Chapter 5
January 1 Beginning of the New Stephanie
At 04:30 Tank banged on her bedroom door. "You have 30 minutes for personal duties. Report 05:00 to the gym downstairs. Dress for indoor workout." So began the transformation of Stephanie from the Berg's Bombshell Bounty Hunter into something new and improved.
Tank stood in the middle of the home gym, though a room this large and well equipped wasn't your typical home gym. "Every morning we are here at the house we will begin at 05:00 in the gym. Breakfast is at 06:15. After breakfast we will be outside around the house. This afternoon we will be indoors in instruction until 15:00 when we will go over your new outdoor gear. We will be spending 5 days outside in winter instruction, 2 days here at the house. Dinner will be from 18:00 to 18:45. After dinner and clean up you will have personal free time until 20:30 lights out."
"Yes, sir." Camping, outside? What had she gotten herself in for? The alternative was the bus ticket to nowhere.
Tank began, "Today will be base line testing. I will measure your endurance, strength, agility in the gym. In the next 8 weeks I expect impressive advancement in all areas. After testing we will outside splitting and stacking firewood. After lunch we will go for a little run; I want to see your running form. When we are finished with the 8 week course you will be running a minimum of ten miles per session and up to 50 miles a week. Today I hope for 3. If at any time you complain about training, you will be disciplined with increased reps or mileage."
After 15 minutes testing she remembered why she hated exercise.
"Ten sit-ups, zero pushups, four crunches; we have a long way to go, Plum." At the end of the 3 mile run she had lost her lunch, but walked for another two. She never complained. She kept the picture of Joe and Terry in her mind. Stephanie Plum would become than before; better, stronger, and faster. She would be the new Bionic Woman. Well, she would at least NOT be the laughing stock of the Berg. After the run she slowly walked into the house. "Gym in 5 minutes, first hydrate," Tank barked.
More like pee and hydrate, she thought. Mentally she was picturing the very long, very hot soak after dinner.
Back in the gym Tank began, "Our schedule will be five days in the field, two days here in instruction before we return outside. While we are outside we will in shelters we construct ourselves, cook meals over flame, but we will not sing Kumbaya. This will be wilderness survival; you mess up out here, you die. You will not be comfortable, you will be tired by the end of the day, and food will not be exciting but will be nourishing. You will be doing physical activity, problem solving, survival skills, and surveillance. There will be no days off. Though we are isolated here, weapons sounds do carry and the game warden gets upset. Our early weapons training will be with bow."
Her mind flashed, Better, Stronger, Faster….and Frostbitten.
"These are the clothes you will wear. They are the most high tech winter survival gear. They are designed to keep you dry, sweat or outside moisture will rob your heat. You will carry your own gear in a back pack or we will use a sled. Snow shoes will keep us from sinking into deep snow.
Before you ask, you being a woman are at a disadvantage when it comes to wilderness urination. He reached into his supply bag and pulled out a box. This allows women to urinate while standing, cleanup is just run water through it when available, or snow. Also, women have a monthly bleed. I highly suggest you use a cup. I have some here in the sack. I urge you to get acquainted with both items while in the shower this evening." Stephanie noticed he was blushing.
"Do you have questions?"
"Birth control?"
The big voice came out, "Plum we are not going to have sex. You are here to be trained not to copulate. For the next 8 weeks there will be no fucking around and I mean that literally. At the end of training, you can reestablish your birth control."
After dinner she slid into the hot tub water and she soaked away her body pain from the morning exercise and run. This would be the last time she will have such luxury for five days. Her mind was filled with doubts but she also knew she had to succeed now or fail later. She was familiar with the cup and the urination device looked straight forward, but read the instructions several times. Crawling to the bed, she slept solidly until the bedroom door pounding began at 04:30. "Gym in 30 minutes."
Coming down the stairs, Stephanie walked like an old woman. "Bike, 20 minutes," came the command. As she climbed on, Tank ran on the treadmill watching her making sure she wouldn't fall off the bike. "Switch, 20 minutes treadmill." This time she stumbled and shot out the back, banging her chin on the treadmill edge but not muttering a sound. There was no blood but would surely be a bruise.
