Disclaimer: You know the drill, I don't own them.

Sorry about the wait. We had family visiting and my kids went crazy! ;) The playlist for the club scenes is my homepage link. 1-15 are for this chapter.

I heard laughter and a sigh over my ear piece and groaned. Motioning to my ear I rolled my eyes at Lula. "It was nice, we had dinner and talked."

I could see Connie and Mary Lou trying not to laugh. They'd probably realized that the guys were listening. Lula smiled and motioned for us to play along. I knew I'd probably regret it later, but I nodded. "That's it? You tryin' to tell me you had Batman all to yourself and you two just talked?" If I hadn't seen her face I'd have believed she was pissed. You could hear the air quotes when she said 'just talked'.

"C'mon Steph, we've been waiting all day for the full story. I'm with Lula; you have to be holding back." Connie smirked at the look I shot her.

"I'm telling you guys, we talked. Now can we concentrate on tonight? After Pino's we're going to have to be serious. You all can drink; it is girls' night after all. I'm driving so it's legit that I'm sober. Hopefully we'll find this guy and get his attention right away." I was looking at Mary Lou in the rear view and was a little nervous at the look she was giving me.

"We'll figure it out when we get there, Steph. What I want to know right now though is when you're going out with Ranger again?"

I heard Lester and Bobby snickering and what I assume was Ranger throwing something at them. "Good question Babe."

"Yeah Beautiful, when are you gonna give in to Rangeman? Ouch, shit Tank!"

I cracked up and almost hit the car next to me as I pulled into Pino's parking lot. The girls smiled and hopped out of the car. I shook my head as I got out. "Problems Lester?" He grumbled and stomped off into the restaurant with Bobby trailing behind him laughing. I was the last one through the door. Things were oddly quite and I was about to ask who died when I realized that Tank was trying to figure out where to sit. He either had to sit between Ranger and Bobby or Lester and Lula. I took pity on him and plopped down next to Lula. "What are we eating?"

Tank shot me a thankful smile and I sighed. Those two were silly to think their feelings weren't obvious to everyone at the table. I kept catching them glancing at each other then looking away quickly.

We split four large pies between us and Ranger had a salad. Yum… I started to think coming to Pino's might have been the wrong choice after the fifth interruption. Eddie Gazarra leaned over from the table next to us and squeezed my shoulder. "I feel obligated to inform you that you might have some trouble at the club tonight Steph…" I'm sure he meant to say it just to me, but with the wire, he instantly had the attention of every guy at the table.

"What's up Eddie?" I smiled encouragingly and watched him fidget nervously under the gaze of the Rangemen.

"Uh, well- Joe's been going on at the station about how the two of you were going to get back together. That he was going to crash your party and take you back to his place tonight. Just wanted to warn you that he's been drinking tonight; you just missed him here. After you told me about tonight I figured he might blow things."

I leaned over and hugged him."Thanks Eddie. I'll keep an eye out for him." I noticed Ranger frowning and sighed. I motioned to the front door and stood. Ranger leaned and said something to Tank and led me out the door. "What's wrong, Ranger? I can handle Joe if that's what you're worried about."

"That's not it Babe. I was just surprised you'd talked to Gazarra about tonight." He smiled and put a hand up to stop me from responding. "Its fine, I trust him too. I just didn't think to tell someone at PD about tonight. Proud of you Babe."

I smiled and shook my head. "I promised Eddie I'd tell him the next time I was getting into anything I thought he'd worry about. I think he was worried I was going to get myself into a mess after the funeral. He knows I'm done with Joe and has been keeping an eye on him just in case. We didn't really leave things on the best of terms and Eddie thinks Joe might not realize it's over for good." I sighed again. "Guess he was right on that though. Maybe we can use it tonight, if Joe shows up."

Ranger frowned again and pulled me closer. "What do you mean Babe? I don't think Morelli will be up for playing nice if he's drunk." He ran a hand gently over my hair and kissed my forehead. "I don't like not being in there. Make sure one of the guys is close if Joe does show. I know you can handle yourself, but I'd rather one of the guys get kicked out with him for fighting than you."

I nodded and leaned back to look up into his eyes. "It'll be fine. Like Mary Lou said, we'll figure it out as we go."

Just as I was leaning up to kiss him again the door opened and Lester whistled. "C'mon love birds, we're gonna be late!" He pulled Ranger towards the Bronco as everyone spilt up and climbed into the cars. I shook my head and gave him a finger wave as I slid into the driver's seat.

"Girl! I thought you might be fighting before we came out and saw you…" She stopped as I motioned to my ear again. "Unh, let's get going. I'm ready to boogey!"

We pulled up in front of Liquid and a valet opened the door for me. I handed over my keys and took the ticket with a sigh. I'm sure he would take care of it just fine. Right. When I looked at the line I groaned. We'd be out here forever. My earpiece crackled with snickers. "Bypass the line, Bombshell. Rangeman does the security here."

