Disclaimer: All characters are borrowed from JE, the title is borrowed from Bon Jovi

Thank you for all your wonderful reviews, I appreciate the feedback immensly.

Haartelijk bedankt Stayce, I couldn't have done it without your help.

Warning: Bad language and adult content

Keep the Faith

Chapter 17

Maybe it was because it had happened to me so many times before, maybe the experience had made me smarter, in any case, I remembered what had happened immediately when I came to.

Well, okay, so I wasn't smart enough to avoid getting stun-gunned, but at least I knew what had happened when I woke up feeling like I had been on an all-night bender, ready to throw up.

I kept my eyes closed and even suppressed a groan while I quietly assessed the damage. I could feel my hands and feet were tied, and some sort of tape had been slapped over my mouth. 'Please don't let it be duct tape,' I prayed, because that had a tendency of taking a few layers of skin with it when it was ripped off. Of course I refused to think it wouldn't be ripped off.

As soon as whoever was with me noticed I was awake, they would probably want to talk to me. They'd tied me up to talk to me, not to rape and kill me, I tried to tell myself.

I didn't notice the blindfold over my eyes until I tried to slowly open them. At least they hadn't used duct tape for my eyes. But the darkness didn't exactly calm my nerves.

I could tell by the noise and the vibrations that I was on the floor of a car, and I seemed to be alone.

So I focused on taking long even breaths through my nose and trying to pick up any tell tale noises. I could hear traffic rushing past, so maybe we were on a highway?

I wondered if I'd gotten into the same mess if I had waited for Ranger upstairs. The two guys had been waiting for the elevator when I came downstairs so chances were they would have knocked on my apartment door a minute later. And I would have opened because I would have expected Ranger.

So that made me less guilty of getting kidnapped, and probably more guilty of knee jerk reactions and inability to be aware of my surroundings, I shouldn't have barged downstairs, I should have waited upstairs and opened the door for nobody but him.

It was important that I got that figured out before I had the talk about it with Ranger. I assumed Ranger was close behind us, or at least closing in, so we'd have this discussion soon. And he'd asked me what happened and why I hadn't waited for him.

Except the car or van or truck I was in didn't seem to be slowing down. We didn't make any turns either, it felt like we were just going straight at pretty high speed. Every now and then, I could feel it bumping, like we were going over a pot hole, but the speed never seemed to change.

Probably Ranger was following to see where we'd end up so he could round up the kidnappers. I absolutely refused to think Ranger had no idea where I was right now, that he had missed the vehicle speeding away with me inside.

Once I got used to the steady hum of the engine and the vibrations of the chassis, I thought I could hear voices as well. So I was alone in the back, and the two guys were up front? That would mean I was in a van or something, right? I grunted in frustration, admiring Helen Keller more by the second.

I rolled around slowly until my bound hands touched the floor. I felt metal and dirt, so not an SUV or car then. And what did it matter, anyway? Unless Ranger had seen us speed away or one of the guys had picked up my purse and brought it along, it didn't matter what kind of moving object I was in. I knew that, but it still helped calm me down to focus on something, to feel like I was gathering information.

I needed to focus on something else besides the cold fear that was sneaking up on me. This hadn't been the first time I'd been stunned, and sadly not even the tenth time I was kidnapped. These men had come out of nowhere. I wasn't chasing a criminally insane skip, I didn't have a stalker, I'd had no warning, and I had no clue who they were.

I tried to see the irony in it, tried to imagine Ranger's smiling face as he told me I needed to be more aware of my surroundings, but I couldn't do it. When I thought of Ranger, I felt tears prick my eyes, as if there was reason to believe I'd never see him again. Which there wasn't, I was quick to remind myself.

The sound of something hitting the van with a loud 'zing' brought me back into reality and I opened my eyes in shock although all I could see was black. It had definitely sounded like a bullet embedding itself in the metal chassis. Someone was shooting at us!

Oh thank God! This could only mean Ranger was behind us and closing in.

