I use them for fun and not for profit.

Chapter 18

Stephanie rolled over in her bed and pulled the pillow over her head. Surely it couldn't be morning already. The timid knocking at her door became more demanding and she pushed the covers away and got out of bed. She had a hangover. There'd been no party for her, but she was still paying the price. By the time she reached her door the knocking had become a full-fledged assault.

"What?" she said as she pulled the door open.

"Uhm, did I wake you up?" Julie looked uncertain and Stephanie understood why. She looked down at her old RangeMan t-shirt and a pair of glow in the dark boxers Connie had given her as a souvenir of her last trip to Vegas. She hadn't been thinking clearly last night when she undressed and it was the easiest thing to pull on.

Stephanie took a moment to look carefully at Julie. There wasn't anything left of the stiletto-heeled vamp of the night before. Julie wore no make-up, had her hair scooped back into a ponytail and looked all of sixteen. Stephanie reached out and wrapped her arms around the girl. "I'm so glad you're safe," she said. She pulled Julie into her small apartment and they sat next to one another on the sofa.

"I'm glad you're safe, too," Julie replied. "Did you hear what happened?"

"Yes," Stephanie said. "Bobby stayed with me for quite a while and he kept me posted on what was going on. You shot Tinley."

"I did," Julie said. "I thought he had you. I want you to know, I did what you said. I ran back to the car and tried to call Rock on your phone, but there was no answer. I started the car and was getting ready to leave, but two men came to the car and dragged me out. They took me into the bar and one of them asked if I had a phone. I said yes and he made me give it to them, but they never took my purse away, and I had a gun in my purse."

"What two men?" Stephanie asked.

"I don't know, but last night Detective Morelli came to my apartment and I described them to him. He wanted to talk to you, but Dad wouldn't let him. He told Detective Morelli you were 'incapable of coherent thought'. I think Morelli is coming back to talk to you today."

"Great," Stephanie muttered. "What did they do to you, Julie?"

"They took me to a room," Julie said. "There was smoke coming from an incense burner and it made me a little high. I was trying to figure out a plan to get out when the door opened and a man came in. He looked exactly like my father and for a moment I couldn't move. I thought it was Scrog." Julie's eyes filled with tears and Stephanie reached out again to hug her.

"I realized right away it wasn't Scrog. This man looked exactly like my father, only maybe a little younger. I asked him who he was and he said he was Obatala and he was going to take me home. Then he left and he locked the door behind him. There was a window in the room and it was painted black. I used the chair to knock the glass out, but there were bars on the window and I couldn't get through, so I got my gun from my purse and I waited. When no one came, I dumped the incense burner through the window and the room got way less smoky."

"I don't know what was in that incense burner for certain, but it was bad stuff," Stephanie said. "The man was Naldo Montara, and you're right. He looks amazingly like your father. He's Rock's half-brother, but I'm not sure if that's generally known. He's the serial killer Morelli told us about that day in Pino's."

"I know that now," Julie said. "I was ready for him to come back, but he never came. When the door did open it was Tinley Hicks. I asked him where you were and he said you were sacrificing yourself to Obatala and that you would be going home soon. I didn't believe him."

"I think he had an entirely different meaning of going home than you or I have," Stephanie said.

"Yeah, I think so, too. He's either really stupid or he was high," Julie said. "I had a gun in my hand and he didn't see it. He came close to me and tried to touch me and I raised my gun. He backed across the room and I asked him again where you were, but he wouldn't tell me, so I shot him…in the knee."

They were quiet for a moment, both of them thinking about Tinley. "Did you…" Julie hesitated. "Did you hear Naldo Montara is dead?"

"Yes," Stephanie said. She stood from the sofa and then immediately took two small steps to the side, regaining her balance.

"Are you alright?" Julie said, jumping up and taking hold of Stephanie's arm. "Are you still dizzy?"

"No," Stephanie replied. "Not dizzy. Bobby says I have disequilibrium, which means my balance is off because of the drugs from last night. It's good you were able to get the window open in the room where they put you."

