Disclaimer: Still don't own them.

Enjoy!

Steph's POV

My denial wasn't working too good since Ranger kept calling. I mean, why? I know it wasn't just his fault for what happened, but he just left. Why would he do that if he cared for me? If he loved me? God, how that hurt so much. That's why I don't get involved with him, because it's just sex. I can't handle just sex when I'm in love with him. I wish I could tell him, but I have to hold onto that little sliver of hope that maybe, just maybe, he loves me back. I couldn't let that go. It would shatter my heart permanently if he didn't return my love. I couldn't believe he would just bust in there if Chase was in the room with me. I mean, talk about stupid. Did he want all of RangeMan to know he was still alive? It was hard to believe that he did that because he couldn't stand anyone but him touching me. I mean he did send me back to Joe. I think Ranger just wants to control me. The 'I don't want you but no one else can have you' type of thing. I was sick of it, really I was. He can't just barge in and control my life.

I wanted communication. I need someone who won't mind sharing bits of information about himself. Ranger's just not that kind of guy, never has been. He was right when he told me he doesn't do relationships. I never pushed. Now I'm not even sure if I want it. A relationship with him, I mean. I don't want to be hurt anymore. I know I must have hurt him a lot, but he never stepped in. Not once while Joe and I were in the off stage. Who's fault is that? Mine because I went back to Joe or Ranger's because he never stepped in? I want so badly to blame it on Ranger, but I know it's not entirely his fault. I mean, he might not even love me. Like it says in his budget, I'm entertainment, when I'm not working full time at RangeMan.

"Babe, you still there?" Ranger asked, pulling me from my thoughts.

"Yeah, sorry, just thinking. So, what is so important that you had to risk blowing your cover for?" He took a deep breath.

"You. You were–are so important. I know I handled things badly earlier," Ranger—err I mean Carlos, said. I snorted. How could I believe this? I wanted to, hell anyone would want to, but I just wasn't sure.

"Listen Stephanie, you are the most important thing in my life. I'm not sure if I should tell you this, because I don't want to distract you from the job we have to do," he took a deep breath, "but I'm going to because I can't lose you. Not your friendship or whatever we might have."

"Steph, I love you. Not in my own way, in every fucking way imaginable. I love you so much it drives me crazy. Hell, you saw how I went crazy this morning," he said, grabbing my hands. I pulled away, trying to think things over. My thoughts always seem to jumble around him, and I don't need him touching me, making it harder. I looked up at him, tears swimming in my eyes. I bit my lip. I'm sure, I know without a shadow of a doubt that I love him. Is he worth it though? He'd hurt me so many times before. I saw his blank mask had dissolved and I was staring into Carlos' eyes. Not Ranger's, and I could see that this was hurting him. I really wanted to take the pain away, but I have so much of my own. How can I decide when I'm hurting so badly? I couldn't stand to have this happen again. I threw my arms around him, and hugged him for all I was worth. I tears streamed out of my eyes and I started crying all over him. He made circles on my back.

"Shh, Babe, it's okay," he whispered in my ear.

"I love you Carlos," I sobbed. It's final, he now knows he has my heart. I can't take it back now. I just hope he won't shatter it.

"I love you too, Steph," he told me. I leaned back and he looked in my eyes before lowering his mouth to mine. I moaned as the kiss got deeper. He pulled back and whispered, "Dios Babe, what you do to me." He stood up and carried me with him. He carried us to the bedroom and he laid me down softly. His hand found the clasp to my bra and he undid it. His fingers tweaked my nipples, making them go as hard as rocks. He slipped my shirt over my head, kissing every inch of newly exposed skin. My back arched to him, as his warm hands roamed over my body. I grabbed the hem of his shirt and brought it over his head. He shucked off his pants quickly and then got to mine. He ripped my panties off with one finger.

"Dios Babe, your so wet," he breathed. He kissed me again, before pumping two fingers into me. I cried out as he began pumping faster and faster. I was ready when suddenly he pulled out.

"Carlos, please," I begged, grabbing his shoulders. I saw him smirk. Damn, man!

"Please what?" he asked.

"Please, I need you...inside me." In one movement he thrust inside me. He stayed still a moment, letting me adjust to his size, which he didn't do last time. Then he took his sweet time claiming me as his. We came together and I collapsed on top of him. He wrapped his arms around me, not even bothering to pull out. I rolled over and laid next to him. He kissed me on the forehead.

"I love you Steph."

"I love you to Carlos." We laid together peacefully for a while before a sound filled the air. I smiled sheepishly and he looked at me.

"We do have Pino's. Come on Babe, let's feed the beast," he said, getting out of bed and taking the heat with him. I got up after him and put on an easy to take off dress. We leaned over the pizza eating and talking. He filled me in on his childhood and I really learned a lot about him. I knew some of it, but I really got the whole story. If someone asked me what his favorite movie is I could reply with the second made Italian Job. He told me he likes it, because it has nothing to do with war and it's action packed.

"Favorite color?" I asked him.

"That's easy. Blue," he said with a smile. Huh, and I always thought it was black.

"Why blue?" I asked, taking a bite of my pizza. He grinned and tucked a curl behind my ear.

"Your eyes are the prettiest blue, I've ever seen," he replied. I smiled and blushed.

"Thanks," I mumbled, looking down. The phone rang and I reached over and answered it.

