Well, hope this was quicker for you! Again, thanks Ber for the awesome help! I don't own them Janet Evanovich…maybe…

CHAPTER FOUR

An hour later found Stephanie sweaty and puffing for air. Leaning against the elevator wall, she glared at the sweat-free Ranger. He was leaning against the opposite wall smirking at her as she fought for breath.

"Shut up Ranger. I don't want to hear it. Got it?" He continued to look at her, eyebrow raised in amusement.

"Wasn't going to say a word babe. By the way, how are you feeling?" With a final glare and eye roll, Stephanie exited the elevator and stalked into the bathroom, intending to take a long hot shower. By herself. Apparently, Ranger had other plans. With another heated glare, she shoved Ranger's foot out of the doorway and slammed the door in his face, not bothering with the lock. He would get in if he wanted to.

Stephanie walked down the hall on the fifth floor headed to her desk, stopping along the way to say 'hi' to Cal and Lester at the monitors. Reaching her desk, she slid the chair out and plopped down powering up the computer. She stuck her gun in the desk drawer and locked it, glancing over at her inbox. She eyed the urgent searches-all from Rodriguez- and wished they would spontaneously combust. Didn't happen. She sighed and started on the searches knowing it would take most, if not all, of her morning to do them.

Stephanie worked the morning away and didn't let up until her last search was running. She sat up straighter in her chair, stretching the kinks out of her back. She grinned and twisted side to side, happy to feel a little bit better. Taking the last search from the printer her neck tingled.

"Hiya Ranger! What can I do for ya?" Steph swung around to find Ranger leaning against her door, arms crossed over his chest and a small smile gracing his mouth.

"Nothing babe. Just letting you know that I have to go out on a case with Tank and Lester. Have dinner with me on seven? I'll have Ella make you pineapple upside down cake." Ranger grinned at seeing Stephanie discreetly wipe drool away from her mouth.

"Okay! See you around six?" Ranger nodded before leaning over her to give her a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Have fun and don't work yourself too hard. I have something planned for later." He left with his wolf grin firmly in place. Stephanie leaned back in her chair and started waving the search she had in her hand to try and cool off her over-heated skin. Hal walked by about that time and glanced in, smiling at the sight. Stephanie blushed before quickly turning back around to finish putting her last search together, before grabbing lunch.

She put the file down with a sigh an hour later, glad to be finished. Glancing at the clock, she saw it was nearing two and decided to call it quits for the day. Special perk for being 'Ranger's woman' Steph mused as she shut down the computer and took her gun out of the drawer, placing it in her holster. She gave a small finger wave to the guys at the monitors and left the building. She sighed at the sight of the POS called her ride for the week-hopefully a month-wishing she could afford to trade it in for something that had air conditioning. Sure, she knew Ranger would give her a car but she refused to take anything from him. She still had nightmares about the garbage truck.

Stopping at Cluck in a Bucket, she picked up a jumbo sized tub of drumsticks and wings before stopping to say hi to the girls at the bond office. When she walked through the door, the bucket was snatched from her hands and she was shoved onto the couch. She looked up to find Lula munching on a drumstick while Connie was sitting behind her desk, waiting for something. Stephanie glanced back and forth between the two before breaking.

"Ok, what gives?" Connie and Lula rolled their eyes at her and practically shouted 'cop shop' before Stephanie figured out what they wanted.

"Oh." Lula looked at her expectantly, waiting for more details. Stephanie sighed before giving in.

"Well, you see girls, it went like this." She continued to explain to them what had happened and grabbed a piece of chicken from the bucket before it was gone. When she finally finished her story, there was silence.

"You mean to tell me you pulled a gun on Super Cop in the cop shop and everybody claims nobody saw it?! That's what I'm talking about white girl! Show him you're not coming back. Always knew you were too good for him anyway." Stephanie sent a small smile in Lula's direction, thankful for her friendship. Connie piped up, just then finding her voice.

"Damn Steph, you know how to make a statement don't ya?" It was a full minute-maybe- before everyone started rolling on the floor laughing. Once everyone calmed down, Stephanie sighed and asked for the low-down on what had been happening in their lives. Apparently, Tank was the one for Lula and Connie had a hot new date for the night. Stephanie soon looked at the clock and noticed it was four-thirty. Well hell. She quickly said good-bye to the girls while ignoring their questions and shot back to the Rangeman building, hoping she had enough time to get ready before Ranger got home.

