Thanks for the reviews! This is going to be a short chapter. As always- anything familiar belongs to JE, all mistakes are mine.

Chapter 7

It was 1 in the morning and I was laying in bed thinking. I couldn't sleep. I rented a house and my 6 month lease was almost up and I was debating on renewing my lease, or maybe buying my own house. Next week will be a year since I left Trenton and I feel like a completely different person. For once in my life I actually feel like a grownup who can take care of herself. A year ago, I was barely paying my bills, and now I went after all the high bond skips and I had a lot of money in the bank. I actually had enough money to pay for a house in cash, no mortgage. I mean I couldn't afford an outrageous mansion or anything, but I could buy a nice modest comfortable house. I think I'm ready to buy my own house, but I kept having a nagging feeling. As much as I hate to admit this, I was homesick. I've been trying to deny the feeling for the past couple of months, but I had to finally own up to it. I missed my family and friends back in New Jersey. As crazy as they all were they were still family. At least now I finally felt I could stand up for myself and not let them get to me. I've had a great time here in Salem and I'll miss my friends here but I never intended to stay here forever; I knew I would eventually go home. So I decided I was going to buy a house, but I was going to buy one in Trenton. It was time to go home.

The next morning I got up and did my normal routine, 3 mile run, shower, dress, cook breakfast, talk to Rex. I brought my laptop to the table and started searching for houses back in Trenton while I ate breakfast. Two hours later I had picked out a handful of houses that I was interested in and were in my price range. Then I headed to the bond office.

"Hey Shawn" I said walking in.

"Morning Steph"

"What's up? Any new skips?" I asked.

"Yeah here's one new one" he said handed me a file.

"Thanks. Can I talk to you about something?"

"Anything sweetheart you know that."

"Well you know my lease is almost up on my house, and I was thinking about buying a house but… I was thinking about buying a house in New Jersey. I think it's time for me to go home." I said. "I'll miss you and Kevin, you have become like family to me, and I don't want you to hate me for leaving…"

Shawn cut me off "Sweetie we could never hate you. We know you never intended to live here forever. Plus, I could tell you were getting homesick. I figured it was a matter of time before you decided to head back home."

"So you're not mad?"

"No! We I'll miss you like crazy, but I understand" he said pulling me into a hug.

"Thanks!"

"Have you told Kevin yet?"

"No, where is he anyways?"

"Out looking for a skip. He should be back soon."

Shawn and I chatted and I had him look at some of the houses I liked online. He helped me narrow it down to 3 houses. Kevin came back and I broke the news to him. He said the same as Shawn; he'd miss me but understood. So I guess that made it official, I was going home.

"What's the plan then darling? Are you going back to move back and then look at houses or try to buy one first?" Kevin asked.

"I was hoping to buy one first so I can move straight in when I go back, but I should look at the houses before I buy one." I said. "But I don't want anyone to see me if I go back to look at houses."

"You could always ask Diesel to pay a visit to Trenton and check the houses out for you" Shawn said.

"Hmm good idea. That is if I can talk him into it."

That afternoon I called Diesel.

"You want me to do what honey?" Diesel said after I explained.

"Come on Diesel please! We both know that whatever alien thing you can do with your popping up means you can go to Trenton and back a lot faster than me, and I won't have to worry about running into someone. Plus, you helped me pick out the house I'm in now, so you know what I like. It's only 3 houses to look at."

"Fine I'll do it but you're going to owe me big time. I expect you to make me lasagna and a chocolate cake and you have to babysit Carl while I'm gone."

"Yay! Thank you!"

I made the arrangements for Diesel to look at the houses. He checked them out and helped me to decide on a cute 2 story blue house. It had 2 bedrooms, 1 and a half bathrooms and a basement that I was planning on turning into a gym. It was right outside of the burg. I missed my family, but I don't think I could handle living in the burg. I called the realtor and started the buying process. Since I wasn't getting a loan for the house the buying process was pretty quick. I was heading back to Trenton in 2 weeks and would be able to move in right away.

Meanwhile in Trenton

Ranger's POV

I can't believe it's been a year since my babe left. I never realized just how much I was in love with her until she was gone. The only time I've heard from her since she left was the letter she sent 6 months ago. I assumed it was Diesel that helped her with the letters. There was no way of proving it but he was the only person I knew of that was capable of doing it. I tried to track Diesel down but it was impossible even for me. I still checked for any sign of babe's name popping up anywhere in the system. I wasn't ready to give up on her yet. I've spent many restless nights thinking about her. I've finally realized how stupid I've been and promised myself that if I ever saw her again I would tell her how I really feel about her.

I decided to run a check on her name since she was on my mind. I can't believe what popped up. My babe had bought a house and it was here in Trenton. I hadn't heard she was back in town. I called Tank into my office to see if he'd heard anything, since he was dating Lula again.

"What's up boss man?" he asked walking in.

"You heard anything about Stephanie being in town?"

"No, Lula would have mentioned that. Why?"

"She bought a house here a few days ago."

"Seriously, so she's coming back?"

"Looks that way."

"I wonder where she's been and what she's been up too." Tank said.

"Whatever it is she must be doing good. She paid cash for the house." I said proud of her.

"No shit? Damn." Tank said. "So, she's been gone a year, did that give you enough time to pull your head out of your ass?"

I gave Tank a don't mess with me glare.

"Seriously man, everyone knows you love her. You plan on stepping up this time and actually doing something about it?" Tank said.

"That's none of your damn business is it?"

"Ranger we've been friends a long time, so I'm making it my business. You've been in a pissy mood since the day Bombshell left. So do us all a favor and finally go after your woman."

I hate it when Tanks right. My babes been gone a year though, she might have already moved on. I guess I'll have to wait and see when she gets back here. God I can't wait to see my babe.