Chapter 15.

I decided that I would pack up a few of the things I brought over that I needed to take back with me tomorrow. However, standing in the closet there was nothing that jumped out. I knew I would be in and out of 7 so I might as well leave most of this stuff here, same with the bathroom. In the end all I packed up was a few pair of daily worn shoes and Rex's stuff. I was finishing the bag when Ranger walked into the bedroom.

I watched as he paused and looked at me, "Going somewhere."

I decided to take the slow route and ease him into me going back to my apartment. "Not today. You are back early, want to go out to dinner?" I asked with a saucy grin.

He crossed his arms over his chest and gave me a blank stare. I noticed that when we were in a good place he was open and talked more. But when he was frustrated, unsure or angry he went back to blank looks and one worded comments. Right now I was pretty sure he was unsure and not willing to show anything until he found out what was going on. I decided to throw him a bone.

"Ranger." I murmured walking up to him and wrapping my arms around his stomach. "I am not going anywhere, it's you and me. We are together now. And right now I want to go on a dinner date with my fuck buddy/boyfriend." I said giggling into his neck at the last part.

I leaned back to watch as he raised one eyebrow at the boyfriend remark. I could see the struggle in his eyes, his face still completely blank. It was insane how much you could learn about a person in a month. I found out quickly that just because he has "blank face" doesn't mean I can't necessarily read him. His eyes and hands gave away a lot. When I raised my hands to clasp his I could feel the tension in them. I stood on my tip toes and placed my lips over his and gently caressed them. I slowly got him to respond until finally the tension left his hands and he wrapped his arms around me to pull me close. "We could stay in." He murmured on my lips.

I leaned back in his arms again and tilted my head to the side, "Do you not want to go out with me?" I asked.

His eyes narrowed and I decided to play dirty, "Are you embarrassed to go to dinner with me?"

After a moment he gave me a smirk, "Nice try Babe. If you want dinner, then you will get dinner. Call in reservations while I change."

I pushed him back, "You call in reservations while I get dressed."

I winked at him as I walked into the closet to get clothes and he tilted his head to the side and watched my ass the entire way.

45 min later we were in the car headed to a new restaurant in town. Ranger reached over and grabbed my hand pulling it up to his lips and giving it a kiss. "Want to tell me what was up with the bag?"

I smiled over at him, "I will at dinner, honestly I am surprised it took you this long to ask again."

He just looked at me, "I mean you don't do well not knowing about everything that is going on." I said with some sass.

"I wouldn't worry about everything so much if you didn't always find trouble." He said right back.

"Not always." I said with a pout.

"Not always, only about 80% of the time." He said with smirk.

"Hahaha, you are too funny." I said rolling my eyes.

-/-

As we walked into the restaurant I turned to look around in appreciation. "This place is nice and different from what we normally go to." I said to Ranger as we were walking up to the hostess.

"Two for Manoso." He said to her and I nearly rolled my eyes at the way she was looking at him. I swear in about 2.2 seconds she was going to start drooling.

"Yes sir my name is Mandy, we have a table for you, do you have a business partner coming?" She said never taking her eyes off of him, smiling and leaning forward to show off her very fake boobs.

Ranger grabbed my arm and stopped me from stepping forward and clocking the little slut. "No its just my girlfriend and I today." He said smoothly as he pulled me close and kissed the side of my head. I watched as the hostess narrow her eyes at me then give a fake smile.

"Oh I apologize, I thought you were just another girl from the bar." She said glaring at me with a fake chuckle.

I narrowed my eyes then smiled brilliantly, "Nope. Sorry. I am the girlfriend. Not a gold digging fake Barbie. I guess not everyone in this circle would understand that" I said pointing my fingers at the 3 of us. "…... I mean of course, since you are as fake as they come in here…." I grinned and pointed to her boobs. "Didn't you know you are supposed to take a friend when you get a boob job. That way they can tell you when they are lopsided." I watched her face flush a bright red and she took a step forward. Ranger was subtlety pushing me behind him when another hostess hurried over.