"Now that the legs are warm, we will work the upper half, on the mat, sit ups, crunches and pushups, then we'll stretch out." Breakfast couldn't come fast enough. It was a hearty meal, probably the last for a few days. Still no sugar but she didn't dwell on it.
"Every day you are not in the field you will begin your day with a workout here. Best to get the shit over so we can have fun the rest of the day. Once you are dressed, we will have snow shoe instruction as well as packing instruction. Once prepared, we will move out about five miles before we set up camp for the night.
Her mind flashed back on building their own shelter. Saunas probably weren't on the list. Whatever it would be, deal with it Stephanie, she urged herself.
By 10:00 hours they were dressed, had their packs and snowshoes and set out for their adventure. She kept telling herself, this was for her own good. The old Stephanie was be reeducated. Yes, this reeducation would be better in some balmy locations with frosty drinks at the end of the day, but that's the future.
"Plum, women cannot wear a pony tail and a helmet. You must contain your hair lower down on your neck," said her instructor.
"Yes sir." She tried to make a bun at her nape. Another learning challenge.
Snow shoeing was hard, no shuffling, the feet, they have to be pulled up to clear the snow. Her legs were going to ache tomorrow. She fell a few times, once in a most ridiculous position Tank had to help her back up. "Sorry," she mumbled.
"Don't apologize, Plum, it's a sign of weakness," he barked back.
The snow was getting deeper when Tank stopped, "We didn't come as far as I had hoped, but this will do. We are going to make a snow cave. It takes several hours to construct so we best get started."
Didn't come as far as he had hoped? She was convinced they had walked 50 miles. She dared not ask how far they had come, it might be embarrassing.
He instructed, she followed his lead trying to understand why the inside of a cave needed a bench and lower passage inside. The vents in the ceiling made sense. Once the complicated "cave" was complete he spread two sheets of bubble wrap and pads over the snow bench, "To keep our clothing from getting wet from the snow underneath. We will not be toasty warm, but we will be dry, that's the most important."
He rolled out the two sleeping bags, they didn't look nearly thick enough. "We'll let these fluff while we prepare dinner, but first hydrate Plum, hypothermia comes from dehydration."
Sheesh, he had been saying that all day so she had become very familiar with her lady urination tool. She couldn't wait until she needed to tend to the other regular body function.
After a dinner of what was left overs from the night before reheated in hot broth he explained, "Tomorrow we can deal with the freeze dried food. Meantime, we will melt snow, refill our water bottles and then sleep with them tucked in close so they don't freeze over night."
Once they were tucked into their snow cave and sleeping bags Tank asked sarcastically, "Are we having fun yet, Recruit?"
"Yes, sir. People play big money to stay in Hotel de Glace in Quebec, I'm living in one for free."
"This is a snow cave not an ice palace."
"I never knew they were this complicated."
"They aren't, but it's far better than a hole in the snow. We'll do that another day."
"Yes sir and I'm going to sleep well tonight."
"Not before you drink more water. Remember, dehydration begets hypothermia."
"Yes sir."
When she woke up the next morning her legs and shoulders ached, one from the snow shoeing and the second from pounding and forming snow for the cave.
"Moving slow Plum?"
She wanted to lie and the old Stephanie would. The new Stephanie wanted to buck it up and ignore it but she was bent over like an old lady, again, "Yes sir."
He reached into a pocket and pulled out Advil, "One only."
She wanted to kiss him.
For the next four days they snow shoed through the forest, she learned how to find burnable wood, not fresh green wood. There was a trick to melting snow and keeping the fire going. Instruction included tying knots, rigging tow lines, building an emergency slit snow cave, and making a travois; a sled from branches and rope.
"What you have learned so far is the first step in winter survival. If I were to become incapacitated out here you would be responsible for getting me back to safety. You would have to drag me on a travois using only your own strength." She knew what was coming next, "Let's practice. You build the travois."
After some design changes the sled was done and she rigged with the ropes and her new knot tying skills. Tank said, "You will run this rope over hour shoulders and across your chest. Indians used horses, you are the horse."
At the end, this horse thought she would die. She could not pull as hard as she wanted for fear of getting her clothing wet. In the end she was able to transport Tank about 1000 yards, less than a mile. He was satisfied. "Explain to me recruit, why you did not think to build the travois on our sled?"