I motioned for the girls to follow me and headed towards the bouncer who turned out to be Cal. He pulled me into a hug and whispered in my ear. "The marks in there already, but he might have eyes out here. Ranger called me about Morelli; unfortunately he's in there too."

I pulled away and laughed. I glanced around while tossing my hair over my shoulder. "Thanks Cal." He smiled at my fake flirting and held the door for us. The music blasted from inside while we checked our coats. Hector winked at me from the counter. I shook my head and headed into the club proper. One of the guys from Outkast was singing about green lights as we made our way towards the tables and bar. I spotted our mark sitting next to an empty table and motioned towards it. Connie led the others that way while I ordered drinks. My hips swayed to the beat of the song as I made my way to the girls.

When our drinks arrived I took a moment to study the man sitting to my right. Harlan Williams was 6' 1" and built like a Rangeman. His skin was similar in shade to Lester's, maybe a little darker. His file listed him as Puerto Rican. I could see how his victims fell for his act. He was fairly nice looking. But when his eyes met mine for a moment my heart sped up. Great, another crazy with empty eyes. I smiled and turned back to listen to the girls discussing the music.

We moved to the dance floor as the new Britney Spears song came on. We stuck together and mostly ignored the people around us. I was scanning the people around me while pretending to listen to Lula go on about her latest date. My skin was crawling and I noticed our guy watching us. I also saw Joe watching me and groaned. He was sitting at the bar but stood when he caught my eye. I leaned towards Mary Lou. "Santos, you need to get here quick."I paused as the song ended and laughed. "I think I just figured out how to use Joe to my advantage but you need to move."

Lester slid his body behind mine as "Single Ladies" started and I let his hands on my hips guide our movement. I turned in his arms and slid my body down his and back up with the beat. He leaned in to whisper in my ear. "Are you trying to get me killed? I don't mind taking out the cop but Christ Beautiful!"

I laughed and shook my head, watching Joe get closer over Lester's shoulder. "I figure if he's going to make a scene, why not use it to for sure get our guys attention? He's about to cut in." I frowned at Joe as he tapped Lester's shoulder. He was obviously drunk.

"I think you should get back to work Santos. I'm sure your boss wouldn't approve of you screwing around on duty." He turned to me and tried to give me a charming smile. I think I threw up a little in my mouth. "Cupcake, I thought you were here with the girls, not slutting with Manoso's goons."

I reined in the laugh trying to escape and snorted at him. "Not that it's any of your business Joe, but I am here with the girls. What the hell are you doing here?" I chanced a look towards my table and noticed the girls were watching and shaking their heads. Williams was also watching, but he was only about five feet away instead of at his table.

"I came here to take you home. I don't appreciate my fiancé hanging all over a bunch of thugs." Joe's voice was rising and I was glad for once that his temper was so short.

"I'm not you're anything Morelli, or did you forget? You're the one who can't keep it in your pants, so don't even suggest I'm a slut. Why don't you go find your little mob princess? Or is Terry done with you too?" I turned away from him to see we'd attracted the attention of more than half the club. Wonderful. I felt a hand on my shoulder and jerked away from it. I whirled to face Joe and found myself facing Bobby.

"Jesus Christ! What in the hell is with you guys?" I hoped he'd just play along. He smirked and raised an eyebrow at me. "You're all a bunch of Neanderthals…I'm here to dance with my friends, not talk to you. Tell Ranger to butt out. And take Lester with you!" I stomped past him and my mark to my table. The girls were slack jawed and I could help but laugh.

"Damn skinny ass white girl! I thought Super Cop was gonna bust a nut. And did you just tell off one of your co workers?" Lula glanced over my shoulder for a second then back at me. I guess Williams had followed me back this way.

"They're idiots sometimes. Lester was trying to get me to some out with them the other day. I told them we had plans and apparently they decided to try and join us." We talked for a while and I endured Lester and Bobby teasing me about temper tantrums over my earpiece without comment. Mary Lou and Connie went to the bathroom and Lula dragged me out onto the dance floor again.

A song by Nine Inch Nails came on and I felt a hard body pressed against mine. I grinned at Lula's shocked look and turned to face Junior. I pressed against him to whisper in his ear. "It figures you'd find me when something good came on." I laughed as we moved together to the pounding bass. When the guys made my CD I'd found out we shared a taste for hard rock and metal. He drifted away as the song ended and I saw all the boys sitting a few table away from ours. Lester and Bobby were pretending to shoot me dirty looks but I could hear the wise cracks that went with them.

The girls and I danced to a few more songs and Manny found me when Shakira came on. Lula and I started laughing when he checked for drool. One of the classes we'd been taking was belly dancing. Manny recovered quickly and placed his hands gently on my hips. Harlan Williams was a few feet from us and my skin was crawling again. I sang along with the song and swayed my hips against Manny. "Oh boy, I can see your body moving half animal, half man I don't, don't really know what I'm doing but you seem to have a plan." I leaned in like I was singing to Manny. "I think he's going to try to dance with me, do go too far when the song ends…" I turned away and Manny pulled my back to his front.

