On the premise that Stephanie has long been without a relationship. Free of Morelli for months. They have having a quiet night on seven, after dinner with a glass of wine. Snuggled in front of the couch watching TV set in a low volume and them just relaxing in the moment. Stephanie has some liquid courage and fed up that it's been months and he still isn't being the opportunist he said he is when he said "if Morelli's out of your bed too long, I'm moving in."

Stephanie asked: why aren't you in my bed? Why can't you and I have someday? Is it just a pipe dream or is there a timeline for that in the works that you're not privy to share yet?

Ranger was quiet for a long time, to the point where she's almost ready to snooze from the wine and the quiet atmosphere.

Then he started talking, which made Stephanie concentrate so hard to keep awake and keep a sharp mind.

He started:

I go in the wind a lot. I do a lot of things that cannot be brought to light in terms of the media or anything, otherwise bad things happen, more than they already are.

My job is not to die for my country.

My job is to make the enemies die for THEIRS. Foreign or domestic, doesn't matter.

My ultimate goal is always to come back to you each and EVERY single time I'm sent in the wind.

Regardless of whether or not we are together, you have always been my Northern Star. Guiding me home. It doesn't matter where I'm sent or what I'm tasked to do. Against ALL odds, it's always been you.

I clean up messes the government doesn't want brought to light.

I don't have the luxury nor the privilege to ask you for a commitment when I can't commit to you.

I can go in the wind and never make it back. You won't hear anything from anyone.

Is that something I want for you? No. Is it fair to you to string you along with a hint to Someday when we both know the likely chance of that is close to zero? No.

Am I too selfish to keep on craving you and your attention despite knowing all this? Yes. It is now to a point that I can't NOT see you to be centered.

Stephanie was silent, thinking slowly on what was just said to her.

Did she need him in her life like the air she needs to breathe? Yes.

Could she have him just as friends? Knowing they love each other but it's just not in the cards? Someday was indeed a pipe dream that's always kept me either grounded in the present or just tossed around by the pulling in and pushing away he's done. It broke her heart that someday was not going to happen but she still needed him in her life. He has always been, and will ALWAYS be her rock. There to catch her no matter how fast and hard I'm falling.

We will always be friends, more than that but less than relationship of the romantic type. I'll always be there for him like he is there for me. We both need to be there for each other to stay grounded.

She does (choose one and comment which one and why. How do you see the rest of the scene play out? I may incorporate that in the future, never know! You can comment multiple times don't worry. )

A:

Thank you for being honest with me. We will always be at least friends. I need you in my life, even if it's not in the romantic relationship type.

You are wrong though when you're not relationship material. Your men and you have a relationship. Your family and you, although estranged, have a relationship. I have a relationship with you, more than friends but less than the commitment of a lover.

No matter what, I will always be in your corner, helping you in what way I can. You and I have gone through so much together for me not to.

I do need you to scale down the kisses and everything though if you are adamant that someday is not possible.

I want someone to commit to me, be able to open up to me and keep me both physically AND mentally safe. I don't need them making me second guess myself if I'm the only one in their life romantically. I've done enough of that with Joe and I don't need that. I can't afford that emotional tax. I won't.

You also can't harass/ harm anyone that I attempt to date or want to date me. I want a real shot at seeing if I can find someone I can build a life with.

Of course, if you feel something is wrong or off with them, let me know. I'll take your feelings into consideration and run a check on him.

B:

I understand what you're saying. We will always be there for one another. I can't lose you and I like that I can center you. You've always been my rock and I like that I am yours as well.

I have to go. I'll ask one of the guys if they can give me a lift home.

C:

You know, never once have you asked me? I never got to choose. That's not fair to me. You've taken my choice away, just like everyone else that's trying to tell me "what's best for me" when they've never ONCE asked for my opinion of what I MYSELF want to do.

Here you've always been, my rock as the one person I knew I can always count on to have my back. Turn to find out, I've never known you're like them as well. Always deciding for me before asking me.

Had it ever occurred to you that I'd like to choose? To have my heart broken by you or to have it cherished for as long as time permits.