She stared open mouthed and wanted to utter a string of profanity direct at him, but held herself in check.
"You have to think ahead recruit, be creative."
"I was ordered, sir."
"You were, but in the real world you must be flexible. Don't get in a rut, push the envelope and sometimes tear it. I wouldn't be alive today if Ric had always followed instructions."
The next day he introduced crampons, climbing spikes for ice that attached to her boots. She had to recall her rope knots, "This is fun. We will repel down this icy rock face. The crampons will give you traction on the ice." Yes, once she learned how to kick forcefully into the ice for traction she quit bouncing against the rock like a pin ball and enjoyed the exercise. She'd be bruised after, hopefully he still had Advil.
"Sir, permission to speak."
"Granted Plum."
"Is this really part of Basic Training?"
He chuckled, "For the 10th Mountain Division. We don't have a challenge course here, I'm making it up as I go along."
On the afternoon of the 5th day when it was time to head back to the house, Tank said, "Take us home recruit."
She didn't have the faintest idea which way was home. "I have no clue which way to go, sir."
"Nature's trail marker's recruit, you must know where you are at all times. Read the terrain and watch for clues like the moss on the north side, snow depths, eagle's nest is the tree top, sunrise, sunset, direction of the salty breeze."
"Yes sir."
The two days back at the house were instructions, problem solving and of course the gym. She was surprised she could now do more sit ups, lunges and even several pushups. This inspired here to work harder.
Second week, back in winter camp Tank set her down in an isolated area. "You will be here for four hours. Observe everything in detail, you will be quizzed later."
Four hours in the cold observing? Well, as long as she kept dry, she wouldn't freeze to death, she hoped. After 5 days of physical activity and the learning in the warm house, she found sitting quiet outside in temperatures at or below freezing, difficult. She was never one to sit still, maybe it was the sugar coursing through her body before, but surprisingly today she managed to remain mostly unmoving, watching, listening to everything that happened from the number of birds that flew over-head, when the distant fog horn sounded, what time the wind began. Tank was sitting not for away recording his own observations. They would compare. Her first day, she missed a lot.
"You missed the rabbit ten feet from you, he might have been the enemy. Discipline Plum. Your job, only job is to observe. In law enforcement it is critical. In the past you barely lasted an hour in surveillance, your goal now is 8 hours. Everything you see, hear, smell and sense is important. We will work on this."
"Damn assassin rabbit," she murmured to herself.
After another snow cave night Tank woke up happy, "Today we will track. We will start following small animal prints. Then I will take 15 minutes to get a head start, you will follow and find me." She thought, no problem, he'll be leaving track. After two hours she realized she was following her own track, not his. She was going in circles. Carefully she back tracked and found her way. When she found him she realized he was above her observing her misadventure. "Did I keep you entertained, sir?" She was furious with herself.
"Obviously another skill we need to hone, Plum. However, I commend you for untangling yourself and not giving up," he laughed.
On the 20th day, the snow had melted, the ground was still frozen for their morning run from home. Instead of reporting to the gym at 05:00, they would run. "Eight miles this morning. We will wear headlamps to keep from falling over sleeping moose." She hoped he was kidding.
Instead of watching for moose she was watching the forest beside her. In three weeks her observation skills were sharpened. She could identify animal prints in the frozen mud or snow covered area. She saw a fox in its den watch them pass. She didn't see the moose until Tank suddenly stopped. He slowly reached around and took his crossbow out of pack, "He looks a bit unhappy with us here, turn around and go back the way we came, I'll keep him off you until you are safe." She didn't need any encouragement.
As they loaded up Tank's SUV for the trip back to New Jersey and closed down his house they relaxed their recruit/instructor relationship. "I never expected you to survive the first three days but I extremely pleased in your perseverance and lack of complaints. I don't know what is driving you, but I hope you hang on and continue the course."
"Tank, I've learned a lot about myself these past four weeks or however long I've been away from Trenton. Before I never pushed myself, I was never motivated until I got the job with Vinnie, but I was always out of my league. You have allowed me to explore my abilities, many of which need improvement I know, but now I have goals.