Now I could hear shouting from the front, but I couldn't hear what was being said, only that there were two people. So probably the two suits had acted alone.

A window exploded with a loud crash and a million pieces of glass rained down on me. I couldn't hold back a scream and my lips pulled painfully on the duct tape.

There was more shouting from the front and now it was loud enough that I should have understood at least some words, but I didn't. Either I was losing it or they were talking in a foreign language, but I was too panicked now to figure out which.

I heard tires screeching and a moment later, I was thrown against the side panel when the van made a sharp turn, I hit my head hard and saw stars dancing against my closed lids. I tried to hold on to something, but my grasping hands found no hold.

The next turn was in the opposite direction, the tires were screeching, and I was sure the driver took the corner on two wheels as I was catapulted across the empty cargo area against another wall.

I pulled my knees up in an effort to shield my face, but the van hit a pot hole at that moment and my knee knocked into my chin. I tried to run my tongue over my teeth to check if they were still all there, but I didn't get that much time.

We had clearly left the highway, as the van was now turning often, rocking me against the panels. Since I had nothing to hold onto, I was bumping up and down with every motion.

We made another turn and I banged my shoulder against the side, but what had me truly scared was the sound of the back door flying open. I couldn't clearly locate it, I just knew what general direction it was it. One more sharp turn could have me rolling out of the van, only to be run over by whoever was following us.

I heard a crashing sound as if we were breaking through a fence, I felt airborne for a split second and then I was turning so fast that I lost sense of up and down.

With final Bang! we stopped so suddenly that I was slammed against the front. I fought the fog for a moment, but then all sounds seemed to be coming from far away.

The first thing I heard when I came to was Ranger's voice.

"Stephanie!"

For some reason he was yelling. And why was he calling me by my full name? I couldn't recall Ranger ever yelling my name. There was a lot of shouting, but Ranger's voice was the only one I understood clearly.

"Querida, please, open your eyes."

It was still Ranger's voice, but it didn't sound like him. He'd never, ever sounded so forlorn, so pleading. Maybe this was a dream.

I felt his strong arms around me and I really wanted him to lift me off the cold floor. I wanted to tell him that my eyes were open, that I just couldn't see because of the blindfold, but opening my mouth seemed like a lot of effort and I just wanted to sleep.

"Babe…stay with me," Ranger said and his voice still had that pleading undertone. "Please…"

More voices joined in, I thought I heard Tank, but couldn't make out what he said. I tried to remember what had happened to make me lie on the ground and Ranger plead with me, but thinking made my head hurt more.

Now I could hear sirens slowly coming closer and I knew they were coming here. I also knew that if I told Ranger I was okay, he might not send me to the hospital, so I made another effort to speak.

"Don't move her, man," a familiar voice said and Ranger, much closer than the voice, growled in response.

"I mean it, she could have a spinal injury, don't move her." It was Bobby. What was Bobby doing here? This had to be a dream. "The ambulance is here, let them take care of her."

"Babe," Ranger whispered, his mouth close to my ear. "Wake up. Open your beautiful eyes. Look at me." His hand squeezed my shoulder when he said it again. "Please."

I heard his voice, but it seemed to be fading. The darkness surrounding me became…blacker in a way, although I hadn't thought that was possible, and instead of the shouting voices, I now just heard a buzzing hum.

The tone in Ranger's voice broke my heart, he sounded so desperate, and I just wanted to tell him I was okay, he needn't worry about me, but I couldn't find the strength to speak. I felt him squeeze my hand now and I tried to squeeze back, but I didn't know if he felt it. Finally, I gave up struggling and let myself fall. The last thing I heard was Ranger's breath catch in his throat.

From the moment I saw Joe standing in the doorway to my bedroom, I knew I was dreaming. And immediately, I felt a pain in my chest as if I'd been punched hard and I felt like crying.

"Hey Cupcake," he said as he came in and sat down on my bed.

