I don't own them and I'm not making any money. Also, thanks to everyone who's been reading and for all of the nice reviews and thanks Haleigh for proofreading for me!

What Happens in Vegas

Chapter 22

By dinner time, it was obvious I wasn't the only one beyond frustrated. We had nothing. Tank had decided to move up his deadline and go to PA tonight. He was taking Bobby and Junior. I was still begging to go along when Cal walked into the room where they were getting suited up.

"Uh, a package just arrived for Bomber. We scanned it for bombs but it's clean. You wanna come check it out?" He addressed all of this to Tank and I almost got angry over it. I just didn't have the energy any more though. So, I followed Tank and the guys to the break-room where a nondescript brown box was sitting on the table.

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"You can open it or I can," Tank said, interrupting my stare down with the box.

"I'll do it," I said, but didn't make any immediate moves towards the box.

It was from Harper, I knew that. I also knew that I didn't want to see what was inside. But what was inside may help us find Ranger, so I was going to look.

Finally convincing myself with promises of finding Ranger, I nodded my head and stepped towards the table. Half of the RangeMen were in the room now, watching. From the corner of my eye, I registered someone handing me a pair of scissors to open the box and I took them without looking away from it.

I held my breath as I sliced the tape. I had heard Cal say that the box was clean, but I still moved slowly, almost as if I still expected the box to explode. When I finally had the tape cut, I shut my eyes and lifted the flaps that held it closed. I didn't hear anything and none of the guys made a sound so I cracked one eye open.

There was a note, addressed to me, lying on a bed of packing peanuts.

We were already pretty certain we were looking for Harper, so I picked up the letter not worrying about contaminating it with prints.

Darling, or maybe I should say Babe,

I'm sure you've guessed by now that I've got your husband. In case you're actually worried about him, don't be, he's fine. Or would be if he'd cooperate. You know it's you that I want, I only wanted to punish him first for taking you from me. I'm willing to trade, you for him. Meet me at your old apartment tonight at midnight, and I know it's cliché, but come alone.

And another thing, tell your husband's goons to stop looking for me or I'll cut off something that won't grow back.

Until tonight,

Blake

I immediately dropped the letter and turned, intending to go straight to my apartment. Instead, I turned straight into Tank who had been reading over my shoulder.

"Don't even think about little girl," he said, wrapping his arms around me so tightly I couldn't move.

I was still struggling against him when I heard a muttered curse from one of the other guys.

I stilled and slowly turned so I could see the table again. Bobby was standing beside the box. The first thing that I noticed was that there were packing peanuts spilled all over the table. Next, I noticed what Bobby was holding. It was unmistakably Ranger's ponytail, still bound with the leather tie he always uses.

I felt nausea wash over me as Harper's line about cutting off something that wouldn't grow back flashed through my mind and I turned back to Tank.

"Tank, please let me go."

"No."

"Tank, please. I'm going to be sick."

He quickly unwrapped his arms and I ran for the trashcan, making it just in time.

When I stood up straight again, I saw all of the RangeMen watching me. They were looking at me like I was a bomb that was about to go off and I realized they thought I was going to cry.

Instead, I walked back over to Tank and stood in front of him.

"I'm going," was all I said.

"No, you're not."

"Yes, I am. I can make my own decisions. If you want, you can give me a tracker, but that's it. Just don't come get me until you have Ranger."

"Bombshell, I'm not letting you out of this building. Ranger wouldn't want you to do this for him and I'm not going to let you."

That did it. I exploded. I wasn't crying, though, I was yelling.

"What about Scrog! It's all right for Ranger to put himself in danger, to almost sacrifice his life for me, but I can't do the same for him?"

Lester and Bobby had cleared the room by now, so it was just them and Tank with me.

"Bombshell," Lester said, carefully coming near me. "I don't think Ranger could handle it if something happened to you. He let you in and it terrifies him. He loves you."

"And you think I don't feel the same way?" I whispered.

They were all silent for a while after that and then Tank nodded.

"We're going after Harper tonight. We have to come up with a plan and you're in if you want to be."

I started to speak and he held up a hand.

"But we're not using you as bait. The minute I think you're gonna run, I'm handcuffing you in Ella's apartment."

I shot him a pissy look, but didn't argue. I knew this was the best I was going to get and that Tank wasn't making idle threats.

"Let's get moving, then," Bobby said, interrupting Tank and my staring contest. "Harper should be at Steph's at midnight. That only gives us about five hours to make a plan, get set up and get in position."

That got the guys going and before I knew it I was sitting in a meeting room. All of the guys were present and Tank was about to get under way when there was a knock at the door.

"Come in," Tank barked, and I could swear I saw some hope on his face.

The blank mask slid firmly back into place when Detective Catori and Morelli walked into the room.

"I hope you're here to tell us you found something."

