Disclaimer: Janet Evanovich owns all rights to the following characters. This story is intended only as artistic exercise and I am in no way profiting financially from it.

Warning: This story contains adult themes and language. Babe story.

Intentions of the Heart

Chapter 2: False Pretenses

Previously:

Ranger…

I didn't know what awaited me in Trenton but the possibilities were terrifying. Three months could have changed everything… nothing, hell I didn't know what to expect. All I knew was that I had wasted far too much precious time and that I would fight for her, for us, with everything I had.

Three months prior…

Stephanie…

I don't know how long I laid awake in the dark, swaddled in a cocoon of cotton and still failing to find comfort in their warmth. My wild curls tumbled across the pillow beneath my head, spilling into a rippling sea of chestnut as I peeked out into the night from the safety of my covers.

When I was a little girl I was petrified of the monster that surely hid beneath my bed. I smiled despite myself as I remembered the nights that I slept with my tiny feet tucked beneath my little body, afraid that my toes would be nibbled on if they strayed too close to the edge.

Sometimes I wished I could go back to those carefree days of my childhood, when my only fear was just a harmless product of an overactive imagination. Real life, I had learned,was filled with much scarier things than make believe.

I stared blindly into the dark for what felt like an eternity, the stillness of my body in stark contrast with the whirling pace of my mind. I never understood why life's problems seemed so much worse at night, like a force that fed and grew on the stillness of those quiet twilight hours. While the world slept, I tossed and turned restlessly, exposed and vulnerable to my own wayward thoughts.

Sleep had always been a favorite escape of mine. It was all too easy to drift away in peaceful slumber, leaving my problems to conquer another day. But sleep eluded me then, the hurt and anxiety that bubbled within me wouldn't allow such a gracious reprieve. My self-defense mechanism had finally failed me, and I had never felt more helpless and alone.

As if on cue, the locks tumbled and I knew, without looking at the clock, that it was a quarter past midnight. I closed my eyes, feigning sleep, listening for any sound of my visitor; but his movements were as silent as the morning fog, slowly creeping along, unseen and undeterred. Though I knew when he was near, the tingles on the back of my neck betrayed him, announcing his noiseless presence.

Ranger had been distant and withdrawn for several months prior to that night, the time frame correlating with my most recent break up from Morelli. I had harbored a secret desire to pursue a real relationship with Ranger, to allow our friendship to progress naturally into something more. But the more I pushed, the further he pulled away, and the rejection was crushing. I mourned the loss of the man who stood mere feet from where I pretended to sleep. But unlike mourning a death, I held no hope of closure or eternal perspective to grant me the acceptance to heal. Instead my love for him lived on, and my heart withered and died a little bit more each day.

On the rare occasion that we were alone together our conversation was formal and strained; playful banter and stolen kisses exchanged for calculated indifference and awkward moments. It hurt so much to have him so close, yet so far away. I had never felt so much pain and loss over any relationship, let alone one that never really had been. It felt as though I was losing a part of myself, the future that I would have given anything for … and worst of all, my best friend.

Yet, his late night visits had become a daily routine. Every night he sat in the chair opposite of my bed until dawn, his silent presence resonating throughout the room. In the beginning, every night was the same; he would sit quietly, content to keep his distance. But then his visits changed. He became bolder, more brazen and almost desperate in those quiet moments. When he thought that I was asleep and unaware he would kneel next to my bed, whispering in Spanish, his voice rough and low and heartbreakingly tender. I couldn't understand his words, but his tone and timber was so laced with love that it told me all that I needed to know.

I desperately wanted to ask him what he was saying, to force him to admit his feelings for me … but, I was scared; terrified that if I confronted him he would never come back; and that I'd lose all that I had left of him.

That was not a risk that I was willing to take.

That night had been a disaster; a culmination of months of living behind false pretenses finally came to a violent head. What started out as a typical distraction job turned into a living nightmare … one that I would never forget...

