Author's Note: It's been awhile since I've written a story for JE and I have completely forgotten the love and support you all give. It's just absolutely amazing the response this story has gotten from you all. I was only going to update on Wednesdays but you all have been just so supportive that my writing has been almost non-stop. So once I finish a chapter and I'm happy with it, I'll post it. Thanks Again!

Disclaimer: These characters are NOT mine and I am NOT making any money. Thank JE for these wonderful characters... if only ... :-)

Author's Note 2: As I've said before, I've had this story(down to every detail) in my head for the longest time. Now thanks to JENIO1, I've decided to change one aspect of this story. It has to do with just some of the money Ranger gave to Steph... just a hint. :-)

Chapter Six
Tank's Name Sake

Steph smiled as she finished counting. Fifty-seven dollars and seventy-five cents wasn't bad for an afternoon of work. If one could call a yard sale work that is. After working her ass off yesterday, she got everything she wanted, but couldn't take with her packed away and to her parents' spare bedroom. What she was taking with her besides a small duffel bag was in the trunk of her car. All the crap that she didn't want, well, she spread it out in the parking lot of her apartment building and started selling everything. Her apartment was now almost completely empty.

She purchased an air mattress and it was now set up in the living room, two pillows and Ranger's comforter was folded in half on top of it. Rex's cage was still on the counter. On another counter was a few grocery essentials that she was taking with her such as peanut butter and olives. She had already placed the duffel full of Ranger's things in her car along with several suitcases of the clothing that she wanted to keep. All she had to do was get rid of the big things such as her couch, bed, and dining room table. And thanks to her yard sale, she did exactly that.

It wasn't a lot, but at least now she had some cash on hand, along with what she had after she emptied her bank account. The check her mother gave her was cashed, but Steph decided to put it on an American Express card that could be bought at any local grocery store. It had cost twenty-five bucks to put the large sum of money on the card, but Steph hadn't wanted to lose it. The cash Ranger had given her was separated and packed in several different suitcases. The largest amount was in the duffel full of Ranger's clothes which was actually in her back seat. She had to keep that bag close to her. Not for the money, but because she didn't want to lose the last thing she had of Ranger's. His smell.

She was just getting ready to take Ranger's comforter to her car, when someone knocked on her front door. Since it was unlocked, she just called out for whoever it was, to enter. In walked Tank, Lester, and Bobby. The core team.

She narrowed her eyes. "Can I help you?"

"We want to talk to you." Lester said.

Steph nodded. "Well the last time you three showed up on my doorstep, you gave me the worst news of my life. I'm not up for that kind of talk today."

Tank shook his head. "It's about you leaving."

"What about it?"

Lester took a deep breath, rub the back of his neck, and stepped closer. "We –um… we," he did a half turn thing and made a gesture towards Bobby, Tank and himself. "We talked last night and um… we don't want you to leave."

It took her a minute to process what Lester had said because he seemed so damned flustered and not Lester. Once his words sank in, she shook her head, clearing the cobwebs so to speak.

"You three don't want me to leave?" Steph made it into a question.

Lester and Bobby nodded, but Tank looked to be speechless. After a moments of silence, Bobby came to stand in front of Steph.

"We just think it would be better if you stayed in Trenton." Bobby replied.

"Yeah because Ranger doe– I mean he wouldn't want you to leave your home because of him." Lester added.

Steph's brows narrowed in confusion as Tank shot Lester a death glare. What the hell is going on with these three? And once again, she wondered if Ranger's death was real. But surely Ranger wouldn't lie to her about that. He would have to know how upset it would make her. Wouldn't he? Unless he just didn't care. Steph shook her head, once again clearing those cobwebs. She didn't want that in her head anyway.

"Well… unless you three are here to tell me that Ranger's death was a big old joke and ha ha, he's really alive and we just thought we would come clean after tearing your heart out then I'm leaving tomorrow morning and not one of you is going to stop me."

All three members of the core team looked guilty and uncomfortable, but they all shook their heads in a negative. And then Tank finally spoke.

"We just think it would be better if you stayed in Trenton. Come on, Bomber, you get a lot of stalkers and crazies after you. If you leave Trenton, we won't be there to help you."

Steph rolled her eyes. "The only reason why I continue to attract stalkers and crazy people is because of my job. Since I'm no longer skip tracing, there's nothing to worry about."

That didn't comfort these three men. Not at all. In fact, they looked just as worried. Steph was honestly confused. She just wanted to get away from it all and mourn without reminders. She knew it would be easier that way. So what if she was taking the coward's way out. It was what's best for her. Her mother approved and when she talked to her parents last night, her dad and grandmother approved as well. They wanted the best for her, they wanted her to be happy and right now that was leaving Trenton behind.

