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Enjoy!

"Crap! Why wasn't anyone watching her?" I asked. First Grandma, now Mary Alice. What next? My mother? One could hope.

"We went in to get more food and when we came back out she was gone. Angie was in the bathroom and Albert was in the living room with your father. Stephanie, you better find her," my mother warned, "or so help me God I will cut you off from dessert forever."

"I'll find her, don't sweat it," I said, not exactly sure if I would find her.

"Alright. Talk to you later, we're going to go look for her some more, then we'll go to the station." Click. End of the call. I turned to Ranger.

"Mary Alice was kidnapped a little while ago," I told him, "we have to find her."

"Babe, this isn't good. Who knows why they took her," Ranger said.

"Fuck, Ranger! I know it isn't good. She's my niece and now because of some shit she's been taken!" I yelled.

"Calm down Babe, yelling won't help anything," Ranger said, laying a hand on my arm.

"Don't tell me to fucking calm down! Did you not hear what I said? Mary Alice was taken! By men doing a kiddie porn ring. You do realize Mary Alice is a kid?!" I started pacing. I saw him sigh and run a hand through his hair.

"I don't think anything will happen to her as long as we do whatever they ask," Ranger said, "or if we take them down soon."

"We are taking them down, and soon too," I stated, "can you give me the address of Astro Salvador?" He nodded and wrote it down on a steno pad I had laying on the counter.

"Be careful Babe," he told me, stepping closer. Just when I thought he was about to kiss me he whispered, "wouldn't want Santos to worry." My eyes widen in surprise.

"Why would Les worry?" I asked. He raised an eyebrow.

"You guys were looking pretty cozy earlier," he reminded me. Oh, right, I forgot about that. I smiled, "oh, that, was just...nothing. You know he was...helping me put a necklace on."

"You're not wearing a necklace," Ranger said.

"My mother liked it so I gave it to her," I lied. Man, I was good at this, although, I wasn't sure how long I could keep it up.

"Right," Ranger said, not believing a word of the bullshit I just fed to him. He stepped closer and his thigh slid in between my legs. His finger traced the scoop neck of the shirt. Making goosebumps cover my skin. He leaned in closer and gave me a kiss. He pulled back as I leaned in for more. He smirked.

"Wouldn't want Santos to get jealous," he said with a wink before he sauntered into the bedroom. Damn! He was sexy and I had a feeling he knew about the 'make Ranger jealous' plan. I dropped a grape in Rex's cage and said goodnight to the animals. There was nothing more I could do for Mary Alice tonight. I headed to the bathroom to remove my make-up and get my pj's on. Once I was all nice and comfy and ready for bed I turned off the lights. I was heading to bed when my phone rang. I made my way to the phone and I stumbled on something.

"Ouch!" I muttered, hopping over to the phone, "hello?"

"Stephanie Plum?" a man asked. Maybe he had Mary Alice.

"Yes? And this is?" I asked. He laughed and I got a tingle up my spine.

"We have your little niece and if you don't want her in any...movies you better keep out of the Salvador business, do you hear me?" the man asked.

"Yes, please don't hurt her. Can I talk to her?" I asked, hoping that he would say yes. There was some shuffling.

"Aaa...Aunty Steph?" she sobbed her voice wobbling. It just about broke my heart.

"Yeah, Mary Alice, it's me. Are you okay?" I asked in a soothing voice.

"Mmm...men kidnapped me. I miss Mommy!" she said before the dam broke and I could hear her loud sobs.

"It's okay. Aunty Steph's gonna get you through it okay. I promise you'll be okay, just remember I'm coming, hold on Mary Alice. And if you need to, kick like a horse," I told her.

"I...i..I can ddd..do that," she said, "'cause I'm a horsey." I heard the phone taken from her.

"I'll call you every night and you'll get to talk to her. Then when we get our...business finished we'll return her," the guy said and before I could even acknowledge him, I heard the dial tone. I hung up feeling sad. I called my parents and told them that Mary Alice was safe and I wasn't sure when she would be back. Feeling rather tired I went to the bedroom and got in bed. An arm wrapped around me and pulled my to his chest. I snuggled up and fell into a dreamless sleep.

"Babe?" Ranger asked, shaking me gently.

"Mmm?" I moaned, not awake.

"You might want to get up now to catch Morelli before he goes to work," Ranger said, not talking at full volume for my benefit.

"Unhh, fine," I groaned. He leaned down and gave me a kiss.

"I could get used to that in the morning," I said with a smile. I saw Ranger smirk before he yanked me out of bed. He handed me the phone. I saw him walk into the bathroom and I heard the shower start. He better not take up all my hot water. I dialed Morelli's number.

"Hello?" he answered.

"Joe, it's Steph, I was wondering if I could take Bob with me to Point Pleasant for the day," I asked, going straight to the point.

"Hey Steph, you still have a key, right?" Joe asked.

"Yeah."

"Sure, you two have fun today." I hung up and saw Ranger standing at the bathroom doorway in only a towel. His hair was dripping, and I wasn't wondering how he could take a shower that fast. I was looking at the beads of water dripping down his muscular, mocha chest. I felt my eyes glaze over and I licked my lips. I heard Ranger's throaty chuckle as he came closer, my eyes following the happy trail leading towards his 'package'. He wrapped his arm around me and twirled my hair on his finger. I sucked in a breath and I drug my eyes back to his. I could tell he was smirking. He bent down and kissed me senseless. My hands sprawled out on his chest and I trailed my finger down. He pulled me closer and my finger skimmed the edge of the towel. I slid a couple fingers down and suddenly the towel was gone. I then got a look of Ranger and his full monty glory. I looked back up and saw his eyes darker than ever before, except for the one night we spent together. In one quick movement he had my pants down and was stroking in and out of me. I cried out in pleasure and pain. He pulled me closer to him and kissed a trail up my neck. I was leaning up the counter as he slid in and out of me, going faster and faster. I wrapped my legs around him and my hands were wound in his hair. I cried out one last time before we both cried out in mutual release. He stepped back, quickly. I saw his blank mask and suddenly I felt like I didn't belong standing there. He gathered up the towel and put it back on his waist.