"Table for two in the back corner I believe." She said with a huge sincere smile. I looked over in satisfaction to see Mandy looking down at her boobs with a frown.

I turned to follow the new hostess when Ranger leaned over to whisper in my ear, "Babe." I could hear his grin.

I shrugged, "What, she knew I was with you. She was being a bitch, so I became a bitch."

We followed the new hostess over to the table and as we sat she handed us the menus, "I want to apologize for Mandy, she was completely rude. Dinner is on the house tonight." I smiled at her because she seemed to be both upset at the situation but was fighting a smile. I wasn't wrong when she leaned down and whispered in the ear, "You were awesome, I loved what you said, it totally made my night!"

I flashed her a huge smile, "That was the polite I am in public version, I had a better one but this is a nice restaurant." I watched the hostess burst into laughter at me, "Desert! Any Desert you want is on me if you tell me what you were going to say."

I shrugged, "I can't say it in polite society. But let's just say my grandmother taught me the best Curse words in the world and that includes ones for trampy slut bags."

The hostess now had tears in her eyes she was laughing so hard and I had to admit that my anger was slowly being replaced with laughter also. "My name is Melissa, if you need anything please do hesitate to call me over. I hope you enjoy dinner and dessert!" I smiled at her as she walked away.

I could feel Rangers eyes on me so I decided to play dumb and pick up my menu, if dinner was free I was gonna enjoy it.

"Babe"

"Yep" I said into my menu.

"Look at me."

I set the menu down and looked up at him with my eyebrows raised.

"You know that you are prefect right and I wasn't even looking at her."

I narrowed my eyes at him, "Of course I know that Ranger. I don't doubt you in any way. However, that is not the point, "Mandy." I said using my hands to make air quotes, "needed to be put in her place." I calmly picked my menu back up shrugging. "So I put her in her place…. Now it's time for dinner."

I glanced up in time to see him give a small shake of head and smile at me.

After we ordered and got our drinks I watched as Ranger leaned back into his chair and raise an eyebrow at me. I knew what he wanted, he wanted to know about the bag. But since I was trying to get him to talk more I decided to make him ask.

"So how was work?" I asked buttering my bread taking a small bite, then sipping my wine.

He just gave a slight smile, just one corner tugging up, "Work was good." He murmured.

I rolled my eyes, "Any new alarms going off or break-ins." I asked trying to get him to elaborate.

"Only one." He replied.

I tilted my head to the side, "Not going to talk today?" I questioned.

He looked at me with narrowed eyes then leaned forward onto the table, "The bag?" he said simply.

I smirked at him as the waiter brought our appetizers. I had gone with yummy stuffed mushrooms, Ranger got a salad of course. I took my first bite and I swear I died and went to heaven. "I don't care if I have to see Mandy every time we come here, it will be worth these stuffed mushrooms!"

He looked at me with darkened eyes as I took another bite and moaned deep in my throat. "Babe" he whispered.

I grinned wickedly at him and finished off the mushrooms in mostly silence. When I was done I looked up at him to see him still waiting for an answer. "Fine" I murmured as I wiped my lips and rolled my eyes. "The bag." I stated. "It's not bad, so you can stop worrying. I just want to go to my apartment tomorrow."

I watched as he put down his fork and look at me with narrowed eyes. "To store stuff" he questioned.

I leaned back in my chair and took a deep breath, I knew this was going to be a tough conversation and I wanted to make sure I said everything just right. "Ok listen, no interrupting ok?" I said.

I watched him nod at me his blank face slamming down, I sighed.

"I love you and I love spending each and every day with you. But we jumped into this relationship. I love that we are together and but it was in one afternoon, no build up. We jumped into living on 7 because of me getting hurt. I think we need to be a regular couple for at least a while. I want you to call me to see if I can go out, I want you to walk me to my door to see if I give you a kiss or maybe I let you in." I said the last part with a grin.

