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.

*This chapter contains explicit sexual content. Cupcake Warning.*

Breaking of Souls

Chapter 8: A Moment of Purity

"You're an incredibly lucky woman, Miss Plum," the doctor mused, scanning the x-ray in his hands. "I'd like you to take an anti inflammatory for the next few days to help with the swelling. I'm also prescribing an antibiotic ointment for your wrists and for the burn on your arm. Give me a call if you notice the tissue turning a deep red or oozing a yellowish discharge... All in all, I think with some rest and a little TLC, you'll be feeling better in no time." He tucked the x-ray back into her chart and signed her release forms.

"So… I can leave now?" Stephanie questioned impatiently, the sterile environment giving her an eye twitch.

Ranger chuckled beside her, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

"Well… unless you'd like to stay… we have an empty room down the hall…" the doctor trailed off, leaving the offer hanging in the air, his eyes twinkling with amusement at the look of horror spreading across her face.

"No!... No no! That's fine, thank you. I'd really hate to be a burden," She said, stumbling over her words in a rush to reassure him, swinging her slippered feet off the side of the bed. She could almost feel the glossy white walls closing in around her.

Ranger tipped his head back and laughed at her frantic attempt to escape. Only his Babe could survive three days in hell and still fear the confines of a hospital bed.

A soft knock froze her in her frenzied movements, the door opening partially as Hal's monstrous form peeked into the room, "Boss… Morelli's here… and he's demanding to see Miss Plum."

Ranger stiffened as Stephanie collapsed back onto her pillows, grumbling under her breath, "Of course he is… how silly of me to think that the patient privacy act extends to the Burg…. there's probably an entire circus in the waiting room by now…"

Ranger smiled internally at the prospect of throwing Morelli out on his ass, "Babe, you don't have to see him now," or ever, he amended silently.

Stephanie blew out a puff of air, chewing on her bottom lip. "May as well get it over with," she sighed, turning to look at Hal. "Send him in."

Hal's eyes flickered nervously to Ranger, wordlessly seeking his consent. Ranger nodded infinitesimally, his hand unconsciously tightening around Stephanie's.

"I'll, ahhh… I'll give you some privacy," the doctor said, the dark figure in black keeping him from voicing his curiosity; turning sideways as Joe entered the room at the same time that he departed.

Joe's steps faltered as he took in the bruises wrapping around Stephanie's neck, "Oh my God… Cupcake… Are you alright?" His eyes continued down her body, his face scrunching in disgust as he reached their conjoined hands.

Ranger raised their hands to his lips, placing a kiss to the back of her hand, never taking his eyes from Morelli's, "I'll be back, Babe," he whispered, dragging his lips across her knuckles, smiling mischievously as goose bumps erupted up the length of her arm. For years Morelli had tormented him with their relationship, and now, he couldn't help but return the favor.

He stood from his chair, brushing past Morelli on his way to the door.

"Taking advantage of the vulnerable again?" Joe spit in contempt.

Ranger paused, turning slowly to face him, "No, Morelli…. that would be men who rob innocent girls of their virginity on filthy pastry shop floors."

"Fuck you, Manoso! You can't judge me for the things I did as an eighteen year old kid!"

"No, I can't. But, I CAN judge you by the way you've treated Stephanie for the last two years, and personally, I don't see ANY difference between the boy and the man." Ranger turned and stalked out of the room, knowing that if he didn't leave now things wouldn't end well for Morelli.

Joe stared at the doorway with his hands clenched into fists, his chest heaving with rage and embarrassment; he turned to look at Stephanie incredulously, "Is this the kind of shit he's been feeding you about me?"

"No, Joe," She sighed, "In fact, we've never even talked about you."

Joe laughed humorlessly, "Oh, of course not. Well, I can believe that. I'm sure that psycho has much more entertaining things to do with you than talk."

Stephanie's rolled her eyes, "You know what, Joe? We're not having this conversation. I don't owe you an explanation for..."

"The hell you don't! I find out that you've been fucking this THUG behind my back, and you don't OWE me an explanation?!" He fumed, waving his arms in the air.

"We broke months ago! Have I asked you who you've been sleeping with…? No! And, to be honest with you, Joe… I don't care anymore… It's over…."

"Yea, I've heard that before…" Joe shrugged dismissively.

"No, Joe… not like this you haven't. I'm sorry… but, I just can't do this anymore," there was nothing left inside of her to give.

Hearing the finality in her tone, Joe began to backpedal, grasping at straws, "Please, Steph, we can make this work… I just…. I guess I just didn't realize what I had," He sighed, raking a hand through his disheveled hair. "Just give me another chance… Please…" He looked pleadingly into her eyes; his own filled with loss and regret, his expression resembling a lost little boy.

She smiled sadly at him, her heart aching for his pain, "I'm so sorry, Joe… but… I'm in love with Ranger."

Joe flinched, recoiling away as if he had been slapped, his eyes desperately searching hers for a contradiction to her words.

His shoulders slumped in defeat and resignation, scrubbing his hands over his face wearily, "Christ… I'm sorry too, Cupcake... I do love you… I just wish I would have shown it sooner."

He approached her bed, leaning in to kiss her cheek; she pulled him into her arms, hugging him to her. He had been a part of her life for so long that the moment felt surreal.

He returned her embrace briefly before standing and walking slowly towards the door, he paused at the threshold, looking back over his shoulder at her; he opened his mouth to speak, but his face wilted in pain, halting his words. He hung his head, taking a few steadying breaths. When he finally gained his composure, he turned back to her with tears glistening in his eyes, "I just want you to know, that I'll always be here for you… and that… I'll always love you… no matter what." He swallowed roughly before exiting the room, not giving her a chance to respond to his words.

