Disclaimer: I do not own the characters created by Janet Evanovich. I just really really wish I did!! I am just using them in this story. I only own Carmella, but you can have her if you want her!

The rest of the ride home was silent; I guess no one could think of anything they could say. Carmella just shifted occasionally and tried to cover the slit up her skirt. Ranger had a murderous look on his face. Tank looked furious as well. I sighed and looked out the window at all the buildings and scenery that flashed past. We drove into the underground garage and climbed out the car.

"I'm going to sort out everything for school." Carmella muttered and walked out the garage. Tank walked silently out, presumably to the control room or the office. I looked at Ranger for a couple of beats.

"You know that she's right. You can't go to the police." I said softly. He nodded but said nothing. I rested my hand on his shoulder and studied his face. He sighed and looked down at me.

"I just want her to be safe and happy." He whispered.

"I know and Carmella knows as well. You're a brilliant father." I told him. He smiled

"Thanks babe." He wrapped an arm around my shoulder and pulled me to him. I tilted my head up towards him and he kissed me. His tongue slipped into my mouth and I almost melted on the spot.

"Hey boss, we need y-woah, sorry!" A voice called from across the garage. We jumped apart and looked up. Bobby and Lester were stood by the door, both grinning widely. I blushed and looked down at the floor. Ranger cleared his throat.

"What?" He asked sounding thoroughly pissed off. They were both grinning annoyingly. Ranger sighed and walked over to them. After a brief and quiet discussion, Ranger turned to me.

"Babe, I have to go. I'll be away tonight and maybe tomorrow night. I'll be back Monday morning at the latest. Give my love to Carmella." He said softly. I smiled.

"Sure, see you soon." I replied. He climbed in a car with Bobby and Lester and drove out the garage. I walked up into the main building and took the elevator up to the fourth floor. I walked into Carmella's apartment and heard a quiet sobbing coming from the bedroom.

"Carmella? Are you ok?" I asked. She sniffed loudly and called back in a weepy voice.

"Yeah, I'm fine. It's just my…allergies." I walked into the bedroom. She was sat on the floor with her face in her hands.

"I just want them to stop Stephie. Madre doesn't want custody of me, she despises me and I can't stand her. I love living with Dad and I don't see why she can't just let it go." I sat down next to her and put an arm over her shoulder.

"It's all about pride now. She doesn't want to loose to your dad. Well, that's what I think it is. She doesn't want to be shown up or made a fool out of." I said softly "Your dad's gone away for the night he says that he'll be back by Monday morning at the latest." She nodded.

"Ok, as long as he is here for my first day of school. I am so glad it's not a uniform school. My last one was I had to wear a kilt, a shirt, a tie and a blazer. We occasionally had to wear hats." She grinned. I smiled back.

"Sounds…constricted."

"It was awful; all the boys would try to undo our kilts." She laughed "Especially this one guy, Oli- he was a real laugh, him and his little followers would have competitions to see how many skirts they could undo each lunchtime. He was such a great guy…oh shit!" She exclaimed suddenly.

"What?" I asked, slightly worried.

"Oh hell, I was going out with him when I left. When I split with James Oli was always there for me. He looked after me and we ended up going out. So we were going out for five months I think. And I just left. I didn't even call or leave a note…shit. He's going to hate me. He will actually despise me. I can't believe I did this! Freya, my best friend, I didn't even tell her. They're all going to hate me!" she moaned and sunk her head into her hands. I patted her on the shoulder sympathetically.

"They'll understand. You could call them." I suggested. She looked up.

"Yes! I will call them!" She jumped up and ran into the kitchen. I followed her slowly and watched as she tapped a number into the phone and hit the speaker-phone button. She stood, chewing her thumb nervously.

"Hello, Oli Hilson, master of kilts and comedy, who's calling?" He asked. Carmella laughed.

"Oli, its Carmella. Please don't hang up."

"Holy shit my little caramel. Where did you go? Where are you? Oh I have been so worried, we all have. We thought James-"

"No, y'know I phoned you and told you he tried to…y'know…rape me? Well when I told you that, I was on a bus going to an airport to catch a flight to Cuba. I am so sorry I didn't tell anyone. I just didn't want anyone to try to stop me and I was scared that Madre might find out."

"Sweetness I understand. I am just so relieved you finally got round to calling. So are you in Cuba?" He asked.

"Nope, you'll never guess what Oli, I found Dad! He's in Trenton and he has his own business and I have my own apartment!"