I've been thinking it is time to bury the Bombastic Bounty Hunter and the name Stephanie. I'd like to start using my middle name Michelle."
He smiled, "I think that's an excellent idea. I'm sure the others will respect your wishes."
The return
January 25th
Still in their relaxed mode as they left wilderness mansion on the sea, Stephanie asked, "What is the date today?"
"The 25th."
"You have given up 4 weeks to …..to me?" She didn't know whether to say "save me" or "train me." It was actually both.
"I figured you'd quit after a week, but when I came back New Year's and saw your resolved and then each day you worked harder than the day before, I knew we had to stick with the program. You've had 3 weeks of basic training-my style. You are not finished, but I need to get back to work. Others will help train you, but I'll still be a part."
Tank and the new Michelle arrived at Rangeman Safe House 3 after dark. They had made several stops on their way back to Mercer County. Wearing a knit cap and a helmet was too much for her hair. After 5 days out in the field it took 2 days to untangle it. Tank offered to cut it. It was a moment of jocularity during the training. "I said cut, not shave," she said with her hands on her hips. He didn't trust his skills and agreed to leave it to a professional.
When she left the salon, he smiled "It's actually cute."
"There isn't much left, but it will grow back, unlike yours."
"Hey, I save a ton on barber fees."
Once at the safe house she returned to recruit mode, "Sir, permission to speak frankly."
"Granted."
"I'm excited but also hesitate to see the others. I don't know if I've changed enough."
"Stay in recruit mode, they have been told how to act around you. All have trained others in the Army. I've asked them to push you, hard. You've proven you can do it."
"Yes sir. I assume there will be weapons training."
"You did fine with the crossbow, not a first line weapon. But it gave you confidence. Nobody said you have to love the weapons, just know how to use them well. The others will work with you on defensive and offensive techniques so you don't need to solely rely on weapons. You are getting more agile and fast.
You will continue to work outside as well as indoors, but not at Haywood. You are not ready for there. Each of your instructors and I will put you through various scenarios from actual cases. It's brain training."
"My body will appreciate the break from physical work," she replied.
"I didn't say a thing about resting. Not everything will be in a classroom setting."
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Bobby briefed Lester, Ram, and Hector before they left for Safe House 3. "Stephanie has been staying with Tank to work through her PTSD and self-confidence issues. He is returning her to Mercer County and wanted us to take over her physical training."
Lester chucked, "Start from zero I imagine."
Bobby smacked his head, "She's been with Tank for 4 weeks, do you really think he's let her eat doughnuts and sit on her butt?"
Ram and Hector chuckled.
Bobby continued, "She was a wreck when she left town. I wasn't sure if she belonged in a mental facility or not. Tank says she's making progress, we'll see where she is now and what we can do for her."
Ram, Hector, Bobby, and Lester arrived at Safe House 3 after dinner. The rural setting helped insure privacy. All cameras were turned off, nobody at Rangeman would see who was in the safe house.
When they entered the house, Tank was waiting. "Where is Beautiful," Lester asked. He was hoping she'd come running into their arms like a long lost family member, which she was.
Tank never smiled, "Situational awareness gentlemen. She is right behind you."
All three spun and stared. Bobby saw a leaner, muscled woman standing at attention. Her face was winter sun tanned. Lester was looking for the long curly hair and the soft blue eyes but instead saw a buff woman with short hair. The blue eyes were still there but not innocent, they saw more steeled. Ram nodded in approval. She looked like she was ready for action in her black tech pants, black turtleneck sweater and black boots. This was the Stephanie he hoped she'd become. Hector showed relief and then a big smile.
"Bomb…?" Lester began.
Tank replied, "Recruit Plum requests you call her Michelle. No more Bomber. Time to tuck Stephanie away, perhaps forever."
"Michelle?"
"It is her middle name. Michelle is exploring the option of going into the military. She knew she needed help preparing herself physically and mentally. You will continue her training here, not at Haywood. We want to keep her far away from Trenton and Rangeman until her metamorphosis is complete. Discretion is the word."
"Military?" Lester asked in shock.
She looked at Tank, "Permission to speak sir."
"Granted."