"Nothing definite," Catori said. "We found a dead dealer on Stark this morning. That's nothing out of the ordinary, but we also picked up a junkie who claims to have witnessed the murder. He's in withdrawal now and talking pretty freely. His description of the killer matched Harper, so we showed him a picture and got an ID."

"Got a name on the dealer?" Lester asked.

"Donnie Jones," Morelli said. "Why?"

"He was supposed to meet me last night, but he never showed. He was saying he had info on Harper."

"Would this be something that wasn't in his plan?" I asked Tank, remembering that we were watching for Harper to make a move he wasn't counting on and hopefully slip up.

"Yes it is, Bomber," Tank said and then gave me a warning look.

My ESP must have been working, because I realized he was warning me not to bring up the package and note we'd gotten this evening. He must think things are going to get legally gray.

The detectives didn't have much else to fill us in on. They had apparently been in out neighborhood and decided to stop in instead of calling. I appreciated the sentiment, but I could tell the guys weren't appreciating having the cops around when we were limited on time.

"Cupcake, can I talk to you for a minute," Joe asked when they were finally leaving.

I agreed and followed him and Catori to the garage. Catori wandered around, checking out the different cars, giving us some privacy.

"How're you holding up?" Joe asked after a minute.

"Okay, I guess."

"Right. Now tell me the truth."

"Most of the time it just doesn't seem real that this could happen to Ranger," I said.

"He is just a man, Steph," Joe said gently.

"I know." I didn't know how to explain that he was still my hero. And I didn't think Joe would appreciate hearing that.

I came out of my thoughts when I heard Joe swear softly. "Manoso's an idiot. If he can't see the way you look at him, he doesn't deserve you."

I must have crinkled my brow at that because Joe chuckled and pulled me to him. "You're one in a million, Cupcake. I guess I finally get that you're not the one for me."

"I'm sorry, Joe," I said. I really did love him.

"Me too. But better we figured it out now before it's too late."

"Yeah," I agreed.

Joe just held me for a minute after that and I relaxed in the comfort and familiarity of his arms. It felt good but it wasn't what I needed any more.

"I better go," he finally said. "We are on camera. I don't want your husband coming after me later."

"I'll protect you," I said before letting go and turning serious. "Thank you."

"You're always welcome." We both knew I was thanking him for more than the hug. I was thanking him for his support and for letting me go.

I watched him and Catori pull out of the garage before heading back upstairs. When I made it to the control room I found the guys looking busy, but I had a feeling that a few minutes ago they'd been watching me on the monitors.

"You two all right?" Tank asked when I finally found him, confirming my theory.

"Yeah. For the first time in our history, I think Morelli and I are on the same page."

"And, just to be clear… What page is that?"

"The one that says we'd never work out."

Tank cracked a smile at that. Only for a second, but I swear I saw it. "So, you ready to find your husband?"

"Hell, yes."

"Good. While you got rid of the cops, the boys and I came up with a plan."

"That was quick." I'd only been down in the garage for about fifteen minutes.

Tank shrugged and began to explain.

"We're going to keep making him mad. He sent a note, so we leave a note for him to find in your apartment. We make a counter-threat. He'll be angry, not focused and we can follow him back to where he's holding Ranger. After that, it's a simple extraction."

"That simple?"

"We hope."

"What am I going to do?"

"Right now, I want you to write the note. I don't think he's expecting you to be defiant. Just use all of that natural ability of yours to tick off psychos."

I rolled my eyes and thought about making a smart ass comment but headed for my cubicle instead. I started thinking while I waited for my computer to boot up. I'd received lots of notes from stalkers, but I'd never sent one. I didn't know what to say and couldn't think of anything I knew for sure would tick off Harper. In the end, I decided to keep is short and sweet with a dose of my Burg attitude.

Opening a word document, I began to type.

Harper,

By now you've realized I'm not playing your game. I want my husband back and I want him unharmed. You have until dawn to deliver him to me or I'm coming to get him. And if you cut anything else off, I'll cut off yours.

Stephanie Manoso

I printed the note off and went to find Tank. He quickly read it over and handed me a pen, telling me to hand write it to make it more personal. I did, and then handed it over to Tank again.

"Now what?" I asked.

"We drop the note off. It's unlikely, but Harper may be watching your apartment, so you should be the one to actually drop the note off."

I tried to quirk an eyebrow at that and failed. Tank just smirked before explaining.

"We don't want to alert him. But don't think for a second I won't be watching you. You'll be wearing a mike, earpiece, tracking device and panic button."

"Overkill much?"

"Nope. I fully intend to get Ranger back tonight. I don't want to bring him back just to have him kill me for getting you hurt."

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A/N: Sorry this is short, but school's busy and for some reason my professors keep giving me work :) Anyway, I figured something was better than nothing! Please review and let me know what you thought!