Psychodelic

Part Two

With the classic rock station playing seventies music in the background, Stephanie donned the pink monstrosity that Lula had purchased. She found a faux-suede, tan fringed vest that almost matched her boots. The long fringes fell to the hem of the skirt. She also found a cheap suede messenger bag to carry her cuffs and stun gun. A brown scarf doubled as a head band. She slipped on a peace sign pendant that she had absolutely no recollection of ever buying. Kind of scary that she actually owned something like that. The accessories had toned down the loud color and really completed the outfit.

She stuffed her curls into a long blonde wig then adjusted the head band. Stephanie slid on a pair of rose-colored, John Lennon-style glasses, compliments of the same junk drawer that housed the peace sign. They were going in undercover after all. She couldn't risk being recognized.

Bounty hunting could be feast or famine. The $10,000.00 prize, less Lula's cut, would not only get her caught up but put her ahead for the first time since she lost her job at E.E. Martin. Failure was not an option; her mission was clear.

"You're going down, Norman," she told her reflection in the mirror.

Stephanie danced along to Deep Purple's Hush as she packed her fringed bag. Almost ready. She just needed some lipstick. She boogied her way back to the bathroom to apply the cotton-candy colored lip gloss. She stepped back and admired her look. A sadness washed over her. She couldn't remember the last time she had put this much effort into getting ready to go out. And who was her date? Norman Bates. Swell.

"On your way to Woodstock, Babe?"

Stephanie gasped as she whirled around to see the man in black leaning in the door way of her bathroom. "Jesus, Ranger. You scared the crap outta me."

She scurried past him and tossed the lip gloss into her bag. Now she had all the essentials…stun gun, cuffs, gum, and lip gloss. "What are you doing here? I thought you had to go to Boston."

"I'm going there later. I had a change in plans and just wanted to check on you," he explained. "Tank said that you haven't called him. Is everything okay?"

"It's been a slow month," she admitted. And a lonely month, too.

"Hot date tonight?"

She scanned his blank face and shook her head. "No, Lula and I are going after a skip who's hosting a Halloween party. We needed to wear costumes, so he wouldn't recognize us."

She watched as his darkened eyes scanned her body, taking in every detail. More mixed messages. Ranger always pressured her while she was with Morelli. After they broke up, he had kept his distance. Their cat and mouse game had gotten old…any annoying.

"I don't think my love life, or lack thereof, is any of your business," she told him. "You don't tell me about yours, so you don't have any right to ask about mine."

Procol Harum's A Whiter Shade of Pale filled the room. Ranger's expression softened as he slowly stalked towards her. Stephanie held her ground.

"Fair enough, Babe," he replied in a husky voice. He extended his hand. "May I have this dance?"

Before her brain had time to refuse, her heart forced her forward and into his warm embrace. The scent of Bulgari enveloped her, and her anger dissipated. Ranger always had that effect on her. Temporarily, Norman Bates, and the world, had been forgotten as the two slowly moved to the music. Temporarily being the operative word. The soft kisses he planted down the side of her neck brought her back to reality.

She felt his body stiffen as she pulled back. "This has got to stop. Sexual harassment is against the law, you know."

His mouth tipped up into a smile as he pulled her close again. "Hmm, that's not sexual harassment, Babe*. When I decide to get sexual, trust me, you'll know it."

Sighing, she relaxed into his embrace again. Boy, did she know it. Ranger never made idle threats. She just wished she knew what went on in Batman's head. As a soldier, he served his country. To Stephanie, he would always be more than a hero.

Sadly, the song ended. Ranger stepped back and took her hands in his.

"I stopped by because I also wanted to ask you something," he began.

Stephanie swore for a second that he looked a little nervous. She nodded for him to continue.

"Rangeman is one of the sponsors for a Veteran's Day dance at the Marriott. The proceeds are going to help disabled vets. I would like you to go with me."

Stephanie frowned. Did Ranger just ask her out on a date? Since Veteran's Day was in two weeks, did he ask her because he couldn't get anyone else?

"Do you really think I couldn't get a date?" he asked her in an amused tone. Damn ESP!

"No…I…uh…just…you never…." Flustered, Stephanie couldn't put her thoughts together. She took a deep breath and slowly blew it out.

"I hadn't had a chance to ask you yet," he insisted. "That's why I rearranged my schedule. I wanted to ask you in person. So…would you be my date?"

A slow smile appeared, and she squeezed his hands. "Yes, I would love to be your date."

Ranger pulled her tight against him and captured her mouth with his. Ranger's kisses made her melt like marshmallows in hot chocolate. She groaned when he end the kiss.

"Sorry, Babe," he whispered as he rested his forehead against hers. "I gotta go. I'll be back tomorrow. We'll pick up where we left off."

"I'll hold you to that," she whispered back.

Stephanie walked Ranger to the door.

"Call Tank if you need him," he reminded her.

"I don't feel comfortable calling Tank," she admitted finally. "I'll be with Lula. It's would be too awkward."

Ranger seemed to take in that information. "I know but call him anyway."

He gave her a quick kiss. "Thanks for the dance." He stepped into the hallway and started to close the door behind him.

"Ranger?"

He poked his head back inside. She raised her hand with two fingers formed in a 'V' shape.

"Peace," she said.

Ranger flashed his two-hundred watt grin. "Far out, Babe." And with that, he left.

She glanced at the kitchen clock. Shit, she had to meet Lula. Stephanie grabbed her bag and headed to her car.

When Stephanie spied Lula waiting for her at the curb, all she could do was thank God it was Halloween. No one would have ever guessed that Lula was dressed as a Greek goddess…or any kind of goddess for that matter. A reject from the 80's TV show Buck Rogers maybe, but Aphrodite…no way. The afro wig stood out about two feet in diameter. Stephanie was pleased to see that she added white spandex pants as the dress fit more like a tunic top. The Roman sandals idea must have been discarded, because she wore high heeled, silver boots.

Stephanie slowed to a stop and rolled down the window. "Trick or treat!"

Lula pulled the door open and hopped in the car. "Shit. I done enough tricks in my life…time for me to get some treats!"

"What happened to the Roman sandals?" Stephanie asked her as she pulled back into traffic.

"I was lookin' more like Venus Williams than Afro-dyte," she admitted. "I didn't want people thinkin' I was a tennis player and shit."

Lula paused to check out Stephanie's outfit. "Damn girl. You look almost as good as me. It's a shame we had to waste all this fabulousness on a skip. Why don't we find another party after we get that motherfucker?"

"Let's just see how this goes first," Stephanie insisted. The night was still young. Even though she had a date with Ranger, she was still Stephanie Plum. It was Halloween, they were dressed in costume and after a skip named Norman Bates…did she need to say more?

TBC….

Word count 1353