Looking at Lester, "Sir, this is the fastest way we could work out to reprogram my thinking and attitude. I am trying very hard not to slip back to Bomber; however, if at the end of training…and assuming I pass, you can call me whatever you want. It will no longer refer to my propensity for bombastic occurrences."
"Will the loveable Bomber return?" Lester asked.
"She's still in here, but trying to learn discipline, critical thinking, and responsibility. Long ago you offered to train her, she is taking up your offer so she is not such a detriment to herself and others."
Tank continued, "Once training is complete I want Michelle to work at Rangeman for a few weeks, ending up in client relations. If she still wants to pursue a military, law enforcement career, or other areas she will be free to leave with our love and best wishes.
But right now she must complete her training. She had done an exceptional job so far, now you join in the challenge. Consider yourselves DIs and this is your recruit. Treat her accordingly. She is not to receive a soft ride." Tank paused for emphasis.
"Bobby first aid and physical training, in particular strength. Lester, you will also be part of the physical training but I want her trained in entrance/extraction including rappelling buildings as well as urban tracking. We have already had some instruction in climbing; you will be in charge of more. Hector will be in charge of all electronics from computers, safety systems, and some of his other specialties. I'll work on self-defense, physical training, and class room work. Ram, will be in charge of weapons and water training. I'd like as much of this done here Safe House 3, except for Ram's work which will require a gun range and pool. So your training Ram will be last to lessen her Trenton exposure."
Turning to Michelle Tank said, "Recruit, tomorrow 04:30 wake up, 0500 roadwork, 8 miles, no moose to dodge, I hope. Any of you gentlemen want to join us?"
"Yes sir," Bobby, Lester, Ram and Hector answered.
Recruit Michelle's eyes sparkled, her friends would join her.
"What no salute," Lester asked.
She looked at Tank and raised an eyebrow, a trick she had picked up recently.
"Recruit, stow your middle finger," Tank commanded.
"Good night sirs," she said happily. And she left for her room with a bounce in her step for the first time in a month.
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Tank watched her spring and smiled. She was recovering nicely.
After she was out of hearing range, Lester turned to Tank, "What happened?"
"She was completely shut down after the apartment fire. Bobby and Hal brought her to me. I took her to a remote location where she could not escape and free from electronics. I was hoping her amazing ability to bounce back would kick in. The first day she was alert and coherent. I chanced leaving her alone for three days, praying her self-preservation would kick in. The first 24 hours I watched her through surveillance equipment. When I returned, I was amazed how together she was; she must have done one heck of a full life review! Initially we worked on physical fitness and PTSD exercises we've all been through. She's still brittle so stay with the training mode, don't let her slip back into Stephanie. She gets frustrated, but not whiney. The loving and fun natured Steph is still there but she knows she has to change and is busting her butt working hard. I've brought back some of the PTSD workbooks, work with her. She still has to face what broke her. Bobby, I suspect you'll be best with that, but I didn't want to mention it in front of her."
"Military, is she serious?" Ram asked.
"She wants to stay in law enforcement or security. She believes the best training would be one of the services. She's too old for MP, with her degree they'd funnel her to a desk job, killing her. She has talent in investigation; I'd like to get her trained privately and stay with us or at least remain civilian. If she stays with us, it would only strengthen Rangeman. She's going to be a heck of an asset for Rangeman but we've got to make her strong enough to survive Trenton and especially the Berg and convince the other guys at Rangeman she is no longer the Bombastic Bounty Hunter.
Think about how much time you can put into her training per day or per week, work it out among yourselves and come to me. I'll need my time. Don't be afraid to take her outside. We've been in winter camp for 15 days, she did great. Ram, Hector, I want to speak to these two alone, dismissed."
"Yes sir."
Lester waited until the door was shut. "We got a memo from Washington, Ranger's mission was successful, Guzman and his band are history. Confirmed. It took weeks and was ugly. We lost no one, but several took serious injuries including Ranger."
"Thank God it's over," Tank said. "How bad is he?"
Bobby answered, "Bad. He barely made the evacuation. I'm being kept up to date by the doctors down there. He'll be in hospital another month and least 3 months rehab before he's released. I'd like to go to Miami and work with him. Julie will be good motivation. I'll be here until he gets to rehab. When I leave Bones can take over Michelle's training."
