A/N Still not mine, still not making any money. Thanks to everyone who's been reading and reviewing!

Steph," Lula started, with real concern in her voice, "Ranger's home. He got back yesterday afternoon. Tank and I just assumed he was going to see you last night. He said there was someone he needed to see and he would be offline until this morning."

Well, hell.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

I tried to absorb what Lula was saying to me. Ranger was home? Thank God! He'd made it home safe. I felt my heart lighten with relief and a smile cross my face. I had missed him and worried about him. But why didn't he let me know he was home? Normally I was one of the first people that Ranger saw when he made it home. Ok, he only got home yesterday, and it's not like we're a couple, right? But somehow it hurt a little. I know I shouldn't expect anything, but still, somehow it hurt. It didn't override the fact that I was relieved that Ranger was home, but it was just there.

Lula was still watching me with a concerned look on her face. "Uh, Steph, we probably just misunderstood. He probably just meant he was going to be home, uh, alone, and, well, he, uh, he just got home yesterday, and uh…" she stammered.

"It's ok, Lula. Look, Ranger isn't under any obligation to let me know his whereabouts. I'm just glad he made it home in one piece. You know I've been worrying." I figured Lula and Connie weren't buying my calm response, but it was all I could get out. Besides, it is the truth, as crummy as that might make me feel.

"Well, right, Steph, sure. Hey, Connie and I were just heading out to the mall for some serious Christmas Party Shopping. Wanna join us?" The idea of shopping had put Lula back at ease. She smiled so eagerly that I couldn't help but respond in kind.

"Sure, Lula," I said with a smile, "that would be great." The Rangeman Christmas party was in two days, and I hadn't got anything to wear yet. Tank was in charge of the arrangements this year, since Ranger had been gone. He had rented out the upstairs of the Trenton Elk's club. Lula had been helping him, and had booked Sally Sweet's band for the night. It sounded like it was going to be a blast, and I was really looking forward to it. I had hoped Ranger would be home in time. Ok, I was hoping that he'd be home, and I'd be his date. Ok, ok, I was hoping he'd be home in time, I'd be his date, and then we'd go back to his penthouse and have wild monkey sex, but I didn't need to share THAT information with the girls!

With a laugh, we headed out. Macy's, here we come!

Four hours and way too much money later, we were done. A little retail therapy had been just what the doctor ordered. I was over being upset, and moved on to just being thrilled Ranger had made it home. We collapsed at a table in the food court, surrounded by our bags. We had all found just the right dresses, shoes, and accessories. "Steph," Lula laughed, "I can't wait to see Batman's face when he sees you in that dress. It'll make him speechless!" We all laughed at that one. Ranger doesn't do small talk. Ever.

Of course, that got me thinking again. Maybe I should call him? Or stop by Rangeman and say hello? Or just wait for him to call me? I just wanted to see him for myself. Make sure he was ok. Let him know I had missed him. My thoughts were interrupted, though, by the gasping of the women at the surrounding tables. I looked up to see a sea of black heading our way.

Tank, Lester and Bobby pushed their way to our table and squeezed in. "Hey, Bomber, how was the bossman this morning?" Lester asked with a grin. His grin froze, though, when he saw the expression on my face.

"Well, Lester, I wouldn't know. I haven't talked to the man in two months. But I hear he made it home safe." I tried to keep my voice even, but suddenly I was feeling bitchy. Why did everyone think that I would have seen Ranger. Geesh. It's not like we're dating! Now I was irritated.

"Sorry, Steph," Bobby broke in, "we just assumed he had stopped in. You're usually his uh, first stop, and uh..." Great. Now Bobby was stammering.

"Really. Its ok, guys. I'm just glad to know he's home safe," I tried to convince my friends. And myself. "I'm sure I'll hear from him soon."

Tank quickly turned the conversation to the upcoming party, and I was grateful to him for that. The guys were at the mall to pick up their clothes for the night, plus a little last minute Christmas shopping. What a picture that painted! Who knew Rangemen shopped? Guess I just figured Ella shopped for them, too.

After lunch, the girls and I rode back to the office so I could pick up my car. There had been no new skips, so I motored off to Rangeman to see if my inbox was stuffed yet. Yeah, that's why I was going there. I'll just keep telling myself that. I was only interested in doing some searches. Uh Huh.

I parked in the garage, but noticed that the Turbo was gone. Damn. Looks like Ranger wasn't home. I was hoping to accidentally run into him. Maybe he'd get back before I left. I could accidentally run into him then. But, unfortunately, three hours later, my butt was numb, my mind was spinning, and still no sign of Batman. I briefly considered waiting for him up on 7, but decided that didn't feel right, so I headed on home.

By 10 o'clock, I still hadn't heard from Ranger. I was nervous and jumpy, like I was 16 and waiting for my prom date. Finally I decided to just call him. I dialed once, but hung up before it rang. What was I going to say? I dialed again, but again, hung up. Why hadn't he called me? Ok, this was stupid, I called a third time, and it went straight to voice mail. I hung up before leaving a message. Maybe I should just send up the bat signal. This was crazy. I've never had a problem talking to Ranger before. Why did it feel so strange this time? Disappointed, I took a shower and went to bed. Sleep was slow to come.

The next day came and went. Still no sign of Ranger. I tried not to read too much into it. I tried not to let it hurt my feelings. I tried to pretend it didn't matter. I tried to keep myself from driving over to Rangeman and throwing myself at his feet. I shuffled through my routine, avoided Rangeman for the day, went home to my empty apartment, and went to bed. Alone. Alone. Alone. I am so pathetic.

Finally, the day of the big party arrived. I was going to work the morning picking up a skip, then take the whole afternoon off to get ready. I had a hair appointment with Mr. Alexander, then home for the works. By the time I had shaved, buffed, moisturized, powdered and primped, I had worked myself up into a state. Why hadn't I heard from Ranger yet? What was going on with him? Was he ok? Why was he avoiding me? He was avoiding me, right? Well, I guess I'll just ask him when I see him tonight. I kept reminding myself that I had no claim to Ranger. We were friends, nothing more. I was wishing my friend had called me, though! My thoughts chased through my head in an endless circle. Geesh!

With myself no closer to finding an answer to the question that is Ranger, I finished getting dressed. When I slipped the dress over my head and looked in the mirror, I smiled. I looked good. Hot, even. Ranger would love this dress. I had picked it out with him in mind. I had left my hair down the way he liked it. Minimal make-up, again the way he liked it. I was so happy he was home. I couldn't wait to see him. Now, if only he was picking me up, life would be really good. Instead, I had my dad give me a ride. Tank had arranged for a limo service to take everyone home. No need for designated drivers. Hooray. Margaritaville, here I come!

I walked in to the party and conversation seemed to stop around me. Huh? I looked around for my friends while I quickly scanned for Ranger. I saw Lester and Lula heading my way. They didn't look happy. What's up with that? About that time the crowd parted in front of me. Honestly. Just like in a movie. I looked up to see why. Ranger! Oh, God. There he was.

And he wasn't alone.

TBC