"That's amazing Caramel! It's just what you always wanted; I am so thrilled for you!"

"Yeah it's great, only problem is that we are now having a massive custody battle with Madre and James. It's getting so awful. Madre says I'll be going straight to military school."

"Babe your mom is a total bitch."

"You know she married James?"

"Are you shitting me? What a whore!" He exclaimed. Carmella laughed, then some background noise came into hearing at Oli's end.

"No…calm down Frey, it's Carmella." He said to whoever it was. There was a high pitched shriek.

"Omigod Oli gimme the phone! Carmella? Oh my gosh girlfriend I have missed you so fucking much! You're ok! I am so relieved, I have been worried sick!"

"She's been back in the anorexia ward" another girl's voice called in the background.

"What? Tell me that's not true Freya." Carmella said warningly.

"It's not how Sammy makes it sound. I've been back for check ups and I've put on a stone, I met my target weight Mel!"

"Frey that is so fantastic. I am so sorry I'm not with you. But if all goes well then I'll be staying her in Trenton with my dad."

"Omigod you found your dad! That is the best thing ever!"

"You and Oli have to swear to come up and see me! At a weekend or in the holidays. I'd come down, only…I don't want to run into Madre or James." She gave Freya her mobile number and the apartment's number.

"Fair nuff, oh Sammy wants to talk to you."

"Why? I hate her and she hates me."

"She just wants a chat." Carmella sighed as the phone changed hands again. Carmella looked at me and grinned.

"This is amazing; I can't believe they still want to talk to me!" She squealed. I laughed as a new voice came onto the line.

"Carmella?"

"Yeah, hi Sammy. How are you?"

"I'm good. I just wanted to tell you that Oli is mine and you should keep your slutty hands off of him. He's moved on. Get over it." She hissed.

"Sammy I am over it. I am living in a building with at least seven very attractive men. I'm as over it as is humanely possible. And I will always be better then you. Always. I'll be the one people want to talk about or hang out with. Not you Sammy, no one likes you. Put Oli back on."

"Your dumb slag-"

"Put Oli on now!" Carmella commanded. Sammy muttered and handed the phone to Oli.

"Hey Ol, congrats! I heard you and Sammy got together!" She practically sang.

"Um…no. Did Sammy say that? Babe I'm single, free as a bird, still mourning over you."

"Oh thanks, it's good to know. Anyway Freya has my numbers and you are coming to stay soon. I have to go now but I'll see you soon."

"Ok, love you babe."

"Aw Oli, I love you too! Give my love to Freya as well. Tell Sammy to choke on her spiteful tongue." Carmella said. Oli laughed.

"I'll pass that on."

Carmella hung up and looked at me with a broad smile plastered across her face.

"They don't hate me! They still want to talk! This is the best thing ever!" she laughed and gave me a hug. "I'm going to the gym, do you want to come?" She asked. I stared at her in surprise. She looked back "Oh right, stupid question." She laughed and went to get changed. She emerged ten minutes later wearing dance trousers and a tank top. She bid me farewell and walked out. I looked at the phone. Time to interfere with Carmella's life. Plus I could order a pizza.

The next day I was woken by Carmella walking in and flicking the light on and off until I got up. After instructing me to get dressed in a smart outfit, she handed me a bagel coated in cream cheese and led me out the apartment and into the elevator. She was wearing a brown gypsy skirt, black strap top and a chocolate brown chord jacket over the top. The necklace that had been recovered from the fire was around her neck, the cross pendant shining under the elevator's dim light.

"Do you want to tell me where we're going?" I asked as we stepped out the lift and into the garage. Tank was slouched against one of the cars smiling slightly. Carmella walked over and climbed in the car, beckoning me to follow her. I sighed and got in the car. Tank shut my door, then got in the drivers side and started the engine. We rolled out of the lot and down the street. Tank glanced at Carmella.

"So I'll pick you up at 11.30" he stated. Carmella nodded.

"Yeah that'd be great. Pick up some doughnuts on the way." She instructed. He smiled.

"You'll get fat." He said warningly. Carmella laughed.

"I have a great metabolism, I work out frequently and my dad is an obsessed health freak. I think the chances of me getting fat are pretty slim. No pun intended." She grinned. Tank rolled his eyes. Ok so there would be doughnuts, this wasn't going to be a total bust. The car rolled to a stop. I glanced at my watch, 10.25. Where we going for the next hour? I looked up and saw a church. Carmella climbed out the car onto the sidewalk in front of the church.