"Agreed."
The next morning at 0500 Michelle was in the front entry stretching. The five other Rangeman joined her. Tank took command. "We will run in formation. Bobby in the rear."
All were wearing black shorts and t-shirts. It was just below freezing outside but they'd be warm shortly. Tank's pace was a bit slower to start, judging the recruit's ability but when he turned around she had a smile on her face, she was among friends. He upped the pace. Bobby watched her run and was impressed how she firmed up. Her stride was perfect, of course, Tank would have corrected it during the previous 3 weeks.
When they returned to the Safe House, she was tired, "Recruit, that was 10 miles, congratulations. From now on that will be your normal morning run." She didn't moan nor did she stand at attention, she just bent over trying to catch her breath and nodded, gasping "Sir."
Each Rangeman congratulated her; "Con su permiso," Hector asked with his arms outstretched asking for a hug. She felt his arms envelop her and if she was the old Stephanie she would cry, but not now. She simply whispered," Los he extrañado a todos ustedes." (I have missed all of you.)
Hector backed off "Mi hermana habla."
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It was now the end of January, five weeks since Stephanie Plum left Trenton, Joe Morelli's insisted Stephanie was still his fiancée since she had not returned the "very expensive" engagement ring. He was convinced Stephanie was being kept at Rangeman and tried to get a court order allowing him to search the building. Rangeman attorneys and the courts shot it down; she was not a fugitive from the law.
On Ground Hog's day, February 2, the news media, Helen Plum, Joe Morelli went to Rangeman to demand to know where Stephanie Plum was and if she was being held against her will. Eddie Gazarra called early on the 2nd warning of the upcoming charade. Bobby, Lester, Tank were with Michelle. Tank hurried back to Trenton. Bones took him into the clinic and fashioned a cast around the big man's leg from toe to mid-thigh. "Why the fuck am I letting you do this?" Tank growled.
"It explains your absence for the past month and a half plus you gain a sympathy card." Bones explained.
"Hell, its cost me a good pair of pants."
The cast was barely dry when Tank angled his way out the lobby door on his crutches for the 2 o'clock show down. A half dozen of Rangeman's larger men were with him. "What the hell is this all about?" Tank barked.
"Where have you been?" demanded Joe Morelli. "You haven't been seen around town."
"Detective Morelli, I've been trying to figure out a way to scratch my leg with this damn thing on it. Any of you ever had a cast?" Several heads nodded.
"My right leg is in a cast, I can't drive, I sure can't ice skate. I have to use these crutches to get around; I've been confined."
"We think you are holed up with my daughter. I demand you produce her," Helen Plum screeched.
"She isn't here. She is an adult, free to do what she wants. I'm assuming after her apartment burned down, she left town."
"We want to search for ourselves," Helen insisted.
There were several "Yeahs" from the crowd.
Tank recognized Valerie, Stephanie-Michelle's sister, Mary Lou her friend, Mrs. Angie Morelli, and the witch Bella Morelli among busy bodies from the Berg. "This is a private business, I'm not bringing this mob into Rangeman. One visitor….Mr. Plum, I will permit you to come in and search this building for your daughter."
Frank Plum had been dragged along by his wife, daughter Valerie and Joe. He tried to hide in the background. Joe and Helen put up a fuss but the media seemed to accept Mr. Plum going in; less than an hour later Frank came back out, "She's not there."
"What did you see?" Asked the newsman.
"Offices, conference rooms, all personnel apartments including an apartment on the 7th floor, custodian and housekeeper accommodations, clinic, and gymnasium, but mostly I saw hard working men keeping Trenton and surrounding areas safe. I talked to nearly a dozen men and none said they had seen or heard from my daughter since Christmas Day, all expressed concern. She was a valued employee here. This witch hunt has gone on long enough. Go back and bother other people, these are honest hard working men."
"They are thugs," Joe responded. "This baboon is the worst of them all."
Apparently Joe forgot to look carefully at the news reporter's dark skin. When the video was sent back to the studio, the news producer sent a copy to the Chief of Police, also dark skinned. The Chief personally came to Rangeman to apologize to Tank in the lobby, cameras rolled.
