AN: You have overwhelmed me with your fabulous reviews. Made my entire week! Thank you and thank you also for the patience waiting for an update.

JE owns the rights to all recognizable characters. I'm just messing around in Ranger's head for fun.

Chapter 1

3 months later…

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"Are you sure? I can be there in fifteen."

Stephanie was quiet and I found myself holding my breath. I hoped she would change her mind and let me help her today – I was familiar with the skip she was going after and he was unpredictable at best. After two solid months of training at my side, she'd made the decision that today was the day she wanted to go it alone. I wasn't happy, but I didn't fight her. I knew she wouldn't let me be with her for every takedown for very much longer.

"Yeah, I'll be okay," she said after a few beats. "Plus, I have Lula here so I have some back up."

I came close to rolling my eyes. Lula's presence almost guaranteed it would turn into a cluster fuck of epic proportions. The two of them together created an inexplicable tornado of mayhem. It actually scared me sometimes.

"Babe, Lula wouldn't be my first choice for viable back up. She shot out the tires of her own car last week."

"Yeah," Steph muttered and I could all but see the grimace on her face at that reminder. "But I made her leave her gun at the office this morning so that won't happen again. At least not today."

"You have your gun, though…right?"

"Oh um -"

"Stephanie..." I cut her off with a flash of annoyance I couldn't quite hide.

"I know, but I was out of bullets and I figured it was a waste of handbag space for an unloaded gun."

I bit back a sigh and pinched the bridge of my nose in sheer frustration. We'd spent at least an hour at the range once a day for the past month and she was still uncomfortable carrying her gun. I didn't know what else to do to convince her she needed it with her on every job. Loaded or not, a gun can be a very intimidating motivator for compliance.

"It's hard to argue with that kind of logic but remember when we had the talk about you being prepared and how I worry a little less when I know you have all the tools available to protect yourself?"

"I remember you trying to talk to me but you were naked at the time so I'm not sure everything you said got through."

A smile tugged at my lips. She did have a hard time concentrating when we were naked and horizontal. "Right," I said. "I guess we'll have to have that conversation again. I'll be fully clothed next time."

"That's a threat, isn't it?" Stephanie had a hard time talking about serious issues. It made her nervous and uncomfortable, but she was working on it and I was proud of her.

"It's a promise, Babe. We'll talk tonight at dinner – I'm picking you up at seven." I disconnected and smiled again, imagining her scowling at the phone. It annoyed her when I hung up without saying good-bye. I clipped my phone back on my belt and headed down the hall to my office, making a quick stop in the control room.

Woody and Vince were on the monitors when I stepped inside. They both briefly turned at my entrance but went right back to the screens. "Keep close tabs on Steph's trackers today," I commanded. "And let me know immediately if any of the PD is dispatched near or to her location."

"Roger that," they answered in unison and I left them to their charge.

An hour later I was elbow deep in paperwork when Tank knocked on my door. "Enter," I barked as if I was annoyed at the intrusion but truthfully I was grateful for the distraction. I fucking hate paperwork.

Tank's massive frame filled my doorway, temporarily blocking the light from the hall before he moved fully inside my office and wedged himself into one of the chairs in front of my desk.

"Vinnie called again," he said without preamble and brushed at a cat hair stuck to his Rangeman shirt. I leaned back in my chair and waited for the rest. "He still has his dick in a twist about you trying to poach Steph away from him."

"Vinnie's dick is in a twist because he keeps sticking it into barnyard animals. I'm actually surprised the thing hasn't fallen off. And all he does is complain about her ineptitude; you'd think he be happy to be free of her."

"Except… she keeps turning down your offer," Tank pointed out. "With all the training you've been giving her, she's getting better at her job and now Vinnie's afraid she'll quit to work here."

"Except she keeps turning down my offer," I echoed back and Tank grinned.

"Yeah, why do you think that is?"

"Steph's brain is a mystery, even to me."