For a long minute, I just stared at him and drank in the sight. My subconscious hadn't forgotten the slightest detail. He was dressed in a grey t-shirt and a green flannel shirt, untucked over blue jeans.

His dark hair needed a cut, it curled a little over his ears and at the nape of his neck. And the crooked smile he sent me and the aged whiskey color of his eyes was the way I would always remember him.

Although I knew I was dreaming, I wasn't in control of what I said. That probably doesn't make any sense, I can't explain it better because up until then, it had never happened to me.

I was just thinking what I should say or do when Dream Stephanie spoke.

"You're gone," she/I said and Joe nodded.

"I know," he confirmed and his smile seemed sad now.

I felt tears sting my eyes and I remember not being able to tell whether I was happy to see him or sad that he was gone.

"Are you coming back?" that Stephanie asked him next, which I thought was a pretty stupid question, even if I'd asked it. Joe looked at me, just holding my gaze, and then he slowly shook his head.

"You need to get back, Steph. It's not your time."

"My time for what?" I asked, but he didn't respond, he just got up and reached for me as if to hug me. And then he sort of…faded.

My clock radio started beeping, which I thought was odd because I had it set to radio, but I hit the snooze button anyway. Maybe if I managed to go back to sleep, Joe would come back to explain.

But the beeping didn't stop. It wasn't a fast beeping either, but maybe it just sounded different to me because I never had it set to buzz. I hit the snooze button again, but the unnerving tone continued.

Bob trotted into the room and nuzzled my hand, except his nose was completely dry, and he took my entire hand in his mouth.

I didn't realize I was still dreaming until Bob started talking, and at that point I made an effort to open my eyes.

The beeping hadn't been my alarm clock, it had been the heart monitor next to my hospital bed, as I realized when my vision slowly became clearer.

Tubes and wires were attached to various parts on my body, but I couldn't feel any pain. My eyes followed one of the tubes from its stand by my bed into the back of my hand and that's when I saw Ranger was holding my hand.

As if in slow motion, I drew my eyes upwards from our hands to his face.

He was smiling as he took my hand in both of his, and his eyes shone with unshed tears. It was this sight that made me struggle harder to wade through the remaining layers of sleep, something awful must have happened for Ranger to show this much emotion.

I wanted to ask him what had happened, but only a hoarse croak came out of my mouth.

The smile reached his eyes as he turned to the nightstand and picked up a plastic cup with a straw. He bent down to thread the straw between my lips and I drank greedily. The cool water soothed my dry, scratchy throat.

"More?" Ranger asked when I had emptied the cup.

I shook my head 'no'. "Why am I in the hospital?" I asked, my voice now audible, but still a bit hoarse.

Ranger put the cup back on the nightstand and took my hand again. "How much do you remember?" he asked.

He ran his thumb over my palm and that was suddenly the nicest feeling in the world. "That feels good," I said, smiling. "Where did Morelli go?"

Ranger's response wasn't what I expected. He frowned and bent down to me again. "How much do you remember, Steph? Stay on the subject. When was the last time you saw me?"

I frowned and searched his eyes for any explanation, since I had no idea why he was pushing so hard. It took some effort to concentrate on what he'd asked.

Very slowly, my memory came back. "This morning," I said. "Before your meeting."

Ranger snorted, but there was no humor in it, it sounded sad. He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and looked me in the eye. "You were in an accident. You're at St Francis hospital, ICU unit, and you've been unconscious for 48 hours."

I blinked a couple times while I tried to comprehend what Ranger had said. My thoughts were racing now and I opened my mouth a few times to respond, but no words came out.

Ranger got up from his chair and sat down on the side of my bed, still holding my hand.

"I thought I was gonna lose you, Babe," he whispered.

"You're here for me?" I asked, but that wasn't what I'd wanted to say at all. I wanted to understand what had happened and what was happening now, although I was beginning to get what had Ranger so concerned. So I'd meant to ask if he'd been here the entire time I'd been unconscious.