"If you have to leave, then let one of the guys come with you." Tank suggested.

Steph looked at him like he'd lost his flipping mind. "That's throwing money away, Tank, and as the new boss of RangeMan, that's a firm hell no. I do not want a full time bodyguard. That will most certainly attract crazy people."

Steph was beginning to think all four of them were cuckoo as hell. Standing in the middle of her living room and arguing didn't make them crazy, did it? She was beginning to wonder.

"How about we just load you up with tracers and GPS? One or two in your car, a few thrown in your duffel bags and –."

Steph cut Lester off. "Have you lost your mind? NO! I don't want any damn trackers, Lester. Now, I already told you that I would call in regularly. Along with RangeMan business, I'll let you know where I am and how I'm doing."

Tank opened his mouth to say something but Steph didn't allow it.

"BUT…" She screeched which made all them jump. "If I find so much as one tracker, then it's over. Oh, I'll still call RangeMan because I would never let anything happen to Ranger's business, but as far as my whereabouts, you'll never found out. Are we clear?" She asked, pointing her finger at them.

They all three nodded solemnly.

Steph smiled softly. "Good. I'm not leaving forever, guys. I'm just leaving temporarily. To get away from everything and everyone that wants to continue to remind me of the man I love more than anything being murdered. Ranger wanted me to fly and that's what I'm going to do."

"We're pretty sure he didn't intend for you to leave Trenton." Lester stated gently.

I frowned at him as I approached. "I'll call you, Les. I promise."

He nodded, swallowing hard. "I'm going to miss you, Beautiful."

"I'm going to miss you too." I replied as he pulled me into his arms, giving me a hug. She gave Bobby and Tank a hug too. "I'm going to miss you all very much."

"When are you leaving, Steph?" Tank asked.

"Well I've already told everyone that I need to and said good bye to everyone as well. I was going to head over to RangeMan this morning to tell you three good bye, but since you saved that for me. However once I get this bed and stuff in my car, I'm going to go to RangeMan and say good bye to everyone there. Then I'm leaving."

"So soon?" Bobby pondered.

Steph nodded and motioned around her. "Tomorrow is the fifteen of May and I'm paid up until then and as you can see my apartment is empty."

"Do you have your gun?" Tank nodded, looking not so hopeful.

Steph nodded. "I've got my gun in the glove box and bullets in the console. My stun gun is fully charged and in my pocket book along with pepper spray. I've taken precautions, guys. Trust me… please."

Tank pulled her once again into a hug. "We do trust you, Bomber. We're just worried something will happen and we won't be able to help."

Steph returned his hug. "Nothing is going to happen, Tank. "I'll be fine, I promise."

R&SR&SR&SR&SR&SR&SR&SR&SR&SR&SR&SR&S

Steph pulled out of the RangeMan parking lot with Rex in the passenger seat beside her and a heaviness on her heart. The atmosphere at RangeMan had been sad, quiet, and demure. She gave all the guys hugs which they returned with equal enthusiasm. As she was leaving she discovered that Bobby, Lester, and Ram were leaving on an op that from what Eric's big mouth had told her was going to be dangerous because they were going after the man that killed Ranger. Steph had hated hearing that tidbit of information, but she couldn't let that hold her back. She would definitely check in often to check on her friends.

She pulled up at the bonds office, ran inside and grabbed the bug detector and ran back outside. She ran the detector over her car, duffel bags, and suitcases. She found a total of twelve bugs. She gave them all to Connie, bid her friend one last good bye and left. She couldn't get mad at them. They were just trying to keep her safe, but she didn't want them knowing where she was unless she wanted them to. Call her selfish, but that's how it was going to be.

It was just two in the afternoon and her first stop was Hershey, Pennsylvania. Who wouldn't stop at the chocolate city of America while on a road trip? Whoever didn't was just plain crazy. A little chocolate would at least put a smile on her face. It would take a little over two hours to get there, putting her there around four. She could eat a light dinner, check into a hotel, and relax for the night. Tomorrow she would check out the sites of Hershey, Pennsylvania.