"You better take a shower and get dressed so you're ready to go to Point Pleasant," Ranger said his voice was ruff. I nodded and gathered my pants, that had fallen to the floor. I walked to the bedroom, refusing to look weak in front of Ranger. I could feel the tears gather in my eyes as I grabbed clothes to wear today. I went to the bathroom and showered quickly. What had just happened? How could it have happened? Suddenly, it was harder to breathe. What had we just done? I climbed out of the shower, determined to push it out of my mind. After all, I am queen of denial. I got out of the tub and I pulled on running shorts and a tank top. I put on mascara and the rest of my make-up. I came out and didn't see Ranger anywhere. I sighed and found a note on the counter. I unfolded it and saw Ranger's hand writing.

Babe,

I'll be back for dinner. Be careful today.

Ranger

There was also directions and the house number for Astro Salvador. I folded it back up and went to the fridge to get leftovers out. I grabbed some and ate it. I put a grape in Rex's cage and said good morning to Mo and Rex. Once I finished eating I grabbed my keys and headed out. I got in my Explorer and headed to Morelli's. I parked in the driveway and headed in. Bob bounded to the door and I was quick enough to move out of the way as he skidded out the door and peed on the grass. I grabbed his leash and clicked it on. I locked up the house and got Bob in the backseat of the Explorer. I drove to Point Pleasant, and I was making my way through the beach houses. It turned out to be the last house on the row. I drove down a ways to a parking lot.

I parked and got out. I had a paper in my pocket and a pen in one. I grabbed Bob's leash with my free hand and we started walking down the beach, towards Astro's house. This reminded me of the time I was scouting out a house for Ranger and ended up picking up Alexander Ramos. Bob was having a grand time, sniffing around as I counted the windows on one side. I went around and I was on the backside of the house when a man came out the back gate of the house. I stuffed the paper and pen in my pocket and tried to look natural with Bob. I was looking out at the ocean when I felt the guy come up to me. I looked over and saw the brown eyes of a Latino guy. I couldn't be sure if it was Astro or not since I'd never seen a picture of him.

"Hola chica, what are you doing back here?" he asked, his eyes sliding down to Bob.

"Walking my dog, Bob," I said with a tight smile. I studied the guy. He had age lines around his eyes and mouth. He had darker skin than Ranger and he was shorter too.

"You know chica, I do own this land," he said, motioning from the fence to the ocean.

"Oh! I'm so sorry. I guess I'll be going," I said, starting to turn around.

"No, no, chica, don't go. Stay, and chat with an old man like me," he said motioning for me to sit at a table. I sat down.

"You can let your dog go, I'm sure he'll enjoy the water." I unclipped Bob and he bounded down to the ocean. He splashed in the water, he's tongue hanging out.

"So chica, I'm Astro Salvador," he said, sticking his hand out.

"The Astro Salvador?" I blurted out, before I could stop myself.

"Depends," he said, his accent really thick, "which Astro Salvador are you talking about?"

"The gang tie one," I supplied.

"Ah, yes. I am indeed that one. Are you scared, chica?" he asked, not looking scary at all.

"Nope. I was just wondering though is it true about the...," I said, looking around before whispering, "kiddie porn ring?" He laughed at me before getting serious.

"Sadly, yes, it is true. My foolish son, Astro Salvador Jr., and his sidekick Ethan, have done all this. They do not respect the old ways, the ways not involving small, innocent children," he told me, "I am sick of it. It is sick! They are actually keeping a little girl in this house! Preposterous, they should not be doing this. Of course, I am old, of no use now."

"You say, they are keeping a little girl in there?" I asked, curious. Maybe it was Mary Alice. He nodded solemnly.

"Alas, I have no more say. I am surprised, you do not seemed scared of this. Why?" he asked.

"I don't know if you've heard of me, but my name is Stephanie Plum, I'm a bounty hunter," I informed him.

"Yes, your the famous 'Bombshell the Bounty Hunter'. Are you really just walking your dog? Or is there another purpose," he asked, "that you have stumbled across my home?"

"Actually, yes. I didn't stumbled here by accident. My niece was kidnapped yesterday, and I got a call from someone in the Salvador family. She's really scared, and I promised her I'd get her out okay," I said, tears coming to my eyes.

"Chica, do you think the little girl they are holding, is she?" he asked, eyes widening. I nodded.

"Her name is Mary Alice and she likes to pretend she's a horse," I told him, leaning up in the seat.

"I do not know if it is she, but I shall find out for you. Can you come back tomorrow? Just go to the front door and I'll let you in," he told me.

"Thank you!" I said, getting up and wrapping him in a hug. I realized what I was doing, backed up, and blushed.

"No problem, I like helping cute chicas, like you," he said, "besides I do not approve of the kiddie porn ring." Bob came running back and skidded to a halt in front of me. I clipped his leash back on.

"Thank you!" I said again, "see you tomorrow." I then started the walk back to my car.

A/N: Whaddo you think? Interesting chapter, huh? Hopefully, you liked it. I'll try and get another chapter up soon. =) Ranger problem may or may not be solved soon. We'll have to find out. Thanks for reading. Tell me what you think!