"It smelled a little like weed."

"Yeah, I thought so, too. Bobby says they chloroformed me first and then left me in a room to breathe in the smoke that was probably hashish mixed with some chemical. He doesn't think the effects will last much longer, but it's a good excuse to take it easy today."

"About today," Julie said. "I came to tell you I'm going back to Miami to visit my mom and step-dad for a few days."

"Did you make that decision last night?" Stephanie asked. "Because when I could concentrate I remember thinking a piece of my mom's pineapple upside down cake sure would have been good."

"I did think about it last night. My dad stayed with me all night and we talked." Stephanie had wondered why Ranger hadn't stopped by to check on her. She thought maybe he was getting his emotions under control before he disciplined her for putting Julie in harm's way.

"Dad said he needed to stay because he didn't want me to be alone when I had an adrenaline crash. He made me eat turkey sandwiches on whole wheat and he wouldn't let me have any soda. Ella brought down tea with honey in it though. We had a great talk and he told me I needed to mend my relationship with my mother."

"Ha!" Stephanie laughed, but with little humor. "Your father gave you relationship advice?"

"Yes," Julie said seriously. "He gave me some good advice and I'm going to take it. He and I are flying to Miami a little later this morning. That's really what I came here to tell you. And also to make sure you were okay. I told Dad about the Snake Pit and how we saw Tinley and how you told me to leave. I thought you were very brave."

"Maybe not so brave," Stephanie said. "I was scared for you and I'm very happy we're both here today." They hugged again before Julie left and Stephanie silently acknowledged this girl was important to her. She hoped Julie's talk with Rachel went well. It was never any fun when a mother and daughter were at odds with each other and that she knew from experience. Today was a day for playing hooky and visiting her mother and grandmother, and if she played her cards right there would be pineapple upside down cake.

She made her way unsteadily into the bathroom and took a look at herself in the mirror. Yikes! Her hair was thoroughly tangled and running a brush through it was going to be painful if not impossible. She picked up a brush to give it a try and heard another knock on her door. Julie must have remembered something else she wanted to say.

It wasn't Julie. Stephanie swung the door open and stood face to face with Ranger. He didn't speak, just stood and stared. The sight of him, filling her doorway, did things to her she couldn't control. She blushed as the little hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. Her stomach did a flip-flop and she felt her nipples harden beneath the soft cotton of the worn t-shirt. She saw Ranger's eyes drop. He noticed. Great. She was standing there reacting like an adolescent school girl and he was unmoved, literally.

"It's been awhile," he said, his lips curving only slightly, "since I've seen you look so…"

"So what?" she asked.

"Scary."

She raised her hand, middle finger extended, and turned away making her way haphazardly across the room. At the sound of the door closing she spun around and quickly side-stepped in an attempt to remain upright. He crossed the floor with lightning speed and wrapped his arms around her.

He held her for a few moments until he felt the shudder and then he pulled back. Tears were running down her face and her body was shaking with silent sobs.

"Babe, are you alright?" She shook her head and he lifted her effortlessly and walked to the armchair. He sat with her across his lap and held her close to him, letting her cry. When her tears subsided she pulled the hem of her t-shirt up to wipe her face and Ranger managed, barely, to maintain his stoic expression. She had no idea how appealing scary was.

"Talk to me."

"I'm s-sorry," she stammered, "about Julie. I care for her and… and I would never intentionally put her in danger."

"I talked with Julie most of the night," he said. "Julie put herself in danger when she went to the Snake Pit with Lula and Connie."

"You know about that, then."

"I do, and soon Connie and Lula will know that I know about it, but Julie is primarily responsible for making that bad decision. She has to take the majority of the blame."

"Just like I'm to blame for almost getting her killed," Stephanie said.

"That's not what Julie told me," Ranger said. "Julie said you put yourself in danger and told her to leave, because you were the one with training, and she tried to follow your instructions."