Ranger smiled again and cupped my face in his hand. "Yeah, I'm here for you."

"I did think it was nice when you held my hand," I got back to the earlier conversation. "I didn't mean to change the subject."

Ranger brushed his lips over mine. "I'm sorry. The doctors…" he leaned back to look me in the eye again, "I've heard a lot of different opinions about whether or not you would wake up at all and if you did what condition you'd be in. Then you woke up and…didn't make sense. I guess I panicked. I'm sorry I snapped at you."

I swallowed as his words sank in. "Whether I would wake up or not?"

He nodded. "Do you remember anything about the accident?"

I started to shake my head but then images filled my head and I closed my eyes.

Ranger squeezed my hand. "You staying with me this time?"

"I'm trying to remember," I said, starting to get frustrated. "Help me out here. Just a hint?"

"Well the last time you saw me, I did this," he kissed my lips lightly, "and this," he ran a trail over my jaw bone over to my ear with his tongue. "Ring any bells?"

I smiled and wrapped my free arm around him, holding him to me. His warmth seeped into me and I inhaled his scent deeply.

"That part I remember," I said, resting my head on his shoulder. I felt Ranger chuckle and relaxed as I tried to concentrate.

"I went to Newark in the afternoon," I continued.

Ranger nodded, the motion rubbing his hair against the side of my head. "Then what?"

"Lester. Lester called. Later, I mean. He said you were coming over."

"And I was. Only I got there when a van sped out of your parking lot, I must have been seconds too late."

"But you're here now. You got me, right?"

Ranger pulled back and reached for the call button. "I was supposed to alert the nurses as soon as you woke up," he explained. "But I had to make sure you were alright first."

"You got me out, right?" I repeated. It wasn't like Ranger to change the subject on me, that was my method.

A knock on the door interrupted us, the door opened and a male nurse entered. He nodded at Ranger and smiled at me. "Look who's awake," he said on a wink. "I'm Toby."

A woman in a doctor's coat followed.

"Hi I'm Dr. Ramirez," she said as she walked over to my bed. She was short, maybe 5 feet, and I put her in her mid-forties, and she looked like she knew what she was doing.

"How're you feeling?" She took a pen light out of her breast pocket and approached me.

Toby checked my IV fluids and made sure the machines were working correctly, then he took my chart from the foot of my bed, scribbled a few words and handed it to Dr. Ramirez.

"I'm fine," I lied. I knew I was supposed to tell a doctor the truth, but that always made them keep me longer. I had a killer headache, my vision was kind of blurry, I was sore all over, and I didn't remember how I'd gotten here. Even I knew that couldn't be good.

Dr. Ramirez shined the light into my eyes and checked my chart. "You have a very bad concussion," she said, looking up. "To be honest with you, I was hoping you'd wake up, but I wasn't sure you would."

I swallowed. So she was not one of the doctors who sugar-coated it.

"I have a headache," I conceded. Ranger cleared his throat next to me, and I knew he knew I was downplaying it.

Dr. Ramirez nodded. "That's to be expected. We're going to run some tests on you. You were quite lucky, Stephanie. Do you remember how you got here?"

I shook my head, deciding to go with the truth.

Dr. Ramirez made some notes. "What year is it?"
"2007."

She nodded again. "What is the last thing you remember before waking up here?"

I could answer her because my conversation with Ranger had brought some memories back. "A friend called to tell me Ranger was on his way over."

Dr. Ramirez looked at Ranger and he nodded. She made some more notes.

"You were unconscious for two days." I nodded. "You're going to have to stay with us for at least another day until we get all test results back and until we can run an EEG on you. Would you like to see your parents now?"

I nodded and smiled weakly. "Sure."

She finished up her notes and stuck the chart back into its holder. "Toby will get your for the EEG in a little while and I'll be by later to discuss the results," she said and smiled for the first time. "If all goes well, I can release you to rest at home in a couple days."

I beamed at Ranger when the doctor left and he shook his head exasperated. "You only just woke up from a coma and already you're thinking of going home?"

