Disclaimer: As usual, all characters are the property of JE. I am making no money yada, yada, yada

WARNING: For Adult Content & Language. Not Cupcake Friendly. I don't know why, but even when I don't intentionally try to hurt Joe I still manage to rip him to shreds. Sorry!

CHAPTER 2

SPOV

Beep. Beep. Beep. Ugh! That stupid alarm clock! Where the hell was it? I didn't want to get up and go to work. I must've really tied one on last night if my pounding headache was any indication.

I reached out and tried to turn off the alarm when I heard a male's voice that stopped me cold.

"Cupcake, what are you doing? Stop that or you'll pull out your IV's," he scolded.

Opening my eyes slowly, I slammed them shut when the light hit them. Damn, that hurt.

"Cupcake, open your eyes. Your parents will be back any minute. You've had them worried sick." He reprimanded again.

Who the hell was this asshole? I wondered as I finally opened my eyes and looked at the man with the annoying voice. I immediately recognized him as Joe Morelli.

"Hey, Cupcake! How are you feeling?" He asked as he leaned over to kiss me.

I leaned away from him. "Did you not get the hint when I ran you over with the Buick? What the hell are you doing here? And better yet, what am I doing here?" I asked him, as I realized I was in a hospital room.

He stared at me blankly. "What are you talking about, Cupcake? You were in a car accident."

"Would you stop calling me that? It's a bit tacky; don't you think?" I asked just as my mother, father, and grandmother entered the room.

"Oh, Stephanie! You're awake. Thank goodness. You had us so worried." My mother sighed in relief as she made her way around the bed. "Joe has just been a wreck." She chided

"Why exactly is Morelli even here, Mom?" I asked, getting more confused by the minute.

"Well why wouldn't your fiancé be here?" She asked incredulously.

"My WHAT? What are you talking about? Since when is he my fiancé?" I exclaimed.

They all looked at me like I'd lost my mind, but before anyone could say anything, the hottest man I'd ever laid eyes on walked into my room.

"Hey, Babe. Good to see you up and about." He said, smiling at me.

After I finally stopped drooling over the amazingly gorgeous man staring at me, it occurred to me that he was speaking to me. "Do I know you?" I asked curiously.

The look I saw on his face was only there for a split second, but it was enough to make me want to jump out of my bed and wrap my arms around him and tell him everything was going to be okay. It looked like I'd broken his heart and turned his world upside down all at once. But just as quickly as the emotion was there, he replaced it with a blankness that gave nothing away.

"You don't recognize me?" He asked softly.

I shook my head no.

"I'll go get your doctor." He informed me as he turned and left the room.

JPOV

Unfreakinbelievable! Only Stephanie Plum. I should be at work right now. I just got my new promotion, but no I have to be at the hospital being the dutiful boyfriend. This would've never happened if she'd been at home with me like she was supposed to be.

I looked up as a chubby little man in a white coat walked in the door followed closely by Manoso. I would've loved the fact that Stephanie had totally forgotten who he was if it wasn't for the fact that she seemed to be back to hating me for the Tasty Pastry incident.

I stared at Manoso for a few minutes, trying to get a read on him, but as usual there was nothing going on behind that inhuman face of his. I'll never understand why Stephanie can even consider him a friend. He's nothing but a ruthless killer and I plan to use my promotion to prove that to her and the rest of Trenton. I'd actually already put that plan in motion.

He must have realized I was looking at him because he slowly turned and focused on me. I turned my gaze back to Stephanie.

"Miss Plum. I'm Dr. Nicolas. Do you mind if I examine you?" He asked. She nodded her consent. "Call me Stephanie or Steph, Dr. Nicolas.

While he looked her over he started asking her a few questions. "What is the last thing you remember, Stephanie?"

She seemed to blush for a second and mumbled something that no one understood except evidently Manoso because he smiled.

"I'm sorry, Stephanie. I didn't catch that." He informed her kindly.

"I just bribed my weasel cousin for a job." She ground out, sounding annoyed.

I heard her mother gasp and her father smiled, looking proud. I had no idea what he would be proud of. That was what started her on the path to the humiliating life she'd been living the past few years.

"What's the date?" he asked.

"Um, I think it's April 12, 2006?" (Author's Note- I realize that in Plum world it was like 1998 or something, but that just doesn't work here so I'm taking a little creative license)

Great. This is just great. I've spent the past four years getting this woman to finally agree to marry me and just when I've managed to finally wear her down, she goes and gets herself in an accident and manages to wipe out the last four years of my work. This is just what I need. Why does she always have to fuck everything up? Can't she for once in her life just do things the easy way?

She could have just stayed at my house night before last and agreed to marry me and she wouldn't have gone to work yesterday and this never would've happened; but no, she always has to think about herself. It's never about what I want; it's always about her independence.

I swear to God if I have to spend the next four years of my life wearing her down again, then I will strangle her.

"Well, Stephanie, from what I can tell, it looks like you have what's called retrograde amnesia. It's fairly common after a mild head injury. You're very lucky that last night's car accident didn't cause you more serious injuries. You only suffered a few cuts and bruises and a mild concussion. Your memory should come back on its own in the next few days. I'd like you to stay until tonight and as long as there aren't any other complications, you should be able to go home after that. You'll just need to take it easy." The doctor finished as he stood up and left the room.

I looked down at my watch and realized I really needed to get back to work.

"Steph, I need to get to work. I'll be back to pick you up and take you home when I get off shift." I told her.

"I'm not going anywhere with you." She snapped as she turned her icy glare my way and stuck out her chin defiantly. I wasn't in the mood for her attitude.

"The hell you aren't. You are my fiancé. And you are coming home with me."

"Oh, really? Then where the hell is my damn ring?" She asked holding out her hand towards me.

"It's just a formality." I told her. I could feel my face getting redder by the minute. I didn't have time for this shit.

"Well, I will NOT be leaving with you – ring or no ring. So you can take your demands and shove them up your ass! I'm not your fucking dog. You don't tell me what to do. I may not remember the past four years, but I do know who I am and I'm not someone who lets herself get bossed around, at least I sure as hell better not be!" She yelled angrily.

I moved towards her bed, but stopped when Manoso stepped in front of me. "Get the hell out of my way Manoso. This doesn't concern you."

"Stephanie's well being always concerns me." Manoso replied quietly and coldly.

"She doesn't even know you." I smirked at him.

He just stared at me. "And?"

"I don't have time for this. I'll be back." I told her.

"Thanks for the warning!" Stephanie yelled as I walked out the door.

I swear that woman's nothing but a pain in the ass.