Disclaimer: None of the usual suspects are mine. =)

Enjoy!

Steph's POV

Previously: We ended the conversation and I told Ranger what I needed to do. He dropped me off at the station without being seen and Lester off at RangeMan. Again, without being seen.

"I'll see you later Babe," he said pulling me to him for a kiss. He trailed his fingers down my face.

"See you," I said breathlessly. "Love you."

"Love you too."

After a couple of hours at the station, I was ready to go home so I could be ready for Pino's. I had told the cops everything, with the exception of Ranger being alive. Everything was falling into place, yet I couldn't help but think that it was all way too easy. Nothing is this easy for me. This was turning out to look just that easy. I decided to clear my mind and headed to RangeMan to talk to all the guys before Pino's. I got there and found everyone in the control room talking about the take down on the Salvadors.

"Bomber! We did it!" Les shouted, letting them all know that I was part of the solution. He grabbed me and spun me around. I smiled.

"You helped too," I said as I blushed at the attention. He just grinned.

"Yeah, but you made a friend," Les informed everyone.

"We'll celebrate at Pino's!" Bobby shouted with a smile. "We'll all buy a round for Bomber!" A chorus of 'yeahs' went around the room. I saw Tank looking at me with a bittersweet smile. I felt really bad that he didn't know that Ranger was alive. I smiled. He made a come here motion and I made my way to him.

"Let's go into my office so we can talk," he suggested. I nodded and followed him in.

"Lula told me that she told you. I'm going to be a daddy," he said with a smile, "damn, I just wish Ric was here to see us." A tear fell down his cheek. I bit my lip. When Ranger came back from the dead, it wasn't going to be pretty. I put a hand on his. I wanted so badly to tell him, but that was Ranger's job.

"We're announcing it tonight at the party and I'm going to ask Lula to marry me," Tank informed me with a smile. "She's it for me. I can't wait for the baby to be born." I smiled.

"Everything will work out all right Tank," I encouraged. "Just wait, and you'll see."

"Right," he mumbled. "I was going to tell you, but I hadn't seen you in a while. We repaired the seventh floor, it's exactly like it was before the blast. I want you to live up there."

"Tank," I started a little speechless.

"Steph, I'm telling you, take it. Ranger would have wanted you to have it. He loved you dammit. That son of bitch loved you," Tank said, shaking as he tried to control his emotions. I hugged him.

"I know Tank, I know." Hearing Tank like this made me want to cry.

"I just don't think it's a good idea for me to take it now," I hedged. Not with Ranger, hopefully, coming back from the dead soon.

"Just promise me you'll take it sometime," he said. "I don't want it to be empty."

"Alright. I'll see you at Pino's later," I told him. I gave him a hug and a kiss on the forehead.

"Thanks Steph."

"No problem big guy," I replied really feeling for my friend. I walked out of his office and went down to my car. I got in and drove off. I felt like crying. Ranger was putting Tank through so much and he even got the apartment ready for me. I got to my apartment building and went up. I got in my apartment and saw that Ranger was no where to be found. I sighed and went to take a shower. After I finished I put on a clean pair of low riding blue jeans and a red blouse. I reapplied mascara and I was ready for Pino's. I grabbed my pocketbook, locked up my apartment and was out the door. I got to Pino's five minutes later than the designated time.

"Thanks for joining us Bomber!" Les greeted wrapping an arm around my waist and planting a kiss on my cheek. I smiled.

"No problem." Most of the RangeMan men were already there when I rolled in. I saw Chase and went to say hi. He wrapped me in a hug when I was close enough.

"Thanks?" He smiled, with his dimples. "Looked like you needed one." I nodded.

"This is gonna be fun. We already have the pizza's ordered and everything," Chase informed me.

"Awesome, I'm starved." Just then a growl rumbled from my tummy in agreement to my words. He laughed and grabbed my hand. They had pizzas out on the bar like a buffet. Plates were on the sides of the counter. Cups were over by the drink fountains. It was a feast. I grabbed a plate and was piling my plate full. The guys followed my lead and got in line behind me.

"Damn Bomber, you eating for two or what?" Binkie joked from behind. Suddenly my stomach started to churn. Was I eating for two?

"You okay, Steph? I was just jokin' ya know," Binkie said feeling instantly bad for making the crack. I forced a smile.

"S'alright! It would seem like I am, right?" I joked back. After this I would just go and see if I was. Yeah, live in denial land, that's me. I finished my way through the line and took a seat at a table. Les, Bobby, and Chase all joined me at the table.

"Well, I'll say that was pretty damn good timing, huh Bomber?" Lester asked before taking a bite of his pizza.

"Yeah, we got them all!" I smiled and took a bite...or three of my pizza.

"How'd you do it?"

"See when Mary Alice was kidnapped...," I started before getting cut off.

"Mary Alice was kidnapped?" Chase and Les asked at the same time. Bobby, who knew didn't look shocked.

"Uh...yeah, but I got her back. Well, anyways, after she was kidnapped I was scoping out Astro Salvador's beach house. It turned out he was disgusted with what his son was doing. We got to talking and we took his family down," I explained, cliff notes version.

"And Lester told me he was the mastermind behind it," Bobby muttered before slapping Les on the back of the head.

"Ow! Bobby hit me!" Les whined like a little kid telling a teacher. I just raised an eyebrow.

"I thought you deserved it," I told him with a shrug. I then went back to eating my pizza. We were all relaxed in little groups chatting about nothing in particular when Tank got up. Lula was right beside him. He was holding her hand.