The skip was charming and charismatic, the perfect combination to prey on unsuspecting women. I was nearly fooled by his carefully crafted façade, his laugh and smile seemingly genuine and inviting; though my instincts screamed in warning and I battled the urge to recoil away from his dangerous touch.

I imagined that it was Ranger's strong hands tracing the bare skin of my back, pulling me closer, running his fingers through the curls at the nape of my neck; a technique that I often used while "entertaining" a skip. I told myself that it was only to make the job easier; to make my responses more natural... and, for the most part that was true. But, that night I was so wrapped up in the illusion that I could almost hear Ranger's quiet laughter, a sound that I cherished above all others, a sound that grew rarer by the day.

As we danced the world seemed to fade away, and for a moment I lost myself in the warmth and strength of those foreign arms; like a defenseless lamb finding comfort in the jaws of a hungry wolf, I let his body wrap itself around my own. It had been months since I had been held that way by a man and unthinkingly I melted into his touch. We swayed back and forth, the rhythm of our bodies keeping time with the beat of the music. I let my eyes drift shut, lost in images of smooth mocha colored-skin and deep chocolate eyes.

I shivered as warm lips traced the shell of my ear and wanted nothing more than for Ranger's voice to whisper all the things that my heart yearned to hear.

"My place or yours?"

I opened my eyes reluctantly, raising my head from where it was rested on his chest; my fantasy dissolving under the grating sound of the skip's voice. I looked over his shoulder, not wanting to look into the eyes of that soulless monster any longer than I had to.

I gasped quietly as my gaze locked with Ranger's. He was standing by the bar, the low lighting making him look every bit of the dark, mysterious man that he was. I was stunned by the raw emotion pouring from his eyes and I couldn't bring myself to look away. An unfathomable expression of sadness was clearly displayed on his handsome face and my eyes filled with tears as I looked at him; his pained expression mirroring my own. It was as if he had read my thoughts, and I was instantly ashamed of my weakness, of my desperate craving for his love and affection. I felt so fragile and transparent, as if at any moment I would crumble under the weight of his stare.

But, God, I missed him; so much that I physically ached from the separation between us.

Ranger's jaw tightened as his gaze moved to the skip's mouth still whispering in my ear. I felt his large hand cup my jaw and yank my face roughly towards him; his lips crushing mine in a bruising kiss. I could sense the jealous edge behind his movements and I knew that it didn't escape him that my thoughts had strayed elsewhere. This was not a man to be ignored.

I could almost feel his control wavering, the false veneer slipping away to reveal the inhumane beast within. My skin crawled with disgust at our closeness and I prayed that he wouldn't feel the wetness on my cheeks or the frantic race of my heart as I fought to maintain my cover. I cringed as his free hand moved down my backside to the hem of my dress, slipping underneath to trail his fingers up the bare skin of my thigh.

I struggled to break free from his grasp, smiling as seductively as my nerves would allow; shaken by Ranger's intense stare and the skip's suddenly aggressive behavior. "Your place," I answered, as I tried to futilely to tug my dress back into place. He brushed my hand away roughly and moved his own back to the edge of my panties, undeterred by my obvious discomfort. I stifled the urge to scream and grabbed his hand through the thin silk of my dress, stalling his uninvited explorations. "Not here, baby," my voice trembled and I hoped that he would misinterpret my fear for breathless excitement.

He smiled sickly, and tightened his hold around my waist with his other arm. I felt his body respond perversely to my rejection of his advances, his eyes told me that "No" wasn't an option and that my resistance would only encourage him further. He liked his victims to fight, to struggle and I could see it in his eyes that he was feeding on my fear like the devil himself. My eyes flickered back to Ranger's, willing him to see the naked terror hiding behind my own.

