

"That's where I become confused. You worked with her, and wanted a relationship with her. Spare me the bullshit Ranger I'm a big girl."

She pushed me out of the way and walked out.

I stood in the foyer and looked at the closed door.

"But you're not her, and I'm not going to pretend that you are."