"Yeah, and she ended up with a gun and saved herself…with no training. I guess there is a reason I quit doing field work."

"Morelli is downstairs in the conference room on five. He wants to talk to you, which is part of the reason I came up here. The preliminary autopsy report on Montara is back. You were under the influence of, as of yet, some unknown substance and you still managed to incapacitate him. His testicles were… ruptured." Ranger's voice stumbled over the word ruptured, as if even saying it caused him pain, and Stephanie almost smiled.

"He had a skull fracture," Ranger continued. "A temporal-parietal fracture, I think Morelli called it, and he had burns over the upper half of his body from smoldering ash. If you're feeling sorry for yourself because you didn't get to shoot anyone, then get over it."

"I gave him a skull fracture?" Stephanie asked. Her face showed concern. "I didn't kill him, did I?"

"No. He was killed when he was caught in crossfire between Lester, Madrid and two unidentified men. And that's all I can say until you've talked with Morelli. Do you understand?" She nodded because she did understand. Rock had achieved his objective and RangeMan was going to stand behind him. She wanted to ask Ranger why Rock hadn't told them his half-brother was Ranger's mirror image, but she knew there wouldn't be any answers until the investigation was closed.

"Babe." Stephanie looked up at him and she put her questions to the back of her mind. She was sitting on Ranger's lap and she was suddenly aware that he was aware of her. "I have to leave in a few minutes. Julie wants to see her mother and I can't send her down there alone. I need to be part of the conversation with her and Rachel."

"I know," Stephanie said. "Julie was just here and she told me."

"I don't want to go, Stephanie." He bent his head and placed his lips on hers in a gentle kiss. She twisted to move her body in closer to his and he got serious with his kiss. His hands slid up her neck and under her hair, but his fingers wouldn't slide through. He pulled back and sighed. "Better get a handle on this, Babe. Morelli wants to talk to you and I've put him off as long as I can."

"What should I tell him?"

"The truth…everything that happened to you last night as you remember it. He's not a fool and he's glad Montara is dead. Right now he's pissed at the DEA who is trying to come in and take over his investigation. He's on our side, so just tell him what you know, not what you think."

"Okay." She stood up and started to walk to the bedroom to get dressed.

"Do you need help?" Ranger asked. "I can call Ella."

"You could help," Stephanie said.

Ranger stood from the chair and ran his hand over his brow and she noticed he looked tired. He'd probably been up all night. "I can't help you," he said. "If I help you I won't leave, and I have to leave. Julie is staying for a couple of days, but I'll be returning tonight on the red-eye. I'd like to see you tomorrow." His stare was direct and she didn't look away.

"I'd like that, too."

"I'll send Ella over to help you. Bobby thinks the residual effects of whatever you were drugged with will be gone before the day is over." He turned and walked from her apartment.

Forty minutes later Stephanie walked into the conference room on five. Joe was sitting, drinking coffee with Lester and Tank.

"Here she is," Lester said. "The woman whose knee should be registered as a lethal weapon." His tone was jovial, but his eyes were serious. He was assessing and watchful and Stephanie knew Joe had been thorough in his questioning. She matched his tone.

"It was my foot, not my knee," she said. "I mashed his parts with my foot." Lester and Tank each slipped a hand down to cover themselves protectively and Stephanie allowed herself a small grin. Joe looked at her solemnly and she knew his questioning would be intense. He looked good, but like Ranger he looked tired and Stephanie thought he probably had been working all night.

Joe shot a look at Lester and Tank. "Is there someplace we can talk privately, Steph?" he asked her.

"My office." She turned and things swam before her briefly, but then righted themselves. Her episodes of dizziness were subsiding and she hoped Bobby was right in his thinking all this would soon go away. When they entered her office she automatically sat behind her desk and Joe took a chair facing her. "This doesn't seem right," she said. She got up and moved around the desk and took the chair next to him, turning it so they were facing.

They were alone and Joe reached out and took her hands in his. "How are you doing? Are you really okay?"