"Right," Tank said. "How is she doing, by the way? Haven't seen much of her since…"He trailed off and almost grimaced before his blank face fell into place. "Sorry."

I shook my head and waved off his apology. We hadn't really talked about Stephanie since she called off her wedding to Morelli. I'm actually surprised he hasn't brought it up before now. I know he - and probably all the guys - expected that we'd be living together or we'd at least be an "official" couple by now – but things hadn't quite worked out like anyone expected after the fact – especially me.

"She's hanging in there. The gossip hounds have been pretty hard on her." This was a gross understatement. They'd been diabolically ruthless in their character assassination. Of course none of them ever had the balls to say anything directly to her face so everywhere she went there was a lot of pointing and whispering behind hands, just loud enough for her to hear every word.

"Stephanie is tough," Tank said. "She'll get through it. And eventually the busy bodies will move on to some other scandal."

"Yeah," I agreed absently. I hoped he was right, but there wasn't any sign of it. The burg had remained scandal free for the past three months so Stephanie's cancelled wedding a week before the big event remained the prime gossip of the town. "I…"

Vince came tearing into my office at that moment, interrupting our conversation. "Steph's phone went off line and the fire department has just been dispatched to her location."

I was up and out the door before Vince even finished his sentence. I took the stairs down to the garage two at a time and felt Tank right on my heels. The door opened before I got to it and Lester barely dodged out of the way as Tank and I came through it at a run. I chose the Turbo for speed and Tank silently slid into the passenger seat.

"You won't do her any good if you kill us before we get there," he murmured when the speedometer pasted one hundred. I didn't respond and I didn't look at him as I turned onto Hart avenue, barely slowing down. I saw Lula's Firebird parked up the street in front of a house that was completely engulfed in flames.

Two fire engines and an ambulance were making their way down the street when Tank and I got out of the car and approached a horrified Lula who was standing on the front lawn with one leopard print high heeled shoe planted firmly on the back of the handcuffed skip on the ground and staring at the burning house with her mouth hanging open in shock.

"Where is she?" I barked and Lula jumped at my voice.

"I don't – I don't know," she stuttered out, turning to look at us. "I was here covering the front while she went in through the kitchen in the back. This skinny shithead came flying out the door and I stunned his ass right before the damn house exploded."

I was already running before she finished explaining.

"Ranger!" I heard Tank yelling to me but kept moving. "Let the fire department go in!"

A window above me blew out as I ran by, showering me with glass. I ran faster and peeled around the corner, skidding to a stop at the back door. A huge, heavy hand came down on my shoulder before I reached for the handle. "At least put this on," Tank said draping a flame retardant jacket over my shoulders. I didn't think about how he must have taken it off a fire truck or even a fireman before I slid my arms through the sleeves. "Now stand back," he growled, pushing me off to the side before he slammed his massive boot to the lock of the back door.

I was encouraged that no smoke came billowing out when it swung open but as I stepped in I could see the kitchen cabinets had started to burn. "Sir! Don't go in there!" I heard someone call and knew the fire department was right behind me. I pulled the neck of my shirt up over my nose and mouth and scanned the room.

My heart twisted violently beneath my ribs when I saw her.

She was handcuffed to the handle of the refrigerator door but had opened it and tried to shield herself behind it. She was unconscious, lying half inside the box with her arm dangling at an odd angle from the cuffs. It looked like she probably broke her wrist trying to get out of the binding metal.

I had my key out and the cuffs unlocked in a second. I scooped her up into my arms and headed to the door.

"Let me take her and you get out of here," a random fireman tried to command me as I got to the threshold. I stopped short of punching him in the throat but only because I had Stephanie in my arms. I got her outside and ignored Tank's muttered "Jesus" as I ran with her directly to the waiting ambulance.

The EMT's saw me coming and worked fast to get the stretcher out of the back of their rig. I laid her on the gurney when it hit the ground and answered the rapid fire questions they threw at me while I took out my phone and sent Bobby a text, asking him to meet us at the hospital. I was sure these guys knew what they were doing but I wouldn't be satisfied until Bobby told me what they were saying was accurate.