"I also like my apartment. I love the independence I get from it." I stopped, struggling to find the right words. "My apartment was the first place I felt free, the first place I felt was mine. In my mom's house I had to try and be what she wanted, I was never myself. When I got married and moved in with Dicky, I was his wife. It was his house and his rules and I had to be this version of myself. But my apartment was mine and I could be me. It didn't matter if someone didn't like it, I could do whatever I wanted. I have had a lot of ups and downs in that apartment, but I don't want my last memory to be running. I don't want the last time I was there was me running away in fear. When I move out and I move in with you, I want it to be because I was done with the apartment and I moved out happy with my memories. I want us to choose to move in together because we want to, not because we are worried about my safety. Does that make sense?" I asked my eyes filled with question as I looked at Ranger.

His face didn't move a muscle but his eyes struggle with everything I said. After a moment he said, "We never found out who hit you."

I nodded at him, "No we didn't but it's been a month, more than a month and nothing. No one has said anything to me, no notes, no break-ins. Nothing. And I can't live my life in fear, Ranger. I can't wait to see if there is someone there waiting to grab me or hurt me all the time. That is not away to live. I do think it will make both you and me feel better if I was more careful." I watched as he raised an eyebrow.

"Yes smart ass" I said grinning, "Even I am aware that I could be more careful. I told you I would try and I will. I will carry my tracker with me always and my panic button."

"Gun?" he questioned his blank face still very much on. I could see he was struggling with this entire conversation. I loved this man but he was to use to people doing exactly what he wanted as soon as he said it. He was in trouble with me because that would never happen with me.

I shook my head No at him and watched as he narrowed his eyes and his mouth go grim. "I will try to remember to carry it whenever I am working and when I am working with Rangeman. But if I am just going to the store or out with a friend I am not carrying it."

"Not good enough." He said briskly.

I narrowed my eyes at him this time, "To bad."

I watched him clench his hand on the table and say quietly, "To bad?"

"That's right, too bad." I said sitting taller. "Ranger I love you and I know you want me to be safe. I will try and compromise with you but I have limits. I don't like carrying period but I try because it's important to you. But I will not carry all the time, I won't carry in the mall or to my mom's. I just won't."

I watched as his jaw clench and his hands tighten. The table was silent as the waiter brought our main dishes. After he left Ranger continued to look at me not saying anything. I took a deep breath, "Ranger, I am trying to compromise with this but it's not the only thing you are going to be unhappy with." I watched as he raised an eyebrow at me, "We are so different Ranger and I am trying to be aware that your life is different. It's one of the reasons we were not together for so long, but I can't be this person that always looks over my shoulder. For one I know you are already doing that enough for both of us. Two I think that I bring a balance, you need joy and freedom and if I am always freaking out and worrying then we will both just be spiraling down into a field of fear. I will work on being aware of my surroundings and I will work on being safer. I am even starting to take some self-deface workouts with Hector, I am trying to remember to always bring my stun gun and make sure its charged." I said with a small grin. "Please see that I am trying, please."

"What else am I not going to like." He said gruffly

"I am not going to take a man with me everywhere. If I am working for Rangeman or on a tough skip, I will ask for help but I won't do it all of the time." I watched as his body got even tighter, he raised his hand and did the continue motion.

"I am not always going to just listen when you tell me to do something, I want to be told why. I am not one of guys who nods and follows directions…. And it's not because I don't trust you." I said quickly. "It's because I am stubborn and I am want to know what's going on and why. It's one of the reasons you love me." I said with a small smile.

I watched as he took a deep breath and close his eyes for a minute. When he opened them back up he looked at me with narrowed eyes, "You are going to drive me crazy."

I smiled at him, "Of course, would you have it any other way?" I demanded

He shook his head at me, "No I wouldn't…. I am not ok with any of what you said but let's eat dinner. We can discuss the rest at home."

I looked down at my pasta ready to dig in but paused, "You can really just let it go for now?"

