A/N: Less than three months this time. Maybe this will work better alternating chapters. Being a grownup really stinks sometimes. If this seems a bit disjointed from the previous chapters, it's because we're recreating our outline from scratch, as our fic notebook disappeared in one of my last three moves. I'm sure it's in a box somewhere.

Still not ours.

Chapter 11

This is not how I want to spend my evening. It's been a long, disgusting day, and I want nothing more than to relax. This is one of the very few places I don't have to worry about outside threats. Ranger's men are superbly trained, and their angels are better. You try keeping a teenage to twenty-something year old who thinks he's immortal alive in a war zone. I complain about Steph's job, but actual bullets are rare.

Add to the fact that Alejandro, Titus, the kitchen fairy, and Daidalos (Hector's angel) have layered more protective spells, wards, and metaphysical booby traps on this place that I thought possible. (Never ever piss off Daidalos. He has a quick temper, a low and cunning mind, and more knowledge of traps than any three other angels combined. He is terrifying. Luckily, he likes me—says I'm spunky. If anyone else said this, he'd lose a limb or two. For him, I just go with it.) Nothing hostile is getting into Rangeman short of a metaphysical nuke.

Threats from the inside, however, are another matter, the biggest of which is Ranger, but Alejandro knows what I'll do to them both if Ranger tries to take advantage of Steph tonight.

None of this provides any comfort as I ride down in the elevator with Stephanie, Ranger, and Alejandro. The biggest threat to my sanity just walked in the front door.

Helen Plum loves her daughter. She doesn't understand her, and frequently fears for her life, happiness, and marital prospects, but she loves Steph. Abrianna has no such affection for me. I've had a seriously shitty day, (pun intended) and would happily leave Steph in Ranger and Alejandro's care for this meeting if it wouldn't give her the moral victory. Damn my pride anyway.

As the elevator doors open, Alejandro steps close and says, "I've got your back."

I smile tiredly back. "I need a vacation. I'd convince Steph to go somewhere warm, sunny, and skip-free, but she can't afford anyplace with security good enough to keep the crazies out."

"Stay here for a few days."

I stiffen. This is not a good idea. "I don't know what you're planning..."

"We aren't planning to hurt Steph. I know Ranger wants her to stay here until she catches Bowman."

"After what happened last time, there is no way I'm setting her up to be hurt again."

"Stop, Sera. You're so busy snapping at your friends, you won't see an enemy until it's too late."

I gather myself to tear a strip out of him, but slump forward instead. Dammit. He's right. "Sorry. It's been a long week."

"Relax tonight. I'll keep watch."

"Thanks."

"De nada. Sometime when I need a break, you can return the favor." The elevator doors open, and he nods at the rapidly approaching Zero (with accompanying angel). "Time to face the music."

Zero stops in front of us as we step off the elevator. "I put Mrs. Plum in the conference room," he said, "and Ella brought her coffee and a snack. She's a lot calmer now."

Ranger dismisses him with a nod, and we all troop down the hall to the conference room. I let Steph enter first and stand slightly behind her on her left side. I'm supporting her decisions, not hiding. Honest. Ranger stands just behind her and to her right, also showing support, but letting her handle this mess herself. Alejandro takes a similar position behind me.

Mrs. Plum stands and walks towards us, Abrianna pacing her. By her seat sat an empty mug and a plate of pineapple upside down cake crumbs. No wonder she's calmer. Ella's baking does wonders. I just wish there was an angelic equivalent for Abrianna. They stopped just inside our personal space and stared.

Steph broke first. "It wasn't my fault!"

Mrs. Plum sighed. "You weren't hurt?"

"I'm fine."

"Was your phone broken?"

"No, but to be fair, I was in the shower for a long time, and it was being decontaminated."

"The button factory is hiring," Mrs. Plum says, more out of habit than any real hope that Stephanie will change jobs, I think.

Steph must realize this too, because she relaxes a bit. "No thanks."

"You're coming to dinner tomorrow."

"Only if you keep Grandma from making comments."

One corner of Mrs. Plum's mouth quirks upwards. Yeah, I don't think she can stop Grandma Mazur from saying anything either, but Steph managed to lighten the mood. "I was barely able to keep her from coming with me. If you don't come tomorrow, she'll be here to check on you."

Ouch. That's dirty pool. I feel more than see Ranger tense beside me. "I'll be there," Steph says.

Mrs. Plum eyes Steph's clothes and turns to Ranger. "You're invited too."

Ranger opens his mouth to reply, but she cuts him off. "I'll see you tomorrow." With that, she pulls Steph into a hard hug and leaves the conference room, heading towards the building entrance. Abrianna follows, glaring at me the whole time, but she doesn't say anything. She's probably saving it for tomorrow, at which point she'll have composed a litany of my faults going back through my last three charges, but whatever. I'll be better able to deal with her after a good night's sleep.

Steph and Ranger turn to look at each other. He raises an eyebrow, and she shakes her head. "If you don't show up, Mom will hunt you down. Or she'll send Grandma Mazur."

Alejandro turns to me, and I just smile. "She's right. Do you really want Mabyn poking around here? She'd be investigating the protective spells the second she walked in the door. Powers know what she'd set off."

"Shit," both males say together.

Ranger guides Steph back to the elevator, Alejandro and I following behind.

"Sere, remember how I said you could owe me?"

I nod. I see where this is going.

"I'm calling that debt in."

I just laugh.