Hey everyone! Sorry it took so long for me to update again. Hope you like the next installment. As always, I don't own the characters and don't pretend to, I just test drive them. And I want to Thank you all for your kind reviews! They brighten my day. I'm always up for suggestions also :)

I returned to my apartment around two giving myself a couple of hours to prepare for the evening. I tapped on Rex's cage to say hello and he peeked his head out of his soup can squinting his shiny black eyes at me and wiggling his nose and whiskers. I dropped a couple of Cheerios into his cage and he snatched them up immediately shoving them into his cheeks and retreating back into his soup can.

Two hours later I was showered and dressed in my short black cocktail dress with my two inch black healed dress shoes on. No way was I wearing my FMPs to a viewing! No matter how hot Ranger was in one of his perfectly tailored black suits I know he would wear.

I applied mouse to my hair to help tame the inevitable frizz that would occur with today's humidity and finished a light layer of makeup. I was applying a natural toned lip gloss when I caught Ranger's eyes staring back at me in the mirror. I jumped, you would think I would be use to this and not startle as much.

"Babe" It was an appraising tone this time as he looked me up and down slowly.

"It feels like you are undressing me with your eyes right now."

"That's because I am." His lips curves at one side as his eye met mine again. I turned around to face him and my breath caught at the closeness of him. Breathing in slowly his scent soaked into my senses as I returned the assessing gesture looking him up and down. Someone sighed, it might have been me.

"If we don't get going I'm gonna have to call Hal and have him pick up Santos." I was thinking of a similar solution as well. Ranger was in deed wearing one of his expensive perfectly fitting black suits with a crisp white dress shirt and black tie. His hair was slicked back into its usual pony tail and he smelled heavenly of Bvlgari and Ranger. The man had his own distinct smell that worked my hormones into a frenzy.

"mhm, yep, lets go." I grabbed my clutch off the sink and headed towards the door fixing my shoe as I walked, not looking back at Ranger until I reached the door. His arm was at my side as he opened the door for me and gestured for me to go first. Always the perfect gentleman.

This was something that differed from Morelli, Ranger opened and held doors for me, pulled out my seat for me at restaurants, and held my hand when we entered classy events to show me off. Morelli would occasionally open a beer for me and let me pick a spot on the couch first, but he wasn't the chivalrous type in general. This had always been okay for me because I didn't expect nor need chivalrous, but I had to admit…. It was kind of thrilling in a way when Ranger did it.

"Earth to Babe" Apparently I had stopped in the hallway to contemplate my thought and was blocking Ranger's forward motion as well.

"I'm ready." I said quickly, embarrassed, as I rushed towards the elevator.

We drove into Hamilton and at a new Italian restaurant. Ranger ordered wine for us both and a salad for himself. I ordered the Pasta Rigatoni and prayed I wouldn't get any on my dress. We sat quietly enjoying each other's company while we awaited our food. I would catch Ranger looking at me often and I would blush. It amazed me after all this time that he still made me feel like a teenager in love with just one look.

Our dinners arrived and he smiled at my plate.

"What?" I asked accusingly.

"Nothing, I just don't know where you put it all." His smile gave a hint of laughter.

"I'm going to take that as a compliment," I poked.

"As you should."

"So what type of recon are we doing tonight?" I asked to change the subject.

"Katie Jefferson is the CEO of Jefferson Incorporated, her father Leo was murdered last week in his townhouse. Cops have no leads and Katie received a threatening letter two days ago pertaining to the business. Someone is demanding she closes the doors to the company or she will be next. Katie refuses to give into the demands but has hired Rangeman to keep her safe and look for more leads until the killer is behind bars." Ranger watched me for my reaction.

"So do we have any leads?" I asked. Knowing that Rangeman probably had more ways to look into the murder than Trenton PD had probably tried.

"My guess is Michael Brontë, a local business man who excels in collecting dying businesses to give himself a monopoly on services."

"How dangerous are we talking?" I asked.

"Don't be alone with anyone tonight and you will be fine." Ranger warned.

"Does that include you?"

"That depends; do you want to be alone with me?"

"We are alone now."

"No, we are in a restaurant full of people; if you want to be alone we can go back to my apartment, or yours." He smiled, I swallowed and a wave of desire traveled straight to my doodah.

The viewing went as smoothly as dinner, Grandma Mazur sat at the front of the room and didn't attempt to touch, poke, or examine the deceased more than usual and no gun fire occurred. I was assigned to Katie, a tall beautiful brunette with stunning blue eyes and a great figure. When Ranger had introduced me she gave me a quick once over but politely extended her hand for me to shake. By the end of the evening my feet were sore from my heels and I had fantasized three different ways to get Ranger alone and out of his suit.

"How long have you two been dating?" Katie asked me. The last of the receiving line had cleared and she finally had a break from hugging and accepting condolences.

"Excuse me?"

"You and Ranger" she tipped her head in his direction, Ranger was standing guard at the door and currently listening to my grandmother rave on about something. Oh no, it was never good to leave Grandma alone with Ranger, especially after the incident at the Monkey themed Casino awhile back. Ever since Grandma had seen Ranger naked, she was determined to 'feel for herself' just how tight he was in certain places.