"Attention men!" All heads turned in Tank's direction. He cleared his throat before starting. "As you all know Lula and I have been together for a couple years now. And I got the news that I'm going to be a daddy!" A big grin spread across his face and there was a roar from all the guys. They all started clapping. I just sat there smiling. Tank pulled something from his pocket and got down on one knee. Lula's eyes went wide as she figured out what he was doing.

"Lula, will you marry me?" he asked, opening the box. Lula took a look at the merchandise inside and fainted. Luckily, there was a merry man behind her to catch her fall. He got squished, but Lula was safe. I was at her side and was trying to get her to wake up, Tank on the other side, trying to help Hector up.

"Lula, can you hear me?" I was helping her to the sitting position as her eyes opened to slits. Hector got out safely and Tank was kneeling next to Lula.

"You really mean it?" He nodded. She wrapped her arms around him.

"'Course I'll marry you," she said before planting one on him. We all clapped, the guys hoot and hollered. One of the guys ordered a couple pitchers of beer as Tank slid the ring on Lula's finger. We were all at separate tables talking about all that was happening. Suddenly music sounded from the jukebox and Les had grabbed me. He spun me around and we were laughing. Tank grabbed Lula and we were dancing. The guys all took turns dancing with me. My feet were a little sore by the time I was able to sit down again. I was sitting beside Chase who was nursing a beer and I grabbed one for myself.

"Steph, I wanted to talk to you about the guy who was in your apartment. Was it-" He was cut off from talking when the door opened and all our heads turned to see who it was. Many of them men gasped and you could have heard a pin drop. Chase leaned over and whispered "Ranger?" I nodded. No one was talking, no one was greeting. It was like they all couldn't believe it. Tank got up and walked up to Ranger. He drew his arm back and Ranger stood still, not even flinching as the punch came.

"You son of a bitch!" I had never seen Tank so mad. I felt really bad for lying to him. I also felt like Ranger deserved that punch.

"Tank," Ranger greeted. "Guys." They all nodded, none of them speaking, as if their voices were stolen.

"You're alive?" Bobby asked.

"Yeah, if you guys let me explain, I'll tell you the whole story."

"You made me believe you were dead. You didn't even tell me. Your best friend," Tank said, shocked. Ranger's mask slipped just a bit.
"I had to," came Ranger's faint reply.

"Like hell!" I saw Ranger close his eyes and take a deep breath.

"I had to go undercover, make the Salvadors believe that I was really dead. I knew you wouldn't act like I was dead unless you really thought I was." Tank nodded slowly, understanding.

"It's a good thing we didn't tell your parents yet, right?" Tank joked signaling that they were okay. I saw Ranger's ghost smile as he nodded.

"Well, someone get the man a drink! I'm getting married and having a baby!" Ranger's eyes widened. He slapped Tank on the back.

"Congratulations." The atmosphere went back to normal as he greeted all the guys and started sipping his beer. He met my eyes a couple times before he was able to make his way over to me.

"So, that's why we couldn't work, huh?" Chase asked with a twinkle in his eye. I grinned.

"Yeah, but don't worry. You'll find someone great."

"No one can replace Sam, my first wife, she was my true love." Chase smiled as he remembered something from his past.

"I believe you'll find someone," I insisted. "You'll see."

"If you say so."

"I do." He shrugged and went to meet his boss. Ranger came over a little while later and wrapped an arm around my waist.

"I need to stay on seven tonight. You're welcome to come," he whispered in my ear. I shivered at his touch.

"I would, but I think I shouldn't."

"Why?" he asked confused.

"It's your first night back. You need to do this alone," I said. "But you won't need to tomorrow." He grinned and placed a kiss on my lips.

"Okay Babe, but I better see you bright and early tomorrow." I looked up. "Count on it BM." His eyes narrowed and his forehead crinkled up.

"BM?" he asked confused. Les suddenly appeared behind him. His eyes twinkled with merriment.

"Yo boss man, welcome back from the dead." I saw Ranger's eyes dawn in understanding.

"BM," he repeated. "Boss man." I grinned.

"Oh, are you talking about the nickname you came up with for him?" Les asked innocently. I nodded. Les slapped him on the back.

"Isn't it perfect?" Les walked away smugly. Ranger turned his eyes to me.

"Babe, you're gonna regret that you came up with that nickname." My mouth twitched.

"I am?" He nodded and a grin came on his face.

"Tomorrow you'll see."

"Tomorrow then. Right now I'm going to head home. See you later Ranger." I leaned up and kissed him.

"Carlos Babe, Carlos." I nodded and walked to my car. It was too late now to go anywhere to get a pregnancy test, since I didn't want to run the risk of getting recognized anywhere in town. I'd have to do it tomorrow. I drove home and headed up to my apartment. My spidey-sense tingled and something felt wrong, but I didn't know what. I opened my door and it grew stronger. I didn't know what could be wrong since I had no stalkers and the Salvadors were being arrested. I shrugged it off and walked in, turning on the light. I closed the door and that's when I heard the voice. "Hello Stephanie. Nice to meet you in person. Now, turn around, slowly." I gulped, just what I needed, a crazy.

A/N: Sorry I haven't updated in a while. I've been busy and when I wasn't I had writer's block and did not feel like writing at all. Luckily I got out this chapter. =) I hope to post some more soon. I've felt really lazy, not being able to produce a chapter when some others have been busy! Anyways, I hope the writer's block is now gone. Thanks for all the reviews I've gotten!