AN: This part took a surprising turn. It did not end at all like it started out inside my head so I hope you enjoy. Let me know either way.

No profit is made by me – Only JE gets that privilege.

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"I won't make it to the shower if you don't stop." It wasn't my fault. I've told her a hundred times that I'm an opportunist and she walked out of the bathroom wearing stockings and garters and nothing else. What was I supposed to do?

I removed my tongue from her clit. "Is that what you really want?"

"Yes," she breathed but her hands were fisted in my hair, holding my head in place. I sucked hard on her distended nub and then pushed two fingers into her. I wanted to be inside her so bad it was starting to hurt.

She expelled a gasp of air, yanked me up her body by my hair and thrust her tongue into my mouth. "Hard and fast," she whispered, breaking the kiss.

I didn't have to be told twice. I stripped out of my pants and drove into her as she wrapped her stocking clad legs around my hips. I was so turned on it only took a handful of strokes before I was spurting deep inside her, my favorite place to be.

The doorbell rang as I was pulling out and she smacked me on the shoulder. "Now I'm late!"

"I'd say I'm sorry, but do you really want me to lie to you?"

She smacked me again and then bolted to the bathroom to finish getting ready. I put my pants back on and went to answer the door. When I swung it open I was greeted by three smiling faces and one that was more than a little perturbed.

I pressed my lips together in a tight line to keep from laughing at Lester. "I feel like an asshole," he mumbled.

"You are an asshole, Santos." Tank said what I was thinking which was good because I still didn't trust myself to speak yet.

"Do I really have to wear this?" Lester ignored Tank and gestured to the outfit he was wearing. I took a good look at the pants and didn't know how he'd actually gotten himself into them. Probably had to use some of his lube stash. They were white leather (my idea) and so tight I was sure he would rip a seam at some point during the night.

"Yes," I managed to say and moved aside, holding the door open wide so they could enter. "She's not quite ready so it'll be a few minutes." Lester came inside followed by Woody and Hal and they filed into the living room to wait.

Tank stepped into the foyer and held back until I shut the door. His voice was soft and low as not to be overheard. "I should be on the team tonight."

He was one of the four people who knew about the job and this was the first time since we've known each other that he wouldn't have my back. It was hard for both of us.

I shook my head. "I need you with her." The other guys were fine and I didn't have any doubts they would protect her at all costs but I wouldn't be able to relax and do what I needed to do unless I knew he was safeguarding what I cared about most.

Tank worked a muscle in his jaw and then slowly nodded his concession. I clapped him on the shoulder and he followed me into the living room.

"I think you look great," Woody was saying. "Pink is definitely your color."

"Yeah, it brings out your eyes," Hal chimed in and Lester looked like he wanted to pummel both of them. I wanted to laugh but I refrained again. Ella had outdone herself with the shirt. It was long sleeved and loose fitting and he'd left the collar open exposing his muscular chest. It was also the brightest pink I've ever seen and he'd tucked it into his white leather pants. All that combined with the white cowboy boots and gold chains around his neck, he looked like he should be trolling the gay clubs in Miami.

I guess going to a wedding shower was sort of similar.

"This is bullshit," he grumbled and crossed his arms over his chest as he settled back into my couch. The leather of the couch and the leather of his pants made a loud squelching noise that sounded a lot like a fart. Everyone laughed at the horrified look on his face and I had to leave the room.

I went to check on the sister of the bride. I was about to tell her how awesome she was for torturing my cousin but when I stepped into the bathroom, the sight of her took my breath away.

The sleeveless blue dress was the same crystal blue as her eyes and hugged every curve before flowing out at her hips. The skirt part was some sort of filmy, sheer material and it flared around her thighs before stopping just at her knees. I had the urge to spin her into my arm just to watch it swirl out around her legs.

She was wearing minimal make-up and her long curls were hanging loose around her shoulders and I was suddenly sorry that I wouldn't be going with her tonight. "You look stunning, Babe."

Looking up from the counter where she was removing some jewelry from a small case she met my eyes in the mirror above the sink. "Really?"

It amazed me that she didn't realize how gorgeous she was. I moved into the bathroom and came up behind her. I rested one hand on her hip and used the other to move her hair off her shoulder so I could kiss the soft skin at the junction of her neck. "Yes, Steph," I whispered against her skin. "You are beautiful."

She slowly turned around so we were face to face and pressed her lips gently to mine. "Are you sure you can't come with me?"

"I can't, Babe. But you should know that I want to." I never thought I would ever admit to wanting to go to a wedding shower but I did. I wanted to go with her anywhere, anytime, for any reason.

She opened her mouth and I was sure a sarcastic comment would come out, but she said, "I want that too."

I wrapped my arms around her back and pulled her close. We stood there, silently holding each other for a long, long time. If I could hold her like this forever, I would. Tonight was going to be rough and there was a chance it would all go to shit - and as always there was a chance I wouldn't be coming back.

"Yo!" I heard Tank's voice call out from the living room and I forced myself to let her go.

"Your guard is here," I said and her eyes lit up with glee.

"Is Lester wearing the outfit?"

I threw back my head and laughed. "Yeah, Babe. Are you ever going to tell me what he did to deserve this punishment?"

She raised an eyebrow and squared her shoulders. "Lester can't seem to keep his mouth shut so I'm hoping this will encourage him to bite his tongue in the future."

