We ended up heading to Big Jim's, the drive over was interesting to say the least. I don't think I've ever seen Connie and Lula so quiet. We got a table in the back, Ranger and I with our backs to the wall, Connie and Lula across from us. It was pointless to talk about the job with the waitress interrupting every few minutes, so Connie told me about the files she had for me, and Lula told me about Joyce's latest attempts to get Dickie back. What a skank.

"So Steph, how's your mom doing? She looked pretty out there when I saw her at Giovichinni's last week. My aunt Lorraine said she's stopped taking her night classes…" She trailed off when she looked up at me; I could feel all expression leave my face as she spoke. "Sorry Steph, I didn't mean to upset you, I was just worried, let's talk about something else." I nodded slightly, then made the mistake of glancing over at Ranger. Just what I needed, another topic to dredge through at dinner tonight.

Luckily, the waitress chose that moment to drop plates of ribs and greens in front of each of us. Ranger cleared his throat after his first bite, guess he's going to talk and eat. "My informant says our guy is going to be at a place called Liquid tomorrow night. I know that's not a lot of time, but the sooner we start…"

"Actually," I figured I'd save him the time. "We already had plans with Mary Lou to check the place out tomorrow night, so it's no trouble."

That got a raised eyebrow. "Doesn't seem like a place you girl would be so excited about, what with your liking for the gangs, Babe."

"I take it your source didn't inform you that it's Ladies Night tomorrow night. There's a dress code to get in, and women don't have to pay. Mostly they only make the guys dress properly though, it's like a meat market I hear. I assume that's why your guy picked it." I smiled over at him. "The guys aren't going to have a problem with business casual are they? No shock from having to wear some color?"

"I'm sure they'll survive," He smirked, glancing at Connie and Lula. "I'm sending Lester, Bobby, Manny, Junior, and Ram inside, be ready to dance with them at least once, it'll give them a reason to be watching throughout the night. Don't let them hang around too long with you though, that might scare him off. He's smart, and he's got connections on the street. I wouldn't doubt he'll know who you are and that you work with us, but like I said he likes a challenge. Tank and I will be outside; I want to know immediately if he's following you home. If you end up at this place again next week we'll have to make it Saturday, I don't like not being inside but I have to maintain my street image with this guy around." He stopped talking when he caught my smile. "Something funny Babe?"

"Just looking forward to Higgins reappearing…" I giggled as Ranger tried to roll his eyes. I was concerned Connie and Lula might suffocate if they held their breath any longer. "You know, if we're going to be wired, we should probably meet at the office at 6:30 instead of 7:00. The girls aren't used to the process, and I don't want to end up missing dinner. We usually all ride with Mary Lou, more room, but I think we should take my car this time. It's safer and there's a tracker on it, just in case."

The girls were nodding, Lula the first to find her voice. "If we're meeting up sooner, we need to be getting to the mall now; we won't have time tomorrow between skips and getting ready."

"About that," Ranger leaned back a little when all our attention snapped back to him. He shook his head, an almost smile turning up the corners of his mouth. He pulled a Rangeman Platinum card out and slid it to me. "Since your girls' night turned into work, Rangeman is covering all the expenses. Don't argue Babe." I huffed, damned ESP. "You need to be dressed for girls' night, and you said something about Mary Lou dying her hair. Call Ella and have her set up appointments for all of you tomorrow afternoon, I'll deal with Vinnie if need be."

I just nodded, he was using that this is final tone, besides who can argue with a spa day? I glanced down at the card and snorted. "Feeling pretty sure I'd say yes, huh? Would've been a waste if I'd have chickened out…" The look he gave me said 'playing with fire' but I couldn't help it he was so smug sometimes.

"Not really Babe, even if you turned down the job, you still need something for tonight." He flashed me that 200 watt smile and made a show of looking at his watch. "We can finalize everything tomorrow at the office. Lester should be waiting outside, gotta go get the bad guys." He nodded to Connie and Lula, smirking at the looks they were throwing in me direction, then leaned down to kiss my forehead. "No limit Babe, do what you want, for tomorrow and tonight." He gave us one more panty melting smile then strutted towards the door, throwing over his shoulder, "dressy tonight Babe."

I sighed, turning towards the mother of all interrogations. "Yes we have a date, no I don't know where we're going, and no I don't want to discuss it. Lets grab Mary Lou and head to the mall, Batman said we have money to spend." If nothing else works distract and delay. I tossed Lula my keys and hit speed dial four on my phone. "Lou? About tomorrow night…"

We spent the rest of the afternoon shopping, picking up some dressy tops and cute jeans for Mary Lou, Connie, and I, and a couple show stopping spandex numbers for Lula, she looked amazing in everything she tried on, I was jealous. My choice for dinner was perfect; it was an ivory, empire waisted halter dress with black trim at the waist and straps and had a black lace ruffle at the hem. It hit just above my knee and the shape ws perfect with my newly toned body.

The girls about busted my eardrums when I stepped out of the dressing roomin it, so I figured it was time to find some shoes. After three hours of shoe shopping we'd lost Mary Lou to house wife duty, so we toted our things to the nearest register. I'd found a pair of black peep toe sling backs with a three ince heel for tonite and some cute ballet flats for tomorrow night. After the sales clerk rang up our stuff, I cringed as I signed the reciept. Well, he was the one that sent four women shopping with "no limit" it served him right. I packed mine and Mary Lou's things into the boot of my SUV and let the girls keep theirs with them.

After dropping the girls off at the office and running Lou her bags I had an hour and a half before Ranger was supposed to be picking me up. No need to panic, yeah right! I hurried through my shower, exfoliating and shaving the important bits. I shampooed and rinsed, then worked in some leave in stuff Mr. Alexander had talked me into buying before drying off. I was just stepping into my heels when I heard my door close. Batman was right on time as usual.

I stepped out of my bedroom and stopped dead in my tracks. A hint of a smile grew into a wolf grin as his eyes traveled over my body. I on the other hand wanted to check my chin for drool, intead I crossed my arms over my chest and smirked. "Bruce Wayne tonight I assume?" He was wearing black dress slacks and, shockingly, a charcoal gray button down dress shirt with the top two buttons undone. Oh Boy!