I dont own them, JE does. Sorry this chapter took so long! This chapter includes a response to Lisa's Country Music Challenge on RWE. Thanks for all the great reviews! You all rock :)


*****

I nodded and moved to the outdoor kitchen. I pulled on a pot holder and removed the dishes from the oven. I turned towards the door as Ranger, Lester, Bobby, and Tank stepped outside. Oh great, whatever it is cant be good

*****

They all took a seat around the patio table, waiting until I finished setting out dinner to start. Ranger intertwined our fingers and rested our hands on his thigh, then motioned for Tank to talk.

"Sorry to interrupt your weekend, Ric," he glanced my way and tried to smile. "Bombshell, but we have a couple of things we need to discuss tonight."

"First," Bobby took over. "There was a fire at the storage place out by Al's garage."

Ranger raised an eyebrow, and I just groaned. "Somehow it will be blamed on me, I can hear my mother already..."

"Babe?"

"That's where I was keeping Big Blue and some of my other stuff I hadn't found a place for."

Bobby was trying to hide a smile, trying being the key word. "Actually Bombshell, the fire started in the space next to yours. Looks like someone was using it as a meth lab, the whole place is taped off now. TPD isn't letting anyone in until the hazmat team is finished. One of the firemen that first responded said there was very little left, but that your car was only moved to the far end of the lot. I looked, there are a couple dents and scratches, and it"ll probably need a new paint job."

Tank and Lester were losing the battle and finally broke down laughing, even Ranger was smiling. I just sighed and thunked my head down on the table. Ranger lifted my face gently and shook his head at me. "Babe, you'll knock something loose. Was there anything important in there?"

"I'm going to have to look through my lists; I was in the process of moving some of my old stuff to Val's and some of my new stuff didn't have a space yet. I think the only thing I'm going to be upset about is a couple of prints my grandma left me, but maybe I can replace them. I can't believe that car survived again. Why doesn't the military use Buicks? They'd save a ton of money on tanks." I blushed when the guys chuckled. Oops, I should probably think before speaking

"You said there were a couple things?" Ranger squeezed my hand reassuringly. Guess there was no sense worrying about my stuff now; it'd be Monday before we could do anything about it.

Lester fidgeted a little and started a few times before blowing out a breath. "We lost Williams. One minute he was two cars ahead of us, the poof, nothing."

I felt Rangers hand tense in mine and squeezed it slightly. He took a slow breath and offered me an almost smile. "I want him found ASAP. Send Hector and Bones to Stark, he may be looking for a girl to keep himself occupied before he goes for Steph." The guys nodded and stood to leave. "I'm sure you already have his known addresses covered, but call a few contract workers to scout some clubs just in case."

As soon as the guys were gone Ranger pulled me into his lap and crushed me to him. I snuggled tighter to him and sighed. When I pulled back Ranger tensed. I cupped his face in my hands and brushed a soft kiss against his lips. "Ric, I'm not going anywhere, I'm safe, right here with you."

He nodded and kissed me softly, his tongue tracing my lips after a moment. I moaned, granting him access and deepening the kiss. When I squirmed in his lap he broke the kiss with a chuckle. "We're going to have to at least call the station tomorrow about your stuff. How about we finish eating and head to bed?"

I gave him my version of the wolf grin and moved back to my own seat. "But what if I'm not tired?"

He growled playfully. "Who said anything about sleeping? I said lets go to bed..."

*****

The next morning I called the station and was informed that I had to come down in person to give a statement. I just told the snooty woman on the phone I'd come in when I could. Jeez, this was not how I wanted to spend my day. Ranger came out of the bathroom and scooped me up off the bed on his way downstairs. "I take it that wasn't a fun call? You look like you're ready to hurt someone."

"Oh, they want me to come to the station today to give my statement. I wasn't even there this time; I didn't think I needed to give a statement."

Ranger shrugged as he set me on a stool in the kitchen. He pulled eggs and turkey bacon out of the fridge and started making breakfast. "Maybe Gazarra just wants to check on you. We can head there first, and then I thought maybe you'd like to go shopping?" He paused long enough to turn and smile at me. "Maybe we can find a place that can help us with designs for the house."

I smiled and nodded as he put a plate in front of me. "That's something to look forward to. I think IKEA has a design a room station, that way we can pick coordinating colors and things. I'll bet they have something Julie would love."

He smiled. "I have a feeling she'll love anything you do. She's very excited to see you. Rachel says the only thing she talks about more than coming up here this summer is the dog Ron promised her if she gets top grades this year."

We drove the Bronco to the police station and Ranger came in with me. I found Carl, Eddie, and Big Dog in the break room and convinced them to take my statement.

"I told the she-devil on the phone I wasn't out there last night, but she insisted I come in. Have any of you been out to see the scene?"

Eddie nodded. "It's not very pretty Steph; I think the Buick is the only thing from your unit that survived."

I just shrugged. "Stuff is replaceable. Did they get the owner of the meth lab?"

Carl and Big Dog were frowning at me and Eddie looked surprised. He put his hand on my forehead. "You feeling OK? Normally when your stuff gets blown up you're ready to flay the person that did it."

I shrugged again. "I guess my give a damns busted."

I felt Ranger chuckle as he slid his arms around me from behind. I smiled at the shocked looks from the guys and turned my head slightly. "I wondered where you disappeared to."

He kissed my temple and nodded to Carl and Big Dog as they excused themselves. Eddie offered Ranger his hand and then pulled me into a hug before taking off for his shift. I turned and tried to raise an eyebrow at Ranger. "So, where'd you go?"

"Mayor Juniak was on his way out as we came in. He just wanted to know how things were going. Lets head out; you said something about showing me a store somewhere."

I laughed and tugged him out the door. As we stepped outside the Bronco burst into flames, the force knocking us back into the building when the gas tank exploded. I looked up into worried chocolate eyes and tried to smile. "I'm okay, but I have a feeling this one is definitely going to be seen as my fault."

Rangers mouth tipped up in an almost smile just before he kissed be. He shook his head when he pulled away. "You definitely don't disappoint, Babe."

AN: Sorry if this chapter seemed all over the place, I blame the cold meds, LOL. The next couple of chapters are being held for ransom for the Ides challenge on RWE; Ill post them after the challenge is met.

Word Count; 1,264 without headers and footers :)