Stephanie starred at the empty doorway, finally finding the closure she needed to end that chapter in her life. Her heart had released him months ago and now he was setting her free as well. She almost felt guilty at the relief that washed over her, but quickly battled her guilt away. For the first time in her life, she knew that she deserved to be happy.

Ranger led Stephanie by the hand into the bathroom of his seventh floor apartment; clouds of Blvgari scented steam billowing around them. He set a towel and her toiletries on the vanity, releasing her hand, "Just… Let me know if you need anything…" He placed a lingering kiss to her temple and turned to leave, warring with his desperate desire to stay, but anticipating her need for privacy after facing such a traumatic experience.

She reached out, grabbing his forearm gently; forcing him to look at her, "Please, stay with me," she whispered softly, her eyes not meeting his. He stepped closer to her, enveloping her into his arms, uncertain of who needed the comfort of the embrace more. Her fingers grasped the hem of his shirt, peeling it from his body. He raised his arms, allowing her to pull the fabric over his head, discarding it onto the floor. He returned the gesture, stifling a groan at the sight of her bare breasts.

They shucked the remainder of their clothes, stepping underneath the hot spray. He stood behind her, watching the water cascade down the contours of her beautiful body. He shook himself from his thoughts, knowing that it was not the appropriate time. Needing to focus his mind elsewhere, he poured some shower gel into his hands, running them down the slick skin of her back, kneading the tension from her stiff muscles. She melted into his soothing touch, hanging her head limply in front of her, the water washing over the back of her head and neck. He smoothed the rich lather down the back of her thighs and calves, continuing his explorations.

He stood, focusing his attention on washing her hair, his fingers massaging gentle circles against her scalp. He ran his fingers through her wet curls, the hair sifting through his fingers like silk. He grasped her shoulders lightly, turning her to face him, continuing the process on the front of her body. As hard as he tried to clamp down on his desire, his body reacted to her exquisite naked form; craving the feel of her body wrapped around him. He finished with her feet, rising up from his crouched position, pausing at the heated look in her eyes.

She raked her eyes slowly down his chiseled body, her eyes darkening with lust at his arousal. She closed the distance between them, standing up onto her tip toes as she wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing her lips level with his, tracing her tongue across the seam of his lips. His lips parted on their own accord, granting her access, accepting her sensual kiss. She felt him hesitate slightly, before wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her body against his tightly, her back bowing, pressing her breasts into his chest.

She needed this, the emotional nurturing of intimacy. Ranger's heart spoke through his actions and she craved his healing touch.

"Babe," he groaned huskily, brushing his lips back and forth against hers as he spoke, "You need time to heal… Please, Babe… I don't want to hurt you."

His words were saying "No," but his body was screaming "Yes!" She raked her nails down his sculpted chest with her fingertips; heat pooling low in her belly as she felt the hard ridges of his abs shivering under her touch. She nipped at his bottom lip with her teeth, eliciting a hungry growl from deep within his chest.

"Then don't," she whispered breathily, her voice deep and sultry. Her hands gliding farther down his body, wrapping her fingers around his hardened length, gently massaging the silky skin; her thumb rolling over the sensitive tip.

He sucked in a shaky breath, his eyes closing as his head fell back onto his shoulders, shudders rippling through his body, "Fuck," he groaned in defeat, rational thought yielding to the sensations of his body.

"Mmmm," she moaned, running her tongue up the length of his exposed neck, scraping her teeth against the edge of his jaw. The power she felt over his body was intoxicating, fueling her burning desire.

She nibbled along his jaw line to the sensitive skin below his ear, teasing the lobe between her teeth. He slid his hands down her back, cupping the globes of her ass, pressing himself into her aching center; she gasped at the intensity of the sensation, her hot breath tickling the wet skin of his neck.

His control snapped at the throaty sound of her pleasure in his ear. He trailed his fingers up her sides, skimming along the outer curve of her breasts, cupping their weight in his hands. He leaned down, capturing a pebbled nipple in his mouth, teasing and laving the delicate bud with his tongue; her erotic moans echoing off of the walls around them. One of his hands drifted down to her slick folds, two fingers plunging into her wet heat, the timing of his thrusts matching the pumping of her fist against him.

Looking into each other's eyes they found the meaning of true love; a connection so profound that their hearts and souls melded into one; their bodies creating a passionate bond that would last a lifetime.

He lifted her body, her legs instinctively wrapping around his waist as he pressed her back against the tile wall, the hot water raining down upon their conjoined bodies as he sheathed himself inside of her. Their breath hitching into ragged pants as he slid in and out at an agonizingly slow pace.

She could feel the pressure building within her, like a wave rising higher and higher from the swell, her hands gripping his heavily muscled shoulders, her fingernails digging into his skin as she clung to him. Her teeth sinking into her bottom lip, her eyelids fluttering with ecstasy as her release washed over her in a cascade of tingling sensation, lifting her to heights of unbridled passion.

A low, sexy groan escaped his lips as he joined her in fulfillment, plunging into a moment of true purity, everything in the world fading away except for the woman in his arms.

They clung to each other, bathed in euphoria as they reveled in this moment of absolute peace… knowing that a storm was brewing on the horizon.

*TBC…

*In the next chapter we will find out how Ranger handles the secret of Cain's diary…