He shook his head, "No I am still thinking about it but I need to process it all before we just start a fight about it."

"Are you mad at my answer's?" I questioned appetite gone.

"No, more frustrated." He replied.

I watched as he struggled to find the right words, "I want you safe and I want to lock you up in a room and visit you there. But I know that you would go crazy and you wouldn't be you anymore. I want you to just do what I tell you like everyone else, but I know you won't do that either. We are going to have to find a balance we can both live with but I have a feeling neither one of us will be all the way happy with." He said looking at me.

I nodded, "And me moving back home?"

"I will do everything I can to convince you every day to come back to 7 with me." He said with a wicked grin.

I rolled my eyes at him, "Whatever. You would go there, because secretly you are a big pervert. So we are good?" I asked.

"Not even close." He replied taking a bite of his fish.

I looked down at my pasta then up at him, "Are we going to be ok? Do you think we can find a balance?" I questioned my eyes full of worry.

"Babe, I won't lose you. We will figure out a balance. It might take some time and a lot of frustration from both of us but we will figure it out." He said holding my hand on the table.

I took a deep breath, "Ok then, first easy fight… with no yelling. That is a first for me."

"Babe we haven't fought yet; this is a disagreement." He grinned at me. "One I am sure you will see my point of view in time."

I just shook my head and dug into my pasta, "This really is so good! Totally worth dealing with Mandy." I said with a grin.

We managed to make it through dinner and I was waiting for dessert when Rangers phone rang. I saw him frown when he looked at it and answered, "What." He said curtly. With each moment he was on the phone his eyes became dark and I could feel the anger rolling off of him. He stood up and looked down at me, "Babe I have to take this outside." I nodded and watched him walk out the door. I was sitting there less than 3 minutes when I heard someone clear their throat behind me. I looked up to see the Doctor from Hectors visit last month, well shit I thought.

I smiled up at him, "Hay how are you?" I asked.

He pointed to Rangers chair and went to sit, I look over to the door abut I didn't see Ranger coming in so I nodded. Hopefully I could get rid of him pretty quick, Ranger already looked pissed. I was worried about the call it had to be big to get Ranger outside.

"I am good, I called you but you never answered me." The Doctor said smiling at me.

"I am so sorry, I lost my phone and got a new number then I completely forgot." I said shaking my head only half paying attention, still thinking about Rangers call.

"Ouch, you forgot." The Doctor said grinning at me, "I was hoping we could go out sometime."

Before I could answer I heard Ranger say from behind me, "She won't be going out with you."

The Doctor looked up to see Ranger staring down at us with his arms crossed and his face wasn't blank but livid.

I watched the Doctor pale at Ranger and swallow looking a terrified. "Who are you?" he asked voice shaking. I had to admit I was impressed that he even asked and didn't just turn tail and run. I decided to give the Doctor a little mercy. So I stood up and said, "This is my new boyfriend Ranger. Ranger this is the Doctor that took care of Hector last month." Introducing the two men. I looked at the Doctor, "I never did get your name." I said politely hoping it would calm Ranger down.

The Doctor looked at me with a deep blush, "Its Jimmy, I thought I told you that when I asked you out." He looked at Ranger then back at me. "Well I am still interested if you ever want to go out." I peeked over at Rangers face and believed Jimmy had officially lost his mind and if he didn't leave pretty quickly he was going to lose his life.

"Sure I will keep you in mind." I said grabbing Rangers arm as he stepped forward. "It was nice to see you again." I watched as he walked away.

Ranger turned to me his anger rolling off of him in waves, one eyebrow raised. "Getting a new date while I am gone?"

I narrowed my eyes at him, "I was sitting here waiting for you. It's not my fault he walked over here to talk to me." I said though gritted teeth.

"No, but he called you so you obviously gave him your number." He said back at me.

Now I was getting pissed, I crossed my arms, "Yes I gave him my number over a month ago, before we started going out."

"He evidently thought he still had a chance." Ranger said through gritted teeth.