"Come on, the service starts in 5 minutes. Hurry up." I looked in shock.

"Um…this isn't a catholic church. I'm catholic." I said as I climbed out of the car. Carmella shrugged.

"It's the same basics. I'm protestant, so is dad. This is the church I've been attending for the past few weeks and as you are the adult in charge it is your duty to accompany me. Anyway, about the whole catholic thing, when was the last time you went to mass?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Well…I…um…it was…um…" I struggled to think.

"Exactly!" She said triumphantly and walked up the path into the church. I sighed and followed her.

The service wasn't that bad. It wasn't as set as the mass I was used to. Half the congregation kept coming up to Carmella after the service and asking where her father was. I couldn't imagine Ranger here, singing the hymns and praying. Carmella looked up at me.

"He sings very quietly, as in you can't hear him kind of quiet, but you know he's singing because his lips move very slightly. When he prays he looks just like he's thinking, only his eyes are closed." She said. I looked at her, no point asking how she knew what I was thinking; it obviously ran in the family. She smiled and walked out the church, expecting me to follow her. I made my way towards the door, but was stopped by a small group of elderly ladies. One of them smiled.

"Are you Carmella's mother, dear?" She asked. I smiled and shook my head.

"No I'm just a…a friend of the family." I answered, thinking that was an appropriate answer.
"Are you courting Ricardo?" One of them asked. I had a moment of confusion before I realised Ricardo was Ranger.

"Dotty you can't just ask that, we don't even know the poor girl" the first woman said, then cut her eyes to me "Are you courting him?" She asked suspiciously.

"Um…no, Ran-Ricardo and I are just friends." I answered. Friends that made out. A lot. And occasionally shared a bed. No need to tell the old ladies that though. One of the other women stepped forwards.

"I know you; you're that Edna's granddaughter, the bounty hunter. Aren't you catholic?" She asked.

"I…I…um, I have to go now, Carmella's waiting." I said quickly and hurried out the church. Great, now the burg would know that I had renounced Catholicism. My mother was going to kill me.

I climbed into the car and sighed. Tank grinned at me.

"I didn't know church was so strenuous." He said, trying not to laugh. I glared. Carmella looked at me.

"What's the problem?" She asked. I groaned and hit my head against the headrest.

"My mother will kill me. She will crucify me." I groaned. Carmella sighed and looked at me as we drove away from the church.

"Ok, why will your mother crucify you?" She asked.

"Because those women in there know my Grandma Mazur. They're gonna tell her that I've renounced Catholicism and my mother will kill me."

"Steph, you haven't been to church in years. I think it's pretty clear that you've practically renounced Catholicism already." Carmella grinned. I smiled back, she was right.

A few hours later while Carmella and I were deciding what to have for tea, my mobile ran. I looked at the read-out and saw my parents' house calling.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Your Grandmother just met Mabel Giannini. Mabel says that you've given up being a catholic. Now Stephanie, I know you haven't been to mass in a while, but still-"

"Mom, I have not stopped being a catholic. I just went to church with Carmella this morning because she asked me to."

"Oh, ok then. Are you going to come over for dinner?" She asked. I sighed.

"Sorry, I can't" I replied quickly.

"Why not?" My mother asked suspiciously.

"Um…I have to help Carmella ready for school. I have to go now." I replied and quickly hung up.

I was woken the next morning by Carmella bursting into the apartment.

"Help! You have got to help me!" She shrieked. I sat up in bed.

"What?" I asked, feeling panicked. I looked at the clock, 7.30. Why the hell was Carmella up at 7.30? Then it occurred to me, Monday…school. I looked beside me and saw Ranger, fast asleep with an arm draped across my stomach. And he didn't seem to be wearing any clothes… Carmella ran in still wearing her pyjamas, then skidded to a stop as she took in the scene before her. She crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.

"Well, I suppose there's no need to ask what you got up to last night. Honestly Stephanie Plum you are pregnant. I'm disappointed in you, embarking on these shenanigans with my father." I glared, gently lifted Ranger's arm off of me and slipped off the bed.

"It's not how it looks." I said defiantly. Carmella stared at me.

"Well that's good, because it looks like you two spent the whole night having se-" She was cut off by Ranger coughing in his sleep. Carmella looked at him, then whispered.

"He's not asleep; he's listening to our conversation." She told me. I looked at him. He looked asleep to me.

"He wouldn't do that, he's sleeping."