"Babe" I heard Ranger over the coms, he sounded desperate.

"We're not dating, can you excuse me for a moment. I need to reign in my Grandmother."

Katie smiled at me and I quickly walked over to Ranger.

"Grandma, do you need a ride home?" I asked, slowly placing myself between her and Ranger.

"No. Mable and I are going to Bingo at the Senior Center after this! Don't you just love early viewing? I want an early viewing too, more people are willing to attend on account of you don't miss your television shows when the viewing is early enough."

"I can arrange that" Ranger spoke under his breath.

"What was that?" Grandma asked loudly, thank heavens for partial hearing loss at times like these.

"I said that makes perfect sense." Ranger corrected.

"That's my ride! Gotta go!" Grandma walked out of the funeral home and got into Mable's old white Lincoln.

"you okay?" I asked Ranger once Grandma had safely pulled away.

"She pinched my ass again Babe." He grimaced.

"Sorry, I'll try better next time to ward her off."

Katie came rushing over to us in a panic.

"Steven just called, someone burned down his house and left an awful letter staked in his front lawn." Katie threw herself into Ranger's chest, wrapping her arms around his waist and crying into his suit jacket. I hate to admit it brought a pang of jealousy to me even though I knew she was distressed and scared.

"Hal,"

"Yes Boss, Im outside now" Hal responded over the coms.

Ranger ushered us outside and into the awaiting SUV.

"Hal will take you both home. Katie, a Rangeman detail will be with you and the security system is up and running. Babe."

"I'm going with you." I responded, refusing to get into the SUV. Ranger took a deep breath and was about to argue when I closed the door and leaned in to tell Hal to have a good evening. He nodded to me then looked to Ranger.

"Make sure the perimeter is clear before you go in and check for tails." Ranger instructed Hal before grabbing my hand and pulling me toward his Porsche 911 Turbo.

He opened my door letting me sink down into the car before closing the door and, for lack of better reference, stormed to his side. The car was in motion before he was completely seated and he stared straight out the window silently driving.

"Who's Steven?" I Asked, I felt it was safer to discuss the job instead of the elephant in the room, my stubbornness.

"VP of Jefferson Incorporated, Katie's partner. He has two kids." This made me gulp, Ranger still had his eyes on the road, driving in and out of traffic. The Turbo moved in stealth mode seamlessly through the night. The Fall weather was brisk and daylight shortened, it was only seven in the evening but pitch dark. I saw the light from the fire above the houses almost two blocks away, fire trucks and ambulances had the road blocked off as we reached it. Ranger threw the car into park and jumped out. I wasn't quite as fast as him but was close on his heels.

The three story mansion of a home was engulfed in flames and firefighters were actively trying to put it out with hoses and what looked like a fog machine, though obviously not a fog machine.

I grabbed the edge of Ranger's suit jacket so I wouldn't lose him as he walked quickly toward the caution line through a collection of people I assumed were neighbors watching the tragedy unfold. His hand slid down and grasped mine as he pulled me through the crowd.

In light of the current situation I didn't look too much into this gesture and what feelings I may have had were swept away as we reached the group of officers and bumped into Ranger as he stopped because Morelli was staring at us and I stopped paying attention to where I was going.

"What are you doing here?" Morelli snapped. He looked distressed, more so than normal and lately that was saying something.

"Mr. Callahan is my client." Ranger let go of my hand and straightened his posture in a domineering way.

"Of course he is." Morelli didn't sound happy about it but he lifted the caution tape nonetheless.

I ducked under the tape after Ranger and Morelli held his arm out blocking me from following him. Ranger hesitated for a moment, how did he do that? The man had spider senses obviously, to know I wasn't behind him anymore. I looked from him to Morelli and back again.

Morelli cleared his throat and met my eyes when I looked at him.

"Do you have a minute?" Morelli asked. I glanced back to Ranger who had his unreadable work face on. He nodded and walked away toward a man sitting in the back of an open ambulance.

I looked back at Morelli. He looked over to Ranger and then down at the ground.

"You're seeing him now?" The way he said it didn't sound much like a question, but more like a statement.

"I'm not seeing anyone, not that its any of your business." I scoffed.

"It's not, but I don't want to see you get hurt. I don't trust him."

"That's ironic, why would you hire someone you don't trust?" I snapped maybe a little too harshly at him.

He took a step back and a deep breath before proceeding, "I see he told you." He paused for a moment. "Ranger is good at what he does, with his business. I may not agree with how he does business often and I definitely don't trust him around you, but he is the right man for the job."

"Excuse me? I can take care of myself and I can pass judgement on whom I trust. There isn't a single person I trust more with my life than Ranger." I argued with a flare. How dare he? HE dumped ME! He was the one who quit our relationship, where does he get off telling me who I can and cant see?!

"Not even me." He was looking straight at me now, hurt in his eyes.

Had I trusted him? I trusted that he was faithful to me when we were together. I trusted that if I were in trouble or need he would try to be there. But did I trust him more than Ranger? Did I trust Ranger?

