Sorry for the delay - real life is a bitch sometimes

This is for LIZ03

I do not own the rights to any familiar characters

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I slipped into the chapel just as my sister stepped onto the alter to pledge her life to her fiancé. Tank gave me a raised eyebrow as I filled in the open space at the end of the pew next to him.

"She didn't think you were going to make it," he whispered.

"I didn't think I would either. Got held up in London."

He nodded and we watched my baby sister get married.

When the ceremony was over and the glowing couple was making their way down the aisle and out of the church, my sister saw I had arrived and gave me a huge smile. She had never looked happier or more beautiful.

I was the only one who noticed the contrasting look of devastation on my friend and partner's face. Tank had been in love with Celia for as long as I could remember.

I had taken a taxi from the airport so I rode with him to the reception. He was quieter than normal on the drive and we both knew why.

"Do you want to talk about it?" I finally asked as we pulled up to the hotel.

"Do you want to talk about Stephanie?" He countered with a little bite in his voice. Touché. We were quite the pair. I grinned at him and after a minute he returned the smile.

"Why don't you skip the reception," I offered. "I'll have Zip pick me up later."

"She invited me, so I'll go," Tank said. "And besides, you'll need me in there. The single ladies and probably even some of the married ones are going to be all over you in that suit."

I glanced down at the custom designed charcoal Armani suit. I'd had it made especially for Celia's wedding. "There's only one single lady I want anywhere near this suit and she's not here."

Tank did a spot on impression of the Stephanie Plum eye roll. "That's your own fault," he said as we exited the black Land Rover. "You could have brought her. Then I wouldn't have to play bodyguard all night."

I thought about asking her, but I honestly didn't know if I would make it back in time for the wedding. I didn't want to disappoint her by not showing up. "Yeah, yeah. I know. Just get inside," I said gesturing to the door. "I could use a beer."

"Me too," Tank muttered as he pulled the door open. "Or ten."

The party was already in full swing and Tank and I picked up a bottle of beer each on our way to our assigned seats. We were at a small family table next to the main wedding party and I let out a small sigh when I saw my cousin nuzzling the neck of his flavor of the week. This one was a red head. I would have to punish my sister later for putting me at the same table with Lester.

He didn't remove his lips from her skin when we sat down and it took Tank clearing his throat twice before he lifted his head. "When did you get back?" he asked with a crooked grin.

"Just now."

He gave Tank a brief nod of greeting and then focused his attention back to me. "You brought Tank as a date? People will talk."

I turned to Tank. "Why do think he was invited?"

"Temporary insanity?" Tank suggested.

"Your sister loves me and you know it," Lester said. "Plus I'm family, I'm always invited."

I turned back to Tank. "I've been trying to get my Aunt Rosa to disown him for years."

"Waste of time," Tank said and then swallowed half his beer. "He's like a disease without any cure."

I smirked and sipped my own beer. That described Lester perfectly.

"Are you going to introduce me?" Lester's date asked, speaking for the first time. He kissed her and then murmured something to her I didn't quite catch.

"Ranger, Tank – This is Sadie."

"Pleasure," Tank said, tipping his beer bottle towards her. "Nice to meet you," I added taking note he didn't give us her last name. Probably didn't know it. I was actually surprised he didn't stumble over her first name. I took another sip of beer as Tank finished his and signaled for a waiter to bring him another. I was going to have to keep an eye on him tonight.

"Those are unusual names," Sadie observed and I looked up from my inspection of the table cloth.

"They're unusual people, Babe." Lester commented before Tank and I could respond. Babe. Interesting. I don't think I've ever heard Lester call anyone that. And of course it made me think of Steph. God, I wished she were here. It felt like I hadn't seen her in months. I reached into my pocket and fingered my phone, itching to call her.

"So are you," she said, giving him a quirked eyebrow.

"I'd never deny it," he countered. "C'mon, let's dance. I want you all to myself for a while and I think these two love birds want some alone time." He jumped up from the table and tugged his date with him. He shot us a wicked grin before disappearing out onto the dance floor.

"That's one helluva death wish he has," Tank remarked and I had to agree. "Sadie is cute, though. How long do you think she'll last?"

"Until he gets into her pants." I glanced at my watch. "About ten thirty?"

Tank barked out a short laugh as his second beer arrived. He quietly ordered a double scotch neat before the waiter left. He rarely drank but this day was testing his resolve so I didn't comment. He took three long pulls on his beer and set the bottle down with a sigh.

"So what's the story on the Slayer issue," I asked in an attempt to get his mind onto other things.

"Case closed. Morelli called last week. As far as the Trenton PD are concerned, there will be no further investigation. I think they're thrilled to have gotten rid of half of two gangs without any involvement whatsoever."

I nodded and took another drink. "And the two party crashers?"

Tank finished his second beer before answering. "Still cooling their heels in a cell. As I told you before, Morelli had them arrested for trespassing and one of them confessed to being there to try and take out Steph. But apparently no one will pony up the dough for bail. I've already warned Vinnie that he's not to bond them out if anyone comes asking."

"Perfect," I said just as the waiter arrived with Tank's scotch. "Anything for you sir?" He asked me and I shook my head. Tank tossed back his drink like it was a shot and I looked at my watch hoping dinner would be served quickly. He would be drunk soon if he didn't get some food in his system.

As if I'd planned it, I saw waiters appear at the perimeter of the large ball room all carrying trays of steaming cuisine. I hoped it would be enough as Tank ordered another drink.

An hour and a half, one dinner and I don't know how many drinks later, Tank was feeling pretty good. He'd been making up stories about why I couldn't dance to every woman that came up to ask me and each one was weirder than the one before. The last one, who I think was one of my sister's friends from college, walked away with a confused expression and kept looking back at our table as she made her way across the room. Tank had told her I was allergic to the material of her dress.