What the fuck did he say now? I really will send him to Boston this time. "It's definitely a problem," I agreed. "My punishments haven't seemed to affect him at all so hopefully yours will. Do you want to tell me what he said?"

Stephanie pressed her lips together and contemplated my question. "No," she finally said. "I don't want you to kill him so I'll keep it to myself."

Probably wise but I could find out if I really wanted to. I'm sure someone was a witness. Lester does like to have an audience. "Okay, Babe. But let me know if it gets out of hand. I won't tolerate him disrespecting you in anyway."

She smiled at me and then grabbed a handful of my t-shirt and pulled me to her for a kiss. "I know you won't tell me what you're doing tonight, but I'm sure it's dangerous so try not to get shot, okay?"

"I hardly ever get shot. C'mon," I said taking her by the hand and leading her out of the room. "You're going to be late."

I watched her walk out the door, entrusting her safety to the four men I'd chosen to protect her. I would still worry, but it would be less knowing they were at her side.

When they were gone, I strapped on my weapons and put thoughts of her into the box deep inside my mind. There would be no room for mistakes and I needed all my focus on the job to be done. I left the building with my war face on and almost felt sorry for anyone who crossed my path tonight. Almost.

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There was blood on my face. I could feel the sticky wetness on my cheek and the thick coppery smell of it hung heavy in the air. Things hadn't gone exactly according to plan, but that was to be expected when you're dealing with the volatile, unpredictable craziness of some seriously pissed off gang members.

Hector handed me a towel and I absently wondered where he got it as I wiped my face clean. It would have to be burned later, along with all of our clothes.

"It had to be done," he whispered softly to me in Spanish. "They wouldn't have stopped until she was dead."

I knew that was the truth, and there was nothing that would have given me pause. I would do anything to keep Stephanie safe and the proof was splattered all over this warehouse.

"We need to go." Manny's voice was calm and even and Hector and I looked up at him at the same time. "We've already been here too long. I made the call – they're on the way."

We left as silently as we'd entered and stole off into the darkness of the night. Not one of us looked back.

The safe house wasn't far and that's where the remaining evidence was destroyed. Hector left first, his destination unknown. I sent Manny off next. We would be scattering into the wind until any heat generated by our actions cooled off.

I should have left right away but there was one stop I needed to make first. I shouldn't - I knew I shouldn't - but I wasn't going to leave without saying good-bye.

My phone vibrated on my hip as I slipped into the underground tunnel that led into the Rangeman building. Tank and I were the only ones that knew about the tunnel. It wasn't monitored by the cameras and I needed the control room to have plausible deniability regarding my whereabouts tonight, in case it came to that.

The caller id said 'restricted' and I answered to Morelli's cool cop voice.

"Seems there was some sort of turf war down on Comstock between the Slayers and the Black Jackets. A lot of dead bodies – the leaders of both included."

"Interesting. Any reason you're telling me?" I asked, playing the game.

"Just thought you'd want to know. Maybe your house guest would be interested as well."

"Mmm. Perhaps. Maybe you should tell her yourself." It was a small bone, but he deserved it so I threw it to him.

"Yeah, I'll do that." He was silent for several beats and I nearly hung up before he said, "I don't think anyone is going to look too closely at this, but you might want take a vacation for a while – see some sights."

I felt myself smiling and knew Joe and I were going to be okay. Eventually. "I don't know what you're talking about – I've been out of the country for the past two days."

I heard a small chuckle before he disconnected and I made my way through the dark tunnel and up to my apartment where I knew Stephanie was sound asleep in my bed.

I watched her for a while. She was on her back with the comforter pulled all the way up to her chin. Her chest rose and fell with her deep even breathing and I ached to crawl in beside her and never leave.

The bedside clock mocked me, glowing the time brightly into the darkness. I had to get on the road soon if I was going to make it to Pittsburgh in time to catch the chartered jet I knew would be waiting for me. I lowered myself onto the mattress next to her and gently touched the back of my fingers to her cheek. I said her name softly until her sleepy blue eyes fluttered open.

"Hey," she mumbled. "Come to bed." When I didn't move the corners of her lips turned up in a small smile. "I'm naked under here," she tempted. And what a temptation it was. I almost gave in.

"Something's come up, Babe. I have to leave for a while."

She came awake fully then and sat up in the bed. The covers fell down with gravity and exposed her bare breasts to me. I closed my eyes at the sight; I knew I wouldn't leave if I looked again. I opened them slowly and found her gaze. I just needed to concentrate on her eyes. "Now?" she asked, already knowing the answer.

"Yes."

"How long?"

"Not sure. Hopefully not more than a couple of weeks."

She shifted in the bed and I knew she was going to touch me. I hoped she wouldn't because it would be so much harder to leave but I knew she would. Her hand came up and cupped my cheek. I shut my eyes again and inhaled deeply. It was going to take considerable effort to get out of here.

"Ranger…are you coming back?"

"Yes. As soon as possible."

"Then why don't you want to look at me?"

"It's easier," I confessed, "when I can't see you."

She moved again and wrapped both her arms around my neck, pulling me to her. "If I asked you to stay, could you?"

"No."

"If I asked you to make love to me before you go, would you?"

Shit. "Yes," I whispered.

"Make love to me, Ranger," she whispered back.

And so I did. Slowly and gently and sweetly and I stayed wrapped in her arms until the last possible second.

When I finally left, when I was driving like a bat out of hell to catch my plane, I tried to figure out exactly when it was that I fell in love with her.