She made it just in time. The lock was tumbling when she swiped her mascara on. She grinned to herself in the mirror and walked into the living room, stopping when she saw Ranger. He looked…gorgeous. Apparently, he had showered in an apartment on the fourth floor and changed into a nice pair of slacks and a silk dress shirt-in black of course-that was opened at the throat. She discreetly checked for drool and slinked over to him in her little black dress, her heels tapping softly on the floor. Walking up to him, she gave him a sly grin before yanking his head down and planting a soft kiss on his lips, stunning him. When he tried to deepen the kiss, she moved back and shook her finger in his face.

"No dessert before dinner young man." Ranger smiled at this and walked around her to open the door for Ella. Huh, must not have heard her knock. Ella grinned at Steph as she rolled a food cart into the room, leaving a trail of delicious aromas. Steph eagerly followed, intent on finding out what was beneath the lids. She followed Ella into the living room where Ranger must have set up a romantic dinner area when he was in earlier to get his suit. Stephanie, being herself, hadn't noticed it on her way through the apartment. Oops. The smell of Bulgari became strong, alerting her that Ranger was close behind her. She turned, giving him a brilliant smile and a soft kiss. He smiled back, amazing her at the tenderness displayed in that simple act. The sound of a throat clearing behind them refocused their attention and they turned to see that Ella had set up dinner.

"I hope you enjoy your meal dears. Oh, and Stephanie, there's an extra big piece of pineapple upside down cake for you in the refrigerator. Enjoy!" She gave them both a knowing smile before practically waltzing out the room, leaving the cart right outside the door. Stephanie was startled when Ranger grabbed her hand and led it to his lips for a soft kiss. Her heart melted when she saw his smile. He led her over to the table and sat her before seating himself. Slowly, he removed the lids to reveal a piece of lasagna accompanied by a slice of garlic bread and a crisp salad for her and roasted chicken with steamed vegetables and wild rice on the side, for him. She moaned over her food and dug in with a relish, her moans of pleasure filling the room.

They looked up often to trade soft looks with each other before going back to the meal, unsure of where the night would lead. Stephanie had just wiped the last of the meaty sauce from her plate with the garlic bread when Ranger leaned over and took her hand, taking her to the living room. He sat her down in front of the coffee table where two glasses and a bottle of red wine chilled. He popped the cork and spilled a bit of the wine in each glass before offering her one. A few sips later, he took back the glass and set both on the table before grabbing her hands and facing her. His expression turned serious and he looked deeply into her eyes before speaking.

"Stephanie, I want you to know that I love you and would do anything to protect you. Okay?" She nodded her head at this and stayed silent, waiting for him to continue. When he did, it was like electricity went through her body.

"Babe, I want you to know that the place me, Tank, and Lester went to was Morelli's. He won't be bothering you, or us, again Steph. I promise you this." Stephanie panicked a moment at this. Ranger didn't miss it, immediately picking up on her concerns.

"Steph, he's still alive. All we did was sit down like civilized adults and talk it over. Him agreeing that he wasn't the best choice for you." She nodded, wondering where this discussion was leading.

"He broke his chance babe. I don't want to break mine." Getting down on one knee, Ranger pulled a Tiffany's jeweler box from his coat pocket, opening it to reveal a beautiful white gold ring, a small diamond in the middle surrounded by inlaid sapphires. Stephanie gasped in surprise, her eyes flying up to meet his.

"Stephanie, I have loved you since the day we met in that diner. I've continued to be your best friend and the one you've called on when you needed help or a shoulder to cry on. I've been the one to protect you and cherish you. I don't want to lose that. I've recognized my love for you since you helped to save Julie from Scrog, putting her life before your own. I want to continue to love you and I want to claim you as mine legally, where no one can question either of our rights. Stephanie Michelle Plum, will you marry me?"

Stephanie slowly went down on her knees in front of Ranger, resting her forehead against his. She slowly took the hand that held the ring, bringing it to her lips. With a light kiss, she gave her answer.

"Oh Yes."