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

Overheard Part 12

At a Waffle House in Springfield MO

Stephanie was driving down the road, looking for a sign for the Interstate when she spotted a Waffle House. She suddenly realized she hadn't eaten in about thirty six hours and was actually starving. She pulled into the parking lot and managed to find a parking space right up front. How about that, for once I have good parking Karma. Maybe this is a sign that my decisions are the right one. Stephanie patted the top of Rex's cage."Momma is going to get something to eat. I promise I will bring you something. You be a good boy." Rex of course was sound asleep since he spent most of his night on guard duty.

When Stephanie stepped into the restaurant, the smells were intoxicating. Even more so than normal because she was starving. A waitress greeted Stephanie and led her to a table. "Want some coffee honey?" Stephanie asked for a coffee and an orange juice. After the waitress left, she opened the menu and moaned in appreciation. This was her kind of place. It had the four food groups in abundance-salt, grease, caffeine and sugar. Everything looked so delicious it was all she could do not to order the entire menu.

When the waitress came over with her coffee and OJ, Stephanie noticed her nametag said Connie. She smiled, thinking of her friend. "Honey, you ready to order?" Stephanie took one last look at the menu and said to Connie "I have the All-Star Breakfast Special. Can I get my eggs scrambled please?"

"Sure hon, you want your hash browns smothered, covered, chunked, diced, peppered and capped?"

Stephanie looked puzzled. "I'm sorry, this is my first time in a Waffle House and I am not sure what you mean."

"It means do you want onions, cheese, diced ham, diced tomatoes, jalapeños and mushrooms." Stephanie couldn't help herself and started drooling. "Everything but the jalapeños please." The waitress walked away and Stephanie grabbed her cream and sugar and fixed her coffee. Cradling the cup in her hands, she inhaled the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. For the first time in a couple of days, she felt human. Gazing out the window, Stephanie watched the cars going by; all of them trundling up and down the streets like ants in a hive. When Connie put her platter down, Stephanie let out a moan at the smell. "This smells like heaven." Connie laughed. "Tastes like it too hon. Enjoy."

Making short work of her food, Stephanie sat back and popped the top button on her jeans. Sighing in contentment, she sipped her refilled coffee. When Connie came back she asked "Anything else you need hon?"

"Can you wrap up that little bit of waffle in a piece of aluminum foil please?" Connie looked puzzled but nodded her head. Grabbing the plate and silverware, she went behind the counter. She came back shortly and placed a bill and the foil wrapped waffle on the table. "Mind me asking why you wanted such a small piece wrapped to go. It hardly makes a mouthful." Stephanie smiled and said "I have a hamster in my car and wanted to give him a little treat."

With a puzzled look, Connie asked "Why do you have a hamster in your car?"

Stephanie laughed. "I was running away from home and had to take Rex with me." Connie nodded. "Running from a bad situation? Do you need help or money sweetie?"

"I am not running from a bad situation or an abusive husband. I just found out that someone I thought was my best friend and someone I had a shot at Someday has found someone else. I was going to stay away from Trenton for a couple of weeks until I could summon the courage to deal with it."

"So where you headed now?"

"Back to Trenton. I realized I needed to face things. I spent my life running from things and living in the land of denial. I can't do that anymore though. It's time I grew up."

Connie smiled. "Good luck hon. And I bet your young man really wants to make a life with you. Just you wait."

Stephanie gave a wry grin. "Somehow I don't think you are right but no matter what, I have to deal with this." Throwing a twenty on the table, Stephanie thanked Connie for her words of advice. With a wave, she left the Waffle House. Getting into the car, she unwrapped Rex's treat. "Here you go baby. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did." Rex backed out of his can and stood up. His nosed twitched and he started quivering like a sprinter in the starting blocks. Quickly grabbing the waffle, he stuffed it in his cheek and dove head first into his can. Stephanie laughed and started the Impala. Pulling out of the parking lot and heading for the Interstate, she never noticed the car pulling out behind her.

Somewhere over Missouri

Tank sat quietly, observing Ranger. Normally Ranger was a blank slate. He had seen Ranger standing over the worst scum with a blank expression. Inside, he was at Defcon 5 but on the outside, he could have been attending a tea party at the Queen's. This situation with Bomber had scrambled up everything. His best friend was visibly tense and kept tapping his foot. "Man, we will get her back. Then you can tell her you love her, sweep her off her feet and live happily ever after."

Ranger glared at Tank. "You know in our line of business, there is no such thing as happily ever after."

Tank rolled his eyes. "So ever after might only be a few years, but better to have a few happy years than a few miserable years."

Ranger raised an eyebrow "So my Babe has been giving you eye rolling lessons? What's next, how to dress sexy?"

Tank smiled. "Lula would be giving me those lessons man." Ranger visibly shuddered at that statement and decided he needed to drop it before it got out of hand. The captain announced that they were coming in for a landing.

Getting off the plane, they headed for baggage claim. Grabbing their duffels they went into the men's room to dress. It wasn't a good idea to suit up with weapons in an airport. Ranger and Tank headed for the rental car counter. The clerk was clearly nervous at the sight of two large men dressed in black and obviously armed. He relaxed a little at the sight of the Rangeman Platinum Card. They signed for the SUV and headed out.

Pulling into the parking lot of the Comfort Inn, Ranger slipped inside to question the clerk. At first, the clerk was reluctant to divulge any information. Once Ranger slipped him a hundred dollar bill, the clerk was more forthcoming. Upon finding out Stephanie had checked out about three hours earlier, Ranger cursed.

When Tank observed the thunder cloud expression on Ranger's face, he knew it was bad news. "Where's Bomber?" Ranger snarled. "She checked out three fucking hours ago." Slamming his hand on the dash he cursed. "Now what?"

Tank snapped open his phone. "Vince, any activity on Stephanie's credit cards?" After a pause "Thanks, that's good news. Keep on top of it. Hey Ranger, Stephanie used her credit card at a gas station near the interstate. Vince gave me the address. Let's go check it out."

Ranger gripped the wheel tightly. He pulled into traffic. "Where to?"

Tank gave him directions. When they pulled into the station, Tank spoke up. "Let me question the clerk." When Ranger raised an eyebrow at him, Tank replied. "Right now you won't get information from anyone. They will be too busy trying not to pee their pants." Ranger gave a Burg worthy eye-roll at that but let Tank take care of it. While Tank was questioning the clerk, Ranger scanned his surroundings. When Tank got back in the SUV he had a defeated look on his face. "The clerk remembers her but was too busy to see which way she went."

"Don't worry Tank, I bet if we talk to the staff across the street one of them will remember."

Tank looked across the street and smiled. "Damn skippy. I am sure Bombshell stopped there and it was a memorable visit."