Of course I trusted Ranger with my life, he constantly had me lojacked and always showed up to save the day. He jumped off a bridge after me for crying out loud! But why? Why did Ranger do all of that? Why am I asking so many questions? Both men cared for me, I know that, and both would risk their lives to save me, it's what they do, it's part of their jobs and character makeup. I must have lost myself in my head because Morelli gave up waiting on my answer.

"I guess that answers my question." He sighed. "Just promise me you'll watch your back? And don't get too emotionally attached. Guys like him don't commit. His life doesn't include relationships past what you and him…. Do, or have, or whatever it is that you two call it."

"I trust that you believe you have my best interests in mind, but again, I'm not of your concern anymore. Now can I please go do my job?" I asked tipping my head towards the ambulance.

"Yea." I turned to go but he called after me, "Hey Steph. It was nice to see you." I turned my head over my shoulder and gave him a weak smile before walking over to Ranger and whom I presumed was Steven Callahan.

"Steven, this is my associate Stephanie Plum. She is helping with Ms. Johnson's security." Ranger introduced us, he made eye contact with me and I could see him asking if I was okay. It was all in his eyes. I nodded and gave a small reassuring smile and then extended my hand to Steven.

"Nice to meet you Steven"

"Nice to meet you as well Ms. Plum."

The fire took a few hours to put out, Ranger called in his forensic-type crew to wait it out and investigate while Tank arrived to take Mr. Callahan to a safehouse for the night.

Ranger and I were back in the Porsche headed towards my apartment.

"Are you okay?" Ranger asked, not taking his eyes off the road.

"Yes, are you?" Two can play this game. The tone in his voice was both concern and cold. I wasn't sure where the later was stemming from but I had a few ideas. He didn't respond.

"Who stole your cookie?" I asked sarcastically. No response.

"Look, I wasn't ready to go home earlier, I want to help. You hired me to do a job, now let me help."

"Some parts of the job I need to do on my own. Some parts are more dangerous." He still didn't take his eyes off the road even briefly.

"I can handle myself you know."

"I don't doubt you. I know you can take care of yourself." We were pulling into my parking lot now. Ranger parked near the front row. I still don't know how he is always able to do that, I swear he has some magic button to reserve good parking. That or a man who he has saved the spots for him, sometimes I really think he does. When the car was parked he turned off the ignition and finally looked back at me.

"What did Morelli have to say?" He asked. And that was the true problem. What did he think, that I went with to hopefully run into Morelli and talk with him?

"He didn't say a whole lot, just the usual." Silence, he just looked at me, giving me the chance to elaborate but not pushing me. Ranger excelled in this type of information gathering, he could outwait me and knew I would continue so that someone was talking, he knew I couldn't stand it.

"He told me he hired you for his wedding and was shocked I already knew. And as always he told me to be carefull around you." I sighed, how does he have the ability to make me talk so easily?

"Rightfully so" He responded.

"Oh no you don't. You don't go jumping on the 'Stephanie is too weak' bandwagon too. Don't tell me what and how to feel. Damnit if I want to be around you I will be. And if I want to chase bad guys I will! I'm tired of everyone constantly telling me what I should and shouldn't do, who I need to be, what I…" Ranger's mouth was on mine ceasing my rant immediately. The kiss was brief but sent a shockwave through my body. I was frozen in place, staring dumbfounded.

"I'm not telling you to do or not do anything. I didn't argue with you earlier when you decided to tag along with me either. But I do agree with Morelli that I can be a bad influence." He sat back in his seat calmly before getting out of the car. I scrambled out after him and stood hands on hips facing him.

"You are not a bad influence on me."

"Babe."

"Don't Babe me right now. And screw Morelli! He screwed whats-her-face and got her knocked up and now he is permenantly not part of my life. I'm getting over it and so should you. Stop pushing me away because you think I cant handle your demons. Let me tell you, you haven't killed me with sex yet and that's a miracle in itself. So nothing you toss my way is going push me away." Where did that come from? Well, it's true. I haven't died via orgasm yet, though I've felt close to it before. Ranger is magic after all. And I know he's killed before, and yet its more comforting than scary. Nothing this man does scares me, unnerves me a little? Yea, the very thought of him naked makes me nervous that I wont be able to control myself. And he can be intimidating when he wants to be, but even that is softening to me. Gosh, maybe Connie war right, I am imploding, im driving myself nuts. I need space, time to think, before I drag Ranger upstairs and lock him in my apartment for the remainder of the weekend.

"I need to take a shower, I smell like smoke and you need to get back to the office and work your magic on this situation of Steven and Katie's." I waved my hand in the air as I said their names, gesturing in a 'fix it' kind of way.

"You're right, but this conversation isn't over. Tank can handle it."

"No, you need to oversee this one," I cut him off. "We're fine, go back to work and we will talk tomorrow or something."

"If you're sure."

"I am" I replied, letting out the breath I had apparently been holding in. The edge of his lips lifted on one side into a smile and he turned back toward his car.

"Sweet dreams Babe." And he climbed into the Turbo and left. I stood there for a moment before I could wrap my head around things. I need to clear my head and get Ranger out of it. I'm treading on dangerous territory here.