Ok yep now I am officially done, "What is your problem, we were having a great dinner. Talking and relaxing, one phone call and you become an epic asshole?"

I watched as his eyes narrowed, he pulled out his wallet and threw a few bills on the table. "We are leaving now." He said grabbing my elbow pulling me to the door. When we got to the front door I jerked my elbow away and marched over to the car.

"I have to work tonight." He said through clenched teeth.

"Fine" I said back my arms crossed, "Then maybe it would be better if I go home tonight."

"I want you on 7 tonight." He said through clenched teeth.

"And I want a fucking unicorn." I practically yelled, "I am going to my apartment tonight so you can take me now or I will drive there later." I was breathing like I just ran a marathon. "I don't know what your problem is, but you need to get over it A.S.A.P!"

His hands clenched around the wheel, "My problem is I step away for 5 minutes to take care of an emergency at work and I come back and you are talking to some guy about a date." He growled.

My eyes grew huge, "Are you kidding me? I had no control over what that guy said any more then you had with MANDYYYYY" I said drawing out her name, "Making eyes at you and pretending I wasn't there." My arms were waving and my temper was in full swing, "Did I blame you or yell at you?" I demanded.

"That is not the same thing Stephanie. I didn't engage her in a conversation." He said in a low voice.

"Your right Ranger, not the same thing because you never met that bitch before tonight. I knew the Doctor and he did ask me out before we ever got together. Sorry but not sorry because I didn't do anything wrong. You walked up right I was about to tell him about you. NOT my fault you jumped to conclusions." I said seething.

The car became eerily silent as we both had nothing else to say that wasn't yelling, I watched as he pulled into my lot. Before he was fully in park I slammed my door open and got out, stomping up to my door. I watched as he got out and followed me. "I don't need help getting to my apartment." I said through gritted teeth.

"Well that's just too bad, you are not going up alone." He said back.

I walked over to the elevator and pushed the button. I heard him behind me, "Let's take the stairs."

"NO." I said not turning to look at him.

When the door opened I got in and pushed the button. I didn't wait for him to get in pushing the door close button over and over again. How did everything get so messed up? One minute we are talking and laughing at dinner. The next we are in a huge fight. I know he was upset about the date but I didn't do anything wrong. When the elevator doors opened to my floor Ranger was already standing there, "I cleared your apartment." He said. I walked passed him to the open door.

"Stephanie." He said with a sigh. Evidently the run up the stairs cooled him down, unfortunately for him the elevator did not cool me down. I walked into my apartment and slammed the door closed in his face.

"Stephanie, open the door please." I heard him ask.

I took a deep breath trying to calm down, "Not now Ranger. I am PISSED! I did nothing wrong and you are acting like an asshole. I need some time to cool down before I say something I regret." I said through the door.

It was silence on the other side of the door for a few moments, "Fine are you coming to Rangeman tomorrow?" he finally asked.

"Yes" I said curtly, "I have to do some searches."

"Can we have lunch?" he asked.

"I am not sure of my schedule yet." I said back

I heard him touch the door, "I love you Babe." He whispered.

I took a deep breath then sighed, "I love you to, be safe tonight."

I listened as he walked away and leaned against the door. How did everything get so messed up so fast? All I wanted to do was crawl in bed and go to sleep, I will deal with everything else tomorrow…I guess even Batman gets jealous and starts stupid fights I thought I got ready for bed.

-/-

I want to apologize for the long delay in a new chapter. I am currently moving from Europe back to the United States and the process is crazy. This chapter did not have a big reveal but I needed to tie a few things in so the next chapter will make sense! And I am finishing up the next chapter already! It will be up within 24 hours so no fear about waiting a long time again. The next chapter starts the big drama!

Thanks for all for your support so far, this is the very first time I have written and shard anything from my imagination. I just hated the way things were going in the real series :(

Please forgive me for my bad grammar and mistakes, English is not my first language!

I forgot to say before I own nothing, if I did Ranger and Stephanie would be together! Lol.