Disclaimer: Still don't own 'em.

Enjoy!

Ranger's POV

I was sitting in a chair at a safe house no one but me knew about. Not even Tank knew about it, and I was thinking about what had happened. I couldn't believe what had just happened. One minute I'm in control, the next my perfect control snapped. I knew it was coming, but it came sooner than I expected. I figured it would happen when I had decided if I wanted to tell her or not. She's the only one, the only one, who can make me lose control. I know she can't deal with just sex, and if I'm honest it's never just sex with her. It's always something more, something extra. Even when I did take her over the counter, there was that spark. Love flowing between us, and it just spurred me on. Dios, the way she moaned my name. I could get hard just thinking about it. I knew about her and Lester's plan, but I never thought I would be that jealous. I knew Les has wanted her since day one, but all the guys knew she was mine. And she is. Mine, that is. Since that day in the diner, to today. Of course, I royally fucked up this time. I know it, she knows it. I shouldn't have done it. I should have stayed and talked it over. But what the hell was I supposed to say? 'Babe, I'm sorry I took you over the counter, you made me lose control.' Hell no! I couldn't say that to her, even it it was true.

Truth be told, I'm not sorry about it. It may not have been the smartest thing to do, but I'm not a superhero. I make mistakes, granted, not many, but when I do, they are bad. I had been wanting to do that since our one night together. Dios, she's so hot and sexy. I have never felt anything like this before, and it scares me. When she was with Chase, I felt an anger I haven't felt in forever. I never felt it with the cop, 'cause I knew they wouldn't last. She had a chance with Chase. Hell, she has a chance with Lester, but I know that he respects me too much to take her. I just wish I could go back in time and fix my mistakes. Starting with the first time she came to me. I knew then that if I hadn't sent her back to the cop, she would have willingly come with me, but for how long? I couldn't leave her and have her worrying about if I would come back or not. The cop was better for her, even if he wanted to change her. I knew she was too strong willed to be bent by him.

She would never know if I was coming home or not. I didn't want her to live with that. I also didn't want to have to worry about her finding a new man and getting a 'Dear John' letter. What she didn't know though, was that my last mission was my last, not just because I 'died', but because I resigned. I was willing to give her what she wants. Because damn it, I love her, too much to live without her. She doesn't know this yet, and I don't know if I'll tell her. I don't want her to feel obligated. I mean she has Santos or Chase, who would gladly fill the spot. I couldn't lose her though, she is the light in my darkness. I know that no matter what happens relationship wise, if I lose her friendship, I wouldn't recover. I'd be a shell of a man. I wondered if she was back from Point Pleasant yet. A knot began to form in my stomach, what if someone spotted her. I whipped out my cell and punched speed dial one. It rang three times before it was answered.

"Hello?" she asked, probably wondering who it was, since I had an untraceable phone.

"Babe," I managed to get out. I heard it go quiet on her end and I had the feeling she was deciding whether to talk or hangup.

"Ranger, what do you want?" she asked, her voice sounding cold. Babe, please don't tell me you hate me.

"I'm just calling to make sure you're okay," I said, trying to get the emotions out of my voice.

"What? You don't think I'd be fine after this morning? Well, Ranger, I'm just dandy," she sad, her voice like a knife to my heart. I heard the click and I knew she hung up on me. She was the only one I allowed to hang up on me, and even then I hated it. I dialed her number again.

"What do you want!?" she asked, sounding angry and on the verge of tears. If I knew my babe, she would be holding it in until I got off the phone.

"I just want to make sure you're okay, Babe," I told her, my voice softening. I wished I could be holding her right now.

"What would make you think I'm not okay? The fact that you fucked me then left or maybe because you don't think I'm skilled enough to check out a house?" she asked snidely. Shit, this wasn't good. I knew she was sore about this morning, and I really need to get it straightened out.

"Listen Babe, I want to-," I started before I was cut off.

"Save it Ranger," she sighed, "not on the phone. I guess I'll see you at dinner." She hung up sounding defeated. It broke my heart to hear her like that, and knowing that it was my fault she was like this, made it even worse. I sat back in my chair and looked at the computer screen, showing people working at RangeMan. I was watching Derrik in particular. He seemed shady and the file Les had given to me on him, made me realize he's less than squeaky clean. Although Les couldn't fire him now, six month contract and all. I was watching him take out his cell phone and text something when Tank's office caught my eye.

"Hey Tankie, how you doin'?" Lula asked, sitting on his lap. Tank sighed.

"Fine, Lula baby, just lots of stress," he replied wrapping his arms around her.

"You comin' over 'night?"

"'Course, as long as nothing comes up. I've missed you lately," Tank said, "I was wondering if you...uh...wanted to...moveinwithme?" Wow, this was a big step to take. I wondered why he was asking now. Her eyes widened and her lips puckered, making her look like a fish.

"Yo' bein' serious?" she asked, not believing him. He nodded. She then burst in to tears.

"Oh, Tankie, I'm so happy. 'Course I'll move in with you my hunk. I even bought medicine for those darn cats," she cried, "sorry I'm so emotional." She was blubbering all over his shirt. He was rubbing her back.

"It's okay Lula. I love you honey." She looked up through her tears and gave him a kiss. I really hoped they weren't planning to do it in the office.

"I love you too."

"So, when do you want to start moving in?" he asked.

"Why you pressuring me?" she asked, getting angry over his reasonable question, "can't I move in, in my own time?" Tank looked a little shocked at the sudden outburst.