I stripped off the fire coat while they gave me a rundown and dropped it onto the ground. "Her wrist is broken, but her lungs sound clear and her pulse is strong so she probably didn't take in very much smoke. There is a bump on the back of her head; she most likely has a concussion." They strapped an oxygen mask over her face and lifted the bed into the ambulance.

Tank materialized at my side and I silently handed him my keys. There was no way I wasn't riding with her to the hospital. "Morelli just pulled up," he said in a low, quiet voice right into my ear. Stephanie came to right then as if she'd heard what he said. She began thrashing on the gurney and one of the EMT's swore. I locked eyes with Tank for a short second and then hopped into the back of the ambulance, pulling the doors shut behind me.

The men were trying unsuccessfully to restrain her and turned to me in unison when I barked out an order. "Back off! She doesn't need to be restrained. She just needs me." I unceremoniously pushed her startled helper out of the way and knelt beside her. When I lay my hand on her uninjured left arm, she stilled immediately under my touch, turning her head to face me.

"Everything is fine, Babe," I assured her and pressed my lips to her temple. She nodded and told me with her teary blue eyes that she did not want to go to the hospital. Stephanie hated the hospital. I smiled at her and shook my head. "Not negotiable. You need your wrist set." The ambulance jerked away from the curb and took off down the street.

Her eyes closed in resignation and the unshed tears fell from the corners in slow trickles down her cheeks. I held her hand and we rode the rest of the way in silence.

I thanked the EMT's for their assistance when we arrived and for letting me handle her. Bobby appeared as they were wheeling her inside the hospital doors.

"What happened?" He queried as we followed the gurney inside.

"Not really sure. Can you find out her status? They say she'll be fine but…"

"I'm on it," he said, cutting me off. I watched him disappear into the bowels of the hospital. Bobby was one credit shy of his nursing degree and had done his rotations at this hospital. He could go places and get information that I would have to use a great deal of intimidation and probably force to acquire so I left him to it and went to take care of the admitting paperwork.

Tank arrived just as Bobby came out into the waiting area where I'd been directed to stay until someone came to talk to me.

"She's good," he told both of us. "Broken wrist, mild concussion, no burns and no smoke inhalation. They're setting her wrist now. She was asking for you - Cleona said she'd come get us when we can get back there to see her."

I didn't miss the small smile he couldn't seem to hide at the mention of Cleona's name. She was a nurse I was fairly certain he'd been exclusively dating for the last few months. "Thanks, Bobby."

He nodded and gave me a fist bump before we settled into the hard, plastic waiting room chairs.

"I called her parents," Tank mentioned casually as we sat. "They're on their way."

Bobby and I turned our heads sharply at his confession. "Her Mother?" I asked quietly?

Tank shrugged, his expression neutral. Stephanie and her Mother hadn't spoken since the called off wedding and I didn't think she'd appreciate seeing her now. The last thing she needed was another lecture about her dangerous job.

"They're her parents; they had a right to know." Tank defended his choice needlessly. It was better they heard the real story and not a twisted version undoubtedly making its way through the burg. Phones were probably already ringing off the hook.

"You're right," I said. "And thanks for calling them. I'll handle Helen, if necessary." I squeezed his shoulder briefly in silent gratitude. Tank always had my back and he always did the right thing, especially when I couldn't. "You two can take off – no need for all of us to be here," I offered and Tank shook his head.

"Yes there is," he said and Bobby and I turned to look at him again. "I tried to persuade him it wasn't in his best interest, but I'm sure Morelli will be here any second."

"Shit," Bobby muttered and I had to agree. Tank was right. They both should be here. Someone would need to keep me from killing the cop if he tried to get anywhere near her.

A striking woman with dark crimson hair and impossibly green eyes poked her head in the waiting room and grinned at Bobby. Her teeth were straight and perfect, her skin a creamy shade of alabaster and the smile lit up her entire face. This must be Cleona. She strode over to us on crazy long legs and I could see why Bobby appeared to be smitten with her.

