Title: Saying Goodbye

Author: Robin

Disclaimer: I still don't own them…

A/N: Thanks for all of the great feedback on this story! I love to hear what y'all think.

Rating: PG-13, for the moment.

Chapter 8

Stephanie

As Ranger answered the phone, I realized I was glad I hadn't eaten anything yet. I was feeling a little nauseous at the thought of what was happening on the other side of the conversation and of course, I couldn't get a lot of information from this side of it. So far all Ranger had to say was, "Yes… Miami…. It's a personal matter," and then, "Yes," again.

I sighed, wishing I could hear what Joe was saying. A moment later, Ranger held the phone away from his ear, Joe's bellows coming from the speakers and I immediately longed to take back my previous wish. I couldn't quite make out the words, but I could tell that Joe was not a happy camper.

Apparently Ranger was better at interpreting angry Italian male than I was (and you'd think I would've had plenty of practice by now) because when Joe took a breath between rants, Ranger put the phone back in place and replied. "I remember the conversation, Morelli. But I don't recall agreeing to anything of the sort." I had to admit, I was dying of curiosity and at the same time, maybe it was better if I never knew what they were talking about.

Ranger left the phone at his ear, so I guess Joe had reverted back to relatively normal volume levels. After a short pause, Ranger spoke again, saying, "You can try, Officer Morelli." There was menace in Ranger's voice that I'd only heard directed toward the bad guys. What it told me was Ranger was pissed. Full-on homicidal anger that he managed to keep locked down, but it radiated off him. And what I also knew was that Ranger had enough to worry about without having my personal life make his life more stressful. Not for the first time, I wondered if maybe I should've stayed home.

Ranger directed his attention to me, not bothering to mute the phone or cover the mouthpiece. "Babe, would you like to talk to Morelli?"

While I wasn't wild about the two of them talking to each other, presumably about me, I didn't really want to take the phone. Judging by Joe's current mood, I thought that maybe we should talk in like, say, a week when I got back to Trenton, or maybe in a few months when his temper had cooled off. I shook my head at Ranger, eyes wide, making the kill sign across my neck.

He replied with a raised an eyebrow either in question or in challenge, I'm not sure which. I guess he didn't want me to take the coward's way out.

I really, really didn't want to talk to Joe, but I sighed heavily and reached out for the phone. Ranger handed it over and started up the truck, pulling out of the lot and hopefully directing us to somewhere I could get one last meal before Joe reached through the phone and strangled me.

"Hello?" I asked, rather tentatively.

I was answered by heavy breathing on the other end. If I didn't know who it was, I'd swear I had a new secret admirer making obscene phone calls. Actually, the fact that it was Joe on the line and not some stalker was almost scarier. Gulp.

"Joe?" I asked when the heavy breathing continued. I considered playing that the call had been dropped. But who was I kidding. This was Ranger's phone I was using. His network wouldn't even think of dropping a call. Nothing but the best for him. He'd probably get service on the Moon.

"Can you tell me what the hell is going on, Babe?" Joe's angry voice interrupted my thoughts. Apparently he'd used the breathing time to get little control of himself, because though the tone was harsh, the volume was normal.

"I'm going to be out of town for the next few days," I said lightly, as if this was news to him.

"Is there something more you're not telling me?" he asked. I could tell he was gritting his teeth.

I hesitated, not exactly sure what he was going for, "No." It came out a little less confident than I'd have liked.

"Are you sure, Stephanie? Because your actions are speaking pretty, damned loudly."

"I don't understand what you're talking about. I'm helping a friend. That's all there is to it."

"Just think, Stephanie. If the situation was reversed and I left town with some woman without telling you and you had to hear about it from your mother, who overheard it from the busybodies down at the market, how would you feel?"

I swallowed a lump. I'd be upset. I'd be hurt. I'd be out for blood. It would be a lie if I tried to deny it. But, if I admitted all of that out loud, I wouldn't be me. Instead I went on the offensive. "Ranger isn't just some guy, Joe. He's my friend. You're making this into a bigger deal than it is."

"No," Joe retaliated, voice rising. "He isn't just some guy. He's a guy who wants to get in your pants, Stephanie. Christ."

No, I thought (to myself luckily), actually Ranger was a guy who'd already been in my pants and was so impressed, he sent me right back to you. Out loud, though, I just reiterated my point, "Joe, you're making too much of this. Ranger is my friend." I glanced over at Ranger then, but his head was turned away, jaw clenched, staring out the window as we idled at a red light. It felt really weird to be having this conversation in front of him. But, I didn't have much choice. It was a big truck, but there was only so much space. The thing was Ranger and I didn't really discuss my relationship with Joe. It was always there keeping us apart and our hormones mostly in check, but we didn't talk about it. It felt odd letting him see how Joe and I handled our differences.

"Joe," I said, softening my tone, trying not to act like an ass in front of Ranger, "I'm not sending you any messages. Ranger needed my help, I'm helping him. I'd do no less for any of my friends." Of course, I kept it to myself that my feelings for Ranger went deeper than friendship. I didn't really want to get into that with either man right now.

"You know, Steph, I hear what you're saying, but I think we both know there's more going on here. And I've tried to be patient and I've tried to tolerate the situation, but I'm reaching the end of my rope. I don't think this relationship is big enough for the three of us anymore."

"What are you saying?" I asked, feeling dread in the pit of my stomach.

"It means maybe its time you decide what you want." He blew out a long breath and I could almost see him running his hand through his hair. "I'm tired. Of the games. Of the back and forth. I want to settle down with you. I want you to want that, too."

Oh, hell. This conversation was veering into dangerous "commitment discussion" territory really quickly. "Do we have to do this now?" I asked, maybe a little huffy for someone who was trying to make peace, even if it was just for the benefit of the audience. I mean, come on, I avoided all thoughts of committing to Morelli on a good day… and today was not shaping up to be a good day. Frankly, the best shot Morelli had of getting me to commit to more than we had right now was to bring it up during the three minutes of orgasmic afterglow following a round of balls-to-the-walls sex. Of course during those times, Joe's desires ran more towards a meatball sub or a nap, not a ring and a marriage certificate.

"Fine," Joe said, getting huffy right back, but at least he wasn't yelling. "We won't do this now. But soon. You can't avoid this forever, Stephanie." Huh. Shows how well he knows me.

"Sure, Joe," I said, relieved and aggravated at the same time, but he had already disconnected.

"Yeesh," I said, staring for a moment at the display reading Call Ended. I closed the phone and handed it back to Ranger who took it without looking and slid it back into its holster. Glancing over at him, I tried to get a read on what he was thinking. Yeah, right.

He was in his driving zone, or whatever, but he was more on edge than normal. Who could blame him, though? He'd been through a lot so far today and we hadn't even had a decent meal, yet. We drove several city blocks before he spoke.

"I can call the airline and arrange a ticket back for you," he said finally. He was again staring out the window, still not looking at me.

I reached over and laid my hand on his leg, just above his knee. It was tense under my fingers, but relaxed after a moment. "I want to stay. Unless…" I hesitated, not wanting to be sent away, but not wanting to be a burden. "Maybe things would be easier with me out of your hair?"

It felt like forever before he answered and I was about to slide my hand away when he clasped it in his. "I want you here, Babe. Don't ever doubt it."

I squeezed his hand in mine, feeling a flush of warmth from his words.

TBC