"If all I have to do is rest, I might as well do that at home," I argued.

"Not your home, Babe. It's not safe enough."

I looked at him expectantly, hoping he'd explain, but the door opened any my parents barreled in. Well, my mom and Grandma Mazur barreled in, Dad closed the door behind him before he followed.

"Kidnapped and two days in a coma," Mom exclaimed. "Probably I lost five years of my life since I heard, we were worried sick!"

Dad shook Ranger's hand and they took a few steps back to let my mom and Grandma Mazur fuss over me.

I just smiled at my mom and assured her I was feeling much better, I knew I'd made her worry, and Grandma Mazur confirmed how much Mom had been stressed out.

"Course when Ranger called, we knew you were in good hands," Grandma said and squeezed my hand. "I told your mother he'd take good care of you."

She leaned in for a moment. "You can be proud of your friends. Carl Costanza is out there keeping the cops off your back, told them you needed to feel better before they could question you! And there's a very big hunk guarding your door. I'd say your safe."

Toby came in minutes later to usher everybody out. "It's been very exciting for her, she really needs her rest now," he said. I thought he'd make a great Merry Man, he already had the determination, not even my mother dared to object.

Dad hugged me and told me to feel better soon, Mom promised she'd pick me up and take me home as soon as I was well enough and Grandma Mazur said not to worry about Rex and Bob, they were taken care of.

I sank back against my pillow with a sigh when they left. Toby threw a glance at Ranger.

"Everybody out, doctor's orders," he said, but he lowered his glance when Ranger stared back. "Give me five minutes," Ranger said and turned back towards me. Toby shrugged and disappeared.

"What did you mean my apartment isn't safe enough?" I picked up our conversation.

He took my hand as he sat back down on the bed. "Let me fill you in on what happened. If you want to know, that is?" He raised a questioning eyebrow.

"You know I do," I said. His thumb was running circles on the back of my hand and it felt really nice and relaxing.

"We don't know who kidnapped you," Ranger started, focusing his dark eyes on mine.

"We got onto their tail as soon as they left your apartment, but we followed a couple car lengths behind so they wouldn't make us." He rubbed his chin and did his version of a sigh. "They ran a red light and the cops followed them. When they didn't stop, the cops opened fire."

My eyes widened as I finally remembered. "The gunshots," I whispered. "We swerved and crashed?"

Ranger nodded and took my face in his hands. "I don't know what they aimed at, but they took out the rear panel window, and then a tire. The driver lost control and swerved onto the shoulder, the van was too top-heavy and fell over on it s side."

Ranger's voice was shaky and there was so much emotion in his eyes, I felt tears sting my own. He brushed his lips over mine and I closed my eyes when he pulled me to him. At that moment, I understood he'd feared for my life.

"I thought you were the one shooting," I said and put my head on his shoulder. "I should have known better, huh?"

I could feel Ranger smile. "If I had been the one shooting, the driver wouldn't have gotten away."

I pulled back to look at him. "The driver got away?"

He nodded and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "We know there were two, but they were gone before we got to the wreck. And then my priority was on getting you out, honestly. I have the best two teams on it though."

For some reason, I'd just assumed my kidnappers had been caught and arrested. Of course my life wouldn't be that simple, what was I thinking?

I sighed. "So really, we're no further than we were last week. We don't know who or why?"
Ranger got up and looked at his watch. "They're gonna kick me out of here in a few. I'll be outside until they let me back in, okay?" He ran his index finger over my check and kissed me lightly.

"You focus on getting better. Tank is in charge of.." he chuckled, "Operation Bombshell."

I rolled my eyes. No need to ask who'd come up with that name, whoever it was had all the others in stitches for sure.

He kissed me one more time, but again it was a friendly kiss, no tongue, no groping hands. I knew he was trying to be careful because I wasn't feeling well, but I thought I'd feel much better if he got me hot and bothered.

