Disclaimer: Janet Evanovich owns the rights to the following characters. This story is only intended as artistic exercise. I am in no way profiting financially from it.

Warning: This story is intended for adult readers only; contains graphic violent content, mature themes and adult language.

This is a Babe story, and will have and eventual Babe HEA.

Breaking of Souls

Chapter 4: A Whispered Confession

Ranger stalked out of the conference room, barking orders into his phone as he left, "I want the name of every Caucasian male employed on an oil rig in central New Jersey. I want their police and medical records, background checks and property titles on my desk within the hour. " Ranger snapped the phone shut as he rounded a corner into the hallway; nearly colliding with a figure hovering just beyond the bend.

"Manoso," Morelli growled, his voice seething with distain. "Off to play the super hero again? I always knew that you would end up hurting her. Your mere presence is toxic to anyone around you. I fucking warned her that this would happen, but she's just so damned stubborn!"

"I don't have time for this shit, Morelli," Ranger snarled, stepping around him, his self restraint quickly unraveling.

Morelli blocked his path, their chests inches apart, "Stay away from her!" He spit through his teeth. "If you hadn't turned her into your personal whore she wouldn't be a part of this fucked up mess!"

Ranger's eyes narrowed into slits, a fierce protectiveness washing over him; his fists begging to take a swing, "I don't give a fuck what you say about me, Morelli, but if you EVER call Stephanie a whore again, it will be with your last breath." Ranger shoved Morelli out of his way, stumbling backwards into the wall as he walked past him towards the exit. Tank followed closely behind him, breathing a sigh of relief that the confrontation hadn't escalated any further. The last thing anyone needed was for Ranger to be arrested for assaulting a cop.

Ranger took his usual seat behind the wheel of the Cayenne, silently driving towards Haywood and the Rangeman building.

Several minutes into the drive Ranger turned to look at Tank with a raised brow; sensing the man watching him from the corner of his eye. Tank sighed, trying to find the right words that would allow him to express his thoughts and keep his face intact at the same time.

Tank shifted uneasily in his chair, "Listen man… I know you're blaming yourself for this, thinking that if you had kept your distance from her she wouldn't be suffering right now; but… you're wrong. SHE was targeted, and it wasn't because of you; he's been waiting for this opportunity for months," Tank shook his head hopelessly. "The situation was inevitable. If you give in to that misplaced guilt you'll be letting him win; giving him power over you and her. You can't take responsibility for someone else's actions. Don't believe a word Morelli said, the guy is so fucking jealous he's totally beyond reason. Stephanie is a beautiful woman and her bed wouldn't have stayed empty for long. It could have been any number of men to spend the night with her; hell, I don't know of a single man who would have turned her down. But regardless, it would have happened one way or another."

Ranger nodded, willing himself to find solace in Tank's words.

He drove on autopilot, his body mechanically navigating the familiar route; the memory of that night replaying in his mind…

Stephanie lured the skip out of the bar in record time, Cal and Woody quickly subdued the man, with his face pressed into the pavement and his hands cuffed behind his back. Ranger's eyes raked up and down her body; her short satin dress displaying the creamy skin of her mile long legs; the back plunging to just above her hips, revealing the delicate curve of her body. Stephanie turned to flash a dazzling smile in Ranger's direction before sashaying up to him.

"Proud of you, Babe," he whispered, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. She blushed and stepped closer to him, seeking the comfort of his arms. He wrapped them around her, resting his chin on top of her head; allowing himself a moment of peace. He trailed his fingertips along the bare skin of her back, feeling her shiver against him; the cold night air nipping at her exposed skin. He pulled her against the side of his body, leading her towards the Turbo. He opened her door, stifling a groan as he watched her fold her gorgeous legs into the car.

He walked around slowly to the driver's side of the car, taking the opportunity to reign in his desire. Stephanie had broken up with Morelli three months ago, and Ranger had been waiting apprehensively for their reconciliation. As the time passed, a thread of hope wormed its way into Ranger's heart. The sexual tension between them had grown to an almost unbearable level; their stolen kisses and suggestive innuendo becoming more and more frequent. His thoughts were consumed with her, her mind, her body, her touch. He knew that if they were to be intimate with each other again he wouldn't be able to let her go. The thought of her going back to the cop felt like a dull blade being wrenched into his chest. He had to protect himself, losing her would be agonizing beyond words.