He must have gotten the message loud and clear because I watched as a tumultuous storm brewed in his nearly obsidian eyes; his hands clenched into fists, his body shaking with barely contained rage as he took a step towards us. I thought for a moment that he was going to blow our cover, rush forward to intervene and tear the skip's head from his shoulders; but, with the legendary control that only Ranger seemed to possess, he took a deep, shuddering breath and faded back into the shadows.

"Change of plans."

I flinched slightly as Ranger's voice growled into my tiny, obscure earpiece. "Alpha team, fall out. Babe, the rally point is now at the back exit, I'll be waiting for you there." I held his gaze, nodding infinitesimally in acknowledgement. I was confused by the sudden change in apprehension strategy, the spontaneity not matching his typical formulated rigidity, but I knew better than to second guess his decisions.

"You're not a tease, are you, baby?" the skip questioned, grinding his hips forcefully into my own. "It's not nice to tease, you know." His hands gripped my hips tightly, painfully, in a twisted attempt to prove his dominance over me. "Maybe I'll have to show you what happens to naughty girls who like to play games?" He tried to keep his tone light and seductive but the undercurrent of hostility was anything but.

I bit my lip, hoping to disguise the grimace that threatened to spread across my face as a coy smile, "I'm only a tease if I don't follow through… and I definitely plan onfollowingthrough tonight, handsome. But, for what I have in mind we might want to go somewhere a little more… private."

The skip smiled darkly, looking absolutely ravenous, like a wild animal about to feast on a bloody, still-warm corpse. A chill shot down my spine as I thought of what he liked to do with a little privacy; an abandoned warehouse, a beautiful woman, a six foot stretch of rope and the crushing strength of his bare hands.

He took my elbow and yanked me none too chivalrously towards the front entrance and I stumbled in my four inch heels behind him. I could feel his impatience, his vile need propelling him forward to his next fix.

I dug my heels into the ground, pulling back on his hand with all of my strength. He looked over his shoulder at me and narrowed his eyes into slits. He wouldn't be kept waiting any longer, he was too close to euphoria, he could taste it. "Problem?"

"No! No problem," I lied, "but do you care if I drive? I'm parked out back and I don't want to leave my car here over night. It's new, and I haven't had a chance to get the alarm installed yet..."

I could tell that he was intrigued by the prospect of the night's additional spoils. After all, according to his plans, the only transportation I would need… ever again… was a single ride in the back of a Hearse.

"Sure, baby, whatever you want," he purred, hauling me up against his body and whispering into my ear, "I can't wait to get you alone… you have no idea what I'm gonna' do to you."

I was thankful that he didn't wait for me to respond before leading us through the crowd in the opposite direction. It was all I could do not to sprint though the door, screaming in my desperation to reach safety.

I followed him through the exit into the alleyway, squinting as my eyes adjusted to change of lighting. The door had barely clicked shut before the skip was slammed back into the building with shocking force. Ranger's hands wrapped around the man's throat tightly, his fingers curled like claws, digging into the tender flesh of his enemy's throat. The skip stared at Ranger with wide, bulging eyes, caught off guard by the unexpected attack as he struggled in vain to breathe.

Ranger leaned in closely to the stunned man, spitting venom through his teeth,"Si atockas a me vieha otra ves te mato!" * If you touch my woman again, I'll kill you!*

Ranger's right arm pulled back before snapping forward repeatedly, in rapid succession, pounding his fist mercilessly into the skip's face and stomach, each blow rocking the man's body back into the brick wall he was pinned against. Blood spurted from his nose and mouth, spraying the asphalt beneath their feet in crimson colored rain.

I watched the scene in gruesome fascination, the horror of the moment taking on a nightmare-like quality. I was frozen in place, my legs heavy and seemingly cemented to the ground; unable to scream, scarcely able to breathe as the scene unfolded before me.

Ranger had always been the epitome of self control and restraint; every word, every action, carefully measured and deliberate. Seeing him that way, so unbridled and violently savage was disconcerting. I stumbled forward with wide eyes, my hands covering my mouth in shock.

