A/N: Here's the next chapter. I hope it's as good as the first. I would like to thank Kate for editing this chapter. Review and constructive critiques are always welcome. Thanks.

Disclaimer: Unfortunately I don't own 'em, they belong to Janet Evanovich. I promise to return them with as little drool damage as possible.

Chapter 2

I stood up, walked to the kitchen and opening the refrigerator, I grabbed another beer. Closing the door I leaned back against it. Twisting off the cap, I tipped up the beer and drank about half of it in one long pull. Standing in the darkness of my kitchen, my thoughts returned to that night.

Even before I left the bar, I knew something had changed in our relationship. I didn't know what yet but I couldn't keep this up. I was tired of this weird triangle thing that was going on between the three of us. I didn't want to keep sharing Steph with Manoso. It was past time it ended for good. She needed to make a choice.

Unfortunately, I had a feeling things weren't going to go how I'd like. I'd seen how he looked at her…like only she could satisfy his appetite. What was worse was the way she looked at him…with her eyes filled with passion. I couldn't help but be jealous; she never looked at me like that.

Rubbing my eyes, I took another swallow of my beer. Closing my eyes and clearing my head, I tried to keep the pain at bay. Thoughts of that night always tore me apart. I stilled ached from it. In frustration I slammed my head back against the freezer, before straightening up, walking back into the living room and dropping back on to the couch.

The worst of that evening still hadn't happened. I thought things couldn't get any worse but I was wrong…so very wrong.

Flashback:

It was late or should I say early when we finally finished up at the bar. The sun was peeking over the horizon as I climbed into my SUV. I still had the paperwork for the evening's mess waiting for me at the station but I figured it could wait until I checked up on Steph.

The hospital was closer to the precinct, so I'd look for her there first, before heading to her apartment. I figured Steph may have needed stitches to close the wound on her head but knowing her unless she was seriously hurt, I didn't think she'd still be there. She hated hospitals, with a passion and would escape as soon as possible.

I parked my Trailblazer in the parking lot and walked into the Emergency Room. I could tell it had been a long night in the ER. A couple of haggard parents with sick young children were waiting to be seen, along with a few victims of last night's excesses.

As I approached the admitting desk I smiled at the nurse, hoping to charm her out of some information about Steph. She looked to be a little younger than me, with a shoulder length blonde hair and auburn brown eyes. She looked vaguely familiar but not in an 'I know you from the Burg' way. I figured I'd seen her around the hospital, which really wasn't surprising considering how much time I spent here. Between my job and Steph's accidents I sometimes felt like I spent more time at St. Francis than I did in my own home.

She looked at a little harried, gave me a tired smile and asked, "What do you need Detective?"

I was so tired I almost asked how she knew I was a detective, before I realized my gun was still on my hip and my badge was hanging on a chain around my neck. Instead I asked, "Is Stephanie Plum still here?"

"She was treated and released."

"Thanks," I replied, turning to leave. Knowing Steph loathed hospitals, I wasn't surprised she wasn't here, I'd just catch up with her at her apartment.

"I didn't say she wasn't here."

"What?"

"I only said she was treated and released, not that she left."

"Steph's still here?" I asked, shocked.

Exasperated, the nurse replied, "I can see why you're a detective, you don't miss a thing."

Controlling my temper, I inquired, "Where is she?"

"Recovery room three."

Now I was confused but only said, "OK."

"Do you know where that is?"

"Yes, unfortunately I know exactly where that is," I replied, as I turned and headed into the hospital.

I wondered what Steph was still doing here. She wouldn't step foot inside a hospital without being forced and usually made her escape as quickly as possible. She'd irritated more than one doctor by leaving without being discharged. Why was she still here?

The only reason for her to be here was something I really didn't care to think about…she was here for Manoso. I really shouldn't be surprised. After he was shot by Scrog she didn't leave the hospital until she knew he'd pull through and when she finally did leave it was only for a few hours before she came back. She left long enough to shower and eat. When I suggested she take a nap she said she could sleep later and returned to his side.

As I rounded the corner, I could see one of Manoso's men guarding the door. Stopping in front of him, I met his gaze and asked, "Is this your boss' room?"

