Standard Disclaimer: Not mine, not making money, yadda yaddacakes. I didn't put this in part one, but spoilers up through LMT.

Overheard Part 7

Morelli house mid morning

Joe and Robin were sitting down to breakfast. They had made love and fell back asleep for a few hours. Neither one had to work today so they were enjoying a leisurely morning before going over to Robin's apartment to finish packing her things. Joe looked across the table and thought what a perfect fit they were. Even doing something simple like making breakfast was somehow better. He and Robin had already perfected the kitchen dance as if they had been married for years. Life together seemed so effortless. He knew they would have their problems but right now he wanted to enjoy it.

They had just finished up breakfast and Joe was clearing the table when the front door slammed open. Both cops grabbed their weapons, which were always left in easy reach. As they started towards the door, Ranger burst through the kitchen door and grabbed Joe by his T-shirt. Slamming him up against the wall and grabbing him by the neck with his other hand, he growled "You bastard. You had to hurt Steph, didn't you? Dig the knife in one more time."

Joe tried to pry Ranger's hand from his neck. With the intensity of Ranger's anger, there was no way he was budging so much as a finger off his neck. "Whaaa" he tried to speak.

"Shut up." Ranger slammed Joe's head against the wall again. "You couldn't take the time to talk to Steph a couple of days ago? Are you that insensitive? You know things make the rounds of the 'Burg almost before they happen. You know everyone and their brother would be calling to tell Steph the good news. What the fuck were you thinking?" He slammed Joe against the wall again, hard enough to crack the plaster.

With a click of the safety, Robin pressed her gun to Ranger's head. "Let him go and back away from both of us. Put your hands on your head or I will put a bullet in your brain."

Ranger let go of Joe and with a move too fast to follow, whirled around and took the gun out of Robin's hand. "Joe, put your gun on the floor. You and your girlfriend go stand over by the table."

Sharing a quick look, Robin and Joe complied. They both knew that Ranger was on a hair trigger and it wouldn't take much for him to shoot both of them. Bob was no help. He was sitting at Ranger's feet, panting adoringly. "Manoso, I don't know what the hell has you so upset, but mind explaining why you came in here ready to kill me?"

"Because you couldn't fucking bother to talk to Steph about you moving your girlfriend in before several people decided to share that juicy piece of gossip. I went over to her apartment this morning and it looks like it was ransacked."

"Damn Ranger, why are you blaming me. Who is the psycho of the week that has her now and why aren't you finding her?"

Ranger glowered at Joe. "She wasn't kidnapped because there are clothes, makeup and her hair stuff missing. Rex is also gone. Somehow I don't think a kidnapper would stop to take anything but Steph."

"Listen Ranger, I don't think Steph would be upset about Robin and I, even if she had to hear it from others first. She is the one that set us up in the first place."

"Ranger, I talked with Steph about a week ago and she was happy that things were going so well with Joe and me."

Ranger set Robin's gun on the table and put his head in his hands. "I don't know what to do or where to start looking for her. What am I going to do?"

Joe came to the sudden realization that Ranger really loved Steph. A part of him would always love Steph since they had shared so much but Ranger was the man she really needed. Making a snap decision, he shot an apologetic smile at Robin. "Ranger, Robin and I will help you look for her. Why don't we call around to her friends? She's probably over at MaryLou's."

Standing up, he handed Robin back her gun. "I'm sorry I busted in here. I jumped to conclusions and acted in anger. Something I haven't done in a long time. I am going to head to the bond office to see if Steph talked to Lula or Connie."

He pulled out his phone and called the control room. "Pull up Steph's GPS and see if it is active."

Joe shook his head at Robin. "Not at MaryLou's" he mouthed.

"It's where? Must be she fell asleep on their couch. Thanks"

Joe gave him a quizzical look. "So where is she?"

"Would you believe at Mooner's?"

Joe snorted laughter. "Well it explains where she is but not why she left in the first place. You had better go and grovel."

Ranger glared at Joe. "I have nothing to grovel for."

Joe just smiled and nodded his head. "Keep on thinking that man. You had better get going."

On the road somewhere

Steph had been driving for almost 8 hours. At this point, she was on automatic pilot. When the gas gauge got low, she stopped and filled up. Going into the convenience store to pay for the gas, she wandered the aisles aimlessly. Snagging a bottle of water out of the cooler, she walked over to the Tasty Cake display and stood in front of it. To the casual observer, it looked like she was trying to decide what goodies to buy. Anyone looking into her eyes would have known differently. They were dark with pain.

Abruptly pivoting, she quickly walked up to the counter and paid for the gas and her water. As the bell tinkled when she walked out the door, the attendant thought to himself I hope she isn't driving far. She looks like someone at the end of their rope.

Steph got in the car and looked over at Rex. "Okay buddy, back on the road. Let me give you some fresh water first." Steph dumped out his water dish and refilled it from the water she purchased. Tightening the cap back on the bottle, she threw it in the back seat. Making sure Rex's cage was securely buckled in and the lid was on tight, she started the car and pulled out of the parking lot.