After a not so subtle wink and a brief touch to Bobby's arm, she held out her hand to me. "You must be Ranger. I'm Cleona Bobzien and I'll be the one sneaking you back to see Stephanie."

I couldn't help but smile and I liked her immediately. I would have to grill Bobby later on her background. I shook her hand and her palm was cool and dry, her grip firm. "Appreciate it," I said and she showed me her perfect teeth again.

"I can only get one of you back there and we'll have to move fast." She gestured for me to follow her through the swinging doors.

"We'll hold tight here and try and head off Morelli," Tank said to my retreating back and I turned and gave him a quick nod of thanks as I followed Bobby's woman into a brightly lit corridor.

"Only family is allowed back into this area," Cleona said briskly as we walked, her vocal cadence keeping time with our hurried steps. "I suggested we list you as her fiancé so you could have free reign but Bobby said that might not be the best plan."

I frowned and shook my head imaging how fast the rumor of Stephanie being engaged so quickly after jilting Trenton's beloved cop at the altar would spread. "Yeah, that wouldn't be optimal."

"Hmmm," she murmured and looked like she wanted to ask more but thankfully kept her mouth shut. "They had to sedate her to set her wrist so she might be a little loopy." We turned a corner that opened up into a room filled with hospital beds separated only by curtains. Nearly all of them were empty except two. Cleona pulled back the curtain of a hidden bed and revealed Steph.

She was stretched out fully, her head resting on the pillow with her dark curls spilling out across the stark white sheets. Her wrist was already casted with plaster and her eyes were closed but her breathing was shallow so I knew she wasn't asleep.

"I can guarantee you ten minutes, but then you're on your own," Cleona said from beside me and I turned to look at her. "I'm gonna owe you big for this."

She flashed me a quick grin and then said, "Don't worry, I already have something in mind." She disappeared and left me alone with Stephanie.

I moved to the head of the bed and brushed a stray strand of hair from her face. Her eyes opened at my touch and she gave me a small smile.

"You're so pretty," she slurred and I wondered just how heavily she was sedated.

"Thanks, Babe. You're not so bad yourself."

"I broke my wrist," she said and held up her cast for my inspection.

"I know. Do you remember what happened?"

Her eyes glazed over with moisture and the smile that had been on her lips faded into a frown. "Yeah. I remember." Her voice sounded a lot steadier and I covered her left hand with mine and laced my fingers through hers.

"Want to tell me?"

She turned her head to face me fully and a single tear escaped and raced down her face. "You got me out of there, didn't you?"

I swallowed, remembering the fear that had ripped through me at the sight of her lying half in that fridge.

"Yeah. I did."

"When he got the cuff on me I tried to call you but he saw and took my phone, smashed it with his boots. The next thing I knew there was an explosion and everything was on fire….I should have had my gun."

She turned away from me, and I knew she was ashamed and embarrassed and probably thought I would lecture her about it but as I keep telling her, I'm not Joe, or her Mother. She's a big girl and she made a decision. I was certain she would choose a different option next time.

I used my finger to bring her beautiful face back to mine. "I'm thinking you won't make that mistake again so let it go."

Her eyes searched mine for a long moment and I guess she finally found what she was looking for because she softly said the words I didn't think I would ever hear. "I love you, Ranger."

My eyes closed briefly and I slowly let out a breath. I knew, of course I knew but she'd never been able to say it before now.

"I know," I said and leaned down to brush my lips lightly over hers. She groaned in protest when I pulled away so I went in for another taste. Her tongue darted out and when it touched mine I felt my cock twitch beneath my cargos. It didn't matter the circumstances, Stephanie always made me inexplicably hard.

She deepened the kiss, fully exploring every inch of my mouth and I had to force myself pull away from her. "Easy there, tiger. I don't think you're in any condition for me to get you naked right now so knock it off."