I finally understood why his men treated him with trepidation and cautious respect. When unleashed, he truly was something to fear. It was like watching the awesome power of nature, uncontrollable, unpredictable and completely unstoppable.

To say that I was frightened would be a gross understatement. I was terrified as I watched the situation quickly spin out of control. I knew that Ranger could easily kill that man, and honestly, the world would have been a better place without him, but I couldn't risk losing Ranger over that worthless, disgrace of a human being.

The skip's weight sagged unnaturally into the wall behind him, his eyes rolling back into his head as his mouth hung open limply; the whites of his eyes glowing under the reflection of street lights above.

"Ranger … Ranger! Stop! Please! You'll kill him!" I screamed hysterically, finally finding my voice. My words didn't seem to faze him though, and he continued his brutal assault. "God damnit, Ranger, STOP! He's dying!"

A blur of black raced past me and obscured my vision as Tank and Lester grabbed Ranger from behind, pinning his arms to his sides. Ranger fought wildly against them as they struggled to contain him; his chest heaving with each ragged intake of breath.

"Easy, Rangeman," Tank whispered soothingly, "Bomber's right here. She's okay, she's safe now, Carlos."

I watched as the burning rage slowly dimmed from his eyes, rational thought finally eclipsing the animal instincts that had consumed him. He met my gaze, his body trembling with the aftershocks of adrenaline that pumped through his system. He took several slow, calming breaths, his sharp eyes immediately scanning my body for any sign of injury.

He nodded to Tank and Lester in silent command to release him. They reluctantly did so, but never moved more than arms length away, and continued to watch him closely. I was thankful that they wouldn't allow him do anything that he would regret later on.

Bobby sprinted around the corner of the building with his medic kit in hand, his steps faltered and his eyes widened as he took in the macabre scene before him. "Whatthe fuck happened?" he sputtered, "We can't take him to the station like this! He's unconscious for God's sake!"

Bobby knelt over the skip's body that was slumped into an awkward heap on the pavement, his skilled hands probing the man's battered face and neck. "Christ … you broke his fucking jaw, Ranger! How the hell are we going to explain this …" his rant trailed off as his eyes met Ranger's cold orbs.

"Clean him up," Ranger growled in response. "I don't give a fuck what you tell them, but if you want to deliver that sack of shit alive, you'd better get him the fuck away from me! NOW." Bobby nodded silently and dropped his eyes to the ground; clearly not wanting Ranger's focus to rest on him any longer.

"Yes, Sir."

"He's lucky I didn't snap his fucking neck." Ranger hissed, popping his bloody knuckles as he glared murderously at the skip's unconscious form. "And if the cops have a problem … they can take it up with me."

"Boss… I can take Bomber home… ya know, if you need a minute or whatever…" Lester offered cautiously.

Ranger finally looked at me then, taking my elbow gently in his grasp as he led me towards the Turbo. "I've got it, Santos. Just take care of this mess." Lester nodded and the rest of Ranger's men didn't bother to question him. They knew without a shadow of doubt that I was safe in his presence. Even in his current state, Ranger touched me with careful tenderness. I knew that he would never hurt me… well... physically at least.

The ride to my apartment was filled with a heavy, oppressive silence, neither of us knowing where to begin, or what to say once a conversation was broached.

That night I saw a side of Ranger that he had fought so hard to conceal. A soldier, more machine than man, whose natural instincts and extensive training made him into a lethal weapon of war. I saw the darkest part of his being… and yet it changed nothing. I still loved him completely, the controlled businessman and the fierce warrior, the most refined aspects of his personality and the broken pieces. I realized in that moment that my love for him was unconditional, regardless of what was buried in his past.

I just didn't know how to tell him.

He led me up to my apartment, scanning each room meticulously before letting me enter. My heart shattered into a million pieces as he walked past me to the door, not even acknowledging my presence as he turned to leave.