When she arrived in Hershey, she was starving and when she spotted a sign that said, 'The Chocolate Avenue Grill' on Chocolate Avenue, she stopped. Who wouldn't want to eat at a restaurant with chocolate in the name? Steph was already drooling and licking her lips in anticipation. She entered the posh restaurant and secretly hoped this first time didn't break her. She wanted to enjoy herself, but she didn't want to go broke either. After looking over the menu, she ordered the Mediterranean Risotto. It contained fresh zucchini, asparagus, Roma tomatoes, red onions, black olives, and basil folded into a creamy Parmesan risotto. It sounded delicious, but to her it also sound a little healthy. And maybe it was time for her to eat healthy. She ordered garlic bread on the side just as a balance.

It was absolutely the most delicious thing she had ever eaten. Oh she hoped she didn't slip up and tell that to her mother. She ate it all and was so stuffed, she wasn't sure if she had room for dessert. When she told the waiter that, he laughed and recommended the chocolate mousse. It was in a martini glass with a dash whipped cream. Steph agreed and ate all that too. It was more than she had eaten in the last several weeks. She hoped she was getting her appetite back. After she paid her bill, she found the nearest hotel where the doors to the rooms were located on the outside and easy accessible.

She asked the clerk for a room with a single bed on the first floor. She was definitely playing it smart. She parked in front of her door and carried in as much as she could. She didn't want to take the chance of being robbed and losing Ranger's money or anything else she had. She got out her air mattress and after moving several pieces of furniture around the room, she blew it up with the electric air pump. She then took her pillows and his comforter out of the car and laid it on the air mattress. She stayed at a hotel because the thought of being outdoors without a secure lock terrified her, but she didn't want hotel smells on his comforter. It probably wouldn't totally prevent it, but she was taking all the precautions she had too.

She took a quick shower and put on a new pair of pajamas that Mary Alice picked out. White with little pink horses all over them. Mary Alice had wanted a pair in her size, but unfortunately they didn't have one so Steph got a pair to make MA happy. She turned on the television and let the Three Stooges play. Mooner would be happy. She climbed onto the air mattress and wrapped the comforter around her. Ranger's scent was still there. God, she hoped it lasted.

She sent a text to her mother letting her know where she was and that she was okay. She then sent a text to Mary Lou, several of the guys at RangeMan, including Lester, and then she sent a message to Tank.

I'm in Hershey, Pennsylvania and I'm safe.

The chocolate city of the world, huh? Should have known you would go there. :-)

Did you just smiling face me?

Um… no. Temporary insanity or something.

Lol! Is all okay at RangeMan?

Yes

Good… Just checking. Good night Big Guy!

Good night, Little Girl.

She tucked her gun, stun gun, pepper spray and phone next to her, within reach, curled herself under the soft scent of Ranger, and went to sleep.

R&SR&SR&SR&SR&SR&SR&SR&SR&SR&SR&SR&S

The next morning Steph loaded all her stuff back in the car, but she didn't check out. She didn't want to leave her stuff, just in case. It was all she had left of Ranger. The last couple of nights, with Ranger's scent wrapped around her, she had actually slept pretty damn well. She didn't want anything to mess with that. And she didn't want the hotel to think she had someone else in the room with her because she told them she was alone. She wasn't sure if they would frown upon another one staying with her but she didn't want to take that chance.

Her first stop that morning, after eating breakfast at the hotel, was the Hershey factory. She bought a ticket, got a tour of the place, learning how the chocolate there was made. She even got to design her own candy bar. She put toffee crunch pieces and pretzels in her chocolate bar. It was delicious. She then got to go on a chocolate tasting tour. By the time she left the chocolate factory, she was full of chocolate and on a cocoa high.

She was driving back towards the hotel to eat lunch when she passed a local pet store. A woman stood out front with a flurry of dogs in cages around her. The woman herself looked tired and run-down. Dogs around her were barking as she tried to get a rather small little dog in an equally small cage. Steph didn't know why, but she pulled in and got out. All the dogs were barking hysterically. And now that she was closer to the woman, she could see that she was covered in dirt. At least Steph was hoping it was dirt.

The woman turned on her and frowned. "Can I help you?" She was polite, but Steph could hear the tiredness in her voice.

Steph pointed up. "I saw the sign –"

The woman interrupted. "It's no longer a pet shop. I bought it so I could open up a dog rescue center."

Steph nodded. That was really cool. "Um… forgive me for saying so," Steph had never been able to turn away from anyone who looked as harried as her. "But you look like you could use a hand." Steph offered. And why not? She had nothing else to do and she wanted to help.

The woman almost dropped the dog, she was so surprised. "You're offering to help? Me?"

Steph shrugged and then nodded. "Yeah, I can help." She offered once again. She had worn a pair of jean shorts and an old t-shirt, so she could easily throw it away if she got too … gross.