"Yes."

"Is Stephanie inside?" I questioned, as we continued to stare at one another.

"Yes."

I refused to be intimidated by this goon and informed him, with a glare, "I am going to go in and see her."

"You bother either of them and I'll toss you out of here so fast it will make your head spin."

"Try it," I replied, continuing to look him in the eye. I refused to be the first to look away. It was a male dominance thing and I knew it was stupid but I refused to be "eye fucked" by this guy. I heard someone make a derogatory comment about men, as we continued our staring contest. Whoever it was pushed us out of the way, effectively ending our impromptu war of wills, as they entered the room.

"Don't tempt me."

Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves, I silently pushed the door open. The sight that greeted me stopped me dead in my tracks.

'I was right,' I thought. 'Oh God, I was right.'

She was here for him but I had been prepared for that but not the spectacle before me. Steph was in bed with Manoso, curled up next to his uninjured side, her face buried in his neck, while she held on to him for dear life. His eyes were closed but he was gently stroking her hair as she slept next to him. The love they felt for each other was evident to anyone who looked at them.

"Mr. Manoso," I heard the nurse say, as she checked his IV, "she shouldn't be in bed with you."

"I don't care," he answered as he continued to stroke her hair.

"It's against hospital policy," the nurse began, before Manoso interrupted her.

"I don't care. She stays or I leave."

"You haven't been discharged."

"I'll leave AMA."

"Ranger," I heard Steph say groggily, interrupting the argument.

"Babe." I hated hearing him call her that.

She lifted her heard from his neck and asked, "What's going on?"

I realised they hadn't notice me yet when Manoso answered, "Just the nurse."

"Ok." Steph just snuggled closer to his side.

"I need to check his wound," the nurse informed Stephanie.

With a nod of understanding, Steph started to move away from Manoso, but he grabbed her arm and stopped her, saying, "Don't leave Babe. I like to feel you lying next to me in bed."

Without a word she lay back down next to him and he pulled the blanket back over both of them. Unable to take anymore, I sucked in angry breath, effectively making my presence known. I stared at them while my heart broke, shattering beyond recognition, to the point I'd never be able to put it back together again. Finally I closed my eyes, took a couple quick, deep breaths and tried to make it all go away.

'This isn't happening,' I thought. 'I'll open my eyes and it will be a mistake. Steph will be sitting in a chair next to the bed.'

But when I opened them the same sight haunted me. She had not moved an inch, still lying next to him in bed. We stared at one other, not knowing what to say, what could be said. At last, without a word, I turned on my heel and left.

The action seemed to break the trance and I heard Steph call after me, "Joe!"

I continued down the hall without stopping. I did NOT want to talk to her right now. Maybe later, after I calmed down, I could talk to her but not now.

I heard her chasing me down the hall and I heard her cry, "Joe, please," but I didn't break pace.

Finally she caught up with me and grabbed my arm, forcing me to stop. "Listen to me?" she begged.

"Cupcake," I sneered, shaking off her hand, "I don't want to hear anything you have to say. I think it was self explanatory."

Turning, I stalked off down the hall and I didn't slow as she began to cry. I heard her try one last time, "Joe!"

Shaking my head, I just threw up my arms and continued down the hall. She had shattered my world. I needed to be as far away from her as possible. It felt like a weight settled on chest and I couldn't breath. Picking up my pace I headed towards the doors and fresh air.

Exiting the hospital I took big gulps of polluted Jersey air but it did nothing for the pain in my chest. The pain seared through and I thought I might be having a heart attack. Walking across the parking lot, I used the remote to unlock my Trailblazer and climbed inside, shutting the door behind me. I leaned forward, resting my heard against the steering wheel and tried to rein in my raging emotions. When that didn't work I started beating my fists against the wheel, venting my frustrations.

'How could she do this to me?' I screamed in my head. 'I thought she loved me.'

After a few moments I looked up and saw her standing in the emergency room door staring at me. Not wanting to be anywhere near her, I started the truck, threw it in gear and peeled out of the parking lot. I knew I'd have to talk with Steph some time but not here and not today. I just wanted to get as far from her as possible…