"Baila en la calle de noche Baila en la calle de día" He pulled me a little tighter as the song faded and I knew he'd be close. I choked back a laugh as "SOS" by Rhianna started.

Williams moved closer to me and offered me his hand. I suppressed a shudder as he pulled me closer. He was a decent dancer and he leaned in close to talk. "You seem to have quite a following. I could help but over here your disagreement earlier."

I snorted. "Disagreement, right. That was more like a train wreck. I'm Stephanie by the way…"

He smiled. "Harlan. So are all the guys at that table over there ex boyfriends too?"

I laughed and shook my head. "God no! I work with them; they seem to think I need to be babysat tonight though." I glared in their direction and heard Lester snicker over the earpiece.

"Beautiful you always need a babysitter." I watched Bobby smack the back of his head and sighed. I looked up at Williams from under my lashes.

"They're annoying. I come out once a week with my girlfriends and they somehow manage to finds us every time."

"Maybe they just want to spend some time with you outside of work…I could see the appeal there." He gave me a wolfish smile and I forced a smile.

"I really don't care what they want. I'm out with the girls not them." The song ended and I extracted myself from his grip. "Thanks for the dance." I turned and headed back towards my table. I paused just long enough to smile at him again over my shoulder.

When I sat back down I pulled out my phone and motioned for Lula to go to the bathroom with me. I pretended to answer my phone and put my finger over my right ear as I followed her to the back hall. "I'm going to sit out a few songs guys. I'm pretty sure I've got him, but I'm gonna stay a while longer. Keep your eyes open, my skin crawls every time he's near me."

"Your spidey senses like him for the murders Bombshell?" I smiled at Lula in the bathroom mirror as she came out of a stall. She'd been awfully quiet most of the night. I think she was thinking about Williams' 'other' victims.

"Yeah, Ram, he's definitely the one we're looking for." Lula shivered and I slung an arm around her shoulders. "We'll get him, Lu."

She gave me a sad smile and nodded. "Damn skippy we will."

We headed back to the table. The girls weren't drinking much tonight, and I was only having Coke. I think our waitress was annoyed but she'd live. The girls headed to the dance floor for a few songs and I shook my head at them when they motioned for me to join them. I could feel Williams sitting behind me and I tried to ignore him. The waitress brought me a fresh coke and motioned to Williams. I glanced over my shoulder and smiled at him; cringing on the inside. Guess I'd succeeded.

Lester stopped in front of my table and gave me puppy dog eyes. I laughed and he offered me his hand. "C'mon Steph, let me make up for crashing your night. The DJ is playing a song just for us."

I sighed as he dragged me to the dance floor. A song I didn't recognize started and Lester pulled me up against him and whispered in my right ear. "It's Pittbull. Looks like Williams is pretty hung up on you, if the look he shot me means anything. I think you guys should take off after this. Bobby is telling Connie now to head back to the table in a few."

I was trying to keep up with the fast Latin beat of the song and just nodded. Lester smirked and pulled me up tight against him. I was exhausted when I made it back to the table a few minutes later. Connie and Lula were playing drunk and I laughed at them as I sat down.

"I think when Lady Gaga starts making sense it's time to go girls…" They were singing along to Just Dance, and Mary Lou was giggling at them. "C'mon Ladies, this taxi's leaving." I watched out of the corner of my eye as Williams slipped towards the door ahead of us. Yippee!

I dropped the girls at the office and collected the wires from them before they got out of the car. As soon as they closed the door my earpiece exploded with voices.

"You've got a tail Babe."

"Definitely got the nut job's attention Bombshell."

'Shut it Junior, she doesn't need your wisecracks."

"We're good to go, Rangeman…:

I sighed. "Now I know how Cybil felt, Christ. Can we try taking turns or something? I can't hear you when you all talk at the same time."

"Tank, disable their com units, head back to base guys. Babe, Tank is already at your place. I'm in the civic two cars behind you. We'll keep an eye on him. Just head home like normal, as soon as he's out of the area I'll come back."

"Sounds good. Are they still listening?"

"It's just you me and Tank, why?"

"I think Joe might be a thorn in our side. I'm going to have to talk to him when he's sober. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't going to have a bunch of overprotective "big brothers" following me to that lunch."

"Bomber, I don't think you should meet him alone…"

"I agree, that's why I'm going to call Eddie tomorrow and see if he'll bring Joe to Pino's for lunch or something. I don't want to be alone with him, but I know that no talking will be done if he thinks you guys are there to keep him in line. He'll just get pissy. I don't mind if the two of you are there, I'd actually prefer it. But for some reason Lester makes him almost as angry as you do Ranger. Better that the rest of the guys aren't around."

"Sounds good Babe. We'll make a plan tomorrow at Haywood. Head upstairs and lock your door."

I rolled my eyes as I got out of my car. I had my cell phone pressed to my ear and laughed. "Okay Mom. I'm in for the night; I'll talk to you later."

I heard them both mutter "smartass" and strutted inside and up the stairs to my apartment. One night down, and hopefully only one more to go. I don't know how long I can pretend to have a girls' night with the Rangemen in my head.