She sighed in relief and thrust the small funny looking dog in her arms. "Oh my gosh, you are such a life saver. I hired two assistants to help me, but then Sarah called last night and said she was getting married today so she was quitting. And Marlene called this morning and said she changed her mind. That she couldn't imagine taking care of a bunch of dogs so now I'm on my own. My brother helped me this morning, picking me and the dogs up at my house and dropping me off here, but then he just took off. I was getting ready to drag all them in the building but Maxwell there had to pee and the cages are too heavy for just me to drag in and I'm…" She stopped and grinned at Steph. "I'm rambling, aren't I?"

Steph smiled. "That's okay. Where do we start?"

"I'm Jessica." The woman offered her name and her hand.

She returned both. "Steph."

For the next several hours, Steph helped walk dogs, wash dogs, groom dogs, clean cages, and scrub every surface and the floors. She met many different dogs with some darn funky names. She even got to name a dog. The poor thing was what Jessica had called a mastiff. He was eight months old and already hundred pounds. The family that had originally adopted him couldn't handle such a big dog so they took him to the pound where Jessica saved him. The family had called him dog. Jessica and Steph both agreed he needed a new name. He was dark brown almost black in color with a fawn colored face and feet. He was definitely one of a kind and when Steph discovered that he was nothing but a gentle giant, she named him Tank. She took a picture of him to show Tank later. She was sure he would get a kick out of it.

When five o'clock rolled around, Steph was tired, hot, and filthy, but she felt good. She had helped someone in need and it felt nice. When Jessica offered Steph money, she shook her head. She couldn't accept it. Jessica had said she was doing this dog rescue all on donations from other people. There was no way, Steph would take money from these sweet dogs.

"Are you sure? You did a lot of work today."

Steph smiled at her. "I'm sure. I did it because I wanted to help, not to get paid."

Jessica actually gave her a hug. "Thank you so much. I never would have gotten everything done if it hadn't been for you."

She returned Jessica's hug. "You're welcome."

Steph couldn't resist saying good bye to every dog there, which was fifteen including Tank. She walked out to her car, but before she got in, she had an idea. Smiling, she opened the trunk and from one of the duffel bags, she pulled two thousand dollars from the bundle that Ranger gave her. While Steph volunteered today, she saw all the supplies that Jessica had to have. It had to cost a lot of money. It had been Jessica's dream to open up a dog rescue and when she finally saved up enough money, she borrowed a little more from a bank and now she had Doggy Love Rescue. Jessica's full time job was a receptionist at a dentist office so she had time to give to her rescue center. But Steph wanted to help.

She walked back inside. Jessica greeted her with a smile. "Hey! Did you forget something? Did you want to adopt a dog today?"

She smiled. "I wish I could, but it wouldn't be good for dog to be on the road and I wouldn't be the best doggy momma."

Jessica laughed. "I'll have to remember that, doggy momma. That's cute."

"I wanted to give you this." Steph said, handing her the money.

Her eyes went wide and she shook her head. "I can't accept your money. You worked for me today not the other way around."

"You said you're going to be running this place mostly on donations. Please accept mine. I just love these dogs and I want to help."

Jessica, with tears in her eyes, accepted the money. And then gave Steph another hug, almost cutting off her air supply. "Thank you so much. This will help so much."

"You're welcome."

She said good bye again and left. After grabbing a chicken Mcnugget meal from McDonalds, she drove back to the hotel and dragged everything back in the hotel, except for her bed and the blanket. She wanted to take a quick shower first. Once she did that, she fixed the air mattress and brought in Ranger's blanket. Ghostbusters was on so she couldn't resist watching that while she ate. Once it was over she called her mom and talked for a few minutes. She told her mom about her day, but she left out the part about the money. That wasn't anyone's business. Once she got off the phone with her mom, she texted Tank.

Still in Hershey, PA. Leaving tomorrow. Is everything at RangeMan okay?

Hey Little Girl! All is good here. Nothing new. Are you okay? Safe?

I'm safe. I had a good day. I was actually so busy, I hardly thought of Ranger. Which was true. She only thought of him a handful of times.

That's good, Steph. What did you do?

I cleaned dogs and dog cages. I even got to name a dog.

I should be surprised, but you always help anyone in need.

How Tank knew that Jessica needed help, she didn't know but she ignored that comment. Instead she attached the picture of Tank.

I named him Tank because he's a gentle giant. Kind of like you.

I'm flattered, Steph. Thank you. He's cute. Not as cute as my cats of course.

Lol! Good Night, Tank.

Good Night Steph.