She nodded. "I was peeved when I learned you and Ranger had made a deal for me to stay behind a desk and off the streets, but now I'm thinking it was a good thing. I didn't do so well last night."

Joe snorted. "Whatever you inhaled last night must have been a depressant. You should be feeling good. You beat the crap out of him, Cupcake. You fractured his skull, and even though you were under the influence, that had to be a home-run swing. And then you completely crushed his balls."

"His penis was ugly."

Joe burst out laughing. "I can't speak for it before, but it was after you'd finished. You've earned new respect down at headquarters, especially from some of the younger guys who've heard the stories, but have never seen you in action."

Stephanie smiled because she knew he was trying to make things comfortable for her. There were questions he was going to ask that she couldn't answer. She didn't want to be responsible for taking anyone's life, but in this instance it would be easier for everyone if she had. Lester was good, and apparently so was Rock, but the thought of Naldo getting caught in crossfire when he was already unconscious was hard, even for her, to believe.

"Did I kill him?" she asked. She knew the answer, but she found herself hoping Joe would tell her she did.

"No, the gunshot through his heart killed him. Ballistics reports aren't back, but I'm betting it was a RangeMan bullet that killed him." Stephanie looked closely at him and he sighed.

"Look, Steph. This isn't the first time this has happened. The evidence supports the story I've been told. I work with evidence and I have to base my report on what I'm told and what I can prove. My gut tells me there is more to this, but I can't go there without proof. Do you have anything you can add that I haven't heard from Lester and Madrid?"

"I don't know exactly what you heard," she said, "but after I escaped, Bobby brought me here. I don't have completely clear memories, I'm sorry. Where is Rock, anyway?"

"Rock?"

"I mean Madrid," she said. "I haven't seen him at all."

"I left him with his DEA buddies," Morelli said. "They're all over this. Bottom line is we are going to be able to prove Montara was the serial killer. We found something that resembled an altar in one of the rooms in that house. It'll take forensics a while, but I'm betting the blood stains we found will match the victims we think Montara killed. Lester and Madrid had a shootout with men they can't describe and Montara was killed in the crossfire. We've got a lead on one of the men because someone dumped him at Helene Fuld, bleeding and shot up. He will survive and he will lead us to the rest of Montara's group, but that will all be handled by the DEA."

"I've learned something from this, Joe," Stephanie said. "I'm getting old. I want this all to be over and I want to settle down to my nice research job again."

"I understand. I'm ready to get off the street myself. I'm in line for a promotion and Maria wants me to take it. I think I'm going to. Fifteen years in homicide is enough. Things change for all of us, don't they?"

Their conversation morphed from professional to personal. They discussed their families and his plans with Maria. He hugged her and left her with a kiss on the cheek and she was left with his words, "things change for all of us."

Things had changed recently at RangeMan. Rock was a new addition and presumably he would stay. Julie was part of her father's life now and Julie's father was once again part of Stephanie's life. There was a knock on her office door and Lester walked in with a smirk on his face.

"Delivery for you, Beautiful." He set an enormous bouquet of orange roses on her desk and winked at her before he walked out. She stood and stared at the bouquet for a moment. She tried to count but lost track. There must be two dozen roses. She pulled the card free from its holder and opened the envelope. Her legs buckled and she sank into her chair as she read.

The florist told me orange roses signify desire. I desire you. C.

Things were indeed changing. Ranger was giving her evidence that he would be her transitional man. The breath whooshed out of her as she realized she'd made a horrible mistake. The truth washed over her and left her trembling. She didn't want Ranger to be her transitional man. She wanted Ranger to be her man.

A/N: I swiped the idea of orange roses from another fanfiction writer, my friend and sometimes writing partner, latetolove. In her story A Total Eclipse of the Heart, Ranger gives orange roses to Stephanie signifying his desire. I've never been able to get over that. Orange roses are now my favorite. It's a great story and if you haven't read it I recommend it.