"Hello?" I asked, setting my pizza down for a second.

"Stephanie Plum?" the man asked, and I recognized him as the guy who called with Mary Alice. My heat clenched.

"Yes. Is Mary Alice alright?" I asked, biting my lip.

"Yeah, here's the little horse right now," he grumbled. I heard the shuffle.

"Aunty Steph?" she asked, her voice sounding smaller than before.

"Yeah sweetie, are you okay?"

"Mmhmm, I did what you told me. I kicked like a horse, because this got close to me and he didn't look very nice. When are you coming to get me?" she asked, her voice wobbling.

"I'll be there soon sweetheart, just keep kicking, okay? Protect yourself," I told her, feeling very angry. Those good for nothing men! Actually, I can't even call them men. Scum is more like it.

"Alright. I miss Mommy!" she told me. Before I could respond she was off the phone and there was a very short and quick, "bye."

"The guys who have Mary Alice?" he asked, his eyes showing his concern.

"Yeah. Oh! I forgot to tell you about how the scoping out of the house went earlier," I remembered. I picked up my pizza again and took a bite.

"You didn't have any trouble, did you?" he asked.

"No, actually I ran into Astro Salvador...Sr.," I informed, "he told me that it was all his son's idea for the kiddie porn ring. He said it was sick and that they were actually keeping a little girl in his house. He also told me that if I came tomorrow he'll let me in to see if it is Mary Alice!" Carlos smiled at my excitement. Who wouldn't be excited about getting their kidnapped niece back?

"Babe, you always make the strangest friends," he stated.

"Yeah, like you." He shook his head and I laughed.

"You finished Babe?" Ranger asked, ready to close the pizza box.

"Yeah... AHH," I agreed before letting out a yawn. He smiled.

"Why don't you go get ready for bed and I'll put this away," he suggested. I nodded and did my thing. I climbed into bed and Carlos came in a little later. He put on a pair of black silk boxers and slid into bed next to me. He wrapped his arms around me and we drifted off to sleep together. In the morning I woke to a kiss. I smiled and stretched.

"Morning Babe," he said with a grin as he continued on with a trail of kisses. I could definitely get used to waking up like this.

"You know you better be ready to go see if it's Mary Alice," Carlos said in between kisses.

"Yeah," I said, my hands running through his hair. My mind not really focused on Mary Alice right now.

"You better get up," he said, not stopping.

"Yeah." He came back up and slid my pajama bottoms down. He slid into me slowly, making me cry out in pleasure. He smiled at me, taking long, slow, strokes that were driving me crazy. He finally started picking up the pace. Not going slow like he did last night. I came a moment before he did. He rolled over next to me, with a smile on his face.

"When I come back from the dead, I'm taking a day off and so are you," he informed me, "and we're gonna spend the whole day in bed."

"Sounds fine to me."

"You really should get out of bed now," he said, not moving an inch himself.

"Your kicking me out of my bed," I groaned.

"I'm the one who has no where to be," he reminded me.

"Right." I got out of bed and gathered up some clothes. I took a quick shower and went out to make coffee. I grabbed a cup and headed out. I stopped at Dunkin' Donuts on the way and then I was on to Point Pleasant. I got there around ten thirty. I parked a little ways down and then I got out. I made my way to Astro's house. I got to the front door and hesitated before I knocked. What if someone recognized me as Stephanie Plum? Would I be trapped in the house? It was too late because the door swung open and I was relieved to see Astro standing there.

"Chica, come in, come in," he said ushering me in, "now she's kept up these stairs." He led me up the staircase, not giving me a chance to look around. He opened door number two. Inside there was a little girl sitting on a bed, chained at the ankle.

"Mary Alice?" I called. Her head spun around and I saw it was indeed Mary Alice and she had tears streaming down her face.

"Aunty Steph!" she screamed, very happy to see me. I motioned for her to keep quiet. I walked over to the chains and then looked back at Astro, who held up a key.

"Thank you so much for helping me," I said, giving him a hug.

"No problem, Chica. Like I told you yesterday, what my son does is not right. In the old days all our gang did was drugs. We still dabble in them, but they have decided dealing in kids is better," he said, "I want it stopped, but I cannot bring down my own family...alone." I nodded. My phone chirped and I answered it quickly.

"Hello?"

"White girl, it's Lula," Lula said.

"Hey Lula, now is not the best time," I said, unlocking on of the leg shackles on Mary Alice.

"But this is important!" I sighed as I undid the other one.

"Alright, what is it?" I helped Mary Alice up and grabbed her hand.

"I'm pregnant!" she squealed. I almost dropped the phone. I was speechless. Lula was pregnant! Holy moly! That reminds me, Ranger–I mean Carlos, and I haven't been using protection. And I've been off the pill since I broke up with Joe. This time I really dropped the phone. Oh shit!

"Chica, we need to get out of here. They might come check soon," Astro said, looking worriedly at the door. I nodded as I picked up the phone.

"I miss Mommy!" Mary Alice whined.

"I know sweetheart, you'll see her in a little. Come on," I said walking her out the bedroom door.

"White girl you still there?!" I heard Lula scream from the phone. Oops, forgot she was still there.

A/N: What'd you think? Will they get out in time? Will Steph end up pregnant? Oh, the possibilities. =) You'll have to wait and find out. Thanks for all the reviews and thanks so much for reading! Hopefully I'll get to update again soon.