I held in a sob as he paused with the doorknob in his hand, and I struggled to hold it together until he left. He dropped his head against the door, physical and emotional exhaustion etching lines of fatigue across his face. He stood like that for several long minutes, an internal war raging inside of him as he struggled to find the resolve to leave.

"I'm so sorry, Babe," he finally whispered, "I never wanted you to see me that way." The shame and regret that echoed through his voice was almost too painful to bear.

I closed the distance between us slowly, timidly resting a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Shhhh … Ranger, you have nothing to be sorry for. It's okay. No matter whatI will always-"

"Stop … please … I can't … we can't do this," he croaked, nearly begging as he flinched away from my touch.

I snatched my hand away from him as if it had been burned, words of love dying on my tongue. He wrenched open the door and walked out without looking back. I stumbled backwards into the wall, my legs suddenly unable to sustain my own weight. I slid bonelessly to floor, curling protectively around my aching heart, and sobbed.

The faint rustle of fabric startled me from my thoughts and brought my focus back to my dark bedroom and the presence of my silent visitor. I closed my eyes tightly and focused on keeping my breathing steady as he approached my bed. He knelt down beside me, gently brushing his lips across my temple, my hair, my neck; a whisper of a touch that was both heartbreakingly tender and bitterly sweet. A single tear rolled pitifully down my cheek, wetting my pillow and I prayed silently that he wouldn't notice my traitorous tears.

"Por favor perdoname. Yo diera todo para ser el hombre que usted merecerse ... Te amo mas queto sabreres. Espero que encuentre la felicidad. Adiós, el Bebé. " *Please forgive me. I would give anything to be the man that you deserve ... I love you more than you'll ever know. I hope you find happiness. Goodbye, Babe.*

He had spoken to me that way dozens of times before, but this was different somehow. His voice seemed to hold an unfamiliar quality to it, his tone ringing with the finality of a goodbye. My heart raced frantically in my chest, paralyzed with confusion and frightened by his ominous tenor.

He placed another lingering kiss to my cheek, breathing me in, as if it were the last time that he would ever have the opportunity to do so. I laid there crippled with panic as he rose to his feet, noiselessly exiting the room. My mind screamed for me to run to him, to make him stay but I couldn't find the strength to move.

I immediately felt the loss of his presence, the last flicker of hope dwindling inside of me. I listened to the lock engage from outside of the front door, the faint "click" sounding like the piercing "CRACK" of a judge's gavel, sentencing me to a life of "what might have been."

I sat up frantically in bed, desperately clutching the sheet to my chest as my heart fluttered wildly. I had to do something. I just couldn't let him go without a fight. I threw the covers off of my legs, and stumbled shakily towards the front door. I burst into the foyer, not bothering to shut the door behind me as I ran to the stairwell. I took the stairs two at a time, cursing my trembling legs for their slow pace as I descended to the main level.

I rushed out into the deserted parking lot, bare foot and shivering as the brisk morning air nipped at my exposed skin. I watched as the tail lights of the Turbo faded into the distance, my hopes and dreams fading away with them.

I stood there, frozen in place until the first rays of dawn stretched across the sky. I fell to my knees; a strangled sob escaping my quivering lips…

"I'm too late."

The next day he was gone, off on another impossible mission to save the world… Maybe being in love with a superhero wasn't all it was cracked up to be after all.

*Sooooo… Thoughts? Comments? Tissue, Anyone? : (

*Thanks for reading : ) I hope you enjoyed it. Btw, I got a whole bunch of PM's from people who weren't able to leave a review on ff. If you reviewed the chapters the first go around, you won't be able to leave another one IF you are logged into ff. You can leave a private review and if you sign it with your pen name then I can respond back to you. I just thought that might be easier than emailing me for those of you who wanted to review the new stuff as well. Thanks for the support : ) ~ Jen