Tank took the Chief of Police off to the side, "Sir, Detective Morelli's racial outbursts are well known. I have a video from his visit several days after Christmas. Apparently he needs more sensitivity training."
"I'd like to see the video," the chief said.
Tank was hoping he would. After reviewing it, the chief slowly shook his head. "You should hear what her mother says about her."
"I've heard. Is it any wonder Stephanie left Trenton?" Tank responded.
"She's gone?"
"She has no love for her family or Joe Morelli and his cheating ways."
Finally the chief and news cameras left Bones removed the cast. The next morning Joe Morelli was suspended from the TPD for 30 days.
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It was now the sixth week and Valentine's Day, February 14th. Tank wanted to test Michelle's mental development. He casually asked Michelle, "Do you still have Joe's ring?"
"Yes, the jeweler's appraisal and picture of the ring on my hand. I was going to send them to Terry Gilman but haven't had the chance."
"May I suggest you give it to her personally?"
The old Stephanie Plum would have sputtered, whined, and been afraid. But her mental challenges were teaching her to picture positive outcomes. The more she pictured herself presenting the ring and appraisal to Terry the more convinced she became she could do it.
"What better day than Valentine's plus I know where she and her uncle will be tonight. You can waltz in, put the ring down and walk out," he smiled.
A wicked grin spread over her face, "Will Joe be present?"
"Probably not, he's in hot water with TPD again. He's probably drinking his sorrows away at Pino's, but we'll find out."
The event was being held at Marcellano's restaurant, a new upscale Italian restaurant outside Trenton. Ella, the Rangeman housekeeper and den-mother to all Rangeman employees had been called in to find suitable sexy attire for Michelle, aka Stephanie. Ella hit a home run with a burgundy colored dress with a top that accented her newly developed arms and shoulders; cut in on the sides to show hard sculpted abs and slit up to near danger zone showing a fine muscled leg.
"Go get 'em Mitch," Tank said using Michelle's new nickname. He opened the door to the rented silver sedan; a black car might have been identified as belonging to Rangeman. Slipping the wrap from her shoulders, after all it was February, she walked to the restaurant's podium: "Uncle Vito's party, please". The maître d assumed the lovely buff woman with the short curly dark hair was a member of "the family." Before she entered the room the hired security man from Rangeman, Ram, ran a wand over her body. He didn't dare wink but his eyes sparkled and he nodded as he opened the door. Stepping through Michelle paused and scanned the room for familiar faces. Many she knew including Connie Rizolli. Not seeing Joe she continued to Terry who was sitting next to her uncle. In proper Italian Berg manners she acknowledged the mob boss, "Mr. Grizolli." Then turning to Terry Gilman, she placed the ring and papers on the table, "I told Joe Morelli I would give you my engagement ring. I have a pass for the night and decided to give it to you personally." After putting the ring and papers on the table, Michelle turned and began walking out before anybody realized who she was. "Stephanie?" Terry gasped. Michelle turned and gave Terry a cold granite stare until Terry blinked. Michelle nodded, "Mr. Grazolli" and walked out the door, out of the restaurant and into the silver sedan parked by the front door. Ram watched and smiled.
A gentleman turned to Connie Rizolli, "Who was that?" Connie shook her head, "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
When Terry looked at the ring, the picture of it on Stephanie's hand and then read the appraisal, she let out a terrific laugh, "The rumors were right. That cheap bastard gave Stephanie Plum a $79.98 ring that now has a resale of less than $25.00. Expensive ring my ass, Morelli."
The Berg gossip line was back on fire, the diamond ring was fake just as had been rumored before. The second rumor was Stephanie Plum must have joined the military, she had attitude and muscle.
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As Stephanie buckled her seat belt, Tank asked, "How do you feel?"
"I have a strong urge to castrate Joe but I don't want to damage my dress."
"That would be messy. Think of something else, we are going to PIno's. By the way, he's still on suspension for racial slurs."
When they pulled in front of Pino's Tank said, "He's in there, at the bar. You have Rangeman cover in there. Don't break him, Mitch, he isn't worth it."
She went in and immediately saw Woody, Raphael, and Hector. They knew she was coming. She remained near the front door in her sexy as hell dress. The noise level began to fall off as people were not sure who the woman was. Joe turned to face the door, but Michelle was half way to the bar.