"You are so naïve, watch him." She whispered and then spoke at normal volume "So Steph, can we talk about…orgasms?" She almost shouted the last word. Ranger flushed and started coughing. Carmella looked at me and mouthed 'see?!' I grinned.

"Sure Carmella, we could talk about blowjobs and the g-spot as well if you want." I said loudly. Ranger had another coughing fit and his mocha skin had a crimson tinge. Carmella flopped on the bed.

"Dad we know that you're awake. You are a poor actor." She said. Ranger opened one eye and grinned at his daughter.

"You are evil." He stated. She grinned

"I know, now get up. Ella will be up with breakfast soon and I need help deciding what to wear for school. That is the problem with going to a school with no uniform; I never know what to wear." Ranger sighed and rolled out of bed. Thankfully I'd been wrong about him being naked; he was wearing a pair of black boxers which was good because otherwise I may have pounced on him without an ounce of self-restraint and I think that may have traumatised Carmella for life. He smiled at me and disappeared into the bathroom. Carmella and I walked into the kitchen where Ella was setting up breakfast. She beamed at us.

"Good morning! I've done eggs for breakfast; you both need your strength." She lifted the covers of the plate and the smell of egg reached my nostrils. OMG, I was going to be sick! I gagged and ran for the bathroom. I pushed the door open, ran past the shower and hunched over the toilet. After a good few minutes of throwing up, I was suddenly very aware of someone standing behind me. I turned and saw Ranger standing behind me, dripping wet from the shower with a towel wrapped around his waist. He smiled sympathetically.

"Morning sickness?" He asked and held his hand out to me. I grasped it and stood up.

"It was the eggs, the smell, it just made me…" Oh no, even thinking about the smell made me gag. I turned back to the toilet and threw up again. This was so unattractive.

"Trust me babe, I've seen worse." Ranger chuckled softly. I gasped for air and stood up, flushing the toilet. He handed me mouthwash, toothpaste and my toothbrush. He smelt so good.

"I'll go and get rid of the e-g-g-s; I'll come and get you when the area's been cleared." He grinned and walked out. I spent about 15 minutes brushing my teeth, when Ranger walked back in, fully clothed. He smiled.

"All clear babe. Carmella's gone downstairs to choose an outfit and we're expected to join her to give our guidance." I nodded and walked into the bedroom to get changed. I was feeling deeply unattractive today. I reached for an old flannel shirt, but it was grabbed from my hand by Ranger.

"Hey, give that back!" I commanded.

"No way, I thought Carmella had gotten all of these off you." He said as he held the shirt out of my reach.

"I may have kept one or two, for sentimental value."

"You are not getting this back." He said and walked out. I sighed and pulled on a pair of baggy jeans, a soccer shirt, one of Ranger's black sweatshirts and a Navy Seals cap on my massive hair. I walked out and found my boots. After lacing them up, I joined Ranger in the lobby. And there was no sign of my shirt.

"Where's my shirt?" I asked.

"Why are you wearing my clothes?" Ranger asked. I shrugged.

"They're comfy. And you stole my shirt."

"Babe I hardly stole it, it was practically disintegrating." He grinned. I rolled my eyes and walked out the front door and into the lift with Ranger following me, locking up the apartment as he went.

We walked into Carmella's apartment and were greeted by the sound of Carmella shrieking and stomping around her bedroom.
"Carmella, are you ok?" I called.

"Um...yeah, I just can't find my…oh there it is!" She declared. A few seconds later, she walked out wearing a black strap top, a pleated black mini skirt and a pair of black stiletto boots. Her hair fell just below her shoulders in curls. She looked stunning.

"What do you think?" She asked, doing a little twirl.

"I think that skirt is too short to be wearing in late November." Ranger growled. Carmella sighed.

"I'm not cold. I'll put on some pantyhose or something if you're that concerned about how cold it is." She replied. I smiled.

"I think it looks good." I replied. She grinned.

"I don't know, are you sure it's not too…revealing." Ranger said.

"I'll put a cardigan on. Can you not be so father-ish and try to see this from an average guy's point of view?" Carmella requested, sounding slightly irritated.

"No" Ranger replied shortly. She glared and walked over to the intercom.

"Hi Tank, is Junior in today?" She asked after buzzing the control room.

"Yeah, he's right here, I'll put him on." There was a scuffle at the other end, then Junior's voice came on "Hello?"

"Junior hi, it's Carmella. How old are you?" She asked.

