Okay, sorry I haven't been posting. I didn't get the idea for this chapter until I started to write it (which was today). I hope you like it, because I think it's pretty good.

All the mistakes are mine, the character's aren't.

I walked into the bonds office ten minutes later to find Connie and Lula with their heads together.

"Hi…" I said to them. They both looked at me, but didn't answer. "What's up?"

"You're my best friend, right white girl?" Lula said to me, hand on one hip.

"Yeah."

"You'd tell me everything?"

"Sure." Almost.

"Then you want to explain why you were dropping Batman off at his office early this morning?"

"He needed a ride?"

"Nuh uh. Not good enough. I feel like we're missing something. Don't you, Connie?" She asked. Connie nodded her head.

I sighed. They were going to find out anyway. "He stayed at my place last night."

"I knew it!" Lula punched the air. "Was it good?"

"I'd like to know how you two found out."

"We have an inside source."

Tank was dead.

"So are you going to answer? Was it good?"

"Was what good?" I asked, playing nonchalance.

"Ranger! He looks like he'd be good."

"Nothing happened."

They stared at me for a moment. "You're kidding right?"

"No, he came over, we had a beer and he slept in my bed. That's all."

"I don't believe this. You're finally a free woman and have Ranger in your bed and you do nothing with him!"

I shrugged. "I had a headache."

Connie and Lula rolled their eyes.

I sighed again. "You want the truth?"
They nodded.

"If this gets around Trenton, you'll never hear a word from me again."

"Got it. What's the secret?"

I sat on the couch and paused. Did I really want to share this with them? I decided I could use their help and opinions. Who knew my relationship with Ranger better?

"Don't worry, Vinnie isn't here yet. He had to bail someone out."

Good. I didn't even think of him. That made this easier.

"I know that Ranger and I have some chemistry," I started and Lula huffed. "What?"

"You two have more chemistry than the government's top secret lab."

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever. But I don't want just sex with him. I want a relationship."

Connie and Lula looked at each other. "And he won't give you one?" Connie asked.

I shrugged my shoulders. "We haven't exactly talked about it."

"Maybe you should. Get it all out in the open." Lula said.

"Maybe. But if I start a relationship with him, I don't want it to end up like mine and Joe's. We just fought all the time. I want something more with Ranger."

At that moment, Joyce decided to walk in the door. As usual, her clothes were skin tight and her hair was teased high. She had a hand on her hip and an evil glint in her eye.

"Vinnie and the dogs aren't here yet, Joyce." Connie said.

Joyce ignored her. "Did I hear you right? Are you dating Batman?"

"I never said that." I said.

She shrugged her shoulders. "It doesn't matter. All the men you date end up with me. So it's only a matter of time before Ranger comes crawling. I guess I'm more interesting."

Before I could reply and/ or beat the crap out of her, Ranger showed up. He gave me a small smile and headed for Connie's desk.

"Hello, Ranger." Joyce said her in what I assumed was her most alluring voice.

Ranger didn't bat an eye. He just continued to look at the files.

"Get anything you might need a woman's touch on?" She was putting her fake breasts against his arm. He finally reacted with a raised eyebrow. Everyone else would've backed up, but she continued to push them onto him.

Then, he did something she didn't expect. He backed away from her and joined me on the couch.

Then he put his arm around me.

I controlled myself to keep from cheering.

Joyce huffed out a breath and left the office.

"Damn, I smell sulfur." Connie said. Lula nodded and went back to her magazine.

Ranger then stood up and grabbed my hand. He pulled me into the alley and started to chuckle. Well, chuckle on the inside. His eyes were ever so slightly crinkled.

"What the hell was she doing?" He asked me.

"Trying to see if she could get into your bed." I said, frowning.

"Why are you frowning? It's funny."

"Not really." I huffed, crossing my arms and looking at the ground. "She said that I wasn't interesting and that all the men I slept with would eventually go to her."

"Babe, look at me." He said, gently putting his finger under my chin. "She was wrong. You are very interesting."

"But I don't do doggy or butt stuff. I'm sure she does more than…"

"Did you hear me complaining when we were together?" He asked me.

I thought about it. "No…"

"Because I was completely satisfied that night. You just need to be you. Leave the crazy stuff to her. But if you ever want a lesson…" He trailed off, wolf grinning at me.

I rolled my eyes. "I'll let you know, but don't hold your breath." I paused. "So you wouldn't sleep with her?"

"Babe," he said, biting my earlobe. "You know better than that. I like brunettes, not redheads."

He gave me a swift kiss on the lips and then was gone.

Once again, I reached the hospital before Ranger. I sat down in my usual seat and pulled out my book. I'd caught two more skips and would be able to pay my rent this month. Go me!

"Please tell me you're not really here again." I heard a voice say. Celia's. "I think you're here more than I am."

I looked up at her. "Is that a bad thing?"

"Considering I'm actually related, yes. You're making me look bad."

I shrugged. "I'm just here for moral support."

"Good. Carlos needs it."

I needed to set something straight. "We're not together, you know. We're just friends."

"I know that. If you were actually dating, then we'd probably never see you. You and my brother would never leave a bed."

I blushed. "Thanks, I think."

"It's a complement. You two have so much pent up energy, I could cut it with a knife."

If I had a nickel every time someone said that to me, I'd be rich.

"I'm betting you'll be together soon enough though." She looked at her watch. "I'm going to go visit my father."

I wanted to believe her, but the reality was I could be waiting forever.

"Hey," Ranger said.

Speak of the devil…

"Hi. Celia just went back there." I said, nodding to his father's room.

"Good. We need to talk."

Okay, please don't shoot me! I left it like this more for me than for you guys. To hopefully get the muse going again. It keeps taking vacations. Hopefully more soon.