A sly smile graced her lips and her eyes dropped to the bulge she'd created behind my zipper. "Later Babe, I promise. I'm gonna go see what I can do about busting you out of here." I squeezed her hand and headed out, knowing the ten minutes we'd been allotted were gone. I turned back when she called my name.

"Thanks for coming for me today."

"I'll always come for you, Steph. In more ways than one." I gave her a single eyebrow wag and then left her, laughing when I heard her shouted, "Pervert!" I hoped I could get her out before Morelli or her parents made an appearance but a minute later I was severely disappointed. I actually ran right into Joe as I rounded a corner and he jumped back from me with scowl.

"Of course," he muttered sarcastically. He was testy and his hands were clenched tightly into fists at his sides. This wasn't going to go well.

"She doesn't want to see you, Joe." I tried, knowing he wouldn't be that easily dissuaded.

"What kind of shit did you get her involved in this time?" He bit out, ignoring my statement. "You're going to get her killed one of these days and I can only hope I'll be able to throw your ass in jail for it."

"I'm afraid you'll have to get use to disappointment in that regard, officer Morelli."

He shot me a filthy look and tried to move past me. "I want to see her."

I stepped in front of him and put a palm on his solid chest. "Not gonna happen."

"Get your hands off me, asshole."

I saw Tank and Bobby appear behind Joe so hopefully this wouldn't get out of control. I removed my hand and took a step back. "Isn't there a waitress over in Levittown you should be fucking in instead of chasing after a woman who doesn't want you anymore?"

The flash of shock in his eyes was instant but he hid it quickly and dropped his blank cop face into place. He obviously thought he'd hidden that little indiscretion, but there wasn't much I didn't know about Morelli. "This isn't over," he spit out through clenched teeth and turned on his heel, coming face to face with Tank and Bobby.

He dodged around them and I had to get in a final parting shot as walked away.

It is over, Joe. It's been over for a long time." I knew he would get my double meaning and I saw his shoulders tense before he disappeared down the hallway.

Tank gave me a raised eyebrow and Bobby slapped me on the back. "Well, that could have been worse," he said and I nodded. It could have been much worse.

"Her Dad and Grandma just got here," Tank said and I gave him a raised eyebrow back.

"No Helen?"

He shook his head and I breathed a sigh of relief. Steph would at least get out of here without any additional stress.

I went out to talk to Frank and Edna before they were taken back by Cleona to see Steph. Her Dad was cordial and polite and Grandma didn't mention my 'package' once so all in all this was a fairly drama free incident. Another hour went by before she was released and I sent Tank and Bobby off in my Porsche and loaded Stephanie into Bobby's explorer. She dozed off on the ride and I had to shake her awake when I pulled into the garage of my building.

She opened her eyes and groggily looked around. She had asked me to take her home but I couldn't make myself do it so I waited for the objection I knew was coming.

"This isn't my apartment building," she said slowly turning to meet my gaze.

"It could be," I said with a grin. I'd asked her to move in with me more than once but she wasn't ready for that. She wasn't ready for a lot of things.

"Ranger…"

I sighed and dropped my head back onto the head rest and closed my eyes. She hadn't stayed overnight with me since the abandoned wedding. She was holding all this guilt over ditching Joe and I think she felt staying with me would be another slap to his already wounded ego. I keep telling her she has nothing to feel guilty about and if anyone is to blame, it's me. If I'd told her a long time ago how I felt, he never would have gotten that ring on her finger.

"When I went into that house today and saw you lying there…I thought you were dead and I almost lost my mind. I need you with me tonight, Steph. I need to know you're here and that you're safe."

She was silent for a full minute and then I felt her palm on my cheek. I leaned into her touch and covered her hand with mine.

"Let's go upstairs," she whispered.

I exited the car before she changed her mind. I wanted to carry her but she insisted on walking so I tugged her along behind me and when we stepped inside the elevator, she wrapped her arms around my waist and held me as tightly as she could all the way to the seventh floor.