"You know I'm perfectly capable of saying no without your help," I said to him as he tossed back another drink.

"Shut up. I'm having fun."

I could not deny that. I'm pretty sure the scotch was mostly the reason but I didn't tell him that. His words, however, were starting to slur so I was either going to have to have him cut off or I was going to have to take him home.

"You know, it wouldn't kill you to dance with one of them." My sister's voice was soft in my ear as her arms slid over my shoulders from behind in an awkward hug.

"Hey kid," I greeted her and stood up to hug her properly. I pulled her into my arms and squeezed and then lifted her up and spun her around in a circle like I did when we were kids. She squealed with delight and then I set her on her feet. She winced and looked down at her white, crystal studded high heels.

"My fucking feet are killing me," she muttered and I laughed. That's my sister – what a classy chick.

"The price of beauty," I said. "And you do look beautiful. And married. Shit, I can't believe my baby sister is married."

She rolled her eyes. "I'm only eighteen months younger than you, Carlos."

This was true. I'm pretty sure Celia was a bit of a surprise to our parents. "You'll always be my little sister, Cel. And now I'm going to continue our tradition of sibling torture and make you dance some more on those sore feet."

"No way," she said darting out of my grasp. "If you won't dance with any of my friends, you don't get to dance with me. And anyway, I came over here to ask Pierre to dance. Did you notice the beautiful necklace he got me? It's my 'something new.'" She gestured to the platinum chain around her neck. It was thin and delicate and there were a dozen small dangling diamonds spaced evenly along the entire length. It matched impeccably with her dress and sparkled against the mocha of her skin. I cut my eyes to Tank and he looked away from me. It must have cost him a fortune.

"It's perfect," I told her honestly.

"I know," she beamed at me and then reached for Tank's arm. "C'mon big guy. You know you aren't getting out of here without dancing with me at least once."

I watched my best friend trail helplessly after my sister out onto the dance floor. He held her away from him as they spun around so only their hands were in contact with one another. It had to be complete torture for him and I planned to get him out of here as soon as the dance was over.

"Is he okay?" Lester asked, sliding into the chair next to me. I watched his date teeter off to the bathroom in her incredibly high shoes. "I don't think I've ever seen him drink like that."

As far as I knew, I was the only one who was aware of Tank's secret and I wasn't about to share it with the loosest lips in Jersey so I was as vague as possible.

"No, he's not. But he will be. I'm going to get him out of here when this song is over."

Lester narrowed his eyes and then glanced at Tank out on the dance floor. "Do you need any help?"

"No. But thanks. I think you have your hands full as it is." I gestured across the room with a nod of my head. Sadie was heading our way and stumbled in her shoes, nearly taking out a waiter with a full tray of drinks.

"Why do woman wear those shoes if they don't know how to walk in them?" Lester mused and took off to intervene before someone got hurt.

The music ended and Tank leaned in and kissed my sister on the cheek and then left her abruptly on dance floor. By the time he got to our table, his eyes were wide and shining with moisture. "I'm gonna take off," he said. His voice was deep and gruff and filled with unchecked emotion.

"I'll drive," I said, standing up. He opened his mouth to argue but then shut it without speaking and just nodded his head once.

I said a quick good-bye to my parents, shook my new brother-in-law's hand and hugged my sister one more time before leaving with Tank.

I knew he wouldn't talk about it, not that I had any great advice anyway so the drive to his house was silent. I pulled up to the curb and cut the engine and we sat there not talking for another fifteen minutes before Tank finally spoke.

"Tell her now, Carlos. Tell her tonight. Don't make the same mistake I did." He opened the door, stepped out of the car and closed the door without another word. I waited until I saw his massive frame disappear inside the house before I left.

My heart broke for him a little bit on the drive back to my building. I'd been telling him for years to tell my sister how he felt but he couldn't ever bring himself to do it. I don't know if it would have made any difference but now he'll spend the rest of his life wondering what might have happened if he'd told her. I was going to take his advice and not have something like that eating away at me forever.

I rode the elevator to my apartment with only thoughts of Stephanie filling my head. It was fairly early, only a little before nine, but still I had hope I would find her in my bed. Naked. Yeah, I know we have things to discuss, but I'm a guy and I never stop picturing her naked in my bed. And on my couch. And in my shower. And on the kitchen counter.

I knew she was gone the second I opened my door. The apartment was still and silent and unbearably empty. I don't know why I thought she would still be living here – I'm sure Morelli told her the threat to her had been neutralized the second he knew I was out of town – but I'd hoped she'd be here when I got back.

I made my way through the kitchen and took note of the deserted counter where Rex's cage had taken up residence. I got to the bedroom and took a deep breath, wishing her delicate, delicious scent would be in the air, but it was sterile and clean and I knew Ella had probably been here this morning. I wandered into the closet hoping to see some of her clothes hanging in the closet next to mine but there were only endless rows of my black shirts and pants suspended by themselves. My heart clenched inside my chest and I reached up to rub it as if that would take away the ache I felt there.

She had only lived with me for two weeks, so why did I feel so melancholy that she was gone? Because I'm in love with her, that's why. Jesus. I spun around and stalked out of the room. I snatched my keys from the silver tray where I'd dropped them and picked up the package that Ella had left of the sideboard. I'd had it shipped from Italy and it must have arrived some time yesterday.

When I got to the garage I slipped inside the Turbo and headed to Steph's apartment with Tank's voice in my head. Tell her now. Tell her tonight.

That's exactly what I was going to do.

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AN: Next part is all Steph and Ranger so hang in there!