"I didn't think I was pressuring you. Of course you can move in when your ready, I just assumed that you'd want to move in soon," Tank said, trying to defend himself. What was up with Lula? She usually wasn't this emotional.

"I'm sorry Tankie, I just haven't been feelin' too good for a while. I've been throwing up in the morning, and not eating my favorite foods. Connie says somethin' ain't right." I saw Tank's eyes widen a little bit and a chirping brought me out of the video. I hit mute and answered my phone.

"Yo?" I greeted, wondering who was calling.

"What the fuck is your problem?" Lester's angry voice sounded, "I just got off the phone with a really upset Steph. What the fuck did you do to her?" Shit.

"Something happened this morning that probably shouldn't have," I told him. I knew he would be on Steph's side.

"What. The. Hell. Did. You. Do?" he seethed.

"Things got out of hand this morning and I handled a situation badly," I said.

"No shit, you handled something badly. She's a mess, Ric. You better fix this," Lester said quietly, "otherwise I'm not stepping back."

"Understood. I plan on trying to fix it tonight," I informed him.

"You better." Click. He was gone. Damn, why were all these people hanging up on me? I sighed and looked back to my computer. I saw that Tank and Lula were no where to be found. I logged off and got up. It was about four thirty. Enough time to get to Steph's a little before five. I got in a dark blue Honda Accord. A tiny car, but I was trying to be inconspicuous. It took me about twenty five minutes to get to her apartment building. I didn't see her car in the lot when I pulled in. I got out and went into her building. I took the steps two at a time and made it to her door. I picked the lock and let myself inside. I ordered some Pino's and waited for Steph to get in. It was five fifteen when she rolled through the door, and she wasn't alone. I made it to the bedroom before they had a chance to see me. I couldn't tell who she was with, but I listened at her bedroom door.

"What is this doing here?" I heard Steph ask, probably pointing at the pizza.

"It's your place Darlin'," Chase's voice responded with a chuckle.

"Well, we have some food," she said, her tinkling laughter getting back to me. I gritted my teeth and fought the urge to go out there and kick his ass out.

"We sure do. So, how are you?"

"Fine." Very noncommittal. I knew she was hurting. What was he doing here though? I had told her I'd be here for dinner.

"You're not a very good liar, Darlin'." I mentally laughed, boy he didn't even know. She was lying to everyone but Lester about me.

"I'm sorry, I'm not very good company. It's just hard, ya know?"

"I know. My wife died from leukemia two years ago."

"Oh, Chase, I had no idea. I'm so sorry!" Then nothing. I opened the door a crack to see them hugging. I walked out there and grabbed Chase by the shirt. Sure, they weren't doing anything...yet, but he was pissing me off.

"Leave. Now," I ordered. He got out of my hold and landed a punch on my face.

"You the hell are you?" he asked, in the fighting position.

"None of your concern if you don't get the hell out of here, now." I was seething, and ready for a good fight.

"No." I landed a kick to his stomach and punched his face. He landed a couple good ones on me.

"Stop it! Stop it!" Steph screamed, getting in the middle of us.

"Move out of the way, Darlin'. I'll get rid of him," he said, not knowing who I was.

"No!" she shrieked, "it's okay. He's a friend, I just didn't realize he was here." Chase backed down, but I stood still, waiting.

"Oh. Sorry about that. Why'd you attack?" he asked, still weary of me.

"Didn't realize who you were," I said with a shrug, "still don't. Stephanie and I have some...unresolved business. You wouldn't mind leaving so we could talk, would you?" I knew how to be polite when I needed to. He looked over at Steph who nodded. He bent down and whispered in her ear. She nodded and gave him a smile. She kissed him on the cheek and walked him to the door. When she shut the door and locked it she turned back to me. She leaned up against the door with her eyes closed, she sucked up a deep breath and let it out.

"Why did you do that?" she asked, trying to stay calm. I was deciding how to answer that and I picked the truth.

"Because I couldn't stand to see you guys touching, even if it was just a hug," I told her. Her eyes flew open and she looked at me with fiery blue eyes.

"I find that really hard to believe."

"Well, it's true, Babe. Seeing him touching you drove me crazy. Seeing anyone but me touching you, makes me want to slit some throats," I admitted.

"Oh, so that's why you sent me back to Morelli our one night? And that's why you left without a word this morning? Because you care for me so much," she said sarcastically.

"Babe," I said, my throat constricting. I knew she'd have trouble hearing me out, but I thought maybe she'd listen.

"Don't you 'Babe' me Ranger!" she said, poking me in the chest as her eyes filled up with tears. This was breaking my heart. I can't imagine what it did to hers.

"Steph, hear me out, please," I begged, and I knew she wouldn't say no. She never says no when I say please. She sighed.

"No fair, Ranger."

"Carlos, Babe, call me Carlos," I told her. I saw her look at me a little funny.

"You know Carlos, you could have been caught back there, if Chase had known who you were," she said with a slight smile. Dios, how I love the sound of my name on her lips.

"I know, but I thought it might get your attention," I told her. And because I couldn't stand to see him touching her, I silently added.

"Well, you have it. Care to explain?" she asked as she took a seat on the couch. I sat down beside her.

A/N: What'd you think? You got to go in Ranger's head. =) Hope you liked it. Thanks for reading! Hopefully, I'll be able to get a new chapter out soon.