"I'm 18, but why-"

"Great, can you come down to my apartment right away? Thanks bye!" She disconnected and walked back to us, glaring defiantly at Ranger, almost daring him to ask what that was about. There was a knock at the door. Carmella opened it and Junior walked in, looking slightly confused.

"Hi Junior, can you just tell me; do you like this outfit?" She asked doing a twirl. Junior blushed slightly.

"Um, yeah…it's really…nice." He coughed.

"Not too revealing?" She prompted. He shook his head.

"No, it looks good on you; it makes your legs look really long. Really…well, stunning" He said "Was that the right answer?" He asked quietly, sounding slightly worried. Carmella nodded and smiled.

"Perfect, thank you Junior!" She ushered him out the door and turned back to Ranger.

"See dad, it's stunning. Now come on, we need to be going." She walked back into her room, then out again wearing a black jacket with a black shoulder bag on.

We walked down to the underground garage and climbed into the Porsche. Carmella spent the journey fiddling with her hair and singing along to the radio. Trenton High had changed since I'd last been here. There was a science block extension and a new gymnasium. A load of girls in cheerleader ensemble were prancing around on the grass outside the school with a load of guys watching them, a few Goths were in a dark corner chatting about goodness knows what and there were a couple of girls in jeans and flannel shirts sat on the wall where I used to sit. Maybe it hadn't changed that much.

"Ok Sweetheart, you need to go the office and sign in or something." Ranger said to Carmella. She looked startled.

"You're not coming with me?" She asked. Ranger shook his head.

"They said it would be better for you to go alone." Carmella nodded and took a deep breath.

"Shall I come with you? To show you where the office is, or at least where it used to be where I went here." I offered, looking at Ranger for approval. He smiled and nodded. Carmella let out a breath of relief.

"ThatdbesogreatSteph!!!!" She blurted out in one breath. I smiled and climbed out the car. She emerged from the car and joined me on the path up to the school. As we walked up the path, I could feel the eyes of the kids outside watching us. One of the guys wolf-whistled as we walked past and Carmella turned and smiled at him, a real 200-watt smile that she'd inherited from her father. We walked into the main building and luckily the office hadn't moved.

"Hi, my name's Carmella and I'm starting here today." Carmella told the receptionist, who smiled kindly.

"Ok Carmella, can I have your full name?" She asked

"Carmella Maria Conchita Mañoso" Carmella told her. She tapped something into the computer and smiled.

"Ok, here's your class, your timetable and your form. There's also a map of the school in there somewhere. By the way, you have an amazing name." The receptionist beamed and handed Carmella a pack of papers.

"Thank you." Carmella said appreciatively.

"Anytime my dear, classes start in half an hour." She told her. We walked back outside and down the path. The Porsche was still there, engine growling. Ranger got out and walked up to Carmella. He pulled her into a hug and kissed her lightly on the forehead.

"Good luck sweetness, I'll see you later." He smiled and got back in the car. I gave her a quick hug and got back in the car. We pulled away from the curb and rolled down the street. Ranger looked slightly worried.

"Do you think she'll be ok?" He asked. I smiled

"She'll be fine Ranger; she's been to school before. She's 15 and she's the most street wise kid I've ever met. Don't worry." I put my hand on his.

"You're right, I'm worrying about nothing."

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Carmella sighed and looked at her timetable. She had History and Drama first, her favourite subjects. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad. She turned and saw five girls all wearing matching denim skirts and tank top with exactly the same hair styles only in slightly different colours. Carmella smiled at them.

"Oh hi" she said, slightly taken back. The girl in the middle smiled slightly.

"Who are you? Actually, more importantly, who was that guy you were with? He was so hot!" She said.

"Um, I'm Carmella and…"

"OMG, was he your boyfriend? That is so cool! I totally dig older guys!" One of the other girls squealed.

"Well he's really not…" Carmella tried to explain.

"So where did you come from? You're new right? Well of course you are, we haven't seen you before and we know everyone!" Another one chirped.

"I just moved her from Florida…" Carmella started

"Florida? Woah, so have you been to the O.C and stuff?" The second one asked, linking arms with Carmella.

"No, the O.C is in California" Carmella smiled. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad.

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Thanks for all the reviews, I really appreciate them! I hope you enjoyed this instalment and please review! Sorry this one took so long to post (if anyone cares!) I'll try to be quicker this time! Ok, another question; in the U.S school system what do the say for each year group, because here it can be Year 11 for 15-16 year olds or 5th form or something, but what is it over there? Does that make any sense? Ok, so if anyone knows AND understood that question, please tell! Arigato!