As soon as Ranger left, Toby came back in with a wheelchair. "They're ready for your EEG now," he announced and stopped the wheelchair right next to my bed. Ugh.

Ranger and Bobby were seated right outside my room and Ranger wanted to come with us, but Toby told them he was in charge of me now and only patients were allowed where we were going anyway.

I was wheeled to the EEG, then I was wheeled to have blood taken, then I was wheeled to X-Ray. I was totally exhausted at the end of it and fell asleep on the way back to my room, leaving me wondering who'd tucked me into bed when I woke up.

Even before I opened my eyes, I knew Ranger was with me. It wasn't just a feeling, it was a sense of security and warmth that I only got when he was near me.

"Hey," he said and smiled when I looked at him. He entwined his fingers with mine and stroked the back of my hand with his thumb. "Feeling better?"

Actually, I did feel better. My headache was only a dull throb anymore and I could see clearly. I nodded and squeezed Ranger's hand. "Much."

I looked towards the window and noticed it was dark by now. "How long was I asleep this time? I didn't lose another day, did I?"

Ranger leaned in and brushed his lips over my forehead. "It's only nine-thirty. Same day."

Perfect proof I was getting better, I was down to losing hours, not days. I sat up and my stomach grumbled loudly. "Did I miss dinner?"

Ranger's smile widened as he cupped my face in both his hands and kissed my nose. "I'll get you food, don't worry."

Even though it was hospital food, dinner tasted wonderful. After dinner, I pulled Ranger into bed with me and I was finally comfortable when he molded his front to my back and his arm was draped tightly around me.

"They're not gonna throw you out again, are they?" I asked as I snuggled into him.

"No, I have an arrangement with Toby now," Ranger said and I could hear the smile in his voice. "Plus, they'd have to get past Bobby."

Ranger was carefully avoiding all tubes and wires that ran into me and held me around my waist.

"Do you remember anything else? Did anything come back?" he whispered, his mouth close to my ear.

"Great Kisser," I said as the name hit me.

"Hmm?"

"I got an email, that was the sender, Gr8t Kissr," I explained. "I didn't take it seriously at first…"

"Babe."

I sighed and covered Ranger's hand with mine. "I know. Then I had a voicemail at home, I think it was the same guy."

"I'll have Tank pick up the tape. What did he say?" Ranger was still calm. I love how he always knows what to say and just how to say it. If his tone had been accusatory, I would have probably shut down.

"The email just said 'I'm watching you'. I thought it was a prank or something."

"You should have told me," Ranger said. I nodded and he put his head on my shoulder. "I'm sorry I didn't stay with you, I should have postponed the meeting."

"You sound like me now," I teased him. "How do you figure any of this is your fault?" I half-turned so I could look into his face.

He was smiling. "You're a bad influence."

Then his mouth was on mine and this time the kiss was more than friendly, it was warm and full of promise.

"I can't wait to get out of here," I whispered against his mouth and could feel Ranger smile in the dark.

"You make it hard to remember you're hurt."

"Stay with me?" I suggested. "Makes no difference if you're on the uncomfortable chair or here in the bed with me."

Ranger stilled. "I don't think that's such a good idea. One of us will fall out as soon as the other turns. And since you're the one moving in her sleep, the falling one would be me."

I snaked my free arm around his neck and pulled him as close as I could. "I love you," I said and buried my face in his neck.

No 'why didn't you tell me', no 'why weren't you more aware of your surroundings', there was only concern. And instead of reminding me I had a tube sticking into my hand that could easily be ripped out when two people shared a twin bed, he made light of the situation.

He was right, of course, he often woke up without any covers because I was either rolled up in them or had pulled them off the bed at some point during the night. And I usually woke up on top of him.

He kissed the top of my head and held me to him. "I love you, too. And hold that thought, if Dr. Ramirez clears you, we'll share a big bed tomorrow night."

Ranger slowly pulled back and tipped my head up with his hand under my chin. He kissed my forehead, my nose, and finally my mouth, then he slid off the bed and turned on the bedside lamp.