He lowered himself into the car, turning the key in the ignition; their free hands immediately gravitating towards one another. He rested their conjoined hands on the top of his thigh; her thumb drawing lazy circles on his skin. Stephanie leaned her head back against the head rest, a small content smile gracing her lips. He felt his own expression mirroring hers, thrilled to see the subtle changes in her demeanor; a new inner confidence exuding from her. She seemed happier than he had ever seen her before, like she was finally comfortable in her own skin. A fleeting thought passed through his mind, a hope that he was in some small way responsible for the smile on her face.

He gave her hand a gentle squeeze as they reached her apartment complex, pulling her from reverie. She turned to look at him, the fire burning in her eyes causing his mouth to run dry.

She leaned across the center console, her breasts skimming across his chest as she kissed the sensitive skin below his ear; a shiver rippled through his body at her gentle touch. It was unusual for her to be the aggressor, and it tested his carefully practiced control; "Babe," Ranger growled huskily, "Keep that up and I'll be making you a very happy woman." He felt her lips smiling against his neck, her breath raising goose bumps on his skin. She pulled away suddenly, his body aching painfully with disappointment.

Stephanie sighed, opening the passenger door and exiting the car. She shut the door behind her, bending over to peer into the open window, "Well Batman… I guess you'll have to catch me first!" She smiled wickedly before racing towards the building.

Ranger sat stunned for a moment before tearing from the car in pursuit, her challenge spurring him into action; his speed quickly gaining on her. She smiled triumphantly as the elevator doors closed in front of him, giving him a small flirtatious wave. Ranger chuckled, running towards the stairwell and racing up to the second floor. He exited the stairwell as the elevator doors dinged open, a predatory gleam in his eyes. She squealed as she fumbled with her keys, her playful excitement bubbling from her. Ranger stalked towards her, pinning her against the door with his weight, the hard planes of his body molding to her soft curves; "Feeling playful, Babe?"

Her mouth parted slightly, her eyes captivated on his lips as a slow, sexy smile spread across his face. She reached behind her back slyly, distracting him with a small kiss before whirling around and sprinting through the door. He lunged forward, catching her around the waist and lifting her off of the floor; her legs running uselessly in mid air. She giggled as he threw her over his shoulder and carried her towards the bedroom. He tossed her onto the bed, jumping on top of her, pinning her gently beneath him.

She blew a stray curl off of her forehead, her chest heaving with exertion. He met her eyes, smiling at the mischief sparkling in hers, "Getting a little slow in your old age, Batman?" Ranger quirked an eyebrow in mock indignation before tickling her ribs mercilessly. She shrieked, struggling against his assault until she was begging, through strangled laughter for him to stop. He pinned her hands above her head, silencing her with a tender kiss. He leaned back on his elbow to look into her face; her cheeks flushed with desire, her azure eyes darkening into midnight blue. He had never seen anything so beautiful.

For too long she had been his guilty pleasure, a secret addiction without cure; and suddenly, it wasn't enough. He wanted her… needed her in every aspect of his life; to be her best friend, her companion, her lover. Everything that he had ever desired lay wrapped up in his arms. He felt his frigid exterior melting away, exposing a softer side of him that had long been buried. In her presence his heart felt lighter, his cross in life easier to bear.

Lost in his thoughts, a whispered confession escaped his lips, "Te amo."

She stared into his eyes, tears pooling in her own, "I love you too," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. She threaded her fingers through his hair, pulling him to her; the heat of their bodies warming him to his very core. His body worshipped her flesh while his heart treasured her soul; each leaving their imprint deep within one another. They made love reverently, their emotions pouring from them; love, passion, possession, an endless yearning. In that moment that futures were entwined irrevocably, each of their hearts belonging to the other.

Ranger pulled into the parking garage with no recollection of how he had gotten there; silently scolding himself for daydreaming. He climbed out of the car, his mind focusing in on the task at hand… the most important mission of his life.

Stephanie drifted drowsily between consciousness and sleep. She knew that she was being sedated, but that knowledge did little to combat her fatigue; her thoughts clouded and disoriented. She smiled sleepily as she felt a warm hand tucking a stray curl behind her ear. Her body responding automatically to the familiar touch, "Mmmm… Ranger…" she mumbled sleepily, her eyes fluttering open, sinking into chilling amber depths.

"What the fuck did you just say?" He hissed scathingly, the muscles in his face twitching with rage

Stephanie's mind whirled sluggishly, desperately seeking his desired reply; the look on his face telling her that she had just made a very grave mistake.

TBC…

*So…. what do you think so far? Thoughts? Comments?

*I promise an HEA is coming… it's just taking a little while to get there : )