Joe was momentarily confused due in part to the beer, should he hit on this sexy woman. Before he could decide, Michelle picked up a glass of beer and threw it in Joe's face, "I gave Terry Gilman my engagement ring and appraisal in front of at least 75 other people including Uncle Vito. She and everyone else know what a cheap bastard you are. I am here to make it official, we are no longer engaged, you JackA**."
Joe was stunned from the beer toss and inadvertently gasped, "Cupcake?"
Like Thor's lightning bolt the shot to the groin doubled him over. She grabbed his hand, twisted it around him and held him with a thumb lock, "Never speak to me again, you filth."
Joe coughed, "Assault on a policeman."
"You are on suspension."
She drove him to the floor, used her foot to push him onto his side as he hold his groin. Nobody said a word or moved. Most were staring at the New Stephanie Plum. Applause erupted from the restaurant first led by TPD officers in attendance; Big Dog, Gaspick, Robin Russel, Costanza and Gazarra and later the entire restaurant. She didn't stay around to acknowledge the accolades.
Tank was smiling as he shut down his phone, he had been watching thanks to Hector's feed, "Standing ovation?"
"Yes sir."
"Do you want to go for a triple with your family?"
"No, it's nearly 20:30, bed time."
The next day Bones did Michelle's physical evaluation. At the six week mark Michelle was running 40 miles a week, lifting close to her body weight, could tick off 75 sit ups and crunches, 50 pushups and 25 pull ups. Her heart rate was down in the 50's blood pressure was ideal. Bobby had introduced yoga and dance to her workout improving her flexibility. Ella was her instructor. "How do you think I stay in shape?" the older woman said with a wink. "Luis and I go out dancing to the Latin Club twice a week."
Tank had been working on hand to hand with her; she could take a punch and give it right back. He outweighed her by over 100 pounds so preferred Hector spar with her. Hector was having to work harder and harder with each session.
Tank and Lester worked with her on takedowns, she was fast. She had gained quickness working with Lester out in the field. Lester's approach to physical training was something he had been doing himself. Instead of long sessions on a treadmill, bicycle, or weights, he alternated he traditional exercises with what he called terrain training. He climbed anything climbable from rock walls, trees, ropes and poles. He ran a complicated agility course which combined running, leaping, jumping, climbing, crawling, and other actions. He was using all his muscle groups in strength building but also major cardio. Michelle found the diversity exciting and was motivated to work harder instead of being stuck in a gym. As her body became harder so did her attitude, she COULD do whatever she put her mind to do and given time, she was better, faster and stronger. Yes, she'd give the Bionic Woman a run. The night with the engagement ring and Joe Morelli was the first test Tank had devised, she passed with flying colors.
By the eighth she had earned kudos from her instructors. She was not only on par with Army basic instruction, she was far ahead. "Maybe you should apply for Ranger school," Lester kidded but then saw the sudden hurt in her eyes. She wasn't over his cousin.
The final instruction was with Ram. Not only was she expected to qualify with handguns and rifles, he was also putting her through some SEAL training. She thought she'd have no trouble swimming but what she wasn't counting on was her loss of body fat and increased muscle mass made her less buoyant. She thought back to the time she was dropped into the Delaware and how easily she floated, she wondered now if Ranger was actually using her buoyancy to keep himself afloat.
"First test, Mitch, 50 yards totally underwater," Ram ordered. From there the tests got harder, she passed them all. She had previously done scuba, he didn't have the facility to upgrade her certification, but would like to at a future time. With her confidence flying high, she aced the weapons training. Her response was a wry grin, "Didn't think I could do it, did you?"
Ram broke into a big smile, "Stephanie no, but the new Michelle or Mitch can do anything she puts her mind to."
At 9 weeks Tank reviewed her training reports: "You qualify easily for Rangeman and might give several of the guys a run for their money."
"What about the military?"
"Before you rush off to talk to a recruiter, we have a new guy at Rangeman, he just came out of Army MP. Talk to him. See if MP is what you want to do. If you are still interested in CID we can talk to a recruiter. The third option, employment at Rangeman still stands and we will add investigation schooling."