Sorry for taking so long guys. I've been kinda caught up in packing and getting stuff together for college next month. Joy! …Not. So, here is the second chapter of Broken Chances and I hope you enjoy!

DISCLAIMER: Again, I do not own Janet Evanovich's characters…does she?

CHAPTER TWO

I had only been a month since that fateful day in Pino's and the humiliation of Joe. He had still not forgiven her for that stunt and glared at her every time they ran across each other in the cop shop. It was only the presence of one of the Merry Men, or Ranger himself, that kept him from saying something to her. That all changed yesterday…

Stephanie had Mooner as a skip, again, and was stuck watching Leave It to Beaver re-runs all afternoon long. Ram was her shadow today and was called away when a robbery was reported at one of their high-priced condos that they provided security for. Since he was the only one not in the middle of something at the moment, he was dispatched along with Bobby and Cal to take care of the problem. This left only Mooner as her baby-sitter.

Around fifteen minutes after Ram was called away, there was a commercial break and Stephanie managed to persuade Mooner that they could leave now and get back before it came back on. One would think that he wouldn't fall for it, but he was in his 'happy place' and would have thought that they could go to Canada and be back before it came back on. Alas, he followed her out to the car and got in the backseat while she fought to make the car start, again. She still refused Ranger's offer to outfit her with a running car and held onto her independence, hince the sputtering waste of metal on wheels.

A lot of curses, threats, and bangs later, Stephanie managed to get the car to run, somewhat, and traveled to the cop shop, hoping to not have to put up with Morelli today. Entering the building, she drug Mooner to the desk and pushed him into the seat before collecting her check. She had called Connie on the way over and was waiting for her to re-bond Mooner when the 'Italian Stallion' graced her with his presence. Joy.

Stephanie stood looking out the window for Connie's car when a rude snort made her tense. She hoped against all hope that who was behind her was Robin and not someone else. She turned and began cursing to herself, muttering about dumb luck. Joe Morelli stood in front of her, feet braced apart and hands on his hips, smirking at her. She glared at him and looked back out the window, pointedly ignoring him.

She had started to carry her gun on her at all times-loaded. She hoped that she wouldn't have to use it today but unsnapped the holster just in case. Joe's gaze followed the movement and he raised his eyebrows at her in amusement.

"So, you plan to either ignore me or try shooting me with an unloaded gun? Funny of you since I know you wouldn't pull a gun on me in front of a bunch of cops. So, where is that bastard you think you're dating and his thugs? Busy screwing someone else? Is it true that they take their turns with you? I…" He couldn't get out the next bit of insults when a fist slammed into his stomach, knocking him into a knee that met his nose. He crumbled down, holding his nose, screaming insults and curses at her. She shook her hand for a second and drew back her foot, kicking him in the balls-what little he had. He keeled all the way over and was roughly pushed onto his back when she straddled him, gun in hand and against his temple. What he didn't know, and just found out, was that she had been training with Ranger and his thugs everyday in the gym and on the gun ranger. Needless to say, she was better than she had been before.

Joe heard the snick of the safety coming off and gulped, his eyes narrowing on the gun pointed at his temple. The shop had gone quiet and everyone was standing around, most having heard what Joe had said and the rest getting the run-down of what they missed. No one moved to help him. The door opened to the shop, but the occupants filling the door went unnoticed to the rest of the crowd. They started to move forward until Stephanie's quiet voice filled the air.

"Never imply things about myself and my relationship to Ranger and his men. You don't know us and you don't know me. Keep your comments to yourself. Comprende?" Joe gulped again and nodded his head once. She pushed the gun against his temple harder and demanded he answer her verbally. He complied and she flicked the safety back 'on'. A hand gently took the gun from her and she turned, startled. She looked up to the face that held her gun and met Ranger's gentle eyes. He pulled her up from her position and drew her to the protection of his arms. He leaned down and gave her a gentle and tender kiss, tucking a curl back around her ear. He smiled at her and she grinned shyly back.

"Hi Ranger. When did you get here?" He shook his head at her slightly and continued grinning.

"Babe."