As promised, here is Ranger's POV about what's happening in Trenton. Enjoy.

As always- anything familiar belongs to JE.

Chapter 4

Ranger's POV

It was Friday afternoon and I was sitting in my office at my desk. I was supposed to be doing paperwork but couldn't get my mind off of my babe. I haven't seen her in over a week; not since that night in her apartment when she finally told me she loved me. She was avoiding me and I let her. I knew she needed some space and I was afraid she would want to finish our discussion. Regardless of the stupid crap I tell her, I am in love with her completely, I don't plan on telling her that though. What if I had told her I was in love with her too? There's still a chance that she would work things out with Joe and go right back to him. Where would that leave me? Plus I was being honest when I told her I couldn't give her a life or relationship that she deserved. My life is dangerous and I work all the time. Trying to have a relationship with her wouldn't work. She would just end up resenting me. It was best to keep her at arm's length. God, I missed her though. I thought she would have called me by now. I was debating calling her when Tank burst into my office.

"Boss man, I have Lula on the phone. She said no one's seen or heard from Stephanie since Wednesday, and her phones going straight to voicemail."

Fuck! I grabbed the phone from Tank and told him to get everyone looking for her.

"Lula" I said into the phone "Explain!"

"Last I saw her was Wednesday afternoon after we got our last bad guy. She said she wasn't feeling good and she was heading home. She didn't come into the office yesterday, but we thought she just needed a day off. Connie didn't have any outstanding skips for her so we didn't bother her. But she didn't show up today either and she isn't answering her phone. We got worried and decided to call Tank."

"Call if you hear anything else" I said and hung up.

Walking into the control room I yelled "Report!". I wasn't in the mood for bullshit.

"Sir" Hal said "All of her trackers on together on Haywood actually. It looks like she's on her way here". Thank Fuck! She was okay and on her way here to see me. Her phone was probably just dead. Babe always forgot to charge it.

"It looks like she should be walking into the building now, sir" said Hal.

We all looked at the monitor, but babe didn't walk in. Instead we saw the mailman walk in and drop the mail off at the front desk. What the hell? I ran downstairs to the desk and grabbed the mail. Rifling through it I came to a padded envelope addressed to me in her handwriting. I ripped it open and stared in disbelief as all of her trackers fell out of the envelope and onto the desk, along with a folded piece of paper. I picked it up; it was a letter. I read it.

Ranger,

I was going to apologize for putting you on the spot the other night by telling you I'm in love with you. But I realized that I'm not sorry. I don't regret telling you I'm in love with you. I should have told you that a long time ago. I know you don't feel the same and don't want a relationship with me and I respect that. But I can't just go back to being, whatever it is that we are. It's time for me to leave Trenton and learn how to stand on my own two feet. Please respect my decision and don't look for me. I'll be fine. Tell the merry men bye for me and that I'll miss them. Thanks for all you've done for me the past couple of years.

Bye,

Stephanie

Fuck! She was gone. No she can't be gone. I had to find her. I would find her. I went back upstairs, grabbed my keys and phone and went to the garage. I drove to Stephanie's apartment and let myself in. Her furniture was here but not much else. Her clothes, toiletries, cookie jar, and Rex were all gone. My phone rang, Tank.

"Talk" I answered.

"Lula just called. They got a letter too." Shit.

"Find her!" I barked and hung up.

I drove to the bonds office. Lula and Connie looked upset. I picked up their letter off of the desk and read it. No information about where she went. She just said that she was leaving and she would miss them.

"I can't believe she would just up and leave us" Connie said.

"Uh huh, white girl got some explaining to do if I ever see her again." Lula said. Not if, I thought. I would find her and bring her back.

"Vinnie's gonna shit a brick when he finds out" Connie said.

"I'll find her" I said as I walked out the door and got in my car.

I really didn't want to do this but knew I had to. I grabbed my phone and called Morelli.

"Yeah" he answered.

"Morelli" I said.

"Manoso" he said sounding irritated.

"You heard from Stephanie?"

"Nope, we broke up a week ago. But I'm sure you already knew that."

"You home?"

"No. Work, double homicide. Why?"

"Stephanie left town. Sent everyone a letter."

"She's gone?"

"Yes"

"Sorry Manoso. I don't know what you want from me but I can't say I'm that upset that she's gone. We broke up and it will be easier for me not having to run into her all over town and get 30 calls a day about something she's done. Besides I'm sure she had a good reason for leaving, probably needed some space. I'm trying to move on. You're the one she's in love with; she's your problem now."

"Asshole" I said then hung up.

My last option was her family, maybe they knew where she went. I drove to their house and knocked on the door. Her grandmother answered.

"Aint this a pip, the sexy bounty hunter! Stephanie's not here" she said.

"I know, she left town. Sent everyone a letter. Have you checked the mail yet?" I said.

"Just brought it in, haven't looked at it though. Come on in" She said.

I followed her into the living room where babe's parents were. Her mother was reading a piece of paper and looking mad. It had to be babe's letter.

"Why me?" she yelled handing the letter to Frank. I just stood there while her dad and grandma read the letter.

"Any idea where she would go?" I asked when they were done.

"No, she didn't say anything in the letter" Grandma Mazur said.

"I can't believe she would do this to me? What normal person just runs away without telling her family?" said her mother.

"I think it's a great idea. She's a big girl; she can take care of herself. She left to figure out her life. Good for her. Maybe I'll run away too." Said Grandma Mazur.

"You'll do no such thing mother! What will people say when they find out about this?" said Helen.

"Oh Helen really! Who cares what people say. I'm glad Pumpkin left. No one in this town leaves her alone and lets her live her life. I'm proud of her for taking charge of her life." Frank said.

Shit, they didn't know where she was and even if they did I doubt they would tell me. I apologized for just dropping by and left. I got back to Haywood and went up to the 5th floor.

"Report" I yelled walking in.

"Nothing sir" Hal said looking scared. "Her phones off, banking account and credit cards closed, she hasn't been spotted anywhere. Nothing. She's just gone." Fuck!

"Keep looking" I said, "and alert me if her name or social is used anywhere".

I went up to my apartment on 7. Shit, babe was gone and she was smart about it. She hadn't left a trace. I would be proud at her if I wasn't so fucking mad. I would find her though. But what exactly was I going to do when I found her? Drag her back here to live her old life and get back with Morelli. Was I going to tell her I love her and want to be with her? No, I still wasn't ready for a relationship with her. I had no intention of giving her a relationship, yet I was planning on finding her and bringing her back just to make myself feel better because I liked her near me. Shit, I'm an asshole. I knew I had to let her go. Fuck! I didn't want to. I picked up my phone and dialed.

"Tank, tell everyone to stop the search for Stephanie."

She's gone and I was just going to have to deal with it.