I pouted and made a disappointed noise in the back of my throat, but then I smiled to show him I was kidding.

I fell asleep alone in my bed, but with Ranger holding my hand from the chair he'd pulled up as close as it would go.

Ranger had to leave early in the morning. "Junior's in charge," he said as he kissed me. "Let him know if you need anything. I'll take a shower and catch up with Tank, then I'll be back."

I knew he hadn't slept much the night before, he looked tired, but I couldn't bring myself to tell him to stay home, I needed him with me.

"Okay," I said and hugged him quickly. I couldn't wait to see the doctor and get the hell out of St. Francis. With any luck, I could leave before my family invaded again.

Junior waved through the open door when Ranger left to show me he was there, but he didn't come inside.

Toby brought my breakfast and announced I could shower if I felt up to it. He 'disconnected' me carefully and explained that, if everything went well, I wouldn't need my IV and monitors after midday anyway, because I'd be discharged.

Dr. Ramirez came by shortly afterwards, when I was back in bed, to tell me the tests all went well. I'd have to stay in bed, not drive or go to work, but I could leave the hospital if I promised to be good.

I'd never been so fast to promise anything.

She reminded me I still needed to check in with my regular physician and make sure I got follow up x-rays and tests, but I hardly listened. I was too anxious to put on real clothes and go home. Home to Ranger's apartment, home.

She told me she'd get my discharge papers ready and be back. I jumped out of bed as soon as she was gone and rushed to tell Junior the good news and borrow his cell phone to call Ranger.

"Good news, Babe," he said as soon as I told him. "I have something to finish up here and then I'll come get you. Unless you'd rather ride with Junior?"

"Nope, I can wait," I said. I liked Junior, but I wanted Ranger, even though I knew it was selfish. "Whenever you're ready. And can you bring me some clothes?"

"I like you better without them," Ranger chuckled and disconnected. I stuck my tongue out at the dead phone and returned it to Junior. By the time I lay back down, I was dizzy and exhausted. So Dr. Ramirez hadn't been exaggerating, I realized.

Ten minutes later, I'd tamed my hair into a half-assed ponytail and was changing out of my hospital gown into the sweats and t-shirt Junior had bought for me at the gift store. He said Ranger was on his way but would come straight here from a job, so he wouldn't have time to pick up my clothes. That was fine with me, as long as I didn't have to wear the johnnie anymore, I was happy.

I was lying in my bed, staring at the ceiling and waiting for Dr. Ramirez to come and allow me to leave, reviewing what I'd pieced together.

I was still trying to 'see' the faces of the two guys that had kidnapped me so I could give the cops a good description, so I closed my eyes and concentrated, the way Ranger had told me to, step by step from the moment I'd woken up that day.

A knock on the door interrupted my efforts. Doctor Ramirez entered, followed by a tall blond doctor. He was about twenty years her junior and looked a few feet taller. Next to Dr. Ramirez, he looked like a giant.

"Stephanie, this is Dr. Hartung. He's an intern from Germany and he asked to review your case because he's looking to specialize in head injuries and..."

Her pager went off at that moment and she excused herself. "I am needed in the ER," she said after checking the readout. "Thomas, I'm sure you'll be okay here, let me know if you have any questions."

She smiled and me and was gone before I had a chance to ask her how much longer I'd have to wait for my papers. I reminded myself not to be too impatient and sent Dr. Hartung a smile. He had picked up my chart and was studying it.

"So, you want to run some more tests?" I asked, crossing my fingers that the answer would be no.

He shook his head and looked up at me. His blue eyes were cold as he studied me. Slowly, the corner of his mouth quirked up.

"Zat von't be necessary, Stephanie," he said and for some reason, my spidey sense was tingling. His voice seemed so familiar.

"Ve know all zere is to know about you."

TBC

A/N: Sorry this update is late. Please let me know if you think Steph deserves a break or if her troubles should continue...I left it open to get your input!